Devotionals for the Heart: Why God is our stable Rock in troubled times

God is My Rock and My Fortress
A devotional by Heidi Lewis-Ivey

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

—Psalm 18:2 (KJV)

There's a verse I keep returning to when everything feels unsteady.

King David didn’t write this verse (Psalm 18:2) from a place of comfort. He wrote it after years of being chased, betrayed, and nearly killed. He wrote this verse after watching the ground shift under him over and over again. What he landed on, after all of that, wasn't a strategy or a self-improvement plan. It was not a person. He landed on the Lord. David didn’t say, “the Lord helped me build something stable.” He said, “The Lord is my rock.” The difference is everything not “God helped me get stable,” but “God is my stability.” David didn't build it. He didn't earn it. He just stopped looking elsewhere and stood on what was already holding him.

That’s the difference I want to sit in today.

Notice how many words David uses to say the same thing: Rock. Fortress. Deliverer. Strength. Buckler. Horn of salvation. High tower. Seven images, one truth, said seven different ways.

I don't think that's poetic excess. I think it's what happens when one word isn't enough to hold what you're trying to say. When you’ve been steady in some ways and shaken in others, strong in some ways and terrified in others, you reach for every word you have because no single image captures the whole of what you need God to be.

A rock holds your weight. A fortress keeps danger out. A deliverer reaches in and pulls you from where you are. A high tower lets you see what’s coming before it arrives. David needed all of it because life doesn’t threaten you in just one way. It comes at you from every direction, and so his language for God had to come from every direction too.

Here's what stands out to me most: David doesn't say God gave him a rock. He says God is the rock. That’s not a small distinction. A rock you’re given can be taken away. God the “rock” cannot. If my stability depends on a job, a relationship, a season of life going well, then the moment any of it shifts, my stability goes with it. But if my stability is God himself, nothing that changes around me can touch the foundation because the foundation was never any of those things to begin with.

I think this is why so many of us feel unstable even when nothing is technically wrong. We've built our sense of safety on things that were never built to hold that weight such as: achievement, other people's approval, the absence of conflict, the illusion of control. Those things shift constantly because they were never rocks. They were just things that looked solid until the weather changed and we realized they were like sinking sand.

David is naming something different. He says, “My God, my strength”. He isn't crediting his resilience or his track record. Not in how well he’s holding it together. He’s naming where the strength lives: in God, and nowhere else. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV), “for my strength is made perfect in weaknesses.”

I want to be honest about something: Saying “the Lord is my rock” doesn't make the storm disappear. Remember: David wrote this after the danger, not instead of it. The men were still after him. The years of running were still real. The fear in the moment it was happening was not fake just because he later wrote a psalm about trusting God through it. Faith here isn’t the absence of fear, it’s what David reached for in the middle of the fear.

That matters, because I think a lot of us quietly believe that needing to lean on God this hard means something has gone wrong with our faith. It hasn’t. King David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), needed seven different metaphors to describe how badly he needed somewhere solid to stand. If he needed that many, we’re allowed to need ours too. One of my favorite places to stand is Romans 8:18 (KJV). It says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Let’s look at our anchor text (Psalm 18:2) again and focus on where David wrote these words: in whom I will trust. That phrase sits in the middle of the verse and it’s easy to read past it, but it's doing a lot of work. Allow me to explain: Trust isn't a feeling you wait for. It’s a decision you make, often while the feeling is nowhere close. David didn’t say “in whom I feel safe” he said, “in whom I will trust.” Future tense. A choice being made in the middle of the hard place that hadn't been resolved yet. He was choosing to trust the rock before he could fully feel its solidity under his feet.

That’s most of what trust looks like, if I'm honest. Not the calm certainty we picture, but the decision to keep standing on something you can’t fully verify yet because you’ve decided it’s trustworthy, not because the ground has stopped shaking. My late pastor used to tell me, “Faith is not needing to know the details.” We learn to trust God when we can’t see nor trace Him.

If you’re in a season where everything you used to lean on feels unreliable—people, plans, even your own resolve—I don't think the answer is to try harder to make those things solid again.

I think the invitation is the same one David found his way to. Stop asking the shifting things to hold your weight. Instead stand on the thing that was never going to move. Not because it will remove what you're facing. David still had men after him. The storm doesn't always pass just because you’ve named your rock correctly.

But you can be in a storm and still be standing on something solid. That’s not nothing. That might be everything. My rock. My fortress. My deliverer. My strength. My high tower. My buckler. My horn of salvation.

Let’s say it the way David did with all seven words because one was never going to be enough. Let these words be true before it fully feels true because that’s where trust starts. Not at the end of the storm, but in the middle of it, on a rock that was never the one shaking to begin with.

Let’s Pray:

Lord,

You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. You are my God, my strength, the one in whom I choose to trust not because I always feel it, but because I have decided You are trustworthy. You are my buckler, the horn of my salvation, my high tower.

I confess that I have spent seasons leaning on things that were never built to hold my own strength, other people's approval, plans that felt solid until they weren’t. Forgive me for asking shifting things to do what only You can do. Teach me to lay my weight down on You instead, even when I cannot yet feel the ground beneath me.

I will not pretend the storm isn’t real. The danger David faced didn’t disappear just because he knew where his strength came from, and mine may not either. But let me be like him—afraid and trusting at the same time, shaken and standing at the same time, in the middle of the storm and still fixed on something that isn’t moving.

Where I am unstable, be my rock. Where I am exposed, be my fortress. Where I cannot save myself, be my deliverer. Where I have no strength left, be my strength. Where I need to see what’s coming, be my high tower.

I will trust You. Not because everything is resolved, but because You have never once stopped being who You said You are.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Cornerstone” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Great God” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “My Help (Cometh from the Lord)” by VaShawn Mitchell (ft. Maranda Curtis). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Way Maker” by Sinach. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “He Will Hold Me Fast” by Keith & Kristyn Getty. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Heidi Lewis-Ivey is an affirmed prophet and an internationally acclaimed speaker. 

She impacts audiences with her authenticity and bold style of delivery. She has had the opportunity to minister in Trinidad, St. Thomas USVI, Manchester and Liverpool (England).

Heidi is an award-winning and bestselling author. She is the author of Can I Rest Awhile? and Black Girl Cry: What Black Women Need to Know to Amplify Their Voices. She is a co-author in Soulful Prayers (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Soulful Affirmations. Heidi is the convener of the Encountering the Courts of God movement and the founder of Visions International, a training ground for five-fold ministry gifts.

She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University. Heidi is the CEO of Nael & Associates Inc and franchise owner of Patrice & Associates recruiting firm. She is a member of the Pentimenti Women Writers Group, a former mentor with Year Up, former board member for Friends of Young Achievers, and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategist.

Heidi is the proud aunt/great aunt of 14 nieces and nephews and two bonus nieces. They are her joy. The older nephews have become her protectors.

Heidi is an NFL football fan. As a child, she taught herself the game. In 2017 she won her NFL.com fantasy football league. Heidi is an avid reader (Audible listener) of romance novels, a lover of purses and handbags, and a tea snob who believes bling is always appropriate.

She lives in Boston, MA.

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Connect with Heidi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamheidi01
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heidi-lewis-ivey

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when everything is falling apart

Encouraging Yourself in the Lord When Everything Falls Apart
A devotional by Erica N. Bryant

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”—1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

When trials hit you out of nowhere or if you find yourself at a low point—and we all have them—the weight can feel entirely overwhelming. In those moments when your foundations are shaken, you need to encourage yourself in the Lord. It is not just a good idea; it is a spiritual necessity.

In 1 Samuel 30:1-8, during one of the darkest chapters of his life, David gives us a powerful, practical pattern to follow when we don't know where else to turn.

Before he was king, David had set up a temporary residence in Ziklag while on the run from Saul. He wasn't alone; he was surrounded by 600 fierce, elite warriors and their households. These men had started out as broken, indebted outcasts hiding in caves. Still, over the years they had married, raised their children, and grown into a tight-knit family. Read about this in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, 1 Samuel 27:3, and 1 Chronicles 12:1-2. One day, David and his fighting men returned home from the battlefield only to discover absolute devastation. The Amalekites had raided the area. They had attacked Ziklag, burned it to the ground, and captured the wives, children, and everyone else, carrying them away to an unknown place.

When reading this account, the pain these men felt is almost palpable. The Bible tells us they wept aloud until they were physically too weak to cry anymore. To make matters worse, David’s personal pain was compounded by a terrifying betrayal. Not only were his own wives and children taken away, but his faithful followers—the men he had led, prayed with, and fought with—had now become an angry mob insistent on stoning him. He was entirely alone, facing total loss and the threat of death.

But right there in the midst of his pain, we find one of the most powerful phrases in Scripture is found in 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV). It says, “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” In the presence of God the Father, David was strengthened and fortified, emboldened to take the next steps. True biblical encouragement is not about practicing self-reliance, counting on your own willpower, or having confidence in your ability to pull yourself out of a pit. To encourage yourself in the Lord is to reach out to Him with urgency and fervor, knowing that He will lift you by His divine power and strength when your own has failed.

If you are facing a Ziklag season today, David's experience shows us a way to navigate the pain.

Let’s read and reflect on these three steps:

Step #1: Go Ahead and Cry. It's Okay.

Crying is not a sign of a lack of faith. It can be cathartic and healing. Know that God cares deeply for you. He knows about every heartbreak, every devastation, and every bit of pain you have faced. He has accounted for every single tear you’ve shed. He is not unaware of your suffering. He sees, He knows, and He is working on your behalf. The Bible says in Psalm 56:8 (NKJV), “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”

Step #2: Remind Yourself of God’s Faithfulness

When your current circumstances look bleak, you must intentionally redirect your focus. The love of the Lord is unfailing, and you can count on Him to be there in every circumstance. Remind yourself of that! Remembering what God has done in the past can help you hold on during difficult times. David knew this, and he often remembered past victories to help him overcome the immediate challenges he faced, anchoring his hope in what the Lord had already done.

King David said in 1 Samuel 17:37 (NKJV), “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Step #3: Talk to God and Get the Plan

Do not let your pain paralyze you or drive you to make rushed decisions. In the midst of his grief, David inquired of the Lord. He prayed and asked God whether he should pursue the invading troops and whether he would succeed. God met him in that place of prayer, affirmed David’s course of action, and assured him that he would have divine success. In times of intense pain and uncertainty, follow David's lead: pray. Talk to God and let Him lead the way. Through His Word and His Holy Spirit, God will tell you whether to move or wait, go or stay, pursue or avoid. Follow His leading, and you will have divine success.

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 30:8 (NKJV), “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

If you are standing in the middle of a broken situation today, remember that the story isn't over. Go ahead and cry; God knows and understands your tears. But when you are ready, dry your eyes, seek the presence of your Heavenly Father, and steel your resolve to encourage yourself in the Lord!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a God who sees and understands everything I encounter. I am grateful for Your presence during times when I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and uncertain about the future. In those moments, help me to turn to You for the strength and encouragement I need to keep moving forward. Remind me of the victories You’ve brought into my life before. Give me with a clear plan to move forward and the resolve to follow Your guidance, trusting that You are actively working on my behalf.

In Jesus' name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Just Cry” by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “You Are” by Virtue. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Promises” (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine) by Maverick City | TRIBL. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #5: “Everything Falls” by Fee. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #6:  “That’s Who You Are” (Original song by Megan Tibbits). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #7:  “Hold Us Together” by H.E.R. and Tauren Wells (Hope Mix). Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Erica N. Bryant is a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, and author who desires to see believers live in the complete freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

As the founder of Sparrow's Song Ministries, Erica invites a community of believers to get to know God by falling in love with His Word. Through Bible study resources, devotionals, teaching, and mentorship, Sparrow's Song encourages others to grow in intimacy with God and walk daily in the power of His Holy Spirit. She began The Word W.O.R.K.S. campaigns to help believers walk in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success.

Erica is a writer with several published works including devotionals for adults and children, topical and textual Bible studies, and Scripture journals. In her debut book, Dwell: Living Life Fully Knowing that the Holy Spirit Lives in You, Erica draws from her own journey of healing from childhood trauma, rejection, and the struggles of fear and anxiety. With honesty and hope, she invites readers to embrace the life-giving truth that God's Spirit resides within them. Erica believes that when you know the Holy Spirit dwells in you, everything changes.

Erica is a passionate speaker who effectively communicates God’s Word with clarity and conviction. She speaks a relevant word to hearers and ministers to their hearts, inspires practical application, and empowers them to grow in faith and purpose.

Erica is a devoted wife and loving mother who actively serves in various roles at Strait Gate Deliverance Center.

Ultimately, she is just a girl in love with God and she is a soldier for Jesus Christ.

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when God says no to your prayers

What is Your Response When God Says No?
A devotional written by Colette Lawrence

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”— Romans 8:28 (NIV)

When my siblings and I were children and asked our parents for things, the answer that excited and filled us with joy was “Yes.” Our ears seemed not trained to hear any other response.

In our limited mind view, hearing “no” meant we were denied what we through our young eyes thought was best for us, and we pouted or threw tantrums. We believed what we asked for was what was best for us, and hearing that response made us feel that our parents did not love us because if they did, they would have given us what we wanted. This is how we respond to the Lord at times.

2 Samuel 12 recounts how David sinned against the Lord by sleeping with Uriah's wife. The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront him about it, and he acknowledged his sin. Bathsheba became pregnant, but that child would die according to the word of the Lord. You may wonder what this has to do with God saying no. It has everything to do with it. The child became ill, and David decided to fast. This is a spiritual discipline where you abstain from eating food and drinking. You spend a lot of time praying to God from the depths of your heart about what you hope He will answer “yes” to in response. Perhaps in fasting, David thought the Lord would heal his baby and the child would live. But God said “no” in the answer to David’s prayers. David’s newborn baby died.

How often has God said no to your request, and your response is just like King David’s initial idea to fast and pray hoping God will change His mind? Maybe you haven't, but I can recall situations when God said no to me, and yes was the answer I thought I needed. My response was to fast and pray in strong hope that He would change His mind, but He didn't.

Sometimes we forget we serve a Sovereign God who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), what we need, when we need it, and what is best for us.

The Lord tells us in Matthew 7:11 (NIV), “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Therefore, if we petition God for our needs and in His Sovereignty, He says no, then it stands to reason that His no is based on Him knowing all the facts, what is best for us and not giving something to us that He already knows would ultimately not work for our good.

Have you ever been so desperate for God to do something for you, so desperate for His yes, that when He responds differently than you expected, you are left in a tailspin, feeling dejected, neglected, and wondering if God doesn't understand what you need? That was me. In those times, I used to pout and be miffed at God because He denied me something I believed was best for me.

As we read further in the key scripture above, King David fasted and prayed. God still said “no” and his baby died. Consider David’s response from 2 Samuel 12:18-20 (NIV) that reads, “On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.”

David's response should be our model response. He hoped he could change God's heart, but he couldn't because the baby wasn't part of God's plan for him. Instead of pouting and withholding his love from God in worship, David changed his posture. He cleansed himself, and then he went to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we hear God's response to our request, and it doesn't meet our expectations, I believe the Lord desires us to come to Him, let Him know how we are feeling, and choose to worship Him instead. We need to trust in His Sovereignty and trust His heart for us. God’s response of “no” is never meant to withdraw or withhold anything good from you. But because He is all-knowing and has your absolute best interest at heart, if He says “no” then that answer is in our best interest.

What are you struggling with today? Have you fasted and prayed about it, and God has still said no? Would you choose today to respond like David by accepting God’s “no” then worshipping God for who He is, the King of all kings, the Creator of Heaven and Earth? Remember, God is your Heavenly Father and He loves you.

Today, let's choose to worship God instead of worry and trust that His plans for us are perfect. Whatever God’s response to our petitions are, our responsibility is to acknowledge His Lordship and Sovereignty then be reminded that God always work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Let’s Pray:

Father God,

How grateful we are for your love and the good plans You have for us. We confess that we don’t always understand when our requests aren’t answered in the way we expect and want. Please forgive us for doubting your good plans for us. Thank You for being Sovereign Lord. Thanks for the assurance that we can trust You. Help us to remember that You always keep your word. Strengthen us as we wait on You.

In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sovereign (Live)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colette Lawrence is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons.

Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

~*~
Connect with Colette:
Blog: https://www.colettemarie.online/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettemarie_cm/
Website: https://www.colettemarie.online/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteMarie-cmc
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

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

The One You Least Expect
A devotional by Temeka Borden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Life and Leadership Counsel from a Chaplain

Counsel About Life and Leadership
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” – 2 Samuel 23:1-3 (KJV)

The story of David is instructive about life and leadership. From the story in 1 Samuel 16 about how David was selected and anointed to be King of Israel we can see what he was not. He was not the eldest, nor was he favored by his father among his brothers. In fact, because he was the youngest and was tending sheep in the field, he was not even called in to the assembly meeting with the prophet.

When Samuel saw the first born, Eliab, he thought to himself “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” But God said no. Why? Because “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV). After looking at all of Jesse’s boys, Samuel said, “Is this all you have?” As if to forestall the prophet, Jesse said there is one more, but he is tending the sheep.

As important as sheep were in the agriculture economy of that era, being a shepherd was not a vaunted role. It was a lonely, solitary and wandering job. The shepherds smelled like the sheep.

Nevertheless, David was summoned. Perhaps he had time to hastily bathe and freshen up before coming into the presence of the prophet. Maybe not. If not, can you see the brothers, whom God had not embraced grimace a bit at his odiferous and dirty presence when he came into the tent.

It does not appear that Samuel was offended by the affect of the shepherd boy. Rather, it is recorded that David’s appearance was tanned, he had beautiful eyes and was handsome. According to 1 Samuel 16:12 (ESV), “And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him for this is he.” Samuel ratified David as God’s choice to succeed Saul.

Perhaps David could be characterized as a young man with some bravado. After all, he had killed a lion and a bear, in his youth. We know that the young shepherd, David who became the King, also became a man of rapacious passion. He killed many men and loved many women. Yet, through it all he was chosen by God to be a leader because he had some positive character traits.

In 2 Samuel 9 is the story of the reflective King. After conquering the enemies at the borders and establishing protective garrisons throughout the kingdom, David, now the King, demonstrates the depth and breadth of his character. He asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Johnathan’s sake?”

He found Mephibosheth, Johnathan’s crippled son. In spite of his pre-existing condition and inability to work, David honored Mephibosheth’s humanity and promised him security, healthcare and reasonable subsistence for the rest of his life. Hmmm.

Though brutal in combat, his core values for life were kindness, loyalty, grace and generosity. These were the characteristics that made him “a man after God’s own heart” and endeared the nation to him, despite his flaws.

At the end of his life, the king who still enjoyed the company of young women summed up the essence of life and leadership. As happens with most people, knowledge is taught and wisdom is gained experientially through trial and error. David codifies his wisdom in 14 prescient and timeless words: “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3, KJV).

The English Standard Version (ESV) says it in more cogent and contemporary language. “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth…”

As we watch and study leaders and those aspiring to leadership, apply this singular principle. Evaluate the politicians by their characters rather than their gravitas. Look behind the policies, charisma and debating skills. Look for character. Does it align with God’s character and revealed will?

People and nations who ally themselves with righteous leaders prosper.

Take my advice: Seize your responsibility as a citizen and chose leaders who are just and stand right before God.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Magnify

A Heart of Praise
A devotional by Karen Lynn Marstaller

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” 
–Psalms 34:3 (ESV)

According to my paraphrase of the Dictionary.com definition for the word “magnify,” to magnify means to “enlarge, or make bigger.”

I think that daily to-do lists that many people have may look something like this: Wake up, work, drive, cook, clean, babysit, study, wash, ad infinitum. Our to-do lists never end!

My tendency is to make my to-do list longer and more ponderous. A total of 15 or 20 items seems pretty normal. Surely I’ll get more accomplished that way, right? By the end of the day, that comfy recliner is looking pretty good.

David (a character in The Holy Bible) had a to-do list that was real simple—magnify the Lord, get together, exalt His name.

All through his psalms, David’s voice is loud and clear. He cries out his needs to the Lord, and then he praises God. He praises God, and then he cries out for deliverance. Threaded through his heart’s cries are his wonder and amazement at God’s great power and might, His tender mercy and grace, His forever love and radiant joy.

If David, who is described in the Bible as being a “man after God’s own heart,” chose to magnify the Lord, then I will too!

When I awaken, I sing for joy (Psalms 149:5). In John 12:12-13, the people went out to meet Jesus shouting, “Hosanna!” Nobody cares how loudly (or off-key) we sing our praises when we’re driving to and from work. The people on your mass transit commute might notice, but you’ll figure a way out to praise the Lord without disrupting the peace. While I’m in the privacy of my own home, I like to hum “Jesus Loves Me” while cleaning up the house or folding clothes. It cheers me up every time!

Isolated places to worship allow our hearts to soar as we unite with the Holy Spirit in praise, but David calls us into community worship, as well. This happens in our churches all the time and we are blessed by our moments in His house.

But what about all the other places where we come face to face with people who crave a gentle touch from the Lord?

The cashier at the grocery store is paid to be pleasant and courteous, but how often is he or she treated disrespectfully and unkindly? A simple smile, a gentle word or a prayer breathed deep inside share the Father’s love in ways we can never understand.

Who else would benefit if we decided that today that we will magnify the Lord? The hospital chaplain, who pours out his life for the people who come to him for answers? The beleaguered schoolteacher, who just spent $72.37 of his or her meager paycheck to buy paper, pencils, and pens for his or her 127 students?

A smile goes a long way in cheering a fussy baby. Deliberately holding the door for someone is an attention-getter. Magnify Him. Our servant heart offering a cup of cold water to someone who’s dying of thirst provides a taste of the abundant Life that we enjoy.

I have a friend who carries bottles of water in her car during the summer time. She never goes out to run errands unless she’s carrying a fresh bottle. And she never returns to her car with it. But that simple gesture (along with her genuine smile) magnifies the Lord.

Going for a jog is great exercise. Make one tiny little difference. Wave at that neighbor of yours who is housebound, but who struggles out to her front porch every morning to watch her world wake up. Magnify the Lord with her.

Jesus met the needs of ordinary people when He walked on this earth. He stopped, He spoke to them, sometimes He fed them, and He touched their lives. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 tells us to continue what Jesus started. Even though 2,000 years have passed, the message is the same: go, disciple, baptize, teach.

While we’re going about our Heavenly Father’s business, let’s do what David did: Magnify the great and mighty name of the Lord!

~*~
Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. 

Her heart is for her readers. She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.