Pesky Typos - He Said

"Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy." 2 Kings 5:1

Listen to Pesky Typos

I hate typos and, yet, I plant them in my devotions and novels. They sprout and grow, turning a section of “perfect text” into a “perfect test” for our copy editor. I’m not alone, however. In books, blogs and on billboards, typos abound. Here are a few of my favorites.

“Naomi sat on the hot, dusty earth eating rice from a rough wooden bowel.” (Hey, waiter can I get a dish of small intestine to go?)

“Every girl dreams of the perfect weeding. Let Contour Lighting make your moment shine.” (Wonder if they color roots, too?)

“The academic scholarship I earned came with a plague.” (March Madness, this time of the year.)

“Most of my experience has been as a blue-color worker.” (From the resume of a sad and cold employee.)

“As part of the city maintenance crew, I repaired bad roads and defective brides.” (Aren’t they all, after a few days with their new husband?)

“My career goal is to shave my talents with a growing company.” ( No McDreamy stubble with this guy.)

“My hobbies include raising long-eared rabbis as pets.” (Torah training extra!)

I laugh because my life is one long string of typos. During my senior year in college, I received an F on a journalism project because I misspelled the Attorney General’s name. My professor (who was also my adviser) loved the article. “But,” he said, stabbing the first paragraph of the story, “You misspelled the guy’s name. The least you could have done was to look at his name plate on the desk and copy it down correctly.”

No matter how good we think we are, our blemishes go before us, marring our reputation and turning an effective ministry or career into a public sham.

Naaman was a great leader, valiant soldier, and respected general. But, his accolades could not save him from public shame. His leprosy, left untreated, would push him to the edges of society, leaving him an outcast.

Our sin is our leprosy. It leaves us outside the Kingdom of God and beyond the bounds of Eden, because God demands perfection. He cannot tolerate typos, not even one. (See next week’s devotion for how we achieve perfection and eliminate typos.)

Writers have critique groups, friends who proof their work. Within the body of Christ, we have fellow believers who hold us accountable. Paul calls on us to confess our sins and carry each other’s burdens. Today, ask a friend to critique your life and find the typos in your testimony.

Left Out - She Said

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:1

Listen to Left Out

First I knocked. Then I went from knuckle to fist pounding. “Open up. Let me in!” A shuffle of feet sounded and then laughing.

“No! Go away.”

I didn’t want to go away. I wanted to spend time with my friends, not be banned from the fun.

“Come on, please? Open up.”

“No! We voted and you’re out. Beth shoulda been the leader.”

Leaning against the wall, a tear trickled down my cheek. My name had finally rotated around to be the group leader. The announcement wasn’t an hour old before the fly-by friends sold me out for the popular girl. Group leader wasn’t an elected position, rather it rotated so everyone had an opportunity to lead…everyone but me it seemed.

Left out, I snatched up my backpack, pushed open the door and headed down the stairs. It wasn’t fair. It was my time to be the group leader, my time to shine. I just wanted to be something other than invisible, something other than...lonely.

Naaman was an elite guy, commander, highly regarded. He had everything going for him –everything but his health. It didn’t matter how special he was, how many battles he’d won, his leprosy secluded him. He was forced to be alone. And unless he was healed, nothing would change.

Years later I asked the requirements to join a prestigious writers group. When my friends avoided the question, naivety led me to assume the group was full. My friends cheered for me so I practiced my writing—even won a couple of writing contests and hoped a spot would open in the group. But when my pal finally came clean and told me the group said I "wasn't ready," (intrepretation: not good enough), my heart was broken. Not because I wasn't welcomed into the group but that no matter what I did--all the work, all the accomplishment, even the victories, meant nothing. I was still invisible, still left out.

Unlike Naaman, I wasn't secluded due to illness, but I’ve been forced out because I wasn’t "ready yet", not prestigious or clickish enough. Regardless of how hard I banged on the door, I couldn't get in.

Broken, I needed healing - cleansed of the insecurities and fears that made me feel inadequate. So I poured my heart to the Great Physician. He opened up the wounds, cleansed them and when I was ready, He proved my gift was not in being in the spotlight, but rather in being a servant. In time He healed me and revealed my special and unique gifts. Eventually I became part of this prestigious group but all it is…is a line on my resume’. After He healed me, I didn't need that group to fill the void. My place was in Him.

When you’re pushed out, ignored and shunned go to Christ for internal healing. He will shore up your skills, bring you peace and acceptance, then show you where you belong.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.



Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Who Am I? - Kristi Buttles

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Writing again?” a familiar voice called to me as I sat in a coffee shop with my laptop.

“I’m working on it,” I replied with a smile.

“I admire that you have the discipline to write—that you’re a writer,” he said.

“I’ve never been published, so I don’t know if I can say I’m an official writer.”

“I think you are,” he said as he left.

His words should have encouraged me. Instead, they reminded me of what I am not. They reminded me of the rejections, unfinished projects, and finished projects collecting cyber dust in my computer. I felt inferior, inadequate, and discouraged.

Have you felt inferior as a Christian, despite someone’s encouragement? Perhaps they encouraged you in an area of life that God has worked in, but the only voice you heard was the one that reminded you of the failures?

“Look at you now!” they whisper. “Look what you used to be and look at you now.” Their whispers become shouts of discouragement.

The voice that cuts down and condemns is not from God. God is not a god of shame. He doesn’t say and do things that drive us from Him; rather, He wants to draw us near. The voice that disbelieves God, criticizes us, and reminds us of what we were before Christ was our Savior, is a liar. That voice is loud, strong, and stubborn. If we give it the slightest second thought, those cursing words multiply in our minds and consume us. Doubt clouds our vision, God, and our salvation.

Can I be called a writer even though I haven’t been published? I don’t know. Can I be called a child of God? Absolutely! Why so sure? Because who I am in Christ is not about what I’ve done, it’s about what Christ did for me…and you. It’s about His victory in me.

The next time you’re tempted to doubt who you are, recognize the enemy’s voice and give God’s Word a try.


Kristi Buttles is a freelance writer and photographer and has been published in the book Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust. She is an elementary school teacher and is involved in several ministries in her home church. She has written fiction, non-fiction, a Bible study, and a children’s book which she also illustrated, all of which she hopes to publish soon. She has also designed her own line of unique greeting cards that combine her love for words with her passion for photography.
Read Kristi's devotions.

God Has Our Back - Beth Fortune

"You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me." Psalm 139:7

I was stuck, paralyzed with fear. I had gone as far as I could while carrying a 30-pound backpack, walking on blistered feet, and fighting scratched arms and hands. But I had to move. I couldn’t stay.

Terrified, I looked at my options. Ahead of me, the side of a rock that I had to scale. Behind me, the grove of tree limbs and roots that hid the drop-off I knew was waiting below. The other hikers in the group were either ahead of me coaxing me upward, or behind me encouraging me onward. I was truly stuck and fear had its grip on me.

I have often thought of the terrifying time I experienced on the side of that mountain. Holding to the spindly seedling with my foot forced in the crack of a rock, I looked at the drop behind and the steep climb before me. I had no choice but to put my confidence in the other hikers. Since that experience I have learned that in life we may have mountains before us we must climb. Sometimes in the middle of the climb, we get stuck, paralyzed with fear. We’ve gone too far to turn back, but what lies ahead is more frightening. The fear and anguish can stop us short. But no peace can be found while hanging on the side of a mountain in total fear.

With help and encouragement, I managed the climb to the top. Since then I have endured a variety of “mountain” experiences, however, the peace that comes from knowing God is with me helps keep the fear away.

Next time you find yourself stuck on the side of a mountain paralyzed with fear, remember, God not only has your back, He has you completely hemmed in—He is behind you, and before you. And, if you rest in this fact and are very still, you may actually feel His hand as He lays it upon you.


Beth Fortune is from Simpsonville, SC and has a passion for God’s Word. Having served for over 15 years in different capacities of the ministry alongside her husband, she now uses her experiences to teach, lead, and encourage others in their walk with the Lord. She is a freelance writer who has written Bible studies, devotionals, and articles for church and school newsletters. Beth is a speaker for retreats and women’s groups and is actively involved in her church where she serves as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and leads a variety of Bible Studies. She and her husband are empty-nesting with 3 married children, 4 grandchildren and a daughter in college. Read Beth's devotions.

College Material – He Said

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:2

Listen to College Material

I was in the back of the car when he said it. We were coming home from my grandmother's, talking baseball as usual. I was eleven or so. Little League season was starting up and I hoped to make the All Star team. At some point during our discussion I happened to mention my playing in the Major Leagues.

In a casual way my dad said, "Son, you're a good catcher and will probably make the All Stars, again, but not the big leagues."

He didn't mean anything by it; was just making an observation. Maybe he was helping me to grow up. But until, that moment, it had never occurred to me that I wouldn't play in the Majors. Of course, I didn't.

The last semester of my senior year in high school I happened to mention that I was planning to go to college. My English teacher looked up from her desk. "You? You're not college material. Not yet, anyway."

"I'm going," I said. "Have to." (Major League baseball was out and I wasn't going to bag groceries all my life.)

"Well, if you're serious, I'll help you," she added. "But we have to start now."

We did. I passed Mrs. Pollard's English class with a C or maybe a D. She was right. I wasn't college material. My college application was rejected. But after meeting with an admissions officer and asking if they could find a spot for me, N.C. State invited me to enroll in their college of Industrial Arts. (It helped that I wore the State colors to my interview: A white shirt, red tie and a pair of red-and-white polyester pants my mom made). Again, Mrs. Pollard proved right. I flunked freshman English twice before passing with a D on the third try.

Words matter more than we think. Who we believe we are, we become. When Dad told me I wasn't Major League material, his words changed my perception of who I was. When Mrs. Pollard told me I wasn't ready for college, her words changed my perspective of where I was.

The world tells us we can't change, that we're beastly creatures, a more advanced version of the ape. But God says we're made in His image. The world says we're to let our passions rule, that our lustful cravings are natural, evolving and expected. But God calls us to a new birth, a renewing of our minds that transforms us into the likeness of our Father.

Four years after Mrs. Pollard told me I wasn't ready for college I graduated from N.C. State with a degree in English. Those who believe they can, can. Meditate on His Word. Be transformed. Discover God's good, pleasing and perfect plan for your future.

High Anxiety - She Said

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19

Listen to High Anxiety

"Eight dollars! That's it?" I asked the teller. "But there was plenty of money in the account this morning. What happened? I've not spent it!"

The teller shrugged. "What would you like me to do?

My stomach turned and my face grew warm. I wasn't sure what to do. I only knew the feelings of terror and panic that crept into my mind. This was a place God knew I hated. I'd spent seven years in under the darkness of loneliness and fear when I had nothing--scrapped to feed my boys. This spot, the place where survival kicked in, was a territory I didn't want to visit again...ever! Memories flooded back. Days when eight dollars was the equilivant of $8000.00. I pleaded that God would pull me out of poverty and place me into peace.

Fear squeezed the joy from me and replaced it with guilt and unworthiness. Until today, God had not let the ministry account dip into single digits. He knew my fear. So why today? Why test me today?

My anxiety dragged me to a place of faithlessness instead of faithfulness. The love and joy I'd found in this ministry suddenly dissipated. I was hurt, angry and a little disappointed God would put me in this situation again especially since this was HIS ministry. We were just the tools.

I starred at the last $300 in our savings account then instructed the teller to move it to checking. Walking out of the bank, l leaned against the wall and cried. With over $2000 in bills hovering over the ministry, the small $300 would be gone end-of-day.

God tests us--tries us even pushes occasionally to stretch beyond our immediate knowledge of Him. He invites us through hardships to explore His peace that passes understanding and to claim His promises of consolation, joy and the plan He has to prosper us not harm us. It's not easy and He brought me to my knees kicking and screaming.

"Just trust me," He whispered.

I crawled in the car and headed to the post office. Slipping my key into the box I looked up and cried, "God provide." Twisting the key, I opened the door, an envelope lay tilted to one side. A smile parted my lips and when I opened the letter, a sigh of relief came over me.

God promises when our anxiety is the greatest, trust it to Him, we'll receive consolation and joy. That day, I learned it wasn't about me but did I have a willing heart to learn, to stretch, to see a new side of Christ, and when I said yes, the elation of peace was immeasurable.

When anxiety overwhelms your heart seek the promises of His consolation and joy. There is peace in handing over the worry.

The envelope...contained a check for $300. God matched what we had and we paid the first bill.



Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.



Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Faith for Today - Jorlyn Grasser

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1 (KJV)

As Noah built an ark during drought times by following God’s instructions, Abraham raised a knife to destroy his only son in compliance with God’s direction, and Moses left the wilderness to lead the rebellious Israelites to their promised land…their faith is still evident today.

My friend, Tom, left a lucrative carpentry business to attend Bible College, working part time to provide for his wife and three small children. He knew God had directed him. Likewise, Nancy cared for her bedridden husband, meeting the needs of his deteriorating body. She trusted God, knowing this was His desire for her. In that same faith, Joan provided meals for elderly men and women, and researched resources to ease their stress. She knew this was God’s purpose for her life.

Choosing to live faith-filled lives, these individuals served where God placed them—each individual’s unique abilities developed by God, were used to meet the needs of others. These people served with love and humility.

God guides us as we follow Him. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus while walking on water, he sank. When we take our eyes off God, our faith weakens. Faith thrives on daily renewal.

All we possess comes from God. He is aware of our weaknesses, yet in spite of our failings, we are free to commit anew to obedience and faithful service.

Be faithful.


Jorlyn A. Grasser is a freelance writer living in Knightdale, North Carolina. She has been published in Secret Place, Horizons, Seek, Evangel and other publications. Read Jorlyn's devotions.

Lost in My Attic - Steve Badaracco

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, ‘I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.’" II Kings 22:8, NASB

At-tic ['at-ik] (n.): A place where time stands still.

In the summer of ’99, my kids and I explored an abandoned Victorian house along the back roads of Pennsylvania. Judging by the odds and ends strewn about, this structure had last housed a young family in the late 1950s. My favorite part was ascending a dilapidated staircase to the cavernous attic and finding a stack of ancient newspapers—including one with a prominent article about the return of space monkeys, Able and Baker (May 28, 1959). Being in the center of the stack, this newspaper was hardly yellowed after forty years!

2 Kings tells of Josiah, the most godly king since David and Solomon. He led Judah in a search for the purposes of God that they had lost under a clutter of sin and neglect.

As the priests, by royal command, set about cleaning and repairing the temple, they discovered the “Book of the Law”—God's revelation and covenant as recorded by Moses. The king was stunned to realize how much God had invested in His people, and how they, in turn, had walked away from His presence into a spiritual wilderness. He immediately launched the most ambitious plan of repentance and restoration that Judah would know under the Old Covenant.

What’s this got to do with me?

I’m often expecting God to toss me some salient new morsel of revelation or guidance. Instead, I should be probing the cobweb-covered corners of my attic. There I would find the lost purposes of God buried beneath the clutter of a thousand failed agendas and projects of my own.

But, the good news is that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. As soon as I set my heart to "stir up" what God has already placed in me, it will blossom into fulfillment as surely as it might have done long ago. Tragically, though, all those years lost in the attic cannot be recovered.

Is reconnecting with God your #1 New Year priority? Consider an exhaustive search in the attic of your heart. You may stumble upon the “lost” purposes of God—still fresh and un-yellowed after years of neglect.

Steve Badaracco is a freelance writer and speaker with a passion for personal revival and world missions.

He is a spokesman for the “Minutemen” movement—a grassroots effort calling Americans everywhere to 1 minute of daily prayer for revival. For information on how you can become a Minuteman, see http://www.ivanpanin.org/minutemen .

Steve lives in rural Cecil County, Maryland with his adorable wife, two younger daughters, and three cats. Read Steve's devotions.

Remission Not Regression - Pamela Klopfestein

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." Hebrews: 9:22 (KJV)

When my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, the day turned out worse than I could have imagined, especially when the doctor said, “I can give you chemotherapy. It will buy you some time, maybe six months.”

A few months later, the doctor told my grandfather he had gone into remission. A smile lit his face because he realized he was given more time with his family, even if it was only a few weeks.

I’ve been a nurse for nineteen years and have heard countless stories from patients who say, “I’m in remission.” But these same patients later tell me the cancer has returned, and the sorrow that plasters their faces, breaks me to tears.

One day I was meditating. “God? Why do the doctor’s say remission?”

I meditated on this for quite some time. Finally, I approached my pastor about what was troubling me. He said a better term would be “regression.” When Christ died for our sins, he put us into “remission” and cast our sin-germ into the sea to be remembered no more.

I thank God for the day he put me into remission when I believed in his son, Jesus, whom He sent. I no longer have to worry about regression. There are times I may slip up and not let my light shine, or even backslide, but I’ll always be in remission because I didn’t do the work. Christ did it for me. I’m just resting in what He did.

What makes me even more thankful is that one of these days I’m going to my eternal home where there will be no more sorrow, or heartache, or saying “goodbye” to our loved ones.

My prayer is that the next time you’re faced with difficulties in life, you may find the peace that only comes from above. Keep your heart fixed on heavenly things—where the roses shall never die, God’s river will never run dry, and children will play on the hills of freedom.

Pamela Klopfenstein is a freelance writer and has had articles published in magazines as well as online. She started writing shortly after the death of her four-year-old son, Jonathan, who was disabled. My Heart Will Forever Go On, can be purchased at amazon.com or any other online bookstore. Pam enjoys writing about God and true-to-life experiences. She is a nurse by profession, an adoptive parent, and resides in Ohio with her husband Kurt, and their four children, Jeremy, Matthew, “Da’oshia,” (adopted) and Dalaquan.

Read Pam's devotions.

Passing Grades - He Said

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 NIV

Listen to Passing Grades

George broke his ankle last Saturday. He went to get his neighbor's paper, slipped on the ice in the driveway, got up, took a few more steps and fell again, snapping a bone. George can be hardheaded. Kind hearted, but hardheaded.

My aunt broke her hip during the same snowstorm. When my mom called to give me the news, I thought she said my aunt "fell off a sled." I never think of my aunt as being old, even though she did need a hand crank to start her first car. Still, it seemed odd that my aunt, a grandmother of two on Medicare, would be out sledding in the snow. Turns out she fell off a "bed."

(Mom called on a cell phone which, as you know, is a portable electronic device used for taking pictures, sending pictures, surfing the web, playing video games, sending email, reading books, and listening to music. Occasionally people will also try to talk to other people with a cell phone, which my mom did, but I generally prefer that you write me a letter, since it's cheaper, faster and easier to understand.)

The same day George and my aunt fell, my friend, Cindy, fell-not in the snow, but to her knees. Here's a portion of the prayer she sent me.

"Lord, forgive me when I fail you. I pray so hard, but is it not enough? Is it wrong? Lord, I don't want to disappoint you, yet I know at times I do. So I pray that you will forgive me when I fail."

I wanted to push her down in the snow. "How can you fail God?" I asked. "He's God and we're just itty-bitty beings. We can fall, sure, but fail? Never."

If Christ is your teacher then failure is not a possibility, though we may feel that way because the "Accuser of the Brethren" stands ready to bring false charges against us. He wants to weaken our resolve and beat us down. The Father of Lies is our prosecutor, charging us with violations of God's law, demanding that we be punished.

But God's grace delivers not retribution, but redemption. How can you fail God when His Son has taken the test for you?

Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God and, thank God we do. Otherwise we might think we deserve the passing marks. But we don't. Christ does. And God bless Him, He never fails.

God Is Good, God Is Great, God Is Slow, But Never Late - He Said

"When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.' Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." - John 11:4-6 (NIV)

Listen to God Is Good, God Is Great, God Is Slow, But Never Late

"Back so soon?" my wife said.

"Was hungry. What's for dinner?"

"Did you drop the key off like I asked?"

I ripped open a bag of chips. "Put it under the pot, just like you said."

"And the prayer shawl?"

"Hung it on the latch. You started supper, yet?"

"Hold it. You hung what on the latch?"

"The prayer shawl."

"You took it out of the package? Why?"

"Package? Never saw any package. Just the white shawl on the passenger seat"

"That was my scarf! Don't tell me you gave Ernie my scarf!"

"Ok, I won't."

"How could you be so stupid?"

"Lots of practice," I said. "What's for supper?"

"Whatever you pick up for yourself on your way back from getting my scarf."

A few minutes later I delivered Ernie's prayer shawl and retrieved my wife's scarf, but the ordeal got me to thinking about how we should pray for those who are sick. After all, I'd mistakenly delivered the wrong stole. What if my prayers were wrong, too?

When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He delayed. Why, I don't know. Jesus loved Lazarus. Loved him so much that he wept at the news of his death. So why wait? Why let him die? Why let any of us die?

Christ took His time. His time. Perhaps that's the point of the passage. Our time is borrowed, a gift on loan from God. But it's never really ours.

"This sickness will not end in death," Christ said. But it did. And then it didn't. Lazarus rose, walked, and lived again.

What do we make of life when the dead don't stay dead? How do we relate to a God who seems to ignore our prayers? Where do we turn when we have no hope? Perhaps the answer lies in the knowledge that God good, great, and sometimes slow, but never late.

Not even when we think He is.

A Very Long Trip - Michelle Sherlin

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Eight and a half minutes and 3.2 miles round trip. That’s how far it is to our local Dunkin’ Donuts and how long I left my eleven and a half year-old home with her seven-year-old brother.

I set the trip counter on my dashboard just so I could tell you! My kids wanted donuts and my youngest didn't want to leave home, so my middle son and I went by ourselves. Believe me when I say it was a mental exercise, requiring me to chant over and over in my head from 2 Timothy, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I drove under the speed limit, very far to the right shoulder and warily passed every other driver on the way. I had to work hard and continuously to block thoughts out of my head that were unhealthy. Thoughts like, “if I die or get hurt on the way, no one will know my other two children are home alone.”

The negative thoughts that slip into my head are my biggest and most persistent enemy. How would the Lord prefer me to think? I know He prefers that I dwell in His presence and dwell on Him. In Him there is no fear. His scriptures say Perfect Love casts out fear. He is perfect love.

When I got home, all was well. Perplexed because all the shades were down when I returned, the kids told me the local Police Safety Officer had told them to lower all the shades when they were home alone. I guess that beats the only other time I left them alone for 5 minutes and they made my youngest hide behind the couch until I got back.

God doesn’t want us to be afraid. He wants us to trust that He is all sufficient. Even when it’s hard to release the worry into His care, that’s what He desires for us.

Lord, thank you for giving us a sound mind. Please help me to remember that you have not given me a spirit of fear. May I live today in the fullness of your joy and your peace. Amen.


Michelle is a Registered Nurse and Educator developing health career awareness programs and conducting workshops and conferences for high school students. She is a writer and speaker and is a leader in the women’s ministry at her church where she serves as the missions liaison. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and three young children.

Read Michelle's devotions.

Take a Chance… Advance! - He Said

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!" - Ephesians 5:11-16 (The Message)

Listen to Take a Chance… Advance!

When did "work" become a four-letter word? When did God's first command become a burden? Perhaps it began when we exchanged God's gift of enjoyment through employment for the fleeting security of career entitlement. As the resource officer waits for us to clear out our desk, we cry, "You can't do this to me! I've been here since…" Work was meant for more than provision, position and posturing. When we labor "heartily as unto the Lord," it becomes an act of worship.

I'm writing from the mountains today. We're preparing for our second Writer's Advance Event. I've attended other writer's retreats, but the idea of giving ground and falling back doesn't fit our calling. So, over the next few days, we'll discuss, prepare and advance toward the next big thing God has planned. There's snow on the ground, ice on the parking lot and fire in our bones.

How about you? Are you burned-out instead of on fire for a cause, craft or ministry? Do you fear you've missed your chance to "make" a difference? Don't worry. Our God is the Lord of second and third chances. His eyes roam the earth seeking those who will open the door when He knocks. Will you respond to his banging?

Here are four tips for how you can "make the most of every chance you get."

Find a problem and fix it. Opportunities are often disguised as problems. These challenges force us to explore other options, examine the resources we have, and push on. When faced with a dead end, listen for God to say, "This way." A closed door is only a dead end when you don't follow the detour signs.

Move with urgency. Open doors do not remain open forever. New opportunities are time-sensitive. Ground floors become foundations for tall buildings, so seize the moment. Don't wait, ponder, pray and procrastinate. By the time you act, it may be too late. If the chance to do something different, untried and frightening excites you, then step through the open door.

Expect resistance. Often we mistake hardships for God's disapproval when, in fact, the rocks, weeds and ruts are just confirmation that we're plowing new territory. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, "A great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries." The fastest point of sail is when the wind is against and slightly ahead of the boat, not blowing from behind. The gusts buffeting your cheeks could be God's breath cooling you down and keeping you refreshed.

Face down your fears. Don't let your fear of the unknown stop you from doing the thing that excites you. Wake up. Climb out. Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. Christ will show you the light.

These are desperate times. The world needs pioneers who are willing to put aside the slothful acts of darkness and step boldly into the future. Today, if you feel God calling you to a new challenge, don't hesitate. Advance!

Landslide - Sue Payne

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

Landslides occur when the stability of a slope changes from a stable to an unstable condition. Like the geographical phenomenon that causes the onslaught of dangerous debris and devastation, is the “landslide” of the heart and soul. Something unexpected happens which triggers drastic change, causing faith to falter. Concentration is drawn away from the Solid Rock of Christ and focused instead on the challenges that careen down like out of control boulders.

The barrage of challenges that have recently bombarded us, stole our peace, interrupted our sleep, and broke our hearts. Like a genuine landslide, it started with several large “boulders.” We immediately went to the Lord for help. Thinking we were standing firm and handling things well, we began leaning on our own understanding. This, of course, caused smaller portions of the slope we were scaling to come loose. The smaller debris complicated our dealings with the larger boulders and we found ourselves focusing on where the next deluge of destruction might come from. Each time, it seemed, we sought strength from the Lord and obtained His peace, another piece of our lives would break apart. The muddy slopes, sown in frustration and tears, only added to the dangerous terrain we tried so desperately to scale.

We hung on to each other, never letting go. We never stopped praying and searching His Word for guidance and help. When neither of us remained standing, God graciously provided mercy to rescue us. The slippery slopes eventually reaped joy as the helping hands of friends and family offered support and love. Listening ears and wise counsel stabilized our broken life. Sharing the burdens with others and eventually letting them fall at the Lord’s feet served to free us from our fear of disaster.

The challenges and complications have not changed. In fact, some of them have worsened. What has changed is our outlook and the condition of our hearts and souls. Our “landslide” cleared away burdens that were hindering us from seeking God’s will.

What’s “rocking” your world? Know that God is working in ways we may not understand, making a way for His glory to be shown in us. Challenges face us all, but they shrink in comparison to the Rock we stand on.

Prayer: Lord, help me to persevere through challenges, building character and hope in me, so that you may be glorified.

Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.
Read Sue's devotions.

Take Heart - Donna Rhodes

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7 NIV

I am not artistic so, when my sixteen-year-old granddaughter and I passed a “Paint It Yourself” pottery store, I noticed a sign. It stated “No Experience Needed to Create a Masterpiece.” I thought it would be something even I could do, and my granddaughter agreed.

Once inside, I chose a large coffee mug for my husband, and she also selected a mug, a gift for her dad’s birthday. A clerk showed us the stencils, stamps, and sponges we would need to paint our pieces. Our artful experience began. I lettered my mug “Coffee with My Girls” in honor of our new puppy. She sits with my husband and me each day as we enjoy our morning brew. I dipped a dog-shaped sponge into copper brown paint, the color of our puppy. I pressed the sponge to the mug and was left with a paint blob.

“What will I do now?” I asked my granddaughter. “I’ve already ruined it.”

“No you haven’t Grandma,” she replied. “Keep working on it; you can’t ruin it, its art!”

Encouraged, I found a sponge, larger than the dog image, and realized I could use it to go over the mess I’d made. I covered my mistake with a beautiful heart shape. My ugly mug soon became a winsome work of art.

Working with my hands set my mind in motion as well. How many times had God covered up my messes with His heart filled with love and compassion?

Perhaps we are all works of art in the making. God never sees us as mistakes. When we come to Him with repentance on our hearts, He meticulously wipes away the marks. God is bigger than our mistakes and He is more than willing to cover us with His love.

Donna Rhodes is a public speaker with a passion for telling people what God has done in her life, including delivering her from a cult. She is a Certified Christian Life Coach and has written for her local newspaper. She has produced material for Bible Studies and has been on staff mentoring women with Florence Littauer’s C.L.A.S.S (Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Services).
Read Donna's devotions.

From Pit to Prominence – He Said

"So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there." Genesis 39:22

Listen to From Pit to Prominence

In his thirties he led an e-business technology team from a start-up company to its public stock offering. They went big, made a splash in the press and then went looking for a new and younger manager.

Suddenly retired, he helped found a new business. The job took him to Asia where he met with top executives in the semi-conductor industry. Modeling the successful strategy of his previous job, he positioned the firm to go public. But days before their announcement, the global economy burped; investors pulled back, the firm floundered. For two years he watched as one angel investor after another waltzed by his office, but none came bearing good news and gifts. The firm folded.

In order to pay the bills, he began restoring homes, adding decks, and refinishing rooms. Of course, business thrived. He hired additional help, rebuilt his savings and discovered he enjoyed working with his hands, going to bed tired and waking up in better shape than the day before. He dropped pounds, added muscle, plus a few more clients. Over coffee one morning, a customer commented on his leadership skills. "Would you like to have a job with an office, benefits and stock options?" his friend asked.

"Only if it presents a challenge."

Soon his unit led the company in growth, profits and efficiency. He was tapped to head a new division. The promotion would double his salary and vastly increase his responsibility. Then, on the eve of the announcement, he was fired. He learned later his knowledge, experience and wisdom had posed a threat to the owner. But none of that mattered on his drive home from work. With his wife recently retired, a new set of grand babies due and a suspicious mass on his spine, life's circumstances dumped him in the pit, again.

Joseph suffered betrayal, mistreatment and misfortune, too. Told by God that he would become a grand leader, Joseph struggled with the mantle of greatness. "Listen to the dream I had," said Joseph. "I had another dream… No one is greater in this house than I am…When all goes well with you, remember me… show me kindness… mention me… I have done nothing to deserve being put in a pit." His arrogant attitude bred jealousy and resentment, leading others to forget and forsake him.

God has made each of us responsible for someone and some thing. Whether we're serving time in prison, serving soup to the homeless, or serving on the board of a fortune 500 company, our attitude toward others reflects our heart for God.

When my friend arrived home that final evening, he hugged his wife, held her hand and prayed for God to see them through the crisis-just as they'd done in times past. I have no doubt he'll rise, again, from pit to prominence. That's what men of God do.

If you feel imprisoned, don't despair. God's promises, power and protection will set you free if you will trust, work and wait upon Him.

Master Plans - Sauni Rinehart

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

I have redecorating on the brain, and I have great plans to complete some projects. I plan to tile our master bathroom, build bookshelves for my home office, lay hardwood in our family room—well, at least I plan to have others do these things.

My plans are great. These rooms will be beautiful when they’re done. My master bath will finally have a personality (builder grade lighting and fixtures are rather bland). My family room carpet, with its wear and tear from two sweet, but large Labrador Retrievers, will make way for warm wood tones. My home office will lose its particleboard, garage sale shelves for those that actually match my desk. Oh, it will be beautiful.

There’s only one problem . . . my plans are just on paper. There’s no way they’ll be completed until I actually do something about them.

Have you ever felt that way? That you’re just a plan on paper? That you’re somehow unfinished? That you’re worn carpet when you want to be wood?

I have. I look back over my life and the plans I’ve made. Things I thought I wanted and didn’t get. Things I didn’t want, but got anyway.

And I realize I’m far from complete. I’m not what I thought I’d be, but guess what? I’m what God planned I’d be. And what’s even better, I’m, as the apostle Paul said, a work in progress. I’m being perfectly completed by the Master Planner, the Master Designer. God has not only written the plans, He’s working the plans!

Isn’t that amazing? Every circumstance, every season of my life is being used by God to refine me, to grow me, to complete me. And one day, I’ll stand before Him, and I will be a finished work, a completed plan.

And you will too.

Sauni Rinehart is a speaker, vocalist, and writer through Triple-E Ministries (www.saunirinehart.com) or visit her blog at http://saunirinehart.blogspot.com. She is also involved in worship arts and women's ministries at her home church. She and her husband make their home in Eastvale, California.
Read Sauni's devotions.

God's Home! - Linda Rondeau

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which mans, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22 – 23 NIV

The pastor made a habit to go to his church study in the early evening during the winter months. The four-year-old who lived across the street watched the light come on each night at six o’clock. Each evening he remarked to his mother, “God’s home.”

This time of year, I look forward to the decorations. In the evenings, I turn off all the house lights and bask in the golden glow of our Christmas tree before we take them down and store them away for another year.

I wonder how the shepherds must have felt when the night sky was filled with splendor and angelic beings heralded the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. “You will find him in a manger,” they said. They never questioned the heavenly visitors, but I imagine some were curious as to why God’s son was born in a humble stable.

“God’s home,” they said. “Let’s go and see what has happened.” They found the baby just as the angel described.

I wonder how the astronomers of the East must have felt when a brilliant star muted all the others and fixed itself over a small humble village. So curious was the event, they traveled many months to find the reason. “God’s home,” they said, “and we will find him where the star hovers.” So they left to follow the light.

I wonder, as a believer, whether anyone looking at my life would say, “God’s home.” Would anything they see in me be worth imitating? Would they see a reflection of the One who sent that star? Start the new year out by striving to be Christ-like. It’s not easy but we have the assurance that when we need help…”God’s home.” Let His light shine through you this year.

Linda Rondeau is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, dramatist, and sometimes speaker. A twenty-five year veteran of human services, she resides in Northern New York with her husband of thirty-two years. Writing credits include Christian Fiction On-line, Adams Media anthologies, Focus on the Family, and Kid’s Ark Magazine. She contributes a spiritual life issues column for her local newspaper, This Daily Grind. More of her writings can be viewed on her website: www.lindarondeau.com. Write to her at lrondeau@westelcom.

I Forgot - She Said

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:2-5

Listen to I Forgot - She Said

My son stood, hands clasping his cheeks, mouth open. He’d forgotten again. The kid was notorious for leaving something at home. One day it was homework, the next a book—always something.

We’d just pulled up to the front of the school when he realized he’d left his saxophone at home. He climbed out of the car and headed up the sidewalk, expecting me to run back home and bail him out… again. But no more. He’d forgotten for the last time. It was time he learned to remember the benefits of keeping up with things.

I forget a lot, too. I don’t mean to, but I do. I forget the discernment God gives me when there are important decisions looming. I forget to say thanks for a friend who’s health has been restored. I forget that I wouldn’t be where I am today if God hadn’t bailed me out of a bad marriage or helped me deal with my son’s disability. I forget, too.

But God never forgets.

He remembers what is important and forgets the sins we confess. He wipes away the memory of my mistakes and loves me anyway. I don’t deserve it, but He does. He’s just that way.
I didn’t go back to the house and my son received a failing grade because of his forgetfulness. But eventually he did learn the importance of remembering.

So have I. These days I don’t just pray, I write my prayers because it prevents me from forgetting the benefits of His faithfulness and how immense His forgiveness is. It reminds me to praise Him continually for the vastness of His love.

It’s never too early to forgive others and never too late to remember his goodness. When you start your day…remember his promises of protection. When the clock strikes noon…remember his promises of provision. When you crawl into bed… remember his promises of love.

And when you think of that person who’s disappointed, offended or hurt you, forget it. As His children, we have more important things to remember.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and co-founders of ChristianDevotions.us. They co-write the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host BlogtalkRadio's Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Marianne Jordan.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio! (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust - A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9822065-4-6
Price: $9.95

Human Nature Verses Holy Nature - Kristi Buttles

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14


“Not again!” I huffed. This particular professional office had grossly failed in their customer service regarding an important matter. My anger grew fiery hot over this repetitive issue. As I left my home to meet with them, my favorite worship music played in my car. However, worship was not what I felt like doing at the moment.

I pulled into the parking lot and contemplated what I would say and how I would say it. This office is to blame and I have the right to better customer service. I have the right to be furious. I have the right to throw a fit! However, as daughter of the Most High King, I have the responsibility not to.

A war waged in my soul. Who would I be when I walked through their office door — a ticked off client or a person who purposely decided to work toward a quick and peaceful resolution? The Holy Spirit prompted me, “If the person you talk with today visits your church this Sunday for the first time, attends your Bible study, or hears your testimony, could you interact with him or her at that time in a way that is consistent with your behavior right now? Or, will a double-standard attitude compromise Christ’s integrity and yours as well?”

Those words penetrated my heart. The last thing I wanted to be was a hypocrite, causing someone else to stumble. As I walked into the office, I prayed God would be in control of my words and actions so I could represent Him in an honorable way. The meeting was productive. I was able to express myself in a way that was factual, but without the unnecessary drama. As it turned out, submitting my attitude to God was my act of worship.

We live in a fallen world. We will endure unpleasant experiences. It’s how we handle them as God’s children that make the difference. Be it professional or personal interactions with others, our words and actions are a direct reflection of our relationship with God, and consistency is key to our witness. Will we represent our human nature or God’s holy nature? It is our choice.

Who do you want to glorify in your life? Will you serve God or yourself with your words and actions today?

Kristi Buttles is a freelance writer and photographer and is involved in several ministries in her home church. She has written fiction, non-fiction, a Bible study, and a children’s book which she also illustrated; all of which she hopes to soon publish. She has also designed her own line of unique greeting cards that combine her love for words and her passion for photography.

Lost - Sherry Bridges

“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:24

“Mommy! Daddy! Where’d they go?” I said in a frantic whisper.

I whirled around in my black patent leather shoes, looking up at all the people rushing past me. I didn’t know any of them. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I sponged them with the sleeve of my green Sunday dress. I was lost at a Billy Graham Crusade.

This was uncharacteristic of my eleven years as the older sister of four brothers. I prided myself on staying out of trouble, unlike my siblings. My parents held my brothers’ hands as we weaved our way through the crowd. Crew members distracted me with their sound check and, in a flash, my parents had vanished.

A kind usher knelt down and gave me his handkerchief. He said an announcement could be made, letting my parents know where to find me. The stranger had no idea my fretful eyes were more about my father’s anger than for being lost.

“Sherry?” One of our church members saw me with the usher. “Where’s your mom and dad?”

“I don’t know. I lost them.”

“Come on. I’ll help you find them.” Mr. Owens grabbed my hand and we proceeded down the aisle just as my father was coming up the aisle. I wanted to run and leap into his arms, but feared his reaction. Dad’s relieved smile was the cue I needed to run towards him.

Have you ever lost your way? Several times since the tender age of eleven, I’ve lost mine. The prodigal son messed up so badly, he didn’t feel worthy to be his father’s son anymore. The only reason he came home was to beg for a servant’s position in his father’s household.

What a surprise he received—a welcome home treatment fit for royalty. Our heavenly Father waits with open arms for us to find our way home. Nothing is sweeter than knowing God’s love is unconditional. Repent, reconnect, relax, and know the King of Kings is celebrating your return.

Sherry Bridges is a freelance writer with a passion for teens whose parents have suffered a divorce. She is surprised and completely humbled that God wants to use her as a voice of encouragement for this audience. She is writing her first novel, Summer Hill, and is excited to see where God takes her on this journey. She lives in Greenville, SC close to her two awesome daughters and is involved at Washington Avenue Church, where her brother is the senior pastor.