Category: Uncategorized

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Lamentations 3:1-66 ESV, Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV, Psalm 102:1-28 ESV, Proverbs 26:21-22 ESV

Daily Verse: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14 ESV)

LEITOURGIKOS (3010): “Is related to the performance of service, employed in ministering, Heb. 1:14.”[1]

Performance of service.

Paul, the presumed author of Hebrews, talks about angels in today’s passage.  Heavenly beings in the Bible witness for God and don’t draw attention to themselves.  Angels have different purposes: bring messages (Lk 1:26-33), praise God (2:13–14; Heb 1:6; Rev 5:11–12), serve God’s people for Him (Mt 4:11; Heb 1:14), protect and care for God’s people (Mt 18:10; Lk 4:10; Acts 12:7–10).

God sends spiritual help in our times of need.  Most often, we probably don’t even notice the divine intervention.  One of my favorite fiction books, This Present Darkness,[1] helped me understand spirituality.  Written by a pastor, the fictional work brings a fresh perspective.

Spiritual battle.

Understanding the spiritual side of life challenges me.  Recognizing forces exist beyond our comprehension, the ever-raging battle for souls seems hard to grasp. Not understanding doesn’t make spirituality nonexistent.

During my flight attendant training, I learned the physics of how airplanes fly.  I still don’t understand how colossal metal tubes spiral hundreds of miles an hour through the air.  But planes still fly, currently one of the safest ways to travel.  I don’t have to understand it to believe it, nor do you.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

Spiritual battles rage we know nothing about from our worldly perspective.  I don’t understand the logistics of how a plane flies, but I know they work.  And I trust God’s word; I don’t need to know everything; I can trust Him with what I don’t know.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 150) Thomas Nelson

[1]https://www.amazon.com/This-Present-Darkness-Frank-Peretti-ebook/dp/B005WK6JFI

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Lamentations 1:1-2:22 ESV, Philemon 1:1-25 ESV, Psalm 101:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 26:20 ESV

Daily Verse: “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” (Philemon 1:7 ESV)

ANAPAUO (373): “Signifies to give intermission from labor, to give rest, to refresh so to recover strength.  It signifies “to cause or permit one to cease from any labor or movement” so as to recover strength.  It implies previous toil and care.  Its chief significance is that of taking, or causing to take, rest.”[1]

Recover strength.

Paul writes to Philemon, master of Onesimus, who escaped for some reason.  During Onesimus’s flight, he meets Paul, imprisoned in Rome, and places his faith in Jesus.  Paul writes to Philemon, asking him to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ upon the escapee’s return.

Onesimus’s life change encourages fellow believers.  Like Paul, once the refugee encountered Jesus, Onesimus became a new person, leaving his old ways behind as he became a source of refreshment to all who met him.

Refresh others.

When we encourage and uplift others’ faith journey, we refresh them.  New believers in Jesus share an exuberance that spurs others onward.  My favorite conversations happen with people eager to know more about Jesus.  Experiencing life change through Christ creates a desire for more.

As with any journey, you will have times in the valley, moments when taking another step forward seem impossible.  At low times in our walk with Christ, we need refreshing.  One way we continue onward happens because of the encouragement of others.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25 ESV)

Refreshing others refresh us.  Cheering people onto victory, watching as they conquer whatever mountain lay before them has a dual impact.  Life change begins in the heart but takes place in the world.  Everyone needs help staying the course; as people do, they inspire those around them.

Become a refresher today, and help others recover their strength.  Pulling other people out of the valley will also encourage and uplift you.  Blessing others blesses you.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 22) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34 ESV, Titus 3:1-15 ESV, Psalm 100:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 26:18-19 ESV

Daily Verse: “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8 ESV)

PROISTEMI (4291): “To practice, maintain.”[1]

Maintain practice.

Paul encourages Titus to help believers stay the course by devoting themselves to Christ’s teachings.  Maintaining a steady relationship with Jesus requires practice, day in and day out.

Every expert started as a beginner.       People become masters of their trade because they maintain practice over a long period.  Any professional athlete has a minimum of 10,000 hours of training to achieve their level of success.

Sustained devotion takes support.  Paul encourages Titus so that the missionary can encourage the members of his church, helping them sustain their commitment to God.

Ongoing transformation.

Journeying with Jesus means an ongoing transformation as you apply His teachings to your life.  If you do what Christ teaches, you will become a person known for good works.  Jesus brought unconditional love into the world; following Him means sharing the gift with others.

No two people’s practice looks the same.  My daily devotion to God and how I connect with Him differs from how others do it.  We shouldn’t try to all do the same thing because God created us as individuals.  My gifts develop differently from others.

One of my accountability partners helps me maintain a regular exercise practice.  We text each other when we complete our workout for the day.  But neither of us does the same thing, her routine differs from mine, yet we achieve the same goal, developing healthy habits.

Develop a daily habit of connecting with God, whatever it looks like for you.  Enlist others to help you maintain your efforts, encouraging each other along the way.  Don’t conform to what others do; instead, let God transform you.  Life change becomes evident in the good works we do.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 211) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51:1-53 ESV, Titus 2:1-15 ESV, Psalm 99:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 26:17 ESV

Daily Verse: “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15 ESV)

PARAKALEO (3870): “The most frequent word with this meaning, lit. denotes “to call to one’s side,” hence, “to call to one’s aid.”  It is used for every kind of calling to a person which is meant to produce a particular effect, hence, with various meanings, such as “comfort, exhort, desire, call for,” in addition to its significance “to beseech,” which has a stronger force than aiteo.”[1]

Call to one’s aid.

Titus’s central duty meant continually teaching practical instructions to people.  Meeting people in their faith journey and helping them move forward with applicable lessons helps them grow spiritually.

Reading and applying the Bible’s teachings intimidates people.  Before I read scripture regularly, I misunderstood the book’s message.  The story of love and redemption within the pages of God’s inspired word becomes evident when you read it.

Help understand.

Titus’s mission and ours teach others how to apply Christ’s lessons to their lives.  As we learn more about Jesus, we share it with those around us.  By doing so, everyone grows together.

Recently, I ran into someone who caused me extreme pain with their words.  Without sincerity, he apologized to get in my husband’s good graces.  A friend who heard said, “You’re a Christian; you have to forgive him.”

Applying Jesus’ teaching to this situation, my friend’s not wrong; I have to forgive, and I did long ago.  But I also know the person’s heart and words didn’t match, which means he’s not truly sorry.  Therefore, I forgive, but I maintain boundaries that don’t allow him to repeat the offense.

Following Jesus requires daily inspections of our hearts and minds.  Allowing Christ full access cleanses us from within and helps us discern the world around us.  Applying Biblical principles to our lives helps us grow as we pursue Jesus wholeheartedly.

Let Jesus guide and direct your steps as you grow closer to Him.  Help others learn how to pursue Christ by leading the way with your actions.  Ask a trusted friend or mentor to help you discern when in doubt.  In all things, put Jesus first, and He will lead you in the way everlasting.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 190) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ESV, Titus 1:1-16 ESV, Psalm 97:1-98:9 ESV, Proverbs 26:13-16 ESV

Daily Verse: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9 ESV)

ANTILEGO (483): “This word means “to speak against: and is rendered “answering again.”[1]

Speak against.

Following Jesus means holding firm to His teachings when the winds of the world blow against it.  People openly oppose Christ, teaching false gospels that lead nowhere.

As a little girl, I idolized my dad; my faith in him, not God.  When I discovered my dad’s imperfections, my world collapsed.  When you put your faith in false gods, inevitably, they will fall.  But holding firm to Jesus will help you weather any storm.

Learning God’s word helps us access it in times of need.  When challenged with a false teacher, scripture helps identify and respond with truth and love.

Trustworthy word.

The more people try to disprove Jesus, the more they believe.  Through the centuries, stories of Christ changing people’s lives and the world abound.  Men and women of the faith pursued Jesus with all they had, impacting generations to come with their actions.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, who endured countless torturous moments, never lost faith.  When captive in a room of prisoners covered in flees, she praised God for the insects keeping the guards away, allowing them to study the Bible.

We can trust God’s word to get us through difficult times.  Challenging false beliefs never ends. Following Jesus helps us spot the lies and, with love, share the truth.

Stand firm on the truth of scripture; knowing God will help you spot and combat false teachings.  We make better decisions when we base them on God’s word.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 30) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ESV, 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ESV, Psalm 95:1-96:13 ESV, Proverbs 26:9-12 ESV

Daily Verse: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,” (2 Timothy 4:3 ESV)

ANECHOMAI (430): “This word signifies “to hold up against a thing and so to bear with” (ana, “up,” and echomai, the middle voice of echo, “to have, to hold”).[1]

Hold up against.

Enduring means holding on for dear life, trusting God’s got whatever lay before you.  Some days, enduring to me means just getting out of bed.  At times in my life, the darkness felt closer than the light, barely able to see the white pinpoint in the distance guiding me. But I could see it; God did guide me and still does.

Paul’s preparing Timothy for future hard times when people don’t care about the truth.  Instead, they will chase their desires, which never ends well.  Following a path of our design leads us to unfortunate places.  And at some time or another, we all make bad choices.  Jesus teaches us how to forgive ourselves and others.

Grace strengthens.

Christ helps us endure by extending grace.  Receiving forgiveness for our sins lightens the load and gives us room to breathe.  Pursuing righteousness by focusing our thoughts on Jesus, which lets us do what He did, changes lives. 

The world will change when Christ’s followers become known for their love first and foremost.  We help others endure by loving them for Jesus.  Troubles come with life for everyone; Christ said they would:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Find peace in Jesus; He overcame the world.  Because of Christ, you do too.  Eternal life with Jesus begins the moment you let Him into your heart. Let the Savior help you endure this life.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 26) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 ESV, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 ESV, Psalm 94:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 26:6-8 ESV

Daily Verse: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22 ESV)

KATHAROS (2513): “Means free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless.  Katharos refers to the Christian’s freedom from the defilements of the flesh and the world.”[1]

Without blemish.

Pure sheep have no marks.  No blemishes dirty the white wool. Black nose and hoofs highlight the perfection of what people used to sacrifice to God in atonement for sin.  Jesus had no defect, sinless; He died on the cross for us.

We have blemishes, every one of us.  My most recent temper tantrum resulted in stopping a round of golf on the sixth hole.  After enduring slow play, a rainstorm, and the club slipping from my hands, I had enough. But I could have handled the situation better than I did.  Only Jesus dealt with all things well.

Pursue positive virtues.

Paul’s asking Timothy to pursue positive virtues.  Even though blemished, we can still strive for perfection, understanding we can’t reach it on our own.  When we partner with Jesus, He makes us righteous. 

“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)

God wants us to try.  When we center our hearts on Jesus, seeking His will for our life, God will direct our paths.  But we still must walk.  Do I believe God can bring the perfect partner to the door for a single person?  Absolutely. 

But I also believe you might meet someone sooner if you went out of the house.  During my season of singleness, I forced myself to join social groups to meet others.  I met Ron on the tennis court, where our relationship began.

Living life to the fullest means pursuing it with Christ.  We must understand that relationships matter more than anything else in the world.  Jesus comes first, others second, ourselves last, each relationship developing daily.

Strive for a pure heart by connecting with Jesus, allowing Him to search you for blemishes.  Embrace God’s grace and mercy, then share it with the world.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 124) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 ESV, 2 Timothy 2:1-21 ESV, Psalm 92:1-93 ESV, Proverbs 26:3-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 ESV)

KAKOPATHEO (2553): “To undergo hardship.  This word from kakos, “evil,” pathos, “suffering,” signifies “to suffer hardship.”  It is translated “endure hardness,” 2 Tim. 2:3.”[1]

Endure hardness.

Paul’s encouraging Timothy because he understands pain and suffering come with the journey.  No one on earth avoids the combination, no matter how they appear from the outside.  Everyone struggles in life, including Jesus, who endured harsh persecution and responded with love.

How we respond to the difficulties we encounter on the journey makes the difference.  We can’t control much in life, but we can control our actions.  Job’s response after losing his children, flock, and health amaze me:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  (Job 1:21 ESV)

Persevere with perspective.

Both Jesus and Job kept their eye on the prize.  They remembered the Lord and His sovereign power when troubles came their way.  Everything on earth will pass away, but things of heaven last forever.

Keeping the Son in your eyes as you travel through storm waters will help you stay afloat.  Trusting God’s plan when heartache comes upon you will help you persevere through it.

Paul’s encouragement of Timothy helps him overcome the trials the missionary faces.  In the same way, we can help spur others onward when they deal with life’s hurts.  Sometimes taking a step forward challenges the best of us; we need assistance to keep going.

Pain and suffering come with life on earth.  Only when God calls us home will we leave our struggles behind.  Until then, we can encourage others on the journey, as well as receive help when we need it.

God never meant us to walk alone; He gives us other believers to journey with us.  Become involved in a local church with solid, Biblical teaching, and you will find the assistance you need when you need it.

Respond well by surrounding yourself with fellow believers to help you.  Don’t try facing the struggles of this world on your own.  Tap into God’s strength by connecting with His family.  Together, you can overcome anything.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 126) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 ESV, 2 Timothy 1:1-18 ESV, Psalm 90:1-91:16 ESV, Proverbs 26:1-2 ESV

Daily Verse: “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3 ESV)

PROGONOS (4269): “An ancestor, (grand-)parents: -forefather.  Used as a noun in the plural, forefathers.”[1]

Forefathers.

Paul thanks his forefathers for raising him in the faith.  Because of his upbringing, Paul knew the scriptures inside and out.  When the apostle met Jesus, Paul’s background helped him accomplish his mission.  Paul understood Jewish law and could debate anyone about the merits of faith in Jesus.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 ESV)

God promises if we raise our children in the faith, they won’t depart from it in their old age.  Children do stray; I strayed.  But in my straying, I learned the truth about God’s promises.  His word lasts when nothing else does.

Trust the process.

Raising children in the faith takes time and effort.  Teaching them about Jesus young gives them a firm foundation to fall back on when things get tough.  And the lessons they learn will help them flourish in life later.  Faith keeps us going when all else fails.

Working in the kid’s ministry encourages me; their pure hearts soak up the lessons taught in Sunday school.  Standing at the back of the class, I love watching their energetic answers to whatever question.  Singing worship with them always encourages my heart.

As adults, we understand that bad things happen in life and will test our faith.  But kids don’t know about crises of faith yet.  Teaching them to rely on Jesus will help them when difficult times arise.  And as they grow and mature, they will pass the lessons learned to the next generation.

Thank God for our forefathers who persevered in the faith, raising their children to believe and trust in Jesus.  Life on earth ends all too quickly, but our faith never does.  In God, we can always trust, and we have the opportunity to share that knowledge with the generations to come.

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[1]Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 211) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 ESV, 1 Timothy 6:1-21 ESV, Psalm 89:38-52 ESV, Proverbs 25:28 ESV

Daily Verse: “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.” (1 Timothy 6:1 ESV)

ZUGOS (2218): “A yoke,” serving to couple two things together; is used of bond service to masters, 1 Tim 6:1.”[1]

Couple together.

About half the population of the Roman empire lived as enslaved people in the first century.  Paul’s concerned about how they treat their masters.  In other words, followers of Christ must treat their bosses with respect; in doing so, we share Jesus with others through our actions.

Thankfully, slavery no longer exists in America.  But we do have jobs and people in authority over us.  Whether or not you think your supervisor deserves the position doesn’t matter; they still have it. 

God’s authority

Ultimately, God’s our authority.  We will all stand before the Lord one day and give an account of our actions. And God places authority over us on earth.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1 ESV)

God knows your boss and how they treat you. The Lord knows all the people in authority over us because He placed them there.  How we respond to the bosses in our life depends on our hearts.  God wants us to treat them with respect and dignity.  In other words, do your job well.

The best way to honor God and your boss happens when you do your job.  As an ex-manager, employees who didn’t do the job they agreed to do wore me down.   But those precious ones who came to work on time did their tasks and respected my authority; I couldn’t help but love them.

God wants us to do our jobs well.  When we take pride in our work and do it to the best of our ability, we’ll also respect our boss.  Nothing pleases God more than a heart set on Him.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 110) Thomas Nelson