Goliath, the Bully!

He, a brute of a man, stood on the mountain, shouting at the people across the valley, “I dare you! Come fight me! If you kill me, fine, my people will be your slaves. But if I kill you the Israelites will be our slaves!”
Across the valley, the Israelites looked [...]]]>

A Healthy Relationship with God

The True Spiritual Test

Determined to see God [...]]]>

Living Free

Happy Endings

Our Ultimate Supernatural Hero

We all look for supernatural heroes and events, the unexplainable, in our lives and in our world. Some have been around for ages, like Paul Bunyan. The more common of our heroes are Superman and Spiderman, and lately Harry Potter.

The supernatural can also ignite our faith. That is why I wrote the Christian children’s fantasy novel, The Lion Tree and am now in the process of writing the sequel, Battle in The Lion Tree. In it, the main characters, Darian and Cassidy, find themselves in crave difficulties. God puts three supernatural heroes in their lives to guide them to victory and success. They live in a tree, like Shrek, but their purpose is quite different. The animals in the Lion Tree are put there primarily for Darian and Cassidy and have God’s answer to their problems.

Jesus used His miracles as signs to prove that He is the Son of God. Do you notice he didn’t do miracles to be flamboyant? His miracles were done out of a heart of love. With them He met people’s needs, healing them, and providing them with the necessities of life, bread and drink; in this account, wine at a wedding reception.

Sometimes it is the supernatural miracles that Jesus did and still does today that draw people’s attention to Him. But the ultimate end is finding a deep personal relationship with Him. He died, arose from the dead, and is now in heaven interceding for us. One day we too will be immortal like Him and live eternally in heaven with Him.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with this news.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 to 18 [The Living Bible]

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 15:1-16:31
John 2:1-25
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 14:17-19

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This devotion is copyright protected and all rights are reserved worldwide. You are free to use this devotion with your family or with your class. However, it may not be reprinted or republished in any form without written consent from Ruth Willms. If you would like to request permission to republish this devotion, please contact Ruth at ruth.willms@gmail.com

Did Jesus Need a Ghostwriter?

My daughter, Denise, is a ghost writer. Because I like to write my own stuff and have my name on it I find it hard to understand how she finds satisfaction in ghost writing. I like to get credit for what I do.

So what is a ghost writer? Just that – a ghost; you never see her. She writes articles for people who have great ideas but can’t find the words to say them. Then she lets her client sign his name to it. I think you have to be humble to be a ghost writer; humble but smart.

I see my daughter and other ghost writers as very creative and flexible. She writes on various topics and for various audiences. She can adapt to her client’s style and express his unique viewpoint.

When I ask her if she doesn’t want her name on the pieces she writes she says, “I enjoy the challenge of writing in different voices, for different purposes.” And she does it well. You can check out her talents at her website http://cassidarink.com/about/

She writes to make other writers look good. She stays in the background and lets her client shine in her spot light. She promotes them like John the Baptist promoted Jesus. Jesus did not need someone to put His thoughts and ideas into words. He is omniscient. But John’s talk and work were all about Jesus with His signature.

John the Baptist was only a voice in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus’ campaign. When it was time for Jesus to begin His ministry, John the Baptist faded into the background. He not only allowed but even encouraged some of his disciples to follow Jesus instead.

Our life also is not about us but about Him. We are to exalt Him. So what does that look like in my everyday life? I believe that in everything we do we reflect His worth and value. We express how great and glorious He is.
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“John replied, ‘God in heaven appoints each man’s work. My work is to prepare the way for that man so that everyone will go to him. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him – that is all. The crowds will naturally go to the main attraction – the bride will go where the bridegroom is! A bridegroom’s friends rejoice with him. I am the Bridegroom’s friend and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.’” John 3: 27 to 30 [The Living Bible]

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 13:1-14:20
John 1:29-51
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 14:15-16
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This devotion is copyright protected and all rights are reserved worldwide. You are free to use this devotion with your family or with your class. However, it may not be reprinted or republished in any form without written consent from Ruth Willms. If you would like to request permission to republish this devotion, please contact Ruth at ruth.willms@gmail.com

A Grateful Heart

There is a lot of uncertainty and apprehension these days concerning the world’s economy. Every continent and country has been affected in the financial downturn. Many are watching as investment portfolios decrease dramatically in value.

Just yesterday a new friend shared with me that she had lost her job in January and has been unable to find another one. Several of her friends are in the same position. There is a lot of gloom but we still have so much to be thankful for.

In the middle of this all I read Psalm 100 and am reminded that we need to be grateful and praise God at all times. We will have to tighten our belts and reassess our priorities and make choices as much as everyone else even as we trust in God. So how do we look at this situation in God’s eyes and still be thankful to Him?

Has the abundance we have enjoyed caused us to rely on ourselves more than trusting God? Could this financial downturn actually be an opportunity for us as Christians to realign our priorities? Can we still trust God for our needs and give to others who are in more dire need than us?

I like the way the Psalmist puts it. “The Lord is always good…his faithfulness goes on and on.” That puts it all in perspective for me.

“Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy.
Try to realize what this means –the Lord is God! He made us – we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is always good, He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generations.”
Psalm 100 [The Living Bible]
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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 9:22-10:18
Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 14:11-12

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This devotion is copyright protected and all rights are reserved worldwide. You are free to use this devotion with your family or with your class. However, it may not be reprinted or republished in any form without written consent from Ruth Willms. If you would like to request permission to republish this devotion, please contact Ruth at ruth.willms@gmail.com

The Paradox of Being Strong When We’re Weak

Is there an area in your life that you feel very insecure and incapable of handling? As long as we live on this earth we all have such weaknesses. Only God is perfect in everyway.

The Apostle Paul had his great successes as God’s messenger to the Gentiles but he also had weaknesses. The Epistles he wrote in the Bible still teach and minister to Christians today. Many people come to God through his writings.

God gave him a weakness so he would depend on God and not on his own abilities. After asking God three times to remove it he was finally convinced that God could do more through him with his weak spot than will all his capabilities and wisdom.

“Each time he said, ‘No. But I am with you; that is all you need. M power shows up best in weak people.’ Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about the ‘the thorn,’ and about insults and hardships. Persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong – the less I have, the more I depend on him.” 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 and 10 [The Living Bible]

God chose Gideon to save Israel from its enemy, the Midianites, who came in to plunder their crops and animals every year. Gideon didn’t feel capable of this task, and like us at times, he probably looked around to see who God was speaking to. After he received a few signs from God that He would really give him the victory he was finally convinced.

Then God made it even harder for him in telling him he had way too many soldiers. Not until only 300 soldiers remained of his 32,000 did God give him the go ahead. So when they went to war and gained the victory all the honor and all the glory went to God. They knew they surely didn’t do it.

That is what God wants to do in my life and in your life. But I for one find it very hard to be so vulnerable. Yet that is how God grows our faith.

Our faith needs to be exercised to grow. It’s when our faith is shaken to the core that it becomes unshakable. God can only use us if we recognize the success comes from him not from our wisdom or abilities.

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 7:1-8:17
Luke 23:13-43
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 14:7-8

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This devotion is copyright protected and all rights are reserved worldwide. You are free to use this devotion with your family or with your class. However, it may not be reprinted or republished in any form without written consent from Ruth Willms. If you would like to request permission to republish this devotion, please contact Ruth at ruth.willms@gmail.com

God Loves to Use the Unexpectant

Some said it would never happen. But people around the world honored Barak Obama as president-elect, not only as he campaigned in the United States, but also as he visited other countries.

A lot of people – people who didn’t know him – were surprised when he was nominated, not as vice-president of the United States, but as president. The population was divided as to the outcome. The minorities around the world cheered when he was finally elected as president of the United States. A black man!

God always has a purpose and plan, even in setting the unexpected into high and powerful positions. He chose David and Joseph, the younger siblings of each family and gave them each a leader’s heart.

God doesn’t limit His choices to peoples’ perspectives. As a woman, I am thrilled that He chose Deborah, a woman, in the days when women were treated as second class to men.

God not only anointed her as a judge of His people but as assistant to Barak in leading the Israelites into battle. She instructed the captain in the strategy of battle.

In the same battle God again used a woman to bring Israel to victory. Jael courageously pinned Sisera, the commander of the enemy army, against the ground with a peg and hammer. The glory of winning the battle again went to a woman.

No matter what our station in life is God has a work for us to do. We are blessed that God doesn’t play favorites. Our attitude and loyalty to God has a lot to do with which work the Lord trusts us with.

“In a wealthy home there are dishes made of gold and silver as well as some made from wood and clay. The expensive dishes are used for guests, and the cheap ones are used in the kitchen or to put garbage in. If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold – the very best in the house, so that Christ himself can use you for his highest purposes.” 2 Timothy 2: 20 and 21 [The Living Bible]

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 4:1-5:31
Luke 22:35-53
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 14:3-4

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This devotion is copyright protected and all rights are reserved worldwide. You are free to use this devotion with your family or with your class. However, it may not be reprinted or republished in any form without written consent from Ruth Willms. If you would like to request permission to republish this devotion, please contact Ruth at ruth.willms@gmail.com

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