Speak Words of Life – Two2Grow, May 24 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT Words are very important and the way we use them affect our relationships: to others and most importantly to God.Have you ever been around people who use their words to tear down, to spread fear...  Read More

Seeing God – Two2Grow, May 23 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIVA Guest Devotion from Josephine StenhammarI wonder what comes to mind when you read the words ”holiness” and ”sanctification.” Maybe you think of legalism and a list of don’ts to restrict Christians.Maybe you read the words, look at your own life, and feel a sense of guilt and shame. God never inte...  Read More

“Be It To Me According to Your Word” – Two2Grow, May 22 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38a NKJVGod is not a bully. He will not force you to do something against your will. Rather, He invites you to partner with Him.Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets an example of what it means to partner with God for the fulfillment of His will.Man...  Read More

Sent with His Scent—Two2Grow, May 21 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 NKJVMy mother loves strong perfumes. When we had our first daughter, Josephine, I let grandma hold her for a while, and when she gave her back to me the baby no longer had that new...  Read More

Cultivate an Awareness of God’s Presence—Two2Grow, May 20 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Ps. 139:7 NIVThe world we live in is filled with the presence of God. The answer to David’s questions in today’s Scripture is “nowhere,” because the Spirit is everywhere (see Ps 139:8–12).Most people, even most Christians, don’t realize that or live like it is true. Bu...  Read More

Skilled with the Sword of the Word—Two2Grow, May 19 “It is written… It is written again” Matthew 4:4, 7, NKJVWhen facing the devil in the desert, Jesus used the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit and made the devil flee.Jesus has shown us how to win against the devil’s lies and temptations. Notice how skilled Jesus was with the sword of the Word. He began by saying, “It is written,” but as the...  Read More

The Devil Is a Liar — Two2Grow, May 18 When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44b NKJVWe are in a constant conflict with the devil. That’s a fact. But it should not scare us, because Jesus crushed the head of the serpent on the cross. We are battling a defeated foe. Because he is defeated, the devil cannot just bully himself into your ...  Read More

“One Day It Will All Make Sense” – May 17 "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIVHave you ever taken a step of faith and things didn’t turn out the way you expected? Maybe the Lord asked you to give a bit more money and then you ended up with some lack. Or God led you to change your career, only to find yourself in a hard place and missing your former job. ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?  2 Corinthians 2:15–16 NLTDid you ...  Read More

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIVHave you ever been lost? I mean where you literally do not know where you are or how to get to where you need to go. It is a strange and unsettling feeling.Once I was walking alone in a large African city and I got lost (this was before smartphones and GPS). ...  Read More

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34–35 NLT God has great plans for your life, plans to make your life meaningful and fruitful. God wants to use you to show Himself as the loving a...  Read More

Anointed and Waiting – Two2Grow, May 13 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. Luke 2:25 NIVThe culture we live in is an instant gratification culture with easy access to everything. We have instant coffee, fast food, and microwaves. With Internet and streaming services like Netflix...  Read More