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James 1:3 NASB "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."One more day to go! Today we read about testing and endurance and how one will produce the other! Not sure if you made any New Year's Resolution but we are one day away from the first full month of 2026. How did we do with keeping them? Did we fall short, give up, surrender to temptation or did we stand firm, continue strong and made it to the end of the month? Life will throw challenges our way, and whether we weather the storms or fall short, we can begin again. In the Christian faith it's called forgiveness, where we repent of our sin, get up, brush ourselves off and start anew! Let's stand the test of our faith, and endure to the end - it will be so worth it - I promise! Keep fighting for the Truth! peace, tom
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2 Timothy 3:17 NASB "So that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work."Pants check, coat check, gloves check, warm hat check ... Today we read about being fully capable and equipped! I would dream of entering a fire building without my gear on or going out to shovel with shorts on - being equipped for the task at hand means making sure we have the right gear and wearing it. Life can be a battle, where we need all the battle gear possible and having the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit with us at all times, helps us be ready for whatever satan throws at us. There are many other items found in the armor of God that we need to put on - the list can be found in Ephesians 6:10-18 but if we don't read it, learn it and wear it, it's just a list of things! Let's be ready and equipped for whatever the world throws at us! peace, tom
Leviticus 25:14 NASB "Furthermore, if you make a sale to your friend, or buy from your friend’s hand, you shall not wrong one another."It was nothing like the picture they showed! Today we read about sales, buying and selling and how we are not to wrong each other! You've probably heard the stories too, of where someone has bought something on line, only to find that the product was nothing like what they thought it would be. The sad reality is that there are "scammers" out there, looking for ways to cheat the consumer. We need to be vigilant when we purchase things and honest if we are the ones doing the selling. When it comes to Jesus, you always get the real and honest Truth. We never have to worry about getting an imitation or anything less than His Best! Our business practices should be the same, don't ya' think! peace, tom
Galatians 6:9NASB "Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." I wanted to throw in the towel, but! Today's Word speaks of staying the course, not becoming discouraged or weary! It was the fifth time I went out to shovel. The snow kept coming and it seemed like trying to clear the driveway was going to be impossible. I could have just given up, said enough but I was taught to keep pushing forward no matter what and get the job done! In life, there will be times when it seems hopeless, that we are becoming discouraged and weary, but if we look to Jesus, the perfector of our faith, He will see us through. I went back at the driveway, and pushed forward, and before I knew it, it was cleared off. Don't give in, don't give up but turn to Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to endure the struggles of life! He cares and will see us through, no matter what! peace, tom
Colossians 1:11 NASB "strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously" The wait seemed to last forever! Today we read that we are to be strengthened with all power, to persevere and be patient joyously! Waiting is never easy, it seems to go on and on with no end in sight. As we worked the fire, it was taking hours before we got it under control. Guys were beginning to get weary and tired but we kept up our attack until the fire was under control and eventually put out. No one likes to wait, but if we are strengthened by His Power, we can hold steady while we wait. Whether it's waiting for test results, the birth of a new child, plans that we have been waiting for, we can find strength in Him, and do so joyously for in due time, it will come about. Let's not quit half way, but keep our focus on Him and the end will come! peace, tom
James 2:18 NASB "But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”" It came down to who actually did the work! Today we read about faith and works - can't have one without the other. The two men came and applied for the open position at work. Each brought their resumes and their work experience to the interviews. The only real difference was that one man brought a list of actual work he preformed, where the other man had only a list of things he wished he did. Big difference. It's one thing to say and then another to actually do it. God has not called us just to say we have faith but to actually go out and do the work He has called us to do. Let's not get caught with our pants down when the time comes to stand before Him with our list of works because of our faith! Time to put on the big boy pants and get to work! peace, tom
John 10:10 NASB "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly."We hadn't even finished the project and things began to be missing! Today we read that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but Christ came to bring life! While working the job site, we had to put a few finishing touches left when we realized that at some point, someone came and stole the needed parts to finish the project. It cost us to have to replace those parts and it came out of the profit we were to make on the job. Sadly in life, there are those who are looking for the dishonest gain. Those willing to do whatever they want in order to feed their desires. God didn't call us to be dishonest but sent His Son as an example of how we are to live - it always comes down to choice! What example are we setting for those watching, and they are watching! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:3 ESV "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." No one really likes to train but it's necessary! Today we read that we are to be eager to maintain the unity of peace, the unity of the Holy Spirit. As our crew was called out to the Training Tower, you could hear the complaints. No one really likes to train but in order to learn how to work together, it was necessary. And sure enough, no sooner did the training end, when we were called to the exact situation that we trained on. We worked together as a well oiled machine, each person doing their part. When we strive for peace, it comes about, by us working together to bring that peace. Division will only cause more problems, so let's keep focus on the Holy Spirit and be eager about it! Find unity, not division - life is better that way, families are better that way, churches are better that way! peace, tom
Romans 14:19 NASB "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."It was his dream! Today's Word speaks of peace and building each other up! Martin Luther King Jr. said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”. Those words uttered so long ago, are and can be still relevant today. Seeking peace between each other takes courage, courage to admit we have differences but if we allow the Light of Christ to lead us, we can find peace and a way of building each other up. As we do this thing called life, let us remember not only MTK Jr. words but the Word of God that teaches us to let the Light shine to rid the hatred that goes on between each other. Let us strive to live in peace by building each other up, not tearing each other apart! peace, tom
James 1:5 NASB "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."I finally got it! Today's Word speaks of wisdom, and where we can go to get it! I had studied the material over and over but still couldn't understand it. Even trying to put the words into action, I fell short. I finally admitted to myself, I needed help. I went to a man, who I knew, had worked with the material before and asked him for his help in understanding how and best to use it. When it comes to life, and the struggles we have, it's best to get some wisdom. And the best place to get that wisdom is God's Word. We can look up a certain topic and find what God says about it, we can even go to those, who God has blessed with the knowledge of His Word for advice but ultimately it comes from Him. Let's humble ourselves and admit when we just don't understand and seek the wisdom of our Heavenly Father! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
February 2026
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