There Are Three Things That Amaze Me – No, Four Things That I Don't Understand

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There Are

Three Things That Amaze Me –

No, Four Things That I Don't Understand;

Scripture

Proverbs 30

18 There are three things that amaze me—
    no, four things that I don’t understand:

19 how an eagle glides through the sky,
    how a snake slithers on a rock,
    how a ship navigates the ocean,
    how a man loves a woman.

Observation

We now live in a world of technology that is so advanced that hardly anything surprises us any more. Even though we don't understand how the different gadgets that we use every single day actually work they don't generally fill us with awe. They don't amaze us. They only frustrate the living daylights out of us when they don't work!

But how a bird (I would like for it to be an eagle) glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on the ground (ground because there are not too many rocks in Florida), how a ship sails in the ocean (Tampa Bay and Gulf of Mexico, and how a man loves a woman (I admit I really like watching Hallmark with Kathy), all four of those things still amaze me!

Let's take time to enjoy the wonder of God's creation! Especially the people that God has brought into our lives!

Application

I will intentionally take time today to enjoy God's creation, especially the people that he has surrounded me with.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't ever let me lose the ability to be awed by Your Creation. I love everything that You have created. It is mind boggling to me. You love variety. You are amazing. Thank You for creating me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:13-18

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

...

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 7,8,9; Luke 13; I added: Psalm 30, Psalm 60; Proverbs 30

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Beware! Guard Against Every Kind Of Greed. Life Is Not Measured By How Much You Own.

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Beware!

Guard Against Every Kind Of Greed.

Life Is Not Measured By How Much You Own.

Scripture

Luke 12

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 

15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 

17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 

18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 

19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 

23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 

24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 

25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 

28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Observation

The Bible has a lot to say to us about wealth and possessions. And the Bible has a lot to say to me and to you about worry. It is interesting isn't it how the two topics run together! When you get a chance read the story about the rich man and Lazarus … it is found in Luke 16:19-31.

I strongly encourage every person who wants to be successful in business to read about the life of R. G. LeTourneau. Sadly, most people miss the entire reason why it is important they be successful in his or her business.

LeTourneau is considered to this day to have been the world's greatest inventor of earthmoving and materials handling equipment, but that is not why his name is important to me.

What has always made an impression on me about his life was the fact that he and his wife gave away 90% of everything that they made and lived on 10%.

Get his autobiography and read it … what an amazing story!

Here are two books about him: “Movers of Men and Mountains” and “Working for God: The Story of R. G. LeTourneau and the University He Founded” Both books can be purchased on Amazon. I have read “Movers of Men and Mountains”.

Application

With every new possession at my house there comes an extra added “worry”.

Luke 12:15

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me when it comes to being generous. Don't let me be a container when I need to be a conduit. Show me how to be a generous giver. Thank You for blessing us. So many people have helped us. Help us to do the same for those that You put on our hearts.

Luke 6:38

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 4,5,6; Luke 12

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More Blessed Are All Who Hear The Word Of God And Put It Into Practice

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More Blessed

Are All Who Hear The Word Of God

And Put It Into Practice

Scripture

Luke 11

27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Observation

Are you blessed and highly favored? Jesus lets us know in Luke 11:27-28 how we can be just that!

No, it is not enough to go to church and hear sermons about the Bible … even though that is something we should be doing (or at least watching online). And it is not enough to read God's Word every day ... no, even that is not enough.

Jesus says, “... blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.”

The religious leaders of Jesus' day had memorized large portions of God's Word, yet they failed to put it into practice.

James, the half brother of Jesus, also tells us, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

So the question is this ... what have we heard from God through His Word that we are not putting into practice?

Application

Lord, convict me and make me miserable when I choose to disobey what You have told me to do in Your Word.

How about you?

James 4:17

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to walk in obedience. I want to please You with the decisions that I make. Convict me and make me miserable when I choose to go against what You have told me in Your Word.

I pray for any person reading this blog. Help them to daily be in Your Word and help them to put into practice what they read or hear. Give them the strength today to walk in obedience. Free them from anything that might have a hold on their life. Help them to be a person of integrity and honesty.

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 1,2,3; Luke 11

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Lord, Doesn't It Seem Unfair To You

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Lord,

Doesn't It

Seem Unfair To You …

Scripture

Luke 10

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Observation

Martha, Martha, maybe you have felt like Martha and maybe you have even thought or said out loud, “Life does not seem fair!” Well if you haven't figured it out yet on your own let me be the first one to tell you, “Life is not fair!”

In the midst of the chaos, the busyness, the trials and troubles, the mundane, the pain, the suffering, the temptations, and even at times boredom, yes, even with all of life's distractions you and I must focus and refocus on keeping the main thing the main thing – we must keep our eyes on Jesus and on His kingdom.

Life, even the good things in life, have a way of distracting us – we need to be like Mary and focus on what is most important!

Application

I plan to keep my focus on Jesus and on what He wants me to do!

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to keep my focus on Your Word and what Your Word says to me. Don't let me get distracted by anything that takes me away from spending time with You in Your Word.

I pray for any person who may read this blog. Help them to spend time alone with You each day. Bless them as they do.

I pray for my son Tim today on his birthday! Bless him, Lord! May Your face shine brightly on him today!

Daily Bible Reading: Haggai 1,2; Psalms 129; Luke 10

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Children Are A Gift From The LORD

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Children

Are A Gift

From The LORD;

Scripture

Psalm 127

3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.

4 Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.

5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Observation

Five children and fifteen grandchildren, yes, I would say that our quiver is full. No matter what … children and grandchildren are gifts, wonderful gifts from God. Nothing concerns Kathy and I like the well being of our family and the well being of our extended family.

When our children or grandchildren are having problems it really globbers us. Having all these kids and grandkids keeps us constantly in prayer. There is always at least one or two of them and not always the same ones that are going through something that causes us concern.

I am sure that it is the same way at your house if you are a parent or a grandparent.

Application

I am grateful, very grateful for each one of my children and grandchildren. They are a wonderful gift from the Lord.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for constantly working in my children's lives. Thank You that they have given us such special grandchildren. I pray that You draw each one of them close to You. Turn their hearts towards You. Show them that they can trust You with every detail of their lives. Bless my children and my grandchildren. Smile on them with Your favor. Show them the right way to live. Keep them heading in the right direction. Don't let them get sidetracked.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 4; Psalms 113; Psalms 127; Luke 9

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Timely Advice Is Lovely, Like Golden Apples In A Silver Basket.

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Timely Advice

Is Lovely,

Like Golden Apples In A Silver Basket.

Scripture

Proverbs 25

11 Timely advice is lovely,
    like golden apples in a silver basket.

Luke 8

18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

Observation

Are you open to advice? Or are you a hardheaded knucklehead that thinks he or she knows everything? Lessons about life come in many different ways and we need to always be ready to learn something new or be reminded about something that we know but are not putting into practice.

Reminders … we all need to be reminded. God speaks to us through His Word and that is why it is so important to spend time in God's Word everyday. And God also speaks to us through events and through people that He brings into our lives.

Last night I sat with a man at the hospital who was my age and who had been married to his wife the same number of years as Kathy and I have been married. I listened as he grieved. Just like that his wife was gone … the love of his life was gone. All their plans that they talked about and everything that they always did together … all gone. He said, “I am going to go home and she is not going to be with me.”

Life is short. Last night was a reminder to Eddy that he needs to value every moment that he has with his wife and the loved ones that God has given him because in a moment everything could change.

So …

Advice comes in many different ways … lets not be hardheaded!

Application

I will pay even more attention to my wife and kids and grandkids and my extended family.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I grieve for the man who lost his wife last night. I hurt for him. I know grief, but I don't know that kind of grief yet. And I don't look forward to that kind of loss ever. I know that You understand what we are going through and I know that You will walk with me through whatever happens in my life. You are my Heavenly Father and You will take care of me.

I pray for those who have experienced the loss of a spouse. Give them strength, Lord. Help them to hold on to all of Your promises. Walk with them through this difficult time.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 2,3; Luke 8; I added: Proverbs 25

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I Tell You, Her Sins –

And They Are Many – Have Been Forgiven,

So She Has Shown Me Much Love.

Scripture

Luke 7

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.

37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 

38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 

42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 

44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 

46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”

50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Observation

In this story, we find Jesus with two totally different people, a Pharisee and a very sinful immoral woman. The Pharisee looked down with disgust at the sinful woman who was washing Jesus' feet with her tears and anointing His feet with very expensive perfume.

You and I can easily be the Pharisee in this story. We can look with disgust and disdain at the homeless, the drug addict, or the prostitute at the street corner, thinking that we are somehow better than someone else, that we are somehow better than they are because we are not where they happen to be at this moment in life.

This story is a reminder to me that the ground is all level at the foot of the cross.

Have you been forgiven of your sins?

Application

Every person is made in the image of God and has great worth to their Creator. I will try my best to look past the obvious sin of the sinner and be more concerned with his or her soul.

How about you?

Luke 23:32,40-43

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 

41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me be like the Pharisee in this story. Touch my heart with what touches Yours. Give me Your heart for the people around me. Don't ever let me write someone off because of the way that they are living. I will keep praying for them. I will not give up.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 1; Psalms 84,85; Luke 7

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Give, And You Will Receive. Your Gift Will Return To You In Full – Pressed Down, Shaken Together To Make Room For More, Running Over

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Give, And You Will Receive.

Your Gift Will Return To You In Full – Pressed Down, Shaken

Together To Make Room For More, Running Over, …

Scripture

Luke 6

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Observation

Kathy shared with me some time ago something that Paul Tripp shared in a weekly devotional that he sends out via email and it is something that we keep talking about.

“…...................

Paul Tripp wrote:

“In simple terms, you and I are always viewing ourselves as either a container or a conduit for the money God gives us.

Either we want money to stop with us (container) because we have conceived many ways to make our life more pleasurable, or we think of ourselves as a pipeline (conduit) and are excited that the money can bless and benefit the lives of others.

God hasn’t provided for us simply to provide for us, but in providing for us, he has enabled us to be a means of his provision for others.

If you give yourself to the lifestyle of a conduit for the Kingdom of God, you get to watch your money do things that are literally of eternal consequence.”

….............”

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (Proverbs 3:9–10)

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

We are thankful for all the people who have been so very generous towards us, but Kathy and I realize and we are in agreement with what Paul Tripp shared in his devotional.

And that is this:

We are blessed to be a blessing to others. We are to be a conduit not a container.

You and I cannot out give God!

Application

I know that it is more blessed to give than to receive. So I will look for opportunities to be a conduit!

How about you? Generous or Stingy? Container or Conduit?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me hold on to anything too tightly. I realize that this earth is not my home. I am just passing through. I know that You supply more than we need so that we can be a conduit, a pipeline, so that others can be blessed. Thank You for blessing us through the generosity so many wonderful friends who have blessed us with so much. Help us to do the same for the people that You place on our hearts. We know that we cannot ever out give You!

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 11,12; Luke 6

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Seeing Their Faith, Jesus Said To The Man, “Young Man, Your Sins Are Forgiven.”

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Seeing Their Faith,

Jesus Said To The Man,

“Young Man, Your Sins Are Forgiven.”

Scripture

Luke 5

17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.

18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 

19 but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 

20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

21 But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 

23 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 

24 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 

26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Observation

Luke five has so many things that I could have shared with you today. I hope that you have time to read the entire chapter! I hope that this story encourages you like it encourages me!

It was the faith of four friends, friends who were so concerned for their crippled friend that they tore off the roof of a house so they could lower their friend down in front of Jesus.

Can you just imagine! Can you visualize the man being lowered down by his friends right in front of Jesus? But what kind of mess they must have made on all of those down below!

It was their faith, it was the faith of the four friends, lowering their crippled friend down through the hole in the roof that prompted Jesus to heal their friend.

When we, we who are people of faith, pray and act on behalf of those that God puts on our hearts, our Heavenly Father, responds and works in their lives because of our faith.

This my friend is huge! Just take a moment and think about what this story means for us today.

Application

When I pray for someone and when I do something on behalf of someone else I am confident that God will act!

How about you? Are you a person of faith?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I would have liked to have been there the day that those men lowered their friend down in front of Jesus! I want to be a man of faith like that of those four friends. Increase my faith, Lord! Increase my faith! Help me believe in You like those four men believed in You.

When I pray for the sick help me to believe and help me to know that You will respond with healing because of my faith. I know that You love to hear us pray and I know that You love to answer our prayers. Help me to pray for big and impossible things when I pray to You. You are Mighty to save! Nothing is too hard for You. Increase my faith, Lord! Increase my faith!

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 9,10; Psalms 123; Luke 5

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Early The Next Morning Jesus Went Out To An Isolated Place.

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Early

The Next Morning

Jesus Went Out To An Isolated Place.

Scripture

Luke 4

40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 

41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 

Mark 1:35

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

Observation

Pastor Rapley Armstrong once said in one of his sermons when preaching a message about the importance of getting alone with God, he said, “You must come apart before you come apart!”

Maybe you are about to come apart … life can be brutal. It was never meant to be faced alone. You and I must get alone daily with our Heavenly Father.

Get into the habit that Jesus had established in His life, that of getting up early and going to a special isolated place to spend time alone with His Heavenly Father.

It is so true that the Bible is the only book that reads you while you are reading it. Reading the God's Word will keep you away from sin and sin will keep you away from reading God's Word.

There are so many helpful Bible reading plans that are available – just google Bible Gateway reading plans and start right away!

Application

In the morning, before I do anything else I will spend time alone with my Heavenly Father in His Word.

How about you? What needs to change?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me get distracted. I want to get up every morning and spend time with You in Your Word. Don't ever let me start putting anything ahead of spending time with You.

I pray for any person that may be reading this blog today. Help them to daily spend time with You before they do anything else. Help them to say NO to the distractions of the newspaper, news on television, and help them say NO to Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media until they have spent time alone with You.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 7,8; Psalms 137; Luke 4

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