Month: March 2022

The Mud Puddle

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“All things work together for good for those who love God…” Romans 8:28

The above photo is no ordinary mud puddle. For as I walked by this morning there was a very young boy, perhaps no more than a year and a half old, crouched studiously over these muddy waters. What was so interesting to me was the fact that a large playground filled with slides and swings and monkey bars was only a few steps away. Yet those playground toys held no interest for this toddler. He was focused, and fixated, on the mud. He was absolutely convinced that,

Something Wonderful Is Waiting In the Mud

In the book of Romans, Paul writes that “All things work together for good for those who love God”. That means lurking in the messy and muddy bits of our lives God will pull together a wonderful plan that brings forth blessings you never thought possible. Take heart today, and understand that indeed something wonderful is waiting for you in your mud puddle.

I’m Listening

/ James Penner / 1 Comment

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you,” Jeremiah 29:12

One of the saddest songs ever recorded has to be Elvis Presley’s “Are you lonesome tonight”. Take just a quick sample of these lyrics (or Google it, and be prepared to sing along), “Do the chairs in your parlor, seem empty and bare? Do you gaze at your doorstep, and picture me there? Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again? Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?” The reality is,

We Are Never Alone

God is so near to every person on this planet, quietly waiting in the stillness to be invited to draw near and fill every single empty void in your life. In Jeremiah 29 God makes a promise that if we call on him He will listen. Amazing things are about to happen for you when you pick up that phone called prayer, and call the Lord.

A Better Way

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Because Your love is better than life” Psalm 63:3

In Psalm 63 King David wrote, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Notice how David is not asking for anything other than God’s presence. He’s not seeking rescue, or answers, or miracles. David simply craves God’s presence as he would crave water in the desert. He prays this way because he understands that,

God’s Presence Is Better Than Life Itself

When you feel anxious, or nervous, or scared, or lonely try doing as David did and reach out to God, and simply ask for His presence. God will not disappoint you, for the atmosphere will shift and you will quickly begin to understand for yourself why David prayed the way he did.

Answered Prayer

/ James Penner / 1 Comment

“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” James 4:3

My wife and I went to see the legendary Garth Brooks in Concert this past weekend in San Diego. If there was ever a contender for the title, “the greatest showman” he’d certainly be on the list. Yet one of the things I enjoy most about Garth is his down to earth sense of who he is. A local reporter asked him, “before you hop on stage, how do you prepare, what do you eat.” His quick response was priceless. “You have your power drinks and you have your power vitamins. For me that’s Dr. Pepper and M&M’s.” ‘Grounded’ is just who he is, and a grounded truth comes through in some of his music, such as his powerful song, “Unanswered Prayer”, which says, “Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayer. Remember when you’re talking, to the man upstairs, just because He doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean He don’t care. Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers.” Receiving answered prayer is easy in life when you are,

Honest With God About What You Want In Life

Then, be willing to repeat these seven words, “not my will, but Thine be done.” That is how you are certain not to ask “amiss”. God wants to bless you with the best, so open your mouth and tell him of your hearts desires. Then simply trust Him with the answer.

Kingdom

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Let Your kingdom come…” Matthew 6:10

What must God’s kingdom look like? We read various verses in the Bible describing mansions and streets of gold, yet for me God’s kingdom is not hard to image. Simply look at the extraordinary vistas all around us; a breathtaking flower field, a sunrise filled with color, a waterfall cascading into a clear ocean. How about someone unselfishly giving a hand to another who is down on their luck, or a kind word spoken to lift someone’s spirits, or a friend forgiving another of the unforgivable.

God’s Kingdom Is All Around Us.

We just have to know where to look, and then realize that we’ve not even scratched the surface of the awesomeness of God’s kingdom. He’s only given us a little glimpse. When Jesus friends asked Him how they should pray, He gave to them 53 words in Matthew chapter 6 as the model prayer, commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”. A perfect balance, and wonderful recipe to center your prayer life around. For many these words have become too familiar, perhaps to the point of losing their meaning. For today, just focus on 4 of the 53 words, “Let Your kingdom come.” What power would be unleashed in this world of ours if you passionately and sincerely prayed these four words. I would expect you’d begin to see a closer view of God’s kingdom pour all over your life.

Conqueror

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him (Jesus) who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Growing up I was a Rocky fan. When I was eleven years old Sylvester Stallone hit the big screen with his Oscar winning film about a down and out boxer who beat all the odds to become a world champion. Even through all the sequels (some good, some not so much) the raw power of that original 1976 film sticks with me to this day. One message above all comes through loud and clear – never give up! As Rocky says, “it ain’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and still…

…Keep Moving Forward

Paul, the author of the book of Romans, lays out an intriguing thought to demonstrate that no matter the odds, no matter how hard we get hit in life, we are more than conquerors. Paul says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all those these things we are more than conquerors for nothing can separate us from God’s love”. That also means nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God’s promises, of which we have described dozens in this post over the past few months. Take heart and keep moving forward. Your have the King of kings in your corner.

The Red Sea

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness?” Exodus 14:11

In the book of Exodus, God rescued the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt and led them toward the promised land. The triumphant mood soon hit a brick wall at the Red Sea, with no way to cross, and the Egyptian army bearing down after Pharaoh changed his mind about their pardon. You’ve seen the movie. You know the story’s ending. God parted the waters and they went on their way.

What Is Your Red Sea Today?

Indeed, there are times in life when we all face our version of a Red Sea, with no visible way out and no possible way to cross. We toil and spin (yell and scream and cry) just like the children of Israel did in Exodus 14:11 about our predicament, when the answer is right in front of us. Look up! Give your Red Sea to God, then watch as the miracles begin to unfold.

The Optimist

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

Every morning that you wake up you have the opportunity to believe the best about the day in front of you. This is not because you believe in the so-called “the law of attraction” – that you attract positive or negative outcomes through positive or negative thought. This concept, like many others in history, is mans attempt to substitute the principles in God’s word for secular concepts that kick God to the curb. The reality is, you can believe for the best in your life, because,

God Promises Us The Best For Our Lives.

Psalm 27:13 says we can “believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”. “The land of the living” today is you and I. It’s our choice to believe that in this many times maddening world God’s goodness will shine through. Such hope is not just for hope sake, but is actually grounded in and throughout God’s word. Choosing optimism means you are choosing faith.

Stake Your Claim

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

I’ve met so many people who shy away from asking God for anything. Perhaps it’s out of fear that they will be treating God like a “vending machine.” The problem is, failing to bring your needs and hearts desires to God goes against a significant directive that Jesus Himself taught to us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7,

“Ask And It Shall Be Given Unto You”

Just a few lines later Jesus further clarifies this statement by saying “who among you, if your child asks you for bread would you give him a stone.” It’s crystal clear in black and white that God as your Heavenly Father wants to, and knows how to, give good things when you actually open your mouth and ask Him. Yes, be reverent. Yes, be humble. But also, be bold, believing that God will be faithful to His word. Stop being shy about approaching God, your Heavenly Father, for your needs, for blessings, for healing, for whatever is in your heart. Jesus said ask, which gives you the right to do so. What are you waiting for?

Cloud Watching

/ James Penner / Leave a comment

“There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” 1 Kings 18:44

A few days ago I was driving home when I noticed a single white cloud in the middle of an otherwise cloudless blue sky. The unusual sight brought forth a smile for instantly I remembered the story of an Old Testament Prophet named Elijah. There had been a severe drought in the land and Elijah had told the King not to worry, rain was on the way. God would provide. In the story, Elijah sends a young man to the top of a hill to watch for signs of rain. Six times this young man returned saying it doesn’t look promising. No rain in sight. Yet in each of those six times, Elijah simply responds, and says,

Go Look Again!

On the seventh try, the young man returns and says, “there is a small cloud rising out of the sea.” Instantly Elijah knew that God had been faithful and that rain was on the way. He was right for a few hours later the skies opened up and the downpour began. How many times have you prayed for a blessing only to seemingly have been forgotten by God. Take heart and don’t give up. Pray again and look up. Your breakthrough is on the horizon. God is always faithful, and His timing is impeccable.