Truth for today:

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

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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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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)

The post A Place of Thus Far appeared first on Wendy Pope.

***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?

© 2026 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.

The post Fast Pass Please appeared first on Wendy Pope.

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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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.

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.

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 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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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.

The post Word That Made My Heart Ache appeared first on Wendy Pope.

I love the story of Mary – young, sweet, innocent Mary – who accepted an assignment of her life.

I can only imagine what she was thinking when the angel Gabriel announced she would give birth to the Son of the Most High. Mary was also given details of how this son would be conceived. Without hesitation her response to this assignment of a lifetime was, “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38, NIV).

Mary did what most women do when something “big” happens, she ran to tell a gal pal. I wonder if she ran out of fear or excitement about what she had just experienced. Perhaps she ran to hide until she could get a handle on the situation. Or maybe she needed a hug from someone that loved her and could assure her that everything was going to be all right.

Scripture tells us she “hurried” on a 5–6-hour trip to Zechariah and Elizabeth’s house – a place of refuge. When she arrived at their home, her cousin Elizabeth’s words confirmed that Mary indeed had been chosen to give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. “In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!'” (Luke 1:42-44, NIV).

This was Mary’s moment. All that she believed of what the angel had spoken was affirmed. In response, Mary praised God, saying, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV).

Is God speaking to you today about accepting a divine assignment? Is this email your “moment?” Stay close to Him and His Word so you will be ready to say “yes” when He speaks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friends.

Wendy

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Unfortunately, old habits die hard. I brought this trait of talking too much into the time I set aside each day to spend alone with God. I often fill my “quiet time” with my words … lots and lots of words. I wonder if sometimes the Father looks to the Son and says, “I can’t get a word in edge-wise with this girl! She could learn more if she would talk less.”

No, silence wasn’t easy for this girl who likes to gab. Rather than waiting for God to speak to me, I wanted to tell Him what I thought would be good solutions to my problems. To-do lists ran through my head, instead of peace and quiet. It was easy to go on and on about the dusty shelves and piles of toys. But sit and listen? That felt unnatural, so I resisted and kept talking.

I shared this uneasiness with God, knowing silence and stillness were things I needed to practice. During these times I felt God’s gentle encouragement: Shhh … be still. It’s okay to be silent. You don’t have to say a word.

God was clearly trying to teach me something. His direction to be quiet was about more than resting my mouth-it was about resting my heart. I understood this when I read Psalm 131:2, “But I have stilled and quieted my soul.” God wanted me to understand true rest … His rest.

As with anything, practice makes perfect. With great intention, I slowed my 90-mile-an-hour thoughts and parked them during my alone time with the Lord. Sometimes this required me writing out my to-do list prior to our time together. Or re-adjusting my priorities. Vacuuming was not as important as listening to God. Many times my thoughts would rev up, and I’d be talking without even realizing it! But I’d rein them back in and start over.

My spirit felt renewed and at peace. In silence and stillness, I sensed God’s direction for my day, peace for my circumstances and the soul-rest I needed.

As we fill the reservoirs of our souls with true refreshment from God, we learn to relax as we experience real peace and rest that only comes from the silence and stillness of being with Him. We carry this refreshment with us as we face the challenges of our day.

Do you have the gift of gab like me? Do you find it challenging to sit quietly with God? Ask Him to help you practice and enjoy silence and stillness. Your soul will find refreshing peace. God’s rest is exactly what our restless souls need.

My Prayer:

Dear Lord, my soul is having a hard time being still. I lay down my resistance to silence and ask for your help to spend time in silence with You every day. I praise You in advance for what You are going to say to me in the silence. I thank You for the rest only You can give. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My Response:

What keeps me from quieting my soul?

Power Verse:

Ecclesiastes 3:7b, “… a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (NIV)

The post Quiet My Soul appeared first on Wendy Pope.

I was not a happy person.

I was struggling in my faith and failing to be the woman God called me to be. My responses to life’s hiccups were harsh. My words to loved ones were rude. My disposition toward others was judgmental.

It was during this period in my life when I was introduced to Isaiah 50:4, “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed” (NIV). My heart was gripped when I read the word weary. I remember thinking, I’m weary… I need sustaining… let’s check this verse out.

The sustaining part of the verse sounded soothing and comforting; however, the morning wake-up call felt obtrusive and demanding. Why couldn’t I receive a sustaining word later in the day? Though I didn’t want to wake up earlier, it was the only way I could spend time with God in my full schedule. And I did want my life to be different, so I thought, Why not? Things can’t get any worse.

I picked a time, a place to pray, and read a Bible to read. The sun would rise and I would too, grumbling … a lot! But day after day, I dragged myself out of bed, marched up the stairs, sat in the same place I now affectionately call my “Jesus chair” and whined about getting out of my snuggly covers. Our morning meetings were rote and ridged, nothing like what I expected when my weary heart was first gripped by that verse in Isaiah.

I couldn’t help but wonder, Why aren’t the issues in my life being resolved? When is the Lord going to fix all the people in my life? What good is this quiet time thing anyway?

Even though I was frustrated, I was determined. So, I continued to roll out of bed, put on my robe, and sit in my Jesus chair with my Bible. Little by little my heart softened. There was less complaining and more contentment. My ears began to listen like one being instructed, just like the verse in Isaiah says.

Over time, God’s Word took root in my heart, and I experienced its sustaining power. My weariness started to subside as I turned my focus from it to the presence of God. Moments of panic were now met with peaceful words. Unforeseen schedule changes were calmly resolved. If the day didn’t go as planned, I could still praise.

Are you looking for a word to sustain your weary soul? Are you desperate enough to dedicate time each day in God’s Word? For me, it has to be in the morning, in my Jesus chair, before the rush of emails, home chores, and work demands.

Perhaps your Jesus chair is the front seat of your car with your Bible during your daughter’s ballet class. Maybe your Jesus chair is at your desk with a devotional book as you eat lunch and pray.

You see, it really doesn’t matter where or when you meet with God, it only matters that you meet… every day. His Word is our sustaining power. We can’t live life without it!

Dear Lord, I am desperate and need a word to sustain my weary soul. I am willing to commit time in Your Word each day. Help me sit still and listen like one being taught. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection:
Pick a Jesus chair where you will spend time with Him each day. Write a prayer of commitment to God. Tuck the prayer in your Bible where you can pray it often.

Truth for Today
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

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