Author: Beth Morrison

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 11:1-12:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14

Daily Verse: “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.” Prov. 14:13

Mixed emotions.

Joy and grief comingle together; you can’t have one without the other. As my friend Sharyn often says, “You wouldn’t know a good day if you didn’t have a bad day.”

Life comes with mixed emotions. A friend recently lost their beloved dog, bringing grief. When he posted the pictures of all the joy River brought to them during his time on earth, I couldn’t help but smile at all the shenanigans. Joy and grief mixed.

Often at funerals, people laugh at shared memories of their loved ones. 

“Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we love. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.” Anonymous

At any given moment in time, people feel more than one emotion. Following Jesus and applying His principles to our lives helps us learn to accept and deal with the hills and valleys of life.

Christ helps us discover the peace that surpasses all understanding, regardless of the circumstances.

Lord, thank You for introducing us to love. As we move through our days, help us deal with the mixed emotions of caring for others. Let us live in the moment, enjoying the good times, persevering through the bad times, and in all things, staying centered on You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 9:22-10:18, Luke 24:13-53, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 14:11-12

Daily Verse: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Prov. 14:12

Proceed with caution.

No one makes decisions thinking they will lead to disaster. The alcoholic wouldn’t take the first sip if he knew it would lead to his demise. Nor would I have swiped my first credit card charge if I knew it would lead to a mountain of debt that took me years to pay off.

Lord knows we all make choices we think will turn out one way, and they lead us to places we never wanted to go. Having trusted counselors in our lives help us make life-giving decisions instead of leading us on the path to destruction.

In my life, my husband and close friends help me make good choices. I’ve learned from past mistakes; it doesn’t go well when I forge ahead without consulting anyone about my decision. But having people who will look at the situation objectively and tell me the truth about the direction my decisions will take me helps me make better choices.

Seek wise counsel when making important decisions. Trust those who love you to tell you the truth and help guide you on the path of righteousness.

Lord, forgive us for our poor choices. Help us make better decisions as we surround ourselves with wise people who will help us see the path ahead. Steer us from destructive choices. Help us live our lives to the fullest with You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10

Daily Verse: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” Prov. 14:10

Personal emotions.

No one can truly understand the depths of someone’s sorrow or joy. Never having children, I don’t know the wonder of having a life grow within my body, then experiencing the pain of childbirth and the awe of holding a new life in my arms. As much as I try to understand those feelings, I never truly will.

In the same way, from February 2014 through October 2015, I lost five people, all close, intimate relationships whom God called home. The grief compounded with each loss, challenging my faith and growing me closer to the Lord as I sought His comfort. No one could understand my grief, just like I can’t completely understand someone else.

Today’s proverb warns us against forced empathy. Instead of acting like we understand someone else’s pain, we admit we can’t. Ask them how you can help them through their pain or how you can celebrate their joys with them. Even though we can’t entirely share in the emotion, we can walk with them through it, loving them to the best of our ability.

Allowing people to experience emotions individually will enable us to come alongside them, praying for and supporting them on the journey.

Lord, forgive us for thinking we understand others’ feelings when we don’t. Help us to support people, whatever the circumstances, grieving with those who grieve, rejoicing with those rejoicing. Let us become more like Christ as we strive to obey and follow You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalm 97:1-98:9, Proverbs 14:7-8

Daily Verse: “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” Prov. 14:7

Unprofitable associations.

Not every relationship benefits us. People unwilling to learn and grow, not accepting responsibility for their actions, cause harm to those around them. As much as we may love them, we must protect ourselves from their escapades, or we will fall into the pit with them.

Years ago, an unsuspecting friend dragged Ron and me into their scheme. We took their words at face value, thinking them trustworthy. Hindsight tells me I should have known better, having experienced other incidences of foolishness because of them. But I trusted, hoping for a different outcome, sorely disappointed when fooled again.

Finally, we learned our lesson and distanced ourselves from the relationship, knowing that we couldn’t trust their schemes unless this person made different choices. In the years since the poor decisions continue to pile up, but we no longer experience the adverse outcomes, loving and praying for them from a distance. Accepting the truth about people and our lack of control over their choices challenges anyone. But God gives us free will to live our lives however we want. We don’t have to let their decisions affect our lives.

Lord, forgive us for our foolish ways. Help us discern which path we should take and whom we should trust. Lead us on our journey, helping us to make wise decisions and develop healthy relationships. Let us become more like Jesus with each that passes. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 6:1-40, Luke 22:54-23:12, Psalm 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 14:5-6

Daily Verse: “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” Prov. 14:5

Discover truth.

Point of view varies in life. Depending on how people perceive and interpret the world around them determines what they consider the truth. And for some people, the narratives they tell themselves don’t come near the reality of the situation.

For years, I took responsibility for things that went wrong in relationships. But, when conflict occurs between two people, both share the blame. And every issue has three points of view, theirs, ours, and the truth.

Recently, I miscommunicated with a store associate who didn’t clearly define the terms of the service I received. Walking away from the situation, I felt guilty, owning all the blame. But the associate made assumptions about my knowledge, and I didn’t ask enough questions. Truth showed areas we both needed to learn and grow.

Following Jesus helps us discover the truth about ourselves and others. Understanding God’s unconditional love for us and accepting our sinful nature allows us to take responsibility for our actions and allow others to own theirs; by doing so, we will discover the truth.

Lord, forgive us for believing lies about ourselves and others. Help us see and hear the truth in all situations. Remove the blinders from us and give us clear vision. In all things, let us discover the truth as we follow Jesus wholeheartedly. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 4:1-5:31, Luke 22:35-53, Psalm 94:1-23, Proverbs 14:3-4

Daily Verse: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Prov. 14:4

Oxen build wealth.

Farmers used oxen to pull the plows, which tilled the fields and prepared them for planting.  The more ox a farmer possessed, the faster and larger fields he could harvest.

“We need more oxen,” Ron says.  In our first few years of marriage, we attended a financial class that described oxen as investments that made money for you without having to work.  Savings accounts, mutual funds, retirement accounts, and real estate build wealth slowly over time, oxen at work for you.

Adding oxen to your financial plan will give you abundant crops over time.  Farmers know seeds don’t yield crops overnight; it takes months to reap the rewards of their efforts.  Acorn, a financial app that invests your spare change into a savings account, allows you to plant seeds continually without noticing.  Small beginnings lead to significant rewards; from an acorn, you eventually get an oak tree.

Find ways to add oxen to your financial plan.  Let them do the heavy lifting, giving you abundant crops.

Lord, thank You for giving us oxen to work for us.  Please help us find ways to add more oxen to our financial plan, letting them build wealth for us over time.  Bless our efforts as we honor You with our money.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 2:10-3:31, Luke 22:14-34, Psalm 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 14:1-2

Daily Verse: “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Prov. 14:1

Wise women welcome.

Hindsight lets me see my mother’s wisdom. Mom built her house with love, making it a welcoming place for all and somewhere you wanted to go. Walking through her front door meant you entered a judgment-free zone, embraced with love and a warm meal.

My mother loved with food. The minute anyone entered her door, she started cooking something good. Mom’s love of Jesus came through in her welcoming spirit.

“Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. “Romans 15:7

What I learned from my mother’s example and what wise women know, creating a place people want to gather will fill your home. Warm, welcoming environments draw people to them. Like our back deck, small and intimate, with flowers adorning the fence and a fire pit in the middle, friends love to gather around it, sharing life.

Building a loving home takes wisdom; folly tears it down, but caring environments keep the house full.

Lord, forgive us our folly. Fill our Spirits with Your loving grace and kindness. Help us build our homes with wisdom, welcoming all as Jesus welcomes us. Day by day, let us continue to build a legacy of unconditional love for all. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Judges 1:1-2:9, Luke 21:29-22:13, Psalm 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 13:24-25

Daily Verse: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Prov. 13:24

Discipline with love.

Raised in the 70s, I remember the first day of school when the teacher showed us the paddle they would use—wooden planks with holes drilled in them to heighten the impact. Twice I felt the rod of discipline on my behind, once in third grade (although I can’t remember the crime) and once in sixth grade for clowning around and disrupting the class.

My mother’s preferred rod of discipline came from our hot wheels set. The orange racetrack with raised edges worked wonders to keep us in line. Thankfully, I rarely felt the power of the plastic wand, the threat of it enough to keep me in check.

In the fifty years since my childhood, paddles in school no longer exist, nor do I think they should. But I believe in the necessity of discipline, and so does God.

Throughout life, we learn many lessons. God disciplines us through circumstances, people, and His word. Recognizing the controversial aspects of disciplining children, I pray for parents and teachers dealing with this issue.

God disciplines His children from a position of love, with our best interests at heart. Prayerfully and with love, let God guide you in this issue.

Lord, help us understand how to discipline with love and affection. Guide and direct us in this sensitive issue, allowing us to develop fully devoted followers of Christ, spreading His love, grace, and mercy. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 24:1-33, Luke 21:1-28, Psalm 89:38-52, Proverbs 13:20-23

Daily Verse: “Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.” Prov. 13:21

Disaster pursues sinners.

Christ’s followers contribute sin to salvation, nothing else. Jesus does the heavy lifting, saving us from our errant ways. When we follow the selfish desires of our human hearts, we will find disaster.

Driving home from Florida after Christmas vacation, I followed the selfish desires of my heart. Working on a blog post, I didn’t take time to do the right thing, get out of the car and stretch my legs. After overeating and indulging in rich foods for a week, I gained weight. As a result, an artery in my abdomen pressed into the vein leading into my leg. My gluttonous vacation and lack of exercise caused me to develop a life-threatening blood clot.

God walked with me through the health crisis valley, teaching me valuable lessons and reminding me of the fragility of life on earth. As a result of that experience, I’ve made life changes, ones I needed to make. 

Each day the Lord allows us to choose which path we will take. Following the righteous path will reward us with the goodness of Christ. In Him, we find life to the fullest.

Lord, forgive us our sinful ways. Thank You for protecting us from ourselves and guiding us on the path of righteousness. Help us today to make wise choices, following Jesus closely, and become more like Him. In all things, let You receive the glory and honor. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 22:21-23:16, Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 13:17-19

Daily Verse: “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.” Prov. 13:18

Feedback helps.

“If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time,” Dad said. A man of diligence and discipline, he worked hard to provide for his family. I never saw him walk with a typical gate, losing his toes to gangrene during my first year of life, eventually losing his entire leg due to poor circulation. Yet, “hard worker” comes to mind when I think of my father.

Dad’s words still spur me onward. When facing a new task, I learn all I can to do it right the first time. As a result of Dad’s example, I learned to receive reproof and feedback to help me learn and grow, allowing me to do my best.

With his disability, Dad could have stopped working. But he didn’t. Instead, he found jobs he could do, despite his limitations. My father worked until he physically couldn’t work any longer, an honorable man who earned the respect of all who knew him.

Learn from those God places in your life. Work hard and accept feedback to do the best you can. Receive honor as God blesses your efforts.

Lord, forgive our laziness. Place people in our lives to help us grow and become the best version of ourselves. Help us receive feedback and change our ways, allowing us to serve You and others well. In all things, let You receive the glory and honor. IJNIP. Amen