Devotionals for the Heart: God's true love for humankind will never fail

Unfailing Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”—1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

True love is the greatest experience ever. I’m not talking about that fairytale love or the fictional love that exists in many Hallmark movies during the holidays.

I’m talking about the love that endures everything yet still stands. I’m talking about that love that chooses to stay, even amid your ugliest and even worst times. I’m talking about that love that sacrifices so that you can be well, safe, content, and protected. I’m talking about the love that walks with you through sickness and pain. Love that empathizes with those who’ve experienced loss and struggle. This is true love. It is a lesson that I continue to learn each day. I’m still learning to love God, myself, and others more deeply, more honestly, and more vulnerably. I’m a student of love. It is a patient teacher. I don’t know it all and the more intimately I grow to know true love, the more I am transformed.

God is love (1 John 4:16). All of God’s attributes are also the attributes of love. Love is eternal, transformative, holy, and pure. Love is good, kind, faithful, and trustworthy. Love is safe and wholesome. Love is everything good. Love is a space of health and healing.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul begins a discourse about the transformative attributes of love. He describes love as sacrificial, gentle, powerful, kind, and considerate. He declares that in life, love is the principal thing to acquire and demonstrate to the world. He goes on to emphasize that love is the greatest—that is to say that love is most transformative and necessary to the existence of humanity.

Love is a superpower, not a weakness. Many people, including myself, consider love to be a weakness. When we love others truly, we are vulnerable and we seem to be under the power of another. Love causes us to act in ways that seem at first glance to be weaknesses. Love causes you to give to others, when it would be easier to be selfish. Love causes us to share our lives and remove protective walls around us, in the face of fear and insecurities. Love causes a mother to give everything–blood, bones, even her body–to bear a child. It would seem rather fragile to be impacted by love in such a way. On the contrary, the submission demonstrated in love is powerful, transformative, and empowering.

Love never gives up. Society would tell us that at some point—sooner, rather than later—we should give up. We should give up on ourselves after we’ve made so many mistakes. We should give up on God when He doesn’t do what we want Him to do. We should give up on people when they have a rough go of life. We should give up on relationships when they become inconvenient or challenging. We should just walk away. But God, like true love, never gives up. True love continues to show up when times are hard and when it’s inconvenient. True love forges ahead in the face of obstacles, challenges, and difficulty. That’s what love does.

God pursues us relentlessly. At every turn He seeks to win our hearts, though He is the God of the universe and doesn’t need us (but He loves us). As God, He has no rival and He has no equal. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and preeminent. He is eternal and everything belongs to Him. He is God with and without us. Yet, He loves us and pursues relationship with us. He never gives up on humankind.

Love never loses faith. Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Faith is demonstrated by works, according to the Apostle James. If you want to see love, watch a person’s actions. Actions speak louder than words. Love believes and behaves accordingly. If love is present, it will act. Love will give. Love will care for others. Love will protect. Love will support and show up. Love will celebrate and cherish.

Love is always hopeful. Hope is a feeling of expectation in a certain outcome. Love looks forward to the future. Love carries hope with it even as it celebrates the past. Love works together with faith and hope to create an environment of safety and peace. In hopelessness, love is absent because love brings peace, rest, faith, and hope. God loved the world and sent His Son Jesus into the world to bring hope. He brought hope of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16).

Love endures every circumstance. Love is undefeated. True love never loses. It is resilient and eternally victorious. Love is a gentle giant with massive influence. Love enters the room with gentleness and kindness yet impacts the atmosphere like a massive earthquake. Love shifts atmospheres and changes hearts. Love endures difficult circumstances to emerge victorious. Love patiently endures discomfort so that another person grows, heals, and learns. God is love and He has no end. Like God, true love is eternal.

As we close this devotional, I encourage you to learn to love God with reckless abandon, love yourself like God loves you, love others intentionally and love your enemies as God tells us to in Matthew 5:44-45.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for loving us passionately, intentionally, and profoundly. You are True Love and You’re our example on how to love. Help us to love like You do. Help us to practice unfailing love in our relationships with ourselves, You, and others. Help us to harness the transformative power of love and to use it for the furthering of the Gospel and the edification of Your kingdom. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Let love reign in our hearts and lives. Show us how to love in word and deed. Thank You for hearing and answering us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Your Love Never Fails” by Chris Quilala /Jesus Culture/ Jesus Culture Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “One Thing Remains” by Cory Asbury | Bethel Church. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Maker” by Chris August. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “No Greater Love” by Rachael Lampa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith.

 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: What true love looks like in our modern world

Love Reimagined
A devotional by Essie Faye

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

I am convinced that most people in our world today do not know the true meaning of love, nor do they know how to show it and share it in a healthy way.

An example of this is when I watched on as a group of teenage “friends” interacted. They made fun of each other and embarrassed each other. One minute they were cool and the next they were arguing bitterly. Some days I didn’t know if they were friends or enemies. So, I’d tread lightly. Teaching adolescents is sometimes a rollercoaster. One minute, students love each other and the next they hate each other. It is often like riding a rollercoaster. I couldn’t keep up with the relationship drama and frequent changes my students were experiencing.

True love in today’s world is tough to find. People say they love you, but truthfully, most don’t know love. They’ve come from broken families and have had a history of broken relationships. It is safe to say that all of us are broken in some way. True love comes from a healthy place. True love can be freely given when a person experiences healing of their heart. Many people can’t properly love others because they don’t properly love themselves. Or they’ve never truly been loved in a healthy and safe manner. More importantly, many people don’t know love because they don’t have a real relationship with Love Himself: God is Love.

In Romans 8:38-39 the Apostle Paul writes about the persevering and unstoppable Love of God. Love pursues us relentlessly until God captures our hearts and transforms our souls. God’s love is like the love of no other. It is unchanging and unconditional. There is nothing we could ever do or fail to do that would cause God to stop loving us. God’s love provides for us consistently. His love protects us from harm and heals us from pain. His love rescues us from danger. His love hears us when we call. God’s love for us is never ending, overwhelming, incomprehensible, and unfathomable. We don’t deserve His love, yet He chases after us to lavish His love upon us. Nothing and no one can separate us from God’s love.

Call to Action:

1. Thank God for loving you unconditionally and consistently.

2. Learn from the mistakes you’ve made on your journey to loving yourself, God, and others.

3. Treasure the love of God in your life.

4. Look around to see how God loves you and how He proves it.

5. Remember: God’s love must be reimagined. We think we know love. We do not. We must be reintroduced to Him.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

There is no god like You. You are Love. You gave Your only son (Jesus Christ) to save our souls because You love humankind. You sent Your Comforter (Holy Spirit) because of your love for our broken hearts. You sent Your Word because You want us to read The Holy Bible and get to know You. Thank You for loving us passionately, unconditionally, and with abandon. I pray that we can accept this unfathomable love, though we don’t deserve it and we can never comprehend it. Help us to love one another with a love so pure and pleasing to You. Thank You for hearing and answering us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “No Greater Love” by Rachael Lampa. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: A true love that is always committed to God

Committed Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”—Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV)

There are so many people who don’t truly know what love is.

People use the word “love” without deep meaning and care. They attach it to manipulative actions. Others use it emptily without actions of support, care, or concern. Some people swear they love you while behaving in unloving ways and causing you pain intentionally. It is hurtful to realize that you’re not loved by someone who either professed their love for you or should love you.

Scripture defines “love” as incredibly good. The Bible says that God is love (1 John 4:8). Scripture also says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NIV), “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

God’s love for humankind is limitless. We cannot measure His love for us, but we have evidence of His love each day. He preserves our lives. He cares for us. He provides for our needs. He gives us good things. He comforts us when we are sad and heals us when we are hurting. He gives us joy in sorrow. God always shows up for us. Our Heavenly Father (God) constantly communicates His love for us. He does this through His creation, Scripture, our life circumstances, our relationships, and through prayer. He deserves our love in return.

Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to love God with every fiber of our being. With everything that we are and all that we have, we should love Him. What does this look like? This looks like committing to make God the center in our life. Committed love for God means deciding to honor God in our daily living. We honor Him by adopting His views about life and obeying His commands. We chose to follow Jesus Christ (God’s Son) all the way to Heaven.

Loving the Lord our God with all our heart means that we align our passions with His. We love what God loves and we hate what He hates. We are sensitive to issues that concern Him. This means that we act with compassion toward others. We express our sympathy and speak with empathy. We refuse to be insensitive, hateful nor rude to anyone. In essence, we exemplify the characteristics of Christ. We are not perfect, but we are striving to be Christ-like every day.

Loving the Lord our God with all our soul means that we discipline our emotions and thoughts so that they align with God’s standards and perspective. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, the Apostle Paul says that we must bring into captivity every thought and cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. He often teaches about the importance of disciplining our mind as we follow Christ. We must have a paradigm shift and renew our minds daily. We must examine our thought life and make changes so that we develop the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5).

Loving the Lord our God with all our strength means using our efforts to love God. It is using our energy and time to actively and intentionally love Him. Our actions toward ourselves, God, and others should demonstrate our love for God. Loving God takes work—faith and work to be exact. Love is more than lip service; love is action. 1 John 4:20 (NIV) says, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Our relationship with ourselves and others is a direct reflection of our love for God.

Call to Action:

1. Examine your definition of love.

2. See God’s love in your life daily.

3. Love Him in return.

4. Demonstrate your love for God by obeying His Word and living according to His standards.

5. Remember: God’s love deserves to be reciprocated. Will you choose to love Him in return?

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us. Cause us to experience the reality of your love each day. Give us the desire to love You in return. Cause us to see your love daily. Help us aim to love You, ourselves, and others. Expand our capacity to love passionately and intentionally. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love for you is deep, true and forever!

God’s Deep Love for You
A devotional by Essie Faye

“However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.”—Deuteronomy 23:5 (KJV)

Lately, I can’t help but think about the importance of grit and perseverance.

So many things and people in life can discourage us from living, if we allow them. Some life challenges may include being evicted from your home or experiencing a home foreclosure. Some people are suffering in silence in a toxic relationship. Others are wallowing in grief from the loss of a loved one. Perhaps you are suffering from the grief of disappointment in your current state in life. There are women who experience pain from an infertility journey that seems never-ending. Countless numbers of patients are each fighting a terminal illness. Through it all, it is important to know that God loves us. His profound love for us blesses us in ways that we could never imagine (Romans 8:35-39).

God’s love for us blesses us with His favor. Favor is the unearned, unmerited kindness of God. Because He loves us, He is good to us, even when we were His enemies. Even when we deny His very existence, God is good to us. Even while we are shouting obscenities about Him and accusing Him of wrongdoing, He loves us and is kind to us, extending mercy and grace. God has mercy on us. He doesn’t give us what we deserve (Romans 6:23). Instead, He extends grace and gives us what we don’t deserve: God’s grace and the free gift of salvation (John 3:16-17).

God’s love for us blesses us with protection. Animals protect what they love; it’s second nature. Humankind also protects what they love. We get this attribute from our Heavenly Father (God). He made us in His image and likeness. We are His children. God has commanded His angels from Heaven to protect us in our daily lives and watch over us while we sleep. He does this because He loves us.

God’s love for us blesses us with abundance. God provides for His children because He is concerned about our well-being. He provides our physical needs: food, shelter, water. He also provides our spiritual needs: nourishment, communion, character development, and fellowship. God provides our social needs: divine connections and partnerships. God provides our financial needs. He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19) who is His Son.

God’s love blesses us with favor, protection, and provision in the face of life’s difficulties. Because of His love and through faith, we can do hard things. When life gets tough and insurmountable challenges arise, we can do hard things. When life circumstances seem unbearable and current situations appear hopeless, we can do hard things with the help of Christ. Because He was victorious, so are we when we place our faith in Him.

All things work together for the good of those who believe in God (Romans 8:28). All things are not always looking good, nor does everything always feel good. But it is all working together to bring you into your place of purpose. God’s love works to turn every curse in our lives from the enemy into a blessing from our Savior.

Call to Action:

1. Receive the blessings from God’s Love.

2. Rest in God’s favor, protection, and provision.

3. Love God in return.

4. Demonstrate your love for God by obeying His Word and living according to His standards.

5. Remember: God’s love blesses you to do hard things. All of it—the good, bad, and ugly—is working to make you into the person God ordained you to be.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us so passionately and so deeply. Your unconditional love looks at our faults and loves us still. Your love for us is a complete blessing that we don’t deserve. You love us still. We make mistakes yet You love us still. We offend You. You love us still. We reject You yet You love us still. We ignore you. You love us still. Your love is inescapable and incomprehensible. Help us to receive the blessings of your love: favor, protection, and provision. And help us to love You in return. Expand our capacity to love You passionately and to serve You intentionally. Teach us to have the kind of faith that please You, God. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “God’s Favor” by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For The Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Good And Loved” by Travis Greene & Steffany Gretzinger. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: God defends humankind at all times

How God Defends Humankind
A devotional by Essie Faye

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”

—Psalm 5:11 (NKJV)

Mama bears go to war for their cubs and humans do the same for their offspring.

What are some ways that we protect the ones we love? We are careful with how we handle them. We are kind and careful not to hurt them intentionally. We seek to care for their physical body. It always amazes me how moms care for their young. They carry the baby within their womb for months, nurturing it with their physical bodies. Each bone, muscle, organ, and body system of the baby is developed from the mother. Mom incubates the child, protecting it and defending it from harmful elements within and without. What an incredible demonstration of the love between mom and child! We exemplify the love of God our Creator. God's love for His children surpasses even a mother’s love. He’s a good Father who saves His children from danger, protects them, and defends them from any opposing force.

God’s passionate love for us is clearly demonstrated by the gift of salvation that He gave humankind. God loved us so profoundly that He gave His only Son (Jesus Christ) to appease the wrath of God caused when Adam and Eve (the original humans created by God who are also the First Parents of all humankind) sinned. Because of this sin, judgment called for the death of the human family. Mercy said “No” when Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and died in the place of humanity. Because of this great love, we were saved from paying the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). We now have access to eternal life, if we believe in Christ (John 3:16-17). The love of God saved us.

God’s unconditional love for us is clearly seen by how He faithfully protects us. God protects us from the evil plans of the enemy. He gives His angels charge over us to keep us safe (Psalm 91:11). They serve the purpose of God and guide us along our life’s path. God loves His children unconditionally and this love includes ensuring us that we are out of harm’s way. He covers us under the shadow of His wings and hides us in His secret place so that no harm will come near us. God protects us and He keeps us safe.

God’s unshakeable love for us is clearly seen by how He diligently defends us. He protects us from harmful elements within by removing anything that will hurt our growth or progress. This may include unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, malice, etc. He removes harmful situations and toxic people from our lives. God challenges us to rid ourselves of harmful practices, patterns, and beliefs. He even defends us against ourselves. Many people have heard of self-sabotage. This is when we turn on ourselves and attack ourselves. Self-sabotage prohibits progress and success. God defends us against hurting ourselves. Sometimes God allows us to experience trauma. However, He did not cause the trauma. God feels pain with us and He helps us to overcome our trauma as He heals us from it.

In today’s text (Psalm 5:11), the psalmist commands all who trust in God to rejoice. God has proven Himself to be trustworthy from generation to generation. He has kept His Word in each generation, and He watches over His Word to perform it. He does not lie. It is God that holds the world and our lives in His hands. He gives us life each day. Everything on the Earth and in the entire universe belongs to God. He is sovereign and rules in the affairs of men. He is omnipotent, yet He loves humankind and has our best interest at heart.

When we trust in God, we can rejoice because we know that He is working our life situations out to our benefit. We know that His plans for us are good. He plans to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

We can shout joyously instead of cowering in fear because God defends us. He fights for us. He has given His Angels charge over us to keep us. They defend us against fallen angels and evil spirits. The blood of Jesus Christ covers us and defends us against evil, attacks, disease, and arrows from the enemy.

Call to Action:

1. Trust God because He is trustworthy.

2. Rejoice in faith, knowing that God is working for you even when you can’t trace Him.

3. Rest in God’s love for you; He saves you. He protects and defends you because He loves you.

4. We can find safety in God.

5. Remember: God declares that you are worth fighting for and He proved it.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I look to You as my Provider, Savior, Protector, and Defender. You have never let me down. You’ve never failed me. You will never forsake me. Thank You for these promises. Help me to be joyful while I wait for your next move. Help me to be still as you defend me and to rest in your provision. 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: “Mercy Said No” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Constant” by Maverick City, Jordin Sparks, Anthony Gargiula | Ft. Chandler Moore. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s Song)” by Damaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: True Love is patient, kind and clothed with humility

Love is Patient and Kind
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

—1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

A few years ago, I read a beautiful message about patience. It resonated with me because at that time, I was in dire need of it.

It was a time when I was focused on building my career and in a hurry to live life to the fullest. I was rushing to accomplish so many goals. I sped through college, earned a master’s degree then became one of the top performers in my career field. I ran hard after God, hoping to climb the ministry ladder and sprint to my destiny. I was well-accomplished, but it seemed that I wasn’t advancing toward my goals quickly enough. I was impatient to see what the future would hold. Impatience was evidence of my spiritual immaturity. Life teaches us in time. Even King Solomon said that there is a season for everything in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In essence, you can’t hurry life. Each of us lives moment by moment.

In today’s text, the Apostle Paul teaches us about true love. He teaches about three characteristics that distinguish true love from imposters. Paul had experienced this true love of God despite his past as a murderer and persecutor of Jesus Christ’s church. He was transformed by God’s love, adopted into His royal family, and trusted to establish countless ministries, pastor them, and lead God’s church. He was trusted by God with servant leadership. It is from this vantage point that Paul instructs the church about the profound characteristics of love.

The Bible says love is patient, meaning love suffers long. To explain it more thoroughly, love is not easily provoked nor does love quit without a fight. When you love someone, you are willing to endure some things in order to maintain your relationship with them. Love causes you to overlook faults and shortcomings because you value the presence of that person. Love is willing to endure challenges, disagreements and differences in order to preserve the relationship. Love is willing to forgive and even forget when offended or wronged. Love waits willingly for a person to grow to maturity and understanding. Love chooses to overlook ignorance and look for teachable moments. Love is not only a feeling, but it is a decision to cover the faults of another patiently.

Love is kind. When you love someone, you have his or her best interest at heart. Love is considerate of the feelings and situations of others. When true love is present, you handle your loved one gently and with care. Love does good to others. Love never intentionally causes harm.

Love is clothed with humility. Love is not prideful. True love is willing to admit fault and correct that fault. True love leads with valuing the presence and contribution of others. Love is realizing that you are no better than anyone else while accepting others. Love humbles itself to preserve and even fight for love. Humility is being willing to do whatever it takes to guard and maintain love.

Each of these characteristics are seen in the face of Jesus Christ. He was patient with humankind. He came to His own and they didn’t receive Him. Humans who He created who lived in the world that He created, rejected Him. Yet, God didn’t destroy them. Instead, He practiced patience with them in love. He came to save humanity despite the fact that they were His enemies. Christ was kind. He came to do good things and destroy the works of the devil. His purpose was to liberate humankind and to bring salvation to us. Christ came in humility. He took off His robe of royalty, left the glories of Heaven, wrapped Himself in flesh, and died to redeem humanity (John 3:16-17).

Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. He did it all for love. Because of His Love for us, we have hope and the promise of eternal life if we obey Him.

Call to Action:

1. Practice patience.

2. Be kind.

3. Daily walk in humility.

4. Identify with Christ through spiritual disciplines such as corporate worship, prayer, fasting, bible study, solitude, and engagement within your faith community.

5. Remember: God loves us patiently. He is kind to us, and He is clothed with humility. He requires that we walk daily with Him and love others.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for your love that is patient, kind and humble. You are our perfect example. Help us to embrace others with the same agape love as you have shown us. Help us to exemplify Your unfailing love in a world that sometimes lacks love and hope. Strengthen us to be your hands and feet in a dark world. Show us how to shine the light of Jesus Christ through Your message of love in the world. You are the definition of true love. Help us to experience a more profound level of Your great love and know You in a greater way. Thank You, Lord, for hearing and answering us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Love of God” by Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: 

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/58980-grow-through-it-7-healing-practices-that

Devotionals for the Heart: How a Mother's Love is Like God's Love

The Sacrificial Nature of Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16 (NKJV)

There’s no love like a mother’s love.

Recently, I spent time with my 70-year-old Mama. She has mothered many children—from her 11 biological children plus four bonus children, her siblings, Sunday school students at church, and children who lived in the neighborhood and surrounding community. My Mom has generously given her love, time, attention, and resources to countless children—positively impacting their lives forever.

But to her biological children, her love has been highly sacrificial in nature. Our mother not only gave her love, time, attention and resources to us; she gave us her DNA and carried us inside of her body. Our mom bore the wear and tear of carrying and nurturing each of us for nine months. She gave her all to make us into healthy babies. After we were born, she lovingly cared for and nurtured us in good times and challenging times. Even now, as an adult, my mom is available for advice, support, and nurturing. A mother’s job is never done because mothers always hold their children in their heart. What an incredible and God-ordained sacrifice!

In many ways, a mother’s love mirrors the love of God for His children. John 3:16 teaches us that God’s love for humankind caused Him to give His only Son for us. Just as mothers give sacrificially to their children, God gave to His children. God’s love is evidenced by His generosity and concern for His creation. He is moved with compassion to provide a solution for mankind’s sin problem.

Because of the original sin of Adam and Eve who were the First Parents of all humankind, all of us were sentenced to face the judgment of our sins and be punished with eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). But God offered a solution: He gave His Son (Jesus Christ) to save us (John 3:16) and help us be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). Now when we let Christ into our hearts and live for Him, we have the hope and promise of eternal life in God’s Presence.

God’s love for humanity prompted Him to give the gift of salvation to us through His Son (Jesus Christ). It is a very generous gift! Generosity is a sure sign of love. God created a solution to solve a seemingly impossible problem. This solution cost Him dearly. Yet He still chose to give us this beautiful gift because He decided that we are worth the sacrifice.

Call to Action:

1. Meditate on God’s love for humankind.

2. What can we give God to show appreciation of His sacrifice for us?

3. Reject the lies of the devil concerning God’s love for you.

4. Accept God’s gift of love and realize its magnitude.

5. Remember: God sacrificed all for you willingly; such great sacrifice deserves acknowledgement and gratitude.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your sacrificial love. You loved us so much that you sent Your Son to rescue us. You gave generously. You gave Your one and only. Help us to truly see the magnitude of Your love. Help us to accept Your unconditional love for us. Teach us how to be generous, empathetic, sympathetic, and compassionate toward ourselves and others. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Selah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How being a friend of God transforms us

Transformative Love of Friendship
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

—John 15:13 (KJV)

I’ve never known a friendless day and for that blessing, I am grateful.

I was conceived with a bestie and soulmate. I’m an identical twin and we are very close. More than 40 years later, we still talk multiple times a day. We even spend time together multiple times a week if we can. My sister and I have a special bond. It’s the kind of relationship where we understand each other, even without speaking words. We have a close connection that I cannot describe. It’s a family and friend relationship in a class of its own.

Despite our bond of lasting love as twins, nothing compares to the transformative love of friendship with Jesus Christ. Jesus who is sinless, eternal, and sovereign, stepped from His glory in Heaven into our sin-ridden planet (Earth). He wrapped Himself in flesh to walk the earth that He created (Galatians 4:4-7). He became human in order to redeem fallen humanity and reconcile us to God (John 3:16-17). When our sins demanded our death, Jesus sacrificed Himself and died in our place to appease the wrath of God (Romans 6:23).

The love story of the Gospel can be summarized in a few words: God sacrificed His Son to save the ungodly–even His enemies. What amazing love! Maybe some humans would die for those who love them, or even for those whom they love. But Christ died for those who love Him and his enemies who hated Him.

Jesus admonishes His disciples to love one another (John 15:9-17). Loving one another includes caring for one another and bearing each other’s burdens. It includes sacrificing for each other—this is giving up something for the sake of another. Jesus continues His teaching when He said in John 15:13 (NLT), “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He expounds on the significance of the sacrifice that He would make. Laying down one’s life means sacrificing with all that you are—it is walking in humility and displaying love for your friends, even to your hurt. Then Jesus called His disciples His friends.

Here we see a transition as Jesus calls His disciples friends, whereas prior they called Him Master because they were servants. Christ’s friendship with these men transformed them from inexperienced students of the Bible to holders of God’s Word and later, teachers of His Word. Friendship with Jesus transformed these 12 men He chose to be His disciples and friends. It caused them to, though at first scattered by fear after Jesus was taken by Roman soldiers to start the journey to His death on the Cross, to stand boldly and proclaim the Good News after Christ’s resurrection. His friends had matured in their faith. Now they were ready to take on the mantle of ministry to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the world.

The love of Christ was evidenced by His words and His actions. He was a man of integrity. He always did what He said He would do. Jesus loved His disciples but because of this love, He corrected the disciples when needed (Proverbs 3:12) and taught them truth through grace. Jesus demonstrated the power of God through preaching, teaching, healing, and deliverance. Even today, more than 2,000 years later, his loving friendship still transforms.

Call to Action:

1. Think about it: Are you a friend of God?

2. God wants to be your friend. He is calling you gently with agape love. Will you answer His call?

3. Strive to be like Jesus Christ using friendship as a transformative tool to share His love for humankind around the world.

4. Let your friendship with Christ in your private life spill over into your public life because you never know who needs to experience it.

5. Remember: God’s friendship transforms us so that we can use our friendship with Him to transform others.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your transformative friendship and love for humankind. You took a step toward us even when we were running far away from You. You pursued us passionately and captured us with Your love. Thank You for never giving up on us. Give us a passion to befriend the friendless and unfriendly people in this world. Help us to shine the light of Jesus Christ into the dark places of this world. May our friendship with You give hope to others, even while it transforms us. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Selah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: How to know true love and live in love

True Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”—1 Corinthians 13:2 (NKJV)

I gasped as I witnessed an episode of road rage. Two cars sped by as one driver leaned out of the driver side window yelling obscenities while frantically waving his hands. The woman in the car to its left yelled back using offensive hand gestures. I was happy and relieved to see them drive far away from me.

Nowadays hatred and violence are all around us, but God’s love is very present. There are countless episodes of physical altercations, cyberbullying, injustice, discrimination, and verbal attacks in our world today. But we also experience random acts of kindness, outbreaks of joy, understanding, and safe spaces.

Darkness can never win when light is present. I can combat every display of evil with love. I can fight darkness with light. God loves humanity. He shows His love for us in various ways. He blesses us with life each day. He keeps us safe from harm. He spends time with us and provides for our needs. He even gives us what we want sometimes. Because God loves humanity passionately, He also wants us to do the same. As followers of Jesus Christ, our life’s mission should be to love.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul defines true love. He clearly explains how true love acts, feels, and what it sounds like. He is a witness of the overwhelming love of God. When he ignorantly was an enemy of God, God’s love surrounded him. God’s love pursued Him and confronted him with loving truth and revelation. God forgave his murderous ways and accepted him as a son, though he didn’t deserve it. Love saw every flaw and shortcoming of his yet embraced him still.

Paul was multi-talented and multi-gifted, yet he says, “If I have the gift of prophecy… but I don’t have love, I am nothing.” In other words, he asserts that you can be incredibly gifted but if you don’t have love, your life lacks one of life’s essentials. Paul was well-studied. He was gifted to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds. Paul was blessed to operate in several of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He was a gifted sailor, orator, teacher, writer, and witness for Jesus Christ. He won countless souls for Jesus. Paul was a mentor and founder of many Christian churches. He understood that love was most important in order to impact the world for the glory of God.

The Apostle Paul was a man of wisdom and great knowledge, yet he knew, in the words often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Love is transformative. Loving acts can melt the coldest heart and heal the deepest wound.

Love is essential to our survival. It is essential to living an abundant life and sharing the Good News with others. God is love. We who are His children on Earth should demonstrate love through our character, actions, and words. Paul teaches that only what we do for Christ will last. Therefore, we should not focus too much on our accolades and accomplishments that we make in this life on Earth because it is our possession of love that is most valuable and important. Love transforms people and situations. Love never fails!

Call to Action:

1. Assess your level of love for God, yourself, and others then check yourself.

2. Walk in humility, acknowledging that love is more important than your gifts, talents, work experience and knowledge.

3. Share the love of God with neighbors, loved ones, and enemies through your words and actions.

4. Share the Gospel message with others and allow your love to transform yourself first and others around you.

5. Remember: God’s love must be exemplified by His children (1 John 4:20).

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, there is no god like You. You are Love. You gave Your only Son (Jesus) because you love humankind. You sent Your Comforter (The Holy Spirit) because you love us. You sent Your Word (The Holy Bible) also because of your love for all of us. Thank You for loving us passionately, unconditionally, and with abandon. Teach us how to accept this unfathomable love, though we don’t deserve it and we can never comprehend it. Help us to love one another with a love so pure and pleasing to You. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Nothing Like Your Love” by Hillsong United. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Relentless” by Hillsong United. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Love is the More Excellent Way” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here. 

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: The cost Jesus paid because of His Love for us

The Cost of Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

—Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)

I first heard the expression, “easy to love”, many years ago. As I’ve matured, I’ve realized that love is neither easy nor free. It costs us dearly to love.

Love requires sacrifice. I’ve learned this as I’ve navigated my relationships over the years. True love requires thoughtfulness, vulnerability, kindness, understanding, compromise, clear communication, and service to the person you love. Love costs, but it is worth it. After all, in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, “It's better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.”

Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. His love for us moved Him to give His life in order to save us from the original payment due for our sins. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (KJV), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” A cross represents faith, commitment, principles of Christ, and most importantly the sacrifice of Christ for humankind. A cross has the international significance of suffering and sacrifice because of love.

True love is both valuable and costly. It is not without sacrifice. Because Jesus loves us, He gave up a very valuable thing: His life. He willingly died on the Cross at Calvary for us to pay the wages of sin, that was our debt, in full. We were His enemies (Romans 5:10), yet He died for us (John 3:16)! Christ’s love for us is unconditional and unchanging. It is impossible to understand why Christ would love us mere mortals as He does. Yet, I am grateful.

In Hebrews 5:8-10, the Apostle Paul reintroduces Jesus Christ. Paul highlights the Gospel message beautifully as he details that Jesus left His Throne in Heaven to become a man on Earth (Galatians 4:4-7). Jesus left His position of royalty—as the Creator of the universe—to become one of us. And He chose to suffer beyond words and die a cruel death on the cross so we could be reconciled to Him (John 3:16-17). He doesn’t want to live without us.

Though Jesus was the Son of God, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. His suffering perfected Him and prepared Him for God’s purpose and plan for His life. Christ’s choice to suffer speaks volumes about how deeply and passionately He loves humankind. He was willing to pay the cost of His love in order to save us from eternal death and permanent separation from God.

Have you considered the cost of your love for Christ? Is there tangible evidence of your faith walk? Does your love for Christ move to you please Him? Do you obey the Bible in loving your neighbors and enemies like God loves us? What has your faith walk cost you?

Walking by faith is a journey of sacrifice and at times, suffering. Like Christ, our suffering propels us into our purpose and life’s calling. Scripture assures us that if we suffer with Christ, we will also reign with Him. The cost of love will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come.

Call to Action:

Step #1: Examine your love for Christ. Assess your level of commitment to your faith by looking at your actions and inactions.

Step #2: Count the cost of your faith walk. Do you believe that your relationship with Christ is worthy of the sacrifice and suffering required?

Step #3: Practice gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. When someone gives you a gift, it is polite to say, “thank you.” Praising Jesus, in return, is offering thanks for His sacrifice. Praise Him often because He deserves it.

Step #4: Share the Gospel message with others along with the love of Christ. Practice kindness to neighbors, friends, and strangers. They will see your good works and glorify God.

Remember: God proved His love for humanity by sending His only Son (Jesus Christ) to redeem mankind. Christ proved His love for humankind by sacrificing His life for us. Will you reciprocate that love by giving Him your heart, repenting of your sins, and living for Christ every moment of your life?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You sent Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. You continue to profess and prove your love for us each day. Your love for us is incomprehensible and overwhelming at times in a good way. Even when we don’t reciprocate your undying adoration, you still love us. Father, we thank You. You’ve loved us in good times and bad times. Thank you, Lord! Some of us are suffering and going through tough times. Help us to see your hand in our difficulty. Help us to know that You are always there because You promised to never leave us or forsake us. Help us to reciprocate your enduring love and walk closely with You. May we feel loved, accepted, and protected by Your love. Thank You for hearing us and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “You Deserve It” by JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: When you want to know God more deeply

When You Receive A New Vision of God
A devotional by Essie Faye

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”—Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know of God.

My parents taught me to pray and believe in the God who created the universe. As a child, I attended Bible school faithfully. I witnessed for Jesus Christ to my friends in pre-school, telling my classmates about God’s love and the truth of His Word. I believed with all my heart that the God of the Bible was real, though He is invisible. My relationship with God runs deep. For years, I’ve had the pleasure of growing in my knowledge of God as I’ve walked with Him through life’s ups and downs. We’ve passed through celebratory times, times of loss and pain, and times of doubt and confusion. My faith has been tried. My love has been proven. Our relationship has been strengthened.

God has been faithfully by my side through it all and I’m grateful. Each decade of my life has had its challenges and triumphs, and God has seen me through each one with His loving presence. Somehow though, the more I’ve grown to know Him, the more I’ve wanted to know about Him. Can you relate?

I have a healthy dissatisfaction with my relationship with the God who sits on the circle of the earth. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal. Heaven is His throne and the Earth is His footstool (Isaiah 66:1). We cannot understand God. He is a mastermind and creative genius! The universe is His handiwork and the Earth declares His glory. How can one even begin to know such a being? It is too great for me. Yet, God takes time to love and accept humankind. He created the Earth to give us a place to live, and He provides our every need. What love! My heart is overwhelmed by the love of God and so I desire to know more about Him.

In Philippians (a book in The Holy Bible), we read the heart of a murderer converted to Christianity: the Apostle Paul. He was converted after being confronted by Jesus Christ who is the Son of the living God (Acts 9:1-19). Prior to this life-changing moment, Paul was devoted to Judaism and its practices. He believed that he was defending the faith against unbelievers and those who would destroy the truth of God. Later in his life, Paul realized he had it all wrong when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. This God-sent event changed Paul’s life and steered him in the right direction. Paul had a relationship with God. 

Prior to his conversion, Paul had dedicated much of his life to the study of God’s Word and keeping the practices of the law. He was zealous and impassioned to follow the God of Israel. Yet, like us, Paul had much to learn about God and His ways. Paul pens this letter to the church at Philippi many years after his conversion and after decades of walking the path God ordained for him. Yet, he still desires to know God deeply. He desired a new vision of God–a fresh experience with Him that would affirm their connection and deepen their relationship.

Let’s look at a few ways in which Paul wanted to know God:

Paul wanted to know God in the power of His resurrection. He wanted to experience the reality of God’s reviving power. In Philippians 3:10, Paul references the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which fulfills God’s Word over multiple generations. He affirms His faithfulness and His character. His resurrection unlocks hundreds of promises for His people. The power of His resurrection declares that He can do what no other power can do. Paul declares that he desires to know the essence of God’s character—who He really is. Is this a desire of ours? Do we really want to see God as He is as opposed to creating a God that we want? Do we want to acknowledge a God that we must obey and revere instead of making ourselves “god” and creating a false god who must obey us and fulfill our every command?

Paul wanted to know God in the fellowship of His suffering. Some lessons are only learned through suffering. When we are suffering, we discover who our real friends are, and we reflect in a way that we don’t when we are not suffering. In Philippians 3:11, Paul declared that he is willing to experience pain in order to know God deeply. He was willing to sacrifice comfort and even happiness in order to know the one true living God. Somehow there is fellowship, a connection or bond that is built when we suffer together. Are we willing to experience discomfort in order to grow in our faith walk with God? Or do we simply want comfort and a flowery bed of ease during this walk of faith?

Paul wanted to know God by experiencing elements of His death. He was willing to deny himself and follow Christ daily. He was willing to submit to the will of God, forsaking his own. He was willing to practice spiritual disciplines and live out his faith, even when his body doesn’t want to and in the face of many temptations. He declared, “I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NIV). When he would try to do God’s will, evil was present to oppose his good efforts and challenge his faith because there is a war between good and evil that we fight each day not only then but now. Are we willing, like Paul, to take up our cross and follow Christ in order to know Him?

Do you want to know God more deeply this year? What are you willing to do or refrain from doing in order to draw closer to Him? Are you willing to spend time practicing spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, solitude, and fellowship in order to practice the presence of God and hear His voice? Do you desire to catch a new vision of God in 2025? Are you willing to have new experiences with Him that cause you to see Him in a new light? Are you willing to do the work to nurture your relationship with God and deepen your love and commitment to your faith? I am. Let’s do it together!

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, You are the God of the Universe. We are Your children and we want to know You more. Lord, help us to grow to know you more deeply. Cause us to see you in a new light and with a fresh perspective. Help us to reject Satan’s lies about You and walk in the truth of Your essence. Draw us closer to You. Thank You for hearing us and answering. In Your Son, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "Oh, I Want to Know You More" by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn