by Catherine McDaugale | Mar 2, 2026 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. (Numbers 13:31 NKJV)
What do you do when God’s clearly called you to take a step of faith? You’ve heard God’s call. He’s even confirmed it for you. So, you start to move your foot forward. But then you hesitate. And you doubt.
The outcome is unknown. You can’t see how it will all work out. It looks scary. It’ll be hard. And you wonder: What will others think? What will they say?
Then you pull your foot back. And you don’t move forward with God’s calling.
I hope that’s not what you would do. But that’s what the Israelites did the first time they got close to the promised land. They sent twelve spies into the land to see what it was like (Numbers 13:1–20). And ten of those spies came back with a bad report.
The land devours its inhabitants. (Numbers 13:32)
We saw giants. (Numbers 13:33)
We were like grasshoppers compared to them. (Numbers 13:33)
They’re stronger than we are. (Numbers 13:31)
Although the other two spies, Caleb and Joshua, tried to encourage the people to go into the land (Numbers 13:30, 14:6–9), the people didn’t listen. Not only did they not listen, but they also wanted to stone them (Numbers 14:10).
The Israelites knew God wanted them to take a step of faith. But they didn’t do it. They chickened out.
As a result, what happened? Except for Joshua and Caleb, that generation of Israelites never went into the promised land. They missed out on God’s blessing and plan for them. And if you decide not to take your step of faith, you’ll miss out on God’s blessing, too.
Of course, God didn’t abandon them. While they wandered in the desert, God gave them manna to eat (Exodus 16:35). He guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Nehemiah 9:19). Their clothes didn’t even wear out (Deuteronomy 8:4).
And He won’t abandon you either. As His son or daughter, He will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). That’s what He’s promised, and God always keeps His promises.
But there will be consequences. You won’t get to enjoy all that God has planned for you. You’ll miss out on being a part of the work that He wants to do in and through your life.
So, take that step of faith. Don’t look at the giants. Instead, keep your eyes on Jesus as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Sorin Gheorghita on Unsplash
by Catherine McDaugale | Feb 2, 2026 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2 NKJV)
If you want to dig deeper into God’s Word this year, one way to do that is through meditation. Not the type of meditation you hear about in the world (in which you try to empty your mind), but by filling your mind with Bible verses and thinking about them. When you learn more about God and His will for your life and apply what you’ve read, you’ll be blessed. That’s why the psalmist equates a blessed man with one who meditates on God’s Word day and night (Psalm 1:1–2).
One way to meditate on God’s Word is by asking yourself the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions as you read. Better yet, if you memorize God’s Word, then you can mull it over no matter where you are or what time of day it is.
Recently, I did this with Psalm 100 and wanted to share the first few verses with you. As I do, remember: this is just one way to dig deeper into God’s Word. If it doesn’t work for you, find another way that does. The important thing is to regularly think about God’s Word and apply it to your life.
There’s no secret formula for meditating on God’s Word. Just start with one verse and then move on to the next one, asking yourself questions about what the text says and how it applies to you. So, here we go.
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!” (Psalm 100:1 NKJV).
What? Make a shout. It’s phrased as a command, not a suggestion.
What kind of shout? A joyful one. Not a half-hearted shout, but one that is full of joy.
To whom? To the Lord. Notice that the word Lord is in small caps, which signifies that it’s God’s name. The word is comprised of four Hebrew letters without vowel markers: Yud, Hey, Vuv, and Hey. The English transliteration of the word is Yahweh. It’s the name of the self-existent, eternal God. That’s important because it’s very specific about whom we’re supposed to worship.
Who? All you lands. That phrase in the Hebrew language means just what you think it would: the whole earth; every country and governmental subdivision. That includes me, you, and everyone else on the planet.
So, how does this verse apply to me and you? We’re supposed to direct our worship to the one, true God – Yahweh – as we shout for joy. And there’s a lot to be joyful about: God has made a way for you to have a relationship with Him, and once you “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NKJV). That means you’re forgiven, washed clean, and restored. Praise God!
“Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2a NKJV).
What? Serve. Again, it’s a command, not a suggestion.
How? With gladness. Not with grumbling or complaining, comparing my service with others while nitpicking their performance, or thinking about how little they’re doing. We should serve, not because we have to, but because we get to.
Serve whom? The Lord. Just as in verse 1, this refers to the name of the one, true God. He’s the One we’re supposed to serve.
Applying the verse can be both easy and hard. Ask yourself: Have I been serving with gladness, rejoicing that God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve Him? He wants us to love Him, receive His love, and serve others in practical ways out of the outpouring of His love. This is a good thing to meditate on to ensure you’re in alignment with His will as you serve. The difficult part can be admitting that you have a bad attitude. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you’re at and ask Him to help you to accept whatever He shows you.
“Come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2b NKJV).
What? Come. Another command that we should obey.
Where? Before His presence.
Whose presence? The Lord’s. The word His in the second part of verse 2 refers to the One identified in the first part of that verse. God wants us to come before His presence.
How? With singing. You might protest this one. I know many people who don’t like to sing. But remember, this is not a request; it’s a command. If God wants you to sing to Him in His presence, who are you to refuse?
How are you doing with this one? Are you regularly coming into God’s presence with singing, worshiping the One who’s worthy of all our praise? Only you know.
If you haven’t really spent time to dig deeper into God’s Word, I hope this gives you an idea of one way to do so. It’s not the only way. The important thing is to read the Bible and then think about it throughout your day (and in the middle of the night when you wake up). Immerse yourself in God’s Word and let it permeate your heart each day as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jan 19, 2026 | Christian Living, Life
I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! (Matthew 7:23 NKJV)
Imagine this. You die. When you see Jesus, He turns to you and says, “I never knew you; depart from Me.”
Those are the worst words you could ever hear. After you die, your fate is sealed. There’s no going back. You don’t go to purgatory; there is no opportunity to change your mind or work off your debt. As the Bible says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:27–28 NKJV). We must choose whether we will follow Jesus in this lifetime.
Many know about Jesus. But fewer are known by Him. You can have knowledge about who Jesus is without having a personal relationship with Him. Even the demons know who Jesus is (see, e.g., Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41); yet, they don’t follow Him.
To be in a relationship with Jesus, we need to follow the way that He’s made. Manmade religious practices like
- going to a church service;
- praying through a rosary;
- confessing your sins to a priest; and
- saying rote prayers
aren’t sufficient. They won’t result in relationship. We must worship God the way He’s prescribed.
And God the Father has made one way to come to Him: through His Son, Jesus. As Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). The way to eternal life is through Jesus – by knowing Him. As Jesus prayed to God the Father, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3 NKJV).
Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin; there’s no other way than to accept what He’s done for you. If you “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NKJV). Why? “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10 NKJV).
Make sure you step off the wide path that leads to destruction and hop over to the path that goes through the narrow gate to life (Matthew 7:13). Then you won’t have to worry about hearing the worst words you could ever hear. Instead, you’ll be like the sheep that Jesus talked about – the one who hears His voice. He will know you, and you will follow Him (John 10:27).
So, come to Jesus – His way. Listen for His voice each day as you walk by faith with Him. Then, one day, you’ll hear the best words you could ever hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . . Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21 NKJV).
Photo by Warongkarit Ingkutanon on Unsplash
by Catherine McDaugale | Dec 1, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance.” (Ruth 4:6a NKJV)
In Old Testament times, if a man died before his wife bore him a child, a close family member of the deceased, called a kinsman redeemer, would marry the widow. The first son born from that marriage was then named after the deceased man. God prescribed the practice in Israel so the deceased man’s name wouldn’t be “cut off from among his brethren” (Ruth 4:10 NKJV). Doing so would ensure that, despite death, a family lineage would continue.
Enter Ruth. Ruth was a foreigner who married an Israelite named Mahlon. But Mahlon died before Ruth bore him a son. When Ruth went to Israel with her mother-in-law, Boaz brought the matter to the close relative’s attention. The close relative was the first one in line to do God’s will by marrying Ruth.
So, what was the close relative’s response? He refused. Why? He was worried about destroying his own heritage. In short, he was more concerned about his own name. He wanted to ensure that his name lived on. Because the close relative refused, Boaz (the next in line after the close relative) stepped in and married Ruth.
In the end, we have no idea what the name of that close relative was. But Boaz? His name has been recorded. Even thousands of years later, we know that he was the one who married Ruth. Not only that, but Boaz was the great-grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:21–22), and he is listed in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5).
The point is: We can be deterred from doing what God wants us to do when our own plans don’t align with God’s. We sometimes worry that God’s plan will interfere with our desires.
But God’s plans and ways are always better than ours. He is sovereign and omniscient. He knows the beginning from the end. God can see how everything will fit together to accomplish His perfect plan and bless us along the way.
So, what’s keeping you from doing God’s will? What does God want you to do that you have refused to do?
- Is He asking you to go to church to worship Him with your brothers and sisters in Christ, but you feel more comfortable watching the service online in your kitchen or living room?
- Has His Spirit prompted you to serve in the children’s ministry, but you don’t want to give up your “me” time?
- Is He calling you to the mission field, but you’re afraid of losing your possessions or of not having enough money?
Don’t miss out on the blessing that comes with obedience. Whatever it is, take time this week to do business with God. Pray and tell God about your fears and concerns. Ask Him for forgiveness for refusing to do His will. Then put aside the things that are keeping you from doing God’s will and walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
by Catherine McDaugale | Nov 3, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
This is My beloved Son. Hear Him! (Matthew 9:7 NKJV)
Imagine that you are sitting in a stadium filled with people. A cacophony of sound envelopes you. The noise grows louder as the people cheer before returning to a low roar.
Someone you know is sitting on the other side of the stadium. He shouts your name, jumps up and down, and waves. But you don’t see or hear him. His voice and actions are swallowed up in the surrounding chaos.
The world can be like that – so loud and distracting that you can’t hear what Jesus is saying to you. He has things He wants to tell you and show you. Don’t doubt that for a minute. But can you hear Him?
God has already told us to listen to His Son, Jesus. He said, “Hear Him!” There can be no clearer direction. So, the question is: Are you doing that?
It’s easy to get sidetracked. Work. Kids. Errands. Commitments. Chores. At the end of the day, you’re tired. Sometimes the only thing you want to do is relax and turn on the TV. But many movies and TV shows contain subtle messages that don’t align with God’s Word. And they will draw you further away from (and not closer to) Jesus.
The bottom line is that you won’t be able to hear Jesus on the other side of the stadium. You need to get up and go sit beside Him. Of course, that’s just a metaphor. You don’t have to change your physical location. But you do need to shift your focus so it’s on Him.
The Bible says if you draw near to God, He’ll draw near to you (James 4:8). To do that,
- Silence your phone. Make a quiet space to meet with Him.
- Pray and ask God to help you to keep your focus on Him.
- Open your Bible and start reading.
- Slow down and take in God’s Word. Think about it and ask God how it applies to you.
- Listen as Jesus speaks to you. Write down what you hear.
Take time this week to hear Jesus. Carve out time to spend with Him. Meet Him in a quiet space. Then, listen to His voice as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Anna Sullivan on Unsplash
by Catherine McDaugale | Sep 29, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NKJV)
Queen Esther’s cousin said this to her while she considered whether to intercede for her people, the Jews. To do so, she would have to approach the king without first being summoned. And in Esther’s here and now, if the king hadn’t summoned you, the penalty for going into the inner court to see him was death – unless he spared your life by holding out his golden scepter toward you (Esther 4:11). This law applied to everyone, including his queen.
Spoiler alert: Esther bravely entered that inner court and found favor in the king’s sight. In the end, she told the king that it was her people that Haman had plotted to annihilate, Haman was hanged, and Haman’s scheme failed (Esther 5–9).
It’s easy to look at Esther and think: That’s all well and good for her. She had a divine purpose. It’s different for me.
But that’s not true. God has fashioned days for you, too (Psalm 139:16). You were created for good works that God prepared for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). It’s not an accident that you exist in the here and now. God providentially put you exactly where you are for a reason.
Of course, we’re not always able to see His plan. So, it can be easy to think that you would have been better off if you
- had been born into a different family,
- lived in another part of the world, or
- had been born in an earlier (or later) time.
We tend to romanticize past eras and forget that people with fortunes also have problems. We don’t realize just how similar life in another country is. No matter where or when you are, human nature is the same.
If you can step back for a moment to look at the bigger picture, you’ll be able to see that
- the city where you live,
- the people in your life,
- the church where you worship,
- the ministry you serve in, and
- the talents you have
combine in a unique way that God can use to work in and through your life – for your good and His glory.
So, spend time in God’s presence. Read His Word. Pray and ask Him for guidance. Trust that He has you here and now for such a time as this. Then, respond with obedience as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Aug 11, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:15 NKJV)
When God asks you to do something, do you do it? And when you do, do you do it the way He said to do it? Or do you add to or change His instructions? God wants us to obey Him. After all, He is God, and we are not. We should always do things His way.
We see an example of someone changing God’s instructions in the Bible. When Saul – the first king of Israel – went to war against the Amalekites, God’s instructions were clear. God told Saul to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Samuel 15:3 NKJV).
That may sound harsh. But the Amalekites had “ambushed” Israel when Israel “came up from Egypt” (1 Samuel 15:2 NKJV). The Amalekites attacked the stragglers at the back when they were “tired and weary,” and they “did not fear God” (Deuteronomy 25:18 NKJV). As Jon Courson explains in his commentary on 1 Samuel 15, “the Amalekites were so corrupt and so polluted that they were actually destroying themselves in their perversity and sin,” so “it was actually an act of mercy for [God] to take them out of their misery.”
In the end, Saul didn’t do all that God commanded him to do. And partial obedience equals disobedience. Instead of utterly destroying all of the oxen and sheep, Saul kept the “best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, [and] the lambs” (1 Samuel 15:9 NKJV).
When Samuel went to confront him, Saul lied. He welcomed Samuel by saying, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:13 NKJV).
What followed is almost funny. It was like a child denying that he ate the cookie when his mom could see the cookie crumbs around his mouth. In response, Samuel asked, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:14 NKJV).
Saul was busted. But instead of admitting it, he tried to rationalize it. He told Samuel that they “spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God” (1 Samuel 15:15 NKJV).
Even if that were true, that’s not what God wanted. So, what did God tell Saul through Samuel? He said that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV).
Not only did Saul keep some of the sheep and oxen, but he also spared the life of Agag, the king of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:20). In the Book of Esther, we meet a man named Haman, a descendant of King Agag (Esther 3:1). And what did Haman do? He “sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:6 NKJV).
Remember Saul’s example the next time you think about diverting from God’s instructions. Of course, in the age of grace ushered in by Jesus, God won’t be asking you to destroy people. Instead, He’s commanded you to love them whether they’re your enemy or not (Matthew 5:44, 22:39).
Instead of doing things your way, trust God and obey Him. It’s that simple. Then you’ll be able to draw close to God as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by S. Tsuchiya on Unsplash (the obedient plant)
by Catherine McDaugale | Jun 9, 2025 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. (Luke 10:39 NKJV)
What does your devotional time with God look like? How often do you meet with Him? Then, during that time, do you sit at His feet and soak in His Word like Mary did?
If you’re like me, it can be an afterthought. Oh yeah, I need to read God’s Word. Then you take a few minutes, pray quickly, read through a chapter in the Bible, and think about it for a few minutes before you move on with your day.
That’s not the worst thing you could do. After all, you did take time to read God’s Word and talk to Him a little. But there’s a better way. Here are 7 steps you can take to have a better devotional time with God:
1. Carve out time
It may sound simplistic. But the first thing you can do is set aside the time to do it. Put it on your calendar if you need to. God has made Himself available to meet with you 24/7. So, you can meet with Him at any time. Yet, if you don’t intentionally make time for God, you’ll forget or rush through it.
And commit to setting aside at least 20 to 30 minutes. After all, would you be content with only 10 minutes for lunch with a friend or a date with your husband? Of course not. If that’s the only time you spent with them, your relationships wouldn’t be very close.
2. Get in the right mindset
Remember who you’re spending time with. God is the One who created the universe – the One who made you. He is the One who loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. He’s the all-powerful, almighty God. Approach Him with reverence and awe.
3. Praise and pray
Take a few minutes to praise God for who He is. Thank Him for the blessings He’s given you. He has saved you; He’s given you another day and the breath in your lungs. And he’s holding you together. He provides for you. Sing a song to Him. And then ask Him to speak to you.
4. Read
Read the Bible. The quantity is less important than your comprehension. Take it in slowly so you can absorb what it says. Remember: it’s God’s Word. It’s the primary way He speaks to us. Listen for what He wants to tell you.
5. Meditate on God’s Word
Mull over what you just read. Ask yourself the who, what, where, why, and how questions. Who is speaking? Who is being spoken to? Where does it take place? What does it mean? Why is it important? How does it apply to you? If you like to journal, write down a verse that stood out to you, any questions you have, and the thoughts that came to your mind.
6. Pray again
Remember: praying is talking to God. Communicate with Him about your thoughts. Ask Him questions about what you just read. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to see and to teach you what He wants you to learn.
7. Listen
A conversation is a two-way street. Yet, we often do all the talking when we pray to God. Be still before Him. You’ve just read His Word and come to Him with your thoughts and questions. Now give Him an opportunity to answer.
God may bring something you’ve read to mind. You may feel a conviction from the Holy Spirit to stop doing something you’re not supposed to do or to do something you should be doing. He may reveal a deeper understanding of something you’ve read. You may feel His love in a deeper way. It’s always different. But you need to take the time to listen if you want to hear God speak.
I challenge you to try these 7 steps. Carve out time and be intentional. Remember who He is. Praise Him. Read His Word. Meditate on what you’ve read. Talk to God about it. And then listen for Him to speak to you. As you do, your relationship with God will deepen as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
by Catherine McDaugale | May 19, 2025 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV)
How do you get spiritual fruit? The answer is simple. It’s so simple that we sometimes forget the how and, instead, do just about everything except what’s needed.
The answer? Abide in Jesus. Jesus said,
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4 NKJV)
We must abide in Jesus if we want to bear spiritual fruit. There’s no other way. There isn’t a shortcut. You can’t pick it up at the store. You know,
Hey, did you hear? They’re having a sale on patience.
That’s great. I need some of that. Would you pick up some for me? And while you’re there, would you get me some kindness too?
But that’s not an option. There’s only one way to get spiritual fruit. And that’s by abiding in Jesus.
So, how do you abide? The word abide means to stay put, be present, or remain. Abiding in Jesus is an intentional decision to stay close to Jesus. It’s a choice to fix your mind on Him throughout your day.
Here are some examples of abiding. They’re not the only way. But they’ll give you ideas of how to abide in Jesus. You abide when you:
- Read the Bible during your morning devos, asking God to speak to you through His Word.
- Sing a worship song to God.
- Thank God for how He provided for you.
- Fellowship with other believers, sharing how God has been working in your life.
- Pray about a decision you need to make, asking God for wisdom.
- Praise God for how amazing He is.
You get the idea. You’re abiding in Jesus when your mind is focused on Him. And you stop abiding when you’re focused on yourself, when you don’t consider what He wants you to do, and when you decide to do something you know He doesn’t want you to do. When you stop abiding, the fruit doesn’t grow. Instead, it shrivels up and dies – like a branch does when it’s separated from the vine.
So, let’s choose to abide in Jesus. Let’s be intentional about our relationship with Him. Continually bring your mind back to Jesus throughout your day. As you do, you’ll produce spiritual fruit all day long as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Apr 28, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV)
I’ve heard it said that humility is not thinking less of yourself – it’s thinking about yourself less. That’s a simple statement. But it’s profound.
Humility isn’t thinking thoughts like: I don’t matter. Everyone else is more important than me. So, what is humility? It’s focusing on God and others instead of being preoccupied with your own wants.
Let’s be real, it’s easy to think about yourself. You’re with yourself every moment of every day. During that time, you feel things: physically and emotionally. You get hungry and tired. You may be anxious or excited about something. When you feel those things, it’s easy to get caught up in them.
So, let’s take something simple – a trip to the grocery store – and see how it plays out. I won’t speak for you. But when I go, I’m usually in a rush. I have a list of items I want or need. While I’m there, I’m typically focused on my list. Besides ensuring I don’t run into someone, my attention isn’t on those around me. Afterward, I couldn’t tell you if those around me were happy or sad.
It’s easy to do that at church. When you pull into the parking lot, you may already have an agenda: I need to drop off the kids in the children’s ministry before the service starts. Then I want to grab a coffee in the café. And I need to save my seat. Maybe I’ll do that first. If you go with that mindset, you’re less likely to focus on other people.
Because it’s easy to get preoccupied with your own wants, humility often requires a conscious decision to redirect your thinking. Ask God to show you how He sees the people around you. Begin your day with the intention to serve others.
Jesus’ life modeled humility for us. The Bible tells us,
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5–8 NKJV).
What a difference it would make if we started each day with the mind of Christ. Instead of honking at someone because they cut you off in traffic, maybe you’d wonder what kind of morning they were having and pray for them. And when you went to church, you’d be thinking about the people around you, asking God to show you how He wants you to serve them.
As my pastor has said, you are the church. The church is not a building. The church is comprised of the believers. Wherever you go, you are representing Jesus. So, be the church each day as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Mar 17, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV)
There’s a saying in our society that pretty much sums up how we feel about rules:
Rules are meant to be broken.
And a newer one seems to give blanket approval for whatever seems good to you:
You do you.
But God’s rules aren’t meant to be broken. He doesn’t want us to do whatever feels right to us. Following your heart can be dangerous because it’s “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV).
Remember the Israelites in the Book of Judges? They did what they thought was right in their own eyes. And it didn’t go well for them.
Instead, God wants us to follow His rules. We can know what they are and what He wants us to do by reading His Word, the Bible. As it tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT),
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
It’s important to remember that God didn’t give us rules to be a killjoy. As a born-again believer, your heavenly Father cares about you. He wants what’s best for you. He gave us rules for our benefit.
It makes me think of a rule my parents had for me when I was three years old: Don’t cross the street by yourself. One day, my brothers (who were older than me) went across the street to play with their friends. I remember sitting on my swing, thinking how unfair it was. Of course, now, I know the rule was for my benefit. My parents didn’t want me to get hit by a car.
It’s the same with God’s rules for us. Sometimes, we think they’re unfair. Or we can’t see the reason He gave them. But God knows what’s best for us. As your heavenly Father, you can trust Him.
So, accept His rules and follow them. As you do, you’ll be like a tree along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season and prospering in all you do as you walk by faith with God.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Feb 10, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . . (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV)
It’s easier to run with less weight. If you don’t believe me, go outside and run up the block in front of your house. Then, put on 20-pound ankle weights and do it again. You’ll notice a huge difference in the difficulty the second time.
Not only is it more difficult, but the extra weight can make it impossible to finish a race. Your body will fatigue more quickly. And it can even result in injury.
In Hebrews, Paul compares running a race to our spiritual walk with God. And what’s one thing he tells us to do? He instructs us to lay aside every weight.
Just like it’s physically harder to run with more weight, your spiritual walk is more difficult when it’s weighed down. When we try to walk spiritually with that weight, we get tired and burned out. To run our race well, we need to identify the things in our lives that are “weights” and lay them aside.
They’re different for each one of us. Yet, a common spiritual weight is the cares of this world. In the parable of the sower, Jesus told us how “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word” and make us “unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22 NKJV). We can get bogged down by
- worry and anxiety,
- reliving past hurts, or
- a fixation on money or material things.
Yet, we can lay aside those “weights” so our race is lighter. How? By keeping our eyes fixed on God and letting Him carry our burdens for us. The Bible instructs us to give our weight to God.
- Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV).
- And in 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV), the Bible says to cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
So, stop carrying the extra weight. Lay it aside by placing your burdens in the hands of the One “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV). Keep your eyes fixed on God. Spend time with Him every day, reading His Word and asking Him to help you. Then it will be easier to run your race as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jan 27, 2025 | Christian Living, Spiritual Growth
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. (Hebrews 5:12 NLT)
Next month is my 18th birthday – spiritually, that is. So, I’ve been doing a little self-reflection. And that got me thinking about this verse.
Just like we want our kids to grow and mature, God wants us to grow up spiritually. Could you imagine if your daughter turned 18 and she was still crawling around like a baby? Wouldn’t it upset you if she was drinking milk from a baby bottle because she wouldn’t eat solid food?
We want our children to grow and mature like they’re supposed to. And it’s the same with God the Father. He wants us to grow up spiritually – to be molded into the image of His Son, Jesus.
Yet, some never stop drinking milk. They stay on a milk diet for their entire lives. They’re content to know about God’s love and forgiveness while keeping one foot in the world.
Instead of learning what God wants them to do by reading His Word, the Bible, they do whatever they please. They don’t care how God wants them to live. They go to church on Sunday, check it off the list, and live how they want to the rest of the week.
So, where are you at? Are you content with only drinking milk? Or do you want all God has for you?
If you want to grow spiritually, you need to read your Bible. You can’t know what God has revealed about Himself and what He wants you to do without reading His Word. It’s by reading the Bible that you learn what God says is right and wrong. As it tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT):
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Not only that but as you read the Bible, it changes you. While you’re reading, God will speak to you. He’ll reveal things about yourself and the plans He has for you. The Bible is not just a book. It’s “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).
So, let’s commit to growing up spiritually. Get off the milk diet and start eating solid food. Read your Bible and pray every day. As you take in God’s instruction and talk with Him, His Holy Spirit will mature you spiritually. Then you’ll be able to walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jan 13, 2025 | Christian Living, Life
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)
The Bible exhorts us to examine our walk with God. So how is your walk going? These questions will help you gauge where you’re at:
- Have you been spending time with Jesus?
- What are you doing during your time with Him?
- Do you regularly talk with Jesus?
- Have you been reading His Word?
- Are you making changes when you learn you should or shouldn’t do something?
- Are you serving others?
- How’s your attitude?
The answers to these questions will help you determine if you’ve been walking by faith with God or mostly doing your own thing.
Yet, another important question will help you assess where you’re at spiritually: Are you doing those things out of love or duty? In other words, are you doing them because you want to or because you feel like you have to?
In a letter to the church of Ephesus, Jesus told them, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4 NKJV). Ouch! That must have been hard for them to hear. If you’re doing things for Jesus out of duty instead of love, Jesus might be saying that to you.
When you love someone, you want to spend time with them. You desire to do things for them. You enjoy the time you spend with them – not dread it.
If that’s you, Jesus gave the church of Ephesus a remedy. And it’s one that you can use too. He told them, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works . . . .” (Revelation 2:5a NKJV). So, if you’ve left your first love, Jesus: remember, repent, and repeat.
1. Remember
Think about how God saved you. Write down your testimony – all of the amazing things God did to bring you to Him. And then praise Him for it. Thank Him for everything He’s done for you.
2. Repent
Acknowledge that you’ve left Jesus – that you’ve been doing things your way and in your strength. Admit that you have been doing things out of a sense of duty instead of love. Ask God to forgive you. He has promised that “[i]f we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).
3. Repeat
Do the first things you did when you were first saved.
- Meditate on your favorite part of the Bible.
- Thank God for His amazing creation.
- Sing along with your favorite worship song.
- Tell others how God is working in your life.
So, examine yourself to ensure you are walking by faith with God. And if you’re not – remember, repent, and repeat the first works as you return to walking by faith with your first love.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Dec 30, 2024 | Christian Living, Life
Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves . . . . (Psalm 100:3 NKJV).
The Source of Identity
There’s a lot of talk about identity these days. People ask, “How do you self-identify?” In other words: Who do you want to be today? But regardless of what you think your identity should be, the truth remains: our identity comes from God. He’s the One who made us.
How God Made You
So, who did God make you to be? Here are a few key things that the Bible teaches us.
- He made you male or female, based on your biological sex.
“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female?” (Matthew 19:4 NKJV).
- He made you in His image; you’re an image-bearer.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NKJV).
- He made you a steward of the things He’s entrusted to you.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28 NKJV).
Your Identity in Christ
And when you’ve been born again, your identity is rooted in Christ. Among other things:
“But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12 NKJV).
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).
- You’re adorned in His robe of righteousness.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 KNJV).
- You’re an heir of God through Christ.
“Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 NKJV).
Walking in Your God-given Identity
How often have you been hindered by going against your God-given identity? Doing so causes confusion, depression, and insecurity. But God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
On the other hand, walking in the identity God gave you results in a sense of belonging, confidence, and security. We can start each day knowing who we are and that God loves us. How different 2025 could be if you regularly remind yourself of these truths!
For example, you could pray something like this.
Dear God. I praise You for how You’ve made me: a woman, a bearer of Your image, a steward of all You’ve entrusted to me, and a daughter of the most-high King who is adorned in Your robe of righteousness. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
So, praise God for how He’s made you. Thank Him for who you are in Christ. Then walk in your God-given identity each day by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Dec 9, 2024 | Christian Living, Life
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works (Psalm 9:1 NKJV).
With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas approaching, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season and forget about God. Ironic, isn’t it? The whole reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus and all He has done for us. Yet, we tend to make it about everything but Him.
If that sounds like you, I challenge you to make this year different. Instead of rushing through the season for the sake of getting things done, try approaching it with a worshipful heart. How? Here are three steps you can take.
1. Read
There are many examples of people who had a worshipful heart in the Bible. Each one praised God with his or her whole heart. And their actions were prompted by their worshipful hearts.
- Mary washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped His feet with her hair, kissed His feet, and anointed His feet with oil (Luke 7:37–38, 44–47).
- David danced before the Lord with all His might – leaping and whirling before Him (2 Samuel 6:14, 16).
- Mary sat at Jesus’ feet hearing His word (Luke 10:39).
- The widow gave out of her poverty all that she had into the temple’s treasury (Mark 12:41–44).
Read through these passages of Scripture and search for others. Learn what a worshipful heart looks like.
2. Pray
Ask God to search your heart and show you where you’re at (Psalm 139:23). It’s easy to go through your day, thinking you’re okay. But the Bible tells us that the “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV).
When you ask, God will reveal what’s in your heart. For example, the Holy Spirit might remind you of how you’ve been complaining to your coworkers or your friends instead of remembering how good God has been to you. (The struggle is real.)
3. Act
If God shows you something that’s getting in the way of praising Him with your whole heart, repent. Thank God for His forgiveness. Then purposefully focus on the good things He’s done.
- Meditate on the reason we celebrate Christmas: Jesus was born so He could live a perfect life and pay the price for all our sins. He did that for you. And now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for you (Romans 8:34).
- Remember how God saved you. Write out your testimony. How did God work in your life to bring you into a relationship with Him?
- Recall the amazing things God has done in and through your life. How has He changed you since you came to Him? How has He provided for you? What opportunities has He given you to share His love with others?
Let’s be mindful this Christmas season to keep our hearts in a state of worship. Fix your mind on our beautiful Lord and Savior. As you read about examples in the Bible of those with worshipful hearts, pray, and act on what God shows you, gratitude will well up in your heart. Then you’ll be able to praise Him with your whole heart and tell others about the marvelous things He has done as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Nov 18, 2024 | Christian Living, Life
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).
God wants us to be thankful in all circumstances. The Greek word translated in this verse as all means “any, every, the whole.” That covers everything – the good, the bad, the easy, and the difficult. You get the picture.
Yet, it can be hard to be thankful when we’re going through a challenging season. In those times, we need to remember that God’s commands are always good, even when we can’t see the why.
It’s good to be thankful because God has been gracious to us. He has saved us, and He works through the hard things to bring us closer to Him. Not only that, the act of gratitude benefits us physically. The more we’re focused on what’s good in our lives, the less we’re thinking about what’s wrong.
As Thanksgiving draws near, here are three steps you can take to fulfill God’s command to be thankful.
1. Remember God’s faithfulness.
Set aside time to recall all that God has done for you and your family this year. “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered” (Psalm 111:4 NKJV). If you need some guidance, my book, Ebenezer Stones, is all about the ways God is faithful in our lives.
Sit down with paper and a pen. Then, pray and ask God to remind you of what He’s done in your life. As you remember God’s faithfulness, write it down. Keep the list so you can pull it out when things feel bleak. Remembering God’s past faithfulness will help you to trust Him with whatever you’re going through in the present.
2. Pray.
Spend some time going through the list you made. Meditate on the specifics of how God came through for you. Follow the psalmist’s example to not just “remember the works of the Lord,” but also to “meditate” on them (Psalm 77:11–12 NKJV).
Thank God for everything He has done. As the psalmist declared, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:11 NKJV). Verbalize your gratefulness to Him.
3. Publicly Proclaim God’s faithfulness.
The psalmist committed to be thankful to God “in the great assembly” and to praise God “among many people” (Psalm 35:18 NKJV). Each year, our church has a Thanksgiving banner service. It’s a sweet time of publicly professing God’s goodness.
Tell others about God’s faithfulness. Take time during your Thanksgiving dinner to recount to your family and friends how God has worked in your life. Give God the glory. It all belongs to Him (Revelation 4:11).
So, be thankful. Remember God’s faithfulness. Thank Him for all He’s done for you. Then, publicly proclaim His goodness this Thanksgiving season as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Nov 4, 2024 | Christian Living, Life
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22 NKJV)
Last time, we looked at 26 ways God works in your life. Now, we’re going to shift from what God does to what He asks us to do. So, here are 26 things the Bible says you should do – again from A to Z.
A: Abide in Jesus.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4 NKJV)
B: Be still.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 NKJV)
C: Commit your way to God.
Commit your way to the Lord . . . . (Psalm 37:5 NKJV)
D: Deny yourself.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)
E: Exalt His name.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:3 NKJV)
F: Forgive others.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:12–13 NKJV)
G: Give thanks.
[I]n everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV)
H: Humble yourself.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:6 NKJV)
I: Be immovable.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)
J: Be joyful.
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. (Psalm 5:11 NKJV)
K: Keep God’s commandments.
If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:15 NKJV)
L: Love God and others.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37–39 NKJV)
M: Make disciples.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . . (Matthew 28:19a NKJV)
N: Draw near to God.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 NKJV)
O: Offer praise to God.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15 NKJV)
P: Pray all the time.
[P]ray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV)
Q: Clothe yourself with a quiet spirit.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3–4 NLT)
R: Rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)
S: Sing.
Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! (Psalm 47:6 NKJV)
T: Trust God.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV)
U: Keep unity.
Endeavor[] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NKJV)
V: Add to your faith virtue.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:5–7 NKJV)
W: Watch for Jesus’ return.
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42 NKJV)
X: X-amine yourself.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified. (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)
Y: Let your yes be yes.
But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No.” (Matthew 5:37a NKJV)
Z: Be zealous for good.
But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always . . . . (Galatians 4:18a NKJV)
I challenge you to take one of these each day: meditate on it and then do it. Be a doer and not just a hearer of God’s Word as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Joanna K. Harris (Guest Post) | Oct 7, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
In the movie The Ultimate Gift, a wealthy man dies and leaves his grandson a series of strange gifts. The grandson only wants to know how much money he inherits. However, he can’t find out until he receives each unusual gift, such as work, problems, giving, etc.
Too often I’m like the grandson – waiting for God to give me the “good stuff” while being frustrated with the strange gifts He has bestowed. Philippians 1:29 (NIV) says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” It’s taken a long time, but I’ve finally learned to see suffering as one of God’s unusual gifts.
God’s Word has a lot to say about suffering. Suffering isn’t just part of living on earth; it’s also part of God’s plan. He uses it for our good.
I know it doesn’t feel that way. Suffering feels painful, depressing, hopeless, devastating . . . I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to live with broken health. I’ve experienced the agony of losing loved ones. I’ve been misunderstood and mistreated. I’ve experienced all this and more. Suffering hurts. Yet, Jesus promised His followers we would suffer, and He filled His Word with encouragement for those who are suffering.
Suffering produces character, maturity, and hope (Romans 5:3–4; James 1:2-4). Those who suffer for what is right are blessed (1 Peter 3:14). Suffering allows us to receive God’s comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). God uses hardship and suffering to train us for holiness (Hebrews 12:7–11). Still, even with these encouraging verses, sometimes it’s hard to see suffering as a gift.
There are three specific benefits of suffering I’ve experienced that help me accept this strange gift with gratitude.
1. Suffering has given me a desperate dependence on God’s Word.
When my life was mostly problem-free, it was easy to think I was spiritually mature and had all the answers. Once suffering hit, nothing made sense, and I realized how desperately I needed truth. Psalm 119:92 (NIV) says, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Only God’s Word gives the understanding about God and life that I need to endure trials and hardship.
There have been days when, desperate for answers, I opened my Bible and read, and read, and read . . . until finally, I found the answers or encouragement I needed. The psalmist wrote, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50 NIV). Not only does God’s Word provide needed answers, it also holds precious promises that bring great comfort. Through suffering, I’ve discovered more of the riches of God’s Word, sufficient for every day and every need.
2. Suffering has produced deeper fellowship with Jesus.
In Philippians 3:10 (NIV), Paul said, “I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings . . . .” Through suffering, I’ve learned more about who Jesus is, what He’s like, and how He works. Everything I’ve suffered, Jesus also experienced.
I’ve encountered Jesus’ presence and grace in every situation, and I’ve found that He is enough. When every source of happiness this world offers was stripped away, I discovered the “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8 NIV) of simply knowing my Savior. Paradoxically, sometimes it’s only through pain that Jesus can open our eyes to the joy He alone offers.
3. Suffering has taught me to keep an eternal perspective.
It’s easy to be comfortable and at home in this world – until we experience suffering. Then everything changes. Suffering has made me ask questions like: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What am I living for? I understand now that God created me and put me on this earth for Himself and His glory – not just for my comfort or happiness.
In 1 Peter 4:1–2 (NIV), Peter says that one who has suffered doesn’t live for himself anymore “but rather for the will of God.” I only get one life. I’m thankful that suffering changes my perspective and keeps me from wasting my life on selfish pursuits. Suffering reminds me that right now is just the “warm-up” while eternity is the “main event.” Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NIV). Understanding this has changed the way I think, what I desire, and how I live. Suffering helps me keep my eyes on heaven, my true home.
I don’t like it, I often complain about it, but I don’t doubt that suffering is a special gift from my loving heavenly Father. At the end of The Ultimate Gift, the purpose of all the strange gifts is revealed. They prepared the grandson to receive his inheritance. God has a purpose too. He knows what we need. Sometimes suffering is the most precious gift we could receive. In the end, we too will understand how God used it to prepare us for our eternal inheritance.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV).
Joanna K. Harris grew up as a missionary kid and then served as a missionary for two years. During that time, she felt called to write. However, she then suffered through more than a decade of chronic illness. In her trials, Jesus taught her more about His grace. She writes to encourage others with God’s grace – always greater than our need. Joanna has authored more than ten books for children and adults. You can sign up for her newsletter and receive two bonus chapters of her devotional memoir on her website: gracepossible.com.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Sep 23, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Thoughts
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NKJV))
There aren’t many things we can control. You can’t control
- other people,
- the decisions your kids make,
- how someone will react to something you say, or
- if traffic will be busy during your morning commute.
If we could, our children would always choose to do the right thing, people would always respond with kind words, and our commutes would always be easy.
But one thing you can control is your thoughts.
Now, I can almost hear some of your thinking, No, you can’t. Random thoughts come into my head all the time.
I agree. We are bombarded every minute of every day with seemingly random thoughts. Thoughts like:
- You’re so stupid. Why did you say that?
- You’re ugly.
- You can’t do it. You’ll never amount to anything.
- No one really likes you.
The thoughts will come. Yet, you can decide what you’ll do with them when they do. You can let them roll around in your head. You can agree with them (e.g., Yeah, I am stupid.). Or you can handle them Biblically.
As we saw in our verse, the Bible instructs us to take every thought captive. Arrest that thought. Stop it. Don’t give it free rein.
Pay attention to your thoughts. When you think something like, You’re done for. No one cares about you. Pause. Pay attention to the thought. Then ask yourself, Is it true?
And remember the standard of truth. The truth is what the Bible says about something. It’s not necessarily what the world says about it or how you feel.
Jesus is truth (John 14:6). That’s why the Bible says you need to make your thoughts obedient to Him. If your thought doesn’t line up with what Jesus says is true, then it’s false; it’s a lie. And if it’s a lie, you need to discard it and replace it with what Jesus says is true.
So, is it true that no one cares about you? You may feel like it’s true. But is it? What does the Bible say?
The Bible says that Jesus loves you.
- He loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins (Romans 5:8).
- He loves you so much that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
- He loves you so much that you will then get to spend eternity with Him (John 3:16).
- He loves you so much that He’s preparing a place for you so you can be with Him (John 14:2–3).
- He loves you so much that He wants you to cast all your care on Him (1 Peter 5:7).
These are just a few of the verses that show how much Jesus loves you. So, the thought that no one cares about you is false. It’s not true no matter how you feel.
Because that thought is false, discard it. Replace the lie with the truth that God’s revealed to you (that Jesus loves you). Pray and ask God to help you believe His truth. Then meditate on the truth as you walk by faith with Him.
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