Weekly Devotional

Stress wood helps a tree position itself for optimal sun absorption and it also helps trees grow more solidly. Without stress wood, a tree can grow quickly, but it cannot support itself fully. It cannot withstand normal wear and tear, and survive. Are you positioned for optimal sun absorption and solid growth? By Renee James

"You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words." That's who God sees when He watches you. The question is: Do you see yourself this way? Becoming resilient means you know who God sees when He sees you. Our series on resilience continues. By Renee James

The second step in becoming resilient is this: We must know who God sees when He looks at us. If you aren’t taking root in Him you will not be able to grasp even 1/10th of the woman He sees when He looks at you. Women of God know who and whose they are. By Renee James

"...They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” What would change in our friendships, parenting, work habits, ministry focus and approach . . . if we really truly believed that we could be like that tree?

Renee James begins a summer-long series of posts on resilience - what it is and why it matters. In this post: Is resilience like an elastic band . . . or a tree whose leaves never wither?

No one may revoke your membership in the body of Christ. In fact, your part in the body is specific. You belong! By Renee James

Almighty God speaks to you. He touches you gently, guiding you on paths that He alone makes smooth. So, lean in, turn off that ticker tape and trust. That’s all you can do. (By Renee James)

Jesus has just told Peter that he (Peter) will be tested the way a farmer separates wheat from husks - with focused intensity and power that shreds living material apart – but that He has prayed for Peter’s faith. A Good Friday devotional by Renee James