When It Seems Hopeless
Read: Habakkuk 3:16-19; Isaiah 43:1-3 . . . yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. (v. 18) In the transitions of life, we often experience loss. Perhaps you have experienced the death of a spouse, child, or friend. Maybe you sent a child off to […]
Learn a Little Javanese!
In Indonesia, daily devotional programs are currently being translated into 16 different languages. The work of translating must be done carefully. Certain words and phrases do not always have direct equivalents, and references that might make sense on one Indonesian island may not be fitting in other parts of the country. But perhaps one of […]
Transitioning with Perseverance
Read: Romans 5:1-5; Philippians 3:13-14 Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Rom. 5:3-4) When you find yourself experiencing a life transition, do you try to move through it as quickly as possible? It’s easy to face transitions with an attitude of “getting it over with.” However, there may be something […]
Transitioning with Prayer
Read: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (v. 7 NIV) It’s not uncommon to ask God for help after trying to handle a situation on your own. Think about the difference it could make if you spent more time in prayer and less time trying to control […]
Loving Others amidst Hardship
Read: Romans 12:9-21 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (v. 10) I am writing these devotionals in early 2021, and at this time COVID-19 vaccines are in the early stages of distribution. There is much debate about whether or not to get the vaccine, whether to wear masks, and […]
Openness to God at Work
Read: Acts 15:1-21 We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (v. 19 NIV) By nature, most people want to be comfortable and feel safe. Likewise, our tendency to return to the past is often driven by a desire to go where things are known and understood. As a […]
Keep Moving Forward
Read: Numbers 14:1-4 “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (v. 4) It’s common to reminisce and yearn to go back to the “good old days.” A grown adult may wish they could play high school sports again. A parent approaching the empty nest may wish their children were young again. You […]
Transitioning with Mercy
Read: Genesis 45:1-15, 50:15-21 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus [Joseph] comforted them and spoke kindly to them. […]
Never Separated from God
Read: Genesis 39:1-4, 20-23; Romans 8:37-39 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master . . . the LORD was with him and . . . caused all that he did to succeed. (Gen. 39:2-3) Yesterday’s devotional considered reasons why people experience […]