I Still Believe

Prayer Dogs (#365 of 365+)

“Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored” (Mark 3:4-5)

Joni talked about the time when one of the staff members of a prayer center was uncomfortable with the presence of a visiting disabilities group. He didn’t agree with the fact that two blind people needed their guide dogs to remain with them, even as they sat in the prayer room. He said, “I’m concerned that having a dog in the room would grieve the Holy Spirit.” He tried, to no avail, to have those dogs removed.

In what ways do I focus on externals so much that I end up hurting a human soul in the process?

How have I been so absorbed with the letter of the law lately that I’ve neglected to love my neighbor as God intended?

“You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that’s wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?” (Matthew 23:23-24 MSG)

Father God, thank you for speaking to me in countless ways over the past 365 days through your Word and through the teachings of Joni Eareckson Tada, my sister in Christ. I pray that you’ll richly bless Joni’s ministry and her marriage... Help me to faithfully live on the outside what I’ve learned on the inside. With your Holy Spirit’s help, I know that I can do all things. In the coming year, may I love mercy, fight injustice, and bring glory to your name… even if it means I won’t have much time to blog about it. Continually draw my family closer to you and to each other every single day. Protect us all as we go about our lives, doing your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fruit Comes through Struggle (#364 of 365+)

I’m posting this on Sunday, September 26, 2010—the day after I actually had this devotional. I just didn’t have enough time to blog about it yesterday. On Friday evening my husband picked me up from work. He found me sitting in my office with the lights turned off and tears streaming down my face. I had never experienced such a painful migraine… It felt as if my entire head was being stabbed at and that my skull was about to crack open because of the brain swelling... It was really bad.

After we got home I went directly upstairs. My husband brought me water and two Advil. I swallowed all of it, lay down on the bed, cradled my head, and prayed to God to give me relief. After about an hour of cringing and crying, I felt a cold sweat come over me and I passed out. I awoke an hour or two after that, finally headache-free. Thank the Lord...

I drank plenty of water that evening and slept in late on Saturday morning. When I finally got up, showered, and read my devotional, it was almost lunchtime. I helped my teen son complete his Chemistry worksheets and then fed him lunch. I proceeded to spend the majority of the afternoon driving him around town so he could take the photos he needed for a special Geometry assignment due on Monday. By the time he finished the Geometry scrapbook, date night had arrived! My husband treated us to sushi at our favorite place and then we got ice cream and came home. My son had vacuumed, dusted, and done a couple of other chores while we were out! He went to bed and my husband and I settled in to watch the original Buffy: The Vampire Slayer movie on Netflix. With our warm doggies snuggling close, I couldn’t help falling asleep on the couch within the first fifteen minutes of the movie. Oh well, I have a feeling I didn’t miss much!

“This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8)

Joni said her friend Tim is a master of growing rare grapes. He taught her that planting grape vines in good fertilized soil is actually counter-productive because it results in less fruit and more leaves. In order to get the kind of production he wants—more sweet grapes—he puts the vine under duress. When it has to struggle for every nutrient it can find, it won’t waste all that effort on growing leaves. It will direct the flow of nutrients to grow a bounty of beautiful grapes.

I think the Lord gave me this story about Tim’s grapevines so I could better understand what happened to me on Friday. I struggled and prayed so much because of my migraine that, when I was finally free of it, I felt more energy and “life” than I’ve felt in quite a while. Joni called it a “bruising of blessing” and said “you won’t bear a crop” without “trials and struggles, disappointments and setbacks.” It was quite a lesson to learn and it will stay with me for a very long time.

This is my second-to-last devotional in a year-long series. I’ll take my time writing and editing the last one but I’ll try to post it by the end of today.

Lord, thank you for answering my prayers and leading me in the way you want me to go. Your presence is my very breath of life. Amen.

Steering Sin (#363 of 365+)

“The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4)

How great are the mind and the power of God! I don’t claim to understand

Mrs. Sherman’s Treasures (#362 of 365+)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves

Prone to Wander (#361 of 365+)

This is a beautiful verse from Come Thy Fount:

Oh, to grace how great a debtor,
daily I’m constrained to be!

A Different Kind of Leprosy (#360 of 365+)

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his

The Correct Path (#359 of 365+)

“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight” (Psalm 119:35)

The small town paramedics took the unconscious three-year-old boy and

Rescued through the Flames (#358 of 365+)

“God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation”

There’s Always a Way (#357 of 365+)

“For Christ's love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Joni said, “There is always a way—a creative, sincere way—to share the love of Christ.” The first step should be prayer, by asking the Holy Spirit to

Somebody’s Watching (#356 of 365+)

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10)

No Accident! (#355 of 365+)

Ahab was an evil king, more evil than all the previous kings had been. His wife, Jezebel, was a very bad influence on him. He learned to worship and serve Baal instead of the Lord God of Israel (1 Kings 16). When Ahab

A Little Girl’s Gift (#354 of 365+)

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great” (Proverbs 18:16)

What I learned from today’s devotional was that I shouldn’t reject someone’s

Jake's Story (#353 of 365+)

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21)

It was definitely a miracle from God.

Least in the Kingdom (#352 of 365+)

“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the

Speak Up (#351 of 365+)

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30)

Terror Tactics (#350 of 365+)

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16)

Today is September 11, Patriot Day, when we solemnly remember the

Casey Reds (#349 of 365+)

“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle” (Psalm 32:9)

Casey Reds was a beautiful quarter horse that belonged to Joni’s sister. He

Facts of Life… and of Death (#348 of 365+)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

The Lord has placed a heavy burden on my heart today. I’m thinking of a

Battle Plan (#347 of 365+)

“Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments

The Defeat of Disease and Death (#346 of 365+)

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our

My Own Baggage (#345 of 365+)

“When they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV)

Joni talked about how silly it is to envy someone else’s life only because it

Rubbish (#344 of 365+)

“If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for

John 3:16 (#343 of 365+)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NASB)

Believe It! (#342 of 365+)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

Joni talked about Chuck, a developmentally delayed young man who was

Glimpses of Glory (#341 of 365+)

“Blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen” (Psalm 72:19 NKJV)

The other day my son and I walked out of Walmart during sunset and we

A Good Kind of Anger (#340 of 365+)

“You’ve dropped me into a bottomless pit, sunk me in a pitch-black abyss. I’m battered senseless by your rage, relentlessly pounded by your waves of anger… I’m standing my ground, God, shouting for help, at my prayers every

Wake Up! (#339 of 365+)

“He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son” (Proverbs 10:5)

Yesterday I prayed that I wouldn’t become “too content or satisfied with the

Out-of-the-Box Thinking (#338 of 365+)

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT)

Joni shared an amazing story from her trip to Havana, Cuba. She found

He Carried Our Sorrows (#337 of 365+)

“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…” (Isaiah 53:4)

As I said yesterday, we can take Isaiah 53 as truth. This part of the chapter prophesies about a suffering servant of God who, to Christians, is

Living under the Curse (#336 of 365+)

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)

A Gift for a Gypsy Girl (#335 of 365+)

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3)

At a recent wheelchair distribution in Romania, Joni’s team saw officials turn

Behind the Scenes Miracles (#334 of 365+)

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29)

Jesus sightings abounded after the resurrection but Thomas rejected all the

A Lesson from Atlas (#333 of 365+)

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24)

In Greek mythology, Zeus doomed Atlas to carry the weight of heaven and

Closer to the Other Side (#332 of 365+)

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12)

Yesterday I prayed for the Lord to make me more heaven-hearted. Well, it

And Reasons Lead to… (#331 of 365+)

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Reasons! (#330 of 365+)

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be

Familiarity (#329 of 365+)

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

I’m back home in the desert now. These last few days I enjoyed clean air

Jars and Boxes (#328 of 365+)

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

I’ll be away from convenient access to the internet for a few days but I’m still going to have my daily devotional time! How about you? If you want to view Joni’s devotional reading for today, why not purchase a copy of her award-winning book “Pearls of Great Price”? Trust me, it’s worth it!

Want to start your day with some great “positive and encouraging” Christian music? Listen to K-LOVE.

Friendship Has a Purpose (#327 of 365+)

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24)

I’ll be away from convenient access to the internet for a few days but I’m still going to have my daily devotional time! How about you? If you want to view Joni’s devotional reading for today, why not purchase a copy of her award-winning book “Pearls of Great Price”? Trust me, it’s worth it!

Want to start your day with some great “positive and encouraging” Christian music? Listen to K-LOVE.

The Thief (#326 of 365+)

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free” (Ephesians 6:7-8)

I’ll be away from convenient access to the internet for a few days but I’m still going to have my daily devotional time! How about you? If you want to view Joni’s devotional reading for today, why not purchase a copy of her award-winning book “Pearls of Great Price”? Trust me, it’s worth it!

Want to start your day with some great “positive and encouraging” Christian music? Listen to K-LOVE.

Rescue the Perishing (#325 of 365+)

“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 1:22-23)

I’ll be away from convenient access to the internet for a few days but I’m still going to have my daily devotional time! How about you? If you want to view Joni’s devotional reading for today, why not purchase a copy of her award-winning book “Pearls of Great Price”? Trust me, it’s worth it!

Want to start your day with some great “positive and encouraging” Christian music? Listen to K-LOVE.

The Good Answer (#324 of 365+)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Ripe for Glory (#323 of 365+)

“Our time on earth is brief; the number of our days is already decided by you” (Job 14:5 CEV)

Joni said if I’m still “moving and breathing” then the Lord must have a reason

The Question of Good (#322 of 365+)

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6)

Forgiving God? (#321 of 365+)

“While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck

Majoring in the Minors (#320 of 365+)

“Well done, my good servant! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities” (Luke 19:17)

Joni compared living the Christian life to being a rookie in the minor leagues.

God’s Spy Within (#319 of 365+)

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk” (1 Timothy 1:5-6)

Not in Vain (#318 of 365+)

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I

Let the Truth Be Told (#317 of 365+)

“Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene”

He Leadeth Me (#316 of 365+)

“Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make straight your way before me” (Psalm 5:8)

The phrase “though Satan should buffet” just came to my mind. It’s from the

The Patience of God (#315 of 365+)

“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth

The Dam (#314 of 365+)

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5)

It Came to Pass (#313 of 365+)

“But it came to pass within a while after…” (Judges 15:1 KJV)

Joni once asked a Christian woman in Ghana what her favorite Bible verse was. She was surprised when the African sister answered that she loved

Blessed Blows (#312 of 365+)

“Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being” (Proverbs 20:30)

Joni shared some nuggets of wisdom from her experiences with pain and

We Were Made for This (#311 of 365+)

“I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,

One of a Kind (#310 of 365+)

“Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11 NASB)


Lord, you are holy, holy, holy. I agree with what Joni taught today: You are infinitely valuable to me and infinitely beyond my understanding. Thank you for making a way for me to forever be a part of your wondrous plan. I worship you today. Amen.

Peculiar People (#309 of 365+)

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us… and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good

Bold Words (#308 of 365+)

“Now, Lord… enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29)

A group of believers in the first church prayed these words with Peter and

A Long Time (#307 of 365+)

“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great

Escape (#306 of 365+)

“Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death” (Psalm 68:20)

Joni says tomorrow is the anniversary of her diving accident—the day she

Praise Him with Every Part (#305 of 365+)

It doesn’t happen as often as it did before I started doing these daily devotionals, but on some days when I get home I must look like I’ve been through the ringer. My head hangs low, my shoulders slump forward, and I

Ryan Leads the Way (#304 of 365+)

“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” (Philippians 4:1)

Joni and the apostle Paul agree: People are our “joy and crown.” Pouring out

Beach Towels and Hymns (#303 of 365+)

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11)

That Other Place (#302 of 365+)

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28)

Women of Influence (#301 of 365+)

“The people who know their God will display strength and take action” (Daniel 11:32 NASB)

I like the New King James Version of the same verse: “The people who know

I’m Full (#300 of 365+)

This is my 300th daily devotional since I made the commitment last September to do this. Joni Eareckson Tada’s book, “Pearls of Great Price,” has been a tremendous resource to me over the past ten months. It kept me

Horsey Obedience (#299 of 365+)

“Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He

He Hideth My Soul (#298 of 365+)

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD… and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his

Sharing the Manna (#297 of 365+)

“Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8)

Jesus Christ said those words when he sent his disciples on a trial run to basically do everything he had been doing—to preach the kingdom, to heal

A Word from Joni’s Sister… (#296 of 365+)

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11)

The Legacy of Mary Rose (#295 of 365+)

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things… Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)

Being a quadriplegic, it’s miraculous that Joni has been able to write so

Harbor Lights… Lower Lights (#294 of 365+)

“‘Should you not fear me?’ declares the LORD. ‘Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar,

No Tear Wasted (#293 of 365+)

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven… a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

The Wall Won’t Hurt You (#292 of 365+)

“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall” (Psalm 18:29)

Joni described how Corie, a girl with Down Syndrome, is one fearless rock

God Is Worth It (#291 of 365+)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24)

The Lord Your Helper (#290 of 365+)

“Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her” (Luke 4:38)

The Graft (#289 of 365+)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)

Joni spoke of her first-hand experience as a child, watching her uncle work in

For the Sake of Christ (#288 of 365+)

There was an unfortunate time in Church history when the layperson was oppressed by members of the clergy. The fear of being ostracized from the Church or being in danger of Hell fire kept the illiterate and misinformed in

A Real Friendship (#287 of 365+)

“I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15)

Back in the time of the disciples, people who were in the religious inner

Windows of the Soul (#286 of 365+)

Immediately after he described how the Queen of the South in Solomon’s day and the men of Nineveh in Jonah’s day had internalized the teaching and preaching of God’s wisdom—and repented (v. 29 – 32)—Jesus said:

The Sufferings of Jesus (#285 of 365+)

“In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:12)

God Weeping (#284 of 365+)

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

The Bible says we have a high priest who feels empathy (Hebrews 4:15) and cries real tears. My Lord isn’t oblivious—he is intimately acquainted with

Two Lenses (#283 of 365+)

“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Lamentations 3:32-33)

A Reminder over the Rockies (#282 of 365+)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Is It Coincidence… or God? (#281 of 365+)

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise

A Word from Ken (#280 of 365+)

“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3)

On the occasion of their wedding anniversary Joni’s husband, Ken, wrote the devotional. He said, “One would think a feeling of togetherness would occur

Growing the Glory (#279 of 365+)

“‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must

Dad Huffman (#278 of 365+)

“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death” (Psalm 141:8)

Joni’s secretary did a very thoughtful thing for her father. When “Dad

This One Thing (#277 of 365+)

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in

Oh, for Leaders! (#276 of 365+)

“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised;

Dancin’ Shoes (#275 of 365+)

“We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:4-5)

He Is Able (#274 of 365+)

Crowds of people swarmed around Jesus because he had the reputation of being Mr. Fix-it. He could heal diseases the best doctors couldn’t cure. He cast out demons that powerful religious leaders didn’t have authority over. He

The Power of Example (#273 of 365+)

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17)

The apostle Paul wasn’t being arrogant when he instructed the Philippi

Eternal Life (#272 of 365+)

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

It Is Written (#271 of 365+)

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water… And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Being One in Christ (#270 of 365+)

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Last night after I’d had some time to relax from a day of stress I

Mustard Seeds (#269 of 365+)

“The kingdom of God… is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big

Judging Scripture (#268 of 365+)

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of

The Cross-Centered Life (#267 of 365+)

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died,

Courageous Grace (#266 of 365+)

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a

A Marriage Mission (#265 of 365+)

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves

Hedges and Walls (#264 of 365+)

Imagine how down in the dumps someone has to be to write the following words:

“Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has

The Blood of the New Covenant (#263 of 365+)

“‘The time is coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I

A Covenant with Man (#262 of 365+)

“So the LORD said to him, ‘Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.’ Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the

“For My Daddy Showed Me So…” (#261 of 365+)

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16)

Brad, a little boy with a severe handicap “wrote” the following

To This You Were Called (#260 of 365+)

Whenever I’ve heard a person say he or she was “called” by God, it was usually to do something positive and significant—like being a Christian counselor, a missionary to a remote people group, a

A Way to Wholeness (#259 of 365+)

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

If we look back to the time before sin entered into the world, it’s

Much Fruit (#258 of 365+)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit… This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”

From Bud to Blossom (#257 of 365+)

Yesterday I studied about Jesus Christ, the Rose of Sharon, in full bloom. Today’s devotional focuses on the fact that I’m just a little rose bud but I’m growing up due to God’s own brand of Miracle

The Rose of Sharon (#256 of 365+)

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys” (Song of Songs 2:1)

Joni said it best but I’m going to shorten the paragraphs into a couple of sentences: “Nothing is more beautiful than the gradual

Magnify the Lord with Me (#255 of 365+)

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3 NKJV)

Thousands of fans packed into the Staples Center in Los Angeles

The Visitor (#254 of 365+)

“Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city” (Psalm 31:21)

Joni felt really down when she was confined to bed because of the

Days Like Grass… (#253 of 365+)

“The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever” (Psalm 37:18)

It has now been six years since the death of President Ronald

Stay on Course (#252 of 365+)

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21)

The Hedge (#251 of 365+)

A common thread that weaves through the entire Bible is God’s faithfulness and holiness in spite of man’s sinfulness. Every person God used to carry out tasks for his kingdom purposes was

Always Grateful (#250 of 365+)

Today’s devotional was like a huge buffet that I couldn’t consume in one sitting. Allow me to illustrate with the story Joni referred to about Jesus healing ten lepers.

Riches in Secret Places (#249 of 365+)

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3)

Let Me Not Shrink (#248 of 365+)

O Prince of Glory, who dost bring Thy sons to glory through Thy Cross, Let me not shrink from suffering, reproach, or loss. ~Amy Carmichael

Flight Rules (#247 of 365+)

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

The Name of the Lord (#246 of 365+)

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10)

I found the following list of over one hundred names and titles of

Wise Singing (#245 of 365+)

“I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind”
(1 Corinthians 14:15-16)

The Big Story (#244 of 365+)

Yesterday I read an Associated Press article about Matt Green, a civil engineer from New York who is walking across the United States from Rockaway Beach, NY, to Rockaway Beach, OR. This

A Spirit of Humility (#243 of 365+)

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (James 4:10 NLT)

Jesus Christ paid the price for my redemption that I could never

Higher Ground (#242 of 365+)

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13)

One More Stepping-Stone (#241 of 365+)

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25)

Chris’s Poem (#240 of 365+)

Chris, Joni’s young friend, has bravely battled cerebral palsy all his life. Now he’s facing another challenge—the college experience—which influences an overwhelming majority of

Hints of Heaven (#239 of 365+)

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11)

Give Careful Thought (#238 of 365+)

Cyrus the Great, a Persian emperor, conquered Babylon and released the Jews from captivity. When they returned home to Judea they immediately set about the work of rebuilding their

Sequoias (#237 of 365+)

“Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38)

Today Joni talked about the towering trees of Sequoia National Park and how surprisingly small their roots are for their

Reckless Words (#236 of 365+)

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18)

I don’t think I’m very different from most people when I say this:

Anger’s Focus (#235 of 365+)

I had my devotional time this morning but I didn’t have a chance to write/edit/post until this evening after I got off work. Today has been a very long and exhausting day for me. My schedule was

Making God Glad (#234 of 365+)

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the

Speech Writing (#233 of 365+)

The President of the United States is in a position of immense power and influence. The President’s speechwriter, members of the President’s staff—even the President himself—will

It Hurts So Good! (#232 of 365+)

Joni said in recent years she has been experiencing more and more pain due to her quadriplegia. To help with pain management, her physical therapist began pressing a rubber-

Washing Wheels (#231 of 365+)

Joni and Ken had invited two other couples over for a special backyard dinner by candlelight. Sometime during the evening, her wheelchair’s wheels became caked with mud after she rolled

Jerry’s Place (#230 of 365+)

Joni said that Jerry, her secretary’s husband, passed away the same year she wrote this devotional book. Francie, like any other widow, wants to keep the memory of him alive. But the sad truth

Open My Eyes (#229 of 365+)

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Heaven’s Incentives (#228 of 365+)

It isn’t that I expect payment or recognition for every little thing I do, but sometimes I feel underappreciated. It sure would be nice to hear a “thank you” or a “well done” more often than I do.

Jesus Came for This Reason (#227 of 365+)

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they

An Ever-Present Help (#226 of 365+)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)

When Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, the thick temple

Shine Like Stars (#225 of 365+)

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in

Rejoice Always! (#224 of 365+)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

As Paul was once again locked behind bars for preaching the

Perplexities (#223 of 365+)

Yesterday there was a troubling news story about the arrest of a former NFL linebacker for raping an underage girl. Apparently she was a runaway—deceived by a friend who turned into

Mother’s Day (#222 of 365+)

The other day I met an older woman with a glowing countenance who was pushing a baby in a stroller. It was hard to tell her age since the usual creases were absent from her face and she had

What God Wants (#221 of 365+)

True to form, God suddenly showed up yesterday and caught me off guard. I kind of expected him to do something because the devotional was about looking for the Lord to show himself in

The Owls (#220 of 365+)

“Give me a sign of your goodness… for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (Psalm 86:17)

Joni said at the end of one particular day she felt “empty, dry, and

First Response (#219 of 365+)

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the church:

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Putting Pleasure on Hold (#218 of 365+)

“I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God” (Psalm 38:15)

In today’s devotional Joni compared not waiting on the Lord to

The Beauty of Holiness (#217 of 365+)

“Your eyes will see the king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17)

Try describing beauty to someone who is blind. It would be very difficult. One has to see and experience it first-hand to fully

An Answer for Loneliness (#216 of 365+)

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16)

Have you ever felt like you were all alone in your suffering? That

Rich in Faith (#215 of 365+)

“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)

Can You Stand the Test? (#214 of 365+)

“We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4)

Seasoned Conversation (#213 of 365+)

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer

Cowboys in Wheelchairs (#212 of 365+)

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)

Joni told a story about a couple of boys after they spent a week

He Is Your Shield (#211 of 365+)

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you… Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the

God Sees… God Knows (#210 of 365+)

“Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:14)

What’s wrong with cursing a deaf person? If I call someone a bad

Where Jesus Is (#209 of 365+)

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 11:17 NKJV)

He was…

Devotion Distractions (#208 of 365+)

“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7)

Take Heed (#207 of 365+)

“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Abraham, David, Elijah, Lot, Noah… people who were recognized

The Real Me (#206 of 365+)

When it comes to self-examination I think we’re all a little biased. I don’t have the same perspective of myself as others have of me. I don’t know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of the looks I

Peace Be with You (#205 of 365+)

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After

Peter Alone (#204 of 365+)

“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the

More Bible Lessons (#203 of 365+)

Yesterday Joni taught that mediating on God’s word and allowing time for self-reflection (getting quiet so I can hear from the Holy Spirit) are the best ways to gain a “godly perspective” when I’m

Bible Lessons (#202 of 365+)

In the 1984 movie The Karate Kid, young Daniel LaRusso wants to gain power and strength over his bullies. He asks Mr. Miyagi to teach him karate and the old man agrees to do so. Daniel soon

Taste and See (#201 of 365+)

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8)

My husband and I have been eating more salads and sandwiches

Assurance (#200 of 365+)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,

Contemplations of the King (#199 of 365+)

“We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it” (2 Corinthians 5:9)

There are days so difficult and painful that Joni longs for heaven.

Taking Care of Mom (#198 of 365+)

“What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own

Touches of Home (#197 of 365+)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1)

A favorite memory from my childhood is a summer road trip

Walking through Walls (#196 of 365+)

“Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:26)

I think it was four days after the crucifixion. The disciples had

The Night He Was Betrayed (#195 of 365+)

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7)

After the Passover meal Judas left to take care of business. Jesus

Don’t Watch the Wall (#194 of 365+)

“‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

No Hypocrites! (#193 of 365+)

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” (Matthew 7:5)

He Speaks to Me Everywhere (#192 of 365+)

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)

One day as Joni was grocery shopping with a friend she spotted an

The Kiss of Peace (#191 of 365+)

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 KJV)

A Willing Captive (#190 of 365+)

“Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’” (John 18:11)

Here in this chapter we can see a glimpse of the majestic character

We Always Carry… (#189 of 365+)

I have to admit that sometimes, from the viewpoint of the world, we Christians look like we're carrying around a corpse. We don't appear to be having fun or enjoying life at all. We must be

What the Son Endured (#188 of 365+)

This morning my teen son woke me with a cheerful “Mom, are you awake yet?”

He knew I had to get up. The company I work for is closed only on

The Passion of the Christ (#187 of 365+)

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17)

It’s amazing that the One who holds molecules together and

Inadequacies (#186 of 365+)

I really needed this message today. Just last night I discovered a wonderful job opportunity with a non-profit organization. My husband told me they would love to hire someone with my

Gray-Haired Splendor (#185 of 365+)

“Gray hair [is] the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29)

Joni’s ninety-year-young “bright, sprightly, and dapper” Englishman friend, Ernest Barkaway, wrote the following poem

Spit (#184 of 365+)

“Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him” (Mark 14:65)

God Suffered First (#183 of 365+)

The other day I heard a Christian radio program about one of the latest troubling teen trends on the rise: Cutting. Statistics indicate self-injury among teen boys and girls is now more common than

The Greatest Spectacle (#182 of 365+)

The death penalty is controversial because it’s the taking of a human life. In the U.S. we like to protect one’s human rights so, before an execution ever takes place, we’ll first make sure all

What’s Good in Good Friday? (#181 of 365+)

One of the first important things my husband told me about himself when we were getting to know each other was how he hates to see the symbol of the cross being used as a fashion

God and the Gravy Boat (#180 of 365+)

“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to

No Wrestling Match (#179 of 365+)

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44)

That last night in Gethsemane before his arrest Jesus Christ

Nothing Hidden (#178 of 365+)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13)

Passover Lamb (#177 of 365+)

“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household… The animals you choose must be year-old males

Who Killed Jesus? (#176 of 365+)

“All the people answered, ‘Let his blood be on us and on our children!’” (Matthew 27:25)

The crowd cried out for the release of a known criminal and for

Unravel the Thread (#175 of 365+)

Joni talked about a lady who was crocheting an intricate table runner when she discovered she had made a mistake somewhere way back in the pattern. Instead of ignoring something most

Sin’s Deceit (#174 of 365+)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24)

God Bless You (#173 of 365+)

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1:1)

Good Enough? (#172 of 365+)

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good,

One Thing at a Time (#171 of 365+)

I have too many things on my mind this morning! We’re short-handed at the office, my workload has increased, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. The

Praying the Word (#170 of 365+)

When the occasion calls for presenting thoughts in the best possible packaging, you might search for hours or days for the right words. You’ll start borrowing ideas from a mentor, quoting

Godly Questions (#169 of 365+)

“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger

He Works in Mysterious Ways (#168 of 365+)

“His father and mother replied, ‘Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?’ But Samson said to his

Hard Hearts (#167 of 365+)

I wonder if it’s possible that someone hasn’t heard the Exodus story by now. Any person who wasn’t raised in or around the Judeo-Christian tradition surely has seen the Oscar-winning 1956

A Seventeenth-Century Prayer (#166 of 365+)

“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions. Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a

A Religion for Losers (#165 of 365+)

Years ago media mogul Ted Turner called Christianity a “religion for losers”… and boy, was he right!

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father

A Hard Path to Joy (#164 of 365+)

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus, Our Life and Breath (#163 of 365+)

“He is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:27-28)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I

Suffering’s Response (#162 of 365+)

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the

The Truth about Suffering (#161 of 365+)

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29)

Modern day Christians in America may not yet be able to relate to

Answering Isaiah (#160 of 365+)

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:… Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him…?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Objects of His Wrath (#159 of 365+)

“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But

Once Enemies (#158 of 365+)

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” (John 3:36)

At Jesus’ Feet (#157 of 365+)

“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears” (Luke 7:38)

As terrible as it was, slavery produced the perfect conditions for a

Mangled Earrings (#156 of 365+)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Joni once accidentally ran over one of her favorite earrings with

Discipline or Punishment? (#155 of 365+)

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent” (Revelation 3:19)

Yesterday my husband showed me a YouTube video of a mother

Singing in His Shadow (#154 of 365+)

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:7)

Today’s devotional speaks again about how I can find shelter

Chicken Shelter (#153 of 365+)

My father, a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army, married my Korean mother in 1970. After I was born in the States we moved back to South Korea and lived away from the base in a rented house during my 2nd and

O Love That Won’t Let Go (#152 of 365+)

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’…” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Pleasures in Paradise (#151 of 365+)

God made the Garden of Eden a paradise. He provided Adam and Eve with every possible pleasure. They enjoyed perfect fellowship with him and with each other. He gave them a purpose by making

Golden Intervals (#150 of 365+)

When I was a teen, I had a vivid dream about being a fugitive. The United States was under the control of a powerful antichrist and my life was in grave danger because I was a believer. I tried to

Music in the Dark (#149 of 365+)

“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me” (Psalm 42:8)

Joni told a great story from a pastor’s conference she once

Bending Over Backward (#148 of 365+)

“They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’…

He Loves Me (#147 of 365+)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20)

Your Measure of Faith (#146 of 365+)

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter” (Proverbs 25:2)

Three of my favorite prayers are:
Lord, please tell me what you’re doing…

Insults (#145 of 365+)

“That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults… For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

That was Paul’s very next statement after explaining why God

Hardships That Hang On (#144 of 365+)

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

Through and Through (#143 of 365+)

“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2 KJV)

As Joni pointed out, the spelling of the word “throughly” isn’t a

David Wept, but Jesus More (#142 of 365+)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3)

From his psalm-writing and the many stories about David we know that he was not one to hide his emotions. He was willing to

Get Tough on Technology (#141 of 365+)

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5)

God Is Love (#140 of 365+)

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us” (1 John 4:16)

The words rely on in that verse indicates that it isn’t enough to

A Soft Heart (#139 of 365+)

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13)

Divine Stonework (#138 of 365+)

I looked up the topic persecution of Christians at wikipedia.com, the well-known free online global collaborative encyclopedia. The opening paragraph says: “Persecution of Christians is the religious

Do What Love Says (#137 of 365+)

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there are reminders of love everywhere I look. That is, the world’s idea of love which is based on emotions. In other words, when I “feel”

Treasures in the Darkness (#136 of 365+)

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him” (Daniel 2:22)

My husband and I recently enjoyed watching another post-

Be Engaged! (#135 of 365+)

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it

God’s Gladness (#134 of 365+)

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11)

Jesus told his disciples he wanted them to experience his kind of

Believe the Lord (#133 of 365+)

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6)

When someone asks Ravi Zacharias, “If there is a God, why does

A Comforting Verse (#132 of 365+)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the

Scattered Saints (#131 of 365+)

“Peter… writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten” (1 Peter 1:1 MSG)

Peter opened his first letter with a greeting addressed to believers

Righteousness (#130 of 365+)

Righteous. There’s a stigma associated with that word. No one wants to be labeled as righteous anymore. There are at least two possible explanations for that.

Stand Firm, Ladies (#129 of 365+)

“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree

When Life’s Not Fair (#128 of 365+)

Joni spoke briefly of one woman’s tragedy. Stories like that can make someone ask, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” But the question has a faulty premise. Although my

Overwhelmed (#127 of 365+)

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a

Exposing Hidden Idols (#126 of 365+)

The Israelites escaped generations of bondage in a land that worshipped hundreds of gods. They had witnessed so many miracles and plagues one would think they could never forget

Send Them Away? (#125 of 365+)

My son’s diabetes requires four insulin injections and two snacks every day for his blood glucose to stay within a reasonable range. A strict diet and eating schedule are key to controlling diabetes,

Inspiring Examples (#124 of 365+)

“For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone” (Romans 14:7)

I probably mentioned this before in another post, but I’ll say it

Wonder (#123 of 365+)

Throughout the centuries, numerous lists have been compiled of what people consider to be the great “Wonders of the World”. Here are some of my favorites:

Valley of Vision (#122 of 365+)

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with

Choices (#121 of 365+)

Soon after Joni was released from the hospital she did not want anyone else to feed her anymore. So they inserted a bent spoon in her arm splint—because she didn’t have the use of her hands—and

Questionable Motives (#120 of 365+)

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's

Religious Spirits (#119 of 365+)

“In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know

Divine Singing (#118 of 365+)

“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30)

The Jewish people sang in synagogues and on holy feast days.

Don’t Let Me Doe (#117 of 365+)

Joni talked about cute little three-year-old Abbey, a girl with the fear of water. Even if she has her water wings on, and her mother is holding and assuring her, she’ll still grasp onto her mother as if

Thought Patrol (#116 of 365+)

The apostle Paul called the devil “the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2). Using modern terms, Joni called him “a regular soul-hacker” who is always gaining

The Littlest Things (#115 of 365+)

“That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him” (Esther 6:1)

For the Love of Football (#114 of 365+)

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22)

Growing Churches God’s Way (#113 of 365+)

“God has… given greater honor to the parts [of the body] that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26)

God’s Longings (#112 of 365+)

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion” (Isaiah 30:18)

The word “long” means to have an earnest or strong desire. Joni

A Borrowed Smile (#111 of 365+)

“For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy” (Psalm 63:7 NASB)

Joni and Friends television series offers honest answers to

The Bible Trunk (#110 of 365+)

When one reads our nation’s foundational documents including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, it’s obvious our founders lived by biblical principles. I would go a

Silence (#109 of 365+)

I’m surrounded by noise pollution. All throughout the city there’s the sound of traffic, car alarms, sirens, airplanes, trains, power tools, lawnmowers, and barking dogs. Anywhere from the mall to

White-Water Rafting (#108 of 365+)

I was so excited to read how Joni’s cousin Eddie took her canoeing soon after she became a quadriplegic. He sat her in a make-shift seat at the front of the canoe. When they hit white

Jon Campbell… Servant (#107 of 365+)

“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2)

Joni shared a memory of her good friend Jon Campbell, who

Christian Exiles (#106 of 365+)

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to… live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify

The Prodigal’s Brother (#105 of 365+)

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours’” (Luke 15:31)

The prodigal son is the more famous of the two sons in the

Advancing the Gospel (#104 of 365+)

The Holy Spirit urged me to pray at an unusual hour yesterday and when I did I was surprised at how fervent my prayers were. You see, I pray almost daily for spiritual transformation within

A Right Resolution (#103 of 365+)

The first week of New Year’s resolutions has passed. Although I don’t usually make them, I did resolve to do more walking this year. And I’m not talking leisurely walks for the fun of it. I work

God Means It (#102 of 365+)

As a child I was bullied, teased, and felt the pain of rejection. Usually it would happen when I started going to a new school and didn’t have any friends yet. Sometimes it was because I had short

Heart Exam (#101 of 365+)

“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (Jeremiah

Be a Blessing (#100 of 365+)

“I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore… Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you

The Bread of Tears (#99 of 365+)

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NASB)

What’s Up Ahead (#98 of 365+)

A couple months ago God spoke to me through the apostle Paul’s clear instructions to young Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for

An Eternity of Discovery (#97 of 365+)

It’s anno domini (A.D.) or “in the year of our Lord” 2010! Who could have ever imagined before or during the life of Christ that one day scholars would implement a B.C./A.D. dating system