For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.—Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) I didn’t know Charlie Kirk. I never attended one of his rallies or listened to any of his debates….
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.—James 5:17-18 (NIV) Housecleaning is my secret super power. Not because…
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.—Proverbs 12:16 (NIV) Her words pierced my heart. For days I’d been happily planning for her annual visit—down to the last perfect detail. But she had other ideas, and some of them didn’t include me. Her agenda did more than crush my expectations, it…
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth—John 16:13 (NIV) “You’ll like this better,” he insisted as he brushed away my concerns, “you’ll see.” The nail technician then proceeded to apply the product—which I don’t like—to my nails. This was now the third time he had confidently…
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) “This one’s not working,” my four-year-old friend pointed to a bulb placed on the edge of her Lite-Brite Toy. “It’s working,” I reassured her. As I moved the bulb to the center, we watched…
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.—1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NIV) Confused, I stared at the pretty arrangement of white flowers circling one single pink rose. For weeks I had prayed, “Lord, if he’s the one, have…
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.—1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV) Recently a friend shared with me that she resists being real with others. Whenever she feels discouraged, frustrated, or hurt, she shrugs it off…
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”—2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV) Hot tears of frustration rolled down my cheeks as I poured my heart out to the Lord. For weeks I prayed to achieve a personal goal. I adopted a plan, followed it perfectly,…
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?—1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV What sets God’s people apart from all the other people of the world? The first thought that pops in my head is doctrine—who or what we believe. As Christians, we follow the teachings of Jesus,…
