Recent Devotions
Nehemiah 4:14 “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” There will always be people who want you to fail. I don’t understand it myself, but some people just hate to see others succeed, and this was the case in the fourth chapter of Nehemiah. They were working tirelessly to complete the wall, and at every turn they had…
Proverbs 17:19 “Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.” Proverbs is such an interesting book of the bible to me. It’s this smorgasbord of universal wisdom all compiled into one book. This scripture goes from quarreling to trusting in high walls all…
Psalms 16:8 “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Have you ever heard the saying “shaking in your boots”? Sometimes life can leave us feeling that way, whether its from fear, shock or grief. We can easily and…
Readers Loved
“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4, New King James Version). All of us probably have some sort of to-do list for our day, even if it’s only in our mind and not written down. There’s work, errands to run, calls to make, and chores at home. Life is hectic and our thoughts are scattered as we run from here to there, trying to get everything accomplished. But what do we really think about during our day? Do we make time for “God Thoughts” as we dash from…
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus.” John 1:40 I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I am truly fascinated with the story of the disciples first encounter with Jesus. To read that Andrew merely heard what Jesus said and left everything and followed him, is truly remarkable. I think of our generation, with so many false teachers, and those claiming to be someone their not. How do you discern what is true and what is false? I believe these men had to be men of prayer…
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5, New King James Version) Gentleness. It’s listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as one of the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, but I confess it’s not one I’ve thought much about until recently. When I take note of recent events, I find a society filled with harshness rather than gentleness. I hear strident voices, rudeness, disrespect, and criticism. It seems we applaud those who are “tough,” “aren’t afraid to speak up,” and “tell it like it is” even if it hurts another. Gentleness is viewed…
I grew up in Missouri, USA, where our state motto is “Show Me.” Often when people tell us something, we Missourians will joke, “Show me!” In other words, we want proof that it’s true. I like proof; I like having an assurance that things are going to be fine. I’d love for God to give me clear evidence that things are going to be alright, wouldn’t you? It would be much more comfortable. He doesn’t often work that way, though. Even when Jesus lived and walked among us, He spoke to the multitudes in parables “so that ‘seeing they may…
