We seem to be surrounded by ugliness. Ugly ideals, ugly words, ugly attitudes. Wickedness—ignoring the laws of man and God and doing whatever the selfish man desires—is rampant. All the more reason we must stand firm against temptation and set the better example. His Word instructs, strengthens, edifies, and guides.…
I’ve heard it said we were given two ears and one mouth to help us remember to listen more than we speak. That principle is largely ignored these days. People seem to be much more focused on their right to be heard than their responsibility to hear their fellow men.…
HYMN DAY! “Bringing in the Sheaves” by Knowles Shaw tells us how we can be His firstfruits—sowing wisely and sowing with rejoicing! 1 Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall…
The firstfruits—the best portions—of the crops or newborn lambs were set aside and dedicated to God, the Giver of all gifts. How humbling that He chose US to be His firstfruits—set aside for His purpose, dedicated to Him and His Kingdom. Let my heart always strive to give Him my…
Trials serve a purpose in my life. Trials strengthen my spiritual muscles. They make me look up and become more dependent on Him. They offer an opportunity to set an example of faithfulness that points to the different He makes in my life. And—best of all—when I grow in my…
If I find myself in a mess, it’s no one’s fault but my own. *I* am accountable for the choices I make. I always have two options: do the God-honoring thing, or not. Therefore, if I succumb to temptation and speak unkindly or behave inappropriately or wallow in a selfish/ugly…
HYMN DAY! John Henry Yates wrote the words to one of my favorite hymns: “Faith is the Victory.” Our sword is the Word of God! 1 Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, rise And press the battle ere the night Shall veil the glowing skies. Against the…
God isn’t stingy. What I need, He gives. Wisdom benefits me, so of course as a loving Father, He bestows it as needed. But He only gives what I am able, at my point of spiritual maturity, to handle. There are times, no matter how much I beg for clarity,…
James is a short book, but it is SO full of wise words to guide us on life’s pathways. Let’s take a leisurely stroll through James, growing in wisdom as we go… When I think of facing trials, “joy” isn’t my first response. It almost seems masochistic to find joy…
The women who went to prepare Jesus’s body for burial were deep in mourning as they trudged to that tomb. But their mourning transitioned to unspeakable joy because, as they walked away from the empty tomb, they met Jesus face to face on the road. That’s what Mom did on…
