The world will tell you to take a break, kick back, and do nothing. You deserve it, after all. You've been pretty busy, and now is your chance to binge-watch a series for hours on end or take a long nap. Maybe stay in bed for a few days. It's cold out, you reason, and …
Category: devotion
A Difficult Journey
When God leads you, it doesn't mean the path will always be an easy one to follow. It may be hard to see. You may feel unsteady on your feet or even lost in your surroundings. Keep going. This trek might be difficult since there are no handrails or benches to rest on. There aren't …
The Father’s House
Look at this picture. Can you imagine yourself standing there? The silence. The stillness. The cold as it brushes against your cheeks. Do you see yourself turning toward the house, wanting to go inside to escape the bitter cold temperature? Or are you focused on the fence, maybe needing to finish some chores before darkness …
Your Next Step
You might be waiting and wondering about your next step. You might feel lost. Unimportant. Invisible. You've tried to figure out what to do, but all your obsessing has left you drained and still standing in the same spot. So, you stand here unable to move as fear holds your feet to the ground and …
At the Foot of the Cross Where My Heart Is Torn in Two
I wrote this post several years ago, but I try to share it every year at this time. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. I went to the foot of the cross during a prayer meeting at church a number of years ago. I knelt there, rested my hand on the wood, and bowed my head. …
Continue reading At the Foot of the Cross Where My Heart Is Torn in Two
Give God a Moment
When you wake up, give God a moment. Listen in your spirit. Keep your eyes closed. Push back the world for a little while. God will speak to you in gentle whispers. Can you hear Him? He might not be speaking in an audible voice but an inner whisper you can hear within your heart. …
A Messy Race
Life is hard, even for Christians. ESPECIALLY for Christians. The world is watching, and that pressure can wear on us as we sense a magnifying glass aimed in our direction, inspecting everything we say and do, analyzing our every move. Our slip-ups bring cheers and finger-pointing with shouts of, "Aha! Hypocrite!" Our failures sting even …
Together
The enemy is going to try and take you down and wear you out. Depression. Loneliness. Discouragement. Satan will use whatever tool he can to keep you isolated so you can't encourage others. The enemy wants you to be alone and to leave others alone as well. When Satan keeps God's children separated, fighting, or …
Freed from Darkness
Paul and Silas were brutally beaten and imprisoned in a Philippian jail. But they didn't do anything wrong. In fact, they'd just freed a woman from a demonic, fortune-telling spirit while going about their business - their FATHER'S business of sharing the gospel. And yet, they were violently beaten and thrown into the darkest dungeon, …
A Prison Called Loneliness
I've been trying to piece my thoughts together with no loose ends - a circle beginning with my own struggle and ending with hope. But sometimes things don't work out that way. Sometimes we don't have an answer to "why" we hurt, only the solid, concrete slab we're standing on with the word "trust" etched …
Joey Rudder 