I helped a blind lady each week for several years and was amazed how she got around in her home. She lived alone and knew how many steps from her bedroom to any room in her home. She had calculated her steps. When in unknown territory whoever was walking beside…
Peace. So many desire it yet live without it. Instead, their lives are filled with turmoil, fear, and confusion. Do they long for something unattainable? Not at all. We can live peaceful lives in a turbulent world, but first we must understand how to find the peace so many long…
We live in an angry world. It seems that each week we read of another instance of this anger breaking loose and spilling onto an innocent bystander. We have even coined a phrase to describe the aggressive, often deadly, anger displayed on our highways—road rage. Read more from this Bible…
Impossible people! Who hasn’t dealt with someone who makes our life miserable? Whether overbearing, rude, demanding—fill in the blank—they are taxing to be around. It may be a boss, a coworker, a fellow church member, or even someone within our family. They drain our emotions and leave us exhausted when…
Whatever our passion, it will cost. It comes at the expense of time and effort. The price may include great personal sacrifice, misunderstanding of motives, or even the friendship of those who think us radical. Yet the greater the passion, the less these things matter. For the Christian, our greatest…
What we consider a “small” decision may actually change the course of our life. Rushing ahead without first seeking guidance through prayer and godly counsel can lead to disaster. There is wisdom in knowing when to respect the advice given, even when it may not seem important or logical. Read…
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer,” (Romans 12:12, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Before this admonition, Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome about love, good and evil and business sense. His instructions sound like a high-achiever motivational speaker until he mentions tribulation. Rejoicing is easy when there’s hope, but exercising patience in troubled times? Isn’t God supposed to propel us through difficult situations, looping us back to rejoicing? And what about continual prayer? Other translations render continuing instant in prayer as devoted to prayer or faithful to prayer, but instant is a bolder definition. Instant prayer. Follow Apostle Paul’s advice. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in difficult situations. Take time to pray.
Prayer: Lord, I’m grateful for this ancient advice that is still effective today. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“Buck-up” therapy. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you? In fact, we all have probably subscribed to the philosophy. Pretending that nothing is wrong, we gamely appear to be unaffected by the conflict and stress that fills our lives. After all, asking for help is often perceived as a sign of weakness. The tendency to bluff our way through our problems often prevents us from receiving the help and support we desire. We need each other, and we need God. None of us are capable of maneuvering through the obstacles of life without a Savior.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are our refuge, a very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Thank You for allowing us to come before You without masks or pretense. You are our safe place.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock
Wouldn’t it be nice to know what lies ahead? Fortune tellers and tarot card readers make money, promising glimpses into the future. But no one can successfully predict what tomorrow or next year will bring. The Word of God is our best source for direction. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word is not a spot light that shines for miles, but it is a lamp. A lamp only casts its light a few feet ahead. But by that light, you can see where to step. After the first step is taken, it reveals the next few feet.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for Your Word. Reading its pages and listening to Your voice provides us with the roadmap for each day. Please help us to hear and understand what You are saying.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock