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Be Transparent & Get Naked
[Guest post by Alicia Gill: I’m usually one to be pretty direct and honest; I have trouble holding in sour emotions. In this post, Alicia’s Sunday school student gives a great example of being transparent, letting it out, and “getting naked.”] “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?” Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 (NIV) A few years ago, I taught a very sweet high…
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The Magnitude of Our Gratitude
[Guest post by Sherrie Harris: Sherrie sent in this post that is perfect for this thanksgiving time! Please enjoy her inspiring story of gratitude and grace.] As the girls entered the room, trickling in one or two at a time, their faces shone with gratefulness and possibilities. They began to cry out in unadulterated and uninhibited praise, as the tears of answered prayers streamed down their faces. “God is faithful,” they confessed. “God is faithful!” In 2012, I had the privilege of ministering to and serving women and children in Africa, during a missions’ trip with like-minded servant leaders. Our team traveled to Kenya with the hope of resembling the…
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Hope with Painted Wings
[Guest post by Rebecca Lamarche: This post is a two-fer! First, Rebecca shares a poem. Then, she has an “insight” that is more devotional style. I hope you enjoy Rebecca’s wordsmithery and viewpoint on hope as much as I did!] Hope with Painted Wings From the genesis of forming me inside my mother’s womb Through the exodus from innocence so early in my youth, In the desert of my wandering, I was thirsting for my purpose, And You led me through the sandstorms to oases of Your truth. From every bucket of belief I drew from wells of tainted water, You dipped ladles full of murky thoughts and turned them…
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Finding Your Identity in Christ
[Guest post by Ashley Linne: Sometimes I think, we as humans get wrapped up in ourselves and don’t stop to think about what a massive universe God has created. When we realize how small we are, it can be unsettling. But it can also give us to comfort to know that, even though we’re only one of His creations, we all have an identity in Christ.] I’ve been asking God who I am for what seems like forever. Not just “What should I be when I grow up?” although that has been a very frequent topic of discussion between the two of us. Most of the time, though, the questions…
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Pen of a Skillful Writer
[Guest post by Zimkita Nogela: I love poetry (especially poetry that praises the Lord), and it’s exciting for me to share more with you! Please be inspired and encouraged by Zimkita’s words.] What Type of Love is This Cracked clay deemed pathetic and useless Ridiculously covered with cheap gold Stripped of all dignity and self-worth That was me before you came into my life Wrapped under the spell of people prophesying to love me- Injecting words of sweet poisonous honey Each time they spoke Consequently engraving me into a life of sin Crumbling and yet surprisingly hesitant I came to you Opened my heart and let you in… You penetrated…
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Surrender Displayed
[Guest post by Jennifer Kelly: I love Jennifer’s vibrancy for spreading God’s grace. This is her story about salvation, forgiveness and most importantly, Jesus.] I love it when other women share their personal stories of overcoming grief and pain and forgiveness. It’s like receiving a precious gift when you least expect it. When you stumble upon a story of hope in the midst of hopelessness, healing amidst the pain, or love for the unlovable, it moves you. I grab onto stories of life found in the desert, and bury them into my soul. In a world where brokenness, selfishness, and evil turn up on every street corner, I am need of…
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When You Fail to Walk in the Light
[Guest post by Glee: I love Glee’s bravery to share this story on Devotional Diva. I know it’s hard for many women to talk about their interfaith marriages. And it can be even harder to admit your sins publicly. Thank you, Glee, for being so open in order to help spur other women forward!] “The light of the body is the eye, therefore when thine eye is single thy whole body is also full of light. But when thine eye is evil, thy body is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light that is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11: 34, 35 My husband and I have an…
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Wait on the Lord
[Guest post by Samantha Godette: When I received this post from Samantha, it was something I really needed to hear at the time. I love how the Lord can provide inspiration like this at just the right moment! If you’re waiting and wanting for something, this is for you.] Over the past few years I have been fighting, fighting and fighting for something I thought should be mine (something monetary). I knew I deserved it but couldn’t figure out why God didn’t see fit for me to have it. I was seriously hurt while serving in the United States army and I have developed severe rheumatoid arthritis. Some days it…
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The Power of a Godly Friend
[Guest post by Ozella Morris: Ozella’s story of the power of a godly friend is inspiring. I hope all of you surround yourself with encouraging friends like this!] Malachi 3:16 -Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name. We will come in contact with so many different individuals throughout our lives. It’s very easy to make fast friends or to overlook opportunities of true relationships. The Bible lets us know there is true…
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Make it Count
[Guest post by Bronwyn Lea: In your prayers, remember Bronwyn’s words: make it count.] I got that lead-balloon feeling on Sunday when our pastor pointed out all the things Paul didn’t pray for in his letters: people with cancer, busy schedules, promotions at work, successful ventures, hard pressed finances, strained relationships…. Not that those things don’t matter, or that we shouldn’t pray for them, or that God doesn’t care about the minutiae of our lives, but they weren’t on the apostles regular prayer card. It raised the old question for me again: why do I always find my prayer list filled with immediate needs, when I know that matters like…
