Devotionals for the Heart: Watching the sunrise taught me about God

Watching the Sunrise Taught Me About God
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”—Psalm 113:3 (NIV)

Bolting from underneath the bedcovers, I shouted, “Alan, did you know it’s 4:23 in the morning? What happened to the alarm?”

An early-morning medical procedure meant we needed the clock alarm set so we would wake up on time. Alan needed to leave the house at 5 o’clock that morning. He had specific instructions to not eat breakfast. He was allowed a sip of water with his morning medicines. As I reached for the clock to check the time, I noticed we were awake before sunrise.

The September morning began with humidity blanketing the air. Windows dripped with moisture from the contrast in outdoor and indoor temperatures. The neighborhood was quiet. Darkness enveloped the area for a while longer. The stillness would soon give way to sounds of school buses and travelers.

As Alan prepared for the hospital visit, I looked outside and turned on a porch light. The air was still. No leaves moving. No frogs on the sidewalk. No gators or coyotes roaming in the yards. A bright star caught my eye as I looked up to the sky. I spoke aloud, “Thank You, God.”

We held hands and prayed before Alan left for the hospital. He suggested that I go back to sleep. He didn’t want me to go with him because this would be a quick procedure to check his heart. Sometimes, I believe he’s concerned that I will worry if I ride along with him for medical appointments. I do worry, but I’m thankful to place that concern in God’s hands.

I waved goodbye as the car left. I prayed for my husband’s safety to and from the hospital. I prayed for the medical staff. I thanked God for the glorious day He provided. I thanked God for the stillness that calmed me.

Although Alan suggested that I go back to sleep, I couldn’t. My mind was racing. The computer was on, so I decided to check for emails. Daylight was dawning minute by minute. Where darkness had covered everything, a hint of light appeared as morning began to emerge. The quiet continued.

I noticed a flicker of something by the hummingbird feeder. There was enough light for me to see the beautiful creature gathering nectar from each opening. As I sat motionless, the hummingbird created by God was already busy at work. I continued to stare and marvel at the speed and beauty of the tiny bird. Minutes ticked by and the light took over the darkness. Another day was given by God. Nighttime was now over until the setting of the sun later in the evening.

Scripture references many times to give thanks to God. In good times and in bad times, we are called to give thanks to God. Giving thanks when we are journeying through something difficult is not always easy. Giving thanks when life is great is easier at times. Yet, the Bible tells us to give thanks at all times. During hardships we can pray and thank our Heavenly Father (God) for His love and for the opportunity to pray. When joy abounds, we can pray and give thanks to Him for His blessings and mercy.

That morning, I prayed words of thanksgiving for hummingbirds, wonderful medical professionals, safe drivers, my sweet husband, the darkness that turned into light, and for many other blessings from our Heavenly Father.

Have you seen the sunrise? Have you thanked God for His creations?

Let’s Pray: Dear God, we give thanks for Your creations. From sunrise to sunset, your mercies and love are forever. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Worthy of It All” by Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Good God Almighty” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Thank God” by Leanna Crawford. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “How Can You Not” by Leanna Crawford. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Morning Glory” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Walk with You” by Michael Bethany. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “Praise the King” by Cindy Morgan. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages sometimes humming with humor. 

With articles, devotions, and stories in print publications and online, Melissa shares her love for God and life. Some of the inspirations for her writing come from family life.

Melissa and her husband Alan have been married for over 46 years. Their son Mike, and daughter-in-love Christine have blessed the family with two precious children: Rowan and Eden. These precious souls bring laughter, love, and many funny experiences, which can often be found in Melissa’s writing. The family motto is: It’s Always a Story with the Hendersons.

Melissa is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CWFL (Christian Writers for Life), and many other organizations.

Melissa’s books for children include Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator.

Melissa serves in Christian ministry as an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.

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Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaghenderson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaHendersonAuthor
Twitter: https://x.com/mimionlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahendersonauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ahenderson312/

Devotionals for the Heart: When just one touch from Jesus Christ heals you

Touch the Hem
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

She said to herself, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.”

—Matthew 9:21 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a crowd with the people crushing in on you?

Is it crushing you so tightly you can do nothing but go with the crowd? No looking around, no veering off, just go with the flow?

When my husband and I lived in Costa Rica, we enjoyed being in downtown San Jose. We loved to walk around, shop, eat street food and enjoy the sights, sounds and the people of this peaceful country.

One day as we were strolling through the city, a massive mound of people began to move around us and we were forced to move with it, against our will. We knew where we were going, but we couldn’t get out of the middle. It was not a welcome thing, nor one in which we felt safe. We knew the language and were beginning to understand the culture, but that was too much.

That crowd in San Jose forever marked how I view crowds. Imagine the scene of our anchor text for today (Matthew 9:21). Jesus Christ had stepped out of the boat in Capernaum. He was immediately approached by Jairus (a synagogue ruler). Jairus fell at Christ’s feet, begging Him to come to his home to because his only daughter was dying. Jairus was a desperate father, doing a desperate thing: asking the Healer to come into his home to heal his daughter. And Jesus went.

It was while they were on their way that the crowd was crushing in around Jesus. The people had an intense desire to follow Jesus to see what He would do, possibly those in the crowd needed their own healing, too. Hidden in this crush of a crowd was a woman who had this thought: If I touch the hem of His garment, I will be free from my suffering. She had suffered chronic bleeding for twelve long years. She had spent all her money paying physicians to help her, but none could cure her disease. She was tired of being considered unclean. So tired of living on the outside edge of society because of this bleeding. Tired of it all.

She risked everything. By being in the crowd, she was touching everyone just by the sheer jostling of the people. As it states in Leviticus 15:19, anyone who touched her would be unclean until evening. Capernaum was a small town at the time, and most likely she was known by all because of her condition. Folks steered clear of her. She was an outcast—not by her choices, but because of her affliction.

This woman strained her way through the crowd until she finally was near Jesus and able to touch the hem of His garment. She heard so much about Jesus. She knew He could heal her too. So, she quietly touched the hem and she was healed. Immediately, Jesus knew someone had touched Him. Despite the crowd pressing in around Him, He sensed that this touch was different. Power had gone out of Him.

Jesus asked who touched Him, but no one came forward. His disciples reminded Him they were in a crowd and potentially everyone touched Him. But this touch was different because it ignited His healing power. Both he and the woman knew it. Knowing she could not escape unnoticed, the newly healed woman stepped forward and fell at His feet, telling him the whole story of her suffering.

I wonder if the crowd was silent, waiting for Jesus to reprimand her, to judge her, to condemn her or to dismiss her. But He did not. Jesus turned and saw her. Sit on that for a minute. Jesus saw her. This woman who had been unseen for twelve years was seen by the Creator of the universe, the Savior of mankind. She was seen, she was healed and given new life.

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48). Faith is not a requirement for healing as there were plenty of times during Christ’s ministry when He would touch someone who didn’t claim to have faith, but he or she was still healed. But we also read in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Our journeys with God are all different. Some come to Jesus in faith knowing He is the answer. Some come with questions, not having anywhere else to turn. Some go along in life without God until He interrupts their lives and introduces them to Jesus Christ as their Savior. And then they are forever changed. Now they want to do all they can to please God with their new faith. They become sold out for Jesus!

This same Jesus still heals today! If you are sick and suffering, I encourage you to reach out and touch Him. Reach out and risk it all. Seek Him. Follow Him. Even in a crowd, we can find Him because He’s the One with undeniable love in His eyes and the soft gentle answer, “Go in peace.”

I encourage you to follow Him with everything you’ve got.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

I do not have it all together, but I know one thing: I need You. I am reaching out to touch the hem of Your garment. I am following You but do not want to be seen, lest someone notice me and kick me out. But I am here. Yes, it is me touching You. And I thank You for healing me. Thank You for seeing me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for accepting me just as I am. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “One Touch (Press)” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “One Thing I Know” by Selah. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Sold Out” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “The God Who Sees” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family. 

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 26 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than 10 years, a Bible study writer for six years, and a devotional writer for more than four years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own journey of more than five years with broken feet. She hopes to to encourage others with her faith walk and real-life stories.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When you start your day with Jesus Christ

Jesus, Coffee and Me
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”

—Psalms 107:8-9 (NIV)

I start each morning with Jesus Christ. My Bible, journal and coffee are companions.

As soon as I open my eyes, I get out of bed and head to the kitchen. I grab a coffee pod and push the power button on the coffee maker. What happens next? Three little words appear on the digital readout, “Lift to Begin.” At this point I am forced to make a decision: to lift or not to lift? For me it’s a no-brainer. I know I want coffee, so I quickly pull the lever down and begin to detect the sweet smell of my favorite beverage.

A few weeks ago, it occurred to me that just like the coffee maker gives instructions, so does our Savior (Jesus Christ). He asks us to lift our hearts to the heavens and begin our day by thanking Him. He invites us to lay our burdens at the foot of the cross. He deserves our worship and praise every morning!

However, we live in a world that’s moving at warp speed. Information is constantly knocking at the door, begging for our attention. My first response is to begin juggling everything that’s coming my way and I become overwhelmed. When I realize what’s happening, I take a step back and go to God. He reminds me that I don’t need to figure out everything by myself.

When we rely on Jesus, He does the heavy lifting. He prepares our path and shows us how to navigate this unpredictable adventure called life. But just like the coffee maker asks us to “lift to begin” our Heavenly Father (God) asks us to put our faith in Him and follow His lead. We all have our morning routines. As the coffee maker fills your mug (for those of you who love coffee like I do), ask Jesus to fill your cup with His Living Water (John 4:13–14).

Remember God’s faithfulness in your life, welcome Him into your heart each morning and be aware of His presence. This is how we begin to nurture our relationship with the God who loves us so dearly. When we start our days with praise and prayer, He covers us with joy.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God,

You are always with us. Open our eyes to see You in unexpected places this today: while we are driving to work, talking with a friend, cooking dinner, or listening to a song. Thank You that your mercies are new every morning. We praise You for your faithfulness to us, and your love that’s never ending. Open our souls to sense your presence, and our ears to hear your words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus on My Mind” by B.J. Thomas. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “How Can You Not” by Leanna Crawford. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You’ll Never Thirst” by Anointed. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Come and Fill My Heart” by Avalon. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Carrie Underwood, ft. CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a follower of Jesus Christ, educator and writer. She lives with her husband in the Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are relentless and the winters are a little slice of Heaven. 

Colleen earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. This degree opened opportunities to write science curriculum, develop district programs, work with Arizona teachers, community leaders, and more. With NASA Grant funding, she was also able to work with teachers all over the country and expand their knowledge of teaching science as a collaborative effort.

Over the last few years God has placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith walk with Him. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, Colleen believes that if you fix your eyes on Jesus then you will see the heart of God.

Colleen’s writing has been published in the following online publications: Living By Design, Her View From Home, Inside Out Worldwide, Inkspirations, and in anthologies like From Ruins to Restoration, Mountains Moved: 45 Devotions of Bold Faith, and The Miracle of Prayer. She is a monthly blogger for Dressing in God’s Love.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: authorcolleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants us to focus on the good in life

How to focus your mind on good things
A devotional by Regina Marcazzo-Skarka

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”—Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Do you have a habit of veering toward the negative? Do you struggle with worry and stress? I know I do!

During those times when I seem to forget the incredible and immeasurable love that God has for me, I seek the help of God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and the Holy Spirit to fill my mind with positivity and to recognize the beauty and good things that surround me. I ask myself if my way of thinking is bathed in what is true, what is pure, or what is lovely then God reminds me of Philippians 4. The full chapter is an amazing example of God’s Word as a blueprint for how to live.

First, the Apostle Paul who wrote this Scripture, tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4) and lets us know that we should not be anxious about anything. He then gives us the recipe to alleviate our stress and our struggles through prayer and thankfulness. When we follow his advice, the result we receive is the “peace of God” that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). But he doesn’t stop there. He teaches us to be proactive, showing us how to combat those anxious thoughts and the “woe is me” mindset by practicing the advice in Philippians 4:8.

I was reminded of this verse recently as I drove by the hospital where my son spent his last two weeks on this earth. I did my usual look up to the seventh floor, but in place of my normal sense of deep sadness and flashbacks of the horrific pain he endured, I had a feeling of gratitude. I initially thought it was a weird way of thinking until the Holy Spirit reminded me of the verse on my heart (Philippians 4:8). I realized how blessed I was to have spent those days there with him in the ICU—holding his hand, praying over him and listening to his favorite Christian music. I was reminded that he is now pain free and we will be reunited in Heaven one day then spend eternity together.

While missing my son is painful, my life could be more pleasant if I remembered to follow the “peace that transcends all understanding” with a practice of meditating on the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. It’s not always easy but it’s important to remember that everything we need is in God’s Word, even when life is hard.

What if we made a list of the good in our lives and trained ourselves to shift our mindset on a daily or moment by moment basis? During busy days, it’s easy to get worked up about the many things I have to juggle. But when I walk out my front door and I am met with a burst of beautiful light purple flowers, I purposely focus on the flowers and am immediately reminded of God’s amazing creation.

Where can you focus when there is too much stress or sadness in your day? What can you look at or recall that will take you away from those difficult moments and thoughts and bring you to a place of joy and peace?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your love and for your Word. We praise You for guiding us through this life on Earth. Please remind us to always focus on what is true, noble, and right. We worship You and are grateful for You leading to things that are pure, lovely and admirable. Help us to focus on what is excellent and praiseworthy. Let Your Word lead us to live in a way that honors to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Whatever is True (Don’t Ever Stop)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Focus on What is Good” by Beyond Rubies. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Think About These Things” by Six Seven Family. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “What A Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “How Can You Not” by Leanna Crawford. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “Blessings” by Laura Story. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #9: “Perfect Peace” by Laura Story. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Marcazzo-Skarka is a writer, a journalist, and a lover of Jesus Christ, her family, church, mission trips, travel and foreign languages. 

Having traveled to over 25 countries, her exploring the world has only just begun. She has also been part of numerous mission trips both domestic and international. She loves getting to know people, their languages and their culture. A life dream of hers is to speak five languages. So far, she speaks English, French, Italian and some Spanish. Her goal is to improve her Spanish speaking skills and to learn a language with a different alphabet, perhaps Arabic.

Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages from City University of New York, Hunter College; a Master’s Degree in Journalism from New York University; and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language from SUNY Stony Brook. Regina has studied in France. Regina has also studied, lived and worked in Italy.

She taught high school French and Italian for 17 years before retiring from teaching. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist, both freelance and as a staff writer for local Long Island, New York weeklies. She also spent two years as a United Nations employee in the Department of Public Information. She currently writes full-time for a weekly newspaper in St. Lucie County, Florida.

Regina is currently working on proposals for two books that she is writing.

She is blessed with an awesome husband of 34 years and two children, their spouses and three treasured grandchildren.

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Connect with Regina:
Website: https://reginamarcazzoskarka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipeoutworry/
Email: ginamarcazzo@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: The Bridge that will never fail nor let us down

The Infallible Bridge
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

—Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

I’m afraid of bridges—not so much small footbridges or boardwalks, but the massive, tall, long ones, especially the ones over deep water.

I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about big bridges that my instincts don’t trust. Instead of taking confidence from past experiences and what I know is true, my mind always imagines the worst-case scenario: the bridge crumbling beneath me, plunging me into the depths below.

When I was little (before the days of seatbelt laws) I would crouch on the floor of our family car with my hands over my head every time we crossed a bridge. Nowadays, if I’m in the passenger seat, I just close my eyes and focus on my breathing until we’re safely on the other side.

It’s an illogical fear. I know. I understand the basic physics behind bridge design that enables them to support tremendous weight, and I know they’re constructed of the strongest materials. Countless cars, trucks, and other vehicles go back and forth across them safely every day. I have crossed many bridges myself in my lifetime, and not one has ever let me down. But still, I don’t trust them.

I confess that my attitude towards bridges is something like the way I’ve behaved towards God at times. When I’m facing a valley or a troubled sea in my life’s journey, sometimes I let fear get the better of me, and I balk at moving forward. I worry and panic even though there is a safe, strong bridge across the hazard. A bridge that has held me up time after time. A bridge that cannot fail. The Lord has promised to strengthen me, help me, and uphold me when I trust in Him (Isaiah 41:10). All I have to do is step out in faith and let Him support me on the way to the other side. I know all this, but there’s still something inside me that makes me imagine the worst instead of proceeding with confidence in the One who will never let me down.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people—those who knew who He was, those who had benefitted from His many blessings, those who had seen Him perform miracles time and again—continually failed to trust Him. Adam and Eve doubted God’s word and disobeyed Him (see Genesis 3). The Israelites—God’s chosen people—were afraid to follow Him to the Promised Land, even after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and parted the Red Sea for them as an escape route from that place that oppressed them (see Exodus). Thomas, a disciple and friend of Jesus Christ, was afraid to believe that His words had come true when he heard that the Lord was risen from the dead (John 20:24-29). The list goes on and on.

Why are we so afraid to trust Him?

The Lord is stronger and more reliable than any man-made structure. He is faithful. He keeps his promises. He provides. He answers prayers. He is God. He is good. He is love. He is a solid rock, a strong tower, a mighty fortress.

I can trust Him. I do trust Him. I will trust Him.

When I have to drive over a big bridge in my route these days, I still feel the old anxiety start to bubble up inside, but I’m learning to hold on to the wheel with confidence and trust that the bridge will uphold me over the chasm. I’m also working on putting my faith in God into practice, claiming confidence in what I know is true, and trusting Him to strengthen, help, and uphold me through the challenges in life’s journey.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I know I can trust You. You have been faithful to your people, and to me, time after time. I know that You will uphold me when I step out in faith. Forgive me when I forget that, when I let fear overcome the confidence I have in You. Help me to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “The Bridge” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

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

Song of Reflection #3: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Chris Rice. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Trust in You” by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “He’s Been Faithful” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir feat. TaRanda Greene. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, birder, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms. Amazed by the power of words, she currently uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

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

Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-six years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband serve as deacons and small group leaders. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two college-age sons.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: suzannefelton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/l.suzanne.felton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton/
Email: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When you realize that healing happens in layers

Healing Comes in Layers
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

—Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

I was raised in church and baptized as a little girl.

I knew the Bible stories and the songs. Even as an adult, I never doubted that Jesus Christ died for me. But if I’m honest, I didn’t always live like I believed it.

For a long time, I was what some would call a “lukewarm Christian”. I knew enough about God to know where the lines were, but I was still straddling the fence. I loved God, but I had not completely surrendered my life to Him.

Then one day, it wasn’t a crisis that shook me. There was no dramatic moment that brought me to my knees. It was simply a quiet whisper from the Holy Spirit: Enough. Come sit with Me. And when God whispers now, you don’t wait. So, I began sitting with Him.

I read the Word differently. I prayed with intention. I became more mindful of what I allowed into my spirit. Slowly, things began changing. Some habits dropped easily. Others? Not so much. There were times I found myself saying, “God, I’m trying. Why can’t I break this?”

That is when God began showing me something I hadn’t understood before. Not everything I struggled with was simply a bad habit. Some things had roots. Some reactions were connected to hurt, and some behaviors were attached to experiences I had never fully dealt with. There were things I had buried or convinced myself I was already over. I thought God was only trying to change my behavior. But I realized He wanted to heal my heart.

I love the reminder in Psalm 147:3 that God doesn’t rush our healing. He meets us in the broken places and gently tends to the wounds we carry. And sometimes, that kind of healing takes time. I wanted God to remove everything at once. Instead, He began healing me one layer at a time.

Sometimes we surrender something to God and feel free, only to discover another layer underneath. A conversation triggers an old feeling. A relationship exposes an insecurity. Suddenly, we react from a place we thought had healed and wonder: God, why am I still dealing with this?

But discovering another layer doesn’t mean we are going backward. Sometimes God is taking us deeper. As we allow Him into every area of our lives, God begins showing us that healing isn’t only about what we have done. Sometimes He wants to heal us from what was done to us—the rejection, disappointment, painful words, and wounds we learned to hide. God sees all of it. And He heals us layer by layer.

I have learned that healing isn’t always about trying harder. Sometimes I have to ask harder questions: Where did this hurt begin? What is this reaction connected to? What have I believed because of what happened? Have I truly invited God into this place?

God may also lead us toward a trusted pastor, mentor, counselor, or therapist who can help us work through what we have carried. Seeking help doesn’t mean we have stopped trusting God. Sometimes asking for help is one way God leads us toward healing. So, if God reveals another layer, don’t become discouraged. Bring it to Him. Let Him tend to the wound and reveal the truth.

You don’t have to heal everything today. You only need to trust God with the layer He is revealing now. The same God who sees every wound knows how to bind it. Healing may not happen overnight. Sometimes it comes in layers. And God is faithful in revealing then healing every one of those layers. We can trust Him.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for meeting me in every layer of my healing. Give me courage to face the places that still hurt and grace to trust You when healing takes longer than I expected. Reveal what I have buried, replace the lies I have believed with Your truth, and guide me toward the help I need. When another layer surfaces, remind me that I am not going backward—You are still working. I trust You with my heart and my healing.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Healing Is in Your Hands” by Christy Nockels. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Clean” by Natalie Grant. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Healing” by Blanca & Dante Bowe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Healing Has Begun” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Friend of A Wounded Heart” by Wayne Watson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “One Thing I Know” by Selah. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Hold Me Now” by Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “The Sun is Rising” by Britt Nicole. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

~*~
Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Author Interview with Hadassah Treu about her memoir titled "Satisfied"

Author Interview with Hadassah Treu about her book Satisfied:

Alexis: Congratulations on writing a memoir titled, Satisfied: Why Getting What We Want Is Not the Answer! What inspired you to share your story?

Hadassah: Thanks! God utterly surprised me by imprinting on my heart in the Fall of 2019 that I should write a memoir of the most difficult years for me and my marriage when I struggled with infertility, anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. These were also the years of the greatest spiritual growth I experienced.

I was not thrilled at the prospect. But the Lord continued to pull at my heart, and I said “yes” with a trembling heart. This project felt like I needed to climb Mount Everest. In March 2020, the first draft of my memoir was ready. Then, I began the revisions and completed them in about a month.

My next step, in blessed ignorance and naivete, was to start pitching the memoir to agents and publishers. Rejections kept piling on. I was disappointed and couldn’t understand. Then, at the end of June 2020, my world suddenly turned upside down. My husband died on the fifth day of July 2020, at age 55. My whole world died with him. The person who was my best friend, my closest person, and my family was gone. I lost the life as I knew it, the life I deeply cherished.

One day it dawned on me that the Lord, who is never late and never too early, urged me to write the memoir of our story with my husband precisely before his untimely death. I knew that I would be incapable of writing this memoir after his death. It would have been too painful. This new understanding brought me a little comfort, reassuring me that God is, as always, in control of all events and details of my life and that He remains trustworthy. I don’t need to understand completely to trust Him.

God surprised me again in September 2025 when a publisher signed a contract with me that led to the release of Satisfied this October.

Alexis: When I read your book, the first thing I noticed was that it read like a fiction story and unfolded with every page turn like scenes in a movie. Only it is not a work of fiction. This is your real life, pain, hope, and disappointments on paper for the world to read. How did it feel to openly share your heart with the readers?

Hadassah: The memoir reads like a fiction story, but it is the true story of my life and marriage. Openly sharing my heart with the readers feels scary. It makes me feel vulnerable and exposed. I share with the readers my most intimate thoughts, feelings, fears, insecurities, and struggles. It takes a lot of courage and faith to do this because this is my story, and my legacy in a way.

Alexis: How did your faith in God help you survive heartbreak and loss?

Hadassah: My faith in God was the foundation for surviving heartbreak and loss. I think without having God as my helper, healer, and sustainer, I would have totally collapsed. Practically, my struggles and pain drove me every day to my knees, seeking the Lord desperately and learning to discern His voice and to put my hope in Him and not in desired outcomes. His Word also played a crucial role in my survival. I was truly hanging on His words, on the comfort, reassurance, and promises in them. I wrote and prayed my own Scripture-guided prayers and declarations, and this was a big source of strength.

Alexis: How was your trust in God affected when He didn’t answer your prayers the way you wanted Him to over the years?

Hadassah: It was challenging to keep trusting God over the years during which I desperately wanted to become a mother. It was really a battle to keep my faith and keep living by faith and not by sight. Surely, this was one of the biggest tests of my faith. What helped me was seeking God in prayer and the habit of spending time in His word. It was His word that sustained me and built up my trust in Him despite the unanswered prayer and unmet expectations. I made the constant choice to trust Him. Here are some of my “trust declarations”:

I will trust the Lord when I can't understand His plan and purposes.

I will trust Him because He knows me and knows what is best for me.

I will trust the Lord when the pain blinds me.

I will trust Him because He never changes and is worthy of my trust.

Alexis: What advice, based on your journey, do you have for married women who long to be a mother but cannot conceive?

Hadassah: My advice is not to give up on God and their dreams. This is a spiritual battle to keep your faith in God, first and foremost. Keep trusting and seeking God, keep surrendering to Him and desiring His will above everything else. Be confident that He loves you and knows best. His plan is perfect. Rest in His love and sovereign plan, and providence for your life.

Alexis: Toward the end of your book, you talked about birthing babies—not real human babies but ministries such as your blog. Tell us more about that. How did God help you turn your pain into purpose?

Hadassah: This was a long process, but God never wastes anything in our lives. When we surrender to Him, He can turn every pain into purpose, and every mess into a mission. In my story, it began with God’s call to start writing a blog. My blog OnTheWayBg was born in May 2017. I still remember the excitement and joy. I held a baby in my arms! Not the biological baby I wanted, but still a baby!

I was full of God-given confidence that this was just the beginning. I was sure God would fulfill His promise and make me a joyful mother of many children—spiritual sons and daughters, ministries, books, and much more. A vast territory, an uncharted land, stretched before me. I had rediscovered a passion. I had a new goal, one to encourage and help believers grow and mature in their relationship with God by grasping their identity and purpose in Christ.

I had a new mission, one of empowering and equipping people to advance in their faith and put their hope in God. Now my blog is heading to its 10th anniversary and is in the 100 Top Faith Blogs ranked by Feedspot in 2025 and 2026. God made me also a prolific writer of many articles, poems, and books in English and Bulgarian.

Alexis: What has God taught you about His goodness and faithfulness to you even when He doesn’t give you what you want?

Hadassah: God taught me He remained the same God because He doesn’t change. He is the same regardless of how our circumstances develop. He remains dependable, trustworthy, faithful, good, loving, and caring. Most importantly, He is fully in control and completely sovereign over our lives. We can trust His wisdom, power, and love.

I also learned that even when God doesn’t give me what I want, He still gives me other amazing and wonderful things because He is a generous Giver. I didn’t receive the miracle I wanted (a biological child), but I experienced many other miracles in my life, which I call the miracles of transformation. I have changed profoundly. My thinking has changed, my husband and marriage have changed, my life has changed for good. God is always working.

Alexis: What lessons have you learned about forgiveness and surrender in your faith journey with Jesus Christ?

Hadassah: Forgiveness and surrender are the cornerstones of a fruitful and peaceful life. I can compare my faith journey to a wrestling match that led to rounds of deeper surrender, acceptance, forgiveness, and trust. Some important milestones of this wrestling were when I learned I was infertile and when I learned that I was not pregnant after the embryo transfer. Also, when I finally faced and dealt with my anger and disappointment, and my controlling desire.

I learned that without forgiving (others, myself, and even God) and without submitting to His will, there is no way to become internally healed and at peace. Forgiveness and continuous surrender are the path to peace, strength, joy, and satisfaction in the Lord. This is the only way to get rid of our self-centeredness and become more God-centered.

Alexis: Who is your target audience for this book? Share how you hope it will help them.

Hadassah: This book is for you if:

• You are facing infertility, the loss of motherhood dreams, or the pain of unanswered prayers.
• Your marriage, intimacy, or expectations for family life have left you feeling heartbroken or unseen.
• You often feel that you are not enough, not fulfilled, or unsure who you are beyond your circumstances.
• You are disappointed with life and searching for faith, identity, healing, and purpose in the midst of uncertainty.

The book will help you discover how releasing the need to control every outcome can open the way to peace, healing, and a more honest relationship with God. Surrender becomes not a defeat, but a courageous choice to trust amid uncertainty.

Through the book, you will explore the possibility of finding identity and purpose beyond motherhood, marriage, achievement, or the fulfillment of long-held desires. Even in the valleys, new meaning can take root.

Alexis: What was the most beautiful part of writing your story? Explain.

Hadassah: The most beautiful part of writing my story was seeing the pattern and realizing that everything made sense. Being able to trace God’s hand in weaving all the threads of my life through the years was beautiful and amazing.

Alexis: Now that your memoir is released, what’s next for you?

Hadassah: I will continue to share my story in my writing and speaking. The next thing that I believe God has for me is to finish my third coaching program on mental health and recovery from addiction and help people as a trauma recovery and resilience coach. I am already a certified trauma-informed and human flourishing coach.

Alexis: Thank you for the interview, Hadassah! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Hadassah: Thanks for this opportunity, Alexis! It was a joy for me! Blessings to your readers.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hadassah Treu is an award-winning bilingual author, blogger, poet, speaker, and spiritual growth coach; a communication specialist and translator, holding a master's in international relations, living in Bulgaria. 

As an author of five books (two poetry books and three non-fiction books) and co-author of fourteen devotional and poetry anthologies, Hadassah loves to encourage and motivate people to stand firm in the faith and grow spiritually by applying biblical truths in their lives. Her book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become a Birthplace of Blessings” is a must-read for any Christian who is seeking spiritual gain after a season of losses and suffering. Her new book, “SATISFIED: Why Getting What We Want Is Not the Answer”, released in October 2026, offers a language for grief, permission to wrestle, and a deeper vision of a fruitful life.

Featured on over 100 faith-based platforms and podcasts like Her View from Home, The Upper Room, (In)courage, Living by Design, Proverbs 31 Ministries, COMPEL Pro Blog, she is a hope-bringing speaker and writer that is in the Top 100 Faith Blogs ranked by Feedspot in 2025 and 2026. Hadassah is a professional member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and COMPEL Pro Training member, leader, and contributor.

Hadassah is no stranger to suffering and loss. From the platform of her greatest pains, equipped with lessons gathered on the way, she delivers a powerful message of comfort and hope, found in God's Word.

~*~

Blurb for Hadassah's book:

You prayed. You trusted. You believed it would happen. But what if it doesn't? 

Hadassah Treu thought she knew what would make her life complete: a loving marriage, motherhood, health, and the future she had carefully imagined. Instead, the years brought marital distance, infertility, panic attacks, painful medical treatments, and the lingering consequences of a decision she desperately wished she could undo.

As one hope after another slipped beyond her control, Hadassah faced a question she could no longer avoid: Is God still good when he does not give us what we want?

In Satisfied, Hadassah tells the deeply personal story of a marriage strained by grief and disappointment, a consuming longing to become a mother, and a faith tested when prayer seemed to produce anything but the expected answer. Her journey leads through anger, forgiveness, surrender, and the difficult discovery that even a good desire can become the place where we look for the satisfaction only God can provide.

But surrender does not mean the end of longing. For Hadassah, it becomes the beginning of something larger: healing in her marriage, a new understanding of motherhood and fruitfulness, and a life no longer dependent on circumstances going according to plan.

Honest about disappointment without offering easy answers, Satisfied is for anyone who has prayed faithfully, waited hopefully, and wondered what to do when the answer still seems to be no.

When the life you wanted is not the life you receive, can you still discover that what you have is enough?

~*~
Buy Hadassah’s book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Hadassah:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthewaybg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadassahtreu

X: https://x.com/onthewaybg

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.at/onthewaybg/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hadassahtreu-author

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/hadassah-treu

Devotionals for the Heart: When God shows you how much He loves you

When God’s Love Gets Personal
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

—Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Have you ever received an unexpected gift that made you feel really loved?

It sounds silly now that I’m talking about it, but one Christmas, my husband and I decided all our kids needed to have their own special cup. The cups weren’t cheap, but they were good quality, and they were excited about them. I didn’t even think about buying one for myself because they were pricey—and frankly, as a grownup, I didn’t “need” a special cup.

But on Mother’s Day, they all surprised me with my very own special cup. They picked out one with my initial, a pretty design, and colors they knew I'd like.

It’s been years since that Mother’s Day. Now three of those four little kids are in college! But this morning when I went to take a sip of water, I chose that cup to use. And when I looked down at it, suddenly I remembered how appreciated that unexpected gift made me feel—that I mattered enough to them that they wanted me to have my own special cup, too. They thought of me, they included me, and they wanted to do that for me as a gesture of love.

It still feels just as sweet all these long years later. It reminds me of God’s love. I don’t mean God’s love in the general sense—how He loves us all, how He sent His Son for all of us, how He created a place in Heaven for us if we repent and believe and follow Him. I mean those certain, very specific moments I have felt God intimately and personally in my life. Those moments when I’ve felt His hand stretched out, grasping toward me, His whisper meant specifically for my ears, the thought or insight or vision He has placed in my mind.

It doesn’t happen often, but looking back over my life, I remember times when I felt fully and intimately connected with my Lord. That time late at night on the beach when I looked up at the sky and saw His face. That dream He gave me that, when I woke up, made me realize it hadn’t been a dream at all but a vision, an actual divine encounter when I made a choice for Him definitively and eternally.

That time when my infant daughter had a clogged tear duct and I was so worried about her having to endure surgery and anesthesia again after having her ear tubes put in. And how, when I prayed, deeply and fervently, and placed my hands upon her head, I felt the Lord’s power heal her beneath my fingertips.

That time when driving to work, I looked up and saw a cloud part and God gave me a vision for what would become my debut novel, The Memory Garden. That time when I was sobbing on the bathroom floor and I felt Him right there with me—fully and unmistakably there with me.

I can’t explain those times adequately. I’m not sure I’m meant to. It’s a knowing I possess deep in my soul, deep in the Spirit within me, that recognizes my Lord loved me enough to gift me with something infinitely precious: a divine encounter.

What an honor that is! What an honor that we, mere sinful and broken and powerless human beings, are beloved by the God of the Universe. What an honor that He chooses to have an intimate, personal, genuine relationship with us, parting the waves and the clouds just so we can see Him in the middle of our earthly lives.

God loves us all generally. We’re all His creation, and we are precious to Him. But I also know God loves us—loves me—specifically. Personally. Intimately. And He wants us in His kingdom. That truth inspires me to do better—to love like Him, to live in a way that shines His light, to appreciate and honor and adore Him more. I’m not sure where you are in your life, my friend, and I don’t know if you know this truth. But today I urge you to stop a moment…to sit quietly within your own skin and turn your thoughts to the Creator, our Father God, who loves us.

God loves you. I urge you to know that He really does love you personally—it’s not generic. Scripture tells us this truth as well, a truth that is peppered throughout God’s Word from beginning to end. In Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV), God says, “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV), reminds us, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Now as I close with a prayer, and I hope you’ll join me.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, 

Thank You for loving me personally, intimately, truly. Thank You for knowing me, knowing my innermost thoughts, for seeing me as an individual beloved by You. Thank You for allowing me to be your child. Help me to know that love and to cherish and honor that love by loving others and walking with You every step of my day for every moment I have left on this earth. In the holy and precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Fully Known” by Tauren Wells. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What A Privilege” by Cheri Keaggy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Shine the Light” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Walk with You” by Michael Bethany. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “How He Loves Us” by Kim Walker-Smith. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers and her third novel, Hidden Seeds, is out now and is a top release. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. 

She has a YouTube devotional. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism.

Devotionals for the Heart: How to survive the battlefield in your mind

Don’t Waste Your Mind
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

This quote was the slogan for the United Negro College Fund that I heard on television commercials for years as a teenager. It stayed with me because the mind truly is one of the greatest places we can invest our time. Yet I am concerned when I see how many things can diminish the value of this incredible gift.

Our Creator (God) created animals, human beings, nature, and the entire world. When we consider the intricacies and details of how each part has been divinely created, it is astonishing. Take, for instance, the human brain. People spend years studying to become brain surgeons because of the complexity and importance of this remarkable part of our bodies.

A family friend once had a brain tumor, and as we walked alongside her and her family through that journey, we learned so much about the complexities of the diagnosis and the human brain. It was truly mind-blowing.

Our brain is like the hardware that houses our mind and thought processes that we cannot physically see. They are connected. When our minds become overwhelmed with stressful or negative thoughts, it can have a direct effect on how we function. During that difficult season of having a brain tumor, it became especially important for our friend to guard her thoughts.

I remain in awe of the way God created this part of the body. It reminds me that we need to be intentional about what we allow our minds to dwell on. We live in a world where our minds are constantly challenged to maintain balance. So, I’d like to encourage us to consider a few things in this daily battle:

Peace is a choice. We live surrounded by so many voices, opinions, and noises that can overwhelm us at times. Yet peace is something we can choose to pursue and enjoy. The Bible says in Isaiah 26:3 (NIV), “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” The key here is to keep your mind on the Lord.

Protect your mind. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul tells us to put on the armor of God because we are engaged in spiritual battles. One of those pieces of armor is the helmet of salvation. The Roman helmet was carefully designed to protect the soldier’s head and neck from attacks coming from different directions. When Paul tells us to put on the “helmet of salvation”, he reminds us that our understanding of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ provides protection as we face the thoughts, darts, and attacks of the enemy.

God has given us what we need to fight. We need to put on this armor through prayer, studying the Word of God, and meditating on Scripture daily.

Finally, the battle in our minds—with thoughts we didn’t invite, as well as the decisions and choices we have to make regularly—is an ongoing one. Yet it is one we don’t have to face in our own strength.

The battlefield of our minds is one we never have to face alone. We can withstand and push back against the enemy’s desire to overwhelm us and make us feel helpless, hopeless, and defeated. I can tell you that this is something I deal with on an ongoing basis. I have learned to stay alert and not rely solely on my own strength. Sometimes I need a supplement of positive self-talk, but I have found an even stronger dose in meditating on Scripture, praying, and stewarding my physical health.

Be strong. Be courageous. But remember, you were never meant to battle this battlefield alone. Call a friend who is willing to listen. Write in a journal. Pray to God. Take those thoughts captive, as the Apostle Paul exhorted us to do.

God loves you. He hears you, and He sees you.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You see us, You hear us, and You know our every thought. Help me to think on those things that give life and are uplifting. Thank You for hearing my every cry, even when the darkness feels overwhelming. Strengthen me even now and teach me how to encourage myself and worship You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Trust in God” (feat. Chris Brown & Isaiah Templeton) | Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Every Moment” by ForeverJones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “I’ll Give You Peace” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Michael W. Smith. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Review of the CSB Teen Study Bible for the teenagers in your life

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the CSB Teen Study Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is unique because of the way it caters to a teenage audience.

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

Build resilient faith in the next generation with the new CSB Teen Study Bible.

Featuring a unique Q&A style study approach, devotionals for personal growth, and topical articles on complex faith questions, this Bible equips students to connect Scripture to their everyday life. Robust study helps and practical devotions make this Bible great for students who want to go deeper in Bible study.

Endorsed by Shane Pruitt, the CSB Teen Study Bible is an ideal study Bible for student ministries to buy in bulk, with three economical hardcover editions available. This Bible is the perfect gift for every student—it’s durable, a convenient size to carry, and includes content written specifically for their generation.

Students are growing up in a world in which AI and social media parade as truth. There’s no more vital moment than now to present Scripture’s truth in a way that is easy to find for teens, preteens, and their parents. Push back on deconstruction by equipping your students to search God’s Word on their own, starting today.

What are the questions keeping your students up at night? This Bible can help.

~*~

My Review of the CSB Teen Study Bible

The first detail I noticed about the CSB Teen Study Bible is the color of the cover. It’s a serene blue that’s darker than the sky but lighter than the sea.

I like how there is a wraparound cover over the hard cover. This material has the name of this Bible written in a lime color and bold, bulky font. I think the cover designer had teens in mind as they created these details and put these design elements together. It’s definitely youth-friendly in its presentation.

The words “Asking & Answering Questions about God’s Word” are written in smaller font beneath the name of this Bible on the front. I find this feature helpful. It is a way to draw teens who have questions about the Bible, Christianity and God. This feature will help the target audience know that they can receive answers to their questions if they open this Bible and read it with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

The wraparound cover has more intriguing information on the backside of this Bible. I like how it features this line at the top of the summary: “Real Questions. Real Answers. Real Faith.” Again, the publisher knows how to reach teens who are thirsty for truth that can only be found within the pages of this beautiful book.

When I opened this book, the first thing I noticed was the bright lime color that coats the first two pages. The material feels smooth to touch. And these colors complement the lime colors in the text on the front cover and back cover of the wraparound material. Well done! The only issue is that sunglasses might be needed because the lime color on those two interior pages is so bright!

As I turned the next few pages, I noticed the dedication page that’s in most Bibles. The Table of Contents was neatly outlined but the font was a bit too small for me. However, I do appreciate how the page that follows the Table of Contents, talks about how the publisher utilized “Optimal Type” for the words in this Bible. They wrote, “The Bible is the most important book ever written, and every element of its design should enhance the reading experience. Optimal Type is a new typeface designed to improve readability, making Scripture more approachable, clear, and engaging for all readers.” As I continued turning the pages of this Bible, I found this to be true.

The next two pages contain information that shows the reader how to use this Bible. These two pages are set to a dark gray background and have a few snapshots of the pages within as well as labels over each snapshot that point out interior features such as: articles, devotionals, maps, charts and infographics. I found this to be intriguing. It made me want to keep reading and find all these features.

The next 10 or more pages are purely instructional, giving the reader more information about what to expect as they read this Bible. It also teaches the reader to understand and interpret the Bible well as they turn the pages of this sacred book. A few pages are dedicated to introducing the reader to the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) which is the translation provided from Genesis (the first book) to Revelation (the final book) in this Bible. I found that to be educational.

After a brief note about commonly used abbreviations in this Bible, the reader can begin their Bible reading journey starting with the first book of The Old Testament (Genesis). But before this journey begins, there are two pages provided that focus on providing a proper introduction to Genesis. I thought that was helpful.

As I scanned the pages of this Bible, I was in awe as I saw all of the helpful extra features that were outlined on the first several pages of this Bible: articles, devotionals, maps, charts, infographics and more are spread throughout the pages of this Bible. After the final book  (Revelation) that is in The New Testament, there are a few more features to help the reader: CSB Concordance, CSB Dictionary and about eight colorful maps on glossy pages. These maps show the reader where the stories in this Bible were set in real life many centuries ago, reminding the readers that the Bible is not a work of fiction; the characters were real people who lived and walked on this Earth.

Overall, I think this Bible was produced very well and that the content is truly comprehensive. It is presented perfectly in a way that will touch the heart of teens.

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

#TeenStudyBibleMIN

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Order the new CSB Teen Study Bible for the teens in your life! Here is the purchase link, https://bhpub.org/ur7yB

God bless you!

Devotionals for the Heart: When you allow God to cover you with His love

His Covering of Love
A devotional by Maureen Miller

“Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.”

—Song of Solomon 2:4 (NIV)

“She’s…” Our son choked on his words. “She’s here.” Ian paused, then added, “But she’s in the NICU. Please pray she’ll be okay.”

After hanging up from that 3:00 a.m. phone call, my husband Bill and I lay there in the dark. There was nothing we could do but pray. And pray we did.

The next day, we were permitted to visit our third granddaughter. Our son and daughter-in-law named her Maci Lynn. She was born six weeks prematurely. The precious one we knew rested in the loving hands of our Heavenly Father (God).

Entering Maci’s cubicle, we witnessed the tubes and contraptions that kept her lungs pumping and her heart beating. I marveled at the medical miracle. If not for these scientific masterpieces, Maci’s life likely wouldn’t last, at least not this side of heaven. I breathed a prayer, “Thank You, merciful Father.”

Not able to hold her, all Bill and I could do was sit with Ian, offering support with our presence and silent petitions. Our daughter-in-law was hospitalized in a separate unit. She’d lost a lot of blood prior to the emergency C-section. Though stable, she’d not yet been released.

Only a few feet away, Maci lay under a strong, protective plexiglass covering, a sterile shield from germs. It was in the quiet of that space, with only the repetitive, rhythmic ticking of a monitor, when I heard God’s whisper: I’ve promised you My protective covering too. Each element is for you and the safety of those who you love. Pray for My full armor of protection for Maci Lynn.

Of course. The full armor of God. I’d recently become familiar with a song by a favorite Christian artist. On her music album, “Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved”, Christy Nockels sings of this particular truth: the armor that’s ours, covering our loved ones and us from head to toe. I searched for this melody on my cell phone, then—holding my device just over the plastic dome—hit play. Maci’s tiny body rose and fell as the lullaby filled the cubicle, Christy’s lyrics reminding us of God’s promised protection, that which Paul describes in Ephesians, chapter six.

Let’s read about God’s armor in Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV):

Belt of Truth (Verse 14a)

I asked God to help me remember His Truth as the enemy whispered lies into my mind such as:

“She’s not going to make it. Look how frail. How peaked.”

I shook the snide voice from my mind, replacing it with truth from Psalm 23. Quietly, I personalized that Scripture for my granddaughter: The Lord is her Shepherd. The Lord is her Shepherd.

Satan is a liar, but this piece of God’s protective covering wields truth—the opposite of what our enemy offers. In Maci’s situation, we could be overcome with fear, held captive by Satan’s insidious lies, leading to discouragement and despair, threatening our intercession. In a broader sense, Satan’s lies are everywhere. One can’t turn on the television without being bombarded with both subtle as well as overt deceptions that tell us we’re not enough. 

We need our belts of truth to discern what is biblically right and wrong that we might stand protected against Satan’s lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness (Verse 14b)

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” A breastplate protects one’s heart.

Regarding Maci, Bill and I were susceptible—as were Maci’s parents—to discouragement. In some manner of speaking, her situation broke our hearts. Seeing her struggle, wondering if she’d pull through, was wearisome. But God called us to intercede on her behalf, and nothing hinders one’s prayer life more than feeling overwhelmed and afraid.

How about you? Have you been called to petition but feel stuck, bound by fear and anxiety? Put on your breastplate to guard your heart from discouragement, then press on. Find passages of scripture that become your anchor in this difficult season, replacing wrong thinking with right thinking. Yes, righteous thinking.

As the Apostle Paul exhorts in his letter to the Philippians 4:8 (NIV), “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Verse 15)

Our footwear not only protects our feet; it carries us to those with whom God intends our paths to cross.

As Bill and I spent time with our granddaughter over those six weeks, we had opportunities to be light to others. Jesus Christ’s peace shines through His children, and I believe our presence made a difference. Though there were times we felt afraid and lacked peace, our dependence on the Lord was our source of strength. Perhaps other frightened parents with little ones in the NICU heard Christy Nockels’ song as I played it time and time again. Maybe they saw us praying over Maci Lynn. I hope it made a difference, bringing encouragement.

And in our peace-depleted world, how can we continue to carry God’s peace to others? In our workplaces? In our children’s schools? In our communities? Yes, even in our churches and in our homes?

Put on your footwear and walk, praying about all the places God might be calling you to offer His peace.

Shield of Faith (Verse 16)

How we needed to hold on to our faith in God as we waited and wondered regarding Maci. Some days, it seemed like we white-knuckle-gripped our shields. However, on other days, we were able to hold more loosely.

In ancient times, a shield wasn’t merely a small piece of protective metal; it was a full-length covering from head to toe. When gathered, soldiers would create entire domes of protection from the enemy’s flying darts, crouching together in military formation.

We know faith isn’t holding to that which is seen but what is unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Like the soldiers behind their collective shields who couldn’t see the racing arrows aimed their way but trusted their armor to do its job, we need to hold on by faith in life’s battles too.

Bill and I couldn’t see what was ahead regarding our precious Maci, but we trusted her caregivers, believing they knew what they were doing. And we knew her Heavenly Father loved her immeasurably more than us, and He had a plan. God has a plan for each of us. So, hold tight to your faith, His protective shield surrounding you in all seasons, even in the dark when you can’t see ahead.

Helmet of Salvation (Verse 17a)

During this difficult time with Maci, it was easy to allow our thoughts to turn toward fear rather than stand in faith, trusting God with our sweet granddaughter. But He reminded me I needed to take thoughts captive, making them obedient to Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5). Furthermore, I needed to apply the words from a favorite children's song about being careful what we allow our eyes to see. If I simply looked at teeny-tiny Maci, my mind was flooded with what ifs, but when I chose instead to put on my helmet by singing songs of praise or claiming scripture promises, I was saved from what often felt like a pit of despair.

The same is true for you, friends. Your helmet of salvation is your protective head covering—helping guard your thoughts, despite what you see. It’s amazing what happens when we take our worrisome, troubled thoughts captive, replacing them with truth from God’s Word—whether spoken or in song, even long-ago Sunday School tunes that we sing in church.

Sword of the Spirit (Verse 17b)

Bill and I were promised protection from the enemy who came to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Not only did Satan want to steal our precious newborn granddaughter; he desired to kill our faith and destroy our peace. But God called us to be light where Satan wanted darkness in the NICU of the hospital where so many were hurting, anxious, and afraid. Only by walking in truth—truth from God’s Word—could we allow our suffering to be used for good.

When we hold out our swords, wielding them in every battle by applying biblical truth to our circumstances, we will be victorious. This is a strategy unlike that which the world appropriates, but it won’t go unnoticed. When others see and hear a Christian’s method of warfare, they can’t help but wonder from where such courage comes. Then we get to testify to the goodness—the faithfulness—of our loving, ever-present Father (God).

God’s Covering of Love

More than two years have passed since our regular visits to the NICU. Maci Lynn is two years old now and thriving in every way. Looking back, that season is surreal, but I’m so thankful for it. It taught me more about trusting God, especially when things are out of my control.

I’ll continue praying for the full armor of God to cover Bill, myself, our children and grandchildren. After all, we need it more than ever in this dark age where Satan lurks, knowing his time is coming to an end.

Recently, I was reminded. In Song of Solomon, the bride professes her love, adding that the king has brought her to his banquet table—a place of abundant joy. More beautiful than this, however, is the king’s covering, the protective banner he places over his bride. Indeed, his covering of love!

How beautiful! To think Yahweh-Nissi (“The Lord is my banner” defined in Exodus 17:15) was there in that NICU cubicle as Maci Lynn lay under her protective, plastic cover, hooked to tubes and monitors. It was Him who spoke to my heart that day, asking me to play “Head to Toe” over our sweet grand-girl, covering her with His full armor through scripture song.

And Yahweh-Nissi is with us too, promising never to leave us. God’s Word is our weapon, and His protective banner is ours until the day when we’re with Him, face to face. Yes, His covering of love.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You, merciful Father. Thank You for Your constant presence and Your promise to never leave. Thank You for Your Word which is our light in all darkness, a sword in every battle. And thank You for Your full armor—each element for our protection and our good. May we be courageous in all life’s battles, bringing You glory until You call us home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Head to Toe (The Armor of God Song)” by Christy Nockels. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Warrior is a Child” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “His Banner Over Me” by Cheri Keaggy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Battles” by The Afters. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Maureen Miller is an award-winning author with stories in more than twenty collaboratives.

 

She contributes to "All God’s Creatures" published by Guideposts, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, including the award-winning Arise Daily and Inspire A Fire.

Married for 36 years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she enjoys life with their three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls, not to mention a variety of furry beasts. They live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Maureen is a speaker, as well as the chaplain of her local Word Weaver critique group. She writes posts online via the “Windows and Wallflowers” blog where she tells of God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary things of life.

Her favorite thing is to encourage others in their journey with Jesus Christ.

Maureen’s debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.

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Connect with Maureen:
Email: Maureen.miller913@gmail.com
Website: https://maureenmillerauthor.com