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Listen while you read: "Happy The Home When God Is There"1 (Lyrics) |
Recently, I have been sharing my devotional writings with the people at work. I have had people ask me, "How you do it?" "Where do the ideas come from?" "How long does it take to write one?" "Can you write one about this or about that?" or "Here is an idea that you can write about." All of these are very good points, except that I find myself giving one simple reply: "It just comes to me." But we know that it really isn't that simple, and from my perspective, it isn't an accurate statement. The inspiration is given to me as a believer in Christ: nothing is my own; I was bought at a price.
It comes from time spent with Jesus; it comes from reading my Bible and spending time in a relationship with Him. I can fool myself and say, "Oh, I am in a dry spell right now," when I don't have anything to write about, or I don't have the time, or I don't feel like writing. When it comes down to it, I never have time, and if I waited until I felt like it, it would probably never happen. As for the dry spell, that comes from not spending time in the Word and not developing my relationship with Jesus. The truth of the matter is that it is God-breathed and God-inspired. How do I know that? If you were to read notes and messages that I leave at work, you would see words missing and sentences that don't make any sense at times. When God gives it to me to write, I just know that I know it is from Him. His topics are clear and precise. I get into difficulty when I fail to hear how He wants it written and how He wants it shared. This is where the editors come in, and I have to trust that they are in a relationship with Jesus and giving advice based on that.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJV)
For me, I just know in my heart that Jesus wants me to share. It stays with me, and I have learned to stop what I am doing and sit down and put it on paper. Sometimes, I can write the whole devotional in a mere few minutes — that's Jesus. Other times, it's just a thought or a Scripture that develops over time into a devotional. So to say "It just comes" is not giving credit to the One who gives it to me. From now on, I need to be saying that it comes from the heart of Jesus to me. I write it down, and people are blessed and challenged in their walk. And as I have learned, lives are changed because of Him.
Believe me, there is something for each of us that God has put into our lives to do. So whatever it is, find out if you don't know, and begin to do it with Him as the centre. If you are already on track, then continue to follow His lead in your life and bless others.
1 Corinthians 7:24 – So, dear brothers and sisters, whatever situation you were in when you became a believer, stay there in your new relationship with God. (NLT)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Spirit Who lives within us. Without Your Spirit, we are just flesh. Help us daily to shed the flesh and put on Your garments of love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Worldwide — Pray that those who lead youth groups in the Worldwide church may be given energy and wisdom as they help the youth to mature in their faith and to invite their friends to join them. Pray that the youth may find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in God, and that He may empower our churches to provide good pastoral care and places for them to serve.
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
Beautifully written.
I concur wholeheartedly Julie. Well written.
Beautiful. This perfectly reflects my thinking and inspiration. Thanks.
Thank you Julie, I needed these encouraging words this morning. Blessings.
I sensed your style long before I got to your name — love it and confirms something for a friend. Thanks.
Thanks for this message. My question is could GIVING A HELPING HAND be a man divine purpose on earth?
Thank you. Julie. It is so true that the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, assists us in what we write. You have explained it so well. May God continue to bless you.
Dear Julie;
I know exactly what you are talking about! Been there and done that! Thanks be to God, Who still continues to inspire!
Hi Julie
As always, a thought-provoking message. Beautifully written and, definitely, taken to heart. I think I’ve just had a moment of ‘looking in the mirror’!
Thanks Julie.,
In our choir we sing an anthem wherein the line “All things come of thee..” is repeated throughout. And that about sums up from where we all get the good things. As an avid Bible reader I cannot agree more.
Blessings.
Julie, this is beautiful. It expresses exactly to a ‘t’ how I feel when people ask me the same question. I too used to say, “It just comes,” but like you, I have had to amend that statement, at least in part. Yes, ‘it just comes,’ but not from my brain, rather from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when He wants to share a particular thought or idea with one or more of His children.
Bless you!
Hi Julie,
I could not agree more, people have asked me too, “How do you come up with this stuff? And then I say “Well it comes to me” But I too know that there is more to it than that. We are guided by the Holy Spirit — that is my feeling. I have had people suggest a subject but then it does not work, it comes from inside of me at the oddest times, while cutting the lawn or awake in the middle of the night, I know I am being guided.
Thank you for your good words today
Good morning Julie.
Thank you so much for today’s thought of the day and the devotional. I enjoy all of them but today I needed the encouragement. I am doing crafts for our VBS and yesterday’s didn’t go as well as I had hoped. Today is another day and I will keep going. With kids in Grade 3 to 6 it is hard to please them all but as long as they learn about God’s love that is the most important thing they can take home.
Thanks again.
Such truth Julie, the words we write must be inspired by God. I know without that inspiration I cannot write a devotional. I too have been going through a long dry spell ever since my hubby passed several years ago & other deaths in the family which I have had to face. There are days when I feel I should get back to writing devotionals again, & I think there is much truth in what you say, when we don’t study the word faithfully & spend quality time with the Lord, things tend to dry up. One day it will happen when I least expect it.
Thank you for your devotional today which has prompted me to respond.
WOW .. so true and so powerful when stop and reflect! Keep engaging and listening Julie.
Blessings.
Thank you so much for this message. It confirms the message I wrote on my own blog yesterday. God is good. He used your message today to help me out of a dry spell in my writing. Many blessings to you.
Oh, Julie,
I needed this devotional in the worst way. Thank you for reminding me to listen to that “Still Small Voice” rather than go in my own direction. This is an absolutely saved devotional. Thank you again and may God richly bless you.