Read Psalm 8: 1-9 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV) Denise L. Armstrong lives in Ohio. For the past few years, she has been studying how to paint with oils. At first, the technique was overwhelming. However, Denise was beginning to feel more comfortable with each new painting. To begin any new work of art, Denise needs an idea, brushes, oils, and a blank canvas.

Read Philippians 4:4-9 Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all that you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. Philippians 4: 4-6 (TLB) Ubong E. A. Zeal is from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Worry is a natural, human response to challenging situations. Years ago Ubong

Sing for joy, O heavens; shout, O earth, break forth with song. O mountains, for the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion upon them in their sorrow. Yet they say, "My Lord deserted us; he has forgotten us." "Never! Can a mother forget her little child and not have love for her own son? Yet even if that should be, I will not forget you. See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm and ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins. Soon your rebuil

The Lord is fair in everything he does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. He protects all those who love him, but destroys the wicked. I will praise the Lord and call on all men everywhere to bless his holy name forever and forever. Psalm 145: 17-21 (TLB) Amy Culwell lives in Alabama. About a week after she returned from maternity lea

For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more from your harvest. Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving praise to God for your help. So, two good things happen as a result of your gifts - those in need are helped, and t

Another time, when he invited a man to come with him and to be his disciple, the man agreed - but wanted to wait until his father's death. Jesus replied, "Let those without eternal life concern themselves with things like that. Your duty is to come and preach the coming of the Kingdom to all the world." Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I have plan

Read John 8:1-11 The story of the woman caught in adultery. He isn't really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (TLB) Beverly Marshall-Goodell is from Georgia. After moving to a suburb of a large metropolitan area, Beverly felt discouraged and frightened by news stories of nearby criminal

Someone asked him, "Will only a few be saved." And he replied, "The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, for the truth is that many will try to enter but when the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. " Luke 13: 23- 24 (TLB) Ted Witham lies in Western Australia. Their village is crisscrossed by winding paths between the houses. Walls seven feet high protect the paths. Ted enjoys turning from the road through the narrow entrance onto the path be

A woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it. And then won't she call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her? In the same way there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner repents. Luke 15: 8-10 (TLB) Search for him and for his strength, and keep on searching! Psalm 105:4 (TLB) Recently, Travis Teague, from North Carolina, and

Now, at the Lord's command, the people of Israel left the Sihn desert, going by easy stages to Rephidim. But upon arrival, there was no water! So once more the people growled and complained to Moses. "Give us water!" they wailed. "Quiet!" Moses commanded. "Are you trying to test God's patience with you?" But, tormented by thirst, they cried out, "Why did you ever take us out of Egypt? Why did you bring us here to die, with our children and cattle too?" Then Moses pleaded with