Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast
Jessi Morgan in 2023 had a traumatic experience that shaped how she views life and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has laid it on her heart to share her experiences and inspire others to put God first in every aspect of their life like she finally did in hers. Having her daughter born 4 months early really made Jessi lean on the Lord for comfort and guidance. And today she stands here starting her own 10-15 minute podcast focusing on weekly devotionals about what God can do for you and what He's done for her.
Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast
Three Truths for a God-Centered Life
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What happens when we trust our own timing instead of God's? King Saul's story offers a sobering look at the consequences of impatience and the blessings that come from waiting on divine guidance.
Welcome to Episode #68 of Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart, where we dive into "Three Truths for a God-Centered Life" through the story of Israel's first king, Saul in 1 Samuel 11-13. This powerful scripture passage reveals both the heights of what's possible when God empowers us and the pitfalls that come when we step ahead of His timing.
This week we explore three important themes or aka truths...
These three principles—leadership God's way, trusting God above all, and patient obedience—form a framework for living that keeps God at the center of our lives. Join me for this encouraging devotional that will help you navigate life's challenges with renewed faith and perspective. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement in their faith journey today!
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Hello, hello. You're listening to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast, episode 68. This week's devotional is titled Three Truths for a God-Centered Life. Let's go. Hi, I'm Jesse Morgan. I used to just share home decor and renovation tips on social media, but now I'm sharing something even closer to my heart my journey and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior. Welcome to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Hot Podcast.
Speaker 1:This is a weekly devotional. I started back in May 2024, but the inspiration for it came much earlier. It was rooted in a faith journey that began when my daughter was born, four months early in 2023. Through that challenging time, god worked in ways that truly amazed me. On this podcast, I share personal stories of faith, woven together with scripture to show just how incredible God's word can be in our everyday lives. My hope is that through these stories, you'll be encouraged, uplifted and reminded of God's love and presence, no matter what you're going through. So I invite you to spend less than 15 minutes with me each week as we reflect on these devotionals together. Let's all pray within Three truths for a God-centered life 1 Samuel, 11 through 13.
Speaker 1:Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast. I've been away for two weeks and it honestly feels like it's been two years. I've missed you all so much and thank you for your understanding. With last week's episode not happening, my daughter was sick with I hope I word this right bronchialitis which is like a step down from RSV. So she had trouble breathing, a runny nose and just wasn't feeling well. We had to visit the doctor and she was prescribed some light medication and a nebulizer treatment every four hours to six hours. Now she's at eight hours, she you know. Needless to say, it was a hectic week and I just couldn't gather myself to record. But here's the thing for me, podcasting isn't about quantity, it's about quality. I want to make sure I always deliver God's word in the right way. So I chose to pause rather than rush through it. And now I'm back and so excited to continue our study of 1 Samuel.
Speaker 1:So today we're diving into chapters 11 through 13 of 1 Samuel. These chapters highlight the ups and downs of Israel's first king, saul. Scripture tells us Saul reigned for 42 years, which is in Acts 13.21. And here we see both his victories and his failures. And I want to walk through three themes that stood out to me and how they speak into our lives today. So theme number one or lesson number one kind of, but leadership God's way. Referencing 1 Samuel 11, 1-15.
Speaker 1:In chapter 11, we see Saul's first major victory over the Ammonites and Nahash. The Ammonite threatened Jebesh Gilead, which is a territory of Israel, threatened Jebesh Gilead, which is a territory of Israel, and Nahash demanded their surrender by gouging out the right eye of every man. This is verse 11, 1 through 2. When Saul heard this, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him and he burned with anger, as it says in verse 6,. Powerfully upon him and he burned with anger. As it says in verse 6, he rallied Israel, led them into battle and the Lord gave them victory. What amazes me here is that just before this moment, saul was plowing with oxen, an ordinary man doing ordinary work. But then God's Spirit came upon him and he became a leader able to deliver Israel.
Speaker 1:True leadership, you know, doesn't come from our titles, resumes or skills alone. It comes when God equips us. And I remember a season from my own leadership journey, when I was promoted to a director in retail. I inherited a dysfunctional team and a longtime manager who had been a problem for over 20 years. Everyone before me had avoided addressing it, but leadership asked me to step in. It was intimidating for me, I will say, but I leaned into two principles fairness and accountability. Within months, the situation resolved and I really focused in on the behaviors of that manager and, you know, just holding them accountable, but also holding the rest of my team accountable. So it was fair and in the end, the manager resigned and I was able to rebuild the team with someone excellent in their place. Resigned and I was able to rebuild the team with someone excellent in their place. Looking back, I see how God gave me the wisdom and courage I needed and, just like Saul moved from the field to leading Israel, god positioned me for that moment as well.
Speaker 1:And this verse is to me, it just really wraps this up beautifully Proverbs 3.6,. It says and all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight. Whenever we let God shape our leadership, he equips us to face challenges that seem far bigger than us. So now onto theme number two trust God over people. 1 Samuel, 12 through 13. I'll say it again trust God over people. 1 Samuel, 12 through 13. I'll say it again trust God over people. So, after Saul's victory, I'm going to get into why I'm saying this so much, but after Saul's victory, israel fully embraced him as king. But Samuel reminded them of a greater truth in 1 Samuel 12. Though they now have a king, their ultimate trust must remain in God.
Speaker 1:Samuel recounted Israel's history, how the Lord delivered them from Egypt, raised up judges like Deborah and Samson and repeatedly rescued them despite their sin and wrongdoing. And Samuel gave a warning, and it says in verse 25, but if you turn away and do wicked things, you will perish, both you and your king. To provide, you know to not provide, but to prove, you know God's power. Samuel prayed and God sent thunder and rain that terrified the people. This is in verse 16 through 18 of chapter 12. And the people of Israel? They realized they had sinned by demanding a king. But Samuel reassured them saying do not be afraid, serve the Lord with all your heart. The lesson here is clear People, leaders, jobs or money will fail you, but God never does. Put your trust in God and not people. And it says in Psalms 118.8,. It says it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Powerful right.
Speaker 1:And you know, I experienced this type of truth in 2020 during COVID. Both my husband and I were furloughed from Macy's at the time. At the same exact time, our entire household income vanished. We didn't qualify for government relief and at first I panicked. But God provided Out of nowhere. I received a random bonus from my company, money that they admitted they had owed me, which I still, to an extent, don't understand to this day. But anyways, my husband was also called back to work within two weeks. We never missed rent. We never went without. It wasn't my effort or people that sustained us. It wasn't money that sustained us. It wasn't unemployment that sustained us, it was God.
Speaker 1:Proverbs 3, 5 through 6 reminds us that trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on your own understanding. So Israel had to learn it, and so do we, that we need to trust God over people. Don't put ultimate trust in a paycheck, a spouse or a title. Place your trust fully in God. And now theme number three, the cost of impatience, which is really happening within 1 Samuel, 13, 7 through 14. This is like the start of this is the start of the end.
Speaker 1:Basically, in chapter 13, saul faced another battle with the Philistines. He was told to wait for Samuel to arrive and offer the sacrifice before going to battle. But as the enemy advanced and his men grew fearful, saul panicked. Instead of waiting, he offered the burnt offering himself. This is in chapter 13, verse 9. And the moment he finished, samuel arrived and rebuked him. And it says you have done a foolish thing. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God. Wait, let me say it again, you have not kept the command the Lord, your God, gave you. If you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure. And that was verse 13 through 14. This was the turning point of Saul's reign.
Speaker 1:I think His impatience and disobedience cost him God's favor and the future of his kingdom. It's a warning to us. Impatience isn't just a bad habit, it can be disobedience. I've seen how impatience can derail my own plans. Times when I pushed ahead of God's timing only left me exhausted and frustrated. But in seasons when I chose to, you know, wait, god opened doors I never could have forced open on my own. And the waiting process produces trust and the trust process produces growth. So Saul's downfall reminds us that blessings are tied to obedience, and obedience requires patience.
Speaker 1:So in this closing, you know. So, within these chapters you know 1 Samuel, 11 through 13, we see three powerful themes or three powerful lessons per se. And number one, like I mentioned, leadership God's way comes when his spirit equips us. And number two trust must be in God over people, because he never fails. And number three impatience has a cost, but waiting on God brings such blessings.
Speaker 1:My prayer this week is for everyone listening that we would lean into these truths, maybe allow God to shape our leadership, trust him above all else and wait on his perfect, perfect timing. Let's pray, heavenly Father, I thank you so much for these lessons. Thank you so much for blessing us through Saul's downfalls and some of Saul's mistakes, that we're able to come up with these amazing truths, that you always stick to, lord, regardless of our situation, regardless of how much sin we've done, you know, as believers, lord, you still uphold your promises, your blessings for us, and we thank you so much for that. Lord and Father, I pray for everyone listening that they're blessed with this lesson understanding leadership, understanding, trusting you, understanding that patience can lead to so many blessings and so many amazing things, you know, if we just put our faith in you. Father, we love you and we praise you in Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for joining me today. I can't wait to be back next week as we continue through and we're kind of going to start that the area of David. Love you all.
Speaker 1:Well, that wraps up this week's episode. My prayer is that these devotions bring you a little closer to God each day. If you felt encouraged, don't keep it to yourself. Share this episode with a friend or loved one who could use the same reminder. Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss a weekly message and, if you like, leaving a kind review means so much For more. Check the show notes or connect with me on Instagram or TikTok at jessimorganfaith. Until next time.
Speaker 1:This is Jessi Morgan praying off. Jessi Morgan Devotions behind the scenes, starting right now. Hello and welcome back to Jesse Morgan Behind the Scenes. I know I haven't done this in a while, so I'm excited to be here today for this. I wanted to kind of just share where I'm at right now, mentally, spiritually, just to be just transparent. As I said, last week I wasn't able to record.
Speaker 1:My daughter was sick and you know that just took preference. You know her being a preemie, you have to be a little bit extra. You know cautious of things and any type of symptoms. You got to see if it's the shunt or is it really a cold. It just it takes some, it takes a little bit of a toll and but she's doing great, god's great. She had a checkup this past week. They say her blood work is awesome. She looks great, so I'm just very, very thankful for that. I'm going through right now where you know she is considered.
Speaker 1:She was considered disabled when she was born because she was born under two pounds. So now, right now, we're going through the process of hoping that she stays on disability just a little bit more, just to help us with her therapy sessions and all those things, because it does add up and everything. Um, also last friday was her birthday, which was so great to see that she's turning two and god is just so great with where she started two years ago and where she is and she's just such a walking miracle and we're just so thankful for her. Um, during her birthday, um got some very, very hurtful news. Um, one of my cousins passed away. It was was very sudden, didn't expect it. It came out of nowhere on my dad's side of the family, so we are gathering soon to celebrate her life, but I just wanted to say that her name was Eunice.
Speaker 1:Eunice was one of the most amazing people that I've ever met, that I've ever known, and she was such one of the best people to me, for me and my family, and I love her like a you know, like a big sister, and she was so supportive when I went through the things I went through with my daughter. She was so supportive when I was getting married. The one thing about her that made her so special for me was I do feel like God made her kind of a cheerleader for me, because there are many times in my life I have been blessed with so much and a great career and great family and a life and a wonderful husband and daughter. But there were times where, you know, people were very critical of me. I don't know why, per, at times I was not perfect, of course, but there were times where I had people that resented me and Eunice just always cheered me on and always said Jessica, you are awesome.
Speaker 1:You know God made you for a reason I am so proud of you and I just hearing her tell me she's proud of me was just always such a gold nugget, like a little nugget that I needed and I'm just so thankful that I had her in my life and I'm so thankful for you know her husband that she married, that married into the family because he's amazing and her daughter is just.
Speaker 1:I love her to no end and I know that she's in heaven with her mom and her dad and Eunice. We love you, we miss you and we can. I cannot wait to celebrate your life and I thank God every day for every footstep that you had on this earth and I thank God every day for every footstep that you had on this earth. And that's just all I wanted to say for this week and God bless and anybody else who's struggling, just having a hard time. It's good to vent or it's good to talk about it and to get it out, and to get it out with people that care and to get it out with God. It is some of the best therapy for me and I encourage you to do the same. Love you all. Till next time. Jesse Morgan signing off.
