Honest Reflections

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20

Daily Verse: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Prov. 12:19

Truth doesn’t die.

“Love your enemy as yourself. There’s only one guy that ever preached that, and that’s Jesus. And there’s only one guy saying that today and that’s still Jesus.” Kesley Grammar, A Jesus Revolution Exclusive

God’s word stands the test of time because of its truths. As Kelsey Grammar pointed out in his interview about “Jesus Revolution,” the true story of revival in the late ’60s and ’70s, Jesus doesn’t change. What Christ said 2000 years ago remains true, and He’s the only one still saying it.

In a world full of false narratives, find truth in scripture. Applying the teachings of Jesus helps quickly identify the lies of the world. Standing on a firm foundation means knowing which rock to attach yourself. God doesn’t change; in Him, you can stand firm.

Following Jesus leads you on the path of truth. Christ faced political unrest, zealous religious leaders, and an unstable world like ours. Jesus’ counter-cultural teachings teach us how to respond to the chaos and find His peace, surpassing all understanding.

Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve succumbed to lies. Please help us stay centered on Jesus today, applying His teachings and truths to our lives. In all things, let us honor and serve You well. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, Proverbs 12:18

Daily Verse: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12:18

Hasty words harm.

Speaking quickly causes me issues. With each year that passes, I learn to hold my tongue more and more. James gives us explicit directions on how we should respond to people.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Applying James’ wisdom to our responses will help us develop healthy, life-giving relationships. Listen quickly instead of speaking. Don’t let anger control you, but rather, control your emotions.

In today’s world, people respond quickly on social media, allowing their emotions to guide them. Whether spoken or written, start implementing time-outs in your response. Count to ten, walk away from the situation, and find a way to stop making quick replies.

Being quick to listen and slow to speak will help you become more like Jesus, building relationships instead of destroying them.

Lord, forgive us for responding in haste and allowing our emotions to control us. As we move through our day, help us become quick to listen and slow to speak. Give us the self-control necessary to respond like Jesus. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, Proverbs 12:15-17

Daily Verse: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Prov. 12:15

Wisdom takes advice.

“Call the doctor on call,” my friend said. Struggling to decide what to do when my leg unexpectedly swelled four times its size, I called Lori. Friends since childhood, I trusted her advice.

Lori’s wise words saved my life. Her advice led me to the lifesaving procedure that identified and removed the blood clot from my leg. In my panic, I struggled to think clearly, but she didn’t.

God never meant for us to do life alone. In chapter two of Genesis, the Lord tells Adam, “It’s not good for man to be alone,” giving him Eve as a helpmate. Seeking advice from others helps us makes better decisions. 

Lean into the wise people in your life. Seek their advice and listen to what they say. Build a network of Christ’s followers to rely on when the storm winds blow. Become wiser because you listen to the advice of others.

Wisdom listens to others; fools rely only on themselves.

Lord, forgive us for not seeking advice from others. Give us discernment to know whose input we should follow. Don’t let us become fools, relying on our limited perspectives. Surround us with people of wisdom we can depend upon in times of need. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 12:12-14

Lies create chaos.

Gratefully, I learned young lies only cause trouble. Telling the truth challenges the best of us, but in the long run, it pays off. You don’t have to remember what you said when you tell the truth. But when false tales come from your mouth, you must remember what you said and to whom.

“The truth is always quiet; it’s the lies that are loud.” Chuck Smith, Jesus Revolution

False narratives prevail in our society today. Social media enables lies to spread quickly without fact-checking. Often, people read the headlines without reading the story, believing a few words as truth. A bold type doesn’t equal honesty.

Over time, truth reveals itself. A cheating spouse eventually gets caught. A child with jam on their face will insist they didn’t eat the jelly.   And false narratives always get exposed in due time.

Speak the truth and escape trouble. Don’t let false tales lead you into dark places. Freedom comes with honest answers.

Lord, forgive us for lying and not using our words well. Please help us speak the truth in love, using language to uplift and encourage all we meet. Don’t let us fall into the traps wicked words bring. Instead, let us live fully in Jesus as we pursue truth through Him. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30, Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 12:11

Daily Verse: “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Prov. 12:11

Diligent work pays.

Satisfaction comes from a hard day’s work. Not only does gainful employment ensure food on the table, but it gives us a sense of accomplishment, building self-esteem and confidence. Our forefathers worked diligently to build a country that thrives on individuals’ ability to support themselves.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Col. 3:23

God provides all our needs, no matter who signs our earthly paycheck. Ultimately, the Lord’s our boss, He sees all we do and the effort we put into it. When we slack in our duties, we disappoint God.

Each day I thank God for the ability to work, physically and mentally. Not using the gifts God gives us for His glory detracts from our purpose. Becoming more like Christ means using our talents wisely, working diligently, and reaping the rewards of our efforts.

God blesses the work of our hands, providing our needs. Lack of effort leads to worthless pursuits and empty plates.

Lord, forgive our laziness. Motivate us to work hard for You in all things. May our efforts please You and fill our tables with Your blessings. In all things, let us honor and glorify You to the world, representing Christ well. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 12:10

Daily Verse: “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” Prov. 12:10

God loves animals.

As a dog mom of two rescues, I love pets. The comfort I gain from snuggling with my pups far outweighs their imperfections. But both dogs started life out with people who didn’t treat them well.

Little Sophia, only 7 pounds, spent the first two years of her life neglected in a cage. Neighbors finally called animal control, who rescued her emancipated body, weighing half of her normal weight. To this day, she shrinks in fright from strangers, even though we’ve adored her for ten years.

Rocco ended up abandoned on the street to fend for himself. When we rescued him, he needed much love and care to bring him back to health.

How people treat animals shows their heart. God created the beasts of the earth and gave us dominion over them. Treating them poorly doesn’t mirror God’s love for His creation.

Animals sense a soft heart and respond accordingly. Mistreating the beasts of the earth doesn’t reflect God’s mercy. But loving them well does.

Lord, thank You for our pets and the love they share with us. Help us care for Your creation well, honoring You with our words and actions. In all things, let us glorify You with our acts of love. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20, Luke 9:7-27, Psalm 72:1-20, Proverbs 12:8-9

Daily Verse: “Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.” Prov. 12:9

Pretense deceives.

Many people spend their time putting on a vain show to impress others. Living beyond your means impacts lifestyle. Stress and anxiety accompany pretense; trying to make people think of you in a certain way doesn’t hurt anyone but you.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10

Living for Christ means caring about what God thinks more than man. Freedom comes when we live for Jesus. God doesn’t look at material possessions; He examines our hearts. Walking in tune with Jesus means others will benefit from our actions.

When loving God and others well become our mission, possessions have no hold on us. Competing with the Joneses means nothing, but caring for others does.

Strive to love others well; nothing matters more than sharing Christ with those God places in our life.

Lord, forgive us for getting caught up in the material possessions of this world.  As we move through our day, help us keep Christ at the center of our thoughts and actions.  Let us become better lovers of people as we practice Jesus’ teachings. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23, Luke 8:40-9:6, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 12:5-7

Daily Verse: “The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” Prov. 12:5

Thoughts need controlling.

“I’ll think about it tomorrow,” Scarlett O’Hara says at the end of “Gone with the Wind,” the 1939 movie considered the most successful film ever according to Guinness World Records. Rhett Butler, the love of her life, left her destitute with her thoughts, and Scarlett decides not to focus on the bleakness of the situation.

We have the same opportunity as Scarlett. As Christ-followers, we choose where we center our minds. Memorizing scripture helps us control our thoughts and stay focused on God.

Instead of ruminating and repeatedly thinking about a situation out of our control, we can meditate on God’s promises.

“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 MSG

Paul’s words to the Philippians have helped me often control my thoughts and apply to a myriad of situations. Find scripture to meditate on when dealing with life’s issues. Control your thoughts with the help of God’s word.

Lord, forgive us when we let our thoughts get out of control.  Please help us stay focused on You.  Bring scripture to mind that applies to our lives and allows us to control what we think.  Let us become more like Christ as we take our thoughts captive and focus on You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32, Luke 8:22-39, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 12:4

Daily Verse: “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.” Prov. 12:4

Partnerships bring life.

God designed marriage; scripture gives us guidelines for a healthy and fulfilling partnership with our mate. Living together harmoniously takes work and intention, but the rewards far outweigh the effort.

Since I spent most of my life single, applying Biblical principles to all my relationships helped prepare me for marriage. Having and maintaining healthy relationships matured me. But I learned quickly marriage relationships differ from any other.

“If I do everything you want, this becomes the Beth show. That show ended; it’s now the Ron and Beth show.”  Ron’s words changed me. Journaling in bed, I complained when Ron “jostled” the bed while climbing into sleep. Year one of marriage teaches a lot of lessons.

Becoming a wife who helps her husband excel continues to grow and mature me. Centering our lives around Jesus, becoming active members in our church, building a network of believers who support us, and studying and applying Biblical principles to our lives, help our marriage thrive.

Become an excellent crown to your spouse by following Jesus; nothing will make you a better partner to the one you love.

Lord, forgive us for putting our needs before our spouses.  Please help us become partners who give life to our mates.  Grow and mature us through marriage to become more like Jesus.  Let the ones who know us best respect us most.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22, Luke 8:4-21, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 12:2-3

Daily Verse: “A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.” Prov. 12:2

Virtue obtains favor.

God looks favorably upon virtuous acts. Knowing our hearts, the Lord understands the motives for our actions. Intent matters more than results.

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10

Allowing God to cleanse our hearts helps us have pure motives. A friend published his latest book, hitting number one on Amazon for pre-order in his category.   Immediately I felt jealous of his success. 

But then, a nudge from the Holy Spirit helped me identify the negative emotion. As an author, I know the work involved with completing a project. Instead of envy, I rejoiced because God blessed my friend’s efforts, supporting him and his work.

God favors the virtuous heart; He knows our intent. Evil intentions receive the Lord’s condemnation. But pure hearts enjoy God’s blessings.

Lord, forgive us for evil intentions. Please cleanse our hearts and make them pure. Let everything we do honor and glorify You as we strive for virtue. Please help us do better today than yesterday. IJNIP. Amen