Exchanging Rebellion for Peace

“Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” 

~1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT)

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  ~Ephesians 5:21

God’s Word reminds us that being a “rebel” is as offensive to God as dealing in witchcraft!  Wow!  Somehow, our American culture seems to idealize bring a rebel; we sometimes even see it as a badge of honor!  But it is ALWAYS God’s will for us to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”.  

Exchanging Hypocrisy for Sincerity

 “Quit trying to fool people, and start being sincere.” ~1 Peter 2:1 (CEV)

“…for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.”~ Ezekial 11:5 (KJB)

God’s Word reminds us of the importance of sincerity.  And, when we think about the fact that God knows our every thought, how fruitless it is to PRETEND to do, say, or think anything that is not true!  Another word for sincerity is transparency, letting people see inside us.   There is such freedom when we stop

Exchanging Humility for Pride

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” ~Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

“The LORD resists the proud; but He gives grace to the humble.” ~ Proverbs 3:34 & James 4:6

God’s Word reminds us that God Himself will resist us when we walk in pride!  Ouch!  That’s a losing proposition!  The brand of humility required as followers of Christ is that we value others above ourselves.  But this is balanced with an accurate picture o

Return Evil with Good!

“Never pay back evil with more evil…Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

~Romans 12:17-17 (NLT)

God’s Word reminds us that “tit for tat” is NOT His best for us!  On the other hand, pursuing peace brings great reward. Romans 12 goes on to say in verse 21, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”  It hurts when people are “evil” toward us!  There’s no doubt about that.  And the great news is that God will come alongside us and heal the hur

Exchanging the Temporary for the Eternal

 “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 (NIV)

God’s Word reminds us that the BEST is yet to come!  It is ALWAYS God’s will for us to keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal: our real home in heaven.  It’s so easy to get caught up in “the tyranny of the urgent”.  Our relationship with God & others suffers when we do.  We can, with the power of the Holy Spirit, FIX OUR

Exchanging Pride for Humility

 “Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given...” ~Romans 12:3 (NLT)

God’s Word reminds us that true humility means we see ourselves through the eyes of faith!  When we think of the word “PRIDE”, we most often think of arrogance, a focus on self that proclaims, “I’m worthy!”  However, PRIDE can also be a focus on self that proclaims, “Woe is me….I’m worthless….”  It is ALWAYS God’s will for us to see ourselves the way He sees

Exchanging Negative Thoughts for Truth

“…and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.”~2 Corinthians 10:5 (NET Bible)

 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” ~Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

God’s Word reminds us that we are absolutely defined by what we think!  What does it mean to make our thoughts obey Christ?  It means to fill our thoughts so full of what is true and Christ-like that we have no room in our thinking for anything else.  “Negative thoughts” are usually synonymous with “LIES”! We can, by t

Exchanging Anxious Thoughts for Peace

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” ~Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

God’s Word reminds us to choose faith and thanksgiving over fear!  And then it PROMISES us that PEACE will come and guard our hearts and minds when we do.  Maybe you’ve heard tha

Exchanging Bitterness for Grace

 “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God.  Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” ~Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

God’s Word doesn’t leave us much “wiggle room” when it comes to resolving bitterness!  It is ALWAYS God’s will for us to resolve this poisonous root.  Maybe you’ve heard the saying:  “Holding onto bitterness is like drinking poison, hoping the other person will get sick”.  We can RELEA