“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) We are free either to love God or not. He invites us to love Him.  He urges us to love Him.  He came that we might love Him.  But, in the end, the choice is yours and mine.  To take that choice from each of us, for Him to force us to love Him, would be less than love…. He leaves the choice to us. By Max LucadoUsed by permission From: Everyday Blessings To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at: http://maxlucado.com/about/ FURTH ..read more

“I have hidden your word in my heart.”.. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”  Psalm 119:11 and 18 She is a wife and mother, busy with the details involved in maintaining a family and household. Outside the walls of her home she works in her church and community. Life can be overwhelming even for the most organized and Holy Spirit-filled woman. In the middle of one such busy day her eyes fall on the Bible she first began studying while in college. The pages are fragile, loose and tattered, the binding broken. She stops for a moment, fingers drifting over that much ..read more

“O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.” Psalm 15:1-2 It all started when a California pastor happened by the book display at a major national retailer. He was taken aback at what he saw. All of the Bibles on display had price tags that identified them as fiction. When it hit the news there was an outcry from evangelicals who believe in Biblical truth. One leading pastor said that people should be allowed to believe what they believe, but at least the giant retail chain could l ..read more

In a world connected by the Internet, we communicate instantly, yet we may stare at the screen in wordlessness when a friend needs encouragement. “My friend is sad, but I don’t know what to say.” We think, and think, and think…. Perhaps our stammering tongue is a God-given reminder to listen before speaking. How often wounded ones seek a hearer’s encouragement only to be wounded again by rash and impatient words. It is better to be speechless than reckless, especially with someone else’s soul. God, help us to wait upon you for the best words, if any. “Listen, then seek words…give me the righ ..read more

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse When Israel lay devastated in the face of a ruthless enemy that would rob all glory and strip bare the very soul of God’s people, God issued his promise. While the destruction visited upon them was in response to their rebellion and sin, God’s punishment wasn’t punitive alone, but redemptive. In their destruction, God promised prosperity, hope, and a future. Just as a doctor must cause pain when he sets a broken bone so ..read more

Confession!  It’s a word that conjures up many images—some not so positive. Confession isn’t telling God what he doesn’t know.  That’s impossible.  It’s not pointing fingers at others without pointing any at me.  That may feel good, but it doesn’t promote healing. Confession is a radical reliance on grace—a trust in God’s goodness.  The truth is, confessors find a freedom that deniers don’t! Scripture says, “If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust ..read more

”If we (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins (dismiss our lawlessness) and (continuously) cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action)” 1 John 1:9 (Amplified). Cleaning the oven is not my favorite thing to do. In fact, it slides down to bottom of my “to do” list several times before I actually make it a priority. I know I am not the only person who feels this way. The owner of the house we moved into obviously disliked cle ..read more

“How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul,  Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?  Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,   And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.  But I have trusted in Your loving kindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord,   Because He has dealt bountifull ..read more

“God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light” (Psalm 19:7,8) Professor William Lyon Phelps, one of Yale University’s most famous scholars, said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible.” Why would he say this? Our verse gives us the answer. The Word of God (1) protects us, (2) makes us wise, (3) gives us joy, and (4) gives us light. There are many other benefits that come from reading the Word of God. With dividends like these, we are indeed robbing ourselves of untold blessings when ..read more

“Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 This was the first time in years that I would not be buying school supplies! I should have done cartwheels! Instead my thoughts were mixed. My year had been filled with change. New schedules and routines, a graduation, a wedding, a funeral, changes in friendships …. They say change is the only constant in life. Some changes we like, others burden us down. Here are some principles I’ve learned in seasons of change. 1. Maximize the pros and minimize the cons. Every change has pos ..read more