“When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which was carried on a pole by two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs…They reported to Moses: “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit.”

Numbers 13:23,27 HCSB

Have you ever looked at what could be, that elusive dream, and thought, “It’s just too hard”? Perhaps health coaches prod you with fitness plans to regain the vigor of younger days. Retirement claws at your door, teasing you with pictures of homes nestled in Hallmark-like small towns. You visualize your bank account finally free of the burden of debt. The ten spies Moses sent to check out Canaan saw all this and more. They found a land that was everything they could ever dream of…milk, honey, grapes, pomegranates, you name it!

But some of the spies reported back it was filled with giants. It was not a land the Israelites could grab hold of because the people were too strong and mighty. Only Caleb saw things from a different perspective. This was do-able with God!

“Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it! ””

Numbers 13:23, 30 HCSB

What dream looms ahead of you that seems almost unreachable? Don’t spend forty years in the wilderness because you are afraid of the giants. Our mighty God makes all things possible!🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #devotionalsforwomen #canaan #tenspies #landofmilkandhoney #reachforyourdreams #inspiration

Christians talk a lot about “God’s will” this and “God’s will” that, but how can we know what God’s will really is?

Maybe we try to make it into something more complicated than it needs to be. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 breaks it down in simple, easy to understand terms:

◦ Rejoice always.

◦ Pray constantly.

◦ Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

◦ Don’t stifle the spirit.

◦ Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold onto what is good.

◦ Stay away from every form of evil.

While this is not a turn-by-turn roadmap for your life, it does give you good guiding principles for making decisions to take the next best step. After all, God tells us His Word is a foot light to our path, not high beams to see everything for miles ahead.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 HCSB

May God’s Word shine a guiding light on your journey. 🚦

Certainly, Turkey is no stranger to the devastation of big earthquakes over the last 80 years, but this morning’s quake was particularly shallow, causing a great deal of damage.

What how are Americans to pray in this heartbreaking situation?

We can pray for mercy.

We can pray for compassionate Christians to reach out as the hands and feet of Jesus to rescue the dying, just as He rescued us when we were perishing.

We can pray this will draw Turks to God Himself, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as they seek shelter not only physically but also spiritually and emotionally.

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

#prayforturkey #turkey #earthquake #syria #devotionals #Stoplightdevotionals devotionals for women #christianwomen

“I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her. Yes, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame. At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. Yahweh has spoken.”

Zephaniah 3:18-20 HCSB

For those who have physical, mental, or emotional difficulties, going to big gatherings can be a challenge on multiple levels. Isn’t it a comfort to know that one day we will have new bodies and new minds free from the hindrances that plague us here in the present? All will enjoy a worldwide gathering free of the burdens that once bound us in shackles, free to praise and worship our Heavenly Father with our entire healed beings in all His glory. What a sweet time this will be! 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #christianbloggers #devotionsforwomen #zephaniah #healing #affliction #devotionalsforwomen #mentalhealth #mentalhealthcommunity

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2Cor.4.8-11

When I go see a patient in their home for acute post op cardiac rehab I am taking with me a Borg Perceived Exertion Scale for them to rate how hard they feel they are working at the exercise they are doing. I want their rate of exertion to stay in the green zone as a safety measure for the health of their heart.

If we took one of these scales and placed it next to our lives would we find ourselves staying in the safety of the green zone, fully appropriate for a person recovering from trauma and severe hardship, or are we pushing into the less comfortable yellow zones and beyond?

We may even find ourselves in the dark red “10” zone, not of our own choosing but because that is where God wants us so that we are fully relying on Him. It’s uncomfortable, maybe even painful. If I were exercising a patient as a therapist, I’d get them out of there pretty quickly, but it seems as if God leaves us in that blood-letting sector interminably! Conceivably, it takes this long for us to completely turn over our issue to Him and trust Him. He will take as long as is necessary to teach us reliance upon Him. We may be afflicted but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed; He will be there with us in the thick of things.

(Side bar: If you are in a place of high stress for an extended time, you may need outside help beyond what talking with friends can give to you. Please pray about it and consider talking to your pastor or your doctor if needed. )

Now that you have seen the chart, are you ready to push into a zone that’s just a little bit outside of the comfort level where you have been living? 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #Corinthians #Borg #PerceivedExertionScale #comfortzone

“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:3-6 HCSB

It is easy to get caught up in a swirl of negative thinking that God has no use for us now that we can’t run like we used to, cannot even walk without limping, for that matter. The list of physical ailments goes on and on, and we think that surely God is done with us. The non-stop doubts play in our minds over and over again like top hits on a pop radio station. “Why should I sign up to help decorate with that women’s retreat when I can’t even decorate my own living room?” “What do I have to offer those younger men when I can barely mow my own yard?“

Friend, your identity need not be caught up in your physical ability but in who you are in Christ. He has started a work that He can and will complete no matter your physical state as long as you have a willing and open heart. He is still at work in you! May your spirit be teachable and ready to walk with Him in divine revelation of the holy. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #philippians #Hesstillworkingonme #unfinishedbusiness #teachable #walkinspirit

“The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.”

Isaiah 35:1-2 HCSB

The adage, “Bloom where you are planted,” takes on new color when one awakens to the idea that he is singing praises to the Creator when flourishing in the environment in which God has placed him. From the moment we wake up we have the opportunity to sing praises to God, to worship Him by thriving where you are—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. It’s so important He put it into a commandment to us:

“He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.”

Matthew 22:37-38 HCSB

We further bring down the glory and majesty of the Lord when we fulfill the next commandment Jesus gave to, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Nature bows to worship God by doing what it was created to do— bloom and grow bountifully. Mankind worships God by fully engaging in the life given by Our Creator, loving God and loving people.

So what do we do when we find ourselves withering in the wilderness instead of thriving as we know we were created to do?

◦ First, we give ourselves the same grace our Heavenly Father gives, and lighten up the pressure to perform.

◦ Next, we turn to our practices that lead us back to Him—time in His Word, meditation, prayer. “But,” you lament, “I’m to weak to pray. The words won’t come.” Just say, “Jesus,” over and over; it’s the prayer that never fails.

◦ Perhaps it’s time to pull out a journal and start writing down whatever He brings to your mind about Scripture and life.

◦ Singing songs of praise and adoration to the Father draws us into His presence. Familiar hymns and choruses are especially soothing to hurting hearts.

◦ Finally, fellowship with other believers is so necessary Paul admonished us to not neglect this practice in Hebrews 10:25.

“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

John 10:10 HCSB

Yes, you were made for more, and His heart is calling out to your heart to fully live. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #bloomwhereyouareplanted #wilderness

“But they deceived Him with their mouths, they lied to Him with their tongues, their hearts were insincere toward Him and they were unfaithful to His covenant. Yet He was compassionate, He atoned for their guilt and did not destroy them. He often turned His anger aside and did not unleash all His wrath. He remembered that they were only flesh, an wind that passes and does not return.”

Psalm 78:36-39 HCSB

The world tells us to cancel people out of our lives who have wronged us, but God takes a different direction with us when it is we who have wronged Him. Instead of a passive-aggressive approach or shutting down, He recognizes our humanity and offers a way of redemption.

Perhaps the next time someone hurts our feelings or steps out of their lane we can follow His example of compassion and remember they, like us, are only flesh. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #flesh #Cancelculture

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

James 5:16 HCSB

Have you ever prayed and felt as if your prayers were merely hitting the ceiling, going nowhere? I almost fell into this trap again this morning when God spoke to me and reminded me not to get on the feelings train. When feelings want to tell you that kind of a lie, that God does not hear your prayers, remember what truth tells you: “The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

And His hearing is not dependent upon how big our faith is, because Jesus Himself tells us that all we need is faith the tiny side of a mustard seed, the smallest of all the seeds, and we can accomplish powerful things in His name.

“Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20 HCSB

He hears our prayers.🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #prayer #mustardseed

“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, “God is great! ””

Psalms 70:4 HCSB

The enemy was fast approaching, battle-ready to attack Judah and to destroy the mighty power Jehoshaphat had built up over time. This amazing leader called all the cities to a time of fasting, as he lead them in prayer with a message to God saying, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

As Jehoshaphat’s army prepared to face the Moabites and Ammonites, it was not the biggest and strongest positioned on the front lines; it was the singers and worshippers! Yes, they led with praise and worship to our God and Savior, rejoicing in the certain victory that was to come. And deliver God did! God completely wiped out the enemy without Jehoshaphat’s army lifting a single weapon! All that was left for them to do was gather the plunder.

It’s hard to imagine when we are in the middle of a trial that we can rejoice and be thankful in the midst of the storm, but Scripture repeatedly calls us to do this. But how?

Our lesson from Jehoshaphat tells us to rejoice and be glad in the victory that is to come, even when we don’t know what that outcome looks like in the moment. God is on our side and will be glorified in the end, so when we start praising Him and anticipating the triumph ahead with a grateful heart, things do start to change, especially our hearts.

The psalmist exhorts us to continually, without ceasing proclaim the greatness of God. Let’s challenge ourselves to do this today through whatever we face. 🚦

#stoplightdevotionals #christianwomen #psalms #christianbloggers #devotions #devotionals #devotionalsforwomen #Jehoshaphat #continualpraise #praise #thanks #grateful