Category: Treasures for the Heart

Everyone can use encouragement!

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I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways by Amy Brown

Happy MONDAY!!! Just a reminder that Jesus loves YOU!

This week’s devotion is “I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways” written by Amy Brown! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us!

I Think I’ll Just Praise Him Anyways – Amy Brown

I would like to start off by saying that we serve an AMAZING God! The Lord has brought me through so many storms and valleys throughout my life that it would literally take a book for me to be able to share it all! But this is what the Lord impressed upon my heart to share with you ladies, and my prayer is that you will be refreshed and encouraged, knowing that we serve a God who “is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above ALL that we ask or think!”

Last year, our family went through one of the hardest trials that we’ve ever had to face together as a family. My dad had been in the hospital with some major complications from an everyday procedure he had gotten done weeks prior, and he had to have emergency surgery to have his colon reconstructed. That, in itself- was very scary and very serious, but little did we know in the days following, the storm we would be facing. His emergency surgery had been that Saturday, but by Wednesday, instead of him getting better, he was getting much worse. During this timeframe, our church had a huge outbreak of Covid, and my mom finally convinced the doctor to test my dad for Covid. He came back positive, and on top of that, he had double pneumonia along with blood clots. At this point, the hospital sent my mom home, and she was no longer able to go and see him, and she had to be quarantined for the next 14 days. We weren’t about to let my mom be alone for all those days, and my 14-year-old daughter volunteered to go and stay with her. The entire time, I felt God had given me peace that my dad was going to be ok, but it wasn’t very long when things began to get much more serious. I’ll never forget this day…on July 4th, I got a call from the doctor at the hospital. I was numb as I was listening to what the doctor was telling me- they had done everything they could for my dad, but he wasn’t going to make it through the night, and they were calling the family in for us to say our goodbyes to him. Long story short, my mom, my husband and I went to the hospital to sit outside the glass room in the CCU where my dad lay. The nurse spoke to us saying how sorry she was, but they had done everything they could. I remember looking up at her and saying to her, “He’s not gone yet, so we’re gonna keep praying!” She replied, “You don’t understand. Your dad is the sickest man in this hospital, and I don’t want to give you a false hope.” I responded back to her, “You may not know my God, but we serve an amazing God, and we know that God can heal him, and as long as there’s breath in him, we’re gonna keep praying!” Come to find out later, this nurse that cared for him that night had been at this hospital the longest and was considered the best nurse there- NOT a coincidence!!! We were there the entire night and watched God perform miracle after miracle. They sent us home the next morning around 6am. And guess what?! My dad had made it through that long night! The next phone call I received from the doctor was promising. He told me that my dad was a fighter, and since he made it through the night, he wanted to give him a fighting chance. They had called Duke University (which happens to be one of the top hospitals) and were going to transfer him there for my dad to get the best care possible! When they called Duke, there was only ONE BED available in the CCU- again, NOT a coincidence! It was a breath of fresh air, and it brought so much peace to our hearts, and somehow, we knew that God was going to heal him. I don’t have the time to share everything. Each day brought its own challenges. Some were a step forward, and other days it seemed he would take two steps backward. But through it all, God was so faithful to us, and gave us the strength to make it through each challenge we faced. After 68 days of being in the hospital, we were able to bring my dad home!!! What a day of rejoicing, and what an AMAZING God we serve!!!

I’d like to share one last thought which will explain the title for this devotional. My teenage daughter, Brianna, writes and composes gospel music. She started at the age of 13 and is now 15 years old. She has written of total of 35 songs now, and we’re so thrilled with how God is using her life! My mom is a great woman of faith and a true prayer warrior. When Brianna went to stay with her during her quarantine days, they had a conversation together. She looked at Brianna and said to her, “Well, so far, God has protected my husband and brought him this far, and He’s also protected me from getting Covid, so I think I’ll just praise Him anyways!”

The hardest thing to do is to praise Him in our storms and valleys, but God INHABITS the PRAISE of His people. When we begin to praise Him, we have complete AUDIENCE with Him. It’s kinda like when we overhear someone talking good about us…we enjoy hearing good things said about us, and we listen intently to what they’re saying, right? It’s the SAME way with the Lord. God DELIGHTS in praise, and when we thank Him and praise Him, He begins to listen intently to what we’re asking of Him. So, I challenge you ladies who may be in the midst of a storm right now, to start praising Him and thanking Him for everything you can think of, and God will begin giving you peace and strength! If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it! And I promise you’ll come out on the other side with a greater faith and compassion for others!!!

Through the words my mom said to my daughter that day, Brianna wrote this song below entitled, “I Will Sing His Praise Anyways.” God has used my dad’s testimony as well as this song to help encourage many, and my prayer is that God will get ALL the HONOR, GLORY and PRAISE for ALL HE’S DONE!!! HE IS WORTHY!!!

Philippians 4:6-7“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/i-think-ill-just-praise-him-anyways-amy-brown

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Look At Me

Matthew 6:1-4
​ Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

I wonder how many “Pharisees” in Heaven will be surprised at how little their heavenly rewards are because they chose to do their good deeds publicly on earth? 🤔

Don’t let that shy you away from doing good when you see an opportunity. Rather seek ways you can bring praise to God with the right hearts attitude rather than for self glorification.

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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The Lord is with Us by Danielle Moore

Happy Fall! I hope everyone had a blessed weekend serving the Lord. This week’s devotional is by Debbie Moore. I know she addresses Pastor’s wives, but the principles in her devotional came apply to anyone. Please take time to read as I know it can be an encouragement to us all. I hope you have a fantastic week.

The Lord is With Us – Danielle Moore

As I began to think about what I should write about, I really struggled.  I kept praying about it, but the Lord just hadn’t given me peace about anything. Well last night while listening to my husband preach he made the statement that our world needs to be reminded that “The Lord is with us.” When he made that statement, I knew that was what the Lord wanted me to do this devotion on. 

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, low, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. “

     

      I know many of us in this group are pastors/preachers wives; I have been one for over 20 years. With that comes many times of having to try and council women, or just encourage them when they are discouraged. With all the things that have transpired in our country over the last two years, we hear so much about social distancing.  In many cases people are just scared to be around others, even at church.  I am not saying this to start a debate, but rather to make the point with all the changes in our country has come a feeling of loneliness, and even fear.

     I know personally that I have felt many different emotions over the last two years including loneliness and fear. So I began to think, if I was counseling another lady who was going through these same things, what I would tell her.  The passage from I Samuel 30:6 came to mind where it talks about how David encouraged himself in the Lord. I am not saying by any means that we should not go to others when we are down and discouraged, but there are times when we just can’t. It is during those times that we must learn to encourage our self in the Lord, and realize that The Lord is with us. 

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

    Over and over in the Bible we are reminded that God is with us, and that He hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. However, there is a difference between having head knowledge of something and heart knowledge.  As Christian ladies many times we know exactly what we need to do to encourage ourselves in The Lord, but we like to wallow in our own little pity party. We can give the best advice to others about how to handle the same situation, but we just don’t want to take our own advice. It’s easier to give the advice than to follow it.  

     So let me challenge you to make a list of ways to encourage yourself in the Lord, or maybe just a list of verses that you know are special to you. When we are in those times where we need to be encouraged in The Lord, it can be difficult to think about what we should do. So here are some ideas that are on my list, I hope that they will be a help to you. These are nothing new that you haven’t heard before, but it is simply going back to the basics that work every time.

1. Bible Reading – So many times when we are going through hard times we tend to pull away from our alone time with God. Our alone time with God is when He so often speaks to us and can show us things through His Word to help us. Don’t be afraid to have quiet time. 

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2. Prayer – There are so many ways that God can speak to us, but we need to be sure we are taking time to talk to Him. He wants us to come to Him with our needs, our burdens, and our concerns. 

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 

      I love this verse because He doesn’t just tell us to cast some of our cares, but all of them. He wants us to take everything to Him in prayer. He cares about everything that we are going through. No matter how big or small it is. 

3. Music – Sometimes when things are quiet, we tend to think more about our problems, and focus on the negative. Listen to some good Godly music. Sometimes we just need to be reminded about how good God is, and music is a great way to do that. 

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

4. Church – When we are down one of the worst things we can do is layout of church. That is when we need the fellowship of other Christians the most. Sometimes God can use another person to say something to encourage our hearts. The Bible tells us that as we get closer to His return, we need to exhort/encourage each other even more.

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

5. Service to others – Take time to focus on others, and do something to be a help to someone else. Usually when we focus on doing for others, we forget about our problems and we end up getting a blessing in return.

Jude 1:22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

     We all go through discouraging times in life and times when we need to be encouraged in the Lord. There is no shame in it; it just shows that we are human. Make you a list of ways to encourage yourself in The Lord, and take time to see what God might be trying to teach you. Everything comes to us for a reason, and He has a purpose for everything. Take time to learn the lesson He has for you. Focus on how big our God is, instead of how big our problems are.

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/the-lord-is-with-us-danielle-moore

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They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now?

Happy Monday! This week’s devo is “They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now?” written by Sharon Monzo! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today.

May you ever find God’s love blooming through all you do today and all week😊.

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

You know, you hear it all the time… cherish these moments they go by fast! How true this statement is becoming right now. My husband and I have 3 daughters our oldest is 18 and heading off to college…and in 2 years our middle child will be doing the same…time is going by so fast right now… with all the ups and downs life is throwing at me with losing both my parents, one to a stroke and the other to cancer…. None of my siblings living near me enough to have a real relationship with and now my children are growing up and leaving too….wow! How alone I feel at times, how confused I feel, how undeniably, indecisive and uncontrollable my life has become!…. I go through all of these emotions on top of trying to be the mother, wife, friend, and willing servant for everybody! (I’m not complaining; I do it with a joyful heart!) I don’t know what my future holds but I do know who holds it, and I put All my trust in Him! Without the assurance of my salvation and the comfort and protection of my Lord and Saviour, I truly don’t know where I would be or how I could make it through all of this. I know that many of you that are reading this are probably already saved or at least I pray so, but if your not, there is no better time to do it, in fact your running out of time!! For those of you who are in a similar situation, maybe you are feeling alone? Maybe your children are heading off to college too… can I just say, take comfort in the Lord and trust Him! He is opening new chapters in your life…just go with it!!! While praying about what the Lord would want me to share with you, He put this on my heart!

But Then God Reminds Me!

To my daughter who is leaving  to start her new chapter in life.

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! 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Romans 8:28

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/they-are-leaving-what-do-i-do-now-sharon-monzo

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Where Do I Belong by Susie Montgomery

Happy October!!! I can’t believe Fall is here already. I love this time of year!

This week’s devo is “Where Do I Belong” written by Susie Montgomery! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us, and the troubles she had in the past with feeling like she just didn’t fit in as a Pastor’s Wife! I love this devo!

I hope that you have the best week ever!!!

Where Do I Belong – Susie Montgomery

For the last 21 years I have been married to a pastor.  Through those years I have felt like I just don’t belong to the “pastor’s wives group”.  I don’t perceive myself to be calm, sweet, or full of wisdom like I picture a pastor’s wife to be.  Actually, I think  I’m more energetic, opinionated and full of laughter.  I know, not qualities that you expect from a pastor’s wife.  I struggled with a feeling of belonging causing me to act and be someone who I am not.  I suppressed my feeling of light-heartedness and tried not to laugh.  “Be serious” I would tell myself.  “People don’t want a silly pastor’s wife.” 

Those years were sad for me.  I didn’t laugh and have fun like the person I was created to be.  Instead, I looked stern and tried to always have something important to say.  I wore business-like clothes to church and volunteered as much as I could to not connect with people on a personal level.  If they knew who I really was they wouldn’t like me, or worse, they would look for another pastor or church.  

Through the years our great God has shepherded me to understand who He is and have an abiding love for His Word.  I’d like to give you a little glimpse into that growing process and finding a true sense of belonging.

Belonging, defined by Brene’ Brown, is “Being part of something bigger than yourself. Because this yearning is so primal we often try to acquire it by fitting in and seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, byt often barriers to it.”

Our focus will be on Belonging to God and His family. But first, I have a bit of an “ugly Duckling” story.  When I was in high school I overheard a boy named, get this, Balarama Warner- they called him Balls, call me the ugliest girl in school.  Of course, I was devastated, but also thought “that was probably true”. Years passed, I went away to school, and came home for the summers to work.  Guess who came to the store I was working at? Yep! Balls.  He would flirt with me from time to time, until one day he finally asked me out.  I relished this moment! I said, “You don’t remember me do you?” When I told him who I was, he had the audacity to say, “so, does this mean you won’t go out with me?” HA! That was a defining moment in my life.  The boy, who called me ugly, was now wishing he hadn’t.  

That story turned out ok, but those years I spent in high school thinking and believing I didn’t belong were painful.  I hid in the bathroom stalls during lunch so that I wouldn’t have those hurtful experiences again.  It is hard to see the creation, which God called “very good”, being good to that high school girl. In Genesis 3:8-24 we understand that the original sin of Adam and Eve brought a curse of God’s good creation.

Sin Causes: us to hide ourselves, separation from loved ones, pain, and death. When we sin, we hide.  We’re so afraid that there may be something about me that, if people found out about it, I wouldn’t be worthy of connection. It is much easier to just hide.  We hide behind pretending to be smart. We hide behind being busy. We hide behind trying to be super sweet. We hide!  

Adam’s offence, in Genesis 3,  leads to judgment, which leads to condemnation. We are ashamed! Christ’s act of righteousness brought a free gift, which leads to justification of life. Grace is God’s gift to undeserving sinners because of Christ’s act of righteousness.

While studying about belonging I came across several articles and talks by Brene’ Brown.  She said this, “The people who have a strong sense of love and belonging are the people who believe they are worthy of love and belonging.”  This sounds good. Right?  Do you see where this conflicts with Scripture? My friends, We ARE unworthy! There is nothing good in us.  God is completely justified in condemning us to an eternity in Hell.  

Romans 8:1 can help us form a more scriptural approach to belonging.  “There is therefore now on condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”  Could we rephrase the previous quote by Brown to say this, The people who have a strong sense of belonging, are the people who realize the price that was paid for them to belong! Christ’s act of righteousness brings true belonging.  True belonging is being fully known and fully loved! There is only One who fully knows us, and we can be so thankful today that He also fully loves us! He demonstrated that love for us on the cross! His act of righteousness brought the free gift of a justified life.

No more do we live in condemnation!  No more do we need to search for belonging!  Those who are in Christ belong! Now that I belong to Christ, I bring the sense of belonging with me everywhere I go!  No more hiding in bathroom stalls, no more hiding behind a fake me! I belong, and I want everyone else to have this same “belonging”.  In 1942 Clayton Ellsworthwrote these words “ Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me. Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity”!  Let us go bring others to God and His family!

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Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 22-24 August 2019

August 22

5:00a- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Neck throbbing. Lower back throbbing. Sinuses congested. Blowing nose much. At least my chest pain has eased some. Used pain roller last night before I fell asleep. Hard to sleep when in so much pain. Strange dreams. Eyes watering. Stomach hurts.

Song on mind…♫Lord, I lift Your name on high Lord, I love to sing Your praises I’m so glad You’re in my life I’m so glad You came to save us You came from Heaven to earth to show the way From the earth to the cross my debt to pay From the cross to the grave From the grave to the sky Lord, I lift Your name on high Lord, I lift Your name on high.♫

8:20a- finally fell back to sleep. Overslept. Hurt worse. 

10:47a- left foot and ankle numb and tingling

5:00p- cut my lft middle finger pretty good cutting the sausage to sauté. Ouch! 

7:00p- center of chest stabbing pain. Chest hurts. Trying to play piano not using hurt finger isn’t easy. It hurts! 

10:30p- jawline aches, upper lft shoulder stinging needle pain, lower lft leg numbish, achy, and tingly, neck hurts, rt ear aches, sinus congestion, headache, itchy skin, center of chest stinging, sharp, pain, legs throbbing, rt side aching, headache

https://health-boundaries.com/vitamin-b12-and-fingernails/amp/t

August 23

4:15p- getting closer to putting things together for the Appreciation Sunday. Dropped off fliers at the Fire Dpt & Police Dpt. 

Couple of restaurants are donating to help. One not exactly what we were wanting but we can make it work. Stopped at store for tp & shells. Hit my head getting out of car. Made my headache worse.

Stopped at Dr office to pick up bp rx. Dr signed me up for patient assistance program. If it weren’t for that I wouldn’t be able to afford it. (Even with GoodRx coupon it would cost me $200+ monthly. Choke! Choke!) 

Thank the Lord for His provisions. 

Laying down to rest a piece. I’m wore out from running errands. 

9:27p- rt side cramping off an on most of afyernoon. Now back and shoulders cramping. Exhausted. Neck throbbing. Headache. Lights bothersome. Rt ear hurts. Hands swollen and achy. Lower left leg numbish and aches. Center of chest stabbing pain. Applying pain roller & heating pad.

August 24

6:30a- woke to stinging throbbing pain in lower back. 

7:00a- stinging needle pain in upper back and shoulders, headache. Think I may need migraine rx.

10:30a- chest center pain not letting loose, headache makes me wanta cry. Migraine rx taken not helping. Severely congested. Laying down in darken nursery room. Wearing sunglasses indoors.  Wish I had a heating pad at church. 

Stubbornness mingled in pain sometimes is not good combination. Probably should’ve stayed home. Gonna try to pray for those going out.

  What am I suppose to learn in this? How can I overcome? 

Ringing in my head. Burning chilling pain (almost as if I applied icy hot) my chest. Gas in my belly. Gurgling sounds in my esophagus. Lower back & rt hip throbbing. Shoulders & neck hurt. 

Going to try to play music to drown the ringing noise.   

Fell asleep. Woken by phone call x3. Joe picking up lunch. 

12:30p- felt little better after eating. Sharpened pencils to put in pews. Pencils donated. Thank you, Lord. Put some supplies away. 

1:05p- hurting more. Time to lay down a while to rest.  

8:22p- thanks to Dezirae’s help able to get bulletin done early enough to enjoy time with family. Feels nice on Saturday night. Emotional all over today.  

11:53p- headache, rt eye hurrs, eyes sensitive to lights, indigestion, sinus congestion, whole body aches, face hurts, stomach hurts, cycle showed, drinking red raspberry leaf tea, exhausted, lower back throbbing, lower lft leg and foot tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, rt ear hurts, eyes watery

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Busy for the Lord by Megan Monaghan

Hello Ladies!!! I hope you had a marvelous weekend! This week’s devo is “Busy for the Lord” written by Megan Monaghan. Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us and shares some very needed wisdom! Hope you have a GREAT week!

Busy for the Lord

Every day of our lives we have tasks to accomplish; whether it is as a mother, a wife, a student, or a child. We as Christians must choose to accomplish these tasks with God on our side or with the world. Every day we have to wake up and make a conscious effort to follow God’s will or do things our way. As Christians, it’s so very important to allow God to lead us in our choices. The Bible says in 

Ecclesiastes 9:10

 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;

We are called to do all things “for the glory of God”. (1 Cor 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”). That includes working or anything else good that our “hand finds to do.” We should live this life to the fullest, in the presence of God, filling every minute here on earth with meaningful activity.

In Proverbs 16:27-29 it speaks about how idle hands are the devil’s playground –

This includes tasks such as mindless internet browsing, texting, and even gossip. Many times we don’t think about these areas as potential stumbling blocks.  

Proverbs 16:27-29

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

We must stay busy and use our time each day productively to His Glory. 

The first part of Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,”

Let’s find good godly things to do.

Christians should be busy. We, as women, have many talents; therefore, many people depend on us and those talents, so we must seek God in all we do and ask Him to guide our daily walk. 

Proverbs 31:24-27

“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

To be successful with the things we do in life, we must consider planning our days, scheduling activities, learning time management skills, and learning to multitask but also to be sure not to get in over our heads… it’s ok to say no or to bow out of activities if we are overwhelmed! We are truly only one person ladies!

As Christian women, we are meant to work and take responsibility for what is given to us to steward. 

1. Our skills; we should be willing to use our skills whether it be organizational skills, cleaning, or even a vocal skill for singing. 

2. Able hands; if we have the ability to serve in any capacity, we should want to serve. We should never be too good to do something if it’s to serve the Lord. 

3. Witnessing; we must share this wonderful gift God has given us with others. So many times I, as the wife, leave it up to my husband to speak to someone about the gospel, but I must remember that my experiences in life even before salvation might be what someone needs to hear to draw them to the Lord!

How can we seek God’s will and guidance on the things we do throughout our day? We must abide in him.

The Bible says in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.“

If we abide in Christ, then we will have things set before us by God to do for his glory and his purposes. 

So, how can we best abide in God? 

We can abide in Christ through praying and Bible reading. 

Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

I want to share a story with you about a day in my life where the Lord reminded me that I need to begin my day in His word. That day I adopted Psalm 55:22 as my life verse. 

Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

This particular day I was in a rush and didn’t take the time to get in my Bible, not even for the verse of the day on my Bible app. My husband and I had a conversation while I was at work, and it didn’t go well. I was upset and discouraged after that conversation. I decided to look up some verses of encouragement to try and get my day back on track. I came across this verse along with others, and it spoke to my heart. Later in the day, the argument arose again but became more heated. I was sobbing and decided to call a friend to seek some advice. She talked to me for a bit and said to me, “Have you been in your Bible today because you know you can give this to God and seek His word and He will help you through this.” I realized I needed to take a moment to get into my Bible and seek His will. When I opened my Bible app to begin my reading, the Verse of the Day was Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Had I been in my Bible that morning, I would have had this in my heart to start the day. I began to cry and called out to God and said… I hear you; I’m giving it to you. 

God will carry us through our most trying times if we allow Him into our lives, and let Him!

God’s word tells us, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians‬ 4:13‬ 

We all know this verse, but it’s so true! We may struggle doing things on our own but if we seek God, He will help carry the load we are bearing.

Now let’s focus on the second part of the verse:

“do it with all thy might.”

Why do anything in a mediocre way? Wise people say, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right.” Add to that, “If it is worth doing, it is worth giving your very best.” Some people have a way of rationalizing mediocre work because people in today’s culture are plagued by a sense of entitlement. The thinking of society today is that unless you give me this much reward, I will only give you this much effort. 

But that is not the way God intended His people to operate. If we are to be like Christ, we should seek to be excellent in our efforts, trusting God for the results.

Colossians‬ 3:23-24‬  – “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

 Be prompt in all things we do. Don’t procrastinate away your life thinking of what you intend to do tomorrow as if that could make up for the laziness or idleness of today. 

Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

No one ever served God by doing things tomorrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do today. Throw your whole soul into whatever you do for Christ. Do not give Christ your leftovers, but serve Him with your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Let’s choose to stay busy for the Lord and stay in His word so that we can abide in him and live out this verse of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/busy-for-the-lord-megan-monaghan

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God is My Super Glue by Dawn Mondt

God is My Super Glue

On June 14th, my youngest Son passed away. He was only 29 years old, the baby of the family. He was a Son, Brother, Grandson, Father, Husband, Friend and so many other things to people. He was funny, intelligent, caring, giving, special and super sweet. He was a 10 year Cancer survivor. That only tells you a few things about him.  To me he was my baby, my sweet boy who made his mom laugh and shared my love of pugs just to name a few things. 

June 14th was a Monday, I was sleeping still when my husband came to wake me up and tell me Johnny was gone.  As is my nature I wanted to run to him but was told no. I remember sitting on the side of my bed feeling like my world had crumbled and all was dark.  The next days were filled with all the things that have to be done and oh so many tears.  I can’t tell you much about those days except to say I felt like I was walking in a daze.

As the days turned into weeks I began to see myself as broken. Broken beyond repair by mans standards. I couldn’t do anything to make myself better. I couldn’t bring my Son back.  I wouldn’t want to do that.  He is finally completely happy, no pain, no sorrow, no tears.  But God can make me better so I talk to the Lord on a constant basis because you see He never left me.  Hebrews 13:5 …..I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  I can tell you that is very true.  It took a while before I could read my Bible without crying but that did not matter because His Word is Hid in My heart.  Psa_119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart,….  I can tell you that is true also.  And I turned to the same verse God gave me when Johnny had cancer. Psa_125:2  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 

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!  

I feel like I am living in that Poem “Footprints In The Sand.” God is carrying me as He glues me together. How long will I need to be carried, I don’t know.  Will I be able to stand on my own sometimes.  I think so.

As I go on this journey with my Lord I have been asked by many. “How do I talk to a grieving person?”  The first thing I would tell you is make sure if you really want to ask them how they are doing.  I am a very honest person and not everyone can hear the truth well.  The second is if you do want to ask and really do care say “How are you doing today?”  That last word is very important!  In grief things change quickly.  Sometimes minute by minute.  The truth is I am still in the process and will be for a long time.  I have written this while tears stream down my face.  What the grieving person needs the most are your prayers and your love.

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/god-is-my-super-glue-dawn-mondt


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Weathering Change by Stephanie Miller

Welcome to the 13th day of September 2021! I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! This week’s devotion is “Weathering Change” written by Stephanie Miller! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today! I hope that the Lord blesses you each with an awesome week!!!

Last month when I was asked to write a devotional for the “Helpers of Joy” page, I was beyond surprised. You see, I have only met Amy once in my life. I was going through a very hard time and honestly felt like I was alone and could trust no one outside of my family. I’m not sure if Amy could see this or not but she approached me at a lady’s retreat and told me about her ministry for pastors’ wives and asked for my phone number. I don’t usually give my number out to strangers but for some reason that day I did. The very next weekend I was surprised to see that little bit of encouragement she so faithfully sends out each week pop up on my phone. It was like a breath of fresh air; it was exactly what I needed. Over the last few years, like many of you, I have had the privilege of watching Amy weather the ups and downs of life so gracefully.

As I prayerfully considered what direction the Lord would have me go with this devotional the Lord gently led me to the subject of ‘Change’. I sweetly told the Lord that the subject of change was good, but I was thinking about doing something else. After going back and forth with the Lord a few times and suggesting a few other topics, I decided to settle on the subject of ‘Change.’ Isn’t it amazing how God works! 😊

Change is not something new, it is not something that has come about over the last year and a half simply because of COVID. Although there has been a lot of change for many of us during this time; change is something that happens to each of us whether its expected or unexpected, whether we are prepared or unprepared, whether we are walking close to the Lord or not walking with Him at all.

Sometimes we can do everything in our power to be ready for change but when that change finally comes it often seems to knock the wind out of us. From Adam and Eve to the Apostle Paul, the Bible is full of people who had to weather change in their lives. Today, I simply want to share a few things that I’ve learned over the years about weathering change in my life.

When Weathering Change:

REMEMBER THE LORD AND ALL HE HAS DONE!

Psalm 77:10-12 KJV “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”

When change comes it is easy to focus on the change itself. The problem is that when we are focused on the change that focus will bring uncertainty, and that uncertainty will bring worry, and that worry often brings fear. But when our focus is on the God of change; that change no longer seems so uncertain and we can rest knowing He is in control.

REMEMBER TO SEEK THE LORD!

2 Chronicles 20:3-4 KJV “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.”

1 Chronicles 16:10 KJV “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”

I found this in the Websters 1828 Dictionary, “To seek God, his name, or his face, in Scripture, is to ask for his favor, direction and assistance.” If we remember to seek the Lord through the change that comes in our lives and leave the results in His hands then we will have cause to rejoice. This sounds so simple, but how often do we try to control the outcome instead of giving the outcome to Christ?

REMEMBER TO TRUST THE PROMISES THAT GOD’S GIVEN YOU!

2 Peter 3:9 KJV “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

When we are facing change in our lives it is a comfort to cling to the promises of God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises to cling to, so dig in! With my oldest daughter now at college I have been clinging to this promise.

Psalm 84:11 KJV “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

How does this apply you may wonder? This verse reminds me that if my daughter seeks the Lord, He will take care of her. He will not withhold any good thing from her. Her life will be a life full of blessings, and I can rest knowing that she is in His hands.

Malachi 3:6 KJV “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

In a world that is full of change, it is a comfort to know that we serve a God that does not change.

https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/weathering-change-stephanie-miller

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Back 2 School

Thanks to an unexpected provision our family is making some unforeseen transitions this year. My daughter will be attending Christian School. It was an amazing and unexpected last-minute blessing. She will be able to attend school with her cousin who has quickly become a close friend as well.

With attending traditional school this year, there have been a lot of emotions shared between us. While homeschool has its benefits and we enjoyed it (though the last few years have been difficult for me due to my lightning strike injuries), Dezirae had thought it’d be nice to attend a traditional school to help her get ready for college but was hesitant because of her dyslexia and uncertainty of unknowns. I told her to pray about it and if God wanted her in school that we might be able to do it next year for her senior year.

God had other plans. He provided the money the very next day!!! Praise the Lord!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

To help calm and encourage their hearts, God laid it on my heart to give the gals a Scripture verse for each day and to pray with and for them each day. In doing so, it spun this month’s Scripture Journaling theme. I hope it helps you as well.

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