When you bump into massive difficulties on your life-path, I want you to consider it pure Joy. As you bounce off these “impossibilities,” My everlasting arms are wide open — ready to catch you, calm you, and help you do what does not seem possible. You can be joyful in the midst of perplexing problems…
The Power of Fear
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ — 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV One wrong step, and suddenly the world is upside down, spinning out of control, and before you know it, nothing is the same.…
Good Things
Editor’s note: Loved & Cherished is a brand new devotional for girls ages 8-12. It is full of life-giving, encouraging, uplifting, hopeful messages of Gospel truths for their growing hearts. Sovereign Lord, You are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and You have promised these good things to Your servant. — 2 Samuel 7:28 NIV Mom,…
Truth Without Love Isn’t True
Beliefs are tools that can be used to control or to love. Having the correct belief doesn’t tell us much of anything. But it’s tempting because it’s easy. Already in the Bible, we have people who say that what matters is what you believe. James has this to say about that: What good is it,…
Why the Cross? Why Punish Us at All?
The brutal death of Jesus on the Cross has caused many down through the ages to wonder why death was required at all. Why did God have to punish sin in the first place? How is it fair that God has allowed us to be born into a fallen world through no decision of our…
Find Jesus in Jonah
He Is the God of the Second Chance Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I will tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. — Jonah…
Finding a Way Through the Dark
Have you ever tried to walk around your house in the dark? With arms stretched out wide we feel our way around, running into dressers, patting walls with our hands, feeling for the familiar to find our way. It’s hard to see where we’re going without the light. It’s painful to run into things we…
Major League Grace
Romans 5:1-3 Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. — Romans…
And Now for Something Completely Violent
Horrific Violence, Some of It Involving Bears In 2013, the journal Pediatrics published a study that found movies rated “PG-13” were, on average, more violent than movies rated “R.”1 The reason for this, as far as anyone can tell, is that it’s easy to make violent acts seem less violent simply by neglecting to show…
Cherish Today
Stop Wishing for the Next Season of Life and Start Living Today’s Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re seventeen years old, a senior in high school, and all anyone can ask you about is where you’re going to go to college and what you’re going to major in. You finally choose a college and…