Tag Archives: christian living

October 30, 2025 · 5:30 AM

A Foundation Of Love

I was at celebration of my aunt and uncle when a lady walked up to me. She said, “You don’t know me, but I know you. I grew up in your grandfather’s church.” She shared some stories with me about him, and then she said, “He gave that church a foundation of love.” That phrase resonated with me for many reasons. I couldn’t help but think of how you and I are the Church. It’s important that we build our faith and our lives on a foundation of God’s love. If we don’t do that, our lives can become full of meaningless rituals or a cold relationship with God. When that happens we must return to our first love.

In Luke 7:36-47, Jesus was dining at a Pharisee’s house. A lady who was a prostitute came in, bowed at Jesus’ feet, cried tears on His feet, then dried them with her hair and poured perfume on them. The Pharisee was stunned that Jesus allowed this to happen. Jesus told him a parable of two men who owed a debt to someone. One owed a little and the other a lot. The creditor forgave them both. Jesus then asked the Pharisee which person loved the creditor more. He replied that the one who was forgiven more. Jesus agreed. He then looked down at the lady and told the Pharisee that her many sins had been forgiven and this was a display of her love.

In Ephesians 3:19 Paul concluded a prayer by saying, “And [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]” (AMP). You and I can’t just have a head knowledge of God. We must experience His love and forgiveness in our lives. When we do that, we will experience God’s presence and be filled with it. When we have the foundation of His love in our lives, we can make a greater impact on the people around us.

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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 29, 2025 · 5:47 AM

Searching For Treasure

Almost every time I’ve gone to the beach, I’ve seen people walking around with metal detectors. They walk up and down them scanning for treasures lost by others. You can hear it beep, and then they start digging. I’ve also watched videos of people who drag sifters through the sand trying to pick up things. I wonder if they found something, and then think I should buy a metal detector. I never do though. The difference between us is that because they are searching for it, and I’m not, they’re the ones who are likely to find hidden treasure. They’re willing to dig, to sift and to do what it takes in order to find treasure. Hoping to find it, without doing anything, will not result in me finding treasure.

I love the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. He believed in God and had come to Jerusalem to worship. He was on his way home and had purchased a scroll of Isaiah, which was very costly. While he was riding along in his chariot, the Lord spoke to Philip and told him to go south of Jerusalem to the desert road. Philip obeyed not knowing why. It was on that road that their paths crossed and he heard the Ethiopian reading Isaiah searching to know God more as he read chapter 53. Philip asked if he understood, but the Ethiopian said he couldn’t unless someone explained it. That day, the Ethiopian found the treasure he had been seeking and accepted Jesus as his savior. Philip baptized him and was carried away by the Spirit while the Ethiopian returned home spiritually rich.

Colossians 2:3 says, “For our spiritual wealth is in him, like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered—heaven’s wisdom and endless riches of revelation knowledge” (TPT). In Christ are all the spiritual treasures are available to us. Like any treasure, we must seek it, dig deep and do what it takes to find it. The more you dig into God’s Word, the more you will discover who He is. The more time you spend with Christ Jesus getting to know Him, the more treasure you will find. If your Bible is never opened or you never stop to pray, you can’t expect to find the hidden treasure He has for you. If you seek Him, you will find Him, but you must search for Him as you would a hidden treasure.

Photo by Fer Troulik on Unsplash

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October 28, 2025 · 5:57 AM

Staying In Sync

Have you ever had the chance to watch a military marching band? It’s one of the most incredible things to watch as a hundred band members play instruments and march in beat while creating formations. No one does it better than the Fighting Texas A&M Aggie Band. Sometimes they are spread out over the space of an entire football field. Between the echoes of the music coming off the bleachers and the distance apart from each other, if they relied on sound, they would be off. Instead, the band members keep their eyes on the drum majors to keep in step and in time. The drum majors set the tempo, the direction and ensures that the members stay in sync.

In Acts 10, Peter was on a rooftop praying when God gave him a vision of a picnic cloth coming down out of heaven. In it there were all kinds of animals that were considered unclean to eat. He heard God say, “Kill and eat.” However, he pushed back thinking it was a test. The lord said, “Don’t call unclean what I have called clean.” It repeated three times and then was drawn back up into heaven. Just then some Gentiles, who were sent by an angel, knocked on the door looking for him. The Holy Spirit told him to go with them. Peter obeyed and salvation reached the Gentile world. Peter had to adjust his thinking and beliefs in order to stay in step and sync with the Holy Spirit. He followed the Spirit’s lead rather than his flesh.

Galatians 5:25 says, “If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives” (TPT). The Greek word Paul used for “to direct every aspect of our lives,” invokes images of soldiers marching in sync with disciplined movements. He was reminding us that the Spirit is our drum major and we must listen to Him and allow Him to direct every aspect of our life. We can’t rely on preconceived notions or what the culture around us tells us. We must trust the Word of God to give us direction in our life and to guide our decisions. When we keep our eyes on Him, He will direct us so that we march with His tempo and direction, as well as to stay in sync with His plans for our life.

Photo by Pramod Tiwari on Unsplash

Here’s a video of the Texas A&M band marching in sync.

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October 27, 2025 · 5:42 AM

Finding Hidden Motives

Years ago, when I first became a store manager for a major retailer, I was sent to training. They showed us multiple scenarios and taught us how to handle them. One such series of videos had people acting out of character and then trying hard to justify their behavior. They taught us not to overreact in those situations. Instead, we were to take the person to a private office to have a conversation. We were to point to the behavior, state that it was out of character and then ask, “What do I need to know about what’s going on in your life?” That question would often reveal hidden situations or motives behind their behavior. Once we discovered the heart of the issue, we could change the behavior.

In Luke 12, Jesus was teaching on hypocrisy when someone called out from the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me!” On the surface, it sounds like a reasonable request and one that’s justified. Also, in those days, rabbis would solve such problems for people. However, Jesus didn’t resolve the matter for him. Instead He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (NLT). Jesus didn’t treat the issue, He treated the heart. The man was hiding behind fairness, security and justice, but Jesus saw the hidden motive and addressed it.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” We all fall into the hidden motives trap. Our requests to God for things or justification to others for our actions come from selfish motives at times. David knew that about himself and prayed this prayer often. When you ask God to look in your heart, test your thoughts and to point out things that offend Him, He will point to the root of the issue because that’s the only way to deal with fruit from hidden motives. We must be willing to be honest about what’s really going on inside and be willing to repent so that He can lead us along the path to everlasting life.

Photo by Simeon Lesley on Unsplash

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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.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

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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.

Photo by Yogesh Pedamkar on Unsplash

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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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October 1, 2025 · 5:48 AM

Wholehearted Commitment

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a pastor in Germany during Hitler’s rule. He recognized the atrocities that were going on and began to speak out against the Nazis. He believed that our faith demands action against evil and we must stand up against it. He knew there were risks associated with speaking out, and he still did it. He was arrested and placed in a concentration camp. He never let fear dictate his faith. The camp doctor, who saw him just before he died, said that he saw Pastor Bonhoeffer kneeling in prayer just before his execution. His devotion and conviction moved the doctor deeply.

In Daniel 3, the Israelites had been captured and taken to Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, though captives, had proven themselves worthy of serving the king in his court. When the king built a giant statue to be worshiped, they refused knowing the consequences. When they were brought before the king, he offered them the choice to bow or to be thrown into a fiery furnace. They told him they would not and that God was able to deliver them. Then in verse 18 they said, “But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (NLT). They were thrown into the furnace, and God did show up in a mighty way.

Deuteronomy 6:5-6 says, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” God doesn’t just want our heart or just our mind. If we’re going to be able to fully commit our life to Him despite the consequences, then we’re going to have to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength to Him. How are you doing in each of those areas? Have you committed wholeheartedly to follow what He said and willing to stand up in a culture that is opposed to His way of living? Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light in your life to show where your commitment may be lacking. Also ask Him for courage to stand up for Him despite the consequences even if He doesn’t show up to deliver you from them.

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September 30, 2025 · 5:52 AM

Receiving God’s Delight

I had a friend who could make a sailor blush with the colorful language that came out of her mouth. She seemed angry all the time and cursed out people who made mistakes. Over time I had witnessed to her and one time I invited her to church. She said, “If I ever walked into a church, the walls would fall in on me because of all the things I’ve said and done.” I didn’t give up because I know about grace. Eventually, as she was in the hospital about to pass away, she finally gave her heart to the Lord. I believe God took delight in her that moment because she recognized who she was and who He is.

In Luke 7, Jesus was eating with a Pharisee, who lived a life of strict devotion to the Law of Moses and let everyone know it by their public actions. While they were eating, an immoral woman came into the room. She sat at Jesus’s feet weeping. As her tears fell on His feet, she wiped them off with her hair. The Pharisee was indignant that Jesus let her touch Him. Both were in the presence of Jesus, but only one had a proper understanding of who He was and it brought her to repentance. The Pharisee relied on his right living to get him to heaven, while she recognized her need for a savior. When she saw Jesus for who He was, she saw who she really was. Jesus delighted in her and forgave her.

Psalm 147:10-11 says, “He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love” (NLT). Where do you see yourself in that story? Have you tried to do everything right in your own strength? Or have you put God in His proper place and trusted in Him rather than yourself? We often think of how we can please God with how we live, but He’s looking at our posture over our performance. Fearing Him isn’t about being afraid of Him. It’s about understanding who He is and showing proper respect for that. When that happens in our life, we can’t help but be like the woman and humble ourselves. When we do that, not only will we receive His grace, we’ll also receive His favor and delight.

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September 23, 2025 · 5:45 AM

Living Counterculturally

Several years ago, a person I worked with told me, “I’d stab my own mom in the back in order to get ahead here.” It hit me that we live in a culture that will do whatever it takes to climb the ladder of success. It’s the opposite of the example Jesus gave. As the Messiah, He put on the apron of humility to wash the disciple’s feet. They had been fighting about who was the greatest, and He showed them that Heaven’s way is countercultural to the world. As a minister friend of mine says, “While men reach for their thrones, Jesus reached for a towel to wash men’s feet.”

In 1Timothy 6, Paul is teaching Timothy about being not just a church leader, but a follower of Christ. He told him to watch out for people who have a form of godliness, but use their ministry or godliness to climb the world’s ideas of success. By contrast, to have godliness with contentment is great gain. In verse 9 he wrote, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (NKJV). To chase after the world’s ideals and definitions of success is to open ourselves up temptations.

Verse 11 says, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” Instead of chasing the ideals of the world, we must pursue the things of God. Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness are what we should be looking to cultivate in our life and to strive for. These are spiritual disciplines that require cultivation on a daily basis. They require us to be intentional about pursuing them as we flee what the world is chasing after Because these not only shape who we are, they change who we’re becoming. If we’re going to live countercultural lives, we need to stop chasing worldly values and start pursuing godly ones.

Photo by Patrick Posuniak on Unsplash

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