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  Exodus 4:18-20 Listen to today’s devotional When Moses first heard God's command, he had reservations. It took a minute, but God convinced Moses to go back to Egypt. Now, he just had to get permission from his father-in-law, Jethro, to leave the clan. As Exodus 10 tells the story, Moses doesn't explain or share any details about his experience on holy ground. Even his request to leave sounds more personal than what God commanded. I assume that Jethro could have refused Moses' request. He could have leaned on his need for someone like Moses to keep watching his flocks. But Jethro offers Moses a blessing. And this blessing sets in motion the great exodus story of God's people. A 3-word blessing that afforded Moses the chance to fulfill God's purpose for the Israelites: Go in peace. Of course, we focus on Moses as the one called, the one sent, the one who stands before Pharaoh demanding, "Let my people go." But let's not forget Jethro. He is the one who...

  Ruth 2:1-7 Listen to today's devotional I have to wonder how many times I've prayed for God to move, and then miss it when God shows up. I was looking for some grand, heavenly appearance. A voice from the clouds, perhaps. But God was really trying to get my attention through someone else's kindness. In Ruth's story, she and her mother-in-law, Naomi, return to Bethlehem to figure out how to survive. As it happened, it was the beginning of the barley season. After they arrive, Ruth thinks she should go to the field and glean. She steps into the field in great need. At this point, hers is a survival plan. Just before this, we learn of Boaz. He is a kinsman to Naomi's late husband. And before Boaz ever speaks, grace is already at work through him. His field is a place where a vulnerable person like Ruth can go. Sometimes, we want a miracle in the sky. But how many times does God answer with a person on the ground? A farmer who leaves extra behind. A good boss who work...

  Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 Listen to today's devotional When I tell people what my favorite book of the Bible is, they think they know why. Yes, the book of John does have the greatest verse of all time in it: John 1:6 (There was a man sent from God whose name was John). But it's not the name of the book that I'm drawn to. It’s the light, the promise, the invitation to abundant life in Jesus that runs through every chapter. Now, people who have read Ecclesiastes are surprised when I tell them that's my second favorite. It seems so dreary and cynical when you first read it. But I love it! I don't think the Teacher of the text is trying to drag into despair. I think he's trying to wake us up. The book tells me to enjoy the gift that is the abundant life of Jesus. You know the old phrase we say when someone dies unexpectedly. "You never know." We call that wisdom, but we don't always live like we believe it. My children, the Fletchermints, are in their twen...

  Revelation 2:8-11 Listen to today's devotional My mom used to own a cleaning agency on Galveston Island. As a kid, I loved tagging along. I did help a little. Most times, though, I was a barefoot sand explorer. Or I'd run through the beach houses like they were castles. Mom knew these houses impressed me. And I remember asking her something like, "How rich do you have to be to have a couple of these?" Not one, but a couple! Now, she never gave me an actual figure. But she did use my beach-house gawking to explain our family's richness. We had each other and there was always something on the table to eat. Throw in a few more classic mom-isms and it was clear we were rich, just not beach-house rich. All these years later, I'm still not. But Mom was right. I am rich. Not because I have a full storehouse, but because I have a full heart. Not because I own a beach house, but because I'm standing on the promises of Christ my Savior. I've learned to count t...

  John 12:1-11 Listen to today's devotional My wife had a family member who sold perfume and cologne. He always had a good stock on hand. So, once, he gave me an entire box of cologne. I was set. When we left his house, I put the box in the trunk of our car. And then I forgot about it. Fast forward about a week or so later. I remembered the cologne. Not because it crossed my mind. But because the box had tipped over and several of the bottles busted. As I'm sure you know, there is such a thing as too much cologne. Way too much. Especially in a sedan. The smell lingered for weeks. At least weeks. When I read about the time Mary anointed Jesus, I remember that box of cologne. Of course, I see what she did for its beauty and prophetic insight. But there's one line in the story that gets me every time. After Mary brought her costly perfume, John 12 says, "The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (12:3). My cologne wasn't an act of worship like Mary's....

  Psalm 126 Listen to today's devotional I promise you I know how to be serious. I've done it before. But much wiser, more faithful people have taught me a lot of things we tend to call serious aren't. Personally, the first time that lesson sunk in was when someone asked me, "Will you be this angry about it tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year? Will you remember it five years from now?" Of course, we are allowed to have our emotions. Still, whether you call it mental energy or emotional currency, I don't want to waste it on things that won't matter. How much of yourself do you have to give to real serious issues if you've already exhausted yourself over things you'll soon forget? So, what do we replace our misguided anger with? We can start with love. John Wesley said, "Those without enough love experience rage, but love drives rage away." But let me offer an additional replacement. Reflecting on Psalm 126 has me wanting to laugh mo...

  1 Chronicles 2:7-13 Our possessions, wealth, honor or success are blessings from God. If we have a lot of stuff, it must be because God's been good to us. If we're wealthy, of course, God blessed us. But not necessarily, right? Are all wealthy people blessed by God? Are God's blessings stuff? Some of the people I've met who have felt most blessed by God have had less of what we call blessings. No second or third cars. No new home. No raise. Not even three meals a day. Just a full assurance of God's presence and power. While I'm sure God can and does bless us with comforts and prosperity, I always want to be careful with that notion. It's too easy to keep going in that direction. It doesn't take much effort to find that kind of faith teaching that says the more we have, the more blessed we are. The more God favors us. That prosperity is God's ultimate desire for us. How convenient for us. It's helpful to consider what blessings are. Are they rew...

 This was the final sermon in our Summer Sermon Series on the Ten Commandments. I'd never done a series that long before. But I think people were engaged with it. After this sermon, a youth asked me, "So, is it okay to cut the grass?" Ooops. Maybe I should've said more 😂 Stay blessed...john