“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

For me, one of the great film quotes in history comes from a little character named “Yoda” played by Frank Oz in the film “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”. Yoda is training a young Luke Skywalker to be a Jedi Knight. In a moment of apparent failure by Luke, Yoda says to him, “Always with you it cannot be done. You must unlearn what you have learned.” Luke responds, “I’ll try.” Yoda quickly reprimands him, saying, “No. Do, or do not, there is no try.” This incredible exchange is a mirror of our own lives. So many times we see failure as a foregone conclusion when times get tough, or, we won’t even dive into something new for fear the outcome will be disastrous. I too have battled my own fear of failure. Yet, the idea of doing nothing has always seemed worse to me than any fears I have over diving into something new. For as Robert H. Schuller once said,

“I’d rather attempt to something great and fail, than attempt to do nothing and succeed.”

From our scripture verse today, when Paul writes these words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” it’s after a long laundry list of conditions that he’s endured as a man of faith. He endured both ridicule and received praise, had plenty and lived with poverty. Yet in all these things he said he had learned to be content with whatever life threw at him. Faith is facing fears and moving forward anyway. Take your step forward today.

“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

For years the national hotel chain, Motel 6, had a very catchy slogan, “We’ll keep the light on for you.” There really is a great truth behind these words, and for me they are a great reminder of what Jesus said to us in Matthew 5, which says,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Whether you think of yourself as a source of light or not, you are. Your smile, your words of kindness and encouragement, your laughter, all bring light into the lives of those around you. Be the light burning within you today.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

I took a walk today as the headwinds of a storm were blowing in. Since I was very near San Diego’s International Airport one could not help but look up and see a commercial airliner coming in for a landing. The strong crosswind was causing the pilot to have to point the nose into the wind, giving the appearance of flying slightly sideways. The strange angle, combined with the slight rocking motion of the wings told me exactly what was going on inside that plane. For what appeared on the outside to be a gentle, almost graceful landing, was likely causing lots of while knuckles in the air from passengers grabbing armrests, or the hand of the passenger next to them. For me this was just another example of how

Our Perspective Changes Everything.

As we go through life, holding on with all our might through all the turbulence, God has it all under control. For I’ll never forget the exact moment, during one of the most stressful times in my life, I prayed to God pleading for rescue. His response to me was instant and unambiguous. “Be Still” He said, “and know that I am God.” In that instant I focused my perspective on Him. The turbulence was still there, but I had a different view of it. I was suddenly standing on solid ground, gently rocking my way through a storm that eventually did end, as all storms do. Whatever your turbulence is today, God is saying to you today, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

“Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19

When Jesus walked out of the tomb, a new world began. The sacrifice had been made to take on the sins of the world. Lucifer’s grip over man had lost its power. As singer, songwriter Chris Tomlin wrote, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns.

Unending Love, Amazing Grace”

Now the faith choice completely rests with us. Jesus did His part. He’s made the ransom payment. He even cut our chains free. Still, it’s our choice whether or not to accept this gift of grace. Just a few words and everything changes. “Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, I need you.”

Jesus said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Revelation 1:17

The Saturday after His crucifixion was a day of mourning and defeat for those who had walked with Jesus. To lose their beloved friend and Savior, and in such a brutal way, brought a serious combination of grief and outright fear. But that was nothing compared to what was going on in Hell. The victory celebration was just getting cranked up when a light suddenly appeared in the darkness. I can almost see Lucifer’s jaw begin to drop in that “this is not possible” sort of way as the light grew brighter, and Christ walked right up to him. I can then picture Christ, with a peaceful countenance, holding out his nail pierced palm and saying, “You had a good run, but now it’s over,

I’ll Take Back My Keys”

Suddenly powerless, Lucifer had no choice but to hand them over. For you see, in the garden of Eden, Lucifer had deceived Adam and Eve and literally stole from them the keys to life, forever creating a door of separation between us and our Creator. The cross changed that. The cross was the ultimate sacrifice to atone for that sin, and the key to unlock the door between us and God. Today, Christ has a key with your name on it. All you have to do to receive it is say one three letter word to Him: Yes.

“Jesus said, “It is finished.” John 19:30

On a rocky hill outside the walls of Jerusalem stood three wooden crosses. Jesus had been placed on the center cross, between two men who had been tried and convicted as thieves. Of the three, Jesus was the only one who was innocent, yet willingly He went to the cross anyway in our place. Along the way he asked God for another path, but he knew there was no Plan B. For God is holy, and a sacrifice had to be made to take on the sins of the world, allowing us to be restored to our Heavenly Father. “It is finished” meant,

The Sacrifice Had Been Made, The Price Was Paid.

Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” He willingly paid the price for our sin. That’s how much Jesus loves you. If you were the only one left on earth, Jesus would have still endured the cross for you. Talk to him.

“Behold, I am the Lord God.” Jeremiah 32:27

In the delightful romantic film, “Letters to Juliet”, the premise is that people from around the world travel to Verona, Italy and visit the supposed balcony that inspired Shakespeare’s, “Romeo and Juliet”. As they visit they leave letters to Juliet in the cracks of the stones beneath the balcony, asking her for relationship advice. In the film, actress Amanda Seyfried joins a small group of ladies who actually write responses to each of those who left a letter for Juliet. In doing so Amanda pens a response letter to Vanessa Redgrave which reads; “‘What’ and ‘If’ are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.” I recently saw this film again and began to ponder those two words, ‘what if’. When put together, they are indeed powerful. Ask yourself,

What If, God’s Promises Are Real

What if I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me? What if with God nothing is impossible? What if by His stripes I am healed? There are indeed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of “What if’s” that we can ask ourselves. Yet the most powerful of these ‘What If’ question will forever change your life. What if I stopped procrastinating and finally said yes to Jesus.

“You (God) prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5

Back in my high school days Pat Benatar released a hit song, “Hit me with your best shot”, with the next two words being, “Fire away.” The song became an anthem for all those bouncing back after being walked on not just in love, but life in general. I get a sense of this “hit me with your best shot” coming from King David when he says that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies. David, as king, had a lot of enemies, as most people in power do. Yet he feared them not. Today, David is reminding you,

The Lord Is On Your Side

David further expounds this concept a few chapters later in Psalm 46, where he says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear.” Indeed, God has prepared a table before you, in the very presence of your enemies. And who are your enemies? Don’t always assume its people. How about fear? Worry? Guilt? We wrestle with a lot of enemies in our minds every single day. Just remember, God sits with you at the table he has set before you. Trust Him.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

My late Father-in-law, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, was known around the world as a man of positive faith. He ministered in countless countries, in person and on television, and lifted weary souls with best selling books such as “The Be-Happy Attitudes.” From politicians to Hollywood a-listers, they all drew near just to find that spark of renewal that he so freely gave away. Yet, I asked him once, do you ever have doubts? He said, “of course, all humans have doubts. But, I made a decision years ago,

I Would Rather Live Believing The Best, And Be Wrong,

Then Believe The Worst, And Be Proven Right”

He believed those words, whether they were about people in general or about his faith in God. His answer resonated with me on such a deep level that I have lived each day after that striving to believe the best, about God, and about people. A life of faith is a decision we choose to make every day. It’s a life that’s worked for me, and I can highly recommend it. The decision each day for you, is yours to make.

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

One thing that I love about modern technology in our science fiction films is that it makes it so much easier for me to picture incredible scenes that are described in the Bible. Previously, I could never really picture such fantastical creatures until films like Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy brought a myriad of amazing creatures to the big screen. As a result, I can more relate to the incredible vision that Isaiah describes to us in his sixth chapter, in which he sees the Lord sitting on a high throne, with the train of his robe completely filling a temple. Above the throne are two flying seraphim, each with six wings and each triumphantly proclaiming “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty” Isaiah’s response?

“My Eyes Have Seen The King”

You may be thinking, that’s great, but I have never beheld such a scene. I believe you, and Jesus actually realizes this and address it in John 20 where he says, “Because you have seen me you believe. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” Faith is believing in that which you have not seen, and such faith comes with special blessings. You may not have seen all that you read about in the Bible, but live a life of faith and you will be amazed at what you do see.