The journey to become Missy’s mama started when I was seventeen years old, when Cindy Whelchel — my best friend in high school — and I led our youth group Bible study through the theme of adoption in Scripture. We made a pact to adopt babies that no one else wanted when we grew up. We were as sincere as…
Spiritual Warfare: Behind Enemy Lines
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 Why is it important to understand the enemy? Before you fight a war, it’s always a good thing to know something about your enemy. Nowhere is this statement truer than in…
The Difficult Stuff Is the Beginning of Joy
While I may have read in my Bible that we are in a spiritual war, that truth had not fully adjusted my expectations of this life. To accept that life is supposed to be hard is the beginning of joy. There is freedom in understanding that Heaven is coming and we are not there yet. We’re called to live, instead, aware…
Ask for Prayer and Pray for Others
Don’t Forget Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. — Romans 15:30 The apostle Paul was traveling from Corinth to Jerusalem with money for the Jerusalem church. Knowing the Jews in Jerusalem would…
What You Need To Know About Spiritual Warfare
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the…
Spiritual Warfare Is Serious
When the messenger addressed Daniel, he instructed him to “consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up” (10:11). In other words, Daniel needed to “listen-up.” And so do you and I. We need to pay attention, not only to God’s Word, but to this very serious aspect of prayer. We…
Standing Strong Against Temptation
After fasting forty days and forty nights, [Jesus] was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread… Throw yourself down… Bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan!” — Matthew 4:2-3, Matthew 4:9-10 What a sweet time…
Trouble: When You Can’t See the Morning
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord. – Psalm 77:1-2 Have you noticed how, when you are in heaviness, you are always tempted to think about yourself?.. Against this is… Psalms “I will turn my thoughts from myself to…
Friendship: Who Do You Need? Who Needs You?
Who Do You Need? We don’t just need people; we need the right people. Sometimes finding the right people takes discipline and effort. And then when we find them, we have to fight for them. We have to prioritize time and issue grace over and over, because even the best human on this earth will disappoint us. And when that happens, you…
Jesus Intercedes for Us
John 16:29–17:19 29His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Indeed the hour is coming, yes,…
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