Month: June 2025

Disruption: Embracing Process

Excerpt from ‘100 Days of Believing Bigger” by Marshawn Evans Daniels

These trials will show that your faith is genuine.
It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—
though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.
So when your faith remains strong through many trials,
it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

—1 Peter 1:7 NLT

Alignment with God’s will is necessary for our divine assignment. Disruption gives us a chance to get an overdue adjustment while God brings all the skewed parts of our life into proper, powerful, and purpose-ready order. Think of it like going to the chiropractor—it’s about getting aligned the way it’s supposed to be. In the middle of the discomfort, it’s important to remember that our purpose is always on the other side of process.

God sends His promise by way of a process, which is why we miss it! We think it is going to fall out of the sky like manna from heaven, but navigating the Gap—the zone of growth, transition, and divine reinvention—is where we must go to enter our promised land. Our purpose, more provision, more healing, and even more miracles are all on the other side of this process.

The Gap is your wilderness between Egypt (what you’ve known) and the Promised Land (what you’ve been praying for and are destined for). What we’re moving toward is not necessarily a bigger house, more money, less stress, or better relationships… although I have no doubt that everything is better on the other side of surrender. God doesn’t leave our heart’s desires behind as He ushers us into our destiny. But this isn’t about stuff. It’s about exchanging your current plans for the life God is calling you toward. And it’s about getting where God needs you to accomplish something new that heaven is seeking to do.

Attribution: Excerpt from “100 Days of Believing Bigger” by Marshawn Evans Daniels

June 10, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 22–24

Common Theme

Wisdom in daily relationships and work is grounded in humility, reverence for the Lord, and justice. These chapters emphasize the moral consequences of choices, the value of discipline, and the dangers of envy, laziness, and dishonesty.

Questions

  • What does it mean to truly fear the Lord in practical decisions—especially in wealth, parenting, and leadership?
  • How do we cultivate hearts that love wisdom rather than crave what the wicked gain?

God Shot

God is a defender of the oppressed and a just Judge who sees through all pretenses (22:22–23). He delights in righteousness, disciplines those He loves, and lovingly warns His people against paths that lead to ruin—revealing a heart that both protects and purifies.

God Sold the Cattle

Based on a story recounted in The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, Chapter Ten: “The Cattle on a Thousand Hills”

Shortly after Dallas Theological Seminary opened its doors, their doors almost closed because of bankruptcy. Before their 1929 commencement day, the faculty gathered in the president’s office to pray that God would provide. They formed a prayer circle, and when it was Harry Ironside’s turn, he circled Psalm 50:10 with a simple Honi-like prayer:

“Lord, we know you own the cattle on a thousand hills. Please sell some of them, and send us the money.”

The time lapse between our requests and God’s answers is often longer than we would like, but occasionally God answers immediately. While the faculty was praying, a $10,000 answer was delivered. One version of the story attributes the gift to a Texas cattle rancher who had sold two carloads of cattle. Another version attributes it to a banker from Illinois. But one way or another, it was God who prompted the gift and answered the prayer.

In a moment that is reminiscent of the day Peter knocked on the door of the house where his friends were praying for a miraculous jailbreak, the president’s secretary interrupted the prayer meeting by knocking on the president’s door. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder and president of DTS, answered the door, and she handed him the answer to prayer. Turning to his friend and colleague, Dr. Harry Ironside, President Chafer said,

“Harry, God sold the cattle!”

Attribution: Story from Chapter Ten of The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Birthing Bigger

Disruption

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Babies come out crying because they’re upset! They’ve only known the comfort of the womb. Leaving what’s familiar is hard—it’s usually not something we want, at least at first. And birth? It’s messy. Painful. Even when it’s beautiful, it’s not pretty.

But this is how growth works. We get pushed out of what’s comfortable and placed somewhere new. God won’t bless you here with what He’s planned for you there. If He gave you your there-blessing while you were still here, you’d never leave.

So sometimes, when it feels like your prayers aren’t being answered, it might be because the blessing doesn’t fit where you currently are. It’s not that God is being mean—He’s being a loving Father. You can’t learn to walk if you’re always being carried. You have to take steps to grow.

It takes effort to move from where you are to where you’re meant to be. God isn’t keeping your blessing from you—He’s just placed it there, right in the middle of where He’s leading you.

But the space between here and there is uncomfortable. It’s a place of transition. Just like a baby moves from the womb to the birth canal, it’s tight, dark, and painful. But you can’t stay in the incubator forever.

Embrace the shift. The best is on the other side of birth.

Adapted from “Birthing Bigger” in 100 Days of Believing Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels (DaySpring, 2020).

June 9, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 19–21

Common Theme
Wisdom is revealed through righteousness, humility, and justice, while folly leads to destruction. The Lord governs human outcomes, weighing motives and directing paths despite human plans.

Questions

  • What does it look like to live righteously when the results seem delayed or hidden?
  • How does God’s sovereignty over our plans shape the way we make decisions?

God Shot
God is the righteous Judge who weighs hearts and cannot be deceived (Proverbs 21:2). He delights in justice and uprightness more than outward sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3), and He sovereignly directs even the steps of the powerful (Proverbs 21:1). This is a God who is never manipulated, never passive—He is active, discerning, and just in all His ways.

June 8, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 16–18

Common Theme
These chapters emphasize that true wisdom begins with fearing the Lord, trusting His sovereignty in our plans and responses, and walking in integrity. They contrast the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, highlighting how speech, humility, and prudence reflect the heart’s alignment with God.

Questions
– Do I truly trust God’s direction, even when my plans seem wise to me?
– How does my speech reflect the condition of my heart before the Lord?

God Shot
God is revealed as sovereign and just—He weighs motives, directs steps, and establishes outcomes. He delights in humility and righteousness, showing that His rule is both personal and purposeful.

June 7, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 13–15

Common Theme
These chapters contrast the paths of the wise and the foolish, emphasizing that righteousness leads to life, peace, and favor, while wickedness brings destruction and disgrace. The fear of the Lord is repeatedly shown as the foundation for right speech, relationships, and decision-making.

Questions

  • What does my speech reveal about the condition of my heart?
  • How am I responding to correction—from others or from God?

God Shot
God delights in righteousness and uses discipline as a loving tool to steer people toward life and wisdom. He is a God who treasures truth, justice, and humble hearts that walk in reverent fear of Him.

June 6, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 10–12

Common Theme

These chapters contrast the paths of the righteous and the wicked, showing how wisdom shapes speech, work, and integrity. The fear of the Lord leads to life, while ignoring Him results in ruin.

Reflection Questions

  • What do these proverbs reveal about the connection between character and speech?
  • How do you see God’s justice and mercy in the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked?

God Shot

God delights in righteousness and integrity, not just in outward behavior but in the heart that fears Him. He is a just God who upholds the blameless, frustrates the plans of the wicked, and treasures those who walk in truth.

June 5, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Proverbs 7–9

Common Theme

The two voices of wisdom and folly call out to the simple, each offering a path—one leads to life, the other to death. Wisdom is not hidden; she is public, accessible, and rooted in the fear of the Lord.

Questions

  • What makes the call of folly so seductive even when the consequences are destructive?
  • How does Proverbs 8 deepen your understanding of wisdom as more than moral skill—perhaps even as a person?

God Shot

God delights in wisdom because it reflects His own nature—holy, pure, and eternal. In Proverbs 8, wisdom speaks as one who was with God before creation, revealing that God is not only wise but has always acted with foresight, beauty, and joy in all He does.

Speak Life: The Transforming Power of Words in Ephesians 4:29

Ephesians 4:29 – Context and Authentic Meaning

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV):
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Context:

Ephesians 4 is part of Paul’s appeal to believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling (4:1). After affirming the unity and diversity of the church (vv. 1–16), Paul urges Christians to live differently than the Gentiles (unbelievers) in thought, character, and behavior (vv. 17–24). This includes putting off the “old self” and putting on the “new self” created after God’s likeness in righteousness and holiness.

Verses 25–32 give specific applications of this new life in Christ. Each instruction contrasts former sinful behaviors with righteous alternatives. Verse 29 fits into this pattern, focusing specifically on speech.

Authentic Meaning:

  • “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths”
    The Greek word translated “corrupting” (sapros) literally means rotten or foul—as used to describe spoiled food. It refers to speech that is destructive, unwholesome, or morally degrading (e.g., slander, gossip, vulgarity, insults).
  • “But only such as is good for building up”
    Christian speech should edify—that is, strengthen or constructively encourage others. Words are meant to serve others, not tear them down.
  • “As fits the occasion”
    This underscores discernment—knowing what kind of speech is appropriate and helpful in a given moment.
  • “That it may give grace to those who hear”
    Words are not neutral; they carry spiritual weight. They can be a channel of grace—bringing encouragement, healing, or truth that reflects God’s goodness.

In Summary:

Ephesians 4:29 teaches that Christian speech should be deliberately edifying, timely, and grace-giving. It contrasts with the corrupt and careless speech of the old self. It’s not just about avoiding “bad words,” but using words as tools of love, encouragement, and spiritual building.

Application:

Paul’s call challenges both the content and intent of our speech:

  • Are my words helping or harming?
  • Am I speaking to serve others or myself?
  • Does what I say reflect the grace I’ve received?

This verse is deeply communal—our speech affects the body of Christ and is a key marker of spiritual maturity.