I shivered in my seat and tried to flex my frozen toes as I listened to fellow students thank God for our situation. Who thanks God for broken-down buses in freezing weather? Did I mention we had no heat?Continue Reading
Lighthouse Ministries Celebrates 30 Years
Anniversaries provide the perfect opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness. This month, October 2021, Lighthouse Ministries turns thirty! It seems like only yesterday when Larry and I discussed starting this ministry.
While on staff with Scope Ministries in Oklahoma City, both of us felt a definite pull to North Carolina. Neither of us knew a soul here. We visited Raleigh seeking confirmation. Mike and Sharon Mahaffey, friends of my Scope Ministry trainer Kelly Hart (now Rogers), let us stay with them that week. We met their church small group and learned they’d been praying for biblical counselors. Was that the pull we felt to Raleigh?
We cashed in our individual retirement savings, packed our U-Haul, and set off for our fourth state in four years.Continue Reading
How to Give the Best Help
Today, my husband Larry offers two simple steps to help others fortify their faith when they are going through a life storm. Here’s Larry…
How can we best help someone embroiled in a tough battle, whether it be a serious illness, a broken relationship, or deep discouragement? There are multiple ways to help. Yet, if we help them fortify their faith in God, we help them find supernatural comfort, courage, and strength.
Two simple steps to help others fortify their faith.
- Refortify your own faith.
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Hearing practical truth from God fortifies my faith. In Luke 9, I read how Jesus sent the Apostles on an assignment and told them not to take any provisions for their trip. Their needs would be met, but not in a way they could predict. This assured me that God will provide for me even when I can’t foresee how. This strengthened my faith where I needed it.
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our #faith” (1 Jn. 5:4 NIV). #BestHelp Click To TweetThis is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4 NIV).
- Turn your insights into prayers.
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The principles I receive from God often become prayers for others. After being reminded of how God meets our needs, I prayed a young woman, who’d just ended a toxic relationship, would believe God has healthy and satisfying relationships in her future.And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2 NIV).
How to Build Better Relationships with Encouragement
How do we build better relationships? One way is to be an encourager. Exxon Mobil promised their gasoline would put a tiger in your tank. Encouragement provides the tiger energy boost our friends and loved ones need. We build better relationships when we fill our friends’ tanks with encouragement.
Encouragement comes in different forms. The Bible says our words have the power to bring life. “The soothing tongue is a tree of life (Pro. 15:4 NIV). Applauding the qualities we notice in people encourages them and can promote spiritual faith. I know it gives me a boost when Debbie compliments my work or appearance.Continue Reading