Author: Kristi Wilson

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More Sunrises

More of my friends see the sunset than they do the sunrise. Not everyone is an early riser and that’s ok, but I love starting my day by seeing the sunrise.

It is a constant reminder of the goodness of God. No words are needed as the sun begins to appear above the horizon. I particularly love the way it casts a golden glow on the mountains to the west of our home.

I can hear the Lord saying, “Welcome to this beautiful day I have planned for you”.

I think this morning’s Psalm was written for me, and the millions like me, who enjoy the majesty of the God’s glory in the morning.

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. 2 Day and night they keep on telling about God. 3-4 Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it 5 and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! 6 The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat.

7-8 God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. 9 God’s laws are pure, eternal, just. 10 They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. 11 For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them.

12 But how can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 And keep me from deliberate wrongs; help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be free of guilt and innocent of some great crime.

14 May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19 TLB

Let the words of this Psalm be our morning prayer. Trust God’s word to be our instruction, protection, and joy keeping us from wrong doing.

Lord, let my words be pleasing to you!

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A Godly Interruption

Yesterday we saw how the Lord has instructed us to be gentle and kind to everyone.

Are you looking to be set-up by God today? You know, those “chance” meetings, wondering about people you used to be close with, just being in the right place at the right time.

God’s set-ups!

Philip was open to God using him. When Saul started persecuting the Chrisitans in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria to preach there. Then one day the Lord told him to go south of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. Philip obeyed.

There he met a high official in Egypt’s political system. The man was reading the book of Isaiah but didn’t really understand what he was reading.

“The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ 30 So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’

31 The man answered, ‘How can I understand? I need someone to explain it to me.’ Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him… The official said to Philip, ‘Please, tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?’ 35 Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:29-35 ERV

There are people all around us waiting for someone to be their Philip. We need to slow down from our own demanding schedules and allow the Lord to direct us to them.

Maybe the Lord will have you pay for someone’s groceries or pay for their meal at a restaurant. He could ask you to assist them by mowing a lawn or helping change a tire. I hardly ever, hardly ever, give money to those with signs on street corners but occasionally the Lord prompts my heart so strongly that I know I just have too.

It might be as simple as giving someone a smile and a God bless you. It might be asking someone how they are doing and really listening to their answer. Philip was listening, he heard the man and then he asked a question.

It’s the Father’s job to prepare hearts but it’s our job to be prepared to be obedient when He calls on us to be a part of a godly interruption.

Are any of you praying for the Lord to send someone to minister to your children or a dear friend? What if that person is too busy? Maybe we are the answer to someone’s prayer for their loved one. Are we ready?

When we take time to listen to the Father, He can use us to be the answer to someone’s prayer!

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We Have a Message

Eighteen months ago, Dave and I took the trip of a lifetime. We spent the month of September in Greece. (We are planning on returning to Greece again in the Summer of 2026)

Anyway, one of the islands we visited was Crete. Crete is the largest island in Greece and played a significant role in World War II. But more importantly, it was a central hub for Christianity in the first few centuries after Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

Paul traveled to Crete and evangelized there. When it was time for Paul to travel on, he left Titus, a young protege, there to continue the work of the ministry.

“To Titus, a true son to me in the faith we share together. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 I left you in Crete so that you could finish doing what still needed to be done. And I also left you there so that you could choose men to be elders in every town.” Titus 1:2-5 ERV

In Heraklion, the capital city, we visited the Church of Titus. It’s not merely a tourist attraction; it is a place of worship. A place where visitors and locals stop in to pray, a place where regular worship services are conducted. A place where one can sense the presence of the Lord.

This morning, I sat here having my morning conversation with the Lord. I asked Him to form my thoughts and words. I want Him to be honored and glorified through my life and these writings of Paul to Titus came to mind.

Certainly, a mandate for living a godly life.

“Tell them not to speak evil of anyone but to live in peace with others. They should be gentle and polite to everyone.

3 In the past we were foolish too. We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to the many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed. We lived doing evil and being jealous. People hated us and we hated each other. 4 But then the kindness and love of God our Savior was made known. 5 He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things we did. He saved us through the washing that made us new people. He saved us by making us new through the Holy Spirit. 6 God poured out to us that Holy Spirit fully through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends. 8 This is a true statement.

And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” Titus 3:2-8 ERV

Be careful to use our lives for doing good! What a mandate.

I am more aware now than ever before that the Lord wants us to use our lives for His honor and glory. He has equipped us to be His ambassadors on earth.

“…And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him. 19 For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. 20 We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. 21 For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us! II Corinthians 5:18-21 TLB

What a message we have to convey. God put all our sin on Christ and in exchange He poured all of His goodness, His righteousness, into us!

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The Right Mindset

Looking up – it isn’t a one-time experience or occasional reminder; it is a daily practice.

When Jesus lived on earth, He was limited to the same human traits as we are. He got tired and needed rest, he got hungry and thirsty. He faced rejection by His family, peers and religious elite. He grieved the death of a friend.

However, He overcame those limitations by His faith and trust in the promises of God’s word. He learned the Scriptures as a boy, and He lived them as a man.

When Satan came to tempt Him in His time of weakness Jesus answered him with the word of God. It is written, it is written, it is written.

When He was criticized for His actions, this was His response.

“I came down from heaven to do what God wants, not what I want. ” John 6:38 ERV

Jesus was under the authority of His heavenly Father. Many miracles had been done by the prophets in the Old Testament. The dead had been raised, the leper had been healed, armies had been defeated, the Red Sea had opened, food fell from heaven. Men had survived a fiery furnace. Fire had fallen from heaven.

Countless miracles. And here was Jesus doing the same, but it doesn’t end there.

“ So he came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.’” Matthew 28:18-20 ERV

Jesus gave His authority to the disciples and to us. The “end of time” hasn’t come yet and so we are to continue the work that Jesus started while He was here. We are to preach, teach, and do the will of God on the earth. We are to make disciples, but we can’t do it in our own power. That’s why Jesus gave us His authority before He left.

Jesus received His power and authority from the Father. We need to have that same mindset.

” If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NKJV

We are His disciples, His ambassadors – representatives of Christ on the earth.

We have been given His authority. We need to make His thoughts our thoughts. Let’s have His mindset and touch our world like Jesus did!

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Looking Up

Today, I want to draw your attention to a time when Jesus “looked up”.

Jesus had left the area of Judea just days earlier because the Pharisees were trying to kill him. Now he learned that his dear friend Lazarus was very sick. He told his disciples that they needed to return to Bethany, and they reminded him that the people in that area were against him.

Jesus waited a couple more days and then he told the disciples we MUST go to Bethany, Lazarus is dead. When Jesus arrived he learned that Lazarus had already been in the grave four days. Martha came out to meet Jesus and told him if He had been there, she knew her brother would not be dead.

Do you get the picture? Jesus is grieving over the death of his dear friend. He is just a two mile walk from a town where a mob had tried to kill him just a few days ago and now his friend’s sister is blaming him for her brother’s death. WOW!

The story goes on from there. Lazarus’ other sister, Mary, and the mourners come to where Jesus is. Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and says the same thing, “If you had been here my brother wouldn’t have died.” And now comes the shortest verse in the Bible – Jesus wept.

I think he wept because he felt the grief of the loss of a friend; I think he wept because he was being blamed for that death; I think he wept because the people around him had no faith and hope. But he wept. And then he did something that we all need to do – He looked up!

“Jesus was still terribly upset. So he went to the tomb, which was a cave with a stone rolled against the entrance. 39 Then he told the people to roll the stone away. But Martha said, ‘Lord, you know that Lazarus has been dead four days, and there will be a bad smell.’

40 Jesus replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?’

41 After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. 42 I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so that the people here would believe that you sent me.’

43 When Jesus had finished praying, he shouted, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ 44 The man who had been dead came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a cloth covered his face. Jesus then told the people, ‘Untie him and let him go.’” John 11:38-44

He looked up to the Father – he reminded himself that God the Father had not abandon him and that even in his grief, the Father was there to bring victory to the situation. He looked up and he thanked the Father for answered prayer. And He knew the purpose of all of this – so that the people would believe!

Jesus moved his attention from the circumstances around Him and looked to the One who changes things.

Jesus called Lazarus from the grave – His words, “Lazarus, come forth” brought the power of God to the situation and Lazarus came walking out of the tomb.

Awesome! Absolutely Awesome!

A kind and loving God brought an end to grieving and despair. He brought life to Lazarus and life to the hope and faith of the people who were there. He can and will still do the same today.

What is it in your life that is dead and needs to be resurrected? Your hope? Your faith? Your health? Your marriage? Your joy? Your finances? What???

Look up to the One who has life giving power – look up and thank Him for resurrection and then be bold like Jesus and call it forth from the grave. King Solomon said Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21.

Jesus was focused on looking up – we need to do the same!

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Don’t Be Deceived

Last night as we were going to bed, I told Dave I’m really going to enjoy sleeping in tomorrow. He just smiled.

He knows me. He knows I don’t sleep in and if I do, it’s only until about 5. So, imagine my delight when I woke up this morning and looked at my watch; it said 5:56. Yes, wow! Thank you, Jesus, it was almost 6 a.m.

I laid there a minute, and I could hear the coffee pot – it was popping as if moisture had gotten between the pot and the warming plate. I slipped quietly out of bed, came to the living room and kitchen. No coffee! I took a second look at my watch, it was not 5:56 it was 3:56. The popping I heard was raindrops slowly plopping on the metal awning, not the coffee.

I was deceived.

I started the coffee, grabbed my fleece blanket and Bible and sat. Afterall, I was awake, no going back to bed now. It was then my thoughts went to a little wooden plaque I had ordered for my office just a few days ago.

“A Lot Can Happen in 3 Days”. I love it!

Sometimes the circumstances of life deceive us into thinking something other than what is true!

Adam and Eve were deceived. Joseph’s brothers were deceived in thinking he was their competition instead of their rescuer. The Babylonian king was deceived in thinking that a fiery furnace could stop the three Hebrews from worshipping God. A group of jealous governors were deceived in thinking a den of lions could stop Daniel. A giant was deceived when he thought his might and brawn could stop a shepherd boy with 5 stones who trusted God.

Peter was deceived when he thought a storm at sea could negate what Jesus said about going to the other side. The disciples were deceived when they thought 5 loaves and 2 small fish weren’t enough to feed a multitude.

And they were all deceived – the religious rulers, the Roman soldiers, the disciples, the demons in hell – when they thought a cross and a grave would stop Jesus!

A lot can happen in 3 days!

“ He says, ‘Be careful! Don’t be fooled. Don’t turn away from me to serve other gods and to bow down to them.’ ” Deuteronomy 11:16 ERV

Don’t be deceived or fooled by circumstances. Things aren’t always as they appear. Avoid making snap judgements. Let God control your thoughts with His peace. Don’t let circumstances sway you from believing God’s promises.

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

In those times when you are tempted to worry. Don’t! Stand strong, wait for God’s peace to be your guide.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

God’s timetable is different than ours but that doesn’t mean He is late. Trust Him. A Lot Can Happen in 3 Days!

And now I think I may go back to bed.

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Follow His Lead

The words that came from my heart before I even got out of bed this morning were “Father, I want to follow your lead with each step I take. I want to follow, not lead”.

I had a couple of frustrating situations yesterday. Ever have any of those? That let me know I wasn’t following; I was trying to lead. Trusting God’s lead isn’t frustrating, it’s a way of peace.

“God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 31 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God.
32 God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take. 33 He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling.
34 He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow.

35 Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me. You support me with your right hand. It is your help that has made me great.” Psalm 18:30-35 ERV

“He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.” Psalm 23:2 ERV

When we follow the Lord’s leading it’s more reliable than the most accurate GPS. He keeps us from taking the wrong route and making bad turns. He establishes our steps, even on steep mountains.

Yes, He guides our way!

“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:105 ERV

“People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ERV

Our walk with the Lord is guided by the Master.

“Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fishermen. You will bring in people, not fish.” Matthew 4:19 ERV

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 ERV

And now one last verse for the day.

“People who live following their sinful selves think only about what they want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about what the Spirit wants them to do.” Romans 8:5 ERV

My feet are on the floor and very shortly I will be heading out the door to embrace a new day. Join me.

Father, lead us and guide our steps. We determine to be led by the Spirit and follow the Shepherd. Amen and Amen.

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Why Can’t I?

A long list of do’s and don’ts – that’s the way some people see the Bible. They think if they follow the teachings the Lord has given us it will cramp their style, stifle their freedom of creative expression, limit them in their pursuit of happiness. And yet it is just the opposite.

How many of you who are parents have stopped your children from playing in the street; or perhaps you have smacked their hands or their little bottoms when they have reached to touch a hot coal in a campfire or the hot pan on the stove? Maybe you stopped them riding their bikes down the steep hill with the big kids or even prevented them from swimming in the lake when they had no supervision.

Man, you have inflected a lot of restrictions on your kids! You parents are just trying to spoil their fun and stifle their creativity, aren’t you? Not hardly. You know that your love for them drives you to protect them even if they don’t understand.

And so we have God and His instructions in the Bible. They are there to do the same. The first commandment He gave to the children of Israel was

“Do not worship any god except me.” Exodus 20:3 CEV but let’s look at the verses before this.

“God said to the people of Israel: 2 I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves.” verses 1-2 CEV

Why do you think He prefaced verse 3 with 1 & 2? It was a reminder. God was wanting them to remember why they didn’t need any other god. He was the one who delivered them from slavery, He was the one who opened the path across the Red Sea, He was the one who turned bitter water to good and gave them manna every morning and quail at night. He was the one who provided them with warmth from the pillar of fire at night and He was the one who gave them shade from the cloud during the day. He was the one who gave them victory over the enemies in battle!

He was the one who provided for all their needs and He wanted them to remember that He provided for them because He loved them and there was no one else who could take care of them the way He did! He was, He is and always will be the I AM that we need for each day.

The 2nd commandment is very similar – don’t make and/or worship any idols. Plain and simple keep the Lord first place. We might not make idols of gold or silver but we are guilty of worshipping other gods; the gods of pleasure, education, relationships, professional advancement, financial security, health and well-being. When we make these things our primary goals and requirements for happiness, we have God take the back seat and these become our idols.

Jesus taught his disciples a strong lesson in Matthew 6 when he told them they didn’t need to seek after food, clothing, a place to live because the Lord knew they had need of all these things. His instruction was clear

” But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:33 CEV

Instead of chasing after things, if we chase after God all these will be added.

God wants us to have a fulfilled life. In fact, Jesus said that He came so we could have life but not just a meager, sad, sullen existence of a life but life more abundantly, to the full, till it overflows!

Seek Him first and all the rest will be added!

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Don’t Stand Back

Did you ever see The Wizard of OZ as a kid? I did and it scared me – I didn’t like the flying monkeys or the wicked witch. But one thing that stuck out to me was the appearance of the wizard – all the smoke, the lights, the thunder…

It reminded me of the stories I had read about the children of Israel being protected by the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire that God used to lead them. By no means am I comparing the wizard to God the Father, just giving you a visual you can relate to.

However, the children of Israel had come to a place where God wanted to speak with all of them. God wanted them all to come close to Mt. Sinai and He wanted Moses to come up into His cloud as He spoke.

It had only been 2 months since they left Egypt. They have seen many miracles, some in the final days of their time in Egypt and others as they traveled to Mt. Sinai. It had been a miraculous journey. All that time the Lord spoke directly to Moses then Moses told the people what He has said.

“Once more the Lord spoke to Moses: Go back and tell the people that today and tomorrow they must get themselves ready to meet me. They must wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the day after tomorrow, when I will come down to Mount Sinai, where all of them can see me.” Exodus 19:10 CEV

“On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain, a loud trumpet blast was heard, and everyone in camp trembled with fear. 17 Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had come down in a flaming fire. Smoke poured out of the mountain just like a furnace, and the whole mountain shook. 19 The trumpet blew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.” Exodus 19:16-19 CEV

“Then he said, ‘Moses, go and warn the people not to cross the boundary that you set at the foot of the mountain. They must not cross it to come and look at me, because if they do, many of them will die.” vs 21 CEV

Now I want to contrast this with what we find in the New Testament.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

The instruction goes from stay back to come boldly…all because of Jesus!

“So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 CEV

When we come to the Father based on what Jesus has done for us, dying for the forgiveness of our sins, we have complete access to His throne – to His presence and there we find a loving heavenly Father welcoming us to a place where we find grace and help.

This is a lesson for us today.

Don’t be afraid, don’t stand back but instead come running to the Father’s throne – crawl up on His lap, tell Him your need and He will be there to help!

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Wanting More

Yesterday’s question, if you had only one prayer request – what would it be, should have caused us all to ponder on what the most important thing in our lives is.

As we mature in our relationship with the Lord, we notice that our desires change. We can relax in knowing that we don’t need to strive to be in control; we can let Him lead, directing our path, setting our course.

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. 6 You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright.” Psalm 16:5 ERV

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 ERV

These are the words of King David. A man the Bible tells us had a heart for God. He wasn’t perfect. His failures are recorded in Scripture but so is his faith and trust in His God. The Lord promoted him, he became king of Israel. He was known throughout the world. However, his greatest desire was to live in the presence of God, that’s where he had all he desired and needed.

The Apostle Paul had a similar experience.

He had been one of the religious elite. He was a man of means. A well-educated man, on the chief religious counsel. A Roman citizen and highly respected by his peers.

” I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. 6  And I was so eager I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.

7 But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.” Philippians 3:5-11 CEV

There are many situations where wanting more is considered greed or discontentment but it’s completely opposite when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Knowing Him is a true act of humility. Wanting more of Him, is desiring less of ourselves.

Jesus said this:

“The Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

Knowing Christ, wanting more of Him is what God desires for everyone of us!

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