Write from My Heart

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

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, August 6, 2026

Snarling Like Dogs

Psalm 59:1, 6-10, 14-17 (NLT) ¹Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. ... ⁶They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. ⁷Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer. ⁸But LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations. ⁹You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress. ¹⁰In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. ... ¹⁴My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. ¹⁵They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied. ¹⁶But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. ¹⁷O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

Years ago we had a little dachshund who perceived himself to be somewhat akin to a Rottweiler or pit-bull on the scale of bravery. He enjoyed playing with a pull toy, growling and snarling profusely. Unfortunately his wagging tail gave him away every time. Unlike our little Flea, there are those in the world who would scoff at Christians with cruelty in their words. Their insults sting, and the words from their lips cause pain and discouragement.

Our Bible passage today offers comfort and hope. The Lord sees through the chatter of the world. They may snarl like dogs, but God provides the refuge and comfort we need. We can fully rely on our gracious Lord to strengthen our daily walk with Him.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Comfort us when our hearts grow weary. Quiet the chatter of the world, and comfort us with your Word. Strengthen us to walk anew with You. Fill us with your joy.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

The devotion Snarling Like Dogs was undated but originally written for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

The Edge of Town

Psalm 19:1-6 (NLT) ¹The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. ²Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. ³They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. ⁴Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. ⁵It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. ⁶The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

Having grown up in Florida, I learned to find the “edge of town” by watching closely for a sign announcing the city line. Otherwise, one town blended into the next with home-after-home and store-after-store. One summer back in 1982, I visited my Uncle and Aunt for a vacation in Clovis, NM. For the first time I realized there actually is an “edge of town!” In New Mexico, miles of wide open plains and/or farms with their expansive crops separate city from city. Ironically, my Uncle and Aunt moved to Florida, and both passed away several years ago. But I still live in New Mexico. I truly enjoy living where my view of the beauty of God’s world, His thunderstorms, sunrises, and sunsets are all unrestricted. How glorious are His works!

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for the glory of Your creation! Forgive our human tendencies to be oblivious. We thank you for the beauty of your craftsmanship and the world you provided for sustaining life.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

The devotion The Edge of Town was undated but originally written for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Leaping Like Calves

Monday, August 3, 2026

Message of Hope

Psalm 37:23-24, and 39 (NLT) ²³The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ²⁴Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. ... ³⁹The LORD rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

Time plays interesting games with my mind. Some conversations are forgotten almost immediately, while others seem as fresh as the moment spoken. Such is the case remembering a conversation I had with my Uncle nearly 17 years ago. I shared with him my desire to use my writing talents in a more purposeful way—a way that would honor my Heavenly Father. His message stays with me today. He said people need to hear a message of hope. People need to know there is a God who is alive and personal; a God who knows their sorrows and despair and cares deeply for them. The verses in today’s scripture selection seem to echo this message.

I think about God, who is Creator of all things. Science has not yet discovered the true vastness of space, galaxies, and solar systems. Yet, God also created the microscopic and beyond. General scientific knowledge now can measure the smallest subatomic particles of atoms called quarks. From the unimaginably great to the infinitesimally small; our wonderful Heavenly Father created it all!

This is the God, our LORD, of whom the psalmist writes. When we grieve from the loss of loved ones; when our days linger with loneliness or despair; when current issues leave us overwhelmed and our path seems unsure; when we feel abandoned, unloved, or uncared for—there is hope! We serve a God who knows “every detail” of our lives. He cares deeply for his children. In times of trouble He stands ready to rescue, to pick us up when we fall, to comfort us when we despair. And the most amazing thing is that this same God, our wonderful Heavenly Father, is only a whispered prayer away.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

You know our sorrows and our griefs. You know what causes our pain. Yet you stand ready to comfort us. Truly You are our message of Hope. We humbly thank you for your deep abiding love.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

The devotion Message of Hope was originally written for Monday, March 4, 2019; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com