God is Love: Shirley A. Denson

Showing posts with label Shirley A. Denson. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: God can work everything together for your good

Nothing Wasted
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.”

–Romans 8:28 TPT

Wasted can be loosely defined as “useless.”

Bearing that definition in mind, there’s no part of your story that God can’t use.

Why? Because everything is continually woven together for good! This means that the details of your life are always, at all times, working for good. Even when it looks/feels bad in the moment…it will end up good! Though the pieces may not look like they match up, and some areas of your life may still be up in the air, when it’s all said and done, God has a way of intricately weaving it all together to make sense.

To weave, two or more pieces of thread/yarn are interlaced at right angles to form fabric. So, when it seems as if your life is going in a different direction than what you planned/thought, just know that it’s part of the weaving of God. The method on how the threads are interwoven affects the characteristics of the cloth. So, no matter what the vicissitudes of life have thrown at you, the Master Weaver has been collecting every thread and weaving them together to form the tapestry of your life, and producing a fabric tailored to you.

Your cloth/fabric may not look like the next person’s, but that’s because it’s specific to your journey. Your friend may not have had to endure what you have, and that’s okay. Your story may be woven differently, but it will all work for good.

No matter how many detours or pitstops you make along the way, just know that no part of your story/journey is wasted. The depression, job loss, divorce, abortion, abuse, missing parent, repossession, etc. was undoubtedly hurtful at the moment it was happening. However, it’s not the totality of who you are, but it’s a thread in the tapestry of your life. By themselves, each incident may have been ugly…but, intricately woven with the other threads of your life, a beautiful piece is produced. Because you love God, your fabric will produce according to the purpose you’re designed to fulfill. Find the courage to embrace every portion of your life.

It’s working for good, and nothing will be wasted.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for being a God of perfect timing. Thank You for divinely orchestrating my life to fulfill the purpose you’ve designed for me. Help me to accept every thread that you’ve intricately woven through the tapestry of my life. I don’t understand it all, but I trust You! Give me the strength and fortitude to hold on until I see the good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “For The Good (Lyrics)” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.

She found out at a young age that she had a creative mind and a way with words. Later on in life, she learned to cultivate her passion for writing as a budding author.

Shirley is very passionate about writing. Each book that she releases will be a product of God stirring and cultivating the gift He’s entrusted her with. She has won numerous writing awards/certificates, and is a published poet and blogger.

For the past six years, Shirley has worked as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and author. It is her joy and goal that through print, she might impact lives and leave the imprint of the King.

Visit her website to stay in the loop about her new book releases, current projects, and to read her blog posts.

~*~
Connect with Shirley:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayWhatEnterprises
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saywhatenterprises/

Monday, August 29, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Why you shouldn't give up on your dreams

Keep Dreaming
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“Now Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him even more.”

–Genesis 37:5 (AMP)

Joseph was a dreamer from a young age.

He was 17 years old when he had the first dream about him being in rulership over his brothers. The brothers didn’t receive it well, and hated Joseph him for his dream. He then had a second dream, that pretty much confirmed the first dream, and he told them again. Of course, they didn’t like the second version either, and hated him the more because of it. Joseph, like so many of us, get excited about our dreams and plans, and share them prematurely—or to the wrong people. His brothers were literal haters, and because of that hatred they decided to get rid of him.

As a result, Joseph had to go by way of the pit, Potiphar, prison, and Pharaoh before he reached his place of rulership at the palace. However, every pitstop/detour on Joseph’s journey played a part in positioning him for dream fulfillment. Although Joseph was 17 when he had the dream, and 30 when the dream was fulfilled, it still came to fruition. Although 13 years had transpired between the dream and fulfillment, Habakkuk 2:3 (AMP) reminds us that, “For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, because it will certainly come; it will not delay.”

I know that this verse may sound contradicting, but there’s a notable difference between tarrying/delay and processing. You, like Joseph, may have concluded that since what God shown you hasn’t come to pass yet that there’s a delay. However, what’s actually happening isn’t delay, but it’s the processing.

Processing is often times viewed as a dirty word in the church. There is nothing more despised that having to endure the process of a thing. Understandably, it’s because the timeframe is undisclosed, and we live in a microwavable generation where everything has to be quick, fast, and in a hurry. Although Joseph had the dreams at 17, the appointed time was when he was 30. Joseph’s dreams didn’t tarry, but they did process. After they finished processing, 13 years later, then was it the appointed time for them to be fulfilled. In the in-between time, Joseph had to endure some hardships on the way to fulfillment, but he never stopped dreaming, nor believing what God had showed him in his initial dreams.

Joseph didn’t let what he had been through deter his dreams. Though he had been put in a pit, prevaricated on in Potiphar’s house, placed in prison, and petitioned by Pharaoh before he was provided the palace, he kept dreaming! Don’t let what you’ve been through, or are going through, steal/silence your dreams.

When those closest to you no longer want to be around you because of your dream…keep dreaming! When you’re talked about and lied on…keep dreaming! When people/circumstances try to restrain you, or box you in…keep dreaming! What you are carrying is posturing you to fulfill the need of a Pharaoh, that will ultimately provide you the palace. You’re not too old, or too young to dream, so don’t let anything hinder you. And by all means, keep dreaming! After you dream, wake up, and then execute! God still fulfills dreams! If it hasn’t happened yet, there’s still time!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for being omniscient. You knew my end from the beginning, and You knew the path that my life would take. Help me to remember, and pursue, the dream(s) You’ve placed on the inside of me. Give me the patience to endure the processing time it takes for the dream(s) to be fulfilled, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.

Monday, May 30, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned from being under construction

Under Construction
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” – Romans 8:28 AMP

Over the past few years, things may not have turned out quite as you’ve expected.

It may have seemed like wherever you turned all you saw was chaos and debris. What used to be “normal” was no longer normal, and life as you’ve once known it was a fading memory. It may have looked like everything around you—everything in your life—was being destroyed or taken away from you. Although a lot has transpired, and these past few years may have looked like destruction, for many it was actually construction happening!

You may have seemingly seen your future lying haphazardly in a heap of carnage amongst unfulfilled dreams, delayed promises, and misguided expectations and thought all your dreams and aspirations were destroyed. When you thought you should have been advancing, you may have experienced major setbacks.

You may have felt like you were losing everything, or you may have lost everything at some point. However, there’s nothing lost that God won’t replenish, in abundance. It may have felt like everything you held dear was being destroyed. Though you may have been struck down, you were not destroyed. Destruction is damaging something beyond repair, but construction is building. Even after destruction, something new can be built. Even loss is a part of the plan. God always has a plan of redemption.

Although the effect of deconstruction and construction may look similar, their results are not the same. Destruction is tearing down, whereas, construction is building up. Your life may look like a battlefield right now, but know that God still has a plan. In some instances, some things have to be destructed so that other things can be constructed. Old mindsets, habits, dependencies, tainted relationships, and toxic environments had to be destroyed so that the plan God has for you can come together.

Everything isn’t always the devil, and even when it is it can be worked for good. If you’re having a hard time right now, press into God’s Holy Spirit more. It may not be for your demise, but for your good. You very well may be under construction right now. Things may look in disarray, but from the ashes of the debris something beautiful will be constructed. You can stand in confidence knowing that because you’re deeply loved by God, He won’t let you fail.

His plan for your life will prevail!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for knowing my end from the beginning. You knew every detail, intricacy, and detour of my life before the foundations of the world were formed. Help me to trust Your plan through the seasons when things seem unclear. Give me faith to endure until everything works out. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Shirley’s devotional message today reminds me of two songs: “Confidence” by Sanctus Real (Listen to it here) and “God is in Control” by Twila Paris (Listen to it here).

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.

Monday, January 31, 2022

Devotionals for the Heart: Don't let life challenges deter your faith in God

Drunken Faith
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ‘Must you come here drunk?’ he demanded. ‘Throw away your wine!’ ‘Oh no, sir!’ she replied. ‘I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.’”—1 Samuel 1:12-16 NLT

Have you ever been in a challenging season of your life, and to add insult to injury, had your actions questioned?

This is the exact season that Hannah finds herself in! Life was definitely “life-ing,” and things were coming at her from almost every direction. Can you imagine? She’s barren. The other woman is tormenting her about it. When she decides to pray about it, the priest thinks she’s drunk because he didn’t understand what was going on.

Despite the challenges that faced Hannah, she didn’t let what was going on deter her faith. The reality of the situation is that she was barren. The reality of the situation is that Peninnah kept giving birth and repeatedly reminded her of, and tormented her about, her barrenness. The reality of the situation is that her praying was misinterpreted as drunkenness by Eli. However, the truth of the matter is that once the misinterpretation was cleared up, the same priest pronounced a blessing that unlocked her barren womb. No matter what your reality may be, God’s truth always trumps that.

Many of you, like Hannah, may be going through arduous situations. Everyone else around you seems to be thriving, and living their best life. But you, on the other hand, seem like you’re stuck in a monotonous cycle of unproductivity. It may seem like nothing your try produces. Also, it could appear that you’re being overlooked while everyone else is being promoted. On top of it all, the enemy constantly torments you with feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

In spite of how you feel, do like Hannah—allow your faith to cause you to look crazy, if need be. If it’s starting a business, writing a book, launching a podcast…whatever! Who’s to say that it won’t push you into the presence of people that can go to God on your behalf and get the answer you’ve been waiting for? Hannah didn’t know that she looked drunk to Eli. All she knew was that prayer would be the only way to change her situation.

Hannah had survived years of torture and torment, all to have it erased in one moment of drunken faith. Her womb was unlocked, and she was finally able to give birth. As a result of the child birthed out to her drunken faith, Hannah honored God by dedicating the child back to Him. When your drunken faith produces, and it will, don’t forget to honor God for the thing(s) He’s done.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank for even counting me worthy to endure this trial. I don’t understand it all, but I trust Your Sovereignty in it all. Even when the odds seem unsurmountable, and my faith seems questionable, give me the strength to keep going until I see the manifestation of what You promised. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.

Friday, October 1, 2021

Devotionals for the Heart: Rainbows

Chasing Rainbows
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

– 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

Have you ever found it hard to trust God?

You know He’s sovereign, He sees all, and He knows all, but in certain areas you find it really difficult to trust Him wholeheartedly. You’re not alone!

We’ve all felt the same way at some point in life. Thankfully, God doesn’t hold it against us. Our inability to trust doesn’t take away from His ability to be trusted. He knows that at some point we’ve been dropped, disappointed, mishandled, or misled by people. As a result, our ability to trust may be fractured. This still doesn’t take away from His trustworthiness, or His reliability.

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) reminds us, “God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?”

No matter how many people may have lied to you, God won’t. It’s not in His nature. He can be trusted. If He couldn’t be trusted, the story of Noah (detailed in Genesis 6:11–9:19) would have never been written. It’s because of Noah’s testimony of God’s trustworthiness that we should be able to trust Him more. Noah trusted God so much that he built something that had never been built before (an ark), to experience something that he’d never experienced before (a flood).

I’m sure Noah may have had some trepidation during the building process, but most definitely when the earth started to flood. However, he had to trust that what God told him to build was able to weather the storm set before him. Because of that trust, he and his family were saved—along with the animals. After Noah endured the storm, God made him yet another promise. He promised that He’d never destroy the earth again by flood. As a symbol of that promise, He placed a rainbow in the sky. From the days of Noah until now, whenever a rainbow is seen in the sky, it serves as a reminder of the Promise Keeper.

Trust is a major component in our walk with Christ. If the enemy can shake your trust pillar, he’ll make you question everything God ever said about you. When you’re secure in who God called you to be, and what He said you can have, you’re not easily shaken. Sometimes, you may have to endure patiently before obtaining the promise, but don’t ever stop pursuing.

There are 66 books in the Bible to help remind you of every promise God made concerning you. They’re just awaiting your pursuit. If there’s a need, a lack, a deficit—whatever you may be facing—search the scriptures, see what God says about it, and chase the rainbow.

Don’t relent until you’ve laid hold to everything God’s promised you. Healing is yours…because He said it! Provision is yours…because He said it! Prosperity is yours…because He said it! Victory is yours…because He said it!

Stop believing the lies of the enemy and start chasing the rainbows (promises) of God!

Combat every lie with a promise from God.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being trustworthy—even when my trust waivers. I’m so glad that I can depend on You. Thank You for your many promises towards me, and for the prompting to latch onto them even the more, through Your Word. Thank You for always keeping your promises. Help me to walk in all that you’ve ordained for my life. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen!

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.

Friday, April 23, 2021

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Glory

When Glory Comes
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“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.” –Romans 8:18 (KJV)

This last year has been trying on so many levels. As everyone adjusted to living through a global pandemic, and a new norm, it hasn’t been easy. As a nation, we experienced loss on a different scale. There was loss of jobs, homes, incomes, and most importantly lives. Some losses were more detrimental than others. And other losses were absolutely immeasurable. Grief hit our lives at an alarming rate.

However, as people who believe in God, we don’t grieve without hope. Whether you’ve had to be separated from loved ones, birth a child alone, view elderly parents/family through a glass window/door, or gotten married without all your family and friends being in attendance; there’s always an undercurrent of hope that buoys through the ebbs and flows of uncertainty, and anchors you during each stormy season. Hope is the silver lining that makes the storms of life more bearable, and pushes you to look for the rainbow within each storm.

Amidst the ashes of doom, despair, and debilitating grief, there is always an underlying current of hope. A knowing that an All-Mighty God is still in control, and that even in the midst of chaos and confusion, glory will still come out of all of this. Even while grappling to put the pieces of your life back together, you still have a hope that things will end better than they started. You still have to believe that there’s something beautiful on the other side of grief, trauma, and loss.

The past year may have momentarily wiped the smile from your face for a season. You may have had more losses than gains. But one thing’s for certain, God is still a Promise Keeper. He’s never lied. He’s never gone back on His Word. He won’t start now! God will not leave you destitute. Everything that you’ve endured, everything that’s transpired, it will somehow work out for good, and reveal God’s Glory. When His glory comes, it’ll make everything else that happened fail in comparison. Hang in there! Don’t lose hope! Wait for the glory!

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You for being with me in the hard times—in the times when I’m overwhelmed and feel helpless. I know that You’re with me through every trial. Even when I feel alone, I trust Your voice and Your providence. Help me hold on until the radiance of Your glory manifests in me, and lives are changed. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA.