Recent Devotions
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3 This Psalm is one I find myself reading often. It emphasizes the security of God’s people. When the world all around us is in turmoil, there is One who never fails. Nations may crumble, and great leaders may fall, but we can stand secure and firm on the foundation…
“O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.” Psalm…
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11 David went through many times of testing and one of the most discouraging…
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 Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38). And Mary said, “Yes” when the angel came, not knowing all it would mean. For “yes” was only the beginning. “Yes” to giving birth in a cold, dark stable while cows and sheep looked on. “Yes” to a sword that pierced her soul as her Son died on a cross while she looked on. And Mary said, “Yes, let it be.” But do I? Do I say “yes” when God calls to…
“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…
