Devotionals

Isaiah 49:16

"The Lord has forsaken me...He has walked away...He has totally forgotten me." 

Ever said that? Of course you have! How about on Monday morning? You've just come off a glorious weekend retreat. Time in the Word. Great worship. Lots of laughter. Meaningful prayer.... Then comes eight o'clock Monday morning back home, and your whole world caves in. 

"The Lord's forgotten me. He's completely left the scene."

But God says, "You are written on the palms of My hands. You are continually before Me."

Proverbs 5:22

Psalm 65: 9, 11

Somewhere, miles away, crops push their way toward harvest and waves roar and tumble onto shore. Windswept forests sing their timeless songs, and desert animals scurry in the shadows of cactus and rock.

Within a matter of hours night will fall, the dark sky will glitter with moon and stars, and sleep will force itself upon us. Life will continue on uninterrupted.

Appreciated or not, the canvas of nature will go on being painted by the fingers of God.

Matthew 6:24

Psalm 46:10

Sit down. That’s right, my friend, sit down!

You have run far enough. You have stood long enough. You have fought, pushed, and manipulated your way for too many years. God has finally grabbed your attention. He is saying, "Quit! Stop! Let Me handle it! Sit there on the hot sands of the desert where you have brought yourself. Look at what lies next to you. It is a well, full of fresh water.”

Soon it will be God’s delight to bring that bucket up and refresh your soul. Sit still. Stay there. Be quiet.

Matthew 6:14

We cannot be right with God until we are right with one another.

The power of reconciliation is stronger than revenge. It is amazing how forgiveness unloads the weapon in the other person's hand.

When you reconcile with your brother or sister, it is amazing what it does in both hearts. It is like having your nervous system flushed out. It is like getting over a long-standing fever and cleansing the corruption that has been diseasing your mind.

Psalm 32:8

When we arrive at dilemmas in life and are unable to decipher the right direction to go, if we hope to maintain our joy in the process, we must allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Strength, our Wisdom—our all!

It’s easy to read those words, but so tough to carry through on them. When we do, however, it’s nothing short of remarkable how peaceful and happy we can remain. The pressure is on His shoulders, the responsibility is on Him, the ball is in His court, and an unexplainable joy envelops us.

Psalm 95:2

Sometimes when you don’t feel like praying, or you’re consumed with needing to speak to the Lord but can’t gather the words, try that old standby....

Count your many blessings, count them one by one.

It’s amazing how you can get carried away from worries and woes and self-concern when you start naming out loud what you’re thankful for. Right away, your focus shifts from your needs to the Father’s graciousness and love.

Try it!

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Proverbs 29:23

Romans 6:6