And now, here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to start all over again. I’m taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I’ll court her. I’ll give her bouquets of roses. I’ll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. — Hosea 2:14 MSG “Jess is hard on…
How Is Forgiveness Even Possible When I Feel Like This
Editor’s note: This year has been hard on all of us, hasn’t it? 2020’s losses have been big, our emotions have been big, and relationships have taken big hits. Forgiveness sometimes seems impossible. Cruel even. Lysa TerKeurst understands as she has gone through personal crises in the last few years beyond the breaking point and…
Faithful and Sure
God is the One who knows the end from the beginning. He is never caught off guard by our circumstances or bewildered by our behavior. He never feels pressured by the passing of time. God has always been — and will always be — in complete control of His creation. Isaiah’s acceptance of God’s eternal…
Spiritual Warfare: Behind Enemy Lines
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 Why is it important to understand the enemy? Before you fight a war, it’s always a good thing to know something about your enemy. Nowhere is this statement truer than in…
In Times of Sorrow
Trust in Me at all times. I know the pain and sorrow you are feeling, and I want you to pour out your heart in My Presence. You need to release all those emotions in a safe place. Demonstrate your trust in Me by opening your heart to Me; as you do so, I promise…
Enduring with the Lord’s Help
Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. — Psalm 70:1-2 Read Psalms 69-71 David’s psalms are a continual returning to urgent petitions. He asks God to hear him,…
Present Over Perfect: Sitting With Jesus
As I arrive nearer and nearer to the heart of things — at least as close as I’m able to get right now — what lies at the center are these four things: Jesus, Aaron, gratitude, and strength. As I leave things behind — heavy things, things that have kept me trapped and exhausted for…
El Shaddai
Scripture: Genesis 43:14; Psalm 131:2-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty [El Shaddai] . . . I have made you a father of many nations I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.” —…
My Soul Waits
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. — Psalm 130:5-6 I have a routine that I follow almost every weekday: I wake up and gasp at the forty-five-year old woman staring back…
Struggle and Chaos
Struggles He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” — Matthew 26:39 We all struggle. But did you ever think that perhaps God may be using your…