Devotionals for the Heart: When you're wondering if you can trust God

Can You Fully Trust God?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”—Jeremiah 17:5-7 (NIV)

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” is one of my favorite songs. It’s a classic.

The melody is easy. The words are simple to understand. There is one line that has become my constant prayer because I know my trust in Him will be tested often. My prayer is, “Lord, give me grace to trust You more.”

In high school, I had a teacher who taught us that trust is earned. That lesson has stayed with me over the years, particularly when people would say, often without prompting, “You can trust me.” Yet, they have only known me for five minutes.

How do you develop trust? Trust is developed in relationships when people have shared a variety of experiences together. When we first met at a youth rally, my husband did something very interesting. We had a brief conversation, but afterwards he spent the next couple of days doing research on me. He wanted to know who I was, so he did what anyone does when they’re interested in a subject: they research. This, I found very admirable. It meant that he was serious in wanting to truly know me to establish a solid relationship. Do you know that God knows us intimately right down to the very number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7).

According to Psalm 139:1-4, God tells us how important we are to Him and how much He loves us. He knows what we think, when we sit down, and how we move. When my husband tells me he loves me, it means a lot to me. When God tells us He loves us and shows us in His Word (The Holy Bible) how very important we are to Him, He wants us to know this so that we know we can trust Him. If God were to ask us to use a measure of 1 to 10—with 10 being the highest—to rate our trust in Him, how would we rate our level of trust and confidence in Him?

As we read the Scriptures, study them, and learn about who the Lord is, and see His character revealed throughout the historical records, our love for Him grows. Our confidence in Him grows. Our trust in Him should also grow. Our confidence in a God who never changes—He is the same yesterday, today, and forever—can be grounded in certainty.

Reading about Him and communicating with Him in prayer is one thing, but the greater test comes from obeying His commands. God knows what He is asking us to do, even though it may seem difficult for us. He wants us to believe He is in control. He wants us to obey Him and trust that He will work things together for our good as His Word declares in Romans 8:28. When I think about someone who was obedient to God even though it was dangerous, was Corrie Ten Boom. I highly recommend you read her book, The Hiding Place.

Corrie Ten Boom and her family rescued and hid hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. Someone betrayed her family, causing them to be arrested and taken to a concentration camp to be punished. They endured excruciating pain, heartache, stress, and torture by their enemies. Yet, because she learned from a very young age to put her faith in the One who sees, hears, and knows all things, she was set up to face this tumultuous period in her life.

Corrie felt pain in her mind, in her body, and in her soul, but after enduring, she had this to say about her God: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Although she suffered and was severely persecuted, Corrie did not backtrack on her love, commitment, and faith in her God. Her love was strengthened and her commitment grounded deeper.

Many times, it is through our suffering that our trust becomes deeper and our love for the Lord grows stronger. If you’re in a struggle right now, consider journaling the things God is teaching you as you sit in the pain. Yes, the struggle is real, but God’s love is also. Be encouraged!

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, today I trust You with my life. I do not know what the future holds, but I know that You hold the future. I’ve heard and seen You do wonderful things for others, so I trust You with my future. I trust You, Lord. Please give me grace to trust You more, especially when my mind and my heart are overwhelmed. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Trust Me” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

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

Song of Reflection #3: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology "Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit", as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to persevere and move forward

Stay in the Race
A devotional by Desiree Future

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”—Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

As I was approaching my fifty-second birthday, I realized that I was very overweight. Exercise was difficult for me because of underlying health problems. However, I knew I had to find a way to get around that obstacle.

By the grace of God, I received notice of a walking-step challenge. This would be perfect since I had to shed a few pounds. Having to walk a set amount of steps every day gave me the motivation I needed. My friend joined me in this challenge and that was even better. I was so eager to start the five-week challenge that I didn’t thoroughly read all the requirements. Somehow, I misread the instructions and didn’t notice you had to take 1,000 steps per day.

As a cancer survivor, I live with side effects from the medications. It limits what I can and cannot do. Having to walk 1,000 steps every day made me cringe. But I had already committed to it. There was a week for warm-ups when I walked almost 1,000 steps in one day. That was truly a record for me. Normally I get about 3,000 to 5,000 daily steps in, depending on how I’m feeling.

During the first week, when the steps counted toward the goal, I averaged 5,600 steps. My four teammates averaged about 1,300 steps. Needing to reach the goal or at least catch up to the others, I vowed to work harder but my body simply wouldn’t cooperate with my mind. At one point I thought, “Why would God bring me here to be the person with the lowest score on my team?” To me, there was no logic behind it.

The following week I averaged 6,400 steps. One of those days I walked 10,200 steps! However, that was nowhere near what my teammates did. They averaged twice the amount and more of myself. I wanted to quit because I felt like I was holding my team down. I felt like a complete failure. How could I not have read the fine print of what I was joining and gotten my friend to join me as well?

My friend and I discussed this in great lengths. She said it doesn’t matter about your place number. It matters that you’re in the race. Her words of wisdom blew my mind. I was so focused on my low score that I missed the biggest picture: My name was listed as part of the team.

Here I was, questioning why God sent me to be the last person. To me, it just didn’t make any sense because I was holding my team back—or so I thought. When, in fact, He sent me to be one of the people on the team.

In life, sometimes we tend to only look at the smaller picture. However, God always has the biggest picture for us. For instance, that tiny pebble that you see among the larger rocks could be the biggest and brightest diamond ever. You just need to look past the size to see its actual value.

After the walking-step challenge ended, I felt renewed. Even with my health challenges, I still managed to stay in the race. Not only that but I took off a week due to having the flu then after I recovered, I jumped right back in.

God’s purpose for me the entire time, I learned, was to stay in the race.

Let’s Pray: Father God, I’m not sure who needs this message but please let them know they can do this. They just need to stay in the race and keep the pace with You by their side, allowing You to guide them every step of the way. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Walk with You” by Michael Bethany. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Pieces” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to survive life's storms and hardships

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Through Hardships
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”—Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

I am currently reading the Bible study, “Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom” by (in)courage ministries. Week three talks about how wisdom is learned through experience. For day three, they ask for you to read the verse above and answer, “How do we not lose heart in the midst of hardships?”

My answer is: We must fix our eyes on Jesus Christ.

This is a difficult task when we are in the middle of a storm and cannot see the sunlight creeping through the dark clouds. But once the storm passes and we look back at our hardship we can clearly see that Jesus was with us the whole time. How do we remind ourselves that Jesus is with us during the storms? We can list all the previous storms of life we’ve been through and remember how Jesus helped us through them.

I want to provide encouragement today to whoever may be in the middle of a storm. Please know that you are not alone in this storm. Jesus is sitting right there with you, surrounding you, and providing comfort. You are going to overcome whatever situation you are in and you are going to be stronger. You’ll gain wisdom and will help others who may have gone through similar storms later on in life.

The Bible study reminds us that, “Wisdom is gained in suffering when we turn our eyes to look for God in our circumstances—even when we can’t seem to see Him or hear Him.” So, if you are in the middle of the storm, I challenge you to search for God. Where do you see Him in this situation? Ask Him, “What wisdom are you trying for me to gain in this season?”

I know this isn’t easy but God is always there.

Let’s Pray: Lord, You know everyone’s circumstances. You know what we need before we ask. I pray for the reader of this devotional who may be in the middle of the storm. Please provide comfort for them. Show them that You are there in the storm with them and remind them that they are not alone. Lord, help them see You. Teach them how to seek You when it feels like their circumstances are too much. You are a great God! Help us to remember when we face the storms of life that, as the Bible says, “This too shall pass.” Thank You for Your wisdom, Lord. And thank You for your comfort. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Eye of the Storm” (feat. GabeReal) by Ryan Stevenson. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Heidy De La Cruz is daughter of Christ, a wife, and a mother.

She writes poetry and encouraging spiritual blog posts.

Heidy shares her faith and life in hopes of encouraging women. She hosts the podcast, "The American Dream in The Eye of Immigrants" where immigrants share their stories about moving to the United States of America.

Heidy holds a master's degree in Healthcare Administration and bachelor's degree in Psychology. She works as a Medical Coding Specialist.

In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and two kids.

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Connect with Heidy:
Blog/Newsletter: https://intomythoughts.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidyreynoso13
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/intheeyesofimmigrantstheamericandream

Devotionals for the Heart: Think about what Jesus Christ means to you

What Does Jesus Mean to You?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” –Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Recently someone asked me a question. It was simple and straightforward and yet for a moment, I stuttered. The question was, “What does Jesus mean to you?”

How can I describe in a word all that He means to me when He means so much? How would you answer that question? Let’s try. Can you do it in 15 words or less? Try. Take a moment now to say it out loud and answer the question.

I hope I wasn't alone in the struggle of trying to express my feelings. To describe someone who means everything to you is just not easy. I love the scripture in Romans 5:5 that tells us "hope does not put us to shame." Can you remember times when you have hoped and longed for something, and it didn’t happen when you hoped it would? The only way we get through these times is through the comfort of the love of God. His love reassures us that He not only has our lives in control but that everything that happens while we wait, though it may be hard and discouraging at times, is producing character in our lives.

Read Romans 5:3-4 (ESV) again, which tells us: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

How can we rejoice in suffering? Well, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:12 (ESV): “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” So, if you’re suffering because of your faith, you can rejoice and be glad for there is a reward awaiting you in heaven! Heaven, you say? Yes, there is a reward in Heaven. We’ll be able to receive it when we get there. This gives me hope!

This great hope reminds me that my life does not consist of what is only here on Earth, in the here and now. I can believe that and rejoice in this fact because God honors His word. God’s word gives me hope. And hope does not bring shame. Hope gives me something to look forward to. This is why Jesus means HOPE to me.

I am always saying God is faithful. He does what He says. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore, I can rest in the promise and truth of His Word. Yes, there will be sufferings, but they produce endurance. Endurance produces character and character produces hope. Don’t you dare give in or give up! Jesus came to this Earth. Yes, He died but He rose again just like He said He would. So, if Jesus did what He said He would do then, you and I can rest assured that the hope Jesus promised when He was here on earth will surely come to fruition.

We will never have to feel shame because we believe what He promised. We may have to wait but remember we are developing endurance in the journey. So be encouraged! He is our hope!

Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank You again for Your Word that never changes. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ who brought us hope for not only today but for the future. In all our grief and in all our suffering we praise You that we are developing endurance that produces character and produces hope. Help us to trust the process in spite of the pain. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “God is Our Hope” by Toronto Mass Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is an encourager. She passionately uses her gifting as an author, speaker, pastor, recording artist, worship leader and coach. 

Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body & Spirit (a book that she wrote) was an Amazon Bestseller in October 2020.

Patricia sings! She has released two CDs titled Draw Me Nearer and Lord I Trust You.

She also travels to speak to audiences internationally.

When she is not ministering to save souls in God’s Kingdom, Patricia enjoys reading, writing and connecting like-minded people who can sharpen each other in the journey to their dreams and goals.

As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, her desire is to coach others to live life to the fullest by understanding their gifting from God and using it.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotional Book Spotlight and Giveaway hosted by Rachael Adams

The Inspiration Behind “A Little Goes a Long Way”

A guest post by Rachael Adams

During a dinner conversation with new friends at a writer’s conference, I had an epiphany moment. I was sharing my background and ministry with my mealtime companions as we were getting to know one another. I told them about hosting The Love Offering podcast, where I interview others about how they are living out the greatest commandment. Trying to get to know me better, one woman asked if I ever hosted a solo show. After a brief pause, I responded. “No. I haven’t done a solo show because I doubt what I have to offer.”

How ironic, right? I host The Love Offering podcast and yet I question my own contributions.

Once I returned home, I continued wrestling with this tension in my heart. I wondered if other women were struggling in this area too, so I polled my podcast listeners about how much they felt they had to offer God and others. On a scale of one to ten, with one being nothing and ten being a lot, the average answer was a three. When asked if they believed their contribution mattered, 83% responded no. I had hypothesized this would be the case, however, these findings were even more startling than I presumed.

Would your response be similar? Do you question whether your contributions matter, too?

We want our lives to count, but feel minuscule like our ordinary, everyday moments will never amount to anything. We take stock of the families we were born into, the towns we grew up in, and the positions we serve in, then determine that they are of little value. If we aren’t careful, we can start to believe that who we are, where we are, and what we are doing doesn’t really matter.

But friend, nothing could be further from the truth. Despite living in a culture where bigger is seen as better, I've discovered that a significant life is actually simpler than we think. A quick prayer between errands, a meal shared with family, or a short text to a friend means something in God’s kingdom. We can affect others while standing in the check-out line or sitting on the game-field sidelines, while walking the dog or talking to a colleague at work.

Contrary to how you may feel, every little thing you do can go a long way in God’s hands. Through my devotional A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life, I hope to help you believe that when you partner with God, He can use even the most minute things to affect eternity in ways beyond what you can imagine.

If you are longing for significance and questioning whether your contributions matter, I’d love to help you realize how important what you do is and how significant you truly are. It isn’t about doing more but trusting in the value of all the little you are already doing. Grab your copy of A Little Goes a Long Way and watch God take your everyday actions and transform them for His eternal purposes. A significant life is simpler (and smaller) than you think.

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Author Bio:

Author of A Little Goes a Long Way and host of The Love Offering podcast Rachael Adams hopes to help women realize their God-given purpose and significance.

She and her husband, Bryan, run a family business and farm in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate, and two dogs.

Her work has been featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, by searching @rachaeladamsauthor on social media, and by tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform.

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Blurb for A Little Goes a Long Way:

A significant life is more simple than you think.

 

In a culture where bigger is seen as better, it’s easy to wonder if your quick prayer between errands or the short note you text a friend means anything in God's kingdom.

Contrary to how you may feel, every little thing you do can go a long way in God's hands. 

Partnering with God unlocks the eternal significance of the smallest act. In fifty-two devotions, Rachael Adams exemplifies this empowering truth and shares personal stories of how God values each deed, practical actions for lasting impact, and encouraging prayers that reveal how much your contributions matter.

Watch God take your everyday actions and transform them for his eternal purposes.

~*~

Buy Rachael's book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book, and Walmart

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Connect with Rachael:
Website: https://www.rachaelkadams.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachaeladamsauthor

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for when your faith is on life support

Hope For When Your Faith is on Life Support
A devotional by Sarah Cole 

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” –Mark 11:22-24 (NIV)

Skyrocketing gas prices, empty shelves in stores, a border in chaos. These are just a few examples of what the media tells us is occurring in the United States each day.

We're certainly a nation desperate for good news.

Like many Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, I live from paycheck to paycheck, and the pain at the pump—and everywhere else—makes me wonder if there's hope on the horizon. Maybe you've had your doubts, too.

Sometimes, the cares of this world consume us, and when the Good News (The Gospel of Jesus Christ) takes a backseat to bad news, we often allow fear to hijack our faith. This results in spiritual amnesia, because we forget about God’s sovereignty, His promises, and His power. 

In times like these, we need reminders of who God is and what He’s done. In other words, we need a faith reset. In Romans 10:17 (NKJV), Paul writes that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This verse tells us that when life throws us one curveball after another, God's promises are the anchor that keeps our faith strong. Strong faith is worth the time and effort it takes to build it.

For the past several months I've been working out with my personal trainer, and thanks to my partnership with Carrie, I’m stronger than ever. But it took a lot of patience, discipline, and hard work to get there. Faith, like a muscle, won’t grow without resistance, so unless adversity tests our belief system, we will remain spiritual infants, at the mercy of one crisis after another.

I am grateful that God is never taken by surprise, and that He—not the government, or the economy—is my “ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 in the Berean Study Bible). He is an immovable anchor during the storm, and He is the same “yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 ESV). If God can raise Jesus from the grave, supply manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4), and part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), He will do the miraculous in your life, too—even when the bottom falls out and your faith is on life support.

Friend, whatever bad news is keeping you up at night, Jesus knows all about it, He is in control, and He cares deeply for you. I encourage you to take a deep breath, lay your burdens at his feet, and consider taking these steps:

Step #1: Take an inventory of all the ways God provided for you this year, especially when you least expected it. I think you will see His fingerprints all over your life.

Step #2: Make a faith declaration. Tell yourself in your own words that whatever crisis is threatening to take you under, God keeps His promises, and He will take care of you, regardless of what you hear on the news.

Step #3: Find promises in the Bible that address your challenges and start committing them to memory. Develop a library of truth in your mind, so the next time fear rears its ugly head, your faith will be in the driver’s seat.

Someone once said that fear appears instantly in the dark, but faith, like a photo, takes time to develop. As you step out in faith today, remember that Jesus walks with you, He sees the twists and turns ahead, and He will take you safely to your next destination.

That’s good news you can count on.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for taking such wonderful care of me in every season, both lean and plentiful. When the news goes from bad to worse, help me remember the good news that You are in control, and You will equip me to handle whatever comes my way. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “In Times Like These” by the Cadet Sisters. Listen here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. As she got older, her mother’s chronic illness inspired her to design a line of greeting cards. 

Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their “Best of” spread.

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Guideposts (magazine) Mysterious Ways. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

During this year (2022) and the next (2023), Sarah’s devotionals will be published in The Secret Place by Judson Press, as well as David C. Cook’s Devotions and The Quiet Hour. To this day, she smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she’s not writing, Sarah enjoys watching cooking shows, designing cards and mugs, and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: Waiting on God to answer your prayers

Are We There Yet?
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

“Are we there yet?”

My 9-year-old son broke the silence of a three-hour drive to visit family.

As we stopped at a traffic light, he projected his voice so that it was audible over the background music playing softly in the car. His wide eyes were filled with expectancy.

He was trying to read the GPS that was suspended from the middle interior of the windshield. He was happy to learn that there were only six minutes remaining for the trip, but he was also perplexed. We had made that drive a few times in the past, but this time he did not recognize his surroundings. Everything outside the car window looked unfamiliar. He did not realize that we were directed to take a different route this time. The GPS indicated that we were almost there. But from his perspective, the destination was nowhere in sight.

It reminded me of the times when I prayed to God about various situations.

Sometimes God answered how I expected, and other times He chose to take me in an unfamiliar direction to get to my destination. Many times, I asked God, “Are we there yet?”

I felt like the path where He was leading was not the right way. I thought I knew the course, based on my previous experiences with Him. Although the destination was the same, His path to get there was entirely different, and it was so much better. Sometimes instead of just trusting God in His infinite wisdom, I try so hard to figure Him out. I can almost hear God speaking to me, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

The ways of Almighty God can never be predicted. They are above and beyond what we can ever imagine. When life seems to be taking us in one direction, remember that God is in control. No matter how He chooses to lead, He always has our best interest at heart. Even when we cannot recognize our surroundings, God sees the road ahead, and His way is always the best way.

Let’s Pray: Father God, Thank you for Your divine guidance. We know that our ways are not Your ways, and we give You control over our plans. Even when we cannot see You or feel You, help us to trust You in all things. We place our lives in Your hands. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in NJ. She found her love for writing when she was in elementary school. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood. 

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled, Just When I Thought I Knew God, and a children's book that is not yet published.

In 2021, Angela started writing articles for an online magazine called Christian Women Living, where she focuses on writing messages for mothers and sharing advice on parenting. In addition to this, Angela wrote a devotional that is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book title is Hope When Your Heart is Heavy.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing as well as speaking. She is the co-founder of Anchor Moms, a ministry to cure loneliness in Motherhood. Currently, this ministry meets via a group on Facebook.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson, for 17 years. Together, they have two sons: Thomas (age 9) and Ryan (age 4). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling, and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her personal mission is to empower others to achieve their goals and dreams.

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Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook fan page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God:
https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/

Devotionals for the Heart: How my faith in God relates to my need to nap

Jesus and My Nap 180
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

—Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

I’ve always hated naps. For as long as I can remember, unless I had the flu, was pregnant, or had a sleep-chaotic newborn in the house, I refused even the idea of a snooze.

“They make me nauseous,” I’d say.

It was true—I’d put my head down and wake up ten or twenty or sixty minutes later, and for the rest of the day, my stomach would be in knots. And in truth, I had a bias about them, too. In my heart of hearts, I thought naps were for the lazy, for those who sat around eating chocolate and kicking up their feet, for those not driven to make their mark in the world as I was.

Oh, dear, naïve, and completely incorrect Younger Me…

In the last few years, I’ve discovered the power of naps both from a physical and mental health perspective. More importantly, I’ve discovered how tied in naps are with my surrender to the Lord, to my relinquishment of control on the tight grip I hold on life. I guess you could say I’ve done a nap-180, done a complete about-face on my former nap-hating perspective.

I’m not exactly sure when I discovered the power of naps, but I suspect my brain-shift happened shortly after Matt and I got married. See, I was always a workhorse before I had kids, but after I became a single mom with a demanding and wonderful full-time job, I’d often get by on four or five hours of sleep a night. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” I’d quip. If the sun was up—or the moon—there was work to do and adventures to be experienced.

But then came Matt, a partner to help with it all. Slowly, I relaxed. I didn’t have to do it all on my own. I started getting seven hours of sleep a night, then eight, then nine. I began to heal and truly listen to my body. Before, when stress got overwhelming, I’d slug back some coffee and push through. Now, I became more introspective. I read the Bible more. I meditated on things like “surrender.”

One day, I was so overwhelmed with deadlines that I felt ill. I’d overcommitted (as usual!), and I felt frazzled and unfocused. I wanted to give my best work, but my brain just wasn’t working right. I was weepy and completely “off.”

So I left the office, went home, and slid fully dressed between the sheets. An hour later, I woke up. And you know what? The sky hadn’t fallen because I’d taken a short break. My body and mind were refreshed and reset. I found I was no less productive because of it. (In fact, perhaps I was more productive.)

In essence, I “gave it over to God,” surrendering my will as I lay my head on that pillow. Since then, I have come to genuinely enjoy naps. I try to keep them short, and I don’t nap every day. But if I get that familiar restlessness within my soul, that “everything depends on me and I have to do X, Y, Q, and Z now or this will happen!” feeling, that feeling that I want to binge on cereal until everything feels better, I’ve come to realize that’s my body and brain’s way of expressing overwhelm.

And when I feel that overwhelm, there’s only one solution: God.

I can’t fix everything, and cereal and excessive worry or control can’t make everything wrong in my life get better, or the deadlines disappear. But God is at the helm of my ship. He’s in control, not me. I relinquish my life to Him. In Isaiah 41:10 (ESV), God reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

God is in control, not me, and when I remember to nap instead of looking to myself to handle everything, it becomes—at least for me—an act of spiritual surrender.

I suspect King David understood this when he penned Psalm 63:1 (ESV), which begins, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Are you in a place where you find it hard to surrender to God or relinquish control? Is something about this devotional speaking to your heart?

I invite you to pray, and let God take over.

Let’s Pray: Holy Lord, thank You for your righteous and loving control over all things. You created this world, and You created me. Help me take comfort in the pure knowledge that in You, I am safe. No matter what happens in this life, in You I have eternal salvation because I trust in You and I accept and follow Your son, Jesus Christ, as my Savior. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a weekly YouTube devotional and podcast. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: When God chooses you to do a mighty work

The One You Least Expect
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts.” –Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

I have been listening to my Bible app quite a lot lately, and when the story of David and Goliath was read to me, I was especially attentive.

The Bible says that David was a warrior and the future King of Israel. I have always enjoyed this story, ever since I was a little girl. However, once I became an adult, and after I have witnessed much and experienced much in life, the story of David and Goliath resonated with me even more.

This story of David’s battle with Goliath can be found in 1 Samuel, Chapter 17. Goliath taunts the Israelite army and they become terrified and deeply shaken by his threats. But David is courageous enough to face this “giant”. When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul doubted his abilities to battle Goliath and win. After David describes his previous fights with lions and bears—ones that Saul was not aware of—Saul then grants David’s request for a one-on-one dual with Goliath. I think most of us who spent time in Bible study and church service, know how the story ends: Using only a sling and a stone, David takes down the giant and chops off his head.

What a victory! Right? However, when you look closer as you read this story, you see that David was not confident in himself. Better than that, David’s confidence was in the Lord. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was on his side and that victory was already attained. What a powerful realization that can serve as a life lesson to us today!

This story makes me think about how we shouldn’t count out people who God has counted in. We shouldn’t judge people based on their physical appearance. The Bible says that “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT).

David may have been younger and shorter in stature compared to many of the soldiers in the Israelite army. He may have been considered untrained by some–lacking the required credentials to go up against such a large man. Yet, the one whom many considered unqualified was the very one God had chosen. They say that “God doesn’t call the qualified; He equips the called.” And that is very true in this case. God equipped little shepherd boy David to successfully slay an enemy that even the most experienced soldiers feared.

The story of David and Goliath also makes me think of the story of Samuel and his mission to anoint the next king of Israel. Saul had lost favor with God due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:10-11), and David was selected to be Saul’s successor (1 Samuel 16:12). After seeing all of Jesse’s sons, and after Samuel made his own assumptions of who would be the next king by considering appearance only, in the end, it was evident that David was the one. He was the youngest of all of his brothers and the “least expected”, but he was to be the next king.

Unlike David, we may never be a king or queen. Many of us may not do something heroic that will gain national or international attention. However, we all have been issued a God-given assignment that is of utmost importance! God has called each of us to do something extraordinary for Him, and He has given all of us the necessary tools to carry out that assignment and to complete it successfully.

Our specific assignments may differ. Yet, the ultimate goal is the same: To bring God glory!

So if someone looks at you as though you do not matter or says to you that you are not important, that you do not have any of the necessary credentials, that you have nothing to contribute, or that you are not capable of accomplishing a certain goal, remind yourself of David’s story. Remember that the one who is often underestimated is the one who is often destined to do great things. Also, keep in mind that we all have a little bit of David in us.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, Thank You for equipping us to do a mighty work for you! Help us to always listen to you and follow your lead in this life. Help us to not be afraid of any giant in this world. Make us brave like David and help us remember that it’s “not by might, nor by power” but by Your Spirit that we overcome the obstacles we face. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Temeka’s devotional today reminds me of the song “Not By Might” performed by Leslie Phillips. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name “Positivity Inspires,” is an author, speaker, minister, PharmD, multi-state licensed pharmacist, founder and owner of Positivity Inspires, LLC, and most importantly, a servant of the Lord. 

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.
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Dr. Borden has been blessed with a variety of gifts, and she has gained much professional experience in a variety of settings. She also has served in administrative roles in the professional and church settings. In addition to obtaining her PharmD, she also obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology (minor in English), and she is working on her third degree. What’s more, as stated in her words, “I completed a specialty pharmacy residency that prepared me for the workforce and made me a force to be reckoned with.”

Temeka is a long-distance runner, a drummer, a singer, and she has a strong “fashion sense.” She also can read and type at almost supersonic speed in some instances.

Dr. Borden loves to learn and is constantly looking for new ways to challenge herself.

She loves God and she loves people. She is “crazy about her family,” and she adores her friends. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone.

Temeka loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments.

Dr. Borden loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh. She also is passionate about giving back to the community. Her favorite sayings are “Speak Up!” and “Watch God Work!”

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Connect with Temeka:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PositivityInspiresPage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivity_inspires/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinspires

Devotionals for the Heart: Confidence

Confidence in the God Who Sees
A devotional by Tema Banner

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

Let’s talk about the Bible story of Hagar who was an Egyptian slave to Sarai and Abram.

Frustrated that she could not have children of her own with her husband (Abram) and not willing to wait any longer on God to fulfill His promise of blessing Abram with a child naturally through Sarai’s womb and make him the “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:1-8), Sarai gave Hagar to Abram in hopes of producing her longed-for son.

In our time that seems anything but honorable, but it was a common practice in Biblical times. But when Hagar becomes pregnant by Abram, Sarai quickly changes her mind when she feels her position is weakened. She mercilessly mistreats Hagar to the point that Hagar flees. She finds herself in a desolate place, alone and with child.

Imagine the distress and treatment that would cause her to flee to a barren, desolate land. How many times have we found ourselves in such a place?

It may have been our own choices and actions that place us there—I know this is true for me. But for others, it is treatment forced on them. My journey to the barren land has always been driven by my own desires instead of being obedient to God. However, had I not known it before, the last few weeks have shown that many in the country in which I live (United States of America) have been marginalized, mistreated, silenced, and ignored all because their skin is a different color.

But there is hope because Elohim Roi (The God who sees) is our God. He is just and has told us to “act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly” with Him (Micah 6:8).

Despite my unfaithfulness and foolish choices, God saw me in my isolation, and He did not leave me alone. He is ever faithful. How much more will He see those who are mistreated and alone all for the way He created them? He will surely rescue them and deliver them from oppression. He is the God who sees. If you follow Him, you will be part of that rescue by His Holy Spirit working in you and through you.

God told Hagar to return to Sarai, but He also told her that she would give birth to a son. Hagar would find herself back in the desert when Abram, at Sarai’s insistence and God’s agreement, sends her and her son, Ishmael, away. Again, God sees her, alone, afraid, expecting to die for lack of water. He provides for her needs and promises that her son will live and become a great nation.

God always sees us, though sometimes we struggle to feel His presence. It is most often in our times of greatest distress, when situations are beyond our control, when we are at our weakest, that He reminds us that at such times His strength is there to lift us up.

When the world seems the most out of control, have confidence that God is not surprised by any of it and He sees you.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you that You see me, that You love us so much that You sent Jesus, your son, our Savior to rescue us. May your peace and love fill our hearts to overflowing, spilling onto all those who come near. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

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Author Bio:

Writing stories that take the reader on a journey to parts unknown has been a lifelong love for Tema. She enjoys all history and continues daily to hone both her knowledge of history and her writing skills.

God is her guiding light and the reason for every endeavor in her life. She is a member of the South Carolina ACFW chapter as well as an active member of her local RWA chapter, Carolina Romance Writers.

Tema has served as past President and Secretary as well as holding various chair positions. She is the honored recipient of the Harold Lowery Service Award, presented by the Carolina Romance Writers.

God has gifted her with a loving husband, two children and three grandchildren who are the delight of her life. In her spare time, she gardens and digs into genealogy for nuggets to use in her stories.

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Connect with Tema:
Website: https://temabannerauthor.com
Blog: www.temabannerauthor.com/blog
Instagram: Instagram.com/temabanner

Devotionals for the Heart: Courage

Courage, Dear Heart
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” –2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)

This month of May is the beginning of real spring here in Massachusetts.

The garden is coming alive, the trees are budding, the bulbs are all up, the bees have come back, and all of nature is growing. If you had seen my gardens in March, you'd see that it was a mess filled with mud and twisted brown horribleness. The weather was awful, the news was worse. It was downright depressing inside and outside. But there was an unseen process that was going on. Under that mud and bracken the world was waking up.

For a lot of folks, these last few weeks have been a season of affliction. Many of us have lost loved ones, our financial health, and maybe even our overall sense of security. The world doesn’t look the same way it did just a few weeks ago. Plans have changed. Hopes for the future have changed. The world has changed. But this verse above is the reminder that the world is always changing. As Christians there is no guarantee of easy days and prosperity, because our hope is not in this earth—it is in Heaven.

There is nothing here for us that is not transitory. Our country’s history, as meaningful and epic as it is, is still a blip on the record of time. Our homes, our jobs … all of it is momentary and ephemeral when set against the eternity that waits for us.

When it all gets to be too much, when I’m too anxious about the future or panicked about a present crisis, that’s when I try to remind myself that what I’m going through might feel like everything—all-encompassing, insurmountable, the ONLY thing—but that’s my brain telling me lies. God has me in His hands. My life is His. He knows what I’m experiencing and where it’s going to end. He’s written every chapter of the book I’m living and what I need to do is to trust Him.

A big part of trusting in God during these times of affliction is the stuff that we’re all taught to do in Sunday School, but we often forget. Read your Bible, pray as often as you can, reach out to other believers and share your struggles, share the Gospel with others. It’s the basics of having our inner selves renewed. We’re in the Refiner’s fire. Let it burn away the petty things that don’t matter: the things that weigh us down. Like the hymn by Helen Howarth Lemmel says: ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus/Look full in His wonderful face/And the things of earth will grow strangely dim/In the light of His glory and grace.”

When affliction comes—and boy has it—remember that we are God’s children. He loves us. When it gets rough, raise your eyes and your heart from the earthly to the eternal. God is with us. “Courage, dear heart.”

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Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's View

A Higher Perspective
A devotional by Wade Webster

“As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

I've spent the better part of the past thirty years or so driving trucks for a living, 18-wheelers mostly. Like any job, it has its good parts and its bad parts. Sharing the roads with people who seem to routinely make unwise maneuvers while driving on the road, has got to be the worst part of it.

I've seen so many not so smart moves on the road that I've learned to expect other drivers to do the most unexpected thing. That way I'm not disappointed very often. Yes, if I'm totally vulnerable with y'all, I have to admit to performing my share of not so smart things while being behind the wheel myself.

I've hauled everything from dirt to a fully tripped out military Hummer. I delivered Christmas mail and completely decorated Christmas trees. It's been quite frustrating when I have a load of mattresses while forcing myself to stay awake while driving down the interstate.

I've lost count on how many kids have pumped their fist in the air at me just to get me to blow my own air horn. God only knows how many bugs have splatted on my windshields over the years. I've endured my share of blown tires and breakdowns. Driven through thunderstorms and blizzards … all for the satisfaction of a job well done ... and a paycheck, of course.

Oh, sure, there are many disadvantages to pulling a small warehouse down the road, like turning a corner on city streets. It's considered bad luck to run over nice people who are simply trying to cross that same intersection. So why won't those not so smart drivers back up in the left turn lane so I can swing out far enough to keep my rig off the sidewalk? Yes, it does take three lanes to safely maneuver a right hand turn.

One of the main advantages of driving a big rig is the ability to see farther down the road than most drivers. My driver's seat sits so high it's like I'm sitting on the roof of a large SUV or pickup. I do my best to look over those four-wheelers so I can slow down when I see brake lights glaring ahead of us...even if drivers who are zooming around me don't trust my judgment. Their brake lights work eventually.

My ability to see ahead better than other drivers reminds me of God's perspective in my life. Isaiah 55:8-9 explains this better than I can: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I don't know about you, but my life hasn't made much sense for quite some time now. I know I'm ready for a career change. That's for sure. But I trust God always works things together to make me more like Jesus Christ everyday.

I remind myself that God has an eternal perspective on everything that sees much more than I ever will. His plans might not make sense to me now, but someday they may. Even if they never do I still trust my heavenly Father to keep me safe and build me into the child He wants me to be.

Whatever you're facing in your life that doesn't make sense to you, trust God to see what's ahead in your life that needs this training you're going through now.

Even if it's painful, God will use it for His glory.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wade Webster is a farm boy turned city slicker, heathen turned born-again Christian, truck driver turned writer doing his best to point folks to his best friend, Jesus Christ. 

He currently lives in Plano, Texas.

Wade is the author of 100 Prayers of a Writer, a book that didn't begin as a book, just weekly prayers to a group of writer friends.

He enjoys spending time in nature, running for exercise and dark chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. Apart from driving 18-wheelers for a living he has a part-time job painting houses on the side...and the front and back and inside.

As a teenager, he told his friends he never wanted to be considered normal. So far he's done a pretty good job of living up to that aspiration.

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for your heart in troubled times

Hope in Desperate Times
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

How are you holding up these days?

As I write this, the world is in the midst of a pandemic. My husband has been furloughed from his job, and at mine, my staff has had their hours cut and the administration has let me know that I will likely be next.

Our family is facing the fear of illness and death as well as a financial disaster, just like so many others. Those are the plain facts. But it’s also spring, my favorite time of the year. I’m a gardener, so these weeks ahead of summer are all about preparing and working for the future. It’s hard not to be cynical and fearful of the days ahead right now. It has been a struggle to keep ahold of the joy this season usually brings.

Planting a garden is an act of hope. Every year I am amazed at what comes from the tiny seeds that I stick in the dirt, hoping for the best. I have trays of seedlings sitting next to me now, stacked on shelves in a window, straining towards the sun. That sight usually fills me with an expectant joy. But this week I had read too much of the news and started to feel hopeless, that the virus would eventually reach us no matter how hard we’re trying to keep it at bay and that I’d die before I could see them transplanted in the ground. I let fear take over completely and drag me down with it.

Normally, I’m a practical person, and when it comes to things that scare me I like as much information as possible so I can make the best decisions. Like so many others, I want to know what the worst is so I can prepare. Typically, I find some comfort in that. Not this time. It might be because I was already dealing with a number of crises in my extended family and stress has been my constant companion since November. Perhaps I burned through whatever reserves of calm and rationale I had. Hope is already an audacious thing in this broken world, and it seems impossible in times like these.

After days of struggling with flashes of panic and hopelessness, I realized where I went wrong in all of this. There’s no plan I can make, no human power I can access, no steps I can take to save myself or my family. I am not in control. But, if my control is an illusion, and if my strength is gone, that’s okay.

God is in control, God gives us the strength it takes to live, one day at a time, moment by moment. For those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, hope abounds. The real stuff, too, not wishes or dreams. Hope of Heaven, secure in the knowledge that this time of suffering is God’s will and whatever happens and however it ends it will be for the good of those that love Him.

We persevere, bringing the Gospel to the world around us, serving others as we are able in the time and place that He has given us. Not despairing, not tiring, but pressing on in hope.

~*~
Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 ACFW Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

A native New Englander, she was inspired by her travels through the north woods of Maine to write The Broken Trail, which would become the first in the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

Christa's writing focuses on the real-life challenges of the modern world, love’s sometimes crooked path, and the redemptive power of Grace.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty.

She and her husband live with their three kids, two cats, and one dog along the coast of New England. Connect with Christa at www.christamacdonald.com.

Music Review and Giveaway of Tori Kelly's "Hiding Place" CD

Dear Blog Readers,

Today, I’m reviewing Tori Kelly’s new CD “Hiding Place” for FlyBy Promotions. You’re in for a treat because they’re offering one copy of Tori’s CD to one lucky winner!

Here is Tori’s story about the making of this album, courtesy of FlyBy Promotions: 

While working on the follow-up to her debut album Unbreakable Smile—a 2015 release that premiered at #2 on the Billboard 200—Tori Kelly felt compelled to include a track that honored her lifelong passion for gospel music. With the help of her manager, Scooter Braun, the L.A.-based singer/songwriter soon connected with Kirk Franklin, a 12-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and one of Kelly’s musical idols. “I flew to Dallas and Kirk showed me a few songs he’d written, and I fell in love with all of them,” says Kelly, a 2016 Grammy Award nominee for Best New Artist. “Next thing you know, one song turned into us doing a whole album together. It just took on a life of its own.”

With its R&B-infused, deeply melodic take on classic gospel, Hiding Place offers up what Franklin refers to as “hope-pop”—a classification that fully resonates with Kelly. “One of the things I want for this album is for people to feel uplifted and encouraged when they listen,” she says. “I want them to know that, no matter what they’re going through, there’s a God who loves them so much and so unconditionally, and there’s always a reason to feel hope. That’s what I really believe in, and I want everyone out there to hear my heart.”

As Kelly explains, the title to Hiding Place draws inspiration from a line in one of her favorite psalms (“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance”). “That always stuck with me: this idea of God being a place of safety, a place where you can hide from all the crazy things that this world can throw at us,” she notes.

Produced by Franklin, Hiding Place unfolds with a lush yet simply adorned sound beautifully suited to Kelly’s incomparable voice. “I’ve worked with Mary J. Blige, Bono, Yolanda Adams, and I’ve never seen anyone that’s a monster behind the microphone like Tori Kelly,” says Franklin. “She’d nail one song in three takes, and all those takes were amazing. It set the bar higher for my whole career.”

While half of the songs on Hiding Place were penned solely by Franklin, the remaining tracks came from a collaboration between him and Kelly—the first time that Franklin’s ever co-written in a decades-long career that’s seen his songs performed by legends like Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. (“It blew me away that she wanted us to co-write, because she’s a phenomenal songwriter and could’ve easily done it herself,” Franklin says.) And at Franklin’s urging, Hiding Place was mostly recorded at his studio just outside Dallas. “The most important thing to me was that if Tori wanted to do a gospel album—a real, authentic, heart-throbbing gospel album—she’d have to come to the South,” he says. “Then she showed up at my studio with no entourage, no handlers—just Tori and her guitar, standing at my front door.”

With its sonic palette gracefully rooted in live instrumentation, Hiding Place first reveals its unbridled spirit on the album-opening “Masterpiece” (featuring Houston-bred hip-hop artist Lecrae)—a joyfully uptempo track that instantly sweeps the listener into a more radiant state of mind. From there, Kelly delivers her slow-burning lead single “Help Us to Love,” whose breathtaking harmonies feature the famed HamilTones (official background vocalists for Grammy Award-winner Anthony Hamilton). Proving her versatility as an artist and musician, Hiding Place then shifts seamlessly from the silky groove and playful scat singing of “Sunday” to the sweetly ethereal soul of “Just As Sure” (a duet with chart-topping gospel star Jonathan McReynolds) to the quiet intensity of “Psalm 42.” “So many of the songs on this album are so intricate, I wanted a song that I could play completely stripped-down, just me and my guitar,” says Kelly of the tender piano ballad.

One of the most profound moments on Hiding Place, the hushed yet urgent ballad “Questions” finds Kelly tearfully examining the current state of the world (sample lyric: “What happens when the healing never comes?”). “It’s about trying to make sense of all the dark and heavy things that keep happening, sort of crying out to God and asking, ‘What’s going on? I don’t like what I see down here,’” says Kelly. Then, on the subtly determined “Never Alone,” Kelly recollects her own struggles (“I’ve cried many rivers/I’ve walked through some pain/Seen my world crumble”) and ultimately re-discovers comfort and peace through her faith.

On “Soul’s Anthem,” Kelly closes out Hiding Place with an a cappella, full-choir-driven rendition of the beloved hymn “It Is Well.” Perhaps the most powerfully captivating track on the album, “Soul’s Anthem” also gave way to what Kelly considers a landmark moment in her musical career. “Before we started, Kirk said to me, ‘Don’t look at me or the choir, just look down and get into your own world,’” says Kelly, who recorded “Soul’s Anthem” at the iconic Capitol Studios. “So I sang it all the way through, and at one point there’s a part where the choir takes over. I looked up and saw all these incredible singers, and it finally hit me that this was really happening. You can’t hear it on the recording, but I’m crying at the end of the song.”

Looking back on the making of Hiding Place, Kelly still marvels at the experience. “I always thought I would do something like this, but I thought it would be much further down the line,” she says. “It’s been in my heart for some time, but the timing didn’t feel right until now. I didn’t think I’d get the chance to work with someone like Kirk just yet, and that people would be so excited and accepting.” And though the album marks a stylistic departure from her work in the pop world, a commitment to uncompromising artistry carries through all of Kelly’s music. “No matter what genre you’re working in, there should be a level of excellence, and Tori definitely brought that excellence to this album,” says Franklin. “A lot of artists out there will rely on Auto-Tune or studio tricks, but there’s no button you can push for emotion, and there’s no button for skill. Tori is excellent in everything she does, because she’s a real, pure artist.”

As she gets ready to share Hiding Place with the world, Kelly hopes that it might give others the same sense of solace and joy she’s found in gospel in her entire life. And as the album’s creator, one of the most rewarding aspects of Hiding Place was embracing gospel’s boundless intensity, and pushing her vocal performance like never before. “With gospel music, you can’t sing without all your heart being in it,” says Kelly. “This album was an opportunity to not only express my faith and my love for God, but to do what I felt and never hold back. I could just be free and let the song take me over.”

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Ready for my review of Tori's new CD? Read on! 

Every song is rated between 1 and 5 stars. Here’s the meaning of each starred rating:

5 stars = Wonderful! I love it!

4 stars = Great song and lyrics, I really like it!

3 stars = Nice tune but not too spectacular

2 stars = I really do not like this song

1 star = Not worth listening to

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Song #1: Masterpiece (feat. Lecrae)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is upbeat, lighthearted and jazzy. I like the message that centers on the fact that as children of God, WE are His Masterpiece! It’s a great song that presents Bible-based truth to a modern audience in a way that appeals to both the book smart and street smart. This song has a sense of humor—the funniest line was when Lecrae’s rap feature said that you are a masterpiece when you feel like a catastrophe. Hilarious!

Song #2: Help Us to Love (feat. The HamilTones)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: “All this hate I see on the TV screen in my country Tis of Thee” is one of the most poignant lyrics in this song. It’s like a personal essay on the modern day conflicts we’re having in the United States of America. The essay is from the singer’s point of view. Tori’s heart for unity and peace shows through in this song. The HamilTones’s feature presented a nice accent to her purpose in encouraging listeners of this song to truly love one another as the Bible commands us to in this life. The song ends by asking us to love each other the way God loves us. His love for us is extravagant, true and enduring.

Song #3: Sunday
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This song has an old-fashioned tune that’s subtle as the lyrics and the singer’s voice is great but this one was not my favorite. It’s a personal preference because there are probably music lovers out there who will love this one.

Song #4: Just As Sure (feat. Jonathan McReynolds)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song has a nice, sweet tune complete with a true, Bible-based message. It’s beautiful. It’s a reminder that God knows what’s best for us and we need to hear His Voice above the noise of the world. The fact that God loves you is revisited in almost every verse. It’s very effective in making sure the takeaway message of God loves you, stays strong in the audience’s mind even after the song is over. I love how toward the end of this song, Tori and Jonathan sing a few lyrics from one of Kirk Franklin’s songs “Love (Remix).” Kirk Franklin collaborated with Tori throughout this album. It’s really special.

Song #5: Psalm 42
Rating: 4 stars
Review: “I need your Living Word for these dry bones” is one of the most poignant lines in this song. I like how this song borrowed verses from Psalm 42 in The Holy Bible. This is a song that can set the listeners at ease and help them experience God’s peace.

Song #6: Questions
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song addresses the tough questions in life like “What happens when the healing never comes?” It also addresses tough seasons in life. Tori’s voice carries a myriad of human emotions and likes dark times to the winter season. She’s not afraid to address the real-life situations that hurt you. Tori delves deep into the pain that’s part of the human experience but then she takes the listener to new heights of hope that you can find in trusting God even when you do not understand what He’s doing. It’s a wonderful reminder that God is not afraid of our honest questions and raw emotions. He can handle it. All we have to do is bring it to Him through prayer.

Song #7: Never Alone (feat. Kirk Franklin)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I like how this song kept emphasizing that Heaven says we’re never alone. It’s like it takes the listener out of the temporary trappings and mindsets of this world and reminds us of the bigger picture, one where God is in control. It’s a great reminder that God is with us no matter what and Earth is not our home. It’s a great encouragement to look up to Heaven and remember three things: God loves you. He will never forsake you. He has your back!

Song #8: Soul’s Anthem (It is Well)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song felt a bit dark but fittingly so given the content of the lyrics that addressed dark seasons of the human experience. Despite the darkness, Tori’s voice shines through with lyrics of hope. Toward the end of this song, her voice is backed by sounds of a melodious gospel choir singing the church hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” This song is a beautiful experience that reminds the believer in God that the battles of life are won through prayer and walking by faith because we wrestle not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). It’s a spiritual battle that can only be won with Jesus Christ on your side.

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Buy Link for Hiding Place (Tori's CD): https://torikelly.lnk.to/HidingPlacePc

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Bonus: Watch Tori's “Never Alone” music video featuring Kirk Franklin here. 

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Connect with Tori:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/torikellymusic
Twitter - https://twitter.com/torikelly
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/torikelly/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/torikelly
Website - http://www.torikellymusic.com

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