Woman to Woman: from My Heart to Yours

By Marcia Grant

This is a daily devotional book for women written by a woman. However, this is a book that men can read and find very insightful and refreshing. Although the author is not world-renowned, her writing is based on her spiritual experiences and calls on the life lessons of her family and friends.
Similiar to an anthology, this book is a combination of bible stories and human experiences; this is an authentic piece of work that will garner positive feedback.
Give this book as a gift to a friend and they will certainly thank you for it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491851104

Marcia Grant

Marcia Grant is a special education teacher; she has been teaching mostly at the elementary level for the past seventeen years. She currently works at a public charter school in the District of Columbia. A Jamaican by birth, she enjoys cooking ethnic dishes and spending quiet time at home. She dreams of traveling the world as a motivational speaker, but most importantly she hopes that one day she will nestle in the perfect will of God and find everlasting joy and marvelous rest for her soul.

Book preview

January 1

Jesus, My Second Choice

Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind me closer still to Thee,

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for, Thy courts above.

Words from the hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (#334 SDA Hymnal).

I have repeated these words numerous times throughout my Christian journey. When I feel myself drifting, slipping away I reach for them. They are engrained in my memory and etched in my heart. These words are my silent prayer.

I have never loved Jesus enough! When I was a child I loved my mother, her beauty and strength fascinated me. As a teenager, I loved a few boys and their untruths beguiled me. As an adult I first fell in love with my sensibilities and idiosyncrasies; then I loved my husband and the dreams and possibilities of being his wife.

When my heart was broken and I had nothing; I fell in love with Jesus. Jesus was never my first choice, but I am happy He became my best choice. I still struggle to love Jesus the way He truly deserves. Sometimes, it’s as if I do not even love Him at all. Well, herein lies my truth; until my dying breath, I will seek to love the Lord.

Do you love Jesus? Is he your first or best choice?

Read the following bible verses for today’s meditation: Deuteronomy 6: 5; Deuteronomy 10: 12; Deuteronomy 30: 6 Matthew 22: 37; and Mark 12: 30.

Beloved, Happy New Year!

I hope that Jesus will become your ‘Best Choice’ throughout this wonderful year.

January 2

Winter

He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work . . . Job 37: 6-7 (NIV)

Almost four years ago I moved to America from a tropical paradise in the Caribbean, Jamaica. My least favorite thing about living in the States is winter.

I loathe the bitter cold, that biting chill that gnaws on your fingers and toes. That crisp air that burns the very edge of your nose and makes your eyes watery. That swirling wind that sends chills down your spine even when the sun is high in the sky.

I especially dislike those gloomy gray winter days when the sun refuses to come out, and you just want to stay under your blanket or duvet at home. Winter affects my mood and demeanor; it makes me long for my sunny island home.

Winter does have some ‘fans,’ people who get excited about ski trips, and tobogganing. People who love to play in the slush, dance on the ice and run in the snow. Around the world, winter is a treat for many people; a time to enjoy hot beverages and snuggle by the fireplace with loved ones in tow.

Whether you love or dislike winter like me, the only way to survive it is to be prepared. You have to pull out the coats, jackets, ear-muffs, gloves and other warm clothing out of storage. You may have to take safety and a few health precautions—flu shots, healthy eating and lots of vitamins—in order to brave the cold weather.

Yet something amazing is about to happen and the world is not prepared. Oh foolish children of the Most High God; For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10: 37 (KJV)

Jesus is about to come; the Bible states And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22: 12 (KJV)

Jesus is coming! Are you prepared?

January 3

Too Many Enemies

I woke up and I did not want to go to work. I cried before I showered, and I sobbed as I showered. I did not want to see the people; no I did not want to see those ‘wicked people.’ Biblical patriarchs, especially the Psalmist David have been honest about their feelings towards their ‘enemies,’ the people who did them harm without a cause. Those people who went above and beyond to do wrong and celebrate their efforts as if they were right.

I have had too many of those people in my life, the enemies. The people who laughed when I cried, and rejoiced when I stumbled, the people who wished for nothing but the worse in my circumstances and gasp for air when I survived.

I did the opposite of Psalm 37: 1… Fret not thyself of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity (KJV). I must confess that I have obsessed at the work of my enemies. I have prayed for their demise and secretly abhorred them. Well isn’t that what I’m expected to do? After all, I’m just a sinner saved by grace.

I have never been able to change the ‘enemies,’ but through the work of the Holy Spirit I have changed the way I look at them. Matthew 5: 44 (KJV) implore us to love our enemies and bless those that curse us and do good to them that hate us. Therefore, if there are a few enemies in your life; love them, because you will never be able to change them, but you can change the way you feel about them.

Lord, people saw you as their enemy; the Son of God, who loves us and longs to redeem and restore us. Help us, Father, to love our ‘enemies’ who one day may become our best friends on earth and our neighbors in heaven. Amen!

Look at your enemy; as if they are your friend

And may God through His power; bring reconciliation this hour.

Let this be your earnest desire; in your daily devotion and prayer.

Amen . . .

January 4

You are Loved

Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 13 (NIV)

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10: 12 (NIV)

Just a reminder: You are loved! Some people go their entire lives never hearing the words ‘you are loved.’ Can you imagine how painful that must be to never be told by your mother, father, sister or brother, a neighbor or a stranger that you are loved?

God does not want His beloved children to be void of this wonderful, thought-provoking knowledge; that they are loved, because in His wisdom He knew we needed to hear, see, feel and taste Love.

After all, love forgives a multitude of sins. Love is kind and courteous. Love suffers long, but doesn’t boast or gets puffed up (Read 1Corinthians 13). 1Corinthians 13:13 shouts (echoes) there abides faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest is charity. (KJV)

In your living and giving, give love and live love. It builds character, it molds men and women, it saves children, and it provides clothes for orphans, and cares for the downtrodden and the destitute.

Love is the antidote to a lot of illnesses and diseases; it is the balm for scars and maladies. It; love is the very reason why God sent His son Jesus; to live, but also to die on a wooden cross for sinners.

Love is what we need in order to live our greatest lives, not just for ourselves, but for our Savior. Can we really be a Christian without love, God’s love? God forbid! God’s love is the difference between life and death, heaven and hell, joy and sorrow.

Let this love that is in Christ Jesus, be also in you…

Every day Jesus says, ‘My child, I love you!’

January 5

Time

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16: 9 (NKJV)

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die . . . Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (NIV)

Time is a very beautiful thing; by the symbols on your clock you know it’s time for work or time for home. Your body tells you when it is time to work or when it’s just time to relax and recuperate. In the grand scheme of things, even your inner being move by time, if it does not it leads to revelations and sometimes complications.

Time is significant and it is also essential; what would we do without time? Where would we get our directives if we did not know that it was time to seek the Lord? Time puts things into perspective! It makes you understand your desires and work towards your dreams. Time will let you know; child it’s moving on time. Time will remind you slow down, do not be too fast, and do not rush ahead.

Time will also annoy you, it may even baffle you. Like Sarah; you could think there is no more time for this promise to be delivered by God (See Genesis 18: 9-14). It is past my time; but is there anything too hard for God. Whatever has been promised to you, will be delivered right on time.

Time is in God’s hands! Our time is in His hands so we can trust Him with our lives and our lifetime. Whatever we need will come in the nick of time.

We celebrate our time spent on this earth and we mourn when our loved ones come to the end of their time. Time betrays us and tells our age and gives meaning to our experiences. Time denies us and says you will have to wait; it is not yet your time to be blessed, to be delivered, to be with child or to be married.

All will happen at the right time. Do you believe that? Do you really believe the promise will be delivered right on time?

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, ‘Thou art my God.’ My times are in thy hand. Psalm 31: 14-15 (KJV)

January 6

The Past

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 13-14 (ESV)

The past can be a hard place to exist. If you find yourself living in the past; it might be time to find a new address. The past is not the right place to live. A matter of fact, when you re-live and re-hash past events in your life; especially difficult ones, be careful not to make them bigger than they are, or actually ever were.

Bear in mind, For it is God who works in you, both to will and work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 13 (ESV)

The past will rob you of the present and deny you of the future. It will steal precious time from you that is most valuable (prized, priceless) not just to you, but also to God, therefore, ‘Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Colossians 3: 17 (ESV)

God is a God of time; past, present and future, however, we finite beings need to actively engage in the ‘now’ with God. At this present moment, love God, obey God, live for God, trust in God; not in the past or in the future, but in the present.

The past is over, but it can also be a reminder of what God has done and a predictor of what God will do. Let the past teach you, not mistreat you. Let the past encourage you, not defeat you. Let the past empower you not demean (disgrace, debase) or demoralize (depress, dishearten) you.

If you are going to hold on to anything from the past, let it uplift you. You will indeed overcome, because you know what Jesus has already done!

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43: 18-19 (ESV)

January 7

Magic or Miracle

Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19: 31 (ESV)

In today’s society, people believe in magic, myth, tarot reading, illusion, mystery and fantastical outer worldly beings. Whatever, your belief system I am confident in whom I believe. In a world of magic, I still believe in miracles… receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Luke 18: 41(KJV)

It is so easy to be persuaded of this and that, but it takes commitment to stay grounded in things we learned while we were children; when it was still okay to take the name of Jesus with you everywhere. A time when parents ensured that children went to church not only at Easter or Christmas service, and family worship was just as important if not more so than the new ‘it’ gadget.

In a world, where anything goes and chimera takes the place of faith and hard-work, I still believe in the Jesus of the bible as foretold in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.

Do you believe in magic? Things so stupendous you dare not talk of them in the dark. The paranormal that now consumes the world’s imagination and guides their discretion.

Do you believe in magic or miracle? Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2: 8 (KJV)

Search your thoughts, what do you watch on television, listen to on the radio; it will give you a clear idea in what you truly believe. We need to guard our minds from the corruptible things of this world and take claim to the incorruptible things of God… Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2: 5 (KJV)

So while the world gaze on minute and great magicians; I will fix my eyes unto the hills from whence comes my help, and I know that my help, my miracle comes from the Lord. Psalm 121: 1 (Paraphrased)

January 8

My Love Garden

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other as ever known Hymn 487 (SDA Hymnal). This is one of my favorite hymns!

A garden is a beautiful place, in its truest sense a garden is a place of tranquility where roses bloom, and orchids grow. A garden is a place where flowers such as African tulips, carnations, Amazon lilies and chrysanthemums all sing a harmonious melody and their exotic aroma gives meaning to the word loveliness. That is an ideal garden one that invites you with all its varied botanicals and reminds you that the Creator of heaven and earth is a master craftsman. Psalm 24: 1 (KJV) celebrates this garden by saying, The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

While this garden is one that each person would want to visit and spend quiet time, there is another garden. This garden has thorns and thistles instead of dandelions and roses; it has the smell of tears and sweat instead of the rich aroma of jasmine, and honey suckles. This garden does not have the sounds of birds chirping delightfully or the buzzing of bees and the flickering of dainty butterflies, in its place there is the wailing of a broken heart and the mourning of a wounded spirit.

Gethsemane can be a bitter place, a time in your life when you have to yell through excruciating pain "Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me . . ." Matthew 26: 39 (KJV) However, Gethsemane is also a lover’s place, a place where sinners come to accept the will of their Savior, and disobedient sons and daughters submit nevertheless not as I will, but as thou will. Gethsemane turns pride into prayers, into praise and worry into worship; it takes hearts of stone and turns them into sincere hearts of flesh.

My love garden, where I learn it’s not about my physical man as stated in 1 John 2: 16, but my spiritual man. My love garden is my sincere place where I am honest and revealed in my communications with my Savior and He communes with me.

Even though Gethsemane is a troubled place; it’s also a lovely place.

January 9

Lies I Never Told

What is depression? Webster’s Dictionary for Students define it as a state of being depressed or a hollow place or part… in my opinion, the Psalmist David brought light to being depressed or devastated because of the deeds of the wicked when he said…

"My heart is sore pained within me . . . fearfulness and trembling are come upon me . . . oh that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55: 3-6 (KJV) This state of being depressed may be temporary, but there is a hollow place that seems to last a lifetime.

When I was a little girl, I knew what I felt, but I was unable to define the feelings. Some said I was moody, others said I was just temperamental and still others defined me as quiet. Whatever, the definition they came up with I knew differently.

I knew that when I hurt it was aggressive and prolonged. I could never truly explain why there were times I was so unhappy I could see it, feel it, and I knew those unhappy feelings would last a while. I was depressed and I struggled with depression. I never told a lie about it, because I never truly understood it.

Depression; is a real deal, and if you struggle or know of someone that does, please seek help for yourself or for others. You can do the things you dreamed of and live the life you were always meant to live. Do not let depression destroy you or your loved ones!

After years of being depressed and battling depression, I too can say my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57: 7 (KJV)

There are many people living and struggling with depression, some of them are Christians; I believe Jesus is the great Physician and that He can bring healing to any condition or situation if we reach out in faith and grab hold of His promises.

Woman, you can be healed!

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42: 5 (NIV)

January 10

Broken but Healed

Have you ever felt just sinful and full of despair?

Psalm 51: 1 shows us what this looks and sounds like; the psalmist David cried unto the Lord for His mercies and loving-kindness. He too has felt the despair of his own soul. He too has looked into the abyss and saw the pit of darkness (Read Psalm 51).

If you look at yourself long enough that face that looks back at you can overwhelm you and sometimes make you full of despair; because if you are honest there are so many things about you that irritates you. Brokenness can be life altering; it can channel a change in you for the better or the worse. That pendulum of change is totally up to you.

I have felt so broken and out of touch not just with God, myself, but also with my fellowmen. I too, have seen me and wept bitterly, because at the very essence of myself I am not good enough at anything for anything or anyone. Hallelujah, for if this was the only viewpoint of my life my sorrows would be untold and my steps staggered, but thank God for the change that only Jesus can bring.

Regardless, of how disobedient and broken you are, you can be healed. We all can be saved by the grace of God (See Ephesians 2: 8-10).

Psalm 130: 7, 8 strengthens our souls with these aptly penned words… Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities (KJV). With that said; can we not be healed?

Your meditation thought and prayer for today: Lord, I want to be healed and I pray for your consecration and your redemption.

Spend some time in quiet meditation and contemplate on the grace and mercy of God and make an entry in your journal if that is something you enjoy doing.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17: 14 (KJV)

January 11

A Sexy Society

Someone once said, when sex became so easy, love became hard to find. Is this statement true for you or do you have another opinion? Whatever the reasoning, sex is on sale every day! Sex sells sneakers, liquors, clothes and a wide range of products.

Nonetheless, I wish mothers would tell their daughters love happens between two hearts and minds and not just two bodies combined for a period of time. I wish fathers would tell their sons love demands mutual respect between committed individuals and not just a sexual connection and instant gratification.

Some people say being a virgin and saving yourself for your husband or your wife is highly over-rated and quite outdated, they act as if being pure is a myth. I want to tell them that God created you for more than a one night stand, or being friends with benefit or on demand. He never intended for his children to be ‘bed buddies’ with more than just one man or woman.

While times have certainly changed, and sex is constantly on display, God requires us to live differently and think critically about the choices we make and the ‘sexual adventures’ we take.

I want to be loved in a godly fashion, treated with dignity and compassion by the man God has ordained to be my husband. Being a Christian does not mean we do not talk about sex or enjoy our sexual rendezvous with our husbands and wives, it just means we no longer want to fall in the arms of the ‘wrong lover’ and be constantly ashamed the morning after.

Who among you is a virtuous woman? (Read Proverbs 31) This saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed . . . Isaiah 52: 3 (KJV)

Ladies you can be saved and still be sexy for your spouse! You can embrace your spirituality and your sexuality as well, but in all you do; please live your lives with devotion to God and integrity for yourself and your fellowmen

Do you love someone or do you just love having sex with someone?

January 12

Learning to Love

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s (woman’s) friend by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27: 9(KJV)

As anything ever hurt you so badly, you thought everyone could see your pain? As life’s trying experiences not only crushed you physically, but spiritually as well?

During a time of great anxiety and pain I faced the finality of my marriage and tried to justify my transition into divorce. I felt as if this thing, this trial of enormous proportion had not only broken my heart, but had damaged my soul. My inner being wilted under the penetrating pain, and my spirit was frazzled by the unforgiving load.

That was then, but today I can rejoice and say I not only survived my fear (being divorced), but I overcame it. I not only rose from the cruel grasp of loss and separation, but I learnt from it.

The course I had to take was difficult, but fruitful. It was relentless in its pursuit, but powerless to cripple or cancel the promises of God for my life. There is much to learn on this journey and much to overcome, but one day if we remain faithful we will sing the ‘Overcomer’s Song.’

Sisters; single, married or divorced; when it comes to ‘matters of the heart’ we all need to learn our love lesson from God.

Will you do a heart check today? Is your heart able to love, especially those who may have hurt you in one way or another.

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates friends. Proverbs 17: 9 (NLT)

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4: 8 (NIV)

It’s love that makes the world go round! ~Old Proverb

The heart that loves is always young. ~Old Proverb

January 13

Bad Habits

Please turn your cell phones off or put them on silence. As you enter many churches around the world, those are the words you will read; they are usually written in large print and the sign is placed in an area visible by the congregants. Those words are sometimes in close proximity to these Reverence My Sanctuary. Leviticus 26: 2 (KJV)

In ancient times, as recorded in the Bible the priest entered into the most holy place; he went before God in humility and veneration; if not the priest could lose his life. That was then; today we enter God’s courts without godly fear and awe.

We debase God’s holy place and never even think about it. Are you guilty of such sinful habits? I know I am. I have updated my ‘status’ or checked how many ‘likes’ or comments, read my emails, ate in church and occasionally engaged in the spirited gossip.

We ought to reaffirm that we should reverence the Lord in His holy temple. We need to become conscious once again that God, yes, our God is worthy to be treated with our respect. Let us make a decision that we will surrender these sinful habits and become closer drawn to God not just in words, but in our deeds.

What if we could become as engrossed in our relationship with God as we are with our cell phones, and other gadgets. Would we be able to experience a slice of heaven here on earth? Just think of all the ‘godly moments’ we missed because we were on our cell phones.

Dear Lord, take the desire away that will make anything brief and fleeting more important or meaningful to me than you. Together, let us finally surrender all our bad habits.

". . . You may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth." 1 Timothy 3: 15 (ESV)

". . . You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."(NIV)

January 14

Waiting

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord. Psalm 27: 14 (KJV)

My ideal day would begin with breakfast with my husband and kids; then between bites and family prayer we would all make our way out the door for work and school. After a successful day, we all would come home to dinner and fellowship, then after evening worship and some alone time with my love we would all retire peacefully to bed.

That is what I have been praying and waiting on God for; for him to bless me with a family. I have done fasting and praying, read numerous scriptures and had bouts and bouts of crying, yet I am still waiting.

This is my real life situation; I am a divorced woman who has lived alone for more than a decade. My mornings are spent rushing up the escalator trying to catch my train to work, and my evenings are spent fixing dinner, watching sitcoms on TV and drifting off to sleep after or during prayer.

I have often thought about why waiting on God is an important part of the Christian experience. I have tried to reason with God so the wait would not be so long and the process would not be so difficult; yet still I am waiting.

I do not know how many of you find yourself waiting on God to answer your prayers and grant you that secret desire, that unspeakable request or to fulfill that life’s ambition. All I can say is keep waiting because He has promised that He will be gracious to you and blessed are all those who wait on Him.

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who [earnestly] wait on Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30: 18 (AMP)

January 15

The Righteous Will Not be Forsaken

Psalm 37: 25 . . . I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (KJV)

Living in a third world country has many challenges, but is abundant in the things that really matter. With the world’s financial crisis, third world territories are adversely affected which makes life that much chaotic, however, there are some rare treats to life in a third world region.

You wake up with a smile and the radiance of the sun tells you, you are alive. There are hellos, howdy and good mornings from neighbors all around. The morning air kisses your cheeks and brings life and light to your countenance. The simple things such as good manners and caring for your neighbors whoever they are; are still relevant in that society even if the financial times are hard.

Living in a first world country presents other unique challenges; neighbors who do not know each other’s names, a sense of being ‘alone’ even while being in a crowd is prevalent. People do not necessarily go out of their way to show they care.

One thing is certain, whatever continent you live on in whichever country, in whatever city; the righteous will not be forsaken. In a world that can be busy, and so many people feel alone; God will keep his precious words and not forsake his own.

If for some reason you are feeling lonely or alone today; reach out to a neighbor or a friend, and I pray that God will bring that lonely aching feeling to a speedy end.

O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38: 9 (ESV)

You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. Psalm 38: 9 (NLT)

Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. Psalm 38: 9 (ASV)

Be confident, God will never ever forsake you!

January 16

My Hero

One of my favorite passages of scripture is John 3:16. In its simplicity this text transcends class, culture, ethnicity, gender, and race. It tells of the Agape Love (selfless love) that God has for his children.

Please read it slowly and meditate on what this love means to you and your loved ones… For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3: 16 (KJV)

In a world, where television personalities, athletes and politicians are seen as heroes; I want to declare that Jesus is my hero. I acknowledge him today as the celebrated, world renowned hero of my life.

On the lines below, write down passages of scripture that could support why Jesus is your hero.

January 17

The Pain of Loss

On this life’s journey there are a few things that are definite; one of which is the certainty (sureness) of death. Everything that lives will die! The great news is that if we die in Christ we will live again. That is enough reason to be confident in the power and presence of Almighty God.

Even though, death is certain, it almost always takes us by surprise when we lose a dear friend, a close companion, a colleague, or a family member; especially if it is the innocence of a new born or an infant child. Death can wreak havoc on our communities and can certainly leave lives devastated and reasons hard to find.

I want to encourage someone today that is living, coping or combating the pain of losing a loved one or in some cases loved ones; God is right there with you and He knows exactly what you need to be comforted.

Seventeen years ago, my nephew Giovanni affectionately known as Steve died. It was a horrible time for my family and more so for my sister Sharon. It shook her world; her son was only five years old, but I saw God manifest his power and bring healing to her broken heart over time.

God can help you! I pray that He will do a marvelous work on you and your family’s behalf. I want you to know that one day, death will die because the Bible declares, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21: 4 (KJV)

The pain of losing a loved one can be life changing, but so too is the pain of never having an opportunity to see them again. Choose today, to live your life so you will be reunited with your family in heaven. Does that sound like happily ever after?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me, and my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—is it aught to Him? Does he see?

O yes, He cares—I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief . . .

Does Jesus Care? (Hymn181 SDA Hymnal)

January 18

To Honor

Exodus 20: 12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.(KJV)

I was watching a recent segment on television about ‘honor killing’ and I was riveted at the thought of a mother or father killing his or her child in order to restore their family’s honor.

What is honor killing you may ask? Honor killing is best described as an ancient tradition in a modern or civilized world. According to Wikipedia, honor killing is the homicide of a family member due to the belief of the perpetrators that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family.

It made me think of how God has called children to honor their parents, whether birth parents, step-parents or adopted parents. Does this have anything to do with the honor that would drive a father or mother delirious to the point of murder? Surely God’s honor means more than ours, he wants us to have everlasting life and we dishonor him so.

What if God resorted to honor killings? I have no proof that honor killing is right or wrong. I have no legal arguments to quote for or against this egregious act. All I know is that whatever makes me human and makes me have a connection with humanity finds honor killing appalling, no matter what a child has done.

God calls children to honor their mother and father and this means different things in various societies, traditions, norms, mores and customs. Whatever this means to you honor your parents.

God is our heavenly father, and we should honor him above all else! I believe there is coming a day when to honor mother and father will become a way of life and there definitely will be no place for such things as honor killing.

Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23: 22 (ESV)

O what a day it will be; when we taste sweet jubilee in heaven.

January 19

Presents for Presence

As painful as this is to admit, for a long time I have wanted gifts from God and have not desired the gift giver. I have fasted to be blessed without considering the Blessed Redeemer. I have longed for God’s presents and not His presence.

How foolish of me to want things from God without a sincere desire for God. Psalm 42:1 recites, as the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O Lord (KJV). This has not always been me. I have not always cried for the Lord. I use to cry to the Lord; for my prayers to be answered, my needs to be met and my wants fulfilled.

Lately, there has been a change in me. While I still pray about temporary things I now have an eternal focus. I do still want God’s presents, but now I long for His presence even more. Lately, I read and truly understood these words; my soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42: 2 (KJV)

Nowadays I ponder on this verse of scripture, Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. St. Matthew 5: 6 (KJV)

Could I ever be this type of Christian? The Christian who earnestly hungers for God! Am I willing to be the Christian who will put God first in all my thoughts and actions? I have not been perfect in my walk with God. I regret many choices I have made that has not pleased Him, but today and for the rest of my life I make a sacred pledge to seek God’s presence and not just to ask Him for presents.

~As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42: 1-2 (NIV)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29: 13 (ESV)

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8: 17 (ESV)

January 20

The Gift of Gab

It is amazing how God work; I am totally fascinated by the way God can work mightily on our behalf with little or no help required from us.

In the summer of 2007, I worked as a counselor at a summer camp for high school delinquents (students) who were at-risk of being either suspended or expelled from school. We were at a remote location with over a hundred angry hurting teenagers. After a week of trying to keep up with the next sneak attack (out-break of violence) or the next midnight lovers’ rendezvous I was exhausted.

When it was my time to receive my scheduled leave, I did not walk from the facility I ran. I was so burned-out I jumped in the first vehicle that stopped for me without ever enquiring if it was a public transportation. This was not a wise decision on my part, and within minutes of getting in the car I realized I was