Devotionals for the Heart: God's promise to always be with you

A Promise of God’s Presence
A devotional by Essie Faye Taylor

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

 –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

I was in awe and utter disbelief as I stood before a small group of teens. I was teaching a lesson about integrity and hope. I’d asked if anyone in the group knew the story of Adam and Eve. One teen vaguely knew the details of the creation story. That fact struck a chord within me. To think that these teens experienced the absence of the presence of God’s Word in their lives was devastating. I could not imagine a life absent of God’s presence. I never want to imagine that.

My faith journey began as early as I could remember. I was practically born on a pew, surrounded by and steeped in faith. As a child, I knew God was present. His Word was present as I memorized Bible verses and by faith, believed them. The presence of God’s Word in my life has brought me great comfort and security. God’s presence in my life has always assured me of His provision. As the ninth child of fifteen, I saw God’s hand provide for our family daily. Because of my faith in God’s promise of His presence I knew that He would provide all of my needs. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) declares,“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” His provision for me is certain because of His presence.

God’s presence brings me peace amid life’s storms and despite my personal fears. His presence gives me hope that everything will be okay because God is in control of my world and I can trust Him with my life. I want all of my students to embrace the promise of God’s presence because in His presence we experience joy, hope, love, peace, and pleasures forever. I am a witness. I want teens to experience joy and hope in a world where depression runs rampant, destroying lives and families. I want them to experience true love and peace amid a world filled with those practicing hatred and environments full of chaos. I want them to know the pleasure of growing to know an incredible God who loves them unconditionally, just as they are.

God’s presence invokes His Deity. God is sovereign. He is the Creator of the Universe. He called this Earth into existence from nothing. He always has been and He always will be. He is omnipotent and omniscient. He is in a category alone. He is preeminent. There is no one comparable to God and there are no other living gods except Him.

God’s presence invokes His character. He is holy, sinless and without error. He is integral, faithful, and true. He makes no mistakes and He watches over His Word to perform it. He is morally pure and righteous. He is love and His mercy are everlasting. His truth endures to all generations.

God’s presence invokes His provision. The Earth belongs to Him, along with everything and everyone in it because He is the Creator. The cattle on a thousand hills are His. He named the stars and flung them into space. Heaven holds His throne and the Earth is His footstool.

God’s presence invokes His covenant. His promises are sure. He keeps His covenant throughout all generations. He watches over His Word to perform it. God’s Word shall last forever.

In Deuteronomy 31:8 (written by Moses) and Hebrews 13:5 (written by Paul), they testify that God will never leave or forsake His people. This is a promise that God will invoke His deity, His character, His covenant, and His provision in order to demonstrate His love and commitment to a people who were finicky at best. God’s children of Israel repeated the toxic cycle of faith and doubt throughout their course of history. Yet, God promised them His presence. They were given access to the all-powerful God who even called them His “child”.

In Matthew 28, Jesus Christ declares the same promise to His disciples just before He leaves them physically. God incarnate affirms His commitment to His followers, even in His physical absence. He is with us, by faith, always–even to the end of the age. We can rest in His presence and all that comes with that. God’s presence signifies that He will indeed take care of us. Of this we can be sure.

Call to Action:

Action #1: Believe that God is present with you, even in the face of adversity. 

Action #2: Embrace all the benefits of God’s presence in your life and be grateful. 

Action #3: Acknowledge God’s presence in your life by doing the things that honor Him and getting rid of those things that displease Him. 

Action #4: Remember, David the psalmist begged God not to take His presence from Him because that meant that His life would be void of goodness. Enjoy God’s presence and never take it for granted.

Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being present in my life. Your presence brings love, peace, joy, goodness, and mercy. Your presence brings Your essence, Your character, Your power, and Your provision. Thank You for assuring me that you are with me always. You’ll never leave me nor forsake me. I’m not worthy of such a gift, yet you extend it to me. I thank You. Help me to remain grateful for your love and mindfulness toward me. Thank you Father for hearing and answering me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Your Presence Is A Promise” by Mack Brock. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Taylor is an author, educator, minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College.

She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning, and multiculturalism.

Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press, an author agency, and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance, and Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60-Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith.

She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others.

Essie has been a Christian for nearly all of her 39 years. She was born again at 15 years old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. By the grace of God, Essie helped to establish bilingual ministries at five churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.

Essie is a Chicago native. She lives in Chicago with her husband Donald Taylor II.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Website: www.essiefayetaylor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Life Lessons on Trusting the God Who Sees

God Sees You
A devotional by Patricia Russell

She said, “You are the God who sees me.”

She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”

So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means

“well of the Living One who sees me”). 

–Genesis 16:13-14 (NLT)

Do you remember playing “Peek-a-boo” with babies?

Cover your eyes with your hands and slowly move them aside, squealing, "Peek a boo! I see you." Usually, this causes a smile and squeal from the baby who is now ready to play.

It's an incredible feeling to be seen. You can be in a room full of people, looking dapper, and yet feel like no one sees you. We are all moving quickly through our day and our activity, although my days have somewhat changed to a different pace since 2020. Still, ongoing emails and text messages can have us not really taking the time to acknowledge people who really want you to play that game because they want to be seen.

When you see someone, you haven't seen for a long time, often our first words are, “How are you?” I have learned the importance of taking the time to stop and wait for a response. I firmly believe that if we don't have time to wait and listen for the response, we shouldn't ask the question. Why? Because you and I have an innate desire to be seen and heard. When we really take the time to acknowledge each other's presence, it is powerful. When we wait to hear the response to the question, we are telling the other person they are valued and important. It speaks volumes when we can wait and listen for their response.

Scripture helps us to understand the importance of this when we read about the struggle between Hagar and Sarai (later to be Sarah). Hagar was Sarai's servant. Sarai made a deal with Abram (later to be Abraham) to take her servant and sleep with her in order to conceive a child that in Sarai’s mind, would fulfill the promise God made. God had promised Sarai and Abram a child. However, they felt God was taking too long. So they chose to take matters into their own hands.

Moreover, when Hagar became pregnant, she was not seen with the same compassion and appreciation in Sarai's eyes who tormented Hagar. Not being able to take it anymore, Hagar eventually ran away. Can you imagine being pregnant, talked about, scorned, and criticized because your boss asked you to become a surrogate mother on her behalf? Hagar became tired. Tired of the change of attitude. She was tired of the rejection and change of heart from Sarai. She was emotionally crushed that she was now seen as an enemy. 

This is why I love the Bible—we’re able to see these are not stories or fables but real people with real feelings like us. During her pain, God's angel called out to her and called her by name. You're not a social security number or a billing code—you are someone of value. You want to be seen and heard. God looked down with love and compassion of God let Hagar know, "I am the God who sees."

God was saying (and I paraphrase), “I see you, Hagar! I see your pain. I hear your cries of distress. I see what's been done to you, and I am completely aware. I want you to know that I am the God who sees.”

God saw Hagar in all her pain and confusion, and He also wants you and I to know this very important truth: You are not forgotten. You may have been let go from your job. Your family and friends may have turned their back on you. Maybe no one has called and checked up on you but hear your Father's Heart today as I believe He is saying, “I am the God who sees. I see you.”

Let's Pray: Thank you, God, for reminding me that you see me, you hear me, and you know me. You know the number of hairs on my head. Remind me, Lord, when I get discouraged, that You hold me in the palm of Your Hand, and You are right beside me. Thank you again. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Editorial Note: Patricia’s devotional message today reminds me of the song, “The God Who Sees” performed by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is an encourager. She passionately uses her giftings 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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to Know God as The Living Word

The Living Word
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“The Law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.”

–Psalm 37:31 (NASB)

In lieu of resolutions, many people choose a word or phrase to live into for the coming year.

In late 2019, I bought a planner, hoping it would make me more organized—which it did not—but it encouraged prayerfully choosing a scripture verse to use for the year.

I’m embarrassed that I had never thought of that myself, so I chose Psalm 23. It was a perfect choice for a year of sorrow. In 2021, I felt like I needed hope, so I chose Psalm 27:13 (NASB), “I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Keeping that verse in mind during the challenges of last year was so much better than if I had chosen a random, inspirational word from the English dictionary. This was the Living Word.

As Christians, we believe in the power of God’s Word to guide, heal, transform, and carry us through both the hardships and joys we face. I’ve decided this year not to focus on one verse, but to memorize all fourteen verses of Psalm 27. 

I’ve highlighted a few pieces of wisdom from this chapter and what they mean to me right now. All verses are from the New American Standard (NASB) translation.

Psalm 27:1 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?” What a beautiful reminder that God is with me here on my journey! He is my Light. Why do I spend so much time worrying about everything? God is ahead, beside, and behind me. I have nothing to fear.

Psalm 27:3 says, “If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear; If war arises against me, in spite of this I am confident.” While David, who wrote this psalm, was a king and military leader who probably had a lot more control over war and politics than I do, he was confident that God would protect him, if not physically, then spiritually. I can have the same confidence in my place in the chaos around me because He is the same God He always was.

Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” Every day I choose to decide that dwelling in the Lord’s presence is what I want more than anything else. Once that happens, the rest of my day–and year and life–will fall into place.

Psalm 27:10 says, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.” No mortal has the ability to be there for us like God can. While we need to love each other and be there for each other while our loved ones are here, we should not put our complete trust and confidence in ourselves or other people. Only the Lord can lift us up.

Psalm 27:11 says, “Teach me Your way, Lord…”. We allow the world, which does not know God, to teach us things that are often the exact opposite of God’s ways. We need to be able to tell the world’s lies from God’s Truth and we can only do that by allowing the Spirit to speak to us, lead us, and direct our path.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage.” This means I should wait in expectation, watching for what the Lord is doing in the world, so I can step in where He asks me to go.

Memorizing Scripture can be hard, but if we can remember TV jingles from our childhood and tons of music lyrics, then we can do this too!

Let’s Pray: Father God, Your Word is life to us. Allow us to soak it in and make it part of us. Let it be in our minds to transform our thoughts and in our mouths to speak truth and love to others. You are the only One who can truly guide us in the way we should go. Thank you. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: The message in this devotional by Glynis reminds me of Fred Hammond’s song “You Are the Living Word”. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two college-age children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting.

~*~
Connect with Glynis:
Website: www.glynisbecker.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckerglynis/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlynisBecker7

Devotionals for the Heart: Marriage and Taking the Lord's Name

The Lord’s Name
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” 

–Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

When I married, I took my husband’s last name for my own. It was a time when it was becoming common for women to either keep their maiden names or to hyphenate the two names. Personally, I was happy to take on the new name feeling like it was a new beginning to my life. I had no idea.

My life as a “Musgrove” has not been anything like what I expected while at the same time has contained most of the things I had hoped for. I’d planned to take on duties like cooking, the finances, housekeeping and eventually parenting. I looked forward to all the things I’d do. The unanticipated challenge was changing from being an individual to a partner. The growth curve was in putting someone else first.

There were other significant changes to becoming Musgrove. My husband’s family was firmly rooted in business in our community and had an established reputation. To behave rashly could tarnish not only my reputation, but would affect both family and business. No one sat me down to explain what I was getting into. No one told me that marriage required improvement to my character. My love for my husband and his family, it turned out, was motivation enough to rise to higher standards. And it’s been a blessing.

We have a God who desires to call us by His name. He loves us with a deep love that is incomprehensible. His love is such that He is willing to redeem…pay a ransom…to become unified with His bride. He offers a relationship of blessing.

Reading of the restoration of God’s beloved Israel in Zephaniah 3 is beautiful. The Hebrew word for “renowned” is “Shem,” meaning “a name” or “fame.” All of these terms infer that we receive a designation as being His and that designation is recognizable by others. The taking of His name elevates us to a status far above human ability.

God explains to us exactly what we’re getting into when we partner with Him. Deuteronomy chapter 28 goes to great lengths to spell out the benefits to taking the Lord’s name. It tells of His blessings in the city and the field, in finances and family, in coming and going, and (my favorite) in basket and kneading bowl! He even defeats our enemies. Now that’s some list of pros!

In return, God asks for a pure heart. He creates a list in Exodus 20 that includes His requirement to be first. He stipulates that we desist in creating other objects of devotion. He demands that we not take His name irreverently. He requests that we rest in His provision. It’s marital vows we don’t fully understand the meaning of as long as we’re in a singleness mindset.

When I took the Musgrove name, I no longer sought out other men to fulfill my wants. I only looked to my husband. I did not keep photos of my old boyfriends around. I committed to one man and one man only. To continue to behave as single while bearing the name Musgrove would be to dishonor my marriage and my spouse. Gratefully, marriage has taught me a greater understanding of what God is both insisting of me and what He is offering.

To take the Lord’s name, to be His, frees us from the search for identity. We no longer need to strive for purpose and meaning because we take on God’s family business. He provides, we accept. He elevates our character. We give up being sole-proprietor for partnership. Lone becomes family. It’s a really sweet offer.

Won’t you accept His proposal? And take His marriage vows? It’s a decision that will change your life for the better, forever!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Believe

What do you believe?
A devotional by Susan Lindstrom

In the book of Psalm there’s a verse that has seeped into my soul and woven its way into my heart. These words of our Heavenly Father have deepened my faith as a believer in "the reason for the season," maybe it will do the same for you. It’s the 14th verse of Psalm 91.

Let's read Psalm 91:14 (NLT): The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

I love that we are the “those” and the “them” in this verse. Have you ever tried making a bible verse personal? I’m not talking about claiming one as your own, I mean inserting your name to make it personal like this;

The LORD says, “I will rescue Susan who loves me. I will protect Susan who trusts in my name. When Susan calls on me, I will answer; I will be with her in trouble. I will rescue and honor her. I will reward Susan with a long life and give her my salvation.”

Wow! For me, that’s better than the security of money in my bank account, that may not always be there, or a comforting hug from loving arms which may not always be with me. But the Lord’s protection and never-ending compassion He assures, will always and forever be there for me.

Try inserting your name (fill in the blanks):

The LORD says, “I will rescue _____ who loves me. I will protect ______ who trusts in my name. When _______ calls on me, I will answer; I will be with ___ in trouble. I will rescue and honor ___. I will reward ______ with a long life and give ___ my salvation.”

Do you feel it? Do you feel the power of His Promise?

Reading through the Bible, from the Old Testament showing Jehovah’s heart breaking wide open when his beloved children turn away from their God, to the New Testament that speaks loud and clear of His love as he sets a new covenant in motion with Jesus Christ being the ultimate love gift. But even though we read it, hear about it and even sing of it, do we believe it? Really and truly? It is an amazing amount of love to deal with after all. 

Maybe you need to pick up one of those "Believe" signs. I see them everywhere, especially this time of year. To the worldly way of thinking it’s suggesting you believe in the "magic" of Santa Claus. But we know it’s really a life-saving urging to believe in the miracle of a virgin’s birth and a love like non-other. A love so full of compassion that He came to earth to be the sacrifice for our sins.

In this season of celebrating our dear Savior’s birth, I hope you can celebrate a love so real that you believe without a doubt that He will rescue, honor, and protect you. Celebrate that He hears your prayers, and that above all else celebrate the gift of salvation with an assurance of everlasting love.

It’s what you can believe!

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” ~1 John 5:11-13 (NLT)

~*~
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 kept her plenty busy.

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

Her first book, Emmie Jane and the Yellow Fuzz, is for children and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Susan grew up on both the East and West Coasts and now calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She is a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

She enjoys a wide variety of music, loves live performance 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.

Susan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

~*~
Connect with Susan:
Website - www.susanlindstrombooks.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/susanlindstrombooks/