Tag: courage

September 27, 2023

September 27th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an eternal blessing!””
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In my life, I have only ever once walked out of a church in disgust.

Sure, I’ve visited some that I was less than impressed with. I’ve even politely debated theology with some pastors. But this one I was so disgusted with that I stood up and walked out in the middle of the sermon.

The preacher was showing off his Rolex and fancy rings, bragging about his Porsche while telling us that God wants to bless us all with wealth. I didn’t stick around to hear the “give and thou shalt receive” bomb drop.

That is not what this verse is about.

Yes, God will bless us for giving and He will always provide for his kids (us).

But that preacher took it to a disgustingly selfish level.

David was far more humble about it.

God had spoken through Nathan the prophet about how God was going to bless David and his dependents. David’s response that culminated in this verse was basically, “I’m not worthy but if you say so – bring it on. And, thanks!”

I’d love to be blessed financially. Truth is – I am. We’re certainly not “American wealthy” but compared to most of the world, we’ve got it made. We have food on the table, roof over our heads, reliable paid-for vehicles and far more “toys” than we need.

My bold prayer like David’s is that my sphere of influence would be increased

and that I would accurately and lovingly share more of God’s words and wisdom to more and more people.

If you are boldly asking God for blessings, what forms do you see those blessings take?
Do you make it a habit to pray for blessings for you and your family.
September 25, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 11

Highlight Verses:

““To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus is talking about how so many people of that generation completely missed the significance of John the Baptist and Jesus.

It’s easy to judge that generation from the vantage point of our knowledgeable times.

But how many times do we miss it?

Most of us reading this are familiar with the Gospel but how many times do we miss opportunities to share it? How many times do we pass by people who need to see a little hope? How often do we miss a chance to share the love of God?

Notice my use of the word “we” in that paragraph. I’m not judging since I would would probably win a prize for the most missed opportunities.

I pray that you and I will have our eyes opened to the possibilities for sharing the love of Jesus to those around us.

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.

Do you have stories of times when you caught the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus? Share them with us.
Can you pray with me that our eyes would be opened to every opportunity and our hearts be opened to leaping at those opportunities?
September 4, 2023

September 4th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 8

Highlight Verse:

“Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, the people of that region are amazed when he frees two men from a legion of demons. And they beg him to leave?

You would think that Jesus would insist on staying and preaching to them.

Nope!

In the first verse of the next chapter, he gets back in the boat and leaves.

But, that’s not the end of the story. In Mark’s version of the story, Jesus told the man who was freed from the demons to go home and tell of what God had done for him.

He did.

In fact, he went through the whole land proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.

Jesus didn’t leave that land without the Gospel.

He delegated the telling of it to another.

Have you been touched by Jesus?
Has he freed you from a life of slavery to sin?

I believe he would ask you to go to your own land and proclaim what God has done for you to those who know you!
August 15, 2023

August 15th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read the whole reading, you know that Moses was tending sheep in the wilderness on Mount Sinai. Of course he has the tool of his trade – his staff.

It’s kind of like if God spoke to me while I was repairing a copier –

God, “What’s that in your hand?”

Me, “A power screwdriver.”

God, “Throw it down.”

Me, “What, no way! It cost over a hundred bucks!”

Okay, maybe not exactly the same but…

God used what Moses had.

Frankly, going into the job, Moses didn’t have much.

He couldn’t speak well.
He ran away from Egypt and his people.
He didn’t even know God well enough to recognize His presence in the burning bush.

But he had his shepherd’s staff.

Maybe it’s the same with us.

God will use what we have to do His will.

If we are willing, he will take our little and do a lot.

Like Moses, we might take some convincing before we’re willing to step out in faith with our meager tools. But, once we do, there’s no limit to what God can do with us.

Have you had any of those “step out in faith moments?” Please share!
Are you willing to step out in faith when God calls you?
August 9, 2023

August 9th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I could have gone to a military academy when I graduated high school and entered one of the armed services as an officer.

They were recruiting me.

But at that time I didn’t believe in war.

I was short-sighted.

I admit, part of me says that because of the benefits a military career would have given me.

But, mostly, I now believe that sometimes war is necessary and it is a good thing to be well prepared for it.

I won’t argue individual wars or police actions. I try to stay politically neutral here.

I will say it sometimes takes military strength to protect people.

If you could ask the people of Keilah, I’m sure they would agree.

David and his men stepped up against the odds and defeated the Philistines who were raiding Keilah. He prevailed and saved the town.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

You can take a stand against bullies of all ages and types.

You can contribute to organizations that fight for the oppressed.

And you can pray for the oppressed as well.

What will you do to follow the example that David set for us?
Who is it that you can step up and help protect?
August 5, 2023

August 4th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 14:22-33

Highlight Verse:

““Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I used to think that Jesus was the only person in history to walk on water.

I was wrong.

It says so right here. Peter walked on the water toward Jesus.

True, he lost sight of Jesus when he saw the wind and the waves and freaked out and started to sink.

He wasn’t perfect.

The only perfect person in all of history was Jesus.

Peter lost sight of Jesus in that moment. He messed up other times as well. But, in the end, he had a huge impact on he world.

We lose sight.

But if we are bold enough

to do the incredible things Jesus asks of us, we can make a huge impact as well.

Are there incredible things that Jesus has asked of you?
Have you been bold enough to do those things?
Will you be bold now?
August 1, 2023

August 1st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 49-50

Highlight Verse:

“So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT

Here’s a silly question –

Why?

Joseph lived in Egypt for many decades. Most of that time, his extended family was there too.

Why didn’t they go back to the promised land when Joseph, a powerful man in Egypt, was still alive?

Their land claims would have still been fresh. They could have resettled the land without much conflict.

Instead, the people of Israel chose to stay where it was comfortable. Egypt supported them as long as Joseph was alive. They had a good gig. They didn’t want to give it up.

Isn’t that just like us. We get comfortable and we don’t want anything that would challenge that comfort.

Let that go on too long and we end up just like the Israelites, gradually enslaved and trapped.

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone to do the right thing at the right time?

How did it turn out?
July 27, 2023

July 27th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I switched to the NIV for this verse because I love the word they use to describe our spiritual weapons – “demolish.”

It’s not just tear down, defeat, get victory over – It’s “demolish.” Complete decisive destruction.

Those of you who know me personally know that I am not generally a timid person. I don’t tremble in fear whenever something difficult heads my way.

I’m that way because I have seen over and over again the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life and the lives of those around me.

I don’t fear demons, or ghosts, and the devil himself because I have complete confidence in the power of my God. I may experience trials, but

I know who’s in that fiery furnace with me and I will come out unscathed.

Do you have confidence when faced with spiritual trials or attacks?
Do you know the spiritual power that is available to you as a Holy Spirit filled believer?
July 26, 2023

July 26th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 19-20

Highlight Verses:

“But one day when Saul was sitting at home, with spear in hand, the tormenting spirit from the Lord suddenly came upon him again. As David played his harp, Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love how honest the Bible is.

In this case we see Saul in full blown mental illness.

I won’t try to diagnose Saul nor excuse his actions. He was obviously jealous to a disturbing level.

David, on the other hand, stayed level-headed and got himself out of that bad situation. He maintained respect for Saul despite his obvious problems.

It’s so easy to lash back when we’re hurt. The injustice and feeling of persecution puts us on the defensive.

What would happen to us if we were able to stay in control and just remove ourselves from terrible situations?

In David’s case, he outlasted the persecution with integrity

which resulted in him becoming one of the greatest kings of all time.

How do you react when persecuted?
What would happen if you removed yourself from the line of fire while maintaining respect for your persecutor as a person?

If you are a mental health professional, please tell me if I am way off with this line of thought.
July 21, 2023

July 21st, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭20‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The one thing I remember from my first writer’s conference experience (when I worked at Mount Hermon in the ‘80s I ran the sound for the conferences) was Tim Hansel talking about his

blazing urge to write.

He could not keep his ideas inside his head. And he had some very insightful ideas (check out You Gotta Keep Dancing.)

I write fiction.

But the stories I write illustrate the truths that I can’t keep bottled in my head.

One big difference between Jeremiah and me is the more he told the truth about God, the more he was ridiculed and punished. The more I write, the larger my audience.

That leads me to ask myself,

“Do I have the same passion for expressing the truth of God that Jeremiah had?

“If my speaking out meant punishment, torture, and jail time, would I still do it?”

I believe I would. But one never knows until faced with the situation.

Do you have a “blazing urge” to write or speak out the truths of God?
Would you continue to do so in the face of persecution?

Tag: courage

In my life, I have only ever once walked out of a church in disgust.

My bold prayer like David’s is that my sphere of influence would be increased

But how many times do we miss it?

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.

He delegated the telling of it to another.

I believe he would ask you to go to your own land and proclaim what God has done for you to those who know you!

God used what Moses had.

If we are willing, he will take our little and do a lot.

I was short-sighted.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

I was wrong.

But if we are bold enough

Why didn’t they go back to the promised land when Joseph, a powerful man in Egypt, was still alive?

Let that go on too long and we end up just like the Israelites, gradually enslaved and trapped.

It’s not just tear down, defeat, get victory over – It’s “demolish.” Complete decisive destruction.

I know who’s in that fiery furnace with me and I will come out unscathed.

I love how honest the Bible is.

In David’s case, he outlasted the persecution with integrity

blazing urge to write.

“If my speaking out meant punishment, torture, and jail time, would I still do it?”