We've all had our heart broken in some way maybe by disappointment, fear, shame, rejection, or ridicule. If you find yourself with a broken heart today, I'm so sorry. No blog post or devotion is going to fix your broken heart and take away all your pain, but my hope is that this will encourage you a little and point you to the one who CAN restore your broken heart and h...

Have you ever asked,"God, where are you?" King David asked this question several times in Psalms: InPsalm 10:1, David asked, "Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" InPsalm 13:1-2, David cried out, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and d...

We all have fears. Too often, though, we let them rule over our lives and stop us from taking a stand for what we know God wants us to do. Like Daniel standing in the lion's den, we face situations that threaten to destroy us and our witness for Christ. You have to ask yourself: "Am I going to follow God, even when it's scary and uncertain?" Did you know that doing what...

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" (Psalm 46:10) When was the last time you were just "still?" Not still on your couch watching Netflix, but still and aware of God. Sitting still in his presence. Being quiet and acknowledging who he is. I believe that the reason why so many people never feel...

A lot of people misunderstand the meaning of contentment. Many think contentment means having no ambition. But the truth is, contentment is not laziness. Contentment is not apathy. Contentment is not complacency. Here's what contentment is:It's enjoying what I have right now rather than waiting for something else to happen in order for me to be happy. It's enjoying what ...

The Bible tells us that growth is God's will for our life. It is possible to grow old and not ever grow up. I know a lot of old people who are spiritually and emotionally immature. They never grew up. God wants us to be spiritually strong. Growth is God's will. Ephesians 4:14-15 says, "we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by e...

"Wherever God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear."1 John 4:18 (NCV) A lot of people think the opposite of fear is faith. It's not! The opposite of fear is love. People don't run into a burning building to rescue children because of faith. They do it because of love. Parents will put their lives at risk to protect their families becaus...

"The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope." (Psalm 34:18 GNT) Life is filled with unexpected circumstances. Some of these circumstances knock you flat on your back. What do you do when your world collapses? After Jesus was killed, his disciples met together but locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders who...

Surrender is a word that, in American culture, has some serious baggage. Surrender is typically talked about in a negative way. Yet, followers of Jesus are asked to surrender to God, fully. What does that look like? How do you "surrender to God?" And, what are you surrendering? Surrendering your life to God means you pray (and live out), "your will, Lord, not mine." You ...

"My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. Stand firm in this grace."1 Peter 5:12 (NLT) There are some things in life that we can't get through on our own, some pains and some temptations that are just too great without HIS sustaining grace. What does that mean, "sustaining grace?" Susta...