Influence comes from many different sources and in many different packages. I had the opportunity to grow up under Bro. Hyles and attend First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. My mother taught at Hyles-Anderson College since I was two years old which has allowed me to learn and know of hundreds of individual college students growing up. I have also taught and have been in the ministry for over twenty years. I can easily say I have had thousands of people influence me.
Read MoreEvery visit with my friend included a beautiful talk about our Lord. She would share what she read in God’s Word that encouraged her. We would delight in talking about God, His character, and His Word.
Read MoreThese verses might not mean anything to you right now. You might not even understand the depth of these verses until you face sufferings in your walk with the Lord. It’s kind of strange to say to know Joy you must suffer. These words are the opposite of one another in my opinion. However, God knows more than we do. He takes life’s toughest storms to teach us how to trust him.
Read MoreWhen the Bible speaks of the putting on of our clothing and ornaments (jewelry), the word often used is “adorn” or “adorning” which also has the meaning of “adding beauty by dress or external ornaments; to embellish; to set off to advantage” or “to make more pleasing.” While we should certainly strive to be attractive, appropriate, and modest outwardly, the majority of our time and focus should be on the adorning of our inner lady. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning…but let it be the hidden man of the heart. So, how do we adorn, or embellish, our hidden man (lady) of the heart? What ornaments, or jewelry,
Read MoreGod wants you to do a work for Him! Have you heard something similar before? I understand the point one is attempting to make when he makes a similar statement. I, too, have asserted that God needs surrendered servants to with for Him. Although, there is no misunderstanding in the statement, and I agree with the statement, in truth, God does not need us to work for Him. He wants us to work with Him.
Read MorePraise is based on the character of God that does not change, Therefore, our praise to God should not change. Malachi 3:6 states, “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Because God is who He is in His person and character, we are to praise Him. If we are happy, sad, sick, healthy, rich, poor, on the mountain top or in the valley we are commanded to praise God! Praise is not necessarily based on what God has done, but on who God is. Psalms 150
Read MoreGod communicates to us through His Word..the Bible. Imagine not having the precious Words of God. We talk to God using WORDS…Prayer.
Read MoreThere is so much good stuff in Philippians. We don’t have time to study the whole book in a short article but we see in chapter four, Paul admonishing the church to “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice.” Here, he gives us a glimpse of his mindset and how he had been able to “choose joy” even through imprisonment and adversity.
Read MoreI mean I’m just a wretched sinner that has fallen flat on my face so many times I can’t count. My husband reminded me that I could be reaping the benefits of my parents labor, not because they were perfect, but because they sowed seeds that reap eternal rewards. I saw them obey the Word of God, pray for their children, and continue to make steps of growth. The same goes for my grandparents, my Sunday school teachers, my pastor, his wife and many more.
Read MoreWOW! What an adventure. After numerous chiropractic visits, my husband and I are miraculously fine. The same cannot be said of our car – or the flying horse.
Read MoreThis Christmas, may our homes and hearts be places where Christ’s
peace isn’t merely admired in a picture or carol—but practiced,
shared, and made real through the ministry of reconciliation.
I’ve always admired shepherds... you know, those patient, calm people with a staff and a soft voice who lead sheep so sweetly… and then I remember I can’t even lead my dog to his bed without snacks and promises!
Read MoreSeveral years ago, Bro. Dan Martin made a statement that has stayed with me to this day. He said, “What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things we were thankful for today?”
Read More Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others!
Others, Lord, yes others—
Let this my motto be
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.
Read MorePsalm 84 is a psalm of longing for the presence of God and the blessings that come from dwelling in His house. Within these verses, we find a powerful metaphor about making wells in dry places—a calling for us to create life-sustaining resources not just for ourselves, but for those coming behind us. Today, we will explore how we can live in such a way that we leave spiritual “wells” for others.
Read MoreFirst, we have the peel. This will represent our lives. Each peel is bright and beautiful. Every lemon has a peel. Just like we all will face trials. Notice James did not say IF you fall into diverse temptations, he said When you do. We need to remember that each person we pass or are around is facing something no matter what the outward appearance portrays.
Read MoreHave you ever looked at your hands and wondered what impact they could make in the world? Not just when they hold a baby, stir the soup, or wipe a tear, but when they are folded in prayer.
Read MoreThink of someone who “says all the right things” but lives a very different life behind closed doors. We all know or know of someone like that. Or maybe more than one "someone's".
Read MoreDon’t let whatever you are holding on to take away your peace, your health, your friendships, your victory and take you farther away from the Father.
Read MoreAs a young girl I loved sour things. Rhubarb, green apples, dill pickles, gooseberries, black raspberries and cherries, but I especially loved to eat lemons. My parents had a fit claiming that I would get sick or get a belly ache from all of those sour things. Eating them in abundance never seemed to bother me, and no doubt they were more nutritious than the typical diet of today.
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