Todays Beginning

Tuesday... We sometimes are tempted to take the credit. But did we really do it? David in Psalm 30:1 (MSG) says, "I give you all the credit, God - you got me out of that mess, you didn't let my foes gloat." Now maybe we need to take the credit for the mess. That may have been our fault but even if we showed some wisdom in getting out of it the wisdom came from God.  Verses 2 & 3 (NLT) says, "O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord you kept me from falling into the pit of death." Even in our health, we love to take credit. Some would take credit because they wore a mask or they took the shots or they didn't take the shots or they didn't wear the mask. The whole Covid world that we have lived in has brought people into a great patting themselves on the back, of taking credit because of what they did or didn't do. I mean the conflict that has come like we should take the credit.  ...

Monday... We fall on our knees and call out, "Glory!" That's not usually what we do when nature unleashes its power, is it? Look at what Psalm 4-8 (MSG) says, "God's thunder tympanic, God's thunder symphonic. God's thunder smashes cedar, God topples the northern cedars. The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, the high ridges jump like wild kid goats. God's thunder spits fire, God thunders, the wilderness quakes; He makes the desert of Kadesh shake." And then verse 9, "God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing a wild dance, whirling, the pelting rain strips their branches. We fall to our knees - we call out, 'Glory!' " Now that is not usually what we call out in the midst of God through nature showing His power. We usually want to cower in fear. But David writes, "We fall to our knees - we call out, "Help!" Yes, that is usually what we cry out. But David writes, "We fall to our knees - we call out, ...

Saturday... Does it sometimes feel like a wasted effort? From an honest needy heart David in writing Psalm 28 might have felt the same way but he didn't stop there. He knew that prayer was not a wasted effort. He was careful in not dwelling on and listening to his feelings. In verses 1-2 (NLT) he says, "I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary." In reality he knew that it wasn't wasted effort. He knew it was. necessary in order for him to survive. He said, "For if you are silent, I might give up and die." I'm sure if you also felt that it was wasted effort then you would just give up but don't do it because it is not true. Later on in verses 6 & 7 he says, "Praise the Lord! For he heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield." And here is the key. ...

Friday... So why should I? so why should I? and even if, I will not. The Bible lives where we live. It knows what has happened and what will happen. And it is so honest. Psalm 27:1 asks two very pointed questions. It says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, also why should I tremble?" And those are very good honest questions, aren't they? Why have we been afraid during these past two years and then why are we afraid now with the stock market going wild and gas and food prices going up and up? Some would say that we have a right to be afraid and that is why some Christians are afraid. They say, it makes sense to be afraid. But does it? I believe that David was saying it differently. He's not asking why is he afraid, no, he is saying it is unreasonable to be afraid. I mean, the Lord is my light and my salvation so why in the world would I be afraid? And then He is my fortress, He has an...

Thursday... We live for our rewards. And we want them now. But that's not always how it works. We get up everyday and work hard and want and expect someone to reward us with a compliment, a well done, or even a raise. And we feel hurt when we didn't get it. But if we were rewarded all the time then we would expect it as normal. But that may not be the way it happens. There may be a greater reward in the waiting, not in the expecting.  Jesus in Luke 14:12 (NLT) says, "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet... don't invite your friends, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back and that will be your only reward." And you might say but that would be a good thing. I like to be appreciated and get something in return. We want instant gratification. And we'll do anything to get it. But He goes on. In verses 13-14 He says, "Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will rew...

Wednesday... He gives us another chance. Luke 13:6-7 (NLT) says, "The Jesus told this story: 'A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, " 'I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.' "  Do you ever feel that way? Maybe you feel that way about someone in your life? They always disappoint you. Maybe you feel that way about yourself? You feel like a failure. You are always disappointed in yourself.  You feel like you are just taking up space. That is a horrible way to feel, isn't it? But the story doesn't end there. Verse 8 says, "The gardner answered, 'Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.' " Davi...

Tuesday... Think on this! Proverbs 24:15-16 (NLT) says, "Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live. The godly may trip seven times, but they get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." In other words, it's a waste of time. Has all of this that has happened in these last two years been a waste of time for those who are striving to bring the godly down?  They have been trying and trying to bring the godly down but it has not worked. We keep getting back up and I know we have been frustrating those who have been waiting in ambush and who have been raiding our lives. Verse 10 says, "If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small." Remember this, Psalm 24:1-6 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the L...

Monday... Three Rs that can make such a difference in us. Proverbs 23:4 (NLT) says, "Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quite." I know, I know we need money to survive but do we know how much is enough? Verse 5 says, "In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle." And some of us are seeing that happen aren't we? And it is really weighing us down. That R makes a negative difference. Religion is another R that is weighing us down, that makes a negative difference. Look at Luke 11:46 (MSG), "He [Jesus] says, ... 'You're hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift a finger to help." There is more to our life than rules and regulation and religion. They can also weigh you down and nearly break your backs.  And then in Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) we see the R of relationship. It says, ...

Saturday... Ok, ok, here we are reminded again. King David, the writer of so many of the Psalms reminds us again in Psalm 21:6 & 7 (NIV). He says, "Surely you have granted him unending blessings and make him glad with the joy of his presence. For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken." We need to be reminded each and every morning of God's unending blessings and of our joy for God's presence. We can trust Him, we can trust Him because we know that He unfailingly loves us and in that we will not be shaken. Now that all is because we serve Him, we love Him and we follow Him. He starts this Psalm in verse 1 by saying, "The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!"  And David goes on and lists them. How good has God been to you? Why not stop right now and rejoice in His strength and the victories He has given you. Oh, we acknowledge all the bad that is aroun...

Friday... How do you get even? Do you have a plan? Has it worked? Good questions but what about the answer? This is another area where God's answer is different than the ways of the world.  Proverbs 20:22 (NIRV) says, "Don't say, 'I will get even with you for the wrong you did to me.' Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right."  We spend so much time and emotion on something that God is better suited to do. The MESSAGE Paraphrase says, "Wait for God; he'll settle the score." He wants to handle it. Let Him. Here is another area that we spend so much time on. Verse 24 (NLT) says, "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" This world right now is so confusing and so frustrating. So how much time are you spending trying to understand it all and all you are doing is living in confusion and fear with great anxiety?  The MESSAGE says, "The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would w...

Thursday... It speaks without a sound or word. It really does. We have had company with us this past week. It has been great. We have played tourist and gone to the mountains, to Red Rock and then to the Vegas Strip. We live in Las Vegas and the wonders of man and the buildings they have build are really something but in no way do they compare to what God has created. David in Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT) writes, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world." I love going to church to worship Him but going to His creation is also a great way to experience His presence and His wonder. It physically shows what He has done and is doing and wants to do.  I love living in Las Vegas. With a range of four hours you can experience some of the ...

Wednesday... Is this you today? David writes in Psalm 18:6 (NLT), "But in my distress I cried to the Lord;" There are so many in distress who don't know that this is an option but for those of us who have a relationship with God this "but" makes all the difference. It really does. He goes on, "yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears." Praying need not be a last resort it can be and needs to be the first thing we do. In verses 1-3 David writes, "I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies." The intro to this Psalm says, "A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord on the day he rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:" Those of us who ...

Tuesday... You got an A. This is a time for tests. This school year is coming to an end but there are tests happening every night. David writes in Psalm 17:3 (NLT), "You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong." You got an A. That is what we want, isn't it? Now it is one thing to be tested by a human but Proverb 17:3 says, "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart." Over in Luke 6:45 Jesus says, "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart."  Back to Psalm 17, it says in verses 3-5, "You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and e...

Monday... I wonder what it would be like to not believe in an afterlife? I don't think about things like this often but the writer of Psalm 16 must have been thinking about it. In verses 9-11 (NLT) David, the writer of this Psalm says, "No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you [God] will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." Now that is a very good thing to realize, that we will be in God's presence and that we will live in the pleasures of living with Him forever. This life is just a test with a reward and the reward is what will happen to His followers in the afterlife. He says, "No wonder my heart is glad." There is so much more to come. I know that the wonder of the unknown can cause distress but verses 9-10 in the the MESSAGE Paraphrase says, "I'm happy fr...

Saturday... This is such a good time each morning. It really is. I love getting up each morning and finding my NIV Bible sitting beside my chair and turning in it to the Psalm of the day, the Proverb, then to the NT. First of all saying thanks to God for so many things He did for me the day before, through the night and the opportunity of a new day, then asking Him to open my eyes to see, my ears to hear what He wants to say to me at the beginning of my new day through His Word. And then finding another place with a cup of coffee where I turn to other versions of the Bible. It is my way of starting each day. Now that is probably more information than you wanted to know but it is my way of striving to encourage you to find a place and time to get into God's Word, to connect with God as you start your day.  The 3rd version I looked at this morning of Psalm 14, today's Psalm, was the MESSAGE and I found this. Verse 2 says, "God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. ...

Friday... We can be so dramatic! Look at what David says in Psalm 13:2 (NLT), "How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?" He goes on in verse 3, "Turn and answer me, Oh Lord my God! Restore the spark to my eyes, or I will die!" Now that may be a little bit dramatic but that is how we feel sometimes, isn't it? and that is what we want. We want that spark back into our lives.  Again, I love the honesty of the Psalms. But I also love the way David continues. We may feel that we are about to die but he doesn't stop there. Verses 5 & 6 says, "But I trust in your unfailing love." Even though life has me around the throat and I feel like I am dieing, "But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me." This is how having a relationship with God makes such a difference. We don...

Thursday... So many gifts they gave us. My sister, Connie is here with us for a few days and we've been reminiscing and that is a good thing. In that context this verse in Proverbs stood out to me as I was thinking of our parents who have gone on before us. Proverbs 12:11 (NLT) says, "A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense." One of the greatest gifts our parents, Ivan and Helen gave us was the example of being hard workers. And I really thank God for that example. To their last days they were hard workers and God honored them with that example. My dad was working late into the night when he was killed. And my mom into her 90's was still looking each for something to do.  I have a family around me who are hard workers. My son and daughter and their mates are hard workers. My wife, Margaret is one of the hardest workers I know. And God is blessing each one of them.  The MESSAGE says it this way, "The one who stays on the jo...

Wednesday... Oh, we can be such alarmists. Yes we can. I mean if we start our day on Fox News or CNN, then we can be scared to death and there are so many people who start their day like that. I like how the writer of Psalm 11 puts it. He says in verses 1-3 (MSG), "I've already run to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, 'Run to the mountains; the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God. The bottom's dropped out of the country, good people don't have a chance'?" That's the key, who do we run to? And that is what makes all the difference in our days, in our life's view, isn't it? I love that, "I've already run to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say..." That is what I have done. And that is such a good thing to do, isn't it? I'm not alarmed, I'm alive with exciting expectation in God's presence. "I've ...

Tuesday... Is anyone there?  Have you ever felt that?  You are calling and calling and no one is answering and your feeling all alone, and you need help.  The writer of Psalm 10 writes at the beginning of this Psalm in verse 1 (MSG), "God, are you avoiding me? Where are you when I need you?" It looks like his feelings took control and overpowered his faith. And that happens to us so many times, doesn't it? Our feelings can be so powerful. What are you feeling today, what have you been feeling through this time that we have been going through?  Have your feelings got the best of you? Are you also saying, "God, are you avoiding me? Where are you when I need you?" Last night we got a phone call but we didn't hear the ring, and we didn't answer and they needed our help. But that is not true of God. In verse 17 the writer's faith takes over. He says (NIRV), "Lord, you hear the desires of those who are hurting. You cheer them up and give them hope....

Monday... To benefit or suffer, which will it be? And that is a good question. The writer of Proverbs 9:4 (MSG) asks another question. He asks, "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?" And then in verse 6 he says, "Leave your impoverished confusion and live. "  The NLT puts it this way, "Leave your simple ways behind and begin to live; learn to use good judgment." Verses 11-12 says, "Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit . If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer ." The MSB says, "Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you." And back to verse 10 (AMP), "The reverent fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence]. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understand and spiritual ...

Saturday... He wants to individually make us fit for life. Yes He does. Proverbs 7:1-2 (MSG) says, "Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instruction. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight - guard it!" Then over in Psalm 7:10-11, "You get us ready for life: you probe for our soft spots, you knock off the rough edges. And I'm feeling so fit, so safe, made right, kept right." Have you ever stopped to think about why things come into our life? Could it be because God knows our soft spots and our rough edges and He is striving to make us fit because He wants us to live well? Yes He wants to teach us but He also wants to get us ready for life by bringing things into our life that makes us fit. Just trust Him. Let Him lead us through some tough stuff that is there to make us fit because He wants us to live well. So you can then say as verse 17 says, "I'm thanking God, who makes things right. I'm...

Friday... Just keep at it. The book of Proverbs in the OT of the Bible gives us such wisdom to live by. Look at this. Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT) says, "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands - then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." Now that is good stuff. That is so true, and so wise. Learn from their ways and become wise. The MESSAGE puts it this way, "Look at the ant. Watch it closely, let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do." And then in verse 11, don't make "poverty your permanent houseguest." Just keep at it. Just keep at it. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

Thursday... This can be so difficult to do. Psalm 5:3 (NLT) says, "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." There it is, the word wait. Waiting is so hard to do, isn't it? But also bringing your requests to someone and then waiting. I mean, humbling ourselves to the point that we need help is tough but when we do we don't want to wait but then there is another word. We wait expectantly.  And that is a great way to start our day. It really is. "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Verses 2 & 3 in the NIRV says, "My King and my God, hear me when I cry for help. I pray to you. Lord in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I pray to you. I wait for you in hope." So what are you facing today? Are you facing it alone. Waiting on yourself can take a long time to take care of the situation and your probably waiting w...

Wednesday... So let's stop and think about it. Psalm 4:4 says, "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent." So there is an anger that is a sin. But then over in Mark 11:15-16 (MSG), "They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon mechants." Now that was a righteous anger and if we stop and think and ask the Holy Spirit to show us, we will know the difference. Proverbs 4:23-27 (NLT) says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." And a selfish sinful anger that contro...

Tuesday... He's got you covered. David in writing Psalm 3 was running from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him. And in verse 3 (MSG) David writes, "But you, God, shield me on all sides." Now one of the definitions of shield is to serve as protection for.  Back in the day of David a shield was a broad piece of personal armor, varying widely in form and size, carried apart from the body, usually on the left arm, as a defense against swords, lances, arrows, etc. It was effective then but not so much today. But God being our shield is another thing. He is always effective and we need to be constantly reminded of that fact.  "But you, God, shield me on all sides." And that is another thing. He shields us on all sides. No matter where our enemy comes from God is ready. He shields me on all sides. In other words, God has got you covered. Verses 5 & 6 says, "I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again - rested, tall and steady, fearless before the e...

Monday... Help us if you can. My Doctor during a checkup saw some spots on my neck and the temple of my head and sent me to a Dermatologist and who in turn sent me to a surgeon because three of the spots were cancerous. This morning I had the first one taken off. And the surgeon and his staff were great. I have two more to go. Now nowhere in any of the handoffs was it said that they would help me if they can. No, they said they will help you and I believed them. I wouldn't have gone to them if they had any doubts. Now in Mark 9:17 (NLT) it tells of a man who came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk." And then in verse 22, "The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us if you can." And verse 23 says, "What do you mean, 'If I can'? Jesus asked. 'Anything is possible if a person believes.'...