Is Serving Others Where I Need to Be? - Faye Jalbert

Many times, Christians are really not experiencing the joy of serving Jesus, because they are not serving His children. In Matthew 25:42-45, Jesus says, “For I was an hungred, and ye game me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked and ye clothed me not: sick and in prison and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him saying, Lord when saw we thee hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” And now for the topic of our devotion…verse 45, “Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say unto you. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

Trust in the Lord - Robin Petty

For a few days, God tried to get me to rest and He tried to give me peace, but I didn't want to accept it. I was heartbroken, angry and I just plain didn't understand what He was doing and why??? Hadn't I prayed almost constantly, plus fasted? Had I not asked many others to pray along with us for the situation? But it still didn't work out the way I wanted it to. To be honest, I still don't understand why things happened the way they did, but I do know there have been some lessons He wants me to learn through this.

Joy - Katy Moffitt

One may read this dark classic and be repulsed and horrified by the frightening duplicity of human nature. But the wise Christian knows that this story has a direct correlation to our own lives as we seek to live joyfully for God.

Paul says it perfectly: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do—-Romans 7:18-19.

Encouragement, Christian Life, Friendship, Love of GodAmy SappApril 4, 2022Joy, Good, God's Will, Nature, Kind, Respect, Flesh

What in the World is Happening - Vicky Pope

Why can we not just rest in that? Do we think we can do a better job of figuring it out on our own? Do we think we can fix the problems better than He can? Or do we just prefer to wallow in our misery and seek pity from others? These are all the Devil’s ploys to keep us from being the peace-filled, powerful, and productive Christians God wants us to be.

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

Is This Message for Me? - Janice Parker

Several years ago, my husband and I were counseling with a drug addict. The addict had messed up his life as well as his girlfriend’s life. I asked the addict if he had ever flown on a plane before? I then asked if he listened to the flight attendant as they make the statement, in regard to the oxygen masks, to make sure you have your mask on before you try to help those you are traveling with – the understanding is that you cannot help someone else with their oxygen mask if you are not taking in your own oxygen. Was that message for the other people on the plane? Or was that message for me?

Storms of Life - Beth Palmani

We watched from the deck of the house until the storm got a little too close for comfort, then retreated inside. It was a night filled with thunder, lightning and lots of rain, but we were warm and safe inside the house. The next morning, I didn’t get up early to go out and get my sunrise shot, since I knew it wouldn’t be there. Instead, slept in a bit until my daughter came in, begging to go out to the water. She pulled back the curtain, and WOOSH, there it was! The SUNLIGHT I had been wishing for!

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

A Gift, A Present, A Package - Krissanna Noakes

This year as I was thinking about what theme I want to use and searching Pinterest for ideas there was something that jumped out at me. There are basically three words we use interchangeably to describe what we are giving someone: gift, present, and package.

Christian Life, Christian Service, Faith, Love of GodAmy SappDecember 13, 2021Christmas, Gift, Package, Present, Holiday

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

How Well Do You Know Ed? - Jan Neill

Upon crossing over they stopped to build an alter for reflection, and reembrace. Joshua 22:34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.

Love the Lord Thy God - Rebekah McCullough

How can I love the Lord with all my heart? We use this term loosely and without much thought. I believe God is asking us to love him with all our passion, all our feelings. There's things I'm pretty passionate about, my family (obviously), missions, politics, history, coffee.... Most of these things, just thinking about it, can bring me to great joy, anger, or tears. It's easy for me to get emotional and passionate about these things because I care about them so much. I've invested time, energy, and money into them. I think God is saying for us to love Him with all our emotions, our feelings, our passion. That will require time, energy, and frankly, money. (Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.) Honestly, loving God with all our heart might be the easiest one for us ladies since we tend to be more emotional creatures by design. That leads to the next one.

Do You Feel Like a Failure? - Melia Nickell

So, I stopped fighting. I knew I couldn't overcome it, and I was a failure at life. I didn't like going to church anymore. I would get there right when it started, and as soon as it ended I left. I didn't talk to my friends anymore because I didn't feel like I had any. The only person that knew somewhat of what was happening was my Mom. She tried to help me/keep me accountable. But I still failed, so much. There was a time when I would think about driving off the road, and crashing my car. Because I didn't care anymore.

Anxiety, Christian Life, Friendship, Loneliness, Love of God, TrialsAmy SappJune 14, 2021Failure, Failed, Sin, Cutting, Suicide, Temptation, Addiction, Overcome

A Teacher Named Grace - Niki Lott

Grace is a gift – not earned and not deserved. It is given to us because God is good, not because we are. For those who are reading this who have already received this grace, we realize that our salvation depends wholly upon it. For those who may have never understood or received the grace of God, I want you to know that God’s love, mercy, and grace are available to you because of the kindness and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Christian Life, Encouragement, God's Will, Love of God, Peace of GodAmy SappApril 12, 2021Love, Mercy, Grace, Teaches, Teaching, Teach, Salvation, Peace

Do You Have Hope? - Christa Lowe

Hope…helps you smile through the trial.

Hope…helps you to keep giving even when it hurts.

Hope…helps you to keep believing that wayward soul will find their way home.

Hope…helps you hold it all together.

Hope…helps you to never stop praying.

Hope…helps you find rest during weary and hard days.

Sometimes it’s hard to hope though.

Christian Life, Christian Service, Encouragement, Faith, Love of God, Trusting GodAmy SappApril 5, 2021Hope, Evidence, Grace, Smile, Trial, Help

The Battle Strategy of Psalm 59 - Debra Kuykendall

Call on your Heavenly Defender and Deliverer. (v1) It’s ok to tell the Lord that you’re

tempted and weak and need his strength to overcome temptation or discouragement! He should

be our first resource and not a last resort. Often times when we are feeling overwhelmed, we

want a distraction. Most of us are drawn to our phones where our minds can aimlessly roam and

scroll through meaningless nonsense that takes our mind off of issues we want to forget about.

But there’s no lasting peace there. Real rest only comes from communion with the Peace

Speaker. No wonder the psalmist cried “when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that

is higher than I”! We need Somebody higher than us to pull us up and there’s nobody higher than

Him!

Trials, Trusting God, Life Changes, Love of GodAmy SappMarch 29, 2021Warrior, Defender, Deliver, Enemy, Circumstances

The Source of Sweet Water - Patti Larson

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I struggle with my tongue more than anything. I tend to be a "straight shooter", like my Dad. I've often wished I was more like my Mom, whom I've seldom, if ever, heard say a cross word to anyone.

Christian Life, Christian Service, Encouragement, Faith, Friendship, Love of GodAmy SappMarch 8, 2021Sweet, Sweetness, Water, Biter, Language, Talk, Hurt

Loving God HIS Way! - Sarah Komondor

I love God. I believe that you love God or you would not take the time to read this article. However, do I love God the way He deserves? That is a work in progress and, if I’m completely honest, some days are better than others.

The first step to loving God the way He deserves is to KNOW what the Bible teaches on this subject. Once we understand what God wants, then it’s just a matter of having the character to apply it to our lives every day.

Christian Life, Encouragement, Faith, God's Will, Love of God, Trusting GodAmy SappFebruary 22, 2021Love, Love God, Affections, Bible, Deserving, Affection, Heart