Category Archives: Religion

Jan2

Day 2 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…Eyes That See.

Posted on January 2, 2026 by lsgrlr

This morning, my devotion took me to 2 Kings 6. It is a glimpse into the life of Elisha, the prophet. The chapter, at its core, is about faith, not just the “I believe” kind, but the kind of faith that gives sight to what is unseen. The type of faith that takes God at His word without question and moves in whatever direction he says to move. The kind of faith that has no fear, because it understands that fear is not of God. This is the faith I desire, the kind we all hope to have. In verse 15, Elisha’s servant wakes up and finds that they are surrounded by their enemies. Horses, chariots, and armed men, everywhere, in fear, he runs to Elisha and exclaims, “Alas, my master! What shall we do!” (verse 15b). Elisha’s reply is eye-opening, literally.

“He said, ‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (verse 16-17).

God is not hiding His might from us, even when we’re in our valleys, walking through trials, or facing immovable mountains. There are horses and chariots of fire all around us, ready to stand in battle with us and protect us. God’s love for us is immense.

In my life, I don’t always perceive or feel God’s presence when I am walking through the fires and floods of life, and that isn’t because I don’t love God or believe in Him. It’s because, like Peter on the water, my eyes are on my circumstances instead of the Lord who has power over my storms.

Here’s why Elisha’s story is beautiful: he never asked God to remove the problem. Instead, he asked for eyes to be opened, so that God’s power could be seen. It lets me know that, like Elisha’s servant, when we ask God to show us His presence, He will. Here’s the great news, friends, God is always with us, always fighting for us, always walking with us, even when we don’t feel it, and if we ask Him to open our eyes. He will.

Today, I am thankful for eyes that see,

Dec21

Day 355 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…My Weakness

Posted on December 21, 2025 by lsgrlr

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Day 355 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…My Weakness

Do you sometimes feel weak, have feelings of inadequacy? Times when you’re fearful that if you move, you will fall flat on your face? Our weakness can be crippling, keeping us from moving forward, worried that if we do, we will fail for everyone to see. Here’s a truth that we often find hard to believe: don’t fear your weakness. Embrace it. Yup, I did say embrace weakness. Why? Because in our weakness God is strong. When we look at weakness through the lens of our humanity, we see it as less than or not good enough. However, when we look at weakness through the lens of God’s love and grace towards us, we, too, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, can hear God say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” To us, weakness, for the lack of a better word, is, well, weak. But God sees it as an opportunity for His power to be made perfect.

If the road you are walking seems to have more pits and potholes than paved paths. Don’t let fear of being too weak to make it keep you from taking that first step. God is there walking with us, and if we trust and believe, we will see His power being perfected in us.

“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40

Take heart, friends, God wants to show us beautiful, glorious, perfected power, so don’t fear your weakness. Embrace it.

Today I am thankful for my weakness.

Dec16

Day 350 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…Sympathy

Posted on December 16, 2025 by lsgrlr

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Day 350 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…Sympathy

Are you like me and need to be reminded that God doesn’t need your “help”? It’s a struggle every day to leave things in His hands, in His care. To let Him do what He chooses to do. Is it because I don’t trust that He can handle it? No. I believe with my entire heart and soul that God is who He says He is and that He can do ALL that He says He can do. Is it because I think I can do a better job? Oh, absolutely not! I know that I will mess things up, break things, and inevitably make the situation worse. Yet, somehow, I still feel the need to assist God. You know, run back up, in case He needs help. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? We all do it at one time or another when we try to fix things using our strength instead of God’s.

Praise be to God that He is patient with us. That He understands our humanity. He sees our weakness and our struggles and has compassion. He’s walked in our flesh, suffered temptation, sadness, and anger all without sin. He doesn’t need our help, friends, and thank goodness for that.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Today, I am thankful for a God who sympathizes.

Dec5

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought…Today I Am Thankful For…Sight (Day 389 of 2025).

Posted on December 5, 2025 by lsgrlr

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Random (hopefully inspired) Thought…Today I Am Thankful For…Sight (Day 389 of 2025).

Today has felt dark, as though I am walking around with a rain cloud following me everywhere. It feels heavy, uncomfortable, and if I allow it, it will blind me to the good and excellent things around me. In John 1:46b, Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and SEE.” In verse 29 of that same chapter, we read, “The next day John SAW Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘LOOK, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'” In Revelation 1:17, John writes, “When I SAW Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and now LOOK, I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Philip called his friend to come and SEE the Messiah. John the Baptist SAW the Messiah and testified to what he SAW. In Revelation, John SAW Jesus and fell at His feet, but Jesus told him to LOOK. Without sight, we wander around blindly, bumping into doubt, worry, trouble, guilt, and shame. The world and its webs keep us tangled in our darkness, hiding the light of sight from our view. But Jesus said, ” LOOK, I am alive forever and ever.” But more than that, He came to be our light and give us sight. John 1:4-5. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has NOT overcome it.” Today I am thankful for the sight that comes from the light of Christ.

Sep12

DAY 255 (2015)

Posted on September 12, 2015 by lsgrlr

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Fill in the blank…

Mmmm, been a while, huh? Sorry about that. Life has gotten busy, but that is not an excuse. But if there is one thing I have learned it is that when it comes to being thankful it is better late than never. So, here goes.

Since we last interacted many things have changed. For one I have relocated both state and job. The change has been good in many ways. My mom is happy, we are closer to my brother. Life on a whole has improved. My job is fun and offers a lot of opportunity for growth.

However, there still are struggles. Such as once again I still bear most of the financial burden, and the worst one, I work on Sundays (no church). Wait, no that’s not the worst the worst is that due to lack of time, and an inability to not interact with people of like minds and hearts. I have for the better part of this entire year found myself in a spiritual funk to say the least.

Not backslidden per say, but not moving forward either. I feel that for a Christian, this is the most horrible state to be. It is the place where God has said, “I will spew you from my mouth.” Let’s be honest no one ever has aspired to be spewed from anything much less God’s mouth. But that is where I found myself in the land of the lukewarm, not hot, not cold, and not just right.

Two days ago I took a hit, a bad one. My first reaction whine and complain and inevitably ask the, “Why’s it always me,” question. But then I realized the hit wasn’t meant to hurt me, it was meant to wake me up.

Yesterday was the first in a long time that I took time in my devotion. Not just skimming the words so I could say I spent time, but reading and taking to heart what was being said. Reading to see what God was teaching. I prayed that morning for a better financial situation and to not have to work on Sundays.

Almost at the end of my work day I receive an email from my supervisor it read, “you qualify for this you should apply.” I finished up what I was doing and on my break read the email. It was a job posting in the company one that would give me my Sundays back and raise my pay exponentially. What floored me is that I hadn’t mentioned this to anyone, not the need for more money nor the desire to not work on Sundays.

God heard. God answered.

What’s my point? God hears. No matter how far you stray, no matter how hard you fall– God hears. ALWAYS.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

The lesson: With God you can always go back home, it’s never too late, and our Father is waiting at the gate with open arms.

So what am I thankful for today, repentance and a God, who hears, always.

Dec9

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on December 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 11. “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold” (Verses 1-2). Just a little reminder be where you are suppose to be. Note the first verse the “when the kings go out to battle… David remained.” Who was David? The king. Where was he suppose to be? Out to battle. Where was he? Not where he was suppose to be. What happened? Sin. Be where you are suppose to be, do what you are suppose to do, lest sin overtake you.

Oct16

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on October 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 5. “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day” (Verses 1-5). I know I shouldn’t laugh, but there is just a great satisfaction in watching God, be GOD (of all). The Philistines mistook the victory against Israel as something they had accomplished on their own. It never once dawned on them that God may have been teaching His people a lesson. Okay, fine they are human I can understand why they misunderstood. But why, why would you put the God you know to have parted the waters, the God you know to have destroyed nations, next to your god who had done none of that? They next morning their god is on the ground, prostrate before the God of all. They take their little idol up and once again place him above God, who just moments before he was prostrate before… Philistines are not very bright. are they? The next morning not only is their god once again prostrate before the Lord of ALL, but he is broken, arms, head severed from torso. Get the point Philistines, no god above the ONE true, GOD. Here’s the thing, everyday society places all forms of “gods” above the One True GOD. We look at the state of the world and shake our fists at Him asking why He allows this, never once stopping to consider that maybe He is teaching us a lesson, maybe this is the consequences of our disobedience. No “god” above the God of ALL. PERIOD.

Sep30

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 30, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 17. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Verses 5-6). This chapter has always been a little confusing to me, but today I think I finally understand it. Micah wasn’t trying to be rebellious when he built the craved image. He was seeking God, but did not know how. The people had no leadership, no one to say, “This is what the Lord says…” Thus, everyone did what was right in THEIR own sight, and this is where the problem comes in. If you know the truth share it, don’t expect that because you “get it” others do as well. We ALL were created to love and serve God, and when that portion of our heart isn’t filled with the right thing, we to seek things to fill it with any and everything. Micah wanted to serve God so he built an idol. Right intention, wrong action. If you know the truth share it. Help fill what’s missing in the life of another. If we don’t, they will fill it with the wrong thing.

Sep21

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 8. “Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.’ But Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you'” (Verses 22-23). I love these words. Why? Gideon didn’t believe the hype. He knew exactly who had rescued Israel, he knew who the TRUE leader was and thus he proclaimed, “not me, but GOD.” Have ever heard a really good pastor/teacher? One who just brings you into the presence of God, one that just makes you want to open your bible, and go over every word he just said? Here’s a newsflash, it is not the pastor, it is God’s spirit moving you to a place of communion with Him. However many times we mistakenly think it’s the vessel and not the one pouring into the vessel that deserves the praise. Sometimes to the determent of our pastor/teachers who are just as human and we are, and therefore prone to believe the hype. Remember Gideon’s victory? Well so did he. He was totally aware that he had nothing to do with the win, and that God had everything to do with it. Here’s the lesson: Our pastors are just the vessels, it is God who deserves the praise.

Sep16

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 16, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 3. “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel” (Verses 7-12). Do you see the cycle? Israel sins, God sends a deliverer who saves them. They live in peace serving God until the Judge dies, and then they forget EVERYTHING. What?! After reading this chapter I had this thought: What is my faith based on? Israel’s faith it seemed was based on their leaders. When the leader was alive they followed God, but when he died they followed the god of whoever was closest. Their relationship with God was not RELATIONSHIP, but religion. They worshiped because that was what everyone else was doing. They served God because that was what the leader said to do. Therefore, because their faith didn’t run any deeper than that they were swayed by any and everything that caught their fancy. God does not want our religion, He wants our relationship. What’s the difference? Religion is performance based it is rules and regulations that you have to adhere to, less you be deemed less worthy. Relationship is a matter of the heart. It is not based on rules and regulation. Instead it is a desire to truly serve, to truly be a part of this friendship with God. It is a willing choice to move forward in intimate friendship. Friendship does not require the friend to always be right before your eyes for the it to last. See the difference? Israel followed rules, thus when the ruler died so did their faith. God is not looking for rule followers (although He does desire obedience), instead He is looking for heart followers. He wants relationship.