Happy week before Thanksgiving! Today I’ll be making my grocery list for our Thanksgiving Day menu. Then tomorrow I plan to get to the store early while it’s (hopefully) not too crowded and stock up on the items we need.

Have you ever worked your way through Proverbs by reading the chapter that corresponds with the date? I’ve done that at different times in the past, and am currently doing it again.

When I noticed that I’d journaled several thoughts from my reading yesterday, I decided to share them here on the blog. Proverbs is packed full of life lessons, so here are five I found in chapter 15.

1. Pray often because God delights in your prayers.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. ~Verse 8

Wow, think about that for a bit. God delights in our prayers. He takes pleasure in our talking with him, in hearing our praise as well as our needs and concerns.

2. Be slow to get angry.

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. ~Verse 18

Easier said than done, yes?! But as we exercise self-control over our temper, we’ll avoid unnecessary arguments and bring calm to what could become heated situations.

3. Get wise counsel before making decisions.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established. ~Verse 22

If we want to succeed in various areas of our lives, we’ll seek advice from wise people. It’s important that we don’t just look for those who will validate what we want, but those who will be honest in giving their advice.

4. Be teachable.

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. ~Verse 32

If we think we know it all and refuse to listen when someone tries to correct us, we’ll never grow and improve ourselves. As a perfectionist, I can have a hard time accepting correction. Yet my attitude should be one of humility and a willingness to learn from my mistakes.

5. Embrace humility.

 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. ~Verse 33

Speaking of humility…I started something new this week, and if there’s ever a time when you can expect to be humbled, it’s when you don’t really know what you’re doing!

As we’re willing to die to self, yielding to God and serving others, we can receive God’s blessing on our lives and allow him to honor us in a way that brings him glory.

As I read back through these life lessons, I realize that they’re pretty much encompassed in the fruit of the Spirit. [Galatians 5:22-23] Let’s submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and ask him to help us live out these lessons on a daily basis!

Related posts:

• 8 Truths to Teach Our Teenagers from Proverbs 13
• 7 Things We Know About God from Psalm 18
• 5 Principles from Proverbs to Guide Communication in Our Relationships

Here we are, just past mid-October, and the fall weather has arrived! I’ve been bundling up a bit for my morning walks in the neighborhood and getting reacquainted with the sweaters in my closet.

Today’s post comes directly from my Bible reading yesterday. I finished reading through the New Testament recently, so now I’m reading a bit from a Psalm, Proverbs, and a chapter in Isaiah most days.

I’ve been wrestling with some conflicting mindsets and attitudes lately, and I can’t tell you how light my heart felt when I read in Psalm chapter 18 verse 19 that God delights in me. The more I considered the words of this Psalm, the more I was encouraged! I hope you’ll feel the same way after reading through these seven things we know about God from Psalm 18.

1. He is my safe place.

Verse 2 ~ “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.“

In times of trouble and distress, we can trust Him. He is steadfast and strong, our protector, our place of refuge. We can rely on His faithfulness always.

2. He hears me.

Verse 6 ~ “ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.“

God listens when we call out to Him. When we need help and deliverance, He is ever ready to hear us. May that be our first response whenever we’re hurting or in trouble – to cry out to our God.

3. He delights in me.

Verse 19 ~ “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.“

Believing that I can bring God joy and pleasure is hard for me to grasp. He is so great, so perfect and holy, yet He desires a personal relationship with me. His good will and favor toward us, His grace and mercy, are what led Him to send Jesus to die for our sins.

4. He lightens my darkness.

Verse 28 ~ “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.“

We’ve all been through times in our lives we would describe as dark. But God never leaves us in our darkness. Not only is He right there with us, but He brings light to chase away the dark. His light brings comfort, safety, joy, and peace.

5. He makes my way perfect.

Verse 32 ~ “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.“

We can trust God to not only give us strength and courage to walk through this life, but also to guide us in the way we should go. He is able to make our path clear and plain as we trust Him.

6. He keeps me from falling.

Verse 36 ~ “ Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.“

As God guides us, He also protects us. We can walk forward confidently in the direction that He’s leading because He prepares the way.

7. He gives me strength for the battles I must face.

Verse 39 ~ “ For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.“

In David’s case, he’s talking about actual physical battles in a war. Those aren’t typically the types of battles we’ll be facing. But we’ll certainly face spiritual, emotional, and mental struggles. Satan will fling temptations our way. Trials will come. But God can give us strength to defeat every single foe.

How blessed we are as followers of Christ to have a God who is all these things to us!

Related posts:

• 4 Questions You Might Have Asked God
• 3 Truths About God from Psalm 91 to Encourage Us Today
• What Mary Teaches Me About Praising God

Have you heard the marriage advice that says you shouldn’t use “absolute” words when you’re in an argument with your spouse?

For example, don’t say, “You always leave your clothes in a pile on the floor.” Or, “You never close the drawer when you put the scissors back.” Your spouse will immediately try to think of the one time he/she actually did or didn’t do whatever you’re accusing them of!

Today we’re not talking about marriage advice, but we are talking about an absolute word.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” ~1 Corinthians 10:31

Do you see it in this verse – the word “all?” No way to wiggle around that – all means all!

In the context of this passage, Paul is talking about whether or not the Corinthians should eat meat that’s been offered to idols. He reminds them that whatever they choose to do, it should be done so that God is glorified.

Eating and drinking are small parts of our daily lives. If it’s important that we do those things in a way that glorifies God, how much more should we evaluate other areas of our lives?

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and fail to take the time to actually consider the question, does what I’m doing honor God? And how can we determine if an activity, a hobby, a habit, or a conversation is being done to the glory of God?

Below are a few questions we might ask ourselves to determine that. As we answer them, may our heart’s desire be to do all things as an act of worship to Him with a grateful heart for all He’s done for us.

Does what I’m doing go against a Biblical principle?

To answer this question, we have to know our Bible. The only way we can know what honors God is by reading and studying His Word. Anything we do that is contradictory to Scripture is not going to glorify God.

Does it show that I respect God and want to please Him?

That’s the attitude we want when it comes to bringing glory to God – a desire to show Him respect and to please Him with our thoughts, words, and actions.

Here’s where the Holy Spirit who lives in us can help. As we listen to His Spirit guiding us through God’s Word and our conscience, we can determine if what we’re doing brings Him honor.

Am I doing it for my own glory?

We may need to evaluate what outcome we’re hoping for as we decide if we’re going to move forward. Do we want to simply do what satisfies our own wants and desires? If so, that’s doing something for our own glory, not His.

Does what I’m doing point others to Him?

I think this is the most relevant question considering the context of the passage. What we choose to do or not do can affect fellow believers and the unsaved around us.

Will my eating or drinking or whatever else I’m doing cause others to want to learn more about my faith? Will it point them to the gospel? Or am I just focused on myself and what I want to see happen?

I think Jon Bloom sums this up well in his article from the blog Desiring God.

“We glorify God when, out of love for him, we lay down our rights, our freedoms, in eating or drinking or whatever in order to do what is most loving toward others, either for the “progress and joy [of their] faith” (Philippians 1:25), or that they may be saved (1 Corinthians 9:22).”

May the simple reminder in 1 Corinthians 10:31 lead us to glorify God in everything that we do.

Related posts:

• How to Make Our Words and Thoughts Pleasing to God
• 5 Ways to Be Consistent in Bible Reading and Prayer
• How to Overcome the Sins We’ve Learned to Tolerate

Welcome, friends! I hope your week is going well.

It’s back to the empty nest around here. Our daughters moved back into their dorm rooms on Friday. I made the trip down to Florida with them on Thursday and flew back home Saturday. My sweet husband brought me flowers when he picked me up at the airport!

In this season of life, I’m finding that change is fairly constant. I get used to our girls being gone, and then they’re home again. Once I get used to that, they leave again. And of course, we’ll have a major change in January when our older daughter gets married!

Do you know what brings comfort during these times of change? Having a God that we can trust. Your change is likely different from mine. It could be a move, a job change, a child in a different school, a new relationship, the loss of a loved one, and the list goes on.

But as believers, we can trust God with whatever comes along in life. He is faithful to walk alongside us and gives us guidance and grace when we face these transitions.

Here are five things – using the letters in TRUST – for us to remember about trusting God through changes.

1. Take everything to God in prayer.

Remember Philippians 4:6? “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” God doesn’t want us to be anxious or worried about anything, so His instructions are clear – pray about every. single. thing. Whether it’s a “big” concern, or a little one, pray about it.

In Philippians 4:7, we’re promised peace beyond understanding for our hearts and minds if we’ll obey verse 6. Isn’t peace what we truly need when something in our life is changing? What a loving God He is to tell us how to get that peace.

2. Release your sense of control.

I was going to say “release your control,” but let’s face it, we actually control very little. But we often think we control it all. If we set up the right boundaries or talk to enough people about it or worry enough, everything will be okay.

Trusting God means acknowledging that He is sovereign. He alone has the power to do anything and the wisdom to do the best thing.

3. Understand that you won’t always understand what God is doing.

He won’t always do things the way we want them done. His plan may not follow the one we laid out in our minds. And that’s a good thing.

He tells us in Isaiah 55:8,9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.“

4. Saturate your mind with God’s Word.

In our flesh, we are weak. We want to trust God, but doubt and fear can keep us up at night or slip into our thoughts at random times. Meditating on truths from the Bible is what will keep us trusting Him.

Psalm 119:24 says, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.” We can find joy, comfort, and direction as we read and study Scripture.

5. Timing is in His hands.

Trusting God often involves waiting. As I’ve said before, waiting is not something most of us enjoy! It takes courage to wait, but Psalm 27:14 assures us that God will give us the strength to do it. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

I like this quote from Dillon Burroughs. “God is never late and rarely early. He is always exactly right on time -His time.”

The Bible tells us that we will be blessed as we trust God! “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” ~Jeremiah 17:7 Whatever change you’re facing, may you have the grace and strength to trust God through it!

Related posts:

• 7 Helpful Tips for Navigating a Season of Change
• Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
• What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God

When I was growing up, making a promise was a big deal.  My parents made sure we knew from a young age that making a promise was serious.  It was not something to be taken lightly.  If I made a promise, I needed to make every effort to follow through and keep that promise.

As much as I’ve tried to live by that principle, I’m sure that somewhere along the way, I’ve broken a promise.  In reality, a promise is only as good as the ability of the person who made it to follow through on it.

How blessed we are to serve a God who keeps every promise He’s made!  One place we find that truth is in Numbers 23:19.

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?“

After I wrote recently about praising God because He keeps His promises, I challenged myself to meditate on some of those promises.  In case you’d like to do the same, I’ve broken seven of them down by days of the week.  You could use this same format, rearranging the order of the promises, or exchanging your own favorite promises for the ones I’ve listed.

Sunday:  Salvation.

Many verses in the Bible communicate God’s promise of salvation, but one of the most direct is Romans 10:13.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

How wonderful that the plan of salvation is simple enough that even our children can understand and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior at a young age.  I especially like reflecting on this promise on Sunday.  It reminds me of His resurrection, which brought victory over sin and death.

Monday:  Peace.

It may feel like everything’s coming at me on a Monday!  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to be careful or anxious for nothing, but to take everything to God in prayer. He promises that His peace, which can’t be explained, will keep our hearts and minds.

Everything includes any concerns about our children, marriage, financial pressures, job uncertainties, or health issues. All of these and more can be laid at His feet.  If we’ll allow it, His peace will flood our souls.

Tuesday:  Wisdom. 

Every day of the week brings a need for wisdom!  James 1:5 assures me that when I lack wisdom, I can ask God for it and He will give it generously. 

This is also a reminder of the importance of Bible reading, study, and meditation in my daily walk.  That’s where I can find guidance and answers to many of my issues.

Wednesday:  Power.

By Wednesday, I may feel overwhelmed with how my week’s going.  I need access to the power of God, and Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Not in my own strength will things get accomplished, but through the Holy Spirit’s enabling. I can do anything that God calls me to do.

Thursday:  His presence.

In Hebrews 13:5, God says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” What a comfort to know that there is nowhere I can go and no circumstances I can face that will cause Him to leave me.

Friday:  Direction. 

I can rest in Proverbs 3:5-6, which tells me that if I trust the Lord with all my heart, don’t lean on my own understanding, and acknowledge God in all my ways, He will direct my paths. 

I also get excited to read Psalm 84:11, which says, “….no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”  If I’m walking with Him, He will bring into my life those things that are good for me.

Saturday:  Provision.

I’ve made it through another week!  I can look back and see what God has done and praise Him for it.  “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” from Philippians 4:19 lets me know that not only does God know the needs in my life, but He has the resources available to meet each and every one.

I want to make a habit of recognizing God’s promises as they’re fulfilled in my life.  If you journal regularly as I do, you could designate a page for writing down promises of God. Then go back and make a note when you see God fulfill one of those promises for you.

Is there a particular promise that’s meaningful to you right now? Please share in the comments below!

Related posts:
God Is Writing My Book
5 Truths About God’s Love for Me
What Kind of Grace Do You Need Today?

Originally published October 2016.

I was going to start today’s post by talking about how we’re about to wrap up another month. But instead, I decided that I just want to live in the moment and stay in full-on summer mode for a bit longer!

I’ve made it to Ephesians in my current read-through of the New Testament. The passage below is a familiar one, but I want to dive into it a little bit.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” ~Ephesians 5:18-21

We receive the Holy Spirit when we make the decision to trust Jesus as our Savior. He is the down payment on our eternal salvation, the “earnest of our inheritance.” [Ephesians 1:12-14]

In verse 18 above, we’re instructed to avoid being controlled by alcohol, but instead to allow the Holy Spirit to dictate what we do. Our natural tendency is to allow our flesh – aka our own desires and emotions – to control us.

Yet as we grow in our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, what evidence is there that we’re filled with the Spirit? What’s our part in the process?

I find it interesting that these verses are filled with verbs – speaking, giving, and submitting. Those are things we do. Being filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t just a feeling. It involves action…things we can do because the Spirit gives us the ability to do them.

So how does a spirit-filled woman act?

1. She gets a song in her heart.

This portion of the verse uses the phrase “speaking to yourselves.” We can talk to ourselves – but not just with words, but through songs.

Whether or not we’re musical, we can cultivate this in our lives. We can read a favorite Psalm or a hymn, maybe even out loud. Put together a playlist of uplifting, encouraging music. Have a set time during the day to turn it on and sing along.

The more we make time to worship and praise God, the more it becomes a part of us. We will still have days when we’re down, but music can lift us up.

2. She is grateful.

Just like cultivating that song in our hearts, being grateful is a practice. It’s not a Pollyanna, everything’s-great outlook because some days everything won’t feel so great. Rather it’s acknowledging that it’s His will for us to be thankful in all things [1 Thessalonians 5:18] and that every good gift comes from our Heavenly Father [James 1:17]

How do we make gratefulness a practice? In his mind, my husband rolls through three new things he’s thankful for before his feet hit the floor each morning. I write out at least three in my journal during my regular time with the Lord. Those journals have become a treasure, a diary of God’s faithfulness.

Is it always easy to find something to be thankful for? No, but as we do, we can find our whole attitude changing.

3. She has a humble spirit.

The word used in the verse above is submit. Here again, we need the Holy Spirit to empower us. It’s not in our human nature to submit. We are prideful people who want our own way.

But as Spirit-filled women, we get to choose to yield to someone else. Maybe it’s our husband or another family member or a co-worker. We can live humbly as we put others ahead of ourselves and strive to model Christlikeness in our relationships.

I hope that we’ll all seek to be filled with the Spirit and have that song in our hearts, a grateful mindset, and a life marked by humility!

Related posts:

• What Does It Mean to Walk with the Lord?
• 11 Different Ways to Study the Bible
• How to Make Our Words and Thoughts Pleasing to God

Hello all! Hope it’s a good week so far where you are. Mid-morning yesterday I went walking outside with a friend in her neighborhood. There was no doubt that it’s the middle of the summer!! I came home and cooled off by eating a bunch of cut-up watermelon from the fridge 🙂

Recently I was doing a quick study on a few of the names of God. (I will say up front that I’m no expert in Hebrew, but I’m trusting that the resources I use are fairly accurate.) As I looked at the meanings of these names and read them in context in Scripture, I realized how comforting it is to dwell on all that our God is and does.

Below is a list of five names of God, an example of how they’re used in a Bible verse, and a prayer we can pray that relates to that name.

1. El Shaddai ~ All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” ~Genesis 17:1

This is the first time in the Bible that this particular name of God is used. The Lord and Abram are well acquainted by now. But in this passage we find God reaffirming His covenant with Abram and changing his name to Abraham.

Abraham is remembered for his faith. “And he [Abram] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” [Genesis 15:6] Abraham believed in a God who was all-powerful and all-sufficient, one whom Abraham was willing to follow to a new land and totally trust with his future.

Thank you, God, that you are all-sufficient. There is no other God but you, and you are more than enough to meet my every need. You are almighty, the Lord God alone who holds all power and authority. May I see your sufficiency and power at work in my life every day.

2. Adonai ~ Lord, Master

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” ~Psalm 117:1

Not much needs to be said here! He is our sovereign Lord and ruler of all.

God, you are worthy of my praise. All knowledge and power belong to you. You created me and then you bought me with a price, the death of your only beloved Son. You are my master; you own me. May I serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. Jehovah Rapha ~ The Lord who heals

“…If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” ~Exodus 15:26

What comfort there is in believing in a God who has healing power! Yes, this means physical healing. But also emotional healing. Maybe we’ve endured a bad relationship or find ourselves in a season of discouragement. He also offers spiritual healing, foremost salvation through Jesus Christ, and also victory over sin in our lives as we walk with Him.

Oh Lord who heals, hear me today. You know intimately every illness that I have, every weakness. Heal me in every way, I pray. Give me physical strength, emotional health, mental wellbeing and spiritual victory. May all the glory go to you always.

4. El Olam ~ The Everlasting God

“Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” ~Isaiah 26:4

This one reminds me of God’s faithfulness. If we loved and served a God who would eventually fade away, what help would that be? No, our God is eternal. His ability to keep His promises never expires.

It also assures me of my home in Heaven. A God who lives forever has a place prepared for us to dwell with Him.

God, you are the eternal one, with no beginning and no end. We will never cease to worship and praise you. Time means nothing to you; you are the King of all the ages. Your character never changes. Thank you that you keep your promises in this life here on earth and that I will spend eternity with you in Heaven.

5. El Roi ~ The God who sees me

“And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” ~Genesis 16:13

All of these names of God are comforting, but especially this one! When we feel lonely, God sees us. When we feel abandoned or sad or discouraged, God sees us. There is nowhere we can go, no night so dark, that He is not there watching over us.

Dear God, I find such comfort in your name El Roi. When I, like Hagar, feel forsaken and alone, may I remember that you see me. Let your compassion and concern comfort me. Find me in my brokenness and give me hope and courage.

I trust that we will all find comfort as we grow in our knowledge and understanding of our great and powerful God!

Related posts:

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