Who Do We Turn To?

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Arrow

Joys, sorrows, worries, fears, secrets. With whom do you share your deepest thoughts and concerns? Perhaps a spouse, best friend, neighbor, fellow believers, a mentor, or counselor. It usually depends on the subject or matter at hand.

Sometimes, we may feel there is no one with whom we can share. If that is the case, where do we turn to find encouragement, guidance, a helping hand, or listening ear?

What did Jesus do?

The gospel of John describes a time when Jesus was teaching and performing miraculous signs before large crowds in Jerusalem. Then John adds an interesting detail. “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). (Note that the words “man”/”men” are usually referring to all people.)

So, what’s wrong with us people . . . well, besides the fact that we have wrong motives, are foolish, greedy, selfish, not trustworthy, and deceitful? Oh.

In the gospels, we read of the task assigned Jesus, the salvation of the world. We see His great responsibility of teaching and training His disciples who along with the help of the Holy Spirit would be accountable for spreading the Good News to the known world.

Jesus regularly made it a priority to spend time with the Father. Many times, He went off alone to pray, like before choosing His twelve disciples, after feeding the 5000, and the night in Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion.

How amazing it is that we also have that same Heavenly Father to turn to! Or perhaps, we are more comfortable talking with Jesus. No matter, God is God. He is always available, always listening, always aware of our situation. Always near to help.

Enjoy some time with the Lord today!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Prayer, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Overflowing Fountains

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Arrow

A friend of ours camps regularly out in the woods. But to refill his water supply, he must daily make the trek to a nearby campground.

My question today is, do we?

In Bible times, it was part of a woman’s daily routine to go to the local well or water source, draw water, and carry water home to her family. It was a labor of love and necessity.

Jesus had some notable teachings about our need for living water and regular times of refreshing from Him.

  • Jesus instructed the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Jesus taught that believers should be an overflowing fountain with Jesus as our source.
  • To the crowd in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit” (John 7:37b-39a).

The river of the Spirit of God should continually flow from us to others. In order for this to happen, we must first be present with the Lord to receive daily renewal. Do we thirst for His word? Are we feeling dry or dehydrated? He is the fountain we need to “drink” from regularly.

However, if we only receive without overflowing to others, we become a lake or even like the Dead Sea. The blessings we receive from our Lord are to flow out and bless others. We are to be a fountain that Jesus flows through.

May we stay in the cycle of being filled and overflowing.

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Life Purpose, Motivation, Self-Improvement, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Court Is in Session

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Arrow

Testifying in court carries with it a heavy responsibility. It can influence the course of someone’s life dramatically. Your words paint pictures, provide details, and better convey truth.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Jesus’ disciple, John, recounts the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath who had been sick, probably an invalid, unable to walk, for many years.

Scripture explains that the Jews were not only upset that Jesus healed on the Sabbath but also that He had told the man to carry his mat, a “work” not allowed in their strict interpretation of keeping the Sabbath.

Jesus’ response provokes the Jews even more when He said that He and His Father were always working. With His statement, Jesus “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18b).

That does it! Court is in session. Listen to Jesus’ list of who and what testifies about Him:

  • John the Baptist ~ John testified that Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). He proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah.
  • Miracles, including healing the lame, blind, and deaf, and raising the dead all testified that Jesus was from God.
  • The Father ~ Jesus said, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me” (John 5:37a). Remember God also spoke from heaven when John baptized Jesus saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
  • Scripture testified about Jesus from the beginning. Moses and many prophets foretold of the astonishing things Jesus would do.

Even with all of this valid testimony, most Jewish leaders still refused to accept the truth of who Jesus was, the Son of God, God in human form.

Your verdict will determine the rest of your life here . . . and for eternity. May you judge wisely.

Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Predictable Jesus

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Arrow

Last week we looked at a few of the ways Jesus was completely unpredictable. (You might want to check it out if you missed it.) So, it’s only fair that today we focus on some areas where Jesus is totally predictable. Below are my top ten.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

#1: Jesus loves you! ~ “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

#2: Jesus offers eternal life to all people. ~ “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” (John 3:16).

#3: Jesus is the only way to the Father. ~ “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

#4: Jesus is truth. (See verse above.) ~ “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:24b).

#5: Jesus saves and stands before the Father on our behalf. ~ “Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

#6: Jesus forgives those who come to Him. ~ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

#7: Jesus is faithful to keep His promises. ~ “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20a).

#8: Jesus gives peace to believers. ~ “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27a).

#9: Jesus is preparing a place for believers. ~ “I am going there [my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b).

#10: Jesus will return and take all believers with Him. ~ “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:3).

Praise the Lord!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Salvation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Unpredictable Jesus

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Arrow

I just love it when we have unexpected showers in our desert, those not included in the meteorologist’s forecast or on my weather app. But the other morning, I was like, “What is that sound?” Outside, I saw it! Rain!

The downpour reminded me that Jesus could also be extremely unpredictable. Let’s peek back to recall Him catching people off guard.

Religious leaders were frequently shocked to see who Jesus ate with, what kind of people He healed, and the “unlawful” acts of kindness He did on the Sabbath.

At one point, a group was trying to find Jesus. They knew He had not boarded the boat the disciples left in so they assumed Jesus was still in the area. Little did they know that He had walked on the water to the boat to join His disciples! (John 6:16-25)

Then, there’s the time Jesus chose to pass through the typically avoided region of Samaria. His own disciples were surprised to see Him actually speaking to a Samaritan woman (a no-no in Jesus’ day). And who would have guessed that this woman was the first person Jesus chose to reveal His true identity to as the Messiah? (John 4:4-27)

So unpredictable!

Then, why am I surprised when Jesus doesn’t work in my life the way that I expect? The LORD reminds us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9a).

I imagine Jesus is in my “boat.” But He’s not stopping at any of the places I expected and I find my days “interrupted” in unforeseeable ways.

I have a choice. I can be impatient, whine, and complain or I can accept this adventure with joy and hope, knowing that I am not alone and reassured that He has a better plan . . . which may include some rain.

May we be flexible and teachable on our journey with Jesus!

Enjoy the ride!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Motivation, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Leaders Impact Nations

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Arrow

Whether we look at ancient civilizations or the more recent activities of nations, those in leadership have great powers of influence that effect the future of many.

In the Old Testament, we find that after the reign of King Solomon, the son of David, the nation of Israel was divided. Jeroboam became the first king of the northern nation of Israel and sadly influenced all nineteen kings after him.

Jeroboam not only turned away from God, but he led the entire nation to worship idols. God’s message to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah was “[God] will uproot Israel from this good land that he gave to their forefathers and scatter them beyond the River, because they provoked the LORD to anger. . . And he will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit” (1 Kings 14:15b-16). In 722 BC, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria and was taken into exile.

More recently, the impact of other dangerous leaders has been felt. In the early 1900s, atheistic Bolshevik leaders seized control of Russia, rejecting religion and promoting a Marxist ideology. The communist experiment caused the suffering of many generations and killed millions. This was followed by Nazi leaders taking control of Germany in the 1930s, ruining a nation and devastating Europe.

What about America? A powerful influence indeed. Her Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by biblical principles, the very principles that today are being rejected. Those who boast as “progressives” are leading our nation in a downward spiral, championing abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, transgender ideology, and more. Freedom of religion is being lost to “freedom from religion” and freedom of speech is threatened when not politically correct.

If God addressed America today with “Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray” (Isaiah 9:16), then may she heed this warning, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20a).

With America’s elections less than a month away, may we prayerfully and wisely seek God’s guidance in voting biblical values. And may God raise up godly leaders!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Inspiration, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Strength for Your Workout

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Arrow

Typically, we think that we work out in order to become stronger, but in reality, we need some strength to even begin our workout. Or even, to begin our day. Most need a little something to get going whether it’s caffeine, a hearty smoothie, or protein bar.

Our soul and mind need a healthy start as well, so today let’s focus on some strength-building Bible verses.

“The LORD gives strength to his people” (Psalm 29:11a). God is the source of strength.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you” (Psalm 84:5a). Dependence on God for strength brings blessing.

“[B]ut those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31a). Putting our hope in God gives strength.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). The strength of the Lord will help us through life’s trials.

“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11b). God gives us strength to do His work. Accomplishing His work then brings God praise.

Finally, Paul prayed this for believers and it is my prayer for you as well: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17a).

No one enjoys feeling weak either physically or spiritually. The great news is we have a God to turn to when experiencing spiritual weakness. Scripture says that in our weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).

May we go to God for strength each day. He has a never-ending supply and knows just what we need for our present situation.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Self-Improvement, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Training for Today

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Arrow

When we participate in “training,” we typically have a goal in mind. Perhaps we hope to improve our strength or acquire a new skill, at least that’s what I imagine.

But when I read Oswald Chambers’ devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, I found that Chambers flips our thinking about goals. The author suggests that instead of thinking God is leading me to a desired goal that the process or training is the actual goal.

Chambers uses the event of Jesus walking on water to expound on this idea.

After Jesus fed the five thousand, we find, “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd” (Mark 6:45). The goal: Bethsaida, across the Sea of Galilee.

Of course, we know part-way toward their “goal,” the disciples are confronted by heavy winds that prevent their progress. Then, literally, out of the blue, they see Jesus . . . walking on water!

Chambers states, “What He desires for me is that I see ‘Him walking on the sea’ with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see ‘Him’” (My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition, July 28).

The disciples’ focus changes to what Jesus wants them to see now. Jesus wants His disciples to see Him now.

God wants the same for us. Our goal is the preparation. Our “training” is for the present. Do we trust Him in the now? Are we being obedient moment-by-moment now? Oswald teaches, “God training is for now, not later.”

“[T]rain yourselves to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8).

May we train well today.

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Prescription of Praise

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Arrow

After last week’s “Dose of Encouragement”, I thought a “Prescription of Praise” sounded like the logical follow up.

In many of King David’s Psalms, this “man after God’s own heart” felt free to vent his emotions and dump the garbage and junk overwhelming his life. The amazing thing is most of the time these poems or songs ended in praise. David could lay his pains and complaints, worries and fears at the Lord’s feet, trusting He would help him through his difficult days.

Praise has a way of lifting our hearts and minds above our circumstances into the presence of God. Our attention turns upward and beyond. It is there we receive hope and encouragement from our loving heavenly Father.

Here are some verses of praise to whisper, sing, or speak aloud. Feel free to find others that touch your heart personally.

“From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you…. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long” (Psalm 71:6, 8).

“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night . . . For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands” (Psalm 92:1-2, 4).

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19).

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns’” (Psalm 96:8-10a).


Praise the Lord for He is worthy of our praise!

Give Him praise and be blessed!

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Inspiration, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Dose of Encouragement

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Arrow

Whether we like it or not, some days we just need a word of encouragement. Our plans plummet, circumstances suck, and expectations are exterminated!

What we need is a good dose of God’s Word to sooth our sores, lift our spirits, and fan the flame. So, here we go!

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Wow! We are invited into God’s family, becoming His child!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23a). God deeply loves us, no matter what!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Jesus also said He would never leave us. His name is Emmanuel, God with us.

“[B]eing confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). God is working in us. Good thing! We need all the help we can get!

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4). God is behind the scenes working things out.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, . . .  let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). We have our own race with a whole crowd cheering us on! Let’s stay in our lane and go!

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7). Let’s persevere. Our reward is waiting.

Posted in Bible Study, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Improvement, Wednesday Whisper | Tagged , , | Leave a comment