Tag Archives: christian living

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.

Photo by Ereng hu on Unsplash

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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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June 16, 2025 · 5:30 AM

You Are Called

Almost everyone knows the story of 1 Kings 18. Elijah was the prophet of God in a nation who had turned from Him. He called all of them to Mount Carmel to challenge Baal, the god Israelites were serving. The challenge was to have the prophets of Baal create a sacrifice and to call down fire from Heaven to consume it. He would do the same thing but call out to God. The one true God would answer by fire, and no one would be able to dispute it. In verse 21 he asked a question every generation must answer. He asked, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him!” (NLT) He then rebuilt the altar and proceeded to pray. It was then that God sent fire to consume the altar, and the people turned to God.

Like Elijah, we can’t avoid confrontation when it comes to our faith. He didn’t soften his message that people need to repent. He asked a question that demands an answer and pulls people from a life of compromise. Ephesians 4:15 says, “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” The truth of God’s Word is what sets people free from a life of compromise. We must learn to speak truth in love to our generation so that the fires of revival will burn. It is the responsibility of each of us to stand up for truth and to call people to serve God. If each of us stays silent, how will they ever know that God loves them and sent His Son to die for them.


In Mark 16:15 Jesus gave the Great Commission to all of us. He said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” You are God’s plan to reach this world. You are called to live as a leader in your faith. There is no more time for wavering. If God is God, then serve Him wholeheartedly. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit in you to be a witness wherever you go. You cannot tolerate what God has called you to tear down. We must not only pray for revival but begin to prepare for it in our own lives. We must choose holiness over hype, truth over trends and faith over fear. You are called and equipped to stand up in this generation so that they will know the truth. You are called to leave the idols of comfort behind and lift up a standard that will create spiritual transformation.

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June 11, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Wholehearted Obedience

There’s a story of a construction worker who spent his entire career working for one builder. When it came time for him to retire, the owner of the company asked him to build just one more home as a favor to him. Reluctantly he agreed to build. As he worked on the house, his heart wasn’t in it. He began to cut corners instead of the usual craftsmanship he put into the homes he built. He used cheap materials and even covered up some shoddy work that he did. When the house was finished, he went to the boss to let him know and to ask if he could retire. The boss thanked him for doing the favor and also told him how much he appreciated his excellent craftsmanship and dedication through the years. As a thank you to him, the boss gave him the keys to the house the man just built. Immediately he thought of all the halfhearted work he had put into this home that was now his.


In 2 Chronicles 25, we read the story of King Amaziah. You probably haven’t heard of him, but when he took over as king, he followed the Lord. While he was preparing for battle, the Lord sent a prophet to tell him to change his strategy despite what it had already cost him. King Amaziah did what was asked of him by God and won the victory in that battle, but pride crept in. Verse 2 tells us a haunting caveat to his obedience. It says “Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, but not wholeheartedly.” His partial obedience led to a life of idolatry. His halfhearted commitment to God is a cautionary tale of someone who started out with good intentions, but ended up letting partial obedience and pride keep him from all the blessings God had for him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God’s call to us today is to serve and trust Him with our whole heart knowing it will empower us to full obedience. We must seek Him in every situation, and He will direct us. When we trust Him with our whole heart, he can use us completely. We can’t just go through the motions of following Him on the outside. We must surrender our hearts to Him as well. When we do, we will receive all the blessings He has in store for us and live a life that points others to Him.

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June 10, 2025 · 5:30 AM

God Over Everyone

When the Israelites left Egypt, God was their supreme leader. He used leaders like Moses and Joshua to take them to the land He had prepared. He then used a combination of judges and prophets to lead His people to victory and to call them back to repentance. That lasted about 400 years. In 1 Samuel 8, the people said, “Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” Samuel was upset and cried out to God. He was reminded that Israel wasn’t rejecting him. They were rejecting God as their leader. They were saying that they preferred to be culturally relevant instead of spiritually distinct. God had set them apart from all the other nations to be holy and devoted, but they decided they would rather blend in culturally than to stand out spiritually.

This isn’t just a story in the Bible. It’s a reflection of who we are as humans and how our desires tempt us to choose cultural conformity over spiritual conviction. The culture we live in is at odds with the teachings of the Bible. Jesus says He is the Truth, yet our world says that each person can have their own truth. When there is no absolute truth, there is no standard of what is right and wrong instead of God. We all face the temptation to look and act like everyone else, but God called us to be separate. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” How can you show others the goodness of God if you are no different than the culture around you? When there is no difference, we risk losing the very distinction that makes us God’s people.

Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” We are specifically told to not imitate the behavior and customs of the world. The idol of approval tempts us to conform to cultural norms by sacrificing our intimacy with God in order to look like everyone else. God wants us to live transformed lives starting with changing how we think about what we value. When we value what He wants, we live our lives following His lead. We become less concerned with what others think and more concerned with pleasing Him. We then put our relationship with God over all others.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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