1 Corinthians 2:10 NASB "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God."It had become a habit, not a bad habit but a habit! Today we read about the Spirit revealing things to us! I do it every morning, but I found that the habit of just doing it was just that, a habit. I needed to go back and slow down and really take my time and understand what I was reading. Reading God's Word each morning has become a habit but I found myself just reading to read and not reading to understand, to meditate upon it, to take the time to hear God speak to me through it. I needed to take that habit and make sure I was doing it for the purpose of understanding God's Word and not just reading it to read it. Slowing down and looking at why we are doing what we do can help us hear the voice of the Holy Spirit - so let's not just do it to do it but do it to honor God! peace, tom
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Titus 2:7 ESV "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,"We may not think they are but they are!! Today we read about integrity and dignity and how we should be models of good works! I wasn't even aware that he was watching me but when he began to repeat my actions, I knew that I needed to make sure what I did was honoring to God cause he was going to imitate me! Having the blessing of taking care of my grandchildren from day to day means that I am teaching them life without even really knowing that I am doing it. I thought about how others watch us and our reactions to life and what we do. Making sure that our actions align with God's Word is one way to make sure we are teaching the next generation about integrity and dignity and how to be a model of good works. The question is are we, models of good works or do we run from words like integrity and dignity? Well are we?? peace, tom
1 John 2:15 NASB "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Yeah, so what?! Today's Verse speaks of love, one is good and the other not so good and it's up to us to decide! Some one asked me if I knew what today was, and my reply was "yeah, it's Friday!" but they said yes but it's "Friday the 13th!". I said "yeah, so what?! - I never bought into the whole "Friday the 13th or black cats walking past my path or walking under an open ladder, or opening an umbrella in the house". The world is filled with these "worldly" ideas that can make us fearful when we really need to fear the Lord God Almighty and how we live. We don't talk much about the wrath of God but it's there and I'd rather fear Him than fear the things of the world. How about you? peace, tom
Acts 22:16 NASB "Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name."I'll do it tomorrow! Today is the day, we read that God's Word tells us to get up and do it now and asks us why do we delay it?! I kept saying to myself, I'll do it tomorrow - and when tomorrow came, I repeated the same line and before I knew it, it was too late to get it done! It's not that I was or am a procrastinator, but I wasn't setting my priorities in order to get those things done that needed to get done and missed the opportunity to do it. I wanted to call a friend who I hadn't spoken with in a long time and kept putting it off, like it wasn't as important as the things I was doing. Then came the day when I found out that he passed away. There was no more "I'll do it tomorrow" for me to call him! I learned the importance of doing it today, and like today's scripture says, don't put off calling upon the Lord and be saved today, for we may not have tomorrow!! peace, tom
1 Thessalonians 2:12 ESV "we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."Do it again and keep doing it until you get it right! Today's verse shares about exhorting each other and charging ourselves and others to walk in a manner worthy of God! We kept going over it, doing it again and again until we got it right. Our coach kept going over the same play until we got it right. He knew that once the big game started, there wouldn't be any time to practice the plays he wanted us to run, so now was the time to learn them, practice them and do it until we got it right. In life, we usually don't get the time to practice, we are thrown into situations where we need to walk in a manner worthy of God. So, what's the key, we must follow where and how the Spirit leads us. He will always lead us in a way where we bring God glory. Practice if we can to get it right or walk in the Spirit and He will always lead us to do the right thing and encourage each other to do the same! Peace, tom
Galatians 6:9 NASB "Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary."For three years, I waited! Today we learn what we should be doing as we wait! Three years ago, we decided to put asparagus in our garden. The plant needs three years to grow before it will produce good fruit to eat, and this was the year. As we cut the new stalks, I thought about how I had patiently waited. Taking care of the soil, pulling the weeds, protecting the plants from the harsh winters and now was the time to enjoy the harvest! There were days in the first and second year that I wanted to cut and harvest some of the plant but that would have only killed the young plant, I needed to wait. Those who know Christ, know He is going to return to take us home, and so we must not become discouraged or weary in taking care of the things now, for one day we will see Him face to face. Let's keep working, keep pulling the weeds, keep nurturing the young ones for one day there will be a harvest! peace, tom
1 Peter 3:8 NASB "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate,
and humble;"It was a wonderful day but not for all! Today's Word shares that we need to be harmonious, sympathetic and loving and more as we do this thing called life. It was a wonderful day to celebrate Mothers but the reality was that some were not as happy as others. Some of the ladies who were present had a tough day. They faced a life without children, some faced the memory of their children who have passed away, some were there who's mothers weren't the best. We need to be open to the fact that not everyone is having a wonderful day but what we can do is show the compassion of Christ to each other because we may not know what someone else is going through. Sure it was a wonderful day to celebrate Mother's Day but lets not forget those who were struggling with the day, or life as we know it. Love on each other and be compassionate about sharing the love of Christ, and not just one day but each day! peace, tom Isaiah 66:13a NASB "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;"She many be gone but she is always with me! Today's verse speaks to us about how a mother comforts and how God comforts us in the same way! With Mother's Day fast approaching, I take time to reflect on my Mom, maybe you should too, for we all had one! Maybe you are blessed to still have her in your life or like me, she has gone on to live with Jesus but we should remember them and thank God for them. So many of my thoughts, actions and who I am comes from my mother's comfort and teaching. I can still recall the lessons she took the time to teach me, the comfort during the struggles, and the love that was always there. Our mom might not be the best of the best (like mine was!) but they gave what they could, so let's honor them by how we live - Happy Mother's Day Mom, miss ya! peace, Tom
John 10:30 NASB "I and the Father are one."They thought we had rehearsed it! Today's Word, while simple, teaches us that God and Jesus are one! As we danced across the floor, people thought that we had rehearsed the dance but we had not, we were one! Our youngest daughter and I were sharing the father/daughter dance at her wedding and as we danced across the floor, we moved as one. We talked and laughed and even cried a little and were totally oblivious to what people were saying. We are family so the bond of love that is between family just came out in the form of a dance! God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and want nothing more than for us to join them and be one family as we do this life thing. Don't listen to what others are saying about them, but get to know Them for ourselves, its like dancing on air! peace, tom Oh yeah, Happy Anniversary Becky and Ryan!
1 Corinthians 10:12 NASB "Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall."You can't even see it! Today's Word may seem kind of confusing but if we think about it, when we stand in pride of ourselves, we will fall! Who would have ever thought that a small unseen virus could drive you to your knees?! When the sickness hit, I was knocked off my feet. Bedridden, exhausted from doing nothing, no interest in eating, all I wanted was sleep. When we think we are invincible, we must be careful for it's when the pride takes over, we will find ourselves flat on our back. As I laid on the couch, I had time to think... think about life, my life and whether or not I was giving God the glory for who I was, where I was in life and the many blessings that come my way. Let's be humble out there and not prideful in ourselves lest we find out that a tiny thing like a stomach bug can drive us to our knees! Maybe that's not a bad place to be these days... more time on our knees than standing on our own accomplishments! Something to think about as we do life! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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