Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way.

Part of me wanted desperately to be at the writers conference, but another part of me wanted to flee. Adrenaline set every nerve ending on fire. Fear of getting lost on campus or literally trembling in front of someone plagued me. How could I manage a week of meeting with editors and a full schedule of classes while struggling with panic attacks? I felt exhausted before the conference began. I begged God to equip me for the task ahead and I stepped forward in faith that He would help me.

God knows when our spirit grows faint. He sees where we are and is always faithful to minister to our need. He may do it through scriptures, a story of victory, or someone’s prayer of encouragement for us. At the times when God seems absent, things can look very dark and frightening. That’s when the truth of His Word saves us from despair. He is the lifter of our heads. He is our constant companion and comforter.

All of us battle something. It could be illness, job loss, or strife in our family. Whatever it may be, realize you don’t have to remain faint and discouraged. Cry out to God; tell Him about your heartaches and questions. Read the Word and plug into its power. Ask others to pray for you.

God provided for me at the conference. Each day I was given the strength and grace necessary to do what lay before me. Over and over through keynote speeches or personal conversations, I would discover others were dealing with hard, often similar problems. They understood my struggle and could empathize with my pain. They shared with me how God was helping them overcome their trials day by day.

Are you weary today? Will you reach out to God and let Him renew you? If so, you may discover the Lord is already at work using His power and the comfort of others to strengthen you. Please don’t give up. Give thanks, instead.

Joy Miller lives in Central Virginia. She is passionate about volunteering at her local crisis pregnancy center. One of her greatest pleasures comes from encouraging others, both at the center and through writing devotionals and sending notes to loved ones. Having worked at one time at a home improvement store, Joy now has her own interior decorating consulting business. Fun times are spent with friends, her precious niece and nephew, and her beloved golden retriever.
Read Joy’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

In Defense of Satan

In Defense of Satan – He Said

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you! - Jude 1:9

Listen to In Defense of Satan – He Said

“I have no special regard for Satan,” Mark Twain said. “But I can at least claim that I have no prejudice against him. It may even be that I lean a little his way, on account of his not having a fair show. All religions issue bibles against him, and say the most injurious things about him, but we never hear his side. Of course Satan has some kind of case, it goes without saying. It may be a poor one, but that is nothing. That can be said of any of us.”

***

Satan is deceitful; I’ll give you that. But is he the source of all our setbacks and sorrows? Does he spread cancer, crash computers, or cause strife within families and congregations? Or could it be we give him more credit than he is due?

This week I heard Satan blamed for a toothache, faulty software, rudeness, high gas prices, the poor housing market, snow, rain, heat, and rap music. Too often when problems arise in the midst of what we “know” to be God’s will, we blame Satan.

For example, the other day a friend counseled me: “Stand firm. Satan is trying to tick you off and make you say something you don’t mean.” Perhaps. Or maybe God is teaching me patience and training me to hold my tongue?

Here’s another: “Satan is trying to drive a wedge between us.” Maybe. Or else God is growing me in the area of forgiveness.

Another friend wrote to say: “Satan has attacked us in our physical lives.” He certainly did with Job. But we also know that God allows affliction to draw us to Him. Would it be wrong of God to allow us to scrape our knee so that we might crawl into His lap for comfort?

When the archangel Michael got into a tussle with Satan he kept his thoughts to himself. Perhaps Michael knew what we tend to forget; that Satan is God’s creation too. If those who stand in the presence of God dare not speak against the devil, who are we to blindly judge?

Maybe if we didn’t mention Satan’s name so often, others would view us as victors in Christ, not wimpy warriors struggling to lace up our boots.

Just a thought.

Words

Step to the Side – She Said

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9

Listen to Step to the Side – She Said

Joseph didn’t have a chance. There was no pleasing his associates in the firm. Their habit was to browbeat one another; throw insults and lies. What Joseph saw was a firm falling apart from partners who blamed everyone else for their mishaps.

“It’s all your fault. The company isn’t moving ahead because of you. You’re a detriment to the firm.”

Joseph felt sick. He knew he’d worked hard in the firm, studying, bringing cases before hard judges and winning them but when his associates accused him of being a detriment, he shook his head and walked away.

I’m a peacemaker (and not the one that wears black leather jackets). I’ve never handled conflict well and it’s me who falls in the rubble of those whose opinion weighs heavier. Oh, I state my opinion, make suggestions, but if I’m attacked from the opposition, I tend to walk away. There have been times I’ve felt anger boil beneath the surface as others have hurled insults and hurtful insinuations. My thoughts are, this isn’t my battle, it’s God’s. He knows if I’m right or wrong and in Him I find the protection I need to withstand the attacks.

Even Michael the archangel understood the battle was God’s. He could have let loose with lightening fast accusations against Satan and probably have been in the right, but he didn’t. He stepped to the side and said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

It’s hard for us to walk away from a fight. Our nature leads us to defend our honor regardless of whether we’re right or wrong. I walked away from the hardest battle in my life and chose to say nothing while others made their own decisions about the situation. Folks waited for me to retaliate, but I didn’t. It wasn’t my battle.

There’s something to be said about the archangel’s example in his war of words with Satan. He showed us that even though he may have had just cause, it was God’s place to rebuke.

Walking away from the battle I faced was the best decision I’ve ever made. Think about your battles and your words then step to the side and let God take control.

Read Cindy’s devotions

Join us for HE SAID, SHE SAID RADIO MONDAY NIGHTs as we delve deeper into the meaning of God’s word and apply it to our own lives. (Call in number, 646-929-0706 )

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children, and God?

Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today’s funniest and insightful Christian authors. This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.

Print version  $9.95 |  Kindle eBook  $2.99  

In Defense of Satan

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you! - Jude 1:9

Listen to In Defense of Satan – He Said

“I have no special regard for Satan,” Mark Twain said. “But I can at least claim that I have no prejudice against him. It may even be that I lean a little his way, on account of his not having a fair show. All religions issue bibles against him, and say the most injurious things about him, but we never hear his side. Of course Satan has some kind of case, it goes without saying. It may be a poor one, but that is nothing. That can be said of any of us.”

***

Satan is deceitful; I’ll give you that. But is he the source of all our setbacks and sorrows? Does he spread cancer, crash computers, or cause strife within families and congregations? Or could it be we give him more credit than he is due?

This week I heard Satan blamed for a toothache, faulty software, rudeness, high gas prices, the poor housing market, snow, rain, heat, and rap music. Too often when problems arise in the midst of what we “know” to be God’s will, we blame Satan.

For example, the other day a friend counseled me: “Stand firm. Satan is trying to tick you off and make you say something you don’t mean.” Perhaps. Or maybe God is teaching me patience and training me to hold my tongue?

Here’s another: “Satan is trying to drive a wedge between us.” Maybe. Or else God is growing me in the area of forgiveness.

Another friend wrote to say: “Satan has attacked us in our physical lives.” He certainly did with Job. But we also know that God allows affliction to draw us to Him. Would it be wrong of God to allow us to scrape our knee so that we might crawl into His lap for comfort?

When the archangel Michael got into a tussle with Satan he kept his thoughts to himself. Perhaps Michael knew what we tend to forget; that Satan is God’s creation too. If those who stand in the presence of God dare not speak against the devil, who are we to blindly judge?

Maybe if we didn’t mention Satan’s name so often, others would view us as victors in Christ, not wimpy warriors struggling to lace up our boots.

Just a thought.

Words

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9

Listen to Step to the Side – She Said

Joseph didn’t have a chance. There was no pleasing his associates in the firm. Their habit was to browbeat one another; throw insults and lies. What Joseph saw was a firm falling apart from partners who blamed everyone else for their mishaps.

“It’s all your fault. The company isn’t moving ahead because of you. You’re a detriment to the firm.”

Joseph felt sick. He knew he’d worked hard in the firm, studying, bringing cases before hard judges and winning them but when his associates accused him of being a detriment, he shook his head and walked away.

I’m a peacemaker (and not the one that wears black leather jackets). I’ve never handled conflict well and it’s me who falls in the rubble of those whose opinion weighs heavier. Oh, I state my opinion, make suggestions, but if I’m attacked from the opposition, I tend to walk away. There have been times I’ve felt anger boil beneath the surface as others have hurled insults and hurtful insinuations. My thoughts are, this isn’t my battle, it’s God’s. He knows if I’m right or wrong and in Him I find the protection I need to withstand the attacks.

Even Michael the archangel understood the battle was God’s. He could have let loose with lightening fast accusations against Satan and probably have been in the right, but he didn’t. He stepped to the side and said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

It’s hard for us to walk away from a fight. Our nature leads us to defend our honor regardless of whether we’re right or wrong. I walked away from the hardest battle in my life and chose to say nothing while others made their own decisions about the situation. Folks waited for me to retaliate, but I didn’t. It wasn’t my battle.

There’s something to be said about the archangel’s example in his war of words with Satan. He showed us that even though he may have had just cause, it was God’s place to rebuke.

Walking away from the battle I faced was the best decision I’ve ever made. Think about your battles and your words then step to the side and let God take control.

Read Cindy’s devotions

HE SAID, SHE SAID RADIO IS MOVING TO MONDAY NIGHT…Join us as we delve deeper into the meaning of God’s word and apply it to our own lives.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us. They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! along with Scott McCausey. And now you can catch them on He Said, She Said Radio. at their new time, MONDAY’S at 6 p.m. (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ).

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children, and God?

Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today’s funniest and insightful Christian authors. This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

In the early 1950s, Vacation Bible School (VBS) ladies welcomed my two brothers and me for three summers even though we were dirty, smelly, and uncivilized.

 Vacation Bible School teachers are impackful people. They touch lives long after a week of cookies, Kool-Aid, and felt-board gospel stories. Their kindness was something to behold. The snacks were real foods that we didn’t have to steal to fill our empty bellies for the day. But the Bible stories they told filled our souls for eternity.

These ladies never knew the life-long effect they had on me. Their willingness to teach in VBS introduced me to our Beloved, Jesus Christ. Their example of acceptance has been at the core of my being ever since. I continue to try and pass loving acceptance on to this day; some days with success and other days not.

Even though I didn’t know how to hold a fork or speak properly when I was seven years old, these women of faith showed me hospitality with a welcome hug and kind words. They were Christ’s servants setting me on a journey from a beggar to a teacher. Today, I teach fine dining etiquette and communication skills. Only God’s plan and fulfillment can make such extreme changes in a life.

This year when the role call for VBS volunteers is called, my hope and prayer is that many will be willing to serve. The ones answering the call will be today’s impackful people. They will be touching our future generations with food, acceptance, and the gospel story.

I may not have said “thank you” to the ladies at VBS who lifted my brothers and me up, but the Lord will not forget to say “well done good and faithful servant” to each one of them.

Carolyn K. Knefely is an inspirational speaker, a certified etiquette consultant, and professional development trainer. As a people polisher and co-director of Christian Communicators, she educates, validates, and launches women in their speaking ministries through conferences, retreats, and workshops. Her passions and experiences include equipping students in how to successfully transition from high school to college with ease; taking college students from backpack to briefcase with polish, poise and professional leadership skills; and showing women and teens how to use a teacup as an outreach tool through simple hospitality. Her speaking engagements are entertaining, interactive, and loaded with fun. Carolyn and her husband live in South Carolina to be near their daughter and her family.
Read Carolyn’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

I was out of work.

I’d been employed at the hospital for about four months and enjoyed my duties. One day I went to work only to learn the hospital had closed the hospice and contracted its services with another agency.

Now what God? I thought. How am I going to live without an income? I looked for work, but to no avail. I prayed for months, asking God to direct me to other work, but found nothing. Still, I never went without food, electricity, or heat.

God’s provision came in some of the most unpredictable ways. I received a windfall owed to me that I’d long since forgotten about. One day I picked up my mail and found an envelope with $40 cash. Whoever sent it clearly didn’t want to be recognized or thanked, as there was no return address and they’d sent it to “eLen anDerson,” and printed it as a four-year-old would.

To this day, I don’t know who it was, but I’m grateful God used them to provide for me. God proved quickly that I was to trust in Him, not in the world.

After several months, I landed a job with a temporary agency. Though it only provided intermittent work, it was enough to sustain me until I found permanent work a year later.

Through this, God showed me He knows what we need, when we need it, and He will provide, even when we can’t see how. Despite the circumstances, God is in control and has a plan to accomplish what He wants to do in our lives.

If you’re wondering how to get through a seemingly impossible situation, turn to God and ask Him to show you. He will meet your needs in His time, and according to His plan. You can trust everything to God.

Ellen Andersen is a member of the Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writers in Greenville, SC. She serves as a Stephen Minister at her church and is involved in a women’s Bible study. She is working on a memoir detailing how God used unforeseen circumstances in her life to change her focus and make her more dependent on Him.
Read Ellen’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

(Click here to listen to our live streaming show!)

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesdays.

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! is an outreach of Christian Devotions Ministry. Each week host, Scott McCausey, interviews Christian leaders, sports figures, authors, pastors, agents, missionaries and media personalities who are making a difference in the kingdom of God. Scott keeps Christian Devotions Speak UP! on top of and in touch with current issues that Christians face daily, making the show not only enjoyable but informative. If you’re interested in becoming a guest on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! contact Scott.

Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367. Tuesday evenings, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Click on any of the show links.  A new browser window will open providing more information on that week’s show.

Coming to Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

February 7 – John Snyder, Author
February 14 – Jennifer Sands, Author and Speaker
February 21 – Ken Ham, Author and Creator of Creation Museum &
Britt Beamer, Author
February 28 – David Moore, Author 

Listen to archived shows of Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!