Faith over fear

You may be feeling crushed by the weight of a broken heart. You might even say like Elijah, “I have had enough.” But let me encourage you to be still and let God draw near. He longs to refresh you physically with rest and sustenance. Jesus longs to be your bread and living water. Run to him. Pour out your broken heart to him. Ugly cry if you need to. He’s near, waiting to receive you with open arm...

I wonder if David ever felt dismissed or disregarded? There can be so much emphasis placed upon us to make a name for ourselves, to achieve our 15 minutes of fame or to cast an enduring legacy. With so much emphasis placed on achieving recognition, or popularity, it can sting when we feel left out.

There is a battle going on in this world of evil versus good. As followers of Jesus, we know that He alone is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) History has always been filled with evil men bent on destruction. History has also been filled with Godly people making a difference in the lives of those around them, not only through good works, but through allowing their firm faith to guide o...

Not only does God love us as we are, but He's ready to use even our failings for incredible good - perhaps even greater good than had we been "perfect." When we stop comparing and put energy towards building the most important relationship we'll ever have, doors open to a life greater than we could have planned or achieved on our own.

How have you been hiding God’s Word and gospel message within your heart? How has knowing His love for you and His Scriptures helped you combat sin in your life? Keep thinking of creative ways to treasure the Bible in Your heart and avoid sinning against God.

There’s something about touch that goes deep into our souls. When we’re hurting and we feel someone’s hand on our shoulder, we feel cared for, less alone, and the burden we are bearing somehow seems more bearable. I imagine Jesus lovingly touching others. He even touched those others saw as untouchable. Everyone was touchable to Jesus.

Finances are the number one stressor in many people's lives. It can start out as a concern to provide or to have enough to live, but then can easily turn into greed if we let it. Just like Matthew 6:24 points out, we cannot worship God and money. We are called to glorify the Lord in all things, including finances. However, the enemy knows our weaknesses and our temptation to idolize dollars. We mu...

We serve a God that calls us to be faith-filled, not successful. The goal is to get to the end of our lives and hear “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23), not “way to go, you won at life, you made the money and enjoyed success.” Living a life with faithfulness as the goal and not success as our primary goal is radical.

Paul knew he was going to receive a crown of righteousness for doing the work and living the life God called him to. However, I believe greater than the desire to receive a crown was the longing in his heart to see his savior. So I ask you again, what is the longing of your heart? My simple prayer for you is that you would pursue and desire Christ more than anything else. Blessings are fine but se...

Showing appreciation strengthens relationships, builds trust, and keeps us humble. No one appreciates a boss who doesn’t know the significance of saying, “Thank you.” We dislike when our spouses take us for granted. And we too, much like our parents, want our kids to give thanks. We know the effects of feeling appreciation. Now let’s reconsider the question, how much gratitude is enough? The answe...

When we invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we are offered the gift of eternal hope that will bring joy and peace, regardless of what we face in this life. Because we have this eternal promise, our outlook doesn’t have to be affected by what we see. We have the supernatural ability to exude hope in even the worst of situations.

The Bible tells us the truth will set us free. John 8:31-32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It also says that Jesus Himself is the truth (John 14:6). When the lies come, ask yourself—what is truth? The only way to know is to come back to God’s Word. What does t...

The longer we walk with the Lord and study His Word, the better equipped we will be when Satan tries to defeat us. What lies has Satan told you? What have you found helpful in those times? Lord, I pray that you give us wisdom as we are in this world. We thank you that we were not left alone, but that you are with us. We thank you that you have given us your Word so that we can stand against the ev...

“If you return to Him.” As you look at your spiritual walk, your time spent in studying the Bible, your time in prayer, your attitudes, your habits, your personal choices - where are the areas that you need to return to God in? What are the things that are keeping you from knowing and following God more? The ones that immediately come to mind are the very areas that God is wanting you to leave beh...

Have you had a disappointment lately? Has there been a failure in your life that you cannot seem to get past? Have you been hurt or let down by others? The Lord knows your heart. He does not want us to stay in pits of despair, but to walk with Him even down unknown paths. He is trustworthy and we can praise Him today for carrying the weight of our burdens for us.

How has God done immeasurable more than you could imagine in your life? How has He invited you into the work that He is doing? Remember that we can be tempted to take the glory for ourselves, but may we always redirect it to Him in all things.

Jesus Himself said to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28). Are you tired? Overwhelmed? Today, find time to share your heavy burdens with God and with others. Know that you can rest in the fact that you weren’t created to do it all on your own.

Is there anything in your life that would be hard to give up in order to follow Jesus? Maybe it’s a feeling of security that you don’t want to give up. Maybe you’re happy where you live right now and you’re afraid of where He will call you to go. Let’s examine our own lives today and figure out if there’s anything holding us back from following Jesus into the unknown like the crowd did that day.

If you find yourself in a difficult season right now, find encouragement through this reminder: God will turn it around for good. Somehow. He is faithful to His Word, and He is crazy about you. He will see you through, don’t ever doubt it. You will step out to the other side of the darkness. And who knows, but that many lives may be affected for the kingdom’s sake, because of your difficult season...

All those hard things, the trials that drain you, the pain that is wearing you down, we can take heart because the Lord is good. He asks you to come, to taste His Word, to see He is good. He helped us in the past because He is good. He is working in your life today even if you cannot see it, because He is good. Allow His joy to fill your beautiful soul. Let the happy He fills you with, be the reas...

In what ways have you sought the world’s approval in your appearance? How can you be growing in eternal beauty each day? How can you begin to see yourself and others through the eyes with which God sees you?

Go tell each of your situations that you will not be fearful or dismayed. You have God with you in every single one of them! You do not have to walk through them alone or afraid ever.

Do not be anxious about anything.

Let the Lord be your guidance through your troubles.

Trust in the plan God has for you