Jesus never wasted words or pontificated to hear himself speak. He got right to the point with his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Of course, Peter would speak up, and probably didn’t even raise his hand. “You are…
Had Esther remained silent, it would have resulted in the decimation of her people. Mordecai challenged her to step out of what was safe and comfortable and engage with the current situation. Like Esther, could it be that you were born for such a t…
David’s oldest brother, Eliab, was serving under King Saul in the Israeli army. Goliath stood taunting and calling them out for forty days. David arrived to bring supplies to his brothers and heard Goliath defying the army of Israel. He was in…
[NOTE: I wrote this four years ago today as we were navigating what has been called the COVID Pandemic. In retrospect, it was more likely a “Plandemic.” However, the response should be the same regarding the current election year insanit…
We live in turbulent times. All sides of the political spectrum are in full mud-slinging form as this historic presidential election draws closer. Don't get caught up in the chum-filled cultural waters and the feeding frenzy we call media. It is the…
Journal Entry: July 12, 2024 Note: Today’s “devo” is from my personal journal. It was not written for others to read, but I felt it appropriate to share. “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be …
"They recognized him as the man who used to sit begging..." That was his old identity, which was now swallowed up in the life and power of the name of Jesus. "They were filled with wonder and amazement." He would never be the same after encounterin…
There is something remarkable about firsts: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The first and greatest commandment, to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart..." Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week. The fir…
I know people who live in deep dread and constant fear of what could happen next. It's a debilitating way to exist. Trust is the key element when it comes to experiencing a hopeful life filled with vitality as opposed to a fear-based and anxious lif…
My parents always taught us to tell the truth, no matter the consequences. Throughout adolescence, I had many opportunities to tell the truth about myself, and yes, there were consequences when I did so. However, I slept well at night, free from gui…
Did you know? President Ronald Reagan held the Bible in high esteem and often touted its value and virtue. “Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more…
Isaiah, along with Israel, was grieving the death of King Uzziah. He was the longest-reigning king of Judah, and under his capable leadership the nation prospered and thrived. However, Uzziah's reign ended in pride and punishment. In the throes of g…
The hard truth is not everyone who attends a church, participates in worship, and hears a sermon is going to “get it.” Often, Jesus would use this phrase to exhort listeners to ponder the meaning of His words. It was also an indicator th…
It is imperative that we know that our faith is not an intangible, wishful shot in the dark. Faith is substance (assurance, confidence) and evidence (conviction, proof). We have reduced faith to wishful thinking, a “maybe it will - maybe it wo…
If ever there was a need for earnest prayer, it is now. National and global events have escalated to a boiling point, government overreach threatens the core of our constitutional republic, and the removal of Christianity from the public square cont…
God calls upon us to seek Him with all of our heart. The action of seeking invokes a promise, which is: He will be found. The word “seek” is used 244 times in the Bible. Today, draw near to Him and seek Him with all your heart; He will n…
What we think, say, and do matters. We don’t do or say things to get something out of it; on the other hand, there are rewards and consequences for our actions. Here is a famous maxim that speaks to this principle: "Sow a thought, reap an act…
The circumstances in which we live will always shift and change. The one constant you can count on in this world is change. This is why it is imperative that we continue to confess and declare that our hope is in Christ alone. Our unshakable hope i…
It's hard to move forward when you're always looking back. When I was a middle-schooler, I was walking home and I heard a girl call my name. I turned to look and walked straight into a stop sign pole, ringing my bell. I was embarrassed, and my part…
Things happen in this life that you never saw coming. A phone call, a text, an email can change the trajectory of your life in a nanosecond. Life is fragile and must be held with open hands. As you navigate uncertainty and confusion, receive the pe…
The threats against Peter and John by the Sanhedrin to not speak or teach in the name of Jesus only served to embolden the growing church. Their response to cultural pushback and resistance should embolden us as well. Instead of giving up, they pra…
Courage in the face of danger, loss, and resistance speaks volumes of one's commitment to their cause. Peter and John's confidence and security unnerved the religious rulers, the Sanhedrin, as they realized Jesus may be dead and gone, but His Spirit…
Before the Maps app was on our phones, we had Garmin GPS units. I remember hearing, "Recalculating," on a regular basis. I had missed a turn somewhere and needed to be redirected back to the route. Paul experienced the same issue on one of his miss…
I'll never forget traveling through a community in the high desert of Southern California. I just knew that something wasn't right. Like Paul, my "spirit was provoked within me." I found out that several tragedies had occurred there, as though it w…
