How to Be Thankful in Tough Times

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT) *** *** *** ***   1. Don’t worry about anything. Worrying doesn’t change anything. It’s stewing without doing. There’s no such thing as born worriers; worry is a learned response. You learned it from your parents. You learned it from your peers. You learned it from experience. That’s good news. The fact that worry is learned means it can also be unlearned. Jesus says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. …

A Resolution Worth Keeping

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)   *** *** *** ***   Today’s guest devotional is from Jon Walker.   How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? You remember that list you made with optimistic enthusiasm but unrealistic expectations.   One of my friends started making New Year’s resolutions like, “I won’t lose ten pounds this year,” and “I commit to watching the Super Bowl this year.”   I suspect Paul only had one resolution on his list: “This year I resolve to …

the '09 hammer and chisel

Many years ago when I played high school and college basketball and baseball I worked toward a change with each season of competition. Basically the change I sought was to get quicker, faster and stronger … so that … with much practice … my skills would increase. This meant I had to find the discipline it takes to see these changes through. Easy to say and write about … but not so easy to implement. As a believer in Jesus my desire should be to seek changes in my life that will shape me into a closer image of Christ. …

Lessons in Contentment

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 (NIV)   *** *** *** ***   Here are four steps to develop contentment in your life.   1. Stop comparing yourself to others. When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is toward discontentment. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.   I recall counseling a husband many years ago, and he said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in our …

Don’t Settle for Happiness; Aim for Joy

“Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” Philippians 3:1 (NLT)   *** *** *** ***   A man once told me that he’d broken up with his fiancé because she didn’t make him happy enough. Mind you, he was happy with her; she just didn’t make him as happy as he felt a future wife should.   What this man told me gives memorable insight into how some people view happiness: They believe happiness is dependent upon the people, the things, and the circumstances that surrounded them.   Yet, the Bible says don’t settle …

What Kind of Peace Does Jesus Give?

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Luke 2:14 (NKJV)   *** *** *** ***   · Peace with God (spiritual) – “Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 TEV).   · Peace of God (emotional) – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. …

Christmas: Open Your Gift from God

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. Romans 5:1 (MSG) *** *** *** ***   You’re not reading this by accident. No, God knew before you were born that you would be here in this moment. He planned to get your attention for just a few seconds so he could say this to you: “I’ve seen every hurt in your life, and I’ve never stopped loving you. You matter to me. I love …

Christmas: Peace with Each Other

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 (KJV)   *** *** *** ***   Once you make peace with God and have the peace of God in your heart, you’re able to make peace with other people.   God says, “I want you to be a peacemaker. I want you to be a reconciler.” The Bible calls this “the ministry of reconciliation.”   As I’ve traveled from country to country over the past few years, I’ve seen the same problem – conflict. Between husbands and wives, between generations, ethnic groups, religious groups, …

Christmas Brings the Peace of God

You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)   *** *** *** ***   Once you make peace with God, that’s spiritual peace, then you get the peace of God in your heart and that’s emotional peace.   This is the one you really need for daily living. The peace of God happens in your heart when you’ve made peace with God. All of a sudden, the stress in your life goes down. You’re not as angry as …

Christmas Means Peace with God

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT) *** *** *** *** Do you realize that if you’re trying to live your life without God, you are at war with him? You are at war with God, and you need a peace treaty. You need reconciliation because your relationship with God has been broken.  Jesus Christ came to be that bridge, to be the reconciler between God and man.   When you trust Jesus, he makes it …