Words You Can Depend On

One morning as I was leaving my first speech class, my wise teacher stopped me and offered me a few words of advice on the importance of being well prepared to serve God. During our conversation she advised me to take every course that had anything to do with speaking or writing. “Larry,” she said in a voice that reflected sincerity and compassion, “it does not matter how much you know about the Bible, if you can’t explain it so people can understand it, accept it, and live it, you’ll be letting God down.” It made good sense to me then, and even more sense to me now. Thankfully, I followed her recommendation carefully.

One of the classes I took emphasized the difficulty of people hearing what a speaker says, interpreting it correctly, and passing it on. It is easy to hear what someone says but quite difficult to pass it on without changing the words and the meaning that the speaker intended. When this happens, something is lost in “transmission,” and it could be a matter of life and death if the message passed on is incorrect or inconsistent.

The importance of the integrity of God’s message is clearly presented in Psalm 93:5, “Your statues stand firm!” That means “Whatever God said is so.” His Word contains no errors, no mistakes, and no information that can lead us astray if accepted as written. In fact, the word for statues emphasizes the fact that Scripture rests on the integrity of God our Creator. His statements, promises, warnings, and commands are not to be changed to meet the desires of man but to proclaim and present the everlasting covenant of His love, mercy, grace, salvation, and hope between God and man.

Prayer:  We thank You, Lord, for the trustworthiness of Your Word that declares the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help us to know it, love it, and share it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Your statutes, Lord, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days. Psalm 93:5

Who Made God?

A small child recently asked me, “Mr. Larry, I believe there is a God. And I know He’s in my heart. But who made Him?”

“Nobody,” I answered.

“Well, when did He begin to live?” she asked politely.

“He always was,” I replied.

“Well, will He ever stop living?” she wondered.

“No,” I answered. “He always was, and always will be,” I responded.

“But,” she admitted, “I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,” came my confession.

We who are finite cannot ever understand the Infinite.

Every rational person who is endowed with a mind that has the capacity to reason finds unanswerable questions about God - even in early childhood. The search for God, at an early age, is significant. Obviously, this question about God arising in the mind of a child seems to provide convincing evidence that there is a compassionate Creator who has planted Himself in the mind and heart and very being of everyone. Otherwise, why would anyone, especially a child, ask the question, “Is there a God?”

Questions about the existence of God are nothing new. God Himself put a curiosity within each of us to ask questions and seek answers. If we did not have a capacity to question things, we would not be human. Remember, it was God who said, “You will find Me when You seek Me with all your heart.” All seeking hearts find God.

Prayer:  We thank You, Lord, that You created us with minds to seek You, and the truth we find in Your Word that reveals You. May we seek and find. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: You are from all eternity. Psalm 93:2b

What's Going On Here?

Not long ago I was stopped by a police officer who motioned to me to pull to the side of the street. When I looked up to see what was going on, I saw two large trucks coming toward me with a home that had been cut in half and placed on two trailers. The two halves were slowly being moved to a new location where they would be joined together, and the home would look the same as it had in the past.

It was almost unnerving as I waited patiently for them to pass by. For years it rested comfortably on a corner across from an elementary school. Soon it would have a new address in a new neighborhood and perhaps new owners.

How things have changed. Years ago, people rarely moved from one home to another. There was a certain permanence in life that brought a sense of security to families. Now, moving from one place to another is a routine part of life that seems to go with the turmoil in the world.

Everywhere we look, we see signs of instability. We awaken each morning wondering what devastating news awaits us. What once was a world that made sense and was stable is now a world that longs for the “good old days.”

Psalm 93, however, gives comfort to the Christian. It begins with a burst of hope and assurance, a promise of peace and predictability: “The LORD reigns.”

But more than the way it begins, is the way it ends. It concludes with a reminder and a promise of God’s faithfulness: “Your statues stand firm...for endless days!”

Prayer:  Thank You, Heavenly Father, that we can believe in Your Word and trust Your promises and power to protect us and give us hope! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Psalm 93:1

Aging In God's Grace

Watching children grow into adulthood can be a marvelous experience. From crawling to walking, from uttering sounds that make no sense to carrying on an intelligent conversation is almost breathtaking. Growth is a gift of God and can bring blessings and happiness - especially when we grow into the likeness of Christ and share His love and grace with those around us.

The Amplified Bible provides a rich translation of Psalm 92:14. “Growing in grace,” writes the Psalmist, “they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of spiritual vitality and rich in expressing trust, love and contentment.”

Growth, for the Christian, is a lifelong journey. And those who grow in His grace and are filled with His mercy have much to live for and share with others. Imagine the satisfaction of having lived a life that honors God’s Word, lives God’s Good News and expresses His love. Can there be anything more important for the Christian than becoming stronger in our faith, clearer in our convictions, warmer in our love, purer in our thoughts and kinder in our words and deeds as we grow older and more mature in Christ?

We live in a broken world. Everywhere we look, we see people who have been betrayed by those whom they dearly loved and trusted. We see people writhing in pain and anguish as they search for someone to offer them hope and encouragement. We dare not let them down. We must honor them and help them heal with His hope!

What a wonderful opportunity God has given us.

Prayer:  Help us, Heavenly Father, to see the world as You see it and work with You to share Your love and grace. Open our hearts to share Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: [Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment]. Psalm 92:14

Flourish Like A Palm Tree

The word “righteous” in Scripture carries with it the idea of meeting God’s standards of doing what is right in the sight of God - being obedient to Him and being just and fair to others. If the “righteous are to flourish like palm trees” as the psalmist states, what does that mean?

1.  Palm trees grow straight up - always looking upward to heaven for light and nourishment. Likewise, the Christian looks to God to find His will for their life.

2.  Each and every part of a palm tree is useful. The leaves not only provide shelter from the elements, but the tree itself has many nourishing and medicinal qualities. The Christian is expected to give life and hope and nourishment to others.

3.  Palm trees are not affected by drought. A palm tree is not affected by the weather and can survive nearly every surface injury. The Christian rooted in Christ draws his strength and well-being from God.

4.  The palm tree is an evergreen tree because it draws its life flow within its being, keeping it fresh.

5.  The palm tree cannot be grafted into any other tree because it has its own unique identity. Christians have one Master and cannot be grafted to any other identity.

6.  Palm trees are an emblem of victory. This was seen when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem.

7.  Palm trees always show a place where water can be found. Christians find their “living water” in Christ who can quench their thirst and the thirst of others

Prayer:  We ask, Father, that every part of our lives will be useful in sharing Your grace and mercy to others. May we become as palm trees are!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The man who is right and good will grow like the palm tree. He will grow like a tall tree in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12