Recent Devotions
For most of her life, Maud Lewis lived in a pint-sized one-room house with no running water or electricity near Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada. The 10′ x 9′ cottage became her canvas, and she painted almost everything. Birds and butterflies fluttered across the door. Vibrant flowers covered the windows, the walls, the cupboards, the little staircase to the sleeping loft, the woodstove, and the breadbox. Even the dustpan was covered in daisies. She never traveled more than sixty miles in any direction from home. She never saw a work of art by another artist and never attended an art class.…
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (I Peter 2:21, KJV) The word calling is something we often hear in church, but what does it really mean? In Scripture, calling is more than a title…
“And I saw a great white throne . . . And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life . . . And whosoever was not found written in the book of…
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 How many times have you cried out to God, in heartbreak and despair, that you just don’t understand His ways. I’ve done it plenty of times. When my life wasn’t turning out the way I thought it would. When I miscarried the first time, then the second time, and especially the third time. When my heart hurt so badly I wasn’t sure it would ever heal. I’m…
Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The word “world” in the above scripture means “period of time, age.” The age that we live in is one that is riddled with those who are struggling to win the war in their minds. Our thoughts hold us captive, and freedom seems to elude us. We are warned not to be conformed (to become similar, to comply, to agree) to this…
“Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of negligent hands the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18, CSB) As I pulled my car out of the garage this week, I noticed a piece of trim over the garage door was sagging in one spot. Note to self: remember to find hammer and nail to tighten it up. Otherwise, soon that entire piece will start pulling away from the frame. Some preventive maintenance is needed. It’s one of the joys of homeownership—the constant need to stay alert for minor issues before they become a major repair. Many things we do in…
The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14 NLT We live in an era where we don’t usually have to step onto the battlefield and fight for what is rightfully ours. We aren’t bloodied and bruised from the fight, and we certainly (hopefully) don’t carry swords and shields with us for protection. We do fight spiritually, though, whether we realize it or not. We can pray, worship, intercede, and storm the gates of Hell – but we still sometimes need God to fight FOR us. Some things are simply beyond our human capabilities. When we have…
