Devotionals for the Heart: How to delight in God and trust Him

Delight in God
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

—Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV)

When the world around us seems to be in chaos it can feel overwhelming, or hopeless. Yet, God’s Word (The Holy Bible) encourages us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)! We serve a great God who promises to never forsake us in our time of need.

When we need a reminder of God’s faithfulness, the Bible book of Psalms (especially the verses that were written by King David) is a great resource. King David was a man after God’s own heart, and quite often his Psalms reflect exactly how we are feeling today or what we want to say about our current situation.

Psalm 37 tells us not to worry or be envious of wrongdoers. “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (Psalm 37:2 ESV). Have you ever noticed how insignificant a blade of grass is, and how easy it is to cut or tear down? When joined together with other blades it can seem fortifiable, but in reality it takes very little effort to mow it all down. This is how God wants us to see our circumstances, because from His vantage point and according to His will, it can swiftly be dealt with. Meaning, what is and seems wrong will not overcome us.

Instead of submitting to or being overcome by worry, David encourages us in Psalm 37:3 (ESV) to “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” To befriend faithfulness means to embrace and champion God’s faithfulness to us in the past, present, and future. His faithfulness brings us to the other side of our problems, often turning beauty from ashes, and always with an outcome for good.

After championing God’s faithfulness, David calls for us in Psalm 37:4 (ESV) to “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This does not mean our own earthly, fleshly desires. When we trust in the Lord and befriend His faithfulness, His desires become our desires because we fall in line with His Holy Spirit. God’s Heart becomes our heart. With our eyes and hearts focused on God, we find delight in Him as He finds it in us. We commune with God, and in His joy and presence there is freedom.

Be encouraged today to shift your focus from the world (and its worries) to God. Put your full focus on God. Trust Him, befriend His faithfulness to you, and delight yourself in Him. Psalm 37:5-6 promises us that our God will act and bring forth righteousness and justice when we commit our way to Him.

Hallelujah!

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, thank You that in the midst of trouble I can turn to King David’s Psalms and be reminded that You have overcome the world. I only need to trust You, standing in Your faithfulness, and delight in Your goodness to regain the right perspective. Thank You for helping me to commit to Your ways and trust You to act in every circumstance for our good. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Trust in God” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer currently residing in Northern Virginia. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, ACFW, ACFW Virginia Chapter (Treasurer), The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. Her first historical fiction novel is set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England. She loves horses, cats, dogs, and all things peppermint!

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirachellecanada/
Email: mirachelle@mirachellecanada.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to spur each other on in love

Spurring Each Other On in Love
A devotional by Jessica Collazo

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

– Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Have you ever had a series of events happen within a short time frame, where you know that God was trying to get your attention? I have plenty of times, but this time, it’s a bit different. It’s a bit more urgent.

First, it started as a conversation, then I listened to a few podcasts, and then I watched a conference online (all within this week) and in all three instances the main topic revolved around life as we know it at the moment and how things need to change. What does that mean exactly? There is a lot that needs to change! We can absolutely describe this world as chaotic, uneasy, depressed, angry, and the list goes on … But as believers, the question is, “What do we need to do in the midst of all of this?”

I believe that the answer is simple. We need to do what Paul tells in Hebrews 10:24-25; We need to spur each other on! We need to encourage each other and hold each other accountable because people’s lives depend on it. We have been forced to stay home this past year and isolate from others around us, but all that has done is create more distance in a world that is already so cold and self-absorbed. 

As believers, we need to understand that meeting together is ultimately for the benefit of those around us. Meeting together helps us learn and lean in, and then we can go and pour out what we have learned into the lives of the broken and lost. Not because we are perfect and have it all together, but because we have experienced healing and wholeness in Christ Jesus. We have experienced hope. However, the HOPE we have in Jesus is not meant to be kept as a little-known secret among believers, it’s meant to be shared with everyone to the ends of the earth.

The reason I believe the Lord has stirred this up in me recently is because there is an urgency to address all the hurt and pain this world is experiencing. If we take inventory of our lives, we must ask ourselves, “Why aren’t we sharing Jesus with the people who are hurting the most?” “Why have we made Jesus more of a commodity that we have access to, and why don’t we live as though the King of Kings is on His throne and can handle all that is going on in this world?”

Our mission is simple: Love God and Love People.

Loving God means living in and for Him. Loving people means spending time with them and sharing Jesus with them.

We achieve that by continuing to meet with each other, encourage each other, and then spur each other on to go out into the world and share who Jesus is and what He can be in their lives.

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we ask You to open our hearts and our eyes to see if we have stopped going to You first. If we are not meeting with other believers, show us who to reach out to and teach us how to be creative in what meeting looks like as we continue to navigate the difficulties of the times we are living in. Do not allow us to be discouraged. Help us to remember that you, Jesus, are our living Hope! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Collazo is a Chicago native with a heart that beats for Jesus. Her passion is to challenge women to think differently, gain a new perspective and live confidently. Because she knows, it’s possible.

Using God’s Word, a little bit of humor, strategic way of thinking and personal stories, Jessica offers a fresh take on where to go when women feel stuck, overlooked or overwhelmed.

Jessica’s greatest passion is to help women take off the identities they have been given by the world and realize who they are in Christ: known, dearly loved, set apart, and chosen.

Jessica is the senior manager of operations at Proverbs 31 Ministries who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Jerry, two sons and dog, Sawyer. Prior to working at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Jessica has over 10 years of experience working in women’s ministry, marriage ministry and outreach.

~*~
Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jessicacollazo/
Website: https://jessicacollazo.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Trusting God to be with you in troubled times

End Strong
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture:

Romans 1:18-32, John 16:33, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:4-8, 2 Peter 1:2-4, 

Matthew 22:29, 1 Peter 4:12 (NASB)

The passage the Lord laid on my heart for this blog is not an easy one to read. However, it is pertinent for all believers to know as our world devolves before our very eyes. So many are looking for 2020 to be over, and the 2021 year to be less stressful. Will it be, though, according to the Word of God?

We can read Romans 1:18-32 and think it was just for the time the apostle Paul was living in, but we see so many of these same things happening in our own society. God is not honored, relationships are being promoted in ways the Lord never intended, people are filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, malice, arrogance, and mercilessness. These are not new things just this year. We see more of it now, perhaps due to technology giving us access all the time, however, the root of all of this has not changed. This is the human condition apart from the love and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we need to always be aware this world is not our home. We were made for something much more than this, and when we put our hopes in a better time here on this earth, we are setting ourselves up for needless disappointment. In John 16:33, Jesus says we have tribulation in this world. Not that it will be easy and sunshine all the time. Taking it a step deeper, Jesus tells us that we will have daily trouble (Matthew 6:34). How does that match up with our way of thinking? Do we believe that our Christian life should be trouble free? Many of us live as if the troubles and trials we face are something unexpected. (1 Peter 4:12) From the mouth of the Word of God we are told the opposite, yet so many of us are depressed and anxious when our days do not go smoothly or our plans do not turn out the way we expected.

Jesus was very clear when He gave us the first part of John 16:33, but that’s not the part we remember. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.” Then He tells us we will have tribulation and that HE has overcome it. We have Philippians 4:4-8 which guides us through how to keep our minds and hearts in peace, yet we do not utilize what God has given us. Instead, we drown ourselves in the tribulation, expecting something to miraculously pull us out. Too many believers have ignored the Word of God, which is life to those who read it. We have 2 Peter 2:1-4 to remind us. We are no different, sometimes, than the Pharisees Jesus was talking to in Matthew 22:29 when He said we don’t understand the power of God.

Will 2021 be a better year? If you are looking for the circumstances of this world to be what makes it better, then it won’t be. If you are looking for your relationship with God to grow deeper and richer, then there’s every reason to believe it will be an amazing year filled with trials and tribulations to bring you closer to the One Who has overcome the world.

Let’s Pray: Dearest Lord Jesus, we have put our eyes on the things around us so often, thinking they are what makes us happy or hold our peace. You told us that the joy of the LORD is our strength, yet we have forgotten it too many times. Remind us of Your truth. Keep Your Word ever on our hearts and lips that we may live this life in such a way that others will want to know the hope which lies within us. In the precious name of Christ I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: Battles

Choose Your Battles
A devotional by Malinda Fugate

Key Scripture:

Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 5:13-15, Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

“I may never march in the infantry…. But I’m in the Lord’s army!”

Our young voices rang out on Sunday mornings or in summer Vacation Bible School, declaring our allegiance to a holy cause. Stories of Joshua, Gideon, and King David filled our imaginations with the glory of war. Before graduating elementary school, we were ready to be all that we could be in God’s military.

Youth group lectures warned of the dangers of public school and pending adulthood as we emerged into a world that did not love Jesus Christ the way we did. Our loins were girded with preparations of encounters with those who would challenge the Word of God. We were called to be set apart as God’s holy people and ready to defend against rejection while being on the offense, boldly declaring God’s truths in a sinful world. The imagery of battle was often used to illustrate this modern Christianity.

So is it any wonder, in our current climate of political divisiveness and high stakes, that our approach becomes oppositional?

Young Christians who prepared for war are now adults, armed and ready at our keyboards, slinging charged words with the rest of the world. Scriptures become weaponized and targeted for impact. We march in protests, speak out against those who disagree, and often train our children to do the same. But when our humanity creeps into good intentions, do our words become mean-spirited? Do our efforts focus on outwitting our neighbor and winning arguments? Are we now trying to score points for the Lord in a religious war we spent our childhood preparing for?

In our zeal, we’ve forgotten something very important. In our fervor, we turned our neighbor into our opponent and it was never meant to be that way.

Let’s start with a familiar call to battle, the description of the Armor of God in Ephesians. Our preparations include a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet equipped to share the gospel, helmet of salvation, shield of faith, and the very crucial sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. The spiritual conflict is very real, so we need to prepare ourselves appropriately. Clearly, there is a raging battle and we were called to fight.

But Ephesians 6:12 shares with us an extremely vital piece of information: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

In the frenzy of the fight, we took the target off the true enemy and placed it on our neighbor.

Jesus knew that it was difficult to live in a sinful world and there would be people who opposed us, just as they opposed Him. Yet, He instructed us in Matthew 5:44-45a, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” We have been commanded by our God to love both our neighbors and our enemies. We are not fighting them, but instead taking on Satan and his forces.

We were not called to combat with violence and anger, but to live as Christ, actively demonstrating the love of God. Every action and word should reflect His character. Should we be bold in telling the truth? Yes, but with kindness and compassion.

God’s Word stands firm and speaks loudly without our attempts to use it forcefully or manipulate verses to match our own perspectives. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that we are salt and light. We are here to be positive, Christ-like influences on the world around us with hearts so full of love that they spill over and bless our neighbor. How much more profoundly does His truth speak when delivered with that love rather than shouted with insults? A battle plan executed with God’s love is astronomically more effective than any strategy we create on our own.

As we log on to social media or engage in conversations with our brothers and sisters, let us meet each perspective with the love of God. Friendly discussions examining our differences are a gentle yet powerful testimony. Following up with loving actions is even more impactful as we pray for and meet the needs of our neighbors who are different than we are.

Let’s aim to be like Christ as we speak truth and stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil while simultaneously loving our neighbors. May we truly be a light in the world, humble servants used by the Lord for the glory of His kingdom, vessels of His love.

~*~
Author Bio:

Malinda Fugate writes from the heart.

Though she serves full time as the Children’s Education Director at a church in Southern California, she is also a crafter of words published in books, including The Other Three Sixteens (May 2020 release with Ambassador International), Bible Time for Active Kids, which is an activities-based devotional that is available for purchase on Amazon, and The Pen and the Sword: Connecting With the Word of God, which is an interactive creative writing journal.

Malinda earned a communications degree with a theatre emphasis from Azusa Pacific University, then worked behind the scenes at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, including The Fish and KKLA.

Her writing includes children's faith resources, commercial copywriting, and various faith-based stage and screenplays. Malinda lives by the beach with her pup, Yoshi.

When she's not writing or working at church, she might be creating art, reading, or exploring the many adventures to be found in the Los Angeles area.

~*~
Connect with Malinda:
Website: www.malindafugate.com
Blog: https://malindafugate.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/malthestar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malthewriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malthewriter/

God loves you! Merry Christmas!

Devotionals for the Heart: Sheep

Speaking of Sheep…
A devotional by Patrick E. Craig

Is there anything more wonderful than watching kids grow, being there when they succeed or fail, or just want to share an accomplishment? I have a granddaughter, Rebecca who danced in The Nutcracker many years ago – she played one of the little sheep and she was the one who got to whack the wolf on the nose.

Don’t we want to make sure that our kids and grandkids always get to whack their wolves on the nose? How many prayers and tears and supplications are sent heavenward on their behalf? We send them out into the world and yet we want to protect them from it. We do everything we can to teach them about the dangers and pitfalls, and still, they stick their fingers in the fan. We want to keep them safe and secure and help them to grow up and live a “normal” life, and yet we don’t understand what a “normal” life really is, do we?

Our Heavenly Father knows what a normal life is, and He understands that it is not the life to which we so desperately cling, fighting tooth and nail to have everything we want, being dragged kicking and screaming into old age and ultimately death. Our God knows that we live in what C. S. Lewis called the Shadowlands, and that the real life, the real story of humanity will begin, when He has wiped away every tear, burned up this old heaven and this old earth, and established a dwelling place for us where sin, death, and the grave will not be found.

He is so determined to see that we are able to share that life with Him that He sent a Lamb, His only Son, to hang upon a tree, and become a curse for all of us, that we might escape the curse of living for self, and enter a realm where all glory and honor is given to Him, and in return He will share all the wonder, and knowledge, and wisdom that He is, with us, His precious lambs.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." ~John 1:29 (KJV)

~*~
Author Bio:

Patrick E. Craig is a lifelong writer and musician who left a successful songwriting and performance career in the music industry to follow Christ in 1984. 

In 2011 he signed a three-book deal with Harvest House Publishers to publish his Apple Creek Dreams series. His current series is The Paradise Chronicles. The first book in the series, The Amish Heiress, a romantic suspense novel, was published by Patrick's company, P&J Publishing, in August of 2015 and remained on the Amazon Top 100 best sellers list in three categories for seven months.

The second book in the series, The Amish Princess, a historical romance novel, was released in December of 2016 and was on Amazon's Hot New Releases for over a month. Harlequin recently purchased the print rights for both books for their Walmart Amish series. Patrick also just released Cracking The Indie Egg—A Recipe For Publishing Your Own Book and it is available in most major digital bookstores.

Patrick and his wife Judy, make their home in Idaho. They have two married children and five grandchildren. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

~*~
Connect with Patrick:
Website - www.patrickecraig.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PatrickECraig
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PatrickECraig
Amazon Author page - http://tinyurl.com/n6sfagg