Todays Beginning

Tuesday... Remembering strengthens our faith. It really does. Matthew 16:7-10 (NLT), "At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying. so he said, 'You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don't you understand even yet?'" Could Jesus say that about us and all the arguing we are having during this pandemic. I'm sure He has a right to be very frustrated with us. All the arguing we are doing over masks, over taking vaccinations and so much more. He goes on, "Don't you remember the 5,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the  4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up?" Remembering what God has done strengthen our faith and gives us understanding. Giving thanks for what He has done helps us to remember. Oh, it's so easy to remember our opinions, our wan...

Monday... But we can handle it in a different way. Yes we can. David, after a night of having King Saul sending out men to kill him, writes this Psalm, Psalm 59. Near the end of the Psalm he says in verse 16 (NLT), "But as for me." When bad things happen to us usually we go to pieces, don't we? But we can be different, we can handle it in a different way.  David said, "But as for me, I will sing about your power." Not their power, not all the junk that is being thrown our way, not all the negative news that we are feeding on, "But as for me, I will sing about your power." Now God understands what negative stuff we are going through. But as we read His Word on a daily basis, He shows us examples of how to handle what we are going through in a different way. "But as for me, I will sing about your power." David focused on the power of God not the power of King Saul. David goes on, "Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love...

Saturday... Such wisdom. This is so good! This is such a great way to start your day! I have started reading a chapter in Proverbs in the OT of the Bible everyday. Today is the 28th day of this month and I just read Proverbs 28. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs so I can read it in 31 days. So much wisdom to live by. It is a great way to start my day. Look at this verse, Proverbs 28:1 (MSG), "The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions." So what do you do with that guilt? Keep reading. Verse 13 (NLT), "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." Okay, there's the answer.  And here is another reason why we need to confess and turn from them. Verse 9 (MSG) says, "God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him." The NLT says it this way, "God detests the prayers ...

Friday... They gave the right answer. Yes, they did! Jesus asked two blind men a question and their answer changed their world. And Jesus is asking us the same question. And I wonder if our answer will change our world. What are you facing today? What is it that is holding you back from living this day to its fullest? Matthew 9:27 - 28a (NIV) says, "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!' When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' " What are you facing today? What worry has you all in knots? What are you feeling in the pit of your stomach? So how is your relationship with God? What would your answer be if He asked you, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" For many, your answer is no. If you really believe then you would have asked Him, "Have mercy on me." And you would have followed Him wherever He ...

Thursday... This I know. There are so many things that I don't know but this I know. I may not live like it and I need to constantly be reminded of it but this I know and it makes such a difference. Psalm 56:9b (NLT) says, "This I know: God is on my side." Did you need to be reminded of that today? "This I know: God is on my side." So how does that make such a difference? Verses 3 & 4 (NIRV) say, "When I'm afraid, I put my trust in you. I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me? "God is on my side." Verses 9 - 11, "My enemies will turn back when I call on you for help. Then I will know that God is on my side. I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me?" Did you need to be reminded of that today? And then verse 13, "You have saved me from the darkness of death. You have keep me from...

Wednesday... This has been tough. It really has. Oh that we would come back together. David in Psalm 55 tells of experiencing something that we also have been experiencing. He starts out in verses 1 & 2 (NLT) saying, "Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles." And that has been so true. But then he says in verses 12 - 14, "It is not my enemy who taunts me - I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me - I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you - my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God." Has this happened to you during this time of pandemic? We seemed to have had disagreements that have caused divisions with those that we have had fellowship with, we've gone to church with, even our family. Does this seem to be something that would please God? This has been tough, hasn...

Tuesday... He was in a tight spot and he was desperate. David in Psalm 54:1-2 (MSG) says, "God, for your sake, help me! Use you influence to clear me. Listen, God - I'm desperate. Don't be too busy to hear me." It is interesting what we will say when we are in a desperate situation. That is when we really get serious, isn't it? He goes on, verse 3, "Outlaws are out to get me, hit men are trying to kill me. Nothing will stop them; God means nothing to them." Maybe that is where you are today. Oh maybe not hit men are involved or people trying to kill you but you really do feel that your back is up against the wall and you are desperate. And that is usually when we strive to do something and for sure it is usually when we turn to God.  Verse 4 says, "Oh, look!" and there is the problem too many times. We are looking but we are looking at the wrong thing. What we are looking at is what we are seeing. And if it is anything other than God then it is...

Monday... He never will, He never will. I love reading the Bible. It has so much to say to us. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT) has a prayer for us. Paul who loved the people in Thessalonica wrote and prayed this prayer "May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God the patient endurance that comes from Christ." That is what the Bible, God's Word is all about. I love reading the Bible and I hope you do too. If you do then that is an answer to this prayer. That is where we find a full understanding and expression of God's love and patient endurance and find Christ and then live it out in out lives each day. Such good life changing things to see. And then there is verse 3. In The MESSAGE it says, "But the Master never lets us down. He'll stick by you and protect you from evil." He will never let us down. But what about the pandemic? But He will never let us down. But what about my needs. But He will never let us down. B...

Saturday... May this prayer be prayed and be answered. This is the prayer of Paul for those in Thessalonica. And a prayer for us too. Oh may it  be answered. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17 (NLT), "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself [yes He is ours if we have asked Him to come into our life] and God our Father, [yes He is our Father and yes He is Jesus Himself] who loved us [He has shows us how much He really loves us] and by his grace [we don't deserve it] gave us eternal comfort [such a reward, such comfort as we look forward] and a wonderful hope, [no matter what we face today and tomorrow we can handle it, we can face it with hope] comfort you and strengthen you [he will give you strength] in every good thing you do and say. [may it be so.]  The MESSAGE in verses 15-17 puts it this way, "So friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and G...

Friday... A flow of expectations which leads to rescue.  Asaph writes in Psalm 50:14 - 15 (NIRV), "Bring me thank offerings because I am your God. Carry out the promises you made to me, because I am the Most High God. Call to me when trouble comes. I will save you. And you will honor me." Paul in writing his first letter to the Thessalonians in 2:12 (MSG) says, "And now we look back and thank God, an artesian well of thanks." We need to be continually thanking Him just to keep up with what He does for us.  And then back to Psalm 50 (NIRV), "Carry out the promises you made to me." The MESSAGE says, "serve God a feast of kept promises." The NIV, "fulfill your vows to the Most High." and then NLT, "keep the vows you made to the Most High." Why should we ever expect anything from God if we are not thankful for what He has done and is doing for us and if we don't keep our promises to Him? That's a good question, isn't i...

Thursday... Have you found yet that your payment is just not enough? Now that can be really frustrating, can't it? But it's not too late to stop and listen. Psalm 49:1-4 (NIV), "Hear this, all you people, listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike; My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:" And hear it is, the riddle. Verses 5-9, "Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me - those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?" Look at this, listen to this, "No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them - the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is enough - so that they should live on forever and not see decay." The MESSAGE says, "The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn't guarantee LIfe forever,...

Wednesday... Such an opportunity and such a smart thing to do. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 48:14 (AMP), "For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death." Again, "He will be our guide even unto death." The New Living Translation says, " For that is what God is like. He will live forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die." Over in the letter to the Hebrews, the writer writes in 7:25, "Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him." Here is what I want to emphasize, "He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." We have such an opportunity to choose to be connected with someone who will live forever and ever, who will guide us until we die, and who will live forever to intercede with God forever on our behalf and forever is a very long time. Forever is longer than any pandemic, forever is longer than the life of any nation, of any leader, of any pare...

Tuesday... Clapping is a good thing to do. It really is. Maybe not in a baby's room while they are asleep. But it is a good thing to do. I love the Psalms. Psalm 47:1 (KJV) says, "O clap your hands, all ye people; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph." As I read that this morning I was quickened inside because of the song that I remember singing so many year ago. I loved the memory.  Carol and Jimmy Owens put the words of this verse to music. "Clap your hands all ye people. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Clap your hands all ye people. Shout unto God with a voice of praise. Hosanna, hosanna. Shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Praise Him, praise Him. Shout unto God with a voice of praise." Did you know that clapping is known to improve the overall heart health and improve blood pressure? Blood circulation to various organs is also improved by regular clapping. Clapping also helps improve asthma related problems by promoting function of nerve en...

Monday... But Jesus is different. Oh how we need to realize that today! It is so easy to read about Jesus and see Him only as a good man as a good friend. And He is that but He is more than that. I was reading yesterday in Psalm 45:6 - 7 (NLT), "Your throne, O God, endured forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else." And then today, I read in Hebrews 1:8-9, "But to the Son, he says, 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else.'" Hebrews 1:1&2 (MSG), "Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world ...

Saturday... But He gives us the victory! This that we have been going through has really been difficult. It has caused people to live in fear. It has divided families. It has brought insecurities and distrust into our relationships. We don't really know where to turn. So many people have changed churches that they have been a part of for years because of how the leadership has handled what we have been going through. But others in past times have also gone through difficulties. Where did they turn? Who did they trust? How did they make it? Who gave them the victory? The writer of Psalm 44 in verses 4-8 (NLT) says, "You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives victories over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise ...

Friday... He wants the very best for us. Yes He does! Paul writes in Philippians 4:1 (MSG), "My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God." And I know that's what God wants for us today. Paul then gets specific. He says in verse 2, "I urge Eudoia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn't want his children holding grudges." And that can be said of us in our bickering over so many issues that we are facing today. The NLT says, "Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement." That's what a Christ follower does. In verse 4, Paul says, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon." And then verse 9 (MSG), "Put into practice what you learned from me, what you...

Thursday... Could all of this have the opposite of its intended effect? Could it? If you read in the Book of Acts in the New Testament of the Bible you will see how Paul the Apostle wanted to go to the city of Rome to share the good news of Christ. But you will also see that he went as a prisoner. They wanted to stop him. That was their intention. In one of the letters that Paul wrote while a prisoner he said in Philippians 1:12 - 14 (MSG), "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I'm in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they've learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah." Maybe the same could be sa...

Wednesday... You'll feel good. You'll be blessed. That is what will happen if and when we respond as God does. David says in Psalm 41:1 (MSG), "Dignify those who are down on their luck; you'll feel good - that's what God does." That's not what we usually do, is it? We many times point our finger at them, condemn them, even ignore them. We look down on them instead of dignifying them and striving to lift them up. That's not what God does when we are down on our luck.  He goes on, Verses 1-4 (CEV), "You, God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble. You protect them and keep them alive. You make them happy here in this land, and you don't hand them over to their enemies. You always heal them and restore their strength when they are sick. I prayed, 'Have pity, Lord! Heal me, though I have sinned against you." Do you realize that God has expectations for us and rewards for us if we do them. W...

Tuesday... Could there be a purpose in what we are going through? I wonder if there is? David writes in Psalm 40:1 (NLT), "I waited patiently for the Lord to help me." We need patience. We need dependence. "and he turned to me and heard my cry." We need experience that strengthens us and our faith. Verse 2, "He lifted me out of the pit of despair." We need to learn that being down is normal but it is not where we need to stay and we need someone to help us get out of it. "out of the mud and the mire." Oh we really do need to see we don't need to stay there. We seem to be in a  lot of mud and mire right now, don't we? "He set my feet on solid ground." Now that is where we need to be. That is where we need to live. That is a whole lot better than being down in the mud and mire isn't it? He will lift you and set you there. He will, He will. "and steadied me as I walk along." Yes He will!  Verse 3, "He has given m...

Monday... Where else would we go? Where else would we turn? David says in Psalm 38:8 (NLT), "I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart." So where do I turn? Who do I go to for help? Who is my hope? In verse 9 he continues, "You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh." Now that is a good place to go. He knows and He hears. He says in verse 21, "Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God." That's real honesty. You know what I'm going through. You know what I am feeling. You hear my groans, you know my anguish, you know my longings and you even hear my deep sighs. And then verse 22, "Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior." And then in Psalm 39:7 he asks the question, "And so, Lord where do I put my hope?" Where do I go? Where do I turn?  And then he answers, "My only hope is in you." The only place I will go, the only place I will turn, the only place ...

Saturday... We live in a day of such uncertainty but there is hope. It all depends upon where we put our trust. David says in Psalm 37 what we need to hear in this day in which we live. He says in verses 3 (NLT), "Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper." The Amplified Bible says, "Trust [rely on and have confidence]." That's what it means to trust, to really trust and we do need confidence in this day in which we live, don't we? So it starts with trust, but in whom? It goes on and says, "in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness."  Again the New Living Translation says, "Then you will live safely in the land and prosper." And that is what we want in this day that we are living in, isn't it? We want to feel safe. We want to feel that we are making a difference in theses uncertain days.  Then verse 4 gives some more direction. It says, "Take delight ...

Friday... This could really make a difference and it did. It really did. In Matthew 20, there were two blind men sitting by the road as Jesus walked by and there were two responses to them. The crowd rebuked them. So much that is happening in our world today is bringing out rebuke and so much of it is from Christians. We seem to be pointing our fingers a lot lately. A lot of rebuking is going on. But Jesus response was different as I am sure it would be true today. First of all He stopped and asked them a question, He enter into their frustration with a question. Matthew 20:32 (NIV) says, "Jesus stopped and called them, 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked."  Now what would happen if we stopped and instead of rebuking we started reaching out? Verse 33, "'Lord,' they answered, 'we want our sight.'" And here is Jesus response, verse 33, "Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and...

Thursday... We have such great opportunities but do we avail ourselves of them? Do we? In Matthew 13:16 & 17 Jesus says to His disciples, "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it." Such great opportunities we have. We have such great opportunities. I start my time of reading in the Bible each morning with the prayer, Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, may my heart comprehend, my mind comply and my mouth and hands communicate what I am about to read and experience in Your Word.  Such a great opportunity we have. In this section of Scripture, Jesus was talking about different soils and the differences they make in producing good crops and in verse 23 He says, "The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's wor...

Wednesday... Here is a good question for us today. David in Psalm 34:12 (NLT) asks a good question, "Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?" I'm sure we all do. David goes on in verses 13, "Then keep your tongue from speaking evil." As we read the internet that doesn't seem to be happening. Even Christian are having trouble with this one. All the negativity, all the hatred.   He says, "and your lips from telling lies." When we tell lies they can weigh heavily on us. Verse 14, "Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it." Again this is another area that we are not doing very well, is it? There is so much unrest and division. There are so many battles being fought but are they the ones that God would have us fight? But we have our rights. But I'm not sure that is a good battle. I think peace is a better one. Again, "search for peace, and work to maintain it." Now here is th...

Tuesday... Here is something that we can hold onto today. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 33:4a (NLT), "The word of the Lord holds true." The NCV says, "God's word is true." Now Matthew in chapter 5 verse 19 (NLT) says "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of Heaven." And then over in Matthew 7:24-25 (MSG) Jesus says, "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit - but nothing moved that house. It was fixed on the rock." Verses 26-27, "But if you just use my words in Bible studies a...

Monday... Have you experienced this? Have you? David writes in Psalm 32:1 (NLT), "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!" Have you experienced that? Have you? He goes on. Verse 2 says, "Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" Have you experienced that joy? Have you? Here is another experience that you may have had. Verses 3 & 4 says, "When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat." Maybe that is what you did and what you felt. Is that what you experienced? You don't have to but it can lead you to verse 5, "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is...