Category: Devotionals

Validation before talking forgiveness – Divorce Minister

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. –Job 2:13, NIV Please do not underestimate how traumatic and disorienting discovering marital infidelity is! Speaking from my personal experience as well as from… Continue reading Validation before talking forgiveness – Divorce Minister

Satan can snatch away the seed from the hard ground – but how?

By Elizabeth Prata In one of Jesus’ parables, we read, When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (Matthew 13:19). In the beginning parts of the parable, Jesus had… Continue reading Satan can snatch away the seed from the hard ground – but how?

Love And Obedience, The Basic Requirements Of God

If we asked a hundred people what they thought God required of them, we’d probably get a hundred different answers. The answer, though, always includes two words: love and obedience. Our text for today comes from the Book of Deuteronomy. But stick with me because love and obedience bring the Old Testament commands and New… Continue reading Love And Obedience, The Basic Requirements Of God

Biblical Hope When It’s Time to Consider Residential Care

The reminders show up as soon as I hit the front stoop.  The door is always locked. A doorbell summons a nurse who wants to know why I’m there.  I sign in on a sheet of paper permanently posted by the door. I don’t have a fever. Check. I haven’t knowingly been exposed to a… Continue reading Biblical Hope When It’s Time to Consider Residential Care

Hold onto hope: Good is coming! – Divorce Minister

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28, NIV Well-meaning yet hurtful Christians quote this verse at the traumatized faithful spouse as a means to manipulate them away from divorcing an unrepentant cheater. I am sorry if… Continue reading Hold onto hope: Good is coming! – Divorce Minister

The Other Side of Your World

PRESS ON! “If you believe what He told you…” This was the email tagline for one of the previous Press On blogs from last month. “If you believe…” Do you believe? One of the most paradoxical personalities to me in the Bible is David. Everything I ever knew about David confirmed (if nothing else) his belief in God and his openness… Continue reading The Other Side of Your World

A Near Drowning – A Lesson In Male Leadership & Female Submission

I almost got swept away by strong river currents last week. As I reflected on the moment, the Lord dropped a bombshell on me about men’s roles as leaders and women’s submissiveness that I’d like to share with you. But first, let me share the story of my near drowning. My friend and I visited… Continue reading A Near Drowning – A Lesson In Male Leadership & Female Submission

Hearing a Fresh Word from Scripture

You’re familiar with the Nobel Prize, but what about the Ig Nobel Prize? Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been given to those deemed to have made outstanding contributions in fields such as peace, physics, chemistry, medicine, and literature. These contributions are truly, you know, noble. The Ig Nobel Prize is not nearly as old… Continue reading Hearing a Fresh Word from Scripture