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For When You Need God’s Guidance: The Pillar of Cloud and Fire
“I wish God would make the way clear like he did with the pillar cloud of fire,” I said to a friend as we talked about finding God’s direction. “I’ve had the same thought,” she agreed. “But I’ve also realized he’s given us something better. The pillar of fire didn’t go away. It came to dwell within us.” “That’s a remarkable way of looking at it,” I reacted. When God’s people wandered in the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land, God led them with a pillar cloud of fire. The fire guided them at night, and a cloud guided them by day. God’s guidance was unmistakable and straightforward. …
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9 Empowering Benefits of Fasting and Prayer
Fasting is one of the most overlooked spiritual practices in many contemporary Christian circles, but there are many benefits of fasting and prayer. The Bible describes different kinds of fasts for different lengths of time. Most often, fasting involves abstaining from food, but we can abstain from anything that brings comfort. We’ll look at more examples in today’s post. I’ll be the first to admit that fasting doesn’t come naturally or easily to me. Especially as someone who has struggled with unhealthy deprivation when it comes to eating, I’ve wrestled with fasting from food. Nevertheless, I haven’t given up on this discipline. I’ve also learned to fast from other comforts,…
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The Aaronic Blessing and Jesus’ Fulfillment
The Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) is one of the most tender moments in Scripture. God told the priests exactly what to speak over the people. Unlike the giving of the Law, the Aaronic blessing did not set boundaries; it revealed God’s heart. This blessing was more than a prayer. It was a promise. Ultimately, every line of the prayer found its fulfillment in Jesus. Today, we’ll examine the ways this blessing found its completion in Jesus. First, let’s look at the blessing. Before we begin, I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you experience greater peace in Christ.…
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How to Keep Your Faith (With Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times)
I walk through the forest as my mind replays the events of the past months. I recently received a phone call that felt like a punch to the ribs, and I’m reeling from it. As I walk, I remind myself that God is good, and he wastes nothing. Maybe you need this reminder today as well. I invite you to join me as we explore a list of Bible verses about faith in hard times and talk about how to cling to God. Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times Let’s start with some insights on how to keep your faith when life is tough. 7 Steps to Keep Your…
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6 Lessons From the Woman at the Well
The afternoon blazes white overhead as perspiration streams down her brow. She carries her water jug to the well, choosing to come in the middle of the day to avoid conversations with others. She will forever be known as the woman at the well, the first person to whom Jesus revealed his identity as the Messiah. Today, we’ll take a closer look at this story and reflect on some practical lessons from the woman at the well. Before we begin, I invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a library of free devotionals to help you establish a rhythm of encountering the life-giving presence of God…
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How the Biblical Feasts Point to Jesus
Reading through the Old Testament can be challenging, particularly as the biblical feasts and festivals are described. Rather than skimming through these passages, we can delve into them and learn from them. The feasts were more than ancient celebrations. They foreshadowed the restoration God’s people would one day find in Jesus. Today, we’ll examine a list of biblical feasts and see how these feasts prepared the way for Christ and his healing work. How the Biblical Feasts Point to Jesus Every year, I prayerfully pick a name of God and focus on the name throughout the year. This year’s name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals. As we closely…
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Strength for the Weary Heart: 15 Scriptures on Weakness and Weariness
I recently walked barefoot across the yard as the sun shone bright on a July evening. My pace had been rushed, and the space to step away and rest pulled me from the demands of the day. Opening my Bible, I lay on the damp grass as I soaked in God’s Word, speaking Scriptures on weakness and weariness over my life. Perhaps you need this today as well. Let’s take some time to let God’s Word replenish us as we consider his thoughts on weakness and exhaustion. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to…
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Trusting God When Life Is Tough: 12 Scriptures on Overcoming Obstacles
“I’m not sure how much more of this I can endure,” I admitted a friend. I was dealing with a debilitating medical issue that was impacting every realm of my life. My friend encouraged me and also challenged me to search my Bible and meditate on Scriptures on overcoming obstacles. Most of us tend to focus on whatever our greatest problem is at any given moment. This is how we are wired as humans. Sadly, when troubles consume our minds, our gaze shifts away from God’s goodness and provision. By filling our minds with God’s Word, we remain anchored as we overcome obstacles with his help. Today, we’ll look at…
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Nadab and Abihu: Strange Fire and Irreverent Worship
Leviticus is a book about holiness. The first seven chapters outline God’s instructions for sacrifices and offerings, teaching about the seriousness of sin. Then, the priests are ordained to begin their service in the tabernacle when the unthinkable happens: Nadab and Abihu, Aarons’ oldest sons, burn “strange fire” and are struck dead by God. Today, we’ll consider how the story of Nadab and Abihu relates to us. We’ll start by imagining we are among God’s people as the priests begin their work. Nadab and Abihu: Strange Fire and Irreverent Worship The golden thread glistened in the firelight, and the air was thick with incense and anticipation. Cleaned, robed, and anointed,…
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How to Be Forgiven by God: Practical Steps Toward Healing
Years ago, I realized I’d made such a mess of my life that I wasn’t sure how to be forgiven by God—or if forgiveness was possible for someone like me. I’d grown up going to church, but I’d drifted in my faith. Angry with God over some disappointments, I turned away from him. When I finally hit rock bottom, I wasn’t sure I could be forgiven. Maybe you can relate. Today, we’ll talk about how to be forgiven by God and cleansed from our sins and mistakes. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you grow closer to God. How…
