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Job 8:7 ESV "And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great."
It may be the end but it could be the beginning! Today's verse speaks to us that our beginning was small but our ending will be very great! When the end of the month comes, I look back to see what I did, what I didn't do and how can I accomplish more next month. All things have a beginning and an end, what lies between them is what we do with our time and energy. There are some jobs that still need to be done, others I have finished and did my best, but with a new month comes the challenge to be better. Better at reading His Word, spending time in prayer, keeping my eyes open for opportunities to share Christ. Just because something ends, doesn't necessarily mean it's over. As we end the month and look forward to a new beginning, let's ponder on how we can be better for the cause of Christ! peace, tom
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Mark 10:14 NASB "But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Their pictures came up in my time line! Today's verse speaks to us about bringing children to Christ! I sat for a moment as I looked through the pictures of my children and grandchildren. I thought to myself, have I done everything to bring them to know Jesus. All of them have grown up so fast, and I realize that time is fleeting. I said to myself, I can do a better job at sharing Jesus with them. There are children all over the world who will never hear the name of Jesus spoken in their life, maybe it's time we start talking Jesus! In the morning, pray over them, during the day pray for them, and at the end of the day, pray with them and thank God for them. All it takes is courage! The question for today is... do we have the courage to bring our children to Jesus?! peace, tom John 7:24 NASB "Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
We never really know! Today's verse is about judging and how we judge others. As we sat at our Men's Morning group, a guy walked in who clearly needed some help. He was stumbling and almost fell down as he headed to the counter to order some food. One of the guys commented that he looked like he had a rough night of drinking and was still drunk. Another guy went to offer some help. When he brought the guy back to our group, we found out he wasn't drunk, but actually was having a medical emergency. He was a diabetic and his levels were all over the place. After calling for help, and getting him on his way to the hospital, the guy who made the earlier comment apologized to the group. He had made a quick judgement that was entirely wrong. Let's be careful how we judge others, for we never really know what they are going through! peace, tom Romans 1:12 ESV "That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."
We just sat and talked! Today's Word speaks to us about encouraging each other by our faith, both yours and mine! There wasn't any great project, or conference we attended. It was over a simple cup of coffee where we shared how God had blessed us. We has lost track of each other for a while and when we got back together, we shared the blessings that God had given each of us. The more we shared, the more our faith grew. We realized without Christ in our lives, we probably wouldn't be where we are in life. Sometimes we need to hear how God has blessed others and share how God has blessed us through the trials and struggles but in doing so, our faith can encourage each other. Don't let satan rob us of our faith being built up, let us stand upon the promises of God and encourage each other to build up our faith! peace, tom 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
It's never do as I say but not as I do! Today's verse speaks of making sure how we live is a qualifying example to others! No sooner did the foreman walk away to go and hide from the work, did the other guys begin to question his authority. He was the type of man who said one thing but did the complete opposite. Expecting us men to get the work done, while he took a nap in his truck, didn't go well as other men began to fool around and none of the work was getting done. At the end of the day, when the foreman returned, he was shocked to see the undone work load. When we say one thing but do another, we give others the right to do the same thing. We need to be men and women of our word, men and woman of His Word! We need to be sure that what we do reflects a godly attitude of what we say. Let's make sure we aren't disqualified by our actions, and do what we say to others! peace, tom Romans 5:4 ESV "and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,"
Without hope, it's hopeless! Today, we read that enduring produces our character and that produces our hope. It seemed hopeless, I was forever losing my temper. I was ready to give up, for the pain I saw in the eyes of those I was "supposed" to love was too great. I needed to find a way to stop the rage, stop the yelling, stop the pain. My only hope was Jesus Christ, so I prayed, and prayed some more and even cried out to Him to remove my anger, remove my rage or take my life. When the dust settled, I learned that it was ok to be angry, but not to sin, I learned that it wasn't God's to take away but I had to grow up and be responsible for my actions. I found hope in Jesus, where do you find hope by enduring the pain and building hope in His Name?! It's never an easy road but if we endure, we will have character and with character comes the hope for a better day! peace, tom 1 Timothy 2:5 NASB "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus,"
Everyone was trying to lead! Today's verse speaks to us that there is one God and one mediator between us and God! While the meeting took place, everyone tried to be in charge. It meant that each person was trying to lead the group in the direction they wanted to go. At the end of about 3 hours, we were no further ahead and no serious progress was made. We stepped back and decided who was going to lead, who was going to follow and who was going to do what. When we decide that God is in charge and we are His Servants, things can go better, and things will get accomplished, but when we try to be god (notice the small "g" ), we try to usurp His Power. Let's make sure we know He is in charge and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. Things will definitely go better! peace, tom Philippians 4:4 NASB "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"Somethings are worth repeating! Today's verse tells us to rejoice and rejoice again! Repetition is the mother of learning and repeating things over and over is a great way to learn them. I found myself repeating the multiplication times table with one of my grandsons. He looked at me as if I was crazy, for they no longer learn to multiply like that. I remember the days after dinner, sitting at the table with my parents and going over and over them, maybe you did too. Repeating those important things is a great way to remember and repeating God's Word will help us in times of trials and tribulations. Nothing like pulling a memorized scripture out to get satan to leave us alone, or how about remembering the promises of God when we think all is lost. Let's not be afraid to repeat God's Word over and over, for then, we will remember it in the time of trouble! peace, tom
1 Chronicles 19:13 NASB "Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the benefit of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight."I didn't want to answer it! Today's Word is about being strong and courageous for others! I was exhausted and tired but when the call came in to help, there was a moment when I thought of not answering it. I am sure we have all been there. With the call came a need, someone needed help and reach out to me. I now had a decision to make, to either be selfish and not answer or think of others and answer the call. I chose the later. There will be times when we must, not have to but must, put others first. We may be in the position one day when we are the ones making the call for help. May we be strong and courageous when the call for help comes and answer as Jesus did when asked to go to the Cross for us! peace, tom
1 Timothy 4:15 NASB "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all."If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! Today's Word is about growing, and our progress and how we are to take pains in doing them! No one really likes to pull weeds, but it must be done in order for our backyard garden to prosper. Everyone likes eating the fresh vegetables that are the result of hard work, but the work must be done first before we get to enjoy the fruit of our labor. We never think about all the work that went into the things we enjoy... the gardener pulling the weeds, the auto mechanics sweating in the heat, the pastors who spend hours in prayer and His Word to bring forth the message on Sunday, the single mom, working two jobs, to give their children the best she can. They are out there, those who work tirelessly so that others can enjoy the blessings - maybe we can take a day and thank all those who work behind the scenes to bring us the blessings - just sayin'! peace, Tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
August 2026
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