Lessons from the Heart: Devotionals for Everyday Living

Copyright © 2024 Carol A. Killgore.

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WestBow Press rev. date: 4/18/2024

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DEDICATION

God has orchestrated specific divine appointments in my life to reveal His will for me to begin my journey writing His devotionals, each woven into the pages of this book. In March 2015, I received calls from two dear friends within the span of a week. Karen B. urged me to say yes to God’s call and start penning devotionals for publication, while Laura N. echoed the same encouragement. In late 2023, a forwarded email from my close friend Claire B. proved to be the final confirmation, as she coincidentally came across an email in her inbox from WestBow Press.

Initially, doubts clouded my mind—I questioned my abilities on writing, yet, it soon became clear that this was not a task I could accomplish of my own abilities. In moments of quiet reflection, words poured forth, inspired by the Holy Spirit. I am humbled and deeply honored that God would choose me as His vessel to craft these messages of encouragement.

Years ago, my daughter was given an impression that after writing 100 devotionals, it was time to share them in a published book for all to see. Now, with the encouragement of those loved ones around me, I am answering God’s call by sharing these inspired devotionals in print (previously posted on social media for years), trusting they will touch your heart and deepen your faith.

May every page of this book inspire, bless and draw you closer to His loving embrace.

Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

Be Purposeful!

Carol A. Killgore

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lord, first and foremost, thank You for blessing us with the vision of being others-centered. Your presence woven into each of our stories, carrying us to and through every chapter.

Steven and Kacie, your generous understanding and support, allowing me time and space to pursue my writing have been instrumental in bringing this book to fruition.

To my Garden Girls and Remember When girls, your encouragement and availability to let me bounce ideas off you, and being supportive through each season of life, I am so very grateful.

Aunt Charlene, your kind words, and gentle nudges toward writing this book have been a source of inspiration.

Shelby, your creative talents are such a gift. Thank you.

I am immensely grateful for the support and encouragement of family and friends throughout this journey. Whether our connections stem from family bonds, work, church, community, or long-standing friendships, I am deeply grateful for being witness to your unfolding stories.

With love and gratitude.

CONTENTS

Standing Out from the Crowd

What’s Your Impression?

Got a Full Plate?

Thank Heaven for Little Girls and Boys

Do You See It in the Clouds?

Get a Move On

Keeping It under Wraps

Are We Living Abbreviated Lives?

How Deep Are Our Roots?

How Revealing

Reflecting on the Heart

Who Knew?

Stirred Not Shaken

Being a Human Resource

We Are Not Deserted in the Desert

Got Milk?

The Power of a Name

Would We Be Recognized by Our Fruit?

Check Your Baggage at the Door

Calling Our Lifelines

The Attraction of Distraction

Reflecting God’s Beauty

Airing Our Dirty Laundry

Service with a Smile

The Panic Button

Bursting Our Bubbles

A Divine Appointment

Digging up Roots Is Easier in Soft Soil

Good Grief

Get a Good Grip

Work in Progress

There’s No Time Like the Present

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

Home Improvement

Riding out the Waves

The Notion of Self-Promotion

Margin

Standing Our Ground

Gifted to Give

Life in the Fast(ing) Lane

Our Comforter

Silence Is Golden

A House Prepared

Going the Distance

Keep the Fire Burning

Be a Storyteller

Be Prepared

Weakness Yields Strength

The Way We Were

Taking a Time Out

At a Crossroads?

Trimming the Fat

It’s What’s on the Inside That Counts

Let the Chips Fall Where They May

Being a Yes Man

Changing up Our Routines

The Right Tool for the Right Job

What If People from Third-World and Developing Countries Came On Missions to Our First-World Lives?

In the Meantime

In Whom Do We Trust?

Ready, Set, Go

Stay Tuned

The Ripple Effect

Worth The Wait

When in Rome

Do the Right Thing Because It’s the Right Thing to Do

Waiting Our Turn

Answering God’s Call

When All Hell Breaks Loose

Stepping Aside

Rest Assured

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

Lost and Found

Be the One

Love Does

Are We Fair-Weather Friends?

Taking the High Road

The Gift of Time

Always Open

Hide and Go Seek

Be Me

All Things New

All’s Well That Ends Well

Ready, Willing, and Able

Come Down from There

Being a Body Builder

The End. In the Beginning

The Price We Pay

The Church Does the Body Good

Running on Empty

Getting out of Control

Set in Stone

Remember When? Remember Them

From the Inside Out

Turning over a New Leaf

What in the World Is God Doing?

Master Planned Community

Passing the Baton

Zooming In

Just Add Water

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

Do you look different from those around you? Do you rise to the occasion even if it goes against what others are doing? Do you dance to the beat of your own drum?

We are called to be set apart.

And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 NIV)

Are we flying under the radar or rising above all the noise? Are we making a difference in the lives around us or just checking off the boxes? Are we being lights in our neighborhoods, speaking out, and stepping up, or just showing up and blending in?

Smoke rises, but a fire is started by a spark. That spark must be fanned to ignite into a flame. That spark is the Holy Spirit within us, and our obedience turns it into a flame—a flame that encourages, that looks different, and that says yes to what is hard, inconvenient, and uncomfortable.

We can stand out from the crowd in the areas God has entrusted to us: where we live, serve, and love. We can rise above the noise to point others to Jesus and encourage them in their walks.

Lord, because You have given us spirits of power, love, and self-discipline, we are not ashamed of You. You set us apart to look different and call us to live lives that honor You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, that spark within us that moves us forward always. We pray this in Jesus’s name.

WHAT’S YOUR IMPRESSION?

What impression do we leave when we are around other people? The word is usually preceded by an adjective: general impression, good impression, bad impression, lasting impression. Are we inclusive of others? Do we look them in the eyes when speaking with them? Are our conversations God-honoring? These certainly are contributing factors.

As we travel farther down that narrow path, our lives should look more like Jesus. When we look more like Jesus, we begin to make lasting impressions on others as God’s love flows from us.

They couldn’t take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus. (Acts 4:13 MSG)

In this verse, the crowd saw Peter and John (just two normal guys) as disciples of Jesus by the way they handled themselves. They made a great first impression, so much so that people could not take their eyes off them.

Imagine if people could not take their eyes off us, wondered what we have that looks different, and were fascinated to the point of having a lasting impression. Wow! We could say they saw Jesus in us, and that would be life well-lived.

Holy Spirit, help us to walk the walk and talk the talk that only honors You. We pray our words to be wholesome (not gossip) and our actions to be edifying (not critical). We pray for the knowledge we cannot do this alone. Thank You for Your grace when we fail. You are our constant, our true north. We pray this in Jesus’s name.

GOT A FULL PLATE?

Monday to Friday scenarios could include attending early morning meetings; going to veterinarian appointments; volunteering in the school, church, or neighborhood; having lunch with friends; going to a dental appointment; picking kids up from school; running home to change for activities (e.g., dance, soccer, basketball, piano); doing homework; taking showers; deciding what’s for dinner; putting kids to bed; tidying the house; preparing backpacks for the next day; emptying the dishwasher; or checking in with our spouses.

Weekend scenarios could include soccer, basketball, football games, yard work, or kids’ birthday parties.

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most