Knowing & Being Known

Disappointment is an emotional response to dashed hopes, goals, and desires. Sometimes it’s the result of circumstances beyond our control, but when others are involved, it’s easy to blame them for the situation. We might even lose faith in the person we think let us down. Martha and Mary could relate. The gospel of John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus (John 11:5). Because of this, they expected He would come…

True friends are those who are willing to partner with us in things that really matter to us. True friends are willing to help simply because they love us, even if the task isn't something they would have ordinarily valued. In John 21:15 we gain insight into a conversation between two friends, Jesus and Simon Peter. Scripture says, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to,…

We cannot allow our fears of failing to keep us from reaching our full potential. Too often do we allow fear to paralyze us. We sit and wait until we are no longer afraid, when we could have acted long before. God has a plan in place for you, and it may require you to step out of the realm of your comfort zone. You may be uncomfortable. You may be scared. You may not feel that you are ready, but you will be when it’s time. Fear is nothing. Fear is a mirage. It’s…

The biggest reason why people give up, why people slow down, or why people don’t reach their potential is fear.Fear that they aren’t good enough. Fear that they will fail. Fear that they aren’t qualified.But God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those who are called. You see this in the story of Moses. Of David. Of Saul. Of Noah.These stories in the Bible speak of people who were fearful. People who lacked faith. People who were nobodies that…

There are heart issues, mindsets, and narratives that have distorted your view of God and the view you have of yourself. These things, if not addressed, will prohibit you from truly progressing and flourishing in the way God intends for you. God's heart for you is to be free, to have peace, for your joy to be full, to have healthy and wholesome relationships and for you to live freely in your calling. This is His desire for you. But to access the fullness of what God…

We live in a culture inundated with anxiety and fear, where people make a habit of worrying because it provides a false sense of control. But Christians don’t have to give in to these feelings, as we have a Savior who has promised us His peace, “which surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7). Thankfully, there are a couple of practices we can employ to guard against worry. First, we must be careful about what we allow to fill our mind—listening to…

Learn to hear the voice of God. Yep. It’s the simplest, most helpful, least practiced treasure and it will literally rescue you in countless ways. The secret of the Christian life—and Christian marriage—is that you don’t have to figure it out. You don’t have to figure life out, you don’t have to figure each other out, you don’t have to figure parenting out, or money or family. You have a counselor, you have a guide, you have God.…

God desires friendship with you. God doesn’t tolerate you, neither does He love you out of obligation. Love is simply who He is. You aren’t called to just follow God but you are invited into fellowship with Him. That word ‘fellowship’ translated in the Greek, is ‘koinonia’ which means association, community, intercourse, joint participation and communion. God is ultimately calling you to live your life close to Him. This friendship that…

In 1925, Langston Hughes, an aspiring writer working as a busboy at a hotel, discovered that a poet he admired (Vachel Lindsey) was staying there as a guest. Hughes shyly slipped Lindsey some of his own poetry, which Lindsey later praised enthusiastically at a public reading. Lindsey’s encouragement resulted in Hughes receiving a university scholarship, furthering him on his way to his own successful writing career. A little encouragement can go a long way, especially…