Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Friday, October 10, 2025

QT 10/10/2025 Gen 25:12–18, Estranged relationships

Genesis 25:12–18 (ESV) —

12 These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 (These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.) 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.

 

NOTE: The region east of Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea is not the easiest place to live. Other versions interpret the word "opposite" as "being in opposition to." Certainly the prophecy said that he would be against all those around him. It is amazing that despite having the same heir, the groups could be so entirely opposed to each other. But they are not alone. All of Europe has fought against one another for years and for the most part they are related through Japheth and others. Even within families, disputes arise that separate children from one another for years. It is not good, but it is a reality.

 

How does that apply to us? Many of us, including myself, have estranged siblings. It is one thing to just not communicate, but it is another thing when you don't even care to communicate. I am the oldest of seven and I have one brother like that. That particular brother is estranged from everyone in the family. He is the very middle of the middle, #4 of 7. I don't know all the reasons for his separation. I know he has some anger toward me because my mother set me on a pedestal for everyone else to follow. She was wrong to do that. I know my faith has also caused a separation. What is our responsibility? I think we do have a responsibility to reach out and try to reconcile. It is never good to live in separation from another, no matter who started it.

 

PONDER:

  1. What relationships in my life are estranged?
  2. What have I done and what can I still do to heal?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that as I reach out to an estranged sibling, that you would provide healing and restoration. Help me to be humble and to have no expectations. I pray for you to work and lead in this.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

QT 10/9/2025 Gen 25:1-11, Funerals and questions of legacy

 

Genesis 25:1–11 (ESV) —

1 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

 

NOTE: It is nice to see Ishmael and Isaac at his funeral. Possibly after Sarah's death, they reunited, we don't know. The two sons were not enemies. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac, although he gave gifts to other children born late in life to Keturah. Isaac was a rich man with a beautiful wife.

 

The scriptures say that Abraham died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, 175 to be exact. He experienced a lot of ups and downs in life. He experienced trials, fears, and great successes. He had spiritual failures and spiritual victories, the latter occurring much more often after the miracle birth of his son Isaac. He died rich materially and rich spiritually.

 

Attending a funeral is a good time for self-evaluation. Where is my life going? What is my legacy? What will I be remembered for? And maybe the question we don't ask but should, what do I want to be remembered as and for?

 

PONDER:

  1. What is my legacy now?
  2. What do I want it to be?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want my children to believe I was a good father who loved you foremost. I want to be someone they could always talk to about anything. I want to be someone whose advice they cherished. I want them to say, I know my Dad loved me as he loved you, God.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

QT 10/8/2025 Gen 24:52–67, Starting out well does not mean a good finish

Genesis 24:52–67 (ESV) —

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become

thousands of ten thousands,

and may your offspring possess

the gate of those who hate him!”

61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 

NOTE: The story of Rebekah and Isaac is lovely and romantic. In the midst of loss, God provides a special treasure to Isaac. And so, it is a bit disappointing to know the rest of the story. The start is wonderful, but the middle and finish is not very inspiring. As a couple, they play favorites. Rebekah is complicit in deception., which may be the result of observing her brother Laban (he was not the best example). Even though, it is not in this passage, I think there is a lesson. A good start is not necessarily a promise of a good finish. In some ways, Isaac and Rebekah lived off of Abraham's wealth. Neither experienced much hardship, at least from the passages that are recorded. We should be very thankful for peace when it occurs in life, but we must never take those blessings for granted, and forget God.

 

PONDER:

  1. How is life going today? If it is good, am I still remembering God? If it is hard and I am being forced to God, remember what is what like before, how did I live?
  2. A good foundation is great provided I build upon it. What am I building upon?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me grace to continue well. Life has been hard but it really is not hard now, especially in retrospect. I thank you for your blessings, and I pray I would continue to seek you in the good times as well.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

QT 10/7/2025 Gen 24:42–51, The need for leadership (the right kind)

Genesis 24:42–51 (RSV) —

42 “I came today to the spring, and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now thou wilt prosper the way which I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, “Pray give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

45 “Before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Pray let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.‘ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”

 

NOTE: Rebekah will have the final say (verse 58), but the spiritual leadership of the house represented by both Bethuel and Laban agree to the proposed marriage. I'm not sure why Laban has a say but it could be that Bethuel is aged and that Laban (as probably the oldest son) has taken over leadership in the house (which would include major decisions and spiritual decisions). Rebekah is an adult, but leadership is designed to protect those under its umbrella. Unfortunately today, we see leadership as interfering with our freedom, rather than protecting us from bad decisions. And to be honest, much of today's leadership (civil, religious, and work) is selfish.

 

As a former leader in the military and then again in a think tank, and later a bank AI group, I believed very strongly in servant leadership. My goal was to take care of my people. Yes the mission was first, but people were my number one resource. If I took care of my people, they would take care of the mission. I still believe in that philosophy and I believe it made me successful. I don’t see it on display very much today. I see workers pitted against each other, and bullying as the tools of modern leaders.

 

PONDER:

  1. Do I care for the people who work for me?
  2. Do I pray for the people under my umbrella of leadership?

 

PRAYER: Father, my role has shifted a lot but I still have people who "work" for me. Help me to merge my volunteer role with my leadership experience to produce humble servant leadership that cares.

Monday, October 6, 2025

QT 10/6/2025 Gen 24:32-41, We have free will, but if God is calling, we would be a fool to ignore

Genesis 24:32–41 (RSV) —

32 So the man came into the house; and Laban ungirded the camels, and gave him straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat; but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my errand.” He said, “Speak on.”

34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and asses. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house; 41 then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

 

NOTE: While Bethuel does appear in the narrative (verse 50), Laban seems to take the lead in the negotiations. Bethuel is certainly old, as is Abraham at this point. The servant retells the story, which seems unusual, considering the brevity of scripture, but this is important. Another person, a woman, is called to leave their family and travel to a far-away land, and live as a foreigner. The promise of the land is more than five centuries away, although they do not know it. The woman has free will. Repeated in the story is her choice and its impact on the oath that the servant made. She can choose to say no. Not repeated are Abraham's instructions to not allow Isaac to go back with him to the family's house. Additionally, given the fact that they have not seen Abraham in many years is the implication that their daughter will be gone, never to be seen again. These are not easy choices.

 

What does it mean for us? We know that choices, especially poor choices, have consequences, possibly irrevocable consequences. This is a good choice but also carries an irrevocable consequence of separation from her mother, father, brother, and any friends in the area. Having moved around quite a bit in the military, I can say that decisions like this lead to very lonely circumstances, at least for a while. They are not easy. It seems like the best choices often have, at least initially, tough consequences. But bad choices are much worse, causing great pain and missing out on the spiritual blessings of obedience.

 

PONDER:

  1. What is God calling me to do?
  2. What is hindering my obedience?

 

PRAYER: Father, at this point, I feel hedge in, that is, in a good way. I am doing what I need to do without having a lot of choice. Well, I could be selfish, and demand my own way, but that has never been a choice I've considered. I am content. These years are a little different than what I had planned, but I am part of a great blessing. I believe that. Give me strength to balance certain physical limitations with the job you have place before me.

Friday, October 3, 2025

QT 10/3/2025 Gen 24:22-31, Making God more than an afterthought

Genesis 24:22–31 (ESV) —

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

 

NOTE: There are two reactions to the servant of the very rich Abraham. Rebekah is very excited and runs to tell the family first. Laban, upon seeing some gold, runs to the man and implies that he has prepared a place for the servant. The latter seems to be an untruth, since everyone has been running and their doesn't seem to be any time yet made for preparing. In contrast to everyone else, the servant bows his head and worships God when he hears of the girl's parentage. Clearly, God is orchestrating the events. The servant recognizes God's hand and praises God.

 

What do we learn? I think the servant's example is the most practical. It is seeing life from God's perspective and giving him praise for the things that are happening.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Sometimes, we just live life, forgetting to pray before major decisions and forgetting to give thanks as God works in our life. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, the good and the things we perceive as bad. God is still at work.

 

PONDER:

  1. As I live life, what am I perceiving? Opportunities to get rich or the work of God?
  2. Do I live life with God as an afterthought or the reason for life?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me when I leave you our or forget to thank you in all circumstances. I need to continually give things over to you and trust you in all you do.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

QT 10/2/2025 Gen 24:10-21, Being specific in prayer

Genesis 24:10–21 (ESV) —

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not.

 

NOTE: Is this a fleece, a testing of God? I would say no, because God has not commanded the servant to do anything, and the request is not an attempt to prove God's power. No, this is a very specific prayer that the servant makes. It is of course possible that because of the emphasis on hospitality, most women would have done the task, although I'm not sure. A camel can drink 25 gallons and there were ten. More likely, most would avoid the extra work. But the servant's prayer may be specifically aimed at finding a bride who is well-instructed in hospitality. Without getting too technical or obtuse, the lesson is that the servant prayed a very specific prayer and God answered it. I would add that God answered it miraculously because the young women turns out to be related to Abraham's family, most likely sharing beliefs in a single God of the universe.

 

PONDER:

  1. How specific are my prayers?
  2. Do I pray generally or in such a way that it would be hard to know if God had answered?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do need to pray more specifically. There are general things, but a stronger faith would pray specifically. Also, a "no" is clear in a specific prayer than in a general prayer.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

QT 10/1/2025 Gen 24:1-9, Free will and God's Sovereignty

Genesis 24:1–9 (ESV) —

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

 

NOTE: Abraham is taking prudent steps to protect his son and the inheritance (although God has already unconditionally promised it). His servant is to go back to the land of his relatives, most likely believers in the one God, to secure a wife. Abraham believes that God will send his angel before him to make the trip a success. But, the story also includes "free will." While we will see a miraculous setup, there are obstacles. One is a greedy Laban, and secondly is a desire by the family to keep the girl in Haran and not allow her to go to Canaan. People must choose. Abraham says as much when he tells the servant that if the woman is not willing to follow, he is free from the oath. Fortunately as we will see, Rebekah is as commentator Kenneth Matthews suggests, "independently minded."

 

So what is the conclusion? God is sovereign over the affairs of man. And men have completely free wills. And somehow it all works together. Is it foreknowledge or is it just way beyond our understanding? If Rebekah has said no, what would have happened? God would have provided another way, but God knew the answer "ahead of time" (?or outside of time?) despite giving us perfect free will.

 

PONDER:

  1. We do have free wills and with that free will comes the opportunity to be a part of God's grand will. Do we take opportunity to be a part?
  2. In Esther, she is told, that if she does not choose to risk her life, God will provide salvation to the people through someone else. If we say no, we are losing out. How do we respond to God?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to be a part of your plan. I don't want to say no to an opportunity from you. Lead me, guide me, and give me clarity of thought as I see you work in my life.