When God desired to restore His covenant with humanity—the covenant that had been broken at Eden—He restored it through Abraham, the first Jew, who would become the father of many nations. Therefore, when we separate from the customs, traditions, and understandings of our roots, we lose touch with our true and full inheritance, the rich blessings that can be ours because of God’s promises to the s...  Read More

True grace is based on a relationship with God as our heavenly Father and not as a taskmaster constantly chastising us about what’s right and what’s wrong. God’s judgment is a friend of those who desire right standing with Him because the judgment removes the roots of death that bring destruction. Judgment from a legalistic standpoint, however, binds us to those dead roots.God’s character and natu...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:27-28a, 30-31a, 43, 45aNow at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres.  So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem.The priests...  Read More

God chose Abraham to be the first Jew because He knew Abraham would be a good father. God knew Abraham would create a family that would live differently from those around them, one that would live for God and according to His ways. Abraham created a heritage of following God for his family that would outlast• four hundred years of slavery in Egypt;• the destruction of Jerusalem and being taken cap...  Read More

Defining Our Deepest DesiresAs far back as I can remember, I always knew that I wanted to get married and be a mother one day. While ten-year-old me may not have understood what the Bible says about singleness, marriage, and family, I knew that marriage was something I longed for, something close to my heart.When I started dating my prayer was, “Lord if it’s Your Will, let me continue to walk in w...  Read More

Pinpointing Your PassionsI was a math major and had planned on doing something with my major right after college. However, after my first semester of senior year, I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue using that or if I wanted to do full-time ministry. I had the privilege to lead a Bible study and the longer I served, the more I fell in love with building community and shepherding relationships with...  Read More

Who We Are Impacts What We DecideAt the end of my senior year of high school, I was trying to decide where to go to school and devote the next four years of my life. I was processing what I wanted my school friends to be like, my church friends, and also my own pride to go to a “fancy esteemed” college. I was surrounded by wise counsel who encouraged me that there wasn’t a wrong or right answer. G...  Read More

Life-Giving Words to Bring JoyEveryone circled around the boardroom table, the mood tense with the meeting's agenda and all that was at stake. As she readied herself for her part of the presentation, she felt her stomach clench under what seemed like such a serious situation.But then her phone flashed, and her eyes caught the screen: a snapshot of her best friend’s best “silly face,” the one that ...  Read More

Nehemiah Chapter 6Nehemiah 6:3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" Nehemiah 6:8 Then I sent a message to him saying, "Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind."Nehemiah 6:11 But I said, "Should a man like me flee? And could one suc...  Read More

Life-Giving Words to Bring HealingThe centurion was a man of authority. He knew that when he gave his subordinates orders, they acted - immediately. So, when he approached Jesus for help, he understood a principle the people around him had missed. Jesus has far more Authority than the highest-ranking military official on Earth. He commands the armies of Heaven and controls the entire Universe. Whe...  Read More

Life-Giving Words for Bringing RestorationLife-Giving Words for Bringing RestorationAs her friend sat across from her at the table staring directly at her, she realized she was in trouble. Carelessly, she had had a conversation with someone else the day before in which she’d let slip out the secret her friend had confided in her. And now her friend knew—and had her cornered in confrontation.What d...  Read More

Life-Giving Words for the DisappointedThe forecast called for a 100 percent chance of snow overnight. In the deep South, where snow rarely happens, a flurry of activity at the local grocery stores ensued, as people prepared for the great winter storm. Schools and businesses were closed. Everyone waited.And then it happened: The storm came and went without leaving a trace of the promised winter glo...  Read More