Recent Devotions
I’ve talked to several people in the last few months that are in tough situations. Problems with their finances, their children, their marriages, addictions, you name it. What has shocked me in every instance is their lack of desperation. They’re complaining, crying, and even asking for help…but they really don’t want to make a change. So much so that I wonder if they’ve grown attached to their pain. It has tagged along for so long that it’s become their pet. They feed it, water it, and complain because it’s not house-trained yet, but they’ve come to see it as their…
“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know…
“A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13). In the information age that we live in, it seems as if there are no secrets anymore—especially when it comes to the personal lives of those in the public eye. In the past,…
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“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (KJV) Job’s words, “I shall come forth as gold,” were spoken from the depths of unimaginable pain. He was enduring the trial of his life. It felt as though the blessings and favor of God had been stripped away forever. Job was in anguish. His heart grieved the loss of his children. His body ached with sickness and sores. And, in the very moment when he needed comfort most, his wife and friends betrayed him with their words. He…
Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:4, CSB) Several years ago, I became a surrogate grandmother to the daughter of friends. We spent a lot of time together as her parents worked many long hours. Although they were not a religious family, they didn’t mind her going to church with me. She loved it. Fast forward a few years to when she was seven years old. As I babysat her one evening, she suddenly stopped…
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (I John 2:17, ESV) A man I knew often used the phrase “in the light of eternity.” He was a wise and godly man who chose to view the things of this present world as just temporary. He understood that the things many consider as success—social status, wealth, popularity, accomplishments—will not carry over beyond the grave. This life and its successes are fleeting. However, the things we do for God hold eternal value. Colossians 3:1-2 tells us, “If then you have been…
And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying . . . But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:11-13, ESV) Saul, the fierce persecutor of the early church, was on a mission. He was on his way to Damascus to hunt down more Christians, but his plans went awry as he traveled toward that city. Suddenly a bright…
