Devotionals for the Heart: When God prepares a feast for you in the valley

A Feast in the Valley
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”—Psalm 23:5 (NIV)

God has prepared a feast for you. But this feast is not only on the mountaintops when things are perfect and everything is turning out the way you dreamed. God prepares a feast for you in presence of your enemies.

Whenever I have read through Psalm 23, I imagine that this feast is happening in a lovely meadow where everything is perfect. God has prepared this beautiful feast. He has anointed my head with oil and my cup is overflowing because He has blessed me so greatly.

However, when I read this passage a few months ago, it occurred to me that the circumstances of this feast are not so perfect. In the previous verse, the setting is described as the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). It was then that I realized this feast is taking place in the darkest valley while enemies stand by and watch.

Do you ever feel like you can’t enjoy anything so long as there is darkness or negativity in your life? I have found that there is always an enemy nearby trying to keep me from enjoying life. This enemy can be in the form of busyness, anxiety or fear. What keeps you from enjoying the good things God has placed in your life?

Whenever anxiety and fear are my companions, I feel suffocated. During those times, I don’t feel like enjoying anything good in life. These are my enemies, and they are constantly with me. Unconsciously, I realized that I kept waiting for the perfect circumstances to finally enjoy what God has for me when I reach my goal of finally conquering my anxiety. I think I can enjoy all the good things God has given me when I don’t have to worry about my finances anymore.

One thing I have found is that the enemies are always present, but so is God. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, is always with us. He sits at the feasting table with you. The enemy may be present, but the enemy’s power is limited when your eyes are focused on Jesus. Turn your attention away from the darkness and the enemies that want to distract you. Focus on the Good Shepherd who has prepared a feast for you in the darkest valley.

Are you in a valley season of your life? Do you face darkness in your life and enemies that never seem to go away? God may not lift you up out of the valley and place you on the mountaintop quite yet. Maybe He wants to first enjoy a feast with you while you wait in the darkness. There is so much good God has showered upon us. Turn your eyes to the greatest good (Jesus). He will never leave you.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for preparing a feast for us in our valleys! Please help us to remember to always keep our focus on You and Your goodness. Help us to lean into Your goodness, love, mercy, grace and kindness. Open our eyes to the infinite blessings You have placed in our lives. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Hills and Valleys (Acoustic Video)” by Tauren Wells. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: How to take refuge under God's wings of protection

Under His Wings
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

–Psalm 57:1 (KJV)

Where do you go to find refuge when life gets tough?

Where can we go when everything around us is falling apart? Do we try to find refuge by diverting our thoughts or distracting ourselves with busyness?

I recently started researching the idea of resting under the wings of God and what that means to me. One thing I have found is that under the wings of God is a place of refuge and restoration. If I am hidden under the wings of God, I am concealed from the world around me so that I cannot be harmed or negatively influenced by the world. I am concealed from the opinions and words of others because the outside world no longer matters. When I am safely trusting under the wings of God, only He matters. The voice of the world is muffled by the feathers of God’s wings and my soul can find rest and refuge in silence and peace.

The most amazing part of being hidden under the wings of God is that I am so much closer to Him. There is no closer or more intimate place to spiritually stay than under the wings of God. When we choose to find refuge under the wings of God, He draws us closer—closer to His heart, closer to His love and goodness. When we rest under God’s wings, we can rest in the knowledge that He is by our side. God is always with us, but when we rest under His wings we feel His strong presence beside us.

How are we to find refuge under the wings of God? Is it an elusive spiritual place that only the spiritually mature and capable can find? God calls each of His children to find refuge under His wings—this is not a privilege for the spiritually mature. God wants to draw us near to Him and He wants us to feel at peace knowing He is by our side.

We can learn to rest under the wings of God by building our relationship with Him. As with all relationships, we need to spend time with God to grow closer to Him. Praying and reading your Bible might seem basic, but this is the communication that will bring you closer to God. If you are seeking to deepen your relationship with God, I highly encourage you to keep a prayer journal. Whenever you feel distant from God, you can simply look back on previous prayers and rejoice at how faithful God has been in hearing you and staying with you through each step of the way.

The more you pray, the more visible the feathers of God’s wings surrounding you will be evident to you. This will help you see that God was with you the whole time. He has never left you and He never will. Sometimes, we just need to lean in, seek a deeper relationship with God, and wait for Him to reveal just how good and faithful He has been to us. There is peace, rest, and safety under the wings of God.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for calling each of us to find refuge under Your wings! Please help us to remember Your faithfulness and that You are present with us in all things. Help us to lean into Your goodness, love, and kindness. Open our eyes to the endless possibilities and fulfillment that will come from a life fully lived under Your wings. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Under His Wings” by William Cushing. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When God gives you space to struggle

Space to Struggle
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

–1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)

Have you ever heard it said that if you help a butterfly escape his chrysalis, he will die shortly after?

It is difficult to watch the butterfly struggle to push out of its chrysalis. We don’t enjoy sitting back and watching difficulty or suffering. But it is this struggle that strengthens the butterfly and prepares it for the future.

This past year at university, I had a professor who would not answer all my questions. After I asked a question in class she would say, “Hmm, that is interesting. We should explore that.” I knew by the look in her eyes that she knew the exact answer to my question, but she wanted me to figure it out on my own. At first, I was baffled that she would not just answer my questions. Answering questions is what teachers do! But after researching my questions and coming to answer them on my own, I understood why my professor would not just give me the answer. I learned so much more through the process of searching for the answer than I would have if she would’ve given me the answer as soon as I asked the question.

In the career field of Education, there is a certain area of learning that all teachers strive to guide their students toward. As students learn, they move toward things they are capable of understanding, but do not yet understand. In this area of learning, students struggle. However, the place of struggle is the optimal environment for learning to take place. The best learning takes place during the struggle.

I have often been guilty of going to God and asking why He would allow me to struggle. It is okay to ask God questions, but it is not always easy to hear His answers. Sometimes, we struggle because in our struggle we are learning to lean on God for our strength–far more than we would without the struggle. Through our struggles, we are spiritually strengthened and more established in God’s love.

A butterfly must struggle out of its chrysalis in order to survive in its new and beautiful life. As Christians, we are learning to live a new and beautiful life in Jesus Christ. The struggles we go through are a natural part of life, though they can be painful in the moment. Take hope to heart as you remember this truth: After the struggle, you will be stronger and more established in your relationship with Christ than before and you’ll be better because of it.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the struggles You send our way to strengthen us! Please help us to remember that our struggles are only for a season. You are preparing us for a new and beautiful life. Help us to look beyond our struggle and keep our eyes on You and trust that You are working all things out for our good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Not for a Moment” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: What happens after God works a miracle?

Remembering Our Relationship with the Miracle Worker
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.”—Luke 17:15 (KJV)

Take a moment and try to recall the last miracle God performed in your life. You spent days, months and maybe years praying for this miracle. You woke up early to search the Scriptures for answers, you were in a constant state of prayer as you sought God’s will. Finally, He performed the very miracle you asked for.

I can distinctly remember more than one big miracle that God has performed in my life. After months of praying and searching for God’s will, I finally have my answer and God has done the impossible. I thank Him repeatedly in the moment. But then I get caught up in the miracle and forget about the relationship I formed with the Miracle Worker.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ is deepened through our troubles. God wants us to come to Him with our troubles. However, God does not want us to view our miracle as the ultimate goal. Miracles are simply meant to strengthen our faith and our relationship with Christ. All throughout Christ’s ministry on Earth, faith is often mentioned along with a miracle. For example, Mark 5:34 (KJV) states, “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Jesus directly connected the woman’s faith to the miracle He performed.

It seems natural to call out to God and draw close to Him when we need answers and our life is falling apart. When we are lonely and nothing is going the way we planned, running to God is our first thought. But when we are given our miracle, exactly what we prayed for and more, we seem to forget the purpose of our miracle and the Miracle Worker who gave it to us. The relationship we form with Jesus Christ during the season of waiting is priceless. We trusted Him with all of our hearts and expected big things to happen. Why should trust and expectations change once we receive our miracle? Shouldn’t our faith grow stronger and our relationship with Christ grow deeper because of our miracle?

Remember how you felt in the waiting and the searching. Our complete dependence on God should not be any different now than it was then. Let the miracles God works in your life strengthen your faith, not distract you from your relationship with Christ. Miracles are wonderful, but they are never our ultimate goal. Our ultimate desire should be to deepen our relationship with Christ and glorify Him.

The verse I chose for this devotional (Luke 17:15) is about a leper who was healed by Jesus Christ and came back to thank and glorify Him. The leper was grateful for his healing, but the miracle of his good health did not hinder his relationship with Christ. In contrast, the leper’s healing led him to a deeper relationship with his Healer because the leper came back to glorify Him. Allow the miracles in your life to lead you to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Return to the Miracle Worker and worship Him with all of your heart.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your miracles! Please help us to remember that the miracles in our lives are meant to strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with You. Help us to remember to thank and glorify You in all seasons of life. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Way Maker” by Sinach. Listen here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Christianity and matters of the heart

Decorations of a Christian
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” –Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

How do you decorate your house? Do you go all out for Christmas? Do you keep decorations simple throughout the year, or do you find yourself constantly changing the decor?

As I am writing this devotional, we are in the middle of preparing for Christmas. Decorations are everywhere–lights, garland, poinsettias, and nutcrackers. Christmas decorations are special and I always feel sad after Christmas when returning these beloved treasures to storage until the next Christmas season. However, as we look to the next year, I want to start thinking about a different kind of decoration.

I love the spiritual metaphor of our hearts resembling a house. Jesus Christ knocks on the door of our heart and when we open the door, we accept Him as our Savior. Jesus Christ, coming to this Earth to be our Savior, is what Christmas is all about. When you let Him in, He stays and lives in your heart. When I surrendered my whole heart to Jesus, I handed over the keys to each and every door in my heart. He is the ultimate decision maker in every area of my life—including when I need to decide what decorations I put up in my heart.

The three verses from the Bible book of Colossians at the beginning of this devotional list the decorations that a Christian should put up in their heart. The King James Version says that we are to put on mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, and charity–these are the things which beautify the heart and life of a Christian. We could choose not to put up these decorations in our hearts for the coming year. We could choose to put up decorations of envy, hate, bitterness, strife, unforgiveness. But if we do choose to put up negative decorations in our hearts, it will depress and disappoint us. 

Have you ever walked into a house that was decorated poorly? How did it make you feel? How does walking into a beautifully decorated house make you feel? A beautifully decorated atmosphere always makes me feel welcomed and at peace which is exactly how others will feel around you when you put up the decorations of Colossians 3:12-14 in your heart.

As we put away Christmas decorations and look to the coming year, let us not neglect the decorating that needs to be done in our hearts. Decorating is intentional, takes time, and requires effort. Choose the decorations of your heart carefully. Remember, Jesus Christ is now the owner of your heart so decorate in a way that will please Him and make Him feel welcomed.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for entering our hearts and dwelling with us. Please help us to remember that our heart is Your home and we are to decorate it as You see fit. Help us to choose our decorations wisely and keep them throughout the coming year. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Always Be My Home” by Rachael Lampa. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: The Significance of God's Right Hand

The Right Hand of God
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”–Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words ‘the right hand of God’?

The hand of God may elicit different reactions in believers. The first thought that comes to my mind when I hear these words are thoughts of judgment and condemnation. Some believers hold beliefs that the right hand of God is an iron fist that is unyielding and unloving. A disconnect exists between the God of love we read about in the Bible and the image of God we form in our minds.

So what does the right hand of God refer to in the Bible? Often, the right hand of God refers to judgment, especially in the Psalms when David is praying for God to rescue him from his enemies. However, the right hand of God is not always a negative thing as we can infer from Isaiah 41:10. In this verse, the right hand of God is referencing God’s presence, help, and strength–an extremely positive reference.

God’s presence, help, and strength are what can get us through the darkest seasons of our lives. However, sometimes it is difficult to feel God’s presence, help, and strength in our lives which is why I want to express a lovely way of viewing and remembering the right hand of God. In Mark 16:19 (KJV), the verse speaks of Jesus Christ as it states, “he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God”. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is now sitting at the right hand of God. God is holding us up with His right hand. As believers, we are safely positioned between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.

Consider for just a moment how wonderfully safe you are in your position between God and Jesus Christ. There is no safer place for you to be than to be held by the right hand of God.

You are securely and eternally placed in the right hand of God. Allow this to be your comfort when the storms and darkness of light make you forget your purpose and value. Look on either side of you and know that you are surrounded by your Heavenly Father and your Savior (Jesus Christ) who loves you more than you can ever imagine.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the peace and comfort of Your right hand. Please help us to remember our position in you. In this world, we will be bombarded by pressures and expectations, but help us to focus on You and remember that Your right hand is holding us all the way. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Light in the Darkness
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

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

–Matthew 5:14 (KJV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: The Wait

In the Waiting Room
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

–Romans 8:25 (KJV)

What type of person are you while you are in the waiting room?

I have been a receptionist at a doctor’s office for four years now and I have seen a wide range of people come through the waiting room. Some people keep to themselves and read a book or are on their phones. Some people chat with the other people in the waiting room, often finding an old friend and having a reunion, making the receptionist almost feel bad about interrupting when she calls one of the friends back. And some people mumble about the waiting time and wish the doctor would hurry up.

The waiting room can be an unexpected test of patience. Where I work, the doctor occasionally runs behind seeing the patients on time, which means patients can be sitting in the waiting room for nearly an hour or more. Some people know that it is worth the wait and that they will feel better once they are seen by the doctor. But others give up and leave before it is their time.

I feel as though I am often in a waiting room in my life. Waiting for this trial to pass. Waiting for God to answer my prayer. Waiting for things to get better. And the thing about waiting in this life is that all of life is a waiting room. We will never truly arrive until we have made it to Heaven. So, how are we to patiently endure the endless seasons we spend in the waiting room?

I pray you will trust me when I say you can’t simply wish away a waiting season in your life. God has something for you to do in this season. Whenever hard seasons of waiting come into my life, I find myself begging God to just get it over with. But instead, I should be asking God what He would have me do while I wait. Maybe there is someone here in this season that simply needs someone to listen. Maybe there is someone who needs encouragement. Maybe God simply wants to build my patience.

God planned this special waiting room season in your life. Please do not grumble about how long it is taking. It is worth the wait if you are simply patient and trust that God is never late. He is always on time in His perfect time. Trust Him with your time and ask Him what He has for you in this waiting season.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us seasons of waiting. Please help us to wait on You and be patient in Your timing. Grant us the courage to never walk out on Your perfect will for our lives. This world is our waiting room and we desire only to glorify you until our waiting seasons are passed. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “We Wait” by Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to take a step of faith and trust God

Step of Faith
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” –Matthew 6:34 (KJV)

Worry and fear can be nearly paralyzing when considering an unknown future.

There are so many “What ifs?” in this life. Such as, "What if I fail the exam? What if the test comes back positive? What if life never gets better than this? What if God never shows up?" 

These questions make us feel suffocated in our hearts, minds, and souls. If we allow these fears, worries, and doubts to continuously enter our thoughts, we are destined to start believing our future is bleak and hopeless. We begin to believe we are justified in our worries and things will always turn out badly.

But such a negative focus could not be further from the truth. Maybe the test will come back positive. Maybe we will experience the worst possible scenario in our situation. God never promised our lives would not be filled with problems and sorrow. However, God did say that He would never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). Additionally, Jesus promised that the victory is already His because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

We will face trials, heartache, and failure. No one can claim the remainder of their life will work out perfectly and without problems. Your future does hold difficult seasons, but you were never meant to walk in those seasons alone. Our Heavenly Father walks beside each of His children in the darkest of valleys and the highest of mountaintops.

Lay your future in the hands of the Creator. He knows all things in the past, present, and future. God knows every worry that consumes our thoughts and He is calling us to release them to Him. Today, will you release your fear, your worry, and your doubts? Remember: There is no dark valley along your life journey that God’s Light cannot break through. There is no worry that the peace of God cannot still. The peace of God passes all of our human understanding (Philippians 4:7). His peace is so strong that it can ease our worry even though the situation that is bringing our worry remains.

I know that God is the One who directs my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) and leads me toward a future that I am uncertain of (Jeremiah 29:11). I also know that God is calling me to release the worry that is weighing me down. He continues to whisper just one simple request, “Trust Me.”

Trust is a choice. It is a step of faith. Will you choose to trust the Lord Jesus Christ and simply take one more step of faith today and every day of your life on Earth?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for offering Your peace and presence to us. Please help us to release our worry and fear to You. Grant us the faith to entrust our future to you and simply take another step of faith. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust Me” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure

Hidden Treasure
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

–Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Sometimes, Christianity can seem radical.

I have witnessed Christians who radically turn their life upside down once they accept Jesus Christ into their heart and life. The shift is often drastic and may even appear to be crazy to those who have not yet met our Lord and Savior, Jesus, personally. But no matter how many times I witness this radical shift, I can feel the excitement and freedom that these new Christians are experiencing for the first time in their life. They have found a hidden treasure, reserved only for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.

But this treasure is not really hidden. This treasure also has no limits. Every person who has ever lived could take this treasure and no one would have to go without. The moment someone finds this treasure, they understand what the man in the verse shared above for this devotional understood: This treasure is worth selling everything for. If you have experienced this treasure, you know that the treasure refers to Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life.

I smile even now as I remember the day I found this treasure. However, we are not limited to finding this treasure only once. We always smile and enjoy hearing the stories of new Christians, but we often forget that we too have treasure to find. Yes, we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and we are on our way to Heaven, but our treasure does not end there.

Just like the treasure in the verse above, our treasure is often hidden. It is something that we cannot see or touch, but we know it is there. Our treasure is not money, fame, or influence. Our treasure is our relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship with Jesus Christ is worth selling all our worldly possessions for. He is worth getting rid of our pride, selfishness, and personal desires. Having an intimate and personal relationship with our Creator is the most beautiful treasure we could possess in this life.

Have you forgotten about the treasure in the field? Are you holding onto the things of the world instead of selling everything for a relationship with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the great Treasure of the Christian life, dear reader. He is worth every sacrifice that you give of yourself. Trust Him wholly and find your treasure in Him.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for offering Yourself as the greatest gift. Please help us to see that a relationship with You is all the treasure we need. Grant us the radical faith to leave the world behind and trust only in You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Treasure” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: True satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ

Finding Satisfaction in Jesus
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” –John 6:35 (KJV)

“True satisfaction is found only in Jesus.”

I have heard this statement many times. Maybe you have too. In the Christian community, many of us are blessed to have friends who point us to Jesus Christ. These friends remind us that nothing in this world can satisfy but Christ alone. Often, we nod our heads and agree. We might even remind someone else that Jesus alone can satisfy. But how well do we live out this simple truth?

After a long afternoon at work, I came home at about nine o’clock in the evening. By this time of the evening, I was hungry, but I did not feel like making anything. I simply had the urge to snack. Conveniently, I had a chocolate bunny left over from Easter sitting on my dresser. I decided to eat it instead of making myself an actual meal. Not surprisingly, the chocolate did nothing to satisfy my hunger, though it did taste good. I had no desire to go to bed hungry. So, I decided to satisfy my hunger by making exactly what I needed: a grilled cheese sandwich.

There is a life lesson for us to learn from this situation: I knew before I ate the chocolate that it would not satisfy my hunger, but I ate it anyway. Isn’t this like the spiritual choices we make every day? For example: I know that when my spirit is afflicted, and I am feeling sad or depressed that I should go to Jesus. However, I often find myself running to “chocolate” (the things that feel good but do nothing to satisfy my soul) for solace.

What are we missing? Jesus said He is the Bread of Life. We can find complete satisfaction in Him, but He is usually the last place we run to. All the things that feel good—television, food, control—are constantly competing for our attention and promising satisfaction that they cannot deliver. As Christians, we need to ignore the noise of the world. It is only when we make a choice to turn away from the things that feel good that we can finally find the One (God) who can satisfy us and fill our empty hearts to the brim.

What are some ways you can choose to turn away from the noise of the world? Maybe you could consider taking a break from social media. Maybe you could choose to memorize Scripture and spend more time praying to your Heavenly Father. Focusing on Jesus Christ to satisfy our spiritual needs is a choice. Choose to turn away from the noise of the world and turn toward the only Source of true satisfaction.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for offering us satisfaction in our lives. Please grant us the strength to turn away from the noise of the world and turn to You. Help us to seek wholeness and satisfaction in You alone. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Turn To Jesus” by Katy Nichole. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When I learned how pain can be a blessing

The Blessing of Pain
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” –Luke 8:48 (KJV) 

“Isn’t it amazing that God gives us pain so that we know something is wrong?”

My sister’s words really made me stop and think. Our grandmother had just been rushed to the hospital because she was having severe pains in her abdomen. Her pain was an indication that something was internally wrong—something was not as it should be.

We often think of pain as a nuisance. We say that we could do more and be more if we had less pain in life—physical and emotional. Pain is something we seek to avoid and brush to the side. Often, our philosophy in life is “experience as much pleasure as possible and as little pain as possible”.

But what if we chose to see pain as a blessing? What if instead of running from pain and avoiding pain, we chose to take our pain to the Healer, Jesus Christ? He is the only one who can make us whole. What if we chose to see pain as an indication that something inside of us is not as it should be?

The verse I chose for this devotional is from the story of the woman with an issue of blood. You can read the whole story in Luke 8:40-48. For twelve years, this woman suffered in pain. She spent all the money she had searching for a cure or someone to help her. Nothing she did helped, but the pain she experienced continuously told her that something was wrong. Instead of pushing the pain aside or choosing to surrender to the pain in defeat, she understood that the pain was telling her that she was not whole. There was something wrong inside of her and she went to Jesus for the healing she needed.

We all experience pain in our lives. Pain proves that we live in a fallen world where heartache and burdens are inevitable. Pain is an indicator that there is something wrong and that we are not yet whole. Pain is something we will experience until we reach Heaven, but thankfully we know that we can always go to Jesus Christ with our pain. Jesus is still the Great Healer and He still gives the peace that passes all understanding.

Are you currently experiencing some kind of pain in your life? Consider this pain a blessing. God uses our pain to remind us that this world is not our home. We were made for Heaven and for eternal fellowship with God our Father. Allow the pain to remind you to take your burdens to God. It is only when we lay our pain at the feet of our Jesus, our Savior, and spend time in fellowship with Him that we can experience the wholeness we were made for.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the blessing of pain in our lives. Please grant us the courage to acknowledge our pain and bring our pain to You. Help us to seek wholeness in You alone. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Blessings” by Laura Story. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When you struggle with waiting on God

Waiting on God
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” –Hebrews 11:11 (KJV) 

Waiting on God is something I have been struggling with lately.

Usually, I am worried that I will miss something that God has for me or that He will refuse to give me what He promised in His Word because I did not react fast enough.

I think there is an inner desire in every human being to take control of our lives and the situations that dictate our daily living. We fear being subject to someone else. We want to work hard and make it happen. But our timing is not God’s timing.

I love Sara’s story because her doubt is very human, but her faith is something to be admired. Sara knew that God had promised her husband, Abraham, a son. But after years of her own barrenness, Sara assumed that God did not intend to give Abraham a son through her. I cannot imagine how discouraged and disappointed she must have felt. Did she feel like God had cast her aside? Did she feel like God had rejected her and would never use her?

Sara, like most of us, decided it was too difficult to daily face her shortcomings and she decided she wanted the shame to end. So, Sara gave her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to her husband, hoping that Abraham will have a seed through Hagar. You can read this portion of the story in Genesis 16. Sara was impatient and tired of feeling inadequate, so she tried to find the quickest and easiest solution to her problems.

Sometimes, God gives us instructions, but we misinterpret what we think God is trying to tell us.

Naturally, we take what God has given us and we try to rationalize what He is saying and try to plan our next step. But God always intended to use Sara to give Abraham a son. You can open a Bible and read Genesis 18:9-15 where God told Sara that she would have a child, but she still did not believe him! In the book of Genesis, we do not see a major turning point in Sara’s spiritual journey where she decided to believe God. But we know from the book of Hebrews that it was because of her faith that she conceived and bore a son. In Chapter 21 of Genesis, we can read that Sara gives birth to her son in her old age because of her faith.

Waiting on God is hard. We want to make things happen and bring about His will in our own way, but our efforts will only bring confusion and destruction in the end. Sara had to let go of her control of her situation and have faith that God was going to do what He said He would do.

What situation are you trying to control right now? What would it look like to let go of the situation and just trust that God will take care of it? Do you need to step back and revaluate what it would look like for you to leave your life in the hands of the God who cares so infinitely for you?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and the examples of the great men and women of faith in the Bible. Please grant us the courage to let go of the control we claim on our own lives. Help us to leave our future and plans in Your loving hands. You are the Lord of our lives, and we surrender our hearts and lives to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin and Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When God's plans are better than our plans

Staying On Shore
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” –Jonah 1:3 (KJV)

I used to think that the worst possible scenario for big life decisions was that God would never answer my questions and I would be left uncertain.

I was wrong. The worst possible scenario for big life decisions is that God says “no” to what you really want and “yes” to something that you say “absolutely not” to. So far, I feel like God says “yes” to everything I don’t want and “no” to everything I do want. Sounds like a typical parent, right?

A couple of weeks ago, I felt a passion to do and accomplish something like I had never felt before. This certain thing was a good and honorable thing that would consume many hours of my life and I was willing to jump in full-heartedly. However, it was only two days in when I started to hear God’s voice. His voice wasn’t audible to my ears, but I knew in my heart that He was telling me “no”.

I argued with God for more than a week. I listed all the good things that could come of my new venture. I thought about all the people I could help and reach for His glory. I would remind God that I was doing this for Him. But the more I negotiated and continued to make my own plans (similar to Jonah), the less peace I had. Isn’t it amazing that God takes away our peace when we are straying from His will?

I didn’t get on the ship. I would like to say that the reason I didn’t get on the ship was because I am spiritually mature than Jonah. However, I have to honestly say that my heart was weary of trying to hide from God. I had no peace and I knew I would be absolutely miserable if I went any further. So, I threw away my plans and stayed on the shore, watching my ship of grand ideas drift out to sea. I cried a few tears and turned around, drudging toward Nineveh and the things that I knew were God’s will for my life. Is this the path I would have chosen for my life? No, but there are great things that are about to happen in Nineveh—things that will reveal God’s glory more than I ever could with my own ambition.

Often, I wonder what would have happened if I had gotten on the ship and went ahead with my own plans. First, I would have been miserable without the peace of God. But I also wonder how long it would have been before the storm came and I was thrown overboard—my plans and dreams along with me.

God’s will for your life will be accomplished. Sometimes, we decide to try our own plans for a while, but we are only prolonging our journey to true peace and contentment. Don’t get on the ship of stubbornness and self-fulfillment. Stay on the shore and in the peace of God.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for guiding us through life and loving us too much to let us wander wherever we would like. Grant us the courage to stay on the shore and leave our own plans behind. We want to follow wholeheartedly after You—no matter the cost. Help us to die to self, pick up our cross, and follow You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Follow (Lyric Video)” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Obedience

Within the Ark
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”–Hebrews 11:7 (KJV) 

If winter did not have so few hours of sunlight, I would not dislike it as much as I do. I can handle the cold. I can handle the frost. I can even handle the snow. But I internally cringe every time I have to set my clock back and the sun sets in the late afternoon. 

As I was reading through Genesis earlier this year, the story of Noah stood out to me as I realized there was only one window in the entire ark (Genesis 6:16). There was only one way for sunlight to enter.

What was Noah feeling the moment that God shut the door to the ark (Genesis 7:16)? It was dark. It probably did not smell too pleasant because of the animals. Were the people outside taunting him, even after God shut the door? Could he hear them jeering about how crazy he was for building an ark?

Noah was in a difficult situation. I am certain he did not feel like spending weeks in an ark that had only one window and was filled with all kinds of insects, reptiles, and mammals. So, why did he do it? God told him it was the only way to live and Noah believed Him! But furthermore, Noah did not just believe what God told him, Noah acted upon what God told him. That is how the New Testament writer of Hebrews knew that Noah had faith—obedience is the action of faith.

We often view the truths and lessons in God’s Word (The Holy Bible) as suggestions. Sometimes we even consider the Ten Commandments to be “outdated” and that most of the commandments were meant for past generations instead of for every generation. But every command that God gives in the Bible is given so that we might obey them. How can we say that we have faith and that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives, but we do not believe that every command in the Bible should be followed and we do not live in obedience to His Word?

According to James 2:26 (KJV), “faith without works is dead”, which means that our faith must be evident in our lives. What better way could we live out our faith than by obeying God’s commands even though they lead us to dark and unpleasant places? God leads us to these places to strengthen our faith and to strengthen our relationship with Him. But the best part is that He never leads us to dark places and just leaves us there. God will stay with us—even if it is too dark to see Him—and He will bring us through the dark places.

How could you live out your faith today? What act of obedience is God calling you to?

God is looking to form a deeper relationship with you by bringing you through your dark moments. He is waiting for you to obey, to be willing to step into the ark and allow Him to shut the door. Remember, the ark was a vessel of salvation, not a prison.

Obedience, though it may not feel pleasant, just may be the vessel that will protect you from a storm that is coming in your life.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and the examples of the great men and women of faith in the Bible. Please grant us the courage to believe Your Word and be willing to do whatever you ask of us. You are the Lord of our lives, and we surrender our will to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” by CityAlight. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: When you let Jesus Christ be more than a guest

Beyond the Foyer
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 

–Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

Sometimes, I do not invite my guests to go beyond the foyer of my home—especially guests I did not prepare for.

Maybe this means I have poor hospitality skills, but some people just choose the absolute worst times to come over for a visit. Once I hear them knocking on the front door, I take about five seconds to make sure I look somewhat presentable before answering the door and allowing them to step inside the foyer—but no further.

Why? Here are a few reasons: There are dishes piled high in the kitchen sink, along with orange juice that was just recently spilled. There are at least three loads of laundry in my living room. And if that is not bad enough, I haven’t even seen my dining room table in at least a week because of the clutter. All of the doors inside of my house are shut in order to hide the mess.

Everyone can relate to the above scenario to at least some extent. For a long time, this is exactly how my relationship with Jesus was. He was my Friend. I wanted Him to come into my heart and spend time with me. But I never let Him go beyond the foyer. I did not want Him to see my mess. Or worse, I did not want Him to reject me for my mess. If I allowed Jesus to go further into my heart, surely He would make me get rid of some things—He would tell me to throw away the clutter I had grown accustomed to.

Some days, I would work at cleaning the mess myself. I told myself that after everything looked good, then I would let Jesus in. Somehow, my efforts only made things worse, and the mess only grew. Then, I would hear Jesus knocking. I was tired, despondent, and desperate. I needed help. So, I opened the door.

Jesus was not surprised by the mess I was in. He just wanted me to stop hiding and start building my relationship with Him. After that, I opened all my doors. One by one, Jesus would knock, and I would open. It was hard at first, but it got easier when I realized that by surrendering my heart, I was inviting Jesus to be the Master of my heart—not just a guest.

This year, I am going to spend time with Jesus as He shows me the plans He has for my heart. What about you? Where does Jesus stand in your heart? Is He standing in the foyer as a guest, or is He the Master who is allowed to see, heal, and restore all parts of your heart?

You can trust Jesus with your heart. He longs to go beyond just a Friend you think about on the weekends. He wants to be the first person you think about when you wake up in the morning. He wants to have continuous conversations with you. He wants to be more than just a guest.

Jesus is knocking. Are you going to answer?

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for Your gracious acceptance and understanding. Please help us to open each door You knock on. Grant us the courage to open our hearts to You and be willing to make the changes You desire in order to grow in our relationship with You. Help us to surrender everything to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Movie of Reflection: “The Perfect Stranger”. It’s a story about a non-believing woman who is invited to dinner with Jesus Christ in person. Watch the movie trailer here on YouTube. You can also watch the full movie for free on YouTube via this link.

~*~
Author Bio: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Our Dreams and God's Plans for our life story

The Unexpected Journey: Dreaming with God
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:12 (KJV)

I am a dreamer and I have a habit of dreaming big dreams.

Like most Christians, I want to do big things for Christ. I want to start a movement, impact generations, and make a difference in the world. We tend to think about long term goals and plans, especially at the beginning of a new year. God wants us to dream big dreams, but often the journey to accomplishing these dreams is not what we expect.

Throughout this Christmas season, I have considered how unexpected the birth of Jesus Christ was to the people living in that time period. The Son of God (Jesus Christ) was sent to this Earth to save the souls of humankind. God could have sent Jesus as a mighty warrior or as a victorious king, but He chose to have His Son be born of virgin (Mary) who was engaged to marry a poor carpenter. After Mary gave birth, she placed Jesus in a manger and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. This may not sound like the beginning of a big dream, but it is the beginning of the biggest and most wonderful dream of all. This was how God planned to save all humans and give us eternal life. Read John 3:16 for details. 

God has the most beautiful ways of surprising us. Sometimes, He gives us gifts that we believe are burdens or are insignificant. Then, one day, we understand why God put that trial or heartache into our lives and we simply cannot praise Him enough for it. Jesus is the greatest gift we have ever been given. Yet, He had to be wrapped in swaddling clothes. With God, things are sometimes not as they seem. The way that Jesus entered this world was unexpected, but far more beautiful than any story about a mighty king or warrior.

I also like to consider the first thirty years of His life. Jesus was a carpenter. He probably took exceptionally good care of His mother, and He probably lived a life that is similar to our own. He most likely had a schedule to follow, responsibilities to keep, and countless tasks to do. But I think He spent this time with His Father, prayed often, and simply loved the people around Him.

Perhaps our biggest problem is that we are each looking for external signs of change. We all want to see the visible miracles and physical healings. But what about the miracles that take place within your heart? These are the most beautiful miracles of all. Jesus healed many blind, sick, and dying people, but the greatest miracles He performed were the ones where He saved a soul in His Kingdom.

As you look back and reflect on this year, you may feel a little disappointed that you are not as far along as you thought you would be. Maybe you cannot even see where the road of life is taking you. Maybe you are struggling with your progress in your personal relationship with our Savior. Just remember that God’s big dreams do not usually follow the carefully planned schedule that we created.

Dream big, but do not become discouraged when things look different than you expected. Keep your eyes on the Savior and you will never be disappointed. God will fulfill His plans. Our life on Earth is the journey, but our destination is always Heaven and spending eternity with Jesus Christ. He is the one constant and the one absolute that we have in this life on Earth. Lean into God and trust Him with your whole heart.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the unexpected blessings You have given us this year. Please help us to remember that You are the Author of our real life stories and You have a perfect dream for us. Grant us the courage to look beyond our current circumstances and always look to You. Allow us to find peace in our journey as You write our story. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Heaven on Earth” by Darlene Zschech. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

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

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

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

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

Devotionals for the Heart: The Hope of the Bible cannot be defeated

An Invincible Hope
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” –Titus 3:7 (KJV)

There are so many different things I hope for throughout just one day.

I hope it won’t rain today. I hope I get the promotion. I hope my friend is feeling better than she was yesterday. But this kind of hope simply sounds like wishful thinking. There is no confidence behind these hopes—they are empty and uncertain.

Wishful thinking always depends completely on circumstances: If it is sunny today, I will be happy. If it rains, I will be sad. But how can we depend upon our circumstances for happiness and fulfillment? Our circumstances are always changing and fluctuating. Additionally, our circumstances are being constantly manipulated by the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) states, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. The devil is searching for ways to discourage Christians. If our hope is set on our circumstances, it would be easy for the devil to alter our circumstances for the worse and discourage us.

The hope of the Bible, however, is far from wishful thinking. The hope of the Bible is a hope in eternal life, in everlasting joy, in Jesus Himself. These things are certain. They are facts. John 3:16 (KJV) states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It does not say that some or a select few might be saved. It says that whosoever believes will have eternal life.

But what about the major disappointments of life? Sometimes, we spend years working toward a specific goal or dream only to have it crushed in front of us. We can pray. We can ask God to intercede. But here on Earth, we are going to face major disappointments. We are going to face heartache. We are going to face failure and defeat. Jesus says in John 16:33 (KJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. The world hates the light and love. Satan will stop at nothing to extinguish the light of Christians. But our hope is not found in this world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ because He has overcome the world.

When your heart begins to ache, and you don’t know where else to go—go to Jesus. When your circumstances seem hopeless, and you can’t see any way out—go to Jesus. There is no hope besides Jesus and eternal life with Him. We could search every inch of this Earth, but we would never find the hope our souls were made for because our souls were made to be in communion with Jesus. In Christ is where our souls belong.

Put away the habit of wishful thinking and start putting your hope in Jesus. He will never disappoint you and your hope is safe in Him. Jesus is victorious. He has already won. Why not put your hope in Someone who is invincible and whose plans are certain? Put your hope in the Invincible Hope which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the hope you have given us. Please help us to put our hope solely in You. Grant us the courage to look beyond our circumstances and keep our eyes always on You. Lord, You are our only lasting and certain hope. Allow us to rest only in who You are and the promises You have made. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection:
“In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

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

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

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

~*~
Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159