Recent Devotions
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-3, NKJV) One of the greatest stories of faith in the Bible is found in Genesis 22. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son—his long-awaited son of promise—as a burnt offering. How could God ask such a painful and shocking thing of a man who had faithfully followed Him for years? How could He ask a loving father to kill his own son? the…
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1) When I’ve been out with friends from church, we are sometimes asked the question, “Are you sisters?” We usually just smile and answer, “No, just friends.” It’s amusing because often there is no physical resemblance between any of us, but the onlooker senses some connection they…
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13, NKJV) Life can be lonely. When we go through times of trouble, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that we are facing this battle alone. We become convinced…
Readers Loved
“Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” Romans 9:21 A year or two ago, I decided to try a new craft with my two girls: air-dry clay. I had watched many videos and tutorials on how to make adorable little animal figurines and was determined to create some of my own. I (unfortunately) hyped my daughters up and convinced them that they would be masters of air-dry clay in a matter of seconds. You can probably guess how this venture ended. Air-dry…
“Love is patient and kind . . . . “ (I Corinthians 13:4, ESV) The holiday season can be stressful. We’ve got places to go, things to do, and not much time to fit it all in. When stores are crowded and lines are slow, patience may be in short supply—mine, yours and everyone else’s. Maybe it’s time to pause, take a deep breath, and look at those around us. We never know the pressure and worries others may be going through. Let me tell you about an evening I once shared with a group of friends. We were celebrating…
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3, ESV) Many people find storms frightening, and rightly so. They can exert tremendous force, resulting in great damage. Those living in coastal areas soon learn the dangers of hurricane season, while those in “tornado alley” keep an eye on the sky. Residents of storm-prone areas learn how to prepare and when to seek safety. Sometimes, however, the storm strikes unexpectedly, catching those in its path unawares. Mark 4:37-39 recounts a time when the disciples were caught in a life-threatening storm. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves…
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 I woke up this morning to a white world. Snow had fallen through the night, and everything looked clean and new. All the marks and imperfections in the yard from yesterday were gone. This verse in Isaiah came to my mind. The prophet Isaiah was sent to the nation of Judah to convict them of their sins and their need to seek the Lord.…
