Making Right Choices - Phoebe Leggett

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction... Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." Deuteronomy 30: 15, 19 NIV

It’s God’s desire that we make right choices in life, yet He gives us the exclusive privilege of making our own decisions and choices. It’s up to us to make the right ones. Often we get so scooped up in the busyness of life that our judgment becomes clouded. Making good choices gets tough and it requires us to take the time to ponder our options and not hurry through life without realizing our choices will determine our future.

Just as a parent’s heart breaks because their child makes wrong choices in life. God’s heart breaks when we make wrong choices. Still, He is merciful to forgive and help if we ask. Sometimes the right choice comes too late and we have to suffer the consequences of our actions.

God suffers too, when we make wrong choices. He loves us—so much that He sent His son to die that we might have abundant life. And still, we fail to turn to Him for guidance in our life’s decisions.

Yesterday I saw a car wreck being cleaned up on the side of the road. The highway was blocked and medics and police swarmed to help. It reminded me of the day my son lost his life in a car crash. It broke my heart again to see this scene. How much more does God’s heart break?

Sometimes our choices bring death. It isn’t God’s choice that we die, but that we live.

Trust God to help you make right choices. If wrong choices are made, He is willing to forgive if we ask.

Lean on Him when you face major decisions, even when the choices are small. Only He can make things right again.

Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Her youngest son was killed in a tragic accident in 2004. Learn more about Phoebe at http://www.phoebeleggett.com/.
Read Phoebe's devotions.

Forever Friend - Phoebe Leggett

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 NIV

“I need a friend to play with,” whined Olivia.

“Why can’t I go out with my friends?” asked Justin.

“I wish I had a friend to talk to,” said Dawn.

“It would be helpful to have someone to talk this situation over with,” remarked an old man.

“I wish somebody would come by and see me,” whispered an eighty-five-year-old woman. “I just need a friend.”

Often, in the rush of our busy lives, the need for a friend may go unnoticed. But there are moments when having a friend to talk to — someone who will understand what you have to say — is vital and necessary.

Where can we find such a friend when we really need one? We find Him when we embrace the companionship of the Father. God lends Himself to us as our Abba Father, our friend and our Master. He hears our cries and comforts our fear. This is the joy of knowing Him personally, living to love Him, and seeking after Him.

There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is your forever friend if you’ll invite him in. His name is Jesus. Open your heart to Him and you will never be lonely again.

Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Her youngest son was killed in tragic accident in 2004. Learn more about Phoebe at href="http://www.phoebeleggett.com/">www.phoebeleggett.com Read Phoebe's devotions.

Just Pray - Phoebe Leggett

“Pray continually;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing. Prayer should be more than a few words spoken over a meal. It is constant intercession with thanksgiving, praise and need.

Pray for situations as they occur. Instantly pray for someone who says “pray for me.” I call them arrow prayers—moments of instantaneous thoughts for those in immediate need. So often friends ask us for prayer and we agree, never taking to heart the needs they have or the importance of the request. But each request is a cry of the heart, not to be taken lightly and not to be forgotten. So, shoot an arrow prayer into heaven.

There is great power behind the words of a prayer. Jesus constantly slipped away from the crowds to talk to His Father. He came to God for His strength and the guidance and wisdom He needed daily to carry on the work He was assigned.

Conversation with God is not one-sided. Even when we feel as though He is not listening, or has turned a deaf ear to us, He hasn’t. God hears every word we utter and senses every need we own.

So, pray wholeheartedly for those who express their grief to you, for those who are sick or injured, or those who are lonely. Speak words of praise for the joys of life and the blessings that are given to you and never forget to thank Him.

Be instant in season and out of season. Be aggressive in your prayers. Faith grows when it is worked. Believe when you pray.

You don’t have to pray out loud—just have a prayer in your heart and on your lips continuously. Just try it. God will answer your prayers and you will have
accomplished what Jesus wants you to do—pray without ceasing,

Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Her youngest son was killed in tragic accident in 2004. Phoebe is the Assistant Editor of DevoKids.com Learn more about Phoebe at http://www.phoebeleggett.com/.

ANGEL CHRISTMAS By Phoebe Leggett

Was that singing
in the blue?
Did the angels
smile at you

as they sang
in joyful hum
that our Savior’s
birth had come?

Did the shepherds
hurry forth
led by angels
guiding North?

Did three wise men’s
starry gaze
help them find
Bethlehem’s maze

where Jesus lay
in manger’s loft
lulled by Mary’s
whisper soft?

For I believe
angels sang true
that Christ was born
for me and you.

And I accept
his gentle smile
and think that I
will stay awhile -

where wise men watch
and shepherds gaze;
as angels hum
where Jesus lays.

Reflection - Phoebe Priscilla Leggett

“…forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13, 14 NIV

Does your mirror reflect who you really are, or is it just a reflection of who you want to be? Perhaps it’s not really you in the mirror at all, but a distorted image of who you used to be—an echo from the past. Maybe you don’t even like what you see when you gaze at the reflection. A better image can be in your future, if you’d like.

Picture yourself in a vision—a parallel of who you were and who you can be. Every girl imagines herself as a princess, even after she’s all grown up. Although that’s the ideal image, it’s just fantasy. Some may attain part of the picture but no one can achieve the complete vision. It is, after all, just an illusion.

But you’re undeniably flesh and blood; not an illusion, not a vision, and not a reflection. If your life isn’t what you’ve envisioned, then it’s time to reflect on God’s word and His promises to you. The Bible says if you desire, you can forget your discontented past. Then, as you trust God with your future, you will obtain your goal with huge rewards.

Who do you see when you look in the mirror?

Do you see yourself as ugly? God sees you as beautiful according to Song of Solomon. Do you feel unloved? God says I love you. Read His love in the Book of John . Do you feel unimportant? God considers you valuable. Check out Matthew. Do you feel hopeless? God says there is hope. Study Job. Are you lonely? God says I’ll never leave you. Are you afraid? Read His promises and antidotes to fear in Hebrews.

If you need direction, God will direct your steps. Proverbs is the book of wisdom. Do you feel you can’t forgive yourself? God says I forgive you. 1 John teaches forgiveness.

It’s time for a makeover. Let the Bible be your mirror and discover how God sees you. Soon you’ll understand how special, unique, and loved you are. Let Him in and allow Him to reflect His image in you.



Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Her youngest son was killed in tragic accident in 2004. Learn more about Phoebe at www.phoebeleggett.com.

Growing Compassion - Phoebe Leggett

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV


When I was a small child my friend was hit by a truck. As a first grader it was hard for me to understand why she had to be hospitalized for months—I missed her. She lived nearby and when she came home, I was able to spend time with her, help her. Our friendship blossomed.

I remember climbing the apple trees in her yard to pick ripe, juicy apples to eat; and rolling her around in her wheelchair when the dew still sparkled in the early morning sunlight. I carried her books and helped her with whatever she needed.

When school started that fall, she had to wear braces on her legs. The kids made fun of her, teasing her and forgetting she’d nearly been killed. I came to her defense. She was my best friend and I cared how she felt. My heart ached to hear the other kids tease her about the braces and she was broken-hearted, too. I learned great compassion that spring and I learned the importance of sharing it.

I appreciate when someone goes out of their way to help me, especially when there’s no special occasion other than they care about me. When I’m snowed under with projects or overwhelmed with work, the compassionate and helping hand of a friend means the world.

Christ had an amazing compassion for others. He was continually drawn to the weak and worn, healing, teaching and sharing his compassion with them. His greatest compassion—what He felt as He carried the cross. Each agonizing step He made was out of love and deep compassion for us. The song is true when it says, “What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Who knows? A wonderful friendship may occur because of your generosity and kindness. Learn compassion for others and then practice it on those in need.

Isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?



Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Phoebe is the Assistant Editor of DevoKids.com. Learn more about Phoebe at www.phoebeleggett.com.

Guilty Until Forgiven - Phoebe Leggett

“… for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” Jeremiah 33:11

Do you ever feel like running away but there’s nowhere to go? Do you sometimes have feelings of guilt, or regret some of the things you’ve done?

Jesus paid for a crime (sins) He did not commit. So, why shouldn’t I pay for crimes (sins) I might have committed? According to one of God’s unspoken laws, I should. The Bible says we’ll reap what we sow.

But laws don’t bring forgiveness. Only God can forgive. And, yes, He does forgive when we ask. Although society expects payment for a crime, all God wants is sincere repentance.

I fail continually to be what God wants me to be. Still, He loves me with a deep love and a burning desire to take my wrongs and make them right. Sometimes, the hardest part is accepting that I’m a sinner and then swallowing my pride enough to fall before Him.

God’s laws are everlasting and they never change. His love is unending. Although I may be guilty of sin, God still wants me to be His child. He doesn’t want to be separated from me. So, he sent Jesus as the sacrifice to cover my sins with his blood.

What amazing love when God no longer sees our guilt. We’re made pure, cleansed, and forgiven. We simply have to ask.

Guilty until forgiven. Forgiven of guilt.

Phoebe Leggett was the recipient of two poetry awards from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. Many of her poems, articles, and short stories have appeared in various magazines and Christian literature; and she is currently working on a book about grief. She is married with two grown children and one grandchild. Her youngest son was killed in tragic accident in 2004. Learn more about Phoebe at www.phoebeleggett.com.