Write from My Heart

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Regard Not Your Own Stuff

Genesis 45:17-20 ^excerpts(NLT) Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers... get your father and all of your families, and return here... don’t worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

Continuing with stories of Joseph, we find that Joseph has revealed himself to his brothers, and now it is time to rescue his father, Jacob, and the brothers’ families from the devastating famines throughout the lands. Pharaoh sends wagons and donkeys and supplies to bring back all of Joseph’s family. Pharoah sends the message not to worry about their own belongings for they will have whatever they need in Egypt. But I can’t help but enjoy the wording of Kings James Version (v. 20) ...regard not your own stuff. In other words, don’t waste time and space packing up unnecessary things... I (Pharaoh) have plenty to share when you get here.

We live in a world confused by the difference between “needs” and “wants”. We have too much stuff, so our solution is to buy more stuff (boxes, buckets, bins and shelves) to organize the stuff we already have, in order to make room for more stuff. Anyone who has ever had to clean out a parents’ home, or move them to a senior residence, knows exactly what it is to have too much stuff... yet they rarely recognize how they, themselves, follow in the same footsteps.

My aim for the lesson today is not so much teaching us how to “pack light” as it is to be content with the provisions we have, for if we are honest, they are bountiful. Paul’s letter to the Philippians as well as his letter to Timothy provides tremendous incite for us today:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Philippians 4:11-13, 19 (NIV) Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ... And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

We live in a world that places value on the accumulation of stuff. God places value in people – people like you, and people like me – the people He created and who He desires to be his own children. I would encourage you to read the lesson Jesus teaches found Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV). In this text, Jesus describes how God takes care of the birds and provides their food. Jesus describes the flowers and how God provides their colorful ‘clothes’. Jesus also poses the question, which applies even for us today; (v. 26b) Are you not much more valuable than they?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive us when we fall into the world’s tendency to place value in stuff. Teach us to regard You and teach us to regard Your will and way – for that is where we find true value.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The devotional Regard Not Your Own Stuff 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.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Not You - But God

Genesis 45:8 (NIV) So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.

Genesis 50:20 (NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Most of us grew up hearing the Sunday School stories about Joseph... his dreams, his coat of many colors, his mean brothers, being sold as a slave and taken to Egypt, but also the rescue when his family’s home country was enduring great famine. Wonderful stories – each of them, and full of lessons for us to glean. Yet somehow as we grow older, we forget those lessons. Somewhere along the way we think; Why is this (or that) happening to me? Why are my prayers not answered? Why do I have to put up with this (or that)?

We could point out many complex answers to these questions, but if we are honest with ourselves, most of them involve excuses of some sort. The short answer is that we have simply forgotten Who remains in control. Who is in control? Not You – But God.

Proverbs 16:20 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 21:30 (NLT) No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.

Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

We live during an age of biblical alterations. We quote verses like James 4:2b (NLT) You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask for it. But we ignore the next verse James 4:3 (NLT) And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. And believe it or not, this is only one of many examples of using (or misusing) God’s Word in the modern “name it, claim it” or “gospel of prosperity” teachings so prevalent today. However, if one is diligent and takes the time to reread their favorite “go to” prosperity verses, quite often what one will find are scriptures before and after their favorite verse all pointing to living a life within God’s will and way. And therein lies the catch. What are we doing and what effort are we making toward living a Christian life within God’s will and way?

When situations and challenges in life arise, and we wonder why; perhaps our question should be, LORD, what are you trying to teach me? LORD, which way do you want me to turn? LORD, What changes in my (life, speech, heart, mind, attitude) do I need to make?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic... for the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We have so many requests, but sometimes we forget that you already know what is on our heart. You are already working out your perfect will and way for our lives. Sometimes your will and way provides quick answers; sometimes we must act with patience and perseverance, trusting that you are and always will be, in control. Thank you for your merciful and gracious watch care over us.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The devotional Not You – But 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.

Friday, August 7, 2026

Is Anyone Listening?

Isaiah 65:1-2, 12b (NLT) ¹The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name. ²All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they followed their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes (c.f. NIV, pursuing their own imaginations). ... ^12bFor when I called, you did not answer. When I spoke, you did not listen. You deliberately sinned—before my very eyes—and chose to do what you know I despise.”

This is, to me, the saddest commentary and judgment for the world, our own nation, and even for Christians in general. And yes, if I am honest, even on a personal level. God is ready—we are not seeking Him. Or worse yet, we seek Him only when it is convenient for us to do so; only when our needs seem crucial; only when our troubles seem insurmountable. What is wrong with us?

We serve a God who loves us, cares for us, and watches over us. He stands as near to us as a prayer’s whisper. He is ready to respond; will we seek Him?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for the times I failed to seek you. Forgive me for the times I failed to listen to Your call. Thank you for your love and mercy, for your grace and watch-care. Create in me an attentive heart that longs to follow your will and way.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The devotional Is Anyone Listening? appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com