Devotionals for the Heart: A Mission from God for all Christ-followers

How to Tell the World about Jesus Christ
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”—Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

Throughout the Bible, God gives His people jobs He wants them to do.

He begins in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, when He assigns Adam the job of tending the garden God made (Genesis 2:15). From there, Noah is commissioned to build an ark (Genesis 6:9-22). Later, God sends Moses to Egypt to lead His captive people to freedom in the Promised Land (Exodus 3:10). God’s message to work continues throughout the rest of His Word (The Holy Bible).

In the New Testament, God records the many miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to note that when Jesus is resurrected after His death on the Cross, God’s work continues in the lives of the followers of Jesus.

One of those followers of Jesus was a man named Paul, a well-educated Pharisee who initially persecuted the young church. After Paul met the risen Lord Jesus, he became a missionary who brought the message of salvation to the nations outside of Israel—the Gentile people.

Mission work is all about preaching the good news of Jesus, discipling believers in Jesus, and then equipping the new believers to also become missionaries. It was hard work. Even today, with airplanes, buses, and cars replacing Paul’s foot travel, missionary work is costly and time-consuming.

Paul was a tradesman who made tents to supplement his missionary journeys (Acts 18:3). All through the letters of Paul, he refers to his labor (1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9). Paul knew and understood the value of hard work.

In today’s world, many pastors and missionaries are bi-vocational, just like Paul. They work in a career to tell people about Jesus, and they supplement their living expenses with a job doing something different. The work of Christians may look a little different from the tent-making of Paul, but the commitment to be useful sharing the gospel of Jesus is the same.

So, what is the work that the Lord asks us to do? Telling others about Jesus is our highest calling. And to work with our own hands is part of that calling. It is vital to our opportunities of meeting new people and sharing the hope we have in Jesus.

Here in my city, one of the restaurants is run by people who love the Lord. Their food is fresh, handmade, and always tasty. One of the most impactful things about their establishment is the walls. As you walk in the door, Bible verses are the first things you see. In beautiful hand-lettered script, the words of the Lord testify to His goodness. What started out as a restaurant known for its excellent bread also serves the Bread of Life—God’s Word.

The modern world jobs are myriad, and new job descriptions are being written every day to meet the needs of a growing global economy. But the job of Christians everywhere is to share about Jesus. Whether we are a corporate executive, a computer technician, a teacher, a bread baker, or a tent maker, the job we’ve been given enables us to draw people to our Lord and Savior. It doesn’t matter if it’s stencils on a wall of the workplace, or starting a lunchtime Bible study at work, it’s what the Lord puts in front of us to do.

We can work heartily because our work is for the delight of our Heavenly Father. We work for the King of Glory!

Let’s Pray: Lord Jesus, help us to take joy in the work You’ve allowed us to do. Please bless the people who will hear about Jesus as we go to work. Please help us to share Your love and Your salvation everywhere we go. Thank You, Lord. It is in Your Name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “The Mission” (song) by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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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

Stories of Love: A Night Divine

Today, we're featuring my author friend Dawn Kinzer's book, 

A Night Divine.

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Book Blurb:

Despite her success, model Camryn Tate longs for something more. She’s lived a life of privilege, lacking for nothing, so why can’t she be content? 

As an outreach minister for an inner-city church, Trace Gardner serves the homeless in Seattle. Although the work is rewarding, he envisions providing life-changing opportunities for the destitute. One problem stands in his way—raising the funds needed for renovations on a building that will house new programs.

One chilly December night, a tragedy connects Camryn and Trace, and the devastating experience spurs her into volunteering with his team. As they share a common mission, they provide more than food—they offer hope. But as Christmas Eve approaches and the two grow closer, secrets have the potential to break someone’s heart.

This story is a sequel to the author’s full-length novel, By All Appearances, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

A Night Divine was originally published in 2020 when it was included in Melodies of Christmas Love, an anthology that included seven new contemporary romances by seven authors.

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Author Bio:

Dawn Kinzer is a freelance editor, and her own work has been published in various devotionals and magazines. 

Sarah’s Smile is the first book in her historical romance series, The Daughters of Riverton. Hope’s Design is the second, and Rebecca’s Song completes the trilogy.

Her first contemporary romance, By All Appearances, is set in the Seattle area. The sequel to that story, A Night Divine, was initially released in the anthology of contemporary romances, Melodies of Christmas Love.

A mother and grandmother, Dawn lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

Favorite things include dark chocolate, good wine, strong coffee, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.

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Connect with Dawn:
Website: https://www.dawnkinzer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.kinzer.9/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Kinzer/e/B01M04SD8U
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnkinzer/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15811132.Dawn_Kinzer
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/dawn-kinzer
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dkinzer9/
Subscribe to Dawn's Author Newsletter and receive her short story, “Maggie’s Miracle” as a gift:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rqpuk6vztd

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this holiday book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Devotionals for the Heart: Our Mission

Purpose and Productivity
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

–Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

Have I somehow made “being productive” and “finding purpose” an idol in my life? I am aware, as most of us are, that God’s version of things like love, peace, happiness, and success are often very different from what the world expects. So my fear is that along the way, I have turned God’s calling and purpose for my life into an end goal it was never supposed to be.

I grew up in the church. I never felt a call to be a missionary or a pastor, but I always thought that somehow, with whatever talent I possessed, I would someday do “big things” for God. Yet here I am, in middle-age, feeling let down and afraid that I might have missed that one thing God had for me to do.

As I was pondering that rather depressing thought, a realization hit me that I know could only have come from God: He doesn’t need me to worry about doing big things or small things or even anything at all. He just needs my willingness and obedience for those moments when He does ask me to do something.

I only have so many days, so many years, and only this one life and I don’t want to waste it. But I have spent a lot of energy trying to figure out my purpose. What if what God really needs from me is to be still, listen to His voice, love Him and the people around me? What if I miss that because I’m looking to do something bigger? What if there really is no “one purpose”, but just day-to-day trust and obedience?

My father-in-law remarked once that when his kids were little, he’d gotten a video camera. He spent so much time trying to capture memories of school concerts and vacations, that he ended up only really experiencing them through the lens, feeling like he’d missed the event itself. I don’t want to be looking so hard for something that I miss the things around me.

Not all of us will have a platform for evangelism like Billy Graham, or have the resume of a Moses or King David. But we all have people in our lives who need to hear the Truth. We have children to raise to know Jesus. We have jobs to do with integrity so that people know we are people of good character. We have small kindnesses to do in our corner of the world. We can support others doing work in places around the world we will never see.

Worrying takes away a lot of joy. And if we are spending time with God, He is not going to let us miss out on what He has for us. He doesn’t need me to find my own version of purpose or productivity. He just needs me to listen and act.

“The Mission” song by Steve Green sums up my points today. Listen to it here.

Let’s Pray: Father God, You know everything about me, the world, and my place in it. Please help me to see where You want me to be, what You want me to do, and who You want me to share You with, however that looks. I know You have things set aside for me to do, but help me not be so focused on “doing”, that I forget how to just “be”. I love You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Little Lamb Books: Company Spotlight

Writing Books for Kids from a Faith Perspective
A guest post by Rachel Pellegrino

As a faith-based children’s publisher, I can tell you without hesitation that there is a hole in the market for faith-based fiction for young readers. There are numerous devotionals, journals, coloring books, and other non-fiction titles to choose from, but what families are looking for are entertaining books to rival what kids are learning about from friends, finding at school book fairs, or picking up in local bookstores.

In fact, walk into any major bookstore, and you will find shelves of interesting books for kids that tell stories of dystopian worlds, royal contests, and magical mutants. There are wonderful board books about the alphabet and counting and picture books and early readers that are seasonal or solve mysteries or teach new recipes. And, all these books are well-written and encourage the reading habits of children.

But, for families longing for more stories founded on biblical principles, it can be challenging to find even one shelf in a local bookstore where they can find wholesome, clean, and faith-oriented books that they don’t have to scan first, especially as children become tweens and teens.

The count is even less for those books that tell children it’s okay to lean on Christ, okay to love the Lord who made them, and okay to pray when they are afraid, lonely, or worried…far less that offer biblical references for encouragement, strength, joy, and love.

Why is this?

I don’t have all the answers. But, I do know that this is why I launched Little Lamb Books. As a premiere publishing company, our mission is to shepherd the next generation of faithful readers by striving to produce three to five fiction titles a year for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers. We want to put picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels that weave engaging plots with interesting characters in the hands of kids and encourage conversations about an almighty God that loves them and made them unique.

There is a hunger for stories that affirm a biblical worldview and celebrate God’s presence in our world as well as for stories that answer the need for colorful, entertaining, and yes, even humorous examples of characters overcoming obstacles, engaging in positive family relationships, and shining a light in a dark world, especially now, when nothing feels “normal” around us.

We need more writers wanting to grow in their God-given talent and build on their calling to write by creating wonderful fiction that enriches the imagination for the readers and inspires their love for reading while incorporating scripture, values, and salvation.

Our children read books to be entertained, to see themselves in the characters, to travel to new places, and to laugh and not feel alone. We need to give them those kinds of stories while encouraging discussions about challenging situations and believing in a God they cannot see or cannot touch.

As writers, we need to write stories for the elementary readers forming their own opinions and viewpoints with grace and dignity, integrity and kindness.

We need to write stories for middle grade girls and guys learning to stand up for themselves among their peers and how to value truth amidst the onslaught of virtual messages that distort the truth on a daily basis.

We need to create stories for high schoolers longing to be seen and heard, those young adults who value new worlds where love is real, friendships are valued, and diversity is accepted.

We need more faith-based fiction for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers, and I know that at Little Lamb Books we are doing everything we can to make those books a reality. If you’d like to help us by contributing to our Kickstarter campaign, please visit here.

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Author Bio:

Rachel Pellegrino is the owner and publisher of Little Lamb Books, an award-winning publisher of children’s books. 

Launched in 2015, Little Lamb Books has produced almost a dozen titles, all of which have won national awards, including two golds in the Benjamin Franklin Awards.

Rachel is passionate about collaborating with fellow publishers as well as empowering authors to be successful. Based in Texas, Rachel talks with her hands, offers individual author coaching, prefers Pepsi to coffee, and has a growing plush lamb collection much to her daughter’s delight.

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Connect with Rachel:
Website: https://www.rachelpellegrino.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaePelleTX/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raepelletx/

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Follow Little Lamb Books:
Website: https://littlelambbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlelambbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_lamb_books/

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Support Little Lamb Books:

Kickstarter Campaign:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/littlelambbooks/little-lamb-books-publisher-of-childrens-books

Devotionals for the Heart: Thoughts on why death is not the final chapter

Death is Not the Final Chapter

A devotional by Victoria Bylin

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

– 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)

This devotional is dedicated to my Mom

Darlene Bylin McLeary

12/2/1933 – 7/21/2009

My husband and I recently spent a week with our grandchildren – twin girls about to turn five, and their two-year-old brother. As you might imagine, you never know what’s going to come out of someone’s mouth.

During an Amelia Bedelia bedtime story, one of the girls looked me very seriously in the eye. “Grandma, you’re just a little crunchy now. But you’re going to get a lot crunchy and then you’ll die.”

Great. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger says in Kindergarten Cop, “Thanks for the tip.”

I’ve told that story about dozen times now, and every time I have the same reaction. I laugh and then I choke up with bittersweet tears.

Death . . . no one wants to talk about it, or think even think about it—unless they’re getting “crunchy” and it’s staring them in the face. Yet this is where the rubber meets the road in Christianity. We don’t worship a prophet like Mohammed or an enlightened Buddha. We worship the all-powerful God who raised His Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. As a result, those who believe in him will receive the gift of Heaven and eternal life.

May I be completely honest here? I believe in Heaven with everything in me, but I’m a little scared of death, the process of dying, and getting too crunchy to take care of myself.

I thank God for the words of Jesus in John 14:2 (KJV): “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

We also have the promise of Hebrews 11:1 (KJV): “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The resurrection of Christ is all the evidence we need of God’s love and power. Jesus Christ is Lord over all. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Those words comfort me. So does the experience of my mother’s passing. She was 75 years old when she lost her fight with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD is a combination of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. It’s a long battle with a slow decline, and she fought it bravely for many years. When the end came, she was in the hospital, surrounded by family, comfortable, and at peace.

I’ll never forget her last breath. God’s grace rained down on us all through our tears, and love flooded through the hospital room. There have been a handful of times in my life where I’ve felt the tangible presence of God. This was one of them—the biggest one by far. I can only describe the moment as sacred.

My granddaughter is right. Someday I will die, but hopefully not too soon! While I am in the land of the living, I intend to live well and love people as best as I can. The hope of eternity gives us that desire and the strength to do it. 

Knowing that I’ll see my Mom, Dad, and other loved ones again makes that sacred passage all the more powerful. There will be no more suffering—only perfect peace. No one will be crunchy in Heaven, and that’s good news indeed.

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Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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