Devotionals By Millicent Peart

Letting Go of Negative Emotions Ephesians 4:31 (NIV) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." It is so easy to harbor negative or destructive feelings in our hearts. As we search the scripture we find stories of bitterness, envy, and anger that caused serious problems in families and among God's people. Cain was bitter about how Abel’s offering was received with God’s favor. Rather than dealing with his anger, he let bitterness and envious anger rule his heart. Because he could not quench this fire in his heart, the fruit followed: he committed the first murder (Genesis 4). In another story, Joseph's brothers were so blinded by their jealousy of Joseph that they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). These are just two examples of anger causing serious problems in people’s lives. Ephesians 4:31 (NIV) says: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malic...

  In the Eye of the Storm Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. In the middle of a hurricane, there is a calm space known as the "the eye of the storm." While the winds rage around it, the center remains peaceful. In life, we face moments of intense difficulty, times when everything feels out of control. Yet in Isaiah 26:3, God offers us something extraordinary: perfect peace. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances. It is rooted in trust in God. When our minds are fixed on God, even amid the chaos of life, we experience His peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).   Just like in the storm, there can be peace in the midst of chaos when we find refuge in God. The word "steadfast" in the verse is key. It means a firm and unwavering focus. The storms in our lives can often distract us, storms of uncertainty, fear, stress, or sorrow. But Isaiah reminds us that God’s per...

  Living by Faith, Not by Fear Hebrews 10:39-11:1 (NIV) 10:39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Life often presents us with challenges, uncertainties, and hardships that can stir doubt and make us question our path. Yet, in the face of adversity, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to stand firm. We are reminded that as God’s children, we are not meant to "shrink back" in fear or hesitation, we must stand firm in faith. Hebrew 11:1 gives a clear definition of what faith is: "the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This faith isn’t based on things we can always tangibly measure or see; it is a deep trust in God’s promises. Even when we cannot see the outcome, faith gives us the confidence to keep moving forward, assured that God’s plans are good and He will rema...