Recent Devotions
Luke 15:11-32 tells us of a father and his two sons. The sons grew up in the father’s house and were given all they needed daily. But the youngest felt restricted and limited by the rules his father had placed on him. As a young man, he didn’t want to wait for his father’s death; he wanted his inheritance immediately. His father agreed and divided his wealth between his two sons. Within a few days, the youngest son leaves home. He meets up with friends who are only too happy to encourage him in his sinful way of living. Maybe…
As I watch her excitedly climb the ladder to slide down the other side, I’m gripped with the knowledge that this is a fleeting moment. I see the joy in her upturned face as she talks to the trees, the birds, the flowers, asking them to play. Once again, I…
I have a recurring dream. I am in a familiar house, not my current home, but I feel I belong there. Walking through the hallways, I notice a few rooms I don’t remember seeing before. I am so excited; I can really use the extra space! Looking around, I notice…
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The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14, CSB) I recently read again the story of Gideon and the battle he led against Israel’s enemies (Judges 6). Although we see Gideon as God’s man for the hour, he did not immediately step forward to answer God’s call. Instead, he questioned, offered excuses, and wanted signs (fleeces). Although the angel of the Lord greeted Gideon by saying, “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor” (verse 12), Gideon did not respond…
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” So he led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.” (Exodus 13:17-18, CSB) Travel can be fun . . . or monotonous and boring. A friend and I recently took a quick road trip. Because we were on a tight schedule,…
“Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!” (Psalm 81:13 KJV) The more I am around children, the more I use the word “listen.” When I teach: Please listen. Listen carefully. Listen to the instructions. Look at me and listen. I have learned that nothing strains my patience and dances on my last nerve like being ignored. When my students don’t listen, the classroom gets chaotic, I get frustrated, we lose order, and we aren’t productive. Yet, I have to understand that these are children. Distractions are constant, and from their perspective, it’s…
“Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:14-16 NLT I’ve been reading the story of Gideon these last few nights, and I keep coming back to one word “victory”…
