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.

 

All People Will Know (John 13:1-20, 35 especially vs 9 ESV)

 

Has anyone ever washed your feet?  No doubt your parents may have when you were a baby but I mean in your more grown up state.  To be literal, I mean foot washing like what Jesus did.

I don't recall anyone ever washing mine.  It would feel weird to me, I think.  Especially since I can't stand anyone messing with my feet, unless of course, it's for reflexology.

Once upon a time at a gathering of sisters who had created a sort of indoor fun fair there was such opportunity.  There was a table for nail polishing, a photo booth with dress-up props, and more.  Among the stations that seemed to be rather popular, was the reflexology corner.

It was quite an experience to be the 'reflexologist'-of-the day.  I hadn't had any formal training at all.  I was just copying what I'd had done for me by professionals.

This was just 'for fun' but the reactions of the ladies who came for their foot rub was so touching.  There was actually someone who would touch their feet that were in whatever state they were at the time!  They were touched in their hearts by it.  It turned out to be quite one of the best times.  The ladies had good chats, not gossipy ones but that which showed genuine camaraderie.

It could have been a time to pray for the one having their foot rub respectively but I'd lost the opportunity to 'wash their feet' in this way.  It is a regret from that time.  Hopefully, just the actions helped some one of them towards the Lord anyway.

So I think Simon Peter felt it was weird to have Jesus wash his and the other disciples' feet.  I really get a kick out of what he says.  It always makes me laugh.

"Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head" (John 13:9 ESV).

Peter had likely missed the point but I wonder if Jesus smiled in amusement.  But He did graciously reply.  Actually it was a very serious moment as there was a traitor in their midst.  Yet Jesus had washed all of the twelve's feet.  

I believe there are ways to wash peoples' feet even if it is not in the literal sense.  To show hospitality to someone in need, to lend a helping hand here and there to fill in a gap and so on.  No doubt you can think of countless ways and not expecting return favors.

When we show our humility, profound care and love for others, we are doing as Jesus would do.  Jesus, our Master and Lord, set our example of "true fasting" and Christian living (see Isaiah 58:6-11). Let's treat one another similarly so that

"by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" said Jesus (John 13:35 ESV).

Let's do so in Jesus' name.

                                                ~  ERC  October 2025  ~

Based on John 13:1-20, 35 and especially vs 9 ESV. 

Sing, A New Commandment, along with Chet Valley Churches.

Book Review - From A to Y Vietnamese - By Amy Dang - Publication Date: 20 November 2025

 In my opinion this multicultural interest, children's book is aimed at young children and those wishing to learn some Vietnamese.  This book features simple sentences, and various words of vocabulary per letter of their alphabet.  Words are given in both Vietnamese and English accompanied by cute little illustrations.  A glossary of Vietnamese words used in this book appears at book's end.  I didn't find it all that interesting but it may have some appeal for very young children.

                                          ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                       November 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.

HAIKU - Follow and Serve (John 12:20-50 ESV)

 

Belief in Jesus

Is belief in God, who sent

Him.  Servant of Christ

Walk while you have

the Light.  Die to self like a

grain of wheat in ground.

Now, follow Master

Jesus.  Where Master is so

is servant.  Serve Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we look up to you believing in You through Your son Jesus.  May we now faithfully follow our Master Jesus as His servant and serve Him well.  In Him we have eternal life.  We believe Him because He is telling us what You told Him in the first place.  We know we can trust His words too.  Help us to die in the ground, so to speak, like a grain of wheat that needs to die to live and flourish.  Lead, guide, direct and convict us through Your Holy Spirit.  May we then follow Jesus and serve Him well.  We ask in Jesus our Master's name.  Amen.

                                              ~  ERC  October 2025  ~

Based on John 12:20-50, especially vs. 44, 36, and 26 ESV.

Sing, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, along with Phil Wickham.

Lord's Day Devotion - HAIKU - I Am He ( John 18 ESV)

 

Father God, through Jesus we have the words and action of love and eternal life.

 

"Whom do you seek?"  He

asked. "Jesus of Nazareth,"

was their reply.  Oh!

"I am He."  Power-

-ful words.  Backwards they fall to

the ground.  "I am He."

Angry, jealous men,

seeking Jesus.  Not in faith.

Full of malice.  Hate.

Slice!  Servant's ear cut

off.  Peter's sword defending.

"Put it away."  NOW.

Jesus, the I am,

must drink the cup His Father

gave Him.  Guiltless one.

"No fault in Him," said

Pilate.  Choice.  Choose Jesus or the

robber.  "Not this man."

Barabbas, sinful.

Jesus the sinless King of

the Jews.  "The I AM."

What is truth?  Whom do

you seek?  Now is the time to

choose, Jesus only.

Thank You Jesus for who you are, our selfless, sinless Savior.  We remember You this Lord's Day in the breaking of bread and the drinking of the cup.  Thank You for Your sacrifice.  Amen.

                                                     ~ ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on John 18 ESV.

Sing, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, along with Hadleigh Baptist Church.

HAIKU - The Donkey Ride (John 12:12-19 ESV)

 

On a young donkey

Into Jerusalem did

Jesus ride.  Hee-haw.

The people brayed, "Ho -

-sanna.  Blessed be Jesus, 

...the King of Israel."

Their King was coming

In the name of the Lord, "Fear

not."  Glorious day.

Daughter of Zion

Rejoice.  Be glad.  Jesus comes.

Bray, "hearts full of praise."

Palm branches wilted. 

"Crucify Him," by week's end

was heard.  Somber day.

Jesus glorified,

Disciples remember His

words from donkey ride.

~  ERC  October 2025  ~

Based on John 12:12-19 ESV.

Sing, Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest, along with Chet Valley Church, and There Once Was a Wild Little Donkey, along with  Bible Truth Publishers.

Resurrection and Life (John 11:1-27 esp vs 25 ESV)

 

Jesus was so many things, or should we say, 'I am's'.  He plainly said, "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world," "I am the door of the sheep," and "I am the good shepherd" (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9, 11 and 14).  Here in John 11 it's recorded that He states,

 "I am the resurrection and the life" (vs 25).  

Jesus was the embodiment of all those analogies.  If one mediates on each aspect of Jesus' "I am's" one will gain a greater picture of who He is and His life's purpose  on earth.  And further to these listed, if one continues to read through the book of John one will discover other "I am's."

For now, let's look at Jesus being the "resurrection and the life."  It is such a moving scene as we read John 11:1-27.  Our tears can actually join Mary, Martha and Jesus'.  They wept and mourned their loss.  The sisters knew they'd see Lazarus of Bethany again, "at the resurrection" - that great day sometime in the future that felt distant.

It was some comfort for them.  But the 'here and now' was almost unbearable.  On top of that they'd notified Jesus when Lazarus was so sick.  But He hadn't shown up.

What was that all about?  They had been so close!  He wasn't that far away.  They knew He could have done something about it but He hadn't.

"Lord, he whom you love is ill." (v.3). 

was the urgent message they sent to Him.

And Martha said,

"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died ..." (vs 21).

When Mary meets Jesus she says the same thing - having fallen at His feet in such sorrow and perhaps hurt, and trying desparately to understand WHY?  Why hadn't  He come sooner?!  Why only come now when it was seemingly too late.

Jesus being the resurrection and life had a more momentus part of His identity to reveal.  I believe it was also to emphasize even all down throughout the ages since then, to us today, that there really and truly is such a thing as resurrection and people can and do come back to life in His good timing.

And so Jesus commanded in a loud voice,

 "Lazarus, come out" (vs 43).

What joy must have ensued.  Perhaps then, there were tears of happiness.  

Resurrection.

Life.

Let us not lose these two "I am's" about Jesus in the joy of having the healing and/or the resuccitation earthly doctors and their machines can give and through the prayers of righteous men.  Let's remember it is the power of Jesus Christ because He is the resurreciton and the life.

We do look forward still to that great day when we hear the call from Jesus to go up to be with Him forever with that everlasting life only He can give.  We will meet those who were

 "dead in Christ" again. 

 We will be ... 

"Caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air ..."                   (see 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 ESV).

Despite our grief and loss of loved ones, we can still look forward to this day because Jesus is our Resurrection and Life.  It is comforting.  

It is encouraging.

                                                   ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on John 11:1-27 especially vs 25 ESV.

Sing, Soon and Very Soon, along with Andrae Crouch. and Christ Our Hope in Life and Death, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

                

Many Believe In Him (John 10:40-42 ESV)

 

That's it!  That's what you have to do!  You have to ascertain if whatever is said about Jesus is true or not.

Look at who the messenger is.  Is he reliable, a person of integrity?   Someone like what preacher and evangelist Billy Graham had been.  But the messenger doesn't even have to be of such worldwide reknown, it could be the quiet brother or sister-in-Christ who is almost invisible to others.  Even so, whomever the messenger, prove their words.  The many who came to see Jesus in that place by the Jordan River where John the Baptizer had been baptizing repentant people, came to believe.  Why so?  Because they respected John the Baptizer, so they trusted John the Baptizer's words.  Nevertheless they did check it out for themselves.  This is known as noble character.

Their conclusion was,

"...everything John said about this man was true."

That caused many of them to believe in Jesus right then and there.

Some of the things we know that John the Baptizer said about Jesus is that

 "He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).  

He also said Jesus was greater than him and that he wasn't even worthy to unlatch Jesus' sandals.

In those days, the servants' servant would be the one to wash peoples' feet and deal with their footwear.  These people believed John the Baptizer to be great.  Yet John the Baptizer put himself in a position as a very lowly, lowly servant (according to the society's perspective of those times).  Therefore, how ever more shocking the contrast in superiority Jesus was placed by John the Baptizer for the throngs who came to him and heard his words.

Actually John the Baptizer didn't place Jesus there,  Jesus was already superior.  However, I state it this way as I believe it would be how the general populace of those times would have been able to relate and view Jesus' position of great importance - a VVIP.

And these people were as noble as the Bereans of Paul's acquaintance (see Acts 17:11).  The Bereans had been described as being "noble" because they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying about Jesus, was true.

Truth seekers were some of the people who had come to see Jesus out there by the Jordan River.  They too wanted to check it out for themselves.

So I hope that nowadays, we too, will search the Scriptures to see, learn, know understand and accept that everything said about Jesus, based on Scripture, is true.  May many then believe in Him wherever they are in this world.

Amen.

                                             ~  ERC  October 2025  ~

Based on John 10:40-42 ESV.

Sing, I Believe In Jesus, along with Keith Matthew.

Where Poppies Blow

 

They say 'Remembrance Day' in Canada and 'Veterans Day' in the USA or even as it's sometimes called in the UK, 'Armistice Day'.  Whichever, it originally was to commemorate the end of WWI at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November 1918.  

What a bittersweet day that must have been!  Gladness that fighting had stopped.  But, oh, the awfulness of the effects on families!  The loss of their husbands, fathers, and brothers, devastating across all sides of the war.  Then those who did come home, maimed, wounded physically but also mentally, emotionally.  How to withstand all that fallout?!

Sights and smells seen, sounds heard that could never be undone.  The actions of war forced upon men, even the courageous women who served, who would otherwise have been peace-loving and even gentle.  Catastrophic!

Nowadays I think that this day, also, sometimes referred to as 'Memorial Day,' is remembering those from other wars, such as:  WWII, the Gulf War, those who spent time in Iraq, Afghanistan and more.  It is a remembering those who've given their lives for "the cause."  Remembering, lest we forget them and lest later generations will not know - so they can be educated about it and hopefully avoid warmongering in future.

The poppy flower is a glowing red reminder worn on lapels; leaf at the 11 o'clock postition, with the true position and and respect.  Two minute silences for personal reflection, at 11 a.m.  Some visit memorials, searching for their beloved ones' names; stand straight and remember.

One of the most famous poems, written incidently by a Canadian, is 'In Flanders Fields'.  John McCrae, in his personal grief of his friend and fellow soldier who was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium (you can look it up), as he looked at the field of blood bath where poppies had suddenly sprung up overnight, was inspired to write the poem.

The cost of human life and the depredation that ravages the war-torn areas is horrendous.  It is awful to remember and contemplate, even such a one as I who have, thankfully, never experienced firsthand.  What more, those who have!

We can remember both the soldiers and those civilians in those areas who were daily affected, and maybe never asked for it to happen.  They often died in the crosshairs.  So remember those who've given their lives that others may live in freedom and be unaffected by such decimation and ruination, horrors and terrors unnumbered.

It can put us in mind too of the One who was bullied and ganged up upon.  Jesus, who gave His life for ALL mankind.  He died for all of us, that we might live.  And not to just live, not just to survive, but to live in freedom.  Freedom from our sins and their eternal consequences.

Before His death, Jesus instituted at the Last Supper, the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup of wine.  He gave them as symbols to what He would accomplish on the cross and through His death and resurrection.  He asked His disciple to do so

 "in rememberance of me" (see Luke 22:15-20, especially vs 19,                                      and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

So we weekly remember all He has done for us through His death and resurrection.  He now lives for us in glory.  But we remember this act of love that gives us our freedom in Christ.  He was once dead but is alive forevermore.  Stop and reflect, then give thanks.  Praise the Lord.  Sing Hallelujah!  Lest we forget.

                                                         ~  ERC  November 2025 ~

Based on Luke 22:15-20, especially vs 19, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

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

Lord's Day Devotion - Conversation With Jesus (John 17:1-4 KJV)

 "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee:  as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (John 17:1 & 2 KJV).

Our almighty Father God has given Jesus His Son power to bring salvation and eternal life to "all flesh," bringing glory to the Father.  Many will be given to Him.

Even Jesus looked up to His Father, lifting His eyes up to heaven.  And He communed and spoke with His Father.  An endearing relationship, I'd say.

Trust.  Submission to His Father's will on behalf of the human kind they had created intrinsically together.  They did this specifically for their good and benefit, showing their grace, goodness and mercy, not to mention love.  That which His Father had entrusted to Him, He had accomplished, thus glorifying His Father.

What speaks to me most is the intimate conversation Jesus has with His Father.  A relationship built up over infinite millenia of eternity and time, comforable and transparent.

Together with Jesus now, we too can experience this trusting and joyful relationship.  We can build it up over time and then look forward to eternity to come.  There can be devotion to Him.  We can learn His supportiveness, benevolence and compassion.  He can be our confidant and gain understanding of who He is and what He has done for us, imbibing His kindness and care, which surrounds and cradles us in an ever loving cocoon.  On gray days and sunny days we can have this connection as we keep looking up to Him.

Let's remember all this as we meet together on Lord's Day to remember Him in His death and resurrection and all He has accomplished on our behalf.  And even as Jesus glorified His Fathr, so may we glorify Him by our life, living to please Him in all we do and say.

Lord Jesus, we look up to You, thanking You for all You have done for us in atoning for our souls and then the life we can have in You for all our days to come, present and future.  We want to have on-going conversations, to commune with You as You did with Your all powerful Father.  In Your precious name we pray, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                        ~  ERC  November 2025  ~

Based on John 17:1-4 KJV.

Sing, I Want to Know You, along with City Alight and Sweet Hour of Prayer, along with the Vaigle Brothers.

Reminders (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

 Communicating with our Heavenly Father, God is not a difficult task.  In fact, it isn't a task at all.  'Task' implies work that can become something bothersome to me.  Rather, this communication most call 'prayer,' can be a pleasant and joyful activity.  Conversations with God are beneficial and satisfying.

And when we converse and commune with Him we can rejoice, we can give thanks for everything, even as mundane as a place to park our car at the supermarket or downtown in your city where parking spaces are almost invariably at a premium.

There's always something to pray about as we can let these reminders remind us:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

After all, God's ear is always open to hear us and when we call Him, He'll answer (see Jeremiah 33:3).  Talk with Him.  He wants to hear from you.  We can have easy and intimate conversations with Him.  

Jesus, we adore You.  We rejoice that You are our Savior.  Thank You.

                                                 ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV.  Also loosely on Step 4 of 50 Steps With Jesus by Dr. Ron and Marsha harvell with Wendy K. Walters.

Sing, What  Friend We Have in Jesus, along with Alan Jackson.

Once Blind (John 9 especially verse 7 & 37 ESV)

 An ill person, or one who is physically incapacitated, would not quibble about the day of the week they'd gotten healed.  They were healed and they'd be glad and rejoice, I should think.  Even their families would be glad; at least, normally speaking.

But when Jesus healed the man who had been blind from birth on the Sabbath Day, it radicalized the day.  The religious leaders were affronted and it set them into a frenzy of interrogation.

The neighbors couldn't believe it and questioned whether it was the same man or not.  Worse still, in fear of the Jews, his parents bailed on him, telling the Pharisees to go and ask him himself because he was "of age."  The man eventually gets cast out of the community.

This should have been the best day of that man's life but how awful it had become!  Yet Jesus in His compassion finds the man after hearing he'd been cast out.  Ironically, the man was now at the point of utmost need.  And Jesus meets him.

In verse 7 of this 9th chapter of John we read that the "once blind" man went to wash in the pool of Siloam as Jesus had instructed him to do.

"So he went and washed and came back seeing."

What a miracle!

Isn't it a truly amazing and astounding happening!?

But the Pharisees' quibble was the day of the week Jesus had healed the man - the Sabbath.  Oh they were legalistic defenders of the Law and no matter the case, they would hypocritically, not bend the rules for Jesus.

Jesus really liked to get under their skin.  He was surely earning their attention.  He wanted to show them a better way.  The way of grace and mercy and a leading towards His purpose in coming to earth.  It also showed that He was no ordinary man.  If they would only stop and ponder on this amazing miracle and who it was who had performed it and who it was who was in their midst!

But they didn't and so the leaders became callously heartless.

So when Jesus meets up with the cast out, once blind, now seeing man, He asks,

"Do you believe in the Son of Man" (vs 35)?

The man asks who that would be so that he could believe.  Jesus answers,

"You have see Him, and it is He who is speaking to you" (vs 37).

Wow!  Among the first things for this once blind man to see, is Jesus Himself, His Healer.  Jesus had allowed,

"the works of God to be displayed in him" (vs3)

How awesome is that!

Now he could see physically as well as spiritually, 

"Lord, I believe" (vs 38).

he declared.   His day had had a wondrous ending after all and it caused the man to worship Jesus (vs. 38).

Meanwhile the seeing Pharisees were still blind.

Let's overcome legalistic chains and see the heart of God and His Son Jesus Christ.  'Open the eyes of our hearts,' as a line of a song goes.  Let's see Jesus for who He is, believe in Him and believe Him, no matter the day of the week.

Father God, may the eyes of our hearts be opened to You that we may see you.  Give us clear spiritual sight to see and know You and to believe in Your Son Jesus.  Then we can bow down and worship You.  Use us then to display Your works.  In Jesus' name we ask, Amen.

                                                                ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on John 9:7 & 37 ESV.

Sing, Open the Eyes of My Heart (I Want to See You), along with Michael W. Smith.

Focus or Fact (1 John 3:1; 4:7-11 and 19 ESV)

 

Is love a fact or a feeling?

When we think in terms of God, then I'd say it's a fact.  God demonstrated His love towards us by sending His only begotten Son into this world of darkness (see John 3:16 and 1 John 4:9).

Jesus bought our pardon and presented us with the gift of salvation.  This is fact.  Absorb it into your thinking and heart.

Once this fact is absorbed, we can know, understand and have the feeling of being truly loved.  This love that goes all out and spares no expense.

It puts me in mind of one of those traditional old pieces - hymns of yore - entitled "The Love of God."

The first stanza's opening lines reads,

"The love of God is greater far 

Than tongue or pen can ever tell ..."

Surely we do have some challenge to describe God's love.  The author of this hymn, Frederick M. Lehman (at least the first two stanzas), does do some justice to it.  He uses such words as,

"Measureless, strong, forever endures, goes beyond, reaches to lowest hell, reconciles, pardons sin, redeems; redeeming grace, and can never drain the ocean of it dry"

to name a few.  Look the hymn up and read the lyrics.

The focus verses say God's love was

"bestowed upon us" (1 John 3:1). 

Because of His love and our acceptance of His salvation, God's love causes us to be

 "called children of God" (1 John 3:1).

When we love God (because He first loved us - 1 John 4:10) then His love causes us to love others, even our enemies.  We will come to know God because He is love.

God's love created the action of love which accomplished propititaion for our sins through His Son Jesus.  With this appeasement and price for our sins met, then we

 "ought to love one another."  

This is what God's love does.

So when we focus on the fact and not the feelings we will be able to recoup our first love.  That is, we often feel dry in our souls due relying on feelings.  "Oh yes, I love the Lord," but our love for Him often becomes variegated.  We need to remember His love for us is steadfast, immovable and immeasurable.

So we need to go back to fact.  Yes, God loves us.  Jesus loves us.  He demonstrated His love for us at great cost to Himself.

Let's think on these things.

                                                      ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on 1 John 3:1; 4:7-11 and 19.  Loosely based on Step 3 God Loves You from 50 Steps With Jesus.  Authors Dr. Ron and Marsha harvell with Wendy K. Walters.

Sing, The Love of God is Greater Far, along with the Gaithers.

Book Review - The Fault Between Us - By Stephanie Landsem - Publication Date: 4 November 2025

 

Being a lover of puns, this book title caught my eye.  I appreicated it even more as I read through this faith-based, historical work of fiction.  I believe that Stephanie Landsem, the author, has done a good job, working at the multi-pronged areas of 'fault'.

Siblings Bridget, Claire and Frannie provide interesting fodder with the faults between them.  Then the earthquake created a fault of another kind.  Meanwhile, throw in Red and a marital relationship and you've got yet another 'faulty' recipe for perceived strife.

In my opinion, Landsem has developed the tension well, creating suspense and anxiety enough to disturb potential readers keeping them clinging on for dear life, hoping for happy outcome.  One aspect I really valued while reading this book was the backbone of prayer helping to bind the characters together and the acknowledgement that God hears and helps.  I give a 'thumbs up' to this.

                                                 ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                           June 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.

The World of Light (John 8:12 ESV/CUV)

 Jesus lights the world because He is light.  It's interesting to note the direct translation from Chinese to English, which if Google translate is to be trusted, connotes, Jesus as saying,

"I am the world of light."  By contrast, "earth is the world of darkness."

Our world certainly needs Jesus, Light of the world.  He brought His world of light with Him, or rather He is Light.  He came that we may have His light.  When we follow Him we won't 

"walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12 ESV).

What a blessing Jesus is to us!  We all know the uncomfortableness of pitch black darkness.  When the power goes off in the dead of night and lights are turned off, or if you've ever experienced being down in a coal mine and they turn off the lights, you'll know that unearthly feeling of darkness that creeps over you in cold hard horror.

You almost beg, or maybe you do beg, for lights to be turned on again.  I believe there are people begging for the light of Jesus.  They want to step into His world of Light.  Let's be ready to turn on the 'light switch' for them!

Jesus did tell His disciples they were the light of the world and to let it shine.  He wanted them to show their faith in Him.  They had been set alight by Jesus, THE Light of the world.  Now they could shine their light for Him.  They were to light the way so that those of darkness could also find their way to Jesus.

Jesus, Light of the world, thank You for coming.  It must not have been easy for You but you sacrificed for us.  You stepped into our darkness so that we could have the Light of life.  For this we praise You.

Help us now to shed Your light abroad, not just in our hearts but to shine forth in our 'corners' and niches of the world to be Your Light and bring Your light to those still in darkness. May we shine well for You.  Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  October  2025  ~

Based on John 8:12 ESV and CUV.

Sing, Shine, Jesus Shine (Lord, The Light of Your Love), along with Graham Kendrick.

Consolation and Good Cheer (Psalm 94:19 & 22; Philippians 4:6 & & ESV)

 

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul ... But the LORD has become my stronghold and my God the rock of my refuge" (Psalm 94:19 & 22 ESV).

Looks like when we turn to the Lord and trust Him, our cares and anxieties are minimized and He brings good cheer to our hearts and minds.

Anxiety can really mushroom in our hearts and minds when we dwell on them, rehash them, talk about them.  And like a plant being watered, tended and cared for, those cares will grow and flourish.

But the Lord doesn't want us bowed down with such disturbed minds and hearts.  He wants to console us.  He wants to cheer our hearts.  He wants us to let Him become our stronghold, rock and refuge. 

In Him there is safety for our souls, minds and hearts.  We can tend and grow 'real' plants that bring us peacefulness despite distrubting situations instead of the weeds of worry.

Our God and Heavenly Father, in You we can put our trust.  Thank You for the consolation that brings good cheer to our souls when we actually do put our trust in You. Many things do disturb us but we are glad You promise to be our stronghold and refuge.  You bring us peace of mind and heart and we can depend upon Your steadfastness.  For all of this we give You our thanks in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  October 2025 ~

Based on Palms 94:19 & 22 ESV and Philippians 4:6-7 ESV, along with You Version Playing in the Dirt Devotion Day 9.

Sing, A Mightly Fortress is Our God, along with Reawaken Hymns.