encouragement & insight from jillian

Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” –Luke 9:23 (NLT) We can’t be self-focused and God-focused simultaneously.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2 (NIV) The

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  —Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. -Proverbs 4:25-26 (NIV) I was talking with someone who, well, to be

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28 (NIV)  Do we really understand what this passage is saying? I think we

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) This scripture is not talking about being sober from alcohol but pointing to the importance

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and,

Do you struggle to forgive those who have hurt you? I’m just going to go straight to the truth here and not dance around this command… Withholding forgiveness in your heart against anyone is sinning against God. Forgiving others and