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Deception, Division, Doubt, and Discord
From the Garden of Eden to the present day, the enemy’s strategy remains unchanged. Just as he deceived Eve into believing God wasn’t truly good—insinuating He wouldn’t provide what was best for her and Adam—Satan uses those same tactics on us today. A Moment for Reflection. Think about the last time you felt tempted to doubt, just as Eve did. How did it happen? What sat at the heart of that deception? Did you give in, or did you resist by standing on 1 Corinthians 10:13?: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what…
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The Living Foundation
Throughout his letters, the Apostle Paul consistently challenges believers to “grow up.” He relentlessly pushes the early church to deepen their faith rather than settling for a shallow, stagnant spiritual life. In a recent study of 1 Corinthians 3 with my discipleship group, we saw Paul addressing the spiritual immaturity within the church at Corinth. The community was fractured by “worldliness, envy, and strife.” Some members had become prideful, centering their identity on which specific leader they followed. Paul corrected this by explaining that while multiple leaders might influence us throughout our lives—each challenging different areas of growth—the focus should never be on the human personality. The point isn’t who…
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One Seed, One Savior, One Story
The more I dive into Scripture—which I believe to be the true Word of God—the more I find confirmation of my faith. I especially love reading the Bible chronologically. Seeing the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled through Christ and reading the Bible as a singular story of redemption proves God’s truth and His eternal purpose for the earth. In Galatians 3, Paul writes to the church in Galatia to remind them that eternal life comes through the work of Jesus, not through adherence to the Law. In verse 16, he writes: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.” Paul emphasizes that the scripture does not say “and…
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A Lesson Relearned: When Doubt Creeps In
You’d think I would know by now. I’ve been there and done that so many times. I know better. Sometimes I forget. I wonder if you do the same thing. Has God asked you to do something lately that felt like a challenge—something for which you felt less than adequate? Did you ask the Lord for the ability to walk through it? Or did you ask Him, and then allow your weaknesses—or the lies of the enemy—to stifle you? Jeremiah faced a moment like that. While Jerusalem was under siege by Babylon, God gave him a prophecy. The message pointed to better days ahead and even hinted at the new…
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Soldier of Grace
If you’re in the midst of a battle—or have just come through one—you’ll be encouraged by this post from guest blogger Alycia Neighbours, my youngest daughter (by only 13 minutes behind her twin “older sister”). She’s a gifted artist and writer, as you’ll soon see. Her message speaks to anyone questioning the purpose behind their struggles. Be encouraged as you read. When people see a veteran with medals across his chest, they stand in quiet awe. They see honor stitched into fabric, courage pressed into metal. They don’t ask for proof of what he’s been through. The weight of what he carries is enough. But what if our battles were…
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Persecuted…But Full of Grace
Have you been criticized for your faith recently? Has anyone made fun of what you believe? Have you ever felt like you were fighting to stand firm in your convictions? In the Gospels, we see people imprisoned—and even martyred—for their faith. John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded for speaking the truth (Matthew 14). Stephen is recognized as the first martyr after Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit was given, and the early church was born in Jerusalem, as recorded in the Book of Acts. When Stephen was questioned about his faith and what he had been preaching about Jesus, he did not back down. He continued proclaiming the truth,…
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Don’t Laugh When God Speaks
Why did Sarah laugh? Was it because she was too old to have a baby? Because she didn’t believe what she was told? Because it felt impossible? In Genesis 18, the Lord visited Abraham in the form of three men—understood to be the Lord and two angels. Abraham recognized who they were. After serving them a home-cooked meal, they told Abraham that Sarah would become pregnant and have a son—the child through whom a great nation would come. From inside her tent, Sarah listened to this promise and laughed to herself. In Genesis 18:14, the Lord, in response to Sarah’s unbelief, said to Abraham, “Is anything impossible for the LORD?…
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Living as the One Who Came Back
My chronological Bible reading placed me in Luke 17 recently—a passage I’ve read many times. Yet this time, I was convicted me in a fresh way: But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 Out of ten men healed of leprosy, only one returned to worship Jesus for the miracle. After years of isolation and the heavy humiliation of their illness, only one came back. Ironically, it was the “outsider”—the Samaritan—rather than the expected followers. I realize how often I mirror the other nine.…
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Rushing, Rushing, Rushing…
How many “busy”-bodies are out there reading this? Maybe you find yourself rushing through life—even when you don’t need to. Perhaps you’re a Type A personality, trying to save time by getting everything done quickly and efficiently. Right now snow predictions have changed many of my plans and my first thought was, “how can I get everything done?” I love long, unhurried mornings with the Lord now that I’m retired. I truly savor that time. But after that, it’s a different story. I like being busy. I actually function better with some time constraints. Lately, though, the Lord has been showing me what I’m missing when I rush through my…
- Favorite Quotes, Knowing God's Will, Lament, Lessons, Spiritual Growth, Struggle and Loss, Test, Trial, Waiting
Turning What Ifs Into Even Ifs
As I’ve continued my Titus Bible study, a question was posed that stopped me in my tracks: What if we turned our “what ifs” into “even ifs”? Almost immediately, my mind went to the MercyMe song “Even If.” If I’m honest, I found myself quietly singing some of the lyrics as I sat with that question. I’ve loved that song since the first time I heard it, but I needed the reminder it offers—a call back to standing firmly on its message: “I know You’re able and I know You can save through the fire with Your mighty hand, but even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.” If…
