Hidden Where the World Cannot Reach You

As the Day Begins “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” —Colossians 3:3 Meditation Most of us learn early how to adjust. We discover what earns approval, what avoids criticism, and what helps us fit comfortably into the expectations of others. Some adjustment is necessary for living graciously with people.Continue reading “Hidden Where the World Cannot Reach You”

CHOSEN BEFORE THE DAY EVER BEGAN

As the Day Begins “He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame.” — Ephesians 1:4 There is something wonderfully stabilizing about beginning the day with the realization that God’s attention toward us did not begin this morning. Before we opened our eyes, beforeContinue reading “CHOSEN BEFORE THE DAY EVER BEGAN”

When the Spotlight Stops Steering the Soul

DID YOU KNOW Did You Know? The need for validation can become a hidden form of spiritual captivity. Most of us know what it feels like to want recognition. We may not say it out loud, but there is something in us that enjoys being noticed, appreciated, affirmed, and credited. A kind word can encourageContinue reading “When the Spotlight Stops Steering the Soul”

You Are Not Who You Used to Be

DID YOU KNOW Did You Know? God does not expect His children to be sinless overnight, but He does begin changing what they desire. John wrote to believers who were confused about grace and sin. Some people in the early church had begun teaching that because Christ died for sin, believers could continue living inContinue reading “You Are Not Who You Used to Be”

When the Mirror Speaks Truth

DID YOU KNOW Did you know that Scripture calls you to examine your own faith before you evaluate someone else’s? Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 are both direct and searching: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is inContinue reading “When the Mirror Speaks Truth”

Written by the Spirit

The Only Recommendation That Matters DID YOU KNOW Did you know that your life is already being read by others as a testimony of Christ? Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 are both encouraging and sobering: “You are our letter… known and read by all people… written not with ink but with the Spirit ofContinue reading “Written by the Spirit”

God’s Forever-Love

As the Day Begins “We have known and believed the love that God has for us.” — 1 John 4:16 Morning light has a way of revealing what the darkness hides. When the day begins, many of us carry quiet questions in our hearts about our value, our purpose, and our place in God’s world.Continue reading “God’s Forever-Love”

Valued by Design, Called by Grace

As the Day Begins “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 There are words spoken over us in childhood that lodge deeply in the soul. Some are blessings that steady us for life; others are wounds that quietlyContinue reading “Valued by Design, Called by Grace”

Known by Name, Held by Grace

Somebody Special  As the Day Begins The words of Psalm 9:10 speak with tender assurance into the quiet moments of morning: “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” To “know” in Scripture is more than awareness; the Hebrew idea behind knowingContinue reading “Known by Name, Held by Grace”