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

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

There is HOPE - Amy Sapp

The anchor is viewed as a symbol that represents "safety"... The anchor holds the ship in place, representing strength and security. The anchor is a symbol of our hope in Jesus!

Are You Murmuring? - Heather McCammon

I do not know about you but I struggle with complaining. I have been in church long enough that I do not openly go around voicing my complaints, and now that I’m a pastors wife I try even harder not to let any discontentment show; but, I constantly find myself muttering under my breath, thinking to myself about how unfair or terrible something is.

The Fingerprints of a Mother- Julee Martinez

Fingerprints are a unique design God gave to every individual human. Webster’s dictionary describes fingertips a “an impression or mark made on a surface by a person's fingertip, especially as used for identifying individuals from the unique pattern of whorls and lines.” I marvel at the fact that the God of the universe could easily make the billions of different patterns needed for the billions of people on earth. The marks of a fingerprint are a reflection of the person who holds that mark.

Don't Give Up! - Becky Lyons

Growing up in a Christian home, I was always in church, in Christian school, and in a church atmosphere, going to preaching conferences, church camp, Teen Convention, church teen activities, and going to Bible college...all the usual stuff...

Wrestling with God - Marcia Ludwick

Have you ever wrestled with God? I have. The first time I wrestled with God was on a Wednesday night, May 22, 1985. One year and 15 days before, my husband gloriously got saved. As soon as he prayed the sinners’ prayer, he turned to me and said, “Now it’s your turn.” What love, what compassion were in those words! As a new believer, my husband was concerned about my salvation. Oh how we need to be concerned about other lost souls.

My Desire or His Desire - Tammy Myers

I was a little frustrated that he wasn’t letting me pick the place to eat. I wanted to say, No… it’s my birthday and I’m hungry for Italian food and I’ve looked forward to this all day. I had not dressed for a fancy place and wasn’t prepared for this choice. After my husband kept driving toward the steak house, I surrendered my desires and decided to go along with his plan even though I didn’t understand. After all, he was the one paying for this date.

I Want Justice Now - Laurie Loveless

They chose, so stop pursuing. Be polite, pray for them. Care about them in that you want what is best for them. Don't actively get involved but don't completely close the door should they repent one day. We have a responsibility to be distinctively different."

Christian Life, Christian Service, Faith, God's Will, Trusting GodAmy SappApril 19, 2021Now, Want, Justice, Answers, Repent, Obey, Obedience

Relationship in Christ - Duska Lovelace

It doesn’t make for a good relationship if we only go to someone when we want or need something. People that love us want to know those things, but that’s not all they want to know. When we are too busy and to talk with Christ more then when we want something we are treating Him like a genie in a bottle. Maybe you have even made empty promises you can’t and won’t keep just because you are hoping the Lord may answer this request that is so desperate for a quick answer and stressing you out. Hello! He knows us better then we know ourselves and knows we are not going to follow through.

Children, Christian Life, Faith, FriendshipAmy SappApril 19, 2021Relationship, Relationships, Friends, Family, Children, Christ

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

Bitter Fruit - Kim Letson

I believe bitterness is something that most of us will deal with multiple times in our lives. Bitterness

always begins with unforgiveness. I have learned bitterness can be like a cancer if we do not deal with

it. It will eat away at our spirit and slowly decay your joy and happiness. Bitterness has a deep root and

many fruits. Its fruits may be anger, hate, disgust, sadness, loss of joy, and many other traits. What

generally happens is, we focus on cutting back these fruits, but never get rid of the root. Over time,

these fruits grow back and are often much stronger.

Disciplined Thoughts - Erica Koske

Don’t Worry. Let God know about it. Did you notice Paul didn’t counsel us to discuss our problems to

our mom, sister, or even our husband? Bring it to God in prayer first. This would solve a majority of

problems and save us from making others the dumpster of our thoughts. I love Claudia Barba’s study on

worry in her book, Refresh your Heart. She explains, “Worry is not an emotion. It is a thought process- a

process that you can, and must control, because worry is sin.” There is a difference between worrying

and thinking through a problem. When difficulties arise, Claudia Barba explains that “disciplined thought

moves in a straight line through a tangle of difficulties to possible solutions. Worry is a swirling tornado

of thoughts centered on a fear. They repeat themselves over and over, making you dizzy but

accomplishing nothing else.” Learning to control our thoughts is vital. Remember that your mom, sister,

or friends can’t change the situation, but God can!

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

I've Been Changed and I am NOT Changing! - Allison Mooney

Usually when someone speaks those words it’s regarding a conversation about someone being upset or accused of something of that nature and they lash out and say…. I DON’T CARE I’M NOT CHANGING!!

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

Under His Control - Joyce Kiefer

t’s easy to be afraid when things aren’t going the way we want them to go, but God is wherever

we are. Don’t let circumstances get in your way of trusting the Lord, but rather allow your

circumstances to be a way for you to trust the Lord. I’m sure some of you are thinking, “But,

you don’t know what I am going through” and you are right...I don’t; but, God does!! We don’t

need to be afraid of what is going on in our life; we just need to trust in God.

Anxiety, Christian Life, Faith, Trials, Trusting GodAmy SappFebruary 15, 2021Fear, Fret, Control, Negative, Agraid