March 16, 2015
Alaskan fishermen will tell you that only one-seventh of an iceberg is visible above the surface. Remember the Titanic? It crashed into an iceberg because the majority of it was hidden underneath. An iceberg is an awesome force in nature and should be held in great respect. And in a way, that’s exactly what you […]
Read Under the Surface on Elizabeth & Jim George.
November 30, 2015
Being a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a gracious aunt, a caring cousin sometimes means we’re inconvenienced. A son needs picked up at ball practice, a granddaughter needs a ride to the soccer field, a nephew or niece wants to go camping. How blessed you are to be involved in family life—to love and pray for the […]
Read Don’t Give Up on Your Family! on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 08, 2014
God’s will is a vital element in following God. Therefore, we need to gain a better understanding of God’s will. God’s will begins with renewing your mind— When your mind is transformed, your thinking, reasoning, and spiritual understanding help conform you to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. God’s will gives meaning to your […]
December 14, 2015
Would you describe what goes on in your home as “heaven on earth”? That’s quite an expression, isn’t it? Heaven…on earth! And life in your home is meant to be exactly that! The Bible uses home life and marriage as illustrations of God’s relationship with His church, with the people who follow Him. And when […]
Read Heaven on Earth on Elizabeth & Jim George.
June 29, 2015
An interviewer asked famed conductor Leonard Berstein, “What’s the most difficult instrument to play?” Good-naturedly he replied, “Second fiddle!” He added, “And if no one plays second, there’s no harmony.” We need to be more than willing to be God’s servants. We need to revel in the opportunities He gives us to serve. Do you […]
Read Second Fiddle on Elizabeth & Jim George.
October 19, 2015
It only takes a glimpse of email spam to see evil in action in this fallen world. It’s more than a little scary. But mom, you can make a difference! Moses’ mother, Jochebed, belonged to a sorority of mothers who gave their sons to God to use in the fight against evil. Samuel’s mother gave […]
Read A Courageous Mom on Elizabeth & Jim George.
June 01, 2015
Proverbs 19:2 warns, “A person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way” (NLT)! In today’s fast-paced world, circumstances may try to keep you from taking the time you need to think through situations. Your kids shout that they’re going to a friend’s house as they head out the door. Your friend calls and […]
Read Wisdom Waits on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 20, 2016
Think a minute about the things you worry about. What’s at the top of your worry list for today? Then look at one of God’s guidelines for contentment in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of […]
January 06, 2016
If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. James 4:15 There are two conditions we should be careful not to violate in our decision making and planning. The first is failing to consider our finiteness as humans. Let’s face it-our knowledge is limited. We have no way of knowing what the future […]
June 20, 2016
It took Michelangelo four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He had to paint with his head tilted uncomfortably upward while standing on scaffolds held by brackets in the walls, some 60 feet above the floor. Amazing! He never stopped using his mind, his creativity, his energy. And neither should you! Once […]
November 09, 2016
Are you confident in Christ? Are you placing your full trust in Jesus or have you lost sight of your identity with Christ? Are you confidently serving your family, raising your children, ministering your spiritual gifts, and being a bold witness with the authority of Christ? There is absolutely no reason for self-doubt or timidity. Direct […]
Read How You Can be Confident in Christ on Elizabeth & Jim George.
June 26, 2017
As people who love the Lord, we must bluntly and daily ask ourselves if there is any area in our life where we know we are off track, out of God’s will, and have wandered off His path of righteousness. Are there any choices of disobedience we are making repeatedly that are becoming unholy habits? Here […]
Read Leaving the Rut of Bad Habits on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 27, 2014
Like me, you get up every day, go to your closet, and select the clothes you’ll wear for the day. Well, you need to do the same thing spiritually. Here’s a partial list of God’s approved wardrobe: Put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24). Put on a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). Put […]
Read A Choice Garment on Elizabeth & Jim George.
February 29, 2016
When my mother-in-law was seriously ill, my husband – her only son – was out of the country and unreachable. As I cared for her by the hour, I have to tell you – I was reaching deep into my reservoir! There just wasn’t time for my usual kind of quiet time with God. What […]
Read Roots Run Deep on Elizabeth & Jim George.
September 15, 2014
Through the act of prayer you can seek the heart and mind of God in your difficult situations. God gives us help and answers when we pray. He gives us this assurance in difficult times: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we […]
Read Trust in God’s Help with Prayer on Elizabeth & Jim George.
June 30, 2014
It seems that no matter what our status in life is, there are others who are better looking, wealthier, and more talented than we are…and there are always others who “fall beneath us” in some way. It seems like we spend our lives looking up at some and down on others. The truth is that […]
Read Favoritism on Elizabeth & Jim George.
October 06, 2014
It’s easy to say all the right words when we pray. We can use prayer books containing the eloquent prayers written by others. We can spend hours in prayer crying out to God. But no matter how important the prayer or the need, the key to prayer is the condition of our hearts. Consider these sobering truths—God […]
April 20, 2015
That you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;… that he may comfort your hearts. Ephesians 6:21-22 Don’t you love it when you receive a “thinking of you” greeting card? I purchased an entire package […]
Read Thinking of Others on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 11, 2017
Do you take your responsibilities seriously? Maybe so much so that you worry about how you’re going to manage all the responsibilities and relationships that are on your plate at home and fulfill everything you’ve committed yourself to outside the home? Here’s a thought. What if there are just a few things God is asking of […]
Read When You’re Stressed by Responsibilities on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 23, 2017
We are not promised or guaranteed a life free of suffering, pain, or illness. Jesus wanted His followers—-including you and me—to know this hard truth: “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33)—trouble, trials, suffering, and tears. When my husband pastored and taught a senior citizens’ Sunday school class some years ago, he heard many of […]
Read Looking Heavenward on Elizabeth & Jim George.
April 25, 2013
In all areas of our lives, including family life and friendships we should be ready to embrace an active faith. So, how can we put faithfulness in action? Let’s consider the actions of a faithful woman. She is a mom, wife, and friend, who walks faithfully with God and follows through on whatever she has […]
Read What Does Faithfulness Look Like? on Elizabeth & Jim George.
February 23, 2015
The union of two people in marriage is potentially fraught with challenges—an understatement in the case of Jacob and Rachel! Their joining together was thwarted by a lying, conniving father-in-law, two wives, two concubines, and 12 sons generally marked by jealousy and aggressive, warlike behavior. No soap opera could ever even come close to duplicating […]
Read Jacob and Rachel on Elizabeth & Jim George.
March 16, 2016
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12 Do you ever wonder, […]
Read Living Honorably on Elizabeth & Jim George.
September 21, 2016
Maybe you won’t have an inheritance from an earthly father—but take heart! Your heavenly Father has given you a heavenly inheritance that you can count on. As you walk through your life with a sense of security, think of your Father’s gift to you and what it means. Your life in Christ. When you […]
April 03, 2017
I don’t know what stage of daughter-raising you are in right now, but it’s never too early to take your daughter to church. Mary took Jesus to “church” when He was only eight days old. We see Him in the temple again at age 12 (see Luke 2:21, 41-46). And it’s never too late to take […]
Read Church Is a Great Mother-Daughter Time on Elizabeth & Jim George.
October 17, 2016
Has anyone ever said you have a short fuse? God’s power and strength will help you hold back your anger and emotions. There are ways to develop your muscles of patience, to lengthen your fuse. Don’t give in to venting your anger. Instead pray on the spot and ask God to give you His patience. […]
January 16, 2017
Being friendly and approachable is a Jesus quality. You may think, Of course anyone could talk to me or ask something of me. But you may also be sending a message that says you already have enough friends, thank you very much, or you’re too busy to be bothered. Or maybe you’re sending the message that […]
Read Teen Tuesday—Being Friendly Like Jesus on Elizabeth & Jim George.
December 04, 2013
This time of the year we can’t help but marvel again at the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was a very special young woman who, through her faith and humility, found favor with God. Faith and favor with God have nothing to do with externals. But they have everything to do with […]
December 16, 2013
Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Luke 1:46 The surest test of a heart is the caliber of its speech—the quality of the words that issue forth. Through Mary’s words we see her pure heart. As she arrived at Elizabeth’s, this young woman opened her mouth and offered rich words of praise, a song […]
June 15, 2016
I had the surprise of my life when I interviewed for a job in a town on the outskirts of Los Angeles County. After stopping at the gate to gain entrance to the acreage of the Brandeis Institute, I drove down a long road leading away from all signs of city life. And there, for […]
June 22, 2016
Ruth…became his wife; and…bore a son. Ruth 4:13 Here’s a thought to prop up by your kitchen sink, attach to your computer, and tape to your bathroom mirror: True service is love in working clothes. Perhaps Ruth’s most outstanding distinction was her servant heart. She consistently ministered to Naomi. Ruth rose before dawn, put on […]
November 23, 2016
As you celebrate Thanksgiving, thank God for His provision and care and the contentment you can have in Him. You can be content because: Reason #1—God is your sun. You have His provision. Just as the sun is the source of all physical life, so God is the source of all life, both […]
September 16, 2013
You’ve got God on your side. He’s there, He’s available, and He’s totally capable. Therefore you can entrust your children into His hands. This doesn’t eliminate what you do as a parent. You still have to live out your part in raising a child to follow God’s heart. You still have to resist the pressure […]
May 18, 2016
Eve… was the mother of all living. Genesis 3:20 “Guilty!” God pronounced after Adam’s wife listened to the tempter, ate of the forbidden tree, and involved her husband in rebellion. It reverberated in Eve’s heart and mind. There was no doubt about her guilt. But as darkness settled in, she heard Adam declare, “Your name […]
February 12, 2014
A study of Abraham and Sarah, a couple after God’s own heart, paints an extraordinary portrait! No other marriage in the Bible is given as much space. In the 13 chapters that detail their lives up until Sarah’s death, we get a glimpse of the epic tale of their love, their trials, their partnership, and […]
Read Partners in Faith on Elizabeth & Jim George.
February 16, 2015
The life studies of Abraham and Sarah, a couple after God’s own heart, comprise an extraordinary portrait! No other marriage in the Bible is given as much space. In the 13 chapters that detail their lives up until Sarah’s death, we get a glimpse of the epic tale of their love, their trials, their partnership, […]
Read Abraham and Sarah on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 09, 2017
Blessings abound when you think real and true thoughts. And one of those blessings is strength for daily life—strength that includes energy, health, and vitality. I’m sure you know how limited you are when you are ill. Well, when you aren’t functioning according to what is real, it’s like trying to do something when you […]
April 24, 2019
December 19, 2016
Decisions. How many times have you said “Yes!” to something or someone and later wondered, “What was I thinking? Why did I do that?” Was it peer pressure? Or to please others? Maybe to be seen with a special group? Were you afraid to say, “Let me check with my parents” or “I’ll let you […]
Read Teen Tuesday—The Best Way to Make Decisions on Elizabeth & Jim George.
January 18, 2016
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8 We’re on our way to eternity, but until then, you and I face all the challenges of being […]
Read Living in the Shadow of Eternity on Elizabeth & Jim George.
August 14, 2017
Who are the people who make up your family? Whoever they are, they will always be vitally important to you (including the pesky ones), people you are to be loving toward. So… How about Mom? You know what her busy life is like, so pray for her—her commitments, her job, her relationship with the Lord. Pray […]
Read Teen Tuesday — Loving the People at Home on Elizabeth & Jim George.
August 05, 2013
Do you like change? Some people say that they do; some people quickly respond that they don’t. I’d bet that most people don’t welcome a change that challenges their comfort zone. But, challenging those comfort zones is exactly what God does to grow us. One of my comfort zones that was laid bare before God […]
Read Letting God Work on Elizabeth & Jim George.
March 30, 2020
March 12, 2014
Have you noticed in your church, your Bible study, your circle of Christian friends, that women who love God tend to sing? Miriam, Moses’ sister, sang when God gloriously delivered His people (Exodus 15:21). Fanny Crosby was an American hymn writer who lived from 1820 until 1915. That’s 95 years — and Fanny Crosby spent […]
Read God’s Songbird on Elizabeth & Jim George.
February 02, 2015
Believe me, I know from my own growing-up years and from raising two daughters that the teen years are challenging ones! Often it seems like everything in your life is spinning and constantly changing, and it’s hard to get your feet and emotions grounded—and then the next big change comes along! At other times it seems […]
Read Got Problems? on Elizabeth & Jim George.
February 26, 2014
As we consider the husband/wife relationship of Isaac and Rebekah, we are tempted to ask, “How can a relationship begin so beautifully… and end so badly?” (See Genesis 24-25.) Their marriage began as an answer to earnest prayer and God’s sure leading. And you can almost hear swelling music as Rebekah first spotted her husband-to-be from a distance, leaped […]
April 23, 2013
That doesn’t sound very nice, does it? But the Bible is very clear and specific when it speaks to us about who to befriend… and who to avoid! Here’s a short look at God’s list of people to reject as friends. As you read through these verses, make a note about the speech, character, or […]
Read God’s List of People to Avoid on Elizabeth & Jim George.
November 20, 2013
Have you ever asked yourself, How can I nurture family values in my home? How can I promote concern for one another among my children and teach them to love one another? Before we look at some of God’s answers to these vital questions, note how one devoted sister models such family values for us. […]