Hebrews 4:15 NASB "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin." He understands! Today we learn that we have Someone who understands what we are going through because He went through it too! As the men began to share, they found out that many men have gone through the same struggles, the trials, the temptations and sharing it with others meant that we are not alone. And then today's verse came up in conversation and we all agreed how blessed we were to know that Jesus feels our pain. Sharing the struggles of life with other men, for support and prayer is a good thing, going it alone ain't! Let's not be afraid to reach out to Jesus and other men as we do this thing called life, it is better together than alone! peace, tom
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Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB "So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."Danger is out there! Today's verse speaks of some great wisdom to hold on to as we do this thing called life! The dangers of the job site were everywhere so I needed to be careful and be wise about where and what I was doing! Whether it was walking into a burning building, standing on rafters as we attached the roofing, or knowing where the safety measures were when operating dangerous equipment, keeping focus was key! Too often we take our eye off the important things and work unwisely and end up in the ER. In life, if we take our eye off of Jesus and His Safety measures, the end result is worse than going to the ER, its going to hell! Let's be wise out there and learn to keep focus on Him! peace, tom
Deuteronomy 22:4 NASB "You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up."It may not be a donkey! Today's Word is about helping those in need! Maybe it was because I had seen my dad do it that I continue to do it today?! I can't go by someone on the side of the road who appears to need help, without stopping. Maybe it's just to lend them my phone to call the local mechanic or to call for a tow, maybe to help change that flat tire, or maybe just point them in the right direction but to pass by without stopping is just plain selfish. I know tough words and I'm not saying that there aren't situations where you can't stop or shouldn't stop but if we can, we should! For no other reason than to simply help. I think that's what Jesus did many times as He walked this earth. So, let's keep an eye out and stop if we can, to simply help! peace, tom
1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually."Funny how only when I needed him did I call! Today's Word is about seeking the Lord and not just when we are in trouble but continually! Maybe you've done it too, you have that friend who has a special talent, maybe an auto mechanic, or a plumber or an electrician and when we have a problem, we call. And being a good friend they answer, but what about the other times of life. When there's no problem, do we ever reach out and see how they are doing. We take people for granted and only call them when we need them, and that's how we treat God too. Only calling Him when we find ourselves in trouble. It shouldn't be that way, we should seek His Face continually as today's verse says! And we should be reaching out to our friends who have helped us in the past and simply say hello! Make the call, send the text, pray to God not just when we need them! peace, tom
1 Thessalonians 4:12 NASB "so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."There's no excuse! Today's Word speaks to us about our behavior! I needed to learn the lesson that my behavior wasn't acceptable. My dad sat me down and began to share that he had heard about somethings I was involved in and that they were the best choices to make. He didn't scold me but gentle told me about maturing and how what I did and how I did it, should always reflect Jesus. After the talk with my dad, I spent some time alone and took a good look at the priorities I had in my life. I needed to make some changes so that I brought God the glory by my actions. As we inch closer to the celebration of His Birth, may we examine our own lives and see if our behavior is bringing Him glory or not. Time to mature and behave as a man of God, how about you?! peace, tom
Ephesians 4:29 NASB "Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear."He didn't need to hear that! Today's verse is about being an encourager by what we say and maybe what we don't say! He called, I answered and he began to tell me how down he was, felt alone and the choices in his life brought him to a bad place. I could have agreed with him and compounded his feelings or I could listen and give an encouraging word. I chose the later and as we met for coffee, I kept giving him words that would encourage him and not push him deeper into his self destruction! A simple word, spoken in kindness, can make the difference in a person's life, their outlook for the day, week or month. Let's not be one of those who use our words to build ourselves up but to help those who are struggling. The best place to find words of encouragement are in His Word so why not use them! peace, tom
1 Peter 5:8 NASB "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."I was singing Christmas carols as I began! Today's verse reminds us about the enemy and how he is seeking someone to destroy! As I stopped to do a little Christmas shopping, I was singing Christmas carols and in a great mood but before long, I stopped singing and began to get a "baa humbug" attitude. Shoppers were bumping into me, I saw people being disrespectful of the store keepers and I began to fall into satan's trap. All he wanted was to rob me of the joy of Christ's Birth. I took a moment and prayed against the scheme of the devil that was robbing my joy. I began to sing again and smile at the people passing by, to spread some Christmas joy! It always comes down to choice, we can let the world/satan rob us or we can choose to hold firm to Christ, no matter what. peace, tom
Acts 27:29 NASB "Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak."As I got my ice fishing sled prepared, I made sure I had my anchors! Today's verse speaks about being anchored so we don't run into the rocks! It may seem kind of funny to have anchors ready when speaking of ice fishing but they are so important! When the wind blows, your ice cart can get carried away so anchoring it to the ice is a must! In life, the winds will blow us to areas where we will get into trouble so being anchored to Christ will keep us from falling to temptations! Waiting until the wins blow isn't the time to be searching for the anchors, they need to in place before the trouble arises. The question for today is... are we anchored in Christ?! If not, let's set them in firmly so we can withstand the winds of temptation! peace, tom
2 Corinthians 8:11 NASB "But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.'I had to keep going! Today's verse speaks to us about finishing it with the same determination that we had in desiring it! I had bid the job, thinking it would not be that hard but half way through I realized that my desire to get it done wasn't matching my desire to actually do it. I took a break, had a cup of joe and then got back to the job with the same determination as when I bid it. I finished it and stepped back. I told myself, if I was to bid any more jobs, I needed to bring my full desire in getting it done. Let's not go half way in working for the Lord. Let our desire to bring Him glory be the catalyst that helps us finish well! Get her done! 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."It just didn't look right! Today's verse is about letting our light shine so that God gets the glory!! I stood back after putting the lights up and realized that a few bulbs were out. I was going to leave them like that but realized that they just didn't look good. I got the ladder back out and began to replace the broken bulbs. When replaced, the lights looked better! In life, in our families, in church, if we don't let our light shine, there will be something missing. We need to make sure that we shine at our full brightness, so that others will see Jesus! Let's fix the broken bulbs in our life and shine like never before! Shine on! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
April 2024
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