Devotionals for the Heart: When God calls us to step out on faith

Count the Cost of Waiting
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Have you ever felt a nudge in your spirit to act but decided to wait instead?

Sometimes, waiting can seem wise. We tell ourselves, “I'm being patient” or “I'm waiting on God.” But the truth is, God never told us to wait. While there are times when God calls us to wait, more often than not, He calls us to move forward in faith.

The Bible gives us clear examples of what happens when people either move ahead of God— like Abraham and Sarah—or hesitate when He calls them to action, like Moses. Abraham and Sarah grew tired of waiting for God's promise of a son, so they took matters into their own hands. The result was conflict, confusion, and long-term consequences. On the other hand, Moses hesitated when God called him to lead the Israelites, offering excuses instead of obedience. These examples remind us that the cost of moving ahead of God is high, but so is the cost of waiting when God has called us to act.

If God is calling you to start that ministry, launch that business, or write that book, it’s time to take a step of faith. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. There are consequences for waiting when God has not told you to wait.

First, when you refuse to take action, you risk missing the windows of opportunity God has prepared for you. God's timing is perfect, and often, His opportunities are time sensitive. God’s plan will always be fulfilled, but you could miss the chance to be a part of it. So, take action in faith, even when you don’t know every detail. You don’t have to have all the answers to say yes to God’s call. Pray for wisdom, but don’t let fear of the unknown cause you to procrastinate.

Next, fear often shows up as “waiting on God”. But in reality, it’s disobedience. When God calls you to step forward, fear will try to convince you that you’re not ready, you’re not equipped, or that you’ll fail. Because here’s the thing: The longer you wait, the stronger fear grows. You’ll find more “logical” reasons to not take action, and you’ll remain stuck. This is how comfort zones are created.

So, take one small step. God will provide what you need along the way, not before you begin. Every time you feel scared, remind yourself that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of feeling afraid. Finally, when God calls you to move and you choose to wait, you can also delay your blessing.

Delayed obedience can lead to missed blessings. So, step out in obedience, even if it’s uncomfortable. Ask yourself, “What simple step can I take today in obedience to God?” Take it one step at a time. If God has been calling you to start that business, take the first step by creating a plan. If He’s calling you to serve in ministry, get wise counsel and volunteer. Do something today that moves you closer to obedience. When God calls you to act, don’t wait.

If you’re unsure whether He is calling you to wait or act, pray and read His Word expecting to get an answer. But if you’ve already heard His voice and you’re still “waiting for confirmation” then it’s time to ask yourself if fear is disguising itself as patience. In that case, you’re not waiting on God, He’s waiting on you.

The cost of waiting is too high. Today, January 1 of a brand-new year, is the day to move forward in faith.

Let’s Pray: Lord, help me not lean on my own understanding. I ask for your wisdom and guidance as I step out in faith to do all that you have called me to do. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Walk on the Water” by Britt Nicole. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God tells us to go

When God Asks You to Go Where You Never Wanted to Go
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.”—Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

Imagine if Ruth said no.

When God whispered to Ruth’s spirit, urging her to leave her homeland to follow Naomi to a foreign land where she may face rejection, I wonder if she trembled in fear. If Ruth had been focused on what she could see, she probably wouldn’t have followed her mother-in-law to a foreign land. As a young woman newly widowed, did she desire to one day remarry?

If so, why did she opt to travel to Israel where prospects would be slim? Oh, I’m sure there would be men of marriageable age, but were Israelite men willing to marry a Moabite woman? Not likely. If her goal was marriage, then it seemed she should’ve stayed in Moab and married one of her own people.

If the thought crossed her mind, she didn’t let it stay there. Instead, Ruth pledged loyalty to Naomi saying, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17 ESV). Had Ruth given into fear and what she could see in the short-term, she would’ve missed out on the immense blessings that came from her obedience, including marriage to Boaz, children, and opportunity to be part of Jesus Christ’s lineage.

Let’s also examine the real-life stories of three more Bible characters: Saul (also known as Paul), Esther and Abraham. What if Saul had refused to listen to Jesus Christ when He confronted him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-31)? Saul never would have been changed for the better by God and made a new man to be on mission for Christ. What if Queen Esther who had hidden her Jewish heritage from the king, had allowed the possibility of death to hold her back from approaching the king’s throne, uninvited, to speak to him on behalf of her people (Esther 4 and Esther 5)? Finally, what would’ve happened if Abraham had chosen to stay in a familiar place when God called him to leave his home and everything he knew to go to a foreign land and start over (Genesis 12:1-4)?

God called each of these people to trust Him and to step out into the unknown. Ruth, Esther, Paul, and Abraham each had a choice: They could fix their gaze firmly on what they wanted (a spouse, a life of meaning, life itself, comfortability) and go the way they thought would take them where they wanted to end up or they could go God’s way, even when He asked them to go in what seemed to be the opposite direction.

Saying yes to God’s call meant saying no to what was easy in the interim. But the joy and blessings that follow surrender are worth more than anything any of those people from the Bible era—or any of us in this modern day—must give up.

There have been moments in my own life recently where it seems the Lord is stretching my faith. There are things on my heart, and whether these desires of my heart are from the Lord, I don’t know. But I do know that the Lord is consistently giving me the opportunity to grow and surrender. There are times when I long for something, and I feel in my heart the quiet whisper from the Lord. “Okay, I see what you want. Now trust Me.”

And just like that, He asks me to go what seems to be the opposite direction. Like Ruth. Like Abraham. Like Paul. Like Esther. And like every single one of us.

Now, let me clarify. This is not God telling me, “Oh, you want to be a writer? Don’t write. Go and do something completely different.” But it’s more about things that are beyond my control.

There are times when my heart is filled with faith, and I choose God’s way even though I can’t even fathom how or if the dots will ever be connected. It’s so important for us—albeit difficult, and I often fail miserably—to trust God and surrender to Him even if the answer is no. But the times when He finally connects the dots in a way that only He could’ve done, there’s no way I or anyone else could take credit for such things. It’s in those moments that I can only stand amazed and say, “Jesus got me here.”

But sometimes I choose fear and go my way because it doesn’t seem God will get me where I want to go. Then, when I finally reach my destination, I realize what I wanted is no longer within my reach. Circumstances changed, and had I gone the way God asked me to, I would’ve ended up where I wanted.

Dear friend, surrender is a beautiful thing. I praise God for His mercies and grace that are new every morning even when I fail. I want to encourage you today to follow God no matter what the cost. Even if He says no because He truly does know best.

I advise you to always go with God, even if He challenges your faith and asks you to go in what seems to be the opposite direction from the things you want.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father God, 

Forgive me for not trusting You with everything. Please help me to lay it all down and to choose Your way even if it doesn’t make sense with what I can see. I know Your ways are higher than my own. I choose to believe Your Word over my fears. Please help me. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I don’t deserve it. 

In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Trust You Again” by RH Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “God Speaking” by Mandisa. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I Surrender All” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: "I Will Go" by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others. 

From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.

When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.

You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.

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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/

Devotionals from the Heart: How to have freedom from fear

Freedom from Fear
A devotional by Alexis Newlin

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear but you have reviewed the spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, Abba! Father!”
–Romans 8:15 (ESV)

Let me tell you about something I seriously hate: FEAR. It is by far the worst thing that is out there in this world. It’s running thick in this season in many people around us. It is the very enemy of our souls. Once it attaches itself to you, its bondage can be very difficult to break.

This is my story:

I spent the majority of my life bound up in fear. My mom was a believer but a worrier, and she often expressed her worries to us. She had many worries, mostly financial. There were many times we were facing homelessness, not having enough food, having the lights turned off. It was a high stress environment. Because of our family’s lack in my childhood, I vowed to never struggle financially as my mother did. I would never require help from others and I would do everything myself. I set out to be financially independent.

Everything I did in my life was based upon this fear: that I would not be able to take care of myself and have no one to depend on. There’s a lot of pride in this belief that it is up to me to provide for myself. I was a believer, but my actions stated that I did not believe or trust that God would take care of me.

With my way, I thought I was being safe. I thought I was free.

In reality, I was deceived. I had become a slave to my fear.

And sadly, like fear does, it flows into other things: fear of love, fear of losing loved ones, fear of losing control, fear of sickness, fears about what others think, etc. In my mind, if I didn’t have any of the above fears happen, I’d be okay. Life would be good.

Then my biggest fear happened: I lost my mother.

I ran to God, but I also started building a wall. I closed myself inside it. I vowed to not let anyone in for the fear of the pain of losing someone again.

The beautiful thing about God is, that once we are His children, He’ll only let you live in bondage for so long before He comes in and starts shaking things.

That’s exactly what He did to me. He brought a friend to kick a hole in my wall. Then another. And another. I started to venture out, to see what life could be like outside the walls of my self-protection. When scary things happened I would run back inside. Eventually, I would stay outside my walls longer and longer. I’d let more people in, start new friendships, try new things, find new adventures.

My walls were still there until one day, after I had another world rocking moment, God knocked my walls down. I felt exposed, vulnerable. God said, “It’s time to learn how to live free.”

My life has never been the same.

It hasn’t been easy. I still deal with fear daily. I just choose not to live by it. It no longer rules over my life. In fact, I do many things that I fear. But, I am doing them with God. He’s always there. He always will be. He loves me and as soon as I cry out to Him, He’s right there.

Once that truth is realized, there is so much freedom. We are not meant to live in fear. It is bondage. It’s a spirit of slavery and we are NOT slaves. We’re meant to be free, just like God says in the following verses from His Word (The Holy Bible):

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear but you have reviewed the spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, Abba! Father!”
–Romans 8:15 (ESV)

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

In this current season where fear is running rampant and we’re questioning our mortality, remember this: God is bigger. He is bigger than our fears. Bigger than any virus. Bigger than our “what ifs.”

Run to Him. Trust that He cares for you. Choose to live in that freedom.

~*~
Author Bio:

Alexis is a 36-year-old lover of Jesus, loose leaf tea, roller coasters, writing stories and going on adventures. Originally from Marietta, GA, Alexis now resides in Fresno, CA. 

You can always find Alexis outdoors enjoying a walk in her neighborhood, scoping out the newest food truck, hanging out with friends or planning her next trip.

Her church, The Revival Center, and family mean the world to her. They have supported her through the loss of her mother and her own cancer diagnosis.

Alexis enjoys encouraging others by reminding them not to look at what they see, but to always look to God, who is working in the unseen.

Alexis currently writes for several online ministries and launched her first podcast – The Brave Podcast – in January 2020.

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Connect with Alexis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apeachincali/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/apeachincali
Podcast: http://thebravepodcast.buzzsprout.com
Website: www.apeachincali.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Sara's story about stepping out on faith

Be of Good Cheer
A devotional by Sara L. Foust

"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." ~Matthew 14:27 (KJV)

Has God ever asked you to do something scary? Something intimidating? Something so far out of your comfort zone you can’t even see your bubble of safety anymore? 

He has me. A few times now. And man, have I been scared standing at the beginning of those particular new jobs, often wondering why, Lord? Why me? How does my willingness in this area of life play into the bigger picture? What will I learn through this experience?

The truth is, though, that we don’t need to know the why, how, and what. When God asks, we should simply go. Easier said than done, right? 

I very highly doubt that the men and women in the Bible wanted to walk into the middle of a wilderness with no provisions whatsoever. Or that Peter wanted to step out of the safety of that boat to tread atop the water with Jesus. In fact, even the fleshly part of Jesus, the part that felt the agony and the pain, didn’t want to be crucified. He prayed for strength, though, and was willing to walk the line His Heavenly Father had laid out for him. I’m thankful I don’t have to suffer like He did. To this point, every job God has given me has blessed me beyond measure and only added to the joy in my life. 

As I write this, I realize I’m standing on the cusp of walking into the unknown. Just like the men and women of the Bible, God has asked me to do something for Him. I’ve accepted the call and I board a flight on Monday morning to literally fly all the way across the world. I’m leaving my babies, my husband, my every day, routine life to do something scary. Intimidating. Way, way far outside my comfort zone. 

But I know I will be okay, because Jesus is whispering in my heart that I should not be afraid. “Be of good cheer, child, there’s a reason you were called. There’s a reason you must go. There’s a reason, a plan, a puzzle piece that needs to be placed. By you.”

By the time you read this devotional, I will be on a plane headed home. I don’t know what the next two weeks hold for me, but I do know that I trust Him completely. I will have stories to share, photos to show off, and goodies to give to my family when I return. But more than that I have a feeling I will be different. 

With each tear I shed, joy or exhaustion or homesickness, I know they will be making me who God needs me to be for the next step in this journey. I will go and be of good cheer. I will not be afraid. Will you? 

~*~
Author Bio:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. 

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers.

Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

Let Love Bloom: The Wedding Barter

The Wedding Barter: The Story Behind The Story

A guest post by Alice K. Arenz

I’ve always loved reading and writing mysteries and suspense—all the puzzles that must be pieced together one scene at a time. And, while there’s always a bit of romance in each of my novels, they are, at the core, mystery/suspense. So, you can imagine my surprise when I was approached about writing a romance. I was flattered, but it was too far out of my comfort zone to even consider. 

But, the more I talked with my publisher—Forget Me Not Romances—the more curious I became. The premise sounded interesting and amusing—loosely based on a bridesmaid auction that had been in the papers—and would be part of six novellas in a proposed boxed set (later named Trying Out For Love). Maybe, just maybe, I could do this. After a lot of prayer, the seed of an idea soon blossomed into more than I could’ve ever imagined. The big question before me was—“Exactly HOW are you going to do this?!”

You see, my entire body was in such a state of spasm that I couldn’t sit at the computer—and because of chronic issues, working on a laptop in my chair is NEVER an option. Adding to the situation, were horrible allergy attacks that locked me in a mental and physical fog! But, I’m a firm believer that God wouldn’t have given me the idea and details if He didn’t have the solution already worked out.

After stewing over the dilemma for about a month, my husband suggested that I dictate to him as he typed on his laptop. Seriously? Which is exactly what I asked him. He was not only serious, he was dedicated to the project—even when absolutely nothing was happening! He tried to understand that “my process” had always involved me sitting at my desk, eyes closed, fingers on the keyboard as I prayed and waited for the “connection.” I can’t even begin to explain how much more difficult it was to find a way to verbally describe what I saw happening in my head! 

But, like my characters in Barter reminded themselves, all it takes is a mustard seed of faith. That’s what I sought, and the result is a 49,000-word short novel which is a romance based in the same fictional town of Tarryton, Missouri where The Bouncing Grandma Mystery series is set. No murders, but a few twists and turns, and, I hope, some laughs as well.

~*~
Author Bio:

Though Alice K. Arenz is known for her cozy mysteries and romantic mystery/suspense novels, the Carol Award-winning author has branched out with her newest release, The Wedding Barter, a romance that is both serious and funny. 

Arenz is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her first three novels were honored by two finals and one win in ACFW’s Carol Awards: cozy mysteries The Case of the Bouncing Grandma (a 2009 finalist), The Case of the Mystified M.D., (2010 winner), and mystery/suspense Mirrored Image (a 2011 finalist). These novels have been followed by An American Gothic, Portrait of Jenny, and short story, Home Cookin’.

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Blurb for Alice's book The Wedding Barter:

Riley Carr has been best friends with Amy Lawton since they were toddlers. While Amy awaits her discharge from the Army, Riley's been left in charge of helping to arrange "a very small, intimate ceremony with no fanfare" for Amy and her fiancé. But, Riley has something else in mind.

With the aid of two other friends, Riley presents her “wedding barter” idea to groom, David Herron. He agrees, providing best man, Mike Todd, stays in the loop to keep things from getting out of hand.

It doesn't help that the giant of a man is threatening, overbearing, and just doesn’t seem to like her or her ideas. But, when Todd gives Riley an ultimatum of producing results in three weeks or he’ll take over, she’s determined to prove him wrong . . . in more ways than one.

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Buy Alice's book on Amazon

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Connect with Alice:
Website - www.akawriter.com

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

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Words of Faith: Natalie's story on trust

Faith, Hope, and Love
A Words of Faith story written by Natalie Monk

One definition of faith is trust. In relationships, trust is as important as love.

I was reminded of this yesterday when an older man shared how he met and married his wife. His father-in-law-to-be wasn’t too keen on the match but, seeing his daughter had made her choice, decided to have a talk with the young man.

The girl’s father said, “Son, there’s one question I need you to answer before you can marry my girl.”

“What’s that?” the suitor asked.

The dad leaned forward. “You trust her?”

The fellow balked, “I-I love her.”

“That’s not what I asked. You can love without trust, but that will make for a miserable marriage if you’re always wondering about her faithfulness.”

Finally the young man answered, “Yes, I trust her.”

“Can she trust you?” the father asked.

The young man hesitated, since he was well known as a carouser and all around mischief-maker.

The father-in-law-to-be continued, “I don’t need to know where my wife is, who she’s with, and what she’s doing all hours of the day. I don’t worry about that…because I know where she’s not. I know who she’s not with. I know what she’s not doing. I trust her. That’s something that’s gotta be earned, son. I know my daughter loves you. But if she can’t trust you, she’ll have a miserable life. I don’t want that for her.”

Of course, things eventually worked out and the lovebirds married. Decades later, they’re now enjoying their children and grandchildren.

But the story stuck in my head, namely the part about love and trust.

We love God…but do we really trust Him? Does He influence every decision in our lives, big and small, especially during the hard seasons of waiting or facing the unknown?

Last year I had a fairly steady income teaching piano, a set schedule, and familiar routine.

I was comfortable.

Then my dad resigned the church he’d pastored since I was a young teenager. Having bathed the whole situation in prayer during the previous year, my dad stepped out on faith, sure of God’s direction, but that’s about it.

How did this affect me? We have a family singing group, and as I’m still living at home, we’ve always traveled with my dad and sung where he preached.

Dad’s phone began to ring, and pastors we knew scheduled him to preach revival meetings at their churches across the country.

As our schedule got busier, I felt God leading me to cancel my piano lessons. That’s where love and trust once again met at a crossroads for me. Would I venture out on faith like Dad or stick with the familiar? Tell my family (and God), “Sorry, I can’t give this up right now, you’ll have to manage without me”? What would people think of me, traveling with my parents, 27 years old and still unmarried, with no other “real” occupation except the hope of publishing a novel. There are loads of pressure in a choice like that.

Then came the game-changer. Nothing new. In fact, it was more an accumulation of “old” things. Memories of times God had seen my family through when there seemed to be no solution. God has never let me down. He’s earned my trust through years of faithfulness. Not because He has to, but because that’s who He is.

I must smile as I admit He’d been working me around to His point of view for some time, I just hadn’t seen it.

When God wants you to step out in faith, but you don’t want to leave what’s familiar and comfortable, God can make “comfortable” become uncomfortable, so much that stepping away from it is now a relief. Then we discover the joy of God’s presence (Psalm 16:11), and the blessings which follow our obedience far outweigh the “comfortable” bondage we didn’t realize we were in.

By the way, He’s provided every need since I said “yes” to Him.

The old man’s father-in-law was right. Without trust, love can be a miserable thing, but where trust has been earned, as God has earned surely earned ours, you have a strong foundation providing hope for the future.

~*~
Author bio:

Natalie Monk writes historical romance full of laughter, love, and redemption. 

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Natalie is represented by the Steve Laube Agency and is currently plotting her third novel. 

She is a home school graduate, gospel singer, portrait photographer, devotional speaker and former post-hole digger. 

She loves sweet tea, book talk, porch swings, and watching musicals and action movies with her family. 

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Connect with Natalie:
Website - http://www.nataliemonk.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/NatalieMonkAuthor
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/NatalieDMonk
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/nataliedmonk

Words of Faith: Award-winning Actress Jenn Gotzon shares her story

Following your heart vs. being Lead by Divine Inspiration (God)
A Words of Faith story by Jenn Gotzon

When I was a teen, my passion ignited for cinema. I wanted to be an actress in lead roles to inspire and impact viewers’ lives.

My journey began after I accepted Jesus and believed that He is real and my personal Friend, Lover of my soul, Guider of my dreams and the Savior of my life. I would pray and vision would appear on my soul. I would step out in blind faith with my eyes on the vision provided by God, leaping over the ocean waves crashing around me.

I always wanted to be a dancer in Disney World. So I flew down to Orlando, Fla. with two dimes in my pocket, a pair of rollerblades and the vision God put on my heart. I asked for talent, favor, a home, food, a vehicle and a job. God provided each one. I truly saw God in action. It takes our ability to STEP out in faith.

As an adult, I see my logic entering into decisions. I pray for wisdom and seek the peace that surpasses understanding in my direction. I have to be quiet, still and get into a space mentally in prayer, reading Scripture, listening to praise music and journaling. I then visualize Jesus with me. Sitting by me. And I talk to Him. I know that may sound looney tunes, though it is true. I truly experience the providential love from Jesus Christ looking at me as His bride saying, “I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. Trust me. Do not fear for I go before you. I will lead you. Trust Me. Go and be Strong and Courageous. Seek Me. Ask Me for wisdom and I will give it to you.”

Recently, the logic, strife, anxiety, stress, advice and tension that arose around a recent job offer was suffocating me. During prayer, a peace settled my soul providing direction to go the opposite way my logic and business team advised. I am stepping out in faith and within hours I’ve already experienced fruit with restoration of relationships, friendships, hope, life, love and creative vision. Finally, I can breathe again. I recognize these attributes as fruit as I begin the beginning steps of playing this character in this new movie.

Life is a series of moments in a great drama. We can choose to make it a comedy or a tragedy. God allows us to choose by our thought life. James 1:2-8 says that we are to “count it all joy” when challenges arise because it allows us to have opportunity to grow in endurance of character. The endurance comes from God commanding us to ask/pray/seek wisdom. Wisdom comes from Godly divine intervention. Pray and step in faith!

Bless you all!

Sincerely,

Jenn Gotzon

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Author bio: Jenn Gotzon is an award-winning actress whose career was launched with her portraying Tricia Nixon (former U.S. President Richard Nixon’s daughter), in the Oscar-Nominated movie, Frost/Nixon. Since then, Jenn is known as an American leading lady who seeks roles in movies that have redemptive storylines depicting humanity in its truest form who find hope in the climax of the story.

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Connect with Jenn: IMDB - www.imdb.me/jenngotzon
Instagram - www.instagram.com/JennGOTZON
Facebook - www.facebook.com/JennGOTZON
Twitter - www.twitter.com/JennGOTZON
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Special Giveaway contest details, the Hollywood edition:
Kind-hearted Jenn would like to give you, my wonderful blog readers, a chance to attend her movie premieres in real-life! Yes, this is a REAL offer from a REAL Hollywood actress. You may use your cell phone to text the word INSPIRING to 22828 and Jenn Gotzon will invite you to her movie premieres!

*Standard text-messaging rates may apply when you send that one-word (INSPIRING) text to Jenn Gotzon.