Tag Archives: Devotional

February 7, 2025 · 5:24 AM

Living Set Apart

Early on in the Bible, God began to tell his people to set apart land, cities, items and animals. The things he told them to set apart were considered His and they were holy. In the New Testament, He told the Early Church to,set apart Barnabas and Paul. They were called to be missionaries. You and I as believers are also called to live set apart from the world. We are God’s and are expected to live lives that are holy to the Lord. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. To be set apart is to be clearly different To the point it was known what things were set apart. In Exodus God kept making a clear distinction between His people and the people of Egypt. I believe God is still calling for a clear distinction between His people and the people of the world as we are to be in the world and not of it. We are set apart for Him.

Here are some Bible verses on living set apart:

1. Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.

John 17:17 AMP

2. I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

3. And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them.

Romans 8:30 GNT

4. But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.

1 Peter 2:9 TPT

5. [I am writing] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called to be saints (God’s people) and set apart for a sanctified life, [that is, set apart for God and His purpose]: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:7 AMP

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February 6, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Letting Go Of Trouble

Years ago my son was trying to pick up something that was too heavy for him. As he was struggling, I offered to help. He declined and kept trying. Again I offered help, but still he refused. He was determined to move it himself. Finally he asked for help. As I picked it up, he yelled his disapproval. Confused, I asked how he wanted me to help. He said he wanted to hold it, but I had to pick both of them up and carry them. He wanted me to carry the weight, but he wanted to be holding onto it.

I laughed, but I also thought, “How many times do I cry out to God with a heavy load, but want the same thing?” If you’re like me, you find yourself carrying loads that are too heavy for you. God is there wanting to help, but we want credit for carrying it. We want God to help, but we want Him to do it our way. We hold onto our troubles because we’re afraid to let them go, but God wants us to give them to Him. He wants us to release them so He can carry them.

Psalm 55:22 says, “Pile your troubles on GOD’s shoulders— he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out” (MSG). God wants to help us with our heavy loads, but we have to be willing to let go of them if we’re going to cast them on His shoulders. Letting go is the hardest part and it’s why so many of us want Him to carry us while we’re holding on to the troubles. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Let go and let God.” Maybe it’s time we started doing that. He’s more than capable of carrying your troubles if you’ll just let them go.

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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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February 5, 2025 · 5:37 AM

Being Meek

My son had an assignment in his Bible class where he had to read Matthew 5:5 which says, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth” (NKJV). He then had to rely on classroom discussion about the meaning of meekness and write a paragraph on someone he has seen that fits that description. It had been since I was a kid that I learned about meekness. I could only remember that it didn’t mean weakness. Meekness is a combination of humility, gentleness, teachability, and strength under control. As he wrote out his paragraph, I started thinking about these qualities and how Jesus said the person with these is blessed. They show the work of the Spirit in someone’s life because they’re opposite of human nature.

Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (ESV). When God called on him to rescue his people out of Egypt, he pushed back because of his inadequacy. His humility caused him to learn to be dependent on God to fulfill his calling. When people complained and challenged his authority, he let God intervene rather than to use his authority to punish them. He constantly kept going back to God for guidance throughout the plagues and wilderness. He didn’t let his authority or position go to his head. He continued to lead, seeking God at each step, and was willing to learn from others along the way. When the Bible says he was more meek than anyone, it causes me to pay attention to his character.

Colossians 3:12 says, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Paul tells us to put these on as if they were garments Knowing these are against human nature. You put them on by having your mind renewed first and then by being led by the Spirit. Like Moses, you’re going to have to be humble enough to recognize your shortcomings and rely on God’s strength in your weakness. You’re going to have to be humble to recognize it is Hod who is working through you accomplishing His will. We must see others through His eyes so we have compassionate hearts and are patient with them. Which of these do you need the most help with? Ask God to help you put that quality on. Be meek enough to recognize your need for Him to make changes in your life.

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January 28, 2025 · 5:34 AM

Refocusing Your Eyes

I talk to people all the time trying to help them to convert their dreams to goals. I try to help them create a plan that is specific and has milestones along the way so they can see their progress. Everyone starts out with good intentions and they’re excited, but then life sets in. Things start competing for their time, and what was supposed to be used on achieving their goal gets spent on something else. The same thing happens with their energy and other resources. Distractions come in as they’re making progress and takes their attention off the goal. This is the unfortunate end to so many people’s journey to making their dream a reality. They take their eye off the prize and before they know it too much time has passed.

In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a boat headed across the Sea of Galilee following Jesus’ orders. As they were rowing along, headed for their destination, a storm came up and fought against them. While they were struggling to move forward, Jesus came walking towards them on the water. They all saw Him out there and He spoke to them to encourage them in their struggle. Peter then said, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water” (AMP). He wanted to get permission to get out of the boat and even asked Jesus to command him to move. Verses 29-30 say, “He said, ‘Come!’ So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” Peter was making progress when he got distracted by the storm and took his eyes off Jesus. He quickly called out for help and Jesus lifted him up and walked him back to the boat.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].” What have you stopped doing for the Lord because you got distracted? Today, Jesus is asking you to fix your eyes back on Him to complete the work. We’re all susceptible to life’s storms and distractions. We’re all guilty of taking our eyes off Jesus at times and stopping our progress. However, like Peter, we can look back to Jesus, call out for help and He will lift us back up to complete the work. It all starts with you fixing your eyes back on Him.

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January 17, 2025 · 5:27 AM

Continually Renewed

The concept of renewal is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Renewal is about restoring freshness and vigor. It’s about transformation. As a growing believer, God is constantly at work in us renewing our mind and spirit. It’s a constant process we must submit to and allow God to do. Our human nature wants to get stuck in our ways and forego the renewal process. That only stunts our growth. If you’ve been feeling like you’re stuck or that you’re in need of renewal, ask God to renew your mind, your spirit, your body, your thoughts or whatever you need Him to. God transforms us from the inside out. Let Him cause the old to pass away and to make all things new.

Here are some Bible verses on renewal.

1. No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.

1 John 3:9 AMP

2. Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP

3. For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God.

Colossians 3:10 TPT

4. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

5. And be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].

Ephesians 4:23-24 AMP

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January 8, 2025 · 5:32 AM

First Things First

I’ve talked with two different people this week that had felt like God had asked them to make a change to their morning routine. One said that when they wake up, they go into a room by themselves and play worship music for 15 minutes. They sing along and spend the first few moments worshiping God. The other said that they have made it a point to not open any apps on their phone until they have done their daily Bible reading. Both have shared what a difference it has made in their day. Instead of checking the weather, opening social media, checking emails or texts, they have decided to seek God first. It’s a small change in their day that isn’t easy to do because of previous habits, but it’s paying big dividends in the faith.

Exodus 16 starts out telling us how israel had been set free from slavery in Egypt for a month. They were traveling to the Promised Land being led by the Shekinah glory of God. In that journey of following a physical manifestation of His presence, they began to complain He wasn’t doing enough for their appetites. That evening, God provided quail for them to eat. The next morning, there was dew on the ground. When it evaporated, it became manna for them to eat. They had to pick up just enough for them for that day, and they had to get it before the sun got high in the sky or it would melt and disappear. God was literally giving them their daily bread, but they had to get it first thing or they would miss out on it. God was teaching them that He would care for their needs each morning and evening.

In Matthew 6, Jesus was giving the Sermon on the Mount. He taught about fasting and prayer, and then He taught about their physical needs of money, food and possessions. He told them not to let these thought dominate their mind because the Father knows their needs. Then in verse 33 He said, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” (AMP). When we seek our needs first, it leads to complaining. When we seek Him first, it leads to trust. Do you find yourself complaining about your needs or trusting Him for them? The difference might be in what you’re seeking first.

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January 7, 2025 · 5:31 AM

Half Built Towers

I like to make plans and then to execute those plans. When things aren’t going according to plan, I can be irritable and short tempered. My wife is usually quick to remind me that God may have other plans. In those moments I usually will seek God to see if it’s Him redirecting me or if it’s the enemy trying to stop me. There have also been times I’ve made plans without seeking His guidance. I knew what I wanted to do and decided to move forward with them with or without His blessing. On rare occasions, I’ve known what has God asked me to do, and made other plans. I don’t recommend this at all because one way or another, God’s plan will prevail. The sooner I submit to His plan, the better things are.

In Genesis 6-9 we read the account of the flood, Noah building the Ark and the year that he spent inside it. In Genesis 9:1 God told Noah and his family to repopulate the earth and to scatter abroad. Things were going well until Genesis 11 when a group of people decided to build a tower to the sky. In verse 4 they said, “Come, let’s begin work to build ourselves a city with a lofty tower that rises into the heavens. We’ll make a name for ourselves, a monument to us, instead of being scattered all over the earth” (TPT). They knew what God’s plan was and decided to enact their own. They decided the glory for their achievement was greater than obedience. In the middle of building the tower, God confused their languages, they separated and scattered abroad. The unfinished tower became a reminder to follow God’s plan.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (NLT). Take a moment to reflect on the goals and plans you’ve made for this year. Did you seek God to see what He wanted you to accomplish? He has a personalized plan for your life and wants to work with you in accomplishing it. Don’t allow selfish ambition to sidetrack you. Follow God’s plan and do it with all your might. You will still face struggles and the enemy will try to thwart your efforts, but God will be right there with you through it. I’m sure you have some half finished towers in your life that you can look at to help you remember that God’s plan is the best plan and His will always prevail.

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January 6, 2025 · 5:28 AM

Learning To Meditate

For many years, my son and I planted a small garden behind our house. We read each packet of seeds to see how far apart each seed needed to be planted as well as their depth. We planted different types of vegetables and marked the rows to help us remember. I wanted to teach him a few things by doing this. One is the law of sowing and reaping so he would know that he will only get what he plants. Another is the importance of planting seeds in the different gardens of his life. One of the most important gardens all of us need to tend is our mind. The seeds we plant there not only determine our thoughts, but also the direction of our life.

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (NLT). I love these verses because they directly show the correlation between those who plant seeds of God’s Word in their mind and those who don’t. We plant the seeds by meditating on it. Meditating is simply working it into the soil of your mind, thinking about it, how to apply it, and growing it. When we do that, the psalmist reminds us later that it will keep us from sinning. More than that, it will produce harvest in our lives throughout life’s seasons.

Joshua 1:8 says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” If you’re struggling to defeat the enemy in certain areas of your life, meditate on God’s Word. If you’re looking to grow closer to the Lord, meditate on His Word. The difference between success and failure in so many areas of your life depends on you taking the time to go deeper into the Bible. Don’t just read it, think about it. Let words jump off the page and look them up. Look at the historical and cultural implications of what God says. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and to show you how to apply it. When you’re reading, give yourself time to pause and reflect throughout each passage. That’s how you plant it in your mind and find success.

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December 26, 2024 · 5:30 AM

God With Us

There’s a story of how the Cherokee would perform a right of passage for all boys before they were considered men. To become a man, the boy would be led into the woods at night. His father would sit him on a stump, blindfold Him and then leave him. He was told that he had to sit there all night, but he couldn’t make a sound. When he saw the sun rays through the blindfold, he could take it off and find his way back to camp.

It was tough to sit there silently. With their eyes covered, their sense of hearing was enhanced. They heard ever twig break as an animal stepped on it. They could hear the sounds of all the animals in the forest that were out at night. I’m sure they could hear the sound of their own heartbeat as they wondered whether they would be attacked. In the morning when he removed his blindfold, he would see that his father was sitting beside him the whole night watching over him.

I love that story because it’s so much like what our Heavenly Father does for us. We often feel blind and alone as we go through this world. Our fears can get the better of us if we aren’t careful, but God is right there with us through it all even though we can’t see Him. Isaiah 7:14 says, “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)” (NLT).

Immanuel is one of my favorite names for God. It gives me hope when I feel blindfolded as I go through this life. When I’m unsure of how things are going to turn out, and I feel vulnerable and open to attack, I remind myself that God is right there with me. He’s watching over me, protecting me and caring for me. He has never left my side no matter how dark the night has been. He remains true to His name Immanuel. He is God with us.

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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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December 25, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Living In The Light

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the first thing He said was, Let there be light.” At that time darkness covered everything and God knew what the world would need first and most was light. It plays a significant role in life from plants to people. Psychologists have even studied the effects of light, and the absence of it, on humans. It is necessary for our overall wellbeing. God knew in the beginning that we needed it, so He spoke it into existence. When Adam and Eve sinned, the introduced a different kind of darkness into the world. Their sin brought death where God’s light had brought life. In Genesis 3:15 God spoke the first prophesy about a Savior who would come to redeem mankind from this darkness.

The disciple John started off his Gospel talking about Jesus in an interesting way. John 1:4-5 says, “In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]” (AMP). Just like at the beginning of creation, God once again spoke light into our world. The light that Jesus brought into the world, through His birth, was to bring spiritual life and light back. His light shined into the darkness of sin that ruled the world at that time. Jesus’ birth signified an end to spiritual darkness and death, and there was nothing the darkness could do to stop it.

In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” We no longer have to stumble in the darkness of our sin when we follow Jesus as His disciples. We no longer have to suffer the consequences of life without light because of who He is and what He offers. If you’ve been stumbling around in the darkness or if you have allowed it back into your life, I want to encourage you to let the light that brings life back into your heart. The light that Jesus brought that first Christmas is available to you this Christmas. He wants to bring light where there is darkness, life where there is death and hope where there is despair. His light changes everything, and you have the choice to let it in to every area of your life. Stop walking in darkness and begin living in His light today.

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