Recent Devotions
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him . . . And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (I Samuel 3:7 and 10, ESV) I have several acquaintances who have hearing problems, not all of whom are older. Some use hearing aids and two or three have cochlear implants. Still others, with severe or total hearing loss, use sign language to communicate. Whatever the cause, when our hearing is impaired, it affects how we live.…
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5, ESV) Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet with the longest book, won no popularity awards during his forty years of ministry. Few, if…
“Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” Psalms 77:19 When the Israelites were finally freed from their slavery, they set out on a perilous journey to reach the land that God had promised them. Their futures were uncertain, and…
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“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:12, ESV) I received a text message last week that said, “We need to get tea on the calendar.” I understood the message immediately. It meant we hadn’t talked in a while, and she was ready for some friend time. But with a cup of tea and an hour’s chat we were both ready to face the challenges of a new day. That’s what friends are for. One of my frequent prayers is to thank God for the wonderful friends He has placed…
“The LORD told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” Judges 7:7 NLT In Judges chapter seven, Gideon is preparing to go to war with his army against the Midianites. He starts off with 32,000 warriors, but the number is quickly reduced to 300. I imagine they felt strong and confident on their way to battle with 32,00 men, but looking around at a measly 300 men was probably a little daunting. Verse 12 tells us that “the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the…
“Joash did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.” (II Chronicles 24:2, NLT) Thrift stores, consignment shops, flea markets, and garage sales are all good places to pick up items at just a fraction of their original cost. Or, if you don’t want to leave home to shop, there’s always the internet. Some people just have a knack for finding hidden treasures under the tarnish and dust of the years. I don’t seem to have that knack. While I do enjoy browsing the tables of used books, most items just look dreary and…
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Psalm 68:19 Count your blessings, name then one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. A friend of mine recently shared with me some of the many ways she had been blessed in the past year. It had been a difficult year for her because of the loss of her husband, but she had made up her mind to find ways she could bless…
