Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today

Feeling defeated and unmotivated is a common struggle, but what if God's plan for us is not to be perfect, but to grow in faith and trust? In this article, author Emily Jensen shares her personal journey of facing her own weaknesses and finding hope in the sufficiency of Christ.

Women's work has been undervalued and overlooked in the Kingdom of God, but Scripture reveals that women have played a vital role in the flourishing of their communities, the Church, and the Kingdom through their work. By embracing the gospel's message of redemption and restoration, women can discover the deep value and significance of their work, both for today and eternity, and live out their calling as agents of truth, goodness, and beauty in the world.

Irina Creek shares her personal story of transformation from darkness to light, recounting how she found hope and faith through Operation Christmas Child's shoebox gifts and the radical message of the gospel. As an orphan who was later adopted into a Christian family, Irina now continues the project with her own family, spreading God's love to children around the world.

Feeling disconnected from your Bible can be a common struggle, but remembering that it's a privilege to engage with God's Word and not just a chore can make all the difference. By recognizing our dependence on God's Spirit and embracing creative ways to interact with Scripture, we can reignite our passion for reading and learning from the Bible.

Lynn Cowell shares her personal journey of overcoming worry and anxiety through the lens of Psalm 77:12, where she reflects on times God has been faithful to her. By considering these moments of faithfulness, readers can build their own trust in God and develop a daily practice to overcome anxiety.

Ann White shares her personal journey of discovering the transformative power of God's Word, revealing how embracing Scripture has brought hope, guidance, and inspiration into her life and helped her overcome self-sufficiency. By sharing her own story and highlighting the "Power of 4 Effect," White encourages readers to prioritize daily engagement with God's Truth and experience a deeper connection with their Heavenly Father.

Feeling like you're falling behind in life can be frustrating, but growth is often a slow and season-dependent process, as illustrated by the author's experience on her family farm. By embracing the ups and downs of life and trusting God's timing, you can learn to grow slowly and steadily, ultimately reaping a harvest of healing, love, and peace.

Karen Ehman explores unexpected pairings in Scripture, including rejoicing in hope, patience in affliction, and persistence in prayer, revealing how these unlikely combinations can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. By examining the biblical context and applying its principles to everyday experiences, Ehman shows that embracing uncertainty, enduring hardship, and persisting in prayer can lead to joy-filled hope, patient perseverance, and a more Christlike character.

Lysa TerKeurst shares a personal experience of feeling lonely and set aside at an event, but discovers that being alone can be a gift from God, allowing her to receive special wisdom and guidance for her assignment. She encourages readers who may be feeling lonely or overlooked to look for the gifts of humility, loneliness, and silence, and to trust that God is with them, even in their feelings of isolation.

Shala W. Graham invites readers to surrender to Jesus, who embodies pure, unrelenting love, and stand under His banner of love as a symbol of allegiance and healing. By embracing this love, believers can experience freedom, hope, healing, joy, and friendship in their relationship with God.