Devotionals for the Heart: How to see miracles in the ordinary all around us

Do You Still See Miracles?
A devotional by Heather Jeffery

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”—Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

How do you define a miracle?

It’s a word we tend to either underestimate or overestimate. Perhaps we see the miracle of healing when the doctor said there was no hope, or the miracle of a healthy child born to the couple who prayed for a decade. Do you still look up at the stars or observe the rhythmic sequence of waves crashing on the shoreline and think it’s miraculous? Some things lose their miraculous nature as they become more familiar, moving from extraordinary to ordinary.

God’s Word (The Holy Bible) opens with the miracle of creation and carries miracle after miracle throughout its pages. Seas are parted, dry bones rise, lepers are healed, the blind see, and Jesus Christ (our Savior) walks on water. And these are only the miracles recorded for us. The Apostle John reminds us that Christ’s works were so vast that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25). How could anything within our human realm ever begin to hold the infinite capacity of our God? We simply don’t have the tools, or the mental capacity, to measure such immensity.

Yet here’s the danger: The quickest way to miss a miracle is to focus on what God has not done. When our eyes stay fixed on the prayers that feel unanswered, the closed doors, or the silence in waiting, we become blind to the countless ways God has already moved on our behalf. Complaint and comparison blur our sight, but gratitude sharpens it.

When did we stop seeing miracles? When life got too busy? When we wanted God to move one way and He chose another? Or when science explained the “how” and we forgot to acknowledge the “Who”?

If we only look for burning bushes and parted seas, we will miss the daily manna waiting right at our feet. If we only seek the earthquake, wind, and fire, we will miss the gentle whisper that held Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). If we only chase dramatic signs, we may overlook the peaceful calm or the overflowing abundance of our basic needs.

Miracles aren’t always loud. Sometimes they’re disguised as ordinary. Such as:

A heart softened toward forgiveness.

A timely word that shifts the course of your day.

Provision that arrives just when the account runs low.

Peace that makes no sense in the middle of chaos.

A butterfly that reminds you God sees you.

This often means adjusting our expectations or timeline. Maybe we are expecting a forest but all we see are a few trees in front of us that seem to be blocking our vision. God tells us to not despise the small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). If we learn to see the miracles, we learn to see God all around us.

I invite you to pause for a moment and sit quietly with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you vision with eyes to see the tiny little miracles along our path. What miracle did you witness today? Would it be the breath in your lungs, sunrise after a long night, or the strength to keep going when you felt like giving up?

The same God who spoke galaxies into being is still at work in your story. He has not stopped doing wonders. And if He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever think to ask or imagine, then even the miracles we cannot yet see are already unfolding around us.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Open my eyes to see the miracles all around me. Forgive me for the times I have focused only on what I thought You had withheld, instead of recognizing the countless ways You provided and protected me. Give me a heart of gratitude that notices Your hand in both the big and small moments. Strengthen my faith to expect You in the extraordinary and to treasure You in the ordinary. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “Million Little Miracles” by Elevation Worship & Maverick City. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Just the Beginning” by Kurt Carr & Vonnie Lopez. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “So Will I (100 Billon X)” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Heather Jeffery is a Christian author, mentor, and certified mental health coach specializing in emotional and spiritual abuse recovery. 

Her mission is to empower women with Biblical truth and practical tools to navigate life’s most confusing and painful circumstances. Heather’s passion for this work stems from her own experience of walking through a progressively destructive marriage and divorce, where she discovered the healing power of God’s Word. Today, she helps women set healthy boundaries and tune into the guidance of the Holy Spirit, offering hope and clarity in the midst of chaos.

Heather believes every story matters and has a purpose, just as the stories we read about in the Bible. In her mentoring and coaching, she weaves together her personal journey with the stories of women in Scripture, uncovering deeper insights below the surface that traditional teaching often glosses over. Her approach is both compassionate and practical, equipping women to reclaim their identity and live in freedom.

Heather lives in Maryland with her two teenage daughters, where she works as a physical therapist. She loves spending time outdoors, especially near and on the water, where she finds reminders of God’s faithfulness in the beauty of His creation. She believes God’s Creation has messages for all of us if we take time to look, whether it be the fluttering butterfly that happens to cross your path signifying God sees you or the twinkling of the sunrise as a reminder of God’s unending faithfulness. She is most at peace floating in a kayak taking in the sights and sounds around her as she spends time reflecting on God’s goodness.

Heather shares weekly encouragement and resources through her website at https://heatherjeffery.com/.

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Connect with Heather:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straightenyourcrown.1/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to do what we can for God

Do What You Can
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”—Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)

I came to South Korea as a missionary English teacher.

I viewed my classroom as a ministry because I wasn’t merely teaching vocabulary and conversation; I was loving the children in my care, praying for them and teaching them about God. In my local English-speaking international church, I was often up front of the congregation, leading out vespers and Bible studies, and speaking from time to time.

Then I got married and moved to a new city in South Korea. My husband was a church leader, and the church we attended was not an English-speaking one. It was a difficult transition. I spoke only a little Korean, and living with the language barrier felt like losing my voice. I could no longer communicate well and do all the up-front things I was used to. I was still teaching English during the week. But on the weekend, I felt like my opportunities for ministry had been taken away.

However, God convicted me that instead of feeling mired down in what I couldn’t do, I should focus on what I could do. It was okay to grieve my felt losses, but He still had ways that I could minister.

I could operate the computer and click the slides on the PowerPoint presentation during worship. I could lead a Bible study discussion on the rare occasions when we had English-speaking guests. I could teach the children some English praise songs. I could wash dishes. I could pray for my husband and the church. I could simply be present.

These tasks were not glamourous. They weren’t always in my comfort zone, either. Yet God reminded me that small, unseen tasks are still ministry.

Sometimes we may feel that our efforts don’t count unless they’re up-front, noticeable and grand in some way. Sometimes we may feel that we don’t have enough to offer someone else—enough skill, enough time, enough talent.

However, as the hymn “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” encourages us:

“Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar;

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.”

The Bible tells the story of a hungry crowd who were listening to Jesus speak (John 6:1-15). Jesus was mindful of their physical as well as spiritual needs. Let’s read about this Bible story via the text below:

“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Jesus asked (John 6:5 NIV). Philip answered, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7 NIV)

However, there was boy in the crowd with five small barley loaves and two small fish. This was not an impressive lunch. It would have been easy for the boy to think, “What’s the point of offering this? It’s too small and too simple to feed so many.” It would have been easy for him to fixate on what he couldn’t offer. In fact, when Andrew (a disciple) brought the boy to Jesus, he said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9 NIV)

Yet the boy gave what he could, and Jesus took those five small loaves and two small fish and used them to feed thousands of hungry people. He can do the same with what we give to Him. No matter how small, simple, and “not enough” our offerings may be, He can multiply them to bless many others.

The small boy did what he could. May we, too, do what we can.

Let’s Pray: Father God, sometimes I focus on what I can’t do. I compare myself to others, or even to how I was in the past, and think that I don’t have enough to offer You. Yet You still empower me to serve—even in simple, hidden ways. Help me to see what I can do through Your strength. Teach me how to have the faith to put my small gifts in Your hands to multiply. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” by Ella Fitzgerald. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Available” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Little is Much” by Downhere. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

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Connect with Lynette:
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God interrupts your life for divine purpose

The Gift of Being Interrupted
A devotional by Dr. Gladys Childs

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

—Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

We strive for order and control in our lives.

We make plans, set goals, and pursue schedules to get the most out of each day. Whether in our careers, relationships, or spiritual walk with God, we like to know what's coming next. But what happens when life doesn't cooperate? When the well-planned day suddenly takes a turn we didn't anticipate?

Interruptions have a way of exposing how much we value control. In an instant, our best-laid plans unravel, and we're left feeling frustrated, inconvenienced, or even out of control. We think interruptions are a waste of time, an obstacle keeping us from achieving our purpose. But what if the interruption is the purpose?

Consider the life of Jesus Christ. His ministry on earth was often marked by unexpected encounters, where interruptions became moments of profound transformation. One day, while teaching a crowd by the sea, Jesus was interrupted by a synagogue leader named Jairus, who was desperate to heal his dying daughter (Mark 5:21-24). Jesus immediately responded and set off to Jairus' house. On the way there, another interruption occurred—a woman suffering from a bleeding disorder reached out in faith to touch His garment, and Jesus stopped to minister to her (Mark 5:25-34).

Imagine the tension in this moment. Jairus must have been anxiously urging Jesus to hurry while the crowd wondered what would happen next. Yet, Jesus, fully aware of both needs, didn't rush past the woman's pain. He stopped, looked at her, and called her "daughter"—restoring her physically, emotionally, and socially. Although it seemed like the delay was slowing Jesus down, He arrived right on time and healed Jairus's daughter even more miraculously by raising her from the dead.

This story teaches us something profound: God's interruptions are never accidents. What feels like a disruption to our plans is often part of His divine orchestration. The very moments that seem to throw us off course are often the places where God shows up most powerfully.

We see this pattern throughout Scripture. Moses was interrupted by a burning bush when he thought his life as a shepherd would end in the desert. David was called from the sheepfold to anointing oil, not knowing he'd be king. Saul was knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus, turning a murderous Pharisee into the Apostle Paul. In each case, God used an interruption to change the trajectory of their lives.

God still works this way today. How many divine moments have we missed because we were too focused on our plans to see what He was doing? Could it be that the very thing we're resisting is God inviting us into something deeper, more meaningful, and far more significant than our original agenda?

The next time your day is interrupted, stop and reframe your perspective. Instead of viewing it as a detour, view it as an invitation. Pray for God to open your eyes to His presence in the moment and ask Him, "Lord, what are You trying to teach me in this interruption?"

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for being in control of my life. Please help me to see interruptions as opportunities for You to work in and through me. Grant me patience and faith to embrace your purpose in each moment. Lead me, guide me, and use me for your glory. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

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

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Author Bio:

Dr. Gladys Childs is an author, speaker, religion professor, pastor's wife, and mom helping others be F.R.E.E. to Thrive© for the abundant life God has for them. She serves as Chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University and the Women’s Director at LifePoint Fellowship. She brings 25 years of experience and knowledge to her ministry. 

Gladys is frequently called authentic, witty, and candid as she shares her journey through life’s ups and downs. Her passion is meeting people at the intersection of faith and life’s difficulties. No stranger to heartache herself, she grew up in a non-church-going family with an alcoholic mother and is a trauma survivor.

Gladys holds a Ph.D. in Foundations of Education, a Master’s in Religious Education, a Master of Divinity, and a B.A. with a double major in Counseling and Psychology. Also, she is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.

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Connect with Gladys:
Website: https://www.gladyschilds.com/
Blog: https://www.gladyschilds.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgladyschilds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GladysAnnChilds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GladysChilds
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gladyschildsauthor/

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to focus on joy in when life is hard

Growing in the Cracks of Life
A devotional by Kathleen Rouser

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”—James 1:2-4 (WEB)

The presence of icicle pansies tends to brighten my day.

The delicate yellow, cream, and purple flowers are always lovely to see. They provide a pop of color in late fall, early spring, and sometimes through the summer. Even though they’re annuals, they’re hardy! Last year, about five icicle pansy plants had seeded themselves into the cracks of our patio.

I didn’t plant, fertilize or water them, but there they were popping up from hardpacked soil, between large slabs of concrete. The back of the house receives the morning and intense early afternoon sun. It’s exposed to the cold rain and wind. Yet, these little flowers flourished, even when they were stepped on or picked.

After a storm, I’d peek outside as I wondered about their fate. But when they dried, they perked right up, still beautiful. At some point, during the summer, I started giving them a drink each time I watered the potted flowers around them, and I marveled at how well they’d done without my help.

The first chapter of the Bible book of James reminds us that it’s the testing of our faith that produces patience and endurance, fruits that blossom with gaining spiritual maturity—much like beautiful flowers that grow well in the harshest circumstances. Testing puts our faith walk with God on the line.

Quite a few years ago, I had a tough time. It began with losing a very wanted baby through miscarriage, having to move my elderly mom away from me and closer to my sister, experiencing postpartum depression, being diagnosed with anemia, and feeling brokenhearted when my mother passed away. Soon after her death, I was diagnosed with chronic Epstein-Barr virus, which is like a prolonged mono, and my husband (Jack) fell off the roof of our house!

Completely worn out, I wasn’t sure how I’d ever take care of my husband while he recovered. The long road began with a month in the hospital for Jack, with surgeries and recovery from multiple head-to-toe fractures. While he was in a wheelchair for the next five months, learning to walk again, and then continuing rehab, God continued to intervene at every turn.

People from hundreds of miles away prayed for him and many friends also supplied us with delicious meals for us to eat until my kids missed my cooking enough to beg me to make my special recipes for them again. At the hospital, my husband chose thankfulness, despite the overwhelming pain. He even wrote thank you notes to the cafeteria staff at the hospital! We saw answered prayer and miracles almost every day. In the midst of the valley, God lifted us to the mountaintop and held us there in His arms.

We grew closer to the Lord and to each other. This fearful Christian (me), who hadn’t grown much spiritually in eighteen years, was forced to grow in my faith as tests and trials pressed in around me. For me, it was the beginning of a new stage of growth in my faith journey with Jesus Christ. I may not have chosen these trials, but God knew what He was doing as He allowed each one.

The end game God has in mind is to conform us to the image of His Son (Jesus), but will we choose to cooperate with Him? Romans 8:28-29 (WEB) says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

I once read a book that challenged me to thank God for my trials. And I did so begrudgingly for more recent testing I’ve endured. Yet, that somehow set me free and allowed God to do a new work in me. There wasn’t instant joy by any means, but perhaps that’s what it means to “Count it all joy.” If I can look at each trial—big or small—as something that God wants to use for my good and His glory, then thankfulness and even joy may flourish.

Like the pansies in the cracks of the patio, we too can grow to be hardier and our roots deeper into our faith despite the hard circumstances around us.

Let’s Pray: Father in Heaven, help me to see that You lovingly allow the difficulties, whether big or little, into my life that I might shine brighter for You. Please give me a more thankful heart that leads to Your special kind of joy. Help me to conform into the image of Your Son. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Count It All Joy” by BeBe and CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and a multi-published author of historical Christian romance. She is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). 

Kathleen has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She’s in the grip of God’s grace and is a fan of the three C’s: cats, coffee, and chocolate.

Kathleen is mother of three children. She is also a former homeschool instructor, mild-mannered dental assistant, and new Community Bible Study Children and Youth Director. Kathy lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of many years, and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.

As an author, she is represented by Linda S. Glaz of the Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency.

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Connect with Kathleen:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerouser
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathleenRouser
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rouserkathy/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kerouser/_saved
Website: https://kathleenrouser.com
Mewe: https://mewe.com/i/kathleenrouser

Devotionals for the Heart: Miracles can happen when you praise God

Power in Praise
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

—Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

In my early 20s, I didn’t fully comprehend the power of praise until I was in desperate need of God’s divine intervention on my behalf.

I was a new drama teacher on a three-year provisional teaching license, since I had been unable to pass the math section of The Praxis, the state teacher’s exam. Math and I have a love-hate relationship. I avoid it at all costs. Yet, I had been forced to take the math section three times because each time I missed the passing score by one point.

When I discovered the state had gone to a composite scoring system (combining scores for writing, reading, and math), I was elated. This meant I could take the reading section again and, by increasing my points, I could offset the math deficiency. I needed to score three points above my previous reading score to make it work.

For months, I studied the guides to The Praxis reading test. The night before the test, I knew I had done all I could do to be ready. One study guide even said not to study anything more the night before because the likelihood of absorbing anything new was low. So, I tried to relax, but my mind raced with worry. What if I didn’t get the extra points I need? I had run out of time to take the test again. This was my last shot.

Everything I tried to use as a distraction didn’t work. So, I opened my Bible and prayed. I went to the Book of Psalm and I found comfort in Psalm 18:6 (ESV), “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”

Psalm 18 is King David’s address to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies. As I meditated on the Psalm, it hit me:

Whenever David had a problem, he prayed, worshipped, and then, he praised God. He praised God in every circumstance. In the highs, the lows, the sufferings, and yes, even the pain. He is our example of a true worshipper with a heart after God. So, I followed his example. I put on my praise and worship music and for several hours I sang, danced, wept, and praised my God.

The next morning I rose, refreshed and renewed, and took my final reading test. The rest was up to God. Weeks later, I got a notification that my scores were ready. During my lunch break I made the call. When I heard the score I couldn’t believe my ears. I had passed! Not with just three extra points, but seven above that!

Seven is God’s number of completion. I felt in my spirit that not only did He give me what I needed, but because I had taken the time to praise him despite the outcome, he honored his word in Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV), that says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Don’t miss the most important part of those verses! He is able to do according to the power at work within us. What ignites His power within us is praise.

No matter what your situation, there is power to face it, endure it, overcome it, and change it through your praise. I guarantee it! I encourage you to take the leap of faith forward with praise. Praise Him through your tears, heartache, stress, or sorrow. As David declared in Psalm 150:6 (ESV), “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”

Praise is power. And God’s power will overcome for you! Praise the Lord!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for working on my behalf as I seek You in my need. I praise You with all that I have and all that I am. I praise You on the mountain and in the valley because You are worthy of all praise in every circumstance. There is no one like You, God. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.”

If you’re not sure how to praise, the song below is an excellent place to start.

Song of Reflection: “Psalm 150” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

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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!

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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: When Jesus Christ fed thousands with one meal

When Jesus Did a Miracle with Fishes and Loaves
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”—John 6:9 (ESV)

Sometimes, like this little boy mentioned in the Bible verse above, we might feel like we don’t have much to offer Jesus Christ.

We may look at our life, what we have in our hands, and think that it doesn’t look like enough for God’s purposes. Maybe, as we look around and compare ourselves to other people, we think that we need more. More knowledge, more experience, more of anything to be used by God or to make a difference in His Kingdom.

I struggle with this frequently. I think: “Is my calling worthy enough?” and “Will it please God?”

Dear friend, we are worthy because God is worthy. We are not saved because of anything we could ever do but because of Who He is. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

God has callings for each of us. He has placed us in our specific families, neighborhoods, and countries on purpose. Indeed, He has also placed specific people in our life for a reason.

But more than anything we could do for God, He wants us to cultivate a relationship with Him first and foremost, and second, cultivate a relationship with the people He’s placed around us. In Him, we are enough because He is enough. Remember this verse: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 ESV).

Remember the little boy I mentioned in the beginning of this devotional?

I wish I could’ve been there to watch this scene unfold. What might he have been thinking when he offered his measly meal of five loaves and two fish to the Son of God? Perhaps he stepped forward with a humble heart, fully trusting Jesus could work a miracle with his little offering. Or maybe his heart stuttered and sank when he saw the thousands of hungry faces around him. After all, it seemed it wouldn’t be enough for even a portion of the large and hungry crowd to leave satisfied. But regardless of what he felt, filled with faith or fear, the little boy chose to give Jesus the food he had. It wasn’t much, but it was more than enough for Jesus to multiply.

How many times do we refrain from offering God what we have because it doesn’t seem like enough? Or how many times do we look at our circumstances and think that God can’t multiply our minimal? Now, this is not an excuse to give God less than our best. But what about when our best doesn’t feel good enough?

Dear friend, God isn’t waiting for us to have “enough” before we offer Him what we have. Instead, He wants us to offer Him what we have and watch Him multiply the fish and loaves.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I often look at what I have to offer You and feel so unworthy. But I know You don’t care about anything I could offer You but my heart. Lord, I give You my heart and trust You to use it for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fishes and Loaves” by Josiah Queen. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals for the Heart: A life lesson about the providence of God

The Paper Bassinette
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.” 

–Exodus 2:3 (ESV)

One day when I drove up to the parking space near the daycare provider’s home, my son told me that he wanted to walk to her door alone and that I should watch him.

I helped him out of his car seat. When he slid down to the pavement, he turned to me and reiterated that he wanted to go alone. I watched him make his way to the door and knock. When Marge opened the door, she looked at him standing there alone. She looked up at me standing beside the car and waved with an understanding look at my grieving face. She then hugged him as they went inside. I sat in the car for a while and cried. My only son was four years old and exercising independence and autonomy.

School is back in session. Many parents are simultaneously celebrating and grieving the transitions that their children are making. Whether it is daycare, kindergarten, first grade, middle school, high school, college or the workplace, parents are watching their children leave the protection of home to sail into new life dynamics.

Perhaps the story of Moses is illustrative of the overarching providence of God and the partnership with parents in creating the destinies of our children.

Born in a time of government sponsored genocide, Moses survived. His parents protected him as long as they could. At the end of their “family medical leave”, his parents took a leap of faith and constructed a paper bassinette. It was cunningly waterproofed with a primitive form of Flex Seal. After ensuring that the bassinette would float, they stayed within the letter of the law and cast the baby into the Nile, albeit a protected cove of reeds and cattails.

Providentially, the baby was discovered by a princess (the Pharaoh's daughter) while she bathed in the river. She took compassion on Moses and decided to adopt him. The princess continued to nurture Moses as he grew up and eventually, she introduced him into Egyptian high society. Throughout the early part of his life Moses was divinely protected and providentially prepared for the tactical destiny that lay before him.

Our children can be similarly protected by divinity for their destinies if we as parents do the work of waterproofing the crucibles of our children’s development. From the cradle through the classrooms, parents can add ballast and buoyancy to the lives of our children by prayerfully and faithfully immersing them, daily, in spirituality and values-based education. As they mature, their characters can be honed by presenting them with scenarios and controlled crisis that prepare them for real world circumstances that will display their character and draw out their integrity.

The story of Moses demonstrates that even if given the best of environments, every decision or experience that our children will face may not be good ones and that the consequences of bad behaviors are not comfortable. Moses acted inappropriately based upon a misguided sense of destiny and entitlement. It cost him dearly. Our children will make some mistakes, poor choices, and errors in judgment. Like Moses did, they too can recover, do right and live well.

As did Amram and Jochebed, let’s make spiritual investments in our children. Cover them daily with prayer. Teach them timeless truths of faith, spirituality, principle centered living and life skills. Test them. Coach them. Buff up the image of God in their lives and teach them to see and validate the image of God in others. In so doing, we can waterproof the crucibles of their lives. Instead of sinking, they will float. Later they will sail. Later still, they may soar. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 (KJV), “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” It is important to pray for our children!

Let’s Pray: Almighty God, we lay our children before you today. As they have started school again, we ask your covering grace upon them, their fellow students, teachers and staff members. Make their schools into havens of peace, security, and harmony. Keep them safe while enroute, while they're and on their way home. Make our homes fortresses of faith, love and rest. Develop Your dreams for us within us and use us as Heaven’s Ambassadors within our spheres of influence. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Listen to it here.

~*~
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 Jesus Christ Made the Blind Man See

When Jesus Christ Made the Blind Man See
A devotional by Angela Anderson

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”–John 9:39 (NLT)

In the Bible, there is a story in the book of John, chapter 9, about a man who was blind from birth. When Jesus and His disciples saw the man, the disciples asked Jesus if the man was blind because of his own sin or the sins of his parents. Jesus explained to the disciples that the man’s blindness had nothing to do with sin, but there was a greater purpose involved in the moment.

As the story progresses, Jesus spit in the dirt to form mud. Jesus then put the mud on the blind man’s eyes and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When the blind man did what Jesus commanded him to do, the blind man returned to Jesus with the ability to see.

The people who knew the man and his parents were confused. They could not understand why this person who was once blind could now see. The Pharisees and the lawmakers were also confounded. They started an investigation to somehow make sense of how this blind man received sight. They did not want to accept the fact that a miracle was just performed. They chose not to give the glory to God, instead they ended up dismissing the man from the synagogue.

Who was blind in this story? The logical answer would be the man who had been blind since birth, but when you look at the story in greater detail, it is apparent that he was not the only one who was blind. True, he was physically blind, but what about the others who were spiritually blind?

The disciples were spiritually blind when they tried to assign blame for a human being’s problem instead of seeing the opportunity for God to reveal His power. Jesus opened the eyes of the disciples by performing a miracle that day. The people and the Pharisees were spiritually blind when they questioned the man’s identity and whether he was even born blind. They closed their eyes to God’s divine power and intervention, and rejected the evidence that was right in front of them.

Even now, God is trying to get our attention, but all of us suffer with some degree of visual impairment. Spiritual blindness is sinful when we refuse to see Jesus. We only see what we expect to see or what we want to see, instead of looking for evidence of what God is doing in our lives.

We must ask the question, how can I be a part of God’s vision for my life? And then look beyond our predicament and focus on the possibilities.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, Open our eyes so that we may see you working in our lives. Help us to believe that you are waiting to do exceedingly and abundantly above anything we could ever ask or think. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Please Don’t Pass Me By” sung by Fred Hammond. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn (New York) and raised in New Jersey. 

She started writing at an early age and realized in elementary school that it was both a strength and a passion. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood.

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God, and she is currently working on another devotional book that will be introduced in 2023.

This is Angela's third year as a devotional writer for Alexis A. Goring’s “God is Love” blog. In 2021, Angela was a winner of a devotional writing contest where the entry is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book is titled, Hope When Your Heart is Heavy. The following year, another one of Angela’s devotionals was published in another publication from Proverbs 31 Ministries, called Living Unbroken.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing and speaking.

Angela is a Mom Life Coach. She empowers mothers who want to identify their God-given purpose and live it fully while taking care of their family. Angela develops mothers into mompreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to be successful and fulfilled in life. These tools equip them to see their value, understand their importance, and reclaim their identity.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 18 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 10) and Ryan (age 5). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling.

She treasures spending quality time with her family.

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Connect with Angela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/
Facebook (personal): https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook (Author page): https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Angela offers free consultations for mothers who want to pursue their dream while taking care of their family. Schedule here: www.ChatWithCoachAngela.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to trust and obey God through it all

Good Things Await
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”—Psalm 81:10 (ESV)

As I read the story of the Israelites, I realize that I can relate to them in a lot of ways. Many of the lessons God teaches His chosen people throughout the Old and New Testaments can certainly apply to us as well. Do you remember their story? In case you don’t, I’ll write a refresher below. The following is the shortened version.

The Israelites had suffered as slaves in Egypt for 430 years. They wanted nothing more than for someone to come save them and to set them free from their bondage. Eventually, God raised up one of their own—a man named Moses and his brother, Aaron, to lead His people out of Egypt.

It’s a long and harrowing process, but once Pharoah finally let the Israelites go, things seemed to be looking up until Pharoah changed his mind and with his armies, chased the Israelites soon after their exodus. For a moment they panicked because the Red Sea was infront of them and Pharoah and his army were behind them. They needed a miracle and God delivered them by splitting the Red Sea so that they could walk through it on dry ground. As soon as they were safe on the other side, God closed the Red Sea over their enemies, and they never had to see those Egyptians again!

But then, they entered the Wilderness of Sin. They spent days in the desert that turned into months and years before they could enter the Promised Land. A trip from Egypt to the Promised Land should only have taken 11 days but there was a delay because the Israelites complained and disobeyed God. As a result, they had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years. During this journey, they were not content with God’s daily provision of manna from Heaven (Exodus 16). They didn’t have any meat available to them like they had as slaves in Egypt. They said that they would’ve rather “died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 16:3).

Had not God had proven Himself faithful when he brought the ten plagues upon the Egyptians and kept the Israelites from harm? What about when He had parted the Red Sea?

The Israelites had forgotten the faithfulness of God and their past season looked enticing. On multiple occasions, they were even willing to return to Egypt and be slaves again because the fear of the future was too frightening!

In the same way, sometimes, God calls us to walk away from a season because it was harmful for us. Or maybe, it was a great season, but it’s simply time to move on. How many times have we been like the Israelites, afraid to face change? Have you ever wanted to go back to a past season just because change looks too scary? I know I have.

God doesn’t desire that we live in captivity. I also believe that He doesn’t mean for us to stay in the same season forever. But what do we do when seasons change? It can be frightening, and we can be tempted to hold onto the past, whether it was good or bad. But I truly believe that He wants us to let go and step into the new season. Remember His words in Psalm 81:10, “I am the LORD your God,” He tells the Israelites. “who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

God was faithful to bring the Israelites out of captivity. He didn’t want them to go back. We, like the Israelites, need a frequent reminder of that story. We need to remember that God brought us up out of the last season, out of high school, out of a longtime job, out of a relationship, and we’re not meant to go back.

This is where the next part of the verse comes in. After we’ve come out of a previous season, I think we just stand there, too afraid to move forward, and long for the past because it seems “safe”.

But we’re so busy staring at the past that we miss the present and the fact that God wants to move in our lives now. I believe God wants us to be expectant. We should trust that He will provide for us now as He did back then. There is beauty in every season. Imagine how many good things await us if we opened our hearts and allowed Him to move freely in our life.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, please forgive me for being stuck in the past when you’re calling me forward. Please help me to be brave and courageous and take the next step forward, whatever that looks like. I trust that You have my best interests at heart. You will not lead me somewhere that You will not be. Thank you for that! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trusted” by Jillian Edwards. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to seriously follow God’s calling to write a novel. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has at least four novels in the works. For the past five years, she has been involved with her local Biblical theater company. She wants to show others the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

When she’s not acting or working on her upcoming novel, you can find Hannah laughing with her siblings, cuddling her little fluffy dog, or reading books (usually historical fiction or fantasy stories). You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlynnauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Blog: www.loveunconditional.blog

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to say "Thank You" to God

Having an Attitude of Gratitude
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness

continues to each generation.”

–Psalm 100:4-5 NLT

Just over a year, ago a very dear friend went through a serious health challenge.

She had to have what I consider one of the most dangerous surgeries on her brain.

The brain is the headquarters of our bodies. It’s the command post for our body functions. So, you know this was not just routine surgery. Family and friends prayed and prayed for her safety. She went for tests, researched, and asked questions as she juggled her ministry role as well as mothering a vibrant four-year-old and loving her husband. Week after week there still were no concrete answers until one test and an alert technician, she was finally able to receive a diagnosis.

The first prayer we offered was, “Thank you, Lord” because we now had a name, a label to put on the illness. We said thank you because she could name it and give it to God. We knew He could heal her chronic pain and discomfort which were the first signs she knew something was wrong. Many people go undiagnosed for years with illnesses and it is frustrating to know what the issue is and how can it be treated.

We trusted God, and we rejoiced when she went into the hospital and came out alive! She came out hopeful in trusting that the surgeon was able to remove the tumor which we would come to learn had been growing for several years.

Psalm 100:4 MSG reads:

Enter with the password: “Thank you!”

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank him. Worship him.

Thank you is the password to enter God’s presence.

Can you imagine coming into your friend’s home and saying thank you right away for having you over or allowing you to visit? What would that do to your heart and mind? I know for me it would tell me you’re grateful to come and be with me.

Gratitude and thanksgiving are what the Lord delights in when His children come into His presence with thanks. It’s like the red carpet rolled out for an award show. Is it easy for you to come before the Lord with a grateful heart or are you ready to unleash a grocery list of requests and concerns? Don’t get me wrong, prayer is all things communication. But just think about someone frequently coming into your home, to a meeting or a dinner opening the conversation with frustrations and all the things going wrong in their day. Would we look forward to being with them? I can say I would not.

I am so thankful that gratitude was taught to my siblings and I at a very early age. We were told to always be grateful. Our mother’s wish was that the gracious words, “Please” and “Thank you” would flow freely on our lips. My mom wanted us to live life grateful for everything we received and in everything wherever we found ourselves.

When my birthday rolls around in August, I am always grateful to be alive! The best gift I’ve received is life and I will be forever grateful. Knowing that I am loved, watched over and have access to the throne of the King of Kings. How great is our God! I’m deeply grateful to know Him as our Heavenly Father. Do you know Him? He loves you and wants to be in your life.

Let’s Pray: Father God, it is a good thing to give thanks to You for all You are and for all You’ve done. I’m so grateful for Your goodness and for all You’ve done for me. Even more, I’m so thankful for the best gift ever received through Your Son (Jesus Christ) coming to this Earth to die on a cruel cross for all mankind. Help us to always be grateful and to always find a way to praise You in every situation we find ourselves in. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Thank You” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

She also travels to speak to audiences internationally.

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Miracles

A Change of Heart
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” –Acts 16:25 (KJV)

I think each of us has gone to God and asked him to change a big situation in our lives.

Perhaps you have personally asked Him to heal a sick family member. Maybe you have asked Him to get you out of debt. Or perhaps you have asked Him to show you His will for your life.

We pray in earnest, expecting God to answer our prayers as He answered Moses and Elijah. But then, He does not answer our prayers. Not as soon as we would like, anyway. Unfortunately, when we feel God does not care enough to change our circumstances, we turn to ourselves and our own strengths to fix our problems.

Why can we not get God’s attention as the prophets of the Old Testament or as the Apostles of the New Testament had done? We may be led to believe that God does not listen to His people as He did in the Bible. Or maybe we start believing that God is not as great as He was in Bible times. These thoughts could be the most destructive lies we could possibly believe. Maybe the issue does not lie with God, but with our expectations.

God does wonderful things in our lives. He still performs miracles and is still as wonderful as He was in the beginning. But what if God miraculously changed your situation today? Wouldn’t you be back the next day to ask for something more? The miracles are not enough, dear reader. Only the Miracle Worker is enough.

The Miracle Worker is not as interested in your outward circumstances as He is with your internal heart. God desires your heart, and your heart is the focus of His daily miraculous works—the appointed location of divine miracle activity. In fact, God prizes your heart above all else.

God is far more interested in working in your heart, rather than working in your situation. This radical miracle—a miracle of the heart—requires a certain level of submission. We must lay down our own agendas and desires. We must be willing to sacrifice our comfort for His glory. We must be willing to submit to His will and make it ready for His miracle working power.

Consider Paul and Silas in the prison after they had nearly been beaten to death for their faith. They sat in a dark and filthy prison, their hands and feet chained, but their outward circumstances did not affect their internal joy. Those men prayed and sang praises to God while in pain and imprisoned. Later in the story, God would perform an outward miracle and rescue Paul and Silas from the prison, but God had already performed the greater miracle of changing their hearts and turning them toward Himself.

So many times, when I ask for big outward change, I expect an immediate difference.

Thankfully, God is far more patient than me. God first gives me peace. Often, this peace only comes when I still my thoughts and focus on Him. I have to let go of the outward chaos and noise and focus on what is really important. I have to focus on Him. Oddly enough, it is when I am trusting fully in who He is that He begins to orchestrate my situations and works through me.

My circumstances may not change, but troubles and fears seem so small when brought to the light of Jesus. Releasing your worry and unease at His feet is the most freeing thing you will ever do. As a child of God, you no longer have to be controlled by your circumstances. You no longer have to carry your heavy burdens and worries. Give them to Jesus. His hands are always open.

What is the situation in your life that completely overwhelms you? What would it look like for God to perform a miracle in your heart? Perhaps your answers do not lie in working harder or in your own prayer ability. Maybe He is calling you to stillness.

God can give you a change of heart. Simply be still, acknowledge who He is, and ask Him to perform a miracle in the deepest parts of your being. Believe me, dear reader, God delights in entering a humble and broken heart. Let Him enter your heart today and perform the deepest of miracles. When God changes your heart, your outward circumstances will be transformed as you learn to see them through God’s perspective.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank you for always being patient, even when we do not understand. Our world is plagued with injustice and worries, but we pray that You first perform miracles in us that you may work your miracles through us. Please make our hearts always open to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Tessa’s devotional message today reminds me of this song by Cody Carnes “Too Good To Not Believe”. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

God’s dream of Tessa becoming a writer was revealed to her at the age of sixteen and she hasn’t been able to stop since. Though she has not yet been published, Tessa enjoys writing historical romance novels and speculative fiction.

Tessa believes God loves stories, and through her writing, she wants to reveal the happily ever after God dreams of for each of his daughters—one where Jesus is the knight in shining armor.

Tessa loves all things Georgian/Regency, needlework, and dainty teacups of every size. When she isn’t writing or studying for exams, Tessa can be found in the kitchen with more flour in her hair and on the floor than in the mixing bowl, though the mess is always half the fun!

~*~
Connect with Tessa:
Blog: https://beautifulbeloved937002841.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beloved.bookworm/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

Devotionals for the Heart: When you learn how to wait on the Lord

Worth The Wait
A devotional by Angela Anderson

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 — John 11:32 (NIV)

The phone kept ringing. Finally, my call was answered – but it was voicemail again. That was the third person on my “favorites” contact list who I tried to reach. I was on the verge of tears, and I desperately needed to speak with someone. I just wanted to hear a comforting voice, but no one was coming to my rescue. My heart sank as my fourth call went straight to voicemail. Why weren’t any of my friends available when I needed them the most?

I imagine Martha and Mary felt the same way when they made a SOS call to their Best Friend (Jesus Christ), and there was no immediate answer. You can open a Bible and read John 11 for the full story. Here’s the short story: Their brother Lazarus was deathly ill, and they knew Jesus could make him well. The situation was critical and there was no time to waste. Yet Jesus casually stayed where He was for two more days before starting on His journey to see Lazarus! When Jesus finally arrived on the scene, Lazarus had been dead for four days!

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she ran to meet Him. She greeted Jesus with these words: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Later in the same chapter, Martha’s sister Mary also confronted Jesus with those same words (John 11:32).

Have you ever cried out to God in distress, but your prayer seemed to be lost in a black hole?

Have you ever wondered where was God when you were going through the darkest moments of your life? Martha and Mary were crushed with disappointment. They felt as though the friend who they depended on did not show up when they needed Him the most. But Jesus did show up and when He did, He was filled with compassion. He felt their pain and immediately responded to their sorrow. According to John 11:33, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.”

Jesus asked to be led to the tomb where Lazarus lay dead, then He did something beyond anything they could have ever imagined: He raised Lazarus from the dead!

God also wants to do something amazing for us in the middle of a tragedy or disappointment.

We may be expecting something immediate, but sometimes God’s delay is intentional. As John 11:15a reads: “And for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.”

God postpones His arrival to our situation in order to strengthen our faith, so that when He appears with all power and might, there will be no other option than to believe that it is God coming to our rescue.

The uncertainty in the waiting is hurtful, but He feels our pain and knows our hurt. When we cannot feel His presence, God is ever so present! Although there may be a delay, it does not mean there is a denial. God will show up, and when He does, it be worth the wait.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, You are wonderful and amazing in so many ways. Thank you for coming to our rescue in the past and for promising to be there in the future. May we trust and believe that You are with us, no matter how we feel or what we may expect. You have proven to be a faithful God. Strengthen us as we wait on You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Note from Alexis: Angela’s devotional message today reminds me of the song “I Don’t Mind Waiting” by Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in NJ. She found her love for writing when she was in elementary school. She continued writing through high school, college, and into adulthood.

Angela is the author of a devotional book titled, Just When I Thought I Knew God, and a children's book that is not yet published.

In 2021, Angela started writing articles for an online magazine called Christian Women Living, where she focuses on writing messages for mothers and sharing advice on parenting. In addition to this, Angela wrote a devotional that is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries. The book title is Hope When Your Heart is Heavy.

Angela has a passion for inspiring and impacting others through her writing as well as speaking. She is the co-founder of Anchor Moms, a ministry to cure loneliness in Motherhood. Currently, this ministry meets via a group on Facebook.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson, for 17 years. Together, they have two sons: Thomas (age 9) and Ryan (age 4). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling, and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her personal mission is to empower others to achieve their goals and dreams.

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Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook fan page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God:
https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/

Devotionals for the Heart: When God has more in store for you

What if God Wants More for You?
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” – Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

A few days ago, I recorded a video for a select group of individuals. During that video I spoke about Peter and John healing a man who was lame, and I referenced Acts 3:1-10 (NLT).

In this Scripture, you can read how this man was “lame from birth.” People carried him and “put him beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple” (Acts 3:2 NLT).

When this man who was lame saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter then told the man, “Look at us!” The man looked at them expecting to receive some money. But instead, Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Let’s read what happens next in Acts 3:7-8a (NLT): “Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!”

The man stood up and walked into the temple with Peter and John, while praising God. In Acts 3:10, it is stated that the people were filled with wonder and amazement because of what happened.

When God Wants More for You

When I read and reflect on this story, I always ask myself, “What if God wants more?”

The man who was lame asked Peter and John for alms, not realizing he was about to receive something a million times better–a complete healing, an ability to do something he had never done before. Think about this! We go to God in prayer, and at times, we ask Him for things, according to what we (the flesh) want or think we should have. Some of us may even take those steps of trying to make some things happen without consulting God. Quite often, we don’t realize that God’s plans and blessings for us are greater than we imagine.

Don’t Withhold Praise from God

I just cannot skip the following very important part of the story. Note that in Acts 3:8 (NKJV), it is stated that the man who was once lame praised God! “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” He was not ashamed. He was not shy about it. He was overjoyed and He praised the Lord for this miraculous act that was done. We should not withhold our praise from the Lord. When God does something for us, we should not be shy about praising Him.

The Way God Blesses You Will Amaze People

In Acts 3:10, it is stated that the people were “filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him”. This man who was lame from birth, can now walk? But not only is he walking, he is leaping! The Lord made it obvious what He can do by healing the man who was once lame. What has God done in your life that has amazed people?

Just think about those times when people counted you out, those times people underestimated you, those times people assumed you would never be healed and be whole again, those times when people saw the predicament you were in and assumed you would never make it … But God worked a miracle in your life and it amazed people! Those same individuals who doubted what God could do for you were astounded. Now, think about the numerous things God will do in your life. I don’t know about you, but I get excited every time I think about it!

Expect More

When we pray, let’s ask God’s will to be done, and let us not be limited in our thinking. God has plans to do extraordinary things through us. What He has in mind may be different from what your mind initially conceived. Although God’s goals for you may be different, what He has planned for you is better. It is more.

In closing, please remember: Your plans for yourself cannot compete with God’s plans for you.

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Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name “Positivity Inspires,” is an author, speaker, minister, PharmD, multi-state licensed pharmacist, founder and owner of Positivity Inspires, LLC, and most importantly, a servant of the Lord. 

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.
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Dr. Borden has been blessed with a variety of gifts, and she has gained much professional experience in a variety of settings. She also has served in administrative roles in the professional and church settings. In addition to obtaining her PharmD, she also obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology (minor in English), and she is working on her third degree. What’s more, as stated in her words, “I completed a specialty pharmacy residency that prepared me for the workforce and made me a force to be reckoned with.”

Temeka is a long-distance runner, a drummer, a singer, and she has a strong “fashion sense.” She also can read and type at almost supersonic speed in some instances.

Dr. Borden loves to learn and is constantly looking for new ways to challenge herself.

She loves God and she loves people. She is “crazy about her family,” and she adores her friends. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone.

Temeka loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments.

Dr. Borden loves to laugh and loves to make other people laugh. She also is passionate about giving back to the community. Her favorite sayings are “Speak Up!” and “Watch God Work!”

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Connect with Temeka:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PositivityInspiresPage/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/positivity_inspires/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/pinspires

Devotionals for the Heart: Courage

Choose to Be Courageous!
A devotional by Patricia Russell

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

–Matthew 14:27 (NLT)

Courage is a character trait we are all growing in. There is no timeline for reaching capacity. Joshua was told to “Be strong and courageous” in that moment and it would be a mindset he would have to walk in daily and grow in as the situations presented themselves.

We will be given opportunities where we need to choose to “be” courageous. Our Heavenly Father is so patient with us! In Matthew 14:13-21, we read of the event where Jesus Christ fed 5,000 people! You know it didn’t take five minutes for the team to feed all those people and pick up all the leftovers and garbage, not at all. But Jesus took the food (five loaves and two fish), blessed it then God made a way for the food to feed everyone to the point of fullness. There were even leftovers (twelve basketfuls of broken pieces, the Bible says)!

Another lesson in being strong and courageous is in taking time to go to a quiet place to be alone with God. During His time on Earth, Jesus did this daily. He always pulled aside to talk to His Father. That was His first priority that He always kept in order. He never missed an appointment with his Father.

After feeding the 5,000 people, Jesus instructed His disciples to get in a boat and cross to the other side (Matthew 14:22) of the lake while He sent the (fully fed) people home. While the disciples were out in the boat, a storm raged around them. The Bible says that they were “fighting heavy waves” (Matthew 14:24). All you boat lovers would just love the thrill of this but others like me would be wearing their lifejacket and holding on.

If you’ve ever been out at sea then you know when the sky looks blurry and the wind is blowing then you can start “seeing” things if you’re not careful. Well, Jesus in His own let-me-surprise-you way walked out on the water toward the boat. His disciples weren’t sure what they were seeing and thought it was a ghost. Jesus knew that they were terrified and shouted, “Don’t be afraid, “Take courage. I am here!”

Peter got himself together and yelled back, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” Jesus replied, “Yes, come.”

Peter heard Him say “Come” and decided to put his faith in action. He got out of the boat, fixed his eyes on Jesus and started walking on the water, toward Him. The Bible says in Matthew 14:30, “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.”

Peter represents all of us in this story. You know how it goes: We venture out of our comfort zone, and take the risk to do what we are called to do – afraid. But our minds are made up and our eyes are set on our goal, so we start to move toward it. Then out of nowhere comes a distraction in the form of a discourager, naysayer, bad news report or family member telling you you’ll never succeed! It is then that we have two choices: We can acknowledge, listen and agree with the distraction by changing course. OR we can choose to push past whatever form the distraction has come in and keep moving forward.

It comes down to a CHOICE. Courage is a CHOICE. You get to choose! Peter chose. He got out of the boat, started to move fearlessly toward His Savior but moments later, he became distracted and started sinking. The good news is that Jesus reached out and saved him! He did not let Peter go under the water and drown.

Not letting this teachable moment go by without applying it to help His student, Jesus as the Master Teacher, kindly admonished Peter for having “so little faith” then asked him, “Why did you doubt me?”

Let me just say this, if you got out of the boat, don’t stop. You picked up your pen and notepad to write or you turned on your computer and started to type that book. Good choices! Now, don’t stop. You started that business – don’t stop. You started speaking – don’t stop.

Whatever it is you have finally grabbed the courage to start, and you know this is what God called you to do, keep going and don’t stop. You can do this!

Here are some thoughts to help you keep pushing forward and stay courageous:

· Pray to God

· Study God’s Word (The Holy Bible)

· Read biographies of people who could have given up but didn’t

· Surround yourself with people who are growing

· Write your goals and post them so you can see them

The only ones who win and get the prize are those who endure to the end. So, arm yourself with a winning mindset, fix your eyes on Jesus Christ and move forward! When you stay focused on your Savior, you will not sink!

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you for reminding me that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Just as You were with the disciples in the storm, I believe You are with me now. I will be bold and courageous today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Patricia Russell is a speaker, worship leader, author, certified life coach and songwriter.

Her gifts have been shared internationally with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through words and songs. She has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers. Over her 30 years in ministry, she has been a featured artist in musical cantatas locally and the United States of America.

Patricia had the honour of leading worship at the kick-off event for the 2006 the “Just Give Me Jesus” Toronto Revival with Anne Graham Lotz who is the eldest daughter of Billy Graham, a well-known American evangelist.

Patricia serves in ministry along with her husband Rev. Wayne Russell. Together, they have served as guest hosts on a local early morning call in program called “Nite Lite Live” that formerly aired on the CTS Television Network. They have two adult children Raquel and Benjamin.

Patricia has recorded two CD’s: “Lord I Trust You” and a live recording “Draw Me Nearer.” She is also an author. Her first book is titled Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement. It is meant to further encourage and share life lessons as a result of her cancer journey. She is a co-author of a #1 bestseller book titled Crushed Diamonds Still Sparkle, and she has compiled the recent #1 bestseller book titled Stronger Resilience.

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