Today's Beginning

Luke 14:11 (AMP), "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted." Thursday: This is such a good habit. Over in Proverbs 23 it tells of habits that have some problems with them. Verses 20-23 (AMP) says, "Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eater of meat. For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags." There are habits in there that do not turn out for our best. They are not good habits. But in Luke 14:11 Jesus tells of a good habit. He says, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted." Again, "he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted." I'm sorry the habits of drinking and eating the wrong thi...

Proverbs 22:4 (AMP), "The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one's importance] and the [reverent, wonderful] fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life." Wednesday... They are so needed! It is so important for us to have a realistic view of our importance and then we will be reward. Proverbs 22:4 (AMP) says, "The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one's importance] and the [reverent, wonderful] fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life." Did you realize there is a reward for being humble and for fear? Now we do really think there is a reward for pride, for having an high opinion of yourself, that is how you get to the top but Solomon the wisest and one of the richest men who ever lived said that having a realist view of one's importance and having a reverent, wonderful fear of the Lord is where the reward of riches, honor, and life comes from. I still get in trouble when I think that what I think is so importa...

Luke 12:25-26 (NLT), "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?" Tuesday... We need to do each day what will make a positive difference. I strive to bring each day a positive thought of encouragement from God's Word. Now some negative verses do have a positive thought behind them. Like Luke 12:25-26 (NLT) which asks, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?" Verse 21 says, "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." And from there verses 22-23 says, "Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, 'That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and you...

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...