Set Your Heart on Things Above
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”— Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV). “O Lord,” I cried out, “be with him in this heat. And Lord, if He doesn’t know you personally, please place someone in his path who can lead him to You.” My prayers were for a man who was striding across the bank’s parking lot toward a large grocery store. What stirred my heart to pray for him was the heavy backpack he was toting and the sweat pouring down his face. In my heart, I was almost certain he was homeless. As I drove away from …
When We Don’t Feel Worthy
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created”—Revelation 4:11(NASB). Working at one of our church’s many ministries, I get to meet and assist many people who need our services. At our west campus, we offer a free clothes closet, which gets the most traffic. In addition, we offer other assistance, including providing household goods for those in need of items we often take for granted—silverware, glasses, plates, and other small kitchen items. Recently, a woman requested assistance with …
The World Needs More Audras
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden”—Matthew 5:14 (ESV). Her bright, sequined clothing captured my attention. So did her jewelry. Wrapped around her left arm had to be at least a half-dozen sparkling bracelets. Sitting to my left in church, the girl was seated in a wheelchair. A man, whom I assumed was her father, sat in the pew next to her. During our church’s short meet-and-greet “someone you didn’t come to church with,” I met them. When I walked over to shake their hands, the girl looked down, as if …
When Life Gives You Lemons, Trust His Promises
“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps His promises and constantly loves those who love Him and who obey His commands”— Deuteronomy 7:9 (TLB). One of my favorite promises in the Bible is found in John. In Chapter 16, verse 33, Jesus tells His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” At the end of John, chapter 15, Jesus prepares His disciples, predicting both persecution and the …
Shining a Light in a Broken World
“Then Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness”— John 12:44-46 (NIV). Darkness and evil are rampant in our broken world. Mass shootings. Countries at war. Fractured families. Political division. Without hope, we find it difficult to find our way into the light. But, if we truly believe Jesus is the answer, then why …
Finding Rest for Our Weary Souls
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”— Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV). A conversation with my best friend is always encouraging. She says the same thing about our spiritual discussions. Lately, those discussions have been by phone and text messages. For more than six months, Clarice has been helping to take care of one of her brothers. He is battling pancreatic cancer. Although she’s had help from her …
Living Life on Purpose for God’s Kingdom
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose”— Philippians 2:13 (NIV). A recent devotional I received from Dr. David Jeremiah via email was titled Cross Purposes. He cited an October 2021 editorial in The Economic Times titled “Life Has No Purpose.” Quoting the writer, Dr. Jeremiah shared the following: “The most significant thing to remember is that life is not a business. It does not exist for any particular end. It exists for the sheer joy of existing. There is no goal as such.” [1] Dr. Jeremiah added, …
In His Presence is Fullness of Joy
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”—Psalm 16:11 (ESV). I seek God’s presence each morning by starting each day with a mug of hot tea and the best book ever written—the Bible. While I have several Bibles, the current one I use for my morning devotionals is The Prayer Bible. Published by Guideposts, this NLT version offers prayers reflecting the scripture in the margins. Throughout this volume are also encouraging stories of answered prayers and prayers addressing different life situations. For example, praying when life …
Treasured Memories with Jesus Bring Hope
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”—Luke 2:19 (NIV). A recent morning devotional reminded me of treasured memories of my childhood. Growing up in southwestern Louisiana, I spent many hours outdoors on sunny days. Barefoot most of the time, I loved lying in the grass. On my stomach, I would search for a treasured four-leaf clover. Other times, I’d lie on my back and study the clouds. My imagination ran wild as I spotted a dinosaur shape or maybe a fluffy sheep. A large mimosa tree at the edge of our property also became …