“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 leave 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’ questions 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

David, as king, had a lot of enemies as most people in power do. Yet he feared them not. Today in the 23rd Psalm 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.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, may have written the words, “To everything there is a season”, but in 1965 the singing group The Byrds introduced them to pop culture in their song “Turn, Turn, Turn”. Their musical adaptation caught fire just as the Viet Nam war was taking the lives of young men and Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech was still resonating for positive change in society. Solomon’s words are as true today as when he wrote them thousands of years ago. For everything there is indeed a season. So, that begs the question today,

Care To Change Your Season?

Scripture tells us over and over and over again that God can change our seasons. We’re not stuck unless we want to be. Don’t believe me, then press rewind and read through the 1,300 or so daily devotionals in this blog. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” I don’t know about you but I’ll sign up for that. Care to join me? Reach out in faith today because Jesus also said, “with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Isaiah 64:4 (and repeated in 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Stand by the ocean and you can both see the majesty and feel the power in front of you. So imagine scripture saying to us that our eyes have not seen, nor our ears heard, nor has it even entered into our hearts that things that God has prepared for us who love him.

Wonderful Things Are Coming.

God has demonstrated incredible power and creativity and beauty in His creation, and His incredible love for us by sending His Son to demonstrates His love toward us. I can only imagine what incredible things He still has in store for you and for me. That’s why in Faith, everyday, I believe the best is yet to come.

God said, “concerning the work of My hands, you command Me” Isaiah 45:11

Throughout my lifetime I’ve heard it said often, there is power in prayer. Yet, have you ever stopped to think how seriously God takes prayer? To God, prayer is not just something he asks in hopes that we will do it. No, God takes prayer so seriously that He actually says, “Concerning the works of my hands,

Command Me”

Unfortunately, it is us who do not lift prayer to this level. If we truly understood the miracle working power available at the tip of our tongue, we would never stop praying. Perhaps that the answer. Paul understood this for he was the one who said, “Pray without ceasing”. Are you ready for a miracle? Start praying.

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God…and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

We are enamored with the future, so much so that it shapes and overshadows living today. Jesus addresses this topic head on in Matthew 6 where he instructs us not to worry about tomorrow, for today has enough troubles of its own. Jesus said,

Seek First The Kingdom Of God

and all that we worry about will be taken care of. The prescription for kingdom living is actually fairly simple. “Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself”. Strive for this every day then watch how the needs you spend so much time worrying about suddenly get taken care of. That’s how God’s promises work. He instructs, we follow, He fulfills his promises.

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all” Psalm 104:25

Over the past few years I’ve become a bit of a YouTube scavenger, specifically enamored by programs which involve the building or making of things. From gravity defying skyscrapers to aircraft to microchips, the handiwork of the human mind continues to amaze me. Simple raw materials repurposed into something new. Yet with all of our collective wisdom we still do not understand what makes a heart beat or the mysteries of the human mind. We look at God’s creation and gaze in wonder at how the mountain and the delicate flower that resides on its slopes were made. And what’s more, even in these things scripture tells us that there is a purpose for everything in creation.

In Wisdom, God Created

Throughout Psalm 104 David reminds us of the incredible works of the Lord, and that in wisdom he made it all, including you and I. Indeed we are his handiwork, each of us extraordinary in our own way and designed for a purpose.