“My God will supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.” Philippians 4:19

If you love a good comedy then you are likely a fan of “What About Bob”, staring Bill Murray as a rather functional and dysfunctional neurotic, and his psychiatrist played by Richard Dreyfuss. The resulting chemistry is comic cinema gold! In the story, Dreyfuss had written a book called “Baby Steps”, with the premise being that you don’t need to think about everything you need to do to find your way out of a building. First, simply figure out how to get out the room you’re in, then, find the hall, then, the elevator, and so forth. In other words, when you begin your day,

You Don’t Always Need All The Answers

My life starts and ends with prayer. Every day I pray, “Lord, whatever you have for me today I am grateful.” In other words, I’m praying, “Thy will be done”. I’m continually amazed at how God answers that prayer. With our human eyes, some days may seem insignificant compared to others, but each one was orchestrated by God. How do I know this? I know this because I surrendered the day to him and trust that He would make of it just what He wanted. You don’t have to wake each day needing all the answers. Let God lead.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

A friend recently lost a loved one, and I remember them saying that they were just not ready for the loss. Are we ever? Another friend endured a bitter divorce and they are finding it hard to trust. Still another is dealing with a strained relationship with a child and have a feeling of helplessness. Life can be a series of heartbreaks, broken promises and shattered dreams. That’s why when I’m feeling the strain of life I find myself putting on a beautiful song called “Unredeemed” by Selah. Just read a few of the lyrics and I’ll think you’ll get the point.

“Life breaks and falls apart. But we know these are places where grace is, soon to be so amazing. It may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored, but when anything that’s shattered is laid before the Lord. Just watch and see. It will not be, unredeemed

When we approach Jesus, He has an amazing way of wrapping his arms around us. Hope in birthed in His embrace. Paul tells us in Hebrews that we can approach His throne with confidence that mercy and grace are there waiting for us in abundance. Find the courage today to live and to love again, safely resting in your Savior’s arms.

Jesus said, “…Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Turmoil and conflict are the hallmark and backdrop of a good film. As my wife says, Hallmark has made a fortune from “boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy get’s girl back” films. Yet what makes great cinema quickly loses its appeal in our own personal lives. We don’t long for conflict and stress,

We Long For Peace

Jesus said, learn from me and you will find rest for your souls. So, what can we learn from Jesus. For one thing he taught us that Faith in God results in soul rest. Jesus said in Matthew 6, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” The point being, we stress and worry about far too much in life when the answer to our needs starts and ends with our prayer time with God.

God said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Sometimes, life slaps you in the face. Something you did not foresee or expect comes along and your world seems to be turned upside down. The only words you can find to say are “I don’t understand. What now?” I’ve been there, more than once, and each time,

The Only Way Out Is Up!

Of all the things I’ve learned about God in my lifetime, one of the most valuable is His patience and understanding. When I’m angry or depressed and I just don’t understand why the load has just been dumped upon me, I’m tempted to lash out in anger at God. Yet, in those moments with the patience of a loving father He gently guides me back to one simple word; ‘trust’. Because I have made the decision to put my trust in Him, and pray every day that His will be done in my life, the junk of life never seems to bury me. For in those moments, I remember that His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts. Then, once again, I trust that He will work things out even when I have no clue how that’s possible. God knows and that’s good enough for me.

“He calms the storm” Psalm 107:29

A dear friend relayed a wonderful story to me from her childhood. She grew up in the Midwest’s famed “tornado alley”, and remembered being seriously afraid of storms. One night, as the lighting flashed, she huddled under her bed covers when her father suddenly came into the room. He picked her up and carried her out on to their covered front porch. Sitting in his lap she held on for dear life. Then her father said, “open your eyes and behold the glory of God”. In that moment she did, and for the first time saw storms in a different light. All of us go through storms. Some brutal, and some merely rain showers. Thankfully,

There Has Never Been A Storm

That Did Not End

No matter what you are going through today, the storm will eventually end. Psalm 107 reminds us that God is in charge. Thankfully, you have a direct dial connection to him. Reach out to him and hand your storm to him. Not only will he provide you with the strength to weather your storm, but you will come out stronger than you ever thought possible on the other side. Our God is the Lord of the storm.

“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16

If in your moments of weakness, or hardship, or turmoil, or despair, you’ve ever wondered how to begin a conversation with God, take a stroll through Psalm 145 and begin to praise Him. Something amazing that happens when you turn your focus on the Lord. His hands open and miracles come forth. Open your heart today and pray just these few words from Psalm 145 and let them pour over you like a soothing oil:

“I will praise You, my God and I will bless Your name forever. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, I will declare Your greatness and shall sing of Your holiness. You are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing, including my needs and my desires. Lord I know and trust that You will preserve me because I am Yours”

So many times we read words from scripture, and in this instance, the Psalms, yet fail to personalize them. God gave us His word to instruct us, to encourage us, and to bless us. Your breakthrough is waiting to be released through your praise to God.

“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.