The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13(NKJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is a simple verse that packs a powerful punch. Of course, we need to use wisdom to rightly divide it, because the Apostle Paul is talking about God’s provision, and the realityRead More →
I’ve always been a careful observer, and I notice certain patterns. I’m interested in learning from mistakes, mine and those of others as well. Minimizing mishaps and missteps is my continual goal, so that my momentum on this Christian journey isn’t impeded and I don’t waste time needlessly. Even asRead More →
Dear Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 6:33(NLT), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” We are to seek You first in all that we do. For some of us, this is a difficultRead More →
Most of us encounter people every day that are hurting, lonely, and desperate for answers for their pain, yet we are oblivious to the depths of their suffering. On the outside, they seem content and satisfied with their lives, but internally they are struggling. Many of these individuals are peopleRead More →
Spring is in the air, and this is a season marked by the newness that our God brings. All of us are anticipating what the Father will cause to blossom in our lives, and after the year we’ve had, it will be more than a delight. We do not knowRead More →
Through the psalmist, God instructs us in Proverbs 4:23 to make it a top priority in our lives to guard our hearts. He tells us that everything we do flows from our hearts. As women, we pick up on this very early, and it’s mostly because in the beginning ofRead More →
One of the very many reasons that the Old Testament Book of Job is so amazing is because it mirrors many of our behaviors as human beings. We’d like to think that we are so complicated, but in God’s eyes we are not complicated at all. Our likenesses far outweighRead More →
Regarding His Word, God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8(NLT), “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua received a three-fold commandment in God’sRead More →
God left an indelible example and demonstration for us regarding the awesome power of His love. God’s love produces things. His love creates, motivates, and causes things to come together in the most miraculous ways. He didn’t have to let us in on these wondrous secrets, but He did. WordsRead More →
My sister lives in an area close to where we grew up. While talking with her the other day, she mentioned bumping into one of my high-school classmates, and she asked about me. This classmate knew that I had moved away some years ago and wanted to know how IRead More →
Psalm 91:1(NLT) says “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” We know that God is everywhere present, all-powerful, and all-knowing. There’s no crevice or cranny within all His creation that His shadow does not cover. This verse inRead More →
Wonderful sisters in Christ of a certain age need to be confident in the goodness, power, and faithfulness of our God. More and more, it seems we’re allowing this confidence to slip further away from our grasp. Oh, we hide it well. Most of us are used to hearing andRead More →
Proverbs 19:21(NLT) says, “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Making many plans is what we humans do. We’re constantly making decisions and choices that we think will lead us where we want to go. God tells us in Proverbs 19:21 that we can certainly doRead More →
We have big problems these days, and it’s not just on a micro level, but on a macro one. We’re seeing the enemy’s plots on a very large scale and his tactic of divisiveness and lies is more transparent than ever. But society is revealing to us that there areRead More →
Revelations 3:7-8(NLT) “This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened aRead More →
1Samuel 1:10(NLT) tells us, “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD.” This woman knew a thing or two about emotional pain. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, was good to her, but she was not his only wife. The other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah didRead More →
When we become born-again through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our spiritual journey in him begins. 2Corinthians 5:17(NLT) tells us, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” With this new life, we areRead More →
Problems and tribulations make many of us act impetuously and do things that could potentially worsen the situation. Psalm 46:10(NLT) tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God!”, Psalm 37:7 also says, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” TheseRead More →
There’s very little that is more debilitating than being stuck in a bad situation, and feeling as though you can’t do anything about it. My experience is that many people are feeling this way, but they’re hiding it. There was a time when I would be surprised by those whoRead More →
As believers of Jesus Christ who love our families and friends, sometimes the most difficult tests of our faith occur when one of them is attacked. It is even more troubling when our relationships with them suffer as a result. It can be exhausting when it seems that you’re continuallyRead More →
It was around the 1980s when I started to hear about what is now referred to as autonomous or driverless vehicles. I thought the idea was too futuristic to even warrant a serious discussion. But here we are, some thirty years later, and semi-autonomous cars are actually on the road.Read More →
Sometimes you meet a person and you just click. You can’t really explain why, but the friendship develops quickly, and you feel as though you’ve known each other for years, even though you’ve only just met. That’s how I felt about a friend thatRead More →
Jesus Christ said in John 15:8 (NLT), “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” Many scholars believe that the spiritual lesson that Jesus taught in John 15 was at the last supper. It was the night he was betrayed, soRead More →
Joel 2:25 (NLT), “The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.”” Have you been robbed or lost something that you’ve been praying for God to restore? For many single women and mothers, theRead More →
I’d like to bend the spiritual ear of those that have been waiting on the Lord to do something in their lives for a long time. It’s those individuals for whom a few very important requests have been the central theme of their prayers, but the manifestation of results hasRead More →
Through the Apostle John, in the Gospel of John, Chapter 5, God is adding another brush stroke to the portrait in His Word of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our beloved Savior left the city of Cana where he had spoken a word while being some twenty miles awayRead More →
I must admit that when it comes to the younger generation, I have been at times pessimistic; and I know I’m not the only one. I imagine some years ago my grandparents looked at my generation this same way. They couldn’t understand us or what made us tick. We wereRead More →
As Children of God, we don’t have to be afraid of what’s to come, nor do we have to fear the unknown. Our only requirement is to trust God as it says in Psalm 23:4-5(NLT), “Even when I walk through the darkest valley I will not be afraid, forRead More →
The Fall Issue of the SMS Magazine is entitled, “Taking It All Back.” In it we explore the spiritual requirements to enter the battlefield and take back what has been stolen from us. We know that the enemy is a dastardly evil thief, and we are often surprised by theRead More →
In Psalm 143, David was praying and crying out to God, as he had done many times before. I don’t know about you, but David reminds me of a brother who has a very desirable and exquisite combination of being both sensitive and strong. He was no doubt a greatRead More →