Author: James Penner

Giants!

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“There we saw the giants, and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight…” Numbers 13:33

When the children of Israel reached the promised land, Moses sent twelve spies to scout the land to see what they were in for. When the spies returned, one of the twelve spies, Caleb, quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Joshua was right there with him, but, based on our bible verse today from Numbers 13 you can already picture the objections, and the rolling of the eyes from the other ten spies. “We don’t stand a chance”, I can hear them saying,

There Are Giants In The Land!

Caleb is one of my heroes of the faith. Here’s a man who was a slave in Egypt, watched the plagues take place, watched the Red Sea part, and remained faithful to God through 40 years of wandering through the desert along side a disgruntled nation who continually pestered Moses with a never ending chorus of “are we there yet?” Through all of that, Caleb, now 80 years young, says, “Come on, we can do it, Let’s take the Land. Caleb knew that with God all things are possible. Do you?

Stop Wandering

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“The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord.” Joshua 5:6

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were rescued from Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, then disobeyed God resulting in a trip that should have taken them 11 days taking 40 years. I love the words from famed author C.S. Lewis, who said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’, and those to whom God says,

“Alright Then, Have It Your Way”

With due respect to the famed Burger King commercial, which for a decade implored us to order burgers and “have it our way”, the worst decision we can ever make is to have our own way. God will certainly let us do so, but I’d advise against employing this life strategy. Saying “Thy will be done” to God is a time tested recipe for joy filled living. Jesus himself said in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Searching for meaning? Contentment? Joy? Wander on home to Jesus.

I’m All Yours, Lord

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“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9

Imagine standing before the Lord just as Jeremiah did. In that intimate moment God says to you, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then, fumbling for words just as Jeremiah did, you respond to God by saying, “Behold I cannot speak for I am a youth” In other words, “Who me? Are you really talking to me? I’m no prophet, I can’t lead, not like that. Don’t you realize my background, my problems, my fears, my insecurity….”

God Is Not Phased By Your Insecurities

God responds, saying, “I am with you to deliver you!” Friends, God has not stopped speaking, even today. Yes that means He’s speaking to you. Are you listening or arguing? Submitting or ignoring? I have discovered a stark reality in my own life. When I let the noise of the world consume my thoughts I’ve soon tuned God out. But in those times when I can filter out the noise of the world and spend time in prayer, God’s voice suddenly comes through in digital surround sound. Give it a try. Filter out the world for an hour a day. Use that time to praise God alone. Such humble devotion stirs the Heart of God and He will use your devotion in mighty and remarkable ways. He will put words in your mouth that will change the world around you.

Assurance

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Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Matthew 28:20

In the year 1789 Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his friend describing the permanence of the recently completed United States Constitution, saying that the document, “has an appearance that promises permanency but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” The phrase “nothing is certain but death and taxes” has since become ubiquitous in our culture through the centuries. And yet, Mr. Franklin made one crucial miscalculation, he side stepped the permanency of God. For Jesus said,

I Am With You Always

I have taken Jesus at His word. Throughout my day, sometimes a dozen times a day I’ll find myself saying, “Thank you Jesus” for I know He is near. I can feel His presence, His touch, and His love. I cannot possibly describe the sensation other than to say I highly recommend it. I’m not unique, I’ve just made a choice to live by faith and not by sight. You already have all the tools you need to live such a life yourself. Simply say, Jesus I need you. It’s a conversation you will enjoy.

Hope Beyond Tragedy

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I can’t explain the tragedies of life. One child lost in a school shooting is one too many, just as one soul lost to war, or sickness, or famine in a distant land is one too many. When I see the tragic reports I am incensed at needless suffering, and, perhaps in that moment receive just a glimpse of what breaks the heart of God. Yet into the unspeakable tragic times in life the Psalms tell us that

God Is Close To The Brokenhearted

God is there to save those who are crushed in spirt. I’ve heard it criticized when someone says, “my thoughts and prayers are with you”, saying instead that tangible action is needed. Action is needed, and prayer is action step number one. Nothing on this earth is more powerful than prayer. For when I have no words, I use what few I have to say “Lord God, please draw near to those who are suffering heartbreak. Only You can comfort”. You’ve now enlisted the help of the creator of Heaven and earth. For when and where we can’t, He can.

Love Story

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“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

I sat down with my wife a few nights ago to watch “The Lake House” staring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. This romantic time traveling love story hit home for me the instant I heard Paul McCartney sing “This Never Happened Before”. The Lyrics say, “This is the way it should be for lovers, they shouldn’t go it alone, it’s not so good when you’re on your own.” Paul is right, we should’t go it alone, we’re meant to have one true love in our life. So,

How’s Your Love Affair With Jesus?

I love and adore my wife of 37 years, but I’ve had a life long love affair with Jesus Christ. Why, because as 1 John 4:19 says, He first loved me, so much so that he endured the cross so that I would not have to go it alone. You’re not meant to be on your own. Look up. He’s only a prayer away.

Rejoice Always

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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

One of the great mysteries of faith is the power of prayer. Proverbs 18 tells that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Frankly, we have no earthly idea of just how much power we possess when we pray. Perhaps that’s why Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians implores us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

I can hear the skeptic in you saying, rejoice in my pain? My suffering? My hardship? Yes, that’s what I’m saying, and I’ll readily admit that’s not always easy to do! I’ll also say I’m continually amazed at the result when I do. Never grow weary in prayer. If you knew just how effective your prayers were, you’d never stop.

Hope For Tomorrow

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“His (God’s) favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5

Arguably one of the best prison films ever made is “The Shawshank Redemption” staring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and is based on a novella written by none other than Stephen King. In the film, Tim’s character pens a pivotal letter to Morgan Freeman which in part says,

“Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies”

In God we have the one great hope in life. For Psalm 30 tells us that His favor is for life, therefore, our momentary weeping over our struggles and trials in life may indeed endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning. Have hope today, the sun will rise tomorrow.

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.