Browsing Tag

suffering

Still Small Voice

Table of Fellowship

January 16, 2026

There’s an open-door invitation for you to step beyond this temporal world. Stay rooted in earthly soil or tread the streets of gold for an eternity, and the walk starts now. Position your heart to believe in all that I have for you and don’t doubt it. Master your doubts with faith in my promises. My word should be your daily bread. It will sustain your faith like food does the body. You feel weak because you are malnourished. You skip vital meals necessary for your spiritual health. Once your spirit is strong, your body will follow, and your mind will be transformed. I have a feast for you. I set a table before you in the presence of all your hard days and in your suffering. I will fortify you and will never leave your side. This world will pass away, but my word will never pass awa,y and those who feast on my word will never die. You will grow stronger and stronger, as the manna from heaven heals all and reveals all you need for life and godliness. Stay nourished and hydrated with the word and the spirit. Come and feast from the table of fellowship brought down from the heavenly places for you.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? –Psalm 78:19 BSB

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. – Psalm 23:5a NASB

The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. – 1 Kings 17:6 NLT

Hay una invitación abierta para que trasciendas este mundo temporal. Permanece arraigado en la tierra o camina por las calles de oro por toda la eternidad; el camino comienza ahora. Dispón tu corazón a creer en todo lo que tengo para ti y no lo dudes. Domina tus dudas con fe en mis promesas. Mi palabra debe ser tu pan de cada día. Sustentará tu fe como el alimento sustenta el cuerpo. Te sientes débil porque estás desnutrido. Te saltas las comidas vitales necesarias para tu salud espiritual. Una vez que tu espíritu sea fuerte, tu cuerpo lo seguirá y tu mente será transformada. Tengo un banquete para ti. He preparado una mesa ante ti en medio de tus días difíciles y tu sufrimiento. Te fortaleceré y nunca te abandonaré. Este mundo pasará, pero mi palabra nunca pasará, y quienes se alimenten de mi palabra nunca morirán. Te harás cada vez más fuerte, pues el maná del cielo sana todo y revela todo lo que necesitas para la vida y la piedad. Mantente nutrido e hidratado con la palabra y el Espíritu. Ven y banquetea en la mesa de la comunión, traída desde los lugares celestiales para ti.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

Hablaron contra Dios, diciendo: ¿Puede Dios preparar una mesa en el desierto? – Salmo 78:19

Preparas una mesa ante mí en presencia de mis enemigos. – Salmo 23:5a

Los cuervos le traían pan y carne cada mañana y cada tarde, y bebía del arroyo. – 1 Reyes 17:6

Devotional

What You Gather, You Keep

August 16, 2025

When we do what pleases God, He is faithful to take care of us. And what pleases God’s heart is when we lay our desires down to care for another, even when it is hard. That person may depend on us for sustenance or comfort, and the duties of the day may repeat themselves, sometimes for years.

We’re exhausted and keep going, but can’t figure out where the energy is coming from, until we figure it out. It may take us a minute to see God at work behind the scenes, how that season will teach us the deepest lessons, and the reward for our faithfulness to Him.

When we’ve lost loved ones, feel like we have no resources, and the plans for our lives have been eaten by the moths of time, God reveals Himself as the One who loves us and has given us the strength to endure the hardest of the hard.

And we also see our redeemer’s life and sacrifice more clearly. Jesus’ mission was other-focused. He wasn’t after what was best for Him. Jesus did not spend His time on platforms; He went after people. His ears were attuned to hear the Father, and His eyes were set on His ways.

This reminds me of the biblical story of Ruth the Moabitess. Moab was a pagan nation with a historical animosity toward the Israelites. Ruth ended up marrying an Israelite from Bethlehem who had sojourned to Moab with his parents and brother, due to a famine in Israel. Before her marriage, her father-in-law died, leaving Naomi, her future mother-in-law, widowed. After the two sons died as well, all the women suffered shared losses.

But Ruth would not leave her mother-in-law’s side, even when she was telling her to go back to her people and to her gods. Ruth was determined not to leave Naomi and journeyed with her back to Bethlehem. She left behind a cruel and pagan nation whose priests served a host of idols, including the feared god Molech, whom they would offer child sacrifices to. Ruth decided to not only follow Naomi, but the God of Israel as well.

After they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth asked Naomi to allow her to go to a field and glean among the ears of grain after the reapers. That is where she met Boaz, a man of great wealth. He said to her, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go from this one, but stay here with my maids.” 

Ruth only gleaned in the field of Boaz while she was living with Naomi through a hard season.

Is that not what Jesus says to us? Do not go to other fields for your bread, for … “I am the bread of life.” Glean from the field of God’s word, verse by verse, for His plans, promises, and provision. The scriptures are an endless treasury for our souls, earmarked for each of us for all of our days. They will provide us with living truth, hope, comfort, joy, and wisdom, amidst a world of derelict ideas that attempt to drag us away from walking with God.

Ruth asked Boaz why she had found favor in his eyes, and he replied that he was told of all that she had done for her mother-in-law and how she left her parents and the land of her birth for an unknown future. God is the redeemer of our losses and our time. Ruth was favored by Boaz; he was kind to her and comforted her, even though she was not like the other maidservants.

Although it was not her motive, Ruth was graciously blessed, and Boaz married her, after the first in line to buy Naomi’s property and marry Ruth, rejected the offer. We know that too well. Although we may be the world’s pickings, we are created, chosen, and cherished by the God who sacrificed His son, Jesus, that we may have an eternal home in the wealth of His presence, as sons and daughters and the glorious bride of the Messiah.

What became of Ruth after she married Boaz? She became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. God has a plan for each of our lives, but they may not all look the same or go as we planned, but it will be a fulfilled life, if we live like Christ, who laid down His life, that others may live.   

Photo: “Gleaners at Sunset’ by French realist artist Leon-Augustin Lhermitte (1889)

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. - Ruth 2:8, NLT

May the Lord reward your work, and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. - Ruth 2:12 NASB

And now, my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of worth. - Ruth 3:11 RSV

Cuando hacemos lo que agrada a Dios, Él es fiel en cuidarnos. Y lo que agrada a Dios es cuando entregamos nuestro deseo de cuidar a otra persona, incluso cuando es difícil. Esa persona puede depender de nosotros para su sustento o consuelo, y las tareas del día pueden repetirse, a veces durante años.

Estamos agotados y seguimos adelante, pero no podemos entender de dónde proviene la energía hasta que lo descubrimos. Puede que nos tome un minuto ver a Dios obrando tras bambalinas, cómo esa etapa nos enseñará las lecciones más profundas y la recompensa por nuestra fidelidad a Él.

Cuando hemos perdido a seres queridos, sentimos que no tenemos recursos y los planes para nuestras vidas se han devorado por el paso del tiempo, Dios se revela como Aquel que nos ama y nos ha dado la fuerza para soportar lo más difícil.

Y también vemos con mayor claridad la vida y el sacrificio de nuestro redentor. La misión de Jesús estaba centrada en los demás. No buscaba lo mejor para sí mismo. Jesús no pasaba su tiempo en plataformas; buscaba a la gente. Sus oídos estaban atentos al Padre y su mirada puesta en sus caminos.

Esto me recuerda la historia bíblica de Rut la moabita. Moab era una nación pagana con una animosidad histórica hacia los israelitas. Rut terminó casándose con un israelita de Belén que había emigrado a Moab con sus padres y su hermano debido a una hambruna en Israel. Antes de casarse, su suegro murió, dejando viuda a Noemí, su futura suegra. Tras la muerte de sus dos hijos, todas las mujeres sufrieron pérdidas compartidas.

Pero Rut no se separó de su suegra, ni siquiera cuando esta le decía que regresara con su pueblo y sus dioses. Rut estaba decidida a no dejar a Noemí y viajó con ella de regreso a Belén. Dejó atrás una nación cruel y pagana cuyos sacerdotes servían a una multitud de ídolos, incluyendo al temido dios Moloc, a quien ofrecían sacrificios de niños. Rut decidió no solo seguir a Noemí, sino también al Dios de Israel.

Después de llegar a Belén, Rut le pidió a Noemí que la dejara ir a un campo a espigar entre las espigas tras los segadores. Allí conoció a Booz, un hombre rico. Él le dijo: «Escucha atentamente, hija mía. No vayas a espigar a otro campo; ni te vayas de este, sino quédate aquí con mis criadas».

Rut solo espigó en el campo de Booz mientras vivía con Noemí una época difícil.

¿No es eso lo que nos dice Jesús? No vayan a otros campos en busca de su pan, porque… «Yo soy el pan de vida». Espiguen del campo de la palabra de Dios, versículo a versículo, para conocer sus planes, promesas y provisión. Las Escrituras son un tesoro inagotable para nuestras almas, destinadas a cada uno de nosotros para todos nuestros días. Nos brindarán verdad viva, esperanza, consuelo, alegría y sabiduría, en medio de un mundo de ideas abandonadas que intentan apartarnos de nuestro caminar con Dios.

Rut le preguntó a Booz por qué había hallado favor ante sus ojos, y él respondió que le habían contado todo lo que ella había hecho por su suegra y cómo dejó a sus padres y su tierra natal por un futuro incierto. Dios es el redentor de nuestras pérdidas y de nuestro tiempo. Rut fue favorecida por Booz; él fue bondadoso con ella y la consoló, aunque ella no era como las demás siervas.

Aunque no era su motivo, Rut fue bendecida generosamente, y Booz se casó con ella, después de que el primero en la fila para comprar la propiedad de Noemí y casarse con Rut rechazara la oferta. Lo sabemos muy bien. Aunque seamos la presa predilecta del mundo, somos creados, elegidos y amados por el Dios que sacrificó a su hijo, Jesús, para que tengamos un hogar eterno en la riqueza de su presencia, como hijos e hijas y la gloriosa novia del Mesías.

¿Qué fue de Rut después de casarse con Booz? Se convirtió en la bisabuela del rey David y antepasada de Jesucristo. Dios tiene un plan para cada una de nuestras vidas, aunque puede que no todas sean iguales ni transcurran como las planeamos, pero será una vida plena si vivimos como Cristo, quien dio su vida para que otros puedan vivir.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

Booz se acercó y le dijo a Rut: «Escucha, hija mía. Quédate aquí con nosotros cuando recojas el grano; no vayas a ningún otro campo. Quédate detrás de las jóvenes que trabajan en mi campo.» (Rut 2:8, NTV)

Que el Señor recompense tu trabajo, y que tu salario sea completo de parte del Señor, Dios de Israel, bajo cuyas alas has venido a refugiarte. - Rut 2:12 NVI

Y ahora, hija mía, no temas, yo haré por ti todo lo que me pidas, pues todos mis conciudadanos saben que eres una mujer valiosa. - Rut 3:11 RVR

Still Small Voice

Holy Oil

June 22, 2025

Let me anoint you with the oil of gladness. Your heart is tender and sometimes raw from the suffering. Let me soothe you with my love and comfort. Let me mend your broken and weary heart. You need rest, dear one, rest from all your worries and anxieties. You need rest from all your doings. All I ask is that you come to me. Lay your burdens at my feet. Let me heal you; restore you. Let me in. Once I’m in, all things must bow before me. There will be no room for anything else. Surrender to my love and allow my holy presence to consume all your hurting places. Let my oil gush over you and lighten your heart. I want you to leap for joy at the wonders I will reveal to you—the beauty you will hold when you release all the ashes. It is time to release all your pain to me. I will heal you. I will consume all the dross with my holy fire. You are set apart and anointed to carry my Holy Spirit with joy and faith. Everything I have for you is available once you release what I have not given you.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your companions. —Psalm 45:7, NASB

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. —Isaiah 61:3, NLT

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. —1 Peter 2:9, NKJV

Déjame ungirte con el óleo de la alegría. Tu corazón está tierno y a veces enconado por el sufrimiento. Déjame consolarte con mi amor y consuelo. Déjame sanar tu corazón roto y cansado. Necesitas descanso, querido, descanso de todas tus preocupaciones y ansiedades. Necesitas descanso de todas tus acciones. Solo te pido que vengas a mí. Deja tus cargas a mis pies. Déjame sanarte; restaurarte. Déjame entrar. Una vez que esté dentro, todo debe inclinarse ante mí. No habrá espacio para nada más. Entrégate a mi amor y permite que mi santa presencia consuma todo tu dolor. Deja que mi óleo te inunde y alivie tu corazón. Quiero que saltes de alegría ante las maravillas que te revelaré: la belleza que albergarás cuando liberes todas las cenizas. Es hora de entregarme todo tu dolor. Te sanaré. Consumiré toda la escoria con mi fuego sagrado. Estás apartado y ungido para llevar mi Espíritu Santo con alegría y fe. Todo lo que tengo para ti está disponible una vez que me entregues lo que no te he dado.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

Has amado la justicia y aborrecido la maldad; por eso Dios, tu Dios, te ha ungido con óleo de alegría más que a tus compañeros. —Salmo 45:7 (NVI)

A todos los que lloran en Israel, él les dará una corona de hermosura en lugar de ceniza, una bendición gozosa en lugar de luto, una alabanza festiva en lugar de desesperación. En su justicia, serán como grandes robles que el Señor ha plantado para su gloria. —Isaías 61:3 (NTV)

Pero ustedes son linaje escogido, real sacerdocio, nación santa, pueblo adquirido por Dios, para que anuncien las virtudes de aquel que los llamó de las tinieblas a su luz admirable. —1 Pedro 2:9 (NVI)

Devotional

Root for Each Other

June 1, 2024

Root for each other.

That’s what the T-shirt I was wearing the other day said. I hadn’t worn it in years. The words were written right next to a drawing of a plant with its roots showing. 

I know you’ve heard that phrase before. And I’m sure you’ve done it, too: encouraged or supported someone’s efforts for success or through a challenging time. 

But the other day, I noticed a twist to that phrase. Instead of its intended meaning, I added a pause after the word root, and the meaning also shifted. 

Root, as in plant yourself. 

What if we also rooted ourselves in Christ for the benefit of another? 

Root for each other. I’ll root for you, and you root for me.

Let your roots grow deep into Christ so that you remain faithful without wavering. Others need our stability, integrity, dependability, wisdom, and comfort from our intimacy with God Himself.

Don’t do it only for yourself. Do it for others as well. We’re not meant to go it alone in this life. Those who don’t have a relationship with God need us as much as those who do. 

Root yourself in Christ so you’ll be unmoveable. You’ll be anchored and an anchor for someone else. 

My husband and I took a cross-country trip to the redwood forest two summers ago. The coastal redwoods, found mainly in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, are the tallest trees on Earth. The secret strength that upholds these giant trees is found in their roots. They only go 6-12 feet deep but extend to 100 feet wide and interlock with neighboring redwood trees.

Imagine a vast root system spread underground, giving it stability above ground through strong winds, earthquakes, storms, and floods. 

Roots are vitally important because they provide nutrients and stability. This is true in our spiritual lives as well. However, roots are only as strong as their source.

If we’re not rooted in Christ, our whole body suffers. The mind-body connection is real. Our mind refers to our thoughts, which are influenced by what we choose to believe. Our mind will impact our emotions and our physical bodies. This is true for us as individuals and fellow believers. 

The Bible describes believers in Jesus as the body of Christ. If one member suffers, we all suffer.

Someone may need your strength in an area of weakness. They may need comfort and encouragement when facing anxiety and depression. Perhaps they need your prayers to overcome certain habits they’re having difficulty breaking, like cursing, drinking, or gossiping.

We can’t give what we don’t have ourselves. Superficial Christianity won’t satisfy us. We need a profoundly intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ—the kind that transforms us from within.

Almost nine months ago, I began to experience the effects of a hurried life that hadn’t prioritized tending my secret garden and how that impacted those in my sphere of influence. I want to encourage you to build a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, not only for your sake but for the sake of others. 

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. – 1 Corinthians 12:26, NASB

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27, NASB

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1, NASB

Still Small Voice

New Day Dawning

May 1, 2024

Expect the unexpected from My hand. I will fill your heart with joy everlasting. You have suffered much and have been patiently waiting on Me. I will reward your faithfulness in the midst of your tears and troubles. Be of good cheer, dear one. I am with you always. Watch and see what I have prepared for you. Listen to the singing of the birds in the morning hours. They bring a new song of hope for you. New days are dawning in your life. Beautiful plans will unfold before your eyes. Plans that have been running ahead of you for ages. They were created in My mind long ago when I thought of you, before you were born. My plans for you will come to pass. Continue to trust My heart and My hand of provision.

BIBLE VERSES TO STUDY

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33, NIV

But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. – 1 Peter 5:10, CEV

For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ‘The blossoms have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. – Song of Solomon‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭NASB‬

Espera lo inesperado de Mi mano. Llenaré tu corazón de alegría eterna. Has sufrido mucho y has estado esperando en Mí pacientemente. Recompensaré tu fidelidad en medio de tus lágrimas y problemas. Ten buen ánimo, querida. Estoy contigo siempre. Mira y descubre lo que tengo preparado para ti. Escucha el canto de los pájaros en horas de la mañana. Traen para ti un nuevo canto de esperanza. Nuevos días están amaneciendo en tu vida. Hermosos planes se desarrollarán ante tus ojos. Planes que han estado por delante de ti durante años. Fueron creados en Mi mente hace mucho tiempo, cuando pensaba en ti, antes de que nacieras. Mis planes para ti se harán realidad. Sigue confiando en Mi corazón y Mi mano de provisión.

VERSÍCULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA ESTUDIAR

Os he dicho estas cosas para que en mí tengáis paz. En este mundo tendrás problemas. ¡Pero anímate! He vencido al mundo. – Juan 16:33, NVI

Pero Dios muestra bondad inmerecida hacia todos. Por eso designó a Cristo Jesús para que os escogiera para participar de su gloria eterna. Sufrirás por un tiempo, pero Dios te hará completo, estable, fuerte y firme. – 1 Pedro 5:10, NVI

Porque he aquí, el invierno ha pasado, la lluvia ha cesado y desaparecido. 'Las flores ya han aparecido en la tierra; Ha llegado el tiempo de podar las vides, y la voz de la tórtola se ha oído en nuestra tierra. – Cantares de los Cantares 2:11-12, LBLA