Devotionals for the Heart: God can lead you through unfamiliar seasons

When God Leads You Through Unfamiliar Seasons
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”—Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

There are seasons in life when the path ahead feels unfamiliar.

We don't know where God is leading us, why He is allowing certain changes, or what waits on the other side. Yet Isaiah 42:16 reminds us that God specializes in leading His children down roads they have never traveled before. He promises to guide us through unfamiliar places, bring light into our darkest moments, and never forsake us. Those promises do not remove the transition, but they assure us that we never walk through it alone.

Transition is rarely easy. We hope life will move smoothly from one season to the next but often transitions feel more like roadblocks than bridges. They interrupt our plans, force us to slow down, and redirect us in ways we never expected. Instead of releasing what God is asking us to leave behind, we cling to what is familiar—not because it is still good for us, but because we fear what we might lose.

Yet God often asks us to empty our hands before He fills them with something greater. We cannot receive the new things He has in store for us while refusing to release the old. God declares in Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV), “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Sometimes, receiving the “new thing” begins with letting go.

Transitions come in many forms. Some are joyful, while others arrive through heartbreak: a personal loss, financial hardship, an unexpected diagnosis, or caring for aging parents. Change is inevitable. The question is not whether transitions will come, but how we will respond when they do.

Scripture is filled with people whose greatest seasons of growth began with unexpected transitions, and the Bible story about a man named Job is one of the clearest examples. In what seemed like a moment, he lost his wealth, his children, and his health. Yet even in his suffering, God had not abandoned him. Job could not see what God was accomplishing, but God never stopped working on his behalf.

Although my circumstances have never matched Job's, I understand what it feels like when hardships arrive all at once. As I have grown older, I have found myself navigating unfamiliar territory—shifting responsibilities, aging parents, and questions I never expected to ask. Those seasons have reminded me that while we experience transition externally, God’s greatest work is taking place internally.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Before God changes what is around us, He often changes what is within us. His primary concern is not simply altering our circumstances but shaping our hearts to reflect the character of His Son (Jesus Christ).

Some transitions leave us feeling as though God has gone silent. We continue to pray, yet heaven seems quiet. We wonder if He has forgotten us because we cannot hear His voice as clearly as we once did. But silence is not abandonment. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Here’s what I have learned: Even when we cannot see the next step, God is faithfully directing our path. I have also learned that faithfulness often looks ordinary like my daily routine. I wake up. I pray. I read my Bible. I go to work. I worship God. I trust Jesus. Then I do it again the next day. Sometimes God does not give new instructions because He wants us to remain faithful to the last ones He gave. Ordinary obedience prepares us for extraordinary purpose.

Every transition is an invitation to deepen our dependence on God. If we trust Him enough to release what was, remain faithful in what is, and follow Him into what will be, we will discover that every unfamiliar season has been preparing us for greater intimacy with Him and greater usefulness in His Kingdom.

One day, you'll look back and realize that the roads you never would have chosen became the very paths God used to make you more like Christ.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for leading me through every season of life. When the path feels uncertain, help me to trust Your guidance, release what You are asking me to leave behind, and remain faithful where You have placed me. Strengthen my heart, renew my mind, and remind me that You will never leave or forsake me. Teach me to abide in You and follow wherever You lead.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Songs of Reflection #1: “Take Courage” by Kristene DiMarco | Starlight. Listen to it here. 

Songs of Reflection #2: “He’s Been Faithful” by Vicki Yohe. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #3: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #4: “Thank You Lord (For Being There For Me)” by Fred Hammond. Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #5: “Seasons Change” by Crystal Lewis. 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/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls us out of our comfort zone

The Comfort Zone
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” —Mark 10:49 (ESV)

There is much talk these days about the comfort zone.

It is considered to be a space you create. A place where you feel safe and secure in the midst of this big, bad world. Maybe you travel the same way to work every day because it’s familiar. Maybe you shop at the same grocery store because you know the contents of every aisle. But let’s look a little deeper.

Is it possible God might be calling you to a life outside of the secure walls you have built for yourself?

Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sell all your belongings and head for the South American jungle to spread the gospel. Although God plants that desire into the hearts of some, He has also equipped them to thrive in the environment of the jungle. However, I’ll bet the thought of selling your home and going to some remote village in the middle of nowhere was the first thing that crossed your mind.

Sometimes God calls you to get up and step out of your comfort zone. He urges you to venture into the uncomfortable zone that leads you to freedom. Perhaps you need to move. Your current house payments feel like a chain around your neck and put unnecessary strain on your finances. Moving could create financial freedom. Maybe your job situation is stealing you away from your family and chipping away pieces of your soul. Are you willing to place the sign in the yard or give your boss a two-week notice? Be aware, both these steps require the courage to take action and a huge dose of faith.

The world doesn’t make this easy. It’s human nature to place our security in the arms of what’s familiar. However, making a lateral move into something you already know only mimics security.

As followers of Jesus Christ, our security is found in Him alone. God’s Word is filled with ordinary people just like us, people who stepped outside of their comfort zone and accomplished extraordinary things through Christ. Let’s take a peek into a slice of time in the life of one of God’s people.

In Exodus 3:1-4, we find Moses as he is tending to the flock. Suddenly his attention is captured by a bush that’s on fire. But oddly, even though the fire rages, the bush is not consumed! So, Moses walks over to get a closer look and then it happens. Moses literally hears God call his name out loud, “Moses! Here I am.”

Did you notice what happened there? Moses left his familiar position with the flock and walked toward the flames. This is a seriously brave move. I think all Moses had in mind was to see why the bush wasn’t burning up. But he got way more than he bargained for by taking action. He took a few steps forward.

If you feel familiarity is holding you prisoner, maybe it’s time to walk toward the fire. God wants to set you free from the false sense of security the enemy places before you. Ask Jesus for the courage to take a few steps of faith and place yourself outside of your comfort zone. Step over the self-imposed boundary and lean in, be aware of God’s presence and seek the light that sets your soul on fire.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and remember that He has prepared a path just for you. He has equipped you with all you need. Every story has to start somewhere. Let your next adventure begin!

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Give me ears to hear what You are calling me to do. Show me a glimpse of your plans. Equip me with the courage to step forward and move out of the boundaries of my comfort zone. Fill me with faith to step over what’s holding me back and guide my path in alignment with your plans.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “He’s Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Glorious Unfolding” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Outside These Walls” by Helen Baylor. 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.

~*~
Connect with Colleen:
Website: authorcolleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When God places you where you belong

When God Places You Where You Belong
A devotional by Terry Overton

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”—Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Have you ever taken an action and then wondered if it was the right thing to do?

You prayed about it, talked it over with loved ones, and trusted God. Later, you found yourself quietly wondering, Did I get this wrong?

This happened to me.

Not long ago, my husband and I moved from the warm, sunny coast to a place more than five-hundred miles inland. Once we decided to make the move, after several weeks of prayer and discussion, we listed our house and found one that seemed to meet our needs and check all the boxes. It was closer to family and on the outskirts of a city full of resources for health, plenty of shopping, restaurants, and services.

But after many cold winters, snowy, and icy days, we began to talk about how much we missed the warmer weather of the coast. With that in mind, I planned a two-week long vacation in the middle of the winter. We could visit our long-time friends, play golf, go on walks, eat in our favorite beachside cafes, and go to the beach. Wondering if moving north had been the right thing to do in this season of life, we discussed the possibility of looking at some of the currently listed homes in our old neighborhood on the coast. The two-week rental seemed perfect, and they allowed us to bring our sweet dog.

What happened next was a clear message from God that He had indeed planned for us to move north and, He put an exclamation on our move during our trip back to the coast. The two-week vacation was shortened to a mere five days. Why? We both wanted to be back in our “own home”. As the verse above states, we should not be conformed to this world or our desires. For me, it meant God was saying, “Do not think you know the path? When guided by Me, do not look back. Only through testing, will you discern My will.”

Just a few days into our dream vacation, my mind was transformed and my appreciation for the wonderful home up north was renewed. When we moved north, it was because He knew there was something better for us in the new location. The short trip underscored His plan for me and helped me to understand to surrender to His plan, I must give up my longing for control. By planning an extended vacation to the coast, I had intended to control outcomes. But God asks us to surrender all outcomes to Him. I was reminded that He plans my steps. He directs my route.

Sometimes God lets us revisit what we thought we missed, not to take us backward, but to show us how much we’ve changed. What once felt like home may not fit who God is shaping us to be now. What once made us long for the past may now feel strangely empty. It’s not because it was wrong, but because it belonged to a different time.

When we returned to our current home, I felt blessed beyond belief. It was God’s plan for us to move here. This was home. I no longer had doubts about His plan. I feel His purposeful presence here. The only way I can discern His plans and transform my own understanding is to be faithful, let go of control, and place everything in His hands.

My visit to the coast confirmed that God had already placed us exactly where we belonged. What once seemed uncertain became a powerful reminder that God sometimes allows us to revisit old places to show us how He has transformed our hearts and redirected our lives.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for providing tests of faith that provide true understanding of Your will. Forgive me for wanting to control the outcomes You have already set in motion for me. Help me to stay close to You and strive to know Your path for me.

In Jesus’s name I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “He is with Us” by Love & The Outcome. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Need Thee Every Hour” (Hymn). Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

~*~
Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont

Devotionals for the Heart: Dance through life following God's lead

The Dance
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.”—Psalm 149:3 (ESV)

There’s a bronze sculpture in my family room of a man and woman dancing together. This is a treasured gift from the past. It catches my eye each time I walk into the room and causes me to remember the night when that sculpture found its way into my heart and home.

One December evening after work, I arrived home late. When I walked through the door, I caught a whiff of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen. A fire flickered in the fireplace, music filled the room, and my husband greeted me with a hug. Walking toward the kitchen, I saw an elegant bronze sculpture of a man and woman dancing together. A decorative envelope with my name on it was propped against the sculpture. Anticipation began to build inside me as I took the envelope, carefully opened it, and then discovered a gift I had always longed for: a certificate for ballroom dancing lessons.

Three months of lessons with the man I adore by my side. It just doesn’t get any better. This gift was more than just dance lessons from his heart to mine. He did this just for me, and it made my heart sing. A gift that shouted, “I love you” all the way down to my soul. Thereafter, I learned a lot of life lessons through ballroom dancing classes.

The most basic lesson in ballroom dancing is someone must lead and someone must follow. Yes, we were aware of that going in, but I don’t think I gave it any serious thought. However, I suspect that my darling husband knew all along—we were not going to rock the ballroom dancing world. Our challenge? We march to different drummers. And believe me, this is a problem on the dance floor! So much for smooth beginnings. This was the first of many dance lessons that season. We never got the hang of it, but that didn’t stop us. We fumbled, stumbled, twisted, and turned our way through each lesson. It was a joyous time, and there was much laughter.

This sculpture represents love and reminds me that dancing with someone is a give-and-take of the heart. My husband and I have been doing the marriage dance for quite a while now, and it’s not a problem-free endeavor. Sometimes he leads, sometimes I lead, and sometimes we step on each other’s toes. The dance isn’t perfect, but the music keeps playing.

The lessons learned from ballroom dancing remind me of my walk with Jesus Christ. I’m often distracted by the chaos of life and stumble off the path God has prepared for me. In His perfect timing, He gently reminds me to be still, know He is in control, and wait for His lead. Other days, I’m in step with the Savior and feel His presence at every turn.

When you walk through life with faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into God's loving arms and the dance begins. He is the master choreographer, guiding you gracefully through every leap and every turn. God will hold you tight and let you soar. He loves you, delights in you, and pursues you relentlessly. Accept His invitation to dance and your life will never be the same.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

We rejoice as we praise you through prayer, music, and worship. Help us to remember you are in control. Just as life keeps moving forward, you’re faithful in guiding our steps, and will catch us when we fall. Praise be to God, the Father of all love and comfort. Please continue to lead us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Let it Be a Hallelujah” Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Lead Me Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with Elizabeth Goodine. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Artist of My Soul” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God 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 Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

~*~
Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to follow God's lead and trust Him

Following God’s Lead and Trusting His Timing
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.”—Numbers 9:18 (ESV)

The Israelites had an extraordinary guide in their wilderness journey: the visible presence of God in a cloud by day and fire by night.

Whenever the cloud lifted, they moved. Whenever it settled, they stayed. There was no set schedule or predictable pattern. Sometimes, they camped for a night; other times, they stayed for months. Their movement was entirely dictated by God’s command.

How often have you wished for tangible, divine leadership in your decision making? I often wrestle with the difference between calls and opportunities. I see calls as direct summons from God to do something specific or to go somewhere definitive. Opportunities are good ideas and possibilities for success.

This passage speaks profoundly to our own walk with God. Like the Israelites, we often desire a predictable roadmap, a five-year plan, or at least a clear next step. But God calls us to trust Him with our timing. The challenge is not just in moving when He says “go” but also in waiting when He says “stay.”

The Israelites did not wander aimlessly and neither should we. Their movement was determined by the presence of God. Likewise, our direction should come from Him. The world offers countless methods for decision-making—logic, emotions, advice from others—but ultimately, it is God’s presence and His Word that should guide us. His Spirit speaks through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel.

The passage in Numbers illustrates an important truth: God’s timing is not always predictable or convenient. Often, we are eager for the next phase of life. A new job, a relationship, or a resolution to a challenge may beckon. But God, in His infinite wisdom, sometimes asks us to wait. Other times, He moves us suddenly, requiring us to step out in faith without having all the details. Trusting His timing is everything, especially when we are eager or reticent.

Faith is not just about waiting; it’s also about obedience when God calls us to step forward. When the cloud lifted, the Israelites didn’t hesitate or question whether they were ready—they simply obeyed.

Delayed obedience is often a form of disobedience. If God is calling us to something—whether to serve, to give, to forgive, or to step into an unfamiliar place—our response should be immediate trust. Just as the Israelites moved at God’s command, we are called to step forward in faith when He leads us. But what about when delays persist and we are required to wait?

Some seasons of life feel stagnant, as if we are stuck in one place, longing for movement. The Israelites had times when they camped for long periods. In those periods, God was shaping them, teaching them to depend on Him. Likewise, our waiting seasons are opportunities for growth, deeper intimacy with God, and preparation for what’s ahead. The task in waiting is to learn what God wants us to master while we wait.

There are four practical lessons we can draw from this devotional passage:

Lesson #1: As did the Israelites, we must be aware of God’s presence in our lives.

Lesson #2: We must learn to trust His timing.

Lesson #3: When He moves, we must also because delayed obedience is disobedience.

Lesson #4: The waiting room is not designed to frustrate us but to prepare us for God’s next movements in our lives.

God’s plan is always best, and His timing is always perfect. Whether He leads us into movement or stillness, let us follow Him wholeheartedly.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your perfect guidance. Help us to trust in your timing, whether You are calling us to move forward or to wait. Give us faith to obey immediately when You lead and patience when You ask us to be still. May we always be sensitive to Your presence and find peace in knowing that You are in control.

In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Trust and Obey” with lyrics written by John H. Sammis and sung by The Vagle Brothers. Listen to 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: When God calls us to step out on faith

Count the Cost of Waiting
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Have you ever felt a nudge in your spirit to act but decided to wait instead?

Sometimes, waiting can seem wise. We tell ourselves, “I'm being patient” or “I'm waiting on God.” But the truth is, God never told us to wait. While there are times when God calls us to wait, more often than not, He calls us to move forward in faith.

The Bible gives us clear examples of what happens when people either move ahead of God— like Abraham and Sarah—or hesitate when He calls them to action, like Moses. Abraham and Sarah grew tired of waiting for God's promise of a son, so they took matters into their own hands. The result was conflict, confusion, and long-term consequences. On the other hand, Moses hesitated when God called him to lead the Israelites, offering excuses instead of obedience. These examples remind us that the cost of moving ahead of God is high, but so is the cost of waiting when God has called us to act.

If God is calling you to start that ministry, launch that business, or write that book, it’s time to take a step of faith. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. There are consequences for waiting when God has not told you to wait.

First, when you refuse to take action, you risk missing the windows of opportunity God has prepared for you. God's timing is perfect, and often, His opportunities are time sensitive. God’s plan will always be fulfilled, but you could miss the chance to be a part of it. So, take action in faith, even when you don’t know every detail. You don’t have to have all the answers to say yes to God’s call. Pray for wisdom, but don’t let fear of the unknown cause you to procrastinate.

Next, fear often shows up as “waiting on God”. But in reality, it’s disobedience. When God calls you to step forward, fear will try to convince you that you’re not ready, you’re not equipped, or that you’ll fail. Because here’s the thing: The longer you wait, the stronger fear grows. You’ll find more “logical” reasons to not take action, and you’ll remain stuck. This is how comfort zones are created.

So, take one small step. God will provide what you need along the way, not before you begin. Every time you feel scared, remind yourself that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of feeling afraid. Finally, when God calls you to move and you choose to wait, you can also delay your blessing.

Delayed obedience can lead to missed blessings. So, step out in obedience, even if it’s uncomfortable. Ask yourself, “What simple step can I take today in obedience to God?” Take it one step at a time. If God has been calling you to start that business, take the first step by creating a plan. If He’s calling you to serve in ministry, get wise counsel and volunteer. Do something today that moves you closer to obedience. When God calls you to act, don’t wait.

If you’re unsure whether He is calling you to wait or act, pray and read His Word expecting to get an answer. But if you’ve already heard His voice and you’re still “waiting for confirmation” then it’s time to ask yourself if fear is disguising itself as patience. In that case, you’re not waiting on God, He’s waiting on you.

The cost of waiting is too high. Today, January 1 of a brand-new year, is the day to move forward in faith.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me not lean on my own understanding. I ask for your wisdom and guidance as I step out in faith to do all that you have called me to do. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Walk on the Water” by Britt Nicole. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

~*~
Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God tells us to go

When God Asks You to Go Where You Never Wanted to Go
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

Imagine if Ruth said no.

When God whispered to Ruth’s spirit, urging her to leave her homeland to follow Naomi to a foreign land where she may face rejection, I wonder if she trembled in fear. If Ruth had been focused on what she could see, she probably wouldn’t have followed her mother-in-law to a foreign land. As a young woman newly widowed, did she desire to one day remarry?

If so, why did she opt to travel to Israel where prospects would be slim? Oh, I’m sure there would be men of marriageable age, but were Israelite men willing to marry a Moabite woman? Not likely. If her goal was marriage, then it seemed she should’ve stayed in Moab and married one of her own people.

If the thought crossed her mind, she didn’t let it stay there. Instead, Ruth pledged loyalty to Naomi saying, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17 ESV). Had Ruth given into fear and what she could see in the short-term, she would’ve missed out on the immense blessings that came from her obedience, including marriage to Boaz, children, and opportunity to be part of Jesus Christ’s lineage.

Let’s also examine the real-life stories of three more Bible characters: Saul (also known as Paul), Esther and Abraham. What if Saul had refused to listen to Jesus Christ when He confronted him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31)? Saul never would have been changed for the better by God and made a new man to be on mission for Christ. What if Queen Esther who had hidden her Jewish heritage from the king, had allowed the possibility of death to hold her back from approaching the king’s throne, uninvited, to speak to him on behalf of her people (Esther 4 and Esther 5)? Finally, what would’ve happened if Abraham had chosen to stay in a familiar place when God called him to leave his home and everything he knew to go to a foreign land and start over (Genesis 12:1-4)?

God called each of these people to trust Him and to step out into the unknown. Ruth, Esther, Paul, and Abraham each had a choice: They could fix their gaze firmly on what they wanted (a spouse, a life of meaning, life itself, comfortability) and go the way they thought would take them where they wanted to end up or they could go God’s way, even when He asked them to go in what seemed to be the opposite direction.

Saying yes to God’s call meant saying no to what was easy in the interim. But the joy and blessings that follow surrender are worth more than anything any of those people from the Bible era—or any of us in this modern day—must give up.

There have been moments in my own life recently where it seems the Lord is stretching my faith. There are things on my heart, and whether these desires of my heart are from the Lord, I don’t know. But I do know that the Lord is consistently giving me the opportunity to grow and surrender. There are times when I long for something, and I feel in my heart the quiet whisper from the Lord. “Okay, I see what you want. Now trust Me.”

And just like that, He asks me to go what seems to be the opposite direction. Like Ruth. Like Abraham. Like Paul. Like Esther. And like every single one of us.

Now, let me clarify. This is not God telling me, “Oh, you want to be a writer? Don’t write. Go and do something completely different.” But it’s more about things that are beyond my control.

There are times when my heart is filled with faith, and I choose God’s way even though I can’t even fathom how or if the dots will ever be connected. It’s so important for us—albeit difficult, and I often fail miserably—to trust God and surrender to Him even if the answer is no. But the times when He finally connects the dots in a way that only He could’ve done, there’s no way I or anyone else could take credit for such things. It’s in those moments that I can only stand amazed and say, “Jesus got me here.”

But sometimes I choose fear and go my way because it doesn’t seem God will get me where I want to go. Then, when I finally reach my destination, I realize what I wanted is no longer within my reach. Circumstances changed, and had I gone the way God asked me to, I would’ve ended up where I wanted.

Dear friend, surrender is a beautiful thing. I praise God for His mercies and grace that are new every morning even when I fail. I want to encourage you today to follow God no matter what the cost. Even if He says no because He truly does know best.

I advise you to always go with God, even if He challenges your faith and asks you to go in what seems to be the opposite direction from the things you want.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, 

Forgive me for not trusting You with everything. Please help me to lay it all down and to choose Your way even if it doesn’t make sense with what I can see. I know Your ways are higher than my own. I choose to believe Your Word over my fears. Please help me. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I don’t deserve it. 

In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Trust You Again” by RH Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God Speaking” by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Surrender All” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: "I Will Go" by Steve Green. 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 follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

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:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: God can give you clear vision and guidance

God Will Make Our Paths Straight
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Trusting God is a constant theme in our lives. We never truly arrive at a perfect level of trust, and we’re constantly growing in our walk with the Lord.

The anchor text above (Proverbs 3:5-6) is one of my favorites for multiple reasons, but recently, I read the last portion of it with fresh eyes. Allow me to explain: We’re commanded to trust in the LORD with all our heart and to refrain from leaning on our own understanding. We’re told in all our ways to acknowledge Him, but do we ever notice the promise at the end? “He will make straight your paths.”

Do you know what this means? We don’t need to fear or try to take control of our “destiny” because if we’re following the Lord, He will make straight our paths. Even now there are times when fear creeps in and I want to take control because, in my sinful nature, I wonder if I can trust the Lord with my future. It sounds so terrible to admit this out loud. I know I can trust Him but sometimes that head knowledge doesn’t reach my heart, and I don’t live it out in my faith walk with Jesus Christ.

Do I truly believe it with all my heart? Do I believe that if I’m following the Lord, I’m not going to miss out on anything I’m supposed to have?

I’ve always been a dreamer with high aspirations. The world would laugh if they knew of the secret desires of my heart, but I know God puts dreams in our hearts for a reason. They might not turn out quite the way we expected, but in His way and in His perfect timing, God will meet the desires of our hearts.

A couple months ago, the Lord challenged me to follow Him wholeheartedly without allowing myself to become distracted by fears or how my circumstances appear. He reminded me I don’t need to try to be someone I’m not or force myself to seize opportunities that clearly aren’t for me because everything I’m supposed to have—from the experiences to the friends who are meant to be in my path—will be there if I’m following the Lord. I don’t need to force anything. If I’m following the Lord, He will make my path straight, and I will end up where I’m supposed to be.

Dear friend, I don’t know the specific desires of your heart. But God does. Trust Him. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, thank You for making my paths straight and for leading me through this life on Earth. Thank You that I can trust You with my life no matter what. Please help me to trust You where You lead. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. 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 follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

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:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God's plans are better than our plans

Staying On Shore
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” –Jonah 1:3 (KJV)

I used to think that the worst possible scenario for big life decisions was that God would never answer my questions and I would be left uncertain.

I was wrong. The worst possible scenario for big life decisions is that God says “no” to what you really want and “yes” to something that you say “absolutely not” to. So far, I feel like God says “yes” to everything I don’t want and “no” to everything I do want. Sounds like a typical parent, right?

A couple of weeks ago, I felt a passion to do and accomplish something like I had never felt before. This certain thing was a good and honorable thing that would consume many hours of my life and I was willing to jump in full-heartedly. However, it was only two days in when I started to hear God’s voice. His voice wasn’t audible to my ears, but I knew in my heart that He was telling me “no”.

I argued with God for more than a week. I listed all the good things that could come of my new venture. I thought about all the people I could help and reach for His glory. I would remind God that I was doing this for Him. But the more I negotiated and continued to make my own plans (similar to Jonah), the less peace I had. Isn’t it amazing that God takes away our peace when we are straying from His will?

I didn’t get on the ship. I would like to say that the reason I didn’t get on the ship was because I am spiritually mature than Jonah. However, I have to honestly say that my heart was weary of trying to hide from God. I had no peace and I knew I would be absolutely miserable if I went any further. So, I threw away my plans and stayed on the shore, watching my ship of grand ideas drift out to sea. I cried a few tears and turned around, drudging toward Nineveh and the things that I knew were God’s will for my life. Is this the path I would have chosen for my life? No, but there are great things that are about to happen in Nineveh—things that will reveal God’s glory more than I ever could with my own ambition.

Often, I wonder what would have happened if I had gotten on the ship and went ahead with my own plans. First, I would have been miserable without the peace of God. But I also wonder how long it would have been before the storm came and I was thrown overboard—my plans and dreams along with me.

God’s will for your life will be accomplished. Sometimes, we decide to try our own plans for a while, but we are only prolonging our journey to true peace and contentment. Don’t get on the ship of stubbornness and self-fulfillment. Stay on the shore and in the peace of God.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for guiding us through life and loving us too much to let us wander wherever we would like. Grant us the courage to stay on the shore and leave our own plans behind. We want to follow wholeheartedly after You—no matter the cost. Help us to die to self, pick up our cross, and follow You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Follow (Lyric Video)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois. She was born to Christian parents and has known Jesus Christ personally since the age of five.

Currently, Tessa is attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school system, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

Tessa enjoys being active in her local church. She serves as a co-teacher for the two-to-five year old class where there is never a dull moment.

It is Tessa’s passion to be a girl after God’s own heart and through her studying of God’s Word, Tessa longs to draw closer to her Savior. Through her writing, she longs to take others with her on this journey of faith.

Tessa loves all things Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size.

When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, she can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

~*~
Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God leads us

Going Where God Leads
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers?” —Numbers 11:12 (ESV)

This verse (Numbers 11:12) evokes the image of someone carrying someone else: A mother cuddling her nursing child. A husband embracing his wife. God carrying His people. An individual, someone they would provide for and protect no matter what the cost.

Yet as Moses led the people through the wilderness, He became increasingly aware that this was not a task he was able to manage. The people of Israel numbered in the millions, with their problems and quarrels, feuds and illnesses. In context, this is what he is asking of the Lord.

A few verses later, Moses declares, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” (Numbers 11:14-15).

Moses loved God’s people, and I think deep down he was happy to do it, but the weight of trying to carry these millions on his own was suffocating that passion. Perhaps he even felt as though God had set him up to fail. Is there something that you care deeply about, but the task seems overwhelming? Do you see a need that is so great that you don’t even know where to begin?

Some days, I feel that the more I learn, the less I understand. The more I see, the more I want to help, and the more I wonder where to begin. Perhaps it is fair to say that I have begun, but that it has led to more questions than answers!

This is when I throw everything down before the Lord and get on my knees. I cry out to Him because, like Moses, I too have people that I carry in my bosom. It is wrong to compare the significance of my calling with that of Moses. The fact is, we are simply to do our best with whatever God has given us. Like Moses, we also weren’t meant to do it alone.

Luke 10:2 (ESV) reminds us that “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

It is His harvest, and there is a dearth of laborers. As I am wrestling to determine the next steps, it is right to ask God for more helpers. A loving God would not set us up to fail. Moses himself declares, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29 ESV)

My prayer this year is that He would use my passion to stir up more people within His body, whether it be to join me in what I’m setting out to do, or to seek His heart and pour themselves into whatever He shows them. He has a purpose and plan for each of us.

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, Lord of the Harvest, we thank You today for how active You are in the world. You are at work in every place and every circumstance, more than able to meet every need. I ask You to send laborers into those places where more laborers are needed. If I have not yet been called to a specific ministry, I ask that You would place something into my heart that I could be a part of. I know that where You guide, you will provide. If you have already called me to something, I pray that I would continue to be faithful in it until You steer me in another direction. Thank You for your work in the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/

Devotionals for the Heart: Reasons why you should follow God's plan

Following God’s Plan
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Mealtimes can be very frustrating in my household.

On this particular day, my youngest son who is five years old, sat down at the table with the expectation of earning the right to dessert as soon as he finished his dinner.

Typically, he enjoys food and appreciates different flavors and textures. He is adventurous and is eager to try new foods. In anticipation of getting the freshly baked cookies that were resting on the counter, he started off eating all of his vegetables and then he began to work his way to the beans on his plate. He really likes beans, but on this particular day, his love for dessert superseded his love for his food. He pushed his plate aside and announced that he was done with his food and he was ready for dessert.

Both my husband and I exchanged strange glances and my oldest son also looked confused since he too knew the rules. We all explained to my youngest son that in order for him to get the dessert that he desired so much, he must first finish his dinner, which meant eating the remainder of the beans that were now getting cold on the side of his plate.

Well, he adamantly refused and he got up from the table to point to the cookies that were enticing him from the kitchen counter. I reiterated that the cookies could be his if he sat back down at the table and finished his meal.

My youngest son did not like that idea at all. He began to cry and then buried his head in the couch in the living room. I could not understand this reaction, especially since he knew the rules and followed them on every occasion up until this point. He picked up his head just in time to see his older brother enjoying the sought-after cookies on the counter because his older brother finished his dinner.

About another 20 minutes went by. While the rest of the family continued on with the evening, I watched my youngest son from the corner of my eye. He wiped away his tears, slipped back into his seat, and began to spoon the cold beans into his mouth without hesitation. Within a few moments, he finished his dinner, and he brought his plate over to me with a smile of accomplishment.

I was a little shocked because he finished his food without any further convincing and he finished all of it, even though the beans were cold and had been sitting for almost 30 minutes. I smiled back at him and invited him to have the long-awaited-for cookie. He gladly accepted the offer and finally sank his teeth into his dessert.

Sometimes in life, your desire for what God has in store for you has to be greater than your displeasure of the struggle it will take  to get there. God is waiting to bless us with something that is beyond what we could ever imagine, but we are so resistant because we do not want to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced in any way. We must let go of our fears, worries, anxieties, and doubts and allow God to move in our lives. He has a plan for each of us, if only we would not delay and follow His lead.

Let’s Pray: Loving Father (God), You care so much about us that You would do anything just to save us, including sending Your Son (Jesus Christ) to die for us. Thank you for leading us through this journey called life and setting us up to receive Your blessings along the way. May we be patient as You work out Your plans for our lives. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn (New York) and raised in New Jersey. 

She started writing at an early age and realized in elementary school that it was both a strength and a passion. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood.

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God, and she is currently working on another devotional book that will be introduced in 2023.

This is Angela's third year as a devotional writer for Alexis A. Goring’s “God is Love” blog. In 2021, Angela was a winner of a devotional writing contest where the entry is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book is titled, Hope When Your Heart is Heavy. The following year, another one of Angela’s devotionals was published in another publication from Proverbs 31 Ministries, called Living Unbroken.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing and speaking.

Angela is a Mom Life Coach. She empowers mothers who want to identify their God-given purpose and live it fully while taking care of their family. Angela develops mothers into mompreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to be successful and fulfilled in life. These tools equip them to see their value, understand their importance, and reclaim their identity.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 18 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 10) and Ryan (age 5). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling.

She treasures spending quality time with her family.

~*~
Connect with Angela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/
Facebook (personal): https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook (Author page): https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Angela offers free consultations for mothers who want to pursue their dream while taking care of their family. Schedule here: www.ChatWithCoachAngela.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Ways Are Not Our Ways

His Ways Are Not Our Ways
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”—Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

How hard it must have been for Moses to lead the children of Israel for 40 years, and then not be allowed to lead them into the Promised Land.

God raised up Joshua to give Moses a break before his time was over on this earth. At least that’s one way to look at it, and that scenario brings me comfort knowing what an unbelievably humble and patient but never-endingly strong leader the baby in the bullrushes became.

Moses was born to enslaved Israelite parents under Pharaoh’s rule. Pharaoh worried about a revolt with the growing Israelite to the extent that he ordered the extermination of all male babies to weaken the inhabitants in them. The mother of Moses was determined to save her baby. So, she sent her daughter to set him free on the Nile River, out of the clutches of Pharoah’s command. But the King of Egypt never guessed his daughter would find Moses in a basket on the river bank and claim the future prophet as her own.

Read more about this remarkable true story in Exodus 2:1-10.

Two major life lessons can be gleaned from this Bible story:

Life Lesson #1: God keeps His promises.

Always wait on the Lord even when the outcome may not happen as quickly as we would like. Once the Israelites arrived at Jericho, they were not given permission to storm the city. They had to wait seven days while marching and camping, waiting on the Lord. A deepening of faith comes when we wait on the Lord, our trust in Him increases, and when we wait in faith, listening and following each step of guidance, God will undoubtedly renew and transform us. A large amount of time passed from when God originally promised the land to the Israelites, and when they entered and claimed it as their own.

Life Lesson #2: Obedience to the Lord brings great blessings.

God gave Joshua very specific directions to defeat Jericho and claim the city. When we read this Bible story, it almost sounds like a fairy tale because of its simplicity. But the Lord usually keeps things pretty simple for us like asking the Israelites to merely look at the snake Moses raised up on his staff to be healed and to be saved (Numbers 21:8). It’s we who complicate what He commands.

Ultimately, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s instructions, and the fallen walls became a crucial confirmation that God was fulfilling His promise to them as they took ownership of the Promised Land. The strategy the Lord provided Joshua to overthrow the fortified city of Jericho certainly defied all basic military logic. Read about it in Joshua 5 and Joshua 6. However, this story shows us that if we rely on God and His ways, He will always bring the best results in every aspect of our lives if we trust Him.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, bless us to have faith that our own walls can be overcome when we are obedient to your guidance, even if it doesn’t make sense at the time, because we know you see everything from the beginning to the end. Help us to trust and obey You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Wendy’s devotional message today reminds me of a song from The Prince of Egypt (movie) soundtrack! Listen to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey sing “When You Believe” here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between.

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths because she’s found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—the children of God, and the descendants of incredible people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. Wendy believes in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become a better generation.

As an award-winning family history writer, Wendy’s debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released April 3, 2020. This book is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about a young, gifted artist suffering from debilitating grief, who finds healing and inspiration in her Irish ancestry, and goes on to paint a masterpiece.

The sequel, Celtic Winter: Eliza’s Story, released November 5, 2021. The storyline goes back in time to the little sister left behind in Ireland to keep her family alive, woven with present-day Beth’s continuing story as she races the clock with the young man she loves to find the only person who could save his mother’s life.

When Wendy is not researching or writing, she hikes, paints, loves being a church youth leader, binges on epic Bollywood movies, and hangs out with her greatest loves—her family.

~*~
Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/
Blog: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner

Devotionals for the Heart: What happens when you seek God first

Seek God First
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.” –Matthew 6:33 (TPT)

I have always admired stories of faith-based heroes who have stepped out in faith in incredible ways.

Over the years, these heroes have inspired me to offer several specific prayers to God. These are prayers that I have prayed over and over for years and will continue to pray until Jesus Christ calls me home. One of those prayer mantras is that I would have faith like Abraham. I admire the fact that when God called Abraham to step out on faith, he packed up his things and went before he knew where he was going! Open a Bible and read that true story in Genesis 12. I have prayed this prayer almost daily since becoming a Christian. Earlier this year, God gave me an opportunity to exercise that kind of faith.

As a single woman I have always struggled with fully relinquishing control of my finances and work over to God. I have been prone to overworking and obsessing over my finances to ensure I am able to pay my bills, remain as debt free as possible, and have enough cushion to travel or go to dinner with friends here and there. In early 2020, when I received a surprise sizeable raise, to the exact amount I had casually stated would allow me more breathing room in my finances, I knew God’s hand had been at work. I was able to let go of some part-time jobs I had been holding onto and I had more time for serving with a local anti-trafficking organization and writing—two things I was incredibly passionate about and felt called to by God.

Imagine my surprise when, just one year later, God asked me to lay the Isaac of my raise, as well as my comfortable, secure lifestyle, on the altar. Allow me to explain. Fourteen years prior, I had felt God call me to work, not simply serve, for an anti-trafficking organization. At the time He spoke that into my spirit, I had no idea what that would look like or when it would happen. But I was confident that when it was time, He would make it clear to me so I wouldn’t miss it. That time came earlier this year when the anti-trafficking organization I was serving for free, offered me a position on staff. It was one of those moments in your spiritual walk where everything feels in sync and aligned. It was a time when I knew that I was in step with God in that moment and I believed in what He has spoken. There was no hesitation in my obedient answer of “yes” to His call.

However, as the details of what this would look like unfolded, I realized I was stepping right into the middle of my specific prayers! Allow me to explain that too. While I had been working full-time for an organization for more than eight years, with full benefits and retirement package, this new venture would only be offering me 16 hours a week, with no benefits nor retirement. Not only would I be earning less than half of what I needed for my monthly expenses, now I would have to figure out health benefits and retirement as well.

As my mind began to process the basic mathematics of this scenario, God immediately spoke to my spirit and reminded me of Matthew 6:33, which is one of my life verses. He reminded me that seeking Him should be at the top of my priority list—all day, every day, for the rest of my life. He encouraged me that I am to seek Him, not His plan, not His will, because He leads through relationship. And as I develop my relationship with Him, my faith will grow, He will reveal His perfect plan and will, and I will realize that He is the God of provision for the vision He lays out. Our God cannot lie, and when He promises to give all the “less important things” to us “abundantly” then we should believe Him.

God was not simply calling me out of my comfort zone, He was asking me to test the authenticity of my faith and of this prayer I had prayed for years, by boldly stepping into this space where I would need to be completely dependent upon Him. And as I did, that I wouldn’t make my priority finding additional work to provide for my needs, but would keep seeking Him at the top of my “To Do” list. God promises that when I look for Him wholeheartedly, I will find Him, and He will take care of all those less important things!

Let’s Pray: 

Gracious Lord, You really don't ask for much from us and your Word is clear on the actions that will grow our faith and draw us closer to You. When the demands of life and allures of the world vie for my time and attention, remind me that seeking You first is the catalyst for true fulfillment and carries with it the promise that You will take care of all the other things I might need. Help me place You in Your rightful place on the throne of my heart and as Lord of my life, delighting in You and seeking You, knowing that when I do, I will not only find you but You will give me the desires of my heart. I claim these promises in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him. 

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

~*~
Connect with Cyndi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when God gives you an assignment

When God Gives You An Assignment
A devotional by Monique Anderson

“You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.” – Ezekiel 2:7 (NIV)

In Ezekiel chapter 2, God sends Ezekiel on an assignment that will not conclude successfully. In fact, He’s sending him on a failed mission.

God sent Ezekiel to a rebellious nation where the people are “stubborn and hard-hearted”. The nation of Israel had been rebelling against God for generations, and God knew they had no intentions of changing no matter who He sent to speak to them. Nonetheless, He wanted Ezekiel to deliver His message to the people whether they would listen or not.

“But the people of Israel won’t listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn.” – Ezekiel 3:7 (NLT)

Would you be able to follow through with an assignment that God tells you will be a failure?

Perhaps you’re thinking: What would be the point? Why bother sharing a message from God if the people will not receive it?

But isn’t this our everyday struggle? As disciples of Jesus Christ, we’re called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully and continually even when people don’t want to receive it.

Maybe you’re wondering, “If that’s the case, what is the point?” The point is not the success of the assignment but the success of your obedience to the assignment.

A lot of times we think our purpose in the assignment is the outcome. God is not watching the outcome, He’s watching our hearts. The truth of the matter is we will never see the outcome if we never fulfill the assignment.

My Life Application Study Bible says, “the measure of Ezekiel’s success would not be how well the people responded, but how well he obeyed God and thus fulfilled God’s purpose for him.” This note from my Bible is based on Ezekiel 2:3-5.

This tells me that God’s main purpose for our lives is our obedience. It’s not to have a large following or influence but simply to be obedient to the call on our lives. How well are you fulfilling God’s purpose for your life based strictly on your obedience? I can be transparent and tell you that I am failing miserably.

I’m always so focused on the outcome of what He tells me to do I end up not even doing it at all. How will people receive me? Will they even care to listen? And what do I even have to offer? I’m always so fixated on people’s response that I miss the mark on the assignment altogether. Can you relate? I just recently failed a mission with this exact mindset.

A friend of mine shared a message with me that she got from a devotional she read. She instructed me (through the Holy Spirit) to share this message with my step-daughter.

As I scrolled through the screenshots she sent, I thought to myself “my step-daughter will not receive this.” I was immediately consumed with how she would respond. Would she even care to listen? Would this change anything in her heart or mind? These thoughts delayed my obedience for two days. I had to submit all these thoughts to God and let Him lead. The Holy Spirit convicted me and reminded me of this text in Ezekiel. I heard God say, “You must speak my words to her, whether she listens or not.” Although I was eventually obedient, delayed obedience is still disobedience.

This section of Ezekiel’s story has given me a new perspective on God’s purpose for me and every task He hands me. He’s only looking for my “Yes and Amen” then He will handle the rest. I’m learning not to focus on the success of the task but being obedient to it. Focusing on the outcome will just lead to disobedience.

For all I know, I could have delayed my step-daughter’s healing and deliverance by being so hung up on her response. When God assigns us a task, especially one that involves other people, we cannot be delayed in our actions. Not only are we being disobedient, but we are also impeding on someone else’s blessing.

I encourage you to re-examine your assignment(s) from God. What are you focused on? What is your motivation for completing it? Success or Obedience?

Remember the success is in your obedience.

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, forgive us for our disobedience. Forgive us for focusing on the outcome instead of the task at hand. I pray that you convict our hearts to remember Ezekiel when given instructions. Help us to be obedient to the call and not worry about the outcome of it. Allow us to relinquish the power we think we have in other’s people’s response. Remind us that your people’s response to the word we share is in your hands. Help us to move forward with your assignment with our hands open wide, willing to let go of the outcome. Teach us how to walk in obedience to your commands. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Monique is a writer, wife, and bonus mom to a 14 year old. She just recently unleashed her always present yet hidden talent of writing to the masses. She was born and raised in Mount Vernon, NY where she still resides, and serves on the prayer team of her church The Gathering Harlem.  

Monique always felt like God was chasing after her, but never felt the need to surrender. Until that is when life started veering left, and she no longer wanted to steer so she finally gave Jesus the wheel. After forming her relationship with God she always felt compelled to share the revelation’s that the word gave to her. She always felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to write, but was afraid of what people might think. So her writing started in her journal. The journal turned into a book, and the book into a blog.

Slowly but surely God’s love started to cast out all fear. She started to consistently update her bi- weekly blog yourstrulymoe.com. Her obedience led to further revelation. God revealed to her that he would use her to help others along their walk the same way God helped her along hers. Since Monique did not grow up in church she always felt intimidated by the Christian life. She thought that she would be losing so much of herself, not realizing that she would actually find her TRUE self.

Since God has shown her who he really created her to be, she now feels it is her life’s work to help those that are taking their first baby steps in this walk with Christ. She is doing so through her blog, and soon to be published book. She is excited to extend her reach to podcasts and speaking engagements in the near future.

Her blog is the stepping stone to fulfilling the vision God gave to her – “Sharing God’s revelations so we can all reflect his image and fulfill his purpose.”

~*~
Connect with Monique:
Website: www.yourstrulymoe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourstruly__moe/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yours-Truly-Moe-140255684101423