Tag Archives: christian living

January 24, 2023 · 5:39 AM

Psalm 23

If you’re like me, you memorized Psalm 23 as a kid and have been quoting it since. I’m all for memorizing Bible verses and teaching them to children. However, sometimes we can lose the significance of passages when we’ve read them or heard them so many times. Even though I’ve read the Bible through several times, one of the things I do is pray before reading. I ask God to help me see it with fresh eyes, to open my mind to understand it and to give me revelation knowledge of it. I don’t want to skip through stories or chapters just because I know what happens or can recite from memory. On those especially, I take my time pouring over every word and digging through it using commentary tools as well as original language meanings.

Psalm 23 starts with, “The Lord is my shepherd.” First of all, this is a declarative statement. He’s not just saying it. He’s confessing it and making a statement. The Lord IS my shepherd. It’s not might be or could be. Then he personalizes it. The Lord is MY shepherd. Our mind likes to tell us that God cares for everyone but us. That’s a lie! He is your personal shepherd who knows your personal needs and takes care of them so that you shall not want. Quit skipping out on asking God to meet your needs because there are so many others who have more important or desperate needs. He is YOUR shepherd and is able to shepherd others as well as you on a personal level. Their needs are no more difficult to answer to Him than yours. There aren’t levels of needs to Him, but there are different levels of faith and trust in Him as your shepherd.

The next verse says that He makes me lie down in green pastures. God knows you need rest at times because you’re always on the go. He wants to lead us to a peaceful place to just be. It’s a place where you put down the facade and the mask. You don’t have to be “on” all the time. He instituted the Sabbath for a reason. Since we ignore it, He is still trying to shepherd us to rest because our shepherd knows we need it. He also tries to lead us to still waters. These waters are a place of refreshing. He understands that we need to experience times of refreshing. We try to say we don’t deserve it or we have too much to do to stop and be refreshed, but your shepherd created you and knows what you need. Quit fighting Him and let Him lead you. Quit making excuses and trust Him. When you do, He’ll restore your soul, guide you through the darkest places, prepare a table for you and anoint you so that goodness and mercy will be with you all the days of your life. It all starts with declaring and letting Him be your shepherd.

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

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January 20, 2023 · 5:48 AM

Walk In Power

One of the things we forget as believers is that the Holy Spirit lives in us. 1 John 4:4 says that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. God is all powerful and He not only lives in us, but He gives His power and authority to us as well. It’s time you and I started walking in that authority and power. We have victory in Jesus! We have authority in Jesus! We are not defeated. We will overcome because He has given us that power. We can face any situation with confidence because He lives in us and is greater than anything we face. Going forward, we need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Here are some Bible verses on the power you’ve been given.

1. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT

2. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

3. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

Philippians 4:13 GNT

4. But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 AMP

5. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

Photo by Jordan Donaldson | @jordi.d on Unsplash

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January 18, 2023 · 5:44 AM

Be Faithful Now

My wife and I watched History Channel’s “Men Who Built America”. The show discusses several titans of industry during Reconstruction after the Civil War up to the early 1900’s. It was incredible to see what these men did and how they operated. It was also eye opening how they would do anything to make money. Because of them, we have a lot of the labor and antitrust laws. They were often ruthless in their pursuit, but two men changed their tune as they got older and began trying to make a difference by give away their fortune to philanthropic causes and charities. J.P. Morgan gave away around $900 million in today’s money and John D. Rockefeller gave away around $540 million. To this day their philanthropic causes live on.

In Luke 16, Jesus told the story of a rich man who had a manager of his affairs. It turned out the manager was wasting the money so the rich man called him to account. The guy was afraid of being unemployed and didn’t want to beg so he cut what each person owed with all of his boss’s debtors. He figured he would make friends before he left so that he would have a place to land. The boss was impressed with how shrewd he was. Then in verse 9, Jesus said, “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” (NLT). While Jesus doesn’t discourage us from being rich or making money, He does encourage us to give and make a difference with what we have.

In the next two verses Jesus continued, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” Sometimes we think we need to be rich to make a difference or to give, but this verse clearly tells us to be faithful with what we have, even if it’s a little. Many of us pursue more money and better jobs, but how can we handle that if we’re not making a difference with what we have. The same is true with our spiritual gifts. Many people look for ministries that are in the spotlight or get lots of attention, but God is looking to see if we can be faithful when no one sees. When we are faithful with a little, He trusts us with a lot.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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January 17, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Trusting God’s Truth

Sometimes we confuse the facts with the truth and we start to believe the wrong thing. A fact is simply a subset or fraction of what the truth is. They’re like a piece of the puzzle, but they don’t show the whole picture. They can tell us what’s going on in that moment of our life, but the truth is that a momentary situation in our life doesn’t define who we are. This is important because our enemy uses facts against us like a lawyer to destroy our faith and trust in what God is doing, or going to do, in our lives. He uses facts to distract us and to try to disqualify us from God’s promises. He tried to use facts against Jesus while tempting Him, but each time Jesus countered with the truth of God’s Word.

In Genesis 15, the fact is that Abram and Sarai were barren and couldn’t have children. The truth was that God had already promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations. The facts were that they were too old to conceive, but the truth was that God was still moving on their behalf. Even Abram had trouble believing the truth. In verse 2 he prayed, “But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth” (NLT). Then God reaffirmed the truth that he would have a son and many descendants. Verse 6 tells us that Abram believed the Lord and it was counted as righteousness because he trusted the truth over facts.

In John 8:31 Jesus said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What facts have you been believing over God’s truth? Facts have a way of binding us up and preventing us from being free. Today, I want you to start believing and trusting in God’s truth instead of the facts your current situation is telling you. If God has promised it, no facts can ever stop it. Be free from their grip on you today. Say out loud that you believe God’s truth. Repeat out loud what God’s promise is to you. Quit quoting facts and start confessing God’s truth. We must be like Abram where we believe despite what our current situation is telling us. God counts that kind of faith as righteousness. When we do, He blesses us and sets us free.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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January 16, 2023 · 5:47 AM

Seeking The Reward

Our brains are wired to seek rewards. Seeking and obtaining these rewards create habits in our lives. When you wake up, if you have the habit of hitting the snooze button, your brain has been conditioned to seek the reward of nine more minutes of sleep. If you love working out, your brain loves the endorphins that are released and how your body will look. Scientists have observed the brain during these activities and see what they’ve nicknamed the pleasure center of the brain light up when it gets the reward. It gets addicted to that feeling which makes habits hard to break. If you want to change a habit, don’t just take away the reward, create a reward for the new habit.

Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, endured some pretty harsh things. He was beaten several times within an inch of his life. He was sent to prison, rejected, stoned, attacked, shipwrecked and more for his faith. How did he keep going? He found a way to let his brain know that there was a reward in Heaven coming. In Philippians 3:10-11 he explained his reward by writing, “And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead” (AMP). He always looked for the reward in becoming more like Christ and being with Him one day.

Jesus set out a reward for us too. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” If you look at what you’ve been seeking after instead of God’s kingdom, you will see the reward your brain is after. Jesus is offering us a greater reward by seeking Him first. Like Paul, we need to retire our brains, by allowing our minds to be transformed (Romans 12:2). When we put His needs ahead of our own, He rewards us with becoming more like Him and by taking care of all these things that cause us to worry.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

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January 11, 2023 · 6:00 AM

Using Your Shield

When you watch a film or read about ancient battles, people usually had two things with them, a sword and a shield. Hand to hand combat was the norm. With one hand they attacked in order to advance, with the other they defended from the bows of their enemy. Shields came in all sizes too. One of the things I think is important to note is that when a shield got struck, the person carrying it felt the weight of the blow. They save your life and protect you from most or all of the damage, but not the pressure. As you hold that shield, you have to exert pressure back toward your opponent so that you’re not overcome.

In the book of Nehemiah, a small group of Jews were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem to create a shield from their enemies. While building the wall, their enemies tried to persuade them to quit building it. When that failed, they tried intimidation. In chapter 4, the Bible says that Nehemiah had half of the people continue their work on the wall and the other half stand ready for battle protecting the work. They carried swords and shields. The situation was tense. Everyone felt the pressure, but they continued to work. Their enemies saw the swords and shields and chose not to attack. They knew their plans would be thwarted.

Psalm 84:11 says, “The Lord God is a sword and shield” (AMP). Later, Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” (NLT). You and I are constantly entrenched in battles because our enemy wants to stop our progress. He tries to intimidate us into stopping, but the Lord is our shield. You’re going to feel pressure in the battle. You’re going to grow tired as well, but stay in God’s Word during those times. As this verse says, the Bible is a source of hope for us when all seems lost. God is fighting for you and protecting you as you continue to do what He called you to. Don’t let the pressure get to you. Find someone who will stand on the wall with you in prayer holding their sword and shield. It won’t be easy to complete, but with God as your shield you can continue.

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

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January 9, 2023 · 5:45 AM

Valuing The Person

At the first writer’s conference I went to, they had a contest. We each got to submit a book idea and a publishing company would choose a winner, give them money and publish their book. All of us were hoping our idea would win at the end of the conference. One of the first few speakers, who had multiple books published, spoke on knowing our worth. She wanted to let us know that our worth is not defined by a book deal. She also let us know the importance of valuing the person reading your words. It was a good reminder that so many of us think our worth is tied to our accomplishments, what others think of us or even what we think of ourselves. Also, how we value someone affects how they see their worth.

John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery. A group of religious leaders brought her to Jesus and they were ready to kill her by throwing stones at her. They didn’t see her worth, but Jesus did when asked about their right to kill her for her sin, Jesus told them that the first one who didn’t deserve the same should throw the first rock. One by one they left. In that moment, I believe she began to know her worth because Jesus valued her life. He knew the price He was about to pay for her sins (ours too). He determined our worth by paying such a high price for us. It’s important that we see that in ourselves and in others.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance” (AMP). We are to imitate Jesus in valuing others. We must look past their sins or flaws to see the image of God in them. When we value them, we raise their awareness of how much they’re worth. While a person’s worth never changes, how they value themselves does. Do your part as a Christian in helping to raise that valuation.

Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash

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January 4, 2023 · 5:42 AM

True Direction

When I was in my teens, I learned how to use a compass and follow a course. My favorite memory of that was being handed a five mile course through some woods I wasn’t familiar with. I went through creek beds, up hills and through some dense woods. I found each marker right where it was supposed to be. To stay on course, I looked ahead to a fixed object and made my way to it. I learned that on short distances, the compass worked well. However, if I were to use that compass to go to the North Pole, I would end up about 500 miles away because compasses follow magnetic north and not true north. Magnetic north shifts constantly and often causes travelers to lose their true direction over time.

In Genesis 6, the world was only a few generations in when sin took over. Mankind had quit following God and had started following their own way. Each person had their own version of north and that led them away from their creator. Verse 12 says, “God looked on the earth and saw how debased and degenerate it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way on the earth and lost their true direction” (AMP). When true direction is lost, you need a compass and a fixed point to find your way back. Mankind wanted neither and God sent a flood in order to start over hoping we wouldn’t lose our true direction again.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” The way you and I keep our true direction in a world that has lost theirs is to keep our focus on heavenly things. We must set our sights on the truth of God’s Word that never changes. When each person has their own truth, we lose our true direction. We end up following our paths instead of His. Don’t let the distractions and worries of this world throw you off course. Put God’s Word in your heart, fixate on it and follow it no matter what. Our true direction is heaven, so let’s keep our eyes fixated there as we navigate this earth.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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January 3, 2023 · 5:41 AM

Overwhelming Results

Have you ever walked into a restaurant just before they close? You know they’ve been working their whole shift and are looking forward to going home, but you’re hungry and they’re open. I’ve had them tell me the kitchen was closed and turn me away. I’ve also had those who reluctantly let me in. I feel bad, but I’m only there because I’ve had a long day too and I’m hungry. On nights like this I make sure I tip exceptionally well, especially if I’m the on,y one in the restaurant. Sometimes I tip more than the meal and even 3 figures depending on the situation. I want the server to know that I appreciate their effort even when they were tired and ready to go home.

In Luke 5, Jesus was teaching by the Sea of Galilee. So many people were showing up to hear Him that they had Him backed up to the water. Jesus saw Peter and some other fishermen cleaning their nets after a long night of working. He asked Peter if he could use his boat to preach from. When He was finished teaching, He asked Peter to take Him out to deeper water. There He asked Peter to put his nets in the water to fish. Peter explained it was the end of his shift, the nets were nearly cleaned and he was ready to go home, but then he said he would do it at Jesus’ word. The net was filled with so many fish that he needed help to pull it in and store them. The Bible says that both boats were so full of fish that they began to sink.

Jesus didn’t ask Peter to do anything different than he had already been doing, yet the results were different this time. The difference was that this time it was out of obedience and not routine. One yielded overwhelming results and the other resulted in nothing. Jesus has called us to a life of obedience, not routine. At times, we can get caught up in the motions of Christianity, but our heart isn’t in it. When God asks us to do something that seems like routine Christianity, we can either push back telling Him we’ve done that with no results, or we can obey. God is calling you to deeper water. What will you answer? Don’t let your past results keep you from the blessings of obedience.

Photo by Lance Anderson on Unsplash

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December 21, 2022 · 5:40 AM

Restoring Your Sight

I was talking with a man I met this week over lunch. At one point during the lunch I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to quote a Bible verse to him and explain it. His eyes got really big and excited. He said, “I’ve been reading the Bible!” He went on to explain his eyesight had deteriorated to the point he couldn’t drive anymore. It was then that he asked God to restore his sight. He also promised God that if his sight was restored, he would read the Bible every day. I was excited for him because his eyesight had returned and he was making good on his promise. After sharing a few more verses with him, I said, “Maybe God restored your physical eyesight so that He could use His Word to restore your spiritual eyesight as well.”

Most of us know about the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, but that’s not the first sermon Jesus gave. In fact, the first one I read took place in his hometown of Nazareth. In Luke 4, Jesus had just finished being tempted by the devil when He went to the synagogue He’d probably gone to His whole life. He stood up and read Isaiah 61:1-2. It says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people” (GNT). One of the things Jesus came to do was to recover sight to physically and spiritually blind eyes. Many of us, like my new friend, have physical sight, but are nearly blind with our spiritual eyes.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.” One of the ways God restores our spiritual eyesight is through His Word. Without it in our lives, we can’t see the next step in front of us or the path before us. His Word illuminates both giving us sight so we can know what decisions to make and where He is leading us. It’s great to have physical sight, but how much greater to have spiritual sight! If you’ve noticed your vision getting worse or feel like you can’t see your next step, ask God to restore your spiritual eyesight. Then get into His Word as often as you can, nit just to read it, but to understand it and to hide it in your heart. When you do, you’ll find your real sight restored.

Thanks to Timothy Eberly @timothyeberly for making this photo available on Unsplash 🎁

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