enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

God Winks

Grandma Eleanor was the stabilizing force in my life for as long as I can remember. Her wisdom and common sense echoed in the depths of my soul. After her death, it seemed the grief would come in waves and cast shades of suffocating bereavement throughout my day. I would always find comfort in the Scriptures and consolation in the old hymns about Heaven. But as our family was embarking on a new adventure, I was stung by this painful reality – Grandma Eleanor wouldn’t be part of my daughter’s wedding. As my daughter, Rebekah, and I made wedding preparations, I discovered a treasured picture ... Read the Post

Wood Block

One night I was lying in bed and whining to God. Why God? Why do bad things happen? Why can’t they be avoided -- both the things that we choose and things we didn’t choose. I sat there thinking about all the things I have experienced in my lifetime. I told God that I feel that all these negative experiences have chipped away at who I am and who I’m supposed to be. I feel weak when I should feel strong or hesitant when I should move. Why do things have to be difficult at times? Then God so gently answered as He always does. (Not the kind of reaction my kids get from me when they whine. God ... Read the Post

Waterfall

One night during my quiet time, I was pouring out my desire to know God’s Word more deeply. I told God that I wanted to be like a wine bottle: when the cork is popped, the contents just flow out. That is what I was wanting, but God so gently whispered, “Think bigger! A wine bottle will soon be empty, but a waterfall is continuously flowing.” Wow! What an amazing vision. God has always got such a bigger picture. God revealed that the waterfall represented His Never Ending Flowing Word because water is needed for survival, just as we need His Word. Satisfied with such a beautiful thought, I ... Read the Post

Lessons from Loss

After delivering my last child stillborn, I experienced the most excruciating pain in my heart. It is just not natural to labor, deliver, and not bring your child home with you. Nothing made sense about the entire situation, but I did find God’s comfort in the midst of my deep pain in knowing He was with me even when I didn’t feel His presence 100% of the time. That’s where my faith kicked in. I felt so much love and support from my church family, but there was an emptiness that I couldn’t explain or fill. I went to work as a nurse after my two other kids started school because I didn’t ... Read the Post

Son of Promise

Be encouraged by Moses' parents. Imagine how difficult it was to hide a three month old baby. I love how Moses’ parents acted in faith. They were not scared of the king. They saw that Moses was not an ordinary child, and they needed to take extra measures to protect him. Do you have a child that does not look “ordinary”? Can you see (perceive with any of your senses, notice, discern, discover and examine) as Moses’ parents saw, that your child is not “ordinary” but special because of the Lord. Use all your senses, given by our Lord, to see what your child might specifically need. Let His ... Read the Post