Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
Jesus tells His disciples that they are His friends if they obey Him, and this obedience is fulfilled through abiding in Him, which means keeping His commandments and loving God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and neighbors. By embracing this truth, Christians can experience a deepening relationship with Jesus, who provides the strength and grace to pursue and know Him, and to love their neighbor as themselves.
When we're hiding from our problems, God doesn't leave us alone; He comes to find us, calling us out of our caves and into His wondrous light. By sharing our struggles with Him, we can receive love and care, and take the first step towards healing and growth.
As uncertainty grips our lives, we often panic and lose sight of God's sovereignty, forgetting that He is the King of all things. In a powerful message, Dr. Joel Muddamalle shares how embracing God's nearness can bring us peace and hope in even the most uncertain situations.
A young mother discovers that her child's beloved backpack is filled with hidden stones, symbolizing the weight of life's burdens she has been carrying alone. By acknowledging Jesus' presence and creating daily rhythms to shift her burdens, she finds rest and learns to trade her load for the love that holds her up.
As the modern world prioritizes productivity, author Tsh Oxenreider reminds us that God cares deeply about how we spend our time, urging us to make the most of every opportunity in an ordinary life. By structuring certain parts of our day with intentional routines and prayer, we can honor God's reminder to use our fleeting time wisely.
Blair Linne challenges traditional Christian views on happiness, arguing that it is not inherently sinful or self-indulgent to desire a happy life. Instead, she contends that true happiness originates in a deepening relationship with God's Word and instruction, which can bring eternal fulfillment and joy.
Sharon Jaynes shares her personal journey of learning to pray effectively for her child, drawing on biblical principles and creating a pattern of prayer that covers every area of their life from head to toe. By following this approach, mothers can confidently pray for God's protection and provision over their children, using scriptures like the Lord's Prayer as a guide.
Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal struggle with feeling worn out and overwhelmed, but finds solace in the words of Matthew 3:17, where Jesus is described as God's well-pleased Son. By embracing a new identity in Christ and learning to say "yes" and "no" wisely, she encourages readers to slow down and prioritize their soul over an overflowing schedule.
As a mom, struggling to connect with your children can be heartbreaking, but hope is just around the corner. By sharing her own experiences and using the "Hands-On Bible" activity, author Evie Polsley shows how families can break down communication barriers and deepen their understanding of Christ through fun and engaging activities.
Psalm 56:8 offers a profound comfort to those struggling with grief, reminding us that God keeps count of our tears and stores them in His book, acknowledging their value and uniqueness. By embracing this truth, we can find solace in knowing that our pain is not forgotten or discounted, but rather honored by the God who cares deeply about our sorrow.