Posts with the category “devotional”

It is remarkable to note that the ten Booms moved approximately 800 Jews to safety through the underground network. More impressive still is the worldwide ministry Corrie launched in the months and years after her imprisonment. Had the ten Boom family remained in the safety of Haarlem, so many would have perished without the message of salvation. Instead Corrie went on to visit some 60 countries a...  Read More

Several Jews sought refuge at the ten Boom home, but there was limited space and even less resources. With a strong determination, Corrie became involved with in an underground movement that hid and transported Jews to safety.To transform their home, a “Mr. Smit” came to the door of the Beje to assess the walls in Corrie’s bedroom. He took measurements and determined where he could build a wall ov...  Read More

There were two releases in 1944. On December 16th Betsie died in prison and went home to heaven. On December 31st Corrie was released from Ravensbruck through a clerical error. Truly there are no missteps for the Christian since God orders our steps.Before Betsie passed away, she shared visions God gave her of two buildings used to rehabilitate the prisoners of war. One was a beautiful mansion on ...  Read More

 RavensbruckA knock came. There stood a man begging money for his Jewish wife’s release. His claim - an officer would take bribe money for her release. Corrie hesitated. When the man persisted she told him to come back the next day. But when he returned, he brought the Gestapo with him. He was a plant. Casper, Corrie, and Betsie were arrested and thrown into prison. They faced solitary confinement...  Read More

It came clear that the goal of Nazism was to exterminate the Jews. The minor assaults gave way to devastating violence. The National Socialist Bond (NSB) had a dangerous agenda – control the population.Ration cards for food were distributed. Radios were confiscated from all households to stop the communication flow. Newspapers reported only German statistics such as obituaries of military leaders ...  Read More

The violence toward the Jewish citizens escalated. Suddenly Jewish families began disappearing - their businesses shut down. One day on Casper and Corrie’s daily walk, they witnessed a truck loading Jewish men, women, and children into the back. Corrie’s anger was kindled. She could not comprehend the violence toward the Jews. Soon the war raged over the Holland skies. Thunderous bombs shook the B...  Read More

Theirs was a simple lifestyle in the quiet village of Haarlem. Corrie lived in a modest home with her father Casper and sister Betsie. The family-run watch shop had seen its 100th year anniversary when dark clouds invaded the Holland skies. Reports of Germany, France, and England at war flooded the family radio more and more.Dutch soldiers dotted the Haarlem streets. Though the Prime Minister repo...  Read More

Today’s scripture came after Peter’s first Spirit-filled sermon. As a result three thousand travelers were saved on that very day. And the church of Jesus Christ was launched with power. The early church in the book of Acts is the most organic framework for the church, for it fully captures Jesus’ intent for the life of believers. Jesus’ brothers, James and Jude, went on to write books that were p...  Read More

Three days and the grave gave up Jesus’ body. The beginning of Acts recounts the ascension of Jesus to heaven. How devastating the cross but how healing His final days on earth must have been! As in all things, God had a greater plan for His followers than they could have imagined. No one wanted Jesus to leave, but Jesus explained that He needed to ascend to heaven so a helper could come forth. Th...  Read More

Jesus had performed three years of sacrificial ministry when time reached its fullness. The Pharisees and Sadducees hatched a corrupt plan to arrest Him. Ironic how an insider, Judas, was the crack the religious leaders used to gain access to Jesus. They used the cover of night to satisfy their corruption. Evil finds its greatest pleasure in darkness.  Crucifixion was the path the evil religious l...  Read More

The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the story of Jesus earthly life. The numerous miracles He performed, His incredible teachings, His exhaustive evangelist crusades, and His untimely death are thoroughly documented. Though Jesus’ teachings were unacceptable to the religious leaders, the people were being set free. Uncountable healings flooded the surrounding villages and towns. J...  Read More

A census was called by Caesar, and every man was to return to the city in which he was born. Joseph was tasked to bring his pregnant wife on a ninety mile journey to Bethlehem. Nothing in this event was convenient. Imagine a woman in the final stages of her pregnancy riding a donkey across dusty roads for ninety long miles. When they arrived she went into labor. But there were no vacancies at the ...  Read More

A pregnant virgin – what kind of ridiculousness is that? But as far fetched as that sounded, Mary was a virtuous woman. Of that Joseph was sure. So what should he do? He clearly didn’t believe Mary, but being a just man, he extended mercy and determined to put her away quietly instead of openly chastising her. But one night Joseph’s plan was intercepted. An angel visited him in a dream and confirm...  Read More

You decided to fast- or are just looking to learn more about it. What is it? Why do we do it? How do we even start? That's what we will discuss in this article.  Read More

Glorious angel with a grand announcement. No doubt Gabriel’s appearance jarred her. But it was his words that left her speechless. Highly favored…the Lord is with you…blessed among women…these were salutations of great honor! It is little wonder that Mary was bewildered and even troubled by the encounter. Her eyes had never beheld an angel. And his message was overwhelming!Once Gabriel settled Mar...  Read More

In today’s reading, Moses was on a mountain with God ~ Wow! The man who spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai with God was the same shepherd who argued with a burning bush in the desert. In Exodus 6:2-3, God explained to Moses how Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew Him only as God, but Moses would experience Him as Lord, a reference to vibrant intimacy. Incredible! And Moses surely did experience...  Read More

A miracle of inexpressible proportion! Nothing logical could have explained the event Moses and the Israelites experienced! It was undeniably spectacular! Can you imagine the astonished relief of God’s people?Moses opened his mouth, and glorious praises spilled forth. His heart overflowed with unstoppable waves of gratitude. The once doubt-filled man watched as the Red Sea heard the command of the...  Read More

The final plague over Egypt was the death of the firstborn children. Pharaoh furiously ordered Moses to gather the Israelites and leave immediately. But it didn’t take long for Pharaoh’s heart to harden again, and he quickly changed his mind. He rallied all of the captains of his army and readied his best chariots to bring the Israelites back to Egypt.Picture with me some 600,000 Israelites travel...  Read More

Callouses on a hardened heart must be chipped away for tenderness to surface. This is a true statement for both Pharaoh and Moses – Pharaoh in his bolstering pride and Moses in his insecurities.Unfortunately, Pharaoh refused to be humbled. God sent ten plagues to ravage Egypt until Pharaoh was rendered completely powerless. Though he possessed a mighty army fully outfitted with horses and chariots...  Read More

Three hundred miles – that is the distance Moses traveled back to Egypt. The trip was long. Time surely added complexity to this journey since it gave Moses ample time to anticipate the coming confrontation with Pharaoh. No doubt his apprehension eclipsed his mind, setting forth wild imaginations. Nothing in the natural made sense. How could a stuttering man advanced in age convince the most power...  Read More

God’s command was met with much resistance. Moses was not an eloquent speaker.He was not a communicator by nature and understandably had great concerns that neither the Israelites nor Pharaoh would listen to him. He needed credibility. He needed a smoothdelivery. He needed to convince Pharaoh to release the captives, the very people who bore the labor workforce and helped maintain this pagan ruler...  Read More

Could life be more mundane and predictable than shepherding a flock on the backsideof the desert? Life was remote. Days were scorching hot. And the world was simple. Until Godinvaded a bush with fire, but the plant was not consumed. Moses came closer to investigatethe phenomenon. He was met by a powerful voice, “Take off your sandals for the place whereyou are standing is holy ground.” Forty years...  Read More

Anvil ~ in the world of forging an anvil is an unforgiving cold surface where the shaping process takes place. The blacksmith pounds steel that is set ablaze in the fiery coals of a furnace. At the hammer’s relentless thrashing, new shapes emerge. The metal, once formless and without purpose, becomes a new creation in the hand of its craftsman.  Read More

Check out these awesome devos as we prepare for Holy Week  https://blog.youversion.com/2018/03/holy-week-make-every-day-count/...  Read More

Type your new text here. And he (Elkanah) had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children…and whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had c...  Read More

Type your new text here. 5:10 a.m. I woke up whispering prayers to the King. I set my alarm earlier than normal so I could spend more time with Him. A song played in my mind as I whispered to Him. When I went to my prayer space, I put in earbuds and played the song that was singing in my heart. Without disrupting others, I was lost in the lyrics.Holy, surrounded by holy. There’s no one more holy. ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Haven’t the turn of events in our world been something to behold recently? No one could have anticipated the events we have witnessed. The world carries a mysterious and often detestable flavor. But this morning I am reminded of the unfailing presence and provision of our Father. Through the many mountain and valley experiences of His children He has revealed His faithful ...  Read More

Type your new text here. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14It’s shocking how many people do not discern truth. Even the most basic foundational understanding escapes their sense of ...  Read More

Type your new text here. We are in the middle of our series “For the Win,” which is about winning in spiritual warfare. Too long have Christians walked around defeated, depressed, and anxious. Jesus said He came so that we could have life abundantly. Where is that abundance? Well, our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.We pray that through this series, you will begin to experience victory, wi...  Read More

Type your new text here. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.I Peter 2:25The shepherd took his flock to a pasture so green and so lush. The hungry sheep grazed freely under the watchful eye of their caregiver. After an hour of grazing the shepherd led his flock to a nearby stream. Under a broad smiled sun the herd was r...  Read More

Type your new text here. But at midnight there was a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”                                                                                                            Matthew 25:6The bride stood at the window gazing at the winding road before her. She squinted through the morning haze. There was no movement other than a few fluttering birds in the tr...  Read More

Type your new text here. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer.”                                                                                               Luke 22:15arrest.Jesus eagerly awaited the final meal with His disciples just before HisBut how?He said it Himself. “Before I suffer.”I’m struck by the strength in Jesus’ ability to separat...  Read More

Type your new text here. Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14 NASBRight now I’m serving a five-year prison sentence but I’ve never committed a crime. Once I’m released from prison I’ll be on parole for five more years according to my probation officer, a man I’ve never met.I know what a 6’ x 8’ living space is like though I’ve never been behind bars. I know how time slows to a ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.James 4:10 NIVAbout that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”      Matthew 18:1-2,4 NLTWhen I visit thi...  Read More

Type your new text here.            The day was full of contradictions – crystal clear, blue skies, peaceful and leisurely. Who knew one event on a perfect spring afternoon would turn my world upside down?            She was distracted by her two grandkids in the backseat of her car. Instead of looking at the road ahead, she was looking in the rearview mirror at the very moment I was crossing the ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-26            It was a beautiful Sun...  Read More

Type your new text here. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.                                                                   John 15:13 NKJVIt’s Christmas morning and I’m sitting in the quiet of my living room before my home comes to life. During the night God blessed us with a white Christmas. As I look out my window the trees are swaying in the frigi...  Read More

Type your new text here. “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35 NIVHe emerged out of the ancient wolf pack. Though he came bearing wolf’s clothing he was really a sheep in disguise. His name was Nicodemus and he was a Pharisee and a member of the ancient Sanhedrin.Nicodemus ate a steady ...  Read More

Type your new text here. But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.                                                                  James 1:22 NKJVHe was a committed guy – no doubt about that. He knew his Bible and believed the letter of the law should be followed with the strictest discipline. He had high standards and very little tolerance for sinners.Our story took p...  Read More

Type your new text here. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.  Psalm 28:7 NIVNow there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.  John 13:23 NKJVIt was the night of the Passover, an event Jesus held with warm anticipation and deep longing. A quiet room was arranged away from t...  Read More