Proverbs has a lot to say about the value of wise counsel. Proverbs 13:10 declares, “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 15:22 proclaims, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” And Proverbs 20:5 instructs us, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
Have you ever wondered if your worship pleases God? No matter where you are in your journey with Christ—whether a new believer or seasoned sojourner—it's important to remember that when it comes to worship, God's priority is your heart (1 Chr. 28:9; Ps. 51:17; Joel 2:13).
Satan loves to use fear and doubt to discourage believers. He knows if he can get you to question God, then maybe you will give up and abandon His will for your life. Feelings of fear often accompany feelings of doubt and uncertainty. If left unattended, these runaway emotions can tempt you to stop trusting the Lord and His ability to provide for you.
Is there anything today that is out of control in your life? Is there a financial need? Is there a relationship in crisis for which you are urgently praying for God’s wisdom and seeking direction?
When did you last feel the presence of God in your life? I dont mean a merely intellectual recognition that He is with you, for He is everywhere. Rather, when did you last recognize in your heart that the Lord is personally, intimately abiding in you?
Our relationship with God is usually reflected in our relationships with other people. The more loyal we are to God, the more loyal we tend to be with friends and family members. That’s no accident.
You’ve probably heard the timeworn sayings, “The early bird gets the worm” and “sharp as a tack.” But have you ever considered that both describe a character trait that the Bible says is vital to any successful venture?
Recipe for Life — The Characteristics of a Godly Man
Until he became engaged to Mary, Joseph’s life probably resembled that of most other men in his hometown. No doubt he had business concerns and goals for the future—but nothing seriously interrupted his daily routine until Mary informed him she was pregnant. This was when his life changed rapidly.
Many believers object to the idea of accountability because they don’t see how other people’s actions are any of their business—and they refuse to allow anyone into theirs.
Recipe for Life — How God Judges and Rewards Our Work
Though many consider the apostle Paul the greatest missionary in history, he received more lashes and stones than honorary banquets, and he spent more time in jail than in mansions. How did he continue under such duress? He looked ahead to God’s reward: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:8).
Have you ever wondered how God views your life? Do you worry that He sees your flaws and mistakes and loves you less? Do not worry! God knows you perfectly and loves you completely … just the way you are. You are His masterpiece—His workmanship of grace and love—His work of art. He continues to paint the colors of your life in such a way that you will glorify Him.
Perhaps no book exemplifies the spirit of praise and worship more than the Book of Psalms. It records more verses of praise than any other book in the Bible. Obviously, God desires the praises of His people.
“Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers, for they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday” (Ps. 37:1-6).
When Nehemiah heard that his people lived in great distress and reproach, that the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins, and that the gates of the city remained burned and broken, he responded with prayer.
For some people, money is central. They worship wealth, devoting much of their time, energy, and attention to its gain and use because they regard it as the key to power and prestige.
“He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul” (Ps. 23:2, 3). Most likely you have heard this passage quoted more times than you can count. However, no matter how often this much-loved psalm is recited, we still seem to miss the full impact of the message: God restores our souls.
Paul’s words to Timothy are equally God’s words to you. He has given each one of us “a spirit . . . of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). Therefore, we never should respond to circumstances or people in fear because we have the power of God living within us—the very power that dispels all fear and anxiety.
Recipe for Life—The Importance of Forgiving Others
All of us at some point have to deal with the issue of unforgiveness. When we allow a bitter spirit to lodge in our souls where it can grow and fester, it becomes both painful and destructive. Unforgiveness lies at the root of many of the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual problems we see in the world today.
Before his death, David told his son and successor Solomon, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him”
(1 Chron. 28:9).
Recipe for Life—The Best Friend You Will Ever Have
Many of us know the familiar hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” We all consider our Savior a great friend—but none of us have an exhaustive knowledge of the heights, depths, and breadth of His amazing friendship.
Burnout. The very expression seems to make us sigh, doesn’t it? In this fast-paced, overworked world, most of us have felt the tiring numbness of burnout. How should a believer in Christ respond to these feelings?
The notion of “true love” dominates much of popular culture. We purchase cards, shop for gifts, and plan romantic outings with our cherished one in mind.
Recipe for Life—Secure in the Lord During Troubled Times
When you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be certain of this truth: in times of trouble, suffering, hardship, difficulty, pain, or tragedy the Lord is with you!
All temptation begins with a single thought. Whether we realize it or not, we have the ability to choose to ignore tempting thoughts or allow them to remain in our minds. If not kept in check, our temptations can lead to disappointment, failure, rejection, isolation, and a host of other consequences. Perhaps that is why the apostle Paul wisely instructed the Corinthians to bring “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Have you ever sat down in a quiet place with your Bible but didn’t know where to begin? Perhaps you flipped through the pages of Scripture, ready to study His Word, but then remembered another appointment you had. In haste, you said a quick prayer, telling yourself you would take the time to pray later—but it never happened.
We all enjoy weekends. Recreation with our families and friends is important for leading a well-balanced life. But if we live only for the weekends, we thwart God’s desire to bless us in the task that occupies most of our adult lives: work—whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or someone who leaves each morning for the office.
If there is one thing universal to every human being on earth, it is this: stress. The intangible partner of progress, stress is defined as the “normal, internal mechanism that adapts us to change”—and it’s something we all feel at one time or another. Why? Because the more demanding life becomes, the more stressed we become in our attempts to keep up the pace.
The apostle Paul thought so. He knew what it meant to set God-honoring goals. Philippians 3:8-14 describes not only where Paul had been, but also where he was going. Paul understood that there was more of God to know and, as such, he set goals that would enable him and others to experience God in a greater way.
Have you ever felt lonely? Every human being on earth has faced or will face times of loneliness in his or her life. But when loneliness engulfs you and you are tempted to think that no one cares, you must first remember to turn your focus away from what you don’t have to what you do have …
The problems we face in our country today may seem overwhelming—and getting a grip on any of them could be a big challenge. Yet God’s Word gives us reason for hope regarding our nation and the tough economic times and serious moral decline our culture is facing.
How can I become a more obedient Christian? It is a question many of us have asked ourselves time and time again.
Without a doubt, obedience is the bottom line in the Christian life. It means compliance to God’s plans, observance of His commands, adherence to His standards, and submission to His will.
It’s that time of year again … time to take to the open road for summer vacation! For your next road trip, put this survival kit together to keep yourself and the kids entertained as you head out to the see the sights.
Many people seem uncomfortable with silence, especially if they are alone. However, it is in the silence where we are able to hear the “sound of a gentle blowing” —the voice of the Lord.
We do not get to pick and choose our tests and trials in life. Sometimes they sneak in like a thief in the night; other times, they blow in like a great tempest off a stormy sea. If we aren’t careful, the waves and winds caused by the difficulties we face could overwhelm us and consume our lives.
Recipe for Life—Relying on God’s Word: Summer Reading Plan
Spending time alone in God’s Word each day will help you live a victorious life. As the days grow longer and the weather grows warmer, make a commitment to daily spend a few quiet moments with the Lord. The following reading plan will guide you through each of the Psalms and Proverbs.
There's no doubt about it: many today are facing tough economic times. People are losing their jobs, stocks are tumbling, and money is tight. When you barely have enough to get by from week to week, it maybe hard to imagine sharing with others.
If there is one thing mothers know a lot about, it's patience. From pregnancy, to giving birth, to trying to get a fever down, moms everywhere know that waiting is part of motherhood.
Rebecca Stanley knew this, too. When her son, Charles, was a young boy, she decided it was time to teach him a life-lesson about patience.
Life can get pretty hectic at times for mom: there’s the laundry that needs washing, dinners that need cooking, errands that need running, and sick children that need tender loving care—the list goes on and on!
But God knew that mothers would need to rest every now and again. Click below for ideas on how you can take time out for yourself.
Prayer is one of of the most important things you will ever do for your children. Lifting their needs, hurts, and futures to the Father helps to set the course for their journeys and their individual walks of faith. But where do you begin? Click below to view a few key “ingredients” to help you get started!
