LightToMyPath | Kristi's Morning Devotional

July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

Off the Beaten Path

While Dave and I were in the mountains last week we walked quite a bit off the beaten path. Oh yes, there were paved, sort of, roads through the campground but getting to the lake and carrying our trash to the dumpsters was shorter if we cut through the forested area and didn’t go on the path.

There were a few times when Dave walked beside me or even behind me to make sure I didn’t trip or fall. He’s good about doing things like that.

And then there’s those times when you are in a public place and see the signs posted “Watch your Step”. In addition to the warning, it’s nice to have someone there beside you to steady you when the way forward is uncertain.

I remember our many visits with my mother. When we went out she had her cane and/or her walker, but she enjoyed taking our arm just to steady her. I remember holding her hand when I was a child and we would go places. In high school we would find ourselves walking down the street hand in hand. (I didn’t need her assistance then, but I liked the feeling of her hand in mine.)

I was reminded of these examples this morning as I was reading near the end of Psalm 119. That’s what God does for us! He takes our hand and steadies our steps.

“Your teachings are wonderful, and I respect them all. ¹³⁰Understanding your word
brings light to the minds of ordinary people. ¹³¹I honestly want to know everything you teach. ¹³²Think about me and be kind, just as you are to everyone who loves your name.
¹³³Keep your promise and don’t let me stumble or let sin control my life. ¹³⁴Protect me from abuse, so I can obey your laws. ¹³⁵Smile on me, your servant, and teach me your laws.
¹³⁶When anyone disobeys you, my eyes overflow with tears.” Psalm 119:129-136 CEV

God’s word keeps us from stumbling when we apply it to our lives.

“Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forever, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

Whether the road ahead is paved and smooth or off the beaten path, the Lord is there!

Father, today my path may be uncertain. I’m not sure where You will lead and what the terrain may be but I am certain that if You are with me. You won’t let me stumble. Thank you for keeping Your promise. I love walking hand in hand with You!

March 19, 2025March 19, 2025

The Light Within

When I was a young girl, we lived in Northern New Mexico. I loved the missions; the adobe style houses and the luminarias at Christmas. They fascinated me. Candles in bags, lining the pathways – giving light at Christmas.

Years later in my early thirties, the memory of those special lights brought meaning to the Bible verses I was reading.

“The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like. ⁵We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. ⁶ The Scriptures say, ‘God commanded light to shine in the dark.’ Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. ⁷We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:4-7 CEV

We are luminarias to the world!

When we allow the Lord to work in us and we work with Him, we bring His light to those around us.

Jesus talked about this with his followers.

“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 Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments from the Lord he was engulfed by God’s glory. When he came down from the mountain his face was illuminated. He had been in the presence of God.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, he carried the two stone tablets of the agreement. Because he had talked with the Lord, his face was shining, but he did not know it. ³⁰Aaron and all the people of Israel saw that Moses’ face was shining bright. So they were afraid to go near him.” Exodus 334:29-30 ERV

Moses covered his face to keep the people from being fearful, but they knew he had been in the presence of God. The Apostle Paul talks about this and makes this comparison to our lives.

“And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18 ERV

We are being changed to be like Him!

Just like those luminarias that lit the path to the mission at Christmas, we are to light the path that leads the world to Jesus.

July 16, 2022July 16, 2022

Final Authority

Each day I am thankful that God has allowed me to share His word with you. I don’t know where I would be without the Father’s love or His wonderful love letter, His Word! In fact, I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like without Him.

God’s Word has brought me forgiveness of sins, health to my body, peace to my soul, healing for my children, enrichment for my marriage, wisdom when my human intellect was lacking, protection in physical and emotional storms and safety in the face of danger.

God’s promises have let me know that He would always supply and He always has. But I do have to tell you, it hasn’t always been this way. I lived a defeated life for a long time until I saw in God’s word that He has made provision for more than just eternal life and that He wanted me to live victoriously while I was here on earth.

All of God’s promises are the same. His Word is for everyone but we don’t all see the same results. Why? We must appropriate what God has given us; simply put we must believe it regardless of how we feel or what circumstances tell us we should believe.

There have been days that I wake up and don’t feel very saved; but my salvation isn’t founded on my feelings, it’s based on God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. There are days that I wake up and may not feel healed but I am because it’s based on God’s promise and Jesus’ sacrifice.

Circumstances said there wasn’t enough lunch to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish but the blessing of God flowed and there was more than enough.

Circumstances said the apostles should lock themselves away and hide at the crucifixion, but the power of God was released through His Word and resurrection came!

The medical world said nothing could be done for the woman was bleeding for twelve years but just one touch brought healing to her body.

Yes, the word of God changes our circumstances when we believe; it’s called faith! Not faith in ourselves, but faith in God’s unchanging, unfailing love.

Let the words of David’s Psalm be real in your life today.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the LORD, “You are my place of safety, my fortress, My God, I trust in you.” 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. 6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon…15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91 ERV

Make God’s word your final authority. It has stood the test of time. It will not fail!