MAY 31, 2025

  “The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn't live boldly enough, that they didn't invest enough heart, didn't love enough. Nothing else really counts at all.” 

― Ted Hughes

2 CHRONICLES 1-3

7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

8Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

11God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”(1:7-12)

JOHN 12:1-19

4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^b ” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you,^c but you will not always have me.”

JOURNAL 

It always comes back to the heart.

Across the whole span of scripture—Old and New—God is not chasing our performance, our wealth, our duties. He is pursuing the heart. Because the truth is: actions can be staged. Obedience can be mimicked. But the heart doesn’t lie for long. When the heart is in the right place, the fruit follows.

Judas never grasped that. Nor did many of the kings who reigned after Solomon. Somewhere along the way, money became the fix—the quickest way to escape pain or gain power. But it’s rarely the money itself that people crave—it’s what it allows: comfort, status, safety, control.

Judas thought money could solve whatever inner hunger he had. We’ll never fully understand his motives, but one thing is clear—he reached for silver instead of surrender.

And that’s the trap: when anything other than God becomes our refuge from suffering, it takes God’s place in our hearts. It could be money. It could be health, achievement, reputation, even relationships. The form doesn’t matter—only that it becomes our functional savior.

But there is only One who deserves that space. Only One who satisfies.

 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

JEREMIAH 29:13

MAY 30, 2025

 "I wanted you to see what real courage is, it's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." - Harper Lee 

1 CHRONICLES 28-29

David, in the final moments of his leadership, speaks directly to his son Solomon—not just as a father, but as a servant of God passing the torch. He urges Solomon to know the Lord intimately, to serve Him with wholehearted devotion and a willing spirit. God knows every motive, every hidden desire—and He promises to be found by those who seek Him. But David doesn't just offer spiritual encouragement; he delivers a charge. “Be strong and do the work,” he says. The work of building God’s house isn’t just a task—it’s a calling. (1 Chronicles 28:9–10)

JOHN 11:47-57

In contrast, the religious elite gather in fear and desperation. Jesus had performed undeniable signs, but instead of celebrating the miracles, they saw them as threats to their control. Caiaphas, high priest that year, unknowingly prophesies the truth: that one man—Jesus—would die for the people, not just for Israel but to gather all of God's scattered children. From that moment, they begin to plot His death. The work Jesus was sent to do was unfolding, not with fanfare or applause, but with conspiracy and sacrifice. (John 11:47–53).

JOURNAL 

"Be strong and do the work." Those words of David to Solomon echo in my heart today like a father’s  hand on a son’s shoulder. They aren’t just for ancient kings or temple builders—they are for me. They are for anyone who dares to live with purpose in a world full of distraction, fear, and comfort. David isn’t just telling Solomon to build a temple—he’s telling him to build a life of obedience and faith.

It’s easy to stall out, to wait for the “perfect” season or wish the circumstances were different. But God isn’t waiting on perfect conditions—He’s calling us to courage. He’s calling us to begin, even when the odds look bad and the outcome is uncertain. He’s calling me to pour myself into the tasks right in front of me—mundane or massive—because work done with a willing heart glorifies Him.

Whether it's leading a classroom, folding laundry, comforting a child, mentoring a friend, creating something beautiful, or just showing up one more day—it matters. Because God sees the heart behind the hands.

Jesus didn’t shrink back from His mission even when He knew where it would lead. The cross didn’t catch Him off guard. Caiaphas spoke truer words than he knew: it was better that One die for many. Jesus did the work. He didn’t wait for applause or clarity. He obeyed—unto death.

And now He turns to us with the same charge David gave: Be strong and do the work. Not because we have to earn anything—but because we’ve already been chosen for something.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Jesus said. “Therefore, go…” (Matthew 28:18–20).

There is work to do.

8Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

MATTHEW 28:8-20

MAY 29, 2025

 

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens..."

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

1 CHRONICLES 26-27

In the closing chapters of David’s reign, we see a meticulous list of men tasked with specific duties—keepers of storehouses, vineyards, olive groves, herds, and flocks. Men like Azmaveth, Shimei, and Obil didn’t wield swords or write psalms, but they were faithful in their assignments. Their callings, though practical and often unseen, were still sacred. Each job, however humble, played a role in the stability of the kingdom and the provision for God’s people. It reminds us that the mundane is not meaningless when it’s submitted to God.

(27:25-31)

JOHN 11:18-46

Jesus, standing before the tomb of Lazarus, doesn’t flinch in the face of death. Even when others hesitate because of the stench of death and the impossibility of resurrection, He commands: “Take away the stone.” When Martha questions Him, He replies, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).
And then, the miracle happens. Lazarus walks out. The dead lives again. But this miracle required faith that endured the darkness—the kind of faith that waits, weeps, obeys, and finally sees the glory of God unfold.

JOURNAL 

Serving God is not always dramatic or glamorous. It often looks like faithfulness in small things...tasks no one sees, prayers no one hears, sacrifices no one understands. Like the stewards in David’s court, I might be called to jobs that seem ordinary, even dull. But when they are done for the Lord, they become sacred.

Walking with Christ also means facing moments that feel hopeless...moments like standing at the tomb of a dream or watching a loved one suffer. Yet Jesus says, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” (John 11:40). This is the promise. It doesn’t mean I won’t cry, doubt, or grieve. It means that if I keep trusting, even when the road darkens, I will see resurrection. I will witness the miraculous.

To follow Jesus is to surrender my own agenda, my need for control, and even my definition of success. My life is no longer my own (Galatians 2:20). But in return, I get to walk on water, see the dead rise, and participate in the work of a Kingdom that will never fade.

So today, I choose to stay on the road, even when it darkens. I choose not to say farewell. I choose to believe.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

MATTHEW 14:27-29

MAY 28, 2025

  “If you're reading this...

Congratulations, you're alive.

If that's not something to smile about,

then I don't know what is.” 

― Chad Sugg

1 CHRONICLES 23-25

6All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. (25:6-7)

JOHN 11:1-17

9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

JOURNAL 

As David nears the end of his life, he doesn’t just fade quietly into the background. Instead, we see a leader finishing well—methodically affirming roles, responsibilities, and legacies for every person in his kingdom, right down to the musicians in the temple. (1 Chronicles 25:6–7). It’s such a compelling picture of God’s heart—how no detail, no person, no act of service is overlooked. David’s final acts reflect a deep awareness that every person has a part to play in God’s story.

Jesus echoes this same attentiveness in John 11 when he talks about walking in the light versus walking in darkness. On the surface, the metaphor seems simple—light helps you see where you're going; darkness causes you to stumble. But Jesus uses this idea to answer his disciples' fear about returning to Judea—a place where he had nearly been stoned. His reply wasn’t about safety; it was about obedience. He was walking in the light of the Father’s will, not in fear of man’s threats (John 11:9–10).

That’s what it means to walk in the light. Not simply to live morally, but to live obediently—trusting that God sees further than we do. And that kind of obedience, I believe, is grounded in gratitude.

If I can’t be thankful for this day—this breath, this moment—then I’ve already slipped into the shadows. Gratitude for life is what aligns us with the light of God’s presence (1 John 1:5–7). It orients us. It opens our eyes to what He’s doing, even when the path ahead looks confusing or risky. Because the light isn’t a strategy—it’s a Person. And walking with Him means trusting that He sees what we can’t.

So today, if you're reading this… you’re alive. And that alone is worth smiling about. It’s a reminder that there’s still light to walk in, still time to follow, and still a God who hasn’t overlooked a single detail—not even you.

5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^bsin. 

1 JOHN 1:5-7

MAY 27, 2025

 “Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” 

― St. Vincent de Paul

1 CHRONICLES 20-22

 6Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. 8But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon,^a and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’11“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. 12May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lordgave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

JOHN 10:22-42

 22Then came the Festival of Dedication^b at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”25Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all^c ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”31Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”33“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”34Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’^d ? 35If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

JOURNAL 

These three chapters of Chronicles show the humility of David and how he willingly admits his failures and seeks God with his whole heart. The way he prepares the way for Solomon is so touching. David completely checks his ego in obedience, even though building the temple was his great ambition. 

Again the way Jesus evades direct accusation while still speaking truth shows his brilliance but also his deep understanding of the hearts of the Pharisees. He understands what they are trying to do but also knows it is not yet time for him. Again the humility even though being the Messiah is further confirmation of his deity.

I am amazed by how both David and Jesus refuse to assert their power and authority simply in obedience to God...they both refuse to "show off". Their faith and trust in God in the face of intense pressure is humbling and reassuring. Seeking God and his way in humility is the path to the eternal. There is no room for arrogance. Again though, it goes back to being more concerned with the moments of today rather than the implications of the future.  They both lived their lives taking care to serve God in the moment rather than wringing their hands over the future.

18Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.-  

ROMANS 5:18-19

MAY 26, 2025

   " I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life..."

― Henry David Thoreau

1 CHRONICLES 17-19

7“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. 9And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.(17:7-10)

JOHN 10:1-21

14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

JOURNAL 

I have always resonated deeply with the words of Henry David Thoreau, who wrote, "I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life." This powerful sentiment captures the essence of truly living—embracing life's fullness without hesitation or regret.

This spirit of boldness and purpose echoes strongly in the scriptures. In 1 Chronicles 17:7-10, God assures David, reminding him, "I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone...Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth." God's promise to David underscores His continual presence, His commitment to protection, and His vision for a purposeful life filled with significance.

Similarly, Jesus, in John 10:14-18, embodies this assurance of intentional care and sacrifice when He declares, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...I lay down my life for the sheep." Jesus emphasizes that His purpose is clear and intentional—He willingly embraces sacrifice for the benefit of others, calling us into that same clarity of purpose and fearless living.

Reflecting on these verses brings me back to the summer of my senior year in high school when I first watched the film Dead Poets Society. Standing on the edge of uncertainty and apprehension about the future, that film deeply inspired me. It reminded me of the truth that God has intentionally created each of us with unique purpose and significance. My life matters, not by accident but by divine design.

Both scriptural passages reaffirm that we are called not to live timidly but boldly—to dream, to risk, and to seize opportunities courageously. God assures us there is nothing to fear because He is infinitely greater than our struggles or adversaries. He designed us to engage fully with life, to solve problems, and to influence the world positively. Ultimately, He invites us to "seize the day," embracing fully the abundant life He offers rather than letting it pass quietly by.

 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

JOHN 10:10

MAY 25, 2025

  “The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.” 

― Winston S. Churchill

1 CHRONICLES 14-16

 8Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

9Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

10Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

11Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always.34

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

35Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;

gather us and deliver us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.”

36Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

JOHN 9:24-41

35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39Jesus said,^a “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

JOURNAL 

The Pharisees desperately sought to undermine Jesus, unable to conceive that someone outside their ranks could be chosen by God. Their resistance was rooted in arrogance and traditionalism, unable to see beyond their preconceived notions of who the Messiah should be (John 9:24-29).

This resonates deeply, reminding me that God often chooses the most unlikely individuals to achieve extraordinary things—overturning human expectations and norms. David, a shepherd boy turned king, or Peter, a fisherman chosen as an apostle (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 4:18-20). Reflecting on this, I recognize my frequent anxiety about future uncertainties. My mind tends to wander into the unknown, seeking comfort in imagined scenarios that have not occurred. Scripture clearly instructs us that worry achieves nothing and distracts from the joy and purpose of today (Matthew 6:34).

Too often, tasks—whether mundane or significant—are approached as obligations rather than opportunities for joy and thanksgiving. Whether reading scripture, exercising, or working, the objective is too frequently completion rather than embracing the moment itself. Yet each day, each moment, is a precious gift from God, worthy of gratitude and enjoyment (Psalm 118:24).

Therefore, the true challenge lies in cultivating gratitude and joy within every circumstance, recognizing God's presence and love in the everyday details of life. By living in this mindful state, I honor God and illuminate His grace in the ordinary moments. Indeed, as Christ said, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last,” underscoring the divine reversal of worldly expectations (Matthew 20:16).

16“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

- MATTHEW 20:16

MAY 24, 2025

 “I see a world on the edge of a blade. Without balance, it will fall.” 

― Victoria Aveyard

1 CHRONICLES 11-13

15Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.(11:31-33)

JOHN 9:1-23

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

JOURNAL 

These passages from Chronicles highlight the remarkable devotion and courage of David's mighty warriors. David was greatly blessed with skilled and committed individuals who supported him wholeheartedly, enabling him to become the celebrated king he was (1 Chronicles 11:10-14). Intriguingly, David's most profound failures often occurred when he acted in isolation or without proper accountability (2 Samuel 11-12).

In John's Gospel, Jesus healing the blind man illustrates spiritual illumination and the disruption it caused among religious leaders. Their inability to grasp Jesus’ identity as the Messiah stemmed from their rigid expectations focused solely on earthly deliverance rather than spiritual transformation (John 9:13-16).

Balance is a critical theme here—how can I achieve and maintain it in my life? Frequently, I struggle between overestimating my significance or underestimating my value. Scripture reminds me my life is precious, imbued with unique gifts and talents by God (Psalm 139:14), yet fleeting, a mere breath in the grand scheme of eternity (James 4:14). Maintaining proper perspective means continually honoring God while avoiding the pitfalls of pride or self-deprecation.

Achieving balance requires daily, intentional spiritual practices: scripture study, prayer, meditation, and surrendering every circumstance and decision to God (Romans 12:1-2). Without this discipline, I risk veering to unhealthy extremes—either inflated self-importance or diminished self-worth, both spiritually detrimental paths.

David himself struggled with this balance, yet scripture transparently portrays his life, allowing me to see both his failures and God's consistent, redeeming grace (Psalm 51). The apostles faced similar challenges, Peter notably exemplifying the balance between human error and divine restoration (John 21:15-19).

Ultimately, balance is found in closeness to God—relying on His guidance and grace through every trial and triumph. God's redemptive power assures that even my mistakes serve His purpose and bring about spiritual growth (Romans 8:28). This divine gift surpasses any worldly success, offering eternal peace and fulfillment.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2