Wendy Pope Archives · Wendy Pope

In The Beginning

Wendy — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:39:50 +0000

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Every time I read the creation story excitement fills my whole body. I love to imagine what each stage of creation might have looked like. Remember the old-timey slide projectors? My mind plays one slide at a time. Picture it: the Trinity is together. God, the Word, and the Holy Spirit hover over the dark, empty, formless mass called Earth. In an instant, light appears! Then oceans. Then animals. Then plant life. Next slide please.

There’s great promise in the genesis of anything. So much hope and promise. May I share a secret with you? I’ve not always been a fan of beginnings. The beginning of creation is exciting, and I love it because I know what lies ahead. New seasons in my adventure with the Lord however are unformed, unknown, and uncertain. These “uns” used to leave me paralyzed with a spirit of fear, powerless to enjoy the adventure. Maybe you can relate.

We can have confidence in every new beginning with our great In the Beginning God. He is an expert in bringing beauty and order to all the “uns” that leave us fearful to embrace the genesis He sets before us.

The same God who created the world in splendor created you and me for great works. When we sense His hovering, let’s grip the genesis of the new season with confidence.

My Prayer: Lord, help me to be a beginner embracer. New beginnings give me an opportunity to trust You. I want my faith to grow and beginnings are part of the growth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My Moment: How can you show God that you trust Him with all the “uns?”

My Power:
Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
Hebrews 13:8 AMPC

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Living in the Shelter:Psalm 91

Wendy — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:00:22 +0000

Life gets hard, in fact, life might be really hard for you right now. I recently reread Psalm 91, and boy did it encourage me. It reminds me that when it seems like I don’t have:
Anyone to run to, I can run to the Lord.
Anywhere to hide, I can hide in the Lord.

The Lord clearly promises:
“I will rescue those who love me.”
“I will protect those who trust in my name.”
“When they call on me, I will answer.”
“I will be with them in trouble.”
“I will rescue and honor them.”
“I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16

So:
Love Him.
Trust in His Name.
Call on Him, He will answer.
Rest in His love and Presence.
Wait for the rescue.

Rest assured:
He will be with you.
He will rescue you.
He will honor you.
He will reward you.

I pray this short video and post encourages you today. Maybe you know someone who needs this reminder, will you forward the post to the person?

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The Devil Gets His Due

Wendy — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:30:08 +0000

Revelation 20:10 (ESV) “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Have you ever watched a movie with thrilling highs and plummeting lows? The music intensifies and the bass booms. You pull your legs close to your body and squirm in your seat. Momentarily it appears the bad guys will win. Then just when all seems lost, the good guy comes in and saves the day. Your pulse slows, your body straightens and your breathing returns to a normal rate. You let out a deep sigh. All is well … until the plot twists again.

In Revelation 20, we find ourselves in a major plot turn in the redemptive end to the narrative of God’s story. The thousand-year reign of our hero, Jesus, comes to an end and the villain of the story, Satan, is released from captivity. Using deceit, Satan enlists the help of Gog and Magog. These enemies of Israel are also mentioned in Ezekiel’s prophecy of the end times. (Ezekiel 38-39) This evil bunch is ready to once again wreak havoc on the earth. Their primary target is God’s beloved Israel, and her enemy is relentless.

Jerusalem’s enemy is also our enemy. He entered the picture back in the Garden of Eden. Just as he twisted the truth in his conversation with Eve, (Genesis 3:1-5) Satan continues to misrepresent God’s precious truths and thoughts about us. He seeks to deceive us daily. Our enemy hopes to manipulate our understanding of everyday life situations in order to accomplish the schemes he has planned. (Ephesians 6:11) Satan’s primary goal has been, and always will be, to bring destruction to the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, Jesus has won and will win the final battle, and Satan will not overcome.

Let’s press resume and play the final minutes of that movie. All hope is gone and the villain and his cronies appear to have made the final move in victory. But the unexpected happens. The orchestration rumbles and the hero rides in from the distance to save the day. We have the same future as this feature film!

What is only make-believe in our motion picture will one day happen in real life. We see our hero sending the final, fatal blow to life’s enemy as “fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:9-10). With a word from heaven’s throne, Satan is vanquished for all eternity.

Praise God and hallelujah! Satan finally gets everything coming to him. All the pain and suffering he has caused will be redeemed.

My Prayer

Oh, Father, how we long to be with You and to see the evil of this world come to an end. We praise You, Father, for Your promises and for the hope that is ours. We praise You that Your enemy, and our enemy, will finally be defeated. In Jesus’ name, amen.

My Response

Until he is cast into that lake of fire, Satan will cause trouble for God’s people. How do you fight the enemy?

My Power

1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Compelled

Wendy — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:44:46 +0000

Truth for today:

The Lord will never compel us to disobey what He has commanded.

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Before and After You

Wendy — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:13:56 +0000

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

My then 4-year-old had become quite insistent about walking into school alone. He adamantly declared that he could go from the parking lot to the school by himself. But I knew that an independent, spirited preschooler and a busy parking lot did not mix. Griffin couldn’t understand why I had to walk with him. Trying not to extinguish his self-sufficient spirit, I came up with a plan that ensured his safety and still let him think he was walking by himself.

Upon arriving in the school parking lot, he would unbuckle, put on his backpack, get out of the van and wait for me. Together, we looked for cars and decided whether it was safe to cross. While I remained next to the van, he crossed the parking lot. Little did he know that I kept my eyes on him the whole time and quickly followed at a distance – far enough behind so he didn’t see me.

My son thought he was “the stuff.” It was wonderful to see his confidence soar. He followed the same path each day and I protected him without his knowledge.

Our heavenly Father walks behind us too. Psalm 139:5 reminds us, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”

In moments of confusion and busyness, God knows which way we are going and is there to protect us – even when we can’t see Him, just as I protected my son without his knowledge.

Whether you’re waiting in a doctor’s office, at work, riding the bus or sitting at home – God has made a way for you to get through the diagnosis, project, busyness and responsibilities. Whatever you face today, God has already gone before you and will guard you from behind.

In the circumstances that surround you today, in the events that are scheduled on your calendar, take comfort in knowing God is there. He has gone before you and follows you, too.

My Prayer
Lord, thank You for this tender reminder that You are always with me. Forgive me for foolishly carrying the weight of my path, forgetting that Your guiding hand is always upon me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My Power

Psalm 121:8, “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (ESV)

My Response

Praise the Lord out loud by personalizing today’s verses.

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A Place of Thus Far

Wendy — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:43:09 +0000

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'” 2 Samuel 7:18 (ESV)

Have you ever been in a place of “thus far?” A place where you are experiencing God’s blessing and favor on your life.

Oh. the places David had seen in his lifetime! From grassy meadows to the splendor of palace life. From dirty fields tending sheep to hiding in a drafty cave, and then to the throne itself, King David arrived at a place of “thus far” in his life. He had experienced every emotion that exists, from confidence to fear, love to hate, and sadness to joy. After all that King David had been through, I can certainly understand why he needed to go sit before the LORD and ask, “Who am I?”

He was overwhelmed with the goodness of God and the faithfulness he had experienced. He had been through some of the toughest situations a person could go through, yet he remained faithful and God gave David his reward. Yet, I have to think the reward of kingship and royalty paled in comparison to knowing the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Have you been there? Life has taken twists, turns, and changes at every bend, yet somehow for a season you have arrived at a place of seeing spiritual blessings from the Lord. Yet you realize your place of thus far pales in comparison to knowing and experiencing the goodness and faithfulness of God.

No matter what current circumstances you find yourself in, with our Living God there is always a place of “thus far” waiting around the next bend. This is a place of celebration, praise, complete humility and gratitude before the Lord. I have discovered the hardships we go through are all worthwhile when we get to our place of “thus far.” From a grateful heart, we can pour our blessings back out to the Lord as we cry, “Who I am Lord, that you have brought me thus far?”

My Prayer
Dear Lord, forgive me when I don’t sit and take summary of Your tremendous favor in my life. Your blessings are far superior to anything this world can give me. Help me to remember my place of “thus far” when Your plan for my life leads me to another season that may be risky and cause me to walk by faith and not by sight. I offer this praise of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

My Response

Find a place to sit quietly with the Lord. Take summary of His blessing and favor on your life. Write down all the things He brings to mind. Read the list back to Him as a song of praise.

How can I use my time while in a place of “thus far” to be a blessing and encouragement to others?

Find a place to sit quietly with the Lord. Take summary of His blessing and favor on your life. Write down all the things He brings to mind. Read the list back to Him as a song of praise.

My Power

Psalm 52:9, “I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” (NIV)

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Fast Pass Please

Wendy — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:13:42 +0000

A few years ago, our family took a vacation to the place where dreams come true, Walt Disney World Resort, one of the largest amusement parks in the United States. To prepare for the trip, I read websites and blogs and interviewed “experts” (a.k.a., friends who call Walt Disney World their favorite place on earth), so we could maximize our time there.

In my research, I discovered something called a FastPass, which gives you access to the most popular rides without having to wait in long lines. You get a ticket ahead of time, allowing you to go to the front of the line at an appointed time. It is ideal for girls like me who don’t like to wait.

Each evening, my family would map out our ride plan. When the park opened the next morning, we would rush to the FastPass machine. Our ride plan could not have worked out any better, but of course we were where dreams come true.

Real life, though an adventure, is far from a day at an amusement park. Too often, we want a FastPass straight through God’s pauses to move directly to His plan. But God seldom hands out passes so we can avoid the wait and skip to the front of the line.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as painful as it feels at the time.

A rush through the wait has the potential to stunt our spiritual growth and dull our senses to what God wants us to learn. As the apostle James tells us in today’s key verse, God wants us to “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).

James advises those who follow Jesus not to take the FastPass through tests and challenges. He says that a pause will actually work in our favor. Our faith will mature, and we will become well-developed women of God, ready for all the good works He has prepared for us. God is the Creator of time. We can trust His pauses to be purposeful and perfectly arranged. God will make the most of our pause, and we should too.

As we wait, we find ourselves in great company. Noah waited 120 years for the flood. Abraham and Sarah waited nearly 100 years to become parents. Jesus waited 30 years to start His public ministry. These and countless others waited on God and in the wait experienced Him in remarkable and miraculous ways.

I know what you’re thinking: But he was Noah. They were Abraham and Sarah. And He was Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. They’re all in the Bible! Rest assured, they are indeed all in the Bible, but not because of their perfection in waiting. Each one of them had moments of questioning God, but they were willing to wait and do the work necessary for God’s plan to come to fulfillment.

Waiting isn’t meant to be a grueling process. What if we view it as a pause or an interlude, a place we can experience the peace of God while He works in us so He can work through us? He is actively working while we wait — a promise that never disappoints in the end.

My Prayer
Dear God, waiting is hard and waiting well seems impossible. As I wait, help me see the good around me, rather than feeling neglected and dismissed. Lord, when I grow impatient, remind me how You are trustworthy and have my best interest in mind. Thank You for the good plans You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

***My Truth
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)

My Response
What are some of your biggest obstacles to waiting?

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On That Day

Wendy — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:11:04 +0000

My life changed that day — the day I opened the old tattered green Bible. The change was not instantaneous, but the seed of change was planted in my heart.

My life prior to that day was filled with all things church. Dr. Raymond Sanderson took my hand as I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the tender age of 7. The years that followed were full of mistakes erased by time and sin covered by grace. At a young age God saved my soul, but I had never surrendered it. A soul that’s saved but not surrendered is void of the fullness of Christ. I was living in the void.

That day I poured my heart out to God. God heard the cries from my empty, broken heart as I lamented over my unfulfilled dreams and unmet expectation. He met me in the chair that day as I opened the old tattered green Bible to Psalm 1. He was there when I read: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV).

On that day, God tenderly let me see what I was missing: He was missing… intimacy with Him was what my life needed. My life “tree” was planted in places far from the streams of His living water. Planting myself far from Him had left me thirsty. The unfertile soil and lack of spiritual hydration was causing me to wither away.

He also revealed meditating on His Word was the key to finding what I was missing. It had never occurred to me that His law could be delightful or meditating on it day and night was possible.

How does one meditate on Your Word day and night and still get things done, Lord? I asked God. In a faint whisper I heard, Start here.

Is your life planted close to God? Does your heart have fertile soil for the planting of His Word? Are you like I was on that day — lonely, thirsty and feeling as if you’re withering away? Today can be the beginning of your “on that day” story.

Dear Lord, I want this to be the beginning of my “on that day” story. I want to open my Bible and allow You to plant the seeds of change in my heart. Following the ways of the world has made me feel as if I am withering away. Today I choose to believe Your Word has the power to change me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My Truth

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 (NIV)

My Response

Where do I plant myself to be refreshed? What keeps me from planting myself by the waters of God’s Word?

Oh, today discover the joy and fulfillment of His Word in your life…

Wendy

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In the Beginning

Wendy — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:58:31 +0000

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
Genesis 1:1 (NLT)

Though new beginnings initially make me a little anxious learning God’s promises has kept me from completely flipping out when He allows change to come into my life. God takes care of me and will supply all my needs according to His glorious riches (Phi. 4:19). Nothing can separate me from the love of God (Rom.8:38). He works everything out for my good and His glory because I love Him (Rom. 8:28). I am confident that He is faithful to complete the good work He started in my life (Phil. 1:6). Believing these truths make the uns become enjoyable.

The same God who created the world in splendor created you and me for great works. When we sense His hovering, let’s grip the genesis of the new season with confidence.

My Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a beginner embracer. New beginnings give me an opportunity to trust You. I want my faith to grow and beginnings are part of the growth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My Response:
How can you show God that you trust Him with all the “uns?”

My Truth:In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:1-5 NLT

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Word That Made My Heart Ache

Wendy — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:47:23 +0000

As beautiful as aging can be, it can also have it’s challenges. In my early 40s, I began to notice my arms weren’t quite long enough to make the words on the page appear clear. As the problem began to worsen, I knew I had to move from my regular print Bible to a large-print one.

My search started at one of my favorite online shopping spots looking for affordable, used options. I typed my criteria into the search box … Thinline, Large Print. Scrolling through the results I saw several possibilities, but one jumped out at me.

The descriptions showed the amount of use, and some Bibles were “used” with highlighted verses. Others were of various colors and designs. So many choices!

As I scrolled toward the bottom of the listings, a tan and dark brown Bible caught my eye, so I selected its picture. This was the one! It wasn’t until I clicked to make the purchase that I read the description: Excellent condition. Does not appear to have been read. My heart ached as I paused to re-read the words: Does not appear to have been read.

Why wouldn’t someone read their Bible? Then I remembered why.

For many years, I didn’t read the Bible either. For a long season of my life I was a carrier of God’s Word. I read the Bible during church when the pastor would preach, and I made sure to read enough to fill in my blanks for Bible study.

But to read, highlight and apply Scripture to my life was foreign to me. How could I, a “C” student, ever understand the Bible? I wanted to be one of those women who highlighted and applied, but I didn’t even know where to start.

Then, our local Christian radio station challenged the listening audience to follow a one-year Bible reading plan. I couldn’t fathom reading the whole Bible, much less in only a year.

In an effort to calm my fears, I took a trip to my local Christian bookstore. If I am going to read the whole Bible, certainly I need a new Bible to read. For what seemed like hours, I previewed various types of Bibles in an array of colors, styles and formats. Just when I was about to give up, I pulled a chronological Bible from the shelf.

The format intrigued me. Short readings. An easy-to-follow daily plan. An attractive cover. The best part: Knowing I would read the Bible in the order the events occurred. Yes! This was the Bible for me.

Slowly, I began to understand the Bible as the ultimate guide to life, as Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but not without stumbling. The year taught me so much. I learned Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are difficult to read in some parts. I learned it’s necessary to read the Old Testament to really appreciate the wonderful sacrifice Jesus made for me as described in the New Testament. Lastly, I learned it’s OK if I don’t understand the whole Bible. God will continue to reveal things to me as I continue to make His Word a priority.

Now, after reading a chronological Bible I am no longer just a carrier of the Word, I am a lover of the Word!

If you’ve always wanted to read through the Bible but desired a friend to come along aside you for support, I pray you’ll take the same challenge and dig into God’s Word in 2017!

My Prayer

Dear God, I admit that reading the Bible is challenging for me. Yet I desire to be more than a carrier of Your Word. Give me a hunger and thirst for Your Truth. Lead me by the power of Your Spirit to study and apply Your Word to my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My Truth

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17,(NASB)

My Response
What are your biggest obstacles to reading through the Bible? Commit now to reading the Bible in 2017. Ask God to help you … and He will.

And Invitation for you

Read the Bible with me

I’d love for you to join me to read through the Bible in 2026. No sign-ups. No fees. A doable pace with a community of other Bible lovin’ Believers.

Word Up Ministries YouTube

Select Playlist 2019, as we are revisiting our Legacy Year 2019. Yes we are already on January 15, but it is never too late to start reading the Bible. Please join us. It is the best decision you can make for your faith in 2026.

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