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Seeing the hand of God

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 15, 2026 Respond

The Turks don’t talk about God sightings; t

hey have a different descriptive saying:

Seeing the Hand of God!
I saw His hand several times today.
First I lost my wallet; it fell out my pocket while I wast working on my car in my driveway,
and when I turned around, there it was on the ground! This could have happened in a
number of places on the farm, and it has no “find me” function. The Lord intervened.
My garage overhead door fell out of its track this morning and is hanging sideways. Fixing it is too big a job for me.
Just then my neighbor called and asked a question and I remembered that he had put in such a door,
so I asked if he would come to help me. “Sure,” he said. There was the hand of God in my day!
Also, I had to move a dumpster, but it was too big for my tractor. But the same neighbor had something to move
and got my old Lull (like a large forklift) going. And when I asked him to move the dumpster with it, he immediately  did so.
Again, God’s hand moving things for  me.
And last, I noticed that some white daffodils and little purple flowers and blossomed by the pond.
This is a flashpoint of beauty heralding Spring, and fit in with our 80 degree weather.
A touch from God, sharing His love of beauty with us.
How do these events affect me? I see God’s love, His help, His grace
leading me to trust Him more, worship Him better and rest in His care.
Come join me.
May be an image of scorpion grass
Filed under:

Notice God Sightings

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 14, 2026 Respond

Is God involved in our every day life?

If He is busy running the universe, how could he deal with details in my life?
But He does! He is deeply, intimately   involved and wants us to know that.
So He gives us power to know Christ’s love beyond knowledge.
One main way is to give us God sightings.
We just need to  learn to recognized them. Here are some in my life.
A young friend told me He was driving home from work
when he had a strong impression to stop, so stepped on his brakes.
Just then a deer jumped out of the woods. If he hadn’t braked he would have hit it!
A significant God sighting.
I wanted an office chair for Barbara to make her more comfortable.
Later in the week I went to our transfer station, and there it was,
exactly the kind of chair I wanted! A God sighting.
I needed some help with a construction project.
A young friend called, out of the blue, and offered to help.
After a long period of weakness, inability and being a recluse,
today Barbara announced that she wanted to go with  me to a meeting!
A big God sighting, a big answer to prayer.
Look for God sightings  in your own life, they come every day.
Notice them and learn to “know this love that is beyond knowledge.”
Picture: An “oh deer” God sighting.
May be an image of deer and road
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Knowing Beyond Knowledge

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 13, 2026 Respond

Knowing and experiencing.

 

There is a great difference between knowing about something and experiencing it.

I lived among the Yupik Eskimos in Alaska for two years.

I can tell you all about them, But that would not communicate to you

the taste of aging fish, the texture of seal meat or whale blubber,

the smell of home-tanned seal skins or the thrill of riding on a dog sled,

the experience of going trapping at 50 below zero, of hunting walrus,

or having a whale surface a few feet from the 18-foot skin boat you are in!

 

You could even watch a film on all this, but you still only know about it.

No, experiencing it is “knowing beyond knowledge,”

which is exactly what Ephesians 3:18,19 describes where Paul

wants us to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”

[that is knowing about the Love of Christ,] then he says,

“and to know this love that surpasses knowledge….”

which is to actually experience Christ’s love in your life.

 

More on this tomorrow

Picture: nothing you’ve every experienced: hunting walrus

May be an image of walrus and arctic

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The Ultimate Trio

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 13, 2026 Respond

Praise be to you, O triune God, for the greatness of your gift to make us part of your family,

to be your child who is

desired,

treasured

and deeply, dearly loved.

However, the real point of these monumental truths is not my acceptance, fulfillment or joy—

and these are certainly some of the gifts you pour out on your children—

no, actually the point of all this is that you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are worthy of

praise and exaltation,

worship and honor.

You are a wonder—no, you are THE Wonder of the universe and I praise you,

Eternal Ruler,

Lord God,

Heavenly Father,

Eternal Elohim;

I praise you,

Lord Jesus,

my brother,

my fellow heir,

my Savior and God;

I praise you Holy Spirit,

the indwelling,

transforming

guiding and teaching One.

I give you glory and honor, for that is what you deserve above all others

Picture: Trinity: Spirit, Father and Savior.

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The Invitation

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 10, 2026 Respond

“For God so loved the world….” John 3:16

We must stand

in awe,

in wonder,

in thankfulness,

in praise,

Lord God, at your ability and willingness to love us so.

You have made us those in whom you delight, rejoice and love.

You are gloriously great in your goodness and

persistently positive in your patience

as you faithfully work in us.

And in this you suffer grief every day

at our hands,

for we,

in our laziness,

selfishness,

pride,

rebellion

and unbelief,

choose to disobey you

and do our own deadly deeds

according our own puny plans.

And yet You continue to extend your invitation to us

to join you in your glorious and gracious scheme

for restoring the universe to its pristine pre-fall condition.

Help us, Lord, to repent moment by moment

leaving behind our minuscule matters

and wholeheartedly accept your offer for

being part  of the most significant thing we can do!

Picture: the invitation

No photo description available.

Filed under:

Rich and deep Love

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 9, 2026 Respond

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,

in accordance with his pleasure and will….” Ephesians 1:4,5

In making us your children, Heavenly Father,

you have invited us into the deep, intimate relationship you have with the Lord Jesus,

giving us what you gave Him during in His time on earth:

affection,

fellowship,

authority

guidance,

provision,

protection,

and honor.

As you loved your only begotten Son,

so you love your only adopted children.

“Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ”!!! (1 John 1:3).

We must stand

in awe,

in wonder,

in thankfulness,

in praise

for the wonderful gift of adoption.

Help us to walk daily in the light of your love, Lord,

warmed, encouraged and empowered to join you

in all you plan for  today.

Picture: Jesus leading His children into a new day

No photo description available.

Filed under:

Loved Richly by Jesus

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 8, 2026 Respond

In making us your children, Heavenly Father,

you have invited us into the deep, intimate relationship you have with the Lord Jesus.

You give us what you gave Him in His time on earth:

affection,

fellowship,

authority

and honor.

As you loved your only begotten Son,

so you love your only adopted children.

“Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ”!!! (1 John 1:3).

We must stand in awe,

in wonder,

in thankfulness,

in praise,

Lord God,

at your ability and willingness to love us so.

In the midst of the turmoil of life today,

let us revel in, bask in, rejoice in

the lavish love of our Lord,

as we are

chosen, accepted, approved and beloved!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15;9

May be art of text

Filed under:

The Father’s Great Love

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 7, 2026 Respond

“…when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

Lord Jesus, Your astounding act of justification

is the great gem of Truth in the New Testament.

‘

You, the Just Judge,

by the propitiation of your shed blood,

satisfied the law and bought for us,

your enemies,

complete forgiveness.

By your work, Lord Jesus, we stand justified before the court of Heaven.

Adoption, however, is another matter all together.

Justification is a forensic idea,

meeting the demands of the law,

coldly correct,

handed down in court.

In contrast, adoption is a family idea:

warm,

accepting,

welcoming,

exalting to a new position of privilege and grace.

As J.I. Packer puts it in his powerful book, Knowing God,

the Judge becomes,

“our perfect parent,

faithful in love and care,

generous and thoughtful,

interested in all we do,

respecting our individuality,

skillful in training us,

wise in guidance,

always available,

helping us to find ourselves

in maturity, integrity and uprightness….”

What more could we ask for?

Let us exalt in His love,

rest in His goodness,

rejoice in the great privilege of knowing Him.

Picture: enjoying the warmth of a father’s love.

No photo description available.

Filed under:

Lavish Love!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 7, 2026 Respond

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

 

Heavenly Father, I share John’s wonder at this astounding truth: that you,

the Holy God,

the Righteous One,

the Just Judge,

the Creator King,

would take your enemies—

evil,

depraved,

ugly,

stubborn,

rebellious a

nd destructive as they are—

and transform them into new creatures, adopting them as your children!

What a turn-around: to bring your adversary into the palace and place him into your family!

This Agape love of yours is astounding.

In one way it is a brutal love,

brutal to you the Lover,

who gives and gives,

unswayed by the lack of positive response

from the rebellious, self-centered, unbelieving, negative objects of your love–us.

This love, so painful to you as you are grieved daily by our rebellion,

is so gracious to us:

caring,

kind,

forgiving,

correcting,

guiding,

rebuking,

nurturing,

providing,

directing,

cherishing.

Picture: “And that is what we are!”

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What the Resurrection brought

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 5, 2026 Respond

My pastor’s Easter sermon pointed out some very wonderful results of Jesus’ Resurrection, each one illustrated in the life of Peter. These truths are ones that helped Peter to realize that knowing Jesus is enough for life.

First of all, the Resurrection turns our sadness to JOY.

Peter was overwhelmed with sadness at the loss of his leader and everything he’d hoped for. But when Peter ran to the tomb and found it empty, his sadness turned to joy. So should ours.

Second it brings CLARITY to our confusion.

Peter was confused about what Jesus was going to do. But after the Resurrection, he understood what had happened and he stepped up as the leader. So too we, in the midst of disappointment and suffering can have clarity that God has a plan and will carry us through.

Third it brings HOPE to our fear.

After Jesus died, Peter and the others were afraid, locking themselves in the upper room for protection. But after the Resurrection, they all became bold. We too, can be bold in our faith, living our Psalm 50:23 every day.

And fourth, it brings CONFIDENCE in the place of our shame.

Peter was overcome with shame after betraying Jesus, but the Resurrection brought him restoration through forgiveness. Then he went on to boldly, convincingly and powerfully preach the first sermon in the face of opposition. We, too, can be bold to share our faith, not letting the fear of man stifle us, for Jesus is always with us.

The Resurrection makes it possible for us, too, to live the Truth that “Knowing Jesus is enough for JOY!” Choose it!  (Along with CLARITY, HOPE, and CONFIDENCE!)

No photo description available.

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