Devotion: Are We Really Meant to Fear God?

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"The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14) "Why does God want us to be afraid of Him?" asked my sweet son recently. We were reading a scripture and it mentioned how we should fear the Lord. This is a question that most of us have asked at one time or another, and one we don't always get a satisfactory answer. I mean, God tells us He is our Father, our Abba, our friend, our protector. . . and then on the other hand He wants us to be afraid of Him? What kind of friend does that? When we live with a chronic illness we are up against all sorts of things that we can fear. We fear going to the doctor, we fear not going to the doctor. We fear taking the medications and dealing with side … [Read more...]

5 Ways to Stop Discouragement From Getting the Best of You

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By Leslie Vernick Discouragement and disappointment are normal emotions we all experience, even as Christians. Peter felt discouraged with himself when he realized that he wasn't as courageous as he thought he was, even though Jesus had warned him that he would deny him before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:31 and 74,75). We too can feel discouraged and even depressed when we fail to live up to our own or other's expectations. Job felt discouraged and frustrated with his friends. They didn't get it. Trying to be helpful, they only heaped more shame and blame on Job for his afflictions. We also can feel let down by our friends and family. They don't understand what we're going through or don't offer to help as we wish they would. … [Read more...]

Where Is The Justice?

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46 million people are on food stamps, 15 percent of Americans. July saw the highest level of layoffs in 16 months, the steepest jump since the recession. The president promises that the next few months will be about jobs. The reporters says it's all about. . . Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. But talking about jobs doesn't make them materialize. People are still hungry. I read Jeremiah 33:2-3. "'This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it-—the Lord is His name: 'Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" Life is messy. But God is still on the throne. He says to call to Him and He will answer and He will tell me … [Read more...]

Q & A: How Do I Know if God Has Motherhood In My Future?

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I have been married for four years and have multiple sclerosis. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for some time and it's not happening. I think I am capable of being a mom, despite my illness, but it's making me nervous to see the clock ticking--and for those of us with illness, it ticks a whole lot faster! I don't want to grow bitter about not getting pregnant yet, but my friends are having kids, doing family events, and now, not only do I feel ousted because my illness slows me down, but I am just not at soccer games and Chuck E. Cheese. How do I cope with all these mixed up feelings? Leslie Leslie, My heart aches for you. I remember my own similar journey for years back in the late nineties until the day our son was … [Read more...]

Feeling Disheartened? Pulled in All Directions? Great Video!

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I thought this video was amazing... and wanted to share it with you. We all have so many different shades of darkness in our lives by just being in this world. And as the video shows, sometimes, even when we are clinging to the cross, we still feel pulled away from it. But even as we lose our grasp, Jesus grabs us and lightens up our world. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to share it and I'd love to hear your comments below. … [Read more...]

Devotion: Is Suffering Inevitable But Fear Optional?

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"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." (Revelation 2:10) "Now, this is going to hurt just a little bit." Most of us heard these words. Sometimes it does hurt "just a little bit." Usually it hurts more than the medical specialist let on. Because if he said, "This is going to make you want to scream like crazy we'd yell "stop!" I've lost count of the number of times it's hurt much more than just a little bit and I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. Suffering comes. It's inevitable in our world that is filled with sin. But consider this for a moment: Suffering does not have to be accompanied by fear. Imagine knowing something was about to hurt more than you were prepared for but you felt a complete lack of fear. No … [Read more...]

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