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Exodus 20:13 NASB “You shall not murder."I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Today's verse seems rather simple, we shall not murder but it's not only speaking of murdering life, it can also mean murdering someone's spirit! As I overheard this father speak to his son, I was taken back. He said "you will not amount to nothing, you are no good, get up and get in the car!" I wasn't sure what the problem was between them but as I heard those words, I could only imagine what the young boy was thinking. His head hung down, tears began to fill in his eyes as he slowly got into the car. Our words can lift a broken spirit or they can break a spirit to where they will never grow. As I walk to my car, I prayed for the young man and his father, that God would come into their lives, for the father to realize what effect his words were having and for the son to find the strength in Christ to break away from those words. We can murder the spirit of one another by how and what we say, let us always be uplifting and encouraging to each other especially the young ones! peace, tom
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James 1:26 NASB "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless."I stood back in awe and surprise at what I was hearing! Today's verse speaks pretty clearly about what comes out of our mouth and heart can make our walk with Christ worthless! I had to examine my own language when I heard a good christian brother begin to speak in a manner less than honoring to God. In short, it was if every other word that came out of his mouth was foul. I thought to myself, I wonder if I sound like that, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and using language that would turn most people off! The world has accepted that those foul words are normal today, no one seems shocked by them. I wonder when people hear us speak, can they tell that we are followers of Christ or followers of the world?! Let's let our speech line up with His Word so that our walk isn't worthless, cause people are listening! peace, tom
Titus 1:16 NASB "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed."I trusted their word, but when it came to action, it just wasn't there! Today's verse may seem kind of hard to grasp but our actions need to speak louder than our words! I needed to hire a couple of guys to help on a job, so I asked around for some men who wanted to work. Two guys agreed and spoke highly of themselves and their work ethic, so I hired them. No sooner than the first hour on the job did I realize that their actions didn't match their words. I let them go. We need to be men of our word and better yet, we need to be men of His Word, letting our actions speak louder than our words. If we say we are going to do it, we need to follow through! Never let it be said that we are detestable, disobedient, or worthless! We are made in His Image and Likeness- let that sink in and act accordingly! peace, tom
1 John 1:8 NASB "if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."It brought back memories of when I was missing the mark! Today we read about sin, and if we say we have no sin in us, we are not telling the Truth! As I watched my grandson learn to "hit the mark' in the toilet as he learns to go on the potty, I was reminded of the time when my crew and I were fighting a fire and the chief wanted us to hit a certain spot with the fire hose. We were missing the mark and so he had to correct us to where we needed to be. In life, we will miss the mark, times when we don't keep our eye on the target. Those times can be sin and each of us have those moments, like when the Spirit leads us and we walk the other way, or we see the person in need and we find excuses not to help. Life is about choices and admitting that we sin, can lead us to the Truth! Let's understand that correction is for our own benefit and try harder to hit the mark! peace, tom
Romans 16:17 NASB "Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."Before I began the project, I did the research and found many different ways to get it done! Today we read about being careful of those who cause division between us, teaching a false doctrine! As I went through the different videos about how to do it, I found that some had results that weren't that effective. I slowly took my time and realized that some people put videos out just to get "seen" with no really success at what they were showing. I closed my iPad and thought back to what my dad had taught me, and realized that the way he shared with me would be the instructions I used. Many time we may find that what we were taught when we were younger is the way to go. Let's not be so quick to look for a new way when we know and have been taught that HE is the Way! peace, tom
James 4:17 NASB "So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin."The conversation began to get intense because we were holding him accountable! Today we read about knowing and doing and how not doing it can lead to sin! As the men's group began to discuss the right thing to do in a situation, one of the men began to take the side of "it doesn't really matter"! He shared how at his work place, doing the right thing didn't seem to matter to his co-workers so he just did what they did! Rather than do the right thing, he chose the easy way cause everyone else was doing it that way. When we know the right thing to do, and chose to do another, it can lead us to sin, simple put, do the right thing! Eventually, as the discussion came to a close, he understood the difference between getting it done and doing it right! The question of us today is, do we chose to do it right and bring God glory or the lazy way out cause the world is doing it that way? peace, tom
Matthew 5:16 NASB "Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."You don't even know I know!! Today we read about living in such a way that brings God glory! Technology is amazing, but I bet most of us don't have any idea we are being watched?! Those who get my daily devotions probably have no idea that I can see if, when and what time you opened the email. I can tell who hasn't opened one in awhile, I can tell where in the country and which country you're from. Although it's amazing it can be a little intimidating to know that people are watching us. But say you're a Christian, and more people will watch you to try and see if we are really living what we believe. So the question for today is are we living in such a way that when others see us, they give God the glory? Well are we...peace, tom
Isaiah 43:19 NASB "Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert."I'm not sure how it's going to end but the journey thus far has been amazing! Today we read about something new, how it will spring up, like a roadway in the wilderness or a river in the desert! At the beginning of gardening season, I always like to try something new, this year it's sweet potatoes. It's not time to harvest them yet so I don't really know how that will go but the journey to get there has been surprising. Sweet potatoes grow under the ground so you don't know how they will be till it's time to pull them up but just watching the plant grow has been exciting. It has been a journey to get to the harvest! In life, starting something new can be a great adventure, an exciting time but the key is we need to get out there and do it. Maybe God is calling you to step out on a new adventure, sure we don't know where or how it will end but the journey is exciting when we follow God's leading! So, how about starting something new today like reading His Word daily, visiting an old friend, volunteering at a help organization, the list is endless! peace, tom
Psalm 50:15 NASB "Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.”"I wish I would have kept count! Today we read about calling upon the Lord in our day of trouble and He will rescue us! Too many to count, the times I was in trouble, whether it was a life problem, I called my dad, or a car problem, I called my uncle or cousin, a boat problem, I called my boat mechanic and I thank God for them all as they responded to help! In life, we will find days of trouble, days of struggles and there is nothing more comforting than to call a friend or family to get that help we need. But we must never forget that the greatest help we can get is from our God. Many of us try to face the trouble of life alone, but that's not the best way to go. Calling out to God means that we surrender ourselves to Him and His Help and that means we understand the love He has for us. So let's call out to Him, He will answer us just like family and friends who answer us too! Oh, and by the way, answer those who call upon us for help too! peace, tom
John 8:32 NASB "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”"It clung to me like a dirty wet shirt! Today we read about Truth and being set free! I knew I did it, I tried to keep it a secret, lying to make it go away but the guilt of my decision hung on me and I couldn't shake it. The guilt of having made a wrong decision was weighing heavy upon me. I couldn't think of nothing else and had to come clean. Enough lying about it, enough trying to blame someone else, enough! Coming clean and being honest with what I had done, lifted the weight of guilt off me and I felt free. Sure I had to tell the truth and face the consequences of my actions but the freedom I found in being truthful so out weighed the guilt! Maybe you're living with a deep secret where your actions brought you guilt, you've been wrestling with yourself about coming clean. Let the Truth set you free and be honest and drop the guilt of a bad decision! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
December 2024
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