Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2026

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TAKES READERS FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL INVITES READERS TO DISCOVER CHRIST THROUGH THE “NATIVITY ALPHABET” FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller pairs Scripture, prayer and practical application with Krista Hamrick’s Nativity Alphabet artwork in a unique 26-day journey through the Christmas story

LAKELAND, Fla. — September 2026 — Just in time for the 2026 Christmas season, author Beth Willis Miller announces the release of her newest devotional, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, a Scripture-centered journey through 26 words that illuminate the birth, identity and mission of Jesus Christ.

The new book was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s original Nativity Alphabet art print. Hamrick’s 26 intricately painted illustrations—each representing a letter of the alphabet and an aspect of the Nativity—captured Miller’s imagination and inspired her to explore the biblical significance behind each word.

“Each of Krista’s illustrations is so special, almost like a tiny stained-glass window,” Miller said. “As I studied the 26 words she illustrated, my heart was drawn to dig deeper into Scripture and write a devotional around each one. My hope is that readers will see beyond the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas and focus their hearts anew on Jesus Christ.”

FROM ALLELUIA TO ZION

Beginning with A for Alleluia and concluding with Z for Zion, the 26-day devotional takes readers on an alphabetical journey through words connected to the Christmas story and the person of Christ:

Alleluia • Behold • Camel • Donkey • East • Fields • Gifts • Holy Night • Immanuel • Journey • Kings • Lion and Lamb • Miracle • Noel • O Little Town • Peace • Quiet • Rejoice • Shepherds • Tidings • Understanding • Victory • Wise Men • Excelsis • Yawn • Zion

Each chapter combines biblical research and devotional reflection with a Practical Application and Personalized Prayer, and Reflection Questions and Takeaways. Readers then move through three concluding reflection prompts—Look Up, Look In and Look Out—designed to help them consider what Scripture reveals about God, how His truth applies personally, and how that truth should influence their relationships with others.

The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups.

KEEPING CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS

While the alphabet provides the framework, Miller says the central subject of every chapter is the same: Jesus Christ.

In the final devotional, “Zion,” Miller reflects on Psalm 9:11: “Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.”

The chapter encourages readers to trust God when life feels uncertain and to remember His faithfulness and protection:

“Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!”

The accompanying prayer points readers toward the ultimate message of Christmas—the saving work of the One whose birth Christians celebrate:

“Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You.”

A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT

The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift or Advent-season devotional.

For Miller, however, the greatest hope for the book is not simply that readers will work their way from A to Z, but that every letter will lead them back to Christ.

“My prayer is that these 26 devotionals will help readers slow down during a very busy season and rediscover the wonder of the Nativity,” Miller said. “From Alleluia to Zion, every page ultimately points us to Jesus—the greatest Gift ever given.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose writing combines biblical study, devotional reflection and practical application to encourage readers to know Christ more deeply and apply the truths of Scripture to everyday life. Her books include Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Krista Hamrick is the artist behind the original Nativity Alphabet, a richly detailed collection of 26 illustrations depicting words and images associated with the Nativity and Jesus Christ. Her distinctive artwork provided the creative inspiration for Miller’s new devotional.

AVAILABLE NOW

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet by Beth Willis Miller is available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

The devotional is especially suited for Advent and Christmas reading, individual quiet time, small-group Bible study, gift giving and Christmas stockings.

MEDIA CONTACT

Beth Willis Miller
Author, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet


WOW! What a wonderful surprise! 


My new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, was listed as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Hot New Releases! It is available now on Amazon at this link https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT




Available NOW on Amazon at this link 
https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

This beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, by Krista Hamrick so inspired author Beth Willis Miller that she wrote a devotional focusing on each of the 26 words illuminating the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 illustrations which Krista identified are so special, almost like stained glass windows, as Krista intricately painted each one. Beth's heart was drawn to write a devotional word study based on each of the 26 words illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with Beth's research of the 26 Nativity words, this devotional is perfect for individual quiet times or small group Bible studies focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 devotionals focusing on the Nativity Alphabet closes with a practical application and personalized prayer, ending with reflection questions and takeaways.

Great Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffers! Recently, a lady from Indiana contacted me to say she was preparing Christmas stockings for her whole family. They have a tradition of having the Christmas stocking gifts all related to a theme. This year for 2026, her theme is the letters of the alphabet (26 letters). She made coasters out of Scrabble tiles with words about each person, she bought mini-games of Boggle and Bananagrams, and crossword puzzle books. She also purchased my devotional Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and my brand-new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, and thought they would be the perfect additions to the stockings!


Excerpt from "Chapter 26: Zion" from Psalm 9:11…

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ERV: Sing praises to the Lord, who sits as King in Zion. Tell the nations about the great things he has done.
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Expanded: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount [dwells on] Zion [the location of the Temple]. Tell the nations [among the peoples] what he has done.
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NCV: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.
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Practical Application: What does it mean to trust the Lord, the King of Zion? It means looking to Him as the source of our security and putting our faith in the grace, love, power, and protection of God when the inevitable pressures of life come. It means knowing as the psalmist did that as the mountains surround and protect Zion, the city of Jerusalem, God himself surrounds and shields His people. When we trust the Lord, we don’t have to focus on the wicked and what they are doing or might do to us. We don’t have to rehash our own woes. Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!
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Personalized Prayer:
Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You. When enemies surround me and troubles multiply, help me to remember that you are ever faithful and that you surround and protect me, both now and forever. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! In Your mighty Name Above All Names—King of Zion, we pray, amen.
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Reflection Questions and Takeaways:

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Look Up—meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
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Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
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Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.  



Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me.

Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately illustrated, almost like stained glass windows.

My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.





Sunday, June 14, 2026

CAESAREA BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

 

One elderly former pastor from our church recently sent me the sweetest letter after he read my book in which he wrote: "Thank you for taking me on my long-desired journey to the Holy Land! Memorable Moments in the Holy Land is a spiritually-moving blend of awesome visual encounter, rich fellowship with fellow believers, worship, and thanksgiving. It allows me to "see" many of the places that previously I have only "seen" through the reading of scripture. Many of the members of our church are being blessed by your sharing of family experiences, devotional thoughts, and comments on our worship experiences. Please, keep writing...again, thank you for writing the book, As I said earlier, it is my Holy Land trip. For years I've had an inner ear condition that rules out flying, so I'm enjoying the sights and lessons from the Holy Land through your writings."




           We are in awe as we walk in the sand beside this amazing Roman Aqueduct in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea, and touch the “Pilate Stone” (below) which gives historical validation with the inscription of the name “Pontius Pilate” from 26-27 AD.










CAESAREA BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

          Taking in the significance
 of this Roman Amphitheater (above) where the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ declaring… From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us, For in Him we live and move and have our being.--Acts 17:26-28.

          The reality of where I am is suddenly so clear to me, and all I know to be true because of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me in the inspired, infallible, inerrant Holy Word of God. 

          As I stand beside these structures, built when Jesus Christ walked on this Earth, I am filled over and over again with the awesome awareness of the Presence of God in this place.

          "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me . . . Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:6, 19)

          Nothing satisfies my mind, my heart, and the deepest longings of my soul like Jesus does. He is not only the way, the truth, and the life; He is personal to me. He is my way, and my truth, and my life—just as he can be for anyone who reaches out to him, "He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27)

          Peace is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing. It is not related to our environment or circumstances. Peace is a gift, something Jesus gives. Through thankful, fervent prayer—articulating our burdens to Jesus—we exchange anxiety for peace. We seize His promises and assurances. The peace of God is powerfully vigilant, for it literally guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can imagine this peace as a fortress encircling us. It protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health; our stability; our steadfastness; our confidence in God.
          As we pray, we experience His peace, the walls grow taller and stronger, protecting us more and more. Peace guards our hearts, we live behind the safe protection of our fortress of peace. No matter what, ruling our hearts is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing.

          Heavenly Father, God of peace, teach me the path of peace. Teach me to pray with thanksgiving, to submit my requests and needs to You—and to leave them there. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens on my own. You don’t want me to live in the clutches of anxiety; You want me to live freely, guarded by Your peace. Please flood and guard my heart with peace. Remind me, Father, that peace is not the absence of problems in my life but the calm assurance that You know what You’re doing. You have never failed me, and You will never leave me or forsake me—my confidence is in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Acts 17:26-28 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-28 … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-28 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

* If you liked this post, you will LOVE this new book: Memorable Moments in the Holy Land, available on Amazon at this link:  https://a.co/d/06G79jQm

Video of Lakes Church 2023 Holy Land Pilgramage

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Precious Memories of My Beloved Mom

 






My beloved Mom, Frances Mae Carson Willis, went home to be with Jesus on April 30, 2010. For Christmas one year, I found one of her handwritten recipes for White Fruit Cake. I had it engraved on wooden cutting boards and gave them to my brother, daughter, and son. When my daughter opened her cutting board on Christmas morning, tears immediately sprang from her eyes and mine as we simultaneously remembered all the many times we had watched Mom meticulously prepare her White Fruit Cake recipe, using her vintage white Sunbeam MixMaster. There really are no words, just precious memories.
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Another Christmas, I had her handwritten recipe for Lemon Squares printed on cotton tea towels for our loved ones. It truly brings back all the precious memories we have of her just by seeing her handwriting on those wooden cutting boards and those cotton tea towels. 

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During the days while my Mom was in palliative care, I played the song Be Still My Soul from Amy Grant’s Legacy album continuously prior to her homegoing. It begins with a melancholy guitar solo called Fields of Plenty and culminates with a voice-over poem by Amy. My heart was so captured by the lyrics I wrote every word in the Bible I had with me. Even listening to it now brings back the flood of warm feelings of peace I experienced during those days, knowing that Jesus was with me in my Mom's room, gently carrying her home.

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Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

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Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

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Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious will be bright at last.

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Delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, and find your joy in Him. 

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Be known for your gentleness and never forget the nearness of our God. 

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Don’t worry, whatever is going to come, just tell God every detail, and the peace of God that no one understands will come to you. 

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No, don’t worry, just tell Him every detail and His peace will come to you. 

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These heart-felt lyrics draw my heart to one of my favorite Scriptures, Philippians 4:6-7…

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NLT: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

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Phillips: Don't worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
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Amplified: Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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Peace is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing. It is not related to our environment or circumstances. Peace is a gift, something Jesus gives. Through thankful, fervent prayer—articulating our burdens to Jesus—we exchange anxiety for peace. We seize His promises and assurances. The peace of God is powerfully vigilant, for it literally guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can imagine this peace as a fortress encircling us. It protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health; our stability; our steadfastness; our confidence in God. As we pray, we experience His peace, the walls grow taller and stronger, protecting us more and more. Peace guards our hearts, we live behind the safe protection of our fortress of peace. No matter what, ruling our hearts is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing.

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Heavenly Father, God of peace, teach me the path of peace. Thank You for precious memories of our beloved Mom. Teach me to pray with thanksgiving, to submit my requests and needs to You—and to leave them there. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens on my own. You don’t want me to live in the clutches of anxiety; You want me to live freely, guarded by Your peace. Please flood and guard my heart with peace. Remind me, Father, that peace is not the absence of problems in my life but the calm assurance that You know what You’re doing. You have never failed me, and You will never leave me or forsake me—my confidence is in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.

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Look Up—meditate on Philippians 4:6-7… pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on Philippians 4:6-7  … pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

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Look Out—as you meditate on Philippians 4:6-7 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


Tuesday, March 3, 2026

A small thing that makes a big difference—Psalm 23


 In response to a writing prompt recently, I prayed and asked God to reveal to me times when He had used “a small thing to make a big difference” in my life. I was immediately reminded of all the many times in my life when God revealed to me that He had been with me all along. Over and over again, I could see throughout my life, as I would go through a crisis, the "small thing that made a big difference" in my life was the Twenty-third Psalm. It is small when compared to other Psalms, it only has six verses, and yet God has used it to make a big difference in my life, helping me experience His Peace and enjoy His Presence in the midst of every crisis.


When I wake up at 2:00am, I meditate on the Twenty-third Psalm, and gently drift back off to sleep praying...

The Lord is my shepherd;

I lack nothing.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through 

the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over with blessings.

Surely goodness and mercy

 shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


When I am praying for others, I picture Jesus, my Shepherd, in the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm. As I pray, I take whatever concern I have, or the person for whom I am interceding by the hand, I walk out to the meadow, the green pasture, and I place my concern, or the hand of the person for whom I am interceding, in Jesus’ hand…knowing that He is sovereign, He loves me, and He loves the person for whom I am interceding more than I do. He has a plan, a hope, and a future for each of us…and I walk away, thanking God for how He is working in my life and in the lives of those for whom I am interceding. I experience a feeling of peace…as Catherine Marshall prayed, “Lord, I trust You…You know what You’re doing…I relinquish my will to Yours.”


When a brokenhearted friend calls with news of the sudden homegoing of a loved one, we pray the 23rd Psalm…

O Heavenly Father, we ask you to wrap Your Loving Arms around us today. You are close to the brokenhearted and You save those who are crushed in spirit. You are our Shepherd, we lack nothing. You make us lie down in green pastures, You lead us beside the still waters. You restore our souls. You lead us in the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for You are with us. You are Emmanuel, God with us, we are absolutely certain, You are with us at this time. Your rod and Your staff, Your Holy Spirit and Your Word, they comfort us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil, our cup overflows with blessings. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.


The 23rd Psalm begins with David talking to someone, probably himself, as he says, “The Lord is…He restores me…He leads me. All of a sudden, when he faces a crisis, the valley of the shadow of death, he immediately begins to speak directly to the Lord, “For You are with me”…When we go through a crisis, it is a matter of talking to the Lord yourself, for He is with you, underneath (green pastures), beside you, in front of you (table), surrounding you, chasing after you (goodness and mercy), and ahead of you (house of the Lord). 


For every need presented in this Psalm, God has a name to meet that need. For every circumstance, God has a name to overcome that circumstance. David knew the Great Shepherd. The LORD comes from the name Jehovah. He is the Great "I AM." He depends upon no one. There are seven names of God paired with each verse in the 23rd Psalm:


JEHOVAH-RA’AH—The Lord is my shepherd; 


JEHOVAH-JIREH—The Lord, my provider—I lack nothing.


JEHOVAH-SHALOM—The Lord, our peace—He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.


JEHOVAH-RAPHA—The Lord, my healer—He restores my soul:


JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU—The Lord, our righteousness—He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


JEHOVAH-SHAMAH—The Lord, ever-present—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


JEHOVAH-NISSI—The Lord, our banner—You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:


JEHOVAH-RAPHA—The Lord, my healer—You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows with blessings.


JEHOVAH-JIREH—The Lord, my provider—Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


Ask people which scripture they love the most and which has meant most to them, and many would point to the Twenty-third Psalm. The Lord has used it to dry many tears and lift many out of the pit of despair and discouragement. This small Psalm deals with almost every adverse circumstance in life and how to win over it…truly, a small thing that makes a big difference, amen?

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