What's Worthy Of Our Trust?

A small child needed a minor operation but was allergic to anesthetics. The surgeon knew the procedure would be painful, but not unbearable. So, he took a shiny silver dollar from his pocket and said, “This is for you. I’m going to hurt you a little bit. So, I want you to take a good look at it and hold it really tight in your right hand. Be sure to remember what you were thinking about while I’m at work, because I’m going to ask you what it was when I’m finished. If you do what I ask, it won’t hurt you as much.”

When he finished, he gently rubbed her forehead and said, “You are a brave little girl. What did you think about?”

Quickly she replied, “The words, ‘In God we trust.’” In Psalm 25:2, David wrote, “In You, I trust, O my God.” Why would a powerful king need to trust in God?

First, for pardon. Later in the Psalm he wrote, “Forgive my iniquity, for it is great.” Our relationship with God begins when we ask Him to cleanse us from sin and all unrighteousness so we may enter into His presence. David knew the importance of being rightly related to God. It became the most important thing in his life.

Second, for peace. “Free me from my anguish,” he prayed. Fear is the natural feeling when we are filled with anxiety. Only God can quiet our hearts and calm our souls.

Finally, for protection. “Guard my life and rescue me,” he pled. As a warrior, he knew the threats and dangers of war. He knew that only One could keep him safe in dangerous situations. Although a great warrior, he trusted God to protect him. 

Prayer:  Lord, we have all that we need in You. May we lift our hearts in prayer and praise You for Your presence, peace, and power in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. Psalm 25:2 

Clean - It Means What It Means

“Son,” said Fred’s mother, “dinner is ready, and you haven’t washed your hands. They are dirty!”

“They’re not dirty,” he protested, “just a little soiled. What difference does it make?

According to Psalm 24, there is no difference between dirty and soiled. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart are invited to worship God. So, what does the Psalmist mean when he talks about “clean hands?”

“Clean hands” translated literally means “clean habits.” Habits are formed over time and are rarely noticed until they draw attention to themselves in one way or another. A habit may be good or bad, depending on its outcome. If it leads to a self-nourishing behavior or something that leads to wellness or well-being, it is a good habit. But if it is a toxic behavior and leads to self-destruction or death, it is certainly a bad habit.

“Clean habits” would, of course, begin with a “clean heart.” The Bible is unapologetic when it reminds us that “what comes out of us has a home within us.” In other words, if God is in us - God comes out of us. If God is not dwelling within us, His “ways” and His “will” certainly cannot come out of us.

We also need “clean hopes” or beliefs so we do not worship the “idols” of this world. If God is not in first place, He may as well be considered as being in last place. Why?  Whatever is in first place is what we worship and build our lives around.

And we also need a “clean history” - not making any promises we do not intend to keep. If we say it, we must do it. Keeping our word is a statement about our honesty.

Prayer:  Lord, we’re so careful not to touch unclean, dirty or disgusting things. We try to avoid them at all costs. May we have that attitude toward sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The one who has clean hands and a pure heart. Psalm 24:4a 

Who Owns All This Land, Anyhow?

A tourist from New York stopped at a service station to purchase gas after he visited the Grand Canyon. As he was walking inside to buy a soft drink, he noticed a farmer sitting near the door, slowly rocking back and forth observing the visitors.

“Wow,” said the tourist, “that Grand Canyon is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s so big it leaves me breathless. What do you think of it, sir?” he asked.

“It’d be a horrible place to lose a cow,” he said slowly.

We live among God’s great gifts every day. Sadly, we rarely pause to admire them, or even stop to thank Him for them. We are surrounded by the marvel of God’s handiwork yet are rarely aware of it. Not David. He was continually in awe of God and His creation. On one occasion, overwhelmed at the sight before him, he exclaimed, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all who dwell in it.”

Looking at the way David’s thought unfolds, he is calling our attention to the fact that whatever we think we own or possess or have at our disposal, is not ours - it is God’s, and He has entrusted us to be His managers of everything. Everything! We own nothing!

Wherever we look and whatever we see is God’s. We may have a deed to a home or a title to a car or a large portfolio of stocks or an unreasonable amount of cash in a bank. But, we have no control over any of our possessions. With the tick of a clock or the beat of a heart, everything could be gone. “The earth and everything in it are the Lords!”

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to accept the fact that everything we think we own, we don’t. It’s entrusted to us to invest to bring honor and glory to You. For Jesus’ sake, Amen!

Scripture For Today: The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1

Who Owns All This Land, Anyhow?

A tourist from New York stopped at a service station to purchase gas after he visited the Grand Canyon. As he was walking inside to buy a soft drink, he noticed a farmer sitting near the door, slowly rocking back and forth observing the visitors.

“Wow,” said the tourist, “that Grand Canyon is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s so big it leaves me breathless. What do you think of it, sir?” he asked.

“It’d be a horrible place to lose a cow,” he said slowly.

We live among God’s great gifts every day. Sadly, we rarely pause to admire them, or even stop to thank Him for them. We are surrounded by the marvel of God’s handiwork yet are rarely aware of it. Not David. He was continually in awe of God and His creation. On one occasion, overwhelmed at the sight before him, he exclaimed, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all who dwell in it.”

Looking at the way David’s thought unfolds, he is calling our attention to the fact that whatever we think we own or possess or have at our disposal, is not ours - it is God’s, and He has entrusted us to be His managers of everything. Everything! We own nothing!

Wherever we look and whatever we see is God’s. We may have a deed to a home or a title to a car or a large portfolio of stocks or an unreasonable amount of cash in a bank. But, we have no control over any of our possessions. With the tick of a clock or the beat of a heart, everything could be gone. “The earth and everything in it are the Lords!”

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to accept the fact that everything we think we own, we don’t. It’s entrusted to us to invest to bring honor and glory to You. For Jesus’ sake, Amen!

Scripture For Today: The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it; the world and all who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1

Who's In Control?

No matter where we look - within our borders or around the planet - things seem to be spinning out of control. Each day, perhaps even twice a day, a different nation seems to surface, demanding one thing or another. From hostages to ransoms, from earthquakes to floods, from kidnappings to suicide bombings, there is no way to predict what the next crisis will be or where it will occur or what it will cost someone, everyone.

The Psalmist wrote, “Dominion belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations.” There are times when it is difficult to believe that he knew what he was writing about. Yet, it has to be true if we are to believe His Word. In the final analysis, if we cannot believe that the Bible is the Word of God, that it is inspired, infallible, and inerrant in its entirety, there is nothing left for us to believe in.

Accepting God at His Word and accepting His Word as truth are what makes being a Christian unique. When we invest and put on display for others to see our faith, our love, our time, our energy, and our finances into serving Him, we are not only preparing for eternity with Him, we are, in another way, actually beginning our eternity with Him now because we are building His Kingdom on earth at this very moment.

If we look at what Jesus did and think about what He has challenged and charged us to do, we can, if we choose to, do many of the things He did. We can feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, extend a hand to lift the fallen, share our clothes with the naked, encourage the hopeless, and give help to the sick. If we do as He did, we are working with Him to establish His rule in hearts and lives now.

Prayer:  Father, may we accept Your challenge and our obligation to work with You to build Your Kingdom on earth. If we love You, it’s what we will do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Dominion belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28 

A Story Of Hands

Hanging above my office chair is a drawing entitled, “Hands.” It was drawn by an artist in Rochester, MI. The “hands” in the drawing are of many different sizes and shapes; some are little, representing small children; some are LARGE, representing adults; some scarred representing hard work or accidents; some appear as though they have never been soiled. The hands in the drawing tell the story about how all hands are different, how important they are, and what they might be used for.

The hands of Jesus tell a story, too. He used His hands to hold the tools of a carpenter and turn pieces of wood into dwellings or useful objects. He used His hands to offer hungry people a piece of bread and fish. He used His hands to hold small children and bless them. He used His hands to touch the eyes of the blind and restore their sight. He used His hands to open the ears of the deaf. He used His hands to quiet the raging seas. He used His hands to point people in the direction of the Kingdom of His Father.

He never used His hands to make a fist so He could harm someone. He never used His hands to grasp things from others. He never used His hands to point people in the wrong direction. He never used His hands to do anything that was evil. He never used His hands to strike others. He never used His hands to push people away from Him.

One fateful day those giving, healing, helping hands were painfully pierced and nailed to a cross. Pierced but not clenched in an angry fist but open, appealing, and accepting. His hands were on the ends of arms that were reaching out in love to a lost and dying world, saying, “Come to me. I love you and want to give you eternal life.” 

The Psalmist wrote, “They pierce my hands.” Now, we know why.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for loving and reaching out to us with hands that were pierced because of our sins. May we gratefully accept Your invitation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: They have pierced my hands and feet. Psalm 22:16b 

It Depends On The Name

Albert’s dad thought it was time he understood how to write checks. So, he took him to the bank, took his checkbook from his coat pocket and said, “Son, I want you to learn how to write and cash checks today.”

He then began to complete the “blank” check and explained every step to Albert. When he finished, he said, “Now, I’m going to go to the cashier and give her this check, and she will give me the amount of money I requested and I am going to withdraw it. There’s a rather long line waiting for the cashier, so you stay here and wait for me.”

Albert watched others do the same thing: give the cashier a piece of paper and get money in return. Amazed, he decided to do the same with a check from his father’s checkbook.

Very carefully, he completed a check the way his father had taught him. However, when it was his turn at the “window,” the cashier said, “I’m sorry, but your check is no good.”

“But,” Albert protested, “It’s the same as my Dad’s.”

“Not quite,” she responded. “His check has value because his name is on it, and he has money in the bank that we can give him in exchange for the check.”

When you think about it, prayer is like going to the bank and exchanging our needs for God’s “gifts.” But, unlike a bank, the “gifts” are in God’s name, and He is waiting for us to ask Him to exchange our requests for His gifts so He can give them to us. 

Jesus said, “Ask anything in My Name, and I will do it.” The Psalmist said, “Remember the Name of the Lord.”

Prayer:  Father, whatever we need is in Your hands. May we “remember” what wonderful gifts You have waiting for us – if only we ask in Your Name. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the?Lord?our God. Psalm 20:7

Banner Up!

A young boy was sitting on a bench in a park when a stranger walked by and stopped. Looking at Will and his dog, he asked, “What kind of dog is that, young fella?”

Thinking the man was making fun of his dog, Will responded, “He’s a genuine police dog, Sir!”

Looking at the dog once again, he said, “Police dog? He sure doesn’t look like a police dog to me.”

“Of course not,” said Will. “He’s in the secret service.”

Perhaps that can be said of many Christians: “They are in the Lord’s Secret Service.” They don’t want anyone to know who they are or who they serve.

Strange, isn’t it that the Christian life begins with a public confession of faith? A declaration that we willingly repent of our sins and choose to follow the Lord. God’s Word makes it clear that “If we tell others that Jesus Christ is our Lord, and really believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.”

It’s all rather simple, isn’t it? If we say it, according to God’s Word, we are to do it. On the one hand, it’s easy to profess Jesus in church, but it is quite different to live as He would have us to live in the workplace, the gym, the Parent-Teacher meetings, and the lunches with business partners, customers, or whomever we don’t see in church on a regular basis. But God’s Word says, "Set up your banners!”

Confession is much more than what Christians say. It is what a Christian does. Our words are important, but not nearly as significant as what we do - especially when we think no one is looking. Because, usually, someone is.

Prayer:  Lord, we only fool ourselves if we think we can fool You or others. May we be witnesses without words and walk our talk at all times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. Psalm 20:5

The Potential In Prayer

Understanding the Word of God is important. But applying the Word of God to our lives is essential if we want to become who God wants us to be. Sin, we know, is a barrier to our relationship with God. It keeps us from enjoying His presence and power in our lives. In Psalm 19 we discover three important facts about sin and its consequences.

“How can I know the sins lurking in my heart?” asked the Psalmist. What a question! If we want to know how we look, we have at least three options: We can look into a mirror, ask someone to tell us how we look or search the Word of God. Only His Word, however, will give us a true picture of who we are, our sinful condition and the consequences that await us. We will quickly discover our faults and failures and see ourselves as God sees us. His Word will become our mirror when we hold up our lives to it, compare our lives with its teachings and ask God to reveal our sins to us. Then, with the Psalmist, we can pray “Cleanse me!”

But there is another request from the Psalmist: “Keep your servant from deliberate sins.” To be cleansed is not enough. We need His power and protection to live the life that God would have us to live and become who He expects us to be. Through the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, God will answer this prayer. But we must be sincere when we pray and willing to surrender our lives to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, guard us and have control of us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to read Your Word, know Your Word, accept Your Word and live Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. Psalm 19:13

Live It Here!

He was one of those deacons who spoke much more than was necessary and did much less than was needed. There was always a discrepancy between the way he lived, and the way he worked for the Lord.

One day he stopped by his pastor’s office in a state of great excitement. “Pastor,” he shouted, “I’m going to the Holy Land. Isn’t that wonderful? Aren’t you happy for me?”

“Well, yes I am, at least I think so.” said his pastor.

“Do you know what I’m going to do?” he asked.

“No, no I don’t. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” came the reply.

“When my group gets to the top of the mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, I’m going to have the group sit in front of me in a half circle while I read the Ten Commandments out loud. Isn’t that exciting? I’m thrilled,” he continued.

“Deacon,” replied his pastor, “I think it would be much better for God and your group if you’d stay at home and lived them right here right now.”

The Psalmist came straight to the point: “In keeping them, there is great reward.”

Many of us have memorized them, given copies of them to others - perhaps even entered into arguments as to why or why not The Ten Commandments should be placed in public places where everyone could see and read them.

However, if God were involved in the conversation, I’m sure He’d be with the pastor and say, “Just live them!”

Prayer:  Father, it’s much easier to talk about You than live a life that is pleasing to You. Help us, please, to show others who You are by how we live. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  Psalm 19:11 

The Book!

Sir Walter Scott was a prominent novelist and poet whose writings were well known, respected, and read throughout the world. As he approached death, he called for his son-in-law and said, “Bring me the Book!”

Knowing that he had a massive library, he was completely puzzled by the request and had no idea what the title of “the Book” might be. Realizing that there were more than 20,000 volumes in Scott’s library, he asked, “What book?”

“Need you ask?” replied the literary genius. “There is only one Book, the Bible!” Sir Walter Scott, the author of many books and owner of thousands of books, spoke wisely. He knew personally the Author of the Book of books, the message it contained, and its importance.

In this psalm the writer declares convincingly that “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Perfect because it contains God’s message of love, forgiveness, and redemption and in it, we find everything that is necessary for our salvation.

The author also wants us to know that it can be trusted – that its contents are reliable and dependable. So, he adds that “the decrees – or teachings – of the Lord can be trusted...to revive the soul.” Only God’s Word can bring joy to our hearts, guidance for our journey, light for our path, wisdom for our decisions, and eternal life through Christ.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we stand in awe before You, rejoicing in Your Word and the hope we have in You. Thanks for allowing us to know You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 

Can You See Him Now?

God has planted evidence of His existence on the pages of history, in the handiwork of nature, and in the beauty of the skies above us. We read of His faithfulness to care for His people from the beginning of recorded history to this very moment. We find nourishment for our bodies tucked away in plants, animals, and minerals. Sailors find directions in the stars He hung in the heavens above as they sail from one country to another. Wherever we look, we can find God’s fingerprint on the planet or a signpost in the sky that directs us to His dwelling above us and beyond us.

However, it takes a willingness to see Him, an open mind to search for Him, a sensitive heart to accept Him, and a selfless life to follow Him.

Even those who do not want to believe in Him, use the mind He gave them to try to deny His existence. The arguments they offer and the logic they use, in the final analysis, comes from His grace. When we look at all the gods that have been created by man, not one of them has stood the test of time. They last only as long as their creator and then pass into the darkness of emptiness.

But the Creator, the God who is God, spoke through a Psalmist and said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day...and night after night...there is no language where their voice is not heard.”

Men may speak and argue, lecture and labor, write and work to erase the existence of God, but there is no way they can reach into the heavens and hide His stars.

Prayer:  Thank You, God, our Creator, for making Your existence visible to those who desire to discover You. We ask that all may see Your splendor.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Psalm 19:1-3 

Searching For God

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God!” Do they, really? When the writer looks into the heavens does he really believe that He can actually see God? Does he see an outline of God in a constellation? Are there stars shining somewhere that actually point to God’s eternal residence?

No. This psalm, more than any other, reflects the beauty, splendor, power, and handiwork of God. He is speaking of the revelation of God in the world of nature. His belief in God as Creator is not an argument against the theory of evolution. For him, Creation reveals the Lord’s royal majesty, sovereignty, power, and design. He simply declares God’s existence and presence and wants to praise Him in worship and wonder.

We see God’s glory each morning when we are awakened by a majestic sunrise that erupts from the darkness of the night. We see His handiwork each time we look into the face of a rose, watch a bird in flight or see and hear the crashing of waves. All of God’s creation clearly and convincingly announces the greatness and glory of God.

This Psalm reveals a God who communicates to us through the majesty of His creation. The fact that He speaks openly to us through the work of His hands is a gracious expression of His love and His desire for us to know Him, to honor Him, and to worship Him. Although sin has attempted to hide His glory, it is still with us and cannot be denied! 

Prayer: How great You are, O Lord, our Creator, our Redeemer, our source of hope and eternal life. We thank You for Your salvation and for making Yourself known. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1 

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God - Our Guidance System

Often, life’s disappointments end up being one of God’s special appointments. Like a good father, God will not allow anything into our lives that will permanently hurt, harm or hinder us from accomplishing His purpose for our lives. Often, what seems to be an accident is a very special gift from God. However, sometimes we have to wait until “the assignment” makes sense to us before we realize its true value.

Quite often I find it disheartening when I hear a Christian say, “This is my lucky day!” or “I can’t believe that I’m this unfortunate!” or “God must not love me as much as He does others or He would not have placed me in this lousy job.”

Life, for the Christian, is not chance. It is choice – God’s choice for us. But as He allows things to enter into our lives, we are responsible to look at “it” through His eyes, His Word, pray, seek wise counsel from others, and then choose how to respond to “it.”

Consider the story of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery. Then, he was falsely accused of doing things he did not do. But, it did not matter to him. He was forced to pay the consequences and was thrown into prison for two years of hard labor.

And, what did he say to his brothers? “Guess what, Brothers! You meant to do evil and harm me. But, God turned your evil intentions into good things for His glory!” God led him from being a prisoner to becoming a premier!

Our eyes keep us from seeing beyond the immediate - what is right now. But God sees our past, our present and the future He has planned for us to become Christ-like.

Prayer:  Lord, open our hearts and minds and make us willing to accept Your Leadership and Lordship each day. Help us to seek Your insight and wisdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. Psalm 18:30 

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Fenced In?

Years ago, one of the most popular songs was, “Don’t Fence Me In!” Its catchy tune and happy words captured the minds of many, and people sang the refrain over and over.

A psychologist became interested in its popularity and decided to conduct a research project to discover why it was so appealing to so many.

His conclusion? Everyone feels as though they are “fenced in” by one thing or another - whether it is a job or a mortgage, unpaid credit cards, or the responsibilities of life in general. Life has a way of building walls around us and we feel “fenced in!”

There is a wall of fear. Life is unpredictable and uncertain. A job, or a loved one, or the reality that our health can be taken from us in a moment. Suddenly, what once was a shield of security is gone. Perhaps forever.

There is a wall of failure. Many find themselves behind this wall because of poor choices, bad advice, or lack of planning, or following the path of least resistance. But failure is not a disgrace - not doing our very best is!

There is the wall of forsaking truth. Often we do not want to admit what is, so we “create” what isn’t and get trapped. One lie always calls for another until the “wall of lies” is so high above us it blocks the light of truth from us.

But we find Good News in God’s Word! There is God’s strength to scale these walls as well as the other walls we build around ourselves or that rise up before us.

“With my God, I can scale a wall,” said the Psalmist. Whatever is before us can be put behind us with God’s help available to us!

Prayer:  Father, there are far too many walls in life to climb without Your help. Thank You for being our Ladder to get us over, around, or through any wall. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. Psalm 18:29 

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From Darkness Comes Light

This may be hard to believe. But...

A thief, running through a crowded street, caught the eye of a police officer after a person shouted, “Help!” Instinctively, the officer ran after him and caught him. While searching his pockets, he found hundreds of dollars that he had taken from a “Mini-Market.”

“How foolish of you to steal in broad daylight! Most thieves steal at night when it’s dark,” said the officer.

“I know, sir,” came the reply. “But, I’m afraid of running when it’s dark. I might trip.”

The fear of darkness is one of the greatest fears in the world. But darkness was not created by God. Darkness is the absence of light, as well as the Light.

There was a time when the earth was chaotic and covered with darkness. Then God said, “Let there be light!” And there was.

Man does not receive “true light” from the darkness of the world when he is born. That Light, the Light that man needs to guide him through life and into eternity, comes only from God’s Son. But, that Light must be accepted by us if we are to find His way out of the darkness of sin into “the light” and eternal life through Christ.

“My God,” said the Psalmist, “turns my darkness into light!” But, as brightly as that Light shines, and as necessary as it is for us to follow to receive eternal life, it must be accepted. The Apostle John wrote, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

The way to understand that Light comes from His Word – Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for providing us that Light. May we accept the Light that comes from Your Son to save us and guide us into Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 

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Divine Deliverance

Our God is a great and gracious and generous God. We see His greatness when we look into the spacious skies at night and see stars that cannot be counted and know that there are galaxies beyond galaxies. We also see His greatness and generosity when His Son walked among the sick and healed them, saw the hungry and fed them, heard the grieving and comforted them, listened to the distraught and encouraged them. 

We see His power and greatness when we look at Jesus on the cross, His resurrection from the tomb when He defeated death, His offer of salvation, His promise of eternal life with Him, and His invitation to call on Him “whenever” for “whatever” as long as it is in His name.

David said that God “rescued him because He delighted in him.” Delighted here means “to be mindful of, to be attentive to, to keep, to protect, to have pleasure in...” Imagine the great value that God placed on David. He had a special place in God’s heart and was delivered repeatedly from God’s wrath and his enemies. God certainly loved him!

But, David was not special! Christians have the same offer of deliverance and salvation through Christ that David did through God. Christ takes God’s wrath from us in the salvation He provides for us. He will also deliver us from the power of Satan who would defeat us. He is with us now just as God was with David three thousand years ago.

Christ living in us gives us His presence and power. When we call upon Him and trust in Him, we can be assured that He “is attentive to us, will keep us, protect us and take great pleasure in caring for us” because He delights in us - just as He did David.

Prayer: We thank You, Father, for Your greatness and grace that delivers us, cleanses us, and empowers us. May we realize just how much You care, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. Psalm 18:19 

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Innocent!

David’s boldness is dramatic! He goes before God with confidence and conviction – not fearing what God may uncover in his heart. “Hear me, O Lord – my plea is just and my prayer does not rise from deceitful lips.” Most of us, when we go to God in prayer, begin with a plea for forgiveness, knowing that our lives fall short of God’s expectations and our best efforts. Sometimes, perhaps often, we fear approaching God.

David, in this psalm, had no fear of God. He said that “You, God, have probed my heart, examined me at night, have tested me and found no evil plans within me!” That’s a boldness that we can actually see! Few of us would stand before God and make such statements! How was it that David could ask God to put him under His magnifying glass and have no fear? Was he a favorite of God’s? Did he do something that gave him special privileges in God’s sight? Or was he so aware of God’s love, mercy, and grace that he could stand before God and say, “Judge me! I’ve been cleansed of my sin!”

David prayed for God’s presence to be with him and His eyes to be upon him. And we, as David, can make that same claim! Not because we have a clear conscience or a just plea. Not because God has examined us and found us faultless. No! Indeed not.

We can ask for God’s presence and His favors because we have a Savior Who cleanses us from all unrighteousness and Who pleads our cause before His Father. “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence,” said Paul.

Prayer: Your greatness and grace, Heavenly Father, are more than we deserve but not greater than our needs. Increase our faith and trust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. Psalm 17:1

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Need A Counselor?

There is a story of a man who was waiting for a traffic light to turn green. On his rear bumper was a sticker that read: “DO NOT FOLLOW ME – I’M LOST!”

Another car stopped next to him. The man rolled down his window and motioned for him to do the same. When the man with the sticker on his bumper rolled down his window, the person in the car next to him pointed to himself and said, “Me too. But at least you look like you are going someplace. Mind if I follow you?”

If there is anyone who everyone needs, it is someone smarter than all of us put together that we can follow. We all need a Counselor who is wiser and smarter than we are, and who has more insight and foresight than any one person could ever possess.

We all need a Counselor who knows and understands us. We need One who knows our attitudes and abilities, our flaws and failures, our sins and shortcomings - yet One who is interested in us despite ourselves and can help us get beyond ourselves. 

We all need a Counselor who knows tomorrow. We need One who knows what is in store for us and can guide us and guard us through difficult days and long, lonely nights. SomeOne who will be with us from the beginning of life until the end of life as we now know it.

We all need a Counselor who knows and respects the truth. We need One who will not allow us to hide behind our lies. We need One who will expose our words of deceit or false statements about who we are. We need One who will show us who we are and who we can become through the grace of God. Have you found Him yet?

Prayer:  Open our hearts, Father, to be willing to accept the truth of Your Word. Speak to us and lead us through Your Holy Spirit. Guide us and guard us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Psalm 16:4 

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Where Does Your God Come From?

We can live without oxygen for minutes, without water for days, and without food for months. But we cannot live at all without God or a god we design – perhaps one’s self or someone else. We either live with the God Who is revealed to us in Scripture and the life of His Son or create a god who we think will meet our needs.

If we choose to live without the God Who is revealed in Scripture and the life of His Son, Jesus, we will create a god out of some “thing” or “one” that we believe has power over us or one whose power we believe we need to exist and enlighten us.

Many turn their careers into a god. For them, work becomes a time of worship, and money, and the things that money can buy become their blessings and the rewards they seek. Yet, they find no satisfaction or peace in the things they accumulate because they bring no lasting satisfaction.

Some make pleasure their god. They seek the thrill of an adventure, the journey to a far land, a life filled with bright lights and endless entertainment or death-defying experiences as the sum and substance of a life worth living. In the end, it is a life that becomes empty because enough is never enough. 

Others look for the resolution to the emptiness of life in mind or mood alternating chemicals. Whether it is an alcoholic beverage, an “upper” or a “downer” or “new high” or a different “reality” does not matter. The “next fix” or the “bigger dose” is never enough. Life ends unfulfilled and empty. The god in chemicals cannot bring peace. “Their sorrows increase...who run after other gods,” wrote the Psalmist.

Prayer:  Father, apart from You, no “god” can satisfy the longing of a heart that You created. Help us, in our lives, to reflect the living God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Psalm 16:4 

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Where To Find Security

David had no fear of being honest. He faced life with an openness that allowed him to vent his feelings, state his fears, express his desires, and claim God’s promises.

“Keep me safe, O God!” is the way David begins Psalm 16. And then immediately states that he, at that moment in his life and without hesitation or doubt, came to Him for help: “In you I take refuge.” He did not say that he took refuge in God in the past or that he planned on taking refuge in God in the future. Indeed not. Something was threatening him at that very moment and, in trust, he immediately went to God for help.

Sometimes we wait before we go to God with our needs. We believe that we are capable of handling our fears and failures by ourselves. We often think that we can cover up our mistakes and faults. But there is nothing in us or about us or has come from us that is beyond God’s love, mercy, and power. He knows who we are, sees us as we are, understands what we are going through, and is waiting for our call for help.

The word keep as used in this psalm can also be interpreted to mean watch over – as a shepherd watches over his flock, or as a guard who is accountable and responsible to watch over the prisoners he is charged to control and contain.

David knew the “job description” of a shepherd first-hand. If anything happened to the sheep, the shepherd would be held accountable and responsible. He also knew, as a king, that if prisoners escaped, an entire kingdom could be damaged or destroyed. David knew whom to call on for help. David also knew Who to trust!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to place all of our confidence in Your love and power when we face the unknown. Give us peace in Your ability to protect us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. Psalm 16:1

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God's Answers To Life's Ultimate Question

No matter how many years I went to school or how many tests I took, nothing was more disappointing or discouraging than to be reminded that my answers did not agree with the teacher’s questions. Whenever there was a disagreement, I had to defer to the teacher’s wisdom, knowledge, and learning.

And when David asked God for the answer to “Life’s Ultimate Question,” God responded by giving him a simple, straightforward, easy-to-understand answer: “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.” God’s words to David address our walk, our work, and our talk – which covers every aspect of our lives.

To walk blamelessly requires us to live and walk the way God would have us to walk: in His path - which is following God’s rules and regulations. His Word is not open to negotiation. We can accept it or reject it but not change it to suit our needs.

To do what is righteous requires that we are to behave – to live our lives – in ways that are consistent with the character of God. Our God is a loving God, a holy God, and a saving and serving God. Righteousness goes far beyond piety because one can be pious and not do God’s work in His world. Piety is a self-serving way of living.

To speak the truth from our hearts means that our walk and our talk are consistent and continual and conform to God’s Word and come from the very center of our being.

Prayer: Give us the strength, Father, to persevere under pressure and walk, do, and speak Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Psalm 15:2 

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Has Anyone Here Seen God?

A rather well to do person decided that he would visit a church in a poverty-stricken area to see how people in the “poor section” of town worshiped. On the bottom of the cover of the Sunday bulletin was a statement that shocked him: “Not all who worship here are Christians. Do not leave your purse or any other personal belongings unattended.”

It is tragic, but true, that many who profess one thing do not practice what they preach. But, we who claim to be followers of Jesus are responsible for living as He lived by doing the things He did. We are to back up our beliefs with our behavior. It is not how we want to live that matters. It is how God expects us to live that matters and must make the difference in our lives an obligation.

When the gears of a transmission turn inside of its transmission case, it will cause the crankshaft to turn, and the car will be ready to move when it is put in gear.

So it is with a Christian.

When our hearts are “turned” by the Holy Spirit to the things of God, we will be ready to serve the Lord. When this happens, others will see us “move” or live in agreement with His Word and His ways.

The life of the Christian is much more than churchgoing, Bible-reading, hymn-singing, and tithe-giving. If we do all of those “good things,” we will still fall short of how God intends us to live: walk blamelessly and live righteously.

The Psalmist said that we are to be “blameless in your walk...and do what is righteous.” Being blameless means that when others look at us, they find no faults in the way we live because we walk in righteous paths – for His Name’s sake.

Prayer:  Sometimes, Lord, what You ask of us seems unreal, even unfair. But, through Christ all things for God are possible. Help us to live righteously. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Psalm 15:2 

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Life's Ultimate Question

Two of the world’s most famous theologians, Karl Barth and Paul Tillich, were having a debate about the important questions people have about life. Tillich said that theology should answer the psychological questions people have about their “felt needs.” Barth responded with a loud “No!”

He continued his objection to that idea stating that “the world does not know the right questions to ask. “God,” he continued, “must reveal the right questions to man as well as the right answers!”

In Psalm 15 God revealed both the right questions and the right answers through David. “Who,” David wanted to know, “may live in the presence of God? Who can stand before Him? Who can know Him now and forever? And who can go to heaven?”

David asked questions that force us to look at both our attitudes and our actions. They cover our walk as well as our works. They also address the fact that it is not possible to remain neutral in our relationship with God. We are either growing closer to Him or drifting farther away from Him.

David did not ask any superficial questions of God. He was serious as well as sincere. He was not only concerned about his journey through life but about his ultimate destination – abiding with Him forever.

Jesus addressed the necessity of “abiding” in Him every day. “Those who abide in me,” He said, “will produce much fruit. But apart from me, you can do nothing.”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to abide in You and produce fruit that is consistent with Christian living and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Psalm 15:1

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Goodness And God

“Why be good?” he asked. Before I could respond, he answered his own question: “I guess it’s because I can’t have any fun if I'm good. Everything ‘good people’ do is boring at best. It’s like living in a cell in prison. The good times are beyond me.”

But there are at least three basic reasons to “be good.”

The first comes from “looking inside.” Self-respect, for a Christian, comes from honoring the “gift of life” God has given us. Our “life” is a gift from God. However, what we do with our “life” is our gift to God. If we are careless or foolish with the habits we cultivate in the way we live, we put our entire life at risk. This may result in our being unable to fulfill the plan that God has designed for us. Any self-imposed physical “damage” limits our usefulness to God. Care for our bodies, as reflected in a healthy lifestyle, is a priority for the Christian who sincerely wants to serve the Lord.

The second is “looking at.” Others are constantly watching everything we do for two reasons. First, they want to know if we are sincere about our faith. Do we live lives that reflect God’s teachings that are clearly stated in His Word? And, second, does our faith “work?” Does God make a difference in the way we treat others? Do our lives reflect a sense of peace and satisfaction? Where’s “my” joy?

The third is “looking down.” Is God satisfied with our lives? Are we “doing right?” We are all accountable to Him. One day we will stand before Him in judgment and hear what He has to say about the way we have lived. As the hymn says, “He sees all you do.

Prayer:  Lord, it’s not about us, it is about You. May our lives be as You designed them to be - for Your sake. May we live out our faith and please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. Psalm 14:2 

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Choice And Consequences

The Bible does not present any proof for the existence of God. It simply declares that God exists and that only a fool denies that fact.

The verse, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” is perhaps one of the best-known verses in the Bible. However, many people today would say, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is a God.’” Atheism has become a religion, and many individuals and countries base their way of life on the denial of any supernatural being.

To prove the existence of God some would ask us to consider “cause and effect” as a reason to believe in a God. Every effect, they argue, demands a cause – so, if there is a creation there had to be a Creator. Hence, God.

Some offer the argument of “being.” Man has the idea that a “perfect being” exists somewhere or “is” some place. Where did that come from? Certainly not from ourselves because we know we are imperfect. So, it had to come from a Perfect Being – whoever it is or wherever He may be. Therefore, God is!

Others claim the moral argument. We have a voice inside of us that says, “Thou shalt” and at times, “Thou shalt not.” Certainly, these are not man-made, they say, but God-given. So, there must be a “Moral-Ruler” – so, it’s got to be Him - God.

Is it wise to try to prove that “God is” with an argument? We can debate that issue forever.

Why not show the difference Christ makes in our lives by words and deeds? No one can deny our experiences. So, let’s share them and let our faith in God speak on our behalf.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to live God-honoring lives and show others that You are real by what we do. May our lives speak our faith, not only our words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! Psalm 14:1 

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Triumph Over Trials

Once, while I was reading a newspaper, my young son was trying to get my attention. He had an urgent need for me to recognize his presence and respond to his request. But, I was absorbed in the news.

“Dad,” he said, “I’m talking to you!”

“Yes, son, I’m listening,” I replied.

“I know you are listening, Dad, but can you hear me?” It was an embarrassing question. There is an obvious difference between listening and hearing. It is easy to listen without recognizing the presence of the person trying to get our attention. When we listen and hear someone, the message goes to our mind and then our heart and we can sense their feelings and do something about their needs.

David said, “Turn and answer me, O Lord, my God!” He feared that God had abandoned him, turned His face in the opposite direction, was abandoned and on his own. He was so discouraged that he felt the light of God had left his eyes, and he would die. But he realized that was a temporary, fleeting feeling, and he refused to give up. Finally, he recalled God’s presence and protection in the past and knew that God had not left him.

So, after a time of loneliness, he was able to declare, “I trust in your unfailing love!” and turned his worry into worship.

Notice what he said: “I will rejoice” and “I will sing” – two central themes of true worship. David did not wait for his problems to pass. In the middle of his difficulties, he chose not to worry and began to worship. Why? “Because He has been so good to me!”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to form our faith on the facts in Your Word, not our fleeting feelings. When problems come, may we know You are with us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 

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Our Ever-Present God

“Sorrow,” begins a French proverb, “comes swiftly on horseback, but leaves slowly on foot.” Few would disagree that our moments of happiness are usually as brief as a heartbeat and sorrow often lasts as long as the darkest night.

Once when he was in deep distress, David cried, “How long, O Lord, will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way?” We all suffer greatly when someone we deeply love is no longer available or does not respond to our cry for help.

Betty was suffering from measles. Her infected eyes could not stand the sunlight that was streaming into her room. As her mother closed the curtains and turned out the light, she asked, “Are you afraid?” “No,” said Betty, “as long as I can touch you.”

David asked a critical question that every believer in God often asks: “How long, O Lord, will You forget me?” And when he did not get an immediate answer, he cried as we would, “How long will You look the other way?” And finally, “How long must I struggle?”

Our Lord may be out of sight, but we are never beyond His reach! David felt that God had abandoned him, had turned away from him. He felt as we often do - God has lost interest in my problem. But David did not quit or give up. He did what he knew would work. With an abiding faith, he prayed, “I will continue to trust in Your unfailing love.”

His faith was larger than all his fears. He knew God would deliver him as He had in the past. When we doubt our future, we need to look at our past and see how God works.

Prayer: When we become impatient, Father, remind us of David’s steadfast faith and Your unfailing love, and know that You are somewhere at work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: How long, O Lord, will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? Psalm 13:1 

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We Are What We Think

There is a parrot in Brazil that changes its color from green to red or even yellow when it is fed certain fish. And there are some canaries whose yellow feathers will cast off a red hue if they are fed cayenne pepper when they are molting. What is true in the natural realm is also true in the spiritual realm. We become what our minds “feed” upon.

“The Lord’s promises are pure,” said David “....therefore we know that You will protect the oppressed.” David knew that God’s promises were absolute and that He would honor His word. But what does that mean? That he will simply “protect” the oppressed but leave them in that deplorable conditions? That certainly does not make any sense. Why would God only “protect” them and not help them to improve their lives?

The word “protect” means “to watch over you” and meet your needs. It carries with it the same significance as the promise God made to Jeremiah: “I am ready to perform My word.” Moreover, God preserves (or performs or extends) His words- or promises - “from this generation forever – or, throughout eternity.”

Because the Word of God stands forever, we know that its contents are true and reliable; it is God-glorifying in its message, Christ-honoring in its contents, and comes to life through the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

If we nourish our souls with God’s promises and feed our minds on the message it embodies, it will enable us to fulfill His purpose for our lives, and we will reflect the grace of God to others. So, if we nourish our minds and hearts with His Word, our hands will be engaged in service to others – especially those in need. Put His Words to work.

Prayer: Father, may Your Spirit speak to our minds and open our hearts so that we will engage our hands in serving others in need. May we start today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The Lord’s promises are pure like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation. Psalm 12:6-7

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We Are What We Think

There is a parrot in Brazil that changes its color from green to red or even yellow when it is fed certain fish. And there are some canaries whose yellow feathers will cast off a red hue if they are fed cayenne pepper when they are molting. What is true in the natural realm is also true in the spiritual realm. We become what our minds “feed” upon.

“The Lord’s promises are pure,” said David “....therefore we know that You will protect the oppressed.” David knew that God’s promises were absolute and that He would honor His word. But what does that mean? That he will simply “protect” the oppressed but leave them in that deplorable conditions? That certainly does not make any sense. Why would God only “protect” them and not help them to improve their lives?

The word “protect” means “to watch over you” and meet your needs. It carries with it the same significance as the promise God made to Jeremiah: “I am ready to perform My word.” Moreover, God preserves (or performs or extends) His words- or promises - “from this generation forever – or, throughout eternity.”

Because the Word of God stands forever, we know that its contents are true and reliable; it is God-glorifying in its message, Christ-honoring in its contents, and comes to life through the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

If we nourish our souls with God’s promises and feed our minds on the message it embodies, it will enable us to fulfill His purpose for our lives, and we will reflect the grace of God to others. So, if we nourish our minds and hearts with His Word, our hands will be engaged in service to others – especially those in need. Put His Words to work.

Prayer: Father, may Your Spirit speak to our minds and open our hearts so that we will engage our hands in serving others in need. May we start today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The Lord’s promises are pure like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation. Psalm 12:6-7

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