Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog

It’s Here! It’s Here!

If you’re like me, you want to believe—that God is good. That He loves you. That He has the power to do amazing things in and through your life.

But sometimes your faith wobbles.

During a sad, hard, trying time in my life, I searched for biblical reasons to trust God. Before long, I had listed 10. I felt my struggling faith grow stronger. Then I found 20, and my heart grew happier. When I found 40, I was ready to raise a dead man. I realized I could search and find forever, so I stopped at 60—sixty faith-strengthening, God-inspired, powerful reasons to believe. My heart was happier, more confident, and faith-filled. I paired these reasons with real-life stories, partnered with Our Daily Bread publishing, and am thrilled to bring you the book, Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart.

If you’re like me and want to believe in God with all your heart, this book is for you. Today is LAUNCH DAY, and Lord, I Believe is available for purchase! I’d be honored if you’d hop over to Amazon, Our Daily Bread, Christian Books, or Barnes and Noble and reserve a copy. Better yet, buy two and share one with a struggling friend. Did you know when a reader purchases a book on in the days surrounding Launch Day, Amazon promotes it to other readers who need spiritual encouragement? Your purchase today will help me reach every struggling soul whom God wants to inspire with biblical, God-focused hope.

If you’d like a taste of Lord, I Believe before your copy arrives, I’m sharing the very first chapter with you, my faithful blog readers, below. May God use it to strengthen and encourage your heart!

P.S. Would you please pray God enables me to reach every person who needs this books message of hope and healing? If you’d forward this email on to someone you know who needs a reason to hope, I’d be so grateful.

I Believe God Will Help Me Overcome My Unbelief*

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:24

When was the last time you struggled to believe? 

Today? Yesterday? Every day?

If we’re honest, most of us will answer, “Often.”

When we struggle with our jobs, our health, or our marriages, we wonder if God will see us through. When our loved one languishes in a hospital bed or our prodigal child roams the streets doing God knows what, the icy grip of faithlessness squeezes our hearts and takes our breath away. 

When we come to God again and again with the same request and nothing changes, our faith wobbles. Maybe I’m wasting my time. Maybe God doesn’t care. Or worse—maybe this situation is so bad, so sad, or so broken even God can’t fix it.

Such was the case with the man in Mark 9. This man was living a parent’s nightmare. A demon had controlled his son since he was a tiny boy. It would twist his little body with convulsions, paralyze his muscles, and sling him to the ground as he foamed at the mouth. Sometimes the father would hear noises and come running, only to discover the demon had flung his son into the fire or into the water. 

One day, the man heard stories about a teacher who had fed a multitude and healed a blind man. Maybe, just maybe, He could help his son. So he set out for the teacher’s camp.

But Jesus wasn’t there. 

His disciples listened to his desperate plea and tried to help. But the evil spirit hung on. Maybe even laughed a little.

By the time the Teacher arrived, a crowd had formed. Scribes and disciples argued. Bystanders offered opinions. The boy sat silently in their midst.

“What are you discussing?” Jesus asked.

“Teacher,” the man cried, “I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not” (vv. 17-18).

As if on cue, the demon convulsed the boy and flung him to the ground. Take that, Jesus. This one’s mine.

“If you can do anything,” his father begged, “take pity on us and help us” (v. 22).

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. 

In three words, Jesus asked the heart-piercing question that exposed the father’s faith struggle—and ours. 

Do we believe Jesus can?

Can He heal? Can He provide? Can He restore? Can He defend? 

Sometimes I get so snarled up in the sovereignty of God—Is it His will or isn’t it His will—that I forget that faith is believing He can. “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” Hebrews 11:6 tells us. The faith that pleases God doesn’t always know how God will act. But it knows God will act. And that He’ll do what is best. 

I don’t have to know God’s will for every situation to pray in faith. Faith isn’t knowing the outcome. Faith is knowing God.

“Everything is possible for one who believes,” Jesus reminded the father (v. 23).

With the honesty that comes from staring into the all-knowing face of God, the man exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (v. 24). 

We can say the same.

Father, I trust you to work all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purposes (Romans 8:28). 

On that day long ago, Jesus responded to a father’s wobbly faith by doing a miracle. He’s still doing miracles today. 

 

Would you help me share the hope and encouragement of this message? Think of three friends who could use some faith-filled encouragement, and forward this email on to them.

Are you ready to stake your faith on the firm foundation of God’s Word—and believe? Order your copy ofI hope Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart today.

Available Now at These Fine Retailers (prices accurate at time of writing)

Our Daily Bread ($17.00)

Amazon (14.99)

Christian Books (27% off at 10.99!)

Barnes and Noble ($14.99)

*This chapter is an excerpt from Lord, I Believe, 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart and is used with permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing.

The post Act Now! Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart Has Arrived appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories60 Powerful Answers for a Faith Crisis (and a Cover Reveal!)How Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?What Are You Reading Today? Three New Books to Consider 

My husband doesn’t fear when I wander into a clothing store. He doesn’t worry about me busting the budget in a home furnishing store either. But, oh, when I head to a book store? He trembles.

I LOVE books. And I love SPIRITUAL books even more, don’t you?

Today I thought I’d share three books I’m reading, sharing, and loving right now.

BOOK #1: Wealth Blessed by Elizabeth Brickman (End Game Press)

Here’s the back cover copy:

In a world where financial success doesn’t guarantee happiness, faith-based financial advisor Elizabeth Brickman shares how true financial contentment comes from healing hidden wounds that sabotage your relationship with wealth. Combining timeless biblical wisdom and her expertise as The Caring Advisor, she presents transformative strategies to find genuine financial peace. You’ll discover:

*Why smart people make decisions that lead to financial heartache

*How to identify and heal deep-seated money wounds

*Biblical principles that bridge the gap between wealth and happiness

*Time-tested methods to align your finances with your faith

Whether you have a lot of money or a little, Wealth-Blessed offers a revolutionary approach to achieving financial contentment that lasts.

As of this posting, this gem is on sale for 25% off on Amazon. Click HERE to read more.

BOOK #2: Discovering God’s Word by Jean Wilund (Our Daily Bread Publishing)

If you have no idea how to study the Bible but want to learn, this is the book for you.

If you’ve been studying the Bible for years, but want to go deeper, this is the book for you.

If you love the gospels and want to study one WHILE learning to study the Bible, this is the book for you.

I’ve been reading and studying the Bible for 40+ years, and this 6-week Bible study on how to study the Bible while studying the Book of Mark taught me SO MUCH. I fell in love with God’s Word all over again and I gained some Bible study insight and techniques I’ll use again and again as I study other parts of the Bible. Thank you, Jean, for writing the study every Christian needs.

Book #3: Jumbo Bible Word Search by David and Julie Lavender (Penguin Random House)

Are you looking for a way to boost your brain and uncover God’s Word?

Let’s face it. Life is SO SERIOUS some times. If you’re looking for a fun recreation tool that will also help you think about and learn about God’s Word, here you go. And best of all? These Bible-based word searches are printed in LARGE, CLEAR text. No more squinting to find just the word you’re looking for. Explore the names of God, seek comfort in Jesus’s promises to His followers, and more. Science has proven that puzzles like these support cognitive function, boost problem-solving, memory, and focus. This great volume also expands our Scripture expertise and exposes us to both familiar and lesser-known Bible stories and verses. It’s the perfect gift for a shut-in, someone recuperating from a surgery or illness, or just for fun.

I can’t think of a better way to spend $9.99. Click HERE to see it on sale at Amazon now.

There you go, a sneak peek at what’s on my bedside table right now. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Blessings,

Lori

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the page.

The post What Are You Reading Today? Three New Books to Consider appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories60 Powerful Answers for a Faith Crisis (and a Cover Reveal!)How Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?You’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith Wobbles 

Don’t you love the deleted scenes and bonus material at the end of a movie? Sometimes these are the parts that make you laugh or think the most. I often try to figure out why those scenes didn’t make the final cut. Sometimes it’s obvious—an actor forgot his lines or a prop went haywire.

Other times a scene is perfect and still gets cut. Maybe the scene made the movie exceed the time limit or took the focus in a different direction. Or the scene is similar enough to another that it winds up on the cutting room floor.

The same process happens with books. In the final edit, editors go over the manuscript chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, line by line. Are the topics varied? Have we duplicated a theme or focus verse or used the same story twice?

In the final edit of my upcoming book, Lord, I Believe, I was so excited about how God leads and guides us through life that I wrote about it—twice.

You guessed it—one of the devotions ended up on the cutting room floor.

But, thankfully, it didn’t get run through the shredder. Instead, I saved it to share with you as a sneak preview of what you can look forward to in Lord, I Believe.

I hope you enjoy it!

I Believe God Will Guide Me

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8

When was the last time you made a big decision?

Did you feel confident or terrified? For many years, I leaned heavily in the terrified direction. What if I made the wrong choice and regretted it? Or missed something wonderful because I chose the wrong option? Do I, or don’t I? Should I, or shouldn’t I? Like a kid in a Tilt o’ Whirl, I bounced from one thought to the next until I was dizzy.

One of the most appealing parts of surrendering my life to Christ was knowing someone wiser than myself would guide me. I didn’t just gain a Savior; I gained a Counselor who would come alongside me to warn me of danger and point me to the good way.

 I’ve often wished God’s guidance came in a daily memo. If it did, though, we’d have no need to cultivate our relationship with God. We’d grab our instructions and head off on our merry way. “Thanks, God. I’ll take it from here.” 

Instead, God makes His guidance available through more personal and hands-on ways. He provides wisdom through His Word. But we have to read it. He offers insight through prayer. But we have to set aside time to meet with Him. He brings wise counselors into our lives, but we have to seek their advice. And He speaks through the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, but we must learn to recognize His voice.

Although I’ve often wished for an audible, “Thus sayeth the Lord,” I’m grateful God chooses to guide us through our relationship with Him. When I face a decision, it’s exciting to apply biblical principles that point me in the right direction. When I bring my need to Him in prayer and see Him answer through “random” circumstances and “chance” conversations, my faith grows. And when a wise friend shares just the right bit of information to tip my decision, I rejoice in God’s provision. Best of all, the sweet certainty that the Holy Spirit gives allows me to move forward in confidence.

 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;” God promises. “I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Aren’t you glad we can rest in this today? 

Embrace the Truth: No matter how big or difficult our decisions may be, God’s guidance gives us confidence.

Declare Your Faith:  Lord, I believe you will guide me in every decision I face. Thank you for giving me your Word to guide me into all truth, prayer to help me connect with you, and Christian brothers and sisters to come alongside me. Most of all, thank you for the Holy Spirit, who lives inside me as my counselor, comforter, and friend. Remind me to seek your will for every decision and forgive me for the times I act independently of you. In Jesus’ name I ask, amen.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word.

The post Don’t You Love Deleted Scenes and Bonus Material? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               

What would you say to a friend in the midst of a faith crisis? Or to someone you love who’s s struggling with life’s circumstances and searching for a reason to believe? Someone who’s trying to hold on to their faith and not give up hope.

Shelly is that friend. She’s battling addiction, fighting for her marriage, and wondering if what she’s heard about God is true.

Is He kind?

Does He care?

Is He powerful enough to upright her upside-down life and give her a future and a hope?

Chelsea’s wondering too. She’s not experiencing any major faith crisis, but in the quiet moments, when she’s alone with her thoughts, she wonders, is God good? Is it worth it to follow Him?

Maybe you have a friend like Shelly or Chelsea. Or maybe you have the same questions.

Good News

I have good news:

The Bible overflows with solid, time-tested, life-appropriate reasons to believe that God is actively engaged in our lives—for our good and His glory.

I wanted to help readers like Shelly find an anchor to cling to—and shore up my own faith as well.

Start at the Beginning

So I started at the beginning. I know this Anchor is Jesus. Shelly and Chelsea do, too.

But after we surrender our souls to Him, what’s next?

How do we surrender our lives to Him, in faith and trust instead of fear and trembling? How do we say, like the man whose son was deathly ill, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”?

In my most recent story-driven devotional book, Lord, I Believe, I’ve gathered sixty powerful reasons to believe in God. Some of the stories will make you laugh. Others might make you cry. All of them will strengthen your faith and grow your trust in our faithful God.

Today, a month from it’s release, I want to share the cover with you! (If for some reason the image doesn’t show in your email, CLICK HERE.)

In the next four weeks, I’ll share excerpts, videos, and images to help strengthen your faith so you can say without hesitation, “Lord, I believe!”

Lord, I Believe, from Our Daily Bread Publishing, is available for preorder now. Click HERE to reserve your copy. Better yet, buy an extra for a friend who wants to believe.

The post 60 Powerful Answers for a Faith Crisis (and a Cover Reveal!) appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesYou’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith WobblesHow Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?How to Study the Bible for Life Transformation 

Have you ever been in a situation that made you wonder what to do next?

Have you longed for God’s direction but felt unsure about how to find it?

There’s a clue in Psalm 32.

But first, let me tell you about what my friend Sue called “The Look.” 

“The Look”

The Look could strike fear in a child’s heart from 30 feet away. It could stop foolish behavior in its tracks, silence inappropriate chatter, and deliver a complete lecture with a single lift of an eyebrow. The Look was Sue’s mom’s most effective disciplinary tool during Sunday morning church service, Sunday night worship, and Wednesday night choir practice. 

Because Sue’s mom was the choir director and church pianist, she never sat with her children. Instead, ten minutes before the service, she’d march them down to the front row, remind them of proper church behavior, and take her seat at the piano.

Perched primly on the edge of the bench with her back ramrod straight, she’d begin the prelude. Her eyes would follow the notes’ progression across the sheet music, but occasionally she’d glance in her children’s direction. Misbehavior of any kind prompted The Look. 

Psalm 32

I thought of The Look this morning when I read Psalm 32:8: 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” 

Apparently, God has also perfected The Look. 

I love Psalm 32:8, because it assures me that God will direct the events of my life. He’ll give me wisdom when I ask and instruction when I’m confused or unsure. Equally important, he’ll correct any behavior that will lead me away from him and his will for my life. I take comfort in this. 

But just like Sue’s mom didn’t jump off the platform and snatch up Sue and her brother, so the Lord seldom jerks us up by the collar to dispense his wisdom and correction. Most of the time, he waits for us to ask. 

Not only for correction

Sue’s mom’s look was mostly for correction purposes, but the Lord desires to lead and guide us in his ways so we don’t require correction. Or discipline. Or consequences. His desire is to spare us from harm and lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. If we’re smart, we’ll want this. 

Sadly, many of us miss God’s direction—not because he doesn’t offer it, but because we’re not looking for it. In order for God to lead us, we must turn our faces toward him. How do we do this?

How to turn our faces toward God

John 1:1 shows us one way:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

Because God has revealed himself through the Bible, when we look into his Word, we look into his heart and mind. We see life through his eyes. This is why it’s imperative that we read our Bibles every day. We wouldn’t start a cross-country car trip without using an accurate GPS system, yet many times we begin the day without checking with God to see if he has any directions for us. 

Another way to look into God’s eyes is through prayer. By talking to him (and being still long enough to hear him), we invite a two-way conversation that can chart the course of our lives. 

I’ve often heard the Lord speak during my early morning quiet time. As I pray through the day’s schedule, God will bring someone or something to mind. Sometimes he’ll redirect where I plan to spend my time, energy, or money. Other times he’ll introduce a completely new thought or idea for tackling something on my To Do list. When I follow through in faith and do what I think he’s telling me to do, amazing things happen. 

Reading our Bibles and praying are two ways we seek God’s face, but some days, we’d rather not have his eyes upon us. 

Avoiding God’s eyes

Some Sundays Sue and her brother deliberately avoided their mother’s eyes. They knew if they looked at her, they’d have to decide between correcting their behavior and continuing their disobedience. Once they made eye contact with Mother, they knew there was no hiding. 

The same is true of us. We love/hate our pet sins: Anger. Bitterness. Unforgiveness. Lying. Pornography. Gossip. Worry. Lust. Self-sufficiency. Pride. We don’t want to let go of them, even though they’re destroying us. 

I think one of the reasons God called David a “man after God’s own heart is because he knew how to turn his face toward God. Listen to his prayer in Psalm 27:8: 

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.’” 

David knew he needed God. He knew he couldn’t navigate this world on his own, nor did he want to. His only hope was to keep his eyes on God. My friend Sue felt the same way (although she might not admit it).

If you need guidance, wisdom, direction, or correction, follow David’s lead. Turn your eyes toward God. Confess any known sin. Read his Word and obey it.

Then you will walk in the ways of righteousness and feel God’s pleasure.

Now it’s your turn. How do you turn your face toward God’s? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post A Guaranteed Way to Know What to Do Next appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

               

What is your most long-standing unanswered prayer? 

I have friends who have been praying for decades for their children’s salvation. 

And friends who have labored for years over their daughters’ infertility. 

One of my neighbors prays daily for researchers to find a cure for a disease that has the power to kill two of his grandchildren before they reach age 30. He’s been praying this prayer for eleven years. 

I pray every day for beloved prodigals, broken relationships, and healing. 

Sometimes I grow weary.

When I don’t see results, I wonder if my prayers are accomplishing anything. Might my time and energy be better spent doing something? In my darkest times of doubt, I wonder if God is even listening. Or if he cares.

Do you ever feel this way? 

Then Luke 18:1 is a special gift for us today. 

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” 

I take great comfort in knowing that Jesus knew I’d grow weary in prayer. Not only that, but he inspired the gospel writer Luke to pen Scripture with me (and you) in mind — so we wouldn’t give up.  

“Keep praying,” he says. “I hear you. Your prayers matter. I’m knitting them into the fabric of events, and one day it will all make sense. And it will be beautiful. Trust me. Don’t give up.” 

If you’ve labored long over a loved one, a circumstance, or a need, take a deep breath. Cry if you need to. Then ask God for the faith to persevere. He will have his perfect will and way, and I want to be a part of that. 

Don’t you?

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post Powerful Hope When You’re Tempted to Quit Praying appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related Stories3 Powerful Truths to Help You Pray in VictoryHow Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary?You’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith Wobbles 

A struggling friend once accused me of having a Pollyanna approach to life. You just think happy thoughts, look on the bright side, and focus on the good. You pretend the bad stuff doesn’t exists.

Seriously? Does she really think this is how Christians deal with trials?

If my husband came home with a frightening diagnosis or a pink slip in his lunch box, would I say, “Oh, don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine”? Probably not.

I could, however, speak biblical truth to him – comfort with teeth. And a backbone.

I could speak one of the most common phrases in the Bible, “Fear not.”

But I wouldn’t have to stop there.

You see, “Fear not,” even when it comes from the Bible, isn’t enough. “Fear not” is only half the story. God’s repeated command to his children is powerful because of what comes after the command. 

When we face times of trial, sickness, or loss, it isn’t enough to hear someone (even God) say, “Don’t be afraid.” We need to know why we don’t have to be afraid. 

Thankfully, when God challenges us not to be afraid, he also tells us why. 

Listen:

“Do not be afraid, (insert your name here). I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Gen. 15:1).

“Fear not, for I am with you,” (Gen. 26:24).

“Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Deu. 31:6).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isa. 41:10).

When God says, “Fear not” to his children, he backs it up with offers of his help, presence, and protection. No matter what comes into our lives, we don’t have to be afraid, because God is our advocate. Whatever we face, we’ll face with him. And he is a mighty powerful ally.

Will he protect me from every sad, bad, hard trial? No. As long as we live in this sinful, broken world, we will have tribulation. “But be of good cheer,” Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.”

“Do not be afraid,” he commands in the final book of the Bible, “I am the First and the Last,” (Rev. 1:17). In the end all will be made right. In the meantime, God will walk beside me into every trial I face. And with him by my side, I need not be afraid.

To my friend who called me a Pollyanna, I say, 

that’s powerful comfort – comfort with teeth. And a backbone.

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word, subscribe here or at the top of the paIf you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE or at the top of the page.

The post How Not to Fear Not When Life Is Scary? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

              Related StoriesGolden Words — How to Approach the Day with a SmileDon’t Miss the Beauty and Value of “Different”Feeling Overwhelmed? Three Powerful Truths to Conquer the Chaos 

If You’re Like Me

If you’re like me, when a crisis hits—or life doesn’t go the way you’d hoped it would—you want to believe that God is faithful. 

That He’s trustworthy, kind, and good. 

You know the Bible verses. 

You’ve heard the sermons. 

You’ve prayed the prayers. 

But sometimes it’s still hard to trust.

You feel like the man in the Bible whose son fell deathly ill. 

“Lord, I believe,” he said to Jesus. “Help my unbelief!”

The struggle to believe in tight places and difficult circumstances is why I wrote my latest book, Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart. To shore up my own faith and to help others, I went on a quest to search out 60 reason to have faith—reasons to believe that God loves us, is in control of our life, and is trustworthy. 

When I began writing the book, I wondered if I’d be able to find 60 reasons to trust God. By the end of it, I realized that 60 reasons barely scratched the surface. As believers, we have SO MANY reasons to trust God. 

Lord, I Believe is full of hope-filled, faith-building, real-life stories and biblical truth to give you a multitude of reasons to help you believe that God is trustworthy.

I’m Gathering a Team!

Lord, I Believe releases on September 2, and I’m gathering a Street Team to help me launch it. I wanted to begin the search with you—my faithful readers—because I know messages like this resonate with you. 

I’m seeking 50 friends to help me share the book—and most important—its message of faith and hope. 

Could you be a great Street Team member? I invite you to read the job description below and decide. If the Lord leads you to say yes, please email me at LoriAHatcher@gmail.com to register your interest. 

If you feel this opportunity isn’t for you, you’re not off the hook. I need kind friends who will pray me all the way through this book launch. Would you be one of these friends? I thank you in advance.

Description of a Street Team member:


Loves Christian devotionalsWants to help a Christian author grow

Would enjoy being part of a community where you’ll be the first to know updates, and have access to sneak peeks, early opportunities, insider information, fun giveaways, and opportunities to interact with the author via Zoom.  



Here’s Our Mission
As a member of the Lord, I Believe Street Team, you commit to:

*Follow me on social media 

*Help spread the word about Lord, I Believe through email, texts, or social media (You don’t have to have a huge following. Some of the most effective Street Team members are those who share emails with friends.)

*Commit, if you can, to buy a copy of the book during the Pre-order period (Kindle or paperback)

*Leave a review on Amazon and other retailers

*If you have a blog, may I guest post on your blog?

*If you have a podcast, may I join you as a guest?

Is God leading you to be part of the team?

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CommentsYou’re Invited! Encouragement for When Your Faith Wobbles by LoriAHatcherHow to Study the Bible for Life Transformation by LoriAHatcherAre You Praying for a Prodigal? Here’s Hope by LoriAHatcherDo You Believe These 10 Myths about Vacation Bible School? by LoriAHatcherGolden Words — How to Approach the Day with a Smile by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesHow to Study the Bible for Life TransformationDo You Believe These 10 Myths about Vacation Bible School?Golden Words — How to Approach the Day with a Smile 

Good morning, Refresh friends! It gives me great pleasure to introduce one of my dearest friends, Jean Wilund, as our guest blogger today. Jean is a brilliant writer, deep scholar, and lover of God and His Word. She’s written a fabulous new Bible study that you’ll learn about at the end of her post, but before that, be prepared to be challenged and inspired to study the Bible for life transformation.

If you want to capture children’s attention, you may have to write a silly rhyme. 

Let’s follow the footsteps of Jesus. Let’s see where they will lead. 

Let’s follow the footsteps of Jesus. Come follow along with me. 

Will they go up? Or will they go down?

Will they stop? Or turn around?

I can’t wait to know where they will go.

Come follow His footsteps with me.

I wrote this preschool rhyme to prepare the children in the Dayschool for what we’d learn about Jesus in our Bible study that day. 

Would we see His footsteps lead Him up a mountain to pray or be transfigured with a glimpse of His glory? Or down a mountain to rescue people who were like sheep without a shepherd? 

Would He stop to heal a blind man who cried for mercy? Or turn around to walk through an angry crowd who didn’t believe the truth of who He is? 

Wherever Jesus’s footsteps led, he revealed more about Himself so they (and we) may know and believe Him. My goal in telling children Bible stories was the same. It wasn’t to make my class into “good little children,” but to magnify Christ before them. 

When we study the Bible, let’s follow Jesus’s footsteps and let His Word magnify Him before our eyes. 

The Goal: Spiritual Transformation

The purpose of reading and studying the Bible isn’t behavioral transformation but spiritual transformation through knowing and loving Christ—His glorious character, nature, and ways. 

For those who belong to Christ, truly knowing Him always leads to truly loving Him. This kind of love changes us and flows through our actions. 

What we love best is what transforms us most. 

Consider young children of loving parents. They love and delight in pleasing their parents because they know and believe in their goodness and love. Eventually, though, love for their sin will overrule and out-master even their love for their parents. It’s a hard truth, but a truth nonetheless. Sin rules and reigns in every heart from birth (Romans 3:23). Until we belong to Christ. 

Apart from Christ, sin eventually takes us where it wants us to go (Ephesians 2:3). Where it wants us to go most is far from God. But when we place our faith in Him, He brings us out of death and into life. He breaks sin’s power over us and fills us with His Spirit. We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

And yet, the battle continues. 

Why do our lives not faithfully project the internal transformation we received in Christ? 

Why do we ever doubt His power, succumb to fear, and too often love our sin more than God? 

What can we do? What hope do we have?

God’s Word Is the Cure

Jesus gave us the answer to our struggle when He said, “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) and also when He prayed, “Sanctify them by the Truth. Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). Peter further explained the source of true transformation—it’s “through the knowledge of Him [Christ]” (2 Peter 1:3).

It shouldn’t surprise any Christian that God’s Word is the way to truly know Him. But it surprised me. 

From my teen years to my mid-30’s, I regularly read the Bible—or more accurately, parts of the Bible. Especially the New Testament. I wanted to learn how to be the best Christian possible. But I failed. A lot. 

Eventually, out of desperation to be free of sin’s relentless assaults (and my regrettable weakness), I turned to God’s Word. To all of it.  

I determined to read the whole Bible, and to read it with a new goal: to see God on every page. 

And oh, how I found Him! 

God on Every Page

On every page of Scripture, I saw God as if for the first time. What I saw overwhelmed me. 

I’d known Him as my Savior, but what I saw of Him as I read through the whole Bible displayed time and again a God even more trustworthy and powerful than I’d understood. God’s Word transformed my faith beyond anything I’d dared hope. 

It became clear that my former Bible reading (and study) had been incomplete. It had ignored the Old Testament and had set the wrong goal.

I’d focused on knowing the law rather than the Law Giver. Through reading His Word, I’d sought to transform my behavior rather than seeking for His Word to read my heart and mind and transform them by its power (Hebrews 4:12). 

Truth, Not Ink

The black and white (and sometimes red) ink on every page of the Bible doesn’t magically make us into upright and holy people. Ink is powerless. The power is in the Holy Spirit who works in our hearts and minds through the truths the ink declares. 

When we know the glorious character, nature, and ways of our great, holy, merciful, and gracious God and Savior, Jesus Christ, peace, joy, and every other spiritual fruit flow through our lives. The more we know and love Him, the more we’ll find we’re transformed. 

But we can never truly know and love our God and Savior apart from His Word. 

Seek the Lord, my friend, on every page and follow Him wherever He leads. He will satisfy your every longing like child at peace in her Father’s arms—when we truly believe what He’s said. 

God’s Word pierces the darkness of our hearts and minds and captivates our attention. The Truth reveals He’s more worthy and glorious than our minds can imagine and breaks our transfixed gaze off sin’s allure. He overwhelms all other desires and sends our love and trust in Him soaring high on wings like eagles. 

Discovering God’s Word

A deep passion to know and love God through His Word is why I read and study the Bible every day, and it’s why I write. It inspired my latest Bible study, Discovering God’s Word: A 6-Week Introduction to the Transformational Bible Study Method with the GOSPEL of MARK. 

This unique study is two studies in one. It’s a study on how to study the Bible for transformation and a study of the Gospel of Mark. In other words, it’s a study on how to study the Bible by studying the Gospel of Mark. 

In in each lesson, I share a Bible study technique, which we then use to study Mark. We follow Jesus through Mark’s gospel to see what He reveals about Himself, our great God and Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit. The truths we study will transform our hearts—if we’ll  believe.

For more information about Discovering God’s Word and to download free resources, go to JeanWilund.com/DiscoveringGodsWord

Meet Jean

Jean Wilund is passionate about helping others fall more in love with God and His Word. She’s an author, speaker, and grateful wife to Larry. They live in South Carolina and are members of Grace Bible Church in Lexington. Check out her other books, her podcast, and her many free resources at JeanWilund.com.

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The post How to Study the Bible for Life Transformation appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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I recently had the opportunity to talk with Leighann McCoy, of PrayerClinic.com. During our conversation, we talked about an article I wrote that originally appeared on Revive Our Hearts. In the article, I share six truths we can cling to while praying for a prodigal—a friend, a child, a loved one who isn’t walking with God. I encourage you to take heart from these truths (and listen to the episode (CLICK HERE) for solid encouragement from God’s Word as you pray, wait, and trust.

6 Truths to Cling to While You’re Praying for Your Prodigal

If you’re the mother of a prodigal, you may know Psalm 56, or at least verse 8, by heart. David prayed these words during what was likely one of the darkest and most frightening times in his life. “Put my tears in your bottle,” he cried. “Are they not in your book?”

David fought a national enemy—the mighty Philistines, but his words could belong to any one of us who grieve a much more personal “enemy”—one that is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh—our prodigal children.

“Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me,” David cried, “he fights and oppresses me all day long” (Psalm 56:1 CSB). David fought his battle with slings and spears, but our conflict is no less fierce. Someone we love more than life itself has turned their back on God and possibly on us as well. 

We wonder how our heart continues to beat as it’s pummeled by blow after crushing blow. We cry ourselves to sleep and cry ourselves awake, tormented by “what ifs” and every new revelation of our child’s sin. A thousand bottles couldn’t contain the oceans of tears we cry. A million journal pages couldn’t capture the fear and disappointment we feel. 

Yet God promises that He sees the tears we cry. He knows the pain we suffer.

We are not alone.

If you’re experiencing the soul-crushing heartbreak of a prodigal child or loved one, allow me to share six truths to cling to while you pray.

1. God weeps for prodigals too.

Jesus wept over His beloved Jerusalem, the City of David. He longed to gather His rebellious children close and provide the help they desperately needed but refused to accept. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” He lamented, “who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34 CSB). 

God weeps for our children too. He weeps for them out of sorrow and for you out of empathy. He knows us so intimately that every tear we shed has meaning to Him. And while we agonize over the outcome of our children’s choices, He knows that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes. No longer will we experience death or mourning, crying or pain (Rev. 21:4).

2. God is sovereign over rebellion.

The rebellious prophet Jonah ran as hard as he could away from God. He wanted nothing to do with God’s plan for his life.



“Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the LORD’S presence” (Jonah 1:3 CSB).

But God saw him and pursued him.

“But the LORD threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart” (v. 4). 

God chastised Jonah.

“The LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (v. 17). 

And He drew Jonah back.

“As my life was fading away,” Jonah prayed from the belly of the fish, “I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple” (2:7 csb). 

God knows exactly where your child is. He has the power to engineer circumstances large and small to pursue your child and draw him or her to Himself. Sometimes the goodness of God leads men to repentance (Rom. 2:4), and sometimes His judgment breaks their stony wills. We can trust God to know which is most effective. 

3. There’s only one perfect parent.

At night the voices whisper loudly. You lost your temper—a lot. You didn’t pray every day. You didn’t take her to church often enough. You took her to church too often. You sent him to public school. You sent him to Christian school. You homeschooled her. It’s all your husband’s fault; if you’d married someone else it would have been different. It’s all your fault; if you’d been a better parent, this never would have happened.



When Satan (and your own heart) accuses you, it helps to remember that Adam and Eve had a perfect parent, yet they still chose to go their own way. James 1:14 explains how each person must bear the responsibility for his or her own choices and sin—that includes our prodigal children. “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.” 

We can’t take responsibility for that.

4. God can use the sins of others (including yours) to accomplish His purpose in your child’s life. 

If you have sinned against your child (and we all have, either intentionally or unintentionally), God is sovereign even over that sin. If someone else has sinned against your child, God is sovereign over that as well. 



Some of us came to Christ later in life and lived a godless example in front of our children. Although we’ve repented, forsaken, and asked forgiveness of God and our children, we find it hard not to blame ourselves for their rebellion. Other times we see events in our children’s lives that are outside our control and wonder if these events pushed them over the prodigal precipice. 



The story of Joseph should give us hope. Listen to what he said to his brothers as they stood before him in fear and guilt over their sinful actions toward him: “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people” (Genesis 50:20 CSB, emphasis mine). 



Joseph understood that while God didn’t cause the sin that changed his life forever, He was able to use the sin to accomplish something good. He can do the same for our children. 

5. Your prodigal should not steal your joy or your faith.

Some days you feel as though your heart is crushed under the weight of a thousand sorrows. You wonder if you can climb out of bed and face another day. Your mind is consumed with thoughts of your prodigal child. Where is he? Is she safe? Who is he with? These thoughts are normal and should be our impetus to pray—and pray hard. 



But if we allow our children’s rebellion to strip us of our faith and joy, we might be guilty of idolatry. Am I worshiping my children instead of worshiping God? Do I value them so much that their absence can strip me of my faith? Of my ability to experience joy? Of my desire to serve and worship God? 

 

Some of the darkest times of my parenting life have been some of the sweetest times of my spiritual life.

Some of the darkest times of my parenting life have been some of the sweetest times of my spiritual life. When I come to God broken, helpless, frightened, and weak, He meets me there. He speaks words of hope to my heart and becomes my mighty warrior. He quiets my frightened spirit and strengthens my trembling soul. Although I feel as though everything precious has been stripped away, I discover that the greatest treasure remains. This treasure is Him. 

The prophet Habakkuk describes what steadfast faith looks like: 

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there is no fruit on the vines, 

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food,

though the flocks disappear from the pen 

and there are no herds in the stalls, 

yet I will celebrate in the LORD; 

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” (Hab. 3:17–18 CSB). 

6. God can restore and redeem your prodigal. 

When I’m tempted to lose heart, I remember how God saved me, my husband, and millions of other rebellious people reveling in our sin and running hard away from Him. Truth is, no one seeks after God. But in kindness and love He reaches down, lifts us from the miry clay, sets our feet on solid rock, and puts a new song in our mouths—even praise to God. As He did for me, He can do for my children. No one deserves salvation, yet God freely offers and orchestrates it. 

Sometimes He uses the prayers of godly parents to bring it about.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Brokenhearted mama, it’s okay to cry. But cry in the arms of your Savior. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for great and mighty things on behalf of your child. Trust Him for a miracle. 

Remember these two things:

Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost.

Nothing is too hard for Him.

To listen to Leighann and Lori’s Interview, CLICK HERE.

Lori’s Newest Devotional, an Amazon #1 New Release!

Have you ordered your copy of Lori’s newest devotional, Think on These Things: 60 Thoughtful Devotions for Renewed Peace? An Amazon #1 Hot New Release, this story-driven devotional will help you fight negativity and think on those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. You’ll experience joy and peace every day.

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The post Are You Praying for a Prodigal? Here’s Hope appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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