Tag Archives: christian living

August 25, 2025 · 5:43 AM

Choosing Selflessness

I was really into basketball as I was growing up. I played it every day, watched movies about it and watched a lot of games. While everyone was trying to be like Michael Jordan, I gravitated to Magic Johnson and John Stockton. I loved how Magic saw the whole court and could pass without looking. With John Stockton, I loved how selfless he was in passing the ball to Karl Malone. To this day, John Stockton is the all time assist leader in giving up the ball so Malone could score. Stockton gave up the ball so much that Malone is third all time in scoring. In a world where ball hogs exist, these two showed what being selfless created greatness.

In John 3, while Jesus is gaining in popularity and having people follow Him, John the Baptist was losing followers. Some of those who remained with him were upset that people were leaving their ministry to follow Jesus. John explained that he was very clear about not being the Messiah. He then said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (ESV). The words used to say “I must decrease,” weren’t passive as a response to Jesus increasing. They conveyed active and intentional humbling of self so that Christ could increase. John was actively being selfless while his disciples were being driven by pride.

James 4:7 says, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (NLT). Again we see the Bible telling us to be intentional about being humble. If you want more of Christ in your life, you’re going to have to be more selfless. You’re going to have to build up His name rather than your own. He will increase in our life as we submit to Him and actively decrease as John the Baptist said. We live in an age of self promotion, yet God’s call to us as believers has been just the opposite. Resisting the devil begins with resisting pride. When you learn to lose yourself for the sake of Christ, you will find life. Instead of being driven by pride, determine to be humble and selfless. As you decrease, Christ will increase and the devil will flee.

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August 18, 2025 · 5:37 AM

Undistracted

Every era in recent memory has had their share of distractions. With the invention of the radio, the television and more, our lives have become increasingly filled with things that keep us occupied. Today’s distractions go with us everywhere in our pockets and on our wrists. We have access to everything at the touch of a screen. If we get board we can play a game, endlessly scroll through videos or reach out and contact someone. We have become accessible 24/7. However, we have lost the art to sit down, be silent and simply reflect or be alone with our thoughts.

Being distracted is nothing new though. When Peter was walking on the water, he got distracted by the waves and took his eyes off Jesus. Lot’s wife got distracted by the life she was leaving behind. In Luke 10 Martha was distracted by all of her duties of cleaning, cooking and preparing for the people in her home. Yet when she complained to Jesus about her undistracted sister, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the right thing. Even though there were things to do, she sat uninterrupted at the feet of Jesus to listen and to learn.

Psalm 46:10 is more important for us now than it ever had been I believe. It says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (NLT) When is the last time you turned your phone off, took off your watch, turned off the TV and just sat alone and undistracted in the presence of God? Something happens when we go into our prayer closet and get alone with Him. Suddenly our problems that overwhelm us get put in their proper perspective. We get to sense how incredible God truly is. We can also hear His voice more clearly. I do love the era God has placed us in, but let’s be careful not to sacrifice being undistracted in His presence for all of our modern conveniences. Just like every generation before us, we must learn to be undistracted.

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August 15, 2025 · 6:05 AM

Multifaceted Growth

By midsummer, all the plants I pruned in the winter have shoots going in every direction. The growth in all directions is a sign of health and life. When I see the greenery and the growth, I think of how God’s plan is for healthy things to grow. Our lives are no different. The Bible is full of verses about our growth as a sign of maturity and spiritual health. We each have unlimited growth potential in so many areas of our walk with Him. The parts that get pruned, fed and watered are the ones that will see growth. Just like my plants, it should be multifaceted extending in all directions that affects others.

Here are some Bible verses on the different areas of growth we need:

1. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:16 NLT

2. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7 NLT

3. But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May he receive all the glory both now and until the day eternity begins. Amen!

2 Peter 3:18 TPT

4. May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 GNT

5. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

Romans 1:11 NLT

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August 14, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Failing God

Growing up, when I heard the verse, “Be ye holy as I am holy,” I interpreted that as, “Be ye perfect as I am perfect.” It didn’t take long for me to realize perfection was impossible. I would fail, beat myself up for not being holy, feel shame, repent and repeat. I stayed in that cycle for a while because I didn’t understand that verse, I didn’t understand grace and I didn’t understand know how to trust what had been done for me on the cross. I’m not saying I understand them fully now, but I do have a better grasp of them. I haven’t even figured out how not fail, but I have figured out how to trust God more when I do. I’ve learned He’s not up there waiting for me to fail so He can banish me to Hell forever. Instead, like a father, He’s cheering me on, picking me up when I fall, dusting me off and encouraging me to try again.

One of the things that helped me break the cycle was having a teacher break down Romans 7 and 8 for me. He had me circle all the I’s, me’s, myself’s and my’s in Romans 7. When I did, the page was covered in circles. Then he had me read verse 24. It said, “What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?” (TPT) He then had me do the same thing in chapter 8, except I circled all the spirit’s, God’s, Christ’s and Jesus’. Again, the page was covered in circles. He then had me read verse 4. It said, “So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!” He then said, “It’s not up to you. Quit trying to live this life on your own. Trust God’s grace and let His Spirit lead you.”

All my favorite people in the Bible failed miserably, and sometimes often. The psalmist wrote, “Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need! (Psalms 73:26)” Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning to trust God’s grace and being Spirit led. He’s given us the tools we need to follow where He leads, we just need to use them. When we fail and fall into disgrace, know that He’s not angry with you. He’s there ready to help you up, to forgive you and to surround you with His presence. Keep trusting in Him, learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and quit listening to the voice of condemnation. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. That’s a reminder for you as a Christian when you fail. This life isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about learning to trust a perfect and holy God.

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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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August 12, 2025 · 5:30 AM

The Hope Of Restoration

Isaiah 35 is such a hopeful chapter in the Bible that’s full of Gods promise to us. It starts out saying, “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God” hNLT). This reminds us that God will cause the barren season and places in our life will become places of beauty. I believe God uses the wilderness to reveal Himself to us more clearly.

The next verse says, “With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.” When we’re in a wilderness season, we need this declaration of hope to keep us going. We must remember that the place we’re in is not permanent and that God will bring beauty from the ashes of the place we’re in. He wants us to keep digging into His Word no matter how down trodden we feel, and to keep praying on our knees no matter how weak they feel. Your prayers are being heard in Heaven and a fruitful season of restoration is on the way.

This part of the beautiful promise wraps up in verse 4 by saying, “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’” Divine intervention is on its way. God is going to move to set things right. It may not be today, or as soon as you would like, but it is coming. He is not distant from you, nor is He unaware of this place you’re in. The wilderness will bloom. The dry places will flow with water. There will be growth and beauty again. Take strength and encouragement from these verses today. You have the promise and hope of restoration coming.

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August 7, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Choosing Your Identity

Over 25 years ago, I had the opportunity to live in Egypt. It was an incredible experience. Around December, I learned something that I had not known. Several of my American friends were gearing up to go to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other nice cities in the Middle East to buy Christmas presents for their kids. I heard one parent yelling to the other one, “Make sure you grab the right passports!” Thinking it was a strange request, I asked what they meant by “right passports”. They explained that because the Middle East hated Israel so much, if they had a stamp from Israel in their passport, they would deny them entry into their country. So they had one passport for traveling around the world, and one just for traveling in the Middle East. To me, it was like having two identities.

I’ve realized through the years, each of us have competing identities within us. One is the life that we were created to live and the other is the one created by the fall of Adam. Each of them have very different desires and are at war with each other. Paul, who named himself the Chief of Sinners, knew the struggle all to well as the Early Church was forming. Many believers had grown up trying to earn God’s favor by performing rituals and were struggling to understand grace. In Galatians 2, Paul explained to them, and to us, that it’s our Adamic identity that wants us to think our relationship with God is based on what we do. In verse 20, he wrote, “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me— we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!” (TPT) In effect, Paul was telling us he canceled his Adamic passport.

Each of us need to choose to cancel our old identity. When we accept Christ, we’re given a new one that is powered by grace instead of works. It’s not what we do that earns God’s favor, but Christ who lives in us. He is our righteousness before God. You are enough because He is enough, and He lives within you. We have to crucify the old way of thinking daily and accept our identity in Christ. So many of us are struggling to move forward in our Christianity because we’re still trying to carry around two passports. We’re trying to live like Adam on Saturday and like Christ on Sunday. That’s a hard way to live. When we cancel our old identity, Jesus gives us new life that allows us to live the life we were created to live. It’s a daily, and sometimes hourly, choice we must make to live the life Jesus has called us to.

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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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August 4, 2025 · 5:57 AM

Fighting Fear

Fear is one of our greatest enemies. It distorts the truth about who we are. It can make us feel less than who we are. It can also cause us to doubt our own strength and capabilities. Fear will also interject itself into how we see God and our relationship with Him. It causes doubt, gets us to question God’s plan and blinds us to our identity in Him. Ultimately it keeps from reaching our potential and achieving all God created us to do. We must not let it gain a foothold in our lives. It’s lies spread and hold us back. Thankfully perfect love casts out all fear.

In Judges 6, we meet Gideon, and immediately we can see how fear is driving his decisions and has distorted his view of God, as well as his own identity. He is threshing grain in a wine press so he isn’t seen by his enemies. When the Angel of the Lord show up, He spoke to Gideon’s identity by calling him a mighty warrior and reminding him that God is with him. The fear in Gideon questioned God plan in their current situation. The angel spoke to his identity again and told him he was being sent to deliver Israel. When Gideon questioned it again, the angel said, “I will be with you” (NLT). The Lord continued to be patient with Gideon as he transformed him into the warrior God created him to be.

In Isaiah 43:1 the Lord says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” God knows that we all face fear in one way or another. His truth will drive out fear from your life and will help you see your true identity in Him. You have been called by name and belong to Him. He will not abandon you in your time of trouble. He sees your potential and calls it out the same way He did to Gideon. You may not see it in yourself right now, but listen to the voice of truth over the voice of fear. The goal of fear is to bring insecurity in every area of your life, but God’s love brings confidence, freedom and victory. It’s a process to let go of fear, but God is patient and will walk with every step of the way as you fight fear.

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July 31, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Invest In Prayer

A few years ago I left corporate America to be self employed. My 401k money was sitting there and I needed to roll it into an IRA. I did it in January of 2020. They put everything into a money market account until I chose what funds to invest in. After a few weeks, I made my choices and moved the money into them. The next week the markets began crashing due to Covid. My money was shrinking at an alarming rate. I called my advisor in a panic wondering if I should put what was left into the money market. He reminded me that I was in it for the long haul. Then he encouraged me to keep investing even when times were bad. In fact, I’ll get the best return on my investment when I buy funds at their lowest.

Jesus was a person who invested. No, he didn’t invest in a stock market. He invested time in prayer. You’ll constantly read in the Gospels where Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to invest in prayer. Almost every time you read that statement, major miracles occurred. You can also read how on the night He was betrayed, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was constantly making deposits in prayer. He understood that no matter what was going on in His life, He needed to be investing time in prayer. He didn’t panic or even look for some to blame. He looked for God’s presence instead.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “With all prayer and petition, pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people” (AMP). It’s always a good time for us to invest in prayer. Nothing in your life will pay greater dividends than spending time in God’s presence. If you’re facing adversity, invest more time in prayer. If you want to do greater ministry, invest more time in prayer. If things are going well, invest in prayer. You will only receive dividends according to what and where you invest. Prayer is something that pays dividends now and throughout eternity.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels.

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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July 23, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Healing Amid Hardening

Quenching steel is the process that rapidly cools the steel after it has been heated to a glowing malleable state. In that form it is soft and vulnerable. Plunging it into oil creates a dramatic shift in its temperature and hardness that gives it strength and hardness. It can be done in either oil or water depending on the steel. If it cools too fast, the steel can crack. If it cools too slowly, the steel might not harden enough. Oil absorbs heat at the right temperature and forms a blanket around the steel initially, cushioning the shock. This helps the steels structure heal properly as it realigns. 

There’s not a person in the world who hasn’t gone through hard times. Some of us have been pushed to the brink of what we could handle. We’ve felt broken, alone and wondered why it was happening to us. When we don’t heal properly, we carry those wounds with us into our relationships and jobs. We project hardness to keep people away, but the truth is we are broken on a level that may not be visible to the eye. We need the oil of God to come and heal us. We need to get to a point where we open ourselves up to Him and allow Him to pour His oil into the places others can’t reach. His healing is perfect. It does leave a scar, but that is so you can share what He has done, and others will find their healing in your scars.

I love the story of the Good Samaritan. When the Samaritan found the wounded man, he had compassion on him, bandaged his wounds and poured oil into them to bring healing. God calls you and I to be the oil bearers for people who are hurting and broken. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.” If God has brought healing into your life, you have a responsibility to pour oil into the wounds of others who need healing in the midst of their realignment. There’s power in your testimony and your scars. There’s healing amid hardening.

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July 22, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Without Excuses

Years ago I taught a class where I posed a series of “what if” or “if only” questions. I would write their answers on the board. If only I had more time. If only I was paid more. If only management would do this or that. The answers were flowing until I stopped and read them their answers. I asked them what their answers looked like. When no one answered, I simply pointed out that their answers were excuses to not do things. They were things that were holding them back from their potential and keeping them from moving up. Some times those answers are right, but when we allow them to hold us back, they become excuses.

There were many people in the Bible who gave God excuses as to why they couldn’t do what He asked. Moses said he stuttered and wasn’t a good orator. Jonah said he didn’t like the people God called him to minister to. The people who wanted to follow Jesus, but first wanted to go back to bury the dead or get their inheritance. Even Jeremiah gave an excuse that he was too young to call his nation back to repentance. In Jeremiah 1 God told him that He had set him apart and called him to the nations. In verse 6, Jeremiah gave the excuse, “O Sovereign Lord, I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” (NLT) These are some big names in the Bible who tried to use an excuse to hold them back from their purpose and calling. Thankfully God didn’t accept of their excuses.

In Jeremiah 1:7-8 God replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” He went on to say that He would put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth and empower him. It’s got me thinking about the excuses I’ve used with God. Maybe you’ve given Him some too. If God has called you to it, He will empower you and help you do it. You haven’t messed it up nor have you done anything to remove His calling. It’s time we owned up to our excuses and allowed God to help us do what He created us to do. Start living your life without excuses.

Photo courtesy of Max Andrew on Pexels.

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