Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should always count our blessings

Counting My Blessings
A devotional by Hannah Benson

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”—Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

These words were penned by the Apostle Paul as a letter to the other apostles in Philippi, during his imprisonment for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Physically, Paul was likely very much in need, yet he wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

It might be hard to imagine anyone content in prison. But Paul, by the grace of God, found reason to rejoice! Such as when, during a different imprisonment as chronicled in the book of Acts, Paul and his friend Silas shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the jailer. How many of us would think of singing hymns and sharing the Gospel while in jail like they did during that time?

Maybe you are not in a physical prison, but is there an area of your life where you might find yourself experiencing discontentment. Maybe you compare your financial status to your co-worker or your relationship status to those younger than you.

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found myself wrestling with discontentment. But discontentment only steals my joy. When I’m so focused on what I don’t have rather than what I do, I’m not grateful for the gifts that God has given me.

If you read my devotionals that I wrote last year, you may remember that my Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier in 2023. Even during such a frightening time, we had so much to be grateful for: the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, brothers and sisters in Christ who rallied around us, the right doctors whom God provided to perform various surgeries at the right time. Yes, all of us—including our Mom—were thankful for the painful ovarian cyst even though it had left her immobile for months. Why?

Because it preceded the discovery of cancer. Without the pain it caused, we wouldn’t have known she had cancer until it was too late. After walking through cancer as a family, I truly believe there is there nothing we could go through where we cannot find God (Psalm 139:8). Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That alone is reason enough to rejoice and be grateful!

If Paul could be content within the walls of a prison and have a heart filled with gratitude knowing nothing can separate him from the love of Christ, then perhaps we too can learn to be content no matter what we’re facing.

Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I know that the boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6). Please help me to be content and trust You. Please help me keep counting my blessings and finding reason to be thankful no matter what circumstances I may find myself in. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schleuter. Listen to it here.

~*~
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.

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

Devotionals for the Heart: God wants more time with you

More of You
A devotional by Angela Anderson

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3 (NIV)

As I was walking to my car after church one afternoon, I heard a voice calling my name in the distance. I stopped, turned around and noticed a friend of mine waving wildly, while she was running toward me. I couldn’t believe my eyes!

I had not seen this friend in over a year. She had moved far away, and I had no idea that she would be in church that day. I was so happy to see her!

As soon as she was within arm’s reach, we embraced. We were once so close. We used to talk all the time. When she moved away, life happened, and then we lost contact for a while. We did not talk as often, and we allowed our life circumstances to occupy our time. As we talked in the middle of the parking lot, we made up for lost time. We spent over an hour catching up, laughing, and being really open about the things that had transpired in our separate lives over the past year. Before we said goodbye that afternoon, she looked at me and revealed to me how much she missed me as a friend. She told me that she needed more of me.

I often wonder if God feels the same way about me. There are times when I am so open with Him. I wake up early in the morning to meet Him in my quiet place. I spend long periods of time in His presence. Whether I am writing in my prayer journal, speaking out loud to Him, listening to a song and worshipping Him, or just sitting in silence; the feeling of being so close to Him is indescribable. I feel at peace in the moment, and the calmness follows me as I begin my day. There is a strange sense of confidence and assurance that whatever comes my way, I know that I will be able to handle it because God is with me.

Then there are the times when I wake up late, and I rush off, going about my day with merely uttering a few words to God. Or the times when my 3-year-old son has difficulty sleeping through the night and finds himself in my room, which throws off my morning. There are also instances when I try to sit in silence to commune with God, but my mind will not allow it.

Random thoughts race through my brain, clogging it with things that should never take precedence over my devotion time with God. These are the times when I can almost hear God telling me how much He misses me. Our time together is invaluable. I need that time with Him in order to survive, and I feel the difference in my life when that time is not consistently spent in His presence.

God doesn’t just want more of us; He wants us to want more of Him. Let’s make the commitment to consistently seek His face, every day of our lives.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for pursuing us and wanting to give us what we need – You. Help us to have that longing in our hearts to want You and to know You. May we take the necessary steps to deepen our relationship with You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

*Note from Alexis: Angela’s devotional message today reminds me of this song “More of You” by Colton Dixon. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Angela Anderson was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was raised in a Christian home in New Jersey. Angela dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 12. 

As a child in elementary school, she developed a penchant for writing book reports and entering writing contests. By high school, she was taking advanced placement courses in English and Speech & Creative Writing. Angela’s love for journaling also had its beginnings in high school and it evolved into prayers journals and detailed notes for prospective book ideas. As a result, Angela is the author of a published 40-day devotional book titled Just When I Thought I Knew God. She also wrote a children’s book that is not yet published.

Although Angela wanted to somehow incorporate writing in her life, she is currently a Certified Human Resources Professional. Angela graduated from Rutgers University in NJ with a double bachelor’s degree in Labor/Employment Relations & Sociology. She also has an MBA from Strayer University.

Angela founded a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization called Head to the Sky, Inc. It was formed in order to assist those in prison with their transition into society and to reduce the rate of recidivism in the community. During this venture, Angela received a certification in grant writing from The Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College. Angela was very passionate about teaching, training, and sharing the love of Christ in this ministry; but she had to refocus her passion when she and her husband decided to start their family.

Angela has been married to the love of her life, Duane Anderson for 16 years. Together they have two sons: Thomas (age 8) and Ryan (age 3). Angela’s favorite pastime is journaling and she also enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her personal mission is to empower others to achieve their goals and dreams.

~*~
Connect with Angela:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/angela.thomasanderson
Facebook fan page for her devotional book, Just When I Thought I Knew God:
https://www.facebook.com/jwitikg/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanderson1104/

Devotionals for the Heart: The Fear of the Lord and Intimacy with God

The Fear of the Lord
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” –Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

When I was baptized as a child, at the age of eight, church was a very different experience from today’s services.

We were assembled in a one-room country church with no air conditioning and we used the cardboard funeral parlor hand fans. Yes, when you see this depicted in a movie, we actually did use them. All the windows were opened, birds chirped and there was always anticipation for the Word of God from the pastor. Dinner on the grounds was the end to a perfect Sunday. We’d go home, take a nap and get ready to come back for the evening service.

Children remained with their parents for the sermon in church and we didn’t move about or talk. We were taught the fear of the Lord. And, it had nothing to do with physical or emotional fright as one would feel when threatened by an adversary. It was respect. God was revered.

We had respect for God, His house and everyone in the ministry. As a matter of fact, our generation was taught respect for all authority and we as children were taught to pray for our teachers, our family and our country. I am saddened that this concept has been abandoned along with the fear of the Lord. This is my perception and I am expressing what I see through my eyes. We need a little more conviction and a little less condemnation.

I’m not judging anyone’s heart when it comes to their faith in God, but according to the Bible, God made some very distinct rules governing His house and those He destined – pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists and apostles – to perfect the saints and to do the work of the ministry. There were and still are qualifications regarding those in authority ministering God’s Word. It appears that in this 21st century, many things have become obsolete. Rules are ignored or bent to fit the need or the direction that man has destined for the church.

According to 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV), “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

The church is not a building. We, the believers, are the church. But what are we bringing each time we gather? Would an unbeliever even feel they were in church?

Several years ago, John Bevere wrote a book, The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God. In his book, he wrote, “Do you think the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is going to come into a place where He is not given due honor and reverence?”

I think that this is a question we probably should consider today. We have become so familiar with God perhaps even taking Him for granted. Do we truly welcome Him into our churches? Or, have our services become rote? The Bible says in Leviticus 10:3 (NASB), “Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”

I have pastor friends who long for a mighty move of the Spirit of God and can’t understand why miracles aren’t happening in their churches. They do not see the casual behavior of their parishioners, the eating and drinking in church, cell phones in use and all manner of distractions. This is not the atmosphere for the miraculous. We have become de-sensitized to the things of God. We live in a highly technology-driven world and we are inundated with all manner of distraction.

We need to return to a true fear of the Lord. When we enter into God’s house (our church buildings), let’s do so with thanksgiving and let us dwell upon Him. Worship Him and give Him all the Praise.

I have been blessed to had experienced powerful moves of God and it had little to do with the size of the meeting. It had everything to do with those gathered being in one accord. We were not asking Father God for anything, but with hearts of worship we fell at His feet. In that atmosphere miracles occur. This, I believe, is what occurred in the Upper Room with the disciples.

If we as believers would humble ourselves and seek God’s heart, not only would our churches be more like the New Testament church, but our world would be a better place in which to live.

Let’s Pray: Father God, let us not forget how great You are. Let us enter into Your gates with thanksgiving and Your courts with praise. Return us to the former things and set aside anything that distracts us from You. In Jesus’s Holy Name we pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Glorious Love for Humankind

Safe in the glorious, perfect love of God
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

“The Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”

—Genesis 3:9 (CEB)

There is something about early morning that connects me in the deep, beautiful love I share with God.

A hush still envelops the world, and I hear only the birds twittering in the trees and the squirrels scavenging furiously for nuts, perhaps a few cars in the distance, but not enough to disturb. My house is quiet—the kids are drowsing in their beds. My husband is snoozing peacefully. Even my cat isn’t quite ready to move.

There’s a special magic in the air, and my heart and soul are still in dreamland, even if my body is in motion. I drink a glass of water and look out the window, marveling at creation and steeped in gratitude for all God has given us—given me. 

I brew coffee and think about the day, carrying God along for every step. He’s right there with me, and it feels so natural and right. We are close, still, before the day and its distractions threaten to drive a wedge between us, a wedge I’ll try to fight all day. But this early, there are no distractions yet. It’s just me and God, as it should be. As He intended.

We talk together in prayer, and I sit and read His Word, bathing in His presence. Thank you, God, is my refrain, sometimes spoken and sometimes thought. You, Lord, are everything.

Once in a while, I have a little extra time to go for a walk, and I lace up my sneakers and stride down the road to the lake and back again, a good two-mile loop before the heat of the day makes exercise unbearable. My connection stays with God all this time—I feel Him in every step, every breath, every beam of sunlight.

Sometimes it doesn’t happen like this. I oversleep, or I have so many things on my mind I crowd out such special time with my Creator. I read the Word, but my own thoughts and plans creep in, or my prayers feel rushed. The connection, on my end, is slippery. I have to work throughout the day to rein it in and stay close.

But I’ve learned over the years that this connection is critical to my love relationship with God. That’s “our time,” whether it comes in the early morning solitude or when I allow myself to fully relax and just be. And I strive as I grow in faith for “our time” to be “all the time,” with every breath and every thought.

I imagine that’s how it was in the first days, when God created Adam and Eve and they all lived in perfect harmony together (Genesis 2:4-25). They spoke together. They shared, loved, laughed, and talked. But then came the fall, when Adam and Eve broke God’s rule and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and their relationship was forever changed. They were driven from the garden. Their sin had become an eternal wedge, only mended through God’s grace in the form of His son, Jesus.

I like to think of my morning time as if I’m back in the garden with the Lord, sharing creation in pure accord as He’d intended. And I think of the distractions of my day, the things I put before God (even though I don’t mean to!), as that wedge—the forbidden fruit I must avoid. I know I’m not in the garden, of course. I know only through Jesus can I fully connect with God.

Still, I read these lines in the Bible, and they resonate profoundly: “The Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9 CEB).

Throughout my busy day, I hear God asking, “Where are you?” The question brings me back, and I remember exactly where I am: safe in the glorious, perfect love of God.

~*~
Author Bio:
Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism, and a member of the Wholly Loved Ministries team.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com/shiningthelight.

Devotionals for the Heart: Unity

Living in Unity
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” –Psalm 133 (NIV)

This Psalm sounds really nice to our American ears. I’ve heard oil was important two thousand years ago half way around the world. And I know it’s important to be nice to people. So, yes, I agree that this passage of Scripture is good.

Sometimes that’s how I approach God’s Word. I like it and it makes sense to me; therefore, I declare it good. (In case you were wondering, God does not need my approval.) But do I really understand what these verses are saying? Let’s look at the oil first.

In centuries past, olive oil had so many more uses beyond tasting great on pasta and bread. It was used as fuel for lamps, lubricant and moisturizer for the hair and skin, medication, and blessing in religious ceremonies.

Olive trees don’t start bearing olives and oil until they are five or six years old, and they don’t hit their real production stride until they are forty or fifty years old. The great news is that, on average, olive trees live about 500 years. So, in ancient times, having mature, fruit-bearing olive trees was a sign of wealth and guaranteed stability.

So how is living in unity compared to such a valuable commodity?

We all know people who worship differently than we do. I’m not talking about cults who go off the rails and leave God behind. I’m talking about people who genuinely love and worship the great big God of the whole wide universe, but they do it more loudly or more quietly than I do. People who dance in the aisles and people who sit on the hard pew. People who shout their praises to the sky and people who wash the floor with their tearful prayers.

We also know people who do some pretty dreadful things while wearing God’s name tag. Noisy groups have protested the funerals of a fallen soldiers. Famous ministers have had illicit affairs. And people with fish stickers on their bumpers have cut off other drivers. These are the things that make the rest of us look pretty bad.

Instead of criticizing each other for worshipping differently, or tearing down those whose sin is public, what if we all worked together to support each other, build each other up, and represent God’s love to a hurting world? I think that’s the pleasant oil and the dew of God’s blessing.

Today, I’m choosing to pray for the other churches in my city. The ones I don’t attend, but whose congregations love Jesus as much as I do. What about you? How can you choose to live in unity with God’s people today?

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications. Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, WA, with her hilarious family, who keeps her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: On Worship

On Worship
A devotional by Lisa Lickel

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

~John 4:24 ESV

In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster said, “Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father.”

As I develop a deeper sense of the with-God life, I find worship in general and corporate worship with fellow believers becoming richer, more personal.

There was a poster I saw when I was in college that struck me deeply enough to resurface every now and then, thirty-five years later. It was a photo of the inside of a richly appointed church during a service. A figure who was unmistakably Jesus was asleep in the front row. “Peace be within Thy walls" (Psalm 122:7 KJV) wasn’t meant for us to be that kind of comfortable.

Worship at its heart is communion with our triune God. We have awe and respect for God Almighty, the Father, and a deep abiding love for His sacrificed Son our Lord, Jesus, and the ability to come to our knees through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Being able to commune is a two-way street. If I don’t listen, how can I hear and know? If all I am is a noisy, clanging symbol, as Paul puts it in his letter to the Corinthian church, what am I telling God?

Like prayer, worship comes with vulnerability. Quieting ourselves might be unnerving if we’re used to working in a place humming with activity, or having a radio or television or music on constantly.

Questions run through my mind. What if I hear nothing from God? Or what if I do? Am I crazy? What if I don’t like what I hear? What if God asks me to do something I don’t want to do? How can I tell if it’s truly God?

Jesus reminds me, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15 ESV). He reminds me that questions are good, but anxiety is a stumbling block. The purpose of Worship, I am learning, is to help me know God better. I grow in faith, in trust, by spending more time in His company.

Richard Foster says, “To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life."

Worship heightens my senses in this new exploration of the with-God life. I am learning holy dependency, “to be utterly and completely dependent upon God.”

My reaction to that Love may be with praise, a hymn, a hallelujah, a dance, a prayer, an offering or a new understanding of Scripture. But the outcome will always certainly be a changed and growing heart for God. My desire to “seek first the Kingdom of God” is renewed.

My Prayer: Thank, you Lord for growing my faith, for surrounding me with your saints to uphold me and encourage me and challenge me. Help me hear you, live for you, love you, and share that love with others.

~*~
Author Bio:

Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. 

A multi-published and award-winning novelist, Lisa also writes short stories and radio theater. She's an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and workshop leader. 

She is a member of Chicago Writers Association and part of Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp and Writing Retreat, Inc., mentoring writers from across the United States of America.

~*~
Connect with Lisa:
Website - http://www.LisaLickel.com
Facebook -http://www.facebook.com/lisalickelauthor
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2839406.Lisa_J_Lickel
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/lisajlickel
Amazon Author page - http://amzn.to/2bPxi2XSaveSave

Falling in Love with Jesus: Ordained Appointments

Welcome Barbara Ann Laws to the blog! She's here today to share her story about appointments in her life that were ordained by God. 

It's a powerful testimony and I believe you will be blessed by this message from one of God's faithful followers.

~*~

Ordained Appointments
A Falling in Love with Jesus story written by Barbara Ann Laws

Like some Christians, my son and I were Baptist. We were looking for a new church home after having moved, so we prayed to God about finding a church. In answer to that prayer, we found a Bible-teaching church in New Carrolton, Md. We joined AWANAS (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed), which is a Bible centered program that requires memorizing Bible text. This was one of my first recollections of God’s ordained appointments for my life.

The second ordained appointment in my life was meeting Dr. Warren Harrison who treated me holistically for arthritic pain by changing my diet. He gave me Bible Studies on health from Genesis to Revelation. After getting well, I started going to church with him. For a while, my son and I attended church on Sunday and Saturday. It wasn’t until a colporteur visited my home that I was able to connect the dots on worshipping on the true Sabbath. My son and I because we had attended a Bible teaching church, we understood when we heard the truth. We received God’s truth because we had memorized God’s Word.

When we understood the truth, we started attending church on Sabbath only. A “colporteur” or “colporter” is one who travels about selling and distributing religious tracts and books.

This was another ordained appointment as well because as a result, my son and I were baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist faith. It is through studying and surrendering that I learned how much God loved me. On my baptismal day, I wore white and quoted John 14 in my vows. I was declaring Christ is mine and I am His and my life was not my own. Since that time, I recommit every morning. I know how easy it is to forget who is in charge. Jesus is gentle, kind, meek, and a loving Father. Like the woman who used the entire bottle of Alabaster oil, I love God because He has forgiven me much. God clearly affirms that He does not want me or anyone lost.

Since that time, I’ve had one growing experience after the other. Some are difficult and others are easy. Yet, God is my Shelter and Strength always ready to help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). I find that His love for me is far greater than I imagined. One thing for sure, God is always growing us. God is about relationships, Him with me and me with others. I thank God for the people He has put in my life to study His Word and pray together. I thank God for all his humble servants that try to think the way He does. I thank God for teaching me how to pray. Prayer is the most essential part of our Christian walk.

Here’s how I know: After doing a children’s story in church, I recognized the importance of relational prayers, which are a result of seeking God "putting on the full armor of God". After writing the book Are You Fully Dressed: A Christian’s Guide to Wearing God’s Armor, I asked God this question “Lord, what’s next?” That prayer was immediately answered. I received the money for publishing the book the next day. Our relational prayers are prayers that are within God’s will. God constantly communicates with us through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, others, dreams, visions and through Spirit of Prophesy. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesy (Revelation 19:10). “God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men and enabled them to do this work.”—The Great Controversy (pp. 8, 9).

In the epilogue of my book, I list the names of God as I embraced Him through my readings because while reading the Bible we should be searching for God’s name, Who He is to us and who we are to Him and what invitation or warning is He giving specifically to us in this case, me. I love Him because He first loved me, truly like no other.

So I invite you to have a relational prayer with God by putting on the full armor of God.

Salvation is found in Christ alone and we grow in Christ by putting on the full armor. May we all stand having our loins girded with Truth, so that in the end/beginning we may be able to stand on the sea of glass, casting our crowns at the feet of Jesus, singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Be blessed forever!

~*~

Author bio:

Barbara Ann Laws believes God’s Word and is devoted to a life of prayer. As the author of Are You Fully Dressed: A Christian’s Guide to Wearing God’s Armor, her book explains what it means to walk in the spirit and that unforeseen spiritual warfare is constantly occurring. Her guidebook gives simple but insightful tips for growing as a Christian. 

She enjoys explaining what it means to put on the full armor of God. 

Barbara is a retired federal employee and a college graduate. She is an avid writer having published several articles during her career in the federal government as well as church-sponsored writing.

Music as an act of worship, A devotional written by Ellie

My guest today, Ellie, has a unique but perhaps common take on music--she sees it as an "act of worship." Curious to know why? Read on and enjoy this devotional written by the same woman who writes novels for the Christian book market! :)

~*~
An Act of Worship
A devotional written by Eleanor K. Gustafson a.k.a. “Ellie”

I sometimes listen to high and holy music, such as John Rutter’s Gloria. A deliberate act, done alone, with no one watching—no one to see the first tears that turn into violent sobs. No one to see but God.

A deliberate act of worship.

I sit in the middle of that musical maelstrom, caught up, whirled around, shaken and wrung, emptied of self and filled with the glory of God that burst through the temporary tear in the fabric of the universe.

I don’t do this often. Such moments of pure worship cannot be borne easily. They exact a cost, as Daniel and Ezekiel and other prophets well knew. In Daniel’s encounter with a heavenly being, he says, “I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.” (Daniel 10:8) The angel began speaking to Daniel, but the latter cried, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe." (Daniel 10:16, 17) After at least one of his visions, Daniel lay exhausted and ill for several days. (Daniel 8:27)

Prophets in general were prickly—not the sort you’d invite to afternoon tea. But when you consider their occupational hazards—Moses’ thunderbolts atop Mt. Sinai, Ezekiel’s UFOs, Isaiah’s burning coals—we can understand their lack of patience for banalities. Standing as they did at the interface of heaven and earth, such details as an altered order of worship or too-loud drums wouldn’t have mattered to them.

Worship music is different for different people. People who love contemporary praise songs might hold their ears against Rutter, whereas Rutter lovers are often bored by praise songs. I often find myself weeping through praise music, as well as classical, but then, God seems to have given me the gift of tears.

Might I suggest that the higher we reach both spiritually and musically, the closer we get to heaven’s musical interface. God spoke music into the world; music continues to speak his word.

God’s musical language penetrates every fiber and bone of my body. It is physical. It is emotional. It is spiritual. It knows me. It finds my weaknesses. It cannot remove weaknesses; only the blood of Jesus can do that. It can only touch sore points and make me weep. It gathers all human sorrows and joys from every land and every time. I see these sorrows and joys and cry out, “Lord God, King of heaven, thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.”

~*~

Author bio:

Ellie grew up in Branchville, N.J. in a county that had more cows than people. She loved horses and the annual County Farm and Horse Show.

Ellie studied music at Wheaton College in Illinois until she "shoved off of music, tried on the cloak of writing and found that it fit quite well."

"God first touched me through a story, and he has molded and kneaded me all my life," Ellie said. "I love Him passionately." A writer of huge influence on Ellie's life is Eugene Peterson. "His books are meaty and challenging," she said. "Having endorsed my novel on King David, The Stones, he is my forever friend."

Ellie and her husband enjoy their 3 kids and 8 grandchildren. Ellie's husband works as a pastor, college professor, tree farmer, organist, writer, etc.

~*~

Buy Ellie's books:

Dynamo - http://amzn.to/1zvs5EF

The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David - http://amzn.to/1Pbpm4P

~*~
Connect with Ellie:
E-mail - egus@me.com
Website - www.eleanorgustafson.com