What God Wants

Let the little children come to me, do not hinder them, for

the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. 

                                     Matthew 19:14 NIV

www.glendamills.com 

I paused for a moment—

“God wants nothing from us except our needs.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Really?

God  wants  nothing  from  us  except  our  needs?

For someone still recovering from a works mentality, it took a moment for these words to sink in.

Spurgeon goes on to say;

“and these needs furnish Him with room to display His bounty when He supplies them freely…. Not what I have, but what I do not have is the first point of contact between my soul and God.”

This truth was recently brought home to me again, when a sudden bout of food poisoning left me flat on my back—weak as a kitten, crying out for my husband. Within seconds he was there, tenderly caring for my needs. I lay there feeling like a helpless child. When it was all over, I was cleaned up, and lovingly put to bed with a prayer for a quick recovery. 

Actually it took three long days for my full strength to return.... Enough time to know how truly blessed I am when my needs are brought before the Lord. 

The day children were brought to Jesus for prayers and blessings, the disciples scolded the parents for being a bother.... Yet Jesus quickly rebuked them!

 “Let the children come near me. The Kingdom belongs to those who are like these.”

I picture Jesus tenderly scooping up children into his lap…. loving and praying for them…. entrusting them back into each parent’s care.  

Oh how our hearts need to be reminded again and again—we only connect with our Lord as we realize how needy we are…. And how freely He gives!

What needs will you bring Him today?

Father in Heaven,

Help us to run to you today with the heart of a child, bringing our needs and entrusting them to your care. In the name of Jesus our Lord, amen. 

Glenda Mills – Guest Blogger

Glenda was deeply involved for many years in women’s ministry; teaching, training, mentoring, and encouraging women. She believes women find their value and purpose in a living and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. Accredited with Precept Ministries, Glenda loves to encourage others to seek truth for themselves as they learn to study the Bible inductively. She is a graduate of Christian Communicators and writes for Christian Devotions.us.

Mother of two, and grandmother of six, Glenda enjoys life in her autumn years with her husband Dave, on top of a mountain in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. One of her greatest joys is spending time with her grandchildren and family members. Her hobbies include gardening, photography, bird watching, writing poetry, and creating cards of encouragement.

You’re invited to visit Glenda’s blogsite at www.glendamills.com

Coming Home

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20, New King James Version)
Several months ago, I received a welcome like this son must've received. Standing outside of a restaurant, I waited to be embraced by a group of friends, who over time have become family. While standing in that parking lot receiving warms hugs of welcome, I could picture the father of that lost son standing in anticipation. Like the group of friends I was embracing, it didn't matter how long the son had strayed. He was still welcomed home. Ladies, that's the Lord's cry for each of us. "my child, come home. Come home...where you belong." Have you strayed away from the Lord? Do you feel like you've went too far for Him to save you? Let me assure you, no place is to far. He stand ready and waiting to embrace you and say, "welcome home my child."

Father, thank you for welcoming us home. Thank You Lord that when we feel we've strayed to far, it's never to far from Your hand of mercy, grace and love. I pray for each reader. Bring her back to You...bring her back closer than she was before. In Jesus Name, amen.

Mentors...What a Gift

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— (Titus 2:3, NKJV)

I've had several women in my life as mentors. They've stepped in at just the time I've needed a spiritual "mom". One such lady stepped in just over 3 years ago. She stepped in when she received my first devotional in her email. Vonda Skelton was the first one that ever said to me "you're gifted to do this, pursue it." Many have stepped in behind her, but Vonda was the first writing mentor in my life and I will always be greatful She not only said I had the gift of writing but she also came along side me to help teach me the craft. You see, God doesn't call us to do life alone. Just as he doesn't call us to do life alone, He doesn't call us to take on a new adventure alone. Do you have the joy of having a mentor? Do you have someone to come along side you to say "you're gifted for this job, let me show you how it's done?" Now that I'm farther along in the journey, yes, Vonda steps in and helps but she also lets me do things on my own. She knows the time of holding my hand for each step is over. It's time for me to take the steps on my own. Ladies, let me encourage you, find a mentor to show you the way things are done.

Father, thank You for the mentor relationship and ultimate friendship that Vonda and I share. I pray for my readers that You'llprovide them with the mentor they need for their new tasks in life. Thank You Lord. We love You and we praise You. Amen

Ever Been a Doubter?

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6, NKJV

Doubting.

That can be a paralyzing thing to have. I was doubting myself as a writer a few months ago. A dear friend's words changed all that for me though! Did it totally erase the doubt forever? No. Would they assault me once more when I got home from the conference? Absolutely! You see, in that place I was with other writers with my same emotions. I was safe. Once I was home, I was back under the enemy's lies. So what were the words that changed my perspective? My friend, Edie Melson set me straight that day and I will forever be greatful to her! She made me look at her and repeat, "I am a writer." And then? "Now you're a writer because Edie Melson said so!" That may not seem significant to you, but those words changed my life that day. Are you struggling with doubt? Do you feel as though you've been sucked in by the enemy's lies? Ladies, he's a liar and he will cause the roots of doubt to form inside of you. God desires for us not to doubt. Ask Him to help you in this area of doubting today. Let's go forward in what He has for us!

Dear Lord, thank You for pouring confidence into us when we don't have any of our own. Thank You for the sweet reminders of dear friends when we need the nudge. Lord we love You and we praise You, Amen.

Lord, You Are My Hope and Portion

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!" (Lamentations 3:24, New King James Version)

My hope and my portion? Really? This verse was really put to the test just 2 days before Christmas. "I have something to tell you," were the words I read on my computer screen. "You didn't get the scholarship to the conference." The pity party and self-doubting had officially begin. "Am I not good enough?" "Was my essay not what the judges were looking for?" Most of all, "what's wrong with me?"

Then, this verse came to my mind. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Do I really? He starts speaking to my heart.

"Jamie, do you trust me completely?"
"Yes, Lord."
"Put your gift of writing into my hands."
"Lord I need to be there and this is the only way."
Again, the sweet voice, "Put your gift into my hands."

Well, the hope and trust paid off, as it always does. I didn't get the scholarship, but I received the funds to get me to the conference!

Not only did I receive what I needed, I received more than the cost of the conference.

Is there something today that you desire and you're tired of the waiting game? Let me encourage you, ladies, put your hope and trust in the one who knows the big picture. It will pay off, and you'll be astounded at the results!

Father, help us all to put our complete hope and trust in You. Help us trust You even when we don't necessarily get what we want. Help us be satisfied with what you know is best for us. Amen.

Deliverance

Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and
I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the
Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so. ~Exodus 14:4 (NKJV)


This is the Lord talking in this passage. He didn't harden Pharaoh's
heart so he'd get away, He hardened his heart so He'd chase after
them. These Egyptians were in desperate need of God's deliverance.

But...

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't know how you were
going to make it through? Let me remind you ladies, we serve a
sovereign God. He knows all thing and is in complete control of every
situation that takes place in our lives. We don't always know what
He's doing, but we can know that that He's very much aware of our
struggles in life. And you know what? Not only is He aware of what
we're going through, He cares. So ladies, whatever you may be facing
today, you're not alone.

Father, thank You for caring about us. Thank You that even when we
can't see You, you're there in the midst of our pain. I ask You to
bring comfort to my readers as they face their various challenges. In
Jesus Name, Amen.

******Thank you so much for participating in the drawing for Vonda
Skelton's book, See Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women
Believe". But we have a winner. 

The recipient of this eye-opening book is...Christina Mckiddy! 
Christina, just email me at: jamiebritt2006@gmail.com
with your mailing address and your book will be on its way!
Jamie