I love the story of the prodigal son (Matthew 15:11-32). It so clearly tells of how gracious and forgiving our Heavenly Father is. The story tells how the father ran to his son and embraced him even before he was cleaned up! Then, he threw a huge party to celebrate his son’s return.

What a great picture of how God wants his wayward children to come back to Him and how He rejoices when they do! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The post below is from an article entitled “Beyond Remembering” by Phil Ware and comes from Heartlight.org. It asks the question “Who is the person who helped you best know how to live like Jesus.” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you want to get excited right now? If so, just read these words from the book of Ephesians:

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people–free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG)

Now, if you didn’t read that passage out loud, then go back and read it again so you can hear yourself saying the words. And if you really want your fire lit, read it until you actually internalize it, feel it, and believe it! Read more »

There are many times in my walk with God that I wonder where He is and if He has heard my prayers, especially those that have not been answered after a long period of time.

The thought came to me, however, that my time of feeling like God has forgotten me is like winter time for a tree. The tree may look dead because the branches are completely bare of leaves, fruit, or blossoms. The fact is, though, that the branches are still very much alive. They are still connected to the tree itself and the life of the tree flows through every one of those branches from the largest to the smallest.

Just as the bare branches stay connected to the tree in winter, so must I stay connected to God in my “Winter Seasons.” The branches go dormant for a season or two, and my spiritual life may go dormant periodically as well. This is the time to allow the Holy Spirit to flow through me as I read and meditate on the Word and continue to praise God regardless of how I may feel.

God will sustain me through this time and then, like the tree sprouting beautiful leaves, fruit or blossoms in the springtime, my life will begin to sprout the fruit of the Spirit again.

God will never leave us nor forsake us and He is faithful to take care of us. So, continue to trust Him in your seasons of “Winter”. Then, when your see your circumstance change, or your longtime prayer answered, you can give God all the glory and the praise!

Be encouraged. Stay connected to God in the “Winter”!

In Christ,

Christine

About the Author:

Christine Walker is the creator and webmaster of Christian Fiction Book Club, where she reviews popular Christian novels. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to her website at http://www.ChristianFictionBookClub.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.“Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’

“Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.’ And that is what happened.

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26-31 (NLT)

Below is a meditation I received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. If you are feeling unloved today, read it carefully and internalize its message. If you feel God’s love this day, it will confirm what you are feeling. Read more »