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“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.” (Psalm 143:8)

Writing has come a long way from parchment and quill to the keyboard. Word processors and software make typing documents correctly incredibly easy—no more restarting a page for errors made; white-out and erasable bond paper are supplies of the past. But to take advantage of these advancements, we must accept the suggested changes.

David was often in flight from the enemy for his life, depending on God’s lovingkindness and knowledge for the right paths to travel. But all the love and guidance God afforded would have been useless had he ignored God’s care and guiding instructions. The Holy Spirit, living within every believer surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ, continuously checks our lives—but He is not an auto-correct feature, automatically correcting life’s errors. When He exposes a weak spot or fault, we either accept His findings and make the needed corrections by God’s grace or reject the errors pointed out. By doing the latter, poor decisions, wrong actions, bad attitudes, and other “typos” are sure to follow as we continue going our wrongful way. There is no need to challenge God’s correcting advice; He never makes mistakes. Although our Heavenly Father reprimands His faltering children, He confirms His presence and is pleased with our obedience in following His instructions. Listen for His voice first thing in the morning, before the busyness of your day crowds it out.

Forget Not

“Bless the Lord, all my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)

Holiday seasons are sometimes complicated and challenging: memories of loved ones no longer with us, heartache, loneliness, regrets, overwhelming schedules, and holiday activities. How can we deal with these added to our daily routines?

In today's verse, the word “bless” means to bow down (in adoration before God). David, the shepherd/King/songwriter, explicitly explains how to face each day: Bow before the Lord with all that is within you—bend your mind, will, and emotions to Him; acknowledge Him and praise His name. He then adds that we should not forget all His benefits—His services, acts of goodness, and reward. In other words, count your many blessings on what the Lord has done and is currently doing. What are those blessings God lavishes on His children who are unworthy except for the cleansing blood of Jesus? Through the remainder of the chapter, David elaborated on some of them: forgiveness, healing, redemption from death, lovingkindness, slow to anger, mercy, God’s righteousness, fairness, and longsuffering. How gracious is our Father!

There is not enough paper nor ink to record all of God’s benefits. His goodness and blessings are innumerable, and the most significant expression of His love towards humanity is the gift of His one and only Son, Jesus. Thank You, Lord God. We exalt You and bow our hearts before You—we bless Your holy name.

Light-Giver

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23)

The picture looked like a giant bug-zapper or a lighthouse with a fire burning inside, shooting upwards. People made vague comments, knowing what it was, but I had no clue. So, unashamedly I replied to the sender and asked, “What is it?” A kind friend, seeing my question before my daughter did, responded, “It’s an outdoor heater.” Then the image made sense to me.

Pride is one of the sins the Lord hates, listed as one of seven identified abominations (Proverbs 6:16–19). If you want to learn something new and are unsuccessful, you can keep trying until you get it right or ask for guidance. But asking for help means you must set your dignity aside and decide whether to receive or reject the advice given (Proverbs 26:12). Pride will keep you from looking for God, knowing Him, or understanding His Word (Psalm 10:4). It precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Those who think highly of themselves and look down on others will fall by God’s hand of punishment (or calling on Him for forgiveness). Humility is the honor that upholds those with the proper attitude.

What impression does your life leave on the world and other believers? Does it portray you as a lighthouse with the glow of God’s burning fire that draws them closer for warmth and guidance to learn more? Or do they mistake you for a bug-zapper who self-righteously dismisses others and advice given before even considering it? If you are unsure, recall recent advice offered. Was it considered or at once rejected? Look down. If you have “dead bugs” lying all-around at your feet. . .  If needed, change your thoughts and actions and be recognized as a light-giver rather than a know-it-all.

The picture posted looked like a giant bug-zapper or a lighthouse with an elongated fire burning inside shooting upwards; I could not determine which. People made vague comments, knowing what it was, but I had no clue. So, unashamedly I replied to the post and asked, “What is it?” A kind friend who saw my question before my daughter did, responded, “It’s an outdoor heater.” Then the image made sense to me. My daughter said the heat from the heater was “warm and toasty.”

Pride is one of the sins the Lord hates, listed as one of seven identified as abominations (Proverbs 6:17). If you want to learn something new and were unsuccessful, you can keep trying until you get it right or simply ask for guidance. But asking for help means you must set your dignity aside and decide whether to receive or reject the advice given (Proverbs 26:12). Pride can prevent you from understanding God’s Word and living life to its fullest and keep you from knowing and accepting the God of the Word (Psalm 10:2).

What impression does your life leave on the world and other believers? Does it portray a lighthouse with the glow of God’s burning fire within you that draws them closer for warmth and guidance to learn more? Or do they mistake you for a bug-zapper who dismisses advice given before even considering it? If you are unsure, recall recent advice offered. Was it considered or immediately rejected? Look down. If you have “dead bugs” lying all-around at your feet. . .  Ask God to clean up your way of thinking so you, too, can be recognized as a light-giver rather than a know-it-all. 

The New You

“Put off concerning the former conversation, the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

You know you need to change, but you decide to wait until next year—again, with this one ending soon. You’ve convinced yourself: Resolving to be a better me will be a great way to start a new year. Often, when waiting for a better time to act on matters that need immediate attention, life distractions will reroute the best intentions. Whether an obstacle knocked you off track or you determinedly followed your stubborn way, God longs to hear from you; your heartache, frustration, and disappointment have not escaped His attention.

God knows the shortcomings and failure of all His children and wants to help, but you and I must first “throw off” our old sinful self and way of living and let His Spirit renovate our thoughts and attitudes. Only then can we put on the new nature created to be like God, righteous and holy. As you do your part, invite Him to work through you to heal your heart, mind, and body—He will transform you. Now, look at the new you this year!

 

Ouchless Society

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11)

Children think peeling the paper off and applying a bandage to their “bobos” makes it feel better, so we appease them with the quick fix, but it’s only a cover-up. They quickly learn that the antiseptic needed to ward off infection will sting, and so will pulling off the bandage.

Today, we live in a society where people want “something for nothing”—expecting provisions but are unwilling to work for them. They want coverings for their self-inflicted injured life when they need the truth of God’s Word to cleanse and heal it. Paul delivered a stinging message to the Thessalonians: If you don’t work, neither should you eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Ouch! But he could boldly declare this harsh word because he and his coworkers lived by God’s standard and, under the Holy Spirit’s leadership, instructed them to do the same.

God loves His wayward children enough to chasten them. His discipline doesn’t bring joy and is often painful because a quick-fix bandage or enabler can’t correct life’s wrongs. Genuine change happens only when the wanderer bends to what God knows is best, but for those who refuse to heed His chastening, a repeat training session awaits. Healing, restoration, and fruit-bearing come to them who receive God’s Truth, though it may sting, letting it cleanse and bring healing. Benefited by the exercise, though the fruit that results from it may take a while to ripen, the trainees will be right before God and more confident in Him—evidence of a life changed.

No Sap, They Snap

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

Dead tree branches are vulnerable to breakage because they are without nourishment. Trying to shape a wreath using dried vines will end in frustration. No sap, they snap.

As a Christian, you have Jesus, the well of everlasting water springing up within you (John 4:14). He is the life-giving nourishment (sap) of your life. Once attached to Him, no one and nothing can break you free, but that is not a reason to live as you wish or think you stand so solidly that nothing and no one can move or harm you. Times of doubt, discouragement, pride and rebellious living can squelch God’s nourishment, subjecting you to going your way and the enemy’s attacks. When that happens, you may resemble a depleted branch, but don’t surrender to the lies that whisper you are on the verge of breaking. You will not; nothing can sever you from God—but disobedience can cause a broken spirit. Sometimes spiritual adjustments are needed. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Whose hands have every tomorrow.

God is with His children for all eternity. As we remain pliable in His hands, He shapes the vines of our lives into a beautiful wreath for His glory. But without Jesus, you are susceptible to dryness, brittleness, and breakage is likely when the enemy swoops in. But worse than breaking, you will die one day, and because you rejected Jesus, the Source of Life, fall into eternity separated from the Father who loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Invite the Savior into your life; now is the time, today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). You are not guaranteed another day. 

 

Step Into the Water

“The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall." (Joshua 3:13)

The little girl was frightened when she overheard her daddy say they were crossing the river to reach their destination. Yet, she trusted him for protection even though she couldn’t swim, nor understood their car would safely carry them across the bridge over the river. The newly-called pastor faced the congregation and, trusting God, preached his first sermon. Although the young woman was terrified of water deeper than ankle-high, she obediently trusted the Lord and her pastor that she wouldn’t drown in the waters of baptism. Faith steps.

God said He would make way for passage across the Jordan River, instructing Joshua to tell the priests to step into the water and stop. When they did as God commanded, the water upstream backed up, as a wall to their right, and the water below them flowed to the Dead Sea, miraculously leaving the riverbed dry. The priests bearing the Ark of God stood on the dried ground as the nation of Israel crossed over, safely reaching the other side. Joshua had obediently conveyed God’s command, the priests stepped into the water by faith, and God faithfully kept His word.

The Word of God has timeless promises. When He says, “Step into the water,” you are safe from drowning, or  “Go, your faith has made you whole,” He healed you, or “Believe in My Son,” the offer is for eternal life with His family. We serve the same faithful God today; you need only step by faith. Unafraid trust Him—He will carry you safely over or through everything you face in life (Isaiah 41:10, 13).