Achan: The Progression From Temptation to Sin
Dust lingered in the air like a curtain, and smoke plumed heavenward. Achan wiped his brow with the back of his hand and sheathed his sword. The battle of Jericho was over. God’s command had been clear. Everything in the city was devoted to the Lord. No plunder was to be taken. Achan moved through the rubble as an eerie silence fell over the destroyed city. All around him, remnants of the once-formidable fortress lay scattered. Achan: A Lesson on the Progression Into Sin Among the rubbish, Achan spotted something beautiful, untouched by the flames: a colorful Babylonian robe. Reaching down to touch the unmarred garment, a thought passed through…
Bible Verses About Loving God With All Your Heart
Autumn writes a sun-splashed story in shades of ochre and crimson. This season of change reminds me that God is always working, and in his work, he is always loving us. I recently dug into Scripture in search of Bible verses about loving God with all your heart as I aim to embody his love. Today, I’m sharing the verses I found. I also encourage you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God. Let’s begin with God’s Word. Bible Verses About Loving God With All Your Heart Here are God’s words about how to love him with…
Meekness in the Bible: Strength Under Control
Years ago, a wise older woman offered a definition of biblical meekness that has stayed with me. She said, “Meekness is essentially teachability.” Today, we’ll dive into Scripture for a deeper understanding of meekness in the Bible, exploring how we can live with strength under control while exuding patience and gentleness. Jesus declared, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, NIV). Let’s consider what it means to be meek as we aim to embody this often-misunderstood characteristic. Meekness in the Bible The Bible helps us understand meekness and offers examples of how to embrace it in our daily lives. The Greek word for meek in…
Rahab: How the Faith of an Unlikely Woman Points to Jesus
Rahab was a prostitute who lived in the thick wall surrounding the city of Jericho. When Israel secretly sent spies to plan their attack against the city, Rahab hid the spies from authorities and helped them escape. The spies promised that when Israel returned to attack Jericho, Rahab and her family would be spared. She was told to tie a scarlet cord in her window so the army would know which house to spare. Lessons From Rahab Rahab and her family were saved during the attack. She eventually became a follower of God and was even in the lineage of Jesus. Rahab is listed in the famous “Hall of Faith”…
15 Comforting Bible Verses About Healing From Trauma
Before we take a closer look at today’s Bible verses about healing from trauma, I invite you to join me as I prepare to release a new book. In just over a month, I will release a new book for teens. It’s called Anchored: A Teen Devotional for Understanding the Old Testament and Applying It to Your Life. My vision is to teach teens the key narratives from the Old Testament while helping them see that all of Scripture is relevant to our everyday lives. These devotions delve into everything from anxiety to sexuality, all drawn from the truth of God’s Word. I’m building a launch team right now. If…
10 Prayers for Beginning a Meeting With Godly Focus
Before we take a closer look at today’s prayers for beginning a meeting, I invite you to join me as I prepare to release a new book. In just over a month, I will release a new book for teens. It’s called Anchored: A Teen Devotional for Understanding the Old Testament and Applying It to Your Life. My vision is to teach teens the key narratives from the Old Testament while helping them see that all of Scripture is relevant to our everyday lives. These devotions delve into everything from anxiety to sexuality, all drawn from the truth of God’s Word. I’m building a launch team right now. If you’re…
Courage-Building Bible Verses From Joshua
Several months ago, as I stepped into a new endeavor, I realized I needed an anchor. I felt anxious and fearful about stepping into the unknown. A friend suggested reading through the book of Joshua, and as I did, I compiled a list of courage-building Bible verses from Joshua and the conquest into the Promised Land. Today, we’ll explore these Scriptures. We’ll also discuss practical ways to put our trust in God as we step into uncertain situations. Bible Verses From Joshua Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free eBook to empower you as you follow God. Let’s begin with these strengthening Bible verses…
Seeking God’s Presence: 9 Ways to Increase Your Awareness
“God is always present, whether we feel his presence or not,” a wise older woman once taught me as we talked about seeking God’s presence. “When we speak of seeking his presence, we are talking about becoming more aware of him.” I’ve returned to these words countless times over the years. God is always with us. We cannot escape his presence, and we can’t outrun his love. Yet most of us experience times when his presence seems veiled or distant. When this happens, we remember that we walk by faith and not by sight. Our feelings are ever-changing, and they are not a reliable indication of God’s nearness or distance.…
The Spiritual Meaning of Jericho: 8 Lessons in Spiritual Warfare
Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites had just crossed the Jordan River and stepped into the land of Canaan, the Promised Land. However, this was not an empty land. It was already inhabited, and Israel would have to conquer formidable adversaries before they could settle in the land. Today, we’ll explore the spiritual meaning of Jericho, the first fortified city on the journey. In many ways, the defeat of Jericho offers a blueprint for overcoming obstacles and strongholds in our lives. Let’s recap the story of Jericho’s fall. Then, we’ll apply the principles from this narrative to our lives today. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s…
Hungry for God: 10 Ways to Increase Your Spiritual Longing
I’ve been watching the squirrels gather acorns in the forest behind our house, and their preparations draw me to think about spiritual hunger. How do we stay hungry for God when the world offers so many ways to fill our inner hunger? When our hunger for God becomes the driving force in our lives, we experience transformation in his presence. Today, we’ll explore 10 ways to stay hungry for God as we respond to his pursuit. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help fuel your hunger for God. How to Be Hungry for God Let’s take a closer look. 10…
