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 …
Tag: Jesus
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 …
When Your Boat Takes on Water
"One day Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let's go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went …
Crushed and Brokenhearted
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 NLT. Unfortunately, you can't protect your heart from being broken. You can't build a wall high enough to keep your spirit from being crushed. The medical diagnosis of someone you love can knock you down, leaving you struggling to …
Joey Rudder 