Devotions Archive

Whatever You Need, God Is

“I am God Almighty (El Shaddai); walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” (Genesis 17:1-2)

Friend to Friend

I was exhausted. I was drenched in sweat. I was filled with inexplicable joy – a joy I had never known. It was the day Steven Hugh Jaynes, Jr. emerged from the God pocket of my womb and made his grand debut into the world.

When my son was born, I never knew so much love could be wrapped in one tiny package. After twenty-three and a half hours …

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Got Faith?

Today’s Truth

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

Friend to Friend

The greenest grass is always found in the valley. Shepherds and sheep are well acquainted with the fact that both mountains and valleys are an inevitable part of life. Again, the shepherd is the one who has to figure out a way over the mountain and through the valley. If a sheep is injured, the shepherd must carry his sheep and tend to its wounds until they are healed and the sheep is ready to …

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The Ancient of Days

Today’s Truth

“I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool.” (Daniel 7:9 NASB)

Friend to Friend

Hip huggers. Bellbottoms. Tie dyed t-shirts. Platform shoes. Guitars. Loud Music. Pass it On. Bibles. Teenagers. Long stringy hair parted down the middle on both boys and girls. Put all that together and you have a snapshot of some of the best days of my teen years.

I became a Christian when I was fourteen. It was called the Jesus Movement back in the seventies, …

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God is More Than Enough

Today’s Truth

“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

Friend to Friend

I have a unique philosophy about my hair. I believe one of the reasons it exists atop my head is to provide a conduit for change and adventure in life. You might say that my hair is in a constant state of transition and experimentation. I’ve been known to tear a picture out of a catalog, thrust that picture into my hairstylist’s hands, …

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Yes and Amen!

Today’s Truth
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV) 

Friend to Friend

When my son, Preston, was in sixth grade he chose to plant spinach for his science fair project. He planted seeds in four plastic cups and watered each batch with a fixed daily amount of four different liquids: water, orange juice, cola, and milk. (Yes, you are correct! By day three of his fourteen-day project, the milk cup reeked to high …

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When God Shows Up, Don’t Forget It

Today’s Truth

“Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water,” (Genesis 21:19 NIV).

Friend to Friend

Yesterday we looked at Hagar and how God spoke to her in her deepest time of need. Let’s visit that one more time, because Hagar, like you and me, forgot about her encounter with God.

When Hagar encountered God the first time, she fell on her face and gave God the name El Roi, the God who Sees Me “I have now seen the One who sees me,” she cried. She had heard God. She had seen God. More importantly, God …

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God Sees What You Are Going Through

Today’s Truth

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me [El Roi],’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV)

Friend to Friend

One day I was sitting on the patio with a friend, Beth, and her step-father, Sam. We were waiting for the grill to heat up before placing steaks on to cook. Beth’s mom opened the door and gave Sam his orders – telling him what to do and how to do it. When she went back inside, Sam made a …

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Dare to be Disciplined, Part 2

Today’s Truth

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:30-32 NIV)

Friend to Friend

Part of living a life of discipline is learning the importance of rest. Rest is not an option if we are to function at our best. Sometimes we …

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Dare to Be Disciplined, Part 1

Today’s Truth

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)

Friend to Friend

It is much easier to give in to sin or yield to temptation when we are physically depleted. Discipline begins in the mind and travels to the body. I can hear you groaning already, but stay with me! Sin and temptation often find their greatest opportunity to work in the …

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What’s Mine is Yours

Today’s Truth

Act 4:32 (NIV) “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

Friend to Friend

“What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine.” My husband Brad and I used to joke that this was the unspoken motto of our kids when they were little. Toddlers have no qualms about grabbing a toy, snack, or any random item of interest from other people or pets. It’s rare to see a child share her cherished possessions generously.

It can be hard for …

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