Devotions
Seen in the Small Things
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 ESV
When You Need Hope, Find it in the Steadfast Love of the Lord
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22 ESV
When You Wonder if Caregiving Matters, Do Not Grow Weary
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 ESV
When You Need Rest, Take the Yoke of the Lord
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 ESV
When You Are Overwhelmed: God is Your Fortress
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Relying on God’s Strength in Your Weakness
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
Continue to Run the Race of Faith
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV
When You Feel Anxious, Cast Your Cares on the Lord
“…casting all you anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
How God’s Law Revives the Soul: Finding Joy in His Commands
Like a child being scolded for grabbing a cookie before dinner, we often do not associate rules with joy. When we read about God’s laws in the Bible, what we tend to focus on is the restriction. You may even ask yourself how the Mosaic law–full of its sacrifices and commandments–can bring life?
When Faith Looks Foolish: Trusting God When Others Don’t Understand
There are many times in my daily life that I encounter people that think they have all the answers. Sometimes they are right. Often they are wrong. And frequently, they argue against God’s wisdom because they are waiting for “new knowledge” or a “special revelation” that will make God real to them.
Encouragement for Grieving Caregivers: Hope that Looks Forward
Someone recently asked me an honest question about my grief over losing my daughter to heart disease. She asked if I could go back and were I to have a choice about whether or not to be a mom to a child with special needs, would I choose to bypass all the heartache? I acknowledged that there are many things that I would do differently, but having my daughter would not be something I’d change. So, it made me wonder about how we, as believers, see our hardships in this life.
When Worry Steals Your Joy: Trusting God as a Caregiver
There is a difference between saying the right things and living them. We all know of church leaders, politicians, and celebrities that have said things to the approval of their followers, only to be later exposed as hypocrites. We are reminded in 1 John, that as part of the body of Christ, we are to love our brothers not only in word, but in action.
Authentic Faith: Aligning Your Heart and Actions with God
There is a difference between saying the right things and living them. We all know of church leaders, politicians, and celebrities that have said things to the approval of their followers, only to be later exposed as hypocrites. We are reminded in 1 John, that as part of the body of Christ, we are to love our brothers not only in word, but in action.
A Pure Heart in Caregiving: Serving God with Love, Not Obligation
When we think of a pure heart that loves God, we do not speak of outward perfection or religious performance. We need to think of something far deeper that cannot be measured through ritual observance, checklists, or appearances. The purity of heart described in Matthew 5:8 is a life that seeks to love God not only with our emotions, but with our minds and actions.
Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart: A Lifeline for Caregivers
Family caregiving is full of moments that don’t allow time to search and study the Bible for guidance or comfort. Decisions are required quickly. Emotions are running high. Fatigue has settled in deep. And in these moments, what we have already stored in our hearts is what will guide us and keep us from error.
Circumcision of the Heart: True Faith Beyond Outward Religion
We often try to change ourselves from the outside in. We adjust habits, modify behavior, and manage our appearance. We set goals and make resolutions. God is concerned with something deeper. He is waiting for us to choose a relationship with him–one where sin is cut away to enable us to love him more.
Peace in the Storm: Trusting Christ When Life Feels Shaken
On the eve of his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prepares his disciples for the change ahead. He tells them to not let their hearts be troubled even though he knows that the events to come will be difficult, shake them to their foundation.