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James 4:17 NASB "So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin."Did we do it?! Today's verse, while rather short, hits right to the point! It may not be considered sin but yesterdays devotion said to text, call, send a card and reach out to someone with an encouraging message. I wonder how many of actually did that. Took a moment and put others first for a time or two. As a young boy, my parents gave me "chores" to do and at the end of the day, my dad would ask, "did you do them?". He could tell if I was lying or not by my reaction and seeing whether the job was done. So, today we get another opportunity to do it, to put others first and again, it may not be a sin not to send an encouraging message, it may just brighten someone's day! So, DO IT! peace, tom
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Acts 15:31 NASB "When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement."It was a simple message but meant so much to the men! Todays Word is about sending out an encouragement! The crew and I were out on a call when the Chief stopped by our quarters. When we returned, there on the watch desk was a note that simply said "Good job guys, keep up the good work!". We didn't throw a party but each man felt a sense of accomplishment - that we were doing our part and doing it well. God wants to say to you today - great job, keep it up! We can also encourage others with a simple text, phone call, card or word of affirmation. We all need that little bit of edification from time to time, so let's make today about someone else and not ourselves by sending out a simple "good job!" peace, tom
Isaiah 40:29 NASB "He gives strength to the weary,
And to the one who lacks might He increases power.It was the end of a long shift, but it's not over till it's over! Today's verse gives us come comfort in knowing that no matter how weary or lacking might, God will see us through. It was just about quitting time when the fire alarm bell went off. We were called to another working fire and after having been up all night battle blazes across the city, we need to find the strength to keep going. It's never easy when we are exhausted, tired, worn out but the work still needs to be done. Sure, we can look for someone else to do the work but that's not what we signed up for. When it's our job to do, we must, no matter how exhausted or weary, find the strength to keep going. The best place to find that strength is in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit - we will never know until we give it a try so why not let the power of the Holy Spirit increase our power today! Ya' never know, we just may be amazed! peace, tom 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV "but test everything; hold fast what is good." I had heard it before but didn't apply it! Today's Verse is one we have read over and over - the key is whether or not we are applying it to how we live. I had put it together but never really tested the joints. When it was time to put it into use, the one corner fell apart and made the unit useless. If I had tested it before I tried to use it, I would have found the weak point and could have fixed it. When we go through life, and try to keep it all together, there will be moments when things fall apart. Maybe we didn't test things before we put them into practice?! Maybe we need to step back and ask "is it of God or is it of myself?" - When we test our life against His Word, we may just find that there are somethings that we need to tighten up before we put it into use - let's be careful out there! Test first, then apply! peace, tom
Romans 8:37 ESV "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."It took awhile but I finally made it! Today's Word is about being a conquerer through Him! With each step, I climbed higher and higher. While the others guys were trying to knock each other down, I finally made it to the top, king of the hill. It was a childish game of making it to the top of the mud pile. Some guys got there with no problem, while others of us struggled up. In life, there will be those things that seem to hold us back but if we hold steady to the Lord, we will make it to the top of whatever we are trying to achieve. The key of course is not stopping, not quitting, not giving up. Even if we didn't achieve the resolutions, we can start again, a new day, a new opportunity to keep moving forward and upward! peace, tom
Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you."What was I thinking? Today's Word are words of encouragement for us as we face the difficulties of life! I remember his words to this day "just ask God to protect you!". Those were the words my dad shared with me about running into a burning building on the Fire Department. As I was about to enter my first fire building, those words became real to me. I said a little prayer for God's protection and headed into the smoke and fire. Today's verse is a great one to hold on to as we face the struggles of life - do not be afraid, be strong and courageous for the Lord is going with us. What a comforting thought - the key of course is whether we truly believe those words, His Word?! Let's take time and ask ourselves - do we believe, I pray the answer is yes?! peace, tom
Proverbs 24:16 NASB "For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster."I had hit the ground for the third time! Today we read about falling down and getting back up and staying down - there is a difference! While learning to ride a horse, I had fallen off three times but I was determined to stay on which meant I had to get up, clean myself off and get back in the saddle. In life, there will be times when we get knocked flat on our butts, but the key is whether we get back up or stay down. Staying down is giving up, but getting back up, no matter how sore or tired we are is truly living. So, when the world knocks us down, reach out for God's Hand and He will help us back on our feet to face life again - let's just learn from the mistake that knocked us down in the first place! peace, tom
Luke 11:28 NASB "But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.""I had to listen carefully! Today's verse is about listening and then following what He says! While playing hide and seek with one of my grandsons, I had to listen carefully as he laughed where he was hiding. He plays the game to the utmost so I really had to listen for his giggles in order to find where he was hiding. Thank God, we don't have a God who plays hide and seek with us. He is always there, ready to speak to us, we just need to listen more. Maybe turning off the noise of the world and spending some quiet time just listening for His Voice will help us hear Him. After hearing my grandson's giggles, I followed where it was coming from. When God speaks to us, it's time for us to follow what He has said! When was the last time we just sat and listened for His Voice... maybe it's today! peace, tom
Luke 13:3 NASB "No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."The pile kept growing! Today's Word is rather simple, repent or perish! As I was picking out some lumber for a project, I kept rejecting the pieces that were bent, twisted, knotted up. The pile of wood that were not usable began to grow. It got to the point where I asked one of the workers if there was any other wood available. God has called us each to be part of His Project of sharing His Son.Thank God He is not looking for the perfect one to be part of His Team. He is looking for those of us who realize we are imperfect and have repented of our sin. Let's not end up in the discarded pile but repent so we can be used in His Project to share Jesus with the world! peace, tom
Matthew 6:34 NASB "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." I was so worried about the end of the week, that I missed the blessings of today! Today's Word speaks of not worrying about tomorrow but to take care of today! As we face the first full week of 2026, and trying to keep our New Year's Resolutions, we can get so caught up in the big picture that we miss the little details. As I began to plan out the week, I was so concerned over the last few days of the week, that I forgot the appointment I had early Monday morning. As the notification came on my calendar, I scrambled to get there on time. Let's not be in such a rush for the end of the week, that we miss what we need to take care of today. We have a saying in our house, "enjoy the journey" and worrying about too many things can take our minds off simply enjoying the journey of today! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
January 2026
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