Tag Archives: christian living

February 24, 2026 · 5:41 AM

Life Qualities

What qualities define you as a person? Have you ever thought about that? Proverbs 3:3 says, “Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart” (AMP). Mercy is listed first as a quality that should define you because it is about loving people the way God loves them. It’s showing compassion when it’s inconvenient or you don’t feel they deserve it. I believe it is the foundation for godly character in our lives. It’s something we all want given to us and we need to get better at showing it to others.

Next up is kindness in this list. Galatians 5 includes this in the Fruits of the Spirit. This type of kindness isn’t just about being nice to others. It’s about a sacrificial choice to act out of the benefit of others. Kindness seeks ways to lift burdens off of other people. It finds a way to be tender even when you have every right to be angry. Godly kindness values people and makes them feel seen. I believe it is the visible expression of mercy. Remember, Romans 2:4 even says that it’s God’s kindness that draws people to repentance. The kindness God wants to produce in our lives will point people to Him.

Finally it mentions truth. It is the consistency in your character that lives out what you say you believe. It anchors mercy and kindness to our lives. It’s the doorway to spiritual and emotional freedom. There’s a reason that the Bible wants these bound around our neck. It’s so they are visible to others in our lives. That is the outcome of writing them on our heart. Once they become part of who we are at a heart level, they will be expressed in our lives. God’s desire is that these become so ingrained in our lives that He is seen and felt by other through you. Which one of these is strongest in your life, and which do you need to be producing more of?

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February 23, 2026 · 5:44 AM

Let Go To Grow

I grew up with the mentality that if you want something done right, you need to do it yourself. What a damaging way to look at things! We were not created to do everything on our own. I can tell you from personal experience that if you try to do everything yourself, you’ll burn out. Another thing is that you’ll lose clarity and start making poor decisions after a while. However, the worst thing for me is that when I try to do everything myself, I keep others from stepping into their calling. God sends us people to share the load with, but we keep denying them what God has sent them for as we wear ourselves out. Delegation is not a sin. Handing things off is not bad. When you learn to do this, you’ll start accomplishing more.

In Exodus 18, Moses’ father in law, Jethro, came to visit. Moses told him all God had done in Egypt and they celebrated. The next day from sun up to sun down Moses listened to people share their disputes with him and he made judgements for them. Jethro asked him why he was doing that by himself. Then in verse 18 he said, “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (NLT). He told Moses how to delegate that role. The best part is that Moses listened. He didn’t tell him that he didn’t have a right to tell him how to do things. He didn’t try to justify it, nor did he get upset. He recognized wisdom and implemented it making his life exponentially better.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” How good are you at letting things go? What has God been trying to move off of your plate? It’s been my experience when you let go of certain things, it frees you up to grow and make a greater impact. The Bible tells us to share each others burdens, to entrust work to faithful people, to pray together and to encourage and build each other up. When we try to do these things on our own, we miss so many of the blessings God has for us. Let go of the lie that you need to do everything yourself. Quit holding on to things you are supposed to let go of and open yourself up to more of what God wants to give you. It’s time to let go so you can grow.

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February 19, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Trust God Anyway

To me, one of the worst feelings in the world is the feeling of being helpless. When everything seems to be going against me and there’s nothing I can do to stop it, there’s a sense of fear and desperation. In those times, all my efforts to help myself, or to get myself out of it, are fruitless. Many times when that happens, the harder I try to get out of the situation, the worse it gets. It’s that feeling where you’re stuck in the mud and the more you push the gas, the worse you get stuck. My feelings and thoughts quickly turn negative, and if I’m not careful, those feelings and thoughts can dictate my actions. We all face times like these, even the heroes of the faith who are in the Bible.

David often found himself in desperation. You can see how his thinking affected him and his actions. In Psalm 28, he’s going through a helpless situation. In verse 1 he prays, “I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die” (NLT). At this point, he’s not even sure God is going to come help. His fear is causing him to doubt just like our fear does to us. If we trust our feelings over our faith, life can feel a roller coaster. Emotions were given to us to help us gauge a situation. They were not meant to be what we trust in. They often lie and manipulate us. We must learn to trust God over our emotions and over how they’re making us feel about our situation.

In verse 7, David moves his trust his emotions to God. He reminds himself, “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” When we switch where we place our trust, our emotions follow. We need to trust God with all of our heart instead of our emotions. He sees what you’re going through, and He will not abandon you in it. He doesn’t always remove us from the situation or give us the answer we’re hoping for. The question is, will you trust Him anyway? Will you have faith that whatever it is, He can turn it for your good? It’s not easy to do. However, where you place your trust will determine how well you come through it.

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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February 5, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Feed Your Soul

Brian Tracy, who is a leader in the field of sales, says, “Your outer world will always reflect your inner world.” He’s saying that no matter how much we try to mask what is going on inside of us, it will always find its way to the surface. It’s hard to produce positive results if you’re a mess inside. He believes you should work on your mental health first before you try to correct any outward behavior. Many people go through life trying to repair the fruit of the problem without trying to correct the root of the problem first. That’s a losing battle because the fruit will keep showing up until you deal with the root.

I believe the same thing is true of us spiritually. Many of us spend a ton of money and time addressing the physical aspect of our lives while neglecting the spiritual aspect. One of these will live forever, and one will turn back into dust. We must learn to feed our spirit by reading the Word of God, praying, going to church, having fellowship with other believers and exercising our faith. Imagine trying to run a marathon without hydrating or feeding your body. It would collapse, yet we try to do this to our soul all the time.

In Proverbs 4:23, Solomon wrote, “Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life” (TPT). How can you continue to care for the needs of others, being life for them when they need it, if you don’t take care of the well inside of you? You and I have a deep well of life giving water inside of us that God wants us to draw from so we can bless others, but we must learn to care for it and ourselves first. If you’re dry and empty inside, it’s difficult to pour out anything of substance to others. Feed your soul, then feed others.

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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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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