Tag: faith

March 10, 2025

March 10th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 11

Highlight Verses:

“When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I don’t understand when people think that God is just some cosmic force or emotionless supernatural being.

Just within these three short verses, we see Jesus get angry, troubled, and weep.

Jesus experienced the full range of emotions that we do.

Why?

I might be stretching it a bit but I think all three emotions came for the same reason; the lack of sincere faith in the people around him.

Mary and Martha, who believed Him to be the Messiah, did not expect Him to be able to raise Lazarus from the dead.

The mourners were likely there out of religious duty and not for love of Lazarus or his sisters. They certainly did not expect Jesus to raise him from the grave.

Jesus reacted appropriately, getting angry at the lack of faith. He was troubled about how deeply traditional and shallow the faith of God’s chosen people had become. He wept for what that meant for the people of Israel.

He came to bring true life to His people and found a dead religion.

How alive is your faith?
Do you believe that Jesus cares enough about you to do the impossible?
He does.
March 9, 2025

March 9th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 27-30

Highlight Verse:

“Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am not strong like younger me. Okay, truth be known, I was never very strong but I had more energy and could move more quickly.

But one huge advantage that 61 year old me has over young me is confidence.

Not the foolish confidence of youth that thinks he’s invincible.

I have confidence from many tough experiences that the Lord has brought me through.

He has never failed me before and I am sure He won’t start now.

Even the darkest nights have given way to new dawns.

And when that day comes that my circumstances usher me out of this world, I am confident that God’s grace is sufficient to bring me to my eternal home.

When you reach those dark times when you don’t know how you’ll survive, feel free to borrow my experience and confidence and know that you will make it through.

What has God brought you through that you can look back on for confidence?
How confident are you in God’s provision and protection for 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 28, 2025

February 28th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One afternoon, I went for a hike on a mountain trail in Virginia.

Just after starting up the trail, it started to sprinkle. It felt good in the August heat.

Before we reached the top, it didn’t feel so good.

Lightning struck every few seconds. Rain came down sideways in sheets. I was soaked to the bone.

At the top of the trail was a stone cabin. Everyone on the upper half of the trail rushed to the cabin for shelter. When I got into the cabin, it was packed with people but I was relieved when I stuffed myself into the crowd.

I was safe.

The strong towers of Biblical times kept people safe from storms and enemies.

They united the people of a town for protection. (See Judges 9:50-53)

Those who did not rush to the strong tower did so at their own peril.

To finish my story, I left that mountain top shelter to get to a bus shelter for a ride down the mountain. While in the open wooden bus shelter, lightning struck it.

The shock from that bolt of lightning was intense but, as it hit several of us indirectly, it wasn’t life threatening.

Today we can find shelter from life’s storms in God’s presence with lots of other people seeking shelter.

While it is possible to be a believer on your own, doing so leaves you exposed to all the attacks of the enemy and storms of life.

When we seek God together, we find protection, healing, and growth.

Where do you find shelter?
Have you ever tried to “go it alone”? How did that work out?
February 25, 2025

February 25th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was a history major in college (the first time around).

I wanted to teach history to teens because, as one of my professors put it,

“he who ignores history is destined to repeat it.”

Pharaoh at the time of Moses must have ignored history.

The Pharaoh at Abram’s time sent Abram and Sarai away with gifts when God sent plagues on his household.

The later Pharaoh took a lot longer to convince.

I’ve also heard it said that, while we should learn from our mistakes, it’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes before they become our mistakes.

I know I learned a lot from my older brother’s mistakes. He had to deal with a lot more problems because he was the one who made them.

I got off easy having avoided some of those pitfalls of youth.

Learning never ends.

One thing I have learned in life is that it is a whole lot easier to find the right path than to stray from it.

I am thankful for all that people in my life who have helped me stay on it (or get back on it when I strayed) – some by good example, some by bad.

What have you learned from history that has influenced your life for the better?
What have you learned from other’s bad examples?
February 23, 2025

February 23rd, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the words of one of the greatest kings of all time. A man who was considered to be “a man after God’s own heart.”

But there were days when he felt like this.

I’m not saying that you are as awesome as King David (maybe you are), but if you’re feeling down on yourself, keep in mind that even David had days when he felt no better than a worm.

Every person on the planet struggles with mental and emotional health issues from time to time. It’s part of being human.

Part of being a child of God is the fact that we have power through the Holy Spirit (sometimes acting through godly counselors or doctors) to overcome such struggles.

The very next Psalm in today’s reading confirms David’s victory over depression through the presence of God. I suggest you read it noticing how David makes it through the darkest valley.

How do you overcome times of struggle?
If you are struggling today, how can we help you?
February 21, 2025

February 21st, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies also says: “The time will come when I will pull out the nail that seemed so firm. It will come out and fall to the ground. Everything it supports will fall with it. I, the Lord, have spoken!””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God’s not afraid of change.

Why should we be?

Yes, it is true that sometimes God changes direction in the middle of things.

No, God does not change.

But He sure can change things for us.

It may seem like a new and different thing for us but I assure you that God knew what He was going to do all along.

How has God changed your plans in the past?
Are you open to Him changing your plans in the future?
February 20, 2025

February 20th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Roman 8

Highlight Verses:

“And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why would I choose one of the most overused verses from this chapter?

The answer is in the question.

Romans 8:28 is often used out of context.

It is often used by the “name it and claim it” crowd to mean that God works everything to make you “prosper.”

Sometimes people use it as if to say, yes you totally messed up but everything will be okay.

Let’s never forget that this verse goes hand in hand with the previous verse, which is all about God’s will.

The “good” that God works all things for may not look like what you think of as good.

God has a much broader point of view than we have. Sometimes what is “good” may be what we consider to be horrible because God knows what is going to result in the best outcomes for our lives.

When we seek His will, we will always find what is truly the best for us, even if it doesn’t look like what we would call good.

I say we keep seeking God’s will and He will always bring what is best for us.

How do you seek God’s will?
What do you think it means for everything to work together for good?
February 19, 2025

February 19th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel.”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My grandparents were very good at saving money. They lived through the Depression Era.

My generation isn’t afraid of much. We grew up when safety was an afterthought.

No matter how much we try to teach our kids, nothing teaches like experience.

The nation of Israel learned this throughout their history.

They would see God act miraculously to save them and they would worship wholeheartedly.

The next generation would have it easy and would fall away.

Things would get bad. God would rescue. The pattern would repeat.

It is good to experience the blessings of God.

It is also good to experience difficulty so that the blessings become far more meaningful, even miraculous.

There’s a very fine line between protecting our kids and helping them learn from experience.

My prayer is that they would have the devotion that good leadership and experience can inspire.

What is it that your generation has learned from tough experience?
How do you balance teaching and experience in raising the next generation?
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?

Tag: faith

Jesus experienced the full range of emotions that we do.

I might be stretching it a bit but I think all three emotions came for the same reason; the lack of sincere faith in the people around him.

He came to bring true life to His people and found a dead religion.

But one huge advantage that 61 year old me has over young me is confidence.

Even the darkest nights have given way to new dawns.

When you reach those dark times when you don’t know how you’ll survive, feel free to borrow my experience and confidence and know that you will make it through.

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.

I was safe.

Those who did not rush to the strong tower did so at their own peril.

When we seek God together, we find protection, healing, and growth.

“he who ignores history is destined to repeat it.”

I’ve also heard it said that, while we should learn from our mistakes, it’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes before they become our mistakes.

I am thankful for all that people in my life who have helped me stay on it (or get back on it when I strayed) – some by good example, some by bad.

These are the words of one of the greatest kings of all time. A man who was considered to be “a man after God’s own heart.”

Every person on the planet struggles with mental and emotional health issues from time to time. It’s part of being human.

Part of being a child of God is the fact that we have power through the Holy Spirit (sometimes acting through godly counselors or doctors) to overcome such struggles.

God’s not afraid of change.

But He sure can change things for us.

It may seem like a new and different thing for us but I assure you that God knew what He was going to do all along.

Romans 8:28 is often used out of context.

The “good” that God works all things for may not look like what you think of as good.

I say we keep seeking God’s will and He will always bring what is best for us.

No matter how much we try to teach our kids, nothing teaches like experience.

The nation of Israel learned this throughout their history.

My prayer is that they would have the devotion that good leadership and experience can inspire.

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.