Does anyone else’s stomach turn just a bit when they hear the word, “Conflict”? I grew up in turmoil. Conflict always escalated and rarely found resolution. Loud hurtful words were often followed by a joke then that conflict got swept under the rug. Conflict wasn’t resolved. It was ignored and, hopefully, forgotten. Water under the bridge. Old news. Move on. That’s the model I had, so repeated it for the first four and a half decades of my life. I … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Devotionals
Poverty, Prisoners of war. Death and destruction. These are the products of war. When the enemy captures someone, they throw their hostage into prison, torture them, and even use them as slave labor. Captors manipulate the hostage with propaganda or lies producing confusion, fear, and uncertainty. As the Allies roll in to vanquish the enemy, the abductors flee, surrender or are killed. They don’t release their prisoners … Continue reading →
I have become a collector of hearts, but I do not collect just any hearts. They are gifts from my daughter, Danielle. Each is like a time capsule, capturing a memory from her youth. One is a foil heart. She added two colors of ink to make it extra pretty. Yet another is a heart-shaped rock she found in the garden. I still remember her squeal of delight with this discovery. She skipped to me, carrying her little rock. … Continue reading →
Next to the Word of God, I know of few things that comfort and soothe a fearful heart like the words and familiar melodies of the old hymns. No doubt penned under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, many traditional songs of the church usher us into the very presence of God at times when we need Him most. Traditional or contemporary, I enjoy any type of music that honors God and presents the truth … Continue reading →
Norma Poore continues her series on Using God’s Armor to Combat Fear with our shield of faith. She started with an introduction to the series, discussion of the Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness, then the need for our Shoes of Readiness. My Shield of Faith was Tested A few months ago, I received a phone call that rocked my world and required me to use my shield of faith as Paul discusses in Ephesians. I would have to … Continue reading →
Norma Poore continues the series on using God’s armor to combat fear by wearing our shoes of readiness Paul discusses in Ephesians. Read the introduction to the series here and how to use the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. The Pain of Rejection It hurts when a friendship ends. It hurts when we aren’t chosen for the team. It hurts when someone else gets the promotion we wanted. Yet the rejection by a parent, spouse, child, or sibling … Continue reading →
We all know that little voice deep inside our head. Sometimes, it is our conscience, our internal moral compass. It reminds us of the difference between right and wrong. Other times, it is our conviction when we sin. It moves us to seek forgiveness and humility when we know we are wrong. But occasionally, we hear a different voice. A voice that can be more than … Continue reading →
Here I am again. I end up in a mess way too often. When will I learn? I strive to trust God, yet often, I do not. I trust in myself instead of His truth. My mantra is, “I got this.” This attitude rarely works in my favor. Why? I am glad you asked. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, according to John 14:6. Yet, I want my will and am not ready to surrender to His … Continue reading →
Behold, the Lion. Fear is a crazy thing. And no one is free from the struggle. I know, newsflash, right? But it’s a God-given emotion, meant to drive us back to Him. Whether it’s fear of being unable to find a parking space (anyone?) or fear of facing a cloaked and armed stranger in the dark, fear trips the self-preservation switch inside us somewhere. “Help! Self feels threatened!” A few years ago, about a week before attending a writer’s … Continue reading →
Paul’s Message to Believers about God’s Armor Paul tells Christians that our struggle is not with people, but, “…against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” He also says I need to put on all the armor of God so I can stand firm when the enemy sends his attacks my way. This armor will help me keep from walking in fear and allow me … Continue reading →
