Years ago, I got a text message from one of the pastors at our church asking us to pray for his close friend.  All we knew was that the man and his wife were at the hospital.  I remember that my husband and I stood in our kitchen and clasped our hands together to...

I was fourteen years old when my mom, who was also my best friend, suddenly and tragically left this earth. One day life was going incredibly well. I was a known actress in the Christian world and a young published author, and then my world fell apart. My world was...

Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God. Yes, praise is pleasant and appropriate. --Psalm 147:1 I just read the whole of Psalm 147 and I can literally feel joy and sweetness in my heart. I am making a commitment to myself now that anytime I feel sad...

Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy. So now my heart will sing to you and not be silent; O Lord my God, I will always give thanks to you. - Psalm 30:11-12 Only God can turn wailing into dancing. Only God can replace...

With five young kids, our house is pretty much a hurricane of chaos from the time the alarm goes off in the morning until bedtime. There is always a meal to prepare, a storybook to read, a mess to clean, supplies to be ordered, a child to correct, a fight to defuse....

This time of year can bring out the best in people as we think of others, give gifts, and seek to help people who are lonely or less fortunate. But it can also be a time of year when the worst side can be visible too, as parents fight over the last of the year’s most...

In both of the passages we read today, we see women who had so much faith in Jesus that they relentlessly sought out healing, one for her child and the other for herself.  I have always loved these stories, but I especially love the story about Jesus in Luke 8. There...

Once upon a time, a much younger me stood in a hospital gift shop in Dallas, Texas and bought a small plaque that had this verse engraved on it: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” --Hebrews 11:1 After much...

On my kitchen counter you will find two large glass jars filled with colorful slips of paper. My husband placed them side by side next to the coffeemaker a while back, and just looking at them makes me smile. Those dollar store containers hold treasure.   Each Sunday...

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. --Romans 15:13 One of the sweetest, most amazing, touching aspects of our relationship with God is how, in His merciful way...

We use the word “hope” frequently in our conversations. Here in Northern Ireland the weather is always a topic of conversation, and at this time of year you will hear some people saying, “I hope it snows,” while others say,“I hope it doesn’t!” But we also use hope in...

When I read this Psalm and meditate on the verses, it reminds me to shift my attention to who God is. It encourages me to look to God with thankfulness and gratitude, not because of my current situation (weary and exhausted after a long ten days working at camp), but...

Have you ever met someone who is generous with their time, their finances, and their support, but they aren’t afraid to let you know it? Or even worse, maybe they hold their generosity over the recipient’s head, just waiting to call in a favor in return. Someone whose...

Sometimes I think about recording the things I say over and over to my children, where I could just play them back on repeat. It would include a remix of:  Have you brushed your teeth?  Where are your shoes?  Be kind.  Have a grateful heart. Gratitude – it’s...

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures! Psalm 136 is such a wonderful Psalm! I love the way the writer continually repeats these words: for his loyal love endures.  But what is God’s “loyal love”? Is that a special kind of love? In English, we...

God gives the best gifts! I know that sounds silly to read and almost elementary to say, but it’s true. He is the ultimate gift-giver. Why do I say that? Because not only have I been a receiver of His good gifts, but James 1:17 also confirms this truth:  All generous...

After I came to the Lord, God placed a desire for missions in me, though it didn't happen right away. I didn't realize that God was always working toward this in my life, even though things both within and beyond my control caused many delays. I made a lot of...

“For the Lord God is our sovereign protector. The Lord bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity.” -Psalm 84:11 Welcome to the first day of our newest study, friends! As we seek to set our hearts on the Lord this coming season,...

When we receive an anonymous gift, it may be exciting and enjoyable, but it lacks an understanding of why the gift was given. When our best friend gives us a gift, we know it was done out of love for us, knowledge of us, and care for us. Gifts have meaning because of...

Did you know that Love God Greatly has translated Bible studies for both women and kids? And now, many of our translated kid's journals are available for download! The Greatest Gift Given for Kids is currently available in 7 languages!      Help us spread...

The Greatest Gift Given study journal is currently available in 21 languages, with more in process!  Help us spread our translations around the world by sending this information to your missions pastor, missionaries your church supports, or any missionary friends you...