Do I give the Lord perfunctory thanks and praise because I know it is expected? Am I in awe of His precious blessings, thanking Him like my kids thank me on Christmas when they receive a long-awaited gift?
A Scripture Writing Plan for November
Copying God's word has many benefits. For one, it focuses our hearts on certain words and concepts and commits them to memory. In this post, I have compiled a list of verses for you to copy, centering around thankfulness and gratitude to God.
The Beauty of Gratitude
Do not allow your thanks to become threadbare because you are not as prosperous as someone else. A grateful heart must be fed, and the best way to feed it is remembering what God has given instead of focusing on what he has withheld.
11 Scriptures to Combat Anxiety
"Be afraid." "You are alone." "You're going to fail." "I am a failure." "How will I get through this?" The things we think and say when we feel anxiety often serve to deepen our fears. We can be our own worst enemy, and Satan is only too happy to help by feeding us lies. Take up the Sword of the Spirit and fight back.
Etch Your Blessings in Stone
The Israelites were commanded to set up stones as a memorial after they crossed the miraculously-parted Jordan River. It was intended to be a teaching opportunity for the parents and a remembrance for all of God’s mighty power and fulfillment of promise. Oh, how often we forget—as the Israelites did—God’s kindnesses to us! What has… Continue reading Etch Your Blessings in Stone
Come as You Are, But…
I've seen many signs in front of church buildings that read, "Come as you are," and often wondered what message they hoped to convey. I know that regardless of "how" I show up to services, God knows whether my heart is focused on Him or caught up in self. I may come impeccably dressed while my heart is in shambles. I wear threadbare clothes while possessing a heart receptive to God's discipline. Our attire, whether stainless or shabby, might be able to create a certain impression on people, but it will not conceal from God the state of our hearts or our minds.
Dangerous Doubts
The deceitful and cruel nature of humanity molds many of us into skeptics. We have no desire to be duped into evil schemes. Investing, for example, often feels like an exercise riddled with doubts. Experts tell you to hang on to your Mutual Funds for 20 years and they will yield a decent increase. All… Continue reading Dangerous Doubts
The Trouble With Truth
"What is truth?" This rather deep question was asked by a Roman Governor over two thousand years ago, named Pontius Pilate. It's difficult to determine from the text if Pilate was asking the question sarcastically or pensively, but as someone once pointed out, the truth was standing right in front of Him---namely Jesus Christ. People… Continue reading The Trouble With Truth
When You Don’t Receive the Recognition You Deserve
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.” ~ C.S. Lewis One challenge of choosing stay-at-home parenthood is the dealing with perceptions. In my younger years, I was a girl of great ambitions. I graduated second in my high school class and graduated college with honors, even after switching my major… Continue reading When You Don’t Receive the Recognition You Deserve
When We are Tempted to Compare
Peter, having just been told in what manner he would die, wondered aloud what would happen to John. We like to know what is going to happen to other people. We wonder why they get the good stuff and we don't (or vice versa). We like to compare. Comparison is not necessarily a bad thing. It has the potential to spur us toward better behavior, healthier choices, and/or much needed discipline. On the other hand, it may very well lead us to ingratitude, envy, jealousy, and depression.
Elihu's Corner 