Today's Beginning

Matthew 17:27a (NLT), "However, we do not want to offend them." Friday... It is so easy to live by our rights. Now Matthew 17 starts with Jesus taking Peter, James and John up this mountain. And while Peter was talking, verse 5 (NLT) says, "But as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great pleasure. Listen to him.'" Yes, it was God speaking to them and telling them who Jesus really was. Then go to the end of this chapter. Verse 24 says, "On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, 'Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?'" Now Peter didn't say what many people would say, "Don't you know who this is? He is the Son of God. He doesn't have to pay any tax." Now let's not get into politics and taxes but into our actions and attitudes and responses. Verse 25 says, "'Yes, he doe...

Psalm 26:3 (NIRV), "I have always remembered your love that never fails. I have always depended on the fact that you are faithful." Thursday... There are things we really do need to remember and share. David writes in Psalm 26:3 (NIRV), "I have always remembered your love that never fails. I have always depended on the fact that you are faithful." And right before this in verse 2 he says, "LORD, test me. Try me out. Look deep into my heart and mind." And at a time like that we need to remember verse 3. Now later in verse 11 (AMP) he writes, "But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me." God is in the business of growing us and he comes with love that never fails, faithfulness, mercy, grace and with redemption or another way to say it is deliverance. Now he doesn't force all this upon us. We can live with no regard for what he wants to give and do in and through us. Now Proverbs 26:1 (NIV) says, ...

Psalm 25:4 (NLT), "Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow." Wednesday... So where do I go? I had a friend in the coffee shop I go to who asked me to pray for them and their planting a new church and that brought me so many memories. I was a church planter. I have even in my life headed out the door asking God what coffee shop do you want me to go? That is a great place for planters to go. Now here is the scripture today that caught my attention. King David in Psalm 25:4 (NLT) said to God what we also can say and need to pray. He said, "Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow." Yes, God is in the right path business for all those who turn to him. I turned my radio off in my car this morning and talked to God about some paths that Margaret and I have to go on. That is such a tremendous opportunity. Now The New International Reader's Version says, "Lord show me your ways. Teach me to follow you." Ve...

Psalm 24:1 (AMP), "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it." Tuesday... He really does use people. He really does. Yes God does. Over in Psalm 24:1 (AMP) it says, "The earth is the LORD's and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it." We are here for a purpose. God created this world for us and then Proverbs 24:3-4 says, "Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation." Again He wants to develop and use us. And then over in Matthew 14:14a (NLT) it says, "Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat." And verse 19, "Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people." Now the...

Psalm 23:4 (NIRV), "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff comfort me." Monday... Even though, I will not. There are so many even thoughs in our life and yes, we can be so afraid. But David writes in Psalm 23:4 (NIRV) of an even though that only happens once but he also shows us how to handle it. He says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff comfort me." Of course, one of the darkest valleys is death and it seems that we face the possibility of it every day. The News loves to reminds us of the reality. But there are other dark valleys that we also face, aren't there, but death is the ultimate, isn't it? Now David says, that even though we walk through those dark valleys, we don't need to be afraid but so many of us are. Why? Because we don't follow and realize that we are not facing those...

Proverbs 20:24 (NLT), "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way." Friday... But I want to understand and be understood. My wife, Margaret is a doer. So many times I will share something with her and she is ready to do something about it. But the problem from my standpoint is that I just wanted her to understand, I want to understand and be understood. Yes, there are lessons for me to learn from reading God's Word. God has created each one of us to be unique but for many it is so important to understand and to be understood. Now Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) says, "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way." That is so good. I needed that. David over in Psalm 20:1 says, "In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm." Now in these times of trouble we can wonder and strive to understand why in the world is God allowing this in...