God loves you! How often have I heard this statement since I became a follower of Jesus? Simultaneously, I have heard a linked thought: God is Love! And frankly, if He is made of LOVE, how can He not exude it wherever He goes? There is a certain eloquent synchronicity about all of this. But I must admit that it has NOT been[...]
"This I know, that god is for me"…Psalm 56:9(b) It will always amaze me how God uses His Word and others to send a message that gently and intimately touches our hearts. I've encountered many moments like this, but one recently has stirred me so deeply. It began one Sunday in pre-service prayer. Lindsay was praying and speaki[...]
"Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" John 6:34 (ESV), I have always loved God. I have always talked to God. Always. But one time, I was mad at God. MAD. Capital letter MAD. Mad, like, "I am not talking to you mad." Being diagnosed w[...]
When we hear testimony, it is usually what God has done in our place of need, but what happens when things have not turned out how you hoped, believed or prayed? When disappointment rolls in on how you thought it should be but isn’t! We are often asked this question on Heartstrong. We all have lived through disappointment at[...]
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2 When I was a little girl, I often fell asleep at the dinner table, waiting for dinner to be ready. One evening, while I patiently waited for dinner, I fell asleep and[...]
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV) Awaken Church. Arise and shine, for the glorious light of Christ s[...]
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Deuteronomy 6:12 (ESV.) When I was in elementary school, I was admitted to the hospital for ten days due to a fluid build-up in my jaw. I was unable to open my mouth and was in incredible pain. The doctors and sur[...]
The Apostle Paul is single-handedly responsible for writing a significant portion of the New Testament. He wrote in the FIRST person, knew his past and present, and could look to his future. Apostle Paul pulled no punches. He assumed no lofty perches based on pretense or piety. His total love fully set upon the face of Jesus Chr[...]
"Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? "Job 4:6 (RSV). Job, Chapter 4, is a conversation between Job and his friends. Job is wrestling with the question: can mortal man be right before God? His friends are trying to convince him that something is wrong with him and he must repent. Bu[...]
Right now, in our world, some people are quick to share every little aspect of their lives. Social media is filled with posts about what food you just ate, what outfit you are wearing, what funny thing your pet just did, your latest workout, and so much more. We’ve seen over the years a rise in “influences” for everythin[...]