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.
Confessions of a Dreamer
I have a confession to make: I am unapologetically a dreamer, envisioning what this life can be and the good that can be done. I’m not just optimistic about life—I am overly optimistic about it. It’s not so much a question of whether the glass is half-empty or half-full; it’s about how much space is in the cup for it to reach its potential! Is the glass empty? That just means it has the capacity to be full! I wish everyone would think this way, but I have encountered many doubters and unbelievers along the way.
Mysterious Ways
The illustration of the potter and clay in Isaiah 45:9-12 can also be found in Jeremiah 18:1-6, Romans 9:20, and Isaiah 29:16. This repetition should bring to our attention that God really wants us to know we can trust Him with what He’s doing in our lives. Notice that Isaiah 45 mentions that sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator about His work. To do so shows that we do not fully trust God, but practicing this undivided faith can be difficult.
Light of the World
Did you know that while Jesus was here on earth, He prayed for you and me? We have this prayer recorded in the Bible, and every time I read it, it amazes me that while Jesus was on earth, He was thinking not only about the people He loved who were there with Him, but also about you and me. The entire prayer can be found in John 17. If you haven’t read this prayer before, what do you think Jesus asked the Father for?
One More Time
Around twenty years ago, I was living out a karate kid's dream. I had made it to a national tournament in Washington, D.C., with friends. We were representing Team Lightning from a local taekwondo school. (Yes, it was as cool as you are thinking it was.) There were several different categories of competition based on various disciplines. There were forms—a rhythmic display of power and control showcasing a set of moves ranging in complexity. Weapons were similar to forms but with different weapons (bo staffs, nunchucks, and kamas) to show control, precision, and discipline. Lastly, my favorite, sparring. This was where theories became reality! Sparring was just as you would imagine it—fighting to see who rose to the top and became champion.
Chasing the Wind
If you’ve ever read the book of Ecclesiastes, you were probably surprised to find such a “Debbie Downer” perspective included in the Word of God. The book opens with, “Everything is meaningless... completely meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT)... The writer notes that we are here for such a short time, yet we are quickly forgotten when we’re gone. So, what can we do that’s meaningful while we’re here?