Turning Worry into Prayer | Philippians 4:6–7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT)  …

The Cure for Entitlement | 1 Samuel 2:3

“Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions.” (1 Samuel 2:3 NLT)   Long ago, when prognosticators and science fiction writers envisioned life in the twenty-first century, few anticipated the out…

Sowing and Reaping | 1 Kings 18:18

“‘I have made no trouble for Israel,’ Elijah replied. ‘You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.’” (1 Kings 18:18 NLT)   In yesterday’s devotion, we talked about the impossibility of knowing what…

Plans for Good | Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)   In this week’s devotions, we’re going to be talking about the future. We’re not necessarily going to focus on specific events in the futu…

Faithful to the End | Hebrews 3:12–14

“Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful…

Eyes on Him | Hebrews 12:2

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)   When I was in high school, I went out for t…

Even the Hardest Heart | Hebrews 4:7

“So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.’” (Hebrews 4:7 NLT)   An attorney was trying to deliver an important paper to a man who was de…

The Work of Angels | Hebrews 1:14

“Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14 NLT)   Movies such as It’s a Wonderful Life, The Bishop’s Wife, and Angels in the Outfield have led many people to wonder whether angels really play a role in the lives of people here o…

The Pursuit of Weightlessness | Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)   A professional concert v…

A Pleasing Faith | Hebrews 11:6

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)   In this week’s devotions, we’ll focus on the New Testament book of Hebrews. Today’s passage contains some crucial…