Feeling Overwhelmed? Three Powerful Truths to Conquer the Chaos
If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, consider these three truths, found in (of all places) the book of Numbers.
Devotions
Short enough to read in the carpool line, in the break room, at home, or anywhere you find five minutes for quiet reflection.
How to Be the Kind of Friend We All Need
Your friend is in trouble. Big trouble. I’m not talking thrown-in-jail kind of trouble, although that certainly could be the case. I’m talking about life circumstance trouble. Maybe she’s struggling through cancer treatment, trying to stay strong in a fractured marriage, or battling depression. Or p
3 Powerful Truths to Help You Pray in Victory
Samantha has been praying for her prodigal for seventeen years—not seven, seventeen. On good days, she prays in faith. On bad days, she feels like giving up. Andrew listens to fellow church members as they share a tsunami of prayer needs during a prayer meeting, and a wave of hopelessness washes ove
3 Simple Steps to Connect with God
The fiasco on the mountain was truly a pathetic scene. Desperate to prove the superiority of their false god, the prophets of Baal worked themselves into a frenzy. They danced. They sang. They called out. After hours of such nonsense, Elijah’s patience with their theatrics wore thin. He began to tau
Easter’s Over, but the Hope of the Resurrection Lives On
“Eleven steps.” I glanced to the side as I approached the front entrance of the hospital. An elderly man, gaunt and grizzled, climbed the stairs beside me. His faded jeans were cinched together at his waist. A flannel shirt, faded soft, was tucked neatly into his waistband. His leathery skin told me
How to Stay True to Christ When You’re Tempted to Deny Him (a Lesson from Peter)
“What do you think happened to Peter?” I asked my husband. “Why did he deny Christ?” I was reading the account of the Passover week, and Peter’s loyalty to Christ stood in sharp contrast to his subsequent betrayal. At the Last Supper, Peter declared he was willing to die with Christ. When the mob ca
Simple Tips for Teaching Little Ones to Pray
Greetings, Refresh readers! It’s my pleasure to introduce you to my dear friend Julie Lavender as our guest contributor today. I know you’ll fall in love with her. Her tips for cultivating a heart of prayer in our little ones are spot on. ~Lori When our kids were young, David and I argued each night
5 Ways to Conquer the Sin that Defeats Us
A few years ago I was the unhappy middle man in a collision between an SUV and a Porta-Potty truck. It wasn’t funny at the time, especially because the accident preempted my plans for a Chick Fil A lunch and sent me to the doctor instead. Thankfully the only real victim was my 2005 Toyota Corolla. [
Simple (and Life-changing) Ways to Extend Biblical Hospitality
If God is nudging you out of your comfort zone and into greater obedience in the area of biblical hospitality, consider these five simple ways to practice it.
Strengthen Your Prayers with These 10 Powerful Truths
Discover 10 essential truths about prayer that can transform your faith and deepen your relationship with God. Learn how prayer is a privilege, a powerful tool, and a way to grow spiritually. Read now for insights on how to make your prayers more meaningful!
A Proven Strategy to Draw Closer to God When He Feels Far Away
Some times we go through a trial that makes us wonder if God is far away. Or worse, that He's abandoned us. How can we know for sure He is with us?
Gossip — 5 Surprising Things You Might Not Know
We all gossip. Is it okay? Here are five surprising things you might not know about gossip and how it affects us.