IWillNeverLeaveYou | Kristi's Morning Devotional

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

Not On the Menu

Dave and I will be heading to the mountains with friends in a couple of weeks and the guys are looking forward to some fishing.

I remember when I’d go fishing with my dad, I have fun digging through the worm can to find a big, fat, juicy worm and then put it on the hook. I just knew I was bound to catch a big fish…and most of the time I did.

Do you know the devil has a can of big, fat, juicy worms he uses to try and catch us? His bait has names like condemnation, fear, bitterness, jealousy, low self-esteem, guilt, greed, depression and he tries to catch us on his hook.

As a kid, I’m sure you all said this little chant once or twice. “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms. Big fat juicy ones, little tiny scrawny ones, oh, how they do squirm.”

Ya, I know kids stuff right? Not so much – that feeling is all too prevalent in adults as well but we just don’t sing the chant.

That feeling that I’m all alone and that nobody really understands me or loves! It can be overwhelming. We’ve all had people let us down, turn against us or just ignore us as if we don’t exist.

But! There is One who promises to never leave us or forsake us.

I love Hebrews 13:5b. “God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Now that’s good news but let me give it to you from the Amplified version.

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6

Now read that again. The Amplified version gives us the depth of the meaning of the words the way they were written in the original language.

This is how God feels about us – He’s there for us. He will not leave me!!!! His love never fails. This ties into what we read yesterday. Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God.

When the devil tries to entice us with his bait, we do what God’s word says.

“The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, ⁵and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4-5 ERV

Don’t take the bait – it’s not on God’s menu.

Be blessed today because God loves us, and nothing can compare to that!!

January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

Rough Seas

Dave and I spent part of the evening listening to old country songs. They just don’t write them like that anymore…

One group called the Texas Tenors, a trio, had such great harmony and delivery of the songs. This one was my favorite, “Thank God for the Lighthouse”.

“There’s a lighthouse on a hillside
That overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed about it sends out a light
That I might see.
And the light that shines in the darkness now
Will safely lead us o’er.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
This ship would be no more.

And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
For Jesus is the lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin
He has shone a light around me
That I could clearly see.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be.

He has shone a light around me
That I could clearly see.
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be.”

It struck a chord, pardon the pun. Now there’s no where in Scripture that I find reference to a lighthouse but there are definitely references to light and darkness.

“In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it.” John 1:4-5 ERV

The light that God brings to our lives has never been defeated. We can try to hide the light but we can’t extinguish it.

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ERV

When there are rough seas and a rocky shoreline we need to let the light of God shine through us to bring others safely to the harbor.

Lighthouses are built on a solid foundation, something that the wind and waves can’t destroy. They withstand the storms.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. ²⁵It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.” Matthew 5:24-25 ERV

Jesus said He was the light of the world and in the verse above He says that His word is a rock solid foundation for us to build our lives on. It’s His life that is the beacon to guide us safely through the rough waters of this life. Then He tells us to use our light to bring others to the safety of His love.

Thank God for the lighthouse, without it where would this ship be?

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025

Redeemed – At the Cross

Dave and I try to find something uplifting or humorous to watch before going to bed.

Last night we listened to several videos which featured “Jelly Roll”. For those of you from my generation who may find it hard to look at someone who is tatted like Jelly Roll and not be critical, let me say what the Lord told Samuel:

“When they had come, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, ‘For sure he is the Lord’s chosen one who is standing before Him.”’⁷But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at the way he looks on the outside or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. For the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. A man looks at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.‘” I Samuel 16:6-7 NLV

This man has a message of hope and redemption in Jesus Christ. It’s a message of praise.

We all need to come to the realization of what our Savior, Jesus Christ, did for us on the cross. We each have had our heartaches and pain. Not one of us has lived a life free of disappointment. Not even Jesus.

In our darkest moments the Father is there. In our deepest pain He reaches out to lift us up. In our most debilitating trial, He redeems our life. He gives us beauty for ashes, joy in the morning and peace in the storm.

“But now the Lord Who made you, O Jacob, and He Who made you, O Israel, says, “Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! ²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. ³For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you. ” Isaiah 43:1-3 NLV

Raise your hands in worship to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who covered our sin at the cross and the Father who gave His Son to pay the price for our sin!

Listen to this and then listen again. We’ve been “Redeemed – at the Cross“.

Now lift up your hands and praise Him again and again!

October 2, 2022October 2, 2022

Hold My Hand

Several years back, before we became camp hosts, Dave and I would come to Rainbow Campground for our own camping getaway.

Four years ago, our oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson joined us for a weekend. Our grandson came with his Auntitee and Unc on his first big camping trip. There were all sorts of exciting times; smores, fishing, making nature crafts and walking a downed tree.

When we stood him up on the log for the first time he was scared. We showed him how to keep his balance, but his first steps were timid and apprehensive. “Hold my hand, I don’t want to fall”. We held his hand for that first stroll.

Then, with a little more confidence, he took the second walk. This time Pappy and Unc only needed to be close -” close enough to catch me if I fall”.

Have you ever been like my little grandson? Afraid that you might fall?

“You trust in the Lord for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety.
¹⁰So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home. ¹¹He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. ¹²Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.” Psalm 91:9-12 ERV

The Father doesn’t scold us when we’re afraid. He speaks to us with reassuring words, building our confidence in Him.

“…’Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. ²When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. ³That’s because I, the Lord, am your God… ⁴You are precious to me, and I have given you a special place of honor. I love you.'” Isaiah 43:1-14 ERV

Don’t be afraid. You are precious to me, I love you!

Although these words were written thousands of years ago, they are filled with truth for us. Over and over again throughout Scripture God speaks the words “Don’t be afraid”. He is our loving Father who walks with us constantly, is willing to hold our hand, and to carry us through the worst circumstances. And then He rejoices with us in our victories.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
⁴Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

The longer I walk in relationship with the Lord, the more I trust Him. He is always faithful.

It’s often I hear the Father say: Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.” Isaiah 41:10 NLV

Sam had such a huge smile on his face when he realized he had nothing to fear because his Pappy and his uncle were there to protect him. I have the same kind of smile when I hear my Father say, “Don’t fear, I’m with you”.

Thank you, Father, for holding my hand.