Devotionals for the Heart: Reasons Why We Are Meant to Walk on Water

Meant to Walk on Water
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” 

~Matthew 14:27-29 (NIV)

Can you imagine it? The sea churning in a maelstrom. The monstrous waves threatening to consume everything. Grown men crying out for their lives. No Jesus in the boat this time. Yet, at the first glimpse of Him, lit up like a Christmas tree on the horizon, Peter believed it was the Lord, so he took a step of faith and called out to Jesus, “Lord, bid me come to you!” Jesus welcomed Peter’s request. Then, like Jesus in the form of mortal man, Peter walked on water. He did the impossible because he believed he could with Jesus.

Several years ago, I first experienced visualization prayer. A pastor, or a priest, reads a scripture passage repetitively while you mediate on it to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal a deeper meaning. You can be an observer, a participant, or a character in the story. I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The reading was “Jesus Walking on Water” (Matthew 14:22-33). During the first pass, I immediately visualized standing on the shore. I felt the sand beneath my feet and the water rushing over them. A group of twelve sandal-clad men got into a fishing boat. I was separate from them (an observer) but I could hear them speak and sensed their emotions, especially during the confusion and fear upon seeing Jesus on the water.

During the second pass, I felt a sense of determination and strength. Even as the others cried out for help, I wasn’t afraid. I knew as soon as I saw him it was the Lord. I was seeing through Peter’s eyes (as a character). I stepped out of the boat feeling confident but faltered in the storm’s distractions. I felt the pain of regret as the Lord lifted me from my peril. I embraced the Lord with a love that wanted desperately not to fail him.

In the third pass, the disciples interacted directly with me (as a participant). They sought to protect me in the rising storm. Then, when Peter saw the Lord on the sea, he kneeled and extended his hand to me. As Lord’s voice boomed, “Come!” Peter encouraged me to get out of the boat with, “Now it’s your turn.” As I took his hand he said, “Learn from my mistake.” The following message was even clearer: “Keep your eyes on Jesus!” With a holy boldness I stepped out onto the water. Even as the waves pounded, and the wind roared, I kept my eyes focused on Jesus. I could see a force field of light surrounded him as I approached, and it enveloped me into an orb of incredible peace at his embrace. I felt loved beyond measure.

Like with his disciples, Jesus loves and believes in our abilities so much that He seeks for us to believe that we can do the impossible with Him. “Whatever we ask in faith, it shall be given” (Mark 11:24 NIV). Peter didn’t walk on water alone. He walked on water with Jesus, who gave him the power to do so because of his faith. Jesus wants us to walk on water with him too, by keeping our eyes focused on Him (no matter the situation). Activated by our belief, He can show us what we are capable of through the power of His mercy and love.

Are you in the middle of an impossible situation? Do you need a miracle? See Jesus on the horizon and believe. Take that step of faith. Just as Peter said to me, I encourage you with, “Now it’s your turn [to walk on water]!” You too can learn from his mistake and remember to keep your eyes on Jesus! 

Then watch your faith in Him ignite His power within you to do the impossible.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia. She teaches television production at C.D. Hylton Senior High School. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), ACFW Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England.

In her spare time, she also writes and directs Christmas and Easter passion plays at Christ Chapel Assembly of God in Woodbridge, VA.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mirachelle77/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: Suffering

Who Needs Enemies When You Have Friends Like Eliphaz?
A devotional by Kristy Horine

“Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him." ~Job 2:11 (NKJV) 

Job understood the truth of this title.

This Old Testament man’s life was good. His kids were all grown up and doing good things, home life was sweet, business endeavors were flooding his accounts with incredible ROIs … then, he lost everything in a day. As if that weren’t enough, his entire body erupted with boils “from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” (Job 2:7 NKJV)

For Job, what remained included a wife who encouraged him to curse God and die, and three friends who came and stirred up the ashes of his dreams with hot, accusing breath.

On an infinitely smaller scale, I share Job’s feelings of loss and despair. Every time I’m disappointed as a hope is doused. Every time I receive a rejection letter for the writing. Every time one of my ministry ideas is shot down. Every time a reasonable expectation is unmet, I see a tinge of the darkness.

I’m guessing you might see it, too.

By chapter 22 in Job, I’m counting down how much more I have to read. I mean, how long can this go on? I feel the sting of Eliphaz’s words in Job 22:5-11 (NKJV) where he said: “Is not your wickedness great, and your iniquity without end? For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, and stripped the naked of their clothing. You have not given the weary water to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. But the mighty man possessed the land, and the honorable man dwelt in it. You have sent widows away empty, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed. Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you, or darkness so that you cannot see; and an abundance of water covers you.”

Job, man, you are drowning in wickedness. 
There must be something wrong with you. 

I somehow believed the words Eliphaz said.

With the edges of the darkness closing in, I could see Job stripping people buck naked, withholding water and food, ignoring the widows and crushing the fatherless.

I believed the false accusations. In the span of 22 chapters – 517 verses – I forgot what God said about Job. Let's read Job 1:8 (NKJV) where the Lord said to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

In the midst of your darkness and ashes, in the mire of a multitude of jagged-edged voices, have you forgotten what God says about you? Have you forgotten how deep and high and wide is His love for you?

Scripture tells us:

· For those who repent and believe, they will be saved (Acts 16:31).

· For those who are in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).

· For those who are called according to His purpose, He works things out for good

(Romans 8:28).

· For those who are free in the Son are free indeed (John 8:36).

Precious friends, Eliphaz doesn’t know Jack and he doesn’t know God and what the Lord Almighty has said about you.

Push a stick into those ashes and find a little coal there. While you are hurting still, and trying to figure out a way to heal both from what is real and from what is imagined, focus on the thing that glows. It will give you enough light to make it through the night. 

~*~

Author Bio:

Kristy Horine is a Kentucky writer, freelance journalist by trade and creative by God’s grace.

She writes a little bit of everything including poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. Her professional and creative work has been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies in Kentucky and beyond.

Kristy founded 3rd Letter Christian Writers in Lexington, Kentucky in 2015. Read more of her work at www.kristyhorine.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Light

Choosing The Light
A devotional by Gail Kittleson

“Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” ~Luke 1:78-79 (NKJV)

My middle school English teacher would have diagrammed this complicated sentence with ease. She’d point out, “The meat of the statement, subject and verb, are in the second phrase and the other segments answer our questions—how, who, when, and why. But the writer begins with the source of what is to come...the heartfelt mercies of our God. Do you see how the author carefully arranged everything for clarity and purpose?”

Some of us saw—some of us didn’t. But today, we can focus on those “How and why,” which are questions that every journalist subscribes to answering.

How will the sunrise break? 

Through God’s heartfelt mercies. 

Upon whom will the light shine? 

Us—we who sit in darkness and death’s shadow. 

Why? (For what purpose?)

To enlighten our steps and bring us into peace. 

Allow me to illustrate my point using the Bible story about Zachariah.

Zachariah, slow to believe the angel’s prophecy that his wife would bear a son in her old age, spoke these words after his first and only child John entered the world. For nine long months, he had suffered the imposition of silence, and for decades before that, had mourned the lack of children to leave behind him when he died.

Perhaps this history helped his neighbors and friends to see how momentous his visitation had been, but still, it must’ve been difficult for Zachariah. Finally, God’s angel promised him a son, his wife had conceived in her old age, and he couldn’t express his excitement and joy. Bummer!

Once Zachariah agreed that his newborn son’s name would be John, his tongue was loosed. At long last, it was Zachariah’s turn to speak. Well aware of his imperfect faith, he’d had plenty of time to ponder what he might say at this long-awaited opportunity.

At this significant moment, a message inspired by the Holy Spirit poured forth. And what a message it was, pure poetry—pure exaltation! We might well take heed to this tale of mercy and light, drawing us from our gloomy outlook and assuring us of guidance and serenity.

My Prayer: Sometimes it’s easier to fall back into familiar negativity than to embrace Your fresh light, Father. Grant us hearts to listen to your words through Zachariah and entrust our lives to You. Deliver us from falling back from your promises in unbelief.

~*~
Author Bio:

When Gail Kittleson's not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit of her 1940’s novels, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors.

She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.

Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.

Devotionals for the Heart: Gail's thoughts on priorities

Priorities
A devotional by Gail Kittleson

Luke tells many stories of healing. In Luke 5:12-16, Jesus heals a leper, but first, he astounds onlookers by touching the ill man’s skin. It was unheard of in that day to come close to a leper because his dread disease might become your affliction. People would think you had lost your mind.

Lepers, with fingers and toes that were often eaten away by their wasting disease, were cast out of the community, and even had to cry “Unclean!” when they traversed public places. No one approached one of them.

Well aware of these circumstances and societal rules, Jesus might have healed the leper from a distance away. He might have given the divine gift of health without coming in contact with the man. But He deliberately chose to contact him, skin-to-skin. We can only imagine how long it had been since the diseased man had felt human touch, or what Jesus’ action meant to him. We can imagine tears burning his eyes.

And what a message that touch proclaimed to those who were watching this scenario unfold! After the healing, Jesus instructed the healed man to present himself to the priest and offer a thank offering according to the law rather than spread the news of his healing verbally.

The Message Bible translates the result: “But the man couldn’t keep it to himself, and the word got out.” We can certainly understand that—this renewed health forever altered his life! The news resulted in more crowds seeking healing.

In storytelling, we aim for smooth transitions so the tale flows without a hitch such as sentences that seem out of place. I find them all the time when I’m editing. But in this story, Luke leaves in one glaring misfit.

Before he proceeds to describe the healing of a paraplegic, Luke writes, “As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer.” Luke 5:16 (MSG) What does this have to do with the flow of his account?

Editing this chapter for smoothness, we’d have to remove this sentence. It would have to go because it clearly doesn’t fit the narrative.

But what would Jesus say about that decision? Something like, “Fit or not, those times away formed the foundation of my ministry—they were the source of my strength.”

My Prayer: Remind us today, Father, that we are never too busy, even with ministry, to seek You. Show us that whether times alone with You seem to fit into our lives or not, we need to withdraw to a quiet place with You and soak in Your mercy and love.

~*~
Author Bio:

When Gail Kittleson's not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit of her 1940’s novels, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors. 

She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.

Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.

Devotionals for the Heart: Quanny's Question based on a Bible story

What Do You Have in Your House?
A devotional by Quantrilla Ard

“And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me what has thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” ~2 Kings 4:2 KJV

A few years back I was searching for something. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it kept me up at night, concerned me throughout the day and quite honestly had me in an overall sour mood. Now I tried to put a brave face on and cover up this discontentment through being busy. I was a wife, mom, student, and church secretary at the time so there was no shortage of tasks from which to choose. But there was a void of sorts. In trying to figure out my feelings, I came across a passage of scripture that changed the direction of my life forever.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know the story, I’m sure I had heard it before growing up. Yet this time, something clicked and came alive in my heart. It literally moved me to tears. In chapter 2 of 2 Kings, Elisha had just received the double portion of God’s spirit after Elijah was translated and he begins to do miracles. Two chapters later, we find a certain woman in a precarious situation, a woman who happened to be a widow of one of the sons of the prophets - the same group of men who trained under Elijah.

The Bible says that she cried to Elisha because the creditor had come to take her two sons to be servants, to pay off the debt they had no doubt accumulated since the passing of her husband. Elisha asked her, “What shall I do for you?” Then he follows up with another question, “What do you have in your house?” Now, this was interesting! I’m sure this woman had probably sold any and everything of value to pay what they owed. She replied that there was nothing, “save a pot of oil" (2 Kings 4:2).

Next, Elisha told her to do something that stretched her way out of her comfort zone. It wasn’t that she lacked faith; she knew that Elisha through the power of God could help her. So what did she lack? Not sure. But what I know for sure is this - when you are down and in the depths of despair, you do not feel like going to anyone asking for anything. At all. And here it is that her salvation was dependent on her ability to set her pride aside and ask for help from people she had probably tried to hide her situation from the whole time. Mercy.

Let’s continue. Elisha told her to borrow empty vessels from all her neighbors, and not just a few. Can you imagine the stares and looks of confusion? Then, she was to come back home, shut herself and her sons in, and pour that leftover oil into all the vessels, setting the full ones to the side. While pouring out, she asked one of her sons to bring her another vessel, and he replied that there was not one left to fill. The oil remained. Hallelujah, the oil remained. She tells Elisha what she had done, and he responds with one last task. He says, “Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children off the rest.” The end.

When I think about this story and the pain and fear that were such large parts of it, I am brought to tears. Like the widow, I have often found myself in situations in which I am literally empty – situations in which I have sold everything in my “house” and cannot identify anything left of merit or value. I cry out to God asking Him to fix my destitute mess, and He asks me, “Beloved, what’s in your house?” This question urges me to look for my pot of oil, that thing I’ve overlooked because I’ve not assigned it much worth. God then instructs me to go to my neighbors, to tell my story, to ask them for vessels to pour my oil in. “What miracle can come from that?” you may ask. Dear friend, I’ll tell you. Full vessels of oil…plenty, supply, met need, overflow, and freedom from the surety of bondage! Thank you Jesus.

So did I ever find what it was I was searching for? Absolutely. God revealed to me through His word that what I needed was already in my purview. I didn’t need to look elsewhere to fill the void I was experiencing, I simply needed to take inventory of my house and find my oil. 

I guess all that’s left to ask is, “What’s in your house?”

~*~
Author Bio: 

Quantrilla (Quanny) Ard is a faith-based personal and spiritual development writer who lives in the DC Metro area with her husband and three littles. 

In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she is an entrepreneur, doctoral student, and curator of all things lovely. 

As a woman on her own quest of shining a light on the shadowy, hidden places in her life, she writes as the PhDMamma about things she knows to be true in hopes to encourage others to do the same. 

Her spiritual goals and her love for Christ propels her quest to share the journey with other women: to walk alongside them and encourage them with words, deeds, and wisdom. Quanny believes in the power that is within collective strength, community, and fellowship. 

You will find her wherever people are sharing stories of triumph.

~*~
Connect with Quanny:
Website - https://www.thephdmamma.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thephdmamma
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/qyard08
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quannyboo/ 

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Devotional by Laura Thomas: Queen Esther and An Invitation

Invited
A devotional written by Laura Thomas

When Queen Esther made the decision to come before the King uninvited, she literally risked her life. As dramatic as it sounds, it was a reality, and one she did not take lightly.

“…any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives….” ~Esther 4:11 (NIV)

Esther knew she had to be in the right headspace and heart space to go through with the ordeal, culminating in either an audience with her royal husband or meeting her Maker. She carried the heavy burden of knowing the Jewish race was about to be slaughtered, annihilated, wiped off the face of the earth, and there was a chance that she could make a difference. She could save the lives of a nation.

On hearing about the dire situation facing her people, Esther informed her dear cousin Mordecai to instruct the Jews in the area to fast for three days. She would do likewise with her maids—no food or drink for three full days.

When it was time for her to go before the King, she dressed to the nines in her royal robes, even though she must have felt horribly weak physically, and she presented herself, uninvited, in the royal court. I can only imagine how beautiful that gold scepter must have appeared when the King extended it her way and invited her in.

At this point, I’m pretty sure I would have exhaled in sheer relief and simply blurted out the whole story of wicked Haman plotting to wipe out the Jews. Get it over with. But Esther procrastinated her plea to the King—she asked if he and Haman might join her for a banquet. Cool, calm, and confident Esther. She followed God’s guidance in complete obedience, and knew she had to be cautious even in her courage.

There’s more—at the banquet, clearly the King was in an awesome mood because he offered her up to half the kingdom! This would have been the time to spill the beans on Haman’s plan. Yet Esther requested that they come to another banquet the following day, where she would make her plea known. Intrigued by her beauty and wit, the King agreed. As a fly on the palace wall, I would have been a nervous wreck watching this transpire—the King could easily have become frustrated and enraged. Esther was not yet safe.

But she trusted.

Esther spent three intense days fasting and drawing close to the Father’s heart, seeking His will and guidance in this horrific situation. She knew she was unable to face her husband and tell him of Haman’s schemes in her own strength or her own timing. There was too much at stake to risk being ignorant or arrogant. She sought after God and He heard her.

How blessed we are today as God’s children to come before The King of Kings with confidence and boldness! We don’t have to wait and guess the mood of our King, whether He will want to accept us and hear us. Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we are invited.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”~ Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Esther’s plan worked out perfectly in the end—she bided her time and petitioned the King at just the right moment with just the right words. God used her and spoke through her in a mighty way. As a result of Esther’s obedience and longing to do God’s will, evil Haman was hanged and the Jews were saved.

Does it make you wonder what God might do through us when we seek after Him wholeheartedly, spend time listening for His voice, and then act in obedience like lovely Esther? We are invited to approach His throne today to “find grace to help us in our time of need.” And that, my friend, is the most prestigious invitation imaginable!

~*~
Author bio:

Laura is a published Christian author with a heart for inspiring and encouraging readers of all ages. 

She is truly multi-genre—with a published Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, children’s stories, devotionals for Union Gospel Press, musings on her blog, and she now has a literary agent representing her Christian romantic suspense novel.

Laura is English and Canadian, married to her high school sweetheart, mom of three, passionate about faith and family…and chocolate!
~*~
Connect with Laura:
Website - www.laurathomasauthor.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Laura-Thomas-183771121724664/?ref=hl
Twitter - https://twitter.com/laura_thomas_
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauracthomas/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/lauracthomas/

Words of Faith: Joi's story about the mission field and Peter from The Bible

I’m Peter
A Words of Faith story written by Joi Copeland

When I first became a believer in 1990, my faith pretty much exploded. I knew that God could do anything, even the impossible. I’ve seen God work so many miracles in my many years of following Him, I still believe He can do the impossible.

Yet, as my family and I prepare for the mission field by raising support and meeting with people, I have found my faith wavering. We are supposed to leave by the end of August, and we don’t have all of our support raised. This has been tough. I began to doubt. I began to listen to what others have been saying. Things like, “You aren’t going to make it by August.” Or “What happens if you don’t make it? Do people who support your get their money back?” or “What if you never make it to the mission field?”

To say the least, this is discouraging. VERY discouraging.

And so I became Peter. Peter, the man who had faith to walk on water. You know the story, right? Peter and the disciples are in a boat because Jesus sent them ahead of Him. During a storm, they see Jesus walking on water toward them and think He’s a ghost. Jesus says it is Him, and Peter responds with, “If it’s you, let me come out and meet you.” Jesus says ok, and out jumps Peter, walking on water! I’ve got the faith to walk on water. But like Peter, I took my eyes off of Jesus and began to sink. I sank for a few weeks. It was tough.

Then one day, all of it began to change. No, not because God provided all the money we need. But because I’ve started focusing again on Him. I believe we can still make it on the mission field by the end of August of 2016. I’ve seen God do miraculous things! But no matter what, my eyes will remain on Jesus, His calling, and His timing. My eyes are back on the One who controls the sea, the wind, and the challenges.

~*~
Author bio:

Joi Copeland is married to a wonderful man, Chris, and has three amazing boys: Garrison, Gage, and Gavin. 

She lives in Denver, Colorado, but within the year, hopes to be living in Galway, Ireland. 

Joi’s love of writing began at a young age. She wrote short stories for several years. She began writing her first novel, Hope for Tomorrow, in 2009.