
19 Sep “For All” – Day Twenty-One (Close)
As a child, I spent a lot of time in church. Most of the time, I didn’t mind. One thing that I didn’t enjoy, though, was singing those old hymns. They were slow, somber, and really long. No wonder they never really resonated with me, right? I later realized, as I got older and actually experienced difficult seasons in life, that I had never really listened to or empathized with the words of those songs.
Over the years, I’ve become particularly fond of one of those old hymns – “It Is Well With My Soul”. It was penned by Horatio Spafford who lost four children and nearly lost his wife in a shipwreck at sea. My favorite verse says, “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and shed his own blood for my soul.” Even in the midst of unspeakable tragedy, Spafford found strength to be encouraged, hopeful, and confident in the God of the universe. That’s exactly what our “For All” devotional has been about. As these twenty-one days come to an end, we want you to remain encouraged, hopeful, and confident in the same God.
Our theme for the past three weeks has centered around Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” During Week one, we were reminded of God’s promises—that nothing can separate us from his unconditional love. During Week two, we were reminded of God’s plan and purpose for our lives—that he uses our trials for good. Finally, during Week three, we were reminded to walk in courage—that God has chosen us to lead and love others well.
We hope this devotional is only the beginning of your chasing after God, his promises for your life, his protection during difficult times, and his provision in the lives of others through you.
Here are some simple ways you can continue to tap into all God has for you moving forward. Go deeper and read through the book of Romans. Here is a great YouVersion devotional that will help you walk through Romans and guide your Slot and Spot. Also, be sure to gather on the weekend, get connected in J-Groups, and serve on the J-Team. Gathering will help you experience God’s presence. J-Groups will help you find the encouragement and support that we all need. And serving will help you use your unique gifts to share the love of Jesus!
Many of those hymns that I dismissed as a child have become part of me as an adult. They remind me of God’s promises, his love for me, and the security that a relationship with him offers. The words are anchors that help ground and stabilize me, even when the world is raging around me. My prayer is that this devotional has anchored your faith in much the same way – with encouragement, hope, and unshakable confidence in God.
Cresean Hughes
Production Area Coordinator
Cresean and his wife Jade have been coming to The Journey since 2018. He serves on the Production, Communications, and Devotional teams. Cresean especially enjoys sharing the life-giving message of Jesus through the written word.
Peggy Covert
Posted at 06:21h, 19 SeptemberI very much enjoyed the 21-day devotional and the hope and encouragement that came through in each one! I cannot wait to start the JGroup, Winning the War in Your Mind, that promises to bring biblical truth to our negative thoughts. We can trust God to always be there for us!
Alfred R Ceaser
Posted at 07:27h, 19 SeptemberThank you guys for your commitment to the Journey devotional and sharing your hearts with us.
Katie Valetutti
Posted at 08:24h, 19 SeptemberThank you for helping us finish these 21 Days in God’s promises strong, Cresean, and propelling us forward into what God has next! Let’s run our races in unity, Church! Thank you, Jesus!
Beth Ann Reel
Posted at 08:39h, 19 SeptemberI have really enjoyed the devotions. They show how the Bible ( even though 2000 years old) still relates to us today.
I love ❤️ love J groups – meeting with my group makes such a HUGE difference in my life. I don’t know where I would be without my Christian sisters! I might be the one leading but God uses that to speak and teach me so much. I can’t wait to discuss & learn about “A grace that set me (and you ) free!”
Cathy Salerni
Posted at 12:15h, 19 SeptemberI absolutely loved these past 3wks of devotionals, being new back at The Journey these guided me with a slot and spot, daily meditation and prayer. Thank you so much to those who shared so openly!!
Sandra Berry
Posted at 14:33h, 19 SeptemberThank you Cresean for sharing. I, too, have a rich heritage of the hymns. They truly are filled with amazing truths of God’s Word. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the devotionals that each person has written. It was cool to hear from our own church family members and get to know alittle about each person that wrote it and where they serve.
Sally Kuntz
Posted at 20:37h, 19 SeptemberI have really appreciated all the personal sharing done by each of the devotional writers. It is so encouraging to hear how “human” everyone is, and to learn how God has worked in each person’s life. I could relate to so many of the situations, either because of my own experiences or those of others I know.
Thank you all for bringing the daily Scripture readings to life by applying them to your own life stories! May God bless you and continue to use you!
Court Neil
Posted at 11:42h, 20 SeptemberCresean (& all!),
Thanks so much for this 3 week prayer devotional. As always, God places the scripture, stories and prayers in front of me EXACTLY when I need them. Each day resonated with me so deeply, and reminded me of the love God shows, the strength he provides and the support to get through some of the hardest times in my life, personally. We’re all so blessed to have an amazing God who will NEVER fail us.