When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
Psalm 27: 2-3
Thought for Today: There is a story about a business executive who was about to lose his business due to debt. One day, he met an old man who asked him what was troubling him. He told the old man his woes and the old man offered to help by writing him a check, telling him to meet him back there in one year to repay him. After the old man left, the executive looked at the check for $500,000 signed by John D. Rockefeller. Rather than use the money to pay his bills, the executive placed the uncashed check in a safe. Over the course of the year, he was able to make many business deals knowing that he had the check sitting in the safe to back him up. Consequently, he turned his business around. The day came to meet the old man. As he was about to tell him about how he had turned his business around, a nurse came up to the old man saying, "oh, there you are. I'm glad I found you." Turning to the executive, she said, "he likes to go around telling people that he is John D. Rockefeller." The executive was stunned. A worthless, uncashed check from a madman had changed his entire life.
We have an uncashed check sitting in a safe, not worthless and not from a madman but from our God Himself. By accepting our Lord's free gift of salvation, we have no need to fear, no need to doubt. We can rest peacefully in His truth and His promises to us. As David wrote in the snippet of Psalm 27 above, we can be confident in the truth that the Lord is our light and salvation. As you go about your day today, will you be confident in yourself, your friends and family, your wealth? Or, will your confidence be in the unseen God who will sustain and provide, regardless of the circumstances?
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
October 28 - Fear
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: For 28 years, Shohoiya Yokowai lived in a prison, not one of bars, locks and guards. His was a prison of fear, for he was a Japanese soldier on the island of Guam during World War II, afraid of being captured by the American forces who had invaded the island. When he had learned of the invasion, he fled to the jungle, living in a cave and only coming out at night to forage for food. He finally was convinced that the war was over by some natives and came out of hiding.
How sad, to waste 28 years of a life hiding in fear from an enemy who had long departed. Yet, so many of us live in fear, whether it be fear of failure, fear of rejection or a multitude of other fears. Many of these fears are caused by things that happened so long ago and have departed from us. My question to you today is what frightens you? Can you take the Lord at face value today, trusting that what He says in His word is true? If so, then will you trust Him today to be the strength of your life and cast all of your fears upon Him? Trust Him today, for He is the only strength that you ever need.
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: For 28 years, Shohoiya Yokowai lived in a prison, not one of bars, locks and guards. His was a prison of fear, for he was a Japanese soldier on the island of Guam during World War II, afraid of being captured by the American forces who had invaded the island. When he had learned of the invasion, he fled to the jungle, living in a cave and only coming out at night to forage for food. He finally was convinced that the war was over by some natives and came out of hiding.
How sad, to waste 28 years of a life hiding in fear from an enemy who had long departed. Yet, so many of us live in fear, whether it be fear of failure, fear of rejection or a multitude of other fears. Many of these fears are caused by things that happened so long ago and have departed from us. My question to you today is what frightens you? Can you take the Lord at face value today, trusting that what He says in His word is true? If so, then will you trust Him today to be the strength of your life and cast all of your fears upon Him? Trust Him today, for He is the only strength that you ever need.
Monday, October 27, 2014
October 27 - Doing the Right Thing
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
Psalm 25: 21 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: A chief executive was soon to retire. He wanted to pick a successor, so he gave each of his junior executives a seed, telling them to plant it and bring back the plant in one year. He would then pick his successor. Everyone talked over the ensuing weeks about the plants that they were growing; all but one man, who watered his plant dutifully but did not see anything grow. The day arrived when the new chief executive would be picked. Everyone brought in beautiful plants, except for this one man. The chief executive looked around the room and marveled at the plants. Then, his eyes fell upon the pot of soil with no plant and the nervous man next to it. The chief executive announced to everyone that he would be the next CEO. He then told the group that he had given all of them boiled seeds that could not possibly grow into a plant. All, seeing that nothing was growing, had substituted another seed for the original one, except for the one who persevered in spite of not seeing results.
So often we are tempted to not do the right thing, to take shortcuts, to cheat. We think that no one will notice, it really does not matter, everyone else does it. Our seemingly innocuous indiscretions do impact us, even if we don't get caught and face earthly consequences. Think of all the young executives in the story above who staked everything in something that was a lie. Conversely, think of the one young executive who did the right thing. His integrity won out.
When I meet Jesus face to face someday, I want Him to know me by my integrity, that He would have preserved me, that I would have held on to His truth and been upright in a deceitful age. What about you? Are you living a life in hopeful wait for our Savior, with integrity as your hallmark? Or, are you placing all of your hope on the things of this world, regardless of what it takes to attain them? I pray that it is the former, that you may know the joy of choosing to be His servant.
For I wait for You.
Psalm 25: 21 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: A chief executive was soon to retire. He wanted to pick a successor, so he gave each of his junior executives a seed, telling them to plant it and bring back the plant in one year. He would then pick his successor. Everyone talked over the ensuing weeks about the plants that they were growing; all but one man, who watered his plant dutifully but did not see anything grow. The day arrived when the new chief executive would be picked. Everyone brought in beautiful plants, except for this one man. The chief executive looked around the room and marveled at the plants. Then, his eyes fell upon the pot of soil with no plant and the nervous man next to it. The chief executive announced to everyone that he would be the next CEO. He then told the group that he had given all of them boiled seeds that could not possibly grow into a plant. All, seeing that nothing was growing, had substituted another seed for the original one, except for the one who persevered in spite of not seeing results.
So often we are tempted to not do the right thing, to take shortcuts, to cheat. We think that no one will notice, it really does not matter, everyone else does it. Our seemingly innocuous indiscretions do impact us, even if we don't get caught and face earthly consequences. Think of all the young executives in the story above who staked everything in something that was a lie. Conversely, think of the one young executive who did the right thing. His integrity won out.
When I meet Jesus face to face someday, I want Him to know me by my integrity, that He would have preserved me, that I would have held on to His truth and been upright in a deceitful age. What about you? Are you living a life in hopeful wait for our Savior, with integrity as your hallmark? Or, are you placing all of your hope on the things of this world, regardless of what it takes to attain them? I pray that it is the former, that you may know the joy of choosing to be His servant.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
October 26 - Unashamed
Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Psalm 25:20 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Nathaniel Hawthorne weaves a tale in The Scarlet Letter of Hester Prynne and all that unfolds as the result of her adulterous relationship. At one point in the story, Hester is forced to wear a scarlet 'A' and is marched through town, to be shamed in front of the entire community.
We all wear a scarlet letter of some kind, whether we care to admit it or not. All of us have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Yet, by trusting wholly in Jesus, we can be delivered, unashamedly living free. What things in your life cause you shame? He who is willing to deliver you will keep your soul if you are willing to just trust Him. Will you give your guilt and shame over to the Lord today in complete surrender?
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Psalm 25:20 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Nathaniel Hawthorne weaves a tale in The Scarlet Letter of Hester Prynne and all that unfolds as the result of her adulterous relationship. At one point in the story, Hester is forced to wear a scarlet 'A' and is marched through town, to be shamed in front of the entire community.
We all wear a scarlet letter of some kind, whether we care to admit it or not. All of us have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Yet, by trusting wholly in Jesus, we can be delivered, unashamedly living free. What things in your life cause you shame? He who is willing to deliver you will keep your soul if you are willing to just trust Him. Will you give your guilt and shame over to the Lord today in complete surrender?
Saturday, October 25, 2014
October 25 - Victory
Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Psalm 25:18-19 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: The Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 was nearly lost due to the late arrival of one ship. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry was able to turn the battle around once the second ship arrived. Upon winning the battle, he sent word ashore to General William Henry Harrison reporting, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
We face many enemies on this journey of life. Sometimes, these enemies are external. The more devastating are the internal ones: doubt, fear, addiction and pain. Yet, we have assurance that through Jesus all of our enemies can be ours, we can have the victory. What enemies do you face today? Don't wait until it is almost too late for help to arrive, for He is only one prayer away.
And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Psalm 25:18-19 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: The Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 was nearly lost due to the late arrival of one ship. Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry was able to turn the battle around once the second ship arrived. Upon winning the battle, he sent word ashore to General William Henry Harrison reporting, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
We face many enemies on this journey of life. Sometimes, these enemies are external. The more devastating are the internal ones: doubt, fear, addiction and pain. Yet, we have assurance that through Jesus all of our enemies can be ours, we can have the victory. What enemies do you face today? Don't wait until it is almost too late for help to arrive, for He is only one prayer away.
Friday, October 24, 2014
October 24 - Mercy to Pull You from the Pit
Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Psalm 25: 16,17 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One of the roots of the word distress is the Latin word districtus, which is the past participle of distringere, to draw apart, hinder. When we are distressed, we are often divided, drawn apart. Have you ever been in a situation where things just seem to be getting worse in spite of your best efforts? This happens to me with plumbing projects, although I have now given these up under the advice of my wife, after causing a minor flood in our kitchen.
In this portion of Psalm 25, we see David crying out to God in affliction, feeling desolate. Perhaps today you feel drawn apart, not knowing which way to go, feeling like you are falling down a deeper and deeper pit. This hole could be of your own volition or through no fault of your own. Remember, it is not the depth of the pit that you are in that matters. Rather, it is the length of the arms of mercy that can pull you out, if you just ask Him. Won't you cry out to the Lord today? He will hear and reach down into the depth of your despair to bring you out into the light of His love.
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Psalm 25: 16,17 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One of the roots of the word distress is the Latin word districtus, which is the past participle of distringere, to draw apart, hinder. When we are distressed, we are often divided, drawn apart. Have you ever been in a situation where things just seem to be getting worse in spite of your best efforts? This happens to me with plumbing projects, although I have now given these up under the advice of my wife, after causing a minor flood in our kitchen.
In this portion of Psalm 25, we see David crying out to God in affliction, feeling desolate. Perhaps today you feel drawn apart, not knowing which way to go, feeling like you are falling down a deeper and deeper pit. This hole could be of your own volition or through no fault of your own. Remember, it is not the depth of the pit that you are in that matters. Rather, it is the length of the arms of mercy that can pull you out, if you just ask Him. Won't you cry out to the Lord today? He will hear and reach down into the depth of your despair to bring you out into the light of His love.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
October 23 - God, our rescuer
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalm 25:15 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One night, my youngest daughter, who was about one at the time, was crying quite a bit in her crib. When I went to check what was wrong, I quickly noticed that her leg was caught underneath a railing in the crib. The look on her face was one of fear and of trust; fear of what was happening and the pain, utter trust in me that I would be able to free her. Yet, until I could calm her and stop her from trying to free herself, I could not free her leg.
In the same way, we often are fearfully thrashing about trying to solve our own problems, seeking relief from our pain, perhaps trying to reverse mistakes that we have made. If we can just stop thrashing and look toward the Lord, He will indeed deliver. What do you need deliverance from today? Look to Him today and always, for our God is our provider and deliverer.
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalm 25:15 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One night, my youngest daughter, who was about one at the time, was crying quite a bit in her crib. When I went to check what was wrong, I quickly noticed that her leg was caught underneath a railing in the crib. The look on her face was one of fear and of trust; fear of what was happening and the pain, utter trust in me that I would be able to free her. Yet, until I could calm her and stop her from trying to free herself, I could not free her leg.
In the same way, we often are fearfully thrashing about trying to solve our own problems, seeking relief from our pain, perhaps trying to reverse mistakes that we have made. If we can just stop thrashing and look toward the Lord, He will indeed deliver. What do you need deliverance from today? Look to Him today and always, for our God is our provider and deliverer.
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