Closing a Chapter

Since 2014 I have thoroughly enjoyed writing devotionals and posting them on Write From My Heart https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com  beginning with daily, then gradually slowing to Monday-Friday posts. While there were occasional dry spots during those years, for the most part I maintained a good schedule for writing currently having 630+ posts on wide variety of topics. With mixed emotions, I realize that it is time to close this chapter indefinitely. I leave you with my favorite passages:

Deuteronomy 7:6 and 9  The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people his treasured possession.   …  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Joshua 1:9  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.

1 Chronicles 16:11  Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 26:3-4  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 41:10  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 55:6  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            It is not easy to close this chapter of writing, but I know you are faithful and will guide and direct those who seek you. Bless those who took time to read Write From My Heart through the years, and who supported me with their kind encouraging words. I pray that you will raise up other writers who will continue the mission of encouraging others. Thank you for the blessings you have provided through the years. Most of all, thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

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

Author’s Note:  Write From My Heart  https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com   will remain available and back issues will still be available to read. Those wishing to contact me may do so through my email for this blog:  Dotty Willmon  writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com which I check from time to time.

 

Thank you to all my Dear Readers! Blessings to you all!

But the LORD looks at the Heart

The Story: Chapter 11                         The Bible: 1 Samuel 15-16, 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 59

1 Samuel 15:26  Samuel said to Saul, “I will not go back with you, for you have rejected the LORD’s orders, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel!

            Saul has been rejected as king over Israel. Now Samuel is given the task of anointing Saul’s successor. It will be one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, but which one? One by one Jesse’s sons come before Samuel. All are fine looking young men, tall, handsome, they seem to be a great choice. Yet God makes one thing clear:

1 Samuel 16:7  God does not view things the way people do.  People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

            Throughout David’s leadership there were moments of obedience and disobedience, moments full of ups and downs. The difference for David was he knew where his heart belonged and that it belonged to the LORD God Almighty. He asked forgiveness when he sinned. He trusted God in times of peril. He praised God in times of prosperity or joy.  David’s prayers were always a reflection of his heart, and his heart reflected trust and praise for God.

2 Samuel 22:31-32  The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the LORD’s promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him. Indeed, who is God besides the LORD? Who is a protector besides our God?

Psalm 59:9, 16-17  You are my source of strength. I will wait for you. For God is my refuge. … As for me, I will sing about your strength; I will praise your loyal love in the morning. For you are my refuge and my place of shelter when I face trouble. You are my source of strength. I will sing praises to you. For God is my refuge, the God who loves me.

            It is not our outward appearance of Christianity that matters to our Heavenly Father. It is the condition of our heart and He knows the difference.

Today’s Prayer Suggestion:  Check the condition of your heart. Is it a heart that reflects trust and praise for God? Offer praise to your Heavenly Father for his faithfulness.

 

The devotional But the LORD looks at the Heart appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible^® http://netbible.com copyright © 1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

General format for WFMH devotionals will follow the pattern of chapters outlined in The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, M. Lucado & R. Frazee, Zondervan, 2005, 2008, 2011.

Be Careful What You Ask For

The Story: Chapter 10                        The Bible: 1 Samuel

            As the old expression goes… “Be careful what you ask for; you might get it.”

1 Samuel 8:4-5  So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.”

            Needless to say, this angered Samuel. Think of all the times he had warned them to be different and not to follow the ways of the nations around them. Here they are again soon after being rescued from the attack of Philistines and once again they are wanting what all the other nations have. Samuel takes the matter before the LORD in prayer, and the answer? Give the people what they want; but it won’t be what they need.

1 Samuel 8:7-9  The LORD said to Samuel, “Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king. Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods. This is what they are also doing to you. So now do as they say. But you must warn them and make them aware of the policies of the king who will rule over them.”

            It is no different for us today—not necessarily asking for “a king”—but asking for God to do things in our life according to what we believe will have the best outcome in our interest. The reality is we reject God every time we reject His ability to lead and guide us according to His plan for our lives.

Today’s Prayer Suggestion: Instead of asking for your list of plans or wants to be fulfilled, ask God to provide the wisdom, courage, and strength to handle whatever He places in your pathway with grace and patience when needed.

 

The devotional Be Careful What You Ask For appeared first on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible^® http://netbible.com copyright © 1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

General format for WFMH devotionals will follow the pattern of chapters outlined in The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, M. Lucado & R. Frazee, Zondervan, 2005, 2008, 2011.