Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
As a mother, you're no stranger to feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your role in raising your children. But what if you could find comfort in knowing that Jesus is actively working in their lives, even when things seem hopeless? In this powerful devotion, Jeannie Cunnion shares her personal struggle with finding peace as a mom and how she's learned to trust God's sovereignty over her children's lives.
Lynn Cowell shares a personal journey of self-discovery, revealing how she's learned to prioritize listening over speaking in order to truly love and care for others. Through her own experiences and biblical guidance from James 1:19, Cowell challenges readers to adopt this mindset, recognizing that loving people well is not about getting things done, but about slowing down to truly hear those around them.
Jesus makes time for those in need, sending His people to serve others and bring light into their lives. In a surprising encounter, the author meets a friend's request for makeup help, illustrating how Jesus' presence can be felt in everyday moments of service.
When stress and uncertainty about the future overwhelm us, it's essential to remember that God is our Provider, capable of meeting all our needs. By trusting Him with our future, we can find peace in the midst of chaos, just as the Israelites did when God miraculously provided for them in the wilderness.
Lysa TerKeurst warns that comfort and predictability can be a deadly recipe for complacency, drawing our hearts further away from God, as seen in the example of the nation of Moab, which was ultimately destroyed due to its lack of spiritual growth. By embracing suffering and perseverance, we can be strengthened by God's power and become mature and complete, not lacking anything, as promised in Colossians 1:11.
Christine Caine shares her personal struggle with controlling tendencies and how she learned to trust God instead, offering guidance on recognizing the signs of control and surrendering to a life of faith. By understanding that some behaviors stem from coping mechanisms and trauma, readers can begin to shift their focus from self-control to trusting God's sovereignty.
Isn't it such a relief to know God created us to journey together, surrounding us with people who can guide, encourage and build us up?
Sharon Jaynes shares a powerful personal story of failure and redemption, drawing on the biblical account of Moses' journey from hiding in the wilderness to being called back by God for a greater purpose. By exploring how Moses' failures were not defining moments, but rather stepping stones to his ultimate calling, Jaynes encourages readers to let go of their own failures and move forward into all that God has prepared for them.
Binu Samuel reflects on her own childhood experiences with Billy Graham's sermons, which she initially found boring but ultimately had a profound impact on her life. She shares how God's Word continues to pierce the hearts of those who listen, even if they don't realize it at first, and encourages readers to keep sharing the Bible with others.
Nicki Koziarz reflects on two contrasting examples of Jesus being amazed by faith in the Bible, one from a place of doubt and the other from desperation, prompting her to consider which state her own faith is in. By examining these stories and finding evidence of God's faithfulness in our lives, we can strengthen our own faith and extend our mustard-seed faith towards Him.