In The Word: That Which Endures
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on Psalm 19 together. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us!
“the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.”
Psalm 19:9
READ:
Because Christ bore my sins on the cross and gave ...
He Meets Me
In the drawer of my nightstand you will find a copy of The Power of a Praying Wife. I have been praying through one topic from this book before I go to sleep each night as a way to make spiritual deposits in my marriage. A few nights ago, I prayed these words over my husband: “May Your presence be like a delicacy he never ceases to crave.” For the past several days I have not been able to get that sentence out of my mind. Something about those words have been touching a very raw part of my heart.
I realized this morning that amidst the bustle of my everyday life, I ...
Blessed Are the Merciful
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
-Matthew 5:7
Isn't that a nice verse? I really like the second part. I want God to show me mercy when I mess up. However, the first part, that's not my favorite. Sometimes, I don't want to show mercy. There have been times when people have really hurt me, and extending mercy to them is the last thing I want to do. So, is it really fair for God to ask us to show mercy all the time? And what about those people who don't even acknowledge that they've wronged you? Is it really necessary to be merciful to them?
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Marli’s Story
I once heard grief explained as if it were an ocean. We walk along the shore admiring the waves and then they unexpectedly brush against our feet. Sometimes the waves stay around our ankles, sometimes they carry us out waist deep, and sometimes they overwhelm us as if we were drowning; but at the end of the day we always end up back upon the shore being carried by our heavenly Father.
I have always clung to Esther 4:14, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. ...
Joy Comes in the Morning
Often I feel as though my outside and inside are experiencing a considerable disconnect. Underneath the clean house, washed hair, completed tasks, and plastered smile is concealed irritations, guarded insecurities, hushed up disappointment, and a near constant battle to truly believe that God is enough in the midst of my suffering.
But I shrug off this glaring inconsistency in my own life because I see you there too. In fact, I think that’s where most of us are dwelling. Shoveling on smiles to cover the ache inside. Labeling ourselves as “fine” and “good” when ...
Blessed Are the Hungry
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
-Matthew 5:6
Several weeks after Chance’s funeral, a sweet friend from church stopped me when she spotted me across the church aisle. “I want you to know I have been praying for you. Specifically, I have been praying that God would reveal to you the purpose in Chance’s life.” With that one simple sentence, her prayer became my prayer too. I had never thought to pray this prayer, but in that moment, it sounded so profound. And it sure sounded like a good way to ...
Darkness Has Not Overcome the Light
“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to Him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” John 20:15-16
When Mary Magdalene first recognized the risen Christ, she spoke the word Rabboni, Teacher, a word of personal knowledge and a word of submission.
“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did ...
The Day Jesus Died
Directly in front of me were church members standing to read the account of the crucifixion that Good Friday. I was dressed in black—something to outwardly signify my setting aside time to think of the day my Jesus had died. But I didn’t want to listen as the Scripture readers gave voice to the stripes, the crown of thorns, and the cross at “The Place of a Skull.” Stuck to my chair, I diverted eye contact from the readers—looking through vision soft and wet to the wall at my right. Some weeks have passed between that day and this one—sitting down with the ...
Blessed Are the Meek
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
-Matthew 5:5
Meekness is a trait that isn’t always considered very attractive in the context of our current culture. We often think of meekness as being synonymous with feeble character, week-mindedness, or a spirit of constant compromise. If this is what Christ meant by meekness, it’s hard to imagine how such a person could be considered blessed, let alone inherit the earth.
Thankfully, God provides us with examples of meekness in Scripture that we can learn from. So, in order for us to accurately ...
In the Word: The Light of My Eyes
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on Psalm 19 together. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us!
“the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”
Psalm 19:8b
READ:
Do you feel with the psalmist: “My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my ...
