You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  Genesis 50:20 (NLT)  Everything in life has a purpose. Now, someone might say, “So you’re saying God has a purpose for cancer? He has a purpose for suffering?” No. Humanity’s fall unleashed suffering, disease and sorrow into our world—those things don’t come from God. What I’m saying is that God is incredibly strategic. He can use everything we walk through in life to work for our good—yes, even our worst heartaches and bumps in the road.  Look at Joseph’s story, found in Genesis chapter 37 and onward. Joseph didn’t have to endure slavery, false accusations or jail time in …

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.  1 Kings 19:11–12 (MSG)  Often, I find Christians hunting for the supernatural in the spectacular and missing God altogether. A lot of the charismatic church movement shifted many believers toward thinking God is found solely in the dramatic: that everything must be goosebumps, great balls of fire and clouds of smoke. If that isn’t happening, then they think God must not be in it.  But with that belief, we miss out on noticing …

Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.  Proverbs 12:18 (GW)  When I was young, kids would chant, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But that’s not true, is it? Words are incredibly potent. They can inflict pain that far outlasts any physical injury. On the other hand, they also have the power to lift someone’s spirits, melt their heart or even save their life.  Think about the words you speak daily. What are you saying about your marriage? How do you talk about your body? When you talk about your future, are your words confident and affirming or filled with uncertainty and fear?  I hear people say things like, “I’m never going …

Pero Dios nos las reveló por medio del Espíritu, porque el Espíritu todo lo escudriña, aun las profundidades de Dios. 1 Corintios 2:10 (LBLA)  En la escuela secundaria, el promedio de mis calificaciones tendía a estar en “B menos”. Cuando fui a la escuela de paramédicos, estaba un poco preocupado. La cantidad de información que necesitaba procesar parecía abrumadora.  Recuerdo que le pedí al Espíritu Santo que me ayudara a estudiar. Mientras le agradecía y oraba en el Espíritu, descubrí que mi mente se concentraba. Antes de cada prueba me tranquilizaba, creyendo en su guía y dirección. Sé que Él trajo cosas a mi memoria, ¡ayudándome a lograr un sorprendente “A más” con regularidad!  Cuando atendía crisis en el trabajo, el Espíritu Santo me ayudaba …

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11 (NLT)  How do you live out all the fulfilling plans God has made for you? You have to fight for it. That might sound intimidating, but when you think about it, we fight for everything in our lives in some way. I don’t mean we constantly fight other people, but that we all contend with different battles, whether it’s to stay healthy, maintain Biblical beliefs about finances or keep our hearts right. It takes a fight to stay full of faith! Maybe you’re thinking, “I understand what you’re saying, but how do I fight?” For starters, throughout the day bring God’s Word into your heart consistently. Even one verse …