Today's Beginning

Psalm 33:6 (NLT), "The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born." Monday... Let's stop, look and listen. The writer of Psalm 33 in verse 6 (NLT) says, "The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed and all the stars were born." I, know, I know he worked a miracle when he made you and me but, and this is so important, but we don't have what it takes to do it all. No matter what we are facing it is not all up to us. Oh we have great ability and it is amazing what we can do, and yes the LORD created us but stop and look at this. Now it really does help for us to believe that God created the heavens and the earth and that he created you and me. And then to realize that he merely spoke and the heavens were created and to me that really makes a difference in what I am facing today. Yes, we do have such potential but in no way can I merely speak and what I am facing is taken care of but Go...

Romans 12:12 (AMP), " constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength]." Friday... Yes, let's keep at it and see what happens. What a tremendous chapter Paul writes while in prison in Rome. Romans 12 is so filled with encouragement and direction. Here in verse 12 (AMP) he says, "constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength." Yes, Paul was living in a house but he had a Roman guard with him all the time making sure he wouldn't leave Rome. He had court dates on his calendar but in the middle of all he was going through he writes in verse 12 encouragement in what we need to do in our lives. He says what he was doing, He was "constantly rejoicing in hope." No matter what he was going through he constantl...

Romans 11:33 (NLT), "Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!" Thursday... Now this is so important to see. Yes, it is important for us to really see how great God is in his mercy and his grace. We really don't deserve what he has done and is doing for us and others. Paul in his writing to the gentiles in Rome says in Romans 11:33 (NLT), "Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!" Yes, God has given us his Word and he has given us his Holy Spirit to show us his riches and wisdom and teach each of us his knowledge and show us his decisions and his ways but we are still humans with ideas of our own. Now there is a lot of discussion about the Jews of our day. Paul in his writing in verses 28-32 says, "Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you...

Romans 10:17 (NLT), "So faith comes from hearing, that is hearing the Good News about Christ."  Wednesday... We are always looking for good news. And in this world of TV and the Internet it is really hard to find good news. It really is. But Paul writes in his letter to the Romans in 10:17 (NLT), "So faith comes from hearing, that is hearing the Good News about Christ." But even so much of what is being shared is not Good News. Now Pauls says in verse 11 (AMP), "For the Scripture says, 'WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations.]" Yes that is Good News but so many have not heard that. In verse 2 (NLT) Paul says about the children of Israel and probably a lot of us, "I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal." So many have not heard the Good News. Verse 3 says, "For they don't understand God's way of making people right with hi...

Proverbs 28:25b (AMP), "But he who trusts in the LORD will be blessed and prosper." Yes, trusting in the LORD is the way to live. Tuesday... There are different ways to live. But not all of them work at least in the long haul. Proverbs 28:25b (AMP) says, "But he who trusts in the LORD will be blessed and prosper." Yes, trusting in the LORD is the way to live. Now verse 26 says, "He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool, but he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued." The NIV says, "Those who trust in their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe." And too many times we take the path of foolishness instead of the path of safety. David writes in Psalm 28:7 (AMP), "The LORD is my strength and my [impenetrabile] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Hi...

Psalm 27:13 (NLV), "Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living." Monday... So where do we get confidence? How is this day, this week looking? Are you confident that you can handle whatever comes your way? Yes, there can be so many things that come into our lives and blow away our confidence. David says in Psalm 27:3a, "Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid." Can we say that today? There is a lot of unrest in our world. Verse 10a says, "Even if my father and mother abandon me." A lot of that is going around too. But David says in verse 13a, "Yet I am confident." Verse 3 says, "Though a mighty army surround me, my heart will not be afraid, Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." Verse 10 says, "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close." And verse 13 says, "Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness w...