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1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV "but test everything; hold fast what is good."You don't just jump off a building without checking the rope first! Today's Word speaks to us about testing and holding to what is good. It was rookie school and we were learning to repel. Standing on the top of the building and looking down was one thing but climbing over the edge is quite another. Before we even thought of going over the edge, we made sure the rope was in good shape, the clasps were all clipped and we had all the safety gear on. In life, it may feel as if we are about to go over the edge. That things seem hopeless, it's then we need to hold on to what is good and that's God, His Word, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. These people are our safety gear, our strength when things seem hopeless or we are too afraid to take the next step - hold on to Them, for they are good! peace, tom
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Romans 10:17 NASB "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." I had to make sure that I heard him correctly! Today's verse is about faith and listening to the Word of God! While hearing the instructions on how to use the new machine, the instructor made sure we understood the danger of not using all the safety equipment! If we weren't listening with our full attention, we may have missed some of the instructions about how to keep safe while using the machine. Half hearted listening can lead us into situations where the danger becomes all too real. When our faith is weak, we can turn to God's Word to be strengthened, and our faith will increase. That's of course, if we are listening - let's not nod our heads as if we understand, if we haven't truly heard what's being said. We were given two ears to hear, so let's use both of them and increase our faith! peace, tom
Romans 3:23 NASB "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"Yes, I have and you have too! Today's verse is straight to the point about our sin, that we all sin and fall short! It took no time at all to realize that I had cut the board way to short. I could have tried to hide my mistake, but I knew that the boss would find out eventually so I came clean right away. While working with some expensive exotic wood, I didn't measure twice and cut once but rushed to get the board cut and was 2" short. Every one makes mistakes but what we do with that mistake makes the difference. We can try and hide from it, lie about it or we can come clean and own up to it. When we sin, we can do the same, hide from it, lie about it or come clean and repent - simply asking God to forgive us. It all comes down to choice! peace, tom
2 Chronicles 15:7 NASB "But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work."There were times, when I wanted to give up! Today's verse teaches us to be strong, and not to lose courage for their is a reward for our work! Honestly, there were times when the work seemed to get the best of me. Times when it seemed as if I would never get the job done, but I pressed on. And each time I pressed on, I walked away with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it was building a house, putting out a building on fire, raising three daughters, making sure my wife was blessed by myself, I came away stronger than when I started! Sure, we would all like to sit back and let someone else do the work but that's not what God designed us for. We are to give our best, work hard, pray harder and finish strong! peace, tom
1Peter 4:10 ESV "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"The job site was filled with them! Today's verse speaks of how we each have a special gift and how we are to use it! Like a well oiled machine, each man was doing their part! Some carpenters, some plumbers, some electricians, some roofers, etc. each man doing their craft in getting the house built. When men come together and use their gifting, things happen. The house was built by many who came together and used their gifts and talents to get the job done. Our Churches need the same thing. Each one, coming together and using their gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth. When one part is missing, the church will never be complete. Let's make sure we find a church and begin to use our talents to help build His Kingdom. Many will be blessed by our humble service to the Lord and each other! The question is... what's your gifting and are you using it today?! peace, tom
1 Peter 5:7 NASB "having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you."He finally broke down and admitted he needed help! Today's verse tells us where to put our anxiety, our struggles, our feelings of not being good enough! As we sat over a hot cup of coffee, I asked him one simple question... "you seem rather nervous, is something wrong?" He began to sob and as tears filled his eyes again, he said he wanted to come clean. He began to share his life, his struggles, his pain and living two lives. One in the company of Christian brothers and one when he was behind closed doors. He tried many times to get rid of the second life, but just couldn't find the strength. That's when we started to pray, to seek the Lord and His Strength. We talked almost daily after that first cup of coffee. I kept praying for him, with him and one day, many years later, he found freedom in Christ. Don't give up, don't give in, seek the Lord and a good godly brother to stand by us when it seems impossible, for nothing is impossible with God...He cares for us! peace, tom
1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV "Therefore encourage one another with these words.""You can do it!" Today's verse, while rather simple, speaks volumes in how we are to speak to each other! No sooner did I get half way up the aerial ladder, when I heard my officer yell to me to keep going, that I could do it! At the fire department rookie school, looking up at the 100' aerial ladder was one thing but beginning to climb it was quite another. About half way, I began to go slower, not sure if I could make it to the top.That's when the words of encouragement came and helped me reach the top! At times, each of us may question ourselves and wonder if we can achieve what we set out to do. There will be struggles along the way, but that's when we may hear an encouraging word to help us finish strong. The Holy Spirit can be that voice of encouragement if we are listening for Him. Keeping our hearts open to Him can make the difference between giving up and gearing up. It all comes down to choice! Remember, the world will say we can't, but the Holy Spirit will say we can! peace, tom
Matthew 5:9 NASB "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."Sometimes things get heated! Today's Word is about being a son of God by being a peacemaker! The disagreement arose around the kitchen table at the firehouse. Each man was entrenched in his ideas and thoughts that they were right. As the discussion continued, it became an argument, with each man getting louder and more aggressive. Just when it looked like it was going to go to blows, our officer stepped in. He calmed the situation down and began to listen to each man's idea. He shared that there was good points in each, and that the end result was that we were going to institute each man's idea into how we did things. Sometimes we need that third person, to bring perspective to what could lead to an all out fight. The Holy Spirit can be that third person if we just allow ourselves the opportunity to seek Him before things get out of hand. Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us as we talk to one another! peace, tom
Lamentations 5:21 NASB "Restore us to You, Lord, so that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,"At one time, it looked beautiful! Today's Verse is about being renewed, restored, made new again! Years ago, we had planted some beautiful ground cover around a bench that sits in our yard. For years, it looked beautiful but over the years, the weeds began to grow, grass began to take over and it no longer looked beautiful. It was time to pull out all the weeds, grass and even the plants and start over. We will plant new seeds of wild flowers and wait for them to grow. In life, we may have to take a serious look at what needs to be pulled out of our life, to restore us back to the old days where we were eager for the things of the Lord. Maybe we've let things creep in that need to be removed so that we can be restored. It may be a difficult journey but one that will end with a renewed life. Let's start weeding our life of those things that have been neglected for years and be renewed by Christ! peace, tom
Proverbs 13:4 NASB "The soul of the lazy one craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made prosperous."I had to keep searching! Today's verse is about the difference between laziness and being diligent! As the mowing season is about to begin, I wanted to make sure the lawn tractor was all set. I took a quick check of things and everything seemed ok. I did a short test ride and cut when the engine stopped, the tractor came to a halt! Having to push it back to a place where I could work on it took me asking for help. I began to go over the machine to see what could have gone wrong. At first everything looked good but when I check the spark plug wired, it seemed loose. Sure enough, it wasn't making a full contact to where the machine would run. Once fixed, it started right up. Sometimes in life, we need to check to see if all things are in order. Are we putting God first, or is our life a little less than our best?! Maybe it's time to check our spark plug wire, the Holy Spirit and see if we are fully engaged! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
July 2026
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