Devotionals for the Heart: Allow God to guard and protect your mind

Your Mind Matters
A devotional by Casey Wayne

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”—Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

I sat in my car feeling defeated.

Tears fell down my cheeks as the sound of my kids filled the car.

I questioned why God led me here. I felt overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the life I have.

Giving up in exhaustion seems inevitable as the demands of marriage, motherhood and other obligations tell me I am not enough. Pulling myself together, I trudge through my day as best I can. By dinner time I feel even more behind on everything. Somehow it feels like I have done nothing today when in reality I know that is not true.

In the end it feels abundantly clear, my best is not good enough. I become painfully aware of this as I try to decide what, if anything, I want to attempt to accomplish in the hour or so left in my day. Something in my brain keeps telling me to just give up. It all feels like a losing battle and what is the point of it all anyway. After all, what difference am I making?

In moments like this, darkness is drawing us in. Satan would love nothing more than to draw our thoughts away from God’s light. Our mind is such a critical component in our daily lives. It dictates our mood, our words and actions. The daily thoughts of our mind become the front lines of spiritual warfare as we walk out our faith. The people of Biblical times were no different. Paul describes the Gentiles as living “hopelessly confused” with their minds in darkness, closed off from God. (Ephesians 4:17-18). Lies are the devil’s specialty, convincing us that what we have learned about our God and His promises are not true. He loves to steal our peace and hope found in Jesus Christ. When we feel overwhelmed, lost, and afraid, Satan feels empowered to use that for his purposes. Those of us in Christ know that God has something better for us.

In Ephesians, Paul provides a description of what it looks like to live in response to our salvation. As we turn from sin and strive to be more like Christ, he gives us the way to avoid deception. Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT) says, “instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can transform our thoughts and keep them in line with what God has for us. Allowing God to transform our minds is an important part of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus even makes it clear in the book of Matthew that we should always “love the Lord” with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).

Consistently spending time in God’s Word and in prayer can help you fight this battle.

Reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness allows you to see the devil’s lies for what they are and takes away his power to wield them against you. Practice taking back those moments for God’s glory by resting in God’s promises when you discern that Satan is at work.

Pause and pray for God to give you strength and reminders of the hope you have in Christ.

As we build a relationship with our heavenly Father we develop an ability to keep a Gospel truth perspective. Your mind will be “renewed as you learn to know your Creator” (Colossians 3:10). 

Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment to see when the father of lies is attacking. Then you can take back your thoughts for the glory of God.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift we have in Jesus Christ. We appreciate the hope and grace we receive through Him. Please give me the wisdom to see the moments where Satan is attacking my thoughts and trying to use them for his purposes. Give me the strength and hope to take back those moments for your glory. So that, in turn, my words and actions can reflect Your light into this dark and broken world. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Look What You’ve Done” by Tasha Layton. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Casey Wayne is a wife and mother of two children.

She enjoys time with her family doing simple things like movie nights and cooking together.

As a devotional writer, Casey strives to share her story with relatable honesty, showing how God is faithful throughout the big and small moments of life.

She has a heart for encouraging the faith walk of other moms, praying they gain a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father.

Her family lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

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Connect with Casey:
Website: https://www.caseywayne.org/
Blog: https://peaceoffaith.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseylwayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peace.of.FaithCaseyWayne

Devotionals for the Heart: Rest

Spiritual Rest
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” – Genesis 2:2 (KJV)

God worked and then He rested. Yes, God rested! It’s right there in the Scriptures for us, clearly inked in black and white. Let me tell you something about me: I love to work. I love getting things done. I am a goal setter and a goal crusher (with the help of the Lord) but I also understand the importance of rest, especially these days.

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with a former colleague years ago. She was a go-getter, and I was always impressed by her strong work ethic, her ability to train others well, her organization and leadership skills, and the quality of work she produced. In this conversation, she explained to me the importance of taking advantage of my vacation days. She explained to me the importance of rest, and she explained how one is much more productive when he or she is rested. I have found this to be so true.

I also remember working late one evening and thinking to myself, “I’m just going to do this one thing, and then I’ll go home.” That one thing turned into another “one more thing” and another “one more thing” and another “one more thing.” I ended up texting my manager who was traveling and telling her I was staying late because I still had some things I wanted to finish up. That’s when she told me to stop and reminded me that the work will always be there. She then told me to go home. I listened, packed up my stuff, and went home, and I was glad I did because I was very productive the next day.

At times, we get so caught up with the “Let’s get it done” attitude that we neglect our rest—spiritual, mental, and physical.

Remember, it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to say no at times. It’s okay to get your rest. In fact, you should get your rest, and if we don’t learn the importance of saying no to ourselves and to others, then we can easily become exhausted.

Now, let’s talk about this in a spiritual sense.

I understand that I can better feed others when my soul has been fed.

Recently, I announced to my social media audience that I was taking a sabbatical with regard to my live Biblical teachings. I have experienced quite a lot over an extended period of time, and in a couple of videos, I described how my ministry was under “spiritual attack.” I also stated that I had been feeding my readers and viewers (spiritually) for quite a while and that I needed someone pouring into me at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m still on my spiritual job, but I am at a point where God has me listening more than teaching and posting right now. I have been watching and listening to various Biblical messages almost daily and allowing my spirit to be fed, nurtured, and refreshed. Trust me, it is making a difference. These sermons and inspirational messages are serving as excellent reminders of who I am in Christ and reminding me of the power that resides within me. I am reminded that God has a handle on things, I am an overcomer in Christ, and that as Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I’m writing all of this to say the following: Take the time to take care of yourself. Now, I believe in being a hard worker, especially in a spiritual sense, and I’m reminded of Colossians 3:23 (KJV), where it states the following: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” In other words, work like you’re working for the Lord because if you think about it, with anything we do, it is an opportunity to be a light for God.

In summary, work hard but rest hard too. Be willing to humble yourself and listen! Listen to God and listen to others as God speaks to you through them. Doing so strengthens your spirit and better positions you to serve others.

As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

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Author Bio:

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

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily.
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Dr. Borden has been blessed with a variety of gifts, and she has gained much professional experience in a variety of settings. She also has served in administrative roles in the professional and church settings. 

In addition to obtaining her PharmD, she also obtained her bachelor's degree in biology (minor in English), and she is working on her third degree. What's more, as stated in her words, “I completed a specialty pharmacy residency that prepared me for the workforce and made me a force to be reckoned with.” She is a long-distance runner, a drummer, a singer, and she has a strong “fashion sense.” She also can read and type at almost supersonic speed in some instances.

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

She loves God and she loves people. She is “crazy about her family,” and she adores her friends. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. She loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: Thrifting

Spiritual Thrifting
A devotional by Heather Martin

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

I’m not exactly sure if they loved thrift shopping because we were poor, or they just loved the thrill of finding good things at discounted prices. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Growing up, my mother and grandmother religiously made weekly visits to two thrift stores in our neighborhood with my sisters and I in tow.

Whether it was an old book, a pair of skates, a doll, jeans, a church dress (my all time favorite one that had ruffles and a bell on the bottom), or a shirt, I always found something I just couldn’t go home without! It felt like a weekly adventure that I learned to look forward to and love! This was the beginning of my love affair with thrifting. 

I have found some of my most treasured things at the thrift store. Recently, I was so excited to find a vintage Gucci purse at the thrift store for a whopping $3! I get joy when someone walks into my house and admires this beautiful picture that I found at a thrift store. It is exhilarating! I could go on and on, but you get the point, I love thrifting!

In case you’re beginning to wonder what this has to do with God, here it comes…I highly recommend thrifting, but not when it comes to your relationship with God.

It can be so easy to go to church and listen to a sermon without going home to study the Bible for yourself. That’s spiritual thrifting. Or to listen to someone else’s testimony without being introspective. That’s spiritual thrifting. Becoming a member of a church not because you are convicted of the message, but because it is a family tradition. That’s spiritual thrifting.

Am I saying that spiritual thrifting is entirely wrong? No. I am just suggesting that the basis of our relationship with Jesus should be personal, not passed down or “thrifted.”

Don’t get me wrong, we do need and use the testimonies and experiences of others to help make us stronger, and better Christians. However, God wants each of us to have a personal relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:18). He also wants us to work! 

According to 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT), He wants us to “work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

The God who “knows how many hairs are on our head” (Matthew 10:30) and “knew us when we were being formed in our mother’s wombs,” (Jeremiah 1:5) desires for us to know Him just as intimately and personally.

There is a gospel song that says “I had a praying grandmother,” and this is great. But will you pray? Will you study God’s Word (The Holy Bible) for yourself?

Would you want a doctor to operate on you if He could only tell you of the experiences his fellow doctors had doing the surgery? No, you’d want the doctor who actually had tons of experience doing the surgery himself to do your operation because he has an experience that equips and qualifies him for the job.

As a Christian, it is our duty not to solely rely on the testimonies and prayers of others, but to have our own personal encounters with God. It will make us more powerful and qualified to live this life, and be a witness to others.

Don’t allow your relationship with Him to be completely second-handed or thrifted. Get to know God on a first hand basis and oh, the treasure you will find!

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Author Bio:

Heather Martin was born the last of six siblings in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised by an amazing single mother (Rebecca Trotter) and was taught at an early age to love God and how to sing! 

She graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts Education and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Kaplan University.

Shortly after graduating she followed God’s call to minister. She joined the Stellar, Dove, and Grammy-nominated gospel group Virtue, which was founded by her two older sisters Ebony Holland and Karima Kibble several years prior. Virtue has used their talents to spread the love of God across the world! They have recorded 7 studio albums and have been the recipients of numerous awards.

God has not only blessed Heather professionally, but personally. She met her husband, Dr. Colin Martin, and they have been married for 14 years. They have four children: Colin Jr. 11, Harper 10, Clark, 7, and Charleston 5.

In 2016, Heather started an online blog and vegan and allergen-friendly cooking channel called “Chef Mommy.” Heather (Chef Mommy) has cooked with numerous celebrities and top chefs to spread the news of healthy cooking and lifestyle.

In addition to this busy schedule, Heather enjoys, running, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

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Connect with Heather:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTMartin
Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/thechefmommy/
Instagram for Virtue (Heather’s singing group): https://www.instagram.com/virtuegirls
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chefmommyhm