Scripture for the Week: Psalm 31:23 reads “Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.” Devotional Thought: Happy New Year! It is hard to believe we have turned the calendar once again. When I was younger I was always told time would go faster as I aged. I, of course, didn’t believe any of that. However, as I am more than likely halfway through my life I completely understand. We often hear the phrase “a new year, a new you.” It focuses on trying the latest diet fad, exercising like mad, and trying new…

Contributed by Liz Hunt Scripture for the week:  “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:44 Devotional Thought:  Sometimes, in the midst of life’s chaos and challenges, it is hard to remember that God is our God, that He is our exceeding joy, and we get to praise Him. We don’t have to praise Him. In fact, we can ignore Him all we want. None of that changes that He is our God. What praising Him and worshipping Him do change is our joy. The joy of the Lord does…

Contributed by Jessica Clemens We have experienced an amazing fall here in our area. After a warm, dry summer, we continue to enjoy summer-like days and have an extended growing season in our gardens. We typically have had a frost or two by now or even a hard freeze on most years. The forecast, for now, looks to be at least another two weeks of great weather meaning I will be canning well into November! As much as I am enjoying this fall, I know that each year will be different and things are always changing. Like the leaves that begin to change colors in the fall to prepare for…

It is amazing to me that we are already in September…not sure where this year went already. Before we know it we will be opening holiday gifts as time does fly. Our lives are similar to the calendar year in that they go quickly. One day we are young and full of energy and the next we are facing the struggles of old age. However, the one thing that remains constant is that we are a work in progress. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a…

Scripture for the week: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you: “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26). Devotional Thought: Have you ever felt the sun on your skin and been warmed completely through, as though the Father in Heaven were enveloping you in a warm embrace? Imagine, God, the almighty creator of this earth looking toward us, providing us peace, supporting us. What a blessing! Let’s take a moment and look at a few words and their meaning in this verse to truly get a full understanding. 1. ‘Bless’ means…

Scriptures: Ephesian 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Proverbs 20:7 “The righteous who walks in his integrity–blessed are his children after him!” 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Devotional Thought: Last month we focused on how as mothers we are the ultimate caretakers and reflected on the many aspects of being a mother. In June our theme is fathers. Throughout the Bible, God instructs fathers to bring up their children through discipline and instruction and ensure they walk in the truth. We…

Scripture:  “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of the household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:25-30 (ESV) Devotional Thought:  As mothers, we are revered as the caretakers, the one who has it all together. When…

Easter Family Devotional Scripture Verses “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has pass away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christs from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,….” 1 Peter 1:3 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 “We were…