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The Strength of Women
[Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Fran Thring; Today she shares about the mighty strength of women.] Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock. I should be at work, but thank goodness I’m not. Instead, I’m seated in my apartment in Cape Town, South Africa in a watery spot of winter sunlight. It’s a public holiday- Women’s day. The day the government of South Africa set aside today to commemorate all the brave and strong women in our past. Let me indulge you with a quick history lesson. I won’t be long, promise! Let’s head back to 1956 where South Africa was in the…
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Unafraid
[Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from Unafraid: 365 Days Without Fear by Gracie Malone. I received a copy of the book so that I could choose an excerpt, and I went with the devotional for November 22nd. Lately, I’ve been having a little trouble falling asleep and this excerpt was encouraging to me. I hope it can encourage you as well.] When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 The promise is set amidst a discussion about wisdom, understanding, and knowledge – contrasting these life-giving principles with fear and making them synonymous with the gift of sleep. Blessed is…
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Case of the Widow
[Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Amanda Batten. Above is a picture she provided of those widows she met in Kenya. Here, she shares some of the lessons they taught her.] “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17 Life can change in an instant and can alter us in many ways. The weather can change in the blink of an eye, but I’ve come to learn that God never changes. It wasn’t until I went on a mission trip to Kenya in 2013 that I learned just how unconditional God’s love truly is.…
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Super Christians
[Editor’s Note: This is Alice Carter’s first devotional as the new Devotional Diva social media intern!] When I was a child I was a Brownie, and I loved being in the Brownies. We would meet in a church hall each week, sing some bizarre songs, maybe do a craft or two and play a couple of games. While we were there we had to wear a uniform. It was actually pretty ugly, involving brown culottes, a yellow top a nick tie and a sash, on which you would get your mum to sew on badges. When you start you only have a couple of badges, just one with the name of…
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Turning Away From God
[Guest post by Jo Ann Erwin: Welcome back, Jo Ann! I read this submission soon after I had my baby and I was still so full of hormones. I knew a story about a stray kitten was bound to bring me to tears, but when I read this powerful metaphor of turning away from God…well, I think I cried a lot more!] I am leaving the restaurant after a fine meal, my belly is full. As I walk to my car, I hear a distress call. It’s a kitten at the dumpsters. He is frantic. It has been raining and he is soaked to the bone. I call to him and…
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Take Good Care of Yourself!
[Guest post by Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon: I found Kunbi’s post about the unhealthy fitness trends on social media very timely and extremely important for our readers. Remember, take good care of yourself!] “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) I love fitness and I’ve been called a fitness fanatic a number of times. More importantly, I love encouraging and inspiring people on their health and fitness journey. Being fit and healthy is a good thing, and Apostle Paul alluded to that fact in 1 Timothy 4:8. Eating healthy (and within reason) and staying…
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When the Fireworks Lost Their Sparkle
[Guest post by Nicole Bernard: We’re welcoming back Nicole today to share her perspective on how our sins hurt God.] The Fourth of July can be quite stressful…. at least that’s my experience as a mother to a rescue basset who suffers from anxiety issues. This year, while my husband, Steve, and three-year-old son, Carter, sat outside enjoying the fireworks, I remained inside with Lucy as she paced, panted, trembled, and occasionally lost control of her bladder (and worse). As I sat crouched on my knees near our living room window, scrubbing away at the carpet, a burst of light flashed, catching my eye. Turning my head, I was…
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Criticism and Worship
[Guest post by Hannah Kallio: I especially appreciated this post from Hannah, because criticism is definitely something I am trying to work on myself. I’d rather worship in the right way!] She Was the Worst. Worship Leader. Ever. (and I Was just like Her) Have you ever read the Bible, and seen your best and worst reflected back at you? That happened to me recently when I read Miriam’s story. I hadn’t noticed how much Miriam and I had in common. Her finest moments were moments of worship: Then the prophet Miriam…took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And…
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Companion on the Journey
[Guest post by Samantha Hanni: Trying to conceive, infertility, miscarriages and pregnancy are difficult times and Samantha is right — it’s so important to have a female companion on the journey! God certainly placed someone like this in my life, and what an encouragement she was!] Luke 1:5-36; 39-45; 56 Elizabeth and Mary. Two pregnancies against all odds. A virgin birth? A pregnancy after menopause? Medically impossible. Highly unlikely. Imagine the looks the teenager and grandma-aged lady must have gotten from neighbors, even friends. The suspected immorality. The arched eyebrows and whispered comments behind palms. How trying and humiliating…to be pregnant is to be already vulnerable, but to be labeled as…
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When Can't Becomes Can
[Guest post by Myána Chartese: We all know those times when accomplishing something seems like an insurmountable task. Here, through her son, Myána describes when can’t becomes can.] Being a mother is one of the most precious gifts you can receive from the Lord, and I’ve learned more about the nature of God and the love of God during motherhood, than I have from anything else that I’ve been graced to do throughout my journey in life. Most recently I was in the basement ironing clothes and my son came downstairs to join me, and there was a particular toy that he wanted me to take upstairs for him in the middle of…
