Author: Beth Morrison

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 46:1-47:31 ESV, Matthew 15:1-28 ESV, Psalm 19:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 4:14-19 ESV

Daily Verse: “He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3 ESV)

PARABAINO (3845): “To go contrary to, i.e., violate a command. To go aside, hence to go beyond. Means to overstep, disregard and accepted boundary either on purpose or neglect; to violate.” [i]

Tradition breaks commandments.

Once again, the Pharisees question Jesus. Prioritizing the Father over tradition puzzles the religious leaders. Having spent their lives learning, memorizing, and incorporating Jewish tradition into every part of their lives, Jesus bucks the system.    What the Pharisees don’t understand, tradition became their god. They miss God in the flesh because they worship the law.

Missing the forest for the trees means people are focusing on the details to the extent they can’t see the larger situation.[i]  Law became trees for the Pharisees. Loving God and people got lost in the urgency to keep tradition established long ago. Spiritually blind to God’s Son standing before them, not understanding Jesus’s message.

Remember the forest.

People want to know God’s will for their lives. Everyone searches for their purpose. We get caught up in the trees, worrying about small parts, ignoring the whole. Four words summarize God’s purpose for our lives: love God, love others:

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 ESV)

Jesus summed up our shared life purpose in 47 words. God expects us to love whoever He places before us. We can only accomplish our divine task by loving God. Simple to say, hard to live. God’s word teaches us to have healthy, thriving relationships by applying Biblical wisdom to daily life. Following Jesus teaches us how.

If we put the law before love, we’ll become like the Pharisees. But if we love first and foremost, we’ll become like Christ. Jesus didn’t break the commandment. Every breath the Son took loved God and people. Nowhere did Jesus falter. He kept His eye on the forest.

Stay out of the trees. Keep the greatest commandment. Love God, love others.

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[i]https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/miss%20the%20forest%20for%20the%20trees#:~:text=Definition%20of%20miss%20the%20forest,a%20few%20parts%20of%20it

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 188) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 44:1-45:28 ESV, Matthew 14:13-36 ESV, Psalm 18:37-50 ESV, Proverbs 4:11-13 ESV

Daily Verse: “But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.” (Matthew 14:26 ESV)

PHOBOS (5401): “Alarm or fright. First had the meaning of “flight,” that which is caused by being scared; then, “that which may cause flight.”[I]

Miraculous fear.

When the disciples saw Jesus’ walking on the water, they experienced fear.  Jesus appeared during the fourth watch between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.  Winds raged, causing massive waves, creating a slow and grueling trek for the sailors.  Jesus, having spent time on the mountaintop communing with His Father, re-joins His faithful crew.  Never would the disciples imagine their Savior walking on water. 

Peter keeping an eye on the sea, probably thought he was hallucinating when a figure appeared out of nowhere.  Fear causes not only an emotional response but also a physical one.  As Jesus came closer, stress hormones released into the body would cause blood pressure and heart rate to increase, breathing becomes faster, and blood flows to the limbs, preparing for battle.[i]  The disciples were on high alert, emotionally and physically.

Jesus brings calm.

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 ESV)

Peter reacted fearfully to the miraculous event. Jesus understood his fright, immediately calming Peter by identifying Himself.  Peter, still doubting, needed reassurance. 

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28 ESV)

Fear’s powerful impact on us both physically and emotionally requires divine intervention.  Peter needed Jesus to calm his concerns.  Stepping out of the boat, Peter walked on water, but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink.  Once again, Jesus responded immediately to Peter’s fright, reaching out His hand, lifting him.

Don’t let fear make you miss miraculous events.  Cry out to Jesus for help.  Receive divine calm by seeking Jesus.  Fear recedes when we place our eyes on Jesus.

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[i] https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/5-things-you-never-knew-about-fear

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 265) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 42:18-43:34 ESV, Matthew 13:47-14:12 ESV, Psalm 18:16-36 ESV, Proverbs 4:7-10 ESV

Daily Verse: “And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” (Matthew 13:57 ESV)

PROPHETES (4396): “Foreteller, an inspired speaker. One who speaks forth or openly, a proclaimer of a divine message. In general, ‘the prophet’ was one of whom the Spirit of God rested, one to whom and through whom God speaks.”[i]

Unbelief stunts growth.

People who knew Jesus best didn’t believe in His divinity.  Human logic couldn’t comprehend Jesus’s prophetic words. As a proclaimer of God’s message, Jesus was a prophet.  Unfortunately, people in His hometown only saw Him as a carpenter.  They couldn’t see past the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Family relationships are complex.  Transitioning from childhood connections into adult ones means allowing people to grow.   Unfortunately, reputations are hard to erase.

“An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.” (Proverbs 18:19 NLT)

No one knows our faults like family.  If they can’t let go of who you were, they won’t accept who you’ve become.

Share God’s message.

Jesus understood the unbelief of the His hometown people.  Recognizing their inability to hear His message, Jesus did as much as He could, then left.  Whatever the reason, the Nazarenes rejected God’s Son, unable to receive the news Jesus shared with them.

Following Jesus transforms our lives.  His prophetic message becomes ours.  Sharing the good news of Christ with others becomes our mission.  Unfortunately, not everyone will want to listen.    Like the people of Nazareth, close family and friends can’t see past what you were to know what you have become.  Persevere anyway.

Jesus didn’t stop His ministry because the Nazarenes didn’t believe in Him.  Instead, Jesus accepted them as they were, planted seeds where possible, then continued His journey elsewhere.  When faced with people who aren’t interested in Jesus, follow His example.  Nurture them to the best of your ability, don’t take it personally, keep moving forward on your journey.  You never know when a well-planted seed will take root and grow. 

Plant seeds abundantly, water whenever you can, trust God to make them grow.  Proclaim God’s message to all who will listen.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (pp. 216-217) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 41:17-42:17 ESV, Matthew 13:24-46 ESV, Psalm 18:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 4:1-6 ESV

Daily Verse: “And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'” (Matthew 13:27 ESV) 

SPERMA (4690): “Something sown. Agricultural and botanical, metaphorical and by metonymy for ‘offspring, posterity,’ of spiritual offspring.”[I]

Weeds are sneaky.

Jesus uses parables to help us understand life. In the short story about weeds, Jesus illustrates how bad seeds become entangled with good ones. The moment the man sowing good seeds sleeps, his enemy sneaks and plants weeds. Separating the two while growing risks losing part of the harvest. Instead, the sorting happens when the plants are grown, making them easier to separate.

All plants begin with a seed. A tiny nugget, placed in the right conditions, grows and flourishes, becoming fully mature. Different seeds produce contrasting harvests. God’s word, kernels of truth planted in our soul, take root, flourishing into Christ-like actions. We produce weeds when we believe lies, feeding them instead of God’s word.      

Water the right plant.

Seeds grow because they receive proper amounts of water. Some plants require more H2O than others. Weeds take very little nurturing to flourish. Lies go around the world three times before the truth catches up with them. We are as susceptible to believing the lies of this world as anyone. Becoming intentional about what we are nourishing helps us produce a Godly harvest.

Reading God’s word daily waters, the right plant. Scripture helps you identify the weeds. God’s truth reveals the lies you’re believing. The more time you spend planting God’s word within you, the fewer falsities you’ll believe. 

Produce a bountiful harvest. Plant God’s Word in your heart. Water daily by spending time with your Creator. Weeds won’t survive the harvest. God’s truth stands the test of time, consistently producing the best fruit.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 231) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 39:1-41:16 ESV, Matthew 12:46-13:23 ESV, Psalm 17:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 3:33-35 ESV

Daily Verse: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50 ESV)

PATER (3962): “From a root signifying, “a nourisher, protector, upholder.’ Of God in relation to those who have been born anew so are believers and imitators of their ‘Father.’[I]

Nourish, protect, uphold.

Father comes from the root word pater and describes a person who cares for others. For many children, including me, my earthly father was my hero. Dad always seemed in control; he provided a safe and secure home for us, one in which I felt entirely at ease. I wasn’t scared when I was with my dad; I did not doubt his ability to protect me. Whatever problem arose, dad had an answer. Sitting in my father’s lap was the most secure place in the world.

When dad told me to do something, I did it. Respecting who he was in my life and trusting that he wouldn’t steer me wrong caused me to obey his instruction. I knew Dad wouldn’t tell me to do something that hurt me. When I didn’t obey, inevitably, I would regret not listening to dads’ words.

God trumps dad.

As much as my dad loved and cared for me, his affection doesn’t compare to God’s. My earthly father nurtured me out of his imperfection; God loves us perfectly.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11 ESV)

Grasping God’s love for us becomes complicated when we encounter the pressures of life. Instead of doing what God says, we follow our path because we don’t believe God really has our back at our core. Doubt in God’s involvement in our lives causes us not to obey. Believing in the unseen challenges us, but faith believes without seeing.

Put faith into action by becoming obedient to God’s word. Like a child, trust God won’t steer you wrong. Whatever God commands will help you, not hurt you. Taking steps of faith by applying God’s word to your life will lead you into a deeper relationship with your Creator. 

Let God nourish, protect, and uphold you today. Obey His commands, discover God’s will for your life. Enjoy life in the family of God as you follow Jesus. 

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 195) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 37:1-38:30 ESV, Matthew 12:22-45 ESV, Psalm 16:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 3:27-32 ESV

Daily Verse: ^“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36 ESV)

KRISIS (2920): “Decision, for or against. Denotes ‘the process of investigation, the act of distinguishing and separating. A judging, a passing of judgment upon a person or thing.”[I]

Trust Jesus.

You needn’t fear judgment day. Jesus cleanses us of our sins the moment we place our faith in Him, making us pure as snow. Instead of fretting, we can introduce others to Jesus by admitting our faults. Confessing our sins to one another paves the way for progress. None of us will ever arrive at perfection, but we can make progress.

“Every day is a blank page.” Garth Brooks said on a recent radio spot. The country singer talked about how he springs from bed every morning, ready to serve God and man. He reminded listeners, we have a new opportunity every morning to try again.

Each new day, we can do better. God’s Spirit working within us means following His promptings. We can make better choices with our language, using uplifting and encouraging words. Forgiving yesterday’s sins, we strive to move forward, learning and growing, becoming new.

Everyone judges.

The average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day.[i] We judge people, places, and things. One day, we will stand before God and give an account for our judgments. All our words, God knows. Hiding from our actions, impossible. Gratefully, because of Jesus, we don’t have to worry. When God’s Son endured the Cross, He did so for us. Knowing we need rescuing from ourselves, God provided a solution, Jesus.

Above all else, God loves us. When we look at others, remember that their heavenly Father loves them. Make judgments based on love. God’s grace and mercy flow into us; we’re to share it with others. When we judge with love, we make better judgments.

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[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.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 145) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 35:1-36:43 ESV, Matthew 12:1-21 ESV, Psalm 15:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 3:21-26 ESV

Daily Verse: “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” (Matthew 12:1 ESV)

SABBATON (4521): “Day of weekly repose from secular avocations. The root means “to cease, desist.” The double “b” has an intensive force, implying a complete cessation or a making to cease, probably the former. The idea is not that of relaxation or refreshment, but cessation from activity.”[i]

Stop the routine.

Sabbath means “to cease, desist.” One day a week, God wants us to stop our regular routine and rest. Long ago, Blue Laws existed in the United States “prohibiting certain activities, such as shopping on Sunday.”[ii]  Even though the Supreme Court ruled Blue Laws as Constitutional, state courts struck down the laws, making them unenforceable. Interesting how companies who choose to close on Sunday profit.

Chick-Fil-A continues to thrive in tough economic times, even though the company closes on Sundays. In 2020, the company reported an increase of 13% over 2019 revenue.[iii] Meanwhile, McDonald’s revenue declined 1.3% in the same period.[iv]  Never do I see the lines at McDonald’s like I do Chick-Fil-A. In 2020, during COVID, a friend and I waited over a half-hour in the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A to get lunch.

Enjoy a day of rest.

Stop your normal activities one day a week, experience how it changes your life. Because Chick-Fil-A enforces the Sabbath, their entire working community enjoys a day off together. No one worries about what’s going on at work when everyone has the day off. They save money with reduced overhead and have a healthier work environment because of their commitment to God’s word.

Taking a Sabbath made the top ten. Third in the list of commandments, “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8 ESV). God knows we need a break from the routine. A day set aside to reconnect with our Maker, a date night with God. Like couples with healthy relationships set aside time for each other, we need to do the same with God. Developing more beneficial relationships requires intentionality. 

Become intentional in your relationship with God. Set aside one day a week to cease and desist your everyday routine. Make a date with God and keep it. Begin to experience life change as you learn to rest.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 222) Thomas Nelson

^[ii]https://www.google.com/search?q=blue+laws+definition&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS918US918&oq=blue+laws&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i512l9.5126j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[iii] https://www.restfinance.com/restaurant-finance-across-america/chick-fil-a-reports-record-revenue-and-profits-in-2020-despite-covid-19-pandemic/article_26ec54da-9b30-11eb-a0b5-dfff0ec78fa7.html#:~:text=Revenue%20was%20%244.3%20billion%20in,versus%20%24897%20million%20in%202019.

[iv] https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-earnings-revenue-fourth-quarter-annual-2020-income-earning-2021-1

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 32:13-34:31 ESV, Matthew 11:7-30 ESV, Psalm 14:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 3:19-20 ESV

Daily Verse: “This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ (Matthew 11:10 ESV)

ANGELOS (32): “A messenger sent by God or; by man or by Satan. The word most frequently refers to an order of created beings. Angels are spirits, not having material bodies as men are either human in form, or can assume the human form when necessary.: [i]

God sends messengers.

Jesus refers to John as a messenger. The original Greek word means “a messenger sent by God or by man or by Satan.” Most often referring to spirits, in this instance, John fulfills the role of God’s messenger, preparing the way for Jesus. 

Pastors are God’s messengers. People of God who study His word, then teach it to others share the good news of Jesus. In some way or another, we are all a messenger for God. We can talk about what Jesus does for us. Telling others about the life transformation which happens when we follow Jesus shares His message, drawing others to Him.

Tell your story.

I met Jesus in Sunday school. Gert Guthrie was my teacher. Sitting at the table in the basement of Tidal Presbyterian church, I remember the felt figures sticking to the board as she shared stories from the Bible with us. Meeting Jesus at a young age helped me develop a Biblical worldview. As I grew into adulthood and began facing life’s challenges, I viewed everything from the lens of scriptures taught to me long ago.

As years slipped by and I placed more and more faith in Jesus, my relationship with Him grew, continuing to grow today. Now I write devotionals to share my story and how Jesus works in my life. The more time I spend getting to know the Savior, the more I want to share His message with the world.

Become a messenger today. Tell people how Jesus transformed your life. Introduce others to the One who will change their lives in ways they never imagined.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 2) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 31:17-32:12 ESV, Matthew 10:24-11:6 ESV, Psalm 13:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 3:16-18 ESV

 Daily Verse: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” (Matthew 10:24 ESV)

MATHETES (3101): “A learner (from manthano, “to learn,” indicating thought accompanied by an endeavor). Of all who manifest that they are His “disciples” by abiding in His Word. A “disciple” was not only a pupil but an adherent; hence, they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.”[i]

                            Imitate the Teacher.

Becoming a disciple means imitating the teacher. Doing what others do helps us learn and grow.

On vacation in Florida, I watched a father teach his son to fish with a net. Dad carefully spread the small, round meshwork on the boards of the dock. Then, picking the net up quickly, he spun it into the water. The circular web landed on top of the water with grace, sinking beneath the surface. After several demonstrations, the son did his best to imitate his father. The young boy’s first attempts failed, obviously a skill that needs practice.   But the more the lad tried, the better he did.

Keep practicing.

Loving people like Jesus requires practice. For some, forgiving others comes more naturally than it does for others. Letting go of past offenses challenges me, but the more I follow Jesus, the better I become at forgiving. As I grow in Christ, I recognize, unforgiveness hurts me more than anyone else. When we refuse to forgive others, we create negative thoughts in our minds, which keep us from living life to the fullest.

But if we imitate Christ, who forgave us our sins, we must forgive others. One prayer I pray, “Lord, help me see them through Your eyes.” Lifting those words to God helps me get out of my perspective and into God’s. Jesus died for everyone, His gesture of love for a sinful world.

Our relationship with Jesus starts with forgiveness. Laying our sins at His feet, Jesus answers with grace. Imitating Christ means leading with love. 

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 155) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 30:1-31:16 ESV, Matthew 10:1-23 ESV, Psalm 12:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 3:13-15 ESV

Daily Verse: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” (Matthew 10:8 ESV)

THERAPEUO (2323): “To wait upon menially, i.e. (fig.) to adore (God), or (spec.) to relieve (of disease):-cure (5x), heal (38x), worship (1x). To care for the sick, to treat, cure, heal.”[i]

Become a healer.

No medical bill comes with Jesus’ healing. When He hung on the Cross, Jesus paid it in full. Matthew records the mission statement for the disciples. Jesus sends them out into the world to share the good news through action and deed. God gave them the power to accomplish their task freely; they shared it with others the same way.

Part of healing means to “wait upon menially.” Serving others heals them. Sharing our stories with family and friends helps them learn and grow. As followers of Christ, part of our task when loving others, helping them to heal. Healing happens when we open our lives up to each other.

Share the struggle.

Loving hurting people means walking with them on the journey. Helping them when we can, listening to their heartache, sometimes, just sitting silently with them, letting them know they aren’t alone. Look for ways to connect with those in pain. Meet them in the pit. Ask God for ways you can minister to them. 

When my sister was dying from cancer, she had a small appetite. Canned peaches were the only thing she found tasty. Her husband bought a case of them; it was one thing he could do for her. Finding ways to connect with people means tuning into their actions and word. Pay attention to them; do it when you discover a way to serve them. Acts of love heal in ways nothing else can.

Become a healer today. Tap into the power of Jesus. Follow God’s leading to minister to those around you. When the Holy Spirit prompts you into action, do it.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 115) Thomas Nelson