Devotions delivered every Friday

Preview some sample devotions below! You’ll find your weekly devotions are full of encouragement, practical tips, and a whole lot of Jesus! 

Pray for God to close doors. He won't close the ones that are from him.

In a world filled with open doors of opportunities and obligations, how in the world are we supposed to know which doors to walk through?

Which ones are opportunities sent by God and which ones are obligations we have convinced ourselves we should do.

Pray for God to close doors. He won't close the ones that are from him.

It makes sense to me that the enemy of the world would want to confuse me with open doors that are not from God. So, it also makes sense to me if I pray for God to close doors, he's not going to close the ones that are from him!

When I feel confused by too many open doors, I remember this. God does not obligate me to anything. He has given me free will and the opportunity to choose him, love him, and serve him.

Opportunity is much different than obligation.

Today, if you are struggling with a decision, ask God to close doors. I assure you, the one that is left will be from him.

xo,

Alli

We can't care for others if we don't care for ourselves.

I often feel like social media has made my small world a little bit too big. I know too much information about too many people, all the time. Keeping up with all that can be a little stressful at times.

I think on some level I feel like if I *know* all of the trials (and joys) of my friends on social media, I am somehow responsible to care for or celebrate them. (Oh, the pressure) 

But consider Jesus' example in Luke. Crowds of people came directly to him for healing. "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” ( Luke 5:15-16).

Jesus knew that taking the time to get alone and pray was as critically important as caring for those around him.

He wasn't being self-centered when he took time away from the crowds, He was being God-centered.

We can't care for others if we don't care for ourselves.

Friends, if you feel the need to take time away from the weight of social media connectedness for a little while, I encourage you to do it.

Spend that time walking, praying, journaling, singing and anything else that draws you closer to the heart of God.

You, and the people God has called you to care for, will be better for it.

xo,
Alli

God’s plan for your life is a promise of grace.

Jesus said, “Let NOT your heart be troubled.” Easier said than done, right? Sometimes life’s storms seem to come at you in waves, and just when it feels like you might catch your breath, you’re hit by another wave.

So how do we follow Jesus’ command to “not let our hearts be troubled?” I want to hide in my room and plan ever bad worst case scenario out in my mind and worry obsessively (we are being honest, right?) But I try to do what David did when he was holed up in a cave, surrounded by his enemies.

I “strengthen myself in the Lord my God.” I remind myself that God’s plan for my life is good, and then I pray a prayer of gratitude. I might say, “Lord, you know this thing has knocked me down, but I know you don’t want me to live down here. You have a plan, and I’m excited about it. Give me the strength to get up, catch my breath, and move on. ”

God’s plan for your life is a promise of grace. When your heart is troubled, cling to that promise.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you." Jeremiah 29:11

xo,

Alli 

Don't let your yes be the source of your stress.

Ever heard the expression, "It's the little things that get you down?" (Or in my case, the thing that drives you absolutely crazy?) It’s so true though, right?

One minute you’re going along, just fine, and then suddenly something small sends you into an irrational tailspin. That “little thing” becomes the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.

For me, it’s rarely the small things that are the real problem in my life. The source of my frustration is that I have said “Yes” to too many things out of mom-guilt or out of fear that I’ll disappoint someone. When I do this, I let my overly busy schedule turn me into a woman that I don’t want to be.

Proverbs 25:4 says, “It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.” Can I get an amen? Friend, don't let your yes be the source of your stress.

He has created us to be so much more, not to do so much more.

Today, ask yourself what you have said yes to that you need to stop doing. Then with God’s guidance, make a plan to stop doing it. It won’t be easy, but it’ll help keep those molehills from turning into mountains.