“Commandment Thursday,” the day we commemorate as Maundy Thursday, derives from the Latin mandatum, a Latin word meaning mandate or commandment. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus gave a new commandment to the men
Read moreA New Commandment
Author: Norma Gail
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit, exploring the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. Her debut novel won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. The sequel was published in 2020. A women’s Bible study leader for 25 years, Norma is a former Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader, and founding leader of the women’s Bible studies at her church. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 48 years. They have two adult children.
Grumbling and Complaining
Grumbling and complaining, I asked, “Why, God? I don’t understand why I pray and pray, and nothing happens!” Grumbling and Complaining Become Habits My husband and I wanted a family. We had been married for
Read moreObedience is Not Optional
Obedience is not optional. Samuel spoke these words to King Saul: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to
Read moreHistory Matters: Setting Up Memorial Stones
Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations… 1 Chronicles 16:15 History matters. At the beginning of the year, we should reflect on the lessons we’ve learned so they can continue
Read moreLet Me Tell You About My Jesus
Let me tell you about my Jesus, the One who put the Christ in Christmas. People celebrate this holiday in many different ways, each with their own twist on what it means. But for me,
Read moreA Thorn at Thanksgiving
[A] thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me … 2 Corinthians 12:7 A thorn at Thanksgiving seems out of place. We equate gratitude with ease, joy, and satisfaction,
Read moreOur Plans vs. God’s Direction
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 Our plans or God’s direction, what matters most? We planned our vacation in detail, making reservations in RV parks all across the country
Read moreGod Forms Us for Victory
With a ping on my phone, two little images appeared, innocent images that reminded me of God’s goodness in a trying time. What greater example of God’s love and hope for the human race can
Read moreTo Love Jesus Well
To love Jesus well means to follow his example, to represent him well, to honor him in everything I say and do. It means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world.
Read moreCertain Comfort in Uncertain Times: A Look at Psalm 91
Certain comfort in uncertain times. We crave it in the deepest parts of our souls. The world around us only grows more treacherous, more able to deny us peace and hope. However, in the midst
Read more