The Ultimate Valentine

 John 3:16, 17  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 6:40  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

            Valentine’s Day is always a fun day! Yesterday a cousin was helping her little child write Valentines for friends at school. A dear friend mentioned the unbelievable amount of Valentine balloons being prepared at a local grocery store. This morning has been full of texting Valentines back in forth with dear family and friends. What a fun day!

            Yet none of our Valentines can ever compare with the Ultimate Valentine of love given to us by God. He has given his one and only Son to be our Savior. And Christ, through his Ultimate Valentine of love has given us his life as payment for our sins. No other words need to be added.     

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

Have a fun-filled and blessed day!

Always remember the Ultimate Valentine of God’s love for you!

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for your Ultimate Love. Forgive us where we fail you. Thank you for the gift of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, your only begotten Son, and our Lord and Savior.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional The Ultimate Valentine appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

When Things Get Chaotic

 One of the things I remember well, was a Sunday School lesson that my father-in-law taught many years ago. If fact, one statement in particular has always stood out in my memory. 

God is a God of cosmos, not chaos.

Here are just a few things we can know for sure will remain constant:

Jesus                           Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

God                             Revelation 1:8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

God’s presence          Deuteronomy 31:8  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

 

God’s Word               Isaiah 55:8, 11  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. … “so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

 

God’s promises          James 1:17  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

 

            There are so many distractions in our lives. Suddenly we find ourselves enveloped in chaos. Our plans and lives disrupted and we find ourselves in an attitude of mental frustration.

            In times such as these; we have a constant loving God who totally understands our situations. He loves us and cares deeply for us. In the midst of all of life’s ups and downs, God remains steady. We only need to lean on him.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            You know everything distracting and disrupting in our lives. Calm our thoughts, steady our nerves, and remove our anxious thoughts. Everything we know about you leads us to cosmos (order and structure) and away from chaos. Help us trust you.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional When Things Get Chaotic appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Self-Explanatory

 Sometimes additional words are simply not necessary. The Bible speaks for itself. 

Christianity is decaying and going down the gutter because the god of modern Christianity is not the God of the Bible.      –A.W. Tozer

2 Kings 17:37-39  You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.

Psalm 9:7-10  The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Deuteronomy 5:32 and 6:5 and 10:14, 17  So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. … Love the LORD your God with all  your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. …To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.  …  For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God , mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us.                  –A.W. Tozer

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when men 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.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Forgive us for losing site of who You are; the Lord God Almighty. Compromise,  complacency, and entertainment have replaced sincere worship. Our feeble attempts at justification include the code words of unity, political correctness, being ‘woke’, tolerance, and the like; but we are not fooling you. Forgive us. Help us return to the truth of your Word.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

             The devotional Self-Explanatory appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

He Cares For You

 Luke 12:25-26 (NIV) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

            Yesterday’s devotional, “A New Attitude,” gave biblical support for learning how to view the positive things in life. As Paul Harvey so famously stated, “Here is the rest of the story…”

            Focusing on the positive things in life can be challenging for us because we deal with real situations every day. Anxiety, stress, worry, concern, fear—those are real. But so is God. He is real. And most importantly, He cares for you! He knows every challenge you are facing whether financial, social, or medical. He knows his Kingdom is coming soon which will end all trouble, strife, pain, and every kind of evil or malady we face in this earthly time. Whether or not we receive immediate relief in this life, or whether we must patiently endure for the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return; one thing remains a steady constant—He cares for you! This is what allows us the freedom and privilege to “Cast all our anxiety on him.”

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            You know each and every situation we face. Forgive our impulse to react in fear, worry, concern, stress, or anxiety. Thank you for your loving care.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

The devotional He Cares for You appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

 

A New Attitude

 Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

…to be made new in the attitude of your minds…

            The things you spend time thinking about will set the foundation for the words that come out of your mouth, and often, for the actions and activities you pursue each day.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 42:11  Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Proverbs 16:23-24  A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Jeremiah 17:10  I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

Luke 10:27  …Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…

Romans 8:5-6  Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. …the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…

Romans 12:2  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22, 25  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. … Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, 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.

Colossians 3:2  Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22  Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

1 Timothy 6:11  …pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Although I fully understand the short attention span of today’s modern society, and although I fully acknowledge that I most likely lost the majority of my readership on about the 4^th or 5^th scripture passage noted above; nevertheless, my hope for those of you who kept reading will be one of encouragement. We are inundated with negativity from all sides—socially, politically, educationally, and even medically. And the risk for those who strive to maintain some sense of positivity in today’s world setting is to be labeled as some type of Pollyanna (heroine of the 1913 novel by Eleanor Porter). It isn’t that we as Christians are oblivious to the doom and gloom around us; but we are definitely called to check our attitudes for that becomes the framework for our words, which in turn becomes the framework for the actions and activities we pursue.

What are the things that are keeping you from renewing your attitude? Too much social media? Too much frustration with current politics? The state of our nation’s economy, education, world relations? Medical issues? Those may indeed be real issues, but I cannot find scriptures of instruction for Christians to concentrate and dwell on those things. Whatever is restricting your attitude today, I pray that you will find peace in Christ.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            You know the things that frustrate and overwhelm our minds. Forgive our anxious thoughts. Guide our focus back toward you in all that we think, in all that we say, and in all that we do. Give us a new attitude for you.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional A New Attitude appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

Putting the Cart Before the Horse

 Ezekiel 2:4-7 (NIV)  The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid … do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

            The idiom with its many variations, putting the cart before the horse, dates back to about the 16^th century. The basic concept is that of doing things out of order. Perhaps this is what we need to consider today.

When God called Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel, God warned Ezekiel that they were a stubborn and rebellious people. He told Ezekiel many times not to be afraid. He also told Ezekiel that the people might listen, or they might not, but either way Ezekiel was to obey.

So how does this relate to us? And what does it have to do with putting the cart before the horse? Yesterday I had coffee with a dear friend and we discussed how for us, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives was not so much some audible-flashing-lights-fireworks type of experience as it seemed to be the gentle “nudging” to go speak to someone, send a card, or give an encouraging word. If we wait until we have enough courage, have enough confidence, or if we wait until the other person is “ready,” or until we have more time, then the opportunity slips past and that moment can never be retrieved. That’s what we have a tendency to do—put the cart before the horse—wait until conditions are just right before responding to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Now to be clear, it isn’t that we face stubborn or rebellious people as Ezekiel did, or that our message is as potent as Ezekiel’s was; it’s just that we have a tendency to use the same excuses e.g., lack of confidence, fear of what others might think or say, fear of acceptance, etc. My encouragement to you today would be to act on those small nudgings of your heart for most likely it is the Holy Spirit’s quiet work within your life to encourage others.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the opportunities you provide for us to encourage others. Forgive us when you nudge our hearts and we fail to respond. Help us to lay aside our fears and excuses. May we faithfully share your message of hope with others.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional Putting the Cart Before the Horse appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

All the Days Ordained for Me

 Psalm 139:14, 16 (NIV)  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. …all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

            What interesting creatures we humans are. We are fascinated and often absorbed with the concept of time. And I suppose this varies in degrees with the various stages of life. Don’t tell me children are oblivious to time because they can tell you exactly how long it will be until recess. As adults we keep track of schedules and appointments—both social and work-related and most days seem but a blur as they speed hastily past. Then somewhere in our senior years things seem to slow down a bit. Time becomes more precious.

            Now, I’ve never really been a big fan of country music. But this morning all I could hear in my head was the Merle Haggard version of “One Day at a Time” probably ca. 1989. Let me refresh your memory of the chorus:

One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you.

Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do.

Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.

So for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time.

            Try as hard as you might, you can never re-live yesterday’s schedule. That day is gone. You can plan, and plan, and plan your schedule for tomorrow and future days, but they are not guaranteed to be yours. So what will you do with your today? Do you know someone who could use an encouraging word? a card? a letter? a text? a meal? a helping hand? a prayer?

Today matters.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            All too often we get caught up in a whirlwind of daily activities and miss the opportunities you give us to brighten the lives of others. Forgive our haste. Teach us to make the most of every day in a way that pleases you and leads us (and others) toward your Kingdom.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional All the Days Ordained for Me appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

But As For Me

 Micah 4:5, 12 (NIV)  All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. … But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

Micah 7:7, 18-19 (NIV)  But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. … Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

            Micah—a book of both judgment and prophecy—once again pronouncing judgment on the rebellious nation of Israel, but also proclaiming God’s plan of deliverance and the promise of future hope. Israel had been warned time and again not to follow the ways of the nations around them. And lest we be too harsh on the Israelites; is our nation any better? Do we not succumb to the inviting concepts of “inclusion” and “tolerance” and “individualism” rather than remaining steadfast and true to what God has ordained through his Word? We have lost the concept of right being right and wrong being wrong. Our nation is rapidly becoming one oozing, bubbling pot of wokeness. We have lost the ability to stand firm in our convictions; instead we yield to the worldly gods of compromise. Do we honestly think we will escape any judgment from the Almighty?

            Yet there is hope—there is always hope. For those who repent, God is merciful and offers pardon for sin because of the compassion he has for his people. So what exactly does God want and expect from us?

Micah 6:8 (NIV)  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            We come to you acknowledging our proclivity for tolerating wrong and compromising with worldly views. We know that you alone are the only true God and that you alone are to be worshiped and obeyed. Yet in the face of the slightest controversy, instead of standing boldly for truth, we buckle like cowards afraid of the wokeness around us. We ask you to forgive our failings. Grant that we might steadfastly walk humbly with You all the days of our lives.

            In Jesus name, Amen.

The devotional But As For Me appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Search me, O God

 Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)  Search me, O 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.

            How many times have you misplaced an item in your home and spent hours hunting and searching for it? For some of us it seems like more of a daily routine to find glasses, keys, and other household items. How often does it take someone else only a moment to find the missing item? “Oh, here it is!”

            It occurred to me this morning, that our spiritual lives are quite like that. We may search our own hearts and yet be unable to find anything amiss. Yet, if we trust our Heavenly Father to do the searching for us, he easily finds what we have overlooked. The gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus, provides the means for cleansing and setting things aright. The gift of guidance through His Spirit, provides the means for getting back on the right path that leads us in the way everlasting.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            It is with humility we ask you to do the searching of our hearts. So many times we do not find the things in our lives that need attention, correction, or forgiveness. We trust you to show us areas in our attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions that are not pleasing to you. Lead us in the way everlasting.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

The devotional Search me, O God appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

 

Seeing is Believing -- Believing is Seeing

John 20:29-31 (NIV)  Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Christ is fully divine. He was with God before the creation of the world. Christ was born fully human. Christ lived, suffered, and died. On the third day, Christ was resurrected. He ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. Christ will come again.

I have grown up in a family who strongly believed and taught these biblical truths, as I do today. After his resurrection, when Christ appeared to the disciples, it was Thomas who expressed sincere doubt. He wanted to see it before he believed it—seeing is believing. Christ gave Thomas the proof he required to satisfy his doubt. [v. 27, “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’”]

            Somehow I’ve always skimmed over the middle verse in today’s passage. [v. 30 “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.”] I’ve always held the assumption that this verse was a reference to the entire ministry of Jesus. My depth of knowledge is continually growing. I now believe that meeting in the upper room behind locked doors might have been more extraordinary than we may have first believed. Perhaps Jesus was erasing one-by-one any possible trace of doubt or fear from EVERY disciple’s mind because he knew they would soon be without his seen/observable presence and must from that point on rely on faith in the unseen/unobservable gift of the Holy Spirit, as would all generations to follow. In my mind I imagine the event of Jesus’ revealing himself alive was a spectacular teaching seminar because belief in the resurrection of Christ is the Blessed Hope of all Christians—then, now, and generations yet to come.

            Recently I just finished reading a book that, outside of the Bible itself, is the most profound book I have ever read. I’m not one to present out-and-out blatant commercials in my devotional writing, but in this case I am compelled. I would strongly urge and encourage my readers to purchase and read the following book:

Guillen, Michael, PhD. Believing is Seeing. Tyndale, 2021.

ISBN-10 1496455576          ISBN-13 978-1496455574

            If you have ever held any doubt or question as to the reality of God; if you have ever questioned for a moment how the unseen could be even remotely related to reality; if you have been taught that “science and the Bible do not play well together”; I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            You have promised to grant wisdom and understanding to those who would ask. We ask you to forgive and remove all doubts and fears. Grant that we might be faithful readers of your word, and not just readers, but doers also. Thank you for the wisdom you grant to others and for their willingness to respond to every call and opportunity you give them to make clear the Gospel message.

            In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

            The devotional Seeing is Believing à Believing is Seeing appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com