Tag: joy

October 9, 2025

October 9th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Colossians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That’s easier said then done.

God gave us a lot of good things on this earth.
• Family
• Friends
• Beauty
• Food
• Natural Wonders

There’s a lot for which we can be thankful – a lot that we get attached to.

I first heard it put into perspective by the late Keith Green.

He said that if this world with all its wonders took six days to create, and Jesus has been preparing heaven for us for 2000 years so far,

“Hey man, this is living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

(Intro to I Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven – Keith Green).

So, the most amazing site we see here on earth will seem mundane compared to what we find in heaven!

Besides people, what is the most beautiful site you have ever seen?
What are you looking forward to the most in heaven?

For me, it would have to be a coastal sunset – I never get tired of them.
As for Heaven, being a curious person, I look forward to having questions answered, but I have a feeling that I will be so overwhelmed by the place that I won’t recall a single question.
September 28, 2025

September 28th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 116-118

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Anyone who thinks that God is an impersonal force – read this verse (and others like it).

An impersonal force cannot care.

God does. Deeply!

The one time in the Bible we see Jesus weep is when His friend Lazarus died.

True, He raised Lazarus from the dead moments later, but the situation moved Him emotionally.

The death of a believer is also temporary. But God is moved every time someone passes from this life.

I believe that applies to unbelievers doubly. When someone who has not accepted Jesus’ sacrifice passes from this life, he or she has missed the opportunity to enter heaven.

God created everyone and knows each person well.

It saddens Him when one of His creations chooses not to accept His invitation to a relationship.

It is with tears that God allows people to reject Him and eternal life in His Home.

It brings God pleasure when we help bring people to a place where they can accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation to a relationship with God.

If you were miraculously given the ability to comfort God when someone died, what would you say?
When you lose someone you love, what would you want people to say to you?
September 25, 2025

September 25th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Philippians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love it when the Bible gives us commands like this.

Make no mistake, it is a command.

The Bible is not telling us how to feel; it is telling us what to DO!

Sometimes that’s a tough command to follow.

Rejoicing involves proclaiming the greatness of God and the goodness of life even when it doesn’t feel good.

It is Paul and Silas singing in the nasty painful jail.

It is giving thanks to God for your next meal even when you don’t know where it’s coming from.

And it’s even sharing your bounty when God has provided well.

Paul didn’t share this command lightly. He was in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter.

His time on Earth was nearing its end.

But he chose to rejoice anyway.

I believe he knew what he was talking about when he commanded us to rejoice.

I choose to rejoice too.

Have you ever rejoiced when things seemed to be at their worst?
How did you do it? What effect did the action of rejoicing have on your life?
September 22, 2025

September 22nd, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 10

Highlight Verse:

““Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Much of my childhood was spent seeking acknowledgment from my dad.

That didn’t come often.

After my parents’ divorce, it was even more scarce.

Then I got to know my Heavenly Father and verses like this clicked into place.

Knowing that God knows who I am down to the last hair on my head brings joy to my heart.

How could I not acknowledge Him to others.

That doesn’t mean I preach to strangers.

I prefer to bring my relationship with God up naturally.

The stickers on my water bottle at work can sometimes bring up conversations. Other times, a simple “whatcha up to this weekend” conversation opens the subject of church or creation if I’m heading to the mountains.

Regardless of the method, I am not ashamed of the Gospel and not afraid to bring it up in a non-threatening loving and respectful way.

What is your favorite way to share the Gospel?
Where do you struggle the most with sharing?
September 20, 2025

September 20th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 6:19-34

Highlight Verse:

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This weekend there is a “Pirate Fest” in a nearby park.

We don’t really have the time nor inclination to attend it, but it sounds fun.

Instead, we watched “The Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Some of you might love that movie, some might hate it, some, like me, think it’s fun but strange.

I think we can all agree that Jack Sparrow… sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow has his treasure in the wrong place.

Unlike most pirates, it isn’t in gold. It is in freedom from anyone commanding him.

As believers, our treasure should be in loving God and loving others.

That is a treasure always worth pursuing with wealth that will last forever.

No one can rob us of that treasure.

Where does your treasure lie?
How do you pursue it?
September 4, 2025

September 4th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Ephesians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve never been in full-time ministry but I’ve had the privilege of being involved in next generation ministry on one level or another for decades.

If you ask me what my favorite part of ministry is, it is that moment when speaking to students and I see that look in their eyes that says

they finally get it.

When that is followed by a prayer and positive response to the Gospel, it makes it all worth it.

So, when Paul says it is a privilege to share the Gospel,

he is 100 percent right.

In case you are tempted to say something like, “that’s all well and good for you,” realize that God uses whoever is willing to share.

Some of the most powerful testimonies I’ve heard were from people who just found Jesus after a rebellious life and shared their new found joy.

God once used a donkey to speak to Balaam.

There’s no limit to what He can do through you.

Have you experienced the joy of telling others about Jesus?
What ways has God used you to spread the Gospel?
How is He challenging you to share in the future?
August 29, 2025

August 29th, 2025
Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 37-39

Highlight Verse:

““But I am afraid to surrender,” the king said, “for the Babylonians may hand me over to the Judeans who have defected to them. And who knows what they will do to me!””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭38‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The person who inspires the strongest emotional response from me in today’s reading is… Zedekiah.

I didn’t say positive emotions.

It seems like everything he did was out of fear.
- He put Jeremiah in prison because he is afraid of his advisors.
- He rescued Jeremiah because he was afraid of Jeremiah’s friends.
- He called for Jeremiah’s advice because he was afraid of God.
- He ignored the advice because he was afraid of the King of Babylon and his countrymen.
And he paid the price in a most gruesome way.

At least he got one thing right. He consulted God through Jeremiah.

But he was too afraid to obey what God said through Jeremiah.

To be sure, walking the path God has for us is not for the faint hearted.

Like Zedekiah, we need to consult God. Today we have the Bible to consult and wise people to advise us.

Unlike Zedekiah, we need to act on what God says.

Zedekiah could have spared himself so much pain and suffering if only he had been bold enough to act on what God said.

We could not only save ourselves pain and suffering but we could spread the joy of God’s love if we just do what He says.

Have you ever suffered for not following God’s Word?
How has God blessed you when you have followed His Word?
August 28, 2025

August 28th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Ephesians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you know that you bring God pleasure?

I’ve written before about how I understood God’s love when my first child was born.

To sum it up, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my children and there is nothing my children could do that would make me love them less.

There is one shortfall in that comparison to God’s love.

He chose us!

He made a great sacrifice, literally, to adopt us.

Our middle daughter was adopted by my wife and her late first husband.

They experienced great joy when they brought her home and a second wave of joy when the adoption was finalized.

Of course, we love all our children equally.

God loves the billions of His children equally.

But you and I have the power to bring pleasure to the God who created the universe.

All we have to do is accept adoption into God’s family.

I believe that continues beyond the day of adoption.

Every time with do what He has called us to do, we bring Him pleasure.

What has God called you to do while you are here on Earth?
What do you think of the fact that you give God pleasure?
August 18, 2025

August 18th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 5

Highlight Verse:

““You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever had a meal with no salt or other spices?

Not very tasty.

Have you ever been to a church that was devoid of excitement or passion?

Not much fun.

I’m not saying that church should be entertainment. Far from it.

I am saying that we as believers should be excited to praise God together. We should be passionate about worship and compassionate with each other.

We should not base our faith on feelings, but if our faith doesn’t trigger emotions, how deep is it?

Consider this, Jesus underwent torture and crucifixion out of love for us.

That fact alone should move us to deep gratitude.

Throw in healing and fellowship and we should be beside ourselves with joy.

I do realize that some people are more emotional than others. But faith should inspire joy and gratitude.

Are you moved to emotion when you worship or pray?
What about your faith are you most passionate about?
August 15, 2025

August 15th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah is known for his doom and gloom prophecies.

But today’s reading is full of hope, restoration, and celebration.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

The most joyous times in my life came after the hardest times.

• The joy of the arrival of our firstborn after 11 years of infertility.
• A godly wife after years of betrayal and loneliness.
• Financial freedom after years of debt.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

And through it all, regardless of the strength of my faith, God was always there giving me strength to get through and carrying me when my strength was gone.

Never once did He fail.

This life will have times of pain, weakness, loneliness, and despair.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.

And He will bring on the joy and celebration on the other side leading eventually to the greatest celebration in heaven.

What has been the greatest celebration in your life so far?
What did you have to come through to get there?

Tag: joy

That’s easier said then done.

There’s a lot for which we can be thankful – a lot that we get attached to.

“Hey man, this is living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

An impersonal force cannot care.

God does. Deeply!

God created everyone and knows each person well.

It brings God pleasure when we help bring people to a place where they can accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation to a relationship with God.

Make no mistake, it is a command.

The Bible is not telling us how to feel; it is telling us what to DO!

I choose to rejoice too.

Then I got to know my Heavenly Father and verses like this clicked into place.

How could I not acknowledge Him to others.

Regardless of the method, I am not ashamed of the Gospel and not afraid to bring it up in a non-threatening loving and respectful way.

I think we can all agree that Jack Sparrow… sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow has his treasure in the wrong place.

As believers, our treasure should be in loving God and loving others.

No one can rob us of that treasure.

they finally get it.

he is 100 percent right.

There’s no limit to what He can do through you.

It seems like everything he did was out of fear.

And he paid the price in a most gruesome way.

Unlike Zedekiah, we need to act on what God says.

Did you know that you bring God pleasure?

He chose us!

All we have to do is accept adoption into God’s family.

Every time with do what He has called us to do, we bring Him pleasure.

Not very tasty.

Not much fun.

That fact alone should move us to deep gratitude.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.