Luke 10:2 NASB "And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Ask anyone who runs a non-profit, if they have enough volunteers! Today's Word speaks the Truth about not having enough workers to get the job done! Those leading charitable organizations will always tell us that there number 1 priority is making sure they can get enough help to keep them going. There are many opportunities out there to share a little bit of our time and talents. It doesn't have to be an everyday, all day kind of thing, but a few hours each week can make the difference. When I get home from volunteering, I always come away blessed. I get to meet some pretty special people and help others in the process. Why not take a moment and ask ourselves, can't I give a few hours a week to my church, a group that helps others... then go out and volunteer! Remember, Jesus volunteered to go to the Cross for us! peace, tom
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1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB "but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."It's easy to talk the talk but when it comes to walking that talk, how we doing? Today's Word is about discipline and being careful that we walk the talk! There is that old saying "do as I say but not as I do!" Too often our life style doesn't reflect what we say. I know I read it somewhere about talking a log out of my eye before I try to take the splinter out of someone else's. If we are going to share Jesus by our words, we better make sure we follow up by our actions. I was asked the other day, why I was doing what I was doing - my reply was that if I am going to preach it on Sunday, I better be living it on Monday! Let's think about what we do and make sure it lines up with what we say! peace, Tom
2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV "You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."I couldn't say thank you enough! Today's Word shares that we will be richer in ways of generosity and that will produce a thanks to God. He really didn't have to spend the day helping me, but he did for no other reason than to help. While doing some home remodeling, a friend stopped by randomly and seeing what I was try to do, he offered his help. I never thought that he would stay all day but he did! I was so grateful to him that he finally said "you can stop saying thank you now! " We are blessed and can be a blessing to others when we put them first. Helping a friend, or even an enemy can make us and them thankful. Taking the time out of our busy schedules to lend a hand, can produce thanksgiving to God, as today's Word says. Why not create a little thanksgiving in someone's life by being generous. Let's keep our eyes open for the opportunity to help for no other reason than it will bring thanks to God! peace, Tom
Matthew 18:20 NASB "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."Don't take my word for it! Today's Word is about meeting together and who joins in! There is something about it, when men gather together. Whether it's working on an old car/truck, playing some sport, sitting around a campfire, or even just sitting and having coffee together, Christ will join us! The key is gathering in His Name. It doesn't have to be at church, or a home bible study, the Holy Spirit can and is willing to join us anywhere we gather. The question is, are we gathering there, meeting men to help, share a struggle, work on a problem we are having. Going it alone doesn't encourage us but in fact makes our struggles harder. Make sure we join with other men at a local men's conference, men's meeting, coffee shop, and yes even at church. He will join us when we call upon His Name! Let's do it! peace, tom
Jeremiah 13:23 NASB "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, Or the leopard his spots? Then you as well can do good, Who are accustomed to doing evil."Change is never easy but possible! Today's verse tells us that, although we do evil, we can do good! I found myself doing the same thing, the same way and it was time for a change. Each morning I would get up, hit His Word, do my prayer list, and then write these devotions. I had been doing it the same way where it became a habit, not a bad habit, but one that needed to change so that I wasn't just doing it to do it. Habits are hard to break but if we focus on why we do what we do, when we do what we do, we may just find that it's time to change things up. Like the verse for today says that even though we may be accustom to doing evil, we can change that and do good. Loving our enemies is a great change from revenge, but it starts with a heart change! Asking ourselves why we do what we do is a great place to see if we need to change our habits! 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."It's just like turning a page in a book! Today's Word speaks to us about something new happening, and to be aware of it! As I pulled the page off the calendar to start a new month, it occurred to me that changing our life can be that easy. Sure it will take some time to walk in the newness of living for Christ, but that new life is available to everyone and anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. For 20 years I fought fires in the city of Buffalo, then one day, my life changed, to where I now have spent 20 years sharing Jesus. Looking back at our past can hold us back from all God is calling of us but if we keep focus on Him, He will make a way in the wilderness. Let's turn the page of our life and start a new as we begin the month of May! peace, tom
Ephesians 6:12 NASB "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." No wonder we get tired! Today's verse shares where some of our struggles come from, be sure to read the list. As I sat with him, he began to relate to me how tired he was. He felt that every turn, he was facing difficulties that were beyond his control. He had been divorced, lost time with his children, his parents had lost faith in him but now he had accepted Christ and trying to put his life back together. We discussed today's verse, I told him, we all face battles and to continue to fight against the feeling of giving up. We shared that Jesus conquered all for him, and all of us who struggle but there will come a day when we see the victory, so keep on fighting, be strong and courageous and He will see us through. We prayed, then prayed some more. As we left each other, I shared one of my favorite movie lines "never give up, never surrender!" peace, tom
Matthew 18:14 NASB "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish." He followed me around like a trooper! Today's verse is about the love God has for the little ones, maybe we should too! I had a list of things that I needed to get done but having to babysit one of my grandsons, meant that he would be with me all day. I love time with my grandchildren, they bring such joy to my life but this day, he brought even more. No matter what I had to do, he was right there, willing to help every step of the way. Never complained, never put up a disagreement, he just wanted to help. When the work was over, it was play time. We played football, hockey, soccer and even played in the sand box. We both ended the day with big smiles on our faces. Why anyone would want to hurt a small child is beyond me but sadly it is happening. We need to take care of these little ones, protect them from some of the worldly things going on. Let them feel the love of Christ through us, even if they aren't our blood. peace, tom
Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB "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."It's one of my favorites! Today's verse speaks of our part and His. There are certain verses in the Bible that I have memorized and use to keep my life focused and today's verse is one of them. It contains two parts - our job and His Response. We are to be strong and courageous, never giving up or giving in but standing firm. And His Response is that He will never leave us - that's no matter what!! We will all go through those tough times, maybe the loss of a loved one, the physical struggle and pain of a disease but if we are strong and courageous, and face things head on, God will not leave us alone. He may bring people into our life to hold our hand, listen to our struggles, help our need so let's never give up or give in. He will see us through! peace, tom
John 16:33 NASB "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."It was nice to know that he took care of it! Today's Word gives us some great news, that Jesus will give us peace, cause He took care of things! I had a long list of "to do" things so when I asked a friend to take care of one of them for me, it was a joy to hear that he did and all went well. Sometimes we can get so caught up with life, that we loose our peace. We go from thing to thing and never find joy or peace in getting things done. In fact, we can let the chaos of the world creep in where we don't have any peace at all. But when we turn to Jesus, we can find the peace because He did overcome the world, and not for Himself but for us. Find the peace in our life again, by laying our burdens at His Feet! We will always have tribulations, but He will get us through and bring peace back to our life! peace, tom
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Tom SEmberAuthor of Daily Devotions Archives
May 2024
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