The world can sometimes feel cold and dark. How quickly a day that began in sunshine and warmth can evaporate like mist in the wind. How can you rekindle the embers of your soul and keep your heart glowing?
During the darkest times of my life, it was the heart and words of Jesus that carried me through. In times of great desperation when I found I had no voice left to pray, God helped me use scriptures to express the cries of my heart through prayer. The voice of Jesus, found in the holy scriptures of the Bible, became my voice and my prayer. The more I sought Jesus in the pages of the Bible, the more I found Him to be near. If you are going through a difficult time or if you want to infuse more fire into your prayers, you can find out more about the process I used for praying fervent, passionate, Spirit-filled, Bible-based prayers in my book: In Dark of Night When Words Fail.
Follow me here on my website! Out of overwhelming gratitude to Christ, I share devotional writings, prayers and poems inspired by His Word and His Spirit.
My prayer is that every word I write will illuminate the truth, grace and beauty of Jesus and draw you near His heart, or if you are already close to Him will draw you closer still. Let your heart be warmed again with Bible-based, Spirit-led words of encouragement, refreshment and inspiration.
Join me in this journey as we run toward Christ! When our connections include Jesus, His Spirit and His Word, they go deeper, ripple farther and have true lasting power. Together we can help one another radiate the warmth of Jesus and stoke the fire of our devotion to Him!
My book available on Amazon: In Dark of Night When Words Fail
Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. ~Proverbs 4:23
All photos by Melissa McLaughlin unless noted. All rights reserved.
“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Jesus (Matthew 28:20)
I’m eager to read your words!
Oh, thank you for the kindness and encouragement. May God be seen and lifted up! I am sharpened by your words, too. Make us as sharpest iron for you, Jesus!
Great work. Very inspirational. More grace
God bless you, Paul! Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. May the Holy Spirit continue to fan the flame of your faith in Christ!
😇 Looking forward to checking in and out to be encouraged by Gods Word flowing through you.
Thank you, Pat, for checking out my blog! I appreciate your kindness and support! Please pray for me that God would direct every word I write to reflect God’s glory, His Word and His Son through the power of His Holy Spirit. Blesdings to you, brother in Jesus!
It’s quite encouraging to read your words. It’s amazing that we read the same Bible in different languages, living in different places around the world, but still can worship and praise the same God every day. Keep going, you are making a positibe influence.
God bless you, Keith! Thank you the kind words of encouragement. I pray all Christians keep loving God more and more, no matter where we live. We are the bride of Christ. May we be ready for our soon and coming King!
Hi Melissa, you are most welcome. Let’s together walk out the image of God. May we support each other in the name of Jesus with love and courage to walk the path of Faith.
Melissa this is amazing! God bless you!
God bless you,too, Christy!
Looking forward to reading more! Thank you for an amazing blog!
Thank you, Diane, for taking the time to read and offer a word of encouragement! God bless you!
Love it so much! Such an encouragement to draw closer to God. Love your heart!
Thank you, Galina! May Jesus draw you ever closer!
Dear Melissa,
Isn’t it wonderful to experience the very words of our Lord and Savior in our own hearts and lives?
A day without them would be not eating, no provision for life or guidance. You are a blessing from the Lord to those who read. I praise Him for leading me to find another child of His. Blessings as we all continue to walk with Him together. 🙂
Dear Frances, thank you for sharing your faith and words of encouragement in the Lord with me here! I am grateful for God allowing our paths to cross. I am looking forward to reading and learning more from you. God bless you!
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua Melissa!!
GOD BLESS ALL of my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
Love Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
God bless you, Kristi Ann!
Loved your article. Loved that heart rock too! <3 God loves you, Melissa!
Dear Gail, your heart of love for the Lord shines brightly here! Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. May we help one another seek the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! P.S. My husband collects the heart rocks for me whenever he finds them. So, they are extra special to me. <3
All our heart! All our soul! All our mind! All our strength! All for Him! <3
Awww! That's so awesome! My stepdad use to save my mom all of the potatoes that came out of his garden shaped like a heart. <3
So glad you have Him for your dark days!
I have nominated you for the My 7 Favorite Things Tag.
Please see this is meant to be a blessing, not a burden. God loves you!
https://gaillovesgod.blog/2019/03/01/my-7-favorite-things-tag-2-26-19/
Hi Melissa,
We are so blessed to have sovereignty stumbled across your blog. What a blessing God has made of you to others. Thank you. My wife and I are in marriage ministry in Houston and would be delighted to connect with you for a brief phone visit. We are Roy & Sue Milam. Our website is http://www.marriageministry.org.
Our 18 yr old daughter currently serves as a missionary teaching poor children in the 3rd world country of Honduras. She loves her Savior and I am ordering your book for her now, as she will be in the US for a few weeks in March-April. I know it will be a blessing for her to read from a Jesus-loving woman, disciple and writer as you. Serving in Honduras, she needs people like you in her life who inspire her to keep on keeping on. I feel so blessed to have come across your blog. If possible please call me and my wife at (832) 349-5244. May the Lord bless you richly as you are a blessing to many many others who need to hear your words. May the Lord continue to pour out His blessings upon you. Numbers 6:24-26 for you today and always.
In Him,
Roy Milam (and Sue)
Dear Roy and Sue, I am deeply humbled and honored at your words. May Jesus be praised! Yes, I would be so pleased to get in touch with you and your wife. I will be in contact soon! I am praising the Lord for the many ways He is using you and your family for His glory, in your marriage and your daughter’s missions work in Honduras. May He bless you again and again for your lives of service in His name!
This is a cool site!
So thankful to have “met” you on Twitter, Melissa! I am so thankful for this blogging community and love meeting new sisters in Christ. May the Lord continue to bless you, your book, and your labors for Him!
Thank you, Cheryl! This family of faith is a great joy. I receive your kind words and blessing and pray God’s blessing upon you and all you do!
Dear Melissa,
His love is amazing…He will helps you to do more in your life
Dear Athira, God’s love is truly amazing! He can take the lowest points in our lives and use them for His glory! God bless you!
My husband and I were recently victims of a robbery and shooting. Our faith was a comfort and strength for us. I used to be angry at God if something bad happened. Now I try to focus on how He is using the situation to teach me.
Dear Robin, I’m so sorry to hear about that terrible event that happened to you. I’m trying to learn from my difficulties and sorrows, as well. It’s not always easy. But God can draw us closer to Himself through it all and then use our scars to help others through their times of need. May God bless you and your husband and give you peace His peace.
Did not know about your book…will check it out!
Thank you, Valerie!
Hello sister Melissa am Andrew CEO of a charity organization that is specialized in the old, orphans, street children (Tap Roots Africa) found in Uganda the East side of Africa
I call on your support towards my Godly ministry
https://www.facebook.com/109301093957270/posts/389226309298079/?app=fbl
+256702274148
+256702188178