Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always pray about everything

Why ‘Pray about Everything’ Means More Than We Think
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”—Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

I’ll be honest—I used to hear that scripture, “pray about everything,” and bristle because it felt like a flippant platitude, a pat saying people who had their lives together might offer. You’re probably familiar with it, because it’s a much beloved and well-known scripture (Philippians 4:6).

As a woman who’s been a prayer warrior for a long time, I know the value of prayer, and I’ve been praying intently for a long time. But I confess that the phrasing, as well as the fact that I’d see it everywhere from T-shirts to coffee cups, used to make the verse feel like a nursery rhyme, something we just say as if it were the easy answer to all of life’s problems. Your spouse died? Pray about it. You’ve got cancer? Pray about it. Money is tight this month? Pray about it. You’ve got a hangnail? Pray about it.

Maybe that’s how you feel sometimes, too. Maybe you’re knee-deep right now in heavy suffering that has broken your heart. Maybe you’ve been fervently praying every day, on your knees to God, and getting what feels like silence, and the doubts have begun to creep in. Maybe you wonder if He even cares. Here’s the real truth: God does care. And prayer really does help. I have learned that this scripture is no nursery rhyme platitude or easy, pat suggestion flippantly uttered when life goes awry.

When the Apostle Paul tells us we’re supposed to pray about everything, he really means it. He means everything. And it’s not for the reason we might think, which is that prayer gets us stuff. The point of prayer is not to treat God like some genie who’s there to grant our wishes because we love Him and because we are His children, that somehow we are “deserving” of his favor. The point of prayer is to serve as a conversation with our Creator, our Heavenly Father, the one who knitted us together in our mother’s womb. Prayer is a lifeline because it keeps us in connection with the Lord.

The truth is that it doesn’t actually matter how He answers the prayer, either. God is God regardless. What matters is that we know God is God, that we know He’s the only one truly worth talking to or who can do anything about our situation. That we know he’s the only one who genuinely understands why it’s so hard and why we need help. That’s why going to Him consistently and constantly—whether that’s for something really minuscule and petty or something life-shattering—is so important. It all goes back to what Jesus Christ taught in John 15, about how He is the vine and we are the branches. In this Scripture, Jesus was talking about how He is the way to eternal life and that by believing in Him, we become God’s children, too. We get salvation and eternal life, and we get to be connected to God the Father through Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

Whatever we can do to fan the flames, to increase the strength of that connection, is important. That means prayer, yes. But also it means spending time in nature, reading God’s Word (The Holy Bible), connecting with other people or animals, and loving our neighbor with all of our heart.

Take heart: “Pray about everything” is no nursery rhyme or flippant response. It is a way for us to actively work on our connection to God, our Heavenly Father, who loves us extravagantly and perfectly, and it’s a way for us to love Him back.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your great love for me and for all your children. Thank You for letting someone like me, a mere human being, be allowed and encouraged to talk with You and go to You with my problems and trust that You do care regardless of how You choose to answer my prayer. Thank You that I can go to you in all things big and small. I love you, God. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Pray” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Prayers I Pray” by Katy Nichole. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Don’t Stop Praying” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Pray On” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

Her two Christian contemporary novels, The Memory Garden and Tangled Roots, are Amazon bestsellers. Her third novel, Hidden Seeds, releases in May 2026 and is available now for pre-order.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

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

Do You Still See Miracles?
A devotional by Heather Jeffery

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

How do you define a miracle?

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

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

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

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

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

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

A heart softened toward forgiveness.

A timely word that shifts the course of your day.

Provision that arrives just when the account runs low.

Peace that makes no sense in the middle of chaos.

A butterfly that reminds you God sees you.

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

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

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

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

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

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

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

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

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

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Why it's about our posture, not our plans

God’s Not After Your Goals
A devotional by Heidi Lewis-Ivey

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.”— Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

There is something about stepping into a new year that awakens ambition in us.

We write vision statements. We outline strategic plans. We choose a “word of the year.” We map out goals with timelines and benchmarks.

There is nothing wrong with planning. Scripture honors wisdom and stewardship. But as I sat with the Lord over Isaiah 43, I felt a quiet correction in my spirit. What if the new thing God is doing has less to do with our plans…and more to do with our posture? We often approach a new season asking, “God, bless my goals.” But what if He is asking, “Will you let Me reshape you?”

Forget the Former Things

When we read, “Forget the former things”, we often assume it refers to past pain, disappointment, or failure. And yes, that may be part of it. But could the “former things” also include former patterns and old paradigms?

Former ways of thinking. Former reactions. Former fears. Former identities we have grown comfortable wearing. Sometimes we are not dwelling on old memories, we are dwelling in old mindsets. We want new outcomes, but we are operating from old paradigms. We desire increase but we resist discipline. We ask for deeper relationships but avoid vulnerability. We pray for promotion but resist the refinement that qualifies us for it.

Mark 2:21-22 (NIV) says, “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

The Lord is not just trying to give us something new. He is trying to make us new.

See, I Am Doing a New Thing

Notice the language: I am doing.

The burden is not on us to create the new thing nor is it produced by our hustle or perfect planning. It springs up because He initiates it. But then comes the question: “Do you not perceive it?” Perception requires alignment.

Sometimes the new thing has already begun internally, but we are so focused on external results that we miss the transformation taking place within us. Before He changes our circumstances, He increases our capacity. Before He releases greater responsibility, He refines our character. Before He expands our territory, He stretches our obedience.

The new thing may look like discomfort before it looks like breakthrough.

We Pray for Doors but Resist Development

We ask for open doors. We ask for influence. We ask for impact. But doors require readiness. Influence requires maturity. Impact requires surrender. God does not need our five-year strategy to accomplish His will. He is not waiting on our perfectly crafted vision board. What He desires is a surrendered heart.

This is the tension of Isaiah 43. The Lord declares something new is springing forth. But to perceive it, we must release what is familiar. Not just familiar pain, familiar comfort, familiar control and familiar versions of ourselves. There is a version of you that cannot go where God is taking you.

And that is not punishment. It is preparation.

The New Thing Starts Within

We often assume the new thing will be a new job, a new relationship, a new platform, a new opportunity. But what if the new thing is a renewed mind? A softened heart? A deeper trust? A refined motive?

What if the miracle is internal before it is visible?

The wilderness mentioned in Isaiah 43 was not merely a geographical reality; it was a place of dependence. A place where the people of God had to trust Him daily. The river in the desert symbolized provision where no one should exist.

And sometimes the greatest provision is not resources, it is transformation. This year may not be about achieving more. It may be about becoming more aligned.

A Question for the Heart

As you step into this new season, pause and ask yourself these questions:

Where am I asking for new results without new obedience?
What patterns am I still carrying from the last season?
What part of me is God trying to reshape?
Am I willing to release who I have been to become who He is forming?

The Lord is doing a new thing. The question is not whether He is moving. The question is whether we are willing to move with Him. The breakthrough is not in your planner. It is in your surrender. Perhaps the greatest gift of this new season is not what God will place in your hands, but what He will form in your heart.

The new thing has already begun. Do you perceive it?

Let’s Pray:

Lord in this new season, transform our hearts. Help us to walk out of the old and into the new. We release old mindsets and habits and ways of being so that we can receive the new thing that you are doing in us.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Song of Reflection #1: “Just the Beginning”  (feat. Kurt Carr & Vonnie Lopez). Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “New Wine” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heidi Lewis-Ivey is an affirmed prophet and an internationally acclaimed speaker.  

She impacts audiences with her authenticity and bold style of delivery. She has had the opportunity to minister in Trinidad, St. Thomas USVI, Manchester and Liverpool (England).

Heidi is an award-winning and bestselling author. She is the author of Can I Rest Awhile? and Black Girl Cry: What Black Women Need to Know to Amplify Their Voices. She is a co-author in Soulful Prayers (Volume 1 and Volume 2) and Soulful Affirmations. Heidi is the convener of the Encountering the Courts of God movement and the founder of Visions International, a training ground for five-fold ministry gifts.

She holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University. Heidi is the CEO of Nael & Associates Inc and franchise owner of Patrice & Associates recruiting firm. She is a member of the Pentimenti Women Writers Group, a former mentor with Year Up, former board member for Friends of Young Achievers, and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategist.

Heidi is the proud aunt/great aunt of 14 nieces and nephews and two bonus nieces. They are her joy. The older nephews have become her protectors.

Heidi is an NFL football fan. As a child, she taught herself the game. In 2017 she won her NFL.com fantasy football league. Heidi is an avid reader (Audible listener) of romance novels, a lover of purses and handbags, and a tea snob who believes bling is always appropriate.

She lives in Boston, MA.

~*~
Connect with Heidi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamheidi01
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heidi-lewis-ivey

Devotionals for the Heart: When you feel weary from making decisions

When Making Decisions Feels Overwhelming
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”—Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the decisions clamoring for your attention? 

According to Psychology Today, research shows the average adult makes approximately 35,000 conscious decisions daily. The alarm goes off, you open your eyes, hit snooze, close your eyes, turn off the alarm, and get out of bed—five decisions made within the first minutes of your waking hours. There are 24 hours in a day, minus six hours for sleeping, which equals 18 waking hours. With 35,000 decisions as the average per day, that is math I choose not to calculate!

We make decisions and think carefully about our choices. We don’t choose illness, earthquakes, or the loss of a loved one. We have no control over the person who cuts in line at the grocery store any more than we can control the drunk driver who is reeling down the freeway. Life itself is in the hands of God Almighty. We are not in control. I feel relieved that humans are not the ones controlling the universe. It’s clear that would not be a good idea!

We make a plethora of conscious and unconscious decisions daily and it’s exhausting. Several years ago, I went through a season of wrestling with a specific decision that would affect my life going forward. It began on an average workday, where I served as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Specialist for a large school district. I was attending a statewide STEM event for educators with about 300 in attendance.

Suddenly someone tapped on my shoulder, and introduced herself as Edie Williams, the Director of the Arizona Science Center. This remarkable, accomplished woman asked me to work for her at the Science Center! We talked for about 30 minutes and scheduled an interview for the following week. Over the next few days, I asked God to guide my decision. My list of pros and cons was short. The pros for working at the Science Center included more creative freedom and a larger salary for me. But the cons were having a long commute to work through downtown traffic and resigning to the fact that this new opportunity would negatively impact my retirement plans. However, staying in the school district with my current job at that time would mean pros like having a short commute in the suburbs and remaining part of the Arizona State Retirement System which would positively impact my benefits over time. The only con about staying where I was meant receiving a smaller salary.

In the decision process I talked with my husband and several close friends. It was such a delightful and unexpected offer. Edie’s love of STEM was contagious! It would be fabulous to work with her. However, after much prayer and contemplation, I decided to stay with the school district. The decision was respected by the Science Center and came with an open invitation to change my mind.

Then this happened: Two weeks later, I received the school district’s monthly email announcing that Edie Williams was going to be the new Assistant Superintendent for my school district. Are you kidding me? Working with Edie was what drew me to the Science Center. I immediately thanked the Lord for protecting my heart and guiding my steps.

Perhaps you feel like you’re riding on the struggle bus and the rest stops are few. After a while, weariness sets in, and it becomes more difficult to persevere. But God equips you for the trials you will face. In Exodus 14:14, God promises to fight for you. And in Isaiah 40:31, He assures you that He will renew your strength. Remember His faithfulness, trust Him, and He will give rest to your soul.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, we come to you with grateful hearts today. Help us to be aware of your presence and hear the words of wisdom You speak to our hearts and minds. Keep our eyes focused on you. When we are weary, you give rest to our souls. Praise be to God! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “He Will Hold Me Fast” by Shane and Shane. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

~*~
Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants us to seek Him first

See Me First
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

My husband and I became parents in the 1980s.

This decade was filled with change—disposable cameras, camcorders, and the CD player are just a few. Video stores were becoming popular, and for the first time, you could rent a movie, take it home, and watch it at your convenience. It boggles the mind, but at the time, this was revolutionary.

During the 1990s, video stores began to dominate. They not only offered thousands of movie selections, but you could also purchase snacks, rent video games, and more. When our children were eleven and thirteen, we decided they were old enough to be left alone for the evening. We had a wedding rehearsal to attend and would be gone until about 9:00 p.m. They had dinner, a rental movie, and a smorgasbord of snacks. They were armed with phone numbers to call if they needed us. We prayed for safety and wise decisions and headed for the church. We were gone for about three hours.

On the drive home, we realized we hadn’t heard from the children and assumed all was well—until we pulled into the garage.

A note from our firstborn was strategically placed on the garage door leading into the house. These four words struck fear in this mama’s heart. It read, “See me first, Melissa.” We opened the door, and everything seemed calm. The house was quiet. Nothing was broken or out of place, and then she appeared. Melissa marched down the hall on a mission and headed straight for us as if a duel was about to occur.

The story tumbled out, but her words were clear. The movie we rented was in a hard plastic case, and her brother had difficulty getting it out. Determined to free the video from captivity, he slammed it on the kitchen table, creating a two-inch gash in the wood.

Melissa wanted the facts to be clearly stated—this was not her fault. Nick apologized, and it was clearly an accident. Much to Melissa’s chagrin, we weren’t too broken up about the table. It was old, and we disguised the gash with olive oil and wood stain. Melissa’s note represented more than an act of tattling on her brother. It was a call for justice and comfort. She wanted to be cleared of all wrongdoing.

Children look to their parents for love, protection, and justice. They want to know we’re on their side. When we’ve been treated unfairly, our first instinct is to lash out and vindicate ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced several unjust situations. In each, I wanted to take care of matters by myself.

How do we resist the urge to take care of injustice alone? Who will comfort us? God tells us to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33) and reminds us His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

We tend to hold a grudge when we seek justice, and our hearts become bitter. I love this quote from author Joyce Myers, “You can be bitter or better, but you can’t be both.” It’s not our job to deliver justice because we’re not the hero of our story. Our responsibility is to take our need for justice to our Savior (Jesus Christ).

God is the hero of our stories! He forgave us, saved us from sin, and is on our side. Perhaps we can take a tip from children like Melissa and give distracting, unjust situations to God. He loves us and is working all things for the good of His children.

Let’s Pray: Thank You, Lord, for being the hero of our stories. Help us to refrain from taking matters of injustice into our own hands, for You alone are in control. You are just and your faithfulness goes before you. Keep us focused on You and help us to seek You first every day of our lives. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In Christ Alone” by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “First” by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

~*~
Connect with Colleen:
Website: http://colleenchoward.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you are facing failure in this life

The Biblical Response to Failure
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”—Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

Failure is an unavoidable part of life.

Sometimes we fail publicly, in ways others see and remember. Sometimes we fail privately, when our inner battles leave us discouraged and defeated. In those moments, we are painfully reminded of our limitations. We are not invincible. We are not perfect. We are human.

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, knew what it was like to wrestle with failure—not just moral failure, but the kind that shakes the soul. In the earlier verses of that psalm, he confesses to deep confusion and envy when he sees the prosperity of the wicked. He wonders why those who defy God seem to flourish, while those who walk with the Lord often suffer. That emotional and spiritual disorientation was, in a very real sense, a kind of failure—a failing heart, a weary soul, a shaken faith.

But it is precisely in this place of frailty that Psalm 73:26 breaks through with incredible hope: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I have gleaned four life lessons from this text about how to deal with and live with my own failures. Perhaps you can find value in them too:

Life Lesson #1: God is not surprised by our failure.
We often treat failure as a disqualification, but God sees it as part of our development process. Throughout Scripture, we find faithful men and women who stumbled: Moses struck the rock, David sinned gravely, Peter denied Christ, Paul spoke of his weakness. Yet none of them were abandoned by God. Why? Because our failures don’t define our relationship with Him—His grace does.

Life Lesson #2: Failure is not the end of the story.
God has a way of redeeming what is broken. Our setbacks can become the soil in which deeper trust is planted. Sometimes we need to fail so that we can discover the strength that is not our own. Asaph admits, “My heart may fail.” That’s a confession of reality. But then he follows it with truth: “God is the strength of my heart.” That’s a confession of faith.

Life Lesson #3: In failure, we are drawn to dependence.
When everything is going well, we can easily fall into the illusion of self-sufficiency. But when we fall short, when our strength runs dry, we are brought back to the heart of the gospel: We are not enough, but Jesus Christ is. Asaph calls God his “portion forever.” That’s the language of inheritance, of something lasting and unshakeable. Earthly success fades. Human approval shifts. But the Lord is our eternal portion.

Life Lesson #4: The response to failure is not despair, but worship.
As the psalm progresses, Asaph moves from doubt and confusion to a place of renewed devotion. He ends Psalm 73 by saying, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28). Failure can be the doorway to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

So, today, if you find yourself weighed down by failure—whether it’s failure in your walk with God, in a relationship, in a responsibility, or even in your own heart—lift your eyes to the One who never fails. Let Psalm 73:26 be an anchor for your soul. 

Remember: Your failure is not final. God's strength is reliable and it lasts forever. Lean on Him when you're facing failure. Let that be your hope today.

Let’s Pray: Lord of all creation, thank You for Your grace that looks beyond our faults and failures and sees who You are growing us to be. When we fail or falter, restore within us your image. Replenish within us the joy of the Lord. Forgive us our sins and help us to freely forgive others. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Strength of My Life” by Vertical Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson is the Director Emeritus of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division. In this role, he was the friend, advocate and gatekeeper for the profession of chaplaincy among Adventist pastors. 

His new mission is to specialize in personal and personnel development coaching. He journeys with and guides clients, personal and corporate, as they define their goals and grow into their full potential.

His pastoral career began in the Allegheny East Conference where he was ordained.

Subsequently, he served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook churches. His professional dream was to be a chaplain in the United States Navy. He got to live that dream and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring from Naval service in 2015 with 26 years of service.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees: He earned his Master of Divinity Degree was earned at the seminary at Andrews University. He earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Sacred Theology from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.

Chaplain Anderson and his wife Debra have been married for 41 years. They have two healthy, saved and well-adjusted adult children who picked good spouses and delivered four grandchildren.

Adventures through traveling, reading, praying, preaching, teaching and writing are the avenues of ministry and self-care that define his now and his destiny.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: How to approach God for the help we need

We Can Approach God with Confidence
A devotional by Suzanne Felton

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”—Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

When I was a student in college, I don’t think I ever took advantage of the office hours my professors offered. 

Maybe it wasn’t as common then as it seems to be now for professors to schedule blocks of time to offer their students extra help with course material, advice concerning their majors and future careers, or further discussion about a topic introduced in class.

I know at least some of my teachers offered this courtesy, but I was too intimidated to approach those learned and prestigious men and women face-to-face. I attended classes, listened to lectures, and took notes, but I relied on the textbook and my own capabilities for doing homework and studying for tests.

Thinking back now, I wonder how much more I might have learned if I’d gone to my teachers during their office hours to ask my own specific questions and receive their personal help, or even just to soak up the wisdom of experts in their fields. What incredible opportunities I missed because of my fear, timidity, and pride.

Some people seem to think of God as something like an erudite professor speaking to a large, dark room full of faceless students from a high podium on a distant stage. They attend church services to hear the sermons, and some of them refer to the textbook (The Holy Bible) from time to time. But, like me, they never consider approaching the Teacher (God) personally, even when they don’t fully understand what they’ve heard. God isn’t like that, though. Yes, He is the Maker of the entire universe and Creator of humankind, and His presence reaches to the farthest limits. But He is also a personal God who invites us to come to Him, ask Him questions, and get to know Him. Yes, His greatness is intimidating, but His love is just as great, and He offers it freely all the time.

This reminds me of the Bible story about Nicodemus. He was a high-ranking member of the Pharisees, a prominent sect of Judaism during Jesus Christ’s time on Earth. Nicodemus visited Jesus at night to ask him questions about his teaching. He had heard Jesus speak in the temple, but he wanted to understand more. Let’s read about his encounter with Jesus in John 3:2 (NIV). Nicodemus approached Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Nicodemus and Jesus went on to have a deep philosophical discussion in which Jesus shared profound truths about himself, His Heavenly Father (God), and the kingdom of Heaven. The record of their discussion includes one of the best known and most treasured verses in scripture: “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). What an amazing tutoring session!

Since Nicodemus waited until nightfall to go to Jesus, it’s likely that he was nervous and timid about approaching him at first. It didn’t take long for Nicodemus to become fully engaged in a meaningful discussion with his teacher, though. He couldn’t fully grasp the truths Jesus imparted to him then, but he seems to have taken Jesus’s words to heart and pondered them after that night. We’re not told what happened immediately after that encounter, but in John 19 we learn that Nicodemus was one of two men who came to prepare Jesus’s crucified body for burial, bringing his own costly spices. Finding the courage to approach Jesus and ask him questions that night had an eternal impact on Nicodemus’s life.

Let’s read what Jesus said about His Father and how He wants to help us. According to Luke 11:9 (NIV): “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

We are invited to come and sit at the feet of the one true living God! The God who set the stars in place and who knows how many hairs are on your head welcomes you and wants you to not only know Him, but to learn from Him and grow in wisdom and faith. He requires no appointment or admission fee for us to enter His Presence. All we need to do is seek Him out, knock on His door, and ask whatever questions are on our hearts. What an incredible invitation! Let’s learn more about God’s invitation to us in Hebrews 4:16 (KJV). It reads, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

As great and mighty and omniscient and unfathomable as God is, He is also approachable and welcoming. His office hours are always open for us. Therefore, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You are great and mighty, and loving and approachable. Help us take advantage of your amazing invitation to seek You, knock on your door, and ask whatever is on our hearts with confidence so that we can grow closer to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Before the Throne of God Above” by Selah. 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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: How to put God first in your life this new year

Six Ways to Prioritize Loving God in the New Year
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

Have you started feeling that January slump?

As much as I love the idea of a new year—a fresh start, a clean new page in my calendar, and a slate of New Year’s resolutions to motivate me in the gray chill of winter—when Christmas is over, I usually can’t help it. My mood and my spirits naturally dip. I try to throw myself into work or a new exercise regimen, convinced they’ll snap me out of my funk, but that slump is inevitable.

Still, as the words to one of my favorite songs proclaims, I serve a God of both the highlands and the heartache—He’s with me in the highs and the lows, the mountains and the valleys, no matter what. (Take that, seasonal mood swings!)

That’s why this year, instead of making resolutions, I’m keeping things simple and focusing instead on prioritizing my relationship with God above all. That’s because I’ve learned that when my sights are fully centered on Him, everything else naturally shifts into place—my health goals, career goals, everything.

And I invite you to join me in this.

See, so many of us spend our lives fighting God in some way, even though we usually don’t have any idea we’re doing this. We put idols before him, whether that’s money or dreams and wants or loved ones. We refuse to let God be God and instead cling to the idea that we can control our lives.

But I’ve found that when I surrender to the Lord, simply focusing myself on getting in alignment with the plan He already has for me, I don’t have to work so hard. In fact, I don’t even have to know what that plan is—I just need to draw close to Him, and He shows me the way.

Here are six ways we can all draw closer to God in the New Year:

Way #1: Read the Bible
I’m already doing this, and maybe you are, too. I have a rule with myself that I’m not “allowed” to do anything on my phone—check email or texts, go on social media, nada—until I read my Bible chapter. I admit that even now, after about a decade of this, I don’t always understand what I’m reading. I just finished the Book of Ezekiel, and many mornings I closed my reading more confused than comforted. But reading the Bible isn’t about my personal comfort. It’s about me trying to get closer to the Lord, to tuck His words into my soul, to remain obedient and honor Him. Sometimes, people read the Bible once or twice all the way through and consider their task “done”. But daily Bible reading is more than an intellectual exercise. And committing to it is an act of love that helps us draw closer to God.

Way #2: Pray
Some people pray in bed, during their commute, or while they exercise. Some pray micro-prayers throughout their day, while others record prayer in a journal or the margins of their Bible. There’s no perfect way to pray. Last year, I experimented for a long time with the ACTS method of prayer—expressing adoration (A), confessing my shortcomings (C), offering thanksgiving for the blessings God has provided (T), and asking God to provide in my life or the lives of others through prayers of supplication (S). For this year, I’ve just ordered a prayer journal. Spending time with the Lord in prayer—and not just rattling off our wishes and needs but genuinely listening to Him—needs to be an essential part of our day.

Way #3: Spend time in nature
I have a gym membership as well as a treadmill and a weight bench in my home, but my favorite way to exercise is outdoors. That’s because instead of “exercise”, the experience becomes a time to savor creation and bask in worship of the Lord. When we get outside, our problems and worries tend to decrease in view of the vast world around us. Concerns tend to get smaller. Even just sitting on my patio helps put things in perspective. It’s hard not to focus on God when you’re outside.

Way #4: Join a group Bible study
There is something to be said about getting together with other believers to study God’s word. Superficial relationships turn into real friendships. Church more like it’s supposed to—a congregation of God’s people united with the common goal of discipleship. Christianity is harder when we go it alone. We can get lonely, and we all know the wolf (devil) has an easier time snagging the stray sheep than dealing with the whole flock.

Way #5: Take a faith risk
Is there something you feel God nudging you to do—big or small—that requires a measure of sacrifice, risk, or surrender? Why not see if that nudge is actually a call from God? Take a faith risk in some way. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) reminds us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Countless stories in the Bible remind us that God often urged His people to do things that were wildly uncomfortable. A few examples in the Bible of this challenge are in the stories of Noah, Abraham, Mary and Jesus Christ’s disciples. When they accepted God’s challenge, they received blessings beyond measure, and most importantly a deepened relationship with the Lord.

Way #6: Do what God asks
Obeying God is important. He outlines what He expects of us in scripture. Most important are loving Him with all our heart, mind and soul and loving our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:36-40). But other ways to love, honor, and obey God are peppered throughout the Bible. As 1 John 2:3-6 tells us, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Be encouraged to know that everything else will fall into place when we make the effort to prioritize God over all.

Let’s Pray: Lord, it’s time. Help me push aside all the frivolous concerns and petty priorities that clamor for my attention and instead focus on You, trusting that You will bring clarity and understanding about how I should live this year. Help me remember that You are in control, not me. I love you, and I surrender to you. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: "First" by Lauren Daigle. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: "Lord Over All" by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: "First Things First" by Consumed By Fire. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

Jessica has won more than 100 writing awards. She is a seasoned speaker and frequent contributor to Christianity.com, BibleStudyTools.com, and Crosswalk.com, among many others. She has a weekly faith blog at JessicaBrodie.com and is part of the team at Wholly Loved Ministries, with her work included in many of their devotionals and Bible studies.

She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.

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

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

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: https://www.jessicabrodie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicajbrodie/
Twitter: https://x.com/JessicaJBrodie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessicajbrodie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajbrodie/
Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jessica-brodie
Download her free e-book:
https://www.jessicabrodie.com/ebook-god-centered

Devotionals for the Heart: Wisdom

Gaining Wisdom Through Repetition
A devotional by Heidy De La Cruz

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

—Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)

Have you ever read a book or a Bible study several times because the content was so captivating?

I did the Bible study “Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom” by (in)courage ministries twice because it was that good! And I’ll probably read through it again multiple times because there is wisdom in this study, practical steps to gain wisdom, and reminders that God is our ultimate source of wisdom.

Through this study, I’ve learned two important facts: not everyone is wise and not everyone will gain wisdom. However, if put into practice, like habits, timing, and repetition, everyone who wishes to be wise can gain wisdom. In week five of this study, the writer (Melissa Zaldivar) talks about how wisdom is learned through practice.

Zaldivar wrote, “I learned that a habit is built when we commit to doing the same thing more than once. When it comes to wisdom, we don’t only have to consider or apply it one time. No, we have the chance to really build that muscle by continually turning to Jesus and asking Him what’s best.”

When I read that, it hit me hard because I recently experienced health issues with my son, and I must admit I didn’t turn to God first for answers. It wasn’t until the situation was becoming desperate that I turned to God and prayed for wisdom and guidance. That, my friends, should have been my first step. That’s wisdom. That needs to become a habit for me and for all of us.

Think about the last time you went through hardship. Did you seek God first for guidance and answers? If not, this is a habit that needs to be built, and it’s done with practice and with time. Part of wisdom is knowing that we must run to God first with every inconvenience. Yes, He places people in our lives to guide us and provide advice, but in the end, we need to discern and ask Him if that advice is Godly or not.

After running to God, asking for guidance, and asking for prayers from people in my circle, things started to take a turn. The light was starting to show at the end of the tunnel, but in the middle of the darkness, it was hard. God didn’t promise we wouldn’t go through hardships, but He promised to be there with us. The wisdom I gained in this situation is that I need to create the habit of going to God first with everything. It was something I forgot.

So today, I am giving you this reminder to go to God first. Go to Him for everything and anything. Let’s make it a habit to have a continuous conversation with Him throughout our day. Go to Him first, especially for the hard stuff. He has the answer for it all.

Let's Pray: Lord, I pray for whoever is reading this and may be in the middle of something hard. Remind them to go to You first. I pray that everyone reading this devotional today will gain the wisdom and the habit of going to God first whenever challenges come up and whenever an answer is needed. Thank you, God, for the challenges we go through, as they make us stronger and provide wisdom. Remind us that we cannot do anything without You but we can do everything with you. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Perfect Wisdom of Our God” by Keith & Kristyn Getty. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heidy De La Cruz is a published writer/author and podcaster. She writes the weekly newsletter “Into My Thoughts” on Substack where she shares personal development content, life experiences with life lessons, and faith-based encouragement posts.

Heidy is the host of “The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants Podcast” where immigrants share their stories about moving to the United States. She is also a podcast coach and helps those who desire to host their own show launch.

Heidy holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She works as a Medical Coding Analyst.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and their two kids.

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Connect with Heidy:
Website: https://heidydelacruz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13/

Devotionals for the Heart: Sustenance

God is My Sustenance
A devotional by Dr. Jessica B. Turner

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”—Psalms 63:1 (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself so thirsty that it’s the only thing you can think about?

You try to press on with what you are doing but your mind keeps wandering back to the fact that you need water, and you need it now! Suddenly, all your energy has shifted towards meeting this basic need. And when you get to take that first sip, it gives life to you!

Now, I want you to think back to a time when you felt this same way about God and His presence. Did you address it with the same dedication, stopping everything else to seek His face? Are you struggling to even recall such an incident? If I am completely honest with myself, my answers aren’t what I would like them to be either.

The reality is I’m lucky if I even realize that it’s God that I’m lacking while going through my day. Instead, if I’m not careful, I will turn to things of this world to meet a need that was never meant to be filled by anything other than God’s presence. It’s why so many other things often leave me feeling even more unfulfilled than before.

We live in a world that promises happiness in all the wrong places. We turn to social media to seek approval from others, and to validate that we are loved. We rely on the latest trends to help us feel attractive. We follow all the advice of the “experts” in attempt to be good enough. Yet, we always end up where we started: lacking.

Until we open our eyes to what David is sharing in Psalms 63:1, we will never be satisfied. We must recognize that God is what our souls are longing for, and only God can quench such a thirst. But what if we don’t yearn for His presence as David did? I believe most people don’t, especially in the beginning.

As a new believer (or someone who isn’t quite sure what they believe), it can be scary to spend alone time with God. Some of us are still carrying shame associated with our past while others may be at a loss for words, not knowing what to say or do in His presence. Instead of doing everything in our power to seek God, we subconsciously avoid Him because we don’t see ourselves as worthy.

Let me tell you something! You are enough as you are, and God cannot wait to spend time with you! He was so intentional when He created you and me. Relationship with us was so important to Him that He made us with a space in our hearts that only He can fill, and until we realize that, we will wander through this life feeling incomplete.

Today, I want to encourage you to pursue God’s presence. Ask Him to ignite a fire within you that only He can satiate. Trust me, He will be delighted to answer such a request!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me in such a way that my soul longs for You. Reveal to me when I am turning to worldly things to satisfy this yearning. Expose the things that have become idols without my knowing. Bring me back to You as my one and only source of fulfillment. Help me to seek Your face as David did and fill me with Your spirit so I can go out and do the work of Your kingdom here on Earth. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Thirst for You” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Way

My Way or The “Most High” Way?
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“This is why the fulfillment of God’s promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing Him and what he does.”— Romans 4:16 (MSG)

I keep a journal where I write down what I study in the Bible, how God speaks to me, prayer requests and sometimes even my prayers themselves. Sometimes I like to go back to my journal and read the things I've written, specifically the prayers I've prayed to see if and how God has answered.

Do you ever read back through your journal and see a pattern of you asking God for things for yourself and others? Do you see yourself asking God to bless your plans and ideas? I would be lying if I said I didn't. How often do we ask God what His plans are for us? If I were to read back over the last couple months of entries, I might be disappointed in myself to see how few times I asked God what He had planned for me or what Kingdom work He had going on that He wanted me to be a part of.

While God wants us to be productive, He is far more concerned with whether we are walking in our purpose. He places passions and desires in us, but their main purpose is to be used to further His kingdom and bring Him glory. God created us for a purpose, and we will be happiest and feel most fulfilled when we are pursuing that purpose. Our job is to get on board with what God wants us to be doing and how He wants us to be doing it. Our best efforts are useless if they are not aligned with the will of the Father. And God (our Father) tells us this, more than once, in His Word.

Have you heard the saying, “It’s my way or the highway” yet? The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) as well as in Proverbs 16:25 (NLT), “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” All of a sudden “my way” doesn’t sound so appealing, does it? 

I have known God to repeat a recurring theme or topic to emphasize its importance. I have even seen in the Gospels where exact words are repeated as different writers recounted the same story. But I don’t recall many times where the exact same words are repeated in two different places within God’s Word (The Holy Bible), were completely unrelated to each other. Seeing these two verses that read exactly the same makes it pretty clear God doesn’t want us to miss this. I’m also pretty sure He knew we’d need to hear those words more than once.

One of the many things I love about God is that He doesn’t place expectations on us without giving us the means to fulfill them and usually examples of how to carry them out. This topic is no different. Romans 4:2-3 (MSG) states, “If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we’re given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, “Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own.”

We see here that “Abraham entered into what God was doing for him” instead of asking God to enter into what Abraham was doing. How many times have I tried to write a “Cyndi story” with God’s stamp of approval on it? Far too many times, I can assure you. And I love that we see here that “God was doing something for Abraham”. When we align our plans with God, He will not only work with us but also for us. That’s when we tap into the full power of the living God.

This verse also tells us Abraham "trusted God to be right" and set him straight "instead of trying to be right on his own". Does that feel like a Holy Spirit punch to anyone else? 

So often I think I know what’s best for me and my life only to find out over and over again that God’s ways are not only higher than mine, but far better (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Often, I think I am working so hard to accomplish something for God and yet it feels like I’m swimming against the current. Usually, I discover I am trying to bring God on board with my plans, plans I wasn’t called by God to carry out. Instead, I should be trying to do something with God and then He will do something for and with me.

Romans 4:16 (MSG) above makes it clear that if we want to experience fulfillment of God’s promises then we have to trust Him entirely and then embrace Him and what He does. We have to decide, daily, that even when things seem hopeless, we are going to live on the basis of what we know to be true about God, rather than what we see or feel in the natural. This is the “Most High way” and it’s so much better than our own way! 

Let’s Pray: Gracious God, we know Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts and Your ways are higher than our ways. Yet we still often try to take control of our lives usually leaving a mess in our wake. You are always faithfully waiting to pick up our pieces and lead us back into Your will and Your ways. Help us to more consistently seek You first and to always be on the lookout for the Kingdom work going around us that You prepared in advance for us to be a part of. It's our heart’s desire to walk confidently in the path and purpose You created us for. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him. 

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

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Connect with Cyndi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

Devotionals for the Heart: Seek

Seek His Face, Not His Hand
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

– Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

You may have heard or know the popular scripture “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV). It’s a promise from God to the exiled people of Judah. This verse is often quoted to high school graduates about their future. Yet, we too should remember that God has a plan for each of us in every season. There is a promise wrapped what God is doing right now – only it might not be what you think or expect.

In the early hours of Good Friday last month, a great mentor of mine, Pastor Kent Jarvis of Akron, Ohio, passed away. He was 58 and died of brain cancer. He was an extraordinary minister who irrevocably changed my view of God and His plan for my life.

This is an excerpt from a piece I wrote about him in 2001 (edited for time):

“My fondest memories of Kent are during choir practice. [However], I used to be intimidated by what I perceived to be his higher level of thinking. Kent seemed so serious and carefully orchestrated in his actions. He was always living “in the present” and I lived “looking toward the future.” On one my weekends home from college, shortly after the end of Sunday service, I was surprised when Kent suddenly walked up to me. We had rarely had face-to-face conversations.

“How are things going for you, Mirachelle?” He asked in his gentle, soothing voice. 

“Oh,” I stammered, “Things are okay. College is good. I am wondering about the future. I don’t know what I am going to do yet, but I am waiting on God to guide and direct me. I want to know His will for my life.”

Kent continued to smile. “Oh, well, that’s good.” Then he surprised me again. “Did you ever consider that maybe God doesn’t want you to worry about your future? Seeking God’s will isn’t what it’s all about. He wants all of us to concentrate on getting to know Him right now, in the present. It’s about getting personal in your relationship with Him. You’ve got to seek Him first, not His will. It’s in seeking Him that God reveals His will for our lives...Seek His face, not His hand.”

Dumfounded, I said something like, “Wow, I hadn’t thought of it that way before.”

Kent went further, “God wants to know you, and for you to know who He is in you. He doesn’t worry about where you will go. As we seek Him, eventually He leads us [there].” 

Later that night, I went to the Lord in prayer and had a vision. I was riding in a car with Jesus, who was driving. He was calmly navigating the road as I noticed everything rushing by, paying attention to everything else but Him. Realizing this, I suddenly stopped and faced him. He slowed the car and pulled off onto the shoulder. 

Having my full attention, He began to speak. We talked together like best friends. I was being filled up with wonder and abundant joy in this moment of oneness, face-to-face time with Him. I felt alive and connecting with The One who knew everything about me, and because He loved me so much, all He wanted to do was to be with me. It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing. It was just the two of us, and that’s all that mattered.

The true meaning of Kent’s words unraveled my life. They awoke a glorious revelation in my heart that I didn’t need to know what God was doing in my life because most precious to Him was time with me. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV). I am forever grateful He used Kent, someone I so admired, to show me. What a joy it is now to know that Kent is spending eternity at the feet of Jesus, and I know there is no other place he’d rather be.

Have you spent time with God lately, just you and Him? With no agenda or expectations. No plan or petition. Just face-to-face time with Him. Take time today to let Him pull the car over to the side of life’s road and just talk. Seek His face, and you’ll find all you need.

~*~
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: Lessons learned from The Lion King (movie)

Lessons From The Lion King
A devotional by Julia Wilson

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” 

–Psalm 32:8a (NIV)

God is not limited. He can use all sorts of things to talk to us and to get our attention. All around us there are life lessons to be learned.

I have always enjoyed the cartoon of The Lion King so I was very eager to see the new movie. It was, in my opinion, one of the best movies I have ever watched. I found God ‘speaking’ to me throughout this film, so would like to share some of my observations, in no particular order.

Scar, the evil brother in The Lion King, reminded me of the accuser. He takes Simba aside and whispers to him, “You’re no good. Nobody wants you.” He piles the guilt on Simba, encouraging him to run away. I wondered how often do we do this to ourselves? We listen to those voices that tell us we are no good. Nobody likes us. Why would anyone want us? These are not the voices we should be listening to. We need to stop listening to these voices and tune in to the life affirming voice of God. God says we are loved. We are wanted. We are to come to Him just as we are, no running away.

There is a beautiful scene where Simba sits beside his Dad, Mufasa, as they watch the sunset. Mufasa tells Simba that he will always be with him, and to just look up to the sky and he will be there. He will never leave Simba. Isn’t this just like God? God tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV). When we look for God, we will find Him. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV). Whatever we are facing, look up and see God. We are never alone.

Later Rafiki, the monkey, leads Simba to water, pointing out to him that his father lives in him. We see Mufasa in the reflection. Likewise, we can have our Heavenly Father living in us. We are called to be the eyes and ears, the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting world.

During their previous father-son talk, Mufasa tells Simba “everything the light touches is yours.” It’s a vast, green area so why is Simba not satisfied? Why does he insist on going to the darkness that is the elephant’s graveyard? We can be a bit like Simba, God tells us that everything we have is ours, so why are we not satisfied? There are echoes here of the grumblings of the elder brother in the prodigal son as his father tells him that “all I have is yours” (John 17:10 NIV).

God is a generous God. He withholds nothing from us. He lavishes good gifts on us so why do we listen to that voice that urges us to give in to temptation? “Go on, you deserve it.” It only takes a small spark to start a huge fire and sin is like that, it just snowballs and before we know it we are deep into addiction (shopping, alcohol, drugs etc.). Even Jesus was tempted in the desert. He defeated temptation by standing on the Word of God. “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matthew 4:10 NIV). When we face temptation, we too must stand firm on His Word.

Simba spends a while in the wasteland and while it is a lush, green wasteland, it is not what Simba was created for. He needed to fulfill his purpose to be king. God has a purpose for each and every one of us. We were not created to wander in the wasteland, no matter how nice it looks. We were created for a purpose… we were created to have the promise of God living in us. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 NIV).

In summary, God wants to teach us life lessons and He will get our attention using whatever He can. For me today, it was The Lion King but tomorrow it will be something different.

~*~
Author Bio:

My name is Julia Wilson but I also go by Christian Bookaholic.

I live with my husband and five cats in a small town in Worcestershire on the banks of the River Severn (England). We have four grown up children and three granddaughters.

I have always loved reading and have always been surrounded by books. I used to work as a teaching assistant for special needs in the local high school. Ill health forced me to stop working in December 2015. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (known as M.E.) and fibromyalgia. I now have plenty of time to read and review books!

Our eldest son set up my Christian Bookaholic blog. I review every book I read. I read over 300 books a year. I read Christian and mass market. I prefer stories set from 1850 onwards. My favourite type of books to read is stories set in WWI and WWII, and Russia under Czar Nicholas II.

I am a historian, having a Combined Humanities degree where I majored in History and minored in English. I also love swimming. I only learned how to swim in 2017 and go swimming four mornings a week for 90 minutes before breakfast, it keeps my joints going.

I am also a crazy cat lady. I absolutely love my cats. I have grown up with cats and cannot imagine life without them. My dream is to own an old fashioned seal point Siamese … but not while we have our young rescue cat as she hates other cats!

I love God and love going to a large lively church called Lifecentral. I cannot imagine life without God. He gives a peace even when life does not. He guides my life. He is my Rock.