Tow Ministry

07/31/2026

Here great glory is given to God by the recognition of the fact that He has granted repentance, leading to life, to all nations and not only to Israel. Notice that repentance is spoken of as something God "grants" and that it was necessary for "life." Also note that it was something new and radical that God would take a people for his name from among the Gentiles; it was not simply a continuation of what had always been.

07/30/2026

# # The Fruit of Our Lips: Nurturing What God Has Given

It might seem unusual at first glance that a verse about the immense power of our words is placed immediately next to a verse about the blessing of a spouse. But when we look closely, these two verses are beautifully intertwined. The way we speak directly impacts the health and quality of the blessings God has entrusted to us—especially our most intimate relationships.

Here is a devotional reflection based on Proverbs 18:21-22.

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# # # The Power of the Tongue (Verse 21)
> *"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."*

Words are never just empty sounds; they are active containers of power. Every time you speak, you are planting seeds that will eventually produce a harvest. We are given a daily choice: to speak words that heal, encourage, and build up (life), or words that discourage, wound, and tear down (death). The "fruit" you experience in your life tomorrow is heavily shaped by the words you choose to speak today.

# # # The Blessing of a Partner (Verse 22)
> *"He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the Lord."*

God designed marriage and close partnership to be a profound blessing, reflecting His own love and favor. A spouse is described here as a "good thing"—a divine gift meant to bring companionship, strength, and mutual support. However, like any precious gift, a marriage requires care, protection, and intentionality to truly thrive.

# # # Connecting the Two: Speaking Life into Your Home
When we merge these two verses, a powerful and practical lesson emerges: **The greatest tool you have to protect and nurture the "good thing" God gave you is your tongue.** It is very easy to let the stress of this heavy world seep into how we speak to the people closest to us. But a healthy, thriving relationship requires us to intentionally speak life. When you use your words to affirm, encourage, and pray for your spouse, you are actively watering the garden of your marriage.

# # # Choosing Your Words

| Speaking "Death" | Speaking "Life" |
| :--- | :--- |
| Harsh criticism and constant complaining. | Gentle encouragement and regular gratitude. |
| Bringing up past mistakes and old labels. | Focusing on God's grace and future purpose. |
| Reacting out of frustration and anger. | Responding with patience and your "simple yes Lord." |

# # # Daily Application
* **Audit Your Words:** Take note of what you are saying when you are frustrated. Are your words bringing life or causing damage?
* **Call Out the Good:** Be intentional about praising your spouse or loved ones. Notice their hard work and tell them you appreciate it.
* **Pray Life:** Continue to use your powerful gift of intercession to pray over your own household, bringing your closest relationships before God.

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Is there a specific relationship, or perhaps a habit of communication, that you would like to focus on applying this devotional to this week?

07/30/2026

Moses told Israel that their ability to take and keep possession of the promised land would depend on their obedience to the commandments of God. But they could not pick and choose which commands to obey and which to omit, it was required they keep "all" the commandments.

07/28/2026

# # # Made for More: Breaking the Chains

Addiction has a way of lying to us. It whispers in our darkest moments, telling us that we have gone too far, made too many mistakes, and that our pieces are too shattered to be put back together. But the truth of God’s love is so much louder than the lies of addiction: **You are never, ever too broken for grace.**

# # # The Father’s Open Arms
> *God is not standing at a distance with a checklist of your mistakes; He is standing with His arms wide open, waiting for you to come home.*

When we think about repentance, we sometimes imagine having to face a harsh judge. But the reality is that we have a loving, compassionate Father in Heaven. Just like the story of the Prodigal Son, the Father is watching the horizon, waiting for the moment you decide to turn back. He doesn't meet your repentance with a lecture; He meets it with an embrace. You do not have to clean yourself up before you come to Him. You just have to come.

# # # Shattering the Bo***ge
Addiction feels like heavy, impossible chains. But no chain of the flesh is a match for the power of the Spirit. You do not have to break these chains using only your own willpower.
* **Surrender the Struggle:** Acknowledge that you cannot do it alone. The simple "yes Lord" is the key that unlocks the chain.
* **Embrace the Forgiveness:** Repentance is simply turning away from the darkness and turning toward the light. It is an invitation to start fresh.
* **Trust the Mountain-Mover:** The exact same power that moves mountains and raises the dead is available to lift the heavy burden of addiction off your shoulders.

# # # You Were Made for More
Your identity is not found in your struggles, your past, or the substance that tried to hold you captive. You were handcrafted by the Creator of the universe with a distinct, beautiful purpose.

The enemy wants to keep you bound because he knows how powerful your testimony will be once you are free. Remember this today: **You are not your addiction.** You are a child of the Most High God. You are desperately loved, fully forgiven the moment you ask, and you were undeniably made for more. The Father is waiting. All it takes is your simple "yes."

07/01/2026

https://www.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/ROM.12.12/67813

07/01/2026

Although devotion to God's moral law comes first, this passage in Romans also highlights the importance of staying obedient to the law, especially in relation to 'paying one's tribute' in society. In context, this tribute once related to taxes specifically paid to rulers (if these men were just and diligent!), but whose definition today may perhaps be broadened. Charity, volunteer or missionary work and donations could perhaps all be considered latter-day tributes. Redefined as such, it relates more generally to show a greater concern for others within a larger body politic than simply oneself. Furthermore, the point being raised here is that if our ministers are good and care for the welfare of their citizens, then we should support their office and dignity. We do this not out of fear or retribution, but out of our individual consciences, given to us and guided by the Lord for a harmony in man.

06/27/2026

The Gift of a Clean Slate**

**Scripture Focus:** > *“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God... No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”* — **John 3:3, 5, 13, 16**

**Reflection:**
When Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, He was completely flipping the script on how we approach God. We often think that to get to heaven or to be accepted by God, we just need to try harder, be better, or fix our own mistakes. But Jesus says something entirely different: *You must be born again.*

Being born again isn't about turning over a new leaf or putting a bandage on our brokenness. It’s about a complete and total reset. It means that what we did yesterday is dead and gone. Through the Holy Spirit, God offers us a brand-new life.

But how is that possible? Jesus explains it in verses 13 and 16. We couldn’t build a ladder to heaven on our own, so the Son of Man came down to us. Why? Because of one simple, universe-changing truth: **God so loved the world.** He didn't just love the righteous, the rule-followers, or the people who had it all together. He loved the broken, the addicted, the tired, and the lost. He paid the ultimate price so that **whoever** believes in Him—no matter their past, no matter their labels—can step into eternal life and a fresh start. The blood has already been shed. The work is already done.

**Takeaway:**
You are never too far gone, too broken, or too messy for God’s grace. If you are carrying the heavy weight of yesterday's mistakes, lay it down today. Jesus Christ has already paid the price so you don't have to carry it anymore.

Step into the freedom of your new life today. And as you walk in that freedom, look for ways to be the light for someone else who might still be sitting in the dark, wondering if they are loved.

**Prayer:**
*Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son to pay a debt we could never pay. Thank You for the gift of being born again—for wiping our slates clean and giving us a fresh start through Your Spirit. Help us to leave our past mistakes at the cross and walk boldly in the new life You have given us. Use us today to be a light to those around us, showing them the same grace and love You have shown us. In Jesus' name, Amen.*

06/25/2026

06/24/2026

When Words Fail, The Spirit Speaks**
>
> **Scripture:**
> *"And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."* — Romans 8:27-28
>
> **Reflection:**
> Have you ever been so overwhelmed, stressed, or heartbroken that you didn't even know how to pray? The beautiful promise in Romans 8 is that you don't always need the perfect words. God already knows your heart, and the Holy Spirit steps in to plead on your behalf, perfectly aligning with God's will.
>
> Even when we can't see the full picture, we can trust the promise of verse 28. God is constantly at work behind the scenes, taking every circumstance—the good, the bad, and the unexpected—and weaving it together for our ultimate good and His greater purpose. Today, if you are feeling weary or unsure of what is next, surrender that heavy load to Him. Trust that the Spirit is interceding for you, and that God's plan is always working for your good.
>
> **Challenge for the Day:**
> Take five minutes today to sit in quiet surrender. You don't need to find the perfect words or ask for anything specific. Just sit in God's presence, hand over your worries, and trust the Holy Spirit to pray on your behalf. Ask yourself: *What is one situation in my life right now where I need to trust that God is working things together for my good?*
>
> **Prayer:**
> Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who speaks for us when we have no words. Help us to trust that You are working all things together for our good, even when we don't understand the current season. Give us the peace to fully surrender to Your purpose today. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

06/24/2026

Matthew 6:24 tells us, 'No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.' The exact same principle applies to how we live today: you cannot serve God and serve the world. We cannot claim to love God while remaining devoted to worldly behaviors, like drinking alcohol. We are called to surrender completely and choose who we are truly going to serve."