“For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” -- Acts 8:23 (NIV)Or is it?Americans, in general, have always been willing to fight for their freedom and that of others. On this 249th Independence Day, we face new conflicts. The slogan “Freedom isn’t Free” makes the...
“For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” -- Acts 8:23 (NIV)Please Pray:Dear Lord, We ask that you please continue to bless this nation, celebrating 250 years of Your divine protection and favor. We ask that You guide and shepherd our leaders and judges. Bless...
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions." -- Mark 11:25 (NASB)Mom had a quick temper.Growing up, we knew not to push her buttons. Although being kids, we did it anyway. What...
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions." -- Mark 11:25 (NASB)Please Pray:Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the ability to forgive others. For without it, I would be a...
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. -- 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)What is Unholy Fear?The opposite of “Holy Fear” is unholy fear, or ungodly fear. That gut-heavy feeling of outright disobedience to God, having messed up or stepped out...
“For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” -- 2 Chronicles 16:9Ben-Hur is my favorite movie because it captured my youthful imagination about the life of Jesus. A great film, with outstanding cinematography, it won many awards for...
“For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” -- 2 Chronicles 16:9Please Pray:Lord, at times we identify with Ben-Hur, our faces buried in dust and unable to take another step. Then you reach out and revive us again...
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -- Proverbs 16:18Please Pray:Dear Lord,When I struggle with pride, help me to remember one of the Jewish blessings, "Blessed are you, oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, owner of earth and sky." You own everything; we own nothing....
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." -- Proverbs 16:18What's your favorite pie?Mine is pecan followed by butterscotch cream pie. I'm an expert at eating those and also one called humble pie. I'd like to think six decades of life along with 15 years of care managing...
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." -- Genesis 1:2 (KJV)Please Pray:Dear Lord, I’m not by nature a patient person. I know the trials I endure as a...
“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple,...
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." -- Genesis 1:2 (KJV)My best piece of parenting advice is “embrace the chaos.” In Genesis, God creates the universe out of...
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -- Psalms 139:16Recently, the national media has noted surveys showing more young Gen Z men than women are turning to faith. It’s a remarkable turn of...
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -- Psalms 139:16Please Pray:Dear Lord, I struggle to keep my life's goals aligned with the purposes you have for me. Please shine a light on the...
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -- Psalms 139:16Recently, the national media has noted surveys showing more young Gen Z men than women are turning to faith. It’s a remarkable turn of...
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." -- John 1:14If one looks over the total millenia of time, the virgin birth of a tiny...
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." -- John 1:14Please Pray:Lord, we bless your name and thank you for choosing to suffer as we...
I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. -- Psalm 7:17Years ago, we had the good fortune to take our kids to tour The Mayflower in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Sitting in the hold of the...
I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. -- Psalm 7:17Please Pray:Oh gracious and mighty God, we humble ourselves before you. We thank you for all the blessings you bestow upon us each and...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this...
Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” -- Luke 4:23When the topic of the Bible and healing comes up, my natural impulse is...
Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” -- Luke 4:23Please Pray:"Lord, I get so angry at all of the evil happening in the...
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” -- 2 Timothy 1:7Lord, you know my heart and how I long to spend more time with You. You also know my faults, and the life challenges I face. Please highlight things I need...
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” -- 2 Timothy 1:7Spiritual discipline sounds a bit like a call to a rigid monastic routine of prayer, fasting, reading Scripture, meditation, singing, and making bread. When I see the word discipline, I cringe...
Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? -- Psalm 10:1-2Have you ever heard someone say, "I like Jesus, but if I could just see Him, then I'd believe?" Of course, this isn't true because many people saw Jesus raise Lazarus...
Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? -- Psalm 10:1-2Have you ever heard someone say, "I like Jesus, but if I could just see Him, then I'd believe?" Of course, this isn't true because many people saw Jesus raise Lazarus...
Physician and award-winning author Dr. Ronda Wells is a wife, mom, and grandma who puts faith and family first. A Guideposts contributor, she writes “Heartfelt stories from the Heartland.” Her debut novella, an inspirational WW2 romance, The Christmas Cherub, just released. A member of AWSA, ACFW, and Indiana ACFW, Ronda speaks to groups about writing, and teaches at writers’ conferences on Novel Malpractice: Get Your Medical Fiction Right. Connect with her at www.novelmalpractice.com, www.RondaWellsBooks.com, or @rondawellsbooks on X, Instagram, Threads, Pinterest, Linked In, and Facebook.