JULY 5, 2025

   “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” 

― Theodore Roosevelt

JOB 31-32

16“If I have denied the desires of the poor

or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

17if I have kept my bread to myself,

not sharing it with the fatherless—

18but from my youth I reared them as a father would,

and from my birth I guided the widow—

19if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,

or the needy without garments,

20and their hearts did not bless me

for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,

21if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,

knowing that I had influence in court,

22then let my arm fall from the shoulder,

let it be broken off at the joint.

23For I dreaded destruction from God,

and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.(31:16-23)

ACTS 13:1-23

9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

JOURNAL 

There’s something holy about taking inventory—not just of our possessions, but of our soul. Our motives. Our actions. Job does this with brutal honesty, scanning through his life to see if he has failed the poor, the widow, the orphan. “If I denied the desires of the poor… if I kept my bread to myself… then let my arm fall from the shoulder.” (Job 31:16–22) He’s not pleading innocence with arrogance—he’s offering his life up for examination, knowing he lived with integrity even when it cost him.

That kind of righteousness isn’t soft. It’s forged. As Roosevelt once said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” The best lives—the ones we remember—are the ones lived under fire, not in comfort. And Job’s story is a reminder that goodness doesn’t always look like reward… not in this world.

Job never learns why he suffers. He never sees the heavenly dialogue that sets his trial in motion. But what he does gain is even more profound—he meets the living God. And somehow, that encounter is enough.

In Acts 13, Paul—newly bold and renamed—confronts Elymas with uncompromising clarity: “You are a child of the devil… will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” (v.10) The result is blindness and the astonishment of a watching world. Paul doesn’t shrink back. He doesn’t flinch. The Spirit speaks, and he obeys. That’s what it means to be a servant of the Kingdom: courage in the face of darkness. Truth even when it costs.

But Paul also knew suffering deeply. In 2 Corinthians, he lists his life as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (6:10) That paradox defines the life of the believer. We are not spared hardship. We are reshaped by it.

Today, I see how often I resist pain. How I instinctively wish for ease. But the reality is, ease has never made me better. It’s never humbled me, never made me more like Christ. Hardship, though? That’s where the real refining happens. That’s where I’m drawn to the presence of God—not because I deserve it, but because I’m desperate for it.

And still, I forget. I measure life by what I lack instead of what I’ve been given. I subtly carry this thread of resentment beneath my gratitude. It's not loud—but it’s there.

But when I stop and shift the lens—when I see my breath, my family, my calling, my very existence as a divine gift—everything changes. I want to steward the gift well. I want to live the hard life well.

Because the truth is: the easy life is overrated. But a difficult life, lived with God? That’s glory.

And Jesus said: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)

That’s what I want. Not an easy life. A holy one. One that ends with a home in Him.

23Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

 2 CORINTHIANS 6:3-10

JULY 4, 2025

  “If you have money, power, and status today, it is due to the century and place in which you were born, to your talents and capacities and health, none of which you earned. In short, all your resources are in the end the gift of God.” 

― Timothy J. Keller

JOB 29-30

 26Yet when I hoped for good, evil came;

when I looked for light, then came darkness.

27The churning inside me never stops;

days of suffering confront me.

28I go about blackened, but not by the sun;

I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29I have become a brother of jackals,

a companion of owls.

30My skin grows black and peels;

my body burns with fever.

31My lyre is tuned to mourning,

and my pipe to the sound of wailing.(30:26-31)

ACTS 12

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

JOURNAL 

Suffering and fortune don’t seem to choose based on merit. They arrive unannounced, often indifferent to character. Job, a righteous man, cries out in agony, not because he did wrong, but because life, in its mystery, brought pain. He writes, “When I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness… the churning inside me never stops.” (Job 30:26-27). His suffering is deep, raw, and undeserved.

Meanwhile, Herod, drenched in power, adored by crowds, arrayed in robes...fails to give glory to God and is struck down, “eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:23). A gruesome reminder that worldly status is fleeting, and unacknowledged grace carries a price.

These two lives, Job and Herod...sit in stark contrast. One broken and blameless. One exalted and corrupt. Yet both lives ultimately underscore the same truth: righteousness is not a shield from suffering, and power is not proof of favor. As Timothy Keller wrote, “If you have money, power, and status today, it is due to the century and place in which you were born, to your talents and capacities and health—none of which you earned… all your resources are in the end the gift of God.”

This realization humbles me. Too often I fall into the trap of comparison, measuring myself by others’ success, lamenting my setbacks, questioning my worth. But that’s the lie. The real blessing is not comfort, or recognition, or even clarity. It’s life. Breath. The presence of God. His Spirit. His peace.

Today, as we mark our country’s improbable independence, I’m reminded that sometimes the most powerful outcomes begin in hidden, desperate places. On January 14, 1776, Washington wrote, “Few people know the predicament we are in.” And yet, by providence and perseverance...a nation was born. Against all odds. As with Job. As with the resurrection. God does his greatest work in the dark.

Proverbs 24 reminds me:
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”
It doesn’t promise they won’t fall, but it does promise they’ll rise.
So I hold to that. I rise. Not because I am strong, but because I am His.

15Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous,

do not plunder their dwelling place;

16for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

PROVERBS 24:1

JULY 3, 2024

  “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” 

― Will Rogers

2 CHRONICLES 10-12

  8But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “The people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. 11My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ ”

JOHN 13:18-38

 34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”36Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”37Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”38Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

JOURNAL 

Rehoboam chose pride. Jesus chose love.

It’s easy to see the mistakes of others, especially when reading them in the rearview mirror of history. From the safety of today, Rehoboam’s arrogance seems foolish, and Peter’s denial feels like a failure we would never make. But if I’m honest, those same tendencies live in me.

I see it when I seek affirmation over wisdom.
When I trust in my own judgment before seeking God’s.
When I rush into the day without prayer.
When I speak quickly, defend impulsively, or act without love.
It’s in the pressure to succeed, to be right, to appear strong.

Rehoboam listened to voices that fed his ego. Peter promised courage he couldn’t yet deliver. And I, too, often lean into pride or fear instead of humility and trust.

Jesus, on the other hand, exemplified a better way. A new command: love one another. Not conditionally. Not after getting things figured out. But as He has loved us—fully, humbly, sacrificially.

That’s the call. Not domination, not bravado, not self-preservation. But love.
And that love requires silence sometimes.
A pause.
A prayer.
A surrender of self.

So today, Lord, quiet my heart. Still my ego. Help me to live awake to your presence, aware of your grace, and grounded in your truth. Let me see this day as your gift—and respond to it with humility, love, and gratitude.

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

 ~ PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4

JULY 2, 2025

  “You become what you think about” 

― Napoleon Hill

JOB 21-25

13“But he stands alone, and who can oppose him?

He does whatever he pleases.

14He carries out his decree against me,

and many such plans he still has in store.

15That is why I am terrified before him;

when I think of all this, I fear him.

16God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me.(23:13-16)

ACTS 10

34Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues^b and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

JOURNAL 

Job is overcome with the sheer permanence and power of God. God's ways and plans are completely out of man's control. Peter's sermon to the gentiles...God is the God of all, as creator and author of all of life there is no favoritism. 

This really speaks to the obvious reality that my life is really a brief stay in the grand play of life. To not surrender to God or to resist him is completely foolish and arrogant. When I really process this, it is somewhat terrifying, yet also comforting. The fate of the world is not on me...it's not my place to judge or control. Rather to surrender and obey, to walk the path that is set before me, to choose the way of obedience even though hard at times. Not doing so is to resist God...to delude myself with false notions of my own power. It is the height of stupidity. 

I recently came across a word which somewhat haunts me...acrasia...it is a Greek word which means to not do what you believe you should do. Most moments I internally know the things that are good and the things which I believe I should do. Yet quite often I don't do them...or I delay doing them or I do them without full commitment. Why? This is the crux of my humanity, it is what makes all humans...human. The internal dialogue and conflict is where the spirit of God is needed most. This place is where I confront my own distrust, my own conflict of emotions to the truth of God and life. 

What I have found in the 53 years of living on this earth is that hoping to reach a place where this internal struggle does not exist is really a hopeless wish. My true hope for peace is not found in the mastery of my will but rather in the surrender of it. To surrender my will to God's spirit means I face each moment with fresh eyes. It means that I accept my lack of control in my own earthly fate and instead trust in God's spirit of love, truth and goodness. Truly doing so relieves me of fear, frustration and false hope in the transient nature of today. Does today matter? Yes of course it does...but Ill probably never know fully why it matters. Yet the more I can trust in God's nudges, look for the glimpses of his love, and commit to building his kingdom the more peace and joy I will find. 

This is the peace which Job found in the midst of his despair and questions. This is the knowledge Peter found in the midst of his prejudice. God's love is greater than any power in the universe...seeking and surrendering to his spirit is my only logical hope. 

4“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation Tell me, if you understand.5Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?6On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—7while the morning stars sang together and all the angels^a shouted for joy?

JOB 38:4-7

JULY 1, 2025

  “Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.” 

― Jaachynma N.E. Agu

JOB 21-22

27“I know full well what you are thinking,

the schemes by which you would wrong me.

28You say, ‘Where now is the house of the great,

the tents where the wicked lived?’

29Have you never questioned those who travel?

Have you paid no regard to their accounts—

30that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity,

that they are delivered from^c the day of wrath?

31Who denounces their conduct to their face?

Who repays them for what they have done?

32They are carried to the grave,

and watch is kept over their tombs.

33The soil in the valley is sweet to them;

everyone follows after them,

and a countless throng goes^d before them.

34“So how can you console me with your nonsense?

Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”

ACTS 10:1-23

9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

JOURNAL 

Job presents the argument that "bad" people live lives that are blessed. He does this to counter the argument that God is punishing him because of "sin". Job's point is that suffering is not necessarily a result of disobedience but rather just a part of life.

God reveals to Peter that he is the author of all things and that something that was once seen as "unclean" can become "clean". 

In all of these circumstances and encounters...it seems clear that God is communicating that what matters most is a relationship with God. Regardless of societies rules, traditions, laws,  etc. They have their purpose but in the end, they do not trump relationship with God and no person can be judge and jury over what that is to look like. Each souls relationship with God is unique...it is personal and never can fit a formula or a certain mold.  Therefore it is ever important to live today for today. My life is unique, today is unique. It has never existed before and will never exist again. It is a gift and therefore should be lived as such.

12“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14