It had been one of those days. Even after crawling into bed, I could still smell the vomit. The day started at 5 a.m. with heaves from our five-year-old’s bedroom—stomach flu. When I hadn’t been mopping a floor or a brow, I’d been sanitizing to keep everyone else well. To top it off, the three-year-old felt a little too good, …
There is no nice way to say it. I have a problem with obedience. I always seem to be aware of its imperfection. But, as I thought about it, I decided that surely there was at least one verse that I do well. Perfectly, in fact. And indeed, I found one. The verse? The first part of James 3:2: “We …
“For what man, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28). I stare at this parable, alternately condemning myself and making resolutions. “What tower am I building? What is my foundation? How can I build differently?” Then, gently, quietly, I hear …
In the surrounding glow of radiance, the astonished angels watched as their glorious King spoke light into reality. Accustomed to an expanse of crystal enveloped in the incandescence of timeless eternity, they stared amazed as sun, moon, and time appeared. Their ears knew the roar of worship and the hum of wings, but when sky and sea below filled with …
I swung the car door open with a flourish and stepped out with my list in one hand and a cloth grocery bag in the other. As I stepped quickly to the entrance of the supermarket, I passed the line of waiting carts and headed directly to the back of the store. The grandsons were visiting and we had …
Over the past couple of years, as I have prayed this warfare prayer, the Father has revealed additional strength in His Word. I’ve updated the prayer below to include this authority, so that together we can be “strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.” Print it out from the link at the end of the prayer, so you …
Hartlee Kirk‘s guest post reminds me not only of my early days of marriage, but of deep truths that ring true today as well. No matter where we are in the process of our marriage (or even other relationships), she makes us want to roll up our sleeves and get to work! As he peeled the rusty-orange shag carpet away, …
“Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). I made a meal. I prayed a prayer. I read my Bible daily. “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). I fought with my kids. I argued with my husband. I hated time spent with a co-worker. “Be perfect, …
“Christ is the end of the Law” (Romans 10:4). He is the end of all your jots and tittles — the end of all the ought-to’s and should-have’s. He ended the need for the Law because through Him all requirements are complete (Romans 8:4). It is finished (John 19:30). The requirement for perfection has now been fulfilled within you. …
O Lord, You know the hearts of all men (Acts 1:24). You came to earth so You might seek and find us, the wanderers (Luke 19:10). Once for all, You put away the barrier between man and God, so that we can be considered forever perfect (Hebrews 10:14). Now, You still investigate hearts — seeking evidence of Your …
