Recent Devotions
“In the beginning, GOD …” In our last study, we noted that the story of the beginning of all things started with a RIGHTeous GOD. Like Hebrew reads from RIGHT to left, our life story would do well to be read from the perspective of “RIGHT FIRST.” In everything we do, it’s RIGHT to put GOD in the beginning—to consider His Ways, His Word, His Will … FIRST. Over one hundred years ago, Charles M. Sheldon, through the characters in his fictional story, “In His Steps,” posed a similar challenge that, before making any decisions, of first asking “What would…
Hebrew text is written from right to left. Why is that? The way language is written and read, or its “directionality,” was apparently established when those languages began to be inscribed and the first alphabets were created. Languages originating in the Middle East, such as Hebrew and Arabic, were first…
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom In our last study, we explored the peculiar Hebraic concept of “past” and “future.” The perspective in Hebrew is that the “past” is “in front”—we walk, in essence, backward with our eyes facing the…
Readers Loved
I recently finished reading a book that claims it has “practical wisdom for women who want to speak up, create and lead.” It suggests that some women were raised to “play small” and not rock the boat or challenge the status quo. Reading it has encouraged me to step out and do things personally that, in the past, I had been hesitant to do. Sometimes, we can procrastinate and wait for exactly the right time or an opportunity that never comes. Although it is not a faith-based book, as I took those steps forward, I saw my faith in action!…
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 It’s always so amazing to me that I can read scripture and miss something so obvious and important. I know I’ve read this verse before, but in reading it the other night the word “personally” jumped off the page at me. We are told to be neither afraid or discouraged. I don’t know about you, but I see that there is plenty of that going around right now. People are…
“En-” means to put in or into; “courage” means to be confident and strong, therefore, encourage means to put courage and strength into someone. “Dis-” reverses the word it’s attached to. “Discourage” means to take courage away. An encouraging person is pleasant to be around because he builds you up and strengthens you by his words, actions, and attitudes. A discouraging person weakens, deprives of hope, and tears down rather than strengthening and building. Jennifer Rothschild says, “A good compliment gives us a happy buzz. It lifts us like sugar does….a quick buzz and then a let down that makes…
“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.” (Proverbs 11:25, NET) I have a friend who loves to give gifts. She shops ahead so she always has something on hand to spontaneously give when the occasion arises. I decided long ago that her love language must be receiving gifts and it just spills over into giving gifts. She delights in blessing others and must be one of those “cheerful givers” mentioned in II Corinthians 9:7. They give “not grudgingly or of necessity.” They just enjoy blessing others. (For those unfamiliar…
