“God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) We all have unique personalities and ways of “doing life.” Some of us are patient and relaxed, while others are impatient and much more active. I fit rather perfectly into the second category — not so patient and almost never relaxed. While sometimes the way we do life is a choice, other times it’s a personality trait or lifestyle we’ve become... Read more
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (Msg) Imagine meeting a friend to celebrate their birthday and being excited about giving them the gift you’ve found especially for them. Because your friend is so special to you, you’ve taken extra time and care to shop for the gift, even wrap the gift. Your anticipation to give your friend the gift is even greater because you know they will... Read more
Everyone plays the role of a leader. You’re a leader if you are a softball coach, charity board member, or a volunteer coordinator. We are all called to lead in the territory God has given us. Leading people means you’re responsible for empowering them. Empowerment means giving authority or power to someone to do something. Paul tells us in Ephesians that the pastors, prophets, teachers, apostles, and evangelists of the church must equip the people of God for works of... Read more
I’ve heard it said, “It’s none of your business what someone else thinks of you.” While I agree with this statement to a point, I do believe we have a responsibility as to care about character and reputation. “A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume….” Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NLT) Paul speaks to this very subject. In his letter to the Corinthians, he explains his desire to be seen as a Christ follower. Following his conversion, he conducted himself in... Read more
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Change comes in many forms in our lives. It might come forcefully like a hurricane, or creep along incrementally like a glacier. It might come in the form of a difficult choice, a new opportunity or an unexpected chapter in our life story. Change is inevitable. Just as the seasons change, we experience new seasons of our... Read more
“Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 (NLT) Having a “busy” personality makes it challenging for me to slow down and take inventory of what’s really going on inside. For years, my response to feelings of anger, hurt, fear, and frustration was to simply stuff them or push them aside, rather than face them head on and work through them. Stuffing our emotions is like loading a gun with bullets... Read more
It’s a wildly popular sport on social media. It’s reported on the news and enthusiastically published in articles. Its origin is from an ancient law and it was socially acceptable. It was a public and shameful punishment for sin. It’s not bodily assaults I’m talking about, but verbal assaults I’m referring to… which can be translated into throwing stones. The temptation to pick up a rock and throw it back at a real (or perceived) verbal offense is hard to... Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) There is power in the spoken word. The power to build up, encourage, and honor — and the power to tear down, discourage, and dishonor. “A word” has the power to create a reality according to Psychology today.[1]A single word can change the outcome of legal matters... Read more
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 How do we workout our faith? Faith in God is like a muscle – it needs to be exercised. Hebrews says that faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see. When we face obstacles or unanswered prayers in our lives, we need to depend on God and His love and ability. 1 John 4:17... Read more
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b (NASB) We all get discouraged. At one time or another — over one thing or another. Discouragement seeks to continually assault our plans, our purposes, and our pursuits. We get discouraged in our workplaces, our homes, with our co-workers, friends, loved ones, and acquaintances. By attacking our thoughts with a... Read more
Courage for Life
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In