Devotions

April 2025

Imperfect Bread is Still Worth Sharing

by Jody Sackman

Recently, I’ve been working on perfecting my sourdough sandwich loaf. My first attempt had me feeling pretty confident. The two maiden loaves were actually ‘pretty’ and tasty, too. My second attempt had me feeling much like a novice once again. The loaf was not pretty at all. I thought to myself, “Good thing I didn’t offer this to anyone for sale. They would have been mighty disappointed.” Soon after those thoughts, I heard the whisper, “Even imperfect bread is still worth sharing!” My mind hasn’t stopped thinking about that phrase. For me, when I gift someone something that I have made, I want it to be perfect! Well, as close to perfect as it can be. Sadly, because of the outside imperfections, that ugly loaf would have found its way to the trash can. Yet, it was too much work to give up on it. After slicing it open, it was in fact soft and tasted delicious, too!

The truth is we are much like those loaves of bread. We tend to feel as if we don’t have much to offer because of our imperfections. We may feel useless, less than, not pretty enough, not healed enough, not Christian enough, etc. BUT perhaps what you don’t know is this...God uses it all! The imperfect, the broken, and even the unhealed parts of us to help minister to others.

Truth be told, He can use it all if we allow Him.

The next time you choose to bake a loaf of bread, and the exterior turns out looking slightly “off,” I pray you’ll remember this: it’s truly what’s inside that counts. It’s the condition of our hearts that God sees! God cares much more about our faith and character rather than our outward appearance. Remember, we are all imperfect beings, walking around in an imperfect world. Yet, if we allow God to work in us, He can and He will use every imperfect part of us! ((For His good and His glory!))

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV

Lord Jesus, just as this bread is imperfect, so are we. Thank You for being the perfect Bread of life, broken for us. Help us to receive Your grace and find wholeness in You. Amen

My name is Jody Sackman, a country girl at heart, wife, and proud mother to three amazing children. I’m also a dog mom, coffee lover, and someone who’s discovered a newfound passion for writing what’s on my heart. I thrive on sunshine, fresh air, and spending time in the beautiful badlands. Medora, hiking, and the wild horses bring me joy, as does encouraging others and sharing laughter. Quiet moments with my dog, coffee, and Jesus are my refuge. In recent years, I’ve learned to cling to Jesus as the anchor of my soul—my hope, my steadfast, loving Father, and the lover of my soul. Through life’s struggles and seasons of hardship, God has given me the gift of writing as an outlet. My hope is that by sharing my journey with honesty and faith, others will find encouragement and see the hope I profess: Jesus, the Savior of the world. Maybe, just maybe, I will write that book, someday!

April Scripture Reading Plan

STILL SMALL VOICE

by Danielle Hanstad

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

How do you know God is speaking to you? For the longest time I would wrestle with the Lord, questioning if what I heard was just my own thoughts or if it was truly the voice of God. Honestly, it produced anxiety in my spirit and left me questioning why everyone else seemed to hear His voice, but it felt like a game of chess to me. Sound familiar? Until one night, I was in my car expressing my frustration to the Lord of why He won’t speak to me clearly, when I suddenly felt the Holy Spirit say, “I am speaking, you just won’t stop questioning.” It stopped me in my tracks. I suddenly realized in that moment that I had missed the truth in scripture about the voice of God being a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). I was subconsciously awaiting the fire of the Lord to rain down in order to confirm it was Him. But scripture tells us that we are one with God - He is in us, and we are in Him (John 14:20). Occasionally, He may come with the rushing wind, a gut feeling that you just can’t ignore, or a thought so random you know it could only be God. But oftentimes, the Spirit speaks to us through a still small voice that can seem just like our own thoughts. This is when faith comes into play. We must take His word to heart which says when we call to Him, He speaks to us (Jeremiah 33:3). If what we heard aligns with scripture, then we can choose to take it in faith that the Lord is speaking. Stop overthinking. Stop doubting. Start listening. And start believing. The Lord wants to speak to you today, but will you have the faith to hear the still small Voice?

SCRIPTURES: John 10:27, Isaiah 30:21, 1 Kings 19:11-12, John 8:47, Revelation 3:20, Hebrews 3:7-8, James 1:5, Romans 10:17

ACTION STEP: Get out a journal. Pray that all voices other than the Holy Spirit would be silenced in Jesus name. Then ask the Lord a question, and just start writing in faith whatever thought comes to mind next. Don’t overthink it. Back it by scripture, and ask the Lord to confirm it. Then move forward in faith knowing you have a God who speaks.

PRAY: Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit who ministers to me. Forgive me for the times I question Your voice. Remove the noise, and help me to listen to Your still small voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

March 2025

Hi friends! My name is Danielle (Dani) Hanstad. I am a daughter of the King, wife to my best friend, a mommy to two beautiful children and I live in Dickinson, ND. Jesus has completely transformed my life, and I’m honored anytime I have the opportunity to share about His loving mercy and redemption.

A verse I speak over myself and love sharing with others is from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”.

March Scripture Reading Plan

February 2025

Faith like a Child

by Jody Sackman

“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17 NLT

After what seemed like the most difficult year of my life, I’m reflecting on the goodness of our God. He was patient, gentle, kind and loving. Best of all, He showed me it was certainly OK to become that little child. My prayers were simple. “God, help!” It’s truly all I had, and to our Good Father that was exactly enough. In reflection, that is all that is required of us…to approach the Kingdom of Heaven like a child.

I learned to:

*accept God at His Word

*approach the Kingdom as a child

*simple prayers matter

*to come as we are…broken and without big fancy words

*He will see us through

*it’s OK to tiptoe into the next day

*rely on our Good Shepherd

In the broken and in the messes of life, if we allow Him, He will use it all. In it all, I’ve learned that simplicity is truly key. He provides us our daily bread, just enough for today. He hides us in the shelter of His wing to keep us from harm and danger. He is who He says He is: our provider and our first love. He knows everything about us, yet loves us in spite of it all! It’s truly OK to come as a child in all seasons, especially the ‘hard’. God is ready with open arms to accept us just as we are!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of being able to come to You with the trust and openness of a child, knowing that You always listen and love us unconditionally, no matter what we bring to You. Amen.

My name is Jody Sackman, a country girl at heart, wife, and proud mother to three amazing children. I’m also a dog mom, coffee lover, and someone who’s discovered a newfound passion for writing what’s on my heart. I thrive on sunshine, fresh air, and spending time in the beautiful badlands. Medora, hiking, and the wild horses bring me joy, as does encouraging others and sharing laughter. Quiet moments with my dog, coffee, and Jesus are my refuge. In recent years, I’ve learned to cling to Jesus as the anchor of my soul—my hope, my steadfast, loving Father, and the lover of my soul. Through life’s struggles and seasons of hardship, God has given me the gift of writing as an outlet. My hope is that by sharing my journey with honesty and faith, others will find encouragement and see the hope I profess: Jesus, the Savior of the world. Maybe, just maybe, I will write that book, someday!

January 2025

SEEK FIRST HIS FACE

by Danielle Hanstad

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

When was the last time you sat in the presence of the Almighty and yearned to know Him more deeply? Too often we lift our eyes to heaven only when we are reaching for His helping hand, instead of seeking a glimpse of His face. Picture a father who gives his child a big gift for their birthday; instead of the child embracing the father with thanksgiving - the child turns without pausing and asks for more. The father’s heart then sinks in disappointment as he was longing for a warm embrace, not another demand. Our hearts must be postured in love, not continual demands. Our eyes must be fixated on walking in step with the Holy Spirit, and knowing Him as a Person. Scripture tells us that if we seek Him first, we will have everything we need (Matt.6:33). Just like a loving, earthly father, our heavenly Father wants to help us in our broken world. When we seek God’s face - we seek His character, truth and presence. And, in the manifestation of His presence there is healing, deliverance, restoration and transformation. Your breakthrough is on the other side of intimacy with your heavenly Father.

SCRIPTURES: Psalm 34:4-5, Psalm 145:18-20, 1 Chronicles 6:11, Psalm 105:3-4, Proverbs 8:17, Deuteronomy 4:29, Luke 11:9-10, Jeremiah 29:13, Psalm 107:13-14

ACTION STEP: Devote a time and place everyday to sit in the presence of God and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you in new ways.