Devotionals for the Heart: We should trust God and let Him fight for us

It’s Not Your Battle
A devotional by Kelly Patterson

And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

—2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)

There is so much darkness around us in our world today. 

I went to sleep last night worried about so many things, both personal and global.

I woke up the next morning with this tune in my head about how the battle is not ours; it belongs to God. What a wonderful way to wake up! God knows the words we need when we have no words. He gave me that song for this very morning. But do I believe it? Do I really believe God is going to fight my battles?

If you were going through a dark time, maybe I would tell you that He’s going to fight your battles. But when I’m struggling, my first instinct is fear, closely followed by a little fight.

In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat caught wind that the Ammonites, Moabites and others were coming to battle against him. He was outnumbered. He was genuinely afraid, yet He turned to God in prayer and called his people together for a time of fasting. I wish that was my first resort every time. I tend to worry first.

I often wonder why some seasons have to be such a battle. Doesn’t God want all the good things for us? However, I wonder if God gave me everything I thought I needed then would I really seek Him? It really is having a need that drives me into my deepest prayers. I once heard that a plant deprived of water and nutrients is forced to grow deep roots. I am like that plant. I do not draw as close to God when all my needs are met. Maybe that’s a reason why God allows the hard things to happen to us in this life on Earth. I desire depth in my relationship with God but I can’t have that when I am grasping for control. The battle belongs to the Lord. 

When I turn to God with all my thoughts and worries, He reminds me that He is there and that I can trust Him. He has been faithful to me over and over again. Every time I experience a new trial and trust God to carry me through, my faith legs become less wobbly. When I know God is holding me up, I am able to stand stronger. I look back and see all He has done, and I am quicker to anticipate what He is going to do. I simply cannot do this on my own. I cannot fight my own battles. I can’t fight my kid’s battles. That is by design. God reminded me this morning that the battle belongs to Him. He fights for me.

Just like the song “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham says (and I paraphrase): I can fight this battle on my knees as I pray to God because that is where the real power is found. I can bow before God, lay my battles at His feet, then trust that He will victorious and He will prevail.

Finally, I can rest because God will fight for me.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Help me remember that You love me and You fight my battles for me. Help me to remember to come to You first, humbly seeking to see Your face. I have seen You do so many wonderful things. Please let me see You work again, in these current situations that seem beyond my control. Thank You for reminding me that You really do fight my battles for me.

In Jesus’s Name I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Fear No More” by The Afters. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Coming from a Mormon childhood and agnostic belief, Kelly Patterson found Jesus Christ after wrestling with God for many years. 

Kelly has a hunger for the Word and has spent a lifetime following Jesus and going (not always joyfully) where the Spirit leads. It has been a roller coaster, but Jesus has been with her the entire ride. Kelly has a passion for sharing the freedom she found in Jesus with believers and unbelievers alike.

Kelly is a wife, mother of four adult children and has two grandchildren. Kelly still enjoys cultivating intimacy with God, time with family and friends, pickleball and her job at a mental health clinic. Kelly considers life with God an adventure that she loves to share with others.

~*~
Connect with Kelly:
Website: Kellyannpatterson.wordpress.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Observing animals taught me about peace

Observing Animals Can Teach Us How to Relieve Stress
A devotional by Desiree Future

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

—Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

One day, I was on my way to work early in the morning. I passed a sleeping cat under a tree, looking peaceful. As I walked by, he arched his back in a long stretch.

I crossed the street to find two birds in a tiny puddle of water. One would go for a drink and the other would dip their wing in it. Closer to the neighbor's house were two cats that sat directly beside each other. If it were not for the black patch on one cat, you would have thought you were seeing double. They weren’t playing or anything. They were just casually hanging out in the backyard.

Further down the street, I saw a squirrel inside someone’s gate. At first, it was just walking from one house to another. Then it suddenly hopped like a bunny rabbit to the next house. All the animals I saw brought a smile to my face. They seemed happy and peaceful. I was grateful that I didn’t see the large raccoon I had encountered the previous week.

These amazing creatures that God put on this Earth are examples of what we should be like, in my opinion. Laid back, peaceful, and not a care in the world.

I understand that we have a lot of things going on, whether you’re a single parent or a married couple struggling to make ends meet. Whatever your circumstances are, times are really tough these days. The prices on products in the USA have skyrocketed on everything from food to cars and housing. Yet in many cases, most people’s paycheck amount has remained the same. I understand sometimes it feels like you’re a professional juggler because you’re always balancing many things at once. Not to mention trying to figure out how to make things work with what you have. It’s not an easy task, to say the least. However, you get up every day and focus on finding ways to make things better.

You do it so much that you end up neglecting yourself. Trust me, I’ve been in your shoes, so this young lady understands. But how about you do something different instead of stressing?

What if you acted like the animals that were just relaxing and enjoying life? Take a long nap and rejuvenate your mind and body. Then stretch like a cat after a most enjoyable slumber. Perhaps a nice rest in the yard or park, doing absolutely nothing to release the stress of your struggles. Add a nice book and beverage to enhance this. Or if you really need to get rid of your stress, try playing like the squirrel did. Find an activity like running, painting, or bird watching. Indulge in something that makes you smile from the inside out. You don’t necessarily need to spend money to have a good time. All it takes is a creative mind and the desire to relieve your stress. Some of our greatest examples that show us how to relax in this world are literally in front of us—we just have to open our eyes to see as I saw in the lives of these animals that maintain their peace as the world revolves around them.

A little while ago, my peace was disturbed when my car broke down and I was forced to take public transportation. It was not a happy time to say the least. I got caught in a bad rainstorm on my way home from work once. By the time I got home, I was completely drenched. Another time, I came face-to-face with a raccoon on my way home. These are the kinds of things that will surely stress you out. However, I restarted a jewelry-making hobby of mine that helped me regain my peace. I decided to do it more often and it turned into something I truly enjoy. It relaxes me while I make different bracelets for my friends and myself.

It’s just something about jazzing up an outfit with a one-of-a-kind bracelet that I enjoy creating. Whether it's for a classy event, work attire, or anything else, the joy I get from creating something beautiful eases all my troubles away.

Perhaps today, you too could do something to send your troubles away and restore your peace. Start with God and ask Him in prayer what that looks like for you.

Let’s Pray: Lord, I ask that You wrap your arms around the person reading this. Let them know that the burdens they carry are not for them. But they are for You to carry instead. Give them peace so they can rest. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

~*~
Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: A teaching about memorial stones in our journey

Every Stone Has a Story
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”— Joshua 4:5–7 (ESV)

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to have 12 men, one from each tribe, gather stones from the riverbed.

These stones were more than big rocks. Each was a testimony. Each stone told a story. Each stone was a reminder to future generations of the Lord’s mighty power and faithful deliverance. God intended that these stones would stand as generational reminders about the presence and power of God in their history, their present and their future.

Each of our lives are filled with moments where God has brought us through challenges. When drama swirled around us like a raging flood, He was there. When all hope seemed lost, He was there. These moments are worth remembering, worth passing on as anchors for our children and future generations.

I believe that hope, faith, joy, and praise can be like memorial stones in our spiritual journey—markers that proclaim, “God has been here.” Let’s consider them individually and watch as we review the anchoring and propulsion that we get when they are combined.

Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is confident expectation based on God’s promises. Hope during trials or triumph reminds us that God is still at work. Hope dares to believe there’s something better on the other side. Hope drives us to take another step and to keep moving forward in life.

When we build our life on hope, we create a memorial that says to our children and our communities, “I believed in God’s future, even when I couldn’t see it.” Hope becomes a stone of testimony. It may sit quietly in our soul. But hope nurtured by congruent action frequently develops fulfillment.

Faith is often shaped in the middle of God’s miracle and long before it is manifest. The Israelites didn’t gather the stones before the waters parted—they gathered them from the dry riverbed after they stepped out in obedience. Faith moves first, often without all the answers, trusting that God will provide. Monumental faith may be a heavy burden until it is placed on us as an altar at which we worship the God who gave us strength.

Your acts of faith, however small or large, can become memorials. The prayer you kept praying when answers didn’t come. The obedience you offered when the path was unclear. These acts tell a story. And when your children or spiritual heirs ask, “How did you keep going?” you can point to your stone of faith and say, “Because I knew God would be with me.”

Joy is a stone that says, “Even in the storm, I sang.” It is a powerful memorial to those around you. When others see your joy, even in hardship, it sparks questions. And like the Israelites explaining the stones at Gilgal, you get to testify: “This joy came from the Lord—it’s not mine, it’s His gift to me.” Nehemiah declared, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is a deep-rooted gladness that endures through sorrow, difficulty, and loss. It comes from knowing that God is in control and that His goodness will prevail.

Praise is a present-tense declaration of past victories and future confidence. Every time we worship God, we place another stone in our spiritual memorial. Praise reminds us—and those who hear us—of what God has done. Praise cements the story of God’s faithfulness in our own memories. Praise opens a window for the declaration of our spiritual development. Our songs, prayers and testimonies are markers of God’s grace. When we gather with others and lift our voices in worship, we echo the voices of generations past, saying, “Look what the Lord has done.”

In 1 Peter 2:5, believers are called “living stones.” Just as Joshua’s 12 stones were physical reminders of God's power, we ourselves are memorials. We are living, breathing testimonies to God’s grace. Your life can say what stones never could: “He changed me, and He can change you too.”

What stones are you laying down today? What memorials are you building with your hope, faith, joy, and praise? Remember how God has shown up for you. Mark the moments. Let’s become the stories that tell of God’s goodness to a generation hungry for meaning and stability.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help us to remember. Help us to build spiritual memorials with our hope, faith, joy, and praise. May our lives speak of Your goodness and power. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Upon This Rock” by Allison Durham Speer. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Story of Your Life” by Matthew West. Listen it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: What I've learned about pain and faith in God

Why does a good God allow so much pain?
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33 NIV

Have you ever noticed how quickly we try to eliminate physical pain and suffering, especially in the western world?

Those of us who are mothers are quick to dose our kids with Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Dimetapp to bring down a fever, quiet a cough or Pepto Bismol for the tummy ache? We take medication to ease our pain. In this culture, we will do whatever it takes to avoid suffering. The devil has sold us the lie that whatever is comfortable and easy is what we should desire and seek after.

On my prayer wall is a poster from Voice of the Martyrs magazine displaying three people walking a small footpath to a village, each carrying a bundle of Bibles in baskets attached to their backs. It’s a remote location in Africa where Bibles are illegal, and yet Christians in Muslim-dominated areas are willing to sacrifice their lives to smuggle copies of this life-changing book into these places.

Isn’t it fascinating how radically different suffering is viewed from one side of the globe to another? When self-pity and frustration over “not having enough time” to read and study my Bible overwhelm me, one glance at that poster reminds me to snap out of it and surrender to the challenges God puts in my path and view them as growth opportunities.

I tread very carefully when sharing my suffering, because I don’t want to come across as seeking pity, but I have suffered loss. I lost a grandmother to breast cancer who, from my youthful perspective, consistently showed me the love of Jesus Christ. I was at the cusp of understanding basic theology from confirmation classes while watching her suffer from chemotherapy treatments, praying God would heal her. God said no. Her death shattered my faith for several years. Infidelity and other problems plagued my first marriage as I asked God to heal my husband’s addictions. God said no, and it changed the trajectory of my life. In my second marriage, I lost a pregnancy after many prayers that it would continue. God said no. I watched my precious mother suffer from ovarian cancer for five years, and despite all my prayers for healing, God said no.

What about you, friend? What are you enduring right now? What’s keeping you awake at night? Has your suffering felt like God’s punishment? Sometimes suffering is directly related to our sinful choices. But nevertheless, our pain always has a purpose. God taught me so much by not answering my prayers the way I wanted, and He gave me so many more answers of “yes” than the dreaded “no”.

Multiple blessings abound on the other side of our sufferings. Trials teach us patient endurance and obedience. Difficulties enable us to comfort others. Suffering connects us to others in a way nothing else can. It is the means to a unique sharing with Jesus. God lovingly weaves enough struggles into our lives to keep us dependent on Him. The Bible says in James 1:2-4 (NIV), “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We can’t know the strength of our character until we see how we react under pressure. I admit that I don’t always respond “gently” or “sweetly” when I’m under pressure. Just ask my husband. He will tell you that I’m still working on that. It’s easy to show kindness and gentleness when everything is going well, but are we still willing to make the effort to be kind when others treat us unfairly? That’s a tough one. It’s easy to give up, lose heart and quit when you’re overwhelmed.

For me, my daily challenge is writing time. It’s easy for me to blame my family for lack of writing time when it feels like their needs and maintaining a house are consuming my time and energy. But God always melts away my resentment and helps me view mothering from a more grateful perspective. As I pray to Him, I become more aware of small pockets of opportunity when writing is possible rather than scrolling on social media.

The Bible describes the many challenges, hardships and sufferings of the Apostle Paul whose God-inspired writings give us insight on the why and how of suffering. Let’s read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV). He said, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We are to fix our hope not on this life, but on the life to come. Our temporary sufferings shall pass. Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your temporary weakness allows the resurrection power of Jesus Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Friend, what is your “hard” right now? What’s your “something” that God has allowed in your life to keep you seeking Him? Do you have a special needs child? Are you struggling with caring for aging parents? Are you dealing with chronic illness? Are you taking a difficult but required class? Hardships are part of the human condition. We cannot avoid them in this sinful world. We need to meet each other’s struggles in kindness and compassion and prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

I sense in my spirit a heaviness in believers who are crying out to You in their suffering. Please hear our prayers and comfort us in our sorrow, in our frustration and in our overwhelm. You promised us that in this life, there will be trouble, so we ask, Lord for Your comfort and peace that You also left with us. Help us sense Your presence and develop that patient endurance.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Ooh Child” by Donnie McClurkin feat. Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Leslie Bake grew up Lutheran in Des Moines, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in English, and with a new understanding of what a relationship with the Lord could look like. 

She spent a few years reporting and editing in small town journalism and then began pursuing a master’s degree at Iowa State University in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Then she got married and later went through a divorce, which deepened her relationship with God and transformed her life.

Leslie taught English as a second language for three years at Kansas State University, then returned to writing and earned a master’s degree in creative non-fiction in Pittsburgh. Her memoir will eventually be published. It details the process of how the Lord created beauty from the ashes of divorce.

Pittsburgh is also where she met and married her second husband. They are now the parents of two wonderful children—one in fifth grade and one in first grade.

Leslie and her husband make their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Leslie has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 11 years and actively growing her writing career alongside her two growing children.

She now maintains a monthly blog of her own and is working toward expanding her writing ministry on Substack. Her heart’s deepest desire is to help others connect with God through writing.

~*~
Connect with Leslie:
Website: lesliejoybake.com
Substack: lesliebake.substack.com
E-mail address: Leslie.bake@yahoo.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for the hard moments in our life story

In the Hardest Moments
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever endured a challenge that turned out to be the greatest blessing in your life?

My daughter is 16, and about seven years ago she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. A couple of years after that, depression started. The last several years have been difficult, and though this last year she’s been in a really great place, this season has taken a toll on me emotionally and physically. I’m her “person”, and I’m in the trenches with her. It’s not easy.

Mental illness runs in my family. Like heart disease, high cholesterol, and cancer, some people are simply genetically predisposed to it. Thankfully, I knew how to recognize it. My daughter was an extremely challenging toddler with sensory processing disorder and very strong will. In the third grade, she started going almost daily to the nurse’s office at school for a stomachache and dizziness. Fast-forward through a lot of specialist appointments, lab work, and counseling, and we finally discovered it was anxiety. She was having panic attacks (disguised as overwhelming stomachache and dizziness), and we were able to get her the help she needed.

Then puberty kickstarted her depression, and it was touch and go for a couple of years. Today she’s thriving in her faith, extremely mature, and a great student attending a virtual charter school. While she has not perfectly mastered managing her moods, she certainly knows how to do so better than I did at her age.

Walking through her mental health journey wasn’t easy for her. It also wasn’t easy for me, for my marriage, and for our whole family, but we committed to fighting through and we’re on the other side now.

Getting to the other side took learning and relearning so many critical lessons and skills, such as listening, healthy boundaries, and the importance of structure and self-care. It took rereading the Bible through the lens of mental health. It also took phenomenal doctors, counselors, and Christian mentors.

Now I’m so grateful I was able to walk through this journey with her because it taught me so much as a person and as a mother. It also taught me a ton about God’s incredible love for us. Not only do we have the gift of salvation, but we also have a personal Savior—a Savior who’s not just there for the big stuff but the difficult everyday moments, too. He’s there in our grief and our pain, our depression and our heartbreak, our good times and our bad times. He might not take that grief or pain or sickness away, but He’s there with us, walking right next to us. There, right there, in the trenches with us.

During the hardest moments of our family’s mental health journey, I didn’t always “feel God” right there with me every step of the way, but I trusted that He was there. I also knew He spoke and cared through the people He sent to help us through. And looking back, I saw the evidence.

That’s how it is for so many of us. Most of us have experienced struggles in our life, but often it’s only later, when we look back, that we can often see God’s Hand clearly. Hebrews 4:13 tells us, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (NIV). And 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Sometimes we go through situations and we’re so grateful to be done with them that we don’t look back. We think we got through because of “luck” or our own hard work. But consider today the beautiful, personal, and sometimes intimate ways God speaks to us and walks with us through our most painful moments.

If you are in the middle of a difficult season right now and you doubt God’s walking beside you, thinking you’re maybe in all of this alone, pause. Breathe. Take a look around. Ask Him to speak to you or show you a sign. Then watch as his love comes to life. Amen. Thanks be to God.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You that You care for me so personally. Even in those times I can’t see You or feel You, help me remember that You are there. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning journalist, author, blogger, editor, writing coach, and devotional writer with thousands of articles to her name. 

Since 2010, she has served as the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 123 journalism awards during her tenure. Her latest book is Preparing Our Hearts: An Advent Devotional to Draw Closer to God at Christmas.

She has won more than 100 writing awards. Jessica is a seasoned speaker and frequent contributor to Christianity.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and Crosswalk.com, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries, with her work included in many of their devotionals and Bible studies. Jessica also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Jessica holds a Master of Arts in English. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in communications/print journalism from Florida International University. Born and raised in Miami, Jessica now lives in Lexington, South Carolina, just outside Columbia. She has also lived in Ohio and in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her husband, Matt Brodie, have a blended family of four teenage children and stepchildren.

Jessica has written several novels and is actively seeking publication through her agent Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her novel The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis contest for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and her novel Tangled Roots won a third place Foundation Award in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. She is finishing the third in the series, Hidden Seeds, now.

~*~
Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJBrodie
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaJBrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajbrodie/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shiningthelightjessicabrodie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessicajbrodie

Devotionals for the Heart: Running in a race taught me to depend on God

Depending on God’s Strength
A devotional by Peg Arnold

“But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired. They walk and don’t lag behind.”

—Isaiah 40:31 (MSG)

The day of the Diva Half Marathon had arrived. I was both nervous and excited. I had never participated in a competition like this before and was ready to take on the challenge. My daughter, an experienced runner, also participated in the race. We were both eager to tackle the course set in Virginia's beautiful wine country. The route began on a dirt road that led down a hill surrounded by towering trees and then transitioned onto pavement.

The gun went off and everyone started running. I quickly realized I would not be able to keep up the pace of the crowd. After five minutes, I urged my daughter to go ahead without me. Unfortunately, not long after she left, I stepped into a hole and twisted my knee. The pain radiated through my leg every time I tried to put weight on it. I had not even reached the three-mile mark yet, and I was already worried that I wouldn't be able to finish the race. I stopped at the first aid station to see if wrapping my knee would help, but it only provided minimal relief.

Despite this challenge, I was determined to complete the race, no matter how slow I had to go or how much pain I had to endure. I knew that this would be an actual test of my strength and focus. As the other runners began to pass me, I began praying and reciting scripture to keep me going. I repeated the verse from Isaiah, which promised that those who depend on the Lord will renew their strength…walk and not be weary, run, and not faint. I also reminded myself that I could do everything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

These words gave me the courage and endurance to keep going, even when the pain was overwhelming. As the miles stretched on, I walked by some of the runners who had passed me. I shared my favorite scripture verses with them, and their positive responses motivated me. I was amazed at how my words encouraged them as well.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the end was in sight. The trail was lined with people cheering us on. I felt a surge of energy as I crossed the finish line. I was given a pink boa, a medal, and some chocolate. My daughter gave me a big hug. However, as I tried to walk away, my knee gave out completely and I could barely reach the car.

When I returned home, I needed crutches to walk, so I made an appointment with my doctor. After getting an MRI, I found out that I had torn my meniscus and would need to undergo treatment. In the years to follow, I would realize the actual damage to my body.

Looking back on that accomplishment and the obstacles I encountered, I gained more than a completion medal and a debilitating injury. I learned the importance of using memorized scripture to connect me with the strength of our Savior (Jesus Christ). There are times when each of us encounters unexpected difficulties. Having scripture in our hearts and minds is more than receiving a sticker or recognition. The real reward is in the power and hope we draw from these words and the hope they give us in times of trouble.

Do you have a verse or two that you recite to help you persevere in unexpected life challenges?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, Thank You for being our source of strength in our moments of weakness. Your power empowers us to overcome any obstacles we face. They may look like mountains to us, but nothing is too difficult for You! Help us to remember these Biblical truths and keep us moving forward. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Believe for It” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher is a Drama Queen for Jesus. 

Her vibrant, interactive, and soul-stirring messages encourage all to embrace their God-given value. As a mom, wife, nana, mentor, with a master’s in counseling, she connects on a personal basis by sharing her joys and challenges of many life experiences through her dramas, messages, and witness. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious.

She has published devotions on YouVersion and in the Upper Room. In addition, she has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, three anthologies, numerous articles, and blogs. Her devotional, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, received a 2022 OASIS award.

Peg desires everyone to know that their story is important and has a purpose. She grew up in Michigan and raised her family in Maryland. Later in life, Peg and her husband relocated close to their family in Colorado.

~*~
Connect with Peg:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnoldpeg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pegarnoldwow
Website: https://pegarnold.org/ Get some freebies when you visit!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC51V_iWr0RfGAQvQnWVXEoA
Devotions for the Distracted Heart blog: https://pegarnold.wordpress.com/
YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22261-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Holiday YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28680-holiday-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wonderofwomen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/peg-arnold-wow

Devotionals for the Heart: Prayer has transformative power for me and you

Unveiling the Purpose in Prayer
A devotional by Gladys Childs

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

—Ephesians 3:14-16 (ESV)

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind. The world bombards us with challenges, uncertainties, and the constant pursuit of success. We might find ourselves overwhelmed, grappling with unseen battles that threaten to weigh down our spirits. Our hearts cry out during these moments for strength, purpose, and resilience.

Enter the transformative power of prayer. Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) reminds us to pray for strength: “that according to the riches of his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” This verse invites us to tap into a source of strength beyond ourselves. Our hearts become vessels for God's power to work wonders when anchored in prayer.

Imagine your heart as a garden. This garden may face droughts, storms, and the wear and tear of everyday challenges. The worldly perspective might encourage us to fortify the garden with external defenses, attempting to shield it from the harsh elements. However, the biblical counterpoint in Ephesians 3:16 invites us to a different approach: a transformation from within.

This is not about building external walls or barriers, but nurturing something more profound and resilient within us. It's a subtle yet profound shift, moving from a mindset of mere survival to thriving, even in the face of adversity. With all this in mind, let us look at how this transformation from within can occur by focusing on six points from my heart to yours.

Point #1: Beyond Surface-Level Strength
Prayer is not merely a tool for surface-level strength. It goes beyond a temporary boost to face the day; it's an invitation to the Creator of humankind to tend to the garden of our hearts. The prayerful heart seeks to withstand challenges and bloom and flourish amid them.

Point #2: Shaping Character and Virtue
As we pray for strength from the Holy Spirit, our inner being undergoes a metamorphosis. The weeds of doubt, fear, and insecurity are uprooted, allowing into us the seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as detailed in Galatians 5:22–23. Our character transforms into a reflection of God's attributes when we have the Fruit of the Spirit within us.

Point #3: Aligning with God's Purpose
The purpose of prayer isn't just to make us feel good or powerful; it's to align our hearts with God's purpose for our lives. Our prayers become conversations with the Master Gardener, allowing Him to prune away what hinders our growth and nurture the fruits that contribute to His grand design.

Point #4: Impacting the World Around Us
A heart strengthened through prayer doesn't operate in isolation. Like a river flowing from a mountain, the mighty heart shapes the landscape around it. Our transformed hearts become conduits of God's love, impacting our relationships, communities, and spheres of influence. The world witnesses the beauty of a heart surrendered to divine cultivation.

Point #5: Embracing Resilience and Purpose
Prayer equips us with a resilience that surpasses worldly understanding. It's not a guarantee that challenges won't come, but a promise that we won't face them alone. The powerful heart, rooted in prayer, embraces challenges as opportunities for growth, weaving purpose into every twist and turn of life's journey.

Point #6: Surrendering to the Master Gardener
Ultimately, the reflective journey of prayer involves surrender. It's about entrusting the garden of our hearts to the Master Gardener, who knows the perfect seasons for growth, pruning, and blooming. In surrender, we acknowledge that true power comes not from our efforts alone but from yielding to the divine transformation process.

As you reflect on the transformative power of prayer, envision your heart as a thriving garden tended to by the hands of the Creator. May this reflection inspire you to approach prayer not as a duty but as a sacred dialogue that shapes your heart into a powerful force for God's glory.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive the strength and power only You can provide. Amid life's struggles, we seek a powerful heart that beats in rhythm with Your love and purpose. Strengthen us, Lord, with the light of your Holy Spirit, infusing our inner beings with resilience, courage, and unwavering faith. May our prayers be more than petitions; may they be conversations that transform us from the inside out. Let our hearts beat with the purpose You have designed for us, shaping our lives into testimonies of Your grace and power. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song for Reflection: “The Garden” (Acoustic) by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Recommended Reading: The Garden Within: Where the War with Your Emotions Ends and Your Most Powerful Life Begins (book) by Dr. Anita Phillips. Visit the author’s website for more information. Here’s the link, https://www.anitaphillips.com/book.

~*~
Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

~*~
Connect with Gladys:
Website: https://www.gladyschilds.com/
Blog: https://www.gladyschilds.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgladyschilds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GladysAnnChilds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GladysChilds
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gladyschildsauthor/

Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting our Faithful God in the storms of life

Trusting Amidst the Storm: Embracing God’s Faithfulness in Chaos
A devotional by Dr. LaVonda McCullough 

“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”—Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

Have you ever found yourself surrounded by turmoil, feeling as if God had forsaken you?

I certainly have. There are moments when all I could do was wear a smile to mask my tears. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are not always shielded from life’s trials and tribulations. However, when our connection with God is intimate, we can lean on His unwavering faithfulness.

Jesus had dedicated time to minister to His disciples and the masses. Now, he sought a moment of rest. He had been imparting His teachings, making this a practical examination of their faith.

Did Jesus anticipate the storm? Yes! This was an opportunity to put their faith to the test. Trusting God and having faith are intertwined. After hearing God’s Word and the Good News about Christ, the intention is to increase our faith (Romans 10:17).

Hearing the Word alone is inadequate; it must be accompanied by action. We need to put it into practice on a daily basis. This is one reason why trials are permitted in our lives. Trials don’t emerge due to God’s abandonment or our disobedience and sin. Instead, they forge a testimony that can inspire those in our sphere of influence.

Friends, in the storms of life, you can rely on Jesus.

I confronted a storm in my own life as I witnessed my daughter endure three weeks of paralysis on the left side of her face. Out of nowhere, she woke up one morning, her face paralyzed as if struck by a stroke. My heart ached as I observed droplets of saliva streaming down her face and I saw my daughter’s crushed spirit.

Challenging situations like these cause us to ask, “God, where are You in this storm?”

The Holy Bible shows us that Jonah faced a storm owing to his disobedience, while the disciples encountered theirs through obedience to the Lord. I was confused and began to blame myself for what had happened. My own struggles with obedience and surrender made me feel alone despite being an “all-in” to serving Christ. Though I knew God was with me intellectually, connecting this knowledge with my heart and trusting Him was a challenge. This was a test of trust, an opportunity to bolster my faith journey. It was evident that this was where actions spoke louder than words, and I could choose to praise my way through the chaos.

You may ask, “But, how did you do that, LaVonda, and how can I do that too?”

Perhaps you’ve experienced the chaos of a life crammed with responsibilities: work and church commitments, volunteering, shuttling children to sporting events, and of course being a loving, supportive spouse. Going through the motions of “knowing God’s Word” with a checklist, yet failing to internalize and embrace it was an issue I needed to correct.

The disciples were aware of the promises to reach the other side. It wasn’t a promise of an uneventful trip, but an assurance of arrival. God’s promises are unwavering, but if we lose sight of Jesus in the process of our doing, our faith weakens.

It was imperative that I return to a daily quiet time with God and have fellowship, seeking His guidance and direction, bringing my needs before Him, so that I can bear good spiritual fruit as His disciple. Just like Jesus was always by the side of His disciples, He is always by our side too! Therefore, we need not to fear. Jesus stood by me through every challenge, erasing any need for fear. My perspective had to shift, embracing the promises while understanding God’s character.

As I studied God’s might and His power to perform miracles, this encouraged me to believe in a miracle in my own life and in my daughter’s life. This would require a mindset change. God can handle any situation and can heal any ailment. And He did! Complete restoration unfolded unexpectedly one Sunday afternoon during our church service. Out of the blue, we witnessed a miracle, catapulting our faith to new heights. Our hope, faith, and trust in God reached new dimensions, demonstrating His ability to transform chaos into serenity in our lives.

Are you ready to embrace God’s character and invite peace into your life?

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for your faithfulness and your healing power. You heal all our diseases and meet every need. You are a God of love, restoration, and reconciliation. We are grateful. We praise You for turning chaos into calamity and increasing our faith in You. Each trial has strengthened us where we are weak. We express gratitude for moulding us into your likeness. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song for Reflection: “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lavonda McCullough is a Christian Life Coach, author, speaker and pastor who specializes in women empowerment with Christian-based approach. 

Since 2012, Lavonda has coached countless women into compete freedom, teaching them to enhance their spiritual practice. Through one-on-one Coaching, Bible Study, Prayer Walks and retreats (Joyful Journey RefresHER retreat) she teaches women how to reach the divine power within and discover their purpose.

With the foundation of her personal practice the discipline of a Daily Quiet Time, she works closely with those she coaches to develop their own intimate relationship with God. Always using a spirit-led approach, she focusing on the whole person: mind, body, and soul. Lavonda values providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment that allows those she works with to tap into the divine and commune with God themselves.

Lavonda has a deep understanding of healing through intimate relationship with God due to her personal experiences with shame, trauma, loss, and depression.

She is passionate about helping people find freedom and joy in their journey through the cultivation of spiritual practice.

Originally from North Carolina, Lavonda has traveled throughout Europe and Africa speaking about healing through the power of prayer. She has lived in Germany since 2012, where shares her life with her husband of 33 years.

Lavonda and her husband have three children.

~*~
Connect with LaVonda:
Website: https://www.lavondamccullough.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavondamccullough/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavondamcculloughauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/joyfuljourneymi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavonda-mccullough

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to trust and obey God through it all

Good Things Await
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”—Psalm 81:10 (ESV)

As I read the story of the Israelites, I realize that I can relate to them in a lot of ways. Many of the lessons God teaches His chosen people throughout the Old and New Testaments can certainly apply to us as well. Do you remember their story? In case you don’t, I’ll write a refresher below. The following is the shortened version.

The Israelites had suffered as slaves in Egypt for 430 years. They wanted nothing more than for someone to come save them and to set them free from their bondage. Eventually, God raised up one of their own—a man named Moses and his brother, Aaron, to lead His people out of Egypt.

It’s a long and harrowing process, but once Pharoah finally let the Israelites go, things seemed to be looking up until Pharoah changed his mind and with his armies, chased the Israelites soon after their exodus. For a moment they panicked because the Red Sea was infront of them and Pharoah and his army were behind them. They needed a miracle and God delivered them by splitting the Red Sea so that they could walk through it on dry ground. As soon as they were safe on the other side, God closed the Red Sea over their enemies, and they never had to see those Egyptians again!

But then, they entered the Wilderness of Sin. They spent days in the desert that turned into months and years before they could enter the Promised Land. A trip from Egypt to the Promised Land should only have taken 11 days but there was a delay because the Israelites complained and disobeyed God. As a result, they had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years. During this journey, they were not content with God’s daily provision of manna from Heaven (Exodus 16). They didn’t have any meat available to them like they had as slaves in Egypt. They said that they would’ve rather “died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 16:3).

Had not God had proven Himself faithful when he brought the ten plagues upon the Egyptians and kept the Israelites from harm? What about when He had parted the Red Sea?

The Israelites had forgotten the faithfulness of God and their past season looked enticing. On multiple occasions, they were even willing to return to Egypt and be slaves again because the fear of the future was too frightening!

In the same way, sometimes, God calls us to walk away from a season because it was harmful for us. Or maybe, it was a great season, but it’s simply time to move on. How many times have we been like the Israelites, afraid to face change? Have you ever wanted to go back to a past season just because change looks too scary? I know I have.

God doesn’t desire that we live in captivity. I also believe that He doesn’t mean for us to stay in the same season forever. But what do we do when seasons change? It can be frightening, and we can be tempted to hold onto the past, whether it was good or bad. But I truly believe that He wants us to let go and step into the new season. Remember His words in Psalm 81:10, “I am the LORD your God,” He tells the Israelites. “who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

God was faithful to bring the Israelites out of captivity. He didn’t want them to go back. We, like the Israelites, need a frequent reminder of that story. We need to remember that God brought us up out of the last season, out of high school, out of a longtime job, out of a relationship, and we’re not meant to go back.

This is where the next part of the verse comes in. After we’ve come out of a previous season, I think we just stand there, too afraid to move forward, and long for the past because it seems “safe”.

But we’re so busy staring at the past that we miss the present and the fact that God wants to move in our lives now. I believe God wants us to be expectant. We should trust that He will provide for us now as He did back then. There is beauty in every season. Imagine how many good things await us if we opened our hearts and allowed Him to move freely in our life.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, please forgive me for being stuck in the past when you’re calling me forward. Please help me to be brave and courageous and take the next step forward, whatever that looks like. I trust that You have my best interests at heart. You will not lead me somewhere that You will not be. Thank you for that! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trusted” by Jillian Edwards. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

~*~
Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlynnauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Life Lessons Learned from Escape Rooms

Life Lessons Learned from Escape Rooms 
A devotional by Chaplain Anderson

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 

–1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

Some of my friends went out for a night of fun. They went to an escape room.

The fun of this experience for them was finding clues, cracking codes, solving complex problems and completing puzzles. The challenge to escape was intensified by a time clock that set the rules: Escape in 60 minutes or less and you won.

There have been times in my life when I have felt boxed in by challenges or temptations. Some of them seemed to last forever and my endurance failed. Some abated in due season. Early in my adult life, I heard a preacher say, “God has the key to every seemingly interminable temptation or unrelenting circumstance. Stop looking at the problem and look for the way of escape.”

He was referring to 1 Corinthians 10:13. The New Living Translation of this Bible verse says: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

When you are burdened, tempted, or facing some of the inevitable trials of life, strengthen yourself with three thoughts:

Thought #1: Whatever you are experiencing may be new to you, but someone has experienced this and overcome it. In fact, Jesus, our High Priest, was tempted in every area of life—like we are, have been or will be—and He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). You can get through this like those overcomers who blazed the trail for you.

Thought #2: God is faithful! He will not abandon you in your times of deepest allurement. When the waves of oppression or opposition threaten to overwhelm you, call out to Emmanuel and remember God is with us!

Remember the Bible story found in Daniel 3:1-30 where three disciples of Jesus Christ had their faith in God and allegiance to Him tested. They refused to bow down to the gold statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, even under the threat of being thrown into a furnace! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego believed that God would be with them, even under fiery duress and God showed up for them, right in the middle of the flames so they were not set ablaze. These three friends lived to tell the story of how their God saved their life! They rightly perceived that they would not be able to escape via the same portal through which they were thrown into the flames. But they chose to only bow down to God, not man. And God rewarded their faith-filled loyalty!

However, though unsinged and smokefree, they were not the same men who went into the flame. Likewise, when you are delivered from your prevailing circumstances, you too will be different. Surviving the fires of life transform us. Faith experiences refine our characters. You will be different because you survived in the midst of the flames. You will be more confident about yourself and your God who secured and delivered you.

Thought #3: The third thought is that you, by faith, can find the exit to any situation. You may have gone to the wrong place and stayed too long, but, God has prepared—even before your arrival—a way of escape. But they key is that you must access it. Looking at the door is not sufficient. Move to the portal and step into your deliverance by faith!

When the places of comfort and validation become threatening, we must act in faith rather than fear. Those who are weak-willed will give in and never find the divine portal of transformation. When God delivers the ones who leave, He leaves them different, triumphant and exalted.

So, take this text with you today: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

This is the key to your escape room from temptation, opposition and oppression.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, may the readers of this message find encouragement and fortitude for the day and for their future. If and when they feel locked into strife, enticement or conflict, please help them to shift focus from the trial to the way of escape that you have promised and provided. Deliver them from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: "Another In The Fire" by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Paul Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: How to survive when the waters swell and rage

Surviving the Flood
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.” –Isaiah 43:2a (NIV)

My family lives in a small, 18th century, converted barn.

The front door is in a lean-to style addition tacked onto the original structure. It’s a funky space: narrow and long with a high, slanted ceiling and one wall made of rough-cut barn boards. It’s our mud room/home office/schoolroom and on the wall above the coat hooks hangs the white board that since the pandemic, we’ve been using to organize our life. It has the monthly calendar, important dates, various doodles, and a Bible verse that we change as the mood hits.

This week I changed it to Isaiah 43:2a. I love this verse. It reminds me that when I’m in it up to my ears, I am not alone.

Like a lot of families, we’re in various stages of back-to-school chaos. Our eldest is remotely attending college from his bedroom, our youngest is being homeschooled, and our middle child is about to start remote learning 11th grade and is not happy about it. In a long and heart-wrenching discussion of how to get through it, I said something I used to hate hearing as a kid “Have you prayed about it?”

I didn’t like hearing that advice because I didn’t think it worked. I wanted to pray and have an immediate, tangible result, like making a wish and having it granted. The middle kid’s reaction to the question was the same as mine would have been at their age, eyes rolled to the ceiling.

Being a few decades further down the path of faith, I was able to articulate what the point was of praying. Since C.S. Lewis said it better than I probably did at the time, I’ll quote him. He said, “I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” My kid heard this and said, “I never thought of it that way.” An answer that made my whole year.

In the middle of a trial I pray, I cry out to God and the answer isn’t an immediate change in my circumstances, it’s a change in me. Sometimes that change is the peace that passes all understanding. Sometimes the change is renewed strength. Sometimes it’s an overflow of tears held for too long and the exhausted relief that follows. Make no mistake, God is hearing me and He is at work, but I’ve learned to pin my hopes on His providence and not my desired outcome. Not my will, but His. There’s freedom in that. There’s peace to be found there too.

When the waters come, and they have, we are not alone. God is with us.

Standing knee-deep in the river it can feel like you’ve been abandoned. When one bad thing after another happens, it can feel like God has forgotten you. Do you feel like that right now? Like it’s all been too much? That you can’t take one…more…thing going wrong?

Have you prayed about it? Have you emptied your heart out to Jesus, admitted defeat, and asked for Him to take all the weight you’ve been carrying alone? He’s in it with you. The waters are swirling around His knees too, but He’s in control and He has his hand out for you.

The waters may swell and rage but they’re not going to pull you under if your faith is in Him.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction. 

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Interview with Emma Mae Jenkins (Part 1 of 2) about her book "Be Loved"

     

Dear Reader Friends,

Today and tomorrow, I have a special treat just for you! 

It is a two-part interview with Emma Mae Jenkins about her captivating nonfiction book, Be Loved. This is a pre-made interview created by the author's publisher. 

Please note that none of these words below are original words written by me 

(Alexis A. Goring, founder of "God is Love" blog).

Enjoy your time with Emma Mae today!

~*~
Faith, Freedom and the Love of God: 
An interview with Emma Mae Jenkins, author of Be Loved

(Part 1 of 2)

…

A Message from the publisher (New Growth Press):

Being a teen is hard. Pressures to fit in, conform, and be the best push in from every direction, even from within. Yet, each and every person was uniquely created by a God who loves them. 

Emma Mae Jenkins, a young writer and social media influencer, wants to reach teens with exactly that message. She has inspired thousands of girls online with the freedom she has to be herself—a dearly loved child of God. In her first book, Be Loved, she invites readers to join her on a journey of life-changing faith and the freedom that comes from knowing the love of God.

She chronicles her own high school journey through starting a new school, navigating the typical pressures of school work and sports, going to prom, and even homecoming. Emma Mae faced each new challenge with the confidence that God was with her and was going to make her uniquely useful in the place he had prepared for her.

For Emma Mae, it all starts with her relationship with Jesus. Because she knows she is loved by him, she is free to be herself and to live out her faith no matter what the cost. As a young, passionate, and intimate lover of Jesus, Emma Mae's love for her Savior overflows unashamedly into her unconditional, fierce love for people.

In our interview with Emma Mae, we talk about her about her faith, the challenges she has faced, and the message she wants all teens to hear. 

~*~

The Interview:

New Growth Press: Be Loved chronicles your high school years. Junior high and high school are difficult years for everyone, but what are some of the challenges that made it particularly hard for you?

Emma Mae Jenkins: Walking through junior high and high school most definitely do have their difficulties as everyone is discovering who they are and making choices that truly do have a great impact on the future. For me, sometimes it was hard to have people respond to the joy that lives within me, the smile that I couldn’t help but share, and the voice that God has given me with confusion or laughter. 

This may seem small, but I really began to learn how to be who God had called me to be, even when the response was not the most inviting. It is really cool how we never actually know the beauty that God is growing within someone, so to plant the seed of a smile or to water someone’s soul with encouragement is to be obedient to the Father. The response of the person may not show what I would love to see, but I trust that God is doing in their heart what only He can do.

Moving during high school was also pretty tough. I was afraid of not making close friendships worried about what people were going to think of me. But God led me. His grace sustained me, and He gently reminded me that His love casts out all fear. 

Love is not self-seeking, so when I was worried about making friends and worried I was going to be thought of well, I was not operating out of love, but out of fear. I cannot love people that I fear. When His love is what I chose to abide in, I could not help but focus on how I could serve others.

NGP: You write that you tried to be gracious, kind and loving to others, but you didn’t treat yourself the same way. Why are we so hard on ourselves?

EMJ: We tend to be hard on ourselves when we misunderstand grace and misinterpret the voice of the Lord. For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and this is not by our own works (so that we cannot boast), but it is a gift from God. Grace is unmerited favor. It is a gift given to me that I do not deserve, so of course we are going to be hard on ourselves if we are living to earn something that cannot be earned.

My life is not a race to earn the love, attention and affirmation from God, but my life is a response of gratitude and obedience because Jesus died for me. This is why I work wholeheartedly. This is why I smile. This is why I don’t quit. This is why I write books and make videos, sing songs and post captions on social media. This is why, it is not to earn, but it is a response to His gift.

The voice of the Lord is a voice of peace and clarity and truth and order. He speaks to us in a way that does not bring us to shame but compels us to walk in the light as He is the light. 

When I am walking with a mentality of accusation, confusion, condemnation, chaos and defeat, I know that I am listening to the voice of the enemy, not of my God. Growing familiar with His voice requires time spent with Him. I am hard on myself in a way that brings me to shame when I am not listening and believing the voice of the Lord.

NGP: What’s so wrong about striving for perfection?

EMJ: To have the mentality of striving for perfection is to depend on ourselves to be enough for God to use us, love us, want us, etc. This completely disregards the beauty and power of why Jesus came. We cannot ever be good enough to get to God, that is why He came to us.

This does not mean that I stop working hard and doing my best. God says to live a life in a manner than is worthy of the gospel. He says to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as He gives us the power and the desire to do what is good and what is pleasing to Him. He says that whatever we do, we need to do it wholeheartedly because we are doing it for Him. He says to not grow weary of doing good. 

I am not saying that because I live in the works of Christ, I no longer have to be a hard worker. Not at all. But what I am saying is that I now work hard to glorify the Father, to bless His people, to show gratitude for His love for me. I no longer have to work hard to prove my worth because my worth is in Christ.

Many of us also strive for perfection in order to receive the approval of people. However, if you look at the life of Jesus, He truly was perfect, but there were still those who loved Him and others who hated Him. We are not here for the approval of people, but for God’s. It is only in Him that our worth and identity is solid and whole.

NGP: What are the first steps towards young people developing their own faith rather than the faith of their parents?

EMJ: I remember my dad simply telling me it was important that I personally know Jesus. So, the first step is to ask themselves if they know Him. Have you personally confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He from the grave? Do you seek Him first and spend time with Him apart from simply going to church with your family on Sunday? Do you pray apart from mealtimes at the table? These are questions that I would encourage anyone to ask themselves because a relationship with Jesus is something that no one, not even my parents, can have for me.

No one’s faith can be lived through the life of another. People will walk alongside me, encourage me, challenge me, and sharpen me in my faith, but they cannot be the source of it. My dad told me that he will not be standing with me, holding my hand when Jesus comes back, it would be only me and Jesus.

... to be continued with Part 2 of 2 on Sunday, June 14. 

~*~
Author Bio:

Emma Mae Jenkins describes herself as a lover of Jesus and people. 

She is a social media influencer, writer, speaker, and YouTuber with the sole purpose of leading others into a relationship with Jesus, sharing this chain-breaking freedom, and being a vessel of God’s Word. She is excited to share with girls and young women about how much God loves them and has called each to a unique purpose for his glory.

Jenkins began chronicling her journey through high school on social media and in doing so has inspired thousands of young people to live their faith freely and with courage. She is currently a sophomore at Liberty University where she is majoring in Women’s Christian Leadership.

The founder of Son Seeker Ministries, Jenkins’s vision is to lead her generation into having a genuine relationship with Jesus. Her new release, Be Loved, is her first book.

During school breaks, Jenkins makes her way back home to northwest Arkansas where her parents and brother live.

Learn more at emmamaejenkins.com and follow her via social media.

~*~

Blurb for Emma Mae's book, Be Loved:

Emma Mae Jenkins, a young Christian writer, has inspired many with the freedom she has to be herself a dearly loved child of God. In her first book, Be Loved, she invites readers to join her on a journey of life-changing faith and the freedom that comes from knowing the love of God.

She chronicles her own high school journey through starting a new school, navigating the typical pressures of school work and sports, going to prom, and even homecoming. Emma Mae faced each new challenge with the confidence that God was with her and was going to make her uniquely useful in the place he had prepared for her.

For Emma Mae, it all starts with her relationship with Jesus Christ. Because she knows she is loved by him, she is free to be herself and to live out her faith no matter what the cost. As a young, passionate, and intimate lover of Jesus, Emma Mae's love for her holy Savior overflows unashamedly into her unconditional, fierce love for people.

Readers will experience the chain-breaking liberty of knowing the Lord's presence and the freedom to be unique. This full-color, hardback book includes pictures from Emma Mae's life, along with key Bible verses that God used to strengthen and guide her through the ups and downs of her high school years as a young Christian. Readers will learn to face the challenges of their student years with religion, courage, hope, and lifegiving love for others.

~*~

Buy Emma's book, Be Loved online via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook

~*~
Connect with Emma Mae:
Instagram (@1corinthians13_love) 

YouTube (Emma Mae Jenkins)
Facebook (@sonseeker.org) 

Twitter (@emmamaej99) 

Pinterest (emmamaejenkins)

~*~

Publisher info: New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and children’s Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry. For more information about Be Loved and other releases from New Growth Press, visit www.newgrowthpress.com.