Write from My Heart

Monday, April 20, 2026

Five Days of Prayer - Day One

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Never stop praying.

There is an old, falling-apart, Webster’s Dictionary (1965) sitting on my desk. Every now and then I take a moment to look up a definition of a word...sometimes an unfamiliar word...but as in the case of today, it is the transitive verb and noun form of a word frequently used; pray, prayer.

pray (v.t.); to implore; beseech; to ask for; to make supplication (e.g., to make a humble request)

prayer (n.); a humble entreaty made to God

Prayer is talking with the God who created you, loves you, saves you, comforts you, restores you. He always listens. He always responds in his perfect timing and in his perfect way. I often wonder why we make prayer such a difficult task. We have no trouble chatting or texting with our friends; why do we leave our Gracious Heavenly Father in the distance? Why do we only seek him when we have a problem?

This week my heart wants to share some of my favorite prayers and scriptures with you. My hope is that something will inspire you to develop a deeper prayer life with your Gracious Heavenly Father. He already knows your heart, your needs, your concerns, your joys, and your hopes...but he longs to hear from you, personally. Blessings to you, dear Reader.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

For what I am, that I ought not to be; Forgive me.

For what I am not, that I ought to be; Forgive me.

Be with my mouth in what it says.

Be with my hands in what they do.

Be with my mind in what it thinks.

Be with my heart in what it feels.

Work in me – through me – for me – in spite of me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 17, 2026

Renaissance Hope or Reformation Hope

Psalm 42:5 and 11 (NLT) ^5&11Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Micah 7:7 (NIV) ⁷But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) ³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

History records many important time periods and I will reference two of them for today’s devotional on hope. Both were significant periods of hope in the timeline of humanity; but hope held very different definitions in each period.

The Renaissance Period occurred approximately 1400s-1600s after the Middle Ages. It was a time of secular hope placed in man’s self-confidence and trust in one’s own accomplishments. It was a time of self-assurance and self-affirmation. There was a cultural “rebirth” in art, science and humanism. Renaissance Hope places one’s trust in man.

By contrast, The Reformation Period occurred toward the latter part of the Renaissance approximately 1500s-1600s. It was a time of revival toward God and away from secularism. It was the renewal of hope placed not in man’s ability, but in God’s sovereign control. There was a spiritual “rebirth” in salvation through faith alone; a belief in Scripture alone; and the promised Blessed Hope of Christ’s return. Reformation Hope places one’s trust in God.

We still see evidence of both Renaissance Hope and Reformation Hope in our world today. Christians hold fast to Reformation Hope and we place our trust in God’s sovereign and providential control. We are confident of the future hope of the resurrection and soon return of Christ Jesus. Yet all the while, the world and it’s Renaissance Hope—hope in self—grows astoundingly pervasive.

Romans 15:13 (NIV) ¹³May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Renaissance Hope or Reformation Hope—which do you choose? Hope that places one’s trust in man, or hope that places one’s trust in God?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

As the world draws us toward all things self-oriented, draw us back closer to You. You are the God of all true hope—a living hope through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. We place our hope in You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Thursday, April 16, 2026

It's Only Yellow

Romans 15:4 (NIV) ⁴For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:6-7, 11-13 (NLT) ⁶These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, ⁷or worship idols as some of them did. ... ¹¹These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. ¹²If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Psalm 119:10-11, 18 (NIV) ¹⁰I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. ¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ... ¹⁸Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

As I have so often written, the Bible is first and foremost a book about God. It reveals Creator God and his desire for his creation. It tells of the sin, rebellion, and fallen nature of his creation. It speaks of God’s redemptive plan through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And it gives us the Blessed Hope of resurrection and life in God’s new and pure Kingdom soon to come.

The Bible is not a book about us. Yet through the careful reading and the diligent studying of God’s Word, we can understand Him better; and when we understand Him better, we can see the flaws and failures in our own life more clearly. When we read the expectations God had for his chosen people in Old Testament times, and we read of their failures; we understand more clearly God’s expectations for his people—all Christians—today. Things that were written so long ago alert us to pitfalls and temptations in the fallen world in which we live today.

The yellow light of a traffic light seems to be the most abused of all three lights. The intention of the yellow light is to warn the light will soon change to red, and you must stop. Every single one of us knows the failure of so many drivers to recognize and obey the yellow light. Yet that is so very much how Christians treat their Bible, “It’s Only Yellow, I’ve still got time.” We eagerly read the “green” scriptures and we ignore the “red” scriptures completely... and we excuse the “yellow” scriptures as a reason to put off study for a later time. Perhaps it is time to consider Paul’s admonition, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us...”

Gracious Heavenly Father

What a privilege we have of unlimited access to Your Word. Forgive our neglect to read and study the Scriptures You have provided. Open our eyes to all the blessings and cautions it contains.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

The Start of Every New Day

Psalm 143:8-10 (NIV) ⁸Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.⁹Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you. ¹⁰Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

There are times when it is simply good to sit back and hit the “reset” button on life. Remember the great and compassionate love God has for you. Remind yourself that you have placed your trust in Him. Take confidence that God will lead you and guide you in the ways that you should go; but also know this carries the responsibility for you to spend time in God’s Word. It’s pretty hard for you to ask God to “teach you” when your Bible remains closed on the shelf collecting dust.

You may not have as many physical enemies as the Psalmist had; but there are times when each of us feels inundated with the cares, stresses, challenges, and worries of the day—yield those to your Heavenly Father and trust his care. And always offer prayers of thanksgiving for God’s Holy Spirit who daily guides, directs, and comforts us.

Let this morning be the fresh start you need. And henceforth decide that The Start of Every New Day will now begin with your Heavenly Father.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

How easily we get wrapped up in the details of everyday. How easily we allow our calendars to fill beyond capacity. How easily we succumb to daily cares, stresses, and challenges—our thoughts wander in a myriad of directions. Help us to reset our day with our focus on You. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us. And thank you for the privilege of having free and unlimited access to your Word.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Loving, Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate

Exodus 34:5-7 (NIV) ⁵Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. ⁶And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV) ³¹For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. ³²Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. ³³For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) ¹⁸Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? ¹⁹You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

The Bible is first and foremost a book about God, who He is, and what he desires for His people. And today we see the compassion...yes, the justice too, for he will not allow sin to go unpunished...but even with consequences which may possibly affect generations, God is merciful and compassionate. His love and faithfulness also abound for generations. He never abandons us. And it is not his will or desire that any should suffer; but suffering does exist in our fallen and tainted world. And the consequences of our failure to follow God do exist in our fallen and tainted world. Yet through it all, our God is loving, forgiving, merciful, and compassionate.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Today we pray for awareness of any way in which we have strayed from You, either in thought, word, or deed. We humbly ask your forgiveness. We thank you for your love, your faithfulness, your mercy, and your compassion.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Monday, April 13, 2026

Never Alone

Genesis 16:13 (NIV) [from the life of Hagar, Sarai’s maid] ¹³She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Genesis 28:15-16 (NIV) [from the life of Jacob] ¹⁵ “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” ¹⁶When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

Joshua 1:5, 9 (NIV) [from the life of Joshua] ⁵... “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”. ... ⁹“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I have been blessed to reach my senior years, and I recognize that the majority of my readers also fall into the “Senior” category. Along with the accumulation of birthdays comes new concerns, new challenges, new worries. Truth be told, probably topping the list are worries about finances, health, and particularly being left alone.

Our God is eternal. He is ageless. He is timeless. His presence is everywhere at all times and in all places. We are never alone. Human companionship may come and go; relationships wax and wane; but our loving Heavenly Father is ever-present. He is the God who sees us. He is with us and will watch over us, whether we are aware of his presence or not. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The LORD our God is with us wherever we go, and He is with us wherever we stay.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

You know every thought of our hearts, and as we age, you know the worries and concerns that pull us away from you. Restore peace in our minds and hearts. Thank you for your tender and compassionate watch-care over us.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Friday, April 10, 2026

As Many Times as It Takes

This week during our devotional time together we explored Easter Resurrection Day and the days immediately following through the perspectives of people present at the original event. And now we come to the story of Peter, but even here, I would like to find some small piece of the story that may have been overlooked or under-emphasized in the past.

The story of Peter’s denial is found in all four Gospels: Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:54-62; and John 18:15-27. How quick we are to note someone else’s flaws. Of the four, only John records the redemption and restoration of Peter, John 21:15-17.

Countless sermons and devotionals connect Peter’s three denials with Jesus’ questions given three times, Peter, do you love me? But I remember a similar conversation between Peter and Jesus that took place on an earlier occasion.

Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) ²¹Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²²Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

How often should we forgive others? As many times as it takes. How often will our Heavenly Father forgive us? As many times as it takes.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your love and mercy. Thank you for the gift of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. Thank you for continued forgiveness for the many times we fall short of your glory and purpose. Create in us a heart of compassion and forgiveness for others.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Thursday, April 9, 2026

What Am I Missing?

Of the four Gospels, only John mentions the absence of Thomas at that first Post-Resurrection gathering of the disciples.

John 20:24-25 (NIV) ²⁴Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas must have been asking himself, What am I missing? The answer; We have seen the Lord! That was the very first thing Thomas was missing. He was never guaranteed another opportunity to see his Risen Savior in person; only by God’s grace and mercy did he receive a second chance that next week.

John 20:26 (NIV) ²⁶A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.

The truth is, we are never told why Thomas missed that first gathering. We can suppose; we can assume; but we cannot know for sure. It occurs to me the reason for Thomas’ absence is not the focus; the consequence is. Actions have consequences, and so do inactions. Because of his absence, Thomas had to wrestle with his doubts and skepticism for another week. Because of his absence, Thomas missed the comfort and encouragement the disciples offered each other in the wake of tragedy. Because of his absence, Thomas missed being overjoyed with his fellow disciples at the sight of their Risen Lord (c.f., v.20), at least for a time.

The question falls even to us, today; What am I missing? The church pews are full on Easter Sunday, or for that matter on Christmas Sunday, too. But what about after Easter? What am I missing? When we are missing church, we are missing the presence of our Heavenly Father and the opportunity to know Him better. When we are missing church, we are missing the opportunity to bring peace to our doubts and skepticisms, our challenges and difficulties. When we are missing church, we are missing the comfort and encouragement of our fellow Christians. When we are missing church, we are missing the joy and fellowship of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Psalm 84:10 (NIV) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Matthew 18:20 (NIV) For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) ²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Online services are wonderful for those who are unable to attend in person. There are many who are elderly, sick, and homebound. Online services provide a much-needed benefit for many. But what about the rest of us? When our pew is empty, we must ask ourselves; What am I missing?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the joy and privilege of meeting with fellow Christians. Thank you for the comfort and encouragement of others during our times of challenge or distress. Most of all, thank you for Your presence in our hearts.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Are You the Only One Who Doesn't Know?

Today we continue our exploration of Resurrection Easter and the days immediately following. The four Gospels record several different encounters between groups of disciples and the Resurrected Jesus. But it is Luke who records the happenings on the road to Emmaus. Here we find Cleopas and another disciple heading out of Jerusalem for the nearly 7-mile trek to Emmaus.

Luke 24:13-16 (NIV) ¹³Now that day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶but they were kept from recognizing him.

One of the commentaries has noted that the verbs “talked and discussed” bears the connotation of debate or intense scrutiny. Whatever the case may be, one thing seems certain, the disciples were fully engaged in trying to make sense of all the events that had just occurred. Jesus joins them. He asks a simple question, “What are you discussing... (c.f., v. 17). Cleopas responds, basically saying: Are you the only one who doesn’t know? How ironic. Standing in the midst of the Risen Lord, their eyes cannot see the very One about whom their discussion is focused. Perhaps their eyes were prevented from seeing Jesus for good reason...did they really know who He was? I encourage you to read Luke 24:19-24 and pay attention to some of the excerpted details:

Luke 24:19-24 (NIV)excerpts ^{19 “}About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ... ²¹but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”

He was. We had hoped. Notice the past tense. It is easy for us today because we (the ones reading the story) can see what they (the ones doing the walking and talking) could not. They wonder if Jesus has a clue as to what is going on; Jesus knows they do not. So the Resurrected Jesus uses the seven-mile trek to explain things to them.

Luke 24:27 (NIV) ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

For us today, we too, can know who Christ is through the Scriptures. Most sermons and lessons about the events of Emmaus focus upon the revelation through the sharing at the table...four verbs:

Luke 24:30-31 (NIV) ³⁰...he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Luke 22:19 (NIV) (Jesus’ words spoken at the Last Supper) ^{19 “}...do this in remembrance of me”

Yes, this was a most amazing event. Yes, we remember our Resurrected Lord through the partaking of communion. But do we know Him? Do we study our Bibles to know Him through the Scriptures? Does the Resurrected Jesus live in our past tense of who He was, or does He reign in our present tense of who He is?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I bow my head and feel as if Cleopas was speaking to me as if I am the only one who doesn’t know. And yet I know beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is real. Jesus Christ is alive. Thank you for the guidance of your Holy Spirit who gives the wisdom to understand your Word; to understand who Christ is.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Do You See What I See?

As we continue our thoughts this week concerning Easter Resurrection Day and the days immediately following, let’s take a glimpse at the guards. Did they know about the Resurrection? Of course, they knew! The phrase, scared to death comes to mind.

Matthew 28:2-4 (NIV) ²There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

I find it interesting that the written record does not mention the angel speaking to the guards, only speaking directly to the women (c.f., v. 5)...the guards, however, witnessed it all. They knew. They knew it all. In fact, we next see them running to tell the chief priests. Why would they run to tell the chief priests? We discover the answer first by backing up in Scriptures just a bit:

Matthew 27:62-66 (NIV) ⁶²The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ⁶³“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ⁶⁴So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” ⁶⁵“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” ⁶⁶So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

The body is buried. The tomb is sealed. The guard is posted. Earthquake. Do you see what I see?

Matthew 28:2 and 28:6 (NIV) ²...for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven... [Notice—the angel speaks directly to the women, but the guards hear every word] ⁶“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

They knew. They knew the truth. They knew it all. Their story continues:

Matthew 28:11-15 (NIV) ¹¹While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹²When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

History tells us the penalty for falling asleep while on duty was severe, and often fatal. It is completely understandable the guards would be concerned about using the excuse of falling asleep. But the bonus money, and the promise from the chief priests don’t worry, we’ve got your back was enough for them. Do you see what I see? now becomes This is how it all went down. In today’s terms we would call this Revisionist History.

Matthew’s Gospel is interesting for immediately following this account, Matthew closes his writings with what we refer to as The Great Commission. Given by Resurrected Jesus to his disciples, and still important for us today:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Do you see what I see? The guards knew the truth of the Resurrection back then; and we know the truth of the Resurrection now. The guards chose the path of Revisionist History; what will we choose?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for limiting Christ’s Resurrection Day to a single Easter Sunday, for it should be the foundation of our life as a Christian. Embolden us to proclaim the message of salvation including the resurrection truth to others, both in our spoken words and in the life we live.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com