October 24, 2025 · 5:42 AM

The Light Of God

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” The original audience didn’t think of this just as a beam of light. They saw it as God’s holiness and represented His nearness to us. The menorah in the Temple was a manifestation of that. Light was more than the what dispels darkness. It represented divine wisdom as well. So when Jesus came and said, “You are the light of the world,” He was saying we carry the divine presence with us. As we look through Scripture, think about this context to see how the early audience understood it.

Here are some Bible verses on the light of God:

1. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

2. Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”

John 8:12 TPT

3. Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105 GNT

4. The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts].

Matthew 6:22 AMP

5. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 NLT

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October 23, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Insurmountable Odds

2 Kings 18 tells the story of King Hezekiah. He was a good king who was compared to David in his zeal for the Lord. Verse 5 says he trusted in the Lord like no other king in Judah. In his fourteenth year as king, the Assyrian army came to attack. They were the world’s most dominant army at the time. No one could stand against them. They were undefeated, and Jerusalem had a small army at the time. The king of Assyria took control of the city’s aqueduct and then sent people to try to get Israel to surrender. They started off in verse 19, “This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?” (NLT) Hezekiah had confidence in God while he was facing insurmountable odds in the face of defeat.

In chapter 19, King Hezekiah did what we need to do when we’re facing insurmountable odds. He went to the Lord in desperate prayer. He then sought a word from the Lord from Isaiah. God said he would send him back to Assyria where he would be killed. However, the stand off continued. The king of Assyria taunted more. He said, “You know perfectly well what the kings of Assyria have done wherever they have gone. They have completely destroyed everyone who stood in their way! Why should you be any different?” He reminded them of all the other people they destroyed, but Hezekiah still went to God for help even when it looked like God wasn’t answering like he said. Then God moved against Assyria killing 185,000 of them in one night. The king broke camp, went home and was killed.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see” (GNT). You can have confidence in God even though you’re facing an insurmountable odd today. Whenever you’re feeling like the situation is taunting you and it looks like you can’t win, turn to God. When you look at what it has done to others and the thought comes that says, “Why should you get a different outcome,” turn to God in faith. There is nothing God cannot do. There are no insurmountable odds that He can’t overcome. Faith is to be sure of what He can do in the face of what you can’t overcome. Don’t listen to the voices of doubt or the words that tell you there’s no hope. Trust in God no matter what insurmountable odds you face.

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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. G

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October 22, 2025 · 5:43 AM

Being An Open Book

I’ve heard some people say they’re an open book, while I’ve known others who are very private people. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, there are two things I’ve found. We all wear a mask to some degree. We put it on when we are around others. We show them a person we think others will like. We also have a part of ourselves that’s hidden. It’s the part we don’t show others because we think if others knew this about us, they may not like us or think poorly of us. It’s where we hide our fears, insecurities and hidden sins. Even if we’re great at hiding it from others, God sees it, and He still loves you.

In John 4, Jesus was tired from walking and stopped at a well. The disciples left Him there while they went to find food. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water by herself. To her surprise, Jesus then asked her for a drink. She reminded Him that Jews despise people like her, He then hinted at who He was. After some conversation, He told her to go get her husband, to which she replied that she didn’t have one. He responded by telling her how many times she had been married and was living with a man. He showed He knew what was hidden and loved her still. She then ran into town telling everyone to come and see a man who knew everything about her. They all came to meet Him and He stayed there a couple of days bringing many to the faith.

Psalm 139:1-2 says, “Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind” (TPT). God sees all the hidden places of your heart and life. He knows everything about you and still loves you. The psalmist continues in verse 17, “Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought!“ You don’t have to be afraid or think that He would love you any less. Let Him come in, examine those areas and forgive or heal those parts of your life. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are known and loved as an open book to God.

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October 21, 2025 · 5:52 AM

Put Down The Shovel

One of the things I like to say is, “If you find out you’re digging yourself into a hole, put down the shovel.” We al, do things at times that are detrimental to our walk with God or the direction our life should be going. So many times we’re too busy or distracted to notice that we’re off the path. It’s good to stop every now and again to evaluate what all we’re doing, what the consequences are and to get ourselves back on track to where we should be going. Once we recognize behaviors that are wrong, we need to repent and head back in the right direction.

In Luke 15:11 Jesus told the story of a man with two sons. The younger one asked for his inheritance before the father died. He took his money, went away and spent it all. About that time, there was a famine. He was far from home, penniless and hungry. In verse 17, he took stock of his life, what he was doing and decided to return to his father to seek forgiveness. When he was still far away, the father saw him and ran to him. Not only did the father forgive him, he restored his sonship and threw a party at his return. His situation changed when he reevaluated his decisions, made the change to go home and repent.

Acts 3:19 says, “And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence” (TPT). To repent is to turn around and go the other direction. It is to put down the shovel and stop digging the hole. God is ready to restore each one of us and to bring times of refreshing to our life. Like the father in the story, He’s looking for us to return to the place where we are in right standing with Him. Every one of us drift and do things that pull us away from where we need to be. Take time today to stop and reevaluate what all you’re doing. If there are things keeping you away, put down the shovel, repent and return to the Father.

Photo by Alfo Medeiros on Pexels.

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October 20, 2025 · 5:43 AM

A Heart For Hospitality

After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, my wife and I led mission trips through a ministry that builds orphanages. After each long, hot day in the sun, our team would meet at the end of the day to debrief, worship and have a devotional. One the first night there, the missionary asked our team, “Where did you see Jesus today?” It was quiet as people looked around, not sure what to say. Then he pointed at a member of our team and said how he saw Jesus as that person gave some of their water to a thirsty kid. Each night the same question was asked. As the week went on, more people answered pointing out how each had cared for someone in need.

In Matthew 25:31:46, Jesus told of how He will return one day and sit on His throne to judge. He will say to one group to sit at His right hand, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (NLT). They didn’t understand or know when they had done that. Then He will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” They were giving mercy and compassion to those who needed it, but didn’t realize they were doing it to Jesus. They didn’t see Him in those they were helping.

Hebrews 13:1-2 says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” You never know who God is putting in your path to have compassion on. Do you turn away when you see someone in need or do you see Jesus? Biblical compassion is being able to see Jesus in those who are less fortunate than us or are suffering, and to then be able to respond to them and their needs. You don’t have to go to a foreign country to find the least of these. You will see them every day if you open your eyes. Ask God to give you eyes to see and a heart to help.

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October 17, 2025 · 5:56 AM

Wise Choices

When you think of someone who is wise in your life, who do you picture? Movies seem to always portray the wise person as an ancient mystic. However, when we read Proverbs, Solomon shows that the wise are people who make sound decisions. That means you and I can be wise, or at the very least make wise decisions. In the Bible, the wise are not just intellectuals or scholars. They are the ones who make godly decisions regarding their life. James 1:5 says that if any of us lack wisdom, we can ask God for it, and He’ll give it to us. Let’s ask God for wisdom in the choices we make so we can receive all God has for us.

Here are some verses on wise choices:

1. Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:15 NLT

2. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

Proverbs 9:9 NLT

3. You can recognize fools by the way they give full vent to their rage and let their words fly! But the wise bite their tongues and hold back all they could say.

Proverbs 29:11 TPT

4. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

Proverbs 14:16 ESV

5. Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble], But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].

Proverbs 29:8 AMP

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October 16, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Sharing Your Burden

How heavy is the burden you’re carrying right now? We all carry burdens with us. Freedictionary.com lists these as synonyms of burden: trouble, care, worry, trial, weight, responsibility, stress, strain, anxiety, sorrow, grievance, affliction, onus, albatross, millstone, encumbrance. All these things wear us down, make us tired and cause us not to move forward. We carry them inside and try not to let anyone know that they’re weighing us down. Somehow we’ve come to believe it’s a badge of honor to bear these burdens. It’s a way to show others were stronger than they believe. The truth is that you weren’t meant to carry these heavy burdens that distract us from our purpose by ourselves.

I love Jesus’ promise in Matthew 11:28. He said, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis” (TPT). One version refers to this burden as a yoke which would wrap around an animals neck to help them plow. Jesus’ metaphor here is symbolic of a yoke that would hold two animals. He wants to help you carry that burden. We’re even directed as believers in Galatians 6:2 to help each other carry their burdens. In each case, it requires the burden bearer to seek that help. When a burden is shared, the weight is cut in half. Quit believing the lies that it’s yours to carry alone and that no one else cares. God is available to help you and has placed people around you to help you.

Jesus continued in Matthew 11:29, “Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” It takes us joining our life with His and submitting to His yoke rather than our own. To me, that’s the hard part here, and in my mind it doesn’t always make sense. Yielding to Christ’s burden, rather than our own, and trusting Him with ours, is an act of faith. It’s trusting God to take care of something we’ve taken ownership of whether we were meant to or not. Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; he is the God who saves us” (GNT). God is ready and waiting for you to trust Him enough to go to Him and let Him help you day by day. Start by praying and saying out loud that you submit to His burden and need His help. Then share it with a trusted friend.

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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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October 15, 2025 · 5:46 AM

Storm Of Distractions

If you watched the movie, “Up,” then you remember Doug the dog. Every time someone goes on a rabbit trail or gets distracted, either they say, “Squirrel,” or someone else does. I hear people say it often because we’re a lot like Doug. We get easily distracted. We have our eyes on the prize of where we’re headed and something shiny gets our attention. We try to pray and we start thinking of all we have to do today. When we try to read the Bible, our phone goes off with someone trying to reach us. We live in a world full of distractions, but we must learn to keep our eyes on Jesus.

In Matthew 14 after Jesus fed the 5,000 He put the disciples in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Somewhere in the night, a storm came over the sea and began tossing their boat. At 4:00 in the morning, while fighting to keep the boat afloat, Jesus came walking to them on the water. When they realized it was Jesus, Peter asked to get out of the boat and walk to Him. Verse 30 says, “But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he cried out” (TPT). Jesus reached out His hand, saved him and walked him back to the boat. When Peter got distracted, he began to sink and became afraid.

Proverbs 4:26-27 says, “Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.” It sounds simple enough, and it’s easy to pick on Peter, but we all get distracted by things around us or our circumstances. Taking the easy way out has become the norm, but we must stick to the path of truth. We can’t allow ourselves to get distracted so that we make decisions out of fear. We can’t allow distractions to get us off of God’s path. When we find that we are straying or are being distracted, we need to be like Peter and cry out, “Save me, Lord!” Just like He rescued Peter, He will rescue you and walk with you through the storm of distractions.

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October 14, 2025 · 5:58 AM

Alignment And Recalibration

In one of my previous jobs, I had to fly to Tennessee once a year for a week long class. About twenty or so of us in my position would go at a time. On day one, we would start by watching videos of a person training. We would take notes on what we saw. The highest ranking person would call on a few people for their notes. She would then share hers. The process would repeat all day. Then we would be assigned material to train each day. We would take notes on each other each day and compare. By Friday we were seeing the same things and taking similar notes. She was helping us to align with the company values and calibrating our work.

In 2 Samuel 11, David had quit doing what he was supposed to do. The chapter starts off by telling us when the kings went to war, David stayed home. It was while he was home that he saw Bathsheba bathing and brought her in. When she became pregnant, he brought her husband home from battle. When he wouldn’t go home to Bathsheba, David sent him back to war to have him killed. When God called David out on his sin, it was a call to repentance and recalibration. In Psalm 51:10, David wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (NLT) David heard God’s voice and prayed this prayer so that he would align with God’s desires. I believe God answered his prayer.

Psalm 119:133 says, “Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word; Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You]” (AMP). This prayer is also a prayer of alignment and recalibration. When we come into alignment with God’s plan, He establishes our steps. When we seek His help in overcoming temptation, we are asking to have the Holy Spirit recalibrate our hearts so that we are aware of sins that are trying to entice us. Both of these prayers are good for us to pray. They give the Holy Spirit authority to point out things in our life that need correction. It encourages us to read God’s Word so we know what God’s standard of living is for us. He can give you a new heart and a right spirit too. Just ask Him.

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October 13, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Moving Through Seasons

I’ve had this conversation several times this month with people who feel God is drawing them into a new season or situation. My first question to them is always, “Which direction are you heading and what steps are you taking?” Almost always the reply is that they don’t know where God is leading them yet. I reply that it’s hard for God to lead you when you’re standing still. Most of us get paralysis through analysis trying to figure out which direction to move when there are 360 degrees of options. We still have to begin walking towards something and trust God to course correct along the way.

Genesis 12:1 says, “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you’” (NLT). Gods didn’t tell Abram where He was leading him. He only told him to start walking. The changing of seasons in our life often begin with the uncomfortable process of moving away from what’s become familiar to us. God understands that growth rarely comes from places where we are comfortable. In this case, Abram had to walk away from what was native to him so that God could reshape him and give him a new purpose. His obedience redefined who he was to the point God changed his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of multitudes).

When I’m in seasons of change, I cling to the promise in Isaiah 30:21. It says, “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” God didn’t let Abraham walk alone, and He won’t let you walk alone either. When we start walking away from the familiar, God’s voice becomes our compass. There’s a tension in transformation from one season to the other, and that’s ok. Tension often pushes us to our knees and into a deeper relationship with God. You may feel like a wanderer, as Abraham did, but you can also trust the voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you into the next season. You can only get there though if you start moving.

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