Key Scripture: Psalm 34:1 (NIV) I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Devotional As we come to the end of this month, I find myself reflecting on how much broader worship is than many of us initially realize. At the beginning of June, we started by exploring what worship truly is. Along the way, we’ve talked about worship during battles, worship through disappointment, worship in grief, worship while waiting, worship through …
Key Scripture: James 4:8 (NIV) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Devotional One of the most beautiful promises in Scripture is God’s invitation to draw near. Notice that He doesn’t force intimacy. He doesn’t demand relationship. Instead, He invites us closer. Relationships grow through time, attention, and intentionality. The same is true in our relationship with God. No marriage thrives without communication. No friendship flourishes without connection. Likewise, intimacy with God develops as we consistently …
Key Scripture: Romans 12:1 (NIV) Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Devotional When people hear the word surrender, they often associate it with loss. We think about giving something up, letting go of control, or releasing something we would rather keep. Because of that, surrender can feel uncomfortable. It challenges our desire to manage outcomes, control circumstances, and direct the course of our lives. Yet Scripture …
Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Devotional One of the easiest things to do in any relationship is focus on what the other person could improve. If we’re honest, most of us can quickly identify habits we’d like our spouse to change. We notice their weaknesses, frustrations, and shortcomings far more easily than we notice our own. That’s simply part of being …
Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Devotional As we begin our “Praying Over My Marriage” Bible App plan, I think it’s important to remember that prayer is not simply a tool for fixing problems. Sometimes we approach prayer as though it only becomes necessary when something is wrong. We wait until conflict arises, communication breaks down, or challenges appear before intentionally bringing our …
Key Scripture: Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Devotional Sometimes we separate prayer and worship as though they are two completely different things. We think of prayer as the time when we bring our requests to God, and we think of worship as the time when we sing songs or offer praise. While those distinctions can be helpful, the truth is that …
Key Scripture: Matthew 5:16 (NIV) Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Devotional Most of us can think of someone whose faith has impacted our lives. Maybe it was a parent, a grandparent, a pastor, a friend, or someone from church. Perhaps they never stood on a stage or wrote a book, but there was something about the way they lived that pointed people toward God. Their faith …
Key Scripture: John 14:15 (NIV) If you love me, keep my commands. Devotional When most people think about worship, they think about songs. And that’s understandable. Music has always been a beautiful expression of worship throughout Scripture. Some of the most powerful moments in the Bible involved people lifting their voices in praise to God. But the longer I walk with the Lord, the more I realize that worship extends far beyond what happens with our lips. In fact, some …
Key Scripture: Galatians 5:13 (NIV) Serve one another humbly in love. Devotional A few years ago, someone asked me a question that made me stop and think. They asked, “What if some of the most spiritual things we do don’t feel spiritual at all?” At first, that sounded strange. Most of us naturally associate spiritual growth with prayer, Bible study, worship music, church services, or quiet time with God. Those are all important parts of our walk with Christ, so …
Key Scripture: Psalm 56:8 (NIV) Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record? Devotional Grief is a strange thing. Just when you think you’re doing better, something unexpected can bring the emotions rushing back. A memory appears out of nowhere. A familiar song starts playing. A photo pops up on your phone. Suddenly you’re right back in a moment you thought you had moved past. Loss has a way of lingering in …
