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Two Fun Opportunities for Listening and Learning

Lori here – Hi readers! I have not one but TWO special treats for you this week—two opportunities to listen to some of the devotions from my latest book, Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart.

Sunday God Meets Monday Mom podcast — “I Believe God Is Trustworthy”

Last week, the creative and amazing Erin Greneaux from the podcast Sunday God Meets Monday Mom invited me to share one of my favorite devotions from Lord, I Believe with her podcast listeners. If you haven’t read “I Believe . . . God Is Trustworthy” (or if you have), I hope you’ll enjoy hearing me read this sweet devotion.

The Caring Advisor Podcast — “Every Day Is Good Morning!”

I also collaborated with the wise and wonderful Elizabeth Brickman, The Caring Advisor, to share hope and biblical thoughts on living intentionally, maximizing every day God grants us, and glorifying God through the simple things in life.

In this podcast, Elizabeth invited me to share a devotion from Lord, I Believe that will make you smile, think, and perhaps change the way you view each day, “I Believe Every Day Is Good Morning.”

Spoiler alert: This devo features an incredibly cute four-year-old speaking words of wisdom beyond his years.

If you haven’t yet ordered your copy of Lord, I Believe, I have good news — It’s back in stock on Amazon and Christian Books. Click the link below to discover 60 reasons to believe.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE .

Lori Hatcher, where thoughtful theology meets everyday life

The post Two Fun Opportunities for Listening and Learning appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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How to Know When to Stop Praying

Lori here,

Are you wondering if it’s ever right to stop praying about something? Discover biblical wisdom and practical guidance to discern when to keep praying and when to let go in faith in the following blog post.

Sherry has a prodigal son. For years she’s watched him self destruct. After ten years of praying for his salvation, she’s weary and discouraged. She wonders if her prayers are accomplishing anything. Maybe she should just give up and quit praying. 



Lisa lives with a difficult husband. Angry and explosive, he loses his temper often over the smallest things. Although he’s always been faithful to her and provides well for their family, his anger has been an unpleasant part of their relationship for 30 years. Every morning Lisa prays, “Lord, help him not get angry today.” Sometimes her prayers work, and other times it’s as though she’d never prayed. She wonders if praying does any good at all. Maybe she should quit asking God for help. 



Pat has loved to write since she was a teenager. “Lord,” she’s prayed for years, “help me publish a book that will point others to you.” Almost a decade has passed, and although she’s enjoyed some writing success, her dream of publishing a book seems no closer to fulfillment than when she first prayed about it. She wonders if she should quit asking God for something he seems unwilling to grant. 



Christians know we’re supposed to pray, but the results are mixed, at best. Sometimes God answers our requests immediately. Other times it takes weeks, months, or even years to see results. 

Jesus, our best example of a prayer warrior, acknowledged this when He told his disciples a parable to show them “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). 



But is it ever appropriate to stop praying for something? Is there ever a reason to cross an unanswered request off our list or strike it from our prayer journal? I think so. 

Scripture gives us several good reasons to stop praying: 




1. We should stop praying when God has clearly answered No. 

If you’ve been praying about a relationship with a guy, and he gets married, you can safely stop praying. God has closed that door. If you interviewed for a job, and they hired someone else, it’s time to redirect your petitions. Banging our heads against doors God has unequivocally closed is futile and foolish. It reveals a stubborn heart that thinks we know better than God what’s best for us. 

Pat’s book manuscript was turned down by every publisher she submitted it to. Once she exhausted her sources for book publication, she realized God might have something else in mind for her words of encouragement. She converted her chapters into articles and submitted them to magazine and online publications. 

So far five of her articles have been published, reaching more than 50,000 readers – far more than most books ever reach. Now, instead of praying for a book, she asks God to direct her to the readers who most need her words. 

2. We should stop praying when God removes our desire for the object of our prayers. 

Many times, I’ve begun praying for something, only to find that after a few days, weeks, or months, I don’t really want it any more. Maybe I discover more information about what I thought would make me happy and realize it’s not best after all. Other times my desire just wanes and fades. When this happens, I can confidently stop praying about it. 



Psalm 37:4 promises that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. While this sometimes means He’ll give us what our heart desires, it usually means that He’ll give us the desires He wants us to have. 

As we pray in faith and trust that God knows what’s best for us, He takes our desires and molds them to fit His plan and purpose for our lives. In love, He sometimes takes what looks enticing and perfect and rubs the shine off so we can see it as it truly is. 

3. We could stop praying when God shows us a greater purpose for our situation. 

As Lisa faithfully prays about her husband’s temper, he continues to have angry outbursts. Through the years, she’s noticed that her prayers have gradually changed. Instead of asking God to change her husband’s disposition, she finds herself praying more often about her response to his outbursts.



“Lord,” she prayed this week, “help me not return evil for evil, but to use a soft answer to turn away his wrath (Prov. 15:1). Help me love my husband even when he acts unlovable, forgiving him as Christ has forgiven me. Protect my heart from bitterness.” 



Lisa’s husband may always struggle with anger, and it’s never too late for God to change him. But even if He doesn’t, Lisa can grow closer to the Lord and more like Christ through the struggle. By being open to more than one answer to her prayers, Lisa has experienced the closeness and growth in her relationship with Christ that’s even sweeter than a husband with a peaceful disposition. 



Which brings us full circle to Sherry, the woman with the prodigal son who desperately needs salvation. Should she stop praying for him after ten years with no apparent results? 



Never. 



Never. Never. Never. Why? 



1. Because she will never hear God say No to this request. While not every prodigal child will come to faith in Christ, only God alone knows who will ultimately accept or reject him. Sherry’s job is to pray in faith. 



2. Because God will never remove this desire from Sherry’s heart. Because she loves her son, she’ll never stop hoping he’ll accept Christ as his Savior and experience the joy of a transformed life. 



3. The only greater purpose God can reveal to Sherry for her son’s prodigal years is that they demonstrate his need for a Savior. This will only strengthen her resolve to pray. 



If you’ve been praying for something, and God has closed the door, it’s okay to stop praying. If you’ve been praying for something and God has changed your heart, it’s okay to stop praying. If you’ve been praying for something and God has shown you a different purpose for your request, it’s okay to stop praying. 



But if you’re praying for a loved one’s salvation, never stop. 



Never, never stop. 



While there is breath left in your body, continue to pray. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much,” James 5:16 tells us, and on this we stake our hope. 



If you need a little encouragement, here’s a true story from D.L. Moody about the power of a mother’s prayers: 

The Praying Mother

“I remember being in the (military) camp and a man came to me and said, “Mr. Moody, when the Mexican war began I wanted to enlist. My mother, seeing I was resolved, said if I became a Christian I might go. She pleaded and prayed that I might become a Christian, but I wouldn’t. I said when the war was over I would become a Christian, but not till then. 



“All her pleading was in vain, and at last, when I was going away, she took out a watch and said: My son, your father left this to me when he died. Take it, and I want you to remember that every day at 12 o’clock your mother will be praying for you. Then she gave me her Bible, and marked out passages, and put a few different references in the fly-leaf. I took the watch and the Bible just because my mother gave them. I never intended to read the Bible. 



“I went off to Mexico, and one day while on a long, weary march, I took out my watch, and it was 12 o’clock. I had been gone four months, but I remembered that my mother at that hour was praying for me. Something prompted me to ask the officer to relieve me for a little while, and I stepped behind a tree away out on those plains of Mexico, and cried to the God of my mother to save me.” 



Now it’s your turn. Has there ever been a time when God’s shown you it’s time to stop praying? Leave a comment below and share your story.

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If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE .

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Does Your Prayer List Overwhelm You? Three Powerful Truths to Help

Lori here.Do you ever grow weary, overwhelmed, and discouraged in your prayer life? So many needs! Today’s post shares three powerful truths from God’s word to help us pray and not give up.

Dani sat in the prayer meeting, almost wishing she hadn’t come.

All over the sanctuary, hands were going up.

“Please continue to pray for Mike, Joanie, Peter, Chuck, Sue, and Ms. Sally as they battle cancer. And add Sarah Johnston to the list. She got word this week that her lymphoma has returned.”

“I’d appreciate prayer for my son Tony,” a quiet woman in the back said. “I haven’t heard from him in months. We’re afraid he’s using again.”

A father of four spoke up. “A tree fell through our roof in the storm on Tuesday, and we’re living with relatives until the damage can be repaired. We hope insurance will cover it.”

For ten minutes, the requests poured in until Dani felt as though she was drowning in a sea of brokenness and pain. 

So many needs.

So much sickness and sadness.

So much spiritual darkness.

Instead of feeling uplifted, as she hoped when she headed to church that evening, Dani felt overwhelmed and discouraged.

Our world is so broken, she thought. Is there any hope?

Is There Any Hope?

If you’re a Christian, you’ve probably felt as Dani did. Your prayer list is overflowing with unsaved loved ones, strained relationships, and sick people. Financial concerns, work situations, and hurts too painful for words. Cancer, culture, and conflict.

The list is a mile long and three miles deep.

And yet, Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). 

Rest.

Not physical sleep, although He often sends this blessed gift, but spiritual and psychological rest—the kind of deep peace that snuffs out every fear like a fire blanket smothers a kitchen fire. 

Today, let’s consider three truths to help us pray and not lose heart.

Three Truths to Help Us Pray and Not Lose Heart
1. God hears and answers prayer.

God is the ultimate efficiency expert. He never wastes time, energy, or effort. His plan moves on, unhindered by time or circumstances (Job 42:2). 

Wonder of wonders, He chose to incorporate the prayers of His saints into the mechanism that moves His will forward. Through the apostle Paul, God commanded, “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18).

Paul was confident the prayers of believers would bring about God’s will in his life. He told the church at Philippi, “I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:19). 

We don’t always see deliverance in this lifetime, but nothing that enters our life does so apart from God’s will. Because of this, we can pray confidently. If God calls us to pray (and He has), He will use our prayers to bring about His good and perfect plan, whatever that looks like. Jesus said, “My Father is still working” (John 5:17). Through prayer, He invites us to partner with Him in His work.

2. Jesus knew we’d grow weary, so he encouraged us to pray on.

I take great comfort in the fact that Jesus knew His children would grow weary in prayer. To prepare us, “He told [His disciples] a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up” (Luke 18:1). 

The parable involved an unrighteous judge and a persistent widow. The widow knew the judge was the only one who could help her, so she returned day after day to petition him to act on her behalf.

Some days, I feel like that persistent widow. Day after day, month after month, year after year, I ask God for salvation, healing, and restoration for myself and others.

Thankfully, unlike the judge in Jesus’ parable, our God isn’t cruel-hearted or disinterested. He’s the exact opposite. He knows the desires of our hearts, the needs of our lives, and the circumstances that trouble us. He not only knows them, but He cares deeply about them. Jesus expressed this at the conclusion of the parable when He said, “Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7).

Our good God is on the throne, hearing our prayers and answering them in the way that is best for us and those we care about.

Whether God answers our prayers quickly or slowly, Jesus encourages us to keep praying and not lose heart. Our good God is on the throne, hearing our prayers and answering them in the way that is best for us and those we care about.

3. We can claim His promises and trust His character.

Have you ever wondered why God included thousands of promises in the Bible? Was it so we could have something to hold over His head and force Him to act on our behalf? I don’t think so.

God made promises to His children to give us hope and to reveal His nature. 

He promised to provide our needs because He’s a generous God who takes good care of His children (Matt. 6:26).

He promised never to leave us or forsake us to show us that He’s a faithful God who won’t abandon us in our times of need (Heb. 13:5).

He promised to guide us through life because He’s a kind Father who wants us to experience the joy of obedience and avoid the pain of foolish actions (Psalm 23:3).

Each promise gives us hope, reflects His character, and affirms that He’s a good God, worthy of our trust.

Dani listened as the prayers swirled around her in the church sanctuary. She heard fellow believers calling the names of those who were struggling. Several mentioned God’s promises to guide, provide, and accomplish His good will. She heard tear-choked voices crying out to the God who can do all things and for whom nothing is too hard (Jer. 32:27). By the end of the evening, she no longer felt overwhelmed. She felt empowered.

God hears and answers prayer. He calls us to pray. We can claim God’s promises and trust His character. 

We can pray on!

Update on Lord, I Believe

What a wonderful Launch Week it has been! Thank you to so many of you who prayed, emailed, and ordered copies. Amazon sold out of its stock on the first day! But fear not, if you haven’t yet ordered your copy, they’re restocking. Also, Christian Books and, of course, Our Daily Bread still have LOTS. Sales that happen in the first months after publication REALLY help because Amazon will begin promoting it. Thank you for helping me reach readers who are either struggling in their faith or simply want to be reminded of all the glorious reasons we have to believe in God.

A Fantastic Audio Resource Featuring Lord, I Believe!

Our Daily Bread, in partnership with the You Version Bible App, recorded five devotions from Lord, I Believe and included them both in You Version and on the Our Daily Bread app. The reader is FABULOUS. She brought tears to my eyes, and she was reading MY WORDS. But you know what brought the tears? Not my words, but God’s Words contained within the devotions. Oh, I want you to hear it! Please go here to download either the Our Daily Bread app or the YouVersion app to your smart phone or computer, then search for Lord, I Believe under Plans. You’ll be glad you did.

Two Happy Pictures from Launch Day

Here are two happy pictures from launch day. Lord, I Believe made it to #6 and #7 in two New Release categories on Amazon. Considering that the new Bible Recap Bible was #5 in one of those categories, I’m pretty pleased with this 🙂

“Feeling Overwhelmed? Three Truths to Empower Your Prayers” first appeared on ReviveOur Hearts.com and is shared with permission.

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If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the

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Act Now! Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart Has Arrived

It’s Here! It’s Here!

If you’re like me, you want to believe—that God is good. That He loves you. That He has the power to do amazing things in and through your life.

But sometimes your faith wobbles.

During a sad, hard, trying time in my life, I searched for biblical reasons to trust God. Before long, I had listed 10. I felt my struggling faith grow stronger. Then I found 20, and my heart grew happier. When I found 40, I was ready to raise a dead man. I realized I could search and find forever, so I stopped at 60—sixty faith-strengthening, God-inspired, powerful reasons to believe. My heart was happier, more confident, and faith-filled. I paired these reasons with real-life stories, partnered with Our Daily Bread publishing, and am thrilled to bring you the book, Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart.

If you’re like me and want to believe in God with all your heart, this book is for you. Today is LAUNCH DAY, and Lord, I Believe is available for purchase! I’d be honored if you’d hop over to Amazon, Our Daily Bread, Christian Books, or Barnes and Noble and reserve a copy. Better yet, buy two and share one with a struggling friend. Did you know when a reader purchases a book on in the days surrounding Launch Day, Amazon promotes it to other readers who need spiritual encouragement? Your purchase today will help me reach every struggling soul whom God wants to inspire with biblical, God-focused hope.

If you’d like a taste of Lord, I Believe before your copy arrives, I’m sharing the very first chapter with you, my faithful blog readers, below. May God use it to strengthen and encourage your heart!

P.S. Would you please pray God enables me to reach every person who needs this books message of hope and healing? If you’d forward this email on to someone you know who needs a reason to hope, I’d be so grateful.

I Believe God Will Help Me Overcome My Unbelief*

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:24

When was the last time you struggled to believe? 

Today? Yesterday? Every day?

If we’re honest, most of us will answer, “Often.”

When we struggle with our jobs, our health, or our marriages, we wonder if God will see us through. When our loved one languishes in a hospital bed or our prodigal child roams the streets doing God knows what, the icy grip of faithlessness squeezes our hearts and takes our breath away. 

When we come to God again and again with the same request and nothing changes, our faith wobbles. Maybe I’m wasting my time. Maybe God doesn’t care. Or worse—maybe this situation is so bad, so sad, or so broken even God can’t fix it.

Such was the case with the man in Mark 9. This man was living a parent’s nightmare. A demon had controlled his son since he was a tiny boy. It would twist his little body with convulsions, paralyze his muscles, and sling him to the ground as he foamed at the mouth. Sometimes the father would hear noises and come running, only to discover the demon had flung his son into the fire or into the water. 

One day, the man heard stories about a teacher who had fed a multitude and healed a blind man. Maybe, just maybe, He could help his son. So he set out for the teacher’s camp.

But Jesus wasn’t there. 

His disciples listened to his desperate plea and tried to help. But the evil spirit hung on. Maybe even laughed a little.

By the time the Teacher arrived, a crowd had formed. Scribes and disciples argued. Bystanders offered opinions. The boy sat silently in their midst.

“What are you discussing?” Jesus asked.

“Teacher,” the man cried, “I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not” (vv. 17-18).

As if on cue, the demon convulsed the boy and flung him to the ground. Take that, Jesus. This one’s mine.

“If you can do anything,” his father begged, “take pity on us and help us” (v. 22).

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. 

In three words, Jesus asked the heart-piercing question that exposed the father’s faith struggle—and ours. 

Do we believe Jesus can?

Can He heal? Can He provide? Can He restore? Can He defend? 

Sometimes I get so snarled up in the sovereignty of God—Is it His will or isn’t it His will—that I forget that faith is believing He can. “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” Hebrews 11:6 tells us. The faith that pleases God doesn’t always know how God will act. But it knows God will act. And that He’ll do what is best. 

I don’t have to know God’s will for every situation to pray in faith. Faith isn’t knowing the outcome. Faith is knowing God.

“Everything is possible for one who believes,” Jesus reminded the father (v. 23).

With the honesty that comes from staring into the all-knowing face of God, the man exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (v. 24). 

We can say the same.

Father, I trust you to work all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purposes (Romans 8:28). 

On that day long ago, Jesus responded to a father’s wobbly faith by doing a miracle. He’s still doing miracles today. 

 

Would you help me share the hope and encouragement of this message? Think of three friends who could use some faith-filled encouragement, and forward this email on to them.

Are you ready to stake your faith on the firm foundation of God’s Word—and believe? Order your copy ofI hope Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart today.

Available Now at These Fine Retailers (prices accurate at time of writing)

Our Daily Bread ($17.00)

Amazon (14.99)

Christian Books (27% off at 10.99!)

Barnes and Noble ($14.99)

*This chapter is an excerpt from Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart and is used with permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing.

The post Act Now! Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart Has Arrived appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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What Are You Reading Today? Three New Books to Consider

My husband doesn’t fear when I wander into a clothing store. He doesn’t worry about me busting the budget in a home furnishing store either. But, oh, when I head to a book store? He trembles.

I LOVE books. And I love SPIRITUAL books even more, don’t you?

Today I thought I’d share three books I’m reading, sharing, and loving right now.

BOOK #1: Wealth Blessed by Elizabeth Brickman (End Game Press)

Here’s the back cover copy:

In a world where financial success doesn’t guarantee happiness, faith-based financial advisor Elizabeth Brickman shares how true financial contentment comes from healing hidden wounds that sabotage your relationship with wealth. Combining timeless biblical wisdom and her expertise as The Caring Advisor, she presents transformative strategies to find genuine financial peace. You’ll discover:

*Why smart people make decisions that lead to financial heartache

*How to identify and heal deep-seated money wounds

*Biblical principles that bridge the gap between wealth and happiness

*Time-tested methods to align your finances with your faith

Whether you have a lot of money or a little, Wealth-Blessed offers a revolutionary approach to achieving financial contentment that lasts.

As of this posting, this gem is on sale for 25% off on Amazon. Click HERE to read more.

BOOK #2: Discovering God’s Word by Jean Wilund (Our Daily Bread Publishing)

If you have no idea how to study the Bible but want to learn, this is the book for you.

If you’ve been studying the Bible for years, but want to go deeper, this is the book for you.

If you love the gospels and want to study one WHILE learning to study the Bible, this is the book for you.

I’ve been reading and studying the Bible for 40+ years, and this 6-week Bible study on how to study the Bible while studying the Book of Mark taught me SO MUCH. I fell in love with God’s Word all over again and I gained some Bible study insight and techniques I’ll use again and again as I study other parts of the Bible. Thank you, Jean, for writing the study every Christian needs.

Book #3: Jumbo Bible Word Search by David and Julie Lavender (Penguin Random House)

Are you looking for a way to boost your brain and uncover God’s Word?

Let’s face it. Life is SO SERIOUS some times. If you’re looking for a fun recreation tool that will also help you think about and learn about God’s Word, here you go. And best of all? These Bible-based word searches are printed in LARGE, CLEAR text. No more squinting to find just the word you’re looking for. Explore the names of God, seek comfort in Jesus’s promises to His followers, and more. Science has proven that puzzles like these support cognitive function, boost problem-solving, memory, and focus. This great volume also expands our Scripture expertise and exposes us to both familiar and lesser-known Bible stories and verses. It’s the perfect gift for a shut-in, someone recuperating from a surgery or illness, or just for fun.

I can’t think of a better way to spend $9.99. Click HERE to see it on sale at Amazon now.

There you go, a sneak peek at what’s on my bedside table right now. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Blessings,

Lori

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The post What Are You Reading Today? Three New Books to Consider appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Don’t You Love Deleted Scenes and Bonus Material?

Don’t you love the deleted scenes and bonus material at the end of a movie? Sometimes these are the parts that make you laugh or think the most. I often try to figure out why those scenes didn’t make the final cut. Sometimes it’s obvious—an actor forgot his lines or a prop went haywire.

Other times a scene is perfect and still gets cut. Maybe the scene made the movie exceed the time limit or took the focus in a different direction. Or the scene is similar enough to another that it winds up on the cutting room floor.

The same process happens with books. In the final edit, editors go over the manuscript chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, line by line. Are the topics varied? Have we duplicated a theme or focus verse or used the same story twice?

In the final edit of my upcoming book, Lord, I Believe, I was so excited about how God leads and guides us through life that I wrote about it—twice.

You guessed it—one of the devotions ended up on the cutting room floor.

But, thankfully, it didn’t get run through the shredder. Instead, I saved it to share with you as a sneak preview of what you can look forward to in Lord, I Believe.

I hope you enjoy it!

I Believe God Will Guide Me

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8

When was the last time you made a big decision?

Did you feel confident or terrified? For many years, I leaned heavily in the terrified direction. What if I made the wrong choice and regretted it? Or missed something wonderful because I chose the wrong option? Do I, or don’t I? Should I, or shouldn’t I? Like a kid in a Tilt o’ Whirl, I bounced from one thought to the next until I was dizzy.

One of the most appealing parts of surrendering my life to Christ was knowing someone wiser than myself would guide me. I didn’t just gain a Savior; I gained a Counselor who would come alongside me to warn me of danger and point me to the good way.

 I’ve often wished God’s guidance came in a daily memo. If it did, though, we’d have no need to cultivate our relationship with God. We’d grab our instructions and head off on our merry way. “Thanks, God. I’ll take it from here.” 

Instead, God makes His guidance available through more personal and hands-on ways. He provides wisdom through His Word. But we have to read it. He offers insight through prayer. But we have to set aside time to meet with Him. He brings wise counselors into our lives, but we have to seek their advice. And He speaks through the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, but we must learn to recognize His voice.

Although I’ve often wished for an audible, “Thus sayeth the Lord,” I’m grateful God chooses to guide us through our relationship with Him. When I face a decision, it’s exciting to apply biblical principles that point me in the right direction. When I bring my need to Him in prayer and see Him answer through “random” circumstances and “chance” conversations, my faith grows. And when a wise friend shares just the right bit of information to tip my decision, I rejoice in God’s provision. Best of all, the sweet certainty that the Holy Spirit gives allows me to move forward in confidence.

 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;” God promises. “I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Aren’t you glad we can rest in this today? 

Embrace the Truth: No matter how big or difficult our decisions may be, God’s guidance gives us confidence.

Declare Your Faith:  Lord, I believe you will guide me in every decision I face. Thank you for giving me your Word to guide me into all truth, prayer to help me connect with you, and Christian brothers and sisters to come alongside me. Most of all, thank you for the Holy Spirit, who lives inside me as my counselor, comforter, and friend. Remind me to seek your will for every decision and forgive me for the times I act independently of you. In Jesus’ name I ask, amen.

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60 Powerful Answers for a Faith Crisis (and a Cover Reveal!)

What would you say to a friend in the midst of a faith crisis? Or to someone you love who’s s struggling with life’s circumstances and searching for a reason to believe? Someone who’s trying to hold on to their faith and not give up hope.

Shelly is that friend. She’s battling addiction, fighting for her marriage, and wondering if what she’s heard about God is true.

Is He kind?

Does He care?

Is He powerful enough to upright her upside-down life and give her a future and a hope?

Chelsea’s wondering too. She’s not experiencing any major faith crisis, but in the quiet moments, when she’s alone with her thoughts, she wonders, is God good? Is it worth it to follow Him?

Maybe you have a friend like Shelly or Chelsea. Or maybe you have the same questions.

Good News

I have good news:

The Bible overflows with solid, time-tested, life-appropriate reasons to believe that God is actively engaged in our lives—for our good and His glory.

I wanted to help readers like Shelly find an anchor to cling to—and shore up my own faith as well.

Start at the Beginning

So I started at the beginning. I know this Anchor is Jesus. Shelly and Chelsea do, too.

But after we surrender our souls to Him, what’s next?

How do we surrender our lives to Him, in faith and trust instead of fear and trembling? How do we say, like the man whose son was deathly ill, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”?

In my most recent story-driven devotional book, Lord, I Believe, I’ve gathered sixty powerful reasons to believe in God. Some of the stories will make you laugh. Others might make you cry. All of them will strengthen your faith and grow your trust in our faithful God.

Today, a month from it’s release, I want to share the cover with you! (If for some reason the image doesn’t show in your email, CLICK HERE.)

In the next four weeks, I’ll share excerpts, videos, and images to help strengthen your faith so you can say without hesitation, “Lord, I believe!”

Lord, I Believe, from Our Daily Bread Publishing, is available for preorder now. Click HERE to reserve your copy. Better yet, buy an extra for a friend who wants to believe.

The post 60 Powerful Answers for a Faith Crisis (and a Cover Reveal!) appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesYou’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith WobblesHow Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?How to Study the Bible for Life Transformation 

A Guaranteed Way to Know What to Do Next

Have you ever been in a situation that made you wonder what to do next?

Have you longed for God’s direction but felt unsure about how to find it?

There’s a clue in Psalm 32.

But first, let me tell you about what my friend Sue called “The Look.” 

“The Look”

The Look could strike fear in a child’s heart from 30 feet away. It could stop foolish behavior in its tracks, silence inappropriate chatter, and deliver a complete lecture with a single lift of an eyebrow. The Look was Sue’s mom’s most effective disciplinary tool during Sunday morning church service, Sunday night worship, and Wednesday night choir practice. 

Because Sue’s mom was the choir director and church pianist, she never sat with her children. Instead, ten minutes before the service, she’d march them down to the front row, remind them of proper church behavior, and take her seat at the piano.

Perched primly on the edge of the bench with her back ramrod straight, she’d begin the prelude. Her eyes would follow the notes’ progression across the sheet music, but occasionally she’d glance in her children’s direction. Misbehavior of any kind prompted The Look. 

Psalm 32

I thought of The Look this morning when I read Psalm 32:8: 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” 

Apparently, God has also perfected The Look. 

I love Psalm 32:8, because it assures me that God will direct the events of my life. He’ll give me wisdom when I ask and instruction when I’m confused or unsure. Equally important, he’ll correct any behavior that will lead me away from him and his will for my life. I take comfort in this. 

But just like Sue’s mom didn’t jump off the platform and snatch up Sue and her brother, so the Lord seldom jerks us up by the collar to dispense his wisdom and correction. Most of the time, he waits for us to ask. 

Not only for correction

Sue’s mom’s look was mostly for correction purposes, but the Lord desires to lead and guide us in his ways so we don’t require correction. Or discipline. Or consequences. His desire is to spare us from harm and lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. If we’re smart, we’ll want this. 

Sadly, many of us miss God’s direction—not because he doesn’t offer it, but because we’re not looking for it. In order for God to lead us, we must turn our faces toward him. How do we do this?

How to turn our faces toward God

John 1:1 shows us one way:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

Because God has revealed himself through the Bible, when we look into his Word, we look into his heart and mind. We see life through his eyes. This is why it’s imperative that we read our Bibles every day. We wouldn’t start a cross-country car trip without using an accurate GPS system, yet many times we begin the day without checking with God to see if he has any directions for us. 

Another way to look into God’s eyes is through prayer. By talking to him (and being still long enough to hear him), we invite a two-way conversation that can chart the course of our lives. 

I’ve often heard the Lord speak during my early morning quiet time. As I pray through the day’s schedule, God will bring someone or something to mind. Sometimes he’ll redirect where I plan to spend my time, energy, or money. Other times he’ll introduce a completely new thought or idea for tackling something on my To Do list. When I follow through in faith and do what I think he’s telling me to do, amazing things happen. 

Reading our Bibles and praying are two ways we seek God’s face, but some days, we’d rather not have his eyes upon us. 

Avoiding God’s eyes

Some Sundays Sue and her brother deliberately avoided their mother’s eyes. They knew if they looked at her, they’d have to decide between correcting their behavior and continuing their disobedience. Once they made eye contact with Mother, they knew there was no hiding. 

The same is true of us. We love/hate our pet sins: Anger. Bitterness. Unforgiveness. Lying. Pornography. Gossip. Worry. Lust. Self-sufficiency. Pride. We don’t want to let go of them, even though they’re destroying us. 

I think one of the reasons God called David a “man after God’s own heart is because he knew how to turn his face toward God. Listen to his prayer in Psalm 27:8: 

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.’” 

David knew he needed God. He knew he couldn’t navigate this world on his own, nor did he want to. His only hope was to keep his eyes on God. My friend Sue felt the same way (although she might not admit it).

If you need guidance, wisdom, direction, or correction, follow David’s lead. Turn your eyes toward God. Confess any known sin. Read his Word and obey it.

Then you will walk in the ways of righteousness and feel God’s pleasure.

Now it’s your turn. How do you turn your face toward God’s? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post A Guaranteed Way to Know What to Do Next appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               

Powerful Hope When You’re Tempted to Quit Praying

What is your most long-standing unanswered prayer? 

I have friends who have been praying for decades for their children’s salvation. 

And friends who have labored for years over their daughters’ infertility. 

One of my neighbors prays daily for researchers to find a cure for a disease that has the power to kill two of his grandchildren before they reach age 30. He’s been praying this prayer for eleven years. 

I pray every day for beloved prodigals, broken relationships, and healing. 

Sometimes I grow weary.

When I don’t see results, I wonder if my prayers are accomplishing anything. Might my time and energy be better spent doing something? In my darkest times of doubt, I wonder if God is even listening. Or if he cares.

Do you ever feel this way? 

Then Luke 18:1 is a special gift for us today. 

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” 

I take great comfort in knowing that Jesus knew I’d grow weary in prayer. Not only that, but he inspired the gospel writer Luke to pen Scripture with me (and you) in mind — so we wouldn’t give up.  

“Keep praying,” he says. “I hear you. Your prayers matter. I’m knitting them into the fabric of events, and one day it will all make sense. And it will be beautiful. Trust me. Don’t give up.” 

If you’ve labored long over a loved one, a circumstance, or a need, take a deep breath. Cry if you need to. Then ask God for the faith to persevere. He will have his perfect will and way, and I want to be a part of that. 

Don’t you?

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post Powerful Hope When You’re Tempted to Quit Praying appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories3 Powerful Truths to Help You Pray in VictoryHow Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?You’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith Wobbles 

How Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?

A struggling friend once accused me of having a Pollyanna approach to life. You just think happy thoughts, look on the bright side, and focus on the good. You pretend the bad stuff doesn’t exists.

Seriously? Does she really think this is how Christians deal with trials?

If my husband came home with a frightening diagnosis or a pink slip in his lunch box, would I say, “Oh, don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine”? Probably not.

I could, however, speak biblical truth to him – comfort with teeth. And a backbone.

I could speak one of the most common phrases in the Bible, “Fear not.”

But I wouldn’t have to stop there.

You see, “Fear not,” even when it comes from the Bible, isn’t enough. “Fear not” is only half the story. God’s repeated command to his children is powerful because of what comes after the command. 

When we face times of trial, sickness, or loss, it isn’t enough to hear someone (even God) say, “Don’t be afraid.” We need to know why we don’t have to be afraid. 

Thankfully, when God challenges us not to be afraid, he also tells us why. 

Listen:

“Do not be afraid, (insert your name here). I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Gen. 15:1).

“Fear not, for I am with you,” (Gen. 26:24).

“Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Deu. 31:6).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isa. 41:10).

When God says, “Fear not” to his children, he backs it up with offers of his help, presence, and protection. No matter what comes into our lives, we don’t have to be afraid, because God is our advocate. Whatever we face, we’ll face with him. And he is a mighty powerful ally.

Will he protect me from every sad, bad, hard trial? No. As long as we live in this sinful, broken world, we will have tribulation. “But be of good cheer,” Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.”

“Do not be afraid,” he commands in the final book of the Bible, “I am the First and the Last,” (Rev. 1:17). In the end all will be made right. In the meantime, God will walk beside me into every trial I face. And with him by my side, I need not be afraid.

To my friend who called me a Pollyanna, I say, 

that’s powerful comfort – comfort with teeth. And a backbone.

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post How Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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