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The Lord’s Embrace

January 24, 2013

From the pages of Embrace Grace…

Wherever you are spiritually, whatever you have been through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord’s embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands. Enfolded in the arms of One who believes in you, supports you, treasures you, and loves you.          

He is waiting for you to embrace him in return. To accept the gift he’s offering you. To listen for the whispered words you’ve longed a lifetime to hear:
You are loved. All is forgiven.

Incredible, isn’t it? To imagine God’s love reaching across the boundaries of time, encircling us in his ceaseless embrace.

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5

Excerpted from Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs

Join Liz for her Embrace Grace Bible Study online through February [ … ]

Starting the New Year with a Fresh Perspective

January 23, 2013

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Starting the New Year with a Fresh Perspective by Mike Glenn

In the story of the prodigal son, Luke uses a curious phrase when the younger son realizes what he has lost and determines to go home. The King James Version translates the phrase, “He came to himself.” That phrase has always fascinated me. How do you come to yourself? Can you set yourself down somewhere and [ … ]

Ruts

January 23, 2013

On days when it feels as if the walls are caving in on you and your backside is caked in mud, remember that God can do amazing things with a little bit of mud. He created Adam from it. He healed the blind man with it. The woman caught in adultery found freedom as she read His inscriptions in it. I wonder what surprises He has in store for those of us who are pooped-out parents today. The rule of grace says that His blessings can be found even at the bottom of a rut.

Excerpted from Espresso for Your Spirit by Pam Vredevelt

Daily Reflection: How will you show yourself grace while in your next rut?

Spiritual Gardening

January 22, 2013

“The crucial test in determining if we’re planting real seeds or just rocks emerges in our motivation for planting. Am I sowing seed to meet my own needs or to meet the needs of others? In John 12:24, Jesus explains, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” The seed has to go into the ground, and in the silence of the ground, it dies. All alone there, it opens up to bring forth life. In the same way, we have to die to ourselves—to our selfish desires and goals and dreams—so we can plant an unselfish seed. People are created in God’s image as spiritual beings who will live for eternity, either with Him or apart from [ … ]

SNEAK PEEK: Limitless by Nick Vujicic

January 21, 2013

From limbless to limitless – anything is possible with God!

Click here to download chapter one of Limitless.

Nick Vujicic knows there is no greater hope than trusting in God’s plan for your life. Born without arms or legs, Nick has experienced both the peak of hope and the depth of despair. But he has overcome his circumstances and physical limitations by clinging to his faith and understanding the limitless love and power God has for every person. Now he wants you to experience that same reassurance of hope and the power of God, everyday.

Click here to download chapter one of Limitless.

Failure is Not Final

January 21, 2013

“Adam and Eve blatantly disobeyed God and then lied about their sin. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then plotted the murder of her husband. Peter bragged about his commitment to Jesus and then denied Him not once, but three times. In fact, it’s hard to find biblical characters who didn’t fail at some point, but those who learned from their failure and used it as a tool of growth were often used by God to accomplish great things.

I have come to believe that failure is a necessary part of our growth and maturity as followers of Jesus Christ. Failure can interpret the unconditional love and forgiveness of God like nothing else can—if we trust God enough to transform tragedy into triumph. Desperation can be our friend if it makes us crave God and long to see His power [ … ]

SNEAK PEEK: Firsthand by Ryan and Josh Shook

January 18, 2013

Ditching Secondhand Religion For A Faith of Your Own

Click here to download chapter one of Firsthand.

Every person inherits a system of beliefs. Maybe yours came from community, or church, or society, or your parents. But one day you reach a breaking point. You look at the rituals and traditions and worship and theology and it all seems foggy. Foreign. Strange. You wonder why you believe what you believe. If you even believe anymore…

Brothers Ryan and Josh Shook reached that breaking point. Their book, Firsthand, is a smart, honest and deeply felt journey that invites you to leave behind handed-down beliefs and find authentic faith. A faith that lets go of how things are [ … ]