Melanie Banks

"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV). This scripture is challenging for me. To say I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities would be a stretch. These are all things I would like to avoid at all costs. Looking back over the years of my life, I can see a pattern: I have run from discomfort, confrontation, conflict, weakness, and even lo[...]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." – Romans 5:8 (ESV) "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me." – Psalm 139:1 (NIV) These scripture verses reveal powerful and beautiful truths that can provide a deeper sense of abiding and resting in God when we truly receive them in our hearts. I am fully known, and I am fully loved. After many years of being a follower of Jesus, God has given me fresh revelations, and I am discovering new freedom and security[...]

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? ”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Qu[...]

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."  1 Peter 5:9(NIV). I desire to stand firm and unshakable in my faith, but to be honest, sometimes it's challenging to do. One of the stumbling blocks I have experienced that affects my ability to stand firm is comparing my calling with others. Sometimes, what other people are doing looks much more glamorous or applauded. I have longed for other people's abil[...]

"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11 (NIV). The more we know and understand God's word, the more we know and understand our Lord. As we read in the gospels, everything Jesus did during His life here on earth had a depth of meaning, mission, and purpose. When we read through Paul's letter to the churches, we see Paul modeling His life after Christ and living out his purpose to spread the gospel, not letting even the most drastic events[...]

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? ”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Qu[...]

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV). This scripture is a challenging one for me. To say I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities would be a stretch. To be honest, these are all things that I would like to avoid at all costs. Looking back over the years of my life, I can see a pattern of that. Fear of discomfort, confrontation, conflict[...]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV). This month we are focusing on being a disciplined disciple who is dependent on God. As I share some of my thoughts on this idea, I encourage you to let your heart explore this statement: I am dependent on God. You could ask it as a question or make it your declaration! As I meditate on these words, my thoughts take me to times when I have s[...]

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV). When I read this verse, I hear God's invitation to live a life free from fear, confident in who God is and who He made me to be. I also see a clear connection to living fearless and having a sound mind, meaning when I live in fear, the opposite is true; my mind is troubled. When my mind is troubled, my heart becomes troubled as well. Fear for me often begins with troubling thoughts. As I dwel[...]

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. “Romans 5:8 “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 These scripture verses reveal some powerful and beautiful truths that can provide a whole new level of abiding and resting in God if received and taken into our hearts. I am fully known, and I am fully loved. After many years of being a follower of Jesus, God has given me fresh revelation, and I am finding new freedom and security in Christ.[...]