THOUGH HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS, YET HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD.   2 Corinthians 13:4

I ran across a question that caused me to think.  The question was:  Can you turn any direction without seeing a cross?

They are all over the place.  Everywhere you look, you see one.  And that caused me to think even more how an instrument of torture and death has become a symbol of hope and life for us as Christians.

Christians are the only ones who have this ‘strange’ symbol.  All other religions have ‘nice’ symbols. The six pointed star. The crescent moon. The lotus flower.  But ours – a cross.  However, a cross has simply two beams.  One pointing up to our God who is looking down upon us.  And the other reaching out to show us how much He loves us, enough to stretch out his arms so far to be nailed to it.

Our God is a strange and wonderful God who loves us.  Our symbol reminds us of that.  And it gives us hope and joy as we follow in His footsteps.

Blessings on your day, 

THESE ARE A SHADOW OF THE THINGS TO COME, BUT THE SUBSTANCE BELONGS TO CHRIST.   Colossians 2:17

Have you noticed how popular those ‘reality shows’ are on television?  Why is that we want to watch how ‘real people’ ‘really live?’  Is it because our life is such a mess that we want guidelines on how to improve?  Is it because we want to see that we are not alone in our reality?  Is it that we want to see that some people are worse off than we are? Or is it because we want to be taken away for a few moments from our reality that is depressing?

Let me ‘bring you back to reality.’  That’s not the way to find help.

It’s not the way to see what life is all about.  And it’s not good for us to rejoice and laugh at others’ misfortune.

I would suggest the real way to find help and joy is in Jesus Christ.  He really came here to claim us as His own and to show us how to live.  He came to help in our relationship with the Father. And He came to change us with His forgiveness and grace.  The truth of the matter is that He loves you incredibly and wants what is best for you in your life today.

Blessings on your day, 

REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE SLAVES IN EGYPT AND THE LORD YOUR GOD REDEEMED YOU FROM THERE.   Deuteronomy 24:18

The other day there was a cartoon in the newspaper about remembering.  The man said something to the effect that there are so many things that he cannot remember them all.

That’s true for every one of us.  We are overloaded with information, too many events, too many people, too many activities, that it is hard to remember them all.

At least once or twice a week I find a note by my breakfast bowl reminding me that I need to do something, something that my wife and I have talked about the night before. She usually asks “Do I need to write you a note?”

And the answer is always “YES.”

God knew that the Israelites would get busy also.  They would get focused upon things they had to do and activities that they were involved in that He reminded them to REMEMBER.  Remember that you were slaves. Remember that I, the Lord, redeemed you.

May I be that reminder for you today. Remember the Lord your God.

Remember how He has blessed you. Remember He has redeemed you.  Remember Him and His love for you.

Blessings on your day, 

BEWARE THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET THE LORD YOUR GOD BY NOT KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS.  Deuteronomy 8:11

There’s a Far Side cartoon that shows ‘Superman in his later years’  The elderly Man of Steel is perched on a window ledge, ready to leap, but he looks back and says ‘Now where was I going?’

We don’t have to be old to forget things.  We forget things because we are busy and we have an overload of information.  But Moses warns us in some of his final words to Israel ‘Not forget the Lord their God.’  He even alerts them to the fact that when they get into the land and things are going well for them, there will be this temptation to think how well and how much they had done to get this far.  And they will begin to drift away from God and the place He desires in their lives.

The same thing is true for you and me.  When things are going well for us we tend to forget our God. We go about our lives pretty much without Him.

But Moses’ words apply to us.  “BEWARE…!”  Be careful.  Stay focused.  And stay in His Word, because it is there that He strengthens us and keeps us close to Him.  I pray that you are spending time with Him every day in your devotions.

Blessings on your day, 

YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL SAVE ME.   Psalm 128:7

With the World Cup soon taking so much time on television I thought I would share with you an interesting fact.  No one was able to score on Edwin van de Sar, goalkeeper for the Manchester United soccer team, for he kept the ball from entering his team’s goal for 1,302 minutes, a world record in one season. That means for almost 15 games of 90 minutes each, no one scored. But in March of 2009 his record was ended.

Edwin van de Sar had good hands.  But God has the best and the safest hands there are.  David says in Psalm 138 “You will stretch out Your hand…and Your right hand will save me.”  We can be assured that we are in God’s hands and He will keep us from spiritual danger and defeat.  Nothing can separate us from Him or take us out of His hands.

Be assured that God is with you to watch over you and protect you with His hands.  They are under you to uphold you. They are around you to keep you safe. And they are over you to bless you.

Blessings on your day, 

WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, THE SON OF MAN THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM?   Psalm 8:4

Recently we have watched as the oil slick moved northward on to the beaches of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.  We saw birds covered with oil.  We saw fish and turtles that had died because of it.

And we have wondered how could this happen.  Why aren’t we a bit more careful with our environment and our world?

But once again it proclaims to each and everyone of us loudly and clearly how human beings use and abuse, take advantage of and destroy the world that God has made and given us to have dominion over.  And of course, that leads us to the question: Why is God so mindful of us and Why does He care so for us?

And Psalm 8 tells us that the answer to those and many of questions lies in the character of God. That’s who He is.  That’s what He does.  He loves us.  And He created us for His pleasure. And even though we screw it up so often, He continues to forgive us and guide us in ways that will please Him.  Please consider how you might do a better job of that in your life today.

Blessings on your day, 

HE WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR FOOT TO BE MOVED; HE WHO KEEPS YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER.   Psalm 121:3

We have been told that in the United States most of us do not get the proper amount of sleep. I can tell you that by Thursday evening of most weeks I feel tired.  And especially those weeks when I have like two or three meetings I am really tired.

I used to wish that I could get along on less sleep. But I know I can’t.

Recently I read that giraffes need the least sleep of all the animals.

They sleep an average of 1.9 hours in 24 hours.  They normally sleep somewhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours.  I think about what I could get done if I would sleep only 2 hours a day.

But then I am always reminded that my God never sleeps.  He doesn’t need sleep.  And as the Psalmist says “He who keeps you will not slumber.”

That is comforting to know that my God is constantly watching over me and watching out for me.  He never closes His eyes.  He never takes His eyes off me.  He is always watchful.

Blessings on your day, 

WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE, HAVING FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE, WHICH SOME HAVING REJECTED…HAVE SUFFERED SHIPWRECK.  I Timothy 1:18-19

In our Monday Morning Bible study we are going through the book of 1st Timothy.  And we ran across this verse.  Paul warned Pastor Timothy about some people in his church that were focusing upon ‘fables and endless genealogies.’  They were into the wrong things and the wrong teachings.

In fact he names two individuals who had actually shipwrecked their faith.

I read once that early on there was a problem with compasses. The metal in the ships caused magnetic readings that were false and many times led ships into disasters.

That’s why it is so important for us to read Holy Scripture from a few good basic teachings.  One of my seminary professors used to say ‘where you go into the Bible is where you come out.’  So if you start with the right understanding of God, then that’s where you will come out.  I pray that you are focused upon the right things of God today.

Blessings on your day, 

HERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.   Acts 4:12

All of us have gone to the grocery store, but I have been asked to stop at the store on my way home from the office only to get there and wonder about what I am supposed to pick up for supper.

On the list I received was condensed milk. First of all I had to ask where it was. Then when I got to the aisle I noticed there were a couple of different brands and one said ‘sweetened, condensed milk.’ Another said ‘Low fat condensed milk.’ Which was I supposed to buy?

Because I reasoned that my wife is into helping my cholesterol and weight therefore I was supposed to take the low-fat one.  I was wrong.

I see people doing exactly what I did when it comes to their relationship with our Lord. They walk through the store of what they need to get into heaven and most choose the wrong thing. “I should pick up a can of good works.’ ‘I need a bag of doing the right thing.’  ‘I’ll take a quart of good intentions.’  HOWEVER, the Bible makes it simple. ‘You are saved by grace through faith.’  THAT’S ALL WE NEED.

I pray that you know that and believe that.

Blessings on your day, 

HE HAS REMEMBERED HIS STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.   Psalm 98.3

Do you sometimes forget things? Or dates? Or places you need to be?

That’s a silly question, we all do.  Part of it is because of busy schedules.  But we all forget where we put our car keys.  Or we forget to send that card or email to a friend on their birthday.  Or we forget to buy bread and milk after work on the way home.

I forget the names of people, and I am getting worse at it.  But the strange thing is that there are things and events that I can remember that have no meaning whatsoever.  I remember the stupid thing I said at a dinner party.  Or the dumb thing I did at a friend’s house.

All of that makes me rejoice that we have the God we have, who remembers His steadfast love and faithfulness to us, while at the same time because of Jesus Christ He forgets our sins and failures.  We have a wonderful God.  And nothing reminds us of that better than celebrating Easter.  I pray that you are continuing to celebrate His resurrection from the dead and all that that means for you and your life.

Blessings on your day, 

AND WE BRING YOU THE GOOD NEWS THAT WHAT GOD PROMISED TO THE FATHERS, THIS HE HAS FULFILLED TO US THEIR CHILDREN BY RAISING JESUS.  Acts 13:32-33

The best national news that I like to watch is usually on Friday evening because one or two of the stations carry a feature entitled “Persons of the Week.” And they always highlight some person or persons who have been doing GOOD.  That is so opposite of what the news has been all week, which is usually bad sometimes going to worse and ending up as the worst news there is.

But last Sunday we celebrated THE VERY BEST NEWS there was and ever will be – that our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  There isn’t anything to top that.  Jesus is THE person of the week every week because of His willingness to come to this earth and take our place under our sin and suffer for it.  But not only did He suffer for it, He also died and rose again – ALL FOR US.

God truly has fulfilled the promise!  Jesus is alive and Risen! God loves you with an incredible and amazing love.  And we can rejoice in that GOOD NEWS!

Blessings on your day, 

HE IS NOT HERE.  HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD JUST AS HE SAID.      MATTHEW 28:6

Yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We attended worship with great joy.  We saw some people that we hadn’t seen for a while.  We worshiped. We sang those hymns with gusto. Maybe we had a new dress or a new tie. Maybe we were able to get together with family.

But we rejoiced in the fact that Jesus is alive.

But today does that still have some meaning for us?  Are we still as excited as we were yesterday?  Or have our phobias returned?  One of the Gospel writers described the women as “saying nothing to anyone because they were afraid.”  They had a fear (a phobia) Another described them as “trembling and bewildered.”  Is that the way we approach life?

Jesus Christ has overcome sin, death, and the devil for us. We are free to love and serve Him. We are empowered to be His people.  He has risen from the dead.  Let’s rejoice in that today and every day.

Blessings on your day, 

YET IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US.  Romans 8:37

Little Round Top was a focal point at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine Infantry stood their ground. It became one of the turning points during the Civil War.  Had the Confederate troops made it through Chamberlain’s men the war might have been lost.

Good Friday is like that.  It was our last line of defense.  There our Lord Jesus Christ fought for our salvation.  He took our sins to a cross, suffered horribly for them and won the battle for us. He died in our place taking the punishment we deserved.  And as He stated “It has been finished!”  The task is over.  The mission accomplished.  Thus forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation are ours.

And because of His victory we are more than conquerors.  We are winners.

We are in line to receive the spoils, those things that Jesus earned for us. But it is only because of Jesus.  It is only as a result of His suffering, death and resurrection.

As you observe Holy Week this week remember to give thank to our Lord Jesus for all that He has done for us.

Blessings on your day, 

THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE I WILL CALL MY PEOPLE. Romans 9:25

I find it interesting today all the choices that we have when it comes to everything.  And I mean from the kinds of cereal we eat, to the colors of paint and to the items on a menu at a restaurant.  Choices.  Choice. Choices.

The same thing is true when it comes to our relationship with God. We believe that we can choose whether or not to worship Him on Sundays. We believe that we can choose to obey Him or not when it comes to certain areas of our lives. We believe that we can choose to serve Him or not.

We can’t, however, choose to be His people.  That’s God’s choice.  And I rejoice that He has chosen to claim us as His own and make us His own. I rejoice that He has loved us and sent His Son to die for us so that we could be His own. I rejoice that He continues to keep calling us His own because I sin and I disobey Him and I choose not always to honor Him with my life.

Let me encourage you to rejoice in His choice of you.

Blessings on your day, 

THE LORD IS NOT SLOW IN KEEPING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME UNDERSTAND SLOWNESS.  2 Peter 3:9

Have you noticed how we value SPEED today?  I mean everybody wants things done yesterday.  Email and Facebook along with Fax and cell phones enable us to do a lot of business and get a large amount of work accomplished.

Plus we want to be able to lose weight fast. We want instant meals.  We want people to complete their assignments quickly.  We want healing to take place almost immediately.  AND we cannot stand that driver going 3 miles an hour under the speed limit!

Slow is a word in our vocabulary that we don’t like. And we don’t like it because we are always in a hurry.  We always have to get some where and do something.  And so we pass that along to our God and we expect Him to take care of things immediately.

But when it comes to His return He is s l o w  according to our standards.

And because He is we begin to question Him and His actions.  What’s going on? Why doesn’t He hurry up and get here?

But remember in our rush towards goals and deadlines – God doesn’t think like we do.  He has a purpose and that purpose is to give us a chance so that the most people possible may spend eternity with us in heaven.  May I suggest that maybe we might help Him by telling as many people as possible about Jesus?

Blessings on your day, 

WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU.  Isaiah 43:2

I received car wash coupons for Christmas and because I didn’t get around to using them, my wife decided to use them.  But I had to go with her the first time because she wasn’t sure what to do.  As I thought about her request, I concluded that it is a little scary if you don’t know how to go about it.  We went together. I gave the attendant the coupon, made sure the windows were rolled up, eased up to where I should go, put the car in neutral and my foot off the brake.  And the machine took over.  At the other end we had a very clean car.

Life can be like that.  We step into something and there are forces beyond our control taking over.  But as Isaiah records the word of our Lord “I WILL BE WITH YOU.”  When you pass through ‘the waters,’ When you go into the car wash of life,  When things happen, God goes with us.

And when you come out on the other side – you can say with joy and confidence ‘Our God is faithful!’  And He is!

My encouragement to you to day is to trust this God of ours.  He loves you.  He will see you through anything.  He will be with you.

Blessings on your day, 

IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. NOW THE EARTH WAS FORMLESS AND EMPTY…    Genesis 1:1-2

I find the ‘predictableness’ of the universe amazing.  Weathermen cannot and do not predict the weather with 100% accuracy.  All kinds of pollsters cannot because they are not able to predict the outcomes of so many things.  And doctors cannot and thus do not predict the outcome of medical procedures or the effects of medicines.

BUT in one area scientist can and do.  For example: astronomers have predicted that Halley’s Comet will return on July 28, 2061.  Or they can tell us when the next solar eclipse will be.

God has designed the universe that way.  He brought order out of chaos.

So when we launch a space shuttle we can predict that if we aim it to be at this particular spot at this particular time it will meet the space lab there.

Because of that we can predict where we will spend eternity.  Jesus said “Whoever believes in me will have eternal life…”  Thus whoever does NOT believe in Him will NOT.  There’s no guesswork with that.  Thus if we want to spend eternity in heaven we need to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s that simple.  I pray that you do.

Blessings on your day, 

AS LONG AS THE EARTH ENDURES, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, COLD AND HEAT, SUMMER AND WINTER, DAY AND NIGHT WILL NEVER CEASE.  Genesis 8:22

I don’t know about you but there are people who are getting a little tired of winter, of the cold and the snow, of the wind and weather.  And yes, it seems like it has been a long winter already.

But isn’t it wonderful that our God has decreed that we have summer and winter, day and night?  What if it were ALWAYS winter?  What if it were ALWAYS night?

I am so grateful that you and I can’t change the weather, that we are not in charge of things like that.  I rejoice that our God is God and He is in control.  And I love the fact that He gives us the variety He does.  But I know that there are days when I need to remember that I can’t change the weather, therefore there is no need to complain.  So I accept day and night, summer and winter as gifts from God to be enjoyed.  And thus I give thanks to Him that I still can enjoy them.

Blessings on your day, 

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.  Matthew 11:28

Naptime with children can be a real hassle.  But with adults it is something that we look forward to.  There is nothing like a nap.  In fact NASA researchers have found that a power nap – less than 30 minutes – increases brain power by nearly 40%.  You might feel lazy but actually you are boosting your productivity with a short nap.

This says to you and me that physical rest is important and needs to be more a priority with us.  BUT then how much more important and a priority does our spiritual rest need to become?

Jesus said “Come to Me…”  That’s what we need to do.  We need to go to our Lord Jesus and spend time with Him.  We need to take that spiritual ‘nap’as it were with our Lord to be refreshed.  I wonder how much increase in heart power and faith power we would receive each day if we spent time with Him in His Word listening to Him speak and receiving His grace?

I would encourage you to do just that each day.  So often I ask people on boards and committees how their devotional life is going?  Let me present that question to you: HOW IS YOUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE GOING?

Blessings on your day, 

I AM THE VINE AND YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.  IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT.  John 15:5

The new iPad is out!  But before that was the cell phone, and iPod, laptop, pager. There are so many ways to stay connected.  And it was like 24-7.  In some ways that was good and in others it was bad.  Some see a desire and even a craving to be connected that at times becomes an addiction.  Others are finding that it is important to limit their uses of these devices to give them some peace and quiet.

Jesus understands the need to be connected, but He holds up the connection between Himself and us, His branches.  If we are connected then we bear much fruit.  But if we are not, if we are cut off, or if we cut ourselves off from Him, then you know what happens. The branch doesn’t produce because the branch is no longer alive.

Many people find it important and necessary to have a daily connection called devotional time with the Lord. It’s only when His life flows into ours that we are able to produce the kind of fruit that He desires.  I urge you today to take the time to have that quiet and nurturing time with our Lord.

Blessings on your day, 

WHATSOVER IS TRUE,…THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.  Philippians 4:8

A lot of students do not like true or false questions on a test or worksheet.  To some it may seem easier because you have a fifty-fifty chance of getting the right answer.  But sometimes the questions are worded in such a way that they are very difficult to come up with the correct answer.

The prophet Isaiah makes an interesting comment in 59:15.  He says “Truth is lacking.” I wonder if he were looking at our day and time?  Did he know something about the 21st century?  TRUTH is lacking today.  In fact there are people who keep saying that there is no such thing as TRUTH.  But you know it’s because many BELIEVE that there is no such thing as truth that we are in the predicament that we are today.  Because if there is no truth, then there is no right and wrong.  And IF truth is what I think it is or what you think it is, then you or I can do anything we want.  And that seems to delight a lot of people in our world.

But Jesus tells us that “HE IS THE TRUTH…”  He is the Truth of God. He speaks the truth. He shows us the truth. He is the standard of truth.  And He asks us to live in His truth.  Paul encourages us to think about the truth, meaning accept it and live it as we know it in Jesus Christ.

Blessings on your day, 

THESE (trials) HAVE COME SO THAT YOUR FAITH – OF GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD…- MAY BE PROVED GENUINE AND MAY RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR WHEN JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED.  1 Peter 1:7

We all know the value of gold these days. It’s around $1200 an ounce.  But I am wondering if we know that gold is the densest of the precious metals.

It is the most beautiful, workable and endurable metal in the world. An ounce of gold can be beaten and flattened as gold leaf to cover about 200 square feet.

Gold needs to be refined and worked so that it becomes the precious metal it is today. And so does our faith.  Refinement is a process God uses in our lives to prove that our faith indeed is genuine and real.  It’s a process that He uses to help us focus upon what is really important for our lives, namely our relationship with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

God considers our relationship with Him to be far more precious than gold.

After all He uses gold in heaven as paving bricks.  He wants our presence with Him forever and ever and that’s why He works so hard to get us there.

Things happen and are used by God to keep us believing and focused.

Blessings on your day, 

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD, ALL YOU LANDS!  Psalm 100:1

Recently I had a funeral where the church was packed.  I mean it was FULL!

After ward I thought wouldn’t it be nice if it could be that full on Sunday morning to honor our Jesus.

But I sometimes think that same way when I watch a football game and the noise is so loud that I cannot hear the announcers describe what is going on.  People get excited about football and basketball games.  Just watch and you can see it.

God and His goodness to us can motivate us to freely express ourselves like those football or basketball fans.  I mean His love is so amazing and wonderful - that’s it’s for us.  Like the leaders of Duke University when North Carolina comes to play, they encourage their fans “This is the game you’ve been waiting for.  No excuses. Give everything you’ve got.”

God deserves our greatest excitement and amazement.  Let’s hold nothing back when it comes to praising and giving thanks to Him.  He deserves all that we can give.  Give everything you’ve got!  Make a joyful noise to Him.

Blessings on your day, 

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Every time I use my paper shredder to destroy some personal information or our address on a letter or something I think if only I could shred some of the memories I carry around in my mind.

It would be nice to get rid of the thoughts of those past sins or the reminders of the embarrassment I caused myself by saying or doing something so stupid.  And wouldn’t it be nice to shred some of the memories of those hurts that people have caused us?

But then I remember our God has the best shredder of them all, for He promises that He forgets our sins. In Jesus Christ they have been removed forever.  They will never be brought up against us. They will never be held against us.  In the cross and empty tomb they have been paid for and so they are gone.

His grace is all that we need.  His grace will enable us to forgive and let go of those hurts and embarrassments.  His grace will shred the guilt and pain.  His grace is all we need because He says that it is sufficient for everything.

Blessings on your day, 

NOW, THEREFORE, SAYS THE LORD, TURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH FASTING, WITH WEEPING, AND WITH MOURNING.  Joel 2:12

We are beginning a new year.  And what a time to do some checking on our lives and re-evaluate what it is that we want.  I must encourage you not to ignore the warning signs.

I read about a man who ignored the warning sign on the dash of his car.

On the way to work one day the car kind of hesitated.  Then the little red light came on.  He ignored it.  He told himself that it was just a malfunction or something.  But the very next morning when the car wouldn’t start he realized that he should have paid more attention.

As you begin 2010 I encourage you to pay more attention to your spiritual life.  How is your relationship with the holy God of the universe?  Are you on speaking terms? Do you take time to hang out with Him?  Do you listen to His suggestions for your life?  And do you sense that the two of you are growing closer?

It’s a good time to check.  If your life isn’t going so well, maybe it’s time to check in with the Father.  Maybe it’s time to work on your relationship.  Do you think He should bless you when you ignore Him?

Blessings on your day,