Daily Reflections From God's Word

Tag: bible

  • The Other Prodigal Son

    “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.” – Luke 15:28 (NKJV)

    Most of us focus on the younger son in Jesus’ parable—the one who ran away, wasted everything, and came home to a forgiving father. But let’s talk about the other prodigal son.

    The older brother never left home. He never rebelled. He did everything right. But when his lost brother was welcomed back, he refused to celebrate. Instead of joy, he felt resentment.

    He saw his brother’s redemption as an insult to his own obedience. “I never left, I never wasted anything, I did everything right—and where’s my feast?” He wasn’t just angry at his brother. He was angry at his father.

    How often do we do the same?

    When God forgives someone we think doesn’t deserve it.

    When we secretly want people to earn grace, instead of freely receive it.

    When we think our goodness makes us more deserving than someone else.

    But here’s the truth—the older son needed grace just as much as the younger one. He had stayed home, but his heart was just as lost.

    And yet, look at what the father does. He doesn’t rebuke him. He comes out to him. Just as he ran to the younger son, he reaches out to the older one. Because grace isn’t just for the obviously broken. It’s for the self-righteous, too.

    The question is—will we accept it? Or will we stay outside, arms crossed, missing the beauty of the Father’s mercy?

    Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who deserves grace. None of us do. That’s the point. And the Father’s invitation is the same for both sons: Come inside. Join the celebration. You belong here.

  • Only Jesus

    Legacy.

    Influence.

    Recognition.

    The world tells us these are the markers of success, the things that define a life well-lived. But what if we’re chasing the wrong thing?

    The Bible reminds us of the fleeting nature of life. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NKJV). If life is so short, shouldn’t we spend it on what truly matters?

    Jesus posed the ultimate question: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). You could have wealth, power, and influence, but without Christ, it’s meaningless. And if that’s true, then shouldn’t our focus be on making His name great instead of our own?

    Paul grasped this truth when he declared, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). His life wasn’t about accolades or reputation—it was about Jesus. Every breath, every step, every moment was lived for the glory of God.

    This should be our mindset. Our jobs aren’t just careers—they’re opportunities to reflect Christ. Our families, friendships, and even chance encounters are moments to point others to Him. When we stop trying to build our own legacy and start living to make Jesus known, we step into the real purpose we were created for.

    At the end of my life, I don’t care if people remember my name. I just want them to have known Jesus because of the way I lived. So today, I surrender my ambitions, my plans, my legacy. My life belongs to Him.

    Only Jesus.

  • When God Removes, He Doesn’t Look Back

    Some of us are living as if God’s mercy has an expiration date. We say we believe in forgiveness, but deep down, we wonder if God still holds our past against us.

    But Psalm 103:11-12 settles that doubt:

    “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (NKJV)

    God’s mercy isn’t small. It’s not just enough—it’s abundant. He doesn’t reluctantly forgive, tallying up our failures, waiting for us to mess up again. His mercy is as high as the heavens—immeasurable, limitless.

    And then there’s the second part:

    “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

    Think about this: If you travel north, you eventually hit the North Pole and start going south. But if you travel east? You can keep going east forever and never reach west. That’s how far God has removed our sins.

    So why do we struggle with guilt over what God has erased? Why do we rehearse old failures when God has thrown them into the depths of His mercy? The enemy wants you chained to your past, but Jesus broke those chains at the cross.

    If you’ve repented, you’re forgiven.

    Fully.

    Completely.

    God doesn’t dangle your past over your head—so why should you?Today, choose to live in the freedom of forgiveness. Let go of what God has already removed. Walk in the confidence that you are clean, redeemed, and made new.

    Have you struggled with guilt even after repenting? Let’s talk about it. Drop a comment below—I’d love to encourage you.

  • The Faithfulness of God in Delayed Answers

    Waiting on God is one of the hardest things we do as believers. And if we’re honest, it’s one of the places where doubt creeps in the fastest. Why hasn’t God answered yet? Did I do something wrong? Is He even listening?

    Maybe you’ve been praying for healing, for a breakthrough, for clarity. Maybe you’ve been faithful, doing everything right, but the doors remain closed. It’s frustrating. It’s discouraging. But here’s what we need to remember: God’s faithfulness isn’t proven by immediate answers—it’s revealed in His perfect timing.

    “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV)

    Think about Joseph. He had dreams of leadership, of purpose, of God’s hand on his life. But before the palace, there was a pit. Before influence, there was injustice. Before fulfillment, there was waiting—years of it. If Joseph had judged God’s faithfulness by his circumstances, he would have given up. But God was working in the waiting, shaping Joseph into the leader he was called to be.

    The same is true for us. When we don’t see movement, we can trust that God is still at work. When we feel forgotten, we can hold on to the truth that He never leaves His children behind. And when we wonder if He’ll come through, we remember that He always has, and He always will.

    So what do we do while we wait? We worship. We trust. We obey. Because the God who promised is the God who always fulfills.

    Are you in a season of waiting? Let’s walk this journey together. Drop a comment below—I’d love to pray for you.

  • I Was Made for More—And So Were You

    I’ve spent too much time tending graves that Jesus already emptied. Graves of regret. Graves of shame. Graves of “what if” and “if only.”

    But then I hear Him call my name.“Lazarus, come forth!” – John 11:43 (NKJV)

    And I realize—why am I still lying here when I was called to live?Too often, we live like we’re still bound by the past. We say we believe in grace, yet we carry our old sins like they define us. But that’s not how God sees us.

    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

    Salvation isn’t just about escaping sin—it’s about stepping into purpose. We weren’t meant to just survive this life—we were made to thrive in the freedom Jesus gave us. Yet, so many of us still live in the shadow of who we used to be.

    The enemy loves to remind us of our failures. But here’s the truth: You are not who you were. You are chosen, free, and forgiven.

    “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)

    So why do we keep looking back? Why do we act like we belong in a grave when Jesus already called us out?

    Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it’s doubt. Maybe we’ve been stuck in the past for so long that freedom feels unfamiliar.

    But today, I want to remind you: God didn’t call you to live in your shame. He called you to live in His grace.

    So, here’s my challenge for you:

    Stop making a home in your shame.

    Stop tending a grave that Jesus already walked you out of.

    Step into the life He created you for.

    Because, my friend, you were made for more.

    And that’s worth living for.

    🙌 How has God reminded you of your freedom lately? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your story!

  • Between the Altar and the Door

    Ever had a powerful moment with God—one of those times when your heart is stirred, your eyes fill with tears, and you just know something is changing—only to have that feeling disappear before you even leave the building?I was driving home from work today, jamming out to Pandora as usual, when The Altar and the Door by Casting Crowns came on. I’ve heard it countless times, but today, these lyrics hit differently:

    And I cry like so many times before
    But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor
    Oh Lord, I’ll try
    But this time, Jesus, how can I be sure
    I will not lose my follow thru
    Between the altar and the door.

    Ouch. That’s me. Too many times, I’ve stood in church, tears falling, heart open, making commitments to God—only to let distractions, doubts, and daily life steal my follow-through before I even hit the parking lot.

    Jesus spoke about this exact struggle in the Parable of the Sower:

    When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. (Mark 4:15, NKJV)

    It’s not that our intentions at the altar aren’t real. It’s that the enemy knows if he can snatch the seed before it takes root, it won’t grow. And honestly? Sometimes, he doesn’t even have to work that hard. We let our minds wander, our schedules take over, and before we know it, that powerful moment with God feels like a distant memory.

    So how do we keep that fire from fading?

    1. Stay in the Word – Feelings fade, but God’s truth remains. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
    2. . Pray Constantly – Prayer isn’t just for the altar; it’s for the drive home, the dinner table, the chaos of everyday life. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
    3. Live It Out – Faith isn’t just an emotion; it’s action. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
    4. Be Accountable – We were never meant to walk this road alone. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

    This time, I don’t want to lose my follow-through. I don’t want to leave my commitment at the altar. I want to carry it with me through the door and into my daily life.

    What about you? What’s one step you can take today to make sure your faith doesn’t fade the moment you walk away?

  • The Hound of Heaven vs. The Hounds of Hell

    I first heard a sermon over 45 years ago titled “The Hounds of Hell.” Bro. Bass, a hunter, described how his trained dogs would track their prey relentlessly—up mountains, through valleys, across rivers—never stopping until their target was cornered, exhausted, and alone. He compared it to how Satan and his demons track us, waiting for us to stumble.

    1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) warns us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The enemy is relentless. He will chase us through every twist and turn, pressing in until we feel trapped with no escape.

    But yesterday morning, I was reminded of a different pursuit—one not of destruction, but of love.

    I pulled a book from my shelf titled A Gentle Thunder and saw the title of chapter two: “The Hound of Heaven: The God Who Pursues.”

    Francis Thompson’s poem describes God as “that tremendous Lover, pursuing me with His love.” Unlike the enemy, who seeks to destroy, Jesus pursues with grace, patience, and mercy.

    Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

    Satan’s hounds chase to wear you down.
    But Jesus stands at the door, waiting for you to open it.

    He doesn’t force His way in. He doesn’t demand entry. He simply knocks.

    Maybe today, you feel exhausted—like you’re running from something you can’t escape. The enemy has been on your trail, whispering lies, making you feel trapped.

    But hear this: Jesus is pursuing you, too. Not with pressure, but with love. Not with force, but with grace.

    He stands at the door.
    He knocks.
    He waits.

    The question is—will you let Him in?

  • The Tightrope of Life

    Thoughts for the day…….

    The Tightrope of Life

    I been keepin’ Jesus at a distance
    So afraid to let Him get too close
    To the two lives I’ve been livin’
    As if He couldn’t see them both
    Close enough to feel the warmth of the fire
    Far enough away for me to hide
    But I’m tired of walkin’ the wire
    Between the darkness and the light

    “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would wish you were cold or hot.” Revelation 3:15 (NKJV)

    You ever feel like you’re living two lives? I know I have. It’s a strange and weary thing, keeping Jesus at arm’s length while trying to maintain this illusion of control. It’s safer that way, isn’t it? We feel the warmth of His fire, but we’re terrified to let it consume us fully. We desire what He offers, yet cling to the shadows of who we think we should be, balancing precariously between light and dark.

    As a teenager, I was at church in McAlester when Bro. Heard took the pulpit to preach. How he introduced his message is something I will never forget. “I know you’ve heard it preached before, ‘How Close Can I Live to the World and Still be Saved?’, but tonight I’m approaching that topic from a different angle; ‘How Close Can I Live to God and Still be Lost?’” Those words struck a chord within me, highlighting the danger of superficial faith—the feigned closeness to God while still holding onto the remnants of the world.

    The truth is, straddling that fence isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. We think we can manage it, that we can keep one foot in the world and the other in faith, all while sitting pretty on that top rail. But that’s an illusion. That fence doesn’t belong to us; it’s a part of Satan’s domain, a subtle trap that whispers lies of compromise. And if we aren’t careful, we can be led down a path we never intended to walk.

    Jesus doesn’t want us teetering between two opposing forces. He invites us to surrender, to lay down the struggle, and to embrace the truth of who He is. In Matthew 16:24, He tells us, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” He’s asking for more than just a half-hearted commitment; He desires our whole hearts, our full surrender.

    Here’s the kicker: we can’t walk the line indefinitely without consequences. This balancing act creates inner turmoil, leaving us exhausted and seeking clarity. We hold on to our stubbornness, thinking we can do it our way, but in reality, we are prolonging our own pain. It’s time we stop bargaining with God, thinking we can negotiate our faith on our own terms.

    Let’s be honest: can we really thrive on that tightrope? God’s invitation is clear—step off that fence and draw nearer to Him. In the safety of His embrace, we’ll find rest, purpose, and the courage to follow the path He has laid out for us. No more hiding. No more walking the wire. Only the freedom that comes from surrendering to the One who knows us best, the One who wants us to flourish in His light. Are you ready to take that step?

  • Finding Strength When Life Gets Heavy

    1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) – “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”

    You ever have one of those days where it feels like life’s throwing everything it’s got at you? Bills piling up, work stress mounting, maybe a family squabble or two—everything just feels heavy, like a thick fog you can’t seem to shake off. We’ve all been there, feeling as if fate itself is just out to get us. But here’s the thing—you’re not alone in that struggle.

    Take King David, for example. He knew a something about life’s curveballs. Between facing battles, betrayers, and heartbreak, David had his fair share of tough days. Yet amidst the chaos, he found a way to rise. In 1 Samuel 30:6, we see David in a real tight spot…his own people were ready to take him down. But rather than wallow in despair, David took a moment to regroup; he chose to encourage himself “in the LORD his God.”

    Even when God’s hand didn’t seem to be readily visible, David was vocal about His greatness. He was lifting his own spirit, reminding himself that no matter how dire the situation seemed, God is still mighty, faithful, and always with us.

    That’s a lesson that hits home. How often do we let negativity seep in, flooding out our faith? Just like David, we might need to take a step back and remind ourselves of the blessings and strength God has given us in the past. We all have our “God stories,” moments that we’ve seen him work miracles or simply help us through the rough patches.

    So, what should we do when life tries to pin us down? Let’s dive into the word of God and declare those over 7,000 truths and promises over our situations. When you start reminiscing about all the times God came through for you, it’s like lighting a spark in your spirit. It helps bring clarity when everything seems heavy and dark.

    Today, lean into David’s tenacity. Speak those promises of God like an old friend whispering in your ear. Remember, you are not alone in this; you have the strength of a loving God behind you. That makes you more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). So, let that faith reshape those gloomy feelings and push you forward with hope and grace.

  • If This Life I Lose, I Will Follow

    “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

    Following Jesus is easy when it costs us nothing. It’s easy when the blessings flow, when the path is smooth, when faith fits neatly into our routines. But what happens when following Christ demands something more?

    Jesus never sugarcoated the cost of discipleship. He didn’t say, “Follow Me, and your life will be comfortable.” He said, “Take up your cross.” He didn’t promise safety—He promised suffering. And yet, He also promised that losing our lives for His sake is the only way to truly find life.

    Modern Christianity struggles with this truth. We’ve been conditioned to think faith should be convenient, that God’s primary concern is our comfort. But the reality of discipleship is surrender. It’s laying down our desires, our plans, and even our reputations for the sake of Christ. It’s like the modem church thinks of submission as a dirty word, but James is very clear when he tells us to “Submit yourselves therefore to God…” (James 4:7 NKJV)

    The question is: What are we still holding onto? Is it control? The approval of others? A dream we’re unwilling to release? If Jesus asked us to walk away from everything, would we?

    The world tells us to live for ourselves, to chase after success, to prioritize ease over endurance. But Jesus tells us to live for Him. To stand firm, even when it costs us. To be bold, even when it makes us unpopular. To trust Him, even when surrender feels like loss.

    But here’s the promise—surrender is never truly loss. Because when we give up everything for Christ, we gain something far greater: eternal life, unshakable joy, and a purpose that outlasts this world.

    Think about the following questions and consider whether you’re more committed to comfort or to Christ. You just might be surprised.

    What is one thing you’ve been hesitant to surrender to Christ?

    Are you following Jesus only when it’s easy, or even when it costs you?

    How can you take a bold step of faith today, trusting that Jesus is worth it?

    Lord, I don’t want a faith of convenience. I want a faith of commitment. Give me the courage to surrender everything for You, knowing that true life is found in following You. Strengthen me to stand firm, even when it costs me, because You are worth it all. Amen.