Devotionals for the Heart: We can find the rest our soul needs in God

Rest for Our Souls
A devotional by Joy Beless

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”—Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

What is shaking your world? The news bytes of the last 48 hours are enough to convince me to stay in bed with the covers over my head!

What is shaking your family’s world–conflict, exhaustion, financial need? I don’t need to convince you of the stressful and seemingly dangerous world we live in. And yet, was it not the same for King David who wrote the Bible book of Psalms?

Many people think that King David wrote this psalm in the anchor text above at the time his son, Absalom attempted to overthrow the government in rebellion against his own father’s authority and kingship. Rather than wait until David dies to reign, Absalom decides to accelerate the timeline. The story does not begin here but rather has evolved over years of division and conflict.

We each have a story that evolves over time and needs a course correction and desperate prayer for help. When our family of six lived in Tokyo (Japan), I had to learn a new way to live. Moving from a Dallas (Texas) suburb to live in Tokyo required a different way for me to do the most mundane things like buy groceries, visit the bank, and navigate the city driving on the left side of the road. I was trying to learn the language and culture while parenting four children. Then the “9/11” tragedy occurred in the USA during this time and the whole world changed overnight. I became so stressed and anxious that my hair literally fell out. I developed the autoimmune alopecia condition. There was so much I could not control—except for resting and trusting in the Lord. I knew I could not continue in the same way underneath all this stress and uncertainty life was hurling at me.

What about your story? Even as you read this devotional, what thoughts are surfacing and lurking beneath the veneer? Both domestically and internationally, the newsfeed at our fingertips reminds us that we live in perilous times—just like David. So perhaps we can learn some coping strategies from David and this psalm.

In Psalm 62:5-8, David declares where his rest and hope come from: God—pure and simple. No contingency or exit plans. What do you need rest “from”? What kind of rest? According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, there are several different kinds of rest that we need to feel restored. Physical, mental, social, and emotional rest are just some of the areas we need to bring calm and space into our lives.

Some important questions we can ask ourselves are:

What do we need “less of” to restore our mind, body, and soul?

What do we need “more of” to renew our mind, body, and soul?

What life patterns are contributing to our current stressed life?

What changes can we identify and control that are restorative?

I quickly realized I needed to make some changes when life seemed to spiral downward. I was in an exhaustive state trying to juggle all the “plates” of family and ministry. I realized our Sundays in church and at home were as busy as the other six days in the week, so I began to scale back extra activities. This was hard and impacted our children’s activities the most. However, not only I but the whole family needed more time to rest. We made Sundays in our household a day to restore, relax, and slow down the pace.

I realized my morning habit of walking was squeezed out of the day’s agenda and recognized my need to be outside and have some space of margin in my life, so I made that a priority. Reluctantly, I let go of my language class after two years, as I identified that as very stressful. I began to listen to music that calmed my soul and brought me joy. Playing it in the background seemed to bring down the stress of the whole household, not just mine! Lastly, I began to share with trusted people about what I was experiencing and identify the emotions that were building up ready to spew like a volcano! I learned not only was this giving me emotional and mental rest, but also modeling an important life skill for my children who were entering their teen years.

King David said in the Bible book of Psalm, that it is in God he finds rest for his soul. David trusted God with his kingdom and personal worries and when he reached an old age in his lifetime, he was confident that God is trustworthy to be present in difficult times. David reminds himself who God is to him: his hope, rock, salvation, fortress, honor, and refuge (Psalm 62:5-8). That is quite a list. As you slowly read over the list again, which word seems inviting to you in your present circumstances? Are there some areas in your life that need adjusting with “more of” or “less of”? Ask God to lead you in this process of seeking rest then follow Him into the rest your body and soul needs.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Truly You are the source of rest for our souls. We are thankful that You are a rock in our ever-changing world! Thank You for being a refuge of peace for us. We are grateful to pour out our hearts to You.

In Jesus’s Name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joy Beless is a worshipper of God and lover of people. 

A practicing Spiritual Director, she is a speaker for retreats and conferences and facilitates guided solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas.

A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for the houseless and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. Serving at global retreats for Kingdom-minded women delights her soul.

She has written for Global Trellis and Missio Nexus. She connects God’s Word with the reality of our daily in all the ups and downs.

Joy is married to Roger. They live in Coppell (Texas). Joy is called "JoJo" by her nine adorable grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and encourages flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

~*~
Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beless
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.beless/
Website: www.joybeless.org

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/

Our world is broken, but God is not! We can have a happy ending with Him.

 

Devotionals for the Heart: When God puts you through a pruning process

The Pruning Process
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”—John 15:1-2 NIV

Despite the crowds, the stress, and the long lines, I’m like a kid in a candy store when I arrive at Costco.

First, I grab a cart and make a beeline for the snack aisle for a case of Skinny Pop popcorn and graham crackers. Then, I head to the deli department to select one $5 rotisserie chicken. After I size up the birds and put the plumpest in my cart, I let up on the gas and people-watch as I glance around for the last-minute purchases that catch my eye.

This time of year, truckloads of fall mums arrive in vibrant maroon, yellow, orange, and pink. The one I purchased sits on my balcony, and its neon pink and orange blossoms are the perfect backdrop against the stunning sunset. Even though I watered it thoroughly and gave it lots of sunlight, the blossoms dried up. Surprisingly, it wasn’t dying as I suspected; it just needed pruning to divert energy away from the dead buds into creating new ones.

In today’s anchor text above (John 15:1-2), Jesus Christ gave His twelve disciples a final sermon. He used a gardening metaphor to describe the importance of growing spiritually and drawing strength from Him—the true vine. He told them that He was setting them apart to bear fruit. For that to happen, pruning was essential. His ultimate concern for them and us is the condition of our hearts.

Like the branches in Christ’s story, we’re all unique, and our pruning won’t look the same. He will prune us differently. This is a process where we surrender to Him, knowing that He is up to something good in our lives.

Throughout my life, I’ve witnessed God’s pruning process. Sometimes, He has removed friendships I prioritized over Him. Other times, He asked me to part with a bad habit that distracted me. God also dealt with my attitudes that grieved Him. It was never a pleasant experience, but in hindsight, I was grateful that He loved me enough to take my spiritual growth to the next level.

My mum plant is blooming today because I took the time to remove the dead flowers that were stunting its growth. In the same way, Jesus wants to remove the fruitless areas of our lives so we grow to our full potential, experience a deeper walk with Him, and pursue His kingdom above our own.

Whatever keeps you from thriving in your relationship with Jesus, let Him remove it. The beauty you see in yourself afterward will be worth it.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father,

So many things in life clamor for my attention that I sometimes give you less time than You deserve. Please forgive me for setting my heart on lesser things. Align my desires with Yours and do whatever is necessary to help me flourish spiritually so I follow you more closely and do the kingdom work you’ve prepared for me to do. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Pruning” by Tehillah Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their ‘best of’ spread. 

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Sarah's devotionals have been published in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts. Her short story will be featured in an upcoming book, Too Amazing For Coincidence, also to be published by Guideposts. To this day, Sarah smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she's not writing, she's enjoying her hobbies that include dog sitting, watching cooking shows and taking day trips.

~*~
Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: God can help you believe in Him if you ask

Asking God to Help My Unbelief
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”—Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV)

Lately, the Lord has been asking me the question, “Do you believe?”

Repeatedly, I find myself answering, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

This situation makes me think deeply about what we want out of our life. And it makes me wonder, “Why are so many of us hesitant to ask or believe God for great things?” Though we read of miracles throughout the Bible and hear of modern miracles such as the “unexplained” disappearances of cancer cells in a person’s body, it is so easy to act as though those things were for other times or other people. We would never deny that it is within God’s power to do them, yet we are reluctant to ask for these miracles. Or if we do ask, we do so with lingering doubt.

Let me say that it is important to recognize that God’s answers to our prayers may not look like we expect or want them to. However, we have to check our heart when we pray. For example: When I pray for someone’s healing, why do I feel the need to tack on, “God, even if Your ultimate healing is to bring that person home to be with you.” Am I genuinely relying on God’s sovereign plan or am I safeguarding myself because I already believe that what I’m asking for isn’t going to happen?

Even as I write this devotional, I have to let that thought sink in. For many years, I have unwittingly fostered the attitude that what I am asking God for probably isn’t going to happen. Even when He has given me a specific promise, I tend to treat it with an “If God blesses me with this” mindset, rather than a “When God fulfills His promise” mindset.

Recently, I have been convicted about that, and I have started to open up to God about it. My fear of Him not coming through, coupled with the tendency in many churches to brush these things aside, left me feeling alone and sitting on this promise in silence instead of pursuing it prayerfully with trusted friends. I was even discouraged from talking to my husband about it.

Where does this fear of believing come from? God spoke to people many times in the Bible. He made promises and fulfilled them just as He said He would. Battles were won, miraculous provisions were made, people were healed or even brought back from the dead. Who are we to think that the God who did those things thousands of years ago doesn’t work the same way today? Has He changed?

Malachi 3:6 says that God never changes! Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Numbers 23:19 (ESV) says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

I know how it feels to think, “Maybe I heard God wrong.” For those like me who are a little thick-headed or slow to hear, God is patient. Sometimes, He confirms things over and over until we get it. I really don’t believe that it is wrong to ask for confirmation either, especially if it is a matter of importance. God already knows that sometimes we lack faith, so it is better to be honest with Him about it than refuse to keep an open line of communication with our Father in Heaven.

It’s time to grab hold of God’s promises! I’m not saying to, “Name it and claim it.” I’m saying, “Take God at His word.” Maybe it simply means speaking honestly about what God has told you, or maybe it means acting on those things.

Remember: God can give us the faith we need to please Him and move mountains. All we need to do is ask Him, believe in Him and put our faith into action.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for any areas in which I have allowed unbelief to prevent me from walking in Your promises. Even if they remain unfulfilled, help me to begin to walk as though they are assured because in You, they are. If I need to share my prayer requests with trusted friends who genuinely believe in You, help me to tell them how they can support me in prayer. If there are actions I need to take, empower me to do those things. May You be glorified as I take increasing steps of faith. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. 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!

Along with writing devotionals, Aubrey is the author of the German-perspective 20th Century Fiction series, Gott Mit Uns. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or taking care of her home and family, she enjoys singing and dancing with friends from a German choir and a Bavarian folk dancing group. She is also a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats!

~*~
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/aubtaybooks8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to know God's Voice and listen

Who Are You Listening To?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

—John 10:3-4 (NIV)

Anyone who has grown up in a West Indian or African household will agree on one thing: When you are called by your parents or an elder, answer quickly.

Taking your time or choosing whether to answer or not is not a luxury you get to enjoy. Additionally, make sure you’re responding to direction from your parents instead of your friends! In these households, instruction took priority over anyone else’s. I cannot confidently say that today in this era that statement remains the same. Between the government, schools and society, many voices compete for our allegiance. However, in the Kingdom of God, the rules have not changed. God’s voice reigns supreme and there is a blessing that comes with it.

When we look at the life of Abraham, he was promised a blessing through his offspring because of his obedience. Genesis 22:15-18 (NIV) reads: “The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Because one person obeyed, the generations to follow would receive something they had nothing to do with. Isn’t that mind blowing? Because Abraham listened to the voice of God and obeyed, the effects of his obedience went beyond his lifetime. So, whose voice are you listening to? Whose voice reigns supreme over your fears, your doubts, and your insecurities? We still get to choose who to listen to.

Remember, free will is a gift God gave to every human being. He desires we choose Him over the enemy (Satan). The enemy of our soul comes to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). That will never change. The devil has no intention for you to prosper or to have hope. But your Heavenly Father does! He loves us unconditionally and He has good plans for our life.

Let’s learn more about God’s plans for us by reading Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) that says, “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.” God has good plans for us! Plans to prosper us. Plans that don’t involve harm. Plans to give us hope. Plans to give us a future. Everything associated with the enemy is death. But everything connected to God brings life and Jesus Christ has come so we might have life abundantly (John 10:10).

So how can we know the Lord’s voice? Let’s address this on a personal level: How do you know the voice of your parents, siblings, and friends? You’ve spent time with them. You’ve heard them speak repeatedly. You’ve spent time with them to know how they behave and treat you and others. When you hear something out of the ordinary about someone you know and love, you stop and question it because what you’re hearing does not match what you know. The same is true with the Lord but even better the Word of God, the Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8 (NIV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Jesus doesn’t change. His voice, His behavior, His word will never change. We can completely trust Jesus all the time. I encourage you to spend time with Him and read His word (The Holy Bible). When you know Christ’s voice, you know where to find comfort, encouragement and direction.

Knowing God’s voice allows you to know when a stranger is speaking. Let’s look at one more lesson from life: We learn from a very early age, to run from strangers. Concerning strangers, although they try to speak in the “voice” of our parents, we know instinctively that something is wrong. We sense danger, so we run away from those people who are not our parents or guardians. Let’s know the voice of our Savior so well that nothing can make us doubt Him. Let’s learn to run to Jesus, not the world. Only Christ brings the comfort, support, hope and healing we need.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us and telling us in your Word that You love us. Help us to hide your Word in our hearts so we won’t sin against You. Help us to know your voice so well that nothing will make us doubt You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “I Just Want to Know You” by Andrae Crouch. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Abundantly” by Avalon. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Voice of A Savior" by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When God's Holy Spirit feels like a cool breeze

Holy Spirit: Our Cool of the Day
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”—Genesis 3:8 (ESV)

When in Hawaii, my husband and I leave the doors and windows open to take advantage of the ocean breezes.

Without the exposure to the weather, the space inside our home gets uncomfortably warm, making it difficult to sleep at night. Air conditioning is unusual in traditional tropical homes. Instead, high ceilings, louvered windows, and ceiling fans move the sea air throughout the house, taking the edge off the hot temperatures.

But when the trade winds weaken there is little that can subdue the heat. The humidity adds to the discomfort, making even the tile floors sticky under bare feet. Paradise isn’t so perfect without the quieting airflow.

The Bible introduces us to this breeze benefit in the coolest of ways in early Genesis (pun intended). The Holy Spirit of God is first mentioned as being active in creation prior to God’s voice calling light into action. We are introduced to the presence of God’s Spirit, in the likeness of a circulating trade wind in Genesis 1:2 (ESV) that says, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

Ruach is the Hebrew word for the Spirit of God and is also translated breath or wind. The Bible uses all these English words in its translation of Ruach. When humanity entered the scene, we get more intimate details of the interactions between God the Creator and man (Adam who was the first created human being). We see God using His breath to bring man to life (Genesis 2:7), and His word to instruct man on how to maintain life (Genesis 2:16).

Despite the beauty of paradise, the first humans ever created by God changed the climate with sin. Suddenly Adam and Eve (his wife) found themselves sweating in a sticky situation after choosing to circumvent God’s instruction on living well.

It’s at this moment that God comes in on a cool breeze. Let’s read about it in Genesis 3:8 (ESV): “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

The phrase “cool of the day” in this verse is none other than Ruach! God’s Spirit, the One who hovered over a dark void, re-enters the scene as relief in a tense time.

We often read this scripture as the point when an angry God walks in to lay down the law on evil. But God identifies Himself as love, light, and through Ruach, a cool breeze. Instead of seeing our Savior as the volcano who needs to be appeased, He is the gentle wind who takes the heat off us.

From the foundation of the Earth and from our own first breath, God’s Spirit has been hovering and providing us an atmosphere of comfort. Jesus Christ reiterated this when promising the Holy Spirit to His followers in John 14:16 (ESV). He said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”

How we view the love of our Heavenly Father (God) matters to the climate of our lives. There is always a cool breeze available if we keep the windows and doors of our hearts open to God’s Spirit.

Let’s Pray: Holy Father, we are so grateful for your saving grace, and the gift of your Holy Spirit living within us. Help us recognize the cooling of your Holy Spirit in the heat of each day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fresh Wind” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove 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 programs primarily served women in the homeless community. 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She was 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.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees the great need for encouragement and connection. Within ministries served, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and building cross-cultural communities has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys nature, deep conversations, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children.

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, writing devotionals for other websites, and is working on a nonfiction book titled, The Whole-Of-Us: Putting Church Back Together.

~*~
Connect with Sharon:
Email: sharon@sharonmusgrove.com
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkmusgrove/