Letters to God: 365 (Plus 2) Daily Devotional Messages

By William Bean

About the Book
This series of Christian devotional messages, Letters to God, contains messages written from a personal standpoint. Any who are seeking to know God better might find them helpful and perhaps challenging. It is perhaps unique due to the perspective from which the individual messages are written (personal). In having originally delivered the typically brief messages in text form early in the morning, author William Bean’s hope was that the recipients, who might not otherwise, would have exposure to God as they begin their day. As you enjoy these devotionals. may you be drawn closer to God.
About the Author
From a young age, William Bean always desired to write a book, although he never anticipated it would come in the form of this work. He became a follower of Christ in his mid-thirties, and has since become a devoted, faithful student of God's word. He enjoys sharing his discoveries from within God's Word through teaching in his local church, and he serves in various capacities within it.
William is a husband, father, and grandfather, but first and foremost he is a deeply devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. He is not a pastor but does consider himself to be a minister of the Word of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889258018

Book preview

January 1

Letters to God

They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

My Beloved, 

A new year has dawned. The past is behind us, and we are presented with a singular opportunity to, as it were, start all over. What if we actually shelved our weak resolutions in favor of solid commitments? If we actually turned our good intentions into even better actions? What if we actually engaged in intercessory prayer instead of simply planning to? If we actually loved others unconditionally instead of only when it suits our purposes? What if we actually did make time for You throughout each day instead of only after we have handled the really important things? If we actually spent time in Your word daily, seeking You instead of reading it because it’s the accepted, expected thing to do? What if we actually forgave others from the heart instead of standing in judgment of them? If we actually followed all of the leading of the Holy Spirit instead of only when it is what we wanted anyway? What if Jesus actually had all of our hearts instead of only those parts we don’t try to hide? If He was actually on the throne of our lives instead of only when it doesn’t interfere with our predetermined plans and desires? What if we actually did pray without ceasing, rejoice always, do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You, consistently, unashamedly, faithfully? The day has arrived. The time is now.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 2

Letters to God

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.

Rom. 7:18 (KJV)

My Beloved,

I perceive that there is an obstacle, a hindrance within that continually confronts me and seeks to undermine my total surrender to You. Somewhere deep within my mind, my heart, my very soul is the idea that there is a spark, however small, of goodness apart from You. I sometimes struggle with the idea that there is absolutely nothing pleasing, nothing of value within me that would commend me to You. And yet, the revelation of Scripture makes it abundantly clear that apart from Christ, nothing good is present in me. Why that conflict continues to rage inside of me after all of our years together troubles me. But the fact that the conflict continues confirms just how deeply I need You and reinforces how totally dependent upon You I truly am. Help me, teach me, my Beloved. 

Your Servant,

Bill

January 3

Letters to God

In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark.

Gen. 7:13 (KJV)

My Beloved, 

It fascinates me how often we see representations of Christ in the stories of the Old Testament. And the verses above point to just such an occurrence. In faith, Noah built the Ark. By faith, Noah and his family entered the Ark. And it was in the Ark that Noah and the others were saved from the cataclysmic deluge that followed. The Ark became the means of protection for Noah and his family in the midst of the storm. It is noteworthy that the Ark did not keep Noah from the storm but carried him through it to the other side. In the same way, Christ is our protection to bring us through the storms in our own lives and bring us safely to the other side. By faith Noah entered into the Ark. By faith, we enter into Christ. Divine providence provided the way of escape for Noah. Divine providence has provided the way of escape for us. Throughout this year we will all experience storms, some smaller ones that will prove to be a mere inconvenience but some so large that they will prove to be lifechanging. But it is Christ alone who is uniquely adequate to bring us safely through every one of them. In trusting, believing faith, may we look to Him as our only source. 

Your Servant,

Bill

January 4

Letters to God

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. 

Luke 17:17-19 (KJV)

My Beloved,

I was, as were the ten lepers, unclean. My sin had put me in a spiritual wilderness. Although surrounded by people, I was separated from all that is holy. There have been times when, just like the nine, I received blessings that were lifechanging in their impact and yet also like the nine, I failed to show proper gratitude to You, the giver of those blessings. I found it far easier to immediately enjoy them rather than pause and give thanks for them. Beloved, like the one, may I show prompt acknowledgment of every blessing and worship You, the Giver, because true enjoyment of any blessing can occur in no other way.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 5

Letters to God

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Pro. 3:5-6 (KJV)

My Beloved,

Many years ago, as a new Christian, while spending the first of countless hours studying the Scriptures, the above verses were the first that seemingly jumped off the page at me. I recall that I was struck by their simplicity, by their profound truth. I immediately believed that by adhering to and practicing these simple directives, I could fashion a life pleasing in Your sight. In the intervening years I would often use them as a sort of spiritual plumb line, a way of determining just how effective my walk with You has been. I fear that what at first seemed so easy has since proven to be more difficult than I initially imagined. Indulge me as I take an inventory. Do I trust You? Indeed, I do, and yet do I with all my heart? No; I find that I am prone to trust in other things. Do I successfully not lean on my own understanding? No; I find that I often lean on my own evaluations while basing them on less than all the facts. Do I acknowledge You in all my ways? No; I find that I am too often comfortable with my own ways. And finally, have You directed my paths? Yes, You have! While I may not always trust, be too quick to lean on my own understanding, be prone to fail to acknowledge You, I have found You to be an always merciful, always faithful Father. One day I will perfectly trust, I will completely understand, I will unquestionably acknowledge because one day I will be exactly like Jesus. That is my hope because that is Your promise.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 6

Letters to God

"I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart."

Acts 13:22 (KJV)

My Beloved, 

David was indeed a man after Your own heart, but exactly what was it about him that made it possible for You to describe him in that way? We know from Your word that whatever else he may have been, he was courageous. That as a young shepherd he faced and defeated a lion and a bear, and that as a young man he faced and defeated Goliath, the blaspheming champion of the Philistines. But while he may have been fearless, he was certainly not foolish. He was not so foolish as to face any of them without first invoking and then trusting in his God to give him the victory. He knew in his heart that Your will would be done and that Your will would prove to be what is best. And now, how about us? Are we ready to face any challenge, any obstacle no matter how immense, how improbable, how impossible, all the while trusting in You to do what is best? My continuing prayer is that it would be so.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 7

Letters to God

"Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness." 

Ex. 14:12 (KJV)

My Beloved,

Hmmm? Really? Is it preferable to die as a slave rather than as a free man? And yet, that is the choice that is before us all. To die as a slave to sin or as a sinner redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of our precious Savior. The correct answer to this dilemma seems readily apparent and yet daily untold numbers of people leave this life having preferred the Egypt of sin to the sweet freedom of salvation. Beloved, how do we account for the fact that so many make the wrong choice? Again, may we turn to your word, men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Men love their sin more than they love their Creator. It really is that simple, isn’t it?

Your Servant,

Bill

January 8

Letters to God

And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done.

Ecc. 8:10 (KJV)

My Beloved,

There are, to be sure, many who regularly enter Your house of worship, who appear righteous and pious; however, in the end they will be shown to be hypocrites. They are individuals who profess one thing while their lives tell a different story. They may well sit week after week, month after month, year after year, under a powerful presentation of the Gospel and yet remain unconverted. They wrongly assume that their religious rituals and observances will save them. They are content within themselves and have long since become numb to the damning effects of their sin. They view their strict adherence to religious ritual as an eternal insurance policy, protecting them against the judgment to come. I know these things because I was once one of them. But in Your grace, Your Spirit convicted me and lovingly showed me the error of my ways. You brought me to the end of myself and it was only then that Christ could truly enter into my heart. And now, dear friends, it remains for you to examine your own heart and to determine the condition of your own soul. What are you relying on for salvation? Religion or our blessed Redeemer?

Your Servant,

Bill 

January 9

Letters to God

"And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames."

Isaiah 13:8 (KJV)

My Beloved,

Although this verse is part of Isaiah’s prophecy against Babylon, as I read it I paused to consider, does this not speak well to the time of Christ’s return? When "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I can envision the look in the eyes of Jesus in that moment. For a time, His look of compassion will give way to the steely gaze of judgment as the day of salvation" reaches its inevitable conclusion. I can also imagine the look in the eyes of those on the earth in that moment. A look of horror and realization as they discover that everything they had heard but treated with indifference and disdain throughout their entire lives is in fact true. However, Beloved, we need not be counted among their number, as the day of salvation, for all people, is still at hand. May we all look into the compassionate eyes of Jesus and as we do may we kneel in humble submission to Him at the foot of His Cross. 

Your Servant,

Bill

January 10

Letters to God

If a man love me, he will keep my words.

John 14:23 (KJV)

My Beloved,

In the not-too-distant past, a catchphrase became a sort of mantra among Christians: What Would Jesus Do? (W.W.J.D.). On the surface it appears to be a worthy goal for all who profess Christ, but my experience tells me it is impossible to do (at least for me). My precious Savior was at all times totally yielded to You. I am not. He was completely focused on doing only what pleased You. I am not. He was perfectly sinless. I am not. He was thoroughly selfless. I am not. His thoughts and motivations were always pure. Mine are not. He loved (and continues to) at all times. I do not. One day, I will cross the great divide between this world and eternity. Then it will be possible for me to do what Jesus does. But for now, for me and perhaps just for me, a more realistic mantra would be What Would Jesus Have Me Do? I have His words. I have His instructions. I have His Bible. And I have a willing and able Teacher. That is enough.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 11

Letters to God

…for the time is at hand. 

Rev. 22:10 (KJV)

My Beloved,

The verse above merits deep consideration. But the time for exactly what is at hand? The soon return of Jesus should capture our greatest attention. The stage is surely set for the return of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. One could scarcely look upon the state of the world and not conclude that the prophesied great falling away of the church is upon us. By casting aside the immutable truths of God’s word, the apostate church has instead turned to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, itching ears that long to hear about the God of their own making have become the order of the day. Paul succinctly sums up the condition within the hearts of most in our day in 2Tim. 3:2-5: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Only the most naive among us would dispute that Paul’s characterization is not applicable to a broad spectrum of individuals throughout our nation and the world in this day. And so, a most fitting question beckons: Are we prepared for the soon return of Christ? For indeed the time is at hand. Help us to weigh our answer carefully as our personal eternity hangs in the balance. 

Your Expectant Servant,

Bill

January 12

Letters to God

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem." 

2Sam. 11:1 (KJV)

My Beloved,

There is in the life of King David a powerful example of the tragic aftermath of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Following the abuse and disgraceful treatment of his ambassadors sent in peace unto the new king of Ammon, David dispatched Joab and the entire army of Israel to exact vengeance on the new king and his nation. We learn from the verse above that it was in the spring when it was customary for kings to lead their troops into battle. David, however, chose to stay in Jerusalem, again, wrong place, wrong time. What ensued was an adulterous encounter, the consequences of which would haunt David and his kingdom for the rest of his life and beyond. The murder of Uriah, the death of the child born of adultery, the incestuous rape of his daughter and subsequent murder of his eldest son, the conspiracy and coup of another son resulting in civil war, and more can all be traced back to a single decision. You extended mercy and restoration to David; however, the consequences of his sin played out to their tragic, disastrous conclusion. Is this not a powerful example for us that while we can receive Your mercy, forgiveness and cleansing, our sin always has consequences? It can set in motion events that have far-reaching, devastating, and life-altering repercussions.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 13

Letters to God

"…since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 

2Pet. 3:4 (KJV)

My Beloved,

How easily we are anesthetized by the same old, same old, by the mundane day-to-day routine of our lives. We become numbed to the exceptional by the repetitive nature of the ordinary in our daily existence. As I have recently been considering Your encounter with Paul on the Damascus road, those musings have given rise to the thought: What if we walked every moment of every day with an air of expectancy that You might break through at any time in ways we have never experienced before? What if we awakened each morning with an all-consuming anticipation that at some point in the day, You would miraculously intervene in our life in ways we might never expect? Help us to rise daily in excited anticipation and walk in careful expectancy, weighing every occurrence as to how it might fit into Your plan for each of us. Help us so that our habitual preoccupation with the ordinary will not blind us to the countless opportunities and endless possibilities that each new day presents. And above all, help us to be always ready for the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 14

Letters to God

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away:

Mal. 2:16 (KJV)

My Beloved,

Recently, as I read my Bible, You gave me pause, and I lifted up a friend whose marriage is in extreme danger of dissolution. As my friend and his wife are both devout followers of Jesus, it troubles me that the possibility of divorce is even being considered. In Genesis 2:24, Matthew 9:5, Mark 10:8, and Ephesians 5:31, You declare that, in marriage, the two shall become one. For the Christian, divorce involves the death of the one because there was a point in their past when the two made a sacred vow to each other and to You and together they became a new creation, the one. Beloved, may they seek You and may You bless them with the divine power of reconciliation. Gracious God, I believe that You hate divorce because You love Your children so deeply.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 15

Letters to God

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 

1John 5:4-5 (KJV)

My Beloved,

There are tremendous truths in the above verses. Truths that speak of conflict, opposition and a battle that must be waged. They name our adversary, the world, or perhaps more precisely the world system under the control of Satan the prince of this world. It is this system that stands in direct opposition to You and by association, all who confess You as the only wise God. These verses also identify the means by which we can overcome: faith and belief. Faith is the instrument of our victory and belief is the necessary foundation of that faith. But for faith to exist, it must have an object in which it can believe, and that object is Your only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Standing for Jesus will always put us at odds with the world, sometimes at great personal cost. That possibility becomes more probable every day. Strengthen our faith and help our unbelief that in the time of trial we may be able to stand, confidently and resolutely.

Your Servant,

Bill

January 16

Letters to God

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.

James 1:17 (KJV)

My Beloved,

What I am about to relate, You of course already know, but for the benefit of those who may choose to read this I offer the following. True friends are a gift that You alone can bestow. You have blessed me with more than one, which from what I understand is rare. Friends who are always there for me. Friends I can call upon at any hour, night or day, and have a full expectation that what I ask for I will receive. A week ago today, I said goodbye for the final time to one such friend. A friend who, over the years, in her own way, exposed me to many valuable life lessons. She loved me unconditionally, especially when I was at my worst and did not deserve it. She was always happy to see me, always. She helped me to find joy in the simplest of things. How to value time spent together even in the most uneventful moments. How to be content with what You give because it is always an abundance. That being fiercely loyal is a trait to be relentlessly pursued. How to take time to play because it is as important as it is necessary. And perhaps most importantly, how to trust without reservation. She had long hair, four legs, and typically a cold, wet snout. Her name was Honey (and it was very fitting). We walked together in our neighborhood daily. In freezing cold, blazing heat or pouring rain, we walked. And because it was important to her, it was important to me. All the neighborhood children loved her because she was always happy to take time with them. For ten years, we were a daily fixture making our trek up the street and back. We would stop often so that she could sniff around, watch the animals (birds were her favorite), or greet passersby. I loved her dearly; I still do. She will be missed but never forgotten. To be