Devotionals for the Heart: Healing

Fix The Leak: Let God Heal All Your Inner Damages
A devotional by Heather Martin

It was a perfect evening in our home, well as perfect as it could get.

We ate dinner on time, gave the kids baths, had worship, and even had time for a bedtime story. My husband and I could finally have some time to ourselves, so we turned the lights off in our younger kid’s bedroom and tiptoed out into the hallway to breathe a sigh of relief that they had finally gone to sleep, but what was that noise? It sounded like running water!

What could that possibly be? I ran downstairs to see if someone had left a faucet running downstairs in the kitchen only to peek into the breakfast room and find water literally pouring from the ceiling! In full panic mode, I yelled to my husband that we had a flood going on and we got to the bottom of it quickly. It was coming from our guest room toilet on the floor above that was overflowing. Turns out, someone had stopped up the toilet (with toys), flushed it and left it. I ran downstairs to the basement to see if all was well there and found that the room directly below the breakfast room had also flooded! What are the chances? Now we had floors of water damage!

In a panic we quickly figured out how to turn off the water to the house and called a plumber. By the time the plumbers arrived, we were able to stop the water and get most of it mopped up. We called our insurance company and found out that although the outward floors and walls were dry, in order to completely fix the damage, we had to address the water damage behind the walls. To restore things and repair the damage, we had to tear down walls to completely remove all water damage and insure the integrity of our foundation. For the next 6 weeks, because of the water damage, we had open ceilings, exposed wood frames, and dryers blowing on three floors of our house.

Finally, after the floorboards and wall frames were completely dry we had new dry wall, new carpet, and tile installed. The finished product was actually better and more to our taste than these areas of our house before the leak. Ha!

We all have some sort of damage from our childhood, past relationships, self-doubt, and past sins. Instead of addressing the inner damage and root cause, we often fix up the outside with nice clothes, and things, and sometimes force ourselves to smile and act as if there is nothing wrong, all the while we are so hurt and damaged on the inside. 

Here are a few verses that we can say to ask God to heal us from the inside out, say these aloud each day and ask God to help you deal with the damage on the inside:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” – Psalms 51:10-12 (KJV)

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
– Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

Only God can take us through the process of fixing our inner damages.

Let Him in today.

~*~
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.

~*~
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

Devotionals for the Heart: Marathons

The Marathons of Life
A devotional by Amanda Wen

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” 

–Romans 15:4 (ESV)

The marathon is one of the most impressive feats of human athleticism and endurance. Though I’ve been a runner for a few years now, I’ve never attempted one, or anything even remotely close. My “endurance challenges” have taken place in the form of 5K and 10K races (3.1 and 6.2 miles, respectively). And while some run for time, or even to win, I run merely to finish, regardless of time or place. (Have I mentioned I’m not a natural athlete?)

But no matter the distance of the race you’re running, some of the most welcome sights along the course are those volunteers who hand out cups of water and packages of energy goop. When strength flags, motivation wanes, and you wonder why in the world you ever thought this was a good idea, that smiling face, cup of cold water, or sweet, delicious energy gel restores, refreshes, and energizes. It keeps you going and makes you think maybe you can run a few more steps after all.

The comparisons between running a marathon and making it through a challenging season of life are inevitable. Whether it’s completing your education, surviving the sleepless nights of a new baby, suffering through a scary medical situation, or simply waiting for the next chapter in life to start, endurance is the name of the game. But God has promised that we do not run our race alone. Over and over in His word, He promises never to leave or forsake us. He instructs us not to fear, because He is with us. His presence is enough to get us through life’s most difficult and painful times, even when it feels like it is not.

One of the ways God reminds us of His presence is by using other people to do so.

As I’ve gone through several challenging months, I’ve received those cups of cold water and packages of energy goop in the form of pep talks from friends, encouragement from family, and even songs on the radio that speak directly to my heart. Seemingly every time I need a breath of fresh air, or a gulp of the proverbial Gatorade, God provides that. It’s rarely the same thing, and it’s rarely the same source, but it’s always exactly what I need to hear at that particular moment in time. 

Always, I’m reminded that God hasn’t forgotten me, and His plans for me are still in effect. And it also reminds me to be that smiling, encouraging race course volunteer for someone else…to let God’s encouragement flow through me and bless someone else who might need a little refreshment.

If you’re going through something difficult right now, I pray that you’ll endure, and that you’ll have eyes to see those race course volunteers. And if you’re not in a challenging season at the moment, to whom can you deliver some refreshment and cheer today?

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. 

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

~*~
Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Water

Sharing cool water and more…
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

—Luke 3:10-11 (NIV)

Today was a typical warm, humid and breezy day in coastal South Carolina. The bright rays of sunshine burst forth from the puffy clouds in between rain sprinkles. At one moment, the sky looked as if rain would moisten the ground all day. The next moment, sunshine seemed to be positioned in the sky and not ready to leave.

A black pickup truck filled with construction supplies arrived and parked in front of our neighbor’s house. The same pickup truck had been coming and going all week. Several men would step out of the vehicle each morning and begin carrying tools and supplies to the back yard. Our neighbor was having a patio poured at the back of her house. The same gentlemen showed up each day and began the task at hand.

Today, that project was completed and a new project began. Those hard workers not only poured patios, they could also powerwash homes and driveways, too. My husband and I watched from the inside of our air-conditioned home, fascinated by their work and dedication to the tasks. These guys worked hard. We didn’t know their names, but we watched to make sure they were okay in the heat. One man was older and there were several younger men.

This afternoon, I noticed the black truck was gone and two men were sitting on a ladder. They seemed to be waiting for a ride. Their work was finished for the day and their bodies looked exhausted. Sweaty shirts, sweat on their brows and slow movements showed how the work had tired them.

A thought crossed my mind, “Wonder if they are thirsty? Wonder if we should take them some water?” As quickly as the thoughts entered my mind, I became distracted by something else. I had seen an opportunity to show God’s love and I had let it slip away, distracted by a meaningless thought about something else.

Shortly afterward, I heard voices outside. Still, I waited and completed what I was doing instead of checking on the gentlemen.

As I walked downstairs, my husband was coming in the front door. “I took some water to the guys out front. They are waiting for their ride. I asked them if they would like some water and they said, “Yes” and “Thank you.”

I am very proud of my husband. He saw a possible need and he acted on his nudge from God. I did not act, thinking I would do something later. I am very upset with myself. I am thankful my husband opened his heart and offered kindness to strangers.

Too often, we postpone acts of kindness, thinking we will do something later. But, now is the time to show God’s love. Don’t put off a nudge from God. Someone might have a need that you can help with and you are given that opportunity to show compassion and kindness.

Can you think of times when you wanted to show kindness and put off the chance, thinking you could do something later? In expressing His love through giving a bottle of water to some strangers, they have been shown the love of God.

We may never see these gentlemen again. I will remember them even though I never learned their names or anything about them. They gave me a lesson today and I will remember that lesson.

God’s love can be shown in many ways. How are you showing His love to others?

Blessings,

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.

Movie Night Essentials with PureFlix

My Mom and I have a Saturday night tradition. We gather together in the family room, settle into our own cozy couch, grab essentials (like bottled water along with a light snack), and watch a movie on The Hallmark Channel!

It's a tradition that I will always treasure because there's nothing like watching a good movie with loved ones like family members! But Saturday nights are not the only time that I set aside some time to watch a movie.

Whenever I have free time during the week, I like to spend an hour or two watching a movie on PureFlix. The best way to describe PureFlix is that they are the Christian version of Netflix! The content is wonderful, very inspirational and encouraging for your heart.

Today, I'd like to share my "Movie Night Essentials" with you! A PureFlix representative reached out to me a few weeks ago and invited me to take part in this "Movie Night Essentials" promotional endeavor. It's an honor to participate in this promotion and I hope that you will enjoy what I have to share.

First, here's my Movie Night Essentials checklist:

Second, here's the scoop on each of my favorite PureFlix movies:

This is a hilarious comedy about the reason why we need to love each other like Jesus Christ loves us, even if we look different.

This is an amazing story about a teacher who takes a stand for Jesus Christ in a public school and then is put on trial for expressing her faith in God.

This movie is based on a true story about a teenage girl who passionately pursued others to reach them with the good news of Jesus Christ.

This movie is the classic case of "What if" scenarios. I think that most of us have at least once in our lifetime, wondered "What if..." for any given situation. This movie explores that concept and it's beautiful!

Now for my edible essentials:

Popcorn is the standard must-have snack when watching a movie in America.

If you eat buttered and salted popcorn, you're going to want fresh, purified water!

Whenever you have treats, you want something sweet. JoAnn's Fudge makes some of my personal favorite sweet treats!

Sometimes, you may crave ice cream while watching a movie. I love a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream with a few fresh blueberries on top!

~*~

And there you have it! My Movie Night Essentials! :)

I hope that you enjoyed this blog post and movie night recommendations.

But don't take my word for it, sign-up for a free trial of PureFlix and experience the joys of movie night for yourself! :)

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