Month: July 2023

This past weekend, we watched a documentary on Netflix. I don’t want to give the name to you in case you want to watch it. After you read this, if you want to watch it let me know. I will give you the name. But the part of it that I wanna talk about today was a sacrifice that one of the people in the documentary made. He literally sacrificed himself to save another person. And there’s a very good chance that he did so knowing he was going to die. So his last action on earth was to save another person. That’s pretty amazing. Does that sound like any other sacrifice that we know of? 

Obviously, you probably realize I’m comparing this to the sacrifice that Jesus made. His last action on earth was to die for us all. That’s quite possibly the greatest action ever taken by a man. Ever! He went to the cross for us all. There is no doubt that’s pretty amazing. And what’s even more amazing, is the fact that he still had us on his mind as he died. Because he loved us. He loves us now. He’s going to always love us. As he was dying, he asked for God to forgive us. Could you do that?

I would like to think that I would lay my life down for my family. My wife. My kids. My grandkids. That I would be willing to take their place if it came to that. The Bible tells us that there is no greater love. So I would hope that I would be able to do so if ever I needed to. But would I really? What a tough question. And what a tough question it would be if one of them had betrayed me. Just as Jesus was betrayed. Would I still be willing to do so in that situation? Now, I’m not comparing the guy in the documentary to Jesus. I’m not comparing myself to Jesus. But, I am saying that we should all follow his example for us. Should we die for somebody else? That’s for you to decide. Should we love others like Jesus? The answer to that is always going to be most definitely YES. So today, let’s work on loving others like Jesus loves us. I know that may be hard. It’s hard for me. But we should be doing so. Let’s follow his example.

We’ve talked recently a few times about different issues and problems that many of my friends have been going through lately. Difficulties that seem so hard to overcome. Some of these have been due to attacks from the outside. Some of them have been brought on by themselves. But they are definitely having some hard times. We can also look at what’s happening at the national level. And worldwide. So many things taking place. We can’t turn away from it. Because it’s always there. And I really believe that this is a spiritual war taking place. Many of us internally. And many of us externally. 

The human part of us wants to reason why it’s happening. Figure it out. Look for answers. I’m guilty of that. I would like to suggest this. Spiritual warfare is because of Satan attacking. If you have been reading these devotions for any length of time, certainly you have read one where we mention that he is very sneaky in how he attacks. That’s because he is a snake. He is a serpent. Hiding. Waiting for opportunities. His opportunities come in the forms of our friends, families, jobs, hobbies, etc. He uses any means that he can. And even with God on our side, we still try to make sense of it. As we said, that’s human. I promise you this, nothing will make sense. Unless we view it as spiritual warfare.

Now…we must focus on how to fight this type of battle. Here’s what I believe. You may disagree. But this is what I believe. We must pray. Pray for the Lord to intervene. Not just in the middle of the battle. But to intervene by going right to the hearts of everyone involved. Including us! This type of prayer is going to give us the peace that we need to internally overcome what we’re going through. It will also give us the wisdom and knowledge we need. Obviously, we can’t control the hearts of others. So we may not see their hearts change. But we still must pray. Because God can take over their hearts too. I’m not saying just sit back and watch things happen. I’m saying let’s God lead our actions. If we do this, then we will have the weapons necessary to expose the evil that Satan is orchestrating. Then that will help us defeat it.

This past week I had a variety of conversations with many different people. One conversation was about the struggles that a friend of mine has been going through for the past few years. Trying to determine his next step. Then the next day spoke with a friend on the phone for a while. Very similar situation. Been going through some struggles. Also trying to figure out his next step. There were a few more very similar types of conversations. With other people that are struggling. All trying to figure out their next step. Then there were those conversations with people that are doing good work. Having difficulties. But not struggling. Simply going day by day. Doing God’s work. Also working on their next step. 

Now…here is what is awesome about every conversation that I had. No matter what it is we talked about. No matter what it is that they are facing. The struggles. The difficulties. The successes. The next step. No matter what. Everyone of them talked about serving God. Following God‘s plan. No matter what! And that is awesome. That is very motivating and humbling. One of our volunteers recently sent me a message with a quote: “Your mission is to love, serve, and share the Hope of Jesus Christ. Your mission field is wherever you are.” 

Her message hit home. It really did. And I find it very fitting for this last week. It goes right along with every conversation that I had. No matter where we are, we can love. No matter where we are, we can serve. And no matter where we are, we can share the Hope of Jesus Christ. No matter where we are! God can use us in ways we can never imagine. Wherever we are. Even when we are trying to figure out our next step. Even when times seem difficult. God‘s grace can still be shown. So today, please remember your mission field is wherever you are right at this moment. Realize that and find a way to serve. Maybe with your family. Maybe with your friends. Maybe with your neighbors. Somebody at the store. Do what you can to show God‘s grace. No matter where you are.

Today is Anna‘s 20th birthday. It’s hard to believe that our youngest child is 20 years old. But that’s where we are. She’s 20. This is been her year to try to start figuring out what she wants to become in life. Trying to figure out where God is taking her. And that has been our advice to her the whole time. The same advice that we gave to our other two children. Same advice that was given to a Barbara and me as well. To let God guide her footsteps. Let him lead her. Even when bumps in the road come, never lose sight of God. Even when the “wilderness” tries to cover her up. Because where he’s taking her…is greater than she could have ever imagined for herself.

And that’s the same for all of us. The same promise to everyone of us. God promises us that the wilderness is not our destination. It’s not where we are going. It’s merely a bump in the road. And we can get over bumps. And if we do everything that God tells us to do, we will get through anything that we are facing. And that includes the dark times. Actually, the dark times can become glorious times because of God‘s grace through it all.

I have found myself in those places many times. I allowed myself to go there. My decisions led me there. Especially when I was trying to figure out my path. My course. Because, I was doing it alone. I was battling it by myself. Didn’t think I needed help. Didn’t think I needed God to show me. And that is because I did not know God. I did not have a relationship with him. Often times, we don’t know what we need, until we get what we need. And that’s exactly what happened with me when I developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. I knew right then. I knew that I needed him to guide me. We all do. So today, let him lead you. And the destination is going to be amazing.

The last couple of days I have been able to witness some amazing acts of people serving others. I have also been able to read about some. People doing things just because they should. People doing things because their hearts tells them to do so. People doing things because that’s what we are supposed to do. Serve others. This morning I read about a friend of mine changing a tire for somebody he doesn’t even know. They were pulled over. Needed help. So he did it. Recently, another friend of mine went out of his way to push a stranded vehicle out of an intersection. The driver needed help. So he did it. Yesterday, I received similar assistance. A friend of mine went out of her way to help convert files that we need for an engraving. I needed help. So she did it.

We are called to serve one another. To lower ourselves below others, and lift them up. Jesus gave the perfect example to the disciples. The last night he had with them, he taught a very important lesson. One that we should all learn from. One that we should all follow. Even when he knew he was going to be betrayed, he still served. Even when he knew he was going to be arrested, he still served. Even when he knew he was going to be crucified, he still served. He served by washing feet. He lowered himself below his disciples and washed their dirty feet. Now ask yourself if you would do this. Some of you might. And that’s awesome.

He didn’t do that to wash their feet. It was a lesson. Teaching the disciples, and all of us today, how to truly serve others. You lower yourself. That’s exactly what he did. Something that we all need to self analyze about ourselves. So today, let’s look at ourselves and determine if we are serving others. Let’s look at ourselves and determine if we are serving ourselves over others. Let’s be honest. Then, let’s find opportunities to serve others. If we’re having a hard time finding them, let’s create opportunities to serve others. And don’t think that little deeds don’t matter. They all do. We have no idea what we are going to do, at a certain moment, for a certain person, who’s going through a certain difficulty, that could possibly change their lives. Read that again. And again. And again. God‘s timing is always perfect. And if we serve others through him, it will be perfect as well. 

It has been 33 years since the last time I dunked a basketball. The last time I played a pick-up with some friends. The last time I ran onto a floor to warm up for a game. But as much as I have missed doing those things, what I miss the most is the preparation that it took to do those things. I loved practice. I loved the feeling that my body had after a workout. I loved the pain. I loved everything about it. Call me crazy, but I loved the “burn” that my body felt. I loved it, because I knew what the result was going to be. I was ready for what was coming. And just as much as my physical workouts were preparing me for the games ahead, the same could be said about preparing ourselves spiritually for what is coming ahead.

God will put us through tests. He will put us through trials. Both of those can include temptations. Honestly, both of those probably will include temptations. But why is it that he would do this? The answer is simple. He’s preparing us. Something is coming. And he knows it. And he knows that we are not ready for it. So he puts us through moments to build our spiritual strength. He allows those times to happen to build our spiritual strength. Sometimes those moments require a lot of action on our part. Other times those moments require us to sit back and let God work in our hearts. Either way, he’s building us. We are going through the “burn” spiritually.

Just as much as I have been through the burn of physical training, I have been through the burn spiritually as well. Yesterday I met with a dear friend who has been going through the very same thing for a while. And we both know that God is preparing him for something. Something that he wasn’t ready for before this difficult time. So he is working on building his spiritual strength. So when the time does come, he will be ready for the task at hand. So today, ask yourself: “Am I prepared spiritually? And I’m ready to face what’s coming my way?” Be honest with yourself. Today prepare your hearts for the burn. So when the time does come, you will be better prepared for going through it. So on the other side of you hard time, the next difficulty will be easier to handle. And people will see that. And they will know it’s God‘s grace. And they will want it. And there’s not anything more powerful than that. 

Yesterday we did a devotion that talked about the divide that we’re seeing in our country. How people go after each other on social media. Disagreeing causing division. And we made a point that this is a spiritual battle we are fighting. A battle of the heart. And let’s just say, the response to yesterday’s devotion was pretty big. We heard from several of you. It appears that many of you are seeing and feeling the same things that we are. We are in agreement that this is a battle against evil. The evil that’s attacking our hearts.

This morning I wake up and my readings include the topic of God wanting an inward change of our hearts. He’s not too concerned about our outward appearance. Because what’s important is what is going on on the inside. Because if our hearts are pure, then what we do will be pure. Being pure is part of God‘s grace. Plain and simple. We can act the act. We can talk the talk. That will only take us so far. But, if our hearts are pure, what we do will make a lasting impact. And people will see that. They will feel it. They will want that. And God knows that.

Some of you might be asking how is it that God can purify our hearts if we are stuck in a rut. Wondering what good can come of it. I believe that God uses trials to purify our hearts. Much like going through a “fire” in our lives. After going through it, our hearts will be more pure if we seek God through those moments. And that is where I see us getting through this division. Through this great divide in our country. In our world. I see it as the only way to get us through this. The ugliness can only be defeated by pure hearts. So today, let’s work on purifying what’s inside of us. Let’s work on developing bonds. Defeating division. Defeating hate. Let’s stop the pointing fingers at each other. And let’s understand this last point: Let’s work on letting God take control. Because that’s the only way we should fight the spiritual warfare against evil.

Recently, there have been two topics that have lit “fires” in the main stream and social media platforms. The movie Sound of Freedom. And the song Try That in a Small Town. Once again we see people taking sides. We see people bashing one another for their thoughts. We see ugliness coming out. Watching it take place is somewhat depressing. Let’s think about it for a moment. Let’s look at the reason for division. 

The movie is based on human trafficking. If we can’t all agree on the fact that this topic is horrific, I’m not sure there’s ever going to be a topic that we can agree on. The song is based on how small town people can unite together. I look at unity as a good thing. Especially against the darkness of the world. But…I don’t think that either the movie or song are the cause of the taking sides. I think the division exposes that there is a problem in our hearts. A spiritual problem. 

Social media has made a pathway for people to voice their opinions. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. But, when we catch ourselves attacking one another by typing vile things about each other, that shows the problem of our hearts. I’m not promoting either the movie or the song. Watch and listen for yourself. Decide if you like either one. That’s up to you. But what I am promoting is uniting against horrific things. Human trafficking. Sex slave trade. Car jacking. Etc. I think you get the point. Let’s let movies and songs like these motivate us to come together. And let’s let God bring us together. I believe that he is the only way for us to purify our hearts. And to unite. some people say that the world is a lost cause. And it might be. But, we should still strive to be Christ like. And to love one another. Never giving up. Never giving into the darkness that can come from evil and hate.

Raising children has to be one of the hardest jobs a person can have. It might be the hardest. Especially during the pre-teen and teenage years. Talk about a difficult season. We know from experience. Barbara and I went through that season 3 times. Each one was different than the others. Yet, each one was difficult in its own way. As our children grow into adulthood, our parenting season changes at the same time. I bet most of you can relate to this. 

There are similarities between how we grow as humans and with how we grow as Christians. Our children’s needs changed as they moved through childhood. And the needs they have now change. That includes what they need from us as parents. Barbara and I have said many times that parenting adults can be more difficult than parenting children. That’s because many decisions now have very lasting impacts on their families. Sometimes we are blessed to be able to give advice. Other times we have to watch from the sidelines. Either way, our children grow and mature. Does this sound familiar? Does it sound like your walk with Christ?

God knows exactly what we need and he knows exactly when to give it. He knows when to respond immediately to every prayer. Every need. And he knows when to let us wait. He knows when to watch from the sidelines. And it’s all part of helping and allowing us to grow spiritually. Helping and allowing us to mature spiritually. We must understand that during those times he’s watching us, he has not left us. He’s still there. He’s blessing us by letting us “build” us. Letting us work on our hearts. This season is one of maturing. Just as our children mature. It might not be easy to go through. Actually, it might be very difficult. But on the other side of it, when we are finished, we will be better prepared to face life. And to serve God. How awesome!

Sometimes it seems like spring gets shorter and shorter every year. It’s like we go from a cold wintery weather, and have about two weeks of spring, and jump right into miserably hot summer. It’s during those steamy weeks that I look forward to the fall getting here. Fall is my favorite season. Football is starting. The World Series is during that time. Basketball is coming quickly. And of course…hunting begins. And just as there are these different seasons, we go through seasons in our lives. Jobs. Maybe different homes. Volunteering at different places. Seasons come and go. And that can actually include our walk with Christ. Let me try to explain.

Sometimes God‘s presence is very clear. During that season, it seems like wherever you turn you see God. Whenever you call out to him you hear his response. All you do is look on the horizon and you’ll see his miracle. That’s an amazing season to be in. You can feel the Holy Spirit all around you. Then there are times that you don’t see him at all. You begin to question where he is. Maybe even wonder if he has forsaken you for some reason. Especially in those moments where you’re dealing with a medical issue. So overwhelming that you reach out to God over, and over, and over. But you don’t seem to get the response you need. That’s a hard season to be in. But…it can also be an amazing season if we allow it to be.

When I have been in that type of season, I try to look at it like God is preparing my heart for something that’s coming. Probably even working on my heart for what’s happening at that moment. I’m aware it’s very difficult to look at things like this when times are tough. And it’s easy for us to even say things like, “God, do you even exist?“ That’s a very human thing for us to say. And that’s because Satan will creep in and make us begin to think that. Or try to. So today the challenge is for us to look at these seasons as opportunities to grow. And not as times that God has left us on our own. He will never do that. Let’s look at it like opportunities for us to gain wisdom and pray for discernment over the situation. If we do these things, our hearts will be prepared for what is happening now and for what is to come. Just think of the testimonies that we can then share. And that is very powerful.