Devotions with Denise
Follow The Leader
So often I have thanked God for going with me. I'm so thankful for the presence of God that lives in me. And if you've asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior - His presence lives in you too!
Inching Up At The Intersection
We were traveling through town waiting at an intersection for the traffic signal to turn green. We happened to be in the lane going straight and we had vehicles to our left, in the turn lane, waiting for a green arrow.
I Didn't Want You To Get Your Hopes Up
"I didn't want you to get your hopes up." It was part of a conversation that I heard a mom say to her daughter recently...
Artificial Intelligence
Not long ago, a friend asked me to listen to a three-day Bible plan on the same three days that she was listening. The topic of the plan was written specifically for those who are writers. Since I love to write, I was looking forward to what the author of the devotional had to say.
The Residue
Some mornings when my alarm goes off, I am hardly coherent enough to find the button to turn off the sound; and yet, my mind has the trail of a song in my head that I can't stop thinking about.
Look At Me
When my youngest brother, Brent, was a toddler I can remember him grabbing my mom's chin to turn her face toward him so that he could have her undivided attention. It became a regular thing for him to do with her no matter what she was doing he made it clear that he wanted her attention.
Atta Girl!
I think even the one who wants to remain anonymous appreciates that, somewhere along the way, someone acknowledges that what they did was appreciated. We want to help others and there are times that anonymity is best. But, day in and day out, whether it's serving our family, our friends or complete strangers, we just want to know that somebody noticed.
Where Are The Stars?
We were arriving home after dark one evening and my son, Cody, who was four years old at the time, shockingly exclaimed, "Mommy! God forgot to put the stars out!" Holding onto his little hand, I glanced up at the dark sky and whispered, "Oh the stars are there, hon...
You Are Comforted
The word comfort is used in a number of ways. Are you comfortable? What is your comfort level with this? I've resorted to comfort foods. This has all the creature comforts you could want!
You Are A Friend Of God
We were trying out a brand new restaurant and we scored BIG. Fabulous ambience. Amazing food. Great service. Oliver was our server and he was always there when we needed something.
You Are Secure In Christ
I grew up in the era of 'Layaway Plans'. Mom picked out the item or items she wanted, like Christmas presents, or big-ticket items like a new stereo system.
You Are A New Creation
From the time we can stand up in our mama's high heels, dress up in something sparkly and sneak into her makeup kit to add the boldest, brightest lipstick to our smile it becomes a fascination...
You Are Sealed
We can definitely be swayed by a seal. Let's talk bananas for a minute. You could see a bunch of bananas that look pretty good. You start to reach for them ...
You Are Free
There is so much in this life that can imprison us. We are not just bound by physical confines. Many of us are held captive by fear, by our past, by our sins.
You Are Known
The first time my husband, Ken, and I heard our baby's heartbeat, our hearts flooded with so much joy. We didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. In fact, we didn't really know anything about this little gift except that he or she was filled with possibilities and promise.
You Are Resilient
I started reading an article about the strategies of being resilient. The word 'strategies' made me expect monumental steps to achieve resiliency. To my surprise I saw things like "be mindful to breathe, to eat, to move...
You Are Chosen
Auditioning for a part in the choir or a role in the play. Are you having flashbacks yet? How about gym class in fourth grade when you were selected halfway through...or maybe left til last?
You Are Priceless
Have you ever heard someone say 'God knows the number of hairs on your head.'? If you're fairly new in your relationship with the Lord you might not have heard that yet. But I can remember when I was a kid thinking that was an odd thing to say.
You Are Protected
When I was a kid I remember walking in a crowded parking lot of the shopping center with my mom. She would want me to walk closest to the parked cars in the lot.
You Are Equipped
I have had this recurring dream over the years. I walk out onto an empty stage with a spotlight on me and a room full of people and I can't remember anything that I'm supposed to say. Not. one. word. Talk about stage fright!
You Are Safe
What does 'safe' mean to you? The more I've thought about what it means to feel 'safe', I'm realizing that there is an action that must occur first. We must trust. Trust in something or someone must occur in order for us to feel safe.
You Are His
There's nothing wrong with being independent. We should know how to take care of ourselves. It's what our parents teach us and what we, in turn, teach our children if we have them.
You Are A Citizen Of Heaven
My first passport arrived and I was so excited! Other than the inside front page, which had my photo ID along with who I was and my citizenship details, the book was empty.
You Are Handpicked
I love picking out fruits and vegetables in the grocery store. I avoid the bags and containers of produce. Because, you know that while some of them may be just right, there will undoubtedly be a few rotten ones in the bunch.
You Are Healed
I had a Sunday School teacher who used to say, "instead of saying, 'I think I'm catching a cold!', start saying, 'I think I'm catching a healing!'"
You Are God's Masterpiece
Decades later whenever I hear the word masterpiece I still think of the sweet, tender song that Christian artist Sandi Patti recorded in 1989 for her firstborn child, Ana.
You Are Treasured
Without me knowing it, my husband, Ken, had gotten an old, worn travel trunk, that once belonged to my great grandmother, from my parents basement and had it restored to give to me one Christmas.
You Are Called
What is a "calling"? Often when we find ourselves doing something we really enjoy that makes a difference in the lives of the people around us we might say that we have 'found our calling', our destiny.
