God is Love: Kerry Sue Teravskis

Showing posts with label Kerry Sue Teravskis. Show all posts

Friday, September 18, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls us to contribute our resources

Contributing Resources for the Cause of Christ
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

—Luke 8:3 (NLT)

Reading biographies about missionaries is something I take great delight in.

There’s something about the faithfulness of God and the faith of believers who experience living in another country or culture. The true stories of these men and women sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who have never heard of nor experienced Him, are captivating! I sit on the edge of my seat as I read about these missionaries facing their own set of lions and giants and facing impending death, defeat, or destruction. I admire them for always giving God the glory, no matter what the outcome.

Even more amazing, is how God answers the prayers of these missionaries. From seemingly impossible odds, timelines and cultural clashes, God shows Himself mighty. He is powerful and His Name is awesome. So many times when His Name is challenged, He acts extraordinarily. Many missionaries open new territories for Christ though that comes with its own unique challenges for the believers to live their lives following Christ to a people who have not yet heard of Him.

The challenges are immense: language being one of them and culture being another. What we know and understand in our own home, town or country, feels foreign to the locals who we are serving as missionaries. Grasping a new language can take years, and for some, it is elusive. Then, if the Bible is not written in the local language, learning enough to translate it, or sections of it is paramount so the people have the Bible in a language they can understand.

But what if that language has not been written down, or if the people are illiterate? Countless years are spent in translation work as well as teaching literacy to a people who crave to read God’s Word for themselves. It is here where I delight in seeing God move. And also here, where I delight in seeing the missionaries give of themselves immensely so that the Gospel goes out.

In the anchor text at the start of this devotional, Luke mentions a few women (and prominent ones at that) who contributed their own funds to support Jesus and His disciples during Christ’s ministry on Earth. Luke made a point to tell us it was their own funds, their own supplies, their own time, their own resources that these women contributed to sharing the Gospel and building God’s Kingdom.

They gave of themselves so the gospel would go out. And in so doing, they served the Lord. And because it was while Jesus was ministering on earth, they served Him personally. This could be very practical needs they needed such as food and lodging, or it could have been time, friendship, prayer, sharing the good news themselves with those who were in front of them. The possibilities are endless.

It’s like the Bible book of Acts came to life in the 19th century, 20th century and 21st century. So many times, these missionaries needed government officials to approve building construction, churches, schools, hospitals, or runways for planes. Yet, the decision rested solely on the desk of an official who could be corrupt and not willing to deal without the bribe being paid or even because of the lack of understanding, they have an unwillingness to give the approval necessary to move forward. Imagine the scene: piles and piles of household goods and luggage at an airport or at the docks. The wearied travelers who had left home, family and loved ones to follow Christ only to be stuck at the first entrance to the country where they felt called to go. This scenario has been repeated repeatedly—in my own life as well!

How does one act, respond and do so in a foreign language? It’s not easy. Prayer is the only answer. Seriously. Jesus tells us in Mark 11:23 that we can tell the mountains in our lives to move and it will happen. This is what I enjoy reading about in these biographies. I love seeing Jesus’ words come to life. But the backbone behind all of this is prayer.

We remember James as he wrote in James 5:17 (NIV). Elijah was a man just like us and he “prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” Do we pray earnestly? For the lost? For the impossible? For rain when it’s not the rainy season? Do we pray for money to build churches, hospitals and schools that would be places of opportunities to share the gospel while meeting the needs of the people?

No doubt Joanna did. And Susanna. And many others. Just to name a few: William Carey, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Mother Teresa, Jim Elliot, and Billy Graham. These are only a few examples of people who were called to give—and willing to give—of their time, talent and treasure to tell the world about our Savior.

But what about you and me? What is God calling us to do? Is He calling you to go? It could be to Africa where I recently went and found it to be transformative. It could be to drive across the street to meet someone in their need. It could be to walk across the aisle in church or to chat with someone standing next to you in line at the store or anywhere else you go.

What would you contribute? Your time—not only going, but in prayer. Finances, if God lays it on your heart. And what gifts do you have, or skills that you know which can contribute to a project?

Are you willing to prayerfully consider giving of yourself—whether it be time, a talent or two, or treasure? We have been given this immense opportunity to follow Jesus Christ and share this good news. How can you follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before you, and those who are currently serving God, giving, and praying?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Reading about what these women and others did to serve You out of their own pocket gives me a strong desire to do so likewise. But I am at a loss of what that could look like. Would You please show me? I am finding myself willing—willing to listen, go, send, do. But I need direction from You. I want to live sold-out for You and experience You in ways I only read about. I want more of You. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Will Go” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Mission Field” by Blessid Union of Souls. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Sold Out” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “The Cause of Christ” by Resolved. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 26 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than 10 years, a Bible study writer for six years, and a devotional writer for more than four years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own journey of more than five years with broken feet. She hopes to to encourage others with her faith walk and real-life stories.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Friday, August 21, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you feel stretched to the limit

Stretched to the Limit
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

—1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Imagine a rubber band being stretched to the limit.

Think of stretching it until it will not stretch any more. When you do this, the band becomes tight and rigid because it has reached its capacity. It will not go any further, and it might possibly break under the strain of being pulled so tightly.

This was the image I had flash in my mind while talking with my daughter the other day. She was tired, discouraged and basically done with waiting. She is in God’s waiting room for many areas of her life and she is quite frankly, over the waiting. She was stretched out to the max and couldn’t hold it any longer.

The reason the rubber band analogy popped into my head was because I began to think how it is always the hardest right before the end, before the answer, before your name is called in the waiting room. It seems that waiting can be easy at the beginning (although it seems tough at the time) but becomes increasingly difficult the longer we wait.

When I was in my season of affliction for five years (suffering because both of my feet were broken), I thought one month of this hardship was unbearable to experience. But then six months of suffering turned into a year which rolled into five years. I waited and waited and waited to have healing. My injury was such that there really was no type of healing. It was that bad. But God. He chose to heal me. It just happened one evening without any fanfare, extra-long prayer time or anything extraordinary. Just a few quiet, gentle words from the Lord. He said, “You are healed. Walk in it.”

Before my healing, I was stretched to my limit. So many times, I told my family that I just couldn’t do it anymore. I did not know there would be an end, even though I believed God could heal me and would one day.

So, what does one do when one is at this place, at the end of the stretched band?

Let’s go to God’s Word (The Holy Bible) for the answers we need. As our anchor verse (above) states: We need to cast our cares on Jesus Christ, because He cares for us. For a visual example of this, let’s look at the process of fishing. Casting is what a fisherman does with his line. He throws it far from him. He aims the line toward a spot in the water where he thinks there are fish, then lets it go in that direction.

Similar to a fisherman casting his line, we are to cast our cares far from us—in the direction of Jesus. We are to aim towards Him and give Him all our anxieties. All. Not some. Not the ones we want to chew and stew on, but all of them. Why? Because He cares for us. Jesus does not care as the world does (changing how they treat us based on their mindset and mood). Jesus genuinely cares for us. His love for us is pure, unconditional and everlasting (Romans 8:31-39).

While in Tanzania, Africa, recently, my husband got very sick with fever, chills, shakes, lightheadedness, the works. He was ghastly pale and miserable. As a wife, it is so hard to see my man like this. We were at the tail end of our two-week ministry time there, with one more big day ahead of us. It was a Friday night. I was away in the kitchen and he was in another room. He texted me saying, “I need you.” When I rushed into the other room, I found him sweating profusely, in a chair, almost slumped over. This happened in a matter of minutes as I had just gone to the kitchen to prepare supper.

I began praying and ministering to John (my husband). I moved him to the bathroom area, got a bucket and began the vigil. I prayed out loud. I sang. I read Scripture. In about an hour, he felt well enough to crawl into bed, but I suggested a shower because he was drenched in sweat. He managed that, then collapsed into bed.

About midnight, this scene was repeated over again. We knew God was with us, as we could feel His loving care and attention. We never felt abandoned. We rested knowing He was giving us what we needed at the time. After the second round, John was able to sleep until morning. He was weak, but much improved.

That Saturday was the last full of ministry and he was to go on a boat to visit Gombe and possibly find outlying villages that can only be reached by boat. They were on Lake Tanganyika, putting in at Kigoma. Yes, there are still villages which have no outside contact—and these are along the coast of this massive, long lake. The missionary we were with had wanted to see if any village could be touched with the gospel and help. They never made it to Gombe, but they made it to three villages which were open to having teams come, having outsiders minister to them and their children. One village had an immediate need for their water supply. One of the Tanzanians on the boat was able to discover all that was needed was a spigot to have the whole village with a clean water source.

We rejoiced when they returned with this good news. John’s miserable night paled in comparison to the opportunity he had to be a part of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to three villages. God heard our prayers and all along had a plan to use this time to prepare John and me, for getting the gospel out, into new territories.

Does God remove our trials? Not always. But He uses them for His glory and our good. He has all our anxieties in His hand and He, in His goodness, works them for His splendor. And we get the privilege of being included in powerful work.

To Him be the glory.

Let’s Pray: Lord, You are Sovereign and You are in charge of my life. And for that to happen, I give You my life anew. Right now. And fully. Completely. I don’t want control because my ways are so limited and without understanding. But Your ways are full: of mercy, goodness, grace, glory for You. I trust Your sovereignty, even without my having to know the end, the middle and the beginning. Because You truly care for me with unending love. I am deeply thankful and in awe of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Keith & Kristyn Getty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For Your Glory” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Live at Passion City Church). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Mission Field” by Blessid Union of Souls. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Friday, July 17, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: God can use suffering for our good and His glory

When God Uses Our Suffering to Advance the Gospel
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”—Philippians 1:12 (NIV)

When we are in a place of suffering, God has not turned His face away from us.

He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5) and He is with us always (Matthew 28:20). And God can use all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

You may be wondering how this is possible. How can my jobless state be used? Or how can my suffering in pain be used for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or how can my sheer brokenness be used for His glory and my good?

This my friends, is the question of the century, but we have it on good authority, that God does in fact, use it. We are told so by the Apostle Paul (Romans 8:28) as well as our verse printed above (Philippians 1:12).

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. He was bound to a guard day and night. He was put there for preaching the gospel (the good news). He was not a lawbreaker; he was a soldier for Christ.

All throughout his writings (he is responsible for writing several books in the New Testament of The Holy Bible), Paul is very open about hardships, suffering, sharing the gospel, and having joy in the process. He wrote in Philippians 1:27 (NIV), “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” This same Paul endured much, yet he chose joy for the sake of Christ. For the sake of the gospel. But how does that work?

We may not understand all the particulars (and I for one, do not), but we can look around us to see how this plays out. Do you know a long-time saint in the church who has endured much? Whether it be health-related, broken relationships, financial duress—and yet he or she is joyful? Glorifying and praising God rather than looking at circumstances. Not looking at the walls of the nursing home or the walker propped by the side of their bed—but fixing their eyes on Jesus.

Let’s face it: Life is hard in so many ways. Yet, life is good in so many ways. The laughter of a young child, the beauty of a sunset or of a sunrise. The brush of the ocean breeze on your face. The taste of chocolate or the first sip of coffee. Or the warm embrace of a dear friend. The kiss from a puppy, the drive in a new car.

God is with us in all this. He is there when we fail, and when we are betrayed. He is there when we climb the highest heights or sit in a chair unable to move because of pain. Recently while I was in Tanzania (Africa), I was able to testify about the healing power of God. I had suffered for five long years with broken feet (both of my feet were broken). After God healed me, I had asked Him for opportunities to witness about His healing—even on foreign soil.

He gave me the time one Sunday right after my husband preached. He was preaching on Habakkuk and at the very end of this little book in The Holy Bible, we read in Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV), “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”

When my husband read this verse, I knew I had to share my story. It was a last-minute decision, but a welcome one. I shared briefly about my five-year affliction. Tears were streaming down my face so that I could not read my Bible, nor could my translator read, as he too had tears down his face. We struggled along reading from Psalm 119, Philippians 3:10, and landed on Habakkuk 3:19 with my declaration that Hope Chapel in Kamala, Kigoma, Tanzania, was the heights God allowed me to stand on. It was for this reason I was healed. To further the gospel. To share of His goodness. To witness of His glory.

That testimony opened so many more conversations in the remaining weeks we were there and God’s Word went out even more. Was it hard to endure those five long years sitting in my room, in a chair, not doing ‘normal’ life type things? Yes, very. But to be able to testify to God’s goodness in Tanzania was awesome.

This begs the question: How was I testifying during the affliction? Was I moaning and groaning during that time or was I like Paul, pointing out the fact that my affliction was furthering the gospel? To be honest, it was a little of both. Some days were better than others, but God was faithful through it all and He gave me many opportunities to share His goodness even while confined to my room.

I was able to say as the psalmist said in Psalm 119:68 (NIV), “You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees.”

I would encourage you, even now, if you are struggling, to recognize God’s goodness in your life and allow Him to use your present circumstances to further the gospel.

Let’s Pray: Father, I acknowledge Your goodness. I acknowledge that truly, I want to have my life and my circumstances further the gospel. I want to be part of Your bigger plan. And I know I cannot do it alone. I am thankful You are with me in every moment, every circumstance, every hurt. You are good. And what You do is good. Yes, Lord, I did say that and I mean it. I embrace You afresh and anew, desiring to share with others. For the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “He’s Been Faithful” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir featuring TaRanda Greene. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Every Moment” by ForeverJones. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Lord, You Are Good” by Todd Galberth. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Testimony” by Terrian. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Friday, June 19, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: When God helps you use what's in your hand

What’s In Your Hand?
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

—Exodus 4:2 (NIV)

We carry many things in our hands. Keys. Food. Backpack. A loved one’s hand. Money. A tool. And many of these things are quite useful throughout our day.

If you are a chef, then a sharp knife is essential. If you are a dog trainer, then a leash along with dog treats is in order. If you are a mommy, then your empty hands are needed to help, guide, carry and comfort a child.

What we carry in our hands can be used by God, if we let Him. Moses had just been called by God to go to Pharoah to bring His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10). Moses had met God via a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). It was then when Moses received a call from God and the instructions of what his life would look like from here on out. But he had some questions for God first.

Moses asked God for a sign—multiple ones, even though he had just had the burning bush experience in which God’s voice was heard from a fire-engulfed bush that was not consumed by the fire. Perhaps Moses was afraid to step out into the wide unknown. Maybe that is why he asked God for a sign. God answered Moses by telling him to look at his hand then gave him the sign he needed. Has this ever happened to you? You feel a nudging from God to do something new to you and you do not know where to begin. Maybe you have many different hobbies, interests, and likes, but they don’t necessarily go together except at a salad bar.

This does not matter to God. He takes all things and uses them for His glory. Even our experiences from the past such as the pain, the betrayal, the unforgiveness, and the secret parts of our lives we don’t share because they are too private. God can use it all to transform us and inspire others to know Him on a personal level.

God is a creative God. His creativity is displayed around is in His creation. Animals like the wildebeest, a zebra, a giraffe, a monkey or a hippo are unique in appearance. I saw all these animals on a recent trip to a safari park in East Africa. On that safari, I saw how creative God is in the colors and patterns He chose to incorporate in animals. He was creative because it was in His hand to be creative. It is God’s nature and we are the ones who benefit from the works of His hands.

Before this trip to a safari, God used what was in my hand in a very unexpected way. My husband and I were going to Tanzania for him to teach at a Bible college and I had different teaching type things I was going to do. I had a lot of free time after I completed my assignment. The missionaries we were working with asked me if I had any hobbies or interests. I replied yes and mentioned my passion for sewing garments. And I have a passion for helping women sew garments for themselves, their families, and as a business.

She asked if I could hold a day-long seminar to demonstrate making products for themselves. I began drafting patterns, getting them in Swahili and praying about this day. When we arrived in Tanzania a month ago, that one day seminar turned into a sewing clinic at the training center of the mission. It was going to be a month-long clinic where students lived at the center, learned how to use a treadle sewing machine, learn a skill, how to manage a small business and a budget, and learn more about Jesus Christ.

What I do for personal interest for myself and others (and mine is not a business), became used by God for others to make a living for themselves and their families.

When I saw the training center for the first time getting painted and ready for the 11 students, plus the 15 new treadle machines (electricity is not that reliable), I was overcome. God was using what was in my hand. I thought I was going to teach one small class in something I consider a hobby, where God was using it to reach more for His glory and His work.

I did not ask God for a sign, rather He gave me a powerful lesson on obedience. We went out of obedience to Tanzania. We do not go for the ‘adventure’, nor did we go because we had not been to Africa before. We went because God called us to go. We went because He had something for us to do. We went because of obedience and love. And we received way more than we gave.

Let’s Pray: Father, I have stuff in my hands, but I am not sure if it can be useful for You and I want to glorify and honor You with what I have in my hands. Show me Lord what it is You want me to give to You. I don’t necessarily need a sign, rather a direction on how to use what You have given me for Your kingdom purposes. I lay (fill in the blank) at Your feet, for Your use. And I do it willingly. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Available to You” (ft. J Moss) by Melinda Watts. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Out of My Hands” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Use Me” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Friday, May 15, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: A trip to Tanzania taught me about great faith

Great Faith
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

—Luke 7:9 (NIV)

Recently, I had the privilege of teaching primary school teachers at a Christian school in Tanzania. I was asked to teach on studying the Bible. It was a remarkable experience that humbled me.

Since I teach Bible study in America, I worked through a portion of Scripture I was to teach while here (I am currently still in Tanzania while I write this): The story of the centurion who had a sick servant and he asked Jesus to heal the servant.

One of the points we concluded from our time was that this passage talks about faith. Even Jesus Christ was amazed at the great faith of the centurion soldier. What is notable about this man was that he was a Gentile (a non-Jew), he was a Roman soldier, he was a friend of the Jewish elders, and he had heard about Jesus—presumably about the fact that Jesus was healing people from sickness.

Through the course of the interchange, the centurion says he does not want Jesus to come to his home but to just say the word and his servant would be healed. The centurion recognized the authority Jesus had to heal. He had the faith to come to Him, ask Him for healing (not for himself, but for his servant) and to have faith to know Jesus could heal from a distance. And Jesus was amazed by his faith.

Little did I know I would encounter this type of faith in Tanzania. The people here—especially Christians—are so sweet, loving and kind. I have seen a heart for the lost like I have not seen in a very long time. I have seen a passion to grow closer to God through daily Christian living by placing importance on fasting, Scripture memorization, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discipling, teaching, reaching out to children, and finding ways to share Jesus with others.

I have been humbled by their great faith. Part of my time has been spent working with the leaders of the kids’ clubs here. I was asked to help update the curriculum and so I spent a lot of time with five young adults (all are about the age of my own children, with their leader slightly older). They amazed me because I saw how their passion for children and for the lost is off the charts. The topics covered in their lessons are deep theological concepts.

One might think that it should not work with children in teaching them about sin, grace, the holiness of God, the Advocate we have in the Holy Spirit, and much more. However, I was able to participate in a kids’ club when we taught on these topics, and these street children ate up every word. They listened, answered questions, memorized long verses and genuinely engaged in meaningful conversations. They asked questions relating to the Bible story and wanted to know the answers.

These leaders have such great faith. They believe God will lead them where they need to go to teach the children and they give their all to them. They sing their hearts out, they give of their time, and they give of their resources (which is not much because two of the five are finishing up Bible college). In addition to these leaders, the teachers at the school demonstrated to me a desire to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We agreed that is the way Jesus is calling us to live and that while it is hard, it is the best way to walk out our faith.

Walking by sight means we believe because we see. We can touch it, we can hold it, we can use it to carry us through. However, walking by faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Walking by faith means going all in for Jesus. It means going door to door to share the gospel. It means talking with your neighbor who is of a different faith and befriending that neighbor to start a relationship that will go beyond borrowing a cup of sugar.

Walking by faith is knowing what you are doing has eternal value for the kingdom of God. It is knowing our God is a holy God worthy of our worship and our time. It is knowing He is with us in the fire, in the storm and in the valley as well as on the mountaintops.

Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s great faith. And that was a question we had to ask ourselves: Would Jesus be amazed at my faith? Would He call it ‘great faith’? Why, or even, why not?

May we press on, ride hard and keep our eyes on the prize of Heaven with God for eternity. May we tell others about Him and may we spend our lives doing so. May we give of ourselves day in and day out. And know that by our faith, we are pleasing God.

Let’s Pray: Father God, You are amazing. You are holy, worthy, and beautiful. You give us our faith and You give us opportunities to grow our faith by loving You and loving others. Thank You for giving us this faith and may we use it daily as we walk with You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Eyes on the Prize” by Sara Groves. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “My Jesus” by Anne Wilson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

~*~

Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Friday, March 20, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: For when you're searching and praying for peace

Need Peace?
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”—Luke 2:14 (NIV)

We sing songs with these words. We read these words. We want these words to be a reflection of our life. We want peace. We want God’s favor. We want peace in our homes, at work, school, in our personal lives. Above all else, we just want peace.

Is it only the quiet we crave? The silence of the forest, the roaring of the ocean waves, the absence of people? Are we so busy with our daily to-do lists that time away from it all is most desired? Is that what we equate with peace?

Or is it much deeper?

This word “peace”, in the Greek is “Eirene” and it means peace—literally and figuratively. It also means a state of national tranquility, exemption from war, peace between individuals, harmony and security. According to the Blue Letter Bible, there is a connotation of prosperity, there is peace, and there is peace. There is peace after the small children go to bed, and there is peace on a larger scale when the weapons of war are laid down and a peace treaty is signed. There is peace when forgiveness is sought and given. There is peace when we lay down our desires to God and allow Him to have full reign in our lives.

If we look closely at Luke 2:14, God’s peace is for those on whom His favor rests. It is not a one-size-fits-all type of peace. We all crave this peace, but there is a condition: God’s favor. God’s pleasure. It does not say God’s love. We know from John 3:16 that God so loves the world that He gave His only Son to die for our sins and in turn we receive eternal life with Him. His pleasure is another matter.

For years, I have sought to find passages in the Bible that speak of God’s pleasure. This has been a quest for me ever since I came across Ephesians 5:10 (NLT), that tells us to carefully determine what pleases the Lord. The Apostle Paul is telling us to search for this pleasure. We can find it by searching the Scriptures and seeing what God has to say to us as we read His Word.

First and foremost, we have the best definition: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

It’s about faith. It’s about belief. It’s about belief in God and God alone. It is not about me, my ways, my stubborn tenacity, my selfishness. It’s about letting go and letting God. It’s about seeking Him and pleasing Him in the seeking. This starts with our believing He is good, kind, compassionate, loving, for us and everyone.

Simple as that.

But it is not always that simple for us to understand and apply to our life because we tend to complicate things. We allow our selfishness to be in the driver’s seat of our lives because it is hard to trust anyone, let alone God, whom we cannot see. But to have this peace we crave, we need to please God with our faith in Him. When we do this then we can receive His peace—and I would say, in abundance.

This begs the question for those of us who know Jesus Christ but are not knowing, nor feeling His peace. Perhaps we are wondering, “What am I doing to cause this lack?” I believe that it boils down to pleasing God and asking ourselves these questions: Have I stepped away from trusting God in all areas of my life? Have I allowed Him in most areas, but not all because I’m not ready, not willing to fully give that over, or because the very thing that gives me pleasure is actually a stumbling block to my having His favor rest upon me? Is this why I don’t have peace?

This is what I’ve learned: When I find I am in turmoil in life, I need to pause and look at my heart and my eyes. Are they on the Lord and in His Word? Am I genuinely seeking God even though I do not fully understand, but fully trust Him?

It is here, on our journey, where we can find, receive and rest in God’s peace.

Let’s Pray: Father God, I need You. I need Your peace and I recognize that I do not have peace because of me. Because of my holding on, my wandering heart, my stubborn rebellion, my independence, and not letting You have full reign in all areas of my life. I fully, finally and completely, give You all. Everything. And I thank You for the peace that is mine because of this step of obedience. Please give me Your perfect peace. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “God and God Alone” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I’ll Give You Peace” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “God's Favor” by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

Friday, February 20, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: God can give you refuge in the storms of life

God offers us refuge in the storms of life

A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.”

—Psalm 16:1 (NIV)

Having lived in Central America, I have experienced torrential rainstorms.

These are the kinds where one could set a clock because of their daily occurrence at the same time. Often, I was caught out in the rain without the advantage of a place of shelter, a raincoat, or even an umbrella. You would think I would have learned, but I did not.

Shelter in a rainstorm is not essential for maintaining life, but it sure is nice. What is essential for shelter in a storm is a place to eventually dry off. A place to change into something dry, a warm fire if the downpour was cold, and a place to wait it out. Tropical rainstorms are not cold, but they are very wet.

What about life? What about a place to find shelter in our storms? A place to seek help, coverage, protection and rest. A place for healing, if need be. A place for comfort and solace. God is all of that and more. When we seek Him, He is that protection from the enemy, the storm, the accusations. Instead of the shame being thrown at us, He covers us with His love and acceptance.

In the Law of Moses, God provided places for those needing refuge who had committed manslaughter. There were six of these safe places in and around Israel. They were called “cities of refuge”. No part of Israel was more than 30 miles from one of them, and the roads were always kept clear, the city gates kept open and maintained by the priests. It was made easy for the people who needed asylum as they tried to escape the avenger of blood until trial because it was easy to reach and provided easy access once there.

God is our refuge. As King David wrote in Psalm 16, it was in God whom he sought refuge. Not only was David a king, but he was also a shepherd. He understood the need for a place for protection from the enemy, the place for comfort, a place for healing.

A sheep pen was typically used at night with the shepherd sleeping/standing guard in the doorway or entrance. The shepherd would keep watch for predators and would always know where each of his sheep were located. Jesus Christ calls Himself the “Good Shepherd” in John 10:14. He also calls Himself the gate for the sheep (John 10:7-9). He is also the cleft in which we hide (Exodus 33:22).

When we place our trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, we are kept safe in Him from the avenger of blood. We all have fallen short of the glory of God because no one is good (Romans 3:23). The wages for our sins is death (Romans 6:23). But Jesus Christ became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) so we may be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). This means Christ is a like city of refuge for those who place their trust in Him. He is easily accessible from wherever we are. The road is kept clear and the door is always open. We can escape and find asylum in Him. Christ is our Defense, our Refuge, our Hope. He is our Life. He is our Savior.

When we feel we need to run, hide, and to find shelter form the onslaught of gossiping mouths, the mudslingers, and the enemy bent on revenge, we can run straight to Jesus and He will protect us.

What’s holding you back?

If you are unsure of Christ’s love for you, ask Him to show you. If you are unsure of acceptance in His presence, ask Him to be that covering, that protection from God’s wrath. Find the perfect shelter in Jesus and rest knowing He is for you, not against you. He is waiting for you to come to Him.

Let’s Pray: Father God, even before the Old Testament people understood the full meaning of a city of refuge, You established them. Even before they understood the need for salvation, You provided it, and You provided a Way through Your Son, Jesus. Even before we knew we needed shelter from our enemies and from Your righteous judgment, You provided everything we would need. I am amazed at Your goodness, Your Sovereignty, Your grace. I am thankful and I accept it. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “He Hideth My Soul” by Wintley Phipps. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “A Secret Place” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Psalm 23” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin featuring the church and choir scene from “The Gospel” movie. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Devotionals for the Heart: God is always with us and He fights for us

God is Always with Us
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.”—Psalm 91:15 (NLT)

This Psalm in the anchor scripture above is a very well-known Bible verse. I have heard it also referred to as the “Soldier's Psalm”—and for good reason.

My father-in-law is Latvian. He was a small child when World War Two broke out. But even before the perilous times of that war, his family experienced danger because of their faith in God and the fact that his dad was a pastor. He tells the story about his father reciting Psalm 91 to them so many times during those awful times of peril and suffering. God’s promises are true—they saw God protect them through their plight, flight and horrible living conditions for many years.

God is faithful. He does protect us—and sometimes that protection looks like allowing a believer to die but not without the hope of going to Heaven. I wish I knew the heart and mind of God as our Heavenly Father to such an extent I could know the answers to all my questions of why, but I do not. However, I do know God is faithful, He is good and He is a loving Father. He is with us in times of trouble, He answers when we call and He rescues us.

Sometimes these answers look vastly different than we thought they would. It's rather like God says to us in Isaiah 43:2. We pass through the deep waters and rivers of difficulties. But God is with us through it all. We do not walk over a bridge to the other side. We put on our waders and walk in the water, on the river rocks, over the mossy river bottoms, encounter strong currents, dodge snags, and climb up the bank, wet, tired and ready for a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.

We walk through the waters, we go through the trials, we experience hardships, but we do not lose. We do not walk away in defeat. We do not get eaten alive (so to speak), unless it is our Heavenly Father's will for us to encounter more than we thought we could handle. Ultimately, the victory is ours because God is our Warrior God and He fights for us (Exodus 15:3). We will not be cast down, we will not lose our salvation and place in Heaven, nor will we lose our inheritance (Ephesians 1:3-14). These are the most important things. We focus on the temporal, the comforts, the here and now. But God focuses on the eternal and the good work He is doing in us to make us more like His Son (Philippians 1:6).

I will admit I get tripped up here a lot. I like bridges over troubled waters. I am unsure of rushing rivers and snags. I do not like to get wet if I do not have to— especially on a cold, wintery day.

But God. He has plans for us and they stand firm forever (Psalm 33:11). They are so much better than we could ask or imagine. So, as we embark into this new year, let us go forward knowing God is already there in each day. He is with us in each trouble, fear, bear encounter, rushing river, relationship, health challenge and financial situation we may face.

May we always hold on to the hope we have in knowing that He is our God and He is a good, loving Heavenly Father.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your presence with me every single day. Whether I am in the river stepping on river rock, or climbing up the bank, You are with me. Thank You that you have always been with me in the past, will stay with me in the present and continue to be with me forever in the future. I am so thankful You do not leave me in the troubled waters alone. You are with me. Even though I walk through dark shadows, You are with me. I hold onto that promise and comfort from You for this upcoming year. And I hold onto You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “You Are With Me (Psalm 23)” by Ginna Claire Mason. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “He is With Us” by Love & The Outcome. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “When You Walk Through the Water” by Allison Durham. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Fighting for Me” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

As a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson, Kerry Sue’s life is very full. She met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the States to raise their family.

Friday, December 19, 2025

Devotionals for the Heart: What can happen when we look for Jesus Christ

Looking for Something?
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

—Matthew 2:1b-2 (NLT)

The Magi (Wise Men) mentioned in the Bible about the birth of Jesus Christ on Earth, were very astute. They knew the night skies and saw a new star.

I don’t know about you, but there are millions of stars up in the heavens, and I am not sure I could pick out the one star that was different. I am not a stargazer extraordinaire. However, I have been known to watch meteor showers, the night sky when camping, or while at home in our pasture or sitting around the campfire. The skies do indeed, proclaim the work of God’s hand (Psalm 19:1).

These Magi noticed this new star and began formulating a plan that included a trip to Jerusalem. Most believe they traveled about a thousand miles or more to get to the epicenter of Jewish life: Jerusalem. But that long journey did not deter these men. They were determined. They were on a quest, and they would not stop until they knew the answer to their question. They were, indeed, looking for something.

Or rather, they were looking for Someone. The Lord said in Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT), “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

What are we looking for? Some may answer with: Happiness. Wealth. Health. A good marriage. A good time. Anything but what they have currently. But is what we are looking for worth the search? Are we looking for the wrong thing? The temporal thing? A band aid or quick fix? In the long run, we need long-lasting help and answers. We need hope.

Bible commentators are quick to point out that these wise men knew Scripture, most likely because Jews lived in the region and through the generations, the men from the east began to know it too—whether or not they knew the God behind the Scriptures. The point to note is they saw the star in the night sky, and they went on a trek to find the place where Jesus was—the star was shining on him as a spotlight. They looked for an answer. They stopped everything they were doing and went across the miles in search of the Answer.

God promises we will find Him when we search wholeheartedly for Him (see Matthew 7:7). Do we pack up our lives and search for Him? Do we stop what we are doing or where we are going and make an about-face to find Him? Do we pay attention to the prick in our hearts to satisfy the longing that has been there ever so long?

If not, why not? Even if we have a relationship with God already, we could have strayed or gotten off the path, gotten busy, gotten distracted, gotten bitter, or not gotten our way. Therefore, we tuned out, turned off or wandered. The point being we are not where we should be, and we know it. And we feel the tug, the prick, the nudge, the longing. Then we finally acknowledge we are missing something.

Someone.

This Someone was the baby born in Bethlehem. Now He (Jesus) is our High Priest and Savior. The Bible says His name is Jesus because He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Will you be like the Magi and chart out the course to find Jesus? Will you stop the ordinary hustle and bustle and search wholeheartedly for Jesus? Will you keep searching until you find Him and are fully satisfied? He is worth the search. He is our Manna from Heaven. He is our Peace. He is our Joy. Jesus is our Hope.

Let’s Pray: Father God, Lord of all creation. Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He is the long-awaited Messiah who came to Earth to dwell among us, to go to the Cross as Your sacrificial Lamb and to redeem us from our sins. You Lord are Sovereign and beautiful. Your perfect will is amazing. Thank You for giving us opportunities to seek and find You. You are not far off. You are near, available and You are love. Thank You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Friday, November 21, 2025

Devotionals for the Heart: Trust God to keep us safe and order our steps

Safe Keeping
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”—Jude 24 NIV

We keep a lot of things: mementos from a family road trip, menus from our favorite restaurants, leaves from the tree in our backyard, seashells from the seashore. We keep time, money, dates and appointments, and we keep on keepin’ on. In our minds, these things we keep are valuable, irreplaceable and part of our lives. One day they will be passed onto the next generation and will tell a story of our time here on earth.

We also like to keep track of our spending, our time away from home, our time in our home, our time with our children and our time with our spouses. If there is an imbalance, we try to reign it in. Not easy, but worth it.

God keeps a lot too. He keeps us from stumbling. Just right there is enough for me. How often when I embark ‘on my own, in my own way’, do I fall flat on my face, let alone stumble? When our eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, He keeps our feet on the right path. We are not even looking at where our feet are going, we just follow with our eyes on the Master. How is this possible to not watch where we are going?

During my five-year long journey of suffering with broken feet, my daughter would constantly remind me to be mindful of my feet. To pay attention to where I was stepping, what I was stepping onto, and how I was going to get from point A to point B. It was very useful because while I was walking, I would be talking and would forget to be mindful—thereby getting myself in trouble with the feet.

Knowing God keeps me from stumbling, spiritually, is quite comforting. Following Jesus is a life-long journey with many ups and downs, turns and twists, mistakes and triumphs. But I need not worry about tripping or falling off the road because Jesus has me. He is keeping me, He is protecting me, He is holding me.

Yes, He is holding me. Just like a daddy keeping watch over his little one, daddy holds the little one in his big strong arms. This act makes the child feel safe, loved and protected. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us if we let Him and do not squirm out of His arms. If only we will submit to God and let Him be our Keeper.

What does God not keep? A record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). We are told God is love in 1 John 4:16. Therefore, God does not keep a record of wrongs. This only applies to those who acknowledge Him as Lord. For those whose names are written in the Book of Life, judgment will be for our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10). But for those who have not chosen to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they too will be judged, will not be found in the Book of Life and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). What a sobering day that will be for many.

But it does not need to end there. God’s mercy is for all and is ready for the asking.

Did you know God keeps mercy for us which is forever? Mercy is what many who cried out to Jesus in need of healing (like blind Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52). Mercy is what follows us, according to Psalm 23:6. God keeps it, guards it and then lavishes it on us. What a wonderful God we have and serve!

Now, may I bless you with this promise found in Numbers 6:24-26 NIV? “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

Let’s Pray: Father God, You are so gracious to us to hold and keep us. You do this so willingly and with abundance. You are faithful and eternal. You are the One who holds me so I do not stumble. Thank You for helping me to keep my feet on the path You marked out for me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Call You Faithful” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by John Rutter. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Devotionals for the Heart: When God gives you good things to enjoy in life

When God Gives You Good Things

A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”—Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)

Isn’t it wonderful to pause and smell the ocean? To take in a pasture scene with grazing cows and sheep? To observe a newborn baby with his or her mommy? Or to take that first bite of a luscious lasagna complete with herbs and cheese?

There is something so satisfying about these things. The sea salt scented air is breathtaking and soothing all at once. It smells like home for me because I grew up in Southern California with all its beautiful beaches. Nothing can quite replace that scene or nature-made fragrance.

These places are not forgotten because they are etched into my heart and into my mind. They bring up feelings of peace, joy and fun for me. How about you? When you need to escape the doldrums of reality (such as our commute to work, the piles of laundry, the stack of dirty dishes), are you able to recall a place that brings you joy and a smile?

King David, who prior to becoming a king, spent his time as a shepherd, wrote Psalm 103. He begins this Psalm with a call to remembrance of all God’s benefits. Not some, but all. That is a lot of remembering. One of the things David wants us to remember is God satisfying our desires with good things. Notice it is not just one desire, but multiple ones.

What are you desiring right now? A good job? Better communication in your family? Restored relationships? A few more dollars leftover at the end of the month instead of leftover month at the end of your dollars? God does satisfy our desires with good things. The Bible says every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17). God still gives good gifts in this modern day. He meets our needs, but even more, He satisfies our longings, our desires, the deep cravings of our heart.

What are you craving? Yes, there are the “here and now” things, but do you have a deep desire you have shared with no one because it seems absurd? Audacious? Far out there? Have you spoken these out loud to God? He already knows, but He loves to be included in your thoughts and dreams. It is how God shows you His love and direction. He demonstrates His provision and His goodness.

Are you experiencing a season of silence from God? Have you been praying for things for quite a while and yet no answer is the answer? I’ve been there—for five long years, at one point in my life. God was silent even though I wasn’t. I still read the Bible, prayed, went to church, and served, but there was this void in my life because I wasn’t hearing the voice of God.

Looking back, I can see He was there, but without words. He was enjoying my presence and wanting me to do the same with Him. I’ll admit I did a lot of complaining because I felt words were necessary, but it turns out they are not.

God satisfied me by sustaining me through that time with more than I could ask for—a place to hide in, a shelter, and a strong tower. A yoke to step into, and a green pasture to lie down in. He gave me water from a Rock, and faith handcrafted by His Son, just for me. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus Christ is the Author of our faith. Because of this, we can rest assured Jesus created our faith and He is daily writing our faith journey with Him and giving us what we need to trust Him.

God is good and He does good (Psalm 119:68). Always. He wants us to acknowledge this and to live in faith knowing that whether we choose to see the good does not negate the good He is and does. Let us recognize God’s loving hand in our lives and forget not all His benefits—all of them—and thank Him for all of it. It starts here with a heart of thankfulness. At the end of our time of thanking and remembering, God is there, meeting our desires.

If you’re in a season where you don’t hear God’s voice or receive answers from Him when you pray, just hold on and keep praying. He will provide in His perfect time. God is never late!

Let’s Pray: God, sometimes I forget all Your benefits. I look at the immediate, but You have been there all along taking care of my needs and even my wants. Thank You for blessing me with good and perfect gifts from above. Help me to see them as from Your mighty, powerful and loving hand of provision that is perfectly fashioned just for me. Thank You for satisfying my desires with Your goodness.

Song of Reflection: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.

Friday, September 19, 2025

Devotionals for the Heart: What a Bible story about a harp taught me

Lessons from a Harp
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“There on the poplars we hung our harps.”

—Psalm 137:2 (NIV)

This verse in the anchor text above gives us such vivid imagery to the point where we can feel the weight of Israel's depression.

In verse Psalm 137:1 we are told that they would sit by the rivers of Babylon and remember Zion. Why were they in Babylon to begin with and not in Jerusalem that was known as God's holy city and was their home? It was due to disobedience.

God spelled out quite clearly in His Law, reminding them again in Deuteronomy 28 about blessings and curses, and encouraged them to choose life. God sent prophet after prophet with dire warnings for His people. But to no avail.

Recently, I read Deuteronomy 28, 2 Kings 23-25 as well as Jeremiah 25 in preparation to teach an overview for a Bible study on the book of Daniel. It was within these scriptures that I saw many reminders of God's mercy, grace, judgment, anger and mankind’s struggles with sin.

But I also saw that these scriptures speak well of God's love because what other god would give the standard as well as the solution? What other god would care to warn or make a way to righteousness? No other god!

God is a loving Heavenly Father who disciplines His children when they disobey to course correct their path from destruction and save their souls—just like we who are parents do with our own children. Did you catch that? We are His own children! God’s children. He made us, claims us, and bought us with a price—His own Son (Jesus Christ) died so we could have the right to be in God's family. Read more about that true story in John 3:16-17. This is quite remarkable to me!

Are we in a place of exile at the moment, remembering where we once had a sweet relationship with God but now we are hanging our harps on a poplar tree? Do we feel isolated from others? Are we experiencing a season of affliction? Are we here because of disobedience? If we are then what's the solution? Repentance.

Are we in exile because God has us here for a time of teaching and testing our faith? Just writing these words makes me nervous because of my very recent long-term affliction and exile season that lasted for five years before God healed me.

But guess what? God can use us in exile! Read the Bible stories about Queen Esther and Daniel in the lions’ den for prime examples of this truth. We are strangers in this land, exiles on Earth (1 Peter 2:11) while we wait for Jesus Christ to return and take us home in Heaven.

Therefore, instead of hanging our harps, let’s play them! Let’s seek how to honor Christ even in the exile, even in the affliction, even in the moments of waiting. This is not easy, but it is sanctified by God because of His sovereignty, He knows and acts according to His will for our good and His glory. God orchestrates our lives to give us opportunities to grow, draw close to Him and to choose Him, as well. He desires us to see these times of affliction and exile as training grounds not only for the ‘now’ but for the future.

I am here with you. And with God all things are possible.

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

Here I am, in exile, in affliction and I am sad because I remember what used to be. Life was different then. Maybe better. Maybe not. But honestly, I am longing for the familiar—even if it was in Egypt (so to speak). However, You are calling me to play my harp with remembrance and thanksgiving. To play with joy because You are with me. You use seasons of affliction, exile, deserts, mountain tops to grow us, challenge us, convict us and get us on the track You want us on. May I repent, accept and step out in faith, knowing You are with me. I want to play a new song on my harp—a song for You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Even in EXILE” by Crowder. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.