Tag Archives: christian living

July 8, 2025 · 5:33 AM

Hope Beyond The Moment

Hope is fuel for an aching soul. I’ve been in some hopeless situations where daily I was looking for the smallest glimmer of hope. Just a little bit would give me energy and increase my faith. It’s in times like those that I also learned my hope lies beyond my current circumstances look like. My true hope comes from the Lord. His report is greater than anything I can see with my physical eyes. It’s in those hopeless situations that I have to activate my faith in God and lean into Him because He is the ultimate authority.

In Romans 4, Paul is using Abraham as an example of someone who had hope in a hopeless situation. Verse 18 says, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’” (NLT) He trusted God over his circumstances and held onto hope when everything else told him that God’s promise was an impossibility. The next verse said his faith didn’t weaken as he waited for God to fulfill what He said. His example to us is something we can emulate and strive for as we face situations where there is no reason to hope.

Paul goes in In Romans 5:5 to say, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Just like Abraham’s faith grew stronger, ours can to in whatever we face. In Christ, there is always hope. When we face the toughest of circumstances, our faith has the greatest opportunity to grow. God uses situations to produce in us character traits, faith and hope. The hope we have in Him is the hope that will not disappoint even when whatever we’re facing doesn’t go according to our plan or desires. Our hope in Him can still remain strong because it goes beyond the moment. Our hope and faith are eternal.

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July 7, 2025 · 5:29 AM

The Wilderness Of Preparation

There have been times in my life when things were clicking and moving quickly. God’s plan for me was gaining ground so fast as if it were making up for lost time. Then without warning, things would come to a screeching halt. In those seasons I would wonder if I did something wrong or if I made God mad. He would seem to be silent during those times too. These periods would last days, weeks , months and even years. It made me think that the wilderness I was in was a place of punishment. However, I’ve learned that those seasons in the wilderness are periods of preparation for what’s coming.

In Exodus, we read the story of Israel being delivered from Egypt. We don’t know how long the period of the plagues were, but there were instructions for the tenth plague. In chapter 12 verse 11 God told them, “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover” (NLT). Freedom came quickly and they took off in the middle of the night. They hurried toward the Promised Land. God parted the Red Sea and met them at Sinai. Then the entered the wilderness of preparation for 40 years. God had moved them out of Egypt, but He had to get the Egypt out of them before they were ready to possess the land.

In 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul reminds us, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” God uses periods of troubles, set backs and aimless wandering to produce in us the things we need. The longer we sit and complain in these seasons, the longer it will take to get out of. They are to remove things from our lives that we can’t carry with us into the next season and to produce character traits we will need. The wilderness isn’t to necessarily punish you for mistakes as much as it is intended to prepare you and produce things in you that can’t be brought about any other way.

Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash

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July 2, 2025 · 5:08 AM

Productive In Every Season

In every season, farmers are doing something to get the most production out of their plants and trees. In one season they prune in order to create new growth opportunities. In another season they work the soil giving it what it needs so that the plant can grow and produce healthy fruit. In one season they wait and let God do the unseen work. Finally there’s harvest season where they reap the rewards of all they’ve been doing. Harvest time is the result of their productivity in the other seasons.

In the late chapters of Genesis, we read the story of Joseph. He went through several seasons himself. He was planted in his father’s house and tended to by him. There was a season of pruning by his brothers and the Egyptians where he lost things and people in his life. There was a season of waiting where he felt forgotten in prison. There was also a harvest time where Pharaoh called for him and he interpreted dreams no one else could. He was given the position of being second in command of Egypt. It didn’t happen overnight. Instead it was the culmination of trusting God in the other seasons. The productivity in the other seasons produced a great harvest.

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures” (TPT). I don’t if you’re in the waiting season, the pruning season, the soil working season or harvest season. Whatever one you’re in, keep serving and trusting in the Lord. The harvest will come at the appointed time. Don’t grow weary in your work. You will reap the harvest at just the right time that God has appointed (Galatians 6:9). Keep tilling. Keep planting. Keep fertilizing and watering. Keep being still before the Lord. Be faithful in this season and God will do His part to bring about the harvest.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.

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June 30, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Remain In Christ

One of the Scriptures that has always stood out to me is Romans 11:17. It says, “But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree” (NLT). I’m no gardener, but the idea of being grafted in has always intrigued me. To be grafted in means we had a clean cut from our old life, we’ve been tightly bound to a new source and we receive nourishment from the new root. The continuous flow of sap from the new source is what helps us bear fruit. 

In John 15:5 Jesus said plainly, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” The Greek word for “remain” is meno which means to live in a constant, uninterrupted state. Jesus was telling us that a life with Him is not a place we visit one or twice a week, but a place where we live constantly if we want to bear fruit. He went on in this chapter to tell us to remain rooted in His Word (7), to remain in His love (9) and to obey His commands (10j so we can bear much fruit. We can’t bear fruit unless we live in a constant, uninterrupted state connected to Him.

What kind of fruit should you bear in your life as a result of this grafting? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law” (AMP). Notice that fruit isn’t a reflection of our efforts, but of His presence within us that comes from remaining in Him. Your life will bear the fruit of the root and tree that you’re connected to because they are your source. Where are you drawing your daily life from? Are you remaining in His presence daily? When we remain in Him, we will bear fruit in every season of life. 

Photo by Josie Weiss on Unsplash.

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June 26, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Watering Seeds

For the past few months we’ve been driving to Dallas. Along the way, there is a stretch of farmland where people are growing fields of corn. As the summer has progressed, some of these fields went from green to having some brown spots to turning yellow. The drought did a number on some fields. In a few instances, we’d see a dry field next to a green one. We would be sad about them losing an entire crop, but also see that the neighboring crop was full. They both went through the same drought, but one farmer watered their crops and the other didn’t.

Through the New Testament, Jesus often referred to us as farmers and seed spreaders. He talked about our return on those seeds as well when it came to harvest time. However, there may be some fields you’ve tilled and planted without seeing a harvest yet. I’d like to encourage you to take the step of watering them. 1 Corinthians 3:7 says, “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow” (NLT). Watering is part of the process many of us forget about. Seeds don’t grow to maturity and crops don’t produce unless they’re watered regularly.

Years ago, I heard Doug Stringer with SomebodyCares.org say, “Prayer is water for the seeds you plant.” In Jewish tradition, after Passover, they pray for dew to cover the ground where their crops are planted. Then as Sukkot passes, they pray for rain at harvest time. These festivals were created by God and remind us that we need to pray for God to water your seeds and to cause them to grow. He’s reminding us that our work isn’t done once we’ve planted seeds. If you’re waiting on a harvest from seeds you’ve planted and are wondering what’s taking so long, start watering them through prayer. Your seeds are not dead. They could be just waiting on some water.

Photo by Elibet Valencia Muñoz 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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June 25, 2025 · 5:33 AM

The Dominion Mandate

In Genesis 1:28 one of the first directives God gives mankind is a dominion mandate over the earth. That word dominion means to exercise authority, to make productive through the cultivation process and to steward well what had been given to them. I believe that mandate continues to this day, but also extends to the areas of our lives and gifts God has given us. Imagine how your life would change if you exercised authority over your thoughts, your flesh and your time. What would change if you began to cultivate the relationships God has given you, your finances, resources and talents? We are called to be stewards of all God has given us.

I love the story of Nehemiah. He did all these things well because he took the dominion mandate seriously. He was a cupbearer to the king. He cultivated that relationship to the point that the king financed his calling. When he returned to Jerusalem, he found that the walls were in torn down with rubble everywhere. He exercised authority over the situation and the people responded. They took what was broken and rebuilt the walls of the city in a short amount of time. The city had not been productive and couldn’t grow because of the lack of protection. By stewarding his vision, organizing the people and taking dominon over the situation, Jerusalem became a vibrant city again.

Proverbs 13:23 says, “Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor, But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice” (AMP). There is so much untapped potential in our lives because we fail to take dominion and leave it uncultivated. There are places in our lives that are like Jerusalem before Nehemiah showed up. They’re without protection and need the walls rebuilt. Where in your life do you need to begin taking dominion? What do you need to cultivate in order to change fallow ground into fertile soil? Where do you need to be exercising your God given authority? You have been given a dominion mandate by God. Don’t settle for fallow for fallow ground into the land God has given you.

Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels.

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June 24, 2025 · 5:32 AM

Repentance And Obedience

Author Max Lucado shared the story of being on an airplane years ago. Somewhere in the middle of the flight the captain came over the speakers to alert the passengers about upcoming turbulence. He told everyone to take their seats and buckle up. A minute or so later, he made the announcement again. Max thought it was weird because everyone sat down. Then the pilot made the announcement again a few minutes later and added, “This includes the lady in the restroom.” An embarrassed, red faced woman came out, found her seat and took her seat. His point was that like the pilot, God will do whatever it takes to get our attention to get us to repent or to get ys where we need to go, even if it’s embarrassing or hurts.

It makes me think of Jonah. God called him to a city he didn’t want to go to because he didn’t like the people. Instead of obeying, he bought a ticket on a ship going the opposite direction. God sent a great storm, but Jonah didn’t repent. Instead, he dug his heels in. The storm got worse and the crew cast lots to find out Jonah was at fault. Again, instead of repenting, he asked them to cast him in the sea. He was going to die before he obeyed. However, God prepared a big fish to swallow him and take him back so he could obey. During his three days in the belly of the fish, he repented. The fish spit him out on the beach, and Jonah obeyed.

Acts 3:19 says, “And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence” (TPT). Peter spoke this truth and it’s relevant to us today. What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done yet or are running from? A friend told me last week that simple obedience is the highest form of worship. If you’re running from what God called you to, it’s time to repent and obey. It’s better to do it before He tries to get your attention. I can speak from experience on this one myself. Don’t delay your obedience another day. God is reaching out to remind you that your obedience matters.

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June 23, 2025 · 5:41 AM

Don’t Jump The Gun

When my son was younger, he would always try to walk in front of us when we were at the mall or a store. He would try to anticipate where we were going without fully knowing where. Sometimes he would think he knew where we were headed and go straight to it, while other times he would look back constantly to make sure he was right. I find myself doing this with God all the time. I try to anticipate where He’s leading me or what He wants me to do. I think I know how He’s going to do something or what He’s planning, but I find myself constantly looking back for approval. In those cases, I’m trying to lead God rather than to be led by Him.

Noah was a man who didn’t seem to have that problem. When God looked at mankind during his generation, He saw only Noah was doing what was right in His sight. He gave him the plans for the Ark, and Noah got to work. Genesis 6:22 says, “So Noah completed all these preparations and did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (TPT). He didn’t try to get ahead of God. Instead he waited until God told him to get in the Ark. He even waited for God to tell him to exit the Ark after it had come to rest on the mountain. All throughout this story, we see a man who didn’t jump ahead of God, but rather waited on God.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (NLT). Waiting patiently can be difficult. When we know God has a plan, the best thing we can do is to wait for His timing. It takes bravery and courage to stand still while you wait for God to show up, especially when it feels like you’re getting left behind. God doesn’t operate on our timetable, nor does He do things the way we think He is. I’ve found it causes more issues to jump the gun than to simply wait. I’m still tempted to try to go ahead of God, but I know His way and timing are better than my own. He sees the whole plan and knows exactly where He’s leading. Be patient.

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.

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June 19, 2025 · 5:30 AM

The Lies Of Pride

Have you ever been at an event where it’s pretty much over and it’s time to clean up, but no one is helping? You pick up the chairs and tables. People move out of your way, but no one helps. Then you get down to the last few and people all of a sudden want to help. You say, “Don’t worry about it. I got it,” but I side you’re a little mad. Your thought process inside is that at this point, you want credit for doing the whole thing so later when you tell the story, no one helped you. It’ll get you more sympathy from whoever you tell it to, plus their rage at the lack of someone helping. That’s pretty much human nature to act and think that way, but it’s also prideful because you’re seeking full credit.

Pride is strange that way. It masks itself so that it doesn’t look like itself. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman had leprosy and wasn’t sure what to do about it. His servant girl that he had taken from Israel told him about Elisha. When he went to visit him, Elisha didn’t even come out to greet him. Instead he sent his servant out to tell him what to do. This hurt his pride. What’s more is that Elisha instructed him to simply dip in the Jordan seven times and he would be healed. Now his pride was on full display because he refused to do such a simple task for his healing. His servants convinced him to do it. When he got over his pride, he dipped in the water and was healed.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (NLT). Why are these two verses together? Because pride is often what keeps us holding onto our pain, worries and burdens. We like the sympathy we get and we’re too stubborn to ask for help with them. We’ll just handle it ourselves! However, God wants us to humble ourselves, admit we have cares, problems and worries so that He can help us. It takes getting over our pride in order to ask for help. It takes humbling ourselves to give them to Him. Don’t spend another day believing the lies of pride. Do what God asks and get your healing. He’s ready to take them from you and carry your burdens if only you’ll let Him.

Photo by Jametlene Reskp 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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June 17, 2025 · 5:30 AM

No Pressure Planting

When you’re not in full time ministry, you may not think of yourself as a minister. You may not have gone to seminary or work at the church, but that doesn’t change the fact that you carry the presence of God with you. You may not get up and speak from a pulpit on Sunday, but your life preaches a sermon to the people around you each day. Each of us that bear the name “Christian” are minister and have been called to go and preach the Good News to everyone. When you think of what you do and how you treat people as your ministry, things change.

I love the story of Tabitha in Acts 9. I grew up knowing of her by her Greek name Dorcus. Verse 36 says that she was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. She didn’t have a position in the church, nut recognized her abilities could help her minister to those in need. When she got gravely ill, her friends called for Peter to come pray for her. They showed him clothes and coats that she had made for those who couldn’t afford them. Then Peter knelt down and prayed. He then told her to get up and she did. She was completely well. News of her healing spread and brought more people to faith in God.

1 Corinthians 3:7 says, “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow” (NLT). God will use whomever is available to plant seeds, to water seeds and to harvest them. It doesn’t matter what title you carry because He is the one who makes them grow. He’s just looking for people who are willing to be used in whatever place they live or work to be His hands and feet. He’s looking for those who will let their lives preach the Gospel to the people around them. He can take whatever seeds you’re scattering through your life dedicated to Him and grow them until they come to know Him. God is looking for anyone who will scatter seeds and live their faith out loud. Use whatever gifts, talents or abilities you have and serve Him with them. To me, that’s no pressure planting because He does the work.

Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash

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