Devotionals for the Heart: How to take refuge under God's wings of protection

Under His Wings
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

–Psalm 57:1 (KJV)

Where do you go to find refuge when life gets tough?

Where can we go when everything around us is falling apart? Do we try to find refuge by diverting our thoughts or distracting ourselves with busyness?

I recently started researching the idea of resting under the wings of God and what that means to me. One thing I have found is that under the wings of God is a place of refuge and restoration. If I am hidden under the wings of God, I am concealed from the world around me so that I cannot be harmed or negatively influenced by the world. I am concealed from the opinions and words of others because the outside world no longer matters. When I am safely trusting under the wings of God, only He matters. The voice of the world is muffled by the feathers of God’s wings and my soul can find rest and refuge in silence and peace.

The most amazing part of being hidden under the wings of God is that I am so much closer to Him. There is no closer or more intimate place to spiritually stay than under the wings of God. When we choose to find refuge under the wings of God, He draws us closer—closer to His heart, closer to His love and goodness. When we rest under God’s wings, we can rest in the knowledge that He is by our side. God is always with us, but when we rest under His wings we feel His strong presence beside us.

How are we to find refuge under the wings of God? Is it an elusive spiritual place that only the spiritually mature and capable can find? God calls each of His children to find refuge under His wings—this is not a privilege for the spiritually mature. God wants to draw us near to Him and He wants us to feel at peace knowing He is by our side.

We can learn to rest under the wings of God by building our relationship with Him. As with all relationships, we need to spend time with God to grow closer to Him. Praying and reading your Bible might seem basic, but this is the communication that will bring you closer to God. If you are seeking to deepen your relationship with God, I highly encourage you to keep a prayer journal. Whenever you feel distant from God, you can simply look back on previous prayers and rejoice at how faithful God has been in hearing you and staying with you through each step of the way.

The more you pray, the more visible the feathers of God’s wings surrounding you will be evident to you. This will help you see that God was with you the whole time. He has never left you and He never will. Sometimes, we just need to lean in, seek a deeper relationship with God, and wait for Him to reveal just how good and faithful He has been to us. There is peace, rest, and safety under the wings of God.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for calling each of us to find refuge under Your wings! Please help us to remember Your faithfulness and that You are present with us in all things. Help us to lean into Your goodness, love, and kindness. Open our eyes to the endless possibilities and fulfillment that will come from a life fully lived under Your wings. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Under His Wings” by William Cushing. Listen to it here.

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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!

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Watching the Olympics taught me about prayer

Developing a Dedicated Heart of Prayer
A devotional by Peg Arnold

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”—Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV

Did you watch the Olympics?

I loved watching and hearing the stories of commitment and persistence. I am always amazed by the athletes’ discipline and determination. I wonder what would happen if we approached our prayer life with the same dedication. When reflecting on the competitors and what takes them to the top of the podium, I recognized several commonalities.

First is Passion. Every athlete demonstrates a passion for their sport. To improve our prayer life, we need to cultivate that same unsatiable hunger for intimate communication with the Savior. Prayer is a way to interact, praise, and seek guidance from God. Do you have a passion for connecting with Him?

Then comes Preparation. Athletes prepare with strict diets and training, and with expert coaching, they refine their skills. To nurture a competitive lifestyle of prayer, reading Scripture, studying prayer books, or even fasting are foundational steps. We can deepen our understanding by praying the words of Scripture, joining a prayer group or Bible study and connecting with a prayer partner. How are you preparing to connect with God in your prayer life?

Practice is another critical element. Athletes train for hours each day to excel. How do you practice prayer? Do you seek God each morning, perhaps even before checking your phone, or do you talk with God continually, as Paul encourages in 1 Thessalonians 5:17? This means you strive to be aware of His presence throughout the day with gratitude and acknowledgment. What habit can you practice to help deepen your prayer life?

Perseverance is vital, both in sports and in prayer. We've seen stories of Olympic athletes overcoming tremendous challenges. Similarly, in our prayer lives, we will face obstacles that undermine our confidence and instill fears and doubts. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to persevere by fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ. What distracts you in your prayer life? How do you stay persistent, especially when walking in the valleys of life?

Finally, there's Pursuit. Athletes compete in pursuit of a temporary reward. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV) says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” However, God invites everyone to enter His throne room and communicate with Him, not for a fleeting moment of glory on top of a podium but for an eternal connection with the Lord, who delights in us and brings us joy and peace.

How do you pursue a relationship with God? How will you make prayer a daily pattern in your thoughts, words, and deeds? Which areas need more focus in your prayer life: passion, preparation, practice, perseverance, or pursuit?

Challenge yourself to train in prayer with the same dedication as an athlete then see if it deepens your relationship with the living God.

Let's Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for allowing us to communicate with You anytime, anywhere! We love You and desire to grow in our relationship with You. Forgive us when distractions detour us. Please help us fix our minds on You with more commitment than an athlete to their sport. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Keep On Climbing” by Wintley Phipps. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should heal people like Jesus heals us

Jesus Heals, So Should We
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”—Matthew 10:8 (KJV)

At times life is extremely difficult, even with faith.

Our faith doesn’t always move our mountains. But it does give us strength and courage to climb them. As I write these words, tears stream down my face because of this truth. In life, we are hurt by people, things, and circumstances. Yet, God makes healing available. He heals the ache of loneliness and abandonment. He heals the ache of abuse and neglect. He is the Lord our Healer, who lovingly repairs our brokenness. I know this from experience.

I remember looking into the mirror and feeling so broken. It seems that my life—the pretty picture I presented to the world—had shattered into a million tiny pieces. I would never seem to be able to put it back together again. I was heartbroken. It turns out, God never wanted me to put that picture back together. He would heal my heart and mind and grant me a new vision for my life.

In Matthew 10:8, Jesus Christ is talking to His disciples. He had chosen 12 men to teach and train for leadership in His kingdom. He gave them authority to perform miracles and to preach the Gospel in His name. He sent each disciple specifically to the children of Israel to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and to cast out devils. He commanded them to operate in the power of God so that the lives and hearts of His people could be repaired and restored to health. God commands His disciples to serve with an open mind, an open heart, and open hands. Jesus expects all His disciples in this modern day to do the same.

It is important to note that God uses people to restore other people to health. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. Some extremely spiritual people reject visible people, while embracing an invisible God. The Apostle John says that we cannot love God whom we have not seen and hate our brother who we can see (1 John 4:20). Our love for God is exemplified through our love for humankind. God created humans to exist and thrive in community. We need other people in our everyday lives. Another person will heal your brokenness. God works that way.

As followers of Jesus Christ in these current times, we are the givers of love, hope, peace, joy, and kindness. Some people are waiting for God to send help through a miraculous event that needs no input from humanity. God can! He has done it plenty of times before, but He also sends help in human form. I cannot stress this enough. Some even reject organized faith communities and the congregation of believers. However, there is power of healing, restoration, liberation, and deliverance among everyday believers through the power and presence of God.

We have the power to heal each other. We can heal in several ways. Our very presence can bring healing to those who are abandoned and/or feel alone. Our hands can bring healing to those sick in mind, body, or spirit. Our words can bring healing to those hurting emotionally. Affectionate physical touch and our kindness, empathy, sympathy can heal those who are misunderstood, rejected and/or ostracized. Our kind actions can heal those who have experienced mistreatment. Jesus commands us to transform the world in His name.

Call to Action:

1. Explore your role in bringing healing to yourself.

2. Explore your role in bringing healing to your circle of influence.

3. Touch others in concrete ways to repair the brokenness that you witness.

4. Actively seek to be the hands and feet of Christ to transform a hurting world.

5. Remember: Jesus commands us to go into all the world and make disciples and to transform brokenness to health through the power of the Gospel message.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are our God who heals. You see our pain. You see our weakness. You see our hopelessness. You see all and You are sovereign. Help us to recognize the power that you’ve given us to partner with You and to begin to heal a hurting nation. Help us to realize the role that you have given us in transforming the world. Grant us the faith and boldness to walk forward and alongside our friends, family members, children, partners, and strangers as the light that you declared that we are. Help us to shine and love others as You love all of us. Thank you for hearing our prayers. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye Taylor is a woman of faith. She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter. 

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native where she lives with her husband Donald Taylor II.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie%20Faye%20Taylor/author/B09XF3TC22
Listen to Essie’s music at https://on.soundcloud.com/X6DeoRXra7YoKcC2A.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esther.tate.39
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How to wait on God's answers to your prayers

What Are You Waiting For?
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”—Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

What breakthrough are you hoping for? What is your next season of life for which your prayers have so far gone unanswered?

We are instructed to lay our requests before God. Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

As followers of Jesus Christ, we can expect to go through seasons of waiting, which is one of the hardest disciplines to learn. Culture teaches us instant gratification and self-reliance, so when our hopes and plans don’t happen on our timetable, how do we respond?

How do we wait expectantly and patiently as Psalm 5:3 instructs? By developing a daily habit of prayer and Scripture reading. By thanking God daily for the many blessings and gifts He has already given us. By praising and worshiping God daily for who He is and what He is going to do. Blending all these practices together is the key to keeping our focus on Him and not our perceived lack.

God uses challenging circumstances of waiting to draw us closer to himself. He may allow us to go without our need or desire to help us grow more dependent on Him. He may want us to learn that we need Him more than having our immediate desires met.

At the time I’m writing this devotional, my husband and I are praying daily for an offer on our house. The weeks are dragging by, and we are on a timetable, so our discouragement is weighing on us. My brilliant nephew who just graduated cum laude from college is searching daily for his “real job.” Another friend of mine is struggling in a difficult marriage. How long, oh Lord, how long? Four times the phrase “How long” is repeated in Psalm 13. I really appreciate this description of despair because it shows me God’s understanding.

Frustration and despair will consume us if we don’t turn to prayer and read God’s word—daily, or even hourly, if necessary. In fact, if God has given us the wonderful gift of time in the waiting, we need to take advantage of it and dig into His word for peace, clarity, guidance, and direction.

Prayer and scripture reading also keep us focused on the bigger picture of who God is. That means asking the right questions. Rather than demanding answers from God about what we should do, we need to shift our focus to who God is. The world wants us to focus on ourselves and what we think we ought to have accomplished or are entitled to. What God is teaching us in this season of waiting is equally important as our prayers and that includes complete dependency on Him and not on our own efforts.

God can’t prepare us for the blessings He has planned in His perfect timing if we refuse to slow down and listen to his guidance and direction through prayer. Stripping us of distractions and unhealthy relationships or control is sometimes His way of slowing us down.

Why does God seem slow to act on His promises? The burden of waiting can feel like a thousand pounds weighing on our shoulders. But often, we are the stubborn and impatient one. Sometimes God is waiting on us to cooperate with Him while He is behind the scenes, actively preparing answers to our prayers.

David, a man after God’s own heart, accused God of being slow. However, the Lord in His loving graciousness, did not take those accusations personally. The Lord told Samuel to anoint David for the throne of Israel at age 16. However, his start date wasn’t until age 30. During that time, David went through the entire range of ugly emotions of anger and fear to despair, depression, and doubt while on the run from an insanely jealous King Saul. David poured all those emotions out in a significant portion of the Psalms. If God hadn’t allowed 14 years of chaos in David’s early life, we would not have the comfort today that those Psalms provide as we endure our 21st century challenging situations and intense emotions.

God knows our need. God has known of our need while he was knitting us together in the womb. Our prayers do not remind Him to “get it together.” We need to pray our prayers to remind ourselves of who God is. The same God who spoke the Earth into existence and scattered the stars has our backs.

When that breakthrough finally comes, it may not be what we hoped for or expected, but we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that only God could have done it, and we give Him all the glory and honor.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, forgive our impatient demands. You are God and we are not. Give us a sense of peace and comfort while we wait. You will give us your best at the proper time. Thank You for using the challenges of our lives to draw us closer to You. Thank You for all the blessings you have already given us that we have been overlooking. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “While I Wait” by Lincoln Brewster. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

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

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

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

Pittsburgh is also where she met and married her second husband. They are now the parents of two wonderful children, one in fourth grade and one in kindergarten, and they make their home in West Des Moines.

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

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Connect with Leslie:
Website: https://lesliejoybake.com/
Substack: lesliebake.substack.com
Email: Leslie.bake@ yahoo.com

Devotionals for the Heart: They will know us by our love for one another

How Will They Know We Are Christians?
A devotional by Joy Beless

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”—Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Being lost was the norm when I lived in Asia and was often navigating one of the world’s largest cities with four children in tow.

We moved there for my husband’s work where he spent long hours at the office with a wonderful bilingual administrative assistant. The first few weeks of learning how to do the once-simple tasks of grocery shopping and buying school supplies became complicated. Whether it was finding our way to train stations and figuring out the route—or even more difficult, learning to drive on the opposite side of the road while reading signs in a different language—much of our time was spent being simply lost.

I quickly learned there are two kinds of people: those who do not want to be bothered to help and those who graciously and kindly interrupt their day to point out the way. I was the foreigner. I could not speak the language. I did not know how to do the simple tasks required for everyday living. I’m so grateful for this experience and what I learned about kindness.

I remember taking the train out for an event that required a few transfers along the way. I’m standing in front of a large railway map with a complicated image of train lines with stops written in the Kanji alphabet. Picture me—a very “large” Caucasian woman—with my children close to me all looking at this map trying our best to figure out which train to get on and hoping it will go in the right direction. The station is crowded and bustling. I’m stressed and anxiety is building. A kind woman who is not hesitant to approach a foreigner asks in broken English where I’m trying to go and points me in the right direction. Relief. My children and I are grateful for this stranger’s kindness.

The Bible has a lot to say about kindness and showing love to others. During those four years, I was the “other” and experienced feelings of desperation and helplessness. I felt inadequate for not knowing nor being able to figure out even how to use appliances in my home. I look back on that time and remember the kind neighbors who were bilingual. They came beside me to teach and help me as I was learning a new language. I also remember the ones who would not even answer my question as I tried to speak the language the best I could. The ones who were annoyed or even angry because I was different, the foreigner, and did not understand the culture well.

There is a song I remember singing in my youth that continues to circle back around with timeless truths. The tune is called, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” and it is performed by Peter Scholtes. It is a simple folk song that speaks about the unity of believers spreading the gospels and respecting other’s dignity. How? By our love for each other.

The idea of showing love to each other is so key to our faith, that Jesus emphasized the message following Judas’s departure during the Last Supper. Let’s read His Words in John 13:34-35 (NIV): “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The best way to show love is by beginning with simple acts of kindness through the lens of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). These virtues are a gift from the in-dwelling Holy Spirit that enables Christians to go beyond their selfish impulses and speak and act through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Often it is not my first thought, but rather what the Holy Spirit leads and guides me to do: to step out of my schedule, my biases, and stop to show kindness to someone.

Some questions that are helpful for me to be self-aware throughout my day are: Who do I tend to have biases towards? Who do I make false assumptions about? Am I viewing others through my own eyes or the eyes of Jesus Christ? Do I have a generous or selfish posture when it comes to my time and resources?

How will people know that I am a follower and disciple of Jesus? According to Him, it is by the love and kindness I show to others. Whether it be the repair person who comes to fix my air conditioner on a hot summer day, the server in the restaurant, or even those in my family, showing kindness is being the hands and feet of Jesus. Speaking to someone who looks different from me, saying hello, and patiently listening to their broken English is showing kindness. Choosing to volunteer and serve beside others is the face of the Church for those who have never stepped foot in a church.

Jesus Christ felt so strongly about this that He commanded us to love one another (John 13:34). Not a suggestion, not only when we have time or feel like it. This is how the world will know we are followers of Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray: Father God, give me a sensitivity to notice others who cross my path or who You lead me to who need kindness and love. Guide me to walk in The Holy Spirit throughout my day—not only when it is easy but especially when it is difficult. Thank You for the love that You demonstrate to me. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

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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.

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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: How to set an example for the people in your life

You are Called to Set an Example
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”—1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)

Did you know that you are called to set an example to the people around you?

Regardless of your “qualifications” or what you feel you may lack, God has called you to set an example for those in your life. While Paul is specifically addressing Timothy in this verse, a young pastor friend of his, this admonition applies to anyone in any stage of life.

It doesn’t matter if you feel like you are “too old” or “too young”, “not enough” or “too much”, God has a plan for you. You can make a difference right where you are regardless of whether you feel “capable” or not.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV), “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Doesn’t that spark such hope in your heart? It does in mine. Take Moses, for example. When God called him to go back to Egypt to tell Pharoah to let His people go, Moses protested, saying he was “slow of speech and of tongue” (Exodus 4:10b ESV).

When God said to Jeremiah, “I appointed you a prophet to the nations”, Jeremiah protested, saying he was “only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:5-6). God responded, saying, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 ESV).

Both Moses and Jeremiah had reasons to protest, but as is the case for Paul and all of us, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God has called you, dear friend. You are irreplaceable and have a purpose in this world unique to you, an identity that God has given you unlike anyone else. Don’t believe the lie that you shouldn’t because you “can’t”. That’s where God is glorified, in our weaknesses and when we humbly recognize we can’t do it on our own but need God to do it through us.

God wants us to make a difference where we are right now. If God has called you to something today, don’t wait. Don’t hesitate because you “can’t” because even when you “can’t”, He can.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, thank You for this truth that You have called me! Thank that no matter how I feel about a situation or about my capability, it’s Your truth that stands. I know I can do all things through You who can strengthen me (Philippians 4:13). In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Garden in Manhattan” by Josiah Queen. Listen to it here.

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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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd for humankind

Jesus Christ: The Good Shepherd
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”—Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

Out of all the chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known. It inspires us to remember God’s love and guidance in times of difficulty.

I recently went through a season of uncertainty. My husband and I had to make the difficult decision to move to another state. In this economy, moving can be very expensive, so it was a big step of faith.

As I was seeking God’s guidance, I kept going back to Psalm 23, specifically verse four where it describes God’s rod and staff. When I took a deeper look into the meaning of this verse, I discovered that the rod and staff were tools used for two very specific purposes by shepherds in biblical times. The rod was a short, heavy, thick stick used to ward off predators. This tool conveys power, strength and protection. In Israelite culture it was a symbol of authority—also used to correct and guide the flock.

The staff, on the other hand also represents God’s guidance, but this tool was used more to direct the sheep. It was a long, slender stick often with a hook at the tip. Sheep tend to wander. Therefore, the shepherd would use the hook of the staff to pull them out of danger and close to himself. This act kept the sheep on the right path.

Not only do sheep tend to wander, they are also completely dependent on the shepherd. They are not strong, nor are they survivors. Without the shepherd’s care they would be in grave danger because they are not hunters that can find food; they are small and defenseless, making them easy prey.

Surely as God instructed the men and women of the Bible, He lovingly directs His children every day. All of life’s “inconveniences” or “obstacles” could very well be us bumping up against the Good Shepherd’s staff. So, before you get frustrated, ask God what He is saying.

Here are five ways God guides and comforts us:

1. God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105-106 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.” A willing sheep would respond to the shepherd’s prodding but a stubborn, strong-willed sheep would not. Every day, we must ask ourselves: Am I surrendering to God’s leading, or do I willfully follow my own desires?

2. The Holy Spirit. Every believer is given the Holy Spirit to guide them through life. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

3. Godly Counsel. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

4. Circumstances. Romans 8:28 (NLT) says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” So often we want to know God’s purpose for us, and it can only be found when we are willing to surrender our will to align with His will.

5. Common Sense. When we choose to yield to the guidance of God, He will enable us to think clearly and sensibly. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

The Bible describes all humanity as “like sheep.” Isaiah 53:6 (NLT) says: “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”

Jesus Christ (The Good Shepherd) not only guides us and keeps us out of danger; He made a way for us when there was no way to give us eternal life (John 3:16). He took upon Himself the sins of the world so that we could all be saved. When we seek God, we will find that even in the shadow of death, we can find comfort in Him.

In closing, our move from New York to Texas was not an easy decision. We had lived and worked in NYC for over twenty years—that is where our careers were made. I knew it was time to make the move when I saw certain doors closing. Circumstances are almost always the best way God leads us. Now we are living near my family in Texas. It is wonderful to finally get to see my niece cheerlead and my nephew play piano.

God always knows what we need, and His timing is always perfect.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for loving us enough to send your perfect Son (Jesus Christ) to die for us so that we can not only have eternal life, but a close relationship with You. Help us not to be frustrated or angered by all of life’s trials. Teach us how to see your signature on each challenge we face. Help us to walk closer to You so we may align our will with Your divine plan and purpose for our life.

In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)” by Shane and Shane. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: When you ask God to do whatever it takes

Whatever it Takes
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”– Colossians 4:17 (NKJV)

When I was younger, and not walking with the Lord, my mother often prayed a simple prayer for me: “God, please do whatever it takes.” I was not the worst of sinners, but I was not walking closely with the Lord, either. I was doing my own thing and not inclined to surrender to Him.

As you read this, consider if God is putting someone on your heart. Perhaps He has placed a call on their life, yet they seem complacent, unwilling to disrupt the status quo. They know and love God, but they do not want to trade their plans for His. Or perhaps they are backslidden. Perhaps they do not even know God at all.

Are you brave enough to pray this prayer for them? “God, please do whatever it takes.” Whatever it takes to bring them to a place of surrender. Whatever it takes to convince them that Your plan is better than the life they have mapped out for themselves. Whatever it takes to bring them to Yourself.

I’m sure my mother was scared to pray that prayer, but she was also desperate to see me walk closely with the Lord. I don’t know how many times she had to pray this way before I began to embrace Him more fully, but I do know what it took. At the time, she could not have realized that one of the things it would take for me would be years of depression and anxiety. She could also not have realized that it would take me losing her (she died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 26).

I hope it does not sound like I believe God caused me to suffer depression, or took my mother from this world in order to woo me to Himself. There were various reasons these things happened, and He has woven her story intricately together with mine. Her faith in His wisdom and goodness was evident in her willingness to allow Him to have his way in both her life and mine. When she prayed, “God, whatever it takes,” she didn’t hesitate at the thought of what that might entail. Whatever means God chose to use, she knew they would be right. This enabled her to release any desire to place conditions on her prayer, and simply just pray.

A few of us may read this and realize that God is asking us to pray these words over our own lives. We long to draw nearer to Him, and to fulfill the calling He’s placed in our lives, but we do not want to let go of comforts and plans. These conflicting desires are creating uncomfortable friction in our lives.

If that is you, are you brave enough to ask God to fulfill the call He’s placed on your life? Will you pray that He does “whatever it takes”?

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I thank You that Your plan for my life, and Your plans for my loved ones, are perfect. In Your wisdom You have called us, and You want to see us walk fully in the things You have ordained for us. Sometimes, we resist. Forgive us. Thank You for the people who have prayed for us. May we be sensitive and willing to step into what You have planned. May we stand by our loved ones, praying and cheerleading without pressuring them, that they too may begin to walk fully in the things You have created them for. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

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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!

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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/
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: How to trust God in every situation

Trusting the Known God in Unknown Situations
A devotional by Dr. LaVonda McCullough

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”—1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

Have you ever gotten a call or email requesting intercessory prayer? 

Just last week, I received one. Hearing the voice of a worried single mother, anxious about an upcoming PCS (permanent change of station for military families), I could relate deeply to her feelings. As a wife and mother, I have gone through similar situations many times while managing our family's journey through my husband's military duties.

Being a planner by nature, I prefer to know all the specifics before I embark on finding schools, securing housing, and settling in. The uncertainty often leaves me feeling uneasy. This lack of clarity resulted in stress and tension, leading to sleepless nights and a burdened heart. In the midst of it all, I overlooked God’s guidance.

Does this resonate with you? Have you attempted to manage everything on your own without relying on God?

As I listened to her worries, I softly encouraged her to find trust in God through Scripture. God desires to illuminate our path when we seek His guidance. The Holy Spirit leads us toward truth. Even when the way seems obscure, a moment of quiet prayer allows Him to communicate with us. God will provide peace beyond comprehension.

We build trust and familiarity with someone by spending time with them. God wants you to encounter Him so that your reliance on Him is unwavering. You don't need to see or understand everything; instead, place your trust in Him for all matters. He knows the plans He has for your life and will position you perfectly for growth in every season.

Friend, take a moment to PRAY: Praise, Repent, Accept, and Yield!

God wants to relieve your heart of its burdens. Our connection with God should be so close that faith and surrender happen effortlessly—similar to the act of breathing. We inhale and exhale instinctively—a divine design granted to us by God. While it may be easier said than done in a world filled with unpredictability, God's promises remain true and impactful.

God says in Isaiah 55:11 (AMP), “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Take a moment today to inhale God's peace and exhale your worries about the future. Pray and place your trust in Him today. Our Heavenly Father desires a heart that fully surrenders and confides in Him.

Let’s Pray: God, thank You for being our rock and refuge, the One we can always trust. Your faithfulness never wavers, and Your love surrounds us each day. We are grateful that we can cast all our cares upon You, knowing that You care for us deeply. Thank You for guiding us, for Your wisdom, and for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help us to trust You more each day and to rest in the assurance that Your plans for us are good. We praise You for being a constant source of comfort and strength in our lives. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I’ll Trust You, Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

LaVonda and her husband have three children.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: God can help you overcome the past

Overcoming the Past
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”—2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV)

The past can sometimes contain lingering reminders of our mistakes and failures. Perhaps things done in sin that led to regret, or accidents brought on by missteps or miscalculations. God doesn’t want us to live in the past, nor be taunted by the enemy (Satan) from anything in it.

When we receive the gift of salvation provided by Jesus Christ (John 3:16) and accept Him as our Savior, His love transforms us­. He makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). But, because of our worldly flesh, it is often difficult to forget or let go of the past no matter how hard we try. This might also include family and friends in our lives who also have difficulty forgiving our “past selves” or letting go of the past.

In our weakness of flesh, Satan will try to use the sins of our past against us. He tests our strength in Christ by poking at our weaknesses, often by using someone we love or care about to do it. Not long ago a friend of mine, Joe, came to me for prayer because of present day negative and chastising comments he received from family members regarding his past mistakes before Christ changed his life. Through a lot of work and dedication, Joe was healed from his past. Today, he is a very different person. For him the “old passed away”, but not for some of his family members. It was difficult for Joe to experience such an attack, which caused him pain and feelings of anger and resentment.

I reminded Joe that, while the negative comments were hard to take, they were not the truth. The truth is he belongs to Christ, so he is a new creation. He is a son of God! He is loved and covered by God. I prayed with him and told him to keep praying until he felt at peace. Only the power of prayer can overcome what we cannot do ourselves in our fleshly weakness. We cannot overcome the devil or anything else without calling on God, who is our defender in the faith. He will come to our aid and rescue every time.

Next, I encouraged Joe to forgive those who wounded him. What they did was in their own flesh and, as we are one with Christ, we must not regard it (2 Corinthians 5:16). Matthew 6:14 (ESV) also says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Forgiveness in Christ has the power to not only set us free, but also those who hurt us. We may not be able to change their fleshly actions or response, but we can rest assured that God takes control of any situation we put back in His hands through forgiveness.

Finally, I encouraged Joe to resist Satan, to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18), and tell the enemy to take his lies back to the pit where he belongs. We must know who our enemy is! Joe wasn’t fighting his family members, he was fitting against Satan, who wants to destroy him with lies about his past. When we resist the devil, he must flee from us (James 4:7)!

So, if you’re struggling with things from your past, take heart and do not be discouraged! God is with you (1 Chronicles 28:20)! You can be still and know that the Lord will fight for you (Exodus 14:14). His great love can and will sustain you. He will bring you through the storm to the other side because He is in you and “behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Glory be to God!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, though I struggle against flesh and blood, I know you fight my battles. You will overcome my flesh because in you I am a new creation. Thank You for overcoming my current circumstances and setting me free from anything the enemy tries to use against me. I am not my past, and any mistakes in it no longer have a hold on me. In you there is always victory over my enemies! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer currently residing in Northern Virginia. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, ACFW, ACFW Virginia Chapter (Treasurer), The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint. 

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. Her first historical fiction novel is set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England. She loves horses, cats, dogs, and all things peppermint!

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirachellecanada/
Email: mirachelle@mirachellecanada.com

My Review of "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart" devotional by Lysa TerKeurst

I was delighted to receive an offer from Momentum Influencers Network to participate in a book promotion campaign by reading Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart: 50 Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry", and writing a review! 

Lysa is one of my favorite Christian authors. She only writes nonfiction in the Christian Living category. This is the first devotional I’ve read that was written by Lysa and her guest writers. It was a wonderful read!

I’m happy to share my review with you but first, here’s a word from Momentum Influencers Network about Lysa’s new book:

God not only has the whole world in His hands; He's holding the details of your life in His faithful hands as well.

What lies heaviest on your heart as you lay your head on your pillow? Are paralyzing fear and anxiety stealing tomorrow's peace? Listen to this invitation from Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Experiencing this kind of rest won't come from escapism, more vacation days, or stuffing our feelings. Jesus Himself provides rest to our weary souls. While He may not always fix everything right away, we can fix our thoughts on His Word. In doing this, we can sleep at night with ease knowing that God has it all under control. Through the pages of “Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart”, written by New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst and her friends at Proverbs 31 Ministries, you will be equipped to:

- Quiet fearful and anxious thoughts that always seem to be the loudest before bedtime by incorporating the Bible into your nightly routine.

- Find relief from the stress of daily obligations and pressures through 50 encouraging devotions and guided prayers written by women like you.

- Release the heaviness you feel about hard situations in your life so you can wake up refreshed and walk into the next day with courage.

Learn more at www.ClearMindPeacefulHeart.com

~*~

Now, here’s my review of "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart" by Lysa TerKeurst:

Reading this devotional book is like sipping a cup of lemon balm tea. It quiets your mind and soothes your soul as it provides encouragement for your heart.

It truly lives up to its mission to help you focus on God and His Word, not the craziness and catastrophes happening in our world today. I found that reading one of these devotionals every night before going to bed helped me to focus on all the hope given by Jesus Christ. Hope for a hurting world. It was beautiful!

I appreciate how Lysa had guest writers to help fill the pages of this book with their real-life stories and experiences served to the reader in devotional format. It was encouraging to read something different by a new writer each day. Not everybody is the same. So I believe that having different viewpoints from a variety of writers helps to reach a wider audience of readers.

Each devotion in this book was refreshing and well-written. I also appreciate the interior and exterior graphic designs that make this book not only attractive but complete. If you’re struggling with chaos and losing your sense of peace, I encourage you to read this book, and also read the best book (The Holy Bible) prayerfully. God will meet you on those pages and provide comfort.

If you have not read this devotional yet, I encourage you to buy it online or in a local bookstore. Perhaps even ask if your local library carries it and if not, request that they make it available to borrow because it effectively addresses a felt need for so many people in our world today!

~*~

Giveaway Contest: 

Enter this giveaway contest for your chance to win a $5 Starbucks gift card! Open the link below to enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway contest widget here:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c499/?

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

#ClearMindMIN #clearmindpeacefulheart #newbacktoschoolroutine #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @tnzgift @lysaterkeurst @proverbs31ministries

Devotionals for the Heart: Looking beneath the surface of everyday life

Beneath the Waters
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

—Colossians 3:2 NIV

Have you ever tried to imagine what’s beneath the surface of a body of water?

My son and I paddled our way across the lake, our small green canoe a speck in the misty waters. The sky was overcast, and a few spatters of rain hit the tops of my knees as we glided along. The rain felt good on my skin, relieving the humidity for a moment. My paddle slipped easily through the lake water, and we paused for a moment to get our bearings as we came to a fork. As we did, I marveled aloud about the beauty of our surroundings—the hint of fog, the cloudy sky, the faint glimmer of sunlight poking through here and there, even the patter of raindrops upon the water’s surface.

Below that water, we could only imagine what lay hidden. We had no idea how deep it was, or what fish swam below us. The water wasn’t particularly clear, and from our perspective only darkness loomed beneath the surface. For all we knew, a whole other world existed below our small canoe.

Of course, it’s that way with the spirit world, too. There’s a whole other realm of life that exists just beyond our own. There, in that heavenly realm, angels battle demons, good pitted against evil. And God prevails. Always. Even in times it seems otherwise, God is still in control, still in command.

Many of us paddle through our years on this planet only concerned about the life we live today, forgetting Scripture repeatedly urges us to remember there’s far more beyond our small sphere.

Jesus says in John 8:23, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (NIV). Jesus also said, in John 4:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Apostle Paul talks about it in Ephesians 6, as well—how we must understand the spirit world is every bit as real as the physical world. Indeed, Paul writes, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). But we can take heart, for God equips us with special armor to fight the forces of evil in that spiritual realm. We can trust the forces of God will overcome the forces of evil. And because he loves us, he equips us with what we need to get through this life.

The world we live in is only temporary. It’s beautiful and glorious, certainly, and God handcrafted it as he handcrafted each one of us. He loves us and he loves his creation. But he also has something else in store for us—a magnificent kingdom with rooms enough for all (John 14:2) and a table awaiting us (Luke 22:29-30). And we must understand that the things of this world, even things that seem terribly important, pale in comparison to God’s grand kingdom that awaits those of us who believe.

The things we go through in this world, the infirmities of our bodies, they’re temporary. All we go through on a daily basis—traffic woes and going to the grocery store and concerns about our work responsibilities—is merely a blip on the grand scale of eternity. The real world, the Forever, is beyond all that.

Sometimes we get a glimpse of this world beyond. Perhaps the Holy Spirit within us helps us recognize a shred of evil just ahead, or angels in our midst, forces at work we can only see with our spiritual vision … much like the waters my son and I paddled through on that lake. In our canoe, we only had an idea about what lay beneath the surface, beyond our perspective. Similarly, we also have only an idea—a faint understanding—of what remains before us on a spiritual level.

But it’s a deep truth and an important one, one we must force ourselves to remember when the concerns of day-to-day life threaten to take our focus off what really matters: the stuff of God, the stuff of eternity.

My friend Katy calls it the truth we know in our “knower”—that kernel of our soul that is fully in connection with the vast understanding the Holy Spirit brings.

This week, as we paddle through life, remember to keep your heart, mind, and soul focused on what lies ahead of us, what lies beneath the waters.

Just because we cannot see it doesn’t dilute its importance.

Let’s Pray: God, thank You for the great love You have for us and for this world. Help us remember this love of yours also makes a place available for us in the next world—a place in your heavenly home forever and ever. The eternal world is what truly matters. Help us to remember these timeless truths. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Have Fixed My Mind (On Another Time)” by Reggie Smith. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Last year, she released an Advent devotional for those seeking true closeness with God, which you can find at https://www.jessicabrodie.com/advent. Learn more about Jessica’s fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: When your God-given gifts make room for you

When Your Gifts from God Make Room
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“A person’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great people.”

—Proverbs 18:16 (NASB)

The Old Testament book of Daniel summarizes the story of the prophet Daniel. Like an earlier Bible Hero Joseph, Daniel had extraordinary political, social and spiritual influence.

In Daniel 6:3, the Bible describes Daniel’s legendary success. It says, “Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom” (NASB).

This man Daniel was the kind of man who stood out in a crowd. He was not loud and pretentious. He was humble and perhaps a bit introverted. Daniel did not seek fame, fortune or power, but his gifts catapulted him from invisibility to stardom. His collision with destiny was the result of collusion between human excellence and divine placement.

He was not a one hit wonder. Daniel was consistent in his personal integrity and professional performance. His reputation for excellence preceded him. His success was not limited to his professional prowess. He was a good guy. He had an excellent spirit within him. Synonyms for his ethos are extraordinary, exceptional, unparalleled, incomparable and pre-eminent.

How can you quantify this spirit of excellence in your own life, and cultivate it within the lives of family members and those whom you influence at work? Since choral music is a good metaphor for creativity and harmony, my suggestion for quantifying and cultivating an excellent spirit is in the acronym CHORALE.

Here’s a brief breakdown of that acronym:

Character counts in your most private moments. It counts at home and at work. 

Habits and work ethic are important in personal, spiritual and career development.

Organization of one’s life, living and desktop are great evaluative metrics. 

Reliability in the past is an indicator of what kind of performance can be expected.

Attitude is 90% of influence. Optimism builds and empowers. Pessimism corrodes. 

Loyalty and integrity are a two-sided coin.

Enthusiasm ignites ingenuity and the innovation that propels ideas into reality.

Daniel’s excellent spirit reflected the essence of CHORALE. He was the perfect blend of passion, ability and anointing that God needed in that era. Daniel’s excellent spirit was God’s vehicle to project a prophetic vision and persuade a generation of expatriate Hebrews and Babylonians to prepare the way of the Lord.

Launched into fame and power, his humility made him a target. The lesson here is that giftedness will be recognized and valued by most. It will bring you into the company of people who are great and who need you. However, as with Daniel, someone will always be lurking to end the reign of gifted people whose living and being are unassailable. Lies, plots and schemes were employed to bring Daniel down. You may have or might in the future experience some challenges to your spirit of excellence. Be buoyed by the story of Daniel. The people who plotted against him were ultimately unsuccessful. He was imminently and preeminently successful. So, as they say, “Dare to be a Daniel!”

Hone your personal, spiritual and professional attributes. Harmonize your life by cultivating and measuring your CHORALE metrics. When you do so, you will be ready for that moment when providence and preparation collide for you.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, please be with the readers of this brief message. Anoint them for the day. Provide for them the sustenance and opportunities to live maximally and approximate the purpose for which you gave them being. Bless them and their families. Use them to advance Your will in our spheres of influence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Dare to Be a Daniel” by Zana Hunt. 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.