Encouraging Words Devotional

Dark Days

I’m always fascinated to listen to people tell how God met them at their point of desperation. Take the Elegados, for instance. In his work for the copper and gold mines during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Mr. Elegado had the only car allowed to go back and forth to the mines near Baguio.  In order to be permitted to pass check points he had to have a Japanese sticker on the car. 

When Life Isn’t Fair

A while back I was asked to speak to a group of women on how to live with infidelity, alcoholism or abuse. I was unqualified to speak from personal experience, so my walking partner, Terri, came up with a plan: “Why don’t I set you up to talk to some of my friends who have found God’s strength to survive this kind of pain?” Terri did just that. So for a week I listened and took notes.

I Want That!

In the area where we live, we have to be hooked up to cable TV to get any TV reception at all.  For me one of the best parts about that is that we get the Home and Garden channel—HGTV. It may be called something else in your area, but you probably have a similar channel. I love enjoying the creativity of people who design beautiful landscaping and choose lovely colors and decor for their homes.

A Scary Prayer?

Sometimes when you’re reading a book, a single phrase jumps off the page and catches your attention.  It happened to me this week.  I was reading Jill Briscoe’s book The Deep Place Where Nobody Goes, and the phrase that stood out to me was in the middle of a conversation that Jill was having with God.  The phrase? Simply the words “Spend me.”[i]

 

In the Beginning God Created

Science writer Samuel Alibrando proposes a challenge to anyone who has difficulty believing that God created the earth. He says,

Let’s make a huge puzzle….  And let’s limit it to say, one million parts. It includes chemicals, scientific properties, elements, atoms, cells, changing weather, bugs, fish, reptiles, plants, dirt, mammals and instincts. Okay, can you put it together so that not one thing lacks what it needs…?

Enjoy Them Now

Ken was still madly in love with Mary after 40 years of marriage.  Everyone could see that! But Mary unexpectedly passed away with cancer, and Ken found himself alone and heart-broken. 

Something Beautiful

An artist decided to begin work on what he meant to be the masterpiece of his life.  In his mind he knew exactly what he wanted to paint. He was working on the canvas, putting on the drab colors and grays that were to make up the background, when a friend came by to see him.

Don’t Forget…

I’ve discovered something I’d like to share with you. It’s based on the rather embarrassing fact that when I read a book I tend to forget what I’ve read.  Can you relate to that? Perhaps you’re blessed with a photographic memory, but since most of us aren’t, let me share something I’ve found to be helpful.

That’s God

A friend sent me the following email:

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like
doing something nice for someone you care for?
THAT'S GOD talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Freedom!

When you see a Bible, perhaps you think of it as a book full of rules and regulations--a book that tells you to stop doing what you want and insists you start doing what you have no desire to do. Be honest—is that what the Bible seems like to you?