Motivational Devotions - Sandpiper Creatives

You Forgave, But You Still Hurt

What happens if you found the strength through Christ to FORGIVE, but you are still experiencing HURT? I know that feeling. In fact, I experienced it again just this morning.

I don’t wish harm for that person, and I even pray for that person and want God’s best for them. But each time they are mentioned or I see their photo, I still feel the personal sting.

Hurt may be perceived as simply the aftermath of forgiveness and taken as an encouraging sign that we are moving forward. However, we do need to treat it very carefully, because if we nurture that hurt within our heart, it can damage the progress we have already made through the choice and process of forgiveness.

by Kimberly Farmer

No More Arguing

When Ava turned four years old, someone told her that she was now a big girl. Ava was pretty sure that being “a big girl” must also mean that she suddenly knew everything. And so it began… Every day that sweet girl and I had several unproductive conversations that left me aggravated and sighing, “Why am I arguing with a four year old? Why won’t she just accept what I say?”

by Kimberly Farmer

Seeking God During the Busy Seasons

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Because life throws us surprises, opportunities, and hurdles (some desired, others unwanted), demanding circumstances can often catapult us into busy seasons in which we feel overwhelmed and unable to come up for air. If you love the Lord and enjoy studying the Bible, worshiping Him, and making time to dwell in His presence, as I trust that you do, then I believe I can also safely assume that you have experienced times of overwhelm – Times in your life when you didn’t have the time or the energy or the ability to give quiet, focused time to daily prayer and study. And you may be experiencing a time like that right now.

by Kimberly Farmer

Pouring Out When You Feel Under-Appreciated

I don’t think I’m the only wife and mom who ever feels under-appreciated. Because it’s a lonely feeling, it’s important for us to see that we aren’t alone. So, if you can relate, be encouraged…

by Kimberly Farmer

How Do We Seek God?

This video from my back porch encourages teens, new Christians, and anyone who is hungry for more of God. Unpackage what it means to “seek the Lord with all your heart,” and also hear some stories and practical tips to demonstrate the importance of feeding yourself spiritual food.

by Kimberly Farmer

Damaging Friendship One Assumption at a Time

Our church’s ladies’ group is studying the importance of friendship, and as I ponder and work to apply what we are learning, I keep thinking of a frequent enemy of growing friendships that we should all guard against – I’m talking about our tendency to assume.

by Kimberly Farmer

A Comforting Message of Power

He [the Lord your God] will never leave you nor forsake you.

When we think of the Scripture in Deuteronomy 31:6 that God will never leave us or forsake us, we usually get an immediate and general concept of all that verse entails. Through these words, we are particularly reminded of God’s goodness and great love for His children. But these comforting words also point us to another awesome aspect of God – His power and authority.

by Kimberly Farmer

Our Faithfulness Sustained by God’s Grace

There are so many wonderful songs and Scriptures about God’s grace and His faithfulness. We are right to be so thankful for these amazing and undeserved works of God which every child of God knows about first hand! We enjoy thinking, studying, and shouting about God’s gifts to us, but are we skipping out on the importance of what we as God’s children should be giving to Him?

by Kimberly Farmer

Labels Matter. Don’t Be Fooled.

Fighting For Life

We all recognize the fear and other factors that guide some pregnant mothers toward abortion. With understanding, pro-life (“for life”) folks try to educate, encourage, and point her toward hope, love, help, and healthy guidance as they encourage her to nurture and at least not harm her baby. Why do people who are pro-life fight so hard against abortion? Because abortion, at any point, IS killing an innocent human life. That is not arguable. And it’s a fact that should disturb and shake up everyone. If you understand and admit that life begins at conception, you can better discern what is fueling the people on both sides of the issue. If you don’t believe life begins at conception, then watch the video below to better understand why human life is human life from the very beginning. Let’s dig a little deeper into why abortion supporters continue pushing their agenda. And, by the way, what is their real agenda?

by Kimberly Farmer

Listen & Obey, and be so glad that you did!

Several times on the road, while texting or checking a map or viewing an email, I have noticed how gradually irresponsible I have become about using my phone while driving. It’s also frightening how invincible I feel while doing it. I have known that I needed to be more careful, but I just pushed away the idea that I could be in an accident and kill my own children or someone else or myself. That wasn’t very likely to happen, right? So, I continued being, well, stupid.

by Kimberly Farmer

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY at our house?

Acting It Out

This morning before church, I read to Ava and Landon from the book of Mark about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We talked about it, and then we acted it out for ourselves. We grabbed jackets from the closet and laid them at the front door in imaginary, but sincere, anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. Then we shouted LOUDLY, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! It’s Jesus! We love you, Jesus! Hallelujah!… and so on, as our hearts desired. We truly glorified God this morning. The kids were shouting and jumping a foot higher and I was crying and shouting – If Jesus had truly come riding through our front door, we couldn’t have physically expressed our excitement any more.

by Kimberly Farmer

WRAPPING UP LOVE TO GIVE TO JESUS

Planning for a Special Birthday

A friend from church was kind enough to invite my children, along with other families, to visit her family’s home and celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus. The children were to bring a baby-related present for Jesus, which would be given to a local outreach. Her party was carefully planned with love and focused completely on the Savior. And what a reminder it was to me…