Encouraging.com

Being a child of God puts a target on our back, and Satan will take aim for it. The Bible warns us that the devil is like a prowling lion ready to attack. Jesus reminds us that our enemy is a “murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Jun 14

Jun 14 A True Princess

Charity Ourso

When my girls were younger I used to love reading them stories. Some of our favorites were the princess stories, such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Even though each of these make-believe stories ended happily, the challenges the princesses faced getting there were difficult.

Jun 11

Jun 11 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Peace

The first decision I made seemed innocent enough. My daughter and I chose to go get our fingernails done thinking we had plenty of time before my grandson’s PreK program. Of course, it took longer than expected so we rushed out in a hurry afterwards.

Jun 10

Jun 10 Taking Offense

Adversity, Friendship

My five-year-old grandson did not appreciate me good heartedly teasing his baby brother about spitting up all over his bib. “That’s what bibs are for!” he scolded me indignantly. I tried not to giggle at him and thought it quite sweet for him to take up for his brother.

Jun 9

Jun 9 Women of Your Age

Obedience

During an appointment with a trusted doctor, I mentioned that some of the foods I loved had begun causing me some stomach distress when I ate them. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “That sometimes happens to women of your age.”

Jun 8

Jun 8 The Lord Keep You

Encouragement, Faith/Trust

While driving home from a stressful trip on a quaint country road, I set the cruise control in my car to 71mph. As I travelled along enjoying the scenery and peacefulness, I got distracted and looked down to fiddle with the car menu. I glanced back up at the very last second to avoid hitting a car stopped dead still in front of me. I felt like God tapped me on the shoulder just in time. Thankfully, no accident occurred.

Jun 7

Jun 7 What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Challenge, Encouragement

That question, “What do you want me to do for you?” I had never considered it for myself, but decided to give it a try.

Jun 4

Jun 4 Intentional Words

Encouragement, Holiness, Praise

I set my alarm early, knowing I had devotionals due soon and absolutely nothing written. I needed some quiet hours to reflect and write. For almost two hours, I sat and stared at my computer and my open Bible. Nothing came.

Jun 3

Jun 3 You Shall Know the Truth

Faith/Trust, Jesus, Salvation

I have a friend whom I greatly admire professionally. She is one of the best in her field. She has stated emphatically to me that she is not a believer in Jesus Christ, but she has also stated that she is searching for truth. More than once she has remarked that her mind is filled with questions and that she is frustrated, even angry about her lack of answers. She has determined to continue seeking answers to the big questions in life—answers that she says may never come.

Jun 2

Jun 2 Looking Backward to Move Forward

God's Promises, God's Character

It was a stormy night. I was driving slowly in a blinding rainstorm with a car following closely behind. I was having difficulty seeing the road ahead, but I noticed when I glanced in my rear view mirror that the lights of the car behind me illuminated the road markings. By frequently glancing, I was able to navigate somewhat better in my lane.

Jun 1

Jun 1 The Unexpected Way

Faith/Trust, God's Character

How do you respond when God does the unexpected? I am a planner. Before I begin something, I like to determine a plan of action and approximately how long my task will take. In a recent assignment, I thought I knew the plan of action, and I had an idea of the amount of time that would be involved. But then God did the unexpected.

May 31

May 31 When God Runs

Faith/Trust, God's Promises

Have you ever had to run to keep up with God? Recently, I was part of a group that was given an assignment of great magnitude. Each of us felt the weight of this responsibility, and we fervently sought God, asking Him to make His will known. Following God one step at a time became our group’s heartfelt desire. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

May 28

May 28 A Spacious Place

Challenge

Have you ever been in a tight spot…a place of restriction and confinement? Perhaps circumstances have narrowed your world. Maybe the decisions ahead seem bridled and limited. Could it be that your heart is bound up in despair and hopelessness?

May 27

May 27 Light

Challenge

I was up in the wee hours last night. Now that my babies are teenagers, my mid-night awakenings are my own fault and not their hunger or restlessness. I walked to the back of the house where uncovered windows face the inky backyard, and I was amazed at how just a tiny bit of ambient light chases the darkness away. Regardless of how deep and long and wide the darkness, just a speck of light can reveal things hidden.

May 26

May 26 To Know Him

Encouragement, Spiritual Growth

Challenge

“Why do you love God?, the bitter woman spewed at my mother.

“I love Him because I know Him,” she answered quietly.

May 25

May 25 Inventory

Jill Hendrix

Spring cleaning has taken on a new meaning these days. Closets, drawers and attics have been reorganized. Our yards and gardens may be looking better than years before. Surely there is some comfort gained while our to-do lists dwindle. But some people are entering into a restless phase while this virus continues to take center stage in our lives. I have begun to sigh when I hear the morose acronym...COVID-19.

May 24

May 24 His Temple

I was bogged down in my daily Bible reading. After I trudged through Exodus, past the victory of the plagues, the miracle of the manna and quail and the water from a rock, I sat mired in the details of the Tent of Meeting….the place where God planned to meet and fellowship with His people.

May 21

May 21 Stories of Old

Terri Vardeman