Read John 5:1-9 Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. ~John 5:8-9~ When I was baptized at age 38, I thought I would change immediately for the better as a result of my choice to become a Christian: I would always be patient with my kids. I would happily be generous with my time and material goods. I would show kindness to everyone at all times. But time passed, and I felt like the same person I had

Read Colossians 3:1-14 As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~Colossians 3:12~ The day after my father died, I took my 86-year-old mother to buy groceries. The store was very crowded with people in a hurry. On our way to the checkout counter, a friend of my mom stopped to talk to her and offer her condolences. I noticed that a woman behind us was frantic and frustrated because she could n

Read Galatians 5:22-25 O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 My friend walked past some old houses that were being renovated. She told me how messy they looked during the process and wondered how they would look when they were finished. She was anxious to see the renovations completed----the final result of all the hard work. The conversation reminded me of our spiritual renovation process thro

I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words: "I trust You, Jesus." By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms. Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Every day provides many opportunities for you

STOP TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT before their times has come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda. If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's agenda. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life: a time for everything, and everything in its time. A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your foc

I AM A GOD WHO GIVES and gives and gives. When I died for you on the cross, I held back nothing; I poured out My life like a drink offering. Because giving is inherent in My nature, I search for people who are able to receive in full measure. To increase your intimacy with Me, the two traits you need the most are receptivity and attentiveness. Receptivity is opening up your innermost being to be filled with My abundant riches. Attentiveness is directing your gaze to Me, sea

Read Psalm 139:1-6 The psalmist wrote, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” ~Psalm 139:4~ When I stop to think about it, one of my favorite psalms can also feel a bit scary. In Psalm 139, David talked about how God sees everything and is everywhere. God sees us when we wake up and when we are going from here to there. And then David says this: “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows everything I’m thinking and everyth

Read John 12:20-33 Jesus said, "Now my soul is troubled." ---John 12:27 A friend of mine was showing me the features of his new smartphone. Suddenly, a shrill beeping assaulted our ears and he read a notification. Then we heard a low humming noise and the screen went black. "The battery is dead and I don't have the charger," he said with disappointment. Even with all its capabilities, the most important item of equipment needed was a simple battery charger. In the scripture a

We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ~1 John 1:3~ On occasions I was privileged to hear a preacher friend preach. After marking a particular point he would say, "Can I get a witness?" He was saying is there someone who agrees with me. Perhaps that is the essence of witnessing, agreeing with Jesus by sharing with others the experiences we have had s

THIS IS THE TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU MUST LEARN TO LET GO: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possessions into My care. You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presenc

I AM A GOD of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you interest the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your request. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers. Because I am infinite in all my ways, you need not fear that I will

REJOICE AND BE THANKFUL! As you walk with Me through this day, practice trusting and thanking Me all along the way. Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you. Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances. I do My greatest works through people with grateful, trusting hearts. Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually. This is a paradigm shift that will revolutionize your life. Simple obedience is all it takes. ~Phi

TRUST ME AND DON'T BE AFRAID, for I am your Strength and Song. Think what is means to have Me as your Strength. I spoke the universe into existence; My Power is absolutely unlimited! Human weakness, consecrated to Me, is like a magnet, drawing My Power into your neediness. However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you. Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can s

Read Mark 12:28-33 Do to others as you would have them do to you. ~Luke 6:31~ Two mornings a week I take the bus into town. I find that bus ride and uplifting experience. I am constantly struck by the presence of God in the lives of people around me. The drivers are kind and caring, often waiting for people who are running late to catch the bus. They greet everyone, not just the regulars, and go out of their way to help those with disabilities. Similarly, the kindness of the

Read Ephesians 4:25-32 If you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift...before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23 - 24 When an item breaks, I have three responses: 1) I'm unhappy; 2) I'm frustrated; 3) I'm challenged to fix it. The first two responses rarely last long. In a short time, I am ready to find some tools and fix the problem. I love to take things ap

TRUST ME ONE DAY AT A TIME. This keeps you close to Me, responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in the supernatural endeavor. Yield to His gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting. Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don't let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously as

NOTHING IN ALL CREATION can separate you from My Love. Pause and ponder what an astonishing promise this is! You live where separations abound: wives from husbands, children from parents, friends from friends, childhood dreams from adult realities. But there is one terrible separation you will never have to face: isolation from My loving Presence. I want you to cling to Me with tenacious confidence. This gives you strength to cope with the uncertainties of living in such a br

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 The psalmist wrote, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law...do not hide your commands from me.” ~~Psalm 119:18-19~~ Trying to remember where I’d put my keys, I ran from room to room. Surely they had to be nearby! I checked coat pockets, the kitchen table, and the small desk near the phone. I didn’t want to waste more time, but I needed those keys! My teen daughter’s question stopped me in my tracks. “Mom, have you prayed about findin

Read Psalm 1:1-6 Those who trust in the Lord...shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and it’s leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious. ~~Jeremiah 17:7-8~~ Before I was born, my grandfather bought a lake cabin on a winding dirt road in the country. I love walking there; the road is paved now, but it still feels secluded—close to nature and to God. The road follows a clear stream

DO NOT HESITATE TO RECEIVE JOY FROM ME, for I bestow upon you abundantly. The more you rest in My Presence, the more freely My blessings flow into you. In the Light of My Love, you are gradually transformed from glory to glory. It is through spending time with Me that you realize how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. Sometimes the relationship I offer you seems too good to be true. I pour My very life into you, and all you have to do is receive Me. In a worl