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 […]
Reasons We Experience Transitions
Read: Genesis 37 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him. (v. 4) “Why?” is a question people often ask when they face transitions in life, particularly painful ones. Despite the Lord’s unchanging love and faithfulness, there are times when you may feel like blaming […]
Jesus Is in Control
Read: Colossians 1:15-20 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) Consider for a moment something that has changed in your life during the past year. Now consider the changes (for better or worse) that you have seen in our world and culture over the past year. Finally, consider these comforting […]
The Bible Provides Direction
Read: Psalm 1:1-3 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105) Any significant change in your life requires discernment and decision-making, but sometimes you may feel overwhelmed by the potential consequences of a decision. In such times, Christians throughout the ages have relied on the power of […]
The Witness of a Christian Wedding
Words of Hope is now producing programs in the Bhaderwahi language of northern India. Bhaderwahi is a dialect of Dogri, and is spoken by a group of 100 or so families living in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Words of Hope’s team met a young, Christian man named Mahesh living there, and began working […]
God Is Present During Transitions
Read: Isaiah 41:1-10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. (v. 10) As a specialized transition pastor, I serve churches for approximately twelve months following the completion of a pastorate and until a new pastor is called. I conduct pastoral responsibilities such as preaching and leadership while […]