June 21, 2024 · 5:26 AM

Being Compassionate

One of the most well known parables of Jesus is The Good Samaritan in Luke 10. In the story there was a man who was beaten up badly, robbed and left for dead. The ones who were supposed to help, the priest and the Temple assistant, wouldn’t even look over at him. They even crossed the street to pass him by from the other side. Then verse 34 says, “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him” (NLT). That compassion came from an awareness of his suffering and his desire to relieve it. Jesus then finished the parable by telling us to go do the same. He wants us to have compassion on those suffering around us. He wants us to love our neighbor and to help them in their time of crisis by showing them His love.

Here are some Bible verses on God telling us to be compassionate.

1. Thus has the Lord of hosts said, “Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion, to each other; and do not oppress or exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise or even imagine evil in your hearts against one another.”

Zechariah 7:9-10 AMP

2. Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].

1 Peter 3:8-9 AMP

3. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13 ESV

4. Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins. Be compassionate to foreigners without complaining.

1 Peter 4:8-9 TPT

5. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 6:36 NLT

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June 20, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Faith In A Drought

The story of Joseph always intrigues me. God gave him a dream that one day his parents and his brothers would all bow down to him. His brothers became so jealous that they kidnapped him and sold him as a slave. From there he was sold to a man in Egypt. After working there for a while, he was falsely accused and sent to prison. He spent years in prison and was forgotten. Not once in this story do we hear him complaining to God, “What about the dream you gave me?” He went through a drought figuratively and literally. So how does one hold onto faith and trust in God when nothing seems to be moving or is going in the wrong direction?

Honestly, that’s a question I think about a lot because God’s plan will often lead us through a drought. We hear His voice, follow His path and then nothing happens. It can definitely get you to questioning if you’ve heard God, if you’re headed the right direction and if God is going to come through in time. I believe that great faith gets rewarded greatly, but I’ve also learned that great faith goes through droughts after you’ve acted. Just because you’ve taken the leap, it doesn’t mean that God makes everything happen right away. For your faith to be stretched, you’re going to go through some, “What have I done and where are you God” moments. So how do you hang on in those times?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 gives us the answer. It says, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” (NLT). You must stay planted in your faith with your roots down deep in God’s Word. When we do that, it doesn’t matter what our external circumstances look like. Our faith is being watered and we can hold onto our trust in God. It’s not easy by any means, but when we keep our spirit fed and watered, we will still produce no matter how long the drought is. Remember that droughts end and God’s faithfulness doesn’t.

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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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June 19, 2024 · 5:47 AM

Expressions Of Adoration

Adoration isn’t a word we commonly use anymore. While I know what it means, I still looked it up. Almost all definitions had something like having a strong love for something or someone to the point you worship it. Worship becomes an expression of our love and respect for Hod. My wife and I were both raised in homes where our parents were at church every time the doors were open. We were also both raised by parents who lived the same way at home and at church. We had no idea until we were adults that there were people who went to,church that put on a holy mask and then took it off once they left. We both know people we grew up with who said how confusing it was for them. Their parents acts of worship were a show to them and they never got to understand adoration of God until later in life whereas we got to experience it and see it demonstrated daily.

In John 12, Jesus stopped by the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus again. Martha was still serving and Lazarus was reclining at the table it says when Mary came in with a very expensive perfume. Verse 3 says, “Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (AMP). I would say the house was filled with the fragrance of adoration. That’s when Judas, who was about to betray Jesus, put on his holy mask, spoke up and condemned the act saying it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Adoration made him feel uncomfortable because he felt it exposed his hypocrisy. That’s when Jesus pushed back on his comments and accepted her act of worship.

Hebrews 12:28-29 says, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.” How do you show gratitude to God through worship and adoration? Remember worship is an act of humility rather than singing a song. It’s an expression of our love for Him and what He’s done for us. Thats why Jesus said those of us who have been forgiven more tend to love more. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, our lives must become an expression of adoration rather than in words only the way Judas was. Take time today to reflect on all you’ve been forgiven of and all that God has done for you. Then express your gratitude to Him and adoration will flow from there.

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June 18, 2024 · 5:33 AM

Look Straight Ahead

I’ve always been a fast driver. When I was in my early twenties I got tickets for speeding a lot. I would always go to the judge and ask if I could take defensive driving to get it dropped from my record. I used the same instructor for my classes each time. After about my third time in, he began to recognize me. On one of my trips to his class he pulled me aside and asked if he could give me some advice. I nodded and he said, “Quit looking at the car immediately in front of you. Train your eyes to look 30-45 seconds ahead of you and you won’t have to visit me so often.” I found that when I looked straight ahead down the road I noticed more things and was less distracted by things around me. I’m pretty sure that was the last time I took his course.

In Judges 13 we’re introduced to Samson’s parents. An angel visited his mom and said, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines” (NLT). Samson had a strict set of rules to live by and a purpose, but as he got older he began to take his eyes off of that purpose and dedication. He fell in love with a woman from the country he was supposed to liberate Israel from. He quit looking ahead, got distracted and was defeated by his enemy. However, on his last day he got his mindset right and killed more Philistines in one blow than all of them from the rest of his life combined.

Proverbs 4:25-27 says, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Where are you looking? Are you being distracted by things around you that are keeping you from your purpose? It’s never too late to refocus or to return to the path God has laid out for you. Our enemy places distractions all around us to keep us short sighted and to get us off God’s path for our life. We must retrain our eyes to look straight ahead so we can focus on God’s plan. When we do, we will find that we’re less susceptible to things that will keep us from our God given destiny.

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June 17, 2024 · 5:33 AM

Open Space

In some of the most difficult times in my life, my focus had to become very narrow. I found that thinking of the future became overwhelming. There were times I had to think a minute ahead or five minutes ahead. I had to have tunnel vision to help me survive that period of time. As I began to move forward, I began to start thinking a day ahead, then a week and later a month. It took a while though. When you’re going through a tough time, your energy has to be focused on survival. Over time, God leads you out of the valley of the shadow of death into wide open spaces filled with green pastures and beside the still waters. He doesn’t leave us in the tight spaces. We go through them, but they’re on our way to where He’s leading us.

In Genesis 26, there was a famine in the land where Isaac lived so he moved to Gerar. God never left him during that time and continued to bless him and his crops. The neighboring Philistines became jealous and filled his wells with dirt. Then the king of Gerar became afraid of him and kicked him out of that country. Verse 17 says he moved into the narrow valley of Gerar. He began to reopen the wells Abraham dug and also dug some of his own, but they were contested. The shepherds from where he was kicked out of claimed his wells so he named them “Argument” and “Hostility”. He gave up his rights to them. Verse 22 says, “Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means ‘open space’), for he said, ‘At last the Lord has created enough space for us to prosper in this land.’” (NLT). The Lord led him out of the valley into an open space.

Psalm 66:12 says, “We passed through fire and water, but you brought us out into a wide open place” (NET). This was referring to the Israelites leaving the bondage of Egypt into their promised land. You and I will pass through the fire and water of trials. We will experience being in tight spaces where it’s dark and where there seems to be no way out. However, God will always lead us to an open space that full of abundance. Continue to cry out to Him and rely on Him when things seem unfair, when your wells of blessing are plugged up by the enemy and when you’re falsely accused. There is freedom and healing ahead in the open spaces God has for you. Follow the leading of your shepherd for He cares for you.

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June 14, 2024 · 5:25 AM

The Hidden Things

Some people live their lives as an open book. Almost everything there is to know about them is learned pretty quickly. However, all of us have parts of us that are hidden away. The more intimate the relationship, the more they know about us. Our relationship with God is the same. Some of us on,y have a casual relationship with Him, but He invites us all into close fellowship. Those who casually know Him may be able to answer some questions about who He is based off what they’ve learned or read. The closer we get the more we get to know who He is. He wants to uncover so many hidden things about Himself, His Word and this world, but we must be willing to press in, spend time with Him and open up hidden areas too. No matter how long you’ve known Him, there is more to know. Ask God to help you draw closer to Him and to reveal the hidden things.

Here are some Bible verses on God revealing hidden things.

1. Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.

Jeremiah 33:3 AMP

2. But it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God’s purposes.

1 Corinthians 2:10 GNT

3. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”

Daniel 2:20-22 ESV

4. For our spiritual wealth is in him, like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered—heaven’s wisdom and endless riches of revelation knowledge.

Colossians 2:3 TPT

5. I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom.

Psalms 51:6 TPT

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June 13, 2024 · 5:02 AM

Listening To His Voice

Several years ago I read a book called “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks” by Dr. Timothy Laniak. The author lived with nomadic shepherds in the Middle East in order to gain a greater understanding of what Biblical shepherding was all about. In one chapter he discussed the position of the shepherd in relation to the sheep. There are times when the shepherd is out front leading them, and other times when he’s behind them pushing them forward. When the sheep are an open area, the shepherd is out front. The sheep follow for protection and provision. When they’re traveling through a low visibility area, the shepherd will go behind the sheep to keep them moving. The ones in front feel the pressure of the movement to move forward.

In John 10, Jesus was using shepherds to teach the people about Himself in a manner they could relate to. He called Himself the Good Shepherd. He talked about being the gate as the shepherd. They would have understood the shepherds put the sheep in a pin at night and the shepherd sleeps in the doorway to protect them. He talked about how when dangers come, hired hands run, but the shepherd stays. He then discussed how the sheep know His voice and listen when it’s time to leave the pen. Verse 4 says, “When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call” (AMP).

Is Jesus out front leading you or is He pushing you from behind right now? Are you listening to His voice as He guides you? There are a lot of competing voices out there trying to get your attention. Jesus said His sheep know His voice and listen to Him. They know Him and He knows them (verse 27). We must be tuned into His voice each day in order to go where He leads. Whether you have low or high visibility right now for your direction, take time each day to be still and quiet your mind. Pray, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.” Then wait in silence until you hear Him. He’s speaking to you constantly, trying to lead you, but you must listen for His voice and recognize His call. The more you sit quietly in His presence, the more you will hear Him speak to you.

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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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June 12, 2024 · 5:43 AM

Remain Faithful

After having gone through a difficult season, I asked my son how he was feeling and what was he thinking about it. He immediately said he didn’t understand why things happened as they did because we had fasted and prayed for a different outcome. He then said, “It makes me question if God really exists.” I began to explain how trials and tests can cause us to question His existence at times because we don’t understand. It can also cause us to question if our prayers are heard and other things as well. What matters is we push through our feeling of the moment and grab onto the reality of who He is. I reminded him of the time God supernaturally answered our prayers and times He’s specifically showed up. I let him know we all go through moments like that at times when we’re going through trials. It’s important to refocus on what God has done so we can remain faithful.

In Luke 22:31, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff” (GNT). What Peter didn’t know was his world was going to crumble that night. He would also deny knowing Jesus three times. Jesus then said, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.” Jesus prayed for Peter, and He also intercedes for us in our moments of testing. Peter beat himself up pretty badly for failing in the test the way he did, but that wasn’t the end. He did turn back and remained faithful and led the Early Church. His failure in the test, like ours, is not the end.

James 1:12 says, “Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.” Everyone will face tests because Satan wants to sift us and cause us to doubt our faith making us ineffective. He wants us to return to our old life, but Jesus is praying for you that your faith won’t fail. He’s waiting to restore you and strengthen you. It’s in times of testing we find out where we truly stand. Sometimes we pass with flying colors and other times we’re left questioning everything. It’s good to keep a journal of what all God has done so you can remind yourself of the faithfulness of God in those moments. When we remain faithful and make it through the trial, God will give us more of His abundant life He promised us and we will receive the crown of life.

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June 11, 2024 · 5:36 AM

The Way

Have you ever heard someone say, “That’s their way of life”? When we say something like that, we’re referring to their culture, which encapsulates their lifestyle, Think about the different ways of life for people groups. The Amish way of life is without modern conveniences. There are still shepherds in the Middle East who live a nomadic lifestyle roaming between countries. Some cultures elevate social harmony, whereas other celebrate an individualistic approach. When we talk about the culture of a group, we’re usually referring to a way of living that defines them. It’s no coincidence that in Acts 9, before followers of Jesus were called “Christians”, they were called “followers of The Way.” The Early Church didn’t just accept Jesus into their heart. Their entire lifestyle and way of living was changed when they did so much so that people recognized it.

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate because the wide gate and broad path is the way that leads to destruction—nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! The narrow gate and the difficult way leads to eternal life—so few even find it!” (TPT) Notice how there are two ways to live or choose from. Most people choose the broad way of living that goes along with the culture of the world. However, He started off by telling us to choose the narrow way that leads to life. He goes on to say that not everyone who says to Him “Lord, Lord” will enter Heaven. There will be those who took His name, but didn’t live the way He called us to. They never left the broad way and applied His teachings to their life. It’s a narrow way we must live that is often in contradiction to our culture.

Isaiah 35:8 says, “There will be a highway of holiness called the Sacred Way. The impure will not be permitted on this road, but it will be accessible to God’s people. And not even fools will lose their way.” When we accept Jesus, we’re invited to this highway of holiness. We put on the righteousness of Jesus that changes how we think and live from the inside out. For some, it’s an instantaneous change. For others, we go through a process of sanctification as we change. When the Holy Spirit enters our life,what was once acceptable to us on the broad way, will no longer be acceptable. How we live, how we think and how we talk begins to be noticeably different by others. This Sacred Way is what you and I are called to walk on throughout this life and to help others find it. Are you walking on the narrow way or the broad way?

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June 10, 2024 · 5:44 AM

Created To Do

I used to travel a lot for work. I often ate at the same restaurants in the cities I visited where I got to know servers and owners. At a restaurant in New Orleans, I came across a server named Ike. He wasn’t like any server I ever had before. He loved waiting on tables and it showed. It wasn’t long before he served some Hollywood casting agents filming there. They cast him in several shows over time. We were laughing about it one day and I told him that one day they were going to take him away to Hollywood. Suddenly his face got serious and he said, “That’s not going to happen. God made me to wait tables! Acting is fun, but this is why I’m here.” It struck me that night how important it is to find what we were created to do.

In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon began to build the Temple. He got about 160,000 people to work on it. He hired Hiram, king of Tyre, to send cedar because people there were excellent at cutting wood. He hired Hiram-Abi who was created to work with good, silver and other metals. He could make any design Solomon thought of. This man made it into the Bible because he found what he was created to do, and God used his skills to create all the holy objects that were in the Temple. Throughout the first few chapters of 2 Chronicles, you’ll find his name over and over in relation to his skill. God doesn’t just need ministers to build His Church, He needs all of us doing our part using the talents and skills He’s given us.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV). You are God’s handiwork and you were created to do specific things for the Kingdom. Don’t look down on your skills and think they’re not as important as someone else’s. Nehemiah’s skill built a wall. David’s let him play the harp for the king. Paul made tents to earn money while being one of the most prolific missionaries. God can use whatever skill He’s given you to do good works and make a difference. He’s got work that you were created to do. Quit making excuses or demeaning your skill. Home it, find where you are to use it and get busy!

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