Author Archives: Melissa J

The Influence of Media

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How much time to you spend sitting in front of the television, your computer or listening to the radio? Are you seeking entertainment, information or a little of both? How much influence do you think media has in your life? I’ve learned about more products through television, I’ve also learned more about what’s going on in the world through television, radio and internet than I have by reading a newspaper or learning of events from a friend. While searching the internet for statistics on media I came up with a few interesting facts: The average child spends 4 hours a … Continue reading →

The Mark of the Beast

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“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number … Continue reading →

Amazing Grace: Grace Like Rain

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Outside the front door of our home is a cross which sights the lyrics to “Amazing Grace” on it. I just fell in love with it when I found it at a Christian book store. The lyrics to the song are incredibly humbling and reason for me to rejoice. The cross is a fresh reminder each time anyone walks through the door of our home of God’s grace. At this time our church is doing a series called “Living in Amazing Grace.” I too often forget how precious God’s grace really is and this series has been a great reminder. … Continue reading →

How to Do a Bible Study

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Many people choose to learn about the Bible by starting with Genesis and reading forward until they finish Revelation. The problem with this is most people don’t make it to the end; they often get stuck in some of the Old Testament books and lose interest with who begat whom. Another problem I’ve heard, especially among non-Christians, is refusal to finish reading the Bible out of frustration with God—typically by the book of Job, where the hardships people faced don’t seem to make much sense. The Bible is so much more than a history or story book. To retain what … Continue reading →

Feeling Inadequate

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Do you ever feel this way? I sure do. I find myself analyzing various aspects of my life and looking at how my abilities measure up to those of others. I know it’s not a healthy thing to do because I will never measure up in every area. There are some who have been given talents that others haven’t. There are those who were born “beautiful”, and those who weren’t. It seems some people receive unfair advantages while others struggle to make it. No one said life was fair. There are times when I wish I was a better wife … Continue reading →

Where is Your Secret Place?

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“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2) A “secret place” is somewhere you can commune with the Lord; you can seek Him and pour out your soul. It’s a safe place where it’s just you and God; where the cares of the world cease. Sometimes we can get too wrapped up in our day to day life and forget the need to connect, just us with … Continue reading →

Mealtime Prayer

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When I was younger there were two common mealtime prayers that were said depending on where we were eating: At home: Thank You Jesus for this food. Amen. At Grandma and Grandpa’s: Come Lord Jesus be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen. Regardless how you choose to say grace or ask for blessing over your food, here are some things you might want to think about. Mundane prayers– When using the same prayer every time you sit down to eat, you might start to notice your prayer becomes more lip service rather than a faith-filled … Continue reading →

The Armor of God for Christian Soldiers

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Ephesians 6:10-18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand … Continue reading →

Speaking in Tongues

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Growing up, our family attended a non-denominational Pentecostal church where speaking in tongues were practiced. Having heard tongues regularly in the church I was not uncomfortable around it. I just didn’t fully understand its purpose. I questioned why tongues were used and interpretation was given in the church when we all spoke English in the first place. For those who’ve never heard speaking in tongues, it sounds much to me like any other foreign language; there are various syllables quickly uttered. Our family stopped going to church when I was in about the fourth grade. I didn’t hear speaking in … Continue reading →

God is Big Enough to Carry You

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I think this is something too often many of us forget. Just because God is invisible to us does not reduce Him to anything weak or less significant. When in need, not every person goes running to God first. Many of us have been taught at a very young age to look for tangible outlets when in need first such as medicine, friends, an addiction, time in isolation, exercise. While some of these things are helpful, an absence of God is not going to bring benefits only the Lord can. Sometimes it takes until every tangible support is gone for … Continue reading →