Category Archives: bible

affirmation, bible, Enlightenment, Gratitude, Growing

A Recipe For Blessing!

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Now, that’s a mouthful of good advice, but let’s break it down like a Southern cook dissecting her mama’s biscuit recipe.

First off, “Be joyful in hope.” Life’s a rollercoaster, and we ain’t always on the easy part. But hope is that feeling that the ride’s gonna smooth out eventually. It’s like knowing you’ve got a glass of ice cold lemonade waiting after mowing the yard on a hot day.

Then there’s “patient in affliction.” Now, patience isn’t something most of us are born with. It’s like trying to sit still at the DMV—you’re going to want to scream, but somehow you don’t. Whatever you’re going through, just hang on tight. The tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Finally, “faithful in prayer.” Don’t just talk to God when the well runs dry. Prayer’s not a 911 call; it’s more like checking in with a friend. Keep the conversation going, and you’ll find peace even when life doesn’t make sense.

So, stay hopeful, patient, and keep talking to the Good Lord. You’ll come out the other side stronger than ever.

bible, choices, faith, Growing, life

GUARD YOUR HEART!

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Now, I reckon ol’ Solomon knew a thing or two about life when he penned those words. Life has a way of wearin’ us down, from the daily grind to the unexpected bumps in the road. But you know, it ain’t the world that gets us – it’s how we let it in.

Guardin’ your heart ain’t about buildin’ a wall so high that nobody can climb it. No, it’s more like pickin’ who and what gets to live rent-free in your head and soul. Every day, life throws a heap of stuff at you – worries, complaints, maybe even a rude driver or two. But if you let all that mess inside without a filter, it’s like openin’ the front door and invitin’ trouble to sit a spell.

Your heart is where all your actions, words, and thoughts begin. And if you ain’t careful about what you let in, well, it’s bound to come back out in ways that’ll surprise you – and not always for the better.

So today, take a breath, say a prayer, and ask yourself, “What’s worth guardin’, and what’s worth lettin’ go?” ‘Cause when you guard your heart well, life flows a little smoother, and that peace you’re after? Well, it starts from within.

affirmation, bible, choices, faith, personal growth, purpose, Spititual Development, vision

TEMPTATION!

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Now, we’ve all had our fair share of struggles. Life sometimes feels like trying to outrun a bear in a pair of flip-flops—downright impossible and a little bit ridiculous. But here’s the thing: God knows our limits better than we do. He’s not in the business of seeing us fail; He’s in the business of building us up, even when we think we’re about to break.

When temptation sneaks up on you like a stray dog sniffing at your back door, remember that God’s already got a way out mapped for you. It may not be flashy, but it’s there, like that one back road you always take when the main highway’s jammed up. It’s the way that’ll get you through without a scratch, as long as you trust the map He’s given you.

So next time you find yourself in the thick of it, don’t just look at the problem. Look for the way out. God’s put it there just for you, and you can trust that He knows exactly what you can handle. As Lewis Grizzard might say, “Life’s tough, but so are you, especially with the Good Lord leading the way.” And like Michael Joe Harvell would remind us, “There’s always hope because God’s always faithful.” 

Hold on tight to that promise, and remember, you’re never walking this road alone.

-MJHarvell