Devotionals for the Heart: How to let God to lead you in service to Him

Serving as the Lord Leads
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 

–1 Peter 4:10-12 (NIV)

I catch up with a friend over the phone as I pace my living room and simultaneously fold laundry while trying to focus on being an active listener in the midst of so many things swirling in my head. All the while, chores, Bible study homework, classroom parent duties and so much more bombard my brain. Have you ever been this busy?

The topic of discussion between my friend and I over the phone was busy schedules and the hope that it will calm down sometime before the holiday season. For my friend and I who are both married, we might discuss the intentional conversations we have with our husbands about keeping a good balance of family life and serving at church. In recent months, the topic of serving has been a theme. Through conversations with other followers of Jesus Christ who obediently serve and are beautiful examples of servant leaders, I have been reminded of the importance of serving as the Lord leads.

There are so many good deeds and ways to serve, such as joining your church’s Children’s Ministry, becoming a Small Group Leader, or donating to a local food pantry.

The beautiful thing about the Church is everyone has a story and gifts we are called to steward well for God’s glory (Matthew 5:16). As we work together, it becomes a beautiful array of love and support for all people. But how do we navigate the tension of knowing we are called to serve and seeing more need than we can fill?

You start serving in one area and then you notice a need for volunteers a different night of the week. Or maybe you start to wonder if you should go help out your friend who has been serving at the local food pantry because she mentions they need more volunteers. Next thing you know, you feel like your family is getting only the “stressed out, too busy version” of you. The thought of serving less breaks your heart because you cannot let go of the idea that there is a need. 

However, you are starting to discern that you are spread too thin. Maybe this is not what God had in mind for you.

If you have been following Christ for a while now I am guessing you can relate to that feeling. In obedience you want to serve and follow Christ’s example, but one thing leads to another, and before you know it you feel the Holy Spirit remind you that you are not meant to carry the weight of it all. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”. 

As we pursue a life for Christ, an important part of that is reminding ourselves that we are told to ask God what His will is for us. Serving in only the ways He instructs us to, in His timing. Otherwise, if we are not careful, we can find ourselves chasing a work-based faith focused on production, instead of devotion to what God has for us.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”. 

Take time today to sit at the feet of Jesus, soak in His restoration for your soul and pray for the discernment to serve faithfully in whatever way He would have you to. Pray over every area of need you see and trust God with the details. Give God room to reveal the way He wants you to serve Him and the wisdom to walk away from those ministry opportunities that are not meant for you.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the opportunity to participate in what you are doing in people’s hearts. As I live out my daily life, use me to show others the amazing grace and hope we have in Jesus Christ. I pray for the wisdom and discernment for how you are calling me to serve. As I trust your faithful provision, give me the eyes and ears to know where You would have me go and what You would have me do for your glory alone.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Make Room” feat. Elyssa Smith and Community Music. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children.

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Plan

His Plan, Not Mine
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

A few years ago I decided to start gardening as a new hobby.

It was meant to be something to bring me peace and a sense of accomplishment. I was excited to have something new to try and I was determined to do the research to make it a successful endeavor. To my surprise, it became a more frustrating learning experience than I expected. It quickly started to feel like every time I resolved one potential issue then something else arose. Pests, water management, pruning, etc. It started to leave my head spinning as I tried to control every detail.

By season two and three I started to realize the best thing I could do was create the best conditions I could but let go of the ultimate outcome. I couldn’t control every factor and would exhaust myself trying. To top it off, in the midst of trying to control it all I certainly wasn’t able to enjoy the parts of the garden that was successfully growing.

Even this year, I had a vision and plan for how it would go. Vegetables and wildflowers alongside fruiting bushes was my goal. My hope. My plan. In the end, it turned out different. Pests, little rain, and distractions of life changed the plan. Pivots were made and I began focusing more on the butterfly garden with its beautiful daily visitors. I had a plan, but have learned to not hold so tightly to it that I miss the beauty when plans change.

Are you like me and sometimes hold too tightly to your plans in life?

I have a tendency to be so focused on my vision and plan for my life that I become oblivious to what God has for me. Over the years, the Holy Spirit has taught me to hold my plans loosely. To prioritize giving God the space to pivot my steps, to guide my heart, and provide wisdom for my life. James 3:17 (ESV) tells us, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

There is peace and hope for the future, but we have to be willing to release our control over it and intentionally place it in the hands of our Lord and Savior.

I've learned how important it is to trust God’s faithfulness and guidance. Each day there is a choice to live in faith, trusting God’s wisdom for our lives, or to live based on the world’s wisdom. Scripture reminds us to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not to rely on our own thoughts or feelings (Proverbs 3:5). Our sinful nature draws us into Satan’s lie that having more control will bring us more peace in our life. This is your reminder of God’s truth that a life surrendered to Father’s will brings life and an indescribable peace even in the middle of life’s storms (Philippians 4:7).

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your faithfulness yesterday, today, and all of my tomorrows. As I release my plans and my future to You, give me peace, wisdom and discernment to guide my daily steps. I pray for the strength to wake up each morning and choose to place my hope and trust in my Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ).

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Your Way Yahweh” Jeremy and Adrienne Camp. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when life feels like a roller coaster

Waiting With Hope
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” 

–Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

Not long ago I responded to a post someone shared on social media. It asked people to comment with one word that described their summer.

Intrigued by the reflective nature of the question, I pondered it for a moment and chose to respond with: Roller Coaster. It was the best way to describe the ups and downs of the previous months. There were so many beautiful opportunities, moments and highlights to the summer. Family vacation, pool time, adventures with the kids and so much more. Unfortunately, if I’m honest, I would also say I struggled to be present and enjoy it. The summer was also filled with stress, pain, fear, worry, and uncertainty. Things that brought tears to my eyes and burden to my soul. Weeks turned into months where I teetered between faith in God’s future for me and hopelessness in the waiting.

I felt the strong tension in my heart and mind as Satan tried to drag me into believing his lies and forfeiting my identity in Christ. My heart was crushing under the weight of it all and trying to have the strength, mentally and physically, to move forward. The battle raged on as I fought for what I knew was God’s truth.

Lamentations 3:25 (ESV) says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” By God’s grace, as I sought Him daily, I was reminded of His faithfulness enough to get through one day at a time. The sinking sand slowly changed to solid rock with more support to move forward with bigger steps. Healing and restoration is a process. And as much as I dislike that reality, God often does His most beautiful work in the waiting. So I rested at the feet of Jesus Christ and prayed for the Spirit to restore me. I held tightly to what Scripture says in Romans 8:5-6 (ESV) which reads, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

If you are in a season of life where you feel like you are living in that tension between who you are in Christ, His faithfulness, and the weight of what this broken world throws at us, I encourage you to bring it to the feet of Jesus. Allow the restoration and nourishment of your soul by the Holy Spirit. Be intentional in reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness in the past and set your mind on God’s Truth. Satan wants nothing more than to bring us down with lies and hopelessness—dragging us into a life of “death”. Be conscious of that battle, but know that Christ has already won and offers us a life of hope, peace and purpose for God’s glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the hope and peace we have in Christ. As we come to You, restore our hearts and encourage our trust in Your faithfulness. I pray for continued strength to seek you daily. In seasons of waiting, remind me of my identity in Christ and protect me from the lies of the enemy.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Never Been A Moment” by Micah Tyler. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: When you are weary and need to be restored

From Weary to Restored
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

—Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

I sat in my closet on a phone call, trying to prevent my children from interrupting.

Tears streaming down my face, and hardly able to speak, I shared with someone I am not very close with my most recent struggles. It awkwardly came out in what I often call “word vomit”. Her simple question led to an unfiltered response that I am confident she was not prepared for. It felt painful, but freeing at the same time.

Sharing what I had been trying to keep inside as I survived a mentally and physically difficult week just came pouring out. I felt bad, but I also felt so relieved to get it out. In the end, I was so thankful for her response. Maybe she thought it was awkward too. I would not blame her. However, she did not let that show. Without hesitation she stopped to pray with me. Right there on the phone. What a beautiful representation of Jesus Christ.

It begged the question: Why did I not stop to pray in the midst of my pain?

Somehow giving myself grace and understanding can be so much harder than giving it to others. Let's be honest, I don’t do well with asking for help. Maybe you can relate. The more troubling instinct is my hesitation to bring it to God, especially if I have already prayed about it once. As if our Heavenly Father does not want us to come to Him as many times as it takes—even if it takes 100 times seeking Him to find the restoration our souls need in that season of pain.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That’s exactly what I needed in that moment. To release the anxiety and allow Jesus to replace my anxious thoughts with His peace “which surpasses all understanding”. I am so thankful to my fellow sister-in-Christ for stepping in that gap for me. Her grace, love and encouragement in that moment guided me through the process that I so desperately needed. She took my pain to my Heavenly Father in prayer.

Now I will not pretend that the fear and struggle disappears in an instant. This broken world still tries to knock us down. Some seasons take more time than others to return to a place where I can hopefully be that person for someone else. I want to be like Christ in a season of pain for someone else who is on their knees in tears. This is the awesome power of the body of Christ. We are to support each other and encourage each other without hesitation. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV) says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

If you are in a season of struggle I pray that you can give yourself the grace to no longer pretend like everything is okay. Release it all to Jesus Christ, praying over and over, as many times as it takes. He is faithful, in His timing, to heal and restore the broken. If it is disturbing your peace then it is something Satan will try to use against you, so take a breath, and say a prayer. Reach out to another follower of Christ if needed, to help lift you up and pray when you feel too weak to try. God will meet you where you are. Trust Him. Seek Him. Never stop allowing Him into those spaces, so that He can use them for His glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the grace and peace we have in Christ. As we willingly release our anxieties, You faithfully restore our hearts. I pray for the strength to remember in those moments of struggle to lift my eyes to You. As you comfort me, give me the strength and conviction to comfort others, sharing the love of Christ for Your glory. Speak peace into my heart today and every day as I lay my burdens at your feet.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: How to have freedom in Jesus Christ

Freedom in the Lord
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

—2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)

As I have become a wife, mother and a more mature adult, God has revealed areas in which I need to grow. God, in His loving kindness, revealed to me that if I would release my weaknesses to Him, He would give me freedom from the stress and fear they were giving me.

Chasing perfection has, and continues, to be an area I have to lift up to the Lord. Maybe you can relate. I love to make plans and have control. The peace and satisfaction I receive when a plan goes as I envisioned can easily become an idol in my life. I start becoming anxious and afraid of what will happen if things do not go the way I expect them to. My peace of mind becomes completely entwined with the results of everything I plan.

I am so thankful for the peace and freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) tells us, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Trusting our Heavenly Father and making room for His Holy Spirit to work through our weaknesses allows God to give us that peace. I won’t say this is always easy. It requires that we bring it to the feet of Jesus and trust in God’s faithfulness. Sometimes that means you bring it to Him over and over and over. But as we faithfully pursue Him and spiritual growth, He is faithful to sanctify us. 

Romans 6:22 (ESV) says, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” As we learn to do this, God can turn our lives into a testimony for His glory. 

The beauty of the salvation we have in Christ, is that it does not stop there.

Salvation then draws us to obediently seek sanctification. God loves us, saves us and then gives us an opportunity to partner with Him, helping others by sharing our stories of redemption with those who still need to experience the freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Maybe, like me, you need peace and freedom from chasing perfection.

Perhaps you need freedom from shame, fear, or an identity centered on something other than Christ. Whatever sin is weighing heavy on your soul, bring it to God in prayer. Release it into the hands of a faithful Father who wants to replace it with peace and purpose for His glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your redeeming grace through Christ. You faithfully give us hope and peace as we seek You. I bring my heavy heart to you and everything that is weighing me down. Reveal to me anything in my life that does not bring you glory so that I may build a life centered on you. Give me the strength to partner with you as I share my story of freedom in the name of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Freedom Reigns” by Jason Upton. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children.

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Being "on fire" for God and spreading His Love

Flaming Faith
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.”—Luke 8:16 (ESV)

As we wrapped up dinner we gathered around the fire my husband had made in the fireplace. After allowing the kids to watch one last show, we transitioned into the bedtime routine. They ran to and from the living room and returned all the stray items. At one point I turned to catch my daughter getting dangerously close to the remaining burning wood. In response to my correction she argued that it could not hurt because it was so small. I found myself saying, “Just because a fire is small doesn’t mean it is not hot. Small fires can actually be very hot!”

In the moments following that conversation I reflected on how that applies to the impact we all have in our environment. We all have an impact on others. Ministry opportunities that God will ask us to follow in obedience. They will look different for each of us. Some are easily seen and large “fires”, producing big, broad impacting moments. Others will be small, intentional “fires” that will make an impact as it endures over time with spiritual discipline. God can and often will draw us to seasons of both, but it all has an impact. It all matters!

Maybe you will do missionary work, support local food pantries, or help couples have a foundation of faith in their marriage. God may lead you to serve faithfully in your local church or dedicate spare time to knitting hats for infants in the NICU. This is just a small list of ways we can partner with God in a variety of ways.

Individually and together we spread the love of Christ. Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) says, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Our Heavenly Father grows our faith, encourages our souls and gives each of us gifts to obediently use to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 for details on this topic. Do not get caught up in the comparison game and allow Satan to convince you your “fire” is not enough to matter or too small to have an impact. It all matters in the eyes of God and for the hearts of those you reach. Remember, just because a fire looks small, does not mean it is not hot.

Let us commit to burning bright for Christ; to be a light in the darkness of this world. Matthew 5:16 (NIV) tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Seek the wisdom and discernment to step into whatever ministry God leads you to and the endurance to stay the course. Leave the results of its impact in the faithful arms of our loving Father who created you to be His ambassador to everyone in your reach (2 Corinthians 5:20) in the time and in the way He has for you.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the ministering of others in whatever capacity You ask me to. You faithfully provide for us and guide us so that we can be a light for your glory. Encourage my heart so that I may push forward as you lead and remind me that even if my “fire” looks different than someone else, it is making an impact for the purpose you intended.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “This Little Light of Mine” by Caleb + Kelsey. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for when your faith in God falters

Peek-A-Boo Faith
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

—Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

My morning routine felt rushed and chaotic, as usual. I herded both kids out the door in hopes that we would not be late dropping my daughter at school. My anxiousness barely got a moment to subside before the next stressor arose.

While driving back home I heard my son mumbling and starting to whine. Although I tried to ignore it in the beginning, his agitation grew. I asked questions so that I could address his concern, but things escalated. After several minutes his reason became more clear. He was upset he could not see the sun. He cried, “The sun is gone!”

Hoping to calm him, I compared the sun going in and out to playing "peek-a-boo” (a fun game children always like to play here in America). This seemed to help some but he continued to assume any time he could not see it, the sun was no longer there. After several rounds of assuring him the sun was still there, he seemed to accept what I was telling him. However, there was an underlying tone of skepticism lingering through his sniffles.

How many of us do this with our faith?

In times we can clearly see the light of Jesus Christ, we are as happy as can be. In those seasons, we shout praises to God and share all His blessings in our lives.

However, in those seasons where it is harder to see God's faithfulness and goodness we get upset and assume He is no longer there. Anger, distrust and fear fill our heart and mind where gratitude used to be. In the trials God told us we would experience, our human nature struggles to trust that He is there with us (John 16:33). Satan uses those feelings to draw us further away from God. But Scripture tells us that even when we forget to seek God, He is still there. Even when we struggle to see His face or even lash out in anger, He still loves us through it all. 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV) says, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”

In the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul writes to the followers of Christ to encourage their faith. They also struggled to remember God’s faithfulness through the trials of life. In the midst of their fear and uncertainty life brings they could lose hope, just like you and I. But Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” God is good and faithful. He is always working, weaving the details of our life together for our good (Romans 8:28). May this be a reminder that He always has been and always will be there.

Through the trials this broken world throws at us, God is there with us. Hold on to the hope and promises of your Heavenly Father. Trust His faithfulness and guidance. Take time today to sit in remembrance of His past faithfulness. Read God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and be encouraged by the stories found within its pages.

Pray for eyes to see Him and the ability to follow even in the midst of whatever you are walking through.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your grace and faithfulness. Thank you for Your faithful presence even when we waver in our faith. Help my eyes to see Your faithfulness in my life and encourage my faith as I obediently seek you. May I live daily in gratitude for your grace and mercy over me.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Never Been a Moment” by Micah Tyler. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Planting tomatoes taught me about God's Love

Healed for a Purpose
A devotional by Casey Wayne

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

—2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)

Over the last few years I have started to do some gardening.

Last spring we moved to a new city and I already felt behind on my gardening plans. I wanted the garden to be as successful as possible and excitedly waited for any signs of vegetables to appear.

As blooms transformed into vegetables my excitement increased in anticipation of cooking with them and being able to say I grew them myself. One day, as I rushed out to the backyard to water the garden and check the plants, I noticed some of the tomatoes had busted open. In defeat, I threw a couple over the fence. About a week later I saw a couple more I must have missed. The lines where they had busted were now covered with a grayish, scarring like material. Assuming that it was not worth keeping, I also threw those over the fence.

A few hours later, as my husband and I discussed our day, I started sharing what I had discovered over the last week in the garden. He looked at me confused as I recounted the experience. Then, as I mentioned how I had thrown them over the fence he looked shocked. Before I could finish my story he blurted out, “Why did you do that?” After sharing my logic, he chuckled a bit, and told me how they just busted from an excess of water, but it does not make them unusable. They just burst from too much water but then begin to heal.

I'm so thankful our Heavenly Father (God) sees us the way my husband saw those tomatoes. Psalm 147:3 (ESV) says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Sometimes we get overwhelmed and we start to break under the pain or stress this imperfect world inflicts on us. But the grace and hope of our faithful God redeems, restores and heals us. Just like those tomatoes I found in my garden, the Almighty can heal the damage we experience in this life. Those imperfections and scars leave a mark reminding us of what we have been through, but the important thing to remember is that God can use all things for His glory.

As my husband reassured me that the tomatoes are fine, it reminded me that we are never too far gone to be unlovable or unusable by the Almighty God we serve. Our stories of healing and hope become a light to others who need to connect with Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can do that takes us too far for Jesus to heal us or use us for His Kingdom purposes. Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV) where Paul tells the believers in Corinth, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

No matter who you are or what you have been through, God loves you, can restore you and has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). If you are in a season of life where you need healing, come to the feet of Jesus and give Him your pain. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, healing all the brokenness so that, in His timing, your story can become a beautiful testimony of His faithfulness.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your love and hope. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, who saved us from our sin. I humbly ask for Your healing and restoration in my life. Create in me a new creation for Your purposes. Open my heart to the work of the Holy Spirit so that You may redeem my brokenness for Your glory.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning lessons in school and in life

When God is Your Teacher 
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”

—2 Peter 1:2-3 (NLT)

My daughter and I sat down to do her Kindergarten homework.

She was tired from her first few days of school. Everything is new and different. Every word and action expressed how much she didn’t feel like doing this anymore.

We get to a point where she has to write the number five. It's hard and she doesn't get it right the first time. There is clear tension between what she wants to do and what her body is willing to do. Tears stream down her face and she just wants to quit. I think we can all relate to getting to a place like this at some point in our life. A place where we feel like our brain can’t process anymore and our circumstances are overwhelming. We are no longer interested in learning because it is too hard. Our instincts draw us back toward what is familiar or comfortable.

Learning isn't always easy. Sometimes it can be fun, and even feel like a game. Other times, it can be painful—stretching you outside your comfort zone. Whether it's easy or not does not make the lesson any less beneficial. As a matter of fact, the lessons learned that come through struggles or making mistakes are often the ones that teach us the most. They are the ones that ingrain perseverance and strength. How we learn and grow as followers of Jesus Christ is the same. There can be times being sanctified comes easily and filled with exciting intrigue for what God will do next. Other moments it feels like God is stretching us too far.

As we learn, grow, and allow The Holy Spirit to work in us, we become more like Christ to our broken world. It is how we shine God’s light through the darkness (Matthew 5:16).

Through every season of life, God calls us to have a willingness to learn. Our willingness to be sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit is crucial for us to grow for God’s purposes. Every season of our life can be an opportunity for us to learn and grow our faith. Times of flourishing faith are an opportunity to learn how to share Christ with others more boldly with intention. During times of struggle there is opportunity to deepen your relationship with your Heavenly Father, growing your trust in God’s faithfulness.

Colossians 3:16 (ESV) says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Christ followers must be willing to be molded into a humble servant of the Lord through all life’s seasons.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your promise to provide us with wisdom and knowledge as we seek You. Give me a heart ready to learn and grow more like Christ. Sanctify me daily for Your purposes to bring You glory.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Less Like Me” by Zach Williams. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children.

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Reasons Why You Need the Bread of Life

Feed Your Faith
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” —John 6:51 (NLT)

What is your favorite food?

Usually when people ask me this question I say the same, somewhat general, response: Bread.

I love pretty much every form of bread. Bread sticks, garlic bread, biscuits, rolls, toast, etc. There's just something about bread that everybody loves. I don’t think I’ve ever known someone to say they don’t like bread. Even if someone has to stop eating it due to dietary restrictions, they usually like eating it. Think about how many restaurants bring bread for the table before you get the rest of your meal. Some form of bread is a major component in many cuisines found around the world. It is not surprising that Jesus Christ chose to call himself the “bread of life”.

Let’s read what Jesus says in John 6:35 (NLT): “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

God’s provision is what will sustain us, no matter the circumstance. As Christ followers, it is important that we fulfill our spiritual hunger with the “bread of life” and not worldly things.

Most people understand the basics of how the food we put in our bodies determines how well our bodies function. If we choose to pursue the things of this world, we will be left feeling hungry and hopeless. In his book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear, Max Lucado put it this way: “Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.”

The same thing could be said about anything our sinful nature may cause us to chase. Whether it's fear, pride, worry, addiction, the perfect life, control or anything else the world draws us down into, making the intentional decision to feed our faith more than what Satan is trying to use to bring us down will help us find the hope and strength we have in Christ.

The more we pursue God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and spiritual growth, the more satisfied we will feel through Christ (Psalm 107:9). By God’s grace-filled provision we find hope and strength through whatever life brings. It is so important that we seek God daily through reading The Bible and praying to Him. When Jesus modeled for the disciples how to pray, He even prayed for God to provide “daily bread” for nourishment (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV).

What we feed our body, heart and mind, matters. There are many pleasures this world provides. Most of us will face the lure of delicious candy and desserts, but we need to realize that those sweet treats are not enough for our souls. While they provide temporary enjoyment, the lasting, life giving satisfaction only comes from a relationship with our Heavenly Father (God).

My hope and prayer for every follower of Christ is that we all remember to continually seek God and pursue spiritual growth. As we receive the amazing grace and sufficiency of our Father's love for us, we can then fully love others for His glory.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your grace-filled provision. Remind me of your faithfulness and open my heart to be fed by You. Help me desire to seek You daily, growing in my knowledge of You. Draw me closer to You and remove anything that is distracting me from pursuing You.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Miracle of Grace (Bread of Life)” by Curtis Stephan. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children. 

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Allow God to guard and protect your mind

Your Mind Matters
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”—Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

I sat in my car feeling defeated.

Tears fell down my cheeks as the sound of my kids filled the car.

I questioned why God led me here. I felt overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the life I have.

Giving up in exhaustion seems inevitable as the demands of marriage, motherhood and other obligations tell me I am not enough. Pulling myself together, I trudge through my day as best I can. By dinner time I feel even more behind on everything. Somehow it feels like I have done nothing today when in reality I know that is not true.

In the end it feels abundantly clear, my best is not good enough. I become painfully aware of this as I try to decide what, if anything, I want to attempt to accomplish in the hour or so left in my day. Something in my brain keeps telling me to just give up. It all feels like a losing battle and what is the point of it all anyway. After all, what difference am I making?

In moments like this, darkness is drawing us in. Satan would love nothing more than to draw our thoughts away from God’s light. Our mind is such a critical component in our daily lives. It dictates our mood, our words and actions. The daily thoughts of our mind become the front lines of spiritual warfare as we walk out our faith. The people of Biblical times were no different. Paul describes the Gentiles as living “hopelessly confused” with their minds in darkness, closed off from God. (Ephesians 4:17-18). Lies are the devil’s specialty, convincing us that what we have learned about our God and His promises are not true. He loves to steal our peace and hope found in Jesus Christ. When we feel overwhelmed, lost, and afraid, Satan feels empowered to use that for his purposes. Those of us in Christ know that God has something better for us.

In Ephesians, Paul provides a description of what it looks like to live in response to our salvation. As we turn from sin and strive to be more like Christ, he gives us the way to avoid deception. Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT) says, “instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can transform our thoughts and keep them in line with what God has for us. Allowing God to transform our minds is an important part of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus even makes it clear in the book of Matthew that we should always “love the Lord” with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).

Consistently spending time in God’s Word and in prayer can help you fight this battle.

Reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness allows you to see the devil’s lies for what they are and takes away his power to wield them against you. Practice taking back those moments for God’s glory by resting in God’s promises when you discern that Satan is at work.

Pause and pray for God to give you strength and reminders of the hope you have in Christ.

As we build a relationship with our heavenly Father we develop an ability to keep a Gospel truth perspective. Your mind will be “renewed as you learn to know your Creator” (Colossians 3:10). 

Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment to see when the father of lies is attacking. Then you can take back your thoughts for the glory of God.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift we have in Jesus Christ. We appreciate the hope and grace we receive through Him. Please give me the wisdom to see the moments where Satan is attacking my thoughts and trying to use them for his purposes. Give me the strength and hope to take back those moments for your glory. So that, in turn, my words and actions can reflect Your light into this dark and broken world. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children.

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

~*~
Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne