Cheerful Giving

2 Corinthians 9

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

It is my sincere desire to give God my all. Every day. I don’t always succeed, but that is my desire. I do so cheerfully, and out of a desire to enhance the Kingdom of God. It is my pleasure to do so. Father, please accept my daily gifts as a token of my sincere love for You and for Your Kingdom.

Captured My Heart

Song of Solomon 4

9 You have captured my heart,

my treasure, my bride.

You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,

with a single jewel of your necklace.

10 Your love delights me,

my treasure, my bride.

Your love is better than wine,

your perfume more fragrant than spices.

These words of Solomon are among those which describe my deepest feelings of love for my lovely Bride, Peggy. I am the most blessed man on the planet to be married to this fantastic woman of God. Please, dear God, help me to show her my love, not just to say words of love. It is my action that proves my undying love for Peggy. The fact that I don’t mind showering her with words of love, probably doesn’t make her too mad, either.

What's the Use of Being a Snake Charmer?

Ecclesiastes 10

11 If a snake bites before you charm it,

what’s the use of being a snake charmer?

This makes me lol. I mean, Solomon is going on and on about the ironies of life, and how everything is meaningless, and then there is this verse. Well, DUH! If a snake bites you before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer? I mean, what IS the use of being a snake charmer, anyway? Thank You, Lord for making me smile in a whimsical kind of way in the midst of what would otherwise be a pretty depressing chunk of Scripture from Ecclesiastes!

ONE Virtuous Woman

Ecclesiastes 7

27 “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! 29 But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

Now, I know Solomon was the most wise dude ever, and all of that, but I must disagree with him on one point here. You see, I am married to a virtuous woman, so there is at least ONE. I am so blessed to be her husband. She keeps me on track in my relationship with God and with people. On this day, I want to praise my Lord for bring Peggy into my life!

Gifts from God

Ecclesiastes 5

18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

In the midst of all the meaningless stuff Solomon discusses, comes this jewel. It is something I am trying to put into practice, although I don’t always succeed by any means. However, I do have to confess that I am blessed beyond reason. I have a loving, devoted Bride; children who love and serve the Lord; and I absolutely LOVE what I do and where I do it by way of the ministry to which God has called me. Even without all of that, I have my salvation in Christ Jesus, so what more could I ask?

Rejecting God's Marvelous Gift

2 Corinthians 6

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.


On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

Indeed, the “right time” is now.

Today is the day of salvation.

Nothing breaks my heart quicker than to see someone who knows the Truth of the Gospel turn their backs on that Truth and head away from God in their lifestyle. Having been in student ministry for over 23 years now, I have, unfortunately, seen more than my fair share of such occurrences. Students, who were once “on fire” for the Lord, allowed that flame to burn out, being distracted by the thing of this world, and neglecting to spend time in God’s Word each day. It is easy to move away from God when you don’t spend any time with Him. How anyone could throw away the precious gift of their salvation for the temporary pleasures of this world still boggles my mind, but satan is crafty at distraction and destruction. I must be more vigilant in sounding the alarm against his schemes, and loving people to Jesus in such a manner that they would never dream of leaving their Lord and Savior.

I've Got Nothing

Job 40

1 Then the Lord said to Job,

2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?


You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

3 Then Job replied to the Lord,

4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?


I will cover my mouth with my hand.


5 I have said too much already.


I have nothing more to say.”

Yeah, arguing with God is a big waste of time, isn’t it? I mean, folks can think that Job has a case to want to fuss with God, what with the whole loss of children, health, wealth, friends, etc. thing going on. Yet, when Job approaches God with a “simple” request for an answer, he gets put in his place in a heartbeat. I love Job’s response here: “I’ve got nothing.” May I remember that when things don’t go the way I think they should, and I am tempted to question God about it...well, I’ve got nothing.