It's There - Waiting

Mary and I had been on a long trip. We had been driving for hours. We arrived home in the midst of a storm. The wind seemed to be coming from every direction and the rain was cold and biting. We sat in our car for a moment looking at our home that was dark and empty. I left the lights on in the car and made my way up the steps, turned on the lights and turned up the thermostat. Suddenly, what had once been dark and dismal was now warm and welcoming.

Although our home was cold and dark, power was available to eliminate the darkness and provide energy for warmth. But it was necessary for me to do “something” to change things.

In a spiritual sense, this is true of prayer. The writer of Psalm 118 was in a situation where he desperately needed help. He knew there was a source of power that was beyond himself that he could go to if he chose to. And he did! Hear his words: “In my anguish I cried to the Lord and He answered me by setting me free!”

The prayer of faith is far more powerful than any source of power we know about. It is the greatest force for good that is available to man.

It was Jesus who challenged us to go to this Source of power for anything and everything: “You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it!” Jesus set no limits on what we might ask for as long as it is in keeping with His nature and character. Whatever we ask for, if it will bring honor and glory to His name, He will give us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to take Your challenge to pray for anything that we might need as long as it honors You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.

Does Size Make A Difference?

Have you ever heard that “bigger is better” or that “smaller is insufficient”? Some think that size makes a difference. And there may be times when both are true.

Psalm 117 provides a significant statement on size. It is the shortest chapter in the Bible. Yet it contains some of the largest themes in the Word of God.

For example, “Praise the Lord, all you nations.” The Lord is not limited to any one nation or country. God did not send His Son to be the Savior of one particular group. His Word clearly states that “The Father sent the Son to be the savior of the world...” There is no Biblical basis to believe that our Lord loves someone more than everyone. The word world includes every continent - from the most God-hating to the most God-honoring.

It also states that His love is not limited: “For great is His love toward us.” Our God has no favorites. We may question why others are more prosperous than we are or have more of life’s goods than we do, but that does not mean that they are loved more than anyone else. God gave them what He did for a particular reason and He gives us what He did for a particular reason. They, as well as the rest of us, will be accountable to Him for all of His gifts. It is never what He gives us, but how we bless God and others with His gifts.

Finally, His “faithfulness endures forever.” God is not nice today and spiteful tomorrow. Who He is today He will be tomorrow and throughout eternity. His pledges and promises are predictable. His Word proves that fact.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for a love that includes all of us and Your faithfulness that will not waiver. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 117 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Speaking Of Death...

Not many of us enjoy the topic of death. In fact, for most of us, it is a topic that we avoid until it is absolutely necessary. But the author of Psalm 116 made a rather significant statement that Christians can rely on with assurance, confidence and the hope that comes from being born again.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” What might this mean?

Certainly, we know that God is in control of our lives and everything that happens to the Christian. Nothing happens by chance because He is ultimately responsible for every event in our lives from our birth until our death. All of us have our individual obligation to Him and until our work is completed, death will not overtake us!

This verse also speaks of God’s compassion. The word “precious” means “costly” or “dear.” The death of a Christian is an object of great value to our Lord. All throughout our lives we have been born into the Kingdom of God and have His guardian angels surrounding us. Their very last responsibility is to carry us to be with Him eternally.

Another gracious implication in this verse is the consequences of death. There will be no more sadness or sorrow or suffering. We will be free from our worries and woes. When we are with our Lord we will enjoy the peace of His presence and the joy of being reunited with our family and friends. There will be no more feelings of separation or loneliness and the longings of our hearts will be filled with the promise of life with Him.

Prayer: How great is the hope in our hearts, Heavenly Father, as we anticipate being with You forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

God's Greatest Gift

Betsy ended her prayer and was about to get in bed. With a puzzled look on her face she turned to her Dad and asked, “Daddy, did I leave anything out? I have so many things to thank Jesus for. I sure don’t want to forget any of them. Jesus is really good to us, isn’t He Daddy?”

The author of Psalm 116 was also aware of God’s goodness. Betsy wanted to make sure that she thanked God for being so good to her. She must have itemized her list in her mind like she had been to a grocery store and wanted to make sure that she remembered everything.

However, the Psalmist must have had a balance sheet in mind when he asked, “How can I repay the Lord for His goodness to me?” How different from Betsy. She simply wanted to offer her thanks for the gifts that He gave her. But the Psalmist looked at what God gave him from a different perspective: He wanted to pay God for what He had done for him. However, it is impossible to repay God! If we could somehow pay God for His gifts they would not be gifts.

This brings us to the very heart of the Bible - a loving God who gives. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” God gives and we are to receive.

Suddenly, the Psalmist realized that the Lord is not a salesman who has anything to sell - but a Giver who gives His salvation freely. Rejoicing he said, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”

There is nothing that delights our Creator more than for those who He created to accept the Gift of His Son.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the many gifts You lavish on us each day. But we are most thankful for saving us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Anxious And Afraid

Walk through the waiting area in any emergency room and the “face of anxiety” becomes real. From a minor cut to a major wound, fear is obvious and real. Even people with a deep faith in God are often grasping for a sign of hope or a word of comfort.

Our Psalmist was familiar with feelings of both peace and anxiety. He knew the comfort of God’s grace and had experienced His peace. However, he had an illness that took him to the very door of death. And beginning in verse one he walks us through his ordeal expressing his love for God and the greatness of His grace. He also presented a beautiful picture of God: He is a God who listens to our cries, responds with help, is gracious and righteous, filled with compassion, protects even the “simple-hearted” folk who are in need and saves them. All of the characteristics that he uses to describe God, by the way, are ones that every Christian can develop and share with others.

At the end of his ordeal he seems to catch his breath and reminds himself to: “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” It’s as though he could not believe the goodness of God, His grace or His power.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about this. “...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in (your) weakness.” God’s power to put our minds and heart at peace is a theme that runs through Scripture.

God spoke of this in Genesis: “Do not be afraid for I am with you...” And before Jesus returned to be with His Father He promised that “I am with you always!”

Prayer: Lord, when we face situations that are beyond our control, assure us of Your presence, peace and power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Lights Out

Jennifer never met a stranger. No matter where she was or who she met, she always made friends quickly.

Once when traveling on a train, she became bored and decided to walk down the aisle and chat with the folk who were traveling with her. Smilingly she went from seat to seat greeting the passengers. Everyone wanted to know who she was and who she was traveling with. Without any notice, the train entered a tunnel and darkness filled the passenger car before the bright lights came on. Little Jennifer ran down the aisle shouting, “Help, Mom! Where are you? I need you!” Standing in the aisle her mother reached out to her, hugged her and said, “It’s O.K. I’m right here with you, Jennifer. Don’t be afraid.”

When things are going well and we are surrounded by prosperity, it is difficult to admit that we need anyone’s help. But when the “lights go out,” we all tend to run to someone who we believe can help us.

There author of Psalm 116 was going through a dark and difficult time in his life. Things looked dismal. He was overcome with trouble and sorrow. “Then,” he wrote, “I called on the name of the Lord; O Lord, Save me!”

In four simple words he said everything that needed to be said. There was no time for formalities and no need for any particular posture. Problems erupted. Help was needed. God was listening. Problem solved!

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Length is not part of the equation. Sincerity and righteousness are what makes prayer powerful.

Prayer: Lord, we have ample advice on how to pray. What we need is to live righteous lives and want Your help! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”

"Don't Leave Yet, Lord"

Tina and Sue, five-year-old twins, were saying their prayers before crawling into bed. Sue prayed first, and as she was about to end her prayer, said, “Don’t leave just yet, Lord, Tina has something to add.”

The Psalmist assured us that our God will always be there when we need Him. “Because He turned His ear to me,” he wrote, “I will call on Him as long as I live.” God is waiting to do His part but we must be willing to do ours.

An important element in prayer is companionship. We must keep company with God. Charles Spurgeon, who was considered the “Prince of Preachers,” put it this way: “Not an hour passes during my day but that I am in conscious communion with my Lord.” Prayer, to him, was as important as breathing: He could not live without it.

When we pray we are in communication with God. There are two parts in effective communication: sending and receiving. Unfortunately, for many, prayer is a one-way operation: sending. We are anxious, often driven, when things are bad, to go to God in prayer. We send our needs to Him because we know He “turns His ear to us.” But we must also “tune our ear” to Him by spending time with Him in His Word. The writer of Psalm 119 said that His Word is a “lamp to my feet and a light for our path.” When we read His Word we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts, open our minds and find answers to the needs we take to God in prayer.

For our prayers to be effective we must stay as close to God as we do with our best friend: we talk - we listen.

Prayer: Lord, may we become as attentive to Your voice as You are to ours. May we walk close to You each day. In Jesus’ Name.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Our God Will Bless Us

“My,” said the guest to the owner of a dairy farm, “I have never seen such a beautiful herd of cows. They must be worth a lot of money.”

“We don’t look at the herd as far as value goes,” he replied. “We look at each cow individually. Each one has its own record,” he continued. “It does not matter how handsome these purebred Holstein are, their value is their ‘Record of Performance.’ Every day we keep track of the milk each cow produces. First, it is measured by its weight. Then it is tested for butterfat content. Then we enter it into the cow’s individual record.”

Our Creator also keeps a “Record of Performance” on each of us. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord remembers us and will bless us...He will bless those who fear the Lord - small and great alike.”

It does not matter what we have or do not have, the size of our home, the amount of education we have, the titles we have earned, or our position in society - God’s blessings come from our attitude toward Him. If we fear Him, or stand in awe of Him and bow in respect to Him and submit to His Lordship, He will indeed bless us.

Each of us has a “Record of Performance” - we are all measured by God’s standards. Each day we are tempted by Satan in various settings. In these settings we have many opportunities to expose our attitude toward God. Do we honor Him by what we say and how we behave? Do we stand up for righteousness? Are we faithful to His Word? Does our language express God’s love? Do we care?

Prayer: We pray, Heavenly Father, that our Record of Performance will bring honor and praise to Your Name! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 115:12a & 13 The Lord remembers us and will bless us: he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike.

The God Of The Bible

No one can live without worshiping something or someone.

Man has a need to worship someone or something that is above him, beyond him, more intelligent, more powerful, more “whatever” than he is. Someone whom he is willing to bow before or something that he builds his life on.

That one or that thing may have beauty or be ugly in the final analysis - depending on who makes the decision about that one or thing. It may be material or physical, it may be mental or personal. It is someone or something that is “worthy” of bending a knee or bowing a head in the eyes of the worshiper.

What is so interesting about what or who we choose to worship is that we eventually become like that god. For example if our God is a God of love, we will love as that God loves. If our God is faithful, or caring, or holy, or compassionate, or truthful, or pure, or sinless - we will strive to become like that God.

If our god is sinful, we will sin willingly. If our god is cruel, or hateful, or untrustworthy, or covetous, or jealous, or inhumane, or self-centered we will allow those traits to become evident or obvious in our lives.

Centuries ago the Psalmist predicted this: “Those who make them are like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

Our behavior reflects the one whom we choose to bow before. Our lives reflect the one we worship.

Prayer: Father, we cannot fool anyone - especially You. Our lives are either Godlike or godlike - but not both. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 115:8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

Why Not Now, God?

It is always difficult for me to give hope or provide a suitable answer to one who has called on God for help and the call seems to go unanswered. What can I say to that one about an “absent” God?

What happens, when in the midst of a life-ending disease, God does not respond or act in the way we want Him to act? What are we to think if God does not act in a way that meets our expectations? What can we say to an unbeliever who is asking questions about the suffering that goes on with no end in sight if we talk of a loving God? When thousands are starving and food is going to waste can we assure the hungry that God is sensitive to their pangs of hunger? What do we say to the scoffer? In fact, what do we who believe in a God who answers our prayers, do when He seems to turn a deaf ear on us?

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness.” The Gentiles were challenging the Israelites about a “silent God.” They were looking for a God who kept His word and this time He was nowhere to be found. While it is clear that God is in the heavens, what is He doing on earth? The Psalmist lives in the present - as we do - and wants to know why God seems unconcerned. The Psalmist in this verse wants God to act for God’s sake - “Not to us,” he cries. So, what’s the answer? Is there one?

We live in a fallen world. Satan is still powerful and active. “All things will be new” when He returns. And in between now and then, He promises, “Lo, I am with you!”

Prayer: Father, Your Son did not want to suffer, but He did. As You were with Him, be with us also. Come soon! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Why Pray?

“Prayer,” said the anthropologist, “is a universal behavior.” He continued his remarks by saying, “No matter where I have traveled or who I have talked to, everyone seems to need someone who is ‘bigger’ than they are. Everybody needs somebody when they have a problem they can’t solve or are faced with a sickness that won’t go away. Prayer seems to be a big part of everyone’s soul.”

The people that the researcher talked about prayed because they needed help. They faced certain situations that were beyond their ability to change - so they prayed. Of course we wonder what may have happened when they prayed or if it made any difference in their lives. We’ll never know. It’s sad, however, to think that most people who pray do not know whether or not the one they are praying to is listening to their cries or can do anything about their needs.

One Psalmist, however, has good news about prayer. “I love the Lord because He heard my voice. He heard my cry for mercy.” Twice, in one sentence, the Psalmist said that when he prayed his God heard him. Not only did his God hear his voice and his cry for mercy but his God met his every need! What a great, gracious God we worship.

The God of Christians is responsive to the needs of Christians. We can always reach our God if we reach out to Him. Our God willingly “bends down to listen” to our prayers - meaning that He is always nearby waiting for our voice and willing to “hear our cry for mercy.”

No wonder the Psalmist said, “I love the Lord!”

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for always being nearby as You wait anxiously to hear the voice of Your children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

In His Presence

Legend records interesting stories of temples built by the Turks years ago. They built their temples with roofs that were always open. They did this to reflect their belief that God cannot be confined in them or with them. To them God is present everywhere and His presence cannot be contained by a building or any other thing.

The Psalmist wrote, “Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord.” When God comes and is present things will happen. This is why churches and church attendance are so very important. When the children of God gather together to worship the living God, the unexpected, yet possible, can and will happen, if He is present.

Listen to the Psalmist “...at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water...” It was Moses who commanded water from the rock. God answered Him and Israel’s thirst was quenched because God was present. When Jesus entered His public ministry He performed many miracles. Demons were cast out, the sick were healed, the hungry were fed, lepers were cleansed and the blind could see once again. When Jesus performed His miracles God was present and His power was visible to those who gathered around Him.

Jesus promised that if “... two or three come together in my Name, there am I with them!” When we, as His disciples, gather together in His name and agree to ask for anything that is consistent with His nature, He will be present. He will not only hear us but grant our request.

God will always be present if we gather in His name.

Prayer: Father, forgive us for our self-imposed limits. In Your presence and in Your Name miracles will happen. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm114:7-8 Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

Let Him In!

He’d been away at school for several months. When he arrived home it was one o’clock in the morning. But he was anxious to see his fiancée. After all, he drove for many hours with a box of candy and a large bouquet of flowers next to him on the front seat.

When he arrived at his fiancée’s home he ran up the steps - flowers and candy tucked under his arm - and rang the doorbell. From a window in her room upstairs she shouted, “Go away. Come back in the morning. I’ve been asleep for hours.”

Anger swept over him. First, he rammed his fist through the window in the door. Then he stuffed the candy and flowers through the broken window. Still in a rage, he started his car and drove it into the front of her house. Finally, when there was no response he left.

Our Lord is much different. He gently knocks at the door of our hearts wanting to enter into our lives. “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.” While the Lord stands at the door of our heart and gently knocks, He will not force His way in nor leave in anger.

The Psalmist wrote, “Judah became His sanctuary.” What a beautiful picture! Their hearts became His very own holy place. God redeems us because He wants to dwell within us, that we might become His holy place!

He wants to make our hearts His home but we must invite Him in. He will never force His way in to our lives.

Prayer: Come, Heavenly Father, and make our heart Your home and allow us to become Your Holy Place. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 114:2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

Finding Faith

QUESTION: Which is stronger in your life - faith or fear?

God never promised Christians freedom from fear or immunity from trouble. Nor are we assured that every day will be filled with sunshine and smiling flowers. But He did promise His presence and power.

Unfortunately, it is our thoughts of terrible things that bring us worry and fear.

We often think about our past: our failures and flaws. Or we think about the future: the “might” happens or the “surely” will occur.

When we confess our shortcomings of the past, God forgives them and forgets them. And if we allow Him, He can and will turn them into triumphs and our setbacks into successes.

But what of the future? We must commit it to our God because He is in control of tomorrow - not circumstances of fate. He can turn what we see as obstacles into opportunities and what threatens us into triumphs.

Sir Henry Lauder was an internationally known Scottish entertainer. He visited many hospitals where the wounded were recovering. One day he received news that his son had been killed in combat. He turned to a friend and said, “At a time like this a man can turn to many things that could destroy him. I will turn to Christ.”

The Psalmist said, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear...”

Prayer: Give us, Lord, the peace of Your presence and the guarantee of Your guidance in uncertain times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 112:7-8 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Incomparable!

The agnostics wonder if there is a God. The materialists boast that they do not need a god. There are even some who do not want to know if there is a God because they do not want to face Him. Christians, however, are thankful for God because they could not live without Him.

In wonderment, the Psalmist and the Christian ask a reasonable question: “Who is like the Lord our God?” And the answer is: “No one!”

Who is like Him in power? He is the “All-Powerful One.” The word “impossible” is not in His vocabulary. Whatever needs to be done He can do. He cannot fail or He would not be God. He is a God who is loving, faithful, merciful, filled with grace and willing to forgive and restore the fallen. While He cannot lie, sin or act contrary to His nature, He can do anything. And one day He will “make all things new.”

Who is like Him in knowledge? He is the “All Knowing One.” God is intuitive and infallible and has knowledge of Himself and all other beings and events. Past, present and future are an open book to Him. He sees, knows and understands everything from beginning through eternity.

Our God is incomparable because God is God. No one will ever judge Him because He is above all and in all. Yet, at the same time “He stoops down” - or, actually humbles himself - “to look down on the heavens and the earth.”

From the moment we are born and He looks into our crib until the moment we die and enter His presence, our gracious God is forever with us. Who, indeed, is like Him?

Prayer: We thank You, Heavenly Father, that You are Who You are, yet love us in spite of our sins and failures. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 113:5-6 Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

New Beginnings

“There’s nothing left for me. I’ve made such a mess out of my life that I have nothing to look forward to. And the tragedy of it all is that things looked great for so many years. Now, when I look into the future all I see is gloom and darkness. Where can I find anything to look forward to?” he asked.

“There is an answer - I can assure you of that,” I said. Turning to Psalm 112:4, I read, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright.”

God will always provide His Light for those who seek it. No matter how far we have fallen or how little hope we may have, God can take the bitterness of defeat and despair and turn them into stepping stones of success. When we willingly face and acknowledge our faults and shortcomings, ask for and accept His forgiveness and surrender our lives to Him, He will bring victory out of defeat.

Consider the story of Peter. When someone asked if He was a follower of Jesus, he lied, saying, “I am not!” A few moments before His denial he attempted to protect Jesus with His sword. And there was Mark - the author of the second book in the New Testament. He started as a strong believer with complete trust in the message of Jesus. Suddenly, things grew boring and the excitement evaporated. So, he gave up the “call” and quit.

But in spite of their failures He did not give up on them. And neither will He give up on us. He forgave them, as He will us, and bring His light back into our lives.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to understand that “failure is not final” because Your grace provides a new beginning. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Something To Crow About!

Early each morning, often before the sun rises, a “rooster” who lives nearby sends a message announcing to his neighbors that “a new day has arrived - get up and go.”

For some, this is unwelcome news. But for others, it is an announcement that a new day has dawned and there are new opportunities of the way to serve and honor God.

How “roosters” got their name is interesting. All birds - and chickens are considered birds - “roost” at night. So, the one that wakes up first and “leaves the roost” and begins to “crow” is considered “the” rooster. What makes a rooster crow is not known. But how a rooster crows is.

A rooster never crows with his neck bent and his head down. Whenever he crows he lifts up his head proudly as if he is thanking his Creator. Roosters never crow with their heads bent.

Psalm 111:1 reminds me of the cry of a rooster as a good way to begin each day. “Praise the Lord! I will extol the Lord with all my heart.” Why? The Psalmist then gives thirteen reasons:

“Great are the works of the Lord.”
“Glorious and majestic are His deeds.”
“His righteousness endures forever.”
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate.”
“He provides food for those who fear - stand in awe - of Him.”
“He has shown His people the power of His world.”
“The words of the hands are faithful – trustworthy - steadfast - upright - just - and He provides redemption.”

Prayer: How great You are, Heavenly Father, for Your great gifts. May we shout of Your greatness every day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 111:1-2 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Willing

One morning Michael Faraday was walking past a high fence with a large iron gate. Puzzled, he looked through the gate wondering what the fence was hiding. Not being able to see very much he struggled hard and was able to get his head, shoulders and arms through the gate. When he tried to extract himself he realized that he was stuck! Laughing at himself he said, “My head and arms are on one side and my body is on the other.”

He tried desperately to free himself but had no success. Finally, a stranger came to his rescue and was able to pull him from the gate and set him free.

Later in life, after becoming one of the world’s most respected scientists in the field of electromagnetism he said, “That experience taught me a very valuable lesson. My head and heart and hands should always be together.”

Another famous person, King David, said the same thing in different words: “Your troops should be willing on your day of battle.” The word “willing” literally means “willing offerings” or “a freewill offering.” So, we can interpret the verse to read, “Your troops are to be a free-will offering.” Could there be a more descriptive way to explain the true meaning of consecration?

Consecration is the voluntary surrender of our heads, hearts and hands to the Lord. It is to say, “Lord, let your Word make its way from my head to my heart and from my heart to my hands as I willingly use them to do your work!”

Imagine what God could do with us if we are willing!

Prayer: Lord, in Your infinite love, infinite wisdom and infinite power do what You will with my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 110:3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.

Does Prayer Have Limits?

Reading the Psalms to discover their meaning takes time. Reading them rapidly often makes them sound repetitious or unintelligent. Take for example the words, “But You, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for Your name’s sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me.”

In this brief, one sentence prayer David recognizes several critical elements of prayer. The first one is that our God is sovereign. As our “sovereign” He rules and reigns over our lives as the Ultimate Authority. He is the Guard and Guardian over anything and everything that pertains to us or may have power over us and thereby is our personal protector and provider. Whatever invades our lives is there because He allows it to be there - and if things were to be different from the way they are, they would be.

And if it is “in” our lives, it is “in” there for His “name’s sake”. In other words, it is consistent with His nature and character and wisdom. God knows what is best for us what is in keeping with the plan He has designed for us. So, we can be sure of His ways, knowing that what He is doing in us, with us and through us is in His best interests to shape us into the likeness of His Son, our Savior and Lord.

“Out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me” gives us the assurance that God will never abandon us but will ultimately deliver us from what we think will destroy us. Whenever we want to give up on God remember that He did not spare His Son from the cross, but was with Him and delivered Him through the pain into His presence.

Prayer: Lord, we accept all things in our lives as a gift from You as You shape us into the likeness of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 109:21 But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

A Heart That Does Kind Things

It was the final set in a tennis match. One of the players had demonstrated his strength and skill as his opponent struggled to stay competitive. Suddenly the player who had been doing so well began to hit the ball outside of the lines, into the net and even miss the ball completely. It seemed as though he had lost his focus.

His father approached him during a break and asked, “Keller, what’s going on? You were doing so good and now you may lose the match and not go to the state finals. What’s going on?” he demanded.

“It’s O.K., Dad. Let me alone. I know I can win. I’ve been missing the balls on purpose. I don’t want him to feel bad about losing. I want to encourage him.”

Keller did go on to win. But in the process he not only thought of “doing a kindness” but actually showed what kindness “looked like” to someone who was struggling to defeat him and win the match.

Life gives us many opportunities to “do kindness.” In fact, God “makes them available” each day. For example, we can open a door for a senior citizen; or be gracious and express our gratitude to a cashier during the rush hour at a grocery store; or give a smile to someone who looks like they need encouragement; or give a compliment to one who is guiding us when we place an order on the phone or take care to explain something that is unfamiliar to us.

“Doing kindness” is one of the most important things we Christians can do. It represents what God’s grace is all about. If an opportunity to “do kindness” appears, seize it!

Prayer: Help us to be alert, Lord, for opportunities to show Your grace through acts of kindness and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 109:16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

Prayer: Force Or Foolishness

Prayer, for some, is a force that enables them to approach God in worship and wonder or in times of need for the necessities of life. For others, prayer is utter and complete foolishness because they believe it is foolish and a waste of time.

In the life of David, it was a powerful force. Whenever he was hurt by harmful words, received a wound from a battle or had a need that was beyond his limitations he turned to God in prayer. Listen carefully to his words: “I am a man of prayer.”

It is always interesting to listen carefully to someone introduce themselves: “I am a doctor...I am the CEO of...I am a sales representative at...I work for...I am the one who...I set a record by...I am the owner of.” We seem to want others to recognize us for what we have done not who we are.

But with all his power and prestige, wealth and wisdom, David wanted others to recognize him as someone who was completely dependent on God: “I am a man of prayer.”

Prayer was a force in the life of David. As we read his prayer in the Psalms we discover that he had no definite time of prayer, no specific place to pray, no particular position he assumed when he prayed and it seems as though most of the time when he prayed he was alone.

David realized that prayer was a force in his life. It brought forgiveness when he sinned, peace when he was anxious, and victory when he was embattled and constant joy.

Prayer: Father, may we see the need for prayer in our lives when we see the results of prayer in the life of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 109:4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

The Need For God's Help

Years ago, while living in California, I was walking through the aisles of a grocery store when suddenly the shelves began to shake. Items fell to the floor and the lights went out and people began to push and shove. A man standing near me shouted, “God, if I ever need Your help it’s right now. Please save me!”

David must have felt that way as he faced a large and well-trained army waiting for him in a heavily fortified city. His heart must have been filled with fear - and rightly so. The city was situated among rugged hills and was almost inaccessible. He knew the enemy was waiting for him, prepared and seemingly invincible. So, he too, called on God. “Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?”

Realizing the greatness of his enemy and his need for help he prayed, “Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.”

All of us face our “Edom’s.” It may be in the form of a dreaded disease and there are no more options. It may be the dissolution of a marriage and children will be left with feelings of fear and wonder. It may be the loss of a loved one and feelings of grief that haunt us night and day. It may be the loss of a child to an addiction. It may be the result of an accident that leaves a spouse paralyzed. It may be the confinement of a prison cell with little hope for freedom.

We all face our “Edom’s.” Yet, we can all pray with David, “With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” No enemy can escape God.

Prayer: Give us faith and fortitude, Father, to look to You for victory through Christ our Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 108:12 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.

Stay Focused

“Rivers and streams are crooked because they follow the line of least resistance.” True of flowing water and true of most of us.

Being “steadfast” or committed in our devotion to God is crucial. We are not worth very much to our Savior if He is not our Lord. And if He is the Lord of our lives others will see His influence in all that we do.

Unfortunately, many who profess to be followers of the Lord are not consistent in their witness for Him - they are not “steadfast.” When in church they do as others do and when they are away from the church they do whatever is convenient. A psychologist might classify them as having a “split-personality.” Like a river or stream, they “follow the line of least resistance.”

David did not follow the “line of least resistance.” He clearly declared his commitment to God when he wrote, “My heart is steadfast, O God!” He did not leave any room to roam or waver in his willingness to walk with and be faithful to His Lord. He did not stray when life became a struggle or run in defeat when times became difficult. He was one who was “steadfast” and can be seen turning his troubles into triumph when he trusted the Lord.

Those around us need to see us as being “steadfast” in the Lord. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our feet planted in His Word, our ears open to hear His voice, our hearts filled with His compassion and our eyes fixed on His path and our minds centered on doing His will.

Prayer: Lord, it is possible for us to be “steadfast” if we are willing to “stand fast” in our commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 108:1 My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Try It - It May Surprise You

An atheist confronted a young believer in a park and began to ridicule him for his faith in God. He dared the Christian to refute any of his arguments that he believed disproved the God of believers.

Quietly, another Christian, who had been watching the exchange between the atheist and the Christian, stepped forward and stood next to the young believer.

He did not say a word as he took an orange from his pocket and started to peel it. “What are you doing, fool. If you have something to say, then say it. Otherwise let ‘the believer’ defend his faith.”

After he finished peeling the orange he asked the atheist, “Tell me, is this orange sweet or sour?” Angrily the skeptic shouted and waved his fist and said, “How should I know. I haven’t tried it.”

“Then,” said the Christian, “you would be wise to stop criticizing the Word of God until you’ve tried it.”

Major General Lew Wallace is the author of Ben Hur, the most influential Christian novel of the nineteenth century. At one time in his life he was considered to be an atheist. However, in answer to that statement he wrote, “As a result of my own personal research and many years of study, I became convinced that Jesus Christ was not only a Savior of the world, not only the Savior of the world, but that He was my Savior, too, and being thus convinced I wrote Ben Hur.

“Whosoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord,” wrote the Psalmist.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your Word that no one can destroy or diminish, and is the source of our salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 107:43 Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Only One King Is All Powerful

Canute was the king of the Danes in the eleventh century. Under his leadership, they overran Britain, the King of Denmark and then the King of Norway. He was recognized as the most powerful man of his time.

One day while standing at the seashore with the waves gently rolling back and forth over his feet, a group of his subjects stood before him and called out, “You are all powerful, O King! There is no one who dare disobey you and nothing can ever stop you.”

As the waves lapped about his feet he asked, “Will the sea obey me?”

“Command it, O King, and it will!” they responded.

“Sea,” he shouted in a loud voice, “I command you to come no further. Waves, stop your rolling. Do not touch my feet!” Suddenly a large wave erupted from the sea and swept over him.

“Learn a lesson,” he said as he took off his crown. “There is only one King who is all-powerful. It is He who rules the sea and holds the ocean. It is whom you ought to worship and praise and serve above all others.”

How powerful is this “only one King?” The Psalmist wrote, “He stilled the storm to a whisper. The waves of the sea were hushed.”

Often our lives are as troubled as an angry sea. Far too frequently the waves attack us and would wash us into the depths of the unknown. Thunder echoes in our ears and lightning strikes nearby filling our hearts with fear.

Then, just before we are swept under, He stills the storm.

Prayer: We thank You, Father, that the winds of life and the waves of disaster cannot destroy Your beloved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 107:29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

When Courage Fails

“Pastor,” said the voice on the phone, “I don’t know what to do. My business that was doing well has crashed and I’ve had to declare bankruptcy. I’ve never been sick a day in my life and now my health is failing. And to add more grief, my wife told me a few moments ago that she is going to leave me. I can’t go on any longer. My life is not worth living!”

Fearing he was about to do something desperate that would end his life the pastor asked, “Where are you?”

“At wit’s end,” he replied.

“Yes, I can understand, but where can I find you?” asked the pastor.

He gave his location, the pastor hurried to meet him, shared God’s Words of love, salvation and hope with him. The man surrendered his life to the Lord and was saved.

Psalm 107 contains a story of a group of merchants that reminds us of this businessman. They went out to sea in ships. Things went well for a while. They marveled at “the works of the Lord.” But suddenly things changed. “He stirred up a tempest...lifted high the waves...up to the heavens and then they came crashing down to the depths...and they were at wit’s end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He brought them out of their distress.”

Every now and then God has to bring us to the end of our resources - our wit’s end - before we turn to Him and cry out for His resources. How blest we are to know that He will calm the storm, still the waves, rescue us, bring out the stars and guide us safely into His harbor of hope.

Prayer: We thank You, Father, for the difficulties and challenges of life that force us to recognize Your greatness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 107:27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end.

Wonderful Words Of Life

Johnny Bartek grew up in Freehold, New Jersey. He attended one year of high school before “flunking out” at age 16. For the next several years he worked at various jobs but could not find one that he enjoyed. Dissatisfied with his opportunities at home he decided to join the Army Air Force soon after turning 18. He became a flight mechanic and was aboard the aircraft carrying Captain Eddie Rickenbacker that was lost at sea because of bad weather and inadequate navigation equipment. The crew spent three weeks at sea in a crowded life raft and all but one survived the horrific, harrowing ordeal.

Very few supplies were on the raft and after three days they ran out of food and water. One of the few items on the raft was a Bible. The inscription in the Bible read “A Sacred Token, to John F. Bartek by the First Baptist Church, Freehold, NJ, April 7, 1942.”

On the eighth day, a few minutes after they read a portion of Scripture from the Bible, a seagull landed on the head of Captain Rickenbacker which became food and fish bait to help keep the men alive until they were rescued. The men on the raft believed that it was a sign from God.

What verse did they read? “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’...for...your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

Many years before those eight men on that raft needed nourishment the Psalmist wrote, “He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.”

Prayer: How faithful You are, Father, to keep Your Word, meet our every need and protect us from danger. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.