Haven't you ever read the Scriptures?

Matthew 21

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’ ”

Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? Woof! When Jesus asks that question, you know there is a major slam going down. When the Word of God is calling out religious leaders who don’t know the Word of God, well, let the chips fall where they may. In the American Church, there are many religious leaders who have traded the Word of God for man-made traditions (like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day). Woe unto them! Jesus is calling them out. We should, too. May the Bible be my ONLY Source for truth, and may I share that truth daily with all who will listen and obey. May my obedience to the truth of the Scriptures be evident in the way I live my life daily.

Humble Attitude

Psalm 25

8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Humility is the proper attitude for a follower of Christ. We should be humble before Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and we should be humble before other people. Saw a tweet the other day from Max Lucado that said being humble doesn’t mean that you think less of yourself, rather it means that you think of yourself less. May my attitude be like that of Christ Jesus Who humbled Himself and followed God’s Will. That is my sole desire this day and every day to come.

God is All That, not me!

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.

Why is that we puny little people get it in our heads that the universe revolves around us? We listen to the lies of satan, and start believing that we are “all that.” When we stop and think about this tiny ball of dirt spinning around a not-all-that-spectacular star (the sun) in a relatively insignificant solar solar system lost in the vastness of the universe, well…kind of puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? We mere human beings are not “all that” by any stretch of the imagination. Our eternal worth comes through Jesus. God’s love for us is “all that” but His love comes not because we deserve it, rather God loves us because He is God. May I live my life today praising the One Who owns the earth and everything in it.

Hard Hearts and Rock Bottom

Exodus 7

13 Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted.

The fact that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened was not a shock to God. In fact, God intended to use Pharaoh’s hard heart to prove a great point. God knew that He needed to have the full attention not just of the people of Egypt, but of His people who lived there as slaves. God knew that the children of Israel had to see the absolute rock bottom before they would be ready to trust in Him to deliver them out of this bondage of slavery. I wonder if those who claim to follow Christ in America today are in need of such a lesson. Could that be why things have occurred as they have in this nation? God wants to get the attention of His people, and God is not afraid to allow His people to hit rock bottom to help them realize how utterly dependent they must be on Him. Hmmmm…

Rejoice in the wife of your youth

Proverbs 5

8 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Aside from my salvation through Jesus, my wife is the greatest gift God has ever given to me. I am the most blessed man on the planet, and Peggy is the source of my daily rejoicing! Thank You, Lord for providing such a godly woman to take care of me. You knew that I would need it, and You provided the Perfect Bride for me in the person of Peggy.

Not Too Difficult To Accomplish

Exodus 3
7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you.”

How many times am I like Moses protesting to God, “but I can’t do THAT!”? Like Moses, I need to remember that if God calls me to a task, it will not be too difficult to accomplish. Not that it won’t be difficult, but it won’t be TOO difficult to accomplish. Why? Because if God calls me to a task, HE will be with me!

Loving Forgiveness

Genesis 50

14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

Joseph displayed the loving kindness and forgiveness that I need to exhibit in my life. Recognizing his place and God’s place in this life, Joseph was able to forgive his brothers for the terrible things they had done. God had taken of things and would take care of things. I would do well to remember that and to have Joseph’s attitudes. Help me Lord, to do just that.

Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Guarding my heart is a full time job. I so desire to follow after Jesus wholeheartedly, and I so fail miserably in that endeavor at every turn. Please, Lord, keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, keep my heart tuned in with Yours, and may my life be pleasing to You. Forgive me of my sin, and may I be a forgiving follower of Yours every day of my life.

Proclaiming God's Glory

Psalm 19

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.

Bart Millard, the songwriter/lead singer for the group Mercy Me, took this photo while flying into Las Vegas yesterday. Let there be no doubt that the very skies above the earth proclaim the glory of God. Living in Florida, I get to see lots of beautiful sunsets (and a few sunrises, if I am out at that time). The sky is big here in Florida and I am continually amazed with the beauty God displays through the skies. His craftsmanship is on display, all we have to do is acknowledge it. Then, we should join the skies in proclaiming the glory of God every day!

Compassion

Matthew 14

14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As I see the video and the still pictures from Haiti, I am overcome with compassion for the people and their suffering. Just a tiny glimpse as to what Jesus sees on a daily basis. While I am praying to look at the world through the eyes of Jesus, and to act like He would act, I cannot help but think of how short I fall. Lord, instill a greater measure of compassion in me, and help me to put feet on these prayers.


On this, the anniversary of RoeV Wade, may my compassion extend not just to the innocent babies who are victims of abortion, but to the men and women who are victimized by the LIE that sells them on abortion. Father, God, have compassion on them, and help me to show a compassion that passes human understanding. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

His Way Is Perfect

Psalm 18

25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. 26 To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. 27 You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud. 28 You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. 29 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

So many people want to mistakenly attribute only LOVE to God. Since God is first and foremost HOLY, we need to remember that He is the Righteous Judge, and that those found lacking in His Court will suffer the consequences. To the faithful, He is faithful. God does humiliate the proud and He will not be in the presence of the unrepentant sinner. God’s way is perfect, and I want to follow His way, no matter what way the world seems to want to go.

Give it all up!

Matthew 13

44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.”

It’s interesting that this passage from Matthew comes up in my daily devo reading today. Earlier today, I was preparing for this weekend’s Youth Group lesson and Luke’s version of this parable is mentioned. God is reminding me today that I need to be 100% sold out for Jesus. I would gladly give everything I “own” for Jesus. I do give it all. Whatever God has loaned me to use on this planet, I want to use to build up His Kingdom. That is, and has been for many years, my attitude towards the physical stuff in my life. Thank You, God for showing me this great lesson, and for reminding me of my commitment to You!

Calling Sin What It Is

Genesis 39

6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

Joseph the slave has been put in charge of Potiphar’s household. God has blessed Joseph, but God is not through testing him. I think Joseph passes this particular test with flying colors. He calls sin what it is: sin. He doesn’t try to rationalize, justify or ignore sin. He gives credit to his earthly master for what is his, but Joseph knows that the sin Potiphar’s wife is trying to get him to commit is not just a sin against Potiphar. It is a sin against God. Yeah, we need to stop sugar-coating sin and call it what it is. We need to flee from it, repent of it, and give God the glory always!

True Heroes

Psalm 16

2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”
 3 The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!”

We said our earthly goodbyes to one of my heroes last Friday. My Great Uncle Jim Harrison passed from this life to his eternal reward on January 10th. His memorial service was January 15th. He and my Great Aunt Eula were married for 63½ years, and they served the Lord Jesus with their whole hearts during all of that time. As Peggy and I approach our 29th anniversary this coming August, I pray that we can follow the example of Jim & Eula. Their deep abiding love for Christ and for each other is inspirational, and they are among my true heroes.

Two Rare Commodities

Proverbs 3

1 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, 22 for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
 23 They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
 24 You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Common sense and discernment: two commodities sorely lacking in our culture today. May I stay grounded in the Word of God so I may be an agent of common sense and discernment for all those with whom I come in contact on a daily basis.

I Pity The Fool

Psalm 14

1 Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!

I can’t help but picture Mr. T of the “A Team” fame saying, “I pity the fool who says there is no God” here. Like Mr. T, I pity the fools who try to live their lives while denying God, decrying God and defying God. There will come a day when they are crying out to God, but it will be too late. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The question is which side of eternity will your confession come?

Overwhelming Love

Matthew 10

28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

When you really come to grips with Who Jesus is and what He expects of those who claim to want to follow Him, it can be absolutely overwhelming. When you remember what Jesus did to save you from eternal suffering because of your sins, it can be absolutely overwhelming. When you love Jesus with the same type of Crazy Love He loves you with, it all makes perfect sense. May my life proclaim that Jesus is my Lord every single day. Thank You, Jesus for loving me so much. I want to love with that same kind of Crazy Love You shower upon me!

Wise Decision

Proverbs 3

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
 14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Wisdom is found in the Word of God. Nowhere else. To find and to follow God’s Word is the most wise and only smart thing a person can do. Last night, Melvin Rodriguez obeyed the Gospel and was baptized into Christ by Ian Blount and Bryant “Turtle” Smith. While all of heaven was rejoicing, my heart rejoices even more as Melvin’s decision is an answer to years of prayer and witness. The wisdom Melvin has displayed must now be followed by the hard work (and labor of love) of following Christ. We’ll be along side of Melvin on that journey, praising God every step of the way!

Workers Needed NOW

Matthew 9

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Just as it was in the days when Jesus walked the earth, the need for workers in the fields is very great. We are all called to follow Jesus, therefore, we are all called to be workers for the harvest. Why is it then, that we get so caught up in our own day-to-day lives forgetting the One Who calls us? The need has never been greater. This planet moans and groans for the return of Jesus. People all around the globe need to learn about the love the Father has for them through Jesus. People in my neighborhood need to know that love. How selfish of me to keep it to myself. As I pray today for the people of Haiti devastated by an earthquake yesterday, I pray not only for their physical well-being, but more importantly that God uses this disaster to reach them for Christ. I pray for missionaries and mission works I am familiar with in Haiti, like Mike & Teresa Grant, the Hands & Feet Project, and Christianville. Help me, Lord to help them more in this time of great need. Help me, Lord to feel this sense of urgency not just for the people of Haiti, but for unsaved people everywhere EVERYDAY!

Eats With Sinners

Matthew 9

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

I just started reading Arron Chambers’ book, “eats With Sinners” which is based on this passage of Scripture. It makes me sad to think that after nearly 25 years as a Christian, most of my friends are Christian. I have very few friends who aren’t. I need to change that and change my non-Christian friends in the process. I am thankful to Arron for his words of wisdom in following the charge of Jesus who reminds me that as a follower of Christ, I should be calling on those who know they are sinners, not just calling on the righteous.

Not Impressed With Me

Proverbs 3

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

I confess that I used to be pretty puffed up with myself. I thought I was all that and a bag of chips. That was before I came to know Jesus and realized that I am actually the Sgt. Schultz ( a little Hogan’s Heroes reference) of knowledge. My wisdom is even less impressive. I now live my life and want to live my life in submission to the One Who knows all, sees all, and loves me in spite of that. I live a life in submission to Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I don’t always hit the mark in that lifestyle, but I am trying, and I know that I am forgiven when I ask for it. I long ago got over being impressed with who I am, but I am always impressed with Whose I am. May Jesus b

Real Faith

Matthew 8

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

It always amazes me that this Roman Centurion, is credited with a faith that far outshines anything by anyone who supposedly would know Who Jesus is or who would follow the Law of Moses. This Centurion got it. His understanding of Jesus and his willingness to submit to the authority of Jesus is an inspiration to me. May I live my life in such submission to the authority of Christ.

Celebrating Heroes

Psalm 9

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

I got a phone call from my Great Aunt Eula today. My Great Uncle Jim is in the Hospice House in Palm Bay and not expected to live through the weekend. Jim & Eula have been married for 63 ½ years, and Jim just celebrated his 90th birthday on Dec. 23rd, a day Eula describes as a good day for her husband. They love Jesus and they love each other, and it shows. Jim fell & suffered a head injury 17 months ago. He has required constant care ever since. They have only been able to go to church one time in the past 17 months. My Aunt Eula’s response to all of this? She says she has been blessed to have had the time she has had with my Uncle Jim. She told me today that some people don’t even live 63 years, much less get to be married that long. Uncle Jim & Aunt Eula are heroes of mine. I join my Aunt in praising God even in the midst of knowing that my visit with them today will be the last time I see Uncle Jim on this side of eternity. I will be filled with joy because of You. I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

No Worries

Matthew 6

5 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

In his book, “Crazy Love” Francis Chan says that “worry implies that we don’t trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” I believe that God is big, powerful, & loving enough to handle it all. I am committed to giving all my worries over to Him, and while this recovering worry-wart is not quite there yet, I am well on my way. The peace I have in my life is well worth the effort!

Forgiveness

Matthew 6

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

I think this is the hardest saying of Jesus recorded in the Scripture. Forgiveness does not come easy to me. I have chronicled my struggle with forgiveness in this devotional blog before. I want to make sure that I am on the right road when it comes to forgiving others, and I want to forgive without conditions, because I want God to forgive me without conditions. I also do not want to allow someone to take advantage of me (or of my family) because I was naïve I don’t think Jesus wants us to be naïve, but we must be forgiving. I hope that I am doing better in that department. I am trying.

Faith Like Abram

Genesis 15

1 Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”
6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Abram believe the Lord and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Wow! To have the faith of Abram…oh that is my prayer this day. I say that I trust the Lord, then I act like I am the one in whom I trust. I say that I believe God’s promises, then I try to “help” them along. No, to have the faith of Abram is my goal. God is God, and I am not. God will provide, and I cannot. God will save, and I will gladly take Him up on His offer!

Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

I like the way the NLT renders this verse. Yes, I know the Greek indicates that the phrase is “poor in spirit.” I also believe that those of us who are poor in spirit must come to the realization that we NEED God. I need Him every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Those aren’t just words on a page, but the prayer of my heart. I know that I am NOTHING without God, and I am okay with that.

Eat Meat! God Recommends It!

Genesis 9

1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth. 2 All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power. 3 I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables”.

I have nothing against vegetarians, but the Bible CLEARLY says in this passage from Genesis 9, that God has given all the animals on the planet over to man to be used as food if he so desires. So don’t try to tell me that it is “more godly” to be a vegetarian. Don’t try to tell me that Jesus was a vegetarian because there is NO Scriptural basis for that claim. Don’t even waste your time trying to make me feel guilty for eating meat. Not gonna happen. In fact, after reading today’s Scriptures for my daily devos, I think I need to go throw a big ole hunk of cow on the grill! Now THAT is good eats, right there! Hey, I’ll even have a salad with it, if that makes you feel any better.

That's My Boy!

Matthew 3

3 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Jesus had to fulfill all righteousness or as the NLT translates it, “carry out all that God requires.” So, He Who knew no sin, became sin so that we could have His Perfect Righteousness. By identifying with sinful man, and by being baptized for the forgiveness of that sin, Jesus set the pace for us. God’s response to the obedience of Jesus? “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” I like the thought that when I arose from the waters of baptism on August 27, 1985, God said something like, “that’s my boy!” May I live my life desiring to please God my Father daily!

The LORD Scoffs

Psalm 2

1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.

In this age of Political Correctness, when the One True God is scorned in our society, and when the name of Jesus may only be uttered as a curse word; I cannot help but see God laughing at the people of the United States of America. How dare we call on His Name in times of disaster or distress, yet mock His Name in every other situation! Now, there are plenty of Christ Followers in this country still, but the nation as a whole has been given over to pagan thinking. The LORD is not interested in America, He is interested in those whom He has called. I am so glad to be in that latter group.

God Created

Genesis 1

1 In the beginning, God
created the heaven and the earth.

This morning, as I left the church building following our New Year’s All-Nighter with students from four churches celebrating Jesus in the New Year, God painted a beautiful sky as the sun came up through rain clouds. In the western skies was a huge rainbow. It all just seemed to set the pace for 2010. This is the year that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!