Author: Beth Morrison

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29 ESV, Acts 8:14-40 ESV, Psalm 130:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 17:2-3 ESV

Daily Verse: “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.” (Acts 8:14 ESV)

DECHOMAI (1312): “This word signifies to accept by a deliberate and ready reception of what is offered, adding the idea of appropriation, to the heart.”[i]

Deliberate and ready.

Acceptance requires intention. Rebelling against unchangeable circumstances exhausts me.  Inevitably, whether I like it or not, I must accept the facts of life.  Jesus spoke the truth in love, and thankfully, the Samarians received it.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.  Taking as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.  Trusting that You will make all things right, if I surrender to Your will.  So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with You forever in the next.  Amen”

Reinhold Niebuhr

Accept with grace.

Reinhold Niebuhr wrote the Serenity prayer in 1932-1933, the first half famously used in Alcoholics Anonymous.  Our pathway to peace comes from the hardships we suffer.  In this world, sin abounds, but with Jesus, we can overcome the world.

Accepting Jesus into your heart means understanding the temporary nature of the world we live in today.  Like a vapor of smoke, our lives pass by in an instant.  In the blink of an eye, we move from earth to heaven, leaving behind the troubles and embracing the beauty of heaven.

Our physical lives will end, but our spiritual lives span eternity.  God’s spirit within us provides His eternal peace.  Whether on earth or in heaven, we can experience Christ’s calm that surpasses all understanding when we submit our will to His, accepting what we cannot change.

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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. 64) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66 ESV, Acts 7:51-8:13 ESV, Psalm 129:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 17:1 ESV

Daily Verse: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51 ESV)

SKLRETRACHE (4644): “Obstinate”[i]

Obstinate resistance.

Fifty-two percent of Americans don’t believe in Jesus’ divinity, thinking Him a “great teacher and nothing more.”[i]

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:25 ESV)

People have plenty of excuses for not following Jesus.  Critical spirits find plenty to criticize.  God forbid a Christ-follower make a mistake; people quickly point fingers when a believer falters.  And Lord knows, forgiveness does not come easily from others.

Pride goes hand in hand with stiff necks.  For some reason, admitting failures doesn’t come easy.  Becoming vulnerable requires confessing our struggles, but we don’t want to talk about them.  Pointing fingers at others take the attention off ourselves.

Stay humble.

If we don’t stay humble, we’ll become stiff-necked.  Stubbornness affects our physical health. In a 2019 study, researchers found that 90 percent of heart failure people don’t make the necessary lifestyle changes.[ii] In other words, 9 out of 10 people refuse to make the minor changes essential to extend their life.

Softening your heart towards Jesus means extending grace to others. We must pray for the stubborn people in our lives.  Ask God to soften their hearts towards Him.  Pray for other believers to come into their lives and help them accept the truth of Jesus in their hearts, allowing His Spirit to take up residency within them.

People miss heaven because of the 18 inches between their heads and heart.  Pray for their stiff necks to become more flexible, allowing the reality of Jesus to change them forever.

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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. 229) Thomas Nelson

[i] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-majority-of-americans-think-jesus-is-a-great-teacher-yet-reject-his-claims-to-be-god-301119281.html

[ii] https://www.healthline.com/health-news/most-people-with-heart-failure-conditions-dont-follow-prescribed-lifestyle

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-50 ESV, Acts 7:30-50 ESV, Psalm 128:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 16:31-33 ESV

Daily Verse: “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?” (Acts 7:49 ESV)

OIKOS (3624): “Denotes a house, a dwelling.”[i]

Dwelling place.

God lives within us, our body His temple.  When you begin to think of your body as God’s home, how you take care of it makes a difference.  Battling the bulge becomes more than a vanity issue; maintaining a healthy weight honors God.

What type of home do you want to build for God?  He leaves the decorating up to you.  When my brother built his house, he asked people to write their favorite scriptures on the bare boards beneath the drywall.  Entering their home, you pass under these words:

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15 ESV)

Firm foundation.

Building your house on the foundation of scripture will ensure its survival during the storms.  God’s promises have stood the test of thousands of years; they’ll stand for that many more. 

You determine the house you build by the materials you use.  Feeding your soul with God’s word will fortify your structure.  Allowing the Creator to work from within will produce an outward light no one can distinguish.  God’s love will pour from you effortlessly to those around you.  But only if you build a firm foundation.

Invite Jesus into your home, all of it.  Open your heart to Him, and allow Christ to enter every room.  Don’t shut Jesus out of your pain; invite Him into it.  Let God comfort your hurts as He takes up residency inside your heart.  With Him, we become whole.

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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. 176) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38 ESV, Acts 7:1-29 ESV, Psalm 127:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 16:28-30 ESV

Daily Verse: “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him” (Acts 7:9 ESV)

ZELOO (2206): “Have warmth of feeling for or against; zealously affect, move with envy, envy, covet, desire, covet earnestly.”[i]

Zealously affect.

Desiring what someone else has causes problems.  Especially if you let the situation consume you.  Joseph’s brothers, patriarchs of the Old Testament, allow their jealousy to control their actions.  At first, they wanted to kill Joseph but sold him into slavery.  God never left Joseph.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20 ESV)

Jealousy makes us do evil things if we let it.  But God uses all things for the good of those who believe and trust in Him (Romans 8:28 ESV).  What Joseph’s brothers meant as evil, God used to save them.  Because Joseph went to Egypt, He became second in command under Pharoah.  When famine came, Joseph saved his family.

Overcome jealousy.

As a person who struggles with jealousy, I’ve found one way to combat it.  Celebrate their win. 

Playing nine holes with a couple of ladies, I had the highest score, meaning I lost.  Their experience and ability far outweighed mine.  Throughout the two-hour round, jealousy reared its ugly head often.  Cheering their wins defeats the beast.

Jealousy impacts relationships, separating them as it did the brothers.  I had jealousy issues over my college roommate’s beauty, husband, kids, and big house during my single years.  As a result, we lost touch.  When we reunited, I learned jealousy skewed my vision of her heartache-filled life.  Less than six months after reconnecting, she passed away.  I missed years of a relationship with her because my jealousy consumed me.

Don’t let jealousy get you off track.  When you feel the ugly monster rear its head, put the emotion in its place. Celebrate the win for the other person.  You’ll have your day sometime; let them have theirs.

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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. 109) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34 ESV, Acts 6:1-15 ESV, Psalm 126:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 16:26-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7 ESV)

PLETHUNO (4129): “To increase, abound, multiply.  Used transitively, denotes “to cause to increase, to multiply,” “(iniquity) shall abound” intransitively it denotes “to be multiplying,” Acts 6:1, “was multiplied.”[I]

Shall abound.

When God gets involved, things multiply.  Allowing the good Lord’s grace to fill your heart makes you more graceful and loving.  Becoming nicer multiplies your relationships; people want to surround themselves with people who make them feel loved and accepted.  Created for community, we all want to belong, with Jesus, everyone’s welcome.

Daily reading God’s word will change your life.  Letting the scriptures take root in your heart will expose the darkness, allowing light to lead your way.  As you grow closer to Jesus, He will impact your life positively, helping you realize how much He values you.  God doesn’t make junk; He makes treasure.

Multiply the treasure.

Share God’s love with the world.  Accept God’s promises as truth, then share them with everyone.  Watch in amazement as the good news spread and people begin to believe.  Overcome the heartache of this world with one act of love at a time.

Actions speak louder than words.  Jesus’ activity spread His message the most.  Healing the blind man, raising Lazarus from the dead, and exercising demons had people gasping in astonishment.  Christ mastered the unexpected, never doing what people thought He would do.  And we shouldn’t either.

When persecuted, respond in love.  In life’s imperfect moments, don’t take out your problems on someone else.  Monitor your words; if they don’t uplift and encourage, don’t say them.   Become a multiplier by imitating Jesus and acting with love.

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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. 203) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2 ESV, Acts 5:1-42 ESV, Psalm 125:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 16:25 ESV

Daily Verse: “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (Acts 5:4 ESV)

TITHEMI (5087): “To place the widest application, lit. and fig.  As a verb means “to put” is used of “appointment” to any form of service.”[i]

Form of service.

Contriving something means putting into motion some type of service, good or bad.  For Ananias, he lied to God about money.  After selling a piece of property, he held back some of the profit for himself instead of giving it to God.  When Peter confronted Ananias with today’s verse, he fell to the ground and died.

God knows everything and provides everything.  We often hear about people cheating on their taxes, but Jesus made it very clear.

“They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21 ESV)

Don’t cheat God.

If only Ananias had given God his due, how different things would have changed.  For one thing, Ananias and his wife, who also lied, wouldn’t have died.  Cheating God hurts you more than it does God.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)

When you love money more than God, it will cause you problems.  Anything you put before Jesus needs to go, including cash.  Giving money away breaks the hold it has on you and puts God above the mighty dollar.

Nothing you have on earth will follow you into heaven.  The fancy cars, big houses, and hefty bank accounts fade away.  But eternal life with Jesus never ends.  In Christ, you will find the peace found no other way.

Don’t let money get you off track; God first, money second.  When you place Jesus in His rightful place in your heart, He’ll take care of the rest.  When you have the hope of Jesus, you’ll want for nothing.

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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. 250) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53 ESV, Acts 4:1-37 ESV, Psalm 124:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 16:24 ESV

Daily Verse: “And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.” (Acts 4:3 ESV)

TERESIS (5084): “From 5083; a watching, i.e., observance or prison.  Translated “hold” in Acts 4:3.”[i]

Observant watching.

Peter and John, proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, irritate the religious leaders.  Refusing to stop, the priests and Sadducees have the disciples arrested.  The crowd, around 5000 men, heard the message and believed, irritating the zealots even more.

Imprisoning the disciples meant they couldn’t spread their message.  However, because they healed the lame man, who stood with them during their interrogation, the religious leaders felt like they had no choice but to let them go with one condition Peter and John couldn’t talk about Jesus anymore.  The disciples answered boldly:

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20 ESV)

Speak boldly.

In captivity, Peter and John didn’t stop speaking boldly.  The disciples couldn’t help but talk about the resurrected Savior.  Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, He overcame death, and they witnessed it.

Never have I witnessed someone coming back to life physically.  But I have seen the change Jesus makes in people’s lives when someone begins to follow Him; they live freer, leaving the bondage of the past behind.

In my late twenties, when I first came back to Christ, I needed saving from myself.  Poor decisions led me to many emotional and financial issues that seemed impossible.  But one step of faith at a time, I overcame my self-created problems, finding freedom in Jesus.  And now, I tell everyone I can; Christ will do the same for you.

Believe in the Savior who sets you free.  Christ watches over His flock, protecting them from the enemy, healing them from their wounds, and giving them life to the fullest in Him.  Join the disciples in spreading the good news of Jesus 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. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 250) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25 ESV, Acts 3:1-26 ESV, Psalm 123:1-4 ESV, Proverbs 16:21-23 ESV

Daily Verse: “And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.” (Acts 3:2 ESV)

CHOLOS (5560): “Halt, i.e., limping: cripple, halt, lame.”[i]

Rise and Walk

Going to the temple to pray, Peter and John come across a lame man at the gate.  Not recognizing them, the crippled man asks for alms.  Peter responds unexpectedly, telling him he has something more valuable than money.

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:7 ESV)

Taking the man’s hand, Peter assists the lame beggar to his healed feet.  The disabled man, no longer crippled, leaps and bounds his way into the temple, praising God.

When we encounter Jesus, our world changes; what once seemed impossible becomes possible.  Leaving the old life behind, Christ heals yesterday’s wounds, making way for the hope of tomorrow.

Praise the Healer.

Powerful testimonies come from miraculous healings.  When the lame man walked, he couldn’t contain his praise.  Everyone who saw him in the temple recognized the once lame man.  Now, watching the disabled person celebrate his healing gave them pause.

“And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (Acts 3:10b ESV)

Let people see the change Jesus makes in your life. Tell them about the giants God helps you slay. Ask Christ for eyes to see His work around you. When deliverance from the battle comes, give credit to the Deliverer.

Praise God when He helps you stand and walk after life knocks you to your feet.  Leap and bound with joy, worshipping the Savior.  Miraculous events leave lasting impressions on those who witness 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. 274) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23 ESV, Acts 2:1-47 ESV, Psalm 122:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 16:19-20 ESV

Daily Verse: “And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” (Acts 2:3 ESV)

GLOSSA (1100): “is used of the “tongues…like as of fire” which appeared at Pentecost; the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learned; in Acts 2:4-13, the circumstances are recorded from the viewpoint of the hearers; to those in whose language the utterances were made it appeared as supernatural phenomenon; to others, the stammering of drunkards; what was uttered was not addressed primarily to the audience but consisted in recounting “the might works of God.”[i]

Supernatural gift.

After Christ ascended, God sent the Holy Spirit.  A violent wind blew through the house, and tongues of fire descended on the disciples.  Immediately the men began to speak in other languages.   Foreigners in the crowd heard their native dialect and marveled.

In a miraculous moment, the disciples share the good news of Christ in languages they couldn’t speak.  However, people in the crowd understood them perfectly.  God uses supernatural gifts to connect with a fallen world, introducing them to Jesus.

Heart language.

God’s Spirit, dwelling within us, speaks a language all its own, one from the heart.  Connecting with others on an intimate level requires honesty and vulnerability.  God helps us speak the language of love by listening to the Holy Spirit within each of us.

When you place your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of you.  Difficult to describe, the heart change starts small and grows.  Like testing the waters, the more you give your life to Christ, the more you will want to give.

Let God teach you a new language, one based on the heart.  Allow Him into the crevices of your soul, and watch as God transforms your life into a new creation.  Speaking from the heart with the Holy Spirit’s leading will deepen your relationships and draw others to Jesus.

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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. 60) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22 ESV, Acts 1:1-26 ESV, Psalm 121:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 16:18 ESV

Daily Verse: “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 ESV)

TEKMERION (5039): “Denotes that from which something is surely and plainly known; indubitable evidence, a proof.”[i]

Plainly known.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He spent 40 days appearing and speaking about God’s kingdom.  Over 500 witnesses testified to the truth of Jesus.  In other words, people plainly knew Jesus died and came back to life three days later, overcoming death.

My favorite salvation stories come from those who tried to disprove Jesus’ existence.  Lee Strobel, a hard-hitting legal journalist for the Chicago Tribune, didn’t believe in God, setting out to discredit Jesus.  In his book, “The Case for Christ,” [i] Strobel interviewed top experts in science, philosophy, and history, proving Jesus’ existence.

Facts don’t change.

With over five million copies of Strobel’s book sold, the questions he addressed get to the heart of the matter:

• How reliable is the New Testament?
• Is Jesus who he said he was?
• What does all the evidence point to-and what does it mean today?

In a nutshell, yes, Jesus existed.  The New Testament’s reliability leads us to God’s kingdom.  Today, you can have new life in Christ by placing your faith in Him.  Learning about Jesus will change your life one day at a time.

For decades I have read the Bible daily, and it has changed my life in ways I never anticipated.  God drew me into His family from the pit of unemployment and loneliness.  Each day, as I practice the teachings of scripture, my life blossoms.  Even in my darkest days, I know God’s beside me, carrying me.

Proof exists about Jesus.  If you doubt, start investigating.  Ask questions, and share your uncertainties.  God doesn’t balk at your queries; He understands them.  After all, Jesus came in the flesh so we can have a relationship with our Creator.  Seek, and you will find Jesus waiting with open arms.

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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. 248) Thomas Nelson

[i] https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Journalists-Personal-Investigation/dp/0310350034