Month: May 2022

Blinders

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“The fool in his heart says there is no God.” Psalm 53:1

I opened my bible today and the first words that greeted me were from Psalm 53:1, “The fool in his heart says there is no God”. I won’t mention the name but someone famous recently died and I knew they had spent their lifetime saying that God did not exist. When they passed, my heart broke for them. Quite frankly, I can’t tell you how many times my heart has broken when hearing of anyone who passed away after spending their lifetime saying that God did not exist. If history has taught us anything, it has taught us that no matter how enlightened we think we are, there is so much that we simply do not know. To hold to, or make definitive statements about the non-existence of God is simply

Recklessly Playing With Fire

Thankfully we serve a merciful God and he has given us the incredible power of prayer. The next time you hear of someone saying there is no God, simply say a prayer for them. No, you don’t have to do it out loud to their face, sometimes that just comes across as inciting an argument. Under your breath, simply pray for them. God has a million and one ways that he can change someone’s mind. You just have to care enough about those around you to ask Him to do so.

A Great Treasure

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“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for He gives His beloved sleep..” Psalm 127:2

One of the great treasures in life is a good night sleep. For a few decades of my life a good night sleep was elusive. Invariably, once my head hit the pillow my brain would start working, rehashing every issue, problem, and difficulty that I was dealing with in life. Then I ran across Psalm 127:2 which says,

God Gives His Beloved Sleep

“I’m his beloved”, I thought. “So, why do I have such difficulty sleeping?” Then I realized that each day I was failing to take God up on his promises. God says many times in his word, and in many different ways, “cast your cares upon Me.” I thought, “why not take Him up on his offer”, so I did. Each day I began to pray, “Lord, whatever you have for me today I am truly grateful, and whatever you have in store for my future, again I am truly grateful. As for my cares, I gladly entrust them to you”. For the better part of a decade now I have prayed this prayer every day and I would venture to say that in more than 95% of my nights I look like the cat in the photo above, happily surrendered in sleep. You are God’s beloved. Sleep tight tonight.

Choices

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Jesus said, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4

The poet Robert Frost once wrote: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”. Translation, we make choices every day but which ones will you make, the comfortable ones, or, the ones that may throw a few (or many) challenges your way but lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. As I think about Robert Frost’s play on words, and reflect on the choices I’ve made in life, I can’t help but think of Jesus words when he said,

“Launch Out Into The Deep”

Certainly “the deep” qualifies as a road less traveled. They are also scary words quite frankly, and one’s that I have not always heeded. But I’ve noticed something, the fish usually don’t just jump into your boat on their own. You have to venture out into the deeper waters where the fish are then cast your net to catch them. Choosing comfortable is easy, but I would venture to say less fulfilling. What dream have you been holding onto far too long? Why not try the road less traveled and choose to get to work in bringing that dream into reality. You have a willing partner in Jesus just itching to bless the work of your hands. Remember, with God, nothing is impossible.

Harmony

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“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not” Isaiah 41:13

I was recently walking through a store when my eye caught a young child holding his father’s hand. When the father stopped to take an item from the shelf, the child stopped, gazing up at what his dad was up to, then to the shelves filled with items all around. When his father started walking again, the child kept pace, seemingly without a care in the world.

There Was Safety In His Father’s Hand

We do a wonderful job of wandering wherever we want in life, and yet wonder why we feel so much stress and anxiety along the way. On this day, in that store, a little child reminded me of why I put my hand in my Heavenly Father’s hand. How sweet it is to trust in the Lord.

The Cease Fire

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“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” Psalm 139:17-18

I’ve learned one powerful lesson in life, never be at war with yourself. When I first wrote those words I looked at them and said, “Well, that seems obvious, who would be dumb enough to do that.” The problem is, we all are! We waste a great deal of time in our life warring with ourself and never even realize we’re doing it. The conflict may never have been officially declared, the battle lines never clearly drawn, but realize it or not, we’re at war with ourself more often than we care to admit. “I’m not good enough, I’m not strong enough, I’m not good-looking enough, I’m not rich enough, thin enough, fast enough, smart enough, cool enough, cagy enough, connected enough…and the list goes on…

It’s Time To Declare A Cease Fire

God created you. His thoughts toward you are amazing, wonderful, beautiful. Bask in that knowledge today for you are wonderfully made, and you are loved, just the way you are!

Retrain Your Brain

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

A friend of mine went through a hip replacement surgery. I remember my surprise at hearing the news because he is relatively young and in good shape. But the joint had worn to the point where he was walking with a visible limp, and over the past few months even started to use a crutch. He went through the surgery and thanks to the skill of a modern day surgeon was quickly up and around on his new hip. Yet for weeks after the surgery, even a month or two, his limp remained the same. Then suddenly, to my surprise, the limp vanished. Where did it go? That limp was there the day before. Had it vanished in the night? “Your walking great,” I said. “What happened?” His response to me was priceless! “My physical therapist told me that,

I Had To Retrain My Brain”

His brain had been trained to expect pain with every step, so it told him to limp in anticipation. Even if he didn’t feel the pain right away, his brain said, don’t worry, it’s coming. Those word struck me with tremendous force for Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:7 gives to us those same words. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” We have to retrain our brains to believe and ACCEPT that in Christ we are a new creation. Christ has already done the restoration work in us. Just as my friend had a new hip, Christ has given you a new life. The old one is gone, along with any horrific thing you have done, thought or said. Behold you are a new creation today! Retrain your brain to accept Christ forgiveness and restorative work. It’s time to stop limping through life and start walking!   

Peace

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“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

A few years back my wife and I were in the beginning stage of moving our home. I’m sure you’ve all been there at one time or another. It’s unnerving all the planning, the packing, the uncertainty surrounding the details of the place you are leaving, or the anxiety over the place you are trying to go to. All the details distract your mind by day and keep you awake at night. There is an unsettled feeling that surrounds the relocation of your place of residence. Then a dear friend of ours said a prayer for us, saying,

“God, Grant Them Peace In The Process”

This prayer sticks with me to this very day: peace in the process! How often do we go through the circumstances in our lives with anything but peace. Today you may not be moving, but something in your life is eating away at you. Large or small, we carry the burden of our circumstances with fear, anxiety, and trepidation. Then we come to the words of Jesus from John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” So many times we pray and give our burdens to God, then say amen, then proceed to carry that burden we just prayed over away with us and hold onto it as tightly as we can. Instead why not trust the promise of Christ that He will bring peace to you. Accept His peace, not as the world gives, but as only He can give. Perhaps it’s time for you unpack all the baggage you are carrying around with you and hand it to Jesus. Only this time, after you pray, don’t repack your bags!   

Unlimited

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“For I, the Lord, do not change…” Malachi 3:6

My wife and I recently took a drive up the California Coast. I would argue there are not many places on this planet as beautiful. For all of California’s supposed issues and problems, the “golden state” is aptly named. The majesty of God is on display all around us, and a constant reminder of God’s incredible attention to detail. The care he took to create everything from the vast oceans filled with life to the sand it caresses to the wildflowers watered by its morning mist. And yet the Bible tells us how much more care He took in creating you and I, and of the

Unlimited Love God Has For Us.

When God says, “I do not change” those words should warm your heart! There is an incredible promise in those four words. God cannot go against His own words, for if He did He would, by definition, change. We can take great comfort that the same God who created you, and all that you can see, and experience, says He will provide for you just what you need. You have only one task and that is to have the faith to trust in Him. As the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Sharing

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Jesus said, “Come to me…” Matthew 11:28

When I was a child I would spend time on my grandparents Kansas farm, and they had a very interesting version of a telephone. It was called a “party line”. In other words, two or three, or four houses were hooked up to the same line, and all you had to do was pick up the phone just about any time day or night and you could listen in on a conversation between one of the neighbors and whomever they were talking to. Today that’s pretty much called Facebook or Twitter, but be that as it may, we love to gab with others, and listen to what others have to say.

Sharing Is In Our DNA

And yet, when it comes to our prayer life, while we seem to do a pretty good job praying for relief from our burdens, or for God’s divine intervention in our circumstances, we fall short in sharing our day to day life with Him. Have you ever spent time with Jesus just sharing your hopes, and your dreams? Or to simply vent and let Him in on the events of your day? You may be saying, “Doesn’t He know anyway?” Of Course He does, but that’s not the point. Failing to draw near to your Lord is all on you. He will not force the conversation. He’s waiting on you to say, “Here I am Lord, can we have a chat? You won’t believe what happened to me today….”

Job

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“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind…” Job 38:1

Job is probably one of the most well known individuals in the Bible, mainly because he literally lost everything, his family, his great fortune, and yes even his health. If there was ever a man who suffered it was Job. Yet even through all of his pain, and the cynical comments from his well meaning friends that he must be cursed of God for doing something wrong, Job never once cursed God. He questions his lot in life, and laments his loses, and yet,

Job Never Blames The Lord

Then in Job 38, God finally answers Job’s questions by providing an awesome resume of His greatness and His majesty. Take the time to read this one chapter and you’ll see what I mean. Whenever I’m feeling blue, or sorry for myself, or questioning my lot in life I simply re-read Job 38. Instantly I’m reminded of how truly great God is, and just how fortunate I am to be His child, and in His care. And every single time I soon find myself saying, “Lord, how great Thou art. Let your incredible will be done in my life. Whatever you have for me this day I gratefully receive.” Be reminded today that you have an awesome Heavenly Father.