August 6, 2025 – Calling
Let Your voice and message speak louder than mine today, and every day, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Joyce Meyer has a book entitled, Me and My Big Mouth. Maybe I should add that to my collection. I’ll finish taming my tongue (the book I mentioned yesterday) and then see about addressing my mouth.
Streams – I’ve tried to blink away the floaters and blurriness in my left eye that became part of my new normal on Monday. It’s not often that we can pinpoint the start of an ailment when doctor’s ask, but this one is registered in my mind (until I forget and have to consult my medical journal). It’s part, but only part, of the reason I was distracted while reading and writing yesterday.
Just the other day I was talking with someone about not being able to see something very well and she said it’s funny how people will turn down the radio in the car to see better. At first I laughed but then I realized that it’s a natural reaction. If we tune out distractions (like noise) we often can concentrate (see) better. The AI overview in my Google search explains, “When a sense is lost, the brain regions previously dedicated to that sense can be repurposed to enhance other sensory processing.” It’s called neuroplasticity. We hear quite often that God gave us two ears and one mouth so we will do more listening than talking. Perhaps He has allowed this, hopefully temporary, issue with my eye to encourage me to stop looking so much for my own understanding and listen for what He is trying to say to and through me. I definitely want that, Lord. Yesterday was too frustrating to repeat. Please speak loudly to me when I don’t respond soon enough to Your course corrections!
Cowman writes, “…the richest qualities of a Christian often arise under the strong winds of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loves to smell.” That makes me think of when Tina’s mom asked me for a candle yesterday to, as she kindly explained, help with the ambiance. I kidded about the dog smells in the house, but she assured me that it wasn’t that. This morning, however, as I got a closer look at the closet carpet that I could now see, it hit me that I typically only surface clean my closet and bathroom. There must be some old, embedded smells that I’ve gone nose-blind to. Now I really want to declutter and deep clean…my whole house…I can’t leave it ‘til spring; it’s time now! TMI but it IS funny to me how God sometimes uses other people to point out things we need to see and take care of that we were ignoring or avoiding.
Max – I did it again. I read today’s devotion yesterday, so today is from August 5. “The Bible is full of famous failures….Have you questioned whether God could ever use you after the things you’ve done?…As he did for Peter after the resurrection, Jesus not only forgives but he restores us to our place of service.” Thank You!
JA – “Thank Me for watching over you and loving you eternally….Keep returning to Me as often as you can, and I will light up your perspective. Saturate your mind and heart with Scripture….” That IS really my main issue. I’ve studied the Bible at times in the past but mainly I think I just dabble in Scripture. It’s sort of like an appetizer or snack to go along with what I’m getting from my devotion book friends (they’re doing most of the work). I need to be “reading it, studying it, and memorizing verses that are especially helpful….your preoccupation with planning and problems will diminish. This leaves room in your life for more of Me.”
Prevail 218 – As I started back in to reading about the people of Judah, I got word (yes, my phone was nearby) that this blog site wouldn’t pull up. I tried it and the page was blank. I quelled the rising panic wondering if someone had hacked my site or if I’d pressed a wrong button last night and decided to give this to God to deal with. After our time together, I learned that the SSL something was down every where and my site was back up in time for me to start writing. Thank You God. Larson explains that the people of Judah were “Facing literal and spiritual opposition” and she points out that “the Lord reminded them that they would never accomplish their calling in their own strength….when we’re engaged in purposes that are beyond us, we learn something of God’s character….look at every task, large or small, as an opportunity to trust God and see what He will do with a heart of faith.”
Utmost – Chambers writes, “ ‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is the perfect and complete oneness from God.” I changed the priority yesterday of my devotion time from being alone with God to being a means of getting material for the blog. Thank You for offering me that perspective and for giving me ears to hear! “We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace….When prayer seems to be unanswered….You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”
JC – “Calmly bring these matters to Me, and leave them in My capable hands.” I looked up the verses for today rather than skipping that part as usual: Habukkuk 3: 17-19 says, “Though…[whatever the concerns of the moment/day are] yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Power – “Righteousness means being made right with God….It is a process in which we are continually making progress. We may have setbacks, but overall we move forward.”
(Note: The words flowed so much more easily today. Thank You, God! I do have to say, though, I still feel a little iffy about doing this, this blog I mean. There are so many people out there teaching and preaching who have credentials and knowledge; so, at weak moments, I wonder why I’m tossing my hat in this ring. However, every so often I read something or hear a timely reminder that we are all to be salt and light wherever God calls us to serve because He will equip us and He will bring the people who need to hear/read what He shares through us.)
