Devotionals for the Heart: FLAW

I’m FLAWed
A devotional by Paula Moldenhauer

Maybe you’ve conquered this completely. I hope so. But I gotta admit it’s hard to get through a day without noticing a flaw. In my appearance. In my behavior. In my work. It used to get me really down, recovering perfectionist that I am.

Most of us struggle with what to do when we see our flaws or the flaws of someone else. 

Recently, during a prayer time with some dear friends, God showed us His perspective on flaws. He reminded us that His blood has cleansed every imperfection, and we stand before Him as blameless. When He looks at us, He sees the person He created us to be. He sees the new creation we are in Him. It’s like 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” God sees a precious work of His very own hands, a work He knit together in our mother's womb. If you don’t believe that, hang out for a while in Psalm 139.

Sure. God knows we struggle with faults. The psalmist says God knows we are “but dust.” But He isn’t wringing His hands in despair when He sees our flaws. He already executed His perfect plan. He saved us, made us blameless in His sight, and is determined to change us from the inside out. He who started a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). He works all things for our good to make us more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:28–29).

God is creative. He wanted to drive the point home, so during our prayer time, He gave my friends and me an acronym for FLAW:

Free to

Live

As

Worthy

I’ve had quite a journey learning to accept my flawed self. But if God is not freaking out about our imperfections, why do we? Our flaws don’t have to bring shame and self-judgment. They don’t have to lead to ugly, unhealthy thinking about ourselves.

How about a paradigm change?

The next time you are overcome with one of your flaws, try God's way of thinking. 

Even with that imperfections, you are Free to Live As Worthy!

Stop and praise God for the work of the cross, the blood that changed you and made you righteous, redeemed, and holy. Thank Him for creating you and praise Him that everything He creates is good! Accept yourself without pretending the flaw isn’t there or judging yourself for its existence. Stand up straight in your identity of a worthy child, beloved of God. Turn your focus to praise for the change God is doing within you as He remakes you to be more like Jesus. Then from a mindset of one who is Free to Live As Worthy (even with a flaw or two, or two hundred), ask Him to empower you to overcome.

Let's Pray: Jesus, the next time that I recognize a flaw in myself or others, remind me that because of Your blood we are Free to Live As Worthy. Instead of judgment, help me receive Your grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Then help me extend the grace You’ve given me.

~*~
Author Bio:

Author, speaker, and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to live free to flourish. She shares this message when speaking at women’s events, and it permeates her written work. 

Paula has published over 300 times in non-fiction markets and has a devotional book series, Soul Scents. Her first published novella was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she now has six published works of fiction. 

Paula and her husband, Jerry, are adjusting to a sometimes-empty nest in Colorado. Today’s devotion was adapted from her devotional book, Soul Scents: Flourish. 

Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com and sign up for her newsletter to get a weekly Flourishing Moments and periodic updates on free days for her books. Paula’s latest fiction work, an autumn novelette, releases this fall for newsletter subscribers only! 

For daily Flourishing Moments “Like” Paula’s author/speaker page. 

A FREE gift for you: Get Paula’s award-winning novella, You’re a Charmer, Mr. Grinch, free on Kindle today (Wednesday, October 17) via Amazon at this address.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Best Rest and Renewal

The Best R & R
A devotional by Susan Lindstrom

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” –2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT) 

I’m all for celebrating life and have no problem with aging, really, I don’t. Okay, turning 35 knocked me for a loop but that was a long time ago. The thing is, I used to look at pictures of my aunts, uncles, and my mom and dad when they were young adults and wonder how they could have changed so much. Now I look at a recent picture of myself and see that I have arrived. Who is that anyway?

Peering into the bathroom mirror, lights ablaze, I search my reflection for any new…well, character lines, life etchings, you know what I mean, wrinkles. I frown and instantly hear my mother, “smile honey, frowning makes more wrinkles.”

Even though I turn that frown upside down, and watch my face brighten, I contemplate putting in a dimmer switch.

And maybe a new beauty regimen. I saw a line of products the other day that were ‘pro-aging’ instead of ‘anti-aging’. A different spin but one I definitely like the sound of. It’s positive and encouraging, and I’ll take all of that kind of thing I can get.

I think we all need that.

There’s so much in this life that drags us down. That’s the stuff that puts wrinkles on a beautiful face. I’m convinced that’s why the One that loves us more than we can fathom, tells us in Matthew 11:28 (NIV), “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

Rest and renewal.

Did you know the best beauty regimen is to spend time with Him who renews the best part of us, our soul and spirit? Our soul, the life essence of our being, and our spirit, the part of us that connects with God.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…”

Every single moment we spend with Him praying or in His Word, we are being renewed and shaped slowly and wondrously to be more like Him and to be the person He created us to be. The person you were before the world or circumstances told you who to be.

Too busy you say? I used to be as well. Or so I thought. Struggling with sporadic Bible reading, with a devotion here and there, a good friend suggested I ask Him to show me when would be the best time in my busy schedule. I wasn’t sure how He would show me but okay, guess it couldn’t hurt.

Summer hours at work meant I clocked in at 6:30 in the morning. My routine was to shower the night before, crawl out of bed at 5:30 in the morning, grab coffee and breakfast, make my lunch, dress and go.

The morning after I prayed for Him to show me, my eyes popped open before the alarm went off. I shut them tight trying for a little more precious sleep, but it didn’t work. My mind raced, was today something important? What was I forgetting?

The clock read 5:15 a.m. and I felt an urgency to get up.

I washed and dressed before I poured coffee this time. Checking the clock, I saw time to spare so I sat in my favorite chair and sipped the wake-up brew thinking over what it all meant. When I spied my bible and devotional next to my chair, I knew! Why should I be surprised? I asked and He showed me! And do I even have to tell you that my day was so much more meaningful, so full of Him? It’s been over 12 years since then and what a beautiful habit it’s become.

I look again at my reflection in the mirror and sure, I see an aging me, but I also see a daughter of the One True King, my life with Him is what I proudly wear etched upon my face. Can you see my smile?

~*~

Author Bio:

Susan Lindstrom is not an award-winning writer yet unless you count that ‘best story’ award in third grade but stay tuned to see what God has planned! 

Writing has always been a passion but raising a family, running her sewing and design business, involvement in women’s ministry and teaching Sunday School has kept her plenty busy.

Now retired and an empty-nester she trusts in God’s amazing timing and has jumped in to embrace this new adventure of writing.

Her first book is for children and will soon be released. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the fruit of the Spirit.

She grew up on both the East and West Coast. But now, she calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She’s a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

Susan listens to a wide variety of music, loves live performances and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

When she is not indoors writing, reading or pretending to clean the house, she’s outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.

She’s a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Interview with Courtnaye Richard, author of Identified (the book)

Welcome my new guest Courtnaye Richard, author of Identified, to the blog! She's here today to visit with us and tell us about her new book! She'll be here a few more times because this interview is a short series with today's guest post being Part I.

Every day that Courntaye visits to talk about her book, she's going to talk about something new related to it. Today, she's included an extra bonus: you have the chance to WIN a copy of Identified! Simply fill out the form in the Rafflecopter widget below then proceed to read the interview. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview (Part I) with Courtnaye Richard, author of IDENTIFIED:

Alexis: Tell me about the heart-shaped thumbprint symbol on your book’s cover. Why did you want that there? What is its significance?

Courtnaye: I love that you asked that question. The heart represents so much! The thumbprint is all about being identified and making our mark in this world for Jesus Christ before He returns. In the natural sense, our thumbprint signifies who we are. It identifies us. But spiritually, it makes a strong statement that says, “We are loved by God and identified through the blood of Jesus” (that’s why it’s red). It also represents the love that we should have for one another as we walk out our purposes (I talk more about this in the book in detail).

Alexis: What does it mean to be “identified” as a child of God?

Courtnaye: It means that we have been saved through believing in Christ…that God sent His only begotten Son to die a shameful death on a cross to save sinners like you and me, and so many others. Being identified in Christ also means that we have been marked by the Holy Spirit and now His power lives in us. As identified daughters of the King, we have amazing power to do great things to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. The themed Scripture for the book is actually, Ephesians 1:13 which says, “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Once we KNOW who we are in Christ, that’s when we can walk in a God-confidence and begin to move forward in what we’ve been called to do on this earth.

Alexis: In Chapter One of your book, you said, “…Too many people are beginning to lose sight of who they are right now.” What do you mean? Explain.

Courtnaye: We are living in the last days and the Bible warns that there will be a falling away, before Jesus returns. We’re definitely seeing that happen in our time and generation. People are beginning to fall away from the faith. And many are beginning to get caught up in the things of this life and world, unfortunately. When this happens, it begins to steal away the affection from God. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth.” We have to stay focused and continue in the faith. Paul said, “I kept the faith…I finished the race that God set out for me.” We have to do the same. Now is the not the time to be losing sight of who we are. We are IDENTIFIED women in Christ, and we need to proclaim and stand firm in that truth at all costs. Before I close this statement, I have to say that some long-time believers are now beginning to question if Christianity is really the only way to heaven and they’re now open to other ways. It’s a global struggle. And I believe that’s why this message is so timely. I believe this is why God wants to remind His people who they are and to stay awake in these dark times. We need to be moving forward, not backwards.

Alexis: Your book gives a faith-based spin on what it means to have an “identity crisis.” In a few words, explain what this type of identity crisis looks like and let us know if it’s possible to avoid it (then show us how).

Courtnaye: Gotcha! An identity crisis is an “all-of-a-sudden” change and/or form of confusion that begins to take shape against who you really are. It’s as if, one day you wake up and you don’t know who you are anymore or you’re suddenly uncertain about things…you enter into an identity crisis. It can also take the form of low-self-esteem, comparison, low self-worth, self-condemnation, lack of confidence, or it can go as far as wanting to become someone that you weren’t created to be.

Alexis: What does it mean to truly know that we are who God says we are and not believe negative labels given to us by the world?

Courtnaye: We have to take God at His Word and believe what He says about us. We are IDENTIFIED in Him. No one else knows us better than He does. And we have to own His words over what the world says about us or what people say against His truth. We have to make that declaration to ourselves. A great example would be to speak the Word out loud over yourself. You can speak it in your car, living room, bedroom, prayer closet and say, “I am a child of God. I am His masterpiece. He knows the end result. I am chosen. I am called by Him. I am loved by God. He is for me and not against me. And I have a purpose and He will fulfill it.” You have to speak life over yourself…especially when the fiery darts are being thrown at you from every direction or when negative words or doubt try to penetrate your mind and heart. That’s when you have to hold up your shield of faith as an IDENTIFIED warrior in Christ and believe what God’s Word says above all else. I talk about this in my book in detail as it relates to conquering spiritual warfare.

Alexis: When did God place this message on your heart? Paint the picture of that day then explain why you wrote it as this book.

Courtnaye: The Lord placed this message on my heart to write IDENTIFIED in March of this year (2016). Actually, I’d already started writing a book about something else. Until one day, as I was writing the front and back cover text of that particular book, God shifted me. It was really a supernatural experience. Reason being is because as I was typing, I looked over to my left and my Bible was opened to Isaiah 55:8. It read, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are my ways your ways, declares the Lord.” And that’s when I thought to myself, “Oh, oh! I feel a God-shift happening.” I knew it! I knew He was changing my plan as a tradeoff for His plan. So I went with the shift. And here we are.

Alexis: Why did you choose to cater this book to women?

Courtnaye: Good question! I believe it starts with the calling. God called me to minister to women about 13 years ago and He prepared me in so many ways for this time to write this book. Again, I would’ve never thought about writing it, but He knows what His daughters need to hear in this season.

Alexis: What is the main message that you hope your readers will remember?

Courtnaye: I pray that the women reading this book will receive the message that God wants them to truly know who they are in Christ right now, and to begin preparing themselves to move forward in what He has predestined them to do (in every way). I also pray that they will know that they were created for such a time as this. This book is not only about identity and walking in your purpose, but it’s also advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s has an evangelistic message within it, because it’s time to share Christ all over this world! And God wants to use His daughters to get the job done. Jesus is coming back soon, and we’ve got to be ready from the inside out. With that being said, it’s time to know and live like we are IDENTIFIED.

~*~

Author bio:

Courtnaye Richard is a Christian writer, blogger, speaker, and founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye (a ministry especially designed to help women grow in their daily walk with the Lord, live out their purpose, and be ready when Jesus Christ returns). 

She's all about real life, real talk, and real faith! She posts a weekly blog every Monday @ 7:30 a.m. on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org, hosts a “LIVE” call on 1st Tuesdays, and shares a weekly Two-Minute message with her audience every Wednesday.

For more info, please visit www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org.

Also, be sure to "Like" her page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Book Review: Distinctly You

Distinctly You: Trading Comparison & Competition for Freedom & Fulfillment
A book by Cheryl Martin
Review by Alexis A. Goring

Author Cheryl Martin’s mission for writing “distinctly you” is to free women from the burden of comparison and competition with other women. In this age of social media and selfies, this book is needed.

Martin says, “But being successful isn't just about achieving your personal goals and becoming the best at everything you set your mind to. Whether or not you win the gold medal or climb to the top slot at work, you will only find true success if you are distinctly you, the person God created you to be for His glory.”

Throughout this book, the author provides information that teaches you how to celebrate your uniqueness and God-given attributes instead of feeling unworthy because you’re comparing yourself to others and feeling that you’ve come up short. She writes with class and her tone is encouraging. Martin also includes Scripture to support her claims. 

Here are two examples, pull-quotes if you will, that stood out to me as I read her book:

Martin wrote: Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us log ago” (NLT). God has determined your value. He says you are a masterpiece. That verse alone should mark us for the rest of our lives, but unfortunately, too many women give greater credence to what others call them: unworthy, unattractive, uninspired. If you believe what your Creator says about you, it will be evident by the choices you make, how you carry yourself, and what you choose to control. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is in line to be the queen of England one day because she’s married to an heir of the throne, Prince William. She is already carrying herself like a future queen. She is walking in her position of royalty.

Martin also wrote: We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). When we remember that we are God’s masterpiece, created to do a distinct work, that we are chosen and royalty, we will carry ourselves with strength and dignity no matter where we live or what our occupation or marital status is.”

This book contains more than poignant pull-quotes. It is filled with scenes from the author’s life that highlight her personal struggles with comparison and competition. She shares her heartbreak, triumphs, career dreams, goals and lessons learned. She writes with transparency and a whole lot of heart.

I truly enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it to women who are struggling with knowing their true value. It’s a worthwhile read that you can finish in about four hours or less.

This book challenged me to be “distinctly” me and I accepted! Now I am inspired to walk in confidence in knowing who I am in God’s sight, not the latest fashion magazine or movie star standard. It’s a breath of fresh air and encouragement to my heart as I remember that God made me (and you) as His masterpiece. I am created to do good works and I believe it! 

*The publisher (Bethany House) sent a complimentary copy of this book to Alexis A. Goring, in exchange for an honest review.