Donna is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, and Biblical counselor. She has been blogging through the Bible each year since 2012. She loves God's Word and sharing how freeing and practical it is. She is certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.
This year is fast drawing to a close and many of us are thinking about our goals for 2022. And there are many important goals and resolutions we can make as we look forward.
Certainly, these last two years have reminded us all that it’s important to take care of our health. And while, as believers, we shouldn’t live in fear, we should use wisdom in that area. Maybe you have career, financial, or other personal goals for 2022, as well.
But we should never neglect the most important area of life … our spiritual life. One of the most valuable goals is to read the Bible regularly. And I would like to suggest one of the best ways is to read through it in a systematic way. So, how about you? Do you want to grow spiritually in 2022? If so, what is your plan to do so?
Why is reading through the Bible so valuable? Can’t we get everything we need by going to church, reading a verse or two each day and listening to podcasts here and there? Isn’t it just too time-consuming? One more thing on a long to-do list?
Or what if you’ve tried in the past, only to fall behind and give up? How can you do it successfully in 2022?
Emotions are real and part of being human. In fact, God created us as emotional beings. But problems result when we allow our emotions to control our thoughts, words, and actions. When that happens, we can quickly end up in a ditch, spiritually and relationally.
This is first in a series on “Handling Emotions Biblically.” In this series, we’ll look at emotions, how they affect us and how we can handle them God’s way.
I published this series three years ago but because so much of my counseling this year has had to do with worry, anxiety, depression and other emotions, I am editing and republishing it. I know you will find it helpful, not because of my writing, but because it’s based on God’s eternal truth.
How to pray, that has been a question on the minds of believers for at least 2,000 years. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray and He responded with a very familiar outline for prayer. We can learn more about how to pray from the way the Apostle Paul and others in the Bible prayed.
How do you pray for those in your life? How do you pray for yourself? Do you use any of those examples and could there be some you have not thought about?
There has been a lot said in recent years about thankfulness and gratitude. A glance around a bookstore and you’ll find thankfulness journals and books on the psychological value of gratitude.
But how should believers in Christ view thankfulness? Is it possible that we are called to a much higher level of this attitude?
The COVID-19 virus continues to spread and its effects are being felt by many … probably all of us in various degrees.
While the hardships many are encountering are challenging and we’re dealing with our concerns for family and loved ones, let’s not forget this is an opportunity to share our faith and point others to the only real source of peace in a broken world.
Let’s all encourage one another to trust in the Lord and let’s pray … for others, for our leaders, for our country and that the gospel would have free reign and we would have the boldness to share it.
An old folk proverb says that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Probably a reference to the fact that in many climates it’s still pretty cold at the beginning of the month and whether or not it’s wishful thinking in some parts of the country, by the end of the month spring is often making itself evident.
As Christians with Easter just around the corner, we have reason to think about another Lion and Lamb. Jesus, our Savior and Lord, came as the Lamb of God in His first advent but will soon return as the Lion of Judah.
He was born as a babe, lived a sinless life, and finally, suffered and died the death each of us deserves (Rom. 3.23, 6.23). But what looked like defeat was turned to victory three days later when He rose from the dead.
He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. But one day, probably sooner than many think, He will return as the Lion of Judah and Conquering King. Are you ready?
Controversial issues abound these days. It’s not just that they abound but the divisions seem to be deeper and more contentious. Controversial issues come up on social media, from political platforms, in the public square, on the news, on talk shows, and all across the internet. But they will also come up across Thanksgiving tables in a few days.
How do we decide when to engage in those conversations and how can the love of God and His wisdom help us navigate those controversial issues?
Suffering … we don’t like to think about the possibility that we might suffer. Yet, tests, trials, tragedies, suffering, and persecutions come to us all. We will probably never be completely prepared for tragedies and intense suffering. Those things often knock the wind out of us at least for a while. But is it possible to have the kind of spiritual foundation that will keep us from being completely knocked down by suffering? If so, what can we do to prepare?
Do our associations really matter? If we know who we are in Christ, is it acceptable and wise to have close friendships with unbelievers? After all, didn’t Jesus hang around with prostitutes and tax collectors? What do we need to consider as we develop friendships, form partnerships, even choose a mate?
