Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
A chain of kind deeds sparked by a simple gesture of gratitude has inspired a community to pay it forward, highlighting the importance of doing good works as a response to God's plan for us, rather than seeking salvation through them. By embracing kindness and doing good works empowered by God's strength, we can show others His kindness and potentially lead them to repentance and eternal salvation.
As a woman struggling with depression, Sarah Geringer finds hope in unexpected places, including the resilience of ferns clinging to an oak tree's base. Through her personal journey and biblical reflections, she shares how holding tightly to hope can be a powerful anchor in life's challenges.
Abigail, a biblical figure known for her listening skills, can teach us the value of truly hearing others and leaving a legacy of loving listening. By examining Abigail's character in 1 Samuel 25, we can learn how to resist the urge to zone out or dismiss others, and instead cultivate a heart to listen with understanding and discernment.
Lysa TerKeurst shares a powerful biblical truth from 2 Kings 6:16 that can help quiet fears and provide comfort to parents who worry about their children's spiritual well-being in today's culture. By seeing the world through God's eyes, we can recognize His presence and power, even in the midst of uncertainty, and find peace knowing He is always with us.
Meredith Houston Carr shares a personal story of heartache and separation, but finds solace in the idea that God's perfect love can fill the cracks of our relationships. She explores the concept of agape love, which goes beyond human love to include unconditional and pure devotion, and encourages readers to let Jesus' love seep into their own difficult relationships.
Annie F. Downs reflects on the importance of learning from both suffering and fun, drawing parallels between her own experience with a house fire and Jesus' life on earth, where he learned obedience through his suffering. By embracing both the challenges and joys of life, we can become fully human and grow in our faith, as Downs shares insights from Hebrews 5:7-9 and encourages readers to lean on God during trials and find joy in everyday moments.
When a marriage ends, it's not just the living that die, but also the dreams and hopes of what could have been. In this powerful and personal devotional, Tracie Miles shares her own journey through divorce and grief, offering hope and comfort to those navigating the darkest days of their lives.
As the new year begins, many of us struggle to rebuild our faith after a challenging 2020, but Jesus reminds us that even small amounts of faith can lead to incredible breakthroughs, as seen in Matthew 17:20. In this inspiring devotional, Kelly Barbrey shares her personal journey of rediscovering her faith and sets out practical goals for the year ahead, including reading, worshiping, loving unconditionally, giving joyfully, and more.
When our opinions and feelings lead us astray, we risk falling into destructive patterns of sin and chaos, much like the Israelites in the book of Judges who did as they saw fit without a king's guidance. By seeking God's absolute Truth and letting His Spirit guide us, we can discover true strength and avoid the dangers of shallow roots, false feelings, and self-reliance, ultimately trusting our King Jesus to lead and redeem us.
When life's unexpected blows strike, it's easy to lose hope, but a powerful verse from Romans 15:13 offers a lifeline of comfort and peace. By embracing God as the source of hope and living in His presence, we can find the strength to persevere through even the darkest times.