Recent Devotions
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45 I just finished reading the book of Joshua in my daily Bible reading. No matter how many times we read these stories over and over, it is still amazing how the Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt and brought them into the land He had promised. Many times they murmured and complained and rose up against their leaders. How much easier their journey would have been if they had only trusted God and believed…
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” Psalm 84:5-7 It…
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. About two years ago, I began praying that the Lord would show me when it was time to give up my…
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Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV). In the years since the start of the pandemic, I’ve wrestled with staying informed and staying peaceful. I care about the world around me, but God knows how much energy I need for my own people. I’m sharing a few changes that helped balance my news intake and my stress level, and I hope they help you, too, if you need a step back. Let the story happen first. This…
I find no place in the Bible where it says we will not be afraid. In fact, God’s Word puts fear as a given. It’s in our human DNA. Fight/flight is our nature’s response to fright. When in fear for his life, David said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust Thee” (Psalm 56:3). Fearful Bible heroes, from Abraham to Jehoshaphat to Daniel, were bolstered and encouraged by the assurance that God was with them and would deliver them. Thus, fear is common to the human race. The issue then is when fear strikes, what is our response? Psychologists…
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I live in a region that experiences four distinct seasons each year. We are currently enjoying (and I use that word loosely) summer. It is currently hot and dry, which means I am constantly watering my outdoor plants to keep them alive. Still, I prefer summer’s heat to winter’s freezing blasts. I suppose the “best” season depends on one’s preferences. I prefer the warm, mellow days of late spring to early summer. A friend enjoys cold, snowy days. We each get our favorite,…
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you . . . If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you . . . But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” (John 15:18-21, NKJV) Have you ever been disliked because of a friend you associate with? Not…
