John 8:32 (NASB) "and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free.”While speaking to a group of men, a certain topic came up and then came the "so-called" truth about it! There were many different thoughts and ideas passed around but when asked to get the source of the info, they were found out not to be true! Today's verse speaks to us about Truth, how we will know the Truth and it will make us free! I like to go to the horse's mouth, meaning that when I hear gossip or things that just don't seem to be true, I like to go back to the source and check it out to see if it's false or true. There's no better place to go than God's Word, that's the only Truth that really matters! With all the mis-information being passed around the coronavirus, let's be sure to pass along the truth and not misinformation and when it comes to our lives, let's live His Truth by knowing it, that's means opening up His Word and learning what it says! Staying in His Word daily is like the best place to be! peace, tom
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John 10:27-28 (NASB) "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."There was chaos, people screaming, lights flashing, fire coming out of almost every window and there amidst the chaos was our chief! He calmly began to give directions, for some to rescue, others to calm those in distress, others to begin fighting the fire! Today's verse speaks about hearing a voice, the voice of God and how if we follow Him, we will have eternal life and never perish! There's nothing like a calming voice in the midst of a storm, our chief was that voice during a large apartment building fire. With all the fear and chaos of the coronavirus, let us be a calming voice, not adding to the fire of confusion. It is now more than ever for those who know Christ to live Christ, to be like John the Baptist and be the voice calling in the wilderness to make straight the Way of the Lord. Let's be His calming voice and pray together for God's protection and guidance! peace, tom
Psalm 27:13 (NASB) "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living."At first glance, I thought it was hopeless but as the day went on, I began to see that things were getting better. Today's verse shares about despair and yet believing that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I had wanted to connect two of my favorite things, one fishing and two spending time alone with God but as I woke that day, the grey clouds covered the sky and the rain slowly began to fall. Thinking that the day was lost, I began to lose hope of fishing that day but then the sun began to shine thru and the rain stopped. It ended up being a wonderful day with God and fishing! During this time of the coronavirus, we may only see despair but if we hold on to the promises of God and the goodness promised in His Word, we will begin to see the "Son" shine upon us. Stay faithful to Him as He is always faithful to us! peace, tom Psalm 112:7 (NASB) "He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."I never feared death! Each time the go bell would ring at the firehouse, I knew it could be my last call but I never gave into the fear! Today's verse speaks about fear and where our heart and trust is to be placed, in the Lord! With the recent news of the coronavirus, people have begun to fear. Some have even let it consume them where they have stopped living. Having faced fear, I can honestly say that putting our trust in the Lord should bring us comfort but we must do our part as well. In responding to calls on the Fire Dept., I made sure that my gear was intact, safety precautions taken and faced whatever challenges lay ahead. We can do our part with the virus, washing of hands, using sanitizers, covering our mouths when we cough - these are all common sense things that we can be doing to make everyone safe. And of course, putting our trust in God. Let's be safe out there and think of others as well. peace, tom
Acts 22:16 (NASB) "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’"Sometimes you just end up muddy! As we worked through the day, the mud became thicker and thicker on my boots, clothes and pretty much everywhere, I couldn't wait to shower and clean up! Today the Word speaks to us about being baptized and why wait, wash our sins away! Sometimes no matter how we try to stay clean, we end up in the mud, covered in mud and there's nothing like getting clean! People have said to me, why did you get baptized again when you were baptized as a small baby. My reply is that I didn't know how dirty I was by original sin and needed to make the decision for myself to let Jesus cleanse me. Getting baptized is an outward sign of the inward conversion that takes place as we give our lives to Jesus, don't delay, ask your pastor about getting baptized! Nothing like getting clean, inside and out! peace, tom
Psalm 141:3(NASB) "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."Although most of the damage can't be seen by the eye, it is still there and real! There were too many times that I let words come out of my mouth that hurt and hurt deeply. At the moment they left my mouth, I knew they would cause damage. In fact, sad to say, that was the whole purpose of saying them. Today's verse speaks about asking God to put a guard on our mouths, a door of our lips! I wish I would have known this verse early and prayed it more often in those younger years. The damage I did was never truly seen but I wonder, do we really need to see the damage, don't we know what we are doing as we utter those offensive words?! Asking God to guard our speech is the first step, the next us up to us, to think before we speak. Asking ourselves if what we say will hurt or help the situation is our part. Let's use our brains before our tongues! peace, tom
1 Corinthians 14:33 (NASB) "for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."I know it's time to slow down and get things in order! There are days when I have too many irons in the fire, sort of speak. My plate becomes full and I find myself running here and there but not really accomplishing anything - it's the time to step back and put things in order. Today's Word speaks to us about peace and how God is not a god of confusion but of peace! When we lose our peace, it's time to take a break and put things back in order or get things in the right perspective. Sometimes it's caused by thinking more of ourselves than others, like we are the only ones who could get it done. We need to seek God's peace, and make sure we ask for help in getting His Will done rather than our own. We must keep things in perspective, God first, then our own health and mindset, then our families, churches and community actions. Don't lose His Peace by making it about our piece of the pie! peace, tom
Luke 15:20 (NASB) "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."If you told me that things would be this way, I never would have believed you! Today our verse is part of the story of the Prodigal Son, be sure to read the whole story in Luke chapter 15 of His Word. Looking back at the type of son I was to my father, I am embarrassed at how I treated him. I have said and done things that never honored the commandment to "Honor your Father and Mother" and yet through the grace of God and the forgiveness of my father, I have found him like the father in today's verse, one willing to have compassion on me, embracing me as our relationship grows into what Jesus has with His Father. Never give up on your relationship with your father or other's for that matter. God has a plan and when we repent and come clean, He will do amazing things in our relationships. Don't let our past keep us from the love of today! peace, tom
1 Samuel 2:9 (NASB) "“He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail."Ever get so turned around that you aren't sure which way to go? While fighting a large warehouse fire, I got turned around and wasn't sure which way to go to exit a rather bad situation. Today we learn about how God keeps the feet of the godly ones and other are silenced in darkness! Doesn't sound like a good place to be, darkness, silenced with no way to call for help. Thank God we have Him to guide our steps, that's if we are listening. In the total darkness of the building, I began to get this feeling deep inside to go a certain way, following where I felt led to go, it led me to safety. I know it was the Holy Spirit guiding my steps. Don't walk blind in the darkness, stay close to God and He will lead us home! peace, tom
Matthew 6:22 (NASB) "“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light."It was time for my annual eye exam and while I wasn't having any difficulty seeing, you never know! Today's verse is about the eye being a lamp of the body and if clear, then our whole body will be full of light. I am not sure if you've had the eye test where they blow air into your eye to check on your pressure but it can be rather uncomfortable. My results came back that my eyes were fine and I didn't need a new prescription. Thank God! My mom always said that our eyes are windows into our soul and I couldn't agree more. The key of course is what are we viewing with our eyes, what are we seeing, are we looking at life through the eyes of Christ? I always wonder what light is shining through our eyes toward others when they see us. I pray it is the Light of Christ, how about you? peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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