Author: Lori Casto

Just a Boy

Written by Lori Casto on July 22, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Samual 17:45-47

Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24

What if you speak to the mountain only to find when God removes it, there stands a giant? Sometimes it seems we are hard pressed on all sides, leaving us feeling persecuted and abandoned. (2 Corinthians 4) We’ve finally removed a barrier and there’s still more conquering yet to do.

I think it’s important to know that Goliath won’t be moved by our own power or might. Just like God throws the mountain into the sea as we speak to it in Jesus’ name, God also delivers us from the giant. The battle is His. He will equip us to fight the battle, then He will take over where our weakness begins. (His strength is made perfect in our weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9)

We will have mountains, and we will have Goliaths just beyond the mountain, but if God can use just a boy with 5 smooth stones and a sling, He can certainly equip us to slay the giant. Don’t give up. Whether you’re waiting for mountain removal or preparing to slay a giant, God is fighting our battle through Jesus and the power of The Holy Spirit.

I’ve come to realize the more opposition we face, the bigger the blessing. Don’t quit. Jesus wants us to live victorious lives as overcomers. Remember, David wasn’t just a boy. He was a boy with mighty faith in a big and powerful God.

Instruction

Written by Lori Casto on July 22, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

God is Faithful

Written by Lori Casto on July 21, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Monday Meditation

Written by Lori Casto on July 21, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

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.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 3:3-10

Hope

Written by Lori Casto on July 20, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18

Clean Heart

Written by Lori Casto on July 19, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Just Enough

Written by Lori Casto on July 18, 2025. Posted in Devotionals.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:8-16

The widow was gathering sticks to make a meal for her and her son. She had just enough oil and flour for the 2 of them to eat one last meal and then wait to die of starvation. Things looked grim. Then Elijah, a total stranger, appears out of nowhere and instructs her to make a small cake and feed him first. I know God prepared her heart for Elijah, but If I were this widow, I may be a little unwilling to help a perfect stranger before feeding my own son. Still, the widow was obedient despite any fear and questioning.

Because of her obedience, every day God provided just enough oil and flour for “her and her household.” We don’t know who was in her household other than her son, but I have to think it could have been several people. Because the widow obeyed even when she was in fear and questioning, it turned just enough oil and flour into more than enough.

Isn’t it great we serve a God who provides just enough and more than enough? Sometimes His provision depends on our obedience. We can’t explain God’s provision. We can’t explain the how or the when. It’s always a joy though, to look back and see how he was in the situation all along and how He worked things out for the good.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Forgive Us Our Debts

Written by Lori Casto on July 18, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture, Devotionals.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Mathew 6:12

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, SO THAT your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” Mark 11:25

Your Will Be Done

Written by Lori Casto on July 17, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture, Devotionals.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NKJV

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Absolute Obedience & Surrender ISN’T

My Will

My Way

My When

Absolute Obedience & Surrender IS:

God’s Will

God’s Way

God’s When

No matter what.

What’s the “no matter what” part you struggle with?

Your Kingdom Come

Written by Lori Casto on July 16, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture, Devotionals.

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:9-14

Good for Nothing

Written by Lori Casto on July 15, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13

No Weapon

Written by Lori Casto on July 14, 2025. Posted in Daily Scripture.

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

Author: Lori Casto

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