Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

“One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see.” John 9:25 We started attending a new church not long ago. It’s pretty incredible. For thousands of reasons. And, although I’ve already jumped into serving in a variety of ways, I’ve been experiencing an impatience and antsiness lately. It’s hard to explain…but letContinue reading “the most dangerous words”

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord. Psalm 77:11 We often hear the exhortation to not “live in the past”—especially when it comes to basking in those glory days of youth. Sometimes, though, we dwell on the hurt and brokenness of our past…and it’s tempting to wallow in the “comfort” of pain, like a pig inContinue reading “paradox of the past”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 It was only a few years ago when the vast majority of people in our culture would not have uttered the question, “How do you identify?”—we couldn’t even imagine what thatContinue reading “how do you identify?”

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 Through my 25 years of being a Christian, truly surrendered to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, life has not been a bowl of cherries. There’s been personal loss, betrayal, death, illness—you know, the general brokenness of this fallen world crashingContinue reading “grieving with peace”

So David got up from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.  2 Samuel 12:20 I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get into these funks of “if only” and “I wish I would have…”. Most recently, for me, it was around Mother’s Day when IContinue reading “wash your face.”

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 Proverbs 13:20 was one of the very first lines of scripture that I memorized as a new believer—and it sets a great foundational direction for all of us who desire to follow Christ. Typically, we think to ourselves,Continue reading “foolish friends”

The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 How often are you in the quiet—especially outdoors? Do you ever escape the constant din of the city and suburban life (cars, trucks, trains, lawn equipment, construction work)? Many of us don’t evenContinue reading “creation’s praise”

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.   2 Timothy 3:1-4 As I traveled on a brief trip to see myContinue reading “numbing deception”

When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established; What is man that You remember him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You crown him with glory and majesty! Psalm 8:3-5 The title of this devotional isContinue reading “in significance”

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 I’m confident that every one of us has pressed “send” on a text only to realize after the fact that the phone incorrectly autocorrected a word (or two). Sometimes,Continue reading “autocorrected truth”