Treasures

We buy safes, secure safety boxes, and create secret places to keep the treasures we have. Okay, I am speaking of things we have. When someone breaks in and takes what we have, we feel violated. What can not be taken from us are the valuables we store in our hearts. Relationships are so very important to us for all eternity. One of the greatest valuables we can store up for all eternity is the gift we share of eternal life. Each of us is called, not asked, to share the gift with others. This life-lasting gift can never be stolen away. I believe one of the greatest ways we can bring delight to our Savior is to share the Good News with others.

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

Recharge

I have a great drill that has handled any project that I have used it to do. There have been times that when I picked up the drill, the battery was not fully charged, and I was not able to finish the project. When fully charged the battery in the drill has outlasted every project set before it. I liken my rechargeable battery to my spiritual walk. When I charge up my life in the morning with time with God, it seems to help me face what lies ahead of me for the day. When I get too busy or forget to spend time with God, my day shows signs of weakness. I want to encourage you to begin your day with a charge from our Lord. If you need to get up a little earlier, it is worth spending the time. If you can’t get up any earlier, I might suggest being late to that first appointment in order to seek God’s plans for you and your day.

So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33

Options

Remember when you were looking at new cars back then? When Karen and I purchased our first new car back in 1978, there were just a handful of options that we could add to the base model of the car we ordered. Today, new cars have page after page of options available to be added to the base model. When I think of all the blessings that God has for us, I am not sure if we have enough paper to list them on. We need to thank the Lord and praise Him for all that He has done and has in store for us.

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

White Out

Many years ago, before the computer, the typewriter was the means to produce papers that needed to be handed to teachers or professors. Most of the papers that were needed from me while in college and seminary consisted of many pages. While my typing skills were adequate, it was a rare day that I could produce a paper without typing errors. Yes, I drove up the stock value of the company which produced the product, “White Out”. Just blot a little white paint on the mistake and blow it dry then you were ready to retype over the mistake. Yes, some of my papers had a few white paint blots while others were riddled with blots.

My walk with the Lord is a lot like my papers. Sins enter my day, some more than others. But I have a Lord who is better than White Out. Not only will He blot out my sins when I repent, but He will make my life new again every morning.

Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV)

1

 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Can You See?

When it’s dark, my headlights show me what is just ahead of me. They get me further down the road to see the next lighted strip of road and then the next and the next. When a light burns out, my vision is restricted. If both lights go out, I would be driving blinded. Not only am I at risk, but others are at risk as well.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.”

Love

If you are like me, there are many things and people that I love. When asked, “What or whom do you love”, where do you start? Yes, I love Doctor Pepper, my dogs, and my wife, just to name a few. Now, the love I have for my wife is so much more than the love I have for Doctor Pepper. (Yes, that is a great truth) Where does our love of our Lord come in on our “love” list? How do you show not only your Lord but others the depth of love that you have for Him?

Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37–38

What are you Thinking About?

We eventually become what we think. Over time, our thoughts affect what goes on in our hearts, and subsequently the direction of our lives. We are to “hide His word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him”. Many times, I find my mind wandering, producing nothing of value. I find that a good time to quote scripture.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7).

Things That Irritate

What are some things that irritate you? If you are like me, there are a few things that just rub me the wrong way. Some examples are, People who park in handicapped parking places that don’t appear to need to utilize that parking spot. When people don’t use their blinkers when driving. Or when people don’t pick up after themselves. I am sure that you are thinking about other things that irritate you. But the better question is, what do I do that irritates God? I need to allow those triggers to move me to focus on how I can better please my Lord.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

1 John 3:22

And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

I Stand Amazed

Early yesterday morning I woke up with this song, “I Stand Amazed”, on my mind. It was because I was recalling seeing some of the actions of many of you. We are called to be Christ-like in our actions and many of your actions came to my mind. Last week, I walked into a hospital room to find Fred, a Bible Study teacher, tending to one of his members. When I visited the rehab center, I learned that Sharron, Karen, and Lanna had been there earlier that week reaching out and encouraging a couple of sisters in the Lord. It was Michael who gave me a call to inform me of a couple of situations of two men in our church. Then David stood in the gap and filled in for a pastor at a funeral. Yes, I felt as if I was standing in the presence of Jesus as these people were acting like Christ and tending to the sheep. Where will you stand today? How will you be a reflection of our savior?

John 21:15-16 (ESV)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love me

A sinner condemned, unclean

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song will ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love for me

He took my sins and my sorrows

He made them his very own

He bore the burden to Calvary

He suffered and died for me

Oh, how marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love

Forever I will sing Your praise

Jesus, Risen King

Oh my God I stand amazed that You loved me

When with ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see

It will be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love for me

It is Not!

At the basketball game this weekend after a young lady was called for a foul. Her mother shouts to her daughter from the stands, “That is not a foul!” The dad in the stands at his son’s baseball game yells out for all to hear, that was a ball is not a strike don’t wing at those balls. The problem with both parents was that they were not in charge of the game. Just like those parents, we at times want to be in charge of what is right and what is wrong. There is only one who is in charge of what is right and wrong!

Psalm 50:6 (ESV)

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah

Nothing is too small

Nothing is too small to present to Him. Nothing escapes His attention, His care, and His love. God’s Word affirms over and over that He is a God who cares about the details. In Matthew 10:30 God is so intimately acquainted with us that “the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (NLT). Psalm 147:4 tells us that God “counts the stars and calls them all by name” (NLT). Many times I have heard people say that “it is no big deal”, when faced with a little issue in their life. I want to remind you that God is concerned about every aspect of our lives. We should seek Him in everything.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Things I Don’t Understand

There are many things that I use when I don’t understand how they work. The internet being one. This morning I came into the office early to write a devotional and my laptop could not find an internet connection. So, I put off this task waiting on someone to help me establish a connection to the internet. After doing a few other tasks, I pulled out my tablet to begin working on this weeks Bible Study. Without thinking about it, my tablet established an internet connection. After a while, it occurred to me that if my tablet was receiving an internet signal, why not try my lap top again. Still not receiving a signal, I now turned to my old desk top computer that is connected to the internet. After writing this devotional I tried to cut and paste it into my email. That is when my old computer froze up. So back to my lap top, which now has found an internet connection. There are a lot of things I don’t understand about technology. There are more things I don’t understand about my God and how He works, but I am still learning to walk by faith.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” This is the Lord’s declaration. Isaiah 55:8

Next week I might write what I started out to write for this weeks devotional… Again, God might have other plans for my devotional. Have a blessed day and walk by faith and not sight.

What Are You Going To Do?

Every day, there is potential for things not to go our way. We can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God can use them to help us look to and rely on Him. For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to worship Him or to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice. The choice is ours to make.

Psalm 32:10-11 (ESV)

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Where Do You Go?

When I am looking for a repair shop, I search out the reviews. Customer satisfaction brings not only repeat customers back, but can draw new clients as well. Share what the Lord has done for you and He will use that to reach out to others. 

Psalm 61:1-4 CSB

[1] God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. [2] I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, [3] for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. [4] I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah

6-Year-Old Party

This weekend the family had a birthday party for my 6-year-old grandson. The location of the party was at the recreation center with lots of balls for the kids to play with. I noticed that almost all the kids were interested in securing a ball for themselves and actively. However, there was one young man that just stood around, not fitting into all the activities. He seemed to be overlooked by the rest of the partygoers. No one invited him to join them in their activities. How many times have we seen this play out in different environments? The one who eats alone in the cafeteria, the one who sits by themselves in a busy park, or the one who is all alone at church. As believers, we have a responsibility to see the needs of others.

John 21:15-17 (ESV)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

The Want For More

Greed comes in many forms. Greed for approval. Greed for applause. Greed for status. Greed has many faces but speaks one language: the language of more. We need to realize that God is the giver of every good gift. Also, know that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches. Pray before you go after anything.

Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of greed.”

A Gift

When buying gifts for the ones that I love, I strive to find the perfect gift for each of them. There are times that I have to sacrifice in another area in order to come up with the money to purchase the best. The perfect gift is one that will give great joy. If you had all the resources at your disposal as well as the knowledge of what was available, would you strive to find the perfect gift to give to that special someone?

That is what our Heavenly Father did in giving the perfect gift to His one and only Son. Do you realize that in all that God created, He chose to give you and me as a gift to His Son? When you look in the mirror, do you see your worth to the Father? We need to praise our Creator and Provider for the righteousness that gives us value to the Son.

John 17:24 (ESV)

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see the glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

I Can’t Even Imagine

I really like the song,” I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. However, when I stop to think about what Heaven is going to be like, I can’t wrap my head around it. When I shop for tires for the car, they advertise them as good, better, and best. My best day here can’t come close to a perfect day in Heaven. There will be no pain, no crying, and no tears in Heaven. We will be in a special place that Jesus has prepared with us in mind. That should put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step as you walk through the day. God bless you as you share this wonderful promise with others.

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

GPS

The other day I was traveling to the medical center in downtown Houston. I have made this trip many times and know many different paths to take depending on traffic. This particular day I decided to plug my destination into the WAZE app. It told me that I should arrive by 8:28 in spite of the early morning traffic. The first thing I decided to do was to take a short detour in order to get another task taken care of as I was passing nearby. That only set me back two minutes. I did not want to pay the tolls that were involved in following the directions, so I opted for another way. That added another three minutes. Then I was directed down a road I have never traveled. I decided to trust Waze only to save two minutes in spite that the road was one of the roughest roads in Houston. Yes, Waze would always find me whenever I had gotten off the path and redirect me to my destination. I did arrive twelve minutes behind the first anticipated time that WAZE had given me.

Our walk with the Lord is like my journey to the medical center. If we would be willing to pay the price and follow and His directions, we would be a part of God’s perfect timing.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Little Ears Hear Everything

Yesterday my wife and I were talking about some issues about a friend in need. Our 5-year-old grandson was in the other room on an I-pad. Thinking that he was engulfed in what he was doing, we did not think that he would be listening to us. My wife said that little ears hear everything. I am thankful that what we were discussing would be fine for him to hear, as he did hear what we were saying. There are times that others will over hear our conversations. What will they get out of what they hear?

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.