Tag: boldness

March 5, 2025

March 5th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 4-5

Highlight Verse:

“Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My day job is fixing copiers. It always amazes me when someone says something like, “oh it’s been doing that for months.”

I ask, “Why didn’t you call?”

The excuses vary from “we didn’t know it was covered” to “no one knew how to call,” at which time I point to the sticker with the phone number, email address and website right there on the machine.

The Israelites waited twenty years before calling for help!

Why?

I can only guess they thought they could handle it themselves. Or maybe they were ashamed.

Either way, help was a sincere prayer away.

How many times do we do the same thing?

Maybe not for twenty years, but we try to take care of the impossible ourselves?

Maybe we think we deserve what we get. Or we think we aren’t worthy?

News flash – we’re not worthy. But, he loves us anyway and wants the best for us.

Like a loving Father, God is willing to step into the most impossible situation and rescue us or give us the strength to get through it.

We can ask for God’s help anytime.

Why wait?

Have you ever delayed asking for God’s help?
When you got around to asking, did He fix the situation or you?
March 3, 2025

March 3rd, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 10

Highlight Verse:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you follow Jesus and your life is boring, you’re doing it wrong.

Sure, I’ve had some fun and excitement when I’ve done things my way. But that doesn’t compare with the joy, wonder, and peace that come when I follow what Jesus taught.

If we are open to it, God will challenge us beyond what we ever thought possible.

He’d have us step out of our safe zone into a life full of the miraculous.

He’d have us experience joy that goes beyond definition.

He’d have us change the world.

So, if life is boring right now and you are willing to let it get interesting in a good way, ask God to show you where He wants you to step out in faith.

Can you share any interesting stories of when God led you into a time of trusting God beyond the ordinary?
How has God blessed you when you have been willing to step out in faith?
February 17, 2025

February 17th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 8

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.””
‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever tried walking in utter darkness?

Pretty trippy – literally.

We rarely find ourselves in complete darkness anymore. Our world has so much light pollution that, if we let our eyes adjust, we can usually see enough to get where we need to go.

But sometimes the light isn’t clear.

One late night, I, a young adult at the time, was driving home just outside of Fresno, California.

The Central Valley’s famous tule fog had rolled in. The glow of the head lights was just that – a glow. I couldn’t even see the road.

Fortunately, the car I was driving was a former police car with a spotlight. I focused the spotlight on the center-line next to the car and leaned so I could see it as I drove painfully slowly.

The fog lessened as I reached town but that was the scariest drive of my young life.

God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will always shine a spiritual light to guide us, but sometimes our lives can get so messed up that it is impossible to see the road ahead.

In those times, we need to look on what is immediately ahead, focusing His light on that path before we can find our way to the open road.

Whether you can see your path ahead for miles or can barely make out the center-line, make sure you use the light of the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide your way.

Have you had any experiences you’d like to share about having a tough time seeing?
Where has shining God’s light on your path helped you in the past?
February 8, 2025

February 8th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 14:1-24

Highlight Verse:
“Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you ever want to see pure, unrestrained joy, volunteer at a Night to Shine (or attend if you have special needs).

Last night was the 10th annual Night to Shine, a prom event for people with special needs.

People with physical and mental challenges are often overlooked. In some parts of the world, they are actively shunned.

Night to Shine reverses that, shining a positive light on people with special needs; crowning them as Kings and Queens in God’s eyes.

Jesus taught in today’s verse that people with special needs should be included in celebration.

When Jesus encountered those with special needs, He listened to them, touched them, and healed them.

We should do no less.

How do you show respect and honor to people with special needs?
What can you do to invite those with special needs to your celebrations?
February 3, 2025

February 3rd, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 6

Highlight Verse:

“Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Andrew is not a leading character in the Gospels. But he spoke up more than once.

The first time we see him speaking up is in John chapter 1 when he tells his brother Simon about Jesus. Simon became Peter, who later took the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire.

Here Andrew speaks faith into the situation, even though his faith appears to be limited.

Jesus acts on Andrew’s suggestion and brings about one of His greatest miracles, the feeding of the five thousand.

For someone who is not in the limelight, on stage or on the frontlines, it is easy to feel unimportant.

For that person, imagine what would the world be like if Andrew had not told his brother Peter about Jesus. Think about the hole that would have been left in the story of Jesus if Andrew had not told Jesus about the loaves and fishes.

Words of faith from supporting people make all the difference in the world.

To whom have you told the exciting news of the Messiah?
What situations have you spoke faith into?
January 20, 2025

January 20th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 4

Highlight Verse:

“Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I always figured that Jesus waited outside the Samaritan town purposely so that He could have that conversation with the Samaritan woman and word would spread about Him in that village, not to mention the countless sermons that would be preached about this story.

But He waited there because…

He was tired!

Of course He was God. But He was also human.

His body needed rest and water.

I’m not saying He didn’t care about the Samaritan woman or the people from her town.

He cared enough to bring the Gospel to her in spite of His exhaustion.

He sought her help for His physical need for water.

And He supplied truth for her spiritual needs.

There are many times in this life when we are exhausted and need to rest.

Even in those times, we should always keep our eyes open for opportunities to meet the spiritual needs of those around us.

Have you ever been in a place when someone was helping you, and you we able to bring them spiritual help?
How did you handle that situation?
January 15, 2025

January 15th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 7-9

Highlight Verse:

“But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I can’t stand whining.

Apparently, God doesn’t like it either.

To me, verses 10 through 15 read something like, “Quit your whining and do something about it. Find out what went wrong and fix it.”

As I don’t want to do a deep dive into the cultural context here, I won’t comment on the punishment to the one who brought about Israel’s defeat.

Instead, I refer you to almost every leadership training I’ve taken. One common lesson was – if you want to complain about a problem, you better not say anything about it until you have a solution to the problem in mind.

Yes, I know that sometimes people just need to blow off some steam.

But if you want to lead, you need to back up verbal leadership with positive action.

Are you in the middle of a whine worthy situation?
Have you thought of solutions to that situation?
Have you voiced those solutions?
December 28, 2024

December 28th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Hebrews 12:1-13

Highlight Verse:

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Wednesday is New Year’s Day.

Many use this time of year to start new good habits.

This Friday is known as quitter’s day.

Many will throw those new habits out the window.

I’ve been one of those quitters in multiple years.

So how do we keep our New Year’s resolutions?

I searched and found everything from setting “SMART” goals to not making resolutions.

I’ve often heard that a new habit requires three weeks to establish.

Most say, to get through those three weeks, it must be doable step.

In the words of Dr. Leo Marvin (“What About Bob?” – 1991 Touchstone Pictures), take “baby steps.”

All that is true, but sometimes bad habits build on each other and we need to kick them all out.

The only way we can achieve that is if we take the advice of Hebrews 12 and keep our eyes on Jesus.

Just as Jesus surrounded Himself with friends and disciples, who supported Him and each other, so we also need to surround ourselves with those who can support us and whom we can support.

That can be a simple as a few close friends or as deep as a Celebrate Recovery Group depending on the habits or hang ups we are trying to deal with.

All this is to say, make those resolutions.
Make them God pleasing.
Make them achievable.

And turn to Jesus and the right friends to follow through with them.

How have you succeeded with resolutions in the past?
What resolutions are you making this year?
December 23, 2024

December 23rd, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 28

Highlight Verses:

“For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭28‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Acts seems to come to a very abrupt end here. We don’t get to find out what happened in Caesar’s court. It doesn’t let us know about the end of his life not many years later.

Why?

The most obvious answer is that Luke wrote this book in Rome and finished it before Paul had a chance to appear before Nero.

We know from history that Paul was first acquitted and later arrested and executed for preaching the Gospel.

The other answer to why there is no conclusive ending to Acts is, in a sense,

Acts is a book that never ends.

Paul’s ministry continues today in every local church and missionary group.

You and I are Paul to the world today.

Let’s continue boldly proclaiming the Word of God to today’s generations.

What do you imagine it was like for Paul to live, work, and preach in Rome?
How can you continue his work?
December 10, 2024

December 11th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Esther 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!””
‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oxford defines “hyperbole” as exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Esther apparently knew the “half the kingdom” statement was just such an exaggeration.

Instead of accepting the insincere gift, she humbly invited the king and Haman to a dinner she would host.

Despite being the declared queen, even that request was bold as Xerxes was the most powerful man in the world and she was likely still a teenager.

But he listened to her, and saved the people of Israel.

Which brings me to today’s points.

In many years of working with young people, I’ve known a few who were humbly bold.

While they may not have had the far-reaching impact of Esther, but they made a difference in their worlds.

So, my two simple points are this:
If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.

If you are older, listen to young people. Their dreams are still big. If given the chance to act on them, their dream will stay big, and they will change the world.

What is your big dream?
What big dreams have you heard from others?
Have you helped make those dreams happen?

Tag: boldness

The Israelites waited twenty years before calling for help!

Why?

News flash – we’re not worthy. But, he loves us anyway and wants the best for us.

Like a loving Father, God is willing to step into the most impossible situation and rescue us or give us the strength to get through it.

Why wait?

If you follow Jesus and your life is boring, you’re doing it wrong.

He’d have us experience joy that goes beyond definition.

He’d have us change the world.

Pretty trippy – literally.

But sometimes the light isn’t clear.

Whether you can see your path ahead for miles or can barely make out the center-line, make sure you use the light of the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide your way.

If you ever want to see pure, unrestrained joy, volunteer at a Night to Shine (or attend if you have special needs).

Jesus taught in today’s verse that people with special needs should be included in celebration.

When Jesus encountered those with special needs, He listened to them, touched them, and healed them.

Andrew is not a leading character in the Gospels. But he spoke up more than once.

For someone who is not in the limelight, on stage or on the frontlines, it is easy to feel unimportant.

Words of faith from supporting people make all the difference in the world.

He was tired!

He cared enough to bring the Gospel to her in spite of His exhaustion.

Even in those times, we should always keep our eyes open for opportunities to meet the spiritual needs of those around us.

I can’t stand whining.

To me, verses 10 through 15 read something like, “Quit your whining and do something about it. Find out what went wrong and fix it.”

But if you want to lead, you need to back up verbal leadership with positive action.

This Wednesday is New Year’s Day.

So how do we keep our New Year’s resolutions?

The only way we can achieve that is if we take the advice of Hebrews 12 and keep our eyes on Jesus.

Why?

Acts is a book that never ends.

You and I are Paul to the world today.

Despite being the declared queen, even that request was bold as Xerxes was the most powerful man in the world and she was likely still a teenager.

So, my two simple points are this:If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.

If you are older, listen to young people. Their dreams are still big. If given the chance to act on them, their dream will stay big, and they will change the world.

So, my two simple points are this:
If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.