True Freedom

Posted on November 11, 2026 by Arrow

Freedoms around the world vary. Consider what freedoms we have. Are we free to decide what to eat, what to wear, what work to do, where to go, how and with whom to spend your time? How about the bigger freedoms like freedom of speech and freedom of religion?

With freedom comes responsibility and consequences.

In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve great freedom. Genesis 2:16-17 records God’s command, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden …” except one. God explained that if they chose to disobey, the consequence would be death—separation from God.

We know how that turned out! And don’t blame Adam and Eve. We all continue to step beyond and outside of God’s limits.

Thank God that belief in Jesus frees us from the power of sin and the eternal consequences of hell. Jesus, though innocent, took on the punishment for the sin of everyone and broke the chains of sin that threaten to control us.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (Romans 8:1-2 NLT).

Freedom back into an intimate relationship with the Father begins by believing Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is the key who sets us free. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).

May you experience the Spirit-filled life of freedom in Christ today.

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Quiet Times

Posted on November 4, 2026 by Arrow

As my spouse sleeps soundly, I tiptoe through the bedroom cautiously opening and closing drawers, brushing my teeth in our walk-in closet (not spitting there), and slipping into the restroom to change clothes hoping the door won’t squeak, only to accidentally tap the switch for the noisy fan instead of the light. Oops! It takes so much effort to be quiet!

Stillness is a rare occurrence these days, so having a quiet time with the Lord requires effort and planning. With the busyness of everyday life, it does not happen without purposeful determination.

Note Jesus’ habit of getting up before sunrise and going to a solitary place to listen to and talk with His Father. David wrote in Psalms 37:7, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (NIV). Being still before the Lord allows us to worship and give thanks to the Almighty, to bask in His love and peace, to share our burdens, seek His wisdom, and listen for the Holy Spirit’s counsel.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

May we set aside a time and place and not miss the most important meeting of our day.  He will be there. Will we?

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Chaos vs Order

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Arrow

Anyone still have the notorious junk drawer? The front of our junk drawer is filled with desk items and a few small tools, while the back threatens to become a burial ground for odd things that are seldom used and once there, rarely found. Many of us with a junk drawer find great satisfaction in the moments the drawer is actually in order.

Clearly, there exists a battle in our world between chaos and order. Creation reveals evidence that God is a God of order. Day/night, male/female, and work/rest were just the beginning. God provided leaders to follow and guidelines to obey.

Our hearts yearn for order. We expect Google to map orderly directions and shoppers snarl when their grocery store gets rearranged. Language, math, music, science, and history all have order. Order is needed in meetings, schools, sports, businesses, and government.

The Apostle Paul even advised the church, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV).

I’m not saying we have to go home and reorganize that junk drawer, but chances are, there is some haunting chaos in our life that’s crying out for order. Perhaps we can spend 10-15 minutes each day this week working on that. I think I’ll start with the stacks on my desk.

As I close, I praise the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End! (Sounds like order to me.)

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Truth Triumphs

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Arrow

When asked about biting his baby brother, the preschooler responded, “I kissed him with my teeth!” Ha! The world tells us—who know better—that it’s acceptable to fudge on the truth, to fib about our age in order to get a discount, or to tell a white lie to impress others or to get out of an uncomfortable situation. But what happens when we are caught in that lie? Yikes!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Choosing to speak the truth is a decision to take the high road, perhaps the road less traveled. Those who tell the truth hold the honor of being people of integrity—trustworthy, credible, and respected.

The LORD Almighty says in Zechariah 8:16-17, “’And now here’s what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right thing by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don’t cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don’t do or say what isn’t so. I hate all that stuff. Keep your lives simple and honest.’ Decree of God” (The Message).

The aging apostle John had this to say about those he had led to the Lord, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4 NIV).

May we make our Father God proud by speaking what is true and allowing truth to triumph in our lives!

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Creation Communicates

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Arrow

A recent trip took us far from our desert home to a land of crisp air. We were met with scenery dressed in brilliant gold, burnt orange, and deep red autumn leaves. As desert-dwellers, we are also easily awed by water. We reveled at the sight of running rivers and the measureless ocean. Soaring over snow-covered peaks with luscious forests and enlarging lakes reminded us of the perfect design of God’s majestic creation.

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (NIV).

I encourage you to take time this week delighting in what God has created for us. Look around with new eyes of awareness. What will you see? Perhaps a newborn baby, an expectant mother, changes in the weather, a starry night, fluffy clouds in a backdrop of sapphire, the fragrance of flowers, the feast of flavors in the produce section, a songbird, a silent sunrise, or a brilliant sunset.

Our Father Creator—not Mother Nature—reveals Himself to us through His creation. Romans 1:19 says, “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (NIV).

God makes Himself clear to us through what He has made. If we listen, His creation whispers—or sometimes shouts: I am here. I love you! Allow Me to show you Who I am. I long for you to know Me better. Or, I have so much in store for you.

May we witness His divine nature in nature.

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A Love Letter to You

Posted on October 7, 2026 by Arrow

Messages and emails, articles and updates, news reports, and nonsense. All filling our phones and inboxes and consuming our precious time. Every day we choose which items to read, reply to, ignore, and delete. Talk about overwhelming! And don’t forget to check that Junk mailbox. Because some random digital force in the universe might place non-junk in your Junk folder—and that’s no junk.

Let me reassure you of something that is not junk. Something you will want to read … a real, live letter. A love letter from … (drum roll) … your Heavenly Father, the Creator of all. A love letter … to you.

The Bible is full of God’s expressions of love. His love for you is so far beyond what we can imagine that the apostle Paul wrote, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV).

Wow! That’s a mouthful, actually a universe-full of love … for you. A love beyond understanding. Stop and imagine. Soak it in. Accept that love into your heart. Let it penetrate deep into all your hurts and hang-ups. Breathe it into your being and allow it to rescue you as you read and re-read your love letter … from God.

May you read and experience His love today.

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You Are Chosen

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Arrow

Rejection hurts! We all remember the pain of not getting the job or promotion we’d hoped for, not getting a date with you-know-who, or a positive response to that Friend Request. For authors (like me), it’s a manuscript being turned down . . . again . . . for the umpteenth time! For those doing auditions or tryouts, it’s not receiving a Call Back.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

As children, we may have been rejected by a parent. Or as parents, we may be rejected by our child. (Rejections from teenagers don’t count!) Everyone experiences rejection of some kind.

Think about all the people who rejected Jesus. Even after hearing His incredible teaching and witnessing miraculous healings, many would not believe that He was the Son of God.

But here’s the good news. There is One who always chooses you. He always chooses you to be on His team. He always chooses you to be His friend. And, He has chosen you to do a special work for Him. In Isaiah 41:9, God says, “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you” (NIV).

The Apostle Paul writes to believers saying, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

Imagine being face-to-face with Jesus. He points directly at you and lovingly says, “I choose you!”

Smile and look up! YOU have been chosen, my friend!

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Fall ~ Not a Season

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Arrow

I remember trying to land my bike after attempting my one and only jump on a neighborhood homemade ramp. Instead, I landed on my knees and still have the scars!

Many have fallen for scams or claim to have fallen in and out of love. But there is one thing we all fall into . . . temptation.

Giving into temptation is called “sin.” When we sin—or disobey God’s command—we need to acknowledge it. We need to confess it to God and straighten things out if others were hurt, perhaps getting help if needed. Then, we move on.

Falling is expected but we are not expected to stay down or continue making that same rebellious “fall.” We should learn from our mistakes and do all we can to not repeat them. Falling is costly. It has consequences and may leave scars. But the mark of sin is not permanent.

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV). The Message Bible’s paraphrase says, “Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners . . . and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

In other words, Jesus took the “fall” for us. Those who choose to believe in Jesus are given the opportunity to stand in righteousness with Him, forgiven and restored into a right relationship with God.

I pray you have joined or will join those who are standing with Jesus.

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Overflowing Hope

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Arrow

This city slicker loves to fish. Even after hours of no nibbles, I will not be deterred. I cast my line for the umpteenth time, imagining a different outcome. I long to feel the double yank, evidence that something snagged my line, anticipating the intense pull and reel maneuvers with my fishing pole. I yearn to net the big one…or anything big enough to keep!

Why do I continue against all odds amidst the rolling eyes of onlookers? One word. Hope.

Without hope, we’re sunk! We all need hope. Some people hope for that elusive hole-in-one, a homerun, or bigger yet, a grand slam. Bowlers crave a turkey. My grandson longs for another pick six (football). Others hope for a successful crop or a good return on an investment. Depending on where you live, you desire a sunny or rainy day.

At times our hope is for small, insignificant things. Other times, it’s a lifeline. Most importantly, our hope must be placed in the One higher than ourselves.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (NIV).

One preacher explained that soaring like an eagle provides a better perspective of our circumstances. Not becoming weary means we have extra energy stored up for later. And not fainting indicates we have a deeper determination to persevere.

The apostle Paul wrote to encourage believers, saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

At times hope may disappoint, but let’s keep casting. May we persevere and not give up.

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Watch and See!

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Arrow

Many times, throughout our weekly activities, we wonder if God is watching … or aware of what’s happening in our life.

The Bible, however, is full of examples demonstrating that God is working behind the scenes. We see evidence that He protects, provides for, raises up, and helps His people.

In the Old Testament, we find a destitute widow who suddenly had plenty to sustain the needs of her family because of one special jar of oil (2 Kings 4). In the book of Esther, a simple Jewish girl was chosen as queen in a foreign land and prevented the annihilation of the Jews.

In the New Testament, to hear about the apostle Paul miraculously escaping numerous murder plots (Acts). We can also read how God used churches to meet the needs of persecuted believers in Jerusalem. These are just a sprinkling of God’s handiwork.

As in the past, God continues to work in the lives of His people today. Isaiah 64:4 encourages us with these words, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” (NIV)

Know that God loves you more than you can imagine and is even now working on your behalf. Wait and experience His goodness. In the smallest of details, perhaps where you least expect Him, the One and Only Almighty God is doing something amazing for you!

Watch and see!

A version of this devotion ran in 2019. It has been edited.

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