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Showing posts with the label Spiritual Growth

A Powerful Seed – Doing the Right Thing

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Every action we take in this life is like a seed. Every choice we make is something we sow, and just like every seed that is planted, it grows and produces after its own kind.   When we sow a smile, we often receive one in return. When we sow kindness, kindness has a way of finding its way back to us. But of all the seeds we can sow, righteousness produces one of the greatest harvests.   What is righteousness? Simply put, it is choosing to do what is right according to God's standard. It draws us closer to Him, and in His presence we experience peace, joy, hope, and fullness of life. When we choose to live according to God's ways, we not only honor Him, but we also position ourselves to experience the blessings that come from walking with Him.   As Proverbs 14:34 reminds us, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."    Every time we choose what is right, we are sowing seeds that bring pleasure to God and produce a harvest ...

Silence the Noise and Run Your Race

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There is a race set before you—a divine call, a path marked out by God, a purpose only you can fulfill. Do you still remember it? Are you still walking in it? Or have distractions slowly pulled you away from the life God called you to live? That was the question my church pastor asked on Sunday, or at least part of the message that stayed with me. It caused me to reflect on my own race and the many others I’ve witnessed. So many of us begin the Christian race with passion—that hot, fiery blaze that shines brightly as we step into our walk with God. But somewhere along the way, many lose focus. Life gets noisy. Comparison creeps in. Delays become discouraging. Offense, disappointment, and weariness begin to weigh the heart down. Slowly, the blaze that once burned brightly becomes a faint ember. As concerning as that may sound, there is no judgment in the eyes of God. He understands. That is why He sends messengers to rekindle the spark within us and remind us that it is not enough...

The Lord’s Delight – Fear Him and Trust Him

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Have you ever been on a walk and looked at nature? Flowers growing wildly along the dirt road, birds singing carefree in the trees and the sounds of insects around. A cool breeze blows across your face, refreshing it. Have you ever taken a hike up a mountain and looked breathlessly at the horizon from the mountaintop?  Have you marvelled at animals in their majestic strength and wondered at the grandeur of their stature? Have you been impressed by feats of men and incredible inventions, or magnificent displays of megastructures? As impressive as all this is, the only thing that God is impressed by is a man who fears and trusts Him. “He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.” Psalm 147:10–11 You want to see God smile? You want to get your heavenly Father excited—then fear and trust Him. The Bible teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please God, and...

When Bravery Gives Way to Wisdom: Learning to Live Well in Every Season of Life

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There is a moment many women eventually encounter. A moment when the strategies that once defined us — pushing harder, moving faster, saying yes to every opportunity — no longer feel quite right.The bravery that helped build the earlier chapters of life begins to give way to something quieter and deeper: wisdom. In our younger years, bravery often leads the way. Bravery moves us across cities and continents. Bravery opens doors to new careers and possibilities. Bravery walks confidently into rooms where we must prove ourselves again. Bravery builds. But life has a way of teaching us that bravery alone is not meant to guide every season. Over time, something shifts. What once required boldness begins to require discernment. What once demanded action begins to invite reflection. Slowly, we begin to understand that life unfolds in seasons. And honestly, that’s exactly how I feel right now — a slow shift from bravery to wisdom.   A Season for Everything The wisdom of Ecclesiast...

Returning to the Father’s Love

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During one of our family devotions, my daughter asked us to read the story of the prodigal son together. She read the passage and then, as families often do, we paused to share what stood out to each of us. This is one Bible story that is rich with meaning—disobedience, pride, repentance, forgiveness—but, as we discussed, one truth rose above the rest for me: the depth of the father’s love .   I found myself reflecting not on the son’s rebellion, but on the father’s heart. The son squandered his inheritance, walked away from home, and made choices that led him into hunger and shame. Yet when he returned, broken and uncertain, the father did not interrogate him or rehearse his failures. Instead, he ran toward him with open arms. He wrapped his arms around him. He restored him to his rightful position as a son.   That image stayed with me—the father’s embrace. An embrace that overlooked faults. An embrace that welcomed home a son who had nothing left to offer except repen...

Planted by Streams of Living Water

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“ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers .” — Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)   To love God’s Word and meditate on it day and night is to live like a tree planted by streams of living water. This is the picture Psalm 1 paints for us—firm roots, steady growth, and fruitfulness in every season. Staying rooted in Scripture keeps you evergreen—full of life, strength, and the ability to withstand whatever storms may come.   Think of a tree by a riverbank. Its roots are not easily shaken, because they draw life from a constant, unfailing source. That is the life God promises to those who delight in His Word: a life nourished from within, not drained by circums...

Boldly Living: 3 Ways to Live a Purposeful and Joyful Life with God

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To live a life that's bold, purposeful, and joyful is to confidently believe that God is always orchestrating your life for good . That belief gives you the courage and backbone to live the life He's called you to—a life that is open, free, and impactful in every sphere you find yourself. I know that's everyone's dream. If given the choice, that’s the life we'd choose. While we can't always predict what life will hand us, there are three key ways to help us live boldly —even in life's joyful and sometimes challenging moments. Think of these as principles for bold living : Trust God Make intentional choices Cultivate a heart of gratitude When we practice these, we tap into a life overflowing with purpose, joy, and divine favour . Trust in God's Sovereignty "…God rules in the affairs of men and gives it to whomsoever he will." — Daniel 4:17 That’s reality. As humans, we are limited—our best efforts are just that: our best. Th...

The Long Game: Living for What Lasts

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As believers, we're not just living for today—we're living for eternity. The Christian journey is one with a clear destination: heaven. Everything we do here is staging—preparation for the life that truly matters, the one that comes after this.   If that's true (and it is), then it's worth pausing to reassess our focus. How are you living today? Are your daily choices shaping the kind of eternity you hope for?   Let's break it down.    Most of us, if we're blessed, get about 100 years on this earth—that's 10 decades. Typically, each decade brings a different focus: childhood, education, building a career, starting a family, finding purpose, and growing in wisdom. But when you look back at the decades you've already lived, can you say you've used each phase well in preparing for what comes after?   The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 3:14 : "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenw...