Angela Overton, Author at More To Life Bible Studies for Women

In Devotions

Building Blocks of Unity

December 22, 2019 No Comments

1 Peter 2:4–5, “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Unity is a remarkable model of Gods purpose in His kingdom. These scriptures explain that we are chosen, living stones. However, we are not to operate alone, but to be built into a spiritual house with other believers. We cannot make it alone.

1 Corinthians 12:27 states, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

One stone (or member) by itself is nothing. However, if you take many stones and build them into a wall, that stone now has a purpose because there is unity! It is God’s will for us to be linked together.

Prayer: Lord, I have a tendency to do things by myself, but you have called me to be a living stone with other believers who will build a spiritual house. Teach me what the true meaning of unity means and show me what togetherness looks like. I want to grow, not only as an individual, but as a body of believers.

In Devotions

Small Beginnings

December 21, 2019 No Comments

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3, NIV.

Small Beginnings

A few years ago my mom gave me an acorn and said, “Do not despise small beginnings.”

I have that acorn on my bookshelf and it serves as a reminder that growth takes time. In life, we will face astringent exposures from harsh storms that will pose a threat to our growth. Parts of our story may be damaged from components of time and unfortunate circumstances, but if you are rooted in God, you will stand strong.

Psalm 1:3 states, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

This verse contains so many promises! 1.) You will be like a tree that brings forth fruit in your season, 2.) Your leaf will not wither, 3.) You will be prosperous.

Permanent Change

An oak tree can never become a seedling again; however, it has the power to produce seed. Also, a tree never stops growing. Every year its trunk gets bigger and its limbs longer. We should never stop growing spiritually, but be resolute about growing in the Lord every year.

Growth produces permanent change.

I don’t know what 2019 has been for you, but think of the growth you’ve experienced. Maybe you have not accomplished everything that you have wanted to, but give yourself grace and strive to grow even more in 2020.

I encourage you to find an acorn on the ground this week and place it somewhere in your home where it will be a reminder to you that good things take a lot of time to grow.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that You will keep me rooted in Your word. Help me to grow every year and to be thankful that You will help me bear fruit in my life to bless others.

In Devotions

Soaring In Ministry

December 20, 2019 No Comments

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Close your eyes. Breath. Think of things that you are passionate about.

Right now I want you to reacquaint yourself with promises God has spoke into your life. What do you love and what makes you unique? The things you are thinking about right now are clues to the marvelous gifts inside of you— gifts God has given you to share with others.

Unknown Territory

When God calls us to an area of ministry, we often feel under-educated, ill-equipped, nervous, and inadequate. To soar in ministry you will have to step unto unknown territory, abandon gravity and do a trust fall into God’s plan for your life.

When God breathes a dream into your heart, you may feel incompetent to accomplish something so great. When this happens, remember in times of weakness you will become strong enough to soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:31).

We serve a divine, creative God. He desires to use the uniqueness of our personality to accomplish the things He has ordained us to do. The thing I have struggled with the most in my life is comparing myself with other people. We look around and we think to ourselves, “If I had her talent, I would be used more.” “If I had his skill, I would get noticed more.” “If I had their family life, I wouldn’t be so sad.”

The truth is, you have a divine purpose for your life. God desires to take your flaws, strengths, weaknesses and your past and use them for an instrument of ministry. 2 Corinthians 10:12 explains that when we compare ourselves with anyone, we become unwise. When we start comparing our appearance, popularity, relationships, talent, ability, and wealth to other people, we can feel worthless or prideful. God desires for us to accept who He created us to be.

Your passions can be used as a catalyst to accomplish greatness for the kingdom of God.

Reasoning With God

When God called me to a pulpit ministry I fought with Him because I was terrified of public speaking. At Bible College I would cry when my teacher would ask me to read a scripture in class, not because I felt the presence of God, but because I was so nervous.

When God spoke to my heart about having a teaching and preaching ministry, I began to reason with Him, telling Him all the reasons why someone else was better suited for that kind of ministry. God did not seem to care about my thoughts and my plans and it was only a matter of time before I relented my own will to His. Through the years God has surpassed my talent and limited ability by being my strength. He has brought me from the natural realm to the supernatural realm, where I completely depend on Him.

What do you want God to do in your life? It is time to soar beyond mediocrity and the mundane. It is time to ask for the unimaginable, the unthinkable, and the unprecedented. Spread your wings and enter into a new dimension and soar to a new horizon in ministry.