April 19, 2023 · 5:36 AM

Step Into The River

I live in a neighborhood that flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Thankfully our house was fine. After the hurricane passed, started seeing people post videos of their homes under water. One person rode a jet ski through the neighborhood and into their home. With no power to the house, we decided to walk through the area. The River at the front of the neighborhood had flooded several hundred yards. The waters were moving quickly and they were very dirty. We stood back at a distance just looking at it rush by. A River that is flooded is a dangerous thing.

I share that with you because in Joshua 3, Israel was preparing to leave the desert after 50 years. Just like the Red Sea once stood in their way, now the Jordan River blocked them. The Bible says that the river was flooded at the time and we’ll out of its banks. God told the people to consecrate themselves inside and out before heading across it. He then told them that twelve priests would accompany the Ark of the Covenant ahead of them. The instructions continued in verse 13. It says, “When the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, [come to] rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing down from above will be cut off, and they will stand in one mass [of water]” (AMP). Before God would part these waters, the priests had to get in it. Before God would tear down walls, these men had to step into the mud.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (GNT). A humans understanding would have stayed away from those flood waters, but they trusted what God said anyway. Before you and I can receive our victory, we’re going to have to step into the waters. Before we see walls fall, we’re going to have to trust what God says over what we think we know. So many times we stay locked in the desert because we’re afraid to step into the waters that God has called us to. Don’t let fear hold you from the Promised Land. When we follow the paths God leads us down, we’re going to get a little muddy. However, it’s through our obedience, especially through things that don’t make sense to us, that God does great and mighty things. Quit standing there looking at your river. Obey what God has told you and step into it.

Photo by Ryan Rader on Unsplash

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April 18, 2023 · 5:36 AM

Strong And Courageous

How do you respond to an impossible task or one that is pretty huge? There’s a few ways you can respond I think. The first is to be discouraged at the enormity of it. Most people in this category give up before they start or not long after starting. It looks too big to even try. Another response is to complain about it. If you complain to enough people, you’ll get sympathy rather than help. Having someone feel sorry for your situation feels better than attempting it. Finally, you can buckle up and eat the proverbial elephant one bite at a time. There’s still the potential to get discouraged or complain, but your mind is set to complete the task.

In the first chapter of Joshua, he is charged with going into an occupied land with fortified cities and taking it over. It was a large enough task to try to lead millions of people. Now he had to muster the troops for battle as well. It’s no wonder that God told him three different times in a row to, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do” (Joshua 1:7 NLT). He needed to keep his eye on the mission, know that God was with him and to follow God’s Word. He could have been discouraged at what was being asked, but God told him over and over to be strong and courageous.

Galatians 6:9 says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Paul had just reminded us to share each others burdens and to pay attention to the work God called us to. Harvests are great, but they’re only possible through planting seeds. It’s a tedious job, but a necessary part of God’s process. The task He has given you may seem too big for you. It’s easy to give up or complain, but be courageous. When the task is greater than your abilities, it is designed to get you to rely on His strength rather than yours. Put God’s Word in your heart, stand on His promises and begin the work one seed at a time. Be strong and courageous. God is with you. There’s a harvest coming if you don’t give up.

Photo by Vicky Sim on Unsplash

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April 17, 2023 · 5:47 AM

Hearing The Word

Dr. Masaru Emoto was a Japanese scientist born in the 1940’s. Since the world is mostly water, he spent his life studying water to try to understand it better. He found that water has both energy and memory. In one of his experiments, he spoke a word over water and froze it. When he spoke the words, “I hate you. You’re a fool. You’re ugly,” and froze the water, it wormed crystalline structures that were non-symmetrical and plain. When he spoke the words, “You’re beautiful, I love you. Joy,” the water formed beautiful crystalline structures. What we know now is that not only is the earth made of mostly water, but so are our bodies. The words you say and the words you hear can have a profound impact on the molecular components of your body.

In 2 Kings 22, we read the story of King Josiah. He was just a boy when he became king. He was one of the ones who did what was right in God’s eyes. Eighteen years into his reign, he decided to make repairs to the Temple Solomon had built. During the repairs, someone found the Torah and brought it to him. As they read it out loud, he felt conviction from how the nation was living. They had been living from traditions rather than the Word of God and had been doing things that God opposed. He tore his clothes and sought forgiveness. He also made radical changes throughout the kingdom that brought the nation back to God like no other king. Hearing the Word of God changed him and the entire nation.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (AMP). When you hear the Word of God, it grows your faith and permeates every aspect of your being, changing you molecularly. Try listening to the audio version of the Bible or reading it out loud. Let is get into your heart and mind so that you are changed by it on every level. God’s Word is powerful. It’s able to divide the soul and spirit, as well as the bone and marrow (Hebrews 4:12). We must let it have its home in our lives to bring physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing so that it changes us and how we live.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

If you would like to see a video of Dr. Emoto’s work, click here.

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April 14, 2023 · 5:29 AM

Receiving Your Inheritance

Most people will receive some sort of inheritance in their life when a loved one dies. It could be a memento that belonged to that person, material goods, cash or property. Depending on the person and their will, it could be great or small. As believers, we have a great eternal inheritance that we can look forward to. Instead of receiving it in this life, we will receive it in the next. Our Heavenly Father, who happens to be the King of the universe, has one waiting for us because we are His children. Jesus told us He is a good father who gives us good things. While you may or may not receive an inheritance here, know you will receive one in Heaven.

Here are some Bible verses on your inheritance.

1. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”

Matthew 25:34 NLT

2. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

3. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.

Romans 8:17 AMP

4. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV

5. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One!

Colossians 3:24 TPT

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

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April 13, 2023 · 5:30 AM

The Perspective Problem

I love those photos where a person holds their hand out flat and the photographer adjusts to make it look like they’re holding the Eiffel Tower in their hand. I’ve seen it done with just about every landmark. The photos take advantage of perspective. The person is close to the camera while the giant object they’re “holding” is further away. Of course, if the two were right next to each other, you’d see just how large the Eiffel Tower is in comparison. While comparison like this in a photo is fun, when we get things in our life out of perspective, it can be dangerous.

Every one of us will go through difficult times. No one is exempt from trouble or the storms of life. What makes the difference is your perspective. When we go through difficult times, it can feel like God is far away and that He doesn’t care, while our troubles are in our face. In those moments, troubles can seem larger than God. We tend to view God Through the lens of our problems instead of viewing our problems through the lens of God. If we’re going to withstand the storms, we have to learn to change the perspective from which we view them.

Proverbs 10:25 says, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation” (NLT). You and I must have a strong foundation of faith to withstand the storms of life. That foundation will help us keep our problems in their proper perspective. God’s desire for each of us is to trust Him no matter what comes. Problems, even when they’re relentless, should build our faith rather than tear it down. Stand firm on the foundation of God’s Word and His character. When you put your problems next to God, you’ll see how big He is in comparison. It’s time to tell your storms how big your God is.

Photo courtesy of Vincent Lock

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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April 12, 2023 · 5:41 AM

Creating Harmony

Years ago a guy came waltzing into my store demanding to speak to the manager. When I asked him how I could help him, he replied, “You’ve got to hire me! I’m the best salesman you ever saw.” He talked very highly of himself for a few minutes then asked for a job. I sent him to the online portal to apply, but told him I didn’t have any openings. Honestly, I didn’t want him on my team. He was hired by another manager a few months later. He came by to tell me I had made a mistake in letting someone else hire him. I then gave him some friendly advice. I told him there’s a fine line between confidence and conceited. One attracts people and the other repels them. He had come off as very conceited. He appreciated the frankness and learned to dial it back which resulted in lots of sales for him.

After David had been anointed king, the actual king, Saul, decided to kill him which sent David on the run. One of the places David hid was the Cave of Adullam. 1 Samuel 22 says that his father and brothers joined him there. Verse 2 says, “Everyone who was suffering hardship, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him” (AMP). David could have been conceited and been upset at the quality of people whom God sent to him. These were the outcasts of society. He could have denied them access, but he didn’t. He took them in and created an army. Thirty seven of these men became famous for their bravery and battlefield heroics. David found a way to lead these men and get along with them creating a formidable group capable of beating entire cities.

Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself.” That’s some good advice. When I find myself not getting along with someone, I have to evaluate myself. Am I the one who is being conceited, self important or exclusive? What can I do to find harmony with this person? I don’t have to be friends with them. But I do need to find a way to be at peace with them, especially if they’re believers. Who knows if God has brought them into my life to help me, shape me or learn from me? If I think too highly of myself, I might reject the very person God put in my life. I’m sure you can think of an outcast that’s shown up in your life too. Seek humility and harmony before kicking them out of your cave.

Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash

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April 11, 2023 · 5:38 AM

Go Home

Have you ever been in a missions service where a missionary shared the work they were doing? What about a service where they taught in the Great Commission? Chances are that you felt a strong tug on your heart to “go into all the world.” You May have even prayed, “Lord, here am I, send me…just don’t send me to that part of the world.” We feel that strong tug because the Great Commission was to all of us. We are all called to go into all the world. We usually don’t consider our job, our neighborhood or our city as being included in “all the world,” but it is. Not everyone is called to be a missionary in a foreign country. However, we are all called to make disciples wherever we go.

In John 4, we read where Jesus took a strange detour through Samaria. The disciples were probably a bit confused because Jews and Samaritans hated each other. While they went to search for food, Jesus sat by a well. When a woman came to the well, Jesus spoke to her and asked for water. During their discussion, He explained He had living eater. He also told her all about herself and that He was the Messiah. She ran back into her town and told everyone about Him. They all came out because of her testimony of her encounter with Him. He stayed for a couple of days. They then said that they no longer believed because of her word. Now they had experienced Him themselves. One woman led an entire city to the Lord. She didn’t have to go into all the world. She just had to go home.

In Luke 8, we read where Jesus delivered the demoniac from Gaderene. He was filled with so many demons, they called themselves “Legion”. They asked to be cast into the pigs and they were. The man was delivered and wanted to follow Jesus. In verse 39 Jesus said, “‘Return home and tell [about] all the great things God has done for you.’ So the man went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him” (AMP). Just like these two people, most of us are called to go home and make disciples. There are people all around you today who need you to answer that call to go and make disciples. There are people who need to hear your testimony and see your life lived for Christ. You may be the only Jesus they meet today. Help set them free by the power of Jesus and win your town to Him one person at a time.

Photo by J King on Unsplash

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April 10, 2023 · 5:51 AM

Choices

Since I can remember, I have never liked being told what to do. I like being asked to do something, but take away my choice and something rises up in me. My parents learned this about me early on. They would tell me I could eat my broccoli or I could stay at the table. I could see the TV from where I sat, so I stayed at the table a few nights until bedtime. They wised up and said I could eat my broccoli or I could go to my room and go to bed. That motivated me to do something about the broccoli. Sometimes I liked the choices given to me, and other times I didn’t. I’ve learned that in life choices have consequences. Some have good consequences and some not so good. I’ve also learned that my choices don’t exist in a vacuum. No matter what I choose, it affects people all around me.

When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave them lots of choices. In the middle of the garden He planted the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He told them not to eat from that tree. It wasn’t long until the serpent came in Genesis 3 to tempt them with choosing to eat from that tree. He asked, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Eve responded, “‘Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die’” (NLT). The serpent challenged her trust in God’s Word and she chose to eat it. She then offered some to Adam and he chose to eat it as well. They then chose to try to conceal it from God and faced the consequences of their choices.

In Deuteronomy 11:26 God offered Israel (and us) a choice. He said, “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!” It seems like an easy choice, but we choose the curse over the blessing pretty often. The good news is God is there to forgive us when we make the wrong choice. Life would have been easier without the choice, but God, who is love, understands that if He were to remove our choice, it would remove our ability to love Him fully. The choice isn’t there to trick us or tempt us. It’s there so that we can choose our creator over the things He created. It’s to show if we trust Him or ourselves. To this day, He still gives each of us this choice. As you go about your day, you’re going to be given several opportunities to choose what He wants or what you want. Either one you choose has consequences. You can have a blessing or a curse. One choice may offer you an immediate result, while His results often come over time. Listen to the Holy Spirit and seek His wisdom in what you choose daily.

Photo by Einar Storsul on Unsplash

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April 7, 2023 · 5:46 AM

Resurrection

On Good Friday, we spend a lot of time thinking about the cross, as we should. It’s the day we recognize the death and burial of Jesus. Because He died, our sins were paid for, but dying wasn’t enough. The Early Church, and the New Testament, recognizes His death, but the focus is on His resurrection because that’s what gives us new life. The resurrection is what gives us hope of being resurrected ourselves one day as we rise to eternal life. Jesus took away the keys and finality of death. It’s something we all must face, but now it is not the end. We don’t have to despair as the disciples did that Friday. We get to live in the hope of knowing that Sunday is on the way! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday.

Here are some Bible verses on resurrection.

1. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 GNT

2. But now [as things really are] Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits [that is, the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body, foreshadowing the resurrection] of those who have fallen asleep [in death].

1 Corinthians 15:20 AMP

3. And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death.

Philippians 3:10 TPT

4. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die.”

John 11:25 GNT

5. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Matthew 28:6 NLT

Photo credit: me

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April 6, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Maundy Thursday

Today is day 5 of Holy Week. It is referred to as Maundy Thursday.

John 13 – 18 tells us what all happened on Thursday during Jesus’ final week before the crucifixion. It starts at the Last Supper. I think we forget sometimes that this was the Passover Meal. Many Christians don’t understand what all this meal entails because we don’t celebrate it like a Jew would. It is a meal that is eaten in order telling a story taking you from slavery to freedom. I find that interesting since that is what Jesus was doing for us during that particular Passover. He was taking us, who were slaves to sin, to a life of freedom in Him. Because of what He was about to endure, you and I could be set free spiritually.

Jesus also washed His disciple’s feet that evening. If you’ve ever been to a foot washing service, you know how humbling this is. Peter wouldn’t let a Him do it. He pushed back, but Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Peter then popped back, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” We act like Peter a lot when Jesus tries to do something truly great for us. We resist Him. We resist the work He’s trying to do in our life. We resist when He tries to cleanse us of a sin. We resist when He tries to put us in position to do ministry. Jesus is patient with us though our resistance.

Jesus then instituted the Lord’s Supper, communion or the sacraments depending on how you refer to it. Matthew 26:26-28 tells us that He took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to His disciples. He said, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body which is given for you.” Then He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” Each time you and I partake in this, we are to remember what He did for us on the cross. The price He paid for our freedom was His life. You are worth more than you can imagine.

They then went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to pray and reflect on the evening. Jesus went to pray by Himself. He asked God if it there was another way to do this. He said, “If it’s possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, I want your will to be done not mine.” Jesus struggled with the thought of being beaten, being whipped, being hung on a cross, bearing the sins of the world and being separated from the Father. His human nature was trying to walk away from the cross, but He submitted to the Father’s will. He understood that to follow God’s will means we’ll have to give up our will. Through prayer, we can overcome the doubt and thoughts that try to stop us from fulfilling our calling.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP 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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