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Faith Worship

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 17, 2025 Respond
“…And without faith it is impossible to please God….” Heb. 11:6 
 

This past Sunday the sermon was about worship, which is, basically, the purpose of our existence. It is something we should excel at, always grow in. What usually comes to mind is singing, and church services. But, as our pastor said, anything we do can be worship if we do it to honor God.

One very important aspect of worship is faith: the more faith involved, the more it glorifies God, and the more it pleases God. Today He gave me an opportunity to worship Him in a very clear way.
I went to do some business that required showing my driver’s license, but when I went to get it out of my wallet, it was not there! Whooo! Not only could I not complete my business, but now I was driving without a license.
As usual, my first reaction was, “Oh no!” But immediately the Spirit prompted me to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, “Thank you Lord, for this. You have allowed this for a reason. And you know where it is.  If it be your will, help me to find it.”
That is high level worship, entirely flowing from faith. Humanly speaking there was no reason to give thanks, but biblically there was every reason: we have a loving God who is our Shepherd, always watching over us.  All that comes to us comes with His permission and purpose.
On the way home I tried to think of where I might have last used my license, but continually drew a blank. Another chance to offer the sacrifice  of  thanksgiving.  Then as I approached home, it came to  me. Last week I was required to send a photo of my license with an application, and had used my printer to copy itt. “It must be there!” I thought[. and sure enough, when I got home and looked, there it was.
No music, no crowd, no singing, just trust. God wants all those things, but faith is what pleases Him the most. So, check out Psalm 50:23 (“He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord”) and apply it!
Picture: Abraham, the man of faith, and his son Issac
No photo description available.
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MAY IT GO ON

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 16, 2025 Respond

The awakening (that is, the Spirit’s work among unbelievers bringing many into a living relationship with Christ) that has been energized following Charlie Kirk’w death both in America, and in other parts of the world continues penetrating many areas. A friend who lives in Scotland told me of an unsoliticeted influx of new people in his church. Even in spiritually cold places like New England different pastors have told me about numbers of new people coming to church and continuing to attend

The first part of this awakening actually began in the fall of 2024among college football teams, with whole groups of players coming to the Lord, then evangelizing their campuses. And now it is surfacing in the professional teams, where unity in Christ is crossing lines of  competition, going to players from rival teams.  Below is a link to one such event.
Let’s pray that the work of the Spirit to continue to bring many, many to Christ and to grow more.
Patriots, Jets players pray together after Thursday Night Football matchup
Players from the New England Patriots and the New York Jets kneel in prayer following a game in Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Nov. 13, 2025.
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The first gleam

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 14, 2025 Respond

More from Psalm 19 on the wonder of God’s Word.

“The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.”

In a world of great uncertainty, shifting values and confusing change, you guide us in knowing what is right, and that gives us joy.

Life without boundaries makes us uncertain and sad.

Life with the means to determine what is right and wrong gives us security, light and joy.

You are the source of all that and this flows to us through your Word.

“The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

In this world of darkness, confusion and conflict, your Word shines bright and clear,

showing us the path, exposing Satan’s traps, guiding us in decisions, enlightening us about the future.

As it ways in Proverb 4;18 “The path of the righteous its like the first gleam  of dawn, shining on every more brightly until the full light of day.”

The more we walk in this path of the Word, the  more light we get.

Therefore we can see and avoid the stumbling blocks, the false ideas and the snares of society.

You, Lord God, who stand outside of time, know all this and share it with us in your Word.

With it you

equip us,

guide us,

protect us

and invite us into your great plans.

Help us to join you in this every day, beginning with memorizing and meditating on your glorious Word.

Picture: the first gleam of dawn.

May be an image of tree, body of water, fog, horizon and twilight

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The Battle

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 13, 2025 Respond
“…the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down….” Psalm 146:8

Some days are a great chance to trust God, and today was one off them. Our internet has been down for two days (I didn’t realize how much I used it!), but we managed with the hot spot on my phone.

This morning I talked with the internet provider and was following their difficult directions when a neighbor burst in shouting about how terrible this was, so unfair and irresponsible, intimating  it was my fault. I was already dealing with a complex issue and this brought confusion. I asked the neighbor to talk more quietly, but he only shouted louder and more abusively, so I told him to go away, which he did not do, but i went back to my task as I had an appointment in short time.

All this happened so suddenly, so unexpectedly, that I didn’t have time to think, shortly but as we drove away, we thanked God for the situation and went on with our tasks and left the turmoil behind. But when I went to the doctor, my blood pressure was up over 130, far above my normal. Even with offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving our bodies still are affected. But the bottom line is God is good, He carries us through, even though there may be “collateral damage.”
This incident was, of course, not a big thing at all in the scope of life. It was just a small squermish in the spiritual battle we are all in, reminding us to keep on the armor and keep alert. And to remember we are fighting Satan and his forces, not my neighbor! We may be knocked down, but the Lord will pick us up so we can go on. Our goal is not comfort by obedience that honors God.
Picture: the battle we are really in.
No photo description available.
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Light to your eyes

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 12, 2025 Respond

Thoughts from Psalm 19

“The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”  Psalm 19:8b

 

Praise you, Lord, that my failures do not influence your attitude or love for me.

You are the great and gracious One who

does not change,

who cannot change,

who is steady, faithful and good.

It is a great comfort , in the midst of my ups and downs,

to know how consistently, wonderfully loving and reliable you are.

As it says in Psalm 19:7-11, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.”

It is through your Word that you have brought life to my soul, giving transformation, strength, courage and joy.

“The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

When I have no idea what to do or say, your Word gives guidance. It is full of wisdom, overflowing with insight and packed with knowledge.

By your Word and the work of the Spirit, we can, to a great degree, understand life, suffering, purpose, our end, and most importantly, you.

Prayer: “May your name may be lifted on high today before all those we meet. Glorify yourself in our lives today as we live according to your Word! Amen.”

Picture: Jesus, the Living Word, shines into our lives, giving light to our eyes.

No photo description available.

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God of Beauty God of Magnificence

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 11, 2025 Respond

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25

To you, O Great One, belongs praise and honor, glory and strength.

To you belongs awe, amazement, reverence and surrender.

To you belongs fear (of God), denial of self and taking up of our cross daily.

We can submit to you because:

  • You know what is right,
  • You know what is best,
  • You know beyond the moment,
  • You know all that will be.

Therefore:

  • You are the One to be trusted,
  • You are the One to be honored,
  • You are the One to be obeyed.

As I look at today, it is wonderful to know that you are going to work all things out for good, leading me through the maze of events, the succeeding challenges and adventures and the battle against the evil one. In all I can rest in you, in your goodness, in your love and in your power.

Picture: Our God who loves beauty, also loves us and is trustable

May be an image of tree

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The Almighty Lover of my soul

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 10, 2025 Respond

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1,2

 

Thank you, O God, for the opportunity to praise you in and for WHATEVER comes, to trust you to carry me through. I can do this because you are:

  • The Lord God,
  • Triune Ruler,
  • Eternal King,
  • Unchanging Sovereign,
  • Undefeated Commander,
  • Wise Judge,
  • All-Powerful Leader,
  • Mighty Shepherd,
  • Merciful Savior,
  • All-knowing Guide,
  • Unshakable Rock,
  • Safe and High Tower,
  • Our Ever-present Salvation.

Prayer: “THEREFORE Today may you be honored in my life, in my thoughts, in my motives, in my confession, in my transparency before you.

May you be glorified by my walking in humility and brokenness, trusting you, not myself.

May you be honored in my praise, in my actions, in my relationships, in my eating, in my work.

Picture: The Almighty God praying to His Father for us.

No photo description available.

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Following the Psalmist

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 9, 2025 Respond

Following the example of the Psalmist

“I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.

I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.

Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.

At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.

I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.

The earth is filled with your love, O LORD;
teach me your decrees” (Ps. 119:57-64).

 

What a powerful picture of a man’s willing response to the revealed Creator and His Word:

full,

complete,

wholehearted,

enthusiastic

surrender

and commitment to obedience.

May we do the same.

Picture: To surrender is to trust the One who loves us

No photo description available.

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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 7, 2025 Respond

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

Praise you, Lord, that I awoke this morning and there you were, waiting to present me with a new day.

You are always fresh and strong, ready to share this day with me.

You will lead me through the maze of events, all of which you already know about, having prepared all in detail.

My part is to listen, praise and obey. Guide me in doing this well.

I praise you now that you are

the Rock,

the Shepherd,

the High Tower

and the Light of my life, shining steadily whether I can sense your presence or not.

On you I can depend,

for you are faithful,

you are wise,

you are gracious,

and you are immutable.

In the light of these Truths

May my commitment to you, the eternal, living God,

be that of the Psalmist today.

“You are my portion, O LORD;
I have promised to obey your words.

I have sought your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.” Psalm 119:57,58

So, may you be exalted, glorified, honored and praised in my life throughout the entire day. Amen.”

Picture: The Lord has prepared the day for me, and for all His sheep.

No photo description available.

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Ultimate Winner

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 6, 2025 Respond

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” Psalm 73:25

More on the idol in my trophy case. Here’s a clue: it showed up on February 3 when the Patriots football team, after a perfect season, lost their final game, the Super Bowl.

I was amazed at how it affected me: I had trouble sleeping that night and every time I thought about it, which was often, sadness came over me.

So what was my idol? It was not being a Patriots fan. Nor was it following the football outcomes.

No, my mistake was hanging my happiness on the my team having a perfect record.

The reality is they had a great season even though they lost the Championship

.

It is normal to be a little sad when your team loses. It is not normal to be so down that you have to go through the grief cycle,

to be almost depressed about an event that in the grand sum of history has zero importance.

 

Another factor in this idol is that I like to be linked to a winner, as the Patriots were this season.

It gives a sense of significance, of excitement, of glamour.

In the end, though, no human being or institution is always a winner; there will always be losses and let downs.

In contrast, as true followers of Christ, we are tied to the Winner, Jesus, who has defeated death and the devil.

He is triumphing each day in helping His children to reject temptation, to live godly lives and in bringing many new believers into His Kingdom.

And in the end, He will complete his triumph over all evil. Plus, He is inviting us to join Him in His great victories and to share in His glory.

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4).

And “all kinds of trials…have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…

may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Pet. 1:6,7).

God is moving history to a conclusion and taking us with Him!

Are we following or are we camping out in idol land?

I praise God I was disappointed on February 3rd, for He had far greater things for me (and many others) than a perfect season for my team!

This loss took my eyes off the temporal and got them back on the eternal.

 

Prayer: “Lord, help me to set my heart on things above, to live in the stability of your character, the certainty of your victory, the security of your power.

Help me to be quickly aware of idols in my life and confess and abandon them immediately. May you be glorified in this. Amen.”

Picture: Jesus has conquered death and will come again in triumph, the ultimate Winner

No photo description available.

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