October 11, 2024 · 5:24 AM

Seeking Insight

In 1 Kings 4:29, Solomon didn’t just ask for wisdom. It says he also asked for insight. I searched up the definition of insight on biblegateway.com and it said that it is a spiritual quality that helps a person to appreciate God’s mind, His will, truth and providence where right perception isn’t obvious. So many of us are seeking God’s will in situations or wisdom in how to handle things. I’ve prayed for wisdom thousands of times, but insight is also available to us. God is willing to help us understand His mind in situations when it isn’t easy to determine it. Insight will help us to understand His Word and this world better. Try asking God to give you insight into situations, His plan for you and when reading the Bible. God will answer and open your mind up to reveal new and exciting things to you.

Here are some Bible verses on insight.

1. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

Proverbs 2:3 NLT

2. Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live, And walk in the way of insight and understanding.

Proverbs 9:6 AMP

3. I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT

4. Break open your Word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.

Psalms 119:130 TPT

5. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

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October 10, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Life In The Desert

In the mid 1990’s, I moved to Cairo, Egypt. As the plane landed, I looked out the window. I was shocked to see that there wasn’t any grass on the medians between the runway. On the drive to my new home, I was overwhelmed by the sea of monochromatic tan all around me. The Sahara Desert was my first culture shock having lived in a lush green area of East Texas my whole life. However, over time, I grew used to living in the desert and the lack of green vegetation. Then, early the year after I moved there, I decided to take a bus to Israel. We drove for hours through the desert until we came to the border. As I got out to walk across, I saw the strangest thing ever. All along the border there was a line of grass and flowers in the middle of this desert and it extended into Israel. It was an incredible sight to see life growing in the middle of a barren land.

The reason deserts lack life is because they lack water. Over 90% of Egyptians live along the Nile river because that’s the on,y way they can sustain life. Sure, there are people who live in the desert, but life is better and more easily sustained where there is water. Even along the Nile, I hadn’t seen what I saw at the border that day. Things were thriving at the border. It reminded me that God is able to do the impossible. He can grow life in the middle of nowhere and in the harshest environments. He is able to take our roughest, driest patches in life and spring up new life. He is able to take what looks like an end and create a new beginning. The desert we’re temporarily living in has the potential for life.

In Isaiah 43:18-19 God says, “Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert” (AMP). I believe God is still speaking to us through these verses. The desert you’ve been in is about to burst forth with life. It starts with us forgetting the things of the past that led us into the desert. We need to focus our attention on what God is doing right now in this dry season. He’s creating a pathway forward for you and bringing a river of life to your situation. What has been a barren time for you is about to be teeming with life. God does not abandon us in the desert and He’s able to make a way where there seems to be no way. Trust in Him, don’t lean on your own understanding, acknowledge what He’s doing and He will direct your path through this time (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Photo by Dylan Shaw 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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October 9, 2024 · 5:29 AM

Go To The King

The Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust alike. Jesus told us that in this world we w have trouble. There’s no escaping it. So what do you do when trouble comes? I’ve seen people circle the wagons and close themselves off from everyone else while they go through it. I’ve seen people get bitter towards God and leave the church. I’ve seen people crumble under the pressure. I’ve also seen people who reach out to get a prayer chain going. I’ve also seen people whose faith deepened during the hardest times. Pressure does different things to different people. One thing for sure is that it exposes the depth of what a person believes. When hard times come, our actions outweigh anything we’ve ever said.

In Esther 5, Haman had convinced the king to send out a decree to destroy the Jews who were living among his people. He was mad that Mordecai didn’t bow every time he went by. When the decree went out, Mordecai read it and tore his clothes in grief. He then took ashes and smeared them on his body to show he was in morning. He put on sackcloth, which was uncomfortable, to show he was in distress. Then, the most important thing he did was go to the king’s gate. He knew that only the king could reverse the order so he went there. When word got to Esther, she sent new clothes, but he refused and sent word of what was going on. He asked her to risk her life by going to the king to intercede for her people. She called for a fast and went to the king to save her people.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT). We need to be like Mordecai and Esther when we are hit with hard times. We must go to the King. We don’t have to be afraid like Esther. We can approach Him boldly and lay down our cares and burdens at His feet. We will receive mercy as He sees what we’re going through. We will also receive grace that is sufficient for the hardship we’re going through. It’s in our weakness that His strength is made perfect in us. Instead of running from God, we must run to the king who will give us everything we need when we need it most.

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October 8, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Fighting Back

One of the things Jesus told us is that our enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal your joy, your time, your children, your spouse, your money and more. He wants to kill your momentum, your hope, your relationships, the seeds you’ve planted and anything life giving. He wants to destroy your confidence, your testimony, your harvest, your work, your hope and your connection to God. He’s always at work trying to do these things in your life. How do you respond when he succeeds? Do you wallow in self pity? Do you cry out to God for help? Do you take back what the enemy stole? You have unused authority that has been given to you from Jesus to fight back and take back what God has given you.

In 1 Samuel 30, we read the story of David and his men returning home from the battlefield. They were running from Saul and had agreed to fight along side Israel’s enemies against Saul, but the king’s didn’t trust David. After several days of traveling to return home, they saw smoke rising. Their homes had been burned down by an enemy. Their wives, kids and all their possessions were stolen. Verse 6 says, the men began to turn on David and were planning on stoning him, but David found strength in God. Then David called for the priest and communicated with God. He asked if he should go after the enemy and fight. The Lord said yes. They saddled up, even though they were exhausted, fought the enemy and reclaimed their wives, kids and possessions. Meanwhile, Saul was killed in the other battle and David was asked to be king.

Psalm 18 was written around this time. Verse 2 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (NLT). While the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came to give life. He is our rock in times of trouble, our fortress when the enemy attacks and our savior who gives us the victory. We must trust in Him as our protection. He is our shield, power and peace. Don’t just stand there when the enemy comes in. Run to Him, regather yourself and go fight the enemy. Take back what has been stolen. All is not lost. Chase him down, fight back and take back what God has given you. Now is not the time to give up. Now is the time to rise up, face the enemy fully equipped with the armor of God and take it all back.

Picture courtesy of Unsplash.

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October 7, 2024 · 5:51 AM

One Small Decision

I’ve seen commercials and even YouTube videos demonstrating the Domino Effect combined with the geometric growth principles. In one video, the gentleman has around 13 dominos growing at a rate of 1.5%. The smallest one he had to use tweezers to set down because it was on,y 5 mm tall. The last one was over 3’ tall and weighed over 100 pounds. Once set, he barely touches the 5mm domino. That’s when the Domino Effect came into play. One by one they pushed each other down until the giant one fell. It’s a great demonstration of how little decisions or habits can create a massive shift in our future and change our lives. In the moment they see. Inconsequential, but when you look back you can point to a single decision or habit that changed everything.

I love how the story of Ruth demonstrates these principles. With all three women’s husbands dead, Naomi tells her two daughters in law to return home to their families. One makes the decision to return, while Ruth decides to male Naomi’s people her people and worship her God. That decision led her to live in Bethlehem. She then decided to glean from a nearby field to get grain. That decision caused her to walk into the field of Boaz who actually had the power to redeem her. That decision led to marriage and a son who would continue the family name. That son had a son whose name was Jesse, and he had a son named David who became king. The family tree kept going through generations there until one day down the line a couple gave birth to a son and named Him Jesus. It all started with the decision to stay with Naomi.

Proverbs 3:6 says,“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (NLT). When I train classes, I’ll often end with a critical thinking exercise. I have people look at the results they’re getting in their lives and ask, “What do you need to continue doing that is giving you these results?” I follow that with, “What’s one thing you need to start doing to change your future results?” Then I wrap up with, “What’s something you need to stop doing?” Applying these three questions to your life, and implementing them, will create a domino effect of geometric proportions in your life. Make prayerful plans and decisions so that you create movement in your future and the Lord will work out His purpose in your life. If you don’t like where things are now, you’re one small decision away from a different future.

Photo by Astrid Schaffner on Unsplash

Here’s a video demonstrating these principles.

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October 4, 2024 · 5:28 AM

Encourage One Another

Are you a natural encourager? Chances are, you aren’t. Most of us don’t naturally walk around encouraging people, yet it’s something we all need and want. When you encourage someone, you infuse courage into their situation. You add confidence into their equation. When you do those two things, it inspires people to action and action is what changes outcomes. Acts 11 talks about a man named Barnabas, known os the son of encouragement, in the Early Church. They sent him to Antioch where the believers were needing encouragement. He then went to find Paul (Saul) and they ministered there. It was at that place that people were first called “Christians.” Barnabas brought courage and confidence to believers, they changed the city and people called them “like Christ.” Whose life and outcome will you change by being Christ like through encouragement?

Here are some Bible verses reminding us to encourage one another:

1. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:12 NLT

2. And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.

Ephesians 4:29 TPT

3. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

4. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

5. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:25 AMP

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October 3, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Goodness In Action

I was just telling my son, that Romans is my favorite book in the Bible. It’s full of so many treasures and some outright blunt speaking from Paul. One of which is Romans 2:4. It says, “Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?” (AMP) Through this verse, Paul revealed the part of our process of the change in our heart and mind that led us to seeking forgiveness for our sin. When you think back to when you received Jesus as your savior, there was kindness or goodness in action from God towards you that led you towards trusting in Him. That kindness created a change of heart in you. That same kindness that God demonstrated to you is the same kindness listed in the Fruits of the Spirit that we are to display to others.

In Genesis 43, Joseph’s brothers returned to Egypt for more grain. Joseph showed them kindness by feeding them at his own home. They knew they didn’t deserve this kindness as their consciences reminded them of what they had done to their brother. After having lunch with them, he planted a cup in Benjamin’s bag that was found later after they left. When he said Benjamin had to go to jail, Judah stood up and offered an act of kindness by saying he would take the punishment for Benjamin. When Joseph saw this, he knew their hearts had changed and he revealed himself to them. Forgiveness and restoration took place because kindness (goodness in action) was demonstrated when they didn’t deserve it.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you” (AMP). It’s not just God’s kindness that leads to repentance, it’s our goodness in action and forgiveness that points them to Jesus too. Who in your life least deserves kindness from you? We are to readily and freely forgive others as Jesus readily and freely forgave us. We need to show kindness to those who have wronged us rather than seeking revenge. Pray for wisdom and help from God to help you forgive and show you ways to express His kindness to them and to others you meet. We know that when others see our good works and goodness in action, they’ll glorify God and turn to Him.

Photo by ROCKETMANN TEAM on Pexels.

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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October 2, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Holding On Tightly

If you could go back in time and watch anything in the Bible happen, what would it be? Watching the walls of Jericho fall would be high on the list for me. I wonder what the people on both sides thought as they marched around the walls. To hear the trumpets blast and the people shout because God had given them the city would be incredible I think. Then to stand there in awe as the walls collapsed and feel the earth shake from it would be the experience of a lifetime. I have read that story many times since I was a kid. I have even marched and driven around situations praying for spiritual walls to fall and for breakthrough. I’ve experienced the miracle of God moving in the moment like He did that day, but I’ve also experienced standing there waiting for the walls to fall. How do you respond when you’ve done everything you can and the walls remain while breakthrough eludes you?

In Mark 5:25-34, we read about a lady who had done everything she could, but her breakthrough never came. For 12 years, she had suffered with an issue of blood that made her unclean according to the Law. For 12 years she had gone to every doctor she could find only to get worse. For 12 years she faced disappointments and set backs. Think about where you were and what was going on in your life 12 years ago to put that into perspective. Somehow this woman kept marching around the walls praying for them to fall, when one day she heard about Jesus. She thought if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed, so she snuck up behind Him in the crowd. When she touched it, her breakthrough came and she was healed.

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (NLT). It’s hard to keep holding on when your breakthrough doesn’t happen or is delayed, but like that woman, we can’t let go. Our hope is not based on the moment we’re standing in, but in the promise of the Great I Am, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our faith must be greater than our feelings if we’re not going to waiver in those times when we’re staring down walls we’ve prayed would fall. Like the Israelites we need to keep marching and thanking God for the victory that’s coming. Like the woman we must seek out the hem of His garment when everything else has failed. We can trust in God’s promises and who He is because He’s been faithful. I don’t know when your breakthrough will happen, but I know you must keep holding on tightly to your faith in Him no matter what.

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October 1, 2024 · 5:32 AM

Rest And Restoration

What do you think if when you hear the word “rest?” Most of us think of sleep or vacation, but have you ever woke up tired or returned from vacation needing another one? Rest comes in many forms because there are many types of rest we need. Yes, those two are big components of rest, but you also need mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and sensory rest. Taking breaks, being alone, doing a digital detox, sitting quietly and meditating on God’s Word are all forms of rest. Getting rest isn’t just a physical need, but all these other parts of you need it as well, because you are not just a physical being. I once heard someone say that you can’t have restoration without rest. Think about that for a moment.

The Bible is full of people who rested and received benefits from it. God demonstrated the need for rest at the very beginning of the Bible. When He was finished with creation, He rested. Then, on Mount Sinai, He commanded that we take a sabbath as well. The word “sabbath” means to stop or cease. God gave Adam rest and created Eve. When Elijah was depressed, God sent him on a journey and had him rest. It was while Jacob was resting that he saw the ladder to heaven. After a long day of teaching parables, Jesus rested in the boat. The Bible also mentions several times where He went away from the crowds to a secluded place and found rest while He got alone with the Father.

There’s even the time He taught the disciples to rest. Mark 6:31 says, “Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat” (NLT). Jesus knew there was still work to be done where they were, and He still took them away. They could have continued to make an impact, but it would be short lived without rest. Have you ever been so busy, you didn’t have time to eat? I’m guilty of that. Ever been so busy you didn’t have time to pray or read the Bible? Have you been glued to your phone or computer? It’s time to set boundaries and build rest into your schedule for the different parts of who you are. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical restoration is available with rest.

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September 30, 2024 · 5:45 AM

Controlling Everything

How do you handle it when everything is going wrong? There are times and seasons of disappointment that we all go through. For some of us, we start trying to control everything when things start spinning out of control. The truth is that we can’t really control anything except our response and our attitude. I’m not a person that is constantly worried about things, but in these seasons, worry tries to creep in. My sleep gets disrupted, my appetite goes away and I get quiet because I’m trying to handle it and solve it on my own. Doing all those things is still simply masking the fact that I’m trying to control the situation rather than my response. Ultimately I have to realize that only God can control my circumstances.

In Esther 3, Haman had been promoted to second in command. The king ordered that he be given the same treatment and respect as if he were king. People were told to bow when he went by them. Everyone obeyed the edict except Mordecai. Haman was infuriated and decided not to simply attack Mordecai. His response was to eradicate all Jews. He convinced the king to sign a law that gave people in every province of the kingdom to kill Jews and take their possessions. In chapter four, Mordecai read the decree and began crying and wailing. He put on mourning clothes, fasted and prayed for a resolution. He may have felt the blame for the situation and knew he didn’t have the answer, but he knew God did. He sent word to Esther about what was going on and God used her to save His people.

Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (NLT) When things are out of control, God is still in control. We must look to Him because He is the only one who can help in these seasons. He is the one who had the plan and people in position to protect you and bring the season to a close. Like Mordecai, we should turn our hearts toward heaven in fasting and prayer. Like Esther, we should be ready to do whatever God asks no matter how difficult. Things may look bleak, and times may get rough, but in those moments we must look to God and seek Him more than ever. He is still in control of everything and nothing happens without Him knowing. Control your response and let Him take the burden of controlling everything else.

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