Top of the Morning to You - TOTM2U: A Devotional Series Birthed From The Heart Of God

By Michele Stoudt-Wright

This devotional series originally came about in 2015 because I was in need of a morning devotional after finishing several from a Bible Application on my phone. Then it came to mind, that I should do one myself. Well, February is National Heart Month, and I love studying about the heart of David and so I started to write a small piece every morning as a text message on my phone to several of my friends. I had no clue, as to how I was going to be able to have enough material to complete a month of devotionals. Little did I know that there was more... lol. It was also during this time, that some very special people in my life were going through life changing journeys, and this devotional series became an opportunity to reach out and speak words of encouragement, hope. Again in 2018, I asked for a commitment from several of my Facebook friends to join me, at least until 14 February. I told them that they could decide if they wanted to continue. Most continued and many were added. From there it expanded to 6 months of daily devotionals written in Facebook Messenger format. You may even see some comments from the readers. Top of the Morning (TOTM) 2018 was dedicated to my granddaughter, Elvisha Jo Henry, who had heart surgery on 12 February of that year. We thought she was to have a new valve installed, virtually a new heart, but God had another plan to repair her existing heart. Many of us have new or mended hearts, through Christ Jesus and that is special! Looking forward to having you join me on this journey... look for words of hope, love, and encouragement! God's heart... All things are possible...when we are lined up with the presence of God and our hearts are in rhythm and flow with his heart. I believe it. Enjoy the journey!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781644681954

Book preview

Preface

This devotional series originally came about in 2015 because I was in need of a morning devotional after finishing several from a Bible application on my phone. It came to mind that I should do one myself. Well, February is National Heart Month, and I love studying about the heart of David. So, I started to write a small piece every morning as a text message on my phone to several of my friends. I had no clue as to how I was going to be able to have enough material to complete a month of devotionals. Little did I know that there was more. LOL. It was also during this time that some very special people in my life were going through life-changing journeys. This devotional series became an opportunity to reach out and speak words of encouragement and hope.

Again, in 2018, I asked for a commitment from several of my Facebook friends to join me, at least until February 14. I told them that they could decide if they wanted to continue. Most continued, and many were added. From there, it expanded to six months of daily devotionals written in Facebook Messenger format. You may even see some comments from the readers.

The Top of the Morning (TOTM) 2018 Facebook Messenger Series was dedicated to my granddaughter, Elvisha Jo Henry, who had heart surgery on February 12 of that year. We thought she was to have a new valve installed. It would be virtually a new heart, but God had another plan to repair her existing heart. Many of us have new or mended hearts through Christ Jesus, and that is special! I am looking forward to having you join me on this journey. As you do so, look for words of hope, love, and encouragement! All things are possible when we are lined up with the presence of God and our hearts are in rhythm and flow with his heart. I believe it. Enjoy the journey as this Top of the Morning (TOTM) is to You (2U)!

The Top of the Morning (TOTM) 2020 Facebook Messenger Series was dedicated to my father, Donald Stoudt, who completed his journey on this earth and is now with the great cloud of witnesses above cheering me on so he can read the first published volume of this book.

The Heart.

David’s Heart,

Part 1

By far, my favorite Bible person after Jesus is David. I oftentimes think of him and ask myself, What made him so special? He was a stinky sheepherder with a ruddy complexion and sparkling eyes. As the youngest in his family, he was ridiculed by his brothers, yet he was special. Why, you might ask?

But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

The heart. Meditate today on how you can prepare your heart and that God would search you out like he did David.

David’s Heart,

Part 2

Let’s back up a bit. Israel was tired of judges. They wanted a king like every other nation on earth rather than to be led by Jehovah God. Someone tall who they could look up to. With this, Saul became king to make the people of Israel happy. However, Saul messed up. When he did, he did not repent and his heart became a heart of stone. He became vexed.

And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God which He commanded you; for the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever; But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. (1 Samuel 13:13–14, AMP)

David was different. He messed up too, but when he did, he was quick to repent, and he wanted to be in God’s presence. Pray today that you would not be like Saul but would be that person after God’s own heart in all things.

David’s Heart,

Part 3

Remember David and Goliath? Yes, David did not really fit in with the soldiers or his brothers. He was too young, too small, untrained. But everything he had done in his life, and the power and wisdom of the Spirit of God within him, [note: my thoughts] prepared him for that day. He did not need man’s things like Saul’s armor or sword that was too big for him.

David took his pouch and his special five smooth stones. David selected one stone and put it into his sling, and it went around and around until, whack, the giant came tumbling down.

God has given you everything you need today to not only face your giants, but to bring them tumbling down. What do you have in your hands?

Melissa commented, Read 1 John 4:4—Woman at the well.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, KJV)

David’s Heart,

Part 4

This is how David started his day:

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). (Psalm 5:11–12, AMP)

I think I will too. How about you?

David’s Heart,

Part 5

Because he had a heart for God’s own heart, David woke up one day and was anointed to be king, but not yet quite king. The Spirit of God left King Saul and came upon David.

David kept living his life and pressed in to God and God’s promises to come.

Like David, I pray that you walk the path with God’s promise hidden in your heart. Seek his anointing so you can one day walkout the promises he has for you to advance in his kingdom on this earth. Have an incredible day!

David’s Heart,

Part 6

Howdy, y’all! That is Top of the morning to you, Dr. Jon Ogle style.

As we are starting the new year, many people are starting out healthy. They are setting goals to do some physical activities, getting into better shape.

Well, February is National Heart Month. Following one of Dr. Jon’s teachings, I am going to ask you, What is your spiritual EKG today? Have you stopped to take the test? Do you have a murmur? Arrhythmia? High blood pressure? Low blood pressure? Need a transplant? Normal or on fire for God?

I know my spiritual EKG. How about you?

David’s Heart,

Part 7

How did your spiritual heart EKG go yesterday? Are you all together? Maybe not all quite there?

Well then, let me ask you this, How is your soul and body? Sometimes, if we are off in the spirit realm, we may be out a bit in other areas. I have learned from my tennis coach, Jos Deguchi, that in order to function well in tennis and get the most power, everything must line up like a spring. It’s called the kinetic chain. Let’s do a Discount Double Check¹* today. Yes, we can get spiritual insight even from tennis coaches, football greats, and commercials. LOL.

What do you need to do to get the physical in line? We need spirit, soul and body to line up with the Word. What we take in, what we do, where we go, who we are with—I am taking those steps today. How about you?

Pray today that your spirit, soul, and body line up with the Word of God and God’s heart.

---

¹* Discount Double Check was initially on a State Farm TV commercial to refer to a program established to review a person’s insurance policies to ensure they are getting all the possible benefits afforded to them.

David’s Heart,

Part 8

Started the morning with an incredible song in my spirit. It was music to my soul really. I needed that.

Let me pull something together on one day in the life of King Saul. On this particular day, I think he was totally exhausted and had lots going on that had to be done on a schedule. Saul’s spiritual advisor, Samuel, did not show up on Saul’s time, and the troops were scattering. Saul decided to launch out to battle on his own. Saul offered up a burnt offering up to the Lord.

Not his place. He was not repentant. God’s Spirit left Saul. His soul became vexed. His heart became hardened.

I pray today that we may be aligned in spirit, soul and body to the Lord in his word. Have a truly blessed day. As Dale Gentry, one of my spiritual fathers, has said, Happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy today!

David’s Heart,

Part 9

The Heart is central to having a good EKG in spirit, soul and body. More importantly, it started with God himself.

It started with God’s very own heart. And, oh, how he loves us so. He wants us to be like him. He wants us to follow him, to love him and worship him.

Praise his holy name. Praise him in the temple today. Praise him in your car today. Praise him at your work today. Praise him with your family today. In all things, Praise him! He is worthy of our praises!

David’s Heart, Part 10

Top of the morning.

God is the center of everything. It his heart—his love for us—that lifts us up. As we learn from his love, we become more like him, and he becomes the center of our being.

Invite him to be that strong center today and let your whole being line up in spirit, soul, and body.

Have an incredible day!

David’s Heart, Part 11

As we finish out on your spiritual EKG, here is what it is really about:

From one of my strong intercessors, Katherine W.: "Greetings in the name of the Name that is above every name. EKG. When I pondered on the words that you sent, what came to my mind prayerfully is EKG—Eternal, King, Glory. Am I living and walking in the Eternal Plan that God has for me? Am I living my life according to The KING of Kings and The LORD of Lords? Am I living a life that is pleasing unto HIM and bringing GLORY to HIS PRECIOUS and HOLY NAME? With all of my heart my desire is to please HIM and to live my life that is Holy