Do Your Actions Portray Jesus or Betray Him? WATCH and PRAY

The sweetest kiss

Greet one another with a holy kiss. 2 Corinthians 13:12

I surprised a friend of mine with the gift of her favorite cookies, and delighted, she responded by kissing my cheek. My daughter, sent me a video of her sixteen-month-old kissing baby dolls. Her toddler gives kisses to those she loves, even dolls, and anyone else who pleases her. About that same time, another one of my daughters sent me a picture of her little girl giving her daddy a precious kiss. These tokens of affection touch my heart. And then, I read the Apostle Paul’s words, Greet one another with a holy kiss (2 Corinthians 13:12).

All this about kissing, made me think of Judas’ kiss, and I looked at the picture I took at Chartres Cathedral memorializing this event.

Picture taken at Chartres, France – front portal of the Chartres Cathedral

http://chartrescathedral.net/chartres-cathedral-sculpture/

When I went to France in 1999, I visited this marvel of 13^th century architecture. I was awed by its grandeur and the multitude of sculptures, inside and out of the structure, seemingly on a mission to teach the Word of God and tell the story of Jesus.

Every time I look at this picture, portraying Judas’ kiss, I am saddened. What a hateful act of betrayal. Again, I thought, Oh, how could he have done that? I could never. And then I realized, oh yes, I could, and I do. When I disregard our Lord’s counsel, I betray Him. When I lose confidence in the integrity of His word, and when I fail to walk in faith, I betray Him.

Our actions either portray or betray Jesus.

Jesus told us to shine. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Paul echoed that sentiment when he said, For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). 

Are we doing that? When we compromise with the world, we become traitors. We don’t shine as children of light. We can’t. We’ve let darkness overshadow His truth. 

Jesus said to his disciples in the midst of His own agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). And we know what happened there: Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, and most of the other disciples deserted Him. Watch and pray. 

Are we watching and praying? 

I know today August 21, 2017 almost everyone in this country, especially those in the path of the total eclipse of the sun will be  watching. 

Wouldn’t it be a powerful thing, if all those who look up at the sun today, look up to Him and pray for the world. Oh, that we would watch and pray as He intended; then our actions would portray His love and light.

Blessed is he that watcheth. Revelations 16:15

Sunrise at Seabrook Island ~ Beautiful Photograph courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

Thanks to everyone who takes a moment out of this momentous  day to visit Write Moments with God. I appreciate you and pray God blesses your day in a special way. Feel free to leave comments below and to share this blog post with your friends.

Beware the Little Foxes and other little things

This adorable nibbler is a bunny ~ courtesy of the gifted Eileen DeCamp

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15


I walk two miles every morning, heeding my doctor’s advice to maintain a brisk pace. So, I try not to stop, unless it’s to chat with a neighbor. I pray, look at the sky, listen to the birds, feel the fresh air on my face. But the other day, I got a pebble in my shoe. My attention was drawn again and again from the things I enjoy to that niggling pain in my foot.


I kept walking a few blocks, ignoring the pebble as best I could, hoping it would relocate and cease to be a bother. I endured it for as long as I could, then I took off my shoe and shook out the stone, no bigger than a pea. How could something so small cause so much discomfort and destroy my concentration?


I realized that, in a similar way, little things have enormous power to distract our attention from God. I am reminded of the Scripture to “beware the little foxes.”


Is anything competing for your attention in your devotion to God?


Sometimes, aren’t we liable to pay more attention to the media or our twitter feed than to the Word of God? It doesn’t have to be the devil or overwhelming circumstances that distract us and disturb our thoughts. It may only be the “little foxes, that spoil the vines”—the little annoyances, the little actual things in our daily lives that compete for our focus and strength and get in between our hearts and God. We forget to call to mind God’s word; we forget to pray without ceasing. We become troubled and lose our peace because of insignificant worldly things.

Remember Jesus’s words of warning regarding worldly things.

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:19


Be careful of anything that deflects your attention from God. Whether it be a pebble in your shoe, a thorn in your flesh, or a shew of other things.


Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Beautiful picture courtesy of the lovely Eileen DeCamp

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God. I appreciate you. As always, I pray that no matter where you are in this world or on your Christian journey, you will be blessed and encouraged by the words, pictures, and comments you find here. Feel free to comment, as well as share this post. In His care.

You Never Have To Walk Alone

My grandson Charlie with his Dad my son in law James Viebrock

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

The promises of God have empowered many a believer to walk through adversity, disappointment, and grief, yet no promise is as comforting as the promise of God’s abiding presence in the life of the believer.

The Lord does not promise that our lives will be care-free if we choose to follow Him. The supreme case in point is the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. The Scriptures bear witness to Jesus’ humanity and courage; and above all, to His love of the Father – even when He was subjected to hatred, torture, and death. Jesus’ life was devoted to doing the will of the Father, and He followed God’s will to His death on the Cross.

Those of us who belong to the Lord need not fear or despair, because He is with us and will walk with us every day through every circumstance. The psalmist has said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4a)

It just so happened that I wrote the above devotional one morning expecting what I thought would be an average day. It was anything but—that evening our family experienced a shocking unexpected death of a loved one.  I look back at these words days later and marvel at the message God graciously put on my heart. It’s a message we all need to receive.

Knowing that I don’t walk alone is a comfort. Knowing that the Lord is with me gives me the grace to trust in His promises and the courage to face every day.

My grandsons, Nathan and Jonah.

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. I appreciate you. I pray that all who read these words will be blessed.  May you find encouragement here.   

The Providence of Almighty God

Sunset on Lavender Field courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 RSV

These are the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a beautiful promise to cling to in the midst of troubling times.  I need to read this often.  And what led me to meditate on this?

I admit I am one of the vast majority of Americans who harbor serious reservations about our presidential prospects.  In fact, I’ve fretted over it for months and frankly fear disaster in November.  I’ve read insightful political commentaries about those who are “looking for a savior.”  But, we must remember ,that indeed, there is only one.

The powers of worldly dominion are unconscious of God, are they not?  Or, they are blatantly defiant of God.  Do they care a whit about what God thinks about most matters?  And yet, we look to them.  So much of our security and peace of mind is based on the civilized life we live, apart from our faith in God.  Should it not be the other way around?

God is Almighty. He is working out His plans.  Do we trust Him?

Christ trusted in the will of His Father and submitted to the providential order of God.

Consider when He stood face to face with Pilate.

Pilate therefore said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above…” John 19:10-11a

When I read those words of Scripture the other day, I had to meditate on Jesus’ words. His words are TRUTH.  I thought of the providential order of God behind everything.  I wondered if I have come face to face with that reality.  The rest might be little more than a farce on the world’s stage that creates chaos in our lives.  We must go on with God, rooted and grounded in Him in spite of the chaos.  God’s kingdom is not of this world.

But we need to also continue in prayer, remembering Timothy’s words concerning intercessory prayer for ecclesiastical and government leaders (See Timothy 2:1-7).

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7 KJV

Photo Courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I hope you have found a bit of encouragement to strengthen your heart.  Feel free to share your thoughts. Take His peace.  

Breakfast with Jesus -- Guest Post by Jeanette Levellie -- Plus Book Give-Away

Jeanette Levellie 

I'm glad you are visiting Write Moments with God. I'm pleased to welcome my friend Jeanette Levellie, pastor's wife, mother, speaker, and Christian writer. She is sharing a devotional with us today.  Then, I want to tell you a bit about her newest book, Shock the Clock. (Interesting concept, don't you think?) She's also giving away a signed copy.  So, enjoy.

Breakfast with Jesus

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11, NIV

After he turned the TV off, my husband asked, “How did you like Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

            “Okay,” I said, “although it seemed a bit shallow.”

             “Did it? I thought it held a valuable message. A selfish, aimless man finds meaning in laying down his life to help a girl more selfish and aimless than he. In the end, she realizes she can only be satisfied by committing her life to someone else.”

            “Well, when you put it that way…”

As believers, we were created for a higher purpose than living to please ourselves. When we focus on what we see in the mirror, how we feel or what we want, we remain empty. We’re too small to fill the world, even our little corner of it.

            God’s image in us compels us to serve. We find fulfillment by our commitment to relationships.  First, to the Lord Jesus Christ and then by loving service to others. As we surrender to Jesus, fellowship with Him in prayer and the Word, His nature takes the place of our pride. We discover hidden gifts and talents, which we share with others, leading to deeper fulfillment.

No greater joy awaits us than the overflowing heart of a fully abandoned life.

Find your joy in fellowship with Jesus and service to others.

Thank you Jeanette for that.  I always find your writing uplifting.  

Jeanette has written several books of devotions and humor, which I found to be very enjoyable. Check them out on her blog or Amazon page. Today I want to tell you about her newest book, which really speaks to issues faced by so many of us. 

Help for Time-challenged Creatives and Everyone Else

Unlike other time management programs, Shock the Clock is a unique approach that empowers you to focus on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses to make the best use of your limited writing—or other creative time.  Author Jeanette Levellie (and her zany artist son) shares practical tips and creative insights that will enable you to say “no” with confidence, delegate with grace, and find your car keys.

Includes time management tips from:

o   New York Times Bestselling author Cecil Murphey,

o   Award-winning novelist Jody Hedlund,

o   Director of Professional Writing Department at Taylor University & author of 54 books Dennis Hensley

Jeanette has offered to give away one free signed copy to a blessed winner on my blog! To enter to win, please connect with Jeanette in one or more of the ways listed below, then comment which way(s) you chose. This contest will end at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 11th. I will announce the winner here on Monday, June 13.

Connect with Jeanette:

Blog: www.jeanettelevellie.com

Twitter: @JenLevellie

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jenlevellie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeanetteLevellie/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5784219.Jeanette_Levellie

Thanks again for visiting Write Moments with God.  Please visit on June 13th for a new devotional, plus give-away announcement.  May you find the encouragement and strength you need in your everyday moments with Him.  'Til next time.

The Ordinary Business of Life

This lovely BLUEBIRD is courtesy of my talented friend, Eileen DeCamp.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

It’s been some time since I wrote for this blog.  What I thought would be a brief hiatus turned into several months.  I didn’t expect the long absence.  However, all this time I’ve been busy about the ordinary business of life, doing the duties that lie nearest.

I’ve asked the Lord a couple of times over these last few months, why I’m not writing as I intended.  No answer came, but still I had peace about it because I am certain that God engineers my circumstances.  I abide in Him, in family matters, in health matters, business matters, in spiritual matters, and His grace abounds. I do my best to cooperate, so to speak, with God.

But, I intended to write regularly for this blog.  The thought comes that maybe that’s not what God intended. At least, not just now, or in that manner.  Isn’t it possible that God intended for me to be doing exactly what I’ve been doing?  He said, “Follow me”; He said, “Feed my sheep”.  I’ve been ministering to needs in ways other than writing.

The thing is, we are apt to tie ourselves up, and God as well, by our own expectations and intentions.  I think sometimes when God upsets or overrides our plans, it is because we are in danger of making our programs an idol, some ego-centric self-fulfilling plan, that’s maybe a bit out of alignment with harmony in Him. When all the while He simply wants us to follow Him, wash some feet (see John 13:5), and serve Him through the duties that come to us in the ordinary moments of life.

There’s no need to sulk or be impatient about it.  I chose to remember the calming assurance that all things work together for good for those who love God.  After all, my fondest desire is, to be the called according to his purposes.

One of my sweetest distractions, my granddaughter Evie.

Thank you so much for visiting the blog today.  I appreciate you.  January 4^th I began a new job as adjunct English instructor at a community college.  It's given me more time to pursue my projects, so I hope to write more regularly again for Write Moments with God.  I welcome your comments.

'Til next time.  May God bless you, encourage you, and keep you safe in your daily walk with Him. 

Enough for each day -- Little by little the bird builds her nest

A wren ~ image courtesy of Google images

Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way, I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.  Exodus16:4

We’ve had some unexpected guests at our house.  A sweet little wren built her nest in the wreath on the front door.  For days, I heard her little by little adding bits and pieces of leaves and grass she’d gathered to construct her nest.  All our comings and goings through that door did not deter her.  Little by little the nest took shape. Every time we’d open the door she would peek at us before flying out. One day she brushed against my son’s shoulder in her flight to the azaleas bushes.  Every evening I sneaked a close up look. When I noticed the eggs, I tied a string across the door posts to detour unsuspecting delivery folks and visitors. Sure enough, the eggs hatched.

What you might ask does this story have to do with manna in the wilderness? 

I believe this little bird was faithful each day to her call from God, quietly working and trusting in His supply for the day.  I think she was satisfied with enough – whatever God provided was sufficient and whatever she could accomplished was satisfactory.  I think if hers was a test, she passed.

That little bird inspired me by her unwavering devotion and persistence.

As the French say, petit a petit, l’oiseau fait son nid. Little by little, the bird makes her nest.

What encouragement might the wren offer to us goal-oriented, work obsessed folks?

I think it might be to work with confidence accomplishing manageable pieces each day, which in turn build for tomorrow, and demonstrate to God our obedience and trust in Him and the vision that He have given us.  Patience and self-discipline are critical. Don’t look beyond what you can do today or burden yourself with fears for the future. God’s provisions are sufficient for each day.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow. Matthew 6:34

Obedience and faithfulness honor God and bring its own reward.

Spectacular sunflowers at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery ~
photo courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  Psalm 20:4

Thank you ever so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  It means a lot to me that you are here.  Feel free to share your thoughts and add to the conversation.

Thanks to my guest Nan Jones for her recent interview.  She would like to send a copy of her book to Brenda C.  Thank you so much Brenda for your kind words.  If you'll include your email address with a comment, Nan will make arrangements to get the book in the mail.  Many blessings!