Devotions Archive

Wooed, Won, and Wed

Today’s Truth

“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely” (Song of Solomon 2:14 NIV).

Friend to Friend

In the Song of Solomon, we meet a King who is riding though his kingdom and spies a young maiden working in the fields. Suddenly he is captivated by her beauty and smitten by her form. Her hands are stained with grape juice of the vineyard, her skin is tanned from the mid-day sun, and her …

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Get Out of that Boat!

Today’s Truth
“Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water.  When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and cried out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them, ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter said, “Lord, if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, ‘Come.’ And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid …

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The Circle of Encouragement

Today’s Truth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Friend to Friend

You have heard the old saying, “What goes around, comes around.” Truer words were never spoken when talking about encouragement. We all need encouragement – especially during the tough times. Those “tough” times can come in all shapes, sizes and forms and can vary …

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I Want to Be Beautiful

Today’s Truth

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NIV).

Friend to Friend

I was sitting in a crowded restaurant with my family when she walked by in her full-length white satin ball gown delicately trimmed in lace and studded with tiny “jewels.” Crinoline swished as she moved across the room, a rhinestone tiara sparkled on her head, and pearl studded slippers accentuated her feminine feet. Golden ringlets framed her rosy cheeks and puckered lips glistened with a hint of gloss. She knew she was beautiful and glanced around at the …

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Put Your Faith Where Your Action Is!

Today’s Truth

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17, NIV).

Friend to Friend

I remember a time, back in 1993, when I was swept up in the whimsical world of wedding planning. Every detail mattered. I was excited to be marrying Brad Smith and I wanted our wedding day to be a magical springboard to a life filled with amazing adventures and deep years of God-centered love. From the cake choices – to the dress choices – to the music choices – to the guest list choices – to the bridal registry choices: …

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Do You Want to Get Well?

Today’s Truth
“Do you want to get well? Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:6,8, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Do you want to get well?  That seems like a strange question, doesn’t it.  But sometimes we can get so used to being soul sick, we don’t even realize that we are not truly well. Sometimes the chains we wear shackled to our hearts become so comfortable, we get used to the pain and forget what it is like to be well. Perhaps some of us have never known. But the big question is – do you want…

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Do You Want to Get Well

Today’s Truth
“Do you want to get well? Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:6,8, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Do you want to get well?  That seems like a strange question, doesn’t it.  But sometimes we can get so used to being soul sick, we don’t even realize that we are not truly well. Sometimes the chains we wear shackled to our hearts become so comfortable, we get used to the pain and forget what it is like to be well. Perhaps some of us have never known. But the big question is – do you want…

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Gideon Meets Indiana Jones

Today’s Truth
Hebrews 11:1 “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it” (Hebrews 11:1, ICB).

Friend to Friend
I have a love-hate relationship with the movie, “The Last Crusader.” The hero, Indiana Jones, is constantly hovering above some bottomless pit or dodging bullets, flying knives or hoards of sinister enemies and nasty creatures that are trying to kill him and prevent him from completing his mission. It is exhausting to watch! One part of the movie stands out above the rest as terrifying …

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Gideon Meets Indiana Jones

Today’s Truth
Hebrews 11:1 “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it” (Hebrews 11:1, ICB).

Friend to Friend
I have a love-hate relationship with the movie, “The Last Crusader.” The hero, Indiana Jones, is constantly hovering above some bottomless pit or dodging bullets, flying knives or hoards of sinister enemies and nasty creatures that are trying to kill him and prevent him from completing his mission. It is exhausting to watch! One part of the movie stands out above the rest as terrifying …

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No Safety Net

Today’s Truth
“The Lord answered him, “I will be with you. It will seem as if the Midianites you are fighting are only one man” (Judges 6:16, NCV).

Friend to Friend
I was born to be an elementary school teacher – period. So when a total stranger tapped me on the shoulder and said, “While you were singing, God told me that you are supposed to be my Music and Youth Assistant this summer,” I felt sorry for him. He obviously needed to have his hearing checked.

I had just graduated from college with an elementary education teaching degree. A …

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