Some Will Listen

 Amos 8:11-12  “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”

            From a historical perspective, Amos was among the last group of prophets prior to the 400 year period between what we call the Old Testament and the New Testament. Some would listen, many would not.  As Amos prophesied, the next 400 years, sometimes referred to as the Maccabean period or Silent Years, were indeed a famine of God’s spoken word through the prophets. Yet God had a greater plan.

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

            Once again, the Word of God would be available to all people through God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus would come to earth in human form, live and teach God’s Word physically and in person, because in fact, Jesus was God’s Word. Some would listen, many would not. God’s plan to make his Word available to all persons would continue after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Jesus’ disciples would continue to spread God’s Word through the land. Some would listen, many would not.

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

            Today we have the Word of God in written form. God’s Word—given to us through his divine inspiration imparted to many selected writers—protected and maintained throughout generations; available to us today some 3,000 years later as collective Scriptures known as The Bible. Some will listen, many will not.

Romans 15:4  For 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.

Jude v. 3  Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

            We no longer have a famine of the Word of God. God’s Word is readily available in multiple translations and numerous languages, available in printed form or via online sources. Some will read, many will not. We do not lack access to the Word of God. It isn’t a famine of God’s Word that is our current danger; it is a plague of polluting God’s Word to suite our own needs and desires. Some will read, many will not, many more will try to make their own adjustments and their own paraphrases. Yet even as God gave the warning through Amos that there would be a famine of His Word; God also gave us advanced warning that there would be a diluting of His Word. Some will listen, many will not. We must not tamper with God’s Word.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Revelation 22:18-19  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

            The Bottom Line is this: God’s Word is available to you.

Will you listen? Or will you not?

Psalm 119:11, 16, 18  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  …  I will not neglect your word.  …  Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive us for the neglect of your Word. Keep us safe from those who would dilute and misinterpret your Word for their convenience sake, sadly leading others astray. Grant that we might boldly proclaim the truth of your Word, Salvation through Christ, and the blessed hope of a future in your soon coming Kingdom.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen.

 

The devotional Some Will Listen appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Do Good and Do Well

Ecclesiastes 7:10 and 14       Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. … When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

            Yesterday I shared with you the thoughts from my Uncle Don written back in January of this year. Even then I noticed something which probably escaped most readers. It was the correct use of adjectives and adverbs. Yes, there is a difference between doing good and doing well and I fully understood what my uncle intended.

Do Good (adj.)

            These are the things you do… good things. Look around at the opportunities the Lord has given you to help one another, encourage one another, pray for one another. The possibilities are limitless—taking a casserole to someone in need, donations of food and clothing to local shelters (as well as service), holding a door open, writing a note or card or text of encouragement, and the list goes on. Do Good Things.

Do Well (adv.)

            This is how you are to do good things. Do them to the best of your ability with a humble and thankful heart and not grudgingly or solely out of a sense of duty. Do them because you honestly desire to make a difference for someone and not out of self-promotion. Do them for the glory of the Lord and not yourself. Do Things Well.

            Living in the past restricts our future. Yes, while it is wise to periodically glance back at the past, it should only be to get our bearings for moving forward. Dwelling in the past prevents forward motion. Life is full of good days and awful days—Our Heavenly Father is the Creator of all time and all days; no single one of us is able to determine the future. So each day, whether deemed to be good or bad in human opinion…

do good things and do them well.

Colossians 3:23-24    Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Philippians 2:14        Do everything without grumbling…

Galatians 6:9-10        Let us not become weary in doing good…Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…

Deuteronomy 10:12   …what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…

Ecclesiastes 9:10        Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive us when we whine and complain and wish for former days. It is neither wise nor healthy for us. Give us the grace and strength to move forward; focused each day on doing good things and doing them well—for Your honor and glory and not our own. Thank you for the wisdom of daily living found in Your Word.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Do Good and Do Well appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Whatever I May Face Today

Matthew 6:34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

            Words spoken by Jesus—his words to the disciples and crowds on the mountainside which are still words to live by today. In fact, not long ago, my uncle wrote an email to me during a stormy day in Florida. My uncle’s note immediately brought the words of Matthew 6:34 to my mind. Instead of my usual post, I would like to share my uncle’s note with you because I know they were Write From His Heart; he wrote the following:

            It was a rainy day and I was planning to use my power wheelchair. As I worried in advance about the problem of getting from [the apartment and] the van to the [doctor’s] office, etc. I thought of asking God to cease the rain so I could keep dry. Then the thought came to me, “Who am I that God should change the weather just for me?” Then it came to me that a better prayer would be, “Lord, help me cope with whatever I may face today.” As things turned out, the rain continued, sometimes heavy, and none of the things I feared materialized. (I thought, there must be a valid point to all that somewhere.)

            My thoughts continued, wandering a bit, as I rode. I soon recognized a simple guideline falling into place that I think will help me do things that please the Lord—I should strive to do right, to do good, and to do well, asking and trusting the Lord for enabling grace and wisdom to discern His will. I share these thoughts just to give you something to chew on if you are ever stuck somewhere on a stormy day.

            I pray the Lord will make you aware of His presence. May the Joy of the Lord be your strength day by day.

            Dear friends, my uncle Don Wrigley wrote this note at the age of 95. He was a resident of a wonderful Christian retirement village in Florida and the appointment he referenced was some 30 miles away by village community van transport, he himself being confined to a wheelchair. You cannot imagine what inspiration he gave me through the years and he was always supportive of my writing ventures. This note was written back on January 17, 2024, but sadly I must say he died just over a week ago July 18, 2024. I will miss him incredibly and I will always cherish the notes he wrote through the years. Since “stormy days” do not always involve weather patterns, my question would be, To whom might you be an encourager today?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you first for your love and care, for your mercy and grace. Thank you for those who encourage us, and may we always find time to encourage others. May we focus on today’s challenges knowing you are there to help us cope on any stormy day, either weather-related or personal. May we feel the grace and peace of your presence today.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Whatever I May Face Today appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

When Counting Sheep Is Not Enough

Psalm 4:4, 8   ⁴…when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. … ⁸In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

            Sure enough, I’ve had more than my share of failure in counting sheep as a means of falling asleep lately. The frustrating nights are the ones of waking at 3:00am, staring at the clock until around 5:00am, and knowing the alarm will go off all too soon.

            This devotional is as much for me as it is for any other reader. When chaotic or random thoughts will not seem to settle down enough for sleep to occur, then it’s time to focus on the Lord. He is with us day and night. In him we have complete peace. He created us with a need for rest, and he is able to provide peaceful rest when we trust him fully.

            During my next sleepless night, I plan to repeat these verses silently as a prayer of thankfulness that my Heavenly Father cares for me. The sheep will have to spend the night at the ranch.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for your watch care during the nights. Thank you for the peace that allows us to rest in you. May those who are weary of sleepless nights trust in your care.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional When Counting Sheep Is Not Enough   appeared first on Write From My Heart at    https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Like a Bottle of Goo Gone

 Romans 14:12-13      So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

            Most of my readers will remember that I am a retired schoolteacher. Each new school year would find us at back-to-school workshops ready to gear up for the year’s events. At one such workshop, teachers were asked to write their name on a tag as well as what they would wish to be known for by the end of that year. I simply wrote: “Dotty Willmon, Goo Gone” which as you could imagine sparked a lot of interesting conversations.

            Changing gears a bit, let me give you some history behind the product Goo Gone. As near as I was able to research, the product’s creator was Alan Zeilinger from Cleveland – listed as the “best answer” to my query. Even after slogging through numerous Safety Data Sheets dated as early as 2012 and 2014; and while those sheets included information such as flashpoints and evaporation rates for those interested in such details; still I was unable to successfully determine Goo Gone’s date of origin. What is Goo Gone? It is a citrus based substance advertised to “remove sticky, gummy, gooey problems” with the company’s mission statement declaring “to help you get out of sticky situations.” All I know is that Goo Gone is amazing at getting rid of the sticky residue left behind when trying to remove labels from containers. [Note: Peanut butter also works well, but that’s a topic for another time and another devotional.] And that, my friends, was my goal for the year…to be known as the teacher who removed the negative labels from students who entered my classroom…to be the teacher who didn’t care who they were, how far behind they were academically, nor what past teachers dreaded about them. In my classroom, they would be welcome and I would do all in my ability to bring them up to grade level or beyond removing any trace of past difficulties. This school year, at least in my classroom, would be each student’s “fresh start” with “a clean slate” as they say.

            The Romans text selected for today is in the middle of Paul’s discourse to the Romans with particular emphasis on the division between eating clean and unclean foods. Yet it still has merit as a clear reminder to stop passing judgment on one another, and isn’t that exactly what we do when we place labels on one another? And who are we to determine how a person ought to be perceived by others? What right do we have to label anyone for any reason? And do we ever consider that it is our negative labels on someone that potentially places a stumbling block in their lives—something with which they will continually battle?

            It is only by the grace of God that our own label – SINNER – has been removed and not even the sticky residue left behind remains visible in His sight.

Psalm 51:7    Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            How humbly grateful we are for your mercy and compassion. We stand in awe that you would love us so much you sent your only Son to be our Savior. We are reminded that by the blood of Christ we are cleansed from our sin and all negative labels are gone. Guide us to be your faithful servants.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Like a Bottle of Goo Gone appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Ctrl - Alt - Del

Author’s Note: The title of this devotion has been used in a myriad of ways to introduce a multitude of writings. The following devotional is simply a compilation of my own thoughts on the topic.

Ctrl  (control)

            We cannot control our circumstances. We cannot control every situation we encounter. We cannot control the actions of others. But we can control both our own actions and our reactions. We can control our thoughts, from which our actions and reactions find their root.

Psalm 1:1-2                 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 15:2-5               The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Colossians 3:1-2         Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Alt  (alter / alternate)

            Often the greatest need we have is attitude adjustment. We may say and do the right things; but sometimes grudgingly, out of self-interest, or out of some other misguided motive. There is no more appropriate time than now to stop and alter our attitude.

Psalm 51:10-12           Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 139:23-24         Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Del  (delete)

            Each one of us can think of numerous things we would like to delete from our lives: bad habits, over-eating, lack of exercise, those who use foul language – the list could go on ad nauseum. However, remember we are responsible for our own lives; and as Christians we are called upon to be an example of Christ-like behavior. One of the first steps in Christian living we could make immediately should be to delete negativity from our lives in all its various forms. Set your focus on things that are positive and lead to positive thoughts and positive actions.

Philippians 4:8-9         Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 3:12-15     Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Here in our modern world we so often use Ctrl-Alt-Del as a means of rebooting our earthly computers and yet how sad that we seldom take time to Ctrl-Alt-Del (i.e., reboot) our own lives when we stray from the pathway of Christ’s example. Forgive our failings and guide us to walk in accordance with your will and plan for our lives. May we be the example of Christ the world so desperately needs to see.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Ctrl – Alt – Del appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

 

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Wrestling or Wresting?

Romans 8:26-27        ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

            Wrestling with scripture indicates a desire to engage in deep thought or consideration. In my mind, when I wrestle with a scripture passage it is to seek the depth of what the Lord intends to teach through that text. For this reason, my daily prayer is often to ask the Lord for the measure of wisdom and depth of understanding he trusts me to handle correctly.

            Conversely, according to 2 Peter 3:16 (KJV), it is the unlearned and unstable who wrest (i.e., twist; distort) the scriptures. Therefore, when I examine today’s text I want to make every effort through prayerful consideration that I am wrestling and not wresting.

            I am continually amazed that before the world was created, before humans were created, even then there was a Master Plan. That God the Father would be Almighty God, Creator of all that exists; that his only begotten Son would become the Savior and Lord for all who would believe on his Name; and that the Holy Spirit would dwell within us to be our Advocate, Intercessor, Comforter, and Guide when Christ returned to sit at his Father’s right hand. This plan was in place before anything was created and I stand amazed at the wonder of it all.

            God knew in advance that we would encounter times of unrest, pain, suffering, urgency, loss, grief, bewilderment…times when we could not even figure out what we truly should be praying. I believe there are two obvious reasons for this:

·                      We don’t know what to pray for because we have no clue what the future holds. We cannot even know minutes, hours, or days in advance.

·                      We don’t know what to pray for because while we think we might know what is good for us, we cannot possibly know what is the best for us in each situation or season of life.

            Sometimes when we pray, our hearts are so heavy with perplexity that the most we can offer God is our wordless mumbles, our heart-broken groans, our silent sobs. And this is where I find the difference between wrestling and wresting in today’s passage:

·       It is we who are in our weakness.

·       It is we who do not know what we ought to pray for.

·       It is we who use wordless groans.

·       The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

·       The Holy Spirit interprets our wordless groans.

·      The Holy Spirit knows precisely what words to use when he advocates to the Father on our behalf.

·       The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God.

            In closing, I would like to offer a quote from William Barclay, who wrote in his commentary the Letter to the Romans, 1975, p. 112

            “We cannot know our own real need; we cannot with our finite minds grasp God’s plan; in the last analysis all that we can bring to God is an inarticulate sigh which the Spirit will translate to God for us.”

            My dear friends, if you find yourself in a season of such anguish or bewilderment that you are at a loss for words in your prayer, you can be confident that the Holy Spirit knows exactly and precisely what words are needed, and he is interceding on your behalf to your Heavenly Father.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for granting wisdom and understanding for those who seek you. Thank you that you hear every prayer we offer. And thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who intercedes on our behalf when we are at a loss for words. To you we give all glory, honor, and praise.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Wrestling or Wresting? appeared first on Write From My Heart at

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email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com