Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should believe in God and not doubt

The Price of Unbelief
A devotional by Colette Christopher

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”—James 1:6 NLT

I love spicy foods, and for me, seafood must have some level of heat.

Recently, I had the desire to eat my favorite seafood. But I didn’t have any natural peppers to add. I rummaged through the refrigerator, but there was none. My eyes drifted to my kitchen counter, where I saw some seeds that I had previously saved. I smiled in gratitude but then thought: These have been out too long, and by now no form of heat remains. However, I began to prepare my dish as an act of faith. I added the seeds and then prayed to God, asking Him to cause the flavor to return to the seeds so I could enjoy this food that I was longing for.

Paul reminds us in James 1:6 to have faith when we pray to God we should not go back and forth, believing for one minute that He can do what we ask then in another minute, doubt His ability to do so. We must be confident in our petitions that we present to the Lord, secure in the knowledge that if we ask anything according to God's will, He will grant it to us.

I prayed for the flavor to return as I seasoned my food. I even thanked God for it. But instead of believing that God heard, knew my taste buds, and would make it happen, I started doubting. I tasted it, but there was no heat at all. None. So, what did I do? I added few more seeds. Isn’t that just like us to ask God for something and instead of patiently waiting on Him to perfect the thing we are waiting on, we take matters into our hands?

We see that in the lives of Abraham and Sarah in the Bible story. God made them a promise about the son they would have despite the fact that Abraham was elderly and Sarah’s childbearing years were biologically over. They thought time was running out, so they took matters into their own hands: Sarah told Abraham to sleep with her servant Hagar so they could fulfill God’s promise that way (Genesis 16:2). Hagar became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Ishmael. However, he was not the fulfillment of the promise from God. As we pray and petition God for healings, breakthroughs, restoration—whatever we need—we have to not only apply faith, but patience is also another key ingredient.

Back to the story from my kitchen: When I tasted the food that I had seasoned and prayed over, my eyes immediately watered. I could not enjoy what I longed for, I wanted mild spicy, but this was unbelievably hot. Immediately, what came flooding into my mind was that this is what happens when I ask God for something and then allow doubt and unstable thoughts to flood my mind and then take matters into my own hands. The results are disastrous!

I encourage you today to hold fast to faith and trust God, even when it seems that what you are asking for is impossible. Believe anyway, confess any thought that is warring in your mind, and ask Him to fill you with faith to believe. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Will you believe God with me today?

Let’s Pray: Father God, help us to trust You, even when the pressures around and within cause us to waver in our belief. Help us to hold onto faith. Father, You are our living hope. You are trustworthy and a promise keeper! Please remind us of this truth when we doubt You and your promises for us. Strengthen our faith in You as we wait for You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “I Will Wait for You” by Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Benediction” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colette Christopher is an empowered woman who inspires women to be who they were created to be. Her core message is empowerment. She is an author, certified life coach, podcast host, and trainer with the Maxwell Leadership team. 

Colette believes that an empowered woman empowers others and is powerful in knowing who she is and what she can accomplish. Colette is on a mission to impact the lives of the women assigned to her, whether she is their coach or trainer or shares a word that will transform their lives.

Colette utilizes her Christian principles as the base of all her engagements. She is passionate about fulfilling her life purpose of empowering women to know who they are, rebuild their confidence, and use their voices as tools to uplift themselves and others.

​​She is the founder of the M.E.E. Movement L.L.C., a faith-based empowerment ministry business that helps women of faith rebuild their confidence and use their voice to walk in their purpose through life coaching, mentoring, and empowerment speaking. Colette believes in using the gifts God has given her to help women be who God has called them to be and ultimately fulfill the purpose for which they were created. She lives by Romans 8:28 (NIV), that promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

A native of Jamaica, Colette resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the mother of two beautiful young women, a son-in-love, and two grandsons. Colette enjoys reading, writing, watching good movies, and chatting with her daughters and friends.

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Connect with Colette:
Blog: https://www.colettemarie.online/blog
Website: https://www.colettemarie.online/
Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2367935
Email: Colettemarieonline@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to trust God when you feel disappointed

Trusting God Through Life’s Disappointments
A devotional by Cherie Mendez

“But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

—Luke 1:20 (NLT)

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth must have been praying years for a child. The Bible tells us in Luke 1:6, they were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.”

Yet there was a problem: Elizabeth was unable to conceive. Zechariah was simply a priest fulfilling his duty, likely serving God under the assumption of God’s displeasure towards him. So, he was shocked when an angel of the Lord appeared and announced that Elizabeth will give him a son.

Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God’s favor still came to him. God muted his speech for a period of time because his words spoken without faith could have undermined God’s divine plan. The beautiful ending to the story is that Zechariah saw the birth of his son and believed in the fulfillment of God’s promise. Finally, his years of disappointment came to an end.

In ancient Israel, it was considered a curse to not have children. We see how Elizabeth responds in Luke 1:25 (NLT): “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

In our world today, there are many things that make us feel disappointed. For some people it’s not having a good career, for others it’s not meeting the love of their life. Whatever it is, God can’t be pleased when we question if He will answer our prayer. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Here are three ways we can trust God in difficult times:

Way #1: Keep your eyes on Him. Song of Songs 1:15 (NLT) says, “your eyes are like doves.” A dove is only able to focus on one thing at a time. This makes them less likely to be distracted. In the same way, if we keep our focus on Jesus Christ then we will not be discouraged by our current circumstance.

Way #2: Be obedient. Jesus says in John 14:15 (NLT), “If you love me, obey my commandments.” The Bible promises that obedience to God’s commands brings blessings, prosperity, and a more fulfilling life.

Way #3: Stay in the word (read and reflect on The Holy Bible). Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” The Bible is considered the primary way God communicates with Bible verses that sometimes feel specifically relevant to every situation we experience in life.

There are many reasons why God may take a lifetime to answer specific prayers. Sometimes it’s to build our faith, sometimes it’s because He wants us to deal with an internal issue. Most of the time, it’s to prepare us for the future. Even if His answer comes what we consider late in life, His timing is always perfect and it is always for our good.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for your perfect timing. Thank You for loving us enough to not give us what we want, but what we need. We thank You for the plans you have for us as you’ve promised in Jeremiah 29:11 to give us a hope and a future.

In Jesus’s Name I pray,

Amen.

Song of Reflection: “For the Good” by Riley Clemmons. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cherie Mendez is a professional actress and photographer. 

Her passion is to help women understand their true worth and walk in their God-given purpose. After many years working as a Christian in the entertainment industry, she is thankful to be able to share all her learning experiences in her blog posts and on Instagram.

Some of the topics Cherie loves to write about are:

· Coping with rejection

· Finding your purpose and using your talent for God’s glory

· How God always looks at the heart and the meaning of inner beauty

· Understanding that we are all a work in progress and God is not done with us yet

Cherie’s TV credits include The Equalizer, Bull, and Blue Bloods (CBS). She also appeared in the PureFlix film Revelation Road 3: The Black Rider.

Cherie and her husband Jimmy live in Texas. They are thankful to have been married for 30 years. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, photography, and movie night.

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Connect with Cherie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriemendez/

Devotionals for the Heart: Trust God to keep us safe and order our steps

Safe Keeping
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis

“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”—Jude 24 NIV

We keep a lot of things: mementos from a family road trip, menus from our favorite restaurants, leaves from the tree in our backyard, seashells from the seashore. We keep time, money, dates and appointments, and we keep on keepin’ on. In our minds, these things we keep are valuable, irreplaceable and part of our lives. One day they will be passed onto the next generation and will tell a story of our time here on earth.

We also like to keep track of our spending, our time away from home, our time in our home, our time with our children and our time with our spouses. If there is an imbalance, we try to reign it in. Not easy, but worth it.

God keeps a lot too. He keeps us from stumbling. Just right there is enough for me. How often when I embark ‘on my own, in my own way’, do I fall flat on my face, let alone stumble? When our eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, He keeps our feet on the right path. We are not even looking at where our feet are going, we just follow with our eyes on the Master. How is this possible to not watch where we are going?

During my five-year long journey of suffering with broken feet, my daughter would constantly remind me to be mindful of my feet. To pay attention to where I was stepping, what I was stepping onto, and how I was going to get from point A to point B. It was very useful because while I was walking, I would be talking and would forget to be mindful—thereby getting myself in trouble with the feet.

Knowing God keeps me from stumbling, spiritually, is quite comforting. Following Jesus is a life-long journey with many ups and downs, turns and twists, mistakes and triumphs. But I need not worry about tripping or falling off the road because Jesus has me. He is keeping me, He is protecting me, He is holding me.

Yes, He is holding me. Just like a daddy keeping watch over his little one, daddy holds the little one in his big strong arms. This act makes the child feel safe, loved and protected. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us if we let Him and do not squirm out of His arms. If only we will submit to God and let Him be our Keeper.

What does God not keep? A record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). We are told God is love in 1 John 4:16. Therefore, God does not keep a record of wrongs. This only applies to those who acknowledge Him as Lord. For those whose names are written in the Book of Life, judgment will be for our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10). But for those who have not chosen to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they too will be judged, will not be found in the Book of Life and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). What a sobering day that will be for many.

But it does not need to end there. God’s mercy is for all and is ready for the asking.

Did you know God keeps mercy for us which is forever? Mercy is what many who cried out to Jesus in need of healing (like blind Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52). Mercy is what follows us, according to Psalm 23:6. God keeps it, guards it and then lavishes it on us. What a wonderful God we have and serve!

Now, may I bless you with this promise found in Numbers 6:24-26 NIV? “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

Let’s Pray: Father God, You are so gracious to us to hold and keep us. You do this so willingly and with abundance. You are faithful and eternal. You are the One who holds me so I do not stumble. Thank You for helping me to keep my feet on the path You marked out for me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Call You Faithful” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by John Rutter. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson. 

Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.

Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.

Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.

Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.

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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog

Devotionals for the Heart: Learning to trust God and wait on His timing

God’s Timing is the Best
A devotional by Christine Monteiro

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The past twelve months have been a real challenge for me. I feel like I am losing direction in life, and I can’t see beyond what is in front of me in a very close range.

I have doubts about many things and opportunities that lie before my eyes. I waited for what I thought was the best timing. I was juggling decisions. Every night, after I pray to God, I spend my time with ChatGPT. Wondering around, I wish God would work in that way. When you ask, He will directly speak to you—answering all your questions. I wondered why God doesn’t work like ChatGPT, giving all the positive and encouraging answers right away.

Slowly but surely, I made a bold decision—starting with straightening my finances, recalculating, structuring debt, and cutting many expenses. I’ve been ignoring things I should have done for a long time. Sometimes, doing the right thing can be scary. But miraculously, when I did the right thing by letting go of my fear, suddenly my anxiety subsided and things started to flow nicely. I’ve learned that God’s blessings are not only for me, but also for my children. Everything came on time for them: the food they needed, the money to pay their tuition for college, and a job for extra cash. I would never have guessed God would work the way He did. He left me in awe. I am grateful for what He has done for me.

Several years ago, I met a man who captured my heart. But at that time, neither of us was ready for a commitment. Our previous marriages have hurt us both. I was afraid of losing a spouse again. The death of my husband was traumatic enough, and I don’t want to experience that again. But who can guarantee someone’s life?

For years, I have tried to convince myself to toughen my heart and to believe that no one can guarantee a perfect future or everlasting life…until last month, when I decided to say yes to his proposal. Within three weeks, we planned our intimate, simple wedding with only eight people as our witnesses. It takes courage to enter a new journey. But I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life story. It feels like I took a ton of weight off my shoulders. It feels incredible to feel loved, and the thought that I don’t have to go through life alone anymore. I can see God’s blessing upon my new marriage.

I had to make a decision not just to get married but to quit my job which was something I’d been putting off for months because I was so worried. Every time I thought about it, anxiety rose within me. It is scary to think about quitting my job and starting a new life with someone different. Funny enough, a day after I declared my new life, my boss allowed me to quit my job. We’d spoken about this for months, but he never approved my request to stop working for him. One thing I know then and now: God is in control. Proof that God is with me was in every single decision I made—the right decision, the right path, as He wanted me to do. I am now facing another level of faith because I want to pursue my calling. A calling that will make my life purposeful: A life where I can do ministry for the teens and run my coaching business at the same time. I am passionate about this life that I feel called to live. I am starting to see how God guides my path step by step. Just like Proverbs 3:5-6 says, God will make your paths straight.

I have many reasons to worry about pursuing my passion. I still have to support two kids in college and another one next year, but I am confident that God will show me the right path to take. Uncertainty has a way of drawing me closer to God as I keep seeking Him for strength. I’ve learned that God never wastes our time. He aligns things in our lives when we align our hearts with His. When you are in God’s waiting room, don’t panic, because He is still moving. When things happen, it will feel effortless. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

I didn’t understand God’s timing when I was in the middle of a confusing time. But now I’m living inside the answered prayer. And I realized God was never late. I was just early. His timing is always best!

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being involved in every decision I’ve ever made. Thank You for proving that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank You for the mercy and love that you’ve shown me amid my confusion. Help me to keep believing in You and walking on the right path by your side. I need your guidance in my life. I am so grateful that I can call you Abba Father, whom I can rely on. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “In His Time” by Maranatha Music. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Goodness of God” by Cece Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Christine Monteiro is a certified transformative coach, writer, and keynote speaker who is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of purpose, personal growth, and resilience. 

Christine’s journey to becoming a coach started four years ago, following the loss of her husband to brain cancer. That experience left her feeling as though she had lost her purpose—a feeling she deeply understands in clients who she works with now. Through self-discovery and training, Christine found the missing pieces in her life and regained her purpose and drive that now motivates her to help others.

Christine coaches her clients from all walks of life—from young adults to retirees—helping them to embrace change, set meaningful goals, and confidently pursue their dreams. She has received training through Creative Results Management and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Christine also has certifications in Positive Psychology and Mental Health Coaching from Yale and Light University. Her diverse approach to coaching her clients combines empathy with strategic insight, helping them to navigate every stage of life.

When she writes, Christine likes to focus on topics like finding purpose, coping with grief, and achieving personal transformation. As she writes, Christine draws from her own experiences as a single mom and empty nester. She enjoys sharing these insights on various platforms to reach a wider audience and foster community support.

When not coaching or writing, Christine spends her time sipping black coffee and swimming in the pool. She has found that having three independent children gives her a privilege to have a lot of “me time” that she didn’t have when they were growing up.

Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to check the soil of our hearts

Check Your Soil
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”—Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Ontario is the name of the province I’ve lived in for many years.

Growing up, I remember the jingle for a popular commercial went like this: “Good things grow in Ontario”. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and small posters on popsicle sticks bore these words.

Jesus Christ often used the illustrations of farmers, fields, and soil to convey the importance of growth. This message wasn’t difficult for His audience to comprehend because agriculture and farming were staples in the Middle East in that era. The industrial revolution had not arrived, so the people would understand well the process of planting seed and reaping in harvest time.

In chapter 13 of the Bible book of Matthew, Jesus told the parable of the sower who went out to plant seed. It was important to note that the quality of the soil determined the growing results of the seed. Some soil had stones, some fell by the wayside, while others took root and grew bountifully. Everyone hearing this parable would be challenged to consider the soil of their heart and decide for themselves if it was ripe for receiving seed and growing.

Personally, I know there have been times when my heart was hard, critical and religious. Just like a gardener who rakes up the soil and sees stones, one has to remove those stones from the soil before planting anything. If you plant a seed amongst stones, you soon notice that the plant is struggling to show any signs of growth. There is an obstruction to its growth. You have to take the stones out of that garden. Likewise, individually, we have to check the soil of our hearts.

Matthew 12:34 states out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. When we speak, it is a reflection of what is happening in our hearts. There is an old saying: “You cannot pour clean water from a dirty vessel.” We have to clean up the inside. We have to see the not so nice areas in our lives that are affecting our growth. We can do this by humbling ourselves and asking the Lord to show us and help us to acknowledge our areas of weakness. Confess our faults. God can handle it. As a matter of fact, He is patiently waiting for us to give our concerns to Him. When we read the Word of God (The Holy Bible) and we are convicted, this might mean there is a stone, an area in our life, God wants us to acknowledge. This is an area that needs to be, shall I say, “weeded out” so that we can grow and mature.

Self-examine your heart. Is there anything that is hindering growth in the Lord? Are there attitudes, mindsets or behaviors that other people have noticed and maybe brought to your attention? Ask the Lord to guide you. You don’t have to struggle alone. Ask a friend who is also following Jesus Christ to pray with you.

Let’s check the soil of our hearts and do some internal weeding so that with the grace of the Holy Spirit we can be a fruitful plant that brings glory to God.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I want to grow strong in you. Show me where my heart needs to be tender and help me to respond to your Holy Spirit when you alert me to something that is not right in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “A Heart Like Yours” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What God wants us to do when we are uncertain

Walking by Faith During Seasons of Uncertainty
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.”

—Hebrews 11:8-9 (NIV)

Fall has always been my favorite season.

Colorful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin spice lattes are a welcome change from the heat and humidity. I find nothing more satisfying than the sound of acorns under my feet as I walk through the woods.

Change is inevitable for us spiritually as well. God doesn’t want us to remain stagnant, so He takes us through seasons designed to prune us, promote us, and refine us. Not all seasons feel good, especially when God pulls us away from relationships, habits, and emotional attachments that can't go where He's taking us. When the landscape of your life feels unfamiliar and unsettling, God uses this divine disruption to move you forward.

We’ve all faced seasons of uncertainty when God’s plan seemed hidden. We question why prayers are still unanswered or when things will turn around. But God knows our faith won’t grow if He lays out the entire roadmap.

Imagine how Abraham felt when God called him to leave the comforts of home for a land God promised Abraham would inherit. Without knowing what to expect, let alone the roadmap to get there, Abraham stepped out in faith because he trusted God to keep His promise.

God didn’t expect Abraham to figure out how to reach the Promised Land, but to believe that He already did. Abraham’s faith in the midst of uncertainty reminds us that when everything feels chaotic and uncertain, we aren’t falling apart—we’re falling into place—as God positions us for the promise we’ve been praying for.

True faith isn’t about knowing how our story unfolds but trusting the One (God) who does. Every time we choose to walk by faith and release our grip on the outcome, we’re allowing Him to guide our steps, even when it’s uncomfortable.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark to punish us. He is preparing us for the future that He’s already planned for us. God knows that if He told us too much, we would continue to be burdened with anxiety and addicted to control and clarity.

When my lab tests showed some abnormalities last month, my doctor sent me to a hematologist as a precaution. The moment I realized his office was located at the cancer center, I immediately feared the worst. Later that evening, despite what my mind was telling me, the Lord reassured me I would get a clean bill of health. This experience taught me that instead of trusting my emotions, I must trust God’s voice and the promises He’s spoken over my life.

In the midst of uncertainty, we don’t have to be afraid of the dark, because the same God who led Abraham through the desert to the Promised Land in the Bible story is leading us too in our modern era. When we reach the destination He’s planned for us, we will look back and realize that every step He asked us to take was worth it.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

When I’m faced with uncertainty and my heart is overwhelmed with fear, help me remember to resist the urge to figure everything out myself. Because You are Sovereign, I don’t have to fear what happens next because You go before me, and Your plans for me are always good. I know You are with me, so I will choose faith over fear and prayer over panic as I trust You to take me safely to my next destination.

In Jesus’s name, I pray.

Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Everything Falls” by Fee. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s passion to follow Jesus Christ is woven throughout her writing. She loves using words to encourage women to embrace their identity in Christ so they can experience victory in every area of their life. 

In 2024, Sarah was a featured speaker in the 28-Day Devotional Challenge. She also launched her new Substack newsletter, "A Peaceful Pace", which inspires her readers to let Jesus Christ set their pace in a world that values speed at all costs.

Sarah’s short stories have appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and Mysterious Ways by Guideposts. Her latest short story is featured in a new book published by Guideposts, titled Too Amazing For Coincidence.

Her devotionals have appeared in David C. Cook’s The Quiet Hour and Devotions, The Secret Place by Judson Press, and Pray a Word a Day by Guideposts.

Sarah is a dog sitter who lives in Minneapolis with her dachshund Frank. Her hobbies include cooking and vacationing each year on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

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Connect with Sarah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52

Devotionals for the Heart: Why God wants us to count our blessings

Blessed
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”—Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)

There’s a decorative plate on an easel in my kitchen. Since the plate is square, it’s always tilted to the side. No matter how often I straighten it, the plate keeps slipping as if determined to remain off kilter. Either that or the plate has a serious vendetta against my sense of tidiness.

This dish has always been one of my favorites. The word “Blessed” takes center stage with its beautiful, rich color palette. Each day, I straighten the plate, and each day it tilts, but I continue to repeat my actions. There’s a saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.” Apparently, I’m the poster child for this quote.

A few days ago, instead of straightening the plate, my eyes were drawn to the word blessed. That one slight shift caused my mind to take an unexpected turn. I stood there, staring at the plate. The words in Ephesians 1:3 struck me and I realized I have been blessed by God. I’m stubborn, tenacious and sometimes controlling, but in His mercy, He bestows blessings on me.

According to an article about what it means to be blessed, The Master’s University says being blessed means having inner peace, bliss, happiness, and an inward joy not produced by nor affected by circumstance. It’s a state of unshakeable well-being that comes from knowing God.

People who believe in God need to remember that they are blessed by Him. God has positioned us for a time such as this. We are blessed to reside in our imperfect bodies and live our imperfect lives—off kilter, off center, full of flaws, yet flawless in the eyes of our Savior (Jesus Christ). So, why is it difficult to remember that our identity is in Christ alone?

God says we are His children, overcomers and the apple of His eye. It’s our imperfections that make us genuine, and vulnerable. These are the qualities that make us approachable, which allows us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

For a long time I was unsure of how to share Christ with others until God showed me that sharing is natural when it’s based on relationship. When I share Christ with a co-worker, friend, or family member, I can begin from a place of mutual understanding. It’s comfortable to share God’s truth when you have history of sharing meaningful conversations.

Several years ago, I shared the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a dear friend who is also a co-worker. She’d been hurt by a church in the past and never went back. We had several conversations about God and how He has a plan and a purpose for her. Not too long after that she sent me a heartfelt text message for bringing her back to church and re-introducing Christ into her life. This is a beautiful blessing and a memory that I’ll treasure forever.

Today, may we embrace the love of the Good Shepherd, the Mighty One who sets us free. May His daily grace flood our hearts so we can focus on the many blessings He bestows on us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord,

We are grateful for your love, mercy, and the blessings you bestow upon us. Send your Holy Spirit to help us be consistent in setting aside time to reflect on your goodness and the power of your presence. Thank You for each new day and help us to be aware of the opportunities to share the Gospel with others. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Great is Your Mercy” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “I'm So Blessed” by CAIN. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “In Christ Alone” by Natashia Midori. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/