My Pondering
I hope this acrostic helps you stay a bit closer to God during this season.
Halloween is my least favorite holiday. I hate the evil associated with it. It all fun until someone gets hurt: physically, mentally or spiritually.
O-vercome evil by doing good
This is not natural, it’s supernatural. It takes faith, great faith!
🌟 Romans 12:21 (Key Verse)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is the foundational verse — a clear call to resist darkness not by matching it, but by responding with goodness rooted in God’s love.
💪 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Peter echoes Paul — goodness disarms evil and blesses both the giver and receiver.
✨ Luke 6:27–28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Jesus teaches that love is the ultimate spiritual weapon against hate and harm.
🕊 Romans 12:17–18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Overcoming evil includes cultivating peace, even when others stir conflict.
🌞 Galatians 6:9–10
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
This verse connects perfectly with the autumn/harvest season — sowing good leads to a harvest of righteousness.
🔥 Ephesians 5:8–9
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”
A powerful reminder that we don’t just do good — we are light through Christ.
Thus this tried and true saying resonates with me and I hope you to:
Love the sinner
while hating the sin
C-arve out deep time with God
We must be determined to know God. It doesn’t happen on accident.
According to the late great Adrian Rogers, getting to glow with God it takes:
- Determination – to be with God and know Him intimately in order to please Him
- Preparation – this is coming to God by preparing our mind and heart
- Isolation – we should spend dedicated 1 on 1 with God
- Expectation – let have the confidence that God will reveal and speak to us and take written notes.
- Adoration – let’s worship, adore and respect God and live it out.
🍂 Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
This verse is the heart of the phrase — carving out time for stillness allows His voice to rise above the noise.
🕯 Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Even Jesus modeled carving out deep, quiet time to commune with the Father.
🌿 Luke 5:16
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Consistent withdrawal for prayer keeps the soul aligned and replenished — much like pruning a tree before growth.
🌾 Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Deep time with God satisfies the spiritual thirst no earthly thing can quench.
🌤 Isaiah 30:15
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Resting in Him renews our strength and perspective — especially in a world of constant motion.
T – reat others sweetly
We are called to kill em with kindness
🍯 Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Kindness is the “sweetness” of God’s grace expressed through our daily actions.
🌿 Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Living “sweetly” means letting the Spirit’s fruit flavor every interaction.
💛 Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Our words can be either sugar or salt — grace makes them healing and sweet.
🍎 Colossians 3:12–14
“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… And over all these virtues put on love.”
Love is the “sweet coating” that holds every virtue together.
🌤 Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Sweetness comes from humility and honoring others first.
🌻 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”
Sweet treatment builds others instead of breaking them down.
O-bedience is better than remorse
⚖️ 1 Samuel 15:22
“But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”
This is the direct foundation — obedience pleases God more than religious rituals or regretful offerings afterward.
🕊 John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commandments.”
Obedience is an act of love, not duty — a proactive devotion rather than a reactive apology.
🌿 James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
It’s not enough to know what’s right; the sweetness of obedience lies in action before correction is needed.
🔥 Deuteronomy 28:1–2
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands… all these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings regret. God’s way is always better upfront.
💧 Luke 11:28
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
True blessing is found in obedience, not in repentance after rebellion.
💔 Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
Many choose their own way, then live in remorse — obedience protects us from that path.
🌞 Psalm 119:60
“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”
The longer we delay obedience, the deeper remorse can grow. Quick obedience leads to peace.
B-e the light in a dark world
🌟 Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. The foundational verse — a direct call to shine brightly and publicly for God’s glory.
🔥 John 8:12
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Jesus is the true source of light; we reflect His brightness into a dark world.
🕯 Ephesians 5:8–9
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”
Our lives are living lanterns — every good act spreads His glow.
🌞 Philippians 2:15
“…so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
Even small stars are seen most clearly against the dark — your faithfulness stands out.
🌾 1 Thessalonians 5:5
“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
A reminder of identity — you are light, not just a carrier of it.
✨ Isaiah 60:1–2
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.”
Even when the world grows dim, God’s glory ignites His people to shine brighter.
E-mbrace the change of seasons yet stick to Scripture
🍁 Ecclesiastes 3:1–2
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Life and nature move through seasons — but God’s timing and purpose remain constant.
🌤 Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
As creation changes colors and fades, His Word never fades — it’s the anchor through every transition.
🌾 Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
The seasons may shift, but the Savior does not.
🍂 Psalm 1:2–3
“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”
Rooted in Scripture, we can embrace every new season without being shaken.
🌻 James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
God’s goodness doesn’t depend on the season — it’s steady even as life changes.
🔥 2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
In every season — whether pruning or planting — the Word keeps us grounded and growing.
R-esist the devil and he will flee
⚔️ James 4:7 (Core Verse)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The power comes from submission first — resistance without surrender to God lacks authority. True victory starts with aligning under His Lordship.
🛡 1 Peter 5:8–9
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
Staying alert, prayerful, and grounded in faith keeps the enemy from gaining ground. Resistance is both defensive and proactive.
🗡 Ephesians 6:11–13
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Spiritual resistance is about being equipped — truth, righteousness, and faith are your armor.
🔥 Matthew 4:10
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
Even Jesus resisted by standing on Scripture — “It is written” is still the believer’s most powerful weapon.
🕊 2 Corinthians 10:4–5
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Resistance comes through prayer, truth, and spiritual authority — not human strength.
🌞 Romans 16:20
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Resistance isn’t just about defense — it ends with victory and restoration.
R-ejoice in the Lord’s victory
🕊 1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is the key verse — pure and direct. Every battle, every season ends in His victory, not ours.
🛡 Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
We don’t just survive — we overcome because His love ensures victory over sin, fear, and death.
🌿 2 Corinthians 2:14
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”
A picture of spiritual victory — Christ leads His people in a celebration of triumph.
🔥 Psalm 98:1
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.”
A joyful expression of God’s saving power — His victory calls for rejoicing and worship.
🌞 Exodus 15:1–2
“I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. Both horse and driver He has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”
A song of victory after deliverance — God’s power to save is always worthy of rejoicing.
🌾 Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Joy isn’t circumstantial — it’s rooted in His unchanging victory.