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October 7, 2024 · 5:51 AM

One Small Decision

I’ve seen commercials and even YouTube videos demonstrating the Domino Effect combined with the geometric growth principles. In one video, the gentleman has around 13 dominos growing at a rate of 1.5%. The smallest one he had to use tweezers to set down because it was on,y 5 mm tall. The last one was over 3’ tall and weighed over 100 pounds. Once set, he barely touches the 5mm domino. That’s when the Domino Effect came into play. One by one they pushed each other down until the giant one fell. It’s a great demonstration of how little decisions or habits can create a massive shift in our future and change our lives. In the moment they see. Inconsequential, but when you look back you can point to a single decision or habit that changed everything.

I love how the story of Ruth demonstrates these principles. With all three women’s husbands dead, Naomi tells her two daughters in law to return home to their families. One makes the decision to return, while Ruth decides to male Naomi’s people her people and worship her God. That decision led her to live in Bethlehem. She then decided to glean from a nearby field to get grain. That decision caused her to walk into the field of Boaz who actually had the power to redeem her. That decision led to marriage and a son who would continue the family name. That son had a son whose name was Jesse, and he had a son named David who became king. The family tree kept going through generations there until one day down the line a couple gave birth to a son and named Him Jesus. It all started with the decision to stay with Naomi.

Proverbs 3:6 says,“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (NLT). When I train classes, I’ll often end with a critical thinking exercise. I have people look at the results they’re getting in their lives and ask, “What do you need to continue doing that is giving you these results?” I follow that with, “What’s one thing you need to start doing to change your future results?” Then I wrap up with, “What’s something you need to stop doing?” Applying these three questions to your life, and implementing them, will create a domino effect of geometric proportions in your life. Make prayerful plans and decisions so that you create movement in your future and the Lord will work out His purpose in your life. If you don’t like where things are now, you’re one small decision away from a different future.

Photo by Astrid Schaffner on Unsplash

Here’s a video demonstrating these principles.

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October 4, 2024 · 5:28 AM

Encourage One Another

Are you a natural encourager? Chances are, you aren’t. Most of us don’t naturally walk around encouraging people, yet it’s something we all need and want. When you encourage someone, you infuse courage into their situation. You add confidence into their equation. When you do those two things, it inspires people to action and action is what changes outcomes. Acts 11 talks about a man named Barnabas, known os the son of encouragement, in the Early Church. They sent him to Antioch where the believers were needing encouragement. He then went to find Paul (Saul) and they ministered there. It was at that place that people were first called “Christians.” Barnabas brought courage and confidence to believers, they changed the city and people called them “like Christ.” Whose life and outcome will you change by being Christ like through encouragement?

Here are some Bible verses reminding us to encourage one another:

1. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:12 NLT

2. And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.

Ephesians 4:29 TPT

3. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

4. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

5. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

Proverbs 12:25 AMP

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October 3, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Goodness In Action

I was just telling my son, that Romans is my favorite book in the Bible. It’s full of so many treasures and some outright blunt speaking from Paul. One of which is Romans 2:4. It says, “Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?” (AMP) Through this verse, Paul revealed the part of our process of the change in our heart and mind that led us to seeking forgiveness for our sin. When you think back to when you received Jesus as your savior, there was kindness or goodness in action from God towards you that led you towards trusting in Him. That kindness created a change of heart in you. That same kindness that God demonstrated to you is the same kindness listed in the Fruits of the Spirit that we are to display to others.

In Genesis 43, Joseph’s brothers returned to Egypt for more grain. Joseph showed them kindness by feeding them at his own home. They knew they didn’t deserve this kindness as their consciences reminded them of what they had done to their brother. After having lunch with them, he planted a cup in Benjamin’s bag that was found later after they left. When he said Benjamin had to go to jail, Judah stood up and offered an act of kindness by saying he would take the punishment for Benjamin. When Joseph saw this, he knew their hearts had changed and he revealed himself to them. Forgiveness and restoration took place because kindness (goodness in action) was demonstrated when they didn’t deserve it.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you” (AMP). It’s not just God’s kindness that leads to repentance, it’s our goodness in action and forgiveness that points them to Jesus too. Who in your life least deserves kindness from you? We are to readily and freely forgive others as Jesus readily and freely forgave us. We need to show kindness to those who have wronged us rather than seeking revenge. Pray for wisdom and help from God to help you forgive and show you ways to express His kindness to them and to others you meet. We know that when others see our good works and goodness in action, they’ll glorify God and turn to Him.

Photo by ROCKETMANN TEAM 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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October 2, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Holding On Tightly

If you could go back in time and watch anything in the Bible happen, what would it be? Watching the walls of Jericho fall would be high on the list for me. I wonder what the people on both sides thought as they marched around the walls. To hear the trumpets blast and the people shout because God had given them the city would be incredible I think. Then to stand there in awe as the walls collapsed and feel the earth shake from it would be the experience of a lifetime. I have read that story many times since I was a kid. I have even marched and driven around situations praying for spiritual walls to fall and for breakthrough. I’ve experienced the miracle of God moving in the moment like He did that day, but I’ve also experienced standing there waiting for the walls to fall. How do you respond when you’ve done everything you can and the walls remain while breakthrough eludes you?

In Mark 5:25-34, we read about a lady who had done everything she could, but her breakthrough never came. For 12 years, she had suffered with an issue of blood that made her unclean according to the Law. For 12 years she had gone to every doctor she could find only to get worse. For 12 years she faced disappointments and set backs. Think about where you were and what was going on in your life 12 years ago to put that into perspective. Somehow this woman kept marching around the walls praying for them to fall, when one day she heard about Jesus. She thought if she could just touch the hem of His garment, she would be healed, so she snuck up behind Him in the crowd. When she touched it, her breakthrough came and she was healed.

Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (NLT). It’s hard to keep holding on when your breakthrough doesn’t happen or is delayed, but like that woman, we can’t let go. Our hope is not based on the moment we’re standing in, but in the promise of the Great I Am, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our faith must be greater than our feelings if we’re not going to waiver in those times when we’re staring down walls we’ve prayed would fall. Like the Israelites we need to keep marching and thanking God for the victory that’s coming. Like the woman we must seek out the hem of His garment when everything else has failed. We can trust in God’s promises and who He is because He’s been faithful. I don’t know when your breakthrough will happen, but I know you must keep holding on tightly to your faith in Him no matter what.

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October 1, 2024 · 5:32 AM

Rest And Restoration

What do you think if when you hear the word “rest?” Most of us think of sleep or vacation, but have you ever woke up tired or returned from vacation needing another one? Rest comes in many forms because there are many types of rest we need. Yes, those two are big components of rest, but you also need mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and sensory rest. Taking breaks, being alone, doing a digital detox, sitting quietly and meditating on God’s Word are all forms of rest. Getting rest isn’t just a physical need, but all these other parts of you need it as well, because you are not just a physical being. I once heard someone say that you can’t have restoration without rest. Think about that for a moment.

The Bible is full of people who rested and received benefits from it. God demonstrated the need for rest at the very beginning of the Bible. When He was finished with creation, He rested. Then, on Mount Sinai, He commanded that we take a sabbath as well. The word “sabbath” means to stop or cease. God gave Adam rest and created Eve. When Elijah was depressed, God sent him on a journey and had him rest. It was while Jacob was resting that he saw the ladder to heaven. After a long day of teaching parables, Jesus rested in the boat. The Bible also mentions several times where He went away from the crowds to a secluded place and found rest while He got alone with the Father.

There’s even the time He taught the disciples to rest. Mark 6:31 says, “Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat” (NLT). Jesus knew there was still work to be done where they were, and He still took them away. They could have continued to make an impact, but it would be short lived without rest. Have you ever been so busy, you didn’t have time to eat? I’m guilty of that. Ever been so busy you didn’t have time to pray or read the Bible? Have you been glued to your phone or computer? It’s time to set boundaries and build rest into your schedule for the different parts of who you are. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical restoration is available with rest.

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September 30, 2024 · 5:45 AM

Controlling Everything

How do you handle it when everything is going wrong? There are times and seasons of disappointment that we all go through. For some of us, we start trying to control everything when things start spinning out of control. The truth is that we can’t really control anything except our response and our attitude. I’m not a person that is constantly worried about things, but in these seasons, worry tries to creep in. My sleep gets disrupted, my appetite goes away and I get quiet because I’m trying to handle it and solve it on my own. Doing all those things is still simply masking the fact that I’m trying to control the situation rather than my response. Ultimately I have to realize that only God can control my circumstances.

In Esther 3, Haman had been promoted to second in command. The king ordered that he be given the same treatment and respect as if he were king. People were told to bow when he went by them. Everyone obeyed the edict except Mordecai. Haman was infuriated and decided not to simply attack Mordecai. His response was to eradicate all Jews. He convinced the king to sign a law that gave people in every province of the kingdom to kill Jews and take their possessions. In chapter four, Mordecai read the decree and began crying and wailing. He put on mourning clothes, fasted and prayed for a resolution. He may have felt the blame for the situation and knew he didn’t have the answer, but he knew God did. He sent word to Esther about what was going on and God used her to save His people.

Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (NLT) When things are out of control, God is still in control. We must look to Him because He is the only one who can help in these seasons. He is the one who had the plan and people in position to protect you and bring the season to a close. Like Mordecai, we should turn our hearts toward heaven in fasting and prayer. Like Esther, we should be ready to do whatever God asks no matter how difficult. Things may look bleak, and times may get rough, but in those moments we must look to God and seek Him more than ever. He is still in control of everything and nothing happens without Him knowing. Control your response and let Him take the burden of controlling everything else.

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September 27, 2024 · 5:44 AM

Choosing Words

Studies show that an adult person speaks 7,000 – 20,000 words a day. That’s 2,555,000 to 7,300,000 words a year, and between 158,410,000 to 452,600,000 in your adult life. That’s a lot of words we speak. How many of those are careless versus carefully chosen? Our words carry weight with the people who hear them. Someone will hear something you say and it will stay in their mind for the rest of their life. Beyond that, your words will echo for eternity because one day we will be judged by what we have said. When we put those millions of words we say into perspective, it reminds us to be more careful in what and how we say things. There’s a lot more riding on them than you think. Once they’re spoken, you can never recapture them.

Here are some Bible verses on choosing words:

1. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

Proverbs 18:21 AMP

2. Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal.

Proverbs 12:18 TPT

3. Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.

Proverbs 13:3 GNT

4. When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes.

Proverbs 15:4 TPT

5. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

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September 26, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Honoring God’s Presence

I take a spiritual growth assessment a couple of times a year to get a snapshot of where I am. It helps me to visualize the different aspects of my disciplines, see where I’m gaining ground and where I’m losing ground. I’ve noticed when certain disciplines, like listening in my prayer time, are low, there are fewer experiences with God. There’s a direct correlation between my listening to His voice and experiencing His power and presence in my life. If I want more of it, I have to make time to listen instead of just talking through that time to Him about my needs. Listening is a great way to honor God’s presence.

In 1 Samuel 3, Eli was the High Priest of Israel. He was their spiritual leader, but the first verse says, “Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon” (NLT). The reason why the messages and visions were rare is because Eli had quit honoring God’s presence. He no longer slept in the tabernacle tending to the candlestick, he allowed his sons to steal God’s offerings and turned a blind eye to their promiscuity. God had enough of it and spoke to Samuel a prophetic message of how He was going to remove Eli and his sons from their positions.

In Matthew 13:57-58 it says, “Then Jesus told them, ‘A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.’ And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.” Our belief and honor have a lot to do with how much we experience the power of God in our life. If it’s been a while since you’ve heard God’s voice or experienced Him in a real way, take a close examination of your life. Are you honoring Him in all aspects of your life? Have you been relaxed on your spiritual disciplines? When we honor God, He shows up in our life in real ways.

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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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September 25, 2024 · 5:45 AM

Leaving The Pit Of Despair

September 25th holds a special place in my heart and on my calendar. It’s the day where I hit rock bottom in my life. After seven months of having the bottom fall out from underneath me, this was the day I gave up. I walked into my house, laid down on the living room floor, curled up in the fetal position and bawled like a baby. I was hurting inside so badly and was tired of losing everything. In that moment I cried out to God and told Him I was done. It was then that I heard a still, small voice say, “Finally.” I had been doing thing on my own and living how I wanted to live. God spoke and said if I was ready to build my life His way and live how He wanted me to, He would rebuild my life. I repented right there and agreed to change. I walked over to my calendar and wrote, “The Bottom.”

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable about another man who tried to do things his way. He went to his father and demanded his inheritance while his father was still living. He insulted his father and his whole village. He took the money, went to a foreign land and lived how he wanted instead of how he was raised. He was having a good time until he ran out of money. If that wasn’t bad enough, there was famine that caused food to be scare. Then the economy crashed and he couldn’t find work except the lowliest of positions. After struggling, he finally hit rock bottom and decided to seek forgiveness. He headed home. Verse 20 says, “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him” (NLT). His father put a new robe on him, put the family ring on his finger, killed the best calf and had a celebration. His son had returned and agreed to live by the father’s rules.

Psalm 40:2 says, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” I’ve been to the pit of despair and cried out like the Prodigal Son. A friend recently asked for practical steps to get out of that pit. I to,d him it starts with repentance and crying out to God. It takes determining to make changes in your life and leaving situations, people and places that got you there. It takes committing to reading the Bible, praying daily and getting involved in a body of believers who will love you. When I made these changes, God lifted me out of the pit, put my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I made progress. It took more than ten years to get back to the point where I felt like I was back to level ground. It’s not easy climbing out of that pit of despair, but it’s possibly by surrendering to God.

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September 20, 2024 · 5:35 AM

Following Direction

Have you ever prayed asking God for direction? Me too. Knowing what to do or which decision to make or where to go plagues all of us. Sometimes we’re at a loss to know and other times we’ve got paralysis through analysis. Gideon was in the same boat. In Judges 6, God met with him and called him to lead Israel. In verse 36 he laid out a fleece to find out if God was really directing him in that direction. He did it again the next night just to be sure. God answered his requests and he followed where God was leading him. Because he did, God used him to set Israel free from the oppression of the Amalekites.

I don’t know if God is calling you to lead, something great or something small. However, I do know that God directs each of our steps. Whatever you’re asking directions for, He has an answer and a plan. As with anything else, you then have a choice. Are you going to follow God’s direction or are you going to choose your own? If you choose the later, take a moment to read up on Jonah. Instead, ask for wisdom in how to proceed, that God would open the right door and light up your path. God is not trying to hide his plan for you, but there are times He asks us to step out in faith. Abraham had to start walking towards something before God told him where to go. Whatever situation you find yourself in, seek God’s direction and then follow it.

Here are some Bible verses showing that God directs us:

1. What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

Galatians 5:16 GNT

2. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalms 37:23 NLT

3. The holy God of Israel, the Lord who saves you, says: “I am the Lord your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.”

Isaiah 48:17 GNT

4. A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

5. It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery!

Proverbs 20:24 TPT

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