Galatians 5:16 NASB "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."If I could only get over there, I know I'll catch more fish! Today we learn how to walk to help us not carry out those deeds that will lead to sin. Fishing along the shore, I saw a spot just over this rock pile, that I thought we be better fishing, the only problem was trying to get there! I was catching fish where I was and having fun doing so but something inside me wanted more! I never got to the other spot for the climb up and over the rocks was just too dangerous and hard! In life, we find that our flesh wants to go where it shouldn't, that we aren't happy with what we have been blessed with but we want more and in getting there, we will ultimately sin! The key is being honest with ourselves that what we want is not from the Holy Spirit but from our fleshly desire to get more! If we only had that desire to get more of God, and the Holy Spirit, I wonder how our walk would be?! peace, tom
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1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."Did you see the crash? Today's verse is about running the race, not just participating in the race but running to win! I have been watching the "Tour de France" and have seen some pretty ugly spills. Some of them were caused by the riders themselves, some by the road conditions and some by bystanders getting in the way and yet no matter which way the riders fell, they couldn't wait to get back on their bikes to finish the race, each hoping they could win. Believe it or not the "Tour de France" is a team sport, many riders riding for the team and not just themselves. Living life can find us falling from time to time, the key is whether or not we get up and get back in the race. and the prize we receive will be given as we face the Lord face to face, so keep peddling out there and be careful cause there will be times when we fall but we can find strength in Christ to get up and get moving! BTW what team are we on? peace, tom
Proverbs 27:23 NASB "Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;"If I didn't know the condition of the relationships, how could I ask them to risk their life with me?! Today's verse may seem directed at farmers but we can apply it to any area of our life. Being an officer in the fire service meant that at any moment I could lead my crew into a situation that could possibly be the last thing we ever did. Knowing the condition of my crew meant more than just know how they were on the outside but knowing how they were on the inside, were there internal struggles between them, did they have a problem with my leadership, areas of concern that would take our mind off the task at hand. In life, we may be given the responsibility of others, like our wives, children, aging parents, neighbors, co workers and knowing the condition of those relationships can make the difference between life and death. So we need to be honest, straight forward and speak the Truth in love, cause you never know, it could be the last time we see each other! peace, tom
Matthew 11:28 NASB "“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."I almost felt guilty, like I was doing something wrong! Today's Word speaks to us about rest, taking time from the busyness of life and just resting! Ok, so here it is, I sat and did absolutely nothing, not for just a minute but so much longer. I didn't let my mind get caught up with all the things that needed to be done, or the phone calls to return, or the social media posts to like, or the upcoming material to be shared or written. I didn't open a book, turn on the tv, check my phone, I just sat... lIfe can become so busy that we never take the time to rest, to simply sit, and rest. It felt good and I didn't realize just how weary and burdened things had become and I was glad that I took the time to just sit and relax. I pray that you take the time to sit back, and do absolutely nothing. It may be hard at first but trust me, you'll feel so much better to face what life throws at us. Find the peace of Christ by just sitting down to rest! peace, tom
Psalm 25:21 NASB "Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait for You."38 Weeks and counting and I wonder, as we wait, what will you be?! Today's verse speaks of waiting and while we wait, two important words are shared to live by as we wait! Our Eldest daughter and her husband are having their second child, our third grandchild and the wait is on! We look forward to the phone call that will tell us she is in labor, the child about to arrive and the excitement grows. I can't help but wonder, if we are waiting as excited at the thought of the return of our Savior. We know He is coming, not sure when, but He is coming! And as we all wait for arrival of our grandchild, we keep on keeping on. Life doesn't stop as we wait so we must continue our journey. As we wait for Christ's return, we should continue in our integrity and uprightness that we find in His Word. Keep praying and waiting but do so with integrity and uprightness so others will rejoice when He comes and share the news for it is Good News! peace, tom
1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB "Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."It must have been there for at least 100 years! Today's Word is about work, our work, how it should be firm, unmovable and excelling when it comes to the working of the Lord! As we continued to make changes in an old farm country house, we found that things were built so they would last and last a long, long time. The craftsmanship and quality of the work was long lasting and so much better than the work we find in houses today. The owner wanted to put up a fence to keep her dogs in so we needed a starting point, there, in the yard, stood a concrete post, still level and plumb despite being over 100 years old. I had to ask myself and maybe you do too, will the work we are doing last 100 years?! Will the quality of our work bring God glory? Do we know that our labor is not in vain?! Some things to think about as go through this thing called life! peace, tom
Proverbs 18:15 NASB "The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."It was more than not knowing, it was that I didn't even understand it! Today's verse speaks to us about knowledge and the importance of seeking it! I had taken my Lionel engine all apart and sat there looking, I was way over my head! It was easy to take it apart but the key was how to fix it and put it back together! A smart man may have found that out before he got to this part but that wasn't me! So the search for a knowledgable man and the needed information began. Our life can be torn apart, things not working as they should and we find ourselves over our head. It's time to pray for knowledge, seeking wisdom within the pages of His Word, and in the council of those who have gone through it before. This way our train will go chugging down the track like a great steam engine of old! peace, tom
John 8:7 NASB "When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”"There will be NO rock throwing especially in the house! Today's verse is a sharp and hard reminder that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God! While playing with his construction trucks, our grandson got a little excited and began to toss the small rocks we were playing with and as I told him it was not allowed, today's scripture came to mind. In life, sometimes we want to be like little children, throwing rocks or insults at others who don't seem to "fit" our idea or way of life. We get that "I'm better than you" mentality when in reality, we are just as guilty as the next guy! Maybe it's time to drop the stones we want to throw and try using our hands for something as simple as a handshake- just sayin! peace, tom
Isaiah 43:2 NASB "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."Do we believe it or are they just some words written in a Book?! Today we read about life and some difficulties we may face, and the question is... do we believe His Word, that HE will be with us and we will get through them. I have been in rooms filled with fire and came out alive, I have been in water were the waves were crashing over the boat and came out alive, I have been in circumstances that seemed hopeless and have come out the other side. Life will be filled with challenges that will test our faith, test our determination, test our integrity and the key is where do we turn?! Do we believe His Word that He will be with us no matter what? If you don't know Him, get to know Him and you will begin to see freedom through life's struggles like never before! Live free in Him - peace, tom
Galatians 5:1 NASB "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."He sat there and looked up at me as if to say "now what?"! Today's verse shares about freedom, something most of us celebrated yesterday but in reality many of us are still subject to the yoke of slavery! When we got the little puppy home, I removed her leash and collar and she was allowed to run free in the yard but being kept on the leash for so long, she didn't know what to do. Many of us have spent too much time leashed to our past, our sin, our mistakes in life that once we are freed by Jesus Christ and His Work on the Cross that we just sit there and ask "now what?"! To be free from our sin, means to turn away from them, to start fresh and if we are unsure of where or what to do next, I offer you prayer! Pray to our Heavenly Father for what comes next in your life, begin to listen as He will lead us through the Holy Spirit and begin to step into the new life Christ has freed us to! Like the young puppy who began to run around enjoying her freedom, you can too! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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