A Friday Favorite Devotional: July 10, 2026

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.

Happy Friday, Friends! I’m coming to you today from Grand Rapids, Michigan where I’m attending the Speak Up Christian Writers and Speakers Conference. Before I hopped on a plane to Michigan, we hosted 27 family members and two dogs for the 4th of July weekend. We had so much fun and it was a great celebration. We’re missing a few here, but you get the gist.

PS there is some sort of weird AI/Filter situation happening here and I have no idea why. I promise we aren’t robots. ;-)

There are well over five things I could list as my favorites of the week. However, this is exactly what happened to your girl when she sat down to start this newsletter last night:

I am WIPED ALL THE WAY OUT.

Yesterday, one of the conference speakers mentioned Luke 8:16-18, so instead of trying to write while I’m half asleep, I’m sharing a devotional I wrote years ago. I’m not sure when, but I’m quite sure I was more awake when I wrote it than I am right now. I hope it blesses you.

Scripture:

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has more will be given and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:16-18

Devotional:

Many of Jesus’s parables leave me stumped. A bunch of tenants beat up some guys in a vineyard?  All those seeds falling in the wrong places?  And what does Jesus have against fig trees?

In contrast, the parable about the lamp under a jar seems pretty clear. Those who have gained insight into the will of God ought to reveal it. We are called to make disciples of all nations, so we should share how following Jesus has brought blessings, favor, and beauty to our lives.

When life is lining up just as I please, the image I have of our good God is a blinding force of light. The brilliant shine of the sun on a cloudless day. The dazzling sparkle of fireworks in the night sky.

When I prayed for my kid to do well in an interview and he lands the job? When the medical test comes back clear? When I hit all the green traffic lights? Spreading the Good News, on the days when my life is full of good news? That’s when it’s easy to hold the lamp high.

But what about when the light isn’t quite as bright? When I have to search for a shred of light filtering through a crack in the door or the flicker of a flame in a dark room? When the cancer treatment didn’t work. When evil snakes into an elementary school leaving children dead. Sometimes, I hesitate to share my belief in a good God when the world fights back with proof of unrelenting darkness.

In these circumstances it’s even more important to pull that lamp out from under the basket. When believers are open about our struggles, doubts and questions, we invite others to search for light alongside us. I often remind myself that Jesus never once told me that life would be easy. He gave it to me straight: “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33)

Vulnerability, honesty, and humility about our struggles is certainly more inviting than a forced positivity that ignores the real evil and pain that is present here. I find myself drawn to people who acknowledge that life is difficult and uncertain, while at the same time pointing my broken heart to a God who remains faithful. We are called to share the light of Jesus – whether it is the blinding gleam of the sun or the tiny glimmer of a single candle’s flame. Both should be made known.

Prayer:

Lord, give us courage to share the light of your love during times of joy and peace as well as in times of suffering and pain. In all circumstances, let us be bearers of Your light - the one lamp that will never be extinguished.

Y’all have the best weekend. And you know what I’d love? I’d love to hear how I can pray for you today. I cannot express how grateful I am to those of you who read each week. As I was surrounded by people yesterday - all people who are fully in the tank for Jesus - I was reminded how much we are carrying. Not a single person I met was “La-di-dah-ing” it through life. I’d be honored to carry your burdens or your joys to Him today, so just message me at jlpskinnergmail.com or click that “comment” button below and I got you, friend! Your presence here means the world to me.