Well shut my mouth!!....

Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."

I remember riding home from a staff Christmas party with one of my close friends. There had been a gift exchange, one of those where gifts are picked from a table and can be "stolen" by another person until they are "frozen". I was feeling cheated. You see, I had worked really hard to create a beautiful wooden plaque to give. When all was done, I ended up with what I regarded as a "white elephant". I remarked to my friend about being short-changed by such a cheap gift. He responded by saying that he had brought the "cheap gift", and that it was actually a collector's item. You can imagine how I felt. There was no way for me to pull those words back into my mouth. My face still burns with shame and embarrassment as I recall the conversation.

Our words come from our hearts. When my heart is not right, my words are not right. I hurt people. I disappoint God. I feel ashamed. How much better is it to start the day with the Lord, seeking His face, submitting everything to Him, listening to Him, and asking Him to guide our conversations.

Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight today.

Are you listening????

James 1:19 "Know this, let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger..."

"You never listen to me!" Guilty. It is my wife's number one complaint, and rightfully so. I would rather do something or say something than stop and really listen. I think I'm listening, but I'm really not getting the whole message because I'm already planning a response or an action.

If I'm honest, too often it's that way with God and me. I'm quick to talk, anxious to tell Him all the things I want Him to do; I'm planning what I want to do for Him. But...I'm not really listening to Him. Scripture says, "Be still, and know that I am God." Translated for me, it says, "Be quiet, I'm trying to talk to you, but you're not listening to Me."

On those occasions that I do take the time to listen, He does speak. When I listen well and follow His directions, blessings follow and He is honored. And, I feel His pleasure. I love to bask in His approving smile!!

Lord, please talk to me. I'm listening. Really.

Have you served your "ministry apprenticeship".....

Hebrews 13:21 "May the God of peace...equip you with every good thing for doing His will, and my He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Christ Jesus, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

I remember as a young pastor feeling inadequate, ill-equipped to really minister comfort and encouragement to those who were going through traumatic, life-threatening illnesses. I could pray with them, read Scripture with them, but I couldn't identify with their suffering. I longed to be able to do more.

Then in 1980 I became well-acquainted with colon cancer, and through that experience God equipped my to truly sympathize with others who were suffering. I had "paid my dues", "served my apprenticeship", and had earned the right to say, "I know how you feel."

1 Peter 5:10 tells us that going through tough times is one of the ways God equips us for ministry. I love this verse: "...and after you have suffered a little while, God Himself will equip you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast."

Are you suffering right now? Are you enduring hardship? Don't be discouraged. Don't give up. God, the Redeemer, can and will redeem your suffering. He will qualify you to more effectively serve Him and help others. You will, in time, be able to say, "Thank you." I know. I've been there. Praise God!

Are you a "fair weather praiser"?

Hebrews 13:15-16 "In Him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for it is with such sacrifices that God is pleased."

When should I praise God? When I'm blessed and happy? Yes. When I'm hurting and helpless? Yes. When I'm lonely and discouraged? Yes. When I'm at the end of myself and I'm frustrated? Yes.

It's easy to praise God when things are going well; not so easy when things get rough and out of control. My friend received some devastating news this week...his Dr. told him that he has an aggressive form of melanoma (cancer). Was God any less present, any less involved with him at that point than when he was feeling well and happy? No! God was in the room with him as he listened to the Dr... and God was holding him tightly, whispering to him, comforting and reassuring him.

My circumstances don't dictate God's presence and involvement. He's in me, with me, working in every situation. I praise Him and thank Him for it, and I demonstrate it by allowing Him to speak and act through me.

Thank you, Lord, for who You are and what You do in and through and for me. Amen.

Who or what is your "constant", your "North Star"?

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

"Immutable", the theological concept for "unchangeable", is a key characteristic of God. We live in a world where everything is changing at a pace we can't keep up with. What's new today is obsolete tomorrow. Truth has become relative and is defined by circumstance and convenience. People we thought we could trust are revealed to have secret lives we knew nothing about. The stress this brings becomes unbearable.

All of creation is in a state of flux. Even the North Star, the navigational "constant" isn't constant at all. It is only constant in relation to our planet. The only true, real constant is the Creator, Jesus Christ.

What a comfort to know that wherever I am, whatever I think or say, whatever I have done or am doing, it doesn't alter His position. He is still the God of grace, mercy, love, peace. He is facing me with arms open wide to welcome me back. He is beside me with a comforting, encouraging arm around my shoulder. He is my rock, my refuge, my comfort, my peace.

Lord, thank you that no matter what else may change in my world, You are my "constant".

Who's your mentor?...

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember those who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you, and considering the outcome of their conduct, imitate their faith."

Thank God I have had many mentors at various stages of my life. My earliest mentor was my dad. He didn't say a lot, but I learned volumes by watching him. I observed how he treated my mom with love and respect. I shadowed him at church and saw how he treated people with that same respect. He was a servant leader, always ready to help, regardless of the need. I never heard him speak a harsh or unkind word to anyone. I saw in him a strong, vibrant, unshakeable faith in our Lord Jesus. I saw the outcome of his faith at his memorial service in the testimonies of the many lives he had touched.

Throughout the years I have had godly men step into my life and guide me in ministry, giving me insights from the Word, showing me how to be a pastor. I owe so much to these who took the time to invest in my life and ministry.

Who is your mentor? Whose faith are you imitating? Praise God for them and let them know how much you value their contribution to your faith.

Lord, thank you for not leaving us to our own wisdom and experience. Thank you for those You have led to mentor us. Please God, let us pass it on.

Whom do you trust?....Really.

Hebrews 13:5 "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you or forsake you'".

There is a constant battle raging inside my head. Everything around me tells me that I don't have enough. I need more, I deserve more. The Holy Spirit within me says, "Trust God. Be content." I think it's part of my nature to seek security in things, in money. My new nature finds security in God's faithfulness,in His promises of provision.

Which voice will I listen to today?

Lord, You are all I need. Help me to trust You and be grateful. Amen.

Mi casa es su casa...How hospitable are you?...

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

Things were really difficult for Christians in the 1st century. Just for being a Believer people lost their jobs, their families, their friends, and even their lives. As a result many were homeless and driven from their cities. It was the privilege and responsibility of fellow Christians to open their homes and do whatever was necessary to help them.

Sometimes I find myself holding on tightly to the things I "own", forgetting that everything I possess is not really mine, but God's. He has blessed me beyond what I deserve and, if I'm honest, beyond what I really need. I need to be alert and sensitive to the needs of others. I need to be ready to open my door, my wallet, my heart to those God brings across my path.

Thank you, Lord, for your overflowing provision for me and my family. Please forgive me for focusing on what I think I need, rather than on the blessings You have provided. Help me to look for opportunities to bless someone today. Amen.

Are you ready for the "Big One"?

Hebrews 12:26,28 "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens...therefore let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." 2 Peter 3:11 "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness."

I have never felt as helpless and impotent as in the midst of an earthquake. There's nothing to do but wait and hope that the shaking will stop. The world is still reeling under the effects of last winter's earthquake in Japan. According to the Bible, these are merely hints of what is to come. There will be a day when all that we assume to be stable and permanent will be destroyed by earthquakes and fire, to be replaced with a "new heaven and a new earth".

If I really believe that to be true, my life should reflect it. My outlook should be characterized by a sense urgency. I am quick to be sure that my house and my school is ready for the "big one", but do I have that same determination to prepare for the "BIG ONE"? I know I am ready, but how about my next door neighbor? What about the person I encounter in the grocery check-out line? I need the Holy Spirit to continually prompt me to "let my conversation be seasoned as it were with salt" (Col. 4:6), always "fishing for souls", alert to opportunities to share the Gospel.

Lord, I look forward to what You have planned for me, but I so often slip into a selfish state of mind, not really caring to share it with others. It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routines and challenges. Please, Holy Spirit, keep me alert today. Let me see with Your eyes, hear with Your ears, speak Your words, and act with Your hands. Please touch someone through me today.

"Root Canal"...What emotion does that phrase trigger?...

Hebrews 12:15 "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many are defiled."

My wife needs some dental work done, but first she needs to take care of a problem. One of her teeth broke and before the dentist can do an implant, he has to take out the roots from the old tooth. Ouch!! Why not avoid the pain and suffering and just cover up the old roots? Simple...they could get infected and send poison throughout her whole body. It's far better to have the roots removed, uncomfortable as that might be, and start over with a healthy mouth.

Bitterness is poison to the soul. It permeates my thinking, taints my emotions, distorts reality, contaminates my relationships, and erodes my faith. It starts with an injury. Someone hurts me deeply. It might be a close friend or relative. I might even perceive it to be God. Instead of dealing with the hurt, I hold on to it, allowing its roots to penetrate deep into my heart. I think it's gone, but I've only covered it up, and unbeknownst to me, it is growing and affecting every part of me. It's like a cancer. At some point it will need to be removed or it will kill me.

Openness, confession, repentance, forgiveness, mercy, grace, release...these are all key to keeping hurt from becoming bitterness. They're also the surgical instruments needed to remove it once it has become rooted.

Holy Spirit, please shine your light in every nook and cranny of my heart today. Expose any root of bitterness I may have covered up. Give me the strength and faith to deal with it. Amen.

Why should I apologize? It's not my fault...

Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."

Bob and Karen were in the kitchen, caught up in a heated "discussion", unaware that 5 year old Krissy was standing in the doorway taking it all in. After a few minutes, Krissy loudly cleared her throat and demanded, "Mommy, Daddy, seek peace and pursue it! That means no fighting!!" With that, she turned on her heel and walked away. Her parents just looked at each other with their mouths hanging open at what they had just witnessed, and then they began to laugh. End of "discussion". Hebrews 12:14 had been Krissy's memory verse from school that week. "Out of the mouths of babes."

That experience has been repeated many times in my life, but it's not the shout of a child that gets my attention when I'm in conflict. It is the nudge, the whisper, the conviction of the Holy Spirit telling me that something isn't right. He not only tells me to stop fighting; He also wants me to actively seek peace.

Peace has its roots deep inside a Christian. It is the settled feeling, the assurance that everything is right in my relationship with God. It works its way out in my relationships with others. When one is disrupted, it affects the other. God wants me to be proactive in the peace process. If I've disobeyed God or wronged a brother, I need to seek forgiveness. If I've been hurt, I must forgive. Romans 12:18 admonishes me to, as much as it depends on me, I should live in peace with all men. As I pursue peace, I become more like Jesus.

Lord, thank you that you are constantly at work in me. Please let me be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's prompting today. Help me to "keep my accounts short" and to live today in peace.

"No pain...no Gain." There's just something I don't like about that!

Hebrews 12:10 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet for those trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

I want to be in shape, healthy, buff...but I want it to happen while I'm relaxing on the couch, watching a football game. I don't think that'll work. My coaches constantly preached the mantra, "No pain, no gain!" Any trainer will tell you that muscle strength increases by the muscle being torn down and rebuilt. Without tension there is no muscle tone, no growth.

It's the same in my spiritual life. The word for discipline has at its root the concept of training a child. It isn't synonymous with punishment, though it sometimes involves that. God uses all that we experience to train us (to "work us out") so that we will be in better spiritual shape, more mature. He is busy shaping us to look like Jesus!

Lord, whatever means you choose to train me today, please help me to endure it joyfully, knowing that you are making me more like Your Son in the process.

My legs feel like spaghetti...How can I finish the race?

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..."

It was fall of 1985 and I had entered the Seal Beach Triathlon. I was celebrating turning 40 and marking my 5 year survival of colon cancer. What better way to do it than to try something new and challenging! I barely managed the 1K swim from the jetty to the pier and by the time I got on my bike for the 20K ride, the crowd of 600+ contestants had thinned out dramatically. I did fine on the bike ride, but when I dismounted and began the 10K run, I knew I was in trouble. My legs felt like soggy spaghetti noodles. How was I ever going to "run" for an hour? Then I saw my wife, Joan, in my mind's eye, waiting for me at the finish line. I had to do it, and keeping her as my focus, I found a pace that I thought I could maintain. Putting one foot in front of the other, I finished the race and fell into the arms of my beautiful wife.

My spiritual life is much like that triathlon. There are times when it feels comfortable and I'm cruising along at a good pace. Then I hit a difficult stretch and find myself wondering how in the world I can keep going. First, I have to make sure I'm not carrying the extra weight of guilt, harmful habits, bad attitudes, and strained relationships. Then I check to see if I've gotten tangled up in some unconfessed sin. Finally, I look to the finish line and focus on Jesus, who is waiting there to welcome me. With the Holy Spirit's help and energy, I find my pace and just keep moving forward in faith. Try it. It works!

How do you study for a "faith test"???

Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned'. Abraham reckoned that God could even raise the dead..."

Each of us will have our faith tested often, and many times it will be through our children. I remember times when I felt like a failure as a parent, and it was tough to trust God's promises. I couldn't see how He would bring good from the situation. Yet, He did.

God uses testing to build our faith, even when we fail the test. He won't test us beyond what He knows we can endure, although usually His idea of what I can endure and my idea of what I can endure don't quite match up. :-)

God had been building Abraham's faith little by little to the point that Abraham was able to trust God, even to the point of sacrificing his son. He had experienced God's miraculous power and he believed that God would do whatever necessary to fulfill His promises.

How do we study for "faith tests"? By obeying when the Holy Spirit nudges us. Each step prepares us for the next one.

Lord, please help me to hear you clearly today and to trust you fully. Amen.

Don't get too comfortable...

Hebrews 11:9-10 "By faith Abraham lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land...for he was looking for a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

When I was growing up, we used to sing a song in youth group that went something like this..."This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through. My treasures are laid out somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

I think that's how Abraham must have felt. From the time God spoke to him in Ur of the Chaldees and instructed him to go to the "promised land", his life became that of a nomad, following God one step at a time. Even when he reached his destination, his eyes were set on his permanent home - Heaven. He was never truly comfortable in the here and now.

I would like to be more like Abraham. I find myself very much rooted and settled in this world. I'm comfortable here. The problem is that the more comfortable I become, the easier it is to blend in, to compromise, to take on the character and values of this world.

Lord, please help me to be "in this world, but not of it." Let me live out the truth of Romans 12:2..."Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

What do you do when God's instructions don't make sense?

Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark..."

Have you ever had God tell you to do something that just didn't make sense? That's when life gets more exciting and the adventure begins.

In June of 1992 God sent me to Russia as part of a team of educators and Christian volunteers. The Soviet Union was dissolving and the head of the Russian education department had asked for Christian educators to help them introduce a morals & ethics based curriculum into their schools. God also directed me to take a suitcase loaded with antibiotics (for which I had no prescriptions) to a missionary friend in Moscow.

That didn't make sense. It was dangerous and,if the drugs were discovered, it could have put the entire mission at risk . Nonetheless, with the permission of the trip leader, I went ahead with the plan. Miraculously, God honored our faith. Upon arrival at the Moscow airport, we were put in a single file line, at the front of which was a soldier, opening and inspecting everyone's luggage. My friends and I were praying hard!! Of the 90+ people in our group, mine were the only suitcases not opened and searched God certainly stretched my faith that day!

Usually these faith-stretching tests are not as dramatic as Noah's ark-building or my "drug-smuggling". It might be God asking us to give something we think we need to someone who needs it more. It might be taking time we don't have to help someone who is helpless. It always takes us beyond our comfort zone. It often times seems to go against logic. It requires us to step into the unknown.

God knows that in order to become more like Jesus, we have to become less dependent on what's comfortable and safe, and more willing to step into the "risky" realm of faith. Thank God that He lets me take "baby steps!"

Why doesn't God listen to me? What am I doing wrong?

Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain..."

"What do you say/" "Thank you." How many times did you have that conversation with your mom when you were little? I can remember repeating the words time after time, but it was really nothing more than a ritual. The first time I remember spontaneously, from the heart, thanking someone was when my dad surprised me with my first puppy. No one had to tell me to say thank you. It escaped from somewhere deep inside me.

It's the same in my relationship with God. I've learned all the rote prayers, I can recite Bible verses, but none of that matters much if it isn't heartfelt. God knows me inside out and there's no way I can fake worship. Other people might see me as pious and sincere, but God examines my heart.

The Bible doesn't give us the details as to why Abel's sacrifice was acceptable and Cain's wasn't. It also doesn't tell us how they knew. It does tell us that the key was faith or, in Cain's case, a lack of it. Abel worshiped God from a pure, sincere, trusting heart. Cain, on the other hand, appears to have been going through the motions.

Holy Spirit, please keep my worship fresh, spontaneous, and vibrant. Let my praise and thanks be sincere and joyous throughout the day today. Amen!

Help! I feel like I'm walking blindfolded...

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Each fall we take our 7th graders to Catalina for a week of marine biology and oceanography education. One of the highlights for me is the "faith walk". One dark evening the students are lined up single file, blindfolded, and instructed to extend their hands and place them on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Then they proceed on an obstacle course, over rocks and logs, under wire fences and low-hanging branches, around trees and along a narrow trail. They are not allowed to talk, except to alert the person behind them when they come to an obstacle. Needless to say, it is a stressful experience for some of the young people. But what a great example of walking by faith!

I often times feel like I'm walking blindfolded and it frustrates me. Yet, if I understand Scripture correctly, God wants me to walk by faith, not by sight. He wants me to get to know Him so well that I become sensitive to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit directing my steps and helping me to avoid obstacles.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

Everything I am and everything I hope for is based on my faith in God and His promises. I am completely sold out to Him. Question: Do my decisions and my actions consistently reflect my faith? Lord, please help me to walk by faith, not by sight today. I'm listening.

"Preshrunk Faith"....that's what I need!

Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who trust and are saved."

Do you ever get in trouble at home when you're trying to do something helpful and nice? My hand is raised! I remember the time I was "helping" by doing the laundry. I separated everything by color, but I didn't read the labels on the clothing. Everything went through the washer and dryer. Big mistake! When taking some of my wife's things from the dryer, I noticed that one of her favorite tops looked a bit smaller than it should. That's when I read the label..."wash in cold water, hang to dry." Oops! I prefer labels that say, "Preshrunk."

This morning, God was asking me, "How do you respond when the heat is on?" Am I a "wash in cold water, hang to dry" guy, or am I "preshrunk...bring on the heat!"? God uses every experience I encounter to strengthen my faith ("preshrink" me) so that I'll be ready when the heat is turned up. How I respond in the "little" trials will determine how I do in the scary ones. I don't want to be one who shrinks back and turns away...I want to be strong in faith, trusting God when the hard times come.

Lord, thank you that whatever comes my way today is "Father-filtered". Thank you that you are always in the process of drawing me closer to You.

You are a key component in God's "stimulus plan"...

Hebrews 10:24 "and let us consider how t stimulate one another to love and good deeds."

A few years back I spent considerable time in Dr. Jackson's sports rehab clinic getting my injured knee back in shape. One of the techniques he used was electric stimulation. I had an electric lead attached to my leg and every few seconds a jolt would stimulate my muscles to flex and then relax. I couldn't do it myself because the muscles were weak, but with the help of the electric stimulus my muscles regained their ability to function.

Sometimes my spiritual life is like that weak knee. I need some external stimulus to help me grow stronger and more effective in my service to God. That's where God's stimulus plan kicks in. He wants each of us to be aware of the needs of the other and to be proactive in doing whatever it takes to help them grow. Sometimes it involves confrontation; other times it is a soft word. It may just be the "ministry of presence" -- being there with them when they're hurting.

We are interconnected. We are the body of Christ and we must take care of each other. Lord, please help me to be sensitive to opportunities to make a difference in someone's life today. Keep from being so self-centered that I am oblivious to those around me. Please use me as a stimulus for You.

What are you waiting for?

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of the many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."

I remember it as though it were yesterday. It was early April, 1950 and I was approaching my 5th birthday. All I could think about was the new bicycle (my first) my dad had promised me. Saturday morning we drove downtown to the Sears (there were no malls yet!) to pick it out. From all of the bikes in the store, I chose a beautiful red one with whitewall tires. I was ready to ride it home! Then came the disappointing news...this one was a "floor model"; I would have to wait a week for them to deliver it. That was the longest week of my short life! Every morning I would go to my lookout post on the corner and wait for the big green Sears truck. Finally, the next Saturday morning I saw the truck rumble around the corner and come to a stop in front of my house. Anxiously I ran to the driver asking, "Do you have my bike?" And, much to my delight, he rolled that shiny new bicycle off the truck and into waiting hands! I still tremble a bit with the excitement I felt so long ago. And, I still feel the anxious sense of anticipation as I waited for what seemed forever for that day to come.

That's what the writer of Hebrews said it should be like for us as Believers, looking for the appearing of Jesus..."eagerly awaiting Him." How often does Jesus' coming occupy your thoughts during a day? If I'm honest, I don't think about it nearly as much as I thought about that new bicycle. All I could think about or talk about was that bike!

When my daughter was a little girl, she would see a unique cloud formation and exclaim, "I think that's the cloud Jesus is coming on!" Lord, I want that excitement, that anticipation today. Please let it consume my thoughts, influence my thinking, and color my conversation. Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

Help....I'm drifting....how do I get back?!!

Hebrews 6:19 "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope that is both sure and steadfast, and one which enters the veil."

When I was in Jr. High, my friend, Desi, and I would spend our summer days on our surf mats (forerunners of boogie boards :-)) at Seal Beach. One lazy afternoon, we were facing the ocean, searching the horizon for the next "big" wave, and we unknowingly were caught in a riptide. Before long, we were out near the end of the pier. Looking back to shore, a crowd was gathering and we saw two lifeguards swimming towards us. How embarrassing!!! Paddle as we might, we couldn't make any progress towards home. With mixed emotions, we abandoned our mats and let the lifeguards drag us to the beach.

Sometimes my relationship with God feels like that. Without even realizing it, I drift with the tide and soon I find myself far off course, unable to get my bearings and struggling to get back to the safety of the shore.

How can I stop or limit the drifting in the first place? God's Word says we have an anchor that is "sure and steadfast". It is our hope of eternal life and it is fastened securely to the throne of God! My relationship with Jesus and my future with Him in Heaven is secured by who He is, what He has done, and where He is now. As I keep my faith fastened to that anchor, I need not fear drifting too far from safety.

So, bring on the riptides...those temptations, diversions, distractions that this world uses to pull me off course. I am steadfastly anchored in Heaven, and with His help, today I will be steadfast, immoveable, abounding in the work of the Lord.

God's Word is Life-changing...: How do I keep my spiritual edge?

God's Word is Life-changing...: How do I keep my spiritual edge?

How do I keep my spiritual edge?

Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food (from the Word) is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Psalm 119:9, 11 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word...Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

Consistently spending time with God is challenging for me. Something in me says it shouldn't be, but if I'm honest about it...it is. It's like any other discipline...exercising, eating right...hard to maintain. When I'm exhausted, I just want to sleep in a few extra minutes. One day won't hurt. And so begins the compromise of my early morning quiet time.

When I neglect reading, thinking about God's Word, talking with Him, my senses become dull. I trip up, am easily distracted and deceived. I need my time with God each morning. I need to start my day in His Word in order to stay sharp and focused. Then the Holy Spirit has more control of my thoughts; I am able to discern His leading; I am able to make wise cholces. I am able to "look God in the eye" at the end of the day and bask in His pleasure.

Now that I think of it, I am looking forward to tomorrow morning with Him!

Talking to God confidently....

Hebrews 4:16 "So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

I remember vividly a time as a teenager when I did whatever I could to avoid my dad. I had made a foolish choice and I didn't want to face him or the consequences that would follow. For a week I was successful, but then came the moment of truth. Yes, there was a consequence, but it was meted out in a context of mercy instead of anger.

I learned from that experience that I could trust my father's love for me. I didn't need to fear coming to him when I had messed up. In the same way, I have learned that I don't need to hide from my Heavenly Father when I have sinned. Jesus, who knows first hand what we're going through, stands before the Father as our advocate, pleading our case. Notice the throne of God is called the "throne of grace".

Yes, there are consequences to sin, but there is also an abundant supply of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. I love to come before my Father when I am in need because I know He wants the best for me. He looks forward to helping me in any circumstance.

Tonight, just before I close my eyes, I want to be able to approach God joyfully and confidently, knowing that I have served Him well this day. I want to feel His smile of approval. :-)

"Hanging in when times get tough..."

Hebrews 4:14 "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed though the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."

What is it that gives you strength to hold on when everything inside you is telling you that it's hopeless? Jesus has "been there, done that", persevered on our behalf. Now He is seated victoriously at the Father's right hand, and He is interceding on our behalf.

Southern California's coastal waters are renowned for their massive kelp beds. I love scuba diving in the forests of giant kelp off the Catalina coast. Some of the kelp is over a hundred feet tall. What is is that keeps these beautiful plants from drifting away with the storms and the tides? Each kelp stem (or "stipe") has a root-like anchor at it's base called a "holdfast". The holdfast secretes a glue-like substance that anchors the kelp to the rocky bottom. The key to the stability of the kelp is what it is anchored to. It must be solid and able to hold through the most difficult of circumstances.

I can "hang in there" today, regardless of the storms that may threaten and the battles that rage, because I am anchored to a solid foundation. I will hold fast my confession of faith in Jesus because He has already won the battle and secured the victory. I will praise Him today and claim the victory in Jesus' mighty Name!