Recent Devotions
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (II Corinthians 13:5, ESV). We are now just over one week into the new year. Many use this as a time for reflection and resolution. They consider it a fresh start, a blank page, a new leaf, or a new chapter. For many, however, those resolutions begin to wain after just a few days or weeks. Their resolve to exercise more, eat healthier, budget better, or manage…
“Ready or not, here I come!” With these words my stomach dropped, my heart pumped faster, and I tried to steady my breath. I was hiding—hiding in my secret place, and for a moment I was invisible. At times I would peek out from my hiding spot, and I could…
I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe that my steps are ordered, even in the most mundane of days. Like the day I forgot my lunch and went to the café in my office building. The café was busy, as it always was at lunchtime. An infrequent visitor there (my…
Readers Loved
Psalms 130:6 KJV “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” We often associate night with trials, and darkness with struggle and rough seasons of life. I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not enjoy harsh seasons, but rather I see them as something I need to suffer through, and claw my way out of, barely surviving. The above scripture in the New Living Translation says this “I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than…
We often hear people say they are going to “get away” for the weekend or go somewhere apart from the daily grind. We think of trips to the seashore or to the mountains to rejuvenate and refresh ourselves. This is not always an option as time and finances do not allow us the luxury. I have found there is nothing more refreshing and rejuvenating than to have time alone with God. When we face dark times, feel no one understands, or simply want to be alone and feel His love and care, we can slip away to a quiet place…
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14:15-16 We serve an Extraordinary God. He is limitless in power, all knowing and Creator. He does all things well, and does things that are a little outside of the box, spitting in dirt for instance to heal a man who was blind. If our God is creative and thinks big thoughts,…
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). John 1:17 tells us that Jesus is full of grace and truth. Generally, we are successful in teaching our children the truth of the Bible, but sometimes we are reluctant to teach them about grace. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. Perhaps we think they will get the idea that God forgives them so they can live sinful lives. But the very idea of grace is forgiveness and acceptance. Too often our backslidden children think Jesus just brought truth into the world.…
