As I was driving into my office this morning, I noticed that the creek I pass over was overflowing its' banks due to a recent rain storm. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be overflowing with hope as referenced in Romans 15:13. Paul exhorted the Romans that...

As I reflect on 2013, I can think of a number of times when I realized that God was watching over me as well as those I serve in ministry. His watch care is so needed...

As I read the Christmas story in Luke 1 -2 and Matthew 1-2, I am amazed at all of the Christmas blessings that appear in the text. For instance:

The blessing of the angel appearing to Mary, revealing what was about to happen...

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 This is a verse that most of us might have memorized when we were young and attending Sunday School. However, if we truly look at the power behind these words, we can see...

As Christmas draws near it might cause us to review the different elements surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. One aspect of the story took place after Christ was born and that was the coming of the Magi from the east which is found in Matthew 2. According to the Scripture, the wisemen were drawn toward...

Last month we discussed how we should be giving to one another: fully, thankfully, cheerfully and with all of our hearts! As we approach the Christmas season, let's talk about the attributes of the Lord...

As Thanksgiving Day approaches and our families gather to celebrate with the traditional turkey dinner, we often get warm feelings inside of appreciation for those cooking the meal because they have poured love into their preparations. They have given from the heart as they...

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 I remember hearing this verse in Sunday School as a young girl. I always thought that if I was happy when the offering plate was passed and I put in some money, then God would be pleased with me. "There, see God, I gave you something!"

But, what if instead of having an attitude of obligation, I had an attitude that was...

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you should be thankful, but the feeling just wasn't there? How about when you were doing all you could do for others, but you did it out of obligation, not out of a heart of gratitude? Paul was pretty specific in these verses about how we need to not only be...

At this time of the year our minds and hearts are drawn toward the celebration of some very special holidays, namely, Thanksgiving and Christmas. On Thanksgiving Day we often pause to give thanks for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us and for the people He has placed in our lives. Christmas brings the celebration and remembrance of the birth of Jesus, the coming of the Son of God! So, during the month of November I would like to focus on the word "give" and what Scripture has to say about how we are to...

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:1,5 Rest sounds good right about now! Serving others in ministry can sometimes be overwhelming. When a person seems to be always on the giving end, they sometimes grow weary in well-doing.

But the psalmist, David, refers to a different kind of "rest." The "rest" found in these two verses of Psalm 62 talks more about...

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6b Did you ever come across a verse that really grabs your attention? Galatians 5:6b is such a verse. I decided to dig into the context of what Paul was saying to the Galatians. Evidently they were getting hung up on...

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. Whatever you have learned or received from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 In these verses, Paul is exhorting believers to have a filter in place regarding our thought life. What do you think would happen in your life if the filter you had in place...

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 Have you ever been in a situation where you have had to wait for someone or something? Many years ago I was on my way to a conference in Bolivia. As I began my journey...

Psalm 23 is such a familiar psalm of David. As I was reading this psalm recently, I began to think about how the Lord shepherds His people. These verses talk about the...

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15

As I read this Psalm it brought to mind...

Perhaps you are helping someone through ministry or caring for a loved one or even feeling overwhelmed by what is going on in your life right now. In Psalm 55, David was up against some really tough enemies and feeling pretty distressed by his situation. However, David knew that...

Recently we experienced an unexpected flood in my parents' home. As the waters rushed through the duct work from the top floor to the bottom floor of the house, we scurried to turn the water off. There was quite a mess to clean up and the task seemed daunting, but we all pitched in and the affected areas were cleaned up and allowed to dry for several days. As fast as the water was flowing, it seemed like it would overtake the entire house if we didn't turn off the water. This makes me think of...

Our new missionary/ministry staff training week was completed a few weeks ago. This week is called SERVANT Orientation and the purpose is to...

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you could not go any further? Perhaps you were giving your all to what you were doing and your strength was waning. Maybe you were ready to...