Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for your heart when you feel alone

When You Feel Alone
A devotional by Joy Beless

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.”—Psalm 25:16-18 (ESV)

Everyone feels lonely at some time in their life.

One of the loneliest seasons of my life was when I moved to the most populated city in the world. Surrounded by bustling crowds, everywhere I went seemed to amplify my loneliness. No one knew my name and I did not know theirs.

Loneliness can sneak up on us in the midst of transitions. Some transitions are physical, such as moving into different communities and churches. Transitions in life’s seasons can also generate feelings of loneliness, such as adult children leaving their home, the breakup of a close relationship, or the death of a loved one. Loneliness is a part of life and an emotion that blankets us without invitation.

According to a 2024 poll by the American Psychiatric Association, “30% of adults have felt lonely at least once a week and 10% say they are lonely every day.” Loneliness sneaks up on us when we do not feel emotionally or socially connected to others—even in their physical presence such as with roommates or a marriage—as well as when we are alone. With the prevalence of working remotely, watching church services online, and family units spread throughout different cities, community and emotional connectedness can be difficult to cultivate and maintain.

The times when I feel lonely and disconnected from others emotionally—and sometimes physically—God meets me in this place of despair. Like King David in the Psalms, we can pour out our hearts to God naming and identifying the specific emotions we are experiencing. The lament of David in Psalm 25 gives the example of naming the troubles of our hearts and offering them to God to carry our burdens. In Psalm 25:1-3, David names these words to describe what he is feeling and facing: lonely, afflicted, troubles, distresses, and sins. We can learn a lesson from this psalm: Our “aloneness” can be an invitation to seek God deeply and honestly. An intimate conversational prayer with God is similar to Psalm 62:8 (NIV) that reads, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

As we sort out the specifics of our circumstances that contribute to our feelings of loneliness, consider how God can be our refuge. Rather than allowing negative self-talk to cycle through our thoughts, we can picture ourselves curled up safe with God in His arms. We must remember that He is our shelter (Psalm 91:1). As we listen to God, is He guiding us to a truth about our situation or an action to take in our circumstances? Is there a place of wounding God desires to be present with us and bring healing? Perhaps the name of a person surfaces in this sacred space so that we can reach out and talk through what seems to be a wound or hurt in this time of need.

I remember praying to find a heart friend, day after day. I decided to pray “big” for a friend within walking distance of this big foreign-to-me city. At the same time, another woman was also praying the same prayer, and through circumstances, we reached out to each other. Not allowing our different nationalities to stand in the way, we became lifelong friends and sisters-in-Christ. Paul encourages us through the letter to the church in Corinth, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).”

Aloneness is an opportunity to look to the Triune God: Our Heavenly Father (God) who created us in his image, Jesus Christ (God’s Son and our Savior), and the Holy Spirit (our counselor and guide). We can see God as the Lover of our soul, our Comforter, and the Giver of peace.

Remember what God says to us in Hebrews 13:5b (ESV): “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He is with us and present, even in times of loneliness.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for understanding the emotion of loneliness and our need for the scriptures that point us to Your heart of compassion and love. We are grateful You are our place of refuge and comfort. As our society becomes increasingly digitalized, show us how to remain connected to one another as the Body of Christ. Give us the courage to reach out to others who also are struggling with loneliness.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. 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: Life lessons learned from traveling across Texas

Storehouses New and Old
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”—Matthew 13:52 (NIV)

As a young teenager, I had the opportunity to travel across the state of Texas by myself on a train! My boarding time was around 10:00 p.m. from Alpine, down near the Big Bend, and we finally arrived in Beaumont the next day. It was only about seventeen hours of travel, but it was an even longer journey of the heart.

When the sun came up that morning, we were still in the arid region of the state. Mesquite trees, greasewood, and sage were the only vegetation. It looked the same as my hometown of Van Horn, only flatter. I paid little attention to the view outside and took a little nap.

After a brief doze in the hot, dry air, I awoke to a sight never to be forgotten. The greenest trees I’d ever seen grew all along the great railway and there was no sign of an irrigation ditch, let alone a water hose. We even passed a school with a beautifully manicured lawn, and they weren’t even watering it! I couldn’t believe my eyes. As the miles rushed along, my face was glued to the scenery right outside my window. It was like racing through the Garden of Eden.

Later I grew up and moved away from my home in the desert, and eventually settled down in central Texas. The trees and grass and flowers flourish here, and I’m still amazed at the natural beauty of growing things in my backyard.

But part of me still longs for the scenes of my childhood. My heart cherishes the lessons I learned. Honesty and integrity. Helpfulness and neighborliness. A love of a challenge and, win or lose, good sportsmanship. A handshake is your word, and a promise made is a promise kept.

Added to that is the person I’ve become with the help of the Lord. A wife and mother. A teacher and mentor. A friend and confidante. A lover of God and a lover of the people He has created. And in my heart is something new, too. Joy and peace. Gentleness and kindness. Faith, hope, and love—the love of the Lord that is always more than any of us can imagine.

Both parts, the old and the new, come together more each day. The radiant sunsets that turn the desert hills a rosy pink are a favorite memory. And the plop of a fish on a misty morning lakeside brings a smile. The child who sat on the hot sand to sketch a picture of snow-capped peaks far to the western horizon is the same child in the woman who sits beneath a massive live oak to write a story of an imagined time. The old and the new. Both treasures of sweet moments that are to be cherished for a lifetime.

Granted, not every treasure is a pleasant one. The times of pain and suffering are also in the chest. But today is a time of rejoicing; it’s a day to remember and to bow in grateful adoration to the great God of Heaven and Earth. So, we reach deep into the storehouses of our days, and we give thanks to God who the Father of us all for giving both sorrow and beauty.

A remembered joy is to be shared. As we go through this day, let us give to others what has so freely been given to us. We pass along God’s provision, His patience, His tender mercy, and always, we love as He loves us—openly, joyfully, lavishly. I can only imagine God speaking to us like so: “Go,” He says to our hearts, “Go and teach My people to follow Me.” That is the message our Lord wants us to share.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, the God of all creation, we lift our storehouses to You. Please use them as You see fit and help us to love one another. In the great name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Maker” by Chris August. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. Her heart is for her readers. 

She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.

You can reach Karen by emailing her at this address: klmarstaller@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to live as a citizen of Heaven while on Earth

Living as Citizens of Heaven
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”—Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

There’s no doubt that we live in unprecedented times. Everywhere we look in this post-pandemic world, it seems like our “normal” way of doing things and living life on this earth may never come back.

To many, it appears that the world is “falling apart”, but for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we know everything is falling into place. In fact, for the Christian there should be an excitement for Jesus to return to Earth to take us home to Heaven. The Bible is clear that we will not know the day nor the hour when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36).

But we will know the season. Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT) tells us, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Jesus could come back right now, or many years from now. Regardless, the questions we must ponder and answer are: How should we live? What should be our highest priority? According to Scripture, God has made it very clear that we are called to love God and love others.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) says, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift to use for the church. He has also given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Our abilities show what specific ministries we are to do for God.

What are you naturally good at? God wants to use your gifts for His purpose. Hebrews 13:21 (NLT) tells us, “may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.” When we put our God-given gifts into practice, the world will see a living, breathing example of Christianity.

The world has itching ears. Everyone is always looking for the next best self-help guru or podcast that tells them what they want to hear, but when they see someone living and speaking clear biblical truth, they may not understand, but they will know it’s authentic.

When I first became a believer, I was very legalistic. Everyone at my job thought I was crazy. I constantly felt like I had to speak to others in a Christian lingo and openly kept my Bible on my desk. I thought I was “doing the Lord’s work”. But sadly, I was really pushing people away.

One day I met a young man (who would later become my husband.) He was honest with me about how “religious” I was coming across to people. What he said hit a nerve. It also showed me how self-righteous I had become. That was such a humbling experience to see how much I didn’t understand God’s grace.

The beautiful thing about the grace of God is that we can see how unworthy we are to receive it. There is nothing more freeing than to discover that in and of myself, I could never earn my way into Heaven.

With that new perspective, I finally felt the freedom to just be myself and let Jesus speak through me as I felt His leading. I was amazed to see that I wasn’t scaring people away anymore. In fact, some people asked for prayer and others even joined me for church.

Understanding the grace of God and knowing that we are eternally lost without Him will give us everything we need to live authentically for Jesus. It will come across in our speech and our actions.

Here are three ways we can live as citizens of Heaven while living on Earth:

1. Spend time in God’s Word. We won’t always feel God. Most of the time God simply speaks to us through His Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

2. Attend a good church. We need to be fellowshipping with other believers for encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says, “And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

3. Share your faith. God has called every believer to be a disciple and make disciples. To take every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) says, “So be careful how you live. Do not live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

This world is decaying. If we can be a living, breathing example of Jesus then we will be the “fragrance rising up to God.” Let’s read about this in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT): “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.”

God gave us a free will. Therefore, every day we wake up with a choice to submit to God and follow Jesus as our top priority or disobey Him and push Him away. The more we choose to keep Jesus first, the more peace and joy we will experience regardless of what life throws at us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for Your grace that gives us what we don’t deserve. Thank You for dying for us so that we can live an abundant life in You. Thank You for your patience with us and I pray that You will enable us to live and act in a way that glorifies You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Living Hope” by Phil Wickham. 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: Why we need to spend time alone with God

Why We Need Time Alone with God
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.”—Matthew 14:13 (ESV)

In the verse above, Jesus Christ had just learned of the death of his cousin John who was often referred to as John the Baptist. Jesus longed to be alone to mourn the death of someone who was not simply a family member, but a fellow servant of God and the one who announced His coming (John 1:1-18).

In the same verse, we discover that the time Jesus had hoped to spend alone with His Father was preempted by people who were hungry—both spiritually and physically. He goes on to minister to them and then feed the five thousand men plus women and children (Matthew 14:21).

Take note of Matthew 14:23 (ESV): “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” Though he was waylaid, He did not forsake this time alone entirely. He made sure it happened. Matthew 14:25 goes on to tell us that it was not until the fourth watch of the night that He finally went back to His disciples.

It is so hard to get alone these days. Even when we make a little time to read our Bible or pray, it is often just that—a little time. I was reminded recently in a video devotional that these times of silence with our Father in Heaven allow Him to get down deep into so He can begin to heal our wounds. Jesus had just lost his cousin. He needed silence—and not just a few minutes. He took hours away from His disciples. Away from the crowds. In those days, there were far fewer distractions: no phones, television, social media, or running here and there (especially for those in my stage of life where I am the taxi driver for my children). Recently, I realized it is all right for me to linger in silence. No. It is necessary.

Sometimes, we must be busy, even when we long for silence. In Matthew 14, Jesus modeled His readiness to minister in spite of sorrow and fatigue, but after He dismissed them, he prioritized time alone with His Father. Even though His disciples were in a boat, “a long way from land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them” (Matthew 14:24 ESV), He did not return to them until He had taken the time He needed.

Are we taking the time we need to sit silently with the Lord, to wait for Him and allow Him to heal our wounds? Or are we feeling rushed? Are we laboring under the pressure that we should always be doing something? Or are we so burned out that when we finally have downtime, we fill it with endless scrolling and binge-watching TV shows?

Dear friend, give yourself permission to take the time you need. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, get alone with God in silence. Open your Bible to the Psalms if you feel led, but don’t feel that you need to study the Word in that moment. Admittedly, sometimes our overworked brains just can’t handle it. It is all right to just soak in His presence. Close your eyes and imagine relaxing in His arms. Allow healing to take place.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

I am sorry that I am often so rushed that I do not take time to sit before You and allow You to reach deep into my heart and begin the healing work You long to do. I pray that today, that will begin to change. I pray that You will help me make time to be silent and still, putting away my distractions for as long as necessary. I know I need healing work in my life—whether I have experienced a tragedy or have just allowed the busy pace of modern life to wear me down. I know I need to make a habit of regular time alone with You, and I look forward to what You want to do through that. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Alone in the Presence” by CeCe Winans. 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: Why we should always pray for everyone

The Importance of Praying for People
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”—1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

As I watched the athletes perform for the Olympic Games in Paris (France) this year, I caught myself praying. They were not overt prayers, although I had prayed overtly that the setting for the Olympics would be free of violence or terrorism. God answered my prayers! As I watched the runners and the swimmers do their thing, my enthusiasm autonomically welled up within me. As the gymnasts flipped and twirled, I was so amazed at their skill, but worried that they might fall. A few did and I prayed for them.

My internal prayers for the winners included hopes that they would be noble and generous with their competitors and retain humility, even as they proved themselves to be the best in the world. For those who did not get a medal, I prayed that their disappointment, after having trained as hard as the winners, would not plunge them into despair.

When the political atmosphere in the United States of America shifted suddenly a few weeks ago, I was drawn to prayer. Every day it seems that the political divide in the USA is more frequently typified by walls rather than bridges and conflict over cooperation. Internationally, the same is true.

The Biblical mandate to pray that I focus on today is quoted above. We have been exhorted, first, to pray for all people. We could never know everybody and call them by name. However, our prayers can be targeted to cover individuals and categories of people. I have always been stimulated by the verse in Psalm 122:6 (ESV) that says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” Is that the only city for which we should pray? Of course not!

King David, the writer of this Psalm, was familiar with and loved Jerusalem. It was his home. It was a new city built largely during his tenure as the King of Israel. For him, building this city was an act of devotion to God. Therefore, he cared about the quality of construction, the conduct of the society and the well-being of the citizens.

We too are vested in our communities. We should pray for the citizens of our neighborhoods. We should pray for the well-being of our economies and the presence of God in our societal norms. Then, the Apostle Timothy instructs us to pray similarly for leaders and potentates (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Timothy implies that when our leaders are covered by our prayers, God will bring peace and stability into our environments.

So, please join me in a devotional exercise of picking a city, the leaders and citizens within. Pick a person whom you know and pray for them, specifically. Pray that your city will be at peace. Pray for a crime-free day. Pray for a war-torn city or a family under any number of issues that create pressure and tension. Pray for evidence of miracles and perhaps that you can be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

As we lift our hearts in prayer today for all people, please hear the intent of our prayers and reach down to the people whose names we call and especially to those whose names or needs we do not know. Bring peace where there is strife, abundance where there is nothing. Bring liberty to the oppressed and freedom to those who are bound by choice, circumstance or inability. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Let There be Peace On Earth” by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. Listen to it here.

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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.

My Review of the "Life in Christ" Bible

Momentum Influencers Network sent a copy of the Life in Christ Bible to me and asked me to write a review about it. Before I share my review, read these words below from the professionals of Momentum:

God has a purpose for your life in this moment. You have a part to play in what He is doing in the world. But knowing why you are here starts with knowing who God says you are. The Life in Christ Bible invites you to embrace your identity and purpose as you:

• Discover why you matter-not because of anything you do, but because you are made in the image of God.

• Explore how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes you a new person.

• Learn how who God says you are changes how you think, speak, work, and move through the world.

• Embrace your purpose as you discover why you matter, how the Gospel makes you a new person, and learn how that changes the way you think, speak, work, and move through the world.

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My review of the Life in Christ Bible:

This is a wonderful version of The Holy Bible. It has all the traditional Scripture that makes up most Bibles, but it also includes sidebar features and articles that help you dive deeper into your study of God’s Word. 

I found this very helpful in my own personal relationship with the Lord. The notes in the sidebars challenged me to really think about the Scripture as I read it and motivated me to apply these words of wisdom to my daily life. 

I believe this book lives up to its mission to help readers embrace their purpose and discover why they matter to God. I recommend this Bible to everyone, regardless of their age or gender. It truly is a life-changing read! The only thing I didn’t like about it was the design symbol on every page. But that’s not a big problem. It’s still wonderful!

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Watch this promo video about the Life in Christ Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers:
https://youtu.be/-Fb6yHAlPg0?si=0N-SGAKd4tPlmArV

Visit the official website to learn more about the Life in Christ Bible:
Life in Christ Bible - Thomas Nelson Bibles

Buy the Life in Christ Bible on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B68ADFB7-695C-466E-AA19-88ED144C76A9?channel=momentum-924

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Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

#LifeInChristBibleMIN #LifeinChristBible

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Enter the giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a physical copy of the Life in Christ Bible! *Note: The giveaway contest below is limited to residents of the United States of America. Here’s the entry link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c500/?

Devotionals for the Heart: How to delight in God and trust Him

Delight in God
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

—Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV)

When the world around us seems to be in chaos it can feel overwhelming, or hopeless. Yet, God’s Word (The Holy Bible) encourages us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)! We serve a great God who promises to never forsake us in our time of need.

When we need a reminder of God’s faithfulness, the Bible book of Psalms (especially the verses that were written by King David) is a great resource. King David was a man after God’s own heart, and quite often his Psalms reflect exactly how we are feeling today or what we want to say about our current situation.

Psalm 37 tells us not to worry or be envious of wrongdoers. “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (Psalm 37:2 ESV). Have you ever noticed how insignificant a blade of grass is, and how easy it is to cut or tear down? When joined together with other blades it can seem fortifiable, but in reality it takes very little effort to mow it all down. This is how God wants us to see our circumstances, because from His vantage point and according to His will, it can swiftly be dealt with. Meaning, what is and seems wrong will not overcome us.

Instead of submitting to or being overcome by worry, David encourages us in Psalm 37:3 (ESV) to “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” To befriend faithfulness means to embrace and champion God’s faithfulness to us in the past, present, and future. His faithfulness brings us to the other side of our problems, often turning beauty from ashes, and always with an outcome for good.

After championing God’s faithfulness, David calls for us in Psalm 37:4 (ESV) to “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This does not mean our own earthly, fleshly desires. When we trust in the Lord and befriend His faithfulness, His desires become our desires because we fall in line with His Holy Spirit. God’s Heart becomes our heart. With our eyes and hearts focused on God, we find delight in Him as He finds it in us. We commune with God, and in His joy and presence there is freedom.

Be encouraged today to shift your focus from the world (and its worries) to God. Put your full focus on God. Trust Him, befriend His faithfulness to you, and delight yourself in Him. Psalm 37:5-6 promises us that our God will act and bring forth righteousness and justice when we commit our way to Him.

Hallelujah!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You that in the midst of trouble I can turn to King David’s Psalms and be reminded that You have overcome the world. I only need to trust You, standing in Your faithfulness, and delight in Your goodness to regain the right perspective. Thank You for helping me to commit to Your ways and trust You to act in every circumstance for our good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

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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

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ paid for your sins so you can be free

Free from the Sins of my Youth
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever had a nightmare that stayed with you?

My dream that night felt like reality. In it, I came face-to-face someone from my past, someone who had deeply wronged me, though in truth, I had wronged them as well. When I awakened, I couldn’t stop thinking about that time in my life, beating myself up for all the ways I had erred and gone astray. The “if onlys” swirled … if only I had chosen this instead of that or done that instead of this.

I struggled all morning, consumed by memories. One memory edged into the next, and soon I found myself going back over my life, all the way from my childhood until now, thinking about the mistakes I’d made over the years. Shame washed over me. Stones, large and small, accumulated. I felt like a piece of garbage as one by one I owned those mistakes, many of them long forgotten. After all, I had been willful—and haven’t we all?

I squeezed my eyes shut. There was nothing I could do about any of this now, in spite of my regret. All I could do was own up, acknowledge my wrongdoing, and apologize, though I knew nothing I could say would fix anything. God, I’m sorry, my soul cried out. Truly, I’m sorry.

The balm of God’s peace blanketed me. And in a flash, I remembered that extravagant, almost unbelievable truth: I’m covered! My mistakes are forgiven! Even if I do feel like a piece of garbage for having made those mistakes, in the eyes of God, I’m redeemed. And it’s all because of Jesus Christ—only because of Jesus. Because of Jesus, I’m washed clean. There’s no regret or repentance or sacrifice I can make strong or deep enough to apologize or make right any wrongs I’ve ever done in my life. It’s only because of Jesus that these wrongs are made right, that my sin-debt is paid. What mercy.

It’s the same for all of us. Perhaps you have experienced this, too, that weight of guilt and anguish when you remember certain ways you went wrong in the past. It doesn’t matter how “bad” it was, or how it stacks up when compared to others. Lying and selfishness are every bit as awful as murder in the eyes of the Lord, and one sin is just as horrible as twenty. When we finally get to that point of owning up and realizing how wrong we were, it’s like a knife to the chest. How could I have done that? Who was that person?

Yet we know the truth: No matter how bad, how wrong, or how ugly, Jesus washes us clean. Our belief and our repentance are the first step, but he’s the real savior.

Now, my heart is settled, for I know I’m forgiven. Even if I have a bad dream every night for the rest of my life, every day I have the chance to wake up and remember that beautiful truth all believers can experience: through Jesus, we’re forgiven.

But I ask you: Where are you with the weight of your own past sins? Are you worn down by pain and regret, beating yourself up? Or are you living the liberated and joyful life God has provided, free now to do all the wonderful things God has in store for you to bring about his kingdom here on earth? I hope it’s the latter.

It is OK to experience the occasional regret when you recall way that you went astray. We’re all human. But here’s the thing—Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24). Picking up our cross means embracing our struggles and temptations, our sins and our pain, and coming to Him anyway. It means walking on His path just we are at this very moment, in spite of it all, trusting He will make it right.

Just like that sinner who was crucified next to Jesus, who asked Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom, Jesus says the same thing to us when we repent that he did to that man: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV).

This gift is echoed in God’s words to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 57:17-19: “‘I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will heal them.’”

We can’t comprehend the extravagant love of God. We can try to, but knowing he gives us the chance to live with him in eternity simply for following Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is truly inconceivable. It’s like winning the lottery, only a billion times better. We don’t have to understand how we got to be this lucky or beloved by God. We simply have to accept this gift, and in that gratitude help spread the good news so others receive this gift, too.

If you are struggling right now with memories of days gone by, things you’ve done or things done to you, perhaps now the time to experience freedom—the freedom that comes from setting these burdens down at the foot of the only one who can do anything about them, Jesus Christ. In Jesus we have liberation now and forever.

Let’s Pray: Lord, forgive me for all the ways I’ve done wrong, all my sins and shortcomings, all the ways I’ve hurt you—the things I remember and the things buried so deep I cannot remember. Thank you for your forgiveness and your love. Help me remember the words of Jesus to the sinful woman in John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you … Go now and leave your life of sin.” I love you, Lord. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Jesus Paid It All” by Kim Walker-Smith. Listen to it here.

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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. 

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.