Devotionals for the Heart: Friends who help and a God who saves

A friend comes to help…
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

Living near ponds and rivers means there will be new and different creatures to learn about. From alligators to lizards to snakes, I am learning more than I ever wanted to know about these creatures.

Recently, I looked out of my side window and noticed a snake sunning itself on my neighbor’s front doormat. Since I am afraid of snakes, and my husband was at work, I called my next door neighbor on the other side of the house. This man enjoys all kinds of wildlife and whenever I see something that scares me or causes me concern, this nice neighbor comes to the rescue.

The neighbor, his wife and one of their grandchildren came right over to calm me. The nice lady in the house where the snake was sunning, came to the front window and looked at us standing in the yard. We motioned to her that we were watching something.

Going through her back door, this neighbor gathered with us. I was afraid. I prayed for the snake to go away. It did. Traveling into the siding of the house next door was not where we had intended that thing to end up.

My neighbors, who are interested in nature truly comforted me. The nice man and his granddaughter taught me some things about nature.

After several attempts to find the creature, everyone went home. Each time the friends returned home, the snake returned outside to sun. Each time I saw it, I called the neighbor again.

These neighbors were patient and kind. They never complained about me calling them because I was scared. Each time, they came to my yard and chatted with me.

After numerous calls to the neighbors, I finally spotted the snake slithering back to the creek behind the neighborhood. I hope it doesn’t come back any time soon.

Through all this stressful time, I thanked God for neighbors who comfort and come whenever I call. They are busy with their own activities. They could have just told me not to worry and went on about their daily routines.

Yet, each time, the neighbors came to my house, comforted me and made me feel safe.

Through the whole situation, I was comforted by friends and most of all by God, who comforts with His unfailing love and compassion. His peace will not be removed.

Thank you, Lord, for friends who comfort and care.

Have a blessed day,

Melissa Henderson

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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 a 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.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Unfailing Love for You

Unfailing Love
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

Think of the many ways God daily shows his love for us. When you are going through a period or season where you think he’s not there, you need only take a moment to pause and look around.

One of my favorite things to do when I’m in that situation is to take a journal or notebook and go sit somewhere, preferably outside or near a window. I love a coffee shop or location where many people will be coming and going. I then pray for God to clear my mind of all those things on my perpetual To Do list for this short time. Can anyone relate to that long list? I then thank God for the things he is about to show me. I suggest you give this a try. Find a location with a great view and lots of busyness. Pray. Then sit back and watch.

Look out the window at the sky. Is it bright with sun or gloomy with rain clouds? You realize God made both of those for us, right? He made the sun to warm us up as well as to bring a smile to our faces. Yet he also made the rainy days to water our surroundings—the trees, grass, flowers, and bodies of water. Without those things, we would not have shade, fruits from the trees, grass for animals to eat, flowers to enjoy and water for so many reasons. He thought of so many big and little details. That’s love. Write your thoughts in your journal about that.

Next, look around where you are sitting and notice the people. Some may be sitting alone and others may be with one or several friends. Do you see God’s love in both of these situations? The person alone may be taking a break to rest or have food. The group may be catching up with each other and enjoying one another’s’ friendship. God created all of those things—rest, nourishment and fellowship because he knew we would need all of them. That’s love. Write about a time or times when you have experienced these things.

Now, back to the point that I made above—feeling like God isn’t there. When there are times when I feel like God is so far away, I make myself do this exercise. I begin to ask God why I feel it. And I close out the chatter in my mind and wait for the Holy Spirit to show me where these feelings are coming from. Once I get my mind quiet and shift my attitude a bit, I begin to see that God’s love is still all around me. It’s in the sky, the grass, the little girl swinging her feet as she sits with her mommy drinking hot cocoa at the coffee shop. Aren’t whipped cream mustaches the best? It’s when I remember the things that God has brought me through. That’s love. Write those in your journal.

People will come and go in our lives. People will both uplift and tear us down. But God will never do this because of his rich, deep love. Though we may not be the best we can be with our attitudes, actions or words, God still loves us. No matter what we do or don’t do. That’s real love.

“Let your face shine on your servant, save me in your unfailing love.” 
~Psalm 31:16 (NIV)

Remember when you feel very distant from God, it is you that has moved away—not God.

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Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile. 

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years. She is a mom to their grown daughter Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. 

She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.

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Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com