Dec 27, 2025 – The Road Ahead
There’s one house in the valley below that is glowing with Christmas lights. You can see it through the trees in the bottom right of the photo. It makes me smile whenever I see it at night. I’ll miss it when they unplug them just like I’ll miss the glow on our front porch and in our living room when we unplug this week. But, it’s time for the next season to roll in.
JC – Are you ready for the first line of Jesus Calling? “I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend.” Wow. Do you see how He speaks to me…and potentially to you through my sharing? It is my pleasure and honor if you are still with me reading along, but I do also hope that, in some way, I have inspired you to find your own quiet time with God. “Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you…. SO many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength – until that becomes depleted…. How much better it is to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more…. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world.”
Prevail 361 – Larson writes, “Throughout history, God has made sure that anyone who truly wants to know him will find him…. Some will sacrifice all to follow Jesus. Others will sacrifice nothing and lose everything. God has been patient with mankind. He wants none to perish. Ultimately, everyone will get what they choose: life forever with Christ, or life forever without Him…. as Christians…. glorious eternity awaits us.”
Power – Joyce writes, “The next time you are tempted to say something is too hard, look at Deuteronomy 30:11, which says, ‘It is not too difficult!’ Anything God leads you to do, you can do. God never leads you to do something unless He gives you the power and the ability to do it.” I’m believing that and continuing on with this blog and the wine tastings as long as the door is open.
Utmost – Chambers writes, “The battle is lost or won in the secret places of the will before God, never first in the external world…. The battle may take one minute or a year, that will depend on me, not on God…. Nothing has any power over the man who has fought out the battle before God and won there.
Streams – Cowman shares from F. B. Meyer as she continues this theme of building up a person’s will and inner strength. “The irons of sorrow and loss, the burdens carried as a youth, and the soul’s struggle against sin all contribute to developing an iron tenacity and strength of purpose, as well as endurance and fortitude…. Never run from suffering, but bear it silently, patiently, and submissively, with the assurance that it is God’s way of instilling iron into your spiritual life…. Your time is not wasted…. Your iron crown of suffering precedes your golden crown of glory, and iron is entering your soul to make it strong and brave.”
JA – “I GIVE YOU JOY that is independent of circumstances; I give you Myself!… No matter what is happening in your life, the Light of My Presence continues to shine upon you. Look up to Me with a trusting heart. If you persist in searching for Me, My Joy-Light can break through the darkest of storm clouds. Let this heavenly Light soak into you, brightening your perspective and filling you with transcendent delight.”
[Because I let the day get away from me yesterday (the 27th), I thought about just skipping on to today’s readings (the 28th). I’m glad I didn’t miss what the group had to say today.]
