Devotions

Written By Women in ND

July 2025

Opening Doors and Shutting Others

by Shannon Selle

As is often true, looking back at our past helps us see more clearly. When I reflect on my health struggles over the last year and a half, I recognize where God was guiding me and giving me strength. Honestly, I feel He was also opening some doors and closing others quite forcefully. At the time, I didn’t see it that way, but now, when I’m not in survival mode, I see God at work helping me. This revelation aligns with the profound truth that Philippians 4:13 (NIV) declares: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Anyone who has had an illness, or even something as common as the flu, knows the feeling of fatigue and sleep deprivation. Symptoms like severe headaches and body aches can make it hard to perform tasks or make decisions well. Many times, I felt that way, yet I still had to work, care for my family, and decide on the best medical options. There were many differing opinions about how to relieve the pain, but no clear answer. It was mentally exhausting—and on some days, still is. In those overwhelming moments, I often recalled the comforting words of Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

During this time, I questioned WHY. Why is this happening? Why does my body hurt so badly when I am doing my best to take care of it? I needed relief because I knew my ability to function was crumbling. Looking back, I remember a few moments where I saw God’s hand guiding me.

I felt His guidance as I searched for solutions. He opened doors for specialist appointments, presented therapies to try, and led me toward answers not only for myself but also for others. As I found relief for my own pain, I became more aware of others who were suffering. Prayer gave me a sense of calmness before procedures and utter JOY when I experienced relief. It helped me find treatment options and realize that many others were in the same situation. I felt led to help others to heal. This reminded me why I love helping clients feel their best and how awful if feels when pain keeps you from doing what you want.

God is with us through our struggles. He’s there to support us and give us strength. We need to talk to Him and share our burdens. Sometimes His support and love are immediate; other times, life’s distractions blur our connection. But God is always there, in the background, helping us, even when we don’t see it. This unwavering truth is echoed in Psalm 46:1 (NIV): "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our constant strength and refuge, especially in times of struggle and uncertainty. We praise You for Your power to do the impossible, to make a way where there seems to be no way. Help us to see Your hand at work, opening doors and guiding our steps, even when we don't understand the path. Grant us the wisdom to seek You and the courage to trust You fully, knowing that You are always with us, upholding us with Your righteous hand. May we always remember that with You, all things are possible. Amen.

Shannon Selle is the owner of Training for Wellness and Success and the creator of the Stepping into Strength 41-day challenge. She has a bachelor's degree in exercise science and business from Concordia College and a master's in health education from Carroll College. She has a passion for helping others feel their best and loves thinking outside the box to find solutions. She has had the opportunity to develop wellness programs for a variety of special populations, including individuals with cancer, kidney disease, osteoporosis as well as corporate wellness for numerous companies. She has been a fitness instructor and personal trainer for over 20 years and enjoys seeing the success her clients have.

July Scripture Writing Plan

June 2025

HIDDEN WITH CHRIST

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

‭‭Colossians 3:3

Have you ever felt overlooked or forgotten? Maybe outright rejected, or even just simply unseen in a place you felt you earned recognition? Our flesh wants to respond in hurt, frustration and keep us in a state of just plain confusion. Our brain can’t seem to make sense of the situation, no matter how hard we attempt to understand the reasoning behind the injustice. Maybe it’s just unfair; or maybe, just maybe, it’s God’s divine intervention. When we begin the sanctification process of fully making Jesus Lord of our life, we start allowing the Holy Spirit to refine us. Oftentimes, He will take us into a season of hiding. In this place, He will search our hearts and purify our motives and intentions (Psalm 139:23-24). He begins to remove our need for the approval of man, and replace it with a heart that seeks only the approval of God. It’s in this hiding season that we are able to die to ourselves, to realize this walk of faith is not about us - it’s all about Him. In this place, we are released from the need to be esteemed by man because we will feel seen by our Father in heaven. The next time you feel disregarded, rebuke the insecurity that tries to rise inside of you, claim your identity in Christ, and reaffirm your commitment to serve an audience of One.

SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 49:2, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 31:20, Galatians 1:10, Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 139:23-24

ACTION STEP: Ask the Lord to search your heart to bring to mind anyone you may need to forgive as a result of feeling mistreated. Repent, forgive and release the need to be recognized by man.

PRAY: Father, forgive me for the times I desired the validation of man, instead of the approval of You. Create in me clean hands and a pure heart. Thank you that you see me and I am fully known and loved by You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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!”.

June Scripture Reading Plan

May 2025

THE NEXT STEP

by Danielle Hanstad

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” ‭‭Isaiah 40:31

In a world telling us to "manifest" our best life; the Lord is telling us to wait on Him. The intentional act of waiting requires faith, trust and patience. When our current circumstance feels like we are stuck in the wilderness, we can have faith in knowing the promised land is our inheritance. When we can’t see God’s hand moving us forward in this season, we can cling to the truth that God has a plan and future for us (Jeremiah 29:11). And when the wait feels long, we can choose the fruit of patience, knowing God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We are able to wait, and wait well, when we move from a place of enduring to embracing. God longs for us to live in a state of dependency on Him. When we embrace our wilderness season, we are choosing to give up our destiny, and wait for His destiny. We welcome a lifestyle being led not by our own desires, but by the Spirit of God. The Lord maintains this state of dependency oftentimes by only revealing the next step in our journey, rather than the entire staircase. If He revealed the entire map to reach our God-given calling, we might lose our state of dependence on Him to get there. If you're in a wilderness season, take heart in clinging to the promises of God, and asking the Holy Spirit to just reveal the next step. Then walk in obedience knowing He will guide you to the promised land.

SCRIPTURES: Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25-26, Exodus 14:14, Proverbs 3:5-6, Micah 7:7, James 1:4, Romans 8:25, Psalm 84:11, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 138:8

ACTION STEP: If necessary, repent for resenting a wilderness season that you are in. Then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the next step, to enable you to wait well, as you embrace what God has planned for you.

PRAY: Father, thank You for the promises of Your Word and how I can trust You are always working things together for my good and Your glory. I pray You fill me with Your Holy Spirit to empower me to walk through this desert in patience. Create a thirst in me for Your Living Water like never before. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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!”.

May Scripture Reading Plan

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

March 2025

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.

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.

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.

PRAY: Father, thank You for being such a loving God who desires a close relationship with me. I ask for spiritual discipline, to prioritize my time to seek Your face above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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!”.

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