“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11We don’t usually love the word ordinary. It feels dismissive—like something forgettable or small. We long to be extraordinary, to stand...
Charlaine Martin
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's Spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.-- 1 Corinthians 2:10,...
Nancy C. Williams
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” – Psalm 36:7 (NKJV)Years ago, when our family was visiting Atlanta for a wedding, our teenage daughter became ill with a fever and abdominal pain. When she hadn’t improved...
Karisa Moore
“But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep...
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” – Luke 7:47Our perception of someone can be skewed by their past, their pain, or their failure. We notice the ugly. We see the worst. Let’s not...
Beth Patch
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. – Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)You’ve got to know something’s wrong when you pass numerous broken-down cars on your usually smooth commute. A few years ago, a delivery truck pumped the wrong fuel into underground tanks at...
Amy Olrick
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:18-19When I was a college student, I spent a semester abroad...
Renee Gotcher
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were...
Through a comprehensive exploration into the word “herald” (ok, a simple Google search using AI tools), we find that this declarative moniker is a messenger, especially one announcing important news or proclamations, often for royalty.Award-winning singer/songwriter Kim Gentry-Meyer believes that the most important news or proclamation for royalty in the...
Anneta Pinto-Young
““Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”” -- Ephesians 6:2-3Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church about children and parents and the need for children to obey their parents. Children were...
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."—Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)It was a miserable, humid August day, and I broke a sweat while walking to...
Amy Olrick
"O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise." - Psalm 51:15Last summer, one of my dear friends told me about an encounter she’d had with a young group of students. My friend is an accomplished writer and frequent university speaker, and the students came to her...
“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” – Matthew 28:6 “But mom, you promised!” my eight-year-old eyes widened as the words roared off her tongue while she sat with arms crossed and lips tight. I couldn’t remember what...
“He (Jesus) is not here, but is risen!” – Luke 24:6aJesus is ALIVE! He conquered the grave and rose from the dead, never to die again. Jesus destroyed Satan’s greatest weapon - the fear of death. Hallelujah! Praise God! What does Jesus’ victory over death mean for us?As I prayed...
Stacey Barkley
"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." – Ecclesiastes 7:8 (HCSB)On a recent visit to New Hampshire, my husband and I patiently waited for our boarding call. Our flight had been delayed again. As I...
Sarah Freymuth
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4When we don’t feel good, when...
Renee Gotcher
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at...
Lori Altebaumer
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. -- John 13:15 If you would like to know humility, take a temperamental and overly tired toddler out in public. They’re God’s gift to...
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. -- 1 John 5:3 (NLT) I love God for He has saved me! I talk to Him constantly. I raise my kids to know Him. I serve in His church. I do a devotional every day to keep...
Laura Maser
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -- Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)This morning in my quiet time, the Lord highlighted Scriptures filled with examples of people who heard the voice of the Lord and obeyed Him. As...