Category: General

**During the month of January, we will be reposting some of the top posts from 2025. We hope these will encourage you and connect to your heart. Stay tuned for all new posts coming in February 2026!

Today I had a conversation with a “friend.” I invited her into my house and started having a very familiar conversation. I told her about a situation that I was dealing with at work. She told me that someone would do a better job at my position than me. Then I started telling her about a new Bible study that I had started, and she reminded me of the many times I had started one only to quit after a few weeks. After talking to her for quite a while, she reminded me that I was just an utter failure…at life, at work, and in my walk with Christ. After all, other women had it all together, not me. I don’t have a perfect house, a perfect family, or a perfect life. Later, I told her about my boys and what they were doing with their lives. She told me that I had made lots of mistakes as a mother and she couldn’t believe that my boys had turned out so great. She also told me that I was fat, wrinkled, and gray headed. How could my husband still be in love with me? I looked her square in the eye and believed every word she was telling me. After all, we have had these conversations many times over the years.

That’s a friend?

You might be asking yourself, “What kind of friend would say that? How dare she say all of that about you? Did you slap her? Why did you stay there and take it?”

The problem is that I invited this friend into my life years ago and continue to invite her over all the time. My friend’s name is ME.

Have you ever had those kinds of conversations with yourself? Has there ever been a time when you look in the mirror and talk down to yourself by saying, “Wow, you’ve added a few pounds lately!” or “Gosh, that meal you cooked for your family could’ve been much better if…” or “Why does ____________ seem to have it all together and I can’t even get to work on time?” I think, as women, we are all guilty of this at one time or another. The words we speak over ourselves matter! We have got to STOP doing this!

Steps to Building Yourself Up:

Instead of talking down to yourself, try these things to build yourself up:

1. Positive self-talk – as a woman, you are always building others up.  Do yourself a favor and build YOU up! You deserve to be loved by yourself! Look in that mirror and say to yourself, “I am enough just the way I am!” or “I am great at what I do”. You might even say, “I believe in myself!” or “I am beautiful!”
2. Be kind to you – tell yourself that you are important, that you matter! You are a beautiful person and work hard at everything you do. Acknowledge that to yourself!
3. List all your strengths – trust me, you have many, many strengths. Be bold and brag a little on yourself!
4. BELIEVE WHAT YOU TOLD YOURSELF in steps 1-3!

What the Bible Says About You:

Maybe there is a reason you continue to talk down to yourself. You might have been criticized by a parent, a spouse or a friend your entire life. Don’t believe those lies anymore. God made you just the way you are for a reason.

The Bible clearly states that…

You are perfect just the way you are:

Psalms 139: 1- “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

v. 16: Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

God put you in the job you are in and has BIG plans for you:

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God says you are precious:

The Bible says in Proverbs 31:10-11 “She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”

Proverbs 31: 28 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Be a Better Friend to Yourself!

We have all heard the saying that a friend loves at all times. Women are the greatest friends. We are there for each other. Our friends listen to us when we are sad and build us up when we need encouragement. Why, then, don’t we do that for ourselves? If words truly matter, we need to speak kindness and goodness into our own lives. God would want us to be proud of His creation!

Next time you catch yourself talking down to yourself, kick “your friend” to the curb, do some positive self-talk, meditate on God’s word, and BELIEVE the TRUTH about who God says you are! You, my dear woman, are a blessing and a gift to those around you!

We’d like to thank Vickie Young for sharing this post.

**During the month of January, we will be reposting some of the top posts from 2025. We hope these will encourage you and connect to your heart. Stay tuned for all new posts coming in February 2026!

“Joy in the journey” sounds like a glorious adventure. The heroes in all the action films make it out okay; even still, they escape with scars, often losing friends along the way. A journey through the mountains displays spectacular views along the way; yet the breathtaking views come at the cost of a pack laden with necessities for survival and often blisters on feet, sunburns on face, perils near the path. A lifestyle in sin seems quite fun in the moment; however, sin goes down smoothly but bites like a poisonous snake (Proverbs 23:31-32).

Real life journeys include wounds so deep, you question if they will ever heal enough to form scars much less allow you to function again. A quest for a spouse can involve waiting longer than desired. A hunt for a career may end in lackluster disappointment. A desire for children may tarry or taunt through infertility or miscarriages. A battle with cancer or other terminal illnesses-no words adequately portray this torment unless you’ve witnessed it first-hand.

And yet! And yet even in these daunting journeys, as believers in Christ, we not only obtain, but also exude joy. You see, joy is so much more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s an outcry of hope, a cheerful, calm gladness that wells up from within.

Joy is so much more than circumstantial happiness. Joy breaks forth from a wasteland (Isaiah 52:9). Joy is oil in place of mourning (Isaiah 61:3). The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10 , Psalm 21:1). Joy is a guttural victory shout erupting after battle. (2 Chronicles 20:27)

Joy is not conditional upon circumstances. In the midst of trials, joy wells up. (2 Corinthians 8:2). In the midst of trials, we are called to joy (James 1:2).

Every journey has brilliant highlights but also daunting shadows. What makes the difference in our journeys is the faith and hope and joy and love that we have in Christ. The questions are: Where are we going to place our faith and hope? What will be our source of joy and love?

Like an aquifer bursting forth to form a freshwater spring, joy emerges from faith and hope in Christ. Like Old Faithful spouting in time, joy marks a person as full of faith and Christ.

I would like to challenge you to read Hebrews 11 and 12 straight through. As I did this, I was reminded of what joy is, and Who the source of joy is. You see, Jesus became human. He became relatable to us in every way. This includes endurance through persecution and hardship. Jesus chose not to focus on the pain and the rending and the scarring that comes with human life. He chose to focus on the joy set before him – the joy that is our salvation.

Here is my walk-through Hebrews 12:1-3 and an application of a deep, resounding joy that supersedes and supplants trials and grief and the temptation to succumb to despondency:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,”
Therefore-as a result of the hall of faith in Hebrews 11. I am also reminded of the testimonies of countless Christian brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me with their witness, with their testimonies of God’s faithfulness in their lives, of their perseverance in the face of trials. Further still, I recall God’s hand and protection and joy in my own life-His faithfulness to fulfill His promises even when I cannot see a way. As stones of remembrance, His faithful provision fuels my joy and peace and hope.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
May I continue to walk in the light as He is in the light. May I shun willful sin and seek to expose any hidden sin. Not only slip off sin casually, but cast it away, so that it wouldn’t become a stumbling block to myself or to others.

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
My path is marked – not promised as easy; easy doesn’t take perseverance – marked and beautiful and not to be compared with anyone else’s.

“ fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Locked in! Not to be distracted by sin. So focused on Truth that any counterfeit exposes itself as false. Like Peter when he sees Jesus and not the storm, may my faith, perfected by Him, call me out of the boat of complacency into the journey that God has called me.

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” For the joy! Joy kept Jesus on the cross. He rose victorious, persevering, enduring, my salvation, my Lord.

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Consider Jesus, my relatable savior who endured with joy. When I consider Him, I won’t grow weary. I won’t lose heart.

May you join this joy-filled journey fueled by faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the Joy of the Lord be your strength no matter what your path looks like. May that strength place your feet running on the path set out for you. Like our Savior, may the joy set before you give you strength to endure, to not grow weary, and to not lose heart. With our eyes fixed on Jesus may our joy be so contagious that others desire salvation as well. There is joy no matter the journey.

We want to thank Mary Coleman for sharing this post.

**During the month of January, we will be reposting some of the top posts from 2025. We hope these will encourage you and connect to your heart. Stay tuned for all new posts coming in February 2026!

As children we learn the nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is the biggest lie we tell our kids and ourselves. Let me give you one example. A few years ago, Don and I went to Ruidoso to celebrate our anniversary. We were married in the middle of December, so it was cold. We went to dinner and a show at the Spencer Theater. Did I mention it was cold? Well, it was very cold when everyone started scurrying to their warm cars after the show. There was an older couple walking in front of us. The husband was holding his wife’s hand, and he was walking at a faster pace than she was. They got to a curb and as she stepped up, she caught her toe and stumbled and fell. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt. The husband was exasperated with her clumsiness. While others (Don and I included) stopped to help her up, the husband just stood there. Once we made sure she was ok they continued to their car. Don and I were following because we were parked close by. Not realizing we were in earshot the husband glanced at the wife and said, “You’re an idiot.” The wife turned to her husband said, “You’re an idiot.” And that just proved that words can hurt. I’ve often wondered what else was said between that couple. Not just that night but on other occasions in their lives. 

Proverbs 15:4 says, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

I understand how words can crush a spirit. All my life, I have been guilty of negative self-talk. I have told myself I’m dumb, worthless, unlovable, hopeless. The words I have spoken to myself about myself have done extreme damage to not only my self-esteem but also to my relationship with others and most of all with my Heavenly Father. The words I said to myself led me to believe the lies of the evil one. 

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it’s fruit.” 

The fruit I was eating was rotten. It caused pain to so many people. And in the process of living with those lies in my head I hit rock bottom. But in reality, that was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. 

Genesis 50:20 says, “What the enemy meant for harm, God meant it for good.” 

I was blessed to find a wonderful Christian counselor who has helped me to learn the truth of the words that I say to myself. Yes, the evil one still attacks and says painful things to me, but I have also learned to listen to the truth spoken over me by my Heavenly Father. In the process of seeking truth over lies I have become bolder in how I not only talk to myself but also to others. I choose and try to speak life and truth into people’s lives. I want to be known as a Proverbs 31 woman. Especially Proverbs 31:26- “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Have I got that self-talk completely under control? No. But it’s a work in progress. Our words must bring life and healing to those around us and for the one we see in the mirror because when you speak a word, you can’t take it back. 

So back to my original statement: “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” It has been proven to me that words can be just as damaging and hurtful as a physical weapon.

Matthew 12:36 tells us, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken.” 

So, my prayer is: “Lord, make my words good!”

We want to thank Hope Warren for sharing this post.

Since we are bound by time here on the earth, it’s hard for our human mind to comprehend the word “eternity.” I feel like it is one of those things we won’t fully understand until we are in the midst of it. Even though we have to wait to fully experience what eternity means, we can have an eternal perspective here on earth. This is a way of thinking that focuses on what is lasting and eternal, rather than on what is temporary and earthly. In Colossians 3:2, Paul states we need to “set our mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Easier said than done, right?

I have to admit, I was having a hard time with this topic. Even after a lot of prayer and asking the Lord to speak to my heart about what it means to have an “eternal perspective,” I felt like I had nothing. No nuggets of wisdom, no scripture references, no life stories to share. What I did have was a lot of self-doubt, worry, and frustration about various things in my life. Romans 8:5-6 says that those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. The Lord revealed to me through that scripture that my mind had been so focused on worldly things that my worry/self-doubt/frustration was becoming louder than the peace the Spirit (Jesus) brings. My focus had slowly shifted from an eternal perspective to that of a worldly perspective, and that needed to change.

The Lord also revealed to me, through my children, that having an eternal perspective means we shift our focus from “self and the now” to “others and the future”. I was at home with my kids and it was one of those days where time was limited, but I really needed to get some things done. As those days usually go, there were constant interruptions from my kids (asking for snacks, needing school help, fixing arguments, etc.) The frustration was getting real, but God spoke to my heart and said, “They are what this is all about.” It’s about people, relationships, and sharing Jesus with others. It’s like making an investment for the future, but instead of investing money for worldly gain, we invest love. We love others and share with them the love of Jesus, so that hopefully those seeds that are planted will grow into a relationship with Him. I have heard a quote several times that says the “only thing from this life that we can take with us into eternity is other people”. That thought is so humbling to me! It is only through Jesus that anyone is able to be saved, but he does use us to show His love to other people.

It can be so hard to have an eternal perspective when, every day, this life reminds us that we currently live in a broken world. God is so good to guide us, though, when our focus begins to shift. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to love on others-whether that is a stranger at the grocery store or the children in our home. I happened upon a shirt the other day that says, “May heavenly things constantly interrupt our earthly things.” I loved the way that was worded, and that idea has been on my heart ever since. It is something that I pray will happen in my day to day. I am hoping for many opportunities for eternal investments! “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

We want to thank Courtney Harper for sharing this post.

**During the month of January, we will be reposting some of the top posts from 2025. We hope these will encourage you and connect to your heart. Stay tuned for all new posts coming in February 2026!

“So don’t worry about tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” – Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

Life is full of uncertainties. In my life, it was moving across the state following my husband’s job. We face seasons of joy and abundance, but we also endure trials that shake our faith. In those difficult moments, it’s easy for me to fall into fear, worry, and to give in to loneliness. Yet, Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us each day.

The world tells us to have a plan for everything; each move brought us to a new city with the promise of stability for him, but uncertainty for me. We have left friends, support, and family to begin in a town where, for the first few weeks, we must have directions to our own house.  In these times of need for literal directions to know how to navigate our surroundings, we can feel the most alone. However, faith teaches us to trust, even when we don’t have all the answers. Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) says, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

While this did mean I needed to be responsible for the items within my control, such as household, job, and church attendance, I was reminded that my ultimate security is in God, not in our circumstances or location. When we release our worries to Him, we make room for His peace to take over. He never fails to provide opportunities, people, or provisions when we lean into his understanding, rather than relying on our own.

Matthew 17:20 (MSG), “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

For our family, faith is not merely about having every detail and aspect of life neatly arranged; instead, it is about placing our trust in the One who possesses all understanding and wisdom. When all else has failed, showing up and being present in moments with others from school to church has brought clarity when the path is foggy. Embracing the beauty of taking small, deliberate steps of obedience has strengthened each nugget of faith.

The deliberate steps for us have always started with unified prayer. Whether it’s just the two of us or groups of friends or colleagues, there is power in seeking Him. We have also found answers in the Bible, without knowing the next steps on our journey. Right before we were stationed in Odessa, we had been reading about provisions in the desert during the Israelites’ journey. We were both immediately blessed with jobs, found a church, and joined a marriage ministry that filled holes in our marriage we never knew existed. We still credit many of our current marriage practices to that time and the need to lean heavily on God, because He saw us through that season of literal and figurative deserts.

 As I dare to step out in faith, I discover that God meets me with His boundless power and unwavering provision, guiding me through unknown terrain. This was a great comfort when we arrived, since Odessa was a far cry from the lush trees and lakes we left in Austin and the piney woods of Houston. While the number of times you start over and step out may never come naturally (or at least it hasn’t for me), understanding God’s purposeful plan offers comfort.

Even when the turpitude of life remains obscured, trust that God is illuminating the way forward, revealing the next step for you to take. Each act of surrender to Him becomes a thread woven into the larger narrative that He has in store for us. No matter what season you are in, remember that God is faithful. He sees you, He loves you, and “He is working all things together for your good” (Romans 8:28, MSG).

Choose today to walk in faith, not fear, and watch how God moves in your life above and beyond your wildest expectation.

We want to thank Kate McCandless for sharing this post.

It seemed like every year around Christmastime, my mom would remind my siblings and me that “it is better to give than to receive”. I believe she was teaching us that precept at a young age because she wanted to remind us that Christmas was not just about getting gifts, but the true joy was in giving gifts as well. As a youngster, I really didn’t believe that theory at all. However, as the years have separated me from my youth, I have come to realize that my mom knew exactly what she was talking about. 

The joy of giving is indeed a special feeling. There’s nothing I enjoy more than seeing the look on my grandkids’ faces when they open a gift from me. Or the joy I receive leaving a basket of goodies on my neighbor’s front porch. I believe that God allows us to experience that joy so that we might become more generous in our giving. 

The Bible clearly encourages us to be generous with numerous scriptures that set the standard for helping others. Proverbs 21:26 tells us that “The righteous give without sparing.” Without sparing means that we are giving generously. 

Another verse that comes to mind is Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” It’s like a circle. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. When we use our gifts that we were blessed with to bless others, God can and will bless us in return. Then we will have more blessings to use to bless others. Isn’t that neat?!

Generosity offers us an opportunity to also be grateful for what we have. Through the blessings that we receive from the Lord, we can and should thank Him for all He’s given us.

2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving should not be done begrudgingly or out of guilt but should be given in accordance with love for others. Love is what matters most. Verses about giving remind us of the reality that without love, even giving all to the needy is fruitless. It’s important to give with LOVE and to be motivated by care and compassion for others. 

It seems there are always more opportunities around the holidays to become a generous giver. If you are looking for a way to give generously this Christmas season, here are a few ideas:

1. Dress a live doll – this is sponsored by the Junior Service League in Plainview and benefits children who need Christmas gifts.
2. Salvation Army – there are always “bell ringers” at Walmart or United. Any monetary donation is appreciated.
3. Give an offering to the local church. The Bible tells us that we should bring our “tithes and offerings” meaning that an offering is over and above our tithe. The local church has ways throughout the year where they can bless families in need. 
4. Give of your time at a shelter or a food kitchen. Giving doesn’t only mean financially. Your time and talents are a huge part of giving generously. 
5. Do something kind for a neighbor. Rake leaves. Help take down Christmas lights. Bake cookies. Anything you can do out of love is a blessing!
6. Keep that generous giving going all year long! It doesn’t just have to be at Christmas!!!

Give it a try! I promise that if you give generously, you get much more in return. So, during this Christmas season, I pray that you have a generous spirit and realize it truly is BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.

We want to thank Vickie Young for sharing this post.

I’m not a gift-giver by nature. Not that I don’t love to bless someone with a gift if I think about it, but it’s honestly not my love language. I would rather spend time with someone or tell them how much they are loved than give an actual gift. Even during Christmas, I much prefer gifting experiences to my children rather than a wrapped present. Thankfully, my husband loves to give gifts, so we have a good mix of both during the holidays.  

Being generous can come in many different forms. When you hear the word “generosity”, what comes to mind? I used to only think being a generous giver had to do with giving money. However, the more biblical definition is a selfless, sacrificial giving of one’s resources-including time, talent, emotional support, hospitality, and treasure-out of a heart of gratitude for God’s own generosity. It isn’t so much about how much money you have to give. It’s more about having a heart that is willing to give in whatever way the Lord has blessed you with and then responding in obedience when the Holy Spirit asks you to do so.

When we show others gracious generosity, we are modeling the ultimate gift giver: Jesus Christ. During Jesus’ ministry on the earth, he continuously gave beyond what anyone ever asked him to. One example is in Mark 2:1-12 (also in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-26) when Jesus not only healed a paralyzed man but also told him his sins were forgiven! He gave more than was asked or expected. There are many other occasions throughout the gospels where Jesus gave healing when it wasn’t even asked for. He saw the true needs of the people He encountered and met them without hesitation.  

Generosity is a huge part of God’s character. God is so generous that He gave us Jesus, His only son. Jesus then gave His life for us on the cross so we could have eternal life with Him in heaven. He hasn’t stopped giving even today! The Lord’s blessings are continually being poured out over us, and it is not dependent upon what we do. We didn’t earn any of it; He does it out of love. The least we can do is show the same love and generosity to those around us. It’s not always easy, and it often requires some form of sacrifice on our part. When God calls us to give generously (whether with our time, money, skills, etc.) we must be willing to die to “self” to serve others and show them the love of Jesus. 

My introverted self likes to be in my own bubble. For a long time, it was way outside of my comfort zone to go pray or visit with someone when I felt the Spirit tugging on my heart to do so. I can remember several years ago when I was struggling with this (but didn’t have the monetary means to generously give either). Did I get a free pass on giving because I was shy and didn’t have the money? Not at all, but I guarantee I tried to make that excuse. Praise God for spiritual growth and maturity! Even in our lack, God provides ways for us to bless others. If you feel called to do so, go pray for a friend, pay for a stranger’s meal, or give your time to help someone with a project today. We don’t have to “have it all together” or make a certain amount of money to be gracious, generous givers. It’s all about showing others the love of Jesus. 

We want to thank Courtney Harper for sharing this post.

There was a season in my life where I felt more dead than alive. I was depressed from decisions I had made, and continued to make, and effectively choosing to walk away from grace. I dragged dread with me everywhere I went. I look back now and see the chains that were holding me down, but at the time, I couldn’t seem to break free. 

I had plenty of people in my life who cared and loved me fiercely. They tried to help, to understand, but there was an invisible wall they couldn’t break down to get to the hurt. They would try to speak wisdom into my life and fix the issue that was making me miserable, but I held back from accepting it. I had no idea of my worth or my identity. 

I had always been told that God our Father was a gentleman and would never push any decision on his children. I see the graciousness in that now, but at the time, it made me angry. I wanted out of my situation, but I wasn’t willing to surrender my fear. The fear and anxiety had become a comfort. It was a presence I was used to and familiar with. Letting go of that and moving into freedom scared me. 

I had a breaking point one Sunday evening when my godmother, Jenny, came up to me after a service. I felt so dejected, ashamed, and alone with my situation. She had been a constant presence in my life, praying and waiting patiently for the Lord’s timing to make her move. That evening, she came and reminded me of my worth, my identity as a daughter of the King. It seems so simple, but it was a transforming moment. Holy Spirit began to show me that after all I had done, and not done, that He was good and gracious and he had not given up on me! From there, Jenny and others in my life began moving at the Holy Spirit’s calling to show me how events in my life had led to strongholds that needed to be broken off me. They pointed me toward my savior, His grace and mercy, and were his hands and feet. They had been filled with his gracious generosity, and they shared that with me. It was life changing. 

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalms 103:8-13

May we, as women of God, remember to listen to His calling and share his gracious generosity with those He has called us to minister to.

We want to thank Christian Greer for sharing this post.

Generosity is more than just giving; it is the overflow of a heart transformed by God’s love. Gracious generosity reflects not only the act of giving but also the spirit behind it. When we give with grace, we mirror the very character of Christ, who gave Himself for us.

Gracious generosity is giving freely and joyfully, without expecting anything in return. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle of kindness, compassion, and selflessness. This kind of generosity flows from gratitude for what God has done in our lives.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

There have been so many times when my family and I have been on the receiving end of gracious generosity. Before I married, I needed a place to live, and a kind, gracious family opened their home to me. They poured into my life and gave me the spiritual foundation I still live by today.

Many times, while we were  in full-time evangelism, our family was taken care of by people who provided meals, shared fellowship, and welcomed us like their own. Friends spent time with us, gave us a place to rest, and never asked for payment. They even gave us medicine when we needed it—at no charge. This reminded me of the truth in Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

There were also times when others helped us in practical ways. We were given automotive parts when our truck broke down while traveling with our trailer. Again, this generosity came at no cost to us. These experiences showed me the blessing of Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Through it all, God always provided—often through the graciousness of others. These moments have taught me to live by Romans 5:8, which declares: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Because God has been so generous with us, we can best honor Him by doing the same for others.

Gracious generosity is not measured by the size of the gift, but by the heart that gives. Jesus reminds us in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

When we give with open hearts—our time, our resources, our care—we are living as reflections of Christ. Let us choose to live each day from a heart of graciousness and generosity, trusting that God will use our giving to bless others and glorify Him.

We want to thank Janie Keller for sharing this post.

Give your thoughts and your time to God. This is something I have really been working on the past couple of years. I felt myself in the busyness of life growing distant in my relationship with God. I was attending church and serving, but I found myself not reading my Bible as much and not praying like I knew I could. I wanted to find ways to get more connected to God, so I joined a Bible study, to really dive in and deeply understand God’s word better. I changed the music I was listening to and started to begin my day with worship music and positivity. I began praying more and talking to God. I began to share a daily Bible verse on social media in hopes it would help or reach anyone who needed to see it and feel God’s love. I felt a change when I began to give my time and effort to the Lord again. In my study of the book of John, I learned how simple it is. God just wants us to give Him our time. He gives us so many opportunities and chances and wants everyone to come to Him; what an awesome God!!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” -Psalms 107:1

As parents, giving our time to God is not only beneficial for us, but it flows down to our children. Nothing makes you prouder as a mom than seeing your son stop and pray for someone without being prompted or asked to. My daughter recently told me I was her third best friend. After being slightly offended for a few seconds, I swelled with thankfulness when she told me her first two best friends were God and Jesus.

Thanks is defined as an expression of gratitude. Recently, as I was in the midst of a very difficult couple of weeks, I found myself stressed out and exhausted to my core. I finally laid in bed one night and broke down in tears. I could not even find the words to pray, but I found myself just telling God thank you!! I had so many reasons to be mad or discouraged, but I found thanks in all God’s glory and what He was doing, even through the most difficult times. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” After my prayer, I could feel God tell me that it’s going to be ok, and I felt such a weight lifted off of me, because I knew He had heard my prayers and was already going ahead of me and taking care of it all. No matter where you find yourself today, find something to be thankful for. I promise God is thankful for you.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.” – Psalms 100:4

We want to thank Jamie Austin for sharing this post.