You’re able to withstand anything if you’re standing for the right things. Consider Paul. He persevered even though he had been put in prison, flogged, exposed to death, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, and shipwrecked three times. (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) But it wasn’t for nothing. It was so that GOD could continue his … Continue reading Able to withstand anything
philippians
What you’re doing impacts how you’re doing
What you’re doing impacts how you’re doing. Or, put another way, what you’re doing influences how you’re feeling. A 2013 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology discovered that if you listen to upbeat music it can improve your mood. How many of you have felt lighter after listening to a stand-up comedian? How many … Continue reading What you’re doing impacts how you’re doing
What do you need the most?
In an impoverished village in India, a missionary and his co-workers were trying to improve the living conditions of the locals, including securing clean drinking water. Through an interpreter he asked a young girl a question: “What do you need the most?” She was about nine or ten years old, covered in dirt, and didn’t … Continue reading What do you need the most?
If your faith demands nothing…
What is “faith” to you? The reason I ask is because we need to guard against a troubling trend. Since we live in a highly individualistic society, “faith” can degrade into a series of fuzzy beliefs that are all about us. When that happens, we discard beliefs we don’t like and only adopt those that … Continue reading If your faith demands nothing…
Focusing on good and godly things (a tip)
If you focus your mind on good and godly things, your mind will be focused on good and godly things. Makes sense, right? But if you focus your mind on negative and ungodly things, your mind will be focused on negative and ungodly things! To the Philippians, Paul says: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, … Continue reading Focusing on good and godly things (a tip)
God uses crooked sticks
Broken. Bruised. Uncertain. Imperfect. Flawed. Deficient. Maybe you can relate to a few of those words. Maybe they describe something challenging from your past—or from your present. Today I’m here to tell you that “God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines.”* That’s something that was said by a church father named Ignatius. As the … Continue reading God uses crooked sticks
Praying for ‘little things’
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes we think that God only wants to hear about … Continue reading Praying for ‘little things’
Eternal things more than temporary things
Over the past few devotionals I’ve been helping us reflect on the fact that mature people mature people. Adjective, noun, verb, noun. In other words, people who are mature can help other people become more mature as well. Because of their faithfulness and maturity they can be a positive role model for us. In addition, … Continue reading Eternal things more than temporary things
Those who live sacrificially
There are times when we’re just not sure what to do. We need some advice and direction. Yesterday I pointed out that in times like these,God puts people in our lives to help us pilot our lives. But how do we know who these people are? Well, Paul tells us. Someone he lifts up as … Continue reading Those who live sacrificially
To help us pilot our lives
Have you ever wanted to some wisdom or direction for something you're dealing with? -You’ve prayed—but still aren’t sure what to do. -You’ve read the Bible—but still aren’t sure what to do. -You’ve fasted—but still aren’t sure what to do. In these situations, God is so merciful to us. He puts people in our lives … Continue reading To help us pilot our lives
