Author: Lori Casto

St. Croix

Written by Lori Casto on September 12, 2025. Posted in Blog.

To celebrate our 20-year anniversary, my husband and I decided to go back to the same place we went on our honeymoon. It’s been a great week.

Throughout the entirety of our 20+ years together, he’s taught me to snow ski; I’ve taught him to water ski. We love spending time enjoying the water. Whether it be boating, skiing, snorkeling, jumping waves, swimming…we enjoy it together.

We work together, and we’ve raised a family together. We’ve been through many tough times as well as many amazing times. We’ve even been in ministry together. It’s been a full 20 years. I’d venture to say we have probably spent more time together than most couples just based on the fact that we are with each other all day at work. Sometimes I don’t know if that’s good or not? 😊

A few people asked us what the secret to a successful marriage is…

My answer…

“He puts up with my crap and I put up with his.” He added… “We choose each other ONLY… no matter what.” It’s not a fancy answer. It’s a realistic answer. There’s no perfect person or greener grass.

My husband sees me every morning when I get up. He doesn’t just see the me who has taken a shower and gotten ready for the day. He has kissed me before I’ve brushed my teeth and just after I’ve had coffee to drink. When you live with a person day in, day out, you see all the imperfections. We also choose to be there for each other when the storms of life hit. We come out closer for sticking with each other during the hard times.

We choose to love each other despite imperfections. Loving someone through our imperfections and through the daily grinds of life causes love to grow dimension-ally and deeper.

I look forward to coming back here 10 years from now. I also look forward to seeing what God has in store for us before we come back here again.

Settle Down

Written by Lori Casto on September 12, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

Cast all your care (anxiety) upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (* Set you firmly in place) 1 Peter 5:7-10

Whether you’re thinking about what’s happening in the world or you’re dealing with an on-going private issue, God wants to settle you. He wants you to experience His peace and rest.

I know in my own life, I become guilty of feeling as though I have to carry the weight of the world. I could name so many things I feel responsible for. Yet, in 1 Peter, we are told to cast all our cares or anxiety on Jesus. He cares about everything we care about. He cares about all the things that seem to weigh us down.

What is weighing you down? Isn’t it time to set it all down? The things that weigh us down are the very things that take our eyes off God. When we take our eyes of God, the devil has an opportunity to do what He does best- cause confusion and division. After all, He’s always “Seeking whom he may devour” Let’s not let the devel get a stronghold in our lives.

Instead, let Jesus settle your spirit. Isn’t it time to settle down?

Settle Down

Written by Lori Casto on September 12, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Think on These Things

Written by Lori Casto on September 11, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

We Can Still Have Peace

Written by Lori Casto on September 11, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

I’m thankful in the midst of confusion, we can still have peace. God’s peace surpasses our understanding. May God’s peace guard our hearts and minds today.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

55 Cents

Written by Lori Casto on September 9, 2025. Posted in Blog.

When I was a kid, I would walk often by myself (5, 6, 7 years old) in my bare feet to JB’s ice cream shop to get a 55-cent treat. For 55 cents I would get one of three things- an ice cream sandwich, vanilla/orange sherbert twist cone, or a frozen chocolate covered banana. Sometime when I would ask my dad for the money, he simply didn’t have it. Every now and then I would search the couch cushions to collect my change to get ice cream. God always provided. He didn’t have to. It wasn’t like it was food to keep me nourished or water to keep me hydrated. It wasn’t a need. It was a want or desire.

Every summer that I can remember, our family would take a vacation to Florida. My dad grew up in Miami and he loved going back to Florida each summer. We specifically loved the Daytona and Orlando areas. We didn’t have a lot of money, but God always provided a way for us to have a family vacation. Just like the ice cream, our family vacation wasn’t a need. It was a desire.

The same God who always provided me 55 cents for an ice cream, always provided a summer vacation for our family.

When I was very young, my dad got saved and felt a call into the ministry. My parents made the decision that my dad would quit his very good paying supervisory job in a steel mill and they would sell our home in a beautiful residential area of Bedford, Ohio to move our family to the small town of Lexington where my parents would pastor a little white church. While dad pastored, he also went through pastoral studies at MVNC.

I remember conversations my parents would have questioning how we were going to pay bills or sometimes eat. GOD ALWAYS PROVIDED. Not only did God always provide our needs, He provided our wants.

My parents taught me such valuable lessons through their lives. When we are willing to be obedient to God, whatever that obedience means, God always takes care of the “What ifs” and makes a way with all provision that is necessary.

What is being obedient to God mean in your life? He will make a way where there seems to be no way and He will meet all of your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.

Step out in faith and let God handle the “what ifs.”

Bread Rain

Written by Lori Casto on September 7, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

The Children of Israel were free from Egypt. What a miracle! They were no longer slaves. They had made it through the sea. The Egyptian army was killed behind them as the Israelites crossed safely through The Red Sea. You know the story. It’s another major miracle. Chapter 15 of the book of Exodus is dedicated to the praise, honor, and glory the Israelites gave God for helping them cross the sea safely. However, by chapter 16, the people were back at grumbling and complaining. How quickly they forgot the miracles behind them.

How quickly they forgot the miracles behind them.

This time, The Israelites were complaining to Moses and Aaron because they were hungry. Instead of living in expectation of another miracle, they complained. Even in the midst of their complaining, God provided yet another miracle. He provided quail (meat) each night and manna (bread) each day. God told them because of this provision “you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

It would be easy for me to pass judgement on the children of Israel. Afterall, I would never find myself complaining after all the miracles I have seen God perform in my life, would I? Hmm. Maybe I would. Exodus is such a good snapshot of humankind. Our pastor recently went though a series on miracles. It was such a good reminder to continue to remember the miracles of God in my own life. I can look back and see God throughout my entire life.

If God gave the Israelites manna even in their complaining, can you imagine what God could do in our praising? Can you imagine what God can do in our expecting? Can you imagine what He can do when we seek Him? Can you imagine what He can do when we trust Him?

Today I’m challenged to remember God’s miracles in my life daily. I don’t want God to have to work while I grumble. I want to watch what more He can do when I praise instead.

How will you devote2day?

End of Our Rope

Written by Lori Casto on September 6, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Exodus 14:19-20

I continue to be amazed at the pillar of cloud God provided for the children of Israel and the part it played in their survival, as I dive a little more specifically into the parting of The Red Sea. Before & while The Red Sea was parting, God sent His Angel and the pillar of cloud between the Egyptian Army and the children of Isreal. The cloud provided light to the Israelites and darkness to the Egyptian Army and acted as a barrier to keep the 2 camps apart. That’s exciting, isn’t it? God’s provision is way beyond our ability to reason or understand. He never does a thing how we think He’s going to do a thing. God’s way is higher, bigger, better, and more powerful than our way.

He made it easy for the Israelites to move forward. He took away every other option available to them. They were either going to move forward or die. They didn’t have any other choice or option.

Sometimes in our own lives, we come to the end of our rope. We run out of options. We are left with no other choice than to trust Him. We seem like heroes. We decide to put our trust in Him, when the truth is, that’s all we can do. There is simply no other option.

Have you exhausted all your options? God is waiting for you to put your whole trust in Him so you can move forward. How will you devote2day?

Calm Down

Written by Lori Casto on September 5, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. (Move forward) Exodus 14:10-15

We all know the outcome of the story of the children of Israel and the crossing of The Red Sea. The Egyptian army was destroyed. The Israelites made it safely across. However, to make it safely across the sea the children of Israel needed a good slap across the face. Have you ever watched a TV show where someone needed to calm down? The person they are talking to slaps them across the face. It brings a moment of clarity, a true coming to themselves moment. The slap across the face gets their attention quickly.

Can you imagine the chaos, anxiety, stress, grumbling, and crying out that must’ve been going on with the huge group of Israelites as they are watching the Egyptian army approach? I think Moses was giving them a little “get it together” speech when he is telling them “Don’t be afraid, stand firm, and BE STILL! I think they needed to hear that from Moses before they could be ready to move forward.

I think we all have “Red Sea” moments. God wants to get us safely across the sea, but before we can be ready to move forward, we have to let go of fear. We have to quit speaking doom. We must put down stress and anxiety and put trust in The One who wants to guide our steps. Sometimes we just need to calm down before we can move forward.

What do you have to put down in order to move forward? How will you devote2day?

An Unmistakable Cloud

Written by Lori Casto on September 4, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. Exodus 13:21-22

The children of Israel were finally freed from the bondage of slavery and had begun their journey to The Promise Land. They had no idea of the voyage they had before them. God went before them in the form of an unmistakable cloud to lead the way they should go during the day and a pillar of fire that provided light at night.

The pillar of cloud & fire provided direction, protection, shade, and light. It was a symbol that God was with them everywhere they would go. However, it also led them directly to The Red Sea.

Just because God was leading the way, didn’t mean the children of Israel wouldn’t face barriers. In fact, God knew all the challenges they would face and their reactions.

In our own lives, God wants us to trust Him. He gave us His Word and the divine guidance of The Holy Spirit to lead the way. Just because He is leading, doesn’t mean we won’t experience roadblocks. Just because He is guiding, doesn’t mean we won’t encounter a Red Sea. He’s providing shade and light because He knows we’ll experience darkness. He knows we’ll feel the heat.

The Children of Israel had a hard time understanding how they would get across the sea. They thought they had been brought there to die. That wasn’t the first time they questioned God, and it wouldn’t be the last. They were leaning on their own understanding.

Don’t we often do the same?

I take great comfort in the knowledge that God is my guide, don’t you? We can find rest when we give God complete control. We can find peace when we realize His understanding surpasses ours every single time.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and Lean NOT on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This is the Way

Written by Lori Casto on September 4, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Honey in the Rock

Written by Lori Casto on September 3, 2025. Posted in Blog.

I’ve been thinking about what God was reminding me the other day:

Don’t lean on my own understanding (He’ll direct my path)
If I trust God, I need to let go of the rope (my understanding)
The more I trust, the less I need to know

Close to the end of the sermon “When God Said to Let Go,” There was a scripture reference about “Honey in the rock.” It wasn’t a big mention, yet it struck me big. 6 months ago, I heard the song “Honey in the Rock” for the first time. Being completely honest, I didn’t really care for the song, so I didn’t listen to the words. Shame on me. A few weeks ago, I heard the song again. I was reminded of when and where I heard it almost 6 months ago, looked at my husband, and we almost laughed. Shame on me again. The story is too long and unimportant. Anyway, I didn’t listen to the song when I heard it the second time. When I heard the scripture reference in that sermon, now for the third time, it hit me like a brick, that God was trying to teach me something.

I thought I’d better look up scripture references, commentary, and lyrics all pertaining to Honey in the Rock. Here are a few things that stood out to me….

In this context, the imagery of honey in the rock is a powerful symbol of God’s provision and abundance. Honey, being a natural sweetener and source of energy, represents the goodness and blessings that God provides for His people. The fact that it comes from the rock highlights God’s ability to bring forth abundance even from the most UNLIKELY or barren places.

Moreover, the symbolism of honey in the rock can also be interpreted metaphorically in a spiritual sense. Just as honey is hidden and waiting to be discovered within the rock, so too are spiritual treasures and blessings concealed for those who seek God diligently. The rock may represent challenges, obstacles, or trials that we face in life, but within them, God has hidden blessings and provision for those who trust in Him.

A few lyrics from “Honey in the Rock”

Freedom where the Spirit is
Bounty in the wilderness
***You will always satisfy, yeah
Purpose in Your plan
Power in the blood

I have all that I need
You are all that I need

I keep praying, You keep moving
I keep praising, You keep proving
I have all that I need
****You are all that I need ****
I have all that I need
You are all that I need, yeah

Jesus, Jesus, ***who You are is enough***

How sweet it is
To trust in You, Jesus

God continues to pour into me. Sometimes even though He shows me things, I still find it difficult to apply it.

One last thing He keeps showing me over and over and over and over again…

I can’t wrestle with doors.

Maybe God can help someone as I share this journey.

Author: Lori Casto

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