Author: Beth Morrison

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12 ESV, Acts 20:1-38 ESV, Psalm 148:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 18:6-7 ESV

Daily Verse: “After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.” (Acts 20:1 ESV)

THORUBOS (2351): “A disturbance. A noise, uproar, tumult.”[i]

Noisy uproar.

Paul spent two years in Ephesus on his third mission trip sharing the gospel.  Silversmiths who made idols of the goddess Diana sold them at the temple.  The riot started because they thought Paul and his disciples would hurt their lucrative business. 

The town clerk quieted the crowd by pointing out Paul’s message didn’t blaspheme their goddess nor disrespect her.  If Demetrius and the other artisans had a problem, they needed to take it up with the courts and stop the rioting, or the Romans would get involved.  No one wanted to face their wrath.

False gods.

One can only imagine how watching Diana’s worshiper’s riot impacted the disciples.  Preaching the gospel to people with hardened hearts can discourage anyone.  

Worshipping false gods happens all the time.  In our world, we might not worship Diana, but some may.  Anything can become an idol, relationships, sports, appearance, all things we can worship more than God.  Caught up in worldly things, people miss Jesus because He’s not of this world.

Repeatedly in Paul’s writings, he wrestles with the same challenges we do.  And yet, we find him always encouraging his fellow disciples and followers of Jesus.  The name of the false gods may change, but the mission never does, sharing Jesus with a fallen world.

Ask God to calm the uproar in your world.  Encourage your fellow believers, helping them continue their journey.  Recognize people will worship false gods, but you have the opportunity to introduce them to Jesus, the one true God.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 117) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20 ESV, Acts 19:13-41 ESV, Psalm 147:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 18:4-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” (Acts 19:13 ESV)

EXORKISTES (1845): “From 1844; one that binds by an oath (or spell), i.e. (by impl.) an “exorcist” (conjurer)-exorcist (1x).”[I]

One that binds.

People created magical names to drive out evil spirits, exorcists in ancient times.  Placing Jesus in the same category as the other names, some Jews from Ephesus tried imitating Paul.  Jesus’s name has power, but only if you believe in Him.  The Jews wanted Jesus’ powers without submitting their lives to Him.  The evil spirit knew they didn’t represent Jesus.

“But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:15-16 ESV)

Know Jesus.

Many people use Jesus’ name in different ways.  People represent God’s Son based on the relationship they have with Him.  Some people who talk the loudest about Jesus know Him the least and can easily misrepresent the Messiah.  Others know Christ so well everyone who enters their presence meets Jesus.

Now living in heaven, Charlotte Shoup had the softest voice, the warmest hugs, and made the best sugar cookies I’ve ever eaten.  Her love of the Lord shined through her actions as she loved those God placed before her.  Spending time with her lifted anyone’s spirits, leaving smiles on their faces—Jesus in the flesh.

Represent Christ well by pursuing a relationship with Him first and foremost.  Read the stories of people who spent time with Him.  Find yourself in the narrative as you relate to the characters within the tale.  Like Peter, we’ve loved and betrayed Jesus, yet Christ calls us by name, one of His flock.

And the evil spirits will recognize Christ in you, just as they did Paul.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 92) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29 ESV, Acts 18:23-19:12 ESV, Psalm 146:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 18:2-3 ESV

Daily Verse: “After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:23 ESV)

EPISTERIZO (1991): “To support further, i.e., re-establish: confirm (3x), strengthen (1x). This word means to make to lean upon, and thus to strengthen through support.  It is used of confirming souls, brethren, churches, and disciples.”[i]

Support further.

Paul and his buddies spent their time encouraging others.  Maintaining faith over the long haul needs support.  When days drag on with nothing happening, we begin to doubt.  “Why God?” quickly becomes a mantra.  Just because we can’t see anything happening from our perspective doesn’t mean God’s not working.  God doesn’t waste time; He uses every moment for the kingdom’s glory.

Walking with others on their journey supports them.  When tough times hit, and they will, for all of us, we need someone to sit quietly with us, God’s hands and feet in our time of need.  And when we rejoice, we need others to celebrate with us.  God created us for community.  Experiencing life’s ups and downs together defines community.

Show up.

One of my favorite church communities meets in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.  Privileged to help plant Life Community Church in 2007; they have taught me the value of living life together.

In 2018 when Bryan, the worship leader, lost his life to robbers while completing a house for a homeless veteran, the tragedy crippled LCC.  But they persevered, as a community, showing up for each other day after day. 

In a message from their lead pastor, Mike, Bryan’s father, shot five times during the robbery, miraculously surviving, told people the best thing they could do for them is “show up.”  Just show up and walk with us as we navigate the days ahead.  Help us keep moving forward.

And they have, for over four years, the members of LCC show up for each other.  Spurring each other onward, trusting God’s plan amid great sadness.

Community encourages each other to move forward into God’s purpose for their lives.  Spurring each other onward comes with following Jesus.  Just like Christ strengthens us, we can help support others.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 99) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21 ESV, Acts 18:1-22 ESV, Psalm 145:1-21 ESV, Proverbs 18:1 ESV

Daily Verse: “When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.” (Acts 18:5 ESV)

DIMARTUROMAI (1263): “To attest or protest earnestly, or (by imp.) hortatively: charge (3x), testify (unto) (11x), witness (1x).”[i]

Protest earnestly.

Encountering Jesus will make you speak passionately about Him to others.  You can’t help yourself.  The life changes experienced when you submit to Jesus bring joy and peace into your heart; you can find no other way. And you want to share it with everyone.

My favorite earthly love story began on a tennis court in Yorktown, VA, where I met my husband.  Forty-one years old, all in with Christ, my life lacked nothing.  In Jesus, I found all I needed.  I accepted my singleness because God provided all my needs.  So, I didn’t think I would ever marry. 

But then God.

Ron didn’t attend church when we met and hadn’t since college.  Putting God first in our relationship did challenge me.  But God taught me the perils of placing a man before Him during my season of singleness.  God’s peace leaves when we put others before Him.

I still remember the first church service we attended together.  A friend did the invite, and the message on handling Biblical finances became one of my favorites.  Finally, after four decades, I had someone of my own sitting beside me.  God’s walked with us ever since, the third cord in our relationship. And we never stopped attending church together after that first service, still the favorite part of my week.

How can I not talk passionately about Jesus? He changed my life in ways I never imagined.

Everyone’s walk differs, our stories and desires as varied as snowflakes.  From a distance, they look the same, but up close, the patterns unique. 

Tell others the work God does in your life.  Share how following Jesus has led you places you never thought you would go.  Speak passionately to all, telling them about Jesus.  Help them find the peace and joy that comes from following Christ. 

Know Jesus, know peace.  No Jesus, no peace.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 66) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31 ESV, Acts 17:1-34 ESV, Psalm 144:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV

Daily Verse: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11 ESV)

EUGENES (2104): “An adjective, lit., “well born,” “well,” and genos, “a family race,” signifies “more noble.” [i]

Family race.

The type of nobility in this Verse refers to those born into wealth. In other words, silver spoons adorn their tables instead of nothing—many people ate with their fingers. You can see how bread became an eating utensil during Jesus’ time on earth.

Raised in a middle-class family, I’ve never gone without food or shelter. But many in this country have. Listening to an interview of the worship leader at Life Community Church, I had no idea he knew poverty as a child. Now a doctor, his life began as a Buddhist and led him to Jesus; he praised God for working in his life in a way that “worked for me.”

All seek.

Whether rich or poor, people have a God-sized void in their lives; we all share it in common. God created us for a relationship with Him and others. Submitting our lives to Jesus will make us better lovers of people. Our relationships will grow stronger as we mimic Jesus in our lives.

One of my favorite parts of Thor’s interview, the worship leader at LCC, happened in the middle when he talked about his dependence on God. Now a doctor, no longer living in poverty, he doesn’t depend on God like he did when poor. But from his days of fasting, Thor learned to appreciate his time of feasting.

God works differently in people’s lives; we need to give Jesus space to act. Just because we think God should do this or that doesn’t mean He will or should. Nowhere in the scriptures will you find a commandment to run other people’s lives. But you will find one that says love them.

Enjoy people instead of trying to change them. Encourage others on their journey, accepting we all travel different paths. Allowing others to live their lives will bring you the greatest reward. With God’s help, you can appreciate others, accepting them the way the Creator made them.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 104) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13 ESV, Acts 16:16-40 ESV, Psalm 143:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 17:26 ESV

Daily Verse: “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.” (Acts 16:16 ESV)

PUTHON (4436): “In Greek mythology was the name of Pythian serpent or dragon, dwelling in Pytho, at the foot of mount Parnassus, guarding the oracle of Delphi, and slain by Apollo.  Thence the name was transferred to Apollo himself.  Later the word was applied to diviners or soothsayers, regarded as inspired by Apollo.  Since devils are the agents inspiring idolatry, 1 Cor 10:20, the young woman in Acts 16:16 was possessed by a devil instigating the cult of Apollo, and thus had “a spirit of divination.”[i]

Inspiring idolatry.

Divination worships something other than God; anything we worship more than Jesus becomes an idol.  In this case, Greek gods originate the spirit of divination found in the slave girl.  Fortune telling makes a lot of money.  “Psychic” signs sit in business windows across the United States.  Interesting how you must pay psychics, but Christ gives us His gift for free.

When the fortune telling girl annoyed Paul, he commanded the spirit to leave her; it did so immediately.  Her owners lost their best money maker, so they dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates.  One of the many times Paul endured a beating for Jesus.

Unrestrained grace.

Christ offers His grace freely to everyone, no cost attached, completely unrestrained.  Fortune tellers make money from their connection to the spiritual world.  Spirits exist other than the Holy One.  People choose which ones they let into their lives.

Friends with a metaphysical minister, a psychic, we’ve had many spiritual discussions.  She charges her clients hundreds of dollars for her services.  When she exorcises demons from a house, she has a flat rate she charges, plus travel expenses.

Jesus came from heaven to earth at no cost to anyone.  He died on the cross for all, salvation free for any who accepted it.  Meeting the needs of others becomes our calling, not our income.  Jesus didn’t charge us for His spirit; the Holy Spirit comes to those who believe.

As I told my psychic friend one night when she tried to convince me to tap into her spiritual world, “The only spirit I want in me is Jesus.  I’m all Holy Spirit; I don’t want any others residing in me.”

Let the Holy Spirit take up residence in you.  Christ fills the empty void we all have.  In Him, you’ll find the fullness of life you can find no other way.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 218-19) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 6:1-7:20 ESV, Acts 15:36-16:15 ESV, Psalm 142:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 17:24-25 ESV

Daily Verse: “As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.” (Acts 16:4 ESV)

DOGMA (1378): “Is transliterated in English, primarily denoting an opinion or judgment; hence, an opinion expressed with authority, a doctrine, ordinance, decree.”[i]

Opinion expressed.

Paul and Timothy relay the news from the Jerusalem Counsel about the decision not to require circumcision.  Often, we hear about court rulings and decisions made by judges to enforce the law.  Every day we express our opinion an average of 35,000 times.[i]  Whether we like it or not, life demands evaluating situations and drawing conclusions.

God’s foundation.

When Paul and Timothy gathered at the Jerusalem Council to decide the issue of circumcision, they did so based on Jesus’ teachings.  The foundation for evaluating and concluding came from what Jesus said and did.  If we make our decisions through the lens of scripture, our opinions change from self-centered to God-centered ones.

God must place us in situations to help us learn to make decisions.  If circumcision didn’t become an issue, the debate and decision wouldn’t have happened.  We don’t grow if we don’t learn to apply God’s word to our lives.  Every situation we encounter offers an opportunity to decide based on God’s teachings or our instincts.  Looking to Jesus’ coaching will help us overcome our limited perspective.

In the same way, as we face circumstances and seek God’s guidance, we’ll become better at responding like Jesus instead of ourselves.  Practicing forgiveness makes forgiving easier.  Intentionally asking God to give you His perspective will change how you think about people.  Everyone matters to God, even the person you despise.  God wants them to matter to us.

Decide today to turn to Jesus, allowing Him to help you make decisions.  God gives us a firm foundation and the instructions to navigate this world in the Scriptures that have stood the test of time.  Refer to the owner’s manual to help guide you through your day.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 71) Thomas Nelson

[i] https://www.inc.com/heidi-zak/adults-make-more-than-35000-decisions-per-day-here-are-4-ways-to-prevent-mental-burnout.html#:~:text=It’s%20estimated%20that%20the%20average,than%2035%2C000%20decisions%20per%20day.

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27 ESV, Acts 15:1-35 ESV, Psalm 141:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 17:23 ESV

Daily Verse: “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.” (Acts 15:4 ESV)

APARADECHOMAI (588): “To take fully, i.e., welcome (persons), approve (things). To welcome, to accept gladly, to receive without reserver.”[i]

Accept gladly.

Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem to settle the matter of circumcision.  Jewish tradition required it. Gentiles didn’t.  Following Christ united them and caused a debate that needed settling.  Since God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit without circumcision, it became unnecessary.

Arriving in Jerusalem, the apostles felt welcomed by Peter’s church.  Gladly, the people accepted them into their midst.  Following Jesus will develop your hospitality muscle, whether you like it or not.

Christ welcomes all into the kingdom of God.  People choose to decline the invitation.  As messengers of Jesus’s gift to humanity, we must welcome others into His presence.  If we don’t gladly accept others, we’ll miss the opportunity to share Christ’s love.

Ice and ottoman.

Playing in his regular men’s tennis league, Ron hurt his knee.  We traveled to South Carolina for his work the following day, combining it with a visit to our Life Community Church family.  When I texted to let them know our progress, I asked for prayer for Ron’s knee.  The reply text welcomed us with open arms:

“…we’ll have ice packs and an ottoman ready for him to relax and rehab when he gets here!”

Welcoming others gladly comes naturally from our LCC family.  In the past twenty years of friendship, they’ve welcomed us many times.  As a result, our relationship with Jesus grows as we learn more about Him through their hospitality.

See a need, meet a need.  Nothing will convey Christ’s love more than helping others deal with the frustrations of this world.  As you do, you’ll have the opportunity to share the news about eternal life with Christ.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 35) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 ESV, Acts 14:8-28 ESV, Psalm 140:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 17:22 ESV

Daily Verse: “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17 ESV)

KARPOPHOROS (2593): “Fruitbearing (fig): -fruitful (1x).  As an adjective, denotes “fruitful.”[i]

Fruit-bearing faith.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra healed a disabled person in front of a large crowd.  Thinking their power came from Greek gods, the people named Hermes and Zeus.  When the apostles hear this, they protest vehemently, reminding them of Jesus and His Spirit that now lives within us.

Because of the Holy Spirit, we become fruitful.  When Jesus departed earth for heaven, He left behind help.  Tuning in to the Spirit’s work in your life happens when you seek God intentionally.

Daily inviting Jesus into your life brings fruitfulness you can find no other way.  Applying Christ’s teachings to your life situations will give you life to the fullest.  Amid the madness, you will produce incredible fruit.

Become fruitful.

Let Jesus help you bear good fruit.  Get to know Christ by reading the gospels.  Feel the love Jesus leads with as you see Him interact with people.  Imperfect, sinful humans whose lives had no hope, Jesus loved.  Learn about Christ’s Spirit through the authors of the Bible who experienced it first.

As you apply Jesus’ teachings to your life, you will become more sensitive to His Spirit within you.  You’ll recognize the nudge that causes you to do what Jesus did instead of what you want to do at pivotal moments.  Leading with grace becomes your calling card the more you follow Jesus.

Recognize the one true God.  Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Begin doing what Christ did.  Without a doubt, you will produce better fruit than you can even imagine.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 128) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25 ESV, Acts 13:42-14:7 ESV, Psalm 139:1-24 ESV, Proverbs 17:19-21 ESV

Daily Verse: “And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (Acts 13:43 ESV)

EPIMENO (1961): “Is a strengthened form of meno (3306) (epi, “intensive”), indicating perseverance in continuing in the grace of God, Acts 13:43.”[i]

Indicating perseverance.

Paul’s sermon captured the attention of “many Jews and devout converts.”  So much so that they followed him from the synagogue, wanting to hear more about Jesus.  The following week, “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:44 ESV)

Urging them to “continue in the grace of God,” Paul and Barnabas encourage them on their journey.  Perseverance requires commitment when we don’t understand.  Following Jesus often means not knowing why.

Circumstances can quickly deter our walk.  Looking around our world today, one can easily ask God, “What the heck?”  Suffering and turmoil hang like a cloud over the earth.

Grace continues.

Learning to respond with grace, despite the pain, takes intentionality.  Choosing to trust God in the chaos of life takes work.  Often, we can’t control what happens in life, but we do control how we respond.  Centering our lives on Jesus helps us respond with Grace.

As a tennis coach, I have the task of teaching independence.  Students must learn how to think for themselves and adjust to a match’s situations.  For success, they must learn to process negative emotions quickly, or else it will impact their game.

We can learn how to respond positively to adverse events.  Recognizing, accepting, investing, and nurturing the painful feelings we have allows us to wash them in God’s grace.  Remind yourself all things work for the good for those who believe and trust in God will help you move forward.

Accepting the truth that in this world, we will have trouble helps us through life’s valleys because we know Jesus overcame the world.  Time and again, Christ’s grace heals our heartaches.  His complete and total love for you has no conditions.  In Jesus, you will find grace to continue, even on the most challenging days.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 98) Thomas Nelson