6/1/2022 “I Think I’ll Wait Awhile”
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
COMMENTS: I am amazed how easily salvation can
be gained. Christ paid a great price so salvation
would be available to each of us. That choice was
easy for me at age 10. Yet I am also equally amazed how difficult a decision it is
for most or not so obvious a choice. I saw a sign that said “Heaven or Hell, a no
brainer!”. Yet when I reflect on my own life I recall battles that should have been
a “no brainer” but remained battles for me. I’m sure you can too. Satan chooses
the battles he thinks he can win. It is those battles we find hard and struggle
with. The battles to accept Christ get harder as we get older – we have more
baggage we like to hang on to. Children are more willing to trust and accept the
Gospel at face value or see more clearly. The more we wait, the harder our hearts
get. Hebrews 3:7-19 is one of countless examples of God’s warning to respond to
Recommended Reading
Romans 5:1-5
God’s call to repentance early before our hearts get hardened and we will no
longer be capable of repenting. It is a dangerous thing to harden our hearts. John
12:38-50 reveals that God does harden the hearts of those who refuse His call to
repentance, so that they are no longer capable of calling on Him. Dr. James
Dobson revealed that, when his dad was young, he refused God’s call to preach
because he didn’t want to give up pursuing a career in art. His dad’s heart grew
cold and his mother became fearful because she then felt her prayers for him
didn’t seem to reach God. Yet those prayers continued and God later gave James’s
dad an opportunity to repent again, and he did then. James’s dad went on to be a

great pastor converting thousands and still gained acceptance as an artist too. Dr.
James Dobson implied that if his dad had refused God again, the result would have
been much different for James Dobson Sr. and maybe even for his son Dr. James
Dobson too. Our choices impact us but also those we love and care about too.

6/2/2022 Getting Quiet, Hearing Divine Directions 2

Scripture: Isaiah 30:15-16, 20-21
COMMENTS: Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” If read this passage, but start at vs 26,
you realize waiting on God also requires marveling in His creation and wonderful
deeds in order to revive sufficient faith to trust God’s timing and way in the midst
of turmoil and danger. I also love verse 28 “Do you not know? Have you not
heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He
will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” We need
reminded of who God is often so we don’t loose heart or faith when He delays
action. He doesn’t forget us nor loose interest in us. He simply is following a
perfect plan that will impact each of His children and not one to the exclusion of
another. Yes, we make foolish – sinful choices that negatively impacts us and
others, but how He uses even those choices to honor Himself and for our good is in
His perfect plan and perfect timing. If find time today, how about reading the
entire chapter of Isaiah 40, and sit back and soak up what God wants to share
with you today. You will be blessed as am I, for it causes me to both have
conversation with God but also to sit back and quietly wait for His response to me.
Today we are enjoying a beautiful day at Pleasantville camp. We have some tasks
to do today but taking some time to sit back and enjoy the beauty of God’s
creation is exactly what today’s devotion is talking about. Take time to sit back
and enjoy God’s creation and rejoice – giving Him the thanks and honor for what
He has done and is doing. He created such beauty for His enjoyment but also for
ours. No one can create anything that comes close.

6/3/2022 Training Our Thoughts 3
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart
be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
COMMENTS: Today is another beautiful sunny
morning. We are back home and preparing for
Sunday worship. John 14 reminds us again to
trust in God. He also reminds us heaven is worth waiting for and has enough room
for everyone who puts their trust in Him. He indeed is preparing a place for you
and me. Just think about it, the creator of the universe is preparing a place ideal
for you and for me. A place we are designed for and dreaming of. A place where
we will indeed be at home. We won’t even have to worry about getting lost. He
promises to take us by the hand and guide us there. As long as we keep our eyes
on Him and our hand in His, our way is sure as is our future. What is God like?
Jesus has given us a clear look at Himself and then told us God the Father is
exactly like Him. None of the disciples could grasp that while Jesus was on earth,
but began to when the Holy Spirit came to them. Maybe that gives us a good clue
how we can know God. It is be knowing Christ and seeking Him. I saw a sign, and
have ordered a license plate holder, that says this “no Jesus, no peace. Know
Jesus, know peace!” Conveying the message of hope and salvation Christ offers is
our calling. How we do that in a way that will draw others to Him without being
confrontational is where prayer and soul searching is required. Reflect on what
and who presented the gospel to you in a way that drew you to it and consider
how you should do so. I am doing that today as well. Let’s see how He wants us
to share His good news this coming week and who He will put in our path to share
that good news with? Friday afternoon a young man stopped me as we came out
of the movie theatre and asked me “What would you say if God asked you why He
should allow you into heaven?. I responded because I asked Jesus to forgive me
and accepted His gift of mercy.” He then also responded with the cross. It took
courage for him to respond that way and wondered why he picked me out to ask
that question to. Yet being ready for a response is key. Be ready to ask and ready
to respond to those opportunities He gives us. Let’s prepare so we will be ready
this coming week.

6/4/2022 Sharing the Load
Scripture: Matthew 16:11-30 Jesus has been having a tough day. Frankly, it has been a tough career,
and it never seems to get any better. You’d think it wouldn’t be so difficult for people to accept good
news! The “haves” don’t appreciate his message, and the “have nots” can’t believe it’s meant for them.
All through the Gospels, we see Jesus’ special concern for people who don’t matter in the society of his
day: tax collectors, sinners, lepers, thieves, outcasts, beggars, adulterers; those who are homeless, blind,
paraplegic, poor, widowed, mentally ill, criminals; those who have no one to love them, no one to care
for them. Strangely, or perhaps not so strangely at all, the people to whom Jesus is most drawn are
those desperate to hear even a word of good news: folks who know all too well what it means to be
utterly hopeless, folks who have spent far too much time at the end of their rope, folks who have never
gotten any satisfaction – and who would give anything to have even a moment of it. Here, Jesus issues a
call: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” “I
will give you rest …” What an offer for those who know their need! What an offer for those who can’t
even imagine that they have a need Jesus could fill! What an offer for those grumblers and complainers
whose souls are empty and tired, who “can’t get no satisfaction!” Jesus offers help in carrying our load.
Recommended Reading
John 14
He does not discount the load. He acknowledges it and offers himself as the yoke-bearer with us. Jesus
offers to share our burdens. Jesus is there for us. Jesus meets us where we are. “Take my yoke upon
you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” It’s an incredible image: you and Jesus yoked together, like a wellmatched team of oxen, pulling together, step matched for step, sharing your load -in such a way that it
feels, not burdensome, not like work, not an effort, not a crisis, not a trial, not a hardship, but in such a
way that every hoofbeat and every heartbeat, every step of the journey, feels more and more peaceful,
more and more like rest, more and more like going home. Can’t get no satisfaction? Don’t go it alone
any longer. Been there, done that? Yoke up with Jesus, and prepare to be amazed. Weary and worn
down, desperate for good news? With Jesus, there’s rest, and peace, and comfort, and there’s a
welcome that will never end. Thanks be to God!
COMMENTS: Rest sounds very good after a long day’s work. It is a good feeling to
be tired after a full day of productive work. God wants us to be in fellowship with
Him all the time, at the beginning of each day, during each day, and at the end of
each day. Yet history shows us human nature is to ignore Him until hard or
desperate situations force us to come to Him. How many times has that been true
for you? Too many for me too. Yet, He is still there waiting for us like the
prodigal’s father. Seems backward for the creator of us and everything to be
waiting for us instead of us waiting for Him. Yet sometimes we get ahead of Him,
don’t we. Let’s work harder at being in fellowship with Him all day long so we
won’t miss His opportunities or make poor choices or fail in any other ways we
regularly do. Another fresh new week is here. What will it hold for us?

6/5/2022 Armor Up! Pressure of the Times
Let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the
hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
COMMENTS: I am encouraged by vs 9 “God
didn’t intend for us to suffer His wrath but
rather to possess salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ.” I hope you are too. Yes, we are living in perilous times,
especially in the middle east. The world is preparing for war and so many radical
Islam groups are bent on destruction of life and property. They are polishing
killing skills instead of building skills. Which is easier, to build or to destroy?
Which is better? Which is better? Who do you model after, builders or
destroyers? Christ’s example is one of building and healing, not destroying. When
He returns, it will be to save His followers from the destruction of His enemies.
Are you one of his followers or one of His enemies. Well, the more we reflect, the
more we realize much of what we still do and say are not reflective of being His
followers. Sure, once we accept Christ and His forgiveness, we start a new life of
obedience with Him as our source. However, that fresh new relationship requires
daily renewal. The influence of satan is still there and satan’s voice is still
influencing our actions, even after many years of Christian fellowship. Yesterday
a friend and contractor rode with me to Pleasantville to review work I am hiring
him to do on our cabin. He shared that he is going thru a divorce and looking for a
Recommended Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
place to buy as his new home. It really grieved me to hear that. This morning
“focus on the family” program discussed how important it is for couples to realize,
especially men, that marriage requires daily renewal and nourishment. Children,
work, other obligations all draw energy and time away from couples to point little
time and energy is left to nourish the marriage relationship. Yet so much more
strength and ability to success is available to couples that stay together and
nourish each other than to each if go their separate ways. That is a lesson each
couple has to learn and relearn, including Arlene and I, in order to sustain the love
and devotion and joy that was strong at the beginning of each marriage. How sad
when the easiest path is taken, the path of separation and divorce. Oh how often
we take the easier path of destroying instead the harder but better path of
building and healing, even relationships. We do that with our relationship with
Christ too…

6/6/2022 Be Strong and Courageous
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 We all have passages that speak to us in the core of our being. This is such a
passage for me. In the first few verses of the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua three times, “Be strong
and courageous.” That’s our first warning that this “following God” thing isn’t going to be easy. When
God called me to ministry, I was a successful consultant. To obey, I had to give up my career, sell my
house, and move north to go back to school. My identity and reputation as a consultant had to be put
behind me. All the credentials I had spent my life building had to be abandoned. My whole
understanding of who I was had to change. “Be strong and courageous.” I had to step out in faith. “The
LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Jesus promised he would never forsake us; he would send
the Comforter to be always with us. These ten years have been an experience in learning to walk with
God, learning to trust him, and learning to cooperate with him in service to his Kingdom. It has not been
easy and has frequently required me to “be strong and courageous,” but God has supplied the strength
and courage when I would have faltered. God has been faithful through it all.
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture documents God’s instruction given to Joshua after
Moses’s death but also God’s promises and reassurances Joshua needed in order
to fill such large shoes. Have you ever been overwhelmed at a project or job or
responsibility you were taking on? I have too. But God was showing Joshua he
was not alone. God would be walking with him hand in hand each step. Joshua
could see God fulfilling that same promise with Moses, so he had plenty of proof
God would do so with him as well. Joshua accepted that responsibility without
delay or protest, but am sure there was plenty of doubt and anxiety in his heart.
The enemies were many and challenges of leading a vast group was
overwhelming, I’m sure. Not having Moses as his friend and mentor and rock
made the task more daunting, I’m sure. Acting out of faith instead of out of fear
can be very hard, but also fulfilling. I’ve experienced both and always regretted
choices made out of fear and happy for choices made out of faith. Trusting the
One who made and sustains and forgives us is where our best future lies. Joshua
and Caleb made their wisest choice, being among the 12 spies 40 years before, but
now had to face even greater choices and challenges. Face them they did one day
at a time with God continuing to guide them one day and one choice at a time.
Just like headlights on our car only lighting enough highway ahead of us to safely
guide us that distance. Then the light continues to shine ahead so we can keep
going at normal near daylight speeds. Our faith is a lot like that. Only showing us
enough to guide our actions today.

6/7/2022 Camino Calming
Scripture: Psalm 51:11 “Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your Holy Spirit
away from me.” In 2013, I walked a 170-mile portion of Spain’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a
route pilgrims have traversed for more than a millennium. The destination is Santiago’s cathedral,
which, according to tradition, houses the remains of James, one of Jesus’ closest disciples and friends.
The day before I was supposed to leave to meet my fellow pilgrim in the city of Astorga to begin the
Camino, I had a panic attack, affecting me both emotionally and physically. As I prepared to enter this
wilderness experience of walking 12-18 miles a day for 10 days, suddenly I was overwhelmed with
anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and inadequacy. What had I signed on to do? Why had I ever thought this was
a good idea? What if I couldn’t find my companion pilgrim? And what was I going to do now that it was
too late to turn back? I’ve always said, “When all else fails, pray.” And so I did, asking for peace and
serenity, a reassuring reminder of why I had made this commitment, trust that I would meet God (and
my friend) along the way, and an awareness of God’s guiding, sustaining spirit on the journey. All those
prayers, and more, were answered on the way. They seem fitting prayers for the journey toward the
cross, and toward the hope of Easter as well.
COMMENTS: I didn’t realize, when I copied this devotion into my journal last
month, that today would be the National Day of Prayer. II Chron. 7:14 tells us if
we humble ourselves, turn from our sins, and pray, than He will hear our prayers
and forgive our sins and will heal our land. What an important task for us
especially today. As I look out my windows early this morning, I see dense fog
obstructing seeing even the traffic on the mainstreet just 300 ft away. Yet the
traffic is still there, all the beautiful flowers and the sun that shows the beauty of
His creation, are still there. I simply can’t see them because the tiny drops of
water suspended in the air prevent me from see anything but the fog. Stop and
reflect on what that example may be teaching you this morning. Today’s scripture
was written by David just after having his sin exposed with Bathsheba by the
prophet Nathan. David feared God’s spirit would leave him so he pleaded with God
for forgiveness and mercy. God gave him the mercy he seeked but did require a
sacrifice from him. This is in contrast to Saul, who did not repent from what we
might consider to be a lesser sin. But God considers all sin as rebellion against
Him and needing dealt with. Saul didn’t repent and God’s spirit left him. David
knew that example and genuinely feared the same judgment being his. It would
have if he hadn’t repented and turn from his sinful behavior and humble himself
before God. He no longer hid his behavior and repented in public.

That is all God required and forgave him! David’s relationship with God was
restored even though he had gone a year living in sin not realizing God’s spirit
had already left him. That is chilling. God’s spirit left David without him missing it
until Nathan revealed to him what he had lost and what the consequence was.
Look around and see what has changed over a couple of generations. We have
many amazing technological devices and prosperity our grandparents could never
imagine. But the value of family and faith and love for Him and each other has
been lost and depravity and amoral behavior has spread to a level far beyond our
grandparents greatest fears.
Once a year in May, the US observes a national day of prayer. The day our
government has recognized as a day set aside to pray for guidance but also pray
for forgiveness – a day to turn away from everything else and focus on our
relationship with Christ and see His forgiveness, His mercy, His guidance, His
healing, His will…. II Chronicles 7:14 was part of God’s response to Solomon’s
prayer during the dedication of the temple he built. Solomon was passionate in
his relationship with God but even then God was warning that God’s spirit would
only abide with and in him if he remained true to that relationship with Him.
Solomon didn’t and God’s spirit left him too. There are consequences for us and
also for countries for turning away from God and following our own sinful ways.
We have the power to make wise or foolish choices but do not have power to
choose the benefits or consequences. They lie entirely and exclusively in God’s
hands, like it or not… History cries out to us that it is far better to be faithful to
our relationship with God and consequences of not being faithful are far worse
than we can imagine. The benefits to our country of faithfulness reflect on our
history. President George Washington prayed a prayer of dedication in St. Paul
Chapel in 1789 in the then capitol NYC. That chapel still stands only a block away
from ground zero. Buildings around it were damaged or destroyed by 911 but it
was spared and protected by a large sycamore tree planted centuries before, a
symbol of God’s mercy and judgment. I know a month will have passed when you
read this, but do take this reminder to devote some time today and coming days to
pray and seek God’s mercy for yourself and our country as well. We desperately
need His mercy and fellowship and our country is in the balance and already
tipping towards the side of God’s judgment, not God’s mercy. II Chron. 7:14 tell
us, as Solomon, the future of our country is indeed in our hands. Will we pray and
humble ourselves before Him or will we neglect our relationship with Him and live
to see disaster reign on our country? God is sovereign and will do as He wills.
Will our prayers be sufficient or will enough Christians repent and be sufficient. I
do believe it is vital the leader/president also repent as well. Let’s also devote
some time seeking God to work in his heart to do his part too. Let’s pray long and
hard as we’ve never prayed before. So much is at stake. So much to be gained or
lost… I will be praying several times today and hope you will be too. But let’s
make it a point to set aside time each week to humble ourselves again before God
praying this same prayer. We might just see a change in heart and revival in our
own hearts but also in our family’s, our community’s, our nation’s hearts as well….

6/8/2022 Your Superpower
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1:8
COMMENTS: Most people believe prayer is what
you do when nothing else helps. Prayer is a last
resort. But prayer is the lifeline we each have to
God. With cell phones and internet we have access to anyone anytime. 150 years
ago the only way to have conversation with loved ones from a distance was by
postal mail. Writing letters was the only way during bible times. Our new
testament records the letters written to the early church by Paul mostly. They
couldn’t have imagined cell phones and reading letters mailed and received
instantly. But God gave us access to Himself simply by talking to Him or even by
simply conversing with Him in our minds without verbalizing the words. Man
couldn’t have imagined the ability to do that on his own. Only God would be
capable of thinking of such technology. Ability to raise people from the dead is
still not possible, but God demonstrated such abilities. The privilege we have of
one on one conversation with the Creator of the universe and King over it all is one
we tend to take for granted because He is so accessible. Maybe we would
appreciate this privilege more if we were appointed only certain times and days
each year and couldn’t pray any other time. But He has given us access to Himself
any time and day we wish and as often as we want. Such privilege is too
wonderful to imagine. How can we think prayer is a last resort when nothing else
works? Oh, how we hurt Him and deprive ourselves when we think and act that
way. Pray first, not last, and pray always is not only a better way but the way He
has commanded of us. I Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”. How do we do that?
Well, I am still trying to figure that out, but do know the only way we can is by
getting closer to Him and by praying more often each day. Short but frequent
prayers are better than long infrequent prayers. Have you seen teens on their cell
phone or fancy I-phones constantly from the time they awake til go to bed? What
is so addicting about these devices? Why do they grow anxious if go a couple of
hours without them? Oh that we would grow just as anxious when we go a couple
of hours without being in an attitude of prayer during day. He has designed
prayer so that we can go about our daily activities and still be in silent prayer with
Him. Try to talk on a cell phone while you are driving and you will be a danger to
yourself and others. Be in an attitude of prayer while driving can still be done
safely. Yes, being in communion with God is better – He is a better friend and has
a better way of communicating with Him. We just need to use it more….

6/9/2022 The Fork in the Road
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 Each time I came to a certain fork in the road, I met Temptation. I-95 North
led home to family, while Rt. 13 South led to three churches on the Eastern Shore of Virginia where I had
been appointed to serve as pastor. You see, the choice I had to make whenever I was returning from a
Conference meeting was never easy. I knew Jesus expected those he called to leave everything and
everyone to follow him. And when I was ordained I made a commitment before God and those
gathered, to go where the bishop sent me. But I was a wife and a mother, too, and it took all that I had
not to take the exit north. Jesus met Temptation as well when the Spirit led him into the wilderness.
Instead of one fork in the road, Jesus encountered three. If he turned stones into bread, he could feed
the world. If he enlisted an angelic rescue, he could draw the allegiance of millions. And if he took the
Recommended Reading
Romans 8:12-3
opportunity to be “king,” he could rule people everywhere as their earthly leader. But Jesus chose to
resist the tempter; he chose to remain aligned with God’s will and purpose for him. The tempter is
clever. None of us, including the Son of God, is exempt from the wilderness of this life. When any of us
comes to a fork in the road, the choice may be between one “good” and another. And that same Spirit
that guided and sustained Jesus will also guide and sustain us, always.
COMMENTS: I am struggling with today’s devotion and with example being made.
Let me explain. Sure, putting Christ first and His calling are important. There are
lots of temptations we face drawing us to sinful or at least less important things
than what He is calling us to. That relates to overall callings or career choices or
major decisions. It also applies to less significant choices we make each day.
Who we will visit or where we will go or what we will do. We waste a lot of time
each day, yet we need some time for R&R each day to refresh us. That doesn’t
mean that all R&R is sinful but types of recreation and when and how long does
make a difference. Likewise, even good things can be a temptation. In the above
example time with family conflicts with time doing God’s work. However, an easy
trap is to let doing church work take priority to point of neglecting family needs,
which is not what God wants either. Finding balance and making wise choices
each day including knowing when taking time with family is needed and when
they must submit to needs of others. You and I may not be pastors but we all
have family and those who depend on us and need us. If we follow God’s lead,
there will be time for both. But discerning the right priority may not be that easy.
However, I think if we listen to God’s small voice in our souls, the right choice
becomes much clearer and easier. Well, we will continue to make poor choices
and mistakes but that is why we all still need the cross no matter how young or
old both in age and in years of walking with Him.

6/10/2022 Social Witness
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
COMMENTS: This is another beautiful hot day.
Sun is out and flowers and trees are really
beautiful. Our cherry and apple trees are full of
blossoms and lilac is stating to bloom. Today is also Mother’s Day. As I reflect on
the impact my mother had on me, I am really thankful. She not only gave me life
but instilled in me a love for Christ and guiding me into a relationship with Him
that has sustained me and continues to guide me. Her light continues to shine in
my life and all still alive who knew her, including our children. She didn’t know
how to use a computer but she knew how to write letters and talk on the phone.
Her cards were treasured by all who received them. She was faithful at sending a
card whenever she heard of someone being sick or loosing a loved one. Today’s
scripture identifies the gifts of having God’s spirit in us: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. She certainly
demonstrated all these qualities. Take time to reflect on impact your mother had
on you and how many of these qualities were demonstrated by her. By doing so,
her influence continues to be felt and continues to live on. What will be our legacy
Recommended Reading
Galatians 5:22-26
to our children, grand-children, and those who know us? We still have time to
sharpen or improve our legacy but time is growing short. Someday soon it will be
too late to change our legacy. Don’t miss those opportunities God gives us while
trying to do tasks that will have little value a few days from now. Yes most of
those tasks still need to be done, but need not conflict with more important ways
we can interact and impact those around us, especially family.

6/11/2022 Praying in the Wilderness
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 Twenty years ago in seminary, I chafed at the words of the Lord’s Prayer – all
those “thee’s” and “thy’s.” “Hallowed be …” “Trespasses against us…” And the Apostle’s Creed was
certainly not for me. “Thou shalt come to judge the quick and the dead …” “I believe in the holy catholic
church …” I couldn’t wait for the church to get with it and update those words, to realize that we were
near the end of the twentieth century. I thought perhaps when my generation was “in charge,” we could
move that archaic language out and start talking in church in words people could understand. Using
words like these, I thought, it’s no wonder people leave the church. I’ve grown up in the last twenty
years, and I’ve discovered that those archaic words, spoken by my parents, grandparents, and
generations before them – the same words I wanted to throw out – can bring me to tears in worship. I
have found tremendous power and comfort in ritual and tradition, in being part of the community of
saints, part of a line of believers stretching across centuries. At times when my life was falling apart and
my faith was so small that I had no words of my own, I have found strength and hope by repeating those
ancient words, by coming back Sunday after Sunday, and letting the tradition, the ritual, the faith of the
community carry me along until I could again find my own words and pray my own prayers. Praise God
for language, traditions, and rituals that bind the generations together in faith!
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture is the “Lord’s Prayer”. If you are like me, the
verses and prayers and songs I learned as a child are mostly in King James
English. They may be harder to understand and relate to, but they were easier to
memorize than the more modern versions, at least for me. I’ve heard it said that
King James is easier to memorize because is more rhythm. That may be but do
prefer to study and ready newer versions for my daily devotion time. NIV has
been a staple for me, and most Christians, and am finding the “Common English”
version to be helpful too. I am still a bit more on the fence since it hasn’t been
around very long and am concerned may be some verses that are poorly translated
or have lost some meaning. So far I’ve not found any significant slips. It is
amazing how many resources – tools are available and how accessible Bibles and
Bible study books are. Likewise, access to great pastors and evangelists any time
is unprecedented. AFR has been a great way to help me sustain daily connection
with Christ. My only disappointment or complaint is a lack of balance of old hymns
and Christian songs with the newer Christian songs that are played daily on AFR
(89.5FM). When we travel and come across local Christian radio stations that play
old hymns, we find them quite refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, newer Christian
music is wonderful and appreciate it so much, but there is also a place for the old
songs and much is lost by not listening to them too. Listening and learning from
the experiences of our parents and grandparents, and the lessons and experiences
of those recorded in scripture, are vital in guiding us into a deeper and wiser walk
with Christ. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to miss out on anything God wants to
show us. We are drawn closer to Him and closer to those who were close to Him
from long ago. How precious both are to you and me…

6/12/2022 Separation Anxiety
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you
into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11
COMMENTS: As I reflect on the above passages
from Acts and I Peter as well as the episodes of
A.D. aired so far on NBC, I am amazed just how
great a difference Christ had on the disciples after He appeared to them after His
resurrection. Yet it was the Holy Spirit entering them, and entering all the new
believers converted later, that gave then the boldness and courage and words that
changed the world – something the great Roman Empire could not conquer or
stop. But I wonder why Christ was willing to reveal Himself to all the disciples,
including Peter (who denied Him) and Thomas (who doubted His resurrection) and
later to Saul (Paul), who was responsible for the suffering and death of many
Christians, but did not reveal Himself to the high priest or sanhedrin or Roman
governor who were also responsible for His death and the death of so many of His
followers. Christ gives us a clue when He told Thomas it was good to believe after
seeing, but is better to believe without seeing. Accepting Christ requires faith.
We can assume those in authority He did not believe would not have even if they
had seen Him and touched Him and even saw Him ascend to heaven. But they
didn’t have that opportunites as the disciples had or the meeting on the Damascus
Road that Saul (Paul) had. The point is that Jesus revealed Himself in a way that
they would believe. His purpose was not showing off but to encourage those He
loves to believe in Him. If Jesus would have been proud, He would never have
lived the humble life on earth He did or died in the manner He died, allowing evil
men to kill Him. Our I Peter passage telling us to choose to put aside all the evil
we have indulged in. Turn from sin and turn to Christ. We need His help and
power to do that, but we need to make the choice to turn from our sins.
Sacrificing the enjoyment of sin in order to be freed from it’s power and influence
over us. God offers us enough strength to resist temptations, but we must first
choose to resist and seek His help or we will never be able to live the victorious
life – the Christian life He intends for us to live!

6/13/2022 God Shows Up in the Strangest Ways
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-2 Seminary was a wilderness for me, but it’s also the time when God showed up
in unexpected ways. Over twelve months: I broke my leg in a soccer scrimmage. I flipped my car one
morning on the way to work, then lost my job because I couldn’t drive there. And the business office
told me that if they didn’t receive $400 by the end of the day, I’d be forced to drop a summer class,
which would have pushed me into an extra semester. I thought I was doing what I was called to, and it
seemed that the roadblocks kept increasing. My conversations with God were intense. But after I broke
my leg and couldn’t navigate stairs, a group of friends offered their couch in a house off-campus. After I
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 2: 1–10
flipped my car, acquaintances loaned me their cars so that I could travel to see my fiancée. And the day I
was to be dropped from the class? I returned from lunch to find a note on my chair that said, “Jacob,
God loves you” – wrapped around $400 in cash. I’ve never forgotten those kindnesses, or the way God
answered those prayers through people. God does answer our prayers, even if it’s not as we’d expect –
and sometimes God calls us to answer the prayers of others.
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture from Isaiah reminds us the promise God gave then
and to you and me today, is that God is still in control and has our best interest at
heart. He has our back and will not allow us to fail if we put our faith in Him. He
is telling us to trust Him enough to keep taking steps with Him even when we
don’t see Him, because He is still there. I’m sure you, like me, can look back and
see times of real concern and even danger but certainly challenges with uncertain
outcomes that weren’t too pleasant. Yet, looking back we can see God’s hand and
help at work. Why He chooses to keep Himself hid during so many of those times
is a mystery, but seems to be because He wants to develop in us a capacity and
willingness to trust Him first before we see evidence of His presence and help.
That comes certainly but later. Can you see evidence of that in your past? I
certainly can in mine. Everything from school experiences, college experiences,
choice of school I went to, job and career I accepted, the girl I married, ways I
chose to serve Him, choice to tithe early in my career and when started a family…
the list goes on. Now retired, the choices and steps of faith and trust in Him are
no less frequent and likely no less significant. How I impact my family and church
and community and ??? is no less important now than then and no less significant.
Foolish or wasteful choices vs wise choices are what are difficult for me to make
but easy if I seek His council first and then obey that council. Most times I already
know in my heart the right choice, but because the right choice isn’t the direction I
want to go or easiest to go, I have to pray harder to make sure or convince myself
best not to challenge His council. I am sensing an increasing “sense of urgency”
to be more diligent and earnest in my obedience of His leading. That relates to
use of finances and giving, to what I write and to whom I share this journal, who I
interact with and witness to during each day, what good I seek out to do and for
whom… I am wondering if that is because His coming is very soon or if He will
call me home soon. I have no physical indication to believe the latter is the case
but , of course, none of us has a clue. But I do have more and more evidence
convincing me we are living in the latter days and Christ’s return is very soon, but
also a time of increasing persecution of Christians like in early church is
approaching and at our door. I want to be ready and be found faithful when He
returns. Also, most of all, I want my family to be ready to. Heaven won’t be
heaven unless they are all there with me. I’m sure you feel the same way, so that
has to be our utmost priority, right? Everything else dwarfs in comparison!

6/14/2022 Always Interceding
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always
lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
COMMENTS: Jesus prayed for Peter, knowing
how badly satan would tempt him and how Peter
Recommended Reading
Luke 22:31-32
would fail. But He also knew what would change in him after receiving the Holy
Spirit. That is why Jesus renamed him Peter “the rock” from Simon. Christ is also
our intercessor with the Father. He knows our weaknesses and sinful failings as
well as those times when we are faithful. Being an intercessor for others is also
an important task for you and me during our devotions – prayer time with Him.
How and why God uses our prayers and answers our requests and honors
intercessions for others is a mystery. However, He showed us that He also prayed
as an intercessor and wants us to as well, so it is important and does make a
difference. I don’t know about changing God’s mind or how He changes our minds
when we pray but believe He is at work when we pray. I believe He acts as our
minds come in line with His will. That may look and feel like us changing God’s
mind, but believe it is more God waiting until our minds, or the minds of those we
pray for, are in line with His will. Sure He knows when and if that will happen as
well as what circumstance aid that change, but He still allows us to make good
and bad, wise and foolish, choices and responds to each according to His will and
in His time. Prayer does change things, but may just be mostly us. The results of
that change may indeed be opportunities for us to be instruments of what He
intended to happen all the time anyway…

6/15/2022 I Will Be With You
Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-3 I have these verses from Isaiah on a paper taped by my desk, visible to me
every day as I sit to write and study. Some years ago, I copied them from The Workbook of Intercessory
COMMENTS: I am becoming more convinced a deeper walk and stronger faith
comes thru crisis and hardship and suffering and not thru prosperity and peaceful
circumstances. Oh, how we dread crisis and enjoy peace, but challenges exercise
muscles and extended ease causes weakness. Today’s scripture gives you and me
the promise that when we are drowning in our circumstances, He is there to guide
and help us thru them. We only have to keep our eyes and grip on Him. Truth is,
He doesn’t let go of us but we let go of Him. He is carrying us across but we stop
looking at Him. A magnet will draw steel to it. If the magnet is attached to the
steel awhile, when it is removed the steel will attract other steel metal it but will,
before long, loose it’s magnetism. But if the magnet remains attached to that
steel, then it’s magnetism to other objects remains strong. The steel reflects the
properties of the magnet – the magnet affecting internal changes to the steel and
not just surface changes. Christ does that for and to us too. As we sustain close
fellowship with Him, we naturally reflect His character and behavior. That
Character and Behavior become more evident and sustainable as we sustain close
fellowship with Him. When we break fellowship from Him by sin or from neglect,
we also demonstrate character and behavior unlike His. Have you ever been in
conversation with someone when they were looking at something or someone else
or when they were doing something else? We want their full attention when we
are in conversation with them and are disappointed or offended when they don’t,
right? How about when we don’t give Him our full attention either? How must He
feel and how much we cheat ourselves the benefits of full fellowship with Him. If
we want to become more like Him, we must be willing to spend more focused time
with Him. There is not shortcut or other path. The want to will also fade if we
don’t discipline ourselves to spend more time with Him. I’m still learning that and
struggling to implement that. I’ll pray for your quest to spend more time with
Him and ask you to pray for me too. That is what He wants from us most.

6/16/2022 Asking and Answering
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God
to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9
When President James Garfield was shot by an assassin,
doctors could not determine the location of the bullet since no
X-ray technology existed. While Garfield clung to life, Alexander
Graham Bell worked feverishly—literally, day and night, hardly stopping to sleep—to develop a device
he could use to locate the bullet so doctors could remove it. The president died before Bell’s technology
was perfected. But the inventor of the telephone displayed what is necessary in the face of challenges:
continual seeking for answers. When we lack a specific knowledge of God’s will, we must do the same.
Paul wrote to the Colossians that he was praying continually for them, asking God to fill them with a
knowledge of His will. Persistence and asking—two things Jesus taught His disciples about prayer (Luke
11:5-11; 18:1-5). If you are seeking God’s will, pray without ceasing and let God answer as He will.
Before there are answers, there must be asking. We ask, He answers.
COMMENTS: Our minds play a key role enabling us to overcome or resolve
problems that can even be life threatening. The ability to recognize and fix
problems usually improves with practice, which includes the ability to seek out
information and experience from other resources in writing or person. Leaning on
the experience and wisdom and knowledge of others has enabled technology to
advance and education transferring skills that help each generation acquire more
than previous generations. If that is true for technology and medicine, than can it
also be true for spiritual, moral – core values, and for relationships with each
other personally as well as relationships between nations? Key is discerning false
from true information and putting credibility and focus strictly on valid sources of
information and experience. Benefit comes from taking time first to discover good
sources before practicing what they teach. Recent generations have done a good
job in the area of technology but had failed to do the same spiritually and in
relationships with each other. The ability to get along and support each other is
less today than in past. Wars and destruction are still widespread. Marriages and
family stability is poorer than in past generations. Evil is still rampant and even
becoming more accepted than good. The reason is the Bible is less read and
understood than in past. Yet scripture is more accessible now than any time in the
past. God’s Word is less recognized as the best and true resource for life’s
purpose and instruction. The result is more and more people are following false
teaching that does not work. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves and allow
ourselves to be open to what scripture teaching and seek God honestly, we will
find the help and healing and answers we are seeking and will realize
God is real and His Word is true and is applicable to our lives today and tomorrow.
Recommended Reading
Romans 12:1-2
Each generation has to learn that for themselves. That has never been an easy
task but seems to be harder today than in the past. Listening to our parents and
grandparents, reading the Bible, listening to other Christians, and praying directly
to and seeking God’s council are the way God prepares us to receive what we seek
from Him. So much to gain and benefit if we only would do that. Being a parent
and grandparent is hard since we can’t do that for them.

6/17/2022 A Spirit of Power
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-14 I’ve never been quite taken with the idea of giving something up for Lent;
I’d rather gain something instead. And what I would most want to gain is courage. The scripture that
keeps coming to me is Paul’s encouragement to Timothy “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a
spirit of power …” Perhaps Lent is more about finding the courage to press on in an overwhelming
world, than it is about giving something up to prepare myself for the coming crucifixion. Jesus was fully
aware of what awaited him in Jerusalem, if not throughout his ministry, then certainly from his
experience at the transfiguration onward. Yet he pressed on, knowing that what was to come was far
more significant than the personal pain and suffering he would endure. His love for the Father and his
commitment to completing the work for which he was born were greater than his earthly fears. Of what
are we afraid? “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) We have been called to “Go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Yet we, in the church, are distracted by just about everything else. We are timid
in our calling and easily allow ourselves to turn away from it.
COMMENTS: I think it interesting today’s scripture tell us law is made for the
lawless, not for law abiders. God’s Laws (Commandments) help guide us in
proper behavior and sets borders for our behavior, but Christ shows us how to
truly live and fellowship with Him. To abide with and be in fellowship with Christ
daily affects our behavior to the point obeying God’s law is a natural response, not
a disciplined duty. So why aren’t we consistent in that response? Well, you and I
are still working on being consistent in our fellowship with Him. When we get
distracted or neglect our time with Him, we start reflecting behavior contrary to
His. When we maintain the sense He is with us and allow Him to guide us, we
better reflect His influence. Stop and reflect on those times we did feel close to
Him and how that affected our choices and behavior and how we related to others.
Starting out each day taking time with Him is key, but also allowing our thoughts
to go to Him frequently during day is even more key. I find it easier if imagine
Him walking with me during day. When I was a young teen during summers, I
especially enjoyed being with my dad helping him with tasks / repairs or projects
on the house. I recall when we put a new roof on the house and how fellowship
with him made those times memorable. I learned much about Him and how to fix
things, even though he wasn’t an especially handy man, but normally got things
fixed sufficiently. My dad has been in heaven for 20 years and it has been 50
years since he was in his prime, but I still often recall his words and insights and
humor while I’m doing similar tasks and fixes. Our fellowship with Christ is much
like that but He is indeed with us wherever we go or do if we simply take the time
to notice…. Well, I still struggle with doing that consistently, as am sure you do
too. Let’s keep at it. Fellowship with Him constantly is our need and His desire.

6/18/2022 Resurrected Savior
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture from John 20 is a
moving scripture. Mary Magdalene had come to
the tomb to find the stone moved and the tomb
empty, except there were two angels in the tomb. They asked why she was
crying. She said someone had taken His body and she didn’t know where He was.
She turned to see Jesus standing behind her. She didn’t recognize Him until He
called her name. I can’t imagine the AWE and joy that overwhelmed her. The
tears went from tears of grief to tears of joy in that instant. Could any human
dream up such a story? Could any man imagine such a God? Every other religion
has a god created in the imagination of man but our God is too great and powerful
to have been imagined by man. Who in ancient times could have imagined a God
capable or willing to die for each of us, or a God capable of being everywhere at
the same time and able to hear and answer each of our prayers at the same time
or willing to do so. Who could have imagined a God willing to forgive our sins or
changed us into loving forgiving creators. Who could have imagined a God of
mercy and compassion but perfectly just and righteous. No, our God was not
created by man. He created us, so why wouldn’t every other religion worship a
God quite different than ours? Our God is real! The God of Buddah, Hindu, Islam…
are all gods created out of the imagination of ancient man and are not real. They
felt the longing to worship their creator, but because they had rejected God, they
came up with a god better suited to their desires and wants. Then generations
after them followed their imaginations as their own. Satan has a way of deceiving
us into thinking lies are truth and truth lies if we let him. Then as generations go
by, those lies become more and more credible. We need to be careful to foster a
relationship with God ourselves so satan’s deceptions don’t fool us. We are no
less gullible then the ancients. If doubt that, just listen to the news awhile or look
deep into your own history and recollect those times you were fooled too. We
need not be fooled, God wants a close daily relationship with you and me. He will
guide us daily if we invite Him daily. I must do that daily, as must you, if we are
going to achieve that goal….

6/19/2022 When Tragedy Happens, Where is God?
Scripture: John 16:33 COMMENTS: Today’s scripture verse reassures us Christ has
overcome the world so we can have peace and confidence in our souls that He is
with us all the time and has secured our future with Him. The early church faced
severe persecution but did not waiver in their witness and boldness in sharing the
Gospel. The church exploded in size during those years. We have never
experienced that level of persecution, but may face significant persecution in
years ahead. We see evil becoming more rampant in the world and persecution of
Christians is on the rise and becoming more violent in more places in the world.
Respect for Christian morals and values is eroding in our country because of
Recommended Reading
John 20:10-18
choices more and more people are making to reject Christ. Yet He is encouraging
us to put our trust in Him because He has overcome the world, and we will to if we
trust Him. So how do we deal with violence and evil around us in the meantime?
Well, first of all the only way to avoid being overwhelm with fear is to stay focused
on Him and in fellowship with Him. Only He can guide us to act and respond
wisely. Only He can empower us to have courage and show the hope we have in
face of danger and hardship. That is what others will notice and respect and long
for. Stop and think who positively influenced you. What did they do and say that
impacted you? Maybe that is what He is calling you and me to do as well….

6/20/2022 Faith in the Lonesome Valley
Scripture: Luke 17:20 One of the persistent questions in my life is, “What is faith?” Jesus talks a lot
about faith, yet he never defines it. Is it simple trust in God? Is it confidence that God will provide, no
matter how badly things seem to be going? Or is there something more? There are many people whose
steady, unwavering faith I admire. Yet I find that if I measure my faith strictly as trust or confidence, my
faith bounces up and down like an errant tennis ball. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had his
own crises of faith. The day after his famous Aldersgate experience, Wesley wrote in his journal that he
was once again buffeted by doubt. He knew what it was like to be in the lonesome valley. I’ve come to
believe that faith is more a way of living than it is having absolute certainty. Do we live as people who
believe? Do we worship even when we have doubts? Do we live in ways that show our love for our
neighbor? Do we feed the hungry or just tell them to believe and God will provide? Doubts may come
and go. The human brain just seems to work that way. But we can commit ourselves to loving God as
much as we can in each moment and loving our neighbors in whatever way we can. That kind of life of
faith, combined with the life of faith of other Christians, can indeed move mountains.
COMMENTS: Faith is something we know when we have it but may be hard to
define or describe. Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things unseen.” I agree with the above devotion – faith is simply
trusting in God. If you and I truly trust God, it will affect how we deal with life’s
problems and even crisis. If we look at how Christians have faced death,
especially those we knew and were close to, we realize just how real their faith
was, and still is for that matter. Christ hasn’t promised to spare us hardship and
crisis, but has promised to walk the journey through those hardships with us hand
in hand. I am becoming more convinced growth in our relationship with Him and
strengthening of our faith and love in Him doesn’t come with prosperity or comfort
but through hardship and crisis and pain. That isn’t something I would want or
pray for even knowing the benefit, because crisis is never pleasant. It is scary.
Yet I think we can have confidence of knowing He will be faithful when those
times do come. Likewise, we can be diligent so our faith is strong and we are
faithful to Him during good times. God does want to bless and prosper us, but
wants us to grow in our relationship with Him more, for that is what will last and
what He longs for most and what He knows we need most. Maybe if we manage
prosperity wisely, the need for hardships will be minimal? Well, we can only hope
but I do believe He uses hardships when necessary but not needlessly. I know,
the natural reaction is to say “Why?” when crisis comes. Sure, we may need to
ask that initially to open communication with Him, but the better question will
need to become “How will You use it?”. Taking the perspective of “what will
matter 100 years from now” helps us weigh things I think are important and put
things in balance or perspective. That perspective has caused me to rethink
priorities and decisions more than once. Maybe that approach will help you as
well. 100 years from now it will matter if those we care about are with us in
heaven, rather than how well they liked what we said or did for them!

6/21/2022 Praying for Unity
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture in Ephesians
reminds us of our responsibility to conduct
ourselves with humility and gentleness and
patience reflecting the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Those we interact
with understand what God is like by the way we live and interact with others.
That is a great and daunting responsibility and task. None of us is capable of
properly doing that, but we are called (as Christians) to do. Yet we are not
expected to do it alone, but with God’s help hand in hand. He has given His Holy
Spirit to dwell in us and help and empower us to live the way we are called to live.
Live like that we will never do perfectly since we haven’t perfectly allowed the
Holy Spirit to control our lives. We still have free will to make wise as well as
foolish choices each day. We will continue to do both, but with His mercy and help
and forgiveness, we are given new opportunities and help to change and improve
our course of action. As we show our successes and failures, but also the impact
of knowing Him makes on us and the joy and hope He gives, we begin to reflect
what He is like and offers. Christ draws others to Himself either in spite of us or
because of us. I want to aid, not hinder, His mission. How about you? Well, we
can improve as we focus and sustain that focus throughout the day as we go about
doing tasks and interact with others during day. The more we include Him in our
day, the more like Him we will be and the more we will reflect the character He
wants us to demonstrate. Sure, as long as we are on earth, we will not perfectly
reflect His character. But we can do a lot better and will if we submit to Him. Stop
and reflect on lives of others who have done better than you and I at that and see
what is different. Also, consider how they were able to sustain a closer
relationship with Him throughout the day. Those are the examples that can help
us as we strive to be closer to Him and more like Him. The eternal lives of
ourselves, our families, our friends and neighbors we care about, and even those
we don’t depend on our willingness to become more serious about our relationship
with Christ.

6/22/2022 Trustworthy Authority
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.
Mark 3:14
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:1-5
COMMENTS: Why do people pretend to do
good deeds, and what is different between a
“pretend Christian” and a “real Christian”?
Today’s passage from II Corinthians tells us false prophets and teachers hide
behind outward actions and conduct. The difference may not be what they say but
by what motivates them and what spirit dwells within them. The difference may
be in what they teach or do, but may also be only within why they do it. Usually,
over time, the genuine is revealed as is the false, but often not before great
damage is done by the false. But why do people pretend to be what they are not?
It may be to gain respect they do not deserve but can be more sinister – to harm
the helpless or vulnerable or to make themselves feel good or justify sinful
behavior in hiding. Earning a way to heaven or forgiveness has always been
man’s way to heaven, never God’s way. Religions that teach earning their way to
heaven are fabricated and not true. God’s way has always been different and
requiring surrender to His way. His way has always been a way to life – a way to
relationship with Him – a way to truth and not deception. Satan’s way has always
appeared to be a shortcut and easier way with gain of more than God offers. But
satan’s way has always been a way of deception and disappointment and
ultimately disaster – not giving what was promised. God’s way always has
delivered what He promised. Satan has never delivered what he promised.
Judging prophets and teachers by their conduct and by the teaching and examples
given in our Bible is only way of discerning true Christians from pretend Christians
– discerning true prophets and teachers from false ones – discerning Christ
centered churches from shallow or lukewarm churches. You and I can and will be
easily deceived if we do not use the same standard as the early church did –
Christ’s standard – the standard the indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides, which
supports scripture and Christ’s teaching always and reflects the examples in
scripture given us of those who did follow and practice God’s instruction. We are
living in a time where false teaching and religions are gaining ground and
deceiving more and more of the population. These are dangerous times, and
scripture tells us, when false teachings and their followers will deceive even
faithful Christians if they and we are not diligent to know and use scripture as our
standard and seek and stay in close relationship with Christ. Matthew 24:24 “For
false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and
wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”

6/23/2022 Spirit Power
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Recommended Reading: Acts 2:1-4, 14
Generally, the theory of causation seeks to explain the connection between one event (the cause) and
another (the effect). There are causes and effects throughout life—even in the Christian life. A clear
cause and effect is seen in Acts 2. The effect was that the apostles of Christ suddenly began carrying out
Christ’s Great Commission to preach the Gospel and teach and baptize new believers. And the cause?
The descent of the Holy Spirit to fill the apostles. Prior to ascending into heaven, Christ connected the
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
spiritual cause with the practical effect: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come . . . ; and
you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8). Prior to Pentecost, the disciples had been fearful and
intimidated. After Pentecost, they were powerful witnesses. The cause of this transforming effect was
the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder that Paul admonished the church in Ephesus to be filled with the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)? Create a clean vessel (1 John 1:9) for the Spirit to fill on a daily basis. ]
COMMENTS: The disciples were not capable or ready to spread the Gospel or do
the miracles that would persuade and heal those in need of God’s touch. They
weren’t capable of discerning and certainly were not capable of understanding the
language of those God was calling them to preach to. For those God calls, He also
equips. He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. We tend to put it
backwards. God requires us to say yes to Him before we are prepared. But He
gets us ready in His time and way. After Pentecost, the disciples were illequipped. After Pentecost, they were both equipped and knew what to do. Those
they preached too were also ready to receive, God’s timing was perfect. No one
had put a schedule or plan together, but God had done both. The Holy Spirit both
empowered them and instructed them what to do and how to do it. All the
disciples had to do was yield and have courage. They did both. Seeking God’s
spirit first was key for them, and for us too. Our relationship with Christ is key
and to be developed first. How we respond to others is what will come naturally
out of that. He will give the opportunities and words and actions.

6/24/2022 A Breath of Fresh Air
Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
Environmental engineers call China one of the most smogpolluted nations on earth, with only 3 of its 74 largest cities
meeting air quality standards. In Beijing, for example, the smog
is so heavy that residents sometimes can’t see the end of the block. Now the government is teaming up
with innovators to bottle air from the distant Laojun Mountains and transport it to urban areas.
Residents can now stop at breathing stations, don an air mask, and breathe the atmosphere of another
land. China’s president, Xi Jinping, has endorsed the idea, saying, “Air quality is now a deciding factor in
people’s perception of happiness.” In the Bible, the same Greek word is translated wind, breathe, spirit,
and Spirit—as in Holy Spirit. In a sense, the Holy Spirit is God’s oxygen in the lungs of our soul. The
atmosphere of our culture is toxic; but when we’re filled with the Spirit, it’s like getting an oxygen
transfusion. It clears our thoughts, refreshes our hearts, and keeps us healthy. The Spirit of God is the
breath of God. In order to live spiritually, we need His breath—the Holy Spirit.
COMMENTS: Breathing smog polluted air is less a problem in US cities now than it
was 20-30 years ago, but can remember the pollution index being reported on the
news daily then and seeing the fog of pollution in news then. I can remember
being in large cities and the smells not being very nice but don’t remember being
that hard to breathe. It must be much worse in China cities. A breath of clean air,
for them, must be welcome but is not nearly enough to bring health back to them.
I would think a breath of clean air would only make them long more for clean air
and work harder to achieve it. Once we know Christ as our Savior and have
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 5:17-21
discovered what is like to be loved and forgiven by Him, it should spur us to
fellowship with Him each day and strive to be obedience of all He asked of us. The
contrast of a Christ centered life vs. a life of selfish desires and actions is like fresh
air vs polluted air. Fresh air revives all who are near it. We need to stop and
reflect on how clean we are and act. Do we pollute or refresh and bring healing?
Do we reflect Christ’s character or satan’s. Well, I suspect you (as I) have to
admit we are somewhere in the middle. Not reflecting His character perfectly – at
times more than other but never perfectly. So we both have a long ways to go – a
lot more change needed. Just because we will not be able to perfectly be like
Christ on earth does not mean we can’t grow to be more like Him each day. If we
are honest, we can recall times we chose selfish directions or said a mean thing to
someone out of anger or frustration or impatience or raw selfishness and later
regretted it and could see a point when we could have chosen differently but
didn’t. We will continue to face such choices, but can be equipped to make right
choices each time. Learning how satan trips us but seeking Him when we see that
happening, instead of dealing with it ourselves and reaction, is where real change
will happen…

6/25/2022 Resurrected Faith
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Three years of growing faith and hope among His
followers were dashed on the shoals of despair when
Jesus was apprehended and killed. Typical of the despair
felt by those in Jerusalem were two despondent followers of Christ who left Jerusalem to walk to the
village of Emmaus. On the way, they encountered a stranger who seemed to know nothing of the past
days’ events in Jerusalem. Yet he rebuked them for their despondency, for not recognizing the meaning
of the death of the Nazarene. And then He revealed to them that He was the Christ, raised from the
dead. “So [the two] rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem . . . and they told about the things
that had happened on the road” (Luke 24:33, 35). When the two disciples saw that Jesus had been given
new life, they received new life as well. Such is the power of the Resurrection; such is the meaning of
Easter! If you grow despondent in the face of life’s circumstances, remember the Resurrection—proof
that God’s power is sufficient to resurrect your faith.
COMMENTS: Today’s scripture gives us God’s promise and confidence that Christ
will return for us and we will receive new immortal bodies and be with Him
forever. Some will be raised while those living will be changed. Have you ever
been discouraged thinking you have been working in vain? Maybe it is a job that
never seems to end. Maybe it is a child or grandchild that doesn’t listen or follow
your instruction or teaching. Maybe it is a friend or neighbor who takes advantage
of your friendship or kindness without responding as you had hoped. Maybe it is a
pastor who teaches the Gospel or a Sunday School teacher who doesn’t see the
response hoped for. When we put our time and hearts into a task or mission, we
need to see something lasting come out of that work. To see that effort wasted is
Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 15:50-57
heart breaking. But Christ has promised our work for Him will not go unnoticed or
lost. One key element of faith is to continue to serve without encouraging
evidence knowing He is in control of how and where our seed of labor will grow.
Our job is to continue to plant seeds. His is to provide nourishment and
opportunity for them to sprout and grow. If we allow ourselves to grow
discouraged and quit, we suffer and He must seek someone else to do our work. I
get so discouraged when see the indifference in our church and community and
even in lives of those very close to us. As I reflect, I also see times of
discouragement and even indifference in my own life because the labor is time and
labor intensive and the obstacles are continuous. I have to often remind myself to
pursue what will last and what will be most important 100 years from now when I,
and those I know and care for, will be on the other side of the grave. It is indeed
easier for those martyred for Christ as a young age, like Stephen, than for those
like John who lived a long life of service. But both are used by Christ for His
eternal purpose of reaching others to receive His grace as well. When we get
discouraged or become indifferent to the work we are called to do, is it because of
lack of fruit or the loss of relationship with Christ. Are we walking too far ahead
or behind Him or are we being distracted by other things or tasks? I have to
admit to all the above at times since satan is an expert at distraction. Today is
Memorial Day, when we honor those who died fighting for our freedoms and
country. We also honor those we knew and love who has passed on.
Remembering their values and examples and the love and relationship we had
with each keeps them alive in our hearts and a part of who we are. The parades
and flowers placed on grave sights and ceremonies may have been a boring way of
spending a day off school when we were kids, but is an important way of
preserving what and who is most precious to us. Take some time, when read this,
to reflect and honor those who have passed but even more take time to honor the
Christ who died for you and for me and be glad but also give Him worship and
praise and thanksgiving for such precious gifts. Let’s set aside some time
regularly to have a time of remembrance during each week. A time of rest and
refreshing can include a time of remembrance too.

6/26/2022 Raised to Life
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 1 Corinthians 15:14
When we look at the two sides of a coin, the two halves of a
pair of scissors, or the two wings on a bird, it seems they are
of equal value—that neither side nor half is more important
than the other. We might look at the death and resurrection of Christ in a similar way—but we would be
slightly wrong. In 1 Corinthians 15 the apostle Paul does not say that without the death of Christ our
preaching and faith are empty (verse 14). Nor does He say that without the death of Christ our faith is
futile and we are still in our sins (verse 17). Instead, he says that without the resurrection of Christ all
those things are true. It is a fine shade of difference, to be sure—but important. The death of Christ
satisfied God’s wrath against sin and paid the penalty for which only death would suffice. But in order to
prove that the penalty of sin had been paid once and for all, death—the consequence of sin—had to be
Recommended Reading
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
defeated. If Christ had not defeated death by rising from the dead, we would still be in our sins. Give
thanks to God today for the death of Christ—and especially for the resurrection of Christ and eternal life
ensured by the empty tomb.
COMMENTS: I Corinthian 15 (I suggest reading entire chapter) gives us the
summary of the Easter story of Christ’s resurrection. David Jeremiah, in this
mornings “Turning Point” radio program, shared God’s harvest law – we must
plant (sow) in order to harvest, we must nourish what we sow, we will harvest
what we sow, we will harvest more than we sow, and we will harvest later than
when we sow. I’m reminded how often I forget this law applies to so much of life.
I forget harvest is later or forget to nourish what I’ve planted or even forget what
I want to harvest can’t be different than what I’ve sown. Something said out of
angry or frustration will not reap anything good. Expecting something good the
next day is usually too soon. In order to see ways we serve Christ reap what we
hope for and what He promised, time must pass and seeds planted must also be
nourished. That means commitment to additional and faithful labor. Labor we
may not have planned on or committed to do, but labor required so seed already
invested labor will not be lost. If what we do today is for His honor and out of our
love for Him, the labor will be lighter and easier and harvest can be put in His
hands and time. That means we need not see harvest, knowing He will take care
of that in His time, even if the harvest is within our own families.

6/27/2022 Stand Up and Speak Up
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are
in the house. Matthew 5:15
When the apostle Peter was confronted by a servant of the
high priest, he lost his tongue. Rather than speaking up for
Christ, he denied knowing the Savior. But after the Resurrection
and Pentecost, Peter couldn’t keep quiet. “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and
heard,” he told his critics (Acts 4:20). As The Living Bible puts it, “We cannot stop telling about the
wonderful things we saw Jesus do and heard him say.” When we share the Gospel, we must stand up
and speak up for everyone to hear. Don’t be deterred by criticism, and don’t let timidity keep you from
telling others what God has done for you. Listen to the advice of Jesus: “Return to your own house, and
tell what great things God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). When we think of the wonderful things we’ve
seen Jesus do and heard Him say, and when we consider the great things He has done for us, how can
we be silent or hide our light under a basket? Let’s look up, stand up, and speak up for Him!
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion is an important one (as if any are not..). Peter and
John has just healed a man crippled his entire life of 40 years. They came to the
temple yard with intent to preach the Gospel of Christ. Man was carried into yard,
as he had every day before, to have access to crowd to beg for money. The man
came to them seeking money. They offered him complete healing. There was no
denying the man was crippled and was healed. He was known along with his
history. This healing gave Peter’s and John’s message credibility and opened the
Recommended Reading
Acts 4:18-22
man to hear the gospel as well. He gained much more than physical healing. He
gained salvation too. But then Peter and John faced prison and future persecution
and even death if they did not stop preaching. They could have agreed not to and
looked for another location to preach or back off completely and become “silent
Christians” – a safer route. But they refused and faced public confrontation and
real consequences. Their courage and faith were just as powerful as their
message. When Peter decided not to deny his Lord again, the Holy Spirit gave him
boldness and a powerful message right there and right then. He passed his test.
You and I will, hopefully, never be as severely tested. But we will be tested either
by a critical neighbor or teen or boss or co-worker or maybe even a church
neighbor or ??? We are entering into a time when Christianity will be less popular
and accepted, so we may even live to see a return of persecution in our country
and in our community like not seen for many generations if ever. Persecution is
on the rise, especially in other countries. More are dying for their Christian faith
today than ever before in history. Part of that is because are more people, but is
also do to an increasing intolerance of Christian values and teaching and those
who teach such. To be a nominal Christian will likely not be a practical option in
the near future. You and I need to be prepared and at least be ready if we are
tested. HE IS WORTH IT!!! HE DESERVES IT!!! Consider what He has done for you
and continues to do for you…

6/28/2022 Pondering
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
Harvard scientists released a study last year demonstrating how
meditation helps “fight the crippling high stress levels we
experience during our busy lives…[and] it can change the
physiology of a person’s brain.”1 The study wasn’t referring to biblical meditation, just human-based
techniques. Imagine how much better the scores would have been had the participants meditated on
Scripture! In order to be a true New Testament church, we must study the Scriptures and apply them to
our lives; and that involves the practice of meditation. The writers of Psalms gave testimony to this: I
meditate within my heart… I will also meditate on all Your work…. I will meditate on Your precepts… My
eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. (Psalm 77:6, 12; 119:15,
148). We meditate when, after having studied God’s Word, we ponder what we’ve studied, mulling it
over as we shower, drive, exercise, walk, work around the house, and rest in bed. Let your delight be in
the Word of God, and meditate on it day and night.
COMMENTS: Meditation is becoming a lost art. Most people are like students who
learn what is required in order to get a good grade, but nothing more. Just
learning enough instead of gleaning what they need to live a better life and be a
better person. Do we read the bible and pray just enough to feel we’ve done our
obligation or fulfill a promise or convince ourselves we are in right relationship
with Christ and secure in a place in heaven? Or are we fellowshipping with our
best friend and Lord, and seeking every opportunity and way to be in deeper
fellowship with Him? There is a huge difference in what we do and how well we
Recommended Reading
Psalm 1
enjoy and are revived. Meditation is a way of opening up ourselves and reserving
sufficient time to be in fellowship with our best friend and Lord. Are there times
you enjoy the company of your spouse without saying a word for the longest time.
Are you still communicating by knowing they are close? Do we have to be in
constant communication in order to be in fellowship? Taking a walk with your
beloved enjoying the walk together does open opportunity to meaningful
conversation but often is just silent fellowship. Our relationship with Christ
should be like that if we keep ourselves mindful He is walking with us and is
experiencing life with us each day. Being aware of Him walking with us does
make the day go so much better and our relationships with others we cross paths
with much richer. Sure some days just are not easy to go thru. We will always
have some days like that, but being in communion with Him takes the sting out of
those days and enables us to receive His help in making those days valuable to us
and to others watching as we go thru those days. It is in times of trial others will
see how genuine and how real our faith is. It is in times of trials we will notice His
help more and our relationship with Him grow stronger and richer. The reason is
we see how much we need Him during trials. During good times, we tend to
forget our need for Him. Sad we are like that. He wants to walk with us in good
as well as bad times if we let Him.

6/29/2022 Resemblance
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into
the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Some time ago, the New York Times reported a study
showing that couples who are happily married for long
periods really do begin to look alike. Even if the man and
woman bore no resemblance at their wedding, they showed marked resemblances later in life.
Moreover, the more marital happiness a couple reported, the greater the increase in facial resemblance.
The change is apparently due to decades of shared emotions and similar lifestyles.1
As time goes by,
Christians should increasingly resemble Jesus. After all, we’re the bride of Christ, and we share His
emotions and lifestyle. Romans 8:29 says that God has predestined us to be “conformed to the image of
His Son,” and according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Holy Spirit transforms us by stages into the image of
Christ. Today someone will study your attitudes, words, and deeds. Make sure they see Jesus in you.
We are His reflectors to the world.
COMMENTS: This morning is another beautiful sunny morning. As I look out my
window, I can see the trees and flowers and green grass radiating their beauty as
the sun comes up over the horizon. Their beauty is enhanced and made clearer by
the shadows they cast when the sun is low on the horizon. Then when I look at
the sky near the sun and see the colors and brilliance the sun brings out of the sky
and clouds, I am in awe of His love and power. I can hear Him tell me to take time
to notice and enjoy the beauty of His creation. Each morning is His way of
greeting you and me and reminding us He is inviting us to walk with Him from the
beginning of each day to it’s end. Last night Arlene and I sat on our porch and
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
reflected on the beauty of our lawn and day while watching a robin feeding her
three chicks in their nest in a mountain laurel bush at the corner of our porch. God
is there at the end of each day too showing us what He has accomplished that day
too. Reflecting on what He has done with and for us over the years as well as
each day is a wonderful time of fellowship with Him. God has given us many rich
years together and memories of those years bring us joy. Sure there are things
we would change if could but the big things we wouldn’t change. Life is so short,
as we are discovering, but life’s memories serve to remind us how important it is
to follow His plan and keep Him near for help and guidance and strength and
wisdom. Having a Christian wife and partner is a source of strength and wisdom
and help. Having Arlene near daily gives me worth and love and strength and
guidance, but is a small portion of what Christ gives each day we walk with Him at
our side. I can see the veil hiding needed wisdom in past that is clearer now.
That realization helps me realize there is still a veil hiding wisdom needed today
that won’t be disclosed til the future. God guides us until the veil is removed to
reveal His reasons and purposes. That is what walking in faith is….

6/30/2022 Praising God for Miracles
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2
Among the stories connected to the memory of Francis of Assisi
is this one: One day Francis gathered his friends at a remote
monastery in central Italy. When he asked them about their
journeys, each brother had an exciting tale to report. One had been riding his mule across a narrow
bridge that spanned a deep gorge. When the mule bolted, the man was nearly thrown into the ravine.
He praised God he hadn’t been killed. Another brother had nearly drowned fording a river but, he said,
“God in His grace provided a tree that had fallen across the water. I was able to grasp a branch and pull
myself to safety.” Other brothers expressed similar stories of God’s protection. Then someone asked
Francis about his trip. “I experienced the greatest miracle of all,” said the famous friar. “I had a smooth,
pleasant, and uneventful journey.” We should always remember to praise God for His miracles in
whatever form they come. He blesses, heals, rescues, delivers, helps, and uplifts more times every day
than we can count. We should always be saying, “Thank You, Lord!”
COMMENTS: Today’s devotion (Psalm 121) is a powerful word of hope and
encouragement but also vital instruction of where we need to go when in danger
or crisis or simply in need of help in making important choices. His is our
PROTECTOR, our HELPER, our DEFENDER. The chapter goes on to tell us He
protects and defends us against all evil, all danger, all external and all internal
things that would harm us. Most judge miracles as good things that rarely
happen, but I firmly believe God loves to do miracles for us and does so every day.
So miracles are still miracles when they become common place. Is birth not a
miracle, whether it is a human baby or a bird or even an insect? When the sun
comes up at the right time and right distance from earth every morning, is it any
less a miracle? When flowers and leaves and crops grow and show their fruit and
beauty in the spring and summer, is it any less a miracle because it happens each
Recommended Reading
Psalm 121
year? Is it any less a miracle that gravity holds us on earth or our air refreshes
constantly or that we can breathe or our heart beat without thought? How we are
able to move and talk and walk and function is no less a miracle because most can
do so! No, miracles are no less miracles because they are common place. Miracles
are miracles because God is involved in them!! God’s ways are mysterious both in
method and timing. Why does He choose to use hardship and pain to make us
stronger and closer to Him? Why can’t we grow as close to Him in luxury as
easily as in hardship? Maybe it is because we naturally have to be forced or
compelled to have fellowship with Him. I’m not sure about that but am sure it
takes more discipline to maintain fellowship with Him in calm than in crisis. How
about you? If that is true, we also need to realize how vital it is to us to be in
fellowship with Him, which means nothing else we gain comes close to be as
precious. So, lets stop and reflect on all the miracles God has blessed us with
today and thank Him for them. We’ll be amazed at what He has done and
continues to do for us, even in the midst of our worst day. I think it would be a
good idea to keep Psalm 121 near to remind us especially during “bad days” and
maybe especially during “good days”. Agree?
As previously, below is the Gideon Bible Reference I have been included in monthly devotions for
some time. I decided to continue including this for benefit of new readers and to continue to make it
accessible to any and all who read and share this journal. I encourage you to use and share as God
directs. If you wish to contact me or access more devotions, below is link to access.
In His Service,
Don McDaniel
Email: dmcdaniel12@zoominternet.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Don1951
If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com”. There you will find
650 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to
present (https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/link-to-dons-devotional-journal-entries2013/ )
You may also access my Facebook page and request to be my friend and automatically receive my daily journal publications daily. My Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/Dondevotionals/
Many thanks to a pastor and dear brother in Christ in Nepal who set up the above Facebook page to
help and encourage and give opportunity for more to explore and use my devotional blog materials.
My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement
GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:
HELP IN TIME OF NEED:
 The way of salvation: John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
 Comfort in time of loneliness: Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
 Comfort in time of sorrow 2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
 Relief in time of suffering 2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
 Guidance in time of decision James 1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
 Protection in time of danger Psalm 91, Psalm 121
 Courage in time of fear Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
 Peace in time of turmoil Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
 Rest in time of weariness Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
 Strength in time of temptation James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
 Warning in time of indifference Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
 Forgiveness in time of conviction Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8
SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):
 The creation Genesis 1-2
 The fall of man Gen 3
 The flood of Noah Gen 6-9
 The call of Abraham Gen 12:1-9
 Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
 Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
 The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
 Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
 Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
 The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
 The Triumphal Entry Lk19:28-44
 The last supper Mk14:2-26
 The Garden of Gathsemane Mtt. 26:36-46
 The Betreyal of Jesus Mtt. 26-47-56
 The arrest and trial of Jesus Jn 18:12-19:16
 The death of Christ Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
 The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
 The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
 The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
 The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
 The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11
SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)
 The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
 The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
 The golden rule Mtt7:12
 The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
 The righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
 The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
 Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
 Christian love 1 Cor. 13
DYNAMIC DOCTRINES
 God’s greatness and man’s weakness Isaiah 40
 The two fold Revelation of God Psalm 19
 Man’s universal guilt Rom 1:18-2:16
 Atonement Leviticus 16, Romans 5
 The new birth John 3
 Justification by Faith Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
 Christ, the Good Shepherd Ps 23, John 10:1-18
 Christ’s intercession for His Own Jn 17, Heb 7:25
 The High Priestly Work of Christ Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
 Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation Philippians 2:5-11
 Resurrection of the Christian Dead 1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
 The second coming of Christ Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
 The Last Judgment Rev. 20:10-15
 The New Heaven and New Earth Rev. 21-22
PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:
 Christian Home relationships Eph. 5:22-6:4
 A model wife and mother Prov. 31:10-31
 Marriage and divorce Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
 The sin of adultery Prov. 6:23-33
 The prodigal son Luke 15:11-32
 Employer-employee relationships Col 3:22-4:1
 Business and prof. principles Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
 Seperation of worldliness 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
 Decisions of doubtful things Rom.14
 Christian fruitfulness Jn15
 Heavenly wisdom James 3:14-18
 Christian responsibilities Rom. 12-13
 Christian stewardship 2 Cor. 8-9
 Christian witnessing Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
 Prevailing prayer Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
 Heavenly priorities Mtt 6:25-33
 Brevity of man’s days Ps 90
 The causes of war James 4:1-4
 The value of the soul Mk. 8:36-37
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:
 ITSELF: 2 Tim. 3:15-16 , Psalm 19:7
 GOD: Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
 MAN: Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
 HEAVEN: Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
 SIN: Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
 HELL: 2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
 CHRIST –HIS ADVENT Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
 CHRIST – HIS PERSON John 10:30, 14:6
 CHRIST –HIS WORK Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
 CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
 FAITH Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
 LIFE John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17