Today's Beginning

Luke 11:10 (AMP), "For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds, and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened." Monday... So just keep at it! The disciples here in Luke 11 came to Jesus while he was in a certain place praying and it says in verse 1 (NLT), "As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, 'LORD teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'" Now the disciples saw that Jesus found praying to be very important. Yes he spent time on a regular basis praying to his Father. Right up to the night before Jesus was put on a cross we find him praying. So, if it was important to him then it must be important for us. In this matter of trusting in God there also must be a time of connecting with God through prayer. Jesus says in verses 2-4, "This is how you should pray: Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us ea...

Psalm 77:11-12 (MSG), "Once again, I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts." Friday... So let's face today with focus. There are at some times in our life so many things that keep us awake and we may go to our friends for help. And the Proverbs says there is help in many counselors but sometimes it just makes us more confused. Now the Psalmist in 77:11-12 (MSG) gives such good advice. He says "Once again, I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts." It really could be a focus thing. The Egypt Red Sea He starts this Psalm by saying in verse 1 (NLT), "I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh that God would listen to me! When I am in deep trouble I searched for the Lord." Now each time it seems is...

Psalm 76:4 (NLT), "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains."  Thursday... They are glorious and majestic and it seems everlasting. We live in a town where the buildings are unbelievable but every once in a while they want them torn down so they explosed them. It is quite a sight. But I live right across the freeway from a very beautiful hill that has been there for a long, long time. Now the city of Las Vegas is surrounded by hills and mountains that are unbelievable but in no way do they compare to God. The writer of Psalm 76:4 (NLT) says, "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains." Now the You is God who created those glorious, majestic and everlasting mountains. And man has no chance in building anything that compares to them. I love sitting out on our back patio and looking at the hill across the freeway especially when the sun is shining on it. It is breathtaking. Now it isn't the largest but each one behin...

Psalm 75:1 (NLT), "We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds." Wednesday... Yes, yes, this is so, so important to know. When I was young we as a family lived in a small travel trailer. My father was a traveling evangelist so we all lived in a one bedroom trailer. We also lived in the car. We would be in a church holding services where my dad preached for 10 days and my sister and I would sing with our dad who also played the piano. And after the second Sunday night service, dad would hook the car up to the trailer and we would head out to the next church where we did it all again starting Wednesday through two Sundays. We as a family were always together. Our mom was also our teacher. We were together all of the time. One time my mom was sick and in the hospital and my sister and I were staying with our uncle and aunt and I had trouble at night with mom and dad not close and my aunt came in and helped to comfort m...

Psalm 74:12 (NLT), "You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth." Tuesday... Whys are difficult but who and what can make such a difference. Yes, our life has so many whys. Right now there are whys around us that we may not understand. Look at Psalm 74. Asaph in verse 1 (NLT) says, "O God, why have you rejected us so long." Verse 11a says, "Why do you hold back your strong right hand?" And that is in the Bible. Yes, our whys can be honest feelings. Maybe you are having some right now and they are bringing you down to despair and doubt. Yes, God allows them but who and what are so important and we need to hold on to them especially during our whys. Now the rest of verse 11 says, "Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them." and that tells us that Asaph has seen God work in other times. The who he was talking to has what it takes to take care of their problems and that is so important for us to dwell on to strengthen ou...

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT), "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." Monday... Yes, there is a definite difference. There are some things in life that we do that have control and that really do make a definite difference. Solomon writes in Proverbs 13:4 (NLT), "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." I know, I know, after a busy weekend we're not too sure about this working hard and if it is worth it but it is. Now the source is important. Psalm 73:23-26 says, "Yet, I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom in heaven have I but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." So why in the world would I be lazy when God is my source and my strength? Back to Proverbs 13. Verse 11 says, "Wealth from get-ri...