Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
Prayer is not about getting what we want, but about trusting God's goodness and provision. By asking according to His will, we can experience the confidence that He hears us and provides for our needs, even if it's not in the way we expect.
Lynn Cowell shares a powerful story from John 11 about Jesus' deep emotional connection with His friends Mary and Martha, who were grieving the loss of their brother Lazarus. As she reflects on this passage, Cowell finds comfort in knowing that Jesus wept alongside them, and that He is still present in her own heartache today, offering hope for a future without pain or sorrow.
When struggling to believe God is for you, it's essential to remember three truths: your job is to be obedient to God, spiritual realities are always present and working in your life, and you don't have to live in uncertainty about God's presence. By reciting Psalm 91:2 and choosing to trust God, even when you can't see His intervention, you can experience peace and comfort in the midst of hardship.
When God seems silent, it can be a deeply unsettling experience, leaving us wondering if He is with us at all. In Psalm 42, the writer shares three important ways to approach God in times of silence, offering hope and encouragement for those who feel abandoned or unheard.
As summer approaches, many Christians struggle to maintain their Bible study and prayer habits due to changing schedules and circumstances. Instead of fighting these changes, embracing them as new seasons can lead to a deeper experience of God's loving presence in everyday life.
Christine Caine shares a powerful message about the heart of the gospel, emphasizing that adoption is at the core of God's love for us, and that our identity lies in being His beloved children. By recognizing this truth, we can break free from insecurity and find our security in God's love, moving forward with passion and purpose.
A renowned artist's sculpture, crafted with hours of dedication, lies shattered on the floor after a devastating accident. In this poignant reflection, Stacy J. Lowe shares how she came to realize that even in brokenness, beauty can emerge when we surrender our shattered remains to God's goodness and grace.
As a father struggles with dementia, his daughter finds comfort in the presence of God's love, even in the darkest moments. Through her own journey and the words of Psalm 43, she shares how putting hope in God's care can help navigate painful times with a faithful perspective.
A mother's desperate prayer to God for guidance and comfort during a season of uncertainty is answered in a surprising way, revealing the power of His gentle whisper in our darkest moments. Through her personal story, Jodi Harris reminds us that God has not forgotten us, even when we feel abandoned or overlooked, and invites us to listen for His quiet voice amidst life's chaos.
Lysa TerKeurst shares a personal story of how God's whisper in her heart led her to adopt two orphaned boys, Jackson and Mark, from Liberia, prompting her to consider the idea that sometimes the next big step God wants us to take is actually small. By embracing obedience and surrendering our plans, we can discover God's extraordinary invitations and experience life-changing miracles.