| Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. | ||
|
|
||
| - Colossians 3:12 (NLT) | View in Context |
Sunday, May 18, 2014
encouraging word
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Long and Winding Road
Friday, May 16, 2014
The Long and Winding Road
Scripture Reference:
-
Proverbs 15:24 (NKJV): “The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below.”
While I’m not a Beatles fan, the title of Paul McCartney’s song, The Long and Winding Road, beautifully captures the theme of today’s proverb. Life is a journey — long, winding, and full of unexpected twists and turns.
Along the way, there will be moments of joy and seasons of sorrow. There will be stretches that feel monotonous and uneventful, followed by times when life moves so quickly that you find yourself gripping the steering wheel tightly, whispering prayers under your breath.
The key is to keep winding your way upward by making wise, God-honoring decisions. God does not condemn us every time we stumble. There will be potholes, distractions, and wrong turns along the way. When these challenges arise, the solution is simple: repent, adjust, and continue moving forward toward the upward path.
By God’s grace, staying on this path will ultimately lead you home — to Heaven, your eternal destination. Trust Him with the journey, even when the road feels long and winding.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
What are you going to do with that money?
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
What Are You Going to Do With That Money?
Scripture Reference:
-
1 Timothy 3:2–7 (NKJV): “A bishop then must be…not greedy for money…”
-
1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV): “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…”
There is nothing sadder than a life ruled by money. When life is reduced to a bottom-line mentality, everything — family, friendships, faith, principles, and character — is assigned a price. Tragically, a life dominated by greed eventually leads to sorrow and spiritual ruin.
Here’s a simple antidote: regularly ask yourself what you are going to do with the money you hope to receive.
Sometimes my kids want something unexpected, or beyond our budget, and they remind me, “I thought that was why you worked.” Over the years, I’ve reminded myself and my family why I work:
-
I work not just to pay bills, but to provide a good life for my family.
-
I work not to buy a bigger house, but to provide a home.
-
I work not to accumulate money, but to support ministry and dreams.
-
I work so my family can enjoy life, create memories, and have fun.
-
I work to be generous and bless others.
The bottom line: hold on to your money without letting it hold on to you. Before spending, honestly ask: Will this glorify God and bless people? If not, it may be time to confront greed and realign your priorities.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
But Their Heart Was in the Right Place
Scripture Reference:
-
Matthew 25:21 (NKJV): “His lord said to him, ‘Well done…’”
Having a good heart is not enough. One of the saddest things anyone could hear about their life at a funeral is: “They meant well.” Jesus sets a higher standard: “Well done.”
It’s not enough to intend to do good; we must take action and do it well.
Encouragement for Today:
Do something well today. Invest your time, energy, and resources into actions that honor God and bless others. Let your life be measured not by intentions alone, but by faithful, purposeful deeds.
The proverbs
Monday, May 12, 2014
The Proverbs 31 Mother
Scripture Reference:
-
Proverbs 31:1–2 (NKJV): “The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: ‘What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?’”
When I read today’s proverb, the phrase “son of my vows” stood out to me. It reminded me of Hannah, who dedicated Samuel to God, and of Joseph and Mary, who dedicated Jesus at the Temple. It also brought to mind my own mother.
Some of my earliest memories are of her reminding me of the vow she made on my behalf: “Son, before you were even born, I dedicated you to the Lord. I asked God not to let you be born alive if you were not going to serve Him.”
Imagine the impact that had on a child — and later on a teenager and young man. Proverbs 31 is widely known for describing the Proverbs 31 wife, but we must not forget the Proverbs 31 mother — a mother who made vows concerning her children and used them to guide them in the right direction.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Proverbs 31 Mothers — Part 2
Perhaps you are a parent who dedicated your children to God, making vows of guidance and protection. This dedication is more than a request for God’s favor; it is also a commitment from the parent to live faithfully and uphold those vows.
Or perhaps you were a child on the receiving end of such vows. You may not remember them, but they still stand. Whether parent or child, let us leverage these vows to the fullest today.
Long before there was a Proverbs 31 wife, there was a Proverbs 31 mother — shaping the future through vows of honor and devotion. The Proverbs 31 wife is celebrated for her tireless labor and care, bringing material blessings to her family (Proverbs 31:28–29). Yet for those blessings to truly matter, spiritual values must be instilled early in life, and that is the crucial role of Proverbs 31 mothers and fathers.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
He is Risen!
|
| ||||||||
|
|
HELPFUL LINKS:
|
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Short Bible Plans Developed Specifically for Easter
Prepare Your Heart for Easter with the Bible App
With Easter just a week away, now is the perfect time to focus your heart and mind on Christ through His Word. The YouVersion Bible App offers several Easter Plans designed to help you reflect, grow, and prepare spiritually during this special week.
Featured Easter Plans
1. My Utmost for His Highest: Holy Week
A special edition of Oswald Chambers’ timeless devotionals, encouraging a deeper, more passionate walk with God.
Duration: 7 days | Publisher: Discovery House
2. Our Daily Bread: The Hope for Easter
Quick daily devotionals chosen to bring peace, comfort, and encouragement through God’s great love.
Duration: 7 days | Publisher: Our Daily Bread
3. The Story of Easter
Follow the biblical account of Jesus’ final week on earth, His prayers, prophecies fulfilled, and His ultimate victory over sin and death.
Duration: 7 days | Publisher: LifeChurch.tv
Other notable plans:
- Love to the Uttermost: Holy Week with John Piper (9 days, Desiring God)
- Seven Mile Miracle Easter Devotion (7 days)
- For the Joy Set Before Him (8 days, Just Joy Ministries)
- The Children’s Guide to Easter (7 days, 4Soils)
- Matt Maher – The Overflow Devo (7 days, The Overflow)
- The Artist Bible: Easter (8 days)
- Red-Letter Day (12 days, LifeChurch.tv)
Easter Stories for Kids
Teaching children about Easter has never been easier. The Bible App for Kids includes two new stories:
- “It Is Finished” – Tells the story of Jesus’ sacrifice in a way children can understand.
- “A Happy Sunday” – Celebrates the power of His resurrection.
The app is completely free and available on iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire, with nearly 3 million downloads to date.
Inspire Others with Easter Art
YouVersion has created custom artwork to accompany the Verse of the Day for each of the seven days leading up to Easter.
- Free to download
- Shareable on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or anywhere you want to inspire others
Make This Easter Meaningful
Use these resources to:
- Deepen your faith
- Teach your children about Jesus
- Share the hope of Christ with friends and family
“Align your heart and mind toward Christ this Easter and watch His light shine through your life.”
Elisha: A Tale of Ridiculous Faith – Part 5
Elisha: A Tale of Ridiculous Faith – Part 5
Scripture Reference: 2 Kings 6:1–7 (NKJV)
Introduction
In Part 4, we saw the widow’s faith produce a miraculous provision from God. Now, we explore another instance of “ridiculous faith” through Elisha and the floating axe head. This story reminds us that God honors faith that acts boldly and trusts Him with the seemingly impossible.
The Floating Axe Head
In 2 Kings 6, some prophets were cutting down trees near the Jordan River. One man’s borrowed axe head fell into the water — an incident that could have ended in despair. But instead of giving up, the man sought Elisha’s help, demonstrating faith in God’s power through His prophet.
Elisha’s response:
“Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it in there, and the iron floated” (2 Kings 6:6).
Notice: The solution seemed absurd — a stick making a heavy iron axe float? That’s “ridiculous faith” in action. But God used Elisha to demonstrate that no situation is too small or too impossible for Him.
Lessons from Ridiculous Faith
-
Faith Acts in the Moment
-
The man could have panicked, blaming circumstances or giving up. Instead, he ran to Elisha immediately. Faith acts without delay.
-
-
God Uses Unlikely Tools
-
The floating axe was restored by a stick, illustrating that God often uses ordinary, unexpected methods to accomplish the extraordinary.
-
-
Faith Magnifies God’s Glory
-
This miracle reminds us that God’s power shines brightest when we trust Him with the impossible, even in small, everyday matters.
-
Application for Today
-
Trust God with your small emergencies. Sometimes what seems trivial — a broken relationship, a lost job, or a financial struggle — is an opportunity for God to show His miraculous power.
-
Step out boldly. Ridiculous faith requires stepping forward with trust, even when logic says otherwise.
-
Be persistent. Just like the man sought Elisha immediately, don’t delay in bringing your concerns to God.
Conclusion
The floating axe head reminds us that God is faithful, creative, and powerful. Ridiculous faith doesn’t mean blind faith; it means trusting God when the solution seems impossible, unreasonable, or unconventional.
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26).
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
-
🎬 Kirk Franklin Video Highlights https://share.google/Zkj9al8NfQ2JWSPAw , https://share.google/KojeFKmBUaHm2gJRs https://share.google/M1IZ...
