Proverbs 13:3 11/3/2026

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

Some people disagree with the bible, but the book of Proverbs has produced widely accepted sayings that even non-Christians have repeated for generations… Many don’t follow the advice, but few would argue that it is not accurate. And even though we all see the truth, we are often more likely to apply it to others then follow it ourselves. 

Our verse today is a perfect example…  I am positive that “not guarding my lips” has caused ruin in my life …My words at times have hurt those I love, made difficult situations worse, and alienated me from people that care about me… So why do I still speak before evaluating what I am saying? 

The Bible comments on that in James 3:8, which says,  “But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” 

Do we see our tongues like that?  Do I nonchalantly view my mouth as something that might get me in a little trouble once in a while, or as a constant, restless evil that is full of deadly poison?… Regardless of what I think, the latter description is more accurate. Still, at times I find myself replying to people before they have even finished speaking. I listen only to respond, not to understand, and that simply widens the gulf between me and the person I disagree with. 

Growing up in Texas, I have been taught to never point a gun at something I didn’t intend to destroy. My harsh words should carry the same warning. Our casual approach to what we say is indescribably dangerous and incredibly foolish.   Feelings have been hurt, relationships destroyed, lives lost, and even wars have been fought… all over careless words that men have spoken.  

Guard your lips today as though they were deadly weapons. Determine to hear people out, take a breath, and consider what has been said before responding. Opening your mouth is a moment of no return. You cannot take back words once they are released, but you can choose not to release them. A guarded mouth protects you from speaking rashly…and that will save you from ruin.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building others up." –  God (Ephesians 4:29)

Romans 1:1 10/27/2026

“Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God”

This is Paul’s introduction to the Romans. This letter is unique because Paul had never been to Rome as a believer. He is not responding to a church situation. He is “street preaching”, so the gospel is ultra-clear and to the point. We can learn a lot from his first sentence.

Paul opens by identifying himself as a bondservant… The original word is “Doulos”, and it means slave. Paul is saying his life is not his own. His qualification is not his education, apostleship, nor authority… He is a slave and he wants people to know it. Is that my identifier? Do I open with that, or do I want you to know my credentials? And If I open with servanthood, then whom do I serve?  “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name; it is a title. When I apply that title to Jesus it is a clear claim regarding his position and authority in my life. 

Is that how you see yourself?… Is Jesus your Master? Do you see the Bible as helpful literature, or as a proclamation from your King? Is it a book of suggestions or commandments? Those questions need to be answered prior to crisis.

After establishing his servanthood, Paul acknowledges his apostleship and states that he writes with authority. This is another trait we should mimic. Not claiming our authority, but that The Word of God is authoritative. Peter confirms Paul’s writings as scripture, and states that those who distort it do so at their own peril. What about you and me? Do we obey, or distort? Do we casually skim The Bible or study it as though it carried the power of life and death… because it does.

Then his final declaration is that he is “set apart”… am I? Am I holy?… Being “Set-apart” occurs when I’m single minded and focused on producing disciples… my holiness is essential to that objective. Is my heart “set apart” and does it exclusively belong to God, or am I unfocused and double minded?

When you look in the mirror this morning, know your qualifications… Your worth, security, and power don’t come from who you are… they come from whose you are.

"Your value and purpose are not set by public opinion. It was settled at Calvary." - Anonymous

Genesis 50:20 10/20/2026

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

If you’ve been following this blog for long, this morning’s entry might sound familiar. We covered this verse a few years back, and it’s needed today as much as it was then. This verse contains Joseph’s statement to his brothers who had heartlessly sold him into slavery. How did he avoid resentment when he was treated unfairly by those closest to him? How can we avoid resentment when life seems unfair to us?

Two of the most destructive emotions on the planet are bitterness and self-pity. They are parasitic emotions that when allowed to fester, will destroy their hosts. Faith eliminates the environment they need to exist. Trusting God changes your viewpoint.  It transforms you from a victim to an operative in God’s army.  It allows you to watch God use what should have destroyed you. …to Make you stronger.

Trusting in an all-powerful God gives you the patience to “let the play develop”.  It allows you to resist panic and wait for God to reveal His strategy.  He is not anxious or surprised and as His precious child you shouldn’t be either.

Living with Confidence in Christ is what allows an alcoholic to recover and move on to help others fighting the same battle. It enables those who have waded through unimaginable grief to rescue others sinking in it.  It allows couples who have worked hard and saved their marriage, to help others who are struggling. God never wastes pain; He uses it to create battle tested “veterans” who can provide priceless guidance to others who are entering the fight. 

Completely relying on God changes you at your core. Faithfulness allows you to trust that the Lord will protect you, and that He fully intends to use this trial for your good, and His glory.

If you’re in the middle of a war today, keep fighting… you are not alone.  Know that God loves you, and He will carry you through… Grab His Hand and hold on, then turn your gaze outward and find the “many lives” you have been sent to save through the storm.

"It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is  weary." -  Charles Spurgeon

Acts 2:37-38 10/13/2026

^“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

When Peter told the people the hard truth of their guilt and need of the gospel, they were cut to the heart and asked, “What are we to do?” There is humility and honesty in their response and Peter’s reply to their question is simple… repent and publicly commit your life to Christ. 

Sometimes I find myself looking for novel approaches that will help others understand the gospel. I look for clever ways to open people’s eyes.  I think God approves of me trying to present the gospel in interesting ways,  but the power of God’s word is found in the clear truth it presents… Clarity far outweighs creativity when it comes to effectiveness.

Peter realized that fact and simply said, “Repent and be baptized” and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, 3000 people were saved. No smoke and lights, no media presentation…. Just the unvarnished truth.  While trying to present the gospel in ways that people can identify with, I must never forget that scripture being interpreted by the Spirit of God is where the power resides.

Today, as representatives of Christ in a fallen world, we must not allow creativity to water down or distract from the truth. God is not impressed with productions and slick performances… He desires true worship. 1 Samuel says, “For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”  That applies to all of us. How my ministry looks on the outside is irrelevant if it is doubleminded  and stained with ego on the inside.  

The people asked, “What should we do?” The answer was clear: repent, confess, publicly proclaim Christ, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our message, and we must not let innovation distort it. Whether the world finds our ministry entertaining is not our concern; our goal is to lead people to repentance and new life.

"The church that can't worship must be entertained. And men who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment." - A.W. Tozer

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 10/6/2026

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves...”

This passage speaks to an extreme and necessary dichotomy that we as Christians cannot afford to overlook. Misunderstanding either side of this contradiction will weaken your walk and expose you to attacks by the enemy. 

The passage begins by describing God’s power which called light out of darkness.  We carry that power within us. Jesus, once told the Sadducees,  “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The Greek word for power used there is “dunamis”.  It’s used over 100 times in the New Testament and is the root word for our words dynamite … Like the Sadducees, we often underestimate the power that indwells our soul. We carry the force that created the universe within us. Nothing can separate us from that power, and nothing can stand against it… When we are unsuccessful it is often because we don’t know the power of God, so we try to accomplish things with our own feeble strength.

The second part of the passage is just as crucial. That indescribable power is contained in clay jars. This reminds us that we are earthen, fragile containers that stand in remarkable contrast to what is within us. It’s like carrying a nuclear warhead in a paper sack… the contrast exists so we will be aware that our awesome power and ability have nothing to do with WHO we are, and everything to do with WHOSE we are. 

Our salvation, our righteousness and our power have nothing to do with our strength. Our contribution is simply acknowledging that we have nothing to give.  Understanding this paradox allows us to walk in bold unshakable confidence, based solely on the power that fills us… when we grasp this arrangement it is only logical to joyfully say ….”I must decrease, and He must increase.” 

“Remember, it is not your weakness that will get in the way of God’s working through you, but your delusions of strength. His strength is made perfect in our weakness!” - Paul Tripp

John 3:27-30 9/29/2026

“John replied, “A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’  He who has the bride is the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So, this joy of mine has been made full.  He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This passage gives context to a well-known verse. John the Baptist was “the man”… He had been a top “influencer” for a long time.  The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about John drawing massive crowds out to the wilderness.  Herod Antipas feared John’s influence, and religious leaders sent delegations to him, thinking perhaps he was the Messiah. 

Then Jesus comes on the scene, and everything changes. John is targeted by one of the enemy’s favorite weapons (envy) as his followers start following Christ.  But John gives us a template on how to  respond to this temptation... Keep your eye on the prize … John knows his mission has been assigned by God, and his desire is to be effective within God’s plan.  Knowing the Messiah had arrived… John says something profound that we sometimes miss.  He doesn’t just tolerate Jesus increasing, and him decreasing… this transition fills John with happiness. Like the best man at a wedding, he is overjoyed for the groom.

Is that how you respond when the spotlight leaves your ministry and goes toward others? When God brings a new talented person to increase growth in His Kingdom does it make you joyful? Or do you instead tear down others when you’re in their shadow?  God calls us to be encouragers. And like John, we should be filled with joy when others build the Kingdom for which we fight.  

Pride is the original sin, and its self-centeredness is poisonous. I am a servant of the King, and my aim is to exalt Him. Whether I am elevated or serve as a steppingstone does not matter, so long as He is glorified. Live your life helping others succeed, and when it happens, be their biggest fan.

“The true measure of your own success is found in how loudly you cheer for the achievements of others without feeling a single shred of envy.”
- anonymous

PSALM 75:3 9/22/2026

“The earth and all who inhabit it are unsteady…”

What a powerful statement from the mouth of God.  God is the only reliable foundation available to us. Anyone, or anything I turn to for stability will prove to be unsteady.  If I desire my life to be on firm ground… if I desire strength,  steadiness, and contentment, there is only one foundation that will stand. I must depend solely on God.  All earthly anchors will be weak and unsure.

My Dad’s career was in commercial construction, and he was well known for his insistence on strong pier and beam foundations. He oversaw the building of First Baptist Church Houston back in the 1970’s when they moved from downtown, out to the west loop. Years later, at Dad’s funeral, I learned that the church’s foundation had been built strong enough to allow multiple stories to be added if it became necessary.

Few people nowadays build in that way. Most spend the minimum on the foundation, which is unseen, and pour the money into the above ground amenities that are visible…. Which is fine, until it’s not. Until the rain and wind, followed by the heat begins to move the ground you built on and cracks start to appear. This happens in buildings, marriages, careers, relationships, etc. And when the cracks appear it threatens everything that has been built upon the faulty foundation. 

Like a wise contractor you must be patient in building your life. This morning’s verse must be an undeniable part of your theology and lead you to patiently invest in a strong, immovable foundation on which to build your life.  The nine words in this passage should greet you every morning. They should be an integral part of your belief system. The time and resources you will waste by forgetting those words are immeasurable.

Are you looking for security in your bank account? Do you think your “followers” and social media clicks assure your significance? Do you expect your political party to deliver you from the threats this world poses?… God says all of that is shifting sand…what the world offers may look good in the sunshine, but when the rain comes, it will all fall apart. Take your time, insist on quality footings and build your life on the Rock.

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand”
- Edward Mote

PSALM 39:1 9/15/2026

“I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle...” 

This is our pet sin; we make no attempt to guard our mouths. We are quick to speak, slow to listen, and quick to become angry, which is exactly backwards of biblical instruction. When triggered, we are just a keyboard away from exposing the vitriol we carry in our hearts.

When I read this verse, I thought of how I should instruct you all to respond to God, instead of reacting in anger… I wanted to warn you to be careful before hitting the send button… But not a single thought about myself.  No remorse for hurtful words that slip out because I don’t guard my mouth…. No repentance for a heart that hides arrogance behind religious phrases. Why do I so clearly see your problems but am blind to my own? It seems we’re better at critiquing other people’s statements than muzzling our own mouths.  When my heart gets polluted, my tongue is the thermometer that quickly reveals how controlled I am by sin. 

David is clearly depressed at the writing of the psalm, but he doesn’t lash out and blame someone else. He owns it .  Which is something we seem to have lost the ability to do.  Some call David inconsistent and moody…but the truth is he is transparent.  He, like us, has days that he is ready to take on the world with a slingshot, and other days when he doesn’t want to get out of bed because he feels defeated and exhausted.

The instructional part is that though he argues, he complains, he pleads, he confesses …all of that is directed toward His Father… Psalms is a book of prayers to God, not posts to followers.  God is always the answer to his questions. He never hides from the Lord or gathers a group of friends together to complain to…  he consistently turns to the Father for comfort and leans on advice found in scripture. 

Surround yourself with friends who love you and will help carry your burdens… but guard your mouth. Save your most intimate heartfelt words for your Father in praise and supplication, and intentionally eliminate statements that produce depression, despair, and anxiety. 

“God is always ready to listen anytime you are ready to talk.”
- Anonymous

2 Corinthians 4:17 9/8/2026

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

When I was in elementary school, I received a rock tumbler as a gift. I was amazed when I first used it and saw that what had once been dull average looking rocks had become shining jewels.  This led to what I am sure was my Mom’s and sisters most memorable Christmas as they received exquisite rings and necklaces  that I had handcrafted from the rocks I had tumbled for weeks.  Strangely, I don’t remember anyone but my mom actually wearing them.

Looking back, that little machine was a great illustration. The friction caused by the constant motion slowly wore off the dull outside of the rocks and revealed a beauty that, without the abrasiveness, would have never been seen.  Paul says that the troubles of this world do the same thing.  They are not only endurable, but they actually serve the purpose of achieving eternal glory for us.  The constant tumbling and rubbing and bumping into the trouble found in this world removes rough edges.  The abrasion reveals beauty buried deep inside. 

The key to the process is the grit.  The stones themselves do  not do  the work… it is the small, almost imperceivable grit that does the work of shining.  The other indispensable ingredient is time. There are no shortcuts and there is no way to speed up the process. 

As people chasing after God’s own heart, we must be tumbled around a bit ourselves. The friction generated by the irritants of this world reveals what is beneath the surface of your life. If you have been redeemed, grinding and scuffing will begin to reveal the beauty of the Spirit of God as the rough edges are smoothed away. 

There is no doubt that we will all enter the tumbler today, surrounded by enough grit to wear away the carefully crafted façade we show our friends and followers. Make sure the beauty of God is at your core, so when the trials of this world remove the outer layers, people are drawn to what lies beneath. Though your heart may at times appear to be common and dull, allow the constant pressure created by the trials of this world to reveal it as a priceless gem.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.” - Helen Keller

PSALM 85:10 9/1/2026

”Graciousness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

Commentators describe the phrase, “met together” as a term depicting those who should be friends, but whom circumstances have separated. That is an accurate description of our relationship with God…. He is our Father, Creator, and King… we should be family, but our sin has divided us. Our communion with God has been disrupted and we no longer live in the relationship for which we were created.

However, because of His great love for us,  God has remedied this condition. “Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other”… that occurred on the Cross where Jesus horrifically suffered and died to pay my debt. God’s glorious grace, and the shame of my wickedness encountered each other, and God’s righteousness has been satisfied. His grace has given me the kiss of peace, and our relationship has been restored. 

What possible response, other than gratitude can I have to this miracle? Is there any room for boasting? Would it not be insanity to claim that I have done anything that merits such a gift? Yet we “church goers” entertain such madness on a regular basis. We think our quiet times, offerings, or kindness somehow makes us more deserving of salvation than our neighbors. 

Ironically, few attitudes are more repulsive to God than believing we can earn His grace. It nauseates Him… and understandably so. If you sacrificed a loved one to save me, and I offered you money or trinkets in return, it would do nothing but offend you. Multiply that by infinity and you will begin to understand God’s opinion of you “working” for your salvation. 

We hear “Amazing Grace” so often that the phrase loses its power to astonish us.  It is utterly unimaginable that God would do what He did. That He would sacrifice His Son to redeem us even while we were pushing Him away…. And it is inexcusable for us to believe we have anything to offer as reimbursement. 

When counting your blessings, place first the fact that His love and your sin came face to face, and His grace bestowed on you Christ’s righteousness, and the kiss of eternal peace with your heavenly Father… In comparison, everything else is just details. 

“We are justified, not by giving anything to God, but by receiving from God, what Christ hath done for us.”  – William Gurnall

2 Corinthians 5:21 8/25/2026

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

This is one of the clearest verses illustrating what theologians call “Imputed Righteousness”.  The early reformers called it  “Alien Righteousness” which I like better, because it clarifies that it does not come from this world.  The power that saves you does not originate within you.  That’s why Jonathon Edwards said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”  Whatever you call it; this concept is the heart of the gospel.   

Alien Righteousness is also a stumbling block for many people….  because it absolutely eliminates boasting.  I didn’t accept Christ because I am smarter, more perceptive, or innately better than those who are lost.  Believing that we can do something that will make us like God is what tripped us up in the garden and still does today.  Surely, we can  find a  way for us to get at least a little bit of credit for our eternal salivation, right?  Nope, because if there were, we would boast.  

We would take credit and become our own little god, and that violates the very First commandment… “ …have no other gods before me.”  The original sin is pride, and it can only be combatted by humility. And the way to humility is to take an honest look at our condition and acknowledge our inability to change it. 

The self-righteous insists that If they do more good than bad, they should get into Heaven… The problem is that regardless of their accounting, they don’t do more good than bad, and even if they did, the requirement for entrance is perfection.

The pious believe their religious deeds, and rituals make them “more” worthy and thereby qualify them to judge others. The issue there is that scripture calls their deeds “filthy rags” (research that and you’ll be repulsed by what it means). 

The bottom line is that our own righteousness is inadequate… We must have His righteousness, and only His death and resurrection can impute this alien righteousness to us.  Only then by grace, may we stand before God in complete perfection and enter into His presence…. That is amazing grace.

 “You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if he were you.” – Charles Spurgeon

Luke 9:23 8/18/2026

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”’

Moderation is overrated. The phrase “Everything in moderation” is attributed to the Greek poet Hesiod. But in this verse Jesus blows that philosophy out of the water. 

At this point, the disciples have seen amazing miracles; crowds are gathering… the movement is gaining momentum. Then Jesus abruptly forecasts His own death and clarifies what it means to follow Him. Jesus knew the allure of success and approval could be dangerous, so he makes sure they understand the assignment.

Jesus doesn’t “recruit” followers; in fact, He consistently highlights the cost of being one… and there’s nothing “moderate” about following Christ. In this verse He listed three requirements. 

First, “denying yourself” which involves a change of management. You are no longer on the throne. You no longer issue orders; you obey them. 

Second, “taking up the Cross” means dying… His disciples understood that men carrying crosses were headed for execution. Spurgeon recommends we “die every morning before we leave our bedroom” as a way of daily taking up our cross…  acknowledging that it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me. 

And finally, “following Jesus” means changing direction… You’re not slightly altering your course; you are doing an about-face.  You stop pursuing your goals and start chasing His. 

It is critical that we recognize that Jesus said we do these things DAILY.… My good friend, and mentor Joe White says that “every” is one of the most important words in the English language. What he means… and what Jesus makes clear in this passage, is that picking up your cross, denying yourself, and following Him is not a onetime act. It is something we do EVERY day. Trusting Christ is not the finish line… It’s the beginning of our full-time calling to fight against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. 

It’s unacceptable to God when we just “Moderately” adjust our lives for Him …And when you consider the price He paid for our redemption, you understand His disgust with those who approach their faith with anything less than wholehearted reckless abandon. 

“Radical Christianity is not going on a mission trip or a big conference. Radical Christianity is staying steady for decades.”  - Mike Bickle

2 Kings 19:14 8/11/2026

“Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.”

That’s how you handle a problem. 

King Hezekiah had just been given an ultimatum by the King of Assyria to surrender Jerusalem or be destroyed.... His response is a template for us to follow when we are threatened. No matter your position, no matter how powerful you think you are … the way you handle a problem is to go to God,  lay it in front of Him, and wait. 

I must confess, that is not always my response… I can picture myself receiving this threatening letter and firing off a terse email… or strategizing how best to fight. Or stomping around shouting “how dare they” …etc. But I love the clear, concise language in this verse. He took it from the servant…. read it…. took it to the temple…. spread it out before the Lord. 

Why do we so often respond differently? Is it because we have forgotten God’s power? Have we forgotten that God loves us more than we can comprehend? At no point in this process does Hezekiah appear to feel alone or desperate… Why do we? Why do we preach God’s deliverance until we are the ones threatened? 

“IF” I go to the Father, I usually come with my own plan, and instead of faith I come in fear. My prayer is usually instructive as though God needs my guidance in resolving the problem. When will I realize that any energy, spent outside of getting my issue before the Lord, is wasted energy? 

Since Hezekiah went directly to God and trusted Him, the Lord replies: ” … ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.” That verse is followed by about ten verses describing things God is going to do for Hezekiah… that Hezekiah cannot do for himself. And that is the point. That is how we find peace. 

So today if you get ambushed by an unexpected danger,  spread it out before the Lord and lean on Him. He is not surprised and if you’ll turn loose of the reins, and have a little faith, He will handle it. 

 “God’s plan is still working even when your plan is falling apart.” 
- Max Lucado

2 Timothy 4:11 8/4/2026

“…get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”

Mark was an understudy who abandoned Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey. It led to one of the most well-known “Church Arguments” in history.  Barnabas wanted to bring Mark on the next trip and Paul said, “no way”… That disagreement split the team. Scripture says, Barnabas took Mark  ….But Paul chose Silas and departed”.  Then, Fifteen years later, Paul writes the sentence we’re studying this morning, and there’s a lot to learn from that sentence. 

First, we learn how to disagree without making it personal. This has become rare in our culture.  Paul didn’t spend the years since the argument, assassinating Mark’s reputation.  Neither was he worried about his own when he wrote this letter. He didn’t say “I was right years ago, and Mark has finally grown up”… He just said that Mark was important to the ministry, and he wanted to see him.  

The second lesson is Restoration… People get all wound up over “church discipline” because they don’t understand it.  Church discipline is about restoration.  Mark dropped the ball… he did the worst thing you can do as a teammate, and though I am sure it was uncomfortable, Paul called him out. We don’t know if Mark would have become the man he became without learning that quitting had ramifications. But this incident and Paul’s honest assessment no doubt magnified the importance of endurance and loyalty to Mark. 

The final lesson is forgiveness for others (and yourself)… Basically, don’t live in negativity. I used to tell my players when they were upset over a bad game, that they needed some “GOI therapy” (Get Over It). That’s what Paul is teaching with this sentence.  Sometimes, When we blow it… or people let us down, we just need to Get over it, or as my granddaughter sings “Let it go”.  Paul forgives and forgets. 

Paul pardons Mark for bailing on them; Mark forgave himself and came back better than before. I don’t care how badly you blew it. If you have confessed and repented, you can be “helpful in ministry”.   Stop worrying about the past …. Get up, forget the times you or your teammate failed, and always remember that the most important play is the next one.

“Who you’ve been, ain’t who you gotta be” - Tim McGraw

Ephesians 2:4-5 7/28/2026

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved”

This passage speaks of the motivation and method of our salvation. It talks about why, and how, we are saved, with “Why” being the most puzzling.  The verse says He saved us because of His great love for us.  Think about that.  I know we hear, “God loves you”, all the time but think about it like you’ve never heard it before.  It is a peculiar and outrageous thing to say.  

Why would a perfect, omniscient, all-powerful Deity, that I don’t even have the capacity to comprehend… Love me?... Even if I longed for His love, and strove to acquire it, my insignificance alone would make it implausible.  But add to that, the fact that His love was not reciprocated, and in fact was rejected by me and it makes the opening of this passage baffling.  

But let’s say we get past that, and accept that through no action of my own the God of the Universe loves, values, and cherishes me… How can He establish a relationship with me?  How can He make it possible for a reprobate like me to be in the presence of a Holy God who cannot tolerate imperfection?

The answer to those questions is what we call the Gospel. He loved us while we were sinning… We were dead in sin and Christ brought us back to life… simply because He loves us. Of all the miracles in the bible, from the parting of the Red Sea to the demolition of the walls of Jericho… Nothing is more amazing then that the One who created the heavens and the earth, with all its splendor and majesty… actually loves me. And paid and unthinkable price to allow me to spend eternity with Him. 

If you have decided you’re not worthy of His love, you’re correct…   You were dead in sin, and something that’s dead cannot contribute to its own rescue. But, if your confused as to the “why” and think God couldn’t possibly love you after all you’ve done, remember you can’t do something to lose what you did nothing to gain.

“Holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness.”  - Spurgeon

Judges 21:25 7/21/2026

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Judges chapter 21 was probably written about 1100 BC.  The population of Isreal was around a half million people and the first part of this verse says there was no king to rule them.  But then the next phrase says something else… There was no official king of Israel so instead there were about a half million little kings who did what was right in their own eyes.  

We see the same thing in America today. We follow laws we agree with and self-righteously dismiss laws that are inconvenient. We make ourselves the final moral authority which doesn’t produce freedom, only chaos. As we scream about the importance of not having kings, we ironically crown ourselves as the only legitimate rulers.  Arbitrarily deciding what is right by what we feel, we insist that everyone ratify our lunacy.…. Not only will we not tolerate rebellion… we won’t even tolerate disagreement. Everyone must accept our make-believe royal decrees or they will be canceled. 

So, it doesn’t look like much has changed in the last 3000 years.  We still do what we deem right, and you are welcome to peacefully coexist as long as you agree wholeheartedly with my views. We crown ourselves as little Emperors who tolerate no critics nor detractors.

However, in the real world, there is only one King…and it’s not you or me… but since we’re made in His image, we constantly try to take the job. We declare ourselves as deity and allow opinions as long as they validate our illusions. The problem with that is that in the book of Judges this philosophy ends with moral decay, Idolatry, oppression, sexual violence, civil war, fraudulent religions, etc. So again, nothing has changed in the last 3000 years… Same stupid idea that we can be God, produces the same destructive corrosion that sin always generates. You would think we would learn from history, but here we are… 

So, you decide. You have a King… but will you acknowledge Him? Jesus came to be your Savior and Lord… He is either both, or He is neither. 

“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done, ‘ and those to whom God says, ‘All right then, have it your way’” 
- C.S. Lewis

PSALM 48:4-5 7/14/2026

“When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,  5they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.”

This passage, referring to the City of God, illustrates the process our culture is involved in today, and the direction we are headed for tomorrow. Our rulers confidently march against God’s established conventions. They join forces to squelch the Word of God and mock those who believe. Our cultural “kings” have assembled to fight against the city of God, including anything that takes defining “right and wrong” out of their hands. 

It has become fashionable to reject The Law of the Lord and replace it with what you “think and feel”.  We ignorantly applaud those who speak “their own truth”, as though they have some innate ability to create facts. 

Individual “spirituality” is acceptable, but if our message threatens anyone’s ability to be their own little god… we will be canceled.  If we point out what God clearly calls sin, we are labeled intolerant. Society elevates those who create new ways to succumb to immorality. The most absurd claims of normalcy are approved amidst sinful depravity. We are desperate to be “edgy” and tear down all established truth and ridicule anyone who clings to the old, antiquated standards of godliness. 

But verse 5 is coming, when God will reveal the power of His fortress and all who have opposed Him will flee. The world will see God’s truth and be astounded, they will be wrecked by His power, and they will flee in terror. The city of our God will be established forever, and the “kings” of this world will be revealed as powerless pawns. This psalm opens with “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised” and nothing the kings nor people do can diminish that statement.  He is the beginning and the end, and His majestic reign is inevitable and our approval is unnecessary. 

Truth must be our focus… scripturally accurate truth… The kind that will set you free… Real Truth is static, immovable, and unalterable. It is exclusive and rigid and nothing our “kings” do will soften that reality. You can’t change truth; it must change you. Seek and you will find, ignore and you will perish.

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic”.
- John F. Kennedy

Matthew 7:21-23 7/7/2026

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

We’ve discussed this important passage before. But if we don’t examine Christ’s words here, we could be one of the “many” who miss the message. Jesus says that lip service won’t get you into Heaven. Simply calling Him Lord doesn’t make Him your Lord.  He specifically says doing the will of His Father is the key to eternity with God.

So, what exactly is the “will of the Father”?… Jesus says people will claim to preach, cast out demons, and work miracles… things they assume are God’s will. But according to Jesus, while these may be byproducts… they are not a fulfillment of the will of the Father. Unfortunately, many will be misled by this, assuming these activities will earn them a place in Heaven.

But look closely at Jesus’ reason for turning them away.  “I NEVER KNEW YOU”. That means Jesus knowing you, is the key to Heaven.  It’s not preaching, teaching Sunday school, or going to church. It is not even knowing Jesus… IT IS JESUS KNOWING YOU. 

There is only one way to have a relationship with Christ …by spending time with Him. There are no short cuts… no “fire insurance prayers” to recite… It is recognizing Jesus as God, confessing and repenting of sin, acknowledging His resurrection as your redemption, and being filled with His Spirit. If you do that, you will naturally build a daily relationship with Him. Talking to Him through prayer and listening through the Word. That is the will of the Father… that you experience a  saving relationship with the Son, in which Jesus recognizes you, because your time with Him has changed your heart.

Don’t let what you do FOR God… distract you from being WITH God. Build your bond with Christ, it is the litmus test of your faith… and the key that opens the door of Heaven.

“Apples don’t make a tree an apple tree, they just show that it is one.”  

PSALM 37: 4 6/30/2026

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

What a powerful passage of scripture…  But the problem I have with living it out, is that  ALL of my focus tends to be on “give you the desires of your heart”, while God’s focus is on “Delight yourself in the Lord”.  

I read this to mean that if I “delight myself in the Lord,” then He will give me everything I want, which sounds a lot like delighting myself in “me”…   But when I take time to consider what it means to delight in the Lord, I see that the desires of my heart should aligned with His heart. Then my prayer changes from “my will be done” to “Thy will be done.” You don’t have to be a biblical scholar to know that when Jesus taught us to pray, He taught us to seek God’s will.

So, my approach to this scripture appears to be flawed.  It reminds me of the story of W.C. Fields, who was a known atheist and was once seen reading a bible backstage…. Someone asked, “W.C., why are you reading that bible?” to which he replied, “I’m Looking for loopholes”.  

Too often I do the same, looking for ways to make God’s will match my will… when wisdom would dictate, I make my will match His.  I need to read this verse as it was written, not try to manipulate it to serve my purposes. The odd dilemma is that sometimes, I view His will as a compromise or even a disappointment… which simply means I don’t understand who I am talking to when I pray.  

If I grasped God’s wisdom and omnipotence, I would insist on His plan over my own. And If I considered the proven love God has shown for me then I would be excited to see what He has in store. If it weren’t so destructive, it would be laughable that I attempt to instruct the creator of all things, on how to best direct the life He gave me.  … I have access to the most powerful and intelligent Being in all of existence… His love for me is undeniable… Should I be giving Him advice?

“The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God's will to mine, but to mold my will into His.” - Timothy Keller

Jeremiah 16:18 6/23/2026

“I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols.”

How would we react if our spouses paraded extramarital partners through our homes, and constantly pursued adulterous affairs? What if they said they loved us, but chased others daily and only occasionally and ceremonially acknowledged us?

This verse, about how God responds to the Israelites idolatry, seems harsh. However, as the Bride of Christ we belong to God… God expects a much higher level of commitment from me than is due me by my wife. The difference is that my wife does it out of grace as I don’t deserve it. But God merits and has earned my undivided devotion.

This passage clearly illustrates that God sees my entertaining idols as defiling, vile, and detestable… When you stir those kinds of emotions in the creator of the universe you had better run to the cross and cling to it with all of your might…  As John Edwards preached it is a fearsome thing to be a sinner in the hands of an Angry God.

Nothing Angers God more than idols.  And they don’t have to be carved images. They can be money, reputation, houses, cars, Job titles, etc.  Anything that you run to when you’re anxious. Anything you depend on for security. Anything you allow to define your worth… all are idols and all are adulterous and vile to a Holy God that created you and redeemed you at an unimaginable cost. 

Examine your life today. Consider your expectation of loyalty and trust from your spouse… Magnify that ten thousand times and you will begin to scratch the surface of what we owe our Creator. The patriarchs of the Old Testament were sinful men.  Murders and adulterous, polygamous, drunkards… But the men that were said to chase Gods heart, the ones chosen by God to do great things…  all had the same thing in common… They refused to pursue other gods. The first commandment is first for a reason. The Lord is a jealous God, He will not share His glory with powerless idols …so, clean house today and get rid of your adulterous substitute gods…the first one, may be in the mirror. 

“The human heart is a factory of idols.” - John Calvin

Isaiah 65:2-3 6/16/2026

“All day long I have held out my hands  to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—  a people who continually provoke me to my very face…” 

Our arrogant resistance to God seems to astound Him… it should astound us as well. How can we be so reckless as to continually do things that God has forbidden?  In our stubbornness we ignore undeniable truths and push on with indefensible actions.

My life is defined by what I do. And what I do is dictated by what I believe. If I trust in the lies of this world I will build on sinking sand. I will pursue nonsense, which will lead to foolish decisions, which will lead to difficulties that will lead to more foolish decisions. If we continue this self-perpetuating delusion, we will become “obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations”. 

Look around… that’s happening today. When did we decide that facts and truth should take a backseat to feelings and imaginations?  When did we decide that “thus sayeth me” is more important than “thus sayeth the Lord”? 

In our backyard we have a fire pit, and I love to spend time around it.  The flickering light, and the warmth it provides, are comforting on cool nights.  But when the wind shifts, and blows smoke in my face, my relaxation ends, and I just want to get away from it….  It breaks my heart that, based on our passage, my actions can make God feel the same way. Our continual provocation of God to His face is not only stupid it is dangerous. 

One of the most frightening things God can say to a man is “have it your way”.  And after we ignore His blessings, twist His commands, and provoke Him to His face we can expect Him to let our foolishness produce what it always produces…suffering.  Like children insisting on touching a hot glowing stove, if we continue, we get burned. 

He has revealed Himself to you. He has made salvation easy to find… Stop the insanity and follow the truth. Jesus stated that He is the way, the truth and the Life… everything else is a dead end, a lie, and leads to darkness. 

“God’s patience is not to be abused. He will not always bear with the provocations of men.” 
- John Owen

Romans 1:22 6/9/2026

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” 

Romans contains what many call the “Roman Road to salvation” and it starts with powerful words that haven’t lost their sting in 2000 years.  In our arrogance we have continued our degradation.  Unlike evolution which argues we have progressed…  scripture shows a fall, and a continued cultural drift away from any intelligent conception of God.  

The first chapter says that God has revealed Himself and we are without excuse. While we know He exists, we have not acknowledged Him as God nor followed His law.  The lie told in the garden still lives today, and it always begins when we see a difficult command clearly laid out in scripture and ask,  “Did God really say that?”. This is usually followed by some “scriptural open field running” which culminates in people calling themselves Christians without acting like it.  This is problematic since Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments”.

It seems some people want Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. So, they rename sin and preach only tolerance.  Twisting some verses and  completely ignoring others to avoid clear commands. They argue that God is love, so sin carries no consequences … In other words, claiming to be wise they become fools and refuse to acknowledge that God is both loving and holy.  Mistakenly seeing Him as a cruel taskmaster waiting to punish us, or a heavenly grandfather just hoping we will acknowledge Him.  

Here is the truth.  Your loving Heavenly Father is the Holy King of Kings.  His omnipotence is terrifying and anything sinful will be annihilated… and here’s the problem. You’re sinful.  In human terms that is an enigma. BUT GOD in His love, found a way to remain holy and make you holy as well.  It came at a high price, and it is the only way to avoid eternal separation from God. 

You must call sin what it is… confess and turn away from it and be redeemed by the Blood of His Son … This is the only way for a Holy God to spend eternity with sinners like you and me.  Don’t become a fool by listening to the “wisdom” of our culture…  Repent and gratefully take hold of your redemption.

“Do not give fair names to foul sins. Call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter.”  - Spurgeon

PSALM 9:1-2 6/2/2026

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."

I will, I will, I will, I will…. Four times David declares his intentions.  He proclaims he will give thanks, tell of God’s deeds, be glad and rejoice, and sing praises. The rest of the Psalm contains descriptions of God’s glory, and requests for God to move… But the lesson this morning is, that right out of the blocks, David DECIDES to praise God.

David’s decision was made prior to God responding to his requests. David chooses gratefulness.  Instead of looking for reasons to be unhappy …. he chooses to focus on God’s graciousness. The benefits of this choice should be obvious, yet it’s a battle we fight daily. We all have things to be thankful for as well as issues to be concerned about. So, we have a decision to make. If you can fix something, fix it… but if you can’t, what is the point of worrying about it? Jesus emphasized this by asking, “Can you add one hour to your life by worrying?”. 

It’s annoying to have someone say, “just stop worrying” because we think it’s not a choice.  But both scripture and science indicate that gratitude nullifies anxiety.   You are not alone.  No matter what people’s online profile says… no one escapes the troubles of this fallen world… And at the same time, all of us are blessed with more than we deserve.  So, choose.

It is not naive to be joyful; you’re not pretending you don’t have problems… It is naive to believe that worrying about them will improve anything.  If we believe what we say we do... it should change us.  So, it’s your call but remember that  “what a man thinks in his heart… so is he.” So today, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and anything worthy of praise think about these things.” Review that list again and be purposeful with your thoughts  … Choose peace by trusting God and watch Him transform your life.

“Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” – Glenn Turner

Job 36:4 5/26/2026

“Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.”  

Jobs’ young friend Elihu gives us a lesson on how not to treat those who are suffering.  He gets on a roll, and talks himself past the truth.  As I’ve said before, bad theology usually comes from one of two areas… either the wrong view of God - or the wrong view of ourselves. And Elihu suffers from the latter. He is a little too sure of his intellect. 

Elihu‘s statement claiming “perfect knowledge” is followed by some scripturally accurate observations.  However, he goes too far and draws inaccurate conclusions.  Elihu proclaims that if men obey and serve God “they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”  Thus, he assumes that Job’s suffering has been caused by Job’s sin. 

While scripture teaches us that righteous living can shield us  from the consequences of sin, it also is clear that all men face suffering in this broken world…  Even patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, and David suffered. But Elihu’s erroneous assumptions supported his arrogance and self-righteousness, so he goes with it. 

What we can learn here is that we have the propensity to do what Elihu did.  We can “cherry-pick” truths to exalt ourselves and support the judgement of others.  This comes when we lack poorness in spirit. It happens when we have an elevated view of our own righteousness. I’ve got to keep that in mind when I counsel others, especially those who are hurting.  I have a close relationship with God. I trust His Word. But I cannot let that blind me to the fact that I am a sinful man who has limited knowledge of the circumstances in any given situation.  I should be God-assured, but not so self-assured.  

If I can’t give advice based on scripture, in context, then I shouldn’t give advice. Elihu needs more poorness of spirit.  He needs to humbly offer guidance with the realization that he doesn’t see the whole picture.  When we help the wounded, we need to have empathy.  Never water down truth but our advice must be scriptural and  should be offered humbly and carefully and always delivered with a “sore eye” and a “limp”. (Matthew 7:5 & Genesis 32:31). 

“The poor in spirit are deeply aware of being God-made and God-sufficient.”
- Eugene H. Peterson

James 4:6 5/19/2026

“… Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Sometimes scripture is mysterious and hard to understand but that is not the case this morning.  Evidently, arrogance puts us in opposition to the King of Kings.  

So, are you always the smartest person in the room, or are you poor in spirit?  It’s critical to understand that, not only will God not support pridefulness – He will actively oppose it.  Have some of your most “brilliant” plans not worked out?  Does your intellect at times seem to not hold up under scrutiny?  ... According to this verse, there may be a reason for that. It is dangerous to ignore God saying He opposes something you’re doing.  

Humility is the remedy for pride. This passage says being “poor in spirit” produces grace.  …. So how do I progress from arrogance to being poor in spirit? What does it take to suppress egotism and elevate humbleness?

Pride is the original sin… it turned an angel into a devil, and has destroyed countless men, yet we don’t run from it.  Our smugness is a result of failing to compare our shallow righteousness to the perfect holiness of God. Take an honest look in the mirror. Shine the purity of an omnipotent God on your trivial “good works” and be wrecked by the comparison.  As in Isaiah 6,  observe the holiness of God and cry out “Woe to me… I am ruined!”  It’s crucial to recognize that we are destitute and broken. That realization allows God’s power to be perfected in our weakness. It stops our arrogance from interfering with His omnipotent indescribable power and makes us usable vessels for the gospel. 

As I look for a suitable quote to end this message it dawns on me that there are more quotes exalting pride than there are warning against it.  And that is the problem… The world will push you into the very thing that will destroy you. Don’t buy the lie.  Let me challenge you today to die to yourself and let your value be found in your relationship with God. Pursue The Lord first, serve His children second, and you remain third. It will provide strength and freedom you can find nowhere else.  

“Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves.” - Ezra Taft Benson

2 Chron 24:17 5/12/2026

“After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king (Joash), and he listened to them.” 

Joash became king at 7 years old, and for about 30 years Jehoiada was his mentor.  “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.”  But when Jehoiada died, our verse this morning shares an ominous statement that changes the course of Joash’s life. Joash listened to flattery and it destroyed him.  So, the lesson today is “Guard your heart”, and it applies to us in two ways:

The first application is obvious… Joash, was raised well.  I was too, my parents and mentors gave me every opportunity to grow in the Lord. I was given a firm foundation. However, I can’t assume that because I had parents and mentors who gave me a good start, that the enemy won’t try to flatter me into finishing poorly… I must Guard my heart, especially against compliments…  "Man is tested by the praise he receives" (Proverbs 27:21). When Jehoiada died, the officials that came to memorialize his life, flattered King Joash and he eagerly listened. Joash embraced their praises, and pride demolished his life. The original sin did what it always does… destroys.

The second application is more subtle…and applies to how we mentor others.  As parents, teachers, and coaches, we must examine those we lead to make sure we don’t just change their conduct, without changing their hearts. Jehoiada was a godly priest… and Joash followed his instructions.  But when Jehoiada died, Joash went completely off the rails… That indicates that Joash grew up doing the right things, but not for the right reasons. Surface obedience without heart change is dangerously misleading. Scripture says anything done in that condition is worthless. 

The lesson is that while we mentor, we must influence actions, but we also must influence motives.  This approach is more time-consuming, but it’s part of making true disciples.  So, as we raise our children, and mentor those God puts in our lives, we must deal with the cause, not just the effect…. We must make sure we lead others to their own faith, not just train them to mimic ours. We are called to be heart doctors, not choreographers.

“The hypocrite’s concern is not how holy he is, but how holy he looks.”
– Richard Sibbes

Joshua 9:1-2 5/5/2026

“Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, the lowland, and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard about it,  that they met together with one purpose, to fight with Joshua and with Israel.”

So, apparently ignoring inconvenient truths and adjusting your “algorithm” to support your agenda, is not a new phenomenon.  Everybody, including the kings referred to in this passage, had heard about the parting of the waters of the Jordan river. They were aware that the walls of Jericho fell at the shouts of the Israelites. Still, they ignored the success of the Israeli military and instead stubbornly planned to fight God’s army. 

It’s interesting that they didn’t examine those miracles… Despite the evidence, they neglected to consider the possibility that the Israelites God was actually God... They failed to explore Israel’s claims of divine deliverance. So, it seems the lesson this morning is that arrogance leads to willful ignorance.  And that arrogance still exists today. 

How many people today are ignoring truth and cherry-picking statistics to suit their agenda? Secular teaching offers no definitive answer as to how, or why we exist. And even if it did, science has been embarrassingly inconsistent throughout history.  Accordingly, researchers refer to “god particles” and other phrases that confirm that there is power out there that we don’t understand.  

So, we search… but not for truth, only for support of our opinion.  For example, If you ask ChatGPT, it will list Christianity as the most historically defensible religion, and Judaism as the oldest continuous tradition. Yet many refuse to even read, much less study the Bible. Preferring to have no answers at all, over answers that don’t suit their purpose.

Don’t double down on willful ignorance. God has not hidden Himself. He has provided ample evidence and we are without excuse. God loves you and sent His Son to redeem you… Your eternal destiny hinges on what you do with that fact. Take and unbiased look… Study His love letter to you and weigh the evidence.  Don’t form your opinion and then collect truths to support it… Collect the truth, then form your opinion. 

“They would rather believe the impossible, than accept the unthinkable…  that there is a Creator.”  - Thomas Nagel

Deuteronomy 3:20 4/28/2026

“…until the Lord gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then you may return, each man to his possession which I have given you.”

Moses is informing the Israelites that they are “all for one and one for all”. And God expects us to have the same mentality.  At times we hear about people in our church, family, or friend groups that are struggling…  we hurt for them but often feel helpless so we move on…. However, this verse sets a precedent that God’s people are to be strongly connected. Our motto must be that no one rests until everyone rests.  This passage illustrates that I need  a stronger “team view” regarding those who are in my community, instead of an “it’s OK, if I’m Ok” view.

What about you?  Are you resting while someone close to you is fighting for their life?  Have you received your portion of the “promised land”, and are content to put down your weapons and relax? That has never been God’s plan.

There are people in your immediate circle who need you badly.  They may not admit it; they may cover it well… but there are friends and relatives losing hope right now.  If that is you reach out to those who love you.  They are not silent because they don’t care, they are silent because they’re unaware.

If you’re not in the middle of a storm, be grateful, but don’t be one of those who is unaware.  Thank God for the peace you are experiencing, then pick up your sword and look around.  Find the hurting loved one, and fight for them side by side.  Christians don’t find peace by avoiding battles, they find peace by winning them.  It is described as a peace that passes understanding, because while you are standing there exhausted, bloodied, and bruised, there is an unexplainable ease and contentment.

That is the litmus test for friendship. Love disallows apathy. So, if a loved one is struggling, join them… No part of the body can hurt without the whole body hurting. … So, when they fight you fight - and when they rest you can rest.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” 
- Walter Winchell

2 Kings 18:4 4/21/2026

“He also crushed to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel had been burning incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”

King Hezekiah began his religious reformation by reopening the Temple.  He then tore down the High Places that had erroneously been used as places to worship God. Then he did something very interesting.  He commanded the bronze Serpent ,which God commissioned in Numbers 21:9, to be crushed to pieces… Why?  Why would something that God ordered, made for the deliverance of His people, need to be destroyed?  The answer is found at the end of the verse. The Israelites had begun to worship the gift instead of the Giver.  A good thing had become bad, because it had become an idol. 

 Has that happened in your life? Has something God provided to help you, become an idol that needs to be crushed. Even something that God ordained can be misused and become harmful. 

Some religions have elevated people and relics far above their intended purposes. Other denominations have pushed some gifts to levels of importance to which they were never intended to be raised.  Others look to their discipline and routines to provide their salvation. Even the cross can be pushed beyond a symbol of the one who died upon it… The item or action itself may be neutral but worshiping it is not.  Burning incense literally or figuratively to a created object, person or practice is idol worship. And  ANYTHING that detracts from Jesus Christ as God  - must be crushed to pieces.  

It doesn’t have to be people or relics, it can be routines, emblems, images, religion, reputation, education, etc. The enemy is skilled in misdirecting us by using neutral items to pull us off the path we are intended to follow. God is a jealous God, and Jesus was clear, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". Chase what matters… and chase only what matters. Being a man after God’s own heart, means making sure nothing even comes close to participating in the  worship that is due to the one and only true God. 

The first commandment is first for a reason – One God and only One God.

 "An 'idol' is anything which displaces God in my heart." — A. W. Pink

1 Kings 6:15,18,20 4/14/2026

“He lined its interior walls with cedar boards, paneling them from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and covered the floor of the temple with planks of juniper…  The inside of the temple was cedar… He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.”

Interesting details about Solomon using precious materials to build the Temple.  It was fascinating to me that various types of beautiful and expensive woods were covered by gold. Had I been the designer I would have used cheap materials for anything that was going to  be gold plated.

I think that’s an illustration of how man cares about appearance, but God looks deeper than that.  When men walked into the temple, they saw the surface beauty. But when God entered the temple, He saw the workmanship and quality material used in its construction. 

The same is true of my life. Men only see the surface. But God looks at every level and knows if what I have constructed is a cheap imitation covered with flashy material, or if I used the best of the best, and gave all I had to build a dwelling for Him.

It doesn’t say in this chapter, but my guess is God prefers the foundation to be quality even if it doesn’t look flashy.  Unfortunately, we emphasize the opposite, focusing mostly on appearance…  Sometimes our Sunday morning self looks like we’re covered in gold, but Monday shows the plywood and plastic that our image is built on. 

Let me challenge you today to examine your life at a deeper level.  At the core of your walk is there strong quality material that will be sturdy in times of trial.  Gold is pretty but it’s soft… is there solid commitment under the Gold coating?

In life you must build the solid prior to the shiny. Don’t misunderstand, our offering should be covered with the most glistening  beautiful substance we possess. But the foundation of our faith, the part that goes unseen, must be solid valuable material that will withstand the onslaught of this world.  We must have “Iceberg faith”, which means while what is above should be beautiful, the strength comes from the depth and quality that is underneath.

“Ninety percent of an iceberg is underwater.  It is that unseen foundation that allows it to destroy anything that comes against it.”

Esther 10:3 4/7/2026

“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.”

Many of us have heard sermons on Esther including the famous line “for such a time as this”, but most lessons focus on Esther being told that, instead of Mordecai who said it. 

Early in this book Mordecai is introduced as having adopted Esther because she had neither father nor mother. That little tidbit tells us that Mordecai was a good man, even before people were watching. He did the right thing. Taking care of widows and orphans is true religion and it identifies him as a follower of God. Long before God made Esther queen, He made Mordecai faithful.  

Mordecai started out as an ordinary guy sitting by the city gate; but this verse indicates that later he was elevated to the number two man in the kingdom and loved and admired by the people. However, that was never his target. That happened because God blessed his obedience. There was no strategy for advancement, no campaign, just a man with a heart that followed God. He took care of those who couldn’t take care of themselves.  He worked for the good of his people and had their backs when things got tough. Whether he was sitting unnoticed at the city gate, or the number 2 man in the kingdom, he was the same man, and he loved and valued others. 

You may be in a chapter of life where you feel obscure and unnoticed, daily doing the mundane deeds God requires of you, … or maybe, like Mordecai in this verse, the crowd is cheering your accomplishments… Either way, your heart is what matters… Are you protecting it?  Because what is inside, will come out. 

So, today, whether God places you in a position of influence, or calls you to serve in anonymity… live with integrity and a servant’s heart… Stay ready to be used… Because in your life, just like in this story, Esther may not be the only one being prepared for “such a time as this”. 

“Godliness isn’t something we manufacture. It’s something The Spirit grows inside of us and then it overflows into our words, choices, and actions.”  - anonymous

1 Thessalonians 5:11 3/31/2026

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Little verse, big impact… Does this describe your friend group? Just prior to this verse, Paul says that we are destined to live with Jesus, and THAT is why we encourage each other… This indicates that the encouragement offered is substantial.  Not trivial surface compliments but reminding others that Jesus loves them and their destiny is secure.  Speaking real value into them, pointing out their spiritual gifts,  and helping them not to be distracted by the cheap trinkets and awards offered by this world.

So, let’s consider what percentage of the words you speak today fall into that category? How much of what leaves your mouth will be intended to encourage and build up someone else?

I recently attended a buddies retirement celebration and many people stood up and encouraged my friend, and it was a wonderful event… but why do we wait until retirement?  Why as Christians don’t we do this daily?  This verse doesn’t seem to be a suggestion. It seems more like a directive. What if quarterly, you and your friends met for dinner and designated that time to intentionally encourage and build each other up? This verse indicates that the Thessalonians were doing things like that, and Paul tells them to keep up the great work. 

This is definitely not the pattern we follow today. We instead tear each other down “in jest” or offer shallow compliments that lack substance.  So let me challenge you to obey this little verse today, on purpose.  

Plan a “celebration” of one of your friends …Get some buddies together and build that person up.  Tell them what you appreciate about them; tell stories about the great times you have had… tell them how they have impacted your life, bring some pictures of the fun times you have shared…. basically, tell them you love them, and then tell them why.  

It might feel a little weird, but what is weird is that we usually wait to do this until a funeral, or retirement, or someone is moving away… why? That makes no sense. Do it now… If you commit to obeying this verse, the only person who will be blessed more than the friend you are encouraging will be you. 

“Words give life; words bring death—you choose.” George Herbert Mead

Romans 11:22 3/24/2026

“Take notice, therefor, of the kindness and severity of God.“ 

Why do we insist on pushing only one attribute of God over the other? Some of us are obsessed with not offending anyone… So, we only talk about the love of God. Continuously quoting 1 John which says, “ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love”. 

On the other hand, Jesus said be “Salty”… because we are the salt of the earth… So, some of us think that means we must gag people with our saltiness, self-righteously offending everyone who disagrees with us. 

Unfortunately, both approaches are incomplete. The kindness and severity of God go hand in hand.  We should be consistently loving of sinners, but unapologetically salty toward their sin. The confusion develops because these days anything short of unbridled agreement and acceptance is labeled as hate. 

But this verse says God is more complicated than that.  He is your loving heavenly Father, and a terrifying omnipotent Judge.  He is kind and severe, loving and holy. In fact, it is His holiness that demanded the horrific sacrifice of His Son which demonstrated His incomprehensible love for us. That was the massive cost required to allow us to spend eternity with Him. 

If in every Sunday morning sermon you get beat up, and never hear about the love of God, then your Pastor has missed a defining attribute of God.  If after each sermon you leave feeling like the sin you tolerate is acceptable,  then you’re not being taught about the non-compromising, omniscient Judge whose clear demand is perfection… and the problem is, God is both. 

So, the question is do you worship the God of the Bible, or have you created your own little idol that comfortably fits your worldview? Are you salty in the right amount? Do people choke on your self-proclaimed righteousness, or is your life drab, tasteless, and without godliness?  Our mission is to make disciples. Sometimes that requires a hug, sometimes a reprimand. 

The Gospel is clear. God is a King, and a Father. We are to approach Him with faith and obedience. Never ignore sin. Never doubt the power of the cross… Embrace the attributes of God that make you uncomfortable. He didn’t die to make us comfortable; He died to make us holy.

“His love is holy love, not soft indulgence.” - A. W. Tozer

Nehemiah 1:4 3/17/2026

“Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying …”

Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem was in trouble, the walls were down, and his countrymen were suffering. His response was to spend days fasting and praying. Then he asked King Artaxerxes to send him to Jerusalem to restore the city. 

So, Nehemiah’s response to crisis appears to be fasting, being still and talking to God extensively, and then getting involved. Is that how you and I handle situations when friends are in trouble? Most of us will say a short prayer, a few will fast, and some will offer advice… but not many will show up and get involved.

Back when I was a Head Coach, I once attempted to run a game from the Press Box. It was easy to sit up high and see mistakes. It helped me view the field, but I could never get the “vantage point” I had on the sidelines. I couldn’t read our team’s attitude or feel momentum change. It was difficult to make good decisions because I wasn’t close to the action. 

It reminded me of a principle illustrated by a plaque my Dad had in His office. It was a speech written by Roman General Paullus about a battle he was fighting in Macedonia. It basically said, if you want to give advice on the war, come with us. We will give you a horse and weapons, but if you just want to talk, stay in the city. 

I think this principal applies to Christians.  When our brothers are in peril, we aren’t called to only give advice… we are called to stand next to each other in combat. 

Everybody has opinions… But good friends, pray hard, and then run to the battle. They don’t sit comfortably and send recommendations; they enter the skirmish. When those you love are in trouble, hit your knees and pray. Communicate with God about it. Then instead of sending your advice… suit up and bring it with you as you fight side by side for your friend.

“The city itself furnishes an abundance of staples for conversation; let it confine its passion for talking within its own precincts, and rest assured that we shall pay no attention to any councils but such as shall be framed within our camp."  - Aemilius Paullus

Ephesians 2:10 3/10/2026

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”

The American dream conjures up pictures of retiring in a lounge chair on a beach or sitting on the back porch gazing at the mountains. We dream of working hard, making our mark, and then coasting into retirement.  

That sounds good and has been promoted to us continuously, but there is one small problem…. Retirement isn’t found anywhere in the Bible. (See Moses, Abraham, John the Apostle, etc.) Even the Levites working in the tent of the meeting, who got to stop the heavy lifting at 50, continued to labor for the Lord. 

Our verse this morning clearly says we ARE God’s work, created to DO God’s work,  and there is no expiration date on our usefulness as it is to be our way of life. So, you may be able to retire from your professional “busyness”, but that simply allows you more time to chase what matters. 

In fact, this passage indicates that your schedule for today was created before you were.  What if those of us who are “more seasoned” didn’t follow society's expectations that we rest on our achievements – and instead enthusiastically pursued the good work God still has planned for us to do.  How energizing is it to know that, by God opening your eyes this morning, He is indicating that He still has tasks for you to complete. 

Young people in our culture have been rebuked for not valuing their elders… But perhaps we older ones need a little scolding for allowing age to make us question our ability, stamina, and importance. 

There is a difference between resting and being idle. Resting temporarily is necessary; it refreshes and strengthens you. Being idle is detrimental and allows you to drift into ineffectiveness. Paul said he “finished the race.” Races are finished sprinting to the end and leaning into the tape. Quit looking for an easy chair and instead run hard after what God has specifically equipped you to do today. 

Each year that you have lived has given you more wisdom and knowledge, training you to achieve the tasks God has planned for you today. So, saddle up. You can retire when you hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 

“Don’t let the Old man in” – Clint Eastwood