Devotionals

Too many times, I've heard, 'God helps those that help themselves', and that is such a deep, deep lie! It's actually a half-truth, more than a lie; He does help those... but, not those that are already helping themselves, or able to help themselves. Our devotional today is a gentle reminder... OK, maybe not 'so' gentle... that self-help is not where your relationship with God will get deeper, closer, or more enriched. We can only help ourselves just so much; we are becoming more and more...

As a programmer, I use the term Source Control to explain how 'source code' (the program and files) are stored and controlled for safe and secure keeping. Oddly, our closeness to the Lord has many of the same characteristics. Our devotional today reminds me that His protection and fellowship is best when I remain close and 'under His umbrella of grace'... not a body guard, at all... a complete refuge. Reading Psalms 32:7 , it states; " Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from...

Overwhelmed, is not a pleasant feeling/experience. Inability has a demoralizing impact on our lives. Even just our deteriorating bodies can wear on our spirits, our hearts, our very lives. Sure, it is a fact we are getting older, it is a fact we have inadequacies, it is a fact we encounter 'bigger than us' moments in our lives. Our devotional today helps put perspective on all this because even Psalms 42:5 , reads; " Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope...

I know, surrendering is typically considered defeat. Victory and winning are two different things, too. Too often in our lives, we win (succeed), but don't actually enjoy/realize victory. Seems very odd, I know, but our devotional today reminds us that surrender with the Lord results in victory with the Lord... not against the Lord, but 'with' the Lord, 'in' the Lord. Sure, we can do many things, including living our entire lives without the Lord; we can work, raise families, navigate many...

A short devotional exploring why temptations come, how they shape character, and practical steps to resist—especially when no one is watching. Includes Scripture reflections, a simple temptation‑journal exercise, and encouragement from 1 Corinthians and James.

There are many sayings for dividing things that are commingled; the race of the tortoise and the hare, separation of church and state, mixes like oil and water, even the separating the sheep from the goats. Farmers in fact detest weeds because they can voraciously choke out the good crops around them. In our spiritual world, there are so many variations of spiritualism, religions, and faiths... it is so hard to distinguish some from others, and it seems like some are so very ridiculous and...

Not sure how you grew up, but me... I'll bet I was well into my teens before 'the future' really crossed my mind. Sure, I worried about...

How I view things is quite different than most people. Not at all because I am special, mostly because I am taller than most people. I can see over cubical walls without getting on my tip-toes; I can change ceiling lights without a ladder; I can even sit in the back of an auditorium and still over most of the audience. My perspective, my vantage point, the world I experience is subjective. It is unfair to be critical of anyone who needs/uses a ladder to change a ceiling lightbulb......

I know, the typical phrase is, "synchronize your watch", so pardon me as I make a spiritual reference to that well established phrase. Way too many times through my day, through my week, through my life I have gotten my spirit sort of out-of-sync. Something of a disjointed feeling, or 'pending doom', or maybe even just an unsettled and restless feeling of anguish, fear, and/uncertainty... and I finally hear 'that still small voice', and get linked back up with the Lord, and sort of...

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr writes a short devotional on opening your day with gratitude and simple practices to cultivate joy.

How many times have we heard that? Someone telling us to be quiet so we can 'hear that'; like we can hear what they are hearing... or, think they are hearing. Yet, we attempt to eliminate 'other noises' to better help us identify 'that sound'. Our devotional today goes along those same lines... quieting ourselves so we 'can' hear the very voice of God... the calling... the leading. Now, not just anyone can hear God's voice... not just anyone can follow His leading... it's not a coupon, or...

G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr writes to provide his encouragement to live boldly for God so others may see and be drawn to His light.

Yea, contrary terms, I know. I enjoy being successful, being on the winning side of a problem (even if it is only the garbage-disposal plumbing), being strong, admired, even 'looked up to'. These traits, these events, these moments in my life leave me self-satisfied, proud of my stature in life, and they even kind of invigorate me to press on, to strive more or harder, to improve... but, all too quickly, my fallibility lurches RIGHT into the middle of some fantastic quest I am (was) on the...

Psalm 40:2-3, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 147:11 Today's devotional encourages us to avoid falling into pitying ourselves and getting lost in 'our demise'. Lingering there leads to an ugly darkness and ultimately hopeless depression, separation, and even death. The key component begins with getting stuck thinking of yourself and your woes, which is a trait of selfishness. Our Father is our only hope for getting and staying out of this deep, ugly place. Especially because we are then focused on Him,...