I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Made to Thrive
Do you remember what God has saved you from and what He’s brought you through? How He’s given you a fresh start, a confident hope, and future beyond the here and now?
Because of God’s amazing grace, we have been empowered to live boldly for Him.
In Paul’s letter to his friend, coworker, and traveling companion, Titus, he says this:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”
Titus 2:11-12 ESV
God created a world where life could thrive, where His creations could be fruitful, where His people could reign on His behalf, and where His glory could be obvious to everyone.
But when His people chose to ignore His loving intentions and when they rebelled against His masterfully designed plan, it complicated things.
It’s only by the grace of God that salvation is even possible. And it’s only from that firm foundation that we can build our lives on Him.
God created you and knows how you tick. He loves you and knows how life was designed to work best. After all, He is the designer. That’s why He gave His people guidelines, instructions, and even warnings—to show them how to thrive.
Once your salvation is secure and you realize that you can’t do anything to earn God’s love, you then can accept His invitation to live, to thrive, and to be a part of the greatest story on earth.
You were made for it.
God Gives Good Gifts
There are seasons in our lives that are far more discouraging than encouraging. It's inevitable that all of us will experience those moments, and it's often in the face of insurmountable grief or heartbreaking experiences.
But Romans 15:5 reminds us that there are three things God gives to those who believe in Jesus. The first is that God gives endurance. When we begin to grow tired of doing good things, or living our lives for God, it's often because we are living with the wrong motivation.
True motivation comes from living for God, not ourselves. It is God who gives us the endurance—through His Spirit—to make good choices and live for Him.
The second thing God gives us is encouragement. In seasons of discouragement, when we feel let down by other people, God gives us lasting encouragement. He reminds us that we are loved. That we are being transformed. That He can use all things for our good and His glory. We don’t need to strive for approval or acceptance because...
