Devotionals for the Heart: What I've learned about having greater faith

Greater Faith
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

—Luke 17:5 (KJV)

Trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior comes with a measure of faith.

As we mature in our faith walk with Jesus and begin to seek Him for guidance, our faith grows. Our understanding of doctrine becomes deeper as we allow His Spirit to instruct our hearts and change our attitudes.

Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (KJV), Paul also lists faith as a special gifting of the Holy Spirit. He said: “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues…”.

The New Living Translation (NLT) of 1 Corinthians 12:9 uses the term “great faith”. We could think of it as “special” faith: the ability to trust God for extraordinary things, to step out in faith in impossible situations, and believe Him for things that most believers simply can’t. That is not to say that if we cannot trust God for great things, it is a shortcoming in our walk. Special faith is the Holy Spirit’s gift to some, while He has gifted other believers in other areas. Still, perhaps it should challenge us: Could we trust God more, even if special faith is not our gifting?

We may not be placed in a situation where we are led to pray that God will raise the dead or heal the sick, but perhaps He is asking us to believe that He will provide for a financial situation that looks impossible. Perhaps God doesn’t want us to drop everything and move to another country, but He is asking us to make a daunting career change.

Faith is not just what saves us, or what allows us to grow in our relationship with God. It is the ability to have peace beyond the next step we need to take, beyond the answers we can see. Faith is the gift of being able to say, “I don’t have all the answers, but I know that God is in control, and I believe Him.”

Some people are given the gift of special faith, and they exercise it all the time. Other times, God might give it to an individual believer in a particular season. Perhaps we have stepped out in faith in the past but have not done so since. Perhaps God isn’t asking that of us, but it is also possible that we have lost sight of a gift He wants us to use. If that sounds like you, would you take time to sit before God in quiet and ask Him to show you what might be stopping you from using this gift of faith. Is there something we are choosing not to believe Him for, or is there something that we are simply not cognizant of yet?

Maybe we’ve never used this gift of faith, and today, God is challenging us to begin to seek Him for greater faith. Maybe we are simply afraid that if we step out in faith, He won’t be there. Whatever the case, would you pray with me?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I ask that You search my heart and see if there is any unbelief hidden there. Thank You that You do not condemn me for this, but please help me not to continue in it. I pray that You will show me any area in my life where you are asking me to have greater faith—to step out or to believe that You will fulfill a promise when I have lost all hope. Please give me a greater awareness of your purpose and plan so that I can work alongside You towards that goal.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Where There is Faith” by 4Him. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “God is in Control” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a child, Aubrey spent countless hours creating characters and writing stories. 

Thirty years later, she took up her pen again, uniting her fascination for history with her passion for redemption. The stories she creates are a unique brand of gritty, honest wartime sagas, written from the German perspective.

Aubrey is the mother of three children, and she is married to her best friend Brian.

When she’s not writing or taking care of home and family, she can often be found making music, reading, or spending time with friends.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks

Devotionals for the Heart: The power of our testimony about Jesus Christ

What’s Your Testimony?
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”—2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

A friend and I agree that for many years, we felt like we had no testimony. She was saved at age 3. I was saved at age 5. What was there to tell?

Later, when I thought about it again, I realized there is so much to tell. I can share about the way God has guided and protected me, keeping me from crossing a thousand boundaries that I would’ve crossed if it were not for His gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) presence with me. I know the pain from the curveballs life has thrown my way was blunted—not prevented—by God’s hand.

Even in the seasons of my life when His protection was not so gentle and He had to keep me in line through many painful pruning sessions (due to calamities of my own making), God was there, keeping me for the purpose He had for me. It was a future only He could see. But I learned that His plans for me are good, just like He promises in Jeremiah 29:11.

It is true that I came to know Jesus Christ when I was five years old, but it is also true that if it weren’t for His presence in my life, I would’ve been dead by fifteen.

As our Heavenly Father, God lays out a path for each of us. Like a wise and talented author of books, God has plotted our entire story, and we are walking through it, discovering it for ourselves. That is not to say there are not plot twists and turns along the way. Some, God has planned in advance. Other diversions are ones we have chosen, and He has allowed. While they may not be His best for us, He uses them to add color and depth to our story. Our pain may be self-inflicted, but it contributes to a more beautiful conclusion and makes God more precious to us because we see His beauty, His purity, and His care in a way we didn’t before.

As we are open about our past, our lives, and our choices (good and bad), He will use our experiences to speak to others. Perhaps we’re not the one getting up on a platform and sharing about a miraculous shift from darkness to light, but those things that seem like minutiae as we share them over a cup of coffee might be just what another person needs to hear.

Dear friend, please take a moment to reflect on all God has done for you. Remember that His power was (and is) at work in your life in ways you could not see and may not see now. Those changes might have been small, but they may have effects that far outweigh a momentary, drastic salvation story. Both types of testimony have eternal value. Both are precious in His sight. When you have finished reflecting, please join me in prayer.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You had Your eye on me throughout my life. Whether I was aware of it or not You were preparing me. Thank You for every scar, for every one of my mistakes which You have used for good, and that You never gave up on me. It may have been a bumpy, winding road that brought me to You, or it may have been a path that was relatively straight. Either way, I am glad that You have brought me this far, and I pray that I am drawing ever nearer to the purpose You have for me. Please use my story to encourage someone else today.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s Song)” by Damaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Mercy Said No” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Scars” by I Am They. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a child, Aubrey spent countless hours creating characters and writing stories. 

Thirty years later, she took up her pen again, uniting her fascination for history with her passion for redemption. The stories she creates are a unique brand of gritty, honest wartime sagas, written from the German perspective.

Aubrey is the mother of three children, and she is married to her best friend Brian.

When she’s not writing or taking care of home and family, she can often be found making music, reading, or spending time with friends.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for when you're in a dark season of life

Without Reproach
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now He has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”—Colossians 1:21-22 (NLT)

Have you ever come across a devotional that was spot on and filled with perfect encouragement for those whose faith just needs a little boost, yet you feel worse after reading it than you did when you picked it up?

Perhaps you thought: Lord, why isn’t this true for me? I do all these things, yet I don’t feel any better! Even though I’ve been living free from chronic depression for three years, I am still sensitive to the way I would have felt during the darkest seasons of my life. I can read at a devotional or listen to a sermon and remember how I would have received it as someone who was severely depressed.

I realize that many devotional writers write for a general audience and simply cannot address every nuance in the human experience, but I also remember my experiences all too well. To those who find themselves in a season of depression, you are not alone. While there are many devotionals that are not written for you in this season, this one is.

We don’t always know how to interpret the feelings of depression, and others don’t know what advice to give. When we take well-intentioned suggestions such as, “Spend more time in the Word of God or turn on more worship music,” the hopelessness does not go away. We begin to internalize and blame ourselves, seeing sin in our life that is not there. This leads to feelings of condemnation, which leads to more depression. It is a vicious cycle.

Do you feel like words on a page, in a sermon, or in a song only serve to condemn you? Is Romans 8:1 (NLT) that says, “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”, something you know in your head but not in your heart?

At some point in my depressed past, I began to identify with the word reproach. I felt reproached by so many things—even things in the Word of God. The Collins Dictionary defines the word “reproach” this way: “to impute blame to (a person) for an action or fault; rebuke to bring disgrace or shame upon.” In light of that definition, let’s read the words from Colossians 1:21-22 (NLT) again. It says, “This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

If you are still battling your way through depression, if you haven’t found healing yet, whether supernatural or through medication or counseling or a combination of all three, hold onto this verse: “You are holy and blameless before Him without a single fault.”

God doesn’t look at your depression, or your inability to pull yourself up out of it, as a fault. Furthermore, the reproach you are feeling may not be an indication of any sin. It is very much tied to a marred perception of God’s heart. The promise that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus is more than empty words. God wants you to know it in your heart and experience it in your life.

If you are going through a dark season, I want to encourage you that there is healing. Your route to healing may not look like someone else’s. For me, it has included years of counseling with a godly woman who helped me re-structure my thought life, and medication to balance things that were out of sync. As He promises to do in 2 Corinthians 1:4, God has used this drawn-out process to help me understand others who are suffering, comforting me in my affliction so that I may turn and comfort those who are in affliction. Someday, He will use your suffering for His glory as well—and for the comfort of others.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You that Your Word is true. There is truly no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus! Because of Your sacrificial death, I stand before You, blameless without a single fault. Even if I don’t feel that way, it is the truth. Help me begin to see myself and my life the way You see me. Please guard my ears and heart so that I stop sensing condemnation and reproach when what I need is encouragement and comfort. Guide me into healing, so that what I have suffered may be used for Your glory. 

In Jesus’s name I pray, 

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "My Prayer for You" by Alisa Turner. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Hold On" by Katy Nichole. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "I Almost Let Go" by Kurt Carr. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a child, Aubrey spent countless hours creating characters and writing stories.

 

Thirty years later, she took up her pen again, uniting her fascination for history with her passion for redemption. The stories she creates are a unique brand of gritty, honest wartime sagas, written from the German perspective.

Aubrey is the mother of three children, and she is married to her best friend Brian.

When she’s not writing or taking care of home and family, she can often be found making music, reading, or spending time with friends.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks

Devotionals for the Heart: When the people around you are suffering

Weep with Those Who Weep
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

—Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Are we truly prepared to enter into the suffering of others, or are we content to maintain surface-level sympathy with their experience? Will we rise to God’s challenge of sitting with them in their pain, weeping with those who weep, and mourning with those who mourn?

I want to go a step farther: Are we prepared to see people in their mess? Maybe even identify ourselves with those with whom we don’t want to be identified?

These are difficult questions. We may choose to avoid answering them, afraid to truly enter into people’s suffering. It’s a legitimate fear, especially when it involves people’s sin rather than just their suffering.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who suffered so He could save us from having to pay for our sins (Romans 6:23). Christ’s suffering that ended in His death and then resurrection was so that we could be reconciled with God (John 3:16-17). Let’s read the prophet’s words in Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV): “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

God’s Holy Spirit rests upon us for the same purposes. We are anointed to perform the same tasks as Jesus as we walk this earth, and in John 14:12 (NIV), Jesus tells us that “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”

As for our legitimate fears of ministering to those who are entrenched in sin, the Bible verse of Jude 23 (NIV) says this: “Save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” In the next verse, Jude reminds us who our strength and protection comes from: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God, our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

It is comfortable to stay within the bounds of safe environments like home and church, read our Bibles and play worship music, but this is not what the world needs. The world needs Christians who are deeply rooted in God and who are so filled with His love that it spills out whenever someone bumps into them. Christians who are confident enough in Christ to enter uncomfortable situations and can provide the hope and light of Jesus that dwells within them.

When we are with family and friends at this busy time of year, we may feel uncomfortable with some of the things that go on at holiday gatherings. We don’t want to give approval to these things. Perhaps we feel pressured to say something, and then condemned when we don’t. What if we were to rise above all that and simply be aware of the love we have for the people around us—love that can only come from the heart of Jesus, who was not afraid to socialize with tax collectors and “sinners”? The scripture gives no evidence that these people made Jesus uncomfortable. He knew the hurt and the needs that lay beneath their rough exterior. It seems they wanted to be around Him, too. If Christ can strike a balance when with them and shine His light lovingly upon them, certainly He will empower us to do the same!

Many of us feel that our world is darker than ever. If that is true, let’s pray that God will empower us to shine more brightly, and to shine in such a way that others are drawn to the light of His love.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, only You can love people perfectly. Whether it is a person’s suffering, or sin that holds them prisoner, please give us a greater measure of Your love for the hearts You want us to reach. Enable us to come alongside these people and shine hope and love into their dark world. Do not allow us to remain trapped in our own discomfort. Help us rise above and treat everyone with respect, agape love and kindness like You would. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy. Listen to it here.
 
~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

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

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

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

—Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

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

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: God can help you believe in Him if you ask

Asking God to Help My Unbelief
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”—Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV)

Lately, the Lord has been asking me the question, “Do you believe?”

Repeatedly, I find myself answering, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

This situation makes me think deeply about what we want out of our life. And it makes me wonder, “Why are so many of us hesitant to ask or believe God for great things?” Though we read of miracles throughout the Bible and hear of modern miracles such as the “unexplained” disappearances of cancer cells in a person’s body, it is so easy to act as though those things were for other times or other people. We would never deny that it is within God’s power to do them, yet we are reluctant to ask for these miracles. Or if we do ask, we do so with lingering doubt.

Let me say that it is important to recognize that God’s answers to our prayers may not look like we expect or want them to. However, we have to check our heart when we pray. For example: When I pray for someone’s healing, why do I feel the need to tack on, “God, even if Your ultimate healing is to bring that person home to be with you.” Am I genuinely relying on God’s sovereign plan or am I safeguarding myself because I already believe that what I’m asking for isn’t going to happen?

Even as I write this devotional, I have to let that thought sink in. For many years, I have unwittingly fostered the attitude that what I am asking God for probably isn’t going to happen. Even when He has given me a specific promise, I tend to treat it with an “If God blesses me with this” mindset, rather than a “When God fulfills His promise” mindset.

Recently, I have been convicted about that, and I have started to open up to God about it. My fear of Him not coming through, coupled with the tendency in many churches to brush these things aside, left me feeling alone and sitting on this promise in silence instead of pursuing it prayerfully with trusted friends. I was even discouraged from talking to my husband about it.

Where does this fear of believing come from? God spoke to people many times in the Bible. He made promises and fulfilled them just as He said He would. Battles were won, miraculous provisions were made, people were healed or even brought back from the dead. Who are we to think that the God who did those things thousands of years ago doesn’t work the same way today? Has He changed?

Malachi 3:6 says that God never changes! Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Numbers 23:19 (ESV) says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

I know how it feels to think, “Maybe I heard God wrong.” For those like me who are a little thick-headed or slow to hear, God is patient. Sometimes, He confirms things over and over until we get it. I really don’t believe that it is wrong to ask for confirmation either, especially if it is a matter of importance. God already knows that sometimes we lack faith, so it is better to be honest with Him about it than refuse to keep an open line of communication with our Father in Heaven.

It’s time to grab hold of God’s promises! I’m not saying to, “Name it and claim it.” I’m saying, “Take God at His word.” Maybe it simply means speaking honestly about what God has told you, or maybe it means acting on those things.

Remember: God can give us the faith we need to please Him and move mountains. All we need to do is ask Him, believe in Him and put our faith into action.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for any areas in which I have allowed unbelief to prevent me from walking in Your promises. Even if they remain unfulfilled, help me to begin to walk as though they are assured because in You, they are. If I need to share my prayer requests with trusted friends who genuinely believe in You, help me to tell them how they can support me in prayer. If there are actions I need to take, empower me to do those things. May You be glorified as I take increasing steps of faith. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to spend time alone with God

Why We Need Time Alone with God
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.”—Matthew 14:13 (ESV)

In the verse above, Jesus Christ had just learned of the death of his cousin John who was often referred to as John the Baptist. Jesus longed to be alone to mourn the death of someone who was not simply a family member, but a fellow servant of God and the one who announced His coming (John 1:1-18).

In the same verse, we discover that the time Jesus had hoped to spend alone with His Father was preempted by people who were hungry—both spiritually and physically. He goes on to minister to them and then feed the five thousand men plus women and children (Matthew 14:21).

Take note of Matthew 14:23 (ESV): “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” Though he was waylaid, He did not forsake this time alone entirely. He made sure it happened. Matthew 14:25 goes on to tell us that it was not until the fourth watch of the night that He finally went back to His disciples.

It is so hard to get alone these days. Even when we make a little time to read our Bible or pray, it is often just that—a little time. I was reminded recently in a video devotional that these times of silence with our Father in Heaven allow Him to get down deep into so He can begin to heal our wounds. Jesus had just lost his cousin. He needed silence—and not just a few minutes. He took hours away from His disciples. Away from the crowds. In those days, there were far fewer distractions: no phones, television, social media, or running here and there (especially for those in my stage of life where I am the taxi driver for my children). Recently, I realized it is all right for me to linger in silence. No. It is necessary.

Sometimes, we must be busy, even when we long for silence. In Matthew 14, Jesus modeled His readiness to minister in spite of sorrow and fatigue, but after He dismissed them, he prioritized time alone with His Father. Even though His disciples were in a boat, “a long way from land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them” (Matthew 14:24 ESV), He did not return to them until He had taken the time He needed.

Are we taking the time we need to sit silently with the Lord, to wait for Him and allow Him to heal our wounds? Or are we feeling rushed? Are we laboring under the pressure that we should always be doing something? Or are we so burned out that when we finally have downtime, we fill it with endless scrolling and binge-watching TV shows?

Dear friend, give yourself permission to take the time you need. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, get alone with God in silence. Open your Bible to the Psalms if you feel led, but don’t feel that you need to study the Word in that moment. Admittedly, sometimes our overworked brains just can’t handle it. It is all right to just soak in His presence. Close your eyes and imagine relaxing in His arms. Allow healing to take place.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Jesus,

I am sorry that I am often so rushed that I do not take time to sit before You and allow You to reach deep into my heart and begin the healing work You long to do. I pray that today, that will begin to change. I pray that You will help me make time to be silent and still, putting away my distractions for as long as necessary. I know I need healing work in my life—whether I have experienced a tragedy or have just allowed the busy pace of modern life to wear me down. I know I need to make a habit of regular time alone with You, and I look forward to what You want to do through that. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Alone in the Presence” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: When you ask God to do whatever it takes

Whatever it Takes
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”– Colossians 4:17 (NKJV)

When I was younger, and not walking with the Lord, my mother often prayed a simple prayer for me: “God, please do whatever it takes.” I was not the worst of sinners, but I was not walking closely with the Lord, either. I was doing my own thing and not inclined to surrender to Him.

As you read this, consider if God is putting someone on your heart. Perhaps He has placed a call on their life, yet they seem complacent, unwilling to disrupt the status quo. They know and love God, but they do not want to trade their plans for His. Or perhaps they are backslidden. Perhaps they do not even know God at all.

Are you brave enough to pray this prayer for them? “God, please do whatever it takes.” Whatever it takes to bring them to a place of surrender. Whatever it takes to convince them that Your plan is better than the life they have mapped out for themselves. Whatever it takes to bring them to Yourself.

I’m sure my mother was scared to pray that prayer, but she was also desperate to see me walk closely with the Lord. I don’t know how many times she had to pray this way before I began to embrace Him more fully, but I do know what it took. At the time, she could not have realized that one of the things it would take for me would be years of depression and anxiety. She could also not have realized that it would take me losing her (she died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 26).

I hope it does not sound like I believe God caused me to suffer depression, or took my mother from this world in order to woo me to Himself. There were various reasons these things happened, and He has woven her story intricately together with mine. Her faith in His wisdom and goodness was evident in her willingness to allow Him to have his way in both her life and mine. When she prayed, “God, whatever it takes,” she didn’t hesitate at the thought of what that might entail. Whatever means God chose to use, she knew they would be right. This enabled her to release any desire to place conditions on her prayer, and simply just pray.

A few of us may read this and realize that God is asking us to pray these words over our own lives. We long to draw nearer to Him, and to fulfill the calling He’s placed in our lives, but we do not want to let go of comforts and plans. These conflicting desires are creating uncomfortable friction in our lives.

If that is you, are you brave enough to ask God to fulfill the call He’s placed on your life? Will you pray that He does “whatever it takes”?

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I thank You that Your plan for my life, and Your plans for my loved ones, are perfect. In Your wisdom You have called us, and You want to see us walk fully in the things You have ordained for us. Sometimes, we resist. Forgive us. Thank You for the people who have prayed for us. May we be sensitive and willing to step into what You have planned. May we stand by our loved ones, praying and cheerleading without pressuring them, that they too may begin to walk fully in the things You have created them for. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “He’s Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: A different way to view the trials we face in life

When We View Our Trials Through a Different Lens
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!”—Psalm 40:5 (ESV)

Here in the Western Hemisphere, it is common for a Christian to read Romans 8:28 and consider how it applies to their own life. Many of us would be surprised to realize that in other parts of the world, Christians read this promise through a very different lens. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) tells us that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

North American and European culture focuses heavily on the individual, yet there are many cultures that see everything in terms of the whole—family, community, and tribe. One might call these cultures collectivist. We often forget that the authors of the Bible lived in a collectivist culture too. This stands out in Psalm 40:5 (ESV), with King David’s use of the word us when he said, “You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us.”

This changes the way I read Romans 8:28. Perhaps when Paul says that God is working all things for the good of those who love Him, he means that God is working all things for the good of all who love Him.

From watching the lives of those who have gone before us in the faith, we know that good does not necessarily mean a favorable outcome in this life. In the past, there have been generations that have seen nothing but struggle. They died, and the promise was realized in another generation. Hebrews 11:35-40 tells us of the things believers have suffered throughout the ages. It helps to remember this part that says they “did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us” (Hebrews 11:39-40 ESV). Their suffering opened the way for future generations to believe, be saved, and encouraged through their trials.

Throughout the Biblical narrative, we can see the way all of Israel’s sufferings eventually led to the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet even this was during a time of the heavy-handed Roman occupation of Judea and the entire known world. Salvation from Rome did not come during Christ’s lifetime. After Jesus died, was resurrected three days later and ascended into Heaven, His Church on Earth began to grow and flourish. However, that resulted in Roman rule becoming more oppressive and persecution of Christians began. In this difficult time, God was not so much interested in the good of the individual, but the good of a far greater number of people—future generations that would believe in Him.

If you are suffering today, take heart. If you have had a loved one pass from this life without receiving what God has promised, don’t let your faith be shaken. Though God is certainly interested in our individual lives, our personal struggles, and our very tears (Psalm 56:8), these are not the only things He has in mind. Our suffering may be intended for something greater—the good of many.

Now with this in mind, would you join me in praying that God would help us to see our suffering through a different lens?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that Your plan is being worked out in the most intricate and beautiful way. I know my story weaves in with countless others throughout time—even those that have not been written yet. When I suffer, please remind me that my struggles will be used for good in ways I do not even know. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Blessings” by Laura Story. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: How to not sin when we are feeling angry

Be Angry and Do Not Sin
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”

—Psalm 4:4 (ESV)

Anger is a normal human emotion and something even Jesus Christ experienced.

Therefore, anger itself is not the problem. The problem is what we do with it. Today, I would like to look at a few verses that can help us to be sure we are righteous in our anger and glorifying God through our response.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) quotes this passage directly before giving added instruction: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV) urges us to “strive for peace with everyone,” and to see to it that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble.”

The Psalmist acknowledges our tendency to “ponder in our own hearts on our beds.” This is where we can work through emotions safely, but the Apostle Paul also warns us not to allow the sun go down on our anger. Sometimes, things need to be dealt with immediately.

I deal with unruly children regularly. Two of my children are going through very difficult and willful seasons of life. Both of them are easily (and frequently) angered. How can I teach them that their feelings are valid, but that the way they choose to express them often leads them into sin?

I can start by modeling self-control and a godly response to my own anger. Have I learned to prevent my anger from getting the best of me, or do I allow myself to say or do things I regret? Perhaps a better question to ask is this: Does my response make things worse?

James 1:20 (ESV) reminds us that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” If my response is borne purely out of anger, and not tempered by self-control and a desire to glorify God, I can rest assured I will not get the result I am hoping for: my child’s humble repentance and future obedience.

It is a balance many of us have a hard time mastering, and not just in family life. I once saw a man strongly criticize a produce worker at a grocery store because of the price of lettuce. Yet the employee does not determine the cost of the lettuce. They simply place the packages the pre-determined price label and are required to pay that price as well if they purchase it.

Yet it is in our more intimate relationships that we risk allowing a bitter root to grow. It can cause a constant state of agitation and hostility where no one can thrive. It may even cause physical illness. Proverbs 12:25 NKJV tells us, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.” Depression can manifest itself in many ways—from a pounding heart to chronic pain to digestive issues. There are many causes of depression but let us not allow our choice to hold onto anger be one of them!

If you are holding onto bitterness or anger, reach out to Jesus today. Seek godly counsel to learn ways to acknowledge feelings of anger without falling into sin or bitterness.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I acknowledge the ways I’ve allowed anger to lead me into sin. You know the details. I ask You to teach me how I can avoid this in the future. Lead me to texts in the Bible, or to a trusted counselor who will help me learn to make the right choices when I feel angry. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Look What You’ve Done” by Tasha Layton. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: God doesn't remember our sins after He forgives us

No Condemnation
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”—Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

The Scripture above is a favorite verse for many Christians, yet how often do we struggle to walk in its truth? We may not even realize that we are living in constant condemnation, as if the devil himself is walking alongside us, whispering in our ear, nitpicking about every possible thing!

Have you ever taken the opportunity to read an account of a historical event from a different perspective than you are used to? It is amazing how different two accounts of the same event can be. Stories told about the same individual can take on totally different tones depending on whether the writer saw them as a villain or a hero. One author’s goal is to catalogue a person’s sins; the other’s goal is to remember this person with respect, admiration, and even love. They may still address shortcomings and sins, but they are able to see the individual as more than the sum of their iniquities.

Satan’s goal is to weigh us down with guilt. He would like to drag up as much condemnation as possible, framing things in a way that makes us look wicked and unforgiveable. He would like to see us live in shame for the rest of our lives. He knows that a constant awareness of our sin and unworthiness will hinder us from living the full life God has for us, and silence our witness among the lost.

Too often, I have walked through life burdened by a sense of condemnation, as if there is something hanging in my past from which I cannot escape. Or, I am afraid that I am teetering on the edge of sin, even though I’m not! Unfortunately, a lot of Christian teaching echoes these sentiments, leading us to believe that we truly can’t do anything good.

Taken outside of the context of the entire Bible, Romans 3:10 (NKJV) seems to corroborate that: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Thank God, there are many other places in the Bible that speak of new life, walking in freedom, and how we no longer need to walk in the sin that used to entangle us. Clearly, God does not want us to keep operating as though we are sinful and unable to do anything good. He wants us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14 NKJV) and “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6 NKJV).

God knows us intimately, yet because of the blood of Jesus, God has chosen not to remember the sins of our past. He can also see when we are honestly struggling to overcome sins that we no longer want in our lives. He looks at us with the eyes of love and affection and has cast our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

There will be things throughout our lives that need to change, but “condemned” is not our status before God. Our status is beloved and forgiven. Unless God is truly pointing out something that needs to change, believe today that He is pleased with you. Extend this message of love and grace to others in your life who still seem to be walking under the weight of condemnation.

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, thank You that there is no condemnation for those who are in You. Thank You that You enable me to walk in newness of life, and that by Your power I can overcome my sinful nature. My former sins have been erased and I no longer need to walk around with a burden of shame. Please help me remember that today as I walk more confidently in You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “East to West” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: What the Solar Eclipse Taught Me about Life

Reflections about the Solar Eclipse
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”—Revelation 21:23 (NIV)

Many Americans have been looking forward to this day, April 8, for over a year because of the solar eclipse. This is especially true in my hometown, which happens to lie directly in the arc that cuts from Mexico to Canada, where residents can view a total solar eclipse without having to travel.

With such an exciting moment upon us, I asked God to give me a few things to reflect on today. If you live in another part of the country, or another country altogether, I pray these meditations might still bless you.

During a solar eclipse, the moon’s shadow seems to blot out the brightness of the sun. It is amazing that something so much smaller than the sun can block out such great light. This made me think: How often do I allow small things to block out the light of God? Whether they are bad things or good things, do I allow them to linger in the forefront of my mind, dimming His light and casting a shadow in my life?

Of course, there are dark seasons in our lives that seem to fall over us though we have done nothing to bring them on. During an eclipse, the sun’s light is temporarily blocked by the moon, but it does not stay that way. The moon moves on, continuing in the path laid out for it from before time. Likewise, God moves seasons of darkness in and out of our lives at their appointed times.

The most exciting part of a solar eclipse is called “totality”, which is when the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun. This darkest moment is the only time at which the sun’s corona can be seen from Earth. It seems to me that in my own darkest moments, I get to know God in special ways that I never would have if I had lived continually in light and warmth.

My husband purchased special glasses for us to use to view the eclipse. Looking directly at the sun can damage the eyes. Likewise, God is so holy, no one can look upon Him and live. Yet one day we will see Him face to face. We will see Him as He truly is! According to 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV), “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” The concept of seeing through a glass darkly is the English rendering of a single Greek word; ainigma (from which we get our English word “enigma”). It means something that is obscured.

The part of the country I live in happens to be known for long, dark winters in which the sun is regularly obscured by clouds. We may go for weeks without seeing the sun. It is difficult and depressing. It can sometimes be hard to remember that the sun is even there! When I first began struggling with depression decades ago, I did not know that Jesus Christ would eventually bring me out. I had to live through a few of those seasons before I learned to trust that the darkness would end, and the Son (Jesus who is the Light of the world) would shine again.

One day, there will be no more dark clouds, no more eclipses, and no more night—there will be no sun, either! Revelation 21:23 (NIV) tells us that the New Jerusalem (God’s city), “does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

So much anticipation and preparation has gone into this day. It has been estimated that 500,000 people will flood our area to view the eclipse today. Local hotels have been booked for months, road signs are calling for gridlock, and my family has been invited to three separate “eclipse watching parties.” Yet the spectacle will only last a few minutes. When we see Jesus Christ in Heaven, we will be in His presence forever. In light of that, let us ask God that we might view His return with still greater anticipation!

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, thank You for the beauty of creation, the sun and moon which give us our seasons, and the way their predictable rotation reminds us of your faithfulness. I pray that Your light will never be eclipsed in my life, and that I will learn to look forward to Your second coming with greater anticipation. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “No More Night” by David Phelps. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Light of That City” by Allison Durham Speer. Listen to it here. 

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: Showing why we need Jesus Christ in our life

A Bruised Reed
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”

—Isaiah 42:3 (NIV)

Some people don’t want God. They think they don’t need God. Even if they might identify themselves as Christians, their behavior shows pride and stubbornness. They are self-made.

Occasionally within the walls of the church, the subject comes up about God needing to break our stubborn will, our pride, our obstinacy. It can be quite frightening to think we are all that way; that we are all raising our fist in God’s face, or that we are all untamed horses, needing to be broken in.

The other day I was tempted to pray this for someone in my life who needs to allow Jesus Christ to have His way: “Lord, please break this person.” Then I felt God speak to my heart: “This person is already broken. They are wounded and that is what is keeping them from trusting Me.”

This is entirely different from being stubborn and self-reliant. The person does not need to be broken again. The person needs to be healed. I suppose it is true that some wounds need to be broken again for healing to take place, but this is not God’s heart when He says of Jesus, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” Something like a reed is delicate and needs to be handled gently. A person in that condition needs to learn to trust.

I have been such a reed. My heart was damaged and trust seemed impossible. I berated myself, believed I was in sin, and sat under a weight of guilt and shame, feeling that I could not possibly measure up to the standard. Yet I also could not detect what was wrong. It was only then that I realized I needed healing, not brokenness.

We all have a measure of stubbornness and pride. But beloved, if you feel distant from God, do not automatically assume that some undefined sin is keeping you away from your Heavenly Father. A father who loves his child is going to help that child see where sin might exist in their life. But if there is no sin, we need to ask deeper questions. A good place to start may be, “Lord, what is it that stands between us?” For me it became an issue of, “Lord, what happened in my past that makes it so difficult for me to trust in You today?”

Perhaps you are already too keenly aware of your brokenness. Don’t shy away from healing; ask God to help you find ways to overcome. Our Father longs to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). Seek restoration, not as a stubborn sinner who has gone against a loving God, but as a hurting child who longs to rest, fully confident, in the arms of their Father.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, I ask You to search my heart and show me if it is pride and stubbornness that is keeping us apart, or if there is something deeper. Let me know if I have a deep wound that has caused me to be unable to trust You. If that is the case, I pray today that You would begin to heal me. Show me ways in which I can seek healing. Help me open up to You, and begin to trust again. In Your Name Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Stay Broken” by Duawne Starling. Listen here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: The Best Help and Comfort Comes from God

Going to God for Help and Comfort
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”—Psalm 86:17 (ESV)

When was the last time God helped or comforted you?

It is wonderful to personally relate to a verse like the one above, to look back at where we've been and recall all that God has done. It gives us strength to push forward through what we are currently facing, knowing that the God who was faithful before will be faithful again.

Perhaps we do not see it. Perhaps we feel that God has failed us and will fail us again. But may we remember that, while He does allow evil to cross our paths, He has also made a bold promise in Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

He even promises to use those things which threaten to devastate us for good. Nothing falls outside of Romans 8:28 (ESV) which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Do you love Him? Has He called you to Himself? God longs for you to see the way He has helped and comforted you in the past. He also wants bring good from those things which seem as though no good could possibly come out of them.

Psalm 25:3 (ESV) promises that we will not be put to shame if we wait for God: “None who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.” The ones who will be put to shame are those who are, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “undisciplined, ungoverned, unmanageable, rebellious, and disobedient”. Those who wait for God will not be put to shame—in spite of their struggles. This even provides for sins and shortcomings that happen in the course of our lives. He does not sit waiting to beat us over the head for our missteps. Instead, when our hearts are repentant and long to follow Him, God is waiting to use those things for our good.

Let today be the day we ask God to help us see how the pain in our past has worked for our good, and how He has been there to comfort us. Let’s focus on how God comforts and helps us in our day-to-day struggles, and assures us that He will be there to help in the future.

Let's Pray: Dear God, Thank You for comforting me and helping me. Please help me to see where You have done so in the past, and to believe that You will do so in the future—no matter what I face. Teach me how to see You in the mundane, day-to-day struggles of my life as well. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Comforter” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

 

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: Perspective

Looking to the Interests of Others
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

—Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

A new year has begun! A time when we re-evaluate our priorities and set goals which we hope will carry us through the next 12 months, making us better people than we were last year.

One of the goals I have prayerfully chosen for my family is to make a concerted effort to look more to the interests and needs of others, and not simply our own. I would love to say that our family has plans to get involved in service projects or go out and help the needy, but I’m afraid that the greater challenge is to learn to serve those within our own household.

Without singling him out, I will share the example I shared recently with my eldest son: I know that he would much rather be bent over his desk working on his model cars than putting away the dishes, but does he realize that this chore not only helps me, but helps the whole family? When he gets his work done, I can get my tasks done more quickly and efficiently—tasks such as cooking everyone’s dinner or packing everyone’s lunches. Furthermore, I can then sit down with the rest of the family and watch a movie, rather than doing dishes while they enjoy time together.

I know that it is especially difficult for children to see from a perspective other than their own, but I wonder how often I myself focus on my own desires and perceived needs. Because I struggle with chronic illness, it can be easy to use that as an excuse to avoid getting down on the floor and playing with my six year old. It would be much easier to sit in the chair, sip my tea and watch him play, but I’m starting to think that this year I need to search my heart and ask myself if it would really be that difficult to get down on the floor and make a little boy happy for just a couple of minutes.

To take this train of thought a little further, my husband and I recently prayed over the word complacent. Merriam-Webster online defines it this way: “marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.” When we are complacent, we believe things will never change, and we believe we don’t need to. Yet the world around us is constantly changing, and God wants us to be growing continually into people who are ready to face whatever lies ahead. This is not a time to focus on our own interests, it is a time to be aware of what He’s doing, ready to stand in His strength and proclaim His goodness to a world that is increasingly desperate.

Has God shown you something to focus on in the year ahead? Something you can improve in order to make you a little bit more like Jesus?

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I pray that You will help me to see where I have been looking too much too my own interests, and perhaps even closed my heart off to the needs of others, as well as to what You might want to do in my life. Search my heart and show me if I have become complacent. This year, help me to be open and ready to do Your work, to become more like You, as well as the person You want me to be. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Just Like You Jesus” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8