I had a friend reach out to me this morning and share an excerpt from a holiday-themed devotional plan she was doing. In the devotional, the question was posed, “Where do you shine your spotlight?” As the holidays approach, not everyone may be looking forward to them. We all have memories. Some good. Others, not so much. While some … Read More
I am SANCTIFIED by God
I think the best way to start out here is to define what “sanctified” means. Sanctified (hagiazō in the Greek language) means to make holy or consecrated. The Bible describes three “phases” of sanctification – positional, progressive, and final. Let’s take a look at each of them. POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION: As believers, when the Holy Spirit brings us to life spiritually, … Read More
I am ADOPTED by God
The dictionary defines “adoption” as taking someone by choice into a relationship; the act or process of giving official acceptance or approval to something. As believers, we have been adopted into God’s family! Let’s dig in and discover what that means. One of the richest Gospel passages that reveals the blessings associated with our adoption as children of God … Read More
I am REDEEMED by God
What comes to mind when you hear the word “redeem?” Redeeming a coupon at the checkout to get a few cents off your grocery bill? Well, I don’t think that is the concept God was going for in our focus statement today — I am REDEEMED by God. Before we can truly appreciate being “redeemed by God”, we need … Read More
I am CALLED by God
As I am studying my way through “who I am in Christ”, I am eternally grateful for the work God has done on my behalf. Last week we looked at “I am CHOSEN by God”, and I experienced such a sense of relief and such joy in knowing that it was God’s choice to make me His, AND it was … Read More
I am CHOSEN by God
In this world of changing values and opinions, it is so easy to allow “the world” to determine my value and worth instead of rooting myself into who God says I am. We are bombarded so many times each day, whether by songs that play on the radio, by shows we choose to watch on tv (and don’t even get … Read More
Where’s Your JOY?!
In a devotional I read recently, I was impacted by a quote by John Piper — “The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God. It’s a way of overcoming every obstacle to everlasting joy in God.” I think so many times people limit the work of Christ on the … Read More
What are you craving?
So this morning as I continued in my personal study (reading through the Psalms and Proverbs), I read Proverbs 13. This is the third time I have read this chapter so far this year, and I have to say that God always seems to draw new things to my attention. This morning He brought an important truth to the forefront. … Read More
Satan’s Graffiti
As I was reading through the book of Job in The Message, Job 14:4 stopped me dead in my tracks. Check it out … “You graffiti my life with lies…” While I know that this phrase was used by Job to describe what his “friends” were doing to him in an attempt to explain why he was going through so … Read More
Questions and Answers
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture, knowing what it says, but wondering what it looks like in practice? That’s exactly what happened to me when I read Ephesians 6:18. Let’s study through this, phrase by phrase, and get some answers to our questions. “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this … Read More