Devotionals for the Heart: Knowing God can give you calm in chaos

Seeking Calm in the Chaos
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

—Mark 4:38-39 (NIV)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed in a crowd?

There I stood in a mass of people, waiting to gain entrance to my son’s first college orchestra concert. The swirl of noise and the sea of bodies set my senses on overload as, all around me, the jostling and high-pitched laughter shifted into high gear, buzzing with festivity. While I knew I was in a safe place, still my heart began to thud and my skin to tingle.

Breathe, I told myself.

There before me, my eyes rested on the wall where someone had painted an artful tree trunk. The blues and greens and teals blended together in a whirl of delicate design, and I admired the artwork as I focused on my breathing. Soon the joy I felt in simple admiration crowded out the swirl of sensation all around me. Peace settled in and took over, and slowly yet blissfully I began to relax. All was well once more.

Chaos can do that sometimes, can’t it? Yet no matter what, even in the scariest, most chaotic, most crazy of crazy times, we can achieve a sense of peace and calm by remembering the most basic of truths: No matter what, we are not alone because Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way. The Bible tells us over and over again that our Lord is Lord over all creation, commanding even the toughest and most harrowing situations. We know the disciples felt tremendous fear when a storm arose on the Sea of Galilee, and their small boat was tossed about the waves, water rushing over them. We can read about this Bible story in Mark 4:38-39. The Bible says that Christ’s response to the peril his disciples were experiencing was to rebuke the wind and waves, commanding it to be quiet and still. As a result, the wind and the waves obeyed. After all, their Creator, the Word come to the world in the flesh, always prevails (John 1:14).

He does this even still … in the storms around us today, in the chaos of the crowd, in the terror of the darkest nights. We might not be able to feel Him around us, commanding the chaos to quiet and be still, but we can trust that He is there, working for and within us. Now and always.

The Bible says this over and over, and it’s a truth we can trust. We can read about this throughout Scripture. Here are a few key verses to remember …

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” (Psalm 107:29-31).

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3).

If you are in the middle of the storm—whether the anxiety of a crowd or a harrowing, dreadful ordeal—take a moment to breathe and remember: You belong to the King of the Universe, and He loves you with a wildly extravagant and generous love filled with mercy, compassion, and perfect strength.

All is well.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You for the extraordinary love You have for me. Please help me remember that no matter what I experience, no matter what I fear, You are mightier than anything else. I can put my trust in You now and always. I don’t need to fear. I simply need to focus on You and have faith that all will be well, now and forevermore. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Your Love Is Extravagant” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Firm Foundation (He Won’t)" [feat. Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes] | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Sometimes He Calms the Storm" by Scott Krippayne. 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 and the 2024 Florida Christian Writers Contest SonShine Award for her novel, Hidden Seeds. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism.

This year, she’s 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. 

Jessica also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" (movie review)

Momentum Influencers Network invited me to participate in their promotional campaign for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by watching this movie. As a person who loves Christmastime and faith-filled films, I was delighted to say yes!

Before I share my review of this film, allow me to share a few words from Momentum Influencers Network about this wonderful work of art: 

Nobody is ready for the mayhem and surprises that ensue when six of the worst youngsters disrupt the town's yearly Christmas performance.

Synopsis: The Herdman kids are absolutely the worst. They lie, they steal, they bully…and they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are less than amused. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas.

Watch THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER film, in theaters everywhere beginning November 8. The newest film from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company is based on the beloved children’s book classic book. As of November 2023, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson has sold more than 7 million copies since its publication in 1972.

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My Review:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a superbly produced movie that made me laugh, cry, smile and rejoice! It was filled with memorable moments that were skillfully portrayed by the abundance of talented actors. It wasn’t only the main characters who had excellence in performance; the acting skills of everyone involved—even the actors in the audience and background—was noteworthy!

When I learned that Dallas Jenkins who directs the hit series, “The Chosen”, was the brains behind this production, it all made sense why it was such an engaging and impeccably done film! This movie is based on a book by Barbara Robinson, international bestseller that I now want to read. The storytelling skills of the screenplay writers of this movie are second to none. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Everything about it came together to create a special masterpiece. I think something that makes this movie so special is the fact that it is so relatable. We all—most of us, especially in the USA—can identify with the classic underdog story, one about misfits who save the day! If we ourselves were not misfits, we most likely know several people who are and we’re either rooting for them or avoiding them. I like how in this movie, the crowd went from being fearful of the Herdman children and gossiping about their destructive nature, to rooting for them! You’ll have to watch the full movie to find out how and why they went from hating the Herdmans to loving these troubled children.

I believe that the message in this movie applies to our real life: Don’t count out the people God has counted in. God created everyone—those who act good and those who act bad—and He loves us all the same. God doesn’t endorse evil actions, nor does he want us to do bad things. But God does want us to love everyone how Jesus Christ loves all humankind. Only God can change the heart of someone from hating Christianity to fighting for it—such is the case of how God changed Saul (a persecutor of Christians) into Paul (who then became a warrior for Jesus Christ). You may be surprised to see how faith in God changed the hearts of characters in this movie. It’s a beautiful portrayal of how God never gives up on us and how He uses community, the Bible and the church—as well as unexpected ways—to bring us all together and show us how His love is unconditional.

I won’t say more so I don’t give away everything about this wonderful story! But I will say that if you want to be encouraged and inspired this holiday season, watch this movie. It’s worth your time and your money.

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More details about this movie:

Visit the movie’s official website:
https://bestchristmaspageantever.movie/

Watch the official trailer for this movie: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YlZgG4Vgpw


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Giveaway details:

All residents of the U.S.A. (only) are eligible to enter this giveaway contest for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. Enter the giveaway contest by opening this link to Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c501/?

Disclosure: Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#TheBestChristmasPageantEverMIN #TheBestChristmasPageantEver #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to be rooted in the truth

Rooted in Truth: Building Your Life on God's Foundation
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”—Matthew 3:17 (NIV)

As a Christian life coach and mental health coach, one of the most common desires I hear people say is, “I want to find my purpose.”

This longing resonates with so many of us because we want our lives to matter. For those of us who know Jesus Christ, this desire often shifts to something even deeper: a longing for significance that has Kingdom impact. We yearn to understand how our unique gifts and calling fit into God's bigger picture and how we can use them to make a real difference for His glory.

But discovering our purpose is only part of the journey. Our Kingdom purpose is found in who God says we are and carried out in the community of other believers. To truly understand our Kingdom calling, we first need to know who we are in Christ. Our identity is foundational. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we use our gifts, and how we engage with the world around us. In a world that often pushes us to find our worth in accomplishments or approval, God invites us to root our identity in Him. When we see ourselves through His eyes, our purpose becomes clearer, and we begin to walk in the unique calling He has placed on our lives.

There’s no better example of this than how God established Jesus Christ’s identity when He was preparing to fully step into His purpose on earth. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, as He came up out of the water, “… a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”

Three points stick out to me from this short verse:

Point #1: God said this to Jesus when He was baptized, before He began His earthly ministry.

Point #2: God established His identity by speaking it over Him.

Point #3: Before Jesus did anything for God, He got His identity from God.

It’s imperative we know that we are His child, we are loved by Him, and God is pleased before we do anything. Our identity is already established and doesn’t need to be earned.

I think it’s interesting to note that right after Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Do you know one of the ways the devil attacked Jesus? By getting Him to question His identity. In Matthew 4:6 (NIV), we see the enemy (Satan) say to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God throw yourself down…”. Satan tried to get Jesus to question His identity and to act on those incorrect beliefs. I don’t think it’s a coincidence God called out who Jesus was before sending Him into the wilderness. He wanted to make sure that firm foundation was set before the testing came. We too need to know who we are and believe it so that when the enemy tries to tell us otherwise—and he will try—we can rebuke those lies with the truth. I am a firm believer in Biblical affirmations, speaking God’s truth out loud over yourself, just as God did to Jesus. Faith comes by hearing. We need to hear ourselves say what God says about us to increase our belief.

If we do not believe what God says about us and have our identity firmly built on the foundation of our relationship with Jesus and who God says we are, everything we do will flow from a faulty belief system. We will lack stability and struggle to bear fruit. If you have made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized, then I believe that your Heavenly Father is saying these words over you: “You are my son/daughter. Whom I love. I am pleased with you.” Our job is to believe what God says!

Walking in our Kingdom purpose isn’t about striving or proving our worth; it’s about resting in who we already are in Christ. Just as Jesus’s identity was affirmed before He began His ministry, so too is our identity established in Him, rooted in love, and anchored in truth. This week, let God’s words over you settle deeply in your heart: "You are my beloved child. I love you, and I am pleased with you." Let this affirmation shape every step you take, reminding you that your purpose flows from His love and that He has equipped you to impact His Kingdom. Embrace this truth, rebuke any lies that say otherwise, and let your life reflect His glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling me Your beloved child and for establishing my identity in You. Help me to rest in this truth, knowing that I am loved and that You are pleased with me, not because of what I do, but because of who You’ve made me to be. When doubts arise and the enemy tries to shake my foundation, remind me to stand firm in the truth of who I am in Christ. May Your words be the foundation upon which I build my purpose, and may my life reflect Your love and grace to those around me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Time to Believe” by ForeverJones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” [feat. Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes] | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt, founder of Walking the Walk Ministries, is a Kingdom-focused writer, speaker, and coach, passionate about helping women worldwide awaken their hearts to see their God-given purpose and thrive in their walk with Christ. 

With a desire to cultivate a craving for God's Word, her writing is saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing, speaking, and coaching she hopes to ignite your eagerness to pursue God passionately, invite your heart to experience God’s love personally, and inspire you to live your life “souled” out to the One whose love has no limits.

Cyndi lives in Central Florida with her two kitties and is a Jesus-loving, adventure enthusiast devoted to living her life for Jesus until the day she is living with Him.

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Connect with Cyndi:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkingtheWalkMinistries
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkingthewalkministries/
Website: https://walkingthewalkministries.com/