“Let everyone give all their praise and thanks to the Lord! Here’s why – he’s better than anyone could ever imagine. Yes, he’s always loving and kind, and his faithful love never ends. (…) How he satisfies the souls of thirsty ones and fills the hungry with goodness!” Psalms 107:1 & 9 TPT. We’re pretty good at pursuing. We pursue relationships, careers, youth, health, the “it” crowds, popularity, wealth, success, long life, and the list goes on. All of these things seem to promise won[...]
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (…) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2 and 6 NIV “I want to wash away the pollution in your heart that you don’t even realize is there.” That was the whisper I felt early on a Sunday morning in church. I didn’t[...]
The fear of rejection is pretty universal. Who hasn’t been hurt by rejection at some point or another? In our fallen and broken human nature, we can reject one another and be rejected. Unfortunately, rejection is alive and well in our world, and the wounds inflicted by rejection can be seen everywhere. But the fear of being rejected can be a paralyzing trap, and it’s a very efficient tool used by the enemy. It can keep us from stepping out, keep us from following where God leads us, and even keep us from[...]
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV I read this interesting quote the other day that said: “We don’t just need more of Jesus, Jesus needs more of us.” Although I do like the classic prayer request for “more of Jesus,” this quote reminds us to ask ourselves, “does Jesus really have all of me?” We all go through seasons wher[...]
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV. Graciousness has to be one of my all-time favourite attributes of God. It’s usually defined as “undeserved favour,” and just like it says in Ephesians 2:4-5, it flows out of God’s rich mercy. Grace is one of the cornerstones of our relationship with God, and it enables us to receive what we could never de[...]
"But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don't get tired; they walk and don't lag behind." Isiah 40:31 MSG Like I mentioned in my last blog a few weeks ago, no one likes to wait. And yet, the Bible is filled with examples and situations where God makes people wait - sometimes for a long, long time. Maybe you are currently in a situation where you have to wait. Maybe you're waiting for God to restore a relationship or to bring someone to salv[...]
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV I don’t know anyone who likes waiting. At best, a person might not hate it too much, but no one actually likes waiting. In our modern world of conveniences, we have a growing obsession with[...]
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV I once heard that the Enemy shouts, but God whispers because the one who whispers is always closer than the one who needs to shout. The Bible tells us over and over again not to be afraid. We constantly need to be reminded of it because fear is definitely a shouter. Fear can enter the scene like a giant towering over us and givi[...]
“Come to me. (…) Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG Many years ago, I had a very vivid dream. I dreamed I was sitting on the ground among the branches of a bush in the middle of a forest. All was quiet until I heard footsteps from a distance. My view was obstructed by the branches and the leaves of my little sheltering bush, but I knew right away that it was God who was coming this way! All I could see were His feet, the hem of His flowing robe a[...]
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV On a chilly December Sunday in 2019, a good friend of mine walked up to me and said God had given her a word for me. She gave me the verse Isaiah 43:18–19 and encouraged me that “there are always new beginnings in God.” I thought that was a lovely word! But I had no clue what to do with it. So I[...]
1