When my mom passed away from cancer seven months ago, the pain was unbearable. I'd hold my breath as I listened to her voicemail messages just to hear her voice and scroll through my phone to see pictures I'd taken while visiting her last year. Anything I could do to hold on to her a …
Tag: Jesus
When God Trains You in the Dark
When darkness closes in, will you still trust God? When Satan presses in so close that his lies become a constant torment, will you still believe God cares for you? When God trains you in the dark, He is teaching you to listen for His voice, to allow Him to guide your steps when you …
God Knows Our Hearts
With dirt caked under my nails from working in the garden, I answered my sister-in-law's phone call and walked around our backyard while we talked. Suddenly, a butterfly floated in front of my face and around my head, its wings grazing my forehead. It landed on my right hand, the same hand I used to …
Battling Anxiety
Jesus warned us that we're going to have trouble in this world, but He also explained that He's overcome the world. (See John 16:33.) So, we know we should cling to our Savior and keep our eyes fixed on Him, especially when trouble shows up. Yet, our minds latch on to things that, in turn, …
Rest for the Battle
Jesus slept in a boat BEFORE He rebuked the wind and the waves, and BEFORE He healed and freed a demon-possessed man. (Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-20.) Exhausted, Elijah fell asleep AFTER a mighty victory against the prophets of Baal, AFTER "the power of the Lord came upon him," and he ran ahead of Ahab, who rode …
At the Foot of the Cross Where My Heart Is Torn in Two
I wrote this post several years ago, but I try to share it every year at this time. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. I went to the foot of the cross during a prayer meeting at church a number of years ago. I knelt there, rested my hand on the wood, and bowed my head. …
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God Is a Jealous God
When you're consumed with social media and dive into that foreign land searching for your worth or the approval of others... When you become obsessed with pleasing others, your spouse, children, or even your church... When you allow the world to steer your course and you get in line to fill your plate with a …
Radiant
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8 NIV. If you do nothing but stare at the ugliness of the world, you can get tunnel vision that sucks you …
Wandering Away from God
"My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God." James 5:19-20 MSG. Being a Christian isn't always easy. You're going to have …
When Satan Targets You
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I [Jesus] have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 NIV. Do you feel like you've got a target on your back? Does it seem like you're battling one thing …
Joey Rudder 