Today's Beginning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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