Last night as the remaining Christmas lights twinkled, the laughter rung through the house and the excitement of a new year was palpable. Today all of that has faded as quickly as the sparklers that were waved around at midnight. The sky is cloudy. The rain is falling. And there is gloominess not just outside the homes but in many hearts as well. No, nothing has changed...
A prayer. A praise. A promise. And a hope. As we close out the year, many are closing out their reading plans for 2021. From the final chapters of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, we are given a prayer, a praise, a promise and a hope as we head into 2022: First, a promise (or a warning): “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘The day of judgement is coming,...
For the one praying, hoping, or anticipating 2022 will be a year of growth, change, or fruitfulness: may I encourage you to consider where you are planted? “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the...
Click here for downloadable Scripture and prayer cards. Consider printing them and making them your prayer! Click here to listen - "Moving from 'Having Devotions' to 'Living Devotedly' (Encouragement for those in busy, pressing seasons)" - a podcast episode aimed to offer hope and encouragement for your devotional life. (Be sure to check out more recommended resources below.) "There is only one...
I was only a college student, but the words said in passing have stuck with me all these (many) years later: “Gratitude must be cultivated.” You see, I was at the home of one of the leaders of my campus ministry, joining the family for a home-cooked dinner (every college student’s dream!). I left with much more than a satisfied stomach, however. I left with an invaluable lesson...
What a great example David has given to us for walking through times of difficulty. Although he was well aware of his circumstances and troubles, he did not fix his gaze upon them. He did not see them as his end. How? By following the “though” of his circumstance with the truth of his God. “THOUGH I am surrounded by troubles, YOU will protect me…”. (Psalm 138) How necessary it is for us, as...
Feeling as though you're in the thick of the battle? Feeling weak, weary, and exhausted? You're not alone. While a very different kind of battle, no doubt, this is what is described for us in 2 Samuel 21 when the Philistines once again were at war with Israel. We read that when David and his men "were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted." Battles, of any kind, will do that...
Feeling a bit as though you’re under construction? Read on! “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12 NLT “Under construction.” Don’t we get so frustrated and impatient when we enter a construction zone? The lanes...
As Jesus was on His way to the home of Jairus, in order to heal his daughter, we read one of the most captivating accounts of His earthly ministry: a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years pushed through the crowds, reached out, and touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately the bleeding stopped. Immediately Jesus stopped. He asked, “Who touched Me? I know that power has...
The book of Judges may not be the first book we turn to when we desire important and applicable Biblical truths for our lives today. But boy, what a mistake! In this message, which covers the first two chapters of Judges, we are reminded of the importance of knowing, obeying, and sharing His Word. We also consider safeguards that we can put into place to guard ourselves against compromise. Click...