Category: Uncategorized

One-minute read.

As a tennis coach, I have drills to teach focus. In a world full of distractions, studies show our attention spans have shrunk. Where a goldfish can focus for 9 seconds, humans average 8.25 seconds of attention. Consider that fact the next time you watch a goldfish; they focus better than we do.

Constant bombardment of information takes our attention away from our tasks. The constant ding of notifications from social media sites, health apps, calendars, and more never ends. We have to develop focus by practicing it, and nothing helps us do that better than the Son.

Keeping the Son in our eyes means meditating on God’s word, gleaning insight from the Savior, and applying it to our lives. The more we focus on the Lord, the more we will enjoy the benefits of following Him.

Just like I teach my students focus, I continue to work on it myself. Turning off notifications on my phone and computer helps me maintain my train of thought without interruptions. Determining what distracts us helps us eliminate it from our lives. By doing so, we can maintain our focus, keep the Son in our sight, and live shame-free in the love of the Savior.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for helping us fix our eyes on You. Please show us the distractions in our lives that keep us from enjoying You. Give us the wisdom and discernment to eliminate anything that distracts us from following Your ways.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

“You only believe the parts of the Bible you do,” said the pastor a couple of weeks ago in church. Over the years, I’ve heard many speakers utter those exact words. Obedience to the Lord’s precepts becomes a matter of choice rather than a matter of submission. Following the commands found in the Bible leads to an abundant life; however, if we don’t obey, we can’t enjoy it.

Yes, Jesus fulfilled the law when He died on the cross for our sins. Understanding none of us can keep all of the Lord’s commands, Christ redeemed us from our imperfect selves once and for all. But the Savior did keep every law, perfect in every way. To become more like Jesus, we must at least make an effort. The more we apply God’s precepts to our lives, the more we fulfill the Lord’s purpose for our lives.

Following Jesus and giving our lives to Him means living counterculturally to the world. Learning God’s commands and applying them to our lives transforms us into new creatures who value integrity, forgiveness, redemption, and purity.

Remain steadfast in following the Lord’s commands, and reap the benefits of living for the applause of nail-scarred hands. By doing so, you will find a peace that surpasses all understanding and an abundant life beyond your wildest imagination.

PRAYER:

Lord,
Thank You for giving us Your Word to follow and obey. Please help us apply Your precepts to our lives, transforming us into new people, set apart for Your work. Let us represent You well.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Where do you go when you don’t know what to do?

Answering that question determines the path you will follow. For me, I turn to Scripture. God wrote 80% of His will for our lives down. Through the authors of the Bible, who sought the Lord’s wisdom, we have instructions on how to live our lives. The other 20% comes through a relationship with the Savior, His followers, life’s circumstances, and prayer.

How do I treat the person that hurt me? Love, bless, and pray for them (Luke 6:27-28). How many times must I forgive? Seventy times seven (Matthew 18:15-20). What kind of attitude should I have towards work? As if unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). What’s God’s greatest commandment for my life? Love God, love others (Mark 12:30-31). What should I do with my life? Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

Most of life’s questions already have the answer written down for us in the pages of Scripture. If we seek the Lord through His Word, we will find direction and guidance to walk in His ways. Keeping life simple by following the precepts outlined in the Bible will help us stay on track. Instead of following our desires, we align our hearts with the Lord’s.

Applying Scripture to our daily lives requires effort, intention, and perseverance. But when we do, we will draw close to the Savior and experience life to the full.

PRAYER:

Lord,
Thank You for Your Word, which guides and directs our path. As we seek guidance in the pages of the Bible, grant us wisdom and discernment to apply Your instruction to our lives, imitating Jesus and honoring You.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read

Hope comes from the Lord as we follow His ways. In scripture, God tells us how we should love Him and others. When we apply these principles to our lives, we will walk blamelessly as we live out the Creator’s commands. Leading with integrity and following God’s statutes gives order to our lives and directs our paths.

As God reveals truth through circumstances, people, and His word, we respond by allowing the Almighty to transform us. No longer believing in worldly lies, we let go of shame and accept the Lord’s mercy. Through His laws, the Creator establishes divine order in the world, giving Christ’s followers a sense of deliverance and freedom.

Material things don’t last, but the blessing of the Lord’s peace that surpasses all understanding never ends. Ridding ourselves of guilt and shame, we embrace the freedom found in Christ’s forgiveness.

Living in God’s will brings blessings into our lives. The more we implement the Lord’s desires, the more blessings we will receive. As we experience God’s grace and mercy, we can’t help but share it with others. When the Prince of Peace stills our hearts and calms our nerves, we lose our fears and anxiety. The more steps we take with the Lord, the more we will praise Him. No one compares to the Savior, and none can transform our lives like He can. Blessed beyond compare, we find abundant life in Christ.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for giving us a guidebook for life. Please help us apply Your statutes to our days and walk blamelessly with You. Let us live in Your favor and blessing as we fulfill our divine purpose.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Divided into 22 sections, Psalm 119 holds the trophy for the longest chapter in the Bible. Containing 176 verses, the psalm uses the Hebrew alphabet for its structure. Each section begins with a letter of the alphabet, from Aleph to Tav (A to Z).

Describing his reliance on and love for God’s law, the unnamed author often gets credited to David, although some scholars suggest Ezra, Daniel, or Jeremiah as possibilities. The psalmist shares their struggles and how holding fast to scripture helps them persevere, declaring the Word of God as all-sufficient.

Filled with prayers and petitions for guidance and strength, the author relies on the Lord’s grace to help him follow the Creator’s decrees. By practicing God’s commands, the psalmist finds victory over his struggles and the peace that only our heavenly Father can give.

As we embark on a 90-day journey through this instrumental psalm, let’s embrace the truth of God’s word, apply it to our lives, and live in the victory Christ gave us on the cross.

Enjoy the journey, friend. Rest in the arms of the Savior; allow Him to fight for you. Let God’s word be a lamp unto your feet, lighting your path, leading you to abundant life in Christ.

Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for Your Word that lights our path and shows us the way to right living with Christ. As we study the passages in this Psalm over the next 90 days, help us apply it to our lives, living boldly for You.

IJNP. Amen

One-minute read.

You have nothing to fear in this world!

As we close out 90 days of studying God’s word about fear, He has a clear message. The Lord conquered this world when He died and rose again. We have nothing to fear on Earth because Christ overcame it. Putting our faith in the Savior creates an unbreakable bond that frees us to live boldly for Him. Nothing can separate us from Jesus.

Unfortunately, people who don’t believe in God do have something to fear: eternity separated from Him. Fear of the Lord means having a reverential respect for His authority. In other words, we care more about what the Lord thinks than people. And in that esteem for our Savior, we find the key to living fear-free.
Christ meets all our needs, conquers death, and prepares a place for us in heaven.

Life on Earth lasts but a moment, the first 80 or so years a struggle, but after that, we will bask in the glory of the Lord forever.

Fear not. Live courageously for Jesus, knowing He supplies all your needs. God’s love for you knows no bounds. The Lord promises never to leave nor forsake; His Spirit lives within us. Accept the gift of grace, and live abundantly in Christ. Give Him your worries and receive His peace in return.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for binding us to You and creating a never-ending relationship. Please help us live boldly, trusting Your promises and following Your lead. In You, we have all we need.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

2024 YR4, the nickname of an asteroid whose potential orbit could impact Earth in 2032, made headlines recently. The Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), a division of NASA, calculated a 1.2% chance of it colliding with our planet. However, they have revised their calculations to .04%, making it highly unlikely to impact us. Known as a “city killer” because of its potential to wipe out an entire city upon impact, for a few weeks, YR4 caused quite a stir among the world’s population.

One day, the Earth will give way, and the mountains fall, whether by asteroid or some other means; only God knows when, where, and how. However, as followers of Jesus, we have nothing to fear because we already know the truth. The Lord numbers our days; nothing lasts forever, and our lives on Earth a dot on the timeline of eternity.

Living fearlessly for the Lord means accepting our limited life span on Earth. The struggles we have today will quickly fade in the light of eternity. When God calls us to our heavenly home, we leave the land of the dying and enter the land of the living.

Whatever fear plagues you today, remind yourself of the Lord’s sovereignty. Cling to the promise of the glory that awaits you. Don’t let fear rule your life; give that seat to the Savior. Lean into His strength and let Him defeat your worries.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for the sun shining on our faces and the Son shining in our lives. Please help us live in the light of Your glory, knowing that one day, we will experience the wonder of heaven where You reside, our worries gone as we bask in Your love.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

We rest securely when we praise God for His counsel and wise instruction. Applying scripture to our lives over and over builds our confidence in the Lord’s promises. Eventually, deciding who we should follow becomes easier as we realize that doing things according to God’s instructions always yields the best outcome.

And the Lord tells us repeatedly, “Fear not.” When we lose sight of the Almighty, fear creeps in and takes control. But when we keep the Son in our eyes, we will find victory, have many things to praise God for in our lives, and discover secure rest.

Divine obedience, walking in the Lord’s ways, and following His precepts will result in blessings. But we find heartache when we veer from the straight and narrow path. Often, fighting the battles we face seems lonesome, but God never leaves our side. To experience victory, we must face a challenge and overcome it. Only then will we discover the divine success God has for us.

Whatever challenge you face, look to the Lord for a strategy. Remember, God’s ways differ from ours, and divine tasks may seem ludicrous. The Israelites probably felt silly when Joshua led them around Jericho, playing trumpets. But when the walls fell, they experienced victory like never before.

Experience a glad heart and rest for your soul as you enjoy divine victory from the Lord. Obey God, trust His promises, and live life fully with Christ.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for giving us so many reasons to praise You, especially the guidance and direction You give us to live life abundantly. Help us stay close to You as we fight our battles and experience the victory You have for us.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

David never misses sleep over his situation, whether surrounded by enemies or in the safety of his home; the mighty warrior puts all his trust in God. Because David commits his way to the Lord, he doesn’t worry about the outcome. The king understands we must have battles to experience victory, and the Almighty gives him the win.

For example, when David faced Goliath, he did so, knowing that the Lord fought with him. In every battle, David knew who led the way. The shepherd boy turned warrior only gets into trouble when he leaves God out of the equation. If David follows the Lord, he sleeps well, his confidence in the divine.

When facing adversity, instead of letting fear take the lead, give it to Jesus. Remind yourself of the victory from the cross, given freely to all who believe and trust in the Lord. We don’t have to fear people; with God on our side, we can have confidence in His plan. The worse the circumstances may seem, the more glory the Lord receives. Remind your mountains who created them and who can move them wherever He likes.

In Christ, sleep well, knowing He has your back.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for giving us a good night’s rest as we trust You to handle our battles. Show us the way, give us divine tasks, and let us experience victory in You.
IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Surrounded by tens of thousands of his enemies, David abandons his worries to the Lord and goes to bed. By sleeping, God’s warrior expresses his confidence in the Lord’s ability to lead him to victory.

Everyone experiences feeling surrounded by adversity. Some days, whatever you try to do seems to come with opposition. Spiritual attacks can feel like armies flanking us on all sides. If we give the devil an inch, he takes a mile.

Instead of letting the enemy’s attacks get to you, give them to the Lord and rest in His strength. God has given us victory; we must remember who has our back. Living in the peace that surpasses all understanding, as David did while on the battlefield, requires a close connection with the Prince of Peace. Following Jesus means always keeping Him in front of you.

When the enemy surrounds you, look up. Trust the Savior to defend you. Remind the devil he loses every time, always. You have nothing to fear with the Lord on your side. He fights for you, going in front and protecting you from the rear. In God, you can take refuge and sleep well, knowing victory will come.

Prayer:

Lord,
Thank You for giving us the victory through Jesus. Please help us keep our eyes focused on You when the enemy attacks. Let us live in Your peace as we face the battles before us.
IJNIP. Amen