Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should surrender to God every day

Surrendering to the Source
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

Have you ever done something you’re really not good at? Have you done it intentionally, even though you’re not naturally gifted or even simply okay at it, knowing it was somehow good for you? Still enjoyable? Still worth the exercise?

The other night, my kids and I were painting at our kitchen table. I always laugh when I get artistic because I have long claimed that I write because I have no talent as a painter. I use words to paint my pictures.

Still, I like to paint. Although I’m not terribly good at it, it’s fun. I love to play with color and see images come to life beneath my fingers. We started painting during the COVID-19 pandemic because we needed something to do as a family besides watch TV and go for walks. And while we don’t do it often, especially now that my son is off to college, when he’s home on breaks we usually try to dabble a bit.

My poor kids, though . . . I didn’t mean to, but as a recovering perfectionist, I’ve somehow raised two perfectionists—particularly my oldest, who plays first-chair viola in his college orchestra, majors in finance, and has always been tremendously hard on himself. He kept berating himself as we painted for not being able to get his lines straight or be as precise as he wanted.

“Stop beating yourself up!” we all told him. “It looks really good.” And it did! He just laughed. “I’m a perfectionist. I can’t help myself! It’s killing me not to do this right.”

I looked at him over our canvases. “But remember—whenever you do things out of your comfort zone, you’re stretching your brain. You’re using different muscles. You’re making yourself better in some way. I always say that every time I pick up a paintbrush I become a better writer.”

My own words have stayed with me since then. It’s true, isn’t it? And it’s not just because we’re stretching different sides of our brain. Whenever we do something out of our comfort zone, it’s scary, but it always makes us better.

I see a huge spiritual lesson in this. Think about all the times you’ve had to relinquish control and depend on God. Remember how it ultimately made you better, deeper, stronger in the Lord? Really ponder this—for me, it’s been every single time.

Consider in Scripture how Peter jumped out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus Christ (Matthew 14:22-33). He certainly didn’t do this in his own strength, but because of faith—he was entirely dependent on his trust in Jesus, and that faith gave him the ability to do supernatural things.

Later, his faith enabled him to heal in the Lord’s name and to do other miracles. Jesus taught in John 15:1-17 how he is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, yet in Him, because of our connection to Him, we can thrive and grow in ways unimaginable. It’s not that we ourselves are better. But in surrendering and letting him take over, we’re surrendering to the full power of the Holy Spirit within us. That’s when the true work happens. That’s when we become what we can never become on our own.

I have no illusions I’ll ever be a painting prodigy. But I do know that practicing the art of surrender is good for my brain and good for my soul. The most beautiful things I’ve ever written have come from a source deep inside of me that is connected to the One—God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega. I have no illusions it comes from me or any talent I possess. It is a combination of my hard work and my willingness to surrender to the Creator who somehow miraculously lives within me.

This year, instead of worrying about becoming the best version of you possible, maybe consider how you can surrender to the One who handcrafted the very universe around us all. That is the true measure of greatness.

And the true evidence of His love.

Let’s Pray: Lord, my ego sometimes tells me the good things I do come from me—my talent, my work, my giftedness. But apart from You, I am nothing. On my own, I am lost. Help me remember that I become worthy only in my connection to You and help me learn to surrender to You daily. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Surrender All” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Surrender” by Hillsong Worship. 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 and Instagram.

She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should keep faith in Jesus Christ

Keep the Faith
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

Funerals for many people are morbid and sad, but I have found them to be very sobering and educational. For me, they serve as a constant reminder that I must steward every day I’m alive with wisdom.

We are reminded in Scripture to ask for wisdom so that we can use the time we are given wisely (Psalm 90:12). At most funerals, there is music and tributes. The dead person in the coffin is not able to confirm or deny all being said, but you can tell by the smiles and the nods of those who knew the person whether the speaker is telling the truth or not. 

Recently, I sang at a funeral, and the testimony of those who spoke before me was that “He loved the Lord.” This is like music to the ears of people who follow Jesus Christ because his life testified to his love for God. When he was alive, the evidence of his love for God showed in his behavior. He consistently treated people in the church and in his community with agape love and respect. He lived out his beliefs. He did what the Apostle Paul stated he had done, which was, "I have kept the faith."

The Bible books of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy focus on a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy who was a young pastor at that time. Paul was encouraging him Timothy, knowing that his days on earth were coming to an end. It was important for Timothy to keep some important things in mind as he moved forward in his role as a pastor. Paul, from the first day of his conversion (Acts 9), had learned to look fully to God for his every need. From day one of becoming a Christian, Paul understood the power of God and the call on his life. He was entrusted with a task to preach the gospel. Likewise, he reminds Timothy that he, too, must do the same.

To keep the faith means you have be prepared to be persecuted. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Therefore, we have to prepare ourselves. The scriptures are loaded with guidance and direction for us to read, meditate on and believe what God says. It will direct us as we move through life (Psalm 119:105).

Our ultimate goal is to hear our Savior (Jesus Christ) say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) when we stand before Him. So, like Paul, as we start out this year, let’s keep this in the forefront of our hearts and minds.

We can set our goals, but our ultimate goal is to keep the faith that we have in Jesus Christ. Let’s live in a way that the world can see the character of Christ in our lives through our speech and behavior. Challenges in many forms will come but be determined to keep the faith! Hide the Word in your heart. As you obey God, prepare to be persecuted but remember that the one who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

God’s word is certain and sure; He will keep us. Let’s set our hearts and minds to stay focused and come what may, keep the faith.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, 

I am so thankful for the assurance that you’ve got me in the palm of your hands. Nothing happens without You knowing about it. We are grateful for You. Strengthen my heart and help me to remember your word when I forget and am tempted to become discouraged. I want to be able to say like Paul, “I have kept the faith.” 

In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Keep the Faith” by Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Follow Christ” by Bob Carlisle, Clay Crosse and BeBe 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