Category: Uncategorized

Two-minute read.

Committing to living a life of gratitude, the Psalmist, David, gives his whole being to praising the Lord, inwardly and outwardly. By remembering all the things God did for the warrior, David has nothing but praise to offer. The Lord helped him defeat Goliath, evade Saul’s attacks on his life, become king of Israel, and place David in the lineage of Christ. You can understand why the shepherd boy who turned king gave his life to praising the Almighty.

Throughout Scripture, God tells His faithful servants to remember what He has done for them. When God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He told them to remember the rescue and what the Lord did to Pharoah (Deut. 5:15, 7:18). In Joshua, after the Israelites successfully crossed the Jordan on dry land, God told them to use stones from the river to remember from “generation to generation” what He did (Joshua 4:6-7). Several times throughout the Psalms, the author vows to remember what God did (Psalm 77:11-12,103:2, 105:5). In Luke, at the last supper, Jesus tells us to take communion in “remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). And Peter tells believers to remember the words spoken by God (2 Peter 3:1-2). Why does the Lord tell us to remember?

Remembering helps us to trust instead of fear, obey instead of drift, worship instead of forget, and live humbly instead of claiming credit. When we remember the work God does in our lives, like David, we can praise the Savior with our entire being. When I think back to the beginning of my walk with the Lord, to where He has brought me in the last few decades, I can’t help but praise Him. God rescued me from the pit, cleaned me off, and helped me find a new way to live. By following Jesus, I’ve learned to build healthier relationships, make better financial decisions, and constantly learn something new as He transforms me one day at a time. Christ helps me become a new creation, one day at a time. Praise God!

At 6:59 a.m. at the time of this writing, I can praise the Lord for getting me out of bed this morning, the cup of hot tea I’m drinking, and my husband sleeping in the room next to me. I’m grateful for our dogs that lie at my feet while I write, the food we have in the cupboard, and the roof over our heads. When we take time to list the work God does in our lives, we don’t have to look that far in the past. The Lord never sleeps, always doing something in our lives. As we start noticing, we’ll quickly realize we can’t count all the divine blessings in our lives, and we will begin to live a life rooted in gratitude.

Journal Questions:

List ways God has transformed your life since you began following Him?

In what ways do you remember the Lord’s work in your life?

List ten things God has done for you today.

Application:

Remember all God has done.

Two-minute read.

Once we receive Christ, Paul instructs the Colossians and us to continue to live for Him. The powerful moment of salvation, when we give our lives to Jesus, marks the starting point of a lifelong journey of transformation. Receiving the Holy Spirit, He will guide our steps as we spend time developing our relationship with Him.

“I’m willing to bet you didn’t propose over the phone?” When Marshall University lost its entire football team in a tragic airplane crash in 1970, it needed the NCAA’s approval to play first-year students so it could field a team the following year. When the university president received no, after no, Jack Lengyel, head coach, challenged the president with that question. As a result, the president goes to the NCAA, asks for their help in person, and receives the approval needed.

If we don’t have a personal relationship with the Savior, we can’t live rooted and built up in Him. Jesus always answers our prayers, but if we don’t start the conversation, He can’t intervene. Phoning in a relationship with Christ doesn’t work. He knows the condition of our hearts and the motivation behind our actions. The Lord knows whether we live for Him or ourselves. And as a gentleman, Jesus doesn’t go where He’s not wanted.

I’m willing to bet that if you don’t spend time with the Lord regularly, you won’t experience the blessings He has for you. No one wants to walk through heaven’s gates and see all the blessings they missed because they didn’t stay rooted in Christ. Roots dig deep, clawing through the dirt, growing larger and stronger as they tap into the living water, which nourishes them and helps them grow even more. The more rooted we become, the more fruit we will produce. Tall maples have roots no one sees, the system intricate, complex, and sturdy; they withstand the storm winds with ease. As Christ’s followers, the more rooted we become in Him, the easier we’ll navigate life’s storms because of the hope we have in Jesus.

Root yourself in the Savior, dig deep into God’s word, and allow it to transform. You will never regret the time you spend with Jesus. Let scripture draw you into an intimate relationship with the Savior as you apply its principles to your life. Discover God’s truth, letting Him build you up, and giving you new life in Christ.

Journal Questions:

Describe what “rooted in Christ” means to you?

If you had to describe your faith roots, what would you say?

How can you begin growing deeper roots today?

Application:

Root yourself in thanksgiving.

Two-minute read.

Do everything for God’s glory, and your light will shine brightly to the world around you. People will notice a difference and, like moths, find themselves drawn to the flame. Have you ever watched moths with light? Living in the country, I love watching them. As soon as you turn on a light, a moth will come. When we live for Jesus, we turn on His light in us, and people will come to it.

“People don’t want to be around grumpy people,” a friend said one day while golfing. I had to laugh at her simple observation and the truth in it. When I think of Jesus, I don’t think of grumpy; I think of love. In my mind, I see Him drawing the children to Him, laughing and playing. Pictures of the Savior healing the sick, turning water into wine, and exorcising evil spirits all draw me to Him. The more I know of God’s Son, the more I want to know.

When we become more like Christ, applying His teachings to our lives and doing what He did, people will want to know more. As the world sees Jesus’s followers handling adversity, overcoming impossible odds, and boldly proclaiming their faith, no matter what their circumstances, it intrigues them. Where non-believers have no hope, adrift amidst a sea of uncertainty, we have the Rock. We can cling to Jesus and trust His guidance. The Lord leads us home, one day at a time.

Shine your light through gratitude. By giving God credit for the work He does in your life, you fuel the flame. We do nothing without the Savior. He gives us the breath in our lungs, He equips us for our calling, and He walks with us, wherever we go. Without the Savior, our lives will never transform, and we’ll never experience an abundant life with divine peace and joy. Only when I relax into God’s will, aligning my heart with His, do I enjoy His heavenly blessings.

Light the flame each morning by spending time in the Lord’s presence with His word. Allow scripture to settle into your soul, purifying it as God’s Spirit reveals truth to you. Confessing sin transforms your life, Christ’s mercy allowing you to try again and do things differently. Over time, people will notice the transformation: your light shining brightly and leading others to Jesus.

Journal Questions:

Describe someone whose light shines brightly for Jesus? What makes them different?

How brightly does your light shine?

What can you do today to fuel the flame and make your light brighter?

Application:

Reflect God’s light through gratitude.

Two-minute read.

“Why do people go out drinking on Saturday night and to church on Sunday morning. That doesn’t seem very Christ-like to me?” My sister-in-law peppered me with the question for years, never accepting my answers. But this verse answers her question. Receiving God’s grace, given to us by Jesus on the cross, does free us from our sin nature. However, the freedom we receive doesn’t give us a license to sin. In other words, once we admit and acknowledge our wrongdoings, God wants us to stop doing them. Jesus says to us what He said to the naked, adulterous woman, caught in her sin, dragged through the streets to the Savior for judgment.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:11

Paul instructs the Galatians, and us, to use our freedom in Christ to serve others, not to sin repeatedly. However, we may struggle to let some things go more than others. A favorite sermon illustration comes to mind. Seeking advice from his pastor, the alcoholic asked him, “Why do I still have the desire to drink?”

“Well, what do you do when you want a drink?” The pastor questioned.

“I get on my knees and pray.”

“Would you pray as much if God took the desire away from you?”

As Jesus’s followers, He wants us to leave our lives of sin and rely on Him for all our needs. The Lord desires us to use our newfound freedom to serve others, and by doing so, we share Jesus with them. Drawing closer to the Savior, we will align our hearts with His and desire what He desires. Living in sin leads only to death, but receiving God’s grace fills us with His Spirit and leads us to an abundant life. People who get stuck in their walk with the Lord, unable to let go of their sin and move forward, never experience the abundance of blessings God wants to give them. Only when we become obedient to Christ will we enjoy His harvest of blessings.

Use your God-given freedom wisely to serve others. Leave your sin in the past, and live for the applause of nail-scarred hands. The Lord will help you find victory over whatever struggles you have. In Him, you will discover life to the fullest. Embrace the Savior’s grace today, live in the freedom He died to give you. Honor Jesus by serving others and loving them well.

Journal Questions:

How have you discovered freedom in Christ?

In what ways do you struggle with habitual sin?

How can you go and sin no more with Jesus?

Application:

Use gratitude to motivate service.

Two-minute read.

Currently, I’m helping my pastor’s wife with her memoir. Having battled breast cancer, she felt the Lord urging her to write her story. As we began outlining the chapters, the book changed from a memoir to a lifelong testimony to God. Starting with her diagnosis, we paralleled it with when she first met Christ, designing the book to show how the Lord prepared her for the eventual battle with cancer, and then how He carried her through the long, hard days of chemo and recovery. Now, almost ten years out from the fight, my friend sings God’s praises, not only in our worship band, but by telling her story.

Giving thanks out loud happens when we tell our story, and God’s part in it. I can tell how I asked Jesus into my heart as a young girl, how I wrestled with Him, after my dad’s death. When I talk about dark days from my past, I can share with people how God met me in the pit and helped me find my way back to solid ground. And I can tell people how each day, when I spend time with the Lord, He transforms me and helps me become more like Jesus. Giving thanks out loud happens when we tell people about God in our lives.

Journaling helps you organize your thoughts so you can tell your story. Listing things the Lord does for you and thanking Him helps you remember. The devil can easily get us off track; we can lose focus on the Creator’s work in our lives if we center our attention on the chaos of the enemy. But when we become intentional about noting the small and big things God does for us, we’ll give thanks out loud without realizing it. Giving credit to those who deserve it always starts with the Savior. If we didn’t have Him, we wouldn’t have victory. His actions on the cross defeated death and gave us eternal life. Nothing we can do will ever accomplish what Jesus did when they pierced His hands and feet, nailing Him to the old rugged cross.

Take a few minutes and list ten things God did for you yesterday, then thank Him by telling others about His glorious work in your life. Day by day, the Lord leads us home, helping us on the journey and giving us plenty of reasons to praise Him. Give the Creator the credit He deserves, and help others come to know His saving grace.

Journal Questions:

List ten things God helped you with yesterday.

How often do you tell people about God’s work in your life?

In what ways can you praise God out loud today?

Application:

Strengthen your faith by sharing gratitude.

Two-minute read.

Jesus didn’t leave us hanging. When He ascended to heaven, He left us with the Holy Spirit. Christ’s officially delegated representative makes His presence real to us. Instructing us from within, the Spirit teaches us and reminds us of the Savior’s teachings. Impressing God’s commandments on our hearts and souls prompts us to obedience. Unless, of course, we ignore the nudges, which everyone does at some point or another. Thankfully, we have a God of second chances who will bring the situation up repeatedly until we get it right.

Writing a devotional the other day, I quoted a book I’m reading. At the time, I didn’t give the author credit when I wrote it. But as I continued writing, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to go back and properly note the sentence. When I write, I do a “first draft” putting my thoughts down on paper, then go back and edit. But in this situation, I didn’t want to forget to give the author their due, and the Spirit prompted me to do so quickly rather than wait for editing. And so I did, making sure to give proper credit for the quote.

Why does that matter? By crediting the author, I maintain my integrity, not taking credit for someone else’s work. As a writer, I know how much time it takes to create something out of words. A skilled author makes writing look easy, and as if it took no time at all, but in reality, it took hours and hours of learning and effort. Therefore, I want to make sure people get the proper credit for their work, and I hope they will do the same for me. But whether they credited me or not doesn’t matter as much as ensuring I do the right thing. The Holy Spirit’s prompt helped build my integrity and strengthen my character.

Striving to become more like Jesus only happens when we follow the Spirit’s prompts. Christ cared about the small things, and so should we. We must accept our imperfections and strive to do better each day the Lord gives us. God knows we will never acquire perfection, but He does want us to try to improve. Clothing ourselves in Christ leads us to new life, which causes us to deny ourselves for the sake of others. If we tune in to the Holy Spirit, He will lead us on the path of righteousness, one step at a time. Only when we listen to the right instruction will we discover right living, and by doing so, discover the freedom that comes from following Christ.

Journal Questions:

How do you experience the Holy Spirit’s prompts?

How has the Spirit taught you lately?

In what ways can you become more in tune with the Holy Spirit?

Application:

Thank God for His help and comfort.

Two-minute read.

“Don’t forget, the joy of the Lord is our strength,” Jimmy said randomly at the end of our small group one night. We had finished our discussion on the week’s sermon and prayed over prayer requests when our leader sent us off with these words. When I heard the phrase, I didn’t realize it came from Nehemiah. As soon as I got home, I looked up the passage, and ever since, I quote the eight words every chance I get. Joy of the Lord comes from complete confidence in Him, no matter the situation, understanding that this life will pass quickly, but eternal life with the Lord will never end. We can face today’s mountain because God will move it; nothing keeps us from His glory when we place our faith in the Savior.

Joy remains when happiness flees. Because we choose God and trust His plan, even when we don’t understand it, we can experience divine joy. Planning our first Joyful Heart Connections breakfast, we had a meeting a few days before. “Well, we have a problem that we can’t control; it’s supposed to snow Saturday,” Claire said as we began our time together. So focused on tasks for the event, I hadn’t thought about the weather. Instant disappointment welled up within me. Then I thought, “Well, if that’s God’s will, then I trust it.”

The same storm hindered our vacation plans. Supposed to leave two days after the event, an unusual polar vortex sent ice across the southern United States and up the East Coast. No one went anywhere, and the Lord delayed our vacation for two days. Again, I thought, “I trust God’s will, He’s protecting us from things we don’t know.” Instead of losing my joy, I trusted the Savior and had a lovely day at home, catching up on projects I needed to get done.

The Lord instructs us to “count it all joy” when facing trials, viewing them as opportunities for growth. When we adopt a joyful mindset, we choose to focus our gaze on the Savior rather than our problems. In God’s presence, we experience the fullness of joy. Divine joy comes from delighting in the Lord’s goodness and secure hope in Him, rather than superficial emotions. Set your gaze above, align your heart and mind with the Savior, and gain strength from the joy you find in Him.

Journal Questions:

How would you define divine joy?

Describe the difference between joy in the Lord and happiness.

How has joy strengthened you in life’s storms?

Application:

Thank God for the strength you gain from His joy.

Two-minute read.

 Three times in John 14, God emphasizes loving Him through obedience. An action verb, love motivates us to want to please the Savior. Pondering on what Jesus did for us on the cross, accepting His gift of love and mercy, ignites us into action. Experiencing the new life we find in Christ makes us want to share it with others. Unconditional love that forgives the darkest sin inspires love for the Lord and others.

“Love gives all but asks all.”

Andrew Murray

God’s love defines Him. At the Creator’s core, you will find love, which creates. To express love, the Lord needs something to love. As a result, He created man in His image, to love and be loved. More powerful than any other emotion, more transforming than any other act, love changes the world, one person at a time. The more we understand the Savior’s love for us, the more we will want to love Him back, and we do that best when we obey Him.

Becoming obedient to the Lord by obeying His commands will grow you like nothing else. As you learn to love others through God’s teachings, you will discover how much He loves you. Every divine command exhibits the Creator’s love for His creation. The divine rules we live by protect us from the world’s manipulations, keeping us out of the weeds of human emotions, and allowing us to bloom flowers of light.

Express your love for the Savior by obeying His commands. Discover God’s love as you do what He says. Grow and flourish in the bouquet of love the Lord created. In Christ, we will enjoy unconditional, sacrificial, and unselfish love that we can find nowhere else. Jesus gives freely to all regardless of the recipient’s merit or response. Christ defines Himself by actions that serve others with no thought to His personal cost. We must choose to seek the good of others, even our enemies. Agape love, that which Jesus embodies, has no conditions, never ends, and displays patience, kindness, and lack of envy or pride.

Obeying the Lord helps us express agape love in human form. Although we will never do it perfectly, we can try to obey God and become more like Jesus. Let the Creator’s love inspire you to obedience. Bless the Savior with your actions as you do what He did. Let your light shine in the darkness, permeating the heartache of the world, and illuminating hope and healing in the Lord.

Journal Questions:

In what ways do you struggle with obedience?

Do you have difficulty accepting God’s love for you?

In what ways can you obey God today?

Application:

Show your gratitude through action.

Two-minute read.

Entering my hotel after a long day of flying, my traveler’s suitcase rolling behind me, I would drop onto the bed in exhaustion. Twelve hours of flying, dealing with disgruntled passengers, all while wearing heels and a skirt, wore me out. As glamorous as a Flight Attendant’s life appears, it has a lonely side that many people don’t recognize. Long hours serving thankless people take their toll on anyone. And so, many nights when I collapsed in my hotel room, I would open the nightstand drawer and pull out the Gideon Bible.

Flipping open the hardcover book, I would run my thumb over the edges of the onion paper, flicking through the pages until I landed on a spot. Using my forefinger as a guide, I would begin reading the scriptures, looking for a word from God that would apply to my life. And miracle upon miracle, I always found it. No matter how many times I flipped to a random spot in the Bible, I always discovered something that uplifted and encouraged me, or convicted me. Either way, my practice of seeking the Lord through His word assured me of His presence. In my loneliness, Jesus met me and kept me company.

Each morning, when I spend time with the Savior, reading scriptures, I find something that always speaks to my heart and directs my path. Whether I must forgive an offense or apologize for my actions, each morning, I come away from my time with the Lord with renewed direction and purpose for the day ahead. God’s word truly does light our paths when we seek and apply it to our lives.

Let the Lord illuminate your path with His word. Make spending time in scripture a daily practice and watch how it transforms your life. God has a plan for your life; He can’t wait to share it with you. But if you don’t spend time with the Savior, you will never discover His plan. The Lord reveals truth to us as we follow Him. God doesn’t give us the whole story, but He will give us the next step, and then the next one. Tap into divine light by reading God’s word and applying it to your life.

In a world of uncertainty, trust the certain One who already knows how the story ends. Follow Jesus, let Him light your path and take you on a journey you can’t even imagine. Allow the Lord’s divine light lead you on the path to abundant life.

Journal Questions:

How has God’s word spoken to you?

In what ways do you seek the Lord throughout the day?

When has God lit your path in a specific way?

Application:

Thank God for His truth and guidance.

Two-minute read.

Serving a generous God, we can’t out-give Him if we try. Often, when I’m wrestling with whether to give or not, those words run through my head and tip the balance for generosity. Meditating on the divine gifts the Lord bestowed upon us will make us more generous. First, we received Jesus’s saving grace, given from unconditional love for His creation, and with no strings attached. We must believe to receive; nothing we do can earn Christ’s salvation. Gratitude for the Savior’s resurrecting power will lead to a more generous spirit, as you want others to find what you have.

Speaking at a woman’s event on friendship, I talked about caring for friends as Christ cared for us. Inspired by the desire to connect women with new friends, we provided breakfast and a six-week devotional. Wanting the women to feel Christ’s love, we made it as special as possible, giving our time, talents, and treasures to create a warm, caring event. Watching the women enjoy their breakfast and form new relationships warmed my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Bringing Christ’s family together and loving them blessed me more than anything I did in preparation for the event.

When we try to outdo God, something I enjoy doing, we always fail. And in the giving, we receive more blessings than we give.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs speaks truth. We receive refreshment when we refresh others. At the women’s breakfast, my heart swelled as I watched new friendships form and divine connections happen right before my eyes. No amount of money can buy that type of encouragement. Nothing refreshes the soul like seeing others bloom in their relationship with the Lord and people. The Almighty created us for connection with Him and others. We must choose to join in the party; the Lord doesn’t force His presence on anyone. But He generously offers divine blessings through Christ that God hopes we will choose.

Accept the Lord’s gift of salvation. Allow it to settle in your soul and take root, helping you become a person known for their generosity. Let gratitude motivate your actions. Help people get to know Jesus and experience His gift of grace. The more we meditate on the divine works of our Savior, the more we will want to share them with others. No matter how hard you try, you can’t out-give God.

Journal Questions:

List ways you’ve received divine generosity?

Why do you find it easy/hard to give?

In what ways has refreshing others refreshed you?

Application:

Let your thankfulness overflow to others.