ShowInspirational and Devotional

Life is filled with disappointment and delay. There are times when instead of immediately achieving or arriving, we are re-routed. I face challenges must differently today than when I was younger. When I look at “wilderness...

I am aware of several times God has rescued me. And I imagine there are hundreds of times that I am simply unaware. God is gracious! How about you? Has He ever rescued you from situations threatening your life, livelihood, or harm? I know that...

I heard about certain goats that ‘freeze’ or fall over stiff as a board when they are suddenly surprised or scared. I believe they are called myotonic. I think as people we might be the same when consumed with fear. But, when we place...

A lot of things take two weeks. Every construction project takes two more weeks to finish. Christmas break is two weeks. When you quit a job, you give two weeks notice. The Covid lockdown will last… you guessed it, two weeks. Some medical...

After the Passover experience, God initiated a constant remembrance with an annual week of unleavened bread (leaven representing sin, unleavened representing holiness) and a final celebration. In addition, He reminded His people that the firstborn...

There have been many sad days in history. 911. Challenger disaster. Perhaps one of the saddest days in all of history was the judgment of Egypt. The Egyptians (and Pharaoh) continued to put their faith in idols and false gods. Ultimately, God...

Christians are supposed to live lives of distinction (we have been called out of the world and into God’s kingdom). Too many are trying to “fit in” where they don’t belong. Many people think when it comes to God...

We’ve all heard the saying “seeing is believing” and for most, that’s true. But, when a heart is hardened toward God, even seeing miracles will not change them. God values faith and rewards obedience. When the officials of...

Ever hear someone say “God loves everyone the same”? Sure, I have. But, there is a group of people who ‘belong’ to Him. They are His “peeps” (People). They are those who have made a conscious decision to embrace...

Have you heard the phrase “what have you done for me lately”? Sometimes people in power discount the success of the recent past or think you are not really necessary to the success of the future. That’s what happened with Moses...

I can get stuck in my ways. The thought of something new, different or a change isn’t on my radar. My heart and mind can become closed to new possibilities. I think we are all that way. We get hardened in our heart and thoughts, immovable, and...

Can great leaders doubt? Everyone leads something. At a minimum we are all leading ourselves. Every mother leads her children. Athletes and boy scouts lead at moments or seasons. Ministries for God’s glory began as an idea but required someone...

God is the same, yesterday, today and always. He is immutable. His character is dependable. While He never changes in the sense of who He is… He does bring about changes in our lives! When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit begins to sift...

I’ve gotten stuck at times and delayed acting on what I believed God wanted for my life. Sometimes God places within our minds and hearts what He wants to do. He gives us ‘the plan’, but we may not comprehend all of His plan. If we...

I have often wondered why the burning bush was not consumed? Is there a message for Moses contained in the miracle and phenomena? Or was he experiencing something rather common and natural? Joe Schwarcz PhD has hypothesized that “the Dictamnus...

Have you noticed that there are different seasons in life. You could almost describe or define certain periods- “it was a season of joy, luxury, suffering, love, etc.” And then that season ends and a new one begins. But, exactly how long...

I have said and done some terrible things in my life that I regret but cannot take back. Even God’s great saints would confess the same. This is why we all need a Savior. Paul gave hearty approval of Stephen’s death. Moses slew the...

There are moments in life when we may be asked by someone in authority to do something immoral and contrary to God’s character. It might be a manager in our workplace, a governmental official, or even a king. Failure to obey may cost you...

I hold to a Christian world view. I believe in a world that includes and I see how He is involved in our world and the lives of people. That doesn’t mean I think everything in the world happens according to His will. Evil is real, people make...

My life has not been what I would call a ‘perfectly straight path’. There have been zigs and zags and loops back to points of starting over. How about you? But even in seasons that seem like I am repeating or sliding backwards in some...

When you grow up with brothers and sisters, you love them all, but sometimes one is closer to you than others. Its just natural and normal- sometimes because of age or other circumstances. I played sports on teams with both my older and younger...

Life has its ups and downs. Live long enough and you will see reversals of fortune, good times and bad, and some amazing moments where God exalts you from humiliation. That feels very good. And when men praise you, remind them that good in us is...

I am on the Grace Plan. Do you know what I mean by that? I am not trying to ‘earn’ my right standing with God or do enough good to be acceptable to Him. Its by His grace (unmerited favor) that I am saved. I did nothing to earn it. While...

There are seasons of life where we prosper. Our journey is successful and accompanied by good health and provision. There is also a prospering of the soul that is independent of any externalities or earthly success. It is a byproduct of walking in...

I see so many parents struggling with teens and young adults who are confused by pop culture, modern media, and their equally lost friends who are promoting error and all kinds of philosophies contrary to sound doctrine and godly living. They are...

Have you ever wondered why deceit, lies, and falsehood are wrong? Does a little white lie matter? If a public official embellishes their accomplishments on a resume to get elected, is that problematic? If a significant leader in charge of the US...

Over the course of my life there have been things other than God that have captured my attention, affection and devotion. I see so many people who are pursuing those same things that the Bible calls false Gods and idols. All around there are those...

When I was growing up, Jim Stafford sang a hit song “I Don’t Like Spiders And Snakes”. That describes me perfectly because they scare me! In a medical journal, scientists believe that fear is innate and observable from as early as...

I believe in a God I cannot see. Do you? Skeptics may say, as I certainly once did… “seeing is believing”. What I meant by that is that our five senses help us discern what is real. But many things are unseen and still very real...

I have been worried in recent years about the inability of people in our society to discern what is right and true. Social media platforms provide an ability for broadcasting ideas that are quite contrary to that of the Savior. It seems like today...

Have you heard people say… “love is an action”? Or maybe they say “love is a verb”. What I think they mean is that if we have love in our heart, we will do something because of it. It’s more than a feeling. I...

There is a song “Everybody Ought To Know Who Jesus Is”. I agree with that sentiment completely. Much of my life is devoted to that endeavor. But, sometime people get the wrong “Jesus”. The real and historical Jesus of...

All of us are at different stages in our spiritual journey and knowledge (personal experience) with God. Certain themes emerge in these seasons. For instance, when I first responded to the gospel and was “saved”, I was so excited that I...

Have you met people who talk as if they know God in a personal way? I thought that was rather curious, odd, and bit bold as well. Today, I almost take it for granted because its become my experience. Can someone really know Him? And if so, is there...

Have you heard the saying “Christians are not perfect, just forgiven”? That’s true of course. But, sometimes we pretend that we never sinned and that we don’t sin anymore, now that we are saved. John, the beloved apostle...

Christmas is a season of lights. We have lights on houses (mine look pretty good this year, although my wife says one strand is ‘drooping’), we have lights on trees, all kinds of lights. Why? Its to remind us of the Great Light that came...

One of the very formative pastors in my life said: “I am a grace dispenser- if you get in front of me, you’re going to get loved!” How is the grace of God at work in the lives of believers? God offers us grace, we respond in faith...

When I first became a Christian I was a bit of a witnessing fool. In my excitement about being saved and entering this new relationship with God, I told just about everybody. Not everyone was happy for me, or was interested. For me is was Good News...

One of the most exciting aspects of becoming a Christian is that our lives continue to change. We are not static. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be with us and in us. He (The Holy Spirit) leads and guides and is not content with the...

I love to open the mailbox and get letters from friends (especially handwritten ones). I remember in junior high school, I would get love letters sealed with strawberry lip gloss. In a very real sense, every Christian walking around is a living...

I enjoy the actor Will Smith quite a bit. One of his signature lines from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air is “Yo Holmes, Smell ya Later”. That always makes me laugh. As Christians we will make an impression upon everyone we meet. The apostle...

Probably the hardest relationship moments come when we have to correct one another or forgive one another. True friends will address the sin and shortcomings in our lives and help us repent and become more Christlike. Its true, the opposite of love...

My conscience bothers me when I do something wrong, hurt another person, or keep a sin secret. Does yours? God gave us a mechanism (that’s the best way I can describe the conscience) that informs our mind and emotions about what is right and...

I have a confession to make. I don’t sleep under the sheets. Just the comforter. All I need is my comforter (the big blanket on top). I don’t like my feet ‘trapped’ inside a sheet tucked in at the bottom of a bed. But this...

“Do it to them, before they do it to you”! That was the final instructions given by Sergeant Stan Jablonski on the TV show Hill Street Blues to his police force after their daily briefing. When Sgt. Phil Esterhaus does the cop roll call...

I am recently involved with many families grieving the death of loved ones. It is so difficult for each to reconcile the earthly loss of companionship, affection and love that will accompany them until they are reunited in heaven with loved ones in...

I remember receiving the news that my wife and I were going to have our first child- ‘best news ever’! I remember the news that we were having a second baby- ‘second best news ever’! I remember finding out my vasectomy...

There is a phenomena that has accompanied the Christian experience that is a little weird to outsiders or unbelievers. We don’t talk about it much because its generally an ‘in house’ conversation. Something amazing happened on the...

Eloquent and clear communication, forecasting what the future holds, being assured about what God will do, giving generously and sacrificially are all beautiful, necessary, and powerful human virtues. I know people whom I would call ‘super...