Devotionals for the Heart: Why being kind to everyone is powerful

The Power of Kindness
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”—1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

Kindness is a timeless virtue. It can brighten someone’s day, mend a fence, even change someone’s outlook on life. God has gifted us to be tender, benevolent, and useful to others.

My mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s disease. She was widowed a few years ago and couldn’t live alone. My husband and I got involved with her caregiving and there were many sacrifices that came with our decision. The biggest lesson I learned in this experience is that the smallest act of kindness can go a very long way.

Sometimes it’s as simple as saying hello, or giving a smile. You never know what someone is going through. We all have something to give—maybe it’s our time, a kind word, or a listening ear.

We live in a world that seems so polarized. As Christians, we need to make an effort to reach out to others as Jesus Christ reached out to us. We need to extend grace to people with whom we may not share anything in common.

Here are three ways we can show kindness:

Way #1: Be merciful. As Christians, we are called to extend grace to those who can be difficult and underserving. Romans 12:20 (NIV) says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”

Way #2: Serve the hurting. Matthew 25:40 (NLT) says in the words of Jesus Christ, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Way #3: Forgive freely. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) says, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

People are hurting. One small act of kindness can greatly affect others. It’s not the size of the gift that matters, only the gift. Sometimes kindness calls us to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those who are different from us. God wants us to embrace agape love—to serve, forgive, and uplift others even when they are being difficult.

At one point in my career, I had a boss who was extremely demanding. I was often the one asked to stay late, take on difficult assignments, or handle the work no one else wanted to do. There were moments when I felt overlooked, frustrated, and honestly resentful. What challenged me most wasn’t the workload; it was my attitude. I realized I was keeping score internally: who was appreciated, who got treated more gently, who got away with doing less. And I felt hurt.

But during that season, I began learning what “agape love” really means. Not just kindness when things are easy, but choosing patience, excellence, and grace even when it isn’t reciprocated the way you want. I started seeing my boss less as ‘the difficult person in my life’ and more as a human being carrying pressures I couldn’t fully see.

That didn’t mean becoming a doormat or pretending everything felt good. It meant deciding that bitterness would not define me. I learned to serve with integrity, speak respectfully, and keep my spirit clean even when I was tired or stretched.

Looking back, that experience taught me that agape love is not based on how someone treats you; it’s based on choosing to allow Jesus to make me into the person He wants me to be.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that your kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank You for teaching us to love others even when we don’t feel like it. Thank You for your grace and your word that guides us in these challenging times. We love You, Lord.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection: “Show Me How to Love” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include “The Equalizer”, “Bull”, and “Blue Bloods” (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film “Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider”.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in New York. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God when you feel disappointed

Trusting God Through Life’s Disappointments
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

—Luke 1:20 (NLT)

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth must have been praying years for a child. The Bible tells us in Luke 1:6, they were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.”

Yet there was a problem: Elizabeth was unable to conceive. Zechariah was simply a priest fulfilling his duty, likely serving God under the assumption of God’s displeasure towards him. So, he was shocked when an angel of the Lord appeared and announced that Elizabeth will give him a son.

Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God’s favor still came to him. God muted his speech for a period of time because his words spoken without faith could have undermined God’s divine plan. The beautiful ending to the story is that Zechariah saw the birth of his son and believed in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Finally, his years of disappointment came to an end.

In ancient Israel, it was considered a curse to not have children. We see how Elizabeth responds in Luke 1:25 (NLT): “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

In our world today, there are many things that make us feel disappointed. For some people it’s not having a good career, for others it’s not meeting the love of their life. Whatever it is, God can’t be pleased when we question if He will answer our prayer. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Here are three ways we can trust God in difficult times:

Way #1: Keep your eyes on Him. Song of Songs 1:15 (NLT) says, “your eyes are like doves.” A dove is only able to focus on one thing at a time. This makes them less likely to be distracted. In the same way, if we keep our focus on Jesus Christ then we will not be discouraged by our current circumstance.

Way #2: Be obedient. Jesus says in John 14:15 (NLT), “If you love me, obey my commandments.” The Bible promises that obedience to God’s commands brings blessings, prosperity, and a more fulfilling life.

Way #3: Stay in the word (read and reflect on The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” The Bible is considered the primary way God communicates with Bible verses that sometimes feel specifically relevant to every situation we experience in life.

There are many reasons why God may take a lifetime to answer specific prayers. Sometimes it’s to build our faith, sometimes it’s because He wants us to deal with an internal issue. Most of the time, it’s to prepare us for the future. Even if His answer comes what we consider late in life, His timing is always perfect and it is always for our good.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your perfect timing. Thank You for loving us enough to not give us what we want, but what we need. We thank You for the plans you have for us as you’ve promised in Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a hope and a future.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to properly manage stress and have peace

Learning to Rest in the Promises of God
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.”— Proverbs 3:21-23 (NLT)

In today’s world, stress is a common issue that affects millions of people every day. If not properly managed, stress can have a negative impact on both our physical and mental health. If you have ever lost sleep due to worry, you would know what a blessing it is to have a sense of peace as you go to bed. That is what God promises us when we base our lives on His Word.

When my husband and I decided to get married, it was a whole new world for me. Although I was very excited, I had so many fears and concerns. I would lay awake at night wondering “What if it doesn’t work out?” or “Where will I end up?” I had a history of bad relationships with men, so all the doubts and concerns kept me from sleeping at night.

Thankfully, God’s Word is what gave me peace. For every fearful thought, God has an answer. When we keep sound wisdom and discretion with us, we will have success walking in God’s ways. The more time we spend in God’s Word, we will see things the way He sees them and the peace God gives cannot be taken away by earthly cares.

Here are four ways to rest in God’s promises:

Way #1: Trust God. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Since childhood we are taught to depend on ourselves, but living the life God has called us to means that we are to depend on Him.

Way #2: Surrender to God. Psalm 55:17 (NIV) says, “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” When we pray, we admit His ways are higher than ours.

Way #3: Listen to the most wonderful counselor sent by God. John 14:26 (NIV) says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” As we go through our day, we don’t have to go through it alone. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us, if we will only listen.

Way #4: Practice honest evaluation of yourself with God’s help. Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) says “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” We aren’t so good at evaluating ourselves. The only way we can know where we stand on matters is to measure against the truth of God’s Word.

It was only after learning to trust God, surrender to Him, listen to the Holy Spirit, and honestly evaluate myself that I could move forward with marrying my husband and living the life God called me to live. Thankfully, God is patient because He knows we are all a work in progress. I am so thankful He never gave up on me. God will never give up on you either.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, thank You for Your patience. Thank You for walking with us through the darkest valleys and for restoring our souls. We thank You for comforting and guiding us with your Word. We ask that You continue to guide us in Your truth that we rest in Your peace.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Fighting for Me” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I’ll Give You Peace” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Promises” (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) by Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: "Peace" by Bethel Music feat. We The Kingdom. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: The kind of life Jesus Christ wants us to live

How to live a fruitful life
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”— Mark 4:19 (NIV)

We live in a world where distractions are everywhere.

Our attention is pulled in many different directions every day. As believers, we are called to be light in the darkness. The worries, cares, and distractions we encounter can not only slow us down; they threaten to derail us altogether.

When I got the opportunity to move to New York, I was so excited to go full speed ahead with my acting career. Everything was falling into place, and I was so thankful to the Lord for opening doors.

After my first few months living in the city, I was thrilled to be booking work and building all the right relationships to succeed in the business. Several years later when the COVID pandemic hit, the entertainment industry shut down, and I lost almost everything.

One of the greatest lessons I learned in this experience was that distractions can cause us to neglect relationships and things that matter most, especially our time with God. As Christians, when we are too preoccupied with success or our own concerns, we might fail to notice the people around us who need prayer or encouragement.

Shortly after the pandemic started in late 2019, I was asked to share my testimony on social media. I am so thankful for that opportunity because it really showed me where my heart was and that experience got me back on track.

Here are four ways to live a fruitful life:

1. Start each day with reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” If we don’t start each day with the word of God, it leaves our spiritual tank empty, making us less equipped to handle life’s challenges.

2. Pray to God every day. Psalm 145:18 (ESV), “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” In our fast-paced world full of distractions, one of the hardest things to do is to sit quietly before the Lord.

3. Put your faith into action. James 2:17 (NIV) “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Every day God has something for us to do. Keeping our eyes on Him can keep us aligned with His purpose.

4. Fellowship with people who believe in God and are following Jesus Christ. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It is so important to surround ourselves with a community of believers who encourage us to keep moving forward in our faith walk.

There is nothing greater than living a life that is aligned with God’s purpose in our fast-paced, hyper-connected world. All the endless scrolling on social media can leave us empty, but keeping in step with the Holy Spirit brings life and peace.

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for giving us your Word and for guiding us through all of the challenges we face every day. We thank You for all the opportunities You give us to serve You and to live an abundant life. Please enable us to be fruitful in this life on Earth and not be choked by the cares and distractions of this world.

In Jesus’s name I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "Be the One" by Al Denson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Make Room" by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Go Light Your World" by Kathy Troccoli. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God through the trials of life

Trusting God Through Life’s Trials
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.”

—1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)

Since August of 2020, my husband and I moved six times. We lost a parent to cancer, suffered the loss of a job, lost our home, and lost some of our most precious belongings during our last move.

Once the COVID pandemic hit our world, we left New York City (NYC) for North Carolina. January of 2022, my husband got a job in upstate New York and because of that we moved back to the Northeast Coast of the USA. In the Fall of 2022, my husband’s father passed away and his mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was left living alone in her NYC apartment. The family had to step in and help with her caregiving because due to her condition, she couldn’t live alone. At that point, my husband and I made a decision to sacrifice our home and his job in order to move in and take care of my mother-in-law.

Looking back, I now see that helping our family was the right thing to do. But leaving a good job and home in order to do it was probably not a wise choice. Essentially, we may have done the right thing the wrong way. Once the family was able to secure my mother-in-law with a good nurse, my husband got a new job and we moved into a great apartment. Sadly, he lost his job and that forced us into financial hardship. To add insult to injury, the company we hired to help us move lost most of our belongings.

It’s fair to say that some trials are the result of our own bad decisions, but if we suffer because of our loyalty to Christ, The Holy Bible tells us to expect “fiery trials.” 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) says, “Dear Friends, don’t be surprised by the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” The “fire” referred to in this Bible verse represents the intensity and pain of the trial, while “trials” signify the refining process. Trials are meant to test the genuineness of our faith.

These trials are never meant to destroy or defeat us, but to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and prepare us for what He has in the future.

Here are five things to remember when going through a trial:

1. Expect Suffering. 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) tells us to not be surprised when trials come. Persecution and suffering for Christ should not be viewed as abnormal. We live in a fallen world.

2. God will keep you. 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT) says that God will never fail us. His grace is sufficient for us no matter how hard things get. We can trust Him for our deliverance.

3. Suffering deepens our faith. 1 Peter 4:13 (NLT) says to be glad when we suffer because these trials will make us partners with Christ in his suffering. It may take careful thought or wise counsel to determine the real cause of our suffering, but if we focus on God’s Word and align with His will then we will be in the right place.

4. We will share in God’s Glory. 1 Peter 4:13 (NLT) tells us that afterward, we “will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” There is nothing more powerful than a changed life. When we allow the Lord to purify and refine us through trials then we will glorify God in this life and through all eternity.

5. Suffering enables us to comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

God always has a purpose in every trial we go through, no matter how big or small. Rest assured that He will always provide grace and guidance and will never leave us to suffer alone.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for allowing us to go through trials so that we can know You better. Teach us to rely on You when hardships come. Enable us to trust You through the storms of life so we may walk closer to You.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Count it All Joy” by Bebe and Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I’ll Trust You, Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include "The Equalizer", "Bull", and "Blue Bloods" (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film "Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider".

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: What God taught me about making plans

Learning to Plan with Open Hands
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.— James 4:13-16 (NLT)

Since childhood, making decisions would always make me feel anxious.

I grew up with the same opportunities as my big sister, but she was more successful than I because when she would make a decision, she would stick with it and work hard to see her goals come to pass.

We both studied at the same ballet school, and while she faithfully went to class, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to continue with ballet or do other things. My sister’s hard work and determination paid off because she eventually became a part of a ballet company. I on the other hand, bounced from one endeavor to another, never sticking anything out. My mother got frustrated with me because I would start and quit everything from gymnastics, to ice skating, to musical theater. As I entered adulthood, I discovered that many people make decisions based on how they feel and what looks best; but as believers, God is calling us to make decisions that line up with His will.

God’s will is “knowable”, but the question is, “Do we want to know His will?” One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

I have always had a tendency to go one of two extremes when it came to making decisions. I would either assume something is okay because it “seems right” without asking God or I would get so paralyzed I would do nothing out of fear of making the wrong decision. The consequences of wrong decisions can be absolutely devastating—that is why God clearly outlines in His Word (The Holy Bible) on how to make decisions aligned with His will.

Here are three ways to make decisions that honor God and keep us on a level path:

Way #1: Read God’s Word (The Holy Bible). God’s will always aligns with His word. Psalm 119:105 (KJV) says “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Way #2: Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) tells us to “pray without ceasing.” That means to always have a heart that is open to prayer and to make prayer a priority.

Way #3: Seek wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14 (ASV) says, “Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

I am so thankful for the amazing women of God in my life that I have always been able to go to for sound biblical advice. They always know the right questions to ask and steer me to seek answers from the Lord on my own. This has been especially helpful in those “gray” areas.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ did not leave us to figure out everything for ourselves—He sent us His Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

We all make wrong decisions at some point in our lives, but thankfully we have a God that is always present to help “re-route” us.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You are always there to keep us on the right path. Thank You for loving us enough to send your Son (Jesus Christ) to make a way when there was no way so we can know and love You and walk in Your light. Thank You for your Word and your precious Holy Spirit. Help us to be guided by You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to live as a citizen of Heaven while on Earth

Living as Citizens of Heaven
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”—Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

There’s no doubt that we live in unprecedented times. Everywhere we look in this post-pandemic world, it seems like our “normal” way of doing things and living life on this earth may never come back.

To many, it appears that the world is “falling apart”, but for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we know everything is falling into place. In fact, for the Christian there should be an excitement for Jesus to return to Earth to take us home to Heaven. The Bible is clear that we will not know the day nor the hour when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36).

But we will know the season. Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT) tells us, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Jesus could come back right now, or many years from now. Regardless, the questions we must ponder and answer are: How should we live? What should be our highest priority? According to Scripture, God has made it very clear that we are called to love God and love others.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) says, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift to use for the church. He has also given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Our abilities show what specific ministries we are to do for God.

What are you naturally good at? God wants to use your gifts for His purpose. Hebrews 13:21 (NLT) tells us, “may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.” When we put our God-given gifts into practice, the world will see a living, breathing example of Christianity.

The world has itching ears. Everyone is always looking for the next best self-help guru or podcast that tells them what they want to hear, but when they see someone living and speaking clear biblical truth, they may not understand, but they will know it’s authentic.

When I first became a believer, I was very legalistic. Everyone at my job thought I was crazy. I constantly felt like I had to speak to others in a Christian lingo and openly kept my Bible on my desk. I thought I was “doing the Lord’s work”. But sadly, I was really pushing people away.

One day I met a young man (who would later become my husband.) He was honest with me about how “religious” I was coming across to people. What he said hit a nerve. It also showed me how self-righteous I had become. That was such a humbling experience to see how much I didn’t understand God’s grace.

The beautiful thing about the grace of God is that we can see how unworthy we are to receive it. There is nothing more freeing than to discover that in and of myself, I could never earn my way into Heaven.

With that new perspective, I finally felt the freedom to just be myself and let Jesus speak through me as I felt His leading. I was amazed to see that I wasn’t scaring people away anymore. In fact, some people asked for prayer and others even joined me for church.

Understanding the grace of God and knowing that we are eternally lost without Him will give us everything we need to live authentically for Jesus. It will come across in our speech and our actions.

Here are three ways we can live as citizens of Heaven while living on Earth:

1. Spend time in God’s Word. We won’t always feel God. Most of the time God simply speaks to us through His Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

2. Attend a good church. We need to be fellowshipping with other believers for encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says, “And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

3. Share your faith. God has called every believer to be a disciple and make disciples. To take every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) says, “So be careful how you live. Do not live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

This world is decaying. If we can be a living, breathing example of Jesus then we will be the “fragrance rising up to God.” Let’s read about this in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT): “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.”

God gave us a free will. Therefore, every day we wake up with a choice to submit to God and follow Jesus as our top priority or disobey Him and push Him away. The more we choose to keep Jesus first, the more peace and joy we will experience regardless of what life throws at us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for Your grace that gives us what we don’t deserve. Thank You for dying for us so that we can live an abundant life in You. Thank You for your patience with us and I pray that You will enable us to live and act in a way that glorifies You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Living Hope” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd for humankind

Jesus Christ: The Good Shepherd
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”—Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

Out of all the chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known. It inspires us to remember God’s love and guidance in times of difficulty.

I recently went through a season of uncertainty. My husband and I had to make the difficult decision to move to another state. In this economy, moving can be very expensive, so it was a big step of faith.

As I was seeking God’s guidance, I kept going back to Psalm 23, specifically verse four where it describes God’s rod and staff. When I took a deeper look into the meaning of this verse, I discovered that the rod and staff were tools used for two very specific purposes by shepherds in biblical times. The rod was a short, heavy, thick stick used to ward off predators. This tool conveys power, strength and protection. In Israelite culture it was a symbol of authority—also used to correct and guide the flock.

The staff, on the other hand also represents God’s guidance, but this tool was used more to direct the sheep. It was a long, slender stick often with a hook at the tip. Sheep tend to wander. Therefore, the shepherd would use the hook of the staff to pull them out of danger and close to himself. This act kept the sheep on the right path.

Not only do sheep tend to wander, they are also completely dependent on the shepherd. They are not strong, nor are they survivors. Without the shepherd’s care they would be in grave danger because they are not hunters that can find food; they are small and defenseless, making them easy prey.

Surely as God instructed the men and women of the Bible, He lovingly directs His children every day. All of life’s “inconveniences” or “obstacles” could very well be us bumping up against the Good Shepherd’s staff. So, before you get frustrated, ask God what He is saying.

Here are five ways God guides and comforts us:

1. God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105-106 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.” A willing sheep would respond to the shepherd’s prodding but a stubborn, strong-willed sheep would not. Every day, we must ask ourselves: Am I surrendering to God’s leading, or do I willfully follow my own desires?

2. The Holy Spirit. Every believer is given the Holy Spirit to guide them through life. John 16:13 (NLT) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

3. Godly Counsel. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

4. Circumstances. Romans 8:28 (NLT) says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” So often we want to know God’s purpose for us, and it can only be found when we are willing to surrender our will to align with His will.

5. Common Sense. When we choose to yield to the guidance of God, He will enable us to think clearly and sensibly. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

The Bible describes all humanity as “like sheep.” Isaiah 53:6 (NLT) says: “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.”

Jesus Christ (The Good Shepherd) not only guides us and keeps us out of danger; He made a way for us when there was no way to give us eternal life (John 3:16). He took upon Himself the sins of the world so that we could all be saved. When we seek God, we will find that even in the shadow of death, we can find comfort in Him.

In closing, our move from New York to Texas was not an easy decision. We had lived and worked in NYC for over twenty years—that is where our careers were made. I knew it was time to make the move when I saw certain doors closing. Circumstances are almost always the best way God leads us. Now we are living near my family in Texas. It is wonderful to finally get to see my niece cheerlead and my nephew play piano.

God always knows what we need, and His timing is always perfect.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for loving us enough to send your perfect Son (Jesus Christ) to die for us so that we can not only have eternal life, but a close relationship with You. Help us not to be frustrated or angered by all of life’s trials. Teach us how to see your signature on each challenge we face. Help us to walk closer to You so we may align our will with Your divine plan and purpose for our life.

In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)” by Shane and Shane. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why Jesus Christ died to save your soul

Why Jesus Christ Died to Save You
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”—Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)

The human condition according to Scripture is “desperately wicked.” Some modern translations describe it as “beyond cure.”

In this world of secular humanism, where it’s all about doing good and making people happy, most people think that being a “good person” is enough to get into Heaven, but The Holy Bible clearly says that being a “good person” is not enough. Romans 3:12 (NLT) says “No one does good, not a single one.”

I am thankful to have been raised in a Christian home. I prayed the sinner’s prayer at the age of nine. I understood that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that by accepting Him into my heart I would be “saved”. What I didn’t understand was, what exactly did Jesus save me from? I went on with my life thinking that as long as I go to church and read my Bible, I would be okay with God. It took me years to discover that we humans can do nothing to save ourselves. Even on our best day we will never be good enough to meet God’s standard for salvation.

Romans 3:20 (NLT) says, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” The Ten Commandments were given to us as sign posts that point us on the straight and narrow path. Our loving Father (God) knows our frame. He understands that as human beings we are hardwired to self-destruct.

Over the course of these recent years, we have become one of the most depressed, suicidal, alcohol-addicted, and drug-addicted generations in American history. God did not make salvation complicated. It’s so simple! I was able to ask Jesus Christ into my heart at the age of nine. What happens with many of us is that we tend to complicate things as we live out our Christian faith walk with God. Pride often gets in the way and robs us of the “simplicity of Christ.” Let’s read 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) where it says, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Furthermore, let’s read a story about a rich young ruler who approached Jesus with major life questions. According to the story in Mark 10:17-22 (NLT) their conversation went like this:

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Clearly, the rich young ruler thought he had met all the requirements of the law, but that is the point Jesus challenged. Jesus simply touched on one issue that proved the man did not measure up to God’s holiness. He used the young man’s love of money to show him how he fell short of God’s holy standard. Even in this modern day, as we all fall short of this standard too.

Let’s circle back to my original question about what God saved humankind from when He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to save us (John 3:16-17). These are a few things to reflect upon when considering everything God has saved us from:

1. Ourselves. Like the rich young ruler, self-sufficiency is why many walk away from Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT) says, “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.”

2. Our sins. Romans 7:18 (NLT) says, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”

3. Our eternal destiny. The enemy works overtime to try to tempt us and destroy us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16:24 (NLT), “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Eternity doesn’t begin when we die, it begins the moment we say yes to Jesus Christ. We may lose our life as we know it but that’s a good thing because who wants to remain empty and hopeless? Romans 6:4 (NASB1995) says, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

We all struggle with the need to be self-sufficient, to be in the driver seat of our own lives. You came to set us free from the bondage of sin and guilt. Thank you, Jesus, for living a sinless life and for dying on the cross so that we may have eternal life. I pray that we will find our worth, security and sufficiency in You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Just for Me” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a New York-based actress. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in New York City. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: When Jesus Christ Fought to Save Your Life

Gethsemane: The Price Jesus Christ Paid to Save Your Life
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” –Matthew 26:38-39 (NLT)

The Garden of Gethsemane is one of the most moving scenes in all the Gospels (these books in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

I have studied this passage many times, but when I read it this morning, one thing really stood out to me: the simple fact is that Jesus Christ had a choice. His choice was to either carry through the plan of salvation to save our souls and reconcile us with our Creator (God) or give up on humankind. If He chose to give up on us then that would result in our eternal death (Romans 6:23).

I can only imagine the temptation to turn from the horror of dying on the cross and let the world perish instead of Himself. The mental and spiritual suffering Jesus endured as He asked three times if His Father (God) would “take this cup” from Him. Even though His spirit was strong, His body trembled at what was to come. This showed His humanity.

Though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully human. Jesus was still committed to His purpose to be the Savior of the world it was in that moment He faced the cup of God’s wrath against our sin. The intense suffering He faced caused Him to turn to His Father for help just as we might pray when confronted with overwhelming emotional or physical pain.

I’ll never forget when I first moved away from home to start modeling in Europe. All the friends I thought I had were not really friends. I eventually found myself feeling very empty and lonely. One night I was sitting in my room staring at the wall, devastated over the fact that I did not have one friend I could call. Although I was raised in a Christian home, I turned my back on God as a teenager. So I didn’t think to turn to Jesus.

However, it was in that moment of deep pain and loneliness that the Lord met me right where I was at. All the pain I was carrying inside was healed in an instant by one simple prayer. I didn’t say much, I just asked God to heal my broken heart and for the first time in a long time I felt His immeasurable love and peace wash over me.

It says in John 15:13 (NLT),“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” I am so thankful that today we still see and experience the choice Jesus made on that lonely night in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Here are three reasons Jesus chose to die for us:

Reason #1: To reconcile us to God. Romans 5:10 (NIV) says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

Reason #2: To pay the penalty for our sins. Romans 6:23 (NLT) says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reason #3: To give us eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus died for us as our most faithful Friend. We can trust Him in our suffering because He has been there and can relate to us. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

So, today I encourage you: If you have been carrying physical or emotional pain, if you have been suffering in silence, please know that you have a friend in Jesus. Read what He says in Revelation 3:20 (NIV) which says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus walked a lonely road, forsaken by all so that we might never be alone. He has been longing for our friendship since the beginning, in the Garden of Eden. He longs for us to stay near to Him and to abide in Him. Always remember: If we come near to God, He will always come near to us (James 4:8).

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for your love and mercy. Thank You for sending your precious Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to make a way for us to have eternal life. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Only Jesus led a sinless life. Only He could pay our debts. Thank You, Jesus, for loving us enough to lay down Your life for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “All For Love (Gethsemane)” by Worship Central ft. Luke & Anna Hellebronth. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a New York-based actress.

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the Pure Flix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in New York City. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning how to hear and discern God's Voice

Understanding the Voice of God
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him. And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

—Isaiah 30:20-21 (BSB)

Like the children of Israel, we all have a tendency to complain when problems arise. God will allow us to go through seasons of adversity in order to get our attention.

Hearing the voice of God is a learned skill and over time it can get easier or harder depending on our obedience or disobedience.

I’ll never forget when I first met my husband, Jimmy. We went out on a few dates, but after praying about it, I was unsure if he was “the one.” After our third date, I felt it would only be right for me to break up because I didn’t think it was fair to keep stringing him along.

This was a huge struggle—I had a history of bad experiences with men and a lot of baggage to deal with before I could commit to a serious relationship. It was a very hard decision because deep down inside, I was afraid I would never get married.

So, the day came when I ended our dating relationship. He didn’t take it well but we agreed to part ways. To make things easier we started going to different churches.

A year went by and I kept seeking God on whether or not He was calling me to get married. I started to question if I had made a mistake by breaking up with Jim. To make matters worse, I received a phone call from a friend of mine who said she had just gone on a day trip with Jim. My heart sank! I started to wonder if I missed the boat. Later, I learned that friend who went on the day trip with Jim only went as “friends” and she was actually dating another guy. Phew!

So, at that point I wasn’t sure what to do. I prayed about it and God opened the door for me to see Jim again in a group setting with other friends. Slowly we started to reconnect and by that time I felt God’s peace about our relationship. We dated for a few months and one night he got down on his knee and proposed. We then moved forward and got pre-marital counseling by our pastor and his wife. One of the most beautiful things our pastor’s wife said was that she saw “God’s signature on our marriage.” Three months later we tied the knot.

Now, thirty-one years later, I am still happily married to the man God chose for me. God knew exactly what He was doing. Maybe I needed that year after breaking up for God to heal all the issues in my heart before I could walk down the aisle. God was writing our true love story all along, I just couldn’t see it at that time.

So how does one properly hear God and discern when He is speaking? Let me share what I have learned from over the years. I have found three of the most common ways God speaks to us:

Common Way #1: His Word. Psalm 119:105 (KJV) says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” In order to “hear” from God we need to develop an understanding of His character. We need to know how God honors obedience and punishes disobedience.

Common Way #2: Our Circumstances. Sometimes, God will allow the “bread of adversity and the water of affliction” Isaiah 30:20 (BSB) to get our attention and guide us.

Common Way #3: The Still Small Voice. The Holy Spirit speaks very soft but also very clear. When He speaks we will either have a peace about something or not.

God’s grace towards us never changes. He is always faithful to guide us back on the way of truth. Whether you are in a season of adversity or enjoying a time of prosperity, know that God is always speaking. All He asks is that we listen.

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, I pray that You will help us to be still and quiet before You. Help us to not let the noise of the world distract us from hearing Your voice. I pray that You will give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear Your guidance. Thank You for Your never-ending patience with us. Help us to see beyond our circumstances and keep our eyes on You. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Speak” by Bethany Music. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a New York-based actress and model. Network appearances include Blue Bloods and Bull (CBS), Power (STARZ), and Hunters (Amazon).

She got her start in modeling at the age of 18 when she was offered a contract to work with an agency in Paris. Over time, she worked for clients such as Mary Kay Cosmetics, Clarins Skincare, Garnier, Lancôme, and Wella.

In recent years, Cherie has been sharing about her faith in God on Instagram where she has an audience of over 30k followers. She is compelled by love to encourage women to understand their identity in Jesus Christ.

It is her goal to bring to light what God’s Word says about our self-worth. She does this by sharing encouraging stories on how she overcame the many struggles that models and actresses typically face.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Upstate New York. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Humility

The Road to Humility
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than to pretend to be somebody and have no food.”—Proverbs 12:9 (NIV)

I love how King Solomon glorified the virtue of humility as stated in the verse above. His contrast here is both humorous and profound. He is saying it’s better to be humble if your humility is part of your success as opposed to trying to “appear successful.”

Every week I sit down to create content for Instagram. However, when life gets tough I want to hide. If I have nothing “impressive” to post then I’d rather not post at all. In today’s image-obsessed society, cultivating a humble heart can be very challenging. The world puts great emphasis on “the pride of life” which is thinking you are special because of what you have, what you know, and what you look like. It glorifies the rich and famous while the poor are often forgotten.

The pride of life also tempts us to focus on ourselves as opposed to focusing on God and serving others. It can create stress and anxiety because when we seek to be the best and don’t succeed, our desire to excel can turn against us. If we fail, it is very normal to become disappointed. But the pride of life can turn our disappointment into a sense of hopeless depression.

The road to humility doesn’t have to be a hard one. If we humble ourselves before God and admit that we need His guidance, He is faithful. Psalm 25:9 (RSV), says “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”

When we stand before God, we will not be judged by our worldly accomplishments. All that will matter is what we did with the gifts and talents He gave us. It’s great to be successful, but if our success becomes our identity, then it’s an idol.

The temptation to be proud is very subtle. We see it in the Garden of Eden. Eve’s mistake was to setting her sights on what God had commanded not to do rather than on what God had blessed her with such as all the other trees filled with life-giving fruit that He had allowed her to eat.

Here are three questions we can ask ourselves to help keep our hearts in check:

Question #1: Am I truly thankful for all God has given me?

Question #2: Have I acknowledged Him as the Source of all the blessings in my life?

Question #3: Am I careful to seek God daily on how to live a life that is pleasing to Him?

It’s amazing how being humble frees you from the need to impress people. There’s no need to be perfect or compare yourself to anyone. This brings me back to my constant challenge with Instagram. With every post I’m learning to ask myself, “What can I share today that will minister to someone?”

Most of the time it’s the trials and the things I don’t like to talk about that resonate most with people. It’s about taking my captions from a “me” post to a “we” post, showing gratitude to the Lord and the people in my life. It’s about my choosing to encourage others when it’s tempting to brag.

I believe that Micah 6:8 (RSV) says it best: “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” 

What will you choose today?

Song of Reflection: “King of Humility” by Justin Tweito. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a New York-based actress and model. Network appearances include Blue Bloods and Bull (CBS), Power (STARZ), and Hunters (Amazon). 

She got her start in modeling at the age of 18 when she was offered a contract to work with an agency in Paris. Over time, she worked for clients such as Mary Kay Cosmetics, Clarins Skincare, Garnier, Lancôme, and Wella.

In recent years, Cherie has been sharing about her faith in God on Instagram where she has an audience of over 30k followers. She is compelled by love to encourage women to understand their identity in Jesus Christ.

It is her goal to bring to light what God’s Word says about our self-worth. She does this by sharing encouraging stories on how she overcame the many struggles that models and actresses typically face.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Upstate New York. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years.

~*~

Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/