Tag Archives: what does the bible say about

December 12, 2022 · 5:43 AM

The Blessings Of Obedience

Several years ago I was managing a store. My sales team was doing ok, but not great. I found the person in the district who was making the most money month after month and asked him what his secret was. He told me the mix of products he sells that yielded him double what my team made. I was so excited to share this formula with my team. I wrote it all down and walked them through it. I then said that they would have to trust me for two months before they would see the results. Only one person on my team followed my instructions. Sure enough, two months later his check doubled. After sharing his success, only one other person cared to do the steps necessary even though they knew what it would do for them.

In Daniel 1, the Babylonians had invaded Israel and taken several promising youth captive back to Babylon to serve the king. They devised an eating and learning regime to yield high results in education. The only problem was the eating regime went against the Law God had given them as Jews. Verse 8 says that Daniel made up his mind to follow God’s law over the king’s. This put his life in peril, so he made a deal with the guard to observe him for 10 days. At the end of those days, he looked better than the others who knew God’s laws and chose not to follow them. Then verse 17 says God blessed Daniel by giving him wisdom in literature, philosophy and interpreting visions and dreams.

James 1:25 says, “But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice—you will be blessed by God in what you do” (GNT). There are many blessings God holds for believers who don’t just go to church and hear what the Bible says, but apply it in their lives. Unfortunately so many of us miss out on many of God’s blessings because we aren’t following His laws. Just like in Daniel, they often contradict societal norms. When we choose to follow God’s ways over the world’s and live the way He asks, we open up the pathways to His blessings. Don’t just listen to what the Bible says. Put it into practice in your life. God has so much more for you.

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December 9, 2022 · 5:40 AM

Using Your Light

In the beginning, things were dark and the world was without form. Then God said, “Let there be light!” He created the light to dispel the darkness and to bring life. He still uses it for those purposes. When Jesus came, He carried that light with Him. He then said that you and I were the light and we were to let it shine. God gave us His light to dispel darkness in this fallen world. We’re to bring light and life wherever we go. Many times God takes us through some of the darkest times so that our light can shine even brighter. Don’t hide your light. This world needs that light as much as it did in the beginning. Use your light to give life to someone today.

Here are some Bible verses on using your light.

1. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 ESV

2. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light].

Ephesians 5:8 AMP

3. The righteous are like a light shining brightly; the wicked are like a lamp flickering out.

Proverbs 13:9 GNT

4. The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalms 119:130 NLT

5. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 TPT

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December 8, 2022 · 5:30 AM

The Tension Of Today

You and I are constantly living between the tension of our well known past and our unknown future. When we look at our past, we often see the things that can discredit us and prevent us from having a promising future. When we look to the future, it can be overwhelming. There are so many possibilities that many times we experience paralysis through analysis. We don’t always know where that next step is or how to take it. We often get stuck here worried that our past will weigh us down, and fearing that we’re not prepared for the future. It’s a constant struggle that so many of us live with.

The good news is that your past doesn’t change God’s future for you. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. The tension you feel is designed to draw you closer to Him. No matter how close you get to God, that tension will always be there because there’s always another level of faith you can grow into. The deeper your faith and trust in God gets, the more He trusts you with. Jesus Himself told us that when we learn to be faithful in the little things, He will trust us with the bigger things.

Psalm 139:5 says, “You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me” (TPT). God has His hand on your life. He has already prepared the path for you to walk down. It’s up to you to step out in faith and trust Him. I love that this verse shows He’s also going behind you to make sure your past decisions that weren’t so great won’t harm you. You can keep moving forward knowing He has your future in His hands. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Corrie Ten Boom reminds us to never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash

Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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December 7, 2022 · 5:37 AM

Exposing Your Chains

This past summer, I helped drive our church’s youth to their summer conference. Being a conference junkie, I made sure to sit in on the different sessions. I was shocked when almost every session had to do with mental health and suicide prevention. We never had anything like that, but the kids today are being brought up under different pressures. Social media, texting, internet with access to every piece of information and music apps that let them listen to anything have changed life. Their insecurities and weaknesses are exposed on a worldwide scale rather than in their neighborhood. Bullying isn’t done to their face, it’s done on a keyboard. For the most part, they’ve become afraid to be who they are and live under the pressure of being perfect.

I love the people God used in the Bible. All of them were flawed and God still used them despite their insecurities. Moses had a speech impediment, yet God used him to speak to Pharaoh and set an entire nation free. Elijah suffered from bouts of depression and God used him to perform incredible miracles and draw a nation out of idolatry. Gideon was insecure about who he was, but God called a mighty warrior out of him. I could go on, but none of us are perfect. All of us are human making us flawed. God can use us despite our weaknesses. My pastor likes to say that people are drawn to our strengths, but they connect to us through our weaknesses.

Paul was a person who killed or imprisoned Christians. After becoming a Christian, he suffered the same fate. Philippians 1:14 says, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers have renewed confidence in the Lord, and have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear [of the consequences, seeing that God can work His good in all circumstances]” (AMP). His chains emboldened others to share their faith. The weaknesses that seem to bind you will help encourage others who are going through the same thing. Paul learned to celebrate his weaknesses and insecurities for the sake of the Gospel. He didn’t hide who he was or project an image of perfection. God isn’t looking for perfection from you. He’s looking for you to be who He created, flaws and all, so He can use you to connect with others and encourage them on their way. When you expose the chains of your weaknesses, it sets you and others free.

Photo by Joey Kyber:

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December 6, 2022 · 5:44 AM

A Good Reputation

I was 12 years old when I first read Proverbs 22:1. In the King James it says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” At first I thought it was talking about my actual name, but then I found out it was talking about my reputation. I remember spending a lot of time thinking about this verse. I decided then that not only did I want a good name, I wanted my name associated with the word “excellence”. As I imagined what that would look like and require, I began to think about how I needed to be intentional about my actions in every area of my life. In serving God, I needed to make sure I lived my life the way Paul described in the New Testament. I needed to follow whatever God said. I knew everything about my reputation would begin right there. I needed to live up to the name “Chris” which means, “bearer of Christ.”

In 1 Samuel 13, Saul was the king of Israel. He quickly gained a reputation as a warrior when he attacked a garrison of Philistines who were oppressing Israel. The people quickly lined up to fight with him and revolt against their oppressors. However, they weren’t going to just walk away without a fight. They mustered their whole army to attack, and Saul began to panic. Samuel, who must have had a reputation for being late, had told Saul to wait seven days and he would sacrifice to God for victory. When he was later, Saul began to worry about what others thought and he offered the sacrifice exposing who he really was. He wanted to have man think more highly of him than God. It wasn’t long before God decided to take the kingdom away from him. He couldn’t be trusted with it in God’s eyes.

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do” (NLT). God has entrusted the Kingdom of Heaven to us. We need to be intentional in how we live and represent it. Ask God what He wants you to do, how to live and to help you make the most of each opportunity He gives you. Understand that God looks at the heart while people look at behaviors. God doesn’t hold our past against us when we seek forgiveness while people hold it over our heads. Because Jesus has given you a Robe of Righteousness, you have the name above every name attached to you in God’s eyes. People see that too. Seek God’s plan for your life, then be intentional with your decisions and you will bear His name well.

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December 5, 2022 · 4:36 AM

God Is Good

A friend was telling me about a lady who went to his church. Her son was in his twenties and had started serving the Lord when he passed away unexpectedly. She was devastated over it, but she still tells people how good God is. She was asked, “How can you talk about the goodness of God when you have had such heartache?” She replied, “My circumstances don’t change the goodness of God. Who know what could have happened to my son in the future? Perhaps it was the kindness of the Lord to take him home early.” Her perspective on God is right on and contrary to how so many would feel. Most of us would get bitter towards God or be ad at Him at least. Her story reminds me that o matter what comes my way, God is still good.

Job was a person in the Bible who also experienced great loss. In a matter of minutes he found out that his livestock and animals was stolen taking away his wealth and income. His workers who were planting crops were also attacked and killed taking away his future food security. Then his children were killed by a collapsed house taking away future generations. In that moment, he tore his clothes in grief and dropped to his knees. Instead of cursing God or asking Him “why”, he worshiped God. He reiterated God’s goodness and acknowledged His sovereignty. Even though he didn’t understand why it happened, but he still made sure to keep the proper perspective on things. He came into the world with nothing and he would leave with nothing. God gives and God takes. He then blessed the name of the Lord.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose” (AMP). There are times when your circumstances don’t look good, but God still is good. Things may be a mess right now, but messes are incubators for miracles. Difficult circumstances are the things that God uses to work out His plan in our life and to grow our faith in Him. I don’t know what you’re facing today or what you’re going through, but I do know that God is good and He is working things out for your good through it. Stand on this promise as a firm footing when everything else seems to be slipping away. Be like Job and profess God’s goodness even when it may not feel good.

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December 2, 2022 · 5:32 AM

Being Built Up

I’m not sure why, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is to give ourselves and others grace. Remember that you are a work in progress. I like to think of it as a construction project. Some projects are a big mess while they’re being built. Others make it hard to see any progress until they’re complete. Each project is different, and we need to give the foreman time and room to work on our lives. When I was a kid, we would sing, “God’s still working on me / to make me who I ought to be / it took Him just a week to make the moon and stars / the sun and the moon and Jupiter and Mars / how loving and patient He must be / because He’s still working on me. That song still reminds me that I’m under construction and God is building in my life. It’s important that you remember that too.

Here are some Bible verses on being built up.

1. So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].

Acts 9:31 AMP

2. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV

3. Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

Colossians 2:6-7 AMP

4. For his “body” has been formed in his image and is closely joined together and constantly connected as one. And every member has been given divine gifts to contribute to the growth of all; and as these gifts operate effectively throughout the whole body, we are built up and made perfect in love.

Ephesians 4:16 TPT

5. In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 GNT

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December 1, 2022 · 5:30 AM

Learning To Wait

One of the lessons my son is having the hardest time with is learning to wait when he has a question. My wife and I will be in a conversation, and he will walk up, interrupt us, and ask a question. We will tell him we will answer when we are done talking, but that’s often difficult for him when he has a question. I’m teaching him to walk up and just put his hand on mine when he has a question. I told him that when he does that, I’ll acknowledge him and then answer him when I can.

I wish I could say that works all the time, but it doesn’t. It’s as hard for him to wait for an answer as it is for us as adults to wait for one. When we have a pressing need or question, we’ll bombard God with questions and demand an answer immediately. We call it faith when we pray that way, but I wonder what God calls it. One of the hardest lessons any one of us has to learn is how to approach God and to ask for what it is that we want or need, especially when we feel we need it urgently.

They say that patience is a virtue, but we often lack it in waiting for God to answer our prayers. In Psalm 69:13, David prayed a tough, but wise prayer. He said, “But as for me, I will pray to you, Lord; answer me, God, at a time you choose” (GNT). He was telling God that he wasn’t expecting Him to operate on his timetable. He was willing to wait for God to answer on His. That’s a hard thing to pray and to do.

This verse challenges me because I’m not there yet. In my prayers, I’m like my son trying to get an answer. I don’t want to wait for God to finish what He’s doing. I want my answers right now. If David was a man after God’s own heart, and he had the ability to pray this way, I believe it’s something we all can learn to do. Instead of trying to force God to use our timeline, we can start asking God to give us the answers to our prayers in His. I’ll just need a little help learning to wait.

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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November 30, 2022 · 5:40 AM

Sowing Wisely

I used to have my son plant a small garden each spring to teach him about sowing and reaping. When the plants would come up, I would point out that only what we planted came out of the ground. The same is true in life with what we plant with our money, our time and effort. Sometimes we sow into an idea, a ministry, a company, a person or ourselves. Where we sow matters as much as what we sow. It’s important to work the soil, to feed the soil and maintain it. We also experimented with planting one seed in each place verses multiple seeds. There are so many things to consider when you’re sowing and reaping, but when it comes to our lives, we rarely take that much interest unfortunately.

Samson was a person in the Bible most known for his strength. He was a miracle baby brown to an infertile woman who showed a lot of tears and prayers (Judges 13). From his conception, God ordained that he would be a Nazarite meaning he had special rules to live by. However, he began sowing into the wrong things. He sowed seeds into his fleshly desires rather than into the things of God. He decided to marry a Philistine rather than an Israelite. While he still had his strength and he was still used by God, his life was in shambles because of where and what he was sowing. It eventually became his undoing. Seeds eventually grow up and produce a harvest in our lives, and that’s what happened to him.

Galatians 6:8 says, “If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life” (GNT). Where have you been planting in your life? Have you been giving in to your flesh or God’s Spirit in you? Think about the harvest you want to reap in your life. It’s not too late to change what and where you sow. God always gives us a choice, so it’s important to be intentional about the seeds. You may not be given physical strength like Samson, but your spiritual strength will increase as a result. The field you plant in is where you will harvest. Look at your life today to see where you have been planting. Ask God for wisdom going forward and don’t plant sparingly with your seed if you want a greater harvest.

Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash

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November 29, 2022 · 5:47 AM

The Power Of Praise

When I was a young kid, The Imperials released a song called, “Praise The Lord”. Their lead vocalist at the time was Russ Taff who had an incredible voice. To this day, this song is one of my all time favorites. The first verse and chorus say, “When you’re up against a struggle / That shatters all your dreams/ And your hopes have been cruelly crushed / By Satan’s manifested schemes / And you feel the urge within you / To submit to earthly fears / Don’t let the faith you’re standing in / Seem to disappear / Praise the Lord / He can work through those who praise Him / Praise the Lord / For our God inhabits praise / Praise the Lord / For the chains that seems to bind you / Serve only to remind you / That they drop powerless behind you / When you praise Him.”

When David was a teenager, King Saul would have him come in and play his harp to the Lord each time he was stressed or oppressed by an evil spirit. When David would play, the spirit would leave. David saw that as a teen and learned the power of praise. He began to write down his songs which combined with other praises to God became known as the book of Psalms. We now read them as poetry, but they were set to music. Even without their original tunes, they still release the power of praise when we read them. They speak to the very soul of each one of us because we have a need to praise God whether times are good or bad.

Psalm 147:1 and 3 says, “Praise the Lord! It is good to sing praise to our God; it is pleasant and right to praise him. He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds” (GNT). It’s always good and right to praise the Lord. It has the power to break your chains, to lift you out of the situation you’re standing in and to usher you into God’s presence. Take time today to get alone, whether in your car, your home or wherever, and sing praises to God. It will lift your spirit and change your perspective. When we magnify Him instead of our problems, things get put in their proper place. Praise is a tool that God has given you to combat the enemy and fortify your spirit at the same time. Don’t underestimate the power of praise.

Here is the link to The Imperials song “Praise The Lord” if you’d like to hear it.

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

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