Devotionals for the Heart: How to be "Kingdom Minded" while on Earth

Kingdom Minded
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:

Matthew 5:1-14, Colossians 3:23-25, Mark 7:6, Psalm 44:21 (NASB)

As believers, we hear that this world is not our home. We may even think about that once in a while. It’s not all of us sitting around on clouds playing harps, either. But, how many of us have really become kingdom minded? What I mean by that is to have everything we do, say, think, and feel be focused on advancing the kingdom of God.

Too many believers are fixated on this world. Yes, we live here at the moment, but, as those who believe in salvation through Christ Jesus, this is not where we will spend the rest of eternity. We get wrapped up in the daily concerns, which may be important, but they are not where our focus should be. Jesus talked about the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God”, which are interchangeable, over 100 times in the New International Version of the Bible. That’s just in the little time we have of His recorded life. 

Heaven and God’s kingdom are talked about countless times in the Old Testament, too. Yet, so little emphasis is put on thinking about where we will spend the majority of our time. If it was that important to Jesus, I believe we need to start paying a lot more attention to what He says the kingdom of God will be like, and putting our eyes on that, rather than the stuff here.

Matthew 5:1-14 tells us that there is a kingdom in which all the suffering and growth we’ve experienced will be rewarded. We also see that in Colossians 3:23-25. How do we have a kingdom mindset? We stop looking at this world for our satisfaction and happiness, or our emotional wellbeing. We stop expecting people to be what only Christ can be in our lives. We seek to do what our heavenly Father asks of us, even if it means people will not look at us the same way. It means wanting Jesus’s way more than our own. It means asking God what it is He wants to do in my life, not what I want to do. It means saying yes to some things and no to others, as the Holy Spirit guides. It means letting go of things which do not bring glory to our Father. It means allowing the Word of God to be our basis for everything we believe, not our feelings. It means stepping out in faith when the way does not seem safe, because He called us to do it. It means accepting that everything He says is true and allowing Him to change the way we think.

It looks like loving our neighbor, when they aren’t loveable. It looks like being kind when someone treats us poorly. It looks like praying for the person in traffic or who left their cart in the middle of the aisle at the store, because we cannot know the heart of another. (Psalm 44:21) It looks like speaking kindly to those in your own household and family. It looks like praying for that person you don’t like, and not the “God, strike them down” kind of prayer. It looks like giving someone the benefit of the doubt before judging their intentions as ill against you. It looks like reconciliation with someone, as far as it is with you, especially if it is a brother or sister in Christ. (Mark 7:6)

It is praying for the salvation of everyone, not just people we like. It is dwelling on the good, rather than the bad in our own lives and those of others. It is radical living. It is hard choices. It is hard, yet simple.

It is the sweetest fragrance to the nose of God our Father. It is joy and life and hope. It is peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness…it is love.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, You cared enough to tell us about Your kingdom. Give us the courage to seek it more in this world and lead others to it. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.  

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting God to be with you in troubled times

End Strong
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:

Romans 1:18-32, John 16:33, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:4-8, 2 Peter 1:2-4, 

Matthew 22:29, 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB)

The passage the Lord laid on my heart for this blog is not an easy one to read. However, it is pertinent for all believers to know as our world devolves before our very eyes. So many are looking for 2020 to be over, and the 2021 year to be less stressful. Will it be, though, according to the Word of God?

We can read Romans 1:18-32 and think it was just for the time the apostle Paul was living in, but we see so many of these same things happening in our own society. God is not honored, relationships are being promoted in ways the Lord never intended, people are filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice, arrogance, and mercilessness. These are not new things just this year. We see more of it now, perhaps due to technology giving us access all the time, however, the root of all of this has not changed. This is the human condition apart from the love and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we need to always be aware this world is not our home. We were made for something much more than this, and when we put our hopes in a better time here on this earth, we are setting ourselves up for needless disappointment. In John 16:33, Jesus says we have tribulation in this world. Not that it will be easy and sunshine all the time. Taking it a step deeper, Jesus tells us that we will have daily trouble (Matthew 6:34). How does that match up with our way of thinking? Do we believe that our Christian life should be trouble free? Many of us live as if the troubles and trials we face are something unexpected. (1 Peter 4:12) From the mouth of the Word of God we are told the opposite, yet so many of us are depressed and anxious when our days do not go smoothly or our plans do not turn out the way we expected.

Jesus was very clear when He gave us the first part of John 16:33, but that’s not the part we remember. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.” Then He tells us we will have tribulation and that HE has overcome it. We have Philippians 4:4-8 which guides us through how to keep our minds and hearts in peace, yet we do not utilize what God has given us. Instead, we drown ourselves in the tribulation, expecting something to miraculously pull us out. Too many believers have ignored the Word of God, which is life to those who read it. We have 2 Peter 2:1-4 to remind us. We are no different, sometimes, than the Pharisees Jesus was talking to in Matthew 22:29 when He said we don’t understand the power of God.

Will 2021 be a better year? If you are looking for the circumstances of this world to be what makes it better, then it won’t be. If you are looking for your relationship with God to grow deeper and richer, then there’s every reason to believe it will be an amazing year filled with trials and tribulations to bring you closer to the One Who has overcome the world.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, we have put our eyes on the things around us so often, thinking they are what makes us happy or hold our peace. You told us that the joy of the LORD is our strength, yet we have forgotten it too many times. Remind us of Your truth. Keep Your Word ever on our hearts and lips that we may live this life in such a way that others will want to know the hope which lies within us. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Victory

Walking in Victory
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

2 Corinthians 2:14-16, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Romans 8:18, Acts 7:54-60, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 5:3, Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 2:12, Philippians 1:29 (NASB)

The sermon at my church was one that I’ve felt in my heart for so long. 

It’s from 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, where the Apostle Paul tells us that we are always led in triumph in Christ, and that it is everywhere. I meet so many believers who are walking around as the defeated, rather than the victorious, and I believe the enemy rejoices.

What does “led in triumph” mean? Paul tells us that we will be “afflicted in every way, but not crushed.”

What’s your response to affliction? The dictionary defines the word “afflicted” as “grievously affected or troubled (as by a disease): mentally or physically impaired.” Believers suffer in these ways on a daily basis. Few walk in the victory and triumph, though. Why? What is the hindrance? How was Paul, in his own afflictions (beatings, floggings, shipwrecks, imprisonments) able to say he was not crushed?

The Bible tells us the reason for his perseverance and hope in Romans 8:18. He was shown a glimpse of what is to come. He saw what we will experience when we finally see Jesus, face-to-face. Stephen was able to ask the Lord to forgive those who were stoning him. He saw into Heaven and knew triumph was greater than the suffering of the time. (Acts 7:54-60) 

Neither of these men, nor the other Scripture writers, was living for this earthly life. None were looking to be fulfilled here. None expected to have their life be free of conflict, trouble, or persecution. The opposite was true. They reveled in those things! 

They saw their afflictions as badges of honor for the Lord. They rejoiced when persecutions came their way. Praised when they were deemed worthy to share in Christ’s suffering. (Romans 5:3, Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 2:12, Philippians 1:29 and many others). Their eyes were fixed on what was to come, not what was happening right now.

That begs the question for those of us who have the Scriptures available to us to read and absorb more readily than Paul or Stephen. Why don’t we have that kind of walk? Why do we allow the enemy to steal the wonder and joy in affliction? Why do we walk around as if we are crushed and weak, when His “power is perfected in weakness”? (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Our eyes are fixed on the here and now, rather than the glory that is to come, and the enemy continues to rejoice. We have the entire Word of God which is filled with His promises of what is to come for us. We can recite some of those promises, but have not allowed them to penetrate our understanding to make changes.

There is nowhere in the Word of God that says our life will be easier once we submit to His authority. If we are honest this is the closest to hell we will get. Let that sink in for a minute. While we don’t get an “easy” life, we receive love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other fruits of the Spirit from Him. Those fruits should be making our lives easier to live. We also receive “perseverance…proven character…and hope”, as we’re told in Romans 5:3-4.

Do you see the difference? We look at suffering through human eyes. We see our discomfort and pain as a bad thing, but the Lord sees it as the molding of our flesh into something more beautiful…the image of His perfect Son. 

When we wallow in our misery and pain, we put the focus back on us. We look just like the dying and sinful world which has no hope, rather than the conquerors He’s created us to be. Take courage, instead, that He has overcome the world and always leads you in triumph.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, remind us that this world is not our home. Give us the courage to believe that suffering is a good thing for the renewing of our minds, and the transformation of our flesh into Your image. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Speaking the truth in love according to the Bible

In Love
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:

1 Corinthians 16:14, John 13:35, Philippians 4:8, John 3:1-20, John 4:4-26 (NASB)

I’ve been pondering this, or something like it, for a long time. My heart is heavy. 

As I scroll through social media, I see those I love, on all the different sides of the issues surrounding us in these times, being bludgeoned by the other side of whichever issue. Yesterday, a friend posted that she didn’t want to be Christian if the treatment she kept seeing was what it meant to be one. My heart broke, as I can only imagine my Savior’s does.

We are told in 1 Corinthians 16:14 to speak the truth in love. We are told in John 13:35 that those who are not in Christ will know that we are His by our love, one for another. 

Yet, is that what they see? Or, do they see us disagreeing with everyone to the point of name calling and nasty comments? Do they see the love of Christ showing through our words, whether on social media or in person, or do they see us tearing others down, just because they may not agree with us? Are we seen as loving, or as someone who ignores the hurting of someone else, in the name of our “rights” or beliefs? Is what scrolls through our timeline on social media filled with “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute…worthy of praise…”? (Philippians 4:8)

In all of the Scripture reading I have done, I have never seen Jesus scaring anyone into a relationship with Him. He already knew where the hearts of most of the Pharisees stood. For those He knew would come to Him, like Nicodemus (John 3:1-20), He spoke in love, and drew him with that love, into a right understanding. Jesus didn’t ever scare someone out of hell. He loved them into Himself. 

When He insulted the Pharisees, it was with the full knowledge, that we cannot have, of what they would choose to believe. He called out sin without calling out the person. See how He dealt with the woman at the well. (John 4:4-26) He knew her sin, full well. Everyone knew who she was and what she had done. Yet, He did not speak to her in judgement and shame her. He loved her where she was, and called her out to a better life in His love.

We cannot control what others post. We have the calling from God to be a light to those in darkness, and that darkness may even be shrouding other believers. We are not called to browbeat them into our opinion. I once heard it said that you will never convert someone you have insulted. Yet, I see insults flying around all the time, in an effort to change the minds of others. Done by those who claim the name of Jesus, it takes on even more gravity. 

We know the love of Christ, but are acting out of our flesh too often in these times. Personally, I believe that is what it means when He tells us not to take the Lord’s name in vain. We bear the name of CHRIST, but we act as poorly, and worse sometimes, as those who do not believe. The grief this must cause Him.

Let’s pray: Dearest Jesus, I do not want to be someone who drives others away from a life with You in eternity by my words or actions. I want to love as You love, see others as You see them, and walk as You walked. Show me where I am missing the mark. Guide my steps onto Your path of love for everyone I encounter, in person or online. Let only Your love be what they see from me. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

Why is Grace So Hard?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

Ephesians 2:8, Luke 15:11-32, Romans 6:23 (NASB) 

Maybe I’m the only one who struggles with this, but I’ve been really thinking about grace a lot. There are different facets to it. We have the grace God has granted us for the sins which would have led to our death. (Ephesians 2:8) We have grace in how we treat others. The apostle Paul is known for starting or ending his letters with, “Grace and peace to you.” There’s also grace in our demeanor. I think of that as having the Holy Spirit going before me, out to others. We talk about women who are graceful, or have grace in the way they walk or comport themselves. It’s not tied to a faith walk, but it’s still noticeable.

The grace I’ve been pondering the most lately, is the grace we are called to give to others. God’s worked on me in this over many years, and lots of areas have seen victory. Several have not, though. There has been change and growth, but I have to tell you that traffic is one of the places I have the least amount of grace in my life. I’m not quite as quick to say, “Come on, people!” as I used to be. That wake-up call came when my special needs daughter of about 5 piped up from the back, repeating the same phrase.

Why can’t I give grace in traffic? Or the grocery store when someone puts their cart in the middle of the aisle while looking at the shelves? The “me monster” of self rears its ugly head in those circumstances, and reminds me that I’ve still got a long way to go to having my flesh fully surrendered to the Spirit.

I’m a rule follower. If there is a sign that says not to touch the wet paint, I do not have the urge to put my fingers all over it. I have many friends who would find that almost irresistible! I suppose I’m the elder son in the prodigal story. (Luke 15:11-32) I do all the right things to expect a reward.

That’s not how grace works, though. Grace was given by God before I sinned even once. He accounted for the grace mankind would need long before He even formed the world. The plan of salvation was set in motion when there wasn’t even one man in the world yet. (Romans 6:23) It is a gift which was given to us freely, when we had no clue we would even need it.

How is my grace manifested? Only when people do or say what I believe they should? Am I only willing to give grace when the circumstances fit my idea of how they should be? Or, am I allowing the Holy Spirit to grow me into someone who looks more like Christ in grace and peace?

What would that look like for me? Well, I probably wouldn’t get so frustrated at the people who block the aisles or don’t use their turn signals. Maybe I would let the Spirit speak in that quiet Voice which says that I don’t know what that other person is struggling with or going through. Perhaps I would pray for them, rather than grumble about them in my mind, even while there’s a smile on my face. I likely won’t type back that comment which is a thinly veiled insult, or pass on that piece of information which no one else really needs to know I was told.

I want to be a graceFULL woman of God. I want others to see His love and peace and grace flowing through me, even in traffic. Thankfully, that’s what He wants for me, too. I’m so grateful for the grace He gives which doesn’t rely on my behavior!

Let’s pray: Heavenly Daddy, You give more abundantly than we can even fathom, and Your grace is an amazingly boundless gift. Teach me to give grace as You do. Show me more of how You’ve given it to me, and make my heart sing with gratitude so I can lavish that grace on others. In Your precious Son’s Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Forgiveness

The Grace of Forgiveness
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 
John 3:16, Romans 6:10, Romans 7:14-25, Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:9,

 Ephesians 5:26-27, Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 is one of the first verses I remember memorizing as a child. It’s taken most of my life to truly grasp a part of what that verse says, though.

God so loved the WORLD. Who does that encompass? Everyone, it seems. However, not everyone will embrace the sacrifice of Christ and accept that forgiveness. The forgiveness is offered, though, to everyone. Those who receive it will be saved.

Those of us who have believed in Christ as our Savior are forgiven for all of our sins. (Romans 6:10) Not just a few. Not just the “big ones,” as some might want to imagine. A “little white lie” on my part put Christ on the cross just as much as someone who murdered countless people. Yes, I’m forgiven of all my sins.

The problem comes when we, as believers, don’t let that forgiveness permeate our being. We continue to beat ourselves up for things we do wrong. We think we should be perfected in our behavior, though there’s nowhere in the Scriptures which says that will happen on this side of heaven’s gates. In fact, one of the most prominent writers of the New Testament tells us that he does the things he hates, and doesn’t do what he knows is right (Romans 7:14-25). If the apostle Paul couldn’t get it right, after being personally taught by Christ, why do we demand perfection from ourselves?

Our focus on the sin takes our focus off of our Savior. It may even be easier to give forgiveness to others who hurt us than it is for us to forgive ourselves when we mess up. We forget that we couldn’t save ourselves, and think we can change ourselves. As if it’s up to us to get it right.

Grace came for forgiveness. I don’t like to use the phrase “covered my sins.” My sins aren’t covered so much as they are washed away. They are no more. They are as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12) I’m now a co-heir with Christ. All that God has promised to His Heir is mine, too! God wouldn’t be giving those riches to someone who wasn’t cleansed from all unrighteouness.

1 John 1:9 we are told that confessing our sins brings cleansing. That word “confess” means “to agree with” in the original language. We agree with God that what we did/said/thought was disobedient to His calling on our lives. His forgiveness was already given at the cross. Our agreement is just for our sake, not His. He already knows what we did wasn’t our best. He sees the perfected product that the sacrifice of His Son bought. The journey to that perfected product is where sanctification happens. In God’s eyes, you are already without spot, stain, or blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27) We shouldn’t agree with the enemy that we are any different.

Walk in His truth of who you are and whose you are.

Let’s Pray: Father God, we allow ourselves to be swayed by our feelings and thoughts so often, rather than having our feet firmly grounded on Your Word of truth. Speak that truth to our hearts when the lies come to tell us that we’re not worthy, or not good enough, or that we’ve done something wrong to make You mad at us. Before Christ went to the cross to cleanse us, You wrote the words in Zephaniah 3:17 saying that You rejoice over me “with shouts of joy.” Let that sink into my heart to remind me that You are not disappointed in me. Your love has already gone beyond all my mess-ups and counted me a joy to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Grace

The Freedom of Grace
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12, Galatians 5:1, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 6:1-7, 2 Peter 1:2-4, John 14:15, Galatians 5:13 (NASB)

1 Corinthians 6:12 has Paul tell us “…all things are lawful for me…” How does that work for believers? Does that mean we can do whatever we want, whenever we want? Well, yes and no.

We have been given freedom in Christ. Read Galatians 5:1. We are no longer bound to sin, and we no longer bear the consequences of it, namely, death. Read Romans 6:23. The wrath of God for sin was laid on Jesus’s shoulders. Read Romans 5:9. We have been given a free gift, nothing we earned or ever could earn on our own. With that gift, we have been given freedom. Paul telling us all things are lawful for him is correct, however, the rest of the verse is too important to leave out. It says, “…but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Sin is slavery. We all have something, or even some things, in our lives that we are still battling to let God have victory over. I believe God did not tell us what Paul’s thorn was so that we can use our own thorn to fill in the blank. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7. It could be lying, overeating, gossip, judgement, unforgiveness, or any of things the Bible tells us to put off from our new life. We’re still living in a fleshly body that wants to win. The battle is daily for the Spirit to have control. Paul’s, “I will not be mastered by anything” speaks to that. Anything that has mastery over you is your master! Every time you let your flesh win, it proves who holds the reins in your life.

Romans 6:1-7 shows us that the old self in us DIED. It is as dead as Christ was in the grave. Now, we are ALIVE in Christ, just as He was raised to new life. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us! That power can overcome any of the thorns we face. It already DID. We have victory over our flesh. We just have to tap into the power we’ve been given.

Lots of Scriptures tell us how to be filled with the power of God to overcome. There are too many to list. One that God takes me to the most is 2 Peter 1:2-4. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation adds a word that others do not. I think it is a word that changes the verse. The word is “true” and the verse says, “…through the true knowledge of Him….”

I was raised with lots of knowledge of God, but I’m learning much of it was not true knowledge. It was man’s wisdom or interpretation of the Word. Such a Scripture is John 14:15. God’s not saying that you don’t love Him if you aren’t perfect in keeping His commandments. None of us is ABLE to keep the commandments. He would have to withhold His love from us all were the case. Instead, what it is saying is that we will keep His commandments BECAUSE of our love for Him, not out of obligation. That is an enormous difference from what I was taught as a child.

In Galatians 5:13, we are called to use our freedom in grace to serve one another. We cannot do that if we don’t understand the freedom we’ve really been given. There’s a song by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser called, “No Longer Slaves.” I love that song and the declarations in it. I am no longer a slave to any sin. I AM A CHILD OF GOD.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Jesus, You died to make me free from all sin and unrighteousness. You see me as a blemish free bride. Give me the true knowledge of the power that You have put inside of me through Your Spirit to overcome the flesh and its wants. Speak Your truth to my heart that I may have the victory of Your freedom. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Grace

The Peace of Grace
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 
John 16:13, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 John 4:18, Mark 9:24 (NASB)

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” or a variation of that greeting, is used by the apostle Paul 16 times in the New Testament when addressing the church in various cities in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version of The Holy Bible. In three of those cases, Paul adds the word mercy to the blessing. In the current times of this worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, this particular phrase from the Apostle Paul speaks to me.

Why are grace and peace, with the addition of mercy now and then, the preferred greeting from Paul? Grace, in the original Greek charis, means kindness. Peace, eirene in Greek, implies welfare. What is Paul doing with this blessing?

Paul was reminding the believers of the unmerited gift they had received … grace. He was also reminding them that the grace they were given had an amazing side effect … peace. But, as believers in Christ, are we allowing that peace to be freely felt?

For the last few years, God has really brought home a message to me. Every problem has one question attached to it: “Do you trust Me?”

No matter the issue, that's the ultimate question. If I trust Him, then there is no fear in any issue, because I know God will see it through to my ultimate good and to the transforming of me into the image of Jesus Christ. Even if I cannot see the good yet, God’s promises tell me that is the end goal.

Every blip on my radar that seems to stir up negative emotions ... Do you trust Me?

Every person who can't seem to remember the rules of the road ... Do you trust Me?

Every time I see one of the kids making poor decisions or going through a hard time, and want to jump in to "fix" it ... Do you trust Me?

Health issues in family members ... Do you trust Me?

And, that "Do you trust Me?" is also asking if I know just how much God loves me. Do I trust that what He says is true? If so, why do I doubt? If so, why do I fear? If so, why do I look at the circumstances rather than look to the Solution?

When we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the truth of grace (John 16:13), we find that peace follows. Our perception of what we are going through, whatever the situation, has to change in the light of the incomparable love of our Father. Accepting and internalizing the love of God for us will change our thinking, too. We can go from fear of everything to fear of nothing. 1 John 4:18 tells us why that is true.

But, it boils down to a lack of belief. His grace is there, too! Mark 9:24 is one of my favorite verses. It shows us that we can believe, yet need help in our belief. God doesn’t leave us on our own. He has given us many ways to cry out to Him for more grace, more peace, more faith. He longs for us to reach for Him rather than for something in the world – be it food, relationships, or even security in things we think we can control.

Grace and peace really do go together. When we get what grace really means, the peace that passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as Philippians 4 tells us. That section of Scriptures gives a step-by-step way to have your mind and heart guarded by Christ. That is grace and peace at its finest.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Jesus, You have already given us so much, yet You want to give us even more. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit that You have put into our hearts, but we think our way out of it so often. Remind us of Your grace. Remind us of what is truly means in order for our peace to be complete. Bring those verses and Scriptures to mind when the world is swirling around in chaos in front of us, and do as You promised You would do…guard our hearts and minds in You. In Your precious Name we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Grace and living your life for God

Work of Grace
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

John 6:28-29, Hebrews 12:2, Micah 6:8, John 15:5, John 15:4, John 5:19, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 4:4-8 (NASB)

Have you felt guilty for not reading your Bible more, praying more, or serving more? Have you heard a believer, pastor, teacher or trusted advisor tell you that these things must be done to please God? When you don’t measure up, you feel as if you’ve failed. You rededicate yourself to doing better, only to find you fail…again…and again. Wash, rinse, repeat.

How is that “good news” we can share with an unbeliever? “Hey! Come accept Christ and feel like you fail every single day. Well, there may be one or two times you think you get it right, but overall, you’re going to feel as if you only get it wrong. It’s great!” There’s a witnessing tool I’ve never seen in an evangelism class, but, isn’t that what we all go through as believers? There has to be something different! The truly good news is that there is.

John 6:28-29 tells us exactly what our work is as believers. We see it in Micah 6:8. What got Abraham his righteousness? It wasn’t his works, that’s for sure. Romans 4:3 tells us what it was. Can it really be that simple? Yes!

We who are believers in God realize we couldn’t save ourselves. We could not be perfect enough to fulfill the sacrifice required for our sins. We needed a Savior who was perfect, spotless, righteous. We acknowledge that part easily enough. What we then hold onto is the mistaken belief that we can fix ourselves and that we have some semblance of control. Remember John 15:5? There’s a part of the word “nothing” that we just don’t seem to grasp.

What abiding in Him does mean is that we are attached to the Vine. We are getting our source of water, air, and life from the One Who can do all He promised to do in us. It means acknowledging that I can do nothing…truly nothing. Nothing good, nothing of lasting value, nothing of worth unless it is first from God. Christ said the very same thing in John 5:19. If God, made flesh, had to rely on the Father for everything, why do we think some part of us can do otherwise? Oh, we may look good for a time, might even accomplish godly looking things, but will they last if He wasn’t in the midst of it?

We are not the ones who initiated any of this. Philippians 1:6 tells us who did. It also tells us who is responsible for seeing the work completed. In the process of the abiding, our Gardener will prune the vines and branches. He will take off those things that are dead in us to give way for more life in Him. A rose bush does nothing to shape itself. It cannot take off the dead blooms on its own to get more blooms to come through. It cannot fertilize itself. We cannot do any of those things on our own, either. John 15:4 tells us clearly what abiding in Him produces in us. It is not we who produce the fruit, though. It is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

How do we abide, then? What does it look like? We ask Him to give us a hunger and thirst for His Word. We seek to know more of Him through prayer, but understand that it’s not prayer which saves us, it is the relationship with the Father. We diligently seek His face. Philippians 4:4-8 also gives us some great ways to keep ourselves focused on Him.

Through all of this, we remember we can do nothing. It is not our “trying” which produces any good fruit in us. It is in our trusting that He will fulfill His promises to conform us into the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29)

Let’s Pray: Father God, we are nothing without You. You give life and are the One who does the work in us for Your glory. Give us the strength to let go of what we see as control and surrender to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

What Grace Is Not
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Romans 6:23, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)

There’s a movement in the world of believers, which is greatly troubling. It’s a passive acknowledgment that there is sin in our lives, but it’s not a “big” one, so it really doesn’t need to be addressed. As if there is some hierarchy to sin which makes one worse than another, we ignore the “little” sins. The “little white lie” to spare someone’s feelings, or the gossip which is couched as concern and prayer requests. Sometimes even the “big” ones are covered over in the name of grace.

God says sin, not based on the level in our human minds, is all bad. Take Romans 6:23, for example. Scripture says, “For the wages of sin is death…” which seems like pretty strong language. There isn’t anything here that says one sin is better or worse than another. Is there such a place in the Scriptures?

Well, we see in Proverbs 6:16-19, there are six things the Lord hates, and seven which are an abomination to Him. Perhaps these are the “biggies” we should avoid? But, what about the Ten Commandments? Those must be important since He gave them to Moses on tablets to keep with the Ark of the Covenant while they wandered around the wilderness for four decades.

What did Jesus say about those ten, though? He said things like, if you even hate your brother, it’s as if you have committed murder in your heart. Or, if you look lustfully at someone, it’s as if you have committed adultery. So, even those first ten He gave aren’t the full depths of what sin is. How are we supposed to know what is a “big” sin and what is a “little” sin? Where is the line?

The reality is that there is NO line. All sin is bad. Period. My little white lie put Jesus on the cross just as much as a serial killer’s murdering did. Jesus died for ALL sin. He didn’t die a smaller amount for what we humans want to trivialize. He died a horrible death, endured suffering of which we cannot even fathom, to take the sins of the world away. When we ignore sin in our own lives, we ignore what He did for us.

What is Jesus calling out in you today? Is there something in your life you know, in your Spirit, is not right, yet, you’ve allowed the enemy to deceive you into believing it’s not a huge deal? Is there something He’s asked you to speak up about in someone else’s life, yet you’ve avoided it, because it’s too uncomfortable a conversation? 

I’m not saying you are the Holy Spirit, and should be going around pointing out everyone’s wrongs. However, we, believers, have stayed silent about too many harmful behaviors within the body of Christ, and then we wonder why we’re the walking wounded. Too many are enslaved by behaviors that are killing their spirits, and we sit silent in fear. Has Christ called on you to be the iron to sharpen another’s iron? (Proverbs 27:17)

You’ve likely heard the following phrases. Hurting people hurt people. Damaged people do damage. Another phrase God’s been developing in me lately is that healed people heal people. If the enemy has you in bondage to a sin, you are less likely to be able to help someone else who needs freedom.

Grace doesn’t ignore sin. It says sin is there, but there’s a Savior Who has conquered the consequences of it for you…DEATH. Grace is Jesus taking on my sin, before I even knew what sin was, and putting it to death so I might live sin free. Oh, what amazing grace that is!

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, I do not want to make Your sacrifice less than it was. I want the sinless life You died to give me. Show me the places where sin still has a hold on me, and give me the strength, through the power of Your death and resurrection, to put it away from me. Thank You for loving me when I was so unlovable. In the holy name of Christ, I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

What Is Grace?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 8:32, John 15:5, Philippians 1:6, Micah 6:8 (NASB)

About a decade ago, God sent me on a journey by using a book by Steve McVey called Grace Walk. I had a bit of an understanding of what grace was, or so I thought, and went into the study with little expectation. It rocked my spiritual world.

I was taught the acronym of GRACE – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense – when I was a child. I knew grace wasn’t something I could earn, however much I struggled in believing it. I still felt like God didn’t love me unless I was doing what was right more often than what was wrong. My feelings were what drove me to be relentless in my self-doubt, condemnation of my efforts, and belief that I could never measure up to the perfection He wanted from me, as a person who had accepted salvation. Ever feel that way?

All of those feelings kept me in slavery. I don’t use that word lightly. I was chained to what I thought would make God love me more. I was shackled to disappointments and guilt every single day. I didn’t feel as if John 8:32 was anywhere near my grasp.

Through that study, I began to see what had been in the Word all along! Philippians 1:6 is clear about Who does the work, and Who has the responsibility to complete it, but I never read it with understanding eyes. I started to learn about a freedom that seemed too easy. How could I believe that my only requirement from the Lord was to abide with Him? The passage in John 15:5 is familiar to most of us, but we still think we can do something good in ourselves. We’re told in Micah what is required of man, yet, do we ever really believe it? Is it truly that simple?

Yes, it is. We, humans, have complicated God’s grace in troubling ways. We lay burdens on our shoulders, and those of others, which were never intended to be there, nor could possibly be carried!

We have unrealistic expectations of ourselves (perfection in all things), and then, when we don’t achieve those lofty goals, we beat ourselves up. Even worse, we expect things from others that they could never attain, and beat them up when they don’t reach the mark.

We, as believers, are wanting things of other believers, and the world, that they aren’t capable of doing. We want a moral compass in those who don’t know the Lord at all. We want perfection in relationships with others when God’s not done with us yet, so how can we expect He’s done with that other person? Damaged people do damage, and hurting people hurt people. Until we allow the Lord to begin His work of healing in our lives, those two things will continue to wreak havoc, but that’s another post!

This year is going to be a study in grace through my posts. I long, now, for others in the faith to understand the real freedom Jesus Christ died to give us. No condemnation. No guilt. Wouldn’t that be an amazing life? It’s ours for the grasping, but only as we understand who we are and Whose we are. Come on the journey with me.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, You are amazing in so many ways. The most astounding part for me is that You don’t think poorly of me when I don’t understand something. You want to show me, through Your Holy Spirit, what is right, and long to guide me into all of Your truth. Give me a softened heart, an open mind to the things of You, and a willingness to learn what is true. In the Name of Christ, I pray, Amen.

*Editorial Note from Alexis (founder of "God is Love" blog): Allison's devotional today reminds me of a song by Larnelle Harris called, "Were It Not For Grace." Listen to it here. God bless you!

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals. 

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: A Closer Look at the birth of Jesus Christ

Where Jesus Was Born?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Genesis 35:19-21, Micah 4:8-5:2, John 1:29,
1 Peter 1:18-19, 

1 Corinthians 5:7, Revelation 5:6-14 (NASB)

I’m about to challenge you to dig into the Word of God to search for an amazing treasure that has been there all along. A pastor friend of mine taught on, “Where Was Jesus Born?” The entire teaching is linked here. There’s not enough space to do more than whet your curiosity. This made me sit back in awe, again, at Who our God is.

We’re told in Luke that an angel appeared to shepherds. Why these shepherds? They were very special. They were likely the ones who tended the Passover lambs and flock. 1 Corinthians calls Jesus Christ our Passover Lamb. Genesis talks about a “tower of Eder.” In the original Hebrew, that means “migdal eder,” or “tower of the flock.” Micah 4:8 tells us, “To you it will come—Even the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” This tower is something special, but why?

We have “certain” shepherds, as one of the carols calls them. We have John and others referring to Jesus as the Lamb of God. We know Christ to be our Passover Lamb taking away the sins of the world. How did the shepherds know where to find Mary, Joseph, and the Christ? It wasn’t the star which led the magi. That didn’t happen until later. 

They knew where to find a “Passover lamb” because they were shepherds of that very flock! Where else would a place be prepared to accept the birth of “perfect” sheep, destined to die on an altar? What other lambs were wrapped up to keep them from harming themselves and making a blemish? Where else would perfectly cleansed swaddling be available which had to be done according to the Law for the lambs of sacrifice? They had to be kept separate from less worthy sheep. They had to be protected. They were sacred.

If you read on in the Bible book of Micah, it talks about a woman in childbirth … giving birth to the Savior! I hope you believe that there is no coincidence in the Word of God. Every word is intentional and necessary for His perfect will to be made known. This is no coincidence that a description of childbirth is given in this passage about Migdal Eder. We are given crumbs, here and there, to show us the way through the Scriptures to find truths we never saw before. It reminds us that His thoughts are so much bigger than our thoughts, and His ways immensely different than our ways.

Yes, Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inn, but there is no recorded place in Scripture that says they went to a stable. Where else would the Holy Spirit lead the Lamb of God to be born, but to the very same place that the lambs, which had fulfilled the promise as far as they were able, were born? God leaves nothing to chance. Everything in the Old Testament is a shadow of what was to come in Christ.

I think the part which hit my heart the hardest in all of this study was when I read, again, that Mary wrapped her Babe in swaddling clothing, and treasured all these things in her heart. As a mother, Mary wrapped up her sacrificial Lamb when He was born, in the place where death was assured as soon as life began for those lambs. She had no idea she would be wrapping her Son just 30 some years later, in grave cloths. A different swaddling with tears staining the material, I have no doubt.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the birth of Christ is significant enough for God to have written about it, hidden nuggets of priceless truth within the Scriptures, and rejoices when we seek them out.

Let’s Pray: Jesus, You amaze me at every turn. You hide nothing from us, but we must want to seek out these gems. Give us the desire to find more “hidden” things in Your Word that we may learn more of You. In the Name of Christ we pray, Amen. 

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: No Law

There Is No Law
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 25:2, Philippians 4:4-8 (NASB)

We’ve come to the end of the Fruit of the Spirit, and I have to say, God’s shown me some pretty neat things about these gifts. The progression of them has such deep meaning. I look forward to letting Him bring out more and more.

The last line in this particular set of verses has always been interesting to me: “…against such things there is no law.” Why would that need to be said? Who could think any of these fruit would be a bad thing? I mean, love is what makes the world go around, right? And kindness has had movies made about it. Songs are written about these qualities, so why point out that there isn’t a law against them?

Christ knows we are dense sometimes. I don’t say that to be mean. It’s a reality. We see the Word repeating things … a lot. That’s because we need it to be repeated. Just once isn’t enough. Repetition is how we learn. There are some who say that it takes 7 or 8 times of hearing something you’d like to remember before it starts to stick. It would have taken a lot of space to repeat all of these fruit here in the section.

We need something to snap us out of our stupor and make us pay attention. The Word says that it’s to the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to seek it out. I think this might be one of those places. Why is it important for Christ to tell us there’s no law against these fruit?

Whether we all agree what it is, we’re all born with a moral compass. One person’s may be different than another’s, but everyone has something in them that tells them something is right or wrong. Yet, don’t we see great wrongs being done every day, and by those who should “know better?” At that point, what do we tend to do? We judge that person’s walk, their faith, their relationship with God. God alone knows the heart, however, we feel we have seen enough to make a judgment on that person, sometimes based on less than a minute of time.

What if we attach the fruit of the Spirit to those situations? Since there is no law against them, put love alongside the issue. Where does that leave you in the situation? And joy? Or faithfulness? Oh, don’t forget peace.

We can’t exhibit too much of any of these things. Honestly, we can’t exhibit any of them on our own. But, Christ wants these to be our first line of defense against all the things that come at us each day. We are strengthened when we know and walk in His love. That springs joy up through us, and spills out on those around us. We’re peaceful, making everyone feel at ease or welcome, solely due to our encounters with the love of God.

I see nowhere in Scripture where we’re told to dwell on our past…our sins. What I do see are several lists of positive things that God wants us to focus on for a huge benefit. We gain a guarded mind and heart when we do. Who here needs that today? All of this stems from knowing there is no law against, and no reason not to have, these fruit freely flowing through us. They are the very essence of Christ living in us to a world that desperately needs His love. Be fruitful, and multiply.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Jesus, we know Your ways are better. We know the Fruit of the Spirit that You’ve given us are for our benefit, but they are even more for others. Let there be no boundary on how Your Fruit are used in and through us for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Self-control

Self-control
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 and Proverbs 25:3 (NASB)

I’ve really struggled with this last fruit of the Spirit. Not only in application in my life, but in writing this blog post. I have this deep sense that self-control means much more than we realize on the surface, yet, I must not be at a point where God’s ready to reveal it.

I’ve been praying about this fruit for some time. The other blogs have flowed pretty well, with lots of thoughts and ideas swirling around before I sit down to write. This one, however, has just sat in my mind…self-control.

The other fruit have shown us that we can not manifest them through fleshly initiative for long. They are all part of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They are a result of a surrendered life. Self-control must be the same, right? So, if all of the fruit are a result, how does self come into this? How can my flesh, or self, gain any kind of real control?

Proverbs 25:3 tells us that it’s to God’s glory to conceal a matter and to the glory of kings to seek it out. God doesn’t play hide and seek to be malicious or sly. He wants to know we are desiring to hear more from Him, to go more deeply. That requires a seeking out on our parts.

A quick search of the Scriptures says that the word “self-control” isn’t used in the Old Testament, only in the New Testament. Interesting! Another piece of information is that the word is only used from Acts on. I think we’re getting somewhere!

With the knowledge that self-control was talked about in the Word only after the Holy Spirit was given to believers, there’s definitely a connection. My question about how self plays into this still remains, but a thought is starting to form.

We see Jesus in the wilderness being tempted. It’s a relatively short story in the Scriptures, with enormous ramifications. Until recently, I really didn’t think about what it was like for Him to have the enemy tempt Him with food, though I think that was likely the hardest to resist. He had been without food for 40 days. I know someone who has been called to a 40 day fast several times in his life. He’s told me that it is the most difficult thing he’s ever done, and when he is able to eat, his mind wants to eat everything in sight! That’s the point to which Jesus had gotten when He was told to make a stone into bread, which is something that is incredibly simple for the Creator to do.

Gethsemane is another place we see the Lord suffering under stress to the point of sweating out blood. So much was going on with His flesh, that it was pushing blood out of His pores. That’s something few people can say they have experienced.

During both of these overwhelming trials, Jesus did not sin. He did not give in to what His flesh, self, wanted, though it was a severe struggle. He exhibited the self-control that I believe the Scriptures may be talking about in Galatians. The wrestling with what I want, versus what I know the Spirit wants. The surrender of my will to One who has done the same to His Father. Giving up my right to be right, in order to be right with Him.

Perhaps I’m getting to the point of God illuminating this more for me. I’ll just have to seek it out. Are you willing to do the same?

Let's Pray: Dear Daddy (Father God in Heaven), You have redefined so many words as You have conformed my thoughts to those of You. This word is no different. Show me what You want me to see about myself and my walk with You, as Your Spirit guides me into all truth. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Gentleness

Gentleness
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: 

Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 18:35, Colossians 3:12, James 3:13, Galatians 6:1 (NASB)

When you hear the word meek, what do you think?

The misuse of this word to mean weak has caused a lot of confusion over the years. Meek, by definition in the Scriptures, means, “strength in control,” based on Strong’s Concordance. 

We’re told that Christ was meek, and we know He was not weak! So, what does meek have to do with gentleness? Everything. Look at Psalm 18:35. We don’t think of gentleness as something that makes us great, do we?

We are told in Colossians 3:12 to put on, “…a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” as chosen ones of God. In James 3:13, it says that good behavior is shown in deeds of gentleness and wisdom. 

Gentleness and meekness are very intertwined in the Word (The Holy Bible). We don’t always think of gentleness as anything more than a light touch, like we would care for a baby, but it’s so much more. It’s how we treat one another, believer or non-believer. It’s also a sign of how we have allowed the Spirit to work in our lives. We cannot be gentle without the Spirit doing the work in us.

Gentle people draw others in. When you know someone who is a gentle soul, you know that they are unlikely to be hurtful, cruel, or a gossip. They just don’t want others to be damaged by anything they do. That has a lot to do with mercy, I believe, which is another manifestation of God’s work in a person’s life. We are called to be gentle in how we talk to other believers when the Lord calls us to speak into their life. 

The Bible has been used as a weapon by too many of God’s children against God’s children. That goes completely away from what Christ teaches us in Galatians 6:1. The term “Bible thumper” comes to mind when I think of someone who beats people over the head with the Word, expecting them to want to follow Christ after the “beating.” That’s not gentleness, and certainly not how Jesus drew others to Himself.

Gentleness does not mean ignoring sin. It may be that God tells you not to speak about a sin in someone’s life, but rather to pray. God knows what each of us needs, and sometimes that is just His voice speaking into a situation. Other times, He may call you to speak. Be sure you have done what Galatians 6:1 says, though!

Humility and gentleness go hand in hand. To be humble simply means to think less of yourself than of others. That doesn’t mean you think poorly of yourself. God certainly doesn’t! Honoring others above yourself is the hallmark of humility. That takes a laying down of our pride. In order to do that, you have to have taken up the righteousness of Christ. You have to have laid down your filthy rags of the flesh to be clothed with Christ.

Can you see how the progression from love to joy to peace to patience to kindness to goodness to faithfulness to gentleness has worked in your life? This pattern of His growth into the image of Christ is amazing to see unfold. We’re likely going to go through the process many times in our life as God grows us into a more perfect picture of Jesus. Each time you learn more of His Love, the cycle continues to take off the parts of the flesh that have held us back. 

Aren’t you thankful God lets us do this a little at a time over our life with Him? I truly am!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Daddy, May Your gentleness seen through me draw others to You. I want my life to be such a reflection of Who YOU are that they don’t see me at all. Let Your Son shine through as a beacon of hope for a dark world. Show me how to love, gently, as You love us. In the Name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

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Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson