dpfreitag

Thankfulness

I recently heard a speaker explain that, according to studies, the most underdeveloped attribute in humans is gratitude. Because we have not developed gratitude in our lives, we fail to discern all that is good in our life. If we fail to focus on the good, then we give in to the tendency to focusContinue reading “Thankfulness”

Jesus’ Nearness

A few years ago, a missionary speaker came to the church I was pastoring. His young son of three, who had recently broken his leg, was with him as he spoke. After holding his son for a while, the speaker put him down on the platform next to him as he shared about their ministry.Continue reading “Jesus’ Nearness”

Difficult Circumstances

Many of us have promises and prophecies spoken to us that are, as of yet, unfulfilled. Furthermore, our circumstances scream at us, day in and day out, that those promises and prophecies cannot possibly be true. Circumstances said that Abraham would never be a father, but they were wrong. Circumstances affirmed that Joseph would neverContinue reading “Difficult Circumstances”

Living Humbly

Jesus reminded his followers that we are not to live our lives for the purpose of being praised by people, but rather for the benefit and pleasure of our heavenly Father. In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 6, Jesus explained to his disciples that when they help others or when they pray, they are not to doContinue reading “Living Humbly”

Life Purpose

In the spring of 1747, a young missionary showed up at the Edwards family home. He was quite ill, and seventeen-year-old Jerusha took up the task of caring for him. For nineteen weeks, she cared for this young man. In October of 1747, he died of tuberculosis, which he had previously contracted while proclaiming Jesus’Continue reading “Life Purpose”

The Power of Thought

The way we think, day in and day out, gives to us a foundational key to sustaining joyful living on a daily basis. Joy is built upon the foundation of daily thinking in a manner that reflects our Father’s heart. In order to remember what we’ve been given, we need to think in a correctContinue reading “The Power of Thought”

Maintaining Focus

A number of times in his writings, Paul referred to running a race. This would have made sense to the Greek mindset that was accustomed to athletic games which included running. Paul emphasizes how important it is to keep the goal or finish line in mind. Several years ago, I ran in the Helvetia HalfContinue reading “Maintaining Focus”

Jesus is the Treasure

In 1980, a movie came out called Little Lord Fauntleroy. It was about a little American boy, Cedric or Ceddie, and his aristocratic English grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt. At the beginning of the movie, it was believed that Ceddie was the last surviving heir to his grandfather. He was brought from America to EnglandContinue reading “Jesus is the Treasure”