“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know.” ~Winnie the Pooh Scripture: And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day.  Give me a man, that we may fight together.”  When Saul and the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.  For 40 days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening. ~1 Samuel 17:10-11, 16 Perspective: The world is so very ridden with adversity, suffering, challenges, and darkness today, from destructive weather patterns to the vicious poverty cycle to the oppression of other human…

“All of my life in every season you are still God I have a reason to sing I have a reason to worship. ~Author Unknown Scripture: I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High. ~Psalm 7:17 Perspective: Last week we learned about why we praise and worship God, despite the state of our world.  This week let’s learn how to praise and worship God.  This can be done in numerous ways and it can and should be done alone and in fellowship with others.  Prayer is one way to praise and worship…

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. ~Saint Augustine Scripture: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~Isaiah 55:8-9 Perspective: Have you ever wondered why we are asked to praise and worship God when there are so many bad things happening all around us and throughout this world?  When I was a new Christ-follower that was probably my biggest question.  I have heard many question,…

“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. ~John Wooden Scripture: What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us? ~Romans 8:31 Perspective: Psychology defines acceptance as “a person’s consent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change or protest it.”  I believe this transition can and does take place even after we attempt to change or protest something; often that is actually part of the acceptance process, just look at the stages of grief, acceptance is last.  There is…

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” ~Desmond Tutu Scripture: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~Romans 15:13 Perspective: This week seems fitting for a devotional on HOPE!  The country, and even the world, is in such a place of uncertainty.  COVID numbers are always rising somewhere, Germany, France, and the U.K. just started another total lockdown; a variety of dates are being talked about for a saving-vaccine yet last week a researcher said it will take time until we…

What you choose to ignore becomes your blind spot. By opening your awareness you expand your vision. ~Unknown Author Scripture: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. ~Proverbs 28:13 Perspective: Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly realized something or someone was in your blind spot?  You may have even narrowly escaped an accident.  Spiritual blind spots are similar, and we all have them.  This concept refers to an area (or areas) in our life that is negatively impacting us, yet we cannot see it, and it can also lead to a “crash.”  They are shortcomings or…

The beauty of life is while we cannot undo what is done, we can see it, understand it, learn from it and change so that every new moment is spent not in regret, guilt, fear or anger but in wisdom, understanding and love. ~Author Unknown Scripture: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.  By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he…

Quote: We have to prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. ~Tim Elmore Scripture: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ~Hebrews 12:11 Perspective: Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and at times one of the most challenging things you will ever do!  It is a far bigger responsibility than many consider when they decide they want to have a baby.  Once you have that sweet little bundle of joy you will always be a parent, there will never be a true…

“The greatest marriages are built on teamwork…a mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration and a never-ending portion of love and grace.” ~Fawn Weaver Scripture: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Perspective: Marriage.  Something most of us long to do and fanaticize about for years when we are single and sometimes lonely.  We envision walking down the aisle…

“Be a thermostat not a thermometer.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Scripture: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:2 Perspective: By definition, a thermostat sets the temperature while a thermometer reflects the current temperature.  What do you do on a daily basis, do you react to your environment and the people in it or do you set the tone of your environment and positively influence others?  We are called by God to be transformers not conformers, to be the change and…