Tag Archives: Morning Devotionals

Rest in His Presence

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“My voice will you hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.” Psalm 5:3

The best part of my day is waking up early in the morning after I’m fully rested. The stillness and solitude is the essence of peace. I capture the moment in prayer and reflection.

Some people wake up to self-created chaos and noise. Others have so many obligations and tight, demanding schedules which make it impossible to even imagine starting the day in stillness. Many people are paralyzed and gripped with fear watching the realities unfolding daily on the world news as well as in their daily lives.

With responsibilities of a family, others are left with high demands for caring for others which leaves rarely enough time for themselves. Stressful situations or circumstances can be heavy on our  minds. Physical illness can also strip any sense of peace of mind and cause additional worries that can leave one feeling helpless, fearful, discouraged and insecure about their future. “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7

With so many burdens plaguing the average person on a daily basis, we really need to evaluate and carve out time in our crammed schedules and overwhelming circumstances to mediate, pray and focus on silence. No children, cell phones, laptops, tablets, TV’s, radios or iPods allowed. Just time to be. Even if it’s only for 15-30 minutes a day. Eventually, once you start to notice how important it is to have a “time-out”, you will carve out special time for yourself and dedicate a specific amount of time per day or per week to unwind. “Evening, and morning and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice. He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Psalm 55:17-18

There’s just something extra special about quality time in the mornings. It’s the freshness of a new day with new ideas and new goals with an opportunity to make things better than the day before. “Seek me early and you will find me.”

Allow yourself time to dream again. No thinking or worrying involved. The time to do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty, rushed or anxious. Your body, mind and spirit will appreciate it. You will feel re-energized and rejuvenated. In addition, you will jump start your mornings on a whole new level. You are well worth the investment.

“Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” Psalm 4:4

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Receiving God’s Love

Posted on by yolandaberry
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gods-love

God loves those who love Him, and those who seek Him early ad diligently shall fine Him. (Proverbs 8:17)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He has loved me, as the Father has loved Him; and He instructs me to abide in His love. (John 15:9)

For the Father Himself loves me because I have loved Him and have believed that He came out from the Father. (John 16:27)

Hope never disappoints or deludes or shames me, for God’s love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me. (Romans 5:5)

I love God truly (with affectionate, reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing), I am known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and I am owned by Him.) (I Corth 8:3)

Let everything I do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for me.) I Corth 16:14

The love of Christ controls and urges and impels me, because I am of the opinion and conviction that (if) One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live might live o longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him who died and was raised again for our sake. (2 Corth 5:14-15)

Christ through my faith dwells in my heart. I am rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, I have the power and strength to apprehend and grasp with all the saints (God’s devoted people, the experience of that love) what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of it) (I have come to know (practically, through experience for myself) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; I am filled (through my being) unto all the fullness of God (I have the riches measure of the divine Presence, and I have become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.) Esph 3:17-19

My life lovingly expresses truth (in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly living truly.) Enfolded in love, I grow up in every way and all things into Him who is the Head, (even) Christ.

I walk in love as Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me, a slain offering and sacrifce to God a sweet fragrance. Eph 5:2

I carefully build myself up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the cent of God’s love, keeping my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 20:21)

Purpose Through Pain

Posted on by yolandaberry
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I need to vent. Hopefully, my writing will not come across negative, but I don’t care. I need to release my emotions. I need to be free….unexhibited without judgement or opinion. I realize my pen has a powerful voice and over the years my self-expression has been full of anger, frustration and anger, but through life experiences my pen fetish has developed into hope and inspiration.

I realize God is working in and through me for His purpose. I am human. I have struggles and face many challenges just like the best of us. I’m real and raw without fear or intimidation. There is power in exposure. There is also value in identifying and being true to yourself and your experiences.

Life has a way of forcing you in a direction that you never planned. Some call it fate while others may call it destiny but in between the past and future lies the present chaos of life. It’s the choices and decisions that sums up your journey in a nutshell. Each day is like a puzzle that sometimes fits perfectly or may not come together the way you thought it would. But, if you continue walking down the path, you will begin to see a glimpse of the full picture unfold.

At this point in my life, I never would of imagined my life to flip upside down so quickly. It has forced me in a totally different direction than I originally planned. I’m forced to re-invent and re-design a whole new life for myself. I have to admit it’s more than I could of ever imagined. Somehow, I feel I am still going in the right direction even though it may feel uncomfortable. I never realized how much strength, patience, endurance and faith I possessed.

I truly believe that’s why we are here. There is purpose through pain. When we deal with our struggles, we can heal and be a light to help others through the darkness.

We also become more sensitive to other’s circumstances and conditions. I believe that’s why God allows us to go through problems. We gain compassion, understanding, wisdom, strength, endurance and faith. We become more like God’s character. His essence is based on love. He requires us to love one another, but first you must understand how to love yourself.

Through it all, the foundation is based on love. I would of never made it through my storms without knowing the love of God. Regardless of how things may seem, the things we seek in this lifetime is vanity and chasing of the wind. It will all vanish. We ourselves are vapors passing through the sands of time.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a miracle? You are. There is something special about you. Everyone fails, stumbles and makes mistakes. Life happens regardless of race, class or gender. If you feel defeated, overwhelmed, discouraged….just flat out exhausted from life, you need to take time out to reflect and see your core — your value.

Be still and take a deep look inside. If you really don’t like what you see, you can make a change for the better. Nothing is impossible with God, but it helps to know and understand His character. You are a designer’s original. He created, molded and shaped you. Stop looking to be a clone. Just be who you are. Just be.

It’s not about gaining money and status. You have richness within. Develop your character based on integrity, respect, value and purpose. When you understand who you really are in Christ, you will find peace. The world will not shake you and you will not be defined by the world. You will realize that you can’t control things. The promises of God will stand when the world fades.