Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should never stop praying to God

God Rewards Relentless Prayers
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.”—Luke 18:3 NIV

“I just can’t do this anymore. I am tired. I am done. I quit.”

Have you ever uttered these words? Or been the listener to them? When life gets hard, we want to give up—on our marriage, our pain, our financial duress. Fighting is so much harder than walking away, it seems. However, there are times when true grit is longed for, required and rewarded.

Are you in a situation where the tough has got going so long ago that the distant past seems, well, quite distant? Perhaps what started out as a passing affliction or momentary trouble has taken over, consumed your life, pocketbook, and emotional tank. Have you more than once wanted to throw in the towel, or have already quit?

Jesus Christ shared a parable in the Bible to give us His desire (and reason) for prayer. In Luke 18:1 (NIV), Jesus tells us to “always pray and not give up”. He knows perseverance and persistence in prayer is not only vital but powerful for our faith walk with God. Are you asking how this is possible? Let me explain with some questions for you to ponder: Do our prayers change God’s mind? Do our prayers change our circumstances from what God has intended all along? What does sovereignty of God mean for us in modern times?

These are tough questions that may not be answered in our lifetime. But we can know from Scripture that Jesus is concerned about our prayer life. He knew in Bible times and this modern era that we would want to give up. He knew life would get hard and doubts would plague our minds or shake our faith in Him. Jesus knew we would face obstacles that appear larger than life. He knew a doctor’s office, the unemployment line, the courtroom and an empty holiday table would be part of life here on earth.

Jesus knew the true enemy (Satan) would be relentless in pursuing us with dashed hopes, unfinished business, broken relationships, mortgages and car payments. God is Sovereign, He knows all. And He wants us to know He is with us through it all. God promises to always answer us when we call on Him—even when we offer Him our relentless, wild and desperate prayers. He welcomes us into His Throne Room and He wants to help us. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

This is the definition of a real walk with a loving Heavenly Father. Only God can handle the big prayers we send up to Him. Only God can handle it and truly comfort us when we lose it, mourn, and cry out in agony. Only God can wipe away the never-ending tears that emerge from experiencing a sad, life-changing event.

What are you facing or contemplating today? What situation has you fretting and feeling like giving up? What is God saying to encourage you to keep pressing on? We all have problems and situations that we have spent a long time—days, months, years—praying for, asking God to intervene. Let us not grow weary in praying.

We are given permission by Jesus to pursue Him relentlessly, all day, every day with our requests. Big or small. Long or short. As you read Luke 18, you can see His compassion and desire. His love. His care.

Let us knock and keep on knocking at God’s door and coming boldly before His Throne with our requests. May we not stop petitioning our Savior until we receive justice, answers and a blessing from Him.

Let’s Pray: Father God, sometimes the fact that our prayers can change your mind seems impossible to believe. We may fear that we will wear You out with our relentless pursuit of You as we ask for your justice, mercy, healing, and answers to our life problems. But You literally are all we’ve got when we have nothing left to give, take, follow or hold onto—except You. This is everything. You are everything we need. You are enough! I lay myself at Your feet, exhausted, but in a posture of prayer, thanksgiving and worship. Thank You for hearing me, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Everything” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Pray On" by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

~*~

Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children and one brand new daughter-in-love, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served in the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family. 

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 23 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in our church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for two years, and a devotional writer for about one year.

Kerry Sue writes about finding God’s Sovereignty in our pain and suffering.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be confident in who God made you to be

We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

—Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

We are often taught that we must not have a high opinion of ourselves because according to The Holy Bible in Psalm 147:6 (NKJV), “The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.”

However, I want to encourage you today with this statement: There is something to be said for discovering who we are in Jesus Christ and enjoying becoming the person He made us to be! Does that mean we get to enjoy being ourselves? Yes!

Most of us struggle with one of two extremes: We wrestle with pride, or we harbor guilt and shame for our sin and imperfection. If we work to remain humble, we are aware that our words are little more than an outward show of self-deprecation.

For many years, I believed that my personality and interests meant nothing because I was supposed to reflect Jesus alone. Since then, I have learned that when we truly begin to discover who He has created us to be, we begin to love ourselves the right way, and we are prepared to go out and fulfill the purpose for which He created us.

When we are confident of who He made us to be, we are able to spread His love in a unique way. Perhaps there are people around us who can only be ministered to by someone who has been where we have been, experienced what we have experienced, or who cares about the things we care about (the things we think no one else sees). When we aren’t trying to be what someone else tells us we should be or share God’s love the way someone else has told us to share His love, we are more confident in sharing His story—our story.

Your testimony is irrefutable. You know for certain that this is your story—the story of what God has done in your life. I went from fearful and insecure, unsure if I was “allowed” to do anything outside of going to church and raising my kids, to a life full of amazing opportunities in a variety of areas. Each of these areas provides unique opportunities to shine for Jesus, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Indeed, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The love Jesus has for us must enable us to love ourselves, because if we are filled with self-deprecation and self-loathing, people see that. Furthermore, if we don’t love ourselves, I doubt we are really able to love others the way God wants us to. I can’t help but wonder if that’s one of the reasons sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Good News) is so difficult for us. How can I share what I have if I don’t feel confident in it myself?

A few years ago, I received a fortune cookie that read, “The best thing you can do is get good at being you.” It was perfectly timed with what God was taking me through already—a journey of discovering who He made me to be.

During that season, I learned that I didn’t have to set aside my own interests out of fear that they would distract me from God. Rather, He gave me these gifts to serve His purpose in the world. I also found that I was no longer afraid to step out of the comfort zone of church and family to “go where the people are.” My calling and ministry didn’t have to look the way others said it should—it was unique, and I was made uniquely for it.

Today, let’s ask the Lord for a renewed confidence in who He created us to be. Let’s ask Him to teach us how to see ourselves through His eyes and appreciate the unique gifts and callings He has bestowed upon us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

I struggle to find the balance between seeing myself as you see me and feeling ashamed that I’m not who I think I should be. Today, I ask for a renewed vision of the person You’ve made me to be. Remind me that it was in Your image I was created and that it was by Your blood that I was redeemed, according to John 3:16. May I remember that everything You created is good. Help me to walk in that goodness, so that others will see Your love in me. Show me how to tell others my story (testimony) and Your story (the Gospel) with joy.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Wonderfully Made” by Ellie Holcomb. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children. 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure!

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/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 need to know the voice of Jesus Christ

Do You Know His Voice
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

—John 10:27 (KJV)

On more than one occasion, I’ve heard people say to me: “You sound just like (name of a certain singer)” when they hear me sing. This is a compliment, yet I know that I can never duplicate someone else’s voice.

Everyone has a unique sound in their tone, accent, and manner. Voice is defined as the sound or sounds uttered through the mouth. We identify who a person is by the way they sound to us when they speak or sing. We can only do that effectively if we are familiar with or have heard the person’s voice on many different occasions. When we truly know someone’s voice then even in a crowded or noisy area, we can instantly identify who is speaking, singing or communicating.

Jesus Christ tells us in John 10:27 that the sheep know the voice of their shepherd. They cannot be easily fooled. You can dress up like a shepherd and try to behave like one but the minute you open your mouth the sheep know if you are theirs or an imposter.

God wants us to know His voice so well that we have no doubt about who is speaking. We often ask how we can know God’s voice. He gives us direction through His Word (The Holy Bible). When choosing right from wrong, we can learn from Psalm 119:11 (KJV), which says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

When we are confused, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). God’s Word says in (Isaiah 30:21 NLT), “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”

The more time we spend with the Lord and His Word is the more we are not only familiar with, but we learn, the sound of His voice. God wants us to be completely dependent on Him so that just like sheep who know Christ as their Shepherd, we know Him too. In times of storm or stress we can rest in God and trust Him completely.

With so much uncertainty and fear dominating the airwaves, God wants you and I to know that He is in control. God wants us to know that we can still be strong and courageous, and we can run to Him with our every concern. Do you know His voice?

God’s voice speaks strength in times of weakness, peace when storm clouds roll, hope when we feel desperate and all alone. Notice: His voice is opposite to fear and despair. We must know His voice in this modern day because as the hard times come, we can quickly be reminded of the hope we have in Him. In troubled times, we need to rely on what we know from His Word (The Holy Bible). We need to draw from how we have experienced Him in the past. What we have known of God from the past will not only keep us in the present, but also in the days to come.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and showing us that we can know your voice in your written Word and the voice of Holy Spirit. Help us to walk in obedience and trust You even when life looks and feels uncertain, knowing you are still God. Therefore, you are always in control. Help us to remember this and listen to Your Voice. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “You Are God Worship Medley: Holy / Hosanna / You Are God” covers and original songs included by Patricia Russell. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to learn how to number our days

Numbering Our Days
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

—Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

When God created us in His own image back in Genesis 1:27, He also designed us with an internal clock.

Only He knows the exact moment when our time on earth expires. We are clueless when we try to determine our life’s span, although many of us desperately try to figure it out, especially when we try to stave off death by taking any number of vitamins, special diets, or guaranteed exercise programs to postpone the inevitable.

But God isn’t interested in us scrambling around trying to number the days of our lives. He already sewed that up. In Psalm 90:12, God calls us to do more than just buy stock in the most recent Fountain of Youth. He calls us to make every one of our days count—for eternity.

Okay, that sounds daunting, right? We tally up the scores for our good days and our bad days, hoping that the good days will somehow counterbalance the bad ones. Then, maybe, our eternity will be in Heaven, and not in Hell. That will never work, but God has a plan.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to Earth in the form of a helpless baby and grew into a man, the Son of Man. He began to teach people about God, His Father. And because He is God, He never had days when He was bad. He went through His life only doing good—our sinless Savior.

Then the evil in people killed the Son of God—crucified Him, and then buried His lifeless body. But three days later, Jesus rose from that grave, defeating death and all the evil that tries to rule us. And because of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, we can accept His sacrifice for our own sins and believe in Him as our Savior. That decision leads us to not just good days, but the best days as we prepare for our life in Heaven with Him forever.

So, today counts, but with another question: “How?”

The possibilities are endless! Because we believe in Jesus as our Savior from sin, we are God’s children, His men and women. We read His Word, the Bible, and gain wisdom. We are just and kind to every person we meet. We respect the other eight billion human beings who share the planet with us. And we tell as many people as we can about the living Jesus who died for us so that we wouldn’t have to die eternally for the sins we’ve committed. We teach them to turn away from their sinful lives and to trust Jesus with their todays and their tomorrows.

Most of all, throughout each day, we are obedient to our Lord. He tells us to love God and to love all those eight billion image bearers of God. And not just like them, either. Jesus tells us we are to love them as much as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). And that is hard. So, we try to obey, and the Lord Jesus helps us to do it. We won’t ever be perfect at loving others as we love ourselves, but our honest attempts are what count. They make our days count.

And now for the best part: Our obedience leads to the ability of our hearts to gain more and more of God’s perfect wisdom. It grows more love, more kindness, more goodness, more of everything that creates connections between us. People draw close to new life in Jesus. And we have whole new families of people we may not know, but who share the love of Jesus with us. And our hearts grow fuller and richer with His love in us. These are the days that count, for today and for all eternity.

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for Your wisdom. Please give us Your strength as we walk through our days and as we make them count—for You. It’s in Your Name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Teach Us to Number Our Days” by Marty Goetz. Listen to it here.

~*~
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: 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.

~*~
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.

~*~

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.

~*~

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


~*~
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.

~*~
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.

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