Tag: trust

May 31, 2024

May 31st, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 13-14

Highlight Verses:

“I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Those days when I had no idea how I would make the rent or mortgage, much less buy food, forced me to rely on God completely.

A handful of times in my life, I have been to the point where I have had to say, “It’s all up to you, God. I’ve got nothing left.”

And every single time…

Not most of the time,

Every Single Time –

God came through.

Then, when I’m cruising through life and everything is going well, I tend not to think about where those blessings are coming from.

Worse, I tend to think about how well I’m doing at work or how good the budgeting is going.

I’m not saying those are bad things.

I am saying that all those blessings and opportunities ultimately have their source in the grace of God.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

Have you learned to rely on God during the tough times?
Have you kept Him first in the good times as well?
Feel free to share stories of how God has blessed you in both the easy and the tough times.
May 29, 2024

May 29th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭27‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

The Chronicler is listing off all these important officials and advisors to King David.

And then there’s Hushai the Arkite –

the king’s friend.

I love that!

All too often, people in leadership become isolated.

They get put on a platform of untouchability. Whether that’s from their own pride or because people fear getting too close. It varies from person to person.

I know of one pastor (I’m sure there are at least several more) of a large church who, in his isolation, let sin creep in and take over his life to the point where he lost everything. One true friend could have kept him on the right path.

If you are a leader and find people shying away from you, don’t be afraid to let down your guard and be friends with those around you.

If you happen to be acquainted with a leader that people respect so much that they shy away from friendship, offer your friendship with respect and honesty.

You could save someone’s life.

If you are a leader, have you experienced isolation? Have you escaped that isolation? How?
Are you a friend of a leader who might otherwise have been isolated? How did that friendship start?
May 24, 2024

May 24th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 11-12

Highlight Verse:

““Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭11‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a dad, I see the father heart of God all over this chapter.

To watch one’s children wander away from the truth and into a life that is far from what it could be is one of the hardest things for a father to deal with.

As a dad of four kids, I have watched a couple of them turn away from faith.

If I could, I would force them into the truth.

I know that to attempt that would drive them further away from it and me.

Instead, I wait with love and grace for them to find their way to Jesus while praying with a father’s heart and looking forward in hope.

I believe that is how God felt when His children turned away from Him.

His heart broke as He sent the prophets to bring them back.

Spoiler alert – His children did come back after the exile.

Have you experienced a loved one walking away from faith?
If they returned to the faith, what caused them to return?
May 21, 2024

May 21st, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“So Aaron did this. He set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is worth noting that the lamps appear to be separate from the lamp stand.

The lamp stand was needed to position the lamps to give off the most light.

They needed the lamps to be able to burn the oil to give off the light.

Finally, they needed the oil itself to provide the fuel for the lamps.

I have heard it said that the lamp stand is like the Church, providing the framework for the lamps to shine forth.

The lamps are the people of the church, through whom the light shines to enlighten all within their reach.

The oil is the Holy Spirit.

Without the oil, no matter how beautiful the lamp stand and the lamps are, there will be no light.

Without the Holy Spirit, we might as well be an exclusive social club that never allows anyone new in.

That’s not what we were made for.

We were made to shine.

We shine only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We shine the brightest through the support of the framework of the Church.

How bright is your light?
Does the Holy Spirit shine through you?
Does the light that burns from you reach its greatest effect by being in the framework of the Church?
May 20, 2024

May 20th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 21

Highlight Verse:

“Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve confessed before that verses about the end times used to freak me out. That was true even when it was Jesus speaking like in this chapter.

I’m tempted to think, “What if I miss the signs?”

From what Jesus says in this chapter, the signs will be pretty obvious.

If that isn’t enough, when He actually returns “EVERYONE will see the Son of Man coming…”

We won’t miss it.

Our lives may not be perfect by then, but if we trust in Jesus, His sacrifice guarantees that we will be part of His family when that day comes.

That is true whether we are still here on Earth or in His presence in Heaven.

No need to freak out.

Does talk of the end times make you nervous?
Do you think it is near or far in the future?
May 16, 2024

May 16th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Peter 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And you thought that “born again” was some cheesy American Christian phrase.

Granted, the King James say “hath begotten us again.”

Same thing.

The important part is the fact that putting your faith in Jesus gives you a whole new life.

It’s not just a different philosophy or outlook.

It is life!

Trusting Jesus makes the Holy Spirit available to encourage and strengthen you.

It gives you a hope beyond all reason.

It gives you a life beyond any other.

Most say it gives you life after death, but did you know that it gives you new life before death too?Have you experienced that new life?
May 15, 2024

May 15th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, this seems like an irrational fear.

After all, David was a “man after God’s own heart.” What did he have to fear?

Well, there was the little matter of 70 thousand people who just died in a plague because of his poor decision.

I might be a little freaked out too.

It’s easy to judge others when they have what seem to be irrational fears.

Perhaps it would be best to look at things from their perspective.

Maybe then we would understand.

But then, sometimes we don’t understand our own fears.

Do you tend to judge people for their irrational fears? (Guilty here)
How would it be different if you could see through their eyes?
May 13, 2024

May 13th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 20

Highlight Verse:

“So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Tonight I am typing with brand new, but cheap, keyboard.

My old but very nice keyboard seems to have typed its last. My iPad doesn’t even recognize it anymore.

I can’t complain; I’ve used it a ton.

But it’s dead.

It wore out.

Sometimes I know the feeling.

The older I get, the more worn out I feel.

Oh, I still have a bunch of good years ahead. I’m not even close to giving up.

But I know that my time will come eventually.

Then what?

I am confident from this and many other passages like it that there is a new life awaiting me.

This life is a drop in the bucket compared to what awaits.

I don’t know much in the way of specifics but I know it will be awesome.

While I look forward to completing all the plans God has for me here on Earth, I joyously anticipate heaven.

I hope to see you there.

Do you believe there is a heaven awaiting us in the next life?
What do you most look forward to in heaven?
May 3, 2024

May 3rd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Religion demands that we follow rules.

God wants us to follow Him.

Religion required Israelites to give sacrifices.

God the Father wants to know us and to be known.

Religion is full of rituals.

While many rituals were born out of relationship, when they are empty,

it is better to have the relationship with God than the empty rituals that are a mere echo of relationship.

The bottom line is God wants a personal relationship with each of His children. Obedience, sacrifice, and rituals should be a result of that relationship, not a desperate attempt to gain that relationship.

It makes me think of when God ran.

When the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) turned toward home, the Father RAN to him and welcomed him back into the family.

Being welcomed into God’s family is as close as turning to Him.

How do you feel about the rituals and rules commonly found in Christianity?
What motivates you when you obey them or ignore them?
April 29, 2024

April 29th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 18

Highlight Verse:

“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A survey by the International Bible Society revealed that 83% of Christians come to faith between the ages of 4 and 14.

EIGHTY THREE PERCENT!

This is precisely why I have stayed involved in next-gen ministry for nearly my entire adult life.

The local church I am a part of now does an amazing job at reaching children and adults, but I have seen many that treat next generation ministry as an afterthought.

It breaks my heart when I see children’s church and youth ministries lacking support or volunteers.

Many people I have spoken to seem to think they are unqualified to help.

Unless you can’t pass a background check, you are qualified.

Many, if not most, churches have curriculum that make teaching very easy. Even if you aren’t up to teaching, ministries need people to help teachers during children’s church and student ministry times. Those who prepare curriculum and the classrooms are also important.

If nothing else, prayer is an essential part of any effective ministry.

I’ll climb down of my next-gen soapbox now as long as you promise to at least pray.

Have you had the privilege of being part of a next generation ministry and can share good stories?
What are you willing to do to help reach the next generation?

Tag: trust

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Every Single Time –

God came through.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

the king’s friend.

You could save someone’s life.

As a dad, I see the father heart of God all over this chapter.

Instead, I wait with love and grace for them to find their way to Jesus while praying with a father’s heart and looking forward in hope.

His heart broke as He sent the prophets to bring them back.

It is worth noting that the lamps appear to be separate from the lamp stand.

Without the Holy Spirit, we might as well be an exclusive social club that never allows anyone new in.

That’s not what we were made for.

We were made to shine.

I’m tempted to think, “What if I miss the signs?”

We won’t miss it.

No need to freak out.

And you thought that “born again” was some cheesy American Christian phrase.

The important part is the fact that putting your faith in Jesus gives you a whole new life.

Today, this seems like an irrational fear.

Perhaps it would be best to look at things from their perspective.

But then, sometimes we don’t understand our own fears.

Sometimes I know the feeling.

Then what?

This life is a drop in the bucket compared to what awaits.

I hope to see you there.

God wants us to follow Him.

God the Father wants to know us and to be known.

it is better to have the relationship with God than the empty rituals that are a mere echo of relationship.

When the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) turned toward home, the Father RAN to him and welcomed him back into the family.

A survey by the International Bible Society revealed that 83% of Christians come to faith between the ages of 4 and 14.

Many people I have spoken to seem to think they are unqualified to help.

Unless you can’t pass a background check, you are qualified.

If nothing else, prayer is an essential part of any effective ministry.