Devotionals for the Heart: God's true love for humankind will never fail

Unfailing Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”—1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

True love is the greatest experience ever. I’m not talking about that fairytale love or the fictional love that exists in many Hallmark movies during the holidays.

I’m talking about the love that endures everything yet still stands. I’m talking about that love that chooses to stay, even amid your ugliest and even worst times. I’m talking about that love that sacrifices so that you can be well, safe, content, and protected. I’m talking about the love that walks with you through sickness and pain. Love that empathizes with those who’ve experienced loss and struggle. This is true love. It is a lesson that I continue to learn each day. I’m still learning to love God, myself, and others more deeply, more honestly, and more vulnerably. I’m a student of love. It is a patient teacher. I don’t know it all and the more intimately I grow to know true love, the more I am transformed.

God is love (1 John 4:16). All of God’s attributes are also the attributes of love. Love is eternal, transformative, holy, and pure. Love is good, kind, faithful, and trustworthy. Love is safe and wholesome. Love is everything good. Love is a space of health and healing.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul begins a discourse about the transformative attributes of love. He describes love as sacrificial, gentle, powerful, kind, and considerate. He declares that in life, love is the principal thing to acquire and demonstrate to the world. He goes on to emphasize that love is the greatest—that is to say that love is most transformative and necessary to the existence of humanity.

Love is a superpower, not a weakness. Many people, including myself, consider love to be a weakness. When we love others truly, we are vulnerable and we seem to be under the power of another. Love causes us to act in ways that seem at first glance to be weaknesses. Love causes you to give to others, when it would be easier to be selfish. Love causes us to share our lives and remove protective walls around us, in the face of fear and insecurities. Love causes a mother to give everything–blood, bones, even her body–to bear a child. It would seem rather fragile to be impacted by love in such a way. On the contrary, the submission demonstrated in love is powerful, transformative, and empowering.

Love never gives up. Society would tell us that at some point—sooner, rather than later—we should give up. We should give up on ourselves after we’ve made so many mistakes. We should give up on God when He doesn’t do what we want Him to do. We should give up on people when they have a rough go of life. We should give up on relationships when they become inconvenient or challenging. We should just walk away. But God, like true love, never gives up. True love continues to show up when times are hard and when it’s inconvenient. True love forges ahead in the face of obstacles, challenges, and difficulty. That’s what love does.

God pursues us relentlessly. At every turn He seeks to win our hearts, though He is the God of the universe and doesn’t need us (but He loves us). As God, He has no rival and He has no equal. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and preeminent. He is eternal and everything belongs to Him. He is God with and without us. Yet, He loves us and pursues relationship with us. He never gives up on humankind.

Love never loses faith. Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Faith is demonstrated by works, according to the Apostle James. If you want to see love, watch a person’s actions. Actions speak louder than words. Love believes and behaves accordingly. If love is present, it will act. Love will give. Love will care for others. Love will protect. Love will support and show up. Love will celebrate and cherish.

Love is always hopeful. Hope is a feeling of expectation in a certain outcome. Love looks forward to the future. Love carries hope with it even as it celebrates the past. Love works together with faith and hope to create an environment of safety and peace. In hopelessness, love is absent because love brings peace, rest, faith, and hope. God loved the world and sent His Son Jesus into the world to bring hope. He brought hope of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16).

Love endures every circumstance. Love is undefeated. True love never loses. It is resilient and eternally victorious. Love is a gentle giant with massive influence. Love enters the room with gentleness and kindness yet impacts the atmosphere like a massive earthquake. Love shifts atmospheres and changes hearts. Love endures difficult circumstances to emerge victorious. Love patiently endures discomfort so that another person grows, heals, and learns. God is love and He has no end. Like God, true love is eternal.

As we close this devotional, I encourage you to learn to love God with reckless abandon, love yourself like God loves you, love others intentionally and love your enemies as God tells us to in Matthew 5:44-45.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for loving us passionately, intentionally, and profoundly. You are True Love and You’re our example on how to love. Help us to love like You do. Help us to practice unfailing love in our relationships with ourselves, You, and others. Help us to harness the transformative power of love and to use it for the furthering of the Gospel and the edification of Your kingdom. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Let love reign in our hearts and lives. Show us how to love in word and deed. Thank You for hearing and answering us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Your Love Never Fails” by Chris Quilala /Jesus Culture/ Jesus Culture Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “One Thing Remains” by Cory Asbury | Bethel Church. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Maker” by Chris August. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “No Greater Love” by Rachael Lampa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith.

 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

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Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should believe in God and not doubt

The Price of Unbelief
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”—James 1:6 NLT

I love spicy foods, and for me, seafood must have some level of heat.

Recently, I had the desire to eat my favorite seafood. But I didn’t have any natural peppers to add. I rummaged through the refrigerator, but there was none. My eyes drifted to my kitchen counter, where I saw some seeds that I had previously saved. I smiled in gratitude but then thought: These have been out too long, and by now no form of heat remains. However, I began to prepare my dish as an act of faith. I added the seeds and then prayed to God, asking Him to cause the flavor to return to the seeds so I could enjoy this food that I was longing for.

Paul reminds us in James 1:6 to have faith when we pray to God we should not go back and forth, believing for one minute that He can do what we ask then in another minute, doubt His ability to do so. We must be confident in our petitions that we present to the Lord, secure in the knowledge that if we ask anything according to God's will, He will grant it to us.

I prayed for the flavor to return as I seasoned my food. I even thanked God for it. But instead of believing that God heard, knew my taste buds, and would make it happen, I started doubting. I tasted it, but there was no heat at all. None. So, what did I do? I added few more seeds. Isn’t that just like us to ask God for something and instead of patiently waiting on Him to perfect the thing we are waiting on, we take matters into our hands?

We see that in the lives of Abraham and Sarah in the Bible story. God made them a promise about the son they would have despite the fact that Abraham was elderly and Sarah’s childbearing years were biologically over. They thought time was running out, so they took matters into their own hands: Sarah told Abraham to sleep with her servant Hagar so they could fulfill God’s promise that way (Genesis 16:2). Hagar became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Ishmael. However, he was not the fulfillment of the promise from God. As we pray and petition God for healings, breakthroughs, restoration—whatever we need—we have to not only apply faith, but patience is also another key ingredient.

Back to the story from my kitchen: When I tasted the food that I had seasoned and prayed over, my eyes immediately watered. I could not enjoy what I longed for, I wanted mild spicy, but this was unbelievably hot. Immediately, what came flooding into my mind was that this is what happens when I ask God for something and then allow doubt and unstable thoughts to flood my mind and then take matters into my own hands. The results are disastrous!

I encourage you today to hold fast to faith and trust God, even when it seems that what you are asking for is impossible. Believe anyway, confess any thought that is warring in your mind, and ask Him to fill you with faith to believe. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Will you believe God with me today?

Let’s Pray: Father God, help us to trust You, even when the pressures around and within cause us to waver in our belief. Help us to hold onto faith. Father, You are our living hope. You are trustworthy and a promise keeper! Please remind us of this truth when we doubt You and your promises for us. Strengthen our faith in You as we wait for You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “I Will Wait for You” by Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Christopher is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons. Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Blog: https://www.colettemarie.online/blog
Website: https://www.colettemarie.online/
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God when you feel disappointed

Trusting God Through Life’s Disappointments
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

—Luke 1:20 (NLT)

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth must have been praying years for a child. The Bible tells us in Luke 1:6, they were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.”

Yet there was a problem: Elizabeth was unable to conceive. Zechariah was simply a priest fulfilling his duty, likely serving God under the assumption of God’s displeasure towards him. So, he was shocked when an angel of the Lord appeared and announced that Elizabeth will give him a son.

Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God’s favor still came to him. God muted his speech for a period of time because his words spoken without faith could have undermined God’s divine plan. The beautiful ending to the story is that Zechariah saw the birth of his son and believed in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Finally, his years of disappointment came to an end.

In ancient Israel, it was considered a curse to not have children. We see how Elizabeth responds in Luke 1:25 (NLT): “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

In our world today, there are many things that make us feel disappointed. For some people it’s not having a good career, for others it’s not meeting the love of their life. Whatever it is, God can’t be pleased when we question if He will answer our prayer. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Here are three ways we can trust God in difficult times:

Way #1: Keep your eyes on Him. Song of Songs 1:15 (NLT) says, “your eyes are like doves.” A dove is only able to focus on one thing at a time. This makes them less likely to be distracted. In the same way, if we keep our focus on Jesus Christ then we will not be discouraged by our current circumstance.

Way #2: Be obedient. Jesus says in John 14:15 (NLT), “If you love me, obey my commandments.” The Bible promises that obedience to God’s commands brings blessings, prosperity, and a more fulfilling life.

Way #3: Stay in the word (read and reflect on The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” The Bible is considered the primary way God communicates with Bible verses that sometimes feel specifically relevant to every situation we experience in life.

There are many reasons why God may take a lifetime to answer specific prayers. Sometimes it’s to build our faith, sometimes it’s because He wants us to deal with an internal issue. Most of the time, it’s to prepare us for the future. Even if His answer comes what we consider late in life, His timing is always perfect and it is always for our good.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your perfect timing. Thank You for loving us enough to not give us what we want, but what we need. We thank You for the plans you have for us as you’ve promised in Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a hope and a future.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Trust God to keep us safe and order our steps

Safe Keeping
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”—Jude 24 NIV

We keep a lot of things: mementos from a family road trip, menus from our favorite restaurants, leaves from the tree in our backyard, seashells from the seashore. We keep time, money, dates and appointments, and we keep on keepin’ on. In our minds, these things we keep are valuable, irreplaceable and part of our lives. One day they will be passed onto the next generation and will tell a story of our time here on earth.

We also like to keep track of our spending, our time away from home, our time in our home, our time with our children and our time with our spouses. If there is an imbalance, we try to reign it in. Not easy, but worth it.

God keeps a lot too. He keeps us from stumbling. Just right there is enough for me. How often when I embark ‘on my own, in my own way’, do I fall flat on my face, let alone stumble? When our eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, He keeps our feet on the right path. We are not even looking at where our feet are going, we just follow with our eyes on the Master. How is this possible to not watch where we are going?

During my five-year long journey of suffering with broken feet, my daughter would constantly remind me to be mindful of my feet. To pay attention to where I was stepping, what I was stepping onto, and how I was going to get from point A to point B. It was very useful because while I was walking, I would be talking and would forget to be mindful—thereby getting myself in trouble with the feet.

Knowing God keeps me from stumbling, spiritually, is quite comforting. Following Jesus is a life-long journey with many ups and downs, turns and twists, mistakes and triumphs. But I need not worry about tripping or falling off the road because Jesus has me. He is keeping me, He is protecting me, He is holding me.

Yes, He is holding me. Just like a daddy keeping watch over his little one, daddy holds the little one in his big strong arms. This act makes the child feel safe, loved and protected. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us if we let Him and do not squirm out of His arms. If only we will submit to God and let Him be our Keeper.

What does God not keep? A record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). We are told God is love in 1 John 4:16. Therefore, God does not keep a record of wrongs. This only applies to those who acknowledge Him as Lord. For those whose names are written in the Book of Life, judgment will be for our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10). But for those who have not chosen to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they too will be judged, will not be found in the Book of Life and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). What a sobering day that will be for many.

But it does not need to end there. God’s mercy is for all and is ready for the asking.

Did you know God keeps mercy for us which is forever? Mercy is what many who cried out to Jesus in need of healing (like blind Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52). Mercy is what follows us, according to Psalm 23:6. God keeps it, guards it and then lavishes it on us. What a wonderful God we have and serve!

Now, may I bless you with this promise found in Numbers 6:24-26 NIV? “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

Let’s Pray: Father God, You are so gracious to us to hold and keep us. You do this so willingly and with abundance. You are faithful and eternal. You are the One who holds me so I do not stumble. Thank You for helping me to keep my feet on the path You marked out for me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Call You Faithful” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by John Rutter. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to trust God and wait on His timing

God’s Timing is the Best
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The past twelve months have been a real challenge for me. I feel like I am losing direction in life, and I can’t see beyond what is in front of me in a very close range.

I have doubts about many things and opportunities that lie before my eyes. I waited for what I thought was the best timing. I was juggling decisions. Every night, after I pray to God, I spend my time with ChatGPT. Wondering around, I wish God would work in that way. When you ask, He will directly speak to you—answering all your questions. I wondered why God doesn’t work like ChatGPT, giving all the positive and encouraging answers right away.

Slowly but surely, I made a bold decision—starting with straightening my finances, recalculating, structuring debt, and cutting many expenses. I’ve been ignoring things I should have done for a long time. Sometimes, doing the right thing can be scary. But miraculously, when I did the right thing by letting go of my fear, suddenly my anxiety subsided and things started to flow nicely. I’ve learned that God’s blessings are not only for me, but also for my children. Everything came on time for them: the food they needed, the money to pay their tuition for college, and a job for extra cash. I would never have guessed God would work the way He did. He left me in awe. I am grateful for what He has done for me.

Several years ago, I met a man who captured my heart. But at that time, neither of us was ready for a commitment. Our previous marriages have hurt us both. I was afraid of losing a spouse again. The death of my husband was traumatic enough, and I don’t want to experience that again. But who can guarantee someone’s life?

For years, I have tried to convince myself to toughen my heart and to believe that no one can guarantee a perfect future or everlasting life…until last month, when I decided to say yes to his proposal. Within three weeks, we planned our intimate, simple wedding with only eight people as our witnesses. It takes courage to enter a new journey. But I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life story. It feels like I took a ton of weight off my shoulders. It feels incredible to feel loved, and the thought that I don’t have to go through life alone anymore. I can see God’s blessing upon my new marriage.

I had to make a decision not just to get married but to quit my job which was something I’d been putting off for months because I was so worried. Every time I thought about it, anxiety rose within me. It is scary to think about quitting my job and starting a new life with someone different. Funny enough, a day after I declared my new life, my boss allowed me to quit my job. We’d spoken about this for months, but he never approved my request to stop working for him. One thing I know then and now: God is in control. Proof that God is with me was in every single decision I made—the right decision, the right path, as He wanted me to do. I am now facing another level of faith because I want to pursue my calling. A calling that will make my life purposeful: A life where I can do ministry for the teens and run my coaching business at the same time. I am passionate about this life that I feel called to live. I am starting to see how God guides my path step by step. Just like Proverbs 3:5-6 says, God will make your paths straight.

I have many reasons to worry about pursuing my passion. I still have to support two kids in college and another one next year, but I am confident that God will show me the right path to take. Uncertainty has a way of drawing me closer to God as I keep seeking Him for strength. I’ve learned that God never wastes our time. He aligns things in our lives when we align our hearts with His. When you are in God’s waiting room, don’t panic, because He is still moving. When things happen, it will feel effortless. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

I didn’t understand God’s timing when I was in the middle of a confusing time. But now I’m living inside the answered prayer. And I realized God was never late. I was just early. His timing is always best!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being involved in every decision I’ve ever made. Thank You for proving that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for the mercy and love that you’ve shown me amid my confusion. Help me to keep believing in You and walking on the right path by your side. I need your guidance in my life. I am so grateful that I can call you Abba Father, whom I can rely on. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In His Time” by Maranatha Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Goodness of God” by Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to check the soil of our hearts

Check Your Soil
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”—Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Ontario is the name of the province I’ve lived in for many years.

Growing up, I remember the jingle for a popular commercial went like this: “Good things grow in Ontario”. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and small posters on popsicle sticks bore these words.

Jesus Christ often used the illustrations of farmers, fields, and soil to convey the importance of growth. This message wasn’t difficult for His audience to comprehend because agriculture and farming were staples in the Middle East in that era. The industrial revolution had not arrived, so the people would understand well the process of planting seed and reaping in harvest time.

In chapter 13 of the Bible book of Matthew, Jesus told the parable of the sower who went out to plant seed. It was important to note that the quality of the soil determined the growing results of the seed. Some soil had stones, some fell by the wayside, while others took root and grew bountifully. Everyone hearing this parable would be challenged to consider the soil of their heart and decide for themselves if it was ripe for receiving seed and growing.

Personally, I know there have been times when my heart was hard, critical and religious. Just like a gardener who rakes up the soil and sees stones, one has to remove those stones from the soil before planting anything. If you plant a seed amongst stones, you soon notice that the plant is struggling to show any signs of growth. There is an obstruction to its growth. You have to take the stones out of that garden. Likewise, individually, we have to check the soil of our hearts.

Matthew 12:34 states out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. When we speak, it is a reflection of what is happening in our hearts. There is an old saying: “You cannot pour clean water from a dirty vessel.” We have to clean up the inside. We have to see the not so nice areas in our lives that are affecting our growth. We can do this by humbling ourselves and asking the Lord to show us and help us to acknowledge our areas of weakness. Confess our faults. God can handle it. As a matter of fact, He is patiently waiting for us to give our concerns to Him. When we read the Word of God (The Holy Bible) and we are convicted, this might mean there is a stone, an area in our life, God wants us to acknowledge. This is an area that needs to be, shall I say, “weeded out” so that we can grow and mature.

Self-examine your heart. Is there anything that is hindering growth in the Lord? Are there attitudes, mindsets or behaviors that other people have noticed and maybe brought to your attention? Ask the Lord to guide you. You don’t have to struggle alone. Ask a friend who is also following Jesus Christ to pray with you.

Let’s check the soil of our hearts and do some internal weeding so that with the grace of the Holy Spirit we can be a fruitful plant that brings glory to God.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I want to grow strong in you. Show me where my heart needs to be tender and help me to respond to your Holy Spirit when you alert me to something that is not right in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “A Heart Like Yours” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What God wants us to do when we are uncertain

Walking by Faith During Seasons of Uncertainty
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”

—Hebrews 11:8-9 (NIV)

Fall has always been my favorite season.

Colorful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin spice lattes are a welcome change from the heat and humidity. I find nothing more satisfying than the sound of acorns under my feet as I walk through the woods.

Change is inevitable for us spiritually as well. God doesn’t want us to remain stagnant, so He takes us through seasons designed to prune us, promote us, and refine us. Not all seasons feel good, especially when God pulls us away from relationships, habits, and emotional attachments that can't go where He's taking us. When the landscape of your life feels unfamiliar and unsettling, God uses this divine disruption to move you forward.

We’ve all faced seasons of uncertainty when God’s plan seemed hidden. We question why prayers are still unanswered or when things will turn around. But God knows our faith won’t grow if He lays out the entire roadmap.

Imagine how Abraham felt when God called him to leave the comforts of home for a land God promised Abraham would inherit. Without knowing what to expect, let alone the roadmap to get there, Abraham stepped out in faith because he trusted God to keep His promise.

God didn’t expect Abraham to figure out how to reach the Promised Land, but to believe that He already did. Abraham’s faith in the midst of uncertainty reminds us that when everything feels chaotic and uncertain, we aren’t falling apart—we’re falling into place—as God positions us for the promise we’ve been praying for.

True faith isn’t about knowing how our story unfolds but trusting the One (God) who does. Every time we choose to walk by faith and release our grip on the outcome, we’re allowing Him to guide our steps, even when it’s uncomfortable.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark to punish us. He is preparing us for the future that He’s already planned for us. God knows that if He told us too much, we would continue to be burdened with anxiety and addicted to control and clarity.

When my lab tests showed some abnormalities last month, my doctor sent me to a hematologist as a precaution. The moment I realized his office was located at the cancer center, I immediately feared the worst. Later that evening, despite what my mind was telling me, the Lord reassured me I would get a clean bill of health. This experience taught me that instead of trusting my emotions, I must trust God’s voice and the promises He’s spoken over my life.

In the midst of uncertainty, we don’t have to be afraid of the dark, because the same God who led Abraham through the desert to the Promised Land in the Bible story is leading us too in our modern era. When we reach the destination He’s planned for us, we will look back and realize that every step He asked us to take was worth it.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I’m faced with uncertainty and my heart is overwhelmed with fear, help me remember to resist the urge to figure everything out myself. Because You are Sovereign, I don’t have to fear what happens next because You go before me, and Your plans for me are always good. I know You are with me, so I will choose faith over fear and prayer over panic as I trust You to take me safely to my next destination.

In Jesus’s name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Everything Falls” by Fee. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s passion to follow Jesus Christ is woven throughout her writing. She loves using words to encourage women to embrace their identity in Christ so they can experience victory in every area of their life. 

In 2024, Sarah was a featured speaker in the 28-Day Devotional Challenge. She also launched her new Substack newsletter, "A Peaceful Pace", which inspires her readers to let Jesus Christ set their pace in a world that values speed at all costs.

Sarah’s short stories have appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. Her latest short story is featured in a new book published by Guideposts, titled Too Amazing For Coincidence.

Her devotionals have appeared in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts.

Sarah is a dog sitter who lives in Minneapolis with her dachshund Frank. Her hobbies include cooking and vacationing each year on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

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Connect with Sarah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants us to count our blessings

Blessed
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”—Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)

There’s a decorative plate on an easel in my kitchen. Since the plate is square, it’s always tilted to the side. No matter how often I straighten it, the plate keeps slipping as if determined to remain off kilter. Either that or the plate has a serious vendetta against my sense of tidiness.

This dish has always been one of my favorites. The word “Blessed” takes center stage with its beautiful, rich color palette. Each day, I straighten the plate, and each day it tilts, but I continue to repeat my actions. There’s a saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.” Apparently, I’m the poster child for this quote.

A few days ago, instead of straightening the plate, my eyes were drawn to the word blessed. That one slight shift caused my mind to take an unexpected turn. I stood there, staring at the plate. The words in Ephesians 1:3 struck me and I realized I have been blessed by God. I’m stubborn, tenacious and sometimes controlling, but in His mercy, He bestows blessings on me.

According to an article about what it means to be blessed, The Master’s University says being blessed means having inner peace, bliss, happiness, and an inward joy not produced by nor affected by circumstance. It’s a state of unshakeable well-being that comes from knowing God.

People who believe in God need to remember that they are blessed by Him. God has positioned us for a time such as this. We are blessed to reside in our imperfect bodies and live our imperfect lives—off kilter, off center, full of flaws, yet flawless in the eyes of our Savior (Jesus Christ). So, why is it difficult to remember that our identity is in Christ alone?

God says we are His children, overcomers and the apple of His eye. It’s our imperfections that make us genuine, and vulnerable. These are the qualities that make us approachable, which allows us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

For a long time I was unsure of how to share Christ with others until God showed me that sharing is natural when it’s based on relationship. When I share Christ with a co-worker, friend, or family member, I can begin from a place of mutual understanding. It’s comfortable to share God’s truth when you have history of sharing meaningful conversations.

Several years ago, I shared the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a dear friend who is also a co-worker. She’d been hurt by a church in the past and never went back. We had several conversations about God and how He has a plan and a purpose for her. Not too long after that she sent me a heartfelt text message for bringing her back to church and re-introducing Christ into her life. This is a beautiful blessing and a memory that I’ll treasure forever.

Today, may we embrace the love of the Good Shepherd, the Mighty One who sets us free. May His daily grace flood our hearts so we can focus on the many blessings He bestows on us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

We are grateful for your love, mercy, and the blessings you bestow upon us. Send your Holy Spirit to help us be consistent in setting aside time to reflect on your goodness and the power of your presence. Thank You for each new day and help us to be aware of the opportunities to share the Gospel with others. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Great is Your Mercy” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I'm So Blessed” by CAIN. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “In Christ Alone” by Natashia Midori. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/

Review of Enduring Word Study Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Enduring Word Study Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

God’s Word is meant to be known—and lived. God wants you to know, understand, and apply His Word. But sometimes you need help making sense of a tricky passage or knowing what it means to live in light of the Bible’s teaching.

For more than 20 years, readers have turned to Bible teacher David Guzik’s verse-by-verse commentary at EnduringWord.com as a source of practical and pastoral insights into the Scriptures. The Enduring Word Study Bible invites you to join them as you are guided into deeper knowledge of the Bible. Study notes based on Guzik’s commentary help you to explore the meaning of every chapter of the Bible. Pastoral application notes guide you to live in light of Scripture, and feature articles bring challenging topics into sharper focus.

Features include:

• Introductions exploring key themes of every book of the Bible

• Study notes to help you explore the meaning of every chapter of Scripture

• 400 application notes to help you live in light of God’s Word

• 50 articles offering a deeper exploration of key topics throughout Scripture

• Concordance with more than 200 word studies

• Translators’ notes and cross references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

David Guzik is the author and General Editor of Enduring Word Study Bible. Here is his professional bio: David Guzik is a pastor, Bible teacher, and author of the Bible commentary used by millions at EnduringWord.com. David has been in Christian service for more than 40 years, including two church plants and more than seven years as a missionary in Germany where he was director and teacher for Calvary Chapel Bible College Germany. David and his wife, Inga-Lill, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

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My Review of Enduring Word Study Bible:

I really liked the brown leather soft cover of this Enduring Word Study Bible.

I appreciated the Letter from the General Editor (David Guzik) as he aptly introduced the purpose of this edition of the Bible. He showed the reader how to approach studying and the Bible by first believing there is a God then believing the Bible is God’s Word and knowing the Bible is more than one book, and finally realizing the Bible is reliable.

I liked it the next message that spanned for two pages titled “Getting to Know God”.

Before diving into the first book of Genesis, there are two pages that share the story of the New King James Version this Bible is written in. It is filled with helpful insights.

The most interesting feature are the two pages with color coded boxes that have each book of the Bible listed (one box per book), along with a key at the bottom so the reader can understand what this means. For example: It is noted that John wrote the book of Revelation. It has 22 chapters. This graphic aid was very detail-oriented.

Another nice feature is how there is one page of introduction to each book in this Bible. The intro gives you background, history, notes about the author, and a list of what to look for when reading that book.

Throughout the thin but smooth pages of this Bible are info boxes such as “A Sharper Focus: Before the Beginning” that teaches the reader more about what they are reading that they may not realize on their own. Each info graphic encourages you to really study the Bible, not just read it.

There are also smaller boxes titled “Pastoral Applications Note” with only a few sentences that briefly explain the importance of the Scripture on that page.

When you reach the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), you can see that the direct words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. I appreciated this being true to tradition as this is the case in most Bibles regardless of the translation or style.

On the final few pages of this Bible are a concordance and before that there is one page titled, “My Identity in Christ” with two columns and 21 columns that outline what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

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Purchase your copy of the Enduring Word Bible today on Amazon today! See the main purchase links below.

Hardcover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Commentary/dp/140033800X/ref=sr_1_1?

Brown Leathersoft cover copy: https://www.amazon.com/Enduring-Word-Study-Bible-Leathersoft/dp/1400338026/

Learn more at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/enduring-word/

#EnduringWordBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is knocking on the door of your heart

Someone’s at the Door
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

What do you do when the doorbell rings?

To be honest, I must admit that when the doorbell rings at my house, my first instinct is to pretend I’m not home. It’s probably just someone selling something, I think to myself. Then I stay quiet and still, hoping whoever it is will give up and go away. If I’m unlucky enough to betray my presence, I’ll open the door just enough to politely cut off their sales pitch without buying in.

Nowadays, we hardly ever need to answer the doorbell at all. High-tech doorbells with cameras and speakers allow us to see and speak to visitors on the outside without going near the door or even being at home. With services like DoorDash and Amazon that offer “contactless” delivery, we can receive our packages and never have to interact with the people who bring them.

Today’s American culture seems far removed from earlier times when answering the door was not considered a hassle or an unusual thing to do. Before the age of telephones, a bell ring or a knock was the only way for visitors to make their presence known. Having guests drop by unexpectedly was commonplace, and it was considered polite to welcome them inside. There are still cultures today that retain a deep-rooted tradition of hospitality, placing value on always being ready to welcome visitors into the home. However, right or wrong, ours seems more focused on safety and security.

What would you do if Jesus Christ knocked on your door?

We could rationalize that it’s difficult to interpret the metaphor of Jesus standing at the door and knocking in contemporary terms, since times have changed and our modern way of thinking about a knock at the door is vastly different than it would have been in Bible times. We might even dismiss it entirely. If we really think about it, though, our modern way of reacting to knocks and doorbells might actually be an apt illustration of how we treat Jesus at times.

Many people who consider themselves Christians have never truly opened the door to Jesus. Some tend to think of Jesus as an impersonal figure who taught the masses from a hillside, bestowing wisdom on them from a distance. They think of him as a good leader whose teachings should be followed in order to become a good person. In a way, that’s like thinking of him as a contactless delivery driver who leaves a package for you to open and use at your convenience. Others pray, but when they do, it’s as if they’re addressing an intimidating stranger, keeping their prayers formal and ritualistic. They “talk to God” but never have a real conversation. That’s sort of like answering Jesus’s knock through an electronic speaker or only cracking the door slightly, never fully listening to what he has to say.

Jesus is anything but impersonal, and this verse from the book of Revelation clearly illustrates that truth: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). Jesus is speaking here, and He tells us that He’s at the door, knocking and calling out to us. He will not leave what He’s bringing on the doorstep and go away; He will continue to knock until we open the door and invite Him in. More than that, if we let Him in, He won’t just stand in the foyer and exchange pleasantries with us. Jesus will come all the way inside the house, sit down at the table, and share a meal with us.

Jesus comes to have relationship with us. He wants to fully enter our lives so that we can know Him and walk closely with Him every day. Many Christians would say they know this, but how many of us truly “open the door”? Do we let Jesus all the way into our lives, or do we keep the door closed as a barrier, keeping Him at a distance, content to stay within the security of the walls we’ve built around our hearts?

Opening the door—literally or figuratively—can feel inconvenient, uncomfortable, or even scary. It makes us vulnerable. But when we think of Jesus standing on the other side, knocking and calling our names, isn’t it worth letting Him in? Jesus wants to enter our lives and have deep relationship with us, but He will neither force His way in nor leave a package on the doorstep. It’s up to us to answer the door, invite Him inside, and sit down with Him at the table.

Let’s Pray: 

Dear God, 

Thank You for sending Your Son to reconcile us to You. When we hear Jesus at the door, help us not to pretend we’re not home, but to open it wide and let him all the way into our hearts. 

In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Someone’s at the Door” by Nathaniel Bassey. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He's Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God is our refuge and strength in every storm

Finding Refuge When the Storm Won’t Stop
A devotional by Terry Overton

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”—Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

The pounding of my heart was fierce as the dream shook me in the darkest of dark hours of night. The story stayed with me throughout the day.

A storm sweeping across the land—destroying everything in its path. The storm in my dream lingered long after waking. I saw myself, running from house to house, seeking safety, but there was no escape. The winds howled louder, and fear increased. Yet even in that darkness, a message was placed on my heart: this is not a dream of doom. It is a divine reminder that our safety is not in the house we choose but in the God who holds us steady.

In Scripture, storms often serve as the backdrop for divine encounters. When the disciples of Jesus Christ feared the waves might swallow them as they teetered in the boat, Jesus was asleep (Mark 4:38). They cried out in desperation, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). The storm obeyed, and the disciples learned a truth that every believer must face—peace is not found in calm weather but in Christ’s presence.

Sometimes the storms in our lives—illness, loss, grief, conflict, uncertainty—feel so fierce that we can’t find our footing. We try to outrun the pain, moving from one “house” to another: one plan, one distraction, one intervention, one new place to hide. Yet the wind finds us wherever we go. That’s because storms of the soul are not meant to destroy us—they are intended to draw us closer to the only shelter that cannot be shaken.

Psalm 91:1 (ESV) promises us, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The word dwelling means staying—not running, not moving from place to place, but resting. It means letting go of the illusion of control and allowing God to be the refuge instead of trying to build one ourselves. The dream of moving from house to house is a picture of what we often do in real life: We look for safety in our own strength, forgetting that the safest place in any storm is right in the center of God’s will.

When you feel like there’s no escape, remember this truth: God’s presence is not limited by walls or locations. You can’t outrun His love, and you don’t need to. The storm may rage, but He walks upon it. He speaks through it. He stands between you and the destruction. What feels like a moment of terror may be an invitation to surrender—to stop moving and let the Almighty fight on your behalf.

God promises us this in Isaiah 43:2 (ESV), “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

You are not meant to escape the storm—you are meant to endure it through grace. Where was Jesus in the storm on the sea? He was in the boat. Where did God say He would be in the waters? With us. When everything shakes, and the winds threaten to undo what you’ve built or what you think you have in life, cling to the Rock that cannot be moved. Let His peace silence your fears.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, my heart may cry in this storm because I try to control what only You can. Help me to remember to lay my fear at Your feet. Help my heart to understand that during the storm, my soul is in Your hands. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God is Our Refuge and Strength | Psalm 46:1” by Timothy Tye. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont

Devotionals for the Heart: We all need people in our life who encourage us

The Blessing of a Barnabas
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”—1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

We all know people who bring doom and gloom wherever they go—the ones who never have a kind word to say, who always find the downside of everything, and whose complaints fill every conversation.

These are not the voices you want speaking into your dreams or shaping your faith. If you want the calling God planted in you to grow and flourish, you need people who will nurture it, protect it, and cheer you on when the road gets tough. In other words, you need a Barnabas.

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), was the kind of person who made others believe they could become who God called them to be. He didn’t just believe in people from the sidelines, he championed them. When others doubted Paul’s conversion and questioned his sincerity, Barnabas stood beside him and vouched for his transformation (Acts 9:26-27). When John (also called Mark) failed in ministry and others wrote him off, Barnabas gave him another chance (Acts 15:36-39). He saw potential where others saw only problems. He looked beyond someone’s present struggles and called out their God-given destiny.

Every one of us needs someone like that, someone who reminds us of God’s promises when doubt creeps in, who speaks life when our confidence wavers, and who pushes us closer to our purpose when we’re tempted to give up. For me, one of my greatest encouragers has always been my mother. She has prayed over me, believed in me, and consistently pointed me back to God. When challenges came, she refused to let me sit in self-pity. Instead, she spoke truth and hope into my life, reminding me of God’s faithfulness and His plan. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” A true encourager doesn’t just comfort you; they strengthen you in the Lord.

Maybe you’ve been blessed with someone like that, a mentor, friend, coach, or spiritual leader who poured wisdom and encouragement into your journey. If so, cherish them. And if you haven’t had that person yet, don’t give up. Pray and trust that God will bring a Barnabas into your life at the right time.

But what happens when the encouragement you need doesn’t come from the people you expect? Maybe the ones closest to you don’t understand your calling. Maybe they question your dreams or even try to “protect” you from disappointment by discouraging you from taking bold steps. That can feel painful and isolating. But remember, even Jesus Christ experienced this. His own brothers didn’t believe in Him at first (John 7:5). When He returned to His hometown, instead of celebrating Him, the people were skeptical and dismissive (Mark 6:4). Yet Jesus didn’t let their doubt derail His mission. He stayed focused on what God had called Him to do.

You and I must do the same. Keep loving your family and friends, but don’t allow their fear or uncertainty to become your roadblock. God is the one who planted this calling in your heart, and He will provide the right people to walk alongside you and encourage you in the journey.

And while it’s a blessing to have a Barnabas, it’s equally important to be one. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) instructs us, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today.’” Someone in your life needs your voice of hope. Someone needs to hear you say, “I believe in you. God’s not finished with you yet.” They need your prayers, your presence, and your willingness to stand with them when the world counts them out.

Everyone needs a Barnabas. And maybe, just maybe, someone is praying for you to step into that role. So, ask God to help you recognize those who need encouragement and give you the words to speak life over them. And as you pour into others, watch how God surrounds you with encouragers of your own—people who will champion your dreams and walk beside you as you pursue your God-given calling.

Let’s Pray: Father, thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life who encourage me, speak life into me, and remind me of who I am in You. I’m grateful for every Barnabas You’ve sent my way, those who believe in me when I doubt myself and point me back to Your promises when I feel discouraged. Please, help me to be that same kind of encourager to others. Open my eyes to see who needs a kind word, a prayer, or a reminder of Your faithfulness. Use my voice, my actions, and my faith to strengthen someone else’s journey. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Speak Life” by TobyMac. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Somebody Prayed” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC, which includes Her RICH Life Coaching, where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats.

She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to do extraordinary things by walking fully in their purpose, calling, and assignment. She knows that each woman has a unique calling that only she can fulfill, and if she doesn’t answer it, that work may never be done. Joyce is deeply aware that there are people waiting for the help only God can give, and He often chooses to work through His people to meet those needs. That’s why Joyce is committed to answering God’s call on her life and inspiring other women to do the same, so together, we can be of greater service to God and one another.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

She makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

My Review on the Peace of God Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the Peace of God Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone!

Before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

You were made for peace—and to be a peacemaker. The story of the Bible is the story of peace—peace with God and with one another. But peace isn’t simply a feeling of calm or ease. It is a way of experiencing life as we were always meant to—in relationship with our Creator and with each other. We can recover a completeness that was once lost but is restored in the gospel.

The Peace of God Bible invites you to experience peace with God as you trace this important theme throughout Scripture. By meditating on it daily as you read 365 devotions and application notes, you will find the encouragement you need to live out of the wholeness you have in Christ—and be equipped to share that peace with others.

Features include:

• Book introductions to help reveal the part peace plays in each book of the Bible

• 365 devotionals based on a key verse or passage to guide you in how to receive and live by God’s peace

• 365 peace notes offering short, powerful insights to help you understand more deeply the wholeness you have in Christ

• Topical indexes to help you study on your own how God's peace can shape different relationships in your life

• Articles explore what the peace of God is, how to find or recover it, and how to experience eternal salvation because of what God has done for you

• Concise concordance and index of features

• End-of-page translators’ notes and cross-references

• Line-matched, double-column typesetting

• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

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My Review on the Peace of God Bible:

I love the box cover that contained the Bible because its blue and orange and yellow color scheme featuring what looks like the sunrise in the mountains over a lake creates a sense of calm in me as the reader. It is like a glimpse into the peace of God that awaits me as I read His Word.

There is only one feature about this Bible that I did not like: The cover design on the actual Bible. While the material feels soft and smooth like leather, I don’t like the etched picture of mountains. Also: The words etched above the mountains “Peace of God” can be easily missed because of the small font size and due to how it fades into the background because it is the same color as the leather covering.

Upon opening this Bible, I noticed the dedication page is clear as day and really stands out with its bigger font size and nice format.

As I turned the pages, I found several things that I liked. Such as: The first few sections that tell the reader how to find the peace of God and keep it, how believers can recover the peace of God, and details about God’s plan of salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished. I found these sections to have powerful messages that can reach readers at any level of their faith journey.

I appreciated the introduction page that comes before the first chapter of each book in the Bible. It starts with notes about the author then mentions the era and theme.

I like how throughout this Bible, there are blue boxes with words written in white ink that provide what looks like a mini devotion anchored on a verse in that book. Such as “The God Who Hears” on page 69 that is anchored on Exodus 2:23. Beautiful!

I love how there are light blue boxes of just the right size with dark blue lettering that says “Peace Note” then there is a one or two sentence note with a question or statement to ponder based on the recent reading of that particular chapter. Clever! The first peace note I read is on page 273. It reads: How do you discover the will of God for your life? Perhaps you have prayed, “Lord, which opportunity shall I pursue?” A clear determiner is the peace of God.” At the end of each peace note is a Scripture reference. This one is Judges 18:6.

When I reached The New Testament that contains the last books in the Bible, I like how true to tradition, words spoken by Jesus Christ are written in red. This helps His direct quotes to stand out against everything else written in black ink.

After the final book (Revelation), there is a very comprehensive Features Index that tells the reader the exact page where each devotion and peace note can be found. Very helpful!

The last few pages of this Bible feature a concordance that can help the reader dive deeper into studying the Bible. Wrapping it up are colorful maps showing what the land and regions looked like during the time when the Bible was written. This is at the very end.

I enjoyed reviewing this Bible and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to experience the peace of God.

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Watch this preview from the publisher featuring the Peace of God Bible:
https://youtu.be/OdqbjPq9nsg?si=19nEOuqZDrH-prwQ

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Read more about Peace of God Bible on the publisher’s website:
https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/peace-of-god/

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Purchase your copy of the Peace of God Bible today on Amazon!

#PeaceOfGodBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Devotionals for the Heart: God wants us to properly care for our bodies

Is Self-Care Selfish?
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”—Luke 12:7 (ESV)

Have you ever given a gift to someone and felt unreasonably protective about taking care of that gift before you gave it to them?

If I go to the store and buy something for myself, it can roll around in the back of my trunk until I get home, and I’m not terribly worried about it. But if I’ve bought a birthday gift for someone, I make sure it’s nestled carefully in my trunk so it won’t get trampled by the other things back there. Then when I get home, I keep it somewhere safe—preferably where the cats can’t massacre it—until I have the time to wrap it, topping it all off with a nice bow before I present it to them with love. I take care of that gift, making sure it’s in as good a shape as possible before it winds up in the hands of my loved one. After all, it’s a gift. It’s something precious, a tangible representation of my love and care.

But do we take care of ourselves, our bodies, with that same measure of care? Truthfully, not always. Perhaps we forget sometimes that our bodies are also a gift. Not only are they a gift that God gave to us—human houses for our souls, as well as the Holy Spirit who lives inside all believers—but also a gift that’s meant to be given away. We’re meant to lay down our lives for those we love (1 John 3:16), as well as to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Romans 12:1). We’re meant to die to the old so that we can embrace the new (Romans 6:5-6, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3).

That’s not because our bodies are worthless garbage. It’s because it’s a genuine gift. Our bodies are one thing we can fully offer to the Lord, whether that’s in service or in sacrifice, whether that’s offering our life by defending the weak and the “least of these” or in living sacrifice as we respond in the aftermath of disasters, or by visiting prisoners, tending the ill, praising the Lord through music or dance, or feeding and caring for those without homes or food. Our bodies are precious, meant to be used in love, service, and care.

However, many of us see self-care as selfish. Perhaps we think if we’re truly being sacrificial, we are supposed to push ourselves until there’s nothing left. We work our lives away as though our bodies mean nothing. We put junk food in our bellies, we don’t get adequate sleep, we don’t take time to move and stretch and build our muscles, and then to feel better—or numb our pain, or maybe because we think it’s fun—we expose our bodies to toxic chemicals like drugs, too much alcohol, or other substances. We allow our bodies and our minds to get consumed by stress instead of stopping to tend the houses of our souls, the physical homes of the Holy Spirit on earth.

And perhaps we think there’s nothing wrong with that. But just like plants need to be cared for in order to produce crops or flowers, just like churches need tending and financial support to be able to truly be the body of Jesus Christ in the world, our bodies also have needs. They need for us to take care of them properly in the world for the Lord.

If you think about it, our bodies are a gift from God. They’re meant to be used by us, yes. But they’re also meant to be given away by us to the Lord, whatever that looks like. And if we’re truly intending for our bodies to be a gift, we shouldn’t be treating them like trash. I wouldn’t let my mom’s birthday gift roll around in my trunk, getting crushed and mangled, only to present it to her with a sheepish grin, “Here you go! Sorry it’s a catastrophe!”

Our bodies are the same. We don’t want to present them to the Lord in poor shape. So no, self-care is not selfish. It’s stewardship. It’s an act of love care and respect for a gift that God gave  us in his perfect love.

If you’re struggling to see your body in this way, stop and consider how God might view how you’re treating yourself. If that’s difficult to wrap your mind around, then consider how you might react to a small child hurting herself, driving herself to the point of pain and debilitation. Wouldn’t you encourage her to take a nap, have a good meal, or slow down and rest? That’s how God feels about you and about every one of His children on this earth.

Our bodies are precious to the Lord. Every aspect of who you are is precious to the Lord. Remember this.

Let’s Pray: Lord God, sometimes I treat myself like an afterthought but I’m no afterthought to You. I was created in perfect love, handcrafted by You. Help me honor Your love in the way I treat myself and care for my body, mind, and soul. Help me care for the gift You gave with proper stewardship that honors You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sanctuary | Alpha & Omega | Total Praise” by Israel & New Breed. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.