Category: Uncategorized

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

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 21:1-22:20l, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 13:15-16

Daily Verse: “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.” Prov. 13:15

Discernment brings favor.

Sekel, the Hebrew word for sense in today’s verse, means understanding, wisdom, and discretion.  Discernment means the ability to judge well.  Using good sense helps us summarize a situation or person and reach a realistic conclusion, which then helps us know what to do.

Discerning well requires time.  Not judging the surface immediately allows us to wait for what lies beneath. Seeing the tip of an iceberg doesn’t show the massive layer hiding below the water.

Jumping to conclusions leads to ruin.  Only God knows everything; we have a limited perspective.  Good sense means knowing we don’t know and waiting for the truth to reveal itself, which favors us.

Take time to investigate all sides of a situation.  Stories have three sides: theirs, ours, and the truth.  Patience helps us arrive at the correct decision.  But when we rush to a conclusion, we’ll find ourselves in the company of fools.

Good sense leads to favor; without it, we find ourselves in trouble.

Lord, forgive us for jumping to conclusions.  Please bless us with Your wisdom and discernment as we face the day ahead.  Help us seek truth always, knowing appearance only tells part of the story.  In all things, let us Honor and glorify You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 19:1-20:9 ,Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 13:12-14

Daily Verse: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Prov. 13:12

Fulfilled desires give life.

Nothing saddens the heart like a disappointment. Hoping for an outcome that doesn’t happen discourages anyone. But when a long-awaited desire becomes a reality, it spurs people on to more incredible things.

Only some of our desires will become a reality. Aligning our hearts with Jesus will teach us to let go of earthly wants and set our minds on things not of this world. Drawing closer to Christ will change our longings.

When I ran into a person from my past who caused me deep pain, I initially felt anger. But God’s Spirit within me changed my desire for revenge. Aligning my heart with Jesus softened it as I remembered Christ’s grace and mercy for me. Extending grace and mercy to others becomes easier when I remember the gift God gave me.

Experience the joy of desires fulfilled with Jesus. Align your heart with Christ’s, wanting the things He wanted. Extend grace and mercy to others, just as Jesus did to you. Find encouragement as your hope becomes a reality.

Lord, forgive us for not wanting the same things as You.  As we move through our day, help us align our hearts with Yours. Let us share the gifts we receive from above with all we meet, becoming more like Jesus daily. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 16:1-18:28, Luke 19:1-27, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 13:11

Daily Verse: “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Prov. 13:11

Steady investments last.

“Money doesn’t grow on trees,” Mom said. She tried valiantly to teach me positive financial practices. Don’t use credit cards, save as much as possible, and don’t spend money frivolously.

Unfortunately, I learned the lessons slowly, spending money as fast as I earned it and then some. However, after digging myself into a pit of debt and then slowly climbing out of it, I began to follow Mom’s wise teachings based on Biblical principles.

10% tithe + 10%savings + 80% living expenses = prioritized finances

Scripture talks more about money management than salvation. Unfortunately, worshipping the mighty dollar takes the place of God for many people. And the Lord knows the idols we prioritize over Him.

Tithing helps us keep our eyes focused on God and not money. Saving helps us prepare for the unexpected events life brings. Learning to live within our means, not spending every dime we make, lessens stress and invites the Lord’s peace to reign in our finances.

Money disappears quickly, but God’s provision never fails.

Lord, forgive us for prioritizing money over You. Please help us become good stewards of Your provision. Help us set our hearts on You in all areas, including finances. Bless our efforts as we honor You with our money. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 15:1-63, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 86:1-17, Proverbs 13:9-10

Daily Verse: “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” Prov. 13:9

God’s flame endures.

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He used fire to guide them at night. Shining brightly, the Lord’s light comforted the Israelites in the darkness, assuring them of His presence. During the day, a cloud led the people through the desert; God accompanied His people always.

Following Jesus illuminates our path. The Holy Spirit guides and directs us. As we become more in tune with God, we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, showing us the next steps.

God didn’t give the Israelites the entire itinerary for their trip. For forty years, the Lord led them daily to the promised land. In the same way, God only gives us the next step, not the entire journey. Like a flashlight in the dark, God provides us enough light to see where He wants us to go next. Eventually, like the Israelites, we’ll reach the promised land in God’s time and way.

Instead of trying to figure out the whole story, enjoy the current chapter. Trust God to lead you step by step to the promised land. Let His light illuminate your path.

Lord, forgive us for rushing ahead of You.  As we pursue Jesus, help us become sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting, following the path You want us to walk. Let us discover our purpose each day as we pursue You wholeheartedly. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 13:1-14:15, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 13:7-8

Daily Verse: “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;  another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” Prov. 13:7

Surface appearances deceive.

When my mom went furniture shopping, she always dressed down. She reasoned that the salesperson wouldn’t try to upsell her because they assumed from her appearance that she had no money. Mom had a simple philosophy; no one needs to know what she had or didn’t have.

People’s appearance doesn’t indicate their financial standing. According to Ramsey Statistics, more than 1 in 3 people making over $100,000 a year live paycheck to paycheck. 34% of Americans have no savings at all, and 40% of Americans say they use credit cards more than any other form of payment.

Don’t believe everything you see. Just because someone acts like they have money doesn’t mean they do. And often, the people who look penniless have wealth. Surface appearances deceive.

Apply Biblical principles to your finances, and you will find financial freedom. Putting God first and tithing 10% will show you the truth. God can do more with 90% than you can do with 100%. God’s our provider; in Him, you can trust.

Lord, forgive us for putting our trust in money. Please give us the wisdom to manage our finances according to Your principles. Help us steward well what You give us. In all things, let us honor and serve You.  IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 11:1-12:24, Luke 17:11-37, Psalm 84:1-12, Proverbs 13:5-6

Truth prevails.

Lies never stand the test of time. Eventually, the truth always comes out. Following Jesus means striving to live a righteous life and a life of integrity. Christ came with a purpose:

“Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 8:37

Christ tells the truth. We all sin and fall short of the grace of God. And, at some time or another, we have all lied. The consequences of telling false tales will eventually catch up with us. But when we strive for integrity, we tell the truth.

Facts don’t change, but the shifting sands of lies do. Eventually, the ground gets shaken, and liars fall prey to their tales. But standing on the rock of Jesus gives us a firm foundation, one we can plant our feet on and not have to worry about falling.

Strive for integrity, tap into Jesus’ strength, and follow Him.  Live a morally right life one day at a time as you let God’s truth and His words guide you.

Lord, forgive us for falling prey to taking the easy way out and not telling the truth. Please give us the strength and determination to live a life of integrity, choosing truth over falsities. Help us become more like Jesus one day at a time. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 9:3-10:43, Luke 16:19-17:10, Psalm 83:1-18, Proverbs 13:4

Daily Verse: “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Prov. 13:4

Dreams inspire action.

God places hopes and dreams within our hearts. We can choose what we do with divine inspiration, act, or continue dreaming. Dreams inspire me to act; once I have a vision, I plunge ahead, probably too quickly. On the other hand, my husband tends to spend more time thinking about action before doing anything. Together we balance each other out. He slows me down; I get him moving.

Diligent work results in fulfilled dreams. But constant dreaming without action gets nothing done. Often, fear keeps people from taking the first step, but once the action begins, movement propels it along.

When my friends shared their dream of planting Life Community Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC, I eagerly joined their calling. Work began long before the first service. Standing in the back, listening to Pastor Mike’s message, a room filled with people we prayed for long before we knew their names overwhelmed me. Watching their dream become a reality changed my life and inspired me in my walk with Jesus.

Diligent people will see their dreams fulfilled. But the sluggard never gets to experience the awe of pursuing their dreams.

Lord, forgive us for not acting on divine inspiration. Please help us take the first step to achieving our dreams. As we pursue our God-given purpose, help us not lose heart. Motivate us to keep going, knowing You will bless our efforts. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Joshua 7:16-9:2, Luke 16:1-18, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3

Daily Verse: “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Prov. 13:3

Use life-giving words.

Self-restraint with words gives life to others, but people who say everything they think causes harm. Speaking without thinking ruined relationships and caused problems that broke my heart. Learning to guard my lips helps me develop healthier, long-lasting relationships that flourish.

Words have the power to help or harm. What you say does matter, whether you think it does or not. Often, we don’t know the effect we have on people.

“Your words inspired me to pursue my dreams,” a friend told me decades ago. Working as Flight Attendants at the time, she wanted to change jobs. I don’t remember what “words,” I said to her that caused her to turn in her notice. But I know she left flying and followed her heart, married the love of her life, and found contentment.

Often, we don’t remember what we say. Three questions will help you develop restraint in your speech:  Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If “No” answers any of the questions, don’t utter the words in your mind. Keep them to yourself, guarding your lips and bringing life to others.

Lord, forgive us for speaking without thinking and causing harm to others. Please give us self-restraint to guard our lips, only saying true, kind, and necessary words to others. Let us encourage and uplift people with the language we use. IJNIP. Amen