Starting New

My father came from Italy. Often he would fascinate me with stories of their celebrations and holidays. One event stands out – New Year. They would begin each year with fireworks and noise making, hugging and dancing, shouting and well-wishing.

But that was not all. Believing that they should get rid of the old and take on the new, they would go through their drawers and closets and look for worn-out clothing, old dishes and furniture – whatever needed to be replaced. They would only keep what had value to them.

Perhaps it would do us good to go through our lives and take an inventory. We may find that we are harboring hatred and hostilities, harmful habits and hurts. Perhaps we would find some shortcomings and sins, false pride and forgotten promises. We may discover that there have been some days without prayer and Scripture reading, worship and witnessing.

The Bible advises us to “Throw off your old nature…be a new and different person, holy and good.”
We do not have to wait for a new year to do this. We can do it now!

Prayer: Father, we confess with sorrow, shame and sadness our sins. We ask that You would cleanse and consecrate us for Your service. Help us to throw off our faults and failures and replace them with Your values and virtues. Give us victory through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:20-24 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Strength For The Journey

“Why are you sitting there just staring off into space?” one friend asked another.

“Well, this year has been awful. It’s the worst year that I can ever remember. Nothing’s gone right and it seems that everything’s gone wrong. So I’m trying to figure out what was the worst thing that happened. But there’s too much competition for first place.”

Call them what you will: Misfortunes or mishaps, troubles or trials, adversities or afflictions. They are part of all of our lives and no one is immune to them.

But some seem to get through them, over them or around them better than others. Does their strength come from a superior source? Do they have a resource to call upon that is unavailable to the rest of us?

There is a story of the men of Judah standing before the Lord with their little ones. Suddenly, the spirit of the Lord came on one of the men. The message that came to him to give to the others was simple: “Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

All Christians have God’s Spirit in them Who can work through them. If we stand firm in our faith and ask for God’s help, He will fight the battle for us and triumph.

Prayer: Lord, when adversity tries to stare us down, may we look up to you to save and sustain us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Chronicles 20:13-17 Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

With God, All Things....

During a family conference, one small son was confused. He did not fully understand the discussion, so in his innocence he asked, “What’s going on here?”

Might that same question have been on Mary’s mind and in her heart as she looked at the Baby Jesus? Could she completely understand all that God had in His plan for her son, herself and Joseph? Perhaps as she looked in the face of her child, she was filled with questions. No doubt she knew the Scriptures of the Old Testament and was able to catch a glimpse of God at work. Surely she had a faith that would surpass that of most. Indeed her trust was larger than life. But for her to know what God was planning was something that would have been humanly impossible.

Certainly the question, “What’s going on here” would have surfaced. We can begin with the fact of a virgin giving birth to a child, let alone the Messiah, that had been promised and long awaited. But it happened when God was ready for it to happen, as He planned it.

As we come to the end of this year and look forward to the one that is fast approaching, let’s pause and review our “impossibilities” that are now miraculous events exposing God’s power and plan in our lives.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the faith we lack to see Your presence and protection at work in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

When Heaven Came Down

A little girl took her first elevator ride with her father. When they arrived at the top floor, he asked, “What did you think of that? Did you like it?”

“I don’t know, Daddy,” she replied. “It was kind of funny. We got into this little room, and then the upstairs came down.”

An amusing little story, isn’t it? But that’s exactly what happened when God sent His Son into the world. God sent His Son into the world to give us life and light, hope and healing, grace and goodness.

We are expected to do the same through Him. We are to take the message of salvation to others, light up the dark pathways of those who are still blinded by sin, give hope to those who are unable to see past their problems, show grace to those who are burdened beyond measure and demonstrate goodness to those who are in need by sharing our possessions with them.

It is not enough that we know God’s “Golden Rule.” He expects us to live it every day of our lives.

Prayer: Help me, Dear Jesus, to live as You lived and do as You did that I might give to others what You gave to me. May I take a little bit of heaven to others because You brought all of heaven to me. In Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 10:9-18 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Receiving And Believing

God works in an unusual way. Before we can ever receive anything from Him, we must believe in His power and ability to do what He says He is capable of doing.

An excellent example of this is God speaking to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Initially, when the angel spoke to her about a special assignment from God, Mary had a difficult time believing what was happening or in accepting the responsibility God had for her. But she finally said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as You have said.”

This is always the way God works in us and through us. We can never see everything that He has planned for us. It may appear to be too overpowering, too difficult, too threatening or too impossible. It may seem foolish, impractical, unwise or unrealistic. But God always works in unseen and unheard of ways.

Mary could never have imagined the angels that would protect her, the shepherds that would visit her, the Magi that would honor her, the gifts that were presented to her, the escape that was provided for her or the Voice that spoke to her, nor the Son that God gave to her to become our Savior.

Nor can we ever imagine all that God has for us.

Prayer: Father, give us a faith that exceeds our limited sight and a trust that believes the impossible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Luke 1:46 “My soul magnifies the Lord,

A Gift Worth Receiving

“Mommy,” asked a small child, “how long did Baby Jesus stay in the manger?”

Puzzled, the mother answered. “Not too long, I would imagine.”

Unfortunately, there are far too many individuals who leave Jesus in the stable, seeing His birth as an end, not the beginning. Not everyone realizes that this day is the day that the journey to the cross actually began on earth. This One who was born on this day of days is often left wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. It seems that many have no understanding of the spiritual significance or importance of Christmas.

But for those of us who accept and acknowledge Christ as our Savior, we rejoice and say with the Apostle Paul, “Thank God for His Son – a gift too wonderful to describe!”

This Gift is the gift of God Himself: His only begotten Son. It is the source of His grace, the expression of His mercy, the revelation of His plan, the meaning of His purpose, the passion of His love, the assurance of His presence and the provision for our salvation. He knew what we needed then and what we need now. In Him we have faith to fight our fears and hope for a life in His presence. “Too wonderful” indeed.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for this Gift we do not deserve, but could not live without. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

The Birth Of Jesus

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

Luke 2:6-16
New Living Translation

Joseph's Dream

…Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Matthew 1:18-24
New Living Translation

The Angel's Visit To Mary

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think of what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen! I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38
New Living Translation

Politics And Promises

A boy climbed into Santa’s lap and asked, “Sir, aren’t you really a politician?”

“No!” he protested. “Why do you ask?”

“Well,” he said, “you make more promises than you can deliver.”

Promises are a big part of everyone’s life. People give us their word that we can count on what they have said, that their promise “can be taken to the bank,” only to forget what they said or change their mind. Most people do intend to keep their word. But then again, intentions only last, for many, until something more convenient or better comes along.

That’s not the way it is with God. We have His record of faithfulness, of keeping His word throughout all of Scripture. What He declares, He does. What He promises, He delivers. What He says comes to pass.

In creation we see the absolute power of God. How reassuring for the Christian. Beginning at the beginning, from the initiation of time until today, God has never wavered on His word. God’s promises are anchored in His unchanging character and steadfast love. If this were not true what assurance would we have of our salvation or the hope we have for eternal life with our Lord?

There is nothing too big for Him to manage or too small to escape His attention. We have His Word that assures us of His promise: “I have said it, I will do it.”

Prayer: Father, we are grateful for Your Word that reveals Your record made and kept. How reassuring to know we have Someone we can trust with our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 46:11 What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

Bend Down, Daddy!

A little girl was trying to hug her father, but he was too tall. “Bend down, Daddy,” she cried, “so I can reach you.”

Before God sent His Son into the world, He too, seemed beyond our reach. God the Father became God the Son and lived among us so we could come to know and understand Him. God became Man in the Person of His Son.

Like us, He was born of a woman. But unlike us, He had no earthly father.

His life, which began without sin, was lived without sin. He went about doing good for all – healing the sick and providing hope for the crises of life. After all of the good that He did, He voluntarily went to the cross and died for our sins, expressing the love of God, His Father.

He’s the same today. Right now, as always, He’s reaching out to us with His enduring and unending love.
This is a great time to reach out to Him and tell Him we love Him and are thankful for all He’s done for us.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your love. We are grateful that You came into the world to show us how much You care for us. May we grow to love You more and live lives that please and honor You. In Your Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

A Cheerful Giver

A lady said to a beggar, “Here’s a quarter. You don’t deserve it, but it will make me happy to give it to you!”

“Thanks, ma’am,” he said. “Why not make it few dollars and really enjoy yourself?”

Giving is an important theme in the Bible. It begins in the heart of God. We read about the abundant gifts He gave His people. It continues in the work of Jesus as He went about healing the sick and feeding the hungry. We see His supreme gift when He gave His life on the cross: the gift of love, life and eternity with Him. The gifts of God and His Son are priceless – life giving and life sustaining.

Paul reminds us that we are not to “give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

The Lord has given us two hands: one for receiving and one for giving. The question is not “What can I spare?” but, “What can I share?”

Prayer: Father, without Your love, grace and mercy, we would have nothing. Often we focus on what we have rather than what You have given us. May we realize that we receive to give. When we give, we show Your love: in Christ’s Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God's Love And Our Family

Speaking to a Sunday school class, a pastor asked, “Why do you love God?”

“Because,” answered a young boy, “loving God runs in our family.”

What a wonderful statement to make about his family. What an important goal for every family. But God only “runs” in and with families at the invitation of the family.

Each member of the family must first ask Jesus to be their Savior. Then His Word must be read and remembered, honored and obeyed, followed faithfully and carefully if He is to have His rightful place in the family. Reminders of His presence in the lives of the family will be on display. He will be present at every meal, part of every conversation and readily recognized in the way family members treat one another.

Children learn how they are to behave from their parents. Parents must show love and understanding, care and compassion, patience and thoughtfulness, respect and honor toward each other first and then to each child. If we expect God’s love to run in our families, we must first “run” with God and become obedient to His Word.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to realize the importance of You always being present in our families. May we recognize our need to depend on You, to honor You and to follow the example of Jesus as we show love for each other: in His name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:1-4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

God Wants You

A little girl went to church for the first time. She was full of questions.

When a baby was presented for baptism she became more interested than ever. Noticing her attentiveness, her father said, “The parents are giving her to God.”

After the baptism, the minister gave the baby back to the parents.

Not understanding, she whispered to her father, “I guess God didn’t want that one.”

Not so! God wants every one of us.

On one occasion He said, “Come to Me, all of you…” On another occasion He said, “If you come to Me I will not reject you.”

We have all experienced the pain of rejection. We know what it is like to feel alone. Family members leave us. Friends turn their backs on us. But not Jesus.

Someone said, “With Jesus, the welcome mat is out and the door is always open.” Paul said, “…nothing…will ever separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is nothing that we have done or ever will do that can separate us from Him, His love or His salvation.

Prayer: Father, we are so grateful for Your love that reaches out to all of us. We are thankful that Your arms are always open to each of us. We rejoice in Your salvation that can save and keep us: in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Giving Others A Choice

A mother gave her son two beautiful apples, but one was larger and shinier than the other. Placing them in his hands, and wishing to teach him about sharing, she instructed him to “Give your little sister her choice.”

A short time later, she noticed that he had kept the bigger one for himself. So, she asked, “Why didn’t you give your sister her choice?”

“I did,” came the reply. “I gave her the choice of the little one or none at all. And she took the little one.”

There is a lot of selfishness even in the smallest of us. Size has little to do with whether or not we are self-centered or God-centered. It is easy to save rather than to share, to get rather than to give, to hoard rather than to help, to protect rather than to promote.

Paul reminds us that “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Prayer: Help me, Heavenly Father, to realize that the needs of others are an opportunity for me to give to them as You have given to me. May I be sensitive to others who are without the necessities of life, and share with them out of the abundance You have given me–especially Your salvation. In Your Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:1-8 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Backache Or Heartache

It had been a particularly difficult day at work. But when Jim got home, he invited his son into the yard to play catch. Looking over the fence, a neighbor called out, “Jim, aren’t you tired from the day’s work?”

“Yes, I am,” he replied.

“Then why don’t you rest?” continued the neighbor.

“I’d rather have a backache tomorrow,” said the dad, “than heartache later on.”

As parents we focus on the present, forgetting that what we do today affects all of our children’s tomorrows. We are concerned with daily events and forget about eternity. We have homework on the refrigerator, photos on every table and clothes for every occasion. Yet what we do is far more important than how things look.

In The Message the words of Paul are translated this way: “Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4)

If our children do not get attention from us, they will get it from someone else. If we are not available for them, someone else will be. If we are too busy, someone else will make time available for them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be the kind of parent You want me to be. May I love my children as You love me, guard them as You guard me, protect them as You protect me and lead them into life everlasting. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:1-10 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Anyone Else Up There?

A man was looking over a cliff when he slipped and began to fall. Sliding down the ledge he grabbed a branch and was hanging on for dear life. Shouting loudly he cried, “Is anyone up there?”

“I am the Lord and I am here,” came the answer. “Do you believe in Me?”

“Yes, Lord, I do. But I can’t hang on much longer.”

“I’ll save you,” said the Lord. “Just let go.”

There was a pause. Finally the man asked, “Is anyone else up there?”

How like so many of us. We doubt the Lord and put our trust in others.

Early in life we are taught to depend on ourselves, to be self-sufficient, strong and solve problems on our own. We also learn to rely on others, look to them for strength and help. Eventually we reach our limits and those we look to for insight, come up lacking. Then, when we become fearful or frustrated, we learn to look to God first and foremost.

Do you remember learning to swim? Can you recall someone standing in front of you in the water and saying, “Jump!” Knowing that they were able to catch us is the faith factor. Jumping in becomes the trust factor.

God’s Word constantly encourages us to have faith in Him. It gives us many examples of those who have faith in Him. It is the “letting go” by knowing that He is there to care for us that makes faith work – the trust factor.

Prayer: Teach us, Father, to realize our need to let go and let God meet us at our point of need. May our knowing give way to believing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 60:11, 12 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

How To Start Each Day

What is the first thing you do each morning? The author of Pilgrim’s Progress said that “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” It is important that we go into the presence of God before we go into the presence of men.

A woman attended a concert and realized the next morning that she has lost a diamond earring the night before. She called the manager of the auditorium and asked if it had been found. He said, “If you stay on the line, I’ll check.” A search was made and the diamond found. When he returned to the phone, the woman had hung up. How like many of us when we pray. We do not expect anything to happen when we pray so we give up on God.

David said, “In the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee and will look up.” He was saying, “I will pray and then I will wait for answers and directions.” If we begin every day with God, we will end up with His blessings!

Prayer: Lord, when I begin my day I know it is important to ask for Your guidance and grace and to seek wisdom from Your Word. May I look to You for Your wisdom in every decision I make and direction in every path I take. In Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 5:3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

I Have To Give It Up!

It was the worst game of golf he had ever played. As he missed his putt on the final green, he flew into a terrible tantrum, screaming and swearing and flailing his arms. Beating his putter on the grass, he cried, “I have to give it up!”

“Give up golf?” asked the caddy in disbelief.

“No,” snapped the golfer, “my ministry. The church is taking up too much of my time. Those people expect too much of me and always expect me to take care of them.”

Pure and simple, time is a special gift. It is a commodity that, once used in one way or another, can never be retrieved. Once gone, it is forever lost.

One expert on time put it this way: “Time is life. It is irreversible and irreplaceable. To waste your time is to waste your life. To master your time is to master your life and make the most of it.”

We must always begin each day with God in a time of worship – prayer, Scripture reading, meditating on His Word and recognizing His role in leading us. If we make Him our first priority and focus on Him throughout the day, we can trust Him to direct our paths.

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to not only do things right, but to do the right things in the right way, at the right time. I surrender my time to You and ask that You help me to use it wisely, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

It's As Big As We Want It to Be!

He was deeply in love with his fiancé, and saved as much money as he could to buy her a beautiful engagement ring. Finally, he took his savings to the jeweler and bought the biggest diamond he could afford.

As he presented it to her he said, “I’m sorry dear, that it is not bigger. It’s all that I had.”

“It’s perfect!” she exclaimed in her excitement. “It is as big as we make it!”

What a beautiful response. Sincerity is much more important than size and thoughtfulness more than any “thing.” Size had nothing to do with our salvation. Our salvation depended on someone’s sacrifice.

If we want more from God, we must give more to God. That’s His way. And He invites us to make His way, our way. “Give and it will be given to you,” Jesus said.

When we share our time, He will increase our talents so we can do more. When we share our treasures, He will make up the difference – and then some. When we share our strength, He will enable us to reach far beyond the limits we place on ourselves. But we must give in faith, believing and trusting that He will provide for our every need in ways we never imagined.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to have enough faith to trust, knowing that You will never fail us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:14-25 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

It's As Big As We Want It To Be!

He was deeply in love with his fiancé, and saved as much money as he could to buy her a beautiful engagement ring. Finally, he took his savings to the jeweler and bought the biggest diamond he could afford.

As he presented it to her he said, “I’m sorry dear, that it is not bigger. It’s all that I had.”

“It’s perfect!” she exclaimed in her excitement. “It is as big as we make it!”

What a beautiful response. Sincerity is much more important than size and thoughtfulness more than any “thing.” Size had nothing to do with our salvation. Our salvation depended on someone’s sacrifice.

If we want more from God, we must give more to God. That’s His way. And He invites us to make His way, our way. “Give and it will be given to you,” Jesus said.

When we share our time, He will increase our talents so we can do more. When we share our treasures, He will make up the difference – and then some. When we share our strength, He will enable us to reach far beyond the limits we place on ourselves. But we must give in faith, believing and trusting that He will provide for our every need in ways we never imagined.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to have enough faith to trust, knowing that You will never fail us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:14-25 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I've Shot Myself

In Texas a man got tired of thieves breaking into his store. So he rigged a shotgun to shoot anyone who entered when it was closed. One morning he came to work and forgot to dismantle the trap. He opened the door and the gun went off. As he fell to the floor he cried, “I’ve shot myself!”

Sometimes our great ideas can get us “killed.” We are attracted by the things of this world and become influenced by its many “traps.” We begin to believe that our plans are better than what God has planned for us. Scripture teaches us that sin leads to death. We mindlessly walk in paths that lead to our destruction and death. Instead, we need to surrender our lives to God and to ask Him to make His way known to us as we read and trust His Word. We need to look to God for His purpose in our lives. As we accept His precious gift of salvation and eternal life, we must realize that we are citizens of His kingdom and obligated to live lives that honor Him.

Prayer: Father, help me recognize the sin in my life that keeps me from growing into the likeness of Your Son. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict me and cleanse me and make me pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Keep Them At Home

A man once said to Mark Twain, “It is my deepest desire to go to the mount where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and recite them there!” Puzzled, Mark Twain asked, “Don’t you think it would be better to stay at home and try to keep them there?”

The Lord did not give us the Ten Commandments to review, but to reveal; not to look at but to live; not to admire but to acknowledge in the way we behave.

There are many who say one thing with their lips but show another thing with their lives. There are those who say the right things but live the wrong way. And there are some who speak the language of faith but give no evidence of it in their lives. The proof of our faith is not our words but in our works.

Some say, “I am a Christian” but if they are watched closely, there is no evidence of Christ in their lives. We are reminded by James that we are not only to be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. A good place to start “doing” is at home.

Prayer: Father, help me to follow the directions for living that I find in Your Word. Do not allow me to deceive myself into thinking that I am acting on Your behalf when my behavior does not reflect what Your Word tells me to do: in Your Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

My One And Only Love

A shopper once said to a sales associate, “I want the most beautiful gold heart that you have in your store on the finest gold chain available for my fiancé.”

After considering many different choices, he made his decision, and said, “I’ll take that one.”

“Shall I inscribe her name on it?” asked the sales associate.

“Oh no!” came the instant reply. “If we break up, I would like to use it again.”

How different is God’s love. We hear it in the words of Jesus when He said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” How comforting it is to know that God’s love is permanent. How fortunate we are to know that God’s love is guaranteed by His Word. How wonderful it is to know that God’s love is for everyone. And finally, how grateful we are to know that His love makes our salvation through Jesus Christ possible.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to understand how much You love us. May those who read this “Seed” come to know You and accept Your Son as their Savior and love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 4:11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Not Good Enough!

His old bicycle was worn out. He begged his dad for a new one.

Finally it was his birthday. When he came home from school that afternoon, he discovered a beautiful new bicycle in the garage. With great excitement he rode down the street to show it to his best friend.

Soon he returned home and waited for his father. When his dad arrived, he began to cry, “George got a new bike, too. It has a light on the handlebar. It’s better than mine.”

Jealousy! It begins at birth, rages in most hearts, and for some, lasts a lifetime.

In the Bible “jealousy” is sometimes described as the opposite of love and thankfulness and the enemy of gratitude.
It is the “attitude of gratitude” that exposes our faith in God. Often we only feel secure in what we have, not Whom we have, Jesus Christ. When times are good, bank accounts secure, the economy flourishing, and jobs secure, we rarely notice what others have.

As Christians we need to look at our lives through God’s eyes. Looking at our lives through His eyes may enable us to find joy in the smallest event, happiness in the smile of a child, satisfaction in a job well done.

Embracing our lives just as they are and being thankful for what we have will enable us to give up the struggle to acquire what we want but do not need. Where we are and what we have is exactly the way things are to be. Rejoice and be thankful!

Prayer: Help me, Lord to accept all that I have as gifts of Your goodness, especially my salvation. Remove jealousy from my heart and envy from my mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Proud To Be Humble

A tourist visiting a monastery was impressed with the daily routine of the monks. Awakening at dawn, they would pray for hours, eat little food, and spend time alone meditating and reading their Bibles or labor on their farm. Curious about the nature of their mission, he asked one of the monks to explain how they were different from the other monastic orders.

“Well,” said the monk, “when it comes to learning, we don’t compare with the Jesuits. When it comes to good works, we’re no match for the Franciscans. But when it comes to humility, we’re at the top!”

It is inappropriate for Christians to attempt to appear humble and downplay the gifts that God has given them. God has endowed each of us with certain gifts that are unique to us. We must accept them graciously, develop them to their fullest, and use them to the glory of God.

If we want to grasp the meaning of humility we must look to our Lord and Savior. Here is one Who was with God and equal to God, but willingly laid it aside. He lived a selfless life of service to others and then suffered a horrible death on the cross for our salvation. In humility He accomplished His Father’s plan doing whatever He could to reflect in word and deed His love.

Pride comes naturally, but not humility. When we do difficult things in a loving and caring manner – as Jesus did – we are living godly humility.

Prayer: Father, we often pray to be humble not wanting to accept our responsibility to be humble. Grant us a willing heart to set ourselves aside. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Peter 5 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Stretch!

Rubber bands appear worthless until they are stretched. They remain quiet but ready. They come in different sizes and shapes waiting for various types of assignments. Some are thick, some are thin, some are small and some are large. All are designed for specific uses. However, a rubber band is worthless until it is stretched to its limit. Then it will hold things together, keep things orderly and bring chaos under control.

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose without stretching. When we bear one another’s burden, help someone solve a problem that is beyond their capabilities, wipe away a tear from a saddened eye, give a cup of cold water to a thirsty traveler, we are showing the kindness and grace of God.

Each day we need to stretch our minds and learn something new about our Lord, His Word, His world and His ways. If we remain as we are, we fail to grow into His likeness and the future He has for us.

We also need to stretch our bodies and bring them under God’s control. The stronger we are physically, the more we can do spiritually. An out-of-control body reflects an out-of-control life. God expects us to do the best we can with what He gives us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to take what You have given us and stretch it to the limits of our potential. May we never be satisfied with who we are until we become who You have intended us to become in worship and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

The Whistler And His Wife

A new preacher came to town. Each day as he passed one particular home on his walk to the post office, he heard a man whistling happily and loudly.

Day after day he heard the whistler. He became so fascinated with the sounds that he decided to discover where they came from. One morning the preacher opened the gate quietly and looked inside. Hearing the gate creak, “the whistler” approached the preacher asking him to come inside.

“Why do you whistle so loudly when you work?” asked the preacher.

“My wife’s a cripple,” he answered, “and she is also blind. I want her to know as she sits alone on the porch that I’m always close by and thinking about her. When she hears me whistling, she knows I’m not only nearby but available.”

Our Lord is just like “the whistler” – always nearby and available. Although we may not hear Him or see Him, He is always present in our world. However, we must trust “Him with our worries and cares, for He is always thinking about us and watching everything that concerns us.”

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for always being nearby, for always watching over us and protecting us, and meeting our every need. May we always sense Your presence in our lives and Your love that surrounds us. In Your Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

What To Live Without

A young lady was bragging to her girlfriends about her good fortune. “I have two handsome men who want to marry me, and I can’t decide which one to choose. I can live with either of them!”

One of her friends wisely said, “Your job is to determine which one of them you can’t live without.”

Everyone has a decision to make: Will we accept or reject Christ as our Savior.

When we choose to accept Him and the life He has to offer, we settle our eternal destiny. Once we have accepted Him as our Savior our life will be different. When we turn from our sin to the Savior, we are given the power to live an abundant life that is satisfying and fulfilling and one that pleases and honors God.

Sin is not a defect in our personality but a disease that destroys us. Sin is not an attitude or an accident, but a decision to turn against God. Sin is not a mistake but a willing rebellion against God’s laws. God’s Word says that “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful to You for giving us the opportunity to choose life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that You will become the Master in our lives and keep us from sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Best Medicine Is Love

A country doctor said, “I’ve been practicing medicine for over 30 years. During all those years I have prescribed many different things. But in the long run, I’ve learned that for most of what ails the human condition, the best medicine is love!”

“But,” asked a student, “what if it does not work?”

“Double the dose,” came the quick reply.

Many have said that love is the greatest medicine in the world. It can do more to heal the sick than most medicines. It is holding someone’s hand, shedding a tear with a broken heart, sitting quietly beside someone who is grieving.
Love is not an emotion that is based on a passing feeling. It comes from a compassionate heart that has experienced the conversion that God has provided for us through His Son. Love is something that is born of God and given by God.

Love is a gift. Take it and let it grow.

Love is a sign. Wear it and let it show.

Love is an act. Do it and let it go.

Prayer: Fill our hearts, Father, with Your love. May we overcome selfishness by living lives of service as Your Son, our Savior did. In His name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The Golden Rule

A second grade teacher asked her class, “Who can quote the golden rule?”

“Whoever has the gold,” said Timothy, “makes the rules!”

That is the way most individuals understand the rules of life: Wealth makes might. But does that make things right?
Jesus said, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

It is not always easy for us to put others in our place and treat them as we wish to be treated. It is easier for us to put ourselves first and expect others to serve us.

In this verse Jesus teaches that the way you and I wish to be treated must determine the way that we treat others. This is not always easy, but it is essential for the Christian. If we have been born again, we should love others the way He loves us – with all of our hearts, minds and souls. Jesus also said that we should love others as we love ourselves.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is never easy to put others ahead of ourselves. It seems so natural to put ourselves ahead of others. But in giving us Your Son, You set the example for us. We must always put the needs of others first. May we do this in Your Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Think, Then Talk

A witness had been called to testify. As he spoke, the judge listened very carefully. At one point he said, “I think, your Honor…”

The judge immediately stopped him and said, “We don’t care what you think. Simply tell us the facts!”

“But, your Honor,” he said “I can’t talk without thinking.”

What a difference a word makes. And what a different world this would be if our minds were filled with kind and gracious thoughts. It is a known fact that what we think about is what we say and what we do. Our words and actions show others our thoughts and feelings.

We get some great advice from Paul. He said that we are to “fix our thoughts on what is true…honorable…right…pure…lovely…admirable…excellent…and worthy of praise.”

Whenever we speak harsh words about others or do unkind deeds toward others it comes from the thoughts we have stored up in our mind about them. It is so easy to program our thoughts with the opposite of what Paul wrote. When we watch the news, read newspapers or magazines or even talk to friends, kind words on noble deeds are rarely the main topic of conversation.

Paul set the standard for the way Christians are to think and act. What keeps you from following his advice?

Prayer: Help us, Father, to fill our minds with things that are pleasing to You so that we reflect Your grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:8-9 if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Sure I Do!

Two men were having an intense discussion about the Bible. Said one, “So, you think that you know a lot about the Bible. O. K. Here’s ten dollars that says you can’t repeat the Lord’s Prayer without making a mistake.”

The other quickly replied, “Here’s twenty dollars that says I can.” With a brave smile and a voice filled with confidence he began: “Now, I lay me down to sleep…”

Interrupting him, his friend said, “You sure surprised me. I didn’t think you knew it. Here’s the money.”

What an insightful story. Over one hundred million Bibles are sold each year. How astounding! Dare we ask: What difference will they make in the lives of people who purchased them? Or, what difference has the Bible made in the lives of those of us who have owned one for years? With all of the Bibles in circulation, no one can estimate how many are opened, read, understood, believed and have brought about changes in the lives of the owners.

People, even Bible owners, seem to be losing their moral compass. There is a lack of direction, determination and diligence to live God-honoring lives. The Psalmist said that the only way a person can “stay pure” is to “obey Your Word and follow its rules.” No matter how corrupt our environment may be, or how strong the temptations, or how much the “evil one” may try us, we can “stay pure” if we stay in His Word – the Bible.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to allow Your Word to make a difference in our lives as we accept and apply its truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:9-16 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Only The Best For A King!

Alexander the Great was the first world conqueror. He is also remembered as one of history’s most remarkable men.

Once while riding in his chariot he saw a poor beggar. Moved, he stopped, reached down and gave him several gold coins.

Surprised, his aide said, “Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need.”

“Oh!” said Alexander. “Copper coins would suit a beggar‘s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”

What a perfect picture of the greatness of God’s grace. There may be times when we think we are not good enough for God’s grace or perhaps beyond the limits of His love. We may wonder if He will save someone as lowly or lonely, wretched or worthless as we sometimes feel. We may think that His salvation is for everyone except us.

Paul said that “God’s own Son died for us, was raised from the dead for us, is now interceding for us and no one or no thing can separate Him from us.”

If God gave His Son for us, He will not withhold any good thing from us. Often, in the scheme of things, we come to the conclusion that because of how we have lived or what we have done, His grace is insufficient rather than sufficient to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Not so!

Prayer: Father, in our moments of doubt and despair, may we reach out and up in faith, believing in Your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Let's Laugh!

One day a Christian who was known for having a quick smile and a loud laugh was asked, “Do you know if the Lord ever laughed?”

“I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that He fixed me so I could laugh!” came the answer.

He who laughs, lasts. A physician giving a lecture on “How To Enjoy Life and Live Longer” once said, “It is a known fact that people who laugh actually live longer than those who don’t laugh. In fact, if laughter could be prescribed and we could write prescriptions for it, it would be the most popular medication for many illnesses.”

Not only are laughter and health related, but so are laughter and holiness. When the Lord brought His children back to Jerusalem, the Psalmist wrote, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy!”

The absence of laughter in a person’s life suggests the presence of fear or worry, guilt or oppression, defeat or hopelessness. It is as if their future is dark and the light of life has been extinguished. Not wanting to look out and up, around and about, their eyes seem to have no focus.

God has the ability, power and desire to restore to each of us a life that is beyond our expectation or understanding. He can bring triumph out of tragedy, victory out of defeat, peace out of turmoil and life rather than death.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be happy, joyful Christians that reflect a sense of Your peace and presence in all of life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Give Thanks In All Things

When four-year-old Sammy awoke after surgery, the nurse explained that it would be necessary for him to be fed intravenously for the next few days.

After assuring him that everything would be fine, she began the process to administer the glucose. Always in the habit of giving thanks before each meal, Sammy asked in a brave and cheerful voice, “Aren’t you going to give thanks?”

It is not easy to give thanks in painful situations. Nor is it natural to see God’s goodness in all of life’s trials and troubles. But the Apostle Paul reminds us to “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

When we give thanks, we acknowledge our confidence in the Lord, knowing that He cares for us. When we give thanks, we express our closeness to God, realizing that He is with us in every situation. When we give thanks, we declare that we are willing to accept the plan of God knowing that His will is being done.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I learn the grace of giving thanks to You in all of life’s situations. Help me to realize that You are always with me, watching, protecting, providing and guiding me in every area of life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

How Did You Get There?

Alex Haley, the famous author of Roots, had a picture of a turtle sitting on a fence in his office. One day a friend looked at the turtle, then at Haley and asked, “Why do you have such an unusual picture?”

He replied, “Anytime I start thinking ‘Isn’t it marvelous what I’ve done!’ I look at that picture and remember how this turtle – me – got on that post.”

None of us would be where we are today without the help of others. It may have been a mother or father, sister or brother, Sunday school teacher or deacon, choir or youth leader. Someone, somewhere along life’s path was at the right place at the right time to nudge us forward. We may have forgotten the name, but it was the kind word during painful times that got us through the difficulty.

The great thing about the Christian community, the church, is that we can be an inspiration to each other in our daily walk. Often we see or hear of someone who is struggling or straining to get through a tragic event. It may be an illness or the death of a loved one, a problem at work or a difficult time learning a new skill, a family that is disintegrating because of a failed marriage. We Christians are to have a heart that shows Christ’s love, a voice through which He speaks and a hand with which He helps. Fortunate is the church with helpful encouragers.

Prayer: Father, open our eyes to see what You see, to do what You would have us to do and to lift the fallen. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:6 Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, “Be of good courage!”