Inspirational Writings from Gwen Shamblin Lara

  • Weigh Down Works
    Being Able to Say, “I’m Sorry”
    Looking inward and changing is a hard teaching. The nearer that Jesus got to the cross, the fewer the people who followed Him. His disciples said: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it..."
August 11, 2026

Introspection is the Key

In the end, introspection is the key that unlocks the first door on this journey. James, the brother of Jesus, said it this way: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like..."
August 10, 2026

A Heart for God

I have not set an alarm clock in many years. God wakes me up every day just at the right time. With gentle creativity, He chooses a variety of waking methods, so my first thought is God and thanking Him for waking me—and the earlier the better for me. I love getting up in the night and working for Him or having Him teach me something new...
August 8, 2026

Loving God’s Beautiful Authority

Have you surrendered every bite of food to the lead of the Heavenly Father? Why not? The answer could be anti-authority. We need an understanding and the practice of following the lifestyle of Jesus Christ, who stayed under authority during suffering. Your Savior, Jesus Christ, did not choose His rule, but He chose God’s rule in and up to His final hour...
August 4, 2026

Finding Fullness and a Connection with God

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34 Your food is to do the will of the Father. And what is the will of the Father? It is found in that growl. Waiting on the growl is like finding God, meeting up with God every day, several times a day. It keeps you so focused on His will...