6 Scripture Passages to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

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6 Scripture Passages to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

I wish I woke up each morning with an attitude of gratitude. But the truth is: I tend to approach life focused on what’s wrong and undone. I’m often anxious about the unknowns lurking around the corner.

Instead of lips full or praise, I run to God babbling a litany of requests for certainty, assurances, and utterances of “Please fix it now, Jesus.”

And while our good Father welcomes our pleas, He also desires us to walk through life with grateful hearts and joyful minds (Col. 3:15-17).

Yet, when we experience a health crisis, rejection, or any sort of grief, it’s hard to….

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Seven Promises that Remain in Changing Seasons

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Seven Promises that Remain in Changing Seasons

“For I the Lord do not change.”

Malachi 3:6a ESV

Red and gold leaves flutter in the wind. They flow from one tree among hundreds that are still stuck in summer. The tree is lit on fire with seasonal change and hails the first visible sign of fall. Once again, I am reminded that this life is ever-changing.

Just as nature cycles through seasons, we all experience different seasons in this life. Seasons of difficulty, loss, and loneliness come to everyone. And so do seasons of beauty, joy, and fruitfulness. I’ve experienced the ups and downs––and know that more are sure to come.

While I survey the tree in its metamorphosis, I’m prompted to question: In the midst of change, what things are certain to remain?

There are promises found in God’s Word that offer us hope and….

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31 Day Prayer Planner

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31 Day Prayer Planner

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

 incline your ear to me; hear my word.

Psalm 17:6 ESV

Are you struggling to pray?

When it feels like the world has turned upside down, it can be hard to pray. In fact, the enemy will do everything he can to keep us from praying. He knows if he prevents us from communicating with our Father, then the distance will eventually separate us.

Dividing us from the One who unconditionally loves us is crippling. It makes us vulnerable to believing the enemy’s lies. Lies that whisper: God doesn't hear our prayers. Has forgotten us. That somehow, He has lost control.

Once we begin believing these lies, we exchange… continue reading to find out how to get your free prayer journal today.

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When the Fallen Pastor is Your Father | TGC

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When the Fallen Pastor is Your Father | TGC

This is my latest article published with The Gospel Coalition. Click the link to read the full article.

I’m the daughter of a pastor who fell into prescription drug abuse.

My early years are full of happy memories of a father who was present, engaged, and loving. But when I was 15 years old, my father began experiencing chronic headaches and pain. He started taking medication that was meant to help him recover, but for the next 20 years, these drugs were a source of great harm as my father fell into addiction and substance abuse.

It’s big news when a pastor falls from grace, and there are countless stories of how this affects churches. When you’re on the outside looking in, it’s easy to make assumptions and judgments about the pastor and his choices. But it’s hard to live through when….

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When It's Difficult to Praise God

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When It's Difficult to Praise God

I’m honored to be a guest on Hosanna Revival’s WHEN blog. You can read an excerpt below and follow the link to read the full devotion.

When seasons of darkness linger, it can be difficult to raise our voices in hallelujahs. 

My own darkness came during a long season of physical and emotional pain brought on by chronic illness. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome both robbed me of the ability to care for myself beyond my basic needs. And with my husband’s job keeping him out of town more than at home, I found myself alone for days on end.

On one particularly tough day, after seven days and six long nights alone, I felt the taupe walls of my living room closing in on me. With tears streaming, I cried out to God, “Lord, please help me.” A hush filled the room as I heard the Spirit whisper to my heart, “Praise me here.”

Immediately recalling the story of Paul and Silas’ time in prison, I opened the pages of my Bible to read. After being beaten by a mob, Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks (Acts 16:24). They were bruised, writhing in pain, stuck, and surrounded by harsh conditions.

I felt the same.

The next words I read were fresh water to my thirsty soul…

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 4

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 4

Today, we are wrapping up the series on the names of God. I pray that your heart, like mine, is securely anchored to our Lord and Savior as we become more intimately acquainted with Him.

Although we have not exhausted the list of names for God found in Scripture, this series has reminded me that no matter the circumstance or need that I have, our Father is in it, working through it, and supplying it. I pray that discovering His names does the same for you.

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 3

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 3

It’s such a blessing to continue our series on the Names of God. My heart is filled with great hope, joy, and peace as we study––and become intimate with––the God we serve. It is my prayer that it does the same for you.

This week we are getting to know God as Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Our Banner, Jehovah Shalom: The Lord Is Peace, Jehovah Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd, and Abba: Father. Now let’s dive into Part 3 and anchor our souls to our Great & Mighty God!

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 2

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Anchored in the Names of God || Part 2

Today, we are continuing our series on the names of God. If you missed the Anchored in the Names of God Part 1, you can find it here. Thank you for joining me in this series.

It is my prayer that we experience more of God’s presence as He reveals Himself to us through the His names found in Scripture.

El Shaddai: God Almighty

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and multiply you greatly.”

Genesis 17:1-2 ESV

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Anchored in the Names of God

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Anchored in the Names of God

Your name, O Lord, endures forever,

    your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

Psalm 135:13 ESV

My name is Rosann (without an e). Its significance lies in the reasoning behind the choice that my parents made when they gave it to me. But those facts are not widely known.

It was chosen to honor the women in my life. My paternal grandmother was Rose. Rose was combined with my mother’s middle name, Ann, to form Rosann. But this significance is only known to me and my family. 

And while my name serves to identify me and connect me to my family of origin, it does little more. Yet the names of God found in Scripture reveal His character, show His love for us, and…

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The Way of a Satisfied Life

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The Way of a Satisfied Life

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 ESV 

“Surprise!” My mother’s kind blue eyes and toothy grin met me as I opened the door to her home. I surveyed the room and noticed the balloons, flowers, cards, and gifts displayed throughout. And what was meant to be a celebration felt more like a memorial service to me. It was my fortieth birthday, and instead of abounding joy, I was filled with sorrow.  

You see, when I awoke that morning, all the unfulfilled plans that I had made for my life––the plans of motherhood, financial freedom, and a thriving career––slapped me in the face. Instead, my days were filled with….

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When God Makes the Impossible Possible

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When God Makes the Impossible Possible

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 ESV 

My leg muscles burned more intensely on the last two steps. After walking up three flights of stairs with bags of groceries strapped across each shoulder, I breathed a sigh of relief as I turned around to look at where I had come from––literally and figuratively. God had surely made the impossible possible.

If I had been told in years past that one day, I would live in a third-floor apartment and easily take the stairs to reach it, I would have said that’s impossible. For years, chronic illness kept me homebound and dependent on others to complete basic tasks like grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. The couch was the cocoon that held my body full of pain and weighed down in fatigue.

Although we may face situations that seem impossible, the Bible is clear that our God is a God who can bring about great things from impossible situations.

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16 Biblical Affirmations for the New Year

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16 Biblical Affirmations for the New Year

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

There’s a false narrative ringing throughout our culture.

We’re told that we can muster up strength in ourselves, attract love, and use the power of positive thinking to bring wealth, health, and happiness to our souls. But believing these lies only leads to disappointment, defeat, and despair.

The truth is: our humanity is broken.

I’ve lived long enough to realize that I am nothing––and I can do nothing––apart from Christ. Thankfully, I don’t have to face one day alone or rely on my own resources. God is with me, and He will help me make it through whatever comes my way.

As we embark on the journey through 31,536,000 seconds this new year, I’ve compiled a list of biblical affirmations to help us face any situation that arises. There may be fear, discouragement, disappointment, uncertainty, weariness, and insecurity. But we can focus on who our God is, what He’s doing, and what He will do for us. Surely, we will overcome with Him.

Here are 16 Biblical Affirmations to stand on in this New Year:

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A Reminder from the Birds to Trust God

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A Reminder from the Birds to Trust God

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:26-27 NIV

Hearing the bird’s chirping outside my window shook me out of my sleep. Its song rose in symphony as it drawled out the lows and climbed through the highs of its melody. Pulling the covers to my chin, I attempted to return to sleep to no avail. I was drawn to the fact that there was still complete darkness shadowing the morning sun. It seemed a little early for so much excitement.

Then the scriptures in Matthew echoed in my mind: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? I wondered if the bird was singing in expectation of the sun’s appearance? Was this tiny creature resting in the promise that the sun would surely rise, and the Creator would meet each need the day presented?

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The Promise of Beauty for Every Season

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The Promise of Beauty for Every Season

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV

The crunching and swooshing of freshly fallen leaves under my feet prompt me to look down. I reach for one single leaf and twirl it around and around in my hand. My eyes focus on its vibrant colors and I'm amazed at how the deep red, yellow, and orange seamlessly bleed into one another. The pattern for the leaf’s shift from a green Summer leaf to a colorful Fall leaf contains no real definition.

Staring at the beauty of this dying leaf, my gaze drifts to my hand effortlessly holding it. I take note of the creases and lines that are increasingly prevalent on my skin. Aging is taking place in tiny increments, and now that I am rounding the curve to 50, I’m acutely aware of its signs.

The Teacher’s words in Ecclesiastes echo in my mind: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. And I’m reminded of the constant change taking place in this life––the shifting from one season to the next. Some are hard seasons of illness, grief, loss, or financial struggles. Yet others are filled with laughter, joy, success, and fulfillment.

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How Turning to Jesus Banishes Fear

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How Turning to Jesus Banishes Fear

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Fear is a constant battle for me.

I heard someone say, “What you stare at becomes bigger.” I nodded in agreement. It’s hard not to feed fear when all I see are the ways a situation can go wrong. That’s when I resort to planning and manipulating in an effort to control the situation. I convince myself that it’s up to me to avoid disaster. And sometimes I will take myself out of the scenario completely. I sit on the sidelines and watch others do life, and I ultimately miss out.

When I was in grammar school, my classmates and I would regularly gather on the playground for a game of softball. I was careful to never take a position that required expertise because to say I was a terrible player is an understatement. Sauntering to the outfield, I would get out as far as possible hoping to avoid participation. But inevitably, the ball miraculously found its way straight to me.

“Catch it! Catch it!” my teammates yelled. And just when I reached for the ball, all I could focus on was how it became more and more massive upon its approach. It’s going to hit me. Land on the top of my head. Knock me out. And leave a mountain-sized lump. Thoughts swirled in my mind. And as fear overtook me, I shut my eyes and ducked out of the ball's path.

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