The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections

  Spiritual Growth: Being Prepared This reflection is the first of two gentle steps of preparation before the new year. In this post we consider how to approach the Word with confidence and reverence; in the next, we will reflect on putting on the whole armor of God. 2 Timothy 2:15 " Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." KJV "Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." NLT Six Steps to Prepare to Read the Holy Scriptures also referred to as the 'Word' Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation Bible in today's devotional. 1. Prepare: Come with Confidence and Eliminate potential Distractions. (enter a prayer closet or be in a quiet space) Hebrews 6:19   " This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us throu...

Bible Verse Luke 2:14 NLT "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors."  Reflection Luke 2:14 reminds us that heaven’s glory and earth’s peace are inseparably bound together in Christ. The angels’ song over Bethlehem was not only a proclamation of God’s majesty but also a promise of His favor resting upon humanity.   Glory and peace—two gifts that meet in Jesus—invite us to lift our eyes upward while allowing His presence to settle deep within our hearts. The golden clouds and kneeling silhouette call us to humility: true glory is not found in our striving but in surrender.  The rainbow reflected across the ocean whispers of covenant and hope, a reminder that God’s peace is not fragile but enduring, stretching across the storms of life with radiant assurance. As we pray for His peace to rest upon us, we are also called to embody it—becoming vessels of reconciliation, gentleness, and grace in a world that longs for calm.  To glorify ...

Bible Verse " The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you." Numbers 6:24-25 Reflection The blessing spoken in Numbers 6 is more than words—it is a covering of God’s presence. To be kept by the Lord is to rest in His protection, and to have His face shine upon us is to live in the warmth of His favor. On days when we feel uncertain or weary, this promise reminds us that God Himself is near, watching over us and lighting our path. His blessing is not distant; it is personal, shining through us so that others may glimpse His love. As we walk through this day, may we carry the assurance that we are held, guided, and illuminated by His grace. Daily Prayer Lord, bless me with Your presence today.  Keep me safe and let Your light shine through me.  In Jesus' name, Amen. Preparing for the New Year: Guided by Oswald Chambers By His Grace, Quil Share God with someone today: The Quill and Me—A Devotional Blog... Visit the Free PDF Resource Library on this b...

Oswald Chambers: A Life Poured Out Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) was a Scottish evangelist and teacher whose words continue to nourish believers more than a century after his passing. Though he lived only 43 years, his devotion to Christ left a legacy that still shapes hearts today. Chambers served as a chaplain to soldiers in Egypt during World War I, offering spiritual strength in a time of fear and uncertainty. After his sudden death in 1917, his wife Gertrude (“Biddy”) carefully preserved his lectures and notes. Through her dedication, his most famous devotional, My Utmost For His Highest , was published in 1927. This book has become one of the most widely read devotionals in the world, guiding countless believers into a deeper daily walk with God. Chambers’ other writings—on prayer, discipline, love, and the Sermon on the Mount—reflect the same heartbeat: surrender to Christ and trust in His presence. Beginning January 1, of the new year, The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers: MY UTMOS...

Bible Verse Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid;  the Lord your God will be with you. 🌿 Reflection for December 19 Joshua 1:9 reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of God. Mary and Joseph faced uncertainty, yet their faith steadied them. In the same way, we are invited to trust that God walks with us into every challenge. Strength comes not from our own resolve but from His nearness. When worry rises, prayer becomes the turning point—shifting our gaze from what we cannot control to the One who holds all things.  Faith over fear is not a slogan; it is a daily practice of laying burdens at His feet and choosing trust instead of anxiety. Today, let courage be your companion, not because the path is easy, but because Immanuel—God with us—goes before you, beside you, and within you. December 19 - Prayer for Today Lord, I thank you for my many blessings,  I praise you and give you the glory in all things.  Forgive me...

"Mary was visited by an angel with a message beyond imagining: she would bear the Son of God. She did not shrink back, nor did she say, ‘Who am I?’ Instead, her faith held her steady. Joseph too believed, even when the path led through hardship and uncertainty. Their story reminds us that God’s call is not about our worthiness in the world’s eyes, but about His presence with us. When others judge or dismiss us, when our past whispers unworthiness, Immanuel speaks a different word: God with us, God choosing us, God using us." Prophecies from the Old Testament and Fulfillment in the New Testament: Micah 5:2 — “But thou, Bethlehem...out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Luke 2:8–14 — (Angels announce the birth to shepherds:)  "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them...

Bible Verse "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end." Lamentations 3:22-23 Every sunrise carries a quiet promise: God’s mercies are new again. The prophet Jeremiah wrote these words in the midst of sorrow, yet even there he found hope. The steadfast love of the Lord is not fragile or fleeting—it is constant, unbroken, and renewed each day. When we feel weary, His love steadies us. When we stumble, His mercy lifts us. When we wonder if we can begin again, His faithfulness whispers: yes, you can. This verse reminds us that God’s love is not limited by yesterday’s failures or tomorrow’s fears. It is present now, in this moment, waiting to be received and shared. December 18 - Daily Prayer Thank you, Lord, for new mercies today.  Let me walk in Your steadfast love and share it with others. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. ~ Quil Share God with someone today: The Quill and Me—A Devotional Blog... Visit the Free PDF Resource Library on this...

Hidden Grace in the Season of Waiting There is a hush in the scene. Mary listens, her hands folded, her heart open. Gabriel speaks, not with thunder, but with a message that will change the world: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” (Luke 1:31) Above, the Spirit descends like a dove, light streaming from the Father’s hand. Heaven bends low to earth. To the side, Joseph stirs from his dream—an angel whispering courage into his uncertainty. In the distance, a man leads a donkey with a woman riding in quiet trust. Bethlehem waits. This painting is not just one moment—it is a tapestry of God’s plan. Created by Guidoccio Cozzarelli around 1480–1490, The Annunciation and the Journey to Bethlehem was originally part of a Renaissance altarpiece. Cozzarelli, a Sienese painter, was known for weaving multiple biblical scenes into one frame, inviting worshippers to see prophecy and fulfillment side by side. Here, the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26–38) is jo...

Bible Verse "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 There are moments when the weight of our battles feels too heavy to carry. We strive, we plan, we push forward—and yet the Lord whispers, “Be still.” Stillness is not weakness. It is trust. It is the posture of surrender, where we release control and allow God’s strength to prevail. Just as He parted the sea for Israel, He makes a way for us when none seems possible. In stillness, we discover His presence. In surrender, we find His victory. Stillness is a sanctuary. Let it hold you. December 17 - Our Prayer for Today Lord, I surrender my battles to You. Teach me to be still and trust in Your victory. In Jesus' name, Amen. It is hard to be still.  I pray for our stillness. Quil Share God with someone today: The Quill and Me—A Devotional Blog... Visit the Free PDF Resource Library on this blog. Enjoy  ~ Quil

Bible Verse "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 Peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it is the presence of God’s love in action. Jesus calls the peacemakers “children of God” because they mirror the Father’s heart. To bring peace is to carry His character into the world: into our homes, workplaces, and relationships. Being a peacemaker often requires humility, patience, and courage. It means choosing reconciliation over division, gentleness over harshness, and love over pride. Each time we sow peace, we reveal our identity as God’s children and invite His kingdom to shine through us. December 16 - Our Daily Prayer Father, help me bring peace into my workplace and home.  Let my words and actions reflect Your love. In Jesus' holy name, Amen. With peace and love, Quil Share God with someone today: The Quill and Me—A Devotional Blog... Visit the Free PDF Resource Library on this blog. Enjoy  ~ Quil