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I lift my eyes to the hills—

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

The Maker of heaven and earth.

The Psalmist asks and answers a basic question of humanity. He realizes his help comes from the creator, not the creation.

He will not let your foot slip—

He who watches over you will not

Slumber;

The LORD will not let us fall into sin. He does not sleep lightly.

indeed, he who watches over Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Psalmist intensifies his thought of…  ( Click for more )

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)

An angel speaks these words to Zechariah. He relates that they were from the LORD given to Zerubbabel who had rebuilt the temple at Jerusalem.

The LORD told Zerubbabel that the work would be done by His Spirit-not any physical strength or human power.

One thing I hear as I watch the television news programs is that no one really knows the answer to the questions that we have about the Coronavirus…  ( Click for more )

Not from Conceit

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourself.”

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Paul told the Philippian believers to forget self and remember they were not number one. He tells them to put others and their needs before the needs they had. This flies in the face of the “me” generation. Also, Paul’s guidance would cause people to deal with the mindset of recent years that ‘it’s all about me.’

Over 25 years ago, I started worshipping…  ( Click for more )

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

In my recent reading, I learned that God’s voice was present before the written Word of God.

In the book of Genesis, we see several instances of God saying the words and the world came into being.

Moses heard God’s voice when he chose to investigate the bush that burned but was not consumed.…  ( Click for more )

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD,

“He is my Refuge and my fortress, My God in who I trust.”

Surely, he will save you from the Fowler’s snare

And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers,

And under his wings you will find Refuge. Psalm 91:1-4 (NIV)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

The Psalmist speaks of those who live their lives as close to God as they can. He speaks of those who dwell in the shelter of God. One…  ( Click for more )

Sing to the LORD a new song.

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD. Praise his name,

Proclaim his salvation, day after day.

Psalm 96:1 (NIV)

After having our church closed for three months due to COVID, we have met for worship three Sundays. One of the restrictions we had to abide by was that we could not sing as a congregation. This was tough for a few people to accept. Those who were able to contain themselves for the sake of meeting together really felt constrained. This next Sunday, July 5,2020, we will be able to sing. This brought a…  ( Click for more )

So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

This is God’s message to His people through Isaiah.

Do not fear

This message is recorded in God’s word 365 times. This tells me God wants us to understand it.

I am with you

God stands beside each of us, His children, whatever we face in our lives.

do not be dismayed

We must not be saddened by the events of the world or by tragedies of a personal nature. …  ( Click for more )

Praise the LORD, O my soul and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalm 103:2-5 (NIV)

David penned these words of praise. With these words, He reminds us of the wonderful gifts the LORD bestows on us, His children.

forgives all your sins

God, our Father covers our sin with His grace, mercy, and love. All we must do is ask.

heals all…  ( Click for more )

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” How does that work out in 2020?

We wonder about where we stand with God as we try to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions placed on our lives. We see people going full force with ‘getting back to normal’. In some instances, we see social distancing taking a back seat to going to the ice cream parlor or to get a snow cone. All those who protest in the city streets who seem to…  ( Click for more )

But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. Psalm 66:19-20 (ESV)

But truly God has listened

Have we ever had times when we KNEW God listened to our prayers? Didn’t we feel thankful for His acting on our requests?

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Have we realized that God pays attention to even the smallest prayer request we present to Him? No need we have is too small for God to act upon or too small to bother Him…  ( Click for more )

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Be joyful

Joyful means what it says-full of joy. Some would say that to be joyful means just that and nothing more. When we believe in Christ, we invite Him into our hearts, we give Him all our grievances and our sadness.

In hope-

In the New Testament, hope means the expectation of good. Presently, the world needs to have hope to survive the Coronavirus pandemic. Our hope is in Christ. He will guide us through this…  ( Click for more )

This, then, is how you should pray

Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

When we are asked to pray about a request for a friend and that request causes us great concern. How do we pray? Do we pray as that person asks?

Several years ago, I was asked to pray for a family who had lost their son because of domestic violence. A friend knew this family. The perpetrator was caught and faced trial. During the trial, another friend asked me to pray for the perpetrator, the wife of the deceased man. My second friend was acquainted with some of the wife’s family through where she worked.…  ( Click for more )

This is a repeat of an older post, with an additional thought or two.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

Due to some concerns and anxieties that some of my friends and I have experienced, I found myself fretting over some issues I could not completely put out of my mind. I remembered this scripture and studied it again. Please bear with me as I explain what it means to me.

Humble yourselves--when we…  ( Click for more )

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:1 (NIV)

What does Jesus mean when He says this?

I know a woman and two of her sisters who are poor by the standards of society, but I have heard of this Christian woman going out of her way to help others who had less. I also witnessed this same Christian woman console one of her sisters at a memorial service for one of their brothers.

I read of a Christian speaker and author tell of preparing to speak at a writer’s conference as he recovered…  ( Click for more )

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:1-2(NIV)

David tells us here that God is his protector, his guide, his source of food.

A shepherd keeps his flock safe from danger.

He gently guides them from one area to another. He leads his charges to areas that have food and water enough for them. The sheep in the flock learn to trust their shepherd. They rely on him for all their needs.

God fills these same roles for us. He protects us from danger. He guides…  ( Click for more )

As a part of my Lenten devotions in 2019, I studied Psalm 51. I have gained some insights into this chapter. Below are the thoughts that came to me. This post covers verses 1 through 6.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

David pleads with God for mercy- God’s love that he and we don’t deserve. He asks this not because he believes he deserves it but because of God’s great love for His children.

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

David asks, even begs, God to remove his sins…  ( Click for more )

On a recent night, as I watched the news, I heard of a coach in a nearby town and his plan of keeping his team members in shape during the Coronavirus restrictions. What he did was create a Bingo-type board with certain actions to keep the players in shape and to help them not to become bored. This set me to thinking. Why couldn’t I create something similar for Christians to help them buoy their faith. This is what I came up with.

The next morning, I awoke in a very dark spot emotionally. I remembered this project and decided to continue it to completion. It helped…  ( Click for more )

Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.

Take this cup from me.

Yet not what I will, but what you will.

Mark 14:36 (NIV)

Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane. He separated Himself from the disciples. He chose to humble Himself and seek His Father’s will.

Jesus did not think of Himself. He turned to God and relinquished His control over the events that lay before Him. He did that for you and me, so we could be in heaven with Him when He calls us home.

In our lives we must remember that we are not the ones in control of our lives. Yes,…  ( Click for more )

One In The Spirit And In Purpose

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Holy Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete

by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

Paul writes to the Philippians, he encourages them to look into their hearts and consider their stance with Christ. He points out that they should receive a building up, an empowerment, from being in His presence. The apostle…  ( Click for more )

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Come

Jesus invites a certain group of people to spend time with Him.

All

Our Savior makes no distinction of who can enter His presence. He invites each of His children to converse with Him, to “hang out with Him.”

who are weary and burdened.

Jesus extends his invitation, not to those who “have it all together,” but to those who are bone tired and are consumed by fears and the weight of their world.

Each of us,…  ( Click for more )

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Come

Jesus invites a certain group of people to spend time with Him.

All

Our Savior makes no distinction of who can enter His presence. He invites each of His children to converse with Him, to “hang out with Him.”

who are weary and burdened.

Jesus extends his invitation, not to those who “have it all together,” but to those who are bone tired and are consumed by fears and the weight of their world.

Each of us,…  ( Click for more )

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

With these words, Jesus makes His position very plain. He ‘spells it out’ for the disciples and for us.

I am

Jesus speaks here in the present tense. Please notice what he says. He didn’t say, “I will be.” Or “My Father will make me.”

the way

What Jesus says here is basic to his purpose for being on earth. That purpose is to show us how-to live-in order to be able to enter heaven and spend eternity with Him.

God…  ( Click for more )

Jesus, The Guilt Offering

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)

God had to allow His Son to die such a painful death and put Jesus through the suffering of the Cross. The religious leaders of the people of Israel wouldn’t listen to Him. The Father used the Son as an offering to absolve the people’s guilt. Jesus was the…  ( Click for more )

Silent before His Accusers

“He was oppressed and afflicted and yet did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 (NIV)

Jesus, the man, must have felt as if he were backed into a corner by the religious authorities. The religious leaders tossed Him back and forth between them. Our Master didn’t say anything in His defense. I believe God chose this path for His Son. The Father controlled the happening, the people and the contributing…  ( Click for more )