Honest Reflections

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 11:2-35, 1 John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, Proverbs 29:1

Daily Verse: “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” Prov. 29:1

Stubbornness.

A stiff neck portrays an obstinate person who refuses to bend. No matter what the subject, once they settle on an answer, it doesn’t change. Trying to change a stubborn person’s mind takes divine intervention.

Because stubborn people don’t see the error of their ways, they meet unexpected destruction without healing. But the person who submits to God, following His ways, avoids trouble.

Praying for stubborn people invites God into the equation. Only the Lord can soften hearts.   We can love them unconditionally and not take offense when they disagree with us, which will develop a safe place for them to explore a different viewpoint. But often, pride lies behind the stiff neck.

Stubborn people often have physically stiff necks. Our thoughts do affect our bodies. Obstinate people carry tension, which creates stiffness.

Become flexible, submit to God, and let Him lead the way.

Lord, forgive our stubbornness. Please help us become pliable and open to rebuke, knowing it will make us more like Jesus. Let us share Your love with the world as we submit to You and receive Your guidance. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 9:1-11:1, 1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28

Daily Verse: “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” Prov. 28:27

Generosity’s rewards.

“You can’t out-give God, “I always say. As much as I try, I never succeed. Making giving a priority brings unexpected blessings. Knowing I will help make someone else’s life better motivates me to give more.

My business partner works with people experiencing homelessness. Every Monday, you can find her at the local church organizing and giving food and necessities to those in need. Donating to the organization she volunteers for makes me happy. Knowing what I give goes directly to those in need compels me to donate often. I take something to work with me to give about once a week.

And I try not just to send used items. Now and then, I buy things my partner tells me they need and donate them. Reading glasses remains their favorite item so far.

Giving to those in need doesn’t always mean money. Clothing, blankets, and other necessities help. We live in a country of abundance, share the wealth, and better the lives of those in need.

Lord, thank You for our abundant blessings. Please give us generous hearts that share freely the gifts we receive from You.  Let our blessings flow into us from above and out to others. We love You, Lord; we give our lives to You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 8:1-27, 1 John 2:1-17, Psalm 120:1-7, Proverbs 28:25-26

Daily Verse: “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Prov. 28:26

Self-sufficiency.

Security doesn’t come from a life of self-sufficiency; it comes from wisdom. Trusting in your limited perspective looks much different than following the wisdom of the Bible and wise counsel.

After spending 41 years single, I cherish having someone to help me make better decisions. Ron’s input into my life allows me to avoid pitfalls, and I do the same for him. Marriage creates an intimacy that gives a unique perspective because we know each other so well and continue to learn more daily. 

Applying Biblical wisdom to our lives by following God’s commands requires dependence on Him. We must submit our will to Jesus to reap the rewards. My self-will doesn’t want to forgive, pray for my enemies, or put others before myself, but God commands it. Each day, I must choose dependence on the Lord or myself. I’ve learned life goes much better when I choose the Creator.

Seek wisdom through the scriptures. Develop relationships with wise people who will help you make better decisions. Find deliverance by walking in wisdom.

Lord, forgive us for leaning on our understanding. Please help us submit to You, follow Your commandments, and live a life of wisdom. Let us become more like Jesus with each day that passes. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 7:1-28, 1 John 1:1-10. Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 28:23-24

Daily Verse: “Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.” Prov. 28:23

Constructive help.

Giving a loving rebuke wins in the end. People may enjoy false flattery at the moment, but when they suffer the consequences, they will wish you told them the truth.

Long ago, I had a friend who always agreed with me. Bolstered by her support, I would move forward with whatever, only to get bit in the butt with the consequences. When I would talk to my friend afterward, she always said, “I thought it was a bad idea at the time but didn’t want to say anything.”

What!?! Say something; help me avoid the pitfall. I finally learned my lesson and stopped going to her for advice. People who lovingly point out my flaws and help guide me in the right direction make better friends.

Giving constructive help to others can challenge you. Having the ability to provide feedback and not offend the receiver takes work. But you can share truth in love, helping people make more educated decisions and better results.

Rebuke with love, and people will appreciate your words.

Lord, forgive us for taking the easy way out and saying words people want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  Please help us improve at rebuking with love and helping people make the best decisions.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22

Daily Verse: “To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread, a man will do wrong.” Prov. 28:21

Partiality and Bribery.

Showing partiality in judgment destroys justice. Making unbiased conclusions means putting personal feelings aside and striving for objectivity. 

As a coach, I sometimes struggle with favoritism. Some students automatically make coaching easy; their love for the game, enthusiasm for learning, and rapt attention win favor. Meanwhile, kids who struggle to learn don’t have good listening skills and love arguing, which makes the job more difficult. Coaching well means not showing favoritism, treating all students equally, and giving my best to each of them. 

And bribing a man with a piece of bread sometimes works. Especially a hungry person. Like Esau, who quickly gave up his birthright to Jacob for some bread and soup. Read Genesis 25:29-34 for the whole story.

Objectivity takes work, as does resisting small bribes; staying on the straight and narrow means always keeping the Son in your eyes: no Son, no light, and no direction. With the Son, He will light your path and guide your steps.

Lord, forgive us when we take our eyes off Jesus. Please help us stay focused on You, following Your will. Please give us the discernment to remain objective and the strength to resist temptation. In all things, let us honor and glorify You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 5:1-31, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20

Daily Verse: “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” Prov. 28:19

Results of diligence.

Daily discipline defines diligence, which leads to prosperity. Developing a routine that works repeating it consistently, will give you plenty of bread. Laziness leads to plenty of poverty.

“You need a process,” Ron said when I started writing. I needed to develop a routine I could easily repeat to write daily devotionals. Every year, I tweak the process, changing it slightly, and then for the next 365 days, I do it repeatedly. Diligence over the past five years helped me complete several books and begin an online and in-person presence that continues to grow. Praise God!

Since I began my writing career, people tell me all the time they want to write as well, that they have a story to share. But they haven’t written anything yet. People like to talk about writing, but they don’t do it. To become a writer, one must write.

No matter the job, you must do it to receive the reward; not working means not eating. We must teach people to fish, not do the fishing for them.

Lord, forgive us for our laziness. Please help us apply ourselves to the work You give us. Let us become diligent in completing our divine tasks day after day. Allow us to reap the reward for the work we do. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 4:1-37, 2 Peter 1:1-21, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 28:17-18

Daily Verse: “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.” Prov. 28:18

Kept Safe.

“Just tell the truth up front,” Ron says often. Nothing frustrates him more than people lying because, eventually, the truth comes out. So, in my husband’s mind, tell the truth in the first place, saving time and money. I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, others don’t have the same philosophy.

Walking in integrity brings security, but the wicked fall. Honesty requires effort. Sometimes, lying seems like the better course of action, but it leads to calamity. Telling someone something that will hurt them challenges anyone.

Watching a reality show about a group of friends, the scene revolved around informing one of the guys about his cheating girlfriend. Telling him the truth challenged his friends. But in the long run, their integrity saved their friend from more heartache and pain, opening his eyes to the deception.

Honesty saves heartache in the long run and keeps one safe from the chaos lies bring. When God reveals the truth, the wicked fall like dominos. Stay on the path of righteousness and live in God’s protection.

Lord, forgive us for not always telling the truth. Please help us stay on the path of righteousness, living in Your shadow. Let us become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, following His promptings and living in Your will. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 2:24-3:30, 1 Peter 4:7-5:14, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 28:15-16

Daily Verse: “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.” Prov. 28:15`

Bad Leaders.

Solomon compares wicked rulers to roaring lions or charging bears hunting for their prey. Dangerous and destructive, political tyrants think only of themselves, causing people experiencing poverty to crumple under their leadership.

Thankfully, our forefathers designed a government that has checks and balances. Like the triune God, three system branches work together to run our country. Sometimes, one party has a majority, and sometimes the other does, but even so, accountability helps prevent tyranny.

On the other hand, Hitler destroyed the democratic institutions in Germany and tried to conquer Europe while eliminating people he deemed not worthy of life. Ruling until his death, Hitler committed suicide in April of 1945. Hitler killed 11 million people during his reign, a roaring lion hunting his prey. 

Pray for our leaders that God rules their hearts and minds. Let our country turn back to the Lord, living for Him, one nation under God.

Lord, bless our nation. Please turn our hearts and souls back to You, submitting to Your commands and living for an audience of One. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 28:14

Daily Verse: “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Prov. 28:14

Fear of the Lord.

Reverential fear of the Lord means respecting His sovereignty in our lives.  Raised in a Protestant home, my parents instilled the fear of God in us.  I worried more about the Creator’s anger than I did my parents; by doing so, I avoided trouble.

However, when I hardened my heart to God and His commands in my late teens and early twenties, I found myself in trouble.  Partying too much, getting involved in the wrong relationships, and having no respect for life itself, my early years exemplified chaos and calamity.

But then I found my way back to the Great Comforter, who took me in His arms and soothed my aching heart.  Following Jesus healed my self-inflicted wounds and gave me a new life filled with hope.  Day after day, I became whole again.

Give God top priority in your life, worshipping Him with reverential fear and submitting to His sovereignty.  Live to please an audience of One, and the rest of life will fall into place.

Soft hearts become like Christ; hardened ones find nothing but trouble.

Lord, forgive us for hardening our hearts towards You.  Please help our hearts remain soft and malleable as we live in reverential fear of You.  Guide and direct us to the places You want us to go; let us learn what You have for us and become more like Christ daily.

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-48:35, 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 28:12-13

Daily Verse: “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Prov. 28:13

Effectual repentance.

Finding God’s mercy requires owning up to your sins. Concealing sin causes angst and turmoil, trying to hide them more trouble than confessing. Admitting wrongdoings and receiving God’s forgiveness brings an indescribable freedom you can’t find any other way.

Even though earthly consequences still exist for your actions, God’s mercy makes them easier to accept. And often, when you confess your sins, it lessens the punishment.

When I unintentionally hurt a friend at lunch with my words, I apologized. Not only did my confession restore the relationship, but it also lifted the guilt off my heart.

Sin comes with our human nature. As long as we walk the earth, we will fall short of perfection. But asking for mercy and confessing our sins will bring us back into right relationship with God, lift our hearts, and let His light shine to the world around us.

Don’t fret; confess and find freedom from the sins that plague you.

Lord, forgive us for not confessing our sins. Please help us become comfortable admitting our faults and receiving Your mercy. Keep us on the straight and narrow as we follow Jesus closely. IJNIP. Amen