Category: <span>thoughts by Donna Mitchell</span>


“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you. You will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze… For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you….”  Isaiah 43:2a, 3a, 4a

When troubles hit — not if. Life is like that.

At times we feel like we are in deep waters and over our heads in problems.

Sometimes difficulties come like rushing river waters. We feel like horrific events or a deep sorrow over unexpected loss and grief will drown us. However, for every “when,” God provides precious promises.

A friend of mine, who is a mother and senior missionary, spoke these verses as a public blessing for her daughter. She told her not to be afraid even though she was following in her mother’s footsteps to go overseas to a closed country. Her mother knew what might lie ahead, but she also knew God went with her daughter. Those present listened intently to every promise.

God promises

“I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

“I will be with you” when trouble or hardship comes. You won’t drown when difficulties and problems come at you like a relentless river rolling waves over your head. You will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze when you are oppressed and it feels like you won’t survive.

Ponder God’s precious promises. Hear him whisper, “Remember… I am with you. Don’t be afraid. I am committed to you. I will not let life consume you. I am your Savior. You are precious and honored because I love you.”

Father, thank you that no matter what we go through in life, no matter how deep the waters or difficult the storm, you are our Saviour and we can trust in you to save us! Lord, please help us keep our eyes fixed on the truth of who you are in the midst of our challenges and look to you to be our Saviour and not some other hope of deliverance. You walk us through and you are there in the midst. Thank you! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”  2 Corinthians 1:8b-9

Why did Paul think it was so important that his churches needed to stop relying on themselves and start relying only upon God? Why is it for us? Ponder these questions for a moment.

We may not have ever endured the kind of pressure that Paul referred to in the above verses. His life was literally threatened. However, when circumstances are overwhelming and we do not feel like we have enough strength, or that we “are enough” to handle all that is coming at us, deep feelings of despair can surface.

None of us like to be “needy”. It makes us feel weak and dependent. Strength, independence, and self-reliance are celebrated in today’s Western culture. This Scripture tells us that as Christ followers, we should rely on God and not “self”.

My need for God has led to my experiencing him on a new level. If I never needed strength, how would I have known he could strengthen me through difficult circumstances? If I had all the wisdom I needed within myself, how could I ever understand the depth of God’s wisdom and his willingness to give wisdom to those who ask him?

Our need for God helps us know him intimately — not just about him — in the depths of our hearts where his sufficiency meets our needs.

Go ahead. Express your need for God. May you learn more and more to not rely on yourself but on our Lord, who is the only One who can raise the dead and bring life.

Father, please help me to renounce self-reliance and to express my deepest needs to you. Thank you that you promise to provide my needs regardless of circumstances. Help me learn, like Paul, to rely only on you rather than on myself. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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“And when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’”
Mark 1:37-38

Behind the declaration “Everyone is looking for you!” is a host of expectations. It can feel like the demands are coming from every direction with more expectations than we can fulfill.

How did Jesus respond with such clear purpose and direction to all the demands and expectations people had of him? How did he not get flustered? The verses just prior share his secret. Jesus had risen early that morning and found a solitary place where he could be alone with his Father and pray. Jesus didn’t disclose the intimate and private conversation he had with his Father, but the result was he knew his purpose and he knew it was time to move to nearby villages.

We, too, have many demands made of us. Our boundaries are constantly challenged. We also need to know our purpose and receive direction from our Father. We will often have more placed on us than we can handle without disappointing others or even ourselves. Jesus knew the secret — find a solitary place to pray in private. Seek the face of the Father and ask for his will and direction.

Like Jesus, you will not meet all of the needs and expectations from people around you but you can be sure the Father will lead and guide your life and your actions when you seek his will in prayer. It is an open invitation to pray. Emotional bondage can come through the constant demands and expectations of others. God calls us to please only him!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom of following you wholeheartedly. We seek your will and direction for each day of our lives. Help us respond to your invitation to get alone with you and pray and seek your face. Direct us in your purpose and your plans for our lives. Lead and guide us moment by moment through your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20,21

Hebrews is a rich book that elevates Jesus as the One who is superior over all, who is to be trusted wholeheartedly and followed faithfully. His once and for all sacrifice is a permanent, gracious offer of forgiveness. He will never abandon us, and he is worthy of our full allegiance. He is the ultimate revelation of God’s love.

The revelation and the challenges of Hebrews culminate in this blessing from the writer. He asks that this God of peace — this One who made an eternal covenant of commitment and promise through Jesus’ death and resurrection and who is the supreme Shepherd of all who follow him — equip us with everything needed to do his will.

This God who is supreme over all, who paid the ultimate price, who sealed the covenant with his own blood, is now alive and able to shepherd us. He is the One who is able and willing to equip us with everything good for doing his will. He aligns our lives with his and works within our character to shape us. All this is done through Jesus Christ.

Will you ask him to equip you with everything good for doing his will? Will you invite him to work within you what is pleasing to him? Will you rely on Jesus Christ and remain faithful to him?

May all glory for our lives point to him for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, you are supreme over all. You are the One deserving of my wholehearted devotion and I want all glory for my life to be given to you. Please equip me with everything good for doing your will. Align my heart with yours. I invite you to work within me whatever is pleasing to you. I rely on your power to change me. For your glory and honor! Amen!

By Donna Mitchell
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thoughts by Donna Mitchell Thoughts by Women


Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

When our circumstances quickly turn into the perfect storm and life has dealt us a severe blow, it’s easy to think that some of us experience more trials than others or we seem to have more than our fair share of struggles.

James levels the playing field. He explains that all of us — without exception — will face trials of many kinds in this life. The trials are needed for our faith to be tested and proven true. The things that test our patience and endurance, like weights to a body builder’s muscles, develop our faith so that we learn to be resilient. Our need to persevere in trials, even suffering, is crucial. James explains that perseverance must finish the work it is doing. Perseverance must be fully experienced so that we will grow to be mature and complete. The Lord doesn’t want any of us lacking in any area of our lives.

We need a paradigm shift. Our Father loves us enough to not release us prematurely from our struggles, even if we beg. He knows they are needed to grow us. He will use them to do a work within us. He has a completely different perspective.

James invites us to alter our viewpoint when it comes to facing trials. Consider or think carefully about, contemplate, give thought to, reflect on all of the trials in your life. Ultimately trials are a gift — so much so, that we are encouraged to consider them “pure joy”!

We need to ponder that!

Father, thank you that you love me and you know that I need to persevere in order to grow to full maturity. You love me and are wise. No matter what I face today, would you give me the grace to see my struggles from your perspective? Would you strengthen and help me to persevere? Build my faith and character. Lord, help me ponder and consider my trials as pure joy. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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“When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” Esther 2:15

One of Esther’s characteristics stands out to me — humility. The above verse reflects the posture of her character. Esther was willing to take and heed her cousin Mordecai’s advice. She assumed that those in authority, and those given charge over her, had wisdom to share. Esther accepted the beauty treatments and the invitation extended to go to the king but she didn’t strive to manipulate the situation so that she would be above the rest and be chosen first.

Esther asked for nothing — nothing special, nothing she felt entitled to, no demands — just a humble acceptance of what the king’s eunuch suggested. Though Esther had obvious outward beauty, there was something beautiful and winsome about the posture of her heart. She won the favor of everyone around her, including the king.

Esther had no idea that what she would be called to do in a crisis would change the trajectory of a nation. Her beauty was stunning but the posture of her own heart and her internal character was possibly why she was chosen by God to save her people.

What can we learn from Esther’s posture? We live in a world of entitlement, demand, striving, and competition to be the best and get ahead — sometimes at the expense of others. As we age, our physical posture needs adjustment. Life happens and the posture of our hearts can also get out of alignment. Ponder Esther’s posture of humility.

Father God, thank you that you are able to adjust the posture of our hearts. We come before you in humility. We open our hearts before you and ask that you would deliver us from any sense of entitlement, striving, or trying to make things happen. We want to humbly trust you. May the posture of our hearts before you and others be pleasing to you. Have your way in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”  Isaiah 41:10 (AMP)

Isaiah 41:10 is my favorite verse because I have experienced it. I have been afraid more times than I would like to admit. The Lord has reassured me that he is with me — in every sense of that word. He lives within us. He is “for” us. He will never leave. Nothing that others do nor any circumstance can separate us from him.

I have experienced weakness and I have cried out for help in desperate situations. I have needed to be told over and over again by the Lord to not be afraid. I have needed his reassurance. He is our God. He is Sovereign. He has ultimate power and authority.

When we need the Lord’s strength and help, he promises to not just stand by and let us falter but to strengthen and help us. The Lord reiterates, “be assured I will help you.” We can count on his help — it is a promise!

His righteous right hand is a symbol of his justice, power, victory and salvation. That is the hand that holds us. The God of the universe, the Creator and sustainer of all is our Lord. Our Father is the One who holds us.

No wonder he tells us not to fear anything. Honestly, there is no need to!

I often share this verse with others. I hope you will think about doing the same. It may be the promise or reassurance someone needs today.

Lord, thank you for promising to be with us, to strengthen us, to help us in our weaknesses. We need you and thank you for your promise and reassurance. May the depth of this truth touch our hearts and not just our heads. Bring to mind who we could share this verse with today. In Jesus name.

By Donna Mitchell
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But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21

Have you ever waited for a promise of God to be fulfilled? When I began following Jesus through Scripture and growing, I became convinced the Lord was calling me to a significant leadership position. But it took years to come to pass.

Joseph had a similar experience. As Jacob’s favored son, he grew up experiencing dreams of greatness and superiority over his siblings, which he loved to remind them about. His brothers hated him for it and sold him into slavery in Egypt.

Joseph’s leadership ability developed. His owner appointed Joseph over his household but after being wrongly accused, Joseph ended up in prison. In prison, authorities appointed Joseph as a leader. When he thought there was a real chance of release — he remained in prison indefinitely.

He was finally released from prison and miraculously appointed as second in command over an entire empire. His chance for revenge arrived. Now in charge of an empire, Joseph’s father was dead and he could treat his brothers however he desired.

Today’s passage testifies of God’s transformation. Joseph assured his brothers they had nothing to fear. He did not abuse his power but deferred to God as his leader and their leader. He admitted that they meant to harm him, but he now perceived the circumstances as being used by God to accomplish good — for him and others.

Amidst this supreme test of his character — Joseph did not retaliate but spoke kindly with reassurance to brothers he now loved.

Lord, thank You for Your call on each of our lives and the transformation You are bringing about while we await the fulfillment of Your plans and purposes. Help us be teachable and learn from the experiences and circumstances we are called to endure. May our character and love develop at the pace of our leadership ability. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

By Donna Mitchell

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Donna Mitchell Thoughts by Women

He (God) upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow…Psalm 146:7-9

The Lord acts. His words and actions reveal His heart, especially for the oppressed, the prisoners, strangers in the land, and those who find themselves without fathers or spouses. He upholds, gives food, sets free, gives sight, lifts up, and loves. He watches over and sustain. He acts.

As Jesus’ followers, we’re His hands and feet in a hurting world. He expects us to act. We can ponder the hopelessness of sitting in an institution or we can visit those in long term care or in prisons. We can philosophize over the plight of addicts or we can help them find freedom. We can watch the news and pray for those moving around the globe after a devastation they have witnessed or we can welcome them to their new home and help them belong in a new community. We can wonder about the pain widows find themselves in or we can help create healing communities.

The needs of others are sometimes overwhelming, and we can feel that our small efforts are a waste of time. However, ultimately the Lord is the One who acts through us. If we are attentive, and then act on His invitation to join Him in reaching out to those in distress, then our actions can actually transform lives. Our efforts can express His love, and be an invitation to others to consider a relationship with Him.

Ask the Lord to send you. He knows what actions are yours to take.

Father God, thank you for all the action you take. Thank you for answering prayer, for how you comfort, lift burdens, help and deliver. Lead us, Holy Spirit, to want to act according to your good pleasure. May our actions reflect you and bring glory to your name. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Donna Mitchell Thoughts by Women

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.” 1 Peter 3:13-15a (NLT)

In 1 Peter, the editor’s subtitle for this section is “Suffering for Doing Good. I remember being afraid to ask Jesus to be the LORD of my life. Instinctively, I knew that He would call me to a changed life. I wanted to invite Jesus into my life but I didn’t want to leave my life to follow Him. Human nature doesn’t want to suffer or struggle — especially for doing what is good and right.

Peter reminds us that the Lord calls us to worship Christ as Lord of our lives — and this has multiple implications. Peter says that worshiping Christ as Lord of our lives means turning from evil to do good. Worship is willingly suffering for doing the right thing — even if it means being mocked. Worship is always being prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Worship is keeping a clear conscience, with the reminder that it is better to suffer for doing good, than for doing evil.

Worship Christ as Lord, letting Him into every corner of your life — anything less is not true worship. Sometimes, we think of worship as music we play or songs we sing on Sunday mornings. However, the Lord calls us to worship Him as our Lord over every area of our life. He is our King. He is the standard of good. He is the One we worship, adore, and please.

Are you willing to suffer to do good and to worship Christ as the Lord of your life?

Father God, your calling is clear — worship Christ as Lord of my life. I bow before you once again and declare that you are my Lord. Lord, help me turn from what is evil and do good today. Search me O God, that my conscience may be clear. I choose to worship you as my God and King. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

By Donna Mitchell

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2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus Said: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

But he said to me, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Are there areas in your life you have begged God for relief? Paul begged the Lord three times to take away what was causing him to struggle deeply. We aren’t told exactly what it was. It could have been a physical or emotional weakness. However, it was causing severe physical or mental suffering. Paul referred to it as a messenger of Satan to torment him. Can you relate to being in a season of life in which you feel so tormented that it’s hard to find pleasure in what usually brings you joy?

In light of Paul’s suffering, Jesus’ answer to his plea is not initially comforting. However, when Paul realized the implications, his outlook on what was tormenting him changed so much he was ready to boast gladly about his weaknesses. He chose to find pleasure in them because he knew it meant that Christ’s power would “rest in him” — in other words, that it would dwell in his soul. Paul wanted Jesus’ power.

Paul accepted his current reality, including the suffering, and he stopped begging for relief. He took all the grace that Jesus would give him. Paul said in verse 10 that, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jesus says His grace is sufficient – no matter what you are going through physically or mentally. You can delight in your weakness. For when you are weak, then He is strong. Are you relying on Jesus’ all sufficient grace to get you through your suffering?

Lord, thank you that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank you for the grace to persevere in my current reality. Help me to gladly accept all the grace that you want to give to me. May your power rest upon me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
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Do you have Jesus in your life?   Would you like to have a relationship with Him? If you do,  you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. It starts with a simple heart felt prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small.  Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen


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Worth the Effort

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”  2 Peter 1:2 (AMP)

I tried many things to fill the void in my life. However, in reflection, I realize that I forfeited peace often over the years because I didn’t seek to know God more. I didn’t put the necessary effort into memorizing scripture and working at renewing my mind. I panicked instead of praying. I looked at my circumstances instead of God’s promises. Then, I decided to trust Him more and more. Peace at last flooded in.

Do you remember your first experience of the overwhelming sense of God’s presence that accompanies trusting in Jesus? When people first experience forgiveness and life in Jesus, one of their first responses may be astonishment over how much peace occurs ? especially in their minds. That is how it was with me. At first, I sensed much contentment — it was greater than anything I had ever experienced.

I soon realized that along with this contentment and a desire to follow Christ wholeheartedly comes a battle — the battle for our will and for our minds. No surprise there. Jesus promised that in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33).

However, He also promised His peace could reign in our hearts, not just the first time we come to Him, but every time. We can retain that peaceful sensation no matter what bombards us in life. Growing in our knowledge of the Lord is a lifelong pursuit. Peter reminds us it is worth every effort. He says God will provide more and more grace and peace as we grow in our knowledge of Jesus our Lord.

Lord, thank you for your promise of grace and peace as we grow in our knowledge you. Teach me to know you. Write your word on my heart. Help me pray according to your will and pray through everything I need. Thank you that you hear and will answer according to your will. Thank you for the promise of your peace — beyond anything this world can give. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell


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devotional

“Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:10b-11

Have you ever pondered Jesus’ invitation to Peter to follow Him?  Peter had fished all night and caught nothing.  Jesus challenged him to go out into deep water and let down his nets.  Still, Peter followed Jesus’ instructions and Jesus performed a miracle — filling Peter’s nets with fish to full capacity.

Peter did not realize how drastically his life would change by saying “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation to leave everything and follow Him.

My life was similarly interrupted.  I hit my rock bottom.  I had suitcases full of mistakes and I was heading in the wrong direction.  A friend challenged me to take a risk and try following Jesus wholeheartedly for three weeks and see what would happen. I went home that night and gave my heart to Jesus and pledged to follow Him wholeheartedly.  That three-week challenge has lasted thirty-three years, and I am still following!

Peter objected, believing himself unworthy, but Jesus persisted with His invitation and encouraged Peter not to be afraid, but to just follow. Peter left everything and followed Jesus. He embraced his new calling.  Jesus used Peter’s fishing profession to explain that life would be different — that he would use some of the same skills, but from now on, would be fishing for people.

You also have been invited to a new purpose and set of priorities as a follower of Christ. How would you describe your experience of responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him? Have you left your life to follow Him, or have you inviting Jesus to join your life? One is discipleship; the other is living with divided loyalties.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the invitation to follow you wholeheartedly.  If there are aspects of my life that are keeping me from following you wholeheartedly, please show me. Please give me the grace to forsake my own life and to embrace what it means to follow you, making loving you and reaching out to others, my priority and purpose. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell


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Thoughts by All thoughts by Donna Mitchell Thoughts by Women

Assurance prayer

This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

The Book of Joshua opens by announcing that Moses is dead. The LORD speaks to Joshua and gives him an assignment — to lead the people into the promised land. Considering Moses was one of the greatest leaders ever, it was likely terrifying to take over from him.

Joshua needed encouragement and specific instruction not to be afraid and reassurance from the LORD that He would not fail or abandon him. The instruction to “be strong and courageous” is repeated as “be strong and very courageous” and then in verse 9 the LORD outlines that this is not a suggestion — it is a command. Strong words for a man who was obviously afraid and needed much reassurance.

We assume a courageous person has no fears, but the opposite is true. Even the dictionary explains that courage is the ability to do something that frightens you or strength in the face of pain or grief.

In this opening chapter, the LORD explains what will help Joshua to be strong and courageous.  The LORD gives Joshua a promise that is for us as well – “I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail or abandon you.” Obey my instructions. Study God’s word. Again the LORD closes with, “do not be afraid or discouraged,” which can be our natural tendency when hard things come. The LORD gives the reason Joshua can trust, “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

You can be courageous today for that same reason. The LORD is with you.

LORD, thank you that you have promised us that you will be with us and will not fail or abandon us. Thank you that we can follow you, taking the courage and strength that you give in the face of fear or pain or grief. Help us study your word and take it to heart. Remind us of your faithfulness. Thank you that you are trustworthy. Give us the courage to obey you in the face of any obstacle. Thank you that we too have a reason to trust you — the promise that you will be with us wherever we go. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell

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