1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB "But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way."No one really likes to sit through those meetings! Today we meditate upon things being done properly and in an orderly way! "I can't wait till the next meeting where we can sit for hours!" said no one ever. Most men would rather be doing something, any thing rather than sit in a meeting but those meetings are important. There the plan of action takes shape. We can discuss the plans we need to take, the material needed and who will do what. Even after an event, it's good to sit down and go over what went right and what went wrong so we can learn how to do it better. Let's make sure we meet with God each morning so we can learn His Plan and go about getting it done! peace, tom
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1 John 3:17 NASB "But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him?" I had a choice! Today we read about having all that we need and how we need to share those with others in need or we need to ask ourselves if the love of God is within us?! There are many times, while working at my desk at the church, that I hear a small knock. When they enter, their eyes are down cast and they begin to share how they are in need. I have a choice, either to share what I have or turn them away! We all have that opportunity to help someone else but it may mean sharing what we have. At first it seems like such a simple thing, to share what we have but somewhere along the way, greed comes into our lives.We begin to think, I've worked hard for what I have and I ain't giving it away. That's not what Jesus is all about. He gave His Life for us, God gave His Son for us - the least we can do is give to others the way we have been given! I'd rather have the love of God within me than the stuff! How about you?! peace, tom
Colossians 4:8 NASB "For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts"A few of us got together and went! Today's verse is about encouraging others! We had heard that a good friend of ours was having a little bit of trouble so we decided to go and encourage him. When we knocked on his door, he was thrilled to see us. We spent some time just talking with him and asked if there was anything we could do for him. He gave us a small list of things that needed to be done around his house but he was too weak to do them. We got them done, the smile on his face was priceless. Those of us who went were encouraged by each other to think of others rather than ourselves. A few hours on a saturday morning encouraging another can brighten their day and their outcome that they are not alone. Get some guys together and do a little encouraging - we all could use that! peace, tom
Philippians 4:7 NASB "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."Uncertainty can cause us to lose our peace! Today we read about the peace of God, and how He will guard our hearts and minds! Recently I had a doctor's appointment. I wasn't sure exactly what they were going to find but I knew I had to trust in the Lord that He would take care of me no matter what. That's having God's peace despite the outcome of certain situations in our life. We don't have all the answers but if we put our trust in the Lord, He will be with us through the difficult, uncertain times of our life. Things went well at the doctors and I came away with a sense of peace that He really does guard our hearts and minds. I just need to trust Him more before rather than after. Seek Him above the uncertainty in our life, He will give us peace! peace, tom
Philippians 3:2 NASB "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision"It was a scam! Today's Word is advice about being aware of those things that can hurt us! The word had gone out that I was making phone calls asking people to get some gift cards and then call the number back with the ID number on the cards. It was not me and it was a scam. I pray no one fell for it, that's why we must be aware of the false things that are going on in the world. We can not be naive when it comes to the false things of this world. One more reason to read His Word daily, to see the Truth and not fall prey to the scams of the devil. Yes I said devil, for he is real and looking for someone to scam today. Let's not fall prey to any of it by knowing the Truth! peace, tom
Hebrews 2:1 NASB "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it."It didn't take long for me to realize I was drifting away! Today's Word is about paying attention! I had lost focus on what I was doing and thank God someone had come up with the idea of putting groves on the side of the road. While driving, I got distracted and began to drift towards the side of the road when all of sudden my vehicle began to rattle! The groves at the side of the road brought me back to focus on what I should have been paying attention to, the road! In life, God will send us little reminders to get our attention back to the Truth. If we don't pay attention to them, we could just end up off the road. Keeping focus is just that, focusing on what's important, the lessons we have learned, and most important, what God's Word is saying to us. Maybe it's time we pay closer attention to Him rather than the world! peace, tom
Matthew 26:41 NASB "Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”"That was not my temptation! Today's Word is great advice to keep us away from temptation! As I looked at the chocolate cake, I had no desire to eat it! It wasn't a temptation for me since I don't like chocolate but there are other things that I need to watch and pray I don't fall to temptation. Each of us have those things that we are tempted with, it may not be chocolate but then again it may. When we know what they are, we need to avoid them and two ways are listed in today's verse. Watching and praying are action words that we need to put into action in our lives to avoid those temptations that will lead us to sin. Eating chocolate cake isn't a sin but other temptations can lead us to sin so let's be watchful and keep praying! peace, tom
Luke 14:18a NASB "And yet they all alike began to make excuses."They come when we don't want to do it! Today's Word is about excuses! I began to try and find an excuse for a job that I didn't want to do. I should have been honest with the customer from the beginning and tell them I didn't want the job. I ,instead, agreed to do it but then began to find excuses but none were the truth. When we agree to do something, we must be men and woman of our word. In fact, we must be men and woman of His Word and speak the Truth when asked. Let's find the reason to be Truthful in His Word rather than excuses in ours! I did do the job and did it well and had to stop myself from complaining about it. I agreed to it and it was time I did it! Enough said! peace, tom
Ephesians 3:20 NASB "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us," I didn't think he could! Today we read about how God is able to do more than we ever thought! I could tell you story after story of how I didn't think my dad could have done what he did, but he did. From amazing feats of strength, to the gentleness of holding a small grandchild, my dad would always surprise me with his outward and inner strength. I got to thinking of how our Heavenly Father is so much more than that. He is able to do more than we could ever think possible, we just need to let Him be God! When we have doubt, we need to turn to Him and let Him do His Thing within us. Don't let the world say we can't but let God say and do "we can"! peace, tom
Galatians 6:9 NASB "Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." With only four days in, how we doing?! Today's Word speaks to us about not being discouraged! I struggled to keep up with the group, I hadn't done a lot of exercising until then. As a young man in the fire department rookie school, I was challenged to get into shape. It was the pushups that got me in trouble.While some guys were pushing them out without any real trouble, I struggled to keep the pace. Many times I wanted to give up but kept going. At the end of the training, I was keeping pace with the others. Let's not give up on doing what the Lord has required of us just because it gets difficult. If we stay the course, we will see the results He is looking for in us as we remain faithful to Him. Keep it going, no matter what! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
May 2024
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