Good Word Friday theme: Freedom and liberty

It's the first Friday in July, and we're kicking off a new theme for Good Word Friday: freedom and liberty. Tomorrow, as a matter of fact, we celebrate Independence Day. Two-hundred and forty-four years ago, the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain. The members of the Continental Congress had no idea that those 13 colonies had the potential to one day become the largest, most powerful, and most prosperous nation on the face of the earth.

We encourage you to think back on your own personal independence day — the day that you declared your independence from satan and the power he held over your eternal soul. You swapped that tyrannical ruler for a loving, merciful Father, and — oh, what joy!

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

Today is our last scripture on the theme of sharing your faith. Scroll up, read this verse again, and ask yourself, what does it have to do with sharing my faith?

This verse is telling us to be grateful, to not forget all God has done for us. When we are in tune with how good (how great) God has been to us, that overflows into a real relationship with Him, and that overflows into a ready testimony for anyone who will listen.

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

Today's scripture comes from a psalm of praise. This psalm lifts the God of Israel above the false gods of other nations. This psalm describes how the God of Israel reigns over all the earth regardless of whether the nations acknowledge Him or not. This psalm describes how the natural world worships God (the trees celebrate, the sky rejoices, the sea shouts). How much more should we exclaim, "The Lord reigns" (verse 10)?

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

For believers in the restoration, this scripture in Ezekiel is a familiar one. This prophecy uses a word picture to describe how the Bible (the record of Judah) and the Book of Mormon (the record of Joseph) are both God's word to His children. Together, they provide a full picture of God's plan and will for mankind.

When it comes to sharing our faith, especially the restoration, it's good to have scriptures like this one at the ready to support our beliefs. Having the ability to quote scripture is a fantastic resource. Quoting scripture isn't the right tool in every share-your-faith scenario, but ... 1.) Memorization is a great spiritual discipline for personal growth, and 2.) Scriptural support lends authority to our testimony because the scripture is God's word, not ours.

Good Word Friday theme: Sharing your faith

It's the first Friday of June — happy summer! — and we've got a new theme for our Good Word Friday scriptures. This month, the scriptures will be all about sharing our faith.

Today's verse from Romans tells us not to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Many of us think to ourselves (in our spiritually strong moments), "How could I possibly be ashamed of believing in Jesus?!" But we simultaneously feel fearful, hesitant, or uneasy about sharing this precious part of our lives with others. (What if they reject this belief that we hold so dear? What if they make us feel foolish, like we've been wrong about life all along?)

The fact is that there will always be people out there who will shame us for what we believe. Then, the ball is in our court. Will we respond to that shame by actually feeling ashamed? Or will we bounce back from the blow and continue steadfast in our faith?

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

We've all been there ... you're going about your regular business, and then suddenly, surprisingly a huge spotlight shines straight down on you — uh-oh — and you've got to open your mouth and say something. And you're not at all prepared. Your mind cannot land on any correct words. Your mouth hangs open (or maybe zips tight) and ... silence.

Think back to the last time you were ambushed by a moment like this. Maybe your boss approached you with a dizzying demand. Or your child finally asked that question you've been hoping he wouldn't. Perhaps it was when your neighbor said, "Tell me more about your church."

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

Have you ever had your heart set on attending an event, such as a concert, sports tournament, or conference, but your hopes were dashed by two little words: Sold Out.

Imagine standing outside the entrance to the theater, theme park, or stadium, knowing that all the magic is happening just a few steps away ... so close! But you can't cross the threshold without a ticket. And there are none left for you.

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

When I was a kid, I went to a science museum, and there was an exhibit on blindness where children crawled through a padded tunnel and experienced what it would be like to move about in total darkness. I eagerly entered the tunnel, took a few steps, got terrified, and had to turn back to the light.

Today's verse from Ephesians reminds us that we were once spiritually blind, feeling our way through life, never sure of exactly where to go or what to do. When we accepted Christ, the lights turned on. Now, we can see clearly. The good path is visible. The sinking sense of uncertainty isn't ever-present.

Good Word Friday Theme: Abiding in His Spirit

Today, we're bringing you a brand-new theme for Good Word Friday. For the month of May, we're focusing on scriptures that encourage us to abide in Christ and His Spirit.

We've all gone through times when we've felt disconnected from God, like He's in a galaxy far, far away, busy ruling the universe. And we are slogging through the details of our own lives, doing the best we can — on our own.

God doesn't want us feeling this way, like He's a big, giant mountain way off in the distance, and we are a tiny little flower at the bottom of a valley, barely peeking over the grass. The truth is, we should feel like we are part of the same entity — like a vine and its branches. God wants us to be close, to be connected to His Holy Spirit, drawing life and strength from it, moment to moment. Abiding in Him.

Good Word Friday Theme: Refreshment and new life

There's a reason why Christians keep on memorizing the six verses of Psalm 23 generation after generation. What a refreshing and peace-giving passage!

The third verse says that God restores the soul. If you feel like your spiritual life is off track and in need of some rejuvenation, then think about this for a moment. God can restore it to full strength.

Good Word Friday Theme: Refreshment and new life

Today's passage in Ephesians instructs new Christians to leave their old, corrupt ways behind and pattern their lives (inner and outer) after God in righteousness and holiness. What does that mean for us?

Good Word Friday Theme: Refreshment and new life

Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked the person staring back at you? You know that person's every thought, every weakness, every careless word, every pre-planned sin. You stare into those tired eyes. They close, and you don't have the strength to open them again. You don't want to look at that person anymore.

Today's Good Word contains a promise for all of us. When we can't stand ourselves, when we're fed up with ourselves, when we're our own source of frustration and stumbling, we have this promise: Christ can make us new.

Good Word Friday Theme: Refreshment and new life

Happy April! This month, we're focusing on the theme of refreshment and newness.

Think back to the last time your arms were full — heavy grocery bags maybe? A child on each hip perhaps? A backpack laden with textbooks? Maybe it was when you were transferring that boiling pot of pasta to the colander in the sink.

Not all burdens are bad. But, sometimes we feel weighed down in spirit, and we're not sure why. Today's verse asks, could it be sin?

Good Word Friday Theme: Charity

When was the last time you were reprimanded? Even if it was gently done, chances are good that it made you angry and defensive. None of us likes to be told we're wrong or that we're failing.

But, today's verse reminds us that correcting a fellow Christian who is overtaken in a fault is actually an act of love. Love! (Now, this verse isn't talking about correcting a person who slipped up once in a very small way, but someone who has given over a part of themselves to unrepentant sin.)

Today, we're returning to our regularly scheduled Good Word Fridays! We hope that you enjoyed the Israel 2020 series.

Good Word Friday Theme: Charity

What is today's proverb saying? That we should cover up people's indiscretions — like sweep them under the rug and pretend they never happened? Of course not.

The proverb is saying that when we overlook (or forgive) a person's mistake (especially an honest or well-intentioned mistake) that is an act of love. The second part of the verse says that when we gossip about it and spread it around, the result is offense. Idle prattle can drive a wedge between even the best of friends.