But Now I See

Greetings, dear Readers! This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite passages from Job – a man who was truly tested; whose helpful friends were not so helpful; but a man who never lost sight of his Redeemer.

Job 42:1-6 (NLT)  Then Job replied to the LORD:  I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?” It is I - and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, “Listen, and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.

How easy it is for us to expound on things which we really do not know nor fully understand. This was Job’s admission, too. Job spoke of many things, and many things were beyond his comprehension. Something different occurred with this exchange between Job and the  LORD. This humbling experience was real; not hearsay; not passed down from someone else; this was real. Now Job knows, sees, and understands for himself the wonder of the LORD.

When the Book of Job opens, we find him sitting in dust and ashes with a myriad of questions and explanations. When the Book of Job closes, we again find him sitting in dust and ashes; but the difference is now there is humility and repentance.  But now I understand; but now I see...

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

Thank you for the life of Job and the lessons we learn about true humility and repentance. Thank you for opening our eyes to catch a glimpse of your amazing qualities and lovingkindness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  But Now I See appeared first February 6, 2026 on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com  As the original author, I reserve the right to update, edit, and republish.

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.

The LORD's Response

Greetings, dear Readers! This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite passages from Job – a man who was truly tested; whose helpful friends were not so helpful; but a man who never lost sight of his Redeemer.

Job 38:1, 31-33 (NLT)  Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:  ...Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?

One of my most favorite childhood memories of time Dad and I shared were the times when we would slip outside at night and gaze at the skies. Dad would point out various constellations. We would stand in awe of God’s magnificent creation. We would talk. But we would always end our nighttime sky experiences with our voices joined in the hymn so often sung by George Beverly Shea:

My Father is omnipotent and that you can’t deny;

a God of might and miracles; ‘tis written in the sky.

It took a miracle to put the stars in place;

It took a miracle to hang the world in space.

But when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole;

It took a miracle of love and grace!

It Took A Miracle,  (John W. Peterson, 1948)

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

You are the God of miracles and your wonders never cease. Every detail of your creation is a beacon of light that points to You. But the greatest miracle of all was your plan to offer us the gift of life through the sacrifice of your only Son. Truly a miracle of love and grace! Mere words can never express our humble gratitude for such a gift. We thank you by giving You our faithfulness. It is the only thing we have to offer.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  The LORD’s Response appeared first February 5, 2026 on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com  As the original author, I reserve the right to update, edit, and republish.

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.

True Wisdom and Real Understanding

Greetings, dear Readers! This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite passages from Job – a man who was truly tested; whose helpful friends were not so helpful; but a man who never lost sight of his Redeemer.

Job 28:23-28 (NLT)  God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning. Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: “The fear of the LORD is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”

Omnipotent     God is all powerful!

Omniscient     God is all knowing!

Omnipresent     God is present in all places at all times, past, present, future – simultaneously – He does not hop, skip and jump between ages!  

Exodus 3:14 (NLT) God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” [literal translation: ‘I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE’!]

True wisdom belongs to God alone. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Only as we begin to grasp the knowledge of Who God truly IS – to acknowledge His attributes – only then, do we catch a glimpse of true wisdom. Our response can be nothing less than to forsake (e.g., shun, put away, have nothing to do with) anything that is evil or anything that might cause us to fall short of God’s desire for us as his faithful people; for only then, does real understanding begin.

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

We are humbled to our core when we realize Who you are. We ask forgiveness for the many ways we fall short of your desire for us. Teach us to understand that our only response can be total respect, reverence and fear of You, our Almighty Father, followed by true obedience.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  True Wisdom and Real Understanding appeared first February 4, 2026 on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com   As the original author, I reserve the right to update, edit, and republish.

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.

Treasure God's Word

Greetings, dear Readers! This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite passages from Job – a man who was truly tested; whose helpful friends were not so helpful; but a man who never lost sight of his Redeemer.

Job 23:10-12  But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. for I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

The Psalmist hides God’s Word within his heart to keep himself from sin (Ps. 119:11), and he asks God to open his eyes to understand those wonderful truths contained within (Ps. 119:18). Joshua repeated the command to study God’s Word (i.e., Book of Instruction) continually and meditate on it day and night so we might obey everything written in it (Joshua 1:8). Paul reminds Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for our instruction (2 Timothy 3:16). John reminds us that we are never to add to God’s Word or take anything away from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). To Job, whose bodily condition was unable to take in food or drink, God’s Word was his daily nourishment and sustenance.

Perhaps it is time to take our Bible off the shelf, dust it off, and use it daily.

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

Your Word is precious for it teaches us, corrects us, and sustains us. Create within us a new and deeper desire to read from its pages daily. Open the eyes of our understanding to the wonderful truths it contains. Grant us the amount of wisdom and understanding you trust us to handle your Word correctly. Teach us to treasure Your Word.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  Treasure God’s Word appeared first February 3, 2026 on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com  As the original author, I reserve the right to update, edit, and republish.

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.

 

My Redeemer Lives

Greetings, dear Readers! This week I would like to share with you some of my favorite passages from Job – a man who was truly tested; whose helpful friends were not so helpful; but a man who never lost sight of his Redeemer.

Job 19:25-27 (NLT)  But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon  the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Scores of interpretations exist for this passage. Some lead to truthful doctrines, some lead to doctrines generated and contrived by man to promote their own conceptions and agendas. As for me, I like to lean on the simple and uncomplicated truths of God’s Word.

Job is currently enduring pain and suffering unlike anything most of us could imagine. His helpful friends are not so helpful. At one point he even admonishes them, “If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom,” (Job 13:5, NLT).

Job realizes that should his current circumstances remain unchanged, death will occur soon; his human body cannot last much longer. Yet Job never loses sight of his Redeemer; the LORD God Almighty. His Redeemer will be the ultimate Victor and Vindicator who will stand upon the earth at the Last of all Time. Job will not have to rely on the “eyes” of anyone else; he himself will know, see, and understand God for Who is truly IS. And Job is completely overwhelmed at this thought.

 

Lord God Almighty, our Father;

Sometimes our own struggles in life can seem disheartening to us. Yet through it all, we never lose sight of You – our Redeemer, our Victor, and our Vindicator. We know you are coming again soon! Until then, whether we are asleep in death, or whether we are alive and remain – we will know You, see You, and understand You individually and personally. Our hearts are overwhelmed at the thought! We praise You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  My Redeemer Lives appeared first February 2, 2026 on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com   As the original author, I reserve the right to update, edit, and republish.

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.

Purposeless Drama

Matthew 4:25 – 5:2 (NLT)  ^4:25Large crowds followed him wherever he went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. ^5:1One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, ²and he began to teach them.

Throughout my life I have carried the mental image of thousands of people crowding up the side of the mountain where Jesus taught the throngs the Beatitudes. Why? Because that’s what I’ve always heard, and that’s what I’ve always been taught, and that’s what all my childhood coloring pages depicted. Indeed, large crowds did follow Jesus everywhere he went. But Jesus also knew that his disciples would one day be the ones teaching people, and he knew the importance of giving them direct teaching and instruction. Read the verses above again. The disciples gathered around Jesus, and Jesus taught the disciples. In today’s ‘teacher talk’ we would call it ‘small group instruction’. Yes, perhaps there were others present or within hearing range, but Jesus was personally instructing those who would continue his mission and ministry.

On this occasion, Jesus taught the basic Beatitudes, but he also taught many other topics as well. One of the many other areas of instruction was to avoid purposeless drama. Don’t announce your generosity to the world; give privately what the Lord lays on your heart. Don’t show off in public with loudly verbose prayers or repetitive chants; seek your Father in private.

The Simple Truth:

Matthew 6:1-8 (NLT) ¹Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. ²When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. ³But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything will reward you. ⁵When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything will reward you. ⁷When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

 

Dear Lord, our Gracious Father God,

Thank you for the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Thank you for providing your Word and the example of the disciples who listened carefully and thoughtfully and taught others; may we do the same. Father God, you honor the heart that is honest and humble. Keep us from purposeless drama that seeks attention; keep us focused on your Will and Way.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional Purposeless Drama appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com 

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.

Turtles and Ostriches

Okay, brace yourself – I’m going to say the word –here it comes  – ‘doctrine’. Whew! There, I said it. All jesting aside, when some Christians hear the word ‘doctrine’ they become as turtles drawing their head back into their shells, or become as ostriches hiding their heads in the sand – thus, the title for today. We become so fearful, we tell ourselves that we don’t want to ‘offend’ anyone, we don’t want to ‘hurt anyone’s feelings’, we don’t want to ‘get into an argument’ because we wouldn’t know what to say or what scriptures to use. Yet we are commanded as Christians to know our doctrine, and the reasons why, and to teach it to all generations. Do you know what you believe, and does it align with Scripture? Or is it just what you’ve always been told to believe; what you’ve always been taught; or what you’ve always heard? There is a difference. The hard reality is that not all doctrine taught in modern churches is founded in Scripture.

The Simple Truth:

1 Timothy 4:16 and 6:20-21 (NIV) ^4:16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. ^6:20...guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

1 Timothy 4:16 and 6:20-21 (NLT) ^4:16Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. ^6:20...guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussion with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. ²¹Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.

 

Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father,

Forgive our negligence of your Word. Forgive us for believing everything we hear without seeking your Word for guidance. Renew within us a heart for knowing you through your written Scriptures.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional Turtles and Ostriches appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com 

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.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

By the Grace of God

There seems to be a resurgence of the phrase, “I Yam What I Yam... and that’s all that I Yam!”, along with any number of it’s variations. A word of caution is definitely needed! This quote was famously spoken by Popeye the Sailor Man – the original comic strip character creation of E.C. Seger and later popularized in the Fleisher Studios cartoon version, both from the early 1930’s. Tragic that so few understand the heart of its message is the concept of self-acceptance, pride in self, and self-sufficiency. It is the world’s philosophy – of “me, myself, and I” - and absolutely NOT what Apostle Paul was trying to teach!

Paul counted himself as the worst of sinners because of his past, unworthy in every respect – except by the Grace of God – who in mercy and loved saved him from his past; called him to his work; and guided him in every endeavor.

The Simple Truth:

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (NLT) ⁹For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. ¹⁰But whatever I am now _{[KJV & NIV ‘I am what I am’]}, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me – and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

 

Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father,

Forgive our proclivity to absorb the world’s teaching of ‘all things self’. Thank you for the example of Apostle Paul who acknowledges we are nothing without you. We are only who we are through your mercy and grace. We ask you to work in us, through us, and in spite of us. We offer you all the praise and glory due your Name.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional By the Grace of God appeared first on Write From My Heart at 

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com 

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.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version (cum privilegio), undated, Cambridge University Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Leave the Dust Behind

How many times do we wake up in the morning and immediately revisit all the ‘dust and clutter’ (metaphorically speaking for all the hurts, insults, and negativity) from the previous day? Don’t tell me it never happens. We are human. It does. There is a way to leave the dust behind. There is a solution!

The Simple Truth:

Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT) ²¹Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: ²²The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. ²³Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

 

Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father,

Our human faithfulness is often flawed; forgive us. With humble and grateful hearts we thank you that your faithfulness never ceases to bring love and new mercy for each day.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

 

The devotional Leave the Dust Behind appeared first on Write From My Heart at 

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com 

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.

It's Not What You Say

We may speak positively when in the company of others; but do we whisper negativity to ourselves? Do we convince ourselves that we are ‘not good enough’; ‘not smart enough’; ‘don’t know the right words’; ‘don’t know Scriptures well enough’... actually that last thought might be true enough for all of us. We all have room for improvement on that thought! The point is, what we whisper in our minds can, will, and does, affect how we live and how we interact with others.

The Simple Truth:

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT) ³You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ⁴Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

 

Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father,

Forgive the negativity that seeps into our minds. Teach us that you love us and are always present; ready and willing to bring peace when we turn our thoughts and hearts to you.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional It’s Not What You Say appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com 

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.