John 8:36 (NASB) "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."This fourth of July will be different, no big gatherings, no firework displays, no parades, no family gatherings, kind of feels as if we are not truly free! Today's verse speaks about freedom, and true freedom is found in Christ alone! I think back to some of the fourth of July events I have been apart of like the parade on the fire department, throwing candy to the children who lined the street, doing fire protection as the fire works were lit and sent into the evening sky, and I think of the times with family as we sat and watched the sky light up. But somewhere along the way, we lost what true freedom is. Men and woman gave their life in pursuit of freedom from tyranny many years ago. People are still fighting tyranny in many forms but the reality is that only Jesus Christ can set us free, truly free. I pray that as this fourth of July is a little different, it maybe a lot different as we recognize the freedom found in Christ. HE will set us free, and we will truly be free indeed! peace, tom
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Job 8:21(NASB) "“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting."Did you hear about the young farmer who returned to the farm store to buy more baby chicks, the lady at the counter asked him that he must have a huge farm for this was the third time he was buying 1000 chicks. Today's verse shares about laughter and shouting with joy! The young farmer replied "I don't have a big farm but I am not sure if I am planting them too deep or too close together, but they aren't growing! (think about it!) Sometimes life can get so confusing and stressful that we need a good laugh to relieve the pain of the struggle. I am sure when God sees some of the things we humans do, He must laugh a little, or in my case, laugh a lot! My mom always said that "laughter was lubrication for the soul", when was the last time you laughed, oiled your soul so you can face the day with a smile on it?! BTW, if you go around with a smile on your face, people will think you're up to something! Maybe the something we are up to is bring God the glory by simply smiling at each other?! Have a good laugh today, it will help! peace, tom
Hebrews 10:36 (NASB) "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."
In bidding for the job, I did it by the job and not an hourly wage, boy was I wrong! The job took a lot longer than I expected, that's why I had originally bid it as a one time price. With each day that passed, the job still wasn't completed but I had to continue to get the pay that I had requested! Today's verse shares about endurance, and the need of it as we finish what the will of God is for our lives. Only then, and not before will we receive what is promised! I so desperately wanted to quit but I had made an agreement and had to keep my end of the deal. God will keep His End of the deal and we will walk with Him one day on streets of gold but for now, we need to have endurance to complete what He has called us to do. The struggles may hurt, the temptation to run away may surround us but if we keep our eyes focused upon Jesus, He will see us through! Endurance my friends, for it's a marathon and not a sprint to see Jesus face to face! peace, tom |
Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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