Friday, October 3, 2025

Beautiful Feet

Romans 10:13-15 (NLT)       for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

There is a dear gentleman in our church who faithfully travels to Haiti, despite the dangers, to help with missions work with several of the local individuals there. Our church is faithful to support that work. And honestly when we read scriptures like the passage above, our immediate thoughts divert to words like missionary and mission...someone else, not us... somewhere else, not here. We are comfortable with this because it implies we don’t have to go anywhere or do anything, someone else can do it. We get some complacent idea that “they” are called and sent. We are not.

Here’s the problem. You ARE being sent. From the moment you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were sent into the world for the purpose of sending a beacon of light to a lost and dying world.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV, excerpts)    You are the light of the world. ...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Here’s another news flash for you. Take time to notice what we refer to as the Great Commission, further detailed in Jesus’ last words recorded in Acts...doesn’t begin in the farthest corners of the world, but it begins locally. It begins in your own hometown, then reaching outward from city, to state, to nation, to the world.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV, excerpts) ...Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...

Acts 1:7-8 (NLT, excerpts)    ...And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

It begins in the center and spreads outward in concentric circles. Right here, where you are. Right now, today. You are already in the right time and place to be a witness for Christ. At your job. At the grocery store. At the gas station. In your neighborhood. At your school. At the coffee shop. On the pickleball court. In the gym. Texting with family and friends.

You have been sent to tell others about the One who loves you, died for you, saved you, rose again for you, and is returning for you. You have been sent to tell others about Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior. Your feet are beautiful! Why? Because YOU are the messenger that brings good news.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive us for the assumption that others can do the missionary work for us. We truly thank you for those who are willing to travel and we ask for their safety in difficult situations. But we also ask that you awaken in us the awareness of the many folk we encounter on a daily basis who desperately need to hear of your love, and the gift of salvation you offer through the sacrifice of Your One and only Beloved Son. Embolden us to be the messengers who bring Good News.

                                                                        In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional Beautiful Feet appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

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.

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.

 

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Christians are not Pollyannas

Proverbs 29:7-11 (NIV)        The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Unless you happen to be some kind of hermit living in a hole, the preceding scripture triggers an abundance of examples from recent days in our Nation and around the world. There is no need for me to list specific examples of hatred, greed, and sin; there are already plenty of those swimming around in your head.

Few people recognize the word Pollyanna or understand its intended meaning. Pollyanna was the main character of a 1913 novel by American author Eleanor H. Porter (later becoming a movie in 1920, and still a later Disney version in 1960). Pollyanna made a game of being unfailingly optimistic to the point of refusal to recognize or acknowledge any negativity or difficulty. Being a Pollyanna is not a compliment. Christians are not Pollyannas. We do acknowledge that we are living in a world marred and tainted by hatred, greed, and sin. We are not ignorant of hatred, greed, and sin; we are dismayed by it. Yet we do not allow this to be the central focus of our daily lives.

Unfortunately, all too often we allow hatred, greed, and sin of others to push us into the background. We are too afraid of offending others or causing confrontations, so we fail to speak out and instead shrink back. As Christians we are called to be peacemakers, but working for peace is active not passive. It is hard work, necessary work, work that is unafraid to display the life and love of Christ in all we think, say, or do. Working for peace is bold, unashamed, and never timid or shy. Our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was not a Pollyanna and neither are we.

Psalm 34:14 (NLT)    Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Matthew 5:9 (NLT)   God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive our complacency regarding hatred, greed, and sin. You provide us with numerous opportunities to boldly and unashamedly display the life and love of Christ in all we think, say, and do. Embolden us to do the hard work, the necessary work, of seeking peace and pursuing it. Remind us that in a world saturated with troubles, Jesus Christ has overcome the world. We are His witnesses; we are His examples of life and love.

                                                            In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

John 16:33 (NIV)      I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

 

The devotional Christians are not Pollyannas appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

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.

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.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Pondering, Wondering, and Searching

Jeremiah 29:12-14    In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the LORD.

During my recent seven-month absence from writing, I have been pondering, wondering, and searching...


·         What is my purpose?
·         Am I being effective?
·         Am I missing something the LORD is trying to tell me?

In the process of all my pondering, wondering, and searching I have been reading the works of many other authors, including my own Write From My Heart devotional entries. Ironically, it was three of my own comments that shone like a flashing light to tug at my heart.

Second chances almost always require more work and effort. Wrongs must be set right. Repairs must be made. And many times the LORD requires travel down a path of hard work. Each of us may face our own challenges of setting past wrongs right and repairing what we have damaged. What work or effort will this require? It is different for each of us. All I know for sure is that the LORD will be with us every step of the way.

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. Ask God to open the doors He wants you to use, and to give you peace about the doors He closes.

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. Check the condition of your heart.

What have I learned?


·         What is my purpose? The same as it has always been. To serve my Heavenly Father in whatever He asks me to do. To be useful in some way for Him.
·         Am I being effective? Why do I need to know that answer? All that is required of me is to be obedient; my Heavenly Father will evaluate the effectiveness of my obedience.
·         Am I missing something the LORD is trying to tell me? Until I listen more and talk less, I am always prone to miss something. Be still and know that [HE] is God.

After much pondering, wondering, and searching, I realize my prayer (first scratched into a journal December 19, 2016), remains basically the same with only a few updated alterations. You are welcome to join me in a similar prayer of your own, customized to how the LORD is working in your life.

Dear Heavenly Father,

            Help me to be obedient to whatever nudgings You place on my heart. Guide me in the diligent study of Your Word. Provide the measure of understanding You trust me to handle correctly. Provide the thoughts You want me to write for others to read. Open the doors You want me to use, and give me peace about the doors You close. I ask that in all things You receive all honor, glory, and praise. May Your will be accomplished and may I be useful to You.

                                                                        In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The devotional Pondering, Wondering, and Searching appeared first on Write From My Heart at  https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations 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.