Devotionals

Sure, we're usually advised to pay attention, focus, and not be distracted when we're on a path, whether we are driving, cycling, or jogging. Practically, we do need to focus and minimize distractions, sure. Today's devotional, however, is going to encourage you to actually be distracted by the Lord's path, the Lord's plan of your life... let that get/keep your attention, let that be where your prime energy and interests go. "Same thing, just a different spin", you might say. No... Psalms 16:8...

Three words that help speak volumes for the 'groanings' I struggle over in my life... trying to be acceptable (please keep me around)... trying to be compliant (I can follow rules)... trying to be faultless or blameless (am I doing the right things?). Yet, someone, somewhere, someway construes their viewpoint in such a way as to question integrity, honor, and certainly stature in our lives. Sometimes, it leaves me feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and certainly unworthy to turn to the Lord, to...

For many years, I wondered why Jesus would tell some of those whom He'd healed NOT to say a word to anyone about it... to keep it a secret... to just be hush-hush about it and go on about their lives. Here are several incidents; Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ . Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony...

We have had occasion to discuss today's devotional a couple times in recent months, so this title may sound familiar... or, it may actually confuse you, too. Letting others suffer seems SO contrary to the message of Jesus, the compassion He has instilled in our hearts, and the reward of hope we have realized... but this is actually one of the underlying messages God conveys to us. Letting others suffer gives God an opportunity to commune directly with them. As an example, Jacob loved his son...

' Life ' means many things and is used in so many ways, but at it's core, it is defined as; 'any specified period of animate existence'. Plants have life, animals have life, as does the human race have life. Especially with humans, life also includes our spirit and soul, which is a much deeper version of the physical life other things on this planet experience. Even among the humans, there seems to be a wide variation in life; some are exuberant, excited, and energetically productive; while...

Just when I feel like I am 'called of God' and live a circumspect and attempted honorable life, but no-one around seems to be listening...

Oh, to be a child again, huh? Sure, we all have those thoughts on occasion... more and more frequently as we face toils, fears, anxieties from our world. To 'run home to mommy/daddy', sometimes seems like the only valid choice at times! Those days of innocence are quite envying, but we all know we can't remain there, that we must progress, grow, mature. I recently read 1 Corinthians 13:11 , which reminds us; " When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a...

I am not a fan of Luck; it can go one of two ways. When you have a 'streak of bad luck', you don't know why; when you have a 'streak of good luck', you also don't really know why. We get taunted with the whole 'thank your lucky stars' concept, or the Karma concept, but those don't really speak to the core point if thankfulness, the core point of gratitude or humble appreciation of our lives and the trends, paths, even odd-direction or predicaments in which we find ourselves. We want so badly...

God doesn't tear down any barriers we put up between Him and us. God doesn't set up any barriers between us. Now, is it just me, but isn't it odd we aren't very, very close to God? The only barriers keeping us apart are our own! Sure, physically close is not part of the equation, but it seems like we'd be much more spiritual, much more content, and certainly much more 'heavenly minded' than we are as a people, let alone as individuals. Mostly, one of the key things that keeps us from being...

I know, it's a funky title for a devotional and normally I would agree, but our devotional today is admonition for the deeper life in the Lord. I know, that too is an old story and something of a cliché saying buzzing around these days. But, I read through Psalms 42:7, which states; " Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. " I like reading the King James language because it makes me 'read' the words and untangle the message the...

Ever thought about that? The things the He doesn't want to do in your life, or even in the world in general. So often we're hoping He 'allows' us to do things; to accomplish tasks, projects, life-dreams; to enjoy a fuller life; to be safe/secure. Too often, we're really just doing enough just to get by, to keep Him pleased (not thrilled) with us... too concerned with the cause-n-effect of our relationship and fellowship with. Today's devotional gets us to focus on the 'today only' aspect of...

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr created this short piece on the importance of discernment and nuance in applying faith to life's choices.

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr writes about urging surrender of control and trusting God's provision and guidance.

One of the very easiest ways to answer Jesus' invitation to come to Him, is; stop letting things keep you from Him! Easier said than done, I know SO well, but if you take a moment to consider that our busyness really pulls us from His invitation to fellowship with Him, so setting aside the busyness instantly frees us for time with Him. Our devotional today does two things; reminds us that He IS constantly calling on us, and the value we glean from His presence is time-worthy of it. Firstly;...