“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
What comes to mind what you consider the word contentment?
Contentment is a balanced state, highly longed for, seldom achieved. Most people desire contentedness. Yet, it's elusive. Few people are genuinely content...
Jesus is the reason for the season. We've all heard it. We sincerely believe it, and we desperately long to preserve it. But how amid real-life do we keep Christ the center of Christmas? The struggle is real. Today, I'm sharing ideas our family has enjoyed and one bold Christmas ambition I've not yet been brave enough to fulfill.
Santa Is the Delivery Man for Jesus
This tip is for those of you with younger kids. My fondest childhood Christmas memories included anticipation and delight of...
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6
We spend an inordinate amount of time and resources investing in our outer appearance. How many products did your face dawn today? No shame in this game. I’ll go first! With this devotional in mind, I counted the number of products and supplements (not to mention tools) I used, all in the name of health and beauty. Somehow, I managed to swallow or slather on more than twenty products – all before 9...
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious for anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we can present our requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our heart and mind... But what does “peace that passes all understanding”, really mean?
Most of the time we think we need to have things in order in our lives in order to feel and experience peace. However, having a peace that passes understanding means we can have peace despite our...
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)
I love this verse. It has profound significance in my life. Interestingly though, I’ve noticed we often refer to the first portion of the scripture without considering the second. There is great hope and promise found in this passage, but there is also instruction. There is a call to action.
First, we are to delight in the Lord. The...
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
From the time I was a young child I had a knowing deep on the inside of me that God loved me. It was never something I felt I had to earn or strive for. Yet there have been times in my life that in spite of knowing He is always with me, that I have felt He was distant or I couldn't hear Him as clearly.
About one year ago when I...
The Word of God tells us, “To each is given a measure of faith.”
Now, let’s not mistake this with “saving faith.” The reference to faith here is to the ordinary, in and out, daily faith by which we live and relate to God and others. Nothing has caused me to reflect on my measure of faith more than the progressive seasons of parenting. My firstborn started high school this year. Let me promise you that fear and faith have wrestled in my heart like never before. The stakes are So. Darn. High! I...
I can still feel the soft, warm cupping of chubby little hands on my face as my baby girl looked adoringly at me nose to nose. "Mommy," she'd say, "You're gorg." Moments later, she'd twirl into the room adorned with fake pearls and a ruffled dress to captivate her Daddy's attention. "Daddy, do I look beautiful?" she'd ask, already knowing the answer but yearning to hear it again and again.
There's no question. Girls are made to feel beautiful. It matters. It just does. It was knit into our...
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. – Ecclesiastes 11:4
I used to boast, "I'm a total perfectionist." I laid claim to that with a sense of bravado, like it was some altruistic attribute I should promote. Older and wiser, I now look back on that and shake my head. What was I thinking? Somewhere along the way, I believed that the illusional pursuit of perfection was positive. Oh, the heartache and disappointment of chasing after...
"They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony; for they did not love their lives but laid them down for him." Revelation 12:11
You've probably heard the saying, "Let your test become your testimony." What exactly does that mean, though? And why is it important? Today, I'm going to share with you powerful ways to turn your greatest struggles into a profound story that will become your fiercest defense.
Everybody likes a great testimony. We feel drawn to those with whom...
Nourish: Discover God's Perfectly Balanced Plan for Your Body and Soul Encouragement and practical knowledge for living a healthy spiritual & physical lifestyle, inspiring you to get healthy from the inside out.
Devotions for a Healthier You A devotional filled with scriptures, encouraging stories, and tips on keeping a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
100 Simple & Delicious Recipes for Clean Eating An inspirational cookbook chock-full of healthy, innovative yet simple recipes.
