“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]” 1 Peter 5:8-9 (AMP)

You know what word I love? Vigilance. It’s...

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“Kind words are like honey—enjoyable and healthful.” Proverbs 16:24

“Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your eyes, O Lord, my Rock and the One Who saves me.” Psalm 19:14

We must be so careful to guard the thoughts and words we use toward ourselves. It’s incredibly easy for thoughts to repeatedly, habitually, relentlessly run through our minds that curse us. Our minds can be the private space to indulge darkness can’t they? We can, seemingly without...

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“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 11:14

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 15:22

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 19:20-21

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 24:6

“For by wise...

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Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as[is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves...

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Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP)

Do you know that the Lord wants to be involved in every part of your life? Every part! Nope, not just the tidy parts, He wants it all. When we invite the Lord into every part of our life, that’s when life works...

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Emotional eating can strike without notice. We may be coming home from an emotionally draining day; Or we may have had a rough few hours with our spouse or children and before you know it we are making our way to the kitchen for an emotional pick me up. If this sounds familiar, here are 5 Helpful Keys to Overcoming Emotional Eating:

1. Press Pause. One of the most powerful steps I have learned to take when preventing emotional eating is to take one simple action, which is to PAUSE. By this, I...

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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” Psalm 91:4-5

We had a nasty thunderstorm roll in at bedtime one night this week. The night sky was completely lit by unrelenting flashes of lightening. The house shook with rumbles of thunder....

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"Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning." Proverbs 4:20-22

Radiant. I love that word.

If you were to ask me how I’d love to be described, one of my instant answers would be, “I want to look radiant.” Radiance is an adjective, but for me, it’s also a verb. I’ve always wanted radiance to be a word that describes me, but more so,...

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Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Our family has been experiencing the winds of change. Let me assure you that much of it has felt like wind of hurricane force. I’m not great at change. I’m even less graceful as I wait for clarity amid change. In the “waiting room” of my prayers, my thoughts tend to look more like a whirling dervish than anchored stillness. One morning last week though the Lord used Psalm 5:3...

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“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message Version)

Most of the time I...

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