Latest Devotions
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 goodfrom those who live with integrity.” Psalm 84:11 HCSB This weekend, we set our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Saving…
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.” John10:27 HCSB I love the lightbulb moments sent by the…
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 to…
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 5:14 HCSB…
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 healing…
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 First and foremost, let’s remember that Jesus gave us more than we…
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 “Search for the Lord and for His strength;seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4 My word for 2023 is STRONG. It stands for:StrengthThrough RelianceONGod…
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…
Friendly Escapes
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 HCSB “Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.” Proverbs 27:9 HCSB For the first time in our 40+ year friendship, my friend Candace and I escaped for a…
Protection
“For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity; He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock.” Psalm 27:5 HCSB “We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not…
Clear Signal
“We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1 HCSB “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22 HCSB Recently, I took a driving trip alone to my son’s home. On the way, I…
Hymn Sing
“My lips will shout for joywhen I sing praise to Youbecause You have redeemed me.”Psalm 71:23 HCSB “Sing to Yahweh, for He has done glorious things.Let this be known throughout the earth.”Isaiah 12:5 HCSB Today I got to do two of my favorite things: 1. Hang out in a big red barn, and 2. Sing…
Eye Health
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23 HCSB “I will not set anything…
Counting the Days
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Psalm 90:12 HCSB “Don’t say to your neighbor, ‘Go away! Come back later.I’ll give it tomorrow’—when it is there with you.” Proverbs 3:28 HCSB I recently saw these words on social media: “Don’t count the days. Make the days…
Graduation
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life. Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” Proverbs 19:20-21 HCSB “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things…
Truth
“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.” Psalm 25:5 HCSB “‘God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’” John 4:24 HCSB We all go through trying times in our lives where we become…
All In
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 HCSB “Above all, fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 HCSB “If we live, we live for the Lord;…
Transitions
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.”Ecclesiastes 7:8 HCSB “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will…
Holes
“The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back on him.” Proverbs 26:27 HCSB “He redeems your life from the Pit;He crowns you with faithful love and compassion.” Psalm 103:4 HCSB The hole is back! For months, our lawn was full of colorful utility flags and…
Bonus Birthdays
“For by Wisdom your days will be many,and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 9:11 HCSB “Teach us to number our days carefullyso that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Psalm 90:12 HCSB Just over a year ago, I believed I was going to be two years older than I actually would…
Moving On
“I will instruct you and show you the way to go;with My eye on you, I will give counsel.” Psalm 32:8 HCSB “May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 HCSB “But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in…
Sharing Your Spiritual Stories
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write down on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you,”Jeremiah 30:2 “‘Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as…
Peace in Suffering
“But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 HCSB “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” 2…
Begin Again
“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”Isaiah 43:18-19 HCSB ‘”For I know the plans I have for you”—this is…
Love
“The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 HCSB Every day we must remember to love… Love is being available when times are good or bad.It’s giving high fives, handholds, and helping to carry the burdens of others while showing them how to hold on.Love is…
The Long Winter
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” Genesis 8:22 HCSB “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 HCSB Winters can be cold and full of snow. At times, we experience personal winters where…
Conflict Resolution
“…walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.” Ephesians 4:1b-3 HCSB Even after being married for over half of our lives, my husband and I still don’t agree or even…
Dates and Dreams
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.’… So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord…
Transformation
“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 HCSB My family’s word for this year is transformation. Romans 12:2 states, “Do not…
The Reason
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”Ephesians 5:1-2 “Death, where is your victory?Death, where is your sting?Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.…
Christmas Morning
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”James 1:17 ESV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23 HCSB “Thanks be to…
God’s Gifts
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”2 Corinthians 9:15 “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”James 1:17 The Lord’s gifts come to all of us; each as differently as the person who is…
Life After Loss
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.”Psalm 34:18 “Therefore, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”Hebrews 4:16 Life After Loss Life after loss is not the same. There are so many…
Homemade
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;establish for us the work of our hands—establish the work of our hands!”Psalm 90:17 “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,”Colossians 3:23 Homemade items are the best! They’re full of thought and love, skill and time.…
Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;His faithful love endures forever.”1 Chronicles 16:34 “Rejoice always!Pray constantly.Give thanks in everything,for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 This year’s Thanksgiving gatherings will again be different than in past years. Instead of big get-togethers, the gatherings will be much smaller and…
Thanksgiving Tree
“Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:13 HCSB “Hallelujah!Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 HCSB Do we decorate before Thanksgiving or wait until the day after? So many debate this question. What if we chose something in…
Prayer Walks
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”1 Timothy 2:1-2 I enjoy walking and talking with the Lord. The time we spend together…
Fun Together
“Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”Deuteronomy 6:7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”Philippians 4:4 “but honor the Messiah as Lord in Your hearts. Always be ready…
Best Friends
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.”Proverbs 17:17 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”James 5:16 Candace and I met the first day…
SMILE
“A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.”Proverbs 15:13 “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.”2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Smiling elevates…
Uniquely Designed
“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. My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was…
Volunteer
“‘In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’”Acts 20:35 “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom…
Sisters
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.”Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’and call understanding your relative.”Proverbs 7:4 I’m older than my only sister…
Encourage Others
“For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”Romans 1:11-12 “Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to…
Amazing Love
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful lovebecause You have seen my affliction.You have known the troubles of my life and have not handed me over to the enemy.You have set my feet in a spacious place.”Psalm 31:7-8 “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present…
Time in Nature
“The earth and everything in it,the world and its inhabitants,belong to the Lord;”Psalm 24:1 HCSB “Our Lord and God,You are worthy to receiveglory and honor and power,because You have created all things,and because of Your willthey exist and were created.”Revelation 4:11 HCSB One of the best places we can go when we feel distanced from…
MOMdays
“Then He replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”Exodus 33:14 “Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”2 Corinthians 5:9 Mondays are MOMdays for me this season. Life is busy and overwhelming at times. There are extra responsibilities and…
Walking Right Beside Me
“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.”Leviticus 26:12 HCSB “House of Jacob, come and let us walk in the Lord’s light.”Isaiah 2:5 HCSB When we’re buried in the mire of life and everything seems impossible, let’s move closer to the Lord. He wants to be a part…
Quiet Worship
“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 At times, worship doesn’t look like singing and praising the Lord for others to hear. When the world seems heavy and we are struggling to get through each moment, we don’t…
The Messy Middle
“Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,for I take refuge in You.I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wingsuntil danger passes.”Psalm 57:1 HCSB “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…
Trust in the Lord
“When I am afraid,I will trust in You.”Psalm 56:3 “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 When my husband was scheduled for a recent surgery, we asked the Lord to direct our…
Savoring the Season
“This is the day the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Psalm 118:24 “The grass withers, the flowers fade,but the word of our God remains forever.”Isaiah 40:8 Every season has its own gifts. We can take time to look at the beauty in each day and savor the current season we’re in.…
Create
“For it was You who created my inward parts;You knit me together in my mother’s womb.I will praise Youbecause I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.Your works are wonderful,and I know this very well.”Psalm 139:13-14 “For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that…
Summer Fun
“You set all the boundaries of the earth;You made summer and winter.”Psalm 74:17 “From the rising of the sun to its setting,let the name of Yahweh be praised.”Psalm 113:3 “Happy are the people with such blessings.Happy are the people whose God is Yahweh.”Psalm 144:15 The Lord delights in our joy and wants us to find…
Broken Glass
“Many adversities come to the one who is righteous,but the Lord delivers him from them all.”Psalm 34:19 “God is our refuge and strength,a helper who is always foundin times of trouble.”Psalm 46:1 Recently, I broke a glass bowl while emptying the dishwasher. Shattered fragments flew everywhere…This reminded me of a time when my son was…
Independence Day
“For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”Galatians 5:13 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”2 Corinthians 3:17 “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because…
Slow and Steady
“You reveal the path of life to me;in Your presence is abundant joy;in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.”Psalm 16:11 “The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.”Proverbs 21:5 By doing small things consistently, we create confidence, comfort, and connections that will remain even when the tough…
A Father’s Love
“As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”Psalm 103:13 “The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly,and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.”Proverbs 23:24 “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction…
Simplify
“…God is not a God of disorder but of peace…”1 Corinthians 14:33 “But godliness with contentment is a great gain.For we brought nothing into the world,and we can take nothing out.”1 Timothy 6:6-7 Too many things complicate our space. Too many busy activities take the energy we could use for more rewarding adventures.Complicated meals with…
God’s Grace
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.”Ephesians 2:8-9 “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…
Taking the Stairs
“A man’s steps are established by the Lord,and He takes pleasure in his way.Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,because the Lord holds his hand.”Psalm 37:23-24 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”Galatians 5:25 (ESV) “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your…
Wrong Numbers
“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”John 14:6 “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”Matthew 24:11 Over the course of a week, I received multiple phone calls from a woman I didn’t know. She had gotten a new cell…
Be Courageous
“…Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 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 16:32b-33 (HCSB) In this life we will have trouble. We are not promised an easy time.…
The Love of a Mother
“Her sons rise up and call her blessed.Her husband also praises her:’Many women are capable,but you surpass them all!’”Proverbs 31:28-29 “As a mother comforts her son,so I will comfort you,and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”Isaiah 66:13 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept…
Hope in the Lord
“Yet I call this to mind,and therefore I have hope:ח KhetBecause of the Lord’s faithful lovewe do not perish,for His mercies never end.They are new every morning;great is Your faithfulness!”Lamentations 3:21-23 “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”Romans 12:12 “The Lord values those who fear Him,those who put their hope in…
Virtual Meetings with Friends
“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”Galatians 6:9 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”1 Thessalonians 5:11 I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many people from far away whom I would…
Stepping Stones
“Abundant peace belongs to thosewho love Your instruction;nothing makes them stumble.”Psalm 119:165 “Mankind, He has told you what is goodand what it is the Lord requires of you:to act justly,to love faithfulness,and to walk humbly with your God.”Micah 6:8 Each day we move along the stepping stones of our lives. Some steps are smooth and…
Neighbors
“For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.”Galatians 5:14 “Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”Colossians 4:5-6 For the first few years after building our home…
Easter
“But the angel told the women, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.’”Matthew 28:5-6 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and…
Good Friday
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided His clothes and cast lots.”Luke 23:34 “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’And He said to him, ‘I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.’”Luke 23:42-43 “And Jesus called…
Palm Sunday
“The King who comesin the name of the Lordis the blessed One.Peace in heavenand glory in the highest heaven!”Luke 19:38 “they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: ‘Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One—the King of Israel!’”John 12:13 The crowds came out…
Spring Garden
“Heavens, sprinkle from above, and let the skies shower righteousness. Let the earth open up so that salvation will sprout and righteousness will spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.”Isaiah 45:8 For as the earth produces its growth, and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up, so the Lord God…
Restart Your Day
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful lovebecause You have seen my affliction.You have known the troubles of my lifeand have not handed me over to the enemy.You have set my feet in a spacious place.”Psalm 31:7-8 “This is the day the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Psalm 118:24…
Rainbow of Responsibility
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men…”Colossians 3:23 During my years teaching 4th grade, I created a Rainbow of Responsibility to hang in my classroom. These seven ideas can remind us of the things we are responsible for and have control of in our lives. Red:…
Faith
“For we walk by faith, not by sight,”2 Corinthians 5:7 “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.”Hebrews 11:1 “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek…
IMPACT
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling…
Love One Another
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13: 34-35 “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”1 John…
Healthy Heart
“Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my concerns.See if there is any offensive way in me;lead me in the everlasting way.”Psalm 139:23-24 “but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is…
Making Music
At night I remember my music;I meditate in my heart, and my spirit ponders.Psalm 77:6 “Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving;let us shout triumphantly to Him in song.”Psalm 95:1-2 Music has always been important in my life. Singing along with…
Acts of Kindness
“Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”1 John 3:18 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”Romans 12:10 (ESV) Everyone can use a little lift. Anyone can give a gift… We hear of the big donations—$100 to each customer at the grocery, a…
Stay Awhile
“‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’”Matthew 11:28 “You keep him in perfect peacewhose mind is stayed on you,because he trusts in you.”Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) Lingering with the Lord is a lost practice. We are too busy trying to accomplish tasks and get through our…
White as Snow
“‘Come, let us discuss this,’says the Lord.’Though your sins are like scarlet,they will be as white as snow;though they are as red as crimson,they will be like wool.’”Isaiah 1:18 “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 The soft…
Quiet Time with God
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:16-17 “Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,and he meditates on it day and night.”Psalm 1:2 Quiet time with God…
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 “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 We’re heading into a new…
CHRISTmas
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”Isaiah 7:14 “For a child will be born for us,a son will be given to us,and the government will be on His shoulders.He will be namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6 Christmas is…
Christmas Giving
“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.”2 Corinthians 9:7 “You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.”2 Corinthians 9:11 Our church hosts a big event that starts the first Sunday in…
Shine Your Light
“The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”John 1:9 “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 Each Christmas for the preschool music recital, my 3 year olds would sing This…
Decorations
“That light shines in the darkness,yet the darkness did not overcome it.”John 1:5 “Let us shout for joy at your victoryand lift the banner in the name of our God.May Yahweh fulfill all your requests.”Psalm 20:5 “Are you ready for Christmas?” That question is repeated often during this season. We can get enthusiastic about putting…
Porch Chair Prayers 