Devotionals
God Is Right Beside You
“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” — Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
This summer was a whirlwind. It included my oldest niece’s graduation, my first cousin’s funeral, several business trips and lots of homework. Simultaneously, I was jumping through the never-ending hoops required to buy and move into a home.
Choosing Hope
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
Sometimes choosing hope is hard. In this short devotional, Pastor Shala shares some of her challenges with hope and how reflecting on the Word of God meets her where she’s at.
Jesus Makes Time for You
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5 (NLT)
One evening earlier this spring, around 7 p.m., I got a text from a dear friend. Though we don’t talk much, she’s still like family to me.
You Have Been Prepared
“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’” Exodus 3:11 (NLT)
I don’t like feeling unprepared. There is something in me that wants to cross all my t’s and dot all my i’s. Preparation makes me feel like there is a greater chance of success ahead of me. And I like to be successful at whatever I do.
Choosing Compassion
“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said.” Luke 7:13 (NLT)
We typically know when it’s time to go to the hospital to see a doctor. The preventative maintenance stuff, like physicals, we schedule once a year at our doctor’s office, but we go to the hospital when we know something is wrong. Maybe we’ve broken a bone, we’re bleeding profusely, there is unbearable pain, or we’ve lost feeling somewhere. We’re aware that we have a problem, so we want to see a doctor to help us get better.
No Longer Separated
“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 (NLT)
There is a feeling I am all too familiar with. I’ve felt it at a work conference and at a church gathering.
It’s the feeling of being separate. Not good enough. Not with the “in” crowd. Lacking access to critical resources or key people. Feeling like a wallflower.
Unseen. Unimportant. Unwanted.
Dear Burdened: Just Come.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Counsel Well
How do you handle unsolicited and bad advice? It can be pretty irritating and insulting. In this message, Pastor Shala dives into Job 8:1-7, where Job’s well-intentioned friend, Bildad decides it’s his turn to offer his advice.