Category: Uncategorized

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 27:1-6, Proverbs 20:20-21

Daily Verse: “An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” Prov. 20:21

Unsatisfying prosperity.

Depending on the study, the research found 33-70% of lottery winners go bankrupt within 3-5 years. Gaining money quickly causes reckless spending. Greed desires more money, and leads to destructive behavior.

News4Jax feature article, Rip Up the Winning Ticket? 5 Reasons Why Winning the Lotter Can Destroy Lives, says 70% of lottery winners go bankrupt because:

1. People will ask you for money.
2. Become a target for crooks.
3. Strained relationships.
4. Guilt and boredom.
5. Careless spending.

Scripture tells us the “LOVE of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Managing finances requires God’s help. Applying and obeying Biblical principles to our budget will keep us from falling prey to the mighty dollar allure. 

Instead of letting money control us, use God’s word to control it.

Lord, forgive us for letting the love of money come before You.  Give us the tools necessary to manage Your blessings well. Let us live prosperously as we follow You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33, Romans 16:10-27, Psalm 26:1-12, Proverbs 20:19

Daily Verse: “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with a simple babbler.” Prov. 20:19

Avoid gossip.

People who talk about others, sharing secrets without concern, define gossip. And at one time or another, we’ve probably all committed the sin; I know I have.

“If I can’t say it to them, I won’t say it behind their back” I answer when asked about gossip. The more God refines me, the less I talk about others.

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31

Applying the Golden Rule to gossip helps us put it in perspective. I don’t want people talking about me, so I shouldn’t talk about others. Having suffered from gossip, I try to avoid it at all costs, not wanting to cause pain to others.

Don’t trust people who have a reputation for gossip. Simple babblers let the words flow from their mouths without thinking about how they will affect others or the secrets they spill.

Gossip destroys relationships, hurts others, and betrays trust. Avoid it at all costs.

Lord, forgive us for gossiping. Help us avoid talking about others, practicing the golden rule, do unto others as you want done to you. Let us glorify You with our speech, each day becoming more like Jesus. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13, Romans 15:23-16:9, Psalm 25:16-22, Proverbs 20:16-18

Daily Verse: “Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.” Prov. 20:16

Fulfilled Obligation.

Character grows when we take responsibility for our debts. Becoming responsible for someone else’s obligations means you must pay them. Culturally at this time, taking someone’s garment means you accepted their debt. 

“The “one” for whom this person took responsibility is called “a stranger”—probably meaning other members of society.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

In college, my mom paid off the $1000 car note I had to give me a leg up. Instead of making the best of the opportunity, I incurred more debt. Although Mom had good intentions, assuming my debt hurt me instead of helping me. She learned from her mistake and didn’t do it again. As a result, I learned financial principles and became fiscally responsible.

Applying Biblical principles to finances will help us grow in more ways than one. Practicing self-control through budgeting will develop our character and help us become fiscally responsible with God’s blessings.

Lord, forgive us for our poor financial decisions. Help us learn and apply Your principles to our lives, becoming fiscally responsible as we do. Thank You for providing for us; let us manage our blessings well. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21, Romans 15:1-22, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 20:13-15

Daily Verse: “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.” Prov. 20:14

Bad business.

In today’s world, undervaluing a product to get a deal, then bragging about taking advantage of someone’s naivete happens. I love a good yard sale where people haggle for prices, but I don’t try and rip people off.

My most recent yard sale purchase, a white dresser and nightstand for my craft room saved me money. During our annual community yard sale, I spotted the treasure, valued at $80. The seller didn’t want to come down on the price because of the time of day; with four hours to go, she wanted to wait, telling me to return at the end of the day.

However, the weather didn’t cooperate, and it started to rain. Heading home, we did as she asked. The homeowner, desperate to get rid of everything, had marked it all free. When I asked if her offer included the dresser, she said no, lowering her price to $40, which I accepted. Grateful to get rid of the furniture; the transaction benefited both of us.

Don’t take advantage of people to save a buck. Better an honest reputation than cheating people. Things in this world don’t last, but our reputation outlives us.

Lord, thank You for allowing us to practice integrity. Help us develop a reputation for honesty in business as we put You first in our lives. Let us honor and serve You well. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36, Romans 14:1-23, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 20:12

Daily Verse: “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” Prov. 20:12

Spiritual awareness.

God gave us eyes to see and ears to hear the things around us, but also to use in service to Him.  Jesus came to tell the truth, but often, people can’t see it. The false narratives of this world captivate people and close their eyes to God.

People need God’s guidance, just like I do. Often, I ask the Lord to give me eyes to see and hears to hear what He wants me to do. I pray the same thing for others, both believers and non-believers because we all need God’s intervention.

We use our sight to perceive and understand the things around us. Hearing God’s word means we must obey what He says. Using our senses, we can discern the Lord’s will for our lives and move forward with Him, trusting His direction.

Often, God only gives us the next step in the journey. Rarely, if ever, does the Lord show us our entire itinerary. Following Jesus takes us on our greatest adventure, one step at a time.

Ask God for eyes to see and ears to hear, then marvel at what He reveals to you.

Lord, thank You for giving us senses to use in service to You. Open our eyes and ears to hear what You have for us. Help us follow You well as we gain a clear vision from You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27, Romans 13:1-14, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 20:11

Daily Verse: “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.” Prov. 20:11

Cultivated righteousness.

Children’s actions, like adults, show their character. Righteous conduct reveals righteous character. Recognizing pure hearts in children because of their actions allows parents to cultivate them. However, when kids show their sinful side, developing a pure heart requires discipline and teaching through personal example.

Teaching tennis camp, I had three siblings: one boy ( the oldest) and two girls. Playing Asteroids, a game like musical chairs, except with balls, the youngest sibling didn’t get a ball and began to cry. Immediately, her older brother handed his ball to her, understanding the situation and her frustration, a pure heart exemplified.

Witnessing that moment tells why I love working with children. Kids don’t have the scars adults do; they haven’t built walls around their hearts and love freely. Working with them reminds me of how God wants us to love Him, like a child, without reserve, trusting completely.

Develop a righteous heart through daily time with the Lord; let Him purify.

Lord, thank You for the children in our lives. Help us develop their righteous hearts by the examples we set for them. Purify us, searching our souls and cleansing them from iniquity. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28, Romans 12:1-21, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 20:8-10

Daily Verse: “Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?” Prov. 20:9

Moral perfection.

Only Jesus can claim moral perfection. Anyone else who says they have a clean heart needs to read the ninth commandment about lying. Claiming a pure heart means every decision and motivation has no fault. We wouldn’t need Jesus if we could attain moral perfection ourselves.

Coaching tennis camp, playing Pacman, a game of tag using the lines on the tennis court, the students can’t run; they must walk fast.

“Coach, she only tagged me ’cause she ran.”

“Guess what? You were running too. You’re Pacman.”

Children or adults, we quickly blame others, not looking at our role in the situation. We all have room for improvement because no one has a clean heart. Accepting the uncleanliness within helps us embrace Jesus, allow the Holy Spirit to guide and assist us in making better choices and take responsibility for our actions.

Thank God for Jesus; allowing Him to cleanse our hearts helps us become better people.

Lord, forgive us for claiming moral perfection. As we move through our days, search our hearts and show us our imperfections. Help us become more like Jesus as we pursue You, striving to honor and glorify Christ. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21, Romans 11:13-36, Psalm 22:1-18, Proverbs 20:7

Daily Verse: “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!” Prov. 20:7

Heritage of Integrity

Parents who set an example of honest living pass on their legacy to their children. My siblings and I have reputations for honesty. In our local newspaper, my brothers, self-employed businessmen, have had customer reviews attesting to their truthfulness.

My oldest brother, a retired mechanic, received accolades for telling the truth and not doing unnecessary work to make money. My other brothers’ business partners had reviews for their honest pricing and superb masonry work. 

As for myself, the first year my partner and I established our tennis business, we received the Dr. Herman N. Nielson award from the Peninsula Tennis Patrons Association for our work with children, the first women to receive the reward.

All because our parents, people of integrity, modeled integrity to their children. My coal miner dad lived his life for the Lord and taught us to do the same. Praise God.

Live a life of integrity, modeling it for your children and others. Leave them a heritage of integrity.

Lord, thank You for the gift of honest parents dedicated to You.  Help us model them well for our children and others, leaving behind a legacy of integrity. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6

Daily Verse: “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” Prov. 20:5

Discerning motives.

Good counseling draws out the motives of the heart. Discerning what motivates someone’s actions takes work. Diving deep beneath the surface of a person’s inner world requires insightful questions that draw them out of their shell.

Individuals become masters at living on the surface, diverting attention away from themselves and the inner workings of their minds. Self-defense mechanisms cause us to build walls around emotional injuries, protecting us from further harm. But healing only comes when we learn to work through the pain instead of trying to avoid it.

Like an abused puppy, only with time will they begin to trust. Our dog Sophia suffered unspeakable abuse for the first two years. When we first adopted her, she hid from us. But now, after a decade of love, she follows us everywhere.

Patience, love, and kindness will draw out an individual’s hurt and help them heal. Shower people with love, show them you genuinely care, and give them time to learn to trust you, asking insightful questions to help them heal.

Lord, help us love others well, creating safe environments for them to freely talk about what lies deep in their hearts. Give us insight and wisdom to ask the right questions, helping them heal from past pains. May You receive all the honor and glory. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3

Daily Verse: “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.” Prov. 20:2

Avoiding Strife.

Not engaging in “in-house debates” helps me avoid strife. I define these arguments as theological arguments that don’t have conclusive scriptural answers.

For instance, eschatology, end times debates have four distinctive perspectives: Amillennialism, Postmillennialism, Historic Premillennialism, and Dispensationalism. People spend a lot of time arguing over these different viewpoints, but I don’t because of Matthew 24:36:

“But no one knows the day or the hour. No! Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.”

Only God knows the answer to the end times debate. The Great Commandment calls us to love God and others, not argue over when Jesus will return. And so, I choose to avoid strife by focusing on obeying the Lord’s commandment and not engaging in debates that have no answers.

Obeying the Great Commandment focuses our attention on God, helps us honor Him, and avoid strife by putting love first.

Lord, thank You for giving us clear direction on what we should do with our lives. Help us love You and others well, avoiding strife and fulfilling our life mission. IJNIP. Amen