Jan 2, 2026 – The Word
During our New Year’s lunch yesterday, when I mentioned my blog, my mother-in-law, Barbara, did what good mothers do; she complimented my efforts and gave me a boost of confidence to continue this endeavor. Even if she may be only one of two people reading my blog, it’s still worth the self-expression and growth I get from studying and writing. If I was still writing only in my journal, and God was my only reader/listener, my ponderings would likely be a lot more whiny and critical at times (of myself as well as others); but, here, I have to be more mindful of my potential audience. I think I should keep that in mind every day in all situations.
I had an immediate, perhaps defensive, reaction to one thing she said; but, this morning when it came to mind, I realized something ironic and important. She said she likes reading my thoughts (glad someone does!) and tends to skim over the rest when I mention (on some days with time constraints) that I’m just going straight to sharing the devotion entries (and Bible verses) without much commentary. I defended my logic saying that those entries can stand alone and don’t need my input, but it hit me this morning that that is exactly why I have this pile of devotion books. I look forward to hearing their opinions and perspectives each morning as if I was actually sitting in a small group meeting with them discussing the topic of the day.
When I was first getting in the habit of reading devotions daily, I sometimes would skip the Bible verses that were at the top (or sometimes the bottom) of the page so I could get on to the meat of the message. The (obvious) flaw in that logic is that the Word IS the meat of the message that God is offering freely to us. I get that now (I knew that then), but it has taken a while to condition myself to not rush through even short verses in order to get to what the writer has to share (and on with my day).
My friend, Lee, in my small group (the other person reading the blog) has influenced my curiosity of what I’m missing because of how she glows when she talks about how she really only likes to read God’s Word and not so much the devotions and commentaries about it (so it’s not lost on me how sweet it is that she takes the time for these blogs). I have tended to think that I need others to explain what I’m reading, but one of the main benefits of reading and studying the Word ourselves is the deeper realizations and understandings that only come to us in our alone time with God and His Word. Isn’t it that way in all relationships?
JC – “Relax in My healing Presence. As you spend time with Me, your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today’s plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me [and His Word] for refreshment and renewal…. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings…. Do not skimp on our time together…. You have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from you.” See Luke 10:39-42 – Of course I could write this out, but it would sort of go against the whole point of today’s blog. Seek for yourself.
Prevail #2 – “We can go through life one of two ways: We can posture for position, constantly trying to maintain control, or we can live wholly submitted to God, trusting Him with every step. But did you know that God will never bless faithless posturing? He won’t pour provision into a clenched fist…. Scarcity and abundance both reveal the condition of our hearts in different ways…. As Christ-followers, it’s always a good idea to refuse selfishness, to open our hands and receive and release. We can trust God.”
Power – 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” Joyce reminds us of a precious truth that I think we sometimes tend to believe “doesn’t work” for us, “You can pray about everything and worry about nothing.” Is it really as simple as that? It’s supposed to be. She continues, “When you worry, it says you think you can solve your own problems better than God can.” I have said many times that God gave me a brain and I should use it, but pay attention to Joyce here, “But you were not built to handle problems in your own strength. You were created by God to be dependent upon Him; so bring Him your challenges in life and allow Him to help you with them.”
This doesn’t mean that we just wait around for God to move our arms and legs. Certainly we move about on our own and make decisions, but we should do this in consultation with Him. Joyce points out that, “You will enjoy life so much more. After a time you will actually find it difficult to worry!” And we can know that sometimes when it seems God is wanting us to step out in faith in our choices and they don’t seem to turn out so great, He will work all things out for good (Romans 8:28).
Streams – Cowman quotes Charles Spurgeon as she writes, “Many saints are content to live like people in coal mines, who never see the sun. Tears sadden their faces when they could be anointed with heavenly oil. I am convinced that many believers suffer in a dungeon when they could walk on a palace roof, viewing the lush landscape and Lebanon” She pulls from J.R.M.’s writings sharing, “Not many of us are living at our best. We linger in the lowlands because we are afraid to climb the mountains.” And perhaps afraid to take the time to read the Bible for ourselves preferring to be spoon-fed by others. J.R.M. concludes, “We do not know what is lost by our self-indulgence, what glory awaits if we only have the courage to climb, or what blessings we will find if we will only ascend the mountains of God!”
Utmost – Hebrews 11:8 – “He went out, not knowing whither he went.” Chambers writes, “One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question – ‘What do you expect to do?’ You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely…. Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.” Thus why time with Him and in His Word is so vital to the peace and joy in our lives. (Again with the “thus”. Not sure why I’m stuck on that word.)
Chambers finishes today with these thoughts, “Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him, what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual ‘going out’ in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until, so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God.”
JA – Almost every time I think I can leave off one of the devotion books so that I can get on with my day, if I do decide to at least skim the day’s page, I find helpful thoughts that I would have missed if this person hadn’t “spoken up”, so to speak, in the group. Young shares these thoughts as she imagines Jesus would, “When you became My follower, I empowered you to rise above the conditions in your life. I filled you with My spirit, and this Holy Helper has limitless power. I promised that I will come back and take you to be with Me in heaven – that you may be where I am forever. Whenever your world is looking dark, brighten your perspective by focusing on Me. Relax in My presence, and hear Me saying, ‘Beloved, I am your Joy!’ See Psalm 21:6, Philippians 4:4, and John 14:3.
