Acts 2:46 NASB "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,"It's so easy today! Today we read about the early church gathering together day by day and taking care of each other! Even with Covid still lurking around, we can be in touch with one another. A simple text, an email, a phone call, a zoom meeting or even a Facetime call to each other can keep us connected. When we allow time and busyness to separate us from those we call friends, then something gets lost in the mix. Don't let time cause us to drift apart but use the technology of today to reach out and say hello. We may just brighten someones day or find out how we can help with their struggles. Don't go it alone, reach out! peace, tom
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Genesis 6:8-9 NASB "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God."I wonder what they'll say? Today we read about a simple man named Noah and how he found favor with the Lord! With the recent passing of many friends, I found myself reading their obituaries and wondering what would mine say one day. What they will say and what I'd like them to say should be the same things. We should live in such a way that others say we found favor with the Lord, a man who was righteous and blameless and walked with God! But that means we need to live in such a way that we are in fact living that way! Death will come and the question is, what will they say about how we lived Him?! It's never to late to change the way we live but remember tomorrow is promised to no man, so let's live like Moses today! peace, tom
Luke 9:20 NASB "And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”"For most of the guys, telling their story doesn't come easy! The Word for today shares what Peter thought who Jesus was! As the group of men met for the first time, introductions were in order. We ask them to share a little about themselves and most men just gave their name and where they were from. As the weeks went on, they shared more and more about their life, their struggles, their victories! And then it came time to ask who is Jesus to you! There were many different answers as each man's walk is personal with the Lord. Some struggled with answering it, but others didn't. The question for today is, who is Jesus to you? If you don't know Him, I'd love to introduce you to Him! PM for more info! peace, tom
Philippians 3:13 ESV "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,"After packing up all my tools, I took a moment to stop and look back! Today we read about not considering that we have finished the race yet, but keep moving forward! The job I was hired to do was done, but there were many hands that help. Now I needed to focus on what lies ahead. The next assignment, the next job, the next adventure is waiting for us, all we need to do is to move on. The job completed was a good feeling but it was time to move on. In life, God has the next adventure waiting for us, all we need to do is to be open to the Spirit and walk where He leads. Don't let age, disappointment, disabilities or what others say, keep us from moving forward. God has a plan for each of us, so let's get moving forward! peace, tom
Luke 9:62 NASB "But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”"We had to keep moving forward! Today's verse simply states Jesus' Own Words about being fit for the kingdom of God, keep moving forward! The smoke and heat were getting more intense with each step further in and we had a choice, to either keep moving forward or give up and head back out! The report of trapped victims came over the radio as we entered the fire building. Our job was to search and rescue but with the heat and smoke and conditions growing worse by the minute, we had a choice to make. The choice of whether to leave or go forward was more for those trapped than ourselves, we could have gotten out safely but what about them?! In life, we will face those decisions to retreat or move ahead, and some of those choices with be for the fate of others! Choose wisely my friends, we did and got them all out alive! So the question is, are we fit for the kingdom of God, have we looked back? peace, tom
Job 28:24 NASB "For He looks to the ends of the earth; He sees everything under the heavens."It was as if I could see the ends of the earth!! Today we read about God and how He sees everything under the heavens. The verse is speaking of wisdom and how God sees all. It was early morning when my wife and I took a walk on the beach. As the sun came up, you could see the stars begin to disappear as the day began to wake. I couldn't help but think how God sees all, whether we want Him to or not. He sees what goes on the secret places of our hearts. As I looked out upon the ocean, you could see forever! The possibilities of life are endless, we just need to get up and go for the walk to see His beauty before us. Don't settle for mediocracy, but reach for the extraordinary for God sees us doing it before we ever thought of doing it and He will bless us as we bring Him glory! peace, tom
Galatians 6:9 ESV "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."I am sure there were times when she wanted to give up, to let it go and move on but thank God she never did! Today's verse is about hope, not growing weary and in due season, we will reap a wonderful bounty! For 37 years, she has stood by me, gave me hope that things would one day be better, and she was right! After many years of struggling with anger, we are at a place where God has blessed us, especially me!! What could a man ask for but a loving wife, not just in the good times but through the struggles! I am a blessed man, and realized long ago that I needed to step up and be the man God has called me to be! All it took was honesty about my shortcomings, repenting of my sin and loving a wonderful woman. Sorry guys, I got the best one out there! Happy Anniversary my love! The question for today is, are we being the men God has called us to be?! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:28 NASB "The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need."To some it's just a three day weekend, to others, it's an opportunity to enjoy family and friends one more time before fall begins! Today's Word speaks about labor and how those who steal must stop and turn their labor into good for the sake of their neighbors! Labor day is a celebration of the American worker, it was set up to remember how working conditions were terrible and something needed to change. It was the beginning of the 40 hour work week, and better conditions for workers. I wonder, how are our current working conditions, do we find that we are cheating the company we are working for, are we happy with the work of our hands or is there more we can do to help those in need? While we enjoy that parade or hot dog with family, let's ask if our labor brings God honor, and those in need some help! peace, tom
Matthew 3:8 ESV "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance."Although I knew I was wrong, I kept it up! Today we learn about bearing fruit by saying we are sorry! It wasn't getting us anywhere, or maybe it was! By keeping the argument going, things were getting worse by the second. I needed to come clean, apologize and begin to make things better not worse. In life, we may hold on to what we think was right only to find out that our right was actually wrong. I had caused the argument with my wife over a simple thing were I was wrong but that stupid "macho" thinking kept me from admitting I was wrong. Our relationship wasn't getting better (bearing fruit) until I apologized. Once I apologized, things began to improve! Let's not let the thought that we are never wrong keep us from bearing fruit. Admitting our mistakes, our sin, will be the beginning of bearing fruit! Who wouldn't rather eat a good piece of fruit rather than one that has gone sour! Don't go sour, go say we are sorry! peace, tom
1 Thessalonians 4:13 NASB "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope."I had to keep reminding myself of the hope found in Christ! Today we read about the difference of having hope and having no hope when it comes to the death of a loved one! The first notification came by text message and then the next one via social media! Two friends of mine have gone on to be with Jesus and if it wasn't for the hope found in Christ, that I will see them again, I'm not sure how I'd be! Death comes when we least expect it, it comes like a thief in the night. The only sure way of getting through the pain of loosing someone we love is to have hope in Christ. That the Words of the Bible are true, for those who know Christ, there is eternal life and we will see them again. I do not grieve as the world grieves but rejoice for my friends are with Jesus and I will see them again. The question for today is.. do you know Jesus so we can see each other on the other side of this life? peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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