Encouraging Words Devotional

New York Times bestselling author Matthew Kelly tells of the time he was driving home from work, and a friend came to mind.

In his book Follow Me, David Platt tells that he was once sitting with a group of Muslim men at dinner who began to ask him what he thought about God.

We know it as “The Prodigal Son” story—the experience of a young man who talked his father into giving him his portion of the inheritance, which he immediately took into a far-off country, wasting it on “wine, women and song.”

David Platt tells about an Englishman who decided to buy a Rolls-Royce, the car advertised as the one that would “never, ever, ever break down.”[1] [1] David Platt, Follow Me (TYNDALE, 2013), 61.

Someone asked an associate of author Max Lucado, “What Biblical precedent do we have to help the poor who have no desire to become Christians?”

As parents sometimes our main concern when our children do wrong is disciplining them so they remember never to make that mistake again.

In his book Victorious Grief, Dr. Charles Browning gives a step-by-step lifeline to those who struggle with grieving when they lose a beloved and believing loved one.

When it comes to the magnificent things that God created, my mind is simply inadequate to grasp how God could start with nothing and create anything so complex as the universe.

The Bible has a wonderful verse that says,“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). The Bible word “upbraid” means “to scold; reproach; reprimand; rebuke.” That word is from the King James Version of the Bible, which was translated in the year 1611.

When Jesus started His public ministry, two of John the Baptist’s disciples left John and started following Jesus.

It’s wonderful that the Bible contains so many verses that assure us that God does not change. Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, I change not.” Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Many a time I’ve come to God and prayed a similar prayer, telling Him I don’t know how to express my thoughts and feelings.

Some days, I am content with the changes that aging brings. Other days I complain and resist.

Do you ever have trouble being patience with God? You’ve been praying for a certain situation for quite a long time, and nothing has changed.

Dr. Dallas Willard, a man distinguished for his years of teaching in the philosophy department at the University of Southern California, was also known for his vibrant walk with Jesus.

F.B. Meyer was an evangelist and crusader against sin who was born in England in the mid-1800s. Meyer taught that only the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives can keep us from sinning.

Moses, leader of the Israelites on their trek from Egypt to the Promised Land, had a rod or staff that God used to accomplish miracles, such as parting the waters of the Red Sea. Or at God’s command, striking a rock, and water poured out for the people to drink.

God is not a killjoy who wants us to be miserable.

Amy was used to driving 25 miles to school every weekday to teach her 4th grade class—a nearly half hour trip through rural countryside.

So, is it okay for you to be in a season of life when everything is moving slowly?