Recent Devotions
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:51-52, NKJV) It was common in the Old Testament to give children meaningful names. Names that parents hoped would define their child’s character, names to describe the location or circumstances of their birth, or names to illustrate something the parents themselves may want to remember. Also, names were changed later to commemorate new experiences. In Genesis 21: 3-6, Abraham…
When we read the story of Mary and Martha and their encounter with Jesus, it is evident that their reactions to the Lord’s presence were quite different. Mary recognized that she needed to seize the opportunity to be in God’s presence, even at the expense of her due diligence. We…
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14) Our first trip to the Middle East was a culture shock. Most of the passengers on Royal Jordanian Flight 264 were Middle Easterners. My husband and I were a minority on the airplane. Service…
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Lamentations 3:22-24 MSG “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.” Have you ever felt utterly hopeless and like you had nothing left? Those moments of absolute devastation and confusion, where nothing in the world seems to make sense? Brokenness surrounds you, and it can feel so isolating and intimidating. I have experienced moments in my own life like that. I think back to when I had suffered my third miscarriage.…
“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) What if you challenged yourself to only think and say good things for one entire day. Could you do it? For one 24-hour period could you focus exclusively on things that are true, honest, righteous, pure, acceptable, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy? As I wrote those words, I immediately thought, “There goes most news reports, political talk, and social media.” We might also need to tune out some conversations with coworkers, friends, or family members if they tend toward…
“And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.” Ruth 1:3-5 Twenty-four years ago, my husband was in the hospital facing surgery. We had perfect confidence that he would come through it with no problems. But something went wrong, and he did not survive.…
“And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Matthew 21:26) Today as I listened to the conversation between two young children, ages 46 and 25-months-old, I was reminded of their childlike sincerity and total honesty. Yet, no malice. When I would hear the words please and thank you, I was quick to praise them for using such kind words and manners to each other. They seemed to do it more. As the mother of five and grandmother…
