Sarah Frazer

Have you ever felt like good intentions were just setting you up to fail? In the summer we have such a hard time keeping up any type of routine, let alone a Bible reading plan. How do we keep up with a Bible reading plan during the summer?

Just like Mary, we can rest in the truth that death does not win, loss is not permanent, and God grows new life where we least expect it. The same God who planted both gardens is still tending our story today.

The same Savior who sometimes allows suffering is the One who ultimately conquered it on the cross. So if you find yourself praying at 2 a.m., longing for relief, just remember that you are not forgotten. You may not see the miracle yet. But you are not waiting alone.

Even when you’re running on empty, God’s love is steady and strong. This devotional reminds us that our Father carries us from beginning to end.

What can you do when your faith feels weak at Christmas?

What feels so scary right now in your life? How can faith in God bring you courage? What do you need to do as a “next step” to push through the fear you hold?

God, our loving heavenly Father, longs to answer our prayers, big or small. We can trust that each prayer is heard and will be answered. Maybe even today!

We can choose to believe, even in the middle of our sorrow, that God has not left us. What fuels our belief is choosing to trust God’s presence with us in the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 116 points us to the truth that God is loving, righteous, compassionate, and full of grace. In prayer, we can come to God and remember these things.

When was the last time you thanked God for being your refuge? Take a moment to read through Psalm 91 and stop after each verse to give thanks to Him for being your refuge.

When suffering threatens your faith in God, how does knowing God’s presence is always with you comfort your heart?

Prayer is a way to say thank you and let veterans know we have not forgotten them. As we pray for our veterans, may these prayers help you put into words what's on your heart.

When I was a little girl, I went to a Bible camp. At the end of the week, all the girls in our cabin exchanged mailing addresses. Because I was a budding writer and wanted a pen pal so bad, I wrote to every single girl on that list.

After a few weeks, I got a few responses, but only one girl continued to write back months later. I’m not sure if she kept my letters but I kept all of hers! I recently sent her a message and asked if we could exchange our letters as my kids would probably love to see what I wrote as a 10, 11, and 12-year-old. And I’m sure her kids would love to see her letters, too.

Letter writing isn’t as common as it was then, but even twenty-five years ago letter writing was the same as it was two thousand years ago. During the time after Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, letter writing was more than a means of communication. It is one of the ways God used to spread the Good News of the Gospel.

How do these letters impact our lives today? And specifically, how are the letters of the apostle John completely relevant to our modern world? As we take a sweeping overview of the three letters of John, I hope you will that although they were written 2000 years ago we can find so much truth, hope, and insight into our world today.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Eerik 

Life often feels too busy to read the Bible. What’s the secret to getting started? Embrace that you don’t have to love reading to love the Bible! Here are some easy suggestions.