“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you … Read More
Define Beauty
“Your adornment must not be merely the external–braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel;but it should be the hidden person of the heart,with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit,which is precious in the sight of God.”~~1 Peter 3:3-4~~ As I read this passage this morning about Peter saying beauty isn’t just external, my first … Read More
What’s on Your Mind?
I’ve been working my way through 1 Peter, and while I’m not going to blog about each and every verse in the book, I will target the parts of the book that have impacted me and will share what I have learned. I’ll look into what the Scripture is saying, as well as how to apply it to our own … Read More
Comfort
“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so … Read More
Every Good and Perfect Gift
Not long ago I did a two-part study on the “what” and the “why” of trials taken from James 1:2-4. If you haven’t read those yet, I’ll include the links to those at the end of this blog post. So, after James talked about trials, temptations, and evil desires, why does he then seem to shift gears and suddenly … Read More
Reality
So this morning I was reading in 2 Kings, and let me just say WOW! Check it out… When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered.“Those who … Read More
Trials (Part 1)
THE WHAT AND THE WHY OF TRIALS (Part 1) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.And let endurance have its perfect resultSo that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”~~James 1:2-4~~ As I sit here on my porch on this chilly June morning, Bible open, … Read More
Stinkin’ Thinkin’
“Be careful how you think;your life is shaped by your thoughts.”~~Proverbs 4:23 GNT~~ “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…”~~Proverbs 4:23 NKJV~~ I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that so much of the time I am guilty of “stinkin’ thinkin’” and that most of the stinkin’ thinkin’ has to do with my own self image … Read More