Devotionals for the Heart: God First

God first, others second
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

We keep a sign in our house that says, “God first, others second, self last.”

I thought I put it there for my kids, but as a reformed people-pleaser, I now know it’s there just as much for me as for them.

See, I’ve always felt like that awkward girl—the one who didn’t quite fit in. I was painfully shy, but I moved around a lot and also did a lot of theater, so I learned enough social skills to get by. Still, making real, lasting friendships wasn’t easy. Between trust issues and girl drama, I was always overly concerned about whether people liked me or what I could do to make friends. People-pleasing became an idol in my life.

Finally one day, well into my adulthood, I had enough of the games and the worrying. As my relationship with God grew stronger and I became more committed in my faith, I realized it no longer mattered what others thought. It only mattered what God thought.

But it was hard to unshackle my former chains. I’d become somewhat of a slave to my people-pleasing mentality. I had to retrain myself to “hit pause” or “reset” when an unhealthy thought would enter my head, to shut down my initial instinct to wonder, “Hmm, what might they think?” Instead, I focused on whether I was pleasing God.

Today, I hope this has become a natural habit. But I know I am a flawed human woman with a foot in two worlds: my eternal future with God and this temporary, earthly realm. And sometimes the voices of others clamor for attention so loudly that they threaten to drown out God’s almighty call on my heart.

I try my best to combat that by beginning my day in prayer and with Bible reading, and by being aware of the struggle between the world and the Lord. While I have an obligation and a mission to spread God’s love in the world, there’s a big difference between loving the people in the world and being influenced by those people.

That’s why the apostle Paul’s encouragement to the early church in Colossae speaks to me today. In his letter, Paul tells us to do all we do—whether that’s loving our family members or in our labors—in the name of Jesus.

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward. You serve the Lord Christ.”

 ~Colossians 3:23-24 (CEB)

You serve the Lord, he said—not people—so serve from the heart. Serve joyfully, in love, just as we love our Lord, for loving and serving our family is loving God. Loving and serving others is loving God. Loving and serving our “master” (modern day read on this is “boss”) is loving God.

God first. I pray I can always remember that.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 ACFW Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, and a member of the Wholly Loved Ministries team.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/shiningthelight

Devotionals for the Heart: Serving God with ALL that you have to give

How Much Do I Have?
A devotional by Jo Huddleston

Nothing else in the house moved as I stumbled up the hall. I stood half asleep at my kitchen sink. Looking through half-closed blinds, I discovered what had interrupted my predawn sleep. On the deck, several pesky blue jays perched atop my patio table, ready to welcome a new day. Aggravated at them for disturbing me, I pecked impatiently on a window pane. With much fluttering, the birds scattered to nearby trees. All but one.

The lone bird pranced around the table top, tilting his head this way and that, beady black eyes searching for his would-be attacker. I raised the mini blind and pecked fiercely on the glass again. There! He looked my way—he’d found me. He stared at me; I glared at him. Appearing to know my threatening noises couldn’t harm him, he didn’t budge.

Then the concert began, his music as crisp and crystal clear as the day’s spring morning. Each warble imitated his previous one.

Each time he chirped, the little bird quivered from the black collar across his throat to the trembling tip of his brilliant blue tail feathers. Every inch of the bird moved to produce his melody.

This little bird put all his body behind each note—he gave it all he had. I forgot the blue jay’s peskiness, enjoying instead my private recital.

Watching from my quiet kitchen, I thought about the tremendous effort the little bird displayed. He certainly didn’t go about his singing in a halfhearted way.

I wondered if Christians could measure up to the blue jay. Are we as committed with our efforts of praise and worship?

I recalled some of Jesus’ examples. I remembered the widow who placed only two coins in the temple treasury as her offering (Mark 12:41-44). Compared to the rich who put in much, the widow’s gift pleased Jesus, for He said she “put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44, NIV).

I remembered when Jesus fed the five thousand with only five barley loaves and two fish (John 6:5-14). The bread and fish belonged to a boy in the crowd. Apparently, it was all the food he had, but it proved sufficient for Jesus’ purpose.

Then I pondered, “How much have I given? Have much do I have?”

It makes no difference how much we have. Jesus demands our all when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. Jesus answered the questioning Pharisees, saying the first and greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37, NIV).

All we have. We must give all we have to love and serve God. Whether in our jobs, raising our children, church work or leisure time, God demands from Christian a 100 percent effort.

Like the little blue jay on my deck with only one song to sing, we must give it all we’ve got.

~*~
Author Bio:  

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author who writes novels inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her native American South. 

Novels in her endearing Caney Creek series, her West Virginia Mountains series, as well as her stand-alone release, Tidewater Summer, are sweet Southern romance novels. 

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN), and holds a M.Ed. degree from Mississippi State University. 

Visit Jo at www.johuddleston.com.

SaveSave

Devotionals for the Heart: Hospitality

The Heart of Hospitality
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” 
~Romans 12:13 NIV

How can I serve others and show God’s love?

Pause for a moment and think of people around you. People you know and people who are strangers. How would you respond if they needed something? A meal, a ride to the doctor or a ride to the grocery store? What if all they needed was a simple hello or a visit?

Needs come in all sizes. From major needs to minor needs, at one time or another, we all need someone. There are times when we feel comfortable asking for help and other times, we decide not to ask for help. Maybe the feeling of being a bother or that maybe someone else needs more help than we need. So, we don’t ask. We try to accomplish things on our own or just give up in despair. Maybe we are embarrassed to need assistance.

I have experienced vertigo for over 25 years. Never knowing when a dizzy spell will occur can be very scary. There is a difference between dizziness and vertigo and it is very hard to explain to someone who has not experienced one or the other.

When I was first diagnosed with vertigo, I decided to stop driving as I didn’t want to put others or myself in danger. Some people could not understand my inability to drive. I look perfectly fine on the outside. No outward signs of any illness or medical condition. Yet, my body would not allow me to enjoy activities of the past.

Not being able to drive caused me to miss volunteer meetings and special events. My husband works full time and taking time off from work every time I needed to go somewhere was not an option. He is very understanding about my condition and realizes some days are better than others for me.

Then, came the decision to ask others for help. Not wanting to be a burden caused me to postpone asking for help in the beginning. People have their own lives and schedules. Who would want to disrupt their life to drive me to appointments? Would anyone have the extra time?

Praying and asking God what to do in this situation was vital. He answered my prayers. Once I gave my worries to God, a sense of relief filled my heart and soul. I began sharing my story. As I shared, friends and strangers told me about their conditions and knowledge of vertigo. Friends learned of my vertigo and began offering rides to my appointments and activities. I only needed to ask and the request was answered. There was no need for me to be embarrassed or to feel like a burden.

What a blessing! Keeping quiet had caused me more worry. Sharing and asking for help brought peace and comfort.

Some friends even shared they were blessed through being a blessing to me. We never know when we may need to lean on others for help. God has given us blessings in those who practice hospitality.

Have you helped someone lately? Have you been a blessing? I bet you have. Pause and think of ways you can be a blessing to someone. Simple ways like smiles, waving hello, a phone call, a note in the mail, and yes, offering a ride to someone who can’t drive are all ways to show God’s love.

In His Name,

Melissa Henderson

~*~
Author Bio: 

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by precious grandson (Rowan).

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies and reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.

SaveSave

Giving it ALL to GOD

Dear blog readers,
God does not like lukewarm Christians. He wants believers who are willing to follow Him with their whole heart! May the song, "He Wants it All," performed by the family gospel performing artists foreverJONES inspire your hearts and minister to your souls:




GOD says to us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
 - Jeremiah 29:13 (http://bible.cc/jeremiah/29-13.htm)


For more about the music and family ministry foreverJONES, visit their official website via http://foreverjones.emigospel.com/biography/.