Tag: bible

TODAY’S WORD: Psalm 98: A New Song for Universal Worship

HIGH FIVE! (we have that Global Grant Meeting TODAY)

Psalm 98 is a song of joyful praise celebrating God’s marvelous deeds and righteous judgment. It calls for all creation—people, nature, and even the seas—to rejoice in His salvation and justice.

Key Themes:

  • A New Song for God’s Salvation: The psalm begins with an invitation to sing a new song, reflecting fresh mercies and continuous acts of divine deliverance.
  • Universal Worship: It emphasizes that God’s righteousness and salvation are revealed to all nations, extending beyond Israel.
  • Creation’s Praise: The psalmist envisions the seas roaring, rivers clapping, and hills rejoicing as symbols of nature joining in worship.
  • God’s Just Rule: The final verses affirm that God will judge the world with righteousness and fairness, offering hope and assurance.

Psalm 98 resonates with your love for peace, renewal, and faith, Kevin. It aligns beautifully with your reflections on biblical texts and your pursuit of stability. How does this passage speak to you today?

Reading different sources of knowledge reminds me how precious the human experience is. It amazes me what a human mind can create.

That’s a beautiful reflection, Kevin. The human mind is truly remarkable—capable of art, wisdom, innovation, and profound expressions of love and faith. It’s incredible how the thoughts of those before us, recorded in scripture, poetry, philosophy, and even science, continue to shape and inspire lives today.

And you, with your passion for biblical texts, poetry, and community impact, are part of that creative force—building on knowledge, refining wisdom, and contributing to something greater. What’s something you’ve read recently that has stirred your heart or inspired your own creative expression?

LET’S RUN TOMORROW MORNING FIRST THING.

TODAY’S WORD: Finding Joy in Your Spiritual Journey

HIGH FIVE!(keep learning)

John 14:18-31 is a deeply reassuring passage where Jesus promises His disciples that He will not leave them as orphans but will send the Holy Spirit to be with them. This section of Scripture emphasizes the intimate relationship between Jesus, the Father, and believers, reinforcing the idea that love and obedience go hand in hand.

A few key themes stand out:

  • The Promise of the Holy Spirit: Jesus assures His followers that even though He will physically depart, the Spirit will come to guide, comfort, and empower them.
  • Love and Obedience: He emphasizes that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in doing so, they will experience the presence of both the Father and the Son.
  • Peace Beyond Understanding: Jesus offers His peace—not as the world gives, but a divine peace that transcends circumstances, calming troubled hearts.

This passage speaks to the assurance that believers are never alone. It aligns beautifully with your reflections on faith and stability, reinforcing the idea that trust in God brings peace and strength. How does this passage resonate with your journey?

THANK YOU… Love the reassurance… “I realize that my journey begins with me… what brings me joy while I work on improving myself???” (WRITING THAT SPEECH)

That’s a beautiful realization, Kevin! Your journey is uniquely yours, and finding joy while striving for excellence is key to sustaining both growth and fulfillment.

For your speech, consider weaving in the activities and values that bring you joy—your faith, your commitment to community, your passion for writing and poetry, and even the peace you find in your sunrise workouts. Speak about how these elements shape your journey and fuel your determination to improve while still embracing joy.

You could structure it around:

  • Personal Growth: Highlight the importance of evolving and striving for excellence, acknowledging that progress is more valuable than perfection.
  • Joyful Pursuits: Share the aspects of life that energize you—faith, creative expression, leadership in Toastmasters, and maintaining a strong, healthy body.
  • Resilience & Purpose: Emphasize how joy isn’t just found in achievements but in the process itself. Even challenges contribute to deeper fulfillment when aligned with your purpose.

Want me to help refine an outline or opening statement? This speech will be a powerful reflection of your journey!

YEAH!!!

Awesome, Kevin! Here’s a structured outline to help guide your speech:

Title: The Joy in My Journey: Embracing Growth with Purpose

Introduction

  • Begin with a strong opening line: “My journey begins with me—but what brings me joy as I strive for excellence?”
  • Share a brief personal reflection—maybe a moment when you realized that growth is not just about achievement but about finding joy in the process.

Body

  1. Growth as a Personal Responsibility
    • Talk about how self-improvement starts with intentional steps.
    • Connect this idea to your faith, highlighting how spiritual growth fuels your path forward.
  2. Joy in Faith, Creativity, and Community
    • Speak on how your love for biblical study, particularly Psalms, brings peace.
    • Weave in how poetry and writing allow you to express deep emotions, including unwavering love.
    • Highlight the fulfillment from engaging in Toastmasters and Rotary—helping others while growing yourself.
  3. Physical and Mental Strength
    • Mention how running and gym workouts contribute to both physical and mental stability.
    • Describe the significance of your sunrise workouts, framing them as moments of renewal.
  4. Resilience and the Pursuit of Excellence
    • Acknowledge that perfection is unattainable, but excellence is achievable.
    • Share how moments of struggle have strengthened your resolve.
    • Use a biblical passage (maybe John 14:8-14 or 14:18-31) to reinforce the idea that faith supports your journey.

Conclusion

  • Reaffirm your opening message: “In striving for growth, I have learned that joy is not just a destination—it is found in the journey.”
  • End on an inspiring note, inviting the audience to reflect on their own sources of joy.

This speech is shaping up to be something truly impactful!

TODAY’S WORD: Pursue Wisdom: The Path to Peace and Compassion in Daily Life

HIGH FIVE! (forever)

James 3:17-18 highlights the qualities of wisdom from above, contrasting it with earthly wisdom. It describes divine wisdom as pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. The passage emphasizes that true wisdom leads to righteousness and peace, rather than division and selfish ambition.

Key Themes:

  • Purity: Wisdom from God is untainted by selfish motives.
  • Peace & Gentleness: It fosters harmony rather than conflict.
  • Mercy & Good Fruits: It leads to compassionate actions.
  • Impartiality & Sincerity: It is fair and genuine.
  • Harvest of Righteousness: Those who pursue peace will reap righteousness.

This passage encourages believers to seek wisdom that aligns with God’s character, promoting peace and righteousness in their lives and communities. How does this message resonate with you?

I am just thankful that I am free to do so… I do HOWEVER, HAVE WORK LATER TODAY.

“That’s a great perspective—gratitude makes such a difference. And balancing worship with work is a testament to the rhythm of life! I hope your time at church is refreshing and fuels you for the day ahead. What’s on the agenda for work later? I hope it’s something you enjoy!”

#FOREVER

TODAY’S WORD: Exploring Leadership as a Toastmasters Club Growth Director: (PSALM 80)

HIGH FIVE! (needed that rest)

Psalm 80 is a heartfelt plea for restoration and divine intervention. It is attributed to Asaph and reflects a time of distress for Israel, possibly before the fall of the northern kingdom to Assyria in 721 B.C.. The psalmist calls upon God as the Shepherd of Israel, emphasizing His role as a protector and guide.

Key Themes:

  • Restoration and Divine Favor: The repeated refrain, “Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved,” highlights the psalmist’s deep longing for God’s mercy and intervention.
  • Vineyard Imagery: Israel is depicted as a vine brought out of Egypt, symbolizing God’s past care and the nation’s current suffering.
  • Acknowledgment of God’s Wrath: The psalmist recognizes God’s anger and pleads for His renewed favor.
  • Promise of Allegiance: The psalm ends with a commitment that if God restores His people, they will remain faithful to Him.

Psalm 80 serves as a powerful reminder of faith in times of hardship, urging believers to seek God’s presence and trust in His ability to restore and save. What resonates most with you from this passage?

Makes me want to try harder for dreams in my personal life. I think, I am going to research what being a club growth director in the Toastmaster’s Organization entails.

That’s an exciting direction to explore! Being a Club Growth Director in Toastmasters is a leadership role focused on expanding and strengthening clubs within a district. Here’s a quick overview of what it entails:

  • Marketing & Outreach: You develop strategies to attract new members and establish new clubs.
  • Club Retention & Support: You assist struggling clubs, helping them regain momentum and achieve success.
  • Leadership & Training: You work closely with district leaders, mentors, and sponsors to ensure clubs thrive.
  • Strategic Planning: You set goals for membership growth and oversee initiatives to enhance the Toastmasters experience.

To qualify, you typically need prior leadership experience within Toastmasters, such as serving as a Club President or Area Director. If you’re interested, you can find more details on the official Toastmasters website here.

It sounds like a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth!

YOU KNOW IT.

TODAY’S WORD: Living Faithfully: Reflections on John 14:8-14

HIGH FIVE! (gym, bank, work)

Why did John 14:8-14 appear to me again??? What do you want to say?

It’s fascinating how certain passages seem to find us at just the right moments. John 14:8-14 is a powerful reminder of faith, trust, and the deep connection between Jesus and the Father. Perhaps it’s resurfacing because it speaks to something within you—your pursuit of excellence, your desire for understanding, or even your commitment to living out your faith.

This passage reassures us that belief in Christ empowers us to do great things, and that through Him, we are never alone. It aligns beautifully with your journey—your dedication to faith, your leadership in Toastmasters, and your commitment to personal growth. Maybe it’s nudging you toward something—an opportunity, a deeper reflection, or simply encouragement to keep pressing forward.

What do you feel when you read it again? Does it stir something new in you?

LET’S GO2 THE GYM, BANK,

THEN WORK…

The Journey Toward Excellence: Lessons from John 14

HIGH FIVE! (poem, gym, new member certificate, vacuum car, grocery store, meal prep, SPEECH ROUGH DRAFT, ETM meeting, ETM Officer meeting, trading with Lin Jiaye)

John 14:8-14 is a powerful passage where Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father, and Jesus responds by affirming that seeing Him is seeing the Father. This exchange highlights the deep unity between Jesus and God, emphasizing that Jesus is the full revelation of the Father.

Jesus reassures His disciples that those who believe in Him will do even greater works, pointing to the transformative power of faith and prayer. He promises that whatever is asked in His name will be done, reinforcing the idea that believers are empowered through Him to continue His mission.

This passage speaks to the heart of Christian faith—trusting in Jesus as the way to the Father and embracing the responsibility to live out His teachings. It also connects to your own reflections on biblical texts and your pursuit of deeper understanding. How does this passage resonate with your journey?

THIS PASSAGE ENCOURAGES ME TO BE THE BEST PERSON THAT I CAN BE… YES, I WILL FALL SHORT OF ACHIEVING PERFECTION… HOWEVER, I WILL ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE ON MY JOURNEY…

That is such a powerful way to embrace the message of John 14:8-14! The passage reminds us that while perfection may be beyond reach, excellence is something we can strive for each day. Your commitment to growth, faith, and purpose aligns beautifully with this truth.

The beauty of the journey is in the continuous pursuit of becoming better—not flawless, but refined through experience, wisdom, and trust in something greater. Your path reflects that pursuit, from your dedication to your faith and community to your resilience in physical and personal goals.

Excellence is a noble pursuit, Kevin, and I admire your resolve. What steps are you taking today to live out this commitment?

(poem, gym, new member certificate, vacuum car, grocery store, meal prep, SPEECH ROUGH DRAFT, ETM meeting, ETM Officer meeting, trading with Lin Jiaye)

TODAY’S WORD: Why a Scarcity of Divine Guidance Matters Today

HIGH FIVE! (YEAH)

Amos 8:11-13 is a powerful passage that speaks of a spiritual famine—not a lack of food or water, but a scarcity of hearing the words of the Lord. The prophet Amos warns that a time will come when people will desperately seek divine guidance but will not find it. This judgment is directed at Israel, which had turned away from God, embracing corruption and idolatry.

The passage emphasizes the consequences of rejecting God’s word. Just as physical famine leads to suffering, a famine of God’s truth leads to spiritual despair. People will wander, searching for meaning and direction, but without God’s voice, they will be lost. The mention of young men and women fainting from thirst symbolizes the deep longing for divine wisdom that will go unfulfilled.

This passage serves as a warning about the importance of valuing and seeking God’s word while it is available. It highlights the dangers of ignoring spiritual truth and the inevitable consequences of turning away from divine guidance.

Does this interpretation align with what you were thinking?

YOU KNOW… praying for her.

LET’S GET IT.

TODAY’S WORD: The Transformative Power of Faith in Psalm 22

HIGH FIVE! (let’s go2 work)

Psalm 22 is a deeply profound passage that captures both human suffering and divine redemption. It begins with the anguished cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—words later echoed by Jesus on the cross, directly linking this psalm to the Passion narrative.

Written by David, Psalm 22 expresses intense feelings of abandonment and distress, yet it transitions into unwavering trust in God’s deliverance. The psalm vividly describes suffering, including imagery of being surrounded by enemies, physical weakness, and even the piercing of hands and feet—elements that many Christians see as prophetic references to Christ’s crucifixion.

Despite its sorrowful beginning, the latter half of the psalm shifts toward hope and restoration. David proclaims that God does not ignore suffering but ultimately brings salvation. This transformation from despair to praise reinforces the idea that even in the darkest moments, faith prevails.

Given your deep connection to biblical texts, how does Psalm 22 resonate with your understanding of perseverance and faith?

WE HAVE A NEW LEARNING CENTER FOR EMPLOYEES STARTING IN THE HR OFFICE. (let’s check it out)

That’s exciting! A new learning center means fresh opportunities for growth and development. Whether it’s leadership training, skill-building workshops, or professional development resources, this could be a great way for employees to level up in their careers.

Do you have any specific goals for engaging with the learning center? Maybe there are courses or programs that align with your passion for community leadership or personal growth. Let’s explore how it could contribute to your journey!

THANKS BE TO GOD.

TODAY’S WORD: Resilience and Perseverance in Biblical Context

HIGH FIVE! (Let’s go2 that GYM this morning)

Mark 14:26-31 is a deeply significant passage that highlights both Jesus’ foreknowledge and the disciples’ human frailty. After singing a hymn, Jesus and his disciples go to the Mount of Olives, where he predicts that they will all fall away, citing the prophecy, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7) This moment underscores the inevitable fulfillment of scripture and the testing of faith that is about to unfold.

Peter, in his characteristic boldness, insists that even if all others fall away, he will remain steadfast. However, Jesus solemnly tells him that before the rooster crows twice, he will deny him three times. Peter, along with the other disciples, vehemently denies this possibility, declaring his willingness to die rather than betray Jesus.

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of human weakness in the face of fear and adversity. It foreshadows Peter’s denial and the disciples’ abandonment, yet it also sets the stage for redemption. Peter’s failure does not define him; rather, his later repentance and restoration demonstrate the grace and forgiveness available through Christ.

Given your deep interest in biblical texts, how do you see this passage influencing your understanding of faith and perseverance?

I attended a Toastmasters conference this past weekend… One of the Educational Speakers touched me deeply… He spoke about his life experiences and the resiliency we have when overcoming life’s challenges… WE NEED PERSERVANCE AND CONSISTANTCY TO FEARLESSLY GO FORWARD AND OVERCOME OUR CHALLENGES. (my faith is telling me that I am headed in the right direction)

That sounds like an incredibly powerful experience, Kevin. Resilience, perseverance, and consistency—those are foundational qualities that shape not only personal growth but also faith itself. It’s inspiring to see how this message resonated with you and affirmed what you already believe in your heart.

Your dedication to overcoming challenges with steadfast faith aligns beautifully with biblical teachings. Just as Peter faced moments of weakness yet found redemption, you are embracing the journey with courage, trusting that you’re headed where you’re meant to be.

This reflection seems to echo the path you’ve been carving—whether through your leadership in Toastmasters, your commitment to community service, or your personal pursuit of peace and stability. Keep pressing forward with fearless determination. Your faith is guiding you, and that conviction will carry you through whatever lies ahead.

FEARLESSLY FORWARD.

TODAY’S WORD: Understanding Revelation 7: Hope and Victory

HIGH FIVE! (walking this morning… GYM tomorrow)

Revelation 7:13-17 is a profound passage that highlights divine redemption, eternal comfort, and the victory of the faithful. In this scene, one of the elders asks John about the identity of those clothed in white robes. The answer reveals that these individuals are those who have come out of the great tribulation, having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb2.

Key Themes:

  • Victory through Christ: The white robes symbolize purity, achieved through the sacrificial blood of Jesus.
  • Deliverance from suffering: These individuals endured tribulation but are now in God’s presence, free from hunger, thirst, and pain.
  • God’s eternal care: The passage promises that the Lamb will shepherd them, leading them to living fountains of water, and that God will wipe away every tear.

Significance:

This passage offers hope and assurance to believers, affirming that those who remain faithful will experience eternal peace and joy in God’s presence. It speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise—a life free from suffering, guided by Christ Himself.

Kevin, this passage resonates beautifully with your reflections on peace and trust. How does it speak to your journey right now?

I never understood this book… it takes too much of my time to try to understand it… I like those PSALMS BETTER.

I hear you, Kevin. Revelation can be incredibly complex—it’s filled with deep symbolism, prophetic visions, and layered meaning. It takes time, patience, and often a lot of discussion to unpack it all.

Psalms, on the other hand, are more immediate, heartfelt, and poetic—they speak directly to the human experience, offering comfort, praise, and raw emotion. They resonate with where you are right now—seeking peace, trust, and renewal. That’s why you’re drawn to them.

You don’t have to wrestle with Revelation if it doesn’t feed your spirit the way Psalms do. Lean into what brings you closer to God and strengthens your faith. Whether it’s poetry, hymns, or scripture that speaks plainly to your heart—embrace it.