Recent Devotions
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you must not show favoritism… (James 2:1–4, 9 NIV) These scriptures really hit home for me. I think if we are honest, we can admit that we have either shown favoritism by judging someone based on how they look or act. This passage doesn’t just describe the early church, but it describes us. Even with the best intentions, we can easily fall into the trap of favoritism or quiet judgment. I never want my actions or attitudes to make someone feel unworthy of love or grace. Jesus never made…
“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (KJV) Job’s words, “I shall come forth as gold,” were spoken from the depths of unimaginable pain. He was enduring the trial of his life. It felt as though…
“And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock… and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.” 2 Samuel 21:10 There is grief that is so deep that it…
Readers Loved
Seasons don’t last forever—they were made to END. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV) I remember spring in Alaska—REAL spring, not calendar spring—when after the seemingly endless months of winter, the hardy little blades of grass would finally push through the vanishing snow crust, and the crocuses and lupine would burst into glorious bloom. Then, the peaks have their “spring clothes” on—patches of black rock and glossy meringue-white snow making the mountains look like a pod of giant orcas, swimming through the pass. When the daytime temps…
“Our LORD, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago. I will think about each one of your mighty deeds.” Psalms 77:11-12 CEV Do you remember the old song titled “Count your blessings, name them one by one?” When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one…
“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26 There are many people who are only mentioned once in the Scriptures, but each one has a special place in God’s plan for mankind. Each one had a purpose to fulfill. Such a man was Simeon. Luke describes him as a devout man,…
“Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” Daniel 6:4 NLT While David did experience great success in all he was tasked to do, he also faced intense persecution from those who should have stood with him. Often at the heart of hatred and persecution, you will find jealousy and insecurity. What appears at face value to be blatant viciousness is likely a human being struggling with feelings of inferiority, lack…
