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Matthew 24:4 NASB "And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you." It just didn't feel right! Today we read some great advice - that no one misleads us. As he kept talking, I felt in my spirit that something was wrong. He was sharing a business practice with me to increase my business, the only problem was that it just didn't feel right. The more he shared, the more I felt it just wasn't right. By the end of the meeting, I knew what he proposed was simply wrong. In life, opportunities will come along and we need to make sure that they align with God's Word. Sometimes if it sounds to good to be true, it just may be too good to be true. Get the facts, pray about it and make sure the path we see before us leads us closer to Christ and not the world. peace, Tom
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Romans 5:4 ESV "and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,"Stay the course! Today's verse speaks of endurance, character and hope, three things we all need in our life! I was half way through the class when I thought of quitting. I had been out of school for years and returning to take some courses brought back my struggles with school. I remember thinking to myself "just give up, just quit!". I took some time in God's Word and ran across today's scripture and began to pray about having the hope to finish well. If we give up too soon, stop short of the goal, we will live with the guilt of not finishing strong. So, let's buckle up, strap in and go for the long haul - BTW , we are never alone, God is there for us, take time to get some of His Advice and He will see us through! peace, tom
Romans 12:15 NASB "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."Just Be There! Today's verse, while rather simple, speaks volumes of how we are to be with each other! I didn't know how long I would be there but I was willing to go the distance. He sat with his head down, broken, sad, tears streaming down his face. We didn't exchange any words, I just sat next to him and put my arm around his shoulder. Sometimes, people just need to know they are not alone. They need the comfort of a friend, not judging, not trying to fix it but just there. When it becomes to overwhelming, Jesus is there to sit with us. He may not say anything but just send the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our time of pain. What seemed like minutes was actually hours when he finally spoke and said "thank you". We all need to know, we are not alone - just be there for someone when they need it most! peace, tom
Isaiah 43:19 NASB "Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert."As we finished up the job, the men wondered what came next! Today, we read that God will making a new way, so be aware of it. As the guys stood around the job site, there were questions about what came next. They didn't want to be laid off, for many of them had families to feed, bills to pay, so they were curious as to what came next. When things end, many find ourselves saddened but with every ending, there is a new beginning, a fresh start. Whether it's leaving an addiction behind, a job completed, a vacation that ends too soon, we must look forward to a new beginning. It's an opportunity for a fresh start. Let's not look at endings as an end but an opportunity for something new! peace, tom
1 John 5:4 NASB "For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith."I knew we could do it! Today's verse speaks about our faith and how it is the victory over the world. No sooner did we start the project, when things began to go wrong. It start with little things and kept growing until the entire project was in jeopardy of being ruined. I took a moment with my crew and began to tell them that we could do it, that despite the set backs, the project would go forward, we just needed to believe and get it done. Life will throw all kinds of disappointment in our path but if we keep focus on Christ and our faith, we will see that we can be over comers no matter what. Keep pushing forward and strengthen our faith in Him, that's the real victory! peace, tom
Luke 3:11 NASB "And he would answer and say to them, “The one who has two tunics is to share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise.”""Please, go ahead and take it!" Today we learn that those of us who have two, should give one away and those who are blessed with food should do the same! As the men's group met, one of the guys who showed up was in a financial struggle. As we began to get our orders, he didn't order anything for his lack of funds. One of the guys ordered two meals, knowing about the situation and said to him - "please, go a head and take it!" Humbled by the outpouring of love, the man took and ate. Giving away our extra doesn't take away from what we have, so why not do it. Realize the blessing we have in having more than we need, is used to bless others - the question of the day is... are we blessing others?! Maybe it's time we start! peace, tom
Proverbs 15:22 NASB "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed."It went off with out a hitch! Today's verse speaks to us about making sure we seek counsel before we attempt things we are not sure of! Some days on the Fire Department were spent doing what we called "pre-planning" - checking on buildings to know things about them before an emergency would happened. Talking to the experts meant we were getting the best info about the building. Info like where the exit ways were, where the electric panels were, etc. In life, we can do the same, find godly counsel in helping us understand the road we are on. Mature Christians who have gone down it before us can be a great source of info and one of the best places to go is God's Word. It will show us where the escape paths are from temptation and many other things to help our plans succeed. - that's only if we used it! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:25 NASB "Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are parts of one another."Trust me, it will work! Today's verse tells us to get rid of the lies and speak the truth to each other! While trying a new tool, I asked a fellow co-worker if he ever used it - his reply was "trust me, it will work". He gave me some great advice in how best to use the new tool in getting the job done and sure enough, it worked exactly as he said. He could have lied, told me things that weren't true but instead he spoke the truth. We are to speak the Truth in love to each other. Stop the lying, stop sharing the wrong information, stop the gossiping and speak the Truth - you know, the Truth will set us free! peace, tom
Jeremiah 33:3 NASB "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know."I don't like it when they don't answer! Today's Word is a promise from God, that He will answer our prayers! Each time I called, I was put on hold. I am not good at waiting but sometimes we have to. With God, we know that He will answer our prayers, maybe not the way we want but what we need. When I would get a call in my handyman business, I made sure to get back to them as soon as possible. This made the customer feel important, and helped my business grow. When God calls us, are we ready to respond, or do we ignore it for a while until we have to answer?! Let's be ready when the call comes in whether it's from God or from someone needing help. Remember, it could be us that needs the help one day! peace, Tom
Deuteronomy 22:4 NASB "You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up." It took all of us to get it out of the ditch! Today's Word, simply is about helping others! There's something about living in an area where the snow causes certain things to happen. One of them is that people skid off the road and end up in a ditch or snowbank and can't get their vehicle out, without some help. I have seen it many times, and even done it myself, helping those stuck in the snow. I am amazed that as a few people come to help push the car out, others begin to stop and help as well. Let's not be a bystander watching others help, let's lead the charge in helping others. Whether it's pushing a car, offering a plate of food, a good ear to listen, a prayer or two - let's make sure we help those in need, for one day it could be us! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
March 2026
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