Monthly Archives: February 2025

February 14, 2025 · 5:36 AM

Pursuing Godly Things

There’s a difference between sitting around talking about a goal and actively going after it. The person who is intentional about going after it is the one who will more than likely attain it. When the Bible tells us to pursue the things of God, it’s calling us to intentional action. Sitting around talking about it won’t incorporate it into your life. It takes effort and dedication to pursue something. God doesn’t call us to pursue things that are unattainable. However, the life and qualities He calls us to require us to go after them. They’re often contrary to the natural state and desires of our flesh. That’s why He calls us to be led by His Spirit. He will guide us into the paths He has for us and help us to pursue the life He’s called you to. It just takes a commitment from us to keep moving and growing what is God calling you to pursue?

Here are some Bible verses on pursuing godly things:

1. Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities.

Romans 8:5 TPT

2. Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness (right standing with God), Who seek and inquire of the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut And to the excavation of the quarry from which you were dug.

Isaiah 51:1 AMP

3. Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 AMP

4. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

I Corinthians 14:1 NKJV

5. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:11 NLT

Photo by Riccardo Mion on Unsplash

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

February 13, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Rekindle Your Flame

One of my favorite things to do is to sit around a campfire and talk. I could do it for hours. People instinctively know to put another log on the fire. No one has to say it. Stories and conversations flow, and aren’t interrupted by someone putting more logs on it. When it’s time to go to bed, we just let the fire burn down to a bed of coals. In the morning, I’m usually the first one up. I’ll grab a log and a couple of smaller sticks and head over to the ashes. Buried deep beneath the ash, there’s usually a couple of embers left. I put the smaller sticks on top of them, get my face close to the ground, take a deep breath and blow as much air as I can onto those embers. In a matter of moments, the fire is back to going strong and the conversations continue.

We know that David was a man after God’s own heart. He fully trusted in Him and loved His Word. Because of his faith in God he slew a giant, he fought large numbers of the enemy and waited until God was ready for him to be king. His fire for God was unmatched, but at some point he quit putting new logs on the fire. 2 Samuel 11 starts off by telling us that when it was time for the kings to go to war, David stayed home and outsourced his position. He quit doing what he was supposed to. That’s when temptation struck and he sinned with Bathsheba. When God confronted him through the prophet, David chose to rekindle his fire and wrote Psalm 51. He continued to tend his fire after that and it burned bright until he died.

2 Timothy 1:6 says, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (NLT). It’s natural for us to seasons when we’re on fire for God and season where we’re just not feeling it. We may go through the motions or just turn a cold shoulder to God. Either way, God is calling us to tend our fire and to return to our first love. To do that, we simply need to recognize that we need to have the Holy Spirit reignite our heart and passion for God. Those embers are still there and can be fanned into flame again. The gifts that have been lying dormant are ready to be rekindled and blaze for God’s glory. Don’t let another day pass. Read Psalm 51 as a prayer to fan the flames of your heart toward God.

Photo by Giuseppe Famiani 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.

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

February 12, 2025 · 5:28 AM

God Is Always There

I used to work for a cell phone company. Internally they always told us that we were a utility company and that we needed to be available at all times. When Hurricane Katrina moved into the gulf, they told me to pack a bag and be ready. I remember getting a call in the middle of the night telling me to grab my bag and head to work. It made landfall at night and we were headed to it. They said that we run to a crisis not from it. We put in twenty hour days getting communications back up. We sleep on the floor of the building we worked in to be as efficient as possible. We wanted the people of New Orleans and the gulf coast to know we were there for them in their time of crisis and that they weren’t alone.

A couple of years before that, I had gone through my own personal crisis. People that had said they would always be there for me, disappeared. When everything came crashing down, there were only a couple of people who were truly there to help me through it. Even though they checked on me and spent time with me, I was still alone at night. I couldn’t run from the pain or escape the thoughts that filled my mind. In those moments, I learned to run to God. I found that in my loneliest moments, He was there. When I didn’t feel like I could call someone in the middle of the night, I called on Him. He proved to be a very present help in my time of need.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you” (TPT). It is believed that this psalm was written during a time when Jerusalem was besieged by the Assyrian army and there was no hope of anyone coming to save them. The people cried out to God and He sent the Assyrians home miraculously. He truly never leaves you and is there when there seems to be no way out or forward. He will make a way where there seems to be no way, and He will not abandon you. He will stick with you closer than a brother. He is always available when you need Him most. He had proven it throughout history and He will do it for you. Don’t despair. There is always hope because you have a place of refuge in your time of need who is more than able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you need.

Photo by Austin Mabe on Unsplash

4 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 11, 2025 · 5:44 AM

Victory Over Giants

I used to teach a class on the psychology of fear and how it keeps us from being productive. At one point, I introduced an activity without any warning that involves one of the greatest fears most people have. As I kept adding to it, I watched people squirm in their seats. I would stand next to them, look them in the eye and act like I was going to choose them. Before I proceeded, I would ask, “What are you feeling in your body and mind right now?” People would have sweaty palms, upset stomachs, the need to use the restroom and more. I explained that our brain wants out of the situation and will do anything to take flight. I told them that when we walk away or give into the fear, we miss out on opportunities.

In 1 Samuel 17, the Israelites and Philistines were engaged on the battlefield ready to fight. Each side was encamped on a mountainside with a valley between. Before the battle started, Goliath, a giant about ten feet tall, walked out and yelled at the Israelites. He taunted them and challenged them. When the Israelites saw him, they gave into fear and ran. For forty days, they were stagnant in this routine of allowing fear to keep them from the opportunity of victory. That’s when David stepped into the camp. He heard the same giant, saw everyone panic, but had a different response. He was filled with confidence and trust in God. He stepped onto the battlefield, looked the giant in the eyes, told him God would deliver him and then ran towards him. God honored David’s faith and trust in Him and gave him the victory.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]” (AMP). What opportunity or victory is fear holding you back from? God says, do not fear anything standing in the way of what He’s called you to. It won’t be done in your strength. He will help you, but you must step onto the battlefield, look your giant in the eye and trust God. His hand of power and victory will be upon you when you trust Him. Don’t let fear keep you on the sidelines indefinitely. Courage is being unsure of the outcome, but stepping out in faith anyway. God constantly tells us to take courage and to be strong. It’s time to quit being held back from opportunities because of fear. Trust in the Lord and slay your giant.

Photo by Анна Рыжкова (Anna Rizchkova) on Pexels.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 10, 2025 · 5:50 AM

Redefining Yourself

Have you ever thought about what you want to be defined by? I hear people say what they don’t want to be defined by. I’ve heard it said that you are defined by the qualities and values that you exhibit. I’ve spent time thinking about the core values I want to live by and also the qualities I want to exhibit. Some come naturally and others I have to work at. I first started thinking about these in the sixth grade when a teacher told me the proverb that says a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. I decided then that I wanted a good name. I thought about what it takes to have a good name. I’ve also found out how hard it is to keep one. As I looked at other people, I recognized qualities in them and decided I wanted those in my life. I’ve also found Biblical ones I needed to adopt.

Proverbs 3:3 says, “Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart” (AMP). I think it’s important that this verse leads with mercy. This is one that doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It’s the quality of giving forgiveness to someone who has offended or wronged you. When I think of mercy, I think of Joseph. His brothers beat him up, threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. When they came looking for grain, he was in a position to pay them back, but chose mercy instead. He understood God’s plan was to get him there to save his family rather than to pay them back.

The next one mentioned is kindness. This is a fruit of the Spirit that again isn’t natural for most of us. I think of King David when he found Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. Instead of killing off the last king’s family line, David gave him a permanent seat at his table. Truth is critical in the life of a believer as well. We need truth because Jesus is the Truth. It is also what sets people free. When our lives are marked by truth, we take freedom with us to whomever we meet. What a thing to be defined by! All three of these are powerful, and Solomon told us to bind them around our neck and write them on our heart. The neck represented our human will. He’s telling us me must override that with these. To write them on our heart makes them become part of who we are. Don’t let your past or your flesh to define you anymore. Choose these instead. It’s never too late to redefine the things that define you.

Photo by The Drink on Unsplash

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 7, 2025 · 5:24 AM

Living Set Apart

Early on in the Bible, God began to tell his people to set apart land, cities, items and animals. The things he told them to set apart were considered His and they were holy. In the New Testament, He told the Early Church to,set apart Barnabas and Paul. They were called to be missionaries. You and I as believers are also called to live set apart from the world. We are God’s and are expected to live lives that are holy to the Lord. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. To be set apart is to be clearly different To the point it was known what things were set apart. In Exodus God kept making a clear distinction between His people and the people of Egypt. I believe God is still calling for a clear distinction between His people and the people of the world as we are to be in the world and not of it. We are set apart for Him.

Here are some Bible verses on living set apart:

1. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.

John 17:17 AMP

2. I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

3. And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them.

Romans 8:30 GNT

4. But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.

1 Peter 2:9 TPT

5. [I am writing] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called to be saints (God’s people) and set apart for a sanctified life, [that is, set apart for God and His purpose]: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:7 AMP

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 6, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Letting Go Of Trouble

Years ago my son was trying to pick up something that was too heavy for him. As he was struggling, I offered to help. He declined and kept trying. Again I offered help, but still he refused. He was determined to move it himself. Finally he asked for help. As I picked it up, he yelled his disapproval. Confused, I asked how he wanted me to help. He said he wanted to hold it, but I had to pick both of them up and carry them. He wanted me to carry the weight, but he wanted to be holding onto it.

I laughed, but I also thought, “How many times do I cry out to God with a heavy load, but want the same thing?” If you’re like me, you find yourself carrying loads that are too heavy for you. God is there wanting to help, but we want credit for carrying it. We want God to help, but we want Him to do it our way. We hold onto our troubles because we’re afraid to let them go, but God wants us to give them to Him. He wants us to release them so He can carry them.

Psalm 55:22 says, “Pile your troubles on GOD’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out” (MSG). God wants to help us with our heavy loads, but we have to be willing to let go of them if we’re going to cast them on His shoulders. Letting go is the hardest part and it’s why so many of us want Him to carry us while we’re holding on to the troubles. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Let go and let God.” Maybe it’s time we started doing that. He’s more than capable of carrying your troubles if you’ll just let them go.

Photo by Matthias Münning 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.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 5, 2025 · 5:37 AM

Being Meek

My son had an assignment in his Bible class where he had to read Matthew 5:5 which says, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (NKJV). He then had to rely on classroom discussion about the meaning of meekness and write a paragraph on someone he has seen that fits that description. It had been since I was a kid that I learned about meekness. I could only remember that it didn’t mean weakness. Meekness is a combination of humility, gentleness, teachability, and strength under control. As he wrote out his paragraph, I started thinking about these qualities and how Jesus said the person with these is blessed. They show the work of the Spirit in someone’s life because they’re opposite of human nature.

Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (ESV). When God called on him to rescue his people out of Egypt, he pushed back because of his inadequacy. His humility caused him to learn to be dependent on God to fulfill his calling. When people complained and challenged his authority, he let God intervene rather than to use his authority to punish them. He constantly kept going back to God for guidance throughout the plagues and wilderness. He didn’t let his authority or position go to his head. He continued to lead, seeking God at each step, and was willing to learn from others along the way. When the Bible says he was more meek than anyone, it causes me to pay attention to his character.

Colossians 3:12 says, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Paul tells us to put these on as if they were garments Knowing these are against human nature. You put them on by having your mind renewed first and then by being led by the Spirit. Like Moses, you’re going to have to be humble enough to recognize your shortcomings and rely on God’s strength in your weakness. You’re going to have to be humble to recognize it is Hod who is working through you accomplishing His will. We must see others through His eyes so we have compassionate hearts and are patient with them. Which of these do you need the most help with? Ask God to help you put that quality on. Be meek enough to recognize your need for Him to make changes in your life.

Photo by Ümit Bulut on Unsplash

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 4, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Quit Complaining

Have you ever wondered why people complain? Some people seem to complain all the time, but most of us start complaining when things go wrong. Psychologists say that we tend to complain when we feel we have a low status in a situation or that our status is shrinking. Complaint then becomes our way of expressing our discomfort and frustration In order to seek validation. We want sympathy as well as their agreement that things are unfair towards us. Sometimes, when we go through a tough season, we can develop a habit of complaining. It can affect every area of our life. It’s a tough habit to break, but it can be broken with an attitude of gratitude.

In Exodus 14, Egypt had enough of God’s plagues and decided to set the children of Israel free. They left in army formation with their heads held high as they followed the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. After a few days, God led them to the Red Sea and had them camp there. Pharaoh had a change of heart and organized the army to go after them. When they saw him coming , they began to complain To Moses and God. They said they were better off slaves than dead men in the dessert. Moses replied and told them to take courage and stand their ground. The same God who freed them would save them again. In verse 14 he said, “The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm” (AMP). His advice is good for us too. Quit complaining, remain calm and trust God.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” Complaining shows a lack of trust in God. When we trust in Him, we can stop being anxious and worried. No matter what your situation is, let it create prayers rather than complaints. Let it cause us to give thanks rather than blame. Remember, an attitude of gratitude is how we break the habit of complaining. When we pray and give thanks, our whole mindset shifts. We change our focus from what is happening to what God is doing. Like the children of Israel, we may feel, trapped with no way of escape. Complaining won’t change anything, but prayer will. Remember all that God has done for you. He didn’t bring you this far to let you be defeated in the wilderness. Keep silent, remain calm and begin to pray. That’s the way to knowing the peace of God that is beyond understanding in any circumstance.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

February 3, 2025 · 5:53 AM

Turning Towards God’s Will

I was driving home late one night when something caught my eye. There was a small road just off the one I was traveling down with a broken down car on it. I saw a man standing beside it with the hood up. I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to help him. Immediately my mind told me it was late and unsafe, so I kept driving. I felt the Holy Spirit press me again as I looked in my rear view mirror knowing very few people if any were going to be coming down the road. I protested and said, “His hazards aren’t even on. It could be a trap.” Just then he turned on his hazard lights. I was coming to a light at my turn when I saw that. I decided to u-turn and go help. He was an hour from home and the car died. After I couldn’t get it started, I got him in contact with a local tow truck and got him home. He called the next day to thank me and asked why I helped. I told him God saw him there and sent me to help him. He started crying and said he wasn’t sure God had been hearing his prayers.

In Exodus 3, the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for around 400 years. They had been calling out to God for help, but weren’t sure God heard their prayers. Moses had fled Egypt about forty years before and was living with his Midianite wife and her family. As he was tending the flocks he saw something strange. It was a bush that was on fire, but it wasn’t being consumed. Verses 3 – 4 say, “So Moses said, ‘I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’” (AMP). Moses had to look away from what he was busy doing to see and hear God. He could have said he was busy, but he turned and went to see what God was directing him to. In that moment, God called him to deliver the Israelites from their bondage.

Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can he forget the beautiful work you have done for him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve his beloved ones for the glory of his name” (TPT). I believe God is speaking to us daily and trying to draw our attention to people who need to know He loves them and hears their prayers. It takes us looking away from what we are trying to accomplish in order to accomplish what His will is. God is not afraid to disrupt our schedule and send us on a mission to be His hands and feet for others. It’s a matter of our willingness to step away and follow His leading. When we do, He will not forget the things we do in His name. It all starts with us turning away from our agendas and being open to listening to His voice.

Photo by Frederick Shaw on Unsplash

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized