Posts with the category “devotions”

[Daily Journal] Hebrews 4:14-16 - We have got to come before our great High Priest, . . .  Read More

[Daily Journal] Mathew 22:35-39 - Our God is a relational God. God created Mankind in order to have relationship with us. . .  Read More

As I sit down to reflect today, my heart feels so heavy. It seems that no matter where I go, I see so much suffering. Homelessness, addiction, crime, deceit . . . where has the goodness gone? . . .  Read More

Sometimes, I wonder when Jesus carried the Cross to his final moments; I wonder if the smell of the wood made him homesick. I wonder if it reminded him of his childhood or made his heart ache for Joseph, his earthly father, in the same way a smell can bring us back to a memory or a moment in time. . .  Read More

Consistent time in God’s Word and prayer are essential to our spiritual health, just as food and water are necessary for our physical well-being. . . It's so transformational.  Read More

I went to the fair this weekend, and I found myself wandering around the baking competition tables because that is my favorite part of the fair. And, as I tasted samples of brownies, and cookies, and apple pies, I started thinking about judgment because what else do you do at a fair besides think about judgment?  Read More

Paul prays that The God of glorious unlimited resources will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit, through his Holy Spirit. Then Christ will take up residence, make his home in your hearts AS you trust in him. . .  Read More

Our desire for you is that you would experience the joy of meditating on God’s Word day and night, every day and that you would be like a tree planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit in each season. That’s our prayer for you. That’s the heart of the Alone With God journal.  Read More

So, I used to be fascinated with Greek mythology. . . Learning about Greek mythology made me more and more thankful that the true God was a God who did not need to manipulate humans into loving him.  Read More

God has no one to please but himself. He made us in his image, which pleases him. He has called us into a deep, heavenly connection which pleases him. . .  Read More

Sometimes, the seasons of our lives can feel really dry and weary, like the wilderness. And our difficulties and our pain can parch our spirits like the scorching desert sun. But just as God sustained the Israelites on their journey, he promises to supply us with Living Water to refresh our souls.  Read More

Today, we are focusing on the “What Am I Grateful For This Week?” page in our Alone With God journal. It's a look back at the past week on what we are grateful for. It's also a time to just be thankful to God for his provision.   Read More

It never ceases to amaze me how common and shared our experiences as Christians are — yet they are also so personal. Only God could reveal himself to us and connect us through the truth of who he is while also gaining our trust in a very personal way.  Read More

Honesty is one of the most crucial characteristics of being a Christian because it comes with aligning ourselves and our lives with the truth of Jesus Christ. To know and walk with God earnestly is to tear down the walls of dishonesty. . . .   Read More

One of my favorite bible stories is the story of how Jesus miraculously multiplied the loaves and fish. . . .  Read More

When I look at the sky, I always think of God. It is the one thing that instantly draws me closer to Him. There is nothing more mysterious or as beautiful to me as the magic of space.  Read More

Our lives are meant to be offered as a gift to God. It is the only way that we can express our fullest gratitude for all that God has given to us freely. . . .  Read More

You must build memorials for the marathon in your life. There must be pillars in your life that you can look back to and say, “THAT’S why I’m still running the race. That’s why I’m still serving Jesus – because of the great things he’s done in my life.”  Read More

Agape love is the supernatural love of God, living through your life to others for the good of others, expecting nothing in return.  Read More

As Christians, Godly love is a skill we need to strengthen with daily practice. We must learn and train ourselves to do everything with love. . . .  Read More

I spent many years being angry with God. I was hurt by the church and hurt by other Christians, and I took my anger out on God. And, although I’m not proud of it, deep down, I knew that God was big enough to handle my anger . . .  Read More

We are living in intimidating times. Some days, it seems that the world is consumed with evil. As Christians, we are being called to stand in the gap and tell the world the truth about who God is and who we are as creation. . . .  Read More

I have wasted so much of my life not feeling “good enough” (whatever that even means). I have skipped meals, parties, and big life events because I’ve felt too fat. I’ve avoided speaking up and sharing my perspective at important times because I didn’t feel smart or my ideas didn’t feel significant. . . .  Read More

Our life with Christ, the race that we run with Christ, is all about the battle between the flesh and the spirit. . . If you want the spirit to overcome the flesh, then you’ve got to train the spirit and feed the spirit.  Read More

There is something so special about an underdog. Everyone wants to root for someone who is desperate for a victory. . . .  Read More

The phrase “ears to hear” is a figure of speech. Anyone who has a heart willing to receive. That “ears to hear” means a heart that’s willing to receive what God has to say. Ready and anxious to hear from God and receive God’s Word.  Read More

God is always bigger than any battle we face, and he has come to conquer the darkness with his light.   Read More

What Jesus did in the storm was give the Disciples a faith transfer. The Disciples believed more in the power of the storm than they believed in the power of the Savior. . . .  Read More

A legion of demons versus a word from the Lord. And every demon obeys, down to the last one—every demon. And this submission to Jesus is dramatically proven by two thousand pigs floating like bath toys in the Sea of Galilee.   Read More

When I was a teenager, my dad — like every good dad — warned me about the importance of making wise decisions. . . .  Read More

Today, I learned that blenders can explode for no reason and catch your paper towel holder on fire. Don’t worry, I’m fine. My blender, however, is toast. . . .  Read More

Sometimes, life can make us feel like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place — stuck in a lion’s den, trapped in a fiery furnace, lost in a stormy sea, or nailed to a cross. David knew how it felt to be chased, attacked, and persecuted on all sides. . . .  Read More

Paul’s relationship with Christ set his joy, so his circumstances could never change his joy. In fact, the worse the circumstances were, the more he was motivated to deepen his relationship with Christ. Which, through an ever-deepening relationship with Christ, his rest, his peace, and his joy were deepened.   Read More

When I was little, I had a very difficult time controlling my temper. My dad used to tell me I needed to learn how to be “even-keeled” in life and not let my circumstances or other people impact me to the point where it got me into trouble. . . .  Read More

All of God’s love toward us, all of his thoughts toward us, all of his plans for us – all revolve around transforming us more and more into his image.  Read More

You have a Heavenly Father who is the perfect Father. . . If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior today, then God promises you in his Word that you have been adopted and that you can now call him Abba Father.  Read More

I will be the first person to admit that change terrifies me. It is something I am asking God to help me with. I am afraid of the unknown. I am afraid of having the rug pulled out from under me. I am paralyzed with fear when I think about my life losing any type of stability or predictability. . . .  Read More

What does the "Abundant Life" mean? The key to the original, abundant life was unbroken fellowship with God. . . .  Read More

I’m going to say it: Praying boldly terrifies me. And not because I think God is limited or unwilling. I think mostly I’m afraid of asking for something out of God’s will and setting myself up for failure and disappointment. I would rather not ask and save myself the humiliation of trying to get God to do something he’s just not going to do.  Read More

My life has been very unglamorous. There has been a lot of pain, devastation, and disappointment over the years. There are memories that I look back on and wish I could bottle up, keep in a basement, and never remember again because of the shame and fear and hurt that they hold.  Read More