Devotionals

The deal keeps getting better and better... those infomercials selling gadgets, gizmos, and home-item trinkets all have that one recurring theme of " ...but wait " as they are working to impress you enough to make that sale. The longer you 'do' wait, the better and more unbelievable the deal does get... to the point you feel almost moronic NOT to place an order. Today, our devotional has somewhat the same premise, though you are not being convince to accept something you would otherwise do...

Anchored in Spirit — A short devotional by G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr. reminding believers to stay close to God’s tug, shorten the tow line, and strengthen their spiritual anchor.

No, today's devotional is not about train safety, or rail-yard protocol. Too very often, my spirit, my trust in the Lord, my peace and hope in Him... are derailed by giving too much attention to temporal things; be it financial woes, family concerns, or even the never tiring political & social struggles. I just end up in a puddle of worry, or tending toward hopelessness, and worse, that ugly feeling of solitude and abandonment (where's God?). But back to derailing, because my train-of-thought...

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr writes a reflection on how our perspective shapes our experience of God's beauty and presence.

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr provides an encouragement to replace fear with love through trust and spiritual practices.

Have you ever tried to be sad, somber, or depressed when good things are happening, or when celebration is in the air, or when your day is perking along fine-n-dandy? No! Who would, right? Sure, when 'all is well', being happy, excited, and finding joy in the moment is second nature; something of a normal response to these heart-warming events. Finding joy during tumultuous times, during stressful events, even just during the blasé and hum-drum events can be quite a tougher prospect. Our...

...nothing you should worry about today! Sure, we hear that all the time, but so quickly and rather easily we are right back there... fussing over a pending job opportunity, toiling over a potential home, stressing about the weather and an upcoming outdoor event... even just planning a strategy for your career or retirement... forget medical concerns... those alone are more than most can handle! The Lord insists we refrain from 'getting ahead' of today, from getting all wrapped up in 'what...

"Capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon". I know... odd starting a devotional with a dictionary description, but that is one of the core descriptions for 'Vulnerable'... not a word I liked very much in my earlier years. As I have grown, I become more and more aware just how bound I was (still am in some places) with the fear of being vulnerable. So much so, I can hide even from myself! As you may recall, I've been saved since February of '78, which is quite some...

Song of Solomon 2:13 (KJV) The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Sure, who doesn't like a break? Who doesn't want some 'time away' from the pressures, the tension, the bustling anxiety presented to us in modern society? Usually, there are two reasons we are so busy; our obligations have piled on, and we like keeping busy to avoid boredom and the awkward quiet in our souls. Seems contrary to...

Yeah, closing your eyes seems like the last thing you'd do to see, but we must always remember that we '...look through a glass darkly, but then face to face', as the passage reminds us. People who could see but became blind, have reported how keen their remaining senses became. No, closing your eyes will not help you 'see' the future, or around corners, or interpret dreams... nothing mystic, at all. This is actually a spiritual reference encouraging me and you to be less distracted by this...

Reading back through history, we'd be hard pressed to find any commentary or reference to 'when times were faster'. Often, we stop and recognize just how fast-paced life is now, compared to yesterday... we bustle, we hustle, we scurry, we flurry. We rarely have any time in our past that was 'a faster paced life'... society has advanced into an efficient, and well tuned lifestyle. In fact, the infamous Psalms 46:10 passage might read better to start with, "Log-off, and know that I am God..."!...

I once knew a man who did not pray for patience... hated the thought/idea of it... strictly because of God's promise that came along with...

Once you make it a habit of spending exclusive time with the Lord (because you can), the trials, the struggles, the tumult of life...

Those two traits rarely exist in the same sentence, but our devotional for today encourages us to be broadminded, but retain an ability/willingness to be resistant. Sure, seems those would almost never exist in you life, let alone actually making an effort to develop and strengthen them. Broadminded simply means your heart and spirit are open and ready for His guidance, for His leading FOR you. In fact, Ephesians 3:16-19 admonishes us; " That he would grant you, according to the riches of...