Monthly Archives: August 2023

August 31, 2023 · 5:30 AM

An Open Hand

To me, one of the most challenging things God has spoken to anyone in Scripture is in Genesis 12:1. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you’” (NLT). He was 75 years old at the time. He was well established, and yet God asked him to pack everything up and go to a destination that would be shown to him at a later time. His faith in action is inspiring to me. The Bible later says that his faith was counted at righteousness. That’s a faith we should all aspire to have.

Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus spoke something very similar to all of us. In Luke 14:33 Jesus said, “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” Every one of us who follows Christ is given the same call that went out to Abram. I believe it’s God’s reminder to us that this place is not our home. Everything we have here is temporary and we can’t take it with us. We must be willing to let go of earthly things so we can receive from God the spiritual things He has for us. We can only do that if we have an open hand.

My wife and I try to be intentional with keeping an open hand with the possessions we have. When your hands are open to God, He can place things in them and take things out of them whenever He wants. Faith like Abraham’s is trusting God with all you have and with the direction of your life. You may not get to know the destination, but you still have to pack up and leave if He asks to walk away from everything that’s familiar to you. God’s greatest blessings are stored up for those who are willing to give Him whatever He asks for and for those who follow Him wherever He leads. What are you willing to let go of should God ask for it? Are you holding onto to earthly things too tightly? Pray that God would help you keep an open hand and heart then watch what He does.

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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 30, 2023 · 5:44 AM

Guarding The Seed

One of the most exciting things in life is when God puts a vision in your heart of where He wants to lead you and how He wants to use you. For most of us, we’re so excited that we want to share that with someone. What often happens is that the people whom you think would encourage you and be excited with you about it are often the ones who will discourage you from doing it. They’ll either blow it off, tell you why it can’t happen or outright oppose it. The enemy kills more seeds this way than in any other. Your disappointment turns into lack of moving forward and the vision goes dormant. Remember the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy that which God plants in you. Protect it until it has taken root.

In Genesis 37 we read the story of Joseph. One night God gave him a dream where he and his brothers were tying up grain when his stood up and their bowed to his. The next day he was so excited about this vision he told his brothers. They mocked him for the dream. When he dreamed that the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed to him, he told them again. This time his father scolded him for the dream God gave him. His brothers grew jealous of the dream God had given him, began to hate him and started planning to kill him over it. Even thought they sold him into slavery and he went to prison for years, God accomplished the dream He gave him. When things were darkest in his life, God was still growing the seed the enemy tried to steal and was positioning Joseph for it to come to pass.

In 1 Timothy 6:20 Paul warned Timothy of this very thing. He wrote, “Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge” (NLT). To guard it well you will first need to purpose in your heart to follow God’s vision and plan before you tell others what God has planted. You need to begin moving in the direction of the vision and acting on it. When the people you respect and love say opposing words, guard the seed and remember your promise to God to fulfill it. The larger the dream, the greater the opposition. Even if you feel like the seed has been stolen in this way, trust God’s plan like Joseph. It may be dark now, but that’s the condition a seed needs in order to grow. God does not take back His gifts nor His callings (Romans 11:29). Begin watering that seed and guard it well. God is still working.

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August 29, 2023 · 5:41 AM

Burden Bearing

When someone is going through a tough time or has even lost someone close to them, we usually say, Let me know if you need anything.” Has anyone ever taken you up on that? I haven’t. The person going through it quite honestly doesn’t know what they need and are often not in the right state to be asking. What they need is someone who will help them carry the load and take a few things off their plate. They need someone who won’t just say that and leave. Someone who will anticipate what they need, sit there in the silence with them and walk through the struggle with them. That’s what we’re called to do and I’ve been blessed to have people do that with me.

In 1 Chronicles 23, David was living in the wilderness on the run. He heard a town was being attacked and went to save it. Then he heard that Saul was on his way to kill him so he headed back for the wilderness. While being hunted by Saul, his best friend Jonathan found him and came to encourage him. In verse 16 he said, “Don’t be afraid. My father Saul won’t be able to harm you. He knows very well that you are the one who will be the king of Israel and that I will be next in rank to you” (GNT). I love that he met David in the wilderness where David was. He didn’t send a message from afar. He then gave him words of encouragement and affirmation along with a reminder of God’s promise to help in his time of trouble. The Bible said these two loved each other like brothers and this was a time when they showed that love.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]” (AMP). What is the law of Christian love? To love your neighbor as yourself. Part of that is helping your neighbor carry their burdens. It will require more than platitudes to do this. It may require time, effort and energy to help someone through a crisis. While we can’t carry everyone’s burden, list important to listen for the Lord to direct you to those who need your help, otherwise you will be exhausted. Ask God to show you who needs your help in carrying their burden, then go and do something. They won’t know what to tell you they need many times. In those cases be proactive. Clean the house, provide a meal, watch the kids, sit and listen. Whatever God puts on your heart, do it out of love to encourage them and strengthen them.

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August 28, 2023 · 5:51 AM

God Of The Impossible

Have you ever had a situation in your life where you thought that it was impossible even for God to do something about? You may not have put it in those exact words. You might think, “It’s too late to do anything about. No one Can help.” Or you could just decide not to pray and waste God’s time with it. I’ve done it myself. I have mentally put limits on a limitless God. It happens to us more often than we think because it’s usually every day situations where we limit God. Our thoughts and our words simply exclude Him from the equation. I’ve learned that I have to catch myself and say, “God this looks impossible to me, but I know it’s not impossible for you.” I’ve seen Him do the impossible many times and still my default is to dismiss His abilities until I stop and put it in His hands anyway.

In John 6 Jesus took the disciples across the lake and up a mountain to teach them. At one point Jesus looks up and sees a large crowd headed toward them. Jesus asked Philip where they could buy enough food to feed so many people. Philip saw the crowd and didn’t answer the question. Instead he told Jesus that it would take almost a year’s salary to feed them. Then Andrew spoke up in verse 9, “There is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish. But they will certainly not be enough for all these people” (GNT). These men had seen a year’s worth of miracles from Jesus and both mentally limited His abilities without thinking about it. One didn’t tell Him where, but instead told Him what it would cost. The other saw how little they had and professed it wouldn’t be enough. Both found out that even a little in Jesus’ hand could do the impossible with leftovers too.

In Mark 10:27 Jesus was speaking about another situation, but had to remind them, “This is impossible for human beings but not for God; everything is possible for God.” There are so many things that we face that are impossible for us that we often dismiss them as even impossible for God. Remember that He spoke this universe into existence. There was nothing, and then there was everything. If He can do that, He can take care of whatever you’re facing no matter how impossible it seems. Philippians 4:19 says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (NLT). Don’t limit our God. He is the God of the impossible.

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August 25, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Giving First Fruits

In the Old Testament God asked His people to give the first fruits of their labor. It was designed to help them acknowledge God as their provider and to thank Him. This was an annual offering that was different than their tithe. The Hebrew word for first fruits means “promise to come”. They gave their first fruits in obedience knowing their was a blessing to come. We don’t live in an agrarian society anymore, but God is still our provider. It is still right for us to act in obedience in offering Him our first fruits. These gifts, whatever you purpose in your heart to give, are to be given before you take anything for yourself. It’s an expression of trust in God to bless everything else. Pray and ask God what first fruits He would like you to give, then do it with a cheerful heart.

Here are some Bible verses on first fruits.

1. The firstfruits of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep, you shall give him.

Deuteronomy 18:4 ESV

2. Each of you must place in a basket the first part of each crop that you harvest and you must take it with you to the one place of worship.

Deuteronomy 26:2 GNT

3. The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God.

Exodus 34:26 ESV

4. The first of all the first fruits of every kind, and every contribution and offering of every kind, from all your contributions and offerings, shall belong to the priests. You shall also give to the priest the first of your coarse meal and bread dough, so that a blessing may rest on your house.

Ezekiel 44:30 AMP

5. Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring him with your firstfruits, with every increase that comes to you. Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy!

Proverbs 3:9-10 TPT

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August 24, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Working In Harmony

I grew up as the middle child of three boys. Like most siblings we fought over insignificant things and argued over just about anything. We often tried to get each other in trouble by tattling. Many times we would instigate arguments between the other two just to watch them fight. Like most siblings, we were competitive and were always trying to outdo each other. We had the same parents, but we had three very distinct personalities. As we matured, the fighting and arguing stopped. We learned to get along and how to help each other out. Even though we sometimes have disagreements, we don’t allow those to be reasons to separate us. We recognize those are personal choices and don’t try to force each other to live by each other’s personal rules.

Romans 14 has a lot to say about similar things. We as individuals and corporate bodies of churches often fight with each other over things the way siblings do. We find reasons to argue with each other even though we serve the same God. Instead of working together, the way a body should, we find problems with each other’s choices and interpretations that don’t line up with our own. Paul says those are signs of immaturity. Why are we fighting with each other trying to prove who’s right or better? We’re on the same side. When we look for differences, we’ll find them and be divided. We know that a house divided can’t stand, nor can it accomplish its great commission.

Paul encourages us in verse 19 by saying, “So then, make it your top priority to live a life of peace with harmony in your relationships, eagerly seeking to strengthen and encourage one another” (TPT). The foot is not more right than a hand because it walks instead of grabs. An eye is not greater than an ear because it sees rather than hears. We have differences because there are strengths in our differences. Let’s quit firing our weapons at each other, look for each other’s strengths and work together so that all may know Him. We must live in peace and harmony with each other as believers. The best way to do that is to seek to help, strengthen and encourage each other in the work God has called each of us to. It’s time we matured in our faith and worked in harmony with each other to accomplish His will instead of our own.

Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

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 23, 2023 · 5:46 AM

Believing In Healing

From the time my son was born he had an allergic reaction to milk, gluten and eggs. We didn’t find out the problems he was experiencing were from that until he was four. Several years later we were visiting family in Mexico when an uncle asked why they were having to change the menu every time for him. He then asked if he could pray for him. After the prayer my son asked, “Am I healed?” I said, “I believe so. There’s one way to find out. Drink a glass of milk.” Either we believed or we didn’t. He drank the milk and didn’t have a reaction. The next day we were looking at a menu to see what he could eat. He replied, “I thought I was healed. I want a cheeseburger.” Hecate it with no problems. We gave him a normal diet after that. A few months later the doctor ran tests again. The results showed that those allergies that were once off the charts were gone.

In John 4:46 Jesus went back to Cana where He had turned water into wine. A government official approached Him with a request to heal his son who was dying. Jesus pushed back to test him saying that people just wanted to see a miracle to believe. The man insisted that Jesus come heal his son. Verse 50 says, “Jesus looked him in the eyes and said, ‘Go back home now. I promise you, your son will live.’ The man believed in his heart the words of Jesus and set off for home” (TPT). A day later on his journey home, he was met by some servants who told him his son was better. He asked what time he got better and it was the same time Jesus spoke the words and he acted in faith heading for home. This was the second miracle Jesus performed in Cana.

In Mark 11:24 Jesus said, “This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—be convinced that you have received it and it will be yours.” If you look closely at the miracles of Jesus you’ll see that two things happened. The first is that there was usually an act of faith on the part of the person receiving the miracle (they turned and left, they washed their eyes, they touched His garment, etc.). The second thing was that Jesus told them their activated faith had made them whole. I don’t know what you’re praying for, but I’ve seen Jesus heal with my own eyes and have the blood work to show it. I know He can do it for you. If you need more faith, ask Him to help your unbelief. Get someone else to believe and pray with you. Then find out what act of faith He would have you do to walk in your healing. He is more than able. Plus He is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He’s done in the past, He will do today and tomorrow. Believe and trust Him.

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August 22, 2023 · 5:44 AM

Construction Zone

If you’ve ever worked in construction or had it done, you know it can get messy. I like to tell people to just close their curtains until we’re done, but they don’t. On every one of our jobs we’re going to disrupt their schedule. We’re going to tear up their yard. There’s also going to be a lot of trash piled up because new things come in boxes and the workers create their own trash as well. Things get a lot worse than they were before it gets better. It can be discouraging to the homeowner to see what looks like a chaotic mess. We gave them a picture of what’s coming, but it’s hard to see that design in the middle of construction. The homeowner has to learn to trust the builder and the process by which new things are constructed. No matter how difficult and messy it is during the process, they’re happy when they see the end result.

In Nehemiah 4, the workers in Jerusalem were in that messy middle. They had been doing construction on the walls that had been torn down. They knew they needed them for protection, but they were getting weary with the process. They were also being opposed as they worked because their enemy knew what rebuilding the walls meant. In verse 10 it says, “Then the people of Judah began to complain, ‘The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves’” (NLT). Between the rubble, the mess and their enemies, they were beginning to be discouraged in the process. Nehemiah reminded them that God was at work, concentrated their efforts and posted guards around the workers who were now armed. They were able to complete the construction of the wall and enjoy its benefits because they didn’t give up in the middle.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (ESV). You and I are God’s construction zone. We’re being made new and transformed by Him so we can do what we were created to do. It can get messy in the middle of His processes of regenerating us. There’s rubble from our old life, disruption of our schedules and an enemy trying to discourage us and stop the work. Don’t give up in the process. God has a design that will come together beautifully when you’ve gone through His construction process. The construction process is only for a season, but the end result is worth all that you go through. God is working in your life. He’s making all things new and preparing you for what’s ahead. Give Him creative control of your life and let Him be the foreman who makes decisions. He will do a greater job building your life than you ever could.

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August 21, 2023 · 5:46 AM

Kingdom Work

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor during the time of World War II. He opposed the Nazi regime and started a movement to protect the Jews from Hitler. There were some Christians who felt Hitler was the Antichrist and therefore Bonhoeffer’s opposition pointless. Some asked him, “Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day, and all your work and suffering will be for nothing.” Bonhoeffer replied, “If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I’ll rest from my labor. But today I have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it’s finished.” He was later captured by the Nazi’s and executed in 1945 for doing the work of the Kingdom instead of doing what was convenient.

In Haggai 1, King Darius of Persia had allowed some Jews to return to Israel to rebuild their country including the Temple. After rebuilding their homes and planting their crops, they settled into a comfortable rhythm of life for about 16 years. The had faced opposition from the Samaritans when it came to rebuilding the Temple so they decided it wasn’t a convenient time to do it. That’s when the word of the Lord came to Haggai. God told them to consider their ways, to bring lumber and start working. In verse 9 He said, “You look for much [harvest], but it comes to little; and even when you bring that home, I blow it away. Why? Because of My house, which lies in ruins while each of you runs to his own house [eager to enjoy it]” (AMP). They were working hard on their own causes, but nit yielding much fruit because they were focused on the wrong things.

In Matthew 6:10 after honoring God’s name, Jesus started the Lord’s Prayer with, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Each one of us has a mission from God to be accomplished with our lives to bring about His Kingdom and will. If you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and going nowhere or if the fruit of your labor never seems to be enough, see if you’ve been trying to accomplish your will before His. We like to establish ourselves first so we can afford to do His will comfortably, but that’s backwards in God’s Kingdom. We must put His will and plans above our own. I can tell you it’s rarely convenient or will feel like you’re ready to do God’s will, but that is what He requires of us. When we do that, the next part of Jesus’ prayer takes place where He gives us our daily bread. Where has your focus been? We can’t make excuses anymore. We must focus on Kingdom work until it is finished.

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August 18, 2023 · 5:44 AM

Being Victorious

When you’re in the middle of a battle, it’s hard to be far sighted. All your focus and energy is getting through today’s struggle. That’s why I want to remind you that we win the war. I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I do know that God makes us victorious. There is no struggle you can face that God can’t give you the victory. There’s no enemy so strong that God can’t defeat. No matter how many times you fall down, God will give you the strength and the grace to get back up. Remember that it’s not by might, nor by power, but by God’s spirit that you fight from a place of victory (Zechariah 4:6). Don’t give up in the struggle. Put on God’s full army, pick up the Sword of the Spirit and the Shield of Faith and stand strong. God will bring you victory.

Here are some Bible verses on being victorious.

1. God says, “I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious.”

Psalms 75:10 NET

2. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!

Deuteronomy 20:4 NLT

3. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].

1 John 5:4 AMP

4. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

5. Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!

Romans 8:37 TPT

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