Devotions

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Searching After God’s Rest
October 24, 2023
by Mary Folkerts, COMPEL Training Member

"... Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:7-8, 10-11 (ESV)

I’ve been a “yes, but ....” girl all my life. In fact, it’s an ongoing struggle.  Yes, I’ll follow Jesus, but .... .  Yes, I love Jesus, but .... .  Do you know who else also seemed to have a “yes, but ....” attitude?

The Israelites in the Exodus account.  During their escape from Egypt to the promised land, God provided precise direction in the form of a cloud by day and fire by night. He provided water from rocks and bread from heaven. After all the miracles the Israelites witnessed, how could they still show such unbelief and discontent? They must have displayed an extraordinary level of obstinance to turn an 11-day journey (Deuteronomy 1:2) into 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:34)!  We shake our heads at them, feeling smug in our self-righteousness. We think we would have had more trust had we been in their sandals, but truth be told, we still struggle to follow where God leads today.  As the author of Hebrews used the Israelites’ wilderness story to caution his readers, it remains a warning for us today. Hardening one’s heart to the voice of God means missing out on His rest.  “…Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.  Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest’” (Hebrews 3:7-8, 10-11).

The Israelites’ unbelief that God would do what He promised kept them from entering God’s rest (Deuteronomy 1:32). Sin is deceitful; it will cause us to doubt God’s voice and look to ourselves for direction. Faith feels too difficult — trust feels too hard. We have waited too long for God, so we make our own path. We live in the “yes, but …” and our wandering begins.

How do we find our way back to the rest God desires to give us? Hebrews 3 lays the groundwork:

*  Fix our thoughts on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1). When we’re preoccupied with our circumstances, our eyes wander from our Savior to our struggle. Immersing ourselves in God’s Word refocuses us on the One who wants to carry our burdens and direct our path (Matthew 11:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6).

*  Don’t harden our hearts to the voice of God (Hebrews 3:7-8). The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will recognize His voice. Calluses form on a heart that continually turns from His voice, so let’s keep our hearts soft to His gentle whisper.

*  Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13). Staying connected in Christian community is vital for spiritual health. Fellowship allows us to know and be known, to encourage and correct, to receive and give godly wisdom, using God’s Word as our road map (2 Timothy 3:16).

Do you trust God’s promises?

Take hold of the truth that God's direction does not hinder your joy but leads you to true rest. It all begins and ends with faith, changing “yes, but ....” to “yes, Lord.”

Yes, Lord, I will follow You.

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Finding God’s Provision in Unexpected Places
October 27, 2023
by Meghan Ryan

"When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.'" Exodus 16:15 (ESV)

A couple years ago, when I moved for the 10th time in 10 years, I had a meltdown in my U-Haul truck. I don’t like change, so I was a combination of sad, angry and disappointed. I didn’t want to start over.  While I was throwing an epic “pity party,” I realized it wasn’t just about the move. It was about what the move represented: my desire for control and my lack of trust that God was going to provide what I needed in this new season, even though He had previously provided every time.  It seems easier to trust God when we can cling to the comfort of the familiar instead of navigating something new. Which is why I relate to the Israelites’ struggle to trust God as they wandered in the wilderness.  In today’s key verse, we see how God provided food for them: “When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat’’’ (Exodus 16:15).

When God took Israel out of Egypt, He committed to take them to the promised land. But in the change and the unfamiliar, they started to complain. They wanted to go back to Egypt because at least they had food there (Exodus 16:3). In the pain of the unknown, they forgot God’s promises and doubted His provision.  But God met them in their complaining (Exodus 16:12). He told them He would provide bread from heaven just for them every day. The manna spoiled by the following morning, which meant the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every day and trust God to provide it (Exodus 16:4). Still, even when God gave them what they asked for, they didn’t trust Him. They gathered more manna than they needed because they feared He wouldn’t send more. Instead of letting God’s past provision point them to what He promised for the future, they tried to protect and provide for themselves.  How often do we look at what God provides for us and write it off because it didn’t come in the way we wanted it to?

During my move, I was disappointed by my situation. I so desperately wanted God to provide a husband and a nice house we’d own I missed what He actually did provide: a new place that was an answer to a lot of prayers I had prayed.  God provides in unexpected ways. It’s not just about the manna; it’s about what the manna represents. God sent manna from heaven to represent the Bread of Life He would send from heaven: Jesus.  The manna didn’t look like the provision the Israelites wanted. Jesus didn’t look like the Messiah King they expected. And if we are honest, God’s definition of provision doesn't always look the way we want it to or hope it will. But God’s perfect provision for us is promised in Jesus (John 14:6).  As we meditate on manna, we can be tempted to point our gaze solely to God’s past versions of provision. But when we do, we can miss what He is doing right in front of us. Instead, let’s practice trusting God today by looking to Him to provide what we need through Jesus, the Bread of Life.  We can ask God in prayer to show us how He is already meeting our needs right where we are. The Israelites would be hungry again, but Jesus says in Him we will never hunger again (John 6:35). He did not leave Israel physically hungry, and He will not leave us spiritually hungry either. Manna and Jesus are both proof that God will supply all our needs.

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How To Rest in Being Enough
November 20, 2023
by Stevie Hendrix

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

The world’s problems can feel overwhelming these days. How do we rest in God’s peace when we feel so out of control and helpless to make a difference?

I recently discovered a helpful metaphor about resting in who God made us to be.  My dad and I were enjoying a long-anticipated father-son trip to Norway. As the end of our trip drew near, we had dinner at a restaurant called Maren Anna in a small fishing village near the tip of the Lofoten archipelago.  That night, a snowstorm had just blown in, so we were two of only nine people dining, plus the manager and the waiter. The storm blustered outside, butter and garlic and fresh-from-the-water fish perfumed the air, and the quiet chatter of our fellow diners cushioned us. It was a meal for the ages.  When we finished, I noticed a piano up against the wall. Any time I see a piano, I am curious to feel the keys, to hear how it sounds. To me, a piano is like a living thing, as if each piano has a unique soul. I asked the waiter if I could touch the keys.  “Sure,” he said. “You can play if you like.”

Now, I am not a good piano player. I can’t read music and took lessons for only a short time as a kid. Regardless, I love to play. That night at the restaurant, I felt like nobody was really going to listen anyway. I quietly began to play one of my songs, losing myself in the experience.  After a few minutes, the restaurant had gone quiet. The room was now silent except for the song I was playing. And just like that, a wave of nervousness slammed into me. My fingers began to tremble, and I thought of all the mistakes I could make. I almost stopped playing.  “No. I’m not going to be nervous. I’m going to play my song as best as I can,” I whispered to myself.

And there, in that remote village, in the middle of a snowstorm, a personal miracle took place. I felt a rush of confidence come over me as I played, and a delicate presence seemed to fill the room. When I finished my song, I heard all 10 people in the restaurant begin to cheer and clap for me. Everyone was smiling, including Pop.  Later, my dad said, “You know, when you were playing in there, it felt like God’s presence filled the room.”

“I could feel it!” I replied. “I wondered if anyone else could.”

“They could,” he assured me. “It was special.”

When my wife, Sazan, and I talked about it later, we realized that evening at Maren Anna held an important truth about resting in God: In Christ, we are enough. It didn’t matter that I’m not a concert pianist. It didn’t matter that I can’t read music to save my life. None of that has to do with what is enough.  The willingness to take something simple, something kind, something heartfelt, and offer it to God and others that is enough. God promises that even in our weakness, He is sufficient. He is enough. He works through whatever offering we can give to others.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We’ve got big problems in this big world of ours. We don’t have big solutions or big resources or big wisdom to give. But what if we all just played our songs?

What if we sat down at the metaphorical pianos of life and gave from our hearts what we have to give?

God turns our small sacrifices into something powerful for a world desperate for beauty, peace and compassion.

If you’re waiting for the day when you’ll feel like you’re enough, lean in. That day is today. You are enough because God is enough.   Rest in that.

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When You Can’t Shake a Bad Mood
December 4, 2023
by Jennifer Wier, COMPEL Training Member

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.” Exodus 34:29 (NIV)

I hated to admit it, but my houseguest was grating on my nerves. An old friend had kindly traveled across the country for a visit. But when differences in personality, parenting styles and preferences continually made themselves apparent throughout her stay, I found myself in a sour mood I couldn’t seem to shake.  Though I value hospitality and my friend, I felt tired and incapable of generating the warmth I knew I was meant to extend. I simply could not fake it.  Thankfully, Sunday came swiftly, bringing the opportunity to attend church with my friend. Bathed in the Word of God, I soaked up Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 about how we are to be the pleasing aroma of Christ. I continued on to read about Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; after meeting with God on the mountain, Moses shone so brightly with the light of God that those he encountered could see the light emanating from him.  “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD” (Exodus 34:29).

I so badly wanted to radiate light to those around me, too, but it was painfully clear I could not produce this light on my own.  Then God gave me the most freeing realization: Moses’ light didn’t come from him. It came from the Lord.  My heart was buoyed by the thought that maybe I did not have to make myself more forgiving, kind and gracious after all instead, just by sitting in the presence of God, I could absorb His loving nature. If Moses beamed with the glory of the Lord after he received the law, how much more might we, as partakers of the new covenant of grace, radiate the brilliance of the Lord as His Spirit rests upon us?

That morning, as I basked in the light of the Lord, meeting with Him on a “mountain” that resembled a pew, my heart was changed. After the church service, I apologized to my friend for my unexplainable gloomy disposition that had hung over much of our time together. She extended grace, and I wore a genuine smile as we spent the day hiking together in the mountains. I knew without a doubt what had caused my mood to lift: stepping into the light of God’s presence.  Maybe you, too, find it hard to manage turbulent emotions or relationships sometimes. If so, there is good news for you today: You don’t have to generate the light yourself! Your task is not to manufacture goodness for God but to be the recipient and bearer of the goodness of God. He Himself is the light, and He is inviting you in.  So turn on the worship music, open your Bible, or whisper a prayer to the One who sees your heart and knows just how to revive it. Rest a while in the warm glow of the source of light Himself. Soon enough, you’ll shine.

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Tell God Your Troubles
November 24, 2023
by Karen Wingate

“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

After a long bus ride and multiple days at a conference on a large university campus in frigid winter weather, I became dehydrated. So I sought the advice of one of my suitemates, who was a nurse.  Still anxious about the return bus ride, I then expressed to my other suitemates that I had doubts about her advice.  “I heard that.”

My nurse-roommate stood in the doorway. “If you have problems with what I said, why don’t you talk to me instead of about me?”

Whoops.  She made a good point. And how often do I do this same thing with God?

I think of that encounter with my conference suitemate when I read today’s key verse, Psalm 62:8: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

So often, I’m guilty of fretting and stewing over a situation, failing to remember that God has heard every word of my mental grumbling.  I’ve complained about God rather than complaining to God.  Why do I hesitate to tell God what’s on my mind?

Perhaps I’m afraid I might sound like I don’t trust His care for me. And doesn’t the Bible say we shouldn’t grumble or complain?

The truth is we can pour out our anguish to God in a way that shows genuine trust instead of a grumbling spirit: Lord, I trust You enough to admit I’m having problems with this. I think You can do something about it, and I believe You won’t reject or ridicule me for feeling the way I do.  In a type of psalm called a "lament," David often prayed through his complaints in three steps:

1.  He poured out his anguish directly to God.
2.  He processed through the hard moments.
3.  He praised God for His goodness and power.

David showed a lot of humility and courage in admitting his true feelings to God. His relationship with God was deep, and he knew God held the answers to the dilemmas he faced. Like my nurse friend, who knew more about dehydration than the rest of my suitemates combined, God knows more about the diagnosis and remedy for our problems than all the collective experts on earth. Only He can fully fix whatever we face.  Now, when I catch myself worrying, I’ve learned to hold nothing back from God. I allow myself to tell Him, Life feels unfair, this is hard, and I don’t think I can do this. I say it as if God is in the room sitting beside me rather than overhearing me at the doorway.  And something beautiful happens. The Holy Spirit reassures me of God’s promises that He knows, cares, stays with me, and has the power to resolve what I’m facing, all in His best timing. If I revert to inner grumbling, the Lord is one thought away, ready to have another chat with me about His promises. He is so merciful!   God is our safe place. He invites us to trust Him enough to cry out to Him and tell Him everything.  Try it. Tell God exactly what is happening and how you feel about it. End your prayer in praise for what you know God can do. He wants the best for you, and He cares very much about what is happening in your life.

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Hope for Our Imperfect Christmases
November 29, 2023
by Asheritah Ciuciu

“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7 (NIV)

“Is this how you pictured Christmas morning?”

My husband leaned over our kids’ heads and grinned at me, a twinkle in his eyes.  Why, no. It was not.  From our toddler’s hand-foot-and-mouth disease to my husband’s sudden flu to the stomach virus running through our family to my own first-trimester morning sickness our home looked more like a hospital ward than a Hallmark movie.  We missed the Christmas Eve candlelight service. We missed caroling with our neighbors. We missed Christmas lunch at my mom’s house. We missed unwrapping presents with nieces and nephews. All my favorite Christmas traditions? We missed them all.  But in the midst of the disappointments, God opened my eyes to see joy all around:  Our toddler coloring ornaments with Jesus’ names on them.  Listening to the Christmas story from The Jesus Storybook Bible.  Watching the Nativity movie for the third time in three days.  There were plenty of reminders that Jesus came not to offer us picture-perfect holidays but to offer us His very presence amid our imperfections.  God Himself came into our world, entering a first-century society that was restless under Roman rule. He was born to a poor couple exhausted after an arduous journey. The birth of the Son of God lacked glitz and glamor, aside from the angels’ performance for lowly shepherds (Luke 2:9-14). This nativity didn’t look pretty, smell good or even feel comfortable: “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7).

I wouldn’t want my own children to be born in a barn let alone the Son of God. But those things we’d consider less than perfect about Jesus’ birth were divinely orchestrated by God Himself.  And here we find the gift of Christmas: God with us in the midst of our mess, making the messy moments holy in His presence.  Immanuel means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23, NIV).  God with us in our chronic illness.  God with us in our family dramas.  God with us in our financial difficulties.  God with us in our unknown futures.  No matter what your Christmas season will look like whether it’s exactly what you imagined or the exact opposite of your holiday dreams bring it all to Jesus anyway.  He’s with you in the mess, and He’s making your messy moments into holy ones. Because our Immanuel God is with us.

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When You Can’t Shake a Bad Mood
December 4, 2023
by Jennifer Wier, COMPEL Training Member

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.” Exodus 34:29 (NIV)

I hated to admit it, but my houseguest was grating on my nerves. An old friend had kindly traveled across the country for a visit. But when differences in personality, parenting styles and preferences continually made themselves apparent throughout her stay, I found myself in a sour mood I couldn’t seem to shake.  Though I value hospitality and my friend, I felt tired and incapable of generating the warmth I knew I was meant to extend. I simply could not fake it.  Thankfully, Sunday came swiftly, bringing the opportunity to attend church with my friend. Bathed in the Word of God, I soaked up Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 about how we are to be the pleasing aroma of Christ. I continued on to read about Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; after meeting with God on the mountain, Moses shone so brightly with the light of God that those he encountered could see the light emanating from him.  “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD” (Exodus 34:29).

I so badly wanted to radiate light to those around me, too, but it was painfully clear I could not produce this light on my own.  Then God gave me the most freeing realization: Moses’ light didn’t come from him. It came from the Lord.  My heart was buoyed by the thought that maybe I did not have to make myself more forgiving, kind and gracious after all instead, just by sitting in the presence of God, I could absorb His loving nature. If Moses beamed with the glory of the Lord after he received the law, how much more might we, as partakers of the new covenant of grace, radiate the brilliance of the Lord as His Spirit rests upon us?

That morning, as I basked in the light of the Lord, meeting with Him on a “mountain” that resembled a pew, my heart was changed. After the church service, I apologized to my friend for my unexplainable gloomy disposition that had hung over much of our time together. She extended grace, and I wore a genuine smile as we spent the day hiking together in the mountains. I knew without a doubt what had caused my mood to lift: stepping into the light of God’s presence.  Maybe you, too, find it hard to manage turbulent emotions or relationships sometimes. If so, there is good news for you today: You don’t have to generate the light yourself! Your task is not to manufacture goodness for God but to be the recipient and bearer of the goodness of God. He Himself is the light, and He is inviting you in.  So turn on the worship music, open your Bible, or whisper a prayer to the One who sees your heart and knows just how to revive it. Rest a while in the warm glow of the source of light Himself. Soon enough, you’ll shine.

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Awe and Wonder
December 6, 2023
by Ruth Chou Simons

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV)

When was the last time you stared at the night sky and tried to count the stars? It causes me to marvel every time and it should!  God and His design for us are much more complex and extravagant than we know. In the dizzying array of technology and man-made creations, it’s easy to be in awe of the work of our own hands, forgetting that the very breath we breathe is a gift from God. In this way, miracles happen every day. They may not look like the literal parting of the Red Sea, but God makes a way through the wilderness each and every day of our lives starting, first and foremost, with the way of salvation through the promised Savior of the world, Jesus of Nazareth.  The psalmist who wrote Psalm 8, David, didn’t know the wonders of the virgin birth and the sinless life, burial and resurrection of Christ. But David experienced a profound sense of awe when he considered the handiwork of God as the Creator who spoke the world into existence:  “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Day by day, God continues to hold the world together by His power. From the sun that calls this day into order, piercing through the darkest night, to the blazing sunset that lingers past the day’s toils, God still puts His power and sovereign care on display. He still calls us to respond with wonder and awe.  So does this Christmas season find you full of awe and wonder or jaded from the numbing strain of busyness? It’s hard to be full of praise and adoration when we are filled with worry and striving.  Are you tempted to discount the seemingly unremarkable corners of your life? What if the God of wonders is at work in more ways than you can possibly imagine?

The true miracle of Christmas isn’t simply the virgin birth; it’s much greater than even that incredible event. The miracle of Christmas is in this: A holy God made a way for all who believe to come to Him because He first came to us. Let that sink in. God’s promises, fulfilled by God Himself, are more than remarkable. They merit a response not to get busy but to fall down in reverence and awe for our great God.  And as we consider this great love and pursuit from the Father, He doesn’t seek a response of showy extravagance; He desires our surrendered praise. O, that we might bow low and respond with lifted hearts, declaring, “You are God Almighty, and we stand in awe of You.”

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You Get To Decide What Your Legacy Will Be
December 28, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

When the excruciating pain you feel in your heart goes unattended for an extended period of time, it’s easy to let your heart become cynical and less compassionate.  Can you relate?

Maybe you’ve experienced a job loss recently, or you’re going through a breakup. Or you just got a heartbreaking medical diagnosis. Or you’re in the depths of a journey to grow your family that’s included unexpected delays. Maybe you’re trying to move forward after a betrayal from someone close to you, or one of your kids is walking through something really difficult, and the heartbreak just gets heavier and heavier.  Friend, I understand.  And I don’t want to make light of anything you’re walking through right now.  Your pain is real. Your tears matter. Your hurt doesn’t go unseen.  But I do want to share something to encourage you today. You may be experiencing pain in your story right now, but that doesn’t mean this pain will make up the whole story of your life. It doesn’t have to be the story you tell forever or even the story you’re known for.  You see, when we allow the pain we’ve experienced to make us more compassionate toward others, we get to change the narrative that pain begs to write.  We may not always get to choose what happens to us. And we don’t always get to choose how our stories end. But we get to choose the type of people we become regardless of any outcome.  Look at what Colossians 3:12 says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

No matter what unexpected trials 2023 has thrown at us, we still have a choice. We can choose to be people of compassion. People of kindness. People of humility. People of gentleness. People of patience.  We may experience heartbreaking situations, but that doesn’t have to be our legacy. Our legacy can still be marked by beautiful qualities like compassion regardless of what kind of season we’re in right now.  Compassion doesn’t mean we’re overlooking the harsh reality of things we’re facing or stuffing down feelings we need to process. Actually, some of the most compassionate people I know have experienced the deepest pain. They’ve chosen to let it make them more compassionate in the process.  I want to be one of these people. I want to be known for these things. I want to fill my life with these God-honoring qualities.  I want my legacy to be compassion.  And I want this for you too. Today is a great day to;

    Send an encouraging text message.
    Smile at a stranger who looks like she’s hurting.
    Offer to pick up your friend’s kids from school.
    Listen with your full, undivided attention.
    Bring someone at work her favorite coffee or drink.

These are just a few ways we can color today with compassion.  Sweet friend, this chapter of your life may be painful, but that’s not all it is. Ask God to give you eyes to see goodness in the possibilities of what’s ahead. I know it’s beautiful. I know it’s good. I know because I know Him.

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He Gives More Grace in Motherhood
January 8, 2024
by Sarah Walton

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 (ESV)

I stared at the days-old leftovers in the fridge looking more like a science experiment than something that once was edible and the tears began to flow. It had been one of those weeks. One where I was reminded of my shortcomings and inadequacies as a mom around every corner.  The kids were bickering, the house was a mess, and I was barely staying afloat with my chronic pain. All I could hear were the whispers, You’re such a failure as a mom. Everyone has it together except for you.  As I wiped away the tears, my son asked if I was OK. I didn’t have the words to explain what was wrong, so I quickly replied, “I’ve just had a hard week.”

Much to my dismay, my son immediately responded, “Mom, you work so hard for us, and we rarely show you how much we appreciate it. Come on Eli and I are going to take care of you.”

They grabbed my daughter’s toy foot spa, brought down their beanbag chair, and rubbed my shoulders as they tried to encourage me.  At that moment, it was as if God was saying, Sarah, I see you your imperfect efforts, fears, worries and insecurities. And I’m using the very children you think you’re failing to remind you that I’m at work in ways you can’t see. My grace is greater than your failures, sins and shortcomings as a mom.  God knew I needed the reminder that He gave me children not because He expects me to be a perfect mother but because He wants me to be a vessel that points them to a perfect Savior.  And I imagine I’m not the only one who needs that reminder daily. If you're a mom, God didn’t give you your children and circumstances because He thought you could juggle a million plates without dropping any. No, He entrusted these precious children to you and me to draw us into dependence on Him. And as we fall on our knees in humble dependence, His grace, wisdom and strength will meet us right where we are.  “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

Sister, if you’re feeling the weight of your shortcomings as a mom, rest in this His grace is enough for you today. Bring your weaknesses, insecurities and sin battles to the Lord, whose grace and forgiveness are always greater. And as you lean on your Savior’s grace, you will become a conduit of that grace into the lives of the precious little ones you’ve been entrusted with.  Yes, we will fall short as moms every single day. But praise God that He gives more grace.

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When Hiding Is Not an Option
January 15, 2024
by Regina Lewis, COMPEL Training Member

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

My classmates and I excitedly lined up to make our way to the auditorium for school picture day. My joy quickly evaporated when the photographer began shifting students around based on height. As he approached me, he waved his hand and dispatched me to the end of the line, saying, “Wow, you’re tall.”

Tears threatened to ruin my picture-day outfit. I heard giggles arise as I slowly made my way to the back, taking my appointed place with the all-boy crew.  For many years after that, I slouched to hide my height my shoulders hunched, eyes riveted to the ground, mostly speaking in an unassuming whisper instead of my natural voice.  Maybe you’re like me and have tried to fly under the radar. I want to let you in on a very powerful secret: As God’s children, we were not created to exist in the shadows.  Jesus declares this truth in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Let that soak in, friend.  Even as Jesus’ followers, many of us stay hidden in the darkness for fear of revealing our light’s full wattage. Perhaps we’re afraid of rejection, or maybe we’re not sure how to use the power of His light. How are we and others transformed when we live out the fullness of Christ in plain view, under the illuminating light of Jesus?

*  When we stand firm in the faith our posture is confident, not self-conscious, and our voices are steady, not trembling, as we “keep it real” while revealing how the love of Jesus Christ has transformed us.
*  When we emerge from the shadows we can boldly find ways to make people feel understood, seen and loved because we know everyone we meet is desperately in need of hearing how Jesus Christ saves.
*  When we know who we are as His beautifully made creations we can be confident in our Kingdom placement and it is not at the back of the line.
*  When we stay strong we’re filled with the mighty courage of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work unashamedly.

We are called to wholeheartedly understand and humbly accept the assignment to stand tall as followers of Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12, NIV).

Many of us face hidden battles daily. As much as we might want to hide our struggles and put on a brave front to show the world “we’ve got this,” it’s the light of Christ that keeps us going. Let’s resist the temptation to shrink fearfully into the background. The world wants and desperately needs to see God’s light in action through us so that His glory will be visible to all.

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Overcoming the January Blues
January 16, 2024
by Sharon Jaynes

“Samuel did what GOD told him.” 1 Samuel 16:4a (MSG)

There’s something about January that gets me down. While others are setting New Year’s resolutions and goals for the months ahead, I tend to feel sorry for myself because some areas of my life aren’t where I hoped they’d be by now. My tendency is to give in to discouragement about what I didn’t accomplish rather than look ahead to what God has planned.  Maybe you’ve felt that way before. Perhaps you feel that way right now.  There’s a story in 1 Samuel that helps me when I feel stuck in discouragement.  The people of Israel had grown tired of being ruled by God. Disregarding the prophet Samuel’s warnings, they chose a king: the tall, dark and handsome Saul (1 Samuel 9:2). And while Saul depended on God for direction in his early days, he eventually took matters into his own hands, ignoring God’s commands and initiating his own. As a result, God took the anointing away from Saul and determined to give the kingship to someone else (1 Samuel 15:10-23).  Samuel was so discouraged over Saul’s failure that he “cried out to the LORD all that night” (1 Samuel 15:11, NIV).

He was disappointed in Saul and maybe also sorry for himself.  Then one day, God said, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?” (1 Samuel 16:1a, NIV).

I love Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase in The Message Bible: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul?” (1 Samuel 16:1a).

God may be asking you and me the same question: How long will we mope because life hasn’t turned out like we thought it would?

I don’t mean to make little of any of the painful or discouraging situations in your life. I’ve had them too. But here’s what I know today: No matter how painful the circumstances of life may be, God never intends for us to get stuck in discouragement to put down tent pegs and camp out there.  God went on to say to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king” (1 Samuel 16:1b-c, NIV).

At some point in our moping about, God may come to us, too, and say, It’s time to get up and get going. Your life is not over. The story has more chapters to be written! Let go of your discouragement to take hold of your next assignment.  God said He would show Samuel what to do, and “Samuel did what GOD told him” (1 Samuel 16:4a).

That’s what God wants for us today to take the first step of obedience. He will take care of the rest.

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In the Empty Nest, You Can Find Your Empty “Next”
January 19, 2024
by Jennifer Dukes Lee

“Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation ...” Psalm 71:17-18 (NIV)

I stood in our living room, remembering the sweet voices that used to reverberate there voices that belong to the ones who call me “Mom.”  In that moment, I could practically feel the rough, prickly twigs of this new empty nest.  My children did what children do they grew up. But as happy as I was for them, I worried this change in our family dynamic would create a vacuum, sucking up the center points on which our daily lives seemed to pivot.  What would be next?

How would this change my marriage?

That was two years ago.  Today, I am filled with confidence and joy. While God created my husband and me to be parents, parenting isn’t our only gig.  In the middle of our empty nest, we found our empty “next,” a space ready to be filled by obedience to God in new ways. He has plans for us, and He has plans for you too.  Take a look at Psalm 71:17-18 for reassurance:  “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation ....”

First, these verses remind us that God has been guiding us since we were young. Second, we can remember His past deeds and tell others about them. Finally, when our hair turns gray even if, like me, you use a little bottle of color to cover your silver wisps of wisdom we can say to God, Don’t forget about me! I’m still here!  Friend, He hears you.  The empty nest isn’t a place to confine us; it’s a place to refine us.  Life is far from over. Your greatest days may well be ahead of you. In fact, this is true no matter what new season you’re facing a season of singleness or marriage, parenting or empty nesting, restarting your career or retiring. God is faithful through every life change.  Maybe the time you once spent supporting your kids’ hobbies becomes time to nurture relationships, grow your faith, take a class or goodness, take a well-deserved nap! As for my husband and I, we’ve been dreaming about our future. We’ve reignited a sense of spontaneity. We’ve enjoyed befriending our adult children. In a funny twist, after my little birdies took flight, I became mildly obsessed with a new hobby: bird-watching.  None of it’s easy at first, but here’s the truth: You’ll find God inside your empty nest, helping as you spread your own wings even as you dwell in the shadow of His wings.

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Believing God for Things That Seem Impossible
January 31, 2024
by Kia Stephens

“Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

For more than two decades, I pleaded for God’s intervention in a close family relationship.  On my knees, I fumbled for words that would somehow touch the heart of God in a way I had not done before. Some days the words flowed like water from a faucet, and other days they were replaced by tears.  I was in a waiting period, sandwiched between my request and God’s answer to it. Seasons passed I met and married my husband, birthed two sons and watched them grow all while wondering if God would bring calm to my storm.  I still believed God was able to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. I just wasn’t sure He would do it for me.  Maybe this is where Sarah found herself too. For several decades of her marriage to Abraham, she waited for God to make her a mother. When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised to make him into a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). However, this promise would not be fulfilled for another 25 years.  An impatient Sarah suggested Abraham sleep with her maidservant to build a family through her (Genesis 16:2). This was Sarah’s attempt at obtaining the offspring she longed for. She was driven to manipulate the circumstances of her life because she saw no other way, and heartbreak followed her actions.  Still questioning whether she would have a child, Sarah described herself as having “waxed old” (Genesis 18:12, KJV). This phrase in Hebrew means “worn out and decayed.” She had more faith in her physical condition (or lack of physical condition) than she did in God.  God challenged Sarah when He responded to Abraham in Genesis 18:14: “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Despite Sarah’s disbelief, God kept His promise: She birthed a son, Isaac the embodiment of what Sarah perceived to be “too hard for the LORD.”  Is there anything in your life that seems impossible?

Lingering for days or years, these challenges tempt us to believe they are beyond the reach of God sickness, financial need, wayward relatives or difficult relationships. No matter what it is or how God chooses to bring about a resolution, obstacles that seem impossible are possible with Him.  A few years ago, the relationship I had been praying about for decades suddenly took a dramatic turn for the better. God met me in my waiting and began a process of healing in me that I previously deemed unlikely. He is able to do the same for you.  “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14a). The answer to this question is a resounding, “No, nothing is too hard for Him.”

He can do what seems impossible.

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Stressed? Pretend You’re a Plant
February 1, 2024
by Meghan Mellinger

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

I can’t keep green things alive. (Rest in peace, mini cactus.) I overwater. I underwater. I forget to put the plant near a window. I never play classical music or whisper encouragement into its leaves.  It’s no surprise I also sometimes treat myself like I’ve treated my long list of shriveled succulents. I overdo it. I hustle through it. I forget to eat a vegetable. I don't stop to ask for help or whisper encouragement to my soul.  I tell myself it’s only a season of the year or season at work or season of life once it’s over, I’ll be able to breathe again. But I keep coming back to the same status: stressed. Overwhelmed. Stranded in survival mode. And I was never a Girl Scout, so I’m ill-prepared for the elements.  The Lord cautions us about what happens when we rely on our own strength we become withered and worn, like shrubs in a parched desert (Jeremiah 17:5-6).  But there’s hope outside of ourselves. When we rely on the Lord and His power in and through us, we’re like a tree planted by a river, connected to a living stream that won’t run dry.  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV).

Tired of failing in self-reliance and ready to flourish in God-reliance? Let’s learn from God’s plant analogies and tend to our stressed souls.

    Deepen your roots: From our gentle cries for help from the Holy Spirit to our daily debriefs about our thoughts and emotions, our accessible God cares about the details of our lives. Create practices in your day where you can share your life and burdens with God in prayer and strengthen your relationship with Him.

    Get some sunlight: Get outside and soak in God’s creation. Go for a walk. Camp out under a tree. Sit by your window.

    Watch what you tell yourself: If it’s scientifically proven that plants respond to positive talk, imagine how much more your heart needs to hear the Truth. Reframe and rewire your self-talk so you’re listening only to God’s promises and His Word. Keep a list of Bible verses in your phone or journal to reference when you need reminders.

Rooting ourselves in Jesus doesn’t mean stressors go away the heat and the drought may still come. But life in Him and through His power means we don’t have to wither and get worn down by stress. When we rely on His power in us, we can live as trees planted by the living river.