Devotionals for the Heart: God invites us to be still, quiet and listen to Him

Be Still
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”—Psalms 46:10 (NLT)

Life on this Earth can be incredibly noisy.

There’s so much happening around us, competing for our attention seemingly from minute to minute. There seems to be no end to the demands for our attention. And it is in those moments God is calling us to come away and be still in His presence.

Earlier this year I felt the strong urge to go on a sabbatical, to pull myself away from the noise and the crowd to spend some time with the Lord. I wasn’t quite sure how it would work, with the demands of family, work, and ministry. However, I felt an urgency that this time was needed, and I had to make space, just as I would have to do for anything else. I turned off almost all notifications and disconnected myself from social media. What I needed from God required me to step away from the crowd and to step into His presence, alone and uninterrupted.

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines “stillness” as “freedom from agitation: calmness, serenity”. This definition sums up exactly what I needed. I can recall the first day of this journey and the feeling in that moment of the Holy Spirit with arms open wide saying, “I have been waiting for you.” I felt such joy and love in God’s Presence! I was so excited to see where the remaining days would take me.

Can I tell you something? Being still in God’s Presence is an act of surrender and surrender is holy. We can have so many voices giving their thoughts and opinions that we sometimes don’t know where our thoughts stop and where theirs begin. It is in those moments that we miss what God is saying to us, confusion, doubt and fear steps in when there is a lack of the clear voice of our Heavenly Father.

To be still before God is a choice and it was a decision that I learned to make in my journey through this life on Earth. Each of us have to make that choice on our own because no one else can make for us. My friend, it's a choice worth making!

What are you struggling with that God is calling you to come away from? Do you sense Him inviting you to run to Him and to be still in His presence? Stillness is something that we struggle against because we don’t know how to quiet ourselves and just be. It is in the stillness that we will hear the quiet whispers of God. Read 1 Kings 19:11-13 for a Biblical example of this truth.

To recognize truly who God is happens in the moments that we pause, tune our ears and hearts to Him and choose to listen. In that period of stillness, I heard the Lord speak to me through His words, the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit and in a still small voice that reminded me that obedience is better than sacrifice.

My friend, I want to encourage you today to choose to be in God’s presence, sitting with no agenda and be willing to not only listen but hear what He is saying to you. This is important to help us make it through our life on Earth.

The Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who controls the future, who knows what is ahead of us, calls us away to a time with Him that is more beneficial to us than it is for Him. How can you neglect such a call? Our Heavenly Father (God) beckons with open arms, saying, “Come, my child so I can instruct you, comfort you, give you clarity and the directions you need not just for where you are now but for your next.” But how will you know what He wants to say if you will not be still long enough to hear?

I know you may be facing struggles now and perhaps you are saying, “I don’t know how I am going to do this!” You may also be looking for the perfect time to be still before God, but you can’t find it. How about starting with 15 minutes, in quiet time with God? Silence your notifications, sit in His presence with your Bible and journal, open your heart and create the space for Him to meet you. What would it look like? 

Can I tell you? It would look like holy time. It should bring joy to your heart to know that the Eternal King requires your presence and is there waiting on you. Do you require freedom from agitation, calmness and serenity? The only place you and I can receive that is in the stillness of the presence of our Lord.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your call for us to be still before you. Lord, you know the struggles that we face to still the noise around us. Help us surrender our time to You. Help us desire your presence more than anything else so we can hear your still small voice. Father, I pray today will be the day that my friend will be obedient to your voice. Speak, Lord, as they set their hearts to hear you. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Make Room” by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Make Room” by Meredith Andrews (feat. Sarah Reeves & Chris McClarney). Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Christopher is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons. Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to be still and listen for God's whispers

God’s Whisper Always Cuts Through the Chaos
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”— Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Have you ever been to an orchestra concert?

My son plays the viola in an orchestra, so we’ve been to plenty over the years.

Before the concert gets started, everybody’s warming up onstage, and it sounds like a chaos of noise. But then, at last, a single note rings out as the concertmaster plays, and the other string instruments strive to match that note, perfectly in tune. In an instant, chaos becomes order. Soon enough, the conductor onstage lifts his or her hands, and beautiful music begins to soar.

I think of that chaos sometimes when I think of our world. Everybody’s busy doing their own thing and experiencing their own troubles. People are born and they die. Marriages begin and they end. We go about our work and rush around in traffic and weave in and out of our days, and it’s all just . . . noise sometimes. But then a single note rings out, God’s whisper! His beautiful breath of life. And suddenly our ears attune to Him. Our voices become slow and steady, our work stills, and we—along with all creation—turn to honor the One, the Creator, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord God Almighty.

I imagine that’s how it will be in the end days when the trumpet sounds. I imagine that’s how it was in the Garden of Eden when God spoke the universe into creation. I imagine that’s how it was when Elijah so desperately craved hearing God’s voice in his darkness and finally realized it was there—not in the wind or the earthquake or the raging fire, but in the whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13).

God speaks order into creation quite often. What can we mere human beings do but stop everything and listen? We are so busy and distracted all the time, my friends. All of us that distraction is a tool Satan uses to confuse us and skew our priorities. But we serve a God of order, balance, love, and perfection—not chaos. I imagine that is why Psalm 46:10 (NIV) resonates with so many of us when in that verse, God said, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Be still, all you people. Settle down all your rushing to and fro. Bask in God’s timeless knowledge and merciful peace. We are not God, and we are not gods. But we are oh, so blessed, to belong to Him. May we surrender our hearts, our minds and our souls to him daily—now and forever.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly God, thank You so much for Your calm, true, perfect, and steady presence and love. Help us look to You even the world feels like chaos. Help us remember You are the truth and nothing else matters. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Speak” by Bethany Music. Listen to it here.

~*~
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. Jessica 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: When it is time to listen to God and pray to Him

Time to Listen
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

—Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Throughout the year, my email inbox is filled with ways to cultivate a relationship with God. The ideas include but are not limited to reading the Bible in a year, studying devotions for the weary, notes on ways to find joy in life, educational information about beginning healthy eating programs, and advice on how to “start over” in various parts of daily routines. These all flood my computer.

I appreciate the guidance and wisdom of people, but I’ve made my choice. I’ve decided to be still and make time to listen to God. As a writer, I need to check emails and phone messages several times each day. When I start my day by thanking God for His blessings, I find comfort and peace. When I start my day by reaching for the phone or sitting in front of the computer and scrolling instead of focusing on God, I’ve noticed how my body reacts in different ways.

Sharing time with God first thing every day before I touch technology brings me peace and comfort. Does that mean I won’t have troubles during the day? No. God has told us that we will experience trials and suffering. But we can face those troublesome times knowing that we are not alone. God is always with us.

I have a note taped to my computer that says, “PRAY FIRST”. That note reminds me that in all areas of my life, I should go to God first. There is a different outcome when I try to handle things on my own. However, when I seek God first before trying to figure everything out by myself, I find answers and peace.

Noises of the day can try to overshadow what God intends for my life. I must be intentional in how I share time with God. Those moments with the Lord bring refreshment and renewal. When we read the Bible, we can see that Jesus Christ took time to listen to His Father (God). Often, Jesus would go away from the crowds to pray. Other times, He prayed aloud while people listened. Both examples show that Jesus knew the importance of listening to God. From retreating to a mountainside to be alone with His Father or sharing God’s message to a crowd on a hillside, Jesus listened.

Taking the time to listen to God can deepen our relationship with the Father. As we pause, pray, and listen for His Word, we are showing respect, honor, and love for God. In those quiet moments of listening, we may find answers to prayers. When we commit ourselves to God, we can rest in His promises.

In my daily prayers, I ask God for wisdom, discernment, and revelation. I wait and listen. God may provide answers quickly, or God’s response may come at another time. Either way, as I take time to listen, I rest in knowing I am not alone.

As I write this message, the house is quiet. Pausing, I listen. God speaks through nature. The rain tapping on the roof creates a beautiful melody. The cardinals, chick-a-dees, finches, and downy woodpeckers sing while visiting the bird feeders. A neighbor rides by in their vehicle. The sound of the car engine leaves as quickly as it came. Today is a quiet day in this neighborhood.

After Winter Break, school resumes. People who have day jobs will travel to work in the morning. Life will become busy for many people. I pray that in the midst of busyness and daily activities, may we remember to take time to listen to God. Start the day with prayer. Pray throughout the day. End the day with prayer. Those simple acts can bring us closer to God.

Let’s Pray: Father God, we give thanks for the opportunity to be still and listen for Your messages. Thank You for the sounds of nature and the beauty of creation. Please help us to remember to listen and rest in Your promises. We ask for wisdom, discernment, and revelation in every situation. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “People Need the Lord” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Speak” by Bethany Music. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages sometimes humming with humor. With articles, devotions, and stories in print publications and online, Melissa shares her love for God and life. Some of the inspirations for her writing come from family life. 

Melissa and her husband Alan have been married for over 46 years. Their son Mike, and daughter-in-love Christine have blessed the family with two precious children: Rowan and Eden. These precious souls bring laughter, love, and many funny experiences, which can often be found in Melissa’s writing. The family motto is “It’s Always a Story with the Hendersons”.

Melissa is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), CWFL (Christian Writers for Life), and many other organizations.

Melissa’s books for children include Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator.

Melissa serves in Christian ministry as an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.

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Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaghenderson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaHendersonAuthor
Twitter: https://x.com/mimionlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahendersonauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ahenderson312/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to know God's Voice and listen

Who Are You Listening To?
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

—John 10:3-4 (NIV)

Anyone who has grown up in a West Indian or African household will agree on one thing: When you are called by your parents or an elder, answer quickly.

Taking your time or choosing whether to answer or not is not a luxury you get to enjoy. Additionally, make sure you’re responding to direction from your parents instead of your friends! In these households, instruction took priority over anyone else’s. I cannot confidently say that today in this era that statement remains the same. Between the government, schools and society, many voices compete for our allegiance. However, in the Kingdom of God, the rules have not changed. God’s voice reigns supreme and there is a blessing that comes with it.

When we look at the life of Abraham, he was promised a blessing through his offspring because of his obedience. Genesis 22:15-18 (NIV) reads: “The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Because one person obeyed, the generations to follow would receive something they had nothing to do with. Isn’t that mind blowing? Because Abraham listened to the voice of God and obeyed, the effects of his obedience went beyond his lifetime. So, whose voice are you listening to? Whose voice reigns supreme over your fears, your doubts, and your insecurities? We still get to choose who to listen to.

Remember, free will is a gift God gave to every human being. He desires we choose Him over the enemy (Satan). The enemy of our soul comes to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). That will never change. The devil has no intention for you to prosper or to have hope. But your Heavenly Father does! He loves us unconditionally and He has good plans for our life.

Let’s learn more about God’s plans for us by reading Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) that says, “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.” God has good plans for us! Plans to prosper us. Plans that don’t involve harm. Plans to give us hope. Plans to give us a future. Everything associated with the enemy is death. But everything connected to God brings life and Jesus Christ has come so we might have life abundantly (John 10:10).

So how can we know the Lord’s voice? Let’s address this on a personal level: How do you know the voice of your parents, siblings, and friends? You’ve spent time with them. You’ve heard them speak repeatedly. You’ve spent time with them to know how they behave and treat you and others. When you hear something out of the ordinary about someone you know and love, you stop and question it because what you’re hearing does not match what you know. The same is true with the Lord but even better the Word of God, the Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8 (NIV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Jesus doesn’t change. His voice, His behavior, His word will never change. We can completely trust Jesus all the time. I encourage you to spend time with Him and read His word (The Holy Bible). When you know Christ’s voice, you know where to find comfort, encouragement and direction.

Knowing God’s voice allows you to know when a stranger is speaking. Let’s look at one more lesson from life: We learn from a very early age, to run from strangers. Concerning strangers, although they try to speak in the “voice” of our parents, we know instinctively that something is wrong. We sense danger, so we run away from those people who are not our parents or guardians. Let’s know the voice of our Savior so well that nothing can make us doubt Him. Let’s learn to run to Jesus, not the world. Only Christ brings the comfort, support, hope and healing we need.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us and telling us in your Word that You love us. Help us to hide your Word in our hearts so we won’t sin against You. Help us to know your voice so well that nothing will make us doubt You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “I Just Want to Know You” by Andrae Crouch. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Abundantly” by Avalon. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "Voice of A Savior" by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement, to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

~*~
Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Listening to God speak and sharing the Gospel

God’s Burning Bushes
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.” –Exodus 3:1-2 (ESV)

The other day some of my friends and I gathered to pray and study the Bible.

We discussed the difficulty we often have with telling other people about Jesus Christ, especially those who do not know Christ. One of the ladies recalled the story of Moses and the burning bush, and how God caught the attention of Moses through a shrub. We all laughed when my friend said that there were lots of bushes in her front yard, and maybe God could use one of those to speak to our loved ones.

Her comment started me thinking. To my knowledge, God hasn’t been talking to anyone recently through a bush, so how does He plan to tell others about Jesus Christ in today’s world? It’s pretty evident that His plan is to use us—His children—His flawed, often mindless children. We have been given the task of sharing the gospel of Jesus with a world that has wandered far from the Lord.

Within our hearts, the Lord has placed the glorious news of salvation in Jesus, and we can’t keep it hidden from those around us who are lost and dying. For many of us, the task to share the gospel is daunting. We’re nervous about what people might think of us if we speak openly about God’s gift of salvation. We worry about how we’ll look, but that’s not how God sees it. This is not about us at all. It’s about telling others of the hope we have in this life, and in the next one—eternity in Heaven.

When Moses turns aside to see the bush that burned but wasn’t burned up, God spoke to a very ordinary shepherd. He told Moses to take off his sandals because the ground he was standing on was holy (Exodus 3:5). Then God commissions Moses. The man who had previously fled Egypt in fear of his life is commanded to go back and lead Israel out of their slavery into the land that God had promised them.

What God told Moses to do is exactly what He wants us to do. We who have met the Lord are to humble ourselves first, and then we can be used by God in naturally occurring ways to share the freedom we know through Jesus.

Our neighbors, friends, family, and even perfect strangers will be blessed by the life-giving news of our true God Who loves them and Who invites them to come into His family. He’s the One Who will forgive them and accept them as His own. Why are we waiting to share such amazing news of grace and mercy?

Maybe we don’t know how, or we’re afraid, or we’re too busy. We can always come up with our numerous excuses, but the Apostle Paul explains a simple way to share the gospel. He says it’s like the planting process. Sow the seed. Water. Let God bring the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6). The seeds are the good words we use to help people recognize how much God loves them. When we tell someone we will pray for them and then do it, God is honored and people are drawn to Him. It may be a long time before they remember that prayer again, but they will remember, and we might even be blessed to hear their story one day.

Sow a few seeds of kindness and hope, or water a few drops of joy and gladness, and before long we will put our past fears and doubts behind us. We can walk in joyful expectation with the Lord, our Savior and our Friend, as we tell others about Him.

One of the most comforting parts of the burning bush story is that the bush burned, but it wasn’t consumed. As I grow older, I tend to pace myself more. But God has plans for us that aren’t all-consuming. He gives strength—His strength, and He gives us His Word to speak. Because He is our Lord, we really can do all things through Christ, and He will strengthen us (Philippians 4:13).

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, the God of Moses and of all creation, will You set us on fire for You? Please light the kindling and let us burn brightly with our love for Jesus, Your Son. It is in His great name that we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Am Not Ashamed” by Heritage Singers. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. Her heart is for her readers. 

She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Tammy tells us why we should "put on love"

Choose Love
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

I have a favorite passage of scripture that draws me back like a magnet, Colossians 3:12-17 (NASB). I’ve written many dates beside these verses, times when I have been moved by the words. In this chapter, Paul encourages us, as believers, to put on the new self and gives us the instructions to do just that.

We should set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. No, we aren’t to ignore what is going on in the world, but we are not to partake in those worldly practices. Instead, we are to put aside the old self, such as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed (verse five) as well as anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech (verse eight).

Paul then tells us what we should put on as new creatures in Christ on a daily basis. The expression put on actually means to assume, to adopt. He says we are to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This explains that as believers when we step boldly into faith with Jesus, we are to put on this new self and live in a way that shows Jesus to those around us. Yes, even the guy who cut you off while driving the other day!

This is an ongoing process, one we must practice doing each and every day. It’s not an automatic BAM!, you believe in Jesus so now you possess all these qualities. We live in a sinful world, and sin is always lurking at our door. Therefore, we must make a conscious effort every day to become a person who strives to live in a way that honors God in our words and deeds.

Since this is the month of February which most of us consider the love month, I saved verse 14 for last. Not because it’s not as important as those above — quite the opposite.

"And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." 
~Colossians 3:14 (NASB)

When we choose to put on love, we show the love the Father has shown us, love that is unconditional, everlasting, and immeasurable in its depth. Is this easy? No. But when we strive for this, God honors that. This then is where the end of that verse comes in to play. When we put on love, the uniting bond of perfectness or completion in our faith makes us more like the image of God that we were created to be. 

Take a moment and read Colossians 3:1-17 for yourself and see how the Lord will speak to you today. Let’s choose to put on love, not just because it is February — the love month, but also because we should do this every day, every month. I’ll pray this for you. Will you pray for me, too?

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years, mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.
~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

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Devotionals for the Heart: On Anger and Righteousness

Is Your Anger Useful?
A devotional by Ginger Solomon

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." 

~James 1:19-20 (ESV) 

I’m a verse-mapper. I love words and finding out their original meanings. When I did these verses, I found some things that I want to share with you. I know these are familiar verses. If you’ve been in church for any length of time, you’ve probably heard them. Bear with me for a moment.

Quick - in the Greek language, it means to do something without a time lapse.
Hear - listen; to pay attention to what is being said.

When my children were little, I used to tell them that obedience meant they needed to do what I said right away. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Here, we see that God is instructing us to be “quick to hear.” But what does that mean?

I think it means we must put away our thoughts, our responses, our phones, and LISTEN to what the person is saying, not only with their words but their tone and body language.

Imagine for a moment…

A little girl says, “I don’t want to go.”

It’s a simple statement. It could be taken many different ways. Without context, it is impossible to know WHY the child doesn’t want to go.

If then she stomps her foot and crosses her arms, then we know she’s angry.

If her lip trembles and tears appear, she could be sad.

If she withdraws within herself and barely whispers the words, she might be scared.

Without paying attention, without LISTENING, the hearer would miss important clues. Sometimes it matters why she doesn’t want to go. A LOT.

Let’s move on… I think I’ve made my point.

Slow - deliberate, unhurried — moving forward after considering the facts
Anger - comes from a position of being steadfastly opposed to someone; not a sudden outburst.

“Slow to speak” is self-explanatory. We need to consider what has been said, what has happened BEFORE we open our mouths to spout our opinions. We have to engage our brains in the process.

“Slow to anger” — this one caught me a little off guard. I’ve always considered anger to be something that spouts forth quickly like a geyser. But this word doesn’t mean that. It’s like the trickle of water that wears away the rocks and dirt to become a raging river. It grows over time. Not in hours or days, but in weeks, months, or years.

Produce - work, accomplish a trade/job; acquire by trade
Righteousness - justice; approved of God; what is deemed right by the Lord

“The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (vs. 20, ESV) Ouch!

God doesn’t need our anger, righteous or otherwise.

This anger is the same word as above. It’s not explosive. It’s built up. Even justified.

I’ve been there. I’ve been angry enough to know that if the person on the other end of my wrath had been in the room, or even within driving distance, I might have taken matters into my own hands. I would have done harm to the person. And yet, Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (ESV)

God doesn’t want or need our anger. It doesn’t produce the results He’s aiming for. Not in us, and not in the other person’s life. As hard as it is, God wants us to forgive and let Him deal with it. In one day. Before the sun goes down. But maybe you’re like me and it requires doing it over and over again, day after day, until one day it happens. I’ve forgiven the person, and the anger is gone.

Until we let God take care of it, nothing positive will happen, not underneath the surface, anyway. Not in the heart. And God is ALWAYS more concerned with a person’s heart than He is with their outward actions.

I pray your heart and actions align with the will of God today and every day. May you see everyone through His eyes of love.

Blessings,

Ginger

~*~

Author bio: 

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). 

She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre, and if she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, books are on her mind. 

She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.