Tag Archives: christian living

February 4, 2026 · 5:49 AM

Healing And Recovery

In my men’s group, we were sharing about difficult times in our lives and how God sent someone to walk along side us through it. In one of the lowest times of my life, when I felt the most alone, God sent a couple of guys to check on me. One simply said, “I’ve never been through what you’re going through, so I don’t really know how to help. However, I know you don’t need to be alone.” The other would constantly call to check in on me. Looking back, their actions were some of the greatest gifts God could have given. They were constant reminders that God saw me, that I wasn’t fighting alone and that someone cared. Their actions made healing and recovery possible.

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of a man who was on his way to Jericho, when he encountered some robbers. They beat him up, stole his belongings and left him half dead. A pries was walking down the road, saw the hurting man, and chose to walk on the other side. Then a person who worked in the Temple was walking by, saw him, and also walked on the other side. It was then that a Samaritan passed by, saw him, and had compassion on him. He rendered first aid, bandaged the wounds, put him on his donkey, and took him somewhere to be cared for. He told the in. Keeper to care for him, paid him money, and said he would be back to check on him. Then Jesus told us to go and do the same.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]” (AMP). I’m often reminded that everyone is carrying some kind of burden. You can’t always tell at first glance who are carrying the heaviest ones, but if you take the time to really look, you will see. The easy thing is to pass by on the other side of the road and simply say, “I’ll pray for you.” What they need is what they will never ask for: someone to carry the burden they’re too weak to carry. What they need is help bandaging their wounds, to be carried and cared for. They need to know you will be back and not abandon them. Being the Samaritan, who carries another’s burdens, will cost you time, effort, emotional stress, and more. When we fulfill this law of love, we bring hope, life and renewal. We restore what has been broken and give new strength and life to someone who desperately needs it, but may not know how to ask for it.

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February 3, 2026 · 5:50 AM

Paying The Cost

Years ago I was at a conference for pastors. The speakers were all famous people and well known pastors. One of the pastors spoke on the cost of the platform. He started off by recognizing how most pastors in their felt they would like to be up there or reach the tens of thousands that he and the others were reaching. He began to share hidden battles, the attacks on his family and other things he and the pastors up there all went through. It was a high price that most people aren’t willing to pay. To me it was a reminder that the bigger the dream God gives you, the bigger the problems you’re going to face. Can you hold onto your integrity through the unseen battles?

Joseph was given a dream in Genesis 37. Immediately he was attacked verbally by his family and later physically by his brothers. He was sold as a slave and was taken to Egypt. In Potophar’s house he was given authority, but didn’t have an audience. He resisted the easy temptation and was sent to prison for doing the right thing. In prison he continued to honor God despite his circumstances. Even though he had lost his position, his freedom and his reputation, he held onto his integrity. God used those hardships to prepare him for the fulfillment of the dream. It was a high cost he had to pay that others would have been unwilling to.

Proverbs 10:9 says, “The one who walks in integrity will experience a fearless confidence in life” (TPT). We’ve all heard that integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. To me, it’s also obeying when you’re not getting any visible return and can’t see the purpose behind what’s being asked of you. It’s continuing to worship while everything else seems to be falling apart. Integrity is earned in the crucible of trials. That’s where God removes things from our life that don’t belong. The greater the dream, the hotter the fire. The cost of dreams is often high, however the price always has a purpose. God used the prison to position Joseph. He’s using whatever you’re facing to get you where He needs you. Don’t give up in the hard times. I’ll leave you with Galatians 6:9 as encouragement to keep going. It says, “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in” (AMP).

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January 28, 2026 · 6:06 AM

Source Or Supplement

Is God your source or your supplement? In 1 Samuel 15 God sent King Saul to defeat the Amalekites. Instead of destroying everything the way he was supposed to, he spared the king, the best sheep, oxen and calves. When God sent Samuel to rebuke him, Saul said they spared them in order to sacrifice them to God. If you listen to Saul in this passage, he never rejects God. He believes in God, talks about God, uses the right lingo with the prophet, but only obeys selectively. It becomes clear that God is only a supplement to his life. He only does what is right in front of the prophet and only calls out to God when he needs something. Because his heart never fully committed to the Lord or His ways, he was rejected by God as king.

If you fast forward a few chapters to 23, you’ll see David, who was a man after God’s own heart. The Philistines had attacked a city and robbed them of the grain. Immediately David goes to God in prayer to find out if he should go after them. The Lord told him yes, but his men were afraid. Instead of being swayed by the opinions of others, he double checked with God. He went and fought the Philistines and rescued that city. God was not an accessory in David’s life or someone he prayed to in emergencies. David prayed, praised and sought the Lord often. He didn’t do much without inquiring of the Lord first. God was the source of his life. He wasn’t perfect and even sinned greatly. The difference in these two men was how and where they positioned God in their lives. One was rejected, the other was elevated despite his sin.

In Habakkuk 3:19 we see the prayer of another person who lived with God as their source. It says, “The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]” (AMP). Can you see the difference between someone who God is just a supplement to their life and someone who sees Him as the source? We can’t just apply parts of the Bible and only live for the Lord when others are watching. We can’t just call on Him when we need something. He must be the most vital relationship in our life. Have you been using God as a last resort or your first? Do you speak the right words in front of the right people or live them out when no one is watching? The answer to these will tell you if He is your source or simply a supplement to your life.

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January 22, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Following God’s Plan

One of the things that bothers me is when someone asks me for advice on how to handle something, and then they don’t take the advice. I’ve shown them what to do, but they either didn’t want to do the work, like the things I told them or had someone else tell them something different to do. Either way, when they’re still stuck in the situation and come back for help, my mind wants to turn them away. However, somewhere in the exchange, my compassion overrides my pride and I try to direct them to the right path out of their situation. A lot of times they didn’t get in the situation overnight, and they’re not going to get out of it overnight, no matter how badly they want to.

I find myself doing the same thing to God though. I run to Him with my problem or circumstance i want out of. He directs me to His Word, but i don’t always like the prescription. Instead of listening, i try other things, other ideas or anything besides what His path out of it is. It’s amazing how many times we all go to God with a problem, sometimes of our own doing, seek His path out of it, and then tell Him what we’re going to do. What we’re really saying is, “God, i know you have a plan for me, but I want to do it this way. Will you please bless it and let me do this my way?” How can we expect God’s blessings when we’re telling Him what we’re going to do instead of seeking His plan and path?

David, who was known as a man after God’s own heart didn’t approach God that way. In Psalms 25:4 he prayed, “Direct me, Yahweh, throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you” (TPT). If we want to experience all the blessings God has for us, we’re going to have to submit to His plan and walk on His path. God has no problem revealing His plan and path for how our lives should go. It’s up to us to obey and to stay on that path. When we get off of it is when we experience a lot of pain. Staying on God’s path doesn’t mean you’re not going to experience hardship, pain or set backs. It means you’ll have His blessings, guidance and protection through them. He has a plan and a path for you, but it’s up to you to stay on it and follow it.

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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 15, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Turning North

One of my favorite visual lessons to use in a group is to have everyone close their eyes and to then point north. What usually happens is you will have a room full of people pointing just about every direction including up. I then have them open their eyes to see where everyone is pointing. Immediately some start laughing, but others start trying to convince others they’re right. I then pull a compass out of my pocket and show them which way is north. I’ll ask them to again close their eyes and point to north. Most will point in the direction the compass did, but there will still be some who point in other directions. I tell them that if they don’t know which way north is, and you’re lost, it’s hard to get where you’re going.

All throughout the book of Jeremiah, Israel was lost. Each person was doing what was right in their own eyes and doing what they wanted. Even though they had the compass of The Law, they chose to go in different directions. In Jeremiah 18, God had Jeremiah watch a potter work with some clay. After making a piece of pottery, the potter didn’t like it, then crushed it and started over. Then, in verse 11, God said, “Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds” (ESV). He was telling them to repent, which means to change directions. He wanted them to turn north towards Him.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (GNT). God has given us the compass to navigate this life by giving us His Word. It will guide us in the direction we should live and in how we make choices. However, just like in the room full of people knowing which way north is, we still have to make the choice each day to point north or to point in a different direction. God always gives us that choice. If we head any direction but north, we risk facing the consequences of our actions. His way is the only right way to go north. His word lights the path so we can see where we’re going and also guides us in the paths of righteousness. It’s up to me and you to continually turn north when everything else is trying to get us to turn in different directions.

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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 13, 2026 · 6:01 AM

Leaving Babylon

In Genesis 11 we read about the Tower of Babel. Verse 4 encapsulates the problem with the people of the city. They said, “Now let’s build a city with a tower that reaches the sky, so that we can make a name for ourselves and not be scattered all over the earth” (GNT). They were building a city to have security without God, a tower in order to reach Heaven on their own terms and to make a name for themselves so they could have an identity apart from God. It wasn’t about building a tower. It was about being motivated by pride to accomplish something apart from God. When He walked through the city, He saw their hearts and sent judgement. From that time on Babylon has stood in defiance of God’s ways.

In the very next chapter, we meet Abram. He is the opposite of the person of Babylon. He’s willing to go wherever God asks him to, which is away from the security of his family. We know he is humble and obedient to what God says. Because his heart is right, God gives him what the people of Babylon wanted. In verse 2 God says, “I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing.” Because he lived a life of surrender instead of one of pride, God gave him a name, identity and nation. Immediately after God shows us what not to do, he gives us Abram as an example of how to live in humble obedience.

James 4:6-7 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.” What is the motivation behind the things you’re trying to accomplish? Is it for your name to be known or His? Is it so you can create your own security instead of relying on God’s? God looks at our heart more than our actions. He’s looking for humble obedience. We must submit to His plans for our life if we want blessings like Abraham. We must resist pride from the Devil so it doesn’t corrupt what God wants to accomplish through us. God is not against you being successful or building something great. He’s against the spirit of Babylon that tries to rise up in each one of us to do things without Him or His blessing. We must leave Babylon and all it represents if we truly want to follow God.

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December 31, 2025 · 5:37 AM

Daily Discipline

It’s the time of year when people reflect back on all they’ve done. I’ve watched several videos that have highlighted all people have accomplished this year, I’ve seen posts about all the change that people have gone through too. As you reflect on big moments and big changes too, I want to remind you that big moments are created by small acts. Zig Ziglar used to say that if you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. Big problems are created by neglecting the daily disciplines. Big breakthroughs are the result of being consistent in small details no one sees. What seems mundane and unimportant in the moment is often the catalyst for big change in our lives.

In 1 Kings 18 we meet a prophet named Obadiah who worked in the palace of King Arab and Jezebel. His work conditions weren’t conducive to his faith or position. Yet he remained faithful to his calling despite what his circumstances were. God had withheld rain for over three years because of their wickedness. At this moment, God sent Elijah to bring a reckoning and rain. When Obadiah ran into him, he was afraid the king would kill him. He reminded Elijah that once he had hidden 100 prophets whom Jezebel was trying to kill. He hid them in caves and took them food and water. These small, daily acts took quiet discipline and consistency to keep the prophets safe. God saw what was done in secret and rewarded him with this big moment with Elijah because of it.

In Luke 16:10 Jesus told us of a heavenly principle. He said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones” (NLT). God sees your quiet prayers that no one else does. He sees your silent sacrifices that seem to go unnoticed by people that matter. He sees the daily disciplines that you keep waiting to bear fruit. Don’t quit. You’re being faithful in seemingly little things, and because you are, He’ll openly reward you with big things. God shapes us in the hidden places long before He elevates us in public ones. He uses the daily moments to help us value obedience over visibility. If you want bigger responsibilities, bigger moments or bigger opportunities then be faithful in small responsibilities, little moments and quiet opportunities. Your daily discipline is the doorway to greater things.

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December 30, 2025 · 5:52 AM

Changing Targets

As I think about goals and targets for the next year, I can’t help but think of Matthew Emmons. He was an Olympian in the 2004 games. He was so far ahead of everyone in the 50 meter three position rifle event that all he had to do was hit the target to win gold. He lined up his sights, squeezed the trigger and hit the bullseye. However, his score didn’t change. He looked through his scope again to confirm. There it was still. Bullseye. He realized there was no applause either. That’s when it was told that he cross fired into someone else’s target. He ended up eighth place in the event. His story reminds us that we can hit the bullseye on the wrong target in life too.

In Mark 10:17, Jesus was walking down the road when a young man ran up and knelt down before Him. The young man asked what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus quoted several of the Ten Commandments. The guy got excited and said that he had observed them since he was little, but he felt like there was a greater target to hit. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. That young man walked away sad because his other target was wealth and he hit the bullseye. He didn’t want to give up his target for God’s. We don’t know what became of him, but he is a cautionary tale of someone who had the wrong target in life and refused to change.

Psalm 25:4 is a prayer that says, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow” (NLT). We can all pray this prayer over the next year or our next steps. However, like the rich, young ruler, we will then have to make a choice. Will we keep going down the path we’ve started down or will we change paths and targets? You can make excuses about how much time and effort you put into the wrong target, but at the end of the day it’s still not God’s target for you. You can walk away sad from what God has for you or you can switch targets and follow God’s road to victory. There are plenty of people who have gone through their lives aiming at the wrong things. As you reset and take aim for the next year, make sure it’s the target God has for you.

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December 15, 2025 · 5:51 AM

Opening Your Circle

For many of us , Christmas is a joyous Sean and time with family and friends. It had never crossed my mind that it could be anything but that for someone. Growing up, our church always had Christmas Eve communion. When it was time to partake, our Christmas tradition was that each family would go up together, get the bread and the juice, and then get together alone for a private time of taking it together. One year, our pastor made mention for people to look around at anyone who was alone and to invite them into your family for this special time. Each year, that became one of my favorite things. I’d look around to see who needed to be brought into our family and included. Each year, there was always someone who needed a family to be with That we could open up the circle of our family to.

2 Samuel 9:1 says, “And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (AMP) They told him of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who was lame and had been hiding for years. David ordered them to bring him in at once. Mephibosheth was the last of his family and was afraid he was being taken to his execution because that’s what kings did back then. Instead, David returned his family land to him, had his servants work it for him and offered him a seat at the king’s table to eat. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s heart for us to not only show kindness, but to open up our circle and make room at the king’s table for others who may not have a seat.

In Galatians 6:10, Paul reminds us, “So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).” I know this is a busy season with lots to get done, but don’t forget about the Mephibosheths of the world around you. They need someone to be helpful, to promote their spiritual well being and to be a blessing to them. They need someone to open their circle and to offer them a seat at a table where they can feel loved and included. Ask God to open your eyes to see who that is. Chances are that God will show you someone who needs to be shown some kindness. When you’re available to open your circle, God will give you the opportunity to do good.

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December 4, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Yet I Will Praise Him

If you’ve ever read the book of Job, you may have found yourself feeling sorry for him. There may have been times in your life when you’ve even related to him too. I know I have had those moments. When you go through periods of loss or continuous disappointment, Job is a great book to read. You will find that there’s always someone who has it worse than you, there is purpose in pain and that you can endure anything. I don’t know how many times I’ve read the book, but I can tell you that I’m still amazed when I come to the end of the first chapter. After Job has lost all his livestock, his riches and his children, he doesn’t curse God. He doesn’t cry out, “Why me?” Instead, it says he fell to his knees and worshipped God. He recognized that everything he had came from God, and if God took it all back, he was good with it.

I can honestly say that during my times of great disappointment and loss, that was not my attitude. To stand on rock bottom in life, look up from the hole you’re in and bless God seems unfathomable, yet Job was able to. If he was able to, you and I are to. He made the choice to worship instead of to whine. He chose to bless God instead of to curse Him. He made the choice to recognize everything he had belonged to God and wasn’t a result of His own work. The perspective he had challenges me to readjust and calibrate how I see God and how I react in the bad times. It’s easy to worship when things are going well, but can we worship when everything seems to be going wrong? Can we praise Him when our prayers are unanswered? Can we thank Him when we don’t see a way forward? Can you say, “Even though I’m broken, yet will I praise you”?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (NLT) There’s a very similar picture here to the attitude Job had and that we are to have. Joy is not something that is circumstantial. It doesn’t rely on what’s going on around you. Joy looks at where your strength comes from. It looks at who your hope is in. It is defiant in the face of any circumstance you may face, and it says, “My hope is not in all, these things. My hope is in God. No matter what comes my way, I know that my God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I can ask or pray for. Even though things look bad now, yet will I praise God! He is my rock, my fortress and my salvation.” You and I have that same spirit of joy within us. In tough times, activate it and worship. Remind yourself that God is in control, He has a plan and that no matter what happens you will continue to trust and to praise Him.

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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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