Neighborly Daily Devotional

Our heart, and what it holds, can change the world depending on how we use it. But letting our flesh override the design God has created can lead to heartache, loneliness, and shame.

Is there an area in your work that feels like a wasteland? Do you need a stream of living water to flow through your vocation to experience purpose? Make one change to your routine today. Purpose doesn't just happen, it's chosen. Choose to live your vocation by design, not by default today.

How can you find purpose in every moment of your day? It's time to start going first, instead of craving freedom.

Let me ask you a question: Do you smell like Jesus? In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, the Apostle Paul says that Jesus had a fragrance about Him that made people want to be close to Him – it was called "Love!" They knew He loved them and valued them because when they encountered Him they experienced… Eye Contact… Heart Contact!

Our work is an opportunity to show Jesus to the world. If you don't feel you're able to do that, then maybe you're in the wrong vocation. Life is too short to wake up every day miserable! Whether you're 25 or 50, if you're miserable in your job, maybe God is nudging you to shift to a vocation where you'll find that you have a purpose. Even if it means giving up the corner office to drive the garbage truck, if you find joy and feel like you're doing what God designed you to do, DO IT!

God knew before the foundations of the earth, long before the Bible was written, how sex would be something beautiful and intimate within the context of marriage, and how it would destroy people and relationships outside the context of marriage.

Pastor Ken and Pastor Pam have a special Sunday message to share with our church family.

Our heart, and what it holds, can change the world depending on how we use it. But letting our flesh override the design God has created can lead to heartache, loneliness, and shame.

I believe there is great importance in talking about sex through a biblical framework. Why? Because sex was God's idea. But one thing I wished I had learned early in life is that sex is not a tool to escape problems; it is not casual in nature; nor is it natural to cycle through partners. Sex is sacred.

Your body is meant for more than the world's cheap versions of meaning. Your body is meant to house the Spirit of God. That means God is inviting us to a more meaningful perspective in regards to our bodies in every area of life.

I don't know that there is anything that appears more harmless… that is indeed… more harmful to what matters most in your life, and mine, than "The Lust of the Eye"!

I have always been an extrovert. I'd love to have a houseful of people every weekend talking about life and making new memories. So, why don't I? Well, to be very clear, Ken is NOT. He is the epitome of an introvert. By the time we come home, he's ready to sit in the recliner and shut out the outside world.

We are not meant to do life alone, and the value of friends who love us, support us, encourage us, and hold us accountable – those who simply do life with us – cannot be overstated.

Over and over again God makes His love for us known through our friends, but are your eyes open to this method of His communication?

Instead of working harder to maximize your relationships around you, what would it look like if you worked on minimizing some systems of efficiency in your life to make room for what the Holy Spirit wants to do with the little time you afford Him? To show you the pace and relationships He has in store for you?

How is God inviting you to forgive your brothers and sisters in Christ? Maybe the first step in relational connection is deciding to stop standing in our own way.

When our lives are finally over and we stand before God, He's not going to ask about the trophies won, the promotions received, the properties owned, the money made or the big things we did for Him. He's simply going to look at us… smile… and ask: "Do you love Me? Right now? Right here? In this moment?” Because that's God's Will for your life and mine!

When we talk about spiritual depth, what do you think of? Pastor Jared said in the Go First book, “The measuring stick of faith is not just a well-marked Bible; it is the well-marked hearts of those around us.” Friends, it is not about how much we know, but how well we love. Knowing what love looks like comes from knowing God. And it's through time spent in silent prayer and the slow reading of Scripture that we get to know Him.

Spiritual depth is not how someone moves you, or even how someone teaches you, but is, in fact, the work we do on our own to dig deep into the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ.

The ability to go deeper with God takes concentrated effort, time, and dedication.

Hannah prioritized prayer, worship, and obedience to the Lord; she deeply cared about her spiritual depth. And my prayer for us, family, is that we will, too! That even in the biggest struggles in our lives we, too, will give it to the Lord.

Sometimes new depths require uncomfortable rhythms. Where is God inviting you to go deeper in your journey?

Here's the deal. We all have areas of our life that we need to improve… But… we cannot become so focused on our faults that we cease to enjoy who God made us to be. You've got to be happy with who God made you to be!

Great news, right?! Except Elijah was discouraged, weary and afraid. Do you ever feel that way? There have been some great successes, but you've fought hard to get your child back on track in school, finally landed a new job, or found a home that meets your needs. But something is “off” and God seems distant.

A life verse, by definition, is a verse in the Bible that touches you personally, and awakens your belief in God's love and plan for you.

Feeling like your emotions are a little out of whack today? Try the bathing dogs response – get up right now and literally shake your emotions back into a sense of order, remembering that how you feel is up to you. And, that attempting to infuse health into your emotional well being is exactly the way God invites you – all of us – into a life of maturity with Him.

In our walk with Jesus, there is no “goal” to be met, no “finish line” we're sprinting towards. It's long obedience in the same direction. We'll never reach perfection – only He can have that title – but we can work on getting closer to loving with a heart like His each and every day.

Pizza or health food? Jesus or the world? Choose the thing that will truly sustain you.

If, lately, you've been asking yourself, "Why am I so tired? How come I don't have the energy I used to? Why do I feel like… If I don't get away I'm gonna go nuts?" If that's you...Take a lesson from Jesus who listened to something deeper than the demands around Him.

The Christian life is not easy. Jesus tells us to “take up our cross and follow Him” and sometimes we will hit a wall. But God still gave us a purpose for our lives in the midst of suffering with physical, emotional, relational, or vocational challenges. As we continue to run with perseverance through this life, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can grow in wisdom and strength, while knowing Jesus more intimately! When the challenges come and you grow discouraged, focus on Him!

Friends, we need one another. We were not created to operate on an island. We were created for fellowship and bonding with one another.

Friends, sometimes we exert more “effort” in avoiding God's will due to stubbornness, pride, or even fear, but my hope for you and me is that we could recognize God's nudging, and more importantly, be willing to surrender to His will.

If you had to take a self-inventory today, what would it read? Are you anxious? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Whatever it is, I urge you to take it captive and then lay it at the feet of Jesus.

When we have experienced the life changing gentleness, humility, and meekness of Jesus, that's the kind of life we go out and live.

Today… I offer this devotional to anyone who has ever found themselves living through The Worst Day of Their Life.

I've been studying Job the last six months. Wow! Talk about a long depressing book. Today, I finished chapter 39 when God speaks to Job and I'm beginning to see there is hope for Job. As I've been reading my daily chapters, I've been reminded that Job didn't grumble or complain against God. James says in chapter 5 that Job persevered and God's compassion and mercy was fully realized!

I don't know what you are up against, but I do know that every one of us is up against something. And while you may feel, at times, like cursing God and dying, know that He is faithful, He is walking the journey with you, and He will lead you to the other side.

In addition to the benefits of serving others and the fact that we were created to do so, make no mistake friends – serving others is absolutely the call on your life if you claim to be a follower of Jesus.

In our walk with Jesus, there is no “goal” to be met, no “finish line” we're sprinting towards. It's long obedience in the same direction. We'll never reach perfection – only He can have that title – but we can work on getting closer to loving with a heart like His each and every day.

Are you ready to embrace the grief of life to grow closer to the Great Comforter? Jesus describes the blessed life as including grief and mourning.

Forgiveness is extending to other people the one thing we want most for ourselves… grace!

There seems to be a lot of talk these days about a scarcity mindset versus growth mindset. How will you operate in your job? Are you fearful of doing anything outside of your job description? Do you jump in and help others? We can't move forward in an organization without coming up with new creative ideas.

We don't realize that the only solution for being broken is…brokenness. We must be willing to recognize and embrace that we are broken people.

Our VBS kids found out this summer that you don't have to go any further than scripture to see amazing examples of people who lived a transformed and “go first” way of life. Daniel, Ruth, Esther… Jesus… all making choices that change the world. And we can, too!

Living this Christian life isn't about maintaining our routines; it's about having enough trust in the One who brings it all together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). So don't let the “newness” scare you. Grab ahold of it while trusting in the leading of Holy Spirit.

At the end of yourself is where the greatest connection with God can truly begin. Are you ready to run to Him?

When we own all the bits and pieces of our earlier selves and can say: “I forgive… ME!” … That's how we heal and grow and evolve and make peace with ourselves.

The theme of the entire fourth chapter is about selfishness and arrogance. It's a good reminder for us that we own nothing - everything we have belongs to God! If you're an Instagram or Facebook power user, it's also a reminder to be sensitive about what we post. A good screening question to ask yourself: Why am I posting this? Because I want everyone to see all of my travels or new toys? Am I seeking to make myself look better to others?

God delivers and forgives us of our sin for HIS Name's sake. He helps us for the glory of HIS name.

We all need time to stop, rest, delight, and worship on a regular basis. These four descriptions are actually the definition of the word Sabbath, or the root Hebrew word, shabbat. Stop. Rest. Delight. Worship. Doesn't reading those words already make you feel a little lighter?!

Are you looking for relief from the anxiety of all your “Why?” questions you're bringing to God? Simply understanding why something does or doesn't happen isn't that helpful, it's just information. I believe if we shift from wanting to know answers and information, and begin to seek God's presence, we can discover a peace beyond understanding.