Author Archives: stlmwa

Acting On a Dream

Photo by Mike Horton.

Bible Passages

13 Why do you complain against Him that He does not give an account of all His doings? 14 Indeed God speaks once, or twice, yet no one notices it. 15 In a dream, a vision of the night, when sound sleep falls on men, while they slumber in their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, and keep man from pride; 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing over into Sheol.

Job 33:13-18 (NASB1995)

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

John 16:33 (NABRE)

Devotion

I have a friend who is a struggling Vietnam veteran. He hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since he arrived in Vietnam. He was wounded, and pain flares up at times. He has also been a widower for only a few years. He misses his wife every day. He suffers inwardly much more than he lets on outwardly. He has told me several times that he lives in hell.

An ordained minister, he left the church after an incident in Vietnam. Fortunately, he never left his relationship with God. He is still very religious, and prays often. This has saved his life many times as he faces life’s difficulties.

Now retired, he makes and sells birdhouses, just to have something to occupy his mind and body. He does other woodworking projects from time to time, too. He makes beautiful furniture and decorative pieces. He is very creative and talented.

One day, he acquired a burled piece of wood he really liked, but had trouble figuring out what to make out of it. After it sat on a shelf several weeks, staring at him and begging him to make something with it, he asked God for help. That very night, he actually had a dream about it. God showed him exactly what he needed to do with that piece of wood.

With the help of an artist friend who painted the backdrop, he created the crucifixion scene pictured here. He added the crosses, but had trouble figuring out how to do the blood on Jesus’ cross. God whispered in his ear. Obedient, he grabbed a nail and pierced his own finger. He used his own blood as paint, letting it drip on the four places it was needed. He added the landscaping features and sealant. It looked just like the one in his dream.

Crucifixion scene in natural room lighting. Photo by Mike Horton.
Photo by Mike Horton.

He then brought it to his shop and put it on a display shelf. A couple of people asked him about it, but he could not part with it. A few days later, he decided to bring it home. He put it on a table in his living room, next to a scented lamp. He’d enjoy it when he passed by, but he didn’t really think much more about it than that.

Last night, he decided to light the lamp sitting next to it. Later, he left the room and turned the light off, forgetting to turn off the lamp. When he came back in the room, the cross grabbed his heart. Out loud, he exclaimed, “Whoa!” He got so excited, he took these pictures and sent them to me. Then he called. He just had to share the profound effect this had on him!

He actually got over 8 hours of sleep last night! A peaceful night’s sleep.

I believe God is using this to help him heal. By giving him a vision and a direction, God instilled in him an immediate love for that piece. Working on it gave him a new sense of purpose. His heart would not let him part with it. Now, having fully realized what he created, he is filled with a new sense of awe and wonder at God’s plan for his healing.

Side-by-side comparison of both photos.

I believe he’s going to be okay. It will take time, but he’s on the road to recovery. Obedience to God is vital to healing. Because he listened, he was rewarded with a new peace, which is beginning to settle in his soul.

Prayer Focus

War veterans

Prayer

Gracious God our Father, thank you for being there during our darkest moments, holding us tight and seeing us through to the dawn of a new day. Amen.

Final Thought

You will be amazed at what God can do when you obey.

Which One Are You?

Closeup of a flock of sheep. Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash.
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Psalm 23.

Read John 10:1-15.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 (ESV)

Devotion

We are taught, as citizens of this world, to be sheep. Sheep are like mindless drones. They travel together. They eat together. They dress alike. They talk alike. They have the same haircuts. They hang out together. They think alike. They blend in. They don’t stand out.

Black sheep, however, do. In a flock of sheep, it’s easy to pick out the black ones. Being the black sheep of the family is not considered to be a good thing. They dress differently. They act differently. They talk differently. They cut their hair differently. They don’t hang out with the other sheep often because the flock has shunned them. They do stand out.

The world wants us to blend in with the rest of the flock. Television and social media dictate how we should dress, speak, act, and think. We are expected to do “the expected.” Black sheep are expected to reform and conform. When they do, they are praised and rewarded, and accepted back into the worldly flock as a card-carrying, upstanding member of society.

As Christians, Jesus has also called us to be sheep. He wants us in His flock, which is full of black sheep. We care less and less about the worldly flock’s values. We dress differently. We act differently. We talk differently. We don’t follow the latest trends in fashion or hairstyles. We don’t hang out with the others, but not because we are rejected by society. We reject the rules and standards society tries to force upon us when those rules don’t align with God’s will. We stand out.

We follow Jesus. We act according to His teachings, though the world would have us fill our hearts with haughtiness, disdain, and hatred. We speak words of praise and thanksgiving, though the world would have us spew criticism, dissent, and profanity. We embrace the rules and standards God has given us. We know they are fair, just, and true. We follow by choice.

We follow because we know Jesus and Jesus knows us. We follow because Jesus, the Good Shepherd, chose us despite our weaknesses and flaws. He knows our names. He loves us. He wants to be with us in a close relationship. He even died for us! He calls to us. The longer we follow Jesus, and the closer we are with Him, the happier we are. How can we not follow Him?

Prayer Focus

Black sheep

Prayer

Lord, thank You for loving us, caring for us, and calling us to You. Every hour of every day, we praise and worship You. We strive to have a closer relationship with You because You love us so dearly and we love You. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen.

Final Thought

Black Or White?

Listen!

Man listening. Photo by larry-george-ii on unsplash.
Photo by larry-george-ii on unsplash.

Bible Passages

For God speaks again and again,though people do not recognize it.

Job 33:14-18

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalms 46:10

If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name,” says the Lord of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

Malachi 2:2

But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster

Proverbs 1:33

Devotion

How often in a day do you find yourself bored? In the “old days,” you might have counted ceiling tiles, looked for dirty clothes under the bed, examined the shoes of the lady ahead of you in line, or pulled lint out of your navel. Today, you play games or watch videos on your phone.

News flash! That down time is on purpose, a gift from God. It’s a time to reflect. Count your blessings. Pray for guidance. Recite Bible verses. Sing songs of praise and worship. Spend time with God. Listen.

If you listen with your heart, God speaks to you non-stop. Put down your phone and listen. Turn off the television and listen. While your babies are sleeping, listen. It’s very important to learn to listen to God’s voice. It’s so important to God that “the word ‘listen’ appears 278 times throughout the books of the Bible.”[ConnectUS] Practice listening. You might not hear His voice the first few times you try, so keep at it. The world is shouting at you. Ignore it. Find the whisper. It’s a gentle, quiet voice filled with love and hope and peace. That’s the one you should hear. Focus on it. Listen.

Notice I said, “Listen.” It means you don’t just hear something. You strain for meaning. You lean into it. You take action. Hearing is passive, requiring nothing of you. Listening is participating.

When you ask God for help or guidance, you have to give Him time to respond. Don’t just say a prayer, jump up, and run back to your day. Hang out with God. Spend some time listening for His voice. Before long, you’ll find it’s easier and easier to hear what He is saying. Doing what He commands will bring you more and greater joy and peace and happiness. Therefore, just listen.

Prayer Focus

Listen to the Master

Prayer

Lord, help me open up my ears so that I may hear Your sweet, gentle voice. Amen.

Final Thought

Hey! God is talking to you.

I Am a Fraud

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 6:1-14.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Devotion

I am a fraud. I pretend to be holy and righteous. I’m not. I’m a sinner. I think terrible thoughts at times, some of which escape my filters and pop out of my mouth. I am also moody at times, especially when I don’t get enough sleep. That, too, comes out occasionally, and I lash out. My tongue can be vicious. My loved ones are most often the ones who suffer my foul mood. Because I know them best, I know exactly where to aim the verbal sword. As much as I try to avoid it, I have hurt my favorite people with my words. No amount of apologies can take back the horrible things I have said.

I used to criticize the Jewish people being led out of Egypt. I used to marvel at how forgetful they were. Moses would leave them for a couple of days, and come back to find them falling into their old habits. I was busy looking at the specks in their eyes, not realizing I was doing the same thing. I was quick to judge them, and harsh. I realize now that after I repented something I said, I would turn around and do the same thing again. I, too, fell into my old, comfortable, familiar routines of poisonous behaviors, thoughts, and words. My quick “wit” could cut through anyone’s heart, and got me into all kinds of trouble.

Every morning I pray that I will be a blessing to someone. When I do or say something to lift someone up, I negate that good work when I do or say something that displeases God. I have now added the prayer my father recited in the pulpit at the beginning of every service,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 (NASB1995)

Repeating this verse helps me remember to keep my focus on God, no matter my mood or how rested I am. It helps me remember to keep an even keel at all times. It reminds me to be respectful and humble. It reminds me to filter my actions and my speech using God’s standards.

I have since added a new filter. It still leaks a little. Things still slip out that would be better left unsaid. After all, I’m a work in progress. Every night I pray for forgiveness for the times I slipped that day, and for the strength and wisdom to learn from my mistakes and to do and be better tomorrow.

Prayer Focus

Filtered speech

Prayer

Dearest Lord and Savior, help me be a better person today. Grant me the wisdom to hold my tongue when needed, and to speak up only when it adds to Your glory. Amen.

Final Thought

I am not always what I seem.

Angels Among Us

Photo by Christophe Van der waals on Unsplash

Bible Passages

Read Psalm 91.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.

Psalms 103:20-21 (NASB1995)

Devotion

Late one very dark night, as I was driving in the well-lit parking lot, headed home, the brakes went out. Mine was the only car around. I was the only person around. “Okay,” I thought, “I’ll see what’s going on. Maybe I can fix it.” I prayed that God had provided me with the knowledge and tools I needed to figure out how to fix this. With a deep sigh, I opened the hood and started trying to locate the problem.

Sure enough, I located the problem fairly quickly. I happened to have some cardboard, large enough to lay down under the car. I pumped the brakes and checked the cardboard. By the size of the puddle on the cardboard, the leak was directly above it, near the master cylinder. The master was dry, so it had to be in the hoses. As I looked at the hoses, I found a split had formed. If I could find some tape to wrap it, I could at least get it to the parts store for a replacement hose. I looked high and low. There was no kind of tape to be found. No duct tape. No electrical tape. Not even Scotch tape!

About that time, I saw someone walking toward me. It was a man wearing a backpack. At a respectful distance, he asked if I needed help. I was not afraid of him, even though there were so many reasons I should have been. I said a quick prayer of thanks, and explained my situation to him.

Still at a respectful distance, he began to rummage through his backpack, telling me he would see what he had that might work. A couple of minutes later, he pulled something out, but I couldn’t see what it was. He did look very embarrassed, though.

He told me he was homeless. A local church had recently handed out bags of things like toiletries, towels, and socks. God bless that local church. Among the items in that bag were a few condoms. He ripped it open, wrapped up the leaky hose, and sent me on my way!

He refused a ride. It was too late to buy him a meal, and everything was closed. He didn’t even take the cash I had on hand, a whopping $10. He said he didn’t need anything, and that he’d be fine. As I drove away, I took one last look back, trying to see him walk away. He was nowhere to be seen. He literally disappeared into the darkness in less than a minute! In that confirming moment, I knew he was really one of my guardian angels.

Every time I think about that night, I give thanks to God for sending me that angel. Although it was a few years ago, I know I’ll see him again in the next realm, where I can say a proper thank you and let him know how much I appreciated his help.

Prayer Focus

Homeless angels.

Prayer

Beloved Heavenly Father, in your perfect timing, thank you for always providing exactly what and who I need. Amen.

Final Thought

Angels show up when we need them.

I Am Rich and Famous

Photo by Michael Heuser on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Psalms 145.

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

Devotion

I heard a pastor ask the congregation if they’d prefer to be rich or famous. My gut reaction was to say I am rich. You might not be able to tell if you measure wealth by earthly standards. Money comes and goes. Possessions do, too. My spirit is full. I have never gone hungry. I have been blessed with a roof over my head. I have sufficient clothing for all seasons. For 40 years, I loved a husband who loved me deeply, and honored me often. Despite my parenting, my child grew up to be a responsible, contributing citizen. He married well. His children are finding their way. My life is blessed. My heart is full. I am rich.

As I thought about it, I realized I am famous, as well. Whenever I do God’s will, I imagine an angel is blowing a horn. Another angel is posting a video of my good deed. Another is tweeting about it. When I glorify God in some small way, it is celebrated by the heavenly hosts. When I sow a seed of grace and mercy, everyone in heaven jumps for joy. When I give my last denarius (penny) to help someone, saints and angels sing in joy. When I bring a new soul to Christ, heaven throws a party. All of heaven knows my name. More importantly, God knows my name. He loves me. He wraps me in His loving, protective arms, and keeps me safe. I am famous.

I immerse myself in the ways of God. I study the Bible daily. Nevertheless, sometimes, it takes days or weeks for His guiding voice to penetrate my veil of opinion and bias and worldly training. In the end, I know in my heart what is true and right. I don’t always listen to that still, quiet voice. I keep listening to the voices shouting objections and traditions. That’s why God whispers. When someone whispers, you have to strain your ears to hear them. You have to filter out other noises. You have to focus on the whisperer.

Despite all my human mistakes and faults and weaknesses, I keep coming back to God. Each day, I am more full of God’s love and mercy and grace than the day before. Yes, I am truly rich and famous where and when it counts. Praise God!

Prayer Focus

Rich and famous people of this world.

Prayer

Almighty Giver, thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the opportunities to glorify Your kingdom. Help me spread Your love to all the corners of the earth, so everyone can bask in Your grace and love. Let me be a light to those who have many worldly goods, but have not stored up any treasure in heaven. Amen

Final Thought

Wealth and fame are earned.

Hard Times

Man sitting on bench waiting. Image by mykyta-martynenko on Unsplash.
Image by mykyta-martynenko on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Matthew 18:10-14.

Read Luke 15.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Devotion

Before you were born, God set a special path, designed just for you and only you. He created you to be the perfect person for that path. Only you can travel your special path. If you stay on that path, it will be easy and fun (mostly). Along the way, He will hold your hand. He will carry you through the difficult parts, the challenges, the tests.

The Bible is full of examples of people who went through hard times and came out with more blessings than they imagined. Joseph, Moses, Jonah, Abraham, Hannah, Noah, Ruth, Isaiah, Job, and most notably Jesus, to name but a few, showed us how to follow Him. They showed us how to be godly, happy, and blessed. Even when they fell into darkness, God was with them. We remember them because they held tightly to God’s hand through the bad times and the good times. We remember them because we love to hear their stories over and over. Their stories put our own troubles into perspective, and give us hope when we’re going through dark times. They remind us that God loves to take us out of our lowest moments, and bring us to our highest moments. Just like the dark nights makes us appreciate the sunrise, our dark moments make us appreciate God’s blessings with praise and gratitude.

Joseph was on top of the world as a child. His family was prosperous. He lacked for nothing. His father favored him above all his other children, but his siblings were jealous. They started a series of events that should have made him crumble. Joseph endured all the many hardships set before him, praising God all the while. Joseph’s faithfulness to God paid off and God’s plan for him was fulfilled.

Job did everything right and was doing quite well, but lost everything anyway. Through no fault of his own, he lost his wife, his children, his livestock, and his crops. Through all his losses, Job kept praising God. Job knew God still loved him, even though it didn’t always seem that way. Try as he might, the devil couldn’t get any traction on Job. Job was loyal to God. He never cursed God. The devil finally gave up trying to tempt Job away from God. That’s when Job’s rewards kicked in. He got back more than double what he had before. Job got a new wife, twice as many children, and his crops and livestock were more than doubled.

We aren’t always as faithful to God and Joseph and Job. Sometimes we lose our way. Think of the parable of the lost sheep, in which Jesus reminds us that no matter how far from God we stray, He hasn’t forgotten or abandoned us. He sends messengers (human and angel) to remind us of His love. Like Joseph and Job, we need to grab onto God. He is waiting for that. When we do, He will carry us through the brambles and rocks and other rough patches to bring us back to the flock. Just by reaching out to Him again, He will rescue us from our troubles and bring us home.

When we return to Him, just like the father of the prodigal son, He will joyously run to greet us and welcome us home. He will throw a party in heaven in our honor, complete with a live band and a spiritual buffet. We will feast until we overflow with His love and grace. He will bless us in heaven and on Earth. We don’t all get the same rewards, but they will be the rewards we need in that moment. We will be delivered and free, forgiven and comforted, rich in spirit and happy in our hearts, safe under His protective wings.

Follow where He leads you. He will provide almost everything you need to succeed. The only thing missing is you. God gave us free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we do with our lives. He wants you to give yourself, fully and completely, to Him. When you do this, the results will amaze you!

Prayer Focus

Those in danger of turning away from God.

Prayer

Heavenly Shepherd of the lost, thank you for keeping me in Your loving arms. Help me stay focused on You. When I stray, help me find You again. Gladden my heart with Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Final Thought

God is waiting for you.

God Even Loves Exasperating People

Pouting baby.
Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Luke 6:27-36.

23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NASB1995)

Devotion

People can be exasperating at times! That is when we, as Christians, are called to show how strong our faith is. We are called to show we are different. We are called to show those same people, in the moment we find them most intolerable or shocking or even horrifying, that God loves them – even when they don’t seem, to us, to deserve it. That is when we can be the catalyst for a most unbelievable and glorious victory for Christ!

If it’s the person behind you in line, step aside and let them go ahead of you. Tell them you are sharing the love of Jesus. If it’s your boss or a coworker, bring them a gift. A cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a box of cookies, or perhaps a fruit basket, would completely take them off guard. You might be surprised at the change in them (and in you) over such a small gesture. Someone talking during a movie might talk less with a mouthful of popcorn. Use your imagination! Let the offender know the gesture or gift is from Jesus, who loves them.

We Christians are called to respond differently to challenging situations. We are expected to show the Light of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Now, this is easy for us most of the time. We don’t have a problem showing our faith when we have enough money to pay our bills. We can easily shine when we attend a friend’s birthday party. It is much more difficult to be Christian when someone cuts you off in traffic.

Although it sounds trite and insincere, truly as yourself, “What would Jesus do?” There is a reason why this has become popular among the faith community. When you make it part of your automatic response to every situation in life, you will find the response God wants you to have. The more you practice this, the more readily the answer will come to you. This is because you are learning to listen to the voice of God. He is there with you, providing you with an answer, every time. By asking this question, you are opening your heart to His guidance.

Prayer Focus

People we find annoying, hurtful, or mean.

Prayer

Lord God, help me get past the walls other people have put up around themselves. Give me a way to reach out to them and show them Your love and mercy and grace. Help me lead them to You. Amen.

Final Note

We are called to be different.

Where To Start

Open Bible closeup.

Bible Passages

Constantly remind the people about these laws, and you yourself must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to obey all of them. For only then will you succeed.

Joshua 1:8 (TLB)

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalms 119:105 (NLV)

The man who reads this Book and listens to it being read and obeys what it says will be happy. For all these things will happen soon.

Revelation 1:3 (NLV)

Devotion

Lots of people are hesitant to start reading the Bible, for a variety of reasons. Some just don’t know where to start. Others are put off by the fancy, Shakespeare-like wording or all the begats and references to people and places that don’t seem relevant today. If you want to read the Bible, there are a lot of options you may not know about, designed for regular people like you and me who just need a little help.

There are many translations which use more modern language than the traditional King James Version. You might try the Living Bible (TLB), the New Life Version (NLV) or the Modern English Version (MEV). These are easier to read, and don’t contain ‘thou’ or ‘knowest’ or ‘doeth’ words. They still contain a lot of people and places. You can skip over those for now, when it gets too dry. One day those people and places will become more important. Until then, just skim them and move on. Pick the version you think will work best for you.

If you like, you could start at the beginning with the book of Genesis and work your way to the last book, Revelation. Another approach is to pick an easier book such as Psalms or Proverbs or one of the Gospels. Ask your pastor for advice. Nobody, not even God, expects you to understand everything you read, especially if it’s your first time through.

God knows that some passages are hard to read. He built in many layers of depth and richness of meaning. The more you study and discuss a passage, the better you will be able to grasp what God is saying. You will begin to see the deeper meanings. It sometimes brings up more questions than answers. That’s okay. It’s how the Bible is designed, so that it never gets boring or repetitive to read the same passage over and over. You’re supposed to ask questions. You’re supposed to dig deeper.

When you run into something you don’t understand, your pastor or priest is a great person to ask about it. After all, pastors are very knowledgeable on the subject. If you don’t belong to a church, call or visit one nearby. A good pastor will be happy to help you, even if you’re not a member of their flock. Your pastor might not know all the answers to your questions. Discussing the Bible with someone allows you to ask follow-on questions in real time, as they occur to you.

Another great source is the library or bookstore. Whatever the passage, someone has written something about it to help others wrap their heads around it. Many people have written explanations of specific parts of the Bible. Some books dive deep into one particular book or chapter. Some are written specifically to help us read the whole Bible.

Go online. There are lots of sites devoted to Biblical topics, some more formal than others. Some sites are set up in classic printed Bible format, which provide footnotes to the passages as you get to them. Others are less formal, and provide the passage couched in a paragraph or two of the writer’s perspective.

Watch movies about the Bible. I find myself inspired to read for myself about what was shown in a movie. Some movies are more biblically accurate than others. It’s fun (for me, at least) to fact-check those movies.

As you get more involved, you might want to look for resources that explain the origins of the passage. The term ‘lost in translation’ refers to the difficulty of picking words in the new language that carry the same meaning. For instance, it would be hard to translate an iceberg into a language used by people that only know about deserts. Some books even go into the cultural settings, giving you the perspective of the average person of that time and place.

Follow journeys on a map. Some Bibles include maps, and make it easy to find the places of that era. It gives you an idea of distance, direction, and terrain.

There are so many way to approach reading the Bible, and so many fellow travellers eager to help you find your own approach. Tell God, out loud, that you need help with it. He will put the right people and resources for you into your life.

Prayer Focus

Someone struggling to read the Bible.

Prayer

All-knowing Father, who created the heavens and the Earth, who breathed life into me, and who provided a guidebook for me, give me the tools and people I need so I can study Your words. Lead me to follow the path You want me to take. Help me use the Bible, so I will be prepared for whatever You have in store for me, and know how You want me to act in any situation. You are my God, and I want to do what pleases You. Amen.

Final Thought

Knowledge is power. Righteous knowledge is righteous power.

Knowledge Is Power

Image by Yogurt on Unsplash.

Bible Passages

Read Ephesians 6:10-17.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 (NASB1995)

Where the word of a king is, there is power …

Ecclesiastes 8:4 (NASB1995)

Devotion

We’ve all heard that knowledge is power. The more you know, the more you grow. Gather to yourself all the knowledge you can find. However, if you don’t share what you know, all that information is just useless junk taking up room in your head, collecting dust and making it difficult to put important, useful stuff in there. Choose wisely which tidbits of knowledge you keep. This wisdom will lead you to true power.

In school, you do battle in an exam. If you do your homework, you have a better chance of passing a test. It seems easy enough, but there are many distractions that take you away from your studies. Playing with friends is a big one. Doing chores or working to pay for your schooling is another. Make time for absorbing the knowledge you must have to pass a test. Showing your knowledge on a test proves to the test administrator that you have learned the assigned information. Even if it’s a small test or pop quiz, showing mastery of a topic allows you to continue learning at the next level.

In a debate, knowing all sides of a topic prepares you to fight a battle of wits with your opponents. When you know the topic, your argument can be rich in data points. By looking at all sides of the issue, you are armed against any attack. No matter how many opponents you face, you are ready to defend your point-of-view. By doing sufficient research and preparation, you will win the day.

At work, the best way to get ahead in the battle to the top is to know your job and do it well. If your company brings in something new (like a new process or piece of equipment), especially if it seems hard, volunteer to learn it. By choosing to do hard things, you will become essential to those who run the company. When they know who you are, you get their attention. By taking the hard tasks, you are bringing God’s blessings on your work. When it comes time for promotions, pay raises, or bonuses, you will be on their minds. You will be amazed at the rewards you will reap when you sow seeds into your workplace.

In life, you have to know a lot of things in order to do battle properly. You have to know how to keep up with your bills. You have to know if you have enough money for a taxi or rideshare or bus fare or gasoline to get where you are going, and know how to get there (or how to work your GPS app). There are a million things to keep track of at once. When a spouse and kids are added in the mix, those million things quickly become a billion things. Knowing how and when to juggle everything leads to a successful, stress-free life.

In your spiritual life, you ready yourself by studying the Bible. Everyone is different, and learning styles are unique to each person. Study in the manner best-suited to you. Be aware that some books are a little dry and difficult for beginners. There are pages of so-and-so begat doo-ma-flotchy or King Such-and-such did this, that, and the other thing. Don’t get bogged down in the details at first. Remember, Shakespeare and Hemingway are for the more experienced readers. It’s okay to bypass some things until you’re ready to tackle them.

God only cares that you are making the effort. He has put people, videos, books, social media, and so many other avenues, in your path for you. All you have to do is look. When your next battle comes, you will be much better prepared. Share the knowledge you gained from Bible study, and your victory for God will be much sweeter!

Prayer Focus

People who need greater Bible knowledge.

Prayer

Great and mighty God, I thank You for Your guidance in arming me with the exact Scriptures I will need for my next battle. I will study Your words and use them like a sword against my enemies. Mold me into a spiritual weapon, burnished in Your love. Arm me through Your grace and glory to win every battle, that I may glorify Your name and Your kingdom. Amen.

Final Thought

Arm yourself for the coming battle.