A Life That Matters

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

In a world that constantly measures success by comparison, it can be easy to feel like we are failing to meet the expectations of others.

Someone always seems to have more, accomplish more, or be recognized more. But the Bible reminds us that a life that truly matters is not built on comparison, it is built on contentment and faithfulness.

Stronger Than Before

James 1:2–4

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

There is a different kind of strength that only comes after a struggle.

Not the kind of strength that boasts or draws attention, but the quiet kind.

The kind that has been tested, stretched, and refined and pressurized.

James tells us to “count it all joy” when we face various trials.

This Is The Life

Psalm 90:14

“O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

There is something sacred about a quiet porch in the early morning.

I realize that everyone may not have a front porch, but it is a very scared place for my wife and I.

Before the noise begins. Before responsibilities start to press in.

Before the world starts demanding my attention. It is in those gentle moments — where the cool morning meets the day, that the heart often hears the clearest whispers of God.

Steady In The Storm

This time of the year, people begin to think about and talk about “The Storm Season”.  Just like storms in our area are very unpredictable, the storms of our lives can be as well.

Isaiah gives us a promise that feels almost impossible in turbulent times: perfect peace. Not partial peace. Not temporary relief. Perfect peace.

Isaiah 26:3

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Storms have a way of revealing what we are anchored to.

Keep Moving Forward

Philippians 3:13–14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There is something powerful and important about the word press.

It implies resistance and It suggests something that takes effort.

It seems to acknowledge that moving forward is not always easy.

Yet Paul said, “This one thing I do.” Not ten things, Not some kind of divided focus. One thing keeps him moving forward, and that is the constant mark set before him in Jesus.

Getting To The Root

Matthew 7:17-18

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every fruit starts in the root.

If You walk into an orchard and see that the apples are all bad, you don’t blame the apples, You look at the tree.

The fruit simply reveals what is really going on beneath the surface.

Yet in our spiritual lives, we often spend years trying to deal with the fruit of our behavior, without ever examining the root system that is causing the behavior.

And you will never change the fruit until you first deal with the root.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36

Spiritual freedom is not just a single moment; it is a lifetime journey.

In the Gospels, Jesus revealed that many could believe, some could have faith, but only those who learned to trust Him fully walked in lasting freedom. Each step moves us closer to living unbound, not just forgiven, but free.

Defining Biblical Freedom:

Being released by God from the power, penalty, and control of sin, death, and fear, so we may willingly live under the Lordship of Christ.

God’s Plan For You – Deliverance

Our key verse in this week has been:

1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

This reveals the enemy’s intentions, but the very next verse reveals the believer’s response and God’s direction.

1 Peter 5:9 — “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

What we see is God never points out a threat without also giving us a strategy.

His plan for us is never defeat, it’s deliverance.

The Enemy’s Plan For You – Pt. 4: Destruction

Scripture warns us that the enemy never stops at simple doubt or discouragement. His path, if left unchecked, always moves toward destruction. Jesus made this plain in

John 10:10

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

That is not just some poetic type saying, it is a spiritual reality.

The enemy’s goal is not merely to make life difficult; it is to tear down what God is building.

The destruction I am speaking of has nothing to do with your Salvation, which is secure in Christ, but refers to the constant attempt to destroy your purpose, your reputation, and your ability to serve the Lord.

The Enemy’s Plan For You – PT. 3: Depression

In this series we’ve looked at how the enemy often works in stages, first doubt, which if left unchecked will lead to discouragement.

If those seeds are left unattended, they can grow heavier, sometimes settling into what the Bible refers to as Spiritual heaviness or becoming “Dismayed”, or to become depressed.

1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The Enemy’s Plan For You – Part 2: Discouragement

1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Discouragement is often the second step in the enemy’s plan against us.

As we said yesterday, first comes doubt, that quiet whisper that questions what God has said.

Then comes discouragement, a heavy feeling that makes you question whether it’s even worth it to keep going.

The Enemy’s Plan For You — Part 1: Doubt

1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

It is important for us to know that The enemy rarely begins with open attack.

He begins with a question. A whisper. A seed of uncertainty.

His first step is not destruction — it is doubt.

Many have asked recently about the songs that I play at the end of some of our devotions. The particular interest usually seems to be, who wrote them and who sings them.

  Since I don’t usually like to take up much of our devotion time discussing these types of subjects, I thought I would write this Blog to answer these questions.

When we hear the word miracle, our minds often think about the extraordinary, the seas parting, the blind seeing, the impossible suddenly becoming possible.

And God still does those things. But as I’ve walked with Him over the years, I’ve come to realize that many of His greatest miracles don’t make the headlines or shake the ground, They simply show up quietly in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

The Mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:16

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

There are days when my thoughts feel all over the place.

I feel pulled in too many directions at once.

Decisions seem stack up, and my emotions try to get involved.

If I am not careful to recognize that, the world seems determined to shape how I think.

If there is one thing that I am Spiritually stubborn about, it’s not allowing satan, the world or even my own self to dictate how I think or react.

In moments like that, this verse gently calls me back to a simple Truth, we have the mind of Christ.

There is something deeply comforting in the words “God is able.” Not that God might provide, or could provide, but that He is able to provide.

Paul reminds us that God is not limited by our circumstances, our resources, or even our understanding. He is fully capable of making all Grace abound toward us.

Abound means to overflow, to be in great supply, or to increase beyond what is merely enough.

Notice the rhythm of this verse: all grace… always… all sufficiency… all things. God’s provision isn’t seasonal or selective.

The very things we are asking him for this year, was available last year.

I am excited to release a new album titled, “From Where I Am”.

So much of the heart behind this project flows from the spirit of “This Is The Life”.

Those front porch moments where faith meets everyday living… where we slow down, breathe in God’s goodness, reflect on where we’ve been, and look forward with hope to what lies ahead.

There comes a moment in every life when the Lord calls us to stand at the crossroads and decide which direction we will go. Joshua stood before the people of Israel and reminded them of God’s faithfulness, how He brought them out of bondage, guided them through the wilderness, and blessed them beyond anything they deserved. Then Joshua placed the decision before them: Choose you this day whom ye will serve. It wasn’t a gentle suggestion. It was a defining moment.

There are moments in life when the journey feels long, the shadows feel close, and the path ahead isn’t as clear as we’d like it to be. We’ve all stood in places like that—places of uncertainty, loss, fear, or quiet ache. Yet Psalm 23:4 speaks into those moments with a deeply personal truth: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” From where I am today, I may not have every answer, but I do not walk alone.

There are seasons in life when the storms roll in faster than we can prepare for them. The winds of disappointment blow hard, the rains of worry fall heavy, and the lightning of unexpected trials flashes across our skies without warning. In those moments, it can feel as though life is trying to break us — to bend our hope, to wear down our faith, and to silence the song inside our hearts. But somewhere deep within, there must be a gentle yet unshakable resolve that rises and says, “Life can’t break me.”