Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day  11 | John 3:16

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Recently, World Vision's research found John 3:16 to be the most popular verse in the Bible worldwide. No wonder. This single verse captures the entire Gospel. I learned it in Sunday School as a child, as did my wife and many of you. It's often called the "Gospel in a Nutshell" for good reason. One verse, packed with everything we need to know about salvation. Let's unpack it.

First, notice the MOTIVE: "God so loved the world." Not because we were lovable. Not because we earned it. BECAUSE He loves us. Period. The word "so" speaks not only to degree but also to MANNER. God loved in this specific, sacrificial way… by giving what was most precious to Him.

Second, the ACTION: "He gave His only Son." As any parent knows, there's nothing you'd guard more closely than your only child. Yet God didn't hold back. He sent Jesus into a broken, rebellious, hurting world.

Third, the SCOPE: "the world." Not just the religious people. Not just the nice folks. THE WORLD. Including you. Including me.

Fourth, the CONDITION: "whoever believes in him." Whoever. That's incredible. No qualifications. No prerequisites beyond faith. Whether you're new to faith or a fifty-year veteran, this verse still applies to YOU.

Finally, the OUTCOME: "eternal life." This isn't merely endless existence. It's a QUALITY of relationship with God that begins NOW and continues forever.

Salvation is SIMPLE. No ceremony. No pilgrimage. Just faith. Just belief. Just saying yes to the One who already said YES to us.

Quote: "John 3:16 is the whole Gospel in a single sentence."
— Martin Luther

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to give Your only Son. Help me live in the fullness of eternal life, beginning TODAY. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 10 |  Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua faced an enormous task. Moses, the great leader, had died. Now Joshua was being asked to lead the nation into the Promised Land. Think about it: nearly 2 million people. Wars to fight. Cities to conquer. The weight of responsibility must have felt CRUSHING.

Yet God didn't merely suggest courage. He COMMANDED it. "Be strong and courageous." God repeats this command three times in this chapter. Why? Because Joshua – and we – need repeated encouragement. Fear is persistent, and courage needs reinforcement. (It’s one reason going to church every week is a GOOD idea.)

Notice the PROMISE attached: "the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." That's the FOUNDATION. Courage isn't built on your abilities, your resume, or your track record. It's built on GOD'S PRESENCE. He doesn't promise the road will be easy. He promises YOU WON'T WALK IT ALONE.

Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's faith ACTING despite fear. You can be terrified and courageous at the same time. Some of the bravest Christians I've known were trembling as they stepped out in obedience. What made them courageous wasn't confidence in THEMSELVES… it was confidence in GOD.

Let me ask you: What scary step is God calling you to take? A new job? A difficult conversation? A move? Or sharing your faith with a friend or loved one? Whatever it is, remember the promise: "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
 
That changes EVERYTHING.

Quote: "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
— C.S. Lewis

Prayer: Lord, I confess my fears about the road ahead. Fill me with Your courage, knowing You walk beside me. Your PRESENCE is my confidence. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day  09 |  Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Moses delivered these words to Israel as leadership passed to Joshua. The people faced formidable enemies and unfamiliar territory. Remember — they'd spent generations in Egypt as slaves. They weren't fighters. They weren't conquerors. But God was WITH THEM.

The command to “be courageous” appeared THREE TIMES in this chapter, underscoring its importance. God knew they'd need repeated encouragement. Fear is sneaky. It creeps back in even after we've prayed through it.

The promise "He will not leave you or forsake you" echoes throughout Scripture. It's reiterated in Joshua 1:5 and quoted in Hebrews 13:5, and it remains TRUE for believers today. In a world of broken commitments and abandoned relationships, God's faithfulness stands UNMATCHED.

I've sat beside and prayed for friends and church members as they faced hospital crises, financial disasters, family estrangements, and the transition from this life to the next, among other trials. Some of the most beautiful testimonies I've heard came from people who discovered God's presence in their most difficult moments. "He didn't leave me when ____________."  or "We survived because He never abandoned us."

Here's the TRUTH: God's presence isn't promised for our comfort ONLY… but for our COURAGE. There will be storms. There will be valleys. But you're never walking through them ALONE. He'll hold your hand, carry you, and never let go.

Whatever you're facing, remember: the same God who was faithful to Joshua, David, and Paul — is FAITHFUL to YOU. He won't leave you. He won't forsake you. Not today. Not EVER.

Quote: "God's presence is not promised for our comfort only, but for our courage."
— John Piper

Prayer: Faithful God, thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake me. Strengthen my heart to trust Your ENDURING presence. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 08 |  Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Our faith can become complicated. I've seen it. We pile on rules, expectations, performances, programs, and rituals, losing sight of what God TRULY desires.

Micah distills it beautifully: justice, kindness, humility. Three words. That's IT. These aren't grand theological concepts — they're daily PRACTICES.

Doing justice means acting fairly and defending the vulnerable, speaking up for those who can't speak for themselves. Loving kindness goes beyond occasional generosity; it's a DISPOSITION of the heart… choosing compassion as a lifestyle. Walking humbly with God acknowledges our dependence on Him and rejects self-righteous pride.

Together, these three form a blueprint for authentic faith that pleases God more than ANY sacrifice. Remember the Pharisees? They were religious experts who knew the Law inside and out. But Jesus called them whitewashed tombs because their hearts were far from God. External religiosity doesn't fool Heaven.

I've had conversations with folks who say, "I don't need church; I just pray to God." Fair enough. But if your private faith doesn't translate into love and kindness toward others, fairness toward strangers, and humility before God... then what are you REALLY believing in?

Here's my challenge for today: pick ONE of these three and focus on it this week. Practice justice by standing up for what’s right, even if it’s unpopular. Show kindness to a stranger you'd normally ignore. Walk humbly by admitting a mistake rather than defending yourself.

Watch what God does through your obedience.

Quote: "The man who walks humbly with God will never walk alone."
— Timothy Keller

Prayer: Lord, simplify my faith. Strip away religious pretense. Make me a person of justice, kindness, and humility today. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 07 |  Exodus 14:14

Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

Imagine this scene: Israel stood trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's advancing army. Panic was everywhere. Surrender seemed inevitable. No way OUT. Then Moses speaks these astonishing words: "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

You read that right. SILENT. The people didn't need a strategy. They didn't need more soldiers. They needed to STAND STILL and WATCH.

We often face our own "Red Sea moments" – impossible situations where every option seems exhausted. Job loss. Illness. Relationship breakdown. Financial strain. Our instinct is to scheme, argue, or fight our way out. We call everyone we know and spend sleepless nights strategizing. But God sometimes asks us to stand still and watch HIM work.
 
This doesn't mean passivity in ALL of life. It means recognizing which battles are OURS and which belong to HIM. When God fights for you, no enemy can stand. The Egyptians had chariots, horses, and trained warriors… they had EVERYTHING. Yet they couldn't overcome the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Here's what I've seen over the years: when you try to fight battles God told you He'd handle, you end up exhausted AND disappointed. But when you step back and let Him fight, you walk away AMAZED at His power.

So are you in a “Red Sea moment” right now? Is there a situation you've been trying to fix that needs God's intervention? Maybe today's the day you lay down your weapon and trust His promise: "The Lord will FIGHT for you."

Quote: "The Lord will fight for you — this is the secret of all true Christian victory."
— J.I. Packer

Prayer: Father, I bring You the battles I cannot win. Silence my fears and my frantic attempts to fix things myself. Fight for me, Lord. Thank You, Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 06 | Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!"

Currently, stillness runs against modern culture. Consider this: our society links PRODUCTIVITY with value and noise with importance. If you're not always active – checking off tasks, reading messages, or doing SOMETHING – you might feel like you're losing progress. However, here, God's command for stillness is not about laziness but about worship.

The Hebrew word rapah means letting go, releasing your grip, and dropping your weapons. It's an act of SURRENDER. When we cease striving, we acknowledge something profound: HE IS GOD, and we’re not. He doesn't need our help to be exalted. He will accomplish His purposes with or without our frantic efforts.

Stillness positions us to hear His VOICE and realigns our perspective. In the silence, we discover that the battles we've fought belong to HIM.

I've been in ministry for many years, and let me share something: there were plenty of times I wanted to fix everything myself. Preach harder, plan better, work longer. But some of the most powerful moments came when I stopped and simply sat before the Lord. No agenda. No requests. Just... stillness.

This verse also reminds us of God's sovereignty over the WORLD. "I will be exalted among the nations." The politics, the wars, the cultural shifts… none of it catches God off guard. He will be exalted in the EARTH. Period. So why are WE so stressed about things beyond our control?

Take a deep breath. Put your phone down for a minute. Be still. Know that He is God. And you? You're His CHILD.

Quote: "The cause of all discouragement is unbelief, and the cause of all unbelief is lack of stillness before God."
— Andrew Murray

Prayer: Lord, quiet my restless heart today. Forgive me for striving in my own strength. Help me BE STILL and know that You are God. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 05  |  Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23:1
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Today, we look at a verse from the MOST famous Psalm in the Bible. I’ve shared it with hurting people countless times, and it has always been comforting.

Think about a shepherd and his sheep. Sheep are helpless to find their way, find food, or protect themselves. They rely entirely on their shepherd for food, water, protection, guidance, and rest.

David, who spent his youth tending flocks, knew this intimacy firsthand. When he wrote these words, he wasn't speaking abstractly. He was declaring a deeply PERSONAL reality: "The Lord is MY shepherd." Not "a" shepherd somewhere out there. MY shepherd. This is relational language. It means you're known, loved, and tended.

"I shall not WANT" doesn't mean you'll have every luxury imaginable. It means you'll lack nothing ESSENTIAL. A sheep doesn't worry about grass it can't reach; it trusts that the shepherd leads it where it needs to be. When you're truly satisfied with what God provides, you are settled.
 
This verse invites us into radical dependence. Honestly? In a culture that celebrates self-sufficiency, admitting we need a shepherd feels counter-cultural. But there's profound FREEDOM in realizing we weren't meant to navigate life alone. God didn't create you to carry the whole world on your shoulders. He created you to walk BESIDE Him.

As a kid in Sunday School, I don't remember anyone explaining that having a shepherd meant I could RELAX. But that's exactly what it means! Sheep don't stress. They don't lie awake at night, worrying. They depend on their shepherd for EVERYTHING.

Whether you're facing scarcity or abundance today, the same truth remains: your Shepherd knows where you need to go and when you need to REST.

Quote: "Sheep don't worry; they look to their shepherd for everything."
— Max Lucado

Prayer: LORD, thank You for being MY shepherd. Help me rest in Your care today. With You, I have everything I truly need. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 04 | Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31
"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Waiting is one of life's hardest lessons. We want answers NOW, healing NOW, breakthrough NOW. We love our microwaves, but God often teaches us patience through the very process of waiting. This verse promises something extraordinary: strength that comes not from pushing harder but from pausing before Him.

The Hebrew word for "wait" implies active, hopeful watching, not passive resignation. Like a sentinel awaiting dawn, believers watch for God's MOVEMENT. The reward? RENEWED strength… fresh energy from God's deep reservoirs.

The imagery in this verse evolves. It begins with soaring like eagles… representing the peak moments of victory. Next, it turns to running tirelessly… periods of sustained effort and perseverance. Finally, it moves to walking without fainting… depicting the ongoing journey and daily faithfulness during less glamorous times. Every stage is significant, and each step is backed by God’s promise.

You might be in a soaring season of blessing or a walking season of taking faithful steps when tired. Either way, this verse applies to YOU. Exhaustion doesn't disqualify you from God's power, and weariness doesn't mean you've failed. It simply means it's time to wait on the Lord again and let Him refill you.

Sometimes the greatest spiritual victories happen not in dramatic displays but in quiet persistence. When we refuse to faint… when we keep walking even when we’re tired, we're living out this promise in real time. God HONORS that.

So let me ask: are you running on empty today? Stop. Wait. Pray and let God renew you.

Quote: "To wait upon God is not passive idleness but active expectation."
— Oswald Chambers

Prayer: Lord, I come to You tired. Renew my strength as I wait on You. Help me walk — without fainting — through the long seasons. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 03 | Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

The word "TRUST" captures the essence here. According to the Bible dictionary, TRUST means having confident reliance on someone or something's character, ability, strength, or truth. Throughout the Bible, trusting in God is central, and this passage is a clear, cherished call to deepen our trust in Him.

In a world focused on CONTROL—such as backup plans and contingencies—we can become overly reliant on it, which can cause anxiety. Solomon, the wisest man, urges us to embrace something richer: wholehearted trust in God rather than just our cleverness.

Notice it doesn't say "don't think." It says, “don't lean on your understanding” as the ULTIMATE authority. There's a big difference between being wise and making it an idol. Human understanding has limits. We can't see tomorrow or control circumstances. But God CAN.

"Trust with ALL your heart" means complete loyalty. Half-hearted trust offers God only leftovers and keeps big decisions to ourselves. Full-hearted trust involves Him in everything… finances, relationships, careers. "In ALL your ways" suggests no compartmentalization. Faith isn't just for Sundays but for Mondays too.

When we surrender our need to figure everything out, something beautiful happens: FREEDOM from constant anxiety. God promises to make our paths straight… not necessarily the routes we'd choose, but directions aligned with His purposes. The destination is SECURE because God never errs.

Learning to trust is a journey. Some days you'll feel confident. Other days you'll wrestle. Both are normal. Just keep returning to Him, whose understanding never fails.

Quote: "Faith begins where human understanding ends."
— Martin Luther

Prayer: LORD, I confess how hard it is to let go of control. Teach me to trust You completely. Acknowledge You in ALL my ways. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 02 | Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

The prophet Jeremiah spoke these words to God's children in the Old Testament, but they are also applicable today.

Picture the scene: Israelites are captives in Babylon, far from home, stripped of their city, temple, and dreams. God sends Jeremiah with a message of HOPE, offering not quick fixes but the assurance that His plans for them are GOOD, even when life feels broken.

Think about it: the Lord God KNOWS all. He's omniscient — He knows your past, your present, and HE KNOWS your future too. (BTW, I'm kind of glad I do NOT know my exact future — it would probably be TMI, and I wouldn't live my life as God wants me to.) And since the Lord loves you, His desire for YOU is to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.

This was the theme of the very first sermon I preached as the new pastor at my church many years ago. I later learned that the church was small and discouraged, and the board expected to close its doors within a year. However, the LORD had other plans, and today our church is healthy, joy-filled, and thriving!

How about YOU? Are you struggling or hopeful? Maybe you're waiting for a job, healing, or direction. It's easy to feel forgotten when answers delay. But God's timeline isn't ours. The exile lasted seventy years, but God KEPT His promise. Your waiting has purpose too.

The key is FAITH and TRUST. Trust Him for the best future He has in store for you!

Quote: "God's delays are not God's denials. His timing is perfect, even when our patience wears thin."
— Charles Spurgeon

Prayer: LORD God, I trust You to know what's best for me. Thank You for the hope and future You have planned. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Strength for the Journey
40 Scriptures to Shape Your Faith
Day 01 | Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

For millennia, humanity has theorized about the origin of the Universe. Nearly everyone believes it had a beginning. The "Big Bang" is the most widely accepted (unproven) theory among scientists. But any discussion of Creation should, in my view, include the possibility of GOD as the answer. I'm okay with the Big Bang theory, but such a bang requires a "Big Banger" — and the best answer is that Someone was God.

Think about it: the very first verse in the Bible doesn't ARGUE for God's existence. It simply DECLARES it. "In the beginning, GOD..." He doesn't introduce Himself or make His case. He simply states the fact: He was there before anything else.

The Hebrew word for "created" is bara, used EXCLUSIVELY for God's creative activity. Humans can build and assemble… but only God creates out of NOTHING. He spoke, and reality responded. Light, sky, land, seas, stars, animals, and finally humanity… all brought into existence by the sheer authority of His voice.

This brings me to a point I've made over the years: He's God, and we're not. He is the CREATOR, the Master Designer of the Universe. Only by HIS GRACE does He allow us, insignificant people (compared to the entire Universe), to come to Him in prayer.

When you face uncertainty, remember WHO you have the privilege of praying to. If God could speak galaxies into existence from nothing, He can certainly handle whatever YOU'RE facing. The same God who hung the stars is intimately concerned with the details of YOUR life. Be grateful, be humbled, be sincere.

Quote: “‘In the beginning God’ — these four words are the foundation of all religion. Without them, everything else crumbles.”
 — Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the privilege of knowing You and of praying to You. You are the Creator of ALL things. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 40 | THE GREATEST GIFT

THE GREATEST GIFT

1 Corinthians 13:1-2
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

Various studies have shown that the average person speaks some 16,000 words EACH day.  I’ve never counted mine, but I am guessing I don’t often fall short of that total.

During this 40 Day study of what God’s Word says about our words, we’ve learned many things that the LORD teaches us from HIS Word about OUR words.  And yet – even with all that Solomon said, and James and Jesus, and others – it seemed appropriate to me to cap our study with the KEY to making our words worthwhile: LOVE.

When we love the person we’re talking to, we will CARE if our words connect or not. If they are calming or not.  If they are hurtful or not.

LOVE will cause us to want to avoid hurting the other person except in rare cases when “tough love” is needed.

LOVE is why Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross.
LOVE is why the Father let Jesus fulfill that mission so that we might be saved.
LOVE is what a couple feels when they see their newborn baby.
LOVE is what gives our words the power to help.
LOVE is what makes other people want to be around us.
LOVE is what is needed to guide ALL our words.
LOVE starts with a real, daily relationship with Jesus.
LOVE is what keeps our words from being like “nothing.”  

PRAYER: LORD, I do want to love others… wherever I am and however I feel.  Help me to evaluate ALL the words I speak by this excellent chapter about LOVE.  Help everyone I meet to not doubt my care and love for them.  Amen.  

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 39 | YOUR WORD IS TRUTH

YOUR WORD IS TRUTH

John 17:17
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

This is Jesus’ famous prayer to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest, rigged trials, and crucifixion.  This is truly our LORD’S Prayer.

This verse is also revealing… Jesus is asking His Father to “sanctify them,” His followers.

The word “sanctify” means to make them (His followers) holy and set them apart for HIS purposes.  (That includes WE followers of Jesus today too!)

Jesus Christ is asking this of the Father. And then He adds… “YOUR WORD is truth.”

God’s Word. These are the things that HE has spoken… either Himself directly, or through the prophets or His angels, or by His followers or His only begotten son, Jesus.

TRUTH seems in short supply today.  And with ALL the diverse opinions out there, how do we know what the truth is, where to find it, and how to recognize it?  (You could look back to my 40 days of TRUTH.)

Jesus gives us a key: God’s Word is TRUTH.

So that’s the place to start… not the morning news, the afternoon paper, or the news on the internet or radio. Start with God’s WORD. It is TRUE, and that truth will outlast all of today’s “news outlets” and any slimy, self-serving, twisted “truth.”

When you make God’s WORD your starting point, then you can measure the truthfulness of everything else by it.  Like a compass that ALWAYS shows where North is… God’s WORD will always point us in the right direction.

Prayer: LORD, I am thankful for my Bible, the WORD of the Living God.  Help me to value it, read it, meditate on it, and grow in it.  I want to be sanctified in the truth, and I acknowledge that Your Word IS truth. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 38 | WHEN SOFTNESS IS NEEDED

WHEN SOFTNESS IS NEEDED

Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

People today are upset and angry, and I suspect we can think of a batch of reasons why they are.

We are living in a time when everyone wants to stick up for their own “rights” and opinions. But because so many are angry, they are on a “hair trigger” to let their anger out where it can become harsh and like a raging forest fire.

I can remember a couple of HUGE fires we had near where we’re living in north San Diego county.  The fires were out of control and not responding – at least for a while – to all the attempts to suppress or redirect them by fire crews.

An angry outburst is similar. Once it starts – once the horse is “out of the barn” – it is nearly impossible to quench.  Like the wildfires, “wrath” will continue to damage indiscriminately and can destroy much before settling down.

So here, wise Solomon is telling how to diffuse such a situation… with a “soft answer.”

One commentator said: “Many conflicts arise not because the issues separating the parties are so great, but because of the temperaments people bring to a confrontation.”
 
Another said that: “Soft speech is like oil on bruised skin to soften and heal it; painful speech has the effect of oil poured on a fire.”

It takes self-control (which the Holy Spirit CAN help us with) to not fly off the handle when provoked… but rather, to use “a soft answer” in the face of harshness.

Prayer: LORD, I need help controlling my tongue, especially when I think I’m right or the other person is wrong.  I know there is a place for discussion and debate, but I also know that I often pick the wrong time.  Help me to control my tongue as Solomon writes here and to lean on YOU to help me.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 37 | WHERE’S THE FOUNTAIN?

WHERE’S THE FOUNTAIN?
 
Proverbs 10:11
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”

How are you at growing things?  My wife and I have a little veggie garden planter box that is growing things.  We built the box a couple months ago, put in the planting soil, then the seedlings.  Gave it some sun and water and voila… tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and more!  It’s fun seeing things come to life and grow!

Have you ever helped something grow?  I suspect you have… a puppy, an indoor plant, fish in an aquarium, something.  Maybe even more important than veggies or a puppy… perhaps a baby?

Jesus came to earth because GOD cared about us, we His creation, His people.  In the story of creation, people were His crowning achievement.  Only WE are made in God’s image.  Not the animals or the waterfalls or the stars or the oceans or the fish… only people.

Look around you.  There are people everywhere. They are all cherished by God and Jesus came to earth to provide a way for them to have eternal life. But many today – it seems to me – are unhappy, stressed, depressed, angry, worried, fearful or a combo.

Now here comes our verse: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”

YOU and I have the power – in our mouths – to be like a “fountain of life” to people who are struggling.  We can help them have LIFE and to be encouraged and recharged to face tomorrow.  Ask the Lord to help YOU be a “fountain of life” to someone you know or someone new you meet – by using your mouth, your words, to UPLIFT them.

Prayer: LORD, I know there are hurting people everywhere.  Help me to SEE them and then help me with the words to say that will UPLIFT them and bring refreshment, like a fountain of life. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day  36| WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

Matthew 12:37
“Your very words will be used as evidence, and your words will declare you either innocent or guilty.” (Jesus)

Have you ever had an opinion of a person – which was good – only to find another friend of yours had a view of that same person which was NOT very good?

Why the difference?

Many things factor into our opinions of other people, but the biggest factor, I think, is the WORDS they speak.

A person can be one way with one person and another way with another.  And “the way” comes down to attitude, disposition, and WORDS.  A person can be “kind and sweet” with one person and “harsh, blunt, and obtuse” with another. Same person. Same mouth, different words.

On the witness stand we are required to swear an affirmation to “state the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”  Our words matter.

Lies, harsh, ugly, and hurtful words come from our deep, evil, uncontrolled hearts… “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
 
So, one who speaks bad words reveals the TRUTH of what is inside them: evil, sinful thoughts.

Jesus always spoke words of HOPE to hurting people and saved his critical words for the religious people of His day when revealing their character flaws and sinful, self-righteous hearts.

So, just as there is benefit in “thinking about what you’re thinking about” from time to time, there is great value in trying to “listen” to yourself and the words you say too.

Now I know that seems strange because we don’t generally listen to ourselves… we just talk.

“The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”  (Matthew 12:37 NLT)

Prayer: LORD, I want you to be happy with me and how I use my words as I live my life.  Help me THINK about what I say and strive to say words that are pleasing in your sight, words that show your grace, and helpful words to the listener. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 35 | WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

Matthew 12:34
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  

The context of this verse is this… Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed, blind and mute man.  Yet the Pharisees – always looking to condemn Jesus for anything they could – decided that it wasn't GOD who empowered him, but Beelzebub (the devil).  Jesus then goes into a logical answer to these religious hypocrites and then points out that: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

I've taught an entire sermon on this one verse, but for this devotional, let me just state that Jesus was able to tell what was in the Pharisees' hearts and minds by just listening to the words they said.

Have you ever said something and wondered, "WHERE did that come from?" Most likely, the answer is that "something" you said was implanted in your heart and your mind at some time.  You had read it or perhaps heard it and then (probably) pondered it.  You thought about it, considered it, meditated on it, and perhaps even rehearsed it or your response to it.  Maybe subconsciously… but you did.

In the early computer days, it was often said “GIGO: Garbage in, Garbage out."

So, if garbage is coming OUT of your mouth – even a little bit or even on rare occasions – it’s gotten IN there first.  It just doesn't come out of nowhere.

Jesus also said “out of the abundance…” meaning that there was a LOT of meditating on, pondering, and considering that word or phrase before it came out  of your mouth.

James 3:8 tells us: "…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (Good news: GOD CAN!)

Prayer: LORD, help me to NOT put garbage into my mind and heart.  Please help me to feed on things that are positive and pleasing in your sight. Help me tame my tongue.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 34 | YOUR MOUTH AND SALVATION

YOUR MOUTH AND SALVATION

Romans 10:9-10
“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (NKJV)

We say lots of words… every day.  Thousands, the research shows!
 
Here we read some KEY verses in the New Testament that tell us HOW we can be saved. And our words are involved.

This Scripture tells us that we must use our mouths to declare that Jesus Christ is our LORD.  Additionally – and probably before that confession of faith – we must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (the resurrection).

Most of us have been in services where we are asked to “raise our hand” if we’ve prayed a prayer to receive Christ.  And that is perfectly fine.  However, if that demonstration of our belief goes no further than a raised hand, I would start to wonder.

The NLT version of this verse adds some clarity: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

You see, “openly declaring your faith” is a requirement.   Baptism is one way of doing that, but so is simply sharing with another person or two or twenty.
 
Jesus said it this way: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 10:32-33)

If you’re a Christian, tell someone!

Prayer: LORD, I am grateful to be one of your children and be saved and born-again.  I am not ashamed of that.  Help me share my decision with others as you lead. And lead those who don’t know you yet, to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 33 | WHAT LASTS FOREVER?

WHAT LASTS FOREVER?

1 Peter 1:25
“But the word of the Lord remains forever.” (ESV)

Remember the last time you were at a public or college library?  I can even remember being in the “stacks” at a college university library… ALL of those books NOT available in the “main library.”  In both cases – wow – what a ton of books!

Have you looked at how many books are for sale on Amazon?  I just did… there are nearly 50 million books are in print on Amazon today: hardbacks, paperbacks, and e-books.

Lots of words.  Some are worth reading, and – well – some are not. But lots of words.

And so the Apostle Peter tells us something important here, paralleling from Isaiah 40:8… “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”

I find that generally, people today are pretty short-sighted.  They buy things (well, we all do) that won’t last but might give temporary pleasure… like that ice cream cone! And the ice cream is OK, but words go DEEPER than does ice cream. Words can penetrate our hearts and minds, and spirits.  Words can be calming or alarming.  Upsetting or soothing.  Challenging or helpful.

Here in this verse, we come to a kind of crossroads again.  For If it’s true that “the word of the Lord remains forever,” then shouldn’t the natural, logical response be, “Great! Then I’ll spend more time with God’s words!”  Yes, that would logically be the BEST answer.

But people are irrational, pleasure-seeking, unbelieving, and self-centered.  Relatively FEW people in this world of 7.8 billion people are spending any time reading God’s Word.  To say nothing of how few of those are trying to DO His Word.

But, HIS words last. If we’re smart, that’s where our focus should be.

Prayer: LORD, sometimes I forget how temporary this life is compared to YOU. And that YOU have given us both your Son and your Word.  Help me to treasure both Jesus and Your Word.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 32 | SHHHHHHH!

SHHHHHHH!

Proverbs 21:23
“Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.” (NLT)

Is it just me, or have you noticed the back-talking and critical tongues that seem to be in overdrive now-a-days?

I’m guessing people are angry at SOMETHING that is going on and they’re going to mouth off about it to someone or anyone standing nearby.

A wise piece of advice I heard years ago was this: “Don’t argue with crazy people.”

That wise philosopher of old – Mark Twain – put it this way: “Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”

Today it seems that EVERYTHING has become politicized.  Everything is causing a divide.  It’s the “Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s” everywhere you go.  Are you driving an EV or hybrid to help save the planet, or not?  Plastic or paper bags… or bring your own?  Meat or meatless?  And on and on.

Most people naturally like to give their thoughts and opinions to others. But often, the other person doesn’t REALLY care. Especially, it seems, if you’re on the “other side” of whatever the topic is.  Most people don’t want to hear why others think differently, they really only want their opinions to be validated.

And thus, why Solomon gave these wise words.

And it’s not that you’re calm, rational words are not worthwhile, it’s really because without much effort, your “calm” discussion can turn on a dime into a raging argumentative, hurt-feelings, and angry “debate.”
 
Thus, as another version says it: “Watch your words and be careful what you say, and you’ll be surprised by how few troubles you’ll have.” (TPT)

Prayer: LORD, give me the wisdom I need to know WHEN to speak up about an issue and when just to keep my mouth shut. Except for standing up for YOU, I need not be argumentative.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 31 | GOD-BREATHED WORDS

GOD-BREATHED WORDS

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (ESV)

When you’re young and attending church or Sunday school, and you hear this verse… well, it’s strange.  I mean to a ten-year-old, what’s all this “breathing out by God” stuff?  I mean, I breathe in and out all day long… is that what they’re talking about here?

Of course, it’s more than that.  As we grow in our faith, we come to realize that the Bible is also – and perhaps more accurately – called the Word of God.

When my parents talked to me, especially if it was about a chore to do or something they wanted me to remember, I paid close attention.  I mean, they were my folks and needed me to hear and do.  They loved me and cared for me and were trustworthy.

When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, God becomes our heavenly FATHER and has things to tell us that will protect, guide, and help us be all He wants us to be.  Remember, God loves us and cares for us and is totally trustworthy… even more than good parents.

These two verses are KEY to our understanding the importance of the Bible. I mean… the Bible is NOT just another book on the shelf.

Peter, the apostle, furthers our understanding with these words: “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophet,, s were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)

The words coming OUT of our mouths will be strongly influenced – for good – if we allow God’s inspired Words to live in our lives.

Prayer: LORD, thank you for your inspired words we call the Bible.  Help me to love and cherish your words so that your words may positively impact my words for the benefit of all.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 30 | OUR DUPLICITOUS TONGUES

OUR DUPLICITOUS TONGUES

James 3:9-10
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

I like the book of James.  (Of course, it was named after me, right?  Well, maybe not.)  But James is, in many ways, the Proverbs-like practical book of the New Testament.

This section of James 3 reminds us that EVERY person you and I meet – no matter how vile they might be – was made in the image of God, even if they don’t realize it or accept it as truth. 

I like the way the TPT version expands our understanding of these verses, it says: “We use our tongue to praise God our Father and then turn around and curse a person who was made in his very image! Out of the same mouth we pour out words of praise one minute and curses the next. My brothers and sisters, this should never be!”

The AMP version adds this: “[for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].”

So what’s the take-away here?

As followers of Jesus, we need to remind ourselves that everyone we meet – whether we like them or not, whether we agree with them politically or not, whether they share our faith or not – is MADE in the image of God.  And WE – you and I – have a moral obligation before God to always speak words that reflect our adoration and worship of Yahweh, AND his rules, precepts, and commands.

Jesus taught us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself.”  That love can start with our words.

Prayer: Lord, may everyone I meet sense something different about me and the words I speak. And may that difference be because I’m one of Your children, and I’m speaking to please YOU. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 29 | REFRESHING OTHERS

REFRESHING OTHERS

Proverbs 18:4  
“A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

Can you remember having been to a sporting event and somewhere in the middle you felt like getting something to munch on or something cool to sip on?  You needed some “refreshment” and thus made your way to the hot dog stand or wherever.

Although it’s not always obvious, I’m sure there are people around you today who need some refreshment also.  Oh, not a hot dog kind of refreshment, but something that will help them in their current emotional state.

They may not acknowledge it, but people today are worried. They are upset. They are fearful.  There are plenty of things to be upset about.

I’m not going to debate those topics in this space, but I am saying that Scripture makes it clear that OUR WORDS – that means YOUR words – can be like “life-giving water.”  You have the power – just by saying the right things – to be as refreshing to someone who is upset and stressed, as a “bubbling brook” would be to a hot, fatigued hiker if he came upon it in the middle of a long stretch of uphill switchbacks.

Jesus said: “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”  (Matthew 10:42)

So, I have an idea: Look more closely at the people you’re around in the next day or two and ask the LORD to show you someone you can refresh with an uplifting word.

PRAYER: LORD, here am I. My eyes can see.  My mouth can speak.  I can provide words like life-giving water to someone. Give me the wisdom to recognize the ones you would have me refresh.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 28 | GOD’S WORD

GOD’S WORD
 
Matthew 4:4
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”’”

I’ve got to be honest… when I first heard this verse when I was a boy, I thought “That doesn’t make sense.”  As a boy, I liked to EAT. In retrospect, I don’t know how my folks could afford having to throw so much food at me when I was a teenager!

But Jesus here – being tested by Satan after his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist – is combating with Satan and using Scripture as His “weapon.”  Jesus is saying that the WORD of God is more important that food.

Which makes me think: If the Word of God is THAT important, and Christians NEED to read, ponder, and DO the Word of God (“Be doers of the Word and not hearers only” – James 1:22), then… how are we doing?

Today, we have many choices as to the food we eat (and I admit, we are BLESSED).  But many people choose unwisely.  They choose something with too much of this or too little of that. Sometimes, we give thought to what we eat and drink. Other times… not so much.

So now, let’s ask the same question of our “intake” of the Word of God?

Are we getting enough (of God’s Word)? Do we read and ponder? Or are we just speed reading to get through it?

In the Psalms you will sometime find the little word “Selah” after a phrase.  Analogous to the “rest” you’ll find in musical nomenclature, the word “Selah” is Hebrew and it means to pause, ponder, and/or consider what the phrase said.

Next time you read in your Bible, try adding your own “Selah” after a verse or two or three.  It will help you to get the most “nourishment” from it!

PRAYER: Lord, help me to gain from the Scriptures exactly what YOU want me to get. Help me to pause more often and seriously ponder YOUR WORD. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WORDS
Day 27 | KNOWLEDGE AND WORDS

KNOWLEDGE AND WORDS

Proverbs 11:9
“With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.” (NLT)

I particularly like the books of Psalms and Proverbs.  Psalms talks to us about our relationships with GOD, whereas Proverbs gives us wise guidance in our relationships with other people.

Unfortunately, even Christians can destroy their friendships with their tongues.  Words can hurt and even destroy families too.

Here’s a quote for you to ponder: “Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.”

Everyone I know is stressed today. What with the economy, the homeless, the border situation, the rising costs of everything, and so much more… something seems to have everyone stressed.

And when we get stressed, we sometimes – without meaning to – lash out at others with our words.

So, this verse from Solomon can come in handy.
 
The AMP Bible puts it this way: “But through knowledge and discernment, the righteous will be rescued.”

What does that mean?

It means that by reading or listening to this devotional, YOU have taken one more step, which will lead to your gaining a little more “knowledge” leading to better “discernment” that can help you avoid the damage. And that goes from you perhaps CAUSING the damage to others by something you said or perhaps being damaged by some thoughtless words others say to YOU. Either way, YOU benefit!

Keep this in mind: God created ALL that is by His words.  (See Genesis 1).  We are made in HIS image. Therefore, our words contain the potential for either life or death. They can bless or curse. They can help or hinder. They can encourage or discourage.  It’s YOUR choice.

Choose to use your words wisely and bless others with what you say.

Prayer: LORD, help me remember to use my words in a way that is pleasing to YOU and helpful to others.  Amen.