This word came to me after planting a vegetable garden. As you have planted, I am planting my church amid an evil generation. Just as it is difficult and painful to prune a healthy, living plant, I am pruning the church so it will grow stronger and bear much good fruit. I strip away dead things for growth. As I water the p[...]
Young Mary was going about her day with excited distraction. Newly engaged, she looked forward to becoming Joseph's wife. What would it be like to be married? Would Joseph like her cooking? Would he be a tidy housemate? What would their future look like? Would they have children? With her mind full of hearts and rainbows, Mary[...]
The Lord places us in situations, and at times, these are not comfortable. We are delusional if we think grassy meadows and buttercups will also surround us. Or, for this coming season, a hot chocolate, a warm fire and soothing music. As we all know, there are many challenges and stumbling blocks in our path, and one challenging[...]
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV). As I turn the knob to the front door of my home, I notice something strange: it is unlocked. I hesitate. Is someone, or something, in my house? Have they been watching me or waiting for me to come[...]
“The seed falling on rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” Matthew 13:20-21 (NLT). I so admire people who are good garden[...]
"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING"… 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I use busyness as an excuse not to spend even five minutes with You. I often say I'll do it later, but later comes and goes without me taking that time. I know I need God every day and in everything, so He is the first priority in my day.[...]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV). "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2: 8-9(ESV). I was bo[...]
The staff meeting was virtual (and optional), so I decided to listen in my car rather than rush to work earlier. When I plugged the cord into my phone, connecting it to my Apple CarPlay, a message popped on the screen, assuring me that the app would automatically turn off my camera and microphone. Perfect. No one needed to watch[...]
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but, emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the po[...]
Radical Obedience Not partial, not convenient obedience, whole and complete submission The promise attached to this obedience is life, multiplication and possession of new territory, new ground, and breakthroughs. You have been wandering long enough. Fix your eyes north Fix your eyes on Jesus The wandering season has a p[...]