“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17, NKJV) How much of our lives are controlled by habits? Probably more than we think. Whether we admit it or not, most of us are creatures of habit. A habit is a pattern of behavior that we develop by repetition. We have certain things we do each day or at certain times. Some of these are good habits, while others may not be so good. HEALTHY HABITS Because it is important to take care of my body, I have…
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:5-6, NKJV) Sounds of revival filled Samaria. As Philip preached, souls were saved. Miracles, healings, and deliverance from unclean spirits happened. Multitudes turned to the Lord in this time of spiritual awakening. Acts 8:8 says there was great joy in the city. With so much happening, it seems strange that an angel instructed Philip to leave the Samaritan revival and head south toward the desert. And yet, that is what Philip was told to do. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. (Acts 8:26, NKJV) The Search for Understanding What did Philip find along that desert road? An Ethiopian man sitting in a chariot. Philip was prompted to go near and join the man in the chariot. As Philip approached, he heard the man reading from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip inquired. The man admitted…
When was the last time you heard someone exclaim, “I enjoy obeying your commands; I love them!”? Yet, this is exactly what David says multiple times in the Psalms. David’s unwavering delight in God’s Word was key to his relationship with God. From Psalm 119 (ESV), here are seven reasons to delight in God’s Word: The Word guards against sin. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (verse 11). The Bible is infinitely valuable because it exposes sin, which separates us from God, so we can repent and return to Him. The reward of following God’s law is salvation and eternal life. Delight in that! The Word is wisdom. “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors” (verse 24). The Bible is an advisor we can trust, a friend we seek for counsel. It’s a delight to be guided by the source of all wisdom! The Word inspires obedience. “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies” (verses 35-36). In other words, bend my heart submissively toward Your law, God, and “turn my eyes from looking at worthless things”…
God built into Israel’s calendar about thirty days of feasts per year. Add the weekly Sabbaths, and the total celebration time comes to around eighty days of feasting and rest annually. God is serious about celebration! When God mandated celebration among His people in the Old Testament, He used three Hebrew words: hâlal, châgag and shâbath. At the dedication of Jerusalem’s rebuilt wall in Nehemiah 12 (ESV), these three essentials of celebration are included. Celebration Keeps God Central Nehemiah’s celebration plans included instruments and singers filling the air with triumphant praise. The people sang and offered sacrifices to God with…
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” — Epistle to the Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV) Sweet friend, motherhood can feel like a race we never signed up to run. There are meals to cook, laundry to fold, emails to answer, practices to attend, and a calendar that seems to fill itself. We live in a culture of hurry—and if we’re not careful, hurry becomes the rhythm of our hearts. When we rush through our days, we often miss the sacred invitations hidden inside them. The little voice that says, “Mom, watch this.” The quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit calling us to pause. The opportunity to choose connection over completion. Sometimes the people we love most begin to feel like interruptions instead of our ministry. But what if the very moments we’re tempted to rush past are the holy ground God has prepared for us? Present parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about posture. It’s choosing to be unhurried, relaxed, and attentive—trusting that God will help us steward both our time and our hearts. Five ways to practice being present 1. Come Away and Be…
“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” – Edwin Markham As women of faith—mothers, mentors, grandmothers, and spiritual sisters—we carry a beautiful responsibility: shaping the hearts of the next generation. One of the greatest gifts we can offer the young women in our lives is guidance in making wise, God-honoring decisions. Whether you are parenting a teen daughter, discipling a college student, or investing in a young woman at church, here are four devotional anchors to help her make wise decisions. Wisely Obey God’s Word “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…” — Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) When young women ask, “What should I do?” gently redirect them to a deeper question: “Who is God shaping me to become?” God is far more concerned with her character than her calendar. A heart rooted in Scripture develops steady discernment. When she meditates on God’s Word, it becomes her compass, her guardrails, and her source of courage. As women, we model this first. Let her see you turning to Scripture before reacting. Let her witness your obedience. A life saturated in the Word aligns thoughts, attitudes, and decisions with the heart of…