Let Your Heart Grow: A Devotional Guide

By Mary Lee Going

The Bible was written long ago in a land we would call foreign and for a people without the Internet! Their culture was different. Their language was different. Their day-to-day living was different, too. How could the Bible be relevant to us now?

The truths we find in the Bible transcend time, but if we put them in the language and situations of today, they may be more understandable to twenty-first century people. We can use these biblical truths to identify who we are and who God wants us to be. Then we allow God to grow our heart.

Enjoy reading these contemporary stories that can give you an insight into ageless truths. Each devotional in Let Your Heart Grow focuses on Godly truths that will help you explore how to live a Christ-centered life.

The devotions are terrific as an individual study, but they can also be shared and discussed in a small-group setting, whether it is a family dinner, a youth group gathering, or a friends get-together. They encourage pondering, praying, and practicing.

Start becoming a better you with Let Your Heart Grow!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490857800

Mary Lee Going

Mary Lee is a Ruling Elder and Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church. She has served several churches in the Houston area including Memorial Drive Presbyterian and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. She’s written devotionals, curriculum for all ages, camp programs, and preschool chapel. She authored elementary curriculum published by the denomination. Mary Lee has taught preschoolers, elementary, youth, and adults. Currently, she co-teaches Bible Study Discussion at Memorial Drive Presbyterian where her lectures and slide shows are available on the church’s website. Married for 42 years, Mary Lee and Walter live in Houston. They have incredible twin sons (John and Bill), awesome daughters-in-law (Shannon and Penni), and five perfect grandchildren (Jack, Henry, Sidney, Daniel, and Carter).

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Copyright © 2014 Mary Lee Going.

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WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-5781-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5782-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5780-0 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/28/2014

Contents

#1 Stand Strong

#2 Stand Released

#3 Stand Tall

#4 Stand Humbly

#5 Stand Wise

#6 Stand True

#7 Stand Assured

#8 Stand Confident

#9 Stand Prayerfully

#10 Stand Encouraged

#11 Rebuilding and Rescue

#12 Rebuilding and Fear

#13 Rebuilding and Hope

#14 Rebuilding and Peace

#15 Rebuilding and Leadership

#16 Rebuilding and Prayer

#17 Rebuilding and Service

#18 Rebuilding and Joy

#19 Rebuilding and Back on Track

#20 Rebuilding and Set Apart

#21 Rebuilding and Remember and Forget

#22 Jesus is my Good Shepherd

#23 Jesus is my High Priest

#24 Jesus is my Teacher

#25 Jesus is the Word

#26 Jesus is the Revealer of God

#27 Jesus is the Lamb of God

#28 Jesus is the Bread of Life

#29 Jesus is my Bridge

#30 Jesus is my Provider of Living Water

#31 Jesus is my Friend

#32 Jesus is Emmanuel

#33 Jesus is King of Kings

#34 Jesus is Servant

#35 Jesus is the Vine

#36 Jesus is the Champion of the Poor

#37 Jesus is my Hope

#38 Jesus is the True Prophet

#39 Jesus is my Savior

#40 Jesus is the Light of the World

#41 Jesus is the Answer to the Clues

#42 Jesus is my Judge

#43 Jesus is my Door

#44 Jesus is my Redeemer

#45 Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law

#46 Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice

#47 Jesus is my Example

#48 Jesus is Healer

#49 Jesus is Prince of Peace

#50 Jesus is my Risen Lord

#51 Faith and the Gospel

#52 Faith and Change

#53 Faith and Acceptance

#54 Faith and the Way

#55 Faith and Never Alone

#56 Faith and Adoption

#57 Faith and Distractions

#58 Faith and Transformation

#59 Faith and Serving

#60 Integrity and Timing

#61 Integrity and Perseverance

#62 Integrity and Mirroring

#63 Integrity and Faith

#64 Integrity and Closeness

#65 Integrity and God’s Will

#66 Integrity and Fervent Prayer

#67 Follow Jesus and Encourage Others

#68 Follow Jesus and Be Trustworthy

#70 Follow Jesus and Smell Sweet

#71 Follow Jesus and Get a Makeover

#72 Follow Jesus and Praise God

#73 Follow Jesus and Get Reunited

#74 Follow Jesus and Make Wise Choices

#75 Follow Jesus and Experience Hope

#76 Follow Jesus and Give

#77 Follow Jesus and Help Others

#78 Follow Jesus and Get Stronger

#79 Follow Jesus and Spread the Word

#80 Follow Jesus and Follow the Truth

#81 Follow Jesus and Depend on Him

#82 Follow Jesus and Not the World

#83 Follow Jesus and Open the Door

#84 Follow Jesus and Grow

#85 Follow Jesus and Aim to Be Like Him

#86 Follow Jesus and Receive Grace, Love, and Fellowship

#87 Strength with Understanding

#88 Strength with Being Chosen

#89 Strength with Grace

#90 Strength with Safety, Peace, and Rest

#91 Strength with a Relationship with God

#92 Strength with a Spirit of Unity

#93 Strength with Positive Choices

#94 Strength with Serving Others

#95 Strength with Jesus

#96 Fruit of the Spirit is Love

#97 Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

#98 Fruit of the Spirit is Peace

#99 Fruit of the Spirit is Patience

#100 Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness

#101 Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness

#102 Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness

#103 Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness

#104 Fruit of the Spirit is Self-Control

Questions to Ponder and Discuss

Chart 1: Scripture Listed by Devotional

Chart 2: Devotional Listed By Scripture

This book is dedicated to

My Husband and Best Friend Walter

Acknowledgements

I feel called by God to write, and to God alone be the glory!

It is much easier to write when you have supportive family and friends. I thank my husband Walter and my family for supporting and believing in me.

Gratitude goes to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church for offering Bible Study Discussion and to Mary Fuller and Jody Harrington for their work with this study. Special thanks go to Trisha Edington for her editorial assistance. I am appreciative for my pastors and the many teachers I’ve had over the years.

May Jesus’ loving arms surround you and hold you tightly as you read Let Your Heart Grow!

You are a blessing!

Mary Lee

Introduction

The stories you are about to read were written as story illustrations to explain biblical truths to 21st century people. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Start by choosing your favorite Bible translation and reading the Scripture passages shown. In fact, you will enjoy reading the entire chapter. As you read these Scripture passages, modern day stories, and relevant prayers, explore what it means to live a Christ-centered life and let your heart grow.

Many people like to discover the life God wants for them through individual reading, prayer, and contemplation. But Let Your Heart Grow also will prove helpful for small group discussions and family time devotional chats. It’s designed for people 12 to 120 years old.

If you wish to dig deeper, use the section at the end entitled Questions to Ponder and Discuss. If you need a story illustration for a lesson you are teaching, go to the charts at the end of the book where scripture is listed by devotional and devotionals are listed by Scripture. Let Your Heart Grow is great for individuals, youth, adults, and intergenerational groups.

How is Let Your Heart Grow organized? The story illustrations are based on Scripture. Over the past several years, I have studied six books of the Bible chapter by chapter and have explored two thematic studies as well.

• The prophet Daniel spoke to me telling me that, from time to time, we need to take a stand. So these first devotional titles begin with Stand and are based on the Book of Daniel.

• Nehemiah led the people of God to rebuild when they returned to Jerusalem from exile, and the Rebuilding stories are based on verses from Nehemiah.

• As we begin the New Testament studies we need to know who Jesus is. How can we focus our lives on Jesus if we really don’t know who he is? So, the third section helps us to know Jesus better.

• The next four sections in Let Your Heart Grow are based on letters to some of the early churches and are listed in chronological order. Paul talks about faith development in Galatians. These story titles begin with Faith.

• James wants his readers to live Christ-honoring lives and thrive with integrity. So look for the section beginning with Integrity.

• In his second letter to the church in Corinth Paul was refuting the false teachers who were pulling the believers astray. He stressed following Jesus and not the charlatans. I identified these stories with Follow Jesus.

• In the last letter mentioned in this guide, Paul knows the Ephesians needed to be strengthened in their faith. These are the Strength stories.

• The final section highlights the Fruit of the Spirit and how we can cherish and display these nine fruit.

You will find 104 devotions or two per week for a year. Enjoy and let God transform you as you explore living a Christ-centered life this year and as you Let Your Heart Grow.

To God alone be the glory!

#1 Stand Strong

Daniel 1:8 and Proverbs 22:6

It was Emma’s first day of middle school, and she and her friends were nervous about their new situation. At lunch, some older students gathered around them and told them that they had to eat bugs, claiming it was part of everyone’s introduction into the new school. Shaking with fear, Emma did what she was taught to do. She prayed. Then Emma led her friends in soundly refusing to comply with the order.

The older kids raised their voices, demanding compliance. The commotion caught the attention of the assistant principal, Mr. Gomez, who was cutting through the lunch room on his way to the front office. Mr. Gomez stopped the older students from hazing and intimidating the younger ones. Emma thanked God for intervening.

Emma and her friends stood strong with God’s help. In her fear, Emma did what she was trained to do. She prayed, and God answered. God put the assistant principal in the right place at the right time to help the young middle schoolers.

How often do we accept wrongful situations instead of standing strong against them? How often do we believe in coincidences instead of God’s intervention in our lives? If we just ask for God’s help, God will listen and provide.

Pray:

Dear Mighty and Loving Lord, I’m sorry for making you wait so long for me to acknowledge my constant need for you. Help me to recognize your presence and intervention in the daily lives of your precious children. Help me to call upon you more. Help me to help others stand strong against injustice. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

#2 Stand Released

Daniel 2:23 and Proverbs 1:7

Marty’s family had a dog named Bo who loved his family very much. They were his pack.

When Marty arrived home each time, Bo ran to meet him and cuddled near. Bo bowed his head and rolled onto his back for a tummy rub. This was dog language for You are my master, and I am your beloved servant.

Filled with contentment, Bo recognized Marty’s authority over him. In turn, Marty showered affection on Bo, fed him, cared for him, and taught him what good behavior was. Marty and Bo loved each other so very much, but both of them recognized that Marty was in control, and Bo wasn’t.

So it is with the Creator and the created. All wisdom, power, and knowledge belong to God. Like Marty and Bo, we need to recognize who is in control and who isn’t. God loves us beyond our understanding, cares for us, teaches us, and knows what’s best for us. When we release control to our Loving Creator, we clarify who is in charge, and it’s not us. This is people language for You are my master, and I am your beloved servant.

Pray:

Dear Wise and Mighty Lord, too many times I think that I’m in control of things, but I’m not. Help me to release my self-centered control and rely on you, because when I do, I find peace and contentment. You are my master, and I am your beloved servant. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

#3 Stand Tall

Daniel 3:17–8 and Psalm 23:3–4

Sydney had just moved into her dormitory to start her freshman year of college. She knew she needed to find a group of friends, so she decided to join a club.

The girls at one of the clubs were nice, but they told Sydney that for her final initiation she needed to steal a six pack of beer. Sydney said no immediately. The girls in the club told Sydney they would spread lies about her around campus if she didn’t comply. Again, she said no and walked straight to the college fellowship group at a nearby church.

As the weeks passed, terrible embarrassing lies about Sydney traveled across campus, but Sydney stood tall and her new friends stood beside her. The club members were amazed at her integrity and vowed to never demand a theft as an initiation again.

Sydney was a bold and honest woman of integrity. She knew shoplifting was wrong so she wouldn’t stoop to stealing, even if it meant acceptance into a group of which she wanted to be part. By standing tall and walking away, she found a wonderful group of friends who helped her through the tough times when the lies were floating around campus.

Sydney’s story is much like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedingo who wouldn’t stoop to worship a false god. In the end, God saved them from death in the fiery furnace because they stood tall.

Pray:

Dear Trustworthy and Loving Lord, I often times find myself in situations that are difficult and even fiery. I want to be brave, but it’s hard sometimes. Help me to remember that you’re always with me, even in the valleys