• Devotionals,  Spiritual thoughts,  Uncategorized

    What it Really Means to Set your Affection on Things Above

    *Pin on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/138204282294516055/ Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. – Colossians 3:2 In Colossians 3:2, the words “set your affection on things above” means to place your mind and thoughts on them, to show favor towards them, and to be affectionately desirous of them. For example, because I have affection toward my family, my thoughts are occupied with them as well. What kind of things consume your thoughts?  If you deeply ponder the answer, you’ll know where your real affections lie.  Your affections as a wife will probably be towards your husband.  Your affections as a mother will probably be towards your children. …

  • Devotionals,  Spiritual thoughts,  Uncategorized

    Because the Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want

    *Updated! Originally posted July 4, 2010 Psalms 23:1 –  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23 is a very well-known Psalm of David.  David had been a shepherd in his youth and had personal experience with the responsibilities of a shepherd.  Dutifully, he  watched over the sheep and took care of their every need, leading them to grasses to graze and water to drink.  He also had the duty of protecting them from harmful predators and  keeping a watchful eye over any sheep that may be wandering astray. Being a good shepherd must have required a lot of diligence and was probably exhausting at times.  …

  • Devotionals,  Spiritual thoughts,  Uncategorized

    How to Turn Worry Into a Useful Tool

    I didn’t use to be a worrier… After becoming a mom, I now had 3 little somebodies to worry about….and now that they are almost grown up, I still worry about them quite frequently. Recently, some health issues have also festered up some worries in my life. I’m flesh; I battle this great, ugly monster of WORRY. One thing is for sure… If I didn’t worry,  I probably wouldn’t pray as much. Now, I’m not advocating for everybody to take up the hobby of worrying.   Rather, I’m saying, if you have an issue with worrying, put it to good use!  You’ve got to muster up your strength to keep praying…

  • Devotionals,  Uncategorized

    Gain Greatly by Turning Grumbling to Gratitude

    *Updated!  Originally posted in January of 2010. Have you ever had one of those days that absolutely nothing went right and you thought to yourself, “I should have just stayed in bed?” Perhaps you muddled on through the day responding to others with the shortest answers possible because you just knew the day wasn’t going to get any better — and you couldn’t muster up any more strength to interact in any deep conversations. It’s true that we all have bad days, but we miss the opportunity to be a blessing to others when we sulk about our own circumstances.  I believe we also miss the opportunity to be thanking…

  • Devotionals,  Spiritual thoughts,  Uncategorized

    Don’t Be the Immature Christian

    We often gripe at our children for not listening to our “clear” instructions.  “You’re not listening, Johnny!  I SAID do it this way…”    Then, we breathe out a loud, heavy sigh of frustration, and silently wonder ‘when is my child ever going to listen to me!?!’   Side note: It might be that our children are indeed listening, but taking action and doing what was instructed shows they are maturing and growing in character. Sadly, many of us are still living an immature Christian life.   God has clearly instructed us in His Word the things that we ought to do, yet, we don’t follow all the instructions.  We clumsily walk…