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February 3, 2026 · 5:50 AM

Paying The Cost

Years ago I was at a conference for pastors. The speakers were all famous people and well known pastors. One of the pastors spoke on the cost of the platform. He started off by recognizing how most pastors in their felt they would like to be up there or reach the tens of thousands that he and the others were reaching. He began to share hidden battles, the attacks on his family and other things he and the pastors up there all went through. It was a high price that most people aren’t willing to pay. To me it was a reminder that the bigger the dream God gives you, the bigger the problems you’re going to face. Can you hold onto your integrity through the unseen battles?

Joseph was given a dream in Genesis 37. Immediately he was attacked verbally by his family and later physically by his brothers. He was sold as a slave and was taken to Egypt. In Potophar’s house he was given authority, but didn’t have an audience. He resisted the easy temptation and was sent to prison for doing the right thing. In prison he continued to honor God despite his circumstances. Even though he had lost his position, his freedom and his reputation, he held onto his integrity. God used those hardships to prepare him for the fulfillment of the dream. It was a high cost he had to pay that others would have been unwilling to.

Proverbs 10:9 says, “The one who walks in integrity will experience a fearless confidence in life” (TPT). We’ve all heard that integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching. To me, it’s also obeying when you’re not getting any visible return and can’t see the purpose behind what’s being asked of you. It’s continuing to worship while everything else seems to be falling apart. Integrity is earned in the crucible of trials. That’s where God removes things from our life that don’t belong. The greater the dream, the hotter the fire. The cost of dreams is often high, however the price always has a purpose. God used the prison to position Joseph. He’s using whatever you’re facing to get you where He needs you. Don’t give up in the hard times. I’ll leave you with Galatians 6:9 as encouragement to keep going. It says, “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in” (AMP).

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February 2, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Possessing The Land

When it comes to putting action to our faith, many of us are good at making excuses. We dress it up in spiritual language at time or justify it by explaining all the problems in the way. I know because I’ve done it myself. We hear the promises of God, and we get excited over them, but we fail to act on them as we “wait on God.” Instead of becoming participants, we grow content being a spectator admiring what God promised from afar. That what happened to an entire generation who left Egypt. They were excited about the Promised Land, but let fear keep them in the wilderness. It takes courage to act in faith and possess the land. It takes action and faith to move when others are content to stand still. Caleb is a great example of this and it’s why God allowed him to enter the land.

Caleb was 80 years old when they entered they crossed the Jordan. He had waited 40 years to see it again. He could have used the excuse that he was too old to possess it. He could have said his time had passed, but he didn’t. He took up his sword and fought for what God had promised. At 85 years old he said in Joshua 14:12, “So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said” (NLT). He wasn’t going to let walls, giants or anything stand between him and what God promised. He trusted the Lord to fulfill his promise once he began to act, and that’s exactly what happened.

In Joshua 18 there remained seven tribes who were holding back and still making excuses. Joshua asked, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” That question goes out to you and me. What promises have you been circling but not entering into? It’s time to lay down our fear, our excuses and our rationalizing. Like Caleb, by faith we must say, “Give me the land!” Quit looking at the walls, the giants and anything else standing in your way. Trust God to do what He promised, drive them out and take possession. The land won’t come to you. You must go get it!

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January 30, 2026 · 5:58 AM

Reflecting God’s Glory

In Exodus 34 when Moses asks God to show him His glory, the Lord passed by Moses calling out His attributes and character. God wasn’t just showing His radiance, He was making His character visible. The essence of who God is was on full display. Are we reflecting Hos glory in this world through our lives? When Moses had spent time with God, his face shone with the radiant glory. I always thought that would be incredible. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized it’s more important to reflect the glory of His character in my life. Paul gave us a good list in Galatians 5 to reflect: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Here are some Bible verses on the glory of God:

1. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

2. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14 NLT

3. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy.

John 17:22 TPT

4. Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us. Proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all peoples.

Psalm 96:2-3 GNT

5. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT

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January 29, 2026 · 5:30 AM

Having A Limp

I spend a lot of time learning about leadership because that’s one of the areas I focus on training and helping people grow in. A book I’m reading right now isn’t about leadership, but it had a quote from a minister named John Wimber. He said, “Never trust a leader without a limp.” He wasn’t referring to a physical one. There’s a place of brokenness that we must reach in wrestling with God that shows us our limitations, exposes our weakness and causes us to be humble. The opposite type leader is arrogant, sure of themselves and doesn’t rely on God to accomplish things. While they’re confident and charging forward, they may not lead you where you need to go.

Jacob was the grandson of Abraham. He had a serious sibling rivalry with his twin brother Esau, who was the first born of the two. The first born received a double portion of their father’s inheritance because they were to lead the family and care for its affairs. When Jacob stole the first born’s blessing, he ran away in fear of his life for twenty years. The night before seeing his brother for the first time since he left, he was sleeping when a heavenly being came. They wrestled until dawn and Jacob refused to let go until he had been blessed. The being touched his hip and put it out of socket. Genesis 32:31 says, “The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip” (NLT).

I want you to know it’s ok to wrestle with God over things in your life. Be like Jacob and don’t let go until you’re changed. Those wrestling matches often reveal our weaknesses and teach us to depend on God more. They can leave us humbled and broken, but not fragmented and lame. It’s a good thing to have your walk changed by God. Never be ashamed of your limp created by your brokenness through an encounter with God. People can be I pressed with your confidence and strength, but it’s through your brokenness and limp that they will connect with you. Remember that it’s in our weakness and brokenness that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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 28, 2026 · 6:06 AM

Source Or Supplement

Is God your source or your supplement? In 1 Samuel 15 God sent King Saul to defeat the Amalekites. Instead of destroying everything the way he was supposed to, he spared the king, the best sheep, oxen and calves. When God sent Samuel to rebuke him, Saul said they spared them in order to sacrifice them to God. If you listen to Saul in this passage, he never rejects God. He believes in God, talks about God, uses the right lingo with the prophet, but only obeys selectively. It becomes clear that God is only a supplement to his life. He only does what is right in front of the prophet and only calls out to God when he needs something. Because his heart never fully committed to the Lord or His ways, he was rejected by God as king.

If you fast forward a few chapters to 23, you’ll see David, who was a man after God’s own heart. The Philistines had attacked a city and robbed them of the grain. Immediately David goes to God in prayer to find out if he should go after them. The Lord told him yes, but his men were afraid. Instead of being swayed by the opinions of others, he double checked with God. He went and fought the Philistines and rescued that city. God was not an accessory in David’s life or someone he prayed to in emergencies. David prayed, praised and sought the Lord often. He didn’t do much without inquiring of the Lord first. God was the source of his life. He wasn’t perfect and even sinned greatly. The difference in these two men was how and where they positioned God in their lives. One was rejected, the other was elevated despite his sin.

In Habakkuk 3:19 we see the prayer of another person who lived with God as their source. It says, “The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]” (AMP). Can you see the difference between someone who God is just a supplement to their life and someone who sees Him as the source? We can’t just apply parts of the Bible and only live for the Lord when others are watching. We can’t just call on Him when we need something. He must be the most vital relationship in our life. Have you been using God as a last resort or your first? Do you speak the right words in front of the right people or live them out when no one is watching? The answer to these will tell you if He is your source or simply a supplement to your life.

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January 27, 2026 · 6:04 AM

Presence Over Provision

Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, tells the story of a time early on in their church history where he was under a lot of financial pressures. The church was small, the building needed repairs and he was exhausted trying to make everything work. To solve the issues, he stepped into a business venture. He admits that he didn’t pray about it first, he assumed it was from God because it looked good, and then the venture collapsed. He said that he rushed ahead of God and thought the opportunity was the answer he was looking for. God used failure and conflict to return him to where he was supposed to be. He warns believers to follow where God leads and not where opportunity leads. It’s something a lot of us face. We see a golden opportunity and assume God is in it, but He’s actually trying to lead us somewhere else. It’s important to seek Him first and plant roots where He tells us to.

In Genesis 26, Isaac had left the land God had promised to his father Abraham because of a famine. While away, he increased in wealth and possessions to the point the king was intimidated by him and asked him to leave. He left and camped in a place that looked like it had provision for him, but conflict followed. He moved again and faced more conflict. He went to Beersheba where God had met Abraham, and God met him there too. God made the same covenant with him that He did with his father. Then verse 25 says, “So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord [in prayer]. He pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well” (AMP). He realized he had been chasing what the land offered and not where God was leading. When he found the place of presence and God’s provision, he pitched his tent permanently and dug a well to set up future generations in that place. The closed doors he faced led him to the place God wanted him.

Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.” Like Abraham, Isaac and so many others, our first step is to trust the Lord and not our circumstances. He is our source and our provider. Next we are to do good where he plants us. Isaac built and altar and dug a well. He pointed others to the Lord and provided blessings to others through the well. When we follow God’s presence instead of earthly provisions, we can dwell where He plants us securely. That doesn’t mean we won’t face conflicts or problems. It means we can have peace in them knowing that He’s working things out for our good and fighting battles for us. He will be faithful to His promise no matter what comes our way. We must rely on Him though. Look for where He is leading you rather than certain opportunities. Ask Him if He is in those opportunities or not. If He is, then follow them. If not, keep moving. When you follow His presence, He will provide what you need.

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January 26, 2026 · 5:34 AM

Wisdom Is Calling

I’ve seen several interviews that Captain Sully gave regarding the Miracle on the Hudson. I’ve also seen reenactments and clips from the movie that was made about that day. From the moment the birds took out both engines, alarms started going off. They read manuals, put out a distress call and had conversations about procedures all while the computer is calling out to them. It was a chaotic noisy environment. Every voice was telling him to turn back to LaGuardia, but wisdom was telling him to land in the Hudson. Afterwards the incident was investigated by the NTSB and it was determined that he made the on,y correct choice. Anything else would have resulted in a crash, yet because he listened to wisdom everyone survived.

In 1Kings 12, Solomon’s son became king of Israel. The people came and asked him to relieve the workload they had been under during Solomon’s reign. With pressure mounting, he consulted with his father’s advisors. They told him it was wise to listen to the people and give them a break from all the construction projects. Then he invited more voices in. They were his friends who were also young and inexperienced. They told him to do more than his father and increase the workload. Verse 13 says, “The king answered the people harshly and ignored the advice which the elders had given him” (AMP). In a room full of voices, he ignored the voices of wisdom and paid the price of having a revolt and divided kingdom.

In Proverbs 1:20-21, his father Solomon tried to teach him, “Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets; She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words.” When we need wisdom most, it’s often noisy and chaotic like the entrance to an ancient city. Lots of voices and chaos calling out trying to distract you, but wisdom is there among them speaking to you. Listening to her is critical to your success and future. Even in the most pressure filled, chaotic moments you can call out to God to give you wisdom and help you to know what to do. James 1:5 says He will give it to you. However, like the people mentioned above, only you can choose to act on it or not. Wisdom is calling out to you today. Take time to listen and do what she says.

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January 23, 2026 · 5:56 AM

Following God

When I first hear that David was a man after God’s own heart, it challenged me to want to live that way. As I’ve looked at his life trying to determine what that might be, one of the strongest characteristics I’ve seen is that He wanted to follow where God led. Most of us, like Saul, have our own ideas and agenda of where we should go so we quit following and start leading. We do see that with David or other great people in the Bible. They were all willing to follow God. Moses said he wouldn’t go anywhere without God’s presence leading him. The ones who followed God closely aligned themselves with His desires. Are you following where God is leading or trying to go your own way and asking Him to follow you?

Here are some Psalms about following God:

1. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 63:8 NKJV

2. You are faithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your word.

Psalms 103:18 TPT

3. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27 NLT

4. I will follow his commands and I’ll not sin by ceasing to follow him, no matter what.

Psalms 18:21 TPT

5. Lord, I have so many enemies! Lead me to do your will; make your way plain for me to follow.

Psalm 5:8 GNT

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January 22, 2026 · 5:30 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.

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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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January 21, 2026 · 5:45 AM

Keep Digging

I love reading stories of George Müeller. He was a British evangelist and cared for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. There are many stories of miracles that happened because of his faith and consistent prayer life. One of the stories I read said that he had five friends he wanted to come to Jesus. He committed to praying for them daily. After one year of praying, one gave their heart to the Lord. After ten years, two more accepted Jesus. After twenty five years of praying for his friends, the fourth one came to know Jesus. George died still praying for his fifth friend. That one decided to follow Jesus after the funeral, fifty years after the first prayer. He never stopped trying to get them to Jesus.

I also love the story in Mark 2. Jesus had returned to Capernaum and began to teach the Word of God to people in a home. The Bible says there were so many people there to see Him, that not only was the house full, you couldn’t get near the door. That’s when 4 people showed up carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat. Verse 4 says, “When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying” (AMP). These four were going to do anything to bring their friend to Jesus. They were relentless and Jesus honored their faith. In fact, the first thing He did for their friend was to forgive his sins.

James 5:16 says, “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” I don’t know how persistent you have been trying to get your family member, spouse or child to Jesus, but don’t stop. George Müeller kept praying persistently for fifty years and God honored it. For the paralytic, it was the faith of his friends that Jesus saw. They wouldn’t let a crowd, walls or a roof come between them and Jesus. Don’t be intimidated by whatever obstacles you see. Keep praying. Your fervent, persistent prayers are having a powerful effect in the unseen. Keep digging through that roof until you breakthrough and get them to Jesus.

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