Tag Archives: christian living

January 26, 2022 · 6:00 AM

Break The Mold

If you grew up in the United States, you more than likely had some Play-Doh at some point. My mom actually made ours. That stuff was and is one of the greatest tactile learning experiences. It’s soft and squishy, yet satisfying to play with. They make all these different toys to play with it. My son has one where it’s a head and you fill the teeth with the Play-Doh. There’s another one I’ve seen where you put the Play-Doh in the top and pull down a lever. The Play-Doh is then squeezed out all these different shaped holes. It doesn’t matter what the shape or mold is, Play-Doh will fill it and take that shape.

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demanded a king. Up until that point, God had been their leader since He led them out of Egypt. He used people like Moses and Joshua, then judges and prophets to guide them. They didn’t like that they were different from all the other countries of the world. They went to Samuel and told him they wanted to be like world. He prayed and God granted their request, but He warned them first about what would happen. Verses 19-20 say, “The people paid no attention to Samuel, but said, ‘No! We want a king, so that we will be like other nations, with our own king to rule us and to lead us out to war and to fight our battles’” (GNT). They wanted to be like Play-Doh and take the shape of the mold of the world around them.

Romans 12:2 warns you and I of this same mentality. It says, “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes” (TPT). Paul is warning us not to be like Play-Doh where we are being squeezed into the mold of this world. We are called to be set apart. To live differently. God has always wanted His people to be peculiar. Our flesh wants us to blend in and be like the world, but God has so much more for us if only we will let Him be our guide rather than the world. The Holy Spirit in you is greater than the world and the molds it wants you to fit into. He empowers us to live outside of this world’s mold. It’s time we break the mold of living like the world and live Spirit led lives.

Photo by Franco Antonio Giovanella on Unsplash

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January 20, 2022 · 5:30 AM

The Bread Of Life

Not long ago, I read the story of a fisherman who was forced to move because of a house fire. In the move, he asked his aunt to hold onto his good luck charm, which he had kept under his bed for over 10 years. He took her a 75 pound pearl that his boat anchor had caught on all those years ago. Each day, he would touch it before going fishing hoping it would bring him luck so he could catch a lot of fish. It turns out, as he’s struggled to make a living for the past ten years, he’s been sleeping over a $100,000,000 pearl! He had no clue what’s its value was as the world’s largest gem quality pearl.

That story reminds me of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6. There were hungry people and it was getting late. The disciples asked if they should spend 200 silver coins to buy food for everyone. That’s when, in verse 38, Jesus asked them, “How much bread do you have?” (GNT) They went to check and came back to tell Him, “Five loaves.” Jesus then had them seat everyone. He broke the bread and the two fish they had, fed all 5,000 men (plus women and children), then took up 12 baskets of leftovers.

When Jesus asked how much bread they had, they had already seen Him heal the blind, raise the dead, cure leprosy, and so much more. In fact, they had just returned from being sent out to the towns and villages performing miracles themselves. They knew the power of God was with Jesus and had flowed through them, but it never crossed their mind to ask for a miracle for a crowd. Until this time, with the exception of the wine in Cana, most miracles had been for individuals. But to me, the question of how much bread they had was Jesus testing them.

They had more than five loaves. They had the Bread of Life with them and not one of them thought to include Him in the number of loaves of bread. Whenever you add Jesus to whatever you have, you will always have more than enough. We can’t stay in the same mindset they had. We can’t look at physical problems expecting spiritual results unless we are willing to add in the Bread of Life to the equation. We can’t see through blocked roads, huge obstacles, or insurmountable odds because we’ve been keeping Jesus under our bed as a good luck charm. He’s worth more than $100,000,000. He’s the answer to your struggles. Give what you have to Him and watch Him multiply it.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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January 19, 2022 · 5:47 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 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.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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January 18, 2022 · 5:49 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.

Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash

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January 17, 2022 · 5:45 AM

Accumulating Prayers

I heard a friend of mine say, “Our prayers don’t evaporate, they accumulate.” I loved it the moment I heard it, but my mind went to a negative place. I started thinking of all the prayers I’ve given up on before they’ve really accumulated. I’ve prayed for some things in my life where after a week or so I’ve thought, “Well, it must not be in God’s will,” and I’ve quit praying for it. I’ve had other times where I’ve prayed for something a few times and then prayed, “God, I’ve asked for this several times now. I don’t know why you haven’t answered, but I’m tired of asking. You know what i need. Answer when you’re ready. I’m done asking.” Those prayers didn’t accumulate much in Heaven, and i could have used an attitude adjustment.

In Genesis 32, Jacob was headed back to the Promised Land. The night before he was going to face his twin that he had wronged, God Himself came down to meet him and they wrestled. All night long they fought. When God saw that He couldn’t get free of Jacob, He told him to let Him go. But Jacob answered, “I will not let go unless You declare a blessing on me” (verse 26 GNT). God then blessed him and changed his name to Israel because he struggled with God and prevailed. The attitude he had with God that night is the same we’re to have with Him when it comes to praying for things. Don’t let go until He answers.

In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus told us, “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened” (AMP). I believe many times our prayers go unanswered is because we haven’t wrestled with God over them to the point we won’t let go until He does. They’re not answered because we quit asking and quit accumulating them for this situation. Whatever you’re needing God to do for you, keep asking, seeking and knocking until God answers. It may take years of wrestling with God over it, but don’t give up and don’t let go.

Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash

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January 12, 2022 · 5:45 AM

Becoming Heirs

Not long ago, we visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It is America’s largest home at over 178,000 square feet and sits on 8,000 acres. We took the tour to learn all about its construction and owner. George Washington Vanderbilt was the man who had it built. He was the youngest of three sons whose father inherited the Vanderbilt fortune. George’s father inherited 100 million dollars and turned it into 200 million before he died. George’s two brothers inherited the bulk of the money. With part of his inheritance, he built this magnificent home that still belongs to the family.

The Bible talks a lot about first born children and inheritances. The first born received a double portion since they were to care for the estate and father’s wife. Abraham blessed Isaac and left him the double portion. Jacob tricked Esau into giving him the first born inheritance and then stole the blessing too. As generations went on, they referred to themselves as heirs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That carried over into New Testament times as well. The people identified as heirs of Abraham, but Jesus wanted to change that so that we would become heirs of God through Him.

Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory” (AMP). Just like George Vanderbilt, you and I are heirs to an incredible inheritance. When we accept Christ, we go from death to life and become royalty in the Kingdom of God. It’s time you and I began to see ourselves in this light and live like sons and daughters of the King. You’ve received spiritual blessings and will inherit all He has.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

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January 11, 2022 · 6:05 AM

Planting God’s Word

I try to grow a small garden each spring. Some years the garden does well, and others not so much. This year it didn’t produce anything. My radishes came up empty. My carrots were tiny. The squash took forever to even bloom. Then the corn stalks dried up and died. It was a sad site to behold for sure. It started out with such promise, but it never delivered even though we watered it and did our best to keep the weeds out.

There are years though where every time I walk over to it, there is food. We then take that food, cook it, and eat it. Afterwards, we are able to take the seeds and replant them so that a new crop is produced. That’s the way a garden should be, but it’s also the way that God’s Word is. It produces fruit in our lives which feeds us. It also produces seeds that regenerate a new crop of faith in our lives.

Isaiah 55:11 says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (NLT). God’s Word doesn’t have off years like my garden. It always produces and always prospers no matter what ground it’s planted in. That’s the key though. If we want God’s Word to produce and prosper in our lives, we first have to plant it in our hearts.

Photo by Shelby Miller on Unsplash

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January 10, 2022 · 5:47 AM

Our Motivation Matters

Do you ever stop to think about who benefits from your actions? In a lot of cases, the things we do are designed to help us benefit from our actions. If we benefit from our actions, is it also fair to say, we do things to get recognition as well? Since we were babies, we have been conditioned to try to do things for applause. When you clap for a baby, their face lights up. When they start talking, they say, “Look at me,” and then they do something to try to get praise. Unfortunately, when this transitions into adulthood, it becomes something that can inflate our pride. When that happens, we begin to be controlled by what other people think.

Pride is very dangerous. Look at King Saul. He started off very humble. When Samuel found him, he referred to himself as a man from the smallest tribe and the least important family. After he became king, that humility left him and pride took its place. He made decisions that benefited himself rather than God or others. It got the the point that God was sad that he ever made Saul king. When Samuel went to Saul to break the news that God was going to take the kingdom away from him in 1 Samuel 15, Saul was setting up a monument to himself. Pride had taken over Saul’s life to the point he only cared about what God wanted when he got caught or was in a bind.

Romans 8:5 says, “Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities” (TPT). When pride is in the driver’s seat of our life, we do things that benefit ourselves and bring us glory. 1 Peter 5:5 tells us that God is opposed to the proud. We must learn to seek God rather than the praise of men. Romans 8 draws a line between those who are Spirit minded and fleshly minded. The fruit of our lives will show which mind we have. Our motivation matters and is the difference between being humble or filled with pride.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

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January 7, 2022 · 5:38 AM

Seeking Jesus

As a kid, one of my favorite Bible stories and songs was about Zacchaeus from Luke 19. As you may recall, he wasn’t very tall and was struggling to see Jesus over the crowd. After trying several things, he climbed up a tree in order to see Jesus. I love that when He saw Jesus, Jesus saw him and rewarded his tenacity by meeting with him in his home. Zacchaeus became a changed man because he sought Jesus until He could find Him. The same should be true of us. We should be continually seeking Him, looking for Him and meeting with Him. Zacchaeus isn’t a children’s story. It’s a reminder for us to tenaciously seek Jesus.

Here are some Bible verses on seeking Jesus.

1. I love those who love me; whoever looks for me can find me.

Proverbs 8:17 GNT

2. “[Looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

Hebrews 12:2 AMP

3. Yahweh looks down in love, looking over all of Adam’s sons and daughters. He’s looking to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, any who are searching for God and wanting to please him.

Psalms 14:2 TPT

4. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”—God’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.”

Jeremiah 29:13-14 MSG

5. There you will look for the Lord your God, and if you search for him with all your heart, you will find him.

Deuteronomy 4:29 GNT

Are you still seeking Him like Zacchaeus? Is He still making a difference in your life?

Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash

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January 5, 2022 · 5:48 AM

Practicing Greatness

Who is the greatest person you know personally? Who do you think is the greatest person alive right now? I’m not looking for the Sunday School answer of Jesus either. What makes those people great in your eyes? I’m sure every person reading this would probably have a different answer. Some people are raised with greatness as the goal and standard for living. Others feel it’s not right to seek greatness. I’m of the persuasion that each of us should seek greatness in our lives. One of the first lines in the book “Good to Great” is a quote I remind myself of often. The author, Jim Collins wrote, “Good is the enemy of great.”

One day, as the disciples were all sitting around, a discussion broke out about who was the greatest and who would be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. When they couldn’t resolve it, they asked Jesus. I love that He didn’t rebuke them for wanting to be great. He simply redefined for them what greatness meant. In Matthew 18:3-4 Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (AMP).

Going back to my first question, is the greatest person you know humble? Heaven’s definition of greatness begins with humility and includes trusting God and being able to forgive others. That kind of greatness is something we should all be striving for in our lives. It’s not easy. Being great never is. That why you may have struggled to come up with names at the beginning. There are very few people whom we consider great, yet we need to strive for greatness by God’s definition more than the world’s. You were created with greatness in you. It starts with trusting God’s plan for your life, receiving His grace and forgiving those who have wronged you. Go practice greatness today.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

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