Bethany McIlrath

First and Second: Perspective On What Matters Most (Matthew 22:36-40)

Tag: joy

  • Lie 8: Sin Should Be Left In The Dark

    Lie 8: Sin Should Be Left In The Dark

    (A series on lies sin tells us to tempt us and trick us. Read the whole series here.) We don’t like to look sin in the face and see it for what it is. We’re tempted by it, yes. We have a propensity for it, yes. But we really hate to face it. I remember…

  • Resting With A Yoke On

    Resting With A Yoke On

    I’m one of those happy people who gets to work in my pajamas sometimes. My work, however, doesn’t involve sleeping. I have to be awake. More than that, I have to be thinking, communicating, and putting significant effort in if I’m going to do a good job. You too, huh? Maybe I was just extra-ready…

  • Word of the Week: Direct

    Word of the Week: Direct

    Earlier this week, Carly shared about trusting in plans. She realized her “planning was not enough” and that she “needed God to…make it come together.” The verse she wrote about is a challenging one: “Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy…

  • 3 (Hopeful) Truths for the Overwhelmed

    3 (Hopeful) Truths for the Overwhelmed

    My calendar always ends up a mess. It seems like everything is happening at once and at the same time like the things that really matter to me aren’t happening at all. I notice plenty of hurry up and wait. In the meantime, I begin to hear the phrase “you can’t do it all.” Every…

  • Word of the Week: Will

    Word of the Week: Will

    Free will. My will. His will. I will do that. When will…? I’m not sure we often get through a day without using the word. At the same time, I wonder if we view it well? Perhaps its most famous context is this: “Not my will, but yours be done.” –Luke 22:42 As Lois shared…

  • WordoftheWeek: (Pure) Joy

    WordoftheWeek: (Pure) Joy

    The NIV translation of James 1:2 says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” I love this verse. Abby shared it in her post this week about how loneliness can be a blessing. She describes a lonely season in her life and how, through it, she found…

  • When Loneliness is a Blessing -The Word Works Series

    When Loneliness is a Blessing -The Word Works Series

    Writing on her blog Fearfully Made Mom, Abby reveres the Lord and His workmanship in her words and life. Sharing stories and thoughts that many of us encounter in daily our lives, Abby is quick to point straight to the truth we need to hear. Listening in gladly today! I remember the first time we…

  • WordoftheWeek: Loving-Kindness

    WordoftheWeek: Loving-Kindness

    As Jeanne shared earlier in the week, the Lord’s love is certain. His love for us is displayed in so many ways. For Jeanne, it became apparent that God’s love for her was complete, even through infertility. So complete, in fact, that His love for others never competes with His love for her. One of…

  • 25. BEHOLD: The Christ

    25. BEHOLD: The Christ

    Behold, the warmth of a newborn baby. Behold, the peace in the stable. Behold, long journeys over that have only just begun. Behold, the world forever changed in a moment. Behold, the moment by moment blessing. Behold, the hope we have forever. Behold, the promise fulfilled. Behold, the victory over sin and death. Behold, the…

  • 24. BEHOLD: The Merry

    24. BEHOLD: The Merry

    Merry Christmas Eve! Have the festivities begun? Are you making merry? Do you know what “merry” is all about? The dictionary tells us: Scripture also uses the word. “we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” –Luke 15:32 The Greek…