Devotional Archives for Encouragement for Today
As Christians, we often mistakenly believe that gaining knowledge about God is the ultimate goal, but in reality, it's only a means to an end - a deeper relationship with Him. By embracing our need to be "keep me teachable," we can transform our time spent reading Scripture from duty to delight, and ultimately grow in our love for Jesus.
Meredith Boggs explores the tension between striving and surrender, revealing that God's steadfast love remains constant regardless of our actions or choices. By embracing surrender, we can experience exponentially more joy, intimacy with God, and freedom from shame, ultimately finding the fullness of joy in communion with the creator and sustainer of our souls.
As we strive to be like Jesus, it's essential to recognize that mere imitation is not enough; instead, we should focus on being with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict and change us. By prioritizing time in God's presence through prayer and Bible study, we can develop a deeper walk with Him and experience the natural result of His presence in our lives.
As the year comes to a close, take time to reflect on the past and step into 2023 with hope and trust in God's goodness. This year's devotion offers 12 biblical reminders to help you live your life boldly, from trusting God's sovereignty to embracing rest and loving others.
Lysa TerKeurst shares a powerful message about the importance of small acts of kindness and obedience, highlighting how these seemingly insignificant actions can have a profound impact on eternity. By focusing on the little things we do for others, we can experience God's magnification of our efforts and contribute to making the world a better place.
Sharon Jaynes shares her personal experience of growing up in a messy family and how she learned the importance of forgiveness from Joseph's story in the book of Genesis. Through his journey, Jaynes reveals that forgiveness is not about forgetting or condoning evil, but about trusting God's sovereignty and allowing Him to work good out of even the most hurtful situations.
Even on our worst days, we can find comfort in knowing that God's love for us never changes, and that our worth is not based on our performance but on the price Jesus paid for us. By remembering that we are cherished by our Father and seated with Christ in heaven, we can take a deep breath and move forward with confidence, even when we're struggling to love ourselves.
A lowly shepherd is visited by an angel announcing the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, in a humble and unexpected way, challenging traditional notions of significance and power. This Christmas story reminds us that God's love and salvation are for all people, regardless of their social status or background, and invites us to share this Good News with others.
Lysa TerKeurst shares her personal struggle with defining life by painful memories and offers a message of hope for moving on from hurtful experiences, suggesting that goodbyes can be more than just a separation, but also an opportunity to let go of pain and hold onto God's grace. By embracing this perspective, readers can learn to whisper "God be with you" over their memories, finding healing and forgiveness in the process.
As a runner, Kia Stephens learned that sometimes it's necessary to slow down and walk when your body tells you to quit. In her latest devotion, she shares how the Bible encourages us to persevere in our faith race, even when we're exhausted, out of breath, and ready to give up.