DEVOTION: There have been many stories of the damage severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes have caused lately. We stand in prayer with each and every person affected. The Lord is with you! While watching a recent news story about the devastation, I was reminded of a story a young father one shared with us. He told us the story of how God gave him revelation in regard to his children. He said a few years back, during a tornado warning that was issued very close to their home, he hurried his wife, children and the family dog into an interior bathroom and settled in to wait out the warning. Within minutes he could see the fear sweeping across their faces. His five year old son looked up at him and asked, ”Dad, is Jesus going to let us die?”

DEVOTION: Even though I knew God spoke specifically to women about not gossiping (1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3), I did it anyway. The Holy Spirit led me to change my heart and empowered the purification process I still continue to go through. I want to be known as a woman who is a friend of women; a woman who is for other women rather than being against them. What did that entail? Sharing words that are full of grace (Colossians 4:6), kind (Proverbs 16:23-24; 31:26), pleasant, constructive, and instructive. It also means having speech edify and minister grace to our hearers (Ephesians 4:29). Have you ever sat down with a group of friends to have joyful, encouraging fellowship only to have the momentum start swinging in the direction of gossip? I think we all have. If you are a young lady then I believe it is pretty safe to say that you have at least once in your life entertained the thought of joining in or have actually participated in gossip.

DEVOTION: When we view prayer as explained by God through the language in the Bible, we must keep in mind that prayer has always been the principle means by which man, created in God’s image, has evidenced sentiment toward Him. From the earliest times, prayer has been an integral part of the worship of God. Believers of all ages have expressed their hearts through praise, thanksgiving, prayer, and intercession to and before God. That’s why it is so important for God’s people to learn to pray.