Devotions for Teens & YA's

(November 26, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? –Romans 8:31, NIV

Summing It Up

The “things” Paul asks about in this verse are the dozens of amazing proofs of God’s unfailing love which are listed in the preceding verses. Prior to asking this Paul was teaching on having “life through the Spirit of God” (vs1-17), the Christian’s “present suffering and future glory” (vv18-30), and, as he began teaching on being “more than conquerors” Paul starts out by reminding his audience “if God is for them (us), who can be against them” (us). Each portion building a solid case testifying of God’s fervent love and care for His creation.  

Today’s Application

Here’s something to think about: it doesn’t matter who or what is coming against us; whether it be a human enemy and troubler or a spiritual enemy and troubler—since ultimately all troublers and enemies are spiritual in nature—either way or form they are no match for God and cannot stop what God is doing. 

When you read your Bible, you can notice how God is always backing his children up. He doesn’t like us being bullied or pushed around and He won’t leave us alone to fight our battles by ourselves. 

As Jesus said, in this world we will have troubles—all kinds of troubles—but we can take heart (believe) that Christ has overcome this world (John 16:33). Satan will throw every kind of trouble at us—including the spiritual kitchen sink—but we do not have to be overcome, feel defeated or alone; our God is not only with us but for us! 

The Apostle Paul provides an unforgettable word of encouragement for hurting and spiritually weary Christians as he confirms, though we all suffer in this life—and that means from the least to the greatest, oldest to the youngest, male and female—it does not mean that God is not with us or for us. 

The world is fallen, and the environment is one that is hostile to God’s children. But God won’t leave us to wade through the mess, feel our way through the darkness, or fight our battles alone. Because God is for us, who can be against us.

God, another way we can say this is, when you are for us, it doesn’t matter who’s against us! Amen

Be Encouraged to know God is with you and for you!      

(November 25, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” –Galatians 2:20,

Summing It Up

You see them all the time. People who live vicariously through others. More and more people live vicariously through their favorite reality show actors or sports figure. Doing as much as they can to imitate the lifestyles of those they see on the TV. Dressing like them, duplicating the things they have, even behaving like they do!

Parents do it all the time. Hopefully, your parent is not living vicariously through your accomplishments, or activities. Pushing you to excel or participate in something they were not able to in their youth or childhood. 

Living vicariously means committed or entrusted, watching, listening or reading about the activities of others. When we live vicariously through another, we live our life through their achievements and accomplishments. 

In Galatians 2:20 Paul says our goal is to live vicariously through Christ as He lives vicariously through us. That’s exactly what we want to do: to experience one through another. God in us and we in Him. Because we are united to Him by His Spirit.  

Today’s Application

It’s not uncommon for Christians to want to live a victorious life. The trouble is we don’t always know how to accomplish that. Victorious living cannot come by placing ourselves under the law—which Christ completed on the Cross of Calvary, or by adopting a humanistic worldview to find out how they can be blessed and experience fulfillment. But our eternal life depends on Christ alone. And we must live vicariously through Him, or we will not live at all. This means more than merely considering Christ as a substitute for us. It means imagining his life as ours, and because of the Gospel, this is actually true and possible! Christ is in us and we in him. 

Because Christ is in us, His own life is in us, His Spirit is in us. He is ours. His joy is ours. His love is ours. His peace is ours. His strength is ours. His power is ours. His very humanity is ours. His relationship with the Father is ours. His prayer is ours. His compassion, mercy and generosity are ours. Christ’s victory over death is ours. Living vicariously through Christ is more than our imitation of Him, it is actually living in Him and Him living in us, living in and through Him.   

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, I invite You to live Your life through mine as I live mine through Yours and all You accomplished on the Cross of Calvary. Amen

Be Encouraged to find your life in Christ and let Him live His life through yours.  

(November 24, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Pray

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” –Matthew 9:35-38, NIV

Lord, there’s an old Chinese saying that says,

“If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime plant people.”

Dear God, help me to know the importance of having a vision for my life. Not just for today or my immediate circumstances, not just for the years stretched out ahead of me, not just a vision for the things I want to accomplish in life or see myself doing, but a vision for my eternity. 

God, I truly believe that the work Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary was enough to secure my eternal future and I am confident because of my faith in Jesus, because of Your grace and mercy I will be living in heaven on day, but I also know there are countless people--some I meet every day--that know nothing about what Jesus has done for them. They don't know about your unconditional love or forgiveness. They don't know that no matter how sinful they are in their life they can still live in heaven for all eternity. 

Help me to see their need to know about Jesus as important and my biggest mission in life. Help me to labor for Christ because He said that the fields are plentiful with souls but there are not enough people to harvest them. May I become a laborer for Christ so that there are people who come to heaven because I have helped them know Jesus and learn the good news about grace and mercy and love.

Thank You, Jesus, for valuing people; for valuing me. Thank You for stopping to heal every sick person, for stopping to comfort every hurting person, for taking time to validate and confirm and affirm insecure, hurting and beat-down people. Thank You for planting the seed of eternity in the mind and heart of everyone You encountered. Let me do the same, Lord.

Give me the words to say and know when to say nothing at all. Let my life and actions and attitude and heart speak louder than words because becoming all of these will make me a true laborer, harvesting a field that’s ripe and ready. 

Be Encouraged to be a laborer for Christ

(November 23, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. –2 Corinthians 4:2

Summing It Up

The Apostle Paul believed in complete transparency; what you saw was what you got. In his letters and ministry Paul was hard on false teachers and deceivers that led others astray in their faith. Paul refused to deceive people. He knew how serious it was and put their soul in jeopardy. Once he encountered the Lord Jesus on the Road to Damascus, Paul did nothing that was evil, underhanded or dishonoring of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

When he said he “renounced” all secret and shameful ways he meant it. Instead of disgracefully manipulating Gods Word, Paul and his ministry partners state it openly and invited Christians to examine their lives and practices.

The definition of “renounce” is “to reject and stop using or consuming; to formally declare one’s abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession); to refuse or resign a right or position, especially one as an heir or trustee, refuse to recognize or abide by any longer, declare that one will no longer engage in or support.”

Today’s Application

If you’ve been part of a Christian baptism ceremony you may have, along with those gathered, made a strong declaration such as “I renounce the devil and all his ways.” Renouncing begins with a verbal declaration, followed by a determined action. 

Just as Paul boldly renounced everything that was secretive and shameful we can renounce the things that keep us under the devil’s control, would create suspicion or keep us from being believable as we share the Gospel of Jesus with others.    

We might have things we need to renounce or declare ourselves separated from; no longer having any ties or connections to. We may need to renounce lusts, perversion, immorality, impurity, or sexual sin. 

We might need to renounce practices of witchcraft and dabbling in the occult, sorcery, and divination. 

We might need to renounce all ungodly and immoral relationships. 

We might need to renounce hatred, anger, resentment, revenge, unforgiveness and bitterness. 

We might need to renounce unforgiveness toward those who have hurt, wounded, abandoned, disappointed mistreated or rejected us. 

We may need to renounce addiction to drugs, alcohol or any legal or illegal substance that has bound us. 

We might need to renounce vows we have taken, covenants or oaths that connect us to ungodly things.

We may need to renounce a spirit of fear and timidity which did not come from God our Father. 

The more we recognize what we are tied to and what controls us that keeps us from experiencing the approval, blessings and fullness of relationship with God, the more we will be free in our spirit and conscience.   

The enemy wanted to discredit Paul and his companions. He wanted to make Paul’s preaching and teaching ineffective and weak. But Paul was not going to make it easy for him to accomplish. 

Paul’s willingness to renounce shameful and secretive things did not make him perfect, instead it put him outside the stronghold of the enemy. While no person—with the exception of Jesus Christ—can be perfect as long as we are alive on earth in these mortal bodies, living transparently and authentically, Paul and his companions could be seen as upright, trustworthy examples, reliable teachers, sincere, and free in the freedom Christ had won for them and us on the cross.

Today’s Prayer

God my Father, in the name of Jesus my Savior, I renounce…

Be Encouraged to search your heart, practices and life to see what you may need to renounce.

(November 22, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. –Isaiah 6:1, NIV 

Summing It Up

When the prophet Isaiah entered the temple in Jerusalem, he had a spiritually moving, and life-changing experience. Isaiah looked up and saw the Lord on His throne with the Seraphim praising Him. He heard the thunderous voice of the seraph and felt the foundations of the temple thresholds tremble. Isaiah’s vision led to a transformation where he emerged with new strength and resolve to serve God.

It was the year that king Uzziah died, and Isaiah was deeply grieved in his spirit; his heart was heavy with sadness. Sometimes when we’re grieved or heavy-hearted it’s hard to see and hear or be aware of anything beyond or outside ourselves and emotions. Had Isaish not looked up he might have not only missed the vision of the Lord, but the transformation that came as a result of what he saw, heard, and felt. 

When Isaiah realized he had come face to face with the sovereign Lord he was frightened. Isaiah was never more aware of his sin and the fact that he was living among sinful people (6:5). Isaiah knew enough about God to know God could have destroyed him if He wanted. Isaiah was prepared to die when God touched his lips, but God had other plans for His servant. He did not want to destroy Isaiah but use him. 

Today’s Application

God wanted Isaiah to realize and remember not only is the Lord sovereign He is sufficient. Sufficient to take away Isaiah’s and our sins. Sufficient to lift Isaiah and us out of our grief and any other heaviness of heart and soul. Sufficient to bring healing of every kind to Isaiah and us. Sufficient to meet every need we have materially, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. 

His brief encounter with the living and reigning God reminded Isaiah that God is not only sovereign and sufficient, but He is also compassionate and generous. God could have killed Isaiah, but He chose to be compassionate and generous, He chose to extend grace and mercy and prepare Isaiah for service. In fact, Isaiah would be far more effective having experienced the sovereignty, sufficiency, 

compassion and generosity of God, firsthand. God chose to be compassionate and generous to him.

Just like Isaiah, we are all challenged to look up to the throne of God instead of inwardly and at our immediate circumstances. We all are challenged to remember God is Sovereign, Sufficient, Compassionate and Generous even when our emotions are overwhelming, our heart is full of grief, our bank accounts are empty, and our life is overflowing with troubles. 

Today’s Prayer

Great and loving Father, thank You for always being the Sovereign, sufficient, Compassionate and Generous God you are. You make all the difference in my life. Amen   

Be Encouraged to recognize and praise God for all He is and will continue to be from beginning to end

(November 20, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. –Psalm 20:2, NIV

Summing It Up

Do you know from the very beginning of man’s existence God has been concerned we have the help we need. After creating Adam and setting him in the Garden of Eden God looked and said, “My created being needs help “I will make a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18). So God created Eve. After sin entered and weakened us, confused us, cut us off from God, made us feel helpless and alone, God made sure we had the help we needed by giving us prophets to communicate God’s messages to us. 

Later, at the appointed and promised time God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus not only healed the sick, preached and taught, exposed darkness and provided light so we could see, God used our sinless Savior to clear the needed path to heaven. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised He would not leave us as orphans, but God would send another Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-31). The Holy Spirit not only lives among us atmospherically, but within us, to lead and guide us daily.

Today’s Application

What kind of help do you need today? You name it, God will provide it! A God big enough to make this world and keep it going through natural disasters, upheavals, shaking, storms, evil and corruption, and atmospheric changes is big enough to help you with your problems today. No matter where your path in life leads or what kind of trouble you face or encounter, God will help you.  

God is your Helper in your home. God is your Helper when you are moving about. God is your Helper at school. God is your Helper at work. God is your Helper during sickness. God is your Helper when you’re having relationship troubles. God is your Helper when you are having money problems. God is your Helper when all is dark, and trials are more than you can bear alone. God is your Helper when you need to make a change in life. God is your Helper when the unexpected and unpleasant comes. God is your Helper no matter what you need, and He will stay with you as long as you need help. God is your Helper no matter where your path in life leads and if you walk in His will, believe and trust in Him, He will preserve you. God will see you through. 

Here is the one thing you can count on: there is no other kind of help that can help you like God can. No substance or entertainment, no substitute for God’s help can be the help you really need. The God who created the heavens and the earth, the same God who has kept the earth on its axis, kept the sun and moon and stars hanging in the sky, kept the water flowing from the heavens to refresh the earth, is big enough to help you with your earthly life and troubles. 

Today’s Prayer

God thank you for being my Help! Today I need Your help to/with…

Be Encouraged to call upon God instead of turning to other sources when you need help. 

(November 19, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. –Matthew 5:9, NIV

Summing It Up

The Bible teaches us that we will occupy one of two positions in life: we will either be a blessing or we will be a battlefield. Some people are troublemakers. They enjoy making trouble. They are peace breakers not peace makers. They’d rather make trouble and war than harness and share a spirit of peace. 

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to live or go to school with them. People who are battlefields can drain your energy and make you dread their appearance as opposed to people who enter with peace and are a blessing to have around.  

One example of someone who was surrounded by battlefields is found in Psalm 120 where the psalmist is crying out to God about those who are peace-breakers and battlefields. 

The psalmist says,

“I call to the LORD in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues….Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. (Ps. 120:1-2, 5-6).  

The psalmist says, “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (vs7). Who can blame the psalmist for being fed up with those who are peace-breakers and battlefields! He was tired of those who hated peace. No doubt they wearied him! Caused him sleepless night. Gave him ulcers. Robbed him of his own peace of mind at times. People who have the peace of God within them don’t enjoy conflict or battling, constantly going at it with others. Just like the psalmist, they just want peace.     

Today’s Application

Each of us is either declaring war or declaring peace. Some people enter a situation and peace come with them; they always bless us. Other people walk in, and war follows. If you have the peace of God in your heart then you are definitely a peacemaker and the opposite is just as true: If you lack God’s peace, if you are an enemy and resistant of God’s Spirit who is peace, you are a peace-breaker or walking, talking battlefield.   

There’s nothing to gain by being a peace-breaker or walking, talking battlefield. Here’s a fact: if you have the peace of God in your heart then you are definitely a peacemaker and the opposite is just as true: If you lack God’s peace, if you are an enemy and resistant of God’s Spirit who is peace, you are a peace-breaker or a walking, talking battlefield on two legs.

When we “are peace” but surrounded by peace-breakers like the psalmist, we can do the same as he did, cry out to God and know God will hear our prayers, see our situation and give us the resolve to continue bringing and embodying peace as we await His promised deliverance.   

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, You were/are a Man of peace; You are the Prince of Peace. May we take after You and reject the spirit of trouble and battle. Amen 

Be Encouraged to know God promises to bless those who bring peace; those who are peace.    

(November 18, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:29, ESV 

Summing It Up

My husband and I just returned from a trip. Even though it was only overnight there was a lot to pack. Did we forget something? Of course! As much as we tried it was impossible to anticipate every need we might have even for two days and one night, especially since my husband is still recovering from knee replacement earlier this year. Not having some things at our fingertips or right around the corner made for an uncomfortable night for him, not as restful as when we are at home in our own space, but it was a good reminder of what God has promised when it’s time to come to our eternal home.  

Can you imagine going away to the best place you’ve ever been; the sweetest spot on earth, taking the most luxurious trip to an awesome place that can’t be described in human language and not having to pack one thing? No carry-on needed, not even a toothbrush or your favorite body wash!

Today’s Application

Have you ever heard the joke about the man who died and as was their custom, each person attending the funeral put money in his coffin so he would not enter his eternity penniless. However, the last man to view his friend’s body, swept up all the money, put it in his pocket and wrote out a sizable check. As he placed it in the coffin he told the astonished mourners, “He won’t mind. He can cash that when he gets to where he’s going.”

Funny! What a smart man! This man seemed to know his friend had no need or use for earthly money when he got into eternity. What a waste it would have been to leave the great sum of money in his friend’s coffin where it would only be buried and eventually turn to dust. 

You might not be thinking about heaven right now. You may feel too young to worry about what’s waiting for you when you die. But we’ll all die someday. We just don’t know when. So it’s good to be heaven aware. The Apostle Paul’s words remind us that there are riches in heaven, and they don’t decay nor run out. If God supplies our needs on earth, can we begin to imagine how our needs will be supplied in heaven? We will want for nothing in heaven. We’ll have perfect health, perfect homes to live in, perfect clothes that never wear out. We won’t have a need that God cannot fulfill. 

God’s promise in Philippians can remind us we are blessed that God will supply all our needs today and when we get to heaven one our earthly life is over. What a peace of mind to know that God has thought of every need we will have. There won’t be a single thing to pack or prepare for. Our heavenly home will be fully furnished. Our heavenly closet fully supplied. Everything from our greatest to our smallest need has been thought through and is waiting for us. If it’s not in heaven we don’t need it. 

What a good, thoughtful, gracious, and providing God we have. He loves us so much!

Dear God, thank you for supplying, not only all my earthly needs, but heavenly needs as well. Amen

Be Encouraged to give some thought to all the things God has already provided for your now and in eternity.

(November 17, 2024)

  Learning from Our Failures

If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up. –Psalm 37:24, GNT

Dear God, teach us to know that failure is as much a part of life as success—and whether it produces something good or bad depends upon the way we view it. If we face  failure with a mindset that we cannot overcome or get back up, thinking that failure defines us, if we are angry and vengeful then failure will serve the purposes of evil, but if we let our failures stand as a guidepost and a warning, if we allow failure to teach us what not to do in the future, if we look at failure as necessary learning experiences, if we understand sometimes failure is more useful to us in the moment than success, if we allow failure both humble and push us to persevering and trying again, then failure can a beacon and a guardian, then failure will surely lead to success. 

Lord, our greatest fear should not be of failing but succeeding in things that don’t really matter. Remind us that failure is not the opposite of success but very often the catalyst that leads to success. Even when we fail let us remember that your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect in our failures and weakness, and just as you spoke through Solomon “though the righteous fail seven times they will rise again, unlike the wicked who fail and though they appear to get up and succeed afterward their end is not marked by the success that prospers their soul in eternity. 

Lord, because we’ll all fail at some point in our life, we pray, allow our failures to be learning experiences so we can do better next time. Thank You for examples in the Bible that teach us even many great leaders failed at some point, they did not allow their failures to stop them or keep them down but trusted in Your guidance, forgiveness, and direction to guide them to victory. They did not dwell on their failures, not only learned from their failures, then kept moving forward. They understood like we can that failure is only failure when we don’t try again.

Lord, we take to heart what’s been well said before, “It’s better to make a thousand failures than to be too timid or cowardly to ever undertake anything.” In Your name we pray, Amen. 

Be Encouraged to know that failure is not a loss, it’s gain. Through failure we can learn and grow and change. 

(November 16, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. –Psalm 119:169-170, NIV

Summing It Up

Have you ever played the game of Dominoes? Dominoes are flat, rectangular blocks made of rigid material such as wood, bone, or plastic. The object of the game is to score as many points as possible in the shortest amount of time by matching opposite ends of the pieces. To be successful in dominoes knowing the rules is important and having a winning strategy, knowing that by placing one tile in a particular way can set off a chain of events. My father-in-law taught me how to play and he was quite competitive, so you had to be on your domino toes whenever you played with him!

I’ve also seen people use domino tiles or pieces to create intricate designs by standing them up on their ends and then, after hours, sometimes days or weeks, gently nudge the lead piece so it falls back on the piece behind it, setting off a chain reaction; thus, being called the Domino Effect.

Today’s Application

Sometimes we can experience the domino effect in our life and circumstances. One thing happens or we make—what later turns out to be the best or worst decision of our life—setting off a chain of events that follow. Times when we experience a chain reaction or domino effect due to an activity, or inactivity that turn out to be life changing.

In this final section of Psalm 119:169-176, the psalmist writes about another kind of chain reaction, a spiritual chain reaction that has power to transform our lives by one simple action: 

First the psalmist cries out to the Lord for understanding according to the word and promise of God (v169). 

Next, that cry results in experiencing the freedom God has promised (v170). 

Next, this freedom leads to praise (v171), 

and lastly praise leads to a witnessing to others about the goodness of God’s laws.

All of this amounts to a spiritual transformation that began by one little action: crying out to God! Think of the chain reactions that have happen after you cried out to God for understanding. Sometimes resulting in deliverance or receiving supernatural strength or a holy peace that poured over you, or comfort from God, all resulting in some kind of victory over the situation or sin.  

In many other places in the Scriptures, we learn how one action can result in a beautiful spiritual transformation, one action resulting in a holy domino effect or chain reaction. While Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden set off a chain reaction of sin which resulted in every human after them to be born into sin. But there was another action, this one on God’s part, that set off a spiritual chain of events: God sent His only son Jesus to save us from sin, Jesus died for the sin of the world, we are saved by the action of Jesus, and believing in the work of Jesus on the cross leads to our deliverance from sin, freedom and eternal life. 

As the Apostle Paul often wrote concerning the law of God, without it we wouldn’t know we are sinners and without knowing we are sinful we wouldn’t know our need for God’s mercy, grace or forgiveness. A beautiful domino effect or setting off a chain reaction that results in an amazing spiritual transformation. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, let me set into motion the things in my life that result in good things that please you and bless my life. Amen 

Be Encouraged to start something good today that sets the stage for a spiritual chain reaction or domino effect.    

(November 15, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I call out before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. –Psalm 119:147-148, NIV

Summing It Up

When we read the Gospels, we notice how Jesus made it a practice to spend time with God early in the morning, sometimes late at night. How often the disciples were sleeping while Jesus was conferencing with the Father. Even when the greatest Bible conference was being held on the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus, Moses, and Elijah met to discuss the how Jesus was going to save the world from sin and death, the disciples were asleep. They awoke just in time to see the tail end of things as Jesus was glorified and shining bright as the sun. The Apostle Luke recorded, 

“Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him” (Luke 9:30-32). 

Another instance was when Jesus was in the garden on the night He was arrested, deep in prayer and urging His disciples to stay awake and watch with Him. Their eyes were too heavy with sleep and when they finally awakened it was to a flurry of activity as Judas and the detachment of soldiers came carrying torches, lanterns and weapons to arrest their Lord and Master (John 18:1-3).

Today’s Application

Of course we need sleep. Whether we are young or old we need to get a proper amount of rest. We’re supposed to sleep. In fact, not getting enough sleep can lead to numerous sicknesses and health issues. But we need to spend time with God also. 

In Psalm 119:145-152 the psalmist said he rose before dawn and cried out to God, found hope in God’s word. He even awoke throughout the watches of the night and opened the Word of God to meditate on God’s promises. It was prayer and meditating in God’s word that gave him strength and helped him cope with life, make it through trials and troubles. Being able to conference with God and meditate in His word was his highest priority and so important to him he was willing to go without sleep. What about you? Do you wake up extra early to get some game time before going to school or stay up extra late so you can see that show you really love? What are you willing to lose sleep over?    

Our heavenly Father never sleeps. He’s always awake and open to conferencing. Whether we rise early or stay up late. Whether we go to the farthest reaches, climb the highest peaks or sit by the seashore He is ready to listen, ready to share, ready to conference, and like the psalmist, we discover we haven’t lost sleep but made an investment in our spiritual life and eternity.      

God, rising early, staying up late, awaking in the middle of the night to spend time with you is not missing sleep but an investment in our relationship and key to spiritual wellbeing.   

Be Encouraged to let the Spirit rouse you early or lead you to stay up late. There is a blessing in store as the Father invites you to conference with Him at His throne room.  

(November 13, 2024)

 Key Promises to Know and Treasure

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. –Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Summing It Up

The world says, “Grab as much power as you can.” But God says, “The greatest among you must be your servant and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.”

The world says, “Just a little more and I will be happy.” But God says, “You will never be content when you are searching for money.”

The world says, “Set your sights on the important needs of life (food, shelter, and family).” But God says, “Set your sights on God who supplies all our needs.”

The World says, Death is the end.” But God says, “Death is only the beginning.”

The world says: "It’s impossible." God says: "All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)

The world says: "I'm too tired." God says: "I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The world says: "Nobody really loves me." God says: "I love you." (John 3:16, 34)

The world says: "I can't go on." God says: "My grace is sufficient." (2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15)

The world says: "I can't figure things out." God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5- 6)

The world says: "I can't do it." God says: "You can do all things." (Philippians 4:13)

The world says: "I'm not able." God says: "I am able." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

The world says: "It's not worth it." God says: "It will be worth it." (Roman 8:28)

The world says: "I can't forgive myself." God says: "I forgive you." (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1)

The world says: "I can't manage." God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Philippians 4:19)

The world says: "I'm afraid." God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (2 Timothy 1:7)

The world says: "I'm always worried and frustrated." God says: "Cast all your cares on Me." (1 Peter 5:7)

The world says: "I'm not smart enough." God says: "I give you wisdom." (1 Corinthians 1:30)

The world says: "I feel all alone." God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Today’s Application

We’ll be in a constant state of confusion, messed up in our head and heart if we follow the world’s advice. We can’t begin to count the number of times the advice of this world is in direct conflict with God. Thank God, He has not left us to the word’s perspective, opinions, or thoughts on matters pertaining to life today or for eternity. 

When King Solomon was teaching his son, he told him at least four things we should remember today, “Knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord (Pro. 1:7-9), “Wisdom is more valuable than anything this world offers” (Prov. 2:1-5), “Trust in God and His wisdom rather than ourselves and our own wisdom” (Prov. 3:1-12), and “Do not forget or turn away from God and His wisdom” (Prov 4:1-7).

Good words and advice to remember at any age! 

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, thank you for Your word. Your advice is always welcome and right on the mark. Amen

Be Encouraged to consult God’s word instead of relying on the world’s direction and advice.   

(November 12, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

The unfolding of your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple. –Psalm 119:130, NIV

Summing It Up

There are three conditions we will experience during our earthly life: darkness, dryness and dullness. In Psalm 119:129-136 the psalmist talks about all three conditions.

Have you noticed that there are times in life when everything seems dark, we can’t seem to find our way. Times when it seems as though some strange, invisible forces have converged and using our life for target practice and we’re feeling every one of their glowing eyes and fiery darts, making us feel oppressed and weighed down. These are hard times to get through and make each day long and difficult. During these times we can hardly wait for God to turn things around, release us from the darkness and shed some light so we can finally see our way through.

There are times when life seems dry as dust. Like eating a peanut and butter sandwich without anything to drink. trying Times our soul can’t seem to get enough refreshment or be nourished no matter what we do. We go to church, but we still feel dry. Even after worshipping, our soul feels brittle. We listen to our favorite Christian artists, but we still can’t shake the dryness we feel in our spirit. We read our Bible but it’s not speaking to us, and we come away as dry as when we entered. Regardless of what we do we can’t seem to shake loose of that feeling. We’re like some of David’s psalms when he is having a desert experience and waiting on God to refresh his dry and parched soul such as he describes in Psalm 63:1.

And there are times we experience dullness in life. As a kid, growing up in the Midwest, I didn’t like January or February. They were the longest months to get through. Not just because they were cold, but because there wasn’t anything fun to look forward to. Christmas was over and the excitement was gone. January and February felt like pure agony to get through. There’s a period of winter when people often refer to them as the “doldrums.” When something is dull it means it’s lacking interest or without excitement. We might experience long and frequent periods when life seems dull, nothing exciting going on: “same-old-same-old; blah-blah-blah.” We’re dragging ourselves through our days, tolerating life and wishing it could be a little more exciting. No wonder some people go as far as trying to create their own excitement just to change things up.

Today’s Application

Whichever one of these seasons and periods we experience we can do exactly what the psalmist does in verses 119:129-136: ask God for direction, ask God to guide our footsteps according to His word so that sin doesn’t rule over us, ask God to redeem us from human oppression, and ask God to make His face shine upon us and teach us. 

Life won’t be exciting all the time. 

Sometimes it will be normal, even dull. At times we will be under spiritual attack even more than usual, and at times we will need to attend to our soul more than usual because it feels dry and lifeless. All these times are normal, but God is with us to help us through each one. There is no need to either fear or dread life in 3-D!   

God, thank You for helping me get through whatever season and period I am going through. Whether its dryness, darkness or dullness, if I strive to obey Your word then I will come through just fine. Amen

Be Encouraged to stay in the word of God so your soul is always saturated in every season of life.             

(November 11, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

As for God, his way is perfect: the LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. –Psalm 18:30, NIV

Summing It Up

Nobody’s perfect. Have you ever heard someone say that? Maybe you’ve said it a time or two yourself. Perhaps after you made a big mistake or disappointed someone even though you had tried your best. It’s true. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has flaws and shortcomings. It’s one thing to set high standards for ourselves or others, but if we are holding ourselves or others to unfair or unattainable standards of perfection, then, that’s a losing battle and we will be disappointed every time.

Human beings are God’s creation, but God didn’t create sinners, flawed people. We were perfect when God created Adam and Eve and set them in the Garden of Eden. It wasn’t until the serpent entered and tempted Eve, then Eve convinced Adam to sin against God, and after that all human beings were born sinful. David and Paul remind us, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Ps. 51:5) and “we’re all in the same boat and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). 

It's true. Some don’t see their flaws. They are much better at pointing out the flaws of others, but not themselves. Even the nicest person has flaws. Not even the kindest people are without flaws, even the most goodhearted person sins. The longer we are around them the easier it is to recognize that they are not perfect. For this reason, we should be more compassionate, understanding, patient, and forgiving of others and they of us.  

When the frailties, flaws, and shortcomings of others disappoint us we can put our gaze on God. Accepting people cannot be perfect can give us a sense of peace. Even God sees us for who we are. In Psalm 103 God says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust (103:13-14).

Today’s Application 

No matter which way we look at God we see God is perfect in every way. It’s not only God’s laws that are perfect, God’s heart is perfect. God’s nature is perfect. God’s ways are perfect. God’s thoughts and plans toward us are perfect and perfectly suited for us. When the frailty, flaws and shortcomings of others disappoint us we can put our gaze on God, be encouraged and be at peace.  

Because God is perfect in every way, we can know He will never do anything less than perfect in our lives. Our earthly circumstances may not be perfect we may have more problems and complications than we can number, but we can rest assured God is working out a perfect solution to every problem we face. 

At the end of a complex life filled with lots of gray areas we can take comfort in knowing God has worked out a perfect ending through His Son Jesus Christ. Earthly life is imperfect. People are imperfect. We are not perfect, but there is an ending to all this imperfection. As imperfect, sinful people we may not be able to attain levels of perfection, but we can have faith in our perfect God who does not fail us. We can have faith in Jesus Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, and we can strive with the Holy Spirit who perfectly guides, fills and leads us into all truth.

We’re not perfect but God is and that’s all that matters after all.

God Your ways are without flaw, making You a reliable protector for those who trust in you. Amen   

Be Encouraged knowing in a broader theological context, Psalm 18:30 reminds us of God’s unwavering faithfulness and encourages us to take refuge in Him. 

(November 10, 2024)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11, NIV 

God, you assured Jeremiah You had a plan for his life, and You revealed that plan over time. Your plans for Jeremiah included spiritual prosperity and covering.  Jeremiah was destined to be Your faithful servant; speaking what You directed him to speak and doing what You directed him to do. 

I believe you have a plan for everyone you bring into this world. I believe you have a unique plan for my life, though sometimes it’s hard to detect and identify under all this chaos. I ask to understand and have revelation of Your will and purpose for my life and I pray, give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation and let the eyes of my understanding be opened and enlightened (Eph. 1:17). I know the moment I start to understand heavenly things; understand the events and activities of my life from a higher plain and not just from a worldly perspective—the light bulb will come on; I’ll have a spirit of endurance and I’ll be able to walk hand-in-hand with You. I’ll be filled with a peace even when tough times come. I’ll have a sense of joy that confounds the enemy and I’ll be walking with you instead of pulling back or against You. 

Lord, reveal the things that belong to me (Deut. 29:29) and let me be a good steward of every gift and ability You permit me to have (I Cor. 4:1). More than anything Lord, let me do as Paul wrote and “comprehend with all the saints who love and worship You, what is the breadth and length and depth and height of Your love.” (Eph. 3:18). This, O Lord, will bless me more than anything You can send, give or share with me.

Be Encouraged to seek God’s purposes for your life.     

(November 8, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. –Revelation 19:16, NIV

Summing It Up

In the Book of Samuel (8:4-6) we read how the people became jealous of other nations who had earthly kings and approached Samuel, demanding to do the same. They liked the thought of having a king like them. One they could see instead of a God they could not. Even though Samuel warned them that kings would lay heavy burdens on a nation. Still, that did not deter them and God told Samuel to give them what they wanted (I Samuel 8:4-22).

God stated some things we live with to this day. An earthly king would not be perfect in their ruling. If the people elected a king, they should realize there would be cycles of good kings—those who listened to and followed the word of God—and bad kings—those who had no desire to hear from God or be led by Him. 

Under God-fearing kings, the people would have all they needed and not be overly burdened, but under the rule of a bad king they would experience types of suffering they had not known before. The ungodly have no fer of God, nor compassion for humankind in their heart.  

Today’s Application

Are you new to the voting process? Are you figuring out that elections are heightened times emotionally and relationally? Are you sensing that fresh out of an election cycle, how elections test us? Elections test our values and expose what we value (most). They test our sense of fairness, compassion, and our belief—or lack thereof—of justice. They test our levels of tolerance, and they test our loyalty to God and the precepts He’s called us to live by. They test other things too like our sense of civility and decency, our willingness to accept that it’s possible to disagree on approaches to addressing problems without making us enemies. 

Elections can expose our immaturity where we all too easily revert to childish behavior and resorting to throwing tantrums until we get what (who) we want in the place we want them. Stomping our feet, kicking our legs, rolling around on the proverbial floor if it looks like we’re not going to get our way. More than anything elections can expose the ways we are deeply divided and unyielding. 

After the completion of the temple God made a promise to Solomon He still holds to today. God promised Solomon if His people, called by His name would humble themselves God would hear from heaven and heal their land.

Perhaps more than any other time, we need to revisit God’s promise to Solomon after we have experienced an election cycle and selected a new leader. After an election—any election—we have much to feel humbled by, much to feel embarrassed about, much to apologize to one another, much to confess to God. But we can be certain if we, as God’s people will truly humble ourselves and confess our sins, our inhumanity to man, our disregard for God’s commands, our selfishness, or God, God will hear from heaven, turn toward us, heal our hearts, heal our divisions, and heal our land. That’s especially important since we must all learn to occupy this great big world—that isn’t so big after all—together until Christ returns. 

Today’s Prayer

Lord, look upon us with pity and have mercy on us after we have come through yet another election period. One day we’ll be at home in heaven where there is only one Ruler, one King and Ruler.  

Be Encouraged to hold healing conversations with others after an election is over.   

(November 7, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet, and a light for my path. –Psalm 119:105, NIV

Summing It Up

During the time this psalm was written the world was a dark place. Though there was plenty of light during the daytime hours, at night it was difficult to see where they were going. In Palestine, for example those who went out at night could attach small lanterns to their ankles so they could have a way of seeing where they were walking and were less likely to stumble on the rocks or fall into a hole in the ground. It wasn’t a perfect solution. It didn’t solve all the darkness challenges, but it helped some.  

Wouldn’t the people living during the time this psalm was written be flabbergasted at how much light we can generate today after the sun goes down! Even on the darkest night when the moon is hidden by clouds we don’t have to stumble around. We can see what’s ahead or in front of us. We can see in high and low places. 

Spiritually speaking, the world is a dark place. It does not matter what time of day or how much sunlight is coming in, it’s still dark and it doesn’t matter how well we manage to light our spaces after the sun goes down, it’s still a dark place. The world is in a constant state of moral and intellectual decline and darkness. It’s no coincidence that we are more educated than ever before yet have less and less wisdom. Even though we are well-educated people we manage to make foolish decisions and think we are smart. It becomes clearer and more obvious each passing day that Satan has numbed the minds of people and what Paul preached so long ago is true to this day. Paul said there would be a time when people would no longer seek wholesome teaching but follow their desires and look for teachers who would tell them whatever their “itching ears” wanted to hear (2 Tim. 4:3). 

Today’s Application

With so much darkness, the question is, “How do we make it through this dark world? Since our own intellectual and worldly light is not effective or helpful, how do we see clearly? The psalmist reminds us that the word of God is a lamp to guide us; the light we need to illumine our path. God’s word is a light that leads to life and becomes a blessing for us. 

We can be comforted knowing the lamp of God’s word will not go out. We can depend upon it in every age and generation to guide us safely on the paths God has marked out for us. We don’t have to worry that it will disappear tomorrow or sometimes in the future. As long as even one of God’s children live on earth His word will provide light for our path, supplying heavenly guidance.

God teaches us to walk by patience and by His promises. When we walk by faith in God we can see as far as He wants us to see; even when it’s only one step at a time. God does not disappoint those who rely upon Him and turn to His word for guidance. 

Dear God, thank You for the light You have given us in this dark world. Though others may stumble around, but thankfully I have Your word to light my path. Amen

Be Encouraged to thrive in life and spiritually by depending upon the word of God for guidance.          

(November 6, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

He must increase, but I must decrease. –John 3:30

Summing It Up

Decrease means to become smaller in size, amount, number or degree, while increase involves growth or a rise in size, amount, number or degree. Both terms describe changes in magnitude but in opposite directions. 

John the Baptist had accomplished the mission he was born to fulfill. He was the forerunner of Christ, sent to prepare people for the coming Messiah. When Jesus entered the scene John knew his task was done. He had no qualms about decreasing, becoming smaller and pointing others—even his own disciples—to the One who was greater than himself. He decreased so Jesus could increase.  

In one conversation speaking of Jesus, John said, “He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie…The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me” (John 1:27, 29-30). The last public act John did was baptizing Jesus in the Jordan river.

John the Baptist knew Jesus is the Lamb of God, Savior, and light of the world but He’s also our light and personal Savior. John knew when it was time for him to decrease and Jesus increasing would take things to the next level just as God the Father planned.

Today’s Application

When we decrease and allow Jesus to increase, He becomes our personal light that lights our way, our personal Savior to save us, our personal wisdom to help us in life, our personal Healer to heal us, our personal Promise-Keeper to fulfill all the promises of God written for us. 

In order for Jesus to increase we must not only decrease but allow the Holy Spirit to move us beyond passive acceptance of Jesus as Savior to a personal claiming and declaring Him as our Lord. Our Savior. Our Redeemer.

When we decrease and allow Jesus to increase, Jesus’ truth enters and every lie that has trapped and held us captive is exposed. Jesus’ strength enters and our weakness is no longer in control. Jesus’ confidence takes over and our fears and apprehensions evaporate. When we decrease and allow Jesus to increase, we realize we are no longer operating under our own power, but His: our confusion vanishes and Jesus’ clarity takes over, doubt exits, and faith steps up. This is a beautiful thing and miraculous moment.

We can only experience the fullness of heavenly blessings when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and take the back seat, decrease and let Jesus take the wheel of our lives. When we decrease and allow Jesus to increase, our life changes because our way of looking at life and our circumstances changes.

When we decrease and allow Jesus to increase, we should not be astonished at the dramatic way life turns around and we begin heading in a different direction, the right direction under the right power.

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, I will not be afraid to decrease, and I ask You, beginning today to increase so I can experience all the newness and change needed in my life. Amen 

Be Encouraged to thrive by decreasing and letting Jesus increase. 

(November 5, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” –Genesis 16:13, NIV

Summing It Up

There’s no greater relational gift than to have someone see the real you and value it. It is a good feeling to know our God—the most powerful force in the universe not only wants to have an intimate relationship with us but is available and willing to work on our behalf. Have we asked ourselves (or God) why He is willing to serve us, to work overtime and so hard for us to assure we can return to Him at the end of our earthly journey.

Maybe we have read that God said we are the crown of his creation (Gen. 1:26) or what Solomon wrote, “The eyes of God are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good (Prov. 15:3). Or how David reminds us we are the “apple of God’s eye” (Psalm 17:8). Wow! The apple of God’s eye. Precious in God’s sight, we are never out of His sight.

Today’s Application

Does knowing you are the “apple of God’s eye” make you feel confident? Comforted? Happy? Peaceful? Special? Valued? Affirmed? Blessed, and highly favored? Hopefully all of these. Being seen by God is more than God having a visual fix of us. More than God knowing what we are doing every minute of the day or day of the week. It is a thoroughness and awareness that only our Maker can have since He’s touched every part of us when He knit us together I the womb.

David knew he was the apple of God’s eye and God had hidden him in the shadow of His wings. He knew that God would keep an eye on him and protect him. He knew without a doubt he was precious to God.

The world’s a big place and it’s easy to get lost in the crowd; easy to get swallowed up by the bigger, more pressing, dire needs of others and the world’s chaos. But there’s no chance of that when we belong to God; no matter how many people are alive during the time we are. No matter how many people are having troubles when we are. No matter how many people are struggling or going through hardships or suffering sickness in their body while we are experiencing difficulties, we will never get lost. God will always see and know us.

Today’s Prayer

God, what a delight knowing that you see me!

Be encouraged to thrive in your relationship with God by determining to see and know God as much as humanly possible.       

(November 3, 2024)

Seed is for Sowing

Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. –Ecclesiastes 11:6

Dear God, 

Solomon was a man of wisdom. He sowed seeds of wisdom into the heart of people and to this day they are producing a crop and paying off. I hope and pray I can not only sow seeds of wisdom, but also seeds of joy and peace and honesty and faith; the kind of seed that produces good crops and glorifies you. 

Because You move in mysterious ways we never know when or where the seeds we have sown and planted will take root and grow but I know I can sow with confidence and not worry about the outcome because You have the time and places they will sprout. Amen   

(November 2, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. –Matthew 24:35, NIV

Summing It Up

There’s a lot to learn when we read our Bible: One thing is that God’s Word is true. Another thing is that God’s Word last forever. And the third thing is God’s Word is changeless. Each one of these facts can bring us comfort, peace of mind, confidence and assurance in a world where truth is sparse, there’s very little longevity or stability. In a world where nothing is settled, not the contracts we negotiate which are often renegotiated at a later date. 

Not laws we pass—which are changed and interpreted by some at a later date, and not even our own word or promises—which are sometimes disputed, twisted, and misconstrued by others to mean something entirely different than what we originally said.

Thankfully, the strength, solidness and stability of God’s Word stand out as a bright light against a backdrop of instability and vacillating. Because God’s Word is true, lasts forever and never changes we can trust and live by it without batting an eye. Not even an incorrect interpretation will change the truths or solidness of God’s Word because God is changeless just as the Scriptures assure us. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore (Heb. 13:5).

Today’s Application

If we want to know about sin, death, salvation, heaven, forgiveness, love and mercy we can read God’s Word. God’s verdicts, decisions, and promises have stayed the same—just like He is—and we can trust them. 

God’s Word settles it. He has declared it. We don’t have to worry if God still forgives sin; it’s in His Word. We don’t have to wonder if God still loves us with an everlasting love; it’s written in His Word. We don’t have to speculate whether eternity in heaven will be our reward after a life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; it’s the focus and subject matter from Genesis to Revelation. We don’t have to wonder if God is still passionate and compassionate toward the poor, the old, the young, the downtrodden and oppressed as he once was; God repeats Himself about the needy and dependent more times than we can count.   

There is peace for the child of God knowing God’s Word settles even the matters the world continues to grapple with from generation to generation. We don’t have to be tossed or turned or full of anxiety or uncertainty. Is there a question that we struggle with. Have we read the Word of God because He’s not only answered it, He’s settled it.

God, not much is settled in this life, but You have made sure the things You have written or said are settled and will not change. Amen 

Be Encouraged to trust in God's Word and know what He’s spoken is settled and will not change.   

(November 1, 2024)  

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. –Psalm 46:1-3, NIV

Summing It Up

Ever had those days where everything went wrong? The dryer stopped working just as you were putting your favorite jeans in. The roof started leaking in the spot right over your bed. The dishwasher gave out on your night to clear the dinner dishes. Your car stopped running and you had a date planned. The dog really did eat the paper you had due…

In this world there is no end to the things that can go wrong. Those are the days our hopes dwindle; our hope cup not only runs low but is depleted. We want to give up. Our weariness catches up with us and all we feel like doing is crawling in a hole and pulling the cover over our head.

On our very bad, chaotic, extremely rough, difficult and shaking days God’s not standing idly by—like those unresponsive manmade idols and gods we read about in the Old Testament, or the ones some create for themselves today—but He’s active during our stormy, black-cloud days.

Today’s Application

If we can force ourselves to be still, take the emotion out, step back and see from a God or heavenly perspective, breathe instead of becoming reactionary, remember “God is still God” instead of panicking, take our hands off the wheel, stop micromanaging, we can see and sense God at work, doing something new. We can see God moving some things around, arranging some miracles and ordering some blessings with our name on them.

When we’re having our very bad days we can depend on God. God is our Helper. He can also be our Comfort and He’s always faithful. God is able to give us the reviving power we need to rise above our circumstances.

Today’s Prayer

God, thank You for Your constant and consistent care. Even on my worst days You are in the midst and working out a blessing with my name on it. Amen

Be Encouraged

To consider what God may be doing or working on when bad days come.  

(October 31, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Your hands mad me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. –Psalm 119:73, NIV

Summing It Up

What’s the first thing you do when you purchase or receive something new? Do you begin using it right away because it looks simple enough to operate, or do you take time to read the manual or set of instructions that come with it, so you know how to operate it properly? So, you can become acquainted with all the features and learn what to do if it’s not operating properly or at full capacity?

During the years we were raising our children my husband and I often joked, “too bad they weren’t born with a little instruction manual attached to their big toe!” Your parents may have felt that way about you and your siblings. If only!

God says there is such a manual and it’s been around longer than any of us have been alive on earth. It’s called the Bible. The Word of God is an instruction Book to help us not only live this earthly life the way God intended when He created us and the first humans, but the manual we can refer to understand the bodies we live in and how to live in this dark and confused world.

David wrote that God created our inner being. That part we cannot see but God has seen and touched personally. He knit us together in our mother’s womb and we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13-14). 

Today’s Application

The Word of God will tell us how to use our mouth, our ears, and our eyes and how we’ll know when our heart is healthy. It will tell us the best way to think, how to be productive, what to do with our hands and which direction our feet should be pointed. It will instruct us about our relationships and our emotions, and the best way to use our days and nights, and what our life should be like as children, young people, married, singles, and as older adults. By the time we return home to heaven our Bible should be dog-eared, marked, and barely hanging onto the binder from so much use and referring. 

The Bible will also make sure we know the thousands of promises God has made to us. Those promises and instructions our arch enemy counts on us not knowing anything about and puts in a lot of time and energy keeping us separated from them. 

How sad that we attempt to live our life without referring to the manual God has written to guide us and teach us; that we don’t make reading and learning it a daily practice. How perplexing that, even when our life is falling apart, we need to make important decisions or know God’s plan for us, we don’t quickly pick up our manual and familiarize ourselves with what God has told us to get us through. 

Thankfully, no matter what age we begin using our manual we can experience healing and insight and learn how to turn our situations around and cause even the disasters and disappointments, tragedies and heartbreaks we have experienced to work for our good and become something profitable and beneficial. 

Today’s Prayer 

Dear God, Your Word covers the spectrum for life and provides guidelines for living in truth. When life presents problems and challenges, we can refer to it and it will help us align with Your purposes for our life. Amen   

Be Encouraged 

to explore God’s Manual for living so you can gain insight into human nature become more self-aware and learn how to solve mysteries and problems.    

(October 30, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. –Matthew 6:33, NLT

Summing It Up

Have you ever heard people say things like, “What we love the most is what we’ll invest in the most; what we treasure the most is what we’ll guard the most. It all comes down to what we value the most because that is how our values are set.

Values are the things we regard the most, have importance, worth, or the usefulness of something. But its also a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life. They are our beliefs that govern our life and determine our behavior. 

When we read the Gospels its easy to see that Jesus valued His relationship with the Father. He valued obedience to the Father. And He valued human life and eternity. Jesus came to give His own life that we might live eternally. He lived what He taught His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). Jesus placed such high value on securing eternity life for us that He was willing to leave the comfort, riches, and security or heaven in order to live on earth in human form and endure the sufferings we experience, be harassed by people and the forces of evil, and suffer and die on a cross so our eternal wellbeing would be secured.

Today’s Application

When we value something, like Christ, we are willing to sacrifice for its well-being.  We are willing to give our all to assure it is well and living. The things we value, or treasure determine our values and principles as we live out this life. Many value the things of this world: material possessions, fame, status, etc. and these are so important to them they are willing to make great sacrifices in order to secure them; they would lay down their life to attain them. The things of earth may seem worth it at the time, but unfortunately, they have no lasting value. Jesus said if we seek first, put all our effort and learn to value the things of heaven and eternity they will determine our values and behavior. 

It’s easy and tempting to let the world determine what we treasure and value. We learn to value things by the examples of others, by what the world suggests, by the things the devil cleverly presents and makes alluring, and by the things we are naturally drawn to when our flesh or worldly mindset are in control. What we value shapes our core values and behaviors. 

Until we begin to invest in the Kingdom of God and Kingdom living our values will be misplaced, mixed up and confused, but once we learn to treasure and value the same things Jesus treasured our values are aligned properly. One thing is for sure: if the Bible does not change our values, it will not change our lives. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord, help me recognize and value the things that matter most so my values and principles are aligned just as they should be. Amen

Be Encouraged to examine your core values and ask Jesus to help you realign any that have no lasting or eternal value.       

(October 29, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. –Proverbs 16:9, MSG

Summing It Up

It’s a great feeling when life goes the way we plan isn’t it? As human beings we can really get frustrated and disappointed when things don’t go the way we plan. We plan for the good things but not the bad. Like getting sick. We don’t plan to become sick, but still sometimes sickness happen—not just colds or viruses—that change the way we live or impacts our future.

We don’t plan to be unemployed but sometimes it’s hard to find work just like we don’t plan to be poor or financially stressed but that happens in life. We don’t plan to break up with our significant other or stop being friends with someone we’ve been friends with for a ling time, but it can happen.  

Our plans for our future don’t include battling addictions or being in and out of recovery or our home catching on fire or being flooded or being flattened by strong winds but that’s the way life goes sometimes.

Proverbs 16:9 states that the mind of a person plans his or her way, but the LORD directs how it goes in the end. Ultimately it is God who determines the course of our lives. That’s not saying that it’s God who plans our disasters, makes us addicted, or causes our relationships to end. Solomon isn’t saying that we shouldn’t make plans. On the contrary we are to map out a plan as best we can with the Lord’s counsel and in good faith. 

Today’s Application

We make plans for our life because we realize how precious life is—it is the life God has given us—and it shouldn’t go unused or taken for granted. We make plans because we want to make the most of the life and time we have. We make plans because God has given us vision and desires and laid out opportunities before us. But we are to trust God when things don’t go as we planned. We are to make plans but know that even when things don’t go according to plan God is still with us to help us make a good life out of the life we have even when it looks different from the one we envisioned.

Life seldom goes exactly as we’ve planned or want. There are always twists and turns, unexpected and disappointments; that’s earthly life. God allows things to happen in our lives in order to keep us humble, grounded, and provide opportunities to realize who the Author and perfector of life is: God alone. But even when life isn’t going the way we planned God’s practical advice and counsel can be found in His Word and through godly and wise people He places in our paths. If we trust God we might even be surprised that the life we didn’t plan and didn’t want ends up being even better than the plans we had.

Today’s Prayer 

God, I have plans but if things don’t go the way I’ve planned I trust You. Help me be open to Your guidance and not be so rigid that I miss the blessing You have in store for me through the unexpected. Amen   

Be Encouraged to trust God even when life isn’t going the way you planned and hoped.                   

(October 28, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. –John 15:15, ESV 

 Summing It Up

Friendships are part of God’s blessing and provision for us on earth. Martin Luther described them as part of the daily bread God supplies His children.

God is the best friend we’ll ever have, and we can strive to be God’s friend also just like Abraham, David, Moses, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and so many others we read about in the Bible. They were regular people, sinful human beings, but had a very close relationship with the Lord. They weren’t super religious or spiritual; just ordinary people who made mistakes, sometimes chastised by God, sometimes they didn’t get it right, but still they and God were friends.  

In the Gospels we see how Jesus wasn’t just the Teacher and Master of His disciples. They became Jesus’ friends and Jesus was their friend. Jesus assured them, they were more than His servants who would carry out the duties assigned to them, they were also His friends and whatever the Father told him, He would share with them. That was a true, intimate friendship!

Today’s Application

We might enjoy friendships where we talk often and other friendships where we only talk occasionally, but the friendship still has special qualities that are unique, and we treasure. I have a friend I don’t get to talk to very often, but our friendship has lasted decades. Some years we talk several times during the year and at other times we do well to talk a few times. That makes no difference because whenever we do talk it’s as though we just spoke recently. Our catching up is a joy.  

Friends are also those you can be together for long periods without saying a word. To the other extreme friends are those you might talk to all the time, aren’t afraid to talk to, and share the burdens of your heart. When you have true friends, you know you are a better person for having been in relationship with them.

Do you long to be God’s friend? It’s possible. Saint James wrote that “if we draw close to God, God will draw near to us” (James 4:8), that’s a promise! God looks for the same qualities in friendship as we do with our earthly friendships. He's not expecting us to be perfect, He already knows we are nothing but frail as dust humans, He only expects us to be loyal, available, in communication, honest and willing to stick with Him through thick and thin.  

If God is going to accomplish everything He desires upon the earth; if Jesus is going to accomplish everything He desires through the Christian Church; if the Holy Spirit is going to have a clear path to move and have His way they need earthly friends who desire and value friendship with them.

Just as God blessed Abraham in special ways because Abraham was His friend, God will also bless us. 

There are rich rewards and blessings for those who make it a point not only to serve the Lord, but to be in friendship with Him.  If we start with the basics: a heart desire, daily communication, reading God’s Word, having faith in him, listen to Him and do our best to obey His commands, He’ll direct our hearts so we can be His friend, and He will be ours.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, I want to be Your friend like Abraham, the disciples and many others. I don't know where to begin, so I ask You to lead the way and help me be the best friend to You I can be. Thank you for forgiving my shortcomings and help me grow in this area. Amen

Be Encouraged to become friends with the Lord

(October 27, 2024)

 Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or your brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. –Psalm 90:1-2, NIV

Lord, before the mountains were or before You shaped and created the world You existed: You are God. 

Lord, home is where the heart is. Home should be the place where the heart finds solace, where memories are made and where there is love. Home should be the place where we can return and get our bearings in a crazy, chaotic, mixed up, messed up world but sometimes our earthly homes are not the safe, comforting or inviting places they should be. 

Thank You, Lord, for being my dwelling place, my shelter from danger and hardship, thank You for being my holy habitation. 

Thank You, Lord, for being my home when I feel lost, confused, bombarded, homeless, and my spirit drifts toward the jagged edge of my problems. Help me remember to turn to You for help, for in You there is rescue, refuge, and peace; all the things home should provide for weary sojourners. 

Thank You for being that home which no fire can burn, no flood can wash away, no storm can shake, no bank can take away, no abuse can torment, where loneliness does not exist, and Satan cannot come near. 

Thank You, Lord, that I can run home to be with You, be safe and comforted, and have time to restore and reset. 

Thank You for being the Place I can be when I face dangers. I am safe when I come home, Lord. Thank You, that there is always a place for me in Your heart. 

Lord, as the old hymn goes, You are my help from ages past, my hope for the years to come, my shelter from the stormy blasts and my eternal home.    

God, this world is not my home, but I am looking forward to my everlasting home in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be Encouraged to make God your home.     

(October 26, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray. –Matthew 6:7-9, GNT

Summing It Up

Has anyone ever given you a “sob” story? A “sob” story is a story or explanation intended to make someone feel sympathetic toward us. It’s when we lay it on really thick. Play on someone’s emotions. The intention is to gain something we want (or need) by moving them in such a way they feel deep pity or feel sorry for us and respond to our need. Sometimes, because our sob stories have worked so well with others we think we need to present a sob story to God when we come to His throne with a need. 

Jesus told his disciples when they prayed, they didn’t need to use a lot of words, they didn’t need to present a long drawn out explanation of their need to the Father. Just come out and ask for whatever they wanted or had on their mind. 

Jesus goes on to demonstrate the simplicity of prayer by giving them a simple guide and model for Christian prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). 

Today’s Application

When we’re in dire straits God already sees and God already knows the particulars and how we got that way. He knows all the details, ins and outs, who did what, the why’s and where’s. He knows when we’re powerless, our part, or if we had a part at all. God knows all of that and He already knows how He’s going to answer our pray and make things comes out for His glory and for our good.

We don’t need to soften God’s heart up or stumble through a set of “presenter” prayers before asking or talking to God about what’s really on our heart or mind. Since we and God already know whatever we’re asking for is beyond what we deserve, and everything God supplies and does is out of his merciful, compassionate, generous, caring, loving, and gracious heart.

God has promised to care for us our entire life. He’ll never renege on that promise. He’ll listen to our sob stories, but they aren’t necessary. The moment we bow our head or bend our knees and call Him Daddy, Father, Lord, or God, He is moved with great love for us. He’ll answer our prayers and supply our needs according to His will for us.

Today’s Prayer

Thank You, God, that I don’t need a sob story. I can just come to Your throne of grace and ask for what I need; talk to You about whatever is on my heart and mind. Amen

Be encouraged to talk to God knowing you don’t need a sob or any other story to receive when you need from Him.     

(October 25, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. –Psalm 119:11, NLT

Summing It Up

Have you ever hidden something so well when you returned for it you could not find it? For the life of you, could not remember where you’d hidden it? I know I have! It’s a terrible feeling not to be able to locate something you had hidden away on purpose. 

We only hide things that are valuable or important to us. People have all kinds of places they hide their valuables. Sometimes people have cleverly disguised wall safes in their homes. Years ago, someone came up with an idea to hide our door key in a hallowed out fake rock outside our home. Some put their valuables inside containers that look like canned goods placed on the shelf. Clever. 

Our heart is a safe place to hide God’s word. When we hide God’s word in our heart, we are getting closer to Him and bringing Him close to us like Saint James said in his letter (Jas. 4:8). 

Today’s Application

The psalmist said by hiding God’s word in our heart it will keep us from sinning against Him. And God told Moses that the words He had given his people should be hidden in their heart, in other words treasured and held dear. (Deut. 6:6). Paul wrote that we should let the word of Christ dwell deeply or richly within us (Co. 3:16), and Isaiah said God will keep in perfect peace everyone who keeps their mind on Him (Isa. 26:3). 

You may not realize it, but every time you read your Bible, study God’s word or meditate on what you hear and read you are hiding God’s word in your heart. You don’t have to go around spouting Bible verses all day to have evidence that God’s word is hidden in your heart. It will be proven by your thoughts and words and actions, the viewpoints that you have and through the decisions you make. 

When you hide God’s Word in your heart you become spiritually and morally rich. You have a built-in security system. It will guard and keep you. It will lead and guide you. It will counsel you and influence your conscience. It will comfort and assure you. It will heal you and strengthen you. 

There are no ends to the benefits of hiding God’s word in your heart. As it’s written, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to our path” (Ps. 119:105)

Today’s Prayer

God, you have made a way to keep my heart pure. May I always hide Your word in my heart where I can find it again and always! Amen

Be Encouraged to read God’s Word, study God’s Word and meditate on God’s Word daily so it is hidden in your heart to become a blessing to you.     

(October 24, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statues are my delight; they are my counselors. – Psalm 119:23-24, NIV  

Summing It Up

The writer of Psalm 119 was encountering with people who, for no reason he could determine, did not like him. He was being scorned and slandered by those in power. He could have been so disheartened by their unwarranted criticism and slander, allowing their constant negative drips, drabs, and accusations to control his mood and being, but instead he chose to take a higher road and let their unwarranted criticism, slander and scorn roll off his back. He chose to focus on what was true and profitable for his soul and mental health. He chose a much healthier option: he chose to trust in God to defend him. He chose to walk uprightly just as he had been doing and meditate on the testimonies and statues of the Lord. That’s what filled him with delight and gave his soul peace.

Today’s Application

In your journey have you had the occasion to encounter people in places or positions of power who didn’t like you or decided to speak ill of you, block you from advancing or receiving something for no reason? What about those who slander or gossip about you with nothing credible to back up their words? It would be so easy to allow their actions and negative campaign to control what you do or how you go about your day. So easy to allow your mood or actions to be impacted, colored, or influenced by what they are doing. Very easy to be consumed with what they are doing or saying from morning till night. 

In his letter to the Church in Philippi, Saint Paul reminded Christians to meditate on things that are true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. He reminded them to focus on things that are excellent and praiseworthy (Php. 4:8). That option is not always easy, and can be challenging, but the benefit far outweighs the effort we need to give it.

Jesus was slandered by those who sat in high places and occupied positions of great influence, but He refused to become preoccupied or distracted by what He knew was not true, knowing pouring energy into what they were doing or saying  wouldn’t serve any good purpose for Him. It was a waste of time to be consumed by their lies. 

When we constantly chew on the words or activities of the unkind or mull over the slanderous accusations of others—no matter how much power or authority they have, it doesn’t keep us uplifted or strengthened. But when we are focused on what’s good, profitable, inspiring, encouraging and reassuring, when we focus on the truth found in God’s word and in knowing the Lord is for us, we have peace and strength.   

The psalmist’s prayer reminds us there is divine grace in living and obeying God’s Word. There is divine grace when we choose to focus on the statues of God. The Lord has promised to care for His servants. Even if those in high and or influential places are speaking against or slandering us God will cover and defend us.    

Today’s Prayer

God, whether we are being maliciously slandered or maligned help us to keep our focus where it’s most beneficial. Not on the wicked but on the truth found in Your Word. 

Be Encouraged to trust God when people are accusing you falsely.  

(October 23, 2024)

   Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. He I will run in the way of your commands when you enlarge my heart! –Psalm 119:32 

Summing It Up

Medically and physically speaking an enlarged heart is not a good thing; even dangerous. If you have an enlarged heart, you can’t move around very well. You’re definitely not out running races or performing daily tasks with optimal output. It would take a lot of effort and energy just to accomplish small things. No one wants to have an enlarged heart and it’s a lot to take in emotionally and mentally if that’s the diagnosis you receive after a series of medical tests.  

On the other hand, spiritually speaking, having an enlarged heart is a great thing. If you have an enlarged spiritual heart, you’re ready to walk and run with the Lord. You can accomplish the Lord’s purposes and meet those spiritual goals the Holy Spirit puts in front of you. If you have an enlarged heart spiritually, you have an open heart that’s opened to God’s direction and His truth, and you are filled up with love. 

Your very big spiritual heart can take the honesty God brings to you about yourself and situations; in fact, you welcome it.

If you have an enlarged spiritual heart, you can be obedient to God ‘s commands. Being obedient to God’s commands is more than obeying the “The Commandments” that God had Moses write on the two tablets after delivering them from Egypt and Pharoah’s army, it involves the precepts and commands of God spread through His Word, from Genesis to Revelation. It means your great delight and joy is in Him. If you have an enlarged heart spiritually, your heart is full of God. God occupies and is threaded throughout your thoughts from morning to night in some fashion. 

Today’s Application

The Apostles Paul and Peter often prayed for believers to grow up in the Lord and be filled up with the knowledge of Him (Eph. 3:19; 2 Peter 3:18)

There are people who have a small and narrow spiritual heart. They are closed off to God and refuse to do the things God speaks to their heart. They do not care to be obedient to God and they are not concerned about following the path the Holy Spirit is constantly leading them to be on. Their obstinance to God shows in their attitude and viewpoints.    

While it’s not likely we will pray to have an enlarged heart physically—no one wants the physical suffering that accompany having an enlarged physical heart, but we can make it a point to pray daily to have an enlarged spiritual heart that is wide open to God, filled up with God, bursting at the seams with His goodness.  

When our spiritual heart is enlarged, we are made happy, our soul is jubilant, we are forgiving, loving, compassionate, peaceful, our horizons are expanded and we can see and hear what we haven’t seen or heard before, we are growing in awareness and growing in grace and the knowledge of truth. When we have an enlarged heart, we also have an enlarged life! When God sees your heart is enlarged and lets you know that’s the best diagnosis that comes with a blessed prognosis you can receive.   

Lord, open my heart to your truth, enlarge my heart so I am obedient to you and enjoy doing your will. Enlarge my heart so the borders of my life are enlarged. Amen

Be Encouraged to pray often even daily that the Lord will give you an enlarged spiritual heart. 

(October 22, 2024)

  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. –2 Timothy 3:16, ESV

Summing It Up

God helps us know the Bible’s purpose and He lets us know where it came from. Paul wrote Timothy that all Scripture is breathed out by God. That answers our question whether the Bible was written by humans or not. Some people say and believe that it’s the thoughts, opinions, and ideas of people we read in the Scriptures. The human hand may have put the words on paper, but it was the Spirit who revealed what was to be written. God authored the Bible so we can have the guidance we need for getting through this dark world where Satan and the forces of darkness move with freedom and power. 

Paul wasn’t repeating himself when he wrote that the Bible was good for reproofing and correcting. They may seem to be the same but are different. Reproof is about pointing out our mistakes or wrongdoings and is a form of criticism aimed at bringing attention to behavior or beliefs. While correcting refers to the action or process of correcting, which can involve setting something right or pointing out a mistake. 

Reproof is related to faults regarding someone’s behavior, while correction can refer to many types of errors, faults and mistakes. God will use His Word to both point out our faults and mistakes and correct them. That’s how God uses His word to train us up in righteousness for holy living. Not just any book can accomplish that. We may enjoy a good novel, get a lot from reading a well-written self-help book, but no other Book can tout it is the place where God both meets with us and transforms us.

Today’s Application

What would you do if there was no Bible to read or study or know God through? What would your Christians life be like if there was no such thing as a Bible? Maybe a better question is, would it make any difference? 

The Bible is our source for learning about God, for learning that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, God’s only Son who came to earth as a baby and lived this life we live before dying on a cross to save us from a destiny of eternal death. The Bible has one author—God. It has one theme—Jesus Christ. It has one purpose: guiding us through this darkness and guiding us back home to heaven.

Before we learn to love spending time with God in Bible we might look at it as more of a chore or obligation but once we learn it’s the place we meet God and God meets with us the more we love our time with God in His word.   

Today’s Prayer  

Thank you for the Bible God. There are a lot of well-written books I enjoy reading but none can measure up to or fulfill what You have purposed through Your word.  Amen 

Be Encouraged to set an appointment with God and read your Bible daily.        

(October 21, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24, NLT 

Summing It Up

When do you ordinarily feel like rejoicing? Do you need to be having a good or great day before you can do that or, can it be when you’re having one of those terrible, things-can’t-get-any-worse-days. When it’s a difficult day—a day when everything is going wrong, you’re feeling unwell, when your life feels like one storm after another, or your problems are more than you can’t count and you’re  feeling like everybody is turned against you and nobody understands you—not even God? Can you rejoice and be glad on a lousy day or a day you can’t wait to be over? 

During Jesus’ day, the Jews would sing this Psalm at Passover. It’s also the psalm Jesus sang before going to Calvary to be crucified. Can you imagine Jesus singing as He was headed to Jerusalem; headed for Calvary to suffer and die for the sins of the world? How could He possibly be singing, “This is the day the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” when He was headed to His own death, headed toward Jerusalem where He would suffer greatly before being nailed to a cross of wood, singing “This is the day the LORD has made I will rejoice and be glad in it” while He was spending His final days with His beloved disciples, getting in those last conversations, eating His last meal?     

When we also know that Jesus was quick to pray, “Not my will but your will be done,” (Matt. 26:39) then His singing Psalm 118 wouldn’t be out of the ordinary at all. In fact, it would be in keeping with His character and the way He lived His entire life: in the will of the Father.  

Today’s Application 

Whether we are reading what Jesus said in the Gospels, or what saints Paul, Peter wrote in the New Testament, we can learn a lot about what it takes to rejoice in the day we’ve been given. We can train our spirit to sing and rejoice so even when we’re having a very bad day, having the worst day or season of our life, weighed down by troubles, flat on our back due to an illness we can sing because we know exactly what Paul was talking about when he said, “If God is for us who can be against us (Rom. 8:31-33). We can sing because we also know no matter what kind of day it is, we can also remember to anticipate what God is going to do for us in the future and remember His promise that He always works all things together for the good of those who love him, those who are called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28), then we can sing like the psalmist and Jesus. 

If life goes the way it so often does. Our days can be full of overwhelming burdens and sorrows. Jesus knew those kind of days also. Our days can be full of being attacked unjustly by people. Jesus knew those kind of days also. Our life can be full of encounters with the obstinate and mean-spirited—Jesus had his share of those kind of days also. But if we anticipate what God is going to do for us, if we keep in mind when God is in control, the end will always turns out the way God has designed, then we can rejoice and be glad in it. 

Today’s Prayer

God, help me have that right perspective about rejoicing in the day you have made regardless of what kind of day it is.

Be Encouraged to know even though you may not understand God’s purposes now, one day you will be able to and therefore you can rejoice today no matter what. 

(October 20, 2024)

 Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. –Psalm 8:1-2, NIV

LORD, when I think of all You have created, all that You have put together; the things You spoke into being and at the sound of Your voice came into being; the things You touched with Your hand—like human beings—that took shape and exist to this day because of what You did, I am amazed. I can’t do anything less than praise and glorify You.

LORD, considering all You have done and in such a mysterious way, I’m wondering why You have such high regard for humans; why you care about us so deeply; even after we gave into temptation and to this day still drift and plunge into sin without much resistance or regard to consequences. 

At creation, You made humans a little lower than the angels and You crowned us with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5). We may not be perfect, but we are redeemed by Jesus and one day we will reign with Him in heaven. We may struggle with our old nature, but we are not slaves or enslaved. We are not always as strong or confident as we should be, but we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, and by His power we have strength to live as children of the Most High God; strength to live lives that please You and strength to live as those belonging to a royal priesthood and a holy nation. 

Lord, help me reign over my circumstances and feelings. Help me trust in Christ as Savior to reign in my life. Whenever I find myself a slave to a particular circumstance or emotion, help me remember, because of the sacrifice of Christ, I need no longer live as a slave in this world or to my emotions, I am not ruled by the Prince of darkness, nor misled by his wicked counsel, but I can claim the power of Your Spirit and live as a the king I am.

Be Encouraged to claim your true position of royalty and live the life Jesus redeemed you to have.     

(October 18, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. —Psalm 117:1-2, NIV

Summing It Up

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the Bible. It may be only two verses but there’s no question why all people should be doing: praising the LORD.

Verse 1 says “all nations are to praise Him, all peoples, no matter what their color and ethnicity should extol Him. And verse 2 says why: We are to praise Him for His great love and for the way He is faithful toward us. A faithfulness that is enduring. 

Here’s a fact: we can’t praise or extol the LORD if we don’t know Him. We can’t praise Jesus or thank Him for dying on the cross to save us from an eternity apart from God if we don’t know what we have gained through Jesus’ sacrifice and death on the cross.

Today’s Application

Have you ever wondered by the world is such a dark and dangerous and unbelieving place? Why crime is so high, hatred so rampant, why violence is so pervasive, why people are so mean, unreasonable, and hateful? How have you done in introducing others to our good, holy, kind, loving, caring, and protective God? How many have you personally talked to about our forgiving, life-changing, way-maker, problem-solving, mind-regulating, healing, constant companion and Friend, Jesus Christ? People cannot praise whom and what they don’t know. 

The Scriptures teach and human nature proves it out: we will worship something. We will look for a “higher” power to align with. We will find some cause to trumpet even if that cause and power is darkness, evil, and hatred.  

True, not everyone we tell will turn to Christ or accept Him as their personal Savior. Not everyone we talk to about Jesus will find His kindness and goodness attractive. Not everyone will embrace Him as their help, comfort, and strength.  

Not everyone will be happy to be saved or elated at the thought of living in heaven for all eternity, not everyone will want to give up their power to let Christ rule in their heart or become the Lord of their life, but someone might. More people than we can imagine might. 

If we want the world to be a better place it's our job to make it such. Introducing the nations and all peoples to Christ is a job each of us are charged with and all of us in our own way. You don’t have to be a preacher or pastor to talk to people about Jesus. You can be a student in the classroom or on campus, you can be someone who has a job as a cashier in the grocery. It’s your job to share Jesus with others in some way. Your duty as a believer to creatively weave what Christ has done for you and others into your daily conversations. 

Former monk and Church Reformer Martin Luther used to say everyone should preach the Gospel—share the Good News of Jesus and what He has done—and only, when necessary, use words. When you get to heaven, gathered at the gate to greet you along with friends and family who got there ahead of you, should be a good number of people who made it home because you told and showed them Christ and they turned to Him in their life.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, no matter what else I need to accomplish today, help me to tell someone else about you and what I know you have done for me and them too. Amen

Be Encouraged to find your creative way of sharing Jesus with others.   

(October 17, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth. –Psalm 115:14-15, NIV

Summing It Up

Have you figured out by now Psalm 115 is bursting with promises of blessing from our God who not only sits in heaven, rules over heaven and earth, but is actively at work in the lives of his created beings? 

The definition of the word “flourish” can mean “to grow luxuriantly: thrive. To achieve success or prosper. To be in a vigorous state or at the height of fame, excellence, or influence. To be healthy and happy. To be in a period of highest strength, influence, fame or the like.” 

We can see how God caused His Son, Jesus to flourish in life and in death. To many, Jesus was an enigma; someone who was mysterious, puzzling or difficult to understand. But to those who believed and received Jesus as God’s Son from heaven, sent to die for the sins of the world and give us eternal life and immortality, Jesus was a blessing and the answer to every problem we face.

Because God’s promise to make us flourish, everything Jesus did—and still does—was not only successful but prospered. Under the Father’s hand, Jesus thrived then, and He thrives today. Jesus achieved success and prospered spiritually and those who place their trust in Him to this day enjoy the same. Jesus was healthy and happy, and His strength did not wane. The same is true for all who follow in His ways. 

Today’s Application

Because we belong to and follow our Lord Jesus and the LORD God’s hand is upon us, His promise to make us flourish applies to us also. Like God’s Son and our Savior Jesus, we are also an enigma to many. We cannot be figured out. 

The Apostle Paul said it best when he wrote under the Spirit’s direction, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Paul said “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the all-surpassing power we have is from God and not ourselves. We are always carrying around in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:7-9).      

We are a mystery to the unbelieving world and a mystery to the devil and forces of evil. We get back up when knocked down and manage to shine even when darkness invades our space. We do not give up even when the obstacles are great. We give God thanks and praise even when life looks the bleakest and hopeless. We trust in God even when doors are shut against us, and no one agrees to help us.     

Because our Father God promises to make us flourish, we will succeed. We will make bold gestures. We will grow well. We will enjoy strength, excellence and be people of influence. We will stand out now and be remembered for our goodness, love of the Lord, and excellence long after we’ve gone home to heaven. 

Any way we apply the definition of “flourish” to our life, based upon the promise of God, we can be sure we will accomplish and always have great things to look forward to.

Today’s Prayer

Father God, thank you for your promise to make me flourish! Amen 

Be Encouraged to walk in confidence, strength and stand up straight knowing God’s promise to make you flourish in life is yours.   

(October 16, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike. –Psalm 115:12-13, NIV  

Summing It Up

Forgetfulness is natural. It can come with age. It can come with having too much to remember. I was looking at products to help with our memory as we age. There are a ton of them to choose from! Most of us have fears of not remembering the important things. We are always weighing what’s natural and what may indicate we have something going on medically. 

In Psalm 115 God made a promise to never forget Israel as a nation. What a comfort to take to heart today. Today’s a good day to remember how God promises to remember and bless us as a nation—not just geographically but as a nation of believers. God promises to remember to bless the house of Aaron, the Church where God’s people are spiritually nourished, and fed. God promises to remember and bless all who fear Him—the small and great alike. God is an equal opportunity God. He is always watching out for us, and we never have to worry about being forgotten.

Today’s Application

Do you ever forget someone’s name? Maybe you haven’t seen them for a long while and you can’t remember their name. You know their face, but their name escapes you in that moment. In Psalm 27 David wrote, “Though my father and mother forget me, the LORD will receive me.” 

Maybe your parents were busy with something and didn’t remember to pick you up something to eat when they went out, or even worse didn’t remember a special day like your birthday! In the beginning stages, as the Christian Church was increasing in numbers, the Grecian Jews complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. It seems they were forgotten, and steps were taken to make sure the widows were always remembered (Acts 6:1).  

Feeling forgotten and being forgotten are two different things. When we feel forgotten by God, overlooked in the daily distribution of blessings, it’s good to remind ourselves of God’s unbreakable promises in His word that He will not forget us. It’s also a good time to praise God for His remembrance of us; that will shut the mouth of the accuser who is doing nothing except trying to plant a seed of doubt in our mind to take root in our heart. When we feel forgotten it’s a perfect time to draw close to God in prayer. James said “draw near to God and God will draw near to us (James 4:8). Through daily prayer, reading of God’s word and paying attention to God’s movement in our life we can see how God always remembers us and blesses us.    

With all that we can forget and how easy it is for us to be forgotten by others, God makes a promise that blesses us and should give us comfort and ease. God promises never to forget us. God will not forget us in the distribution of blessings. God will always remember to take care of us. God will not forget to cover and protect us. God will always remember to bring us home to heaven when our life on earth is complete.  

Today’s Prayer 

Thank You, God for your promise to always remember us and always to bless us. Amen  

Be Encouraged to remember God’s promise he will never forget you regardless of your earthly status God will always remember to bless and care for you.  

(October 15, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. –Psalm 115:9-11, NIV

Summing It Up

The person who wrote Psalm 115 made a very important point concerning manmade gods and those who worship them. The contrast cannot be plainer. First, the psalmist asks the question why any nation—an unbelieving people—wonder “where the God of heaven and earth is” (115:2). There’s no doubt our God is in heaven and has all power in his hands. There is no question that our God moves upon the earth and is active in the lives of his created beings. 

In stark contrast the gods of the unbelieving are made of silver and gold and made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Worst yet, those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them (Ps. 115:3-8). 

Today’s Application

The unbelieving nations during the psalmist’s time would make idols out of manmade materials and locate them throughout the hills. They would paint faces on them to give the man appearance of awareness. But their only threat was in the minds of people. Their gods appeared to be real but were anything but. How unlike our living, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God, idol gods are! Let’s consider the contrast:

Our God is not created. He is uncreated and eternal and therefore He is not limited by human limitations.

Our God has a mouth and speaks His promises over us. Our God can send word of comfort and encourage us.

Our God has eyes and watches over us to protect us; He can see us wherever we are. We are the apple of His eye, and He never loses sight of us.

Our God has ears to hear our prayers. Our God can hear our cries and pleas for help, He can hear us when we call to Him. He can hear our praises as they rise to the heavens.

Our God has a nose to smell the fragrance of our prayers and praises and He loves the aroma they give off.

Our God has hands to hold us and touch us and reach into our life. Our God has hands to hold back winds and rains and keep us cradled in their palm.

Our God has feet and can be everywhere present. Our God can walk the earth and walk with us daily. He is not a stick of wood, or a rock left in the same place it has been fashioned.

Our God has a throat to express His deep love and concern. God’s concern and care comes from deep within His heart. His concern is not fake. He is nonfeeling. 

And adding insult to injury, those who make idols will become as one-dimensional, unresponsive, heartless and powerless as the idols they fashion. Thank Good we have been made in the image of our God and the more we walk with Him and trust in Him the more we become like Him full of life, goodness, holy, compassionate, and eternal. 

Today’s Prayer

God, thanks for pointing out the silliness of worshiping manmade or idol gods! There is no clearer case for serving, worshiping, and appreciating You, our real, living and loving God who cares for us all our lives. Amen 

Be Encouraged to make sure your life is free of idol gods which have an appearance of being real and powerful.    

(October 14, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water. –Psalm 114:7-8, NIV

Summing It Up

As you read Psalm 114, the psalmist is doing more than going down memory lane. He is pointing out some powerful activity of God. Reminding the children of God what the God of heaven and earth can do on their behalf. 

First, God made Judah his sanctuary, Israel became God’s dominion (vv1-2). Then, God caused the Jordan to part by his command (v3). He made the mountains leap like rams and the smaller hills like little lambs (v4). The psalmists reminded them that even in the presence of powerful God the earth trembles (v7). The same God who turns rocks into pools of water and hard rocks into springs of water (8). You can read about God’s power and activity on behalf of his precious children in Psalm 114:1-8.

Today’s Application

Psalm 114 is more than a history lesson it’s a lesson on how God deals with obstacles his children face; any obstacle that threatens our wellbeing and will interfere with his personal plans or assignments for us.

First, sometimes God will overcome our obstacles. When we turn our obstacles over to God, God acts on our behalf. Remember, as the Israelites stood at the shore of the Red Sea it was a desperate and panicky time (Ex. 14). God didn’t turn his back He helped them. God used his power over the sea and all of heaven and earth to make a way for his beloved; he parted the waters so they could walk through.

Second, sometimes God removes our obstacles completely. The psalmist said even the presence of God causes the hills and the mountains to leap and run like rams and lambs (114:3-4). That’s powerful! In the presence of God whatever has set itself in our path God knows how to make it flee from his presence. No force or nothing wants to tangle with God, instead they run away.  

And sometimes God turns our obstacles into blessings. Remember when the people cried out for water and God had Moses strike the rock with his staff? God caused water to pour out of the rock, he took a hard rock and made it burst with springs of fresh, refreshing water for them to enjoy (Num. 20:10-13). What a blessing for God’s children. Even in their rebellion God blessed them with refreshment.  

What the psalmist shares is more than just interesting stories or pieces of history so old none of us were there, through these historical accounts the Israelites were reminded, and we can be encouraged today to know there is no obstacle God cannot handle and make it work to his glory and for our good. What we can remember is that when we are in the hopeless places of life God is with us has a plan to deal with our obstacles; regardless of what kind of obstacle it is.  

If you’re facing an obstacle and God hasn’t overcome it, then it’s possible he’s going to remove it, and if he has chosen not to remove it, then it’s a sure bet God’s going to turn it into a blessing!

Today’s Prayer

God, I will trust you with my obstacles. I know you can help me in the hopeless places, the high places and the hard places. Amen

Be Encouraged to look at the obstacles standing in your way and consider the approach God may be taking.  

(October 13, 2024)

A Promise to Pray and Treasure this Week

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. –Hebrews 12:1-2

I believe in you, God. I believe you are the peace that conquers my most pressing problem, the sufficiency that meets my greatest need, and the strength that is equal to my most difficult task. There’s nothing that is too much for me when I’m trusting you. Forgive me for the moments when I lose sight of these realities and lapse into worry or fear or pride but whenever I refocus on you—on who you are—I see through eyes of faith again and you heal my perspective once more. Amen   

(October 12, 2024)

    Key Promise to Know and Treasure

The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. –Proverbs 19:23, ESV

Summing It Up

If you’ve seen the classic Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon you may remember the scene where Charlie Brown, shoulders slumped, stops by Lucy’s booth where she doles out advice for a nickel. The sign reads, “The psychiatrist is in.” As she psychoanalyzes Charlie Brown, trying to get to the bottom of his depression she lists various fears. To each one he responds no. But finally, she gets to the last one; “Do you have pantophobia? “What’s that,” Charlie Brown asks. To which Lucy responds, “The fear of everything!” “That’s it!” His reaction is so strong it sends Lucy toppling. 

Today’s Application

What are your fears? Perhaps you’re afraid of heights. Then you have acrophobia. Or you may have a fear of closed in places which is claustrophobia. You might be afraid of large bodies of water like oceans, which is thalassophobia, or the fear of dogs (cynophobia), or bugs (entomophobia), you might even fear people which is anthropophobia. 

There’s no end to the fears we can entertain and become enslaved by. We might have an extreme fear of germs which is Mysophobia, or a fear of being alone or abandoned which is Monophobia, or a fear of being  homeless which is called Hobophobia, a fear of becoming sick which is Emetophobia, or a fear of going hungry: Cibophobia. 

Christians are not exempt from having fears. We might even fear being sent to hell after living a life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which is Stygiophobia.  

Whether our fears are about germs, bugs, water or closed in spaces none of them lead to abundance of the soul or peace of mind. King David wrote about a fear that we should not only desire to have but cultivate. And that’s the fear of the LORD. In Psalm 25 God reminds us he reserves his friendship for those who fear him. To them he makes known his covenant (25:14).     

When we research it, we can find that God has quite a bit to say about fearing him, even hundreds of passages. David wrote, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding (Ps. 111:10), and Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death (Prov. 14:27). 

We can entertain all kinds of fears that keep us locked indoors and up at night but there is only one fear that is a fountain of life and drives out all other fear. As the psalmist writes, there’s only one fear that drives out all other fears and “Blessed is the person who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in his commandments. Who humbly fulfills his or her Christian duty to fear God (Ecc. 12:13).  

There is a lot we can fear in this life. A lot we should respectfully be cautious about. but there is only one fear that leads to life, only one fear that is spiritually profitable and leads to blessing and that is the fear of the LORD.   

Today’s Prayer

God, what a blessing to be aware of. That those who fear you have no lack! (Ps. 34:9). Let me put all other fears to rest, God and teach me to fear you alone so my soul can prosper, and my mind can be at peace. Amen

Be Encouraged to submit your fears to God, put your complete trust in him, and make fearing God your highest goal.      

.         

(October 11, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. –Matthew 7:24-25, ESV

Summing It Up

There are some knowledgeable people in this world. People who know a lot about a lot of things and people who know a great deal about selected or specific areas. Pick a topic or subject and there are people who can talk on that topic for days and still not exhaust all their knowledge about that subject.

Even with all the smarts people can have it doesn’t automatically make them wise. The definition of knowledge is knowing facts, information, skills acquired by a person through experience or education, the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. 

Even fitting the definition perfectly does not make a person wise. As the saying goes, “When you know better you do better.” There are a lot of people who know a lot and should know better but never do better; that’s not wise at all.

According to the Word of God, wisdom lies in our obedience. We’ve all seen really smart people do some stupid things. When that happens, we might say something like, “Wow! I thought they were too smart to do something like that!” God’s Word has a lot to teach us about wisdom. 

Saint James wrote that we are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, which is deceiving ourselves. He goes on to write that “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (1:22-24). 

Today’s Application

The Word of God is given to us not just to read and study but to apply and obey. When we obey God, we begin to understand what he is doing in our life and the more we understand what he is doing the more we are at peace and can take those bold steps of faith which bring success and advancement. We might say that obedience is the key or organ of spiritual understanding, leading to success and securing what God has stored up for us. 

While the world’s wisdom is built on faulty foundation the wisdom that can be built upon and that is reliable one hundred percent of the time comes from God. The more we obey what we read in God’s word, the more we obey the instructions and precepts of the Lord, the more we obey what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us, the greater our peace and firmer our heart of faith.  

The first person in Jesus’ parable did a wise thing: he heard the words Jesus spoke and reordered his life accordingly, but the second person heard Jesus’ instruction but chose not to do anything differently in his life and his life fell apart. It could not withstand the events that came into his life, against his house. (Matt. 7:26-27). Truly wise people all have one thing in common: they have learned to put into practice what they’ve learned from the Lord. 

God never misleads us to make us think obedience comes naturally, easily, or that we won’t have challenges and doubts when we determine to obey his Word, but he does promise to give us strength, be with us every step of the way, and guarantees that our obedience to his Word and will, will be rewarded. 

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, the world’s wisdom is based upon a faulty foundation, but true wisdom comes when we obey the Word of God. May my highest goal and most fervent pursuit be obeying your instruction. Amen

Be Encouraged to strive daily to obey the Word and instruction of God    

(October 10, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him.–Psalm 109:30-31, NKJV

Summing It Up

In Psalm 109 David’s enemies are severely persecuting the people of God. Interesting. As David was praying for his enemies they were preying on him. As bad as it was, David’s concern wasn’t for himself. It was for the people of God. At the end of his prayer David makes a profound statement. David declares, “I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yes I will praise him among the multitudes he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him. 

Their enemies had surrounded them, spewing words of hatred, fighting against them for no reason, accusing them, attacking the poor and needy, the most vulnerable and weak, but instead of retaliating David prayed for his enemies; David gave himself to prayer. David took up his position in the LORD and determined he wasn’t going to look at his enemies and walk by sight, he was going to walk by faith and praise God.

Today’s Application

We can’t say enough about the power of praise to change the atmosphere and a negative situation. When we start to praise God with our mouth something happens it’s as if the chains holding us fall away, the blinders keeping us from seeing clearly come off, darkness becomes brilliance, our heavy heart lifts, and our soul is strengthened.

The devil cannot stay in the same place where praise is going on. First, because he it’s not directed at him. He’s jealous and seethes when God gets the praise he longs to have for himself; that’s what got him into trouble in the first place. He wants the praise to come to him and when it doesn’t he hightails it out of there  to devise a new strategy. We praise God openly with our mouth because that’s the only way to silence the voice of the enemy in our head and take back our emotions he has corralled.

David’s second resolution is to praise the LORD among the multitude (v30). Instead of focusing on what the enemy was doing David was going to throw some shade on their great God and what he could do from heaven on behalf of his beloved. 

Praising God openly where others can hear not only inspires them to focus on God also, but the enemy can’t help but hear what’s going on. A collective praise in the midst of our enemies is a powerful praise that takes over and no one can stand against it.  

And David’s third resolution is to trust his Advocate in heaven. This is what David knew and we can know: God is at our right hand. God is at the right hand of the poor, the needy, the persecuted, the weak, and the needy, and Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God the Father interceding for those being persecuted, praying for our strength and victory. We are defended by our mighty God. We are in the shadow of the Almighty and fully covered.

David could have been bitter. He could have been afraid. David knew how to meditate silently on the LORD—and there are times silent meditation will strengthen us—but David also knew there are times we need to open our mouth and greatly, unashamedly, vehemently praise the LORD because that’s what will send the enemy fleeing and clinch our victory.     

Today’s Prayer of Praise   

Our God is an awesome God he reigns from heaven above with wisdom power and love our God is an awesome God! Amen

Be Encouraged to open your mouth and praise God greatly when the enemy is persecuting and attacking you on every side. 

(October 9, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” The LORD will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies. –Psalm 110:1-2, NLT

Summing It Up

Jesus’ assignment had taken him 33 years to complete. He left home as an infant, clothed in human flesh, now he returned a fully grown man, having experienced earthly life firsthand. The Father was proud of His only Son. He had kept the faith the Father was with him every step of his journey; never left his side for one minute; making sure he had every resource of heaven to accomplish what he was sent to do on earth and for all mankind, and his faith and perfect obedience had resulted in victory for every believer, majesty for himself, and bringing glory to the Father.

In the Gospels we often read a Fathers touching and encouraging messages to His Son. God the Father did not hesitate to give His Son praise and let him know he was pleased with him. At Jesus’ baptism the Father proudly said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). And now that the Son had returned home the Father assures him every promise he had made would be honored. Jesus was going to sit at the Father’s right hand for all eternity. He was King and Priest (Heb. 4:14-16). The heavenly Father was going to make sure his Son’s enemies paid for what they had done, and Jesus’ enemies would become his footstool.

The conversations between Father and Son aren’t just endearing it’s assuring. Every promise God the Father made to his only Son has been made to us. Saint Paul reminds us, because we belong to the Father and have become part of his family through Holy Baptism, because we have believed in the Son, baptized in his name, and now serve Him faithfully, proclaim Him as our personal Savior and Lord, we have become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Our sufferings will not be for nothing, but the Father promises they will result in sharing the Sons glory. 

Today’s Application

That’s a big deal: Our sufferings won’t go unrewarded. Whatever suffering we endure on earth, and they can mount up and at times seem unending. It’s a big deal to know God is taking note. All who have targeted us because we belong to God the Father and Son will pay a hefty price for what they do to make things hard for us, to discredit and make war against us; all mistreatment of us will be paid for. It’s a big deal that we don’t have to spend our time seeking or planning revenge or wasting time pursuing our enemies but can move on with our life and enjoy the benefits of belonging to the Father and the Son. It’s a big deal our obedience to the Father and dedication to the Son will reap in bringing glory and honor to them and a place of honor and reward for us.         

Jesus isn’t just sitting beside the Father he is at work. He served us on earth, preaching, teaching, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and now he serves us from heaven, interceding for us, using his power and welding his powerful influence on our behalf. Jesus received the Father’s admiration when he returned to heaven after completing his earthly journey and now he wants us to be on the receiving end of the Father’s praise. Hearing the Father gush over us when we return home, “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matt. 25:23)   

Today’s Prayer

Thank you, Jesus for paving the way to heaven and setting the example and for reminding us every promise the Father made to you also applies to us! Heavenly promises and rewards are a big deal! Amen

Be Encouraged to become obedient to the Father and dedicate your life to the Son knowing God will take care of your enemies and repay your suffering.  

(October 8, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

There the hand of the LORD was on him.—Ezekiel 1:3, NIV

Summing It Up

God’s prophet Ezekiel was thirty years old when he experienced his first visions from God. Ezekiel would never forget what turned out to be his inaugural vision. He was standing by the Kebar River with the rest of the exiles and the heavens were opened and Ezekiel saw something no one else was privileged to see. 

In the vision Ezekiel saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands (Ezekiel 1:4-8). You can keep reading Ezekiel’s heavenly vision in Ezekiel chapter 1.

What an awesome vision. While others were looking at the Kebar River stretched out before them Ezekiel’s eyes were lifted up to see the great vision above him. 

Today’s Application

There is a prayer I pray regularly for family and friends based upon Ezekiel 1:1. It goes like this, “O God let the heavens be opened over (name) life and let (him/her) see visions and may (name) plan the activities of his/her day and conduct his/her life in accordance with those visions you have shown him/her. Amen.” 

God gave Ezekiel a vision so he could walk in concert with what God was doing and going to do. Though the exiles were seeing one thing Ezekiel was able to see this great God-thing going on above and all around them. Ezekiel was like Isaiah the year that King Uzziah had died, and Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted up and the train of his robe filling the temple (Isa. 6).  

Sometimes the visions God gives concern the activities of heaven and earth and at times they concern our individual life and future. Is there a vision from heaven God has opened to you? What vision have you seen so clearly and plainly that it is as real as touching it? Are you holding onto that vision? Have you written it in your journal so you can revisit it when times get hard and everything is dark and fuzzy? What vision has God shown you that in that moment made your heart skip a beat and put excitement in your soul?   

When God gives you a vision concerning your life and future or concerning any circumstances he is showing you what Ezekiel learned that day as he stood by the Kebar River, “There the hand of the LORD is on you” (Eze. 1:3). Knowing ‘the hand of the LORD is on you can remind you, “If God is for you who can be against you?” (Rom. 8:31)

The visions God gave Ezekiel, Isaiah and others weren’t for their entertainment. They meant something. God chose them to see the workings of God and the glory of heaven that went beyond the human scope and will and God knows why he has shown you what he has. If God reveals a vision, he has enlisted you as a partner to bring his glory to earth and make his salvation known. What a great privilege to receive even a glimpse of the future. How blessed we are to work in concert with God as he brings it about.

Today’s Prayer

God, you are great and reveal great and heavenly things to mere humans. We are blessed to be entrusted to see heavenly things during our earthly journeys.  

Be Encouraged to know

Whenever God reveals visions to mere humans he has a purpose in mind. Whether the vision is about the earth or your life in particular talk to God about it and ask him if there is anything he wants done regarding what he has shown.   

(October 7, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.—Romans 3:23-24, NLT

Summing It Up

Have you ever read or heard said, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future?” It’s unfortunate how quickly we’d like to forget and dismiss Jesus rescued us from something dark and seedy. Jesus got to us just in time to save us before we drowned in the rushing and rising waters of our sin life. We should all be very happy to admi the truth that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

The Christian life has this baffling paradox at its heart: we are sinners and saints at the same time. We are both able to sin and able not to sin. As saints we’ve experienced the power of new birth through the Spirit (Rom. 8:23). Yet, despite these miraculous realities, we keep on sinning. Saint Paul writes an entire chapter on the sin we do even though we don’t want to do it (Rom. 7:15-20). 

The example St. Paul left us is powerful. His transparency is commendable. This sinner turned saint by a very dramatic touch of the Savior, and he never tried to pretend he came to the Lord willingly or pristine. Paul didn’t try to hide that he was the “chief of sinners” (I Timothy 1:15) but took every opportunity to weave his past into his present life and witness. That’s one of the things that made him such a powerful servant for the Lord.

Paul challenges us to do something. Paul challenges us to own both the good and the bad within; the saint and the sinner, so we can reach our full potential. Embracing the light and the dark is our key to a rich, full life in Christ. 

Today’s Application

If God loves us as we are why can’t we accept who we are without the need to pretend we are anything more than flawed humans? When Jesus died to save us—he didn’t die for the cleaned-up version of us but those who still struggle at their deepest levels. 

One of the reasons we can love Psalm 103:14-15 is because God calls us as we are: dust. Dust is different from clay. Dust has no substance. No moisture to hold it together. Dust is not moldable. In fact, a strong wind will blow it away. It’s only when dust becomes clay that you can do something with it. Clay has substance. Clay has moisture that makes it easy to work with. Before God breathed life into Adam, Adam was nothing but dust. It was the breath of God that added what Adam needed so God could mold him the way he desired.

If we want to experience God doing great things in our lives and through us, we must accept we are nothing but dust. We must admit to God, to ourselves and to others we are nothing but light and dark, good and bad, strong and trembling, well-intentioned and sneakily motivated. When we can do that, we are ready for God to breathe his moist, warm breath into us. That’s when we are ready to be molded and useful for God’s purposes to his glory.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, thank you for seeing all of me and accepting every part of me. Breathe your Spirit breath into me so my dust can become moldable clay in your hands. Amen

Be Encouraged to admit to God, to yourself and to others you are both good and bad, light and dark, holy and hellish, sinner and saint.        

(October 6, 2024)

God Turns our Pain into something Positive

Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28, NIV

Adoration and Praise

We praise you O Christ for your grace is sufficient for us, your power is made perfect our weakness. We praise you, knowing we were bought with a price, and we will glorify you with our whole self. We bless you because through our suffering you will be glorified; your plan is always bigger and greater than what we can ask, think, or imagine. We adore you and give you thanks with our whole heart and we will glorify your name forever.  

Confession

God, we all experience pain and suffering. We all experience pain in life whether emotional or physical. No pain is exactly alike, and we must all walk the journeys you have laid out for us. I confess I don’t always trust you when I’m going through something painful. Sometimes when I’m suffering or in pain, I forget you are able to use my pain to accomplish great things in my life and for my future. Forgive me for being narrow-minded and forgetful of your promises from Genesis to Revelation. Forgive me for forgetting how you delivered me from painful times and suffering in the past.    

Thanksgiving 

God, in times of pain it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and fearful. Thank you for your promise to come alongside us when we are in pain. Thank you for using your powerful promises to comfort to reassure us. They comfort us and help us endure and persevere through our painful times. Thank you for your friendship and loyalty and for never leaving our side. Thank you for strengthening us so we can make it to the other side of pain and suffering. Thank you for erasing our pain once you have delivered us, and helping us build new lives, helping us heal and move beyond our past.     

Asking

God, how often we have turned to you through the years; what a faithful friend you are! I could never hope to find a more kind or steadfast companion in this life. I pray, give me a heart that trusts in you and eyes that can see beyond my present circumstances. You promise there is purpose in my painful experiences, help me stand steadfast while you work everything out. I pray to have patience, strength of soul, a vision for my future, and peace of mind knowing even pain and suffering are part of your plans for me and I am not exempt. I pray that I my faith will not waver when I am tested by pain and suffering, but instead may I grow strong in faith and bring you glory and honor.  

Declarations 

God, you are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit ((Ps. 34:18). You know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11), I believe in what you have declared over my life, Lord. And I trust in your word. I know when my painful experience and suffering have ended you will “wipe every tear from my eyes and my doomsday thoughts, my mourning and crying and pain will disappear for the old things will have passed away (Rev. 21:4) and my life will be made new. Lord, I hope in you and will not be disappointed. Amen 

Be Encouraged to remember pain and suffering are part of our journeys but so is deliverance, redemption, refreshment and newness.  

(October 5, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water, arid earth into springs of water, brought in the hungry and settled them there; they moved in—what a great place to live! They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards, they reaped a bountiful harvest. He blessed them and they prospered greatly; their herds of cattle never decreased. But abuse and evil and trouble declined as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away. He gave the poor a safe place to live, treated their clans like well-cared-for-sheep. –Psalm 35-41, The Message

Summing It Up

Here’s what often happens: everything is going reasonably well. Someone asks how we are doing. Our natural response is we are blessed. No complaints. In fact, we recognize we are better than most people. But God is watching and listening. God says, wait a minute. Are you enjoying the gifts and forgetting the Giver? Are you looking at My hand and forgetting My Heart? Are you enjoying My wealth and neglecting My will?

We have turned to idolatry but don’t recognize that we have. We have been living on and accepting substitutes and don’t know we have. Idolatry is not blatant and seldom turned to consciously. The absence of great troubles, reasonable health, and good relationships have become our god instead of the true and only God. We more often slide into idolatry instead of boldly choose or step into it. 

It is dangerous for God’s children to depend on comfortable circumstances. When God sees that is the case, he will change our circumstances or allow them to be changed so that we are forced to turn fully to him (again). It seems cruel for God to make the rich poor or the well-fed to be hungry, the healthy to become sick, but God has our eternity in mind. 

Today’s Application

In the Bible we read that Job was a righteous and upright man, even God said so. But when Satan became bored, looking for someone new to mess with, God offered his servant Job. Job had riches. He was comfortable in his life. He had been blessed with lots of children and a great number of livestock and land and life was good. But God allowed Satan to strip everything away from Job, down to his health. And in the end, Job was childless, propertyless, health-less, and wifeless. Nothing except a righteous group of friends who gave bad advice and poor counsel. Over forty chapters God listened to these men philosophy before he spoke and set them straight.

The earth is God’s to do what he wants, and we are his, created by his hand to worship him alone. God blesses us with comforts, not that we should worship the gifts instead of the Giver. God blesses us and makes our life-orchards prosper and plentiful, not so we can depend upon our circumstances and ignore the heart of our God but because he loves to bless us and see us do well. 

Just as God restored the fortunes of Job in the end (Job 42), Psalm 107:33-41 reminds us God can turn our circumstances the way that is profitable for our eternity. God’s warning that he is a jealous God and will have no other gods before him calls us to examine our hearts constantly, making sure we are not worshiping anything or anyone other than him. 

As the psalmist ends his great prayer he says, “If we are really wise, we will think this over—it’s time we appreciated God’s deep love. (vss. 42-43) and love being his well-cared-for-sheep.   

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, I recognize it’s so easy to easy to have idols. Keep my heart humble and pure so I never put anything before you. Thank you for the blessings and the good times I enjoy. Thank you also for the trials that bring me to my senses and make me seek you alone once again. Amen 

Be Encouraged today to examine your heart and make sure you have no idols in your life or heart.               

(October 4, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. –Psalm 107:28-29, ESV

Summing It Up

Psalm 107:23-32 describes a fierce storm at sea. The traders had gone to sea doing business on the large body of water, there they witnessed the greatness of the Lord. 

I’m not afraid of storms. But then, I’m safely surrounded by four walls and a roof over my head. I don’t think I’d be as comfortable or feel safe if I were at sea and a severe storm arose. To look out and see nothing but walls of water or powerful waves coming at me, no land in sight, no matter the size of the ship I was on it would not feel big or strong enough. 

The psalmist said this next group of people calling on the Lord in their distress were hit by a severe storm at sea. In fact, it was God who caused their storm to arise.

Today’s Application

All kinds of storms come into our lives. Sometimes people cause our storms:  remember in the Book of Acts, chapter 27, Paul was in a storm because the people in charge of the ship wouldn’t listen to the Word of God. Sometimes God causes the storm to test and increase us: Jesus once allowed his disciples to row directly into a storm to teach them an important lesson on faith. And sometimes we cause our storms by disobedience and being strong-willed: like when Jonah ran away from God’s assignment to go to the Ninevites and God stirred a storm which led to Jonah being swallowed by the fish. Jonah’s willful disobedience set off a chain reaction and the storm he was in was his own doing.

However your storm comes, God has one outcome in mind: that you will turn to him, recognize he is the only one who can command the storm to cease. 

When you’re in a storm it’s good to assess why the storm has come. There is always something to learn from your storms no matter how they came about.  more than anything you can remember every storm can be weathered and they won’t last forever. 

God is a merciful God, he always hers our cries of distress and always answers us from heaven. God still rescues us from storms whether others have caused them, He has stirred them, or we have caused them to come.

Today’s Prayers

Jesus, thank you for this word of encouragement tucked in Psalm 107. Regardless of how my storm has come I know, based upon your word and promise that you will hear my cries of distress, and you will cause the storm to cease at your command. Amen 

Be Encouraged if you are in a storm today to ask God for the strength and courage to weather it and for the wisdom to understand it. Don’t wase your storm.         

(October 3, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities…Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. –Psalm 107:17,19-20, NIV

Summing It Up

Some people don’t mind being lied to if the truth is going to be something they won’t like hearing. Not me. Personally, I’d rather hear the truth even if its unpleasant. I’m not going to ask you “does this dress make me look fat” if I don’t want to know the truth. 

Can you believe there was a time in medicine when your doctor didn’t have to tell you the truth about your condition? A time when they and your family member could keep the truth and details about your disease from you. As they felt it was for your own good of course; better for you not to know you only had a few months or weeks left to live than to be told the truth.

Yesterday we talked about the medicine of God’s word that is good for us. Today let’s consider the one who administers that good medicine: Jesus Christ. Jesus will not lie to us. He will not spare the truth about our sickness. He knows withholding the truth also means eternal death.

The false prophets of Jeremiah’s day were guilty of applying salves when they should have been performing major surgery (Jer. 8:11, 22). That wasn’t good soul medicine. Making people think they had a little boo-boo instead of deadly tumor wasn’t good medicine; it wasn’t credible nor ethical. Wouldn’t you rather know you were dying so you could have the opportunity to receive the treatment that would save you? 

The Apostle Paul wrote his spiritual son Timothy that a time would come when people would not put up with sound doctrine, “Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:4). Today we see the outcome of what happens when people resist hearing the truth. Jesus said when the Holy Spirit comes, he would lead us into all truth (John 16:13).

Today’s Application 

Jesus came to call sinners to repent and only he can save them. Only Jesus can cleanse every wound and heal every disease. Jesus will not “pretty” our sin up. He won’t pretend we’re not as bad off as it seems. One of Jesus’ practices of healing the soul before healing the body irritated the religious leads of his time. They questioned under whose authority he was able to forgive sin? Jesus is the only one who has the authority and ability to heal the sin-sick soul. He is the only one who became sin for us and died to set us free.  

We can rejoice that Jesus will not keep the truth from us. That, as hard as it is to hear we are sinners in need of God’s grace and mercy, it will save us in the long run. As difficult as it is to face the truth that we sin in thought, word and deed (I John 1:8-9). Knowing the truth, we are terminal and not healthy as a horse is to our benefit. The Great Physician will not allow us to go on thinking we’re good, when we’re not. He knows there’s no benefit to go on thinking we can save ourselves or that a band-aid will suffice to cover a gaping wound.    

The Great Physician administers the good medicine we need to heal our deep-seated sickness and save us from death. He sends out his word and heals us, rescues us from the grave. Hallelujah!    

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for not withholding the truth. Thank you for being our Great Physician and sending out your word that saves us. Amen

Be Encouraged to cry out to Jesus in your trouble and let him save you from your distress.   

(October 2, 2024)

   Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities…Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. –Psalm 107:17,19-20, NIV

Summing It Up

Moving on to the next portion of Psalm 107. In verses 17-22 the psalmist writes about how fools—because of their rebellious ways and iniquities—suffered affliction. It seems they loathed all food and almost died (vs.18,19). Then they cried out to God in their distress and God sent out his word and healed them, rescuing them from the grave.

The psalmist compares sin to a disease. Think of how disease enters the body. It comes in secretly and can be there for quite some time before we are aware something is going on. We look healthy enough on the outside. We might have an hour-glass shape, or bulging muscles, but on the inside the disease is wreaking havoc in our body, perhaps attacking our organs or one of our systems. Growing and taking over. 

Then something may happen when we start to feel unwell. We may have no energy; get zapped easily. Our appetite may change drastically. We may grow physically weak or fatigued, tire easily. Eventually we might feel badly enough that know we need to go to the doctor. Many times, it’s discovered that we have something serios going on inside our body and unless treated aggressively, it will kill us.

So it is with sin. Unless we get to the Dr. that specializes in sin we will die. The word of God is the treatment that will cure us. Think of all the promises the Scriptures hold. When we read the word of God we discover:

The word of God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Ps. 147:3).

The word of God heals the downcast (Psalm 42:5)

The word of God heals the faithless (Mark 5:34)

The word of God cures the doubting and languishing (Ps. 6:2)

The word of God gives rest to the weary and lifts the heavy weight of the burdened (Matt. 11:28-30)  

King Solomon said gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and giving health to the body (Prov. 16:24). The word of God can heal our fears, anxiety, hopelessness, timidity, grief, guilt and shame. It is the good medicine we need but we must reach out by faith, seek Dr. Jesus through the Word and admit we need curing and help.

Today’s Application

In these days what we call “Big Pharma” sets the prices of medicine that can heal us so high; puts it out of our reach so only the very wealthy can afford it. It can cure us but the common person—the one working for $15, $17, or even $20 an hour cannot afford to get it. But thanks be to God the Word of God is free and available to all who want it. It can cure every disease that has ever been, every malady of the soul.

We don’t have to be like the fool, refusing the food that will save us and get near death before we cry out to God for help. We can today, admit we have a deadly disease eating us up on the inside; suffering from a disease that has only one cure. And just like we wouldn’t delay seeking help or taking treatment for a deadly disease ravaging our body, we can read the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to apply its truth to our heart.  

Today’s Prayer   

Dear Jesus, you are the living word that heals our sin sick soul. May I never be a fool, refusing the only medicine that will cure me spiritually.

Be Encouraged to reach out to Dr. Jesus and tell him you need help, then ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth and heal you.    

(October 1, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. –Psalm 107:13-14, NIV

Summing It Up

During an earlier chapter of life, I taught preschoolers. The “short people,” as I came to call them taught me many lessons in human behavior. One lesson is that we all have a preschooler living within us. Preschoolers are unashamedly me-focused, intent on getting their own way and rebellious when they don’t think they will. Even when we’re older and taller we never lose that nature completely. We only become more sophisticated and cleverer in the ways we try to manipulate things to work out the way we want them to. 

Psalm 107:10-16 teaches us something important to know about God and that is sometimes God will let us have our own way so we can see our own way isn’t what’s best. God knows our own way is dangerous and destructive, but he’ll let us tread that path because he knows in the end, we’ll realize know we don’t want our own way after all—we only want whatever God wants for us. 

In another lengthy psalm the psalmist writes, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Ps. 119:67). God knows there’s nothing like suffering to turn us around. Allowing us to suffer for our rebellion can do more to set us on a good path than a thousand of God’s words of counsel. 

In Psalm 107 the rebellious were subjected to bitter labor, some sat in utter darkness suffering in iron chains, stumbling around but there was no one to help them (vs10-12). Just like back then, the rebellious discover perhaps the consequences of rebelling against God’s word are more than they care to bear. It’s as though God says to those who rebel against him, “Do you really want to go in that direction? All right, but I won’t lighten or alter the consequences either.”

Today’s Application

For a time, we may feel we can handle the consequences. For a time the consequences feel worth getting our way, but when the consequences begin to weigh on us with all their fullness, we know it’s too much to bear and once more we cry out to God. We cry to be rescued; to be welcomed back to God’s embrace; to be back at home in the safety of God’s arms. And our loving, merciful, faithful Father delivers us. We cry out to God in our trouble, and he saves us from our distress; brings us out of darkness and the shadow of death, breaks our chains in pieces, and gives us light, life and liberty. 

God knows the day will come when we are like the psalmist in Psalm 119. Once we have been afflicted and suffered (enough) we willingly and gladly obey the Lord’s commands. The time will come we will no longer see them as an enemy, but our friend, protecting us and providing security and peace. 

No more kicking and screaming, holding our breath or pouting. Our preschooler nature has finally grown up and left us for good!

Dear God, thank you for hearing my cries of distress and rescuing me even when I’ve been rebellious. Help me love your commands so I don’t feel a need to rebel against them. Amen 

Be Encouraged to make loving Gods commands a regular prayer                  

(September 30, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. –Psalm 107:1, NIV

Summing It Up

Have you ever read Psalm 107? It’s an inspiring prayer that begins the fifth and final Book of God’s Prayer Book in the Bible. The writer begins this psalm by reminding us to give thanks to God for his goodness based upon his eternal love, and then turns to reminding the “redeemed” to tell their story of how God has worked mightily in their lives. One such group of “redeemed” is the wanderer. Those who had wandered in the desert wastelands, without a city of their own to settle in, hungry, thirsting, while their lives ebbed away every day. 

The psalmist writes “then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. The LORD led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle (107:4-8). That would be a lot like the homeless going from bench to bench, living in doorways or tucked away in underpasses out of plain sight, hungry and thirsty so much of the time, and being led to a home where they could put down roots, have running water, the security of four walls, a place to call their own and reorganize their life in a satisfying way. O Happy Day!

Today’s Application

We’ve all been a wanderer at one time. We may not have been physically homeless or experienced living in the desert where there was no food or water, but we’ve all been a wanderer in some way. 

Spiritually speaking we have all been thirsting, hungry, wondering where we would go next or where we could receive the kind of nourishment necessary to remind us that we matter, that we have value, that we are loveable, that there is a future and a hope for us; a reason to hold on and keep going. 

Maybe for you it was that moment someone told or reminded you of the awesome sacrifice Jesus Christ made on your behalf and because he came from heaven, walked this walk, died in your place, you now have a loving family, you are no longer alone but have someone to help you in your moments of distress. No longer lonely, no longer thirsty, no longer wandering aimlessly, without roots or security, you have a home with the family of God.

What a great feeling! What a great testimony to share with someone who’s still wandering looking for that home and city where they can (finally) settle and start a new life, firmly grounded and established. A home to prosper and be fruitful.

Today’s Prayer

Thank you for making sure I could have a home Jesus. I look forward to spending my eternity with you and the Father!

Be Encouraged to let Christ be your heart’s home   

(September 29, 2024)

 A Prayer for St. Michael and All Angels Sunday

Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! –Psalm 91:9-13, NLT

Adoration & Praise

Hello Father God! What a privilege to come before you and be received at your throne. What a blessing to be called your child and known by name. What an honor that (I/we) do not have to introduce (my/ourselves) because you already know (me/us) intimately and completely. (I/we) praise you O God for you are the great I AM, the King of kings and LORD of lords, (my/our) refuge and the Lord of the heavenly hosts and armies of angels; the Commander of praising angels and guardian angels and heralding angels, and warring angels; of cherubim’s and seraphim’s.

Confession 

(I/we) confess that (I/we) (am/are) prone to forget how big you are, God. Prone to forget you command armies (I/we) can neither see nor number; armies that are more powerful and larger than any earthly army made up of human beings could ever grow to be. Many countries take pride in their armies, but none can compare to the armies you command. (I/we) confess (I/we) do not give you the praise and honor you deserve for the many ways you cover and protect (me/us) on this earthly journey. Every day of (my/our) (life/lives), dispersing heavenly angels to lift (me/us) up and guard (me/us). Forgive (me/us) for the things (I/we) overlook and for the things (I/we) take for granted and for the things (I/we) (am/are) too dull of heart and weak of faith to recognize and acknowledge.

Thanksgiving

Thank you, King of creation, that you saw fit and had a mind to create angels to serve you in heaven and serve (me/us) on earth. Thank you for sending them with messages from you and for those like the arch angel Michael assigned to war against the forces of evil. Thank you for angels who herald your holy name and praise you day and night; whose praise spills over the realms of heaven to fill up (my/our) silence. Thank you for those who guard (me/us) day and night against the forces of evil, without needing to ask or pray for protection. Thank you, Lord of hosts for the security (I/we) have when (I/we) live under the shelter of your wings. (I/we) can’t see your messengers, your heavenly protectors but (I/we) know they are here with (me/us). Every day serving (me/us) and all mankind at your command. Thank you for the special powerful angels who war in the heavenlies on (my/our) behalf. Fighting the forces of evil that seek to destroy human life and the faithful. (I/we) (am/are) kept safe and defended on levels (I/we) will never know this side of eternity and heaven.    

Supplication

Lord of hosts, (I/we) pray to do my part, to take an active role in dwelling under the shadow of your shadow wings and being in the place (I/we) (am/are) supposed to be, so (I/we) can enjoy the protection, success and victory you have promised those who make you their dwelling place. (I/we) pray to take an active part of staying in your word and obeying your command, seeking your presence daily so (I/we) can have the strength you promise to tread upon the lions and cobras and serpents. (I/we) can do none of this without your power and (I/we) cannot have your power without dwelling under the shadow of your wings and (I/we) cannot dwell under the shadow of your wings without taking up your word daily. Bless (me/us) O God of gods and Lord of lords, to make you (my/our) dwelling place from now until the end of time. In Jesus’ name (I/we) pray. Amen 

Be Encouraged to take responsibility for dwelling under the shadow of God’s wings by dwelling in his word.       

(September 28, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

God tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.—Isaiah 38:5, NIV

Summing It Up

In Isaiah, King Hezekiah was dying. He did not want to die, and he prayed to the LORD to deliver him. God replied, ‘I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you.”

When we are suffering in any way or damaging events have happened. 

Whether we are terminally ill like Hezekiah, experiencing deep financial troubles, or in relationships battles we can lose sight of who God really is and what he is about. We can forget the truth that God loves us eternally, unconditionally and passionately. 

In the midst of our ongoing struggles we might forget to ask ourselves important questions like, “Why would a God who has gone to the lengths he has, the same God who arranged and sacrificed His only son in order to save me from my sins and assure I have eternal life in heaven when my earthly life is done, turn his back on me now? Why would a God who has carefully created me by his own hand delight in my suffering? Why would he sit on the sidelines and have nothing to say or be unresponsive while my enemies are attacking me?” 

The truthful answer is that God would not do any do any of those things. God would not leave nor forsake you. God would not betray you nor take delight in your suffering. God would never watch the enemy attack you and be unresponsive. God would never watch you suffering from heaven and have no plan to deliver you. The truth is God sees your tears, he loves you and will answer your prayers.     

Hezekiah didn’t want to die. There were things he wanted to accomplish in life and as king. 

Hezekiah knew who to turn to as soon as Isaiah brought news that the king was going to die Hezekiah turned his face to God and God saw Hezekiah’s tears and heard his prayer. God assured Hezekiah he would live another fifteen years. Hezekiah was going to have time to redeem himself as king, after all. He was going to have time to see how God delivered his people from their enemy.  

Today’s Application

When we are suffering it may feel as though God is not doing anything from heaven to help or save us. But he is. God is fighting for our life as hard as he fought for it on the cross of Calvary where he suffered and died in our place. We cannot see his holy angels with our physical eyes, but they are here with us. We cannot see what the chief warring angels are doing in the heavens, but they are defending us in the heavenly places. We cannot see the future God has planned for us, but it’s written and declared by God. 

God has faithfully lined everything up to secure your success and victory. Just as Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the God of heaven, we can turn our attention to the Word and promises of God and pray in faith. God will see our tears, hear our prayers and deliver us. God will faithfully do his part and wants us to keep faithfully doing our part of holding on to his unchanging hand, holding on to his promises, holding on to what we know most about him: God loves us unconditionally, eternally and passionately. 

Today’s Prayer

God, thank you for seeing our tears and hearing our prayers, and for the promise of new life once our suffering is over. Amen

Be Encouraged to do as King Hezekiah did when his suffering was too much to bear: turn your face completely to God and call out to him. 

(September 27, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them.—Psalm 53:5, NIV 

Summing It Up

Dread is a word that can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective to express fear, reluctance, or awe. Though fear is a more general term used, which implies anxiety and usually loss of courage, dread is having a deep and intense feeling of fear, deep apprehension, or intense anxiety towards something that is anticipated or expected to be unpleasant. Dread is being extremely worried or frightened. It’s not your usual or normal feeling of being a little or somewhat fearful of a new experience or the unfamiliar, even something you know from experience will be difficult to tackle or master, but off the chart, over the top, intense and extreme that has you frozen in place, unable to move forward or respond in faith.  

In the Bible, the children of God were living that way, causing God to issue a stern admonishment. As his children, weren’t they supposed to be enjoying and living under the immediate protection of God? Yet instead, they were given to sudden panic attacks. They shook and shriveled, living in intense fear and dread. Their memory of God’s power, protection and covering were short-lived. David prayed they were living in great fear where there was no case for fear. God had already scattered the bones of those who had plotted and pursued them.

Today’s Application

Is there something causing you to dread? Experience deep fear, intense anxiety, extreme worry? Have you, even for a short time, had a memory lapse and forgotten how powerful and present God is and that he has promised to slay your enemies; not only those encamped in the heavens, but all others as well? Forgotten how he has done things in the heavens that you can’t detect presently but they are accomplished already? 

In Psalm 14 David reminds us God is in the generation of the righteous (14:5). He’s not just your parent’s God, your grandparent’s God, the great and holy God of your ancestors, or the God of those whose stories are chronicled in the Scriptures, but your God today; active and working in your generation; active and working in your life and circumstances. And in every generation God promises not only to slaughter our enemies, laying them in the dust, but more than that that. 

He is the same God who enters and provides solutions for our problems, levels uneven ground for us to walk firmly upon, clears paths for us to walk securely through, heals our sicknesses, gives strength to the weak, energy to the weary, wisdom and clarity to the confused. 

Wherever God is with us there is no need to dread.  

Today’s Prayer

Thank you, God, for reminding me I have no need to dread any enemy or any unknown. You dwell with each generation and your power, protection, and presence never stops.  Today, I give you the things and situations I have dreaded so I can move forward and respond in faith. 

Be Encouraged to examine your hidden dreads, laying them against the promises and power of God.   

(September 26, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. –Ecclesiastes 1:6-7, ESV

Summing It Up

The scene was broken up into several frames: the first frame showed a man yelling at his wife before leaving for work. The second frame showed the wife fussing at her little boy for not picking up his toys before the school bus arrived. The next frame showed the little son throwing a toy at his baby sister. The fourth frame showed the little sister kicking the dog. The fifth frame pictured the dog chasing the cat up a tree and the last frame showed that same man being reprimanded by his boss when he arrived at work, getting his day at work off to a rocky start. It seemed that man’s anger had come full circle. Others would call it karma since he’s the one who started it all.

While we often associate “what goes around comes around” with the concept of negativity, supporting our thought if you do bad to others bad will come back to you. A concept some have called karma. Several places in the Bible help us understand what goes around comes around is a concept established by God as far back as the creation of the earth. King Solomon wrote, “The sun rises, and the sun sets, and then it rushes back to the place where it will rise again (Ecc. 1:5).

Only three months after their escape from slavery Moses instructed the people how to live. He warned that assault and injury would result in and injury. If they took a life, life would be taken. The harm they did to others would circle back around to them (Ex. 21:24). And in the gospels Jesus warned the same measure we use to judge others would be the same measure we are judged (Matt. 7:1-2).  There’s nothing we do—good or bad, positive or negative—that does not have a lasting effect or start a chain reaction. Like a boomerang it will circle back to us.  

Today’s Application

If our opening scenario had been different, the outcome would have been different also. Instead of the husband exploding on his wife first thing in the morning, the wife’s agitation with her little son may not have reached that level and the little boy’s anger from being yelled at by his mother wouldn’t have been taken out on his sister and on and on. Perhaps the father’s day at work would have got off to a different start and he would have had a successful day at work and returned home in a brighter mood. 

In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus reminded his audience whatever they wished others would do to them, they should do, first (Matt. 7:12). Kindness or peace or compassion, or generosity do not go unrewarded. It will return to us. It may not be from the place or person we planted the original seed, but God will assure we reap the fruit of the seed we planted. Solomon reminds us, if we “cast our bread upon the waters we will find it after many days (Ecc. 11:1). The good we do and start today will not be fruitless. We can plant those seeds and introduce those attitudes that will have a lasting positive and goodly impact, and we’ll eat the fruit of our actions and attitude all the way into eternity. 

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help me remember my good is not wasted. Even if I don’t see the positive results from it today, I’m assured it will come back to me in some way.

Be encouraged to put the Lord’s promises of doing good to the test.   

(September 25, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. –Acts 9:18-19, NIV

Summing It Up

I have a friend who is getting ready to have her cataracts removed. When I shared that I had undergone that same surgery several years ago she asked me what it was like. I shared as much as I thought was important for her to know beforehand. But more than anything, I explained what the difference was for me once the patch was removed the following day: everything was lighter. The world around me seemed to brighten and I was amazed at how much I had not been able to see prior to surgery.

The Apostle Saul believed he was seeing things clearly. Under the authority of the chief priests, he sought and arrested those who had put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was quite successful. Everyone was fearful of being under Saul’s radar. Saul didn’t know it, but he was under the Lord’s radar and the time would come when the Jesus would make him blind just so his vision could be spiritually restored to see what was real and true. 

Today’s Application

There are times we have what we’ll call spiritual cataracts and don’t realize it. Times we need the spiritual scales and cataracts to fall from our eyes. Times when we are blind and cannot see correctly even though we think we are seeing things in a right way. Times when we believe we are going in the right direction, approaching something in the right way, doing something in a God-pleasing way but our spiritual eyes are covered over. Times when we have been blinded by the devil but don’t know.

Through Jesus’ teaching he wants us to know and see that Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). His deceptions are cleverly devised and run deep. He can make things appear real but are false. He can have us believing he offers more and better solutions than our sovereign and great God; that he will be the one who blesses us and not our heavenly Father. He will stir up feelings of hopelessness, despair, and desperation. Fool us to believe God doesn’t see our condition and doesn’t care about our suffering.

We praise God that through Jesus Christ we can turn to the Bible and the Holy Spirit will lead us so we can recognize we are blinded by spiritual cataracts and need them to fall away so we can see Satan and the forces of evil for what they are: liars, deceptive, doomed and destined for a fiery pit. They will have nothing but death, misery and suffering for all eternity while we enjoy peace, joy, fullness of life and all good things in abundance. 

Whether it’s a problem we can’t see the solution to, trouble that seems to have no answer, a stronghold that seems to have to way to break, or that appears, the word of God will open our eyes and the spiritual scales and cataracts that have blinded us will fall away.  

Today’s Prayer

Jesus let the spiritual cataracts and scales fall from my eyes so I can see. Amen 

Be Encouraged to pray that all spiritual cataracts and scales will fall away so you can see clearly.  

(September 24, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.– Colossians 3:8,15, NIV  

Summing It Up

Have you ever met anyone so angry it oozed from their pores? Dripped from their tongue? It appeared they woke up angry, went to bed angry and managed to be angry for their entire day? Someone who could never be pleased. No matter how carefully or thoughtfully others performed a task it still wasn’t enough to please them; they managed to find something wrong and be angry about. Anger defines their life, colors their attitude and distorts their thoughts and the way they process things.  

People like that can walk around with a chip on their shoulder the size of LA, daring anyone to knock it off. It’s pointless to try and figure out why they are so angry. Maybe they had a terrible childhood. Have been cheated on or out of things in their life. Unjustly dealt with or pushed aside or down. Maybe they don’t like where they came from, the family they were born into, the color of their skin, the way they look. The reasons may be too deep or numerous for any untrained person to get to the bottom of and they are too angry to want or seek help to be healed or free of it.

It's no surprise angry people push everyone away and don’t have many friends. No one wants to be around a constantly angry person. Legitimate or not, their anger isn’t just unpleasant to be around, it’s toxic. 

Paul writes to us about anger. His advice should be taken seriously. He knows a little about anger, since at one time, his anger toward those who loved Jesus nearly destroyed his life. At least until Jesus stopped and saved him from his anger. 

Today’s Application

The Bible has a lot of information about anger. The Apostle James wrote that anger does not produce the righteous life God desires, also reminding us that everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19, 20), and Solomon reminds us, a person who is wise has patience and learns to overlook an offense and only fools allow anger to rest in their lap, and a gentle answer has power to defuse a situation but anger can make things worse (Prov. 19:11; Ecc. 7:9; Prov. 15:1). And you’ve probably read when Jesus said someone who is unjustly angry with their brother or sister to the point of cursing at them out of that anger is subject to judgment and the fires of hell (Matt. 5:22).

From beginning to end God shows us the impact of anger when it’s not controlled or used correctly. God may have given us the ability to become angry and in the right situations it can serve us well. It’s a strong emotion that must be used wisely and sparingly and when we don’t master it as God told Cain back in Genesis (4:6-7), it will destroy not only our relationships, our future, and our insides, it will destroy our eternity and relationship with God.     

Today’s Prayer 

Lord, when anger enters my heart, please help me understand it and not be consumed with it. Amen

Be Encouraged to understand your anger and inwardly search whether it is useful or destructive in the situation or circumstances and seek professional help when it is destroying your life.   

(September 23, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Behold, you delight in truth I the inward being, and you teach me wisdom I the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. –Psalm 51:6-7, ESV

Summing It Up

In your growing up have you have the experience, when something has been broken or misplaced, where your parent(s) lined you and your siblings up (if you have siblings) and asked, “OK, who did it?” One by one you all responded, “It wasn’t me mommy! (daddy!)” Maybe if you were even bold enough to blame one of your brothers or sisters.

Just as in childhood, we all have that natural tendency to cover up our embarrassments, mistakes, and sins, and tell lies to maintain our innocence, we are always willing to do whatever is necessary—even blame someone else in order to be convincing that “It wasn’t me!”

Today’s Application

Heres’ what God knows: first, even though there are billions of people living on the face of the earth, or several people close to us who could bear some responsibility in the matter—God already knows it’s us. We are to blame. We did do it. 

Regardless of how much we try to pass it off or place blame, God knows we are guilty. What God begins deep inside us is the process of truthfulness. He wants us to come clean with him and admit it to ourselves “I am the one, I’m the guilty party, I did it!” No more excuses or trying to find a loophole.

When we deny the truth of our actions, we are actually denying ourselves of that much-needed self-awareness that promotes spiritual intimacy with God, relational intimacy with others and strength of character that can result from soul brokenness. 

When we deny the truth of our actions we bear a double burden: the burden of guilt and the burden of the lie to cover up our guilt. And if we’ve blamed someone else, we add the burden of wounding our neighbor and placing false blame where it doesn’t belong, needing to humble ourselves and hope they will forgive us for sullying their character.

God promises to relieve the guilt of our sins (Psalm 32:5): every layer of it, when we confess our sins to him, take the blame, and stop making excuses. It’s difficult to look in the mirror and admit we are wrong or a sinner, and it’s difficult to look up to a holy God and confess we are not as pristine and innocent as we want others to think we are. But in both actions, there is freedom, forgiveness, strength of character, and inner peace.

Today’s Prayer

God, help me be honest with you, myself, and others. Amen 

Be Encouraged to admit when you’re to blame. 

(September 22, 2024)

All Things In Good Order

Key Promise to Pray and Treasure

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. –I Corinthians 14:33, NIV

Adoration and Praise

Hello Father! What a privilege to come before you and be received at your throne of mercy and grace. What a blessing to be called your child and known by my name. God, I praise you that you are a God of order and not chaos all the way from our worship t our private and individual life. I adore who you are: holy and good, loving and faithful, creative and kind. I praise you for the way you release your vision and plans for our life in an orderly and timely way.   

Confession 

God, I confess I am not always orderly in the way I approach things. In my excitement I force and rush, creating chaos and inviting disorder. I confess at times my life more reflects the chaos that surrounds me in this disorderly and chaotic world as opposed to the order you set in motion. At times, even my mind and thoughts are more chaotic as opposed to orderly which prevents me from moving forward or implementing plans in a well thought out and strategic manner. I confess that at times I have believed that order stifles creativity. Yet, even when you created the world and all that is in it, you did so in an orderly fashion and accomplished everything you planned and in the timeframe you desired.     

Thanksgiving

Thank you, for the order you bring to your holy house. Thank you for giving me the ability to order not only my thoughts, but my living and workspaces which transform every environment into a place where we experience peace, productivity and creativity. Thank you for the uninterrupted flow of fresh power I enjoy when I introduce order as opposed to living, working, and worshiping in chaos.  

Supplication

God, I pray for a clear vision and a spirit of patience as I cultivate order in my life. I pray the new order you set in motion results in fruitfulness in my work, my life, and my worship. Help me unclutter the areas of my life that reflect chaos so I can have more peace both internally and externally. Lord, help me declutter the spaces in my brain that are full of chaos and cause me to feel out of control. Help me order my work life so I can be more productive. Help me better tend the spaces you have assigned me so I can be more fruitful. 

God, because the steps of a person are ordered by you, you will delight in me as I order my steps, my life, my work, my worship in you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Be Encouraged to ask God to reveal and help you create order I the places where disorder and chaos exist.   

(September 21, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. –Isaiah 49:10, NIV

Summing It Up

Two of our little granddaughters are always hungry it seems. No matter how long or short ago they ate they are hungry. We marvel at how much food they can put away in those little tummies! It’s the job of the adults around them to recognize and determine whether they are truly hungry or simply need to engage in another kind of activity that will take their mind of food and make the false hunger subside. 

How’s your appetite? Do you stay hungry all the time? Eat and find yourself returning to the fridge or kitchen a short time later? Could it be we are all like my little granddaughters in some way? 

Mistaking spiritual hunger for physical hunger and thirst? As long as we live on the earth, in these mortal bodies we’ll get hungry and have cravings. Some of us at a slower pace than others but hunger and thirst will return. Cravings for our favorite things will call to us even though we’ve just eaten. 

When God made humans and placed them in the Garden of Eden, he set them in the midst of things they could eat because he knew they would become hungry. In fact, they were meant to eat and satisfy their hunger. Physical hunger and thirst and cravings for food will be with us until we are in heaven. We all make choices daily how we satisfy our hunger. Some are drawn to wholesome, nutritious food and some to junk food or that which has no nutritional value. We must work that out and find a way to manage our cravings in healthy ways so we can enjoy good or reasonable health.

Today’s Application

God recognizes humans’ insatiable appetites also, that we are never entirely full or for very long. He also recognizes we can confuse physical and spiritual hunger. We can think the hole in our soul is a hole in our stomach. We can think the craving for something sweet or salty is a craving for our favorite dessert or snack. We can think our thirst is for physical water or another one of our flavorful beverages, when what we are really hungering and thirsting for is something spiritual. 

Our returning to the fridge or kitchen even after we’ve eaten isn’t about seeking physical food or drink but a hole that could not be filled through the food, we just enjoyed a short while ago. We ate the physical food, we drank that usually satisfying beverage, but they can only supply the body, the hole or emptiness that’s left longs to be filled up with God.   

Because the children of God were paying more attention to their cravings for physical food and drink, God reminds them through the prophet’s messages, that they should do the reverse: instead of first seeking their satisfaction through physical food and drink, they should fill up by seeking God first. Filling up with God would also tame their physical hunger and thirst. Isaiah emphasizes when there is no famine of the Word in our life, there won’t be so much false hunger or thirst in the body.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, teach me to recognize when I’m hungry and thirsty for physical food and when it’s really a hunger and thirst after spiritual food and drink. Amen

Be encouraged to turn to God in prayer or to his Word the next time you are tempted to go to the fridge or pantry even though you’ve just eaten a short while ago.        

(September 20, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake, I have become like a bird alone on a roof…Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,  from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”–Psalm 102:6-7, 18-20, NIV

Summing It Up

A recent article about mental health said loneliness is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. Loneliness doesn’t have to be felt or experienced when we are all  alone, people feel lonely when they’re in a crowd, lonely at work and school, lonely in their church, lonely surrounded by family members, living in the same house.

It's hard to spot who’s lonely just by looking at them. People who are suffering from loneliness look as ordinary as everyone else. They can wear designer clothes, drive the newest model cars, be manicured from head to toe. Lonely people can put a smile on their face, but their heart is aching and their mind tortured with thoughts of being alone in this world. 

Today’s Application

Your classmate sitting next to you in class might be suffering from loneliness, the person who does your nails may be suffering from loneliness, the nurse at your doctor’s office  may be secretly suffering from loneliness. You might be feeling lonely right now. Loneliness is a terrible feeling and not easily recognized or shaken.   

Whoever wrote Psalm 102—whether it was David during the time of his son Absalom’s rebellion, Daniel, Nehemiah or some other prophet—was mentally afflicted, feeling distressed and describes himself as a desert owl, like a bird alone on a roof. Whoever he is he’s feeling distressed and alone in his suffering. When we are experiencing one trouble after another its easy to feel alone or isolated in our sorrows. We may look around us and feel we’re the only one suffering and no one who cares or even notices. With so much loneliness being felt in our world it makes God promises so much more important. 

Before leaving earth for heaven Jesus promised his followers, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). And, right before ascending into heaven Jesus’ parting words were “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Solomon tells us about a person who does not leave our side even though they have unreliable friends who may take off when needed the most. Solomon said “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). And the writer of Hebrews reminds us God has promised “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).   

God’s promise is great. Orphans can often feel lonely. There is no immediate family to turn to. In this world we can feel lonely and have no one to turn to. But Jesus says I won’t wait for you to come to me, “I will come to you” (John 14:18). In our bouts of loneliness, feeling like the desert owl or that little bird perched way up on the rooftop, our loneliness undetected, feeling unnoticed and overlooked in a busy world where everyone else seems to be paired off, God sees us. He will not wait until we (finally) pray about our loneliness or have the energy to reach out to others. He comes to us because God more than anyone knows the same thing applies today as it did when he created Adam and set him in the Garden of Eden, “It’s not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18).” God comes to us in his sweet Spirit, and he’ll stir the heart of someone else to befriend and walk this journey with us.     

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for coming to me when I am lonely. 

Be Encouraged when you are feeling lonely to reach out and tell somebody      

(September 19, 2024)

  Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. –2 Kings 6:16-17, NLT

Summing It Up

The prophet Elisha had been an understudy to God’s mighty prophet Elijah, and when God was taking Elijah into heaven Elisha had asked for a double portion of his spirit which was granted. Because God had given Elisha a double portion of his Spirit of prophecy, Elisha was able to do even greater things than his predecessor Elijah. 

When we read 2 Kings 6, we read how God used Elisha’s prophetic gifting to foil the plans of the Arameans again and again. The king of Aram could not understand how each time he planned an attack, the Israelite army would know in advance, and he would not be successful. Later, one of his servants told him about the prophet Elisha so the king of Aram sent an army to kill Elisha. 

Elisha’s own servant was still learning how powerful the LORD was and panicked when he saw their camp was surrounded by the Aramean army. He quickly got Elisha so he could see as well. Seeing how fearful his servant was, Elisha prayed to God for his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the presence of God. And the servant saw how mighty and present God was.  

Today’s Application

When life is looking dark and our future dismal. When it seems, everything is against us, and we cannot find promise in anything. Wondering if God is with us or if he even sees our troubles, how our enemies are plotting against us, or every door closing on us, we need our eyes to be opened so we can remember what the seasoned prophet told his servant, “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” (6:16)       

In one of his letters the Apostle John wrote believers experiencing great troubles, reminding them, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (I John 4:4). 

When everything is going against us, and it seems no one is for us, it’s hard to remember and difficult to see “Greater is he who is with us than what is coming against us.” God will graciously open our eyes to see his presence with us. When we are feeling alone in our battles, feeling defeated in life, overcome by our struggles, hated, ignored, or unloved by God, we can ask God to see him. God wants to enlighten the eyes of our spirit to know he is not only everywhere present he is hovering over our life and by our side, just as his word says. 

When the servant’s eyes were truly opened and lifted up, he saw the hillside filled with horses and chariots of fire. That must have been some sight and reassuring. What will we see when God opens our eyes? That’s up to God. But because God is with us, because God is all-powerful, and with us every step of our journey he will show us something of himself.

Today’s Prayer 

God, open my eyes so I can see you all around me right now as I go through (name). Amen

Be Encouraged to look for God in your life and struggles. His footprints and signature are everywhere.    

(September 18, 2024)

 Key Promise to Know and Treasure

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Final greetings. –Ephesians 6:19-23 

Summing It Up

The Apostle had just completed a chapter detailing the armor of God and prayer and concludes by urging believers to pray also for him, as he preaches the gospel to others.

Paul was a lot like the Apostle James, believing that the prayers of God’s faithful children are powerful, and they work because God chooses to work through them. 

Paul said we are to pray in the Spirit not just when trouble arises, but on every occasion. Presenting all kinds of prayers and requests to God. Staying alert and discerning so we know what kind of prayer is needed to fit the occasion and times. Paul wants to be prayed for, so whenever he preached or spoke, he would have the right words and be able to fearlessly convey the mystery of the gospel to others.

Today’s Application

All we need do is look around our world, observe the confusion of people, turn on the television, turn up the music; to know more than ever we need a powerful word coming from those charged with preaching and teaching the Word of God. Even if we don’t go to church, are not regular church attenders, or don’t presently have a pastor or minister to lead us, we should make it a point of including preachers and teachers in our prayers—not just occasionally but daily—which will result in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth and bringing others into the kingdom of God.

Both during Paul’s time and today, praying for our pastors regularly will release fresh power from the pulpit and the podium. If we “pray in the Spirit” as Paul instructs, we can pray that God’s servants have understanding and revelation of God’s will and purpose for their ministry, praying that Jesus will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation, and let their eyes of understanding be enlightened (Eph. 1:17)

Praying they understand heavenly things (John 3:12) and that their “eyes are opened to wondrous things out of God’s Word (Ps. 119:18), and that they understand the mysteries of the kingdom (Mark 4:11). 

Praying the Lord will reveal his secrets to them as modern-day prophets (Amos 3:7), and especially praying they are able to “speak to others by revelation” (I Cor. 14:6). 

The Bible lays out so many ways to pray for our pastors beginning with Genesis and going to Revelation. Always mindful of what Paul wrote Timothy in his second letter, when he said there would be a time when people would not put up with sound doctrine, instead, to suit our own desires, we will gather around us a great number of teachers to say what our itching ears want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3). We might wonder if the generations following Paul’s prophecy have fulfilled this Bible prophecy. 

When truth is preached, we may not always like it and our “itching ears” may want to reject what we hear and stop listening, but the Lord Jesus knows making sure we always have servants who preach and teach powerfully, fearlessly, and boldly will assure we live in ways that are acceptable and pleasing to our heavenly Father.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for so many ways we can pray for our pastors and Bible teachers. Amen

Be Encouraged to make praying for preachers and teachers of God’s Word using the Word of God as a guide.         

(September 17, 2024)

Key Promise to Know and Treasure

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. –Ephesians 1:17, NIV

Summing It Up

Do you have s daily prayer list? The Apostle Paul wrote to many churches, and he always included a heart-felt prayer. Like many in the Bible, the Paul was a genuine intercessor and believed like James, that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). 

Many of Paul’s letters read like a prayer from beginning to end. When we read his prayers of intercession, we are reminded the purpose of intercession is to strengthen, deepen others faith, ask God for help and bring healing and peace for the people we pray for. We can remember God promises to hear and answer prayer which motivates us to pray more and more. Allowing us to pray like the writer of Hebrews 4 says, confidently and boldly (Heb. 4:16).  

For the believers in Philippi Paul prayed, 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ….” (Phil. 1:9-10) 

Paul sent other prayers. In each one of his letters, he prayed the believers would have deep faith and know how high and wide and deep and long the love of God is (Eph. 3)

Today’s Application

Think of what it means to have family and friends praying for you in this way when you are feeling down or during a time you desperately need clarity and wisdom someone is praying something like, 

He “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21) 

Praying exactly what’s needed in your life and circumstances. Someone else is praying too. Jesus is always sitting at the right hand of God interceding for you. Because you intercede with the truth and promises from God’s word, the sick are healed, the grieving have joy, the tempted are victorious, the captured and imprisoned are delivered, the empty are filled, the weak are strengthened, the downtrodden are raised up, the troubled have peace, the lonely have the company of Christ and the lost are saved. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, may I always be encouraged to pray for myself and for others because prayer works.  

Be Encouraged to intercede for others and you also using the prayers of Paul as a guide. 

(September 16, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.—Proverbs 31:27, NIV

Summing It Up

The proverbs 31 woman was not idle. Solomon noted that she made it a practice of paying attention to and observing the ways of her household and she was not idle. She didn’t let the laundry pile up or the dishes go unwashed, or the floors go unswept, or the windows get so filthy she couldn’t see out, but she established a pattern of how things needed to be attended, and she tended to them. She made those necessary appointments, made those tedious phone calls, waded through that aggravating paperwork, completed those orders for her side hustle. She saw what needed to be done and she tackled it.  

When Paul wrote the believers in Thessalonica, he warned them against the “bread” of idleness. It seemed it wasn’t just unbelievers who were given to idleness but believers also. And they weren’t just idle but had become disruptive. Many had learned the saying “idleness is the devil’s workshop” was more than a saying but proven. When something is idle it’s not active. For example, if your car is idling, it’s running but it’s not moving. Some may describe idleness as having no value or purpose. Paul reminded the believers, that when he was among them, he worked hard and was not idle not in working with his hands and he worked diligently in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he exhorted them to follow his example (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

Interesting that Solomon refers to idleness as “bread” since bread was considered the staff of life. Even when the poor had no other nourishment, if they had bread, they could sustain themselves. The rich had the best bread: wheat. And the poor had bread made from barley which was filling but not nourishing. 

Today’s Application

When God’s children “eat the bread of idleness”, it’s more than if we are lazy or don’t attend to our daily tasks efficiently it also includes if we are participating in advancing the kingdom of God on earth by sharing Jesus as the risen Lord and Savior with others. WE may be productive in our daily tasks but are we also a productive citizen of heaven. 

God created us for more than existing or making sure we have a good and well-ordered life he made us to glorify him and help others know Jesus and get to heaven where we will live with him for all eternity.  

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, help me reject the bread of idleness and become productive in the ways the Father shows me. Amen

Be Encouraged to ask God if there is something you are to work at and give your energy to.      

(September 15, 2024)

Key Promise to Pray

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted buy the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; it leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. –Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV   

Adoration

Dear God, I praise and adore you. All your ways are You are perfect. You are good and loving, gracious and merciful. The Bible says you turn your face to us and that blesses us. I love your peace and will adore you all my life. I could name so many reasons to praise you, but I praise you just because of who you are.   

Confession

Heavenly Father I am already blessed even without asking but I don't always think or live that way. I confess though I say I am blessed with my mouth, in my mind and heart I have doubts especially when life isn't going well. I confess that I have let others who don't know you are a blessing God, influence me and made me think I'm only blessed when I have a lot of money in my pocket or nice clothes to wear, or when my health is very good. 

Forgive me God, for my skepticism, doubts, and fears and for listening to the devil’s discouraging whispers that make me doubt being blessed.   

Thanksgiving   

Thank You, good Lord, for helping me understand how you bless my life (Matt. 16:17). Thank you, for letting your showers of blessing come to us (Ezek. 34:26). Thank you for turning even bad things into a blessing (Neh. 13:2). Thank you, God for knowing the truth that your blessings make us rich (Prov. 10:22). Thank you, God, that I have citizenship in heaven and on earth I have a rich inheritance and live in the kingdom of the blessed (Mark 11:10). Thank you that when I trust and have confidence in you, I am like a tree planted by the water whose roots go out always being nourished and supplied and I have no reason to fear. Even in sparce times I can prosper.    

Supplication

Dear God, bless us and let your face shine on us (Num 6:24). Because we live with confidence and unshakable faith all people will know we are blessed (Mal. 3:12). Lord, let your blessings flow down like rain showers from heaven and let us stand under them until we are fully drenched and fully convinced. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

Be Encouraged to believe you are blessed and confident to walk as a blessed child of God.      

(September 14, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm. –2 Timothy 2:19, NIV

Summing It Up

You may be young but are you paying attention or giving much thought to what’s firmly established and what can change in a nanosecond? 

I read a story about a once most powerful man living out his days in Alaska. He was very rich and powerful in his younger years. He employed hundreds of people, and his signature on a piece of paper could move around millions of dollars but today he is weak, frail, and forgetful. He is dependent upon others to bathe him, dress and feed him. He has more than a dozen pills to take daily and someone must remind him what to take and when to take it. Sickness and age have ravaged him. He is nowhere near what he used to be in strength or wealth. As I read his story I was reminded of one of Jesus teachings in the Gospels when he said, “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18)   

Today’s Application

Jesus’ words weren’t meant to make you afraid or dread getting old, instead they are a reminder how life can change for us. Today you may have youthfulness on your side. You might be feeling smart and on top of the world, but you cannot say that tomorrow it will be the same. You might be surrounded with beautiful and expensive things today, but a fire, flood or tornado could come up tonight and wipe it all away. You may be enjoying your friends and fun activities today but a drunken driver or mass shooter could bring your life to an end suddenly. You may have a sound mind and healthy brain today but a head injury while you’re playing a sport or through an accident could alter your mental health and set you on a different path going forward. 

Paul wrote Timothy it is God’s solid foundation that stands firm, sealed with the inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Tim. 2:19). 

It’s not just wickedness we must turn away from. We need to look around and identify the fleeting things of life and grab hold of the only solid foundation that is guaranteed to stand from birth to death. Our relationship with God and faith in Jesus is the only foundation that will stand through and withstand every changing and fleeting thing. It is the assurance we have that has staying power and guarantees an eternal outcome we can count on. It is worth investing in, making time for, and treasuring.

Today’s Prayer

God, everything must change, and change will come whether I like it or not, whether I’m prepared for it or not. Teach me to put my faith in what matters. God, you are the foundation that stands firm. Amen

Be Encouraged to invest in your relationship with the Lord.           

(September 13, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

Just as it has been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” –Hebrews 3:15, NIV

Summing It Up

God is always sending us messages. Sometimes he messages us through his preached or taught Word. Sometimes he’ll send us a message through another human being who is speaking prophetically into our life and circumstances. Sometimes God will message us through a book we are reading, or a Gospel centered song we’re listening to. In the Bible we often read stories where God spoke to someone in a dream to relay a message he wanted them to receive. The ways God messages us is totally up to how he chooses to speak to us at the time. God can use anything or anyone he wants to message his creation. He’s God, after all and nothing is beyond him to use for his purposes in our lives. 

Today’s Application

This is how God works in the lives of his children: God messages us and when we don’t obey the message, he’ll make us learn a lesson, and if we don’t get the lesson Gods will allow a problem to develop, and if we don’t handle the problem the way God shows us then we’ll end up having a full-blown crisis. Something big enough where we have no choice but to look to God for help. By then we’re desperate and things aren’t as easily solved. 

Even so, God is there to help us figure things out. It may not be as easy as it would have been if we’d listened to the message in the beginning, but for God there is no darkness he cannot shed light on and no problem so complicated he can’t solve, and no crisis so big or deep he can’t bring an end to.

In the Old Testament we often read how the Israelites ignored God’s messages (messengers). Jesus said in the past they were guilty of killing the messengers (Matt. 23:34). And without failure God allowed things to escalate to the point where they would be forced to learn a lesson, but even then, sometimes they were hard-headed and hard-hearted to the point a problem arose and if they still resisted God, they would find themselves in a full-blown crisis. Sometimes to the point God allowed them to be taken captive by their enemies. Of Course, God always knew he would rescue them, but he didn’t always do it immediately. They had to repent, wait, and trust in God’s loving mercy and grace.

The writer of Hebrews says, “Today if you hear God’s voice do not harden your heart.” Whatever message God is speaking today if you don’t want to end up needing a lesson, or experiencing a problem, or being in the middle of a crisis in your life then today is the best and wisest time to heed the message God is conveying. 

And, if by some chance it’s too late for that and you’re already in crisis mode, turn to God anyway, He's still your loving, forgiving faithful Father, and he will always, always save deliver you. Don’t panic if he doesn’t do it right away. His love is eternal, he’s never let one of his children down yet, he will save you and show you the way. Beginning with Adam and Eve all the way through, He’s promised, and he’s never broken a promise.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, I have ignored your messages so many times. I ask you to forgive me for being so hard-headed and arrogant. Today I am experiencing a (lesson/problem/crisis). I know I can’t get out of this by myself so I ask for your help and guidance. Amen

Be encouraged to always heed God’s messages, however they come.           

(September 12, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

You will again have compassion on us. You will overcome our wrongdoing. You will throw all our sins into the deep sea. –Micah 7:19, GW

Summing It Up

A famous author and missionary, Corrie ten Boom used to say God puts all our sins in a big fishing pond and then places a sign that says, “No fishing.” But instead of obeying the sign we bait our hooks and go fishing anyway. That’s not just human nature, that’s falling into the enemy’s cleverly laid plans to trap us. 

It’s amazing the number of people who willfully disregard a sign put in place to keep them safe. The sign says, “Danger, no swimming beyond this point!” And the first thing they do is swim past the markers. Or the sign says, “Slow Down Road Slippery When Wet” and the first thing they do is increase their speed even though it’s raining. 

I saw a story where a highly educated man took a path marked “Danger Not a Walking Path” he took the path anyway and even when it became uncomfortably narrow, continued walking. He ended up falling, dropping more than fifty feet. He injured himself so badly he can no longer practice medicine as a surgeon.  

Today’s Application

When we go fishing where God says stay out, memories of old sins resurface with a vengeance, we remember how we hurt others, hurt ourselves and hurt God. We become pulled back into old guilt or shame. The peaceful shore we enjoyed feels far from us and no matter how hard we fight the farther away we are. It’s like being caught in a rip tide. 

When we go back and fish out our past sins, it hampers our spirits and causes us to feel the turmoil of pain all over again. Reliving the sins Jesus has already died for and forgiven can isolate us from God. Vivid memories of hurting ourselves and Jesus make us feel unworthy and the blood of Jesus doesn’t feel enough to make us acceptable to God.

God posts the sign “No Fishing,” for our safety. He knows the enemy will make the waters look inviting and human nature is to take the bait, stick our rod in the water and when we do that, we forget we are forgiven people. We are sinners yes. But we are also saved by grace and that makes us saints of God living under his unconditional love.

When we bring up our old sin to God, talking or praying about sins which God has cast into the sea of forgiveness, God asks, “What sin are you talking about?” God wants us to observe his “No fishing” sign so our peace of mind can continue, and we can keep moving forward and not going back or becoming stuck.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, thank you for forgiveness of sin. Thank you for casting our sin into the sea of forgiveness. When my sins have been forgiven help me move forward and leave them in the past where they belong. Amen

Be Encouraged to obey God’s command of no fishing for old sins and enjoy the freedom from guilt and pre-forgiveness struggle.   

(September 11, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. –Psalm 27:

Summing It Up

Tragedy is nothing new for God’s people. Many Bible events display both the darkness of this world and the goodness of God as he brings hope and healing in tragic circumstances. More than a few of the psalms focus on David’s cries to God for justice and security, revealing his pain even while he clings to the promise of God. In Romans 4, Paul called this hoping against hope (Rom. 4:28). 

For example, the story of Naomi and Ruth is more than a touching story about a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who clung to one another in tragic circumstances, persevering to find a new start, it’s a story of hope and redemption. Throughout the Bible, God uses the stories of ordinary people coming through tragedies to show how their faith in God increased, not despite their sufferings, but because they were allowed to suffer.   

Today’s Application

In a modern age we have had more than our share of tragedy. Events that have shaken us to our core, where we struggled to regain a sense of balance and left us visibly shaken, emotionally shattered, physically drained, mentally stunned and spiritually searching.     

Were you already born in September 11, 2001? If so, can you remember what a dark and sad time it was? Even today many still feel the pain of that day and are still trying to find their way through their great losses.  

David’s Psalm 27 is a perfect model of the Christian’s response to tragedy. David asks God for deliverance from his enemies but more than that, in the face of tragedy, David remembers God is not only his deliverer, his rescuer, his justice, his protector and avenger, David remembers God is his safe place; the One David can run to. He knows God will understand his need for assurance and comfort. God is both a destination and relationship David seeks. The one he can find shelter in and regain his balance and sense of alrightness after tragedy has struck.

Mass shootings, violence, wars, natural disasters, crimes against humanity, as long as the earth stands tragedies will come. Sometimes tragedies will be far away, and we will cry for others who are impacted though we don’t know them personally. And sometimes tragedy will visit us and others will cry with and for us. Sometimes we forget God has not left us when tragedy strikes. Sometimes we forget God didn’t cause the tragic event and we might even become angry with God. 

God doesn’t cause our tragedies—which are more often borne out of natural shifting and man contrived schemes—but God will use them that we might turn to him and draw closer to him and that he will use them for good. One thing is for sure, we can make it through any tragedy as long as we cling to God. God will help us come through and even be stronger and better because of the tragedy. 

Today’s Prayer

God, there isn’t anything you won’t do for us. Tragedies will happen as long as we live in this world, but you won’t leave us to get through them alone. Thank you.

Be Encouraged to cling to God when tragedy strikes, knowing he will not only deliver you, but he will also bring good and blessing out of it.       

(September 10, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him…The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. –Psalm 91:1-2, 14NLT

Summing It Up

It's believed that Moses is the author of this comforting and assuring prayer. To live in the shelter of the Most High, is to have an awareness of the constant presence of God in our life. Having a constant, consistent awareness that God is our refuge, our place of safety, will rescue us from every trap and snare the enemy contrives in secret, protects us from deadly disease, covers us with his feathers, shelters us in his wings, is faithful to his promises, is our armor and protection and though a thousand are falling all around us will not let us fall. Our God who will order his angels to protect us wherever we go, rescue those who love him and trust in his name, answer us when we call to him in trouble, and honor us with long life and reward us.

On their very first encounter, standing beside the burning bush, Moses asks God whom he should say had sent him to the Israelites. God simply said, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” That was enough then and it is enough for us today. Sheltered in the Great “I Am” under his wings we are in the presence and care of the Lord of lords and King of kings. 

Today’s Application

Often, when people come to my husband or myself, after hearing their concerns or dilemma, learning of their anxiety, fear, wondering if God is hearing their prayers or will act on their behalf, after praying with them we will suggest keeping their Bible open to Psalm 91 where they can daily be reminded of God’s faithfulness, love, power, protection, and hope. 

Standing beside the bush, Moses couldn’t see God as a man, but he saw the fire that did not consume the bush. He felt the heat of God’s power and he heard the voice of God. When God said His name was I AM WHO I AM” that was enough for Moses and it would become enough for the Israelites, but it’s also enough for us today. We don’t have to see God to know he’s working and faithful to his word. The fire of his Holy Spirit is with us and his voice speaks to us in our heart and the Scriptures. We can take shelter in I AM and be at peace, strengthened and confident. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, you are our Shelter from the storms of life, our Deliverer from trials, and our Protection from every enemy. We find our comfort in you. You truly are the great and awesome I AM who loves us eternally and unconditionally. Amen

Be Encouraged to open your Bible to Psalm 91 and daily be reminded of the greatness and faithfulness of God.                      

(September 9, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. –Matthew 5:44--45, NLT

Summing It Up

Satan is our enemy. The devil and forces of evil are our enemies. But there is no prayer for them. They are already destined and sentenced to hell for all eternity. It’s not these enemies Jesus is talking about. Jesus is talking about our natural enemies. Blessing our enemies is one of the hardest and most challenging things we may need to accomplish and pull off in our lifetime.

Who are your natural enemies and maybe a better question might be, “how will you bless them?” That’s not a trick question but identifying our natural enemies could be tricky since we automatically categorize our natural enemies as the humanoid two-legged, walking, talking species. And they can be. You might have at least one or two or several in your life you must watch out for. Those who are always up to something devious, underhanded, and wicked. Those who seek to do you in and push you down or out. Blessing them can be challenging. Most two-legged, walking, talking enemies don’t make it easy to bless them. Quite the opposite. 

The kind of love Jesus is talking about isn’t just saying a perfunctory prayer, followed by “Amen” and rising from our knees. It’s acting toward them in an unselfish, giving way, for their best or higher good. That’s not just hard, it’s humanly impossibly. We can only do that kind of blessing with the help of God through the strength of Christ Jesus.

Today’s Application 

Again, who are your enemies and how will you bless them? What unselfish thing will you do for their best and higher good? Jesus knows it’s harder than hard but there’s meaning and purpose for doing this. Blessing our natural enemies doesn’t mean we approve of their behavior or attitude toward us. Blessing our enemies doesn’t mean we’re not angered, bothered or hurt by their actions or attitude toward us. Blessing our natural enemies is not even about us. God already knows your good heart and well-meaning intentions. Blessing our enemies is for them. It’s one of the real, touchable, visual, concrete ways they will experience the grace, mercy, and generosity of God. 

Blessing your natural enemy releases you from any judgment and responsibility–you’ve done your part, but it makes them accountable by their response. Obeying Jesus’ command to bless our natural enemies has a blessing in it for us. We learn with the help of Christ we can do all things, even this. We learn Jesus will stick close to us so we can bless them even though they have no intention of blessing us in return or first. We learn the peace of God fills us and we don’t have anything thing to regret because we are not the ones who resist the Spirit’s stirring to be kind and good people. 

Christ didn’t pull back when it came to preaching hard things. He didn’t sugar coat our responsibilities as his followers. He loves us too much to make us think nothing is required of us and all. On the contrary he preached and taught and laid it out as plain as day. Blessing our enemies isn’t an option like whether we take chocolate sauce and nuts drizzled over our ice cream, but a requirement. May the Lord help us to fulfill this difficult command so we can receive the blessing that comes to us when we do.

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, I will bless my natural enemies and bring good out of evil. Amen

Be Encouraged to bless your natural enemies, bring good out of evil, trusting God to help you accomplish it and bless you in return.    

(September 8, 2024)

Key Promise to Pray

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. –Proverbs 16:32

For you have not given us a spirit of timidity nor fear, but one of love, power and self-control.--2 Timothy 1:7

Father, you are holy and good. Everything about you is righteous and pure. You are perfect in all your ways and out of your loving heart and pure thoughts you created all things, including human life. Because you exist, hover over the earth, and dwell within humans there is still good in the world. We are your beautiful creation, and we praise and adore you for all you are and all you do for us. We give you glory and honor, not just with our mouths but with our whole heart and being. We rejoice over your goodness.  

Father, we confess today we don’t always conduct our affairs or approach our life with self-control as our controlling and determining factor; that precious fruit of the Holy Spriit which is ours because he dwells within us, and ours for the asking. We confess we are more prone to live in fear and timidity, than we are to live in the strength, power and self-control you have made sure are ours. 

Forgive us for settling for less. Forgive us for not being motivated enough to grow in this area and for allowing an undisciplined spirit and attitude run and ruin our lives the way we have and do. Forgive us for not representing you and exampling to others the power our life can have when we allow you to rule in our heart and spirit. Forgive us for giving over our freedoms and power and strengths, trading them for the prisons the absence of self-control locks us in.  

Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross to set us free from sin, set us free from living without power, set us free from the darkness and forced the enemy to back up and be in his rightful place. Thank you, Jesus, for making sure we can live the abundant life we are meant to live. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your fruit which includes self-control and love. Thank you, God for assuring we can live an empowered life by sending the Holy Spirit to fill and walk with us until we are home again. Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for your unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness you shower upon us daily.  

We pray for consistency. We pray to be filled up so much with the spirit of self-control there is no room for vacillating between self-control and timidity, strength and fear. We pray for heavenly gifts promised to fragile sinners, redeemed by the blood of Jesus. We pray to exert our self-control, especially at the most critical times when Satan has presented a temptation we find hard to resist under our own power. We pray to excel in the fruit of self-control. We pray for healing and restoration, especially in the areas of our life where the absence of self-control has done damage, irreparable harm, and kept heavenly blessings and prosperity from us. 

Gracious God, we know you can heal and prosper us, even though we have been undisciplined and weak. Nothing is beyond you to accomplish and your perfect love restores and renews all things, including wayward people.  

We bless you Lord for your love and goodness and for the beautiful, lovely, active, praiseworthy fruit of self-control. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

Be Encouraged to ask the Holy Spirit to increase his fruit of self-control within you. 

(September 7, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. –Proverbs 9:12, NIV

Summing It Up

Just a few of the “wise” nuggets Solomon includes in his personal journal are how wisdom invites the “simple” to her house and to those who have no sense she invites them to taste her life-giving food. We learn how we can leave our “simple ways” and learn what true life is about by walking in Wisdom’s insights (9:4-6). 

The way Solomon presents wisdom, who wouldn’t want her as a life-long companion? Who, in their “right” mind would reject her or turn from her counsel. Wisdom is not bad company at all! 

Through his servant Solomon, God promises we will be rewarded for enlisting heavenly wisdom as our lifelong companion, welcoming Wisdom as a close friend and companion. At critical moments in our lives the wisest thing we can do is trust God with all our heart and seek his wisdom, avoiding the temptation to rely upon our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6).

Because God gives wisdom freely and will never reject a prayer that asks for wisdom and even more wisdom (Jas. 5:16) on top of the wisdom we have, there is no reason to be or live unwisely. 

Today’s Application

We are not born with wisdom. A baby is not wise. Children are not wise. Young people are not naturally wise. In fact, in our youthfulness we can be quite foolish. Treating life, health, and wealth clumsily. 

Throwing it away chasing empty things and following the unwise. 

Wisdom isn’t attached to us as the umbilical cord we were fed through in the womb. There is no packet of powdered wisdom for parents to blend into their baby’s formula or cereal. No wisdom “gummies” to take with our daily multivitamin. 

Instead, wisdom is acquired. Wisdom comes through life experience, learning, observation, and putting into practice the things that we know and have learned. For the child of God, wisdom comes from reading, meditating, and hearing God’s word.

God promises if we don’t know something He’ll give us the wisdom to know. He reminds us that wisdom is not a commodity only the wealthy can enjoy, but the poorest of poor can have as much wisdom as they desire to have. In fact, in another proverb Solomon reminds us wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare to her (Prov. 8:11-21). 

We may not be born with godly or heavenly wisdom, but we can ask for wisdom, even in our youth; therefore, youthfulness is not an excuse for living foolishly. Young, old, and everyone in between young can be filled up and led by God’s wisdom if they desire to be.

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, our Wise Father, I pray for wisdom and not any small amount but let me be filled up and overflow with wisdom so every area of my life and being are a reflection of the wisdom you’ve given me. Amen

Be Encouraged to make asking for wisdom a regular prayer petition.          

(September 5, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. –Daniel 1:8, NIV

Summing It Up

From what we read, it doesn’t appear Daniel was torn between eating the king’s rich food and choosing a cleaner, healthier way of eating. We do read how Daniel was bold in approaching the guard assigned to him and his three friends. He made strong points to support his argument for eating only fresh fruits, vegetables and water (1:12-13). Sparkling wine, wafting smells nor appearance of the king’s rich fare did not make Daniel deviate from what he knew to be best for him and kept him on his God-ordained path. In the end, Daniel rejected the king’s rich food and remained firm on presenting his argument for eating clean.

As the time approached for Jesus to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). No thought, argument or temptation could persuade nor dissuade Jesus from pursuing his destination of Calvary where He was going to die on the cross and bring salvation to the world. 

Today’s Application

When you have a resolute mindset it means you are firmly resolved or determined.  Having a resolute mindset is just as critical today as it was when Daniel, Jesus and others were alive on earth. Having unwavering, honorable convictions along with a resolute mindset assures we accomplish the things that God has ordained for us. We need both to stay on course and achieve desired destinations and outcomes. Just as Daniel couldn’t let smells and appearance of decadent foods influence him. Just as Jesus had to block out naysayers and stay the course all the way to Calvary, we’ll have to reject the things that take us from the paths that lead to victory. 

Whether we’re on a path that leads to greater health and wellbeing, excelling in our studies, living a life that glorifies God, holding fast to our belief that we can live with integrity and honesty, being loyal and committed in friendships, having a good work ethic, setting a high bar, even when lowering our standards is easier, acceptable, and tempting. 

God filled Daniel with honorable convictions to stand firm in what he knew was best for him and the confidence of faith to know his God would never fail him. Jesus did not compromise his honorable convictions and resolute mindset in a world where others did not believe who he was nor support his journey to the cross. Each one experienced the success God desired, and the same will be true for us when we stand firmly in honorable convictions, become resolute in our soul and confident of faith to do what’s right, not only for our life but keeping with what God wants. When we do so God will approve and reward us.     

Today’s Prayer

Dear God thank you for filling us with honorable convictions, a resolute mind and strength of faith. Amen

Be Encouraged to hold to your convictions and hold to the path God has marked out for you.         

(September 4, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to that their deeds deserve. –Jeremiahs 17:10, NIV

Summing It Up

Some people are genuinely good-hearted people. They are those whom we describe as having a heart-of-gold and would literally give you the-shirt-off-their-back if that’s what you needed; do whatever they can to help your life be better. Those who ooze with kindness and goodness. We might not meet them every day or often enough, but they are out there. 

And then, there are people who are nothing but wicked, mean-spirited, hateful. You might describe them as having a black heart. Those who seem to go out of their way to make your life or the lives of others miserable. They are not giving or kind or endearing. Unfortunately, it seems this world is overcrowded with bad hearted people and it may seem our paths cross theirs more than we’d like.

Sometimes the wicked or mean-spirited will fool us for a short time. Until we get to know them better or well. On the surface they seem to have a good heart, but the more we know their true character the more we can see their heart isn’t so good, beautiful, or pure after all. No number of outer acts can hide the heart that isn’t submitted to God or undergoing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Application 

We may not know it, but it’s a blessing we can’t fool God. A blessing he knows who we are behind our appearances, deep in our heart. We may not like that God begins to work on our heart and purge those things that threaten our eternity, but we’ll be glad in the end God refused to let our corrupt, prideful, unforgiving, loveless, hypocritical, idol-worshiping, gossipy, angry, deceitful heart stay as it is. 

When our heart is purified by God, we’ll feel like the weight of the world has been lifted and our journey going forward will be so much more peaceful, joyful, and free. 

Dear God, David prayed that you would search and cleanse his heart and make it new. That’s my prayer also. Since I’m not always honest with myself I leave it up to you to search me and know me and cleanse my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Be Encouraged to submit your heart to God’s examination.  He can see it anyway! 

(September 3, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. –Hebrews 11:29-30, NIV 

Summing It Up

Something we learn by reading Hebrews, chapter 11 is, praying in a group can be powerful. Two verses especially remind us what happens when people of like minds and shared faith in the Lord come together to pray. 

The people of God can decree and declare that by faith we can walk through our trials on dry ground and our enemies will be drowned and by faith our prayer group can encircle our enemies which are the same as immovable walls, and the walls will fall down.   

When the children of God pray in one accord, nothing is impossible. They are a vast army with one purpose and heart and no force of evil, wrongdoing, or ill-intent can harm or do further damage.  

Today’s Application

The Apostle Paul reminds us we should pray continually and, in all circumstances, (I Thess. 5:16-18), and we should use all manner of prayers. Long ago, the Church Reformer Martin Luther used to say when the people of God found a good way to pray they should pray in that way. 

Have you discovered your favorite way of praying? Some people love praying with their mouths, some silently in their mind, some with their bodies, some with the word of God opened before them. All prayer is a way of praying with our life. No matter how we pray we should remember that the prayers of the faithful (that’s us) are powerful and effective (James 5:16). 

The prayers of God’s people are like the armies during David’s time who stood shoulder to shoulder with their shields in front of them, forming a great wall, leaving no holes or gaps. No matter how many arrows the enemy shot at them, they could not penetrate nor get around the wall to harm God’s soldiers.    

We can pray by ourselves (and that’s always very good to do) and we can also pray with others which is also good to do. In fact, some problems and troubles are best prayed for with others, so we’ll be like the armies of old. one thing is for sure: when the people of God agree to pray not only for others, but pray against the enemies that seek to destroy, hold back, oppress, or bring harm, victory is assured. 

Today's Prayer

Father God, we forsake any bondage that seeks to entrap us and look forward by faith and set our eyes on our God who is invisible. We decree and declare that by faith we will walk through our trials on dry ground, and our enemies will be drowned. We will encircle the immovable walls in our and the lives of others, and by faith those walls will fall down. We remember today we are not weak in prayer, we are not confused in purpose, but we know exactly what your will is and your will is that no enemy will stand unopposed, and no enemy will reign over your children. Let the walls fall down and the mountains be moved. In Jesus’ name. Amen     

Be encouraged to form or join a prayer group and name the people, places, conditions and enemies you will pray not only for but pray against the enemies that have established strongholds. Keep a prayer journal labeled “victory” because there will be as many victories as the number of situations you are praying for. 

(September 2, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

We were meant to enjoy our work, and that’s the best thing we can do. We can never know the future. –Ecclesiastes 3:22, CEV

Summing It Up

Salvation may be free for us, but it didn’t come without labor. Jesus labored to set us free. We are saved by grace, but grace wasn’t cheap. Jesus labored in every way we can define it to win salvation for lost souls. Not only that he did it with joy. The writer of Hebrews said, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2). 

What’s the first thing you think about when the word or subject of labor is raised. Today, you mind might automatically think about the holiday Labor Day. Other days your assigned chores at home, or if you’re working a job, that might come to mind. Your mind might also gravitate toward your classes. 

Labor is relative since it depends on our position and the amount of effort we may need to exert in order to bring the desired or necessary result. A recent study showed that there are four types of labor in economics. They are skilled, un-skilled, semi-skilled and professional. These four types of labor make up the active labor force.

Today’s Application

The definition of labor is “Work, especially hard work; to make great effort; have difficulty in doing something despite working hard.” And my favorite one, “To exert one’s powers of body or mind especially with painful or strenuous effort.”   

Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith labored for us—not with resentment as some labor in order to have food, shelter, and live in this world, filled with disdain. Not like some who resent laboring to care for the family—but Jesus labored with joy ad love in his heart. His joy was knowing we would be set free, the chains that bound us would fall away, we would be reinstated as heirs and co-heirs to the Kingdom treasuries. Christ labored on our behalf and gladly because we are his family. No labor was too intense or unbearable for the children of the heavenly Father, his own brothers and sisters.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for laboring for us and joyfully. Amen 

Be Encouraged, however you spend this Labor Day: avoiding hard work or tackling an end-of summer task, to paise Jesus for laboring on our behalf and thank him for doing it with joy.

(September 1, 2024)

  Key Promise to Pray

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted into the sea,’ and it will obey you. –Luke 17:6, NIV

Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from there to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:20, NIV

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. –Hebrews 11:30, NIV

God, You can do anything and nothing is beyond You to do or accomplish and now through Your Word You have assured me that through faith expressed through prayer, nothing is beyond me to accomplish. Not even a mountainous situation is too big to be moved, but I can pray confidently in faith and even those mountains which have stood firmly, resolutely, defiantly in my life will be uprooted and moved into the seas. They will have to move from my life and walls will fall.

God, I possess the kind of faith that will move mountains. Your word declares even if I am not a super-prayer-warrior, even if I don’t possess the special, or wonder-working faith the Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 12:9 (though I do desire to have!), but if I have faith as small as a mustard seed I can say to a mulberry tree that is obstructing my way, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it will obey me’ (Luke 17:6), or faith as small as a mustard seed I can speak to the mountain and command it to move from my presence’ (Matt. 17:20). God, my Father, even small or little faith, when activated through prayer will mean ‘nothing will be impossible for me’ (Matthew 17:20).

God, today I choose to put my mustard seed faith to work and pray about the mountain(s) of (name) that have so boldly and stubbornly been blocking my path, introducing misery to my life, causing trouble in my life, disrupting my life, interrupting my life, and causing lack in my life. And I say to my mountain of (name), 

‘Mountain, the Word says that if I believe, nothing will be impossible to me.  Mountain of (name), I believe the Word of the Lord who made heaven and earth. And the Word of the Lord to you today is Be Thou Removed and cast into the sea. Mountain, I command you to move from my presence. You have no place or power in this place, so be you removed and powerless to stay or resist my command.”

God, at the speaking of “Amen” I will have peace knowing Your Word is enough and my faith in Your Word is enough to make mountains move. I will pray until my mountain has moved. And I believe that because of my faith I am pleasing to You, and You will reward me because I seek after You diligently (Heb. 11:6). 

Like the walls of Jericho, I will encircle the mountains and walls in my life by prayer and declaration of Your Word and they will fall (Heb 11:30). Mountains will be cast into the sea, and be removed, and walls will fall. God, Your Word has said it, and I believe it. 

Amen and Amen in the name of my Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. 

Be Encouraged to pray fervently and continually in faith, name your mountains and speak to them—whether sickness, pain, financial, abuse, unemployment, relational— based upon the teaching of Jesus and promise of God’s Word.       

(August 31, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. –Hebrews 6:19, NIV

Summing It Up

What is the one consistent message you can hear God speaking to you as you go through the ups and downs, un-predictableness, trials and difficulties of life? As you battle the strong winds and do everything you know to do when a storm hits? Can you hear or sense God whispering, “Hang in there!” When things get tough, when we get tempted, when we’re feeling defeated and like giving up, God whispers those three words that keep us going, “Hang in there! (name)”

When Paul wrote his letter to the Christians in the city of Corinth, he shared how intense it had gotten when they were in Asia. Paul wrote, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die” (2 Cor. 1:8). 

Today’s Application

That’s pretty intense. That’s real life today too. Feeling crushed and overwhelmed is not a foreign emotion to many or most even right now.  

The writer of Hebrews gives us something to cling to; something to help us “hang in there,” when our circumstances feel overwhelming, and we just feel like giving up or in. we learn we a hope as an anchor for the soul that is firm and secure. The hope that has entered the inner sanctuary, gone behind the curtain is our Savior Jesus Christ. This isn’t much different from what the Apostle Paul wrote when he shared what conditions were like during one of his missionary journeys. He said, when they were beyond their (own) ability to endure, thinking they would never live through their circumstances, believing in their heart of hearts they had received their sentence of death, they did something that enabled them to come through. They “stopped relying on themselves and learned to rely on God, who can even raise the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:9)

Turning from the problem or circumstances in front of us and relying on God is the key to being able to hang in there. Not only remembering that God is with us, that God loves us with an everlasting, unconditional love, but God can raise the dead. Nothing is too hard for God to do and nothing is impossible for him to accomplish or create. God will give us the hope and strength we need to be able to hang in there!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus thank you for helping me. I don’t need to give up when life gets hard. I can push through. You will strengthen and help me to hang-in-there. Amen

Be Encouraged to ask God to help you hang-in-there.

(August 30, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. –2 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV 

Summing It Up

Paul wrote a touching letter to his spiritual son, Timothy. In it, Paul knows he’s coming to the end of his life. Paul senses strongly there’s not much time left for him. But there was no shame as Paul wrote, “For I’m already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near” (4:6). Paul had no regrets as he told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Today’s Application

How good are you at keeping your commitment to the end; staying on task until the job is done? How quickly do you sign up for something? If it looks like a good deal, easy to accomplish or meet the terms, do you sign on the dotted line fast? Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge or encouragement to get us to sign up for something. The goal seems its own incentive, the terms are attractive; doable. At the time don’t know that somewhere between the beginning and the finish line we will run into obstacles, challenges, roadblocks that get to be too much for us, test our spirit of determination and endurance. When our head starts messing with us, we start to ask ourselves things like, “How important is finishing this thing anyway?” “Will the world come to an end if I bail?”

When you look around do you have a few or several unfinished projects? Things you started but never completed. Most of us do. Spiritually, there’s only one thing God requires of us and that is we keep the faith and finish the race. He already knows between birth and death we won’t get it perfect. We’ll fail more than we pass. We’ll neglect reading our Bible more than we open it. We’ll vacillate more than we stand firm and strong. We’ll be weak more than we are strong. We’ll distrust and question God more than we trust and believe. We’ll lack in prayer and skip out on worship when something more attractive calls to us. 

Jesus says, if you do nothing else, at least keep fighting the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. Just for staying in the race and running it to the end we’ll have the greatest reward anyone could have: the prize of eternal life in heaven. Finishing strong even when in the middle we’ve been weak and unsteady, is not too much to ask especially with so much waiting for us at the very end.   

Dear Jesus, help me finish strong and complete the things that are important to bring to completion. Amen 

Be Encouraged to finish those things that matter and determine with the help of God you will finish your earthly journey strong.          

(August 29, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  –Jeremiah 17:9, NIV

Summing It Up

After his great losses Job felt alone, abandoned, misunderstood and betrayed by God. Job was in his feelings so much he removed himself from everything and everyone and positioned himself by the ash heap where he sat feeling sorry for himself. Three friends came to sit with him, but their words were no comfort at all. Instead, their empty, baseless philosophies only made matters worse. After listening to each man’s judgmental and baseless soliloquy, God spoke. God let Job know his feelings were based upon self-righteousness and not the righteousness of God. 

Today’s Application

Have you ever felt rejected, unloved, unworthy of being loved, worthless, a failure, or maybe just neglected and unappreciated? Many people have had these feelings at one time, and many have them today. Many feel defined by the feelings they have and struggle with feelings of inadequacy, that they are not good enough, successful enough, and based upon the troubles they experience, don’t feel God is really with them in their journey.

Feelings feel real enough, but they cannot be trusted. Feeling can be strong, cloud our judgment, obscure the truth, and when laid next to God’s truth and promises they cannot hold up. With the light of God’s word shining on them they are revealed for what they are: empty, nothing more than shadowy figures that will fade under light. Weakness pretending to be strong. Little pretending to be big, baseless pretending to be sound and concrete. Without being tested or proven we should not allow our feelings to influence our faith in God, shape our future or determine our movement.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote the heart cannot be trusted and Solomon reminds us we are not to rely upon our own understanding (feelings) (Prov. 3:5). Instead, we are to trust in the Lord. We might feel alone but that’s impossible since God has promised to never leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We may feel like nobody loves us but that is not true because God loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). We may feel abandoned in our trials, but we know cannot be true since God has said He will walk beside us in every trouble (2 Cor. 4:8-18). We may feel our present storm will never pass, but we know this isn’t true since God has shown he will show up and command our storm to be still (Mark 4:39). We may feel forsaken or forgotten by God, but we know this cannot be true since God has promised though our father and mother forsake us, he never will (Ps. 27:10). We may feel our sorrows will never lift and we’ll never feel happiness again, but we know this cannot be true since God has said weeping only lasts for a night, but joy will come in the morning (Ps. 30:5). We may feel too weak to endure our afflictions, but God promises when we are weak, he is strong (2 Cor. 12:9-11). Our prayers may feel feeble and ineffective during our time of trial, but the Bible promises that the prayers of the righteous avail much and are powerful and effective (James 5:16) and by them we can tell any mountain to be uprooted and moved into the sea and it will be so (Mark 11:23). You may feel worthless and of little value but this cannot be so since the word of God says you have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). 

For every negative or overwhelming feeling there is a counter in God’s word. When our feelings come and seem real enough, we must turn to God and ask Him to give us a sound mind to sift our feelings in the light of His word and promises. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, I’ve been misled by my feelings before. Don’t let me be fooled by them anymore. Don’t let me trust in anything except your word and promises which is true.

Be Encouraged to sift your feelings through God’s word and counsel. 

(August 28, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. –Isaiah 43:1, ESV

Summing It Up

We know God’s name. When you pray, you might simply call Him God or Heavenly Father. You might also know some of God’s other names as revealed in the Bible. Here’s something encouraging: God knows your name also. 

When God wanted to speak with Samuel specifically, He called him by name. “And the LORD called yet again, Samuel” (I Sam. 3:6). When God wanted to talk to Abraham, He called him by name (Gen. 17:5). When God spoke with Moses He said, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” (Ex. 33:17). When Hagar was distressed and hiding behind the bush after running away from her mistress Sarai, God called her by name, “What troubles you Hagar? Do not be afraid…” (Gen. 21:8-21).    

Not everyone can call you by name. Sometimes it’s disrespectful and too familiar. People who don’t know you personally or intimately might refer to you as Miss or Mr. They might ask permission to call you by your first name. God reminded Israel He was their Creator, and He knew who they were; He knew them by name because He was the one who named them.

Today’s Application

To know someone is to perceive or understand them clearly. One translation of the Greek word to know is to be intimate with. God calls us by our first name. God knows all about us, every inch of us. God knows things about us no one else knows, our likes and dislikes, our true and sometimes unexpressed feelings and thoughts. God knows what worries us, those things that we desperately want to change in our life, He understands all our struggles. God knows us and He wants to have an intimate relationship with us, and He wants us to be intimate with Him. Sharing our questions and problems and joys with Him.

Like Samuel and all others that we read about. God promises that He not only knows our name, but He claims us as His very own. Even if we have not prayed to Him in a long time or ever, we don’t have to introduce ourselves to God, He does not view us as strangers. Even if there are another million people living on earth that share our same name, God does not get us mixed up or say, “Now, which one are you.” He knows who we are, and He knows what we need.  

When you pray or go about your daily tasks, you can take great comfort and joy in knowing God is not only watching you from heaven, but He knows your name. Watch and listen for the many ways God calls you by name over your lifetime, and in the course of your day. 

Today’s Prayer

Thank You, God, for knowing my name. for calling me Your own child and wanting to have an intimate relationship with me. Amen

Be Encouraged to pray knowing God knows your name. He knows you personally and intimately.  

(August 27, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

For I know the plans I that have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. –Jeremiah 29:11, NIV 

Summing It Up

Imagine if every Christmas or birthday (take your pick) you only opened half your gifts. You could see the rest—a whole pile of them in the corner of the room—but you never bothered to open them. 

When God created Adam and Eve, they were full of potential. He had great plans for them and they were well aware they were capable of great things because that’s how God made them. They were going to be able to produce good crops, increase their family, tend the beautiful garden God had made just for them, invent useful things and build upon the perfect foundation God had put in place just for them. 

Then the envious serpent entered and convinced God’s creation even though they had everything they could ask for—and so much more—that they were missing something. The wily serpent convinced them that God had withheld something good and needful from them. The minute they took the bait they plunged into a struggle we still deal with today: doubting who we have been made to be and struggling to recognize and live up to our full God-given potential. 

Just like God reminded young Jeremiah he was full of potential and could accomplish all God would give him to do and none of it would go to waste, God also showed others like David how much he had invested in him from the beginning of life, as far back as when he knitted David in his mother’s womb. Like every human God made David fearfully and wondrously and has so many thoughts about our life and the potential he has sown into us, they cannot be numbered (Psalm 139:13-18).     

Today’s Application

Every life God touches and every life that touches God can experience can what it means to live up to our full potential. The wily serpent still enters to keep us from doing so. He still uses his clever tactics and deceptive ways to keep us from realizing and moving out and beyond the self-imposed restraints and limitations. But once we know God’s promise of endless potential applies to us—even as redeemed sinners—we don’t fall for the enemy’s tricks, and he cannot sabotage nor stifle us.    

About that pile of unopened gifts sitting within reach: short of being physically restrained, is there anything that would keep you from them? Would you strain to get to them regardless; break free of those restraints in order to open those gifts? 

Living up to our God-given potential seldom comes easily and without struggle. Joseph struggled. Jeremiah struggled. Jacob struggled. Moses and Abraham struggled. Esther and Ruth struggled. Davids’ path to fulfillment took him from tending sheep to fighting a giant, enemies who pursued him but even at the end of his reign he asked God not to count him out. He still had more to contribute, still more God-given potential to fulfill and reach for (Psalm 71).  

Once you set your mind and heart on what God has given you to be regardless of any restraints you will not be kept from it. With the Lord’s help and guidance recognizing, harvesting, and living up to your God-given potential is your destiny and yours to live out in this and every season of life.  

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, there’s no way I would willingly leave a pile of gifts unopened! It would take being restrained to keep me from doing so. Let me be as passionate and focused on recognizing and living up to my full potential as I would be opening up all the gifts in the corner. Amen 

Be Encouraged to pray about your potential and do something every day that helps you.   

(August 26, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. –Proverbs 17:22, ESV

Recent studies in the areas of psychology and mental health have uncovered what God has always known and urged through his written Word and the Holy Spirit’s activity: positive thinking not only goes a long way in helping us be healthier emotionally and mentally but feeling better physically and more productive in life. Thinking positively about the possible outcomes of difficulties and trials help us keep our hope in God alive.

Solomon wasn’t only king on the throne, succeeding his father David, but God gave him wisdom that surpassed all others during his life and those before him. His judgments were righteous and when the people’s cases were presented Solomon ruled wisely, fairly and justly. Solomon had a way of helping others see life—even the worst situations through a positive lens.

Centuries later God would use another servant, Paul, to help people look on the positive side of things. Paul was so committed to the belief that positivity was a key factor in God’s people, not only being spiritually healthy but productive and impactful in sharing and winning the lost to Jesus, that he dedicated paragraphs and chapters to the subject in his letters to believers.

Like Solomon and Jesus, Paul knew the way we look at our circumstances has a great deal to do with the outcome and how we move forward or if we move forward at all. 

Solomon said a joyful heart is good medicine. In today’s language Solomon would tell us, we affect our health by more than diet, nutrition, exercise, and sleep. We affect it by our attitude and spirit. A happy and cheerful spirit will improve our health, but a wounded and negative spirit can ruin it.  

When we choose the path of positivity, we are not thinking exclusively about outcomes but accepting that although tragedies happen, and trials come to us it does not mean God orchestrates them and through them he can bring the good we can never experience the beauty God has waiting for us. 

God, there are so many paths my mind and heart can go down when life takes a turn for the worst. Keep me from hopelessness and defeatism. Plant your positivity within me so be deeply nothing can route it out. Amen

Be Encouraged to ask God to help you be filled with and find the positivity in all things; even the bad or difficult.   

(August 25, 2024)

You Gotta Pray Big!

Key Promise to Pray

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.—Ephesians 3:20, TPT

God, it happens so gradually we hardly notice it. Somehow our prayers slip into a rut of asking, thinking, praying, and envisioning smaller than what You can do, are willing to do, able to do, and in fact, already at work doing in our individual lives and circumstances, in the lives of others and all across this big world which You created by Your hand and at the sound of Your voice. Our prayers become as small and limited by what we can see and touch right now. 

No doubt Your mighty power is at work to accomplish all the beautiful, amazing, and miraculous things we (secretly and silently) hope for but don’t dare speak aloud, think or ask. Because You are God with all power in Your hand You will accomplish all this and infinitely more. We can’t even begin to imagine the plans You have or the things which are at work in the spiritual realm that we can’t see right now.   

I pray, set me free from the limits and boundaries I grown accustomed to praying within. Set me free to think big, dream big, hope big, walk big, move big, plan big, and pray even bigger! Let my prayers and hopes reflect my wildest imaginations knowing You will outdo them all. May Your Holy Spirit set up shop in my heart and home and constantly energize me. 

I humbly but also boldly and confidently pray in the name of Jesus my Savior and Redeemer. Amen   

Be Encouraged to pray prayers that shatter the limits and go beyond the boundaries you ordinarily pray within.  

(August 24, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

And he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself…”Do this and you will live.” –Luke 10:27, 28, NIV

Summing It Up 

There are many things we might do halfway. Many things we might approach with the thought we’ll do just enough to get by. Before the student understands the value of learning something completely or there is great benefit in investing in their studies, they might do just enough to make a passing grade. An employee might not be inclined to give their all, especially to a job or boss they don’t care for or where there is no future or chance of advancement. It might be clear to see that there is no benefit in giving our all to someone who is disloyal, has no appreciation for our kindnesses or generosity toward them. In fact, we may more apply what Jesus said in an earlier teaching about not giving our pearls to swine (Matt. 7:6).   

An expert in the law was testing Jesus about gaining eternal life (Matt. 10:25). His question about eternal life was not sincere. His goal was to trip Jesus up. But Jesus threw the question back at the man. In truth, this teacher of the law  already knew what it would take: giving God his all. Doing things all the way. Loving God with everything he had, which includes doing right toward others. 

Today’s Application

We can’t earn heaven. Jesus already gave his all on the Cross of Calvary so we can live in heaven once this life is over. But we can make it our goal to please God as we journey toward heaven. We can desire to feel the Father’s approval concerning our character and heart and that he will turn his smile toward us.

What pleases God: giving him our all and treating others with love and mercy!

Jesus, there are things I have settled for doing halfway or just some of the way, but I pray, help me give my all to God because giving my all is the only thing that is pleasing to him. Amen 

Be Encouraged to love God with everything you have and pray to love him more and more.   

(August 23, 2024)

Don’t Give God the “Side Hug”

Key Promise to Treasure

How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. –Matthew 23:37, NIV

Summing It Up

How often in his sermons Jesus reminded a hard-hearted people, “Today, if you hear my voice do not turn away (Heb. 3:7-8) the price will be hefty and once God has closed the door to heaven there will be no second chances. No amount of pleading will help. 

God says for those who have rejected him throughout their life’s journey when they are finally standing before him looking for mercy, calling him, “Lord, Lord,” instead of reaching out and gathering them under his wings he will say instead, “I know you not.” (Matt. 7:21-23). Those who have rejected him will not hear the words we all long for and look forward to, “Well done good and faithful servant cem and share you Father’s happiness, enter therein. (Matt. 25:21-23).

Jesus said it long ago and God still longs for it today. He wants to gather us under his wings, love us with a Father’s love, care for us, even supply our temporal good. God’s desire to be in a close, intimate relationship with his created beings are as strong today as when he created Adam and Eve in the garden. 

Today’s Application

A recent TV commercial advertising features one little boy giving his mother a side hug as she sees him off to school. She laughingly calls it the “side hug.” 

Although the mother made a joke of it, getting a “side hug” from someone you love and want to be loved by is a difficult rejection not swallow. As a parent getting the side hug from your children is always a sign they don’t want the fullness of your affection, they want their own independence and space and don’t want to be wrapped fully in your embrace; sometimes they feel too old or babied when you wrap your arms around them.     

It wasn’t only a divine perspective Jesus was sharing with the Pharisees and religious leaders when he made the statement, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing,” Jesus was also revealing a human emotion and longing, the affection God carries in his heart for his created beings, his ongoing wish for their and our temporal good.    

These were the last words Jesus would speak to Jerusalem publicly. Although he had more to teach, his public ministry had come to an end. What a way to end his ministry among those who had rejected him from the time he was born until then. Up to that point all they had done was kill the prophets and stone the messengers God had sent to reach them. God the Father, Creator had tried again and again to gather his chicks under his wings, but they rejected him as many times as he tried to extend his fatherly love and care

We all have loved ones, people we know who give God the side hug, push out from under his wing of protection, reject his fatherly care, and have no desire to be in-family with him. We can’t talk to them enough, pray for them enough, testify enough and help them see what a blessing it is to be gathered under the Father’s living and broad and loving wings. 

Jesus, today I pray for all who come to mind that continue to give you the “side hug” and reject your fatherly care and protection, that they will turn fully toward you and be swallowed up in your beautiful, loving embrace…

Be Encouraged to pray day and night for those who refuse to be in family with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.     

(August 22, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods came and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” –Matthew 7:24-27, NLT

Summing It Up

Sometimes we are fed or learn to repeat mantras that sound good but don’t provide anything reliable to stand on when life gets hard. Quotations like “think positive thoughts and everything will be better,” “God won’t give me more than I can handle,” or “Just pray and read the Bible” sound nice but don’t provide anything firm to stand upon. 

While thinking positively is good, God won’t give us more than we can handle, and prayer and scripture are vital to helping us through our struggles, we need more than just a nice saying to press through dark days, overcome obstacles or accomplish the difficult things of life. 

Many quotations we learn to say by heart may sound good and powerful but are not enough to hold us up or give us something to hold onto when storms come at us. Empty quotations or sayings cannot create the change needed any more than sand can hold the house securely when the storm hits.   

In his sermon Jesus uses a clear illustration to contrast two foundations of life. He promises that the person who follows and takes his teachings about having judgment, discernment, and the importance of living out faith to heart, will be like the person who builds their house on solid rock.   

Today’s Application

The integrity and strength of Jesus’ life and character were the evidence that his teachings were more than cute, empty sayings, but teachings that provide a firm foundation to build upon. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12), does more than soothe the conscience but is a guiding principle for living a righteous and compassionate life. “Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7), does more than give momentary hope, it highlights the dependability of God to bless weary people seeking God in prayer continually will result in righteousness and blessing and when we apply these same teachings and principles to work in our life , we’ll have that same unsinkable foundation that will hold us up when the storms of life hit.     

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, we can confidently build our lives on your teachings. They will not fail us, and our spiritual houses and character will not collapse when storms come. Amen

Be Encouraged to take the teachings of Jesus to heart and use them to build your life upon. They are a sturdy and reliable foundation that won’t crash in difficult times.  

(August 21, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. –Psalm 69:!,, NLT

Summing It Up

How old were you when hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005?Whether you remember anything about that category 5 hurricane you may have read about it in your history books now.  Before the storm, officials worried that surge could overtop some levees and cause short-term flooding, but no one predicted levees might collapse. When the storm hit the devastation was far greater than anyone expected. By the time damage was assessed the storm and flood waters caused nearly 1400 fatalities and an estimated 186.3 billion in damage and loss. That’s a lot of damage and loss of life!  

My husband’s elderly aunt Annie was one of those who survived hurricane Katrina. Trapped in her home with the waters rising until she was forced to climb into her attic to keep from drowning. As the waters rose higher and higher she managed to keep her head above water, found something to bang against the attic ceiling and was rescued just in time. What a scary experience to have.  

Psalm 69:1 must have deep meaning for Annie and others who know exactly what it’s like to have floodwaters up to their neck. 

David compares the floodwaters with them being captive in Babylon. That feeling of being swallowed up, facing overwhelming troubles and challenges where the salvation and deliverance of God was needed. 

Today’s Application

There are times in life when the threat of actual floodwaters may not be present, but life may be overwhelming. Times when we have more things than we can juggle coming at us all at once or one after another. Times when sickness has taken us down as far as we can go. Times when we have experienced loss so devastating and consequential we can barely breathe as we process them and try to move on with life. Times when the lack of money threatens to keep us from moving forward or to that next needed stage on life. 

That “God will save us” is a powerful reminder that even in the throes of despair we can turn to God for refuge and draw strength from his amazing love. We can be reassured that God hears our cries, seeks justice on our behalf and delivers us in due time. 

Whether God shows up to get us off our rooftops or reaches down to lift us from the rising waters of life’s torrential troubles, God will save us. It’s what he’s promised to do and a promise he will keep. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, you are powerful. Help me remember you can save me, so I don’t start to become anxious or afraid.     

Be Encouraged when it seems as though the floodwaters are rising rapidly knowing God has promised to save you.     

(August 20, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10, ESV 

Summing It Up

There are loads of things we can do under our own power. Some things God has knit into the fiber of our being and soul while he was knitting us together in our mother’s womb. Other things we have learned along the way and acquired skills to perform certain tasks and daily activities.  

After God created Adam, God told him to name all the animals as they passed by and whatever Adam called them that is what their name is (Genesis 2:18-20). God could have easily named the animals himself but he must have wanted Adam to see he had the capacity to think and be creative. Today we call a giraffe, a lion, a horse, and hippopotamus by those names because Adam named them as such. All creatures and species got their name from Adam. That’s pretty awesome!

The things we know how to do and can accomplish on our own God expects us to do them; God created humans with capabilities and when we use them it brings him glory as our Creator. If you know how to tie your shoelaces easily you don’t need to ask God’s help. If you don’t get stressed adding 2+2 you don’t need to ask God’s help. If you are not overwhelmed by picking out whether to have oranges or apples at lunch you don’t need to say, “God help me pick out my fruit for lunch today.”

On the other hand, every human being has things that are above and beyond our human skill set and God wants us to recognize those. God wants us to know when we are out of our area of strengths or field of expertise and we should call upon him to help us in those moments. 

God wants us to recognize we are no match for the enemy’s clever arguments or the temptations that get put in our path, or when we need special strength to endure or patience to persevere that is beyond natural abilities.

One of the comforting promises God has made is that he will help us. God told the Israelites (and now us) they didn’t need to be afraid, nor become dismayed. He promised to strengthen them, to uphold them, and to help them (Isa. 41:10).

Today’s Application

I’m self-sufficient, but at times I need my husband to help me accomplish something. There are many things I could do when I was younger that I cannot do all by myself today, but the two of us can work it out together. And there are many things we cannot accomplish together and need other family members like our adult children or grandchildren to help us.

Thank goodness God did not specify. Whatever it is–big or small—we feel we need his help he will help us. 

Sometimes God will watch us as we struggle alone because he is waiting for us to humble ourselves, let go of our pride and simply say “God I can’t do this alone anymore.” He will not make fun of us or demean us. He will not reject or refuse us. God loves to fulfill his promise to help us.

Today’s Prayer 

Dear God, I know you are waiting for me to let go of my pride and say “I can’t do this alone anymore. I need your help.” 

Be Encouraged to examine the things you are (trying to) tackle alone and simply say, “Father, I can’t do this alone anymore.”    

(August 19, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. –I John 2:10, NIV

Summing It Up

When the people of God are at their best this is who we are and what we do. If you’ve ever been to group therapy, then you know how things work:

There is a group of people, usually sitting in a circle so no one is looking at the back of anyone’s head and everyone can be seen fully—one or two therapists are present to help start everyone talking. Anyone can share whatever he or she is feeling. What is amazing is when one person talks about something difficult, perhaps a memory or a hurt or a feeling, everyone can identify. The memories are not identical but somewhere along the way attendees and those present have been in a similar spot, experiencing like feelings. One person shares, another confronts, someone remembers something that clicks into his or her head and resonates with everyone or most. 

During a session one person may begin talking about being bullied growing up remembers an incident on the playground or when an adult did not validate their fear or pain and others nod in agreement: knowing exactly what it’s like. In a different kind of group someone may remember being abused as a child and the group are asked to surround that person in loving community. Letting that person know how sorry they are for their hurt and that they are there to help them through their hurt feelings and be a support as they move forward onto a healed and supported path. Each group may be different but the feeling of community, understanding, love and acceptance in each setting can be overwhelming.  

The power of authentic sharing and creating intentional space for others to be vulnerable without judgment is one of the most attractive features Jesus followers and faith communities can have in a world that wounds and does not care what has happened in your life’s journey.

Today’s Application

John says anyone who loves their brother or sister lives in the light. Meaning they have become obedient to the law of love and bear the true mark of Christ which is love. John is not referring to biological ties, but the depth of love people of faith  share with others. They are the light that keeps living in light and giving light.  

Whether in community where there is more than one, or singularly, receiving the love and light of Christ can be an overwhelming pull and be impactful. People are coming from all kinds of situations and are starving for genuine love and concern. Those who need to be surrounded with light, acceptance, encouragement, and supported. Those who need to know Christ and that loving community exists. 

When the people of God become the loving presence John speaks of, we are at our best and the epitome of what Christ continues to be, lived out through his followers; carried forward through us. 

Today’s Prayer

Christ Jesus, help us to not only seek loving community and people but become loving community and people for others. Amen

Be Encouraged to be a loving presence for someone who needs to see and experience the light of Christ Jesus. 

(August 18, 2024)

You Will Forget Your Troubles One Day

Key Promise to Pray

You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dawn. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you’ll be hunted out by many for your blessing. –Job 11:16-18, MSG

Dear God,

I look forward to the day then I’ll have forgotten about [these] problems that harass me right now. These problems that have become so much part of my days (and nights), I’ll be more than happy to put them behind me in every respect.

On my worst days, this promise almost seems too good to be true; too wonderful to even think about. The thought of enjoying a time when my troubles have become like old, faded pictures and I’ll be washed afresh in sunshine, a time when the heavy shadows that hang over my life will be dispersed like the dawn of day.

Jesus, what a day it will be when I am full of hope, completely relaxed, confident. That day when I’ll look around, sit back, and just take it easy. I’ll be like someone without a care in the world. How awesome!

I know all these things are coming once I get to heaven, God, but your promise isn’t just about heaven, it's also for down here on earth, during my lifetime. That makes me happy and hopeful! Amen 

Be Encouraged to believe it is just as God’s Word promises. Troubles only last for a short while but joy does come and troubles will fade like old photographs.   

(August 17, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” But Jesus told him, No! the Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.” –Luke 4:3-4, NLT

Summing It Up

Jesus had fasted from food and water forty days and nights and by the end of that time he was hungry and thirsty. The devil tempted Jesus to use his divine powers to turn a stone into physical bread to eat. Whether you’ve fasted on purpose or because you didn’t have access to food for a period, then you know how good freshly baked bread can taste afterward. Jesus rejected the devil’s temptation and quickly let him know the Word of God says, “People don’t live by bread alone.”

Today’s Application

The devil likes to make us believe we can replace our need for spiritual nourishment with other things in life. In a culture where food is looked at as more than nourishment for the body but something we have a relationship with and depend upon to bring us joy and satisfaction, endless varieties of food that appeal to every taste, food can be hard to pass up which can result in eating a great deal more than what our body needs to subsist.

Some people have adopted the motto, “Eat to live and don’t live to eat.” That may be a wise motto to live by since research has proven we take in far more food than we actually need to sustain our body. Jesus reminded the devil people could not live on bread alone, and he also preached he was the bread of life and whoever comes to him will never go hungry and whoever believes in him will never be thirsty (John 6:35). 

In order to live in these earthly bodies while on earth we need to eat food and to make sure we enjoy eternal life we need to eat a well-balanced diet of spiritual food. Living by Jesus’ motto “people cannot live by bread alone” and recognizing Jesus as the “Bread of life” we can enjoy our physical food and favorite dishes and at the same time pay attention to our spirit life, finding nourishment in God’s Word. 

When we live physically and spiritually balanced don’t have to choose one over the other.     

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus people cannot live by bread alone. Thank you for being the “Bread of life” that nourishes and sustains us so we can live forever in heaven. Amen 

Be Encouraged: 

If you adopted that motto “eat to live and don’t live to eat,” would it change the way you eat or how much you take in? If “eat to live” or “not living on physical bread alone” became your motto, how would it change or impact how you feed yourself spiritually? What would your spiritual diet look like? Would you eat at God’s table more? Making sure you are taking in the right amount of spiritual food to stay nourished and spiritually hydrated. 

(August 16, 2024)

 Key Promise to Treasure

May he send you help from the sanctuary And support you from Zion! –Psalm 20:2

Summing It Up 

One definition of support is, “to provide a person with the means of sustaining life.” Isn’t that inspiring? To provide the means of sustaining life!

King David recognized “God was his helper; the Lord was the sustainer of his soul” (Ps. 54:4). And in 2 Chronicles 16:9 God reminded Moses, “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” And David reminds us “The LORD will sustain us on our sickbed; in our illness God restores us to health” (Ps. 41:3).

From the beginning when God created Adam and Eve until this very minute and every minute the earth stands beyond this one, God has promised to support us. 

Today’s Application

We may not have the name-brand clothes we see advertised or hanging on the racks, but God puts clothes on our back. We may not be able to eat at five-star restaurants celebrities eat at but God puts food in our stomachs. We may not have the high-priced specialty bottled water we see on the store shelves, but God provides clean tap water for us to drink. We may not drive the latest model car that zooms passed us on the street, but God provides some kind of transportation to help us get from one place to the next. We may not have the best house on the block but God provides shelter. We may not be attending an ivy league school, but God makes sure we are educated.  We might not have thousands or millions of followers on social media, but God provides even a few faithful friends to support and care about us.  

God provided for and supported his only son Jesus during his lifetime on earth. Jesus lived a humble life. He didn’t have earthly riches, but he was rich in other ways. He had shelter and food for his stomach. He had loyal friends and was blessed to use his divinity in ways that brought healing to others and set the lost and confused on the path that led to light and eternity. Jesus’ willingness to live within the means his heavenly Father provided helped him live free of the daily stresses many experience. 

God doesn’t always support our lifestyle. Sometimes we need to adjust our lifestyle to be more in line with the means God has provided for us to live comfortably—but in whatever ways God has supported and sustained us on our journey we can thank and praise him. His promise to provide support from Zion holds fast and he will never turn his back on us.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for your promise to support and sustain me and for keeping your promise always. Amen

Be Encouraged to make a note of the many ways God supports you each day and give him thanks and praise.             

(August 15, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

Graciousness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. –Psalm 85:10, NASB

Summing It Up

It takes a lot of humility to apologize to someone. More than that, a lot of courage and being vulnerable to admit we are not perfect and do things to others that need a sincere apology.   

The psalmist knew a lot about God’s graciousness and truth. He knew that God prefers reconciliation over separation. In the original text we can understand that graciousness and peace are on one side and truth and righteousness on the other. What a beautifully balanced relationship!

How often we need to humble ourselves before God. How gracious God is toward us. His graciousness meets the truth of who we are; We are wrong at every turn but instead of wrath and rejection, we are met with God’s peace and righteousness. More than anything God wants to have a peaceful relationship with us—even as terrible as we can be. He doesn’t have to, but God chooses to bend to our humanness and shower us with loving kisses, calling us sons and daughters instead of his enemies. 

Today’s Application

One young woman grew up in a household that wasn’t very nurturing. She was constantly berated and called stupid when she didn’t understand something right away. Even in her adult years her heart was still wounded and she had a difficult time when problems arose, second-guessing herself, doubting her abilities to solve or work through the ordinary problems of life. 

In years past, she did all she could to avoid her father, but now with the help of a therapist she has found her voice and inner strength to express her childhood pain to her father and set health boundaries. Her father’s apology has been sincere, and now father and daughter are working on building a relationship that is more nurturing and loving. Her father is still a work in progress, but the young woman is being patient and tries not to hold her father’s past against him.

This young woman could easily have raked her father over the coals for his behavior and cruelty in raising his daughter, but instead she is choosing the path of being forgiving and when her father is vulnerable and takes ownership of his past harshness, she chooses to be gracious.

What a perfect example today’s promise is when we need to remember that God tells us to “bend” to the still sharpness of others who are yet to be transformed by the Holy spirit. Even in their “truth” God will help us let graciousness, righteousness and peace be our soul’s, heart, (and mouth’s) guard.

Today’s Prayer

God, you are so gracious to us. Thank you! Help us to be gracious to others and at the same time establish healthy boundaries. Amen 

Be Encouraged to know the graciousness you extend is God’s way of working through you to show others who he is. 

(August 14, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure  

fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. –Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Summing It Up

Dismay is a strong emotion and frame of mind. The meaning of being dismayed is, “consternation and distress, typically caused by something unexpected.”

When we are dismayed, we give up on others, on ourselves, on any future hope or possibilities, and yes, we have given up on God and lost sight of his power, love, and sovereignty. All our trust in and for God has been pushed to the background and swallowed up by our disappointment and circumstances. 

Dismayed people might act out of desperation, throw caution to the wind, no longer be concerned about being wise or doing things in good order. And worst yet, it is in dismay many may give up on life and having a future worth sticking around.

Through the prophet Isaiah God commands us not to be dismayed. And he gives us a promise that will never be compromised: He is still our God. He will strengthen us, help us, and hold us up in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Application

Whether it is a time of sickness, financial worries, relationship woes, or life struggles that has brought us to the place of dismay, God reminds us to give him a chance to be God in our life, assure a “God outcome”, and watch how he brings good out of our circumstances—bleak as they appear. God asks us to take a chance on him—which is no chance at all—only assuredness since he will not fail us. 

When the Israelites were making their annual pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem, they could have become dismayed with all those foreign gods strategically placed in the hills, but they learned to look—not to the hills—but up to their God in the heavens who was God over everything in heaven and on earth. They kept their eyes on God and sang Psalm 121,

“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? 

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! 

He will not let you stumble; 

the one who watches over you will not slumber. 

Indeed he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 

The LORD himself watches over you! 

The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. 

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, 

both now and forevermore. 

No wonder they made it to the temple and didn’t become dismayed. No wonder they had the strength and energy and hope and joy they needed to survive a tough journey. 

Anyone who looks to the Lord with that much confidence will not become dismayed. On the contrary they will be filled with energy and strength and can persevere and endure till the journey’s end.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord, let me be like the people long ago and look, not to the hills, but to you. Amen

Be Encouraged to look to God and keep your eyes fixed on him no matter what life is doing or going right now. God will keep you from becoming dismayed.     

(August 13, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. –James 1:4, NKJV

Summing It Up

Thirty-minute sitcoms and two-hour movies can give us the wrong impression that problems will be wrapped up and resolved in a hurry. 

All of life put in a tidy little bow by the time the last commercial airs. 

One definition of patience says it all: patience is the willingness to suppress annoyance when confronted with delay. In other words, life can be hard. We can have problems and complications that take time to work out and work through. It can be annoying and aggravating when we can’t control or move things along in our time frame, but God encourages us to learn to wait patiently because there is great reward at the end.    

Being patient as opposed to impatient, has great benefits. James says when we are perfectly patient, we will be complete and lack nothing. The benefits of having perfect patience may be too many to list in one setting. Perfect patience helps us cultivate perseverance and endurance which are necessary to get through trials and difficulties of life. Perfect patience allows us to see the power of God at work in our lives and the world around us.  

Like the process of putting a piece of pottery in the kiln to seal it or placing metals in the fire which cause the dross to fall away, having perfect patience teaches us to stay calm in the face of waiting, frustration, and suffering. It gives us inner strength to stick to our convictions, face our fears, repeatedly let go of internal expectations and build trust in God that everything will work out in the end according to God’s perfect plans. Even as we wait, we are learning a great deal about God and learning to see life’s troubles through the lens of eternity and what is best for us or others. 

Today’s Application

Waiting is an integral part of life. We will need to wait on most things—not just for problems to be resolved or mysteries solved—but waiting to experience the blessings God has designed for us, waiting to experience the grace of God, waiting, not just for “good” outcomes but perfect outcomes. 

When we have conquered impatience and learned to be perfectly patient, we have gained our freedom from fear, anxiety, doubt, fretfulness, faithlessness, pride, micro-managing, and hastiness. We have learned to understand and appreciate that patience is not a passive grace or passive endurance but is an intensely active energy, requiring a great deal of work on our part. Understand it is a virtue that positions us to receive all the good things God promises. 

As James says when we have allowed patience to do its work, we will be the benefactors of heavenly wisdom and that may be the greatest reward of all. 

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, grant me to be perfectly patient so all the blessings God has in store for me are accomplished.

Be Encouraged to ride it out, pray not just for patience but to have perfect patience which produces the virtue of godly wisdom.             

(August 13, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. –James 1:4, NKJV

Summing It Up

Thirty-minute sitcoms and two-hour movies can give us the wrong impression that problems will be wrapped up and resolved in a hurry. 

All of life put in a tidy little bow by the time the last commercial airs. 

One definition of patience says it all: patience is the willingness to suppress annoyance when confronted with delay. In other words, life can be hard. We can have problems and complications that take time to work out and work through. It can be annoying and aggravating when we can’t control or move things along in our time frame, but God encourages us to learn to wait patiently because there is great reward at the end.    

Being patient as opposed to impatient, has great benefits. James says when we are perfectly patient, we will be complete and lack nothing. The benefits of having perfect patience may be too many to list in one setting. Perfect patience helps us cultivate perseverance and endurance which are necessary to get through trials and difficulties of life. Perfect patience allows us to see the power of God at work in our lives and the world around us.  

Like the process of putting a piece of pottery in the kiln to seal it or placing metals in the fire which cause the dross to fall away, having perfect patience teaches us to stay calm in the face of waiting, frustration, and suffering. It gives us inner strength to stick to our convictions, face our fears, repeatedly let go of internal expectations and build trust in God that everything will work out in the end according to God’s perfect plans. Even as we wait, we are learning a great deal about God and learning to see life’s troubles through the lens of eternity and what is best for us or others. 

Today’s Application

Waiting is an integral part of life. We will need to wait on most things—not just for problems to be resolved or mysteries solved—but waiting to experience the blessings God has designed for us, waiting to experience the grace of God, waiting, not just for “good” outcomes but perfect outcomes. 

When we have conquered impatience and learned to be perfectly patient, we have gained our freedom from fear, anxiety, doubt, fretfulness, faithlessness, pride, micro-managing, and hastiness. We have learned to understand and appreciate that patience is not a passive grace or passive endurance but is an intensely active energy, requiring a great deal of work on our part. Understand it is a virtue that positions us to receive all the good things God promises. 

As James says when we have allowed patience to do its work, we will be the benefactors of heavenly wisdom and that may be the greatest reward of all. 

Today’s Prayer

Jesus, grant me to be perfectly patient so all the blessings God has in store for me are accomplished.

Be Encouraged to ride it out, pray not just for patience but to have perfect patience which produces the virtue of godly wisdom.             

(August 12, 2024)

Jesus listened to her story. –Mark 5:34, The Voice 

Summing It Up

We all have at least one person in our life who is that point of reference and go to person when we have news to share. In the Bible, there are several verses that mention someone talking to Jesus. The one above where the woman with the issue of bleeding was not only healed but had a conversation with Jesus afterward. 

Another example is during the Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appear before Christ and talk with him (Matt. 17), and when Peter and John boldly proclaim their faith, declaring that they cannot keep silent about what they have witnessed and experienced with Jesus. In another story we read where the woman at the well spoke with Jesus (John 4) and when see Nicodemus sought Jesus late at night so he could talk privately with him (John 3). 

Jesus was that person for the disciples. For three years he was right there to talk things over with. He was and is the g.o.a.t. when it came to listening, rejoicing, understanding, keeping them centered and balanced. There wasn’t anything they could not share with him and as they returned from their first missionary journey more than anyone else, they looked forward to talking to him (Matt. 10). 

Today’s Application

Who are the people you most look forward to talking with after something great (or not so great) happens to you? Those people who will know exactly what or what not to say? Those who will make you feel supported understood, validated? Those who will rejoice with your successes and cry with you in your devastations. Those who will not say “I told you so” even when they did “tell you so”? Those who will be the perfect person to lift you out of the dumps, keep you from feeling sorry for yourself, those who know how to tell you in the most loving way that you need to forgive, move forward, or get over yourself.

We can’t see Jesus face to face right now, but he can still be that person for us. That person we look forward to sharing our joys and victories with. That person we look forward to talking through our problems with and crying with when life is tough. Jesus still has that perfect response; still that perfect listener, still the g.o.a.t. when it comes to knowing exactly what to say and when to say it. Still the greatest at encouraging, comforting, and motivating us to meet our goals and take those needed steps

To this day, Jesus is that person who will make everything alright, listen to us, rejoice with us, feel our pain, understand our strong emotions, validate us and at the same time gently nudge us from our stuck places and move us forward to the future God has planned and ordained for us. 

We don’t need to see Jesus face to face to be assured he’s listening. James wrote, “Draw near to God and he’ll draw near to you” (Jas. 4:8). When we need to talk to Jesus, he’s all ears and he’s right here fully aware, fully attentive, fully engaged.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, that joy to have your ear and undivided attention. Whether I want to share my joy or sorrow all I have to do is call your name. Just a little talk with you makes everything alright. Amen

Be Encouraged to talk things out with Jesus. 

(August 11, 2024)

 God’s Amazing Love

Key Promise to Treasure and Pray

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…We love because he first loved us. –I John 4:18-19

Your love is amazing, God.

Your love is perfect.

Your love is refreshing.

Your love is healing.

Your love takes my breath away. 

What else can I say about your love, God? In what ways can I put your love into human words and thoughts and expression? Where do I start to talk or think about a love that is beyond human words or our highest imagination? It is greater than any love we can experience through human-to-human relationship and interaction. The consistency and unlimitedness of your love are astounding.  

Your love surprises me, God, loving me when I feel unlovable, reaching out to me when I least believe it will. Your love delights me, showing me secrets and insights, as well as wonders and joys. It challenges me, motivates and coaxes me to keep trying and pressing me toward new achievements. Your love whispers encouragement and shouts from the heights when my eyes have been clouded, my ears deceived, my heart broken by imposturous love.  

Your love disciplines me, correcting my errors while leading me back toward truth in a way no one else can manage. It keeps me safe when life gets hard and holds me close whenever I long to be comforted: which is quite often. Your love is perfect. I want to experience more of it. In fact, I’m learning to measure all other love by and through it, since your love sets the standard for all other love. 

It’s so true and prophetic what John the Apostle wrote about love; that “there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” You love me and I have no need to fear. Your love exposes and then drives out the hidden fears that I entertain. Lately I find I always want to stay in the middle of your love. Keep me there, I pray. Amen  

Be Encouraged to bask in the pure, unconditional, healing love of God. 

(August 3, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone–Mark 16:14-15, NLT

Summing It Up

Are you curious about how Jesus changed hardened hearts and brought those living in darkness into the light? As you read your Bible are you noticing what Jesus didn’t do as well as what he does? Jesus touched and connected with people in a personal way. He always showed interest in people and always let them know he “saw” them. He listened with undivided attention; he made a difference in their life and future. He always forgave and he always healed whatever sickness was presented to him. He may have gone into the temple to teach and preach occasionally, but he didn’t set up his base of operation in the temple. 

Today, we might be tempted to think it’s our beautiful facilities where we worship that make new Christians, but the church building is for the already converted. It’s the place where believers come to learn (more) about Jesus, grow in their faith, and become equipped to go out and make more disciples. People are rarely converted to Christianity during a worship service; their “come-to-Jesus” moments happen along the road of life and many people in their journey have planted seeds that lead to faith in Christ, long before they begin to take root and bloom. Its only after they belong to Jesus that they find meaning and better understand the rituals and why the people of God do what they do when and how they do it. 

When Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to his disciple’s numerous times. On one occasion, as they were together eating a meal, Jesus came to them and after speaking sternly with them for being slow to believe he was risen, then he charged them with their assignment. Jesus reminded them they were to “go into all the world and make disciples.” He reminded them their ministry was in the world not within the confines of a building no matter how beautiful it is, but out in the places where the hurt and confused and lost could be found.

Today’s Application

Like Jesus, if we exude love and compassion, kindness and sincerity, people will be drawn to us and ultimately drawn to Jesus even before they realize it’s Jesus they’re drawn to. Jesus said if we will do our part and lift him up—through our love and acts of kindness and compassion—he’ll draw them to himself (John 12:32). Those we touch will love being around us long before they discover why they love being around us.

As the Church Reformer Martin Luther used to say, “Preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.” Worldly attachments are not easily broken, and we must be smart and intuitive when we’re reaching out to those in the world.

The secular-minded might not be inclined to attend church service with us or be excited to listen to a half-hour sermon on the spiritual pitfalls of fleshly vices but they will be open to lovely and uplifting conversation. They will graciously receive our sincere, heartfelt expressions of sorrow in their grief, they’ll love receiving a gift offered in love then they are going through a trial. They’ll love meeting the concern of Jesus as we walk with them through a difficult time of life. Jesus goes out into the world because we take him with us. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, please go with me as I go into the world to make disciples and let me do so in a way that mirrors how you did and do it. Amen

Be Encouraged to represent Jesus in a hurting world. 

(August 2, 2024)

Key Promise to Treasure

Do not judge according to appearances, but judge with righteous judgment. –John 7:24,  

Summing It Up

The religious leaders of Jesus’ time wanted to judge him based upon what little they knew or were willing to know about him. Their religious snobbery and baggage kept them from accepting who Jesus was/is. They thought they knew God and had a right to judge Jesus based upon the little they knew about the Father. Their normal standard and manner of judging and evaluating from a superficial way would keep them from seeing and receiving the gift God had sent in his Son. Before they could judge Jesus, they needed to know God and have faith in him in order to judge correctly. If they really knew God, they would understand and judge Jesus differently.

When we read John 7:24, Jesus’ lesson to the religious leaders of their time, we can see it as a good lesson and reminder for us today. It is a good moment in time to ask ourselves about our prejudices and biases—and we all have them. A perfect opening to ask ourselves how we are judging others. Do we judge them based upon their color, the way they speak, their height, their weight, their sexual orientation, what church they go to—if they go to church, do they speak in holy tongues, are their numbers impressive enough to say they have a successful ministry, what school(s) do or have they  attended, where do they live, how do they dress, what car do they drive, how do they earn their living. All these things as we try to determine if someone is good enough or worthy of our admiration or time.  

But Jesus says we are to judge righteously. Based, not by worldly standards but by the righteousness of God; being created by God automatically gives them and us worth and value and if e judge by the righteousness of Jesus then we judge through the eyes and heart of love and grace. 

Today’s Application

The cover of a book might attract us initially, but the cover should only be the first thing that compels us to pick it up. Beyond the first look we might check out the title, open it up and read the jacket covers to see what the book is about, who wrote it, what are the chapter headings. Next, we might skim through the pages to see if there is substance. Will we learn something (new) from it, will it help us grow in some way. 

Book covers may pique our curiosity and cause us to pick them up or pause, but we can’t judge them by the cover alone. We need to look deeper, to spend time reading them so our opinion is authentic and thoughtful. 

The last question John the Baptist asked Jesus about his ministry was how should he (John) judge Jesus? (Luke 7:20) Jesus reminded John to judge him through the righteousness of God. Remembering that everything he saw Jesus do mirrored the heart and character of God the Father. Judging does not get more righteous than that. 

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, if I must judge let it be based upon the righteousness of God and not my own biases or narrow-mindedness. Amen

Be Encouraged to only judge others if its necessary and when it is only judge based upon the righteousness of God. 

(August 1, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.—Luke 2:2, NLT

Summing It Up

Our oldest daughter was coloring with a group of little ones in our family. In childlike confidence they told her not to worry if she broke a crayon because “broken crayons still color.” What adult wisdom coming from a bunch of 3- and 4-year-olds!

In your “adulting” have you forgotten not only can broke crayons still color, but broken people can still minister to others, serve, and glorify God?

Mary Magdelene was one of those broken crayons who could still color. Jesus healed her and she went to work serving him right away. The moment Jesus healed her, her once turmoil-filled heart was set free. With one word and one touch she was a free, fully integrated person with a new group of people to love and a new reason to live.

Mary’s loyalty was unmatchable. Though her sicknesses had isolated her once Jeus healed her she did not return to isolation but became part of s loving community, loving them back.  

After meeting Jesus, the once broken Mary traveled on the road with Jesus’ disciples (Mark 15:40-41), 

was a leader among women (Luke 8:1-3), 

supported Jesus financially (Luke 8:3),

stood at the foot of the cross (Matt. 27:56), 

and was the first to see and talk with Jesus after the resurrection, proclaiming him as the Christ (John 20:14).

Mary was not only loyal to Jesus, but she had a profound, genuine love for her new community becoming a bridge. Even if others had doubted that this broken crayon had anything to offer or bring to their community, Mary proved that she was full of greatness, depth, and contributed much before and after Jesus’ resurrection. 

Today’s Application

Life breaks us. Sometimes people want to toss us to the side and sometimes we want to take ourselves out of the good crayon box, even push God way when he reaches for us, because we are feeling useless and unworthy because we’ve been broken, forgetting even broken crayons can still color and do so magnificently. But the Lord still has use of us and we are still full of color.

Mary Magdalene is named fourteen times in the Scriptures and eight of those times she is listed with other women, but her name comes first on the list. Others may have colored her insane, the devil may have colored her weak, she might have even colored herself as useless at one point, but when Jesus came, he touched her, and his touch reminded her a broken magenta is still as brilliant and deep as the one that is fresh and unbroken.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for your healing touch. I’ve been broken in life but I’m still full of color and potential!

Be Encouraged

To let Jesus use you even in your brokenness.     

(July 31, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. –2 Timothy 2:7, ESV

Summing It Up

In his letter to his spiritual son Timothy, Paul was advising the best way for Timothy to conduct his ministry among the saints of God. Timothy should make sure he chose dependable, spiritually grounded people to teach Bible classes. He should join Paul in suffering for the sake of the Gospel and whatever that entailed. Timothy should steer clear of civilian affairs and aim to please his commanding officer (which was Jesus Christ), and Timothy should be like a hard-working, disciplined athlete who approached the race according to the rules set forth. Lastly, Timothy should be like a smart famer who eats well from his own crop. After all, how foolish it would be for a farmer to go hungry! Timothy was to spend time reflecting on what Paul wrote so he would have the insight he needed and not get twisted in his ministry or primary tasks.

Today’s Application

The “twisties” is a term known to gymnasts and describes the mental block a gymnast can experience while in the air during a twisting skill. It is a dangerous disconnect between mind and body while the gymnast is airborne. They may lose touch with what is up and what’s down. The term sounds playful and even fun, but it’s an incredibly serious matter. The result could be disastrous, even fatal in the right circumstances.

Other athletes and professions can experience a version of the twisties also. Baseball players, and golfers can experience what’s called the “yips” where they experience involuntary movement and wrist spasms while executing a crucial move. Even airplane pilots or divers can experience versions of the twisties; losing their sense of direction: what’s up and what’s down while flying or diving.    

“Twisties” or “yips” may be a common experience in the sports world, but even modern-day Christians can experience the “twisties” when we lose sight on why we are here. We can start to focus on building personal wealth or achieving fame or just having a good time in life and start to neglect the things that matter the most: glorifying and worshiping God, helping others know Jesus and getting strong in our faith. 

Just as Paul wrote the believers in Colossae to remember that “whatever they do, in word or deed, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father” (Col. 3:17) we can also apply what Paul says to our modern-day lives and activities. Whether caring for our family or the people of God in the community of faith, as long as we do everything based upon our desire to please the Lord we will avoid experiencing the twisties and won’t get all twisted up. 

Today’s Prayer   

Dear Jesus, it may be common for gymnasts and others to become lost and experience the twisties while executing moves, I pray, keep me from becoming twisted while serving you and others. Save me from having the spiritual “twisties.” Amen

Be Encouraged to avoid spiritual twisties by staying grounded in the word of God.   

(July 30, 2024)

Key Promise to Tresure

But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. –Isaiah 43:18-19, NLT

Summing It Up

What promises of God are you accumulating in your mental and emotional rolodex that are helping you get through tough times and difficulties? Those promises that help you honker down and do the hard work of moving forward in life? 

Do some of your favorites now include,   

Philippians 3:13-14, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race…”,

Proverbs 4:25, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”

Or, the one we have before us today where God speaks to us through the prophet Isaiah. 

When we’re tempted to look or turn back, we can locate hundreds of passages in the Bible that inspire and encourage us to keep moving ahead. Even stories like the one in Genesis where Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt because she did exactly what God told them not to do. She looked back at smoldering Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:26-30). 

We may not be turned into a pillar of salt for looking back today, but God assures us being forward moving is preferable to dwelling on the past or getting stuck where we are and that applies to not getting stuck on former blessings and miracles God has performed in our life. 

Today’s Application

After the death of my grandmother in the late 70’s I had difficulty moving forward. My deep grief stayed with me for some time until God spoke to me through a vivid dream one night. In my dream I was clinging to my grandmother for dear life. Snuggly wrapped in her apron strings. Suddenly a giant pair of scissors appeared, snipping the strings of the apron on each side. Immediately they fell away, and I heard Gods voice say, “time to move ahead now, dear one.” When I awakened, the heaviness and deep longing had evaporated as a mist, and I was able to begin my journey of moving forward. Since that night I have had moments of missing my grandmother on occasion but nothing like I experienced during those early years after her death. 

In my dream, God wasn’t telling me to forget my grandmother or the special memories I had of her, just as he wasn’t telling the Israelites not to remember what they had experienced in the past. God was commanding me and them to be open to future blessings and miracles he would work on our behalf.   

In fact, the things God had done for them in the past could not be compared to the amazing things he had planned for them in the future. And it’s the same for us. We cannot be open for the new when we are still filled up with the past, even the best past. The miracles and blessings God has performed and sent to us in the past will be nothing compared to the ones he has in store for us, but we won’t know unless we are willing to keep moving through our deserts, challenges, and wilderness experiences.    

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, I love all the amazing things you’ve done for me in the past, but may I always be open, and wiling to move forward so I can experience the new that you have coming.

Be Encouraged to move forward with God and experience the new he has for you.  

(July 29, 2024)

  Key Promise to Treasure

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. –Proverbs 16:9, NIV

Summing It Up

We have a heavenly Father who loves us, whose desire it is to be with us every step of our journey, no matter where that journey might lead us. He promises to be with us always and is ready and willing to take our journey with us. God wants to take our hand and lead us through. 

In Proverbs 16:9, Solomon isn’t discouraging us from making plans. Far from it. He’s merely reminding us that even as we make plans and set a course of action—which is our human responsibility—God is exerting his sovereignty. We are to make plans in our heart and move to implementation, but in his sovereignty, God turns us in the direction we need to be, according to his plans for us. It is God who establishes our steps and shows us how to accomplish the plans we have made. 

Today’s Application

When God guides us, he does so one step at a time. We like to go full speed ahead—going one step at a time sometimes makes us impatient and frustrates us—but we are better when we relax and let God control the journey. Taking one step at time with God forces us to trust him and keeps us from getting ahead of him.  

God can do anything instantly. He could instantly transform us if he desired. He could instantly make all our and his plans come into being, but God chooses to develop us slowly, much the same way Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples. 

God uses incremental steps to get us where he is leading and, on the journey, we are shedding and gaining, having those ah-ha moments and gaining self-awareness, increasing in faith and learning to partner with God. Just as God led the Israelites to the Promised Land little by little so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed he leads us wisely and patiently. By the time we reach our destination we are more than prepared, we are ready in every way to be where God has led step by step. 

Today’s Prayer

God sometimes I’m not a good follower and want to go at a pace that faster than the one you’ve set. Grant me patience and trust so I don’t get in the way. Amen

Be Encouraged to let God lead you step by step.    

(July 28, 2024)

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever…

He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever...

24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever. –Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26, NLT

Father God, 

given the climate of this present age, it’s so easy to forget you are our supreme power, Creator, Master strategist and Author of all that exists in heaven and on earth. So easy to forget that we only see in part what you are doing, and so easy to forget in the middle of trials and storms you are working faithfully on our behalf. 

I sincerely pray to cultivate a more productive and positive approach to beginning my day. Focusing on giving thanks and remembering “You are good,” and “Your faithful love endures forever,” even before I start asking for things or talking to you about the problems and complexities that are stomping me.