God’s correction brings life

March 31, 2026

Maria Conviction, 1 Timothy 6 , 1 Comment

But you, O man of God . . .pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV

I woke up heavy-laden, preoccupied with an ongoing health issue that I can’t seem to ‘hack’ my way out of. Nothing I have tried has brought relief—whether advice from traditional medical people, friends, or even ChatGPT.

Putting on headphones to listen to a podcast while I fed the cats, made coffee, and did my morning stretching, I chose instead an audio message from an Argentinian mom who is part of my weekly English conversation group I lead.

Her five-minute recording sparked tears, for I realized that despite what discouraged me this morning, I apparently had ministered to her in a meaningful way. She explained that she trusts me and feels like she can safely share her worries about money, faith, and relationships. God sweetly revealed to me that physical discomfort is no impediment to helping a sister in Christ.

Sitting down with coffee and Bible at hand, I opened a devotional by Ken Boa. Under the section “Character I want to cultivate” was a first-person affirmation taken right from Paul’s instructions to Timothy (see above). This young pastor needed to center on God’s Kingdom and personally “pursue” the character traits of a godly man or woman.

Immediately, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart: “Just what are you seeking first in your life, Maria?. What has grabbed your heart? ”

Humbled, I knew what He was asking. I had let this pursuit of a solution concerning a physical condition be front and center in my life. Sovereignly using that audio from Veronica, the Lord proved that despite certain issues, I can serve others.

I repented and asked for God’s help to refocus and remain centered on what matters most to God—Kingdom expansion and righteousness.

As though to encourage me, another young woman texted me after my morning time with Jesus. She wrote how today’s selection from the Feed on Him book had steadied her nerves about some new classes she was about to lead later in the day.

Thank you, Father, for Your ongoing corrections. I receive them gratefully as proof that I belong to You. I know You are always speaking to me through people, creation, the Word, and thoughts You plant. Today, I will try to keep my ears, eyes and heart fixed on You.

Chance, luck and accidents

March 16, 2026

Maria Anxiety, Fear, God's Peace, God's Sovereignty, Psalm 23, Psalm 31 , , Leave a comment

I will fear no evil nor any scary news, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4 paraphrase

This morning, Joe challenged and encouraged us as he preached through John 21:18-19, adding some life-altering applications.

My major takeaway came from this premise—We should draw comfort and find stability in the truth that God has ordained everything in our lives. As the Almighty Sovereign who lovingly works all things for our good, neither luck, chance, nor accidents exist. Yes, harm can befall us, but all events are in His hands. Therefore, no one can say truthfully, “What dumb luck”, or “she never gets a chance”, or “he’s accident-prone.”

I can sense God growing me out of my former identity as a practiced negative forecaster. For some years now, I’ve been pleading with my Father all the while trying to break this self-sabotaging habit. Is it not insane to imagine all that might go wrong instead of all that might go right?  Who really wants to be depressed in this way, just from our own thoughts!

With the world in a media-proclaimed crisis in the Middle East, I woke up this Sunday morning with a pressing need to Feed on Him and meditate on what is beautiful, good, and life-giving. Of course, the Holy Spirit came through. 

Daily, I ease into time with the Lord through reading and praying through two pages of a small book by Ken Boa: Handbook to Renewal:Renewing Your Mind with Affirmations from Scripture. Today’s readings included Psalm 23.  I paused and lingered when I read:  I will fear no evil, for You are with me. 

What a lot to draw out from that affirmation. I noticed that ‘evil’ is assumed—no denying the reality in God’s Word. Yes, our world is broken and suffering is woven through every facet. Who can deny that all humans are sinful and Satan is our enemy?

But God teaches that we have agency.  I CAN decide not to practice fear, empowered by grace and truth.  What is that truth?  That Jesus, through His Spirit, is always with me. 

So, Joe’s proclaiming that luck, chance and accidents not only don’t happen, they can’t occur made me breathe with relief. 

Fretting about what might occur tomorrow–as in, for example, “What if I get into a car accident?”—is fruitless. Of course I should pray for protection, but then follow that with a calm relaxing into God’s promised care. 

Two realities support that. First, my fretting won’t block suffering.  And second, if God’s plan for tomorrow includes pain or sorrow, I can trust that He has also foreordained more than enough grace. What gives me most peace is that He has assured me of constant presence as the Good Shepherd.

Father, help me put my active imagination to better use—imagining all the good that you have destined for me. “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19

What do you do after you ask God for His wisdom?

July 28, 2025

Maria Ephesians 1, God's wisdom, Matthew 6, Trusting God , , , 1 Comment

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV

You know how people often advise “You better not pray for patience, for then the Lord will give you lots of opportunities to practice!”?  Similarly, I believe that asking for God’s wisdom brings on situations where we must turn away from trusting ourselves and instead look to Him for guidance. 

Mike’s brother and his wife find themselves in this situation as they search for a house. They’ve been house-hunting on and off for more than a year. They sold their last home some years ago. And ever since have been renting. Presently, they are living with Eve’s mom in Toronto, taking care of her.  But they have to find a new place to live soon and that back in the US, for Steve, Mike’s brother is not Canadian as is Eve. 

All along they have been praying for wisdom and a breakthrough in a tight real estate market in upstate New York. I don’t know their hearts, but if they are like me, I have often pleaded with the Lord for wisdom and then continued on doing what I thought was right. 

Recently, God dropped some guidance into Eve’s heart.  It actually was a reminder of something He had told her a while back, something she had ignored. The counsel was this: “First find the church. Then you’ll find the house.” She took Him seriously this time.

When Eve texted me her word from God, I grew excited. God’s direction to her resonated with me. It’s confirmation of Jesus’ commandment: Seek first and prioritize God’s kingdom and then all these things you need will fall into place. (paraphrase of Matthew 6:33) 

Paul, in his encouraging letter to the Ephesians,  links praying for wisdom with the purpose of knowing our God better.  Various other wise Christians agree. From my journal where I collect quotes, here are three such writers.

– Malcolm Muggeridge once wrote, “Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.”

–Oswald Chambers penned the same.  “In each event, we should say: Speak, Lord, for I am listening and ready to receive.”

–And Ken Boa has taught: “Events in our lives are not neutral; they are God-given opportunities to gain wisdom.”

Looking at the Hebrew term for wisdom, I’ve discovered that this practical or ethical knowledge for living life, hakmah, can also be a kinesthetic attribute. Like a motor skill, it’s something we do, a physical ability we grow in, like a craft. 

As I pray for my brother- and sister-in-law to keep seeking and receiving God’s guidance, I ask the same for myself, my family and friends. I trust Him to come through, but I believe He is asking more, that is to let go of depending on ourselves. In the end, as we walk by faith in God’s promise to provide, we will grow to know Him better. 
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10 NLT