Tag Archives: Grace

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Why You Can Rely on God’s Promises Today

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Promises can feel shaky in our world. People break them. Plans change. Circumstances shift overnight. It can leave us wondering if anything is truly dependable.

That’s why Isaiah 55:10-11 is so encouraging:

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Think about that for a moment. Just as the rain never fails to soak the ground and bring life, God’s Word never fails to do its job. It always produces growth. It always brings change. It always accomplishes His purpose.

That means every promise God makes can be trusted. Even when we can’t see the results right away, His Word is working. Seeds planted today will bloom in God’s timing. Sometimes it happens quickly, other times slowly — but it always happens.

Our part is to hold on to His Word. To read it, believe it, and lean into it, even when life feels uncertain. Because God is not like us — He doesn’t overpromise and underdeliver. His Word carries His authority, His faithfulness, and His heart.

Maybe you’ve been praying for something and it feels like nothing is happening. Maybe you’ve been clinging to a promise, but the ground looks dry. Isaiah reminds us: trust the process. Rain takes time to bring growth, but the harvest always comes.

God’s Word never returns empty. It never evaporates into thin air. It never misses its mark.

So today, when discouragement whispers, remind yourself of this truth: God’s promises stand. His Word will do exactly what He says it will do. You can count on it, because He is faithful.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Come to the Waters

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Have you ever noticed how often life leaves us feeling empty? We work hard, we check off our lists, we chase after what we think will satisfy, and yet, deep down, the thirst lingers. The job promotion feels good, but it doesn’t quiet the restlessness. The approval of others feels nice, but it doesn’t fill the soul. Comfort and success are never enough.

That’s why Isaiah 55:1 stops us in our tracks with this invitation:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

What a picture of God’s generosity! He calls out not to the strong, not to the wealthy, not to those who have it all together — but to the thirsty. To the ones running on empty. To those who feel like they’ve got nothing left to bring.

And here’s the good news: the price is already paid.

God doesn’t say, “Bring me your best effort and maybe I’ll let you in.” He doesn’t ask for payment, performance, or proof. He simply says, come. Come thirsty. Come hungry. Come with your needs. And in Him, find the satisfaction this world can never deliver.

We’ve all tried to drink from empty wells. We’ve all tried to fill ourselves with things that promise joy but only leave us drier than before. Isaiah 55 reminds us that only God can quench the deepest thirst of our hearts. Jesus echoed the same truth centuries later when He said, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:14).

So maybe today the question isn’t, “What do I need to do?” but rather, “Where am I going to quench my thirst?”

God’s invitation is open. The waters are ready. The feast is waiting. You don’t need to earn it. You don’t need to deserve it. You just need to come.

If you are weary, come.
If you are searching, come.
If you are thirsty, come.

God is enough, and He is waiting to fill you with His peace, His presence, and His life.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Soar Above Life’s Storms with Faith

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Life has a way of bringing storms. Sometimes they roll in suddenly — an unexpected phone call, a setback we didn’t see coming. Other times, they linger like heavy clouds that just won’t lift. In those moments, it’s easy to feel weighed down, like we’re barely able to keep moving forward.

Isaiah 40:31 gives us a powerful image of hope: “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.”

Eagles respond to storms differently than most birds. While many seek shelter, eagles spread their wings and rise higher, using the storm’s powerful winds to lift them above the clouds. They don’t fight the storm — they let it carry them to a place of calm and perspective.

That’s the kind of strength the Lord offers us. It doesn’t always mean the storm will vanish, but it does mean we can rise above it. His strength allows us to see beyond the chaos of the moment and remember that He is still in control.

“Soaring” doesn’t mean life is effortless. For the eagle, it begins by facing the wind head-on. For us, it begins by trusting the Lord enough to let His strength sustain us. The very trials that threaten to pull us down can become the currents that lift us closer to Him.

When storms come — and they will — don’t fear them. Trust in God’s power to carry you higher, where peace and perspective wait above the clouds.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Finding Fresh Strength in Isaiah 40

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Isaiah 40 is a chapter filled with hope for the weary. It reminds us that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator who never grows tired or weary. He offers His strength to those who feel weak, and His power to those who have none left. Isaiah’s promise is simple yet profound: “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength” (Isaiah 40:31). This strength isn’t recycled from yesterday — it’s fresh and perfectly suited for today’s needs.

Sometimes our weakness doesn’t come from a single overwhelming crisis. It seeps in slowly — through long days, small disappointments, and responsibilities that never seem to let up. That’s why Isaiah’s words are so personal: God offers exactly what we need to keep going, whether that’s the energy to keep moving forward or the courage to simply stand firm.

We don’t have to manufacture this strength. We don’t have to “push through” in our own power. It comes from leaning fully on the Lord, allowing Him to carry what we cannot. In verse 28, Isaiah reminds us that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He never runs out of resources.

And here’s the freeing part: some days, our strength might look like soaring; other days, it’s just putting one foot in front of the other without collapsing. Both are victories when the Lord is the one sustaining us. Tomorrow, when we need His help again, He’ll be there with a fresh supply.

Trust Him for the next step, and the step after that — and you’ll find His promise holds true, every time.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Really…A Fish?

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The Lord arranged for a fish.

Jonah’s story is interesting. It shows us the power and patience of the Lord, and it illustrates God works in seemingly unusual ways.

Jonah, while running from God, gets on a boat. The boat encounters a storm, and after much effort, the conclusion is reached the only way to stop the storm is throw Jonah overboard. The sailors throw Jonah overboard and the storm stops. The boat’s crew witnesses the Lord’s power, and worship the Lord.

Meanwhile, Jonah is in the sea, but God makes arrangements.

Jonah 1:17 remembers, “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.”

Of all the ways the Lord could have helped Jonah in the moment, he sent a fish. He could have used drift wood or a piece of wreckage. He could have allowed Jonah to be close enough to shore to swim. He could have miraculously carried Jonah to shore, but God does not choose any of those methods. He uses a fish; an unusual way which may have not been the most appealing to Jonah.

Jonah’s lifeboat would have been smelly and dirty. Traveling in the digestive system of a large whale would not be the most ideal, but it saved Jonah’s life.

While we’ve not been swallowed by a great fish, we may be able to relate. God helps us in some unusual ways. They may not be ideal or our first choice, but they do provide the help we need.

When we find ourselves in Jonah’s place, how do we respond? Do we grumble because we are being helped in an unusual way, or do we thank the Lord for the resources he is providing?

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Future of Peace in Isaiah 4’s Promise

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The future is coming.

Well, the future is coming. It may be unsettling, but we can not stop it from coming. The good news for Christians, the future will be glorious. At the end, the Lord will be victorious.

Isaiah had many unsettling things to say, but the Lord promised through Isaiah, a future of peace and rest.

Isaiah 4:5-6 says, “Then the Lord will create, over all of Mount Zion, and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. Over everything, the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”

Israel did not fully experience this when they returned out of exile, nor have we fully experienced it today. But the Lord promises he will create for us an eternal dwelling of peace and rest. The toil of this life, for Christ’s followers, will give way to peace and rest in the future.

The future is coming. We can’t stop it, but we can rest assured it will be a time of peace and rest.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Embrace Each Day: A Reflection on Psalm 90

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2025 is passed the half-way point, and summer is quickly turning to fall. Where has the time gone?

Time has a way of slipping by when we’re not paying attention. One moment it’s morning, and the next, we’re turning out the lights, wondering where the day went. Moses, in Psalm 90, reminds us of something we don’t often like to think about—life is short. But rather than causing fear, this truth should inspire purpose.

Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days…” He’s not just talking about keeping a calendar or setting reminders on our phones. He’s asking the Lord to help us live intentionally, to value each day as a gift, and to approach life with wisdom that only comes from God.

We spend so much of our lives waiting for the “next thing.” The next season, the next break, the next achievement. But in the process, we can overlook the moment we’re in right now. Numbering our days means recognizing that this day—today—is worth something. It has purpose. It has potential. It matters.

It also means we learn to say “yes” to what truly counts. We become more patient with our loved ones, more generous with our time, and more grateful for the little blessings. We stop living on autopilot and start walking in the kind of wisdom that brings peace and perspective.

Psalm 90:12 is a simple verse, but it carries a powerful reminder: Life is a gift, and wisdom is found when we make the most of the time we’ve been given.

So today, let’s ask the Lord to help us number our days—not to count down, but to count up—to live with purpose, to love deeply, and to walk wisely.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Finding God in Everyday Life

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“Whether I’m looking for him or not, that’s where I find God.”

He may show up in the strangest of places. For someone hitting rock bottom, he can be the person who lends a listening ear and gives advice. For the parent who is struggling, he can be the friend who offers a great idea. For the husband or wife who is ready to throw in the towel on marriage, he can be the older friend who offers encouragement. We never really know where he will reveal himself.

God can be found many places in our daily lives. He is not restricted by buildings or worship services, and he promises he is always with us. He will show up at the right place and time. Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will work out his plans for my life. For your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me for you made me.”

We just need to be attentive to his presence and recognize his work. You never know when the Lord will show up.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Isaiah’s Message: Strength for the Weary

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Rest is on the way.

Isaiah was looking ahead to a time of rest and peace for God’s people. In doing so, he says the Lord will provide strength and energy for his people.

Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will sore high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah reminds us those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will find their strength in the Lord.

He exchanges our strength for his. The Lord helps us make it through our lives. The good and bad times. The Creator and Holder of the stars gives us strength.

“Look up into the heavens,” Isaiah 40:26 suggests. “Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army: one after another, calling each by its name because of his great power and incomparable strength. Not a single one is missing.”

We draw our strength from the one who will never grow weary. Isaiah 40:28 reminds us the Lord is the Creator of the earth. He is everlasting.

Life is tiring. The headlines we see and problems we encounter zap our strength, but they are no match for the Lord’s. We are promised the Lord will give us his strength. The Lord will renew our strength each day to take on that day’s challenges. His strength never runs out, so hopefully, we will always remember to draw upon it.

Thanks for reading.

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Many People, One Promise

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People came from all sorts of places and backgrounds. Some had Jewish roots, while others didn’t. Some were just scraping by, struggling to make ends meet, while others lived with plenty. They lived in different parts of the world, spoke different languages, and celebrated different cultures. They were a diverse crowd—but they all received the same promise.

It was the promise Jesus brought: forgiveness and a restored relationship with God, all through grace. And this promise? It wasn’t just for a select few. It was for everyone.

Paul puts it this way in Galatians 3:
“So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

In other words, our background, status, or story doesn’t determine our place in God’s family. What matters is whether or not we’ve accepted the invitation. God looks at the heart—plain and simple.

And guess what? That hasn’t changed. God still looks past all the surface stuff and straight into the heart. You and I might be part of a beautifully diverse world, but we’re all invited to share in the same grace.

The Bible encourages us to do the same—to look at each other’s hearts instead of judging by appearances. So, how are we doing with that?

Something to think about—and something worth sharing. 💬❤️