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Ecclesiastes 7:9 NASB "Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools."It's not if, but when! Today's verse reminds us about being angry and how that can make us foolish! I know it's going to happen, it does every year at this time. My father started a family tradition where April 1st became a day of looking for the April Fools jokes he would play on us. It grew to where my brothers and sister may even step up and do some foolish thing like put a for sale sign on my lawn, put a dummy in my vehicle or even order pizza sent my house. I, too have engaged in this childish behavior but it was all done in fun. If we allowed ourselves to get angry over the practical jokes, then we really are the fools! Some times we need to dial down the anger and just have some good old fashion fun. Don't let a simple thing cause us to be angry but rejoice that we have the ability to laugh, even at ourselves! Keep a watchful eye out tomorrow - peace, Tom
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Luke 1:79 EVS "to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”While it has been awhile, I still remember! Today's verse is about light and darkness, which one are we leading people to?! I can still recall every moment when we found them and led them out of the fire building. Victims trapped in the smoke and darkness waiting for someone to help them out. Men and woman have been and will continue to lead those trapped in darkness out to safety. As a firefighter, I was honored to do so and now as a pastor, I am humbled to do it again but leading others to the Light of Christ. No matter how dark things got, our crew worked tirelessly to find those trapped and lead them to safety. The question is, what are we doing to bring light to those sitting in darkness... peace, tom
Titus 2:7 ESV "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,"I remember the lesson well! Today we read about showing ourselves to be a model of good works, of integrity and dignity! As I worked next to my dad, he taught me the lesson of doing a good days work and how if we expect others to have a work ethic of excellence, we too must work that way. Expecting others to give their best means that we should expect nothing less from ourselves. Cutting corners, taking the easy road, not giving our best are signs of laziness. Giving our best and working as if we are working unto the Lord are signs that show respect and dignity for those we work with and work for. Jesus didn't take the easy road to the Cross for us but gave us a great example of giving His All. The question of the day is... are we giving our best, He did! peace, tom
Mark 8:36 EVS "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" I had to calculate the risk verses the reward! Today's Word speaks of profit verses forfeit! As we placed the ladder upon the folding table, I took a step back. In order to reach the ceiling, we needed a ladder to get us up there - we didn't have a ladder high enough so we made one the best we could. As I stepped back, I thought to myself -"how really safe is this?!" - I did decide to climb up it but was very careful not to fall. In life, we will do some crazy things, but we must begin to take a step back and ask ourselves, what are we risking! If we are risking our souls, in order to try and get some profit, we will lose every time - for one is temporary and one is eternal - risk verses reward - you decide! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:2 NASB "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"It didn't start out well! Today's verse shares how we should be with one another! The company hired a new manager and on his first day he came in like a roaring lion! He found fault with everyone and everything. We found out that he was the nephew of the owner and needed a job. Some of the men wanted to give him a hard time, but others let him flex his muscles. After a few weeks, he began to realize the full potential of the men who worked under him and began to soften his attitude. Sometimes we need to step back and realize that how we treat others is a reflection of how we view ourselves. Treating someone with respect doesn't cost a thing and can change the outcome of a bad situation so let's be patient with each other! peace, tom
Nahum 1:7 NASB "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."I have made the call many times and I'm sure I'll make one again! Today's Word speaks about our Lord, how He is good, a stronghold and someone we can take refuge in! Many times I have made the call to those who could help. Whether it was a car problem, house repair problem, business problem , marriage problem - it didn't matter - I am blessed that I have a group of men in my life that I can call at a moment's notice to help. To be honest, not once did any of them ever say they wouldn't help - they were there, at a moments notice to offer advice, help, knowledge, their skills etc. But when life gets overwhelming, I call out to God - He, too, is always there to help - sending the Holy Spirit to guide me, comfort me, strengthen me! Who do you call in your day of trouble? I pray you have godly men to help and that God is your first call! peace, tom
John 8:32 NASB "and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."I knew it was too good to be true! Today's verse, while short, holds the key to being free! The letter simply said that I had won! I needed to fill out the form and send it back and then I would receive my prize. I am sure we've all gotten a letter, email, text, or another form just like mine. As I began to investigate the company, I found out that it wasn't legit. It was a scam to try and get my personal information so they could sell it, use to send thousands of unwanted emails, etc. There is only one Truth that has no strings attached, it's knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and reading God's Truth in His Word. I always look for the "unscribe" button on unwanted emails but I never unscribe from reading God's Word - it will set us free! peace, tom
Hebrews 10:25 NASB "not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."It didn't matter what I was doing, as long as the men were with me! Today's Word speaks of meeting together and encouraging each other! Whether it was fighting a fire, on a fishing trip, a family reunion, grabbing a cup of coffee, attending a men's conference, being with other men brought strength and encouragement. Most men go it alone but that's because they've never been with other men who have encouraged them in some way. I enjoy the time with other men, to hear their stories, learn from their mistakes and to have my faith encouraged. Even if it's just one or two men sitting and sharing a cup of coffee, I always come away blessed. Let's put down our 'we can do it alone" mentality and get the guys together and encourage each other - we will come away blessed! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:26 ESV "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," It was the first verse that He led me to! Today's verse is a great word that all of us who struggle with anger should read, memorize and meditate upon! For years, my struggle with my anger was doing nothing but hurting those I love. The words that came out of my mouth were an embarrassment and hurt so many of those I was supposed to love. The excuses that I would find to keep that anger running my life were many but I never found the reason to stop until God directed me to today's verse. Mediating upon it led me to understand that it's ok to be angry but it's what we do with that anger that can be sin. For those who struggle with anger, there is a better way, it's called His Way! Living with anger and sinning is no way to live! peace, tom
Matthew 19:26 NASB "And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"It's not found in there! Today's verse simple states a Truth that we all need to believe! He said to me "how lucky I was!" - my reply was "it's not luck, it's a blessing! No where in God's Word does the word "luck" appear. As many celebrate St. Patrick's Day, may we realize that it's not luck but blessings from the Lord. I wasn't lucky when she said yes to marry me, I was blessed. I wasn't lucky when I came to know Jesus, I was blessed. The list is endless, so please don't say that I was lucky but come to realize just how blessed we are. Take a moment and look at the blessings we have and then give God a big thank you - remember we can always find a blessing, we just may have to look past the luck! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2025
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