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,…
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.—James 1:17 (NIV) I once heard of someone who refused to take down his Christmas tree so he could hold on to the spirit of the holiday. I get it. Every year…
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”––John 13:34 (NIV) My all-time favorite Christmas carol—O Holy Night, beautifully encapsulates all of the themes of advent. Nested in its verses we see the themes of peace, hope, and joy. And in the last stanza…
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. —John 15:11 (NIV) Each Christmas I set out a small nativity scene where the word “Joy” frames Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the joy Jesus brought to the…
