Todays Beginning

Friday... They help us remember! And we need help when we are going through tough times to remember that we are not alone, that God cares, that he is just a prayer away.  As I started reading Psalm 89:1 this morning a song came to my mind. Some writer had back in the beginning of contemporary Christian music written a song from these two verses and  I started singing it. Now I read it in the NIV but the song was written from the KJV. Verse 1 in the KJV says, "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations." If you are young but old like I am you may remember this song. Now you may know that the book of Psalms is a compilation of songs that the children of Israel would sing. It was a great way for them to remember and to worship and to be encouraged. And we need that. We really do even in this day in which we live. Verses 1 & 2 in the NLT says, "I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever! Y

Thursday... What do I do? We ask that question so many times, in so many situations, don't we? Especially in major decisions in our life. I was talking with a barista friend yesterday about a decision they needed to make and two thoughts from Proverbs came to me. One was that there is safety in many counselors and the other one was to seek wisdom. In my reading in Proverbs this morning I found this in 28:26 (NLT). It says, "Those who trust their own insight are foolish but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe." The Amplified Bible puts it this way, "He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool, but he who walks in [skilful and godly] wisdom will be rescued." As a man who is living in the latter days of my life, I have found this to be so true over and over. It is so easy to put our trust in our self, isn't it? Over in John 8:12 (NLT) it says, "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If yo

Wednesday... We love to be praised, don't we? But did you know that praise is a test? Proverbs 27:21 (AMP) says, "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal], and each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud]." Yes, praise is a test. And we don't like tests but we need to see that they are necessary for our growth. They tell us what we need to work on. And for sure, pride is something we need to work on, isn't it? Now the wisdom of God in sending his son to this earth as an example was great. The human part of Jesus was tested. The CEV says 27:21 this way, "Gold and silver are tested in a red-hot furnace," and Jesus was definitely tested in the fire. He was always being tested. There was always someone in the crowd that was ready to tear what he said apart.  Do you find that true in your life? Well it was true in Jesus' life. He was always being tested

Tuesday... He knows what he will be doing. He really does. We may be facing it seems an impossible situation. We have no idea what we are going to do. Maybe that is where you are today. Over in John 6:5 (NLT) it says, "Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him." And he saw a problem. Now he sees what we are facing today. He really does. And it is so important for us to be reminded of what King David knew. In Psalm 86:30 he says, "For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God." That is so important for us to remember. John continues in verse 5, He says, "Turning to Philip, he asked, 'Where can we buy bread to feed these people?'" God knows what is happening in our life. He knows the impossible situation that we may be facing. Verse 6 continues, "He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do." Could it be that he is testing us, seeing how we are going to handle what we are facing. 

Monday... It is so important to see that they go together. Here is what the first part of Psalm 85:10 (NLT) says, "Unfailing love and truth have met together." Now unfailing love is unbelievable and truth is so important but dividing them up can have some consequences. Sharing truth without love can be very harsh and hurtful but so can love without telling the truth. So that is why "Unfailing love and truth have met together" is so important. Now we can say that the Old Testament in the Bible is all about truth, that it is written with truth in mind and it tells of the consequences of our being disobedient and that the New Testament is all about love. But it is so important for us to see that they go together. We tend to think that the OT is about a judgmental God and the NT is about a loving Jesus. But look at this. Jesus says in John 5:25, "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never b

Friday... It can be for us but also through us. Our relationship with God makes so much difference in our own life. It really does. But it also makes such a difference through our lives.  Even as Christ followers we can focus so much on us that it can seem like we may be selfish. And that isn't God's plan. There are two incidents in John 4 that show this. In the first one, Jesus is sitting by a well and a woman comes to get water and Jesus starts talking with her. He makes such a difference in her personally that she runs back into town to tell others about Jesus and they come to see him and he makes such a difference that they want him to stay for awhile and he stays a couple of days longer. Yes, Jesus made a difference in her life but also the lives of others that she brought to Jesus.  Verse 46 (CEV) says, "While Jesus was in Galilee he returned to the village of Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was an official in Capernaum whose son was sick."

Thursday... We can't get the better of God. We can't! There are so many things that we believe that we can do and we can do so much. We really can but we can't get the better of God. Proverbs 21:30 (MSG) says, "Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God." The Contemporary English Version says it this way, "No matter how much you know or what plans you make, you can't defeat the Lord." We live in a day when people seem to do the impossible. Nothing seems to stop them. But what could we do if we had God out ahead looking at what is ahead and giving us insight and confidence and wisdom? We only use a small portion of our potential. It is great to be positive but sometimes it is the wise thing to realize what we can't do. We can't get the better of God, we can't defeat the plans of the Lord. We can't, so why do we try? I love verse 31. In The Message Paraphrase it says, "Do your best, prepare for

Wednesday... He is so good but he is not easy. He is definitely a good God. Just the opportunity to have someone in our life who will always love us is so good but love doesn't mean easy. Let's say I'm in school and I have a test tomorrow and I don't study but when I get up I pray that God will help me with my test. Or let's say, that I need a job but I don't put in the effort to find one, but I do pray or I do have a job but I just don't want to get up and do it so I pray that God will supply my needs. Proverbs 20:4 (NLT) says, "Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest." God honors our diligence, our effort and he gives us opportunities if and when we pray. He also will give us strength but he does not honor laziness. Verse 12 says, "Ears to hear and eyes to see - both are gifts from the Lord." Every morning when I start my daily systematic reading in Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament, I start my t

Tuesday... So, this is where it starts. The beginning of all of this is so important. It is so important for us to believe that God created everything. If that belief is done away with then it can be said that man created God. That he is a figment of our imagination so that is why it is so important to believe that God created us. We came from him. So the Apostle John starts his book by connecting Jesus with the beginning of it all. He was not just a human. Now John 1:1-3 (NLT) says, "In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him." Now when John says Word he is talking about Jesus. Jesus was not just a man, a human, he was God and is God. And John's purpose in writing his gospel, his revealing story of Jesus was to prove he was God and not just a man. But the Devil wants to annihilate this truth, this fact. And he h

Monday... But being reminded really helps. There are so many things that we have heard in our life that we forget but it is so good to be reminded. It really is. On the third day after Jesus had been killed on a cross, some women who came to where he was buried on Sunday morning brought some spices with them. They loved him and they wanted to help take care of him even in death. But he wasn't in the tomb. That of course shook them. But there were two men who suddenly appeared to them in dazzling robes. Of course the women were terrified.  Now these men were angels and it says in Luke 24:5b. (NLT), "Then the men asked, 'Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?'" The women could have said right back at them, "But he's dead. We saw him killed and we came to take care of his dead body."  So much of our pain and anxiety in life can come from our not remembering. But being reminded really can help, it really can make a difference. The a

Friday... This can make such a difference in our relationships. At one point in my life I decided in my relationships to give people the benefit of doubt in their actions toward me. And I still strive to do it. And it really has make a difference in my attitude toward people. That came about during my time in striving to become a positive person.  Now the Bible has some reinforcement of this.  Psalm 75:7 (NLT) says, "It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall." Now Jesus on the cross was a great example of this. In Luke 23:34 he said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." He knew that it was not up to him to judge them but his Father and Jesus was asking for God's grace to be upon them. Grace is another way to say giving them the benefit of doubt. That was how Jesus handled the injustice of them killing an innocent, perfect man. Judgement to him was what God did but he also knew of God's amazing grac

Thursday... This is so important, it really is! I don't know where you are in your life today and if you have found this to be true but it really is important to know. Proverbs 14:26 (AMP) says, "In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will [always] have a place of refuge." How is your confidence today?  Verse 24 says, "The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom], but the foolish of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly." Over in Luke 22, Jesus was with his disciples having a very meaningful time and he was sharing with them what was about to happen and in the midst of this time that is called the Last Supper they began arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.  Even we as Christ-followers can get messed up in what is important.  Verses 39-40 (NLT) says, "Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them

Wednesday... There is a definite resolve that we need. It can be so easy for us to look around and see people as if they don't have any problems or any difficulties like we do. The writer of Psalm 73:1-3 (CEV) in his honesty says, "God is truly good to Israel, especially to everyone with a pure heart. But I almost stumbled and fell, because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, and they don't have troubles like everyone else."  Again, it can be so easy for us to look around and see people as if they don't have any problems or any difficulties. I love the honesty of the Psalms. In verse 16, the writer says, "It was so hard for me to understand all this! Then I went to your temple, and there I understood what will happen to my enemies." He later says to God in verses 21-22, "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was so foolish and ignorant - I must have seemed

Tuesday... Let's be smart. Proverbs 12:16a (CEV) says, "Losing your temper is foolish." It really is. And it is so hard to take it back. That is not smart. There are always consequence when we lose our temper and they are usually not good. Think of the last time you lost your temper at home, at your kids, at your spouse, at your pets. at your life, at where you live, at where you work. There are always repercussions and they are not good.  The New Living Translation says, "A fool is quick-tempered." The Message says, "Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly." The Amplified Bible says, "The [arrogant] fool's anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense]." It just is not a good thing. is it? But then the rest of this verse, this proverb (CEV) says, "ignoring an insult is smart." It really is. I have striven in dealing with people to give them a benefit of doubt. They didn't mean that, they

Monday... Maybe this is what we need today.   The weekend is over and it's back to the norm of life. So, how was your weekend? Are you worn out or are you taking it's deviation and turning it into living this new week with energy and focus? Or maybe you are facing a rough and challenging week and you need help.  Well Psalm 71:1-3 (CEV) is a great prayer to pray at the start of a new day and a new week. The Psalmist writes, "I run to you, Lord, for protection. Don't disappoint me. You do what is right, so come to my rescue. Listen to my prayer and keep me safe. Be my mighty rock, the place where I can always run for protection. Save me by your command! You are my mighty rock and fortress."  I love the honesty and the encouragement of the Psalms. Sometimes we don't know what to pray but we know we need help. And the Psalms in the middle of the Bible is a great place to go. In verses 20-21 (NLT) he writes, "You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but yo

Friday... So, let's never give up. Never! I was suppose to be in Denver today and I wouldn't have written a blog but through complications I am still in Las Vegas and here I am writing this blog. So, maybe someone needs this. Things don't just happen in a relationship with God. He may not cause them but he uses circumstances. So we need to always be searching for want he wants to teach us each day. Look at this first verse in Luke 18 (CEV). It says, "Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up." And for some that may be all that God wants to say to you. Your situation is going on and on and you have prayed and prayed and you are about to on this Friday give up. But listen, perseverance has its reward especially when God is in our life. Now this story is about a judge and a widow who is trying to get justice from this unjust judge and he doesn't give her what she wants but she keeps after him and he in his frustratio

Thursday... They do come but then we can stop and realize. Life has its disappointments. You look forward to doing something but then something happens and the plans change and you are so disappointed. Yes, disappointments come but when and if we stop and realize that God is in our corner and that he is working in our life and his blessings are all about us then a calmness and an appreciation comes over us because we know he knows what is best.  Oh it can take awhile for the disappointment to go and the calmness and trust to come. It can be so easy for disappointment to always be our companion. That's the way we can live always thinking that life never goes the way we want it to go. And some Christians live with that thought always on their mind. They are always, always disappointed. Now the writer of Psalm 67:6 (CEV) says, "Our God has blessed the earth with a wonderful harvest! Pray for the blessings to continue and for everyone on earth to worship God." Verse 1 also sa

Wednesday... We really don't want to be repulsive, do we? We revel in God's love. We really do but we also need to see what he hates and what is repulsive to him. The writer of Proverbs 6 in verses 16-19 tells us some things that God hates and that are repulsive to him. I know what my wife loves but it is also important in our relationship for me to know what she doesn't like and the same for her with me. So this is also important for us to know in our relationship with God. So verses 16-19 (AMP) says this, "These six thing the Lord hates; Indeed seven are repulsive to Him: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that creates wicked plans, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false  witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], and one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers." The NLT says this last one this way, "a person who sows discord in a family.

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo

Monday... Where are we headed? Where? So many questions we have as we head into a new week but where are we headed is such an important one, isn't it? Here is a great reminder. Proverbs 3:5 & 6 (CEV) says, "With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow."  Now, that is a great reminder.  And then over in Proverbs 4 it says this in verses 25-27, "Keep looking straight ahead, without turning aside. Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground. Don't make a mistake by turning to the right or the left."  Verses 24-25 in the Amplified Bible says, "Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth, and put devious lips far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] and let your gaze be fixed straight ahead in front of you [toward the path of integrity]." And then verses 26 & 27, "Consider wel

Friday... Maybe give it another chance. Is there some area in your life where you need another chance or maybe there is someone in your life who needs another chance? In my reading in the book of Luke I came across this story. It is in chapter 13 verses 6-7 (CEV). It says, "Jesus then told them this story: A man had a fig tree in his vineyard. One day he went out to pick some figs, but he didn't find any." Now how would we handle that? I'm sure we would be frustrated and I'm sure we have been frustrated. The story goes on, "So he says to the gardner, 'For three years I have come looking for figs on this tree, and I haven't found any yet. Chop it down! Why should it take up space?'" So, what comes to your mind? Is it a job? Is it a spouse? Maybe it is it a child who is still at home or it may be a grown up child. Maybe it is you. It just seems like you can't take care of that problem in yourself and you are to the place that you're rea