Todays Beginning

Thursday... They really do make a difference. Reinforcement and replacement really do make a difference. They both are so important in counteracting all that is happening and being said around us. Situations in our life can bring us to a point of almost no return. We can be so discouraged, in so much torment and in so much despair to the point that we want to give up. And that is what our enemy, the devil wants us to do. Look at what David says in Psalm 60. It could be something that we would feel, that we might say. Verses 9-11 (NLT) says, "Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? Oh please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless."  Now that thought could really bring us to a place of no return, That kind of assessment of what is happening around us can make it so we never want to get up to face our day. So we need to do something about it. It need

Tuesday... Someday, someday, someday it will be said. As we look around around us we see so much injustice, don't we? The wicked, it seems that the wicked have the upper hand. But someday, someday.  David in Psalm 58:10a (NIV) gives us hope. He says, "The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged." We will rejoice. And then two words that reinforce our faith. Verse 11 says, "Then at last everyone will say, 'There truly is a reward for those who live for God, surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.' " Truly and surely. It is a fact. "There truly is a reward for those who live for God." That is true. You can believe it. Don't waver, keep at it. It's true, folks. There is a reward, yes there is. Because He said it, you can know it. Listen, "surely there is a God who judges here on earth." Yes, He is judging in heaven but He is also judging here on earth. The Amplified Bible says, "Men will say, 'S

Monday... Yes, I do and you do too. I am retired as the world calls retired but God is not done with me yet. I came across a very important word as I was reading from David's Psalm 57 this morning. He writes in verses 1 & 2 (NLT), "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by."  David was hiding in a cave from King Saul who wanted to kill him so this was a great way to start this Psalm.  I need mercy, I need protection, I need a place to hide until the danger passes by. And we could also pray that prayer, can't we?   But he goes on, "I cry out to God Most High, who will fulfill his purpose for me." And there is the word and it is a very life fulfilling word. The word is purpose. I have a purpose and so do you. Even while in this cave, David could pray with confidence, even in the midst of what we have been and are going through can pray with confidence because G

Saturday... It's good to know we're not the only one. The Psalms in the Old Testament of the Bible are so honest. They really are and they make us feel so good that we are not the only one who feels like we do and is going through what we are going through. David in Psalm 55:4-5 (NLT) writes, "My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can't stop shaking." Have you ever felt like that? Are you feeling that way today? David goes on. Verses 6-7 says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly away to the quiet of the wilderness." Sometimes that is what we want to do, isn't it? Maybe that is you today? It seems that the human part of Jesus felt that way as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was to be arrested and taken to die on the cross. God put these verses through David in the Bible to show you and me that he knows, He knows.  But He doesn&

Friday... Wow, this week went fast but... The word but is a connecting word. It connects two phrases, two thoughts. What is it that you are facing as you head into this weekend? What kind of work week did you have? I was talking to one of the managers in my daily coffee shop about the fact that the other manager had gone back home to Oklahoma for a vacation and the person I was talking to said but her husband got Covid and that changed all of their plans. But, but. But can have a negative connotation but not always. Not to David.   David in Psalm 54:3 (NLT) wrote, "For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God." Our translation says, but Covid is trying to kill us and disrupt our lives and its doing a good job of it. Then verse 4 says, "But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!" Now that is an awesome but. "But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive." No matter what I am going through this but makes

Thursday... But do we really understand. David over in Psalm 53:2 (NIRV) writes this. He says, "God looks down from heaven on all people. He wants to see if there are any who understand. He wants to see if there are any who trust in God." And I believe He is doing the same today. Too many think that trusting in God is a job that we do or don't do. This job description, called the Bible is put out there for us to see what tasks we are suppose to do that proves we are an obedient follower of God, But there is more to it than that. Over in John 13 it tells of an interesting time that Jesus had with His disciples. There was a custom at that time that had a practical purpose behind it. People would take a bath to clean themselves but whenever they came into a house they needed their feet washed. They wore sandals and their feet would get dirty so to keep their houses clean and the person's feet clean they would be washed probably by a servant. For sure it wouldn't be t

Wednesday... What a difference it makes to be open to practical truth. Look at these two "sterling principles - tested guidelines to live by" (v. 20-21) from Proverbs 22. First, verses 24-25 (MSG) says, "Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious - don't get infected." And we have seen this happen over and over, haven't we? Angry people are dangerous, they really are. We can stand for something with deep conviction but being angry and a hothead will head us down the wrong path. Let me give you an illustration. Take your right hand and make it into a fist and then start pushing the left hand. What happens with the left hand? It starts pushing back. That is not the practical, effective way to get your point across. Anger begets anger and some people are angry all of the time so don't hang out with them; "don't keep company with hotheads. Remember, "Bad temper is contagious - don't

Tuesday... Do we really realize this? Do we?  There are many things that we know, that are important to know.  I just took my wife, Margaret to the airport. She is going to California for her work. Well, we went on the Freeway and it seems that a lot of drivers don't know the speed limit. At least they weren't going the speed limit. And that could be a problem. Now I came across a verse in Proverbs 21 that is important for us to know. Maybe we don't realize that it is there but we need to know it and live it. Proverbs 21:30 (NLT) says, "No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord." Now we really have a very high opinion of ourselves and that is important but it is more important to realize that we don't come close to God. He is all-powerful, all-knowing. There is nothing, no one that compares to God especially us. But we don't live like that is true. Now if we understand that, we realize that and we seek His wisdom and live His plan

Monday... God appreciates and values us, no matter our age. But I'm not sure we do. Too many times the older, more experienced look down their noses at those who are young. They don't appreciate or value them and the same of those who are younger. They don't appreciate or value those who are older. But the writer of Proverbs 20:29 (NLT) says, "The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old." Each person no matter their age has value. That is the way God made us. It is so easy to put down people because of their age, the color of their skin, their height, their weight, their sex, and their personality. We see that all the time, don't we  But verse 28 (MSG) says, "Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity." Love, truth and loving integrity are the foundation of how we value and appreciate each other. Those are choices that we make.  But our age, our sex, the colo

Saturday... This is such a tremendous opportunity. Psalm 48:14 (NLT) ends with these words. Words that we have needed and might really need this morning. What we have gone through these past few years and what you might be going through right now has been and is unbelievable. Here is how this Psalm ends, "He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us til we die." Yes life has been rough but He has been with us. Have you sensed it? Have you followed Him through it all or have you been like those who don't have a relationship with God and have been going it alone? Listen we have an enemy that is out to destroy us and Satan is using every method he can to get us away from God, to defeat us, to destroy us. Nowhere does God say that life is going to be easy but He did say, "He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die." Back when I was young my father was a traveling evangelist. I loved it. We would spend 10 days in a church holding meetin

Friday... That is so true. It really is. We read so many things that we are not confident are true. We really do. It so many times comes from a slant. I have found it really hard to trust what I read about Covid. It all it seems comes from a slant. And knowing that something is the truth is so important. John 8:31- 32 (NLT) says, "Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain truthful to my teaching. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " And that is so true. Now I believe in Jesus, I believe in God and I believe the Bible is God's Word so I am set free through the Bible as I remain faithful to the truth of His teaching in it. So, that is so true. It really is. Here are some more truths. Proverbs 17:1, "Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting - and conflict." That is so true. It really is. And that is a word of truth that will set us free. Conflict is horrible

Thursday... But we think it is so important. But, but. There is so much that we think is so important and of course what we think, is important. But is it, really as important as we think? Proverbs 16 kind of puts us in our place. Verse 5 says, "The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished." The MESSAGE says, "God can't stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place." Look back at verse 4, "God made everything with a place and a purpose; even the wicked are included - for for judgement ." God knows what He is doing.  The writer of Proverbs also says in verse 9 (NLT), "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Now it is important for us to have plans, "but the Lord determines our steps." And then verse 18 says that word again, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall."   And Psalms 46:8-10 says this, "Attention all! See the marvel

Wednesday... Sometimes we wait.  How are you at waiting? Are you good at it or maybe not? Right now I am sitting at our dining room table waiting for a man to come to fix something in our house. Usually I am at a coffee shop writing but today I am at home. Waiting can be a problem because we have let someone else have control of our time and that is so difficult, isn't it?  John 6 has a lot of different stories in it. It starts with Jesus feeding five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish but that caused a problem for Jesus. Verse 15 (NLT) says, "When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself." And this caused a problem for the disciples. Verse 16 says, "That evening Jesus' disciples went down to the shore to wait for him." But they had trouble in waiting for Him. Verse 17 says, "But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn't come back, they got into the boat and headed across

Tuesday... This is so true. I love the book of Proverbs in the OT. It speaks the truth. Look at this, Proverbs 14:29 (MSG) says, "Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity." So true. Let's say a person says something and you jump on them without stopping to evaluate what they have said and what their day has been like. That is stupid. After you have jumped on them there is no way that you are going to see what they really meant because they have pulled themselves deeper in order to protect themselves from you. You blew it brother or sister. What did they mean when they reacted the way they did? What kind of day have they had? Why did you react the way you did? What are you now going to need to do to win them back, to help to heal the scar they will have emotionally and the damage to your relationship with them and even with yourself?  And then why did you jump on them so fast? You may also be going through a rough day and

Monday... Let's reinforce this, especially today. There are so many thoughts that have a way of reinforcing actions and attitudes that can make such a difference in our lives. That is one of the reasons why I read a chapter from the book of Proverbs everyday. And in my reading today I found this very good reminder. Proverbs 13:11 (MSG) says, "Easy come, easy go, but steady diligence pays off." I have found that to be true in my 401K. Not too long ago it was easy come and it seems now easy go but the key here is to be diligent and steady.   But the same is true in getting up on Monday and heading off to work. We want it to come easy, we love that leisure stuff, but Solomon says, "steady diligence pays off." The New Living Translation puts it this way, "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time."  And then the Amplified Bible says, "Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but he who gathers gradually by

Saturday... Do you want to feel good? Do you? Maybe we need this. David writes in Psalm 41:1 (MSG), "Dignify those who are down on their luck; you'll feel good - that's what God does." Here are some synonyms for the word dignify. They are, exalt, elevate, glorify, praise. promote, distinguish and there are more. Too many times we do like the priest and the pharisee who walked on the other side of the road from where the guy who was laying after being robbed, beaten and left for dead. Now that guy for sure was down on his luck. But the good samaritan came and took care of him. That is what a good neighbor does and they feel good when they do it. When we were sick with Covid we had neighbors in our new neighborhood who left food at our front door. We took breakfast to our kids who have Covid and left it at their front door this morning. There are people all around us who are down on their luck and we need to lift them up. That's what God does. David goes on in vers

Friday... It's going to happen. We can be so impatient, can't we?  Psalm 40 verse 17 (MSG) says, "I'm a mess." That's a good place to start, isn't it? It great to start with a true assessment of the situation and David in all honesty starts with "I'm a mess." He knows he needs help, he knows he needs God. He goes on, "I'm nothing and I have nothing:" And then he asks, "Make something of me. You can do it - you've got what it takes -" And that is also a true assessment of the situation. David knows where to turn for help. He knows he needs help and he know where to go for help. For us it used to be the Yellow Pages but we don't have them anymore. Do you even know what the Yellow Pages were? Maybe a close friend would be a great place to go or even your parents. My dad and mom were always the right people to go to but they are now in heaven. They have gone on before me. But David knew where to go back when he was

Thursday... We can get into that spot very quickly. Yes we can. A word can be spoken, an action happens and we are headed on the slide down to self pity or as I call it a dark spot. David, the writer of many of the Psalms had that potential. In Psalm 39 he goes through a lot of different things that seem to bring him down into despair and self pity until finally in verse 13b (NIRV) he says, "Let me enjoy life again before I die."  Now self pity says that one way but deep desperation says it another way. You really mean it. Now I love the honesty of the Psalms. God wants us to be honest in what we are feeling. But Satan wants us to stay there in our self pity. But Proverbs 9:6 (NLT) says, "Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment." But there is more. John 1:4-5 (NLT) says, "The Word [Jesus] gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can n

Wednesday... He knows me, He really does. There are people that I talk with on a regular basis at my two coffee shops I go to but I don't know their names. I know a lot of other things about them but I don't know their names. I haven't taken the time to ask them their name or if I did at one time but didn't write it down so I don't remember it. Now many of us spend time on a regular basis here on Today's Beginnings but we really don't know each other. But God knows all about us. And that is a relationship that can really make a difference. David wrote Psalm 38 it says for God to remember him and he comes down to verse 9 (NLT) and says, "You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh." In other words God really knows Him. And the same can be said of us too.   God knows the inner emotional workings of you. He knows our longs and He hears my signs. The Amplified Bible says, "Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden

Tuesday... There is so much of it going around. There really is. And you can find it even in Church. But here is what David says about it. Psalm 37:8 (NLT) says, "Stop being angry." Right to the point. Oh I know there is so much around us to cause us to be angry but God through David says, "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper." He says it in three different ways to reinforce that He really means it.  Then he says, "It only leads to harm." By the way God has it handled. Verse 9 says, "For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land." Trust and anger do not go together. If we are angry that means we don't like what is happening. If you really get to it, if you don't like the way things are going then you could be angry at God because of the way He is handling it. Your anger means that you don't trust God to take care of it. "But those who trust in the Lord will poss

Monday... I wonder what He is like? Do you ever ask yourself that question or maybe someone else that question? I wonder what God is like? That is a good question to ask, isn't it? And the Bible is a great place to search for your answer. Solomon wrote a book called Proverbs. In chapter 6 he gives us some insight about God. In verse 16 (NLT), Solomon says, "There are six things the Lord hates - no, seven things he detests:" Now knowing what someone hates gives us some understanding about them. Verses 17 & 18 says, "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that plot evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family." That tells us what we need to not do if we want a relationship with Him.  Here is the way The MESSAGE Paraphrase puts it, "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatc

Saturday... Do you really want to know? Do you? I love YouTube. I really do. I know a guy who redid his kitchen just by watching YouTube. I love YouTube but it doesn't answer all the questions that I have. Look at this, David in Psalm 34:12 (NLT) asks, "Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?" Now that is a question that comes up sometimes on YouTube and it is interesting all the answers that are given but the Bible is where I go to find the answers to life questions. And it gives the right answers. I can trust its answers. So back to Psalm 34:12-14, "Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it." Verse 14 in the MESSAGE says, "Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace - don't let it get away." The answer continues in verses 15-19 (MSG), "God keep

Friday... But do you understand? That word has come up in many instances in my discussions with others. It has been so important to me to be understood not necessarily to be in agreement but to be understood.  But as I was reading Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) I saw the word in a different light. At least how I was using it. It says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. do not depend on your own understanding." It seems that for us to be understood is not the important thing here. It even has a do not attached to it. It seems to be a self-centered thing. The important issue is to trust in the Lord with all your heart and to not depend on your own understanding. But what we think can be so important to us. Yes it is important to understand but not necessarily to be understood. Proverbs 2:1-5 says, "My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Turn your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as

Thursday... Oh what joy, what real joy. Is there something in your life that brings you joy? I had a birthday yesterday and I connected with my family and that is something that brings me joy. We have a new puppy and he gives me joy. Our new backyard  gives me joy. We each one have different things that bring us joy and the writer of Psalm 32 is no different. David says in verses 1 & 2 (NLT), "Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty." Now that is real joy. Do you know that kind of joy? Maybe this is you. 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." Now that is a big difference from real joy. But here is the solution. Maybe that is where you

Wednesday... But we thought it was all bad. Psalm 31:19 (MSG), "What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you." It's not just one blessing but a stack of blessing. Blessings that we don't deserve but blessing that comes from someone who really loves us to those who really love Him. Verses 19-20 in the NIRV says, "You have stored up so many good things. You have stored them up for those who have respect for you. You give those things while everyone watches. You give them to people who run to you for safety. They are safe because you are with them. You hide them from the evil plans of their enemies. In your house you keep them safe from those who bring charges against them." And then verse 21 (NIV), "Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege." And we have truly been under siege, haven't we?  Verse 22, "In my alarm I said, 'I am cut off from your sight!' Yet