Month: December 2022

Tough Times Never Last….

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Jesus said, “If you have faith….” Matthew 17:20

Yesterday’s devotional “Yes, It’s Possible” got me thinking about Robert H. Schuller’s most famous quote, “Tough times never last, tough people do.” These famous words were born spontaneously during a speech to a group of laid off auto workers in Flint Michigan in the early 1980’s. At the time he was thinking, what do you say to such a group who have lost hope. The answer, remind them that the end of one road is never really the end. There is always another road, trail, or footpath that will lead you to another footpath, trail or road.

The Great Secret In Life Is To Never Give Up.

Jesus said, “If you have faith and do not doubt you can say to this mountain be removed and it will move and nothing will be impossible to you.” Yet faith is seemingly in short supply in the world. How can I say that with authority? Take a look around at all the fear, worry and anxiety in this world. If faith were found in abundance the evidence would be fears ceasing. Today you can be part of the solution. Have faith and your tough times won’t stand a chance.

Yes, It’s Possible

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Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

My father in law, Robert H. Schuller said to me many times, “Anyone can count how many seeds are in a single apple, but only God can count all the apples in one seed.” I think of this quote often when I look at the world around us. I see senseless shootings, famine, poverty, political divides and I could go on and on just as you could with all the problems around us. Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble, but to fear not for He has overcome the world. What does God know that we don’t? The answer is, plenty!

Where We See Impossibilities God Sees Possibilities.

Faith is trusting that God will have the last word and that word will be good. Our job is to love one another, do what we can with the gifts He has given to us, and trust that God will guide our steps every minute of every hour of every day. This is the reason Dad Schuller also encouraged me to cut the word “impossible” out of my dictionary. I’ve done that, perhaps you should too.

Refuge

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“God is our refuge and strength” Psalm 46:1

There is a story dating back more than a century about a Queen’s vessel that was sailing off shore on a very dark night. The Captain spotted a light in the distance that appeared to be directly in his path. He sent a message across the wire that said, “Approaching ship, Please alter your course.” The response came back quickly, saying, “We cannot comply. Please alter your course.” The Captain was grew frustrated as the light drew closer and fired off another message that said, “This is the Queens vessel and I’ve been its Captain for 10 years, I would urge you to alter your course.” The response came back rather quickly, saying, “My name is Samuel Smith and I’ve been operating this lighthouse for 5 years. I would urge you to alter your course.” Sheepishly the Queens Captain complied. So often we go through life trying to have our own way, when God as our lighthouse gently says,

If You Seek Refuge, Alter Your Course

The simplest way is to say to God, “Thy will be done, Lord. You alone know where all the rock and hazards are in life so You guide me, You lead, and I will happily live in the refuge of Your protection.”

What Now?

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“Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10

Ever thought of what would happen if you spent your life seeking God? You may be asking, what, sell my house or give up my apartment and go on some backpack journey to look for Him? No, that’s Hollywood’s version. What if, in your current daily life, in your current job, in your current home, with your current friendships, you simply added the element of seeking God? Don’t know where to start? Try adding a thirty second prayer to your morning when you get up. Something like, “God, will you be with me today? I could really use your help.” Then at noon, perhaps say “God, thank you for protecting me today. I know you’re there and I know you love me.” Then in the evening try, “Lord, as I sleep, let me hear from you. Teach me for here I am, I’m yours.” I don’t need to help you with day two. Start the conversation on day one and believe me,

A Conversation Once Started With God Will Take On A Life Of Its Own.

God makes promises in the Bible and all we need to do is have the Faith to believe they are real. Seek the Lord and you will lack no good thing. He really is all you need.

A Day Of Infamy

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“Love one another” John 13:34

Not far from our home is the Rosecrans Memorial Cemetery on Point Loma in San Diego. Walking this quiet and peaceful seaside stretch of land is a stark reminder of over 100 years of conflict. For as you walk you will see veterans laid to rest from World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as he addressed congress and the nation the day Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, said it was a day that would live in Infamy. There are indeed days that change the world in which we live and 81 years ago today was one of them. Such a day is never lost if we use its memory to

Change Someones Life For The Better.

Today can be a milestone day for someone by your choosing to live out your faith. Perhaps its phone call to a loved one you’ve been avoiding, or visit to a neighbor in the hospital, or perhaps its a random act of kindness for a complete stranger. Life changing days don’t always come with banner headlines, but always come when your heart opens up with a simple act of love.

Simple Faith

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“She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.” Luke 8:44

Over the past thirty years I’ve had any number of conversations with people who just did not believe miracles were possible for them. These conversations were not with unbelievers, but with those who had the faith that God was real and that Jesus was their Savior. Yet through the years they had prayed and did not see what they prayed for come to pass. Thus, they had come to the conclusion that miracles were not going to happen for them. My response is always the same. I take the Bible at face value. Jesus said believe that what you pray for will come to pass and it will. So

I Pray & I Believe.

That’s my one task to perform. My job is not to create the miracle, that’s up to God. But I do believe that He will keep His word. Somehow, some way, and some day that miracle will come. The woman in Luke 8 waited 12 years for her miracle yet she still had the faith to approach Jesus and touch His garment, believing that would unlock her miracle. Of course instant gratification is wonderful for that’s the society we live in. But faith goes beyond timelines and simply believes Jesus is who He claimed to be, and that His wonders He will perform. You don’t need to complicate faith. Simply believe and leave the results to God.

Charlie

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“He (God) refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:3

Meet our St. Bernard, Charlie. He passed a few years ago but just one look at this photo brings a flood of memories. Charlie was the great grandson of the famed film dog “Beethoven”, and a 160 pound drooling teddy bear. Our girls climbed all over him as they grew up, and he returned the favor more than once. You could not enter the house without knowing that Charlie was present, either through his old man snoring or his bounding footfall as he would trot to the front door to greet anyone who entered our home. God truly blessed us with Charlie for this beloved mountain of fur was refreshment for the soul.

God Has A Wonderful Way Of Providing What We Need, Just When We Need It.

It may be through a much needed phone call or hug from a loved one or furry friend, or through His still small voice encouraging us when no one else can. You see, God can and will use any means possible to refresh us, and those many means are miracles one and all. The next time you are convinced that God’s not paying attention your needs, perhaps you should take a breath and start to realize the thousand and one ways God blesses you every single day. The time has come to say “thank you.” Thank you God for your blessings, even when I don’t recognize them. You are all I need.

The Organist

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

I once knew a famed organist who had a quiet but pronounced sense of humor. Taped to the side of his rehearsal organ for years was a small sign that read, “when I die I wish to go quietly in my sleep just like my grandfather, not kicking and screaming like those riding along in his car.” Indeed the organist made me laugh and I knew a smile was waiting for me more often then not when our paths would cross. To this day every time I hear an organ playing, be it at a baseball game, church, or marry-go-round, I remember my friend the organist. He passed away recently and went as we all will, leaving everything behind except faith and the memories given to others. The question is,

What Joy Are You Leaving, And What Faith Are You Taking With You?

Jesus said, “we are the light of the world,” so how bright is your light? Are you taking the time to spread joy and love or are you too busy with other pursuits. We really only have one job in life and that’s to love the Lord and love others. The rest as they say is window dressing. Shine your light today, be an ambassador of joy to all you meet.

Lift

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“I will lift my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

I’ve chosen a staircase today because most people that I meet do not walk in hills and mountains. Their trials and stress in life look more like an endless staircase, with one landing after another that allows for brief rest before having to start climbing again. Yet I’ve noticed something that happens when we climb stairs. Our eyes are always looking down, lest we trip on one of the treads and begin to fall. Yet what David tells us in Psalm 121 is that we need to take the time and look up. Not up at all the stairs left to climb, but up to the very top and into the face of God. Something miraculous happens when we do, for all too suddenly God will be standing right beside you, and in most cases lift you in his arms to carry you.

You Can Experience God’s Lifting Power

Some may say “you can’t be serious, how is that even possible”. There is one five letter word that will unlock this experience for yourself. It’s called “FAITH”. Jesus said, if you have faith you can move mountains. Faith is lifting your eyes to the top of that staircase and saying, Jesus, I believe you are for me and not against me. I need Your help for I can’t do life alone. I believe in you as my Savior. Save me today, Lord. Look up, lifting power awaits.

The Blessing Penny

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““Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” Deuteronomy 28:6

I jokingly said to a friend not long ago, “hey, you came back to work?” They responded with a smile and said, “I turn up like a bad penny.” I reached in my pocket and handed them a penny and said, “Here’s a ‘blessing penny’ for you.” They asked what that was and I said, “Every time you see this penny

Let It Remind You To Count Your Blessings”

Now, care to guarantee unlimited blessings in your life? I’ll let you in on a little secret. You can find the recipe by reading one of the most powerful of God’s promises in the Bible. Live it and watch your blessings multiply. Deuteronomy 28 says, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.“