Many times, the word gentle can become confused with weak. To look at what gentleness is, you can look at the word meekness. Which often is labeled as being weak. When studying the word meekness it is described as gentle strength. So actually, being gentle is a strength. It’s quite easy to be the complete opposite, harsh, or evening condemning. When trying not to be harsh you can find out quickly, it is a little harder to do so. Gentleness […]

September 19th Monday Motivator / Recorded in Kazakhstan Are you longing for more, but life keeps getting in the way? I’ve learned that it’s often not a what in my way but a WHO that stops me from reaching my full potential.  I read once, “Potential is what you can do but have not yet accomplished. Potential is how far you can go but with God.” Some of us let the fact that it hasn’t been done or accomplished stop us from trying.  We make excuses to keep […]

Our worlds look different, but every Christian has the same daily opportunity. In every circumstance, we can be ambassadors for Christ.  I once heard a man say, “We are just paid ambassadors.” He was so in love with his job that he would have evangelized about the product for free! In the same way, we are “just paid ambassadors” as we show Christ’s love to others; he enriches our lives, keeps his promises, and paid for our sins. This mindset […]

The school year is in full swing, and while we should be excited about all the new things our children will learn, many families live in fear. School shootings, tighter wallets, illness, and other challenges have parents worried every time they drop off their babies. Today and every day of this school year, I encourage you to lean into God’s promises!   1. God Has Answers: Don’t try to parent alone. God is the perfect Father, which means He has all the wisdom […]

Last week I heard something that has stuck with me until now. A man said, “Motivation is a feeling; discipline is a choice.” Those words hit hard! Motivation is not a bad thing; it just does not last. You might be motivated to do something for a week, but what happens when you do not feel like doing it anymore?  What happens after you read today’s “Monday Motivator?”  That’s where discipline kicks in.  You move into discipline when you decide to […]

One of my favorite verses from Jeremiah 29 is not verse 11, “For I know the plans I have for you…” but verse 13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.”  Verse thirteen has been my pursuit recently, knowing more of God. It’s easy to get caught in the motions and cycles of life. Work, family, and all sorts of stuff can keep us unfocused. We forget that God is calling us […]

We all unintentionally label others.  Our brains make quick judgments based on a limited amount of information that isn’t always correct – despite our best intentions. We assume we know WHO they are without thinking twice. David was labeled. When they saw him, they thought, “No way this could be the son of Jacob that’s a king.” But God saw David’s heart.  God saw the heart of a shepherd, one who would protect his sheep at all costs. So, he was the […]

My motto is “Create light by being a light.”  Two weeks ago we talked about being an influencer. Today, I want to take this one step further and encourage you to be a light!   We all know that we live in a dark world, but to create light in the darkness, we have to be the light! Creating light requires action. We must look for ways in our everyday life to be a light somewhere or somehow. We do not have to […]

We all know we are supposed to love our neighbors, but what about the ones that hate us? Do we love them too?  The Bible is clear; only love can defeat hate.  However, that doesn’t mean you allow yourself to be mistreated; it is about what’s in your heart. You see, hate spreads, and the resentment or anger we receive from another might grow in your heart over time. As a result, we begin to feel the same hate we […]

Inflation is up, prices have sky-rocked, and many of us are thinking, “How will we survive this?”  Yet, no matter what’s happening around us, we can take comfort in knowing God is the provider and source of all our needs.  1 Timothy 6:17 says, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” This verse shows us two places we can place trust. […]

Everyone is an influencer, no matter age or how well you are known. You influence the people around you – your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and strangers. So the question is, are you a positive or negative influencer? A challenging but needed question. How we live, treat people, talk, and even what we consider important or unimportant. Our lives speak into the lives of people around us.  Sadie Robertson says, “The meaning of influence is to affect someone’s behavior or character.” It […]

I heard that a way to describe the word “mercy” is undeserved forgiveness.  Mercy is “a form of love shown to the needy or unworthy.” God loves to show us mercy! The Word says that He “delights in showing mercy.”  Our Father is rich in mercy and offers more than enough for everyone. His mercies are new every morning, and there is nothing you can do to separate yourself from God’s love.  But what about us? Do we delight in showing mercy? Are our mercies new every […]

When reading the book of Job, the word “integrity” stood out to me. Job faced a very challenging time in his life. He lost children, possessions, and many other things. But one thing Job never lost was his INTEGRITY – THIS AMAZED ME! His integrity kept him from wavering in hard times.  It is easy to let your standards down when faced with complex circumstances, take shortcuts, and find easier routes.  But ultimately, doing things with integrity will bring the results you […]

June 6th Monday Motivator What comes up for you when you think of the word “intentional”? I think of doing things with a purpose or goal or doing something with all your heart. More importantly, I think of not doing something out of guilt or shame. Sometimes life can feel like a list of obligations instead of things “we get to do.” Being intentional is difficult because our routines and negative thought patterns can quickly take over. It is easy for regular routines to become tradition and religion. We can even get this way […]

The Bible talks a lot about the power of our words. Words can direct our life! James 3:4-5 says, “And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” Words carry weight and power! Words speak life or death! Words encourage or discourage! Words give hope or anxiety!  Words bring healing or tear down! What words are you speaking over your life?  Your inner […]

Change is never easy, and stepping out into something new can even be scary. It’s easy for us to get comfortable with the familiar.  But the truth is to grow; we have to get uncomfortable.  God knows our future. He has lined up the steps and paths we take. But what do you do when those steps aren’t what you imagined or expected?  Every step we take prepares us for what God has next!  The Lord is our GPS and leads us one direction […]

Are you weary of carrying heavy burdens? Wearing many “hats” – employee, boss, parent, leader, business owners, caretaker, and so on can create a mounting sense of pressure. Life can feel non-stop. And the inability to pause can deteriorate our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. But God said come to me, and I will give you rest.  GO TO GOD! Spend time in His presence. Sometimes life can be so busy the last thing on our agenda is setting time for God, but it’s in those […]

Forgiveness is easier said than done. Why should you forgive someone who has wronged you or brought only pain into your life?  Because God loves, and forgiveness is about YOUR heart. God loves you so much that he took up the cross to die for you in hopes that you would do the same for him.  We must love like God. We must be quick to forgive like God.  He has shown the ultimate act of love. So it’s only fitting that we love […]

Are you constantly comparing yourself to others and their gifts?  God has created you in his perfect image. He has a purpose for you.  He loves ALL of you, including your weaknesses. In the eyes of God, there is no status.  Every part is essential when serving God – whether being an usher, part of the traffic team, picking up the trash, or standing at the pulpit.  Don’t envy some else’s gifts, but delight in your weakness and the unique way He made you because it […]

God has you in his vision. Is he a part of yours? It is so easy to get caught up in chasing after dreams, ambitions, and goals that you forget about what God wants for your life. He has promised you eternal life.  He has given you authority over your life.  He has instructions for you when you listen to his voice.  Don’t worry about what your future holds. Put God first, and he will remain faithful to his promises for you.  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all […]

It is easy to be busy. It is easy to be stressed. It is easy to get overwhelmed.  God doesn’t want you to live in turmoil. He has given you supernatural peace. He wants to take away your troubles. He wants you to trust him! “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 Living […]

God wants to help you right now! Have you ever said, “God, if you can hear me, please take care of my situation!” What you might not have realized is that God already knows, and he has already made a path for you. God is your solution RIGHT NOW. And you don’t have to wait! He is right now! Jesus is your healing right now! (Psalm 103:2-4) Jesus is your provider right now! (Philippians 4:19) Jesus is your peace right now! (Ephesians 2:14) Jesus is your joy right now! (Romans 15:13) Jesus is […]