To Be Still and Know

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him .  This is the same power mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now He is far above any ruler, or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also in the world to come."  Ephesians 1:19-21 Last night my oldest child asked me what the term "faith that can move a mountain" meant. He was having fun ideas of being able to fly and literally pick up mountains and while I truly do believe that if there was a purpose for us to do those things, God could certainly make it happen, I explained to my son about metaphorical mountains that faith in God is able to move.  You know what I am talking about. Those mountains of human impossibility that stand in our way.  These mountains come in many shapes and sizes and kinds.  They can come ...

"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy."  Ephesians 4:23-24 After Bible study this week I was inspired to write about the topic of finding your identity in Christ alone.  I have come to realize over the past few years that I have found my identity in being "the favorite" for way too long.  Let me explain...  See I was an only child growing up and therefore obviously my parents favorite!  I also got along really well with all my teachers and authority figures and while I may not have been the favorite, I felt very much liked by them.  School came easy to me.  I got straight A's and was valedictorian of my graduating class (albeit that was a teeny tiny class of 9 kids haha!).  The time I spent in college, I also got straight A's and was on the deans list.  At my jobs I always seemed to be very well liked and trusted by my bosses. ...

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you have made to the Most High."  Psalm 50:14 Here we are in the month of November, a time of year when everyone suddenly remembers there are things for which they are thankful!  I am glad that there is at least one month a year where thankfulness is on the hearts and minds of a lot of people but there are 11 other months of the year when it seems thankfulness is forgotten and replaced with a lot of complaining.  Complaining is a nasty little spiritual sickness that we ALL seem to stay sick with more often than not!  "Do everything without complaining and arguing."  Philippians 2:14.   It is easy to complain. It is natural in our human sinful flesh to let complaining be our first response to uncomfortable, inconvenient, and negative situations.  I think it ste...

"Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.  Cry out for this nourishment."  1 Peter 2:4 I could sum up this entire post with that one verse!  The part of the verse that is underlined is why we need to grow spiritually.  When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are like newborn babies spiritually.  We know very little about the Lord and His Word when we first accept Him and we are babies spiritually.  Just like with a baby has to learn everything over time we have to do the same thing in our walk with the Lord.  If a baby doesn't learn how to walk or talk or eat solid food, then doctors get involved and try to figure out what the problem is, because a healthy baby without any issues does these things naturally over time...with growth.  Our growth, or lack thereof, in our walk with the Lord is a direct indicator of how healthy we are spiritually. If it's been some time since...