Devotionals
In 2015, I was given the opportunity to write devotionals for LandMAX Properties and Timber Company, where I worked part-time. The "Words of Encouragement" devotional series was originally inspired by LandMAX’s owner, Chad Smith, whose heart has always been to be a light to others through his daily work. Though my husband, Matt, and I took on a new ministry role out of town shortly after this began, I’ve continued writing for LandMAX ever since (and sometimes Matt jumps in to write as well)!
We’re incredibly grateful for the many years we’ve been part of this wonderful vision for the LandMAX community, and now we’re excited to extend these devotionals to you, too!
As a thank you to The 31 Co. Foundation’s monthly business partners, we offer this devotional in a customizable, printable format that can easily be distributed to clients in weekly settlement checks or regular mailings. (Learn more about The 31 Co. Foundation here.)
Not a business? No problem! You can subscribe to our devotional and have it sent straight to your inbox weekly, or simply scroll down to start reading below.
Suffering
Knowing that some people are going to hate us just because of our faith can be frightening, especially when we see that someone recently lost their life for talking openly about their values. Although persecution happens all over the world, we don’t see this quite as often in America, and it really hits home when it happens in our own back yard. What do we do about this? How can we be bold in our faith and get rid of fear? How can we be happy to carry the name of Christ boldy even if it means suffering?
One Small Step
I was never an athletic teen. In my early 20s, I began to fluctuate a few pounds here and there, and I would wake up one day, decide to go to the gym, and crank out every single muscle group possible over the span of several hours. I’d be so miserable the next day that it would take almost a week to recover. So much for that new gym habit!
Blind Trust
Recently, we brought our kids with us on a work trip to Orlando, Florida! It was such a fun experience as we attended the National Youth Convention and Fine Arts Festival for the Assemblies of God, cheering on many of our friends from Mississippi as they presented the gifts God has given them on a national stage. Since we had a free day before the event began, we took the opportunity to visit Universal Studios, too! As we packed for the trip, our kids began asking questions.
Does it Cost You?
Personally, I wrestle with a phrase often used in Christian circles. If it sounds a little off at first, hang with me until the end. The phrase in question? “The free gift of salvation.” When I think about all that Jesus endured—the pain, the cross, releasing His spirit, and rising from the dead—I can’t say it didn’t cost Him anything. He allowed His body to be beaten. He was mocked, ridiculed, and shamed. He literally gave everything so we could be in right standing with God.
You Never Know
There are many seasons in life where we don’t see what’s happening. We see the world around us, the people we interact with, and the life we’re living… but we don’t see what Jesus sees. In my own life, this has often led to questions that start with “Why?”