Daily Devo's

[DBStoots]

Escaping the Noise (read 1 Kings 19:9-13)

After the fire came a gentle whisper

1 Kings 19:12

Several years ago, the president of a college suggested that students join her in “powering down” for an evening. Although the students agreed, it was with great reluctance that they laid aside their cell phones and entered the chapel. For the next hour, they sat quietly in a service of music and prayer. Afterward, one participant described the experience as “a wonderful opportunity to calm down . . . a place to just tune out all of the extra noise.”

Sometimes, it’s difficult to escape “extra noise.” The clamor of both our external and internal worlds can be deafening. But when we’re willing to “power down,” we begin to understand the psalmist’s reminder of the necessity to be still so we can know God (Psalm 46:10). In 1 Kings 19, we discover as well that when the prophet Elijah looked for the Lord, he didn’t find Him in the pandemonium of the wind or the earthquake or the fire (vv. 9-13). Instead, Elijah heard God’s gentle whisper (v. 12).

Extra noise is practically guaranteed during celebrations. When families and friends come together, it’s likely a time of animated conversations, excess food, boisterous laughter, and sweet expressions of love. But when we quietly open our hearts, we find that time with God is even sweeter. Like Elijah, we’re more likely to encounter God in the stillness. And sometimes, if we listen, we too will hear that gentle whisper.

By Cindy Hess Kasper

REFLECT & PRAY

It’s in the stillness we’re most likely to hear God’s gentle whisper.

What will help you draw close to God in silence and solitude? How can you regularly “power down” both your devices and your busy mind?

[DBStoots]

September 2

How’s Your Day Looking?

In Game Plan for Life, Os Guinness mentions this quote from a 90-year-old Winston Churchill: “Life has been a grand journey—well worth making once.”

Once. That’s all we get. No dry runs. No do-overs. This day you’re living now is not a dress rehearsal or a practice lap. You’re on the stage. You’re in the game. Start playing.

What this kind of thinking does is rip the disguise off today, revealing it to be every bit as momentous as the first morning on a new job or the night before major surgery. There are things to be said. Today. There are people to take notice of. Today. There are ordinary decisions to take seriously. Today. As the Bible says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

The newspaper commits a page or two each morning to dozens of death notices—guys who once supervised a work crew at the auto plant, who once coached boys’ baseball on Saturday afternoons, who once served on the school board or were once active in the Rotary club. Once.

All those one-time daily things that could be said of you in the paper—about your family, your work, your interests, your passions—are they getting your best today? Clock’s ticking down. Better get out there.

Dear God, I’ve been letting some things slide. I’ve been going whole weeks without my priorities being in balance. It’s time to get this right. Show me what that means and how to get there. AMEN!

Coach Joe Gibbs, Two Minute Drill For Life

[DBStoots]

September 3 (read Ezekiel 34:25-31)

Yahweh Ra’ah: “the Lord is My Shepherd”

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1

The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy against the “shepherds of Israel” (Ezekiel 34:2). The religious leaders of Israel had been seeking their own advantage rather than taking care of the peo-ple of Israel, their flock. God lashed out against this corruption.

Sheep and shepherds are common metaphors in the Old Testament. God is often mentioned as the shepherd of his people Israel. Only once, though, do we find the name Yahweh Ra’ah, meaning “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).

The Hebrew word ra’ah, meaning “shepherd,” describes one who tends, leads, feeds, and protects his flock of sheep. As a shepherd cares for his flock, so Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his people, providing for all their needs and guiding and protect-ing them. Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his covenant people as a flock and as individual, precious sheep.

The closing verses of Ezekiel 34 make clear the magnificent ways in which Yahweh Ra’ah promises to care for his sheep. He doesn’t disappoint. And in the New Testament, Jesus pro-claims himself to be Yahweh Ra’ah, saying, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:14).

The Lord is your good shepherd. Lean on him, for he protects and provides and cares for you.

Good Shepherd, you provide for our needs, guide, and protect us. Help us to take comfort in your care today and always. Amen.

Kurt Selles

[DBStoots]

**September 4 **

Keeping Our Word (read Numbers 30)
When a man makes a vow to the Lord…he must not break his word…
Numbers 30:2

When a witness is ready to testify in court, they raise their hand and say, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God.” The witness is calling God to be a witness to the truth of the testimony.

The basic principle taught in Numbers 30 is that vows must be kept. Our word must stand. Truth telling is an essential characteristic of Christians. Twisting the truth or telling lies has no place among us. The reason for this is that we’re called to reflect God. “God is not human, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19). When our word can’t be trusted, we look like the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44).

Jesus asserted the importance of truth telling when he said, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). He was saying that we should be so marked by the truth that we should not need a vow to back up our word. Sometimes a vow will be required of us. But let’s have our word be enough. May our word be consistent with our actions.

Father, the temptation to lie or twist the truth is strong. Help us to be people of our word so that we reflect you. Amen.

Tom Groslsema

[DBStoots]

September 5
Poorly Understood? (read James 1:12-18)
Awake to righteousness, and do not sin
1 Corinthians 15:34

Why is it so hard to resist that temptation? Rutgers University recently received nearly four million dollars from the National Institute of Mental Health to study the issue. A Rutgers professor explained, “Improving the ability to resist temptations, urges and cravings is central to successfully managing many mental health disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.”1

The university might do better to open the pages of the Bible. There we learn we have a fallen nature, and James 1:14-15 explains it perfectly: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (NLT).

When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran away from the temptation. He did it because he had awakened to the righteous life God expected of Him. As we grow in our awareness of the righteous life God intends for us, we’ll be better equipped to resist temptation. It doesn’t take a university study; it takes a strong dose of the Holy Spirit!

In all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose.
Richard Sibbes

[oceanrace]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=allxx9EzoxU&list=RDMM&index=32

[DBStoots]

Thanks! I liked that a lot.

[DBStoots]

September 7
Doing Good

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

MATTHEW S:16

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.

JOHN WESLEY, selected

[RVD]

Just seeing this, thanks for sharing!

[DBStoots]

September 8
What’s the Right Choice of Friends?
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20

I’m thankful to have realized the value of choosing good friends and company. Past experiences and wisdom from mentors have shown me that the people we spend time with can shape our character and outcome in significant ways.

In my younger days I often gravitated toward friends who had interests like mine—but not always the same values. In contrast, I remember a colleague who constantly encouraged me to pursue excellence and integrity. His unwavering support and positive influence spurred me to aim higher and live more faithfully. This clarified for me the importance of surrounding myself with people who uplift and inspire.

Proverbs 13:20 underscores the wisdom in choosing our companions carefully. Walking with the wise not only imparts knowledge but also fosters a life aligned with God’s principles. Conversely, keeping company with people who reject godly wisdom (“fools”) can lead to damaging consequences.

Choosing the right friends means seeking out people who exhibit qualities such as honesty, kindness, and faithfulness. These relationships can encourage spiritual growth and provide support during challenging times. It’s essential to cultivate friendships that reflect God’s love and truth, helping us grow into the people he intends us to be.

Lord, guide us to seek relationships that inspire and encourage us to live faithfully for you. Protect us from harmful influences. Help us to reflect your love and wisdom. In Jesus, Amen.

Darrell Delaney

[DBStoots]

September 9
Leading With Purpose

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11–13, NIV

Leadership is everywhere in our world. There are good leaders and bad leaders, wise leaders and foolish ones. Some leaders impact many people such as an entire nation, while other leaders may only influence one or two people. It is important we understand the impact that we can make in the lives of others no matter where we are in life.

As Christians when we are put in positions of leadership, we are called to care about those around us and serve them with Godly leadership. Our leadership should be about more than our power, influence or individual purpose. Rather, our leadership should show Christ’s love to others and be filled with his purpose and intent.

Leading with purpose requires more than just our own strength. It requires us to rely on God and look to the Bible where He has shown us examples of Godly leadership. Each day we get to choose what type of leader we want to be. We are equipped with the tools we need to make wise choices as we develop as long-term leaders.

Godly Leadership

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105, NIV

Everyone has a different reach when it comes to leadership. For example, some people may have families and children that they lead. Other people may teach in a classroom and lead students. Still others may have a position of authority in a company or business or even in government.

Where can we turn when we have people that are relaying on us for wisdom and guidance? We can find Godly leadership in the Bible. Psalm 119:105 calls God’s Word “a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” As we strive to lead and treat others with Godliness, we can turn to God for assistance and insight. Seeking God above anything else, including our personal purpose and desires, can help us to put others above ourselves and set our minds on God’s plans and not our own.

Serving With Humility

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” — Matthew 20:25-28, NIV

As Christians if we are given a position of authority, we should not lord it over others or use it to treat others as inferior to us. Rather, we should embrace humility and think of leadership as an opportunity to serve. Even Jesus, the Son of God, did not come to earth with a prideful or arrogant attitude. He came ready to serve others and help those around him (Matthew 20:28).

Setting an Example

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12, NIV

Our leadership should set an example to those around us. Both our speech and our actions should point toward love and kindness. We don’t want those around us to be led astray by our actions or testimony. Our leadership can be a powerful tool to point others toward Christ as well as show unity and love to those who need it.

Molly Howard

[JCDesigns]

Just wanted to share this.

[DBStoots]

September 10
Cold Nights. Quiet Rooms.
That’s When the Bible Speaks the Loudest

I was young when my father gathered us one nigh for Bible study. The house was quiet. Just me, my brothers, and him. We read a chapter aloud. His voice steady at first, then trembling. And when we finished, silence.

My father’s eyes filled with tears. Not of weakness. But of a man who was overcome with the Spirit.

“Boys, this book will mean something different every time you read it. It will shape you as you grow. It is the answer to everything in life. Don’t take it for granted.”

At the time, I didn’t grasp it. How could I? I was just a boy, nodding, thinking it was another lesson.

But now, years later, I see the weight of those words. Because this book is not just verses on a page. It’s not just ink. It’s not just paper. It is vision. The lens that cuts through propaganda. The light that exposes lies. With it, you see through the speeches, the spin, the manipulation. You see the enemy for what he is. Without it, you are blind. You are fed stories, narratives, chains disguised as freedom.

the Bible was never meant to be background noise. It was meant to be your sword. Your map. Your anchor. Every chapter is alive. Every time you open it, it speaks differently. Not because it changes. But because you do. The Word matures with you. It grows into your scars, your battles, your victories. It speaks to the exact wound you carry that day. And that’s why the enemy fears it. Because a people rooted in the Word cannot be deceived. Cannot be bought. Cannot be broken.

That night, I didn’t know what my father meant. But now I do.

the Bible is not just the answer to life. It is the answer against the world.

Don’t take it for granted.

James Owen

[DBStoots]

September 11
You Are the Light of the World. (read Matthew 5:1-16)
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

— Matthew 5:16

Speaking to the crowds that have gathered to hear him, Jesus declares: “You are the light of the world.” Jesus, the light of the world, is placing his own title onto the crowds. In doing so, he transfers his identity to them. Similar to when God directed Aaron to bless the Israelites and put his name on them, Jesus repeatedly blesses the crowds throughout the first part of this passage. Then he gives his identity to them. They are the light of the world, because Jesus has chosen them to be his light in the world.

Jesus makes clear that this new identity is not intended to be hidden or kept private. Rather, the people’s new identity in Jesus is to be as bright as a city on a hill—visible for all to see. He adds that their light is made known through their good deeds and will lead others to glorify God.

Yesterday we celebrated Jesus as the light of the world, signaling the start of God’s new creation. Today we see that God has saved us in Jesus in order to shine the light of Jesus through the way we live. Though our actions do not save us, our good deeds and our sharing of God’s love help others to believe that God’s new creation has become real and available to us in Jesus Christ.

God, help us to celebrate Jesus’ birth by making the light of Jesus more real and believable through lives that shine brightly, reflecting your love and goodness in the beauty of your new creation in Christ. Amen.

Chris Schoon

[VinnyL]

What happened yesterday makes tough the decision not to allow Evils hatred, seeking revenge for the assassination of one of Gods gifts to us, to block out Gods light that Charlie Kirk shined upon all. I stand by the following statement because I truly believe in it.

[iMacattack]

John 1:5 - And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

What darkness can overpower light? Light always wins out over darkness; there is simply no other way for things to be. If there is darkness, light is not present, and if there is light, there cannot be darkness.

[JLewis]

Scripture I often repeat to myself to keep perspective on the real battle in times like this, good vs the World…Jn 15:18-19

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.“

[DBStoots]

September 12
Joy Comes in the Morning
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5

Life brings its fair share of heartache, uncertainty, and long, tear-filled nights. In those seasons, it’s easy to feel stuck in sorrow, wondering when light will break through. But the Bible reminds us again and again: joy comes in the morning . God’s Word offers powerful hope, assuring us that our pain is never permanent. Morning always comes—bringing renewed strength, fresh mercy, and joy that replaces weeping.

In Lamentations, we read The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (3:22-23). Even in grief, the writer declares hope. God’s love renews every day, and His mercy brings morning joy after sorrow.

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress. (Isaiah 33:2). AMEN!

God’s peace to all,

Dave

[VinnyL]

Pray for all especially those who’d do you harm🙏
I’d like to believe I can do that but it’s tough!

[DBStoots]

September 13
Rest for Restless People (read Haggai 1)
**You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. **
Haggai 1:6

Our son is restless! Derek will enjoy playing with a game only for a few moments before growing dissatisfied and moving on to something else.

Judah was also restless. After seventy years in exile, they began a new life in their old land. But life didn’t go as they hoped. They labored in the fields but had few crops to show for it. They ate and drank, but were never satisfied.

The prophet Haggai explains that Judah’s restlessness had a spiritual cause. They had moved back into the promised land and rebuilt their homes and businesses, but they procrastinated with rebuilding the temple. They put off worship until they “got around to it.” Since the people neglected their relationship with God, God withheld his blessings.

There are many restless people today. They search for satisfaction in their work, their families, their accomplishments, or a life of moral excellence. These may be good things, but people eventually find that nothing satisfies until they have a right relationship with God.

Jesus invites us to find rest in him. When we trust in him, he promises to meet our deepest needs. He forgives our sins and assures us that he will care for us, protect us, lead us, and guide us.

Have you found rest in Jesus?

Father, when we are tempted to look for satisfaction in this world, help us to find our rest in you. Help us to tend our relationship with you so that we may enjoy the full life you promise. Amen.

Pastor Rob Toornstra