Tag: frustration

December 5, 2025

December 5th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 10-12

Highlight Verses:

“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭11‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is my prayer for all my loved ones who do not know Jesus.

If God was able to soften the hearts of the exiles and bring them back to a living faith, how much more can he bring back my family members and friends who have wandered away from God.

Most of the people I have in mind have heard the Gospel but never really understood it.

Instead, they have accepted the lies of the enemy that fly in the face of Truth.

I pray that their eyes be opened and they may see the Truth as it is – true life.

Do you have people you love who have rejected Jesus?
In what way do you pray for them?
If you are that person, what would it take to convince you of the truth of the Gospel?
December 1, 2025

December 1st, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 23

Highlight Verse:

““What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The word “hypocrites” occurs 6 times in this chapter. It literally means “actor.”

The teachers of religious law and Pharisees that Jesus dealt with were fakes and they knew it.

They played their parts for fame, importance, and wealth, not because they believed what they taught.

Maybe they started out believing, but the temptation of wealth and fame pulled them out of their faith and into their roles as perpetuators of a shallow legalistic faith.

Today, legalism remains a major factor driving people away from true faith.

I know several people who rejected church when they ran into judgmental attitudes. Some of them went as far as rejecting Jesus.

Worse, I’ve seen some get sucked into legalism to the point that they start driving others away.

Mind you, I am not advocating ignoring sin.

I am advocating bringing people to life through faith. If they have a genuine relationship with Jesus, they will seek to live a more holy life to get closer to Him.

Have you struggled with legalistic people in your life?
Have you struggled against becoming legalistic yourself? What do you do to keep your faith genuine?
November 7, 2025

November 7th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 5

Highlight Verses:

“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the final words of the Lament.

But they are not the last word on God’s relationship with us.

This book has an unfortunate end before the return from exile.

But the return happened.

And later, God Himself came in the form of Jesus.

And Jesus made the sacrifice that gives us the ability to enjoy new life with God.

It may be cliché but the saying “if it’s not good, then it’s not over” applies to every believer’s life.

If we trust in God, He will make a way for us to live fulfilling lives culminating in a heavenly eternity (literally).

Can you relate to the laments in this book?
Do you know the peace and joy of trusting in God?
Do you trust Him to turn your mourning into dancing? (Psalm 30:11)
October 27, 2025

October 27th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to look at the disciples and judge them for being dense.

But every now and then, I’ll read a passage or hear a sermon, and something dislodges in my brain, revealing truth I didn’t understand before.

The disciples were with Jesus in person, and they didn’t grasp everything He taught them.

I have the advantage of 2000 years of commentaries and teachers expounding on God’s Word.

But, let’s face it, all that can make it even more difficult to understand.

I’ve said before that I know there will be ideas I hold that will be corrected when I arrive in heaven.

That should not be an excuse to stop learning while I’m still here on Earth.

I need to recognize that there is still much for me to learn and be open to the Holy Spirit chipping away the blocks in my mind that keep me from understanding.

If I am open to the work of the Holy Spirit teaching me, I will understand God better and be able to share about Him more.

Have you ever read a passage or listened to a sermon and stopped listening because you were sure you already had a complete understanding of that subject?
Do you think God could teach you more if you stayed open to what the Holy Spirit has to say to you?
What has the Holy Spirit had to correct in your theology in the past?
October 24, 2025

October 24th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 3

Highlight Verses:

“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have fond memories of the hymn based on these verses.

Verse 22 was the theme throughout the summer that I ran sound at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center back in the ‘80s.

I heard that hymn so many times that it is ingrained into the fabric of my mind.

That’s a good thing.

But then, most of us sing this hymn with no thought to the context.

The author proclaims a long list of complaints about the exile of Israel to Babylon.

It was a hopeless time for Israel.

In the middle of the long list of bad news sits this little treasure chest of encouragement.

Israel needed it desperately.

Sometimes we do too.

While most of us haven’t been exiled, we all still have difficult days, weeks, months.

In our best days and our worst, God is our hope.

In the midst of our worst trials, He is faithful.

On the darkest mornings, His mercies still arrive anew.

What is your favorite hymn or song to remind you of God’s faithfulness?
How have you seen God’s faithfulness show up in dark times?
October 22, 2025

October 22nd, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I used to be more into politics.

I once backed a candidate who was very honest (a rare bird indeed).

He had some great ideas and would have had a very positive impact on our state as Lieutenant Governor.

His opponent had more money and flooded the state with lies and exaggerations.

Our candidate stayed honest and polite.

Election Day wasn’t that pleasant for us that year.

Absalom reminds me of the opponents of our candidate.

You gotta admit he was intelligent.

But he used that intelligence and persuasive power to win enough support to take over the kingdom through deception.

But the lies were empty, and his intelligence didn’t translate well to running a country.

In the end…, well, let’s save that for another day.

Let’s just say it’s far better to stay honest and to align yourself with honest people.

That doesn’t mean that honest people don’t have tough times. But, in the end, integrity will win out.

When has honesty and integrity helped you succeed?
When have you seen the dishonest come to shame?
October 17, 2025

October 17th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 2

Highlight Verse:

“All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath his fierce anger. The Lord has withdrawn his protection as the enemy attacks. He consumes the whole land of Israel like a raging fire.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most of this chapter is Jeremiah lamenting what God does to Jerusalem and Judea.

Jeremiah seems to be adding up the bad things God has done against Israel, like God was personally responsible for it.

What did God really do there?

He withdrew his hand of protection from the land.

And then Jeremiah writes about the terrible things God did.

Keep in mind that Jeremiah was a prophet.

As such, he could speak with the mouth of God. That is, God is speaking these things to and through him.

It is God’s broken heart that carries the pain of seeing Israel destroyed to the point of taking the blame upon Himself like a Father who failed to protect His children.

Only He didn’t fail. It was a painful part of His plan. Very painful, but it was still part of His plan of redemption.

As such, we get a glimpse of the heart of God, who was willing to go through the pain of being seen as hurting His children.

Lamentations are not just Jeremiah lamenting the fall of Jerusalem, it is God’s lament for Jerusalem’s fall.

Have you gone through times when it feels like God is attacking you?
Were you able to see the bigger picture of God’s hand on the plan for your life afterward?
October 15, 2025

October 15th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This one verse raises so many questions.

The first thing that stands out to my slightly warped brain is, “Mules? Why mules? Didn’t they have horses?”

I don’t know the answer to that nor do I really care. The important thing is that they got away.

What next stands out to me is the fact that Absalom was incredibly persuasive. I’m sure his good looks helped, but to get people to kill for you takes a diabolical amount of persuasive power.

Looking back at his life, things look like they started going sideways when Amnon took advantage of his sister.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

His revenge against Amnon came quickly but he extended his rage against his father and brothers.

More on that in the coming weeks.

Today we see Absalom’s rage turn pathological. It controlled him to the point that his actions became diabolical in the literal sense of the word.

He let the devil control his thoughts and actions in an attempt to destroy David’s kingdom.

All this started with taking justice into his own hands rather than turning it over to God and the justice system God put into place in Israel.

Terrible things happen. The need for justice can make people do desperate things.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

Have you ever been tempted to take justice into your own hands?
What do you do when you doubt that justice will be served?
How can you help assure that proper justice will be served?
October 8, 2025

October 8th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of the most painful passages in the Bible.

Here was the greatest king of Israel. One who led his people in righteousness and worship.

And he failed.

Big time.

In multiple ways.

God was gracious enough to send Nathan to call him out in a way that he would understand.

And he repented.

Big time.

And God forgave him.

Big time.

David had his problems.

We all do.

But God saw his heart and gave him the chance to repent and be restored.

He had a tough road to travel with multiple trials, but he repented, was restored, and came back to lead his people in righteousness again.

There are many people in the world today who have fallen into serious sin like David. Like with David, God gives each a chance to repent.

Some do.

If we let them, some of these people can still have a great positive impact on the world.

I’m sure, for me, it would depend on the individual case.

In David’s case, he cried out for a restored, clean heart. He got it.

Here’s where I’d like to hear your honest opinion.

Can you trust someone whom God has restored to impact your life?
How can you tell if they have the heart of God?
Where do you draw the line of trust with those who have failed morally?
September 1, 2025

September 1st, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 7

Highlight Verse:

““Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before you start judging those who appear to be “swine” remember the verse about the log in your own eye.

That said, there are those who are not in a place to hear God’s Word.

The term “pigs” or “swine” is not necessarily a derogatory term here.

Instead, it signifies the unclean. In New Testament terms, it signifies those who have not accepted Christ’s sacrifice.

To try to force the truth on those people will only backfire.

Love and prayer are the only things I can think of that can break down those barriers.

And, believe me, there are those in my family whose barriers I desperately want to see broken down.

What have you seen break through the barriers of spiritual blindness with those you love?
For whom do you want prayer for those barriers to be broken? (For me, my son and oldest daughter).

Tag: frustration

This is my prayer for all my loved ones who do not know Jesus.

I pray that their eyes be opened and they may see the Truth as it is – true life.

The word “hypocrites” occurs 6 times in this chapter. It literally means “actor.”

Today, legalism remains a major factor driving people away from true faith.

I am advocating bringing people to life through faith. If they have a genuine relationship with Jesus, they will seek to live a more holy life to get closer to Him.

These are the final words of the Lament.

But they are not the last word on God’s relationship with us.

It may be cliché but the saying “if it’s not good, then it’s not over” applies to every believer’s life.

It’s easy to look at the disciples and judge them for being dense.

That should not be an excuse to stop learning while I’m still here on Earth.

If I am open to the work of the Holy Spirit teaching me, I will understand God better and be able to share about Him more.

But then, most of us sing this hymn with no thought to the context.

Israel needed it desperately.

Sometimes we do too.

On the darkest mornings, His mercies still arrive anew.

Election Day wasn’t that pleasant for us that year.

But the lies were empty, and his intelligence didn’t translate well to running a country.

Let’s just say it’s far better to stay honest and to align yourself with honest people.

Most of this chapter is Jeremiah lamenting what God does to Jerusalem and Judea.

What did God really do there?

As such, we get a glimpse of the heart of God, who was willing to go through the pain of being seen as hurting His children.

This one verse raises so many questions.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

And he failed.

And he repented.

In David’s case, he cried out for a restored, clean heart. He got it.

The term “pigs” or “swine” is not necessarily a derogatory term here.

To try to force the truth on those people will only backfire.

Love and prayer are the only things I can think of that can break down those barriers.