How quickly I forgot that promise! In the midst of my sorrow, I saw nothing but desert and death. I overlooked God’s pledge to me and to Ishmael. Had I remembered it, I would have clung to hope. Had I recalled God’s faithfulness when I wandered into the desert that first time, perhaps my outlook and my response would have been entirely different.
Tag Archives: devotions
GOD’S PROTECTION
Each day, I have to make a decision to travel toward or away from God’s protection. If I am careless or make a wrong or unsafe choice, with His guidance, I am able to resist the world’s evils and find guidance in this changing world.
How Will You Be Remembered?
“Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had placed his hands on him; and the Israelites listened to him and did just what the Lord had commanded Moses. No prophet ever again arose in Israel like Moses, who knew the Lord face to face. He did all the signs and wonders the Lord had sent him to do …
It’s the Little Things
“If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.” Numbers 33:55 (ESV) The first time the low tire warning …
Pebbles in My Soul
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more …” Isaiah 43:25
How to Handle Porcupines
Jesus calls us to be of the same mind in the Lord. To follow his example of humility, self-control, and selfless love. Being of the same mind doesn’t mean that our opinion doesn’t matter – it means that God’s honor and glory matter more.
God in the Everyday
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT) There are moments in our lives when God clearly speaks or intervenes amidst our daily routines. I call them God Moments. The Israelites experienced God Moments over and over, from …
May I Help You?
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 Yesterday, I went grocery shopping while Len was in therapy. I typically wait till Len or one of our boys can accompany me. Their six-foot stature sure helps when I need something on the top shelf. Alas, I …
Those Rotting Bones
Let’s face it; there are seeds of jealousy in all of us. The devil wants us to believe we’re entitled to this and that, and little by little, we start feeding into his falsehoods. If we cultivate those seeds, we set ourselves up to reap its bitter fruit.
Perfected
One of the greatest truths in Scripture is that God uses men and women who are imperfect: doubting Thomas, impulsive Peter, skeptical Nathaniel, and crooked Matthew. This gives me great hope that God can use me despite my shortcomings. Like an athlete training for the Olympics, each day He points out areas of my life that need to be improved – not to minimize my progress or make me feel like a failure, but to hone my character to be more Christlike. In Christ, I am being perfected day by day.