Author Archives: Julianne Winkler Smith

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.   1 Thessalonians 4:13 I went to a funeral the other day. And it was a time of joy, laughter, remembrance, and confident hope.Continue reading “dearly departed (part 1)”

For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (This is a repost of my very first devotional—enjoy!) Before I became a Christian, I believed whole-heartedly that there were many ways to God—different paths, each as valid as the next. In fact, I was so vehement thatContinue reading “done”

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.    Jude 4 The other day, during an early-morning gym conversation about spiritual things, I invited aContinue reading “the grace excuse”

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7Continue reading “refining pain”

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”  Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”The law is not based onContinue reading “lay down the law”

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 We received another one of “those” calls. No matter your age, you likely know what I’m talking about. It’s often “too early” or “too late” for the phone to be ringing—so you sense something is wrong. You answer, hoping beyond hopeContinue reading “crushed”

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 We all just celebrated the 4th of July—the birthday of this great nation we are blessed to live in. You may have gotten together with friends or family for a cookout, or perhaps you attended a baseball game. Depending on what stateContinue reading “dependence day”

For He Himself is our peace…      Ephesians 2:14a Peace. Oh, how we all long for it. We look around at the divisiveness being fostered in our culture, and we cry out for peace. Family members fight and push each other away (sometimes establishing permanent chasms), and we are helpless to create peace. Inside our ownContinue reading “peace”

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge. Psalm 73:28 With so many of us struggling right now, it’s easy to look around at others with eyes and hearts of envy. Whether our battles are with health, family circumstances, or finances, we can slip into frustration, despiteContinue reading “better than bitter”

In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. 1 Timothy 4:6 So, as is my cyclical preoccupation, I’ve got eating on the brain again (well, not eating, actually). Even though my health/fitness isn’t theContinue reading “nourish yourself”