YouVersion Logo
Search Icon

Search results for: denison forum

Why Do We Pray?

5 Days

Why Do We Pray?
Have you ever asked yourself why we pray? Join Dr. Jim Denison of the Denison Forum on this five-day reading plan as he expounds on what the Bible says about the power of prayer.

He Came to Change the World: 7 Day Advent Guide

7 Days

He Came to Change the World: 7 Day Advent Guide
Jesus came to change the world that first Christmas. And he did. This perennial Advent guide, written by Janet Denison, will help you understand the world Jesus chose to enter and chose to change. As you read, ponder, and pray through each of the days of devotionals, may Jesus change you as well.

Seeking Civility Through the Fruit of the Spirit

10 Days

Seeking Civility Through the Fruit of the Spirit
How can we, as Christians, be civil people in an uncivil time? The best description of civility I know is found in Galatians 5:22–23. If we would be people of civility, we need to be people who manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Let’s look at each manifestation of that fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Can I Really Overcome Sin and Temptation?

5 Days

Can I Really Overcome Sin and Temptation?
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I still wrestling with that sin?” Even the apostle Paul said as much in Romans 7:15: “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” How do we stop sin from stopping our spiritual lives? Is it even possible? Let’s discuss sin, temptation, Satan, and, thankfully, God’s love.

The Songs Tell the Story: A 25-Day Advent Devotional

25 Days

The Songs Tell the Story: A 25-Day Advent Devotional
In "The Songs Tell the Story," Janet Denison covers 25 carols in 25 days, leading you to marvel at the gift God gave us at Christmas. Each devotional tells an origin story and features an insightful spiritual reflection. You’ll sing these timeless carols with new life, knowing that the God who inspired their words still meets us in the miracle of Christmas.

Thanksgiving Every Day

7 Days

Thanksgiving Every Day
Do you feel overbusy? Do you feel complaints coming easier than gratitude? In this devotional, Dr. Jim Denison leads us through key passages that highlight thankfulness for the Thanksgiving holiday. In our consumerist culture, it’s easy to want more, never feeling satisfied with what we have. With calls to meditate on your blessings, we hope this devotional will lead your heart to genuine gratitude to God for who he is.

Our Christmas Stories: A 26-Day Advent Devotional

26 Days

Our Christmas Stories: A 26-Day Advent Devotional
In Our Christmas Stories, dozens of women share memories of past Christmases. From inspiring to bittersweet, these personal stories may have different details, but they all ultimately reveal the same story of Advent, of waiting for the “good news of great joy” of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:10). Janet Denison also provides short devotional thoughts with each story, ensuring that the greatest story of Christmas is never just a memory.

What Is Fasting? Will It Draw Me Closer to God?

5 Days

What Is Fasting? Will It Draw Me Closer to God?
Fasting may be the least-discussed spiritual discipline in the church. But Jesus not only spoke about fasting, he also fasted, as did many of the heroes of the faith. So, what is fasting? Should Christians still fast today? Should you fast? What are the benefits of fasting? Are we really supposed to keep our fast private? And how are you supposed to fast?

Journey To The Resurrection

11 Days

Journey To The Resurrection
How can you be sure that Easter really happened? Or that what God accomplished at Easter truly grants us salvation? Over the next ten days, allow Dr. Jim Denison to guide you through the Easter promise of God, from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane.If you’ve ever wondered why Easter happened the way it did, this is the devotional for you.

Who is the Holy Spirit? And What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?

10 Days

Who is the Holy Spirit? And What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?
The Holy Spirit is often the most misunderstood member of the Trinity. But Christians should be more aware of who he is and what he does for us. This devotional will help you better appreciate and incorporate the Holy Spirit into your life. You will also discover your particular spiritual gifts, whether Christians should speak in tongues, and how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Blessed: Jesus' Invitation To A Transformed Life

7 Days

Blessed: Jesus' Invitation To A Transformed Life
Reading the news can be discouraging—even demoralizing. Unfortunately, we cannot convict a single sinner of a single sin or change even one person, much less our culture. But God can. To join him, we must submit our lives to the only power that can change the culture. When Jesus said, "Blessed are . . . " to launch the Beatitudes, he invited us to precisely such an empowered, transformative life.

What Is The Bible, And Why Does It Matter?

10 Days

What Is The Bible, And Why Does It Matter?
Nearly all the problems people have in understanding the Bible start with misunderstandings of what the book is. You can understand the message of the Bible only when you know what it is and why it was written. So, what is the Bible, and why is it so important that you study it?

Does God Care What Job I Have?

7 Days

Does God Care What Job I Have?
Does God care what careers we pick? Did you know that work existed in the Garden of Eden? What happened that made work so often miserable, and can Jesus help heal it? In this seven-day study, we look to the Bible to understand work and provide practical applications for finding meaning and joy in our modern-day jobs.

How Can I Be Sure I Am Going to Heaven?

7 Days

How Can I Be Sure I Am Going to Heaven?
Doubting your salvation? Unsure what salvation means? Curious about heaven and hell? Anxious about your eternal destination? This seven-day devotional is inspired by sermons from Dr. Jim Denison’s powerful preaching. In this reading plan, we’ll walk through several essential questions that relate to salvation and how we can be sure of eternal life with Christ.

The 7 Whys of Easter

7 Days

The 7 Whys of Easter
Why was Jesus born? Why did he die on a cross? Why did he rise from the dead? Why does it all matter? Spend this spring holiday considering the seven “whys” of Easter. Adapted from Dr. Jim Denison’s writings, this devotional provides pastoral guidance and scholarly insight. Understanding the whys leads to that much greater affection for Jesus and deeper praise for him.

Is Jesus The Only Way To God?

7 Days

Is Jesus The Only Way To God?
Our postmodern culture suggests that all religions lead up the same mountain to the same God. So long as you’re sincere in your belief and tolerant of others, the path you take doesn’t matter. But Jesus said otherwise: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). So, the central question everyone must one day answer is: Is Jesus the only way to God?

8 Biblical Challenges for Fathers

8 Days

8 Biblical Challenges for Fathers
What does it mean to be a dad? What does the Bible say about fatherhood? How can fathers better lead their families? This devotional is curated from Father's Day sermons by Dr. Jim Denison. Dr. Denison has been married for over forty years to his wife, Janet, and works closely with his two sons. Dive into his pastoral advice as he illuminates Scripture in a timely way.

God’s Peace in Financial Anxiety

5 Days

God’s Peace in Financial Anxiety
Do you feel overwhelmed by your finances? Are you desperate in the face of bills or constricted by the need to fund an expensive lifestyle? Does money stimulate anxiety? In this five-day devotional, you'll learn to find Jesus’ peace, trading in your heavy burden for his light and easy yoke.

If God Knows Everything, Why Should I Pray?

7 Days

If God Knows Everything, Why Should I Pray?
Prayer is essential to the Christian life. Yet many Christians feel like their prayer lives are lacking. Some even wonder if prayer actually works. After all, if God is omniscient, shouldn’t He know our prayers already? So what’s the point of praying? Join Dr. Jim Denison in this seven-day devotional on why we should pray.

Journey With Jesus to the Cross

7 Days

Journey With Jesus to the Cross
This Easter season, journey through the Holy Land with Dr. Jim Denison in this seven-day devotional, excerpted from his book To Follow in His Footsteps. You will virtually walk where Jesus walked on his journey to the cross, experiencing the sights and places that are fundamental to our faith. Start this plan six days prior to Easter Sunday.

Begin Lent in Jesus’ Footsteps

6 Days

Begin Lent in Jesus’ Footsteps
This Lent season, journey through the Holy Land with Dr. Jim Denison in this six-day devotional, excerpted from his book To Follow in His Footsteps. In this vivid and thorough guide through a few significant landmarks to the Christian faith, you will virtually walk where Jesus walked and come away with a new appreciation for all God has done and continues to do in our world.

How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts

9 Days

How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts
If you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit has empowered you with spiritual gifts for his glory. Are you actively using them for the benefit of others? Do you feel like you’re misapplying them? This study dives into what spiritual gifts are, how God will use your gifts, and how to connect with other Christians who possess gifts different from yours.

Is Jesus Really God?

7 Days

Is Jesus Really God?
An increasingly popular claim by skeptics is that Jesus of Nazareth never existed, or, if he did, he was not God. Why should you believe that Jesus is God? No other religion does. What makes Christians right and everyone else wrong? If we're wrong about Jesus, we're wrong about the belief that is most central to our faith. So, how can we defend the existence and deity of Jesus today?

Is God Real?

7 Days

Is God Real?
The foundational question of belief is: Does God exist? In this devotional based on the book "How Does God See America?," Dr. Jim Denison offers arguments both for and against the existence of God. These answers will strengthen your faith, your evangelism, and your knowledge of apologetics. Ultimately, the existence of God leads to a surprising outcome: joy.

Why Does a Good God Allow Bad Things?

7 Days

Why Does a Good God Allow Bad Things?
The problem of pain may be the most challenging and difficult obstacle for many people to overcome when it comes to believing in God. After all, if God exists and he’s all-loving and all-powerful, why does evil also exist? Join Dr. Jim Denison as he discusses the problem of pain, six historical approaches to the issue, and practical help if you’re hurting today.

YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy