Devotionals for the Heart: The cost Jesus paid because of His Love for us

The Cost of Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

—Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)

I first heard the expression, “easy to love”, many years ago. As I’ve matured, I’ve realized that love is neither easy nor free. It costs us dearly to love.

Love requires sacrifice. I’ve learned this as I’ve navigated my relationships over the years. True love requires thoughtfulness, vulnerability, kindness, understanding, compromise, clear communication, and service to the person you love. Love costs, but it is worth it. After all, in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, “It's better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.”

Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. His love for us moved Him to give His life in order to save us from the original payment due for our sins. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (KJV), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” A cross represents faith, commitment, principles of Christ, and most importantly the sacrifice of Christ for humankind. A cross has the international significance of suffering and sacrifice because of love.

True love is both valuable and costly. It is not without sacrifice. Because Jesus loves us, He gave up a very valuable thing: His life. He willingly died on the Cross at Calvary for us to pay the wages of sin, that was our debt, in full. We were His enemies (Romans 5:10), yet He died for us (John 3:16)! Christ’s love for us is unconditional and unchanging. It is impossible to understand why Christ would love us mere mortals as He does. Yet, I am grateful.

In Hebrews 5:8-10, the Apostle Paul reintroduces Jesus Christ. Paul highlights the Gospel message beautifully as he details that Jesus left His Throne in Heaven to become a man on Earth (Galatians 4:4-7). Jesus left His position of royalty—as the Creator of the universe—to become one of us. And He chose to suffer beyond words and die a cruel death on the cross so we could be reconciled to Him (John 3:16-17). He doesn’t want to live without us.

Though Jesus was the Son of God, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. His suffering perfected Him and prepared Him for God’s purpose and plan for His life. Christ’s choice to suffer speaks volumes about how deeply and passionately He loves humankind. He was willing to pay the cost of His love in order to save us from eternal death and permanent separation from God.

Have you considered the cost of your love for Christ? Is there tangible evidence of your faith walk? Does your love for Christ move to you please Him? Do you obey the Bible in loving your neighbors and enemies like God loves us? What has your faith walk cost you?

Walking by faith is a journey of sacrifice and at times, suffering. Like Christ, our suffering propels us into our purpose and life’s calling. Scripture assures us that if we suffer with Christ, we will also reign with Him. The cost of love will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come.

Call to Action:

Step #1: Examine your love for Christ. Assess your level of commitment to your faith by looking at your actions and inactions.

Step #2: Count the cost of your faith walk. Do you believe that your relationship with Christ is worthy of the sacrifice and suffering required?

Step #3: Practice gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. When someone gives you a gift, it is polite to say, “thank you.” Praising Jesus, in return, is offering thanks for His sacrifice. Praise Him often because He deserves it.

Step #4: Share the Gospel message with others along with the love of Christ. Practice kindness to neighbors, friends, and strangers. They will see your good works and glorify God.

Remember: God proved His love for humanity by sending His only Son (Jesus Christ) to redeem mankind. Christ proved His love for humankind by sacrificing His life for us. Will you reciprocate that love by giving Him your heart, repenting of your sins, and living for Christ every moment of your life?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You sent Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. You continue to profess and prove your love for us each day. Your love for us is incomprehensible and overwhelming at times in a good way. Even when we don’t reciprocate your undying adoration, you still love us. Father, we thank You. You’ve loved us in good times and bad times. Thank you, Lord! Some of us are suffering and going through tough times. Help us to see your hand in our difficulty. Help us to know that You are always there because You promised to never leave us or forsake us. Help us to reciprocate your enduring love and walk closely with You. May we feel loved, accepted, and protected by Your love. Thank You for hearing us and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “You Deserve It” by JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

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

Essie is a Chicago native.

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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when God says no to your prayers

What is Your Response When God Says No?
A devotional written by Colette Lawrence

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”— Romans 8:28 (NIV)

When my siblings and I were children and asked our parents for things, the answer that excited and filled us with joy was “Yes.” Our ears seemed not trained to hear any other response.

In our limited mind view, hearing “no” meant we were denied what we through our young eyes thought was best for us, and we pouted or threw tantrums. We believed what we asked for was what was best for us, and hearing that response made us feel that our parents did not love us because if they did, they would have given us what we wanted. This is how we respond to the Lord at times.

2 Samuel 12 recounts how David sinned against the Lord by sleeping with Uriah's wife. The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront him about it, and he acknowledged his sin. Bathsheba became pregnant, but that child would die according to the word of the Lord. You may wonder what this has to do with God saying no. It has everything to do with it. The child became ill, and David decided to fast. This is a spiritual discipline where you abstain from eating food and drinking. You spend a lot of time praying to God from the depths of your heart about what you hope He will answer “yes” to in response. Perhaps in fasting, David thought the Lord would heal his baby and the child would live. But God said “no” in the answer to David’s prayers. David’s newborn baby died.

How often has God said no to your request, and your response is just like King David’s initial idea to fast and pray hoping God will change His mind? Maybe you haven't, but I can recall situations when God said no to me, and yes was the answer I thought I needed. My response was to fast and pray in strong hope that He would change His mind, but He didn't.

Sometimes we forget we serve a Sovereign God who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), what we need, when we need it, and what is best for us.

The Lord tells us in Matthew 7:11 (NIV), “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Therefore, if we petition God for our needs and in His Sovereignty, He says no, then it stands to reason that His no is based on Him knowing all the facts, what is best for us and not giving something to us that He already knows would ultimately not work for our good.

Have you ever been so desperate for God to do something for you, so desperate for His yes, that when He responds differently than you expected, you are left in a tailspin, feeling dejected, neglected, and wondering if God doesn't understand what you need? That was me. In those times, I used to pout and be miffed at God because He denied me something I believed was best for me.

As we read further in the key scripture above, King David fasted and prayed. God still said “no” and his baby died. Consider David’s response from 2 Samuel 12:18-20 (NIV) that reads, “On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.”

David's response should be our model response. He hoped he could change God's heart, but he couldn't because the baby wasn't part of God's plan for him. Instead of pouting and withholding his love from God in worship, David changed his posture. He cleansed himself, and then he went to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we hear God's response to our request, and it doesn't meet our expectations, I believe the Lord desires us to come to Him, let Him know how we are feeling, and choose to worship Him instead. We need to trust in His Sovereignty and trust His heart for us. God’s response of “no” is never meant to withdraw or withhold anything good from you. But because He is all-knowing and has your absolute best interest at heart, if He says “no” then that answer is in our best interest.

What are you struggling with today? Have you fasted and prayed about it, and God has still said no? Would you choose today to respond like David by accepting God’s “no” then worshipping God for who He is, the King of all kings, the Creator of Heaven and Earth? Remember, God is your Heavenly Father and He loves you.

Today, let's choose to worship God instead of worry and trust that His plans for us are perfect. Whatever God’s response to our petitions are, our responsibility is to acknowledge His Lordship and Sovereignty then be reminded that God always work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

How grateful we are for your love and the good plans You have for us. We confess that we don’t always understand when our requests aren’t answered in the way we expect and want. Please forgive us for doubting your good plans for us. Thank You for being Sovereign Lord. Thanks for the assurance that we can trust You. Help us to remember that You always keep your word. Strengthen us as we wait on You.

In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sovereign (Live)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Lawrence is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons.

Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Blog: https://www.colettemarie.online/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettemarie_cm/
Website: https://www.colettemarie.online/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteMarie-cmc
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ is your Firm Foundation

A Foundation to Make a Better Future
A devotional by Desiree Future

“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”

—Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)

The year was 1968 when my parents decided to move from South Carolina to New Jersey, or as I’ve heard people say, “Move up north.” My siblings and I were yet to be born. I already had relatives living in two other northern states—one whom we would end up living mere blocks away from.

Why my southern parents decided to leave everything they’ve ever known behind is still a mystery to me. They exchanged the slow-paced-quiet life for the fast-paced inner-city life.

I can still remember their jobs. With just a high school education, my mother worked in a restaurant called Zimps Kitchen. Her uniform was a white dress with the Zimps logo on it. I remember seeing a picture of her slouching in one of the booths when she felt exhausted. If I’m not mistaken, my dad worked at a factory where my mother later joined him. He worked nights and she worked days. Between 1971 and 1974, my sisters and I were born and one of us was always in diapers. Therefore, both of my parents had to work to keep clothes on our backs and food on the table.

After my parents decided to go their separate ways, my mother continued to work at the same job for almost 20 years. And if the business did not close, she would have retired from there. After our six-family house was condemned because of safety hazards, we moved to a new place. Moving to the other side of town was different. My dad was gone, and we had to move in a short period. We settled into our new place and instantly made friends.

The following year, my mother walked me into my fifth-grade class. The teacher and my mother locked eyes then hugged each other. They grew up in the same small town in South Carolina. Mrs. Towns was her name. She was such a nice woman. If the two could have talked forever they would have.

Yes, it was hard for my mother to raise three children on her own but by the grace of God, she did. We had trials and tribulations just like the next family. However, God saw fit to put people in our lives to help. It takes a village to raise a child, they say. I am grateful God sent the whole village by way of my Godmother Mary and her entire family.

The cupboards may have been bare sometimes and the phone may have been disconnected but the rent was always paid. My mother used to say, “As long as the rent is paid, someone will always feed you.” And that’s exactly what happened. We were always fed.

I can’t say we didn’t want anything because we wanted a lot. We wanted the typical things that kids wanted back then—skates, Barbie dolls, board games, and so on. However, God gave us so much more. He gave us hope. Hope that things will get better for us.

When I was about to graduate from high school in 1990, my mother’s factory job closed. That was a hard blow because she had only had that and the waitress job at the restaurant since migrating from the South in the sixties. But just like everything else we made it through. After I became a parent, I re-connected with my father, then he reconnected with my mother (his wife). They say time heals wounds and I can attest to that. The two had forgiven each other despite everything they had been through.

Life was rough but it gave me the foundation to make a better future. It gave me the sense to want better and to do better. I’m a writer, and blogger and eight years away from retiring from my day job. God gave me a solid foundation and here I stand.

Looking back, I now see how my loving God was clearly working through it all. He gave me more than money can buy. He gave me a strong foundation.

Let’s Pray: Lord, I pray that everyone who comes across this devotional finds their strength in You as their foundation. Help them to stand tall. May they know that You are their solid rock. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” [feat. Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes] | Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Through It All” by Andrae Crouch. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be directed by God through life on Earth

Directed by the Lord
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)

When we drive, we need directions. Even if we have been going to the same place for years, at the onset we needed guidance. Especially fun were the paper maps, or the Thomas Maps we always had in our cars. These navigational guides on paper predated digital Google Maps, and one became quite efficient at reading them.

Before digital maps were invented, we also used the AAA road maps and guidebooks. Since we have traveled extensively around the U.S., these tools became part of our travel bag. My side of the truck is usually filled with books, maps and local treasures to make our travel time interesting and guided. Much like God. He is the map. He is our Guide (Psalm 48:14). He is Sovereign and knows our beginning and end (Isaiah 46:10). Ultimately, God has our destination in mind: Abiding in His love.

Who or what is God’s love? We see in 1 John 4:16 that God is love. And Jesus Christ states He and the Father are one in John 10:30. Therefore, Jesus is love.

God directs our hearts into His Son, Jesus. We are assured in Colossians 3:3 that our life, our very hearts are in Christ. We are held, we are comforted, we are given a place between His shoulders where there is perfect peace and love. This is a place especially designed for the beloved of God (Deuteronomy 33:12).

Where else does Paul say we are directed by God? Into Christ’s perseverance. Perseverance conjures up so much—pain, suffering, duration, a far-off end. But the interesting thing about this word can be found in the Greek. Perseverance (as it says in NIV of the Bible) is “patient waiting” according to the KJV of the Bible. In Greek it is “hypomone” meaning “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, waiting.”

Let’s look at that again. Cheerful? If you are like me, enduring anything is not exactly cheerful. Or hopeful, for that matter. Enduring is a season of waiting. Long-term waiting. And waiting is not a strong suit for many of us.

But Christ gave us the example. And it is where God guides us—into His cheerful endurance. The Apostle Paul writes it beautifully for us in Philippians 2:6-8. He said Jesus humbled himself in obedience to God and He died on the cross to save us from our sins. He did it willingly and cheerfully. One could make a case for the need to change our definition of cheerful. In our modern-day society, we think and speak of cheerful as the Pollyanna gladness game. There is nothing really wrong with this approach, per se. But a deeply held conviction of enduring the hard, unimaginable acts of obedience require gut wrenching endurance. How is this possible? We are given the way—the Lord. He is our Strength (Psalm 28:7). He is what we need to not only endure, but to experience Christ’s perseverance.

Incredible. Knowing all of this, how do we assimilate it into our everyday lives? How can you, me, all of us as believers not only know God’s love afresh and anew, but be willing to be guided into Christ’s perseverance?

For starters, it is not easy. But with Christ Jesus all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). We begin in prayer. We begin in worship. We begin in humbling ourselves before the Father (God) and admit our inadequacies, our need and our desire.

Having just gone through a very intense season of suffering and affliction for five years, I get it. How did I get through each day? I focused on what was directly in front of me: the next meal, a shower, a phone call, reading Scripture. Whatever was next in my regular schedule.

I also was told frequently by my daughter to watch where my feet were going and focus on my next step. Since I had two broken feet, this was very appropriate and good advice. And it turns out to be what we need in our walk with the Lord. Watch where we put not only our feet, but our eyes, our heart, our minds.

Pretty soon, we find ourselves at the end of the day not defeated but knowing victory, love, and Christ’s cheerful endurance.

Let’s Pray: Father, You are amazing. You are the Guide I truly need in my every day life, in my now and in my future. May I study You as my “map” and follow behind Your leading all the days of my life. May I truly be able to go the distance, cheerfully. It is only in You I can. Thank You for this promise. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on 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 24 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 the 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 four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: How I learned to trust God through life trials

Unlocking the Mystery of How to Trust God
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Being a Christian for two decades doesn’t mean I understand and know how things work regarding believing or trusting God.

I’ve been through troubled times that made me wiser, but when I am experiencing a time of comfort and peace, I forget all the lessons learned. We are human and are easily shifted. In times of suffering, we come to God, begging Him to help us. But when we are out of the trials, we quickly forget how God works in our lives.

Ever since I had to be a caretaker for my sick husband, it was an unforgettable lesson. After he passed away, God redeemed me when I was scared for my finances. From time to time, I treated God as a transactional relationship. When another trial in life hit me, I realized I had been wrong in how I treated God. He never was a transactional God. In fact, in any circumstance, He is there to help me. I just didn’t know how to maintain that mindset that I had to trust God.

One day, this thought came to me after I had failed to pay my son’s school tuition. “How could I trust God?” I was worried along the way. I couldn’t even sleep at night. I turned and tossed in my bed, worried about how to find a way to pay for my son’s education. However, I held on to Philippians 4:6 (NIV), which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I didn’t know how to apply that Bible verse. How could I not be anxious when all the financial needs for my family fall on me? And then I read another verse in Matthew 6:25 (NIV), that says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” I still don’t know how to train my mind not to worry. I keep looking for the answers. What does the Bible teach us about how to fully trust God? According to Matthew 6:33 (NIV), we are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The answer is to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. When I fill my mind with God’s words from The Holy Bible as I read it, spend time with people who faithfully follow Jesus Christ, and listen to Bible-based sermons, I feel my spirit is lifted higher and God-given peace floods my soul. I can feel that fears and anxiety melt away and I stop thinking about my worries. I start to think about more significant things in my life and I let God take care of my problems.

As I cast my cares on God (1 Peter 5:7), things began to change, and I can see things clearly. Does it solve my problems completely every time? Not really, but at least it gives me some peace. I have confidence that God will send help in my time of need. He will listen to my requests when I fix my eyes on Him. This is how I finally unlocked the mystery of how to trust God.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father in Heaven, 

Thank You so much for your promise to take good care of me. You will never forsake me. The Bible says You care for the birds in the sky, and you’ll also care for me as I am worth more than birds. I pray that I will never forget how to draw myself closer to You and fix my eyes on you only. Let me trust You every second of my life. Don’t let me doubt. Please meet my every need. I trust You and I love you, Lord. Please continue to work in my life.

In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Trust in You” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Cast Chorus" by Psalty, Ernie Rettino & Debby Kerner Rettino. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You Are My Hiding Place,” conducted by Selah. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.

Devotionals for the Heart: When you're waiting on God for answers

Playing Your Triangle for God
A devotional by Ashley Martin

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”—Psalms 100:1-3 (NIV)

There are moments when it is easy to shout, sing, or make a joyful noise to the Lord, but at other times, it is not so simple.

I vividly remember the first time my son got in trouble at school. He was in kindergarten. In music class, he refused to play the triangle. They were all assigned instruments. He was not thrilled with his triangle. He flatly refused even to pick it up. A triangle is not the first instrument a five-year-old boy wants to play. They want a drum or cymbal. The louder, the better. I am sure his first thought was that it was a “girly” instrument. His resistance was so strong that he was removed from the class entirely. While the office staff chuckled at the situation, I saw it as a valuable lesson. Sometimes, we must do things we do not want to do. When did God last ask you to do something painful or awkward?

That moment stuck with me and made me reflect on how God calls us to step outside our comfort zones. Sometimes, He asks us to do difficult or inconvenient things—like sharing our testimony, helping an aging parent, or serving someone we struggle to love. Sometimes, He even asks us to wait. When did God last make you wait for an answer or a blessing? For me, waiting is the hardest part. I am in that season, unsure of what God has planned for me. I am sitting in the corner, playing my triangle for Him. It may be uncomfortable sometimes, but I trust His plan is far greater than I can imagine. I look forward to seeing it unfold. Until then, I will praise God and wait.

David wrote the Bible book of Psalms to praise his Lord. He had a special connection with his Heavenly Father from an early age. It was marked by David’s deep faith and reliance on God. As a young shepherd, David demonstrated his trust in God through his courage in protecting his flock. For instance, he trusted God to deliver him from a lion and bear. His relationship with his Lord was rooted in prayer, worship, and understanding God’s presence in his life. When David met the prophet Samuel, God revealed the boy's future. David would be king. His life only grew more difficult after this prophecy. But David’s faith carried him through many challenges, including his famous victory over Goliath. He declared that his battle was the Lord’s. God showed up!

After David defeated Goliath, King Saul took notice of him and called him to speak (1 Samuel 17:55-58). Soon after, David formed a deep friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan, and moved into the palace. His success in battle earned him a promotion to a high-ranking position in Saul’s army (1 Samuel 18:1-5).

However, David's rising fame did not bring him peace. Samuel’s prophecy and David’s military victories fueled Saul’s growing jealousy, driving the king to seek his death. Hoping the Philistines would kill David for him, Saul set a dangerous challenge: he offered his daughter Michal in marriage if David could kill 100 Philistines and bring back proof. Undeterred, David and his men went beyond expectations, killing 200 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:5-30).

Realizing that God was with David, Saul saw him as an enemy. Fearing for his life, David fled and went into hiding. Yet, even in exile and hardship, he continued to praise God (1 Samuel 19:11-17). Eventually, David was finally crowned king but lost his best friend, Jonathan, in the process. In sadness and in victory, David honored his Father (God) in Heaven. His reign was also tumultuous. Absalom, his son, tried to overthrow him, and David had to flee again. The king of Israel and Judah hid in a cave and still cried out to God. He told of his sorrows and fears and honored God’s steadfast love. So, David played his triangle (it was really a harp) in the corner, waiting for God to make the next move. Are you currently in a similar situation? Remember, if David can stay in a cave, you can wait in your comfortable home for God to answer your prayer. He will. God never lets us down.

The next time you feel uncertain about God’s direction in a major life decision, remember King David. His life was far from peaceful. He had to step out in faith every day. Yet, he continued to play his harp and praise God. My son has also learned to adapt, though in a different way. He has graduated from the triangle to the piano. He and his music teacher have built a wonderful rapport, adjusting and growing together along the way. As for me, I feel called to pursue full-time ministry. God continues to place people and opportunities in my path to affirm this calling. However, I have yet to see a clear way forward. So, what do I do? Like David, I choose to praise God while I wait for further direction.

Let’s Pray: Lord, when You call me to step outside my comfort zone, help me to trust in Your perfect plan. Give me the strength to obey, whether You ask me to act, to love, or simply to wait. As I sit in the corner, playing my triangle for You, may my heart remain steadfast in praise, knowing that Your timing and purpose are always good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Hallelujah Anyway” by Rend Collective. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Ashley Martin is a history teacher who has transitioned into a being a professional Christian writer and speaker. 

She felt a calling to the ministry at the age of eighteen, having known God from a young age. However, her struggle with alcoholism hindered her from pursuing this path. For nearly twenty years, Ashley taught history while battling her addiction. In 2013, she entered treatment, and at that point, the barrier between her and God finally came down.

Since then, Ashley has been sharing her story and developing her ministry. For the last nine years, Ashley has been married to her husband, West. Together, they have an eight-year-old son named Grant, and Ashley has a fourteen-year-old stepdaughter named Cameron. They call Alabama home, and they enjoy traveling the world as a family.

Nowadays, Ashley continues to teach history to middle school, high school, and college students. She also works for an online women’s ministry named Called Creatives.

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Connect with Ashley:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.klages.54/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agmartin79/
My email: ashleyclairemartin@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What I've learned about pain and faith in God

Why does a good God allow so much pain?
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33 NIV

Have you ever noticed how quickly we try to eliminate physical pain and suffering, especially in the western world?

Those of us who are mothers are quick to dose our kids with Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Dimetapp to bring down a fever, quiet a cough or Pepto Bismol for the tummy ache? We take medication to ease our pain. In this culture, we will do whatever it takes to avoid suffering. The devil has sold us the lie that whatever is comfortable and easy is what we should desire and seek after.

On my prayer wall is a poster from Voice of the Martyrs magazine displaying three people walking a small footpath to a village, each carrying a bundle of Bibles in baskets attached to their backs. It’s a remote location in Africa where Bibles are illegal, and yet Christians in Muslim-dominated areas are willing to sacrifice their lives to smuggle copies of this life-changing book into these places.

Isn’t it fascinating how radically different suffering is viewed from one side of the globe to another? When self-pity and frustration over “not having enough time” to read and study my Bible overwhelm me, one glance at that poster reminds me to snap out of it and surrender to the challenges God puts in my path and view them as growth opportunities.

I tread very carefully when sharing my suffering, because I don’t want to come across as seeking pity, but I have suffered loss. I lost a grandmother to breast cancer who, from my youthful perspective, consistently showed me the love of Jesus Christ. I was at the cusp of understanding basic theology from confirmation classes while watching her suffer from chemotherapy treatments, praying God would heal her. God said no. Her death shattered my faith for several years. Infidelity and other problems plagued my first marriage as I asked God to heal my husband’s addictions. God said no, and it changed the trajectory of my life. In my second marriage, I lost a pregnancy after many prayers that it would continue. God said no. I watched my precious mother suffer from ovarian cancer for five years, and despite all my prayers for healing, God said no.

What about you, friend? What are you enduring right now? What’s keeping you awake at night? Has your suffering felt like God’s punishment? Sometimes suffering is directly related to our sinful choices. But nevertheless, our pain always has a purpose. God taught me so much by not answering my prayers the way I wanted, and He gave me so many more answers of “yes” than the dreaded “no”.

Multiple blessings abound on the other side of our sufferings. Trials teach us patient endurance and obedience. Difficulties enable us to comfort others. Suffering connects us to others in a way nothing else can. It is the means to a unique sharing with Jesus. God lovingly weaves enough struggles into our lives to keep us dependent on Him. The Bible says in James 1:2-4 (NIV), “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We can’t know the strength of our character until we see how we react under pressure. I admit that I don’t always respond “gently” or “sweetly” when I’m under pressure. Just ask my husband. He will tell you that I’m still working on that. It’s easy to show kindness and gentleness when everything is going well, but are we still willing to make the effort to be kind when others treat us unfairly? That’s a tough one. It’s easy to give up, lose heart and quit when you’re overwhelmed.

For me, my daily challenge is writing time. It’s easy for me to blame my family for lack of writing time when it feels like their needs and maintaining a house are consuming my time and energy. But God always melts away my resentment and helps me view mothering from a more grateful perspective. As I pray to Him, I become more aware of small pockets of opportunity when writing is possible rather than scrolling on social media.

The Bible describes the many challenges, hardships and sufferings of the Apostle Paul whose God-inspired writings give us insight on the why and how of suffering. Let’s read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV). He said, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We are to fix our hope not on this life, but on the life to come. Our temporary sufferings shall pass. Don’t forsake your eternal reward because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your temporary weakness allows the resurrection power of Jesus Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Friend, what is your “hard” right now? What’s your “something” that God has allowed in your life to keep you seeking Him? Do you have a special needs child? Are you struggling with caring for aging parents? Are you dealing with chronic illness? Are you taking a difficult but required class? Hardships are part of the human condition. We cannot avoid them in this sinful world. We need to meet each other’s struggles in kindness and compassion and prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

I sense in my spirit a heaviness in believers who are crying out to You in their suffering. Please hear our prayers and comfort us in our sorrow, in our frustration and in our overwhelm. You promised us that in this life, there will be trouble, so we ask, Lord for Your comfort and peace that You also left with us. Help us sense Your presence and develop that patient endurance.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Ooh Child” by Donnie McClurkin feat. Kirk Franklin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

Pittsburgh is also where she met and married her second husband. They are now the parents of two wonderful children—one in fifth grade and one in first grade.

Leslie and her husband make their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Leslie has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 11 years and actively growing her writing career alongside her two growing children.

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

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Connect with Leslie:
Website: lesliejoybake.com
Substack: lesliebake.substack.com
E-mail address: Leslie.bake@yahoo.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you're afraid of the dark

Monsters in the Dark
A devotional by Colleen Howard

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

When you were a child, were you ever afraid of monsters?

Do you remember being alone in your bedroom? The room is dark, and you’re starting to drift off when suddenly your eyes open wide, and you see a shadow on the wall.

You hold your breath, and just as you start to exhale, you hear a noise. By now, you’re building a blanket fortress for protection, and then, “Bam!” Fear grips your five-year-old heart. You let out a scream, and in an instant, light floods the room. It’s Mom and Dad to the rescue. They assure you the monsters are gone. While safe beneath the covers, you finally drift off to sleep.

Let’s face it: Many of us still have our monsters, but like us, they’ve grown up too. They’re not as easy to recognize as a shadow on the wall of a dimly lit room. But don’t fool yourself, these determined monsters are alive and invading in the corners of your mind. The CEO of Monsters Incorporated is none other than the enemy (Satan) himself, and these ugly, evil creatures are his favorite weapons.

Our grown-up monsters have a new look and new names: discouragement, grief, temptation, sorrow, anxiety, disappointment, addiction, and worthlessness. Like an invasive species, they worm their way through the cracks of your armor and attack your soul. Before you know it, you’re trapped. If stuck too long, you risk slipping into the abyss where you’ll find yourself surrounded by darkness, on a treadmill of futility, constantly moving but going nowhere.

It’s a scary, uncomfortable, lonely place to reside. I’ve been a visitor there and most likely you have too. But the good news is, we don’t have to change our address to Monster Avenue. We have a choice, and we have our Savior (Jesus Christ) who can’t wait to rescue us. I know what you’re thinking. These are easy things to say when your season of monster-sized trials has passed. But difficult challenges are part of life on this planet, and no one is immune.

Our brains are hardwired to look for patterns and will always take the path of least resistance. Your fears, feelings of disappointment, or worthlessness take up residence and become impossible to evict. However, you have the option to take a different path. Like the fight-or-flight response when faced with a threat, you can choose to make a run for it, battle by yourself, or cry out to God for protection. The journey will not be easy, but He will see you through it.

From deep within your soul, call out to Jesus. Give Him your fears and ask Him to destroy this vicious villain. No matter how scary the monsters are, God is a faithful parent. His lantern of truth obliterates the darkness. He will never let anyone snatch you from His grip. Reach out and take hold of the righteous right hand of God the Father. He will see you through the night.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, we come before you with grateful hearts. You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control. Your righteous, right hand upholds us when we are weary. You are the anchor of our souls and we place our hope in you. Help us to focus on You as we face our monsters today. Thanks be to God! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: http://colleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to approach God for the help we need

We Can Approach God with Confidence
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”—Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

When I was a student in college, I don’t think I ever took advantage of the office hours my professors offered. 

Maybe it wasn’t as common then as it seems to be now for professors to schedule blocks of time to offer their students extra help with course material, advice concerning their majors and future careers, or further discussion about a topic introduced in class.

I know at least some of my teachers offered this courtesy, but I was too intimidated to approach those learned and prestigious men and women face-to-face. I attended classes, listened to lectures, and took notes, but I relied on the textbook and my own capabilities for doing homework and studying for tests.

Thinking back now, I wonder how much more I might have learned if I’d gone to my teachers during their office hours to ask my own specific questions and receive their personal help, or even just to soak up the wisdom of experts in their fields. What incredible opportunities I missed because of my fear, timidity, and pride.

Some people seem to think of God as something like an erudite professor speaking to a large, dark room full of faceless students from a high podium on a distant stage. They attend church services to hear the sermons, and some of them refer to the textbook (The Holy Bible) from time to time. But, like me, they never consider approaching the Teacher (God) personally, even when they don’t fully understand what they’ve heard. God isn’t like that, though. Yes, He is the Maker of the entire universe and Creator of humankind, and His presence reaches to the farthest limits. But He is also a personal God who invites us to come to Him, ask Him questions, and get to know Him. Yes, His greatness is intimidating, but His love is just as great, and He offers it freely all the time.

This reminds me of the Bible story about Nicodemus. He was a high-ranking member of the Pharisees, a prominent sect of Judaism during Jesus Christ’s time on Earth. Nicodemus visited Jesus at night to ask him questions about his teaching. He had heard Jesus speak in the temple, but he wanted to understand more. Let’s read about his encounter with Jesus in John 3:2 (NIV). Nicodemus approached Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Nicodemus and Jesus went on to have a deep philosophical discussion in which Jesus shared profound truths about himself, His Heavenly Father (God), and the kingdom of Heaven. The record of their discussion includes one of the best known and most treasured verses in scripture: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). What an amazing tutoring session!

Since Nicodemus waited until nightfall to go to Jesus, it’s likely that he was nervous and timid about approaching him at first. It didn’t take long for Nicodemus to become fully engaged in a meaningful discussion with his teacher, though. He couldn’t fully grasp the truths Jesus imparted to him then, but he seems to have taken Jesus’s words to heart and pondered them after that night. We’re not told what happened immediately after that encounter, but in John 19 we learn that Nicodemus was one of two men who came to prepare Jesus’s crucified body for burial, bringing his own costly spices. Finding the courage to approach Jesus and ask him questions that night had an eternal impact on Nicodemus’s life.

Let’s read what Jesus said about His Father and how He wants to help us. According to Luke 11:9 (NIV): “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

We are invited to come and sit at the feet of the one true living God! The God who set the stars in place and who knows how many hairs are on your head welcomes you and wants you to not only know Him, but to learn from Him and grow in wisdom and faith. He requires no appointment or admission fee for us to enter His Presence. All we need to do is seek Him out, knock on His door, and ask whatever questions are on our hearts. What an incredible invitation! Let’s learn more about God’s invitation to us in Hebrews 4:16 (KJV). It reads, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

As great and mighty and omniscient and unfathomable as God is, He is also approachable and welcoming. His office hours are always open for us. Therefore, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are great and mighty, and loving and approachable. Help us take advantage of your amazing invitation to seek You, knock on your door, and ask whatever is on our hearts with confidence so that we can grow closer to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Before the Throne of God Above” by Selah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should practice Christian hospitality

Hospitality is a Gift that Reciprocates
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”— Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

Hospitality is a central theme throughout Scripture.

Hebrews 13:2 offers a profound reminder that in welcoming others, we may unknowingly entertain angels. While this verse references the mysterious encounters of biblical figures like Abraham and Lot who were visited by heavenly beings (Genesis 18 and Genesis 19), its relevance extends to our everyday lives.

In a fast-paced and often isolated world, hospitality can seem like a lost art. Many of us are too busy or too wary of strangers to consider welcoming someone new into our lives. Yet, this verse challenges us to overcome those barriers and extend kindness and warmth even to those we do not know. The spiritual significance of such acts is immense. When we show love to others, we are participating in God’s work and reflecting His character.

The essence of Christian hospitality goes beyond simply inviting someone into our home for a meal. It is an act of love that demonstrates God’s care for all people. In Romans 12:13, Paul urges believers to “practice hospitality.” This command underscores that hospitality is not optional but an essential part of living out our faith.

Jesus Christ modeled this when He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and welcomed those society rejected. His ministry was marked by radical inclusion and compassion. As His followers, we are called to do the same. Hospitality becomes a way to embody the gospel message—a tangible expression of God’s love.

Hospitality can be a stretching experience. Here are five ways that my family extends this reflection of the character of Christ:

1. We Open Our Home: Invite someone over for a meal or coffee, whether it’s a neighbor, coworker, or church member. The goal is not perfection but connection.

2. We are Present and Attentive with Our Guests: Hospitality isn’t just about the physical act of welcoming someone into your space. It’s about creating an atmosphere where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

3. We Assess and Meet Practical Needs: Look for ways to serve others in their time of need. This could mean offering a ride, providing a place to stay, or helping with a financial burden.

4. We Engage with Strangers: Be willing to strike up conversations and show kindness to those you encounter in everyday situations—at the grocery store, on public transportation, or during community events.

5. We Include Those on the Margins: Reach out to people who may feel isolated or overlooked—the elderly, single parents, newcomers to your community, or those facing hardships.

Hebrews 13:2 hints at the possibility of encountering angels through acts of hospitality. While we may not always entertain literal angels, every act of kindness has spiritual value. When we welcome others, we are aligning ourselves with God’s heart and purposes.

Furthermore, hospitality has a transformative effect on us as well. It cultivates empathy, generosity, and humility. It reminds us that our resources—whether time, energy, or possessions—are gifts from God meant to be shared.

In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus makes it clear that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for Him. When we show hospitality to others, we are serving Christ Himself. This perspective elevates every act of kindness, no matter how small.

The message of Hebrews 13:2 is that we never know how God might use our openness and generosity. We may not always see immediate results, but we can trust that God is at work. So, challenge yourself to be kind and hospitable today. It may be the brightest spot in that person’s day.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us to show hospitality and love to those around us. Help us to see every person as an opportunity to share Your kindness and grace. Remove any fear or hesitation that may prevent us from being welcoming. May our homes and hearts reflect Your love. Teach us to be generous, compassionate, and attentive to the needs of others. In doing so, may we glorify You and fulfill Your purpose in our lives. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Angels Unaware” by Michael W. Smith. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address: psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you're running on empty

Are You Running on Empty?
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” –Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

Recently, my friend Annie shared a story that made me stop and reflect for a minute. She ran out of gas right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Atlanta. Let me tell you her story of how she got there.

Annie had been having a typical week at the office, which for her meant long hours, back-to-back meetings, and deadlines that kept piling up. Then, in the middle of all that, a close friend got sick and needed someone to care for her. Without hesitation, Annie stepped in. That meant in addition to her demanding sixty-plus hour workweek, she was now preparing meals, picking up prescriptions, and running errands for her friend.

On the outside, she seemed to be managing it all with grace. She juggled work, caregiving, and life’s many other responsibilities until the moment her car wouldn't start. She had just stopped at a red light at Peachtree Street and North Avenue, a major intersection, during the chaos of rush hour traffic. When the light turned green, she pressed the gas pedal and nothing happened. Panic set in. What was wrong? Was the car battery dead? Had the engine failed? She glanced at the dashboard for warning lights, but nothing seemed out of place. Then her eyes dropped to the fuel gauge. It indicated that her gas tank was empty.

In all of her busyness, she had completely forgotten to stop for gas. She meant to. She knew she needed to. But there was always one more thing to do, one more errand to run, one more person who needed her help. And now, at the worst possible moment, her car had come to a complete stop.

Have you ever felt like that? Like you're constantly moving, giving, and doing but never stopping to refuel? Life can be overwhelming at times. Between work, family, ministry, and personal responsibilities, it's easy to push yourself to the limit without realizing how exhausted you’ve become.

Women especially are known for being expert multitaskers. We take pride in our ability to juggle multiple roles, to be there for everyone who needs us. And sometimes, we even convince ourselves that we can keep going without stopping because there’s just too much to do. But here’s the truth: Just like a car, you cannot run on empty. At some point, if you don’t stop to refuel, you will come to a complete halt – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And often, it happens at the most inconvenient time.

Even Jesus Christ’s disciples struggled with this. In Mark 6:30-32, the disciples were so busy ministering to people that they didn’t even have time to eat. Jesus saw their exhaustion, so He told them in Mark 6:31 (NIV): “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So, they stepped away. They didn’t argue that there was more work to do. They didn’t feel guilty for taking a break. They followed Christ’s lead and withdrew to a quiet place for rest.

If you feel like you’re running on empty, take a moment to stop. Give yourself permission to rest. Find your quiet place—whether that’s a morning walk, time in prayer, or just sitting in silence with God’s Word. Let Him refill and restore you. Because when you take time to refuel, you’ll find the strength to keep going not just for a moment, but for the long haul.

This is the lesson my friend Annie learned. She told me that while she waited for AAA to bring her some gas, she had the time for the first time that week, to get quiet and really talk to the Lord. In that moment, she realized that just like her gas tank, she was running on empty—something she did not have to do. It was a frustrating and scary way to learn the lesson, but it got her attention. Now she remembers that she must take the time to check her personal tank on a regular basis, just like she checks her gas tank, to make sure it is not empty.

Annie’s story is a lesson for all of us.

Let’s Pray: Lord, I’m tired. I need rest. So, I am coming to you today to lay everything down at your feet. I pray for the space to stop, refuel, and rest in You. Energize me physically and spiritually so that I can be the woman You are calling me to be in every area of my life. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How Christians can draw people to Christ

A Light So Lovely
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever heard the saying, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”?

There’s something to be said about a sweeter touch when it comes to getting along with people, drawing them to you or your point of view, or simply helping them appreciate your perspective and enabling them somehow to relate to you.

Sweetness, kindness, and general niceness are attributes I’ve always held dear. I don’t believe from reading Scripture that Jesus Christ was always particularly “nice”, but I know He was always good and always merciful. He said some hard things. He overturned tables in the temple when He was angry and blatantly insulted His enemies in front of crowds. But He was Jesus, “Word became flesh” (John 1:14), God born as a man, the son of the Father. He had the clout and the right to behave that way. We, however, are mere human beings. And we don’t know everything, so we’re not allowed to act as though we do with the sort of confidence that comes from knowing we are the son of God.

I was a bit of a know-it-all growing up, though I tried to mask it, and I’m probably still a bit of a know-it-all deep down. I remember sitting next to more obvious know-it-alls at school, bristling at their arrogant little smiles as they insisted that they were right about something, but a lot of times they weren’t right. Whether through tests or teacher instruction, they soon found out they were wrong. As the old saying goes, “They got a slice of humble pie.”

The truth is that none of us knows it all. We are not God, and though as believers we do have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can’t pretend we know exactly what God meant in Scripture. We can read certain things in the Bible, things that were translated from ancient Greek and Hebrew, and think we know exactly what it meant, but consider how many years have passed and how much the language has changed over the years.

There are certain truths in Scripture we can understand without a shadow of doubt—the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior, our only path to salvation. But some of the other things, some of the things that are in Scripture that are not necessarily the “Gospel truth”? If we feel convicted about them for ourselves, then absolutely we need to follow that conviction! We need to be obedient to God and do what we believe Scripture is telling us to do. But we cannot for a moment believe we are the only ones God is convicting, because every day at every moment, God is convicting other people.

For example, in Christianity, there are differences. For example, recently I saw a video where a woman felt convicted that she needed to cover her head in church at all times. She got this idea from 1 Corinthians 11:4-5. So now she and her daughter wear a hat or headwrap every time they are worshipping God. They’re not part of some sect that is teaching them to do these things. In fact, they’re the only women in their church that do this. They’re not asking anyone else to do it, and they’re trying not to judge anyone else who doesn’t do it. But they are personally convicted that this is what God wants them to do, and for them, this is important.

We Christians fundamentally believe in the same things. But we don’t agree on everything, and that’s not a bad thing. It was this way in the early church also. Some Jewish Christians still followed traditional Jewish ways, while others felt convicted that the old ways had been set aside with the coming of Jesus.

Remember the circumcision strife in Acts? There was a huge issue because many felt the new Gentile believers needed to be circumcised to follow The Way, while others believed this wasn’t essential. Finally, after much prayer and debate, Peter and the other apostles affirmed that we are saved through grace, not because we follow rules like circumcision. Ultimately, they decided to issue a letter settling the matter, telling the Gentiles they didn’t need to worry about this issue any longer. As they wrote in Acts 15:28-29 (NIV), “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.”

They showed tolerance and grace. God is love, and God is truth. God is everything, our Creator who knits us all together. In the Lord, we are perfectly united in the Holy Spirit. As humans, we sometimes have differences, and it’s important to remember to be kind to each other in those differences, to maintain an element of sweetness and niceness and tolerance when it comes to the convictions of other Christian believers.

I believe one day in Heaven, we will know all the answers because we will be perfectly, fully and completely of one mind with God, our Heavenly Father. Until then, let’s keep our sight on Him and not those around us. Let’s heed the words of Jesus when He told us in Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV), “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

In closing, reflect on this quote by Madeleine L'Engle. She said, “We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us do our best to follow You in the way that we feel convicted is the right way, and not to let culture or different voices and pressures sway us from what You speak into our hearts. Help us to behave kindly to other people and offer grace and mercy whenever we have the opportunity. We are all on a journey. Help strengthen us as we approach the summit that is You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Find Us Faithful” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning journalist, author, blogger, editor, writing coach, and devotional writer with thousands of articles to her name. 

Since 2010, she has served as the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 123 journalism awards during her tenure. Her latest book is Preparing Our Hearts: An Advent Devotional to Draw Closer to God at Christmas.

Jessica has won more than 100 writing awards. She is a seasoned speaker and frequent contributor to Christianity.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and Crosswalk.com, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries, with her work included in many of their devotionals and Bible studies.

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

Brodie holds a Master of Arts in English, and she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in communications/print journalism from Florida International University. Born and raised in Miami, Brodie now lives in Lexington, South Carolina, just outside Columbia. She has also lived in Ohio and in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her husband, Matt Brodie, have a blended family of four teenage children and stepchildren.

Brodie has written several novels and is actively seeking publication through her agent Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her novel The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis contest for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers, and her novel Tangled Roots won a third place Foundation Award in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. She is finishing the third in the series, Hidden Seeds, now.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie/
Twitter: https://x.com/JessicaJBrodie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessicajbrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-brodie
Download her free e-book:
https://www.jessicabrodie.com/ebook-god-centered