Christian

God’s True Dwelling: A Humble Heart

1-Minute Devotion for Sunday, 4/12/26

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
     those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV

Commentary: “The opening words of the last chapter of Isaiah were written to the unrepentant people of Israel. They need not think that, in that condition, they can please God by building a temple for Him. After all, He is the universal Creator and Owner, enthroned in heaven, with the earth as His footstool. The dwelling place He desires is the heart of a person who is humble and contrite, and who trembles at His word. Believer’s Bible Commentary

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

A rustic wooden door in a stone wall opens to a bright, golden landscape.
Christian

A Word of Encouragement!

For Friday, 4/10/26

Jesus said, “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 AMP (emphasis mine)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:7 Here the use of Greek present imperatives (asking, seeking, knocking; vv 7, 8) emphasizes persistent, constant prayer.

You may have been praying about something for a long time. Keep praying and don’t give up!

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

An open book and steaming mug on a table by a window at sunrise.
Christian

Finding Refuge in God’s Word

1-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 4/9/26

“Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6

Commentary: “Every word of God is pure; there is not the least mixture of falsehood and corruption in it. … It is sufficient, and therefore we must not add to it. … We must be content with what God has thought fit to make known to us of his mind, and not covet to be wise above what is written.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary   

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Christian

They Thought They Knew More Than God

A Reflection for Tuesday, 4/7/26

In this summary of the 12 spies’ exploration of Canaan, you will see that they had a higher opinion of their own judgment than they had of God’s plan. Even today, people often think they know more than God, especially when God’s Word tells us to do something that doesn’t fit with the current trends.

The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.” Numbers 13:1-2

So they went up into the land and explored it for 40 days.

“When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.” (v.23)

“They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.” (vv 27-28)

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (vv 30-33)

The people grumbled. They didn’t trust God’s plan. In fact, they wanted to go back to Egypt! But Joshua and Caleb pleaded with the people.

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:7-9)

But the people thought they knew better. They relied on their own judgment rather than God’s Word. They even talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb. The Lord was so angry with the people that He said He was going to destroy them.

But fortunately for them, Moses pleaded with the Lord,

“In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” (v. 19)

This story reminds me of Jesus’ words,

“…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

In other words, will He find people trusting His Word? Or will He find us trusting in our own judgment, thinking we know a better way?

In His Love, Cindy

P.S. Read the rest of Numbers, chapter 14, to see what happened next!

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

All Scriptures are from the NIV. Photo from Google Images.

Christian

Encouragement for Monday, 4/6/26

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58 AMP (emphasis mine)

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Christian

Wisdom for Friday, 4/3/26

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

 

Christian

Did You Gather Your Manna Today?

2-Minute Devotion for Thursday, 4/2/26

“Manna from Heaven” has become an idiom of the English language. It means “An unexpected benefit or assistance, especially when it comes at the time when it is needed most.” For example, “Unable to pay my bills, the stimulus check was like manna from Heaven.”

God’s Word is our “Manna from Heaven”.

“Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium … When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.” Numbers 11:7-9 NASB

“The house of Israel named it manna, and … its taste was like wafers with honey.” Exodus 16:31 NASB

The manna may have looked something like this.

God provided what they needed for sustenance then, and He has provided what we need for sustenance now. He has graciously given us His Word, and that Word is the Bread of Life.

“Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35 NASB

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NASB 

From John 1:1, we know that Jesus is the Word. Jesus also declared that He was the bread of life.

Many lessons can be derived from the provision of manna. To me, the most important one is that God’s Word is our daily bread. Jesus taught us to pray,

“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

How can we receive our daily bread (sustenance) if we are not in the Word? Do we grumble and complain, as the Israelites did, tired of the manna and wanting something else? God’s Word is our guide. It will sustain us in every situation.

The Psalmist wrote,

“I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
 I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Christian

The Apostle Peter’s Last Letter

Peter’s final message before he was martyred tells us that the issue he was most concerned about was false teachers. His words are just as pertinent today as they were when he wrote them.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV 

Have you ever read a book by a so-called Bible teacher that describes their highly unusual encounters with the living God? I could give examples, but I will refrain. Peter says false teachers exploit Christians with made-up stories.

Why? They’re greedy. They make a lot of money from their books, videos, and personal appearances. (Don’t get mad at me. I’m just telling you what Peter warned us about in his final letter.)

Peter goes on to say, “They are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.” (2 Peter 2:14-15 NIV)

In other words, they are experts at making money.

“For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.” 2 Peter 2:18 NIV

Peter was martyred by crucifixion in Rome around 64–67 AD during Emperor Nero’s reign. According to tradition and early Christian accounts, Peter requested to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ. 

May we always treasure God’s Holy Word and recognize that it is our Way to Truth. We need not be deceived.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, read, Who Is Jesus? A Message for the Skeptic

Christian

The Apostle Paul’s Last Letter

During a period of intense persecution of Christians in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote 2 Timothy while he languished in prison. It was the last letter he would write.

Historians describe Rome’s Mamertine Prison as a former cistern, a cold, damp dungeon in a well, 12 feet below ground. Neglect, darkness, and stench made it hideous. It was the last stop for prisoners condemned to die, where they awaited execution by strangulation or decapitation. Strong evidence tells us that Paul spent his last days in such a place.

Paul knew he would die soon. Therefore, this letter is not to be taken lightly. I urge you to read this short letter. The following are a few of the verses from that special book of the Bible:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB (emphasis mine)

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13 (emphasis mine)

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;” 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB (emphasis mine)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NASB (emphasis mine)

In summary: More difficult times are coming. Make sure you teach the Bible correctly. It is the Word of God. Even greater deception is coming. Evil impostors will teach people what they want to hear, rather than the truth.

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, read, Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic

Sources:

Jeremiah Study Bible Notes

Alexander Meddings, Rome-based writer and historian. 

Isadora Ruyter-Harcourt 


Christian

Honor & Respect

Reflection for Thursday, 3/26/26

“A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].” Proverbs 11:16 AMP

In His Love, Cindy

To learn why Jesus came to the earth, read, Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic