Encouraging Words Devotional

The Christmas Jacket

I've told you before how much I admire my pastor friend Eric Denton, who every Sunday night takes a group to Los Angeles to feed the street people and pass out jackets to those who need them to stay warm.  But one December evening was special.

Run To God For Comfort

After our grandson Christian was born, I gave his mother, Cheryl, a soft robe.  Within a few months, however, Christian had decided that her new robe was what he wanted to hold when he needed comfort. Now, Cheryl still wanted her robe, so she simply cut 12 inches or so off the bottom for Christian to enjoy, which meant she still had a robe to wear. The problem was that while Christian was okay with having "little robe" with him in the car, he wanted "big robe" in his crib when he went to sleep at night. Being the grandma, my solution was to buy Cheryl another robe.

Stop Being Fearful!

In 1938, as Bill and Mildred Dillon were sailing to England for ministry, a storm developed, and Mildred was scared.

"I Love You"

Robert McQuilkin was serving as president of Columbia Bible College when his wife, Muriel, began to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Slowly she became more and more confused, until at last she could form only one sentence: “I love you.” 

God Is for You When Circumstances Aren’t

Jacob was dealing with a disaster. In the middle of a famine, his sons had just returned from Egypt with bad news. If he wanted to buy food from Egypt, Jacob would have to allow his favorite son, Benjamin, to go to Egypt as required by the Pharaoh’s second in command, who controlled all food sales. Jacob had already lost his son Joseph, whom he believed to have been killed by wild animals. The truth is that his brothers hated him and had sold him into slavery. None of them knew Joseph had become second in command in Egypt—next to the Pharaoh.

What We Need In Times Like These

I recently heard an old hymn that, to tell the truth, I had forgotten. It may be an old one, but it is certainly fitting to our present culture and the circumstances you and I find ourselves in.  The lyrics go like this:

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor; 
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock![1]

 

[1] Ruth Caye Jones

The Manual For World-Class Moms

Nearly every household appliance comes with an instruction booklet.  Though we usually try to figure out how to use the appliance without consulting the instructions, if we really get stuck, as a last resort we will refer to the manual.

You Can Rest And Work At The Same Time

Not long ago a friend asked me how to find rest in busyness. That’s a very practical topic that most of us find ourselves dealing with quite often. And the interesting thing is that about the same time I got this request, I came across a verse in Psalm 68 that applies to that very situation.  Verse 19 (NLT) says, “Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in his arms.” I had never even given thought to the fact that God carries us in His arms. And notice that He says He holds us “each day.” Yes, every single day!

Here Is The Way Home

What makes a house a home? When I googled that question, I read this:

A home is a place where you feel warm and cozy…. Most of all you are surrounded by people you love and who love you. A family makes a house a home by living in it and making it special.

That’s not a bad definition. That’s why the physical house you live in here—whether a chateau in France, a farmhouse in Kansas, or a yurt in Mongolia—makes very little

You Can Have Peace Without Knowing The Future

Dr. Glenn Burris tells about the time that he stopped by an airport kiosk, and his attention was caught by a nifty earpiece that conveniently collapsed into a very small, convenient-to-carry size.  He bought it.  After paying for the item, the vendor added that for eight dollars more he could buy a two-year replacement agreement.  Although he didn’t buy the extended warranty, the thought stuck in his mind.  He reflected on how nice it would be if in life we could pay just a little extra and buy some certainty concerning everything in our lives.[i]  But it just doesn’t work that way.

 

[i] Dr. Glenn Burris, Jr., “Journey of Faith” Prayer Guide, November 30, 2009