God's Word

Psalms 12:6 (NLT) The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.

What a contrast between the vain words of man, and the pure words of Jehovah. Man's words are yea and nay, but the Lord's promises are yea and amen. For truth, certainty, holiness, faithfulness, the words of the Lord are pure as well refined silver. In the original there is an allusion to the most severely purifying process known to the ancients, through which silver was passed when the greatest possible purity was desired; the dross was all consumed, and only the bright and precious metal remained; so clear and free from all alloy of error or unfaithfulness is the book of the words of the Lord. The Bible has passed through the furnace of persecution, literary criticism, philosophic doubt, and scientific discovery, and has lost nothing but those human interpretations which clung to it as alloy to precious ore. The experience of saints has tried it in every conceivable manner, but not a single doctrine or promise has been consumed in the most excessive heat. What God's words are, the words of his children should be. If we would be Godlike in conversation, we must watch our language, and maintain the strictest purity of integrity and holiness in all our communications.
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1898)

His Banner Over Me

Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT) 17:8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. 14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

What rallies you when you get in a bind? What motivates you to go on? What gives you the courage in the midst of the battle? The children of Israel we’re in a conflict with the people of Amalek. As the fighting ensued – the men of Israel would look up to the top of the hill and see Moses holding the staff of God over his head. When Moses’ hands dropped – they began to lose the battle but as long as he held his hands high they would continue to win. After winning that battle – Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my banner” as a reminder of the great victory that had taken place there. All of us are battling something in our lives. All of us have our “ups” and “downs” that we deal with. All of us need something to look to when the going is tough. Just as the children of Israel had something to fight for and someone to look to – it is the same with us. We are blessed beyond measure to have the Lord as our banner today. We are victorious because of who He is and what He has accomplished. We are His kids and we are the apple of His eye. We must just trust Him daily that victory is ours because He is our banner today. Look to the hills. See the Lord waving the banner of victory over your life. We Win!

Faith Under Fire

Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

The Israelites found themselves in a hard place. They had followed the Lord’s leading and we’re now being pursued by the Egyptians. Isn’t it interesting that we as we follow God – that… He often leads us in places we don’t want to be or around people we don’t want to be around. Their faith was under fire. Did we hear God or not? Can we trust God or not? Does He have our best interest in mind? Moses, seeing their lack of faith said to them – “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. He then says, “Just stay calm.” Do you find yourselves in a situation that has your back against the wall? Do you feel overwhelmed or in a place of hopelessness. We need this message. Our hearts need to be reminded that God is still in control. We need to be reminded to just stay calm. I believe that this is one of the works of the Holy Spirit. He is called to come along side us and remind us that as we follow God, even though it might be tough – God will see us through.

The Easy Road Or The Hard Road

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT) 13:17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

We often wonder why God doesn’t just make things easier for us. I have thought and wondered about that many times. This passage makes it clear that God leads us on the hard road and in the difficult places to make us battle ready. We will never be battle ready unless we have to fight some battles once in a while. God, in His sovereignty knows that so He leads into places and situations that are often difficult and hard in order to sharpen our skills and so that we won’t give up when the going gets hard. Perhaps God is leading you in a round a bout way in your life. Perhaps you are being crushed by the weight of life’s circumstances. Turn to God. Trust Him and His leading. Know that He sees the big picture and that He knows exactly what is right for you and your life.

God Is Always There!

Luke 21:33 (NLT) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Getting older has it advantages in a lot of ways. I have seen much in life – both good and bad. There we’re times that I felt that the roof had caved in on me and there we’re times I felt like I was on top of the world. This I know for sure – God has always been there for me for every situation and difficulty. He is always near. He is always helpful. I can’t thank Him enough for His promises in my life and His grace to sustain me through everything.

Bitter Or Better?

Genesis 50:20 (NLT) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

We’ve all been wounded and we’ve all been hurt by people around us. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers. He ended up in a place he never thought he would be and with a people of a different nation and culture. He was treated harshly and deceitfully. He had plenty of opportunity to become bitter but he became better. He was able to see the bigger picture. He knew that God was ultimately in control and that there was any person or situation that could bring him down. He knew his God. When it came time to get back to his brothers he took the high road. He knew the principle that man makes his plans but God directs his steps. We need more Joseph’s in our midst. We need more people who see the big picture and will let God do what He wants to do.

Is God Fair?

Psalms 10:1-5 (NLT) 10:1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? 2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. 3 For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. 4 The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. 5 Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies.

Have you ever felt this way? Do you feel like you are doing all the right things and others are doing all the wrong things and getting away with it? Do you feel as sometimes God is turning His face from you and allowing the wicked to get a free pass? We’ve probably all felt that way at one time or not. It’s hard to figure out and even harder to stomach. After making this impassioned plea in Psalm 10 – David finally writes… Psalms 10:17 (NLT) Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. There comes a place where you just have to throw up your hands and say… “God, I trust you and I trust your sovereignty. I know that you know what is best for me and for other people.” We have to remember that we are not God. We have to leave those things in His hands trusting that He knows what is the right path for everyone. I have to say like David, “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.”

God Can!

Luke 18:27 (NLT) He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

I woke up feeling tired this morning. I look at my week ahead and realize that “time” is going to be a rare commodity. From appointments to studying, I have a lot going on. So… I start a very busy week with weariness. Thankfully, I’ve been here before and I know what to do. God is my source and He will give me wisdom and strength. As I come to Him today, He is going to order my day and order my week. I can only do one thing at a time and I can only do what He wants me to do. I am God’s child and I am looking forward to how He will revive my heart, my spirit and my body. It might seem impossible with me but it is not impossible with God.

Prayer: Father, Into your hands I place my life today. I ask for your fresh mercies to come my way – to restore my soul. I ask for your strength to bless me today. Thank you for all that you are doing and how you are blessing me. Help to see what you are doing and to have a grateful heart today. I thank you for all that you’ve done and are doing in me and my family. Help me to run the race. Help me to finish well. I ask this in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.

God's Protective Hand

Psalms 5:12 (NLT) For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.

I am an example of this verse. I have seen the protective hand of God on my life over and over. I have been blessed beyond measure. As I read the Psalms I almost feel as David is speaking my own heart. I am so thankful for a God who keeps his word and loves His kids the way He does. His love is overwhelming. It’s the first thing I think of when I awake. It consumes my thoughts each and every day. It is the last thing I think about at night and it fills my dreams as I sleep. God is so good all the time.

When Life Is Out Of Control

Genesis 39:21-23 (NLT) 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

There are times and seasons in every persons life that just seems like it is out of control. You can’t put your finger on it and you can’t do anything to fix it. Words are taken the wrong way, misunderstandings happen, finances are stretched, health issues press us, etc, etc. Joseph faced these same things in his own life. He was just going along life – being a boy in Israel. His brothers hated him and harassed him. They eventually captured him and sold him to Egypt. He gets to Egypt and is bought by a man name Potiphar who puts him to work at his house. Eventually he is falsely accused of “coming on” to Potiphar’s wife and put into prison. V.21 – “But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him his faithful love.” Perhaps things are spiraling out of control in your life and you have no answers and no solutions. Could it be that God’s hand is in this? Even though you don’t see it or feel it – do you know that God is with you right now? Life is bigger right now then what you can see or hear. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for you and it is “good.” Trust God today that no matter what is happening in your life that He will see you through and that you will be where God wants you to be. May God give you grace during this season of your life.

Psalms 30:5 (NLT) For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Salt, Please

Luke 14:34-35 (NLT) 14:34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

The other day, I was invited to my parent’s house for a birthday dinner celebration. My dad is an excellent cook. We had roast beef, mashed potatoes and vegetables. I think my dad might have closed his eyes when putting the pepper into the mashed potatoes because it was spicy hot, hot, hot.
Seasonings like salt or pepper bring out the flavor and enhances the food. It is the same with Christianity. We are like salt to this world. Christianity brings some sanity to an absolutely insane society. Without Christians – the world would not have any flavor. We bring Christ’s love to hateful situations. We bring the joy to those who are depressed. We bring blessing to those who need to be blessed. We bring hope to those who are hopeless. We bring the message of salvation to those who are lost. The message from these verses is that we wouldn’t lose our salty-ness. That… we wouldn’t lose our flavor. We have a message to bring and a people to bring it to. We must pray that we wouldn’t lose our spice of life (Christ living in us) and that we would always bring the flavor of Christianity wherever we go.

What Type Of Joy Do You Have?

Psalms 4:7 (NLT) You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

Down deep – most people want happiness in their lives. Where one finds that and how they obtain it though can be as varied as possibly can be. David defines two places of joy in this passage. There is the inward joy that comes from knowing and trusting God. Then there is the happiness that comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God; happiness is unpredictable. Inward joy defeats discouragement; happiness covers it up. Inward joy is lasting; happiness is temporary. The question is, “What type of joy do you have today?” Are you experiencing happiness that comes from temporary pleasures or are you enjoying the long-lasting joy that comes from resting and abiding in God. I have pursued both in my lifetime and have come to realize that the joy that comes from God is the only thing that lasts and is the only thing that I want in my life.

God, My Protector

Psalms 3:3-4 (NLT) 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude


David was being pursued by possibly as many as 10,000 people during this time. He was overwhelmed and his back was against the wall. He calls out to God – desperately. God answers him and God protects him. What place or situation do you find yourself in today? Do you find yourself overwhelmed with lift in general? Are you being attacked by family or at the work place? Do you feel like your back is against the wall? If so… do like David did – he called to the Lord who answered and protected him. God is there for us – always. He is just waiting for you to call out to Him and He will bring all resources to your aid and help. God is good.!

Where Are You Fishing?

Luke 5:1-7 (NLT) 5:1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

As a boy growing up I spent a lot of time with my dad fishing. It was his hobby and passion and I enjoyed it also. It was interesting to watch him fish. He would drop his line into the water and if he got no bites – he would move to another location. If he did, he would stay there all day. The idea was to catch fish – not just stand still in the same location. We would move up and down the river for miles at a time until we got the perfect place. I remember one such hole that we found in the Yosemite mountain areas. We we’re hiking from the upward regions to the valley. While walking along a stream we decided to throw our lines just for fun. It was amazing – we we’re pulling out fish of all sizes right and left. I think sometimes as Christians that some of us are fishing in the wrong holes. We are wasting our energies in places that bring little or no results. In the case of the disciples – they we’re fishing in the shallow waters and God wanted them to go into the deeper waters. I find myself wondering about the places that I’m fishing in right now – both personally and professionally. I am drawn by that phrase – “go out where it is deeper.” I want a deeper relationship with God but I get in my own way. It is too easy to get distracted, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” The excuses tend to mount up and up. It is time for all of us to evaluate our fishing holes and see if we are where God wants us to fish and are we reaping the benefits of our efforts. If we’re in the wrong place – we all need to pick up our line and move to where we should be. God will reward faithfulness and will reward obedience.

Am I My Brother's Keeper

Genesis 4:9 (NKJV) Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

After murdering Abel, Cain was asked where Abel was. His answer was “Am I my brother’s keeper.” The answer is yes and no. I am not responsible for how a man handle’s his life and the choices he makes but I am to have care and compassion and love for mankind. We are instructed in the New Testament to love God and love one another. It seems that we are constantly being challenged by both of these truths. I know I fall short on this area and need help from on high. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in and “helps” us to do both of these things. It is my desire to excel in this area to the best that I possibly can. By God’s help I pray that my heart is enlarged greatly in this next year.

And God Said...

Gen 1:2 (NLT) 2 And God said...
Luke 1:20 (NLT) … For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
Luke 1:37 (NLT) For nothing is impossible with God.”

Nine times in chapter 1 of Genesis we see the phrase “And God said…” I’m sitting in my chair early in the morning on January 1st, 2010 and reflecting upon this verse. What has God said to me and what do I believe for Him to do in 2010. I am starting to dream again. There was a time when I felt that my dreams had gone down the tube and that the things spoken over me would not come to pass. I couldn’t see “forward” at all. Honestly, there we’re times when I just wanted to curl up and die. However, God had a different plan for my life. He chose to allow me to go through deep waters in order to place me where I am now in life. Promises given to me by God Himself are starting to be birthed again in my heart. I am starting to see again and get excited about the new things that God has in store. Luke 1:20 tells us that this came “at just the right time” and “that there is nothing impossible with God.” Wow! How impatient I often get when things don’t go as I planned. God has spoken and it will come to pass. I can’t wait to see what’s on His agenda for 2010. How about you?