Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting the God who has all the answers we need

Unsolved Mysteries and the God who Knows Everything
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?”

—Job 11:7 (NIV)

I love a good mystery.

Whenever I find time to read for pleasure, I reach for a whodunnit. I scour the pages for clues as I read, trying to solve the puzzle before the fictional sleuth does. There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from unravelling all the knots and tying up all the loose ends of the plot before reaching the end of the book.

Wouldn’t it be nice if real life were like a mystery novel? In a way, we are all amateur sleuths navigating life as best we can, using the facts and clues at hand to try to figure it all out. Sometimes we do have “aha moments” when the lightbulb goes on and the problem suddenly makes sense. But often, things happen that are simply beyond our comprehension. As one of my favorite mystery authors, Dorothy L. Sayers, once said, “Life is no candidate for the Detection Club.” Sayers, who was also a Christian apologist, explained that the “notion that all human situations are ‘problems’ like detective problems, capable of a single, necessary, and categorical solution . . . cannot be [true].”

Mystery stories appeal to our human desire for understanding. We want to know the “who, what, where, when and why” of the world around us. Any time we can make sense of something, life seems a little less overwhelming, and we feel a little more in control. Sometimes we can’t find the answers, though. Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense.

Perhaps the thoughts that ruminate in your mind are something like: I worked hard and excelled in my occupation, but I was still passed over for the promotion. I ate a healthy diet and did exercise regularly, but I still received an unwelcome diagnosis from my doctor. There is tragedy, injustice, grief, oppression, war, suffering, and hopelessness in the world. If God is good, why do these things happen?

The reality is that our human minds are not equipped to understand all of life’s mysteries, and that’s not really a bad thing. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” God Himself tells us that His thoughts and His ways are too big for us to grasp. Shouldn’t this be a comforting thought?

When life doesn’t make sense to us, there is Someone who does understand it, who sees the big picture and knows how it all fits together. This Someone is never baffled or confused or overwhelmed by anything. That someone is Almighty God, and He is not only omniscient, but He is always good. That means that His thoughts and His ways are always good, too, even when we can't comprehend them.

It’s not always easy to be comforted by this knowledge, though. We are human, after all, and we were created with curiosity and a thirst for understanding. I think this is where faith fits in. If we were like God and understood everything, we would have no need for Him. If we had no curiosity or longing for knowledge, we would never seek Him. Faith grows when we are able to admit that our understanding is limited and trust that His is not.

My pastor, Dr. Kris Clifford, preached a sermon this week that resonated with this devotional I was already writing. He said, “Truth often comes wrapped in mystery. When we embrace mystery, we don’t grow in knowledge—we grow in faith. Paradox isn’t a problem to solve—it’s an invitation to trust.”

Some mysteries weren’t meant for us to solve. As hard as it is for us to accept, we won’t always be able to know answers to all the “who, where, what, how and why” questions of life. We do know, though, that God is God, and God is good. Those are the only facts we really need.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, sometimes we don’t understand why things happen, and that’s hard for us to accept. We know that Your ways are higher than our ways, though, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We know that You are good. Please help us to trust You more each day. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Glorious Unfolding” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

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Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.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.

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Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Mercy

Becoming Vessels of Mercy
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?” 

–Romans 9:22-24 (ESV)

Years ago, I was working toward the goal of becoming a Specialist in Fitness Nutrition. As a competing athlete, I was passionate about how the right nutrition could not only fuel but help shape the human form into a lean, powerful, performing machine. I put out my shingle for business.

Unbeknownst to me, grievous events would quickly alter my course. Personal injury brought my physical abilities to a halt and the business relationship I had built with a gym owner terminated. I was devastated.

Over a year later, out of the blue, I received a call from a local recovery center looking for a nutrition teacher for their program. It wasn’t what I intended for myself, but knowing it was an opportunity to work in my field, I accepted.

Within the Relapse Prevention Program, dozens of women were recovering not only from substance use, but, more sizably, traumatic life events. Their stories were filled with abusive horrors that were foreign to my life experience. Because of my naïveté, I did not understand why God would put me in a place so completely outside of my league.

These women taught me strength training of another sort and I became educated by their lessons. I felt as though I was being shaped for something completely different than expected.

That’s when news of sexual abuse within my family territory struck. The enemy hit my base. In the shock wave, I remembered the stories told to me by my students and I knew... I knew to my very core...that God had been preparing me beforehand for this, as a vessel of mercy.

In Romans 9, Paul addresses some of the very same questions that surface in the lives of believers of his time: 

“Is God fair?”

“Has God failed?”

“Am I just a puppet...a victim on the whims of God?”

Paul uses the metaphor of two vessels, one being an angry vessel (“vessel of wrath”) and the other a compassionate vessel (“vessel of mercy”), both of God’s making. Opportunity is given to both vessels to be tools for the Maker’s goodwill.

The Greek word for wrath in Romans 9:22 is ““orgé,” from the verb oragō meaning, “to teem, to swell.” This implies not a sudden outburst, but rather a growing agitation.

The vessel of wrath might be considered a crockpot of indignation, slowly breaking down its internal contents with constant heat. But, according to Romans 9:23-24, certain vessels have heeded God’s call and are filled with mercy. Like a bowl of fruit sitting on the counter, always available for the snacking.

Seeking God’s will can often look like letting go of the specific plans we have made and accepting with trust the opportunities that are offered. Being malleable under direction is a choice. Trust is a choice. And mercy might just be the consequence of accepting the offering.

I could have remained angry, stubbornly holding fast to my goal and demanding God be fair, but I would have been unprepared for what was ahead of me. Instead, I’m grateful for the very specific direction God was turning me toward, putting roadblocks on one path and opening up a new route. Without the job, without the broken ladies I was working with, I would not have had the mind frame of compassion nor the skills of grace for the marred ones in my personal sphere.

Look into the story of your life. Does it feel like God has failed you or been unjust? Is anger the temperature of your heart? God has mercy on you, my friend! His hand on you is compassionate. God knows your future and wishes to prepare you for it. Respond to His touch. You will be eternally grateful for His filling of mercy.

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Author Bio:
Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Light

Choosing The Light
A devotional by Gail Kittleson

“Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” ~Luke 1:78-79 (NKJV)

My middle school English teacher would have diagrammed this complicated sentence with ease. She’d point out, “The meat of the statement, subject and verb, are in the second phrase and the other segments answer our questions—how, who, when, and why. But the writer begins with the source of what is to come...the heartfelt mercies of our God. Do you see how the author carefully arranged everything for clarity and purpose?”

Some of us saw—some of us didn’t. But today, we can focus on those “How and why,” which are questions that every journalist subscribes to answering.

How will the sunrise break? 

Through God’s heartfelt mercies. 

Upon whom will the light shine? 

Us—we who sit in darkness and death’s shadow. 

Why? (For what purpose?)

To enlighten our steps and bring us into peace. 

Allow me to illustrate my point using the Bible story about Zachariah.

Zachariah, slow to believe the angel’s prophecy that his wife would bear a son in her old age, spoke these words after his first and only child John entered the world. For nine long months, he had suffered the imposition of silence, and for decades before that, had mourned the lack of children to leave behind him when he died.

Perhaps this history helped his neighbors and friends to see how momentous his visitation had been, but still, it must’ve been difficult for Zachariah. Finally, God’s angel promised him a son, his wife had conceived in her old age, and he couldn’t express his excitement and joy. Bummer!

Once Zachariah agreed that his newborn son’s name would be John, his tongue was loosed. At long last, it was Zachariah’s turn to speak. Well aware of his imperfect faith, he’d had plenty of time to ponder what he might say at this long-awaited opportunity.

At this significant moment, a message inspired by the Holy Spirit poured forth. And what a message it was, pure poetry—pure exaltation! We might well take heed to this tale of mercy and light, drawing us from our gloomy outlook and assuring us of guidance and serenity.

My Prayer: Sometimes it’s easier to fall back into familiar negativity than to embrace Your fresh light, Father. Grant us hearts to listen to your words through Zachariah and entrust our lives to You. Deliver us from falling back from your promises in unbelief.

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Author Bio:

When Gail Kittleson's not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit of her 1940’s novels, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors.

She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.

Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.

A Prelude to Christmas: Interview with author Linda Rondeau

Welcome Linda Rondeau to the blog today! She's here to talk about her new novel, Miracle on Maple Street. Here's the dreamy cover of her book:

Book blurb: “Christmas is a time for miracles,” Ryan McDougal tells his mother, when he is told that a long lost cousin, Millie, has resurfaced after nearly forty years, the cousin whose picture his mother clasped the day his father abandoned him. Though they occurred decades apart, he always believed the two disappearances were connected like opposite links of a chain. With Millie’s arrival, perhaps he might finally receive the answers he so desperately sought. 

However, Ryan has a third thorn in his side, more devastating than any mystery. His wife, the love of his life, has left his arms and his bed. How long before she moves out of the house and takes his beloved son with her? He prays for his own Christmas miracle. Millie’s anticipated visit prompts Ryan’s mother to reveal secrets that bring all to light. However, when past and present collide, the truth is more than Ryan can bear.

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Fill out the book giveaway contest entry form on this Rafflecopter widget for your chance to WIN a copy of Linda's book: 

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Enjoy my interview with Linda! 

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Interview with Linda Rondeau, author of Miracle on Maple Street:

Alexis: I like the title for your Christmas story. How did you think of it?

Linda: The title is “borrowed” from the Christmas classic, “Miracle on 34th Street". No, there’s no Santa Claus in this story, but a miracle does take place—one of spiritual healing for four people that has been four decades in the making.

Ryan says, “Sometimes miracles happen instantaneously and sometimes miracles happen over time.”

Alexis: Why did you write Miracle on Maple Street?

Linda: This story evolved over fifteen years. It is actually a revision of the first novel I ever wrote, and that was developed from a short story titled, "Marigolds Don’t Hold Grudges".

The idea first came to me when I reunited with my long-lost cousin. We hadn’t been in contact for twenty years. For us, it was merely the fact that life pulled us in different directions. It was wonderful when we saw each other again and relived wonderful memories. Now we make a much better effort to stay in touch. That made me wonder what sort of things could separate two cousins who loved each other deeply? That question led to a lot of, “what ifs” and Miracle of Maple Street evolved.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember most about this story?

Linda: That forgiveness is a two-way street. Sometimes we stand ready to forgive the person who wronged us; yet we fail to acknowledge that we may have contributed to the wrong done to us. We need to ask forgiveness for our part.

Also, we fail to forgive ourselves. We wear our guilt, like Dicken’s Marley, the chains we forged in life.

If God casts our sins into the sea of his forgetfulness, then we mitigate his cleansing power when we continue to be weighed down by them.

Alexis: There’s an air of mystery surrounding your main character Millie. Why? Tell us about her role in this story.

Linda: Ryan McDougal woke to a boyhood Christmas and found his father had disappeared and his mother clutches a mysterious photograph of a teenage cousin who ran away on her 16th birthday. His mother spends the better part of two decades in depression. Ryan feels like an orphan. And he wonders what part the picture plays in his mother’s sadness and his father’s disappearance.

Although Millie’s disappearance and his father’s abandonment occurred decades apart, Ryan believes they are somehow connected, like opposite links to a chain.

When his mother receives a letter that her cousin Millie is visiting for Christmas, He wonders why the cousin returns after nearly four decades. Could it be a sign? Ryan seizes the opportunity to confront his mother once and for all as to how the events connect. He can’t explain how, but he also believes his wife’s rejection is in the mix of mysteries that only Millie will unravel.

We don’t know Millie’s story until later in the book. But we learn that after she ran away from home, her life followed a much different path than his mother. Did Millie’s faith make a difference?

Millie will be the source to answer Ryan’s question, "Why didn’t my father ever come back?"

As Ryan’s mother answers these two questions, Ryan discovers the reasons for his wife’s emotional withdrawal. The pain of her revelation is more than he can bear. Will he abandon his family as his father did?

When Millie arrives, she finds a family torn apart. Through the miracle of her story, the family finds hope and a place where healing can begin.

Alexis: Tell us about Ryan. What makes him the hero of your story? Share insight into his character, flaws and strength.

Linda: Ryan wants to think of himself as a Cal Ripken, the baseball player famous for the most consecutive games played as of the setting for this story. He has grown tired of his wife’s rejection and wonders if he can “stay in the game.” He’s a good man, a good son, and tries to be a good father, and he thought he’d been a good husband. Through introspection, he sees he is flawed and in need of redemption.

Alexis: What kind of miracle are your characters hoping will happen? Why?

Linda: Ryan believes his mother’s reunion with her long-lost cousin is her miracle. He desires a healed relationship with his wife, and perhaps to finally receive an explanation why his father abandoned the family.

Alexis: You touch on emotional abandonment, which is an issue in real life. In what ways do you hope that your fictional story world will help people in the real world?

Linda: Sometimes forgiveness is a two-way street. We are quick to realize the wrong someone has done to us; however, we fail to recognize our own contribution to the problem. Sometimes we fail to forgive ourselves for our mistakes. Sometimes, emotional abandonment leaves a deep hole and mars our ability to receive love for fear we’ll be rejected once again.

Alexis: Why did you choose to make this story set at Christmastime?

Linda: Christmas is a time of deep reflection. Millie’s visit, prompts the long avoided conversation between Ryan and his mother that brings all into light. As Ryan begins to realize his need for a Savior, he contemplates the babe in the manger. When his internal struggle ends he says, “Finally, all is calm and all is bright.”

Alexis: Was there anything or anyone that you couldn’t live without while writing this story? If so, explain.

Linda: Food. When I write, I get really hungry, but I don’t like stopping to eat. I’m grateful for a spouse that likes to cook. He yells to me, “Ready!” We share our meals then I go back to work.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: If I needed a miracle, I would _________________________because________________________.

Linda: If I needed a miracle, I would ask God to reveal himself to my prodigal son because now he has a child who is curious about life. I pray that he will get right with God so he can show his little girl who he is. 

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Linda! Merry Christmas!

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Author bio:

Winner of the 2012 Selah Award and Carol Award finalist Linda Wood Rondeau writes to offer hope for those with damaged lives and demonstrate our worst past, surrendered to God becomes our best future. 

After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida. When not writing, the author enjoys golfing, hiking, and spending time with her best friend in life, her husband of nearly forty years. 

Her recent release, Miracle on Maple Street, has already won the hearts of many. 
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Buy Linda's book on Amazon
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Connect with Linda: Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com where they’ll find a list of her books and her blog, Snark and Sensibility. Email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Goodreads.