Be Carefull for Nothing - Joannie Rodriguez

. KEEP YOUR MIND IN CONTROL… verse 6a – In other words, don’t be too worried or

dedicated to the problem or situation. Paul was reminding us to not worry about

anything. Yes, nothing at all! I know this can be really hard to do, especially when it

involves marital and family problems, sickness, and problems at church which can often

be difficult to ignore. I, myself, have had the tendency to rethink things too much. I put

too much focus on the problem or on the person creating the problem. I often have to

be reminded to not get too emotionally attached to the problem or to someone that I

feel has offended me. We cannot allow these problems or thoughts to take over our

minds and reside deep in our hearts. If we do, we will soon find ourselves having to deal

with the issue of anxiety.

Keep Your Eyes on the Shoreline - Cheryl Rodriguez

As the 3 of us were out there floating together, we all were holding onto each other’s float. I am not sure if it was because there was no one for miles, or if it was because I had never been to this beach before. Perhaps it was because we had our daughter with us, or because my husband had us all scared of sharks; but I caught myself starting to worry anytime I was facing the ocean instead of the shoreline. When I was facing the shore, I could see our mountain-high pile of beach things, and I would realize we were not far from the shore at all. I was comforted because I knew we were not drifting away. However, when I would turn and face the ocean, my fear would really kick in. I was worried about everything: were we too far out? What if we saw a shark? Would we be able to get back fast enough if something happened? Had we drifted from our spot? It was then that the Lord brought this thought to my mind:

The Benefits of Stillness - Sherri Roberson

Ladies, would you agree we are a busy people. The busyness of keeping house, cooking, taking kids to practices, church and the list could go on and on. If we aren’t careful the day will get away from us without giving any thought to God. I love the verse in Psalms 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. There are tremendous benefits of being still. When God created us He gave us five senses, I want to look at three of those senses. When we get to the place where we can be still there are some wonderful benefits.

Keeping Focus - Sharon Rabon

What am I going to do about this situation? Is there anyone who can help me? What is going to happen? We often don’t know what to do or where to turn. We seek counsel, think about it nonstop, and we worry. We worry about how we were treated and what they deserve. We lose our focus on what we should be doing and become distracted by things that lead us away from our main purpose in life. We spend time telling a friend instead of telling our one Friend, Jesus.

When God Rocks Your Boat - Danielle Pickering

Have you ever been in a storm? A bad storm? A storm that sends you running to the basement. A storm that you can feel the house shaking. There is no doubt those storms are terrifying. You have a healthy fear of those storms, as you ought.

To Everything There is a Season - Charity Payton

Everyone is going through something. It may seem like the hardest thing you have ever faced. No matter the age it’s big for you! A different season a different time.To Every Thing there is a season - a time for every purpose under the Heaven. What will you do with your Season?

Living Loved - Kaylin Parrock

When people close to you think of you, do you think they see the fullness of God? When I’m not in my Bible, soaking up His word and allowing Him to dwell in me, I get so focused on feeding the flesh. Sometimes that looks like pride, jealousy, discontentment, bitterness, covetousness.

Tiny Puppy - Jacqueline Palmani

When my son Jack was 3 yrs old and my daughter Katelynn was 4 yrs old , I really started wanting a tiny breed dog.( That's why I didn't pray for it, because it wasn't anything spiritual or life or death..just a dog) For couple months, my kids picked up on my desire to have a tiny dog. When we had our family devotion and prayer time, we knelt beside our couch, and my kids started praying for their mommy to get a tiny dog. I got tickled that my kids started praying for a tiny dog for ME! We did teach our kids to pray even for the smallest things. Of course, I was thinking if I save enough money, then I'll be ready to buy a tiny dog.

Children, Faith, Love of God, PrayerAmy SappJanuary 24, 2022Prayer, Desires, Heart, Puppy, Tiny Puppy

Plan A - Robin Ogle

Recently, my thinking was adjusted. MY PLAN, ideas, event, or schedule may have be altered- but I realized it was changed to line up with GOD’S PLAN A. Now when there is a snafu, my heart is joyful and excited that NOW the day is going as HE PLANNED. I can embrace the reconfigurations of my life because my great God is constantly revealing His Plan A. No longer do I drudge through Plan C,D, or E. With thankfulness, contentment and peacea, I choose to dwell on Plan A.

Mighty Miracles - Sandy Noonan

1. Be filled with the Spirit and not with selfish desires. Gal 5:22-26

2. Keep prayer as the first “go to”, not as our last resort in a world that attempts to find answers with a punch of a button.

Ps. 143:1, Pro. 15:8, Ps. 141:2

3. Rejoice for the answered prayer. Ps 20:5

4. Lift up the God of righteous people not the people themselves. God uses ordinary people for His glory. I Sam 18:18-19

Children, Christian Life, Encouragement, Faith, God's WillAmy SappDecember 27, 2021mighty, miracles, love, Encouragement

Baby Jesus - Christy Collins

Is there anything more wonderful than a brand-new baby? I’m pretty sure there is not. Because I’m in between the stages of having babies and, hopefully someday, welcoming grandbabies, I eagerly squeeze the babies of my younger friends at every opportunity. There’s a new little guy whose parents attend church with me, and I love to stare at that boy’s beautiful face. His very presence brings me joy! Anytime I hold, or even see, a tiny baby, I’m definitely “in the moment.” I look that child right in the eyes and I am literally in awe of the miracle before me.

Children, Faith, Love of God, Trusting GodAmy SappDecember 23, 2021Baby, Babies, Jesus, Christmas, Christ, Baby Jesus, Love

Christmas Joy - Tiffany Moore

J- Jesus

Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth as a baby to save us from our sins. It’s not about having perfectly decorated tree or having all your presents wrapped in the same trendy paper. It’s not about the parties or caroling. It’s about remembering and recognizing Jesus. He came to earth so we can go to Heaven. He’s the reason for the entire season.

Anxiety, Children, Christian Life, Trials, Love of GodAmy SappNovember 29, 2021Joy', Christmas, Jesus, Others, You, Movies, Christmas Movies, Gifts

They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now? - Sharon Monzo

Parts of me want to scream and say No! You can't leave me, but then God reminds me she has a whole life that she needs to live. I think, what if something happens to her, but then God reminds me, nothing happens without his approval, and He loves her more than I do. I think what if people are mean to her, but then God reminds me, they WILL be mean to her! There will be people all throughout her life that will be mean to her, They were mean to the nicest person to walk this earth! (Jesus) but He will comfort her and get her through it all. I think, but I will miss her, but then God reminds me, she was never mine to keep! I think, did I prepare her enough, but then God reminds me, you've done all that you can, it's between Me and her now. I think, then what should i do, but then God reminds me just pray for her and trust Me! So, that's what I'm doing! When I start to worry or get sad about my daughters all growing up and hitting these new chapters in their lives, I will just stay focused on the Lord and remember all the things God reminds me of!

God is My Super Glue - Dawn Mondt

As I looked at my broken self I began to see that I couldn’t be fixed. I will never be whole in the way I was before again. But what I did see is that God does not fix us he fills in the cracks and broken pieces of our heart with Himself. Kind of like when you crack or break something like a vase and you fix it with super glue. God fills in those cracks and broken pieces of our heart with Himself just like super glue. But its better its God Glue!

Children, Dealing With Grief, Encouragement, Illness, Trials, Prayer, Trusting GodAmy SappSeptember 20, 2021Glue, Super Glue, Death, Trials, Grief, Grieving, Cancer

How is Your Day? - Lucinda Metsinger

Throughout my life, I have recognized that this wisdom can be used over and over again, not just on ornery brothers, but other prickly people.

- You can use it when it comes to the church lady who has to let everyone know ALL the gossip.

- Use it on the fella who cut you off in traffic.

- Use it when dealing with people who are unkind to your children.

- You can even use it on your willful child who seems to know just the right buttons to push to send you into “Crazy Mommy” mode.

No matter who the person is, they should NOT get to decide what kind of day you are going to have or what kind of person you are going to be. Only GOD should have that power.

High Maintenance or Low Maintenance - Dawn Weber

The first time I heard the phrase low maintenance, it reminded me of a lady in a church my

husband pastored. She said, “Oh, you don’t need to visit us or worry about us, we’re low

maintenance.” She meant that they would be faithful to church, give their tithe and missions,

help however they could.

Children, Christian Life, Encouragement, Friendship, marriageAmy SappAugust 2, 2021Maintenance, HIgh, Low, Maintain, Relationships, Sister, Friend, Mother, Wife

For His Pleasure - Ruby McMiller

According to the Oxford dictionary, pleasure is a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment. We take pleasure

in family, friends, church, and all types of events. They bring us such joy. We enjoy God’s creation daily, season

after season. Every need and desire were placed here for our pleasure (except mosquitoes, still not sure how they

got on the ark ; ).

Children, Christian Life, Encouragement, Friendship, God's WillAmy SappJuly 26, 2021Pleasure, Family, Friends, Church, Sports, Fun, Activity

Infertility - Mylee Restelle

Now, I know there are unforeseen, horrible, and despicable things that can happen to a precious teenage girl that are beyond her control, resulting in a teen pregnancy that is in NO WAY what I am referring to. My heart breaks for girls in situations like that. However, in my story, this was a "let's try it once to see what happens" kind of thing. I'm going to be completely honest with you: these ones always sting a little more than the others. To know that soon their arms will have a wonderful bundle of joy to love, while my arms remain empty, is gut-wrenching.

Preparing Your Spirit - Kim McCoy

Preparing our spirit is a daily task. It’s just as important or even more important than preparing for our physical needs each day. We must be prepared both physically and spiritually to meet the pressures and demands that we face each day.

As Christians we know that this is true, and I’m sure that probably most, if not all that are reading this devotion, already practice this daily. Sometimes we need a little reminder, like I did, about a month ago when I came across this verse in Romans.

Smore's Faith - Jami McConkey

I’ve mentioned Before Cancer and during cancer. Now I would say we are not done with cancer, but rather in recovery. Unfortunately, you are only one scan away from relapse. It’s a reality and truth that we don’t dwell on, but you can’t unknow that either! Some kids make it years and decades and some have to keep getting back in the battle against the beast of Osteosarcoma. That’s the stark reality.

Children, Christian Service, Faith, God's Will, Trials, Trusting GodAmy SappJune 21, 2021Faith, Carried, Journey, Trusting, God, Cancer