Todays Beginning

Saturday... He just keeps giving.. Over in Mark 6:30-43 it tells of Jesus ministering to a large crowd and they became very hungry. And Jesus took care of their need. Verse 42 (NLT) says, "They ate as much as they wanted." And verse 43 says, "A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed."  Verse 41 says, "Jesus took five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people." "He kept giving." Then over in Mark 8:1 it says, "About this time another large crowd had gathered and the people ran out of food again." Wouldn't you think He would be frustrated? Why didn't they bring food? What about those things that keep happening to us and we come to Him with our continuing need?  Verse 2 Jesus said, "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing to ...

Friday... Is it with dread or anticipation? It is so easy to live with the monotony of life. It's just another day. But is it? I mean, today is a new day, a day that we have never lived and our attitude tells us a lot about how we will handle it, how we will live it. The writer of Psalm 149:1 (MSG) says, "Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song," Not a song of yesterday, not a song of the weekend, not a song of monotony, no sing a new song. Today is a new day. It has never been lived, it has never been experienced, it is a new day and it deserves a new song. And the Psalmist starts with a Hallelujah, a cheer. I know, I know, that may be a little much for you but it is a great way to start. Last week at this time, my wife and I were sitting on an airplane looking forward to spending some time with our family in Denver. When we got to the airport all of them were there greeting us with hugs and excitement. Now we started the day with not much sleep but we started it with e...

Thursday... Here is a better way. Our pride gets in the way, doesn't it? We do something wrong and we want to hide it. We want to look good. We don't want people to really know about us, do we? But Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) says, "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."  Verse 13 in The MESSAGE says, "You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them." Be honest, confess them to God, admit what you've done and then leave them behind. Quit doing them. But there is also a better way, verse 14 (NLT) says,  "Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble." Take care of it before you do it. But if you do, be honest, confess them to God, admit what you've done and then leave them behind. Quit doing them. Verse 14 in the MESSAGE says, "A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hard...

Wednesday... It just changes your perspective on life! It really does. When you read a Psalm from the Bible everyday, it really does change your perspective on your life. It really does. Psalm 147:1 (MSG), "Hallelujah! It is a good thing to sing praise to our God!" Yes, yes it is! Then verse 5, "Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; We'll never comprehend what he knows and does." What are you facing today? "Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; We'll never comprehend what he knows and does." How would you face today if you didn't know that, if you haven't had that reinforced everyday because you have read it over and over in the Psalms? Oh, I know how I would feel if every morning I turned on the news and that was it. I would feel so alone and so discouraged and so depressed with so much anxiety. But, "Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; We'll never comprehend what he knows and does." I also read this, this...

Tuesday... So how are your plants doing? I'm presupposing that you might have some plants inside or outside your house and that you are doing all you can to help them grow.  As I was coming out of my house this morning I was marveling at our plants and our trees and how they are coming out of their winter experience and springing into new life.  The same can be said of us as we face a new day. How are we doing in our spiritual growth? Jesus tells the story of a farmer. In Mark 4:3 (MSG) He says, "Listen, what do you make of this? A farmer planted seed." That is where it starts. Then to 18-19, "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they have heard and nothing comes of it." Then verse 20 says, "But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a ...

Monday... We each one have tremendous ability but...  And that but should be emphasized everyday. Not as a put down but as an honest assessment. It is really amazing what people can do but the reality is we can only be at one place at a time. Brett is our son and Stefanie is our daughter with their own families and they live in two different cities, 11 driving hours apart. No matter what ability I have I cannot be with my kids and their mates and their kids at their homes at the same time. It is impossible. We spent this weekend in Denver where Brett, Marissa, Ashlyn and Addison live and we got back to Las Vegas early this morning where Stef, Andrew, Harper and Penny live. And I'm tired after an early morning flight and that may be why this verse in Psalm 145 jumped out at me this morning Verse 18 says, "The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth." He really is. I love that fact. The fact that He is omnipresent is a tremendou attribute ...

Thursday... What we ask for can be unnecessary. Sometimes what we ask for in our prayers is unnecessary. Look at how David starts his prayer in Psalm 141:1 (MSG), "God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears - it's my voice you're hearing!"  Now from God's point of view that is unnecessary because He is always close. If we have a personal relationship with Him He is even in our heart. His Spirit is in us and He knows our voice. It just is that we need that reinforcement, that confidence. We need to reinforce the fact that He is close and He does know our voice. And He does. Now there is an unless in there, unless we are not close to Him. There are so many things in us that can get in the way of God. Yes He may be close but we are not looking for Him, we are not close to Him. Later David says in verse 8, "But God, dear Lord, I only have eyes for you. Since I've run for dear life to you, take good care of me." And that is what He wants to do for us b...

Wednesday... They have become such good friends. I love the Psalms. I started reading a Psalm every day back when I was a Youth Pastor in Portage, Indiana. I had realized that I had a tendency to look at life from a negative view and decided that I wanted to start each day from a positive, faith based view and one of the things I started doing to change my daily view was to read a Psalm. And that is what I've done now for over 40 years. Yes, they have become dear friends. Do you have a friend that makes a difference in your life? They have changed your view of life. They help you start your day with a right perspective, they are always there when you need them and they lead you to God.  Let me introduce you to today's Psalm. Here is what David in Psalm 140:6-8 (MSG) says, "I prayed, 'God, you're my God! Listen, God! Mercy! God, my Lord, Strong Savior, protect me when the fighting breaks out! Don't let the wicked have their way, God. don't give them an inch....

Tuesday... Now this might be a prayer we might not want to pray.  I'm going this next month for my annual physical checkup. Now I'm not too good at doing this. This will be the first time for me to do it two years in a row in a long time. I know that it is for my own good but it isn't something that I really do as a priority. But check ups really are a good thing. Now David starts Psalm 139 with a check up. Starting in verse 1 (MSG) he says, "God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance." Now this isn't a prayer that we really need to pray, is it? He doesn't need our permission to know all about us, He just does. David goes on. Verse 2-6 says, "You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight, You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too - your reassuring pre...

Monday... It speaks to us where we are. Yes it does. Look at Psalm 138:1-3 (MSG). It says, "Thank you! Everything in me says, 'Thank you!' Angels listen as I sing thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again, 'Thank you!!' Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out you stepped in; you made my life large with strength." Maybe that is where you are today. We've just celebrated Easter. And your heart is filled with thanks. You may be reveling in His love and His faithfulness. You've called out and He's stepped in and He has given you such strength to handle life.  But then the Psalmist goes on in verses 7 & 8. Maybe this is where you are today. He says, "When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, With the other hand save me. Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is ...

Saturday... This would be the day! If there was any day that we needed to do what the Psalmist says, this would be the day. Psalm 136:1 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endure forever." Of course every day we live we need to do this. He really is good. But this is the day between the two days. This is the day after the horrible day and before the unbelievable day. This is the day between Good Friday and Easter, the day between His death, His sacrifice and His resurrection. And we need to rise up and "give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." And that is an important reality to grasp today. These were not days that just happened and they are over. No the reality and the opportunities and the life changes continue forever. His faithful love endures forever. The MESSAGE Paraphrase says, "His love never quits." In every book we read till the end we then set it aside and say that was good and t...

Friday... He does whatever pleases HIm. As we look at this Friday, we call it Good Friday, we must remember this. There was no nationality that did this. The Jews have been hated because some hold them responsible, but they didn't kill him. Our sins killed Him and He does whatever pleases Him because He loves us. Psalm 135:6 (NLT) says, "The Lord does whatever pleases Him." This day was a part of God's plan. It showed how much He loves us. And that is where trusting in His love comes in. Yes, yes we must remember the pain, the torcher, the redicicule that Jesus, God's Son went through. But He went through it, He allowed it because He loves us.   Hold this picture as you think about Jesus on the Cross. Psalm 135:5-8 says, "I know the greatness of the Lord - that our Lord is greater than any other god. The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in the depths. He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth. He send...

Thursday... But are we great or a disgrace? Some would say that we are great if they are in charge. Some would say we are great because of how large we are or how much wealth we have or power or influence. But Proverbs 14:34 (NLT) says, "Godliness makes a nation great," Now some people can be said to be great because of their Godliness but is our nation great or a disgrace? The whole verse says, "Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people."  The MESSAGE puts it this way, "God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak." Oh if we would devote our lives to God. We are headed into Easter weekend. It shows a weak nation that turned their back on God and even killed God's Son. Yes there were people who were devoted to God but their nation wasn't. Even their religious leaders turned their back on God and they were a disgrace. Oh God, may we turn back to You, may we truly be devoted to you. May we be great a...

Wednesday... Where would He go first? If Jesus came back to earth where would He go first?  Here are some ideas. Psalm 133:1 (NLT) says, "How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sister live together in harmony!" Proverbs 13:24 says, "Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them." And then Matthew 21:12, "Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice." If He came back today I don't believe He would go to the halls of congress. He would go to church. That is what really matters to Him. He would head to where His children are and strive to take care of what was keeping them from being used by God and getting them back on track. Could we be in a time of being disciplined? He then told this story, verses 28-32, "But what do you think of this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in ...

  Tuesday... We see life from a totally different perspective. Have you ever been going through life, everything is great and then something comes in and it blows you completely out of the saddle? And you might say but this isn't fair. From your perspective the change just isn't fair. That's the way we view life. We see it from our perspective but there is more to life than that. Matthew 21:17 (NLT) says, "As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him." And I know that must have blown the disciples out of their saddles. I mean, they were right in the middle of an exciting life. Everything it seemed was coming together. That is from their perspective, everything was coming together. And from God's view that was true. His plan that had been laid out though the Old Testament was coming together but it was messing up the disciple's plans. And it just wasn't fair. Proverbs 12:15 says, ...

Monday... Oh to start today with a quiet heart and to be content. We start our days with so much anxiety and pressure, don't we? And we long for a quiet heart, to be calm and to be content. King David wrote Psalm 131. As you read his story you see all the pressure he lived under and its great to see how he handled it. He writes (MSG), "God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans." Here is the the key, "I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in his mother's arms, my soul is a baby content." And then verse 3, "Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!" The NIRV puts it this way, "Lord, my heart isn't proud. My eyes aren't proud either. I don't concern myself with important matters. I don't concern myself with things that are too wonderful ...

Saturday... It can be a waste of time. My wife and I love plants and flowers. We have them all through our house and also outside in our front and back yards. We have some plants that are watered and others that need to be watered. We have some planted in the ground and others in pots. There are reasons why we have both. Now we live in the desert and water is very important. Right now we are starting watering more with the Spring and Summer coming but there are some plants that still it seems are not coming alive but we are patient. We are not yet experienced in the timing of our plants coming alive from the cold months and those who won't live through the hot months and there is a difference and it can be a waste of time if you don't know the difference. Now people in some ways are like that. Proverbs 9:7-12 (MSG) says, "If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. Do not waste your time with ...

Friday... May is such a good word. Yes, it is! Now it is April and May is just round the corner but that is not the may I am talking about. The Psalmist in Psalm 128:5-6 has four mays that we could also wish and pray. He says, " May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!" Now the interesting fact about this Psalm is that it was a song for pilgrims ascending into Jerusalem. This was where their temple was and they would sing this Psalm over and over as they were coming to their church where they would give their requests, their desires, their mays to God.  We're coming into Palm Sunday this weekend and we'll be going to church with some mays of our own to bring to God. Oh we know that we don't have to go to church, we don't have to go through a priest to get to God, we have a personal relationship with Him and we can go directly to God. And we ...

Thursday... So let's celebrate what He has personally given and given to us! God has been so very good to me. He has through the years given me nine unbelievable gifts. He has given me my wife, Margaret and two children, Brett and Stefanie, and their mates, Marissa & Andrew and from them four granddaughters, Ashlyn, Addison, Harper and Penny. The writer of Psalm 127 in verses 3-5 (MSP) says, "Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your guivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you, you'll sweep them right off your doorstep." This was today's Psalm for me to read and this is my son Brett's birthday. Both are a reminder of how good God is and has been to me. Today is a personal celebration of God's goodness as is everyday. So what gift from God are you...

Wednesday... He is continually so good to us. He really is. The Psalmist in Psalm 126 writes in verses 1-3 (MSG), "It seems like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion's exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations - 'God was wonderful to them!' God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people."  Can that be said of you? Has God done something unbelievable in your life and you remember all the excitement when it happened? He is so good to us. He really is. But the Psalmist doesn't stop there. Verse 4 says, "And now, God, do it again." So how do we handle that? I mean we did what they wanted, more than they asked for and they were so thankful but here they come again. And the Psalmist writes, "And now, God, do it again."  Now this is important for us to see. God isn't us but He wants us to be like Him. He goes the extra mile and He wants us to do the same  Verses 4-6...

Tuesday... He always has and always will.  I'm looking out on some mountains. I love doing that. Now those mountains have been there a long time. Around 25 years ago when I first came to Las Vegas they were there. I came through this town with my parents over 60 years ago and they were there. The world around them has changed but they haven't. No matter what has happened around them they are still the same. Now there is a security in looking out on those mountains. I can trust those mountains. That can't be said of the valley. There has been great changes since the first time I came to this valley but not those mountains. I love living close to mountains. I really do.  The Psalmist in Psalm 125:1-2 (MSG) says,  "Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain: Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain you can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles his people - always has and always will." There is so much that we put our trust in but it c...

Monday... Asking the what if question can be a great reminder. My mom's birthday was at the end of last month. What if she hadn't been born, what if she hadn't become a Christian, what if she wouldn't have met my dad, what if they hadn't gotten married? But she was and she did and on June 1st, almost 75 years ago I came into this world because God brought everything together. You could do the same thing with your life. Asking the what if question can be a great reminder, can't it? Well David in Psalm 124:1 (NLT) writes, "What if the Lord had not been on our side?"  Now for some they don't realize that God has been a part of their life on the outside because they haven't had a relationship with Him and they haven't had the benefits of that relationship. But He has. He has been there putting situations in their life, striving to get them to come to Him but their what ifs can be great disappointments and deep regrets. David writes in verses 2-...

Saturday... They are miracle words! The writer of Psalm 119 in verse 129 (MSG) says, "Every word you give me is a miracle word." And verse 132 he prays, "Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you." Now that word, kindly, is a miracle word for so many people. Do you need that word today? There are so many other words that come into our life on a daily basis. This is not a kind world for so many. Sin brings so much into this world. This is not God's plan but if we personally love Him, and reach out to Him He will turn and look kindly on us. As the NLT puts it, "Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name." And we so need kindness and mercy don't we? Those are miracle words, aren't they? And so many around us need them too and as followers of God we too can and must look kindly and show mercy. Judgement is not ours to give, but kindness and mercy are. What would happen in our own person...

Friday...  We all really need that. We really do. Psalm 119:73 (NLT) says, "You made me, you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands." Again, "give me the sense to follow your commands." There are so many things we believe, we follow, that don't really make any sense. But following God's command really does make sense. I mean following the One who created us does really make sense. He goes on, verses 75-78 (MSG) says, "I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me - and right now! - hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel." Now that really makes sense. Then 102-104 (NLT) says, "I haven't turned from your regulations, for you have taught ...