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3/6/2026 0 Comments

Absolute Surrender

Absolute surrender is anathema to the very fabric of man’s thinking. It wasn’t always that way; it began when Adam and Eve decided that obeying God was optional. Their act of rebellion cursed us with an inherited and unquenchable unruly disposition.

Surrender means giving something up. Absolute surrender means giving up everything. When a defeated nation concedes in total capitulation to its conqueror, it has no say in the terms it is handed—there must be complete adherence. This is why no country ever wants to be in this position. It is utter humiliation and loss of sovereignty

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2/27/2026 1 Comment

Authentic

Citadel Cadets and Coast Guard Academy Grads with the Author

A youth pastor recently shared that authenticity is most important to members of Generation Z (born roughly between 1997 and 2010). Raised in the ever-present influence of social media, they have learned that what one sees and reads is often not true. They understand hype, disingenuousness, posing, and fakeness. They have observed what materialism does to people. They feel the pain of inflation and understand that, in a nation deeply underwater in debt, getting ahead economically is unlikely. They know what it’s like to live in a polarized country where both sides manipulate information. What they crave is honesty.

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2/17/2026 2 Comments

Game Over!

Mighty Joe

Jesus chomped on the Pharisees for their love of money (Luke 16:14). He could have done the same with athletes for their love of sports, or politicians for their love of power, or models for their love of beauty. What we are consumed with or most devoted to reveals much about us, but also about our destiny. And Jesus knew that.

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2/10/2026 1 Comment

When Experience Doesn't Matter

In Dad’s journal entry for August 6, 2000, I read, “A schoolteacher claimed to have 25 years of experience, but her head teacher said of her, ‘She has just one year of experience 25 times.’” Ouch.

Meditation
Lamentations 3:47-48--We have experienced panic and pitfall, devastation and destruction. My eyes flow with streams of tears because of the destruction of my dear people.

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2/1/2026 1 Comment

Bumper Stickers

I was walking through a Walmart parking lot and couldn’t help but notice different bumper stickers on the back windows of cars and trucks.
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The words “Raising Arrows” sat underneath three arrows pointed north. I thought what a great statement, a parent who no doubt is reflecting Psalm 127:4,5:
"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.”

Another read, “I Support Single Moms,” accompanied a picture of a woman wrapped around a pole. Proverbs 19:3 came to mind, “A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.”
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Many vehicles displayed the University of Georgia’s Bulldog logo, featuring a G surrounded by red.
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One logo was so nasty that it would be inappropriate to share. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who drag wickedness with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes” (Isaiah 5:18).

Meditation
Psalm 34:3--Proclaim Yahweh’s greatness with me; let us exalt His name together.
71:17--God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works.

Bumper stickers are works of proclamation. They tell people what is important or not important to us. They provide a way to convey humor. They suggest values, loyalties, how we think or don’t think. They state who or what we like or dislike. They reveal safety protocols or recklessness.  They show places we have been and the right to free expression.

In a way, our lives are bumper stickers. Just as we ought to be thoughtful and purposeful about what we proclaim on our vehicles, so we ought to be attentive and wise about what we broadcast in the way we live. I am reminded of the story of the woman who lost her temper, honked at, and berated the driver in front of her for stopping at a crosswalk, causing her to miss the green light ahead. The policeman who was behind her pulled her over. He asked for her license and insurance, and she demanded to know what she had done wrong. After checking her information, the policeman returned and said, I’m sorry, ma’am. I pulled you over because the car’s bumper stickers read “What would Jesus do?” and featured a fish emblem. I assumed the car must have been stolen.

Inspiration
“In our behavior, in the words we write and speak, we can become ambassadors of God's inspiration. Whenever we strive to lift up others in ways that are good and noble we are serving as radiating centers for God's inspiration.”—Wilferd Peterson

©2026 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.

Ecclesiastes 12:10—"The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.”  (Holman CSB)

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1/22/2026 0 Comments

I Have Observed

I remember, as an eighteen-year-old, living with my aunt and uncle in Coeur ‘d Alene, Idaho, who graciously took me into their home while I awaited my move to New York to attend West Point. Norm let me drive his Ford Ranchero and paid me to move pipes and water his crops. Whenever I got in a bind, he would flash his trademark Norwegian grin, which could be translated as “You are such an idiot.” I felt like a little kid in his presence. Given my mechanical stupidity, I’m sure he wondered how I would ever make it in an engineering school. Had it not been for God’s help and classmates like Kevin Stewart, who spent hours tutoring me, I would never have survived the Academy, and I wonder what would have become of my life. Wondering can be a healthy exercise in appreciating God’s sovereignty. This surely must have been the case for one of the world’s greatest leaders.

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1/16/2026 2 Comments

Tragedy

Delta Maddogs--40th Gander Reunion

When I walked into the American Legion on December 11, 2025, I was entering a gathering of those connected to the fatal crash of Arrow Airlines on December 12, 1985, that killed 256 people in Gander, Newfoundland. We had assembled in Kentucky for the 40th anniversary of that horrific tragedy. But my first thought was that I was in the wrong place. The people looked too old and mostly unfamiliar as I initially scanned the faces. But then, as my eyes adjusted to the bright light so dissimilar from the dark parking lot, I recognized soldiers from my company and my West Point classmate, Mark Armstrong. I was in the right place, yet wow, how much forty years has changed our appearance and bearing.

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1/9/2026 2 Comments

Diligence: The Key to Prospering

Every person I know who is successful—morally, spiritually, physically, financially, socially, or intellectually—is diligent. I can think of no exceptions. Without diligence, life falls apart. Consider a person who is morally inconsistent, who follows the rules or ethical mores only when it is convenient. That person’s reputation and standing will eventually fail because of a breach of integrity.

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12/31/2025 1 Comment

A New Year

A new year, 2026, approaches. Achievers eagerly begin plotting the goals they will set and accomplish in the coming year. If they are like me, they may use a format like Luke 2:52 to organize their goals under four headings: spiritual, physical, social, and intellectual. Executors tend to love goal setting because it gives them something tangible to measure and earn satisfaction from. Relators enjoy goals so long as they further or deepen relationships. Influencers find goals helpful for accomplishing an overall vision or agenda. Thinkers tend to be more strategic about what they plan to do, or cautious if the process has not gone well in the past. And some people in each category (depending on their strengths) may find the whole notion of goal setting a waste of time or effort.

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12/21/2025 1 Comment

When is it Good to be Terrified?

As far as I know, I have never been visited by an angel, but I do know people who have. In those instances, they did not realize it was an angel until after the fact. Some have shared stories of being rescued from immediate danger where intervention was obvious, yet the hands that protected remained invisible. I imagine there are probably far more instances of God’s protection than we realize.

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12/9/2025 1 Comment

What Matters II

Pastor Daniel Mugeni

Each year, First Cause sends a Christmas gift to someone on our international team. This year, our gift went to Daniel and Aidda in Iganga, Uganda. Daniel wrote, “You have served my entire family of 30 members with Christmas. I have 26 needy orphans living with me, plus my four kids.” We did not realize that Daniel and Aidda were caring for 26 kids. Like our brother, Joseph, who pastors in Eldoret, Kenya, they do not just pastor needy families; they live by a daily faith that is stretched often beyond what seems possible.

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12/9/2025 0 Comments

Love

Psalm 89:1--I will sing about the Lord’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generationswith my mouth.

I was driving down the road recently asking God to forgive me for a persistent sin in my life when I was overcome with the realization of how much God loves me. There is no greater feeling in the world than to be loved. I don’t know how your week is going but I do know this, God loves you. Consider and reflect on this awesome affirmation—God loves me! He loves me with a permanent, immeasurable, all-understanding, beautifully-sculptured, cross-bearing, resurrection-resounding love! Now pause with this succeeding thought. There is someone near me who needs to hear a poignant message, “God loves you!” Ethan the Ezrahite was so blessed by God’s love He would sing of it forever. Embrace his song and add your own harmony to the symphonic truth that gives hope today—“God loves us!”

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11/30/2025 1 Comment

Great Grandpa York

Caswell and Margaret York, parents of Henry Clay York

Meditation
Romans 12:12--Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

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11/22/2025 2 Comments

Guard Your Deposit

Robert Kayanja walked three miles to school as a nine-year-old. One day after classes, he was exhausted and noticed a pick-up truck that he thought often drove by his home. He asked the driver if he could ride in the back of the truck, and the man said it was okay. But the driver did not turn onto the road to his home; instead, he drove a different direction. Robert saw dead animals in bags in the back of the truck and noticed the men in the cab, and immediately became frightened that he was being kidnapped. He stood up to jump, and the driver shouted at him to sit down as he sped down the road.

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11/9/2025 2 Comments

What Destroys Our Character?

Why is it so hard for Christians to finish well? Reading that question perhaps reminds you of someone who crashed and burned. It does not take much accounting to realize that many followers of Jesus who start well or accomplish great things somehow stumble at the finish line or simply quit running.

King Uzziah had it all. He had a brilliant military mind that conceptualized building devices that shot arrows and catapulted large stones from towers. These were crucial in defending Judah’s cities (26:15). God gave him success against his enemies, whom he defeated in battle, as long as he listened to the advice of Zechariah the priest.

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10/26/2025 4 Comments

Praying God's Will

Barbie with Ron

Recently, I traveled to central Florida with my sister, Barbie, to spend time with Dad, who was not doing well and, according to our brother, Nate, might not live much longer. Once again, Dad surprised us. He snapped out of his comatose state, recognized us, and was able to briefly converse and display the joy that permeates his life. While Dad slept most of the time, the three of us siblings were able to catch up and share meaningful conversations. During one of those discussions, Nate shared something that challenged my thinking, and I want to share it with you, hoping it might encourage you as it did me.

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10/20/2025 1 Comment

Obsessed

When I mention the word obsessed does anyone come to mind? I immediately think of many types of people I observe on social media. The first group frequently posts critical messages about the political leader or party they detest. No matter what the leader or party does or says, they find fault. They are unreasonable. Other people fanatically follow their favorite athletes or sports teams. They are seasonable. Some are passionate about sharing or reliving photos and stories of their personal or family accomplishments and adventures. They are personable. The fourth type shares spiritual experiences or uplifting messages. They are inspirable. The fifth group regularly shares food recipes, health, weight, or exercise tips, and accomplishments. They are coachable. And then there are the super-obsessed folks who weigh in with all or most of the above, clearly living on social platforms. They are formidable

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10/7/2025 1 Comment

Gullible

An Idaho seventh grader won first place at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair for his project.[1] The purpose of his study was to determine how many people would outlaw a hazardous chemical if only supplied with partial information regarding its characteristics. Fifty participants were asked to sign a petition that demanded stringent control of dihydrogen monoxide. Six reasons were provided to support the elimination of this chemical.

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10/3/2025 1 Comment

Treasure in Hand

CBS News carried a heartwarming story about nine-year-old Jameson, the young Philadelphia Phillies fan whose dream was to catch or acquire a big league baseball. His parents bought tickets for seats positioned along the third base line, where the ball girl routinely tossed foul balls on the field up to fans in the stands. Sure enough, in the fifth inning, Jameson got a ball. Later, while watching the game, he overheard a woman ask the ball girl if she could get a ball for her mother, Donna, who was at the game to celebrate her 80th birthday. As you can imagine, youth are the priority, and the chances of Donna getting a ball were remote. So Jameson had his prize, but several innings later, he did something astounding for a boy with treasure in hand.

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9/27/2025 1 Comment

Afraid to Ask

Have you ever had a time in your life when the Holy Spirit or God’s Word spoke to you, but the truth of the message did not make sense? The prophet Daniel, aware of God’s judgment over Israel and having received terrifying visions regarding future events, called out to Him and shared his concerns (Daniel 9). God sent an angel to minister to him. “He said, ‘Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!’ As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me’” (10:19).

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