Author: Vanessa Taylor

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and… Continue reading Gratitude & Grit

“Dear friends, don’t ignore this fact: One day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to… Continue reading Pace & Process

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 NIV) Read full chapter REFLECTION  Boasting has its… Continue reading Divine Access

“Paul’s test for spiritually immaturity: Do you argue? Do you compare yourself to others? Are you jealous? Answer “yes” to any of these, then you are spiritually immature.” “My job was to plant the seed, and Apollos was called to water it. Any growth comes from God, so the ones who water and plant have nothing to brag… Continue reading Beloved Handiwork

“Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 GNV) Read full chapter REFLECTION  Today’s reflection is in the form of an excerpt from my book Unseen Beauty: Prayer precedes patience, and patience precedes precious peace. And divine grace is needed for it all, for only our Maker can fill us and fuel us with what we deeply need. So,… Continue reading A Tapestry of Trust

“Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].” (Proverbs 16:3 AMP) REFLECTION  How would you define success?  If we want to succeed in ways that line up with God’s Word, and bear eternal fruit, then we need to… Continue reading Eternal Fruit

“So then, being always filled with good courage and confident hope, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7 AMP) Read full chapter REFLECTION … Continue reading Confident Belief

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking… Continue reading Strengthened to Serve

“Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. Be innocent of malice but mature in understanding.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 The Voice) Read full chapter REFLECTION  A measure of maturity can certainly develop over time and through an abundance of experience. However, spiritual maturity — the kind of that deeply impacts reality and echoes into eternity —… Continue reading Spiritual Maturity

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”… Continue reading Enlightened Love