Devotionals for the Heart: How to support people experiencing grief

You Lost Her Baby Too: A devotional for Grieving Grandparents
A devotional by Patti Schultz, Ed.D.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

—2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

I have lost more babies than I have fingers.

I said goodbye to every one of them before I ever got to hold them. Each time, well-meaning people filled the silence with something, anything, to make the moment feel less unbearable. Words like these: “She's in a better place” and “At least you know you can get pregnant.” And “God needed another angel.” I nodded because I didn't have the strength to do anything else, and I tucked those words away in the same box where I keep the ultrasound pictures and the tiny hospital bracelets. The words are still there and they still sting.

What I wish someone had known, what I wish I had known, is tucked into two Bible verses most people skip past. In the Bible story about Job, his friends heard what happened to him and they rushed to support him. Job’s friends sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights. Scripture says, “No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was” (Job 2:13 NIV). Seven days. No talking script. No Bible verse tucked into a frozen meal. Just three men sitting in the dirt beside a man who had lost everything, letting his grief be the only thing in the room.

When I experienced grief after the loss of each of my babies, I didn't need anyone to explain why. I needed someone to sit on my kitchen floor with me while the chicken noodle soup went cold on the counter.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul writes that God comforts us in our troubles so that we can turn around and comfort someone else with the very comfort we received (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). That verse means something different to a grandparent than it does to almost anyone else in your daughter's life. You are not just a bystander to her grief. You have grief of your own, comfort of your own, scars of your own from griefs long before this one. That comfort you were given, however it came to you, however long ago, is exactly what she needs from you now.

You may not know quite what to say to your daughter, or what to do with your own grief in all of this. You lost a grandchild too—sometimes more than one—and you are watching your own child carry a weight you cannot lift for her, no matter how much you wish you could.

Here is what passing that comfort forward can look like, in the ordinary hours of an ordinary week: Let her say the name out loud, even at year six, even at year sixteen. A due date will still ache. A song on the radio will still catch her off guard in the grocery store parking lot. Let it. Skip the reasons. Skip the plan, the purpose, the silver lining. Just say, “I don't understand this either. I'm here.” God never gave Job an explanation for his profound suffering. He gave him presence instead. That is still the better gift, and it is the comfort you can hand down.

Remember with her, not just for her. Ask about the memory she keeps returning to. She has already noticed who says the name and who changes the subject. Be gentle around other grandchildren. “At least you have the others” cuts deeper than silence ever could. Show up in the small, unglamorous way: A thoughtful text message on the anniversary. Sitting on the floor when there is nothing left to say. That kind of silent support is like Job's friends, all these centuries later, still sitting in the dirt beside someone they love.

You are grieving too, in your own quiet way. That matters to God as much as your daughter's grief does. The comfort you were given somewhere along the way was never meant to end with you. Stay close, stay soft, and let her know that whatever she feels, however long it lasts, she does not have to carry it alone. Neither do you.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Be near to my daughter (or daughter-in-law) in the way only You can. Help me love her well while I grieve this too. Let the comfort You have given me somewhere in my own losses become the comfort I hand to her now.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Songs of Reflection #1: “Blessings” by Laura Story (ASL cover by Meg W). Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #2: “Sparrows” by Jason Gray (ASL cover by Amber Shorter). Listen to it here.

Songs of Reflection #3: “Draw Me Nearer” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “My Prayer for You” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

~*~
Note from Patti for you: If you or someone you love is walking through the loss of a grandchild, know that you are not walking alone. Feel free to share your own story or a memory with me at pattischultz.com. Our community is here to weep, and to hope, together.

~*~
Author Bio:

Dr. Patti Schultz’s inspiring journey weaves a tapestry of compassion, resilience, and divine hope. 

Formerly a public school principal, professor, teacher, and interpreter for the deaf, she now dedicates her life to a heartfelt ministry rooted in her personal experiences.

As a mother to three miracle boys here on Earth and a member of a heavenly soccer team, Patti’s story is one of unwavering faith and profound love. Her decade-long battle with infertility and recurrent loss fuels her deep compassion for grieving mothers, guiding them toward healing through the comforting embrace of Jesus Christ’s garment.

Patti’s gentle wisdom offers a safe haven for women navigating pain, reminding them they are never alone. Through her ministry, she seeks to envelop grieving mothers in divine comfort, encouraging hope, renewal, and the reassurance that God's love is always near, wrapping them in His compassionate hem as they walk the path to healing.

Living in northern Michigan, she cherishes precious moments with family and community, drawing strength from faith and connection.

~*~
Connect with Patti:
Website: pattischultz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.pattischultz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Patti.Schultz
Email: dr.patti.schultz@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should seek God's Kingdom first

Seek First: What Has to Move Before Everything Else Falls into Place
A devotional by Heidi Lewis-Ivey

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”—Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

There’s a word most of us skip right past in our anchor text above: first.

We read it in Matthew 6:33 the way we read a stop sign we've driven past a thousand times—technically registering it, not actually stopping. Seek first the kingdom of God? “Sure. Of course,” we may think. Then we go right on seeking whatever we were already seeking, with God added somewhere near the top of the list instead of in first place at the very top.

I've read this verse more times than I can count. But sitting with it again recently, I got stuck on that one word in a way I hadn’t before. Not “seek God” in general. The word first, which means everything else in me has to be willing to move.

The verse was never really about what to add. It's about what needs to be reordered. When we read The Holy Bible, we see that Jesus Christ doesn't hand this verse about first seeking the kingdom of God to His disciples out of nowhere. Prior to the “seek ye first” sermon, Jesus spent several verses talking them down from anxiety. According to Matthew 6:31–32 (NKJV), Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

I want you to notice something here: Jesus doesn't treat worry and misplaced priority as two separate problems. He treats them like the same problem. The anxious questions “What will I eat?” or “What will I wear?” or “Will I be okay?” are really questions about what’s sitting on the throne of a person's heart. Worry is what happens when something other than God has been quietly put in charge of your security. His prescription isn't “worry less.” It's “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). Not “Manage your anxiety better.” Reorder what you're seeking.

What Was Actually Sitting There

This is where it stopped being theoretical for me. I had to ask myself honestly: What have I been seeking first? Not what I’d say out loud in church. What my calendar says. What my mind drifts to the moment nothing else demands it. What I reach for when I'm anxious.

Jesus had already named the competition a few verses earlier, and I think it’s easy to read past this one too: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20–21, NKJV).

Treasure isn't only money. It's whatever I've quietly organized my life around protecting. And most of us have treasure we've never actually said out loud. Treasures like comfort, approval, control, the appearance of having it together. Seeking the kingdom first was never about adding God to a list that already has a king on it. It's about letting Him remove whoever's currently sitting there, even when what's sitting there feels harmless.

A King Who Actually Did This

While I sat with this passage about seeking God first, I kept coming back to the Bible stories about King Solomon. God gave him about as open an offer as a person can receive ask for anything. He could have asked for wealth, long life or the defeat of his enemies. Instead, King Solomon said, “Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9, NKJV).

He sought something aligned with what God had actually called him to, not just what would make his own life easier. And Scripture tells us exactly what happened next: God gave him the wisdom he asked for and the wealth and honor he never asked for. Remember: King Solomon didn’t seek riches and hope wisdom would tag along. He sought rightly, and the rest was added.

What Actually Gets Reordered

Here’s what I needed to hear myself: Seeking the kingdom first was never about abandoning the rest of life. Jesus says those things are added, not stripped away. But they need to come second. Paul puts it in slightly different words when he says this in Colossians 3:2 (NKJV), “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

That’s not a call to disengage from work, family, or responsibility. It’s a call to hold all of it with an open hand instead of a closed fist to let God's kingdom be the thing everything else gets organized around, instead of squeezing Him into whatever space is left over after I’ve secured everything else first.

Where I Landed

I walked away from sitting with this passage less concerned with what I needed to add to my life, and much more aware of what needed to move. Seeking God's kingdom first was never about doing more for God. It’s about letting Him take the first place that something else—comfort, control, approval, even things that are good—has been quietly occupying. The Bible says in Psalm 37:4 (NKJV), “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Reordering costs something in the moment. It always does. But it's the only way the rest of it ever actually falls into place. Think about what needs to be reordered in your life. Write it down. Don’t condemn yourself. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to show you what’s out of order. Ask Jesus, “Lord, what am I still holding on to that You are asking me to place on the altar?”

You don't have to have it all figured out before you come to Him. He’s not waiting for a perfect response, just an honest one. Whatever comes to mind as you sit with that question, don’t push it back down. Bring it right here, right now, and let this be the moment you lay it down. Let’s turn that honesty into prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I haven't always sought You first. I've let comfort, control, approval, and a dozen smaller things quietly take the place that belongs to You. Forgive me for the ways I've managed my own life instead of surrendering it for the times worry revealed exactly who, or what, I was really trusting.

I don’t want to just add You to what I’m already seeking. I want You to lead. Take the throne of my life back: my time, my decisions, my fears, the things I hold too tightly. Where I’ve built my own house while Yours sits unattended, forgive me, and give me the courage to trust You to reorder what I’ve let drift.

I trust that as I seek You first, You will take care of the rest, just as You’ve promised. Have Your way in me, Lord. Lead me, Lord, and I’ll follow.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “O Come to the Altar” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Withholding Nothing Medley” by William McDowell. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Just Want You” by Travis Greene. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Nobody But Jesus” by Kelly Price (feat. Vanessa Bell Armstrong). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “First” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “First Things First" by Consumed by Fire. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Lead Me Lord” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heidi Lewis-Ivey is an affirmed prophet and an internationally acclaimed speaker. 

She impacts audiences with her authenticity and bold style of delivery. She has had the opportunity to minister in Trinidad, St. Thomas USVI, Manchester and Liverpool (England).

Heidi is an award-winning and bestselling author. She is the author of Can I Rest Awhile? and Black Girl Cry: What Black Women Need to Know to Amplify Their Voices. She is a co-author in Soulful Prayers (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Soulful Affirmations. Heidi is the convener of the Encountering the Courts of God movement and the founder of Visions International, a training ground for five-fold ministry gifts.

She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University. Heidi is the CEO of Nael & Associates Inc and franchise owner of Patrice & Associates recruiting firm. She is a member of the Pentimenti Women Writers Group, a former mentor with Year Up, former board member for Friends of Young Achievers, and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategist.

Heidi is the proud aunt/great aunt of 14 nieces and nephews and two bonus nieces. They are her joy. The older nephews have become her protectors.

Heidi is an NFL football fan. As a child, she taught herself the game. In 2017 she won her NFL.com fantasy football league. Heidi is an avid reader (Audible listener) of romance novels, a lover of purses and handbags, and a tea snob who believes bling is always appropriate.

She lives in Boston, MA.

~*~
Connect with Heidi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamheidi01
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heidi-lewis-ivey

Devotionals for the Heart: Are you ready to meet Jesus Christ?

Are You Ready?
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“And just as each person is destined to die once, and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”—Hebrews 9:27-28 (NLT)

It is easy to believe we have time on our hands. When asked about doing something, we usually say, “Tomorrow,” or “I will think about it and let you know tomorrow.” But what if tomorrow never comes?

The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 9:27-28 that Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He reminds us that each of us has an appointment with death, and that after death there will be a judgment. These words were not written only for us to read and not respond; they call for a decision. This decision is a life-and-death one, and the choice we make determines our eternal resting place. We are living in a time when so much is happening that it seems our soul destination is not uppermost in our thoughts.

I think of our Heavenly Father’s great love for us: He sent His only Son (Jesus) to die for us (John 3:16). Our response to that love is revealed in the choice we make. We can say yes today or postpone the decision until tomorrow. The question Jesus asks us is the same for everyone: “Will you choose Me today?”

Yet our answers differ. The recent tragic flooding in Nepal that claimed many lives was painful to witness and a powerful reminder of the anchor Scripture (above). What people fail to realize sometimes is that tomorrow isn’t promised. When asked if we choose Christ, it is important to not delay that decision because the Bible says tomorrow is not promised (James 4:13-14).

This question of “Are you ready to meet Jesus?” has been lingering in my thoughts for the past couple of weeks. Some of my closest friends have lost their loved ones within the last two months either tragically or without warning. Some had put off their decision to choose Jesus until tomorrow. Others made the decision to choose Christ today.

“You can’t speed up nor slow down death.” The Holy Spirit spoke these words to me in my mind as I mourned with my friends through their loss and mourned the loss of one of my best friends. I heard the next question in my heart: What did these deaths have in common? “They all passed suddenly,” I responded. Then God gently said and they all had time to decide. Because we can neither speed up or slow down death. We cannot know when we will die. Therefore, what we do with our lives matters and the choices we make in either saying yes or we want to wait until tomorrow to decide has eternal consequences now.

The Bible says in Hebrews 3:15 (NLT), “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

I don’t know where you are in your faith walk with Jesus Christ. Maybe you have said yes to Him or may still be on the fence, or you may be waiting for tomorrow. Wherever you are, I encourage you to take this decision very seriously.

None of us know when we will die. Therefore, the best response to the Holy Spirit’s tug on your heart should be to say yes today. It will be the best decision you will ever make in your life, as not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you also have the assurance of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Nothing else is more important than this life-changing decision because it determines where we will spend eternity.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending your only Son who was sinless, to die on Calvary’s cross to pay the price for our sins. Lord, I pray for every person reading this devotional today. Remind them of your love, and that your plan for us to spend an eternity with you. Wherever they are in their journey with you—whether on the fence or waiting on the “right” time—I ask that You will impress on them the urgency of deciding to follow Christ. Lord, have your way in their lives and let your plans and purpose for them be accomplished. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Tomorrow” by The Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Can You Reach My Friend” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Will Follow Christ” by Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans, and Bob Carlisle. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colette Christopher 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.

~*~
Connect with Colette:
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

"Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer" (book) by Dr. Lauri Hogle

The Story Behind Dr. Lauri Hogle’s book, Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer: Scripture Prayers for the Hardest Days:

Several years ago, after a second brain surgery that brought only partial relief, I lay in bed wrestling with unrelenting chronic pain.

Kind friends, wanting the best for me, would say they were praying for God’s favor and blessing so that the suffering would finally stop. Their words were full of love, yet each time I heard them I felt an anguished cry rise within me: But I already have His favor and blessing!

In the quiet of my tears, God reached into my hurting heart. He flooded me with the rich truths of Scripture and the voices of faithful hymn writers who had walked through their own valleys. Songs like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “Blessed Assurance” became lifelines. Ephesians 1:3 exploded into living reality: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” I began to see that the greatest blessings are not the absence of pain but the presence of Christ Himself—pardon, peace, adoption, eternal life, the indwelling Spirit, and a guaranteed future glory.

These truths did not remove my affliction, but they reframed it. They gave me language to pray when words failed and songs to sing when sorrow threatened to drown out hope. That experience birthed this book, Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer. I wrote it because I desperately needed these truths myself, and I know many others do too.

Too often, Christian teaching on suffering focuses primarily on asking God to take it away. While there is nothing wrong with crying out for relief, Scripture invites us into something deeper. Even in the darkest nights, we are called to remember what God has already given us in His Son (Jesus Christ). The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, could still praise God who “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” If that was true for Paul in chains, it is true for us in chronic illness, grief, disability, or any form of ongoing tribulation.

This book is not a theological treatise or a step-by-step guide to “victorious living.” It is a lament prayer book. Each chapter draws from God’s Word and pairs it with hymns and prayers that help us speak Biblical truth to our souls when pain, fear, or doubt scream the loudest. Each chapter is filled with the honest tension many of us feel—prayers for earthly comfort colliding with the deeper reality of spiritual riches we already possess.

I wrote this book for fellow sufferers who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Whether your pain is physical like mine, emotional, relational, or the heavy burden of watching a loved one endure hardship, these pages are for you. I also wrote it for those nearing the end of earthly life who wonder if greater tribulation awaits.

My prayer is that this book will function as a healing balm and a gospel trumpet for weary souls. I hope readers will discover, as I did, the power of praying Scripture back to God—thanking Him for His past faithfulness, His present mercies, and His future promises. I want sufferers to be able to sing with fresh confidence: “Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside!”

I hope the book helps shift our gaze from what we lack to what we possess in Christ. When chronic pain flares, when grief feels crushing, when the future seems frightening, may these prayers and songs anchor us in the unshakeable reality of our union with Jesus.

One of the old hymns included in the book says it beautifully: “Ten thousand blessings it contains/Divinely rich and free/or helpless, wretched, ruined man/Though vile and base as we.”

That is the heart of the gospel. It is not a message for the strong or the comfortable only. It is especially sweet for the weak, the afflicted, and the needy. I pray this book helps readers feel welcomed at the throne of grace, not as those who must first “prove” their worthiness or “fix” their circumstances, but as those already purchased by the blood of the Lamb.

Writing this book has been an act of worship born out of my ongoing chronic pain. It has forced me to preach the gospel to my own soul day after day. Some mornings I can barely whisper the prayers; other days I sing them through tears. But every time I return to these truths, my heart finds rest. My hope is that your heart will too.

If you are suffering today, know that you are not alone. Bring your tears and fears to the Lord. Let His Word wash over you as you pray. May you leave these pages more deeply convinced that you are blessed in Christ—truly, eternally, and presently—whatever your circumstances may be. And may we together “bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

That is why I wrote Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer: Scripture Prayers for the Hardest Days. Not to offer false hope of earthly ease, but to point us to the living Hope who holds us fast. May He use these prayers to comfort, strengthen, and sustain you as you walk through the valley, until we see Him face to face.

In Christ’s love,

Lauri A. Hogle, PhD

~*~
Author Bio:

Lauri A. Hogle, PhD, music therapist, music educator, and church musician, heads Singing Christ's Hope, a nonprofit ministry found at singchristhope.org. 

Her words and musical offerings have touched lives across the globe. 

Lauri's Bible study prayer books, including "Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer," "Near to God," "Praying God's Promises Into Suffering," "Singing the Gospel to Job," and a children's book, "In the Valleys of God's Love," are complemented by weekly playlist gifts for suffering Christian women.

Her lifelong passion is to glorify God through music, teaching, research, and writing. By God's gracious blessing, in many years of serious illness, her great joy is as wife, mother, and Nana.

~*~
Back cover copy for Lauri’s book: 

Amid chronic suffering, tribulation, or our life's final days, where does a Christian find hope? This poignant and powerful book invites you to discover the unshakable blessings already yours in Christ, within your deepest suffering and pain.

Written during Lauri’s journey of severe, chronic physical affliction, this book weaves together short lament prayers, Biblically grounded hymns, and Scriptures about God’s unending favor toward His beloved in Christ. This 90-day devotional is a tender companion for anyone facing trials, offering a pathway to sing and pray of God’s past, present, and future blessings to those united with Jesus.

Whether you’re enduring chronic suffering, fearing future tribulation, or seeking peace in life’s final moments, Praying God's Blessings in Christ as We Suffer is a healing balm for your soul. Let it lead you to cry, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2 ESV), as you rest in our faithful Lord’s continual blessings in Christ.

~*~
Connect with Dr. Lauri:

Website: singchristhope.org

Substack: https://lauriahogle.substack.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@singingchristshope?si=cYHRjf5fA1Y9_gyE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingChristHope

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauribellehogle

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned from the time our house stunk

Our Stinky House 
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

—Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

In May 2026, Alan and I began a journey of problems with our home.

We experienced two floods that were totally unrelated. One was from a new washing machine drainpipe that jumped out of the wall and filled the laundry room with water. A week later, on the opposite side of the house, a condensation line broke and dripped water into the walls and the floor of one of our bedrooms.

Throughout the months of heartache, we have found joy. Our once nice-smelling house has now become a stinky house. These things are major to us, but minor in comparison to what other people are experiencing in their lives. We lived with dehumidifiers and fans for 18 days. Workers replaced the flooring and now have to replace some of it again, due to the wrong sheen. Painters have worked repairing drywall and painting, while trying not to spill paint on new carpet.

As each day comes and goes, Alan and I worry, lament, and fuss over the mess we are trying to handle. Yet, with all those problems, along with my medical issues, we find joy. Recently, Rowan and Eden (our grandchildren) came to “help” move boxes and see the mess. Eden opened the back door, walked into the living room, and said, “Your house stinks.” We laughed because we knew she was correct. The cardboard boxes, new carpet, paint, and dust do have a certain stinky smell…especially to a young child.

We explained why it smells and that everything would be back to normal soon. The house will have new paint and carpet. Eden and Rowan walked into our bedroom and immediately noticed the softness of the carpet. They sat and rubbed their fingers across the new carpet. “Nice. This feels good. I could sleep here.” Their comments were reassuring.

Alan and I have been dealing with many odd and unusual experiences since June 2025. We realized that spiritual warfare is real. We’re holding on to God’s promises He will get us through these times. For every worrisome thing, there is something that makes us laugh and brings us joy.

As I write this devotional, we’re waiting for the painters to arrive. The local news reports that traffic is backed up on the highway that the painters take to get here. More delays. Yet, God knows what is happening. God knows His plan. We can rest and find comfort knowing His peace covers us in every moment.

For now, the house is not stinky. When the repairs are complete, there will be a new floor, fresh carpet, and beautifully painted walls. The home will be new. Yet I pause to remember that our beautiful home on Earth is temporary. Our eternal home is with God in Heaven. Oh, what a joy it will be!

We thank God for grandkids who make us laugh and help us remember what is important. The stinky house now smells good.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for guiding us through each moment. Thank You for loving us. Prepare us for Heaven, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “How Good God Is” by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Trust in God” (feat. Chris Brown & Isaiah Templeton) by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Somebody Prayed” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages sometimes humming with humor. 

With articles, devotions, and stories in print publications and online, Melissa shares her love for God and life. Some of the inspirations for her writing come from family life.

Melissa and her husband Alan have been married for over 46 years. Their son Mike, and daughter-in-love Christine have blessed the family with two precious children: Rowan and Eden. These precious souls bring laughter, love, and many funny experiences, which can often be found in Melissa’s writing. The family motto is: It’s Always a Story with the Hendersons.

Melissa is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CWFL (Christian Writers for Life), and many other organizations.

Melissa’s books for children include Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator.

Melissa serves in Christian ministry as an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.

~*~
Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaghenderson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaHendersonAuthor
Twitter: https://x.com/mimionlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahendersonauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ahenderson312/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls us to contribute our resources

Contributing Resources for the Cause of Christ
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

—Luke 8:3 (NLT)

Reading biographies about missionaries is something I take great delight in.

There’s something about the faithfulness of God and the faith of believers who experience living in another country or culture. The true stories of these men and women sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who have never heard of nor experienced Him, are captivating! I sit on the edge of my seat as I read about these missionaries facing their own set of lions and giants and facing impending death, defeat, or destruction. I admire them for always giving God the glory, no matter what the outcome.

Even more amazing, is how God answers the prayers of these missionaries. From seemingly impossible odds, timelines and cultural clashes, God shows Himself mighty. He is powerful and His Name is awesome. So many times when His Name is challenged, He acts extraordinarily. Many missionaries open new territories for Christ though that comes with its own unique challenges for the believers to live their lives following Christ to a people who have not yet heard of Him.

The challenges are immense: language being one of them and culture being another. What we know and understand in our own home, town or country, feels foreign to the locals who we are serving as missionaries. Grasping a new language can take years, and for some, it is elusive. Then, if the Bible is not written in the local language, learning enough to translate it, or sections of it is paramount so the people have the Bible in a language they can understand.

But what if that language has not been written down, or if the people are illiterate? Countless years are spent in translation work as well as teaching literacy to a people who crave to read God’s Word for themselves. It is here where I delight in seeing God move. And also here, where I delight in seeing the missionaries give of themselves immensely so that the Gospel goes out.

In the anchor text at the start of this devotional, Luke mentions a few women (and prominent ones at that) who contributed their own funds to support Jesus and His disciples during Christ’s ministry on Earth. Luke made a point to tell us it was their own funds, their own supplies, their own time, their own resources that these women contributed to sharing the Gospel and building God’s Kingdom.

They gave of themselves so the gospel would go out. And in so doing, they served the Lord. And because it was while Jesus was ministering on earth, they served Him personally. This could be very practical needs they needed such as food and lodging, or it could have been time, friendship, prayer, sharing the good news themselves with those who were in front of them. The possibilities are endless.

It’s like the Bible book of Acts came to life in the 19th century, 20th century and 21st century. So many times, these missionaries needed government officials to approve building construction, churches, schools, hospitals, or runways for planes. Yet, the decision rested solely on the desk of an official who could be corrupt and not willing to deal without the bribe being paid or even because of the lack of understanding, they have an unwillingness to give the approval necessary to move forward. Imagine the scene: piles and piles of household goods and luggage at an airport or at the docks. The wearied travelers who had left home, family and loved ones to follow Christ only to be stuck at the first entrance to the country where they felt called to go. This scenario has been repeated repeatedly—in my own life as well!

How does one act, respond and do so in a foreign language? It’s not easy. Prayer is the only answer. Seriously. Jesus tells us in Mark 11:23 that we can tell the mountains in our lives to move and it will happen. This is what I enjoy reading about in these biographies. I love seeing Jesus’ words come to life. But the backbone behind all of this is prayer.

We remember James as he wrote in James 5:17 (NIV). Elijah was a man just like us and he “prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” Do we pray earnestly? For the lost? For the impossible? For rain when it’s not the rainy season? Do we pray for money to build churches, hospitals and schools that would be places of opportunities to share the gospel while meeting the needs of the people?

No doubt Joanna did. And Susanna. And many others. Just to name a few: William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Mother Teresa, Jim Elliot, and Billy Graham. These are only a few examples of people who were called to give—and willing to give—of their time, talent and treasure to tell the world about our Savior.

But what about you and me? What is God calling us to do? Is He calling you to go? It could be to Africa where I recently went and found it to be transformative. It could be to drive across the street to meet someone in their need. It could be to walk across the aisle in church or to chat with someone standing next to you in line at the store or anywhere else you go.

What would you contribute? Your time—not only going, but in prayer. Finances, if God lays it on your heart. And what gifts do you have, or skills that you know which can contribute to a project?

Are you willing to prayerfully consider giving of yourself—whether it be time, a talent or two, or treasure? We have been given this immense opportunity to follow Jesus Christ and share this good news. How can you follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before you, and those who are currently serving God, giving, and praying?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Reading about what these women and others did to serve You out of their own pocket gives me a strong desire to do so likewise. But I am at a loss of what that could look like. Would You please show me? I am finding myself willing—willing to listen, go, send, do. But I need direction from You. I want to live sold-out for You and experience You in ways I only read about. I want more of You. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Go” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Mission Field” by Blessid Union of Souls. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Sold Out” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “The Cause of Christ” by Resolved. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family. 

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 26 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 10 years, a Bible study writer for six years, and a devotional writer for more than four years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own journey of more than five years with broken feet. She hopes to to encourage others with her faith walk and real-life stories.

~*~
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: God is our refuge when life wears us down

Finding Refuge When the Weight Is Too Much to Bear
A devotional by Erica Bryant

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”—Psalm 61:1-3 (NKJV)

Life has a way of shifting on a dime.

One phone call, one doctor's report, one sudden change in circumstances, and the ground beneath us can feel unstable. Recently, I received bad news. It was a crushing weight that seemed only to grow heavier as it consumed my thoughts, leaving me completely overwhelmed in every sense of the word.

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the word “overwhelm” means “to cover over completely” or “to overcome by superior force or numbers”, or “to overpower in thought or feeling.” This was my exact reality. I felt buried beneath the news, defeated before I even had a chance to process it. It was simply too much to carry, too much to bear. Yet, as we so often do, I tried to carry it anyway. Day after day, I dragged that heavy burden around, attempting to just keep “doing life” while carrying a load that was literally crushing me.

Then, I remembered to cry out to God.

Running to the Rock

In Psalm 61:1–3 (NKJV), King David wrote: “Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” David knew troubled seasons well. While scripture doesn't detail the exact crisis behind this psalm, it reveals something far more important: In times of trouble, David knew where to run.

Notice how David opens this psalm: “Hear my cry...attend to my prayer.” He starts by asking God to hear and attend to his prayer. It wasn't that David doubted God’s willingness to listen. Rather, it was the raw cry of desperation; much like asking a loved one, “Do you hear me?” when the pain is so deep you just need to know you aren't alone. David knew God heard him, but he needed the grounding reassurance of God's presence in the midst of his trouble.

When life's circumstances push you to the edge and your heart feels submerged in waters that are too high, you don't need a quick fix; you need a higher foundation. You need to be led to the Rock that is higher than your circumstances. This is more than just a place where God lifts you above the immediate fray and surrounds you. That Rock is Jesus Christ, and that place is His presence.

Where Does Your Heart Lead You?

We all experience hard times, but the real question is: In those moments, where do you run?

When the weight becomes unbearable, it's easy to retreat into temporary numbing mechanisms:

• Escaping into alcohol, drugs, or food
• Retreating into oversleeping or endless doom scrolling
• Burying ourselves in busy work to avoid feeling the pain
• Acting like everything is okay while we're collapsing inside

None of these remedies can ease the load of an overwhelmed heart. They only delay the reality waiting for us when we wake up or put the phone down.

Instead of turning to things that temporarily dull the pain, we are invited to turn to the One who is a genuine shelter and fortress—a safe place for us, even while the storm continues to rage. You were never designed to carry life's heavy burdens in your own strength. When your heart feels overwhelmed, run to the Rock. Run to Jesus. He is strong enough to handle every problem. And He cares enough to carry you!

Running to the Rock

Running to the Rock means shifting your focus from your big problems to an even bigger God. When your emotions are spinning, running to Jesus is a step-by-step choice to trust Him.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, I advise you to take these three steps:

Step #1: Cry Out When You Are Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1-2a (NKJV) says, “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You.” David does not wait until he feels better to pray. He prays from his state of brokenness. Make prayer an immediate response, not a last resort.

Step #2: Ask God to Lift You Up

Psalm 61:2b (NKJV) says, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” David recognized that the Rock is too high for him to climb on his own strength. He needs help to get there. Surrender control. Stop trying to climb out of your problems on your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to pull your mind and heart up to God's perspective.

Step #3: Remember the Goodness of God

Psalm 61:3 (NKJV) says, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” David runs to God because he remembers God's perfect track record of protecting him. Practice holy remembrance. When a new storm hits, remember to intentionally look back over your life and list the times God has already protected, sheltered, and saved you.

The next time life threatens to overwhelm you, remember this Biblical truth: You don't have to carry the weight alone. There is a Rock higher than your circumstances, a shelter stronger than any storm, and a Savior (Jesus Christ) who invites you to come just as you are—broken, weary, and desperate. Run to Him. He is waiting.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When the weight of life feels too heavy to bear, remind me that I was never meant to carry it alone. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I am. Help me run to Jesus, my shelter and strong tower. When I feel overwhelmed, help me to run to You first, not last. Lift my eyes above my circumstances to see Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your perfect love. In my weakness, be my strength. In my fear, be my peace. In my brokenness, be my healer. I surrender this pain to You, trusting that You care for me and that You can carry what I cannot.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Lead Me to the Rock” by Carly Fletcher. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “A Secret Place” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “One Thing I Know” by Selah. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Healer” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “His Strength is Perfect” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Erica N. Bryant is a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, and author who desires to see believers live in the complete freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

As the founder of Sparrow's Song Ministries, Erica invites a community of believers to get to know God by falling in love with His Word. Through Bible study resources, devotionals, teaching, and mentorship, Sparrow's Song encourages others to grow in intimacy with God and walk daily in the power of His Holy Spirit. She began The Word W.O.R.K.S. campaigns to help believers walk in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success.

Erica is a writer with several published works including devotionals for adults and children, topical and textual Bible studies, and Scripture journals. In her debut book, Dwell: Living Life Fully Knowing that the Holy Spirit Lives in You, Erica draws from her own journey of healing from childhood trauma, rejection, and the struggles of fear and anxiety. With honesty and hope, she invites readers to embrace the life-giving truth that God's Spirit resides within them. Erica believes that when you know the Holy Spirit dwells in you, everything changes.

Erica is a passionate speaker who effectively communicates God’s Word with clarity and conviction. She speaks a relevant word to hearers and ministers to their hearts, inspires practical application, and empowers them to grow in faith and purpose.

Erica is a devoted wife and loving mother who actively serves in various roles at Strait Gate Deliverance Center.

Ultimately, she is just a girl in love with God and she is a soldier for Jesus Christ.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why Jesus Christ wants us to focus on Him

Fixing our eyes on the One who gave His life for us
A devotional by Regina Marcazzo-Skarka

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”—Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

Hebrews 12:2 is one of two verses that I recite to myself most mornings before I get out of bed every day. I chose the verse as one to keep me grounded and focused on the one who saved me instead of the trials and sadness that sometimes drag me into a pity party and make me feel far from God.

Do I think Jesus Christ was happy about the race He willingly marked for himself to suffer and die on a cross? Jesus who lived a perfect, sinless life, was surrounded by two criminals and jeered at by countless people watching His crucifixion. To top it off, He was worn and in pain from being tortured and nailed to the cross.

But He did it because of the joy it would give him knowing that we would spend eternity with Him in glory. How can we live a life worthy of His sacrifice?

It is not easy or possible but praise God that we don’t have to. After all, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As Christians, we take part in the lifelong sanctification process and are called to follow the path Jesus “pioneered” for us by focusing on Jesus and reflecting on what He did for us and how He lived while He was on Earth. Jesus not only died for us to save us from our sins; He gave us an advocate (the Holy Spirit) to live inside us and guide us while we are still living in this fallen world. Jesus gave us everything we need. I am grateful.

If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to get sidetracked and let the things of the world become a source of discouragement. We should try not to let our mind stray to negativity or sadness. Instead, we should strive to move forward, trusting God’s perfect will for us with the help of His Word (The Holy Bible), through community with other believers, and by using our experiences to help others. Sometimes we just need to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

But how do we fix our eyes on Jesus when there are so many distractions and so much pain that we hear about every day via the news and other sources?

Feasting on God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and fellowshipping with other believers is important, as is praying without ceasing. Thinking about the lives of Bible heroes and the trials they endured can also lead to gratitude and wonder thanks to the power of God. Reading through the great faith chapter (Hebrews 11) in the Bible and remembering the lives of incredible men and women who obeyed God through trials and tasks that most of us could never imagine, is very inspiring—especially when we read that some of those people we read about in the Bible never saw the promised outcome on this side of Heaven.

I’ve often tried to figure out who amazes me more: Abraham who ventured into unknown territory then brought his son Isaac to be sacrificed, or Noah who appeared as a fool building a gigantic ark because God told him to in preparation of the flood God would send. Noah built the ark despite everyone thinking he was crazy because rain never poured out from the sky. And there are so many more true stories in the Bible about heroes of the faith who obeyed God without question.

Hebrews 12:1 begins with “therefore” which refers to the great faith chapter as a reminder of how well the heroes of Hebrews 11 trusted God even through intense adversity and how we should remember that faith and trust God as we navigate both hardship and good times.

I may not always like the race marked out for me, but I love the idea of running that race with perseverance and with gratefulness always remembering how Jesus, my Savior, died so that I could live.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for your sacrifice on the cross and the pain you bore to save me. I praise You for filling me with the Holy Spirit and ask that I be reminded to seek Him in every decision. I pray that throughout my life I would grow in my faith and that I would live my life sharing You with those who do not know You. Help me to fix my eyes on You every moment of my day. Help me to show love to others like You showed love to me. Teach me how to live a life that shows a reflection of You in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Follow Christ” by Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans & Bob Carlisle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Fix My Eyes” by for King and Country. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Every Moment” by Forever Jones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” by Charity Gayle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Knowing You, Jesus” by Graham Kendrick. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7: “Everything” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #8: “Mercy Tree” by Lacey Sturm. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Regina Marcazzo-Skarka is a writer, a journalist, and a lover of Jesus Christ, her family, church, mission trips, travel and foreign languages. 

Having traveled to over 25 countries, her exploring the world has only just begun. She has also been part of numerous mission trips both domestic and international. She loves getting to know people, their languages and their culture. A life dream of hers is to speak five languages. So far, she speaks English, French, Italian and some Spanish. Her goal is to improve her Spanish speaking skills and to learn a language with a different alphabet, perhaps Arabic.

Regina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with a minor in Romance Languages from City University of New York, Hunter College; a Master’s Degree in Journalism from New York University; and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Foreign Language from SUNY Stony Brook. Regina has studied in France. Regina has also studied, lived and worked in Italy.

She taught high school French and Italian for 17 years before retiring from teaching. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist, both freelance and as a staff writer for local Long Island, New York weeklies. She also spent two years as a United Nations employee in the Department of Public Information. She currently writes full-time for a weekly newspaper in St. Lucie County, Florida.

Regina is currently working on proposals for two books that she is writing.

She is blessed with an awesome husband of 34 years and two children, their spouses and three treasured grandchildren.

~*~
Connect with Regina:
Website: https://reginamarcazzoskarka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipeoutworry/
Email: ginamarcazzo@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to choose our friends wisely

Why We Need to Choose Our Friends Wisely
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”—Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)

Who we spend our time with determines who we become.

Birds of a feather flock together. Those who share similar values are drawn to one another and will influence each other.

My social circle in sixth grade consisted of two girls. We will call them “Carrie” and “Grace.” In seventh grade, a friend I had known in elementary school transferred to my school. We will call her “Mary.” Grace came from divorced parents and her mother lived in another state. Carrie came from a turbulent home. The four of us always ate lunch together.

Eventually, our personality differences in our friend group emerged. Mary and I were academically better than the other two and she was better socially. By seventh grade, Mary and I were two peas in a pod. The summer before our eighth-grade year, she lost her mother to breast cancer. She drifted from me during eighth grade and spent more time with Grace. It made sense. They were both motherless.

I took her rejection personally because I lacked the maturity to realize what was happening. “Carrie” was furious at our four-some split and clung to me while demonizing the other two. I allowed Carrie to define me and followed her down an unfortunate path of bad choices during high school. During our sophomore year of high school, Carrie introduced me to her boyfriend, a short-lived relationship. I thought nothing of him at that time, but a year later, he and I landed in the same chemistry class.

As a junior in high school, I had yet to understand who Jesus Christ was or my identity in Him, even though I followed my parents to church on Sundays. Does any average American teenager know who he or she in Christ? Does he or she spend time reading The Holy Bible? Social relationships at that age are defined less by religious values and more by academics and extracurricular activities.

This guy and I dated, but for all wrong reasons and then said “I do” for wrong reasons. He mocked the Lord and I wanted to change his beliefs so that he would honor the Lord. That didn’t work so well.

We followers of Jesus need to remind ourselves in any stage of life and relationship forming that, as Scripture says in Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV), “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” We will live blessed, joyful lives if we form deeper relationships with those who are also believers.

We need to walk away from the wicked. We need to remove ourselves from the company of those who mock the Lord. We must not walk in step with the wicked or entertain those with hardened hearts toward the Lord. They have no intention to repent to God and ask forgiveness for their sins. They enjoy their sins.

Does this feel judgmental? Perhaps stay in bad relationships because we think: What if they feel rejected? What if we make a bad impression? What if this costs us a job? If we are studying and meditating on God’s word, we will not want to be in the company of mockers or the wicked.

Our job as believers is to influence others for the Lord, not to allow others to influence us with their deception, false beliefs and bad attitudes. How do we discern if our time with those who don’t know the Lord is benefiting them or hurting us? It’s either one or the other.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in discerning who to spend time with and who to avoid. Clarity will come when you have spent enough time with the Lord because He may remove individuals from your circle of influence. Godly friends will encourage you to draw closer to God rather than hinder your relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit in you will attract other righteous people and repel those with less than pure motives. It’s not a popularity contest. It’s protecting your peace.

Some of us have a tendency to form toxic relationships based on our own neediness and dysfunction. That’s why our relationship with Jesus Christ must be our top priority. Everything else in our lives flows from this source of our Savior’s unconditional, pure and enduring love for humankind.

The challenge, then, is to develop the discipline of consistent study and meditation. That’s not so easy, even for those who are actively pursuing a deeper relationship with the Lord. In an age of sound bites, headlines, Instagram reels, and social media scrolling, meditating requires reading, thinking, and reviewing what we are learning in God’s Word (The Holy Bible). It also means praying about how we must change and grow so we will live how God lead us and wants us to live.

Some relationships were never meant to be long term. The Lord brings relationships into our lives for a season—sometimes to test us, other times to minister to us. Proverbs 12:26 also reminds us that the righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Carrie and I kept in contact during my undergraduate college years. She did not attend college. During a challenging period of my young adult life, she disappeared and I haven’t heard from her in 30 years. Grace disappeared after high school graduation. Mary lives in the Midwest, and I live in the southeast, but we message each other regularly and giggle like we’re in seventh grade again. Our “feathers” never changed.

The Lord also taught me a hard lesson in that first marriage: Don’t ever date or marry someone who does not already honor the Lord. Walk away from the wicked and don’t look back. I hope you can learn from my mistakes and make better choices for your own life as you strive to live for Christ.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us make wise choices in who we surround ourselves with, who we choose to spend time with and who we date and marry. Help us to develop a hunger for Jesus as our Savior, first, before our relationships with humans. Help us make You a higher priority, even if that results in loneliness. Thank You, Lord, that You remain a safe place for us. Your unconditional love and faithfulness for humankind is endless. Thank You, Lord! Protect us from anyone trying to manipulate us into a friendship that benefits only them and leads us away from You. Build our circle of friends, Lord. Bless us with true friendships with people who genuinely love You and love us in a healthy and safe way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Friends” by Michael W. Smith. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Safe” by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton & Churchome Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. 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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: What roadwork construction taught me about God's plan for our life

When We Are Under Construction
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Lately, most places I go there’s construction.

Signs are screaming these words: Road Work Ahead.

Giant flashing arrows and orange cones litter the neighborhood. I find these setbacks annoying and inconvenient, especially during rush hour.

Since I can’t avoid it, there are only three options: Stay at home, rent a helicopter or follow the signs. The first option is not practical, and the second option is definitely not in my budget. By process of elimination, I have no other choice than to take the detours, plan for the extra time, pack my patience, and follow the signs.

In the current technological culture, I often wonder why the construction process moves at such a glacial pace. Like an enormous iceberg taking years to melt, I feel it’s been going on forever. So, I did what any reasonable person would do: I opened my laptop and clicked on Google, where all roads lead to a conglomeration of information.

This is where I found the step-by-step process for road renovation, which sounds a little like how God has been working in my life over the last few years.

Here is a concise overview of the process:

1. Pre-plan traffic patterns then create detours

2. Demolition of the road

3. Debris removal

4. Level the ground

5. Pour and smooth out the asphalt

6. Wait for it to dry

I believe these steps have a lot in common with how God renews and refreshes us as He renovates our lives to be more like Jesus Christ. If we were to use the roadwork construction process and apply it to our lives, here’s what it might look like:

#1: Plan. God has a master plan, and He’s in control of the traffic in our daily lives. He puts up the necessary road signs and lets us know when it’s time to take the detour. I’m convinced that His plan is better than mine.

#2: Demolition. Sometimes we have to tear things apart to build them back up. This can happen with a renovation project or even a relationship. We must confront the mess before we can ask God to show us how to straighten it out.

#3: Debris. Once demolition begins, there will be debris. But what do we do with the garbage, rubble, or trash we no longer need? Often, when we renovate, there are broken shelves, nails and dried paint. It makes sense to dispose of it. In the same way, we must reject and remove old hurts, bitter memories, and embrace redemption when we decide to forgive others or ask for their forgiveness.

#4: Level the ground. The ground serves as the foundation for the asphalt and if the ground isn’t level, the road won’t be either. If this step is skipped this could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle. The same applies to our faith walk. We must look at everything through God’s eyes.

#5: Pour and smooth out. With Jesus Christ as the foundation of our faith, He pours into us, smooths out the bumps, equips us for the road ahead, and asks us to follow.

#6: Wait. Most of us dislike waiting. Imagine if vehicles were permitted to travel on a construction site that wasn’t ready, or if we ignored the detour signs. The same danger awaits when we wrestle with waiting, fighting to get past it when God wants to teach us something through the journey. God wastes nothing, and He uses the wait-time for our good and for His glory.

The purpose of the detour signs is to guide me to the safest path. God has been showing me the sweetness of slowing down in everyday life. Now, I take more time to notice my surroundings. I do this by speaking with the neighbors on my morning walks instead of rushing by and noticing the beauty of God’s world that surrounds me.

When I listen for God’s voice, He shows me parts of my life where I need to slow down so I can keep moving forward. God has a master plan, and He builds a firm foundation on which you can stand.

Acknowledge Him as the master planner of our lives. Accept His plan: Do the demo, clear out the debris, level the ground, and wait for Him to lead the way.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

How great it is to trust in Jesus Christ as the ultimate builder! He lays a foundation of faith in our hearts and draws us into a closer relationship with Him. When we acknowledge Him as the master planner of our lives, we will be able to live abundantly and rest in Him. We give gratitude to the King of Kings and stand on His firm foundation. Thank You, Lord!

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Church’s One Foundation” by Rouchelle Liedemann (soloist) and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr (feat. Vonnie Lopez). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s song)” by Damaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6: “Trust His Heart” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a follower of Jesus Christ, educator and writer. She lives with her husband in the Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are relentless and the winters are a little slice of Heaven. 

Colleen earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. This degree opened opportunities to write science curriculum, develop district programs, work with Arizona teachers, community leaders, and more. With NASA Grant funding, she was also able to work with teachers all over the country and expand their knowledge of teaching science as a collaborative effort.

Over the last few years God has 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 Him. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, Colleen believes that if you fix your eyes on Jesus then you will see the heart of God.

Colleen’s writing has been published in the following online publications: Living By Design, Her View From Home, Inside Out Worldwide, Inkspirations, and in anthologies like From Ruins to Restoration, Mountains Moved: 45 Devotions of Bold Faith, and The Miracle of Prayer. She is a monthly blogger for Dressing in God’s Love.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: authorcolleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you feel overwhelmed

Putting the Overwhelm on a Shelf
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”—Matthew 6:34 (ESV)

Have you ever been so stressed out, overwhelmed, and anxiety-filled that you thought you were going to go mad with the turmoil?

I’ve been there! A lot of us have. My daughter recently started attending college as a freshman. I can only imagine how these kids feel having to deal with living in dorms and having all this freedom and yet also having to keep up with classes and not become overwhelmed.

Then there are the people who have just lost a job or a spouse, or been hit with a horrible health diagnosis, while life piles up around them. I imagine people living in nations overrun by war, famine, religious persecution, or political hostility. People who must worry about how to provide for their families in the midst of this turmoil. And then there’s the overwhelm many of us deal with just in regular, everyday life—the constant pressure of work and bills and family and responsibility. Maybe you’ve become weary in hearing all that talk about work-life balance, the need to be purposeful while also just getting through it all. It becomes overpowering at times and can make you feel like you’re drowning in the ocean.

It’s time for us to put the overwhelm on a shelf and trust that God is going to see us through it. This is all easier said than done, of course. Still, the metaphor of turning all that stress mess into a tangible item and placing it on a shelf, is a powerful one for me. I first learned how to do this about a decade ago when my young daughter who is diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, was being helped by a wise counselor who said exactly that: Visualize putting it on a shelf. Take all the stuff swirling through your mind, all the fears, and imagine taking it in your hands, putting it in a box, and just sticking it on the shelf. “Tell yourself you can always come back to it later,” she counseled. “Later you can take it out and deal with it if you really want to, but right now the best thing you can do is just put it on the shelf.”

Her counselor’s wise advice resonated with me on the soul level because it’s exactly what Jesus Christ spoke about in The Holy Bible. He taught his followers in chapter six of the book of Matthew not to be anxious about our daily needs, for God will provide for us just as he does for the birds. There’s no point in worrying because it won’t add even an hour to our lives. Rather, we need to fix our eyes upon God’s Kingdom—that’s our real priority.

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble,” Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 (ESV). It’s a message repeated throughout Scripture: Do not fear. Trust the Lord.

Fear is not just concern for your mortality; it’s also that burning, soul-crushing worry about how we’re going to get through a situation, the sort of worry that consumes us, getting in the way of everything else. That sort of fear can be paralyzing. It becomes a wall between us and the Lord.

Maybe we think worry is harmless. Maybe we scoff, “How can I not worry?” But if we realize the wall it builds—the wall that stands between us and our Creator (God), how it interferes with joy and hope and God’s purpose for us—it might make it easier to stuff that fear in a box and put it on the shelf so we can focus on the truly important.

I’m not sure who needs to hear this today. Perhaps we all do. I know I certainly do. But I hope you’ll name the worry in your heart, visualize putting it in a box, and set it aside. When you strip it of its power over you, the Lord replaces that space with more than you can imagine.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, some days it all seems like too much. My mind swirls with the press of it all. Help me surrender and lean on You, to have true faith that You are sovereign and will get me through anything in front of me right now. Help me to be still and know in the depths of my soul, in the entirety of my being, that You are everything, You have all the answers, and there is nothing on this earth that outweighs this. I love You, Lord. Help me, I pray. I give all of this to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “No Fear” by Jon Reddick. Listen to it here.

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

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Author Bio: 

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers and her third novel, Hidden Seeds, is out now and is a top release. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. 

She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism.