Tag: hope

Thursday – Letters

January 29th, 2026

Reading – Hebrews 4

Highlight Verse:

“So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love work. I could sit and watch it for hours.

I quoted that yesterday in the midst of a very busy workday. To be fair, I was following behind our delivery guys who were doing the hard work.

Still, my work kept me hopping all day long and I got home rather tired and longing for rest.

Then I sat down to write this, and this part of today’s reading jumped out at me.

The more I thought and prayed about it, the more I was convinced that the rest in this chapter had little to do with the rest I longed for.

I wanted physical and mental rest.

This rest has more to do with peace than inactivity.

We no longer have to strive to make up for past wrongs because Jesus paid the price to cover all of them.

We no longer have to fear that our good deeds might not outweigh our sins.

Instead, we can do those good deeds in joy and faith, resting in the knowledge that our salvation is already covered by Jesus.

That is true rest.

I am not saying we should ignore physical rest. That is not just good for us but commanded by God.

But the rest that awaits us goes way beyond the physical.

And heaven holds this kind of rest for eternity.

How do you envision the rest we will have in heaven?
Are you enjoying the spiritual rest of salvation by faith today?
If not, what is stopping you from entering that rest?
January 10, 2026

January 10th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 7:54-60

Highlight Verses:

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭7‬:‭55‬-‭56‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One week ago, my wife’s dear father was laid to rest.

We are assured that he is now with Jesus and with my mother-in-law who preceded him to heaven.

He lived a long and full life, and we grieve his absence with the comforting knowledge that we will see him in heaven.

In today’s reading, Stephen is given a vision of heaven just before he dies.

We can assume he was welcomed into the presence of God.

I have heard it said, especially when people pass away at a young age that God wanted their company, so He called them home.

While eternity in paradise is just as glorious and long for those who enter it young, I do not believe that God would be so cruel as to cause people sorrow just so He could see someone sooner.

So why do some pass early?

In Stephen’s case, the answer is simple: The Jewish leaders killed him.

God made humans with free will. If we could not make our own decisions, we would not be able to love God or each other. Forced obedience is not love.

Some people make cruel decisions that affect others, even to the point of death.

From that fateful day in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to disobey, corruption entered the world. One way that corruption is seen is in sickness and disease.

While I know that God can heal, I do not know all the reasons that He does not heal every time.

I will pray in faith for healing, and I choose to trust Him with the outcome whether it seem good or bad to me.

Then, I will lean on His love for comfort and emotional healing.

Instead of answering questions, I ask you to lift up all those who are grieving today that they may feel the comfort of God in the midst of their sorrow.
December 31, 2025

December 31st, 2025

New Years Eve

Image credit Chat GPT – crazy how it made the “old man” look like me.

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 9-11

Highlight Verse:

“In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s the last day of the year.

Tomorrow, many will start new resolutions to improve their lives in some way.

There’s nothing wrong with that, until the resolution gets broken around the third day.

Been there. Done that.

What would happen if you started keeping that resolution now, before the New Year starts?

Many people treat New Year’s Eve as another Mardi Gras where you break those resolutions left and right.

That’s not a great way to prepare to keep a resolution.

Solomon could tell your now that overindulging is a lousy way to stay close to God.

His wealth allowed him to get pretty much any woman he wanted. And he wanted a lot of them. In fact, the Bible tells us he had a thousand women.

And they led him astray in his old age.

The wisest man in the world lost the most important part of his wisdom – a close relationship with God.

Let’s get some momentum going into the new year by finishing this year strong.

What resolutions or goals are you setting for the new year?
What are you doing now to prepare for them?
December 30, 2025

December 30th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 33-34

Highlight Verse:

“And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even after the Israelites worshipped a golden calf, God still was willing to make a way for them.

He was ready to deliver the promised land to them on a platter. All they had to do was go there and trust Him to hand it to them.

He took a step back from them and gave them Moses and Aaron to be a go between since; to put it in overly simple terms, they drove Him nuts.

Of course, they didn’t literally drive Him crazy as that is impossible.

But it was becoming abundantly clear that their propensity to sin was not compatible with His holy nature.

He dearly loved them, so much so that He put priests in place so He could maintain a relationship with them and started arranging the path for the Messiah to come establish a face-to-face relationship between God and man.

Of course, we’re going to learn later how they didn’t trust God for safety as they entered the promised land (almost).

But let’s be honest; how often do we trust Him that deeply?

If God loved this rebellious people so much, how much does He love those who have a direct relationship with Him through trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Considering He gave up His Son for us, I’d say that love has no bounds.

In what ways are you trusting that God has everything under control?
What tends to get in the way of that faith for you?
December 29, 2025

December 29th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 27-28

Highlight Verse:

“The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today’s reading covers the splitting of time.

Jesus released his spirit on the cross.

The earth split in a great earthquake.

The temple curtain separating man from God was ripped apart.

Death was defeated at an empty tomb.

It’s no wonder that the women who went to the tomb were confused.

The man they were mourning was alive.

Prophecy had been fulfilled.

They knew nothing would ever be the same.

This was a paradigm shift greater than any in history.

One full of joy at the fact that we humans could now have a direct relationship with God.

I’d be confused at first.

But how amazing would it be to be there first hand!

How do you think you would have reacted when confronted in person with the news that Jesus was resurrected?
Have you ever been given news so wonderful that you were filled with both joy and fear?
December 27, 2025

December 27th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic
New Testament Letters (delayed from Christmas Day)

Reading – 2 Timothy 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I watch a lot of YouTube – probably too much.

Some of my favorites are the automotive YouTubers. I enjoy old cars and seeing people’s adventures with them.

It also makes for great conversation starter material for building relationships.

Some of those YouTubers fit that description of people who love themselves and money.

But not all.

One of the most successful of the YouTubers I watch is Ed Bolian. His channel, VINWIKI, has well over two million subscribers.

His video on Christmas had nothing to do with cars.

It had everything to do with Jesus.

Ed was bold enough to use his huge platform to read the Christmas story. He didn’t stop there. He went on to explain the Gospel and invite everyone to faith in Jesus.

While I would say that there are enough people out there who fit the description found in today’s reading that this could be considered the last days.

But I also see the Gospel finding new avenues of outreach.

Ed’s message and many others like it gives me hope for a fresh revival.

Let’s take heed of Paul’s commands throughout today’s reading and remain faithful, preach the Word, and be prepared to patiently correct, rebuke and encourage people.

When the final day does come, I pray that we can bring as many with us as possible.

What are you doing to increase your platform (sphere of influence)?
How are you using that platform to influence others toward faith in Jesus?
December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve

December 24th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 8

Highlight Verses:

“So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim. When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark. The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I spent much of yesterday visiting temporary shelters for the homeless (checking on their copiers as part of my job).

Though they were once nice hotels, they were not pleasant places. The scent of stale cigarette smoke and body odor still lingers in my mind.

Despite the less than pleasant conditions, one of the managers mentioned that one of the toughest parts of their jobs was convincing the guests that these were only

temporary accommodations.

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, the people of Israel were in temporary accommodations.

It was during Sukkot, the Festival of Shelters.

During this festival, Israelites would stay in tents for seven days to commemorate the Exodus when the whole nation sheltered in tents as they wandered around the wilderness.

In a sense, bringing the ark of God’s presence to the permanent home of the temple during Sukkot was appropriate.

It brought the story of God’s relationship with His people full circle back to a time when they had to trust God completely to get them through a difficult transition.

By that same reasoning, it was appropriate, and perhaps prophetic that Mary and Joseph had to seek temporary shelter when Jesus was born.

It was the beginning of the time when God, the Son, came to His temporary home here on Earth making it possible for everyone to have a permanent home in Heaven.

Maybe my thinking is twisted but I think it’s pretty cool that He chose to enter the world in that way.

What about you? Do you think there is significance to Jesus entering this world in a temporary shelter?
Do you believe this world is only a temporary shelter for you? If so, how do you live out that belief?
December 21, 2025

December 21st, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 3

Highlight Verses:

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I bet you thought I was going to choose the previous pair of verses.

They are a couple of my favorite verses, but these are the ones I need to hear today.

It’s easy to be fully convinced of our own correctness even when we’re not correct.

It’s harder to be humble and recognize that our ways are not always the best ways.

But when we stay humble, reverence the Lord, and turn away from evil ways, it’s always good for us.

It’s always good for us spiritually.

But did you know that it is also good physically?

God designed our bodies to work best when we follow the path of righteousness.

And when our bodies don’t cooperate, we have a God who never shied away from healing.

That’s encouraging as I get older and the aches and pains sneak in.

It was His strength in my bones that allowed me to complete the chores I had yesterday.

And it is his wisdom that will guide me through the rest of my life.

Have you experienced God’s physical healing? Tell us about it.
In what ways do you think that righteousness can bring about healing and strength?
December 13, 2025

December 13th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 2:1-5

Highlight Verses:

“All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The second week of Advent in the traditional calendar is one of Peace.

But the next part of the Advent story was not full of peace. The census ordered by the Roman Empire required everyone to go their Ancestral homelands.

As the family lines were reckoned through the fathers, that would be like requiring me to go to Spain for a census.

I’ve never been there. I don’t know a soul there. But that’s where the Solano paternal line originated.

I don’t think I would feel much peace if I were forced to go there and then be unable to find lodging and have to stay in someone’s barn – with a very pregnant wife.

I cannot imagine how tough that would be.

But they had one thing going for them.

They had a clear calling from God and were acting on that calling.

That clear cut purpose made the trivial and not so trivial hardships tolerable.

Their goal of raising this Child of God named Jesus became their focus.

And when you put your eyes on God’s calling for your life everything else becomes less important.

What distracts you from your calling?
How do you keep the important things important?
December 9, 2025

December 10th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon was a writer.

Imagine what the book of Proverbs would have looked like if all of Solomon’s proverbs made it into the Book of Proverbs.

As it is, Proverbs contains 800 of his sayings (with over a hundred more from Lemuel, Amur, and various wise men of Solomon and Hezekiah.”

If all of Solomons proverbs made it into the book, it would be more than three times its size.

Then there’s the Psalms. Of the 150 Psalms in the Bible, only 2 are attributed to Solomon. If all of Solomon’s songs had been included, Psalms would be nearly 8 times longer.

Why did they not all make it?

As a writer, I can tell you that not everything a person writes is equally inspiring or important.

The books of the Bible were chosen over 1600 years ago by people who were led by the Holy Spirit to make the right choices.

The Catholic and certain eastern churches include 18 Psalms of Solomon, but they are not generally accepted by most Protestant churches as scriptural.

In other words, not all of Solomon’s writings rise to the level of Biblical.

They may have been good but not the Word of God.

None of what I write is the literal Word of God, but it may still be helpful for people to understand their faith a little better. And then, some of what I write is just entertaining and some is, umm, not so good.

You can’t hit home runs every time you come to the plate.

My point here is that while we should strive to glorify God and draw people to Him every time we exercise our talents, we shouldn’t worry if we miss the mark sometimes.

Only 27% of Solomon’s Proverbs and less than 2% of his songs made the Biblical cut.

But they made a difference.

When you exercise your talents to glorify God, you make a difference too.

What are the primary talents that you bring to glorify God?
What differences have those talents made?
Note: this is not for us all to “toot our own horns” but to encourage others to step out with their talents.

Tag: hope

I love work. I could sit and watch it for hours.

This rest has more to do with peace than inactivity.

That is true rest.

We can assume he was welcomed into the presence of God.

So why do some pass early?

I will pray in faith for healing, and I choose to trust Him with the outcome whether it seem good or bad to me.

Then, I will lean on His love for comfort and emotional healing.

Been there. Done that.

What would happen if you started keeping that resolution now, before the New Year starts?

Let’s get some momentum going into the new year by finishing this year strong.

Even after the Israelites worshipped a golden calf, God still was willing to make a way for them.

But it was becoming abundantly clear that their propensity to sin was not compatible with His holy nature.

Considering He gave up His Son for us, I’d say that love has no bounds.

Today’s reading covers the splitting of time.

The temple curtain separating man from God was ripped apart.

One full of joy at the fact that we humans could now have a direct relationship with God.

I watch a lot of YouTube – probably too much.

But not all.

When the final day does come, I pray that we can bring as many with us as possible.

temporary accommodations.

In a sense, bringing the ark of God’s presence to the permanent home of the temple during Sukkot was appropriate.

Maybe my thinking is twisted but I think it’s pretty cool that He chose to enter the world in that way.

It’s easy to be fully convinced of our own correctness even when we’re not correct.

But did you know that it is also good physically?

And it is his wisdom that will guide me through the rest of my life.

The second week of Advent in the traditional calendar is one of Peace.

They had a clear calling from God and were acting on that calling.

And when you put your eyes on God’s calling for your life everything else becomes less important.

Solomon was a writer.

As a writer, I can tell you that not everything a person writes is equally inspiring or important.

My point here is that while we should strive to glorify God and draw people to Him every time we exercise our talents, we shouldn’t worry if we miss the mark sometimes.