He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a Son. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room…
Journal, Pray, Reflect, and Connect with God
Editor’s note: Have you heard about The Weekly Prayer Project? It’s part book, part journal with a challenge to spend 52 weeks in prayer and daily Bible meditation. It’s a fantastic way to connect with God, pray, reflect, and journal our prayer journeys. The topics in The Weekly Prayer Project are centered around 7 different…
Surprise Packaging
He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. — Isaiah 53:2 Hariett has a real gift when it comes to gift wrapping. She’s given concert tickets tucked inside empty cereal boxes and jewelry disguised in old coffee cans. No empty container is off-limits.…
Happy Thanksgiving: Focus on Thanking God
Happy Thanksgiving: Focus on Thanking God Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) Our Thanksgiving plans with extended family are often shaped by what’s happened within the year leading up to the holiday. In the past we’ve gathered at my brother’s house, but…
I Am the Lord’s Servant
Editor’s Note: It’s Sit & Listen Saturday at Devotionals Daily. Enjoy reading as well as listening to this devotion from The Story by Randy Frazee. Listen on the blog or on your Alexa device by enabling the skill and then prompting, “Alexa, ask devotionals to read today’s devotion.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.…
A Tone of Thanksgiving
I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. — Psalm 116:1-2 Take another look at these two verses from Psalm 116. Though not one key word about gratitude — thanks, thankfulness,…
The Grateful Retrospect
Read Psalm 18 Psalm 18 is often referred to as the grateful retrospect.1 The title says David sang this song to the Lord when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, including Saul. This psalm is written after Saul’s death in the period just before David, at long last, ascends the…
Giving Thanks for Blessings
A Reflex Action The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior. — 2 Samuel 22:2–3, 2 Samuel 22:47 We are concerned about a person or situation. We pray…
Hannah’s Request
Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD… I rejoice in Your salvation.” — 1 Samuel 2:1 When have you really wanted something? We all know what it feels like to long for something desperately, for something, such as a life-giving job, a significant other, a repaired relationship, a sense of purpose, or…
When Burdens Are Too Burdensome
I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. — Numbers 11:14 Moses boldly spoke these very honest words to the Lord: the Israelites were far too big a burden for Moses to bear. God responded to Moses’ weariness by assigning additional people to carry the load, specifically seventy…