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.
Worthy of It All
As a young believer, I remember being especially connected to a particular pastor’s teaching. I appreciated his style of preaching and how it felt like he was speaking directly to me with every sermon. When I found out he had written a book, I picked it up the moment I saw it. (Fun fact: I just happened to be at a bookstore after a ministry school class near where we currently live, and they had mistakenly put the book on the shelf about two weeks early. Did I feel guilty for buying it before its release date? Yes. Did that stop me? Absolutely not! I was thrilled to see it.)
But If I Did
Jesus, fully God and fully man, understood the uncomfortable pain of going through trials and wanting things to be different. Before his death on the cross, we find him in the garden, begging the Father to take this cup of suffering away from him.
You RASCAL!
Recently, I was at a fun lunch with friends after church, sharing about life, ministry, and our personal stories. We found ourselves in the middle of the story of how I arrived in Mississippi. Honestly, it’s one of the lowest moments of my life. As a teenager rebelling against my mom, I allowed her to spend all (literally) of her money to buy a plane ticket for me to come home—only to never board the plane. It’s a long, dramatic story of God’s divine intervention and grace.
You’re Invited
Thanksgiving is a time to gather and celebrate the good things in our lives with the people we love. However, Thanksgiving isn’t perfect, even for the most loving and healthy families. Some worry about family conflict as they gather. Others have an empty seat where a loved one once sat or may not have family to gather with at all. The holidays can bring joy, but they can also bring grief, leaving us with a strange feeling of longing for “home”—even when we’re cozy and surrounded by the people and places we love most.
Crossroads
Every person will eventually face a “crossroads” moment—a decision so defining it changes the course of their life. That may sound dramatic, but these moments don’t always feel that way at the time. Choices about family, career, church, or service can profoundly shape our lives and the direction we’re headed.