August 21, 2026 · 6:00 AM

God’s Wilderness School

When you look at some of the greatest leaders in the Bible, God took them into the wilderness to shape them before their breakthrough. Moses, David, Elijah, Paul and even Jesus spent time away from everyone in the barren wilderness as they prepared for what was next. I believe God leads us into wilderness seasons too because in that classroom we’re isolated from distractions, we learn to hear His voice, we gain authority and we learn to walk in obedience. If you’re in that place, remember the wilderness is a place of preparation not punishment. God uses it take take away what’s holding us back. Trust God and in His process that breakthrough and growth are on the way.

Here are some Bible verses on what God does in the wilderness:

1. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NLT

2. I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.

1 Corinthians 10:1 NLT

3. Yet I have been the Lord your God Since [the time you became a nation in] the land of Egypt; And you were not to know any god except Me, For there is no savior besides Me. I knew and regarded you and cared for you in the wilderness, In the land of drought.

Hosea 13:4-5 AMP

4. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good.

Deuteronomy 8:15-16 NLT

5. He found him in a desert land, In the howling wasteland of a wilderness; He kept circling him, He took care of him, He protected him as the apple of His eye.

Deuteronomy 32:10 AMP

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August 20, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Preparing For Blessings

Growing up in sports and then working in sales caused me to hear a lot of motivational sayings. One of them that I remember is from UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. He said, “When opportunity knocks, It’s too late to prepare.” If you’re out of a job, you prepare for the next one by having a resume ready. In football, teams practice a two minute drill in case they’re down and need to score in the last two minutes. Preparation helps you be ready to capitalize on the opportunity that’s at hand. We all pray for once in a lifetime opportunities, but how many of us put in the work of preparation for such? If we haven’t prepared, we could miss out on the blessings God is trying to give us.

In 2 Kings 3, the two kings of Israel and the king of Edom were headed to teach the king of Moab a lesson. He had quit paying tribute to keep the peace. They decided to do a sneak attack so they took the long way went through the wilderness where there wasn’t any water. After seven days, the men and animals were parched and morale was down. They called for the prophet Elisha to help. He told them that the valley was going to be filled with water in the morning, and that they wouldn’t hear wind or rain. They needed to dig as many holes as possible to catch the water. Even though the army was exhausted, they dug the holes. The next morning they were filled with water as the prophet said. They had plenty for themselves and their animals to be victorious in the battle the next day.

Proverbs 24:27 says, “Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house” (NLT). There are things we must do first in preparation for long term blessings. The ways we prepare differ according to the blessings we’re praying for. If you’re praying for a spouse, do everything you can to prepare to be the best spouse yourself. If you’re praying for financial blessings, then prepare by learning wealth management. No matter what blessing you’re asking God for, there are steps you need to be taking now in order to receive it. Otherwise you may squander what God gives you or miss out on it completely. What holes do you need to be digging in order to contain what God is going to pour out? His blessings may fall suddenly without any warning so you need to be prepared. Even though you may be exhausted and tired, you need to step out in faith and dig. The amount of blessings you will be able to retain are directly proportionate to the amount of preparation you do.

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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August 19, 2026 · 6:05 AM

Step Into The Water

I was recently sharing with some young adults at church about finding their purpose and living it out. When I asked about questions, one of them raised their hand. She said, “Why doesn’t God just tell me everything up front? It would be easier to live out my purpose if He did. I’ve just been waiting on Him to reveal it to me before I do anything.” She put words to what happens to so many of us. We’re sitting around waiting on God while life passes us by. I reminded her of Abraham and how God told him to go to a land that would be shown to him. It’s hard for God to direct our steps when we’re standing still.

In Joshua 3, the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan when God told them something interesting in verse 8. He said, “Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there’” (NLT). That’s always been interesting to me. The priests had to step into the river before the waters would part. When the arrived, the river was in flood season and overflowing its banks. I’m sure it was scary to step out into it. However, if they wanted to gain access to the Promised Land, they were going to have to get into the water before God intervened.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” How can God direct, guide and move you into the right direction if you’re standing still? You need to start walking towards something so He can direct your steps. You’re going to have to step into some flood waters that stand between you and where He’s leading you to. If you know every step, purpose and plan, that’s not faith. Faith is trusting in what isn’t seen or known and believing that God will step in and part the waters after you’re waist deep in a raging river. Faith is stepping out when you’re not sure of the outcome. God delights in the details of your life and has a plan for you, but you’re going to have to step into some water sooner or later to get to His promises.

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August 18, 2026 · 5:51 AM

Share Your Story

In one of the Bible study groups I’m part of, we ask each person to pick a date on our schedule to share their story. They have fifteen minutes to share where they have been, what God has done for them and what God is doing in their life currently. Each time someone shares, the rest of us take notes on things that stood out to us and encouraged us. We then share with that person and the group what encouraged us and built our faith in their story. We pretty much run out of time each time we do this because each person has a different takeaway from the other person’s story. It’s a great exercise in trust and faith building when we share with others what God has done in our life.

In Joshua 2, the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan I and enter the Promised Land to conquer it. They sent two spies to scout out Jericho before they started their campaign. A prostitute named Rahab brought the two spies into her home and covered for them when the authorities came looking for the spies. That night she told them, “I know the Lord has given you this land. We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt” (NLT). The stories of what God had done had brought fear to their enemies, but built faith in Rahab. She asked for protection and it was granted to her. She began trusting in God from hearing stories of what God had done for Israel that she didn’t get to experience.

In Psalm 40:2-3, David wrote, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” When is the last time you shared your story of how God lifted you out of the miry clay and set your feet upon the rock? I want to encourage you to write it down, practice telling it and then find a couple of people to share it with. Your story will have a powerful effect on other people’s lives, even if you were raised in church and never left. There’s something powerful even when you share of God’s faithfulness across generations. Don’t be afraid to share your story. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

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August 17, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Stir Up Your Gifts

When I became an adult, I learned how to use a charcoal grill. One of the things I learned pretty quickly on a long cook was that over time the grill would cool down, not because the coals were out, but because they were covered in ash. To rectify the situation, I would lift the grate with food off, stir up the coals and blow on them. Immediately, what looked dark and grey began to glow a bright orange and I could feel the heat. I would return the grate and continue cooking the food. I learned that trick from camping. Each morning m instead building a new fire, I just had to revive the embers from the night before with a stir and blowing on them. Soon the fire was back to what it was.

In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul told Timothy, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (NLT). Paul was reminding Timothy what we all need to hear from time to time. You don’t need new gifts. You need to reignite the gifts God has already placed in you. Over time they get covered by pressure, lack of margin, distraction, discouragement and lack of use. We can stir them up, or fan them into flame, by returning to the secret place with God where He can breathe new life into them. We must clear away the clutter in our life that has caused them to be covered and stagnant. Then we add the fuel of using them with the opportunity God has in from of us today. Large flames always start as a small spark. We can’t expect God to use us in greater ways until we’ve been faithful where He has us today.

1Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” God has already gifted you. How are you using them today to serve others? If you have used them in a while, it’s time to stir them up, breathe fresh air on them and fan them back into flame. Join a serve team, help a ministry in the church, lead a life group or find a way to serve the people you’re around on a daily basis. Knock the ash of life off of the coals that are hidden underneath by serving someone else. God has more for you to do with the gifts He’s already given you. It’s never too late to reactivate them. I believe God is stirring something in you right now and has people who need your gifts today. You don’t need new gift. You need to stir up the ones He’s already given you.

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August 14, 2026 · 5:53 AM

God Is Faithful

One of the Bible verses I memorized when I was younger says, “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). It’s one of those that I’ve had to remind myself of through the years because His faithfulness is not dependent on my faithfulness. Sometimes we can fall into the trap that God’s love and faithfulness towards us is dependent on our behavior. It’s not. When God was angry at the Israelites in the wilderness and felt like destroying them, He didn’t because of He is faithful to His promise to Abraham. God always keeps His promises, acts according to His character and finishes what He promised. His faithfulness to you and to me will remain no matter what. You can count on that.

Here are some Bible verses on God’s faithfulness:

1. Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

Psalms 36:5 NLT

2. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.

Psalms 119:90 NLT

3. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV

4. The Lord is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.

Psalm 100:5 GNT

5. For the word of the Lord is right; And all His work is done in faithfulness.

Psalms 33:4 AMP

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August 13, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Leading With Heart

I read article once where psychologists divide people into two categories. One where people lead with their brain and the other who lead with their heart. Neither side is wrong. It just shows how we process information and make decisions. Some of us take a thoughtful, logical approach to things, and other take am emotional, or gut feeling, approach. The brain people tend to be better at school, while the heart people tend to be better at being compassionate and empathetic. Again, they say that neither is wrong, but I can’t help but think of these different ways of processing through the lens of God’s Word.

In John 3, we meet a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was a very learned and respected man among the Biblical scholars of that time. Jesus tried to get him to switch his thinking from his head to his heart. He told him that unless a person is born again, he couldn’t enter God’s Kingdom. Leading with logic, Nicodemus couldn’t understand. How could an adult go back into their mother’s womb? Jesus tried to explain it was a spiritual rebirth, but the concept was too hard for him to grasp at the time. It wasn’t until years later that he finally got it I believe. He was one of the two people who went to ask for Jesus’ body so he could give Him a proper burial. He let his head lead in that moment having followed the ministry of Jesus.

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (NLT). Notice we don’t hide God’s Word in our mind. When it gets into our heart, we don’t just know it’s true. We feel it’s true, and it gets inside of who we are. We do need to logically look at God’s Word and be prepared to give an answer to those who ask about the hope within you, but we also need to let it get into our spirit. God’s Word is powerful. Sharper than any two edged sword. It rightly divides between the soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). We need to make sure we let it get into our hearts so it can transform our thinking and our lives (Romans 12:1-2).

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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August 12, 2026 · 5:47 AM

Our Advocate

I was doing some research and asked, “When would someone need an advocate?” The answer was simple. It said that when a person’s own strength, clarity and ability isn’t enough. It went on to say that someone needs an advocate when they can’t speak for themselves, defend, guide or comfort themselves. Immediately I started thinking of times in my life when I felt each of those things. Some of the darkest times of my life came to mind. Then I started thinking of others who have been walking through some tough times. It turns out we all need an advocate when we come to the end of our own abilities.

A few hours before Jesus would be arrested and crucified, He was trying to prepare the disciples for the chaos that was about to ensue. Their world was about to be shattered and they wouldn’t understand what was happening. In John 14:6, Jesus told them, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever” (AMP). As they were about to go through the darkest time of their life, He sent them the Holy Spirit to comfort, advocate and intercede for them. They wouldn’t understand receive counsel and strength from the Holy Spirit as well to endure the hardships they were going to face. Jesus didn’t leave them or us alone to face this world. Instead He sent us the advocate we all need.

Jesus continued in verse 27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” if you’re going through something today where you don’t have the strength to fight your own battle, you’re scared of an unknown future or your ability isn’t enough for the moment, take heart. You have an Advocate who will counsel, strengthen, comfort and intercede for you. He will also give you peace to calm you in the storm and walk with you through the toughest challenges. The Holy Spirit isn’t a reward for those who have it all together. He was sent as God’s Provision for those who don’t. Reach out in prayer and ask Him to advocate for you today.

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August 11, 2026 · 5:59 AM

Resisting Cultural Compromise

In Matthew 13 Jesus told the parable of the sower. The sower scattered seeds across his property. Some seeds fell on a footpath, but birds are them. Some fell on shallow soil. Those seeds sprouted quickly, but their roots were shallow and when it got hot, they died because their roots weren’t deep. Other seeds fell among the thorns. Those sprouted and grew, but were choked out by the thorns. Then some fell on fertile soil. Those sprouted, grew and produced a harvest. Jesus explained that each of these represents people’s hearts and how they respond to God’s Word. Some hear and don’t understand it (footpath). Some hear it, receive it and then fall away at the first sign of trouble (shallow soil). Some hear it and receive it, but it’s choked out by the worries of this life (thorns). Some hear it, receive it and produce fruits of the Spirit (fertile).

In Acts 13-14 Paul planted churches in the region of Galatia. It was a modern area with a mix of cultures and religions. The people quickly received the Word of God, but soon after Paul continued his journey, others came in to corrupt the seeds that he had planted. At the beginning of his letter, he quickly addresses it by saying, “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ” (NLT). They were struggling to live in a culture with shallow roots. Paul didn’t want them to wither at the first sign of heat. He reestablished who they were in Christ through the next few chapters and finally encouraged them to live Spirit led lives that produce love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” We live in an age that is very much like the Galatian culture. There’s pressures to conform to this world’s standards instead of God’s. The culture compels us to compromise what we’ve been taught, but we must resist and not change the Gospel because it’s convenient. We must let our roots grow deep in Him. Our hearts must become and remain fertile soil for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Only then will His Word become fully developed in our life and produce the fruits He calls us to produce.

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August 10, 2026 · 5:54 AM

Living Out Your Purpose

I was talking to a group recent,y about living out their purpose in everyday life. One of the first things we have to do to find our purpose is to see what burden God has given us. Our burden is found in what breaks our heart and the heart of God. It can be an injustice, a situation, crisis, etc. The next thing we need to do is to look at the every day gifts we’ve been given in Romans 12:6-13. How has God equipped you for that burden? Finally we need to look at is the opportunity that’s right in front of us. How can we affect it with the people around us or help the people affected by it? Living out God’s purpose in our life is almost always birthed where these intersect.

Nehemiah was living in captivity in Babylon. Some people had returned from visiting Jerusalem and he asked them how were things going over there. When they told him things were not going well and the walls were torn down, Nehemiah wept for days. He developed a burden for the people there and began praying for them. Chapter two tells us he was a cupbearer for the king of Babylon. In this job he developed leadership skills, diplomacy and logistics. All these competency gifts helped him with his purpose. When the king asked what was wrong, Nehemiah was able to share the burden. The king supplied him with resources and necessary protection to build the wall. He was also able to get the people of Jerusalem to catch the vision and work with him to complete the project.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). Each of us have our own burden that God has put in us in order to accomplish the good things He has planned for us. There are also gifts and skills we have been given naturally by Him that we must learn to operate and develop. Next, we need to look around us. What opportunities exist around where God has us right now? God doesn’t always start us with something huge. Instead He asks us to be faithful in the small things right where we are. As we’re faithful and we develop our gifts, our opportunities change as well as our gifts and burdens. You are God’s masterpiece, perfectly situated who is equipped and situated to live out your purpose right where you are.

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