Today’s Verse – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. —Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are to begin each day with God. Every breath we take should be a powerful reminder that our Father has granted us another day of life to serve him and bless others. Each heartbeat is God’s drumbeat of love, reminding us that we are blessed with another minute to offer him our best. This blessing is so easily forgotten. We best remember these truths when we teach, demonstrate, and live them with and before our families, children, and grandchildren. We should also teach, demonstrate, and live these with our spiritual friends. But, let’s not leave their learning these truths to our example alone. Let’s find teachable moments to explain our faith to them, praise our Heavenly Father with them, and to teach God’s truths to them. We should do this with them when we sit at home… walk along the road… lie down and… get up.” What’s the point of all of this? So our lives can “be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). My Prayer… Almighty God, Gracious Sustainer, and Undeserved Friend, thank you! Thank you for this breath I take and for the heartbeat that sustains my life. Please make me aware, as I travel and talk, rest and work, that you are there every moment, and that you are worthy of my awareness, love, and reverence. Please help me share your greatness and nearness with those whom I love. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
05 Mar 2026
The responsibility of the Christian is to work out his or her salvation daily with a grateful heart, being dependent on the Holy Spirit as we journey through life. We need laser focus and tonnes of faith to be able to do that. And as we do that, God will keep working in and through us for His glory. Philippians 2:12-18.
I Got God!
Who do you have in your journey through life? Special Note: Tammy has been very open about sharing her son’s journey in his battle with a brain tumor and the challenges involved with doctors, chemotherapy, radiation, and faith – see the links at the bottom of this page. She is part of The Coffee Group. Jack and I were sitting on the couch the other night. We were watching our favorite show, Deal or No Deal. This show drives me crazy. When I say “our favorite show,” I mean my kids’ favorite show. I just enjoy being a part of their excitement and listening to their advice for the contestants. My oldest son, Derek, is always pushing for the contestant to open one more suitcase. Jack and I are both saying take the money and go home. My daughter, Sophie, doesn’t give her two cents very often. Jack was playing his Game Boy at the same time we were watching the TV. He was sitting right next to me. The commercial for H & R Block came on the television. You’ve probably seen them. The punch line is, “I got people.” You hear it a half a dozen times during the commercial. At the end of the commercial, Jack, with his nose in his Game Boy, says, “I got mama.” Tears, tears and more tears streamed down my face. I said, “Yes, you do Jack.” My meager human heart was swollen with emotion with those three words: “I got mama.” I love Jack so much. Even now, to write those words makes me cry. What must God feel when things are hard for us and we say in no uncertain terms, with no waiver in our voice, “I got God.” There was no waiver in Jack’s voice when he said, “I got mama.” Jack knows I can not fix his brain tumor, but I am by his side ALL the way … and God is at our side ALL the way. I don’t know God’s plans for Jack. I pray for healing, but I don’t know if that is in God’s big scheme of things. However, no matter which case gets opened, there is peace and confidence in knowing, “I GOT GOD!” God has said,“I will never fail you. I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). About the author: Tammy Marcelain is part of The Coffee Group. For many years Tammy walked away from the Lord and through His love and grace she has come home to His loving hands. Tammy’s son jack was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April of 2005. Her life shows how to hold onto the Lord and live through His grace in hard times.
‘My Child, Get Up!’
Most of our earth-bound explanations are shallow and trite in the face of life’s harshest realities. Few tragedies wound with as much trauma and inflict such deep sorrow as the death of a child. Indeed, every death of someone close to us can rattle us down to our marrow. However, something about the death of a child dismantles our strength. It challenges the faith of even the strongest of Jesus’ followers. I still hear the wailing sorrow of a dear friend being told her son had died. I watched this past Sunday as a sweet friend held an aged mother as she shook with grief after losing her adult son unexpectedly. I have felt the bitter chill of a nasty, wet, early spring north wind as it gouged empty canyons into the grief-stricken hearts of a young couple as they buried their baby boy. Losing a child is unspeakably hard. Such a death mocks us in its unfairness of parents having to bury children. Everything in us cries that children should bury parents. Maybe that is why I am touched so personally by John’s account of Jesus’ words to Mary from the cross: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home (John 19:25-27). These words are poignant and touching. They reach across the centuries and put a human face on the cross’s tragic and brutal nature. This story reminds me that the crucifixion is more than a story about an obedient and divine Son submitting to the will of the Almighty God, his Father. The cross is also a story of a mother and her beloved son. Mary’s boy was savagely beaten, repeatedly mocked, openly ridiculed, and physically tortured and humiliated till he died. Through Mary’s eyes, a little of God’s pain becomes real. We can imagine the pain of a mother losing her son. God’s grief becomes a little more comprehensible to us through the agony of Mary. For me, the Lord’s tenderness with his mother at his death makes two of Jesus’ resurrection miracles all the more poignant. Jesus’ raising of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter is as emotionally moving to me as a parent, as the miracle seems so simple for Jesus to accomplish: While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once, she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened (Luke 8:49-56). I love the phrase, “My child, get up!” I am reminded of a close friend who was deaf and has now gone home to the Lord. In his excitement and confidence, my friend looked forward to the day that he would meet Jesus. He often told us before his death, “The next voice I will hear is Jesus’ voice. The first words I hear will be Jesus’ saying, ‘Lloyd, it’s time to get up and come home with me!’” I also love Jesus’ tenderness with the widow at Nain. She is left all alone in a hard world with even harder grief when her only son dies. Luke chooses beautifully simple language to emphasize Jesus’ compassion for the mom as he deals with the death of her son with little fuss and great tenderness: Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother (Luke 7:11-15 NLT). What a precious way to describe such a life-changing moment: Jesus gave him back to his mother. Oh, how every parent who has lost a child to death could experience such sweet grace! I don’t have the right words or any simple answers for parents who bury children. I hope I am like the dear Christian brother who looked into the aged mother’s eyes Sunday. Then, he lovingly said, “I am sorry. We love you. We hurt with you. Your group of friends will stand by you.” Then without trying to explain, he hugged her, listened to her some more as she described her shock and pain. Then, he held her shoulders and told her gently and tenderly what he has said to reassure her earlier. A moment later, he hugged her again and let her tears fall on his shoulder as her shaking subsided. We don’t have easy answers. Most of our earth-bound explanations run up against death’s realities and come off shallow and trite. Love listens and holds and helps until the brokenhearted parent is ready to throw their questions in “the deep pool of unknowingness.” All the while, they
More Deadly than Cancer
We fool ourselves into discounting the malignant threat of sin to our souls. I had a small mole removed from my back. Pathology showed it to be malignant. The medical practice with a small melanoma is to return to a surgeon and have a larger area removed and studied. I had not been properly prepared for the “larger” area. Somehow I thought of it in terms of an inch or two at most, surrounding the first incision. But what is interesting is the conversation concerning the amount to be removed. It never crossed my mind to ask to have the very least amount taken out that could be done. Obviously, I was not anxious to have a large hole in my back. But neither did I want less than was necessary to remove the possibility of additional malignant cells. Interestingly, few treat the malignancy of sin with such respect. Rather than go farther than necessary to ensure protection, our flesh wants to debate just how little we must remove and still survive. Jesus comments on this inability to carry over natural wisdom into spiritual matters. He said, “Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” (Mat 16:3b NASB) We will often park our souls closer to Hell’s destruction than we would our car nearer to a dangerous cliff. The nature of the immature has always been to see how close to danger one can get without suffering disaster; but when we see those who would claim maturity doing the same, we tend to doubt their claims. God would advise to “shun the very appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), but man argues, “Is it really very evil or just slightly away from good?” Paul wrote to the young man Timothy and urged him: Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). This is no “How close can you get?” statement. Timothy is encouraged to “flee.” That is, in common terms, to run as far as he could from sin’s presence. If we could ever convince humankind – if we could convince ourselves – that sin is more deadly than cancer, then we would have made great strides in the battle against it. I have faced cancer several times in my life. I always wanted it removed, “Right now!” But, it is deadly easy to let sin co-exist with our faith while feeling little urgency. The significant word here is “deadly” – as in terminal! How will we ever elevate our fear of the proximity of sin to the level of the fear of the proximity of cancer? Jesus well knew man’s misplaced emphasis when he said the following: And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). Sin is a form of spiritual malignancy that is potentially more deadly than any cancer! About the author: Bill is a long time minister in Nacogdoches, Texas who loves world missions. His passion for ministry has led him all over the world. In addition to his work as a minister, he is also a licensed professional counselor. Bill’s family is also involved in ministry and service to the world and community.
04 Mar 2026
Over and above what we need and desire,a follower of Christ must purpose to live well with others. Love should be the motivation. Where love abounds, grace abounds. Let us not be caught up with our needs and desires and forget to exemplify the love of God. Colossians 3:12-17.
The Journey
Spiritual maturity is the journey, not a destination. “She’s on my side!” Billy shouts. Susie says, “Daddy, how much longer till we get there?” She is trying to not dignify her brother’s words. “She’s touching me!” Billy shouts again. “You’re so immature!” Susie responds instinctively. She lets out a deep sigh, and then says, “Mom, can we stop? I need to go to the bathroom. You know daddy, he’ll never stop until we need to stop for gas.” Seeing his opening, Billy fires the dig at his sister next to him in the seat of their family minivan: “Smells like you’re the one with gas to me.” “Oh, why don’t you just grow up?” Susie can’t help but respond. “Oooh, and you think you miss mature?” Billy knows he’s under her skin and is not about to let up. “You two had better stop right now.” Dad has finally had enough. “You don’t want to make me have to pull over and deal with this?” At this point, mom has steadfastly tried to ignore the predictable tacky banter, but has had enough. As she looks up from her book, she asks, “Anybody want to play the license plate game?” This is the part of the family trip they don’t show on all of those mini-van commercials. You know, the commercials where the destinations are fantastic, the children are happy and never bratty, dads are never cranky, the moms have perfectly styled hair, and no one ever needs to stop to go to the bathroom. At the end of the commercial, they are looking at the stars out of the back of their minivan, smiling happily. Of course, they don’t have to deal with mosquitoes or sweat. If we are honest, most of us get frustrated with the long trip before we get to our destinations. This also makes it hard for us in our Christian walk. We get impatient with our progress – or lack of it – as we seek to grow in Christ. We look for shortcuts and quick fixes. We’ll grab the latest list of things to do or pick up the newest self-help best seller in an attempt to get there more quickly. Spiritual maturity, however, is the journey and not a destination. There are no shortcuts. We know it’s not a list of things to achieve or shortcuts to take, but a long trip to become like Jesus (Philippians 3:7-11; Philippians 2:5-11). Part of being spiritually mature is admitting we haven’t arrived yet, but a journey to continue (Philippians 3:12-16). To help us get on the journey, we have the example of those who are alive with Christ-like character (Philippians 3:17-19). Our trip to become like Jesus can get a little rough when folks get cranky and we all get a little too impatient with ourselves and each other, but the destination is surely worth effort (Philippians 3:20-21). So let’s remember our destination, and let’s not give up on ourselves and those traveling with us! How do you stay encouraged to stick with the journey and keep trying to become more and more like Jesus? What do you read, where do you turn, what helps encourage you and help you restore your spiritual passion and remain on the journey to be like Jesus? I’d love to hear from you on my blog: http://blogs.heartlight.org/phil/?p=252 About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Work-Family Spillover
Can we keep the bad stuff in our day from leaking out? Researchers call it “work-family spillover.” My wife and I call it “kick-the-dog syndrome.” It is the problem some of us have with letting stress at work poison the most important relationships in our lives. Police officers, customer-service workers, air-traffic controllers, teachers, practically all of us who serve the public: we occasionally get barked at by unhappy people. The customer bought a product that doesn’t work. The person who answers the phone catches grief for something about which she knows nothing. Hurt, angry, or grieving people vent raw emotions on some innocent soul. Years ago my wife and I heard somebody tell about a fellow who got chewed out at work. When he came home that evening, he turned away from his wife’s welcome kiss to gripe about a tricycle in the driveway. She in turn went to a happy child and chewed him out for failing to put his toys away. So the five-year-old boy went to put his bike away – and kicked the family dog on his way. When I come home grumpy and out of sorts, my wife doesn’t get in my face about it. She just asks, “Are we going to have to buy a dog?” Point taken! The domino effect of toxic emotions is very real. The good-faith effort to put customers first leads companies to train employees to take verbal abuse without firing back. Those companies seldom go the next step to teach those people what to do to keep from internalizing the attacks they suffer. So they get home at the end of a workday irritable, defensive, and unavailable to their families. Some people are able to deflect these blows easier than others. They don’t take them personally. They take deep breaths. They drink herbal tea. They exercise hard at day’s end and sweat out their tensions. They let a coworker, friend, or mate in on what has happened and drain some stress simply by talking about it. They pray for God to give them the power to be present for the people who love them – and to keep them from dumping their stress on those people. Maybe one or more of these coping strategies will help the next time you face the problem. The point in raising the topic of work-family spillover is less to tell you how to avoid it than to remind you and me not to put others in that difficult spot. I’ve found it is easier to ask for God’s help to avoid venting my anger on the fellow at the counter or a lady on the phone than to try to make amends later. As far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18) About the author: Rubel Shelly preached for decades and served as a professor of medical ethics, Bible, and philosophy at multiple universities. He was a former president of Rochester College and Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Lipscomb University. He was the author of more than 30 books and hundreds of inspirational articles. His commitment to a non-sectarian presentation of the gospel touched countless lives.
Daily Prayer for March 4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2, NIV Lord, our God and Father, we thank you for letting us walk in the way of Jesus Christ, for helping us on the way to the Cross. Come what may, we belong to the Savior, and we are your children. We want to be joyful and full of faith, full of hope, full of patience, for your mercy leads us on. In all we experience how often we can say, “Thanks be to God. He has helped us here, he has helped there, he helps every day in spite of all the evil in the world. Praise and thanks and honor be to him forever!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Pets in Heaven David Mills Aquinas may be dead right, but anyone who offers systematic theology to someone who has just lost a pet needs to learn a thing or two about love. Read now A Season of Unveiling Joy Marie Clarkson and Norann Voll Norann Voll and Joy Marie Clarkson discuss how they are observing Lent and a book of Lenten and Easter devotions that you shouldn’t miss. Read now It’s Time to Play David Demaree If debating politics with strangers feels exhausting, there is a better, enjoyable alternative. Read now Light Your Lamp and Read Saint Columban An ancient Irish saint exhorts us to sell our vices and buy life. Read now Painting the Neighborhood John Whitehead Allan Rohan Crite, a contemporary of the Harlem Renaissance, forged his own artistic path in Boston. He has left us a celebration of community. Read now
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 55:8-9
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… No matter how hard we try to perceive the awesomeness of God, he is still God, and we are not. We must forever remember that the original, and still primary, sin was seeking to become equal to God. We are to know God, and we should seek to know about God, but we can never fully know everything about him or become equal with him. Trying to become equal to God and losing our sense of reverence and awe for God are at the heart of all sin. While we should seek to put on God’s righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness, in humility, we recognize that we cannot begin to approach his majesty, righteousness, wisdom, or holiness on our own. When we have done our best to describe and praise our glorious God, what Job said centuries ago is true: “And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14) However, by God’s grace, the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is (1 John 3:1-3) and will know him fully even as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). We wait in eager expectation of that day! My Prayer… Tender Shepherd, thank you for your patience with me. I cannot fully understand or appreciate your holy, transcendent character and glorious nature. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can know you better and trust you to know me more than I know myself. I look forward to seeing you face-to-face when Jesus comes to bring me home to you. Until that day, please know I love you. In the name of Jesus, I humbly offer my thanks and praise. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.