January 8, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Melting Ice

When God’s promises seem slow or feel like they’re never going to come to pass, how do you respond? Do you keep doing what you’re doing to prepare for them or do you give up hope thinking they’re dead? I heard John Maxwell talk about something similar regarding melting ice. Imagine it’s 27 degrees out and you’re working on raising the temperature and it goes up to 28. The ice is still frozen, but you keep going and it gets to 29. Still nothing. You keep going and it grid to 30, then 31. It can feel like nothing is happening because the ice hasn’t changed at all and you’ve done everything you can. However, don’t give up because once it hits 32, all that has taken place begins to work suddenly.

In Ezekiel 37, God took Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones where God asked if they could live again. Instead of stating the obvious that the situation was hopeless, he replied that only God knew. God told him to prophesy to them to come together because God was going to make them live again. There was a great rattling in the valley as they came together into individual skeletons. Then muscles, joints and skin covered them. A great army stood there lifeless until God told him to prophesy to the four winds to breathe on them. Suddenly they came alive. God then said that Israel had given up on his promise to return them home from captivity saying all hope was lost. However, God wasn’t done. He was going to breathe life into His promise when all hope seemed lost.

I Corinthians 1:9 says, ”God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on]“ (AMP). The Bible is full of stories of people whom God’s promises seemed like they would never come. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for a son. Joseph was away from his family for over a decade before his dream came true. David remained a shepherd then ran for his life for over 15 years while being promised the kingdom before he became king. If it seems like everything is still or moving in the wrong direction, keep believing, keep working towards it and trust God. He is faithful to His promises even when it seems all hope is lost. 32 degrees is just around the corner.

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January 5, 2024 · 5:30 AM

MORE

I’ve seen several people and churches ask, “What is your word of the year?” I love reading the comments on posts like this to see what people are seeking. One comment that stuck out to me was the word “more”. I couldn’t help but think how we could all use more of what God has for us. I need more of His grace. I want more of His blessings. I crave more of His presence. More is a great word and God has more to give you this year and throughout your life. Don’t settle for less than what God has for you. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give you life MORE abundantly. Pray today and ask God to give you more of what He wants to give you.

Here are some Bible verses on things God wants to give you more of.

1. But he continues to pour out MORE and MORE grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”

James 4:6 TPT

2. Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly MORE than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP

3. For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], MORE will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.

Matthew 25:29 AMP

4. May God give you MORE and MORE mercy, peace, and love.

Jude 1:2 NLT

5. Yes, God is MORE than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have MORE than enough of everything —every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.

2 Corinthians 9:8 TPT

What would you like MORE of from God this year?

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January 4, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Daily Disciplines

I’ve watched the movie “Greater” a couple of times. It’s the faith based story of Brandon Burlsworth who is considered the greatest walk-on in college football history. He had everything working against him, but he persisted. One coach told him since he didn’t have talent, he was going to have to work harder than anyone else. He was first to show up and last to leave. At one point, he got a new coach and the coach found him practicing his footwork when the practice field was closed. The coach asked him if his previous coaches let him do that. Brandon replied that they never knew he did it. The coach said, “Well, they say character is what you do when no one’s looking.” Brandon quickly replied, “Someone’s always looking.”

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church, he was reminding them that they were going to go through hard times. In chapter 6, let them know that how they respond matters. Verse 4 says, “Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly… in hard times, tough times, bad times” (MSG). That phrase, “gets validated – or not – in the details” jumped off the page at me. In hard times, it’s more important than ever to focus on the details of our spiritual growth. We must continue to read and study God’s Word, spend time in prayer and fasting, share our faith and put into practice what we know. It’s those daily disciplines that help us to stay our post when times get tough.

Brandon Burlsworth was only able to achieve what he did because he continued with his daily disciplines no matter what. It’s easy to make excuses right now and to slack off on our relationship with Christ, but now is the time we need to go deeper in that relationship. People are watching how you and I respond to difficult times. Are we rising to the challenge or are we succumbing? We must stay at our post, stronger than ever, giving people hope and pointing them to the One who gives peace in troubled times. Our work – our faith – gets validated in the daily details and is exposed under pressure. I believe God is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him than ever before. The way to that relationship and spiritual maturity is in the details of your daily spiritual disciplines.

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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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January 3, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Forgiveness Matters

During World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her family helped hide Jews from the Nazi’s until they were caught. They were shipped off to concentration camps where her father and sister died from the torture they endured. A few years after the war, Corrie was in Munich, Germany teaching people about how God forgives. After her message, she noticed a man moving toward her as everyone was exiting. It was a guard from the camp she was stationed at who had been evil and vile to the two sisters. He said he had become a Christian and that God had forgiven him of all the terrible things he did at that camp. He then asked her if she would forgive him too. She knew as a Christian she had to, but she struggled. She then asked Jesus to help her as she put out her hand to shake his. She felt a current go through her body and said, “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart!”

I can’t help but think of Joseph whose father had given him a coat of many colors in Genesis 37. His own brothers began to resent him to the pint they agreed to kill him. Instead they took his coat and threw him in a cistern. They sold him into slavery where he was taken to Egypt. For years he was a slave and later a prisoner. He could have resented his brothers for all the pain and heartache they caused him, but instead he chose to forgive. When they came seeking food, he fed them and cared for them. He understood that God was able to use their actions to place him in position to help many. His ability to forgive them and show them kindness in return for what they did to him is another great example of someone who was wronged but chose to forgive.

Colossians 3:13 says, ”Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others“ (NLT). This verse tells us that we are to forgive anyone who offends or hurts us. Remember forgiveness releases you from the prison their actions keeps you in. It doesn’t mean you have to reconcile with them either. It means you must let go of the hurt and the pain they have caused you, quit harboring malice towards them and be willing to treat them as if they didn’t harm you. Like Corrie Ten Boom recalled, we can’t be forgiven by God unless we forgive others. If you can’t do it in your strength, then ask God to help you forgive. You will not fully heal until you do. Don’t carry that weight anymore. Use this start to a new year to help you let go of the weight of unforgiveness.

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January 2, 2024 · 8:26 AM

Setting Godly Goals

What would have to happen this year for you to consider it a successful year? Have you thought about that? What is your definition of success? Most of us immediately tie success to our jobs, but what about success in your relationships, spiritual growth or even with your family? You’ve probably got some ideas of things you’d like to accomplish in the different areas of your life, but unless you set proper goals with an actionable plan, those thoughts are really just dreams with very little hope of being fulfilled.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (NLT). The Bible is clear that we must make plans, set goals and do the work if we’re going to “build our wall” as pastor says. Planning means that we prayerfully sit down, think through processes and outcomes that we want to achieve. The results you get will be directly tied to the processes you have in your life. You must be faithful in the little details if you expect God to give you more. Shortcuts won’t get you to where God wants to take you. All His promises have processes that we must go through. He has goals and plans for your life. Do yours line up with His?

Set some God sized goals this year that can’t be achieved unless He intervenes. Put in place processes that will help you stay on track throughout the year. What needs to happen between now and the end of January for you to be on your way? Who do you need to talk to you about your plans and who can hold you accountable? Each of us have to push past the fear, turn a deaf ear to the “what if’s” and step out in faith. The key to reaching your goals in most cases is “Go. Set. Ready.” You will never feel like you’re ready or set enough. God always requires us to take the first step. What will yours be in each of the areas God wants to grow you this year?

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January 1, 2024 · 5:30 AM

New Year’s Prayer 2024

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all you did in my life in 2023. I give you glory for the victories that were won, ask for help in understanding the losses and seek wisdom to grow from the challenges that this year brought. I know your ways are higher than mine, so I ask that you give me the strength to trust your ways when things didn’t happen the way I thought they should have. I trust you with my life, my health and my future. You know the every aspect of my life and see the greater picture you’re creating with my life. I choose to walk in the steps you have ordered for me in the coming year.

Let 2024 be the year of promises fulfilled in my life. I stand on your Word and trust you to complete the good work which you have already begun. Open doors in my life that no one can shut, and shut doors that no one can open. Make this the year that you restore what the locusts have stolen. Open the windows of Heaven to pour out blessings I’m unable to contain so that I may be a blessing to others. Use my life to make the lives of others better. Help me to point people to you. I receive from you all that you want to give me in this coming year. You know my greatest needs so I’m asking you to meet them. Bring healing where there is brokenness. Bring your strength where there are weaknesses. Bring grace where I fall short.

I ask that you would help me to put on your full armor so that I may stand when everything else seems to crumble around me. Help me to fight the good fight and to take ground this year. Expand my territory and keep your hand of favor on my life. Bring the right relationships into my life that will help me to get where you’re leading me and place me in other people’s lives so I can help them get to where you’re wanting them to go. Let this year bring me into a closer relationship with you. Open my mind to understand your Word like never before and open my heart to receive the seeds you want to plant so that my life will produce the fruit you want it to.

I give you thanks for what you’re going to do this year.

In Jesus name.

Amen.

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December 29, 2023 · 6:30 AM

Stop. Start. Continue.

At the end of a long class, I like to debrief by asking the participants to reflect on what they’ve learned. I then ask them to think about things they need to stop doing, things they need to start doing and things they need to continue doing. At the end of the year, it’s a great way to think about how you want to head into the new year. As a disciple of Christ, it’s something we should do as well if we want to mature in our faith. There are many things that the Bible tell us we should stop, start and continue as we live for Him. Think about what you will change in the new year. If you don’t stop or start new things, you can’t expect to grow.

Here are some Bible verses on things we all should stop doing.

1. Since a great price was paid for your redemption, stop having the mind-set of a slave.

1 Corinthians 7:23 TPT

2. So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Hebrews 6:1 NLT

3. Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

1 Corinthians 15:34 NLT

4. “Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme over the world.”

Psalm 46:10 GNT

5. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Romans 14:13 NLT

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December 27, 2023 · 6:30 AM

Trusting The Truth

I have a friend who is both a pilot and a flight instructor. Being a trainer myself, I asked him about ways he helps people to remember things. He shared that two things he tries to teach pilots are to trust the instruments and also to go to the manual when there’s a problem. He said that many pilots have died because they trusted what they thought they saw instead of the instruments. They have special visors that block the pilots view of everything except the instruments to teach them to trust them. To teach them to go to the manual, he distracts them mid flight, then he shuts off the engines when their not looking. He lets them panic until they remember to go to the manual. Once they do that, they go through their checklist, find the problem and restart the engines. It’s a lesson they never forget.

Both of those are great lessons for us to remember as well. We can’t trust what we feel or even see with our eyes. Feelings lie to us and manipulate us. They’re there as warning signs, but if we constantly live by our feelings, we’ll have a miserable life. We live in an age where people believe truth is relative to the individual. What’s true for me may not be true for you. Living like that is like flying by what you see and not by the instruments. It’s dangerous. Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life. He is the absolute truth that we must use to guide our lives with beyond our feelings. He told us that we’re going to have trouble and face things that will cause us to want to lose faith, but He also said that He has overcome the world and will give us peace. We get that peace when we trust Him more than what we feel or see.

We’ve also been given an instruction manual in the Bible. It is also absolute truth. When the engines of our life shut off and we start to nose dive, go to the manual God gave us. I love how Philippians 4:8 starts. It says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true” (NLT). Don’t let fear dictate your thoughts and actions. Compare everything to what is true. If it’s not true, don’t give it space in your head. What God says is more true than your situational feelings. Fix your mind on God’s absolute truth and not on your feelings. Fix your mind on the truth of God’s Word and not what others tell you is true. This takes discipline, but it gives you peace when everything seems to be falling apart. Jesus has not abandoned you or forgotten you. He’s right there in the cockpit of life with you reminding you to trust His instruments and His Word to get you through.

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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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December 27, 2023 · 6:30 AM

Experiencing God’s Peace

What are the things you worry most about? It could be your finances, your future, your job or relationships. Worry and anxiety are usually caused by things, real or imagined, that pose a risk to the future we’ve imagined. How we respond to worry matters. Some people get in a loop with their thoughts replaying out the worst case scenario in their mind. Some carry the weight of it in the back somewhere causing it to knot up. Others carry the worry in the stomach to the point they get ulcers. However you carry it, worry is something that all of us have to deal with. It robs us of our peace, our sleep, our strength and our present. It’s hard to be in the moment when your mind is worried about the future.

In Matthew 8:18-22 a religious teacher offered to follow Jesus. That’s when Jesus reminded him that to follow him meant an uncertain future that may not include a place to lay his head at night. Then Jesus asked someone else to follow Him, but that person was worried about their inheritance and wanted to bury their father first. Jesus didn’t want anything to stand between a person and following him. He then got into a boat with the disciples and a storm arose quickly. Jesus was asleep in the boat in perfect peace, but the disciples were worried. The momentary storm took their eyes off of where Jesus was leading them so they called out to Him. He asked them why were they afraid and worried about the storm. He then rebuked it and there was a great calm.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT). When we’re worried, we should let those worries direct us to Jesus instead of our fear. When we give it to Him and also have a heart of thanksgiving for everything He’s done, we will experience God’s peace. Either He is in control of our future or we are. If I assume control, worry sets in. If I’ve placed it in His hands, then His grace and strength will be sufficient for whatever I face. Trusting Him with our future is the only way to experience a peace that will guard our heart and mind.

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December 26, 2023 · 6:30 AM

Being Enough

What card do you play when you want to show your credibility? I know some people say what university they graduated in order to validate themselves. I know others who point to their position at their job. Some talk of their experience and others the people they’re connected with. We all have something we point to that we’re proud of, but what if that was taken away? Who would you be without it? Is the value you place on yourself based on that or in how other people treat you because of it? We all want to be valued in other people’s eyes in one way or another. However, many of the things we point to, won’t matter for eternity.

In Philippians 3 Paul is building his credibility with the readers about who he is so they’ll trust him instead of deceivers. He also goes a little overboard to make a point. He tells them he’s a Hebrew’s Hebrew born of the tribe of Benjamin. He then lets them know he was a strict Pharisee who knew the Law and lived it better than just about anyone. He was also one of the most zealous people in regards to the Law. So much so that he hunted down Christians and killed them. People knew who he was and how religious he was. He had all the credibility you needed and the accolades of people, but when he came to know Christ, his identity ceased to be in those things. He realized it was all superficial, self righteous pride and he wanted to teach us a lesson.

Philippians 3:8 says, ”Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ“ (NLT). Are you holding on to an identity that you’ve created or are you holding on to what Jesus considers as important? The more we let go of the things that this world values, the more we’re able to receive what God has for us. It’s time to be like Paul and throw those things that make us self righteous in the garbage. They may give you the approval of people which interferes with God’s approval. Your identity and your credibility comes from who you are in Christ and what He’s done for you. It’s time to quit trying to make others think you’re enough when God already says you’re enough.

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