Get Serious

Get Serious

by | Feb 2, 2026 | Community Conversations

 

Get Serious: James 4:1–12 (MSG)

– Today’s Community Scripture – February 3, 2026

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

2–3  You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

4–6  You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

7–10  So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

11–12  Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

                          James 4-12 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Wow, this passage makes you think about the right now. The television shows that display almost everyone wanting it their way and changing the way the world was actually built, “To help others, and pick them up when they’re down”. Now, most everyone, even in reality, wants what they want, and everyone else gets in line behind them. Reading it makes you think of the conversation that seems to be saying Jesus is telling us to slow down and look honestly at our hearts. It says that many of our fights, stress, and broken relationships come from wanting our own way too much and not trusting God enough. Instead of asking God for help, we often try to grab what we want on our own, even when it hurts others. God isn’t impressed by pride or showing off. He gives His help to people who are humble and willing to change. James is calling us to stop playing games with right and wrong, take responsibility for our actions, and truly turn back to God. When we stop judging and tearing others down and let God be the judge, we find real strength, peace, and a fresh start.

James also warns us against trying to live two lives at once, one with God and another focused only on ourselves. God wants our hearts, not part-time attention. When we chase pride, pleasure, or approval, we slowly drift away from Him. But God is not pushing us away; He is calling us back. He gives grace, real help, and strength to people who are willing to admit they need Him and stop pretending they have it all together.

 

 – Where Do We Go From Here?

We move forward by living out the very message we are inviting others to follow. It starts with humility, recognizing our need for Jesus and allowing Him to reshape us daily. From there, we walk alongside others with patience and love, not as judges but as witnesses to God’s grace. We listen more than we speak. We love before we correct. We point people to Jesus by how we live, how we forgive, and how we serve. The path into the Kingdom of God is not forced or rushed; it is clearly shown through truth, repentance, hope, and love. As we stay close to Christ and allow His life to shape ours, He uses us to gently guide others into His way of peace, healing, and new life.

 

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, today we come to You honestly, just as we are. We admit that we too often want our own way, which leads to frustration, conflict, and pride. Forgive us for trying to control things instead of trusting You. Search our hearts and remove what does not belong there. Teach us to be humble, to listen, and to obey. Help us say no to sin and yes to Your will. Draw us closer to You and shape us into people who reflect Your love, grace, and truth. Jesus, lead us in Your way today. Help our lives point others toward Your Kingdom not by judgment or force, but by love, patience, and faithfulness. Lift us up as we kneel before You, and use us for Your glory. Amen.

 

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– Let’s grow together
   – one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
      https://community.focuseddevelopment.com/


Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, conversations, and actions. When challenges come, remind us You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us You are shaping us for something greater. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

 

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Live Well, Live Wisely

Live Well, Live Wisely

by | Jan 30, 2026 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 1/30/2026

                                                                  Live Well, Live Wisely
13–16  Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
17–18  Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoys its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

                      James 3:13-18 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Life today is filled with pitfalls and tripwires we place on our own path. Yes, we do it. GOD doesn’t. GOD wants us to repent and join him in making the world better, but free will and the human condition say otherwise. Our own selfish abilities and daily accomplishments fight against the humble nature we were meant to live. I mean, how much is enough when you have enough for 4 generations to live very well? Even after you are gone, what happens to those who are left with what was left behind? I’ll tell you they begin to do things that try to add to the fortune instead of reaching back and helping someone else who could definitely benefit from it. GOD knows what having a lot is and what it will do to us and our souls. People will do almost anything right now for money and wealth. Even things they think are attached to it.

Our own accomplishments, abilities, and ambitions can quietly work against the humble life we were created to live. As James teaches us, wisdom is not loud or self-promoting. It shows up in how we live, how we treat others, and how willing we are to lay down our need to be seen as important. We must ask ourselves difficult questions: How much is enough? When one person has enough wealth to sustain four generations comfortably, what responsibility comes with that abundance? Too often, what is left behind becomes a challenge rather than a blessing. Instead of reaching back to help others rise, people become consumed with preserving, protecting, or adding to what they already have.

God understands what abundance can do to the human heart. Scripture consistently reminds us that wealth itself is not the problem; our attachment to it is. When money and influence become our source of security, identity, or power, wisdom begins to erode. People start to compromise values, relationships, and even truth to protect or increase what they believe defines them. This is not God’s wisdom. Real wisdom produces humility, generosity, peace, and concern for the well-being of others. It frees us from the need to compete and invites us into a life that measures success by faithfulness, not accumulation.

– Where do we go from here? (Next Steps)

So where do we go from here? We start by examining our hearts with honesty and courage. We ask God to reveal where ambition has replaced obedience, where pride has overshadowed humility, and where comfort has numbed compassion. Next, we make intentional choices to live wisely, choosing generosity over greed, integrity over image, and service over status. Practically, this may look like sharing resources, mentoring someone who needs guidance, choosing reconciliation instead of competition, or simply slowing down long enough to see the needs around us. True wisdom requires effort. It requires the hard work of getting along with others, treating people with dignity, and choosing God’s way even when the world celebrates another. If we commit to living this way, we don’t just change ourselves; we help cultivate healthier families, stronger communities, and a world that more clearly reflects the heart of God.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, teach us to live well, not just in our words but in our actions. Let Your wisdom take root deep within our spirits, shaping how we think, respond, and serve. Help us be gentle where the world is harsh, generous where the world is greedy, and faithful where the world is unstable. May our lives reflect Your goodness, and may the wisdom You give us bring healing, unity, and peace wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

– Subscribe

Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I share reflections like this daily, and if you’d like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.

– Let’s grow together

– one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
https://community.focuseddevelopment.com/

Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire, and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

Justice Is On The Way

Justice Is On The Way

by | Oct 17, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/17/2025

You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you. All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you. Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. 

                        2 Thessalonians 1:3–12 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Reading the words to the people of Thessalonica from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. These men believed strongly that GOD is sending Jesus back to us soon. At that time, they were probably thinking it would happen quickly because the Father was angry with those who took His Son. The words from that period are still powerful today. I am sure that GOD is not finished with us yet; He sacrificed His only Son for us. When these words were written, Jesus Himself had already passed away a few years earlier, though I am unsure of the exact timing of the letter. Thinking about the world today, people are angry and hoping for Christ’s return right now. How can we honor Him properly amid so much evil around us? Wanting our own way is part of the human condition; many people have ideas for themselves. I write these devotionals hoping they will reach just a few. I never imagined how they might affect others. Hearing how they impact people gives me mixed feelings. I’m unsure of it. I know it’s good to write these daily, but wanting recognition for doing so feels wrong to me. Our faith is enough to trust that when the time is right, the Father and His Son will return, and those of us with the Holy Spirit within us will go with Them. Honoring Christ each day with heart and life is wonderful, but doing what’s right every day can be difficult because of the struggles in human life. Remember to pray, read our Bible, and stay ready for the calling we have. The energy He gives us will be greater than anything we’ve ever experienced.

– Where do we go from here?

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, focus your attention on God. You’ll be transformed from the inside out. Recognize what He wants from you readily and respond quickly. Unlike the culture around you, which often drags you down to its level of immaturity, God brings out the best in you and develops mature qualities.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, we trust that justice is on the way, that Your return is sure, and that Your grace is already at work in us. Until that day, keep us faithful, hopeful, and bold in love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

– Subscribe
Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I share reflections like this daily, and if you’d like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.

⁃ Let’s grow together—one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
https://communityfocuseddevelopmentcom.azurewebsites.net/

Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire, and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Coach Arthur Poston Jr.
Focused Development Organization
Middle School Coach

The Way He Wants You To Live

The Way He Wants You To Live

by | Oct 16, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/16/2025

And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out. The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Paul’s words to the Thessalonians are just as relevant today as they were then. In a world full of stress, division, and uncertainty, this passage calls us to a different way of living one marked by gratitude, unity, and hope. We are reminded to honor those who lead us spiritually, not just with words but with genuine appreciation and love. We are encouraged to live in harmony, support those who are struggling, and uplift the weary. This isn’t just about being “nice”; it’s about intentionally showing Christ’s love through practical actions.

How to Live This Out Today
1. Honor and Appreciate – Send a message or call someone who has guided you spiritually. Let them know they matter.
2. Encourage Someone – Look for someone who seems tired or discouraged and offer a word of hope or practical help.
3. Practice Gratitude – Write down three things you’re thankful for today, even if life feels hard.
4. Stay Prayerful – Whisper short prayers throughout the day: “Thank You, Lord,” “Guide me,” “Help me love well.”
5. Discern Wisely – Before accepting advice or opinions, measure them against God’s Word. Hold on to what is good.

– Where do we go from here?

From this passage, we learn that moving forward means living in a way that reflects Christ’s love and order. First, honor and appreciate those who lead and guide us in faith—they work hard for our spiritual growth. Second, commit to unity: do your part, encourage those who struggle, help the weary, and be patient with everyone. Avoid snapping at each other; instead, look for the best in people and bring it out. Stay joyful no matter what, pray continually, and give thanks in every circumstance. This is God’s will for us. Keep your heart open to the Spirit and to God’s truth, but test everything and hold on to what is good. Reject anything evil. Trust that God Himself will make you holy and whole as you stay faithful. In short, live with gratitude, encouragement, discernment, and hope, knowing that the One who called you is faithful and will finish His work in you.

One-Liner Challenge –

Encourage Someone – Send a DM or text to a friend who might be struggling. Lift them up!

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, help us live with joy, gratitude, and discernment today. Teach us to encourage others, honor those who lead, and stay open to Your Spirit. Make us holy and whole as we trust Your faithfulness. Amen.

– Subscribe
Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I share reflections like this daily, and if you’d like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.

⁃ Let’s grow together
—one post, one prayer, one step at a time.
https://communityfocuseddevelopmentcom.azurewebsites.net/

Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire—and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Master’s Coming

The Master’s Coming

by | Oct 15, 2025 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/15/2025

And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first.
Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words. I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman. But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11 (MSG)

– Reflection:

This passage reminds us that life and hope do not end at the grave. Paul is addressing a deep human fear, the uncertainty of death, and reframing it through the lens of Christ’s resurrection. His message is clear: because Jesus conquered death, those who belong to Him share in that victory. The imagery of the Master’s return, with trumpet blasts and a great reunion, is not meant to spark fear or speculation about timing but to anchor us in hope and readiness. The warning about complacency speaks powerfully to today’s world, where comfort and security can lull us into spiritual sleep. Paul calls us to live as “children of the day” alert, sober, clothed in faith, love, and hope. This means living with purpose, encouraging one another, and building each other up, knowing that whether alive or dead, we belong to Christ. The passage is less about predicting the future and more about shaping how we walk today—with courage, clarity, and community.

– Where do we go from here?

We are called to live with intentionality and purpose. The future promise of Christ’s return is not a reason to speculate or withdraw from life; it’s a reason to engage life with clarity and hope. Our next step is to embrace our identity as “children of the day,” which means living transparently, faithfully, and courageously in a world that often drifts toward complacency. Practically, this looks like staying spiritually awake, cultivating habits of prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and practicing love in tangible ways. It means encouraging one another, speaking life and hope into our communities, and resisting the temptation to live as if this world is all there is. We prepare not by predicting dates but by walking daily in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. In short, we move forward by living ready, not fearful, but prepared so that whenever the Master comes, we are found awake and aligned with His purpose.

One-Liner Challenge –

Live wide awake faith, love, and hope are your armor for a world that wants you to sleep.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for the hope we have because You conquered death and gave us life. Help us to live as children of the day, awake, alert, and ready for Your return. Teach us to walk in faith, show love to others, and hold on to hope. Keep us from fear and complacency, and fill us with courage to encourage and build up those around us. Today, let our words and actions honor You and continue the work of faith that began long ago. We trust You and look forward to the day we will be with You forever. Amen.

– Subscribe
Hey family, if today’s message spoke to you, don’t let it stop there. I share reflections like this daily, and if you’d like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up. Head over to the homepage, take 30 seconds, and drop your email. That way, you won’t miss a word that could shift your day or speak to your situation.

⁃ Let’s grow together
—one post, one prayer, one step at a time.

https://communityfocuseddevelopmentcom.azurewebsites.net/

Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire, and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.