It’s What the Enemy Does! Key Verse to Read and Treasure A Time to kill (Ecclesiastes 3:3, ESV) For Insight We’ve considered how God has ordained kings to war, how God himself kills for righteousness’s sake anything that is evil and that would destroy our future in heaven. Let’s also […]
By the Command of God? Key Verse to Read and Treasure A Time to kill (Ecclesiastes 3:3, ESV) For Insight Could there be a time for killing? Could Solomon have gotten this part wrong? Does killing make God a bad or uncaring God? If God allows or ordains killing, then […]
Planting and Plucking Up Key Verse to Read and Treasure A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted (Ecclesiastes 3:2, ESV) For Insight I’m preparing the soil on the west side of our home so I can transplant two rose bushes that are currently […]
Life and Death Are Not Opposites Key Verse to Read and Treasure A time to be born and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:2, ESV) For Insight Two of the most sobering occasions I have been part of have involved birth and dying. Each have reminded me of God’s sovereignty […]
Book Ends Key Verse to Read and Treasure A time to be born and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV) For Insight You might have a set or two of them yourself. Bookends. Those things that hold your books or other items in place, supporting them, keeping them from […]
At the Right Time Key Verse to Read and Treasure For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV) For Insight We already know what a prolific writer King Solomon was by reading the Book of Proverbs, but he outdoes himself with […]
God Gives Wisdom without Measure Key Verse to Read and Treasure And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 1:13, ESV) For Insight In I Kings we see Solomon making a sacrifice to God. Later, God visited him […]
The Power of Awareness Key Verse to Read and Treasure A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work…to the man who pleases God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:24, 26, NIV) For Insight Once again, my husband is training people […]
Beware of Cynicism and Despair Key Verse to Read and Treasure So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labor under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:20, ESV) For Insight Two of the biggest and most powerful enemies we must wage war […]
Aim for Balance Key Verse to Read and treasure I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:17, ESV) For Insight One of the things my husband and I must be careful and mindful of is the number of hours we work within the week. […]
The Dangers of Depending on Wine to Bring You Cheer Key Verse to Read and Treasure I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine (Ecclesiastes 2:3, ESV) For Insight Some of Solomon’s funniest proverbs are centered on what people who have had too much to drink, […]
Be Careful of Self-Indulgence Key Verse to Read and Treasure I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:1, ESV) For Insight Indulgence can be a dangerous thing. Solomon was testing himself with sensual and aesthetic […]
There’s Wisdom and There’s Godly Wisdom Key Verse to Read and Treasure And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. (Ecclesiastes 1:17, ESV) For Insight My husband and I used to love going to the park and the mall. Not to shop but to […]
What Have you Applied Your Heart to? Key Verse to Read and Treasure I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-13, ESV) For Insight What have you […]
Don’t Grow Weary of God Key Verse to Read and Treasure All things ae full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:8, ESV) For Insight I love chicken and seafood. My favorite meals usually include […]
The Mysteries of God Key Verse to Read and Treasure The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south ad goes around to the north; around and around goes the win, and on its circuits the […]
God is With Every Generation Key Verse to Read and Treasure A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth stands forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:4, ESV) For Insight Ancestry.com is a popular site for people looking into family ancestral lines. Researching backgrounds histories, and family ties. Most of us have […]
That’ll Preach! Key Verse to Read and Treasure The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:1, ESV) For Insight Occasionally my husband and I will reflect on those we have been blessed by through their preaching. It brings joy to our hearts and always […]
Meaningless, Meaningless! “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NIV) For Insight There are things that happen in life that put everything, all of life and our focuses in proper perspective. Things, where, up to that point have taken priority, been the focal point, […]
Don’t Respond In-Kind Key Verse to Read and Treasure Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32, ESV) For Insight How do you to respond to the anger of others? It’s so easy to […]
God Loves You, Even on Your Clumsy Days Key Verse to Read and Treasure For he knows our frame; he remembers we are dust…But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 103:14,17, ESV) For Insight I was having a clumsy morning. Spilling sugar, dropping an […]
The Problem with Pain Key Verse to Read and Treasure He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]. (Psalm 147:3, AMP) For Insight You might have done this at times also: during a time of cleaning up or straightening an area, kept […]
Your Labor for the Lord will Never be In Vain Key Verse to Read and Treasure So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT) For […]
Through Fresh Eyes Key Verse to Read and Treasure The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such […]
First, Consider the Full Cost or Commitment Key Verse to Read and Treasure For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28, ESV) For Insight I know some who love the “idea” […]
Great News! You’re in Remission! Key Verse to Read and Treasure Then he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many unto remission of sins […]
Where Did you Put It? Key Verse to Read and Treasure I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11, NIV) For Insight Some of us are so good at hiding something or putting something away that we forget where we put […]
Four Promises We Can Hang Onto Key Verse to Read and Treasure Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah […]
Codependency is Not Healthy Key Verse to Read and Treasure It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes (Psalm 118:8-9, NKJV) For Insight The Israelites experienced failure by depending on […]
Before You Were Even Born Key Verse to Read and Treasure God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. (Ephesians 2:10, NCV) For Insight Have you given thought to […]
Nothing Disingenuous about Christ Key Verse to Read and Treasure Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit (Psalm 32:2, ESV) For Insight There is quite a bit written in the Scriptures about deceit. It’s good when we take […]
He Keeps on Doing Great Things Key Verse to Read and Treasure The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad (Psalm 126:3, ESV) For Insight I’ve noted, over the past week or so we’ve entered one of those seasons where we are reminded how God is doing […]
Fleeing Vs. Standing Key Verse to Read and Treasure And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging […]
Don’t Be a Fussy Person Key Verse to Read and Treasure It’s better to live alone in a corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home (Proverbs 25:24, NLT) For Insight Are you a fussy person? Do you tend to fuss about, just about […]
Decompressing: A Needful Activity Key Verse to Read and Treasure Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray (Matthew […]
What Rest in the Lord Accomplishes Key Verse to Read and Treasure In returning and rest shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15, ESV) For Insight Have you noticed when you are tired you are not at your best? I know when I get tired my mind wanders more easily, I’m […]
A Balance that Doesn’t Deplete Key Verse to Read and Treasure For all the promises of God find their Yes in him (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV) For Insight While cleaning out my desk I discovered several gift cards and couldn’t remember if they were still good and had a balance. […]
Living Life after Accumulated Losses Key Verse to Read and Treasure While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across thew wilderness and struck the four corners of […]
Thank God, We Are No Longer Alienated Key Verse to Read and Treasure And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death. In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before […]
Thank God, He Doesn’t Change Key Verse to Read and Treasure For I the LORD do not change (Malachi 3:6, ESV) For Insight People change. Seasons change. Relationships change. Finances change. Minds change. Time changes. Plans change. Life changes, even the status of our health changes. Everything around us changes […]
Adopting Healthy Coping Mechanisms Key Verse to Read and Treasure Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV) For Insight When life gets too hard or […]
A Dangerous Place to Be! Key Verse to Read and Treasure When then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? (Jeremiah 8:5, ESV) For Insight I heard someone say not long ago that the term “backsliding” was not correct or Scriptural. The Bible shows otherwise. It’s neither outdated, misspoken, […]
Don’t Fear Failure Key Verse to Read and Treasure The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. (Psalm 37:23-24, NLT) For Insight It was the great […]
Practical Steps to Get Rid of Bitterness Key Verse to Read and Treasure See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled. (Hebrews 12:15) For Insight Bitterness is a sin and […]
Aim for Excellence! Key Verse to Read and Treasure But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also (2 Corinthians 8:7, ESV) For Insight My husband and I were having […]
Trouble is Guaranteed Key Verse to Read and Treasure Man born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble (Job 14:1, ESV) For Insight Some say there are only two guarantees in life: taxes and death. So true. Even if you don’t pay much in taxes you […]
Beauty for Ashes Key Verse to Read and Treasure So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scape himself […]
The Spirit Prays for You Key Verse to Read and Treasure Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows […]
The Trap of Self-Hatred Key Verse to Read and Treasure For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church (Ephesians 5:29, ESV) For Insight We have talked about the dangers of entertaining hatred in a general sense or having hatred […]
The Hate You Entertain Key Verse to Read and Treasure Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 22:10, ESV) For Insight There’s no question that hate is a powerful, impactful, and influential emotion. Yet it is more than an emotion it’s an attitude of the mind and […]
Daily Encouragement for the Soul 