Posts Tagged "devotionals"

Believe that You Have Received – 2MefromHim Devotionals

Posted by NormaGail on Feb 18, 2020 | 4 comments

Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Mark 11:24

Believe that You have Received

2MefromHim Devotionals

“Believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”

I repeat this promise multiple times a day, as I pray. As children, it’s not uncommon to disagree with a friend, move on to a new best friend, and never regain the closeness that once existed. I changed my best friends several times for multiple reasons. However, none of those instances haunts me.

As an adult, and a Christian, however, I’m held to a higher standard in my personal life than in childhood.

For instance, recent events have removed people from my daily life, my holiday table, those with whom I share my joys and sorrows, those I call on in times of need. As a result, pain throbs deep and unrelenting in a heart that is no longer whole.

Believe there is purpose in waiting

Jesus said, “All things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them.” The Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart that there is purpose in waiting. Time spent in prayer changes my heart. To wait, patient and trusting, gives God time to work in the hearts of others.

Belief requires faith. James says that if we lack wisdom we must pray. I have no idea how to approach this problem. But, the solving of the dilemma doesn’t rest solely with me. However, James says we must ask in faith and not doubt. Doubt makes me unstable and unsettled like the wind tosses waves of the sea against the rocks.

Believe prayer changes your heart

I am weary of the battered, brokenness of being constantly tossed against the rocks. Therefore, I began to pray daily for God to heal, to bring repentance, and reconciliation into damaged relationships. Nothing has changed, but oh, what changes I see in my shattered heart. As a result, my days are now free of the nagging doubts and uncertainties that slammed me against the rocks and left me bruised and battered. Nights are no longer haunted by questions about “what-if” and “how.” What relief to rest, assured that my prayers are being answered, unconcerned about if, how, or when.

Believing prayer aligns my desires with those of God. Therefore, whatever I pray is in agreement with His will. When I pray in God’s will, I have the assurance He will answer.

God’s heart breaks

God’s heart breaks when relationships are broken when His children can’t get along. It’s possible to know peace in the midst of unsettled relationships. Trust His promise and believe you have received it. When you pray, believe God will answer.

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

In conclusion, may this precious old hymn comfort your heart as it does my own:

‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Public Domain

© Copyright Norma Gail Holtman, February 7, 2020

About the author:

Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing in the summer of 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

Love Others Well – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Posted by NormaGail on Feb 11, 2020 | Comments Off on Love Others Well – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Let’s love each other well this Valentine’s Day!

Love Others Well

2MefromHim Devotional

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Learning to love others well

Valentine’s Day fills us with thoughts of love but not necessarily the right kind. A walk through the mall reveals that the love God speaks of is very different than what advertisements and entertainment portray. John said, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” He should be our source of learning how to love others well.

Broken wedding vows. Broken hearts. Hurt feelings. Ruined friendships. Families destroyed. We don’t do a good job of loving.

Jesus’ commands

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, the greatest insight comes from Paul. He uses action words such as patient and kind. Instead of being envious, boastful, or proud, we must aside personal feelings and needs and reach out to the very people who wounded us.

Learn to forgive

What if we let wrongs slide off our backs like heavy weights rather than dwelling on our differences? How would family and friends respond if instead of reacting in anger we set aside our perceived rights and forgave? Because we are forgiven, we must choose to follow His example. A failure to do so is to choose to sin against the Author of love.

In truth, the single greatest reason for failure is pride. My pride. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Does it not, therefore, stand to reason that we are to forgive those closest to us? When I pray for those who injure me, my own hurt changes to concern for the well-being of others.

Love by putting others first

Paul says love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Clearly, to love well, our emphasis must be on the other person, rather than ourselves. If I hold onto hurt and anger, pride, and refuse to seek forgiveness when someone believes I wronged them, I fail. Therefore, I must offer prayer instead of resentment and forgiveness rather than pride.

Who would God ask you to treat differently this Valentine’s Day?

© Copyright by Norma Gail Holtman, February 10, 2020

About the author:

Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing in the summer of 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

Sins are like Scarlet Stains – 2MefromHim Devotionals

Posted by NormaGail on Feb 4, 2020 | 2 comments

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

Sins are like Scarlet Stains

2MefromHim Devotionals

Scarlet stains

Sins are like scarlet stains. Relationships were broken, and I needed to forgive and be forgiven. Instead of meeting with grateful hearts, I sat astounded while I learned of a deep desire to hurt me and surprise that I believed they needed forgiveness. These revelations startled and hurt. Yes, the images in this blog are ugly but sin is uglier still.

Stains require forgiveness

Multiple relationships suffered incredible harm. Through prayer, God convinced me to seek forgiveness for my own angry words. I also needed to forgive those who wounded me. I determined to pray for someone who needed to hurt others and for one who failed to recognize their wrongs. We all mess up. As Christians, we must seek forgiveness daily. Sin leaves scarlet stains.

Sometimes we just don’t get along with someone, that person who rubs us the wrong way, those we tiptoe around hoping not to offend. I’ve been blessed to have very few people I couldn’t get along with, both when I worked outside the home, and in over 21 years as a women’s Bible study leader. People will wound us, however, our loving God wants to blot out scarlet stains, heal broken relationships, and make them stronger than before.

I prayed and agonized over the growing antagonism for years. The conversations left me shaken and hurt. But God is faithful, once I sought forgiveness for my wrongs, I gained the assurance that God was pleased. Ephesians 4:31-32 admonishes us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

We aren’t responsible for other’s actions

As I prayed about these broken and scarlet-stained bonds, I realized that my heart wasn’t the only one broken. God’s heart was broken too. Therefore, it was necessary to surrender my hurt to the Lord, and trust Him to heal in His time and way. Praying for those who hurt me heals, frees, strengthens, and gives me victory. I am only responsible for my actions, not those of others.

If I have stains, I have to act

When the Holy Spirit convicted me about my own angry words and actions, I had to swallow my pride and take the first step. I determined to act in obedience to the Lord and forgive those who wronged me. It was necessary to willingly forgive others, whether or not they saw the need. My prayers resulted in a heart willing to forgive, though it is a moment by moment choice. When I obey, God washes my sins and makes them white as snow.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Holtman, January 30, 2020

Norma Gail is the author of Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. The sequel, Within Golden Bands, will release in 2020. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

Wait My Time – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Posted by NormaGail on May 14, 2018 | 2 comments

Wait my time is a phrase God has spoken to me often in recent months. Times of trial often cause us to act out of fear and frustration. We long to resolve conflicts, but God will do far more than we can imagine if we only wait on his time and his way. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Facing Feelings of Defeat – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Posted by NormaGail on May 7, 2018 | 4 comments

Feelings of defeat come to us all from time to time. Such feelings come from our Enemy and must be handled by remembering who we are and to whom we belong. If God is for us, no one can defeat us. I would love to hear your comments about how you face feelings of defeat.