Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of hope

Why Jesus Christ is Our Bright Morning Star
A devotional by Dr. Gladys Childs

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

—Revelation 22:16 (ESV)

The title “Bright Morning Star” carries theological significance, pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of hope. In the darkness of sin and death, His light breaks through, signaling the dawn of God's eternal Kingdom.

As the morning star precedes the sun, Jesus precedes the full revelation of God's glory, offering us a foretaste of the new creation He will bring to fruition, anchoring His identity in both fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the inauguration of God's final reign.

In the ancient world, the morning star was the first glimmer of light before dawn, heralding the new day. In the same way, Jesus, as the Bright Morning Star, heralds the inbreaking of God's Kingdom—a kingdom where light, truth, and righteousness reign. His light dispels the darkness of sin, confusion, and suffering. He brings clarity, redemption, and unshakable hope where the world sees despair. As the Light of the World, Jesus doesn't merely illuminate our understanding; He transforms the fabric of our existence, reshaping our lives and calling us into His transformative light.

Christ’s title as the Bright Morning Star symbolizes His role in creation and transitioning to a new era with His first coming when he was born as a baby to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. This New Covenant offers salvation through grace rather than the law. Just as the morning star heralds the dawn, Jesus prepares us for His full glory at His second coming—this time as our Risen Lord and Savior and King—having already begun the restoration by breaking the power of darkness.

Theologically, the Bright Morning Star symbolizes Christ's preeminence and supremacy over all things. He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). In His light, we find our purpose and identity. The act of creation highlights Jesus as the agent of new beginnings, signifying the One who restores all things and brings clarity to our chaotic world.

As believers in God, Jesus calls us to walk in His light, reflecting the brilliance of Christ in a world often overshadowed by darkness. Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, has already lit the way. Our task is to step into that light, live purposefully, and shine with the hope He gives.

Where do you see the darkness of despair in your life or the world around you? Ask the Bright Morning Star to shine His transforming light, bringing hope, healing, and a new beginning.

Let’s Pray: Jesus, Bright Morning Star, shine Your light into the deepest corners of my heart. Help me to live in Your truth and hope, reflecting Your light to a dark world. Surround us with Your love and bless us with perfect peace. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Light of the World (feat. Dwayne Lee)” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

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Connect with Gladys:
Website: https://www.gladyschilds.com/
Blog: https://www.gladyschilds.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgladyschilds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GladysAnnChilds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GladysChilds
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gladyschildsauthor/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be a bright STAR for Jesus Christ

Be the Light
A devotional by Peg Arnold

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

—John 8:12 (NIV)

I love the beautiful and bright displays of Christmas holiday lights that are up during this time of year!

As I see them in my neighborhood, on the exterior of local buildings, inside local businesses, on the lampposts in the parking lots of places like the mall and grocery stores, and in other locations, I smile because they remind me of the reason for this season: celebrating our Savior and King (Jesus Christ).

But did you ever notice that some lights sparkle and some shine? Shining lights appear as steady, radiating beams. Sparkling and glistening lights usually have irregular or interrupted flashes. For example, we may say the stars shine and sparkle. But we never say the sun or the moon sparkles. Those are always steady, shining lights. Regardless of the type, all lights dispel darkness when they are on.

Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the ultimate light. He encourages us to also be a light by allowing His Light to shine through us so we can shine His love into the lives of others. According to John 8:12 (NIV), Jesus is the light of the world and people who follow Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His light in the world around us.

What kind of light (sparkling or shining) do you reflect?

Since a sparkling light is an irregular emission of light, if you sparkle, you might have times when God is not reflected through you. It could be because of a struggle, hurt, fatigue, doubt, or even busyness. But a shining light is consistent in its glow. It may be dimmer sometimes, but the light never flickers despite challenges, insecurities, and busyness.

Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:8 (NIV), “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” For us to walk as children of the light means living in a way that reflects the character of God. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV), “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The good deeds Jesus refers to are those actions that demonstrate love and acceptance. God said to love Him and others. When we do this to the best of our abilities, we shine.

Sometimes, the stresses of life may cause us to sparkle instead of shine. I remember one Christmas when my husband was unemployed. It was a challenge, and our lights flickered quite a bit. We had to make a change. Others surrounded us with love and helped us to see the gifts in relationships rather than things. Our light became stronger through prayer, trusting God, and experiencing His faithfulness.

Here are four ways to help you remember how to shine for Jesus that make an acronym (STAR):

Seek Him first: “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).

Trust Him completely: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5).

Align your heart with His: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Rely on His Word: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Instead of sparkling this season, be the light of Jesus and shine like a STAR.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of Jesus, the Light of the World. Help us reflect His light in our lives, whether in steady shining or brief moments of sparkle. Strengthen us to seek You first, trust You fully, and love others as You have called us. May our actions glorify You and point others to Your hope and peace. Guide us by Your Word and help us shine like stars in the darkness for Your glory.

In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Hold Up the Light” by New Jersey Mass Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Peg Arnold, Speaker/Author/Teacher is a Drama Queen for Jesus. 

Her vibrant, interactive, and soul-stirring messages encourage all to embrace their God-given value. As a mom, wife, nana, mentor, with a master’s in counseling, she connects on a personal basis by sharing her joys and challenges of many life experiences through her dramas, messages, and witness. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing hundreds of people at a conference, her passion for equipping women is contagious.

She has published devotions on YouVersion and in the Upper Room. In addition, she has contributed to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books, three anthologies, numerous articles, and blogs. Her devotional, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, received a 2022 OASIS award.

Peg desires everyone to know that their story is important and has a purpose. She grew up in Michigan and raised her family in Maryland. Later in life, Peg and her husband relocated close to their family in Colorado.

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Connect with Peg:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnoldpeg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pegarnoldwow
Website: https://pegarnold.org/ Get some freebies when you visit!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC51V_iWr0RfGAQvQnWVXEoA
Devotions for the Distracted Heart blog: https://pegarnold.wordpress.com/
YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22261-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Holiday YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28680-holiday-devotions-for-the-distracted-heart
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wonderofwomen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/peg-arnold-wow

Devotionals for the Heart: The Light of Jesus Christ Dispels Darkness

Light in the Darkness
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

–Matthew 5:14 (KJV)

In a completely dark room, the human eye is naturally drawn to any glimmer light.

Isn’t it amazing that God made our eyes to be drawn to light when we are surrounded by darkness?

Over time, our eyes may adjust to darkness. They may even become comfortable with the darkness. But a small, flickering flame immediately catches the eye when shining in the darkness. Another amazing truth about light is that the darker the space around the light, the brighter that light seems to grow.

In the Bible book of Matthew, Jesus Christ tells His disciples that they are the light of the world. I think this statement is still applicable to those of us following Jesus today. Just like His original disciples, we live in a very dark world. We worry about the economy, politics, and family issues that seem to be far too big to handle. These problems seem to take over our world and hold an oppressive shadow over us. Most days, we may feel like we are simply trying to push our way through the darkness—not stopping to think about the light we bring into the darkness.

The daily struggles and darkness we live in are sacred. Sacred struggles may seem a little unrealistic, but each of us is—or will be—going through something that surrounds us with darkness and threatens to stifle the light of Jesus we bring into the world. But I have a secret I want to share with you: No amount of darkness can destroy your light.

The light inside your soul first appeared when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and nothing in this world has the power to destroy the light Jesus first started in your heart. 

Remember: The light inside you that you bring into the darkness is Jesus and that is how we can view our struggles as sacred.

I know life can be dark sometimes. I know it may seem like the darkness always wins and we are constantly fighting invisible battles no one else sees. But the darker our circumstances are, the brighter our light will shine. And the brighter our light shines, the more others will see Jesus in us.

While we walk through the darkness, people will be drawn to our light. Because of this light, they may draw closer to us and also because of our light, they will be able to see Jesus.

Maybe you are going through darkness that you do not understand. You may be asking God why He would put you through pointless pain. Maybe your pain and darkness is not pointless after all. Maybe God is simply using your light to draw others to Himself. Learn to trust God in the darkness and trust that He has a plan and purpose for your light.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the light You have given us to share with the world. Please help us to shine brightly in the dark world around us and draw others to Yourself. Grant us the courage to walk through the darkness with You by our side. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Go Light Your World” by Kathy Troccoli. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Tessa Huckstep grew up in rural Illinois. She was born to Christian parents and has known Jesus Christ personally since the age of five.

Currently, Tessa is attending community college and majoring in elementary education. In the future, she plans to teach in the public school system, hoping to bring the love of God with her.

Tessa enjoys being active in her local church. She serves as a co-teacher for the two-to-five year old class where there is never a dull moment.

It is Tessa’s passion to be a girl after God’s own heart and through her studying of God’s Word, Tessa longs to draw closer to her Savior. Through her writing, she longs to take others with her on this journey of faith.

Tessa loves all things Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size.

When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, she can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Light

The Light of the World
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12 (ESV)

In the beginning of the Bible, the first spoken words out of God’s mouth are, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 NIV). God’s first words spoke His own nature into the world He would go on to create. Is it any wonder that we can’t see much in the darkness, but give us daylight and we are good to go? The Creator of the universe planned it that way.

The New Testament was written a long time after the creation, but Jesus Christ’s message is still clear—He is the Light of the World. The One who called light into existence so long ago is one with God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit brought us into the world, and when we ask Jesus to save us, the Light of God’s presence starts to illuminate our lives. All we can say is, “Wow! Look at what God is doing!”

How does God make such a thing happen? Jesus clearly shows the way in John 3:16. He reminds us of our sinful nature and calls us to be born again because Jesus came to die once and for all so that we could enter His eternal home all clean and pure, covered in His righteousness instead of our own filthy rags. When we believe Jesus and ask Him to save us from our sins, He does exactly that. Because Jesus completed the plan for salvation when He died on the Cross of Calvary, we can have salvation when we give our hearts to Him and call on His Name. The Bible says in Romans 10:9 (NIV), “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This is good news because sin separates us from God. Without God’s forgiveness we will never become one of His children, and we will ultimately face eternal separation from God, the Creator of our souls, and the Lover of our hearts. But thanks to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18), and if we choose to follow Jesus, we can have the hope of eternal life in Heaven (John 14:6).

However though this plan of salvation has been completed and is a free gift to all, we still have to choose to receive this gift and accept Jesus into our hearts. God will not force us to choose Him because He created us with a free will. We can choose to follow Him, or to reject Him. To follow Jesus is to “walk in the light, as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7 NIV) and the blessing is that we come into fellowship with Jesus who will make us ready for eternity with God.

As God purifies us, He also recognizes that we are fallen and broken. We wake up in the morning, and as much as we don’t want to mess up, we do. Sometimes I won’t even get out of bed before some awful thought crosses my mind, and there it is—my first sin of the day. With the successive events that transpire, my sin pile grows, and by nightfall, if I haven’t taken my sins to the Father and asked for forgiveness, I toss and turn all night.

However, Jesus made a way for us to repent of all the horrid things we’ve thought and said and done—He shines His light in all the deepest corners of our hearts, roots out all the strongholds where we fall captive, and creates a clean heart in us. Forgiving us is His way to let us see how desperately we need Him. With it, we can keep going. We can draw close to His loving Father’s heart and rest in His unquenchable light.

What a glorious gift! What unstoppable love!

Even though we are sinful creatures, we don’t have to walk in eternal darkness. Christ’s light is enough. If we will follow His light, and accept the enormous gift of His salvation then we are made new. Forgiven. Blessed. God’s precious children. Eternally secure in the Father’s hand.

Bright spotlights, fame, thousands of social media followers, fat bank accounts, and exotic vacation spots are all temporary fixes for our deepest needs. We desire true relationship, real love, and freedom from the guilt we all carry. The only answer is Jesus. His death in our place brings new life to the world—to every person who craves the only things that matter.

In Revelation (the very last book of the Bible), Jesus told the apostle John to write down God’s truths about heaven. John writes, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.” (Revelation 21:22-24 NIV)

Only Jesus makes that possible—Jesus, the Light of the World.

*Note from Alexis: This message from Karen today reminds me of this song, “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father of Lights, there is no shadow in You. Thank You for Your glorious light in our lives and help us to run to You for forgiveness when we mess up. Please draw us closer to You each day. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

During this time of quarantine, Karen enjoys reading, writing, and connecting with friends and family via phone calls, texts, emails, blogs, live-streams, and video conferencing.

She is grateful that the Lord has provided so many ways for humankind to stay in community, even when we are all hunkering down in our homes.

Karen says, “In this unprecedented time, we know that He has prepared us for such a time as this! To God be all the glory!”

You can reach Karen by emailing her at this address: klmarstaller@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: The Light

Let There Be Light
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” 

–Genesis 1:3-4 (ESV)

I nearly made it unscathed through 2020, beyond the confusion, the panic, and the isolation of events surrounding this tumultuous year. And then yesterday, the darkness fell. I lost a friend, who was the dear husband of a lifelong friend of mine, to COVID-19 on what was their 12th wedding anniversary.

To be honest, this devotional was worded very differently before 7:11 p.m., September 28. Suddenly, my previous words felt meaningless. I felt devoid of emotion, my mind clamored with confusion and I sought God for answers. Of course I asked him, “Why?”

As I waited for an answer, I felt like I was staring into a deep pool, devoid of life and understanding. I knew I wasn’t going to get the answer to why. God doesn’t have to explain himself or the awful things that happen. As another dear friend said in response to the loss, “We serve an Almighty God and He has a plan.”

Recalling the strength and support my dear lifelong friend had always given me in difficult times, I was compelled to pray for her and the family that had lost their dear father, husband, and friend. In doing so, I was reminded of the beginning of creation, when God looked over the face of the deep.

It had no meaning until He shed His light upon it. The light gave everything meaning and brought order to chaos. “God saw that light was good, and God separated the light from darkness”(Genesis 1:4 ESV).

Each of us carries the light of God within us; and we burn even brighter when we look to Christ to fan the flame within us. Even in our sorrow and pain. He’s there with us, to remind us that when things seem devoid of purpose or understanding, He will speak the light of life to our situation; and the light will bring goodness, and overcome the darkness that surrounds us.

I am believing and holding steadfast to His light in this hour of great need. As Psalms 30:5 (ESV) says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The morning, when the light of dawn once again separates us from the darkness. When God will look upon the light and see all that is good. Yes, morning, come!

I’ll shout to the present circumstance before me and say with great hope, “Let there be light!”

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: The Light

Toward the Light

A devotional by Malinda Fugate

Key Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:7, John 8:12, John 1:5, Psalm 119:105 (NIV) 

In an instant, my apartment was plunged into darkness.

The abrupt power outage eliminated the neighbor’s garage security light as well as the neighborhood street lamps that normally peeked through the windows.

At first, I froze, waiting for my eyes to adjust. The passing moments proved that I had no choice but to feel my way through the familiar room, relying on touch and memory. Soon, my hands grasped the trusty aim-and-flame lighter, giving life to the sweet-smelling candle on my bookshelf. The soft glow illuminated the entire studio apartment, turning the cold darkness into cozy comfort. Let there be light.

The darkness in our lives isn’t always as abrupt as a power outage. It can creep in like a steady dimming of the lights as circumstances become troubling and our mental health needs care. In these times, God can feel far away or not present at all, leaving us stumbling through the darkness, trying to find our way. How can we function without the Light of the Lord? Suddenly, despair sets in, and possibly even panic as we struggle with each step in what seems to be His absence.

These are the moments when 2 Corinthians 5:7 echoes through our hurting hearts: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Our feelings don’t always indicate what is true, and just because we cannot see the light does not mean that God isn’t right there with us. We stumble step by timid step in the dark, reaching for what we know. Just as our memory of a familiar room guides us through a power outage, the precious Scriptures we have hidden in our hearts become the guide for truths we cannot currently see clearly.

So, what do we need to do when we’re in the dark? The first thing we need is to turn on the light. According to John 8:12 (NIV): When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

When we declare the truth of who God is and what He has promised, it’s like lighting a match of hope. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Even in a cave, deep below the earth and far from the sun, the smallest light can push away darkness. It may not illuminate every nook and crevice, but it has the power to light the way. The Bible says in Psalm 119:105 (NIV), “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

So too, does God’s Word have the power to pierce the darkness, leading the way to more of His marvelous light.

This world does indeed have trouble, but the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) has overcome it. He never leaves nor forsakes us even during the times we cannot see Him clearly. His truth remains unchanged and we can rely on it in any circumstance, even when it seems the darkest.

The moments of despair are temporary, because our God of love keeps us close to His heart and brings us into His light. He is trustworthy and He will not abandon us in the dark.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Malinda Fugate writes from the heart.

Though she serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a church in Southern California, she is also a crafter of words published in books. 

Her writing includes children's faith resources, commercial copywriting, and various faith-based stage and screenplays.

Malinda invites you to explore the various 3:16s in the Bible with her new book, The Other Three Sixteens (published by Ambassador International in May 2020).

She also invites you to read her previously published books: Bible Time for Active Kids, which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon.com, and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God, which is an interactive creative writing journal.

Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, and then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.

When she's not writing or working at church, Malinda might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi. 

Visit Malinda online via https://www.malindafugate.com.