Author: Beth Morrison

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 16:41-18:32 ESV, Mark 16:1-20 ESV, Psalm 55:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 11:7 ESV

Daily Verse: “Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.” (Mark 16:14 ESV) 

APISTIA (570): “Faithlessness, i.e. (neg.) disbelief (want of Chr. Faith), or (pos.) unfaithfulness (disobedience).”[I]  

Unbelief hardens hearts.

In my fifties, I’m beginning to understand more things in life; hindsight provides a 20/20 vision.  The condition of our heart determines outward actions.  Because the disciples didn’t believe the reports of Jesus’ resurrection, their hearts became hard.  Only when Jesus appeared to them did they believe.

Honestly, I don’t blame the disciples for their unbelief.  I can’t imagine the overwhelming emotions they experienced walking with Jesus to His death. Humanity limits our perspective.  Often, we can’t see past our circumstances, missing God’s handiwork as a result.

Impossible doesn’t exist.

Not only do I write devotionals, but I read them as well; Rick Warren’s Daily Hope[i] a staple for years.  Recently, Rick made a surprising revelation; he cut “impossible” out of his dictionary:

“I decided that if it’s not in God’s dictionary, it’s not going to be in mine.” Rick Warren[ii]

God can do anything He wants, but God doesn’t always do what we want.  Our struggle lies in reconciling God’s sovereignty with human desire.  From our perspective, we think we know the solution, but God’s the one with the correct answers. 

Belief means cutting impossible out of your dictionary.  Trusting God despite the world’s pain challenges us all, but we must.  If we don’t have faith, we’ll never experience miracles.  Hardened hearts don’t believe; soft ones do.

Ask God to soften your heart today, filling you with belief.  Experience the miracle of life as you walk through your day. Impossible doesn’t exist with 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. 34) Thomas Nelson

[i] https://pastorrick.com/devotional/

[ii] https://pastorrick.com/count-on-god-to-do-the-impossible/

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 15:17-16:40 ESV, Mark 15:1-47 ESV, Psalm 54:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 11:5-6 ESV

Daily Verse: “And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.” (Mark 15:20 ESV)

EMPAIZO (1702): “To play like a child, to sport, jest. Used only in the Synoptists, and in every instance, of the “mockery” of Christ.” [I]

Sporting jest hurts.

Making someone else the object of your play hurts them deeply. If you’ve ever endured mocking, you know the pain associated with it.  The guards mocked Christ before they led him to the Cross.   Jesus’ sufferings began before they nailed Him to the course beams.

Often, I think of the scene from Passion of the Christ when the guards taunt Jesus, playing with Him.  Watching the Savior treated horrifically, grasping He endured the treatment on my behalf humbles me.  We take for granted Christ’s sufferings because of the distance between then and now.  Having heard the story so many times, we lose the gravity of the situation because of familiarity.  The guards made Jesus the object of their sporting jest.

Remember the cost.

Taking time to put yourself in Jesus’ place, imagining how He felt standing helpless before the guards, enduring their jibes, hopefully, will make you appreciate Christ.  God’s Son suffered so we could live.  Our freedom does have a price, one Jesus paid.

Remembering Jesus’ sacrifice accomplishes two things.  First, recognizing Christ’s unconditional love for you, warts and all, frees us from self-condemnation.  Finding freedom from our sins gives us new life.  And because of the love we receive, we can love others better. 

Secondly, thinking about the guards making fun of Jesus makes me not want to become a guard, someone who mocks other people.  Mocking others hurts them and destroys relationships, yet we do it.  Jesus never made fun of people; He always loved.  If we want to become more like Christ, we must avoid becoming a guard.

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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. 86) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 14:1-15:16 ESV, Mark 14:53-72 ESV, Psalm 53:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 11:4 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61 ESV)

CHRISTOS (5547): “From 5548: anointed, i.e., the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus (used 569x).”[I]

Son of the Blessed.

When the high priest questioned Jesus before His crucifixion, Jesus remained silent.  Finally, Jesus affirmed His position:

“And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62 ESV)

Christ, the Messiah, anointed by God to do His will.  Savior of the world, studying Jesus’ life on earth will change yours now.

“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.” D.L. Moody[i]

Experience the life change Jesus offers.  Son of God, His purpose on earth brought salvation to those who receive it.  You have the choice of who you follow; choose Jesus.

Full life.

At lunch with a friend, we talked about therapy.  A massive fan of talking through issues, my friend asked why I started treatment.  “I want to live life to the fullest,” I responded.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 ESV)

Often, our biggest battle takes place in the mind.  The thief steals our joy by the thoughts we think.  Instead of filling our minds with God’s word, we let our thoughts spiral out of control with worldly problems.

Jesus came to give us life to the full.  Following Him will take you on an adventure you have yet to discover.  Christ, the anointed one of God, giver of life, saver of souls, lover of all, make Him your leader today.  Accept the gift of life Jesus offers!

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[i] https://quotefancy.com/quote/1819956/Rick-Warren-The-great-evangelist-D-L-Moody-once-said-The-Bible-was-not-given-to-increase

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 273) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 11:24-13:33 ESV, Mark 14:22-52 ESV, Psalm 52:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 11:1-3 ESV

Daily Verse: “And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” (Mark 14:32 ESV)

PROSEUCHOMAI (4336): “To pray to God, i.e., supplicate, worship.  Always used of “prayer” to God and is the most frequent word used in this respect.”[I]

Continual conversation.

Jesus, preparing for the days to come, deliberately slipped away from people to spend time with God.  The connection between Father and Son remained strong because of their continual conversation.  No matter what the relationship, communication determines its depth.  The more we talk with God, the deeper our relationship will become.

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” (Psalm 139:4 ESV)

Pray confidently.

God knows your thoughts as well as your words.  When you pray silently, it counts.  Some of my most heartfelt prayers had no audible sounds.  Sighs and groans communicate the longings of our soul only God can understand.  Whether speaking audibly or silently conversing, God hears all prayers.

Praying to God, hopefully, will become natural for you. Jesus went to the Father first and foremost because the Son knew the source of His power; our strength comes from the same place.  We access God’s energy when we commune with Him through prayer.  Only when we stop and talk to God can we receive His answers.  Our purpose in life comes as we seek God diligently, allowing Him to lead the way.

Pray continuously as your day unfolds.  Tell God what’s going on in your life, listen for His response.  Ask Him to open the doors you need open, close ones that will lead you astray.  One step at a time, God will guide you on the journey.

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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. 213) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 10:1-11:23 ESV, Mark 14:1-21 ESV, Psalm 51:1-19 ESV, Proverbs 10:31-32 ESV

Daily Verse: “And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.” (Mark 14:3 ESV) 

ALABASTRON (211): “The name of a stone; prop. An ‘alabaster’ box, i.e., a perfume vase (of any material).”[I]

Perfumed preparation.

Unnamed, our heroine today came with ointments preparing Jesus for His death.  Soon after Jesus reclined at the table, receiving the precious gift from the woman, Judas betrays Him to the chief priests.  Before long, our Savior will hang on the cross, His body already anointed for burial.

Whatever happens today prepares us for tomorrow.  Each day, God grooms us for the journey that lies ahead.  A baby changes more than any other time in year one.  Baby’s weight triples in the first twelve months as they learn to maneuver their bodies to sit, stand, and walk. Every day, infants acquire something new for the next part of their journey.

Accept the prep.

God doesn’t waste anything.  Wherever life finds you, God uses it to help you grow.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Jesus knew as the woman poured the ointment on His head what her actions meant.  Understanding her anointing prepared Him for death, Jesus accepted His fate.  We may not know why things happen the way they do, but we can trust God does.  Whatever the circumstances, God has a plan for them.  Nothing gets wasted with God.

Eventually, we will reach the end of our journey here on earth, but in the meantime, God’s preparing us for our eternal home.  The lessons we learn in life will move with us into eternity.  We will leave our possessions behind, but our character goes with us.

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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. 13) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 8:1-9:23 ESV, Mark 13:14-37 ESV, Psalm 50:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 10:29-30 ESV

Daily Verse: “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.” (Mark 13:28 ESV)

SUKE (4808): “A ‘fig tree’ with leaves must have young fruits already, or it will be barren for the season.  The first figs ripen in late May or early June.”[i]

Lessons learned.

When we see the buds begin to appear on trees, accompanied by warm winds and soft rains, we can feel the nearness of summer.  Signs God gives us to hold onto for better days ahead; indications of new life give us hope for the future.  God’s lessons come in all forms.

Recently, my husband had a busy day on the road driving.  I battle anxiety, especially when I hear sirens blaring as I work.  Each honk of the horn causes me to pray for those they’re serving, reminding me of the perils of everyday life.  Praying my way through the day, working from home, I’m the one who got hurt.

Forgetting my phone in my office, I ran up the stairs to retrieve it.  Not thinking, looking at my phone, I missed the last step on the way down, landing on my knee in extreme pain.  Instead of paying attention, my multitasking caused me pain.

Grow from the lesson.

Sitting with my husband that evening, I said, “Funny how I worried about you driving, but I’m the one who got hurt.  God’s teaching me a lesson.”  Ron agreed.

Like God uses the figs to teach us about seasons, He used my fall to teach me about worry.  Once again, the statistic that only 8% of what we worry about happens proves true.   My anxiety never included injury from a fall.  We can’t predict life, but we can trust God and learn from the lessons He teaches us.

Look for God’s lessons in your everyday life.  Just as the fig tree indicates summer’s arrival, God’s teachings come in all forms.  As we seek God in the dailiness of life, we will find Him.  God’s intimacy in our lives reveals itself as we search for Him, seeking to learn all He has to teach.

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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. 237) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 6:1-7:89 ESV, Mark 12:38-13:13 ESV, Psalm 49:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 10:27-28 ESV

Daily Verse: “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” (Mark 12:43 ESV)

PTOCHOS (4434):  “Pauper, denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also use in a qualified or relative sense.  As an adjective, “one who crouches and cowers.”[I]

Spiritually rich.

Material possessions’ main problem, they don’t last.  Just like fall fades to winter, our stuff will no longer exist.  Money becomes many people’s gods, but within seconds, it can disappear.  Jesus, watching the poor woman put all she had in the offering plate, knew she understood this vital principle.

Enron Corporation declared bankruptcy on Dec. 2, 2001.  One of the largest companies in the United States at the time, overnight, its stock went from $90 a share to mere pennies.[i]  Tens of thousands of people lost their pension and investment accounts.  In the blink of an eye, their life savings disappeared.

Invest eternally.

Nothing on earth can take away the gift of eternal life God offers.  One day, our life on earth will end, beginning the next chapter, eternity.  Nothing we do can stop death from knocking at our door.  But we can prepare for the transition by investing in heaven.

When the poor widow placed her money in the offering, she invested in heaven. 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20 ESV)

The widow placed her treasures in God’s hands, trusting His provision for her.  Enron’s shareholders quickly learned the reliability of putting faith in money.  One debilitating accident could bankrupt anyone of us, but nothing can break God.  Trusting Him with our finances will lead to eternal rewards.

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[i] https://www.investopedia.com/updates/enron-scandal-summary/

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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. 218) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31 ESV, Mark 12:18-37 ESV, Psalm 48:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 10:26 ESV

Daily Verse: “And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33 ESV)

SUNESIS (4907): “A mental putting together, i.e., intelligence or the intellect. Suggests quickness of apprehension, the penetrating consideration which precedes action. To set together, to understand denotes the understanding of the mind or intelligence.” [I]

Understand completely.

Jesus, answering the scribes, summarizes all the commandments into one: love God and others.  Accomplishing the task requires an understanding of the mission.  If we don’t understand who and why we’re loving, we can’t fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

God loved first; He created us because of His affection for us.  When you begin to understand God’s unconditional love towards you, mutual affection develops.  Becoming transparent with God about your misdeeds then receiving His grace and mercy will change your life.  Experiencing transformation because of your connection with the Creator will make you want to share the gift with others.

Share the love.

Our world needs love more than ever.  People have lost sight of God, living to satisfy fleshly desires.  But eventually, we all learn chasing our wants leaves us empty and alone.  But when we give our lives to Christ, He frees us from worldly bonds, filling us with His Spirit.  As we grasp the depth of God’s love for us, we begin to understand Jesus’ command better.

Loving God first gives us the desire to share His affection with others. Jesus, leading by example, loved everyone He met.  Never do you see Jesus pushing Himself onto others.  No, Jesus understood the other person’s perspective.  Like the woman at the well, Jesus meets people amid their sin, forgiving them and setting them free of it.

Seek to understand God’s love for you better today.  Embrace the grace and mercy Jesus offers.  Understanding God’s love for you will help you love 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. 241) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Numbers 2:1-3:51 ESV, Mark 11:27-12:17 ESV, Psalm 47:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 10:24-25 ESV

Daily Verse: “But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” (Mark 11:32 ESV)

LAOS (2992): “A people (in general; thus, differing from 1218, which denotes one’s own populace). Laos is used of “the people at large,” especially of people assembled.”[I]

Opinions matter.

Leaders know large groups of people aligned in thought make a difference.  Fear of the crowd’s reaction made the religious leaders think twice before answering Jesus’ question about John’s baptism.  If they lost the people’s support, the chief priests, scribes, and elders would lose their rule.  Ultimately, they didn’t want to lose the power they now had if they answered Jesus incorrectly. 

The crowd witnessing the conversation held power over the religious leaders but didn’t realize it.  Every person’s opinion mattered, all seeking truth with the information they had.  The reason God’s word still stands amid chaos; because truth stands the test of time; lies don’t.

Share truth.

Groups form opinions because people share their thoughts.  Conversations between individuals seek the truth together, finding what happens and what doesn’t.  The process for the facts to reveal themselves does take time.  But if we continue to share the truth of the gospel, eventually, everyone will hear it.

Jesus’ teachings upset the religious leaders because they negated their teachings.  Acceptance into heaven doesn’t come from the law; Jesus opens that door.  Today’s world needs more Jesus, the one in the gospels, who loved all and died for all. 

Become a people of love today.  Whether by word or action, share the truth of God’s affection with all you meet.  God loves everyone, even the people we deem unlovable.

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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. 149) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54 ESV, Mark 11:1-26 ESV, Psalm 46:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 10:23 ESV

Daily Verse: “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it.” (Mark 11:2 ESV)

KOME (2968): “From a hamlet (as if laid down).  A hamlet is a few small houses in the country.  A village is a larger group of houses in the country, loosely organized, and without walls.”[I]

Village’s trust.

When Jesus sent the disciples into the village to get the colt for His entrance on Palm Sunday, the villagers trusted them.  Once the inhabitants knew Jesus needed the donkey, they let the disciples go.  Whoever owned the beast didn’t object to Jesus’ use of it, nor his neighbors allowing the disciples to take it, knowing without a doubt, the colt would return.

Living in a village for the first twelve years of my life counts as one of God’s greatest blessings to me.  Small communities have deep roots that help survive the storms of life.  Even though my family moved over forty years ago, I still have strong relationships with the people of Tidal.

Because everyone knows everyone, villages operate with a high level of accountability.  Knowing each other’s business leads to a higher degree of trust.  People look out for each other, helping others avoid the potholes of life. 

Develop a village.

Everyone needs a village.  People in your life who love you unconditionally, cheering for you.  When tough times hit, they surround you, picking you up off the floor, helping you find your footing again.  Even when you don’t want to hear it, villagers tell the truth.  They allow you to become the person God intended, one day at a time.

God gave me a village the day I entered the world.  Now I live in the city, far from the hills I ran barefoot as a child.  But I still have a village because of the relationships I develop.  The people I surround myself with walk through life with me. My village calls me out on my crap, helps me overcome mountains, and loves me no matter what.  Each day, we help each other with whatever God sends our way.

Begin today to develop your village.  Surround yourself with people who will help you become the best version of yourself possible. God’s creation in your full glory!

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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. 148) Thomas Nelson