Looking for a specific topic or Scripture? Try the search feature:

Looking for a specific devotion? Try the archive:

Devotions Archive
Hope, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione Hope, Encouragement, Comfort Dana Rongione

The Final Word

I've always been fascinated by book endings. Some conclude with a dramatic flourish, while others drift quietly to their final page. There's something powerful about those last few words that linger after the cover closes. While some readers savor the journey page by page, I find myself eagerly anticipating how the author will tie everything together. After all, conclusions matter. They leave a lasting impression long after the story ends.

Recently, while preparing for a Bible study, I stumbled upon something remarkable about God's conclusions. Amid judgment pronouncements and difficult prophetic warnings, God rarely leaves His people without hope. Even in the darkest passages, a glimmer of promise often appears at the end.

Take the book of Joel, for instance.

Read More
Prayer, disappointment, Discouragement, Deadly Darts of the Devil, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione Prayer, disappointment, Discouragement, Deadly Darts of the Devil, Spiritual Growth Dana Rongione

When Prayer Disappoints

"No, I don't believe in God, and if there is one, I don't want anything to do with Him."

The words were spoken with such anger that I paused before responding, but I couldn't ignore the urging from the Holy Spirit.

"May I ask why?" I inquired.

"Because I prayed just like I was taught, but God didn't answer. He didn't give me what I asked for. So either there isn't a God, or He's just not reliable."

My heart sank. This was not the first time I'd heard this reasoning for doubting God and His goodness. Since arriving in Wales, I've encountered this view repeatedly. How does the concept of prayer become so misconstrued? Where do people get the idea that God is merely a genie in a bottle, waiting to grant their every request? Sadly, it often starts in our pulpits.

Read More
Discontentment, Complaints, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione Discontentment, Complaints, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione

When God Overhears

Have you ever been caught talking about someone behind their back? I have, and it's not a pleasant experience. There's that moment when you realize the person you've been discussing has been standing just around the corner, hearing every word. Your face flushes, your stomach drops, and you desperately wish for a convenient sinkhole to appear beneath your feet.

In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron experienced something far worse than being caught by another person. They were caught by God Himself.

"And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it." (Numbers 12:1-2)

Did you catch that last part? "And the Lord heard it." Those four simple words should send shivers down our spines.

Read More
perseverance, Trials Dana Rongione perseverance, Trials Dana Rongione

Don’t Stop Digging

The road to success is rarely a straight line. More often, it resembles the winding paths Jason and I hike through the Welsh countryside. They are full of unexpected turns, occasional dead ends, and moments where you question if we're heading in the right direction at all. I've discovered that the difference between reaching our destination or turning back often comes down to one simple choice: will we keep going when obstacles appear? This lesson was beautifully illustrated in the life of Isaac.

In Genesis 26, Isaac found himself in the midst of a severe famine. Despite God's instruction to stay put in Gerar rather than flee to Egypt, Isaac soon faced a new challenge, and water became the center of conflict.

Read More
disappointment, Discouragement, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione disappointment, Discouragement, Deadly Darts of the Devil Dana Rongione

When You’re Disappointed With Yourself

I had big plans for this week. This was the week I was going to catch up on a bit of rest, reset my house from the previous events, and focus a bit on my writing projects. Yep, it was going to be a glorious, productive week.

But, now the week is halfway through, and I'm confused about my lack of accomplishments. Sure, I've done a bit of housework and spent a bit of time on a single writing project. But where did the rest of the time go? Why hasn't more been done? What have I been doing all week?  Good grief!

We've all had those days (or weeks) when our best intentions seem to crumble like a poorly constructed house of cards. We tell ourselves we'll do better, be better, but then life happens, and we find ourselves falling short…again.

Read More