Book Review - Cutest Cats of All Time (Book 1) - By Mari Bolte - Publication Date: 1 January 2026

 

This is indeed a cute look at some lovable and regal cats. The book presents in a sort of survey style inviting the reader to rate the cats according to, for instance, how cuddly or fluffy they are.  There are great pictures of each cat type presented, showing some really beautifully awesome felines. It was really hard to decide which would be the cutest of all time.  I think it will be a nice little challenge for any reader.  In my opinion, this educational book is  'purr-fectly' suited, especially, but not exclusively, for any cat-loving children out there.  I believe young readers will find it the cat's meow!

                                            ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                         October 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

What's Your Attitude?

 Everyone has an attitude.  For some people the plentitude of their attitudes force you to have a magnitude of latitude from them otherwise you may find yourself in servitude.  It's great when people have good and cooperative attitudes.  Unlike ...

 " ... the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead.  When she was good, she was very, very good but when she was bad, she was horrid." 

 Sounds unstable, unpredictable and uncooperative.

My Mom used to say that to me.  Always wondered why because I did not have any curls and especially not in the middle of my forehead.  I'd shrug it off like water off a duck's back.

She never did explain it but maybe I had some not so good attitudes.  Hmmm...

When people have good attitudes its like living in a beatitude with them. They are gracious and kind and cooperative.  It's really pleasant to be in their company.  On the other hand, when a person is uncoopertive it's quite a trial.

Attitudes start in the mind.  A person's mindset will often show up on their face, in body language and in their behavior.  Good thoughts and feelings will travel down to the heart and come out as good and helpful behavior.  Similarly, the bad thoughts produce bad behavior.

If a person is a follower of Jesus Christ, they will know that He wants us to have good attitudes; a daily governing attitude.  He wants us to imitate Him and His. 

"Let this mind be in you as is also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5 ESV).

The NIV Bible reads,

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (NIV).

Both versions tell us what we need to know and how we, as believers, should be living.

When we imitate Jesus' attitude of humility we will be right everytime.  We will be humble, good and kind and more.  Jesus is our standard.  Let's change and transform to measure up to Him.

What's your attitude?

                                                    ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:4-5 NIV.

Sing, His Name is Jesus, along with Phil Wickham.

The Humblest Man

 Which of the Bible heroes and heroines would you like to imitate?  Abraham?  He was a wonderful man of faith and became the father of all who have faith in God.

How about Moses?  He is said to be the meekest man. I found it amusing when I looked up the secular dictionary meaning of 'meekness' on line.  One nuance of its meaning was listed as,

" ... patient controlled behavior towards others, even in difficult situations".

If you know the life Moses led especially those 40 years in the wilderness, wandering around with the Israelites all the time, you'll know he put up with over-the-top murmurers and complainers, and even downright dangerous situations from his own people.   He endured difficult situations, indeed!

I'm also amused by Samson, the wild judge who was the strongest man, made so by God's appointment.  We know he carried the Gaza Gates about 60 kms, up a hill, no less.  He also killed a lion bare-handed, by help of the Sprit of the Lord's empowerment.

I like Queen Esther's courage.  I wonder if she was the most courageous queen.  She had to save her nation of people from anniliation by approaching the fearsome King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I).  If he didn't hold out his scepter in acceptance to her when she entered the throne room unbeckoned, she could have lost her life plenty quickly.  Thankfully, he did and she survived to plead her case and cause on behalf of her people and herself.  Mission accomplished:  she was saved and saved her people.

King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.  He asked God for wisdom to rule his people aright.  God granted him his desire.  In the end, he was none too wise as he took God for granted and went after other gods, to an unhappy end.  This can serve as a warning to ourselves to be ever grateful to our Lord for all He has done and is doing for us in our lives.  We need to give Him our thanks and praise.

The best hero of all times is Jesus.  He was the humblest man who ever lived on this earth.  Although He did have something to be proud about.  He was absolutely 100% perfect in every way, yet He remained humble.

He had come from the riches of Heaven down to earth, living in a poor family.  He was fully man but also fully God, so although He had a LOT to boast about, He chose instead to be humble.

It is an excellent attitude to imitate.  Let's walk humbly with our God (see Micah 6:8 NKJV).  Our humble king Jesus will love it.

                                                           ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:3-8 NKJV.

Sing, Humble King, Brenton Brown 1999, Vineyard written by Brian Doerkson.

Lord's Day Devotion - Merdeka!

 

More than one country in the world has shouted, "Independence!" and/or "Freedom!"  That's what "Merdeka!" embodies.  This is what was shouted the day Peninsular Malaysia, then known as 'Melaya,' got its independance from Britain way back in 1957.  Now they were free to govern their own country.

What a feeling of euphoria that must have been.  Many of us will know that on a more personal scale.  We all want freedom from soneone or something at least some time in our lives.

Once free from a 'yoke of slavery' of any kind, we are careful not to be bound again.  We have to stand firm and guard against it.

Freedom from our sins' death penalty and burden is one such.  We have this freedom in Christ.  He set us free the moment we accepted Him as Lord and Savior of our lives.

But sometimes the old ways of thinking will creep over us again.  We need to be alert against it and not submit to them again.

There's a beautiful verse in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 1.  It reads, 

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (ESV).

When we relate this to pride and living a life imitating Christ's humility and what that humility looks like, it will help us from being bound again.

Think about low self-esteem, for instance.  Ever suffer from it?  It can be very demeaning and restrictive to our personal growth.  We feel insignificant and invisible.  And there's that 'little voice' in our heads condeming us, telling us we are no good, we are 'less than' others.  It is something that wraps around our chests and threatens to never let us go.

Low self-esteem is a huge hindrance to humility.  Did you realize it is as bad as being proud and arrogant?  This idea helped me to realize this.  I do not say this to condemn anyone further then they may condemn themselves.  Rather, I hope and pray its a conduit to freeing themself.

When we think we are 'less than,' saying that our opinion of ourself is better than God's opinion of us, we have to stop this.  We must see ourselves as God does.

God loves us.  He loved us enough to send His one and only Son to die for us so we can be set free (see John 3:16).   He can set us free when we ask Him to.  It is through Jesus who died for our sins.  He took our punishment for us.

God now calls us His own.  We belong to Him and He values us.  He claims us as His child and we belong to Him (John 1:12-13).  We are in His family, bought at a costly price.

Furthermore, as the following meme portrays,  He see us as His masterpiece, chosen, worthy, royalty (afterall Jesus is a King and we are His children), treasured, forgiven and more.  His response to our acceptance of Jesus is overwhelming.  He rejoices in heaven with His angels.  Think on that.

He gives us His Holy Spirit and welcomes us with wide-opened arms outstretched to us.  This we have because of our faith in Jesus.  We are so very valuable to Him.  His presence then goes with us wherever we are (see Matthew 28:20).  We no longer need to be prejudiced against ourself.

May we each have our very own day of "Merdeka!"

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me, dying for me and now living for me.  You gave me freedom even from my low self-esteem.  Help me to stand firm in this knowledge and freedom. I don't want to burden or hinder myself from true humility.  I want to walk in humility and in the fear of the Lord, as I live my days in the freedom You earned for me on the cross.  As we partake of the broken bread and drink from the cup of wine this Lord's day, we remember Your costly grace and mercy on our behalf.  We are everything in You.  Thank You.

                                                ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on Galatians 5:1 ESV.

Sing, Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), along with Michael W. Smith, and Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It, along with Itasca CBC.

Merry Christmas 2025

         Merry Christmas 2025 to one and all!

When we think of our Jesus and the day or was it night, He was born, we think of the lowly stable and manger and the "no-room-for-Him" 'inn.'  And then we read Philippians 2:1-11, especially verse 8 where Jesus

 "humbled Himself" 

to be 

"found in human form," 

and the

 "form of a servant" (vs 7).

Humility was the mantel He wore.  From the riches of Heaven to the home of the poor among the poor, He came.  His purpose and mission death on a cross to buy our pardon and give remission for our sins.  We can only give Him our praise and adoration again and again.  Taking the broken bread and drinking of the cup of wine, we remember all this that Jesus has done for our souls.

From the angels singing on high to the shepherds startled joy at the birth of Jesus and visiting and going forth more joyful, to the eventual visit of the wise men, come to worship King Jesus, we can add our joyful refrains.

We can sing sweetly, celebrating Jesus' birth but also remembering His mission.  Let's give Him our thanks and praise all over again, letting it echo throughout the earth.  

"Jesus our Lord has come!"

We praise You, Jesus, for the wonder of Your birth, Your astonishing sacrifice on the cross and the revolutionary resurrection from the dead.  We give You our heartfelt gratitude for now living for us in Heaven.  We praise Your glorious name, Lord Jesus!

                                              ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 2:1-11 ESV.

Sing, Gloria in Excelsis, along with Christian Song Lyrics.

Wheat & Weeds

 

Wow!  My morning reading was so interesting and eye-opening!

I've read and/or have heard read and even heard preaching based upon the parable of the Wheat and Weeds, or as some say, "The Tares."  I do not recall ever hearing about the significance of the master telling the servants NOT to remove the weeds until harvest time.  Have you?

Well, the Bible study guide I'm using enlightened me and it makes so much more sense to me.  I had always thought that the reason was in the 'fruit'.  They'd be able to distinguish by the appearance - the shape, size, color and so on.  But this is not the assumed case.

The guide's leader's notes note that the wheat had already sprouted and formed heads.  The wheat heads are obviously identified compared to what the weed heads look like.  The writer says the enemy's weeds were likely darnel and easily distinguished.

So why wait?

Ah.  This is where the interesting crux of the matter lies.  They said that the roots of both the wheat and weeds entangle and therefore if one tries to pull up the darnel, then the wheat roots would be pulled up too, thus destroying the wheat, thus incurring loss of profit.

A wise farmer knows his wheat.

The author of this particular study guide, John White, further elaborates.  He said some believers have made the mistake of equating the field in which the wheat and weeds were sown, as being the Church.  But God's Word clearly stated in Matthew 13:38 ESV,

"The field is the world ..."

Why would this understanding be so important?

The message is that it's not about church discipline nor purging out heretics.  Much damage and tragedy has been escalated and perpetrated from such scenarios.  For instance, the Crusades, the 'Spanish Inquisition, the Salem Witch Trials, the persecution and martyrdom of Anabaptists and the like.

Instead, what did Jesus say?  He said,

 "the field is the world"!  

O, the difference this makes.  This puts the onus on the individual follower of Jesus Christ to be the salt and light in society.  We need to be strong and courageous to stand firmly and not be swayed by society's standards and norms.  To stand against the wiles of the evil one - the devil with his plans and influencers to topple a believer and saturate the world with his lies and deceit.

It is not our job, I learned, to eradicate the evil either.  It is to bring salt and light to the world.  A great example of the salt that rubbed recently into society's cognisance was Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point ministry.  He brought the light of the gospel and God's ways that acted like salt in society's wounds.  But he also brought light and hope to the world of the lost should they wish to choose it.

The big question too is why does God allow the wicked to flourish?  Well, think of the parable.  He's waiting for the harvest time.

Then,

"The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers" (Matthew 13:41 ESV).

They will go to the place they deserve and justice will have been served (see vs 41 & 42).

It is tough for us to abide all the hate and wickedness in the world now and to look back at the past cruelites but our God has His timing and justice will come.

Until then, let's not tear whole churches apart but be the salt and light against the backdrop of the wicked and wicked world.  Don your armor and pray (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

                                                   ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Matthew 13:24-30 & 36-43 ESV and Parables, Lesson 6 The Wheat and the Weeds by John White.

Sing, Salt and Light, along with Lauren Daigle.

Walk Humbly

 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you.  But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8 NKJV).

The Lord has requirements for us who purport to be His followers.  When we say we have faith then 'works' should be forthcoming.  He has shown us that this is good.  When we walk humbly with our God, we will be just and love mercy.  And these can just keep going round and round in ascending, continuous circles creating within us that humility that characterized our Lord Jesus.

Thinking of others as being equally of value, that God loves them just as much as He loves me, and that Jesus died on the cross for them, just as much as He did for me is helpful thinking.  It can help us develop humility within, that comes from our hearts.

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12 ESV).

This is what people call The Golden Rule.  It certainly is a good way to govern our lives when we wish to cultivate humility in our character and attitudes.  After all, it is one of our Lord's requirements.

It will help us to act more justly and to love mercy.  We will be less selfish, we will gain greater understanding of others, have more empathy for them and show it out in acts of compassion.  We will live more for the good of others than for ourselves.

The Bible also tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Is this then a contradiction?  I don't believe so.  We need to be able to accept ourselves as God has made us.  We need to understand our own strengths and weaknesses; that we do have limitations.  When we can understand and accept these about ourselves, then we can develop that understanding and care for others more genuinely and patiently and with greater forbearance.

The apostle Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to remind himself of such.  He realized then that God's grace was sufficient. We too can do the same for ourselves as we then interact with others.

Father God, we do want to do what is good and what you require of us.  Give us reminders that we need to walk humbly with You, to be just and merciful even as Jesus, our perfect example, was.  We ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                             ~ ERC - November 2025 ~

Based on Micah 6:8 NKJV.

Sing, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly, along with Pat Barrett.

Lord's Day Devotion - HAIKU - Joyful Blessing

 Songs of praise

Blessing You Jesus, our hearts

Raised with joyful song.

Songs of sacrifice

Offered with willing hearts' full

Gratitude, sing praise.

Thank You, our Jesus,

In You we have redemption.

We remember You.

Lord Jesus, we are glad and rejoice this Lord's Day, remembering You and all You've done for us by and through the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup.  We thank You and bless Your name that is above all other names, Jesus.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on Hebrews 13:15 and Ephesians 1:7 ESV.

Sing, Remember Me, along with Hosanna Music.

What IS Humility?

 

When we walk in the fear of the Lord we begin to walk in humility.  This life brings reverence and respect for God and His will and ways for who He is and what He has done for us.  We begin to appreciate Him and get a glimpse of Jesus' attitude when He walked this earth.

The spiritual riches, honor and life are given as rewards to individuals who walk in humility.  Proverbs 22:4 ESV tells us this.

"The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches, and honor and life."

Are these rewards motivation to put on humility?  I don't think so.  That would be pride in what we have accomplished by ourselves.

Is it prosperity gospel?  It may sound like it.  Perhaps we may prosper materially but I think it more likely to be spiritual benefit.

Submission to our Heavenly Father will be evidence of humility.  God's mercy and grace will be treasures to adorn ourselves with and God will be able to honor this allowing for a more meaningful life in general and in serving our Lord and Savior, more specifically.  Our ambitions will have more godly purposes and principles, governing our lives to please and honor Him in return.

I had a friend tell me recently that the company she was part of ran on Christian principles.  They had integrity and other companies in competition with them, acknowledged this. Her company came to be trusted by others as well as by their clients.  In this they were honored because they feared the Lord and walked in humility even as they meted out their professional services.

What is this humility I write about?  It's realizing we ourselves are not more important than others.  We realize our own shortcomings and limitations.  We do not boast.  We see our own strengths as well as weaknesses.  We come to realize other peoples thoughts, ideas and opinions have merit too and even praise others' accomplishments, encouraging them to share their ideas and input.  The Lord honored them in this way.

One difficult aspect of honing humility, which can be a huge hurdle to overcome is to admit our mistakes.  A close second would be to be able to forgive and to apologize to others.

Christ is always our example in everything.  Oops, He never made mistakes, but I'm talking about His attitudes.  That familiar passage in Philippians 2:1-10.  This can be our standard.  Jesus definitely looked after the interests of others, taking the form of a servant.  And as we can see, Jesus humbled Himself, which led to His obedience to His Father's will.  His Father honored and

 "bestowed [upon] Him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9 ESV).

In culmination of all this, we get a surface glance at what humility could look like in anyone who wishes to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord.  Fear of the Lord, reverence, submission to the Lord's will and mercy and grace adornment, for starters.

Godly purposes and principles steer our lives; we see others of equal value; we are able to admit to our mistakes, forgive others and apologize to them.  We take Jesus as our example of humility, and become His obedient servant.

No doubt there is so much more.  He makes all things beautiful in His time, so follow Jesus' footsteps.  As we live like this, I think our clothes of humility will become more vibrant.  

Let's begin this journey today ...

                                                      ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 22:4, Philippians 2:1-10 ESV.

Sing, In His Time, along with the Maranatha Singers.

 

Book Review - The Widow's Vow - By Rachel Brimble - Publication Date: 16 December 2025

 This is a most unusual book for me to read as it fascinated me.  Not that I condone prostitution, but the storyline did give me a better understanding of this way of life and how a woman could come into it.

 The author kept a lively pace laced with suspense and intrigue that kept the story moving forward.  I found the characters, such as Lousia Hill, Nancy, Octavia and Jacob, strong and often fearsome, yet layered with some unexpected genteelness.

 Those readers who do not wish to read of intimate bedroom scenes may wish to be cautious with this narrative.  Other than this, I found the book to be a very satisfactory read.

 

                                                ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                             December 2026

 

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Fresh Fish (John 21 ESV)

 Would you like to have some fresh fish and bread for breakfast?  Jesus BBQ-ed some fish for His disciples at the seashore one morning after He'd risen from the dead.

The five:  Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John had been out all night fishing.  They didn't catch a thing and as they neared land, they saw a man standing on the shore.

He asked them to cast their net out on the right side of the boat.  Wow!  Their net immediately filled with 153 fish.  What a catch!  Then they knew the man was Jesus.

But Jesus had already been grilling some fish.  He asked them to add some of theirs to the mini-breakfast banquet.

Jesus' target was Simon Peter.  He came to where Peter was at.  Whatever mental state Peter was in, quite possibly dying of guilt and sorrow for having publically denying he knew Jesus, that he was actually one of His disciples.  But Jesus knew Peter's true heart.  He'd come to 'fish' Peter the fisherman back through the lure of fish.

And Peter got it.  Then Jesus bridges the gap and gives Peter his personal mission.  A very touching scene that must have impacted John, too.

Once again, Jesus was not only the breakfast chef but the server as well.  He,

"took bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish" (John 21:13 ESV).

He had cooked, fed, and served them.  Likely the men had been hungry after working all night.  Perhaps they were even discouraged.  So Jesus tended to these needs.  Then He addressed the elephant in the room, so to speak, with Peter.

This was such a wonderfully gracious approach Jesus had of restoring Peter in relationship.  It serves us brothers and sisters-in-Christ well now.  Let's remember to serve our fellow believers in Christ 'fresh fish' and treat each other gently even if and when we need to confront issues between and/or among us.

This is the 'kettle of fish' I like.

                                              ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on John 21 ESV.

Sing, Speak Life, along with Toby Mac.

Early Riser (John 20:1-18 ESV)

 

They say that

 "the early bird gets the worm,"

 but what do early risers get?  I think they get the best of the day.  Certainly, Mary Magdalene got the suprize and shock of her life but she also got the privilege of hearing the best news of all time.  She was the privileged one.

She'd gone to Jesus tomb early,

 "while it was still dark" (John 20:1 ESV).  

She saw the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus, NOT there!

She became the messeger of this upsetting-to-her news.  She ran and told Peter and John and they in turn rushed to the tomb to see for themselves.

I can imagine them huffing and puffing after this early morning run.  Examining the linens that had wrapped Jesus in a mummy cocoon and the one that had been around his head, lying separately and neatly folded up.  They seemed to have been dumbfounded about this find.  Bewildered and perplexed, they went home.

But Mary had stayed.  As she mourned and wept, Jesus revealed Himself to her, He called her by name, "Mary."  He'd called this "little sheep" by name and then she knew.  She knew the man she at first mistook for the gardener.  He was actually her Master and Lord, "Rabboni!" she exclaimed.  Then Jesus entrusted her with a message for

 "[his] brothers" (vs 17).

And she goes and says,

 "I have seen the Lord" (vs 18).

  And He had spoken with her!  How blessed she was.

Mary Magdalene had physically seen the Lord.  For us nowadays, we can still see Him with our spiritual eyes.  We can spend time with Him, reading His words, listening to His voice teaching us and calling to us through His Holy Spirit.  How blessed when we hear and listen and obey.  We can be His messengers with the important message of His love and care and salvation.

More than this, this listening and obedience denotes intimacy with Christ.  We can continue to build relationship with Him, perhaps even as an early riser when there are fewer distractions in the quiet hour before dawn.

As the birds begin to wake and sing their songs of praise to the Lord, we too can arise and bring messages of God's love to others because we had sat a while with Jesus, listening and learning.  And when He calls your name, you'll know it's Him, your

 "Lord Jesus, Savior, Friend."

Hallelujah!

                                               ~ ERC November 2025 ~

Based on John 20:1-18 ESV.

Sing, The Love of Jesus, along with Mack Brock.

Sanctified By Truth (John 17:6-20, especially vs 17-20 ESV)

 IT's really interesting that some animals 'wash' their food before eating it.  Racoons are the most well known for this behavior.  Wild boars and rats have also been observed doing this.  I learned that it's more to get a 'feel' for the food to determine its size, shape, and if it is harmless to eat.

Many of us humans wash our vegetables, fruit and meat before cooking and eating them.  We examine them for acceptability, much the same as the animals' behaviour with their food.  It's almost like we are sanctifying it.  We set apart the good bits to eat that hopefully won't make us sick when we do.

Christians are well known for giving thanks to God for their food before eating.  This is seen as another way to sanctify our food.  It acknowledges that we believe God is the ultimate source of our provisions.  They come from Him, and giving Him such thanks, makes it 'holy.'  Further to this, eating can then be seen like an act of worship.

It bothers me very much then, when we give God thanks for our food and then a few mouthfuls in, we begin to complain and criticize the food.  I have been guilty of this.  For this behavior we do need to repent.

Anyone looking on and eavesdropping could be confused.  On one hand Christians give God thanks for their food but in the next breath they are bad-mouthing what they'd just declared thanks for.  It is something to do more than just think about, to rectify this behavior.

But I digress ...

What I really want to focus on is that Jesus, in His prayer for His disciples asks His Father, God, to ...

"Sanctify them through Thy truth:  Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17 KJV).

It's like Jesus 'washes' His disciples with the washing of the water of His Word.  Jesus' act of giving Himself up for the church was also His way to sanctify her, again with the

 "washing of water with the word" (Ephesians 5:26 ESV).

If this is so, how imperative it is for us to continue to read the Word of God.  We were initially sanctified through our salvation. But in the wear and tear of our daily lives we need to be rinsed off again and again.  We do so through the truth of God's Word when we read it and put it into action.

I always like that addendum in John 17 and verse 20, where Jesus adds,

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word" (KJV).

The sanctified eleven had their mission to pass the baton of God's sanctifying truth on to others and all down the ages it has continued to us brothers and sisters-in-Christ today.  May we diligently do likewise until death parts us from this world or until Jesus calls us all up to be with Him forever.

Let's live sanctified lives until then.

                                                    ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on John 17:6-20 KJV, especially vs 17-20.

Sing, Sanctify Us in Your Truth, along with Uplifting Christian Song House of Faith Voices and Purify My Heart, along with Brian Doerksen.

Lord's Day Devotion - No Fault in Him (John 19)

 

Pilate got the last laugh, didn't he, when he had inscribed Jesus' 'crime' above Him as He hung on the cross.

"Jesus of Nazareth The King of the Jews" (John 19:19 KJV).

And He wouldn't back down from that title much to the chief priests' annoyance.  I love how Pilate so firmly answered,

"What I have written I have written" (John 19:22 KJV).

It was written in three languages, no less:  Hebrew, Greek and Latin, incase not everyone could read one or the other.

It was a slap in the chief priest' faces.  Pilate had not found fault in Jesus.

"For I find no fault in Him" (John 19:6 KJV),

he said.

Yet, sadly to save his own skin, he did say, 

" ... take ye Him, and crucify Him ..." (John 19:6 KJV).

Our blameless King of kings, Lord and Savior disposed of so callously.

God so orchestrated all this culmination of events perpetrated by angry jealous, men.  They were the very ones who should have recognized who Jesus was, for His own blessed purposes.

A title meant in mockery to the Jewish leaders and some sort of vindication for the guiltless Jesus, proclaimed and declared, indeed, this Jesus of Nazareth was the King of the Jews.  He was the Messiah they had so longed for, for so long. And here they were, throwing Jesus away.

Today, let's not make the same mistake.  Let's recognize who Jesus really is in our hearts and live accordingly.  Is He really king of your life?  Let's submit our mind, will and emotions to Him.  Let's submit our lives to Him and obediently follow His will and ways daily.

Thank You Jesus for all You went through on our behalf.  All the false accusations, all the angry, hateful remarks and slaps and mockery, not to mention all the physical pain that as fully man, despite also being fully God, You endured for manknd's sake, for our sake.  In Your name we give You our heartfelt thanks.  Amen.

Partake then of the broken bread, drink of the cup of wine this Lord's Day, in remembrance of all this suffering Jesus endured.  Remember too, what He accomplished for us through it all.  His death and resurrection brought us forgiveness of sins and life eternal.

Then live for Him.

                                                   ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on John 19 KJV.

Sing, Christ Our Hope In Life and Death, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

HAIKU - Gray Day

 

Hey!  It's a gray sort

of day but keep looking up.

See Jesus, Savior.

Cloud and sky compete

with sun.  Palm tree frond tops sway,

and whisper, "Sh-h-h!" "Sh-h-h!"

Calm.  Fix your eyes on

Christ.  Have faith.  Have joy, despite

the day.  See Jesus.

Thank You, Heavenly 

Father, we keep looking up

to You.  Gray Day thoughts.

~  ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Sing, Lead Me to the Cross, along with Hillsong.

Promises Tucked Into Our Hearts (John 16:31-33 ESV)

 Sometimes it feels as if we are all alone, as if everyone we know, especially those close to us, has abandoned us.  It triggers self-pity in us.

Those of us who belong to Jesus have a secret.  He is always with us so we are never truly alone.

Jesus Himself could've felt similarly.  He told His disciples that when His hour comes, they would ...

" ...be scattered, each to his own home, and leave me alone ..." (John 16:32 ESV).

Then He continued with this consoling thought.

"Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me."

He gives us the comforting assurance,

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5 ESV).

We can tuck these promises into our hearts.  The next time we feel like people have scattered and scurried away from us, out of touch, out of reach, out of mind, not responding to our phone calls or messages, we can remember,

 "Jesus is with me!"

We can turn to Him and have a chat instead.  Then we can be of good cheer.

                                             ~  ERC  November 2025  ~

Based on John 16:31-33 ESV.

Sing, Refrain:  No, Never Alone, No Never Alone, along with Justus.

Full Joy (John 16:15-24 ESV)

 

Panic, shock, disbelief and relentless sorrow washed over them.  How could this be!?  Their Jesus was dead.  He had been buried and now His tomb was empty and there was no body!

Where was their Jesus?

They couldn't find Him and they wept and lamented.  They tried to figure out what had happened.  It had all been such a bombshell.  Their Jesus had been invincible and performed miracles and rose people up from the dead.  Yet now He was dead and his body had disappeared!

It was a mini-object lesson, so to speak of the here and now.  Jesus had told them He was going away for a while but,

" ... again  a litte while and you will see Me" (John 16:19 ESV)!

When the disciples and Mary and the other women found Jesus, or rather when He had found them in His resurrected state, they rejoiced.  Their ...

" ... sorrow [turned] into joy" (vs 20).

And they spent forty days with Him before He ascended back into Heaven to His Father.  This "going away" has become thousands of years on.  Our hearts join the disciples holding the promise that we will see Him again (see Revelation 22:20).

We can keep our ears open wanting to hear His call to

 "come up" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 ESV).  

We can keep this hope in our hearts and encourage one another with it and let it energize us to do His work until He comes.  We can work so that others will have this hope and joy too.

Lord Jesus, we long to see You again.  We look forward to that time when You  call us, all Your children, up to be with You forever.  Turn our sorrow into joy.  We await this full joy.  Come, Lord Jesus.  We ask in Your name.  Amen.

                                                       ~ ERC  November 2025  ~

Based on John 16:15-24 ESV.

Sing, How Great Thou Art, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church.

No Falling Away (John 16:1-4 ESV)

There’s a saying,

“When life gets tough, the tough get going.”

 But often life gets super tough and the tough do falter.  I don’t think I would fault them for it.

 Even Jesus acknowledged that the disciples would face heat.  He spent patient hours of careful “last words” for them that Passover Feast day. In fact, in John chapters 13-15 we have seen some of what He had been telling them.  There’d be pruning and persecution  and hate, to name some.  There was encouragement to “abide in Him.”

 Now in John 16 and verse 1, more carefully curated words,

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away” (ESV).

 Whether it’s from ‘the heat’ or from apathy in our day and age, let’s keep all Jesus’ words in our hearts.  Let’s hold tightly on to Him, day after day.

 Jesus spoke all those wonderful words of life for a reason - so we would not fall away.  We need to remember these words just as Jesus exhorted the disciples so long ago.

 Granted these things, despite knowing they will happen, can still be shocking to the system when it does descend upon a person.  It’s like knowing, for instance, that your grandfather is very ill in the hospital and that he is breathing his last breaths and the end of his life is near.  Yet when he does expire, the jolt and shock is still there.  Knowing may have padded that reaction some, nevertheless it could still be devastating.

 Similarly knowing of Jesus’ words of warning and how to counter what would come, likely shielded them some.  We do know from reading the rest of the Scriptures, especially Acts, and from what history records, that the disciples (minus Judas Iscariot), did not fall away.  Yes, they had set backs briefly, but they did not fall away.

 Jesus words had been the anchor of their souls. I believe the same can keep us cleaving to the Lord’s side as well.  We may falter some with the jolts and shocks life throws at us, but let’s cling on to Jesus.

 Easier said than done but let’s pray for ourselves and for those around the world who do suffer intense persecution.  Pray that they will not fall away and they will have the courage to stand firm and abide in Christ through it all.  May we each remember Jesus’ words.

 Jesus, help them and help us too.  Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  November 2025  ~

 Based on John 16:1-4 ESV.

 Sing, Christ Our Hope in Life and Death, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

 

Pruned and Persecuted (John 15 ESV)

One of the churches our family has attended in one of the places we’ve lived has recently celebrated their 50^th anniversary.  They had a grand celebration.  Former members were contacted and many were able to attend so it became somewhat of a grand ‘family’ reunion.  Others sent celebratory messages along with updated pictures of themselves.

 For our family, we began attending about 33 years ago.  During those early years of our stay our children were still very young, babies, in fact.  Many of the other members also had babies and toddlers and so these children had happy times splashing about in small “swimming pools,”  attending each others’ birthday parties, and so on, besides, of course, eventually attending Sunday School and youth groups together.

 We lived three rounds in this place.  Babies the first time, then after a gap of several years, we returned when the children were in their teens.  We stayed a handful of years, attending this same church, then moved away, thinking, well, that’s it, we won’t be back except to maybe visit.

 Surprise of all surprises, the Lord brought us back a third time!  This time we are empty nesters.  The children are grown and working elsewhere.  Once again, we are attending this same church.

 Many things have changed but there is a constant.  We are still seeing many of the same faces, those who have continued all these years with faithful service and living for the Lord.  They have seen how the Lord has been faithful to them too throughout the past 50 years.

 As I was reading John 15 today it struck me that the disciples who were constant and faithful to Jesus for those three years since He’d called them to, “Follow me,” were now being called Jesus’ friends.  And He is able to rely on them, He’s trusting them, to be His witnesses,

 “... because you have been with me from the beginning …” (John 15:27 ESV)

 He told them.

 They had been ‘abiding’ and He had had to prune them here and there (see John 15:4).  Now He was expecting fruit.  He loved them and He was telling them He would lay down His life for them.  If they stayed and bore fruit, there would also be persecution, as the world would hate them.  It was just like how the world was treating Jesus and by association, they’d be treated.

 Still, they had Jesus’ assurances and care.  He’d send them a Helper and Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit who would help them to “bear witness” about Jesus.

 Why would Jesus reveal all this to them?  It was, Jesus told them,

 “ … because you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27).

 So too, in which ever local church we may find ourselves ask not what they can give you, but what you can give to Jesus in this particular church*.

 Individuals, as well as the church as a whole, may well be ‘pruned’ and persecuted but will we ‘abide,’ will we faithfully continue to serve the Lord and live as Jesus would?

 Let’s pray we will as we too have the Holy Spirit.  Let’s continue to give good and faithful witness to our Lord and Savior who has faithfully done so much for us.  We love Him because He first loved us (see 1 John 4:19 ESV).

 Let’s remain in Him and be fruitful.

                                               ~  ERC  November 2025  ~

Based on John 15 ESV.

Sing, The Jesus Way, along with Phil Wickham.

*reference - a take off of John F. Kennedy’s 1961 famous statement in his inaugural address.

Jesus' Assurances and Care (John 14:21-31)

The assurances and the care that pulsed through Jesus’ last words to His disciples in the Upper Room show His love for them.  When I read John 14, I can really sense it.  Once again, His comfort pervades and permeates throughout the chapter, even in these few verses (vs 21-31).

 I’ve just read them through four or five times; a bit fast then at slower paces.  Verse 14 I read aloud 3x, phrase by phrase.  It almost makes me weep because of the background scene.  That is, Jesus knew what was coming, because He knows everything, and we know because it is history to us but the disciples themselves were in bewilderment as it was current events unfolding for them.

 In fact, in Jesus’ tender and kind statement in v. 29, He tells them,

“And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe” (KJV).

 I chose the KJV for this verse as I feel the pathos more.  Or maybe it had to do with having memorized this chapter as a teenager and in this version, so it feels ‘like home’.  Whatever, Jesus’ loving care is evidenced here, I believe.

 Then vs 27, sorry I’m flipping back and forth a bit, is a crowning jewel, and the one to read slowly a few times in a row …

“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” (ESV).

 Peace but

 “... not as the world gives.”

 In a war-torn world, people are constantly seeking peace.  Peace accords, peace treaties, and peace agreements that are easily broken the instant dry kindling is sparked; seemingly the order of the day.  It's short-lived, man made peace, sadly and devastatingly so!

 But the peace Jesus gives passes all understanding and can keep our hearts and minds in Him despite mammoth and miniscule disturbances of our circumstances (see Philippians 4:6 & 7).  And too, would it for the disciples who as yet did not realize the huge cement truck hurtling towards them (so to speak).

 Neither do we know what’s coming to us in our life.  We may have inklings and a sense of impending doom and troubles but mooring ourselves to the peace Jesus gives will keep us from having troubled hearts and from being afraid.

 Easier said than done, but let’s put these into our minds and hearts now before any monumental occurrences occur in our lives.  Let’s keep Jesus’ assurances and loving care in our hearts and be at peace.

 Father God, life on earth can be, well, earth-shattering.  But your children are glad and thankful for the peace that Jesus assures us of.  That’s Your peace You brokered through Jesus.  May we ever be conscious of this state of being we can have through Him as we navigate through the storms of life.  Only in You and Your Son Jesus can we have this steadying and sustaining peace anchoring our souls.  Thank You, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  October 2025  ~

Based on John 14:21-31 KJV/ESV

Sing, Peace!  Peace!  Wonderful Peace, along with Vaigle Brothers.