Devotions With Deanna

Today I want to give you tips on how to handle emotional triggers and triggering events not only for yourself but for those you lead. We are living in a time where just turning on the TV or scrolling through social media can be an emotional trigger for many people, yes even leaders. Maybe it would be a great idea to have a “trigger alert” warning come up on your TV, phone, or laptop before you even open it up. And I don’t see it ge...

I want to share with you 3 things I believe we need to be aware of – Being Present with God, Being Present with Others and Being Present with Yourself.

Aware of Being Present with God

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

How is your relationship with the Lord?  Do you forget to spend as much time listening as you do speaking to God? Jus...

Avoiding Deception Replay

Steps to Avoid Deception

1. Know your Bible.

2. Regular Bible study on your own is the only way to really know the word of God. It is your responsibility to lay a strong foundation against deception. You Version Bible App; Daily Audio Bible; International Bible Study groups such as Bible Study Fellowship or Community Bible Study.

3. Apply your knowledge of the scriptures to that which is unusual or “extrao...

Today’s Scripture References

1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have and Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

The main theme of 1 John is fellowship with God. John writes to reassure his readers that God will indwell in them through their abiding relationship with Him. When you believe in Jesus Christ, have fellowship with Jesus, you start to t...

Today’s Scripture References

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.”

What Words Are You Using?

Are the words coming from your mouth consistent with the Word of God and God’s will for your life?

More specifically, are the words coming from your mouth consistent with what God says about you?

As a believer of Jesus Christ and consis...

4 Things That Hinder Your Growth

1. Lack of Knowledge – Acts 18:24-28

2.Carnality – 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

3. Instability – Ephesians 4:7-15

4. Dullness – Hebrews 5:9-14

Life Application Questions

1. Can you identify any areas of your life that are hindering you in your spiritual growth?

2. Are you at the same level when you first became a Christian or do you see yourself growing spiritually mature?

3. Are you being deceived in any ar...

Today’s Scripture References

2 Peter 17-18 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

4 Points to Remember

1. God loves you: you are His beloved.

2. God has expectations from you: to be faithful and ...

The month of September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Month. Mental Health is so important, regardless of what you do for a living. Today, for the second time in this format, I want to share my personal story of how I have come from battling suicidal thoughts to experiencing God's redemptive grace and the Abundant Life that Jesus Christ offers to all of us.

John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and...

3 Ways to Respond to God’s Grace

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

What is my responsibility as a Christian for the love a...

Just because you are leader doesn’t mean you are immune to discouragement. One major indication that you have succumbed to discouragement is that you become unconcerned with your personal relationships. And if you are discouraged, do not be embarrassed or ashamed. Today, I want to encourage you that you do not have to surrender to discouragement. You have the choice and power to flip your discouragement into encouragement.Hebrews 1...

Fear of the Lord – Is this a thing of the past? What does it really mean to fear the Lord? How can I incorporate this into my daily life? Does fearing the Lord still exist?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out we are living in an ungodly morally corrupt society. Lawlessness, corrupt behavior, etc. So, how do we stay steady and on course living a morally just life? How do we live a life that claims we fear the Lord? Our ...

Scripture Reference

Psalms 7:1 – “O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,”

“God deserves your trust.” I read this line in the commentary of my Experiencing God Bible this week. And that is where I want to take us today. God does deserve our trust. Here are 3 of my personal reasons:

1. He alone is trustworthy and will never ever break your trust.

2. He will save you.

3. He will ...

How do you feel about returning a gift? Do you return it and get something else? Do you regift it? Or do you stick it in a closet and forget about it? I personally do not like returning gifts. I feel like I am doing something wrong especially to the person who gave me the gift.

Today, I want to share with you 8 undeniable reasons returning a gift is welcomed. This is a different perspective on a scripture that I have read many time...

Today’s Scripture References – Peace with the Lord

Philippians 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  ...

The month of May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health is so important, regardless of what you do for a living. Today, for the first time in this format, I want to share my personal story of how I have come from battling suicidal thoughts to experiencing the Abundant Life that Jesus Christ offers to all of us.

“Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 14 and adults aged 24 to ...

Today’s Scripture References – Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Jesus continues by telling a parable about the man received great forgiveness for a large debt he owed yet refused t...

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

The best way to understand forgiveness is that it is an act and a process. When you realize you have been forgiven by God, you can forgive. When you forgive, your heart will begin to heal. When your heart begins to ...

Today, I want to lay a foundation on the topic of forgiveness. This will be a multi-part series on forgiveness. I know this is a hard topic, a topic that a lot of people avoid, especially if you have been hurt by others. Speaking from my own experience, as painful as it can be, it can be done. And it is very healing and freeing. When you forgive, you grow in grace!

Today’s Scripture References

1. As Christians, we are commanded and...