Hosea 2:14-15 “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. 15 There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the... Continue Reading →
Offering the Fruit of Our Lips: A Devotional
Gibbs Garden, Ball Ground, Georgia, December 2024 Hosea 14: 2 Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips." When I see nature in all of its colorful glory, I praise the Lord for trees, colors, and... Continue Reading →
Wear Your Best to Represent the Lord: A Devotional
Art in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, May 30, 2023 Colossians 3: 11-14 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each... Continue Reading →
Coming Out of the Grave: A Devotional
John 11:38-44 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus... Continue Reading →
There is Always Light for the Righteous: A Devotional
Paris, France, 2023 Psalm 112:4-10 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently... Continue Reading →
The Lord is Always Strategizing for Our Good: A Devotional
Exodus 13: 17-18 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.The Israelites... Continue Reading →
Jesus Paid It All: A Devotional
Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, May 2023 John 19: 28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Strength is the Power to Overcome: A Devotional
Rodin Museum, Paris, France, May 2023 Luke 1:80 The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah]. John the Baptist is often overlooked in sermons, but he gives us... Continue Reading →
Keep Asking God Questions. He Can Handle It: A Devotional
Habakkuk 1: 1-3 How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people... Continue Reading →
Release Yourself From the Power of Shame: A Devotional
Psalm 25:2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Shame is one of those feelings that prevent us from being all that we are called to be in God's name and doing what we were appointed before we were born. Shame requires so... Continue Reading →
Help from Heaven 