Devotionals for the Heart: Finding your value in how God sees you

You are His Beloved
A devotional by Dr. Jessica B. Turner

“And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” –Mark 1:10-11 (ESV)

Many are familiar with the Scripture above (Mark 1:10-11) because it paints such a beautiful picture of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. It was by John’s hands that Jesus Christ himself was baptized by water in the Jordan River. While such an event is paramount, it’s what happens immediately after that has always stood out to me.

Before Jesus performs any miracles or preaches any sermons, God makes it clear how much He loves His son, Jesus Christ, simply because He is His son. But He doesn’t stop there. God goes on to declare how proud He is of His son.

For as long as I can remember, I have found my value in my doing. The better my grades were, the more deserving I was of praise. The more involved I was in extra-curricular activities, the more respected I was amongst peers. As I got older, the actions simply shifted to reflect different roles such as veterinarian, wife, and mother. Yet, the bottom line was always the same: If I am not doing enough, I am not enough. And if I’m not enough, I am not loved.

So, when I first read God’s words to His son before Jesus ever did anything, I was blown away! It challenged everything I had ever believed regarding my value. Instead of my worth being found in what I could do, maybe it was found in who I was.

While this new revelation was freeing, it took time for me to reprogram what I had deemed true my entire life. It wasn’t until I fully grasped my identity as a daughter of the Most-High God that change really took place. Suddenly God’s words spoken over Jesus Christ (“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”) became words spoken over my life.

I am God’s beloved daughter; with me He is well pleased! Not because of my doing but because I am His!

Now, when I am faced with days where I feel I am not enough, I remind myself that I am His beloved and that is all I need because His love endures forever. I hope you find comfort in knowing that you are His beloved as well!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that you gave Your one and only Son as a sacrifice for my sins. Please help me to see Your love as the precious gift it is. For it is through Your love that I am declared Your child. Help me to stand firm in my identity as a child of God knowing that my worth lies not in my doing but in who I am in You. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Who I Am (Official Lyric Video)” by Ben Fuller. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Jessica B. Turner is a wife, mom, and LSU graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine.

After practicing small animal medicine for six years, she traded in her stethoscope to become an online wellness coach, motivational speaker, and writer with a passion for mental health advocacy. This major life change was sparked after Jessica struggled with postpartum depression soon after she birthed her twin girls.

Along with Jessica’s career change came the discovery of who Jesus Christ really is and how He was the missing piece for her to be able to move forward in past trauma that she had suppressed for decades. Jesus walked alongside Jessica as she underwent a transformation like none other.

God transformed Jessica’s life from a broken mom who struggled with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and PTSD from witnessing an attempted suicide, to using her experiences to make her a powerful vessel for Him. To this day, God enables Jessica to touch the lives of others through her often unfiltered, yet inviting form of storytelling.

Throughout this process of refinement, Jessica has shared her life story with the world through her social media platforms, in-person events, blog posts, and podcasts. She values the gift of transparency and has discovered that what so many people need to know is that they are not alone. Jessica has walked in their shoes, and she wants the world to know that Jesus is walking with them as well.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.jessicabturner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabturner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabturner/

Devotionals for the Heart: Recognition

Seeking Recognition
A devotional by Kay Pflueger

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” –1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)

In my family, I am in the middle of three sisters.

My older sister was two years ahead of me in school and thus, was starting her junior year in high school when I was a freshman. Because she was older and had an established place in the ranks of high school students, I became known as “Lynn’s little sister.” I am not sure any of her friends even knew my name for the first semester of my freshman year!

Lynn was quite popular in school as a member of the dance team. She was well-liked and outgoing. The youngest, Joanie, is five years younger than me and was the cute “baby” of the family who could charm anyone and everyone. And there I was, the middle one—introverted and shy and uncomfortable in my own skin. I felt as though there was no special place for me as I was not the favored first child or the cherished last one. I was the unnoticed one in the shadows.

Recently, while I was looking for a particular book on Amazon, I stumbled across a book by Amy E. Reichert titled Two Pairs of 6” Heels and One Comfortable Shoe. This could have been the title of my autobiography! I was the comfortable shoe between two pairs of 6” heels. Oh, how I wanted so much to be noticed and to feel I had significance other than just being the middle girl. I craved recognition for my accomplishments no matter how small or insignificant they were.

Our human nature leads us to want acceptance by our peers. We want to be noticed by others, so we fill our social media feed with the “best of the best.” We only show what we think will garner “likes” and want to hide the reality of our daily lives. Satan knows we crave that recognition and tries to convince us that our worth is tied up in how many of those “likes” we receive.

However, we don’t need to do anything heroic or mind blowing or spectacular to prove our value. Our worth is defined by who we are in God. If we take to heart what the verse above says, we can accept that we are chosen by Him and are part of His royal priesthood. He loves us and has given us significance just as we are.

In Psalm 130:13-14 (ESV), David reminds us: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Remember who you are in Jesus Christ!

Let’s Pray: Why do we keep seeking significance in the opinions of others when we know that our worth is in You (God)? Turn our eyes toward you, Lord when we begin to doubt our value. Shed light on the lies that Satan is planting in our minds and fill us with your Truth. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Learning to read as a young child opened a world of adventure for Kay Pflueger. She came to realize that words can have a unique power and beauty.

Choosing to share those words in her devotional writings has become a joyful and rewarding experience for her. As a widow, she feels a special affinity towards those who are grieving or experiencing loss.

When she is not spending time with her married son and three grandchildren, she is either reading, cooking, writing, or working on pursuing her Copyediting Certification.

Kay is an avid baseball fan who looks forward every summer to following her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

She is an active member of Victory Lutheran Church in her hometown of San Diego, California.

Kay enjoys writing devotions to be shared on her church’s website and personal social media.

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Connect with Kay:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.m.pflueger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishsweetpea/

Devotionals for the Heart: Pennies

One Hundred Pennies
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” – Job 42:10 (ESV)

Visiting a friend at his family gathering, a young grandson brought smiles to our faces by practicing his new skills in salesmanship on us.

He was selling rocks packaged in snack bags, freshly collected from the river running directly in front of us. His “bargain price” for these rocks was one dollar.

Unable to resist the dimples and charm of this sweet entrepreneur, the adults dug deep for small cash. As we produced dollar bills, we were quickly informed that the preferred currency was coin. Four shiny quarters were better than one piece of paper and one hundred pennies were highly valued. No one cheated the boy, but he would have gladly accepted two of any coin over one piece of paper. Chuckles and knowing looks were exchanged. It was understood among the adults that soon enough, this child would know better.

While thinking about the value of small pieces, a recent study of the book of Job came to mind. The Old Testament recounts the story of a wealthy, admired man named Job whose blessed life becomes shattered into the least valued pieces of human existence. All of his worldly bragging rights were stripped away. His personal property, business resources, his staff, his children and his health were all destroyed through no fault of his own. It wasn't punishment, as believed by his friends. But, as the Bible book of Job explains it was all part of an unknown spiritual war between good and evil (God and the devil).

The life of Job was broken to fragments, yet he continued to pursue God as the One with the answers. His wife instructed him to turn from God and die. His friends insist Job repent of sin. Eventually, Job did receive an answer. God revealed Himself to Job. Job’s response was humility and praise.

Job prayed for the people who blamed him (Job) for his pain. He prayed for the people who blamed God too. When doing so, Job’s life was restored and blessed. He was made whole.

The story of Job isn't the only biblical example of the value in brokenness. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to Earth to make change. The breaking of Christ was for restoration of the whole. It was an exchange.

Told in the New Testament gospels, Jesus feeds thousands by breaking up a single lunch of bread and fishes into pieces. He prays. He breaks. He fills.

Somehow in some way, more are blessed with the pieces. There is excess where once there was insufficient.

The Gospel of Luke recounts the Last Supper in a way that paints the picture of this divine broken way. Jesus addresses the Apostles in Luke 22:19 (ESV). Let’s read that verse: And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Jesus tears his portion of bread into pieces and hands those pieces to the Apostles. Did they remember serving up the bread and fish to the multitudes? Now Jesus is telling them to do likewise. Tearing and sharing and saying, “Be broken too.”

Jesus took the pain of the world upon himself. He truly did “carry the weight of the world” on His shoulders.

Job prayed for the men who told him that he deserved his brokenness. He asked for God’s blessing on these men. Job made the exchange by accepting the cost of the wound for forgiveness. Healing was the result.

My life is in pieces. Perhaps yours is too. What would happen if we stopped trying to get ourselves together? What if we, like Job, said a prayer for each?

Let’s say a prayer for the hurting, a prayer for the blaming and a prayer for the angry. What if we, like Jesus, accept the pain of the wounding for the abundant joy of the healing and complete restoration that God gives?

How does a child selling rocks for one hundred pennies correlate to the pain of this life here on Earth? It's about value…about God's kingdom economy. How does God use bad for our good? By using it to show what's of higher value.

One hundred pennies, my friends, is still worth a dollar.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Interview (Part II) with Courtnaye Richard, author of "Identified" (book)

Please welcome Courtnaye Richard to the blog again! She's the author of this book:

Courtnaye has more to talk about regarding this book and the reason she wrote it. Enjoy Part II of Courtnaye's interview featuring her book, IDENTIFIED! :)

Here's the interview: 

Alexis: You advise your readers to not let people dictate what they think they should be, but instead to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. Why is that so important?

Courtnaye: I believe it’s important because if you’re not rooted and grounded in who God says you are through the leading of His Spirit and His Word, then you can be easily persuaded to believe what others say about you over what God says. And that’s when things can get cloudy and confusing. Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading will be crucial for victory as you walk out your purpose.

Alexis: In Chapter 3 of your book, you say that Jesus has chosen us to be His disciple. How do you know? And what does that mean for each of us?

Courtnaye: Once you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are then born-again and you become a follower of Christ, which is the definition of a disciple. But it’s also about becoming a student under His leading through Bible studies, church meetings, personal devotion and study time, or additional schooling for your calling.

Alexis: What does it look like to be “hungry for truth” and “want more of God?”

Courtnaye: I would say that it looks like a personal life devoted to Christ. And nothing satisfies you more than getting full in God’s word and spending time with Him at all costs. In the natural sense, when you’re hungry, you look for something to eat. And quite naturally, you won’t stop until you find it. It’s similar with God and wanting more of Him. You’ll search until you find what you’re looking for. And God tells us in Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Alexis: Why do you say that prayer is our “lifeline?” How does that relate to our daily living?

Courtnaye: The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Meaning, “Don’t stop praying.” It’s the way we connect and communicate with God. Think about Jack and Beanstalk. The only way they could get up there was through that beanstalk. We can’t live this Christian life successfully without staying connected to God through prayer and through Jesus’ name. Prayer is our lifeline. It’s how we reach Him from day to day, hour by hour, and minute to minute.

Alexis: What does it mean to be identified as a Christian?

Courtnaye: It means knowing who you are in Christ and having the godly character that goes along with the title and your devotion to Him.

Alexis: How can we stop (and free ourselves from) the game of comparison?

Courtnaye: I believe it can stop by identifying and embracing who you truly are in Him. It’s also about not doubting who God has called you to be. And when you grab hold of this fact, that’s where the freedom can enter in. That’s when you can move forward in faith and with a God-confidence.

Alexis: Tell me about your favorite plaque that says, “Thank God for what you have. Trust God for what you need.” Why did you buy it? Why is it special to you?”

Courtnaye: I bought it because it encouraged me to be thankful for what He’s done in my life already, and to be reminded to trust Him in everything for the future. I shared this with the readers because I believe that He wants to remind them as well. He wants to remind them to remain thankful for what He’s done, and to know that He’s got them going forward. All they have to do is keep trusting Him and follow His direction as they walk out their purpose.

Alexis: What does it mean to be courageous and step forward in faith?

Courtnaye: Being courageous is all about trusting God and moving forward in faith in the face of fear. It’s trusting that God has you in the heat of the battle or in the midst of apprehension. If He tells you, “Go and be strong and courageous,” then do it. Because He’s telling you that He will be with you. The next thing to do is to step out in faith courageously!

Alexis: Why is this message of your book important now in today’s modern world?

Courtnaye: I believe it’s very important because it’s time for us to stand up and be identified as Christ’s followers. Christianity is being crowded out of a lot of things in our world today, and so I believe God is raising up His daughters to advance the Kingdom of heaven now. He wants more people to be identified in Him before He sends His Son. I believe that we’re living in very dire times and that Jesus’ return is drawing closer and closer. With that being said, we’ve got work to do before that great day comes.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: When I started writing this book, I thought ______________________________________and when I wrote “the end,” I felt ______________________________________.

Courtnaye: When I started writing this book, I thought “Lord, what do You want to say to Your current and future daughters?” And when I wrote “the end,” I felt like I’d done what He commissioned me to do. 

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NEWS: It's not too late for you to WIN a copy of Identified! Visit Part I of Courtnaye's interview and enter the book giveaway contest by filling out the Rafflecopter widget in the blog post. Here's the link, http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2016/09/interview-with-courtnaye-richard-author.html

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Author bio: Courtnaye Richard is a Christian writer, blogger, speaker, and founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye (a ministry especially designed to help women grow in their daily walk with the Lord, live out their purpose, and be ready when Jesus Christ returns). 

She's all about real life, real talk, and real faith! She posts a weekly blog every Monday @ 7:30 a.m. on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org, hosts a “LIVE” call on 1st Tuesdays, and shares a weekly Two-Minute message with her audience every Wednesday. 

For more info, please visit www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org. 

Connect with Courtnaye: "Like" her page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

An honest review of Stasi Eldredge’s book, Becoming Myself: Embracing God’s Dream of You

Every once in a while, you'll read a book that resonates with you. It's a book so good that you simply have to share it! Family Christian Bookstore's blogger program sent a copy of Stasi Eldredge's book Becoming Myself: Embracing God's Dream of You, to me for an honest review. After reading it, I found that it is one of "those" books that is SO good that you have to share it! 

So without further ado, here's my review...

“It’s good to dream. We can’t out-give God. We can’t out-love him, and we can’t out-dream him. Give yourself permission to dream big! Dream deep. Dream wide. Because the thing about dreams is, dreams come true.”~Stasi Eldredge, “From Accepting to Embracing” (Ch. 6, page 101).

It is good to know that there is a God and He encourages us to dream. Such is the theme of Stasi Eldredge’s book, Becoming Myself: Embracing God’s Dream of You. In the 250 pages of Eldredge’s book, she bares her soul through the intimate storytelling of childhood memories and adult experience. The author shares stories from her life. Stories of searching for beauty, enduring drama, experiencing trauma and healing from pain. Eldredge does not hold back on giving in-depth illustrations about the lessons she’s learned along her life journey.

The first pages of the books are filled with a personal story that involves Eldredge’s mother-in-law, body image and a free massage at the spa. The author explains her anxiety about allowing someone to see what she thinks is her imperfect body, even if it’s just for the purposes of a relaxing massage. The scenario becomes embarrassing for Eldredge because of various obstacles she faces when she arrives at the spa such as barely being able to cover herself with the bathrobe provided by the spa, the same complimentary robe that fit the other women perfectly.

As a woman and writer, I think Eldredge does a good job of setting the stage for the rest of her book—an honest portrayal of how we as women see ourselves and a wonderful lesson of why it is important to ask God to help us to realize our true value and worth because we are all beautiful in God’s eyes. My favorite part in the book was the chapter “From Accepting to Embracing” in which the author spoke in-depth about the value of dreams and trusting God with the outcome in life. Eldredge’s story resonated with me as a female who’s struggled with self-image and realizing my true worth in God’s eyes. I found hope and encouragement in the pages of this book.

The only aspect of this book that I think could use improvement is the structure and flow of the storytelling because at times it seemed like too much information at once and there is a need for better transitions from story to story within each chapter. I think there are a few sections in Eldredge’s book that would be even more powerful if the words were arranged in a more precise and concise manner. However, it does not take anything away from Eldredge’s skill as a writer and her honest portrayal of her life journey as a woman seeking perfection in a world that is not perfect.

Ultimately, I believe the author accomplished her objectives in telling this story and inspiring women who get lost in these pages of Eldredge’s book to discover God’s dream for them and realize that they are enough, they are more than enough in God’s eyes. The author did a beautiful job of encouraging my heart and helping me to remember that my value is within what God thinks of me and knows to be true, not the lies the negative forces in this world will tell me to believe.

Therefore, I recommend this book to every woman, especially young women, as a source of real-life encouragement for your life journey. I believe this book deserves a rating of four-stars.

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Visit Stasi's official website for more info on "becoming myself"

http://www.becomingmyself.com/