I’m new to everything. Can you tell me how I can know God? In a nutshell, you need to know that Jesus is the means God has given for salvation. In fact, He is the only way you can be saved. Salvation is only in and through Jesus.
Read MoreI don’t know much about the Bible. What can you tell me? First and foremost, you can trust the Bible. God cannot lie. His Word is true. And you can trust it. Though there are parts you may not understand right away, know that you can trust God’s Word. There are no mistakes in the Scriptures. Everything contained in the Bible is relevant—and has some kind of application for you today.
Read MoreRight now, as the whole world experiences the tucked away training that takes place in “mom life” living, God is building something deeper and longer lasting. Psalm 16:5-6 forms the foundation for a contented spirit in any chicken coop.
Read MoreBecause of Coronavirus, we’re all very familiar with the phrase, “Shelter in place.” We hear it frequently during winter storm season, where local officials urge everyone to “Stay safe and shelter in place.” The Scriptures teach us that we shouldn’t shelter in place, if our souls try to find refuge in anything other than God Himself.
Read MoreNow you might think that pecking at God’s Word sounds a bit flighty, but if we’re going to stick with our chicken coop theme, then it’s helpful to know that chickens are actually quite persistent, passionate, purposeful, and personally committed in their search for food. May we be equally so in searching for the all sustaining Word “that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Read MoreOne of my favorite prayer prompts is to simply to go through the alphabet searching for words that I can then turn into an anthem of praise to the Lord. I often do this while I’m walking the loop around the block from our house. It usually takes the whole 15-20 minutes for me to work through my mental list, but it never fails to encourage my heart as I review the Lord’s attributes and gracious ways.
Read MoreOften when I am feeling fearful or overwhelmed, I turn to my list of “Nothing is Impossible for God” verses. As I read through verse after verse where God proclaims His might, power, and intentions to do good and act on behalf of His children, my heart gains strength. Do you need those assurances today?
Read MoreI often focus on certain themes or words repeated in the Scriptures to guide my prayer time. One especially lovely theme I used for a prayer time recently came from focusing on the “lettuce” texts of the Bible. Well, not “lettuce” exactly, but “let us.” We are instructed and gathered together by the use of the phrase, “let us.” The phrase effectively draws us near to each other as we draw near to the Lord in praise, worship, and obedience by that inclusive let us.
Read MoreHow you live in your little chicken coop, cooped up or not, reveals God’s work in you. Don’t put all your eggs in that one basket that life will soon return to “normal.” We don’t know how long the Lord intends this trial and testing. We do know that He will give the grace we need to respond well in every circumstance (1 Corinthians 10:13, 31). Seek to follow the Lord Jesus as closely as you can, which will bless the rooster and any little chicks cooped up with you in the hen house.
Read MoreBecause the Lord is sovereign, good, mighty, powerful, and providing, believers can rest and be at ease with their “little,” knowing that if God wanted them to have “more,” to have an “abundance,” they certainly would.
Read MoreDear believer, you may not be a friend of the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15), but is it possible that you stalk it? Are you secretly enamored by its allurements? Do you find your thoughts more focused on its ways than God’s?
Read MoreUse the reset and the rest of summertime as a means of being more effective when things start back up again.
Often summertime provides a type of “sabbath rest” for many of us when our regular church events like Bible studies, small groups, home groups, etc. take a hiatus. Yet a perpetual holiday/vacation can cause us to lose spiritual ground we may have gained during the year. As we enjoy different routines and changes in our schedules, we slow down. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The downside of slowing down and taking a rest is that it becomes so easy to just roll to a stop and take a nap at the wheel. Without realizing it, we quit doing the very things we know help us grow in the Lord.
Read MoreOh, wouldn’t it be just lovely when we are experiencing our own northeaster storms and our hearts are tempted to despair that all hope is lost, we could, like Paul, have a direct messenger from God, telling us not to be afraid? Such a message would be so particular and tailored for us that we immediately take heart. Yes, it might be tempting to somewhat envy Paul’s personal encouragement from the Lord. Yet, there really is no need for envy on our part, for we have received just such a kindness from the Lord, in fact, even better, for the multiplied promises of deliverance contained in the Scriptures cover every circumstance we might ever undergo.
Read MoreAs believers, we live where the bald truth of a number can feel more real than the promises of God and the life of faith we are supposed to live. So, how do we counteract the fearful power of those numbers that sap our strength and place weights upon our faith?
Read MoreLiving in the light of the Lord’s countenance is just another way of saying that we live close enough to see His face—and conversely that He sees us. The idea is captured really well in Aaron’s blessing of the sons of Israel in Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” The idea of living in light of the Lord’s countenance carries with it His blessing. It also carries with it a sense of accountability. It’s basically like living in His throne room—and that’s where the accountability comes in. We’re called to live differently in the throne room so that when His face shines upon us in holiness we’re not ashamed.
Read MoreMeditation actually reveals how much we value the Scriptures. The simple act of looking at and thinking on God’s Word prizing God’s Word tells us, tells others, and most importantly, tells God, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)
Meditation, at its most basic level, is simply thinking on a specific verse or section of Scripture, yet it can also include thinking on aspects of God’s character, a specific doctrine, even the works of God. It’s also worth noting that meditation is not studying, though you can meditate upon what you are studying—and it’s wise to do so! Study and memorizing Scripture lead to meditation, yet it’s what meditation leads to that is the real jewel here.
Read MoreHe never failed us. Not once. Not once in 3 ½ years of joblessness; not once in 3 ½ years of waiting; not once in 3 ½ years of testing did God fail us. His Word has been the bedrock of our faith.
Read MoreGod frustrates our plans and nullifies our counsel when our plans don’t match His plans. The counsel of the nations can be nullified, but God’s counsel stands forever. The plans of the peoples can be frustrated, but God’s plans, the plans of His heart, stand from generation to generation.
Read MoreSomehow my thoughts about newlyweds made their way into my prayer time one morning. I was praying about some different troubles and what concerned me more than anything was my response to them. Was I responding with a sweetness of spirit that is so endearing of a newlywed or was I responding with an old married, nag type of response to the Lord’s dealings with me? Oh my.
Read MoreI was eating lunch on a layover in the Denver airport when I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two men traveling together. Their somewhat loud, though innocuous, conversation centered along the lines of business, until a young woman walked past dressed in tights/leggings. One man was completely derailed in his animated business conversation. I heard a sharp intake of breath, and then he said, “We need to thank whoever the guy was who created those tights things the girls wear. Man….", he said with a sigh of appreciation. The other man knew instantly what he was talking about and echoed similar sentiments. It was silent for a few moments while those men ogled that girl as she made her way through the airport.
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The online ministry of author, Bible study, and conference teacher Lisa Hughes. If you're looking for inductive, in-depth Bible studies, you've come to the right place! Devotionals will keep you encouraged in your walk with the Lord.
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My Books!
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I’m plotting out the details for my next book and am trying to work on it daily. If you think of it, will you pray for me? It’s another subject that is near and dear to my heart!
As a fun treat for my soul, I am s-l-o-w-l-y writing a 2-year study in 2 Corinthians. I have a one year, 17 week version already available, but I’ve wanted to revisit this wonderful book and spend more time on it.
My Audio Sessions
Most of my recent teaching sessions can be found on our church website under “Resources,” then “Women’s Audio.” Just click on the logo above.
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