RETREATING WITH GOD

I am drawn into four crises where Jesus intervened in Luke 8. Four very different situations in one day where Jesus became the central figure to show his Lordship over all. I came away with a sense of peace and strength through a renewed faith in our Lord. I’d like you to experience the same as we go to the sea, the shore, and street. KEY PASSAGE: Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples,...

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most famous miracles in the New Testament. If you were there to witness it, wouldn’t your faith be solid and thriving for the rest of your life? The disciples were there with front row seats, yet their faith waned in the future. But that’s another story. Today, let’s look at this miraculous event as if you were there yourself. Among other things, Jesus used t...

“Just have faith,” she said. “It will all work out.” You’ve probably heard those words many times. But what are they based on? Positive thinking?   What is faith anyway? Can you describe it? I know I had a hard time defining this basic word. So, I decided to go on the hunt for official definitions. Come with me today and see what I found. KEY PASSAGE: Hebrews 11:1, 6-11 (ESV) "Now faith...

Sometimes life stinks. People we trust let us down. It hurts when we’re the one left in pieces. Thankfully, God is faithful. We can always count on him. Even in the toughest of times and the sharpest of wounds, God remains faithful. Oh, how comforting that is. No matter who comes against you, deceives you or tries to destroy you, you can rest in God’s faithful character. Are you looking for God’s...

Just showing up can make a person’s day. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for many. People need people. Whether they have a serious disease or they’re lonely and discouraged, stopping by can change your friend’s life. Occasional visitors helped carry my wife through her tough season. We all want to know someone cares. One of my favorite Bible verses is this: “Therefore encourage one an...

Join me for the Apostle Paul’s harrowing near-death experience on the seas as told in Acts 27 and 28. Paul begins by saying to the soldiers, “’Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.’” (Acts 27:10 NIV) A few verses later we learn, “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from...

How can you have the courage of the apostles? Not only to represent Jesus, but to simply keep going when life has a strangle-hold on you? When discouragement hits? When resistance and hardship press in from all sides? Every believer has seasons of strength and weakness, joy and heartache, ease and difficulty. None of us lives each day on the pinnacle of spiritual bliss. Today, we'll learn from Pau...

Have you ever prayed for something for several years without seeing results? You faithfully trust God with the person you hope comes to Christ. Or the child that has strayed away from God. Endless financial hardship. Healing. Injustice. Job issues. Unanswered prayer can wear us out. That’s why prayer takes courage. Courage produces persistence. Let's dig into that together today. KEY PASSAGE: “Sup...

Samson was once a strong, powerful man, but he was reduced to a helpless weakling when his enemies cut his hair, blinded him and threw him into prison. However, he showed remarkable courage on the day he sacrificed his life for his nation. Although he was blind, he had clear vision. Let's explore that today as we start the week with our new theme: Courage. KEY PASSAGE:  “Be strong and very co...

Is your heart heavy, not believing that God could forgive a certain sin in your life? It might be something from long ago that keeps chewing on your soul. Or it might be something you did just yesterday that’s crushing you. Or a sin you repeat over and over, with no hope of escape. Whatever it is, even though you read the promise of forgiveness from 1 John 1:9, your heart doesn’t believe that prom...

What occupies your heart and mind that has pushed Jesus out? Are you facing a trial? Is a bad relationship gnawing at you? Are you, like me, looking ahead to a season of intense responsibility? I Peter 5:7 rings in my mind: “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you.” That's what we're going to do together in today's audio devotional. KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 6:25-27  “Therefore I tell...

We need vision. You and I must have something that inspires us. An inspiring purpose that gets our head and eyes off the plow so we peer into the future. The farmer who plows sees the towering corn stalks, even though reality is six months away. He’s got huge motivation to get the plowing done – in his air-conditioned John Deere cab. He sees the end, the reward for his present labor. This vision f...

In our giving to God, we sometimes expect God to honor our generosity by giving back to us. Our eyes are drawn to Luke 6:38 as justification. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (NIV). Pure generosity expects nothing in return. If we can develop th...

Ideally, every gift we make to God should be a conscious act. These days, with automatic recurring giving to our church, missionaries, and ministries, we’ve put our giving on autopilot and never get a chance to land the plane. We miss one of the most exciting parts about flying. I’m not suggesting we go back to the old way of writing checks or putting cash in the offering plate. (However, if you d...

We need more  crazy generosity  when it comes to giving to God. No holding back. Giving when it seems impossible. He says, Give,” and you say, “Sure!” Let's start the week with this energizing devotional. Get ready for a wild ride. KEY PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a che...

Are you attracting people to Jesus or repelling them away from the Savior? The simple act of patience speaks loudly. It says, “I care about you. You’re important. I respect you.” In our selfish world, it stands out. You’re reflecting Jesus to them, which draws them to our Lord. Today, we'll see how Jesus modeled patience in an urgent situation. KEY PASSAGE: Luke 8:42-55 As Jesus was on his way, th...

When we're crushed by people, activities, deadlines and an unrelenting schedule, then patience is fleeting. We snap at people and lose our cool. It's time to be alone. With Jesus. Today, we'll look at ways to make it a rich experience. We'll follow Jesus’ example. He exited the demands of his world and walk into the presence of the Father.  KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 46:10-11 He says, “Be still,...

Did you know that God wants to use you to be an influencer for his Kingdom in this kingdom? You were knighted “Ambassador of Christ” when you came to know your Savior. What an incredible privilege. Your standing is higher than any ambassador for any nation living in any foreign country. Knowing this marvelous truth is one thing. Living it out is another. Today, we'll uncover how you can be a consi...

Finding peace in Jesus Christ is one thing. Maintaining that peace is another. We can go to bed completely relaxed and wake up in turmoil thinking about the day ahead. Where did the peace escape to? The peace we’re seeking is a peace that endures circumstances, fears and emotional distress. It’s also something consistent, not a peace that comes and goes. It’s the peace of God that transcends all u...

Imagine being one of the disciples, gathered around Jesus as he spoke those amazing words in an isolated place with just them in his presence. They didn’t know what was ahead, but Jesus did. He knew that they would face persecution when he left, even to the point of death. Hardship, conflict and war for their faith would escalate, taking their lives in the end. Not until he sent the Holy Spirit to...

When we think of soul peace, it’s not always the big things that attack us. The little things mount up and bother us, resulting in discord anxiety.  Alone, they don’t have much effect, but one after another they chip away at our peace. Today, we'll see how we can overcome the enemies of peace and restore God's supernatural peace in our hearts and lives. KEY VERSE: John 14:27 Peace I leave wit...

What makes you happy? Maybe it’s watching your kids succeed, performing well at work, spending time with friends, going out to dinner. Or like me, watching your team notch a win. But is that really joy? We seek happiness and that’s ok. But nothing in this world will give lasting happiness. We can chase all sorts of things that give us immediate happiness. This happiness comes and goes. Let’s go de...

Today, you'll hear the story of a courageous Christian who is able to surrender to God in the midst of incredible pain. What he has learned will help us in our journey to surrender now-- and when we're in pain. Take a deep breath and ask God to speak to you. KEY PASSAGE: Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances....

Living a life of surrender to Christ isn’t easy. It’s agonizing at times. Praise be to God that we surrender to a loving Savior and Heavenly Father. Jesus made it clear. “Hold on to your life and you’ll lose it. Surrender it to me and you’ll find it.” What a crazy principle. It goes against our natural thinking. But it’s true. Jesus plays it out to the max. He boldly states that our soul is in jeo...

We can’t throw everything out of our lives to accommodate rest. Indeed, there are some things we might have to toss or put on hold. Maybe a couple commitments that we need to pause for now. Let’s take a look at one of the busiest men of the New Testament—the Apostle Paul. After he came to Christ, he vanished for years to prepare for ministry. Most of us dive headlong into new things when opportuni...