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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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7 Lessons From the Life of Sarah in the Bible
We’ve been studying the Old Testament on Fridays for several weeks. Last week, we reflected on the story of Abram and Lot. Today, we’ll take some time to consider some applicable lessons from the life of Sarah in the Bible. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you apply the Old Testament to your life. Lessons From the Life of Sarah in the Bible Sarah is known as the wife of Abraham, and these two were originally known as Sarai and Abram before God made a covenant with them and changed their names. In Genesis 15:5, God made a covenant…
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Walk by Faith, Not by Sight: Trusting God in the Unknown
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV Walk by Faith, Not by Sight We recently celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them the nail marks in his hands and the wound in his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they realized Jesus had come back to life. Meanwhile, one disciple, Thomas, was not present with his friends when Jesus revealed his resurrected body. Thomas told the other disciples that he would not believe that Jesus had been resurrected unless he touched the nail marks in his hands and put his hand into Jesus’ side. After revealing…
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7 Life-Changing Lessons From Noah’s Ark
Today, we’ll revisit the familiar story of Noah’s Ark and see how this biblical narrative applies to our lives. Let’s begin by placing ourselves within the context of these events as we glean practical lessons from the story. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God as you spend time in his Word. Lessons From Noah’s Ark The week had been unusually busy. First, the baby came down with a fever. Then, the illness spread to the older children. A weary haze settled over her as she cares for them throughout the days and nights. Meanwhile,…
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17 Bible Verses About God’s Plan: Hope for Unexpected Seasons
Blue jays shatter the silence of morning with an almost offensive cacophony. I watch them from the window as I prepare to embrace the day ahead. The past month has brought some unexpected challenges, and I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about God’s plan. When nothing goes as expected, it can be helpful to anchor ourselves to the promises of God. We need to remind ourselves that when the bottom falls out, he is still good. Even when our circumstances feel anything but kind, our world is held together by a good Father who can only be love. Be sure to read to the end of today’s…
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Blaming God for Suffering: How to Release Offense
A curtain of stratus clouds shrouds the sun, and morning finds us with hoary light. As I gaze out the window, I remember a similar morning years ago. It was the morning I decided I was never again blaming God for allowing suffering or difficulty in my life. I told him that I would never again take offense, blame him, or hold it against him when trouble came into my life. Blaming God for Hard Times I made the commitment at the end of a long season in which everything seemed to be going wrong. Within the span of three months, both our young pet beagles died suddenly; our financial…
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Psalm 91 Prayer Points: Prayers for Your Family and Friends
In the gentle hours of moonlight and silence, I lift my eyes to a starlit sky. My heart is heavy, and I read Psalm 91 as I pray for protection over our family. Today, I’ll share the Psalm 91 prayer points I prayed in the hours of darkness. May these prayers bless you as you draw near to God in prayer as well. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God in prayer. Let’s dive into these Psalm 91 prayer points. Psalm 91 Prayer Points Jewish tradition attributes Psalm 91 to Moses, noting similarities between…
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Doubting God: 5 Ways to Work Through Your Doubts
Doubting God is part of living apart from him on a fallen earth. It’s not wrong to have doubts about our faith, but the way we react to our doubts is important. Today, we’ll discuss five ways to find truth when we doubt God. Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God in fresh and renewing ways. Doubting God: 5 Ways to Respond “Mom, I’ve been having trouble believing God,” our six-year-old son recently admitted to me as we lay on his bed one evening. He wants to be a pastor when he grows up, and…
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10 Bible Verses for Sleepless Nights
The morning shadows dance with the expectancy of a new day, untouched and full of potential, as a rising sun ascends over the pines. I watch from the window through blurry eyes. Our days have been full, and I’ve been sleeping poorly. Opening my Bible, I decide to make a list of Bible verses for sleepless nights. Bible Verses for Sleepless Nights If sleep is hard to find again tonight, I’ll return to this list and soak in God’s Truth. Sleeplessness can be deeply frustrating. The next time your mind refuses to quiet in the night, turn to these Scriptures to help you find peace. Be sure to read to…
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Christmas Sadness: 5 Insights for Hope and Comfort
Snow falls heavily, and I’m alone with only my thoughts and the whisper of flakes falling in the forest. As I sit beneath the hemlocks, I’m reminded of a season years ago when Christmas sadness threatened to consume me. Everyone in the world seemed to be celebrating while I felt dismal and alone. It can be challenging to know where to turn when Christmas is hard instead of celebratory. Navigating Christmas Sadness Our difficult Christmas came after a year filled with illness, disappointment, and deep grief. We’d just watched a lifelong dream fall apart, and we weren’t sure where to turn next. We were grieving, and we were having a…
