Todays Beginning

Wednesday... But I have done nothing wrong. Have you ever said that? Maybe something bad is happening to you and you say it. I've been a good boy, I've been a good girl. But that doesn't always make a difference, does it?. King David over in Psalm 59:4a (NLT) said, "I have done nothing wrong yet they prepare to attack me." We too many times live in the world of, why is the happening to me? But bad things sometimes happens to good people. I know, I know, that may not be what we want to hear but God has also been in situations that He could say the same thing and He is perfect. Think of all the anger that is thrown toward God. So many put Him down because bad things are happening to them. But He doesn't cause the bad in the world. He had such a good plan when He created the world but our representatives blew it for us and sin entered the world. He said to them, "you do this and I'll allow this" and bad happens all around us even though we have done...

Tuesday... Easy to give but hard to get. It really is. It is so easy for us to give criticism but so hard to get but it can be so good for us. I know, there are alot of things in life that are good for us but we don't like them. As a kid, I didn't like spinach but through the years I have learned to like it because it is good for me. There are many things that I used to not like but do now but I'm not sure criticism is one of them. The writer of Proverbs 29:1 says, "Whoever stubbornly refuse to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery." The Message puts it this way, "For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it will be too late." Pride has a way of ruining us and holding us back from maturity. But wisdom goes a long way. Have you ever thought that there is a nugget of truth in each criticism? All we need to do is dig through all the other parts an...

Monday... This slipped up on me this morning. The sentence is found in Psalm 58:11 (NLT). It says,  "There truly is a reward for those who live for God." There are a lot of people at work who are striving to end the year on the upswing. There could be a bonus at the end of the year. They work hard and hope that they will be rewarded. For the kids there is that Santa Claus thing. You better watch out Santa Claus is coming to town. And then those in school those midterms are coming and they want those good grades. We want to be rewarded, don't we?  And the same is true in our Christian life and this sentence can be a motivator. Proverbs 28 gives out some of those rewards: Verse 1 (MSG) says, "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." Verse 10, "Lead good people down a wrong path and you'll come to a bad end; do good and you'll be rewarded." Verse 13...

Saturday... There are good times too! There really are. Psalm 56:3 (MSG) says, "When I get really afraid I come to you in trust." Now that is so good to know that when I am really afraid I can come to God.  And then in Psalm 55 verse 22 it says, "Pile your trouble on God's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out." Yes, we need Him when we are in trouble. But what about the times that we just want to be with Him?  There are good times too! There really are. Psalm 23:1-3 says, "God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath."   Then back to Psalm 56:4, "I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God." There are times that we just need to be with God. Verses 12-13 says, "God you did everything you promised, and I'm thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death...

Friday... The abnormal turns back into normal. The abnormal can have a lot of joy in it. It is different than normal but normal can also have joy but it can also have trouble. I just said goodbye to our family from Colorado. I took them to Starbucks and got them some food for the road. We all had such a good time together. The ten of us had such a good time but now it is back to normal. So what does your normal look like to you? You had such a good time eating and telling stories and celebrating yesterday but now the normal of life returns. So what is that like for you? David writes in Psalm 55.22-23 (MSG) something that we need to realize. Yes I just said goodbye to our family from Colorado but the normal in my life is that God is still here and He is there, He is everywhere. And David says, "Pile your troubles on God's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people tobble into ruin." and then the very last sentence of this...

Thursday... Today is a day for new focus. I am up and sitting here is my daily Starbucks. I have my coffee, my computer, and I have just read my Psalm of the day, Psalm 54. Now our daily focus is usually like David, the writer of this Psalm and this is a good focus. Verses 1-2 (NLT) says, "Come with great power, O God, and rescue me. Defend me with your might. Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea." And that is a great way to start our day. We can connect with God through His Word and through prayer. The last part of verse 3 says about some people, "They care nothing for God." I don't really understand what that is really like. I have a friend that feels that way and he told me that today's holiday is the holiday that he chooses to work. Now I didn't belittle him, I just didn't understand him. We always need some kind of help and it is so great to have a relationship with someone who has what it takes to help us.  There is something th...

Wednesday... It is real so what do we do about it? Injustice is real. We think of all that we can say and do but is there a different standard for us? We live in a HOA community and I broke one of the rules in that large book and they stuck a big red notice on the driver side of my car and it is really hard to get off. Now I have in my mind thought of all that I could say. It is an injustice. And there is a whole lot of injustice going around but it was also going around in Jesus time to the point that they killed Jesus and He was the most perfect man who ever lived. All they did to me was paist a big red notice on my car window but it was an injustice. Now the writer of Hebrews wrote a letter to people who were being imprisoned for their faith. They were breaking some rules against who they could worship. A little bit more important than where a person should park. Now Hebrews 6:10 (NLT) says, "For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you...

Tuesday... He deserves and rewards a personal thank you. There was this day back in the summer when it was 103 degrees and I had a flat tire on our freeway and I had gone so far in changing it and I needed help so I called my son-in-law, Andrew, for help. I was in some trouble so I called and he came. And he came and did what I needed and without a doubt, I thanked him. Now if it was a roadside service that I pay to be ready and I called and they came, I would also say thanks but it just isn't as meaningful as calling Andrew and his coming. He didn't have to but he came because he was concerned and I really, really appreciated his coming. David wrote in Psalm 52:9 (MSG), "I thank you always that you went into action." God has my personal interest at heart. Yes, He has a lot of other people who need Him but He has what it takes, and I can trust Him to go into action. The Amplified Bible says in verses 8b and 9, "I trust [confidently] in the lovingkindness of God f...

Monday... It doesn't escape his notice. David had blown it, really blown it and he wrote Psalm 51 after he had been found out. And as he says in verse 16 (MSG), "Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you." But he doesn't stop there. Verse 17 says, "I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice."  The sin didn't escape God's notice but neither did the heart-shatter life that was ready for His love. That didn't escape His notice and it is there that we really learn to worship God.  He said in verses 7-8 (NLT), "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. O give me back my joy again; you have broken me - now let me rejoice." Over in Psalm 50 there are three verses that remind of the importance of being thankful. Verses 14-15 says, "Make thankfulness your sacr...

Saturday... They just left. Our son Brett just texted that they just left their home in Denver, Colorado and are headed here to our home in Las Vegas, Nevada so all ten of our immediate family will be together this Thanksgiving week. It is so good to be together. Now this is the 19th day of this month and I just read Proverbs 19 and it gave some proverbs about family.  Now the one that stepped out to me was verse 14 (AMP) and it says, "House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord." And that is so true in my life. Margaret and I just had our 48th anniversary. She has made such a difference in my life and the life of our family. And Marissa and Stefanie are truly gifts from God to Brett and Andrew, our son and son-in-law. God you are so good.  There was a time in our life together that I didn't listen. I was in charge and I was right but God stopped and showed me that I was so very wron...

Friday... How to handle what you fear. There are a lot of ways to handle our fears but one is to take the worst thing that can happen and come up with a solution. If you have a plan to take care of the worst then you can handle all that is in between. Take death for instance. Hebrews 2:15 (NLT) says, "Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying." Fear does that, doesn't it? And the fear of death is a debilitating fear. It can control you. You can become a slave to the feat. So the way to handle the fear is to deal with a solution for facing death. Now I have found that Christ is the best solution. It says in verse 14, "Because God's children - made of flesh and blood - the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death."  But you might say, but I don't believe in Jesus and I don't believe i...

Thursday... He really is, Yes, He is. Psalm 47:1 & 2 (NIV) says, "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome; the great King over all the earth."  Yes He is. He is awesome. His love is awesome. His compassion is awesome. His wisdom is awesome. His patience is awesome. His power is awesome. His plan is awesome. His knowledge is awesome. His understanding is awesome. No wonder we want to make some noise and clap our hands and shout with cries of joy. "For the Lord Most High is awesome; the great King over all the earth." And we can and need to have a relationship with Him. The Amplified Bible says, "O clap your hands, all you people; Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared [and worshiped with awe-inspired reverence and obedience]; He is a great king over all the earth." Now the King James Version says, ""O clap your hands; all you pe...

Wednesday... They can change. They really can. Paul in writing a letter to his friend, Philemon tells of a change that happened to Onesimus. Onesimus was Philemon's servant and he had stolen some money from him and ran. And Paul is writing this letter to tell him that Onesimus had changed. In verse 11 (NIV) Paul writes, "Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and me." Somehow Onesimus had found his way to Rome where Paul was in prison and found Paul and had found a relationship with Christ and it changed him from useless to useful. And that is what a relationship with Christ can do and will do in each one of us. Paul then in verses 15-16 says, "Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother in the Lord." Onesimus' relationship with Christ also changed his relationship with Philemon, his owner. He becam...

Tuesday... This is what we want to be, isn't it? I found today's word over in Titus 2:10b (NLT). It says, "Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way." The word is attractive. We really do want to be attractive don't we? If you saw how I looked in the mirror when I turned the light on in the bathroom this morning, you would laugh too. I laughed this morning then I got to work to make me look attractive. And you do too, don't you? Now how we talk, how we act, how we respond makes "the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way." It's too bad that we don't have a mirror to see how we look but we do. It's called the Bible.   The Message Paraphrase says verse 10b  this way, "Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior." It also says in verse 8, "Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguide...

Monday... Oh, we really need it.  Have you ever done something and you wish you could go back and handle it better but you can't? And it keeps coming back to haunt you? There is a word in Titus 3.4 (NLT) that deals with this. The verse says, " But - when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." There is the word. The word is mercy. Yes, we can do something and feel bad and then as a way to make us feel good remind ourselves of what a good person we are and all the good things we have done but that doesn't make the difference that mercy does. Now it would be great if the person you did it to give you mercy but you don't know where they are to tell them how bad you feel but God is there and He wants to give you mercy. But here is the next point. We may want mercy but do we give mercy? Did someone do something to you and you still hold it against them, you have grudge towar...

Saturday... Our view of who we are drives us. It really does. So who are we? Paul in writing a letter to he coworker and friend, Titus reemphasizes who he, Paul is. In Titus 1:1 (NLT) Paul says, "This letter is from Paul, a slave..." Now that statement can bring a lot of different reactions from us. He's a slave? Poor guy. We've got to do something about that.  But he goes on, "a slave of God." Ya, look what it got him. He is in prison. But Paul was saying this as the beginning of his introduction. He wasn't feeling sorry for himself or ashamed. He knew what that really meant. He had given his whole life over to God. He didn't see it as a put down but a tremendous opportunity. Too many people say that I am a slave to my wife, my husband, or to my work and see that as something negative, a put down. But in reality, it is a tremendous opportunity to be married and to have a job. Your attitude toward your life makes such a difference. And then Paul says...

Friday... I'm sure, yes, I'm sure. Now some things we are sure of but they disappoint us. David says in Psalm 41:9 (NLT), 'Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me." And that happens too many times. We can't always be sure of best friends, can we? But He goes on. Verse 11 (MSG) says about God, "Meanwhile, I'm sure you're on my side." If we have a personal relationship with God we can be sure of a lot of things but we can be sure that He is on our side. Maybe you needed that today. Verses 11-12 says, "Meanwhile, I'm sure you're on my side - no victory shouts from the enemy camp! You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye." We can be sure of God. Over in 2 Timothy in the New Testament, Paul is in prison and He writes to his friend Timothy. In chapter 4 verses 16-18 (NIRV) he says, "Th...

Thursday... This is a great mystery. I love mysteries. My leisure reading or TV show watching is usually a mystery.  David says in Psalm 40:3b (MSG), "they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God." And therein lies some of the challenge, the unknown of a relationship with God. Now the key to solve a mystery is to read the book or watch the show to the end. But just setting the book down or turning off the show doesn't let you solve the mystery but that is what so many do in their relationship with God. Paul writes to Timothy and he says in 2 Timothy 3:15-17, "There's nothing like the written word of God to showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or the another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."  David in Psalm 40:1-3 tel...

Wednesday... This is a sure thing. We have just gone through an election time in our country. And we are not sure about anything as we just have come through it. I mean all those TV ads. Well Paul in writing to his young trainee, Timothy says in 2 Timothy 2;11 (MSG), "This is a sure thing:" You can believe this, you must follow this, this is a sure thing. And that is what we want after this time that we have just gone through. But we are not really sure what is a sure thing but we voted hoping it was a sure thing.  But Paul says in verses 11-13, "This is a sure thing: If we die with him, we'll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him;  If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up - for there's no way he can be false to himself." And Paul goes on to say in verses 14 & 15, "Repeat these essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious ni...

Tuesday... Here is a great way to respond. I love the Bible. It is so practical. This is election day and after it is over there will be so much talk. Thanksgiving is coming and those relatives who were on the other side of it all will be across the table. So how will we respond to them, to those we disagree with? David gives us a great way to respond. In Psalm 38:14 (NLT) he says, "I choose to hear nothing and I make no reply." Now that is a great response if you want to have peace with others. But we are so quick to give our thoughts, our opinions and here comes an argument. "I choose to hear nothing and I make no reply."  Verses 13 & 14 in The MESSAGE says, "But I'm deaf and mute to it all, ears shut, mouth shut. I don't hear a word they say, don't speak a word in response." Now if we look at people that we disagree with through the eyes of love and strive to understand why they feel the way they do it will make such a difference in our ...

Monday... This will really make a difference. David writes in Psalm 37:8 (NLT), 'Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm."  Verse 37 says, "Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future." And then back to verse 7, "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes."  Listen, there is too much anger going on. Verses 8 & 9 in the New International Reader's Version says, "Turn away from anger and don't give in to wrath. Don't be upset, because that only leads to evil. Sinful people will be destroyed. But those who put their hope in the Lord will receive the land." Look at these phrases. Verse 9b (NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land." Verse 11, "Bu...

Saturday... It can be so practical. The Bible has so much to tell us. Here is something Paul tells Timothy. It is some practical advice. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIRV) says, "Everyone should provide for their own relatives. Most of all, everyone should take care of their own family. If they don't they have left the faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't believe." Now that is interesting, isn't it? Look at this one. Proverbs 5:18, "May your fountain be blessed. May the wife you married when you were young make you happy." And then verse 19b, "May you always be captured by her love." Margaret and I are going to be celebrating next week our 48th year anniversary. God has been so good to us.  Now this one is also important. It will hold you steady. Verse 21 says, "The Lord watches your ways. He studies all your paths." It is amazing what we do or don't do when we know someone is watching. Verses 22-23 says, "Sinners are trapped by ...

Friday... Three words that mean, this is important. Proverbs 4:23 (NIRV), "Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it." So many of us spiritually need open heart surgery. What is really, really important to you? What is it that drives you everyday? That is probably a good thing for us to stop and analyze. It really is. We all understand that any problem in our heart physically can lead to death and the same is true spiritually What is the driving force in your life? Verses 23-27 in The New Living Translation 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." 1 Timothy 4:7-10 says, "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Instead tra...

Thursday... So, who do you believe did it? Proverbs 3:19-20 (NLT) says, "By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky." And that is how all of this started. That is what I believe, I believe God did it.  Now I could be wrong but there is so much more that comes from believing that God created this world. Look at these next verses, verses 21-26 says, "My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them for they refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap." Now that is what comes along with belie...

Wednesday... This could make such a difference. It really could. Proverbs 2:7a (NLT) says, "He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest."  Oh if we would only stop and seek out what God wants to give us. Verses 7-11 in The Message says, "He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps His eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyal ones. So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your faithful companion. Good sense will scout ahead danger, insight will keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed, those losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity, traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends." We need to really unders...

Tuesday... So, let's just be specific. Many times we are it seems afraid to be specific when we pray to God. I wonder why that is true? But David writes in Psalm 31:22 (AMP). "As for me, I said in my alarm, 'I am cut off from your eyes.' Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications (specific requests) when I cried to You [for help]."  The Message puts it this way, "Trapped by a siege, I panicked' 'Out of sight, out of mind.' I said. But you heard me say it, you heard and listened." Now that is a great time to be specific. The New Living Translation says, "In panic I cried out, 'I am cut off from the Lord!' But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help." Now desperation brings on being specific, doesn't it? And too many times that is when we are specific but God wants us, no matter what, to come to Him and be specific in our requests so what do you need today? What would you ask for if you felt that...