Devotionals for the Heart: Offering God the best of you, not the rest of you

Distracted
A devotional by Malinda Fugate

Key Scripture:

1 Samuel 16:7b, James 4:8, Deuteronomy 4:29, Matthew 6:33,
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

I sit overlooking a cliffside ocean view, constantly distracted. I have one goal: to hear from God and write this post. Yet, what I hear isn’t God. It’s my own discomfort in the heat of the sun. I attempt to lower my mask when there are no other people, but even this far end of the trail is regularly visited by casual hikers. So, the mask remains in place as I try to focus on the Lord instead of the sweat that’s beginning to form. 

The Ocean Cliff in California (Photo Credit: Malinda Fugate)

His beautiful creation is admirable, but I am more mindful of my dog, who has parked herself in the shade under my bench. I regret not carrying water for her – I underestimated the sun’s rays. With the sound of every approaching footstep, I look ahead for other dogs in an effort to restrain her barks. My attention is divided, neglecting what was supposed to be the Lord’s time.

Giving up, I return to my car and give water to my panting pup. Parked in the shade with windows down, I think for sure I can spend some time with the Lord before my afternoon appointment. I pull up my Bible app to be inspired by the verse of the day. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b). 

This reminder from the story of David’s anointing caused me to examine my own heart. Surely, God knew my intention is to be with Him and share His message with dear readers. Other Scriptures came to mind: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8) and “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). Was I double-minded in my scatterbrained distraction? Was I seeking Him with my entire heart and soul?

I was trying to fit God into my established schedule. Making time between car repair and errands, I genuinely attempted to balance everything and make it all work. Deadlines urged me to put inspiration into a desired word count that’s easily and quickly readable. But God can’t be confined to mere paragraphs. Almighty God isn’t another piece of the schedule puzzle. He looks at our hearts, and if my heart is divided among a task list, it’s not all His.

Of course, I’m not called to a life of total study and prayer (though those who are called that way are incredibly blessed), but I’m designed for a life of holy priorities. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). God knows the necessary elements of my day, and He will provide for them. But He must remain the centerpiece, the cornerstone, the heart of my whole life.

Tomorrow is a fresh start. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [his] faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). 

I will continue to call out to Him and allow Him to construct my day. The Lord who cares for sparrows knows the details that need attention and responsibilities clamoring for my time and energy.

When I offer Him the best of me, I can trust He’ll care for the rest of me.

~*~
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: On Worry

Worry is a Distraction
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 

– Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

What are you worried about right now—a family member, your job, your health, making ends meet, an upcoming exam, other people’s opinions of you? 

Now, how many times have we worried about something and everything turned out just fine? Speaking for myself, I can say numerous times. 

I think many of us worry unnecessarily, perhaps more than we would like to admit. Thankfully, over the years, I have grown substantially in that area once I finally got it—once I finally realized that worry does absolutely nothing for me.

I have been saying the following for years: Worry is a distraction. Worry is a tool the enemy uses in an attempt to get your focus off of God. Worry is a tool the enemy uses in an attempt to make you forget that the Lord has all power and authority. Worry is a tool the enemy uses in an attempt to dampen your spirit and make you feel all hope is lost. Worry is a tool the enemy uses in an attempt to distract you from your spiritual mission. Simply put, worry is not of God.

The Scriptures remind us to not worry. The Scriptures remind us to not fret. The Scriptures remind us to place all of our trust in the Lord. The Scriptures remind us that if we “seek the Kingdom of God first and His righteousness” then He will take care of us. The Scriptures remind us of how powerful God’s wisdom is. Thus, we are to trust His wisdom, despite how things look. We are to trust His wisdom and be confident and comforted in the fact that He knows what He is doing, even when things don’t quite make sense to us.

I understand that because we are human, we will have our moments. However, we must remind ourselves of who dwells within us. God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit) lives in us, and a fruit of the Spirit is peace (Read Galatians 5:22).

When worry tries to seep into your soul, remind yourself of what the Scriptures say about who God is and who you are because of Him. Remind yourself that God has everything under control. Remind yourself that nothing is too hard for our Lord. Remind yourself that all things are possible with God. Remind yourself that God is our Shepherd and that He provides for His sheep.

Just think of the Israelites and how God fed them with manna and quail as they journeyed through the wilderness. He met their needs, and when we continue to place the Lord first, He will meet all of our needs as well.

~*~
Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name, Positivity Inspires, is an author, speaker, minister, and servant of the Lord. She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.  

After recently experiencing what she describes as the "lowest point in her life," Positivity Inspires wrote the following about herself to serve as an encouragement and reminder of who she is in Christ:

"I am a child of God. He loves me unconditionally. Although I have my shortcomings, He has blessed me with a desire to do what is right. I have been blessed with many natural and spiritual gifts. I am an author. I am a speaker. I am a teacher. I am a runner. I am a drummer. I am a singer (when I’m in the mood), and I have a strong 'fashion sense.' I am loved. My family and friends are my heart, and I know they will support me no matter what. I am educated. I currently have two degrees (one of them a doctorate), and with God’s help, I will complete a third degree soon. I am a multi-state licensed medical professional who completed a specialty residency, which prepared me for the workforce (and made me a FORCE to be reckoned with). I am a leader. I have served in administrative roles and was successful in those positions because I made a difference (with God’s help). I am ambitious, and I know that with God, all things are possible. I know He is going to do great things through me."

Positivity Inspires loves God and she loves people. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. Positivity Inspires loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments. She also is passionate about giving back to the community, and her favorite mantras are: "Speak Up!" and "Watch God Work!"

~*~
Connect with Temeka:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/positivity_inspires/
Facebook - www.Facebook.com/positivityinspirespage
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PInspires/