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Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. Psalm 48:1-3 NIV

Life is a beautiful thing… and for good reason, God created it. In all His majesty and splendor, He created life – all that is around us – and even us. The Creator of the Universe – He created it all.

Have you ever stopped to think about just…  ( Click for more )

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." Job 37:5 NIV

God speaks to me. I'm sure of it. I'm sure He speaks to you, too. Can you hear Him? Do you know how to listen to Him? And when you do, are you willing to respond?

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. Psalm 50:1 NIV

Most of us have not been taught to hear God speak. Instead, we've been taught to listen to sermons. In fact, some people think God has stopped talking…  ( Click for more )

I am a woman. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a member of my church. I am an employee. I am a Marketing Director. I am a Nashvillian. I am a college graduate. I am 5'2" with blonde hair and blue eyes. I am 36 years old. I am a Christian.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are…  ( Click for more )

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 NIV

All day long I am continually being assaulted by messages. I wake up to music on the radio. I watch the morning news on television. Sometimes, I read the newspaper. On my way to work I drive past hundreds of signs from marquees and billboards to store and road signs. I like to listen to talk radio –either political news or Christian talk shows. In my job I am frequently…  ( Click for more )

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:5 KJV

I love spring! It is my favorite time of the year. It's a time when all that appears dead – like the grass, the trees, the flowers… they come to life – once again. In what seems like only a matter of days, a bit of rain, and a bit of sunshine -- there are buds on the trees, the grass starts to sprout, the wild violets spring forth… and everything feels brand new. Another sure sign of spring I love…  ( Click for more )

"They pierced my hands and my feet" Psalm 22:16 NKJV

Who was there that day? The day Jesus was crucified? We know from Matthew, Chapter 27, that morning, Jesus was brought before the chief priest and elders of the people. He was then presented to Pontius Pilate the governor, who handed Jesus over to his soldiers. At one point, the soldiers compelled Simon, a man of Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross. The two thieves were also there. Verse 41 also tells us that the chief priests were there mocking Jesus, along with the scribes and elders. The centurion was there. Many women…  ( Click for more )

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5:1 NIV

Did you know that God loves you and wants you to experience abundant peace and eternal life?

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 NASB

I wonder why is it that most of us don't have this peace Paul describes in Romans or experience the abundant life John writes about?

God created us in His own image. He did not make us into robots that would automatically…  ( Click for more )

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. Psalm 33:13-15 NIV

How I wish I could see things as Jesus sees them. I wonder how different things might look to me if I were truly able to see them through His eyes.

When Samuel went to anoint the new king of Israel, he learned that God's measure of a person was different from man's measure.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I…  ( Click for more )

Thy word is truth. John 17:17b KJV

God's word is truth. It says so – right there - in the Bible – in the book of John, chapter 17. So, do you believe the Bible and all that it says? Here's a wonderful reason for believing the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

I imagine most of you reading this would say you do believe the Bible. In fact, if you've…  ( Click for more )

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5 NASB

King David wrote Psalm 63 while in the wilderness of Judah. He was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was seeking to kill him and displace him as the king of Israel. For David, it was obvious that despite the dangers confronting him, he knew anything was bearable as long as God was in his corner. David knew where to put his focus… not on his problems, but on God.

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, …  ( Click for more )

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NASB

I wonder what life would be like if each of us allowed our appetite for God to become the ruling passion of our life? What thoughts would we think and meditate on? I wonder how different our lives would be?

And what if we desired that for everyone we met? Would it change the way we speak to them? Would it change the kind of advice we might give? Would it bring about radical change in the lives of those around us?

I believe it would. In fact, I know it would.…  ( Click for more )

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV

When I was a freshman in college I was faced with what I considered to be a very important decision at the time. Throughout all of high school, I had been a cheerleader. I loved sports but I wasn't very good at playing them. At least not well enough to even consider trying out for a team. However, I was coordinated, I could jump really high and I could yell really loud which…  ( Click for more )

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 NASB Do you ever feel like you're spending your whole life sitting in the "waiting room?" Sometimes I do. Especially when there is something I desperately want or need and know in my heart I must wait on God to reveal the next step.

I'm thinking of all the other things I'd rather be doing instead of sitting here - waiting. It happens every time you go to the doctor's office. You…  ( Click for more )

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV

I love to talk. I love the process of communicating with other people. There is something so wonderful about "words" and "language" and I really enjoy being able to share a thought, a story, or a word with someone and to see them "get it!" I so enjoy all forms of communication, from writing a letter to someone, sending an email, calling a friend on the phone, sending a text messages, giving…  ( Click for more )

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 HSCB

What is good? I imagine if you asked 10 different people for the definition, you'd get 10 different answers. When I looked the word "good" up in the dictionary, I was overwhelmed by the endless definitions listed. The word "good" had almost 30 different definitions based on how it was used in a sentence. With so many definitions to choose from, I believe part of our problem in knowing what "good" is, arises from our difficulty in defining the word and applying this term…  ( Click for more )

As I have watched story after story of the death and destruction due to the earthquake that hit in the Indian Ocean and the resulting tsunami that followed, I find myself asking WHY? I'm sure many of you are asking the same question – if God is good, infinitely loving and omnipotent, why do we, the products of His creation and the focus of His infinite love, suffer?

The problem of human suffering has confounded man for centuries. At the heart of the problem is a question that forces us to examine the very essence of God's nature. Who is God?

Some people deny God's existence…  ( Click for more )

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. Psalms 25:6-7 NIV

How good of a memory do you think God has? Since He's the creator of the universe, I would imagine His memory is pretty good. I find it interesting in Psalms 25, David asks the LORD to remember His mercy and love and to remember him (David, the author of this psalm) and to essentially forget his sins and rebellious ways.

I'm quite certain God knows He's God and…  ( Click for more )

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 NIV

…because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5b-6a NIV

Oh how I need to be reminded…  ( Click for more )

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 8 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 34 1 Chronicles 16:8, 34 NIV

Dear God,

Christmas is only a few days away and I wanted to write You a letter to say "thank you." Throughout my life I've given and received many presents. But none compare to the gift You have given me, and the entire world, than the gift You gave each of us with the birth of Your son Jesus Christ.

It's so easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas these days. There are so…  ( Click for more )

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

I also love the King James Version of this verse:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2 KJV

"Set our affection…" Where is your affection? What do you really want out of this life you've been given? Is…  ( Click for more )

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

How much time do you spend praying? Why do you pray? If God is omniscient, do your prayers even matter? Do you expect God to answer your prayers? If He does, do you thank Him and give Him praise? If He doesn't, do you doubt He heard you? Do you curse Him for not answering your prayer the way you wanted it answered?

I find myself asking lots…  ( Click for more )

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The people of God were in trouble. Because of their continued disobedience, God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to attack Jerusalem in 606 B.C. and take many of the people into captivity. It was also during this time, God instructed Jeremiah, His prophet, to write a letter to the slaves in Babylon. Here's what he basically told them, "You're going to be here for awhile—so you better get used to it. In the meantime,…  ( Click for more )

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. James 1: 16-18 NIV

Have you ever stopped to count your blessings? What do you have to be thankful for?

Thanksgiving should be a time of reverent reflection, humble prayer, and joyful thanksgiving for American Christians. I can't think of a better time for each of us to reflect on the things…  ( Click for more )

The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1: 26-27 NIV

It seems rather hard to conceive, doesn't it? Christ in you? What does that mean, exactly? I believe the answer to this question lies at the heart of what it means to be a child of God. So often I hear the phrase –"I'm a follower of Christ." It sounds really good, doesn't it? When I hear that phrase I picture in my…  ( Click for more )