A friend was in northern wilderness of British Columbia hunting elk. He and his hunting buddy were positioned on a hill over looking hundreds of acres of range. Suddenly in the distance they spotted four adult grizzly bears charging down a ridge toward them. Fear gripped their hearts. There was no point in running; there was no place to hind or to find safety. The only hope was to stand their ground and do all they could hoping the bears would never reach them. They knew, even with high powered rifles the odds of dispatching four adult Grizzlies was slim. In the seconds it took to form a plan the bears disappeared into thicket just below them. They only had about a 20 meter window from the thicket to their position. The plan was to make as much noise, yelling and screaming to hopefully spook the bears. In the minutes that followed they could smell the stench of the bears. After exhausting their vocal cords and every ounce of adrenaline they stopped and waited… The bears never came. They must have entered the thicket and proceeded down the creek bed to the valley below. My friend understood in a new way the dangers of the wilderness!!!

When I heard this story it occurred to me, “What are the Grizzlies in my life?” What are the deadly beasts I hope never reach me? What are the things that would destroy my life? The list included some of the big destroyers: adultery, addictions to alcohol or pornography, love of money and possessions. There are some more subtle ones like pride, bitterness, laziness and jealousy. What are yours? The real question is what am I doing to make sure they never reach me?

There are many things to do, here is a few. First, identify the Grizzlies. They will be different or each person. Second, don’t put yourself in harms way. People that play with fire get burned. Are your activities pushing you toward danger? Third, draw on God’s wisdom by spending time in reading the Bible. Forth, realize there is a real spiritual battle. Consider the following…

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Bust resist him firm in your faith … the God of all grace … will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10

Question: What are your grizzlies, and what steps can you take to make sure you’re out of harm’s way?

Are you hiding behind secrets?

“God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2. Peter 3:9)

During my visit in Senegal, West Africa, my daughter and I went to see a dear Senegalese friend. Fatima had just returned from a trip to Mecca and was she ever excited! Her eyes glowed as she said, “I was in the procession of millions of other believers; I performed all the ceremonies; I circled the Ka’aba (the cube shaped stone building); I said all the prayers. I did it all.” Then her eyes clouded as she lowered her voice, “Still, if Allah should call me tonight, I don’t know if he would receive me into his heaven,” she said. “That’s really his choice, isn’t it?”

“Fatima, we can know for sure,” my daughter replied. “Should God call me tonight, I know I’d go to heaven, not because of all the things I’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for me.” She took Fatima’s hand and said softly, “And also for you – Jesus died for your sins also.”

An impersonal God requires ritual, rote prayers, sacrifices... and we can never be sure if we’ve done enough.

The Bible teaches that we have a personal God who wants a love relationship with us. He wants it so badly that He gave His only Son to die for our sins on the Cross.

Do you know of one person who doesn’t know Jesus personally? Perhaps she’s struggling with addictions, depression, loneliness or pride. What can you do to help her find Jesus?

1. Pray for her by name every day. Prayer breaks down spiritual barriers.

2. Spend time with her: Go for walks together, go out for coffee with her, help her with a project

3. Listen to her without giving advice. Listening affirms a person as a valued human being.

4. When you’ve gained her trust, share the good news of a personal, risen Savior who wants to set her free.

5. Continue to be her friend even if she doesn’t respond. Coming to Jesus is like being born again – there’s a gestation period. We need to continue to water the seed even though we don’t see a harvest.

Lord Jesus, you are still the good Shepherd who came to seek and to save the lost. I commit my friend to you right now…………(name her). I pray that your Holy Spirit will soften her heart and open her eyes to your salvation. Amen

Questions: Do you know someone who is struggling with life? How can you help her?  What can you do to help her find Jesus?

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“When I am afraid I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).

Recently I learned a few things about myself and worry.

1. Worry can stem from childhood. When children experience parent/child reversal roles due to such things as illness, unemployment and addictions worry becomes an early life pattern.

2. People who worry often believe that their anxiety somehow helps them to avoid bad things. They believe it prevents problems, helps them prepare for the worst or gives them a way to control circumstances.

3. People who worry hate uncertainty but rather seek guaranteed outcomes.

Whoa! Guaranteed outcomes? That doesn’t leave room for trusting God does it? In fact worry sounds like the opposite to trust.   Lord, forgive me. Help me to see worry as sin in your eyes, and unbelief.

Jesus spoke at length about worry for He was aware that each day has no shortage of troubles. He reminded his listeners of Gods faithfulness to small things like the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field. Jesus encourages us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be given to us.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27)

If you, like me, are prone to worry, let it go, my friend. God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 46) No matter why we worry, let us determine to trade our worries for trust and look to Him, knowing that He cares for us.

Dear God, I confess that often times my first response is to worry, then pray and then worry some more. I take off the cloak of worry today knowing that it has no value and replace it with a shining robe of trust. Even when life seems uncertain and scary I will look to you, Amen.

Question: Is worry something that you need to confess and relinquish?

About the author Beverley Rayner

Are you hiding behind secrets?  Talk to us.

During my visit in Senegal, West Africa, my daughter and I went to see a dear Senegalese friend. Fatima had just returned from a trip to Mecca and was she ever excited! Her eyes glowed as she said, “I was in the procession of millions of other believers; I performed all the ceremonies; I circled the Ka’aba (the cube shaped stone building); I said all the prayers. I did it all.” Then her eyes clouded as she lowered her voice, “Still, if Allah should call me tonight, I don’t know if he would receive me into his heaven,” she said. “That’s really his choice, isn’t it?”

“Fatima, we can know for sure,” my daughter replied. “Should God call me tonight, I know I’d go to heaven, not because of all the things I’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for me.” She took Fatima’s hand and said softly, “And also for you – Jesus died for your sins also.”

An impersonal God requires ritual, rote prayers, sacrifices... and we can never be sure if we’ve done enough.

The Bible teaches that we have a personal God who wants a love relationship with us. He wants it so badly that He gave His only Son to die for our sins on the Cross.

Do you know of one person who doesn’t know Jesus personally? Perhaps she’s struggling with addictions, depression, loneliness or pride. What can you do to help her find Jesus?

1. Pray for her by name every day. Prayer breaks down spiritual barriers.

2. Spend time with her: Go for walks together, go out for coffee with her, help her with a project

3. Listen to her without giving advice. Listening affirms a person as a valued human being.

4. When you’ve gained her trust, share the good news of a personal, risen Savior who wants to set her free.

5. Continue to be her friend even if she doesn’t respond. Coming to Jesus is like being born again – there’s a gestation period. We need to continue to water the seed even though we don’t see a harvest.

Lord Jesus, you are still the good Shepherd who came to seek and to save the lost. I commit my friend to you right now…………(name her). I pray that your Holy Spirit will soften her heart and open her eyes to your salvation. Amen

Questions: Do you know someone who is struggling with life? How can you help her?  What can you do to help her find Jesus?

About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid

Are you struggling with anxiety? Do you experience panic attacks and afraid to face the day? Talk to us.

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up” (1 Peter 5:8-9a, The Message).

Ever been mugged? I hope not. Praise the Lord, I haven’t. Hmmm…or have I?

What exactly does “mug” mean? The dictionary defines it as to assault, menace or threaten a person with the intent to rob. In the Old Testament, God told His people not to consort with those enemies surrounding them (you know, all the -ites – the Amalekites, the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the others) because of their unholy ways. God separated His people to keep them holy.  He knew that, if they mingled with the -ites, their holiness would be stolen.

As insatiable suitors, enemy -ites always prowl around in the back alleys of temptation, lurking under the shroud of seduction. Just waiting to jump out and mug us! Peter warns us of The Enemy -ite, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a Message)

What did the disciple John say was the enemy’s purpose? “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10 TLB)

So, what areas of our lives does the enemy target? Our:
* joy
* peace
* health
* comfort
* finances
* holiness?

What are those sticky-fingered muggers, those spiritual pickpockets, that the enemy uses to assault us, menace us, and rob us?

How about doubt, worry, unbelief, strife, unforgiveness, bitterness, cheating, stealing, depression, murmuring, jealousy/envy, complaining, rebellion, hypocrisy, bitterness, lying, lust, pride, judging, gossip, addictions, marital affairs, porn, other impure thoughts, negative attitude, speaking against others, busy schedules, or anything else that grieves the Holy Spirit?

Any one of these -ites can be hazardous to the health of our bodies and our spirits. Guarding our hearts is so vital, in all we see, hear, and do.

So, what are the -ites, the petty thieves that entice you, desiring to invade your heart’s home and snatch away your treasures? Does their wooing prompt you to pack your bag of temptation, sneak out the window of your room of separation, climb down the ladder of immorality, and run off with these vendors of swill?

Unless a “No Solicitors” sign is posted, a heart that does not fully pursue God will be enticed by outsiders selling their wares and will run off with any swindler.  Remember, where you are on Saturday night represents who and what you say you are on Sunday morning! What you do and who you are with will either draw you toward God or draw you away from Him.

Let me encourage you to hang onto what you have gained spiritually. Guard those treasures with all your might and all your faith, as Solomon said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).

Question: What picks your spiritual pockets?

About the Author Lynn Mosher

Soul Cravings Webcards. These are an easy way to invite someone to be mentored. Pin them on notice boards, leave a few in a waiting room or hand them out to friends. Order here >>>

We felt so cool, my best friend and I. Here we were, at 14, partying with 20-year olds.

But I was totally unprepared when several guys got a hold of me. Despite my protests, my date -a cute guy who had promised the party would be chaperoned- forced whisky down my throat. When my friend, who had been lured outside, came to find me, they told her I was too drunk to go home. After she left, my date raped me.

By Monday, he had spread the word that he had “popped my cherry” and all my friends turned their back on me. I felt ashamed and angry, but I couldn’t tell anyone what really happened. I didn’t even know what rape was, let alone realize it was a criminal offense.

So I kept my anger inside. I started taking drugs and drinking. Although I secretly hated boys, I became promiscuous, all the while shutting myself off emotionally. I was hurt and alone; I thought about killing myself.

Then my dad left my mom for another woman and things only got worse. I felt abandoned by the man who loved and protected me.

My response to the rape and the divorce was to rebel against everything I had ever been taught. I had been raised in a Christian home and I had accepted Jesus into my heart when I was eight. But my world was shaking, and instead of turning to Jesus, I turned away. How could God let me be hurt so badly and then let my dad walk away? My only comfort was alcohol and sex.

My life settled down a bit after I moved to a new city. I had a long-term relationship with a really great guy. I so much wanted to be in love, I let myself trust him, even though he had warned me not to. When we finally broke up, I decided I would never trust a man again.

I found comfort in a woman who understood my anger toward men. She suggested I might be a lesbian and I started to believe it. I lived with her for a year. Then I got involved with another woman and then another. But no matter what I did, the relationships always ended in pain and anger.

By this time, however, I was fully immersed in the lesbian community. I shaved my head, pierced and tattoed my body, performed in women-only strip shows, and got involved in the S&M community. I saw it all and did it all.

Yet, I was unfulfilled. I studied several religions but nothing filled the void I felt inside. Nothing compared to the love I had felt from Jesus as a young girl. The memory of that love quietly haunted me.

Then in 1997, I went through a self-development course that changed my outlook on life. I realized I shouldn’t blame others for my bad choices. I stopped making the church wrong, my family wrong and men wrong. I forgave my dad for leaving us and I started dating men again.

But I soon got pregnant. When my boyfriend told me I should have an abortion, I left him. I quit my job and went to a cabin with my stepsister-in-law. She gave me a Bible and I read about God’s grace, forgiveness and mercy. I cried out to Him for the first time in 14 years. Two weeks later, I miscarried my baby.

From there, things began to unfold for me. I went to church with my mom and stepdad. I watched the JESUS film and cried. But the real clincher came on Thanksgiving day when a friend of Mom brought me to her church.

When we came in, the whole stage was bouncing. After the singing, we were told to pray with the person next to us. This woman’s prayer was so powerful, it sent electricity shooting through me. Tears poured down my face.

Later on, the guest speaker spoke about a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. Although Jesus knew the woman was adulterous, He still offered her eternal life. I realized He wanted to give me life also, even though I had been drinking, lying and promiscuous. So when the pastor invited those who wanted to pray to receive Jesus to come to the front of the church, I went and recommitted my life to Him.

Immediately, people began noticing changes in me. The very next day, I took advice from my mom, which is definitely against the grain for me. Jesus gave me the ability to listen and submit, to find peace and comfort in the people around me.

Recommitting my life to Jesus has been like taking off a pair of sunglasses I had been wearing for 14 years. Everything is new and alive for me. I feel free for the first time in my life.

My desire to be with women is completely gone. I pray and read my Bible every day. I have a strong group of people who keep me accountable on every level. I am at peace and I’m allowing God to guide and direct my life in the way He wants it. My journey into patience and understanding has begun.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

Troubles; unmanageable crises; spiritually and emotionally immature; alcoholism; prescription pill abuse; sexual problems and insanity; this was me. I came from a dysfunctional home, and was adopted into a dysfunctional home. Alcoholism was prevalent in both homes. I was sexually abused at age seven and abandoned by my mother and father at age six.

At age 14, I became seriously depressed and attempted suicide several times. A boy came along and we got married. He abused me physically, emotionally and verbally. I was committed to the mental hospital four times. My husband divorced me and kept the four children we had.

I moved to another state and tried to pull myself together. I began going to church again. I prayed to God, but never had a personal relationship with Jesus. My life got worse and worse. I was miserable.

In 1981 I stopped drinking and have been sober ever since. I prayed regularly and God removed my compulsion to drink, yet I still lacked the closeness I wanted with Him. One day I got down on my knees and asked God’s forgiveness. “Dear Lord,” I cried out, “Please help me! I am powerless over myself and my life. I want to do Your will. I want to change!” I felt a Presence. There was a peace that came over me like I had never felt before. I was not alone anymore. Slowly I began to grow spiritually and my life got better.

Four years ago I married again and today I am very happy. In fact the older I get the more I realize just how much I need God. Now at 62 years of age, I depend on God daily to do what I cannot do for myself. I know now without a doubt that God will never leave nor forsake me. My life has changed, because of the presence of God, from one of depression to joy!

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

Most people are born into families. Not me. I was born into a mess.

Searching for fulfilment, I turned to drugs. All my unhappiness disappeared when I was high. Eventually, though, my mom found out about my drug problem and asked me to leave the house. That was a kind of wake up call, and after three weeks off drugs, I moved back home and my mom and I went to counselling. My counsellor diagnosed me with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and put me on medication. I became addicted to this medication and it took me seven months to get clean. Off drugs, I was able to start school again, but I still felt empty and unfulfilled, like my soul was thirsty. At school I met a girl named Krissa. At first I thought she was like me but she had something different. It wasn’t long before I got up the courage to ask her why she was so happy. Our discussion led to talking about serious stuff like God, religion and life’s big questions. She invited me to church that Sunday. I didn’t think it would be fun, but it was! I felt a love like none I’d experienced before. It was overwhelming, and I wanted to know more. I kept going to church, and for a while, I was afraid to commit to God.

But as I came to understand His love for me that He loved me so much He sent His Son to die for me I accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness and asked Him to be the leader of my life. I am so thankful to have God in my life, influencing my decisions with the inspiring words in the Bible. I have experienced a high no chemical or drug could ever produce. My heart is full and the thirst I felt is satisfied. The Bible, in Isaiah 55:1, says, “Come, all you who are thirsty.” And Jesus said, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again.“(John 4:13). If you’re thirsty, come and get filled with God!

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

When I was 18, however, I started hanging out with a young man named Mick and we started smoking marijuana together. Over the next four years I became addicted. I had become just like my brothers. I started to dislike myself and everything I was doing.

Change in life

In 1989, Mick came to see me after being away for some time. He was carrying a Bible in his hand saying “Jesus Christ can change your life.”

With friends, it was easy to jeer and laugh at him, but when I was on my own, I knew he had something that I needed in my life. There was a peace in Mick’s face that I had never seen. I invited him up to my flat to smoke some marijuana for old time’s sake. He came up, but instead of doing drugs, he told me about the love of God.

“If I did believe there was a God he sure wouldn’t come down to the flats and have anything to do with all of us,” I said, secretly hoping that was not true.

No more guilt and shame

I kept saying to Mick, “What do I have to give him? Do I have to give God my drugs and my money?”

But Mick said, “No, he loves you just the way you are. But he also loves you enough to change you from the way you are.”

Eventually, I committed my life to Christ. I knew my sins were forgiven. When I go to bed at night, I have a peace in my heart. I have peace in my mind. I can put my head down to sleep and know that I will wake up in the morning with no shame, guilt, or sin.

I gave up drugs for ever. I have had the privilege of leading many drug addicts and other hurting people to a personal relationship with Jesus. For me this demonstrates the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change lives.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.