Devotional Thoughts Archives - Page 22 of 29

Joy. It Does a Life Good.

One of my least favorite prayers goes something like this, "Jesus, we pray that you would be with us." Perhaps I completely caught/claimed the truth that He will "never leave you nor forsake you" when I first met the Lord at the age of 16, for I have never doubted His presence with me. Sure, there have been deserts of silence, disappointments, relational tensions, and fear. There have been houses that must get sold, financial hardship, a husband battling depression, and a child working through anxiety. Heck, there have been bad days and circumstances that have caused pain and sadness. [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:45:09-04:00December 12, 2011|

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy . . . Where?

This morning, nursing a sinus infection, I sat down to write about joy, and all I could think of was a children's song. You know the one. "I've got the (insert fruit of the spirit here, and repeat 4x's) down in my heart." Which made me pause. On a women's retreat a few weeks back we were strongly encouraged to go on a negativity fast until Christmas. In the sermon last week, the Pastor cautioned us about having an overly complaining spirit, sharing that of course it is necessary to cry out to God, but that often we get into [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:45:09-04:00December 11, 2011|

Baby Love

I want to give you permission to write yourself a love letter. No, silly. Not to you, from you. To you, from the Ultimate Love. Jesus. Years ago when I served as the Director of Campus Ministries at a Christian college, I found myself sharing a similar letter, a love letter from Jesus, with many of the female students with whom I had the privilege of investing one-on-one time. The majority were usually struggling with the issue of finding the perfect earthly love - and thus, I spoke often on the subject of Christ being the absolute, without fault, perfectly suited Bridegroom, [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:45:09-04:00December 5, 2011|

Love Came Down at Christmas

Love is not a feeling. Love is not a theme. Love is not a moment. Or a thought, a wish, or a possibility. Love, just like Hope, is a person. And He came down at Christmas. It's time for a love-fest. Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:45:09-04:00December 4, 2011|

Hope Is A Person

Meet Hope. No, really. MEET Him. "Hope, this is ____________. _______________, this is Hope." It's one thing to know ABOUT someone. But to actually KNOW them, is an entirely different story. In 1 Timothy 1:1, Paul refers to Jesus as "our hope". While other versions may translate this as "who gives us hope", I prefer the latter. Jesus is Our Hope. For salvation, naturally: the forgiveness of our sins and thus reconciliation with God. I don't think that any of us professing a belief in Our Hope, struggle with this truth. It's the belief that He is indeed Our Hope [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:45:09-04:00November 28, 2011|