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God’s Marvelous Sunset – Judith Riddle
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My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. Malachi 1:11

I needed to relax. With my hectic schedule at work, caring for my family, and fighting debilitating exhaustion at the end of the day, I was beat. So I decided to wind down each evening with a stroll around my neighborhood, camera in hand.

Last summer, I revisited my long lost hobby of photography. It had been nearly 25 years since I’d held a 35-mm camera in my hands. When I took the camera in hand, God opened my eyes to the beauty of the trees, flowers, landscapes — and the sunset. I’d never taken pictures of the sunset before, much less thought about zooming in on the intricate details of flowers and trees. God directed my attention away from my troubles through that small viewfinder and tiny lens. I saw the greatness and majesty of God.

I focused on Him as I walked through my neighborhood snapping away. The more I honed in on the wonders of the world through the camera lens, the more my stress disappeared—energy and strength returned.

Each picture I snapped brought me to a deeper realization. Imagine what would happen if I focused on Christ at the end of a busy, trying day. Not necessarily taking photos, but simply focusing on God and listening to a favorite worship song, meditating on a Bible verse, or praying with a friend.

God promises that all things work to the good when we love Him. He knows His plan includes the necessary tools we need to manage the stress of the world and He waits patiently for me to just look through His lens and see the beauty in which I can find rest. Rest in him.

Whatever directs our attention to the Lord is all that matters. When we focus on Him, He speaks to us when we least expect it and promises to give us signs of His glory.

Take time to focus on the One who offers you rest.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may you help us direct our thoughts toward you in the morning and at the end of the day so our strength will be renewed. Amen!

Judith Riddle is a Christian devotional and feature writer, editor, and author. She writes devotions for christiandevotions.us and has been published in For Better, For Worse: Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, and Anointed Magazine. She enjoys leading Bible studies, photography, crockpot cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son.

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Cross in the Sky – Judith Riddle
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Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge? Job 37:16

I wiped away my tears following a misunderstanding with my husband, I called my best friend for prayer and encouragement. She asked the Lord to give me strength, fill my home with peace, soften my husband’s heart as well as my own, and protect my marriage. Then my friend asked the Lord to please give me a sign to let me know He was there.

The next morning, I hopped in my car and headed to work. The sun was beautiful and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Halfway to my office, I happened to look up at the sky and saw two giant, thinly-shaped clouds in the image of the cross.

“Oh my gosh,” I gasped. My eyes widened and my heart sank. I couldn’t believe my eyes. As I looked at the cross, looked at the road, the cross, and the road again, I noticed how it seemed to follow me all the way to my office. A minute or two before I pulled into the parking lot, the clouds began to break up. I was astounded.

This was definitely the sign from God my friend had prayed for the night before. It was unmistakable. The Lord let me know He was well aware of my pain and He was close by.

Never believe for one minute that God isn’t with you in the dark times. Ask Him to give you encouragement or a sign of His presence, and He will give it to you because He loves you and has compassion on you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your power and presence in our lives when we need you most and for letting us know that you are near.

Judith Riddle is a Christian devotional and feature writer, editor and author. She enjoys leading Bible studies, cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son. Read Judith’s devotions
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Out of the Mouths of Babes – Judith Riddle
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Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12, NIV

When I began to teach my two-year-old son about Jesus through the pages of Bible storybooks, I had no idea how great an impact the Holy Spirit would make in his young life.

Shortly after Miles turned eight, I began to ask the Lord to give him a hunger and thirst for His Word, to speak to him as He did so often to the prophet Samuel, King Josiah, and King David.

After five months of prayer, the Lord answered.

One Sunday, Miles said with tear-filled eyes, “Mommy, God wants me to go to the front of the church and tell everyone that ‘just as football coaches tell players what positions to play and what to do, God is our coach, and He tells us what to do.’ ”

“Really,” I whispered. “Are you sure?”

Miles was quite taken with the former Cleveland Browns football player Ricky Bolden, who was visiting our church that morning. As I look back, I realize God used Miles’s fondness for Mr. Bolden to proclaim a message to His church.

“I’m scared,” Miles said.

“Don’t be afraid,” I replied. “It’s always best to obey God. Just tell the Pastor exactly what you told me after praise and worship.”

Afterward, our Pastor announced, “Miles has a message for us he wants to share. He’s afraid to face the congregation, so he’s going to sit next to Ricky Bolden and speak through the microphone.”

As Miles spoke, my heart pounded. Tears filled my eyes. After he walked back to his seat, I hugged him and kissed his forehead. “Do you know that you just served as a wonderful example to everyone in your speech and faith — just like the apostle Timothy?”

Miles nodded and smiled.

As you pray for your children, have confidence in knowing that God can do amazing things in their young lives. Know that God loves you and your family dearly and hears your prayers. And he’s ready to surprise you with an answer at any given moment.

When you hear Him call, answer.

Lord, thank you for working deeply within my child’s heart and using his young life for your glory.

Judith Riddle is a Christian devotional and feature writer, editor, and author. She enjoys leading Bible studies, cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son. Read Judith’s devotions

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Quick Answer to Prayer – Judith Riddle
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The earnest, heartfelt prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working. James 5:16

It was another Monday morning. My day began at 5 a.m. with a brisk 30-minute walk on my treadmill.

As I walked, I prayed for my son Miles’s spiritual growth and for the Lord to speak to him the way He’d spoken to the prophet Samuel and King David — mighty men of God.

After Miles ate his breakfast, he ran through the garage to play. The kitchen door flew open and Miles shouted, “Mommy! There’s a bird in the garage!”

“A bird?!”

“Yeah,” he replied, pulling the door shut.

“Oh, great,” I muttered. “The school bus comes in 10 minutes and now I have to deal with a bird.”

A robin flew erratically from one side of the garage to the other. Miles swung his plastic baseball bat to lure it out. I opened the door at the far end of the garage hoping it would fly away.

When it didn’t, I lost it. “Miles, I’m not going to let you go outside anymore before school!” I snapped. “Your bus comes in three minutes!” Miles stood speechless.

“We can’t leave this bird in here all day. It’s going to get hungry. It might die!” I stopped ranting. “Alright. “Mommy’s going to pray.”

As my son stared at the bird, I bowed my head and said, “Heavenly Father, please show this bird the way out of our garage.” The bird bolted out of the garage and flew away. Our jaws dropped.

“Mommy, my heart is in my stomach,” Miles said as he put his bat away. “I can’t believe that happened.”

“Do you believe that was God?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he assured me.

I learned God really does hear our prayers the very moment we speak and He can answer immediately. He knows our heart and He understands the joy, hurt, or desperation in our cry. He takes each one into account.

God may not answer your prayers instantly or even in the manner you hope, but He will always answer. So keep praying and never give up. His eyes are always upon you and His ears are always attentive. Pray without ceasing.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that as we pray, we can know for sure you’re listening and ready to give us an answer.

Judith Riddle is a Christian devotional and feature writer, editor, and author. She enjoys leading Bible studies, cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son. Read Judith’s devotions

Restored Self-Esteem – Judith Riddle
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“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels, and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” Proverbs 31:10

“You have a problem!” a close family member shouted at me. It was 7 a.m. on a Tuesday just before my 45-minute drive to work. “You can’t remember anything!” she screamed, banging her fists on the staircase railing. “And you need to do something about it!”

I shook inside.

“Why am I always messing up?” I asked the Lord, sobbing on my way to work. “I can’t do anything right. I can’t live up to this Christian life. I’m always making mistakes. I feel like a failure.”

I sent a text message to a close friend to give her a hint about what happened — but I told her not to call me. Just pray. She called anyway. Tears spilled down my face as she read Psalm 59 and prayed for me.

After our call, I felt peace. I began searching the Web for a bible study I wanted to introduce to my women’s group — only to realize it was out of print. I called the publisher to see if it had any study guides in stock. No such luck. The gentleman on the phone suggested a similar study written by the same author.

As I read the first few pages of the excerpt online, I gasped. You are a “capable, intelligent and virtuous woman,” the Lord said. No matter what anyone thinks. He said I am his precious daughter. Holy. Innocent. Righteous.

My spirit soared!

The Lord also said everyone makes mistakes, but don’t dwell on your shortcomings or condemn yourself. You’re forgiven and free of guilt. You’re the apple of My eye and surrounded with My favor.

I smiled.

The next day, I discovered a Christian bookstore that sold 8½ x 11-inch single sheets of stationary with various scripture messages. I saw one that featured Proverbs 31 with the words “A Virtuous Woman” displayed across the top. It now hangs prominently in my cubicle at work as a reminder of what God says about me.

God’s Word met me right where I was that dreadful morning — far down in the pit of despair. He healed my broken heart — and promises to do the same for you. So when your world seemingly falls apart, cry out to the one who loves you perfectly. He will lift you up and give you a firm place on which to stand.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for loving us so much and for answering us in our desperate times. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Judith Riddle is a Christian devotional and feature writer, editor and author. She enjoys leading bible studies, cooking, exercising, swimming, and socializing with friends. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son. Read Judith’s devotions