Melissa Lapensee

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 worries of the world and taken my focus off of the Lord. This scripture reminds me to get my mind back in His Wo[...]

In wrapping up his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, in chapters 10 through 12, the Apostle Paul tells the Christians in Corinth about his authority as an Apostle. He recounts all he has done and been through while expending himself completely to bring the Gospel to the various cultures.  His motive for doing this is to help them see clearly that the false Apostles, who are trying to lead them astray and lead them away from Paul, are lying to them. Paul hopes they will see that the false Apostles who tell them[...]

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT I learned something new today from this passage. It’s a familiar passage, but I think I’ve understood it wrong for most of my life.  My Life Application Bible Study Notes helped m[...]

Wow! I started reading Isaiah today. What a powerful opening! This is the message I have been hearing so clearly from God lately. God wants me to know Him, not my sacrifices. In much of Isaiah, Chapter 1, God tells the Israelites that He hates their sacrifices and religious festivals. He wants them to learn to do good and seek justice. He tells them to give up their evil ways and help the oppressed, defend the cause of orphans, and fight for the rights of widows. In our day and our society, it would be helpi[...]

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1[...]