Safe One-a-Day Wednesday  1/4/23

Posted on by January 4, 2023
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A life worthy

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5).

Trouble’s coming.

I don’t know when

or where

or how

but I know it’s coming.

Because, you know…life.

I also know this–

You are safe.

He–the Lord of the Universe, Maker of Time and Space and Stuff–he’s got you.

David tells us that God will keep us safe in his dwelling, his tabernacle. Basically his house. And that image makes sense. If I want to protect something or someone, I can bring them into my home where there are doors to lock and alarms to set.  In the New Testament, Paul goes one better. Paul told the Colossians that our lives are hidden in God himself.

Not just in his home.

In Him.

Frankly, I don’t understand how any of this really works.

But I’ll take it.

Beloved, I hope that today is not your day of trouble. I wish you a day of sunshine and puppies and chocolate.

But if trouble comes…

You are safe.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

To Be With Him One-a-Day Tuesday  1/3/23

Posted on by January 3, 2023
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A life worthy

One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple (Psalm 27:4).

Just to be with God.  Do you ever want that?  Do you ever have those moments when you get past wanting from God and just want God?

I have to admit; for me, those moments are too few and too far between.

But then, the New Year is about fresh starts and making changes, isn’t it?

How many things are you asking God for in 2023, Beloved?

How about just one?

This one.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

What Fear?   One-a-Day Monday  1/2/23

Posted on by January 2, 2023
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A life worthy

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  (Psalm 27:1)

We have just celebrated the New Year.  When you think about it, it’s just an arbitrary date on an imaginary calendar.  I mean, it’s not like today actually looks different from last week.  Sky is still  blue (or in our case, gray), grass is still green, gravity seems to have remained fairly constant.

Still…

We look at the New Year as a time to start fresh, to begin (or re-begin) new things.  We wonder about the future and what it will hold for us.  What opportunities await us in this new year? What challenges?  What treasures lie in our paths, and what monsters lie in wait?  It can be an exciting time—and a scary time.

As you gird your loins for the days ahead, ask yourself the same question David asks: With God as my light, my life, my protector, what can possibly frighten me?

Happy Beginnings, Beloved.

All New One-a-Day Sunday  1/1/23

Posted on by January 1, 2023
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A life worthy

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new!  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

New day.

New year.

New you?

We serve a God of second chances and new beginnings.  No matter what 2021 looked like for you, it is gone.  Today you begin again. If last year was one of triumph, great—remember, but don’t live there.  Press on. If last year was one of failure, or loss—praise God for this new beginning.

The image in my head this morning is of the land after a snowfall, when nothing has yet touched the surface of the snow.  It is fresh, clean, and waiting.

So…go make snow angels.

Have a blessed 2023, Beloved of Christ.

One Thing One-a-Day Friday 12/30/22

Posted on by December 30, 2022
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A life worthy

One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  (Psalm 27:4)

Just to be with God.  Do you ever want that?  Do you ever have those moments when you get past wanting from God and just want God?

If you are anything like me, those moments are too few and too far between.

But then, the New Year is about fresh starts and making changes, isn’t it?

So, how many things are you asking God for in 2023?

How about just one?

This one.

Happy Year’s End, Beloved

No Fear One-a-Day Thursday 12/29/22

Posted on by December 29, 2022
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A life worthy

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  (Psalm 27:1)

We are coming up on the New Year.  When you think about it, it’s just an arbitrary date on an imaginary calendar.  I mean, it’s not like Sunday is going to look different from Saturday.  Sky will still be blue, grass green, gravity should remain fairly constant.

Still…

We look at the New Year as a time to start fresh, to begin (or re-begin) new things.  We wonder about the future and what it will hold for us.  What opportunities await us in the coming year? What challenges?  What treasures lie in our paths, and what monsters lie in wait?  It can be an exciting time—and a scary time.

As you gird your loins for January 1, ask yourself the same question David asks: With God as my light, my life, my protector, what can possibly frighten me?

Chew on that today.

Happy Thursday, Beloved

Words One-a-Day Wednesday 12/28/22

Posted on by December 28, 2022
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A life worthy

Brothers, do not slander one another.  Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it  (James 4:11).

So, now that the extended family is gone…tell me.

How many snide remarks were there?

How often did you mock Weird Uncle Dave because, well, look at him with that silly comb-over and that “girlfriend” who is, what, half his age and is obviously only after him for his money and is totally playing him for a fool?

Or what about Great Aunt Susie, who insists on bringing her “Famous”  eggplant casserole that causes brave men to weep and pit bulls to lie down and die?

Or Cousin Jimmy, who’s working retail…still.

Or…

Yeah…

Christmas is over.  

Christ isn’t.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Zeal One-a-Day Tuesday 12/27/22

Posted on by December 27, 2022
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A life worthy

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:7)

Not through political activism.

Not through military strength.

Not through personal charisma.

Not through any power of man.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Chew on that today.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

Big Government One-a-Day Monday 12/26/22

Posted on by December 26, 2022
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A life worthy

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:7)  

I’m not really a fan of big government.  More of a low taxes, leavemealoneandlletmelivemylifewithoutyouconstantlytellingmewhattodoandtryingtoprotectmefrommyself kind of guy.

But His government?  I’m all in.

You know, the best form of government would be a truly benevolent dictatorship.  We get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining their own pockets.  

The problem, of course, is that people are people, and since even the best of men and women tend to be sin-encrusted narcissists, that kind of rule is just not possible.

Outside of Christ.

One day Jesus will rule here on Earth, in the flesh.  We will get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining his own pockets. His reign will go on and on and just get better and better.

Until then, we can know his government in our hearts and lives.

If you belong to Jesus, his peace, his power, his rule in your life is growing each day.  Oh, you may not feel it all the time, but it’s happening.

Chew on this today: are you allowing Christ to govern your life, or are you getting in his way?

Happy Monday, Beloved

Peace One-a-Day Sunday  12/25/22

Posted on by December 25, 2022
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A life worthy

Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6)

We know him by many names.

Jesus Christ

Alpha

Omega

Emmanuel

I Am

Lamb of God

Prince of Peace

Mighty God

Light of the World

The Bright Morning Star

Wonderful Counselor

The Amen

Man of Sorrows

Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Word

The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

Bread of Life

Living Water

God calls him by another name, the name which is above all names.

Son

And here’s something really crazy.  Because of Christ’s sacrifice, do you know what God now calls us?

Yes, you do.

How can that be?  What can that mean?

Chew on that today, Beloved.

Happy Christmas