Encouraging Words Devotional

How To Respond To God Opening Or Closing Doors

George, a young man in Greece, was planning to attend Bible college when the scholarship he was counting on was inexplicably cancelled. Frustrated and disappointed because of the closed door, he enlisted in the army to fulfill his nation's required two years of military service. George eventually completed a law degree with distinction.

Find Your Identity In The Lord

Born in Mexico as one of 14 children, Graciela lost her father when she was only ten. Her mother, having no way to support the children, obtained a visa to come to the U.S. and took any job that would provide money to send home.

This Is The Importance Of Friendship

In downtown San Antonio, Texas, a mother duck chose a second-story overhang outside a bank window as a place to lay her eggs—ten feet off the ground. Eventually the ducklings hatched.

Stop And Take Time To Listen Today

A man at a metro station in Washington, DC began to play the violin. Since it was rush hour, thousands of people walked by.

Start Letting God Carry Your Weight

Vangie had just lost her father. Her spiritual mentor, Joanie, met with her as she usually does to encourage Vangie. And near the end of their time together Joanie gently talked with her about moving on in the grief process. Joanie suggested she go slow, step by step and let the Lord carry her. After all, Isaiah the prophet quoted God's words, "I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).

Begin Today With Thankfulness

Kathy Cawthon was battling cancer. After barely having energy to do the essentials for herself, one day, for the first time in many months, she felt physically strong enough to take on a few errands. She went to the post office to buy stamps.

Learn How To Work Through Tension

Reach up for a moment and massage your neck and shoulder muscles. Feel any tension there? Most of us do. Tension seems to be a part of 21^st century living.

How Do I Process Grief?

When someone you love dies, you naturally grieve, because you care deeply for that person. You feel sadness that is so intense that you may wonder if life will ever again feel worth living.

What Does It Mean To Be Made New?

Glenn Burris[i] tells that when he was seven years old, his dad bought him his first bicycle. It was a used bike, but Glenn didn't care. Glenn's dad was pastor of a small church, and both of his parents had to work to keep food on the table and the church doors open. Receiving the bike that he knew was given sacrificially is a meaningful memory that will always be with him.

 

[i] Glenn Burris, Jr., Foursquare Online Weekly Prayer Guide: February 2, 2009.

Start Letting God Refine Your Life

When a hijacked jetliner slammed into the Pentagon on 9-11, 2001, LTC Brian Birdwell was standing directly in its path. Because he had made a trip to the restroom, his life was miraculously spared. If he had been at his desk, he would have been killed instantly. Suddenly life was forever changed for Brian and his wife, Mel.