|
Romans 15:4 NASB "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." I couldn't believe I still had it! Today's Word is about being an encourager of others so that we have the hope to keep going. It was at a time when I wasn't sure what decision I should make. I was depressed, felt useless and found myself without hope. It came in the mail, a simple letter from my dad. In it, he told me how proud he was of me and the choices I was making in life, he went on to share some of God's Word that helped him through difficult times. Now years later, I found that letter as I was going through some old paperwork I kept. His encouraging word from back then, gave me hope again to keep on keeping on. Maybe we should send out a letter of our own to someone we know who is struggling, we may just give them the hope we find in God's Word to keep on keeping on! peace, Tom
0 Comments
Galatians 6:2 NASB "Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."She was struggling! Today's Word is rather simple but speaks volumes on how we should fulfill the law of Christ! As I was heading into the store, she was coming out. Arms full of bags, two kids on either side and trying to push a grocery cart too. I could have just walked by for I had burdens of my own to think about BUT... How could I call myself a Christian, a follower of Jesus and NOT help. I asked what can I do and she replied, thank you. It didn't take but a few minutes to walk her to her car, to help unload the cart while she put her children in the car. As I walked away, she yelled "THANK YOU!". How many times have we not thought of others as we passed them as they struggled... Maybe it's time we bear one another's burdens! Enough said! peace, tom
Matthew 25:40 NASB "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me."Amidst his own pain, he thought of me! Today's Word is great advice to remember as we go through this thing called life! He was old, hurting and probably should have been home resting but here he was - helping me in the rain storm.While doing some work on my home, a neighbor came over and gave me a hand. He had been battling cancer and the treatment was taking a lot out of him but here he was. When we put others first, it doesn't matter what we may be going through, we can live out today's verse. It wasn't that I was the least but I was in need of some help and that help came from someone who put me first! Maybe it's time we put others ahead of ourselves for in doing so, we do it for Jesus?! peace, tom
1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB "But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way." Just throw it together! Today's Word challenges us to do things properly and in order! Time was of the essence so we decided to just throw things together. WRONG! Eventually what we were trying to accomplish ended with disaster! The parts were not in the correct order so when it came time to start the machine up, it failed. There were certain parts missing, some placed in the wrong section and the machine couldn't work the way it was designed to perform. That can happen to us as well - if we don't take care of our life in the proper order, we may just walk outside with our underwear on the outside of our pants! Let's not be in such a rush that we throw away order! Do it right the first time and we won't have to go back and do it over! peace, tom
1 Peter 5:7 ESV "casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you." What if... Today's Word speaks of peace by knowing that God cares for us! As our crew entered the building, the "what if's" began to come. What if this goes wrong, or we get trapped, or the roof collapses. It can become so overwhelming that we end up doing nothing but if we hold on to the fact that God cares for us and others as well, we can dismiss the what if's before they start. Focusing on putting the fire out, searching for victims and doing what we were called to do can help but knowing that someone cares for us can give us the courage we need to finish the task at hand. Don't let fear or "what if's" keep us from knowing He cares for us! peace, Tom
Mark 16:15 ESV "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." It was just a simple prayer! Today's Word is what is called the Great Commission, the charge to share Jesus! Right after we ordered our meal, I asked the waitress, what can we pray for for you?!" Not one person turned us down as we asked that question at each restaurant we ate at. Most gave answers of heartfelt needs, specific requests for a loved one or friend and each thanked us so much. All it took was a simple question, a simple sharing that we know Jesus and He cares for each of us. Asking others what we can pray with them for is simply a sign that we take the Great Commission seriously. The question for today, when was the last time you asked someone if you can pray with them?! All it takes is a little courage and it can make the difference in someone's day! peace, Tom
Mark 13:26 NASB "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.""When are you coming back?" Today's verse speaks of Christ's return, His Second Coming! It was a simple question, asked by my grandson - Grampa, when are you coming back?! As you know, I was on vacation last week and our grandson couldn't wait for our return. Not necessarily for the gifts we would bring him but just to be with us, he loves us so much and spending time with us. I wondered, do we look forward to Christ's return, do we spend time with Him through out our life or is it just Sunday mornings at church? While time away was refreshing, there is still work to be done. My goal with these daily devotions is rather simple, to challenge us to meet Jesus, to go deeper in our walk with Him and to keep an eye out for His Return. It's good to be back, and I look forward to Jesus saying that to us when He returns - peace, Tom
Exodus 34:12 NASB "You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest."It's time! Today's Word tells us to take a rest, a time to refresh! I struggle to take the time to rest but realize the importance of refreshing and being renewed - so I will be taking the next week off. Spending time with my wife and enjoying the rest and relaxation from doing any work. If you will miss these daily devotions, you can go to maletime.org (http://www.maletime.org/) and find hundreds of the daily devotions to hold you till I return. Thank you all for always reading, responding, and letting me know how they have touched your life. I give God the glory for allowing me to send them out. Know you will be prayed for as I rest and relax in the Lord. Be blessed, see you in a week, peace, Tom
Luke 6:31 NASB "Treat people the same way you want them to treat you."May we never forget! Today's verse, while short, speaks to how we should live with each other! As the train rolled into the station, I was filled with so many emotions. Anger, sadness, a sense of duty, a sense of wanting to get back at them. I was heading to Ground Zero with other fire fighters to help in any way we could, but deep in my heart I was angry that they had flown the planes into the buildings and wanted revenge. While I worked the pile with my fellow firefighters, I began to ask myself, how could I forgive them. And then I thought of Christ on the Cross and His Words of "Father forgive them for they know not what they do!" - He was speaking of me, of the times I fell short and sinned, of the times I let my anger hurt those I loved. I began to let forgiveness heal my heart. We may not forget the memories of that fateful day but what we do with them can be the difference between keeping the evil alive or healing our hearts! Chose wisely my friends! peace tom
Proverbs 16:24 NASB "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."A simple text can make the difference! Today's Word speaks to us about our words and how a pleasant word can lift someone's spirit! It came at a time when I was struggling, a simple text saying "I'm praying for you! " - They didn't know what I was going through but the Holy Spirit led them to send it. I'm glad they did, for it lifted my spirits and let me know that I wasn't alone in my struggles. People hide the fact that they may be struggling, hurting, trying to find answers and a simple text from a friend can help the pain. Why not take some time today and send a text to the person God has put on your heart - it may just be the thing that heals their soul and let's them know, they are not alone! peace, tom
|
Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
January 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed