My Review of The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is a bit unique because of the way it caters to children. I found it to be an asset to the book world for young readers.

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this innovative product:

Splash into Scripture this summer! Dive into God’s Word and soak up truth with these Bible resources for curious and creative kids:

• Explorer Bible for Kids

• Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids

• Scripture Memory Cards

• Bring the Bible to life for kids with the award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids and companion products! Explore the (yet) unknown with the NEW dictionary and lock in key truths with these fun, NEW Scripture memory cards!

• Summer Goal: Develop joyful Bible study habits as a family! Get kids excited for
consistent days in God’s Word with Bibles designed for them.

Purchase link for this Bible Dictionary and to shop summer resources:
Explorer Bible for Kids - B&H Publishing

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My Review of The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids

The first thing I noticed about this book is the colorful and decorative cover with pictures and a design that is very kid-friendly. I believe this factor alone will draw children to this book and encourage them to ask their parents to buy it for them.

When I opened the book, two blank pages covered in a gorgeous shade of teal greeted me. This hue of blue put my mind at ease at once and created a sense of calm in my spirit. It helped me to relax and prepared me to read this book.

The most surprising feature of this book is the Table of Contents because it is listed by the letters of the alphabet and each letter corresponds to a page. For example, it looks like this: A…2 and B…18. I’ve never seen this before, so I found that feature to be intriguing and it encouraged me to keep turning the page to figure it out.

After the Table of Contents is a page that says, “For Parents and Teachers”. I found this to be important to inform adults who may want to read this book with their children. This letter prepares them to be able to properly instruct the children about God’s Word and the people who we read about in the Bible.

Following the letter to the parents and teachers, there is a short section on one page titled “Just for Kids”. I found that to be very user-friendly and something the kids will love because it makes them feel included and like this is their book even though they might need an adult to help them read it.

The next three pages are very colorful and filled with facts that teach about reconstructions, illustrated charts, definitions, Name of God and other features including a pronunciation guide that the reader will encounter in this book.

Finally, we turn the page to see the title page: “The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids” and that lets the reader know their journey through God’s Word has begun.

The first page we see as we start reading the Bible Dictionary portion of this book is the letter “A” in big case and lower case and beneath to the right page we see that A stands for Aaron (a Bible character) then we read all about him. We learn about his story in the Bible, his birthdate, the meaning of his name, his occupation, his relatives, his claim to fame and a few related details.

After Aaron we turn the page to learn about Abraham who was known to be a friend of God then Adam who was the first man God created on Earth. As we continue turning the next few pages, we learn more about Bible characters, including a woman named Anna who was old and known to be faithful to the Lord.

Something that impressed me was the attention to detail, not only with the content but in the page layout design and illustrations. It is very vibrant but careful not to overload the reader with too much information or too many images. Impressive!

This book follows the same layout format for every page until we reach the last two pages after the letter Z. The final page to the left lists the Art Credits and the final page on the right concludes those details. The last two pages of this book are the same gorgeous shade of teal that restores a sense of calm to the reader’s mind.

I highly recommend this book to all children within the publisher’s target audience. I believe it provides an immersive experience that is very educational and informative at the same time. I think the content will not only enrich young minds but encourage the youth to ask questions about the Bible and that is a good thing.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

Giveaway: 1 GRAND PRIZE giveaway of the Explorer Bible for Kids + Toddler Theology

Series Bundle (retail value of approx. $149.99)

Qualifications: Giveaway winners must be a resident in the United States of America.

To enter: Entrants must fill out the form on Lifeway's website (there’s no other way to enter) by 06/10/26. Here is the link: Explorer Bible for Kids and Toddler Theology Series Bundle Giveaway | Lifeway

Bundle contents: 2 copies of the Explorer Bible for Kids, 2 Explorer Bible for

Kids Dictionaries, Explorer Bible Stickers, an Explorer Bible T-shirt, and the Toddler

Theology Series set (6 books in set).

#ExplorerBibleDictionaryMIN

#explorerbibleforkids

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My Review of the Jesus Daily Bible

When Momentum Influencers Network (MIN) asked me to review the CSB Jesus Daily Bible, I readily agreed because I love reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and sharing it with everyone! This version of the Bible is a bit unique because of its devotional format. 

But before I share my review with you, I’d like to share a word from Momentum Influencers Network about this product:

Read through the Bible in a year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day. The NEW CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week, Christ-focused, guided reading plan that you can join at any point during the year.

Day by day, you'll thematically study Scripture through a weekly introduction, helpful articles and infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role from Genesis to Revelation.

See how every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. Every page of God’s Word points to the bigger story of Jesus. And every day, the CSB Jesus Daily Bible will help you see how.

Read through the Bible this year—and keep Jesus at the center of each day.

~*~

My Review of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible:

There are a lot of features to love about this Bible and only a few things I didn’t like as I flipped through these sacred pages. These are my thoughts about it:

The cover design was a little bit too busy and intricate for my taste. The layout of the interior was neatly formatted. The pages felt crisp and smelled fresh like most new books do and that is always refreshing to the heart of most book readers.

The Introduction page is helpful for people who have not picked up a Bible and tried to read it yet. Written by a pastor, this introduction sets the stage for your Bible study time as it introduces you to the God who this beautiful book is written about and tells you about His Son (Jesus Christ) who is the Savior of the world.

The page next to the Introduction is titled “Christ at the Center of God’s Word” and it is an adequate continuation of introducing the reader to Jesus Christ and explaining why He is the center of the Bible. I like how it includes a short but sufficient list of tips on how to find Christ as you read this Bible. The first tip is especially helpful for new believers who are getting acquainted with God’s Word. The tip says, “If Jesus is not described explicitly in the text, look for him symbolically.” Very good advice!

The next few pages include text and graphics that explain to the reader how to read this Bible. It is very comprehensive but looks overwhelming in display. There is also a Daily Reading Plan that is very detailed as it provides the reader with a proper outline for this 52-week study of the entire Bible that begins with Genesis and ends with Revelation.

Before Week 1 of this Bible study starts, there is a page dedicated to introducing the reader to the Christian Standard Bible which is this book published by Holman Bible Publishers.

There is an introduction page for each week of this study and a summary of each week on the last page before the next week in this Bible. This is the first Bible I have read that is presented in this 52-week devotional format. I found it interesting yet compelling.

After the final week of the study, there is a CSB Concordance, and the last few pages contain what you see on most Bibles: A map of the Middle East and Eastern Africa where the Bible stories took place in real time.

I found this Bible to live up to its promise in the product description on Amazon when it says, “The CSB Jesus Daily Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.”

I would recommend this “Jesus Daily Bible” most to new believers who are just getting to know God and follow Jesus Christ.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#JesusDailyBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #jesusdailybible #dailybible #bibleinayear #christianstandardbible #csb #csbible #holmanbible #bhpub

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Learn more about the CSB Jesus Daily Bible via the publisher’s website:
https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/purchase-the-csb-jesus-daily-bible/

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Giveaway:
If you live in the USA then you are eligible to win one copy of CSB Jesus Daily Bible when you enter this giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter link below: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c505/

Review of "Grace Bible for Kids"

Momentum Influencer Network invited me to review the Grace Bible for Kids.

I accepted their invitation because I believe this Bible is filling in a gap and will help children who have Dyslexia read the Bible in a much easier and helpful way.

Here are some words from Momentum about this beautiful book: Created in partnership with Holman Bibles, 2K/DENMARK and Cambridge University, the CSB Grace Bible for Kids is designed to enhance readability for kids with all levels and varieties of dyslexia and other reading challenges.

The CSB Grace Bible for Kids features innovative and academically tested typeface, layout, and design principles. These principles include distinct letter forms and added space between letters, words, lines, and paragraphs.

Dyslexia shouldn’t keep kids from reading the Bible. And now, it doesn’t have to! Help every kid experience the truth of God's Word with the CSB Grace Bible for Kids.

~*~

My Review of Grace Bible for Kids:

There are so many things to love about this Bible!

I love the beautiful blue cover that feels soft and smooth to touch. I like the multicolored cross symbol on the front cover. I like the “Grace Bible for Kids” logo on the bottom left of the front cover. I like how the lime green lettering on the book’s spine contrasts with the blue leather material and is accented by orange lines that neatly divides the text.

I like the “How Can the Bible Help You” page on the left side that I saw as soon as I opened the Bible. I like how they presented the help in sections. For example: When you feel “Afraid” they advise you to read Isaiah 41:10 and Hebrews 13:6.

I like how the first few pages have information that serve as a guide to help the reader effectively study the Bible. Such as: “Studying Your Bible” and “Bible Skills” and “Test Your Bible Knowledge” and “Favorite Bible Stories”. There’s even a section titled “How Do I Have Quiet Time with God” and the words beneath that title show you to do that effectively.

The font on every page is larger than the standard and very easy to read.

This Bible is a true gem that caters to kids with Dyslexia and would make a meaningful Christmas gift for the child in your life who struggles to read.

~*~

Enter the Giveaway via Rafflecopter, for your chance to win a copy of this Bible:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f8dcb68c502/?

Note: This giveaway contest is only for residents of the USA.

~*~

Learn more: https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/purchase-the-csb-grace-bible/

Christmas gift shopping ideas: https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/holman-gift-guide/

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#GraceKidsBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @christianstandardbible and @bhpub

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace

God Promises to Give You Grace
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”–2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB)

I sat quietly in disbelief after receiving the news that three people in my life were now deceased. Two men of faith who mentored me for decades, suddenly fell asleep (they died). A younger cousin, who I'd seen just months prior, was suddenly taken from our midst.

My heart ached, but the tears would not come. Death can be unexpected and sudden. I felt as if I’d been punched in my gut and the wind was knocked out of me because this pain caught me off guard. There was nothing I could do about this loss. I was emotionally and physically exhausted from fighting in this game called life. I was working two jobs in order to provide for my family and still I was barely making ends meet. I was overwhelmed to say the least and I cried out to God, “Lord, help! This is too much to bear.”

If we are honest, as Christians, we find ourselves at a place of overwhelm a lot. Life throws us curveballs, monkey wrenches, and game-changers unexpectedly. We are oftentimes faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This is a part of our faith walk. Our faith does not make us exempt from the adversity of life. However, our faith sustains us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. The Bible says we should not fear evil because God is with us! This truth is tested when we are in the valley because it is then when we experience feelings of despair, loneliness, depression, anxiety, doubt, pain, anguish. We feel defeated as we struggle to walk through the valley. However, we can find solace in the fact that God is with us. He is present to console us, guide us, and provide for us in that place of hardship.

In 2 Corinthians 12:6-9, Paul finds himself in an unfortunate situation. He sought the Lord diligently multiple times, asking God to remove a thorn from Him. He uses a thorn to express a point of extreme difficulty, pain, complexity, and/or controversy. According to three Old Testament scriptural references (Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13 and Judges 2:3), Paul’s “thorn” was a demonic angel or messenger sent by Satan to continually stir up persecution against him.

It is documented throughout the book of Acts that virtually everywhere Paul visited, he was persecuted. 2 Corinthians 11:23-26 details his experience. According to this scripture, Paul testifies that he was imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel several times, beaten, and had near death experiences as he spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Five times he received thirty-nine lashes and a beating from the Jews. He was beaten with rods three times and pelted with stones. He was shipwrecked three times and spent time in the open sea. He was constantly on the run from people who wanted to harm him. His life was full of persecution, but this was God’s plan for Paul. Remember: Jesus prophesied that Paul would suffer many things for the sake of Christ at his conversion on the road to Damascus.

After seeking God to take this burden away, God responds by promising His grace. God doesn’t remove Paul’s “thorn”. Instead, He gave him the strength to endure it. Grace is the God-given ability to do what God requires. Grace is giving us what we don’t deserve: ability to conquer and overcome. God enables us to do what we cannot, within our own power. The grace of God is sufficient–it is enough for us to endure hardness as a good soldier.

God promises grace over our lives every day so we can navigate life’s hard situations. The Bible says His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and that He is always with us (Matthew 28:20). Not only is God with us, He enables us to stand in the face of adversity even when it feels like our knees will buckle. And if our knees buckle, we can find grace, mercy, and help at His throne. When we are weak, He is strong. In essence, we find our strength through our relationship with God. We lean on the strength of an all-powerful God and our character is perfected. In our weakness, we discover His power and greatness as we walk through life’s valleys. We grow to know and love Him more deeply in trying times and we are better for it.

We can do difficult things and overcome obstacles through the power of Christ.

Call to Action:

1. Acknowledge your true feelings. It’s okay not to be okay. Take that overwhelm, anger, frustration, etc. to God. He is able to accept anything you bring to Him. He can handle your anger, frustration, and pain. Give it all to Him and exchange them for His grace.

2. Face the situation head on. Know that you have sufficient grace to stand firm by faith in the midst of any difficulty. God is with you. 

3. Lean into God’s presence. Find solace in His presence through prayer, mediation, praise, and worship. Even silence, when you don’t have the words, allows you to tap into God’s presence. 

4. Believe that God enables you to accomplish what He requires. If you need to grieve properly, forgive, confess, repent and change your lifestyle, it may not be easy. But God will empower you through His grace to do it. It may be difficult, but it is possible.

5. Remember: All things are possible to him who believes. God’s grace is enough and by faith through grace He equips us to address whatever life brings our way.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace that is enough for me. It is enough to sustain and comfort me when I’m in a state of overwhelm, sadness, hopelessness, and despair. You enable me to stand by grace and in faith when life hits hard. When misfortune catches me unaware, I am not alone. You are with me and You are not caught off guard. You know the ending from the beginning and You know the way that I take. Help me to believe in the power and presence of Your grace in every circumstance I find myself experiencing. Thank you, Father, for hearing and answering my prayers. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Were It Not For Grace” by Larnelle Harris. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College. 

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

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Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God's love, grace and mercy for humankind

A Promise of Mercy
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” –Lamentations 3:22-24 (CSB)

I remember my unforgettable encounter with God.

It was the moment that I realized that I was a sinner. I was at odds with a Holy God because of my sinful nature and my thinking, practices, and habits. While my sin meant that I deserved to die, mercy declared that I would not receive what I deserved. Instead, I received compassion and kindness. I received forgiveness and remission of my sins by salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

It’s important to note a few things about mercy. Mercy is extended to the offender. The innocent don’t need mercy. Mercy exonerates the guilty party. Mercy is unmerited. It is not something that can be earned. The offender deserves judgment but instead, mercy is given. Mercy is a gift born from the character of the giver. Mercy is compassionate or kind forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or another person in one's power; it is the demonstration of compassion, pity, or benevolence. Because mercy is undeserved and unmerited, when extended, it truly is an act of God.

Lamentations 3:22-24 was penned by the Weeping Prophet, Jeremiah, who declares that God’s love preserves us. His unfailing love guards us and keeps us safe in the face of danger and uncertainty. God demonstrates his love toward us through His actions. Mercy is an essential element of our God. Scripture says that our High Priest Jesus is touched by our infirmities. He is moved emotionally by our human experience because Jesus is God incarnate. He lived, breathed, and walked on this Earth as a human. Therefore, He understands what we experience.

Jesus extends empathy and compassion and His mercies toward us never end. The mercy door is always open. When we have fallen into sin, mercy is there. God's Word (The Holy Bible) says we can boldly approach His throne to obtain mercy when we need it.

His mercies are renewed every morning. This means that each day we are forgiven, we get a brand new start. God extends mercy to us and forgives our sins, mistakes, errors, mishaps, and shortcomings. Our God is the God of second chances. He is compassionate and understanding with His children. He deals with us lovingly and compassionately.

Call to Action:

1. Believe that mercy is always near. It’s okay if you fall. Look to God and get up again. You can begin again. There is no sin too great to be forgiven.

2. Embrace God’s mercy daily. It is renewed each day. If you fall into sin today, God’s forgiveness and mercy areavailable. Tomorrow you have a fresh start. Receive it. It’s yours, no questions asked.

3. Know that God is a kind and compassionate Heavenly Father. He knows exactly what you are experiencing and He can help you like nobody else can.

4. Remember, God extends mercy to us daily because of His unfailing love for us. Be merciful to others. We all need mercy and grace.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithful and unfailing love toward me that keeps me safe and protected. Thank you, Lord, that Your mercies do not end. You are always near, ready to extend mercy, ready to give me forgiveness when I don’t deserve it. I thank You that Your mercies are renewed every morning. You understand I am flawed and imperfect, yet You love me unconditionally. You understand that I am prone to make mistakes, so You make provision for me with renewed mercies. Help me to be merciful to others, as You are merciful to me. Thank You, Father, for hearing and answering my prayers. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Great is Your Mercy” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College.

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Safety

A Promise of Safety
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:1-11 (CSB)

March 2020 was a time that paralyzed me with fear. 

It was a year filled with such uncertainty, tragedy and hopelessness. Thousands of people worldwide were diagnosed with COVID-19 with no solution in sight. The scariest thing for me was that the disease was airborne and there was no cure. Daily reports came in of people all over the world dying of this unknown disease. The world was in a frenzy. Schools, businesses and public places were closed indefinitely. The entire world was quarantined, to wait for the end, it seemed. My world, like that of many others during this experience, was rocked. I was shaken to the core. During this time—just like in other times of difficulty—my faith sustained me.

Life is filled with swift transitions. My experiences with COVID-19 was certainly one of those times. When the Coronavirus hit the scene, change was swift and startling. I was afraid and I questioned God. Where was God in all of this? Why had God allowed us to experience this sudden outbreak of disease? Why so many fatalities? What was God’s message in all of this? I had so many questions, yet no answers. In this state of fear, grief, and sadness, I fell to my knees and searched the scriptures for answers. I held to one truth: God is always present with us. Even in the storms of life that threaten to take us under, God is in control.

God promises safety, even in the face of grave danger. In Psalm 91 we are assured of God’s protection for those who trust in Him. Those who dwell in the secret place of God are those who live in His presence. Some would define the secret place as a place of prayer, a place of communion with God. In essence, the secret place is close relationship with God. Living under His shadow denotes following His ways. A shadow follows you because it is in close proximity with you. Your shadow is always with you, although it is only seen when you’re under the sun. These promises are for those in right relationship with God and those who follow His precepts, principles, beliefs and walk by faith with Him. The Bible says when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

God’s security is proactive. He will rescue us from things that intend to destroy us. He knows all and has the insight and foresight to rescue us from danger seen and unseen. He will deliver us from traps set by the enemy and diseases. He will be a protective shield against harmful actions, thoughts, and intentions. As we trust in His protection and provision, we can rest and let go of our fears.

God’s security is preventative. He will cover us with His wings. We can find refuge under them.

God covers us when danger is near. He gives His angels charge over us to keep us safe from evil. His angels have the responsibility to protect us from impending harm. God is in Heaven but closely watching over us here on Earth. He covers us and keeps us safe. He has also given us bodyguards (His angels) to keep us safe against diseases and all forms of harm. There is no need to fear the terrors of night, arrows that fly by day, fierce diseases that plague humankind because God is with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20). We are safe in His care. Although we see danger on every side, it will not come near our tent because we trust in God’s promise for safety.

God’s faithfulness shields us from evil. He is on our side. We don’t need to fear, only trust Him.

Call to Action:

1. Confess your fears and give them to God. Receive His safety by faith. 

2. Let go of your fears, day by day. Fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real”. It brings torment. Release your fears and embrace faith in God’s promise of safety.
3. Practice walking in faith in God's Word by using affirmations from His Word.
4. Practice renewing your mind and thinking right. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). Fear that paralyzes us is not from God. He wants us to release the fear and embrace faith. We are to daily walk by faith as we follow Jesus Christ and rest in God’s safety. 

5. Remember: Our safety is secure in our relationship with God as we follow His precepts and principles in our daily living. He is faithful to shield us from harm.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your promise of safety. You have made provision for our safety daily. We are safe with You and You have promised to be with us always. You have also given Your angels the responsibility to keep us safe from dangers seen and unseen. Thank You for assuring me that I am safe. Help me to let go of my insecurities and fears. Show me how to receive Your promise of safety and walk by faith. Remove all doubt and increase my faith. Help me to rest in Your presence and in the knowledge that You are completely in control of every aspect of my life. Thank You, Father, for hearing my prayers and answering me. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Psalm 91 (Live)” by Renew Collective. Listen to it here.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College. 

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Detours

Unplanned Detours
A devotional by Kay Pflueger

“I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel.”

— Psalm 32:8 (CSB)

A detour, according to the Merriam-Webster, is defined as “a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure, especially: a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route.”

What is the first thing you think of when you read the words “Detour Ahead” on a road sign? Are you excited or do you inwardly groan and start to worry that you will be late for an appointment or an important meeting? My first thoughts are usually, “How far out of my way is this going to take me?” As inconvenient as they may be, those unplanned detours are usually meant to protect us from potential hazards in the road ahead of us.

I am the queen of planning ahead. I write lists and sometimes it feels as though I need a list to keep track of my lists! Being prepared gives me a sense of control. As a child, I remember the glove box of our car being filled with folded paper maps and then in later years, a Thomas Brothers Guide took their place. Like my lists, they were guides that showed us how to reach our destination. Now we rely on GPS or Google Maps to point us in the right direction.

Detours tend to throw that “planning ahead” mentality right out the window, don’t they? I am reminded of the saying, “Life is what happens when you are making other plans.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” God has a plan for our lives and sometimes He needs to send us on what may seem like a detour to accomplish those plans.

2020 was a year of unplanned paths in my life—detours into widowhood and unemployment came at me with no road signs to warn me of their arrival. I was thrust onto messy and uneven roads without Google Maps to help me find my way. Through tears and prayers, I have learned to rely on what I call my GPS (God’s Piloting System) to travel those roads. I do not know why God chose these paths for me, but I am trying to trust in His infinite wisdom and His knowledge as to where these paths will lead.

Not all detours, though, are ones that God has set before us. When we take matters into our own hands, we may take detours that lead us into that “valley of the shadow of death.” How many times has the voice of your car’s GPS system said “recalculating” when you take a wrong turn? I wonder if God doesn’t shake His head and mutter the same word when we stray off the way He has set for us.

We usually expect detours to take us onto a new path from the road we are traveling, but then circle back to the original route so we can continue our journey. But occasionally, those detours take us in a whole different direction and lead us to places we did not expect to go but are an exciting and serendipitous adventure. My sisters and I took a road trip in 2008 on the old Route 66 and a few times we ended up detouring through rural parts of the country on old bumpy roads. Those were some of the most fun parts of the trip that were not included in our guidebook and in looking back, though not planned, added such memorable elements to the journey.

What have the detours in my life taught me? I am learning that no matter how inconvenient a detour may be, I will end up where God wants me to be—even if I do not think I want to be there. It is comforting to realize that God has a purpose for everything in my life and those detours are part of the plan for me to achieve that purpose.

Instead of grumbling and griping about those detours as they come along, what if we choose to face those long ways around with an attitude of learning and with re-adjusting our GPS? Think of what we might discover!

Let’s Pray: Father God, help us to be open to where you want us to go. You have plans for our lives that are much larger and more wonderful than anything we could have for ourselves. Open our minds to accept the detours you may have for us. Move us where we need to be so we can glorify you in all we do. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Learning to read as a young child opened a world of adventure for Kay Pflueger. She came to realize that words can have a unique power and beauty.

Choosing to share those words in her devotional writings has become a joyful and rewarding experience for her. As a widow, she feels a special affinity towards those who are grieving or experiencing loss.

When she is not spending time with her married son and three grandchildren, she is either reading, cooking, writing, or working on pursuing her Copyediting Certification.

Kay is an avid baseball fan who looks forward every summer to following her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

She is an active member of Victory Lutheran Church in her hometown of San Diego, California.

Kay enjoys writing devotions to be shared on her church’s website and personal social media.

~*~
Connect with Kay:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.m.pflueger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishsweetpea/

Devotionals for the Heart: Worship

Everyday Worship
A devotional by Kay Pflueger

“… But the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What sort of house will you build for me? says the Lord, or what will be my resting place?” 

–Acts 7:48-49 (CSB)

The word “sanctuary” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “the most sacred part of a religious building” or “the room in which general worship services are held” or “a place (such as a church or a temple) for worship.” We may hear church sanctuaries referred to as “houses of worship” as that is where we expect to go to honor the Lord through song and prayer. But is that the only place where worship can take place?

When you think of worship, what setting comes to mind? Are you in a majestic cathedral with a massive pipe organ? Maybe you are in a little country church with wooden pews? Or are you standing in a homeless shelter serving soup to hungry families?

Worshipping the Lord is not confined to the four walls of a church building. It can happen as you are standing at the kitchen sink washing dirty dishes, or in the quiet of the night while feeding and soothing a hungry infant, or when hammering the shingles on the roof of a “Habitat for Humanity” project. According to Mark 10:45, we are called not to be served but to serve. This is not meant to be obligatory service but rather should be a deep-down-from-the-heart prayerful outreach.

What does this kind of worship look like? Envision it as embracing interruptions in our day when an opportunity to serve presents itself. See it as bravely praying God would send someone our way who we can share His love with. Picture it as asking Him to reveal opportunities to worship Him through service—service that helps us embrace the uncomfortable and not shy away from that call due to fear of the unknown. Believe that it is connecting to God in the whole of our daily life.

Worship is showing reverence and adoration for God. When we reach out to serve others, we are demonstrating our love for Him in a very tangible, practical way. In John 13, we read how Jesus modeled servant behavior by washing the dirty feet of His disciples. Note Jesus’s words in John 13:16-17 (CSB): “Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

The idea of worshiping God throughout the week might feel somewhat intimidating as I suspect it is easier to think of worship as something we do for an hour a week within the four walls of our church buildings. But consider how we can honor God by the way we act among our families, friends, and co-workers—how we can worship Him through offering every action to Him. Billy Graham said: “The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.” Let us praise God today by seeking out opportunities to serve others.

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to this song “Heart of Worship” by Hillsong United.

Let’s Pray: Help us, Father God, to find ways to worship you in our daily activities…from caring for our own families to reaching out to those in need. May we learn to worship you each moment of every day. Teach us to see our whole lives as one great worship service, in which we honor you through every word, every thought, every deed. Open our eyes to those in need of your love. Show us ways to serve in the same manner as Jesus served. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Learning to read as a young child opened a world of adventure for Kay Pflueger. She came to realize that words can have a unique power and beauty.  

Choosing to share those words in her devotional writings has become a joyful and rewarding experience for her. As a widow, she feels a special affinity towards those who are grieving or experiencing loss.

When she is not spending time with her married son and three grandchildren, she is either reading, cooking, writing, or working on pursuing her Copyediting Certification.

Kay is an avid baseball fan who looks forward every summer to following her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. 

Kay is an active member of Victory Lutheran Church in her hometown of San Diego, California. 

She enjoys writing devotions to be shared on her church’s website and personal social media.

~*~
Connect with Kay:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.m.pflueger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishsweetpea/

Devotionals for the Heart: Dana's thoughts on thankfulness

Thoughts on Thankfulness
A devotional by Dana McNeely

As a child, one of the first movies I watched on our new 12-inch TV was Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I laughed at “Grumpy,” with his crossed arms, frowns, and for whom nothing seemed to go right, but I wanted to BE like “Happy,” with his irrepressible cheer.

Happy, Happy, Happy

The next day, I resolved to emulate Happy, but a series of events conspired against me. Before school, my sister scribbled with purple crayon on my prized Breyer horse. Later, my best friend Shari ignored me at recess. That afternoon, one of my lock-onto-your-shoes roller skates flipped off as I raced down our driveway, and I skinned up both knees. Later, as I settled with bandaged knees in front of the TV, my mother insisted I come to come to dinner right now, despite pleas that my favorite program, Mickey Mouse Club, was starting.

Smarting from the unfairness of it all, I announced I was running away to live with Shari. Her family also had a TV, and I planned to catch part of my program there. Having forgotten her snit, my friend was glad to see me, but Mickey Mouse Club was over, and so was dinner at her house. As we sat on her bedroom floor playing with dolls, I heard her dad talking on the phone. Was he calling my mom? Did she miss me? My knees smarted and my stomach growled.

Shari sympathized over my scraped knees and said she was getting skates soon so we could race together. Her little brother pranced into the room, grabbed one of the dolls, and ran out whooping.

My little sister wasn’t so bad—cute, really. I was lucky to have roller skates, and next time I’d tighten them better. I wondered what Mom had cooked for dinner. It didn’t really matter—my mom was the best cook in the world.

I asked Shari’s dad to ask if I could come home. In minutes, my dad picked me up. When I said my prayers that night, I thanked God for roller skates, my parents, my little sister, and the Mickey Mouse Club.

Lesson learned?

Sadly the tendency to channel “Grumpy” instead of “Happy” has plagued me throughout life. But I did begin to learn I can choose to look at circumstances in two ways. I can see unfairness, difficulty, and pain. This is the path of resistance, leading to resentment and anger. Or I can see blessing, potential, and God’s leading. This is the path of acceptance, leading to thankfulness and peace.

Easy-peasy choice? Not! The only way to keep our focus on the path of thankfulness and peace is to constantly bolster our spirits with God’s wisdom. When I first wake, I think, “This is the day which the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it! Yay!” My version of Psalm 118:24 starts my day right.

When we face difficulty, we can thank God if we remember Psalm 138:8 (CSB) which says, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. LORD, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.”

When we pray, each prayer can incorporate thankfulness. God gave instructions for thanksgiving and praise at certain times. 1 Chronicles 23:30 (NIV) says, “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening…”

He also tells us to praise him at all times. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Good Manners

Remember the ten lepers who Jesus healed?

Luke 17:15,16 (NIV) says: “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.”

This both shames and encourages me. I’m encouraged that a Samaritan, an “outsider” like me, could please Jesus by doing the right thing. I’m ashamed when I think how many blessings I take for granted without thanking the giver of all good gifts. Don’t be like the nine who went away amazed but never thanked the Healer.

A Challenge for you

Pick one activity below and practice it this week:

· A day without complaining. Don’t complain for twenty-four hours. Not once. If you grumble, ask forgiveness, and reset the clock!

· A day of extravagant gratitude. Thank God for everything that comes into your life today. Take notice of little things – a tender leaf, a butterfly spiraling in flight. Look for ways to thank God for even those things that unsettle your soul, like the driver who suddenly dives in front of you and slams on his brakes!

· A gratitude journal. As a writer, I love this one! Start with your Bible’s concordance. Find verses under the topics of thankfulness, praise, gratitude, and blessing. A few to get you started: Acts 3:7-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10. Copy these into your gratitude journal to re-read on days when “Grumpy” wants to take control. Draw pictures or make lists of people, things, and circumstances you’re thankful for.

Please share your ideas and verses in the comments section. I’ll be checking in to read your responses and chat. Thank you for reading my post!

Love,

Dana

~*~
Author Bio:

Inspired by the Bible story of Elijah and the widow’s son, Dana McNeely wondered why the prophet had come to stay with these two. Who were they? What was their life, before? And how did the boy change after dying, seeing the other world … and coming back? 

Dana began research for her novel, Rain, which tells the story of the three-and-a-half-year drought from the boy’s perspective.

No stranger to drought, Dana lives in an Arizona oasis with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and migrating butterflies. She writes biblical fiction, cozy mysteries, and has written for magazines and newspapers. Her short story “Death in the Butterfly Garden” appears in SoWest: Killer Nights (2017).

Connect with Dana on Facebook, Twitter, or DanaMcNeely.com.