He knows the secrets of the heart. — Psalm 44:21 NKJV It was a small nativity scene. A little box holding a few plastic pieces my mother had brought home from her travels. I had hesitated before I shoved it onto a shelf. Shouldn’t I just put it in the garage-sale box? I had wondered.…
3 Prayers for Joy and Gratitude
Thank You for Joy! The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. — Psalm 19:8 Dear Jesus, Sometimes I crave the unbridled joy of childhood. I remember how it felt to pedal my bike fast, wind whipping through my…
Don’t Forget Thanksgiving
Don’t Forget Thanksgiving Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him. — Psalm 95:2 Have you ever noticed how after Halloween, many stores immediately bring out their prelit trees, ornaments, Christmas wreaths, and candy canes? The weeks between Halloween and Christmas are often a blur of colored leaves and…
Dance in Thanks
David danced before the LORD with all his might. — 2 Samuel 6:14 Too often we are hesitant to dance, whether it’s dancing in the literal or figurative sense of the word. Perhaps that’s because much of our society’s dancing seeks to glorify the created rather than the One who created. But as Solomon so…
The Fear of the Lord
The Fear of the Lord This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him Fear the…
Sin: Temptation, Red Flags, and a Way Out
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army… But David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The…
A Domino Effect
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther, he was pleased with her and held out to her the…
Boasting in Weakness
Editor’s note: Today’s reading comes from the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, a powerful tool for helping you understand the context in which Scripture takes place. When you understand the time and place in which events occur, you gain all new insight into the truths of God’s Word. Imagine reading the Bible with a behind-the-scenes…
God’s Words of Life on Grandchildren
From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. — Psalm 103:17-18 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your…
Please, God
Maybe your dad was always there for you. Maybe he took you school-supply shopping, hugged you when you cried, and told that ex of yours that he or she messed with the wrong kid. Or maybe your dad was deeply flawed. Maybe, through his words and actions or his silence and neglect, you learned that…