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Abram and Lot: A Warning About Settling in Sodom
Last week, we reflected on seven modern-day lessons from the Tower of Babel. Today, we pick up around a century later, with the story of Abram and Lot. (God would eventually change Abram’s name to Abraham.) We can learn some applicable lessons from the lives of these two men. To understand this narrative, we need to recount a bit of the backstory first. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you apply the Old Testament to your life today. The Story of Abram and Lot Abram grew up in a city called Ur of the Chaldeans, an important city…
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Walk by Faith, Not by Sight: Trusting God in the Unknown
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV Walk by Faith, Not by Sight We recently celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them the nail marks in his hands and the wound in his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they realized Jesus had come back to life. Meanwhile, one disciple, Thomas, was not present with his friends when Jesus revealed his resurrected body. Thomas told the other disciples that he would not believe that Jesus had been resurrected unless he touched the nail marks in his hands and put his hand into Jesus’ side. After revealing…
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7 Modern-Day Lessons From the Tower of Babel
Everything God does is an expression of his love. This can be tough to grasp when he lets our greatest dreams fall apart. The descendants of Noah probably experienced similar sentiments as they built a magnificent tower, only to have their plans thwarted by God. Today, we’ll look at seven lessons from the Tower of Babel. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you find hope in God in disappointing times. Let’s begin by turning to the story of the Tower of Babel in Scripture. Lessons From the Tower of Babel After Noah and his family climbed from…
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8 Bible Verses for New Seasons and Fresh Starts
Today we turned the calendar to a new month. With hopes that the dark, cold days of winter are truly behind us, we look ahead with expectation. The daffodils are fighting their way through the earth, and the sun lingers longer overhead. Whether you’re facing a new calendar season or a new season in life, let’s spend some time reflecting on eight Bible verses for new seasons today. Bible Verses for New Seasons I invite you to soak in the following truths as you look to the Lord to lead you into the new season ahead. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional…
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God Is Love: Making Sense of Suffering
“I know God is love. I know he can only be good. But everything about this situation feels unkind,” I admitted to a friend. “All of this is true,” she responded. “God is love. He is always good, only good. And this situation feels unkind.” I was dealing with a debilitating medical issue that struck at what felt like the worst possible time. As much as I wanted to trust God to sustain and equip me, it felt like he’d pulled the rug out from under my feet. As I walked through the situation, the following words repeatedly came to mind: “Everything God permits in your life is his vessel…
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7 Life-Changing Lessons From Noah’s Ark
Today, we’ll revisit the familiar story of Noah’s Ark and see how this biblical narrative applies to our lives. Let’s begin by placing ourselves within the context of these events as we glean practical lessons from the story. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God as you spend time in his Word. Lessons From Noah’s Ark The week had been unusually busy. First, the baby came down with a fever. Then, the illness spread to the older children. A weary haze settled over her as she cares for them throughout the days and nights. Meanwhile,…
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8 Easter Prayer Points With Scriptures to Guide You
The scent of spring has settled over the valley, the whole earth singing a song of resurrection. It seems fitting as we prepare to celebrate a different resurrection. Today, I invite you to join me as we explore eight Easter prayer points with Scriptures to guide our prayers. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God in replenishing ways this Easter and beyond. 8 Easter Prayer Points With Scriptures Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ and the work he accomplished on the cross. At the cross, God demonstrated his love for us by sending his Son to…
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17 Bible Verses About God’s Plan: Hope for Unexpected Seasons
Blue jays shatter the silence of morning with an almost offensive cacophony. I watch them from the window as I prepare to embrace the day ahead. The past month has brought some unexpected challenges, and I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about God’s plan. When nothing goes as expected, it can be helpful to anchor ourselves to the promises of God. We need to remind ourselves that when the bottom falls out, he is still good. Even when our circumstances feel anything but kind, our world is held together by a good Father who can only be love. Bible Verses About God’s Plan When our finite minds…
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7 Lessons From the Story of Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve, and we find their story in Genesis 4. Today, we’ll explore 7 lessons from the story of Cain and Abel as we apply God’s Word to our lives. If today’s insights encourage you, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you apply the Old Testament to your life today! 7 Lessons From the Story of Cain and Abel Let’s begin with a recap of this story. Then, we’ll explore 7 lessons from the story of Cain and Abel. The Story of Cain and Abel After Adam and Eve left the…
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Blaming God for Suffering: How to Release Offense
A curtain of stratus clouds shrouds the sun, and morning finds us with hoary light. As I gaze out the window, I remember a similar morning years ago. It was the morning I decided I was never again blaming God for allowing suffering or difficulty in my life. I told him that I would never again take offense, blame him, or hold it against him when trouble came into my life. Blaming God for Hard Times I made the commitment at the end of a long season in which everything seemed to be going wrong. Within the span of three months, both our young pet beagles died suddenly; our financial…
