Recent Devotions
“We love because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19, ESV) In many countries around the world, today is a day to celebrate love. Valentine customs may vary, but love is the key ingredient. We may think of roses, chocolate, and romantic dinners, but love can also be shown by a child’s drawing, a construction paper cutout of a heart, or a big hug. Expressions of love come in many forms. One of my most memorable Valentines (but not for the reason you might think) came from Gary, a fourth-grade classmate. At that time, it was traditional to bring a…
Psalms 18:11 NLT “He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds.” How often do we believe the lie that God has left us to suffer in our circumstance? The quiet and loneliness certainly must be a sign that God is absent, and unaware of our troubles.…
Luke 13:15-16 ESV “Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this…
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Matthew 15:33-37 ESV “And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ” Sometimes…
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.” Genesis 49:22-24 Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, beloved by his father, pampered and spoiled, perhaps, which caused his brothers to hate him. To top it off, he was foolish enough to share his dreams with them only causing more antagonism. But God had a…
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, NKJV) It happened again just a few minutes ago. I heard a commentator on the radio state we are living in “uncertain times.” Over and over that phrase has been repeated to us in recent weeks. I’ve even said it myself. And it’s true. We don’t know all the future hold. It seems things are shifting and changing almost minute by minute. But then I realized two things. First, life has always had its uncertainties. Second, there are certainties—absolutes—I can count on. The choice is mine. I can face…
“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22, NKJV) This morning I found a small folded piece of paper on the floor. How it got there I do not know—must have fallen out of something. I was surprised to see handwritten Bible study notes from long ago. I had not dated it or noted the teacher’s name. On the back of a bank deposit form (obviously found in my purse) I’d written “Storms of Life.” I’m sorry I cannot credit the…
