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How We Live Affects Our Prayer Life When we add prayer to our recovery process, our habits and hurts start to heal. The truth is true recovery requires prayer. Still many people try to change their lives in their own strength, but lasting recovery requires prayer. So why is it that so many people’s lives start to change and then they hit a wall and start going back to their old ways again?   Why do some people seem to…

Is there anything you believe God wants to do but you’ve let fear and doubt keep you from stepping forward in faith? Fear and doubt cause us to become complacent or anxious. Either we give into our fears and become a bump on a log, or we live in fear and doubt with restless worry and nervous concern. If we want to get off the sidelines and into the game of purpose and passion, then self-doubt needs to be delt…

Maturity Is Not About Knowing More   Why is it that some Christians who know God’s word are so critical, meanspirited, and judgmental? They’ve obviously studied God’s word for many years, but they have what I call a Pharisaical mindset. They are grumpy, arrogant, and act as though they don’t ever struggle with sin. They are unapproachable and cause nonbelievers to hate Christianity, the church, and Christians in general. Jesus had some choice words for these haters that might surprise you.…

In what areas of your life do you feel defeated and anxious? Is there anything that you can do to be freed from these condemning thoughts and feelings so that anxiety can be replaced with peace and joy? Sometimes we feel so discouraged and defeated in our Christian lives. We all struggle with temptation and sin and then the guilt and shame that follow can cause us to cave and think defeated thoughts. Then our emotions can become our guide…

Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future When John Travolta has a new part in a movie, he said he starts with the walk. All his characters have a different walk and that helps him find his new personality for the movie. When Jacob was a young man, he was a fraud, a scam artist, and a con. When he finally humbled himself and confessed his sin one night, God gave him a new identity, blessed him, and gave him…

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. We can live victorious lives if we know how to prepare for the battles. We don’t have to give in to Satan’s attempts to control us through temptations. We are called to guard our hearts, and we do that by God’s truth renewing us and cleansing us from negative thoughts and emotions. Fear and guilt truly is the devil’s playground. Are there any negative…

God Uses All Situations To Bring Blessings Our most powerful testimonies come from our times of struggles. Because God meets us in our brokenness and brings comfort and healing. The prosperity gospel churches try to show their spirituality by having lots of stuff and financial success. True spirituality produces people who are mentally, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually whole during times of adversity. That means our joy and peace doesn’t depend on our circumstances. Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to…

A Different Weapon For A Different Kind Of Warrior                                                          2 Timothy 2:25-26                                                                                   25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. We all face opposition because of our faith in Jesus. It’s important to understand that the source of this opposition isn’t a coworker,…

Enjoying Prayer Many people feel uncomfortable praying, so they rarely do it, let alone enjoy it. Prayer has the potential to be something you look forward to every day. It’s where intimacy with the Lord can be experienced time and again. Do you struggle sometimes with how you should approach Him? Don’t overthink it. Be real with what you are thinking and feeling. Share what’s on your mind or what you’re anxious about. Sometimes I intentionally let scripture guide me…

We worry and are concerned about how to make our lives more comfortable, while God is focused on our character. We think that comfort will bring peace of mind, but we see example after example of those with more than they could ever want, living lives of depression and shame. There is only one thing that can bring eternal hope which leads to joy and that’s finding your identity and purpose through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 15:13    May the…

Galatians 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. In a world full of secrets, habits, and fears, it’s difficult to truly feel free. The pressures we struggle with lead us to live lonely broken lives that hide who we really are. Is there any sin that you are a slave too? God has a plan for you to be free in…

Don’t Bully Your Bullies Hebrew 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.When we are harassed moment, of course we want to fight back. It takes faith to overcome the flesh. Only through our faith can we battle darkness with light. Our Savior suffered greatly at the hands of evil men. Instead of summoning the angels to come…