Never Forsaken

(Psalm 9:10) If you have ever been on the receiving end of abandonment... good news! God never will forsake you, he never has and never will forsake those who seek Him. What's on your heart today?

"if"

Too many times times life is filled with numerous "if's". 'If only i had..', 'if this hadn't happened', 'if I had not gotten out of bed...' We all have had those comments as we look back on our lives, musing about the unknown or possible outcomes... Solomon gave me 3 "if's" today that lead to something very certain. In fact he states that 'if we accept, if we call out, if we look... then we will understand the 'fear of the Lord' and 'discover the knowledge of God.'

If I make it a daily discipline in accepting what God has to say in His Word, if I ask him for guidance, help or whatever I need, and if I look for his insight and understanding... it will greatly reduce the 'what if's' or 'only if's'.

I challenge you today when you are confronted with that problem or issue... accept, ask, look for God's will... and see if 'then' he helps you.

Varying Degrees of Separation

Between Matthew 5:43ff and Genesis 14, I find a perplexing difficulty that we experience even today... varying degrees of separation. What I mean here is that with Abraham, he would have nothing to do with wealth of the king of Sodom (Bera) but he did go and fight for their release and then Jesus tells us to 'love our enemies'. I think the answer to this perplexing and relevant issue is found in the heart.

Abraham later prays for Lot and the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jesus goes on later to tell us to 'be in the world but not OF the world'. Ahhh... there is the key. I do know for certain there are some people I cannot associate with or afford morally to be aligned with. That in itself, does not keep me from loving, helping or praying for them, but it does cause me separate my affairs to some by varying degrees. I know at some point they are going to get what is coming to them (Proverbs 1:29-33), as well all are... but that is at the hand of God, not me. I know for certain I don't want to be inside the blast radius or within the sphere of radioactive fallout, when wicked people are judged.

My prayer today: LORD, I want to love and I want to be 'perfect' in that love in a way that honors you and preserves my own dignity before you and man. In other words, make me more like Abraham.

"Common"

"...one language and a common speech." Since the inception of civilization, we have sought to unify under 'common' purposes. Whether politics, famine, natural disasters, war / peace, religion... The ultimate purpose in our differences is to drive us to the One who seeks a 'common' relationship with us - the LORD!

While unity is a blessed but fleeting environ, it ultimately is perfectly unachievable. Our hearts should be driven first and foremost to the LORD. There we find purpose, peace and provision for our souls. It is at that point we can address the cultural mess with the answer of the cross.

The cross - God's common language and speech for a planet who needs reconciliation.

The Beginning...

I was pondering today, tomorrow's (Sunday) message as I read today's proverb (1:7) when it struck me... this is the 'beginning' of it all, isn't it. Whether one accepts Gen. 1:1 (Creation) or John 1:1 (God of Creation), really begins with humility before the Lord. I do think that little bit of healthy fear of His wrath might do us a bit of good... but respecting His person is of greater worth.

A Wife of Noble Character... I found one!

As I read Proverbs 31:10-24 this morning, I was reminded of how blessed I am. Andrea is so incredibly valuable to me. Here is why: she's resourceful, willing to take challenges, cavalier, strong, determined, compassionate, a great mother to our three children, friend to all who know her and life partner to me who knows her best.

When I read how the husband benefits from her, I completely understood. As if this was not enough... she is beautiful. Some guys are lucky, I'm just blessed to have found a woman of 'noble character'

Campo Verde Queso

In Arlington, TX there is a restaurant (Campo Verde) who hands down has the best queso (cheese sauce for you monolinguals). Last night I poured some out into a bowl and delighted myself in a great meal. I thought about this when i read Zechariah 12:10 when the Lord will 'pour out a spirit of grace and supplication' on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

As much as I craved the queso and chips, the Lord craves even more for us to be gracious and pray. The underlying context reveals that this outpouring occurs in the end at the 'day of the Lord'; meaning the Lord will wait, and wait, and wait some more till we are bowls made ready by persecution.

For now, I will eat the queso and chips and wait expectantly for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.