Better Than Silver And Gold

A pastor who served people in a ghetto was visiting a family that was going through a difficult time of making ends meet. As he got up to leave, he noticed an old well-worn Bible on a shelf. As he neared the door, he said, “I saw something in this room that has more value than any amount of money. I wonder if you will ever find it.”

A few days later while dusting the shelves, one of the children discovered the Bible. Taking it to her Dad she asked, “Could this have been what the preacher-man was talking about? Wonder if this is what he meant.”

Holding it very carefully he placed it on the table and took great care to open it. Then he looked down and noticed a verse that was underlined with a red pencil: “The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

He began to weep quietly as his wife and children sat silently around him. Finally, he was able to speak and said, “This is my mother’s Bible. Before she died, she gave it to me and asked me to read it every day and I promised her that I would. But, I let her down and I’ve let you - my family - down. Maybe God led us to this difficult place just so we would find this verse she underlined to help us.”

God works in many strange and subtle ways. He even brings times of difficulty and desperation into our lives to get our attention. He has never promised that our days would always be filled with sunshine and blue skies. But, He has promised that when we look to Him and His Word we will find salvation, hope and encouragement.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to realize the wealth we will find in Your Word when we have nothing else left. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

What - Not Why

“I wouldn’t go through my experience with cancer again for a million dollars,” said a friend to me recently. “But then again, I wouldn’t take some millions of dollars for it, either.”

Could it be that the most painful experiences in life are sometimes the most profitable? Is it not true that after we have struggled through one of the most difficult times in our lives we take a deep breath and say, “Thank You, Lord. That ended up as a great blessing! I sincerely appreciate Your presence and peace during the dark days and long nights. I would not have made it without You.”

“It is good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees!” said the Psalmist after his ordeal.

As he struggled and strained with deep fears and high anxieties, he did not ask, “Why are these things happening to me?” Instead, he asked, “What can I learn from them?”

“Why” is often a useless word. Most of the problems we face or the difficult issues that challenge or confront us cannot be answered if we ask, “Why?” Asking a different question is usually more beneficial: “What, God, are You trying to teach me?” usually brings the best answers.

“A.J.” was considered to be a very successful leader. Nearly everyone looked up to him. He had answers to questions and insight to issues that others overlooked. One day he was in an accident and lost his sight. He did not ask, “Why Lord?” After realizing that his condition was permanent, he asked, “What can I do for You now, Lord?”

Prayer: We pray, Lord, that we will learn to ask, “What can I do for You with the ‘unusual gifts’ You give me?” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Suffering And Obedience

A member of a tourist group noticed a shepherd carrying food to one of his sheep. He was very curious and asked, “What happened? Is one of your sheep having problems?”

“Yes,” came the reply. “I have a sheep with a broken leg.”

“What happened? Did he fall over a cliff? Did an animal bite him?” he asked.

“Oh, no,” said the shepherd. “I broke it.”

“My goodness,” said the tourist. “You broke your sheep’s leg on purpose? I thought that shepherds loved their sheep more than anything else. I’ve even heard stories about shepherds searching for a lost sheep all night long. How could you do such a thing? Were you angry? Don’t you love your sheep?”

“Of course I love my sheep,” replied the shepherd. “That’s why I broke its leg. This was a ‘wayward’ sheep. When it strayed from the flock it led other sheep with it. Something had to be done to preserve the life of this sheep and to prevent it from leading other sheep astray. I broke its leg and reset it to teach it obedience. Now, it waits for me to feed it and eats out of my hand. It will never leave me again and will stay by my side. Finally, it is obedient.”

There was a Psalmist who must have had an experience like the sheep in this story. In writing of his experience, he said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your voice.” Suffering has a purpose.

Prayer: No one likes to hurt, Lord. Yet, we ask that You do whatever is necessary to keep us close to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

What's In Your Name?

One of the greatest musicians to ever lead any band was John Phillips Sousa. He followed the musical legacy of his father and achieved world acclaim as both a musician and writer of band music. Most people who have ever played in a band have played one of the many marches he wrote many of them becoming favorites of people around the world. Eventually, he became known as the "March King" and when his marches were played people could identify him as the composer.

Names were once used to identify a person’s place of origin or their vocation or occupation. They had a great deal of significance because they gave away so much information about a person. Today they have little significance and tell us little, if anything, important.

In the Bible, however, names had meaning and purpose and were selected very carefully. For example, when we read the different names that were given to God we soon realize that they were given to Him as a title to describe or recognize what He was doing for His children or something that He wanted to do for His own.

A beautiful example of this is found in Psalm 119:55. One of His very own had a very particular need and he needed help immediately! So, he prayed, “In the night, Lord, I remember Your name.” When we read the word “night” in the Bible it usually refers to a “time of distress.” Not wanting to be overcome by defeat he knew that his God was with him at that moment and that His power was available to keep him from defeat.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that Your presence and power are available in nights of distress or days of delight. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.

Universal Truth

Jim, the Chairman of the Deacons, had been ill for quite some time. His pastor had been very faithful in visiting him several times each week. Every time he visited him, he would read a passage of Scripture from his Bible and pray with him.

On this particular day he forgot his Bible and asked, “May I borrow your Bible, Jim?”

“Certainly. Son,” he shouted, “bring my favorite book. The Pastor wants to read something to me.”

Immediately his son appeared and handed the Pastor his “favorite book” - the TV Guide.

A Psalmist spoke of his favorite book with these words: “I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word...never take Your word of truth from my mouth for I have put my hope in Your laws...I will obey Your laws for ever and ever.”

Notice the significance of what the Psalmist read: When he sought the “ultimate” truth he turned to the Word of God. No matter who challenged his beliefs he would answer them with God’s truth. In God’s Word we find the best way to live and the most comfortable way to die. It answers all of our questions, contains a solution for every one of our problems and a cure for all of our ills.

It also provides the reason for being optimistic. “I will walk, in freedom!” No bondage. No worries. No fears. No doubts. Nothing in this world can take away the gracious gifts God gives us if we accept His Word.

Prayer: How thankful we are, Father, for Your Word that contains a solution for every problem in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

From Beginning To End

Sitting across the desk from me were two heart-broken parents. They had followed the suggestions and recommendations of other parents on the best methods to raise children in a Christ-honoring home. However, their son had recently entered a recovery program for addicts.

“How did this happen?” the father asked me. I had been asked this question many times and each time I attempted to answer the question it become more difficult. After a moment’s pause I tried, to the best of my ability, to explain that in the process of addiction the early experiences seemed to solve problems for people and after the initial experiment with drugs, what once was a problem solver became a problem creator and the “fun” or pleasure once associated with the drug vanished with the joy.

Then I told them the fable of a honey bee that discovered a large jar of honey with no lid on it. So, it decided to enjoy the sweet nectar without the amount of work it normally took to get the “joy of sweetness.” As it reveled in the honey its wings slowly became glued together and there it was - dying. The promise of pleasure ended up in the grip of death.

A Psalmist warned us of this process: “I am laid low in the dust,” he wrote. Another way to interpret it is “I am glued to the things of earth.” But he found an escape route: “Preserve my life according to Your Word.”

Stuck in sin? Release is ours through Christ!

Prayer: Please, Father, enable us to see the path to happiness goes through Your Son into eternal life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

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What Do You Think?

There are many things in the Bible that we do not understand. There are other things in the Bible that we think we understand. There are many things in the Bible that we cannot understand. But there are many things in the Bible that we do understand but simply chose to do nothing about.

So, what’s the problem?

If we want to know a person, we must spend time with that one. And more than anything else the Bible is about a Person. So if we want to know that Person, we must spend time in the Bible. Now, there are two important facts here. The Bible was given to us by men who God inspired to write it. Because it is God’s inspired Word, we need His Spirit to illuminate it for us. But we cannot expect Him to illuminate it for us unless we are willing to allow His Spirit to open our eyes to see Him as He is in His Word.

A child was born blind and spent years unable to see the world around him. Researchers finally found a way to restore his sight. Not knowing what the outcome would be the surgeons were cautious not to give him too much hope. The day finally arrived when they were to remove his bandages. They led him to a window that overlooked a flower garden. When the bandages were removed, he stood in amazement and said, “Mom, why didn’t you tell me how beautiful the flowers are?”

“I tried,” she said, “but you have to see them for yourself.” So it is with God. We have to see Him for ourselves.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to see You as You are - in all of Your loveliness - as we find You in Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

Centered!

The word “heart” in the Bible refers to “the center of things” or the “inner man” or “the governing center” of man. There is no suggestion in Scripture that the brain is the center of our consciousness, our wills or our thoughts. In fact some Biblical scholars believe that the “First great commandment probably means ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart’ - that is with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” In other words, what is in our hearts is what comes out in our lives.

Looked at from this point of view that the heart is essentially where our thoughts and desires and goals and values originate, we can say that for the Christian, life is “lived from the inside out.” Sooner or later, if it’s on the inside, it will surface on the outside. Then people will know who we are and what matters the most to us. Indeed, seeing is believing.

The Psalmist gave us this truth when he wrote: “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Jesus added His wisdom to this very basic truth when He said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart...For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

One of the most popular advertisements on TV is the one that asks, “What’s in your wallet?” But in the end the answer to that question is not really important. It’s “What’s in your heart” that matters most. If God’s Word is in our hearts He will be obvious in our lives!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to spend time in Your Word and with Your Word so others will see Your Word in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

That's Why I Asked

James didn’t want to be a farmer like his Dad. He resented the long days, hard work and low pay. So, every time Dad asked him to do something he would ask sarcastically, “Why?” or “Why should I do that?” or “Why me?” or “Why do you want that done?” It bothered his Dad who planned on leaving the farm to him when he died.

One day he gave him a basket with a rope on it and said, “Go to the well and fill it with water.” “Why?” asked his son. “None of your ‘whys’ this time - just do as you’re told.”

He dipped the basket in the well and pulled it to the top. He watched the water flow out between the spaces in the basket and became angry. “It won’t hold water,” he shouted. “Do it again,” said the Dad. Again the water seeped out of the basket. “Do it again,” said his Dad. “I will not. You’re not going to make a fool of me! I’m not going to do it again! Take your old basket back!”

“Look,” said his Dad with a smile. “Now the basket is clean - which is what it needed and you didn't have to ask ‘why.’ The water did what it was supposed to do. It washed away the dirt. Now it’s clean and we can use it to put our crops in.”

How like God’s Word. We don’t need to ask God “Why” we need to read His Word. It’s the way it works - it cleanses us from sin and keeps us pure. The Psalmist had it right: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word.”

Prayer: Lord, give us a deep desire to read Your Word and allow it to fill our lives. Help us to become pure. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

I Didn't Really Mean It

Marcie stood before her Dad looking at her favorite toy car. Suddenly she jumped up in his lap and said, “You know, Daddy, this is my favorite toy. But I want you to have it.”

Surprised, he asked, “Why, I know that you love this little car. Why are you giving it to me?”

“Because I love you,” was her reply.

A few moments later she climbed back into his lap and said, “Daddy, I want my car back. I guess I didn’t love you as much as I thought I did,” and took her car back.

Many Christians have the same attitude toward God. We give ourselves to Him and then realize that it’s going to bring about changes in our lives that we did not realize. So, we take back our “gift.”

In Psalm 118 we read of a “festal” procession with people going “up to the horns of the altar.” The people in this procession are taking a sacrifice to God. This is not unusual because throughout the Bible people take many different sacrifices to God. In this verse, however, the people in the procession are required to take their “bough” in their hands - their sacrifice - and “bind” it to the altar. Once the sacrifice was bound to the altar, it could not be taken back!

Paul wrote, “Give your bodies to God and let them be a living sacrifice.” The sacrifice he writes of in this verse is not for our sin but for our salvation. When we accept His salvation He expects us to willingly “bind” ourselves to Him in loving service.

Prayer: Convict us, Lord, to become “willing” sacrifices and abandon ourselves in service to You forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:27 God is the Lord, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Make Me Good, Daddy

Recently a new diagnosis was introduced to explain the out-of-control behavior of a high school student. While under the influence of alcohol, he killed four people with his automobile. Rather than charging him with vehicular manslaughter and sentencing him to spend time in a correctional facility, he was given probation for “affluenza,” an entirely new mental disorder.

Many were curious about the cause of this “disease” until a psychiatrist explained its source: it came from parents who gave their child everything he wanted, held him accountable for nothing and as a result he never learned right from wrong.

However, this is not the way our Heavenly Father “educates” us. One of His “children” provided us with an insightful detail into His method of child-rearing: “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”

The word “chasten” means to “punish, restrain or moderate” someone’s behavior. So, when God “chastens” us, He is in fact confronting our un-Christ-like behavior and urging us to repent. We are instructed in God’s Word to “let God train you, for He is doing what any loving father does for his children. For whoever heard of a son who was never corrected.”

One day a father found it necessary to chastise his son. After the punishment he looked at his Dad and said, “I understand, Dad. I did wrong and you were trying to make me good. I know you love me, Dad, and I love you.”

Prayer: Father, keep us focused on living as Your Son, our Savior lived and correct us swiftly when we go astray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:18 The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.

When What Is - Is Not Enough

Many doubt that our God is the creator of all that is and is in control of what we see as well as what we cannot see. The Psalmist is not one who has any doubt about this fact. Yet, he goes far beyond the majestic statement that we hold dear: “In the beginning God created...” In simple words he acknowledged that “Your hands,” (God) “have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn Your commands.” In other words, he realized that he was more than a creature that began in the mud. He was the most important part of God’s creation and needed God to give him His understanding of things.

“God,” he declared, “You not only took time to make me, but You actually fashioned me for a specific purpose in this, Your universe. I need You, God, to tell me what that purpose is!”

The word “fashioned” is a term that refers to the work of a potter making an object out of clay. Although the same clay may be used for different vessels or objects, each one has been “fashioned” for a specific purpose. The size, shape and purpose of each vessel the potter makes are always determined in the mind of the potter before he begins to form it on his wheel.

So it is with God. His Word tells us that “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I knew you...I set you apart...I appointed you...” Although God has a plan for us, the Psalmist says we must look to Him and His Word to understand it. He has made us in His image, but we must allow Him to fashion us for the purpose He has for us.

Prayer: Father, give us an understanding of Your will and a willingness to follow it all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

Is The Right Person On Your Side?

The Civil War was a dark period in the history of the United States. President Abraham Lincoln had little time for anything else in his life. The demands on him were overwhelming and he went for days without enjoying his family.

On one occasion while meeting with Secretary of State William Seward in the Cabinet room, his son burst through the doors in tears and said, “I want my father!”

The secretary could have said, “Your father is too busy for you. Let me get you a teacher who can help you with your problems.” Or, he could have said, “Let me get you an attorney who will represent you wisely and get you out of any problem you might have.”

The child knew who he wanted and it was not the Secretary of State or some other highly qualified person. He wanted his father. No one else could fill that need.

And that is essentially what the Psalmist said when he cried, “In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free.” God was his first responder.

Sometimes it is easy to turn to the person who we consider to be our closest friend when we face a difficult time in our lives. Or we may look for a person who is known for his brilliance or knowledge or wisdom or status to rescue us from any number of problems that are beyond our capabilities. That may not be wise.

When we face the uncertainties of life, the first person we need to call on for guidance is our God. We must go to him as a child to a father knowing He is waiting to help.

Prayer: Lord, we know that no one cares for us as much as You do. May we look to You first when we are in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

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 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.