Recent Devotions
“Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” (II Kings 22:8, NKJV) Have you ever lost something valuable? Perhaps it was an important legal paper. Or possibly a sentimental piece that had been in the family for years. When we realize something is missing, we usually begin a frantic search. We look in all the usual and logical places. Then, if it’s still lost, we begin searching in every imaginable place, even if…
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” (James 1:2, NKJV) Is it possible to feel joy, even when life isn’t joyful? That’s what James seemed to be saying as he began his epistle. Even when experiencing times of adversity, we can feel joy. Centuries before…
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16, NKJV) How could one man’s actions cause an entire army to go on a search mission to find him and seize him? Yet, that is what happened in II Kings 6. The man…
Readers Loved
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: The writer of Ecclesiastes made it perfectly clear: there is a time, a season, and a purpose for everything—the good, the bad, the ugly. (See Ecclesiastes 3:1–8.) Just as the earth experiences spring, summer, fall, and winter, our life cycle has its seasons. Much like spring, we emerge into existence out of the darkness, and just as easily as we emerge, we eventually fall back into the cold of winter. It’s called “life cycle.” From seasons of stretching, where God seems to shape something…
Luke 15:11-32 tells us of a father and his two sons. The sons grew up in the father’s house and were given all they needed daily. But the youngest felt restricted and limited by the rules his father had placed on him. As a young man, he didn’t want to wait for his father’s death; he wanted his inheritance immediately. His father agreed and divided his wealth between his two sons. Within a few days, the youngest son leaves home. He meets up with friends who are only too happy to encourage him in his sinful way of living. Maybe…
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17, ESV) When Ephesians 6 describes the armor of God, it covers piece by piece the soldier’s protective gear. From head to toe, we are to put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and have our feet properly fitted with the gospel of peace. In our hand we hold the shield of faith, designed to protect us from the fiery darts that could harm us. Each piece of equipment listed is defensive, protecting us…
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV) Perhaps because this is the holiday season, I am more intentional about staying in touch with friends, both far and near. I think of friendship as a gift from God and cannot imagine a life without friends. A small group of church friends started what has become an annual tradition. Before Christmas we make plans to get together. We call it a party, but it’s nothing fancy and there’s no real agenda. It is simply a time of fellowship and friendship. The food is whatever…
