The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia welcomed me to a ladies’ retreat where I had been the main speaker the year before. The pastor’s wife was a dear friend, and the ladies of her church were quite precious to me as well. Only this year, I was not their special…
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13, ESV) Life gets tough and sometimes people lose hope that better days are ahead. Job 14:1 (ESV) says, “Man who…
In the Book of Psalms, a verse is repeated almost verbatim three times: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:5,11; 43:5).…
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV) Jeremiah 29:11 is an often-quoted Bible verse that reassures us God has a plan for our lives. His thoughts…
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4. Praising the Lord at all times is…
It’s a new year and a new day dawns. I love a new year for all it represents: the excitement of ringing out the old and welcoming the new, the wonder of where I’ll go and what I’ll do. Will a dream be fulfilled this year? It’s a time to…
The millennial generation has had more opportunities “to do what makes us happy,” but Gallop Market Research shows we are the least happy generation. Pursuing happiness—a temporary feeling based on what is happening is not the answer. What we need is a joy that is independent of circumstances and always…
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There…
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). No matter what we face, dear sisters, keep your unswerving hope in Jesus. Are your circumstances insurmountable? Anything is possible for our God! My husband, Darrell, and I are going through an experience…