Melissa Lapensee

Have you ever watched a house being built? The first part is to lay the foundation, dig a huge hole in the ground, churn up what was previously there, smooth it out and then pour concrete to keep it that way, the way it needs to be to support the structure built on it. I guess that’s a very simplistic description. My apologies to the engineers and other professionals involved in this process! The analogy I want to share is that this process can equate to building a family and generations to come. I often t[...]

In my prayer time a few months ago, I had a vision, and I believe it was to help me understand the difference between the lives of people who had accepted the gift of salvation and those who hadn’t yet. I saw people, humans, who chose not to receive the gift, who had decided not to receive Jesus. These people were paper thin and flat on a clothesline, flapping in the wind. The wind blew them all around with no solid anchor or security. If you have children and are familiar with the Flat Stanley books, this[...]

But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion. (Jude 1:10-11 NLT) Jude is warning us that we can't just do whatever we want and expect God's blessings. He preaches against false teachers who present[...]

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NLT). I heard a commentary on this verse that gave me a new perspective. The speaker offered that those with pure hearts are those who earnestly seek after God, read His Word, and put it into practice. She believed that people with this type of heart condition would see God moving in the world. When considering this verse in the past, I had always thought that the "pure in heart" were people born with beautiful pure hearts[...]

I started a new habit in 2022 of listening to the Youversion Bible App Verse of the Day every morning before getting my day started. I really enjoy the variety of speakers from various parts of the world. It helps me remember just how vast the Kingdom of God is in this world. The speaker's interpretation hit home for me on one particular day last December. You know how that happens sometimes? You hear or read the Word of God, and you hear God speaking directly to your heart or your circumstance. I don't know[...]

"When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod." Matthew 2:12 (NLT) The Life Application Bible notes are so interesting concerning this passage of scripture. I used to think about this part of the Magi story in one dimension. After the Magi found Jesus, an angel told them not to go back to Herod, to go a different way. I thought the reason the angel told them not to go back to Herod was to protect Jesus.  Herod was[...]

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is TRUE to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare His people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) This passage is so helpful to me today! I'd been feeling a little down and lost these past few days, having gotten caught up in the world's worries and taken my focus off the Lord. This scripture reminded me to get my mind back in His Word to[...]

"The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too." Genesis 3:6 NLT Our Heartstrong 2022 reading started in Genesis. Way back then, in April, as I was reading Genesis 3:6, something that stuck out to me and continued to roll through my mind for quite some time was this part of verse 6 – "and she wanted the[...]

"My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. "1 Peter 5:12 NLT Stand firm in God's grace for you! Since nothing can separate us from the love of God except ourselves, our own choices, then let's choose not to forfeit the grace God freely offers us. Living our lives believing in God the Father, that Jesus was His perfect Son sent to be the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our sins, is a choice. Once we ma[...]

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NLT). As I read this verse today, I heard God telling me that there is more to come; even in this life, there are greater things to come. Hold fast to the hope that this isn't the end, this isn't all there is, and not become complacent. I looked up the definition of complacent, and it perfectly described what I think the Lord is trying to tea[...]