First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time. 1 Peter 2:1-5
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2
No, this isn’t a devo on who to vote for. Whew! Rather, it is a short message on how to vote through a Biblical grid and the importance of voting your Biblical values.
The info is provided by Pastor Gary Hamrick and Pastor Jack Hibbs along with a video clip by Ray Comfort. I’ve also included a helpful link from iVoterGuide so you can easily see where the parties stand on specific issues.
Tragically, according to research, approximately 40 million Americans who self-identify as Christians do not plan to vote in the upcoming election. That is to our great shame.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
While the following info is primarily for an American audience, if you are blessed enough to live in a nation that allows for the privilege and responsibility of voting, I believe you’ll glean much from it as well.
Pray. Listen. Vote. Share.Continue praying, no matter the outcome.
Following You is no guarantee of a problem-free life. Yes, I realize that’s an obvious point. But a point that I need reminded of, now and then. What you have promised is that You’ll stand beside me, that you’ll never leave me … never forsake me. And use all I walk through for Your glory.
This morning, as I was working out at the gym and listening to a Spotify playlist, some of the challenges that may soon cross my path flooded my mind. Immediately an old song I’d never heard before started to play… The words, you will stand by me… penetrated my heart as it described the inevitable challenges of life. Through all the seasons of life. Rightly concluding, we can rest in Him and His Presence with us. We are never alone.
Thank You, Father for standing with us and never leaving us to face life alone.
Now, let’s read this rerun devo “A Testimony of through.”
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
It is so encouraging to hear testimonies of God’s miraculous intervention into someone’s life circumstance. In fact, to encourage others, I have a few of my own that I regularly share. Maybe you do too. But there’s another kind of testimony that doesn’t get the credit it deserves, those of God’s miraculous power to walk us through our trials. Let’s face it, aren’t those the kind of testimonies that most of us can relate to, and need to hear?
But this kind of story doesn’t come easy, it can only be gained by walking through the fire. Not around or over, but through. While there are many reasons God may allow His people to suffer, one of them includes enabling us to be living examples to other hurting folks. A picture of what it looks like when God chooses not to remove our difficulties, but of His power to sustain and even strengthen us in the midst of them.
There are hurting people all around us, with no hope of a miracle around the corner of their circumstances. The cancer is terminal. The divorce papers have been signed. The nursery remains empty. The pink slip has arrived. It’s then, that folks need to see authentic hope displayed in how we suffer. As we cry the same hot tears, enduring the same heartaches and pain, but with an assurance that no matter what things look like, He is good, He can be trusted and He is faithful. Yes, we grapple with questions and cry out in our pain, but in the end, we rest our head on the pillow of His sovereignty and goodness. Reminding ourselves that if He loved us so much that He did not spare His own Son, but freely gave Him up for us all, surely, we can trust Him with “this.”
Be assured, that whatever test you’re walking through today, He can, and will, use it as a testimony to a watching world. Whether that testimony is of His miraculous intervention or of His sustaining power – be assured that He will use every second of it, and every detail of it, for your good and His glory. Author, Kay Arthur puts it best, “He lets you hurt as others hurt, knowing that the way in which you handle it will be a testimony, and your response will show others that there’s something awesomely different about you.” And that difference, is our relationship with Jesus Christ. In all we face, He is the difference maker.
The strength of the vessel can be demonstrated only by the hurricane, and the power of the Gospel can be fully shown only when the Christian is subjected to some fiery trial. If God would make manifest the fact that “He giveth songs in the night,” He must first make it night.
—William Taylor
Father,Please use all we walk through, and all that touches our lives, for Your glory and as a display of Your faithfulness to those around us. Infuse us with Your strength and grant us Your perspective. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesusand His glory
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Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a NASB 1995
Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death [and were convinced that we would die, but this happened] so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:9 AMP
Anything that drives me to the Cross and puts me on my knees, is a good thing. – Charles Stanley
The crisp, rainy October morning caused my morning commute to drag on, as red brake lights peppered the freeway. The lull provided a space of time for me to talk with the Lord about an issue that had been dogging me for weeks. “Father, lately, when I read Your Word, my heart feels like a porcelain sink. Making no penetration and rolling right off. Why? Is it something I’m doing? An issue I’m unaware of? Is it just the enemy?”
I’m not sure when or what I expected to hear from the Lord, but it certainly wasn’t what I “heard” Him speak to my heart (and His quick answer stunned me!). Almost as if the Lord was saying, “It’s about time you asked!
I continued on to work and began my day, which often includes listening to a sermon/podcast softly playing in the background. Today was no exception. But this time, the message stopped me in my tracks. The pastor spoke of “striving” as he quoted the familiar verse of Scripture, Psalm 46:10. Cease striving (be still) and know I AM God.
He went on to share specific truths that included, “I strive when I do not trust (God). And when I’m not trusting, then I’m trying to handle it myself.” Yikes. As if that’s ever a good idea.
I prayed, “God, trust in You is what I write about, talk about, teach about. How could it be that I have stopped trusting You and started trusting in myself and my abilities? How can it be, Lord?” But even as I asked the question, I knew it was true.
Maybe it was the result of a particular trial that has stretched on for several years or even a few of the successes He has provided. Whatever the cause, I repented. Right there among the post-it notes and paperclips. Sin hardens our heart and deafens our ears. Forgetting my own inadequacy apart from Him, and then standing in my own ability, is called pride. If only typed words could convey the blush/embarrassment of my heart.
It’s so easy to do, isn’t it? One small challenge here, a life-altering trial there. It can even be a success here or a mountain-top there, and before we know it, we’re trusting in our own abilities to hold things together. Rather than trusting in Almighty God and His ability to use these dust bunnies, with all our inadequacies, for His glory.
If you see yourself in my (embarrassing/humbling) account, what should you do? Repent. He is faithful to forgive. Acknowledge: God, I don’t just feel inadequate, I am inadequate. I claim YOUR adequacy because of Your Holy Spirit who lives within me. Forgive me for slipping into self-trust rather than relying on You.
Let’s pray – Thank You, Father, that You are the good, and merciful, and all-powerful Lord of all creation. Nothing is too hard for You. Enable me to rest in Your care, Your plans, Your will and Your perfect timing, and not myself. Cause my inadequacy to drive me to my knees in dependence on You. Whatever the outcome, You are good and You are faithful. And I trust You. In Jesus name, Amen.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30-31 NKJV
You’ll never find God or His Word sugar-coating reality; telling us plainly … “When the waters rise and when the flames come …” When, not if. And if you’ve been alive longer than 20 minutes, you know the truth of that “promise.” Adversity. Flood waters. Flames. Trials are woven into the fabric of real life. No one is exempt. Yet, He doesn’t leave us there …
Layered in that raw reality is also the promise that, when the trials come, He will be with us. Though He is the omnipresent God, there is a unique coming-alongside that we experience when trials attempt to overwhelm us, when they graze our lives. As Nazi concentration camp survivor, Corrie Ten Boom put it, “He doesn’t give us the train ticket until we board the train.”
When trials touch our lives, He is uniquely there in a way that sunny days and overflowing bank accounts do not require.
Even when the trial is of our own making. Take a closer look at Peter in the above verse. He took his eyes off of Jesus and instead, zeroed in on the literal wind and waves, and began to sink like a rock. The Word says that, “Immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him.” No hesitation. No withholding. Immediately. Yes, a lecture followed, but His Presence was not withheld, when Peter so desperately needed it.
I can testify from my own life, that while He has allowed (and I have sometimes caused) great challenges in my life, He has also never failed to lavish me with His Presence in them. A Presence I uniquely felt during the deepest, darkest trials. And He will do the same for you dear one, when you walk through your day of trial … He is with you.
When trials touch our lives, He is uniquely there in a way that sunny days and overflowing bank accounts do not require.
Becky White
Father, we are so thankful for Your presence when life hits us square between the eyes. When life just plain hurts, You are with us. Please enable us to rest in that simple truth. We are not alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
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The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NRSV
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11b KJV
Though I prayed (often) about the difficult situation confronting me, I must be honest and confess that at times, my faith was just a thin veneer of hope so. Hope so, that He is. Hope so, that He’s listening. Hope so, that He is able. Hope so, that He cares. While such honesty is uncomfortable, I am only putting to print what many of us wrestle with at times. But wrestle it out we must. Let’s not allow the enemy to take a victory lap just because life gets a little (or a lot) tough.
God has promised that if we seek Him, He will be found by us, when we seek Him with all our heart. And there’s nothing like an impossible situation, a trial beyond our strength, or pain beyond our ability to endure, to cause us to do just that. Fall to our knees and call out to the only One who is able to do the impossible in our impossible situations.
He has also promised that our prayers are powerful and effective. Recently, I heard the analogy of a sledge hammer hitting a wall, one swing, one hit at a time. Eventually, maybe the 35th swing (?), a crack appeared and then finally, the wall came down. It wasn’t that the 35th swing carried such a punch, but that each preceding swing had done its work. And so it is with our prayers. We show up, present your requests to the Lord and then walk away with His peace. Repeat, and repeat again. Often. Trust that no matter what it looks like, He is faithful, He is good, He is able and He is at work.
The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.
– Thomas Watson
Allow the pain of your trial or the hopelessness of your situation, to drive you to your knees … to Him. Trust that however He answers is ultimately for your best and His glory.
One last thought, perhaps the most challenging of all. Do not give in to the temptation to give up and stop praying. We serve the God of all hope.
Enable us to trust You with what we’ve placed in Your hands, knowing that You are at work in the situations because we’ve asked You to be. Not because of what we see with our eyes, but because of whatwe see in Your Word.
Becky White
Father, enable us to have the kind of faith in You (not in faith) that allows us to sleep on the boat while storms are raging around us. Grant us the supernatural ability to sit still in peace, knowing that You will either calm the storm or calm Your children in the storm. Enable us to trust You with what we’ve placed in Your hands, knowing that You are at work in the situations because we’ve asked You to be. Not because of what we see with our eyes, but because of whatwe see in Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
Stony Paths, learning to trust Him as we walk the stony paths of real life
Click here to purchase a hard copy or get a FREE pdf of the devotional,Stony Paths
We all have a story. No one is exempt from the difficulties of life. Some life stories are painful. Some seem unfair. Some feel hopeless. Some are filled with regret. None have escaped His notice. None are beyond His ability to use. To some how, some way, bring good from.
As you watch my story, I hope you see that though the Lord didn’t necessarily prevent difficulties, He has been faithful to use all that touched my life… for my good and His glory. And He will do the same for you.
By Becky White for my Lord Jesus Christ
“Though weeping may endure for the night, joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
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God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. Psalm 73:26 AMPC
Yeshua (Jesus) said to them, “I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Bread of Life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever trusts in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 43:2a
I love Reese’s cups, especially the newer offering that has a peanut butter shell with peanut butter filling. Mmmmm. Dee licious. Have I mentioned how much I love all things peanut butter? Yet, as much as I appreciate a good Reese’s cup, when my stomach growls with hunger, the bright orange package shouldn’t be what I reach for. Yes, it will stop my hunger pangs, but if I repeat this too many times, I’ll have long-term negative consequences. But wait a minute, what if my cupboards were bare and my pockets empty? What if, in my hunger, I thought that the sugary peanut butter treat was my only option to fill the ache in my belly?
As I mulled over the scripture in Proverbs 27, I couldn’t help but think of the world around us. A world that is literally “starving” for hope, peace, purpose and the removal of fear/anxiety/panic …. This emptiness has led to starvation of the soul, where, “any bitter thing is sweet.” Spiritually speaking, reaching for a Reese’s in the form of pleasure or money or sex minus God’s guidelines, or gathering as many “likes” / hits as possible or by social activism or “religious” and/or spiritual activity (the possibilities are endless). When the sun goes down and dark silence envelops us, the ache remains and the hunger endures.
On the flip side, many of us are so “full-bellied and satisfied” that we’ve failed to notice those starving right in front of us. Failed to look beyond our own homecooked-meal comfort to notice the ache of empty bellies all around us. Folks who have settled for the quick Reese’s cup or something much worse, when we know the Bread of Life Himself. While it’s true we cannot (and should not) force feed the manna of God’s Word, are we at least offering it to those around us or at least living a life (by His grace) that causes others to want what we have? Do I?
My heart aches for the “starving” folks all around us who have stuffed themselves with all the world has to offer and yet their soul-deep ache and emptiness remain. Here’s my challenge to you (and myself), each time we see a Reese’s cup, let’s use that lip-smacking orange package as a reminder to pray for those around us. Or, let it be a reminder that your ache cannot be filled with anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Reach out to Him, He will meet you right where you’re at. (For more information, call 1-888-NEEDHIM or text (320) 345-3455 or click https://needhim.org/chat-now/)
“There is a God–shaped vacuum in the heart of each man, which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”
– Blaise Pascal
Father, please reveal to me where I’m seeking to fill soul-deep needs with the junk food of the world. Please also give me Your eyes and heart for the starving people all around me. Please use my life to honor You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen
Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus
Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional,Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.
You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the StonyPaths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.
Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. Exodus 17:12 NLT
You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint. Isaiah 57:10 ESV
The strongest arm will fail with being long held out.
~ Matthew Henry
In this Old Testament account found in Exodus 17, Moses is in a difficult, and wearying, situation. As the Israelites battled their enemies below him, Moses stood atop the mountain, arms raised with the rod of God tightly gripped in his hands. As long as his arms remained raised, the Israelites prevailed against their enemies. But, when he lowered his arms, their enemies began to prevail. Weariness became his greatest enemy. Until his close friends stepped in. They provided a spot for him to sit, and got right in the middle of his situation by literally holding up his arms for him.
I am reminded of a couple of points in this account from Moses’ life. First, anyone can handle just about anything, as long as it’s short in duration. But trials are seldom neatly packaged with expiration dates stamped on the bottom. No. They show up and demand our near constant attention and stamina, with no idea when they’ll end. Oftentimes, we start out singing God’s praises and praying for a quick resolution, only to become wearied by the sheer length of the trial. Though we are trusting in God’s faithfulness, the length of the trial can cause weariness to become our greatest enemy.
Secondly, when facing the inevitable trials of life, we need other Believers to come alongside us, and help “hold up our arms”. Aaron and Hur were close enough and involved enough to recognize that Moses was in distress. Are we allowing others close enough to see the “real” us, the “real” challenges we’re facing? No doubt about it, it’s humbling when we allow another to get close enough to realize that we need a little arm-raising help. No one likes to admit that we’re on the cliff’s edge of growing weary and worn-out.
Are you a Moses or an Aaron today? Are you the one fainting from heaviness and the length of a trial or are you the instrument God has provided to help someone else? Wherever you find yourself in this O.T. account, let me encourage you, stay the course. Refuse to give up. The Lord will provide whatever, or whoever, you need to do what He’s called you to do.
Heavenly Father,Thank You for Your wonderful provision on my behalf, providing the Aarons and Hurs just when I need them or allowing me the privilege of being an arm-lifter to someone else. I bow in worship to You, O Most High! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen
I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt…
I will bring you up out of the suffering and oppression of Egypt … to a land flowing with milk and honey…
Hebrews 8:9b AMPC Exodus 3:17 AMP
I love to walk hand in hand with my husband, whether we’re power-walking trails at a nearby park or strolling through grocery store aisles. There’s something tender, personal and even “safe” about such a simple gesture. It also necessarily means that we are going away from, and then to, the same location, together.
In today’s Scripture reading we hear our Lord say this about His people, “I led them by the hand.” God, the Creator, Sustainer and Lord of all…”led them by the hand!” If that isn’t enough to blow our minds into face-to-the-floor worship, He goes on to say where He led them from, “Out of Egypt.” Let’s keep this simple. Egypt is B-A-D, full of emotional, physical and relational pain.
Though the ancient Israelites were in, and then led out of, a literal land of Egypt, you and I encounter our own versions of “Egypt” don’t we? The emotional ripping and tearing of abuse or addiction. The relational pain of pornography or divorce or loneliness. The physical challenges of our own illnesses or the searing pain of helplessly watching those we love suffer.
Beloved, He promises the same, for you and I.
Lord, enable me to find my security in You alone. Not in my spouse or children or career or bank account or service or ________, but in You alone. The utterly faithful One.
I will lead them.
By the hand.
Out of Egypt.
Our Sovereign God has not promised to whisk us away in a fairy-tale-esque escape plan. No. But He has promised to lead us out. To lead us through… step by challenging step. And miracle by miracle, if needed. Providing the manna of His Presence along the journey as He leads into our own land flowing with the milk and honey of joy in the midst of, peace in spite of. And blessing us with, “I’ve been where you are” compassion and empathy. Handing us a testimony that shouts His great faithfulness that led us by the hand through the wilderness and out of our own Egypts, right into the promise land of fulfilling His purposes in us, and for us.
God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.
Elisabeth Elliot
My Lord,Such tenderness and compassion You show through the promise to lead Your people (which includes me!!) by hand… out of my Egypt and into the promise land where I will testify of Your great faithfulness to restore and deliver. I love You beyond words. In Jesus’ name, Amen
This I know, God is for me. In God will I praise His word; in the Lord will I praise His word. Psalm 56:9-10a NCV
If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith… Jude 20,21a NASB
The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 NASB
The following devotion, written a few years ago, came back to my mind and heart as a friend and I talked. Now, as then, I have no magic words to offer those who are confronting the unthinkable. Those who are facing horrific emotional pain, all without “anesthesia.” What I can do, is take your hand and place it in His, assured that He can, and will, walk you through the unthinkable.
Sometimes God calms the storm — and sometimes He rides the storm with us.
Mark Hall
The text in front of me described a tragedy of immense proportion. Quickly tapping in my friend’s phone number, she shared details of an accident and asked if I could meet her, along with the mother of the little one battling for his life. Quickly praying, I drove to the hospital with a shared ache of what this mama was facing.
Once arriving, Ihad no magic words to offer. No religious piety to wipe away the tragedy of the tear-stained and heartbroken mama who stood before me. Her 3-year old son will soon be gone. That piercing reality thick in his hospital room, I reached down to touch his chubby little hand and asked if I could pray. What I’m not sure, but I felt compelled to bring this little guy and his hurting mama before the throne. She nodded her head that it’s okay as I took his hand in mine and prayed…
I asked the Lord to comfort her heart, I invited Jesus into the center of the situation and spoke the Blood of Christ over the little one. And then I told God what I am telling you… “Father, I don’t know what to pray right now or what to think. Such tragedy. Such pain. I just confess outloud that I trust You and that You are good and You are faithful. Please help.”
There are times when we must simply take God’s hand and walk THROUGH things. Not over or around, but through. I wish it weren’t so but it is. And when we are confronted with tragedy or pain or dashed expectations, we must cling to the truth we know. “This I know, God is for me. It hurts so bad Father but I know You are in control. You are good and You are faithful. Help me, Lord to trust You through this. Not my emotions or the confusion swirling in my mind. But You.”
One layer that made this particular hospital visit even more wrenching is that my own baby girl died in the same hospital – though decades earlier. The sights, the smells, the sounds and the heart-ache… all came back to me in that moment. And along with the emotional ache of empty arms came the authentic comfort that I found those years ago when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, as I held my own little one.
Beloved, whatever tragedy has been allowed into your life, I am so sorry for your pain. Would you talk to Him now? Unburden your heart, tell Him your pain or anger. And then say with me, “This I know – God is for me. He is good, He is faithful and I can trust Him.”
Lord Jesus,There are times when the pain is so great, if not my own, I see it in the lives of those around me. When I am tempted to trust my anxious thoughts rather than You, cause the simple truth of “This I know” to fall from my lips as I speak Your Truth over my spirit. Infuse me with power from on High. I love You Lord.In Jesus’ nameAmen
Written by Becky White for Jesus
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* For Amber and her late son, Keatyn. Though it has now been a few years, I know the ache remains. Praying His continued comfort over you, sister.
Devotions for Difficult Days 