Devotionals
The Gift of Wise Counsel in Spiritual Growth
“After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.” Acts 18:26b (CSB)
After my knee surgery, many people admonished me to do my prescribed exercises at home if I wanted to heal well and completely. Armed with my stretching strap, I diligently tackled exercises three times a day, pulling the strap as hard as possible to make my knee bend further each time. But when I worked with my physical therapist again, he noticed my execution was not quite right.
Apparently I was supposed to bend my knee as far as I could unassisted, then pull the strap to go further. Although it was harder, I’m grateful he taught me more accurately, and I’m happy to report my knee is strong and well today.
The Savior Who Comes Back for You
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.’” John 20:27 (CSB)
Sometimes I get serious FOMO (fear of missing out) when my friends are gathering for something I love — like a ministry retreat or church event — and I can’t attend. If I have to do some unexciting, far-less-life-changing task instead, it just adds insult to injury.
Seek First: Resting in God’s Faithful Provision
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 (CSB)
Years ago, the Lord called me to rebuild everything in my life from scratch. As bills added up, I found myself discouraged at the slowness of God’s provision. I thought I was moving into a promised land like in Exodus 3:8, "a land flowing with milk and honey" (CSB). But it felt more like a wilderness.
With every step, I asked the Lord, You’ve got me, right? Where’s that milk and honey? I wanted to start making the way myself instead of trusting Him.
The Spirit Whispers Truth When I Forget Who I Am
“The women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel.’” Ruth 4:14 (CSB)
The past few years have been hard, filled with some of life’s most challenging transitions. One particular therapy session was heavy as I came up against my lack of faith, my need to control, and my difficulty with letting go and trusting God. In my heart, I was shaming myself, wondering who wants me … like this.
Carry Yourself With Great Expectation
“But Peter said, ‘I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!’” Acts 3:6 (CSB)
My life has had its share of grief and heartache. The pain of dreams deferred has sometimes made me push hope down, keeping my expectations low. However, God recently challenged this posture I tend to settle into by reminding me of His healing in Acts 3.
Honored and Chosen by God
“Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” Luke 1:43 (NLT)
One of my favorite paintings is Visitation, created by Mariotto Albertinelli in 1503. It depicts the story of Mary the mother of Jesus visiting her older cousin, Elizabeth, who was John the Baptist's mother and a descendant of the high priest Aaron. Rich with theology, the painting reminds me that these women, both recipients of a miracle, were honored and chosen by God for high and holy purposes.
Embracing Peace Amid Chaos
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” — Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)
A month after I moved to a new city, Hurricane Beryl came through with vicious winds and rain, waking me from my sleep. The power flickered off and on every 30 minutes or so until it stayed off for the next 36 hours.
Get to Jesus by Any Means Necessary
“And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.” Luke 5:25 (NLT)
Growing up in a military and football family, I had the phrase “make a hole” ingrained in my mind from all the war movies Daddy watched and all the peewee and high school football games my brothers played. The Navy kid in me knows when someone is running toward you and tells you to “make a hole,” it means, “Get out of the way!”