Devotionals for the Heart: How Easter points us to the Creator of Life

We Are a Part of the Easter Story
A devotional by Alicia Searl

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

This beloved verse gets to the heart of our faith, portraying three key points:

Point #1: God loves His creation.

Point #2: God sacrificed His Son to save us from a fallen world.

Point #3: God gives us a choice in this life.

Easter isn’t only a story about a sinless man that lived a perfect life and died on a wooden cross. He (Jesus Christ) wasn’t just a man that loved others and performed miracles—He was the miracle for us! When we dig into the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…all books in the Bible), we discover that this story is the most powerful story of all time. It’s a story wrapped in hope and healing, grace and truth, and where sin meets beautiful redemption.

Jesus painstakingly suffered on that cross because it was all a strategic plan from God. It showed and encompassed His very nature. His righteousness. His wrath and judgement. His ultimate, unfailing, and sacrificial love. Sadly, it also depicted our human nature that is bound by cruelty and worldly transgressions. Satan tried to win. But Easter shines a light in the midst of darkness.

Acts 4:11-12 (CSB) tells us, “This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders,
which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” According to John 14:6, Jesus Christ is the only way to God. There is no other way to be saved in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus came in human form to save us from this harsh world and our own sinful flesh to flip the script and rewrite the story—our story. We celebrate Easter and honor our Savior because it isn’t just any story; it is a story where we have the opportunity to be a main character. Jesus is inviting us to play a crucial role and continue to share His righteousness, love, and truth with a lost and broken world.

The Easter season is a time when we have the distinct honor of celebrating the Author and Creator of this life. The One who writes our story and uses it to whisper hope, weave in healing, and project truth to everyone He places in our lives. Our purpose this side of heaven is simple: Love God by loving others.

We love others by sharing the powerful, true story of Easter! Christ’s life shows us how to love. His death gives us a pathway to redemption. His resurrection proves that He is not of man, but of God. If Jesus didn’t resurrect on that glorious third day, we would have no hope of an eternal life. We would be bound by our sins. Forgiveness wouldn’t matter. We would never be reunited with loved ones. Our testimony and confessions of faith would be pointless. Yet, Jesus rising from the grave is the pivotal plot twist that allows us to share the story of a man that led a devoted life, humbly walked the long and treacherous road to calvary, endured brutal beatings and was executed on a cross in shame on purpose for all of mankind! The Son of Man defeated death, so we don’t have to (Romans 6:23).

That is the hope we carry. May love and faithfulness never leave us (Proverbs 3:3) as we cling to the greatest story ever told, all while holding our head high knowing that we have the privilege of being a part of it!

Let’s Pray: Oh, beautiful Savior, how can we come before You with gracious hearts and even begin to truly understand the gravity and magnitude of Your love? Your story that weaves unwavering and unconditional love and grants us a pathway to peace and eternity is something we do not want to ever take for granted. Give us a way to share Your story with others and testify about how You have impacted our life. We long to give You glory this Easter, Lord. In Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Because He Lives (Amen)” by Matt Maher. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “My Redeemer Lives” by Nicole C. Mullen. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Just to Know You” by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Alicia Searl is a Christian author, writer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about sharing God’s Word to spread hope and healing. 

She is a contributing writer for iBelieve, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, and Your Daily Prayer. She has authored two devotionals, several Bible studies, a children’s book and coloring book top comfort grievers.

When she isn't writing her heart on a page, she enjoys sipping an oat milk latte while soaking in a bit of peace on her back porch swing. Otherwise, she is playing house with her rowdy little family of five or handing a hammer to her hubby for their next DIY project.

~*~
Connect with Alicia:
Website: https://www.aliciasearl.com/
Blog: https://www.aliciasearl.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciasearlwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaSearlWrites
Email: alicia.searl@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Making lists and making room for Jesus Christ

What Should Go at the Top of My Daily To-Do List
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”—Luke 9:23 (ESV)

I love making lists.

My desk and my purse are cluttered with all kinds of to-do lists: household chores to be completed, groceries to be bought, bills to be paid, birthday cards to be mailed, and the like. I always have a pencil and legal pad on hand, and I even have apps on my phone for list-making.

The reason I love lists is the sense of satisfaction that comes from crossing off completed tasks. Every checked box feels like a gold star for a job well done. When the last task is complete, I can throw the list away and bask in the glow of my productivity.

The problem with to-do lists, however, is that there is no real end to them. Sure, I can make a list and check all the boxes, but there are always more tasks waiting. Every time I put away the clean dishes, new dirty ones appear in the sink. The houseplants need to be watered on a regular basis, and the grass keeps growing after it’s been mowed. Kids outgrow clothes and shoes and need new ones every time I turn around, it seems. Bills keep coming every month. Oh, how I wish I could wash, fold, and put away the laundry one time and be done with it forever, but we all know that is not the way it works.

I think sometimes we tend to think of salvation as an item on a to-do list. Once we have professed faith in Jesus Christ, we feel as though we have checked that box and are good to go, once and for all. There is truth in that, but it is not the end of the story. Yes, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” as the Bible says in Romans 10:13 (ESV), and once Jesus saves us, the Bible says, “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand” (John 10:29 ESV). Living out our faith, though, is ongoing work, a choice and an effort we must make daily. Just as we must bathe and dress and eat and drink not just once, but every day, we must decide afresh each day to follow Jesus and put our faith into action.

This idea of daily renewal is woven into scripture from beginning to end, from the Old Testament when God taught the Israelites to depend on Him daily by sending them manna each morning (Exodus 16) to the New Testament when Jesus taught us to pray by asking God to give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3). Creation itself models this theme in its many cycles like the changing seasons, tides, day and night. Nature is constantly being renewed, too.

In Luke 9:23 (ESV), Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Jesus clearly tells us that following Him is not a one-and-done task, but an ongoing process. Professing faith in Him is not the final question on a test to be turned in and done with; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey with Him. It’s as if Jesus is saying that whatever else is on your daily to-do list, making a new decision to continue that journey should always be item number one.

How can I keep moving forward daily in my walk with Christ? Setting aside time for prayer and Bible reading and looking for practical ways to share His love with the people around me are good items to put on my list. Those priorities can stay the same every day, but the results will be new and greater with practice.

Salvation comes through putting our faith in Jesus Christ, but then we must intentionally put our faith into action on a daily basis. Stopping after the point of salvation would be like buying a new dishwasher but never actually using it to wash the dishes. Walking with Jesus is not a chore, but it does take effort and intentionality for faith to grow and produce fruit.

Will you walk with Jesus today? And follow Him every day of your life?

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your gift of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to make taking new steps with You the highest priority in our lives every day. We love You, Lord. Thanks for being with us every step of the way!

In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Follow Christ” by Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans & Bob Carlisle. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Suzanne Felton has been a writer for most of her life, even before she realized it. 

She has worked in a wide range of settings, from non-profits to science labs to government contracts to educational classrooms, all of which involved writing in one form or another.

Suzanne is amazed by the power of words and now uses her passion and experience to help authors and students as a writing coach. Encouraging others to find the words and the courage to share their stories is one of her greatest joys.

Suzanne’s devotionals have been published in periodicals and blogs including The Upper Room, The Love Offering, Keys 4 Kids, and The Swallow’s Nest. She is also a two-time finalist in the Cascade Christian Writing Contest for poetry.

She is a wife, mother, writer, reader, teacher, deep thinker, and sinner saved by grace. Suzanne and her family reside in Northern Virginia, but Suzanne will always call her native South Carolina home.

Married to her best friend for twenty-five years, Suzanne is active in her church, where she and her husband have served as deacons for over a decade. They enjoy watching sports and visiting national parks with their two teenage sons. Suzanne is also an avid birder, easily and happily distracted by anything with feathers.

~*~
Connect with Suzanne:
Website: https://suzannefelton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_suzanne_felton
Email address: suzannefeltonwriter@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: The cost Jesus paid because of His Love for us

The Cost of Love
A devotional by Essie Faye

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

—Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)

I first heard the expression, “easy to love”, many years ago. As I’ve matured, I’ve realized that love is neither easy nor free. It costs us dearly to love.

Love requires sacrifice. I’ve learned this as I’ve navigated my relationships over the years. True love requires thoughtfulness, vulnerability, kindness, understanding, compromise, clear communication, and service to the person you love. Love costs, but it is worth it. After all, in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, “It's better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.”

Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. His love for us moved Him to give His life in order to save us from the original payment due for our sins. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (KJV), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” A cross represents faith, commitment, principles of Christ, and most importantly the sacrifice of Christ for humankind. A cross has the international significance of suffering and sacrifice because of love.

True love is both valuable and costly. It is not without sacrifice. Because Jesus loves us, He gave up a very valuable thing: His life. He willingly died on the Cross at Calvary for us to pay the wages of sin, that was our debt, in full. We were His enemies (Romans 5:10), yet He died for us (John 3:16)! Christ’s love for us is unconditional and unchanging. It is impossible to understand why Christ would love us mere mortals as He does. Yet, I am grateful.

In Hebrews 5:8-10, the Apostle Paul reintroduces Jesus Christ. Paul highlights the Gospel message beautifully as he details that Jesus left His Throne in Heaven to become a man on Earth (Galatians 4:4-7). Jesus left His position of royalty—as the Creator of the universe—to become one of us. And He chose to suffer beyond words and die a cruel death on the cross so we could be reconciled to Him (John 3:16-17). He doesn’t want to live without us.

Though Jesus was the Son of God, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. His suffering perfected Him and prepared Him for God’s purpose and plan for His life. Christ’s choice to suffer speaks volumes about how deeply and passionately He loves humankind. He was willing to pay the cost of His love in order to save us from eternal death and permanent separation from God.

Have you considered the cost of your love for Christ? Is there tangible evidence of your faith walk? Does your love for Christ move to you please Him? Do you obey the Bible in loving your neighbors and enemies like God loves us? What has your faith walk cost you?

Walking by faith is a journey of sacrifice and at times, suffering. Like Christ, our suffering propels us into our purpose and life’s calling. Scripture assures us that if we suffer with Christ, we will also reign with Him. The cost of love will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come.

Call to Action:

Step #1: Examine your love for Christ. Assess your level of commitment to your faith by looking at your actions and inactions.

Step #2: Count the cost of your faith walk. Do you believe that your relationship with Christ is worthy of the sacrifice and suffering required?

Step #3: Practice gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. When someone gives you a gift, it is polite to say, “thank you.” Praising Jesus, in return, is offering thanks for His sacrifice. Praise Him often because He deserves it.

Step #4: Share the Gospel message with others along with the love of Christ. Practice kindness to neighbors, friends, and strangers. They will see your good works and glorify God.

Remember: God proved His love for humanity by sending His only Son (Jesus Christ) to redeem mankind. Christ proved His love for humankind by sacrificing His life for us. Will you reciprocate that love by giving Him your heart, repenting of your sins, and living for Christ every moment of your life?

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You sent Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. You continue to profess and prove your love for us each day. Your love for us is incomprehensible and overwhelming at times in a good way. Even when we don’t reciprocate your undying adoration, you still love us. Father, we thank You. You’ve loved us in good times and bad times. Thank you, Lord! Some of us are suffering and going through tough times. Help us to see your hand in our difficulty. Help us to know that You are always there because You promised to never leave us or forsake us. Help us to reciprocate your enduring love and walk closely with You. May we feel loved, accepted, and protected by Your love. Thank You for hearing us and answering our prayers.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “You Deserve It” by JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “For the Sake of the Call” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Essie Faye is a woman of faith. 

She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.

Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.

Essie is a Chicago native.

~*~
Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here: http://bible.us/r/Abn

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants us to practice forgiveness

Forgiveness: A Gift from God
A devotional by Joy Beless

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

—Luke 23:34 (NIV)

On a rainy day in Dublin, I knew where I wanted to be. I said goodbye to my husband and we separately made our way through the winding streets to see the last stop on our “must-see” lists before leaving Ireland. We later met up to share our experiences over dinner.

It’s hard to explain the “pull” of the Holy Spirit but it was unmistakable: I needed to have space to reflect on my time in Ireland and listen to God’s quiet whisper.

I yearned to sit in a quiet chapel and soak in the ancient story of Saint Patrick at his namesake cathedral. As I approached, I joined the other tourists who for whatever reasons, also made their way through the magnificent stone doors into a dimly lit gothic style cathedral. It was beautiful and intriguing but not quiet. I made my way to the end of the building to the Lady Chapel where few people were sitting and they, like me, yearned for a quiet worshipful experience. As I sat there, still and breathing in the damp air, the word “forgiveness” surfaced in my soul.

Forgiveness is a major theme in St. Patrick’s story and, if we are truthful, in all our stories. Saint Patrick lived in Britain and as a teen was taken captive to work as a slave in Ireland, turning to God through prayer for his strength. After six years he escaped and returned to his family. While home, he dreamt the Irish people were begging him to return. After becoming a priest, he returned to the island of his slavery and preached the gospel for another forty years until his death.

If we unwrap our culture’s version of St. Patrick’s Day—celebrating by wearing green color apparel, focusing on four-leaf clovers, shamrocks and fables—we discover a remarkable story of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see how it gives us strength to untwist the complicated stories of our lives and empowers us to forgive others.

Throughout the New Testament, forgiveness is an important theme. So much so, Jesus Christ spoke of it in The Lord’s Prayer, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12 NIV). The Apostle Paul also emphasized forgiveness in his letters to the early church. He wrote in Ephesians 4:32 NIV: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Paul was keenly aware of the power of forgiveness after he received forgiveness for the relentless persecution he led against the early church before he met Jesus. He was also thankful, by God’s grace, to forgive those who persecuted him as a Christian.

As I sat in the small room hidden at the end of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I had no agenda other than to be present with God and to listen to Him. An undeniable quiet voice spoke, “Love others. And to love others is to forgive.” I continued to sit quietly and pondered who and what is tucked away like a rock in my soul, waiting for forgiveness. Shortly, thereafter, I stepped back through the thick stone doorway out into the cool rain of the afternoon, knowing to love Jesus Christ is to follow Him in forgiving others.

There is much to be said about the subject of forgiveness. It does not necessarily mean “forgetfulness” or to pretend the words or action never happened. Rather, it is a journey God desires to walk with us, understanding the complexity and difficulty of releasing the person and the hurtful act or words into His hands. Forgiveness is freeing ourselves from the power of the unjust act. This creates space in our heart to receive the intimate redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

Is there a name, a relationship or experience that is rising in your soul as you read this? Perhaps emotions of grief, anger or anxiety? Talk with God about it. Ask Him to show you the first step and identify someone who is safe you can trust to walk this journey of healing with.

St. Patrick knew the power and necessity of practicing forgiveness every day. Jesus Christ demonstrated to us how to forgive people, and I desire to live a lifestyle of forgiveness.

Let’s Pray:
Thank You, Jesus, for teaching and demonstrating for us the importance of living out the forgiveness we receive from You and extend to others—especially when it is undeserved and difficult to give. Thank you for the life of St. Patrick who, through forgiveness, brought Christianity to a nation. Help me to forgive. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Forgiveness” by Matthew West. Listen here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons about Jesus learned from a lint brush

How a Lint Brush Reminded Me of Jesus 
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”—2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

One morning as I was getting ready for church, my 11-year-old son walked into my bedroom with lint all over his black pants. He explained that he was sitting on the rug in the living room while he was reading a book. I told him that he had to clean up before leaving and I asked him to look in the other room for the lint brush.

Moments later he returned with the lint brush in his hand and started brush to the front of his pant legs repeatedly. I reminded him to brush in the direction of the arrow which was located on the handle of the brush. With every stroke of the brush, you could notice a remarkable difference as his black pants were becoming lint-free. As he continued to brush, he became more fascinated by the lint that seemed to disappear into the head of the brush. After some time, both pant legs were clean and appeared to be brand new.

My son was so intrigued by the lint brush that he decided to start brushing the velour blanket on my bed. He wasn’t paying close attention to the direction of the arrow on the handle as he started brushing in the opposite direction. After a while, all of the lint came off the brush and was transferred onto the blanket. Although the lint brush was completely clean, now the blanket was all dirty!

This situation caused me to think about the days of the Israelites in the Old Testament of The Holy Bible. In order to atone for their sins, they were required to bring a lamb that was free of blemishes to the altar as a sacrifice. This meant that all of their wrongdoing was transferred to this animal, and the bloodshed was symbolic of reparation for all of their offenses. This process brought hope to the sinner because it was a way to reconcile with their Creator (God).

This method of atonement came to an abrupt end when Jesus Christ died on the cross (John 3:16-17). He became the Holy Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. All of our dirt, our guilt and our shame was placed on Jesus. He was sinless but He became sin, so that He could die in our place. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and atonement for our sins. His blood that was shed gives us a new life in Him. And now He reconciles us with God by covering us in His robe of righteousness and presenting us faultless before God’s throne. We can be thankful for our union with God because of what Jesus did for us!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, I am so thankful for the blood that Jesus shed for me. Because of His death, my life can be free from guilt or shame. May I never forget the sacrifice Jesus made for me. I am so grateful that when you look at me, you see Jesus standing in my place. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank you for offering forgiveness for all of humankind’s sins. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin. Listen 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. She is currently working on another devotional book.

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

This is Angela’s fourth year as a guest blog writer for Alexis A. Goring’s “Devotionals for the Heart” blog series. In 2021, Angela was a winner of a devotional writing contest where the entry is featured in a book published by Proverbs 31 Ministries titled, Hope When Your Heart is Heavy. The following year, another one of Angela’s devotionals was published in Living Unbroken, which is also a publication produced by Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Angela is also a life coach for mothers. 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. She helps them see their value, understand their importance, and reclaim their identity.

Angela is also the host of “The Angela Anderson Show”, a virtual talk show that launched in April 2023 on YouTube and Facebook. The show is designed for mothers who want to pursue their dream while managing family life. The audio version of the show is also available as a podcast on Spotify.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson, for 19 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 11) and Ryan (age 6). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling, and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family.

~*~
Connect with Angela:

To connect with Angela, you can follow her on Instagram (angelanderson1104), Clubhouse (@angelize), and send a friend request to her on Facebook.

Subscribe to Angela’s YouTube channel @The Angela Anderson Show and follow the show on Spotify. Angela offers free consultations for mothers who want to pursue their dream while taking care of their family. Schedule here: www.ChatWithCoachAngela.com

You can also like and follow her Facebook page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God.

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

God’s Burning Bushes
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: The Hope of the Bible cannot be defeated

An Invincible Hope
A devotional by Tessa Huckstep

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” –Titus 3:7 (KJV)

There are so many different things I hope for throughout just one day.

I hope it won’t rain today. I hope I get the promotion. I hope my friend is feeling better than she was yesterday. But this kind of hope simply sounds like wishful thinking. There is no confidence behind these hopes—they are empty and uncertain.

Wishful thinking always depends completely on circumstances: If it is sunny today, I will be happy. If it rains, I will be sad. But how can we depend upon our circumstances for happiness and fulfillment? Our circumstances are always changing and fluctuating. Additionally, our circumstances are being constantly manipulated by the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) states, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. The devil is searching for ways to discourage Christians. If our hope is set on our circumstances, it would be easy for the devil to alter our circumstances for the worse and discourage us.

The hope of the Bible, however, is far from wishful thinking. The hope of the Bible is a hope in eternal life, in everlasting joy, in Jesus Himself. These things are certain. They are facts. John 3:16 (KJV) states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It does not say that some or a select few might be saved. It says that whosoever believes will have eternal life.

But what about the major disappointments of life? Sometimes, we spend years working toward a specific goal or dream only to have it crushed in front of us. We can pray. We can ask God to intercede. But here on Earth, we are going to face major disappointments. We are going to face heartache. We are going to face failure and defeat. Jesus says in John 16:33 (KJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. The world hates the light and love. Satan will stop at nothing to extinguish the light of Christians. But our hope is not found in this world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ because He has overcome the world.

When your heart begins to ache, and you don’t know where else to go—go to Jesus. When your circumstances seem hopeless, and you can’t see any way out—go to Jesus. There is no hope besides Jesus and eternal life with Him. We could search every inch of this Earth, but we would never find the hope our souls were made for because our souls were made to be in communion with Jesus. In Christ is where our souls belong.

Put away the habit of wishful thinking and start putting your hope in Jesus. He will never disappoint you and your hope is safe in Him. Jesus is victorious. He has already won. Why not put your hope in Someone who is invincible and whose plans are certain? Put your hope in the Invincible Hope which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the hope you have given us. Please help us to put our hope solely in You. Grant us the courage to look beyond our circumstances and keep our eyes always on You. Lord, You are our only lasting and certain hope. Allow us to rest only in who You are and the promises You have made. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection:
“In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. 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/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101227159

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Grace is available for all humankind

The Gift of Grace
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“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)

One of the areas with which some people struggle during their Christian journey is the concept of grace. The Bible very clearly indicates that grace is a gift from God. 

This gift is available the moment we believe and receive Jesus in our hearts. It is not something that we can do for ourselves, nor can we take any credit for it. It is actually very simple, yet we tend to make it so very complicated. Perhaps many of us are accustomed to earning everything in life, and so it becomes difficult to just accept this gift.

Grace is the power of God that enables us to be free from whatever is holding us down or preventing us from moving forward in life. God wants so badly for us to experience the freedom found in His grace. Even though we do not deserve this and many of His wonderful blessings, He still covers us in grace every day of our lives.

To counteract grace, the enemy offers us disgrace. Many of us readily accept this, not even realizing just how harmful it is to our very being. Disgrace shames us into thinking that God would never love us or accept us after what we have done or what was done to us. Disgrace presents itself in so many ways including the negative self-talk that brings us down. We dislike ourselves, reject ourselves and then convince ourselves that God feels the same way about us.

But we can be sure of this one thing: The blood of Jesus Christ washes us clean from all wrong. When Jesus wraps us in His robe of righteousness and presents us faultless before the throne of God, our Heavenly Father (God) looks at us and sees His Son (Jesus) standing there in our place. Regardless of how we feel about ourselves, God still loves us and showers us with grace.

Although by ourselves we may not be worthy of God’s grace, we can still accept this gift by placing our faith in the One who freely gives it to us.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, we cannot thank You enough for Your grace. Please help us to grow into an understanding of righteousness through the blood of Jesus. May we never take advantage of Your grace, but may we be grateful that grace saves us through our faith in You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Were It Not For Grace” by Larnelle Harris. 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.

~*~
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: God is our Eternal Rock and True Foundation

Rocks, Stones, Pebbles and the God who never changes!
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” –1 Samuel 2:2 (NLT)

Have you ever dug in the dirt to create a garden or to build a structure?

Where I live the soil is full of rocks. Whenever you want to dig in the ground, you are guaranteed to find rocks of all sizes—from gravel-sized pebbles to enormous boulders.

The fascinating thing to me is that often I dig out the soil, remove the rocks to plant the flowers or bushes, then place other rocks back around whatever it was I had planted either for decoration, for drainage, or to distinguish the garden from the lawn. The rocks that are a nuisance in one spot might be necessary somewhere else. The only difference is the purpose of the rock.

God created the world and it is full of stones and rocks. They are visual and plentiful and maybe that’s why they show up so often in scripture. Many times, especially in the Psalms, God is referred to as a rock of safety or refuge (Psalm 46:1). He is the rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1). It’s easy to imagine that when an army is being pursued, a group of large stones make a useful place of safety, a place to regroup and rest. And if the stones are on a mountain or a high place, they are a vantage point to watch for danger.

Stones were used to build memorials and altars, places of remembrance and worship. The Lord had Joshua and the people pick up stones from the middle of the Jordan River where they had crossed into the Promised Land, then they used those stones to build a memorial (Joshua 4:9). The stones would serve as a reminder of the safety He provided as they took possession of the land.

The Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments, carved into stone by God’s own hand (Exodus 31:18). Because of a rock’s hardness and nature, once a rock has been altered, it will never be the same as it was before. One of those commandments was not to create idols of stone or wood or metal to worship. The Israelites—and believers today—are to worship only the Creator, never the creation or anything we’ve made.

Rocks are foundations, steady and unchanging, the perfect place to build a house. Jesus reminded all of us that when we build our houses on unstable ground, there is a chance they will not stand the storm (Matthew 7:26-27). He wants us to build our dwelling places—our lives—on Him and the truth only He can give.

The most well-known of all the stones in the Bible might be the one that was rolled away from Jesus’s tomb (Luke 24:2). The stone was large, heavy, and a perfect symbol of all the obstacles that were between us and God before His death and resurrection. Through that act, Jesus became the cornerstone and foundation of the spiritual temple God is building on the earth—the Church, which includes each of us as living stones. We are to share in the building of His kingdom here, until He returns. And then, when the new heavens and new earth are created, the Holy City will shine in brilliance with gold and gemstones (Revelation 21:11). Just imagine how beautiful those rocks will be!

So next time you kick a rock out of your path, pick a pebble out of your shoe or drive down a gravel road, remember God’s faithfulness and salvation. God loves you and He doesn’t want you to forget it!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, be my Rock today. Remind me that You are a sure foundation in a world that shifts and changes. Give me opportunities to share Your love and truth with those around me, to help them know the safety and peace that only You can give. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Upon This Rock” by Allison Durham Speer. Listen to it here.

~*~
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 college-age children.

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

~*~
Connect with Glynis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckerglynis/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlynisBecker7

Devotionals for the Heart: Advent

Advent Season
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

Advent season is such a special season.

It’s a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. According to Crosswalk.com, the word “advent” comes from the Latin word adventus which means, “coming” or “arrival”.

This season is also used to celebrate the new life, such as when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and also the anticipation of Jesus coming again. Like it says in Hebrews 9:28 (NIV), “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

There are different ways people celebrate the Advent season, but it’s usually based on the themes of the four weeks of Advent. According to Crosswalk.com, “The purpose of each theme is to spend time reflecting on the true meaning of the season – the life of Jesus Christ.” People read scriptures on their own and in church, that reflect the theme of each week. Week 1 is “Hope”, Week 2 is “Preparation”, Week 3 is “Joy”, and Week 4 is “Love.” There are also four candles lit for each Sunday of Advent, which correspond to the themes of each week as well. The candles are usually placed around a wreath.

This year is the first year my family and I are starting an Advent tradition. My husband and I started reading an Advent Bible plan on YouVersion called “Advent: The Journey to Christmas.” It’s 25-day plan where we read a devotional and a few Bible verses each day. We started the plan on Dec. 1 and will finish on Christmas Day (Dec 25). I’m hoping that we can continue this tradition every year. I also hope that as my daughter gets older and understands more of the Bible, we can include her in reading the plan with us.

The plan really breaks down the meaning of Jesus coming to this world. One day that stood out to me was the devotional named “The Great Exchange.” It says that Jesus came to give us the gifts of forgiveness, healing, acceptance, and peace. But those gifts were not cheap. Jesus paid the price for us (John 3:16) by experiencing the most significant rejection. And because of this, we don’t have to pay the price (Romans 6:23). How wonderful is that? It’s not something we can ever repay nor something that we deserve, but God loves us so much that He sent His Son to save us and reconcile us to Him.

The devotional is followed by the verse Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV), “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

This Advent season, I hope you take some time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Dig deep and ask God to reveal to you how deep His love is for you and how much it meant for Jesus to come down to Earth to save us all.

Let’s Pray: God, I pray for those who are lost and need to find their way to You. I pray for those who want to grow closer to You and are unsure how. I pray that You will lead them to You. I want to thank You for your covenant, promises, and love for us because it is truly unconditional. I pray that in this Advent season, more people are saved and learn who Jesus was. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Hello, my name is Heidy (Reynoso) De La Cruz.

I am Dominican-American and I’m passionate about writing! I write poetry, encouraging blog posts about personal experiences and any message that God has stored in my heart. I am working on publishing my first poetry book.

First and foremost, I am a daughter of Jesus Christ. I am also a wife and a mother. I have my master’s degree in Healthcare Administration through Belhaven University’s online course. I have my bachelor’s degree in Science with the concentration of Psychology and Healthcare Administration.

I currently work in the medical field as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, and I’ve been in the medical field for the last six years. I love my career!

My hobbies include writing, reading, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with my family.

~*~
Connect with Heidy:
Blog: https://heidyreynoso.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/
Read my poetry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidyspoems/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heidyreynoso13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidyreynoso13

Devotionals for the Heart: A life lesson about just how much Jesus loves you!

Just for You
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” – Matthew 18:12-13 (ESV)

As an introverted teenager growing up in church, the worst words I could hear on a youth group outing were “street evangelism” and “tracts”. This meant we had to pair up. Then, with an adult chaperone, we had to go out into the neighborhoods to knock on doors in order to share the love of Jesus Christ with strangers.

I hated street evangelism because talking to strangers terrified me. I was good with words on paper, but not delivering them in person. I finally confessed my fear to my adult helper, who took over with my partner while I watched from the sidelines. At first, I was relieved and then I felt guilty for not fulfilling “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:16-20). I felt like a failure.

What I didn’t know (or realize then) is that God gives each of us a different gift and talent in order to share His love. Just as not all of us are called to be athletes, doctors, or writers, not all of us are called to be evangelists or pastors either. And, contrary to some beliefs, not all of us have to have a theology degree to be worthy of furthering the Kingdom of God.

God made each of us different, and that means He has a plan for each of us with regards to how His love is shared around the world and in our local communities. He sends some people out to minister to the lost and the broken, and sometimes He sends the lost and the broken directly to us.

In college I choose the creative path of theatre, which forced me out onto the public stage, where I found my physical and singing voice, and the audience came to me. Once I earned the right to be in the spotlight, I felt God meet me each time. Eventually, He gave me unique opportunities to share His love with others. As I got to know people and they got to know me, relationship building led to Kingdom building. Under this principle there is a quote by Teddy Roosevelt that rings true: “People don't care what you know, until they know that you care.” I believe that’s why as a youth I couldn’t just share God’s love with a stranger. It had to mean something first, not just to me, but to the person on the other side of the door.

I have never felt a greater connection to the power of caring about such relationship, than the first time when God used my theatrical talent in church to write and direct an Easter passion play. In doing so, I had to fully rely on God’s Spirit not only to write about His life and death, but to bring it to life on the stage by guiding and directing volunteers from our congregation. People with some – or very little – experience decided to trust me to mold and guide them, and then put the spotlight on them to tell God’s story to an audience that had been sent to receive it.

The first night of a performance I felt as nervous as I did on the days of my old evangelist youth outings. What if I didn’t do enough, God? What if no one comes to the Cross to receive salvation? As our pastor called for the lost and the broken to come forward, no one moved. I felt the walls closing in, but then I remembered that Jesus would have died on the Cross if there had only been one, if there had only been me. That’s how He sees each one of us. That one sheep that broke away from the ninety-nine. He would give everything to go after it. After me. After you.

I felt it in my spirit, God asking me, “Would you do all this for just the one? Put all of yourself out there to bring but one into my kingdom?” I felt the “yes” response to Him in my heart. Suddenly, the audience stirred, and I saw a small boy walking toward the platform. He came up to the cross and touched it.

I fell to my knees and wept with great joy. You see, I didn’t need to bring people to God. I only needed to be available to God right where I was, where I am, and because of Him people will come to His light that shines each time I step out, or sing a melody, or write words to be printed a page or acted out on a stage. Like me, He has a plan for you, to use you right where you are to touch that one who’s searching for their way back home.

Let's Pray: Dear God, you created me for a purpose. Thank you for making me unique and giving me special gifts and talents to use for the furtherance of your Kingdom. Grant me the courage to be your willing vessel. Thank you for using me to show your love to others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen. 

*Note from Alexis: Mirachelle's message reminds me of the song "Just for Me" by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: Good News

The Good News About Sin
A devotional by Christa MacDonald

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” 

– Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)

I’ve written before how Romans is probably my favorite book of the Bible. I return to it again and again. Reading Romans steadies my steps when I’m feeling spiritually depleted, when my thoughts get clouded with too much cultural chaos, when I'm getting too much of this world and not enough of the next.

Consider Romans 8:38 (NLT): “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” How is that for a game-changer? When I’m desperate to grab some peace in the storm of a crisis or the quiet of existential dread, I remember this verse and know that, irrespective of all that, God is Provident and I am His.

The verse above is another foundational truth, one that I think is easy to gloss over. Many of us first came to faith in Jesus Christ at Vacation Bible School or Sunday School. We grew up “Christian”, so it was easy to assume that the adults around you were sinless superhumans who were naturally good. You may have even gotten the idea that there were “good” and “bad” people in this world. But it’s a lie. We’re all bad. It’s only through God's free and gracious gift of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that any of us are redeemed. Even the most good, nicest person at your church was drowning in sin when God brought them to faith.

There is no way that we can rescue ourselves from sin. No one is immune from sin no matter how well they were raised, how hard they work, the number of good things they do—sin is in all of us. Paul here is addressing the belief that Jews were somehow closer to redemption than Gentiles. His point is clear: We are all sinners. I find some peace in that when I look at heroes of the faith. They struggled with sin like the rest of us. No one is born into this world naturally good. But Jesus can save any of us.

The other foundational truth here is that it’s by Grace alone that we are saved. There’s not a single redeeming quality in my person that leads God to save me. No, Christ’s sacrifice alone can save the human soul. 

There is a scene in C.S. Lewis’s book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, that has stuck with me for years. Near the end, we find Eustace, transformed into a dragon and desperate to return to the boy he once was, clawing at his scales. Regardless of how hard he scrapes, and the obvious pain that he causes himself, it’s only Aslan’s claws that can free him. It’s the same way with garden-variety sin in our lives. Only Jesus can free us. And there’s great freedom in that. We can give up our pathetic efforts and throw ourselves on His mercy and be saved.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son (Jesus Christ) to save us from sin and death. Help us to share this good news with the world. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

~*~

Author Bio:

Christa MacDonald is a 2017 Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction.

She began her writing career at the age of eleven, filling a sketchbook with poems and short stories. After publishing a few short pieces in her college’s literary magazine she took a long hiatus during which she embarked on a few different careers, got married, had three kids, and renovated an old barn masquerading as a house.

Her most recent work, The Redemption Road, finished the Sweet River Redemption series published by Mountain Brook Ink.

When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty. She and her family live along the coast of New England.

~*~
Connect with Christa:
Website: www.christamacdonald.com
Newsletter: https://christamacdonald.com/connect-with-christa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538432676468229/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/33uk329
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CricketMacD
Christa's book publisher: http://mountainbrookink.com/about-us/authors/christa-macdonald/

Happy Easter Sunday! JESUS (Christ) is our HOPE in hopeless times!

Devotionals for the Heart: A Life Lesson on the way God works!

God Works Behind the Scenes
A devotional by Monique Anderson

“But, Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 

–John 5:17 (NLT)

Seeing the images online the next day made me feel so proud to have been a part of something so epic. Picture after picture of each model coming down the runway with their sleek, clean looks gave no indication of the madness that went on backstage just moments prior.

Missing shoes, missing accessories, and even missing models is what adds to the heightened tension and pandemonium backstage at a fashion show. However, given all the stress of the last-minute details that go awry, when the lights go on and the curtain is pulled back, the press, and awaiting audience have no idea that something so streamlined came from something so chaotic.

This is what I imagine the heavenly realms look like when we send our prayers up to God. Imagine all the angels he dispenses to see about us, and them scrambling to get to our needs. I envision them getting held up by the enemy and his angels, and the spiritual warfare that takes place just to see to it that God’s will gets done for his children. Imagine what God’s work looks like behind the scenes. Let’s read this verse from Daniel 10:12-13 (NLT):

“Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.”

I was reminded of God’s unseen handiwork when I was praying for a loved one to surrender to God. I would constantly ask God what I needed to do: Should I show them Scripture? Should I share a sermon? Should I read a devotional with them?

I felt like I received no response from God, and from what I could see, there was no change in the person I was praying for. I was not sure if my prayers were even heard much less getting answered. So, I just continued with my relationship with God in hopes that they would see all that He was doing in my life and be moved to submit to Him.

From my view in the audience, I could not see all the work God was doing backstage.

Until one day, out of the blue, he confessed he was ready to surrender. He said he felt God chasing after him, and he was tired of running. I was stunned, and almost in complete disbelief. It was presented in such a nonchalant manner. I imagined this day being a fall out, ugly cry praise and worship moment. But it was not. It was presented just as neat, and well put together as the models coming down the runway.

Just like the awaiting audience, I had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. I later found out that he was being ministered to by someone he worked with. He said he felt like there was nowhere else for him to run. His journey to Jesus reminded of this song by Casting Crowns called “Even When You’re Running.” God’s love for him was inescapable. My loved one was getting Jesus at home, and in the workplace, but in very subtle ways. I made sure never to pressure him into submission. I wanted him to want Jesus for himself, and that is exactly what happened.

I couldn't tell from where I was sitting that God had been scrambling backstage to bring all the pieces together. I just saw the finished product of a man of God humbling himself before the Lord. This situation reminds me of God’s promise to us in Psalm 91:11 (NIV) which reads, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

Please remember this: From where you’re sitting it may look like no work is getting done. It may seem like God doesn’t hear you and isn't seeing about your needs. But let me remind you that our Heavenly Father is always at work. He’s never not working. We should thank God that we don’t see the mess happening behind the scenes; we just get to be a witness to the final production once He shines His light and pulls back his curtain for the big reveal.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, I praise You and thank you for constantly working in my life, and in the lives of those I care about. I am thankful that my prayers are always received and heard in your Kingdom. I will hold on to the promise of Your Word that says You will command Your angels concerning me. This promise reminds me that even when I don’t see it You’re working. I will continuously sing your praises even while I wait. Father, I love You and thank You. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Monique M. Anderson is a writer, wife, and bonus mom to a 14 year old. She just recently unleashed her always present yet hidden talent of writing to the masses. She was born and raised in Mount Vernon, NY where she still resides, and serves on the prayer team of her church The Gathering Harlem.  

Monique always felt like God was chasing after her, but never felt the need to surrender. Until that is when life started veering left, and she no longer wanted to steer so she finally gave Jesus the wheel. After forming her relationship with God she always felt compelled to share the revelations that the Word gave to her. She always felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to write, but was afraid of what people might think. So her writing started in her journal. The journal turned into a book, and the book into a blog.

Slowly but surely God’s love started to cast out all fear. She started to consistently update her bi- weekly blog called “Yours Truly, Moe.” Her obedience led to further revelation. God revealed to her that He would use her to help others along their walk the same way God helped her along hers. Since Monique did not grow up in church she always felt intimidated by the Christian life. She thought that she would be losing so much of herself, not realizing that she would actually find her TRUE self.

Since God has shown her who He really created her to be, she now feels it is her life’s work to help those that are taking their first baby steps in this walk with Christ. She is doing so through her blog, and soon to be published book. Monique is excited to extend her reach to podcasts and speaking engagements in the near future.

Her blog is the stepping stone to fulfilling the vision God gave to her – “Sharing God’s revelations so we can all reflect his image and fulfill his purpose.”

~*~
Connect with Monique:
Website: www.yourstrulymoe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourstruly__moe/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yours-Truly-Moe-140255684101423

Devotionals for the Heart: Examining the Heart of Christmas

The Heart of Christmas
A devotional by Amy Odland

“I came from the Father and entered the world; 

now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 

– John 16:28 (NIV)

It’s here! The big day—December 25th! It’s Christmas Day!

The day of celebration and gifts and peace on earth. The day of hope and love. The day of believing in humanity and gathering together.

This year is different though, isn’t it? Budgets are tighter. Lockdowns are in place. Relationships are bruised or broken. People who were lost this year are maybe missing from our tables or Zoom chats or family gatherings are smaller or not happening at all. Church services have an air of sadness about them, maybe because they’re online or just not the usual intimate candlelight service we’re used to. Days seem darker this year, Winter Solstice aside, due to the unrest and hurt we’ve experienced, either due to loss (of life, of jobs, of trust, of hope) or just because of how we’ve all responded or reacted to living and trying to survive pandemic chaos and national political and social unrest these past ten months.

A few of my friends and I were joking at the beginning of the month that it would be nice to extend Christmas into January (aka leave our decorations up, continue listening to the music, make more cookies, etc.). We realized then that 28 days of “Christmas” wasn’t going to be enough for 2020 and the hardship we’ve seen so far. I was just kidding at the time, but quickly realized that whether the decorations stay up or come down, whether or not the music continues to play, and whether or not the family can gather to exchange gifts, the heart of Christmas does live past today.

One may first ask, what even IS “Christmas” really?

Encyclopedia Britannica.com defines the Christmas holiday as the “Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus.” While it is widely accepted that Jesus Christ’s birth likely didn’t happen exactly on December 25, the date was probably chosen because it was close to other Roman/pagan celebrations, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, other festivals, and the calculation/assumption of when Mary received the visit from the angel announcing Jesus’s conception.

The earliest Christmas celebrated dates back to A.D. 336. However, centuries later, this holiday was reconceived in the early 19th century by authors like Charles Dickens and Clement Clarke Moore to be a holiday emphasizing family, children, kind-heartedness, gift-giving, and Santa Claus. It was declared a national holiday in the United States in 1870 and thanks to capitalism and consumerism, Christmastime is a mixed-up mess of never-ending Black Friday sales and songs like Christmas Shoes that hits us every year between Thanksgiving and today. 

In the midst of all the tinsel and wrapping paper, let’s not miss that Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. Its very name reflects this. This holiday, also known as “The Christ’s Mass”, celebrates the one who was born of a virgin, who came to earth to live as a human, who grew up and said he was “from the Father” (John 16:28) and used God’s name, “I AM,” to identify himself (John 18:5-6). The one who said He was the bread of life (John 6:35), the door through which to enter heaven (John 10:9-11), the light in the darkness (John 8:12), the good shepherd (John 10:11-18), the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus said that He is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).

We celebrate His birth because He said He was the hope and light of the world, the Son of God, and we can believe Him because He also said He’d die and be raised to life three days later and that happened as well. Jesus Christ is the only one who has ever claimed to be God and been raised from the dead; all other spiritual leaders/teachers of His caliber are still in their graves.

With all this in mind, how you view December 25 determines if the heart of Christmas can live on in your heart after today is done.

Is today a celebration of the changing seasons and of the days getting longer again, that focuses on feasts and gifts and decorations? Is Dec. 25 a time for human traditions or a “going through the motions” celebration? Or is today a day of giving thanks and praise to God for sending His one and only Son as a baby in a manger as a human representation of God’s love for you and a sign of His faithfulness to the world? Are you celebrating the gift of Jesus by sharing His love with those around you?

If the last one is truly the heart of Christmas for you, then the “why” behind all you do during this busiest season of the year—behind all the gift-giving, stringing of bright lights, baking of special Christmas cookies and other human traditions—takes on new meaning. The “heart of Christmas” to you holds the beauty of Jesus’s love for you and the promise of spending eternity with Him after you die and He returns to take you home to Heaven. It’s not about the gifts, the decorated tree, the festive lights, the delicious holiday food or the special gatherings with your family and friends. It’s all about Jesus and His love for you!

In John 13:15 (NLT) Jesus said “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” His last words to His disciples before He was arrested, beaten, and hung on a cross were filled with repeated commands of “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34 NIV)

As Christians, we’re supposed to be modeling Christ’s love for us to those around us. Sure, we unfortunately tend to fail miserably quite a bit of the time, but we also do pretty good despite our shortcomings. Jesus said He had to leave so the Helper would come to be with us (John 16:7).

This spirit of help—the Holy Spirit—is the only way we are able to do things with a spirit of love, hope, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness when we don’t really want to. This a mystery too large to tackle in this devotional, but know that you can have the “heart of Christmas”—that feeling of joy and peace this day brings—whenever you want if Jesus is in your heart. It can happen long after the decorations are packed up, after the gifts are exchanged or broken or have grown wearisome, or even after the sadness has faded of the family gathering being cancelled because of a global pandemic.

Let’s review ways in which we can keep the heart of Christmas alive year-round:

When you give without expecting to receive in return, you keep the heart of Christmas alive.

When you forgive without receiving forgiveness first, you keep the heart of Christmas alive.

When you put someone else’s needs before yours, you keep the heart of Christmas alive.

When you react in a way that is better than what was deserved, you keep the heart of Christmas alive.

When you “love one another as I have loved you,” (my paraphrase of John 13:35 NIV), you keep the heart of Christmas alive.

When you “do as I have done for you,” you keep the heart of CHRIST alive.

The heart of Christmas is not in decorations or gifts or family. It’s not in remembering the poor just once a year or in donating to your favorite charity on #GivingTuesday.

The heart of Christmas lives on past today because the love and spirit of Christ lives on in those who believe in Him throughout the year. You can help keep it alive by asking Jesus to live in your heart, by continuing to learn about Him and what He said during His time on earth, and by living out His commands to the best of your ability with His Holy Spirit guiding you.

Merry Christmas, friend. May you truly find the heart of Christmas today and in the days ahead.

(Please enjoy this song by Steven Curtis Chapman, called “Christmas is All in the Heart,” as a musical reflection of my thoughts.)

~*~
Author Bio:

Amy Odland has been serving in church ministry as a volunteer leader for over 16 years, in various worship, prayer and women’s ministry roles. 

Her passion for helping women stems from her own struggles and lessons learned in her journey as a Christian since first deciding to follow the Lord in 1994.

Amy’s priorities after her faith include her family — husband Rick, and their four kids — as well as extended family who all live close in proximity and the many friends she’s made over the years.

In addition to a love of teaching and helping her husband with the bookkeeping for their many businesses, Amy has recently expanded her stay-at-home work to include leading author’s book launch teams for publishing companies like Baker, Revell, Barbour, and Lifeway.

She also enjoys teaching new authors about platform building, self-launching, and online marketing.

~*~
Connect with Amy:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/amyodland
Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_odland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_odland
Website: https://amyodland.com