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May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

What do you think the author of Hebrews meant when he said that the "great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will"?

I know there are many times when I wonder, "Who am I, to be doing this _______?" Whether it's a particular…  ( Click for more )

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

Water is essential to life.

Did you know roughly three-fourths of the earth's surface is covered by water? That's a lot of water. But guess what? Only 1% of the world's water is usable to us. That's because about 97% it is salt water and then 2% of it is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. So, that leaves us with only 1% of the water on the earth to supply the entire world with this precious commodity necessary for our survival.

Water is absolutely a fundamental…  ( Click for more )

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:25-27 NIV

As much as I hate to admit it, for the most part, I live in my own little world. Most everything I do relates to my needs or the needs…  ( Click for more )

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 NIV

Have you ever stopped to consider just how much "power" there is to the words you speak? As a child growing up, I learned the hard way. I can't remember how many times my mouth got me in trouble – but it was definitely more times than I care to remember.

However, I learned an incredible lesson as my father would often say to me, "Michelle, you really need to think before you speak." Slowly but surely, it began to sink in that once the words were out…  ( Click for more )

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV

When you face a difficult situation, do you find yourself rejoicing? I know I don't. It seems like a contradiction doesn't it? But according to God's word, we should consider it joy whenever we face trials.

Notice it doesn't say "if" you face trials… it says "whenever."

Jesus also tells us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.…  ( Click for more )

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:14 NIV

Flip through the pages of almost any newsstand magazine; watch almost any television show or commercial and it's easy to see our society is consumed with beauty. It's almost an unwritten rule that says, "It's the beautiful people in this world that have it all – fame, fortune, love, success, money, prestige, power." Everywhere we turn this idea is forced upon us… magazines, TV shows, commercials, movies, society and sometimes even our friends…  ( Click for more )

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 HCSB

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks for everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB

"Tis the season to be jolly," as the song says – and for many I suppose that's true. But for some, this time of year is filled with loneliness, pain, heartache, and sadness. I know for me, as I walked through the mall this weekend, I felt sad and I guess a little sorry…  ( Click for more )

And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 NIV

It was there in the beginning… the tree of life.

What comes to your mind when you think of a tree? A shady place to rest your head. Limbs you can climb up. Nice tasty fruit to eat. Wood you can burn to build a nice warm fire in your fireplace. Fall leaves to jump and play in. Wood to build a house to live in.

I live in Middle Tennessee…  ( Click for more )

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of heights? Snakes? Public Speaking? Dying? Me? I'm afraid of falling. I'm afraid of growing old alone. I'm afraid of failing.

Recently I've had to face a number of my fears. A relationship I held near and dear to my heart ended. I recently lost a job I loved and cherished. I've faced a variety of challenges to my health. Fear has raised its ugly head in my every day life and I've grown weak, weary and exhausted from…  ( Click for more )

"But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit." 1 Corinthians 6:17 NIV

"So, why aren't you married?"

If you're like me, and you're single, you too have been asked this question – or at least a question like this one more times than you care to count. Sometimes it's more subtle – "so are you married?" To which you answer "no," and if they don't follow with the question of "why not?" – you can almost hear it running through their mind in the awkward silence that follows.

As insensitive as the question may be – I have to remind…  ( Click for more )

But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 1 Samuel 1:5 NIV

In 1 Samuel 1, verse 5, the Bible tells us that the Lord had closed Hannah's womb. Hannah was one of the first wives of Elkanah. She is mentioned first, which is probably a good indication that he married her first. It was probably because she had not bore him any children that he decided to marry Peninnah. Peninnah bore him many children, while Hannah remained barren for many years. It is obvious Elkanah loved and cared for Hannah because he gave her…  ( Click for more )

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Picture yourself standing in the middle of a room with only one door and no windows. Now imagine this room has no electricity and you're unable to open the door. What do you see? Nothing. You are standing in darkness. The longer you stand there, your eyes begin to adjust to the darkness and slowly you may begin to at least see the outline of your hands. That's…  ( Click for more )

I wanna be Your hands I wanna be Your feet I'll go where You send me Audio Adrenaline

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 NIV

When I think of being the hands and feet of Jesus an image comes to my mind of someone stooping down and working in the dirt. I can close my eyes and see the sweat running down their face and the dirt that has made its way onto their clothes and on to their body. I have a feeling that's exactly…  ( Click for more )

There is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 NKJV

Do you worry? I think I would be hard pressed to find even one person who doesn't worry about something. It is a critical moment when the temptation to worry knocks on your door. I believe each of us has a tendency to entertain it. We may hesitate at opening the door, but eventually we open the door and let it in and it sits down on the couch and gets comfortable. And before you know it, worry has made itself at home.

Worry must be stopped.

First…  ( Click for more )

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 HCSB

Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen;…  ( Click for more )

"But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit." 1 Corinthians 6:17 NIV

"So, why aren't you married?"

If you're like me, and you're single, you too have been asked this question – or at least a question like this one more times than you care to count. Sometimes it's more subtle – "so are you married?" To which you answer "no," and if they don't follow with the question of "why not?" – you can almost hear it running through their mind in the awkward silence that follows.

As insensitive as the question may be – I have to remind…  ( Click for more )

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalms 119:71 NIV

When trouble comes your way how do you receive it? It is with a joyful spirit? A bitter and resentful heart? Or is it with a submissive attitude?

I'm almost certain for me – my initial reaction is to be bitter and resentful. I start out by asking all kinds of questions like "What did I do to deserve this?" and "Why me? Why now?" Questions I do not have the answers to and to be completely honest with you… no one truly has the answers except for God.

As I was studying the verse…  ( Click for more )

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

I am so tired and feel weighted down by all the things in my life and in this world that trouble me. Can you relate? There are days when I am so weak it's all I can do to get out of bed. It takes all my energy just to focus on the tasks at hand and not be overwhelmed by all my emotions. When I read the paper, watch the news, talk with my friends or co-workers – the topic inevitably turns to the death, destruction,…  ( Click for more )

But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalms 66:19-20 NIV

Have you ever wondered if God is truly listening? I hate to admit I wonder about that all the time – especially when I've been praying about some thing for a long time and my prayer goes unanswered.

How selfish of me to expect God would answer my prayer – my way! However, I do believe God is listening and does hear our prayers – all of them. But it doesn't mean He will answer our prayers the way we want…  ( Click for more )

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Just as God is constantly at work in our lives, I believe Satan doesn't rest either. He is constantly lurking and seeking new and different ways to trip us up, to cause us to stumble and doubt.

Doubt is something I hate to admit I do all the time. It is a constant struggle for me. It occurred to me recently that before Eve was tempted in the garden, "doubt"…  ( Click for more )

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. Psalms 28:7 HCSB

I recently started working with a personal trainer. I'm really excited about the improvements I've seen in my strength. At first, some of the weights were so heavy (even the ones I thought were light), I almost couldn't lift them. But the more I worked out the stronger I have become and now those weights which at first seemed heavy now seem so much lighter. It's not something that has happened overnight. Instead, it has required…  ( Click for more )

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalms 40:3 NLT

This past week has been one of the most difficult, craziest and yet amazing weeks of my life. I'm almost not sure where to begin. Several weeks ago my boyfriend of almost 4 years decided it was time to end the relationship. I was totally caught off guard and in a state of shock. As the days and weeks went by, he continued to call me. He continued to tell me he loved me and he missed me and yet he did not want to…  ( Click for more )

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23 HCSB

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4: 6-8 NIV

I have discovered the things I spend…  ( Click for more )

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

For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. Psalms 84:11 HCSB

"God is good. All the time."

I used to attend a church where the Pastor would encourage the congregation to chant that statement. He would say "God is good" and the crowd would follow with "all the time." Usually the chanting would go back and forth between the pastor and the congregation and would progressively get…  ( Click for more )