Performance. Perfection. Doing it well and getting it right. Is it good or is it bad? Healthy or harmful? I think it all depends on our motive and perspective. The truth is a lot of our life is measured by performance. I’ve spent a lot of time working in the field of human resources—and what … More Monday Morning Musings: Letting Go of Performance
Fear. That awful insidious infector of dread. That deadly tormentor that keeps us shackled and shamed. That cruel instigator of rejection, insecurity, control , selfishness, bitterness, greed, anger, rage … It all starts with fear. So why do we fear? 1 John 4:18 says There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out … More Monday Morning Musings: Letting Go of Fear
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength,till each appears before God in Zion.” -Psalm 84:5-7 Transition. Not many people love the word. Because not … More Monday Morning Musings: Life IN Transition
With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. – Ruth 1:7 Things had not gone well for Naomi. There was famine in her hometown of Bethlehem. Then, after leaving for Moab with her husband … More Monday Morning Musings: The Road That Leads Back to Praise
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” –Phil. 3:10 (NKJV) When Jesus was in Gethsemane he asked Peter, John, and James, his three closest disciples–and friends–to watch and wait with him. His soul was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matt. 26:38) and … More Monday Morning Musings: The Power of the Resurrection
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight.–Proverbs 3:5-6 This has to be one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. Countless little ones can recite it as a Sunday school memory verse. Simple little verses, … More Monday Morning Musings: Where are You Leaning?
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. — Psalm 42:2 I’ve been carrying an ache in my heart that has been an almost constant companion in recent days. It’s often confusing. It’s rarely convenient. And it’s incredibly difficult to communicate. But I can never escape it for long. When I quiet my soul — when … More Monday Morning Musings: Aching for Him
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. –Psalm 112:6-7 Ever dreaded picking up the phone, or reading your messages, or meeting with someone, because you just knew you were going to hear bad news? If so, you’re not … More Monday Morning Musings: Good News
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” — Rev. 2:7 Jesus said these words–or something similar–a lot. In fact, in the book of Revelation, he repeated this phrase at some point in each of his messages to the seven churches. The obvious conclusion is that not everyone has ears to hear … More Monday Morning Musings: Ears to Hear
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. –Phil.4:12 Are you content? Right here. Right now. Exactly where you are. Doing what you are doing. Thinking what you are thinking. Feeling what you are feeling. Today … Are you content? Are you at peace? Are you thankful? Are you hopeful? Are … More Monday Morning Musings: Learning the Secret
“And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE” –Ezek. 48:35 You are Jehovah Shammah–the God who is there. The God who is here. The God who is … Present. ~ The God who draws near (James 4:8) ~ The God who sticks closer than a brother ( Prov. … More Monday Morning Musings: Jehovah Shammah
You have searched me , Lord, and you know me. —Psalm 139:1 I have the blessed privilege of spending my life on earth–and throughout eternity–getting to know the heart of God. But as amazing as that is, sometimes it is good to remember … He already knows me. He knows when I sit and He knows when … More Monday Morning Musings: He Knows Me
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. —Ecc. 5:2 I had written another devotion for this week. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with it–it may have even blessed someone–maybe even several someones. Maybe I’ll post it someday and it still will. Who knows? All I do know is this … More Monday Morning Musings: Let My Words Be Few
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” –Romans 8:29 I love Romans 8:28. I mean, I really love Romans 8:28. Sometimes I need to open my Bible just to reassure myself that it is still there. It has to be one of the most encouraging promises in all of Scripture. “And … More Monday Morning Musings: Conformed to His Image
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” –1 Kings 19:12 Sometimes his voice comes like a mighty rushing wind–and it’s glorious. Sometimes his voice comes like an earthquake awaking our souls–and it’s powerful. Sometimes his voice ignites our hearts with the unquenchable … More Monday Morning Musings: Gentle Whispers
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. –Phil. 1:9-10 Paul didn’t pray that the Philippians would be blessed. He didn’t pray that they … More Monday Morning Musings: Abounding Love
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. —Exodus 20:8 I’ve been hearing this verse for over two years now. I’ve been hearing a still small voice telling me I needed to rest–regularly. I thought I was listening. But I didn’t get it. I thought as long as I put chunks of time aside to simply “be” … More Monday Morning Musings: Remember the Sabbath
It’s been quiet lately. It’s been quiet in my soul. God has been quiet too. And I’m okay with that. Oh don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of noise “out there.” The world has been anything but quiet. There are a hundred and one distractions–all of them literally screaming for attention. There is a … More Monday Morning Musings: Into the Quiet
My sheep hear My voice. —John 10:27 (NKJV) One of a seemingly endless stream of current TV talent shows is called “The Voice.” The focus of this particular show is narrow–they’re not looking for a variety of gifts and abilities–they are looking exclusively for vocal ability. They are looking for “the voice.” But no matter … More Monday Morning Musings: The Voice
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. —Luke 5:16 Jesus knew when he needed time alone with God. I’m still learning. But, thank the Lord, I am learning. And one of the things I’m learning is to pay attention to the gentle wooing of the Holy Spirit. I’m learning to pay attention when there is … More Monday Morning Musings: Time to Come Away
Cindy Powell 