Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

Jesus gives us unspeakable joy, filling us with His glory. When we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding from our faith in the Savior, it overwhelms us. Nothing compares to the love and grace we find in Christ, who we can’t see, but wholeheartedly believe in Him. Putting Jesus’s teachings into practice draws us into a relationship with God’s Son, one that gives us life like nothing else.

For the past few days, a friend I haven’t spoken to in some time kept coming to mind. Driving home from an appointment, she popped into my head again, and I knew I needed to call her. When she didn’t answer, I found her voicemail full and began praying for her. A few minutes later, she called back, and I found out why I felt burdened to pray for her. After our conversation, which ended with plans for a get-together, I felt the Lord’s joy.

Not only did I know how to pray for my friend, but the feeling that comes from obeying the Spirit’s promptings fills me with God’s pleasure. Knowing I did what the Creator wanted me to do encourages me, and allows me to experience His glory. Loving God and others comes with instant rewards: knowing your actions please the Maker and that He blesses your efforts. Restoring and maintaining relationships honors and glorifies God.

We don’t have to see Jesus to believe in Him; we can connect our lives to His with a spiritual bond. Loving the unseen Lord comes through a relationship. As we pursue the Almighty’s ways, we tie ourselves increasingly to Him, discovering inexpressible joy.

Journal Questions:

How would you define inexpressible joy?

Who do you know that exemplifies joyful living in Christ?

How have you experienced inexpressible joy from the Lord?

Joyful Application:

Phone a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and reconnect.

Two-minute read.

Spiritual motivations matter more than external diets. God does care what we put in our bodies, but He cares more about how we live out our faith. Meeting Jesus, learning about the scriptures, and becoming a person of faith requires action. To live right before the Lord, we must put His commands into practice. As we venture into God’s will for our lives, we discover His peace that surpasses all understanding, which brings us unspeakable joy that strengthens us. No food we eat or liquid we drink will bring us the joy of the Holy Spirit; we can only experience the divine when living it out in our lives.

Writing daily devotions helps me experience the divine. Learning the context behind the words, getting to know the authors through their writing, and discovering Jesus in the parables changes me. In the past five years, I’ve learned grace, mercy, and love in a new way. The reality of Christ’s love for me has grown deeper. Gaining the ability to look at the ugly parts of myself and give them to Jesus enables me to love myself and others better than ever before. Each day, I transform a little more.

God never said we would have an easy life. He promised us struggles, and the Lord didn’t lie. But the Creator also showed us how to find victory over our battles by obeying His commands, experiencing His peace, and letting divine joy strengthen us. Fuel yourself with God’s word, let it absorb into your being. Allow scripture to transform you from within your soul, and live your faith outwardly, one act at a time.

Righteousness, peace, and joy, life with Christ allows you to experience the divine. From Him, all blessings flow.

Journal Questions:

How do you define righteousness?

Describe what it feels like to experience God’s peace.

How does divine joy strengthen you?

Joyful Application:

Pick one of God’s commandments and put it into practice today.

Two-minute read.

Through Christ, we gain responsible freedom. As the Lord’s Spirit takes up residence in our hearts, we must share the good news of the gospel with others so they, too, can experience the freedom Jesus gives us. The Savior responded to the world counter-culturally. Where the people crucified Jesus, He forgave them. Exemplifying love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Christ gave us a new way to live and the boldness to do it.

As a human being, I don’t impulsively respond like Jesus. To become more like Christ, I must let His Spirit guide my actions. Only with the help of the Lord can I produce good fruit. Asking God to search my heart shows me the areas I must submit to Him and allow Him to transform me. The more aware I become of my faults, the more I can turn them into strengths.

For instance, I struggle with pride. Easily offended, I’m learning techniques to stop becoming defensive, and instead, not take it personally. Understanding that hurting people hurt others helps me take the focus off myself and look for their pain. One simple change of thought can help me produce better fruit as I trust God for guidance. Pausing for 5-10 seconds before responding helps me think logically. People can look for an argument, but I don’t have to engage with it. Pausing and asking the Lord for help allows me to respond with the fruit of the Spirit. The more I practice my responses, the better I become.

Living intentionally for Jesus means letting His Spirit have His way with you. Transformation only occurs when we submit. Becoming more like Christ starts with accepting responsibility in the freedom He gives us, and using it to pursue a holier lifestyle. Sharing the Spirit’s fruit has no laws against it, only love to share.

Journal Questions:

How have you experienced the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

Which fruit do you need the most help to share?

In what ways does Jesus’ example encourage you?

Joyful Application:

Find ways to give away the fruit of the Spirit today.

Two-minute read.

Maintaining a spirit of joy in the Lord during the busy Christmas season schedule seems like an impossible task. But thankfully, we have a Savior who leads us on the path of abundant living, no matter the time of year. As we begin another December together, we can learn to live joyfully as we center our lives around Jesus. Balanced lives don’t exist, but centered ones do. When we keep the Son in our eyes, we will live joyfully in Him.

From the historical data available to us, Paul most likely wrote the letter to the Philippians while under house arrest in Rome. Living in a rented and cramped apartment called an insula, chained to a guard, the apostle could receive visitors, preach freely, and write letters. I always wonder about the guard and what he thought witnessing Paul’s devotion to the Savior. In such dire circumstances, the missionary wrote letters of encouragement to the churches, instructing them to maintain their joy in the Lord.

Eyes centered on Jesus have hope for an eternal life spent in glory with the Savior. Knowing that our reward awaits us in heaven gives us the joy of the Lord and allows us to live a joyful life. Paul didn’t focus his eyes on his dire circumstances; the apostle kept his gaze on Christ and lived in His promises.

Paul understood how to live joyfully. Understanding we live for Jesus, and a glory we can’t comprehend from this side of heaven awaits us, gives us hope, which produces joy. Today’s troubles won’t last, but eternity with the Savior will. Living joyfully for God shines the light of Christ into a dark world, sharing His hope, and introducing them to the One who gives us joy. Shine brightly today as you live a life filled with the joy of the Lord.

Journal Question:

How do you define the joy of the Lord?

In what ways can you share God’s joy with others today?

Who exemplifies joy in your life?

Joyful Application:

Share JOY today by prioritizing your relationships: Jesus, Others, Yourself

Two-minute read.

God offers joy to His people—yet in the rush, noise, and pressures of the holidays, it can feel surprisingly easy to misplace. We chase happiness in accomplishments, relationships, or circumstances, only to discover that these things shift and fade. True joy, the kind that strengthens the soul and steadies the heart, comes from only one place: in the presence of the Lord.

This 31-day devotional invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the joy God intends for you. The Lord doesn’t reserve joy for perfect seasons or peaceful days and doesn’t limit it by what we feel or what we face. Scripture shows us repeatedly that the joy of the Lord never runs dry—a source of strength in weakness, hope in hardship, and delight in every ordinary moment.

Each day of this journey will guide you through a simple rhythm: a passage of Scripture, a thoughtful reflection, and a joyful application to center your heart on God’s truth. Some readings will refresh you with gentle reminders of God’s love. Others will challenge you to let go of burdens, surrender control, or view your circumstances through the lens of faith. All of them point to the One who promises fullness of joy to those who draw near Him.

As you walk through these days, may you become more aware of God’s presence in your daily life. May His Word stir a deeper confidence in His goodness. And may you discover we don’t strive for joy—we receive it, as we rest in the Lord who faithfully holds us.

Take a breath. Open your heart. Let the journey to joy begin.

Journal Questions:

How does the Lord bring you joy?

In what ways has the Lord’s joy given you strength?

How can you find joy in your current circumstances?

Joyful Application:

Find joy in the Lord today and let it strengthen you.

Two-minute read.

With gray hair and tiny wrinkles lining my eyes, I do not look the same as the young girl with firm skin and auburn hair. No matter how well we take care of ourselves, aging comes with the years. In the same way, charming actions and words can carry deceit, but a woman who fears the Lord has divine beauty from within her soul that lights the world around her.

My mom always comes to mind when I read today’s verse. She feared the Lord and lived for Him, teaching me to follow His ways. Mom always knew she couldn’t protect me from the ways of the world, but she could introduce me to the one who did.

Not a woman of false flattery, Mom said what she meant and meant what she said. Rimming her lips with lipstick, she wore little makeup and kept her hairstyle simple. Dressing for comfort rather than attention, Mom cared for her family, meeting our needs before her own. People felt drawn to “Bertie Lou,” her ready smile welcoming them into her life.

In our bedroom, I have my favorite photo of her. Black and white: she wears a one-piece bathing suit, sitting in the middle of the road, legs stretched out and crossed, leaning back on her arms, hair perfectly styled, and a smile on her face; she possesses undeniable beauty. But as the years passed, they took their toll, as they do on all of us, and her youthful looks faded.

However, her fear of the Lord shone brightly, and she possessed divine beauty that never fades. A heart dedicated to God brings forth praise each day, sharing the love of the Savior with all, as divine appointments fill our calendars.

Charm and beauty disappear, but those who fear the Lord will receive praise and honor, their lives drawing people to Jesus, and the eternal life He offers.

Journal Question:

Who comes to mind when you think of a woman who fears the Lord?

How have you witnessed the fleetingness of charm and beauty?

How does the fear of the Lord impact your life?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for helping us understand what it means to fear You, and for giving us a deep respect for Your word and commands. Let us live for You, today and always, honoring You in all we do.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Dress for Success, the title of John T. Molloy’s 1975 book, introduces the concept of dressing for success to empower professionals.[1] Nancy Lublin founded the non-profit organization Dress for Success in 1997 with a $5,000 inheritance. She started her mission to provide professional attire to women in a New York City church basement.[2] Now in over 140 cities and 20 countries, dressing confidently makes a difference.

The wife of noble character chooses strength and dignity as her attire. Founded faith, her confidence comes from the Lord, who gives her everything she needs to fulfill her purpose. When we have a firm foundation in the Savior, He guides and directs our paths. We know which steps to follow because He shows us, so we don’t hesitate to keep moving forward.

What we clothe ourselves in does matter. Dress for Success’s popularity illustrates the impact our clothes have on our attitude.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Colossians 3:12-14

God gives us our wardrobe through Christ, who gives us strength and dignity. When we put on the characteristics of Christ, His Spirit helps us wear them well. As we cloak ourselves in Jesus more and more, our strength and dignity will grow, and we will laugh at the days to come.

Victory comes from the Savior; no one can stop the Lord from unfolding His will. Trusting in Him gives us all the tools we need to do the work He has for us, all while laughing at the days to come.

Journal Question:

How do you dress for success?

In what ways do you cloak yourself in Christ?

What outfit gives you the most confidence?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for teaching us how to dress for success. Please help us cloak ourselves in Christ today, sharing His divine love with all we meet.

IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dress_for_Success_(book)

[2] https://www.npr.org/2011/05/25/136649621/nancy-lublin-founder-of-dress-for-success#:~:text=Embed%20%3Ciframe%20src=%22https,unemployed%20women%20for%20job%20interviews.

Two-minute read.

Found in the infamous “Wife of Noble Character” section of Proverbs, the book of wisdom closes with 21 verses on how to serve your husband well. Noble means virtuous, worthy, or capable. Found only in Proverbs and Ruth, the word describes a woman of strong character, and someone who brings good to all who know her.

A dear friend of mine has six children whom I adore. She amazes me as she runs her household with love and care. The first time I babysat for them, I felt nervous, but I needn’t have worried. In preparation for our time together, she had the kids create a list of things to do. We played games, watched a movie, and built a fort; the time passed quickly.

My friend runs her household well, and her husband has complete trust in her, knowing she has a plan for whatever comes their way. From doing chores and completing homework to having ample time to play, she schedules it all into their day, starting each morning with devotions to God and ending their nights with bedtime prayers.

Maintaining a smooth household helps build trust. Each of us has a different life; since we don’t have children, we have a quiet household. Ron and I share the daily tasks. My husband knows that if I say I’ll do something, it gets done. He depends on me to take care of certain things, and because I’ve proven myself trustworthy to him time and again, Ron has confidence in me.

Find ways to bring good, not harm, to people. Starting at home, build up your family by blessing them with your efforts. Maintain a peaceful house through strategic planning. The Lord doesn’t expect perfection, but He will bless your efforts, and your family will reap the rewards of your work.

Journal Question:

How would you describe a woman of noble character?

In what ways can you bless your family today?

How can you bring good, not harm, to those you love?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us an example of a noble woman in scripture. Please help us exemplify her as we go through our days, bringing good, not harm, to those we love.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

If you can’t keep your mouth shut, clap your hand over it! Oh, how many times I wished I had taken this advice and avoided the pitfalls of thoughtless words. When we exalt ourselves, playing the fool, it never ends well. Pride always results in a fall, one way or another.

My mom had a butter churn. Tall, brown wood formed a circle, with metal bands at the top, middle, and bottom holding it together. A smooth, round lid with a hole in the middle covered the top. The dasher, a long wooden pole with four small wood boards attached at the bottom, fit through the hole. Moving the dasher up and down in the churn separated the yellow butterfat from the milkfat. Taking anywhere from 20 to 55 minutes to produce the final product, churning takes work.

When we repeatedly exalt ourselves, it stirs up strife. At dinner with friends, they talked about a person who constantly shares how much money they have. Each statement churns like butter, creating bitter feelings and causing strife. Unaware of the irritation their words cause, this person doesn’t stop playing the fool.

At some point, the listener will react, conflict will ensue, and the relationship will suffer. As Christ’s followers, we must guard our mouths, using our words to build people up rather than tear them down. If we can’t say anything nice, we shouldn’t say anything at all.

Before you speak, ask yourself, “Would you want someone saying that to you?” Think about how the other person will receive your words, and if it doesn’t uplift and encourage, clap your hand over your mouth and keep it shut.

Journal Question:

When has self-exaltation gotten you into trouble?

What comes to mind when you think of words like churning butter?

How can you speak uplifting and encouraging words today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us hands to help us keep our mouths shut. As we move through our day, let us use only uplifting and encouraging words. Help us honor You in all we do.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Adding or subtracting words to scripture tempts anyone. When I’m writing a devotional, remaining true to the word takes a lot of soul searching. Understanding the meanings of words helps decipher the verse’s message.

In my women’s Bible study, we use the HEAR method: Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. Reading through the New Testament together, we read five chapters a week. Each day, we highlight one verse, then explain, apply, and respond to it. After we finish our study, we text the group a picture of our notes.

The more we study scripture, the more we will begin to understand it. People take God’s word out of context all the time. For example, 1 Timothy 6:10 gets misinterpreted:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

People think money causes the problem. However, love of money creates the issue because it becomes an idol. Anything we put before God needs to go; the Lord makes it clear that He must come first.

Studying God’s word with a group of women holds me accountable not to add or subtract from the verses. Scripture’s truth doesn’t always come easy, holding a mirror up to our sinful ways. When we allow the Savior to refine us, He always does it with love.

To live abundantly in Christ, we must carefully study His word, asking Him to help us understand it. God reveals truth to us as we develop our relationship with Him. With the Almighty’s guidance, we can mine the jewels found in His word. Each day, when we open the scriptures, God speaks to us through them. We don’t need to add or subtract anything; the Lord says it all perfectly.

Journal Question:

When have you wanted to add or subtract words to something in scripture?

How have you seen scripture taken out of context?

Who helps you study scripture and interpret it?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Your word to guide and direct us. Please help us not add or subtract anything from it, but study scripture, allowing You to reveal its truth to us.

IJNIP. Amen