Pathways Press.com

Written by Lysa TerKeurst, a contemporary writer and Bible teacher.  This is an excerpt from her book “Embraced.”

Does it ever feel like the heartbreak in your life is trying to break you? … I’ve been in that place where the pain of heartbreak hits with such sudden and sharp force that it feels like it cuts through skin and bone. It’s the kind of pain that leaves us wondering if we’ll ever be able to function like a normal person again. But God has been tenderly reminding me that pain itself is not the enemy. Pain is the indicator that brokenness exists…Pain is the gift that motivates us to fight with brave tenacity and fierce determination, knowing there’s healing on the other side. And in the in-between? In that desperate place where we aren’t quite on the other side of it all yet, and our heart still feels quite raw? Pain is the invitation for God to move in and replace our faltering strength with His. I’m not writing that to throw out spiritual platitudes that sound good; I write it from the depth of a heart that knows it’s the only way.
We must invite God into our pain to help us survive the desperate in-between. The only other choice is to run from the pain by using some method of numbing. But numbing the pain never goes to the source of the real issue to make us healthier. It only silences our screaming need for help. We think we are freeing ourselves from the pain when, in reality, what numbs us imprisons us. If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us. It slowly kills the potential for our hearts to fully feel, fully connect, fully love again. It even steals the best in our relationship with God. Pain is the sensation that indicates a transformation is needed. There is a weakness where new strength needs to enter in. And we must choose to pursue long-term strength rather than temporary relief.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. [James 4:8]

Read Full Post »

Written by Mark Roberts, a contemporary author.

Jesus does not call us merely to believe that he is the Savior. Rather, he calls us to put our trust in him as our Savior, to confess our sin, and receive forgiveness through his grace. Also, Jesus does not call us merely to believe that he is the Lord. Rather, he calls us to acknowledge him as our Lord, which we do by submitting our entire life to him… Finally, Jesus does not call us merely to observe how he once summoned Simon and Andrew to follow him. Rather, he calls us to follow him today. Of course, we do not have the opportunity to follow Jesus in a literal way, as did the first disciples. We cannot walk in the actual footsteps of the human Jesus. But we do have the privilege of following Jesus in all that we do, in our work, our leadership, our family, our citizenship, our church participation, and so much more. 

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” [Mark 1:16-17]

Read Full Post »

Todays devotion is from “Devotions from the Beach” published by Thomas Nelson.

Inexperienced surfers may watch professionals out in the water, lying on their surfboards and letting wave after wave go by.  “Why didn’t he take that one? It looked ideal for a great surf. Surely he missed out on that one.” Then the surfer-pro starts to paddle with his hands and positions his surfboard. The perfect wave has come, and he rides it in powerfully and with such grace that the bystanders stand in awe, gaping at the skill and timing on display. Of course, professional surfers know how to judge the status of the wind and the water so they know the right time to take a wave. Regular beach visitors lack the skills and experience to gauge these things. In the same way, we might look around us at the status of the world and think, Jesus, right about now would be a good time for You to come back. We complain, maybe even challenge God, saying He is late or failing to keep His promise. But God gauges the conditions better than anyone. He knows the right time to bring on the new creation and wipe away every tear. He patiently waits so all have the chance to be saved. Our role is to pray, trust, and spread the gospel, because as sure as the waves roll in every day, Jesus is coming back. He might not ride in on a wave, but we can rest on the guarantee — He will come at the perfect time. Jesus, give me patience and trust to wait for You faithfully.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [2 Peter 3:9]

Read Full Post »

Written by Keri Wyatt Kent, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “Breathe.”

We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here’s how to dance the dance of life, he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes, reading to your kids and running a household, or trading stocks, reading corporate reports, and running a business … At the end of each day, stop. Take a rest, eat a good meal, get enough sleep, and refresh yourself. Take time to think about your day, to notice where God was in it and where you were blessed, and to say, “It’s good.” Then go back at it the next day. And after six days, take a whole day off. And say, “It’s really good.” Spend a whole day just pausing, just reflecting on how really good it is, and then start the dance again, at a sustainable pace.

Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you. [Exodus 31:14]

Read Full Post »

Written by the Pray.com team. Pray.com is an app for faith and prayer.

Dear Lord, I want to be a good steward of Your Spirit and the truth that’s within me. Help me to have compassion as You have shown me compassion, grace as You have shown me grace, and truth as You have shown me the truth. Give me a higher vision to see things as You see them, so I never stoop down to the level of the world. I want to bless while others curse, and love while others hate. Be with me on that mission, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. [1 Peter 3:8]

Read Full Post »

Written by the Lead Like Jesus team, an organization founded by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges that promotes a transformational leadership model based on following Jesus.

Jesus fully expressed the love of the Father toward us. He calls us to follow His example in loving God and loving others. Being Habits—accepting and abiding in God’s love, experiencing solitude, practicing prayer, knowing and applying Scripture, and maintaining supportive relationships—help us live in a loving relationship with God. Doing Habits—obeying and expressing God’s love, showing grace and forgiveness, encouraging others, and building community—help us live out God’s love for others, at home or in the marketplace. Who is experiencing the love of God through you?

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [1 John 4:10-11]

Read Full Post »

Written by Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998), a British theologian, missionary, and author,. This is an excerpt from his book “A Walk Through the Bible.”

In so far as I commit all that I do, imperfect as it is, to God in Jesus Christ…trusting that what has been committed in faith will find its place in God’s final kingdom. The book of Revelation offers us the vision of a city which is on the one hand the perfection of all human striving towards beauty, civilization and good order, and on the other hand, the place where every tear is dried and where every one of us knows God face to face, and knows that we are his and he is ours. It is a vision that enables us to see the whole human story and each of our lives within that story as meaningful, and which therefore invites us through Jesus Christ to become responsible actors in history, not to seek to run away from the responsibilities and the agonies of human life in its public dimension. Each of us must be ready to take our share in all the struggles and the anguish of human history and yet with the confidence that what is committed to Christ will in the end find its place in his final kingdom.

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58]

Read Full Post »

Written by Lynn Cowell, a contemporary writer.

Do you have a wound — either old or new — that needs God’s healing? Take a moment to ask your Father to reveal any part you may have played in the situation. If He shows you something, ask Him to forgive you and wash your heart clean. If you are blameless, pray that God will help you heal from someone else’s choices in our broken world. Receive what you need from Him and thank your heavenly Father that you are always forgiven because of His Son, Jesus.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. [Psalm 51:7]

Read Full Post »

Written by Jackie Aviles, a contemporary author, coach, and Bible teacher. This is an excerpt from the book “A Beautiful Year in the Bible.”

As we journey through life, we inevitably face seasons of challenge and uncertainty. In these moments, we often feel pushed to our limits and wonder how we will navigate the difficulties ahead. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses such seasons, assuring us that God strengthens us in times of trouble. Paul reiterates to the Thessalonians that their perseverance and faith amidst persecution will lead to their ultimate glorification. Holding fast to faith in difficult times isn’t just about enduring hardships; it’s about trusting that God will bless and sustain us through it all. To be strong and perseverant means leaning on one another and depending on God. The wisdom and teachings given to us by God are our lifeline. In periods of crisis, leaning into God helps guide us safely through and encourages us to uplift each other. By embracing our faith and the support of our community, we discover the resilience needed to persevere through life’s challenges…By doingn so, we can stay the course and emerge stronger on the other side. This powerful combination of faith and community provides a steadfast anchor in the midst of turmoil, empowering us to weather any storm.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. [2 Thessalonians 2:15]

Read Full Post »

Written by Rachel Olsen, a contemporary writer.

In 1882 U.S. cabinet maker Peter McGuire introduced his idea for a new holiday saying, “Let us have a festive day during which a parade through the streets of the city would permit public tribute to American Industry.” A dozen years later President Cleveland signed a bill into law designating the first Monday in September “Labor Day.” For many Americans today is a day off from work, a chance to cook-out and hang-out in the lingering warm weather of summer. A day off from labor, however, was not a new concept when McGuire suggested his holiday. The concept of a day of rest was first declared by the Lord in Genesis. In illustration, God rested the seventh day after creating the world and He deemed the day of rest holy. He didn’t call it Labor Day – He called it the Sabbath. Sabbath is a not a day of tribute to workers, it’s a day of tribute to their Maker. It’s a day to rest your body while renewing your mind by making the focus of the day your Maker and your relationship with Him. In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is the focal point of the week – not just a day of laundry or list-making to gear back up for the week ahead. The Jewish people spent three days preparing for Sabbath, and three days reflecting on what they had learned or encountered of God during the Sabbath. They were a Sabbath-focused people, and therefore a God-focused people… May this Labor Day mark the day that you and I decide to rest and become God-focused people.

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. [Genesis 2:3]

Read Full Post »