Author: Lori Casto

Not as I Will

Written by Lori Casto on August 20, 2024. Posted in Devotionals.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

I’ve been drawn to this scripture more times than I can count over the past 10 months. This time, I’ve been specifically drawn to … “May this cup be taken from me.”

Wouldn’t it have been great for Jesus if He could die on a cross without having people spit on Him? Things would have been so much easier for Jesus if He didn’t have to endure lashes, a crown of thorns, people mocking Him, or the weight of the cross. Couldn’t He do His Father’s will without having nails strike his flesh?

Jesus knew what He was going to have to endure to complete the will of His Father. In his humanness, He questioned all of it. In the end, though, He says “Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will.”

Lately God has been saying to me, “You said you’re willing to do my will, but are you really willing to handle everything that comes with it?”

I don’t have to endure nails in my hands or wear a crown of thorns. The things in this life are not the same.

Maybe for me if I want to do God’s will, it means being more disciplined and committed. Maybe if I want to do God’s will it means dealing with possible criticism or having my motives questioned. Maybe doing God’s will means being open to vulnerability and hurt.

What does doing God’s will mean for you? Are you still willing to do what He wants no matter what?

If you or I are going to do God’s will, we must be willing to handle everything that comes with it.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Love

Written by Lori Casto on August 17, 2024. Posted in Devotionals.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:9-17

Jesus makes it clear, “Love one another.” I don’t see any conditions in this scripture. Love if, love when… Love isn’t a feeling either. Love is a demonstration. Love is a verb. Jesus even says “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down His life. God the Father demonstrated His love by giving & allowing His son to die for the sins of the world.

Jesus went on to say that if we love, we have the opportunity to experience the best possible joy. We have the chance to live a joyful life all the time…as long as we love. WOW! This gives me a lot to think about. Love, even when I’ve been hurt. Love, even when I’ve been betrayed. Love, even when I’m tired and under a lot if stress. Love, even when someone is simply unlikeable. Love, even when someone cuts me off at the intersection.

Jesus also talks about bearing fruit and receiving what we ask in His name interwoven in His discussion about love. Does this mean we need to make sure we are walking in love completely if we want to bear fruit as Christians? Does it mean we need to be walking in love to receive what we ask in Jesus’ Name? Maybe showing & walking in love is THAT important.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Faith, Not Sight

Written by Lori Casto on August 15, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

For we walk by faith, not by sight

2 Corinthians 5:7

Different Kinds of Gifts

Written by Lori Casto on August 13, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in ALL of them and in EVERYONE it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. NKJV 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people. NLV 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

Great Gain

Written by Lori Casto on August 12, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Open a Door

Written by Lori Casto on August 10, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 NIV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. NKJV

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. NLT

Let

Written by Lori Casto on August 9, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:12-17

Let- allow, authorize; to give opportunity or permit

Walk Worthy

Written by Lori Casto on August 7, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14

From the Lord

Written by Lori Casto on August 6, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121

YOURS

Written by Lori Casto on August 5, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,

And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.

“Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:1-13

And Give You Peace

Written by Lori Casto on August 4, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26

Praise the Lord

Written by Lori Casto on August 3, 2024. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

Author: Lori Casto

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