Devotionals for the Heart: When God allows you to experience tough times

When we are pressed hard but not crushed in despair
A devotional by Patti Schultz, Ed.D.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

—2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Can I sit with you for a minute?

I know summer has arrived. I can see it. The evenings are longer, the neighbors out on their lawns, the kids with their popsicles and their noise. Maybe you are watching all of it from somewhere that still feels very far away. Maybe you are doing the thing where you smile at the right moments and show up where you're supposed to, and nobody quite knows how much you are carrying just to get through an ordinary day.

I see you.

There is something about the brightness of it, the way the world just keeps going, relentlessly cheerful. Like everyone else received an invitation to feel alive this season, and yours got lost somewhere. Like joy is happening just on the other side of a window you cannot quite open. You are not behind. You are just in it. And it landed here, in June, uninvited and unimpressed by the weather.

There is a passage I keep returning to in seasons like this. Not because it ties anything up neatly, but because it doesn't try to. The Bible says we are hard pressed, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Struck down, but not destroyed. Two words keep catching me every time I read this verse: but not.

Not, “it's okay now.” Not, “the hard part is over.” Just “you are still here.” And that is not nothing. That is, in fact, everything. And so is God. Still here. Not in a hurry with you. Not watching the calendar. He hasn't forgotten a single thing about what this has cost you.

I wonder if somewhere in this summer, hope might find its way to you in the quiet ways it tends to. Not announced. Not dramatic. Just a moment that catches you off guard, where something still feels like something. A conversation that goes longer than you expected. An evening that is just soft enough. A small, unremarkable thing that reminds you that you are still capable of being reached.

I think of the years I spent grieving children I never got to hold. The ones lost before I could meet them, and the one who was promised to me and then taken away. I remember sitting in a nursery I had barely begun that I had to quietly dismantle, certain that grief like that simply does not get redeemed, that some losses just sit there forever, unanswered. In a way, they still do. I did not get the ending I prayed for. But somewhere in the unraveling, I found that I had not actually been let go of. God did not rush in with an explanation or a replacement. He just stayed. He stayed through the waiting rooms, the empty rooms, the rooms I could not walk into for a while. That is the part I did not expect: not that the ache would disappear, but that I would slowly become someone who could carry it without being consumed by it. Hard pressed, yes. Still not crushed. I say this not as someone watching from a distance, but as someone who has waited through summers like this one.

I do not think hope means the pain is gone. Maybe it just means you are still reachable. Maybe that is enough to carry into today. Not healing. Not answers. Just the quiet possibility that you are held—even now, even here, even in the middle of a summer that arrived before you were ready.

~*~
Let’s Pray:

God, I'm tired in a way that's hard to explain to people. Summer showed up and I'm still here. Still in this. I'm not asking You to rush it or fix it into something pretty. I just need to know You're close. That You see what this actually looks like from the inside. Hold what I can't. And when something like hope starts to come, help me recognize it. Even if it's small. Even if it's quiet. I'm still here. And I know that matters to You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “It Is Well” (Acoustic version) by Kristene DiMarco. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Come As You Are” by Crowder (Cover by Vanessa Magnon in ASL). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Steady My Heart” by Kari Jobe (cover in SASL Translation by St. Vincent School for the Deaf). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Dr. Patti Schultz’s inspiring journey weaves a tapestry of compassion, resilience, and divine hope. 

Formerly a public school principal, professor, teacher, and interpreter for the deaf, she now dedicates her life to a heartfelt ministry rooted in her personal experiences.

As a mother to three miracle boys here on Earth and a member of a heavenly soccer team, Patti’s story is one of unwavering faith and profound love. Her decade-long battle with infertility and recurrent loss fuels her deep compassion for grieving mothers, guiding them toward healing through the comforting embrace of Jesus Christ’s garment.

Patti’s gentle wisdom offers a safe haven for women navigating pain, reminding them they are never alone. Through her ministry, she seeks to envelop grieving mothers in divine comfort, encouraging hope, renewal, and the reassurance that God's love is always near, wrapping them in His compassionate hem as they walk the path to healing.

Living in northern Michigan, she cherishes precious moments with family and community, drawing strength from faith and connection.

~*~
Connect with Patti:
Website: pattischultz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.pattischultz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Patti.Schultz
Email: dr.patti.schultz@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: The Best Help and Comfort Comes from God

Going to God for Help and Comfort
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”—Psalm 86:17 (ESV)

When was the last time God helped or comforted you?

It is wonderful to personally relate to a verse like the one above, to look back at where we've been and recall all that God has done. It gives us strength to push forward through what we are currently facing, knowing that the God who was faithful before will be faithful again.

Perhaps we do not see it. Perhaps we feel that God has failed us and will fail us again. But may we remember that, while He does allow evil to cross our paths, He has also made a bold promise in Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

He even promises to use those things which threaten to devastate us for good. Nothing falls outside of Romans 8:28 (ESV) which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Do you love Him? Has He called you to Himself? God longs for you to see the way He has helped and comforted you in the past. He also wants bring good from those things which seem as though no good could possibly come out of them.

Psalm 25:3 (ESV) promises that we will not be put to shame if we wait for God: “None who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.” The ones who will be put to shame are those who are, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “undisciplined, ungoverned, unmanageable, rebellious, and disobedient”. Those who wait for God will not be put to shame—in spite of their struggles. This even provides for sins and shortcomings that happen in the course of our lives. He does not sit waiting to beat us over the head for our missteps. Instead, when our hearts are repentant and long to follow Him, God is waiting to use those things for our good.

Let today be the day we ask God to help us see how the pain in our past has worked for our good, and how He has been there to comfort us. Let’s focus on how God comforts and helps us in our day-to-day struggles, and assures us that He will be there to help in the future.

Let's Pray: Dear God, Thank You for comforting me and helping me. Please help me to see where You have done so in the past, and to believe that You will do so in the future—no matter what I face. Teach me how to see You in the mundane, day-to-day struggles of my life as well. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “My Help” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Comforter” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure!

Along with writing devotionals, Aubrey is the author of the German-perspective 20th Century Fiction series, Gott Mit Uns. She lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or taking care of her home and family, she enjoys singing and dancing with friends from a German choir and a Bavarian folk dancing group. She is also a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats!

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846520.Aubrey_Taylor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/aubrey-taylor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0973KWXV8

Devotionals for the Heart: Think about what Jesus Christ means to you

What Does Jesus Mean to You?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” –Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Recently someone asked me a question. It was simple and straightforward and yet for a moment, I stuttered. The question was, “What does Jesus mean to you?”

How can I describe in a word all that He means to me when He means so much? How would you answer that question? Let’s try. Can you do it in 15 words or less? Try. Take a moment now to say it out loud and answer the question.

I hope I wasn't alone in the struggle of trying to express my feelings. To describe someone who means everything to you is just not easy. I love the scripture in Romans 5:5 that tells us "hope does not put us to shame." Can you remember times when you have hoped and longed for something, and it didn’t happen when you hoped it would? The only way we get through these times is through the comfort of the love of God. His love reassures us that He not only has our lives in control but that everything that happens while we wait, though it may be hard and discouraging at times, is producing character in our lives.

Read Romans 5:3-4 (ESV) again, which tells us: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

How can we rejoice in suffering? Well, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:12 (ESV): “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” So, if you’re suffering because of your faith, you can rejoice and be glad for there is a reward awaiting you in heaven! Heaven, you say? Yes, there is a reward in Heaven. We’ll be able to receive it when we get there. This gives me hope!

This great hope reminds me that my life does not consist of what is only here on Earth, in the here and now. I can believe that and rejoice in this fact because God honors His word. God’s word gives me hope. And hope does not bring shame. Hope gives me something to look forward to. This is why Jesus means HOPE to me.

I am always saying God is faithful. He does what He says. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore, I can rest in the promise and truth of His Word. Yes, there will be sufferings, but they produce endurance. Endurance produces character and character produces hope. Don’t you dare give in or give up! Jesus came to this Earth. Yes, He died but He rose again just like He said He would. So, if Jesus did what He said He would do then, you and I can rest assured that the hope Jesus promised when He was here on earth will surely come to fruition.

We will never have to feel shame because we believe what He promised. We may have to wait but remember we are developing endurance in the journey. So be encouraged! He is our hope!

Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank You again for Your Word that never changes. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ who brought us hope for not only today but for the future. In all our grief and in all our suffering we praise You that we are developing endurance that produces character and produces hope. Help us to trust the process in spite of the pain. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “God is Our Hope” by Toronto Mass Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is an encourager. She passionately uses her gifting as an author, speaker, pastor, recording artist, worship leader and coach. 

Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body & Spirit (a book that she wrote) was an Amazon Bestseller in October 2020.

Patricia sings! She has released two CDs titled Draw Me Nearer and Lord I Trust You.

She also travels to speak to audiences internationally.

When she is not ministering to save souls in God’s Kingdom, Patricia enjoys reading, writing and connecting like-minded people who can sharpen each other in the journey to their dreams and goals.

As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, her desire is to coach others to live life to the fullest by understanding their gifting from God and using it.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: When you learn how to find comfort in silence

The Comfort of Silence
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

There is something beautiful about the comfort of silence.

I love just sitting in the car with my sister or a friend and simply enjoying the other’s company without having to say anything unnecessary or forced. It is in this place of familiarity where I am most relaxed and able to be myself.

Comfortable silence is a special feature reserved for those who are closest to us. When we are with our family and close friends, we don’t feel the need to fill in the pauses in conversation. A lull in conversation with friends who understand us, does not evoke us to sift through our thoughts for something to say or ask.

Oddly enough, as Christians, we don’t invite God to enjoy this special feature of comfortable silence with us. This past Autumn, I dove headfirst into a deeper relationship with God. It felt like He was speaking to me through everything, about everything…until He wasn’t.

There were days, sometimes weeks, where God did not say anything. He was silent. Naturally, I drowned myself in a spiral of negative thoughts. What have I done wrong? Why isn’t God speaking to me anymore? Maybe I did something to upset Him. I should pray more. I should read my Bible more. God, please say something. Anything. Can He even hear me?

After months of back and forth—from God’s speaking to His silence—I attempted to find the formula. I thought that maybe since I was reading my Bible more, God would be pleased with me and speak to me more often. Or I thought that if I prayed for a whole hour that day God would dramatically make Himself known to me. Like a vague acquaintance, God’s silence made me uncomfortable, and I wanted to fill the pauses in conversation. I wanted my time with God to mean more, but I didn’t know what that looked like.

I listened to a podcast about the desert seasons in our life when God is silent and investigated other great resources on the topic. Slowly, I came to realize the truth behind God’s silence. I did not do anything wrong. True, sometimes we willingly run away from Him and ignore the Spirit. Sometimes, we do things that grieve the Spirit, and we create a breach in the relationship. But I wasn’t running away from God. In fact, I was running toward Him, and when we diligently seek God, He always reveals Himself to us.

God was not upset with me for failing to read a whole book of the Bible in a day. He simply wanted me to be still—to still my movement, my thoughts, my assumptions. He wanted to meet me without words. He wanted to sit with me in the silence and simply enjoy my company. Take a moment and consider how humbling that is, dear reader. Sometimes, God simply wants to join you in the silence and enjoy your company. Because He loves being with you.

God’s silence is a gift. When we are given this gift of silence it proves our growing relationship with Him. He promises to never leave us. His silence is not evidence that He is not present, but rather, evidence that He is becoming a closer friend to us who can share in and enjoy the silence. God wants to meet you in the silence, dear reader. Learn to be still. Learn to know Who He truly is. Learn to enjoy the silence.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for these seasons of silence. Often, we become discouraged or frustrated when we believe You no longer hear our prayers and answer only in silence. Allow our relationship with You to deepen to the place where we find comfort in simply being still and knowing who You are. You are our Savior, our Comforter, and our Friend. Bring us to the place of contentment and acceptance of silence. Help us to find comfort in Your silence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Tessa’s devotional message today reminds me of the song “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

~*~

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/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beloved.bookworm/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

Devotionals for the Heart: Grief

God of My Closet Floor
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.” 

– Psalm 139:7-8 (NLT)

As ribbons of light peeked their way through the blinds, I was instantly aware something was amiss. The familiar fur head piece that typically wove itself around my head was missing. My Harley had never made his way onto my pillow the night before which was quite unusual for him. As my feet found the floor, he wandered his way into the bedroom.

Taking his customary post on the bathroom floor he waited patiently for me to complete my morning dental routine before heading to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast. When the next morning revealed the same odd behavior change, I made a note on my calendar and scheduled a vet visit for a few days later. Little did I know that three weeks, two ER visits and two oncology visits later my faithful feline friend would be gone.

Psalms 36:6 affirms that God cares for people and animals alike. So, I admit without reservation that the sadness and heart break I have experienced since Harley died has been like no other. It has brought me to my knees in moments of weeping where I have asked God why He didn’t just take me too. At times I have felt that I might be swallowed by the grief that consumes me. My shattered heart seems beyond repair. But God.

The Bible tells us God is everywhere but sometimes it feels like He is nowhere. It’s in those moments where we have to walk by faith and stand on the promises God has made in His Word. Promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Promises to be near to the broken-hearted (Psalms 34:18). Promises to collect all my tears in a bottle (Psalms 56:8). And the promise that one day God will wipe away all the tears from our eyes, and there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, and no more pain (Revelation 21:4). Our feelings deceive us, but our God never does. Our feelings may fail us, But God never will. Our faith may falter but God is forever faithful.

It’s easy to feel God’s presence when serving on the mission field or in the midst of a worship night at church. When we are experiencing Holy Spirit highs or basking in God’s blessings His nearness is almost palpable. But He is no farther away and no less God when our world seems to be crumbling around us. When we receive a cancer diagnosis, need a job, our marriage falls apart or we lose a loved one, He is still nearby and sitting on His throne in complete control.

I spent time on my closet floor this morning remembering my final moments with Harley and you know what I discovered? The God of the mountain tops and mission trips is also the God of my closet floor. The God of joy in the morning is also the God of weeping in the night. The God of peace that surpasses all understanding is also the God of profound pain. The God of hope is also the God of the hurting. The God of blessing to overflow is also the God of the broken-hearted. Our house feels like a Grand Canyon of emptiness that only the fullness of God can fill.

My heart harbors a God-sized gap that only He can satisfy. Deep grief is the price of great love.

And He is the God of them both.

Let’s Pray: Gracious Father, when the trials and pressures of this world seem too much to bear, help us remember to draw near to You because when we do, You promise You will draw near to us. You have assured us we will have trouble in this world, but also remind us to have faith because You have overcome the world. In our darkest moments, You are the Light of the world. When we pass through the waters, you promise to be with us. When we go through rivers, you ensure they will not overwhelm us. When we walk through the fire you guarantee we will not be burned and the flames will not consume us. We never have to go searching for You, because You are always near. Even when we don’t see it, feel it, or believe it, You are working and moving on our behalf. You are for us and not against us and are forever on Your throne. Help us to not just read these promises in Your Word but believe them to be truth in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

*Note from Alexis: Cyndi’s devotional message reminds me of the song “Beauty for Ashes” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him. 

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

~*~
Connect with Cyndi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

Devotionals for the Heart: Peace

Blanketed by Peace
A devotional by Malinda Fugate

Key Scripture:

Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 94:19, Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

As the minutes of election night ticked on, my anxiety grew. I would be able to react to one outcome or the other, but the unknown and waiting weighed on existing anxieties already plaguing my soul. It was as if the tumultuous year of 2020 had reached its ripeness, fully ready for a harvest of stress and worry.

My hands needed something to do to keep me from obsessively checking for electoral map updates. A bag of yarn and crochet hook sat nearby, inviting me into the lull of repetitive stitching. Not long ago, I decided to turn my leftover scraps into a blanket, mixing odd colors together in a mismatched blend. As I looped yarn over hook and slipped each stitch into place, a calming rhythm developed. The soft beginnings of a blanket covered my lap with comforting warmth. Temporarily forgetting the drama unfolding at polling places around the country, I was able to just be present in the safety of my cozy apartment.

With my hands busy at yarn work, my thoughts were able to focus on the Lord. I echoed my continuous prayer that His will is done in our nation, that His righteous wisdom would guide our leaders. I confessed how helpless I felt and how concerned I was with possible outcomes. Little by little, I became aware of His presence. God’s promises overrode my what-ifs and the tightness in my chest loosened a bit.

The interesting thing about my crochet project is that every stitch builds a bit more blanket. My anxious energy was being directed into the movement of the yarn, resulting in something that I will soon be able to wrap around myself for coziness and reassurance. Like the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin spinning straw into gold, I was crocheting anxiety into comfort.

Yet, a security blanket only comforts the surface. Praise God, He comforts the heart. Each moment in prayer is like another stitch in the blanket as the Lord covers us with His peace. We give Him our worries and He exchanges them for serenity. At times, this exchange seems slower than we would like in our instant gratification world, but with each prayer, His solace increases.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

We find promises in His word that remind us that He is in control and working for our good.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

We find that in prayer with thanksgiving, we begin to see our situation from God’s point of view. Little by little He reveals His perspective and plan. When we see His goodness, we discover more peace.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19)

Though joy seems far away when our hearts are troubled, we gradually find glimpses of rejoicing the longer we rest in His presence. He brings gladness in place of mourning.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

When we learn to exist in His presence constantly and not merely occasionally, we find lasting peace unhindered by anxieties and fear. Yes, worries can still pester at the edges of our thoughts, but with eyes on God’s big picture, we recognize that they are smaller than we once imagined. We perpetually hand them over to God and receive His comfort in exchange. He wraps our heart in peace beyond comprehension, in the security of His love.

~*~
Author Bio:

Malinda Fugate writes from the heart. 

Though she serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a church in Southern California, she is also a crafter of words published in books.

Her writing includes children's faith resources, commercial copywriting, and various faith-based stage and screenplays.

Malinda invites you to explore the various 3:16s in the Bible with her new book, The Other Three Sixteens (published by Ambassador International in May 2020).

She also invites you to read her previously published books: Bible Time for Active Kids, which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon.com, and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God, which is an interactive creative writing journal.

Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, and then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.

When she's not writing or working at church, Malinda might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area. She lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.

Visit Malinda online via https://www.malindafugate.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Words

Old Words
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

Sometimes the words won’t form. When life is hard, or chaotic, or not understandable, it can be hard to express our feelings in conversations or in writing. Sometimes I find it’s impossible to even pray, usually during the times I need prayer the most.

In addition to the Bible, our family has found great comfort for the last few months in an old copy of The Lutheran Book of Prayer. There are prayers for every morning and evening, special prayers for certain seasons of the year, prayers for the sick, during an epidemic, during a war and more. We gather in the evenings together to pray and rather than feeling like we need to find words within ourselves, we can turn to prayers penned many years ago and used to comfort generations of Christians since. I appreciate the time and care someone put into writing down these prayers and how helpful they continue to be.

The world we live in is constantly changing, building and exploring. Hundreds of new products and services and discoveries are presented to us every day. It can be easy to throw out something old and dusty in favor of the newest and shiniest item. But we have to remember that not everything new is better and not everything old is irrelevant.

I’m absolutely not against progress. I love computers and convenience. My degree is in mechanical engineering so I’m not against new inventions! But I fear we forget to give credit to the foundation of the things that came before us and fail to realize how much they can still help us today, just the way they are.

The words of Scripture were written down over centuries to give us a glimpse into the heart of God. They are meant to teach, comfort, rebuke, and save us. How grateful I am that God gave those words to so many people, so long ago, and breathed His own Spirit into them, that they are still living and active for us today.

What words of comfort do you need to hear today? Is there a Bible verse that is particularly meaningful for what you’re going through? Or maybe the words of a Christian who came before us? Even if the words are not Holy Scripture, they can be inspiring and encouraging to us as much as when they were when they were written down. Let’s find some good words to read, pray, or share with someone today!

Let’s Pray: Gracious God, comfort me with Your Spirit today so that I may be a comfort to others. Give me words of love and kindness and grace and peace to know deep in my own soul and to share with the world you created and love. In Jesus Christ’s precious name, I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume. 

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Life Lessons learned from Jesus Christ

Learning from Jesus
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 

–Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Many times, the promise of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28 (ESV) comforts us during rough patches in our lives. He says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

These beautiful words lift our trembling hearts and fainting limbs when we face fearful circumstances or difficult decisions. We cling to Christ’s promises to provide rest and peace in the storm. He is right there with us.

The next two verses of Matthew 11 continue His directive. In verses 29-30, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Wait a minute. A yoke? Seriously?

When studying westward expansion in the United States, it’s easy to imagine the Conestoga wagons that transported half a nation across the lonesome prairies.

Teams of oxen, mules, and horses pulled each wagon. The success or failure of such a move depended upon the strength and stamina of the beasts that were yoked into the harnesses and hitched to the wagons. As the great migration headed out, the animals strained against the weight behind them until the bulky wagons began to roll. Uphill or down, the long string of emigrants moved farther from their original homes to the places that awaited them at the end of the endless journey they dared to undertake.

If the animals in the trains were yoked properly, they moved unrelentingly west. If they were mismatched, or if the yokes were rough or misshapen, the wagon had to stop. The animals, injured or afraid, simply could not continue until the problem was remedied.

Now let’s go back to Jesus. He tells us to slip into the harness with Him. Walk step-by-step with Him unswervingly; obediently putting one foot in front of the other as we work in tandem with the Lord. Along the way, we learn how to live abundantly. We discover how to let Him lead us, how to grow in faithfulness and love, and how to keep our eyes focused on our ultimate home in Heaven.

Jesus then refers to Himself as “gentle and lowly.” Jesus, the King of all creation, the promised Messiah, the Lord of Lords, and the Savior of the world didn’t pursue fame. His promised rest for His children began after His death on a rough and misshapen cross. After His resurrected body could no longer be contained in a tomb, He rose again! Jesus is Alive! His sacrifice bought our salvation—His gentle rest for our souls. He won the battle over sin and death, and now He calls His believers to “yoke up.”

An “easy” yoke isn’t fluffy; it’s one that fits well. When we take on the yoke of Jesus and go through life beside Him, He uniquely shapes His yoke to fit us. When it’s perfectly suited, whatever work He gives us to do becomes lighter—easier. It’s manageable, and with His help we become productive children in God’s kingdom.

Today, in the middle of our worldwide pandemic, Christ’s call to us is vital.

As we slip into a side-by-side relationship with our Lord, the work that we do becomes more meaningful and more relevant to the hurting ones who surround us.

People everywhere need the rest that Jesus promises, and He allows us to share His gift of hope with them. Yoked with Jesus, He multiplies our frail efforts. We begin to listen with His ears, and to see with His eyes, and to show His love with our hands and our hearts. And always, we focus on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

What is my response to His yoke?

Let it be, “I’m in, Lord Jesus! Hitch me up!”

~*~
Author Bio:

During this time of quarantine, Karen enjoys reading, writing, and connecting with friends and family via phone calls, texts, emails, blogs, live-streams, and video conferencing. 

She is grateful that the Lord has provided so many ways for humankind to stay in community, even when we are all hunkering down in our homes.

Karen says, “In this unprecedented time, we know that He has prepared us for such a time as this! To God be all the glory!”

You can reach Karen by emailing her at this address: klmarstaller@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Flowers

Comfort Flowers
A devotional by Wade Webster

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

“Keep them coming.”

“Please keep them coming.”

This has been the most popular response to something I've been posting on Facebook recently. I knew it would help folks get through this virus quarantine. That's why I do it.

Most of these friends are either family members or folks I went to school with in Michigan. Winter is depressing enough. Early spring isn't much better. When my mom was alive she said April was her least favorite month because the snow melt leaves everything dirty until things begin to grow in May.

I moved to Texas to get away from the long, cold days that seemed to never end. October was my favorite month to drive in Michigan because of the abundance of color on display from the fall foliage. April is my favorite month to drive in Texas because of the incredible wildflower show on the roadsides.

We had a mild winter this year with plenty of rain. That makes for an especially vibrant flower show So now I stop when I safely can and take pictures of these marvels of God's creation. People are now longing for my next exposition...even Texans who are cooped up in their homes.

As a truck driver, I get paid to get out to see this color show. I know I shouldn't hog it all to myself, especially with the technology available to me these days. There were too many times in my youth I longed for a camera. Now I have one built into my phone that I carry with me. Life is good.

I know how therapeutic the flowers are to me so I share it to apply 2 Corinthians 1:4 in a very real way. God comforts me with His beauty. I then in turn comfort others with the same flowers.

This is only one way this verse can be applied. There are several hardships we endure that give us an audience that will listen to us only because we've gone through the same thing they're going through.

I'm in a couple of Christian divorced groups where I can encourage others going through this same life stage that we never expected. My encouragement is accepted because of the stories I share about my divorce.

Nothing is wasted in God's economy. God will use your pain to comfort others after you learn to trust Him more. Jesus Christ’s disciples were only beginning to grasp His resurrection the day after it occurred. Their stories now inspire us in remarkable ways.

Find those who need to hear what you've endured. You can help build their faith now.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father help us pass along the hard lessons you taught us through this life. Don’t let anything go to waste. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wade Webster lives with his best friend (Jesus Christ) in Plano, Texas.

He attends Stonebriar Community Church and derives most of his income from driving 18-wheelers.

He enjoys running, dark chocolate and being in nature...but not necessarily in that order.

He's the author of 100 Prayers of a Writer and blogs at http://wadewebster.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Blessed

Blessed
A devotional by Victoria Bylin

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” –Psalm 84:4-7 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a spiritual valley—that place where God seems far away and the mountaintop experience is almost forgotten? I’m pretty sure the answer is “Yes!” In fact, I should probably ask how many valleys you’ve traveled through in your Christian walk, rather than “if.” Valleys are part of our journey as Christ-followers. 

My husband and I have been through more than a few valleys in our lifetime. They usually involved finances, careers, and big moves, but we’ve also grieved loved ones and wept for lost dreams.

More than any other verses in the Bible, the beauty of Psalm 84 brings me comfort. I can still hear the pastor at one of our first churches bellowing from the pulpit, “Blessed men go through the valley.” The key word there is through. A valley comes to an end, and that’s encouraging. But the other key word is blessed.

What does that word really mean? As Christians, we use that word al lot, usually in the context of something good, or an experience—the birth of a child, healing from an illness, even a bargain on a car or new pair of shoes. Those are nice things to have for sure, but the word “blessed” encompasses much more.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the Greek word makarios. The word “makarios” means to be happy or blissful, but it implies much more than an emotion or a reaction. Blessed is a state of being that’s complete unto itself. It’s not dependent on circumstances, good health, possessions, or anything. It’s a deep contentment that stays with us regardless of our circumstances.

Cancer is a valley. But blessed men and women go through it. We don’t stop being blessed when life gets hard, or even when we lose it and cry and grieve.

Regardless of what is happening externally, we can be at peace internally. Is that easy? No! I’m quite sure many a blessed man and woman has cried their eyes in a hospital room, over a job loss, or at a funeral. I know I have. But as a blessed people, we also have the deepest kind of peace—the knowledge that the Lord is with us in the valley.

This wonderful Psalm talks about making the valley “a place of springs.” Springs refresh us. They provide living water. It’s God’s presence in our lives that enables us to get through tough times. In no way is blessedness dependent on us! It’s a gift from God, and for that I am grateful—both for the valleys and the springs.

~*~
Author Bio:

Victoria Bylin is the author of 18 traditionally published romances. Known for tackling difficult subjects with great compassion, she delights in stories that shine the spotlight of God’s love on ordinary men and women facing realistic challenges.

Writing has always been a part of Victoria’s life. As a child, she wrote hundreds of letters and scribbled in journals. As an adult, she worked as a freelance journalist and editor before taking on the challenge of fiction.

She had one goal when she started her first novel: to finish a book-length manuscript, good or bad. That first effort will never see the light of day, but it led to a second manuscript and a sale to Harlequin Historical. Since then, she has written westerns and contemporary romances for both mainstream and Christian publishers, with Together With You winning the 2016 Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary.

Writing is a joy and a challenge for Victoria, but faith, friends and family matter to her far more. She’s a wife, mom, proud grandmother, and a dog-mom to a wacky Jack Russell Terrier. Originally from California, she and her husband currently make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. When she’s not writing, Victoria enjoys long walks, travel, and dark chocolate.

~*~
Connect with Victoria:
Website: https://www.victoriabylin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Bylin.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaBylin
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/victoria-bylin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/568102.Victoria_Bylin

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Plans

Is this the plan, Lord?
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I find great comfort in the fact that the great big God of the whole wide universe has a plan for me. My husband and I love that verse so much that we put it on our wedding invitations. Twenty years later, we’re still watching His plans unfold.

But let’s be honest, sometimes I wish God would tell me the plan. I don’t need the whole story with every detail. But an outline would be nice. Maybe a course syllabus or possibly Cliff’s Notes. I haven’t seen any outlines so far, which means some days I wonder.

Last spring, when our exchange student returned to his home country, we began discussing how best to use the spare bedroom. Get another exchange student? Rent to a local college student?

After much prayer and discussion with the family, we felt God’s call. We decided to open our home to an unwed young mother. Our city is home to a fantastic ministry working with young women who become pregnant when motherhood isn’t part of the plan. Well, not their plan anyway.

And so we began preparations for a young lady and her child who need a family to love them unconditionally. If you’ve participated in the foster system at all, you know there are heaps of hoops to jump through for licensing: training, home repairs, CPR certification, etc. We’ve been on a 90-day journey to check all the boxes and we’ve recently hit a brick wall.

With only seven days before our deadline, we learned that we needed to get all five cats to the vet for current vaccinations. (Yes, five cats. Yes, I’m the crazy cat lady.) Even if it were logistically possible to get all the cats to the vet in a week’s time, how could we ever afford the bill?

I’ll be honest—I felt disappointed and confused. Why would God lead us all this way, only to be denied just so close to the finish line? This is your plan, God … right?

In the Jeremiah passage, the next two verses go on to make an important point.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)

Did you catch that? When we pray, He will listen. When we look for Him, we will find Him … when we look with all our heart. That means we have to be serious about the praying and the looking. Not just, “Ok, God, you can step in or whatever.” No, we have to intentionally go to God.

And so we did. Once again, my husband and I prayed about it and sought wise council.

Our licensor checked with her state director to get the complete details on getting our cats “up to code.” Turns out, only rabies vaccinations are required, which is significantly less expensive than all the many cat vaccinations available. Also, we are allowed to get our license while still in the process of dealing with the cats as long as all rabies vaccinations are done before a child is placed in our home.

What felt like a brick wall was just speedbump and we are once again days away from being fully licensed.

What about the plans God has for you? Do you ever double check with Him the way I do? I encourage you to ask Him—He’s listening. And look for Him—you’ll surely find Him.

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications. Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, WA, with her hilarious family, who keeps her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Struggle is REAL, but so is GOD!

The Struggle is REAL
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

A few years ago a phrase became popular as a sort of punchline to funny pictures or ridiculous, first-world problems: “The struggle is real.” You can laugh when it’s attached to a picture of a puppy that can’t quite make it up the stairs or a toddler in a high chair asleep with food on his face.

But the truth is, sometimes the struggles are very real and sometimes they are not at all funny. At different points in our lives, each of us must deal with things we’d rather not. Some are a result of choices we’ve made. Sometimes they are simply circumstances of life in this world.

No one I know has ever asked for more struggles. I know I certainly never have. I think human nature is to make our lives as comfortable as possible. Just like water and electricity find the path of least resistance when flowing from point A to point B, we humans aren’t much different.

People try all sorts of things to make their lives easier. Some manipulate others into doing their work for them. Some use alcohol or drugs to make their lives feel smoother, even if that really creates more problems in the long run. Some pour their hearts into things that don’t really matter to avoid doing the more important, but harder, things.

God knows this. God created human nature, just like He created water and electricity. He knew how it would all turn out. Our laziness, our struggles, our dysfunction, our choices are never a surprise to Him.

But what He does with those things can definitely surprise us. God can use the struggle of an addict to show His power and strength and compassion. God can show the world His provision to one who can’t make ends meet. God can show grace through someone and to someone struggling with a family relationship.

As believers, we need to be open in sharing our struggles with each other and with people seeking the faith. When others see how God steps into our hardships with us and carries us through, we have the most powerful testimony there is.

Our weakness, our difficulties, prove to ourselves and others that God is near and that He cares about our lives. Often in those times, our faith becomes real. Why wouldn’t we want more of that?

I’m certainly not saying that I’m ready to pray for more difficulty in my life. But when the hardships come, and they will, I pray that I see them less as a punishment and more as a journey to a new glimpse of God’s power in my life.

My Prayer: Father God, help me to bear my struggles with confidence and peace, knowing that You are in them with me. Help me to be vulnerable with others, sharing my testimony of Your goodness to me through all the circumstances of my life. Show me how to help carry someone else’s burdens, to encourage others, and to love the people You’ve placed in my path. Thank You for Your faithfulness, love, and care for me. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming. 

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children. 

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. 

You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Changes

He’s the same yesterday, today and forever!
A devotional by Susan Lindstrom

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” 

–Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

Changes…

They’re inevitable.

Seasons, births, deaths, employment, plans…

Changes have occurred all over my state of Wisconsin this summer from severe thunderstorms and more than we needed rain. Rivers swelled and spilled over, flooding homes, closing roads, bridges and hillsides washed away. The end of August brought over 16 tornadoes that ravaged the land altering the landscape of our beautiful state!

My yard is waterlogged and our pipes are full again, but we fared better than many as we only had one big old tree split in half and fall out in the middle of the yard. So thankful it wasn’t near our house! It changed the layout of our lawn but it’s okay, it will be a great spot for the burning pit we’ve wanted for years.

Friends of ours didn’t fare so well, they were traveling hundreds of miles from home and parked in a friend’s driveway then a tree fell smashing their car. That changed their plans for sure.

The coming of Labor Day signals change; the coming of glorious fall, time to start Christmas shopping (I like to get it done early), back to school, off to college or like our family, to school for the first time and yes there were tears in both moms and kiddos.

The biggest change in our lives though is the recent loss of my mother-in-law, a loving member of our family. It’s just been a month so it’s still heartache fresh. Especially for my husband as he experienced his first birthday ever without his sweet mama singing happy birthday to him.

It’s one of the more difficult changes.

I think we often fear change because we don’t feel in control. But what if we trusted in Our Loving Heavenly Father and allowed the change to grow us, trusting that He’s in control of the change?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

We can take great comfort in knowing that God is the one constant, the only thing in our lives that never, ever changes as Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

I say Amen to that!

I saw this on Facebook last year, it was posted from an old newspaper clipping so I don’t know who to give credit, but I like how it talks of change…

GOD SAID NO!

I asked God to take away my bad habit,
He said no.
It’s not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
He said no.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,
He said no.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations, it isn’t granted, it’s learned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
He said no.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain,
He said no.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
He said no.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life,
He said no.
I give you life that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me,
God said Ahhhh, finally you get the idea.

“Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.”

—1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

~*~
Author Bio:

Susan Lindstrom is NOT an award-winning writer yet unless you count that ‘best story’ award in third grade but stay tuned to see what God has planned!

Writing has always been a passion but raising a family, running her sewing and design business, involvement in Women’s Ministry and teaching Sunday School kept her plenty busy.

Now a retired empty-nester, she trusts in God’s amazing timing and has jumped in to embrace this new adventure of writing.

Her first book, Emmie Jane and the Yellow Fuzz, is for children and is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. It's the first in a series of real-life adventures focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Susan grew up on both the East and West coasts and now calls the beautiful state of Wisconsin home. She is a wife, mom, and grandma to 10 children.

She enjoys a wide variety of music, loves live performance and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

When she is not indoors writing, reading or pretending to clean the house, she’s outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.

Susan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

~*~
Connect with Susan:
Website - www.susanlindstrombooks.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/susanlindstrombooks/