Author: Vanessa Taylor

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these… Continue reading Embrace Accountability

“And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering… Continue reading Following the Forever Faithful One

“You can know a tree by the fruit it bears. You don’t find figs on a thorn bush, and you can’t pick grapes from a briar bush. It’s the same with people. A person full of goodness in his heart produces good things; a person with an evil reservoir in his heart pours out evil things. The… Continue reading The Flow of Goodness

“Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be… Continue reading Spirit – Soul – Body

“Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 CEB) Read full chapter REFLECTION  I’m currently gearing up to make some significant changes in… Continue reading Gearing Up

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him…” (Psalm 37:7 AMPC) Read full chapter REFLECTION  Waiting can be wonderful. I know this statement may seem absurd, but there have been times that I’ve experienced it to be true…and I believe that it can be an ongoing reality in Christ. When I… Continue reading From Restlessness to Rest

“Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 AMPC) Read full chapter REFLECTION  What does is look like to be constant in prayer?  Is perpetual prayer possible? I’ve found that it is. I pray aloud first thing in the morning, as part of quality time with the Lord…not as a… Continue reading Perpetual Prayer

“Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 AMP) Read full chapter REFLECTION When we have more to do than we have time (and / or… Continue reading Thankful in the Thick of Things

“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd [waiting], and He was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd [lacking guidance]; and He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34 AMP) Read full chapter REFLECTION  In the space of a few hours, I found my heart full… Continue reading Cultivating Compassion

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and… Continue reading Unique & United