Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
As summer approaches, many of us are tempted to seek physical perfection through diet and exercise, but Jesus teaches us to trust Him with our bodies instead, promising freedom from the power of sin and death. By seeking God's Kingdom above our own desires, we can find a new perspective on beauty, fitness, and food, and learn to value what He values - our lives as temples for His glory.
Spiritual comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and overcommitting, but God created each person with unique gifts and purposes. By focusing on Jesus and letting go of comparisons, we can find peace and effectiveness in our lives.
When faced with everyday decisions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and lack confidence. However, God's Word offers enduring guidance that can arm us with wisdom and direction for our daily choices. By holding onto Scripture and seeking its practical counsel, we can discover the power of His Truth to change our lives, one word at a time.
Jesus told a crowd of people, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." In this powerful devotion, author Rachael Groll explores what it means to surrender to God and find peace in knowing that He will work everything out.
Lysa TerKeurst challenges readers to choose calling over comfort, asking them to love Jesus more than anything else and follow His leading, even when it's terrifyingly outside their comfort zone. By embracing this mindset, believers can discover the abundant life God has for them and take the next step in their spiritual journey.
Taylor Joy Murray shares her personal struggle with anxiety and how she has learned to give it space to speak, rather than trying to suppress or outrun it. By adopting a new approach that involves pausing, attuning, asking, breathing, and being present with God in the midst of anxiety, Murray finds that her anxiety doesn't have to scream so loudly to get her attention.
Jennie Allen challenges readers to rethink their emotions, suggesting that feelings are not something to be fixed or hidden, but rather a natural part of being made in God's image. By exploring the biblical perspective on emotions and drawing parallels with Jesus' own emotional experiences, Allen invites readers to embrace their emotions as a means of deeper connection with themselves, others, and God.
Lynn Cowell invites readers to consider Jesus' desire to communicate with them, just as she does with her friend, and how they can learn to listen for His voice in their daily lives. By exploring biblical passages and personal experiences, Cowell encourages readers to pause, ask themselves how they're feeling, and anticipate God's guidance and love in their uncertain world.
Shala W. Graham shares a personal story of serving others with joy, highlighting the importance of using one's spiritual gifts to serve others and bring glory to God. By sharing her mother's experience and the selfless service of Joy, Graham encourages readers to keep their eyes open and hearts ready to serve those around them.
Meghan Mellinger shares a personal struggle with negative self-talk, revealing how she discovered that changing her thoughts can transform her life. By exploring the power of God's transformation and learning to replace toxic thoughts with empowering ones, readers can break free from their own mental chains and discover a more hopeful and peaceful existence.