Let Sleeping Dogs Lie #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Wisdom #Proverbs #Character

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Proverbs 26:17 - "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears."

Geoffrey Chaucer knew something about human nature when he wrote in his medieval poetry, "It is nought good a slepyng hound to wake." He understood that sometimes the wisest thing you can do is leave well enough alone. There was even an earlier French version that said essentially the same thing: don't wake the sleeping dog.

Anyone who's ever been around dogs knows exactly what this means. You see an old hound sleeping peacefully in the sun, and common sense tells you to walk quietly around him. Sure, he might be friendly when he's awake, but startle him out of a deep sleep and you might get a very different reaction. Better to let him wake up naturally than to poke him and find out the hard way that he doesn't appreciate being disturbed.

Solomon understood this principle too, long before Chaucer wrote about it. He said that getting involved in someone else's fight is like grabbing a dog by the ears. You're asking for trouble, and you're probably going to get bit for your efforts. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is step back and let peaceful situations stay peaceful.

Now, I'm not talking about ignoring real problems or turning your back when someone genuinely needs help. There are times when we absolutely need to get involved, times when love requires us to step into difficult situations. But there's a difference between helping someone who's asking for help and stirring up trouble where there doesn't need to be any.

We all know people who seem to specialize in waking sleeping dogs. They bring up old hurts that had been forgiven and forgotten. They ask questions that are designed to start arguments. They poke at sensitive subjects just to see what kind of reaction they'll get. They meddle in marriages and friendships and family relationships that were getting along just fine without their input.

Friend, sometimes wisdom means knowing when to speak up and when to keep quiet. Sometimes love means getting involved, and sometimes it means staying out of it. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is walk quietly around that sleeping dog and let him rest in peace.

Before you wake up an old controversy, ask yourself: is this really going to help anyone, or am I just satisfying my own curiosity? Before you bring up that past mistake, consider whether it needs to be discussed or whether it's better left buried. Before you get in the middle of that family dispute, think about whether your involvement will bring peace or just make things worse.

There are enough real problems in this world that need our attention. We don't need to go around creating new ones by waking sleeping dogs.

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay quiet, when to get involved and when to let sleeping dogs lie. Amen.

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All That Glitters #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Deception #foolsgold #Character

All That Glitters Is Not Gold #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)

Back in the twelfth century, a French theologian named Alain de Lille wrote something that would echo through the centuries: "Do not hold everything gold that shines like gold." Eventually it became the phrase we know today: "All that glitters is not gold."

These medieval thinkers understood something we sometimes forget. Appearances can be mighty deceiving. Fool's gold sparkled just as pretty as real gold, but it was worthless when you tried to spend it.

We're so quick to be impressed by surface things. Someone drives up in an expensive car, and we assume they're successful. Someone speaks with confidence, and we figure they must know what they're talking about. Someone looks put-together, and we think they must have their life figured out.

But God showed Samuel a different way of seeing. When Samuel looked at Eliab, Jesse's oldest son, he thought, "Surely this is the one. Look how tall and strong and kingly he appears." But God said, "Don't look at his appearance or his height. I've rejected him. Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart."

Seven sons passed before Samuel. Every one looked like king material to human eyes. Then came David, the youngest, the shepherd boy nobody even thought to call in from the fields. And God said, "This is the one."

Friend, the world is full of glittering things that aren't gold. The only way to tell real gold from fool's gold is to test it. And the only way to see what God sees is to ask Him to give you His eyes. Look for character, not just charisma. Look for faithfulness, not just flashiness. Look for the heart, because that's what matters to the One who matters most.

Prayer:

Father, help me see past the glitter to what's really gold. Give me Your eyes to see hearts, not just appearances. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Nest Egg #RTTBROS #Nightlight #God #Heaven #legacy

NEST EGG #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Nest Egg

Luke 12:21 - "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Medieval farmers knew something smart about chickens. When collecting eggs, they'd always leave one in the nest, what they called the "nest egg." That one egg kept the hen coming back to lay more. Take them all, and your chicken might hide her eggs somewhere you'd never find them.

By the fourteenth century, peasants used this phrase to describe their approach to the future: set aside a little now, find security later. It was about thinking beyond today's hunger to tomorrow's needs.

That's good wisdom, and there's nothing wrong with planning for the future and being responsible with what God gives us. But Jesus told a story that puts this in perspective. A rich man had such a good harvest that he tore down his barns to build bigger ones. He was planning for many years of easy living, but God called him a fool because that very night, his soul was required of him.

See, there's a difference between wise planning and foolish hoarding. The question Jesus asks is: what kind of nest egg are you building?

Are you laying up treasure in heaven or just on earth? Are you investing in things that'll matter a hundred years from now, or just things that make you feel secure today?

I'm not saying don't plan for retirement. I'm saying make sure your spiritual nest egg is growing too. Every act of kindness, every moment in prayer, every dollar given to God's work, that's your eternal nest egg growing.

Because friend, earthly nest eggs can disappear in a market crash, but heavenly treasure is safe forever.

Prayer: God, help me be wise with earthly planning but even wiser with eternal investing. Show me how to be rich toward You. Amen.

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A life well lived #RTTBROS #Nightlight #legacy #Ministry #Discipleship

A life well lived #RTTBROS #Nightlight #legacy #Ministry #Discipleship 

90 Years Young and Still Building 

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Well folks, here we are celebrating a man who's turning 90, and I'm pretty sure he's already planning his next church plant. You know Jesse retirement isn't in his vocabulary, and honestly, I don't think the word "quit" is either.

I've been trying to figure out how to sum up Jesse Dunn's life, and I keep coming back to this: he's a builder. Not the kind that works with hammer and nails, though knowing Jesse, he probably could, but the kind that builds people's lives and builds God's kingdom.

When I think about Jesse going to California Christian College in his thirties with three little girls in tow, working full time and going to school... well, that tells you everything you need to know about his character. Most of us think we're busy when we have to work and watch Netflix on the same day. Jesse was building a future while raising a family and chasing after God's calling.

And can we talk about his church-planting record? This man has started more churches than some denominations have. Boise in the early '70s, Salem in the late '70s, then back to Boise to rebuild what he'd already built once. It's like he looked at the Great Commission and thought, "You know what? I'm going to take this personally."

I've been thinking about what I learned watching Jesse over the years, and I realized he gave us a master class in ministry without ever charging tuition. The man went to Bible college in his thirties, but the real education happened in the trenches, building churches, raising daughters, and somehow keeping his sense of humor through it all.

But here's what gets me about Jesse, and what I learned from watching him all these years: he doesn't just build churches, he builds people. He took a bunch of rough-around-the-edges teenagers in Salem and somehow convinced us we could be useful to God. I'm still not sure how he pulled that off.

Let me tell you what Jesse's classroom looked like: it was his living room where he'd counsel hurting people, his kitchen table where he'd study sermons while Joyce cooked dinner, and that old church bus where he'd pick up anybody and everybody who needed a ride to church. His curriculum was simple: love people, preach the Word, and trust God with the results.

The thing about Jesse is he never seemed to think anything was impossible. Church needs rebuilding? "Well, let's get to work." Three little girls need raising while daddy goes to college? "We'll figure it out." New town needs a church? "Pack the car, Joyce."

Watching Jesse taught me something that changed my life: "You can't make people love God, but you can sure show them what God's love looks like." And boy, did he show us. This man could find potential in a pile of scrap metal, and often did, if you count some of us teenagers he worked with.

Jesse, you taught me that discipleship isn't a program in a book, it's life on life investment. You opened your home, shared your table, and showed us what it looked like to follow Jesus even when it wasn't easy or convenient.

And can we talk about his longevity? Ninety years old and still preaching weekly. Most people his age are content to watch TV and complain about their arthritis. Jesse's still standing in pulpits, opening God's Word, and believing that the next sermon might be the one that changes someone's life forever.

You know what I think God is going to say when Jesse finally gets to heaven? "Well done, good and faithful servant... but what took you so long? I've been hearing about you from all the people you sent ahead."

Jesse, you've been a father figure to more people than you'll ever know, a mentor to countless ministers, and a friend to everyone you've ever met. At 90, you're still showing us what it looks like to love God and love people with everything you've got.

Happy 90th birthday, Jesse. Thanks for showing us that age is just a number when you're walking with the Almighty.

Purse Candy #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Temptation #Sin #Livingwater

Pocket Candy Christianity #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." - Jeremiah 2:13, KJV

My poor mom had to raise four boys as a single mother, and there were times we'd be out in public getting a little rowdy when she needed to settle us down. She'd dig through her massive Samsonite sized purse to find some old candy or gum that had settled to the bottom what we called "purse candy." And let me tell you, it tasted quite honestly a lot like... well, purse.

But when you're hungry and that's all that's available, you'll take it. The problem was, that stale pocket candy would ruin our appetite for the good meal waiting at home.

God warns His people about this very thing in Jeremiah. He calls it drinking from broken cisterns instead of coming to the fountain of living water. The danger for believers today is that we'll satiate ourselves with the substandard, stale "purse candy" of this world and miss the spiritual feast God has been inviting us to all along.

We settle for the temporary satisfaction of worldly entertainment, shallow relationships, or material pursuits, things that taste okay in the moment but leave us spiritually malnourished. Meanwhile, God has prepared a banquet table for us. He's offering living water that truly satisfies, bread that actually nourishes our souls.

The broken cisterns of our culture promise refreshment but can't deliver. They're cracked, leaking, leaving us thirstier than when we started. But Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37).

Don't fill up on purse candy when the King has invited you to His table.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for settling for the broken cisterns of this world when You've offered us living water. Help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to find our satisfaction in You alone. Draw us away from the stale substitutes and to Your abundant feast. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Where Are You? #Lonliness #connection #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Relationships

Where Are You? God's Search for Connection #RTTBROS #Nightlightht

"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" - Genesis 3:9 (KJV)

When my wife and I go to the store, I'll sometimes peel off and become like a bird dog, hunting down something she's looking for. But when I need to reconnect with her, I'll usually text or call and ask, "Where are you?" so I can find her again.

Now, I'm asking that question because I genuinely don't know where she is. But in Genesis, when God calls out to Adam, "Where art thou?" He's not asking for information. God knew exactly where Adam was hiding among the trees. This wasn't a question born out of ignorance. It was a question born out of love.

God was asking to reconnect. He was using the question the way Socrates used to teach his students back in ancient Greece, not to get an answer He didn't already know, but to help the student discover something about themselves. God knew where Adam was physically, but Adam didn't know where he was spiritually.

Adam had just experienced the first taste of shame, the first moment of wanting to hide from his Creator. He was lost, not geographically, but relationally. And God's question wasn't an accusation. It was an invitation to come back home.

This simple question points to one of humanity's biggest problems: loneliness. From the very beginning, God's heart has been to connect with His creation in a personal and profound way. Even after the rebellion, God came looking. He didn't wait for Adam to find his way back. He went searching.

Here's what gets me about this whole scene: God still does this today. When we're hiding behind our shame, our mistakes, our fears, we hear that same gentle call: "Where are you?" Not because He's lost us, but because He wants us to realize we don't have to stay lost.

Maybe you're hiding today. Maybe you've been avoiding that conversation with God because you know you've messed up. Let me tell you something: He already knows where you are. The question isn't for His benefit. It's for yours. He's giving you the chance to come home.

Prayer: Father, thank You for never giving up on us. Thank You for coming to find us even when we're hiding. Help us to hear Your voice calling us back home, and give us the courage to answer honestly. Draw us close to Your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Glance at Your Problems, Gaze at God #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Glance at Your Problems, Gaze at God #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

Adrian Rogers once said, "Glance at your problems but gaze at God." Those words have been rolling around in my mind lately, especially during these busy days when problems seem to multiply faster than I can count them.

I've been thinking about the difference between a glance and a gaze. A glance is quick, momentary like checking your watch or looking both ways before crossing the street. But a gaze? That's sustained attention. That's what you do when you're captivated by something beautiful, or when you're studying something important, or when you're looking into the eyes of someone you love.

Here's what I've learned in my years of ministry and life: whatever we gaze at grows in our perspective. If I spend my days staring at my problems (and Heaven knows I've got plenty to look at) they begin to loom larger and larger until they block out everything else. The bills start looking like mountains. The health concerns become tsunamis. The family struggles turn into Category 5 hurricanes.

But when I shift my gaze to God? Something profound happens. Not that my problems disappear (they're still there, still real, still needing attention). But they shrink down to their proper size when measured against the vastness of God's power, the depth of His love, and the certainty of His promises.

I think about Peter walking on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was doing the impossible. But the moment he shifted his gaze to the storm around him, down he went. The waves didn't get bigger; Peter just stopped looking at the One who was bigger than the waves.

David understood this principle. In Psalm 121:1-2, he declares, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." David deliberately lifted his gaze above his circumstances to focus on the source of his strength.

So yes, glance at your problems. Acknowledge them. Be realistic about what you're facing. But don't set up camp there. Don't build a house in that place of worry and fear. Instead, turn your gaze to the God who spoke galaxies into existence, who holds your tomorrow in His hands, and who promises never to leave you nor forsake you.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I've gotten so focused on my problems that I've forgotten to look at You. Help me today to practice the discipline of glancing at my troubles but gazing at Your goodness. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm me, remind me to lift my eyes to You. You are bigger than any storm I'll face. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Apple of the Eye #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Apple of the Eye

Deuteronomy 32:10 - "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye."

Back in medieval England, people had some interesting ideas about how the human body worked. They thought the pupil of the eye was actually a solid, apple-shaped object sitting right there in the center of your eye. They called it the "apple" because, well, it looked like a tiny apple to them. Now, they may have been wrong about the science, but they got something exactly right about its importance.

You see, that little "apple" in your eye is the most delicate, most crucial part of your vision. Without it, you can't see a thing. It has to be protected at all costs. So when medieval folks wanted to describe something or someone that was absolutely precious to them, something they would guard with their very life, they called it "the apple of their eye." Even King Alfred the Great used this phrase when he was talking about the things he treasured most.

Now here's what gets me about this old expression. When Moses was writing about God's love for His people in Deuteronomy, he reached for this same picture. He said God kept Israel "as the apple of his eye." Think about that for a moment. Of all the ways God could describe how He feels about us, He chose this image of the most delicate, most protected, most essential part of our vision.

Friend, that's how God sees you. You're not just another face in the crowd to Him. You're not just a name on a list somewhere in heaven. You are the apple of His eye, the most precious thing in His sight. He watches over you with the same careful attention you'd give to protecting your own eyesight.

When life gets hard and you start wondering if anybody really cares, when you feel forgotten or overlooked, remember this old medieval phrase. Remember that the God of the universe keeps you as the apple of His eye. He's not looking past you to find someone more important, He's not distracted by others who seem more worthy. His loving gaze is fixed on you with tender, protective care.

That ought to change how you walk through your day, knowing you're that treasured, that watched over, that loved.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me as the apple of Your eye. Help me remember that I'm precious to You, especially when I feel forgotten by others. Amen.

By Hook or By Crook #RTTBROS #nightlight

 By Hook or By Crook #RTTBROS #nightlight 

Philippians 3:14 - "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Medieval peasants had a hard life, and one of their constant struggles was finding enough fuel to heat their homes and cook their food. The forests belonged to the lords and nobles, but there was an old law that allowed common folks to gather firewood under very specific conditions. They could only take dead wood, and they could only cut what they could reach with their tools, either a reaper's bill-hook or a shepherd's crook. No axes, no saws, no climbing trees, just what they could snag with those two tools.

So these determined peasants would head into the forest with their hooks and crooks, and they'd work at it until they had gathered enough fuel for their families. It didn't matter if a branch was stuck high in a tree or tangled in thorny bushes, they'd figure out a way to get it down. "By hook or by crook," they'd say, "we're going to get what we need to survive."

That phrase stuck around because it captured something deep in the human spirit, this determination to achieve a goal no matter what obstacles get in the way. And you know what? I think that's exactly the kind of determination Paul was talking about when he wrote to the Philippians about pressing toward the mark.

Paul said he was going to pursue the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus, and nothing was going to stop him. Not shipwrecks, not beatings, not prison, not persecution. By hook or by crook, he was going to finish the race God had set before him. He'd use whatever tools he had, work around whatever obstacles appeared, and keep moving toward that eternal prize.

Friend, that same holy determination needs to mark our walk with God. There are going to be days when following Jesus feels easy and natural, but there are also going to be days when everything seems to be working against your faith. That's when you need that medieval peasant spirit, that "by hook or by crook" attitude.

Maybe your hook is prayer and your crook is God's Word. Maybe you use the hook of Christian fellowship and the crook of worship music. Whatever tools God has given you, use them with determination. Don't let obstacles keep you from the fuel your soul needs to keep burning bright for Him.

Prayer: Lord, give me holy determination to pursue You by hook or by crook, using whatever tools You provide to overcome the obstacles in my path. Amen.

The Postman's Lantern #Nightlight #RTTBROS

The Postman's Lantern #Nightlight 

#RTTBROS 

The Postman's Lantern

Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

Back in the 1800s, before we had email and cell phones and all the ways we stay connected today, mail carriers were the lifeline between isolated mountain communities and the rest of the world. These brave men would load up their horses with leather saddlebags full of letters, newspapers, and packages, then set out on treacherous journeys through narrow mountain passes that could take days to complete.

When winter storms hit and the paths became dangerous, when snow covered the familiar landmarks and darkness fell early, those postmen would light their lanterns and press on. They knew that in those remote cabins scattered across the mountainsides, families were waiting. A mother hadn't heard from her son who'd gone to find work in the city. A young wife was expecting news about whether her husband had survived the war. Children were hoping for a letter from grandparents they hadn't seen in years.

That flickering lantern light meant everything to those isolated folks. When they saw it bobbing along the mountain trail in the distance, hope stirred in their hearts. Someone was coming with news from the outside world. Connection was on its way. They weren't forgotten after all.

You know, friend, we live in a world that's more connected than ever before, but people are still isolated in ways that matter most. They're waiting for someone to bring them good news, real news, news that can change everything.

That's where you and I come in. We're like those postmen with their lanterns, carrying the greatest news ever delivered. We carry the good tidings that God loves them, that Jesus died for them, that they don't have to walk through life's dark valleys alone.

The beautiful thing about Isaiah's words is that God calls our feet beautiful. Not because we're perfect, but because we're willing to go with His message of hope.

Your lantern might be a kind word to a discouraged coworker or simply living with such peace that people wonder what makes you different. You might not think it's much, but to someone sitting in darkness, your little light looks like the most beautiful thing they've ever seen.

So keep that light burning bright. People are watching for your lantern in the distance, and the message we carry isn't just news, it's the Good News. And that's worth every difficult step up the mountain.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that You've entrusted me with the greatest message ever delivered. Give me courage to carry Your light into the dark places where people are waiting for hope. Make my feet beautiful as I go with Your good tidings. Amen.

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How Do We Respond? #Nightlight #RTTBROS

How Do We Respond? #Nightlight 

#RTTBROS 

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a conservative activist, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in what officials have called a "political assassination." (Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Assassinated at Utah University   

John 1:5 from the Amplified Bible: "And the Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]"

here are some positive Christian responses to help maintain equilibrium and character in the face of this tragedy:

Christ-Centered Responses to Darkness.

Pray for justice to prevail and that the perpetrators are brought to Justice. God is not only a God of love he is also a Holy God and justice is a vital part of the heart of God. 

 Stand Firm in Truth's Victory 

Remember that light has already conquered darkness through Christ. No act of violence can extinguish the eternal truth Charlie championed. The Light that shines in you cannot be overcome by any earthly darkness.

Channel Grief into Greater Gospel Witness.

Transform sorrow into a renewed commitment to share Christ's love boldly. Let Charlie's dedication to reaching young people inspire you to engage more deeply with those around you who need hope.

Strengthen Unity in the Body of Christ.

 Use this moment to draw closer to fellow believers across denominational lines. The darkness seeks to divide, but light reveals our common bond in Christ's love.

 Intensify Your Love for Those Who Disagree.

 Respond to hatred with increased compassion for those who oppose your values. Show them the character of Christ through your gracious response to tragedy.

Anchor Your Hope in Eternal Perspectives. 

Remember that Charlie's work continues in heaven and through the lives he touched. Death is not the end for those who belong to Christ - it's a transition to perfect light.

Guard Against the Poison of Bitterness. Refuse to let anger or vengeance take root in your heart. The light of Christ must shine through you unmarred by the darkness that surrounds this event.

 Double Down on Speaking Truth in Love. Don't retreat from difficult conversations. Continue Charlie's legacy by engaging respectfully but boldly with those who challenge your faith, knowing light dispels darkness.

Trust God's Sovereign Plan.

 Rest in the knowledge that even this evil will be used by God for good. His light shines brightest when contrasted against the deepest darkness.

Live with Fearless Faith.

Let this tragedy remind you that every day is a gift to serve Christ boldly. Don't let fear silence your witness, the Light within you is greater than any threat from the world. The darkness could not comprehend or overcome the Light in Christ, and it cannot overcome the Light that shines through His people today.

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Encores #change #Growth #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Communication

Encores, Not Leftovers: The Power of Words #Nightlight 

#RTTBROS #WordsMatter #ChooseJoy

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)

I heard a man say something that stopped me in my tracks. He said, "We don't have leftovers at our house. We have encores. Encores are the chance to eat excellent food one more time."

That got me thinking about the power of words. This same fellow mentioned that he doesn't call his wife "my old lady." He calls her "my bride." And you know what? I do the same thing. Every day, I call my wife "my beautiful bride."

Here's what struck me: the words we choose don't just describe our reality. They actually shape our experience of it. When that man calls Tuesday night's meatloaf an "encore," he's training his heart to see abundance where others might see routine. He's choosing gratitude over grumbling.

Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. When I call my wife "my beautiful bride," I'm reminding myself of the wonder of our covenant. I'm choosing to see her through the lens of love. I'm speaking life over our marriage every single day.

We're constantly narrating our lives to ourselves. Are those challenges "overwhelming problems" or "opportunities for God to show His faithfulness"? Are we dealing with "leftovers" or celebrating "encores"?

The person who learns to speak life over the ordinary moments discovers extraordinary joy. They're not living in denial. They're living in hope.

Maybe today you need to change some words. Instead of "I have to go to work," try "I get to provide for my family." Instead of "another day, same old routine," perhaps "another day, another chance to see God's faithfulness."

Your words matter more than you think. They're not just describing your life. They're helping to create the atmosphere in which you live it.

Prayer:

Father, help me to speak life over my circumstances and relationships. Give me wisdom to choose words that reflect Your goodness. Let my tongue be an instrument of blessing. Teach me to see encores where others see leftovers, and to speak hope where others speak complaints. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Acceptance with Joy #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Acceptance with Joy #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Acceptance with Joy: Trading Our Plans for God's Gifts #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

I've been thinking lately about something C.S. Lewis once wrote: "We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be." That really gets to the heart of it, doesn't it?

We spend so much energy gripping tightly to our plans, our expectations, our vision of how life should unfold. We clutch them like precious treasures, afraid to let go. But here's what I've learned through my years of stumbling around this life: sometimes God's got something better in His hands, and we can't receive it until we open ours.

I remember when my ministry path took an unexpected turn. I had it all mapped out, where I'd serve, how things would grow, what success would look like. When doors started closing instead of opening, I fought it hard. I held onto my plans with white knuckles, wondering why God wasn't getting with my program.

But you know what happened when I finally loosened my grip? When I stopped wrestling with what wasn't and started accepting what was? I discovered gifts I never knew God had waiting for me. Opportunities to serve I'd never imagined. People to love and learn from that weren't in my original blueprint.

Paul says to give thanks "in every thing," not just the good things, but in everything. That's a tall order for folks like us who like our ducks in a row. But here's the secret sauce: acceptance with joy isn't about pretending everything's perfect. It's about trusting that God's love is perfect, even when His plan looks nothing like ours.

When we release our death grip on what we wanted, we free up our hands to receive what God's actually giving us. And more often than not, His gifts are wrapped in packages we never would have chosen but end up being exactly what our hearts needed.

Maybe today you're holding onto something that's keeping you from receiving something better. A relationship that ended, a job that didn't work out, a dream that took a detour. What if, just what if, God's got something even better waiting, but you can't pick it up because you're still clutching what used to be?

Prayer: Father, help me loosen my grip on my plans and trust Your heart for my life. Give me the grace to accept with joy what You've placed in my path, knowing that Your love never makes mistakes. Help me see Your gifts, even when they're wrapped differently than I expected. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Best Question Ever! #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Best Question Ever #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Best Question Ever

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10

The other day on our ride to church, my son asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks. "Dad," he said, "when you get to heaven, what's the first question you're going to ask God?"

Now, I've been asked a lot of questions over the years, but this one had me reaching for the brakes on my thoughts. I had to pause and really think about it. What would I want to know first when I finally stand before the throne of grace?

But before I could even formulate an answer, my boy continued. "I know what mine would be," he said with the kind of certainty that only comes from a young heart seeking truth. "I'd ask God, 'What was my purpose?' So I could see if I lived up to what You had planned for me with the life I lived."

Friends, I've heard some profound questions in my years of ministry, but I told him right then and there, "Son, that might just be the best question ever."

You see, too many of us spend our lives like a duck on a pond, calm on top but paddling furiously underneath, wondering if what we're doing really matters. We get so caught up in the daily grind, the bills that need paying, the responsibilities that keep piling up, that we forget to ask the most important question of all: Am I living the purpose God designed for me?

Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are God's workmanship. The word there in the original language is "poiema," which means a work of art, a masterpiece. You're not some mass-produced widget rolling off heaven's assembly line. You are a carefully crafted, one-of-a-kind creation with a specific purpose that God ordained before you took your first breath.

Now, I don't think we have to wait until we get to heaven to know our purpose. God's given us His Word, His Spirit, and the gift of prayer to help us discover why He placed us here. But here's what struck me about my son's question, it wasn't just about knowing his purpose, it was about whether he had lived into it.

That's the difference between head knowledge and heart application. It's one thing to know God has a plan for your life. It's quite another to surrender to that plan and walk faithfully in it, even when the path gets rocky and the destination seems unclear.

As I've gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, I've learned that God's purpose for us isn't always some grand, earth-shaking calling. Sometimes it's as simple as being faithful in the small things, showing kindness to a stranger, or raising children who love the Lord. History is just His story, and each of us gets to play our part in His grand narrative.

So here's my encouragement for you today: don't wait until you're standing before God to ask about your purpose. Ask Him now. Seek Him in His Word. Listen for His voice in prayer. And then, with whatever understanding He gives you, live boldly into that calling.

Because when we finally do stand before Him, the question won't be whether we had the perfect plan figured out. It'll be whether we trusted Him enough to walk faithfully in the purpose He gave us, one day at a time.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to seek Your purpose for my life and give me the courage to live faithfully in whatever calling You place before me. May my life be a reflection of Your workmanship, and may I hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In Jesus' name, Amen.

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High Water Mark #RTTBROS #Nightlight

High Water Mark #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Reaching Your High Water Mark

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

If you've ever spent time around a reservoir or lake, you've probably noticed those distinct rings etched into the shoreline. Each ring tells a story of where the water once reached, but there's always one that stands out above the rest, the high water mark. It's a permanent reminder of that lake's greatest potential, when it was filled to capacity.

This idea came to me years ago while hunting near a lake, and it has always stuck with me. The water was probably twenty feet below that highest ring, and I found myself wondering what it looked like when the lake was at its fullest. Then it hit me, we all have spiritual high water marks in our lives too.

Maybe yours was during that mission trip when you felt so close to God you could hardly contain it. Or perhaps it was during a season of intense Bible study when Scripture seemed to come alive on every page. It might have been that period when your prayer life was so rich and meaningful that you actually looked forward to your quiet time each morning. Those were your high water marks, moments when your spiritual life was full to overflowing.

But here's what I've learned over the years. It's easy to live below our spiritual potential, looking back at those rings of past experiences instead of pressing forward to new levels of intimacy with Christ. We can get comfortable camping out at yesterday's high water mark instead of believing God for today's fullness.

The apostle Peter understood this. He knew that spiritual growth wasn't a one-time event but a lifelong journey. When he wrote "grow in grace," he used a word that means to keep on growing, to never stop increasing. It's like that reservoir during the spring runoff, constantly being filled by fresh streams flowing down from the mountains.

Friend, God doesn't want you living on spiritual memories. He wants today to be your new high water mark. He wants your walk with Him to be fuller, richer, and deeper than it's ever been before. Those past experiences weren't meant to be monuments to admire, they were meant to be foundations to build upon.

So let me ask you, are you living at your spiritual high water mark today, or are you camping out somewhere below it? Are you growing in grace and knowledge, or are you just maintaining? Remember, a reservoir that's not being filled is slowly evaporating. 

The good news is that God's supply never runs dry. His grace is new every morning, His mercies are fresh each day, and His desire is to fill you to overflowing. Don't settle for living below your potential when God wants to bring you to new heights in Him.

Let today be the day you stop looking back at where the water used to be and start believing God for where it can go. After all, your greatest days with the Lord aren't behind you, they're ahead of you.

#HighWaterMark #GrowInGrace #SpiritualGrowth

God's Perfect Timing #RTTBROS #Nightlight

God's Perfect Timing #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

God's Perfect Timing

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

There's an old saying that goes "too soon old and too late smart," and sometimes I think that applies to how we view God's timing in our lives. We want answers now, solutions yesterday, and miracles on our schedule. But God's providence, His loving care and guidance over our lives, operates on a different clock than ours.

Let me tell you about a young preacher named Charles Spurgeon. In 1856, when he was just twenty-two years old, he was preaching at the Surrey Music Hall in London to a crowd of over 10,000 people. Suddenly, someone in the balcony shouted "Fire!" There was no fire, but panic spread like wildfire. People stampede toward the exits, and seven people were killed in the crush, with dozens more injured.

Spurgeon was devastated. He blamed himself, fell into deep depression, and seriously considered quitting the ministry altogether. He couldn't understand why God would allow such a tragedy to happen during what should have been a time of great spiritual blessing. For weeks, he struggled with doubt and despair, wondering if God had abandoned him.

But here's the rest of the story. That terrible night became a turning point, not just for Spurgeon, but for thousands of lives. The incident made headlines across England and beyond, bringing Spurgeon's name and ministry to international attention. More importantly, it broke something in his heart that needed to be broken. The young preacher who had perhaps relied a bit too much on his own gifts and eloquence learned to depend completely on God's grace.

From that dark season came some of the most powerful preaching the world has ever heard. Spurgeon went on to become known as the "Prince of Preachers," leading thousands to Christ and establishing an orphanage, a college, and countless other ministries. He would later say that God used that heartbreaking night to teach him that true ministry flows not from human strength, but from divine grace.

You see, God's providence isn't always comfortable, and it rarely makes sense in the moment. Like a master weaver working on the back side of a tapestry, we see all the knots and loose threads and wonder what in the world He's doing. But God sees the finished picture, and He's working all things together for good.

Maybe you're in one of those seasons right now where nothing makes sense. Bills are piling up, relationships are strained, health is failing, or dreams are crumbling. You're wondering, like that young Spurgeon, if God has forgotten about you or if He's even paying attention.

Let me remind you of something: God is never late, never early, and never absent. His timing is perfect, even when it doesn't feel perfect to us. Sometimes He's preparing us for something greater than we could imagine. Sometimes He's protecting us from something we can't see. And sometimes He's simply reminding us that we're not in control, but He is, and that's actually the best news we could hear.

Today, whatever you're facing, remember that you serve a God who knows the end from the beginning. He's writing your story, and He doesn't make mistakes. Trust His timing, even when you can't see His plan. After all, history is just HIS story, and you're an important part of it.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust Your perfect timing today. When I can't see the path ahead, remind me that You can. When I'm tempted to take control, help me to rest in Your providence. Thank You that You're working all things together for good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Our Forerunner #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Our Forerunner  #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Christ Our Forerunner

The Harbor Pilot

In the ancient harbor of Alexandria, when great ships approached the treacherous waters near the port, small pilot vessels called prodromos would sail out ahead of them. These swift little ships knew every hidden reef, every shifting sandbar, every safe channel through the dangerous shallows. They would guide the larger vessels safely home, having run before them to show the way.

How beautifully this pictures our Lord Jesus Christ, who has gone before us as our prodromos, our forerunner.

The Advance Guard

The Roman legions had an elite unit called the prodromoi,  advance scouts who rode ahead of the main army. They cleared obstacles, secured safe passage, and prepared camps for those who would follow. These brave soldiers faced the unknown dangers first, ensuring a safe path for their comrades.

Christ Jesus is our divine prodromos our heavenly advance guard who has gone before us into glory.

The Promise in Scripture

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
Hebrews 6:19-20 (KJV)

The word "forerunner" here is the Greek prodromos, the same word used for those harbor pilots and military scouts. Jesus has entered the heavenly sanctuary not for Himself alone, but "for us" - as our representative and pathfinder.

As Night Falls

As darkness settles around us tonight, we can rest in this blessed truth: wherever we are going, Jesus has already been there. Every trial we may face tomorrow, He has already conquered. Every fear that troubles our heart, He has already overcome.

Like those pilot ships that safely guided vessels through Alexandria's harbor, our Lord Jesus guides us through the treacherous waters of this life toward our eternal home.

Like those Roman scouts who prepared the way for their army, Christ has prepared a place for us in His Father's house, securing our eternal dwelling.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
-John 14:2-3 (KJV)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, our faithful forerunner, as this day ends and darkness falls, I thank You that You have gone before me into every tomorrow. You have prepared the way, cleared the path, and secured my eternal destination. Let me rest tonight in the confidence that my anchor holds within the veil, where You have entered as my representative. Guide me as surely as those ancient pilots guided ships to safe harbor. In Your precious name, Amen.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

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The Prepared Path #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Prepared Path #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

You know, there's a story about a young woman named Amy Carmichael that has always stuck with me. Back in 1895, she was praying about whether God wanted her to go to Japan as a missionary. She was walking through a garden when she came across a sundial with these words carved into it: "I will make all thy ways prosperous." It was from Joshua 1:8, and she knew in that moment God was calling her to the mission field. What she didn't know was that God wasn't calling her to Japan at all, but to India, where she would rescue thousands of children from temple prostitution and spend fifty-five years without a furlough.

Amy thought she knew where God was leading, but He had a different path prepared, a better path.

Listen to what God told Joshua: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

Now, I've learned something in my years of walking with the Lord, God's idea of prosperity and success isn't always what we think it should be. Amy Carmichael never got rich, never got famous in her lifetime, never even got to come home. But she prospered in ways that mattered eternally. She saved lives, she served faithfully, and she finished strong.

You see, God doesn't just know the path we're on, He's already prepared the path we need to be on. Sometimes that path takes us through valleys we never expected to walk, sometimes it leads us to mountaintops we never dreamed we'd climb. But here's what I've discovered, and this is important: when we're walking in His Word, meditating on His promises, doing what He's called us to do, we're going to find ourselves exactly where He wants us, even when it doesn't look like what we planned.

I think about all the times I thought I knew what God was doing in my life, only to find out later He was working something completely different, something better than I could have imagined. 

God's ways aren't our ways, friends. His thoughts aren't our thoughts. But when we trust His Word, when we meditate on it day and night, when we're determined to live it out no matter what, we can rest assured that He's making our way prosperous in the ways that really matter.

So today, wherever you find yourself on the journey, remember this: God has already been where you're going. He's prepared the path, He's provided what you'll need, and He's promised to be with you every step of the way. That's not just good news, that's great news.

Let's pray. Father, help us trust Your path even when we can't see around the bend. Help us find our prosperity in pleasing You and our success in serving You faithfully. Thank You for preparing the way ahead of us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Other Matrix #RTTBROS #Nightlight #eisenhower #timemanagementtips #Priorities

 Other Matrix #RTTBROS #Nightlight

 "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12

General Dwight Eisenhower had a problem. As Supreme Allied Commander during World War II, he was drowning in decisions. Urgent telegrams, important strategic planning, critical supply issues, and countless other matters competed for his attention every single day. The weight of the free world, quite literally, rested on his shoulders.

It was during this pressure-cooker time that Eisenhower developed what we now call the Eisenhower Matrix, a simple but powerful tool for managing priorities. He divided all tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. This simple framework helped him focus on what truly mattered when the stakes couldn't have been higher.

You know, I think old Moses would have appreciated Eisenhower's wisdom. When Moses penned Psalm 90, he was dealing with his own overwhelming responsibilities, leading a nation through the wilderness for forty years. But in verse 12, Moses gives us perhaps the most practical piece of wisdom in all of Scripture: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

When we truly number our days, like Moses asked God to teach us, we start to see life through Eisenhower's matrix. The urgent but unimportant things, those fires that demand our immediate attention but don't really matter in the long run, they start to lose their grip on us. We begin to focus on what's truly important, even if it's not screaming for our attention today.

I've learned this the hard way, friends. Too soon old and too late smart, as my grandfather used to say. I spent years putting out urgent fires while the truly important things, time with family, investing in relationships, seeking God's heart, those got pushed to the back burner.

But here's the beautiful thing about God's grace. When we ask Him to teach us to number our days, He doesn't just give us a math lesson. He gives us wisdom, the ability to see what really matters from His perspective. He helps us understand that people matter more than projects, that eternity matters more than the temporary.

Friends, we're all flying away sooner than we think. The question is, are we spending our numbered days on what truly matters? Today, let's ask God to teach us what Moses learned. Let's apply our hearts unto wisdom, focusing on what will matter not just today, but for eternity.

Because in the end, it's not how many days we had that matters, it's how we numbered the ones we were given.

Prayer: Father, teach us to number our days. Help us see through the clutter of urgent demands to focus on what truly matters. Give us wisdom to invest our limited time in things that will last for eternity. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Dyslexic's Discovery #greenscreen #nightlight #RTTBROS #Dyslexic #agathachristie

The Dyslexic's Discovery #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Dyslexic's Discovery: When Weakness Becomes Wonder

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In the rolling hills of Devon, England, a young girl sat frustrated at her school desk, tears threatening to spill as letters danced mockingly before her eyes. The words seemed to flip and twist, refusing to hold still long enough for her mind to grasp their meaning. Her teachers shook their heads in disappointment. Her classmates snickered. Reading aloud was agony, and writing felt like trying to capture lightning with her bare hands.

That little girl was Agatha Christie, and she was discovering what millions of dyslexic children know all too well, the crushing weight of being different in a world that demands conformity.

The Prison of Perceived Failure

Dyslexia wasn't even recognized as a learning difference in Christie's era; she was simply labeled as slow, lazy, or unintelligent. The very foundation of education—reading and writing, felt like an insurmountable mountain. While her peers effortlessly decoded words on pages, Agatha's brilliant mind was trapped behind what seemed like an impenetrable barrier.

How many of us carry similar wounds? Perhaps your "dyslexia" isn't with letters but with numbers, social situations, or physical coordination. Maybe you stutter when you speak, struggle with anxiety, or feel awkward in your own skin. The world has a way of making us feel broken, doesn't it? Like we're missing some essential piece that everyone else seems to possess naturally.

The Divine Paradox

But here's where God's economy differs radically from the world's accounting system. Paul discovered this truth when he pleaded with God to remove his "thorn in the flesh", some unnamed struggle that caused him constant difficulty. Instead of healing, God gave him something better: a revelation that would echo through the centuries.

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Perfect. Not adequate. Not acceptable. Perfect. The Greek word for perfect here means to complete, to bring to full development, to achieve the intended purpose. God wasn't just making the best of a bad situation, He was revealing that weakness is the precise condition where His power operates most effectively.

When Disadvantage Becomes Divine Advantage

Christie's dyslexia forced her to develop compensatory skills that would revolutionize mystery writing. Unable to rely on traditional reading and writing methods, she learned to:

Think in pictures and sounds rather than words, creating vivid mental movies of her stories

Develop exceptional memory to compensate for reading difficulties, allowing her to keep complex plot threads straight without extensive notes

Hear dialogue internally with perfect pitch, making her characters come alive through their voices

Approach problems from unique angles, since conventional thinking patterns weren't available to her

What appeared to be a devastating weakness became the foundation of her genius. Her brain, wired differently by necessity, created stories so intricate and compelling that she became the most widely published author in history, with over two billion books sold worldwide.

Agatha Christie's dyslexia wasn't overcome, it was transformed. Her weakness became her wonder, her struggle her strength, her disability her distinctive calling. The same God who worked that miracle in a confused little girl in Devon is ready to work a similar miracle in you.

Your weakness isn't your disqualification; it's your divine appointment. Your disadvantage isn't your downfall; it's your doorway to discovering that His grace truly is sufficient, and His strength truly is made perfect in the very places where you feel most inadequate.

The world may see limitation. God sees limitless possibility. And that makes all the difference.

"The very thing that makes life harder for you might be exactly what makes you irreplaceable to God's purposes."

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The Hidden Hook #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Hidden Hook #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 The Hidden Hook: Why Satan's Best Bait Comes with Invisible Consequences

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:14-15 KJV)

A wise pastor once asked his congregation a simple yet profound question: "Why do fishermen bait their hooks?" The answer, of course, is to hide the hook. If the fish could see the sharp metal beneath the enticing morsel, no amount of bait, no matter how appealing, would entice them to bite.

This illustration perfectly captures the nature of temptation in our spiritual lives. Satan doesn't present sin with a warning label or a list of consequences. Instead, he carefully conceals the "hook" of judgment and destruction beneath attractive bait.

David's Fatal Bite

Consider King David, who fell prey to this very strategy. When he gazed upon Bathsheba's beauty, he saw only the alluring bait. He couldn't see the hidden hook, the devastating consequences that would follow: the death of their child, violence in his household, rebellion from Absalom, and a lifetime of family turmoil.

David was drawn away and enticed by what he saw, but the hook was hidden beneath the surface.

Satan's Strategy

The enemy's strategy hasn't changed since Eden. He presents sin as immediately gratifying while hiding the long-term pain, seemingly harmless while concealing the spiritual damage. If we could see the full cost, the broken relationships, spiritual deadness, separation from God, we would flee like a fish from a visible hook.

Our Defense

How can we protect ourselves? God's Word serves as our spiritual eyes, helping us see beneath temptation's surface.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11 KJV)

When we saturate our minds with Scripture, we learn to ask: What will this cost me spiritually? How will this affect my relationship with God? Is temporary pleasure worth permanent consequences?

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)

God provides a way of escape from every temptation. Often, that escape is simply seeing the situation from His perspective rather than being blinded by the enemy's bait.

Don't let the enemy catch you with hidden hooks. Stay alert, stay in the Word, and remember, if it seems too good to be true, look for the hook.

#HiddenHook #TemptationTrap #SpiritualWarfare

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The Refugee's Restaurant #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Refugee's Restaurant #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 

Scripture: "And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).

Colonel SandersTheme:

It's never too late for God's plan 

At age 62, Harland Sanders was broke and living on Social Security checks of $105 a month. His gas station restaurant had failed when the interstate bypassed his town. But instead of accepting defeat, he loaded his car with his secret chicken recipe and drove across the country, sleeping in the back seat, getting rejected by over 1,000 restaurants. Finally, a restaurant in Salt Lake City said yes to his "finger-lickin' good" chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born when most people would have been settling into retirement.

You know, I've pastored a lot of folks who felt like life had passed them by. They'd look at me with those tired eyes and say, "Pastor, I think I missed my chance. I think God's plan for me got derailed somewhere along the way." I used to think that way myself at times, wondering if my best days were behind me, if I'd somehow fumbled away God's purposes for my life. But here's what I've come to understand about our heavenly Father, and Colonel Sanders helps us see it clear as day. God doesn't punch a time clock. His plans for you don't expire when you hit a certain birthday. That 62-year-old man sleeping in his car wasn't a has-been, he was a about-to-be. All those years of failure and setback weren't wasted time, they were preparation time

Application: God's plans for your life don't have an expiration date. Sometimes the best chapters are written when we think the book is almost over. If you're feeling like you've missed your moment, like it's too late for God to use you in any significant way, I want you to remember Colonel Sanders driving those back roads with nothing but a recipe and a dream. Your greatest contribution to this world might still be ahead of you. Don't let the calendar convince you that God's calendar has run out. He's still got plans, and He's still got time.

 

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Leave The Past #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Leave The Past  #RTTBROS  #Nightlight 

Don't Let Your Past Control Your Future

You know, there's a story in First Samuel chapter 16 that has always grabbed me by the collar and given me a good shake. It's about a prophet named Samuel who was sitting around having himself a pity party. Now, Samuel was no lightweight, he was a prophet, a priest, and a judge all rolled into one. But here he was, mourning over King Saul like a man at a funeral that wouldn't end.

God had rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience and division he'd caused, and Samuel just couldn't seem to get past it. He was stuck like a duck on a frozen pond, going nowhere fast. That's when the Lord spoke up with some words that ought to make all of us sit up and take notice: "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1).

Now think about what God was asking Samuel to do here. He wanted him to fill his horn with oil, walk right past the current king who was still sitting on the throne, and go anoint the future king. Talk about some bold faith! God was telling Samuel to anoint his future while his past was still breathing and taking up space.

That's exactly what God was telling Samuel, and I believe it's what He's telling some of us today. You see, we have a choice to make. We can keep sitting there mourning over our past, or we can get up, fill our horn with oil, and go anoint our future. We can meditate on what went wrong, or we can meditate on Scripture. We can keep talking about the hurt, or we can talk about God's goodness.

You know what? You're not going to overcome your past by remaining in your past. Sometimes you have to make no apologies for what God is doing in you, even when others don't understand it. God is doing a new thing, and that's a good thing.

So here's my challenge for you today: don't allow what God has rejected to control your life. Fill your horn with oil and walk right past that thing that's got you stuck. Your future is waiting to be anointed, but you've got to get up from that pity party and move toward what God has prepared for you.

Remember, as we used to say back home, you're "too soon old and too late smart" to waste any more time mourning over what God has already said no to. He's got something better waiting, but you've got to be willing to leave the past where it belongs and step into His new thing.

---

May God bless you as you choose to anoint your future instead of mourning your past.

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A Powerful Prescription #RTTBROS #Nightlight

A Powerful Prescription #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

In the Sweet By and By" 

"There’s a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar;

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Refrain:

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore."

In heaven, we will be with God forever!

"Revelation 21:3 KJVS - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3)

Looking at this beautiful hymn and its story, I'm struck by how God can use the simplest moments to create something that touches hearts for generations.

Back in 1868, pharmacist Samuel Fillmore Bennett was working in his drugstore when his friend Joseph Webster walked in looking particularly blue. Joseph was a local musician who sometimes battled depression, and on this day his face was long with discouragement. When Samuel asked what was wrong, Joseph replied, "It's no matter, it will be alright by and by."

Those words hit Samuel like a flash of inspiration. He sat down at his desk and began writing as fast as he could, the words coming almost instantly. When customers entered the store, Samuel was too absorbed to help them - they just visited with Joseph by the old stove while Samuel scribbled away.

Finally, Samuel handed his friend the paper and said, "Here is your prescription, Joe. I hope it works." Joseph read the words aloud, and instantly a tune came to him. He picked up his fiddle, played the melody, and suggested they try singing it as a quartet. Just as they finished, another customer walked in and declared, "Gentlemen, I've never heard that song before, but I think it will be immortal."

He was right. In less than thirty minutes, in an ordinary drugstore, God used one man's discouragement and another's inspiration to create a hymn we've been singing for over a century.

Here's how we can apply this to our lives:

Look for God in ordinary moments. Samuel didn't need a cathedral to write an immortal hymn. He needed a friend, a piece of paper, and a heart tuned to heaven. God's still working in everyday places today.

Turn your struggles into stepping stones. Joseph's blues became the catalyst for a song of hope. Your difficult season might be exactly what God wants to use to bless someone else walking the same path.

Speak hope into discouragement. When you see someone struggling, don't just say "hang in there." Point them to the eternal perspective. Sometimes people need reminded that this isn't all there is.

Live with eternity in view. If we really believe heaven is our destination, it ought to change how we handle today's troubles. They're real, they hurt, but they're temporary.

So the next time you're feeling discouraged, remember that your "by and by" moment might be just around the corner. After all, heaven's gonna be sweeter than we can imagine, and until we get there, we've got work to do and hope to share.

 

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A Fixed Heart

A Fixed Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

A Fixed Heart 

Psalm 57:7 - "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise."

You know, I was reading about those guided missiles the other day, and it got me thinking about something David said in Psalm 57. These modern missiles have what they call a "guidance system" that locks onto a target and stays fixed on it no matter what tries to throw it off course. Wind, weather, even enemy countermeasures can't shake it loose once it's locked on.

Now, David was hiding in a cave when he wrote these words. King Saul was hunting him like a wild animal, his own people had turned against him, and everything in his world seemed to be coming apart at the seams. But right there in verse 7, David makes this remarkable declaration: "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."

I love that he said it twice, don't you? It wasn't just a casual comment, it was a determined declaration. His heart was locked onto God like one of those guided missiles locked onto its target.

You see, David understood something that took me way too long to learn in my own life. When everything around us is shaking and shifting, when circumstances are changing faster than we can keep up with them, we need something fixed, something steady to anchor our hearts to. And that something isn't a plan, it's a Person.

David wasn't saying his circumstances were fixed, he was saying his heart was fixed. His situation was still a mess, Saul was still after him, but his heart had found its target and locked on.

The word "fixed" here means established, steady, prepared. It's the same word used when builders talk about a foundation being fixed in place. When a foundation is truly fixed, the house can weather any storm.

Here's what I've learned: when our hearts are truly fixed on God, we stop being spiritual weather vanes, spinning with every wind that blows our way. Instead, we become like those old oak trees that bend in the storm but never break because their roots go deep.

David's heart was fixed on God's character, fixed on God's promises, fixed on God's plan even when he couldn't see how it would all work out. And because his heart was anchored, he could sing and give praise right there in that dark cave.

Friend, whatever cave you might find yourself in today, whatever Saul might be chasing you, remember this: you can fix your heart on the One who never changes, never fails, and never gives up on His children. When your heart is truly fixed on Him, you'll find that you can sing praise songs even in the darkest places.

As that great old hymn says, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." Fix your heart there, and watch how steady life becomes, even when the storms are raging all around you.

Let's pray: "Lord, help us fix our hearts on You today. In a world that's constantly shifting and changing, anchor our souls to Your unchanging love and faithfulness. Help us to sing Your praises even in the caves of life. In Jesus' name, Amen."

 

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Don't Worry I Got This #greenscreen #Nightlight #RTTBROS

Don't Worry I Got This #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

You know what I love about that verse? Jesus is reminding us that God doesn't abdicate His throne when we're going through tough times. He's still on the job, still taking care of His kids, still working behind the scenes in ways we can't even see.

I've learned over the years that most people are doing the best they can with the knowledge and understanding they have, and that includes us when we're struggling financially or emotionally. But here's what I've also learned, God sees it all. He knows when we're at the end of our rope, when we're wondering how we're going to make it through another day.

And friend, if you're in one of those seasons right now, let me encourage you. God hasn't forgotten about you. He hasn't abandoned His post. Sometimes His provision comes through unexpected friends, sometimes through opportunities we didn't see coming, and sometimes through simply giving us the strength to take one more step.

The next time you're feeling overwhelmed, remember those little birds Jesus talked about. They don't have retirement accounts or savings plans, but they wake up every morning singing because they know their Father will provide what they need for that day.

And if God takes care of the sparrows, how much more will He take care of you?

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The Name #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Name #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 The Weight of a Name

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7

I remember growing up in a home where words mattered. My grandmother, God rest her soul, would gently correct us kids if we said "gosh" or "golly," reminding us that even these seemingly innocent expressions were ways of tiptoeing around the sacred name of God. At the time, I thought she was being overly strict. Now, with a few more years under my belt and hopefully a little more wisdom, I understand what she was trying to teach us about reverence.

There's a story that's always stuck with me about the great missionary Hudson Taylor. When he was serving in China, he noticed that the Chinese people would bow deeply whenever they mentioned the name of their emperor, even in casual conversation. This got Hudson thinking about how carelessly he and other Christians often threw around the name of the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, without so much as a pause or a moment of reverence.

You see, when we take God's name in vain, we're emptying His name of its meaning and power. The Hebrew word for "vain" literally means "empty" or "worthless." It's like taking a precious family heirloom and using it as a doorstop.

David understood this when he wrote, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7). For David, God's name was a fortress to run into, a source of strength when everything else failed.

How we treat God's name reveals how we view God Himself. His name represents His character, His faithfulness, His love, His power. When we call on His name in genuine prayer, we're connecting with the very heart of heaven. Let's treat His name with the honor it deserves.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for the times we've treated Your holy name carelessly. Help us to remember that Your name is precious, powerful, and worthy of our deepest reverence. May we honor You not just with our words, but with our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Wait And See #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Wait And See #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

 Wait and See 

"God is at work in this. I need to wait and see what He does."

These profound words from my Father-In-Law, Jesse Dunn, a nearly 90-year-old saint carry the weight of deep spiritual wisdom. In our instant gratification world, this experienced believer has discovered a truth many struggle to embrace: God's apparent silence is not His absence, but His active presence working in ways we cannot yet see.

The Wrestling of Unanswered Prayer

How often do we echo the psalmist's cry: "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?" (Psalm 13:1). We pour out our hearts in prayer, expecting swift answers, only to be met with what feels like heavenly silence. Our natural response is frustration or doubt.

But my wise father in law has learned what many never discover: unanswered prayer is not unheard prayer. Every sincere petition reaches the throne of grace, and our sovereign God responds according to His perfect will and timing, not ours.

Divine Timing and Trust

The prophet Isaiah reminds us: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). God operates from an eternal perspective while we see only the present moment. What appears as delay may actually be divine preparation.

Consider Lazarus. When Jesus received word that His friend was ill, "he abode two days still in the same place" (John 11:6). Mary and Martha wondered why their urgent message seemed ignored. Yet Jesus had a greater purpose not merely to heal sickness, but to demonstrate His power over death itself.

Expectant Waiting

There's a profound difference between passive resignation and active, expectant waiting. Jesse's words reveal not defeat, but faith filled anticipation. He has learned to say with the psalmist: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart" (Psalm 27:14).

This waiting acknowledges that our loving Father is always at work, even when we cannot trace His hand. It trusts that He "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Ephesians 1:11) with purposes that transcend our understanding.

The Wisdom of Age

There's something beautiful about hearing such words from someone who has lived nearly a century. This man has witnessed world wars, upheavals, and countless trials. Through it all, he has learned that God's track record is perfect, even when His methods are mysterious. His patient faith comes not from naivety, but from a lifetime of seeing God work in unexpected ways and perfect timing.

Living in the Meanwhile

Today, as you bring your requests before God, remember this godly patriarch's wisdom. When the heavens seem silent and your prayers appear unanswered, choose to declare: "God is at work in this. I need to wait and see what He does."

Let your heart find rest knowing that "the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (Psalm 138:8). Trust that the God who numbers your hairs is intimately aware of your situation and working with perfect wisdom on your behalf.

In the waiting, worship. In the silence, trust. In the mystery, marvel. For our God is always at work, and His timing is always perfect.

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

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