Monthly Archives: April 2024

April 16, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Giving Good Words

I’ve had some interactions with famous people before. On one such occasion I met a famous christian singer who wrote and sang one of the anthems everyone would know. After the concert I waited in line to share a special memory one of their songs held for me and how it helped me in my time of need. When I told them, they had a blank stare back at me and said, “Yeah I get that all the time.” It made me feel very small honestly. Contrast that with a famous author I wrote to. One of their stories had me laughing and in tears on a plane ride and challenged me. I couldn’t wait to land to reach out. Within ten minutes, they emailed me back thanking me for sharing. They said, “There are millions of words you could have chosen to share this story with me. It looks like you found the right ones. Thank you for sharing.” I did a screenshot and sent to all my friends when I got that.

We sometimes forget how powerful our words are and their ability to make or break someone’s day. In the New Testament we read Paul’s letters to churches and to individuals like Timothy. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, he encouraged Timothy to fan into flames his gifts and to remember that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Moses encouraged Joshua who was taking over the daunting task as leader of Israel. He told him to be strong and courageous, and reminded him that is the Lord who will go before him and give victory in the battles ahead. Another example is when Jesus was talking to the disciples giving them comfort on the night He would be betrayed. John 16:33 records Him saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (ESV). John remembered those words in his sorrow.

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” You never truly know what someone is going through or the encouragement they need to get through the day. Speak encouragement to someone today. Give a good word to all you meet. Your words carry life or death in them the Bible says. We are life givers as Christians. Ask God to speak through you today to someone to say what they need to hear so they have fuel to keep fighting or to find peace in troubled times. You don’t have to know what they’re going through to speak a word in season as Isaiah says. You just need to be led by the Spirit and hear who needs encouragement and to hear the words He wants you to say. I’m sure you can think of times when someone’s words either crushed you or built you up. Give good words today and make someone’s day.

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April 15, 2024 · 5:39 AM

The Best Route

Sometimes when I use the map app to find my way somewhere it will ask me if i want the fastest route there or the most fuel efficient route. Most of the time I want the fastest route to where I’m going. When I’m on vacation, I’ve been known to take the scenic route in order to see things the fastest route misses. When driving through several states, I took a route that sent us through as many state capitals as possible so my son could check them off his list. Some days though, my schedule sends me on what I call the star route. I go from one side of town to an appointment, then across town to pick up something from the warehouse. Then I have to cross town again to drop it off at a job site. I then drive another way across town to pick up my son from school and back home. All that zigzagging looks like a star on the map. I’ve found that different routes yield different results.

Moses’ life had some strange routes to it. The very first route had him going down the Nile in a basket. He landed at the Pharaoh’s daughter’s house. He grew up privileged and educated. His route took a left turn into the desert suddenly where he was an humble shepherd. God parked him there for forty years before his route took him to Sinai where he encountered the burning bush. That led him back to Egypt to free the Israelites. His route had him confront Pharaoh, which was hard. The route then led he and all of Israel to a dead end at the Red Sea where they were trapped until God showed up. They traveled through the sea to Sinai again and back into the desert for forty years before coming to the edge of the Promised Land. At each place along his route, God was in control and giving him what he needed for the future God had for him. In the moment, I’m sure he often felt lost and would’ve taken a different route had he been in charge.

Proverbs 20:24 says, ”It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery!“ (TPT) Are you wondering what route you’re on right now and why is God taking this one? Me too, but I know He is in control. He doesn’t always take the fastest route or the easiest route. He takes the route that prepares you for your destiny. He takes the route that you didn’t know was there. Sometimes it’s painful and dark. Other times the route may feel like a dead end. I’ve found that God will use whatever route is necessary to get you where He’s taking you while equipping you along the way. Your route is ordered of the Lord, especially when it’s a mystery. Hang on and let Him keep driving. He has plans for your life and they’re good plans to prosper you. Trust in Him as He leads and directs your life. That is the best route.

Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash

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April 12, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Continually Mindful

Have you ever had something on your mind that you were thinking about all day? Even though you went about your business, it was there. When the Bible tells us to continually do something, like to pray without ceasing, this is what it means. You don’t have to stay on your knees all day every day, but you make a conscious effort to keep God’s presence in mind. You make a point to continue the conversation throughout the day even though you said, “Amen.” We do so many things unconsciously, and we live such busy lives that we tend to focus on those things once our day gets started rather than on God. If we were to make the switch to be able to do these things continually throughout our day, our life and spiritual life will change.

Here are some Bible verses on things we are to do continually.

1. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

2. Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 AMP

3. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalms 34:1 AMP

4. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV

5. And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 TPT

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April 11, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Finding Grace

When I was around seven or eight, I did something that upset my mom. She told me that when my dad came home from work he was going to punish me. She then sent me to my room to wait. After I got in there, I began to think of the punishment I was going to get. I thought about hiding. It seemed like the best plan until I thought about escaping through the window. I then realized that would make it worse. Finally, I decided to put on every pair of underwear I had and some baggy pants. As I waited, all I could think about was the punishment. To be honest, I don’t remember the punishment that day. I just remember the build up and fear.

When you and I sin, we often act like that. It’s the Adam and Eve approach to sin. We feel bad for what we’ve done, and more than anything, we’re embarrassed. It’s obvious God knows about it, but for whatever reason, going to Him seems like a far fetched idea. To be forgiven freely doesn’t feel right, so we wallow in our shame for a bit. It’s like we feel the need to punish ourselves over our sins. The truth is that God doesn’t want us to hide from Him in those moments. He wants us to come to Him right away for the grace He gives.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it” (GNT). The verse before says that Jesus understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with us. He didn’t come into the world to condemn us, but that through Him we would find grace when we need it most. He is merciful, and too often we forget that. There’s no reason to hide from Him because of what you’ve done. He knows about it and loves you still. Approach His throne today, get the grace you need and lose your shame.

Photo by Dingzeyu Li 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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April 10, 2024 · 5:46 AM

Running To God’s Name

Shakespeare once asked, “What’s in a name?” It turns out a lot. In the 1940’s, Harvard started studying the effects a person’s name had on their grades and the predictability of them graduating. Recent studies show that a person’s name can influence Our choice of profession, whom we marry, whether we get accepted into a school, whether we get hired at a job and even the stocks we buy. A name is powerful, but we don’t often sit and think about how our life is influenced by our name. You may have a family name, a trendy name, one your parents made up or one they liked. No matter what, your name has influenced your personality and sometimes even the friends you keep.

In ancient times, a person’s name was often synonymous with their character. Think of Naomi in the book of Ruth. Her name meant “sweet”, but when she lived through a famine, moved from her home and her husband and sons died, she wanted her name to be Mara (bitterness). Jacob was a heel or supplanted who tricked people until he encountered God one night. His name was changed to Israel which means “one who wrestles with God”. There was also the disciple named Simon. His name meant “one who hears,” but Jesus wanted him to put what he heard into action and changed his name to Peter (rock). Jesus told him that He would build his church on this rock knowing at that moment that Peter was anything but a rock steady person. His name was who he became.

Proverbs 18:10 says, ”The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe“ (NLT). The Passion Translation says, “The character of God” being synonymous with His name. He is the God who sees you (El Roi), the one who gives you victory (Jehovah Nissi), the one who provides in your moment of need (Jehovah Jireh), the one who heals (Jehovah Rapha), your peace (Jehovah Shalom) and your righteousness (Jehovah Tsidkenu). You can run to His character, revealed by His name, in whatever you’re facing in this moment. He is your strong tower when life seems to be crumbling all around you. We must trust in His name and His character more than the situation in front of us. He is there ready to provide what we need in each moment of our life, but it’s up to us to run to Him in those moments. Who do you need Him to be for you today? Call on His name and character without delay.

Photo credit: Bernardo Lorena Ponte

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April 9, 2024 · 5:42 AM

Biblical Meditation

When I was in high school I was introduced to the writings of Francis Schaeffer, A. W. Tower and the non fiction books of C.S. Lewis. I remember starting “Mere Christianity” and getting about a page in before I had to stop. I think that was the first time I had read something so deep that my mind told me I couldn’t go further in the book until I chewed on that a while. A few days later I read a bit more and had to stop again to think about what he wrote. The circuits in my brain were overloaded. I didn’t know it then, but I was beginning to learn about what Biblical meditation was all about as I thought about what I read, chewed on it and found deeper truths.

The Bible actually mentions meditation quite a bit, but it’s different than today’s meditation. Instead of emptying your mind, you’re filling it with God’s Word and breaking it down. Part of what God told Joshua in how he would find success was to meditate and study. In Joshua 1:8 He said, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (NLT). David, who was Israel’s most famous king did these things. He studied God’s Word and meditated on it day and night. He knew what God had said and how to apply it to his life. He hid it in his heart so that he wouldn’t sin or stray.

The book of Psalms starts out with David writing, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalms 1:1-3). This kind of meditation is about focusing your thoughts on it to discern it’s deeper meaning. How often do you read God’s Word that way? Find a verse or passage like this one in Psalm 1 and spend the day thinking about what it means. Who are the “wicked, sinners and mockers” around you trying to draw you in? What does a “tree planted along the riverbank” look like? Ask questions about what you’re reading, research it and think deeper about God’s Word. If you want a deeper relationship with Him, start meditating on the Bible.

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April 8, 2024 · 5:41 AM

Pressure Testing

A lot of industries use pressure testing to evaluate the integrity of what they’re building. These tests can see what the max load is and also reveal any weaknesses that may not be visible otherwise. The same holds true for people. We all have our limits. Being under pressure for long periods of time can reveal areas we need to grow in, but it can also strengthen areas of our life. When areas weakness show up, we can either deny that it exists, make excuses, run from it or find ways to streNgthen and restore them. A lot of us default to denial, making excuses or running from it. We don’t like having these areas exposed, but the process is critical to our growth.

When Peter followed Jesus after He had been arrested, he had no idea he was going to be pressure tested. He had just told Jesus he would die for Him and that even if all the others abandoned Him, he wouldn’t. In John 18, a young girl simply Asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter denied it. Then a guard asked him, but Peter denied it again. Right after that, a man said he saw Peter in the garden and Peter vehemently denied it. In that moment of pressure, Peter failed. We know that Jesus didn’t leave him in that broken state though. In John 21, Jesus took Peter aside and restored him making him stronger than before. When the time came to deny Jesus or face death, Peter was crucified.

1 Peter 5:10 says, ”And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up“ (TPT). Suffering is often a pressure tester. Whatever it reveals is not the end or a mark of failure. It’s a sign that God has more work to do in that area of our life. I love how peter wrote here that whatever it reveals, God wil personally and powerfully restore in order to make you stronger. Then He will set you firmly in place and continue to build you up. God isn’t finished with you yet. He’s still working on you, making you stronger through pressure testing as you grow.

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April 4, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Trusting The Master Artisan

In the mid 1990’s, I lived in Cairo, Egypt. One of the things I did pretty often was to visit the Lillian Trasher Orphanage in the middle of the country. One of the trade skills they taught kids was using a loom to create rugs. I remember seeing the loom for the first time. I was amazed at how these kids were able to use the shuttle to weave threads in and out of the warp (vertical, tight threads). More than that, they were able to see what i couldn’t – the overall design and plan for the rug. They created these perfectly symmetrical designs by weaving the different colors in and out of the warp. It was incredible to watch the artisans at work.

Our lives are not much different than that loom. God is at work in our lives creating something beautiful, but too often we can’t or don’t see what He’s doing. Many times we question the threads He uses or placement of them. We don’t know the design He’s creating so we feel incomplete or unfinished while He is weaving people, circumstances and situations in and out of our lives. It’s easy to question what you don’t see or don’t understand, but God is the greatest artisan of all. He knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5), and had created His master design for your life.

Romans 8:28 says, “So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose” (TPT). Your life may seem random at times, even chaotic, but God is at work in every detail. You may not understand why he wove a certain thread in until He has completed His work, but don’t let that stop you from trusting Him. He works everything out for our good according to His plan for each of us. Remember that we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art] (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) that He will continue to work on until His plan is complete in our lives. We must learn to trust the artisan of our lives completely.

Photo credit: Joel Heard

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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April 3, 2024 · 5:44 AM

Removing The Mask

There’s a study that shows over 70% of people feel like they can’t be themselves at work. I wonder what that percentage is for people around their spouse or friends. My guess is it’s pretty high too. We wear these masks because we’re afraid to be vulnerable for fear that if they knew the real me, they wouldn’t like me. The problem is the less vulnerable we are with people, the more shallow the relationship. My closest friends pretty much know everything about me. They’ve seen my ugly side, they know my past and I’ve seen theirs as well. We’ve given each other space to be each other’s authentic self. We’ve given each other permission to be human and to remove the masks. Because we’ve done that, we are able to help each other with the burdens we typically try to hide. Those tend to be the heaviest.

I saw a video ad this week talking about the Apostle Paul. It talked about taking a tour of going where he lived and walked. It also promised to reveal the authentic Paul. It then ended with, “No one liked Paul.” I couldn’t help but think that wasn’t true. Paul was definitely his authentic self in front of people, but I know Barnabas and Timothy liked him. They had mutual respect for each other. Even though they disagreed, Paul and Barnabas patched things up. We know Timothy was vulnerable with Paul because paul encouraged him to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth. In 1 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul encouraged Timothy when Timothy didn’t feel like he was enough for the ministry. Paul reminded him of his calling. They helped each other with the burdens of ministry because they were real with each other.

Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (NLT). The word “bear” meant to carry away, while the word “burdens” means weights. We can only carry the burdens of people who are able to take their masks off and share them with us. It’s also a command to us to do the same with others. It doesn’t just mean we carry theirs. It implies we must be willing to take our mask off and share what is weighing us down as well. When we are able to be this vulnerable and open we can truly love each other the way Christ commanded us to. Think about the masks you put on to keep people away from knowing the real you. That’s a burden all by itself. It’s time to find a true friend you can take the mask off with and let them share your weights. It’s also time you gave them permission to take their mask off too. Only then can we truly share each other’s burdens.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk.

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