Category: Uncategorized

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 9-10 GW; Psalms 105 GW

“The Lord’s promise tested him through fiery trials until his prediction came true.” (Psalm 105:19 GW)

Faith makes passing tests possible.

Today’s scripture is referring to Joesph.  Jacob’s favorite son had a dream that he would one day rule his brothers.   When he shared the news with his siblings, they weren’t happy.  Joseph was a teenager when God gave him the vision. He endured many trials before his dream became a reality.  During all of that time, Joseph never lost faith in God.  When his brothers dumped him in a pit and left him for dead, he remained faithful.  When his boss’s wife accused him of inappropriate behavior, his beliefs didn’t waver.  While sitting in prison in horrible circumstances, Joseph was loyal to his God.  Fiery trials were part of Joesph’s journey, and they are part of ours.

Every day, you have the choice of who you are going to follow.  Having faith means choosing God over self. In other words, whose “want” is more important, yours or God’s?  If I suffered what Joseph did, I don’t know what I would do, nor do I want to find out.  My trials are enough for me; I don’t need someone else’s.  Walking with God isn’t an insurance policy; it’s a relationship.

Faith Self-Validates

Validation means checking or proving the accuracy of something.  Self-validation is proving it to yourself.  Only when you take steps of faith will you find the validity that comes from them.  As you put into practice Jesus’s teachings, you’ll have no problem believing His existence in your life.  But if you don’t try, you’ll never know.

Every journey is one step at a time.  Before Jesus could fulfill His destiny on the cross, He had to walk out His ministry on earth.   One day, God will call each of us home, but until then, we’re to walk by faith.  Whatever trials we face, we needn’t fear.  Faith is key to passing any test.

Dear Lord, how precious is Your name.  Your faithfulness to us is never wavering.  Forgive us for when we doubt.  Instead, help us remain faithful no matter what the trial.  Like Joseph, help us fulfill our destiny one day at a time.  With each step of faith we take, draw us closer to You.  Keep us moving forward, don’t let us get stuck in a moment.  Help us keep our focus on You, today and always.  In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen

Question for reflection

What is a step of faith you need to take today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 78 GW; Matthew 28 GW; Psalms 67 GW

Jesus is a friend for eternity.

For whatever reason, we believe lies easier than we trust Jesus.  When the devil whispers in our ear, “You’re all alone, no one loves you,” we believe that over what Jesus tells us: “You’re never alone, I’m always with you.”  Why do we fall for the lies? When you take a step of faith and join your life with Jesus, you’re never alone again.  His presence in your life is never-ending.  Even when you feel alone, you aren’t.  Stop believing the lies, instead accept Jesus’ truth.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Don not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9 NIV)

When we fill our minds with the truth found in scripture, we expel the lies.  What happens when we internalize God’s promises, we bring light into the darkness.  His word illuminates the lies we believe.  As we saturate our mind and soul with God’s presence, we begin to understand; He is with us always.

Wherever you are, God is.

God created the air you breathe.  Every time you inhale, your breathing in His goodness.  The next time you feel alone, stop and breathe.  Close your eyes, picture God, fill your lungs with the air He created. Let His presence fill the nooks and crannies of your soul. Then just as slowly exhale.  Imagine the lies departing with each particle that passes your lips.  Repeat until the feelings of loneliness disappear with the truth of God’s presence.

Overcoming the lies of the devil are only done with God’s truth.  Spiritual connection with Jesus means you’re never alone.  Trust God’s presence is with you, today and always.

God in heaven, thank You for Your presence on earth, in us.  Forgive us for believing the lies Satan tries to spin.  Instead, plant Your truth so profoundly within us, we have no room for falsities.  In our despair, pull us back into the light.  Don’t let us fall for the lies; let us accept Your truth.  Each breath we take, let it remind us of Your goodness.  Let us not doubt Your presence ever again.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How does knowing Jesus is always with you change your perspective?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus  6 GW; Matthew 27 GW

Trust in the Lord opens your eyes.

In today’s passage, God is showing not only Pharoah who He is but also Moses.  Our pal Moses doesn’t know what he’s in for in the days ahead.  Plague after plague does not sound fun to me. But after turning the river into blood, infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and death of firstborn, EVERYONE now saw God’s power. Not only did God make Pharoah see, Moses did as well.

When we connect with God’s desires for us, we experience His power as well.  Following Jesus makes you love more, not less.  Jesus doesn’t hate.  He allows people to make choices about their lives, including His role in it.  But Jesus doesn’t hate.  As you embrace His teachings, love will become how people identify you.  

God removes the scales.

When Saul became Paul, “something like scales fell from” his “eyes, and he could see again” (Acts 9:18 NIV).  Quick recap on Saul/Paul: Pharisee, persecuted and killed followers of the way who became the author of most of the New Testament.  His conversion is epic.  Saul was incapable of seeing the truth until He met Jesus.  Only then did he become our beloved Paul.

When we are living lies, we can’t see the harm we’re doing to ourselves and others.  But when we place faith in Jesus, we begin to see.

And the good news is, He never stops revealing.  As you draw closer to God, the more you see.  When you ask God to allow you to see others through His eyes, that’s when you see the real truth.  You’ll begin to see their pain and understand how tender their hearts are.  Each of us is operating out of the pain we carry.  None of us truly know how that affects others, but God does.  And when we begin looking through His lens, we begin to see it too.

Dear Heavenly Father, how we love You!  What a great day for living life to the fullest. Forgive us, Lord, for the days we don’t. Help us experience You today as You reveal truth to us.  Whoever we see today, let us see them through Your lens.  Take the scales from our eyes, keep the Son squarely in our focus.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What truth has God revealed to you lately?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 5 GW; Matthew 26 GW; Psalms 41 GW

Others first is a lifestyle worth living.

Helpless people are all around us.  A mother who struggles to open the store door while pushing a stroller and holding a toddler’s hand needs help.  A man whose boss is a tyrant, but needs the job, feels powerless.  My elderly neighbor was helpless when her battery died amid quarantine. I will never forget her helpless expression.  When we look around at the people in our lives, we’ll find we’re all vulnerable in some way or another.

One of the things I love about studying the life of Jesus, He takes the focus off of me.  In other words, He helps me get out of my mind.  Our thoughts are the most significant battle we all have.  We believe lies and don’t even realize it.  Jesus reveals the truth to us as we put into practice His teachings.  When we put others before ourselves, we find blessings we never imagined.

Blessing comes when we help others.

Hold open the door for the tired mother pushing a stroller; the look of appreciation on her face will bless you for days.  Tell the man who feels powerless in his job you’re praying for him, watch gratitude flood his eyes.  And when you jump your neighbor’s battery for her, the relief you can physically see will impact you.  Concerning yourself with helping others blesses you more than it does them.  

And when you’re helping others, you’re staying out of trouble yourself.  One of the good qualities of churches is the opportunity they give people to serve others.  Having a place where people who want to help can meet people who need help is priceless.  Finding a way to concern yourself with others in a safe environment will bless you beyond words.

Lord, thank You for You.  Each day we choose to follow You is an adventure.  Forgive us for the times we forget to turn to You.  Give us spiritual eyes today to see those who need help.  Let us understand; most people won’t ask for the aid they need.  Instead, let us see the needs around us and meet them if we can.  As we concern ourselves with others, we trust You concern yourself with us.  Let today rock!  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Who has a need you can meet today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 4 GW; Matthew 25 GW

Trustworthiness makes God smile.

In our world today, trustworthiness is not something valued. God searches for those He can trust.  The parable today’s scripture comes from begins with this verse:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and entrusted some money to them.” (Matthew 25:14 GW)

We are God’s servants.  If you profess to follow Jesus, you become His disciple.  When Jesus departed earth, He left us with a couple of tasks.  We’re to love God and people (Mark 12:30-31 GW), and we’re to spread the good news (Matthew 28:19-20 GW).  Wherever God places us, we are to do these things.

What God doesn’t want us doing is hide what we know.  God doesn’t want us to keep Jesus a secret.  Instead, we’re to share the good news of Jesus with people.  Loving our neighbor just as they are is sharing Jesus with others.  We communicate more about God when we become His hands and feet to those around us than when we use words.  As we do, just like the faithful servant doubled his money (Matthew 25:20 GW), we’ll help grow and multiply God’s kingdom beyond our wildest dreams.

Faithfulness leads to trust.

The servant who doubles his money was faithful.  While his master was away, he worked diligently to grow what he had.  As a result of his efforts, he made his boss even wealthier.  We’re in the same position as the servant; we have the opportunity to let our faithfulness grow God’s kingdom.

Two people in my life send me a daily scripture.  One comes via text, the other via messenger.  They have done this for years.  Each day, I look forward to the verses they choose.  Their faithfulness helps me remain faithful. I share in their happiness every morning. 

Trust builds over time, not overnight.  God sees your faithfulness; He finds it trustworthy. When He does, God shares His pleasure.

Lord, how grateful we are for Your faithfulness to us. Forgive us for the times we are not faithful. Help us reflect faithfulness and trust in You today.  Each person we encounter today, let us share Your love with them.  Let our actions speak louder than our words as we follow Your example.  At the end of this day, may You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share My happiness.”  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you serve God faithfully today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 23 GW; Matthew 24 GW

Focus on your job, receive your blessing.

God has a purpose for you.  Whether your job is managing kids, employees, or a business, no one else can do it but you.  Journeying with God means our assignments change throughout life, but whatever the task, it’s meant for you.  All God wants is for you to do what He created you to do.  Unfortunately, we get caught up worrying about what others desire instead of God’s desire for us.

One of my favorite games I use coaching is “Mission Possible.”  I give each student a task they must complete.  For instance, the player must make his opponent hit three forehands in a row.  An exciting dynamic develops every time we play this game.  Each player becomes more engrossed in figuring out what their opponent is trying to make them do than accomplishing their task.  Like the students, we stop doing our assignments when we focus more on what others are doing.

Stay focused on Jesus.

Christ will return one day when is not for us to know.   When He does, He wants to find us doing what He created us to do.  In other words, live your life like Jesus is coming back at any moment because He might.

When I was a store manager, my district manager did surprise visits.  Not only did I have to worry about pop-in inspections, but the company also hired secret shoppers.  Never have I known when a secret shop occurred.  Working under these conditions meant I had to act like every day was the day.  We greeted every customer and followed standard operating procedures.  Instead of worrying about what others were doing, we did our job.  We lived prepared.  

Live your life prepared.  Do whatever job God gives you.  Don’t worry about the assignments He gives others.  Just do yours.

Lord, we’re glad you give us purpose.  Forgive us when we consume ourselves with others jobs instead of our own.  Help us find and do the work You have for us, always ready for Your return.  In a moment, You will come back.  Don’t let us miss out on what You have for us because we’ve lost our focus.  In all things, let us honor and glorify You.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What task has God assigned you?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 50 GW; Exodus 1 GW; Matthew 23 GW

What you meant for evil, God meant for good.

Today’s verse resides in the life story of Joseph.  His brother’s sold him into slavery, which led to a difficult journey, one that led him to a place of power.  Because of Joseph’s obedience to God, he finds himself in a unique position.  The land is amid a famine; the same brothers who plotted evil against him now need his help.  Their father passed away; they are worried Joseph will get his vengeance on them.  Not Joseph, his devotion to God, outweighs all else.  Instead of revenge, he offers mercy to his brothers.

When you plan evil, the only one you are hurting is yourself.  God takes what you meant for harm and turns it into something useful.  The bottom line, don’t waste time plotting revenge.  Instead, take a page from Joseph’s book and forgive.  Look at the bigger picture, seek what God is doing during your pain.

God wins against evil.

Good versus evil is a constant battle in today’s world.  People will hurt you; they will plan evil against you.  One friend wisely said to me not too long ago, “Each of us is the villain in someone’s story.”  Joseph was the villain in his brother’s story.  They were envious of the favor their father gave him and of his God-given dreams.  Because of their jealousy, they plotted evil against their flesh and blood.

Just like God foiled the brother’s evil plans, He hinders ours.  Instead, God makes good come from the evil plans of others.  Joseph’s salvation came from His trust in God.  We have the same opportunity as Joseph.  Instead of focusing on the wrongs done by others, focus on the right done by God.  His goodness is what will always prevail.  Evil plans cause regret.  A life focused on Jesus germinates goodness.

Lord, how grateful we are You make evil plans falter.  Forgive us for when we’ve plotted evil.  Instead, renew our hearts with an extra measure of love for those who harm us.  Help us to emulate Joseph and forgive.  At all times, draw our eyes back to You.  In our moments of weakness, shift our gaze back to the Son.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you focus your eyes on Jesus today instead of your pain?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 48-49 GW; Matthew 22 GW

Not knowing the Scriptures causes you to underestimate God.

You can’t know God if you don’t read the Bible’s stories, written by people who followed Him.  The authors of the Bible were people inspired by God to write their tale.  Because God gave me a passion for writing; reading, and studying the scripture stirs the desire to write. Applying the teachings of Jesus from the New Testament helps me know His power.  Not in the, I can do anything I want sense.  But in the God can do anything He desires way.

Struggles in life happen because God doesn’t do what we want, although we know He could.  Why doesn’t He do life, according to Beth?  Because Beth doesn’t know everything.  The older I get, and the longer I chase Jesus, the less I know.  I don’t have answers for why suffering and heartache abound, but I trust God does.  And He doesn’t have to ask me for advice on how to run the world.

God has infinite power.

The Creator of the world can do whatever He wants.  What He wants is to have a relationship with you.  Whatever your life story is, somehow God led you to reading this devotional.  And the one thing He wants you to know, He loves you.  God can’t wait to hear from you today.  His infinite power is at your disposal.  What God can do for you that no one else can, give you peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7 GW).

But until you turn to Him, you won’t have access to His power. Start today.  John’s gospel is a perfect place to begin reading about God’s love for you.  Get to know God through the inspired writings of those who gave their lives for Him.   

Lord, how grateful we are for those who have gone before us.  Forgive us for not turning to their stories in the pages of the Bible.  Give us a desire to know You more.  When we pick up our Bibles today, give us insights we’ve never had.  Let Your powerful word’s freshness renew our tired souls.  Written thousands of years ago, Your truth stands the test of time.  You are all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving.  Let us rest in the knowledge, You are the one in control.  IJNIP. Amen.

Question for reflection

Have you tapped into God’s infinite power by reading His Word?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 47 GW; Matthew 21 GW

Trust God will answer your prayers.

Today’s verse isn’t about manipulating God to do your will.  Instead, Jesus is telling us God does hear our prayers, He will answer.  The longer you walk with Christ, the more you know, God’s answers typically aren’t what you expect.  God gives three general replies: yes, no, and not yet.  Don’t assume you know the answer, wait, and see.  Placing your faith in God means trusting God’s transforming work in you.  As we lift our prayers to Him, God transforms us with His answers.

God is anxiously waiting for you to lift your requests to Him. When we boost our wants and desires to God, He directs our paths.   He can’t wait to work in your life.  When you pray, don’t doubt.  Instead, wait and watch.  As you do, God will build your faith with what He does.

Faith transforms us.

Butterflies are an example of God’s transformation.  When they nestle into their self-spun silky cocoons, they trust the process.  Radical change occurs inside before they emerge as a vibrant butterfly bringing beauty into the world.  But the conversion takes 2-3 weeks to appear.  All good things come in their own time.

Prayer is like spinning a silken cocoon for your requests.  God gently hears the appeal, then begins the transformation for whatever His intention is.  He’ll take your offerings and create something beautiful from them.  His timing may take weeks, even years.  God is never late in His reply.  Just like the caterpillar transforms effortlessly into a winged creature, the less we doubt, the easier the transformation.

Trust God hears every prayer you send.  Allow Him to transform you.  While you wait and watch, rest in the knowledge, God is working for you.

Lord, how grateful we are You listen to every word we say.  Forgive us for doubting, instead strengthen our faith.  Transform us into beautiful butterflies as we trust You more.  As we shed our cocoons and fly into the world, let a trail of love follow us.  Only with You can we find and fulfill our purpose.  Each of us has a role to play in the ever-changing world.  Through prayer, let us find our way. We are trusting Your transformation for our hearts.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How has God transformed you through prayer?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 45-46 GW; Matthew 20 GW

Wrong perspectives about money creates resentment.

Today’s verse comes from a parable Jesus told about money.  In the morning, a landowner hires workers for his vineyard.  As the day goes on, he added more people to the payroll.  With only an hour left, the boss hires a few more men.  When the time arrives to pay the men their wages, the landowner started with the last hired, ending with those who worked all day.  Each man received the same amount, whether they worked eight hours or one.  Grumbling erupted among those who worked longer.

Without a doubt, I would have grumbled too.  But this story isn’t about justice; it’s about generosity.  The landowner was generous to those in need.  He offered them work, then paid them a day’s wages, no matter how long they were in the vineyard. During that time, the law required payment at the end of the day.  The reason they received payment daily so that they could purchase food.  When the landowner paid them all the same wages, his generosity allowed them to eat.  An hour’s worth of salary wouldn’t provide a meal.

Gain the right perspective.

Money is nothing more than a means to an end.  All of us require paychecks to buy food and necessities.  When God allows us to work, He’s providing for us.  If you’re in a position to pay someone for their time and efforts, you are helping to feed them and their families.  The landowner in this story is generous to those in need.  Instead of offering charity, he’s allowing them to earn their keep.  By so doing, he not only feeds them, but he gives them a sense of purpose and worthiness. 

Others may receive more than you, but don’t let it plant a seed of resentment in your heart.  Instead, thank God for His provision.  Gratitude for what you have eliminates resentment towards others.

Lord, how thankful we are for Your provision.  Forgive us, Lord, for thinking we know better than You about what a person deserves.  Only You know the intimacy of their lives and what they truly need.  Help us instead, choose gratitude for what we do have.  From the blessings You have given us, allow us to bless others.  Don’t let money cause resentment within us.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Has resentment of money caused distance in your relationship with God?