Titus 3:14 NASB "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive."I am not sure when I first understood the concept my dad taught me, but it has helped me through the years! Today's Word speaks of being engaged in good deeds to meet the pressing needs - basically being productive! There are two columns that I keep. One is marked with an "U" and the other an "I". The "U" stands for urgent and the "I" stands for important. When I write down the things that need to be done, I put them in the column that marks the importance of getting done. Some things are urgent and need immediate attention while others are important but can wait to get done. One thing that is always urgent is to make sure the people we love have an opportunity to meet Jesus. Without Jesus as Lord and Savior, people are going to hell, it's pretty plain and simple so it's urgent that we share our friend Jesus and invite others to know Him as we do. In fact it could be written down in each column, 'cause it's urgent and important! peace, tom
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2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day."As I sat to unlace my skates, I said to myself "what am I crazy!" Today's verse speaks to us about getting older and how even though our outward bodies are getting old, our inner person can be strengthened and renewed!
I am definitely the oldest guy on the team and as I watch the younger men skate circles around me, I find that I still enjoy the game! As we grow older, we can either hang up our skates or keep pushing on, it all comes down to choice. I find the joy in watching the younger guys "do their thing", remembering the days when I too "did my thing". Getting older doesn't mean it's time to quit, it means we need to do things smarter rather than harder. When it comes to the work that God has called us to, we can find that inner joy by how others are growing in the Lord. We can either sit on the sidelines because of our age (poor excuse) or stay in the game by standing alongside them and teaching them what we learned along the way. Let's get back in the game, others are depending on us! peace, tom Philippians 2:2 NASB "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."As the clock clicked down, they all were united in celebration!! Today's verse, speaks of joy and joy shared by all those who have the same mindset, intent on one purpose! Whether it's the big game, the marriage of two people we love, or pushing a car out of snowbank, people rejoice as their team wins, the man and wife say "I do", or the car is back on the road, maybe you've been a part of something like it! When people come together for one purpose, united in spirit, things can be accomplished and bring joy in completing what they set out to do. I have to wonder why we don't have that kind of joy when someone accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, why our churches are hurting for those to come alongside the pastor and leadership team with same purpose... maybe it's time we find more joy in serving Christ with each other... maybe it's time we get back to being intent on Him and His Purpose to love others! Just sayin! peace, tom
Acts 15:32 ESV "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words."There are those seasons in our life when we just need a friend! Today's verse shares about the comfort of friends! I was low in spirit, saddened but not sure why, and then some of my good close friends realized I needed a little encouragement. A simple dinner with friends, those that knew me well and could tell I needed a little boost, made the difference. I could face the future, no matter what was to come, with the thought that I had godly friends who cared! Having to step down from the Fire Department, give up building houses and let my handyman business shut down, left me not knowing what the future held. God had a plan and brought some good friends to encourage me. We all need a friend to help us when things get tough but the key was letting them know the truth about where I was and what I was facing. Don't go it alone, let others in and most importantly let Him in, He will show us the Way, and bring others to help! peace, tom
Micah 7:7 NASB "But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me."I keep checking, but still I have to wait! Today's verse speaks about being on watch and waiting for the Lord and He will hear us! It's kind of like watching paint dry, it's a slow process if it comes at all! I love ice fishing but I can't do it unless the water freezes! Each year I wait... and wait... and wait for the that one day when I know the ice is thick enough to go out and walk on water! LOL. The key to waiting, whether for the water to freeze or the prayer to be answered is in how we wait. While I wait, I get prepared, going over my gear, my hut, and the things I will need once I get on the ice. When I wait for my prayer to be answered, I prepare for how God will answer by staying in His Word, keeping my mind on things above and listening for His Voice to lead me. Let's not get into an unsafe situation by rushing in where it's not safe, we may just end up getting all wet! peace, tom John 5:30 NASB “I can do nothing on My own. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent Me."It was an easy decision because it wasn't about me! Today's verse may seem rather harsh, it's about making judgments and realizing that it's not about us but Him! After giving my life to Christ, I had to face some decisions. Decisions about my actions, my choices, and what I was going to stand for. Words like integrity, purity, faithfulness weren't part of my earlier life. I was one of those guys who was always looking out for me and how I could achieve success at every level of my life. Once Jesus came into my life, I realized it wasn't about me but about Him. How could a Man go to the Cross, and take all the punishment for my sin?! I needed to live for Him rather than myself and that meant that my choices needed to be changed! Let's bring Him the glory by how and what we judge and not seek our will be His be done! peace, tom
Romans 13:14 NASB "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."I had forgotten I even had it! Today's Word, rather simple but deep when it comes to life choices! As I looked deep into my closet, I found an old jacket from many years ago. It was one of my favorites but I had placed it where I couldn't see it so I forgot all about it! Pulling it out of the closet and putting it on brought back memories of the jobs I did wearing it. A smile came to my face as I remember the men I used to work with. Maybe there are things that we have forgotten but let us never forget to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so, we will be able to keep ourselves from falling to the temptations of the flesh that can so easily take us to a place where we shouldn't ever be going. An old coat can bring back some great memories and putting on Christ can bring back memories of where He has kept us safe. Let's dress appropriately for we never know what today brings! For some of us, we need to pull Jesus out of our closets and wear Him proudly! peace, tom
Romans 8:6 NASB "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,"I should have paid attention to where I set it! Today's Word speaks to us about life, peace, and death and it's where we set our minds! Trying to do too many things at once, I set one of my favorite coffee mugs down and without realizing it, I had placed it on the edge of the table. No sooner did I release the cup when it fell crashing to the ground, gone forever! Not only didn't I set the coffee cup down on a stable surface, my mind wasn't set on what I was doing. Many times life can have us doing too many things at once. We can get so preoccupied with our mind set on others things that the job at hand ends up in a mess. Setting our minds on the flesh will end in death, where setting our mind on the Spirit will bring life and peace, and who doesn't want that in our life! Let's refocus as we enter this year and keep our mindset in the right place, His Place! peace, tom
2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."A simple drill wouldn't do it! Today's verse shares about where our weapons of warfare should and do come from! I knew right away that drilling into concrete wasn't going to be easy and using a standard drill didn't have enough power to break through it so I rented a hammer drill for more power! There are things in life that have a strong hold on us, things we so desperately need to let go of, to break away from but in our own strength, we will fail. We need more power, more strength, a better weapon than ourselves! Enter divine power, strength from above! With the strength of divine power, we can break away from those strongholds that have been plaguing us for years. Let this year be the year we break away in His Name and in His Power to live free! The TV series "Home Improvement" had one of the actors always wanting more power and he would grunt after he said it, may today be the day we grunt, whose with me?! peace, tom
Romans 5:5 NASB "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."It doesn't matter whether we catch any or not! Today's Word speaks to us about hope, and how it doesn't disappoint because of the the love of God! The joy doesn't come by how much fish we catch, the joy comes in the fact that we are fishing together! I always hope for good weather, maybe catch some fish but more importantly I hope for one more day to enjoy my fishing partner. I take nothing for granted because tomorrow is promised to no one so when the day arrives, that I can spend time with him on the water fishing, sharing life, it is a blessing. I hope for one more day and I know that I won't be disappointed. How about you?, what do you hope for? peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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