Devotionals By Millicent Peart

  Prayer In Times Of Deep Distress 1 Samuel 1:10 (NLT) “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:10 shows us the deep emotional pain that Hannah was experiencing. She was deeply distressed because she longed for a child and felt the pain of barrenness. Her pain was not just a passing moment but a persistent anguish that weighed on her heart. In her desperation, she turned to God in prayer, pouring out her grief and sorrow. The Lord heard and gave her the desire of her heart. Hannah is an example of someone who is unashamed to pour out their soul to the Lord, because they know that he listens, hears, cares, and relieves even the deepest of pains. When we face moments of deep distress, like Hannah, we are invited to come before God with our hearts wide open, knowing that He sees, hears, and cares. Jesus in Matthew 11:28 tell us to   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  This t...

  Brokenness   Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart And saves such as have a contrite spirit.   Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The first part of this verse reminds us that God is not far from us in our pain. In moments of brokenness, it can feel like God is distant, but this scripture assures us that He is, in fact, very near. Whether we face loss, disappointment, rejection, or deep emotional wounds, brokenness is a part of life that we all encounter in different ways. God’s closeness is not dependent on our strength or ability to hold it together. It is in the very depths of our brokenness that He draws near to us. This is not just a physical nearness, but a relational one; a deep, intimate presence that comforts, sustains, and understands. When we are at our lowest, God is with us, standing close and ready to lift us up. When we come to Him in our brokenness, ...

  "God is our refuge" Psalm 62:8 (NLT) O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 declares with certainty, "God is our refuge." Let us pause for a moment and consider what does this mean in our lives. A refuge is a place of safety, protection, and peace. When we are in a storm, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical, we need a place of shelter, where we can find rest and security. The psalmist reminds us that God Himself is this refuge. He is not a temporary shelter that can be shaken or destroyed by the winds of life; He is an eternal, unshakable refuge. In difficult times in life, it is easy for us to forget where our true refuge lies. We may look to success, relationships, possessions, or even our own abilities for comfort and security. However, these things can never offer the lasting peace that God does. Only in God can we find the perfect protection and rest we need. He is the one who can ca...

  Living as God’s Chosen Children Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves  with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Paul in Colossians 3:12 calls us as God’s chosen children to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. He reminds us of our identity in Christ: God’s chosen, holy, and beloved. This identity is foundational because it underscores that the actions called for are not to earn God’s love but flow out of it. Knowing that we are loved by God motivates us to embody His character in the world. Just as we would not leave home physically undressed, we should not go out into the world spiritually unprepared. Paul reminds us that living as God’s chosen people means not just knowing who we are, but also showing it through our actions, embodying the love and character of Christ in everything we do. We must show compassion for other, reflecting G...

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...