If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Fred DeVito – Author-Fitness Expert
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FIVE EXTERNAL TACTICS
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. 
Matthew 26:3-4
In the New Testament we see Satan using five external tactics against the church: rulers, priests, merchants, mobs and families—and of course, these often occurred in combinations. The followers of Jesus tend to unite the enemies of Jesus, so that quite unlikely alliances can be created. Jesus himself saw this when the Pharisees and the Herodians—two groups that never spoke to each other—got together to plot his assassination after he healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:6).
It is surprising to some that the rulers are not the biggest persecutors of Christians in the New Testament. That dubious honor falls to the Jewish priestly caste. But there is no doubt that strong opposition came from the rulers. Pontius Pilate was complicit in the death of Jesus; Herod Agrippa killed the apostle James in Jerusalem (Acts 12:2); and of course Nero initiated a terrible persecution against the Christians of Rome in AD 64—the community most think Mark’s gospel was written to encourage.
Though it was Pilate’s order, it was really the Jewish high priest who pushed Pilate into giving the order for the crucifixion when he was inclined to let Jesus go (see John 18:31), and tried to accomplish this by arranging a crowd clemency scene. All throughout his ministry, Jesus’ bitterest enemies were the priests. And so it proved for the early church. The first flogging of Christians was administered under the auspices of the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:40), and the first martyrdom of a Christian (Stephen) was carried out by enraged clerics (Acts 7:54-59). And so it continued also for Paul, the main character of the early church, ironically a former Pharisee and a witness to the stoning of Stephen.
But it is a sad fact that the class threatened most by radical Christian faith is the clerical class, whether of one’s own religious persuasion or of a rival one. This is not to say all clerics are persecutors. Many Pharisees became followers of Jesus, and some, like Nicodemus and Simon, were the very model of courtesy and open-mindedness. Nevertheless, in the history of the church, other “believers” have perpetrated most violence on Christians.
RESPONSE:
Satan uses external as well as internal tactics to attack the advance of the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me show love to other “believers” who do not hear Your voice but are used as tools of the enemy.
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 | A Beautiful Life Isn’t One-Size-Fits-AllSTEPHANIE MAY WILSON |
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38a (NLT)
For most of my life, I’ve been a people-pleasing, rule-following second-guesser.
I’m also at the tail end of what I call the “everything era” — the span of years during which we make many of the biggest decisions of our lives, all at the same time, in front of an opinionated audience.
(Yes, Aunt Sharon, I know you had three kids by the time you were my age. Yes, I know I’m not getting any younger.)
Over the last 10 years, I’ve wrestled with so many big decisions:
Is this man going to be my husband?
Where’s home?
Which job should I take?
Are we ready to have kids?
What am I doing with my life?
It felt like there must be a right way to do all of this, and I was certainly getting it all wrong.
I didn’t want to fall short of anyone’s expectations (including my own!). But most of all, I worried about disappointing God. I wanted to make Him proud, to return the love He’s so generously given to me. And without even realizing it, I started writing my definition of what that might look like.
Every time I read a book, listened to a sermon, or saw a post on social media, my list of what I “should” be doing got longer. As you can imagine, this constant striving (and failing) didn’t bring me closer to God.
One day, I was trying to make a big decision — running through my pros-and-cons list for the thousandth time with a friend. As I was diving into another round of “what ifs,” my friend looked me in the eye and said, “Stephanie, you get to decide.”
There’s not one right way to build a life. A beautiful life isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that truth has changed everything for me.
I spent years frantically looking for one right answer to questions that didn’t have one. These were my calls to make. They’re your calls to make too.
This is true with who you marry, where your career path leads, whether you have kids, and where you call home. Even the best options have some good and some hard aspects, and it’s up to you what specific combination of good and hard you’re willing to live with.
Yes, sometimes God has one exact answer for us. Sometimes there’s a clear right and wrong.
But the rest of the time, we get to make confident, creative decisions for ourselves and our families — not striving to earn God’s love but knowing that we already have it and can never lose it.
As Paul says in Romans 8:38a: “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.”
Your life can — and should — be a beautiful, unique reflection of what’s important to you, the woman who chose it. Your life should look like you. So create a life you love.
God, when You have a specific plan for an area of my life, please show me. As I follow Your will, please help me make confident, creative and authentic decisions for myself and my family without fear or timidity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
We’re loving Stephanie May Wilson’s new book, Create a Life You Love: How to Quiet Outside Voices So You Can Finally Hear Your Own. This book offers a guided journey of self-discovery, helping women take the pressure off what they think their lives are supposed to look like by now — so they can intentionally, confidently and authentically build the lives they actually want to live.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (NIV).
What “shoulds” feel particularly heavy to you in this season of your life?
How does it feel to hear that you get to decide and that there’s not one right way to build your life?
© 2024 by Stephanie May Wilson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Zondervan for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.
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Game Changer
By DaySpring
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. II PETER 1:5-8 NIV
Her daughter was staring so intently at the screen, that she didn’t notice her mom walk in the room and sit beside her on the sofa. The latest iteration of her favorite role-playing game had just been released the day before, and the girl was already making significant progress. “Why don’t you open that chest?” her mom queried as she surveyed the enchanted castle. Moving deftly around it, her daughter’s avatar approached some innocent-looking flowerpots instead. Suddenly she began whacking them with her sword. “What on earth…?” the mom’s voice trailed off as she watched the pots eventually explode, leaving behind a shiny, golden key.
“Now I can unlock the chest,” her determined daughter explained. “Everything builds on itself, so you have to keep gathering treasures as you go, which leads to the next treasure.”
Similarly, in the Christian life, we’ve been given a mission. We are here on this earth to discover more about God and help the lost find Him too. Accepting Christ as our Savior isn’t the end goal—it’s just the beginning! Like walking through a portal, a new life focus begins once we belong to Jesus. As we go through life, God uses trials and troubles to teach us more about Him. Like the gamer daughter, we need to keep our eyes riveted on Him, ever watching for each little truth treasure He’s revealing as we trust Him through whatever circumstances we face. As we follow His lead, God shows us the keys in Scripture to unlocking more truth, growing stronger in faith, overcoming sin, and loving others deeply. Through Spirit-empowered self-control, we learn to wield each gift God gives in a way that grows us up in Christ and leads us to ultimate victory at our mission’s end. If we don’t want to waste our time here on earth, we need to stockpile the gems of God’s great character so that out of the overflow of our abundance we can seek out and share His goodness with others.
Lord, please help me add the qualities You value in my life so that I can effectively represent and serve You better. Please help me to stay focused and disciplined so that I finish well. In Jesus’s name.
This is an excerpt from True Sweetness: Growing in the Fruits of the Spirit – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
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A Prayer for the Toxic People in Your Life – Your Daily Prayer
A Prayer for the Toxic People in Your Life
By Kelly Balarie
“For each one should carry their own load.” – Galatians 6:5 NIV
I thought my friend and I were closer than this… Yet, this woman, whom I considered “a friend,” was now acting like a total stranger. Maybe it was because there were other women around. Maybe it was because she was having a bad day. Maybe it was that she felt nervous in her own right. At the same time, this wasn’t the first time we spent time together, laughed, and enjoyed one another… Why was she treating me this way?
Ugh. With all this happening, I needed to get away from the situation and sort out why I felt so slighted. I left the ladies and retreated to the one place I could be alone – the bathroom. Standing there, I caught my reflection in the mirror. Is there something wrong with me? One never can tell. Maybe it is I who has done something wrong. Maybe it is I that is off. Even so, was it right for her to cut me down to size like she did when I opened my heart before everyone? When I spoke up, she launched an arrow-to-the-heart comment. Ouch. That hurt. It wasn’t just the comment, it was her whole way of acting. Now, she embarrassed me before everyone.
Maybe I should have tougher skin. Yet, this keeps happening. I find myself friends with people who cut me subtly and repeatedly, with 1000 little papercuts, over time. There’s never one cut large enough for me to merit a good reason to actually leave them. So, I stick around.
Yet, time and time again, I ask myself:
- How is it my fault?
- How can I change?
- How do I love them enough, or bear under them enough so they will actually love me too?
New friend? I don’t know if you’ve been there before? It is hard. 1000 little paper cuts, over time, can leave a woman red, raw, and sore on the inside. Painfully sore. Are you experiencing this? Maybe someone in your life is undercutting you. Maybe you are pulled close and then shoved away. Maybe you are dealing with passive-aggressive behavior that makes you doubt yourself. Maybe you are walking on eggshells all the time.
It is not easy.
The only thing I’ve come to terms with, as I seek to handle this hard situation, is Galatians 6:5. This verse presents the truth that “each man should carry his own load.” This means, my friend is responsible for her load; I am responsible for mine. This friend is responsible for her actions, her issues, and her comments, and I am responsible for my actions, my issues, and my comments.
How does this play out practically?
It plays out like this… I am not at fault for how another person acts. Their actions belong to them. What I am responsible for is my own reactions. If continuing in a friendship causes me to repeatedly sin by serving their insecurities above loving God (idolatry), by reacting rudely (strife or dissension) or by figuring out how to make myself good enough (striving) then I am setting myself up to sin. It may be wise for me to step back from a relationship like this. The lie is that I am not loving the person by disengaging. The truth is there is more power in praying for a person than repeatedly getting damaged by them.
Of course, there are covenant relationships that we can’t as easily step back from. My belief is that God gives abundant grace to things of covenant. It doesn’t always come in the timing we demand. The goal here, also, is prayer. When we pray for those who hurt us, we find the power of God to help us.
These situations are not easy; they are nuanced. The key is not to allow a person’s actions to rob us of our worth for then we forget to look up for God’s grace. Instead, we see a million wrongs instead of God’s helping hand. God wants us to be in healthy relationships and He has all the grace we need to find people who genuinely love us and want to treat us right.
Let’s pray:
Father, I feel hurt. I don’t know what I did to deserve this treatment. Will you heal my heart? Father? I forgive those people who hurt and offended me. I forgive them for not treating me as you would. I also ask you to forgive me for any anger, bitterness, or resentment that I have stored up in me. I release all that to you now. I am sorry. Father, I ask that now you would lead me to new friends, to life-giving friends, and to people who are honest and true. Help me not to take undue responsibility for other people’s problems and give me grace to love people well. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Prostock Studio
Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; be encouraged weekly by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, a cheerleader of faith, is a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly loves seeing the power of prayer in action. She loves seeing the expression on women’s faces when they realize – their God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman.
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10 Tips for Compassionately Engaging with Your Atheist Friend
- Jessica Brodie
- Award-winning Christian Novelist and Journalist
Have you ever met an atheist? I don’t just mean someone who doesn’t go to church or a non-Christian, but someone who doesn’t believe in God at all.
I’ve met a few in my life. Some have been coworkers and others fellow students, and it can be challenging to navigate a relationship between two people with opposing belief systems. But I’ve learned there are ways to engage with an atheist friend that can be healthy and live-giving — and hopefully, ultimately point to Jesus.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/MoMo Productions
What Makes Someone an Atheist?
Slide 1 of 6
First, it’s helpful to understand what it means to be an atheist. An atheist is someone who does not believe in God or in any deities. This person rejects the notion that God, or any gods, created the world, the universe, time itself, or the people and creatures that inhabit this earth. It’s a lack of belief, rather than a belief “in” something. Instead, it’s a rejection of the assertion that there is a God (or gods), period.
An atheist is different from an agnostic, who believes that whether God exists is not known, and is possibly even unknowable. Some call agnosticism a belief in the unknown. They might think or hope that God is out there, but they don’t know for sure, and they don’t believe human reason or other evidence can prove the existence of a deity, or the supernatural in general, in any way.
Atheism, then, is not a religion or a belief system. It’s a rejection of belief in God.
Second, it’s helpful to understand why someone is an atheist. People have different reasons for their belief systems, or lack thereof, and atheists do, too:
- Some cite lack of evidence for God, or what they call “reliable” evidence.
- Some say the arguments “for” God’s existence don’t adequately prove it.
- Some say the existence of evil contradicts the notion of an all-powerful God, especially if he “can’t” or “won’t” do anything about it.
- Some say science explains everything people used to attribute to God, so there is no God.
- Some consider God to be a psychological crutch humans created because they sought meaning.
- Some simply haven’t heard the Gospel, perhaps because of their cultural or family upbringing.
There are other reasons beyond this. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, atheists comprise about 4 percent of adults in the United States. Sociologists estimate about 7 percent of the population worldwide is atheistic.
If you are a Christian who has found yourself engaging with an atheist friend, here are 10 tips.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Khosrork
1. Love Them
Slide 2 of 6
Jesus said to love others (Matthew 22:39). He didn’t say we should only love people who think like us, or only people who worship God. In fact, he said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Later, he told us how we can love others: by caring for their needs, feeding them, clothing them, tending to their wounds, visiting them in prison, etc.
Atheists are people created by God and beloved by God, and as such, they are deserving of your love. Do what it takes to love them in the name of Jesus, whatever that looks like.
2. Respect Their Conviction
Don’t dismiss an atheist as ignorant or stupid. Many atheists know quite a lot about Christianity and other religions. Some were raised in the church and ultimately rejected it, or have studied it from a philosophical standpoint in school or through literature.
In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, people who identified as atheists were among the groups that performed best on their 2019 religious knowledge survey, answering more than half the questions correctly and scoring higher than most American adults. They also knew just as much about Christianity as most Christians on the survey.
There is a reason why they ascribe to non-belief. The reason might be incorrect, but it doesn’t mean they should be treated with a lack of respect. Again, love is key here.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages
3. Ask Questions and Listen
Slide 3 of 6
Try to understand why your friend is an atheist. Lack of evidence? Existence of evil? Cultural norms? Anger or other pain? Get to know them as a person. Ask them about it if they are willing to talk. Asking questions indicates care, and care walks in tandem with love. Care about them as a person by striving to understand.
4. Don’t Assume Atheism Equals Satanism or Make Other Assumptions about Morality
Someone who is an atheist simply doesn’t believe in God (or any idea of “gods”). It doesn’t mean they worship Satan, the enemy of God. It also doesn’t mean they lack a moral compass or don’t respect basic laws of goodness and compassion.
Many people who are atheists consider kindness and good values to be extremely important. Those values simply don’t include God.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Mimi Thian
5. Know That God Can Soften Their Heart
Slide 4 of 6
God gives us free will. But God also wants us all to choose him. That’s why the concept of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to go after the one lost sheep is such a powerful metaphor (Matthew 18:10-14). For instance, Jonah ran from God. But God loved Jonah and didn’t let him off easily. He sent a storm and then enabled Jonah to be swallowed by a fish in order to soften Jonah’s heart and ultimately change his mind about running from the mission God laid upon him (Jonah 3:1-3).
Similarly, Saul was an enemy of the church, arresting and throwing Christians in jail and otherwise persecuting them. But God wanted his heart, so he sent his son to beseech Saul. Jesus appeared to the man, asking, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? … I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul was struck with blindness, and when the scales fell from his eyes, his heart had changed. He eventually changed his name to Paul and became the apostle responsible for spreading Christianity to most of Asia Minor.
God can soften anyone’s heart.
6. Allow the Holy Spirit to Speak Through You
Christianity grew through the power of the Holy Spirit igniting in the heart of believers and spreading from person to person. Trust the Holy Spirit, alive in your heart, to do the work for you. Remember: You have God living inside you! God can do anything, including giving you the words to say to your atheist friend.
As Jesus says in Luke 12:11-12, “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
7. Pray for Them
Slide 5 of 6
Prayer is powerful. Jesus said we should ask and seek in faith, and the door will be opened to us (Matthew 7:7-8).
Indeed, Jesus said, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22).
8. Consider the Root
Understand an atheist’s lack of belief might stem from deep anger or hurt, or a sense of betrayal. A lot of atheists have been hurt by the church, whether theology they disagree with or because of other Christians who have behaved in un-Christlike ways.
Others have lost someone very close to them—a parent, spouse, or young child—and are angry with God, thinking that if God exists he wouldn’t possibly take their loved one away, or cause natural disasters or allow other evil and devastating circumstances.
Many are very upset about the way human beings have used religion to hurt other people. For example, people used the Bible to advocate for slavery at one point in history, or they point to the violence of the Crusades or other conquests that claimed land and took over communities or nations, supposedly in the name of God. They look around at the polarization and the fighting among Christians and have a negative opinion about God based on this.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
9. Ask What It Would Take for Them to Believe in God
Slide 6 of 6
Sometimes, the solution is simpler than we think. Try asking your atheist friend what would need to happen in order for them to believe. Often, this will indicate the state of their heart, and whether or not they are open to the Lord.
Then step back and watch God do the work.
10. Get Personal
Get to know them and try to understand the best way to reach them. Perhaps God will use you to reach them through intellectual facts, a heartfelt testimony, or your own witness of Christian love as you model a life of love. Or perhaps he’ll use them to teach you something, and he has a different plan for how to soften their heart and show them the way.
Remember: Atheists are people, too. And some atheists are future Christians — only, they don’t know it yet. Let God use you to show the way if that is what God intends.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Photo by Obbchao
Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Her newest release is an Advent daily devotional for those seeking true closeness with God, which you can find at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent. Learn more about Jessica’s fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed
5 Ways to Read the Bible That Changed My Life
- Kristine Brown
- Author of Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God
When I first became a Christian, I had a hard time understanding the concept of God’s Word as “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Sure, I wanted to read the Bible and absorb all I could about God’s love. I was blown away that God would give His only son for someone like me! I wanted to know more. But alive and active? I couldn’t fathom what that would even mean.
Over time as I lingered in the truth of Scripture, God revealed the meaning of Hebrews 4:12 in my life in a powerful way, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Maybe you, too, recall the moment God first spoke to you though reading His Word. That warm feeling, knowing He was right there with you. His tangible presence made known.
But the truth is, in our spiritual walk with the Lord, there will be times when we read the Bible and don’t feel His presence. In fact, our Bible reading time can get stale. Like we’re in a rut and need something to revive it. Because even though God’s Word is the living key to our spiritual growth, it takes consistent effort to stay connected to it.
When we hit that reading rut and want to revive our quiet time with the Lord, we can rest assured. We’re not alone! It happens to all of us sooner or later. One thing we can do is discover new ways to connect with Scripture throughout our day. Such a simple thing can spark renewed interest and bring about big change.
I can recall several steps I’ve taken through the years to reignite a spark in my own Bible reading. Tips picked up from friends and other trusted sources on different ways to read the Bible that ultimately changed my life. Here are a few suggestions you may find helpful as well. Implementing one or more of these may be just the change you need to bring you out of a stale place as you “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/kevron 2001
Pray before You Read and Ask God to Reveal Things through His Word
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One of the first things I wanted to do when I started reading the Bible was to finish the entire thing. I adopted a solid reading plan, complete with notifications to help me stay on track. After a few weeks, it became part of my morning routine. I’d wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and open my Bible plan. Routines can be a good thing, but some days the routine felt more like a reading rut.
2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
If we’re reading without seeking God first, we may be missing the inspiration that comes through Scripture. By praying a simple prayer right before we read, we open the door for God to speak to our hearts. Our prayer doesn’t need to be long or profound to get God’s attention. He is pleased when we pray and express our desire to know Him more.
Watch for the Ways the Books of the Bible Connect
Have you ever been right in the middle of a passage and thought, “Didn’t I read about this somewhere else?” It’s like a sense that you’ve been there before, immersed in a story or chapter.
One of the most amazing things about the Bible is how it is all connected. The story of our Savior Jesus is woven throughout both the New and Old Testaments. What a treasure to be able to find glimpses of the hope of Christ in each book! By looking for ways the books of the Bible are connected, we can gain new knowledge about the promises of God.
So how is this possible? How are pieces of Jesus’ life and story found in pages and pages of historical writings? Jesus himself is the Word. John 1:14 reveals this truth, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
As you read the Bible, watch for the ways the books connect. Study a timeline of its contents. See how our Savior is the living, breathing Word of God.
Related Resource: Listen to our podcast, Teach Us to Pray with Christina Patterson. You can find all the episodes at LifeAudio.com. Listen to Episode 1 here:
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Add a Psalm a Day
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I love beginning a new reading plan each January that will take me through the Bible in a year. There are a variety of plans to choose from — everything from reading an Old and New Testament chapter each day to reading in chronological order. But my favorite is adding one Psalm to each day’s passage.
In our longing to learn more about God, we will eventually stumble across a chapter or passage that is, shall we say, a little harder to get through than others. We don’t need to condemn ourselves for struggling through certain parts of Scripture. But there are things we can do to help us dig in when we come to those less-than-desirable portions. Reading a chapter of Psalms a day can bring a fresh dose of joy to an otherwise dry season.
Anytime I’m feeling down, I turn to Psalms. There’s no other book that lifts my spirits quite like it. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
Read a Passage as a Personal Letter from God
I’ve heard it said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. Yet as often as I’ve seen the familiar saying on memes floating around social media, I can’t help but think of stories that don’t sound all that loving. David chopping off Goliath’s head? Jael driving a tent stake through Sisera’s temple? Some of these stories don’t scream love, if you know what I mean.
God’s Word holds great purpose for each of us, to strengthen us for the path He prepared for us. God loves us so much that He wants us to grow and mature in how we live our lives.
The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah saying, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Sometimes as parents, we will have to talk to our kids about hard things. Unpleasant things. But we know it is for their good, so they’ll be prepared for the road ahead. Like a loving parent, God has to guide us through a few tough conversations. By reading a passage or story as a letter to me from God, I will sense Him protecting, teaching, and loving me.
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Lilian Dibbern
Listen to the Bible Read Aloud
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“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
It was one of the darkest times in my life. I lay in bed unable to move. Anxious thoughts taunted me. What’s the use? This treatment will never work. You might as well give up. I didn’t have the strength to get out of bed, much less fight off these feelings of helplessness as my body struggled to fight disease. I needed something to soothe my spirit and remind me of God’s truth.
A quick search on my phone for “soothing hymns” led me to a series of audio recordings of Bible passages with soft piano accompaniment. This discovery was just what I needed when I couldn’t sit up to read the Bible on my own. I listened. And that one act changed my life forever.
Listening is a lost skill in our world today. Distractions pull at us from every direction. Our phones beg for our attention and steal much of our time. Pausing to listen to God’s Truth calmed my heart, allowing my body to rest. Listening to the spoken Word of God is another creative way to let our Heavenly Father speak to our needs.
What a gift we have in God’s Word! It is always available to us. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.”
Whether listening, following a reading plan, or focusing on one verse at a time, reading the Bible is life-changing. It’s spending precious time in conversation with our Savior. He is with us: alive, active, and ready to meet every need.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Aldo Murillo
For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email study Walking with Rahab by today’s devotion writer, Kristine Brown. You’ll find weekly encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Kristine is the author of the book Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God and its companion workbook.
The Wisdom of Childlike Wonder – iBelieve Truth
“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” Matthew 18:2-5, NIV
Musicians at a drum circle in downtown Asheville, North Carolina played a delightful rhythm that made me feel like dancing. But as I looked at people in the gathered crowd, no one was dancing except a few little children. The music continued, and I continued to feel compelled to dance. Yet, I resisted doing so. I worried how I might embarrass myself if I became the only adult dancing. Then, an apparently homeless woman showed up with her shopping cart of belongings, took out a drum, and joined the other musicians to play.
Some of the adults looked away as if they were uncomfortable. But one of the little children moved straight in front of the woman and danced joyfully to her music. The woman, too, looked joyful as she saw that child and the others dancing. It was then that I remembered God was there with us all. Feeling a sense of wonder, I stepped out to dance along with the children – no matter what other people may have thought of me.
In the stress of our adult lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple marvels that once captivated us as children. Yet, in the book of Matthew, Jesus calls our attention to the profound significance of childlike wonder. He calls us to embrace the curiosity, kindness, and unassuming faith that characterize the hearts of children.
Jesus isn’t advocating for a regression to childish behavior but rather a transformation in our hearts. Imagine a child encountering the world for the first time. For that child, every sight, sound, and sensation sparks a sense of awe and fascination. Likewise, in our own spiritual journeys, we can be blessed by approaching God with wide-eyed wonder – as if encountering our wonderful God for the very first time. Childlike wonder is characterized by humility, openness, and a willingness to be amazed. It involves setting aside our preconceived notions and intellectual barriers, allowing ourselves to be enveloped by the mystery and majesty of God’s presence.
In the Kingdom of Heaven, greatness is not measured by worldly standards of success or achievement, but by the state of our hearts. Whoever humbly assumes the lowly position of a child, with innocence and dependence, is deemed great from God’s perspective. As adults, we often pride ourselves on our knowledge and understanding, yet Jesus reminds us that true wisdom lies in embracing the simplicity of childlike wonder. It’s not about how much we know, but about how deeply we are willing to trust and believe. Pursuing wonder strengthens our faith by giving us glimpses of God’s work in our lives. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of welcoming others with the same spirit of love and acceptance that children do. By doing so, we open ourselves up to encountering God’s presence in unexpected ways.
So, how do we cultivate childlike wonder in our spiritual lives?
First, we must approach God with a sense of curiosity and expectancy, eagerly anticipating the ways we can learn more about God. Like children eagerly awaiting the unveiling of a gift, we should approach prayer and meditation with a sense of anticipation, ready to be surprised by what God shows us. Then we must cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing our own limitations and surrendering our need for control. Just as children trust implicitly in the care of loving parents, our Heavenly Father calls us to entrust ourselves completely to his loving care. Finally, we need to develop an attitude of gratitude, finding joy in the simple blessings that surround us each day. Whether it’s the beauty of nature, the warmth of human connection, or the reassurance of God’s presence, there is always something to be thankful for if we see it through the eyes of childlike wonder.
Dear God, thank you for the gift of childlike wonder, which reminds me of the beauty and mystery of your creation. Help me to approach you with humility and openness, like a little child eager to explore the wonders of your love. Teach me to trust in your guidance and to find joy in the simple blessings of life. May I welcome others with the same love and acceptance that you have shown me, reflecting your grace and goodness to the world around me. I love you, God. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©ChristinLola
Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.
Looking for authentic conversations about how to deal with body image, insecurity, and comparison issues as a Christian woman? The Compared to Who? Podcast is the show for you! Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like dieting, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, body dysmorphia, and more from a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered perspective.
prayers for peace and protection
devotionals daily
Prayers for Peace and Protection
Today’s inspiration comes from:
by Max Lucado
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. — John 14:27
Father, You are slow to anger, gracious in mercy, and abounding in love. You are worthy of all praise and honor.
I humbly ask for Your peace in my life. The stressors in my life cause many sleepless nights and worries and concerns. Fill me with Your peace, and reassure me that You are there and in control.
Comfort and bless my loved ones. They, too, have to endure many challenges. Calm their spirits, and focus their hearts on You.
Thank You for caring about every part of our lives and every member of our families. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who is our great Comforter.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. — James 5:16 NIV
Father, You lead your people and hear their prayers. You know each of Your sheep by name. You are the great and wonderful Shepherd.
Help me find a trustworthy prayer partner. Too often, I try to go it alone, and I’m reluctant to share my spiritual life with others. Please change my heart. Give me a passion to reach out to other Christians so we can pray for one another and seek Your will together.
Help those in my community. Ignite a desire in them to know You. Use me, and raise up Christians in our midst. I pray that those who live around me will come to know You.
Thank You for putting people in our paths who can walk this road of faith with us. Thank You for all the believers worldwide. May Your mighty name continue to spread throughout the earth.
In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
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Use me, and raise up Christians in our midst.
The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. — Psalm 33:11–12 NIV
Dear Father, from the beginning of time, You have planned the path Your people would take. Your infinite mind thought of me long before I was born. I am humbled by Your incredible love.
I struggle with doubts and fear about my future. I don’t trust You nearly as much as I should. Please forgive me and reinforce my faith in You. Help me understand and believe that You are in control and have a good plan for me, my family, and my career.
Bless my family today. Help them know that all things rest in Your hands and that You always have their best interests in mind. Don’t let them fear the future.
Thank You for ordering our steps and guiding our way. I am thankful to know that Your thoughts are always for our good.
In Your Son’s name, amen.
Excerpted with permission from Start with Prayer by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.
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Your Turn
Ask for Lord for His peace and His protection over your life today. Pray through your family and friends and ask for Him to be palpably present with and bless them. Bring your confession to Him and lean in close. He loves you! ~ Devotionals Daily
Words of Encouragement
Lord, sometimes I get caught up in the rat race of life, trying to make a name for myself and just get ahead. But I don’t need or want that. I want to stay close to You and rest in Your provision so that my gentleness will be evident to all. In Jesus’s name.
Dose of Devotion 