Devotionals for the Heart: Learning from the example set by Jesus Christ

Whose Feet Are You Washing?
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

—John 13:14-15 (NIV)

How can we move beyond loving only our own and embrace the radical, foot-washing love Jesus Christ calls every one of us to live out?

Have you ever been caught completely off-guard by powerfully unselfish love for another person? By nature, we humans are pretty selfish creatures. I know I was certainly selfish and rather self-centered for many years until I had my kids. I’m certain I didn’t consider myself terribly selfish or self-centered at the time, but looking back, it was crystal clear.

But as soon as I found out I was pregnant, everything changed. I’m not sure if it was an emotional or spiritual urge or a biological instinct or what, but suddenly I didn’t much care what I wanted. I cared for what was best for my child. I ate foods that were ideal for the baby growing within me, and later when I was nursing, I even cut out coffee because my little one seemed sensitive to it. My whole lifestyle shifted.

That’s what happens in my Christian contemporary novel Hidden Seeds, which releases tomorrow as a paperback, audiobook, and e-book. One of the main characters, Laney, spent many years in a human trafficking ring. It was in jail, after they ran some tests on her and she discovered she was pregnant, that suddenly, everything changed. Determined to do right by her child, she testified against the ring leaders and entered witness protection. Later, she changed her name and hair and moved far away, doing her best to give her daughter a safe and wholesome life—a life nothing like the one she herself had led.

She no longer lived for self but for someone else. For something bigger. It’s not only mothers who experience this, of course, though most of us would be hard-pressed to live unselfishly and sacrificially for someone besides our offspring, biological or not. That’s the very thing Jesus Christ did for us—sacrifice. Unselfish living. Extravagant mercy and generosity. And as Christians, it’s the very thing we’re supposed to model. Yet do we?

Our Savior (Jesus Christ) died on the cross for us. He endured ridicule and suffering for us. He lived in poverty, preaching and teaching for three long years, so all could hear his good news. The night before he was betrayed, as he and his disciples ate their meal at the Last Supper, Jesus stripped off his outer clothing, knelt, and personally handwashed every single one of his friends’ feet. Their feet!

Later, when he resurrected and walked again among his disciples, he taught them that they needed to spend the rest of their lives doing as he did—suffering, serving and teaching others, and preaching the good news to have every corner of the earth, come what may.

Our society teaches us something far different, doesn’t it? We live in a me-first society and have for millennia, where our personal happiness and that of our loved ones surpass every other concern. We protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation at the expense of others. Sometimes that’s because it’s human instinct, but other times it’s out of fear. Yet we, the followers of Jesus, are not of this world. As Christ-followers, we cannot reserve our unselfish and sacrificial love only for our offspring or our family or friends. We must love the whole world that way, even at our own expense.

Jesus said that after loving God, our second greatest commandment is to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Therefore, let’s take that seriously and give more than lip service to what our savior commanded. This week, ask God to show you one person outside your inner circle who needs your unselfish love—and then act on it. It may cost you something. That’s exactly the point.

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Song of Reflection: "Know Us By Our Love" by Moriah. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. 

Her newest novel Hidden Seeds, an Amazon #1 new release, is available now as a paperback, e-book, and audiobook. Find it on Amazon. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: God adores a gentle and quiet spirit in women

The Strength of a Gentle Spirit
A devotional by Erica J. Hill

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”—1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

In a world that celebrates strength as hardness, God invites women into a softness that heals, protects, and transforms.

March is Women’s History Month, a time when we often hear the phrase coined by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” This quote suggests that women who follow the rules rarely create change. Yet those same women are often labeled too assertive, too aggressive, and other unbiblical things. This tension has created a quiet exhaustion for many women, helping explain why so many have been drawn to the idea of the soft girl era. At its heart, this movement reflects a longing to pursue dreams, protect peace, and move out of survival mode into gentleness and emotional safety.

These are not shallow desires; they echo the rest and wholeness Scripture invites us into. Yet when I turned to social media to understand how softness is defined, the picture felt incomplete. What I encountered was femininity presented as an aesthetic—cute clothing, candlelit moments, long showers, travel, luxury dining, and curated comfort.

That emphasis made me pause. In conversations about softness, I rarely hear discussion of godliness. There was little mention of reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible), prayer, fasting, or fellowship with other followers of Jesus Christ. These are practices that anchor peace in something deeper than circumstances. This raises an important question: How can we find lasting peace and practice true gentleness in a hectic world if our lives are not anchored in God?

A biblical understanding of softness must begin within. If we truly want to experience it, we must start with the hard work—inviting God to search our hearts and reveal what needs healing, correction, and surrender. Outward practices are not wrong, but they are not where godly softness is formed. What is of great worth in God’s sight is an inner life shaped by humility, trust, and obedience.

When we look to God’s Word, we see that this kind of softness has always been present. Throughout Scripture, we find women whose gentleness was rooted in spiritual maturity.

Esther stands as a powerful example. Faced with the potential destruction of her people, she did not rush into the king’s presence demanding justice. Instead, she prepared herself through fasting and approached the situation with wisdom and restraint. She trusted God’s timing rather than forcing an outcome. Her softness was not passive; it was courage under control. Read about this in the Bible book titled with her first name (Esther).

Abigail’s story reinforces this truth in a different setting. When she ran to David to save her household, she did not confront him with anger or force. Instead, she spoke with wisdom and restraint, reminding him of who he was before God and calling him back to the future God had promised. Her softness was not silence—it was discernment guided by spiritual clarity. Read about this in 1 Samuel 25:18–35.

Together, Esther and Abigail reveal what our culture often misses: softness is not weakness, avoidance, or appearance. It is spiritual maturity. It is knowing when to speak, how to speak, and trusting God to govern the outcome.

For many women today, the longing for softness goes unfulfilled because the deeper work has been overlooked. Healing wounds and inviting God into broken places is far more demanding than curating a peaceful image.

This is why I believe so deeply in self-care—or, as I prefer to call it, soul care. My desire is not simply to look whole, but to be whole. Soul care is intentional and spiritual. It involves surrendering anxieties to God, consecrating our lives before Him, and allowing what no longer serves His purpose to die. Soul care looks like prayer, fasting, time in God’s presence, and rest that restores rather than distracts.

Soul care also requires allowing God to heal the wounds left by others. Mary Magdalene’s story reminds us that softness follows deliverance, not avoidance. Before she devoted herself fully to following Jesus, He first freed her from what bound her. Her softness was the fruit of healing (Luke 8:1–3). If we do not allow God into our broken places, we cannot expect to experience a soft life rooted in freedom.

Healing and biblical softness are not instant; they are shaped through surrender and sustained by trust in God. This shaping is not always comfortable, yet it is purposeful. True softness cannot be separated from transformation; it requires allowing God to address what we carry and what we have hardened ourselves against. God does not soften us by removing the work, but by walking with us through it, teaching us to release control and trust Him enough to heal what we once guarded.

The beauty of this shaping is found in the hands that guide us. God is gracious. He does not abandon us while He reshapes us. He stays near, patient and attentive, forming something new within us. What emerges is not fragility, but wholeness. Not weakness, but peace.

This is the softness God invites us into—not a curated aesthetic or temporary comfort, but an inner life anchored in Him. A softness that heals, discerns, protects, and endures. Remember, God is the potter, and we are the clay. In His hands, even the shaping becomes an act of care.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, soften the places in me that life has made hard. Search my heart, heal my wounds, and teach me to trust You more deeply. Form within me a gentle and quiet spirit that reflects Your peace, strength, and grace. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Refiner” by Maverick City Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Have Your Way” by Travis Greene. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Gracefully Broken” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Potter’s Hand” by Helen Baylor. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Erica J. Hill is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother living in Georgia. 

With a career spanning both elementary education and higher education, she has served as an elementary and middle grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and now works as an administrative assistant in higher education. Currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Media Center Specialist, Erica’s love for learning and teaching runs deep.

Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, she has faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher and now as one of the youth directors at her church. A lifelong writer at heart, Erica once set her passion aside to pursue other career goals—but recently felt God’s undeniable tug to pick up her pen again, this time to write for His Kingdom.

She is currently working on her first book, Worthy. Whole. Woman. It is a devotional that she hopes will be an encouraging resource created to uplift and empower women—especially women of color—to walk confidently in their God-given identity.

Through her words, Erica blends faith in God, personal reflection, and practical wisdom to inspire women to heal, grow, and embrace the fullness of who God created them to be.

Originally from Atlanta, Erica now calls Macon County home, where she lives with her husband and children. In her free time, you’ll usually find Erica curled up with a good book, working on DIY projects, or planning her next travel adventure.

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Connect with Erica:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahsgrace2931/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahsgrace2931/

Devotionals for the Heart: How to love others like Jesus Christ loves us

How To Spell Love
A devotional by Maureen Miller

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (ESV)

Love. It’s both noun and action.

Do you feel the love? This is a sentence that portrays the word “love” as a noun. I will love you forever. That sentence portrays love as a verb.

One of the greatest “love” verses of all time tells of the greatest action by the One who loves us the greatest. The Bible says in John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I am grateful for God’s love, made tangible by His Son (Jesus Christ) after He died to save our souls then rose again, now living forever as our High Priest in Heaven. Jesus intercedes for us daily before our Heavenly Father (God). He is our bridge between Heaven and Earth. But with God’s love comes a mandate. He says in John 13:34-35 (NIV), “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So, if love is a verb, then what does it look like when put in action? How about putting love in action with three four-letter words: look, hear, and pray.

Love Spelled L-O-O-K

Consider look synonymous with see. To recognize. Know. Is there anything more satisfying in regard to relationships than being seen? Truly known by another, be it a spouse, child, parent or friend?

Hagar, the maidservant of Abram’s wife Sarai, fled into the wilderness, distraught and in despair. Far from her Egyptian family and estranged from Sarai due to carrying Abram’s child, she felt alone. Afraid. But God met her in her despair, then spoke to her. He saw her. Hagar, perhaps for the first time in her life, felt truly known. Scripture tells us in Genesis 16:13 (NIV): She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

How about us? How can we love like the Lord by seeing—truly knowing and recognizing—others? When we lead busy lives, this takes intentionality. This spelling of love requires prayer. Ask the One who sees and knows every heart to guide us in our relationships to helps us better look (love) like Him.

Love Spelled H-E-A-R

We love others when we hear them. That is, when we listen. Have you ever shared something with someone? After pouring out your heart to them, perhaps they ask you a question that lets you know they hadn’t really heard what you were saying. He or she was not truly listening. Honestly, how does that make you feel?

Consider the love Jesus Christ demonstrated when he heard the Samaritan woman at the well. According to Jewish customs, our Savior should not have spoken to a Samaritan. But God’s Son often went against rules of the times to do that which was righteous, and His interaction with this hurting woman is no exception. In the moments He spent with her, Jesus listened to her heart and, in turn, her heart was changed by Him.

But it wasn’t just her heart that was changed—the lives of everyone who heard her testimony were changed for the better too. Now they believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world (John 4:39-42). Did you catch that? It was because of the woman’s testimony. Jesus listened to her and she, in turn, shared. Those who listened to her—and, eventually, Jesus—believed too because they heard.

What a beautiful love cycle! Pray and ask the Lord to create in you a listening heart—one intentionally engaged with others in a manner that spills over, resulting in changed lives through the power of your God-given testimony.

Love Spelled P-R-A-Y

The very best way to love another is this four-letter action—that which we too often take for granted. What’s the saying? “Prayer—it’s the very least and the very most we can do for another.” How true. Jesus set the standard for this particular love in action, teaching us how to pray to God in Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).

As we pray to our gracious, merciful Heavenly Father (God) with an earnest desire to love others well, acknowledging He who in His holiness, knows all and loves all perfectly, we rest assured. He will guide us to love like Him. And what could be better? For us to love others like Jesus—the One who sees, hears, and, while on earth, prayed—is the perfect way to love others, today and always.

Let’s Pray: Kind Father, please enable us to love as You love. Help us see others through Your eyes, hear them with Your ears, then pray for them in the pure love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the love of Christ fill our hearts and minds today and always. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Maureen Miller is an award-winning author with stories in more than twenty collaboratives. 

She contributes to All God’s Creatures published by Guideposts, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, including the award-winning Arise Daily and Inspire A Fire.

Married for 36 years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she enjoys life with their three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls, not to mention a variety of furry beasts. They live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Maureen is a speaker, as well as the chaplain of her local Word Weaver critique group. She writes posts online via the “Windows and Wallflowers” blog where she tells of God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary things of life.

Her favorite thing is to encourage others in their journey with Jesus Christ.

Maureen’s debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.

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Connect with Maureen:
Email: Maureen.miller913@gmail.com
Website: https://maureenmillerauthor.com

Devotionals for the Heart: God wants us to properly care for our bodies

Is Self-Care Selfish?
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”—Luke 12:7 (ESV)

Have you ever given a gift to someone and felt unreasonably protective about taking care of that gift before you gave it to them?

If I go to the store and buy something for myself, it can roll around in the back of my trunk until I get home, and I’m not terribly worried about it. But if I’ve bought a birthday gift for someone, I make sure it’s nestled carefully in my trunk so it won’t get trampled by the other things back there. Then when I get home, I keep it somewhere safe—preferably where the cats can’t massacre it—until I have the time to wrap it, topping it all off with a nice bow before I present it to them with love. I take care of that gift, making sure it’s in as good a shape as possible before it winds up in the hands of my loved one. After all, it’s a gift. It’s something precious, a tangible representation of my love and care.

But do we take care of ourselves, our bodies, with that same measure of care? Truthfully, not always. Perhaps we forget sometimes that our bodies are also a gift. Not only are they a gift that God gave to us—human houses for our souls, as well as the Holy Spirit who lives inside all believers—but also a gift that’s meant to be given away. We’re meant to lay down our lives for those we love (1 John 3:16), as well as to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord (Romans 12:1). We’re meant to die to the old so that we can embrace the new (Romans 6:5-6, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3).

That’s not because our bodies are worthless garbage. It’s because it’s a genuine gift. Our bodies are one thing we can fully offer to the Lord, whether that’s in service or in sacrifice, whether that’s offering our life by defending the weak and the “least of these” or in living sacrifice as we respond in the aftermath of disasters, or by visiting prisoners, tending the ill, praising the Lord through music or dance, or feeding and caring for those without homes or food. Our bodies are precious, meant to be used in love, service, and care.

However, many of us see self-care as selfish. Perhaps we think if we’re truly being sacrificial, we are supposed to push ourselves until there’s nothing left. We work our lives away as though our bodies mean nothing. We put junk food in our bellies, we don’t get adequate sleep, we don’t take time to move and stretch and build our muscles, and then to feel better—or numb our pain, or maybe because we think it’s fun—we expose our bodies to toxic chemicals like drugs, too much alcohol, or other substances. We allow our bodies and our minds to get consumed by stress instead of stopping to tend the houses of our souls, the physical homes of the Holy Spirit on earth.

And perhaps we think there’s nothing wrong with that. But just like plants need to be cared for in order to produce crops or flowers, just like churches need tending and financial support to be able to truly be the body of Jesus Christ in the world, our bodies also have needs. They need for us to take care of them properly in the world for the Lord.

If you think about it, our bodies are a gift from God. They’re meant to be used by us, yes. But they’re also meant to be given away by us to the Lord, whatever that looks like. And if we’re truly intending for our bodies to be a gift, we shouldn’t be treating them like trash. I wouldn’t let my mom’s birthday gift roll around in my trunk, getting crushed and mangled, only to present it to her with a sheepish grin, “Here you go! Sorry it’s a catastrophe!”

Our bodies are the same. We don’t want to present them to the Lord in poor shape. So no, self-care is not selfish. It’s stewardship. It’s an act of love care and respect for a gift that God gave  us in his perfect love.

If you’re struggling to see your body in this way, stop and consider how God might view how you’re treating yourself. If that’s difficult to wrap your mind around, then consider how you might react to a small child hurting herself, driving herself to the point of pain and debilitation. Wouldn’t you encourage her to take a nap, have a good meal, or slow down and rest? That’s how God feels about you and about every one of His children on this earth.

Our bodies are precious to the Lord. Every aspect of who you are is precious to the Lord. Remember this.

Let’s Pray: Lord God, sometimes I treat myself like an afterthought but I’m no afterthought to You. I was created in perfect love, handcrafted by You. Help me honor Your love in the way I treat myself and care for my body, mind, and soul. Help me care for the gift You gave with proper stewardship that honors You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sanctuary | Alpha & Omega | Total Praise” by Israel & New Breed. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. 

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com.

She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Devotionals for the Heart: The kind of life Jesus Christ wants us to live

How to live a fruitful life
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”— Mark 4:19 (NIV)

We live in a world where distractions are everywhere.

Our attention is pulled in many different directions every day. As believers, we are called to be light in the darkness. The worries, cares, and distractions we encounter can not only slow us down; they threaten to derail us altogether.

When I got the opportunity to move to New York, I was so excited to go full speed ahead with my acting career. Everything was falling into place, and I was so thankful to the Lord for opening doors.

After my first few months living in the city, I was thrilled to be booking work and building all the right relationships to succeed in the business. Several years later when the COVID pandemic hit, the entertainment industry shut down, and I lost almost everything.

One of the greatest lessons I learned in this experience was that distractions can cause us to neglect relationships and things that matter most, especially our time with God. As Christians, when we are too preoccupied with success or our own concerns, we might fail to notice the people around us who need prayer or encouragement.

Shortly after the pandemic started in late 2019, I was asked to share my testimony on social media. I am so thankful for that opportunity because it really showed me where my heart was and that experience got me back on track.

Here are four ways to live a fruitful life:

1. Start each day with reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” If we don’t start each day with the word of God, it leaves our spiritual tank empty, making us less equipped to handle life’s challenges.

2. Pray to God every day. Psalm 145:18 (ESV), “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” In our fast-paced world full of distractions, one of the hardest things to do is to sit quietly before the Lord.

3. Put your faith into action. James 2:17 (NIV) “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Every day God has something for us to do. Keeping our eyes on Him can keep us aligned with His purpose.

4. Fellowship with people who believe in God and are following Jesus Christ. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” It is so important to surround ourselves with a community of believers who encourage us to keep moving forward in our faith walk.

There is nothing greater than living a life that is aligned with God’s purpose in our fast-paced, hyper-connected world. All the endless scrolling on social media can leave us empty, but keeping in step with the Holy Spirit brings life and peace.

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for giving us your Word and for guiding us through all of the challenges we face every day. We thank You for all the opportunities You give us to serve You and to live an abundant life. Please enable us to be fruitful in this life on Earth and not be choked by the cares and distractions of this world.

In Jesus’s name I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "Be the One" by Al Denson. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Make Room" by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Go Light Your World" by Kathy Troccoli. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: What a long wait at an airport taught me about life

Life Lessons Learned While Waiting at an Airport in Dubai 
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“Do everything without complaining and arguing.”

—Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

We had been in a Dubai airport for hours.

It was in the middle of the night local time, but for us, who knew what time it really was for our bodies? We had been traveling for over 24 hours, and we had many hours more to go. Our meals were lackluster, and we had run out of our favorite packed snacks. We had food, but only of those for desperate times variety. We weren’t there. Yet.

Because we were part of a larger team, keeping and maintaining a good attitude was paramount. Not that it really should matter, as we should live our lives to reflect Jesus Christ no matter the circumstance every day. So, we played games, told stories, walked, and waited. And tried very hard not to complain.

Why do we fall so easily to this pastime of complaining? It seems to be one thing we all have in common: We all tend to complain. When the Apostle Paul wrote this verse in Philippians 2:14, he was in jail, chained to a prison guard and had the barest of basic necessities. Yet, he had the audacity to write to the Philippians about not complaining. Didn’t he know what the national pastime was? Didn’t Paul have plenty of things to complain about at that time? Wasn’t he wrongfully jailed?

The Bible says we are to do all things without complaining, even if it is for someone else. Especially so. If we are not complaining, then how are we to spend our time, our thought life, our energy? The Bible says in James 1:2 (NKJV) that we are to count. James wrote in that verse, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” What, exactly, are we to count? All things, and with joy!

Everything we do can be considered in this and it can be counted with joy without complaining. How can we do this, realistically? Play the Glad Game, like Pollyanna? Yes, if it helps you get on the right track. Maybe counting to three when the temptation to complain gets too, well, tempting? Or, simply, just stop.

Our Heavenly Father (God) says in Psalm 46:10 (NKJV), “Be still and know that I am God.” This means we are to pause, be still and know. We are to wait and spend our time waiting, learning about the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

It is not being still to do. It is about being still to know and grow closer to our Heavenly Father. When we are in this posture, complaining has no place in our hearts, souls, minds and strengths. It is a change of what we deem important. It is a move to honor God in all we say and do.

In the Dubai airport, we had a choice: wait patiently, or grumble and complain. Neither one advanced the process or made time move faster. But only one honored God and had a faithful witness to His working in our lives.

Are you in a Dubai airport of sorts? Have you been traveling for hours on end, jet lagged, and ready to be done (really done) with whatever it is you are facing? Are you done with complaining and willing to accept, be still, and begin counting joy in all things?

It may not be easy, but we are not in this alone. God is with us.

Let’s Pray: Father God, I sincerely repent of my complaining heart and attitude. I can see how it does not honor You, nor does it give a faithful witness to those around me who are watching. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to see the joy and count it. Help me to be still and know that You are God because I do want to know You more. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

~*~
Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: We can find the rest our soul needs in God

Rest for Our Souls
A devotional by Joy Beless

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”—Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV)

What is shaking your world? The news bytes of the last 48 hours are enough to convince me to stay in bed with the covers over my head!

What is shaking your family’s world–conflict, exhaustion, financial need? I don’t need to convince you of the stressful and seemingly dangerous world we live in. And yet, was it not the same for King David who wrote the Bible book of Psalms?

Many people think that King David wrote this psalm in the anchor text above at the time his son, Absalom attempted to overthrow the government in rebellion against his own father’s authority and kingship. Rather than wait until David dies to reign, Absalom decides to accelerate the timeline. The story does not begin here but rather has evolved over years of division and conflict.

We each have a story that evolves over time and needs a course correction and desperate prayer for help. When our family of six lived in Tokyo (Japan), I had to learn a new way to live. Moving from a Dallas (Texas) suburb to live in Tokyo required a different way for me to do the most mundane things like buy groceries, visit the bank, and navigate the city driving on the left side of the road. I was trying to learn the language and culture while parenting four children. Then the “9/11” tragedy occurred in the USA during this time and the whole world changed overnight. I became so stressed and anxious that my hair literally fell out. I developed the autoimmune alopecia condition. There was so much I could not control—except for resting and trusting in the Lord. I knew I could not continue in the same way underneath all this stress and uncertainty life was hurling at me.

What about your story? Even as you read this devotional, what thoughts are surfacing and lurking beneath the veneer? Both domestically and internationally, the newsfeed at our fingertips reminds us that we live in perilous times—just like David. So perhaps we can learn some coping strategies from David and this psalm.

In Psalm 62:5-8, David declares where his rest and hope come from: God—pure and simple. No contingency or exit plans. What do you need rest “from”? What kind of rest? According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, there are several different kinds of rest that we need to feel restored. Physical, mental, social, and emotional rest are just some of the areas we need to bring calm and space into our lives.

Some important questions we can ask ourselves are:

What do we need “less of” to restore our mind, body, and soul?

What do we need “more of” to renew our mind, body, and soul?

What life patterns are contributing to our current stressed life?

What changes can we identify and control that are restorative?

I quickly realized I needed to make some changes when life seemed to spiral downward. I was in an exhaustive state trying to juggle all the “plates” of family and ministry. I realized our Sundays in church and at home were as busy as the other six days in the week, so I began to scale back extra activities. This was hard and impacted our children’s activities the most. However, not only I but the whole family needed more time to rest. We made Sundays in our household a day to restore, relax, and slow down the pace.

I realized my morning habit of walking was squeezed out of the day’s agenda and recognized my need to be outside and have some space of margin in my life, so I made that a priority. Reluctantly, I let go of my language class after two years, as I identified that as very stressful. I began to listen to music that calmed my soul and brought me joy. Playing it in the background seemed to bring down the stress of the whole household, not just mine! Lastly, I began to share with trusted people about what I was experiencing and identify the emotions that were building up ready to spew like a volcano! I learned not only was this giving me emotional and mental rest, but also modeling an important life skill for my children who were entering their teen years.

King David said in the Bible book of Psalm, that it is in God he finds rest for his soul. David trusted God with his kingdom and personal worries and when he reached an old age in his lifetime, he was confident that God is trustworthy to be present in difficult times. David reminds himself who God is to him: his hope, rock, salvation, fortress, honor, and refuge (Psalm 62:5-8). That is quite a list. As you slowly read over the list again, which word seems inviting to you in your present circumstances? Are there some areas in your life that need adjusting with “more of” or “less of”? Ask God to lead you in this process of seeking rest then follow Him into the rest your body and soul needs.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Truly You are the source of rest for our souls. We are thankful that You are a rock in our ever-changing world! Thank You for being a refuge of peace for us. We are grateful to pour out our hearts to You.

In Jesus’s Name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Joy Beless is a worshipper of God and lover of people. 

A practicing Spiritual Director, she is a speaker for retreats and conferences and facilitates guided solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas.

A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for the houseless and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. Serving at global retreats for Kingdom-minded women delights her soul.

She has written for Global Trellis and Missio Nexus. She connects God’s Word with the reality of our daily in all the ups and downs.

Joy is married to Roger. They live in Coppell (Texas). Joy is called "JoJo" by her nine adorable grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and encourages flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

~*~
Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beless
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.beless/
Website: www.joybeless.org

Devotionals for the Heart: How to live as a citizen of Heaven while on Earth

Living as Citizens of Heaven
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”—Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

There’s no doubt that we live in unprecedented times. Everywhere we look in this post-pandemic world, it seems like our “normal” way of doing things and living life on this earth may never come back.

To many, it appears that the world is “falling apart”, but for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we know everything is falling into place. In fact, for the Christian there should be an excitement for Jesus to return to Earth to take us home to Heaven. The Bible is clear that we will not know the day nor the hour when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36).

But we will know the season. Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT) tells us, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Jesus could come back right now, or many years from now. Regardless, the questions we must ponder and answer are: How should we live? What should be our highest priority? According to Scripture, God has made it very clear that we are called to love God and love others.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) says, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift to use for the church. He has also given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Our abilities show what specific ministries we are to do for God.

What are you naturally good at? God wants to use your gifts for His purpose. Hebrews 13:21 (NLT) tells us, “may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.” When we put our God-given gifts into practice, the world will see a living, breathing example of Christianity.

The world has itching ears. Everyone is always looking for the next best self-help guru or podcast that tells them what they want to hear, but when they see someone living and speaking clear biblical truth, they may not understand, but they will know it’s authentic.

When I first became a believer, I was very legalistic. Everyone at my job thought I was crazy. I constantly felt like I had to speak to others in a Christian lingo and openly kept my Bible on my desk. I thought I was “doing the Lord’s work”. But sadly, I was really pushing people away.

One day I met a young man (who would later become my husband.) He was honest with me about how “religious” I was coming across to people. What he said hit a nerve. It also showed me how self-righteous I had become. That was such a humbling experience to see how much I didn’t understand God’s grace.

The beautiful thing about the grace of God is that we can see how unworthy we are to receive it. There is nothing more freeing than to discover that in and of myself, I could never earn my way into Heaven.

With that new perspective, I finally felt the freedom to just be myself and let Jesus speak through me as I felt His leading. I was amazed to see that I wasn’t scaring people away anymore. In fact, some people asked for prayer and others even joined me for church.

Understanding the grace of God and knowing that we are eternally lost without Him will give us everything we need to live authentically for Jesus. It will come across in our speech and our actions.

Here are three ways we can live as citizens of Heaven while living on Earth:

1. Spend time in God’s Word. We won’t always feel God. Most of the time God simply speaks to us through His Word (The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

2. Attend a good church. We need to be fellowshipping with other believers for encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says, “And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

3. Share your faith. God has called every believer to be a disciple and make disciples. To take every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) says, “So be careful how you live. Do not live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

This world is decaying. If we can be a living, breathing example of Jesus then we will be the “fragrance rising up to God.” Let’s read about this in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT): “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.”

God gave us a free will. Therefore, every day we wake up with a choice to submit to God and follow Jesus as our top priority or disobey Him and push Him away. The more we choose to keep Jesus first, the more peace and joy we will experience regardless of what life throws at us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

Thank You for Your grace that gives us what we don’t deserve. Thank You for dying for us so that we can live an abundant life in You. Thank You for your patience with us and I pray that You will enable us to live and act in a way that glorifies You.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Living Hope” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

~*~
Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: When you ask God to do whatever it takes

Whatever it Takes
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”– Colossians 4:17 (NKJV)

When I was younger, and not walking with the Lord, my mother often prayed a simple prayer for me: “God, please do whatever it takes.” I was not the worst of sinners, but I was not walking closely with the Lord, either. I was doing my own thing and not inclined to surrender to Him.

As you read this, consider if God is putting someone on your heart. Perhaps He has placed a call on their life, yet they seem complacent, unwilling to disrupt the status quo. They know and love God, but they do not want to trade their plans for His. Or perhaps they are backslidden. Perhaps they do not even know God at all.

Are you brave enough to pray this prayer for them? “God, please do whatever it takes.” Whatever it takes to bring them to a place of surrender. Whatever it takes to convince them that Your plan is better than the life they have mapped out for themselves. Whatever it takes to bring them to Yourself.

I’m sure my mother was scared to pray that prayer, but she was also desperate to see me walk closely with the Lord. I don’t know how many times she had to pray this way before I began to embrace Him more fully, but I do know what it took. At the time, she could not have realized that one of the things it would take for me would be years of depression and anxiety. She could also not have realized that it would take me losing her (she died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 26).

I hope it does not sound like I believe God caused me to suffer depression, or took my mother from this world in order to woo me to Himself. There were various reasons these things happened, and He has woven her story intricately together with mine. Her faith in His wisdom and goodness was evident in her willingness to allow Him to have his way in both her life and mine. When she prayed, “God, whatever it takes,” she didn’t hesitate at the thought of what that might entail. Whatever means God chose to use, she knew they would be right. This enabled her to release any desire to place conditions on her prayer, and simply just pray.

A few of us may read this and realize that God is asking us to pray these words over our own lives. We long to draw nearer to Him, and to fulfill the calling He’s placed in our lives, but we do not want to let go of comforts and plans. These conflicting desires are creating uncomfortable friction in our lives.

If that is you, are you brave enough to ask God to fulfill the call He’s placed on your life? Will you pray that He does “whatever it takes”?

Let’s Pray: Dear Jesus, I thank You that Your plan for my life, and Your plans for my loved ones, are perfect. In Your wisdom You have called us, and You want to see us walk fully in the things You have ordained for us. Sometimes, we resist. Forgive us. Thank You for the people who have prayed for us. May we be sensitive and willing to step into what You have planned. May we stand by our loved ones, praying and cheerleading without pressuring them, that they too may begin to walk fully in the things You have created them for. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “He’s Calling You” by Donnie McClurkin. 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: A special kind of fruit we need for all seasons

Fruit for All Seasons
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

–Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

We have much to be thankful for! Among the greatest gifts from God to enjoy in this new season are the fruits of the Spirit. Most of us can list them by heart. Perhaps those that immediately come to mind are love, joy, and peace from the festive close of last year.

Love, joy, and peace seem to be the ones people grasp and receive with quickness. The next few—patience, kindness, and goodness—tend to take a little more work. I find my patience is tested daily. Especially in traffic. We welcome kindness from God, but must chose to extend it others. It’s not easy to be kind to someone who is mean or abusive. And goodness, though we look for it in God, takes our commitment to overcome our flesh and temptations of sin.

The last three fruits—faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the ones people tend to focus on the least and take for granted as fruits from the Spirit. What do you think of when someone says “faithfulness”? A popular response is “God is faithful.” What about your faithfulness? Faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit means maintaining our faith in God, moving forward on our walk with Him, and keeping our commitment to Him. Faith must be consumed and exercised at all times. That is why, with the Spirit’s fruit offering, we can be “faith-full.”

Gentleness seems less required in our daily walk. That doesn’t make it a less meaningful fruit. It is most used with the innocent or frail, like children, animals, and the elderly. It can also be used in a crisis situation when a calm and gentle voice can soothe a hurting or tortured soul. Gentleness is a fruit that Jesus Christ displayed the most among those who needed healing. Jesus carrying a lamb on His shoulders is the picture I most imagine when I think of His gentleness.

Last of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control and it is the fruit most overlooked. Why? Because most of us think we have control of our lives, as shown by our daily habits. We plan, we decide, and we do without even thinking that our ability to do so comes from the Spirit. Our ability to exercise self-control comes from Him. We can’t control ourselves or our circumstances without His help. Self-control must be received from Him and we must rely on Him to maintain it in us. What a relief. We aren’t responsible for staying in control of ourselves, God’s Holy Spirit is. How well the effect of the self-control fruit depends on our willingness to depend on Him.

If you feel you are lacking in one fruit or not partaking enough of another, the best way to remedy this is to ask the Holy Spirit for more of them. Ask Him to show you ways to exercise and maintain the fruits. When I felt lacking in the fruits, I took over a week to pray over them each specifically, highlighting one per day. Daily, I meditated on it, searched for its repetition in the Bible, and offered it back to God to produce and do more with in my daily walk with Him. I can assure you it’s not a one time, one week, one year commitment. It takes a lifetime. 

But the more we seek out and live by the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the more we are blessed and in turn can bless others with them. They are gifts that will never stop giving life and power to your purpose.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for all the fruits of Your Spirit. Help me to receive and consume each of Your fruits. Highlight those in me that I need to partake more of so that I can be better equipped to be Your hands, feet, eyes, and ears to the world in need. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Seasons” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here. 

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer currently residing in Northern Virginia. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, ACFW, ACFW Virginia Chapter (Treasurer), The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. Her first historical fiction novel is set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England. She loves horses, cats, dogs, and all things peppermint!

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirachellecanada/
Email: mirachelle@mirachellecanada.com

Devotionals for the Heart: The world will know us by the way we love others

Focus on Love
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Keep the main thing the main thing?”

I try to do that, and perhaps we all do. But some days, it can be so difficult!

The other day I was at the grocery store for one item specifically: ketchup. Normally, I shop with a list so I buy what I need, not what I want, and also because I get distracted. But that day, I tried to keep it simple and decided I didn’t need a list. Surely I’d remember the ketchup, plus two other things I remembered as I was walking inside.

You can probably guess what happened: Three items turned into ten as I browsed the shelves, and when I left the store, can you imagine what I forgot? The ketchup!

Of course, forgetting ketchup is a minor inconvenience. What’s worse is when we forget the important things.

Every week, Christians around the world gather to worship the Lord and hear God’s Word so we can grow in knowledge and become spiritually mature. But what happens the rest of the week?

Think about the road rage and aggressive driving on our streets, the TV shows we watch, the music we listen to, the way we treat people in our homes and workplaces, the gossiping and the constant worries and the lies and the worldly concerns that fill our minds and our hearts until they drown out the one thing that’s supposed to set us apart: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Or maybe this looks different for you—maybe you’re immersed all week long in matters of faith. You listen to Christian music on the radio, read the Bible every morning, work hard, volunteer at church or at a soup kitchen, and gather regularly with other believers…Only you’re so busy working and gathering and doing that there’s no place left over for the Holy Spirit to move.

All the spots are taken.

Jesus Christ said the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another (John 13:35). In Matthew 22:37-40, when asked by church leaders what is the greatest commandment in all of God’s law, again He pointed to love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (NIV).

And that’s not all Jesus said about love. He also said:

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).

Love with mercy and extravagance (Luke 10:25-37).

Love with sacrifice (John 15:9-17).

Love with obedience and holy unity (John 14:15-21).

And yet look at us, those of us who call ourselves Christians. Can others see that love in us? Can they see it in our words and our actions, our mercy and our unity? Denominations are fighting each other over what Jesus would do or say. Christian people are pointing fingers at sin, forgetting the proverbial log in their own eye (Matthew 7:3-5). What is all of this doing to draw other lost sheep into God’s flock?

Nothing.

As 2024 begins, a lot of people are selecting words for the year, themes of purpose or self-growth they need to embrace. Courage. Peace. Hope. These are all good things. But as someone who goes to the store for ketchup only to forget it with all the other distractions, I know the word I need to choose this year. My word is love.

The apostle John tells us, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). He adds, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

This year, let’s keep the main thing the main thing. Let’s focus on what Jesus said was most important: love.

Let’s Pray: Father God, you are love. You sent your son to save us out of your vast love, and he told us love was the most important thing we should focus on—love for you and love for others. Help me not be distracted by worldly concerns or selfish desires or even hard work but instead to keep my focus on you, on love, now and forever. Amen.

Song of Reflection: "Know Us By Our Love" by Moriah. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning journalist, author, blogger, editor, writing coach, and devotional writer with thousands of articles to her name. 

Since 2010, she has served as the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, which has won 123 journalism awards during her tenure. Her latest book is Preparing Our Hearts: An Advent Devotional to Draw Closer to God at Christmas.

She has won more than 100 writing awards. Jessica is a seasoned speaker and frequent contributor to Christianity.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and Crosswalk.com, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries, with her work included in many of their devotionals and Bible studies. Jessica also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

Jessica holds a Master of Arts in English. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in communications/print journalism from Florida International University. Born and raised in Miami, Jessica now lives in Lexington, South Carolina, just outside Columbia. She has also lived in Ohio and in the mountains of western North Carolina. She and her husband, Matt Brodie, have a blended family of four teenage children and stepchildren.

Jessica has written several novels and is actively seeking publication through her agent Bob Hostetler of The Steve Laube Agency. Her novel The Memory Garden won the 2018 Genesis contest for Contemporary Fiction from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and her novel Tangled Roots won a third place Foundation Award in Contemporary Romance at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2019. She is finishing the third in the series, Hidden Seeds, now.

~*~

Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaJBrodie
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaJBrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicajbrodie/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shiningthelightjessicabrodie/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessicajbrodie

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons on friendship and wealth that lasts

Using Money Wisely to Make Everlasting Friends
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“And I tell you [learn from this], make friends for yourselves [for eternity] by means of the wealth of unrighteousness [that is, use material resources as a way to further the work of God], so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.”–Luke 16:9 (AMP) 

Recently, I was conversing with friends who are wealthy. 

They had introduced and welcomed my wife and I to one of their new assets. They freely made it available for us to use. In fact, they insisted that if their friends did not access this property regularly, they would have acquired it in vain. In the conversation he referenced a text that I had read but never studied in depth. The text was Luke 16:9.

My friend said that "there is a responsibility that accompanies wealth". The responsibility is to invest some of their wealth in expanding the experiences, opportunities, and horizons of their trusted friends. In so doing, he said, we make everlasting friends.

In this conversation, I learned two things. First, having wealth that does not corrode the soul requires hospitable use of the resources. Generosity begets good friends. They become safe havens or metaphoric tabernacles where hopes, dreams, aspirations and even fears can be shared confidently and confidentially. The second thing that my study confirmed was the difference between eternal and everlasting. Divinity is eternal, having no end, beginning, origin or destiny. Everlasting is something that may not have existed in eternity past but will exist forever going forward. 

When people have experienced and enjoyed your hospitality, they are more accepting of the peculiarities of your faith. If your friendships are solid and the wealth you shared evaporates or loses relevance, your true friends will still be there to love you, nurture and encourage you.

The wisdom of Jesus Christ does not command that we buy, with opulent gifts, the presence and the loyalty of friends. Rather, He is saying that we should be judicious yet generous with our loved ones and friends. In so doing, barriers are bridged, memories are forged and hearts are bonded. I am reminded of a maxim from my grandmother. She said, “Pick your friends wisely and spend most of your time with people who push you to be better and to do better, because bad friends can cut your potential to shreds.” When you have chosen well and poured into your friends, they will always welcome, nurture and support you.

Who are some of your everlasting friends? Make a list. How have you invested in them? How have they invested in you? Who would you like to add to your list of everlasting friends? Let’s pray for your current and potential everlasting friends.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for those people in our lives who have become everlasting friends. Thank you for bonding us. Now, dear God, as we move into this new day of the new month, be with us as we consider our ways, our wealth and the responsible use of the money You have given to us. Help us to spend freely to help advance the cause of Christ and the work of God in the world around us. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Unexpected Friends” by Sandi Patty. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Paul Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps. 

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: When the "joy of the Lord" is your strength

God’s Joy is My Strength
A devotional by Dr. Jessica B. Turner

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”—Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

Have you ever been guilty of using a scripture without pausing to truly think about what it means? I know I have. You hear other believers sharing their favorite verses and before you know it you have your own collection of favorites to pull from!

As a believer who is still new to studying the Bible, I am grateful for those who share scriptures that have gotten them through tough times.

However, I have been guilty of storing God’s Word in my heart without giving it much thought. I wasn’t stopping to explore the context of the verses or how it applied to my life. While there is nothing wrong with holding onto scriptures that empower you without going deeper, I want to encourage you to go a step further and ask God to reveal why that scripture speaks to you. That’s exactly what I did, and it completely opened my eyes to what I was missing!

For months, Nehemiah 8:10 had become an anthem of mine. I would find myself walking around my house audibly saying, “The joy of the Lord is my strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength!” But one day, I asked myself, “What does that even mean?”

God immediately impressed the following words on my heart: “When you do as I have called you to do, your obedience brings Me joy. It is knowing that you are a source of joy to Me that you find strength to keep going.”

Here are some examples of how I now apply this revelation to my every day life: When I drag myself out of bed one more time in the middle of the night to comfort my baby boy, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I wash the dishes and fold the laundry – for the millionth time – with a grateful heart, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I take a minute out of my busy day to encourage a friend, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father. When I choose to make reading the Bible as a family a priority, I bring joy to my Heavenly Father.

Everything that I once saw as an inconvenience is my very source of strength, if I recognize it. It brings joy to the Lord and it is that very joy that drives me to take one more step.

I don’t know what you are facing or what you are needing strength for today. What I do know is that when you approach your situation with a heavenly perspective, it changes everything!

Faced with a disheartening diagnosis? Your decision to trust in God will be your source of strength.

Stretched financially? Your decision to continue to tithe while making cuts elsewhere will be your source of strength.

Tempted to turn back to sin when things get hard? Your decision to run to God instead will be your source of strength.

I pray this realization encourages you as much as it did for me! Now I look for ways to bring joy to the Lord, knowing it’s the very thing that will keep me going.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice so that You could have a relationship with me. Help me to delight in doing what pleases You knowing it brings You great joy! Let that joy overflow into my life so I may continue to walk in Your will without growing weary. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Joy of the Lord (feat. Katie Torwalt, Dante Bowe & Naomi Raine)” by Maverick City Music | TRIBL. Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

Dr. Jessica B. Turner is a wife, mom, and LSU graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine.

  

After practicing small animal medicine for six years, she traded in her stethoscope to become an online wellness coach, motivational speaker, and writer with a passion for mental health advocacy. This major life change was sparked after Jessica struggled with postpartum depression soon after she birthed her twin girls.

Along with Jessica’s career change came the discovery of who Jesus Christ really is and how He was the missing piece for her to be able to move forward in past trauma that she had suppressed for decades. Jesus walked alongside Jessica as she underwent a transformation like none other.

God transformed Jessica’s life from a broken mom who struggled with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and PTSD from witnessing an attempted suicide, to using her experiences to make her a powerful vessel for Him. To this day, God enables Jessica to touch the lives of others through her often unfiltered, yet inviting form of storytelling.

Throughout this process of refinement, Jessica has shared her life story with the world through her social media platforms, in-person events, blog posts, and podcasts. She values the gift of transparency and has discovered that what so many people need to know is that they are not alone. Jessica has walked in their shoes, and she wants the world to know that Jesus is walking with them as well.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.jessicabturner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabturner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabturner/

Devotionals for the Heart: When you want to represent God well

Wearing God’s Name
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

–Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Sometimes I think of how funny it is that we turn scripture into clichés. Do we really mean the things that we say or are we just stating it because it is relevant and it sounds biblical and holy?

When talking about purity, it is easy to say that we should follow specific guidelines and rules of thumb when it comes to checking to see if our dress is appropriate. But are the guidelines and rules a true and accurate reflection of what our hearts believe? We are continuously told and advised to have a pure heart and mind, and that our clothes should represent what hearts feel. But how do we check our hearts to ensure that what we say is really a reflection of what we say believe?

Psalm 139:23 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts…”. A person should not be convinced to dress a certain way (or not to dress a certain way) and they do it (or do not do it) merely because they received it from someone other than the Lord. If this happens, then it simply becomes a set of rules that are being followed. These are rules that “man” has put into place.

Consider this quote by Rick Holland: “Your clothes are a loud, maybe the loudest, announcement of your of theology. When you wear something, you’re telling people what you believe about God, what you believe about purity, what you believe about holiness, what you believe about men, what you believe about pride, what you believe about clothing and what you what you believe about nakedness. You’re also telling the world what you think about your husband. If you’re not married, you’re basically saying, “I’m advertising for a husband externally.” If you are married, you are saying, “I don’t love my husband or care about the sanctity and purity of our marriage.”

One of my favorite motivational lines is: “What we do in moderation, others will do in excess.” It is a subtle reminder of how we must set the example of what modesty looks like. We must remember that to some, we are the only Bible they will ever see. Therefore, we must make sure that we are being a presentable and accurate ambassador for Jesus Christ at all times. Just as how we are responsible for others through our teaching of the Gospel to them, we are also could be responsible for them when they misunderstand the gospel because of our inconsistencies.

Think of how many times you have done what you knew was wrong or simply was not what you were supposed to do. How many times did you do it only because you saw someone else do it first? You may have thought, “Well, if they can do it and not get caught, surely I can get away with it too.” Or “She did it, so it must be okay.”

Let’s use a mirror for this next part of my message. Think of the questions and answers between yourself (it’s just you and the mirror that shows you who you are). The mirror represents what the world says it is okay to do, and you looking into the mirror, represent the Holy Spirit. 

Here’s an example of a conversation between you and the mirror…

The Mirror: I can still bring glory to God regardless of what I wear.

You: You may be able to, but your words and your actions don’t match up, which cause more of a problem to others than it does to you.

The Mirror: If my body is the temple, I want it to be it a fashionable temple. I don’t want people to think that because a person is a Christian that they have to look homely.

You: It doesn’t. As a matter of fact God wants us to look our best. He wants us to look our best through Him so we can continue to bring Him glory. Since God is holy and the clothes you want to wear represent what is not holy, we really want to make sure that we use our bodies and our clothes to be a reflection of the holiness of God.

The Mirror: Of all of the things that God has to deal with, he is not thinking about the clothes that I am wearing.

You: In the same way an earthly father will “tense up” when he sees his teenage daughter wearing something inappropriate, our Heavenly Father does not like to see His daughters degrade themselves with clothing that does not bring the type of honorable attention. Remember, God loves me and my appearance regardless of what it is. The world will only accept me conditionally. 

Conclusion

It is important to remember that the Gospel teaches us to “come as you are” to accept Jesus Christ into your life. But that doesn’t mean that after we get to know God for ourselves, we should continue to dress inappropriately or as we please in a way that will lead people astray.

Try your best to represent your Heavenly Father well, not just in the clothes you wear but how you treat people, the choices you make and the people who you interact with on a daily basis. We’re not perfect but we have a God who is perfect. Let’s let Him lead us to check our hearts and be a reflection of Him to the world.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank You for Your guidance and love. You give us the Holy Spirit to help us stay closer to You. We pray we are receiving everything You have given us as we continue on this journey to holiness through and with You. Thank You for your unwavering love. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Your Love Divine” by Richard Smallwood & Vision. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Wear Your Name” by Gylchris Sprauve. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more’. With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts. 

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical Womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry. When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.