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Connecting With God through Quiet Time

Connecting With God through Quiet Time by Shemeca Richard | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Shemeca Richard for the Deeply Rooted Devotional series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Searching through the dark, I stubbed my toe as I reached for the small lamp on the desk.  It is 4 am.  I am searching for my Bible, notebook, and pencil bag.  It is time to connect with God through quiet time. 

Quiet time is that special time that is set aside to fellowship and connect with God.  Building a personal relationship and connecting with God is important.  It is through our personal relationship that we can observe miracles, signs, and wonders.  Connecting with God through quiet time is the foundation to building that relationship.  It is through quiet time that we can get deeply rooted in the Word of God.  We can connect with God through quiet time through praying, praising/worshiping, meditating, and/or reading the Bible or devotionals.  

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

I start my quiet time by waking up an hour or two earlier.  I know that some of you may be laughing right now, but I have found this to be the most effective way for me to have quiet time and get connected with God.  There is nothing like being alone with God while the rest of the world is sleeping.

It is through quiet time that we can get deeply rooted in the Word of God.

Shemeca Richard

Connect with God by Reading and Studying the Bible

Why read the Bible?  The Bible is our Book of Life that tells us the do’s and don’ts about life as a Christian.  Through getting connected with God’s word through the Bible we learn about his commands and instructions.  The Bible teaches us to desire God more and to sin less.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Reading the Bible provides encouragement and refreshment for the soul.   

 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,     but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

When reading the Bible during quiet time, take your time and meditate.  Take your time and get an understanding of the scripture. Remember you are getting instructions on how to live and lead your life. 

How to meditate on scripture

Write out the verse(s) that stands out to you. Ask yourself, “What did I learn? How can I apply what I learned to my life?”

Pause and listen to the Holy Spirit for a revelation of the scripture.  Use the reference section of the Bible to help you get a better revelation of the scripture.  

To start reading the Bible, start by reading one book at a time.  If you do not know where to start, a great place to start is with the book of John and then Psalms.  Ask God for guidance from there. Daily devotionals and topical studies are a great way to get connected with God and get deeply rooted in the Word of  God as well.

Praise and Worship the Lord in your quiet time.

Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing. 

Psalm 100:2 (ESV)

 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! 

Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

Praise is an expression of love and glorifying God for who He is.  Worship is remembering God for who He is and what He has done in your life.  Praise and worship are the gatekeepers to access the presence of God.  Praise and worship are great ways to connect with God on a daily basis.

Communicate with God through Prayer

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Daily prayer is essential to our relationship with God.  Prayer is how we communicate our praises, thoughts, requests, needs, hopes, and worship to the Lord. Prayer is a great way to connect with God, as prayer consists of us speaking, meditating, and listening. During prayer allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you during the moment.

The key to connecting with God is the consistency of fellowship (spending time with God in prayer, meditation, and praise/worship. Try to keep your routine consistent throughout the week. 

My quiet time has become a habit and part of my life. There are some mornings that I may only get through a few verses.  Some days I do not get it right.  Some mornings I am a mess and cannot focus. There are few mornings that my quiet time may be a silent tear-filled prayer with soft worship music. But the beauty of the whole process is that I am able to spend quality time to fellowship and connect with God.  We serve an awesome and loving God who sees our hearts and longs for fellowship and connect with us.

Shemeca Richard is a social services worker and a mom who loves to encourage, empower, and support others, especially women. Read more from Shemeca on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Seven Ways to Ensure You are Abiding in His Words

This article is written by Emily Darnell for the Deeply Rooted Devotional series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

We know that growing deeper in grace and truth means coming to God’s Word with a desire to learn.  We say “yes Lord!” when we read: “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” (John 8:31). Today I want to look at a few passages that will encourage you to continue in His word.

Turn with me to John 5:39-40 for a moment:

 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  

This is the very same attitude Adam and Eve displayed in the garden.  They were tempted by the idea of obtaining the knowledge of good and evil apart from God.  Without much thought, they ate the fruit that would, so they believed, remove their need to depend on Him.

Here in John 5, this same situation is expressed in the search for knowledge leading to eternal life.  We too can be swayed to seek knowledge without having to depend on Him.  We can try to master techniques, or idolize a particular teacher, or try to keep a daily routine, without realizing we’ve been trying to do all of this apart from Christ.     

There is a way to read and study that will lead our hearts and minds astray.  There are also ways to come to Him “that we may have life,” to delight in His words, to abide in His words, and become more deeply rooted.  Here are just a few ways to ensure you are coming to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, while you search the Scriptures.  

  1. Remind yourself seasonally that you do not have understanding apart from Him. Come back often to the portions of Scripture that will remind you of all that He does in you while you abide in His words. (1 Cor 2, 2 Cor 4, John 15, Ephesians 4-5, Colossians 2, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 3, for example.) We have “received the Spirit who is from God, that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” (1 Cor 2:12)  A natural man, apart from the indwelling Spirit, cannot know these things.  So we do not set about learning on our own, we depend on Him abiding in us.  
  2. Write Psalm 119:18 where you can pray it before your times in the Word.  I write it in my journal when I begin a new one; I have it written on a sticky note placed just inside my Bible.  Perhaps you could write in on a bookmark?
  1. Schedule times to feast on the Word.  In John 6:56 and 63 Jesus taught that one must “eat” using a word that means continually.  This is not a bite, this is a feast.  While we will have our daily times to read and pray and reflect, growing deep roots means including weekly times for more in depth study.  To help with this, buy a commentary for the book you’ll study, invest in a good concordance, and if you can, join a Bible study offered at your local church.  
  1. Do not separate portions of your spiritual life.  Keep prayer and Bible Study together.  Pray without ceasing as you read, study, question, journal, etc.  Jesus taught His disciples in John 15 to abide in His word, and then ask.  Let your prayers be shaped by His words.  When I am struggling, I turn to Ephesians 1 and 3, or to a favorite Psalm.
  1. Have a plan, but be flexible.  Different seasons of life will call for different ways of setting aside time, so be willing to scrap your plan and make a new one.  If you set out to read the Bible in a year, but take 15 months, you have not failed.  The goal should be more about feasting on His word, rather than about beating the clock.  Make use of spare moments, perhaps even listen to Scripture while you iron or fold laundry, or drive to work.   
  1. Memorize portions of Scripture, so that you can meditate on them throughout your days.  When I take the puppy out in the early morning or late at night, I often run through a passage in my mind, and pray.  While at the chiropractors office, laying on the table for ten minutes hooked up to the electric stim machine, I turn my mind toward a passage I’ve hidden in my heart.  
  1. Let your prayers echo Jesus’ desire for you found in John 17:3,  “O that I might know YOU more, the One True God!”  O that we would all grow deeper in our abiding, deeply rooted in the knowledge of the One who loves you. 

Be patient with yourself, knowing this growth does not happen all at once.  He is Fountain of Living Water, the source of all your soul craves and needs.  Drink deeply, often, and with the mindset that you do not do this on your own.  We come to Him that we may have life, that we may learn and grow, and that we may have the mind of Christ.  

Emily Darnell is the author of Deep Simplicity: Meditations on Abiding in Christ; and blogs at www.abidedeep.com.  She homeschools her little ones, teaches a ladies’ Bible study at her local church, and loves to be outdoors as often as possible. Follow her on Instagram.

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Steps to Cultivate a Beautiful Spiritual Garden

Steps to Cultivate a Beautiful Spiritual Garden by Michelle Mackey | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Michelle Mackey for the Deeply Rooted Devotional series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Spring is finally here! Winter has broken, the snow has melted, and flowers are sprouting. While I’m excited to spend more time outside in the warm weather and sunshine, I also know it’s time to clean up all the dead leaves and plants from last year to make way for new growth. 

As I tend to the flowerbeds around my house, I also take the opportunity to cultivate my spiritual life. You can too. 

Evaluate

Now that winter is done, it’s time to evaluate your flowerbed’s condition. Take a few minutes to observe your spiritual flower bed. What kind of state is it in? Do your spiritual flowerbeds need a touch-up or a complete overhaul? Are there old dead plants? Weeds or other plants sprouting already? Or Is it a clean bed of dirt, ready for planting? 

“When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent,”

Psalm 4:4

Clear dead stuff

First, clear away the dead stuff and weeds planted in your heart and life. This dead stuff hinders our growth, much like a thick layer of leaves kills grass. Ask God to show you what to let go of and what to pull. Just like the dead growth from last year. 

  • What isn’t working for you?
  • Where are you going through the motions?

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you,”

James 1:21

Identify and Pull weeds

Part of cultivating a new flowerbed is to clear out all the unwanted items. Every spring I struggle to identify what’s planted in my gardens. Ask the Father to guide you in weed identification. Practice patience as you wait to determine what is a weed or plant. The Father knows what will bear fruit. Bathe this process in prayer and a listening spirit. 

  • Are there habits or thoughts growing that aren’t supposed to be there? 
  • “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice,” Ephesians 4:31.

Pray for courage to pull the weeds God leads you to. Then throw the dead stuff and weeds in God’s compost bin. He is faithful and just and will transform those items into beautiful compost!

Pray for courage to pull the weeds God leads you to.

Michelle Mackey

Don’t Compare

Not all plants are meant to grow in all locations. Plants need the right amount of sun, soil, and water. Do not judge the flowers God asks you to grow with the flowers your neighbor grows. Conditions in each garden are different. Just because your neighbor can grow tomato plants, does not mean you’ll be able to. 

Do not judge the flowers God asks you to grow with the flowers your neighbor grows.

Michelle Mackey

For example, my neighbor grows beautiful tomato plants, and I cannot because of the black walnut tree in my backyard. Optimistically one year I bought 6 tomato plants and planted them. My total tomato yield was 5 marble sized tomatoes for the entire season. Why? Walnut trees produce a chemical which inhibits the growth of nearby plants. Lesson learned. 

Instead, work with the garden you’re given and compare only your past to your present. Those hopes, dreams and joys that are uniquely yours. 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,”

Psalm 139:14

Compost weeds and dead stuff

Only a gardener could see a pile of old leaves, twigs and apple cores and be excited about the possibilities. Most people see those things as useless, however, those things when mixed and given time, process into compost which enriches the soil. 

When you have weeds such as fear, worry, resentment, bitterness, or gossip, throw them into God’s compost bin. He transforms them into beautiful, life-giving compost to enrich your roots in Him.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”

Romans 8:28

New Plants

Putting new plants in is fun. You literally plant hope in the ground. Hope for warm weather and sunshine. Hope of beauty in the flowers to bloom. 

Arranging new plants amidst already established ones brings new life to your spiritual garden. If you have spiritual disciplines you practice on a regular basis, try a new spiritual discipline. Look at the following list to try something new. 

Spiritual Disciplines: study, prayer, fasting, confession, worship, fellowship, rest, celebration, service, generosity, chastity, or disciple-making.

For example, if you study and pray, try fasting. 

Experimenting with new spiritual disciplines allows you to grow new roots in Him and experience a deeper relationship. 

Michelle Mackey

See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being, I announce them to you,”

Isaiah 42:9

Water and Watch Grow

You’ve done a lot of work on your spiritual garden. Time for a rest, a sabbath. Time to savor the labor put in and wait for the sunshine and rain to grow the seedlings God planted in your heart.

  • Read the word to allow God’s Son to shine on your heart. 
  • Spend time with Him to let his Word soak into your thirsty heart. 
  • Pray to allow hope for new growth to flourish in your garden. 

Allow the sunshine and water of His presence to bless your soul as you become deeply rooted in Him!

Michelle writes to inspire others to cultivate their spiritual lives so they can forgive more, worry less, and live abundantly. She is a small group leader and Adult Spiritual Growth Coordinator at her church. 

You can follow her on Facebook or her website.

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Seeking God in the Hard Times

Seeking God in the Hard Times by Beautiful Blisters | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Zamy of Beautiful Blisters as part of the Deeply Rooted series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Has your walk with God become a vicarious thrill? You try to pray but the words seem too heavy for your lips to mutter. Let’s be honest, seeking God can get hard at times especially when we have to deal with grief and pain.

But what do we do when we are faced with the option of conforming to our past, doing life without God, and following God forward as he transforms us into his fullness despite the hard place.

We can ask the question “how do I seek God?” and sometimes it won’t feel enough except we dive deeper to knowing why we seek God in the first place.

When I can’t see what I seek

Most times we stop seeking God not because he is no longer worthy or glorious enough to captivate us but that we have become complacent. There is a potentially great evil embedded within ease and comfort which poses a great threat to our pursuit of God.

Man is prone to wander when something other than God becomes his wonder. He no longer seeks life from the fountain of life but resorts to not just drifting away from God but hewing out a broken cistern; a temporary distraction for his misery as described in Jeremiah 2:13.

Christ indeed died to secure our salvation eternally but this reality doesn’t whisk away the reality of the difficulty to be encountered on the path of righteousness. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (see Matthew 7:14 NKJV)

The path of righteousness is not without the pangs of righteousness and many times we find it difficult to pursue God when we come face to face with adversity. It’s as though the flame that once burned bright is now reduced to an ember our eyes can barely see.

Pause. Reflect. Check your heart. What are your priorities? Could it be that something other than God sits on the throne of your heart? Idols are tricky. Something as good as family, relationships, success can become an idol when God is no longer at the center.

Disconnect to connect.

In this era of buffet information, we’ll find ourselves in a flux of knowledge and if we’re not careful enough to sift out the lies from the truth, the external noise is bound to drown our faith. What you feed grows. If you consistently stuff yourself with life-giving content, your faith responds with growth.

More than ever the instruction to guard our hearts stands as a sure means to protect the treasure of our faith.

If you consistently stuff yourself with life-giving content, your faith responds with growth.

Zamy Jay

What are you listening to? Are you listening to love or the voice of fear? Are you feeding your faith or your flesh, the part of you always wanting to negate God?

It will be unwise to desire God and not desire his word. The best way to feed your faith is to listen to Love. Listen to God through his word. As you approach God via scriptures, prayerfully engage with your friend and teacher, the Holy Spirit. We have an assurance of God’s promise to draw close to us when we intentionally make efforts to draw near to him. (See James 4:8)

If you have to cut back on social media to hear God clearly, please do not hesitate. 

There’s Ample Grace for the Humble

Your walk is precious to him. He delights in your process and may I announce to you, your struggles are very much a part of the process. He saw this moment even before you hit a wall.  Don’t you think it would be somewhat silly to exclude God from your struggles, acting like he’s unaware of the difficulty you’re facing chasing him?

God always resists the proud but you know he does to the humble? He gives ample grace! (See James 4:6)

Who are these humble people on whom God bestows favour and grace?

Those who are honest with where they’re at in their journey of faith. Those who recognise, embrace and surrender their weakness to God as a canvass for him to display his strength.

Those who lean not on their wisdom but set their hope fully on the grace that is supplied by the Spirit of God indwelling them. These are the humble one’s. They are able to remember God in their valleys of pain and discomfort as much as they do on the mountains of influence and success.

There’s no other better way to show humility than to approach God in prayer. Engage him in your process. The hard place provides us with an invaluable opportunity to be deeply rooted in God. In God’s purposeful hand, nothing is wasted. Make room for him in your struggles, he is more than willing to supply grace to you.

The hard place provides us with an invaluable opportunity to be deeply rooted in God.

Zamy Jay

Seek, you will find!

Worship is one sure way to remind yourself of the magnificence of God. When we extol God in worship, hope rises and our faith is strengthened again. Feeling weak? It might be the best time to turn on some worship music and revel in the goodness of God.

Paul says in Philippians, the one who has begun this work in you is faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6) He chose you, he called you, he equipped for this life and when you’re falling, his mercy waits at every end to hold you up.

Reach out to him when it’s hard to trust. When the voice of fear gets louder than the voice of faith, may you remember the God who is able to help your unbelief.

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

Beautiful Blisters is a blog about a believer’s journey to becoming just like Christ. Ordinary can still be amazing and right here you can learn to bloom where you’re planted. Read more from Zamy on Instagram.

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Getting Deep in the Word

Getting Deep in the Word by Bible Verses for You | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Natalie of Bible Verses For You as part of the Deeply Rooted series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Are you struggling with getting up early in the morning? Maybe you are barely making it through the day without stress or tears? If so, it’s time to make positive changes in your life. There’s one positive move you can make and it only takes one commitment a day — getting deep in the Word. 

Do you have a consistent routine of reading your Bible? If not, it’s time to get Deeply Rooted in the Word of God. Developing a lifelong routine of reading the Holy Scriptures daily must be as important as a cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning. Otherwise, we can’t expect game-changing results in the real world and in our relationships if we don’t set goals for spiritual growth.

We can’t expect game-changing results in the real world and in our relationships if we don’t set goals for spiritual growth.

Natalie | bibleversesforyou.com

Why Get Deeply Rooted in the Bible

Why is reading God’s Word daily so important for a peaceful and stress-free day? Why get deeply rooted into the Bible? There are so many benefits but I’ll just name a few key points. It’s all you’ll need to get busy reading the Living Word — today.

  1. Gain Happiness – The Scriptures teaches us how to have joy, peace, and contentment every day. If we don’t read the Bible on a daily basis, our faith becomes weak. We start getting up everyday doubting that God will see us through any struggles or challenges that come our way. We become overwhelmed with negative emotions like fear, worry, and anxiety.
  2. Share the Good News – Studying the Bible will equip you with appropriate Bible Verses on how to share your testimony with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and strangers. In the book of Matthew, Jesus Christ charged us with the “Great Commission”, or to be a disciple with all nations. In other words, Christians are appointed to spread the gospel to all of our connections, online and offline.
  3. Make Disciplined Decisions – When you learn and understand the Truth, it helps us make better choices, biblical decisions, and greater guidance we need in order to have a successful spiritual life.
  4. Draw Closer to God – Our ultimate goal as Christ followers is gain a personal relationship with God. In order to this, we must understand Him and what he expects from us.

How to Get Deeply Rooted into the Bible

We’ve established the WHY we must meditate on the scriptures, so let’s now discuss ways on how to get deeply rooted into the Bible. Essentially, we must develop a consistent, daily habit that becomes auto-pilot whether it’s in the morning or during a quiet part of the day. Here are some tips on how to begin a game-changing routine:

  1. Determine a “happy” trigger that will remind you each day to read your bible (i.e. brushing your teeth, cup of coffee, tea, etc).
  2. Establish a quiet, permanent place that has no or little traffic or distractions for studying the scriptures.
  3. Keep the same time blocked each day to encourage frequency in your schedule
  4. Leave a Bible and journal next to your quiet place to avoid wasting time looking for it.

Creative Ways to Study the Bible

Most of us have busy lives and need extra spiritual tools to get us deeply rooted in the Word. Here are some great tips on how you can sprinkle scripture into your day by taking advantage of the latest tech tools:

  1. Listen to Christian Podcasts – Have a long drive to a game or work? Listen to Christian Podcasts using your smartphone.
  2. Download Bible Apps – There are many choices for listening to the Bible in your preferred version on your smartphone including “Bible”, “Bible Gateway”, and many others. Try searching for “Bible Apps” in your App Store or in Google Play. 
  3. Buy Christian Devotionals, Journals, and Spiritual Planners – Search for spiritual tools online or in your favorite Christian Bookstore for encouragement and inspiration each day.
  4. Join Christian Facebook Groups – Join Christian or Faith-based Facebook groups that have Bible reading plans or recommendations to keep you focused and on track. 

Our goal in life as Christians is to grow spiritually in the Lord and the first step is to get deep in the Word. Once this incredible habit is formed, you will notice positive changes in all of your relationships and connections.

The Holy Bible is the not only #1 best seller in the world, it’s also the most comprehensive book for life, or to put it simply, it’s the ultimate “How to be Happy in Life” Handbook!

Start a new routine today by getting deep into the Word. It’s time to start drinking from the fountain of the Living Water that never dries up. Get Deeply Rooted in His Word today!

Natalie is a wife and homeschool mother to 2 teenagers living in the sunny state of NC. As a minimalist, she enjoys finding ways to make life more simple, yet significant, while serving the Savior through her Christian blogging ministry at https://bibleversesforyou.com. Natalie also loves serving others with her tips, tricks, teaching, and techy skills. You may just catch her hiking the NC trails with her Puggle, Lily.

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Grounded and Growing in the Scriptures

Grounded and Growing in the Scriptures by Jennifer Yates | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Jennifer Yates as part of the Deeply Rooted series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Our property is lined with pecan trees that have stood for almost a century. Several generations have called this farm home. But over the years, the trees have grown old. They haven’t been pruned or fertilized. And for the last several years, they have begun to bear less fruit. Rather than gathering nuts, we have mostly been gathering broken limbs. 

After several hurricanes and severe flooding in our area, several of the trees have been completely uprooted. Even though these trees have stood many years, after much neglect they are slowly dying and creating more labor than bounty.

As followers of Christ, we are called to grow, flourish, and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. But without being deeply rooted in the Word of God, we will struggle to produce good fruit. Rather than bearing love, joy, and peace, our spiritual lives will grow empty and stagnant. 

As followers of Christ, we are called to grow, flourish, and bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

Jennifer Yates

Just as a new baby needs to be nourished in order to grow, we too must feed our spirit so we can grow and mature in the Lord.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good”

1 Peter 2:2-3, NIV

I know from experience. When I first became a follower of Christ, I was single, in college, and in love with Jesus. Coming from an unchurched home, I knew nothing of the Bible. Once I got into the Word, I couldn’t get enough of discipleship class, asking questions, studying, and growing in my understanding of truth.

A couple years later, I started my first job as a teacher and got married, all in the same year. Suddenly, many things were vying for my attention, and it became harder and harder to stay committed to daily time in the Word. My joy turned to grumpiness; my peace became anxiety. Because I had neglected my spiritual growth, I grew frustrated and empty.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

Out of desperation, I finally surrendered to the truth in John 15, that apart from Christ, I can do nothing. I committed myself to daily time in the Word, no matter what. As I got back in the pages of Scripture, I began to hunger once again for those life-giving words. Slowly and steadily, my joy and peace returned. 

The truth is that our soul will always have to battle between the flesh and the spirit. The flesh wants comfort and convenience. Our spirit desires communion with God. But we will convince ourselves we can make it on our own. Just a little devotional reading and a prayer here and there will suffice. But it’s a lie from the enemy.

Just as those pecan trees needed pruning and fertilizing, our spirits need to be nourished with the Word. The Word of God is living and active. The Holy Spirit uses those Words to bring conviction and instruction, discipline, and encouragement. We can’t grow unless our roots go deep, and that requires time and focus.

As women, those two commodities are often hard to find, but with a little intentionality and strategy, we can make it work. It’s not about perfection or ritual or duty; it’s about the heart and the desire. If we start there, God will do the rest. 

Once we take responsibility for our spiritual growth and commit ourselves to daily time in the Word, the Holy Spirit will fuel our hunger for more. That’s why I encourage women to start with just fifteen minutes a day. Just taking that step can make all the difference, as long as we are intentional about it. 

Once we take responsibility for our spiritual growth and commit ourselves to daily time in the Word, the Holy Spirit will fuel our hunger for more.

Jennifer Yates

In fifteen minutes, we can read a chapter in its original context. We can then ask, “What does this Scripture teach me about God?” We can journal our thoughts and respond to God in prayer. As we do, the Holy Spirit will use that Word to teach, correct, and encourage, and we adjust our lives accordingly. That is how we nourish our spiritual growth. 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”

Colossians 1:9-10

Have you been struggling lately to walk in the peace and joy of the Spirit? Maybe like me, you have tried to get by with Sunday church and an occasional devotion. Don’t let the enemy keep you too busy or distracted to spend time in the Word. Decide right now that you will commit fifteen minutes a day to invest in your spiritual growth.

Don’t let the enemy keep you too busy or distracted to spend time in the Word.

Jennifer Yates

Let your roots go deep in God’s Word, and watch Him produce the fruit of it in your life. Pretty soon, you’ll be growing and thriving, and others will see that bounty as evidence of a faithful God.

Jennifer Hayes Yates is a blogger, best-selling author, and passionate speaker. Lover of all things Jesus, books, and coffee, she can be found in quiet corners or busy spaces, sipping lattes, studying commentaries, and chatting up strangers.

Read more from Jennifer Yates on her website, Facebook, and Instagram. You may also grab some of her books on Amazon or download this free e-book on How to Memorize Scripture in 10 Easy Steps!

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3 Keys to Staying Deeply Rooted During Suffering

3 Keys to Staying Deeply Rooted During Suffering by Sheryl Aeschliman | Deeply Rooted Devotional series | Angelittle
This article is written by Sheryl Aeschliman for the Deeply Rooted Devotional series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

The phone call. The loss. The betrayal. The diagnosis. The rejection. At some point, we all have been thrown into the deep end of suffering and trial. You are not alone. Do you feel like you are drowning in your pain right now? Are you wondering how you can endure intense struggling and keep breathing when the waves come crashing in? Here are 3 keys to staying deeply rooted in your faith while the storm rages. 

Key #1. Stay Deeply Rooted in Prayer  

You are called to pray instead of ponder.  

There is a major difference between praying to the Lord and pondering the painful circumstances and problems. I don’t know if you are anything like me, but when trouble hits I can imagine the worst-case scenario in .02 seconds flat. I know I am not the only one that has imagined ridiculous drama in my mind.  (Like getting laid off your job automatically means you will be a penniless, nomadic goat farmer in the  Himalayan mountains, right?) While losing your job is a big deal, spending time ruminating on a variety of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios generally makes matters worse. Yes, there is a huge difference between true prayer with your heavenly Father and pondering things that will likely never happen. One speaks to the God of the Universe that can move mountains and the other…well, doesn’t.  

Intense suffering drives us to look for relief, makes us desperately ache for a sense of inner calmness,  and cling to anything for stability. The world can not offer any of those things, but God does. Prayer is the balm for the hurting soul. Being honest with God is what keeps you rooted in the most intense struggle. It gives hope! It doesn’t have to be long or fancy to get the job done, either. The most earnest prayer from a  sincere, humble heart can simply be, “God, help me.”  

Prayer is the balm for the hurting soul.

Sheryl Aeschliman | Simply Scripture

Whatever He has declared over you in His word is true. Pray about it. Claim the promise. Trust it and rest in His grace. He is not done working to bring about His desired outcome. He wants you to talk to Him about it, and He is available anytime. (See Romans 8:26)  

Taking it deeper: Read Scripture! Ask God to show you how to pray. Ask another person to be a prayer partner. Set aside 5 minutes to read through a Psalm and turn it into a prayer. Write out a prayer, or Bible verse on a small notecard. Place it on your mirror, car dash or office desk as a prayer prompt.  

The most earnest prayer from a  sincere, humble heart can simply be, “God, help me.”  

SHERYL AESCHLIMAN | SIMPLY SCRIPTURE

Key #2. Stay Deeply Rooted in Worship  

We are called to worship instead of wallow.  

When suffering becomes unbearable your sweet Lord gives you the beauty of worship. Instead of dwelling on your pain, He gently asks you to look up and gaze on His goodness and provision instead.  (Read Psalm 121:1-8 for the encouragement!)

He calls His children to lay down worry and anxiety to soak in who He is and all that He does through praise and worship. When you close your eyes, Jesus takes you to a sacred place where your wounding becomes your resting. Worship is a way to release your suffering into His capable hands and be deeply rooted in the assurance He is present in your pain. It is God’s love language with you. (See Colossians 3:16)  

Worship is more than just music! Worship is honoring God in your actions each and every moment!  Wallowing in the suffering prevents you from sharing your testimony, serving in your community and living  a life of victory. 

Taking it deeper: Read Scripture! Listen only to worship music for 30 days. Volunteer at a local shelter,  crisis pregnancy center, or teach Sunday school.  

When you close your eyes, Jesus takes you to a sacred place where your wounding becomes your resting.

SHERYL AESCHLIMAN | SIMPLY SCRIPTURE

Key #3. Stay Deeply Rooted in Communion  

You are called into communion instead of contention.  

The Lord identifies with you because He suffered, too. He felt the sting of deep rejection, the loneliness of being misunderstood, the sucker-punch of betrayal, and a physically broken body. Trials were not meant to push you away from God, but to identify you with Him.  

In a season of deep trial, it is easy to push God and others away. Fighting the Lord and those around you at the same time is exhausting. Trying to white-knuckle life or pull yourself up by the bootstraps creates bitterness and resentment, not to mention deep loneliness. Becoming a maverick or martyr in your trial was never the Lord’s intention and it is neither helpful nor necessary. His word calls you into communion with Him through prayer and worship but also calls you to connect to other believers as well.  

Most physical or emotional suffering comes thickly padded with lies from the enemy. Lies can not be in the presence of a holy God. Scripture says that when 2 or 3 are gathered together He is there. (See Matthew  18:20) Fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters creates an impenetrable fortress of safety and truth.  Having a small group of fellow believers who are committed to each other and to your victory is priceless.  Close connection and communion not only will encourage you, but also will hold you accountable on the days or weeks that you feel like giving up.  

Taking It deeper: Read Scripture! Regularly attend a grace-based, gospel-centered church that has Biblical teaching. Join a Bible study online or in person. Step out and join a support group. Find an accountability partner. 

Prayer, worship, and communion are 3 keys to staying deeply rooted in your time of suffering. God has not left you on this big spinning ball to figure it out on your own. He is right there with you. He is committed to working everything out for your good and His glory.

Prayer, worship, and communion are 3 keys to staying deeply rooted in your time of suffering.

SHERYL AESCHLIMAN | SIMPLY SCRIPTURE

Sheryl Aeschliman is the founder of Simply Scripture’s online Bible study community and author of numerous women’s Bible studies using her Simply Color© color code. Her writing and speaking are sprinkled with honesty, humor, and encouragement while digging out deep biblical concepts that practically apply to daily life.

Join her online bible studies for women at https://www.simplyscripture.org or be part of her exclusive community called A Simple Gathering. Read more from her on Facebook.

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Seeking God When He Seems Distant

Seeking God when He seems distant
This article is written by Rachel Britton as part of the Deeply Rooted series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

Sometimes God seems distant when we seek Him, and there are many reasons why.

When we turn to scripture, do a Bible study, or read a daily devotional and it doesn’t “speak” to us, God can seem silent. We enjoy hearing from God but can feel disappointed when nothing stands out as a special word for us. Or we can pray and it feels like our words are just going into outer space.

If only we could experience talking to God like chatting to a friend on the phone or over a cup of coffee, then we would know he was paying attention and listening.

Then when crises occur, even though we turn to God, we can think we are alone. Our reaction can be to wonder why God is allowing difficulties to happen and to question His loving care for us. 

At times like these, we can acknowledge our feelings, but it is important not to rely on them. Rather, it is better to believe and trust what we know to be true about God as the truths of scripture are more reliable than our emotions.

…the truths of scripture are more reliable than our emotions. 

Rachel Britton ministries

So what does the Bible say about God when we seek Him yet He seems distant from us? Here are three truths we should remember at all times.

We never have to work our way up to God.

Throughout the Bible, we are reminded that God is the One who always makes the move towards us. God comes down to be with us.

Right from the beginning of the world, God came down to be with the first man and woman. In Genesis 3:8, God came to be with Adam and Eve as he walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day.

God was with His people in the wilderness as a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way during the day and a pillar of fire to give them light at night (Exodus 13:21). 

God sent His Son, Jesus, to be with us. Matthew 1:23 reminds us Jesus was called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” 

And then, God sent His Holy Spirit. Today, you and I have God dwelling within our hearts. 

God has never left us alone. He always makes the move to be with us and close to us. This is something to remember daily as we seek him.

God has removed the separation we created between Him and us.

Adam and Eve created the gap between God and humanity through their sin of disobedience. Even after they sinned, they distanced themselves from God. When God came to walk in the Garden, they hid amongst the trees in their shame. 

Yet, God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ removes our separation from God caused by sin. Jesus came to die as a sacrifice for our sins so our relationship could be made right with God and we can live with Him. 

How often do we hide, like Adam and Eve, rather than come out in the open and admit our wrongdoing to God? Yet, when we seek God and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we are welcomed by God into His presence as His children. 

Come humbly before God today in repentance for anything that is keeping you distant from God. Acknowledge your wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness.

God is not far from any of us.

The Bible is full of reminders that God is with us.

David tells us God is present with us in all places at all times:

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 

Psalm 139:8-10

The apostle Paul tell us the same…

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:38-39

Even though God is holy and lofty, we can be assured that He is close to ordinary people like us. Nothing should make us think we cannot be close to God.

When we seek God, when we read His Word, pray, and when we turn to God in distress — we come near to Him and He promises that He will come near to us, too (James 4:8).

We come near to Him and He promises that He will come near to us, too

Rachel britton

Rachel Britton’s passion is to help you become comfortable and confident in your conversation with God. Subscribe to her blog “Praying Naturally” at rachelbritton.com and gain access to an extensive library of free prayer resources to help you deepen and develop your prayer life. 

Follow Rachel on Facebook and Instagram.

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5 Ways to Be Deeply Rooted In Truth And Grace

This article is written by Sacha of Clothed with Dignity as part of the Deeply Rooted series. To submit a guest blog, click here.

“Be deeply rooted,” is an encouragement we’ve received from many Christian leaders. But what does it really look like? What comes to your mind when you hear the words “be deeply rooted”?

For me, I think about plants with big, deep roots in the ground. Imagine a giant tree in the forest that has grown over several, several years, and the roots are growing deep inside the rich soil. 

Another thing that comes to mind is Jesus talking about Him being the true vine, and us being the branches, in John 15. As born-again Christians, we abide in Christ, and He abides in us. We cannot produce fruit as a branch by ourselves; we need to be a part of the vine. This metaphor that Jesus spoke about in John 15:1-6 gives us a better understanding of what it means to be deeply rooted. 

When we abide in Christ, we must abide by His words, by doing His will in our lives, bearing good fruit for His glory, and keeping His commandments. Jesus also wants us to abide in His love, for He loved us first.  

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving”

Colossians 2:6-7

Paul illustrated for us that the foundation for our faith is in our roots with Christ, reminding us that these roots can be established by our faith in Jesus. When we believe in The Lord Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior, our roots start to form and grow in Christ, thus giving us the solid foundation for our faith in Him. 

Jesus also wants us to abide in His love, for He loved us first.  

Sacha of @clothedwithdignityco

Based upon these scriptures, we gain a better understanding as to what “be deeply rooted” means. Let’s take a look at 5 ways for us to become deeply rooted in truth and grace:

5 Ways to Be Deeply Rooted In Truth and Grace

1. Spend Time On Building Your Relationship With Jesus

When a plant is first planted in the ground, it needs extra attention and care in order for the roots to become fully established and grow correctly. Just like when someone first gets saved, they need more love, care, and attention to them so that they can be encouraged in the right way to start their new lives with Christ on the right foot. 

We need to spend time on building our relationship with Jesus, and having a strong desire to learn more about Him and His love for us. This can be done by reading God’s Word, praying daily, worshipping and glorifying Him, and submitting to God and doing His Will in our lives.

2. Be Deeply Rooted In The Word of God

How on Earth do we expect ourselves to grow and mature in the faith, to build strong roots and foundations in our lives, if we are not reading and studying His Word?

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Bible says to study to show ourselves approved unto God. We need to make sure that we take time out of the day to spend time with God in His Word.

If you are struggling to do this, find some free bible reading plans, or Christian devotionals, to help get you started with staying consistent in reading the Bible each day.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

3. Submit To God

As Christians, we see God as our Heavenly Father. We love Him because He first loved us. He knows everything about us, past, present, and future. He counts the very hairs on our heads and created us all so perfectly and uniquely. As such, we need to fully submit to Him and trust that He will guide us on the right path. 

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” 

Proverbs 3:5-6

He already has established a path for us that is intended for us to follow. We need to submit and do everything in accordance to His Will and not our own. Our lives change, for the better, when we become born-again. We have a chance to start again; a fresh start, a new beginning. This is our opportunity to grow in truth and grace and see all of the wonderful things that we can do for God and He can do for us, in our lives. 

4. Find Your Purpose & Identity

It is important for us, as Christians to find our purpose and live that out, for God’s glory. When we are born-again, our identity is in Christ.

We no longer desire to live for the world, because we want to follow Jesus. We came to Jesus because we found the truth about who He is, and what He has done for us. We rejoice in Him knowing that our sins are forgiven and our slate is wiped clean with the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross at Calvary. We no longer want to live the way that we used to, for we desire to live a more Holy and righteous life; a life that God intends for us to live.

It takes time to find our purpose. As long as we fully submit to God, obey Him, study His Word, and grow and mature in the faith, we will find what we are looking for. Our roots will become even stronger and more established once we find our purpose.

5. Produce Good Fruit For God

God wants us to produce good fruit. Just because we are saved and forgiven of our sins, does not mean that we should continue sinning, or living the same life we once had before we came to Christ. We are given a fresh start; now we are a part of the True Vine that is Jesus. 

Our salvation doesn’t come from being good enough or through our own works, but through our faith in Jesus and His love for us. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has allowed us to be planted in Him. Every day that we live for Christ, we will bear good fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). 

We can produce good fruit by walking with Christ, picking up our cross and following Him daily (Luke 9:23), doing His Will and increasing in our knowledge for His Word (Colossians 1:10).

To be deeply rooted is a long-term process; it doesn’t happen overnight. Each day we must surrender ourselves to Christ as we grow deeper in truth and grace. This is an opportunity for us to strengthen our faith and love in Jesus and to fully depend on Him to keep us grounded. 

To be deeply rooted is a long-term process; it doesn’t happen overnight.

Sacha, clothedwithdignityco

Sacha (Clothed With Dignity Co)

Sacha is the owner/creator of Clothed With Dignity, which is a Christian blog (and future apparel store). Her blog, which derives from Proverbs 31:25, encourages women to be strong, honorable, and faithful to God. 

Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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Christian Wedding Ideas during the Pandemic

christian wedding, covid wedding, cornerstone wedding photo, zamboanga wedding, angelita chua elloren

Christian weddings are not easy to pull during the COVID19 pandemic. We decided to get married late last year 2020. With 2 months to set all things in proper places, we had a very memorable Christian wedding ceremony.

I love organizing events for work and church. It was my dream to organize my own wedding too. I’m sharing some Christian Wedding ideas to help you, if you happen to look for help! By the way, here’s how our engagement happened during community quarantine. 🙂

Christian Wedding Ideas with Safety Precautions against COVID19

christian wedding, covid wedding, cornerstone wedding photo, zamboanga wedding, angelita chua elloren

Christian weddings intertwined with Filipino tradition involve ceremonies and symbolic festivities that, if we’re not careful, might compromise everyone’s safety. Safety was at the top of my mind each time we plan, discuss, and even execute our dreamy Christian Wedding. Below are the favorite things we did for my Wedding.

Wedding Reminders on Safety Protocol

Invitation card by Arlyn Amores Paperika Zamboanga City

My husband’s sister Mayjorin served as our Guest Coordinator. She had scheduled messages to send our invites to remind them to RSVP, wear the motif, keep the mask on, and stay healthy and away from public gatherings. Both our parents are old and vulnerable, so we wanted to make sure the wedding would be safe for them too. Sending SMS might be a little task, but it takes a great role in making sure our wedding celebration will not bring us COVID stresses!

Wedding Entourage with Social Distance

For Filipino Christian Weddings, we pick primary sponsors who serve as our marriage’s godparents or mentors and secondary sponsors who would light the way (candle), bind (cord), and cover (veil) our marriage. We picked sponsors who we know would be willing to be part of our lifelong journey. We picked our closest, loyal, and genuine friends to join the crew as bride’s maids and groom’s men.

To ensure social distancing, I preferred having the entourage do a solo walk except for our sponsors and parents who are married.

Worship at the Wedding Church Ceremony

I lead our worship team and one thing I would never not do at my wedding is worship! It was the first thing we did immediately after the entourage has settled.

Before the tradition, exchanges of vows, even before the Word is shared, we started with a worship song led by Worship Catalyst (our worship band). My Maid of Honor and spiritual son led us with my song of choice: Unending Love by Hillsong Worship. For me it was the most fitting worship song for a wedding as the song declares:

There’s no silver or gold and treasure untold that could draw me away from Your heart, Neither love of myself or of anyone else will do

Unending Love Lyrics by Hillsong Worship

Washing of Feet in Christian Wedding is a must-have

Instead of tossing a garter, we washed each other’s feet following what Jesus did. It was one of my most favorite things from our wedding. After we exchanged rings, we removed our shoes and took turns in washing each others’ feet.

Jesus, secured of who He was, served on His final hours. We know marriage would be a lifetime of caring and serving each other. What better way to seal our marriage with the washing of feet at a Christian wedding ceremony!

Wedding Vow in a Song

I wanted to make my wedding vow something that my husband and our guests would remember. After saying a few words about how I fell in love with Marlon, I sang a song called Angel by your side by Franceska Battistelli. The song encapsulates my vow to him, especially the chorus:

I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when your down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side

Angel by Your Side by Franceska Battistelli
Listen to a portion of my vow and wedding song here.

Christian Wedding in a Pandemic made easy with the Dream Team

Make your Christian wedding less stress-free by picking your wedding’s dream team! If you’re from Zamboanga City, here are my recommendations:

  • Coordinator and Styling: Faith and Love Events
  • Documentation: Cornerstone Wedding Photography
  • Videography: Bencio Films
  • Wedding Invitation: Paperika Invitation by Arlyn Amores
  • Sponsors Invitation: Flurrygraphy
  • Wedding logo: Lare Designs by Leroy Delos Reyes
  • Hair and Makeup: Goyang Fernandez and Erika Alnas
  • Bridal Gown: JGAD Apparel Manila
  • Bride’s Reception Gown: Sarita’s Gown
  • Groom’s Tux: Paul Espinosa
  • Tokens and Snacks: Jabe’s Kakanin at iba pa
  • Cake: Skillful Hands by JM Saavedra
  • Band: Worship Catalyst
  • Sounds and Light: Hottracks
  • Host: Daryl Jane Barrios
  • Minister: Pastor Ronal Bilang, Sea Gentiles for Christ Ministries
  • Venue: Astoria Regency Hotel
  • Hotel accommodation: Garden Orchid Hotel