Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to take time to be healed

Take Time to Heal
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up.”

—Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NKJV)

As I sat in silence with my eyes closed, I opened my heart and ears to receive from God. I focused on four words mentally. Lord, please heal me.

I waited for the presence of God to wash over me. I calmly inhaled and exhaled as I practiced patience. I eagerly anticipated meeting God in this moment. I made time to stop my busyness and quiet the noise in my world to make space for a God encounter. It was my time to heal. At the feet of Jesus Christ, I knelt to bask in His healing presence.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 is a declaration of a wise man named Solomon. After having lived life as a king, he reflects on his life’s lessons. He emphasizes the importance of the cycles of life. There is a time and season for all things, he assures us. There is a time to kill. In order to birth new things many times, we must experience the death of the old. Dying makes room for life and new things. While we should never kill a human being (Exodus 20:13), we must kill anything that would inhibit God’s purpose in our lives. This includes toxic relationships, unhealthy or destructive patterns, negative or false beliefs, and bad practices in our lives.

Healing has its proper place in the cycles of life. Sometimes we are wounded by the ones we love and honor unintentionally. Sometimes we are the casualties of our life’s battles, or the battles of others. We hurt in different ways. We experience loss and disappointment. We are wounded physically, spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically. We experience some sort of trauma.

It’s easy to ignore the hurt and put on a brave face. It’s easy to refuse to grieve properly and become busy. It’s easy to drown yourself in work or in the care of others. But we must learn how to stop. We must make and take time to heal. As women—mothers and wives—we take on so much. As natural nurturers we are very much concerned with the care of others. So much so, that we sometimes neglect ourselves and our self-care.

If we do not care for ourselves, our body will cry out with warning signs. This may look like body aches, emotional turmoil, forgetfulness, insomnia, crankiness, depression, anxiety, isolation, increased stress levels, etc. Our bodies tell the story. Our bodies are our physical houses—we only get one, so we must care for it intentionally. King Solomon admonishes us that healing is essential to a healthy lifestyle. We can heal in several ways.

I’d like to discuss a few ways that we can heal today:

We heal ourselves with our diet. I’ve learned that food is the fuel that nourishes our bodies. Nutritious foods provide the necessary elements for growth and nourishment to our bodies. Water hydrates us and positively benefits all the systems in our body. Conversely, what we ingest has the power to destroy and break down our body systems. A diet high in sugar, salt, and fat can clog arteries, cause weight gain, and overwork organs. Obesity is a very real disease that causes other physical diseases and can shorten our lifespan. Take time to heal the body with a healthy diet.

We heal ourselves with rest. Rest encompasses sleep and awake time. Sleep plays an intricate role in our healing. During sleep, our bodies and minds reset for the coming day. Our body clocks set again and prepare for the work ahead. Our sleep patterns monitor our hormones and daily functioning. We should sleep for one fourth of our day to power up for the remaining 16 hours. During our time awake, we must also take mental and physical breaks. We can practice silence or Christian meditation. We can also sit and reflect and take time to rest our bodies and minds. Our bodies will thank us.

We heal ourselves with self-care. It matters how we treat ourselves. The first relationship that we have is one with ourselves. It is healing to truly love and accept yourself. We deserve love and to know how much our Maker loves us. We should ask God to help us see ourselves how He sees us. The Bible says we are beautiful and valuable to God (Psalm 139:14). He says that we are good and worthy of love (Genesis 1:31). We should treat ourselves as such. Encourage yourself and care for yourself. Treat yourself to a good life and new experiences. Take the trip. Eat your favorite food sometimes. Get the massage and take yourself on a date. You deserve it. Make time to be still and reflect on God’s goodness. Speak kindly to yourself. Journal and reflect on your wins and celebrate. Process the pain and talk to a licensed therapist. Deal with your trauma and heal your inner child. That is self-care. It is your time to heal.

We can heal our relationships. This includes your relationships with God and others. If you are far from God or angry at Him, reconcile with Him. God loves us more than we can ever know or understand. Express your anger and bitterness toward Him; He already knows how you feel. He’s waiting for you to come to Him and talk about it. He is not intimidated by our feelings. Deal with the relational hurt from family members and/or friends that has plagued you for years. Acknowledge and release the bitterness and resentment from years past. Face the woundedness from experiences of rejection and being misunderstood by people you love. Admit your struggle with misplaced anger and frustration. Mourn that loss and properly grieve instead of ignoring the pain or covering it with busyness. It’s time to stop and make space for your healing, for your health’s sake.

Remember: God has made us stewards over our temples (bodies), time, talent, and treasure. In order to be great stewards, we must prioritize our healing. This means that we must heal our temples through our diet. We must heal our temples with appropriate rest. We must heal our temples with appropriate self-care. And we must heal our relationships with ourselves, God, and others. Healing is a process that requires time and intention. It is your right. You deserve to heal and be healthy.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are the Lord our God who heals us. Help us to understand that healing is essential to our life and it is our right as Your children. Cause us to make time to heal. Help us to quiet the noise and stop our busyness for your purpose of healing in our lives. Cause us to see the signs in our lives that cry out for healing then help us to respond with giving ourselves rest and proper self-care. Help us to heal our relationship with ourselves, with You, and with others. Grant us the grace to take the first step in our healing journey. Teach us how to partner with You so that we may be healed and whole. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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

Song of Reflection #2: “Healing Has Begun” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives today.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: God hears you when you cry out to Him

When God’s Children Cry
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.”

—Psalm 30:2 (NKJV)

I’ve learned much about God by watching my sister’s relationship with my niece.

My sister’s calming presence is always near her daughter as she is actively observing, nurturing, and guiding her child through the day’s activities. My sister steers her child from dangers and constantly instructs her young one for the best outcomes. When my niece cries, my sister is alerted and concerned. Therefore, she springs into action to address her daughter’s cry. If her child has even a slight injury then I witness my sister, in Mama bear mode, question her child, examine the injured area, kiss the boo-boo, pray with her, and wrap her arms around her toddler’s body as she gives a loving hug and kiss.

Watching my sister interact with her daughter makes me think about how God as our Heavenly Father interacts with us. If humans, being evil, know how to respond to the cry of their child in a caring and compassionate way then how much more will our Heavenly Father hear the cry of His children and be moved to act on their behalf?

In Psalm 30:2, the psalmist directly addresses the Lord. He acknowledges his personal connection and intimacy with the Lord. He recognizes God as the ruler of His life. He submits to God’s sovereignty. He cried out to his Heavenly Father with a request for divine intervention. In this case, the psalmist needed healing that he could not bring about for himself. He knew where his help came from, so he went directly to the source (God).

The psalmist shows us how to cry out to God as our Healer. Scripture says He is the Lord who heals us (Deuteronomy 32:39). God can repair and restore our body, mind, spirit, and soul to complete health. He is our Manufacturer and Maker. He knows the original intent of every fiber of our being. As a result, He is the Mastermind behind His Masterpiece and can heal us completely from the inside-out. In addition to all of this, our Heavenly Father is omniscient and omnipotent. He knows the details of how and when we were hurt. God has all the universe’s resources at His disposal to restore health to our body, mind, spirit, and soul. If the healing resource doesn’t exist, He can create it with His Word. What a mighty God we serve!

God declares in Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV), “Call to me and I will answer you.” This is a Bible-based promise that we can hold onto. Even when it seems like God is silent and we cannot hear Him, He hears us and He will answer us in His perfect time.

Remember: God always hears us when we cry out to Him and He always answers. His ears are open to the cry of the righteous (Psalm 34:15). He doesn’t ignore the cries of the afflicted (Psalm 9:12). This is a promise that is guaranteed. We are not forgotten by God. He sees us and He knows exactly what we are experiencing. Like a Mama Bear responds to the cry of her child, God responds to the cry of His children. He comforts us with His loving presence and reassures us with His certain Word. He heals our brokenness and disease.

If you are crying out to God for healing in any area of your life, please remember:

1. God hears your cry.

2. You are not forgotten by God. Just as a mother can never forget her child, your Heavenly Father can never forget you because you are His child.

3. God loves you deeply. Just as you desire healing, He desires to heal you.

4. God is faithful to fulfill every promise He has made to us—including His promise of healing. As His children, healing is our right.

5. Our cry to God calls Him to act. He will heal us and make us whole.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

You are the God of miracles, signs, and wonders. You are the God who parted the Red Sea so Your people could walk safely to the other side on dry ground. You are the God who raises the dead, heals the lepers, and delivers those bound by sin’s burdens. You are the God who speaks calm to the storms we experience in this life on Earth. You send Your Word and heal our brokenness. I thank You because You are present to heal. You’ve not forgotten us. You’ve not forsaken us. You’ve not disappeared. You are present in the good times and bad times. Father, I pray that we will know this deeply. Help us to hold onto our faith, especially when we are in pain. Help us to believe that You are working for us even when we can’t trace Your hand. Lord, thank You for hearing our cries and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “When God’s People Pray” by Wayne Watson. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ can heal you, deliver and restore you

When Jesus Christ Anoints His Followers to Heal
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

—Luke 4:18 (KJV)

Note to Readers: *Trigger Warning* This devotional mentions domestic violence. If you’re experiencing domestic violence or need support, there are free resources online to help you stay safe. Such as: https://www.thehotline.org/

I am a domestic abuse survivor. I clearly remember the verbal, emotional, and spiritual abuse I endured. I felt alone, disappointed, devastated, and angry.

I was angry at myself, my spouse, and with God. As a woman of faith, I felt trapped. So, I suffered in silence for years. During this time, I was consistently praying and crying and pleading with God to save my marriage. He couldn’t. And neither could I. But God did make a way for me to escape the marriage with my life. My spouse abandoned me and refused to do the work to reconcile.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Let’s talk about this. I want to assure you that God loves you unconditionally and He desires the best for you. Abuse was never His plan for you. Harm was never God’s plan for humanity.

In Luke 4:18, the physician-turned-disciple (Luke) gives an account of Jesus Christ’s self-proclaimed mission on earth. Jesus declared His God-ordained itinerary in the synagogue. He affirmed his ministry by referencing Isaiah 61:1-2, which is a prophetic message concerning Christ. There were several times during His ministry when Jesus hid or He said, “My time has not come.” This was not one of them. Jesus stepped into the light and boldly confirmed His identity and purpose to the Jewish community of that day.

Jesus said God had chosen and equipped him as our Deliverer and King (Colossians 1:13) as a priest (Hebrews 4:15) and prophet (Acts 3:22). He is our Messiah, the Anointed One. The Holy Spirit empowered Christ to preach Good News to those who were lacking. God sent Jesus to heal the brokenhearted—to minister to those who’d experienced loss. God sent Jesus to preach deliverance to those who were bound. God sent Jesus to restore the vision of a blind nation. The Jewish community was so spiritually blind that they could not even identify their Savior. Jesus was sent by God to free those who were mishandled.

This same Jesus lives today. He is present to heal and deliver us and restore our spiritual vision. He’s no longer the baby in the manger; He is Lord and King for all eternity. Jesus was crucified and buried in a grave, yet He rose on the third day and now lives forever! He is alive in our hearts and everyday experiences today. Our Savior (Jesus) is consecrated and chosen by God to heal our brokenness. Whether you are stuck in the past due to childhood trauma, or you are grappling with the aftermath of abuse or divorce, there is hope for you because of Jesus! No matter what struggle or pain you’re enduring, God is able to heal you. He can restore all that you’ve lost. I am a living witness to this fact!

The power of God restored my brokenness after I experienced domestic violence. He healed my wounded heart and set me free from the physical, mental, and emotional anguish of a toxic relationship. God taught me that His love for me is without condition. It far exceeds the capacity of human love. He assured me that His plans for me are good; He wants to prosper me. Bad things happen to good people who are God’s children because of the sinful world we live in. But the story doesn’t end there. Take it from me: Jesus flooded my hopeless experiences with hope in Christ. He turned my sadness into joy. He turned my pain into purpose. Today, I share the message of God’s unwavering love in the face of domestic abuse. Jesus loved me while I was in a toxic marriage, and He loved me out of it. He made a way for me to escape the presence, power, and practice of abuse.

Because Jesus heals, restores, and brings hope to hopeless situations, as His children, we are called to do the same. Because I’ve overcome domestic violence, I can reach out to those impacted by it and heal them through the power of God. I understand the experience because I’ve walked through it because of the victory of the cross. As a result, I am able to liberate others and mend broken hearts as I follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I am anointed, as He was, to fulfill the call of my Father (God) to go into all the world with the Good News of the Gospel—the news that Jesus saves, and He has called me to do the same. Christ has called you who believe in Him and have a testimony to share, to do His work of healing too.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are our God who cares so much for us that You made provision to keep on loving us even after we turned our backs on You. Even when we were against you, You made provision to liberate us and heal us. Healing belongs to us who are children of the King. You’ve anointed us to set those who are bound free. Help us to partner with You to heal ourselves, our lives, our communities, our families, our loved ones, our friends, and our enemies. Help us to heal people who are hurting. Teach us how to hold onto our faith in You no matter what we face in this life. Help us to inspire others to do the same. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The God Who Stays” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives today.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How the presence of Jesus Christ can heal you

The Healing Presence of Christ
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”

—Mark 5:15 (NKJV)

One encounter with Jesus Christ who is the Living Word changes everything.

The presence of Jesus can heal brokenness, childhood trauma, and many kinds of illnesses. As I emerged from a prayer encounter with God, I opened my eyes and looked into the dark star-filled sky. I stood there in silence, completely in awe of God’s majesty and power. I was surrounded by His presence. A few hours before this happened, I had entered the prayer camp heartbroken and hopeless about many things in my life. After pouring my heart out to God with tears and having an undeniable encounter in His presence, I was changed. As I stood under the stars, I knew that I was healed and forever changed by His love.

In the fifth chapter of Mark (a book in the Bible), there is the story of a man who was not mentally sane due to the trauma that he had experienced. This man was homeless, living in the cemetery as an outcast. He was literally out of his mind. Night and day he spent crying and cutting himself. He was seen as someone to be tamed as an animal, as people tried unsuccessfully to tame him and bind him with fetters and chains several times. This indeed was a hopeless situation that no human could solve. This was a case for Jesus. This man was possessed with many evil spirits, but his day of deliverance had arrived.

When he saw Jesus, he ran to Him and worshiped Him. The presence of Christ brought deliverance that day. This man ruled by unclean spirits could no longer remain the same because the Deliverer was present. Jesus cast the unclean spirits out of the man, restoring him completely. His life was forever changed. He was rescued from a life of torment, insanity, chaos, pain, and unrest. He was able to sit and rest. He was now properly clothed. Most importantly, he was sitting at the feet of Jesus.

There are several points we should remember from this Bible story:

1. The presence of Jesus brings deliverance.

2. Jesus is Lord over every principality and power.

3. Jesus is a miracle worker.

4. Jesus heals mental anguish.

5. Jesus liberates from spiritual bondage.

6. Jesus brings hope to a hopeless situation.

7. Jesus heals what others deem to be permanently broken.

8. Jesus embraces and heals the marginalized and the outcast.

9. Jesus is the solution to our problems.

10. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy but Jesus comes that we may have abundant life (John 10:10).

Call to Action:

In closing, I encourage you to: Acknowledge your need for a fresh encounter with Christ. Seek the presence of Jesus and worship Him daily. Bring your problems to Him and expect healing by faith. Praise the Lord for His compassion toward you and His healing touch. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children (Mark 7:27).

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

You sent your only Son (Jesus Christ), that we might live abundant lives. He came to deliver us from the bondage that the enemy put us in. Help us to realize that in the presence of a Jesus-filled life we are entitled to liberty. Where Your Spirit is, there is liberty, and peace. Help us to receive the liberty that we need by faith. Teach us how to walk in that liberty in real ways day to day. Help us to do this by granting us the resources, knowledge, and discipline to practice abiding in your presence, stand in our liberty, and let Jesus heal us. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: 

“You Are the Living Word” by Fred Hammond. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives today.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should heal people like Jesus heals us

Jesus Heals, So Should We
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”—Matthew 10:8 (KJV)

At times life is extremely difficult, even with faith.

Our faith doesn’t always move our mountains. But it does give us strength and courage to climb them. As I write these words, tears stream down my face because of this truth. In life, we are hurt by people, things, and circumstances. Yet, God makes healing available. He heals the ache of loneliness and abandonment. He heals the ache of abuse and neglect. He is the Lord our Healer, who lovingly repairs our brokenness. I know this from experience.

I remember looking into the mirror and feeling so broken. It seems that my life—the pretty picture I presented to the world—had shattered into a million tiny pieces. I would never seem to be able to put it back together again. I was heartbroken. It turns out, God never wanted me to put that picture back together. He would heal my heart and mind and grant me a new vision for my life.

In Matthew 10:8, Jesus Christ is talking to His disciples. He had chosen 12 men to teach and train for leadership in His kingdom. He gave them authority to perform miracles and to preach the Gospel in His name. He sent each disciple specifically to the children of Israel to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and to cast out devils. He commanded them to operate in the power of God so that the lives and hearts of His people could be repaired and restored to health. God commands His disciples to serve with an open mind, an open heart, and open hands. Jesus expects all His disciples in this modern day to do the same.

It is important to note that God uses people to restore other people to health. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. Some extremely spiritual people reject visible people, while embracing an invisible God. The Apostle John says that we cannot love God whom we have not seen and hate our brother who we can see (1 John 4:20). Our love for God is exemplified through our love for humankind. God created humans to exist and thrive in community. We need other people in our everyday lives. Another person will heal your brokenness. God works that way.

As followers of Jesus Christ in these current times, we are the givers of love, hope, peace, joy, and kindness. Some people are waiting for God to send help through a miraculous event that needs no input from humanity. God can! He has done it plenty of times before, but He also sends help in human form. I cannot stress this enough. Some even reject organized faith communities and the congregation of believers. However, there is power of healing, restoration, liberation, and deliverance among everyday believers through the power and presence of God.

We have the power to heal each other. We can heal in several ways. Our very presence can bring healing to those who are abandoned and/or feel alone. Our hands can bring healing to those sick in mind, body, or spirit. Our words can bring healing to those hurting emotionally. Affectionate physical touch and our kindness, empathy, sympathy can heal those who are misunderstood, rejected and/or ostracized. Our kind actions can heal those who have experienced mistreatment. Jesus commands us to transform the world in His name.

Call to Action:

1. Explore your role in bringing healing to yourself.

2. Explore your role in bringing healing to your circle of influence.

3. Touch others in concrete ways to repair the brokenness that you witness.

4. Actively seek to be the hands and feet of Christ to transform a hurting world.

5. Remember: Jesus commands us to go into all the world and make disciples and to transform brokenness to health through the power of the Gospel message.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are our God who heals. You see our pain. You see our weakness. You see our hopelessness. You see all and You are sovereign. Help us to recognize the power that you’ve given us to partner with You and to begin to heal a hurting nation. Help us to realize the role that you have given us in transforming the world. Grant us the faith and boldness to walk forward and alongside our friends, family members, children, partners, and strangers as the light that you declared that we are. Help us to shine and love others as You love all of us. Thank you for hearing our prayers. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: God can heal, deliver and restore you

God Sees You and He Hears You
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”

—2 Kings 20:5 (NIV)

Life is an adventure—to be honest, most days it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. We can have extreme highs and extreme lows in the same year, month, week, or even the same day. God never promised that life would be easy.

He did, however, promise that He would be with us as we walk our life path. This looks like God walking with us through our personal trauma, such as a toxic relationship, abuse, divorce, a fractured relationship with our parents or addiction. God is there with us in the darkness, in the shadows, in the face of the pain and sorrow—He’s with us through it all! His presence is constant and calming. His promise to us found in Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) is, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

2 Kings chapter 20 opens by saying King Hezekiah was “sick and near death” (2 Kings 20:1 NKJV). Hezekiah was known as a good king who walked uprightly before God. Yet this righteous man is stricken with a terminal illness. Anyone reading this story in our current time era may question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Trials and triumphs are part of the human experience. As believers in God, we are not exempt from the storms of life. However, we have hope in this life because God is always with us, and we have hope of eternal life because of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). But let’s get back to the Bible story. The prophet Isaiah was sent by God to King Hezekiah to tell him to set his house in order because he would die. After receiving such grave news, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to God. He begged God to remember how He walked in truth and stayed loyal to God all his life. He wept before the Lord.

God was moved by Hezekiah’s prayer and the righteous life he lived. This led God to change His mind. He healed Hezekiah and extended the years of his life. The healing encounter in this Scripture assures us of God’s care for us today too.

God sees our situation and lifestyle. Nothing is hidden from our Sovereign and Omnipotent God. Scripture declares, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV). God had the record of Hezekiah’s life choices and uprightness before Him. His simple prayer of remembrance spoke volumes because of the life that he practiced before God. Our life speaks for us. Our choices steeped in biblical principles testify of God’s grace and goodness to the world. God honors His children. He is eager to show Himself strong and move on behalf of those who are loyal to Him. We see God changing His mind about Hezekiah’s death date because of his commitment to Him.

Our prayers, our tears, and our emotions matter to God–so much so that He is eager to answer and deliver us. Although your heart seems to be shattered into a thousand pieces, God is ready to heal your heart. Although you’re afraid of that recent diagnosis, our God is a Healer and He can restore your health. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one and the grief seems unsurmountable or unbearable. Put it in the Master’s Hand because He is the God of all comfort. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed by anxiety or depression or struggling with suicidal ideation. Nothing is too hard for our God to heal. Sometimes He doesn’t heal us while we are living on this Earth, but He will heal us completely in Heaven.

Nearly ten years ago, my youngest brother had a stroke while at his job. He was rushed to the hospital. My large family of believers gathered at the hospital and prayed for healing. In the next few days, my brother improved. Then suddenly he had an aneurysm and passed away. This saddened our hearts because we had prayed for his healing. But we need to remember that our God is Sovereign and He knows best. We rest in knowing that we will see him again in Heaven.

Call to Action:

1. Embrace the Sovereignty of God as you heal.

2. Trust God with your next knowing that He sees your situation, He hears your cries, and He can heal you in His perfect time.

3. Accept that healing from God comes in many forms. Healing can be immediate or gradual. It may look different for everyone.

4. Rest in God’s Sovereignty and know that you are safe with Him.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, You are sovereign. You know everything that is said and done in the dark and when no one else is around. You know the hidden and secret things. Nothing is hidden from You. Father God, You hear our prayers. You tell us to call You and You will answer us. You said that your ears are open to the cry of the righteous. Whatever we ask in prayer, if we believe it, we shall have it. We are asking for healing, Lord. We rest in Your sovereignty and Your promise to be with us at all times—good and bad. Help us to have faith that You will hear and answer our prayers. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sovereign (Live)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants you to confess your sins

The Healing After Confession
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”—James 5:16 (KJV)

Have you ever been hurt so deeply, yet you didn’t want the person who hurt you to know the depths of your pain?

Do you remember putting on a brave face or mustering up an, “I’m okay”, while simultaneously fighting back tears, shame, or embarrassment? Do you remember giving yourself a good “talkin’ to” about how you shouldn’t feel this way or perhaps you told yourself to never let them see you sweat?

Today I want to challenge the notion of faking it until you make it. Wipe off that fake smile that you’ve plastered on your face. Let that cry out—scream if you have to—and let’s get REAL! Confession is good for the mind, body, and soul. It brings healing. In James 5:16, the Apostle James speaks about the importance of confession of our faults. As the brother of Jesus Christ, he had experience with confession. He didn’t believe Christ’s ministry at the onset. He grew up with Jesus and saw him as his older brother. He was converted after Christ’s resurrection and became the presiding elder of the Jerusalem church. Later in his lifetime, he realized his error of unbelief he had when he was younger and converted to follow Christ as a disciple. From experience, he explains the healing power of the combination of prayer and confession. He charged the believers of Christ to confess their faults to each other.

In so saying he admonishes them to create a safe space for each other, to be vulnerable, and to share their shortcomings, if you will. This safe place is a no-judgment zone of love and discipline. He didn’t simply say for us to confess, but he also said to pray. Pray with that brother or sister—stand with them in faith that they might overcome that fault. The Apostle John, whom Jesus loved, also declares that when we confess, God springs into action to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

Confession opens the door for repair because when we can be vulnerable and admit that something is wrong or we have made a mistake, God is there to meet the need. When we have sinned, God is faithful and ready to forgive. When you are hurting, God is ready to heal you. When you are brokenhearted, God is ready to mend your heart and help you put your life back together again. Confession brings repentance.

Confession with another believer forms agreement. We know that according to Scripture, where there is agreement that:

1. God will be there (Matthew 18:20).

2. God will do whatever you ask (Matthew 18:19).

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge the healing power of confession.

2. Be honest with yourself about your shortcomings.

3. Confess your faults in safe spaces and open the door to your healing.

4. Welcome the prayers of your safe community and partner with them as you heal.

5. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children (Mark 7:27).

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, You are our God who understands our pain and brokenness. You see our hurt and tears. You long to heal us and repair all that was destroyed in our lives. Help us to find safe spaces where we can confess and find prayers of agreement. Help us to partner with our brothers and sisters so our wounds can be healed. Demonstrate by your power the healing virtue found in confession. May we confess and find forgiveness and restoration. May we confess and move toward actions that will change toxic behavior and thought patterns. Help us to do this by granting us the resources, knowledge, and discipline to seek Your presence. As we do this, please heal us. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Broken, But I’m Healed” by Byron Cage. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope and healing for the brokenhearted

God Heals the Brokenhearted
A devotional by Essie Faye

“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.”— Isaiah 57:18 (KJV)

I stared blankly into space in my dimly lit bedroom and prayed to God saying, “Here I am Lord, once again. I’m going through divorce. Again. How did I get here a second time?”

I was numb, speechless, and shocked. Thoughts of the life I once envisioned—a future full of hope—rushed through my mind. There are so many lingering unfulfilled dreams and expectations. There was the loving marriage and true partnership that was never realized. The spiritual covering and God-centered true partnership that I ached for never materialized. Joyful children of legacy that I desperately desired were unborn. Yet again these dreams escaped my grasp, no matter how I prayed and tried to capture them. And, believe me, I tried—even to my hurt and almost to my demise. The disappointment and embarrassment—the pain of loss is real. And so is God. He is here with me, in the face of grief. Especially in my brokenness, God is present to heal me again and again.

In Isaiah 57:18, the prophet shares the heart of God with His people. God is near the hurting. God is present to heal our brokenness again and again. He is the Lord who heals us. Healing the brokenhearted is one of His many specialties. In this text God promises four things to His children who are hurting. As I hold fast to these promises, I have hope to move forward and grow through the pain. I pray that you too will find solace in them.

God promises that He sees the ways of his people. God sees you. All things are naked before His eyes. He promises never to leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). God is with us in good times and bad. He sees your pain, frustration, and loss just as He sees your joy, jubilation, and triumph. Not only does God see you, but He empathizes with you and He is moved to act on your behalf. He says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV). This brings me hope that God will heal my broken heart.

God promises to heal. He will repair the broken places of your life. He will help us to put the broken pieces of our hearts together again. He will heal our hurt and turn our mourning into dancing. He is our God who heals. He heals the brokenhearted and sets captives free. My shattered heart is safe in the Master’s hand. He will repair it. This brings me hope that the pain will end and the sun will shine again in my life.

God promises that He will lead us. He will take us by our hands and lead us in the way that we should go. He leads us beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2). He will lead us in peace when chaos is all around us. He will still our emotions when the storm within us rages. He will lead us by His Spirit, with His voice, and His Word when we don’t know which way to turn. We can trust Him. He knows the way. What’s even better is that if there is no way, He will create a way of escape, so we are able to endure our situation, by His grace. This gives me hope that peace will once again rule my heart.

God promises to restore. He will restore the things that you lost in your struggle. The joy that turned to sadness and the peace that fled for anxiety–God will restore. He will reset order in our lives plagued with chaos. He calms life’s most ferocious seas because He is God. He will cause you to recover time you thought lost and dreams you’ve given up on. God is faithful. Even from a place of woundedness I have a hope unperishable as I hold on to my faith. I know my God. He always wins and so do I, even in the face of adversity.

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge your brokenness. Stop pretending that everything is okay–be honest with yourself, before God, and with others.

2. Lean into your pain. Experience the loss and learn the lessons which are blessings in disguise.

3. Lean into your loving community. Access your safe relationships often as you heal.

4. Partner with God and do the work to heal. Take an active role in your healing. See a counselor, reflect on your experience, change toxic habits and patterns, and reestablish boundaries in your relationships. Care for yourself and be kind to yourself–especially during this time.

5. Remember, God sees you. God loves you. God will heal you. God will lead you on a plain path. God will restore. Only trust Him.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, You are incredible. You know all things. You trusted us to experience the pain and loss that we now feel. We have the opportunity to know You as a Healer of broken hearts. We thank You because Your healing is sure. Father, we thank You that you see us and You are moved with compassion to heal our brokenness. By the stripes of Jesus Christ we are healed. Help us to acknowledge our brokenness and bring it to You. Even when our circumstances seem unbearable, give us grace to believe that we are being touched by Your healing hands. See us through this trying season and help us to hold onto our faith and Your exceeding precious promises. We thank You for hearing us, healing us, and answering. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fragile Heart” by Yolanda Adams. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How our words can hurt or heal people

We  Can Partner with God to Administer Healing to a Hurting World
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”—Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

Our society has a saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

This is one of the deepest lies ever told. Words hurt. Many times words hurt more deeply than any physical abrasion. As a 41 year old woman, I still vividly remember words spoken to me as a 5 year old. Those words, both positive and negative, still impact me today. They’ve impacted my self-perception, self-talk, and self-esteem for years. I know I’m not alone. This is why it’s so important for us to speak to ourselves and others with kind and loving words.

Let us be careful with our words. We can choose whether to bless or curse others with our words. Scripture declares, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21 ESV). Words become thoughts. Thoughts become actions and actions become habits. Habits reap a destiny. We have the power to alter our destiny and that of others with our words. Proverbs 12:18 emphasizes the lasting impact of the words we speak.

We can harm ourselves and others with our words. Rash words or words spoken without much thought and in haste have the power to fatally harm others. Sword thrusts cut deep with evident harmful consequences. When a sword is thrust and makes contact with flesh it rips the skin and pierces internal organs. Damage is immediate and undeniable. In some cases the damage is beyond repairable. And so it is with hurtful words. Their impact may persist for months and even years. Harmful words can even be passed from generation to generation, if not corrected.

We can heal ourselves and others with words. The writer clearly states that wise words bring healing. A word of encouragement or a kind compliment is like a balm to the hurting. Because we are created in the likeness of the Almighty God, who spoke and created the universe, we create with words. We can create healing and safe spaces with our words spoken in wisdom. We can create the change that we want to see in this world. 

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge that the words you speak are living and have a lasting impact–good or bad.

2. Own your power to speak all things positive to yourself and others.

3. Commit to become a vessel of life and healing to yourself and others.

4. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children and we work together with God to administer healing to ourselves and others (Mark 7:27).

Remember: We can create our world with affirmations and declarations of peace, safety, and provision. God has empowered us to do so. 

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, You are the Lord our God who heals us. You are the Healer. Yet, you have called us into partnership in order to heal the world. Help us to acknowledge the power of our words. Help us to guard our tongues and to pursue peace. Help us not to use rash and hurtful words, but instead to use wise words with intention to administer healing to this hurting world. Lord, lead us into spaces of health and healing and walk alongside us as we heal by the stripes of Jesus Christ. Give us grace as we heal spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically. We thank You for it. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Words” by Hawk Nelson. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Healing

God’s Healing is Certain
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.”—Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)

Eleven years ago I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I had never felt such excruciating pain before.

I had never been immobile until then. I had surgery to repair the rupture and the doctor ordered me to refrain from walking for six weeks. It was a nightmare because I was used to going whenever and wherever I liked without assistance. I was stuck at home for six weeks in pain and discomfort. I was prepared to experience the pain from the ruptured Achilles but I was unprepared for the pain of healing. I didn’t understand that sometimes healing pain is greater than the pain we experienced from the rupture.

In Jeremiah 17:14, the weeping prophet Jeremiah declares the certainty of God’s healing. He affirms the sovereignty of God and His undeniable power to heal and to save. When God does a thing, He does it well. When God repairs the broken pieces of our lives, we are without a doubt restored, revived, and renewed. He leaves no stone unturned. Scripture states, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36 KJV).” When God heals and delivers you from brokenness, you are truly healed and delivered.

In Mark 16:18, Mark declares that signs shall follow the believers. Signs follow our God as well. He demonstrates His healing hand throughout the ages in scripture. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. In Exodus 15:26 God declares that He is our Healer. He is able and willing to heal your mind, body, soul, and spirit. God is the mender of the broken heart. He is the healer of the troubled mind. He is the Savior of the downcast soul and the repairer of the broken spirit. God can put your broken pieces back together again with His healing balm.

Jeremiah knew the reality of the healing power of God and for this, he praised Him. The good works of God deserve praise and adoration. We say thanks to God with our praise.

After months of pain and immobility, I received my healing. I had progressed from having surgery and being cooped up in my house to attending weekly physical therapy sessions and wearing a boot. I wore three different kinds of boots as my Achilles tendon healed. I was thrilled to finally be able to walk without assistance and go wherever my heart desired whenever I wanted to. My healing journey impacted my faith in a real way. I understood that many times our healing is a process. We must trust the healer and the process. I partnered with God in order to heal. I showed my faith by my works and God did the healing. I started to understand that healing is my right. However, healing demands that I act and work consistently in order to achieve my goal. This lesson challenged and strengthened my faith simultaneously.

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge the healing power of God in your life. Have faith in God’s Word.

2. Receive the healing power of God for your wounds and hurts.

3. Walk in your healing.

4. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children (Mark 7:27).

Acknowledging God’s healing power is simply head knowledge. However, receiving the healing power of God takes heart work and the activation of faith. The activation of our faith is demonstrated by our actions. Walking in our healing takes daily discipline and trust in God’s power and provision. Healing does belong to us because we are God’s children. We must partner with God and work out our salvation and healing.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are the Lord our God who heals us. By the stripes of Jesus Christ, we are healed. I acknowledge that when You heal, You heal certainly. You heal deeply. You heal fully and truly. Father, I thank you for healing the broken pieces of my heart. Thank you for healing the wounds of my soul. Thank You for restoring my spirit. You alone are the Lord my God who heals. I can call to You when I am hurting and You will hear me. Help me to receive your healing for every shattered situation in my life. I believe Your Word and I trust You. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Broken But I’m Healed” by Byron Cage. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be healed according to God's Word

Healing Solutions and Healing Community
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

—James 5:14-15 (ESV)

Ever since I could remember, I’ve believed in the healing power of prayer in my faith community. As a child, if I scraped my knee or had a “boo-boo”, I remember running to my dad or mom and asking them to pray for my healing. Somehow I always believed that healing resided in community prayer and it made hurtful things better. I believed the truth of God’s Word and I acted in faith to receive His promise of healing.

Today I challenge you to do the same. I challenge you to fight through the doubt. I admonish you to not be moved by what you see, but to instead be moved by what you can’t see: faith. The faith of a child is so pure. Children can give and receive so readily because they haven’t yet experienced the hurt and disappointment of life’s trials that most adults have. As a result, most adults are guarded. We doubt the truth of God’s promise of healing, repair, restoration, and recovery. But God’s healing solutions within the faith community are certain.

In James 5:14-15, the author (James) provides several healing solutions to illness within the faith community. He recommends that people who are ill go to a church elder for a healing. It is important to engage in intergenerational fellowship. Some healing can only come with the help of a healthy relationship with a safe and respected elder. Elders carry wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and experience. All of these gifts provide safety and recovery.

James continues by saying that the elders will anoint the ill person with oil and pray over him or her. The oil represents a blessing or covering. Many elders provide oversight for those under their care. They have foresight and insight regarding life’s circumstances. The elder’s prayer represents agreement and intercession to God.

The Holy Bible says if we touch and agree on anything, it shall be done (Matthew 18:19). There is power in agreement that unlocks blessings that are certain. When there is intergenerational agreement, much can be accomplished within each person and within the community. The elders are to bless the younger generation. This act facilitates healing for the mind, body, and soul. As the elder and the ill person partner with God in obedience to His Word, healing is released. The prayer of faith saves the sick and the Lord raises him or her up. Additionally, if the sick person has sinned, they are forgiven.

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge the healing solutions within your Bible-based faith community. There is safety, health, wealth, and wisdom in your faith community.

2. Access the power of intergenerational relationships. Scripture tells the older to teach the younger. God called the young because they are strong. He called the old because they are wise and they know the way. We need each other. (1 John 2:14)

3. Receive God’s healing solutions by activating your faith, believing God’s Word, obeying the Word of God.

4. Remember, healing belongs to God’s children. (Mark 7:27)

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Lord our God who heals us. By the stripes of Jesus Christ we are healed. You sent your Word and healed the sick and delivered them from destruction. Heal us and we shall be healed! We praise Your Holy Name, Jesus! Increase our faith in Your Word. We believe, but help our unbelief. Help us to walk by faith, even when our circumstances seem hopeless. Help us access your healing solutions within our faith community. We thank You for it. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Broken But I'm Healed” by Byron Cage. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Essie Faye Taylor 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 where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/ on Instagram
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love for humankind endures forever

God’s Love is Forever
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NIV)

I am often in awe of God’s love for me. 

It is stronger than everything and anyone on earth. It is more powerful than anyone or anything under the earth or in the supernatural world. His love for me is incomprehensible, unexplainable, and inescapable. There is nothing that I can do to evade God’s love for me. He loves me just as I am, without condition. What great love!

As humans, we are flawed. We all have our imperfections. We have our faults and character flaws. Many would think that our imperfections mean that we are not worthy of love. John 3:16 declares the opposite. An omnipotent and omniscient God who created the universe and everything in it loves humanity with an everlasting love. There is nothing that we can do or say that would eradicate His eternal love for us because He is Love. The Apostle John—the one beloved by Jesus Christ—declares God’s passion for humanity. God has committed to love humanity throughout eternity. He has decided to choose us over and over again, even in times when we reject Him or when we deny His very existence. He still loves us.

In fact, God’s love moved Him to action. God loved humanity so intensely that He gave His Son to save us. When you love someone, you can’t help but to give to that person. Maybe you give your time, talent, and treasure. Or you’d give your presence, empathy, encouragement, and kindness. God’s gift of His Son (Jesus Christ) demonstrates His deep love for humankind.

The Bible says God gave His only Son. What a difference compared to what we humans would give. Some people would give only if they have enough for themselves and extra to share. God gave His only—the last that He had. In some cultures, it is said that if a man gives a woman his last bite of food, he truly loves her. God as our Heavenly Father gave His only Son to us in a grand gesture of love.

God gave His only Son to be crucified in our place in order to redeem mankind from eternal death. Instead of seeing us eternally lost because of the penalty of our sin, He sacrificed His only Son. Jesus took the judgment that we were to receive because Adam and Eve (our First Parents who were also the first humans ever created) sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. We were guilty. Jesus was innocent. Yet, He died in our place so that we could receive forgiveness and walk in right fellowship with God once again. Because of God’s love for humanity, He deemed us worth saving and sacrificed His only Son to bring us back into right fellowship with Him.

God demonstrated His love to us so that whoever believes in Him will not perish because of the penalty of sin. Instead, because of the work of Jesus on the cross all humanity can receive God’s free gift of salvation that will result in eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin because of His immense love for us. What does your love for God cause you to do or refrain from doing? How does your love for God govern your everyday choices? How does your love for your friends and family guide your life choices?

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge God’s gift of love. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy; believe that God loves you deeply. 

2. Receive God’s love and respond to it. Choose to love Him in return and live according to your love for Him. 

3. Choose to align your lifestyle with God’s standards and principles because of your love for Him. Love causes us to act in some ways and refrain from acting in other ways.

4. Share God’s love and His Gospel with others. 

5. Remember: God loves you just as you are, without condition and eternally.

Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me and giving your Son that I might not perish but have eternal life. Thank You for assuring me of your love and forgiveness. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place in order to pay the price for the sin of humankind. As a result, I have the hope of spending eternity with you in your holy presence. Thank You for your ultimate sacrifice because of love. Thank You that You are Love. Help me to acknowledge your love, receive your love, and respond accordingly. Lord, help me to share Your love with others. Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayers and answering me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Forever” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College. 

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

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Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God's promise to always be with you

A Promise of God’s Presence
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

 –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

I was in awe and utter disbelief as I stood before a small group of teens. I was teaching a lesson about integrity and hope. I’d asked if anyone in the group knew the story of Adam and Eve. One teen vaguely knew the details of the creation story. That fact struck a chord within me. To think that these teens experienced the absence of the presence of God’s Word in their lives was devastating. I could not imagine a life absent of God’s presence. I never want to imagine that.

My faith journey began as early as I could remember. I was practically born on a pew, surrounded by and steeped in faith. As a child, I knew God was present. His Word was present as I memorized Bible verses and by faith, believed them. The presence of God’s Word in my life has brought me great comfort and security. God’s presence in my life has always assured me of His provision. As the ninth child of fifteen, I saw God’s hand provide for our family daily. Because of my faith in God’s promise of His presence I knew that He would provide all of my needs. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) declares,“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” His provision for me is certain because of His presence.

God’s presence brings me peace amid life’s storms and despite my personal fears. His presence gives me hope that everything will be okay because God is in control of my world and I can trust Him with my life. I want all of my students to embrace the promise of God’s presence because in His presence we experience joy, hope, love, peace, and pleasures forever. I am a witness. I want teens to experience joy and hope in a world where depression runs rampant, destroying lives and families. I want them to experience true love and peace amid a world filled with those practicing hatred and environments full of chaos. I want them to know the pleasure of growing to know an incredible God who loves them unconditionally, just as they are.

God’s presence invokes His Deity. God is sovereign. He is the Creator of the Universe. He called this Earth into existence from nothing. He always has been and He always will be. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He is in a category alone. He is preeminent. There is no one comparable to God and there are no other living gods except Him.

God’s presence invokes His character. He is holy, sinless and without error. He is integral, faithful, and true. He makes no mistakes and He watches over His Word to perform it. He is morally pure and righteous. He is love and His mercy are everlasting. His truth endures to all generations.

God’s presence invokes His provision. The Earth belongs to Him, along with everything and everyone in it because He is the Creator. The cattle on a thousand hills are His. He named the stars and flung them into space. Heaven holds His throne and the Earth is His footstool.

God’s presence invokes His covenant. His promises are sure. He keeps His covenant throughout all generations. He watches over His Word to perform it. God’s Word shall last forever.

In Deuteronomy 31:8 (written by Moses) and Hebrews 13:5 (written by Paul), they testify that God will never leave or forsake His people. This is a promise that God will invoke His deity, His character, His covenant, and His provision in order to demonstrate His love and commitment to a people who were finicky at best. God’s children of Israel repeated the toxic cycle of faith and doubt throughout their course of history. Yet, God promised them His presence. They were given access to the all-powerful God who even called them His “child”.

In Matthew 28, Jesus Christ declares the same promise to His disciples just before He leaves them physically. God incarnate affirms His commitment to His followers, even in His physical absence. He is with us, by faith, always–even to the end of the age. We can rest in His presence and all that comes with that. God’s presence signifies that He will indeed take care of us. Of this we can be sure.

Call to Action:

Action #1: Believe that God is present with you, even in the face of adversity. 

Action #2: Embrace all the benefits of God’s presence in your life and be grateful. 

Action #3: Acknowledge God’s presence in your life by doing the things that honor Him and getting rid of those things that displease Him. 

Action #4: Remember, David the psalmist begged God not to take His presence from Him because that meant that His life would be void of goodness. Enjoy God’s presence and never take it for granted.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being present in my life. Your presence brings love, peace, joy, goodness, and mercy. Your presence brings Your essence, Your character, Your power, and Your provision. Thank You for assuring me that you are with me always. You’ll never leave me nor forsake me. I’m not worthy of such a gift, yet you extend it to me. I thank You. Help me to remain grateful for your love and mindfulness toward me. Thank you Father for hearing and answering me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Your Presence Is A Promise” by Mack Brock. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College.

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com