Blog

A quiet place for weekly devotionals, honest stories, and Scripture-rooted encouragement for trusting God in everyday life.
Walking Away
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Have a loved one who has walked away from God? Maybe abandoning God or simply choosing to skip church? It's heartbreaking. As parents, we want the very best for our children. And the very best includes God. When children are growing, we banish the thought they will ever willingly walk away from God. We think our children will never be one of those outcasts. Our precious little... Read more...
Walking in Wisdom
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise. Ephesians 5:15 Are you walking wisely through life? Or are you subscribing to any whim you possess, acting as an unwise person? God asks us to look carefully how we walk. He wants us to represent Him as wise people. When we react unwisely, or as in anger or spite, we unfortunately place God in a bad light. Are you walking in the flesh, acting on every selfish whim? Or are you seeking God, walking in a wise... Read more...
It's a Wonderful Life
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 Is it? Is your life wonderful? George Bailey's life was. But He didn't see it. All he saw was what he didn't have. He chose to view life through that lens. The lens of what he didn't have instead of what he possessed. He had little material wealth. His job was stressful as a loan officer in a small... Read more...
Hope for the World
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 Christmas means hope. Hope for our redemption. Without Christmas, we have no hope. No hope for heaven as mere Gentiles. And the Jewish law was incredibly hard to keep perfectly. Christmas is our celebration of Jesus' birth. His birth ushered in a new era of hope. Hope for our broken world. When Jesus came, the world was steeped within itself. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah. But when He came, many... Read more...
Advent Devotions
I can remember one year, when my children were little, they memorized Luke 2, King James Version of course, because the language just seems fitting with the season. They recited it before we opened presents. Such a powerful story we seem to think little about as it is so familiar. In honor of our Savior's birth, I assembled some previously written devotions especially for this precious season. Feel free to read them all in one sitting or spread them out until Christmas Day. https://amylinnea.com/2017/12/09/shepherds/ https://amylinnea.com/2017/12/16/wise-men/ https://amylinnea.com/2019/12/14/interrupting-plans/ https://amylinnea.com/2020/12/12/gods-chosen/ Read Luke 2... Read more...
He Knows
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 God understands you. After all, He created you. He planned you from the foundation of the world. He saw you born. He saw you grow. He laughed when your baby babble emerged. He was touched when you sang your Sunday school songs. Especially when you belted out Jesus Loves Me. Because He does love you, ever so much. He saw... Read more...
Utmost Confidence
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 Jesus knows. Jesus, who is God, the Creator of ALL things, understands. Your weakness has sympathy with God. Instead of shaming us, He understands. He understands because He was human, walking... Read more...
But God
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to Himself. 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 It's impossible. But God. Utterly unattainable. But God. Completely devastating. But God. Simply too much. But God. It's like you've forgotten all about Him. His power. But God. Two words with big meaning. Heard this phrase years... Read more...
Teeny Tiny Thanks
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful. We have SO much to be thankful to God for. Life, our very breath breathed from God Himself. Family, those to whom we would do anything to help. Another day, pregnant with possibilities. God, the creator of ALL things, who whispers His love to us every day. Worship music, which allows us a tiny... Read more...
Warrior
For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4 Where are you? I'm over here. Where? Here. In the corner. I'm a huddled mess. You are? Oh, now I see something over there. What did you say you were? A huddled mess? Yes. I'm crouched down in the corner. No, you're not. All I see is a giant warrior standing tall. You do? Yep, in the same corner you say you are. What do you see? A giant warrior... Read more...
No Condemnation
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 There is absolutely zero condemnation when you are His. God's. When you have given your life to God, the world's condemnation no longer sticks. It's no longer your identity. You are covered, instead, by God Himself. Chosen. Loved. Valuable. Are you still living under your old identity? Your old condemned self? Why? Whatever for? Because it's what you know. Your old ways are... Read more...
Destroyer
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 That's the new name I have for the devil. Destroyer. Why? Because I've come to a sudden realization. Satan literally wants to destroy me. All of me. He wants to keep me stuck within the boundaries of fear. He wants to remind me of my failures, which are many. He wants to keep multiple rejection memories on the forefront of my mind, building more when he can.... Read more...