Recent Devotions
“A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away.” (Ecclesiastes 3:6, NKJV) It’s often said that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I always assumed it referred to thrift shopping like garage sales and second-hand stores. However, variations of this saying go back hundreds of years. Because I am of a certain age, I have too many “treasures.” I don’t have space for them. Most have little dollar value, but I find it difficult to let go. Decluttering is difficult because memories are attached to so many items. These…
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV) It’s January, the start of a new year. Many consider it an opportunity for a fresh start. We can put last year’s disappointments…
Weariness is a universal truth—it reminds us that we are human, and even the strongest among us have limits. No matter how steadfast our faith, there are moments when life, ministry, and responsibility press heavily upon our shoulders. Weariness can manifest physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is a deep fatigue…
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2 Corinthians 10:5 declares, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Our minds are so powerful, they can allow untruths to take root to where we will begin to believe a lie. We can imagine the craziest things and even talk ourselves out of the blessings of God. The word of God commands that we need to cast down every imagination. When fear begins to pillage our faith, or when we have succumbed to worry it is important to have an awareness…
“So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.” I Samuel 30:9 David had gone with the Philistine army to fight against Israel, but the Lord had intervened, and King Achish sent him back home. What a tragic scene met their eyes. The city of Ziklag had been burned with fire, and their families had been taken captive. The people blamed David and were threatening to stone him. David was distressed, but his faith in God prevailed. “David encouraged himself in the LORD…
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18 Several years ago, I walked through one of the deepest valleys of my life. The enemy wanted me to believe that my pain was evidence that God had forsaken me in my loneliest season. But looking back, I can see something entirely different. My brokenness did not prove God’s…
“The Lord is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” Psalms 27:1 It seems as though the world is getting darker and darker each day. Horrors that hid in the shadows for far too long are now being brought to light again, and it can be devastating to see the brokenness of humanity. Humanity as a whole appeared to be sleepwalking for so long, and are only now becoming aware of the chaos that surrounds us. We are broken and lost. So…
