Listen: In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15, NIV) Reflect: The other day I attended a Zoom wedding. It was gratifying to see my […]
ROL: Building, Praying, Keeping
Listen: “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God…” Jude 1:20-21 (NRSV) Reflect: Jude was writing to believers who were facing serious spiritual opposition. Intruders had secretly slipped in among them and were perverting the grace of God and denying Jesus […]
ROL: Living Generously
Listen: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 NRSV Reflect: It is always better to err on the side of generosity. He who sows generously so that blessings may come to others will also reap generously and be blessed. I love giving unique and […]
ROL: Knitted Together in Love
Listen: I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3, NRSV) Reflect: Conspiracy theories are nothing new! The reason […]
ROL: Healing the Broken Hearted
Listen: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed inspirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NRSV) Reflect: As I contemplated this verse my mind turned to Hagar, a woman in despair, giving up on life because of the abusive environment she lived in. (You can read her story in Genesis 16.) She was a member of Abraham and Sarah’s household […]
ROL: Loving Deeply
Listen: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV) Reflect: What is love? Lifesprings has been walking through a book titled, ‘Love, a guide to prayer’ recently, which reminded us that we can see God’s love in three ways: “As a creative force, a love […]
ROL: Honestly Expressing Needs
Listen: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Reflect: Uh-oh, My Humanness is Showing Do you need help? Are you overwhelmed? Are you treading water just trying […]
ROL: Seeking Godly Wisdom
Listen “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5, NRSV) Reflect It is Wednesday morning. The day ahead is long and full. As I move my feet from my bed to the floor I say a breath prayer, “Lord, be […]
ROL: Preparing the Way for the Bridegroom
Listen: “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him. ‘” (John 3:26 NRSV) Reflect: God’s perfect timing: Yesterday my husband and I moved to a new place. Leaving our family home […]