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1 Corinthians 4:12 NASB "And we labor, working with our own hands; when we are verbally abused, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;"
Oh, there are those days... Today's verse reminds us to do our labor and not let the abuse or being persecuted cause us to stumble! We were yelled at, things thrown at us, and threats made against us when we tried to put the fire out. Those doing the yelling, and the threatening were the ones who started the fire to get back at someone who they hated. Our job, while difficult as it was, was to put the fire out and save lives in the process. Sometimes it's not easy to stand up for what we were called to do or hired to do. We must push past the verbal assaults, past the persecution and bless and endure it, like today's verse states. We found strength in each other to finish what we were called to do and put the fire out. Let's not give up before the job is done but endure till the end in the strength of the Lord and each other. Endure the pain, bless those who hurt us and see the Victory in Jesus that awaits us! peace, tom!
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Jeremiah 17:7 NASB "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose trust is the Lord."It's a little word but means so much! Today's verse speaks of trust and trusting in the Lord and trust is the Lord! It may seem that the verse is repeating itself but if we read it again, we will catch that one is trusting in the Lord and the other is "trust IS the Lord, big difference. While working on the aerial ladder of the fire truck, I had to put my trust in the man operating the controls at the base of the ladder. He could have put me right in harms way, or keep me safe from the fire below. I chose to trust in him and trust him to keep me safe. The same goes for our relationship with Jesus. We can either not trust Him or His Ways, or put our complete trust in Him for our trust IS the Lord.. Putting our trust in the Lord means we understand that our trust is the Lord. Seems almost a little crazy but when our trust is Jesus, we can rest in the knowledge that He has our back, no matter what! peace, tom
Romans 5:3 NASB "And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance"
I never would have believed it, if I didn't experience it for myself! Today's Word speaks of celebrating our tribulations, our struggles, our sufferings for they bring about perseverance! The job was not going well, at every turn we ran into another struggle, another problem, another set back. Honestly, there were times when we wanted to give up, to quit, to end it all, but we stayed the course. Fighting against the problem, we kept working through each and every one until the job was completed. Walking away and looking back, the crew had commented the feeling we had of accomplishment. It made us stronger as a crew. Whether it's a marriage that's struggling, a personal struggle of pain, a disagreement among friends, staying the course, with God's Help, will see the victory. Let's remember the Words of our Savior "“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.”! peace, Tom Psalm 25:4 NASB "Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths."
It was way before this thing called GPS! Today's verse is more like a prayer than anything else! While traveling on vacation, we had lost our way. The paper map (remember those!) didn't show the road we needed to find in order to get to our destination. I pulled over at a near by gas station and asked the attendant, which way to go. He gave us specific directions and we were on our way again! In life, it's ok to ask for directions when we lose our way. We need help sometimes in finding the right path to go and there's no better place than to the Lord. He will guide us by the Holy Spirit, to keep us on track, to help us avoid the potholes of life, but that's if we ask! Let's not be so proud and wind up on the wrong path, but find strength in asking for help! peace, Tom Proverbs 11:14 NASB "Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory."
There's no shame in asking for help! Today's Word speaks to us about getting some help in guiding us in life. When we put an addition on to our house, we didn't know all the answers to the many questions of this code and that for the town in which we lived. I spent a day with the inspectors at the building department to find out just what we could do and what we couldn't. Some people have a hard time asking for help and try to do things on their own, only to fail when it comes to the inspection. It's like trying to do this thing called life without seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This ultimately leads to making mistakes and even worse, cause us to sin. It's better to be brave enough to ask for help rather than learn the lessons the hard way. One way leads to victory, the other to failure, the choice is ours! peace, tom Job 8:7 ESV "And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great."
It may be the end but it could be the beginning! Today's verse speaks to us that our beginning was small but our ending will be very great! When the end of the month comes, I look back to see what I did, what I didn't do and how can I accomplish more next month. All things have a beginning and an end, what lies between them is what we do with our time and energy. There are some jobs that still need to be done, others I have finished and did my best, but with a new month comes the challenge to be better. Better at reading His Word, spending time in prayer, keeping my eyes open for opportunities to share Christ. Just because something ends, doesn't necessarily mean it's over. As we end the month and look forward to a new beginning, let's ponder on how we can be better for the cause of Christ! peace, tom Mark 10:14 NASB "But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Their pictures came up in my time line! Today's verse speaks to us about bringing children to Christ! I sat for a moment as I looked through the pictures of my children and grandchildren. I thought to myself, have I done everything to bring them to know Jesus. All of them have grown up so fast, and I realize that time is fleeting. I said to myself, I can do a better job at sharing Jesus with them. There are children all over the world who will never hear the name of Jesus spoken in their life, maybe it's time we start talking Jesus! In the morning, pray over them, during the day pray for them, and at the end of the day, pray with them and thank God for them. All it takes is courage! The question for today is... do we have the courage to bring our children to Jesus?! peace, tom John 7:24 NASB "Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
We never really know! Today's verse is about judging and how we judge others. As we sat at our Men's Morning group, a guy walked in who clearly needed some help. He was stumbling and almost fell down as he headed to the counter to order some food. One of the guys commented that he looked like he had a rough night of drinking and was still drunk. Another guy went to offer some help. When he brought the guy back to our group, we found out he wasn't drunk, but actually was having a medical emergency. He was a diabetic and his levels were all over the place. After calling for help, and getting him on his way to the hospital, the guy who made the earlier comment apologized to the group. He had made a quick judgement that was entirely wrong. Let's be careful how we judge others, for we never really know what they are going through! peace, tom Romans 1:12 ESV "That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."
We just sat and talked! Today's Word speaks to us about encouraging each other by our faith, both yours and mine! There wasn't any great project, or conference we attended. It was over a simple cup of coffee where we shared how God had blessed us. We has lost track of each other for a while and when we got back together, we shared the blessings that God had given each of us. The more we shared, the more our faith grew. We realized without Christ in our lives, we probably wouldn't be where we are in life. Sometimes we need to hear how God has blessed others and share how God has blessed us through the trials and struggles but in doing so, our faith can encourage each other. Don't let satan rob us of our faith being built up, let us stand upon the promises of God and encourage each other to build up our faith! peace, tom 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
It's never do as I say but not as I do! Today's verse speaks of making sure how we live is a qualifying example to others! No sooner did the foreman walk away to go and hide from the work, did the other guys begin to question his authority. He was the type of man who said one thing but did the complete opposite. Expecting us men to get the work done, while he took a nap in his truck, didn't go well as other men began to fool around and none of the work was getting done. At the end of the day, when the foreman returned, he was shocked to see the undone work load. When we say one thing but do another, we give others the right to do the same thing. We need to be men and women of our word, men and woman of His Word! We need to be sure that what we do reflects a godly attitude of what we say. Let's make sure we aren't disqualified by our actions, and do what we say to others! peace, tom |
Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
August 2026
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