Mar 21st 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

God Chooses the Weak: Celebrating Caleb and His Example

Today is World Down Syndrome day — the perfect day to tell you about a young man named Caleb and how God has used him to preach volumes. (I’m interrupting our series on God’s Sovereign Rule to celebrate this special day. Besides, I believe God has a message for you sent through Caleb…) Several weeks ago I had the privilege of seeing my friend’s son, Caleb, be baptized at... read more

Mar 14th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Apple and the Alien: Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule, Part 3

It is critical that we grasp the truth of God’s sovereign rule and rest in His higher plan. When we do, we’ll not only survive our seasons of suffering, we’ll thrive. I want you to do more than barely survive your trial by the skin of your teeth. I want you to thrive! I want you to receive all the good things—the good fruit—that can come from your trials. You see, God has... read more

Mar 9th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Filtered Through His Fingers of Love: Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule, Part 2

God holds our lives in the palm of His hand. Nothing is allowed to touch us unless it is filtered through His fingers of love. Only the circumstances that will benefit us and reveal His character are allowed to seep through His protective fingers. In Part One of this series, we saw that God is the supreme ruler of the universe. He has ultimate control over every detail. No one outranks or overrules Him,... read more

Mar 7th 18 Posted by Natalie Nichols

His Throne Rules Over All: Resting in God’s Sovereign Rule, Part 1

Are you discouraged because of a hardship in your life? Have negative circumstances robbed you of hope? Has something bad happened to you—something it seems God should have either been powerful or caring enough to stop?  This is the first article in a series about a vital truth: God is sovereign. Whatever you’re going through, I believe this series will encourage you. Suffering and hardship got... read more

Dec 23rd 17 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Thank You for Sharing the Greatest Gift!

Here at Christmas, we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus and the greatest gift ever offered to mankind—the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ who came to save His people from their sins. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 The Bible promises that when we ask God for... read more

Nov 22nd 17 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Thanksgiving in the Midst of Your Suffering (Part One)

Suffering is “having what you don’t want and wanting what you don’t have.” Defined by these terms, everyone is suffering in some way. Even you. Therefore, you might find it very hard to be thankful today. But it is possible for your suffering to be an occasion for gratitude and thanksgiving. (Tweet this) Several years ago, I wrote two posts about finding thanksgiving and... read more

May 20th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

“The God of What’s Left” by Jentezen Franklin

Has life taken something from you recently? Jentezen Franklin shares a message that will encourage you and give you hope! Have you lost: your job? desperately needed income — perhaps due to unexpected expenses? a spouse — from divorce, or death, or illness? a loved one? your future — perhaps due to drug addiction or foolish decisions? Using multiple examples from the Bible, Jentezen... read more

May 15th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

God Still Clothes the Lilies: The Complete Series

God Still Clothes the Lilies is a fifteen-part teaching series. For ease in locating a post, I have included links to all fifteen below: God Still Clothes the Lilies: 10 Lessons for Seasons of Uncertainty (Part 1) God Still Clothes the Lilies, Lesson 1: Rest in God’s Sovereign Rule God Still Clothes the Lilies, Lesson 2: View Your Needs from Heaven’s Higher Perspective God Still Clothes the Lilies,... read more

May 14th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Lilies, Bonus Lesson: Tell God How You Feel (Part 2)

Are you angry in the midst of your disappointment and pain? Are you telling God how you feel? Or are you sweeping your true feelings under a rug, painting on a big smile—superficially declaring everything is all right because God is in control? As the previous post stated, there are psalms of darkness (almost as many as there are psalms of praise and thanks) in which the psalmists express their... read more

May 12th 14 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Lilies, Bonus Lesson: Tell God How You Feel (Part 1)

In your pain and disappointment, are you telling God how you really feel? Or do you believe it would be improper to do so—perhaps because your emotions include feelings of frustration and anger at God? Bonus Lesson: Tell God How You Feel Have you ever stopped to think that the psalmists talked to God in their dark night of the soul—and when they did, they were real with God? The psalmists... read more