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That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12
I don’t typically pull Bible verses from the King James version. But in one of my devotionals this version of Hebrews 6:12 was the focus of that day’s study. It got me thinking about my own faith and where I stand with “slothfulness.”
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Burn Brightly
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the Word of life. Philippians 2:15-16 I have to admit in the carrot and stick scenario of motivation I tend to be more of a “stick” motivated person. My fear of punishment or failure outweighs any reward I might be offered. It’s…
Unswerving Faith
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 We sing songs about God being our Rock. We hear sermons about not living as though on shifting sand. And yet so often I find myself having days where my faith feels more like something I’ve placed in a box to access…
Unity Strengthens
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Cor 16:13 Isn’t it just like us humans, when dealing with multiple leaders, to try and take sides? Whether it be a job, a volunteer position, in our families, a group of friends, or at our churches so many of us seek to…
The Quiet Mind
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 I am not a “still” person. If something feels lacking in me, I do a personal inventory and then come up with a plan to fix it. But I finally realized that my relationship with God needed to be approached differently. I sat on the edge of…
Hemmed In
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 My BSGs were talking the other day about sensing God’s presence. More specifically about the times we felt God was far away from us. So often when we are experiencing difficult trials we think “where is God?” But I’ve come to realize…
The Blessing of Hope
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 In February of 2020, my beloved mother in law got some disturbing news. She possibly had uterine cancer. We all started praying and hoping for negative tests. But with each test,…
Time Well Spent
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:12 If today’s verse sounds familiar, it should! The King James’ version was our stepping off point for this new series – “That ye be not slothful…” Remembering that the Greek word for slothful,…
Eat Up His Words
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 I visited some friends recently outside Austin, Texas. One day we were trying to decide where to eat for lunch and I mentioned seeing a place that served Louisana-style shrimp and crab. My friend…
Battle Strategy
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1 I have a very strong personality. I’m a fixer and a doer. I’m a creative problem solver. So, for me to sit back and let God take control or direct me has been one of my greatest challenges. A few years ago,…
A Teaspoon of Salt
Season all your grain offerings with salt. Leviticus 2:13 About a year ago my husband and I decided to combine our plans of getting fit at the gym with changing what we ate for dinner. We decided to try out a couple meal delivery services. Now, let me first say my husband is an incredible cook –…
Closer Than A Brother
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 There’s been a number of times in my life when I felt all alone. In high school the neighbor girl who I had been friends with since I was in fourth grade…
Our New Identity
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 When I quit working full time about 25 years ago, it was hard for me to accept that I no longer contributed financially to…
Awaken
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 I just finished a study on the book of Numbers. It finds Israel wandering about the desert grumbling, complaining and disobeying God at every turn. And God gives mercy over and over at Moses’ pleading. Until He doesn’t. There’s…
Fan The Flame
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6 I remember the day I got baptized. I was 34 years old and at the same time my one year old and 5 year old received the Holy…
Out of Our Minds
If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 2 Corinthians 5:13 There’s a lot of criticism of Christians these days. We get called any manner of names from freaks to racists and dumb to science deniers. And we shouldn’t be surprised. No…
Fight or Flight
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 I’d wanted to get my motorcycle license since I was 16 years old. For any of you counting that’s about 37 years ago. Back then, my mind and body…
I Call Him “Lord”
From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. Isaiah 59:19 I admit it. I have a difficult time with authority. I don’t like being told what to do and when to do it. I’m not sure how this developed in me. It’s not like, as a child,…
Muscle Building
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25 I’ve been a member of various gyms over the years. Each time, after that initial enthusiasm of “this time I’m going…
Always With You
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 Early in our marriage my husband and I started a lifelong…
Living In The Light
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 I’ve been thinking a lot about separateness lately. As the world seems to move farther and farther away from the…
35,000 Decisions
…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18 According to Psychology Today we make an average of 35,000 decisions each day. That’s about 2,000 decisions per waking hour. I remember when I was working as a public relations and marketing executive at a mid-sized company. At the end of each day…
Solidarity
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 I was having lunch the other day with a friend and she shared with me a disturbing trend in her two Bible study groups. She said to me, “I’ve had it. I’m exhausted. I don’t want to…
First Love
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. Hosea 12:6 I’ve mentioned before that I’m a “doer.” In the Bible, Martha is my spirit animal. I can so easily picture myself cooking and cleaning all day, getting ready for Jesus to come for dinner. Then while He is at my…
Rescue Me!
Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love. Psalm 44:26 I’ll admit I’ve had a bit of a rough relationship with God the last few weeks. I have an on-going health issue related to my sinuses. For years I’ve suffered through swollen sinuses, infections, allergies, clogged ears, excruciating headaches and more. I’m in my…
Listen Up!
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. John 5:25 Today’s Fresh Fire is our last in this series. It’s been a great adventure finding and studying verses that have helped me bolster my faith. I…
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