Pastor Michael DiMarco creates short, four or five minute devotionals to listen to daily for 45 days for individuals, couples, and families. Season One is 45 Days of Faithfulness, committing to live a more faith-full life in seven different areas of church life. Season Two is 45 Days of Thankfulness…
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Well, this is it; the 45th day of thankfulness! If you’ve held on this long, you’re probably the type of […]
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23 When I was a kid, I would make a […]
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as […]
Pride cannot trust God. The posture of trust is too weak. Too dependent. It calls too much attention to the strength and wisdom of another. Trusting God is the heartbeat of humility, the opposite of pride. John Piper There are few greater luxuries than misery. Does that sound right? Indulging in the luxury of misery, […]
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT In […]
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:8-10 A […]
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:15-16 In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace gave his ragtag group of Scotsmen a […]
But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In […]
We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ and I accept it. I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination. C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed […]
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 A friend of mine wrote a business book with short […]
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 What if I told you you could live a guilt-free life? Would you do it? Wanting to live a guilt-free life is wanting Heaven on Earth when we are still sinning, still far less from […]
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to […]
Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the […]
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. JAMES 1:14-15 Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, “Minority Report” is an action-detective thriller set in Washington […]
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into […]
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3 Growing up watching a lot of TV during a […]
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 When I was in elementary school, long before the Internet and back when phones were […]
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42 NLT Have you ever heard of the term “workaholic?” The term workaholism was […]
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Have you ever seen the TV show “Hoarders?” It’s an uncomfortable watch for me. I don’t mind clutter; if you could only see […]
For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 The first big risk I took (according […]
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 Since we’re 25 days into our 45 Days of Thankfulness, we might as well talk about the holiday that is all about giving thanks: Arbor Day. That’s right, it’s when we go up […]
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:5-6 Not too long ago, people would use the phrase, “keeping it […]
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 1 Peter 1:22 How many friends do you have? When I was in high school, I would’ve probably answered that I had around 15 good friends and 100 acquaintances. Sure I knew a […]
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at […]
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 Meet Rosey– she’s a golden doodle which means she’s half golden retriever and half poodle. […]
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’“ John 7:37-38 Did you know that the Egyptians were the first people to record methods for […]
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 Do you ever watch fail videos online? If you’re […]
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:17-20 Do you […]
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 Do you remember the first time you had a crush? I certainly do. It was in the late 70s, she was a redhead with a streak of white which was unusual for her age. […]
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace […]
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21–22 Before streaming services on smart phones, before iPods and MP3 players, […]
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 One of my favorite restaurants close to home is a Mexican place called Cinco de Mayo. I love their endless chips, salsa, and a […]
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Cor. 10:13 I’d like to introduce you to one […]
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 My daughter’s favorite (okay, it’s really my favorite) knock-knock joke when she was little […]
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14–15 In the 1980s sci-fi classic movie, Back to the Future, teen Marty McFly is thrown back in time to the 1950s when an […]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 I will forever be grateful to my old softball buddy Dan for showing me a trick that provided a major […]
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen […]
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be […]
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 5:21–6:1 Growing up and going to public schools, we had two […]
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. Psalm 5:1-3 When you were born, […]
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:8-10 I like to […]
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Have you ever played with dominoes? I’m not talking about the game where you get tiles and match them with your opponent’s tiles to see […]
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Have you ever received a gift or made a purchase of something that you couldn’t wait to use, only to discover you had […]
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In college, I paid much of my way through school waiting tables in a restaurant. Being a food server meant I made very little money per hour from my employer […]
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Psalm 107:1-3 In the children’s book, […]
My favorite holiday growing up had to be Christmas. What's not to like? School was always out, there was lots of candy and baked goods lying around, and let's not forget about the presents! And even though we were a family of eight and my parents didn't have much money, they always made sure we had a lot of presents to open even if they we're very impressive or extravagant.
When I was young, there was a story about a handsome and athletic astronaut who was seriously injured when his spaceship crashed. Barely alive, the government rushes him into a top secret and experimental surgery where the doctors and scientists give him two new legs, one arm, and one eye; all mechanical but with enhanced and super human strength, speed, and telescopic sight.
Out of all the classic children’s stories that have made it into Disney movies, there’s one particular home furnishing in one of those stories that is unforgettable to me: the talking mirror in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. You know the one; the evil queen keeps asking the mirror who’s the fairest one of all and faster than she can say Siri or Alexa, she gets her answer.
Growing up as a kid my family always had at least one dog. I still have a great love of dogs. We currently have four now! So it makes sense that one of my favorite books growing up was about a dog; a big red dog named Clifford. Clifford was different from other dogs because he was so big, sometimes he appeared around 25 feet tall!
Stanislav Petrov isn’t a name you probably recognize, but he is one of the greatest decision-makers of the 20th century. Back in 1983, he was serving as a lieutenant for the Soviet Union Air Defense Forces during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union. During his overnight shift, his computer showed that five U.S. missiles were heading toward his homeland.
Located in Yellowstone National Park is one of the great wonders of the world; a geyser. This particular geyser that I’m talking about was most likely first found by the native tribes long before any settlers moved west following Lewis and Clark. But it was some 150 years ago when one westward expedition led by Henry Washburn gave the geyser its now famous name.