Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.             1 Timothy 4:8 The gym has been my “thing” for decades. When I was in college, I started teaching aerobics (that’s the ancient word for “fitness classes” for anyone under 40). Then, asContinue reading “knocking down idols”

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 Right now, there is so much fear and uncertainty for us all. This is especially true for those who keep a constant ear to the news every waking moment. We are being told, in no uncertain terms, to panic. Grocery storeContinue reading “look up”

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  Psalm 146:1-2 Most likely, we have all experienced a moment of deep grief that has literally brought us to our knees. We fall down because our physical self is overcome with despair orContinue reading “falling on our knees—in praise”

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Matthew 4:10 Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, they come in just the right size and shape for each of us. The enemy knows us—really knows us. He and hisContinue reading “the power of the Word”

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Do we trust God? In the midst of the panic and chaos around COVID-19, do we trust Him?Continue reading “confident hope”

“I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”  Job 42:2 Have you ever gotten news that you’re literally unable to comprehend? You’re hearing words, but nothing’s processing because it’s beyond anything you could fathom. The fog eventually clears, and you realize everything is different. Everything.  WithContinue reading “praise in the unraveling”

“Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.” Psalm 73:7 Do you ever cry out like the Psalmist does here? When reading through some of the Psalms, I all too often agree and think, “Yeah! Everything comes so easy for them. Why do other people have everything they want, while I struggle?”Continue reading “greener grass”

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Has it happened to you? You’re enjoying a delicious dinner out with friends, talking and laughing the hours away. A few sweet teas into the evening, you hit the restroom and gaze at your reflected smile…only to see a big green hunk ofContinue reading “mirror, mirror”

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…” Philippians 1:12 When setbacks happen, our natural response can be frustration, even anger. We had a vision for where we were heading and a specific plan of action…then things just veeredContinue reading “reversals for advancement”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 When you meet someone new, how do you describe yourself? By your job? Your hobbies? Perhaps you share some notable personality trait. And what about the people that know you already—how would theyContinue reading “a new creation”