TO GO!

Our writers group, The Encouragers, had been given the prompt “To Go” and it was due tomorrow! I was annoyed and frustrated because I had not been able to come up with a solid idea. Writer’s block seemed to be taunting me. Finally, I plopped down on the couch and tried to calm my fears. Once again, I prayed for inspiration. I typed a tentative title at the top of the Word Document page and waited for God’s creativeness to begin. It wasn’t long before this declaration came forth.

Going

I’m going to be a writer

Whether you like it or not.

Place the words in motion

In the order of my thoughts.

God will guide the process

As I search to find His will

He knows the lives He wants to touch

With the strokes of my holy quill.

There…I had something written down now.

What I noticed next, only God could have orchestrated. As I centered the poem, a teacup/saucer shape appeared.

I’m going to be a writer

Whether you like it or not.

Place the words in  motion

In the order of my thoughts.

God will guide the process

As I search to find His will

He knows the lives He wants to touch

With the strokes of my holy quill.

I was shocked and joyously surprised. Then, when I realized that the lady who had given the prompt collected cups and saucers, faith continued to fill my soul! God had answered my prayer with a flare in order to maintain my focus on His guided provisions and my ability to hear. Now, when the doubts and fears invade my mind, I only need to remember this poem to encourage the juices to flow again.

Are you going through something that has challenged your abilities to proceed? Have you allowed the threat of failure to invade your soul in the final hours? God knows our situations better then we do and He is committed to giving us all the encouragement, wisdom and resources we will need to overcome. Talk to Him…then be still and know that He is God.

Mary Jane Downs is a writer, teacher, and speaker. She was recently published in Pearls of Promise devotional. You can visit her blog called Joy In The Morning at www.maryjanewrites.com where she posts weekly. Mary Jane lives at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina with her golden lab, Buddy and her cat, Action Jackson.

The Story of the Chairs

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:16, NKJV)

I want you to imagine something with me for a moment.

You're sitting in the church pew during a Sunday morning service. It comes time for the invitation time. The ushers bring 3 chairs to the platform. Now, take a close look at these chairs. The three chairs are a representation of our life. Chair 1 is for the one who has never accepted Christ. Chair 2 is for the one who has accepted Christ, but their life isn't showing the fruit of it. And, chair 3 is for the one who is fully surrendered to the Lord. No matter what, you're completely sold out to Him. So ladies, let me ask you a question. Which chair are you in? Are you the one who has never accepted Christ? Are you the one who has accepted Christ but the fruit doesn't show? Or, are you one that can say you're fully sold out and surrendered to the Lord? If you're one that has never accepted Christ, let me encourage you that today is the day. It's time.

Father, I pray for my readers. I pray that this will be the thing to draw her closer to You, or perhaps for the first time. In Jesus name, Amen.

***If you need prayer to accept Christ or anything at all, please email me at: jamiebritt2006 {at} gmail {dot} com*** 

Who or What Validates You?

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29, NKJV)

"Your devotions is in the upcoming book." "Here's your exceptance letter. You'll be published in January."

These were 2 emails I've received in the last few weeks letting me know that I've been published as a writer. I've waited three years to get to this point. But, in all of that I've realized something. Though I'm thrilled to now be able to say that I'm a published author, these accomplishments don't validate me as a writer. Only one validates that calling. And His name is Jesus. I thought for a long time that because I wasn't being published, I wasn't good enough. I thought that's what defined me. But, it wasn't. God defines me...He is my validation. Ladies, what validates you today?

Father, thank You for validating each of our callings. I pray for my readers today...that you'll give her the validation she longs for. Amen. .