From Our Hearts

DEVOTION: Jesus was the Son of God, yet he was the ultimate servant. Perhaps my favorite verse about our Lord is Matthew 20:28: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." One thing that touches my heart about this truth is that it is written in the book of Matthew, and Matthew is the Gospel that most exalts Jesus, as Messiah, the King! Yet, serving was a strong quality in King Jesus’ life – a priority and a way of life for Him.

DEVOTION: Jesus also must have been considering His own future suffering when He encouraged John the Baptist that his suffering and humble service were for the greater purpose of offering redemption and eternal life for all. This is a wonderful time to thank God for the gift of His Son, our Savior, and those saints who came before us proclaiming the Gospel.

DEVOTION: Commitment, loyalty, and selflessness are so essential in any friendship. David and Jonathan’s friendship was characterized by these qualities even in the midst of adversity. They loved and encouraged each other in the Lord.  They met as young men and warriors, and our last glimpse of their faithful friendship is of David mourning Jonathan’s death. Theirs was a to-the-end-no-matter-what friendship. Choose to be like David and Jonathan. 

DEVOTION: Every prayer you lift up for your friends reaches God’s ears and heart. Ask Him to use His power, strength, and wisdom to help the people you care about. Are you friends with others who encourage and build you up in the faith? Are you making the effort to grow spiritually so you can be that kind of friend to others?

 

DEVOTION: Do you know the one-word theme of the book of Ruth? Learn about the main points, the key characters, and simple & personal applications for spiritual growth and daily living from Ruth.

DEVOTION: How many times a day do you need God’s wisdom? As I write these words, it’s almost noon, and I’ve already counted on God’s wisdom several times today. Isn’t it wonderful that all you have to do is ask Him for guidance with a heart full of faith?

DEVOTION: With faithful hearts, the shepherds responded to the good news of a Savior born. As we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus, let’s take a look at the Christmas story and our response to this amazing news.

DEVOTION: Which representation of worldly wealth is your biggest obstacle to godly stewardship? Your house? Your possessions? For many of us, it’s finances. This Christmas season, let's follow God’s wisdom around money.

DEVOTION: A great place to start giving thanks is through a gratitude journal. Here are three things to record daily. 

DEVOTION: When we think of what we want in life, joy & peace rank high. In God's Word, we have the source of both! But to enjoy these two desired qualities, we must follow the apostle Paul's 'to-do' list. What does this look like? What are we to do?

During Operation Desert Storm, my husband Jim’s Army unit began preparing to go to war.  As we finalized our will, discussed with our daughters the possibility Jim may not come home, and updated insurance forms, I tried to cope with fear, anxiety, & uncertainty. Here's what I learned about managing emotions. 

Retirement. It seems like people’s entire lives center around this word. However, by God’s grace, we can make a difference for His kingdom right up until the day we go to be with Him.