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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.…
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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…
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Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled: Reclaiming Peace
Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. John 14:27 The country road is wet with rain this morning. Puddles shaped like hearts reflect the pale blue of dawn’s new mercies, and I’m thankful God chose to water the earth while we slept. As I gaze out the window and inhale deeply, I feel the tension in my shoulders. Life has been full here lately. I often catch myself wishing away the days as I wait for the season to shift. This isn’t the way I want to live, praying…
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18 Encouraging Bible Verses for Women to Grow in Faith
As I write to you today, our daughter is nearing her sixteenth birthday. Lately, we’ve been talking about how to find God’s vision for her future and what it means to be called by God. These conversations have led me into Scripture, seeking God’s Truth about faith, strength, and calling. Today, I’m sharing a list of encouraging Bible verses for women of all ages as we aim to walk in alignment with God and grow deeper in faith. I encourage you to share these Scriptures with the women you care about and take time soaking in them for yourself. We’ll explore some of the common Scriptures addressing women, such as…
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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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25 Comforting Bible Verses About Death and Eternal Life
Years ago, I was walking through a local library with a friend when she grabbed onto my arm and blurted, “How can I know I’m going to heaven when I die?” Her uncle had just passed away, and she’d been thinking about life after death. Because we were in a library, we found a Bible on a nearby shelf, sat down, and studied it for Bible verses about death and eternal life. Maybe you have similar questions to the ones my friend was asking. Today, we’ll look at 25 Bible verses about death and eternal life as we consider what God says about the afterlife. Also, be sure to read…
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Why Did God Give the 10 Commandments?
Today, we’re going to imagine ourselves within the scene of a historic day, the day God gave the 10 Commandments to his people. We’ll also aim to answer the question, Why did God give the 10 Commandments? Let’s begin by entering into God’s Word. Why Did God Give the 10 Commandments? As dawn breathed over the land, it appeared to be an ordinary day. The mountain was quiet, the sky clear. The people stood at the foot of the great mountain. Their clothes were freshly washed. They had purified themselves in anticipation of this day for three days. Despite the preparations, when the moment arrived, they felt entirely unprepared. The…
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Prayer Points for Intimacy With God With Scriptures
The warm days of June have arrived with all their light and brilliance, and life is filled with potential, hope. No matter where this season finds you, God is pursuing you. He wants a close, loving relationship with you. Today we’ll explore ten prayer points for intimacy with God with Scriptures to guide us. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God and develop a closer relationship with him. Prayer Points for Intimacy With God With Scriptures God’s greatest desire is a relationship with each of his children. For this reason, when we pray his Word…
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Be Still and Trust: A Devotional Book for Deeper Peace in God
Most of us would gladly receive deeper peace in God as we go about our days, but it’s hard to know where to begin. I have a tool for us today: my newest book, a devotional book called Be Still and Trust: 50 Devotions for Peace, Rest, and Renewal. These devotions are designed to help readers create space for stillness and rest with God as they navigate full schedules and busy lives. The book is on sale on Amazon today. Below, you’ll find a devotion from the book. I’m also offering a free seven-day eBook devotional with the first seven devotions from the book to get your started. May we…
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Lessons From the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is central in the story of Adam and Eve. When presented with two contrasting trees, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve made a choice that would affect every human being to follow. Today, we’ll take a fresh look at this familiar story and see how it impacts our lives. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free new devotional eBook to help you apply the Old Testament to your life today! Lessons From the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil “Where do…
