Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
God gave us His Word to read and His Spirit to whisper to ours. But it’s not enough just to hear. Our faith grows legs for change when we turn that hearing into doing.
While there may be parts of our lives that we don’t fully understand, Jesus understands us fully and wants to heal and restore us completely. Whether our pain is something from days long gone or a fresh wound that happened yesterday, He is ready to bring peace and healing to our minds and our souls.
We forget that no one is too far gone and no mess is too much for Him. Nothing about us will ever change His love for us. And when He sees you, He sees the perfection of His Son.
Alicia Bruxvoort reflects on her childhood experience of stacking rocks to discover a hidden treasure, drawing parallels with the biblical story of Joshua and the Israelites, who were instructed to stack stones as a reminder of God's faithfulness. By acknowledging and remembering God's past work in their lives, Bruxvoort finds that she can trust Him more fully for today, and invites readers to "stack some spiritual rocks" by reflecting on specific ways God has shown His presence and power in the past.
Lysa TerKeurst shares five simple yet powerful things to say to a friend in need, drawing from key Bible verses such as Romans 12:12-13, including "You're wonderful," "Me too," "I'll pray," "I'll share," and "Come over." By practicing these statements, friends can offer comfort, encouragement, and support, helping to ease loneliness and deepen relationships.
Izabella McMillon shares her personal story of learning to trust God with the unexpected, drawing inspiration from Exodus 14:14, where Moses tells the Israelites that God will fight for them if they remain still. Through her experiences of facing challenges and receiving supernatural protection, Izabella discovers that God's love and care are not limited by our circumstances, but are always at work in His plan.
Shala W. Graham shares a personal story of finding comfort and peace in her faith, recalling a childhood memory where she prayed to have Jesus live inside her heart and feeling God's presence beside her even in the midst of overwhelming stress and exhaustion. Through Psalm 16:8, Graham reflects on how this verse has become a lifeline for her, reminding her that God is always with her and that His presence makes her unshakeable.
True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, but how can we ignite that reverence for worship in our daily lives, especially when we feel like complaining? In this article, Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright share practical insights from their grandmother's wisdom on how to focus on blessings, carry a song in your heart, and keep a sense of humor to fight discouragement.
Sharon Jaynes shares a powerful story of redemption and transformation, using the example of the Samaritan woman at the well to illustrate how God can take our brokenness and turn it into beauty. By embracing our messy pages and trusting in His goodness, we can learn to see our stories as part of a larger masterpiece that He is writing.
Tracie Miles shares a personal story of her daughter's whining and complaining, highlighting the importance of recognizing negative thoughts that lead to negativity. By applying biblical principles from Philippians 2:14, readers can learn how to transform their mindset and turn complaints into praise, leading to a more joyful and fulfilling life.