Devotions Archives | More To Life Bible Studies for Women

In Devotions

Divine Interruptions

April 23, 2019 No Comments

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Many years ago, when I was attending Bible College, one of our teachers had planned to go with us on a weekend trip. As we were preparing to leave, she suddenly said she felt a check from the Lord and decided not to go. We never did know why, but for some reason the Lord showed her that she was to stay home.

Have you ever started your day with a plan as to what you would do or accomplish that day? But during your busy day, a phone call came or something else happened that caused you to drop what you were doing and go to help a friend or family member. How do we react to these interruptions in our schedule? Do we view it as a sense of duty, something we are obligated to do? Or do we see it as a divine interruption, a chance God has given us to minister to another?

As we begin each day, we must acknowledge that the Lord is in complete control and ask Him to direct our steps. In the Lord’s prayer, we are taught to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” He knows where we are most needed each day, and sometimes He may interrupt what we think is essential, in order to accomplish something for His kingdom. It is human nature to become frustrated or even angry that our plans have changed. That is when we must reach out in faith, realize that He always has what’s best in mind for us, and trust Him to give us the strength for whatever He wants us to do.

God’s divine interruptions to our plans and desires, often can be the things we look back to as the greatest blessings we have experienced in life. It all hinges on how we react. We need to make plans, but we also need to be open for the direction of the Lord each day.

Prayer: Jesus, we give this day into your control, you know what is best for us. Direct our steps and use us in your kingdom.

Devotion by Anne Johnst

In Devotions

From Sadness to Gladness

April 22, 2019 No Comments

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen:” Luke 24:1-6

We have just celebrated Easter, when our hearts are turned towards the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people who never go to church any other time of the year, attended services on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. Others had no thoughts about the real meaning of Easter but celebrated with bunnies, eggs, and chocolate. For them it was just another holiday from work and an excuse to have a good time.

For those of us who know the Lord, it was a blessed time. Our saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart. (saw this on a calendar quoting church signs). We are so thankful that Jesus took our place on the cross, carried our sins, and shed His blood so that we could be forgiven. Then on the third day He rose again, the first fruits of the resurrection and gave us the hope that we too shall rise. He broke the chains of death, hell and the grave, and through Him we have eternal life.

I am thankful that we celebrate Easter not just on a weekend in the Spring but all year around. He is our hope and our salvation. Through Him we have life and our sadness has been changed to gladness.

Prayer: Jesus we thank you for your sacrifice for us, and for the hope we have of spending eternity with you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

In Devotions

The Wounded Healer

April 20, 2019 No Comments

When God Speaks

Has God ever spoken to you? Maybe it wasn’t an audible voice, but have you had a moment when you have received a divine word, direction, or supernatural peace from our Sovereign Lord?

Every time God has spoken to me, I am left in awe of His love and constant faithfulness.

A few years ago I was at the most broken place in my life. I would cry out to God, “Lord, I know that you put broken pieces together, but I feel like the pieces of my life have been ground into powder. Can you put powder together again?

The Power Of Prayer

It was during that time when I attended a church conference. I went through the motions—I wore a self-effacing smile and pretended my life was perfect. But, God knew my heart… and, right now, He knows yours, too.

As I was praying, I felt someone’s arm wrap around me—it was my spiritual mentor. She began to pray for blessing, for open doors… for the usual. But then, her prayers shifted and she gave a message of tongues and then an interpretation. God spoke through her to give a broken, young woman insight on loneliness.

It was a message from God that I will never forget.

Jesus Is A Wounded Healer

God spoke, “Look at my hands, Angela. Now, look at your hands. Yours are scarred too and that’s why we walk hand in hand into this world together. I am a wounded healer and you will be too. I have been hurt by my family, I have been hurt by my friends and you have too. Do not despise your times of loneliness, for those are the times you will find me.”

After hearing those words, I wept until I was void of tears. I could not believe that a holy God spoke directly to me.

I am so thankful that Jesus is our wounded healer. Our God can heal every physical, emotional, and spiritual pain.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:3–5.

That I May Know Him

Jesus cares about your broken heart, your broken home, and the memories that you’d like to forget and He cares about the things your eyes have seen that have scarred you. He cares about the people who have left you, forsaken you, and lied to you and He desires to heal you of self-inflicted pain or pain you’ve endured from other people’s ruthless choices.

Today, give every hurt and pain over to the wounded healer, He will take care of you.

We can never get to the point where we feel entitled to a live a life without pain and suffering. It is through our loneliness when we will understand Jesus on a deeper level.

Philippians 3:10, is a scripture I pray often, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Prayer: Thank you for being wounded for my transgressions. It is by your stripes that I am healed, thank you for being my wounded healer. Lord, help me to understand that every time I go through a trial that it is another opportunity to build my relationship with You. I desire to help mend the brokenness of our world. In Jesus name!