Category Archives: Daily Devotions

Strength for today

Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

I sat on the porch this morning praying for physical, emotional, and spiritual strength. I am physically exhausted and emotionally drained. The combination is dangerous because Satan attacks us when we are weak; he is like a lion that pounces on the weakest in the herd, waiting to devour. Physical rest is good for emotional healing, but my prayer was simple in looking to the power of God’s Word to provide me strength. Spiritual power is what overpowers our enemy; the Word of God is the only offensive weapon we have to fight the war we cannot see. It is just as I tell people every day in my business; it is much better to be proactive than reactive when problems arise. There is a power, a heavenly power given to you through time spent reading God’s Word. God’s Word becomes planted in your heart and brought to memory when you need it most. This is something that is not explained, but simply experienced to the believer who has invested time with God and personally seen the fruits of scripture in their daily lives. Testimonies are built when we remember or articulate a passage at just the right time when we could not tell you when we read it. The Holy Spirit does a heavenly work with God’s Word in us that gives us a personal closeness to God; an experience with the Divine directly related to his living Word.

That such experience was in my porch prayer this morning. The Holy Spirit brought to remembrance this passage in Isaiah 40. This entire chapter is a prophecy spoken to encourage those exiled from their homes and land; those needing encouragement were given a direct word pointing to the sovereignty of God, and the coming restoration and Savior. I love how my study Bible puts it; a taste of salvation and the prediction of the coming full salvation. Are you struggling with life? Are you struggling with the pressures of life that take your eyes off heaven? All that you struggle with is temporary. This life is temporary, but the next is eternal. The strength found in God’s Word gives you that understanding of temporal and eternal.

The Christian disciple is a life of self-sacrifice of this life in honor and preparation for the next. As a disciple of Jesus, “ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) The Holy Spirit living inside of you desires the pure spiritual milk of the Word of God. That is the yearning that you feel, yet Satan gets you to deny daily. He brings in the pressures of the world to take your mind off the things of God. Get alone today and spend some time in the Bible. Feed your soul so that He may feed your mind and body. Through that you fight the temptations, distractions, sins, lusts, and problems that arise each day.

Mercy + Grace > religion

Acts 15:7-11 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

There was one huge argument in the early growing church over the circumcision of the Gentile believers; was it a requirement of faith? In other words, were they incomplete and lacking a religious requirement to enter into heaven? We must realize that the Jewish society was bound by religious law for centuries, that is what they knew and change is hard to accept. This was a transition period in history of the beginning to understand Grace. God had pointed them to their need for a Savior with the Law, Jesus had fulfilled the Law, and grace had given all of us a way to fulfill the law through Jesus. Sadly over two thousand years later we still find many sects of religions based on a list of requirements to enter heaven. All of the things we must do, the things we must not do, and our balance sheets that hold the key to paradise or punishment. If you say that you believe in Jesus, how do you explain what you must do to gain heaven that he could not? What is in your power that is not in his? At it’s simplest form, any religion that you earn your way by good works is not based on the grace found at the cross. Works is an outward expression of your faith, but you are not saved by them. Works lets the world know that you have been saved by grace, and that it is available to everyone. Religion kills and grace saves.

I grew up in religion; feeling my ticket to heaven was found in my church attendance record and how I would eventually live my life. I had plans to improve my lifestyle before I died so that I would go to heaven and tell God I was sorry for those “early years.” I was going to have my fun and then settle into Christianity and it’s rules for life. How wrong I was, and how thankful I am that God rescued me from religion and showed me grace and mercy for my mistake. Our nation is spinning out of control in rebellion against God and in dire need of leadership to preach repentance, mercy, and His grace that abounds. Have you by faith come to understand God’s grace and mercy? Do you see the need to live out your faith where God has placed you today? You can draw glory to God every day of your life. Your good works for the day are the proof of your faith. James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Let those around you today see your faith; let them see you live what you say that you believe. What if they thought they could not keep the rules of religion like you thought not so long ago? Explain to them grace, share with them hope, and let Him use you to grant them eternity found in the Gospel.

He showed me

Matthew 13:51-52 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Matthew thirteen is a unique chapter in the Bible in that Jesus clearly explains two of his parables that he taught. Parables are how he taught; in this chapter he explains why, and he explains two parables clearly. We always want to know what the Bible means, and in Jesus’ own words in this chapter are explained. There is also a blessing and responsibility found to those that understand, they are called to go forth teaching what they have been given. God may be using them as instruments of shedding light to those hearts that are dark. Faith is a spine of Matthew 13; faith to believe opens the mind through the door of the heart to the truths of God. Faith is not intellect, nor is intellect found in diligent study. The understanding of the Bible is a gift of God that begins with humility.

There is a point of your Christian growth as a disciple that you begin to grasp that your understanding is a gift from God. The truths that are revealed to you become true blessings and ways you feel intimacy with God. The truths become special moments when he awakens your mind through your heart. A desire builds that continually draws you to his Word for a new truth that may come from him that day. You find yourself hungry for God’s Word and you find that desire filled only in God’s Word. 16 “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

I wrote my contribution letter for my India mission trip last night. In it I explained that God had shown me my next outlet for my faith was India. I explained that if I did not have social media, this blog, and my business as outlets for my faith, I would simply explode. I cannot contain my faith, and there is nothing else I would rather discuss with you than what God can, or is doing in your life. Christianity is not a solo sport; it is a means to go outward with the only Good News that eternally matters and that eternally changes lives. Share your testimony, share your faith, share your “nugget” of truth God showed you in his Word today. He may be using your faith to encourage that person that stands before you every day. The truth He showed you in his Word, he may be showing to them through you.

Get outa the road

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I was reading the gospel of John this morning; reading in chapters five and six; reading how Jesus was rebuking the religious leaders of the day for not recognizing their Messiah standing before them. So many paths to go down with how they had “missed the boat.” I opened up my favorite Bible website and the scripture above was the verse of the day. It reminded me of how for centuries how so many people have been led astray; even today just enough truth sprinkled in to make you think you are doing right…….does your heart stir questioning some things you hear from pastors today? That is the Holy Spirit warning you; pray and investigate what you are listening to in church or on TV. If you are not spending time in God’s Word on your own, you will be easily led astray……to a slaughter.

All paths do no lead to God; do not believe the truth in the Coexist lie from king of lies, Satan himself. If any religion of any sorts is not preaching Jesus Christ as the Son of God, crucified, and risen from the dead, that is any blend of religion that condemns eternally. John 5:23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. My pastor said yesterday to watch how the Lord’s Supper is treated and presented; I humbly tell you as a lay pastor their is no greater weight a pastor feels that the presentation of the Lord’s Supper. If he does not feel that burden, I worry for his soul and those listening to him. Leave a church that does not treat the Lord’s Supper with the utmost respect.

The key to the eternal gate of paradise is a matter of the heart. It is not a matter of intellect, it is a matter of faith. It is nothing to do with living a good life, nothing to do with your church attendance record, nothing to do with the level of any good deeds you may do. The key to heaven is found through faith in Jesus Christ alone; the understanding that he is the ONLY way you will get to heaven. The understanding that the Son of God willingly gave his life for you so that you may have eternal life with him. He died so that you may live. Any other blend of religion that teaches any way you earn your way is leading you to hell. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Do you have the key to that narrow gate? If you doubt, you likely don’t and have been mislead. If you want it, plea to Jesus for it and spend time in John’s gospel. God will open your eyes through your heart and your life will never be the same again. That narrow gate has been opened for you at the Cross.

Youthful mistakes

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

This is what I have been praying for recently. Satan comes at us when we are out weakest mentally and physically; he loves to strike when we are down. If we are burning the candle at both ends, carrying mental strains that turn into long hours with little rest, our bodies and minds become weak. You can inject your battle of “youthful lusts” of any sorts out there. Something you desire that wisdom has taken a back seat to. As we get older in life we should move from making some poor decisions as a result of learning from those decisions as we have grown up. I even look back at much of my life when I was old enough to know better, but still to young to care.

Paul’s letter to Timothy is his dying words, his last words to Timothy before he is put to death. This epistle is very poignant; Paul addresses his protégé’ very directly on many things he will battle as he progresses in the ministry that God has laid out for him. Paul uses the words “I charge you therefore before God,” in this epistle; strong convicting words to hear for Timothy. I truly believe we are living in the times of what Paul describes to Timothy; 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The only way to flee the youthful lusts of any kind is to guard your mind and heart by spending daily time with God in prayer and his Word. The battle is directly related to the time invested there. That is where your strength is found, spiritual nourishment to fight a spiritual battle. Only the gospel outweighs my hearts desire to encourage you to spend daily time with God. Our world is turning it’s back on God, and just as Timothy we must pursue righteousness and live from a pure heart for God, sharing the gospel to a dying world. 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. Spend some time with God today and let him give you the strength to grow up in your faith.

Stir my soul

Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ “

As I awaken this morn
I feel you stir my soul
I feel you pursue me
You reach out and take hold.

I pursue you
Because you pursued me
I respond with the heart
You desire me to be.

I found my life
When I laid it down,
I touched the sky
When my knees hit the ground.

That song moves me
That song stirs my soul
I give my life
For you to take hold.

Help me focus on you
Help me look into the stars
Help me focus
On where you are.

Take me just today
One day at a time
Make me yours
I will make you mine.

I lay down my life
To my Savior I give
Dying to self
That I may truly live.
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Eternal AC

Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

I have lost focus. God wired me with a desire to help people. He then placed me in a service business where true needs are met, but by the nature he designed me with, and the nature of my industry, it can be a fatal combination; you can truly work yourself to death with workload and the conditions we work in. With the physical strains comes the lure of wealth, and through that door Satan walks in to place all the lusts of the world in our hearts. The harder we work, the more stuff we can have. I do thank God I have learned to say no in recent years for my health alone. It took the wisdom of my young boys to point out how far I had gotten away from God recently. The demands of work and the snares of Satan have taken my eyes off where I desire to help others more than anything; to repent and believe in the Gospel and to live their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

My heart is sickened at the state of affairs in my country. My heart is sickened at how we have turned our backs on God glorifying gay marriage. I have no hate towards anyone, but as a nation we have mocked God even with a symbol of God’s promise, plastered in rebellion over our nations capital. We as a nation will pay for that mistake. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. I am not to here to argue the weight of sins; sin is sin, and only God knows the heart where true sin lies. We all have hidden sins that appear only to God; we all have our struggles with the mind and lusts of it; we are all lost in our sin. But, these inner struggles are where we gain the understanding of God’s mercy and grace. How can God love and bless us like he does when he knows how truly messed up we are? There is a very big difference in hidden sins and mocking God by trampling on the covenant that he designed in marriage, by designing a man and a women in the beginning of time; not two like beasts.

Being a disciple in the USA is about to become real difficult. We are to stand for what we believe no matter the cost. We will loose friends and family members that tell us we are wrong on any level. We will be persecuted for righteousness sake, but we are to preach from the mountaintops that we need to repent. Mark 1:14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” My desire is to help you with much more than heating and cooling your home. My desire is to point you to the only way to keep you from a place that is really hot and last an eternity. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. The gospel could be your air conditioner for an eternity.