Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 2:11-3:22 ESV, Matthew 17:10-27 ESV, Psalm 22:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 5:7-14 ESV

Daily Verse: “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20 ESV)

ADUNATEO (101): “Signifies to be impossible, unable, and in the NT it is used only of things.  Nothing to a believer is impossible.”[i]

Faith creates possibility.

The disciples, faced with an impossible situation, fail.  Trying to heal a demon-possessed boy, their efforts come to no avail.  The desperate father took his son to Jesus and asked the Lord to make the impossible possible. Without hesitation, Jesus rebuked the demon, healing the boy.  The dad’s faith in his Master brought healing to his son.  Watching Jesus work, the disciples didn’t understand why they couldn’t complete the task.

Lack of faith stops us from accomplishing our divine tasks.  Whether we doubt God’s sovereignty, His presence, or His power, our unbelief prevents us from making the impossible possible.  Only when we believe in Jesus can miracles happen.

Open your mind.

Closed minds won’t see miracles.  Standing before the Red Sea, Moses believed God would create a way.  Because of his faith, Moses experienced walking through parted water.  Strolling through the sea, walls of water on each side, fish swimming along beside you, I can only imagine the magnificence of such a moment. God created a way where none existed.

Miracles need impossible circumstances to become possible.  Facing the demon-possessed boy, the disciples found it impossible to help him.  But with God, all things become possible.  We can meet the mountains before us, knowing God possesses the power to move them.  Whether we climb the hill, go around it, through it, or move it, God will show us how to overcome. 

Without faith, the impossible remains impossible.  With faith, all things become possible.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 6) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10 ESV, Matthew 16:13-17:9 ESV, Psalm 21:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 5:1-6 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23 ESV)

SATANAS (4567): “A Greek word from derived from the Heb. ‘an adversary.’  Not simply the personification of evil influences in the heart, for he tempted Christ, in whose heart no evil thought could ever have arisen.”[i]

Adversaries exist.

Without a doubt, you have an enemy trying to keep you from fulfilling your God-given mission.  Satan prowls around, looking for ways to derail all of us.  His name means “adversary.” The devil uses any tool possible to derail us, and he knows, our thoughts determine our actions.

Whispering lies in our ears causes us to take our minds off God.  Peter, unable to understand Jesus’ words about His crucifixion, tries to dissuade Christ from His mission.  But Jesus knew Peter’s thoughts; He knew his disciple needed correction. Satan caused Peter to doubt, Jesus puts the devil in his place.

Take authority.

Jesus spoke with authority over Peter’s doubting thoughts.  He identified the adversary and put the devil in his place without hesitation.  Satan always loses; no matter what, his efforts fail.  Victory came at Calvary when Jesus died on the Cross.  Nothing the devil does changes what Jesus did.

Next time wayward thoughts try to take root in your mind, kick them out.  Like Jesus, tell Satan to get behind you.  On a mission for the Big Guy, you don’t have time for the devil’s antics.  Instead, fill your mind with God’s word, so when Satan tries to get you off track, you identify his ploys immediately.

To combat the negative thoughts in my head, I read God’s word daily.  Each morning, I use Biblically-based affirmations to remind me whose child I am, God’s.  When the devil tries to tell me I’m unworthy, I remember, I’m the apple of God’s eye, God protects me in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8 ESV).  Nothing I can do, ever did or will do, can separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39 ESV).

Don’t let the adversary get a foothold today.  When the devil tries to get your mind off of Jesus, use the Savior’s words:

“Get behind me, Satan!” 

Keep your mind on Christ.  Capture your thoughts.  Put the adversary in his place.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 225) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 48:1-49:33 ESV, Matthew 15:29-16:12 ESV, Psalm 20:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 4:20-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (Matthew 15:32 ESV)

SPLAGCHNIZOMAI (4697): “To be moved as to one’s inwards (splanchna), to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion, and is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitudes and towards individual sufferers.[i]

Jesus cares.

People’s fear of judgment keeps them from approaching God.  Thinking they must become “better” before they enter a relationship with Jesus, they avoid Him.  But that’s not Jesus.  Because of His love for us, God created a way for us to relate to Him.  Through Jesus, we connect to God, spotless and whole.  No matter our past sins, God forgives the moment we confess them to Him.  New life begins when we accept, Jesus cares for us.

When I’ve listened to someone who captures my attention, time evaporates.  An hour passes in what seems like seconds.  The crowd following Jesus for three days had nothing to eat.  So enraptured in Jesus’s teaching, they didn’t think about food.  But Jesus did.  He knew the crowd needed food to sustain them for their journey home.

Let Jesus feed you.

Don’t miss out on Jesus’ teaching because you’re afraid to enter His presence.  Remember, God loves you unconditionally.  When the choice came to love, God chose you.  Nowhere in scripture does God expect perfection from you. Our heavenly Father desires a relationship with us based on honesty and love.  Opening our hearts to our Maker, confessing our sins, invites God into our lives.

Jesus leads with compassion.  His mission on earth, one of rescue.  Understanding our sinful natures leads to lives of misery; Jesus gives us a way out.  Instead of holding onto past mistakes, we have an opportunity to let them go and start again.

Feed on the words of Jesus.  Follow the example He set for us.  When facing an impossible situation, think of God’s Son.  Jesus doesn’t want anyone to go away hungry.  With divine intervention, God will fill you up.  Your Spirit will soar, ready for the next leg of the journey.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 232) Thomas Nelson

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.

---

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

---

[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.

---

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

---

[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.

---

[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.

---

[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. 

---

[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.

---

[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.

---

[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.

---

[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