Going Deeper— Two2Grow, July 8 “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.”— 2 Timothy 4:13 NIVI never liked studying. I even managed to graduate from high school without reading a single book from cover to cover. But that all changed when I realized that studying God's Word is one of the primary ways we come to know God more deeply....  Read More

Don't Bury Your Gift—Two2Grow, July 7 "So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground." Matthew 25:25a NIVI was a mama's boy and never liked being away from my family. One summer during middle school, I went to a Boy Scout camp. After just a couple of days, I got one of the leaders to drive me back home because I was so homesick. So when I sensed as a teenager that God was calling me...  Read More

Say “No” with a Smile—Two2Grow, July 6 "I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’” Genesis 14:23 NLTIn Bible college, I had a teacher who asked the whole class to look at the person next to them, smile, and say, "No." He said one of the most important skills a leader can learn is how to say no w...  Read More

No Matter the Cost—Two2Grow, July 5 “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:41-42 NIV A post by Josephine StenhammarFollowing Jesus means suffering will come.God is fill...  Read More

America Healed—Two2Grow, July 4 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)I will never forget the first time I came to America. I was 19 years old and about to start Bible college. My life was changed—not on...  Read More

Never Forgotten—Two2Grow, July 3 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15 NIVI remember very vividly coming out of soccer practice in middle school and realizing that the van I had come with was no longer in the parking lot. My friend’s father, who had taken a group of us to practice, ...  Read More

Mind-blowing Generosity — Two2Grow, July 2 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 NIVThe first paycheck I ever received was for packing orders in a shoe warehouse during evenings and weekends while I was in high school. It was hard work. I remember when my first paycheck came in the mail, I cou...  Read More

The Antidote to Fear — Two2Grow, July 1 "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1 NLTFear is a bully—it wants to set the limits for our lives and decide what we can and cannot do.Fear is an enemy. If we give in to fear, we will never fulfill God’s assignment for our lives.We tend to speak our fears and make choices based on what we are afraid could happen.B...  Read More

The Power of Self-Control— Two2Grow, June 30 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32Our greatest enemy isn’t Satan; it is ourselves. Our fallen nature is constantly working against the will of God in our lives.We need to grow in self-control in our walk with the Lord so that we don’t give in to every impulse we have and simply let o...  Read More

Kingdom Focus — Two2Grow, June 29 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIVWe are in a war—whether we know it or not. There is an ongoing spiritual battle for our minds. Satan wants us to lose focus on Jesus and the kingdom of God and become consumed with what is going on around us in this world. He knows that when our focus is where it should be, we become danger...  Read More

Where God Guides, He Provides – Two2Grow, June 28 “The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Isaiah 58:11 NLTThroughout the Bible, God shows His love toward His people by providing for their material needs. It is not, as some think, that God only cares about our spiritual...  Read More

The Curse of Comparison — Two2Grow, June 27 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIVI have one older brother, and growing up, I compared everything he got with what I got. When my mom gave us ice cream at home, I put my bowl next to ...  Read More