Tag: devotional
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Rest
Part 1 Genesis 2:2: And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Not long before the holidays, I was in a teacher training meeting via Zoom. Our instructor asked everyone what they were most looking…
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A Book as Yet Unwritten
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14). As I sat at the end of 2023, the new year rolled out in front of me like a…
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Love.
Week Four of Advent John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Love is the heart of Christmas. Because love is the heart of God. God’s plan was always to provide a way for people to find…
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Joy.
Week Three of Advent And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10). Joy is a resounding theme…
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Peace.
Week Two of Advent Peace is a precious commodity these days. In every corner of the world, various people groups are living in distrust, discord, and even open and often violent conflict with one another. On the front lines of our own minds, we worry about safety and finances, relationships and crises of health. Where…
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Hope.
Week One of Advent I think we tend to overuse the word hope like we overuse the word love. That kind of hope is built on possibility and uncertainty. That kind of hope can just as easily disappoint as delight. As I was thinking about the Christmas story—of stables and angels and wise men,…
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Feel the Feelings
Roman 12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with this who weep. There are days when I question how my small, quiet soul fits into the body of Christ. I know that it is by faith alone I am saved, and that any works I do grow from my love of my Savior. But my…
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I Will Give Thanks
Psalm 9:1: I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. My small, simple soul loves this time of year. It holds the promise of the holidays without the urgent hustle and bustle that seems to arrive in December. I also think my soul has…
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You are Seen by God
Genesis 16:13: So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Today I felt seen. It took being vulnerable first. Some days ago I had tentatively shared an admission, a deep hurt, a…
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Embrace the Awkward
Joshua 1:9: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. My small, simple soul fears awkwardness. Today I embraced awkwardness. Dove in and swam around in it for a while. I felt called to offer something to an…