Giving Thanks When Nothing Seems Right
Giving thanks when nothing seems right is the challenge we all face this Thanksgiving. Deep in the throes of the COVID-19 surge, we must choose to forego some traditions but our hearts are free.
Read MoreIn the Solitude, Jesus Makes Himself Known
In the solitude, Jesus makes Himself known to the deepest parts of my heart and spirit. I cannot hear Him in the crowded busyness of daily life.
2MefromHim Devotionals
In the Solitude, Jesus Makes Himself Known
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 #prayer #Jesus #solitude Share on XOur world clamors with chaos, the cacophony of voices vying for our attention. Just as in Jesus’ day, He had to escape the crowds.
News confronts us from phones, computers, and television. Advertisements call our attention to millions of products designed to meet our every need. The one thing no one offers us is solitude, the calm and quiet of peaceful, uninterrupted time.
My heart pleads for solitude. For it is in the quiet that I can hear Jesus speak.
In the Solitude, Jesus Can be Heard
Jesus often took His disciples away to lonely places where He could teach them. The demands of people and responsibility distract us from the call of our Lord.
Mark 4:4 reminds us that, “When he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” Our deepest desires to draw near to the heart of God are only answered when we set aside the time to spend with Him alone.
In a place of solitude, away from the din of the world, our Savior can be heard like nowhere else. Just as we crave one on one time with those we love, so God desires to have our attention to Himself, to have us care enough to carve out space and time to spend with Him.
Just as we crave one on one time with those we love, so God desires to have our attention to Himself... #devotional #prayer #Godislove Share on XIn the Solitude, I Find Great Reward
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
If we seek Him with our whole heart, we will never be disappointed. He will grant us the riches of His glorious grace, open to us the secrets of His word, and give me of Himself.
Sometimes I need to be reminded that He speaks in the silence more than in the chaos. God longs for my time and attention, and if I offer it to Him, He will bless me abundantly. His treasures are best discovered when we are alone.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Sometimes I need to be reminded that God speaks in the silence more than in the chaos. #chaos #silence #peace Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, October 26, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (released May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
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Children are a Heritage and Blessing from God: Champion Them
Children are a heritage and blessing. However, our society tends to view this gift of God as precious only if it suits convenience.
2MefromHim Devotionals
Children are a Heritage and Blessing from God: Champion Them
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him … Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him ... Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5 #children #life #vote Share on XChildren are Heritage not to be Despised
Matthew 18:10 says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” As a nation, the abortion rate proves that we despise our little ones. Only 1 in 6 voters in the United States makes pro-life issues central to their voting choice. To me, that is a crime.
As early as Leviticus, God warned Israel against offering their children to Molech, the Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice. Anyone doing so was to be stoned to death.
Only 1 in 6 voters in the United States makes pro-life issues central to their voting choice. #achildnotachoice #prolife #vote2020 Share on XChildren are a Heritage to Protect
I went through nursing school in the mid-70s, after Roe vs. Wade made abortion legal. As a student nurse, my class saw a baby, the victim of a saline-induced abortion, die on a towel in a cold, soiled-utility room. We could not offer it comfort or warmth.
Does it horrify you that I had to watch that? We should be horrified by the unspeakable cruelty that can be done to a child. This isn’t the 12th century. Science enables us to look into the womb of a pregnant woman and see her child moving, sucking its thumb, responding to touch and sound. We can see the miracle of life from conception to birth with special cameras. The heartbeat is detectible at around 6 weeks.
should be horrified by the unspeakable cruelty that can be done to a child. #prolife #hope #truth Share on XChildren are a Heritage from Conception
Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God had a purpose and plan for Jeremiah before he was born. He has a plan for you too. According to Psalm 139:13, 16, God knits each of us together in our mother’s womb. He sees and knows each human being and has a plan for every day of our lives.
God created male and female in His own image. It is God’s breath that gives life to me and to you, whether or not you believe it. Isaiah calls man the work of God’s hands. He admonishes us not to neglect or forget the helpless, the poor, and the fatherless.
God admonishes us not to neglect or forget the helpless, the poor, and the fatherless. #prolife #children #Godislove Share on XWe Must Protect our Heritage
The Book of James says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
The God of heaven and earth asks us to make a choice. He says, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live….” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Will you use your vote to champion life?
Will you use your vote to champion life? #vote2020 #prolife #truth Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, October 19, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (released May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
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I Will Rejoice in the Lord and Have Hope
I will rejoice in the Lord, though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food…
I Will Rejoice in the Lord and Hope
2MefromHim Devotionals
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19
I will rejoice in God no matter what comes my way. In the midst of COVID, quarantine, natural disasters, and lawlessness, hope fades to a faint glow, flickering in the breeze. We must search for God’s blessings each day.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines...I will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk 3:17 #rejoice #hope #2020 Share on XI Will Rejoice in the Lord in Sorrow
This past weekend, I spoke with a friend whose 62-year-old husband died suddenly, three weeks ago. What impressed me most was her gratitude for the quarantine that caused them to work from home for the past four months. In busy, two-career marriage, the pandemic offered them time together they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Only she, her two sons, and the pastor were in the church for the funeral. Friends and family members watched a live stream or on YouTube. However, she expressed thanks for the support and comfort of loved ones.
Habakkuk wrote his prophecy in the time of Jeremiah and Zephaniah, prophesying about the same events, the time of the Chaldeans, and their ruin of Jerusalem. In spite of the terrible prophesies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, Habakkuk speaks of God’s deliverance.
Here is great spiritual truth: even in the darkest night, God never leaves His people without hope.
Here is great spiritual truth: even in the darkest night, God never leaves His people without hope. #Godisgood #truth #hope Share on XI Will Rejoice Because God is My Hope
In 2020, struggle and fear dominate our news and threats loom on the horizon, but God promises better things to come. When Job believed his suffering would never end, he proclaimed his certainty of seeing God in his flesh. (Job 19:23) Paul and Silas believed when they sang songs of praise in a Philippian jail. (Acts 16:16-40) There is always something for which we can give thanks.
God doesn’t promise to answer all of our prayers. However, He promises strength and the power to endure hardship. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God grants His people all the power that raised Christ from the dead.
In spite of plagues, fears, unrest, and attacks, choose to give thanks and rejoice. God is still on His throne. #Jesus #fear #trust Share on XGod is Faithful
When overwhelmed by unexpected trials, remember the faithfulness of God and rejoice. Give thanks for the small things. Write down your to be remembered time and time again.
In spite of plagues, fears, unrest, and attacks, choose to give thanks and rejoice. God is still on His throne.
Give thanks for the small things. #gratitude #Godislove #Jesus Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, August 17, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (released May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
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Sometimes Life is Full of Mountains to be Climbed
Sometimes life is full of mountains to be climbed. Life in the year 2020 seems to have more mountains than usual.
Sometimes Life is Full of Mountains to Be Climbed
2MefromHim Devotionals
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6
Sometimes life is full of mountains to be climbed. Life in the year 2020 seems to have more mountains than usual.
Whatever mountains you’re facing, the answer is the same, take it to the Lord. You’ll probably still have to climb the mountain but the Good Shepherd, who is sure of foot and knows all the pathways will be there to climb it with you.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5, 6 #trust #hope #guidance Share on XSometimes Life Looks Great From the Top of the Mountain
In 2003, we had just completed homeschooling our son. He would head off to college in the fall. Our daughter, the starting goalkeeper for her high school soccer team, looked forward to her senior year. She already knew she would continue her career at a small, Division II university. I had accepted the opportunity to begin the first weekly women’s Bible studies at our small church. It was thrilling to have the opportunity to put 14 years of Bible Study Fellowship training into practice and develop my own leadership team for both morning and evening Bible studies. Everything in life was good.
Sometimes life is full of mountains to be climbed. #life #trials #challenges Share on XSometimes Life Reveals a New Mountain Beyond the One Just Conquered
During a routine physical, my primary care doctor discovered a small nodule on my thyroid gland. Since I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada during the above-ground nuclear testing of the 1950s, I knew immediately that it would be cancer. My aunt, who lived in Nevada at the time I was born, had experienced thyroid cancer twice. Having just completed treatment for another ongoing medical condition, I was hoping for freedom from doctors for a while. Fear of the cancer wasn’t a concern. I knew that thyroid cancer was very treatable. However, the timing of the surgery interfered with the start dates for the Bible study and my ability to attend all of our daughter’s soccer games, both in and out of town. It was a mountain I didn’t want to climb.
As I prayed the next morning, the Lord graciously gave me a poem to put the events of my life into perspective. Whenever I read it, I remember how God brought me through a tough year and buoyed me with hope through many challenges. During that period of my life, as in the year 2020, God’s design was to cause me to look to Him for strength, seek His will, and give me His perspective.
I’m tired and weary, and I need a rest, but, dear Lord, I know that You always know best. #COVID #Godislove #victory Share on XOne More Mountain
I’m tired and weary, and I need a rest,
But, dear Lord, I know that You always know best.
When I’m battle-weary and feel alone,
When I beg for bread but it seems like a stone.
I know there is something You are working in me—
There is something new You have to show me.
There is something I haven’t become just yet,
There is some other challenge I’ve not ever met.
You’ve carried me through so many before—
Lord, help me now to face one more.
When I look in the mirror, I want to see
A reflection of You looking back at me.
So once more, Lord, pick me up and let’s go—
So, I never forget how I need you so.
And I have the feeling that when this one is through,
I’ll see, just beyond, there is something else new.
So, thank You, Lord, for not forgetting me,
For never letting me rest till it’s You that I see.
Sometimes Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan
Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. The older I get, the more I realize that is the norm. We all face mountains but we don’t have to face them alone.
Whatever mountain you face, there is hope and help. Seek God with all your heart. Don’t trust your understanding of the situation but seek God’s way to the top of the mountain. He will make your paths straight and make you sure-footed. He will not allow you to stumble and fall. He will lead you through the trials and bring you to the summit with new blessings and an improved perspective on life in this crazy world.
God will lead you through the trials and bring you to the summit with new blessings and an improved perspective on life. #life #Godisgood #perspective Share on XPoem, Copyright Norma Gail Holtman August 15, 2003
Copyright, Norma Gail Holtman, July 29, 2020
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