God’s Grace: How Deep Is It?

October 12, 2017

Can grace cover the worst thing you’ve ever done? The most terrible act committed against you? The one thing you have the most trouble forgetting? The worst deed ever committed in history? In your lifetime?

Can God’s grace cover that? Read more

What Can You Give to a Mother?

May 4, 2017

Wondering what you could say or give to a mother to express your thanks and your love to her–on Mother’s Day or any day? For those of you whose moms are still living, here’s one simple suggestion. Read more

Is Jesus Real? An Easter Prayer for You

April 13, 2017

 

Some of us may feel like Thomas, who questioned the Lord after His resurrection appearance. At times, we too, need to know that Jesus is truly real. Circumstances leave us discouraged, and we soon forget God’s work in our lives. Read more

Finding God in the Garden

March 30, 2017

When springtime rolls around, it’s hard for me not to write about my favorite season. Visions of pink and blue hydrangeas, white gardenias, yellow daylilies, coral heuchera, and purple petunias dance in my head. Every year I save up for colorful replacements or new varieties.

There are some things about this time of year, however, that can destroy its beauty–if I let it.

You guessed it: weeds. You can tell by this picture in my backyard garden that some flowers are blooming. But most of those green shoots covering the ground and invading the good plants? Weeds! Unfortunately, just like most of the plants in my gardens, those weeds are perennial.

The sun may eventually kill the shallow ones, though my garden is mostly shady. And mulch will cover up some of the green invaders. But only for a while. Others will soon take their place. If I let them grow wild and don’t pull them out as soon as they pop up, they will soon choke out the beauty and the fragrance of my garden.

Finding God in the Garden

That’s true of my spiritual garden as well. Think about these areas of life and the power of weeds left untended: Read more

Do You Want This Kind of Love?

February 9, 2017

 

Whether you’re single or married, you are not alone in your desire to be loved.

Valentine’s Day can bring a smile to the faces of those who feel loved, or a deep longing in the hearts of those who don’t.

The truth is, people spend a majority of their lives searching for love that won’t fail, but many never find it.

Do you want this kind of love? It’s the kind of love that will always be there for you.

It’s the Valentine God sends to your heart every day, every year, all of your life. God’s love is the kind that never fails.

What is it like?

Is it too good to be true?

Is it so hard to believe that you are loved, really loved by Him?

Read the short poem below.

Then listen to the powerful words of the song following the poem.

Will you embrace His love?

 

Read more

Are You Listening to God?

November 10, 2016

 

Are You Listening to God?

My recurrent theme in many of my blogs, as you know, is “God is Faithful.” It runs through my heart, and that theme is embedded in the heart and soul of the Bible.

So, to me, when people ask in any situation,  “Will God show up?” that’s not even a question to consider. Read more

One Place You Will Always Belong

October 6, 2016

“My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

Everyone wants–and needs–a place to belong. We all like to fit in.

Too many try too hard–and in all the wrong places.

But you already have a place in God the Father’s heart.

There, you will always find acceptance as His child.

There, you’ll have access to all the rooms.

There, you’ll find fellowship with Him daily.

If you’ve said yes to His invitation, to follow Jesus with all your heart, you are a part of the family of God!

Where else can you find a safe refuge and a place to be yourself?

Where else can you rest your cares and worries?

Where else can you enjoy a life of purpose and joy?

Jesus paid the price with His own death so you could have forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love.

There’s one place you’ll always belong.

You’re always at home in the Father’s heart.

-Rebecca Barlow Jordan

It’s Your Turn

What about you? Have you found that place you will always belong? Are you at home in the Father’s heart? If not, why not trust Him today? Share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today!

* I’ll announce the winner of our Guideposts Mornings with Jesus Daily Bible next week. Stay tuned for more book/drawing giveaways in the future. Thanks to all of you who entered and left comments!

Our Policy

You won’t be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you leave a comment. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. And you can now also follow me on Pinterest.

If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And I’d love for you to sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of my website page/sidebar if you’ve not already done so. That way, I can drop this encouraging blog into your e-mail box weekly, as well as notify you occasionally of any new updates, new books, specials, contests or book giveaways.

Now when you sign up, you will automatically receive a download of “20 Day-votional Truths To Live By,” some of my original quotes to inspire you. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Prayers with Kids at Bedtime

September 15, 2016

Prayers with kids or grandkids at bedtime is more than a ritual. They need that spiritual nudge, that personal hug from God and you to give them a sense of security and love. You know that praying to end the day, thanking God for all that was experienced, asking for rest and a fresh start tomorrow, is an important habit to build in your kids. But have you ever found yourself putting your kids or grandkids to bed at the end of a long day, wanting to pray, but just too exhausted to find the words?  If you need help and a place to start, here are two examples:

Prayer One

Dear God, we thank you tonight for the good day and for the special way you take care of us all the time. Thank you for the fun times outside and the quiet times inside, and for helping us learn new things every day.

Thank you for creating us special, exactly the way you wanted. Thank you for protecting us throughout the day. Forgive us for the wrong things we do. Thank you for loving us even when we disobey or try to do things our way. Help us to always choose your way, God, because it’s always best. We pray for all the people who don’t know you, and that they will come to understand your love for them, too.

Bless our family and thank you for good times together and apart. Bless our friends and those we love, including our grandparents, our aunts and uncles and cousins. Thank you for our home and a place to sleep and good food to eat. Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust you and to love you more and more. You are good; you are great; and you are faithful, God. And we love you. Good night.

Prayer Two

Bless us with rest tonight, Jesus, and a good night’s sleep. Forgive us for the things we did today that did not honor you. Thank you for loving us so much and that you know us through and through. We need your help every day, and we thank you for the strength you give and for helping us know that with you, even hard things are possible. Bless our family and our home, and keep us safe through the night. May your angels guard us and watch over us, just like you promised. Read more

Eight Ways God Speaks to Us Today

July 28, 2016

He conversed with Adam in the first garden. He told Noah to build an ark. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush. He promised Abraham a son. Paul heard His voice on the way to Damascus. But does God still speak to us today? If so, how? When? Where?

Often when people ask this question, they are talking about an audible voice. And God can do that. He can do anything He wants. He’s God. Why then, can’t I hear God speak to me audibly, someone might ask?

I can’t answer questions that the Bible does not make clear. And the way God works is one of those questions. I do think “hearing God speak” may mean different things to different people. To some, it may suggest, “I need answers for my life, or this particular crisis.” Another may say, “I’ve asked God for _________, but He never answers me.

Because God treats each of us as unique children, He doesn’t communicate the same way to all of us. However, here are eight ways God often speaks to us today. Read more

One Thing You Can Do to Heal Your Country

June 30, 2016

Everyone has an opinion today on what their country needs and what it will take to help heal it–especially when division occurs or election time rolls around. There are many things you can do to help, but none are more important than the one I’ll tell you about today. If you really love your country, here is the most important thing you can do to help heal it: Read more

Next Page »