Don't Be Afraid | February 15, 2016
One of the most often used statements in the bible is, "Don't be afraid." Fear, worry, and anxiety, grip most people's live on a regular basis. Since we live in a world of uncertainty, our emotional state is heightened much of the time. Jesus came to set us free from this malady and restore our peace.

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid."
Matthew 28:8-10, NIV

Is This God's Plan? | February 16, 2016
Following our Lord will eventually bring us to times of disillusionment or confusion about where He is leading us in our lives. During these times, we may question Abba and His wisdom instead of strengthen our trust and resolve.

They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"
Exodus 17:3, NIV

Grace Alone | February 17, 2016
Most of us consciously or unconsciously want to appear to others like we have our lives "all together." This positioning of our "goodness" can creep into our lives with the Lord. However, since the Lord knows us from the inside out, we must learn to come to Him just as we are.

“Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it."
Exodus 20:24-25, NIV

Which Is Easier? | February 18, 2016
Without thinking about it, most of us would answer this question as if a physical healing was the more difficult proposition. When we are praying for the sick or some seemingly difficult situation, we equate it as one of the hardest things for the Lord to do. Of course, this is not the case. In fact, Jesus reminds us that His healing touch is the easier of the things He compares.

Which is easier:to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
Mark 2:9-11, NIV

I'm Having A Difficult Time Expressing Myself | February 19, 2016
Sometimes we don't get it. The Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts and the Lord's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8).

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?"
Mark 4:13, NIV