Consistent War

 

My Journey with Devotions 

I love listening to groups of women share what they’re good at and where they struggle. Some speak openly and vulnerably, while others hold back—perhaps unsure or hesitant. Some would say, I start every day reading my Bible or a devotional book. 

 In 2019, I bought New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp, a year-long devotional, and committed to reading it daily. At first, I was consistent, and when I missed a day, I’d catch up right away. I was so moved by it that I shared it with the ladies in my Bible study, telling them how deeply it was speaking into my life. I marked my consistency by writing the year I read it at the top. I started out so good but before I finished January 2019 reading, I was reminded of how inconsistent I was. January entries whispered back to me: “You didn’t finish.” Again.

But I thank God for Romans 7:15-20, where Paul writes:

 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...”

It’s like looking in a mirror. Consistency doesn’t always come naturally to me, but I no longer fear that. My salvation isn’t anchored to my ability to be faithful every day—it’s tied to Jesus’ faithfulness every day.

 

 My devotional book is the picture of a women saved by putting her faith in Jesus and what He did on the cross. Somedays I walk so close to Him, somedays I just make it through the day. It does not frighten me anymore that I am not consistent because my salvation does not depend on my consistency, my failing to be faithful every day does not cause Him to love me any less. 

July 25 Devotional: Living in the War Zone

Tripp’s words for July 25, 2025, spoke right into the battle that wages within me:

“You and I live between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’... Sin has not yet been fully eradicated... The spiritual war still goes on. And it’s fought on the turf of your heart for control of your soul...”

Yes—I live in that war every day. It shows up in doubt and faith, anxiety and trust, rebellion and submission. Some days, I walk closely with Jesus. Other days, I just make it through. But I am not condemned for that. I am held—flawed, yet fiercely loved.

July 28 Devotional: Grace Defines Me

When I read the July 28 entry back in 2020, I remember feeling seen. Today, it speaks even louder:

“Grace radically alters my identity and my hope... My identity is rooted in the achievements of another. My hope is based not on how well I am doing, but on what Jesus has done for me...”

I made it personal. This isn’t theory—it’s the very fabric of how I live now. Grace allows me to be honest, to release shame, and to rest in the identity I’ve found in Jesus.

I am not impressed with others consistency or faithfulness like I was when I first got saved. The women I have learned to look up to are those like me. They know who they are in Christ. They are honest and real, frail in some things, strong in other. Daily we are trusting Him to get us through this "war" that happens every day in one form or another. 

My freedom verse:

 Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." 

Why should I condemn myself or anyone else for whatever we do or do not do. Nothing can separate me from Christ, nothing, not even my inconsistency. 

Reflection

Today I choose grace over guilt. I remind myself that my worth is not measured by spiritual consistency but by Jesus’ unwavering love and finished work. Even in the middle of my war—when I feel weak, weary, or distracted—He remains strong and faithful. I walk forward not condemned but covered. Not perfect but perfectly loved. Here is an important reminder, grace meets us in the middle, not just at the finish line.

  

Lately I have been asking myself, "what makes me happy?" One question always leads to another question, which was: Does my happiness depend on others or myself"?

Going a little deeper I ask myself, "what causes me to be unhappy"? I value my family so if our relationship with them was not good, I would be unhappy. Not getting my way on something that matters not in the light of eternity. Not being able to do what I want or buy what I want. Not getting the attention I think I deserve. Easy to see how my happiness is all about Betty, not the Lord.

Aging has a way of changing things we value and for sure allowing the Lord into my life has made the biggest difference in my values. For years I chased happiness for Betty, never really finding it in a person or things. I had brief moments of happiness, but they left me wanting more which made me critical of those I look to for my happiness.

What did the Lord value when He walked this earth?

Love of God, Honesty, Faithfulness, Compassion and Forgiveness, Holiness:

James writes: To consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you are face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

The truth is (and this is why happiness is such a horrible value), that when we are not happy, something good may be happening. You have brought to that moment of crisis because of a need for growth, and the crisis may be the solution to much of what is wrong with your life. Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, authors of the book Boundaries.

The Lord has changed how I view happiness and my view of suffering. I no longer chase happiness; I chase wisdom on a day-to-day basis. When I value the fruits of the Spirit in my life more than the clothes I wear, I am content with what I have. When I value honesty in my everyday life it cast out fears. When I value faithfulness, it causes me to not procrastinate. When I value compassion and forgiveness worry leaves. When value Holiness, God gives wisdom.

Since I am still in this human body with all its human emotions, I fail sometimes to have my values right. I am always a work in progress, and He has promised to finish me. Wise Hearted

Favorite Place

If you follow me on Facebook you might have notice I changed my cover picture. It's a picture of the old city in Isreal. If I could move anywhere, it would be to Israel, near the old city. There is so much culture that can be learned by visiting there. The first time we visited we went on a tour to the sea of Galilee with people from the hotel we were staying in. We had our lunch there on the sea and I begin to talk to some of the folks with us. I ask: why did you come to Isarel? One man said, well this is the center of the world, history started here. Nobody said, because this is where Jesus was born, lived, and died for our sin, nobody. When the Bible talks about being blind to truth that was a perfect example for me. No one even mentioned that God created this place to be center of the world.

The next day we were in the old city walking around and a young man came up and ask us if he could give us a tour. We said great, and it was worth the money we paid him. Our last stop was the Garden tomb, outside the old city, down an alley, one little sign above the door. You can tell this place of history is not trying make money for it cost nothing to get into. There is a little room you walk into with a few artifacts, brochures, nothing that drew you to spend money for. From that room you step into a garden, a real garden, plants, flowers rocks, pathways made of stones. There is a platform on one side that you can look down on the city bus terminal, busy place but you cannot hear the noise. From there you wind your way down to the tomb and there are stone places and benches to sit all around it. People were coming in and out of the door as we sit down to watch for a time there might not be a crowd. 

The old city is loud, busy, crowded, tons of different smells, shops upon shops selling everything. They are catering to the tourist all over, except the Garden tomb. If you are not a child of God, joint heirs with Jesus, you probably will not end up at the garden tomb. We both were tired for we had walked all around the old city walls, inside the old city so sitting and just taking in the calmness was exactly what we needed. I remember thinking, God I could sit here forever. And just like that my next thought was this, you need to go out in the hustle and busyness of the world outside these walls for that is where the lost are. Soon we got ready to go back to the hotel but not before we saw something that cause us to rejoice.  The door to the tomb is usually open and people coming in and out but as we sit there someone closed the door and this was written on it:

                 "HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN."

Do you have a favorite place you have visited that spoke to your heart that stayed with you to this day?

Freedom

 

Freedom is on my mind today, and I'm reminded that the more freedom we enjoy, the more choices we have. America stands out as a beacon of freedom, offering unparalleled opportunities. Our nation was founded on the principles of religious freedom, allowing us to choose our own path. In America, I'm blessed with the liberty to choose my place of worship, where I dine, shop, drive, live, and educate my children. Freedom permeates every aspect of my life. Moreover, through Jesus, I've experienced the ultimate freedom - freedom from the darkness of hell. I'm grateful for the ability to express my views on freedom openly. Happy Fourth of July.

Wise Hearted