Remember when you used to dream? To imagine what could be?

Did you know that God is always speaking? Speaking faith, speaking hope, speaking life.

It’s easy to fall into hopelessness and despair when it seems life has passed you by.

Are you stuck? Stuck in a dead-end job, stuck in a relationship gone bad, stuck in a house that turned into more than you can handle?

It was an honorable mission. Threatened by the king of Moab, the kings of Israel and Judah set out with their armies to confront the enemy.

Have you ever wondered if God is mad at you? Maybe that’s why the washer keeps breaking or your bank account is always overdrawn.

Some valleys are valleys of death. Desert land, dry and dusty with no signs of life. The heat is oppressive and your thirst unquenchable.

The apostle Paul was under home arrest when he wrote this scripture. His future was uncertain.

What is God doing in your life? Sometimes we lose forward movement in our lives because we misunderstand what the Lord is doing.

Have you ever seen two kids squabble on a playground, pushing each other around until one finally cries out, “My dad can beat your dad!” It’s a classic scene played out time and again in movies and TV.

What do you do when things don’t work out as planned? Are you open to new ideas?

Have you chosen to live in a dark valley? Are you hiding from people or even from God?

You may have been in this valley a long time, believing, praying, even excitedly anticipating an answer to a prayer, a miracle in a seemingly impossible situation… but nothing seems to budge.

It was contrary to everything the Israelites were believing for. They had been overpowered and carried away to Babylon.

Ever feel like the walls are closing in and there’s no way out? You’re desperate for a way through the dire situation, but you are stuck.

Your vision is renewed, you’re beginning to dream again – and yet if someone were to chart your progress, you’ve hardly moved an inch. Why not?

Thankfulness. It’s like a spiritual boost for your life, an energy drink for the journey. Thankfulness can supercharge you when you feel drained.

We all go through “valley” type experiences, but some of us seem to be forever chained to them.

Have you ever been in a situation where you can see God’s hand of blessing on your home, your family, your work—and yet you feel there’s something more?

God has birthed an idea in you. Whether it was a word, a dream, or an idea that came to you as you were driving down the highway or watching your kids play soccer, you finally have a vision for your future.

You don’t have to look far in our society to find someone who has suffered at the hands of wickedness. Prejudice, discrimination, verbal or physical abuse or molestation can lead to feelings of shame—even when you’re not at fault.

Now that we’ve embarked on this journey together, I have one disclaimer: your journey forward may not be easy. In fact, it may be very, very hard.

Are you lonely? We live in a lonely society, often made lonelier by the loss of a friendship or the passing of a loved one or a beloved pet—the cat who used to curl around your legs or the dog who was always at the door to greet you.

Are you testing God’s patience? Have you lost your momentum? Most of us know the story of the Israelites, God’s people who were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years.

We all have favorite memories, moments in time we’d love to relive. But if you dwell in the past too much—fixated on the good old days, the “remember whens”—you can miss the new that God wants to do in your life.

How are you doing? You may have started this journey with a little uncertainty, but hopefully you’re beginning to understand the importance of living a life of purpose and vision.

Are you reconsidering this journey? Are you second-guessing yourself and your quest to “move forward in God”? Sometimes we need a little push, a little stirring up of our spirits to keep advancing.

Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels? Your schedule is packed, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to put your finger on what you really accomplished. Nothing gained, no markers passed.

It’s comforting to know that the Lord is “a mighty rock where I can hide.” (Psalm 94:22) A shelter from the storms, a refuge from the enemy, a hiding place. There are moments in life where we need to escape from the stress and struggle and sometimes torment of this world.

Have you ever come to a bend in the road and hesitated? Unsure of the future, you stall in your tracks. There may be fear involved or a risk you’re not prepared to take.