Latest Devotions
Changing Christmas
“But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” Luke 2:19 HCSB “I will remember the Lord’s works; yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders.” Psalm 77:11 HCSB Christmas traditions are often strongly held in families. We remember the special times of our youth, the simpler years when we…
The Deli Counter
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 HCSB “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”…
Grow Slow
“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” Ephesians 4:15-16 HCSB “I am…
Grateful for God
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 HCSB “You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials” 1…
Willing in Weakness
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I…
Hope for Today
“So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 HCSB “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” Lamentations…
Security
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29 HCSB We all struggle with insecurity from time to time. The…
On Repeat
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 HCSB My son had a college instructor who repeated almost every sentence in her recorded lectures. At first, we’d…
Simple Tasks = Tiny Blessings
“And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!” Matthew 10:42 HCSB “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” Hebrews 13:16 HCSB “For God is not…
God’s GPS
“I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.” Psalm 32:8 HCSB “The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.” Psalm 121:7 HCSB “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and…
Is God Real?
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 HCSB “For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.”…
Running on Empty
“I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Psalm 62:1 HCSB One day after work, I was riding home with my friend. Fortunately, we made it through the tight tunnel under the railroad tracks, just as her car struggled to move forward. She pulled off the road and into the grass.…
A Love Like No Other
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NASB “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 HCSB The love of God…
One Day Closer
“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you…
The Goodness of God
“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a HCSB “Every living creature will be food for you; as I gave the green plants, I have given you everything.” Genesis 9:3 HCSB “If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with…
Life’s Interruptions
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3 NASB We’ve all had our lives interrupted. Something unplanned happens that changes the course of our day, week, or even longer. We struggle to adjust and adapt to accommodate this new…
Just Start
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT “And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.” Job 8:7 ESV How many of us are are waiting for the perfect time to start…
When Things Change
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 HCSB Even when things change, the Lord still reigns. He remains the same constant loving Father Who stays close by us, guiding and protecting us. He…
Rejoice in the Lord
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 ESV “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV We can all find reasons to rejoice when life is going great and we have plenty of things to celebrate. But troubles…
Peace and Patience
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:25 HCSB “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 HCSB We are often in a hurry, stressed and overburdened. When these times come, we need to step away and rest for…
Lost Luggage
“The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” Psalm 121:8 HCSB “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 HCSB Has your luggage ever been lost? My older son enjoys traveling to visit other countries. On two…
When We Wonder
“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—’plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for…
Flexibly Focused
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV “My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.” Psalm 26:12 HCSB We can so easily get bogged down in our days — especially when things don’t go exactly our way. It’s easy…
Look No More
“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” Psalm 14:2 KJV “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB “Looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the…
The End of the World
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36 ESV “But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of…
Even Our Hairs
“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30 ESV “Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will carry you! I have done it, and I will bear you; and I will carry you and I will save you.” Isaiah 46:4 NASB…
Grandma Saves the Day
“When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to.” Proverbs 3:27 HCSB “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.” Hebrews 13:16 HCSB We’ve all felt overwhelmed and underqualified, as though we’re in over our heads or on a ship…
The Only Way
“I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:11 ESV “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6 HCSB There is no way into heaven but through Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection provide…
Hiding from God
“Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7 HCSB “Can a man hide himself in secret places where I cannot see him?’—the LORD’s declaration. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’—the LORD’s declaration.” Jeremiah 23:24 HCSB As a young child hides his eyes and…
Progress Over Perfection
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 HCSB “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let…
Patience
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in faithful love.” Psalm 103:8 HCSB “May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.” Colossians…
Keep Showing Up
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 HCSB “Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:22-23 HCSB Keep showing upeven…
From Grumpy to Glory
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:23 ESV “There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me…
Commit to the Lord
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.” Psalm…
When Things Go Wrong
“Do not fear, for I am with you;do not be afraid, for I am your God.I will strengthen you; I will help you;I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 HCSB The Lord is good,a stronghold in a day of distress;He cares for those who take refuge in Him. Nahum…
Sharing Kindness
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32 HCSB “Show proper respect to everyone” 1 Peter 2:17a NIV In the busyness of daily life, we can easily overlook the needs of others. While on a writing retreat at a local restaurant, I…
Confidence in the Lord
“We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command.” 2 Thessalonians 3:4 HCSB “So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” Hebrews 10:35 HCSB “When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized…
The Victory in Jesus
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:57 HCSB “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 HCSB “For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a…
In God’s Hands
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 HCSB As I sit in my special lift chair, I imagine God’s hands gently holding me. We…
Abide in Jesus
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” John 15:5 HCSB “If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.”…
The Living Light
“But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 HCSB Every time I see the sun’s light streaming down from above, I am reminded of God’s faithful presence in…
Pray More, Worry Less
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 HCSB As my husband walked past a parked car, he noticed there was a…
The Fear of God
“furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:3-6…
It Is Well
“Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19 HCSB “My soul, praise the LORD, and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the LORD, and do not forget all His benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2 CSB It Is Well It is…
Preparing for Peace
“Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 HCSB “‘Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says your compassionate LORD.” Isaiah…
Sticky Situations
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 HCSB “Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He…
Driving in Circles
“You’ve been traveling around this hill country long enough; turn north.” Deuteronomy 2:3 HCSB “I have sought You with all my heart;don’t let me wander from Your commands.” Psalm 119:10 HCSB Do you ever feel like you’re moving in circles? Do you keep going but seem to never find your exit? When you are lost,…
Searching for the Reason
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 HCSB “The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to…
Sonscreen
“They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” Revelation 20:9 HCSB “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably,…
Imposter Syndrome
“Moses said, ‘Please, Lord, send someone else.’” Exodus 4:13 HCSB “We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4b-5 HCSB Do you suffer from imposter syndrome? Do you believe you’re pretending to be someone different than you are? The…
Embarrassing Moments
“Lord, I seek refuge in You; let me never be disgraced. Save me by Your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 HCSB “Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,” Romans 10:11 HCSB While exiting the school bus one day, my new blue corduroy jumper caught on the fire extinguisher. Unaware…
On Mother’s Day
“Teach a youth about the way he should go;even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 HCSB “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 HCSB Mother’s Day is filled with mixed emotions. Some are able to celebrate with their mothers and children. Some have lost…
Brothers
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.” Proverbs 17:17 HCSB “Let brotherly love continue.” Hebrews 13:1 HCSB My younger son is moving in with his older brother this summer for a computer programming internship. This is exactly who I’d hoped they would become as they grew up…Brothers…
Comparing Apples
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a ESV “But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.” Galatians 6:4 HCSB “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”…
Dealing with Dementia
“Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 HCSB “He remembered us in our humiliationHis love is eternal.” Psalm 136:23 HCSB On a recent walk in a local park, one of our…
Creating a Vision
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 KJV “The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.” Habakkuk 2:2 HCSB Having clear and meaningful direction for our lives helps us to succeed and…
Sun and Moon
“Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.” Psalm 148:3 HCSB “When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the array of heaven—do not be led astray to bow down and worship them. The LORD your God has provided them for all people everywhere under heaven.” Deuteronomy…
Trust in the Tough Times
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will…
The Value of Time
“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 HCSB “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the…
Humility
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 HCSB “…And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 HCSB I learned the word “humble” in 3rd grade when reading Charlotte’s Web. It…
Eternal Life
“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 HCSB I’m so thankful to know that I will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord. It’s a promise for all who believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I…
Connection
“When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8 KJV “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 HCSB My word for this year is Connection. I long to be closer to the Lord, my…
A New Year
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” Revelation 21:5 HCSB We’re…
The Innkeeper
“and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 HCSB “Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid…
The Many Names of Jesus
“But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah!” Mark 8:29 HCSB “Then He said, ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am He,” and, “The time is near.” Don’t follow them.’” Luke 21:8 HCSB…
Mother Mary
“The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 HCSB “Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus.” Luke…
Accepting Myself
“But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Romans 9:20 HCSB “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 HCSB…
Timely Traditions
“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ. Now I praise you because you always remember me and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.” 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 HCSB “There is an occasion for everything,and a time for every activity under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 HCSB We’re heading into the busy holiday season with…
Discipline
“As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.” Revelation 3:19 HCSB The D word. How we want to avoid discipline! When I was younger, my parents could just give me “the look” and I’d start crying. Loving parents discipline us to protect us from harm and to help us…
Up from the Pit
“I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:1-2 HCSB “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be…
Conversations with God
“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 HCSB Here is a devotion I wrote which was previously published in Living Well: 365 Daily Devotions for a Balanced Life by Carole Lewis. Although prayer has always been important to me, even when I was a teenager, it’s only been since joining…
Surrender
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 HCSB “He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to…
God’s Timing
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26 HCSB “The course of my life is in Your power; deliver me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.” Psalm 31:15 HCSB We…
Living on Purpose
“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11 HCSB “Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to…
Better Together
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 HCSB “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 HCSB “But if we walk in the light as He Himself…
Not Ready
“Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.” Psalm 37:7 HCSB “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God…
Car Wash
“I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 HCSB…
My Soul Be Still
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV “Teach me Your way, Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11 NASB Many times the tasks on our to do lists…
Lots of Learning
“A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance.” Proverbs 1:5 HCSB “The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.” Proverbs 18:15 HCSB Learning can be overwhelming at times. When I taught first grade, my students were learning how to…
Grace and Space
“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” Exodus 34:6b ESV “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 HCSB “Your every action must be done in…
When God is Quiet
“Lord, I call to You; my rock, do not be deaf to me. If You remain silent to me, I will be like those going down to the Pit.” Psalm 28:1 HCSB “God, do not keep silent. Do not be deaf, God; do not be idle.” Psalm 83:1 HCSB We all experience times when God…
Spring Forward
“Light is sweet, and it is pleasing for the eyes to see the sun.” Ecclesiastes 11:7 HCSB “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” Psalm 84:11 HCSB We recently set our clocks ahead one hour.…
Sowing Seeds
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11 ESV “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 ESV Lord, You know which way to go.You know just…
Lightbulb Moments
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 ESV “My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 HCSB I love the lightbulb moments sent by…
Heart-Focused Living
“Your every action must be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 HCSB “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.” Proverbs 16:3 HCSB Each day, we have an opportunity to live our lives in a way that is pleasing and honoring to the Lord. We can use our gifts and actions…
Stay Close to Jesus
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 HCSB “Jesus answered him, ‘What I’m doing you don’t understand now, but afterward you will know.’” John 13:7 HCSB “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John…
Pray and Wait
“I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning—more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 HCSB How often do we want our prayers answered immediately? We long to know what’s next in our lives. Maybe we’re pleading for the…
GIVE UP and PICK UP
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 HCSB First and foremost, let’s remember that Jesus gave us more than…
STRONG
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” Exodus 15:2 HCSB “Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4 HCSB My word for this year is STRONG.…
Jesus is Eternal
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible…” Colossians 1:15-16a HCSB Jesus lived on earth in human form for about 33 years. When we picture Jesus, we often see Him as the baby in…
Blessed Assurance
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29 HCSB “For I am persuaded that not even death or…
Be Yourself
“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 HCSB I have a magnet on my fridge that reads “Be yourself—Everyone else is…
Living Life with Gratitude
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.Therefore my heart rejoices,and I praise Him with my song.” Psalm 28:7 HCSB Every day will have some struggles and strife, but there are still blessings to be found. Whether it’s the moments with friends and family, a walk in…
Sharing Space
“Your every action must be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 HCSB “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32 HCSB I often joke that the only reason my husband and I are still together is that we keep running into each…
When We’re Not Sure
“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord,their refuge in a time of distress.The Lord helps and delivers them;He will deliver them from the wicked and will save thembecause they take refuge in Him.” Psalms 37:39-40 HCSB “Do not fear, for I am with you;do not be afraid, for I am your God.I will…
A Heart for Service
“’No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.’” Matthew 6:24 HCSB “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for…
Pray Without Ceasing
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Here’s part of a prayer I found recently in an old journal. I wrote this just over 17 years ago… Dear Lord, today Jacob starts first grade! He’ll be away…
Keep Moving
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 HCSB “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 HCSB…
Share Your Bounty
“One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.” Proverbs 11:24-25 HCSB “If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his…
Intonation
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 ESV “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 ESV A guest post from my son Josh, written on the occasion of his Youth Group Senior Banquet for his high school graduation: Hello. I am going to…
Porch Chair Prayers 