Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
Shala W. Graham reflects on the biblical story of Mary and Elizabeth, two women chosen by God for high purposes, highlighting their roles in fulfilling prophecy and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As Graham encourages readers to recognize their own value and purpose in God's plan, she invites them to believe in His promises and be honored as daughters of the Most High God.
Shirlee Abbott shares a personal dream that led her to discover the importance of "praying upstream," focusing on the future and praying for protection, power, and perseverance in the face of challenges. By shifting her prayers from the present moment to the yet-to-come, she finds a deeper sense of purpose and connection with God.
Lisa Lenning reflects on her experience visiting a pottery store, where she noticed imperfect jars being deemed unworthy of display, and draws parallels with the biblical concept that God chooses "clay jars" to fill with His treasure - the Good News of Jesus Christ. In this devotional, Lenning encourages readers to embrace their weaknesses and hardships as opportunities for God's power to shine through them.
King David's journey offers a powerful lesson on finding joy, peace, and satisfaction in life through a deeper relationship with God. By embracing God's presence and grace, we can discover the true path of life, one that is rooted in faith, trust, and surrender to His will.
Bonnie Gray shares her personal journey of overcoming anxiety and finding freedom in God's unconditional love, revealing that our worth is not tied to our performance but to who God says we are. By embracing this truth, readers can discover a new identity as "My Delight" and learn to prioritize their physical and emotional health with renewed purpose and joy.
A woman's life was forever changed when Jesus met her at a well, offering hope and redemption in her darkest moments. Through her testimony, others were drawn to Him, illustrating that even the most challenging experiences can be catalysts for sharing God's love with others.
As Christmas approaches, many of us struggle to recapture the joy and wonder of the season, feeling overwhelmed by disappointment and disillusionment. A simple prayer for Christmas joy offers a path forward, encouraging us to recalibrate our attention to King Jesus and find true joy in His presence.
Elizabeth Laing Thompson shares a powerful message of God's love and forgiveness, illustrating that He welcomes us back with open arms after we've made mistakes or regretful decisions, offering a fresh start through His mercy and grace. In her latest study, "Fresh Start," she explores how God can help us move past regret and start anew, even when things seem unfixable.
Anitha Abraham shares a personal story of feeling unappreciated after going out of her way to help someone, and finds comfort in the biblical verse Hebrews 4:15-16, which reminds us that Jesus understands our weaknesses and is worthy of our gratitude. By reflecting on this verse and its application to everyday life, Anitha encourages readers to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and express their gratitude to others.
Meghan Ryan Asbury shares her personal struggle with holding onto hope despite feeling disappointed and afraid of being let down, but finds comfort in Romans 5:5, which reminds us that God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. By choosing to put our hope in God alone, we can learn to live differently and find joy and peace as we trust in Him.