Blessing filled future

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Blessing filled future – Women’s Devotion




It has happened once again. I received an e-mail promising a miracle if I copy and paste said e-mail to many friends within a certain time period. Like a magic wand, my computer will allegedly bestow great things on me after I jump through tiny messaging hoops, engaging friends in this pyramid assurance of a blessing-filled future.

I am blessed with many well-­-meaning friends who do want the very best for me, and I thank God for them! Many of them are Christians who desire the same thing I do: God’s best for themselves and others. Sadly, though, we all at times fall prey to looking for God’s “best” in the wrong places. When we are tempted to seek life’s best this side of heaven, Jesus’ words remind us:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Setting our hearts and minds on the things our Creator designed for us will ALWAYS be a better way to seek what is best. Even when enduring troubles, take heart! Jesus is on your side! By grace, the Father gives us eyes of faith to see that in everything, even our trials, he has our best interests in mind as we seek his will daily, praying and growing through his Word. God’s faithfulness is NOT a virtual promise via e-mail, conditional on something WE must DO, but a rock-solid guaranteed free gift from the Author of the world’s best-seller: the Bible.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1: 21-22

What is to come? A promised miracle of eternal life in heaven for all believers! See you there!







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Back of an elephant

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Back of an elephant – Women’s Devotion




While at a recent conference, a group of pastors was studying 1 Peter 3 and the Lord’s call for all of us to submit to suffering for the sake of the gospel. During their discussion, one of the men who previously had been a missionary in Africa shared this interesting insight. He said, “When the Bantu people of Malawi pray for those who are suffering, they often do not pray for the suffering to be taken away. Instead, they pray ‘MulunguNdi pasteni msana wa njovu.’ This is translated, ‘Oh, God, give me the back of an elephant!’”

Isn’t it interesting that they understand that suffering is a gift from God to help people find him in his love and truth? So they ask for help to be strong under the suffering, before they ask for it to be lifted. Peter gives similar encouragement in 1 Peter 4:19, “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

When we are suffering, it is beneficial for us to look to heaven with obedient eyes and to trust God as we pray for his help. He does care about us deeply and has many reasons for allowing suffering in our lives. And he loves to hear us ask for his strength to make us prosper under suffering.





By Rev. Don Patterson, Hoy Word, Austin, Texas



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A lesson from the ivy plant

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A lesson from the ivy plant – Women’s Devotion


“Great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:23



Sitting on a book shelf in our living room I spy two ivy plants. In all the Christmas decorating and rearranging to fit the Christmas tree in, they were set out of the way and forgotten. I can’t remember when they were last watered. Yet they continue to live. They truly are hardy plants!

Did you know plants and flowers can “speak”? Anyone can tell you that giving a red rose to someone means love. Did you know that forget-me-nots say “true love”? Flowering almond means “hope,” spring crocus stands for “youthful gladness” and baby’s breath means “pure of heart.” In the language of flowers and plants, the ivy says “faithfulness.”

My ivy plants came from a tendril of ivy from my bridal bouquet twelve years ago. I got the idea from a college friend who explained the meaning behind the ivy plant. What a wonderful reminder for a couple promising to stay faithful to each other for as long as they live!

Just as my ivy plant reminds me of the importance of faithfulness in marriage, it also reminds me of my faithful God. Faithfulness simply means keeping your promise. If you say you will do something, you will do it. And that’s God! He always keeps his promises!

Just listen to some of God’s promises for you:

  • God promises he will care for you. (1 Peter 5:7, Romans 8:28)
  • He promises to help you overcome temptations. (1 Cor. 10:13)
  • He promises your sins are forgiven through Jesus. (John 3:16)
  • He promises to be with you always. (Matthew 28:20)
  • He promises to take you to heaven. (John 14:2-3)

There are times I neglect my faith-life. I forget to water my faith with God’s Word. I set my faith on the back shelf as my life gets full of school, family, and work activities that seem so important. I forget to bask in the sunshine of his love and promises, and instead languish in the shadow of my worries and fears. Thankfully, God is faithful, even when I am not! He forgives me, restores me, and helps me to once again grow in his love.

I’m glad God created the ivy, a plant I can grow (and not kill) even when I unintentionally neglect it, because it always serves as a reminder to me of his faithfulness. “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”. (Psalm 100:5) That’s a reminder I love hearing every day!



Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for always loving me. Thank you most of all for sending Jesus, the Savior you promised, to save me from sin. Help me be faithful to you all the days of my life. Amen.



Written by Katrina Brohn
Reviewed by President Emeritus David Valleskey



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