Wednesday, December 1: The Miracle Book!

One of the most special aspects of having a relationship with the Lord is that He continues to be a God of miracles. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 13:8 that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Certainly, the God of the Old Testament performed countless miracles, including large-scale ones like the Great Flood, which destroyed all of the earth apart from eight people and representatives of each animal the Lord had created. God often spoke to His people through those miracles. Think of Elijah closing the skies from raining for three and a half years, and then opening the skies with prayer to our God, who cannot change!


In the New Testament, our miraculous God came to dwell among us, as He sent His Son to be born of a virgin. Yet that was only one of many miracles performed by and through the life of Jesus, who made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk and the dead to return to life! He cast out demons and made lepers clean again, as well. While all of those miracles occurred in the physical realm, they also continue to give us examples of what occurs in the spiritual realm when we give our lives to Jesus.


When we have no eyes to see, He gives us spiritual sight. When we have no ears to hear, we miraculously hear His voice, as He calls to us just as a Shepherd calls to His sheep. Broken and withered legs leave us immobile in the dust, yet Jesus gives us legs to rise and follow Him. With all of us destined for spiritual death through our sin, Jesus restores that spiritual life in Him when we decide to walk with our Lord. Just as Jesus brought Lazarus back to life with the words, “Lazarus, come forth,” He calls to each of us, who without Him are walking as zombies, like cast members of “Night of the Living Dead.”

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.” -- C.S. Lewis

How many miracles did Jesus perform?


And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
John 21:25


How many miracles does Jesus continue to perform? He works His miraculous hand in the lives of His children on a daily basis, yesterday, today and forever! When we sleep, His eyes remain upon us, as God loves us so much that He cannot take His eyes away from us! Sadly, while the Lord is guiding us, protecting us and blessing us with His miraculous touch, most of those miracles occur without us even giving thanks to Him! A miracle to one man is a mere coincidence to another. Yet there are times when we acknowledge His hand guarding us and guiding us all the way. That’s the time for “The Miracle Book!”


Find a blank journal and begin to write down the miracles God has performed in your life. Spend time reflecting upon your past, when He revealed His love to you. Especially, do not forget the “little miracles.” Remember, there is truly no such thing as a little miracle, for the smallest details reveal how deeply God is involved in our lives, demonstrating the depth of His intimacy and love for us. Each time a miracle occurs, add it to the journal. Unfortunately, our eyes and ears seem to focus on what is immediately in front of us, yet when we write down those special events, those memories are captured forever.


When life’s difficulties cause faith to waver, pull out your “Miracle Book” for a reminder of God’s love in your life. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, yet when under spiritual duress, we somehow change that verse in our minds and walk as if He will “sometimes” leave us or “often” forsake us! Constant reminders of His unwavering love can build our faith, helping us to endure the spiritual battles that lie before us.


For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:17

As we grow as Christians, our “Miracle Books” will be larger than the Encyclopedia Britannica! That reveals more about our God, who is both big and powerful enough to accomplish those miracles in each of our lives constantly! God gave us an example of His miracles in the writings of the prophets and apostles, yet He wants a personal relationship with each of us. His love for us includes those special miracles, enhancing the intimacy of our individual walks with God. Remember the love He has shown you!


So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20

Tuesday, November 30: There is nothing to fear!

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, is well known for his saying, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Fear can be one of the most debilitating feelings, pervasive to the very core of our beings. When fear sets in, every action becomes paralyzed, with the question “what if” resonating throughout the soul through worry. Every decision involves a balance point between success and failure. Knowing this, many people hesitate to make decisions, though lack of a decision is still a decision! Fear does not come from the Lord.


For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7


Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son, as Paul shared the gospel with Timothy when just a boy. Additionally, Paul’s influence upon Timothy did not stop there, including further encouragement of Timothy in ministry in the first epistle. The second epistle written by Paul to Timothy found Paul imprisoned, yet still concerned for his protégé. Timothy was no longer a boy, but in the 15 or so years since Timothy’s salvation, he was preaching to people with many more life experiences. Still, God had called Timothy to this position. If Timothy felt overwhelmed and began to fear, Paul reminded him that fear was of the devil, not of the Lord. Yet three attributes to offset that fear did come from the Lord – power, love and a sound mind.

Power is the Greek work dynameos, where we get our word dynamite. The TNT in this situation would be Timothy Not Timid! This power could be physical or moral, residing within a person, but the best description is “power in action.” Each action would involve a decision, and rather than worrying that the wrong decision had been made, a powerful man would trust in the Lord. Often, that involves stepping out in faith based on our decisions.


Love is the second attribute that can alleviate fear. In this verse, that love is agape, which points to the same kind of love that God exhibits to us. One of the greatest reminders of the power of love comes from Proverbs:


Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
Proverbs 10:12


Even when we make mistakes, those we have had repeated contact with should be able to see our unmistaken motive, love. According to the “love chapter:”


4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8


Love enables us to make the most difficult decisions, and to endure the ensuing battles.  Lastly, God also gives us a sound mind. That sound mind helps us to make those hard choices, to weigh the potential situations with logic and wisdom, though there are times when God seems to answer our prayers in what seems to be an illogical way.

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

God does not place us into the easiest of situations, as He wants us to grow. That growth is reliance upon Him, rather than reliance upon self. Can a plant grow without water or sunshine? In the same manner, we cannot grow without Living Water or the Son of God! God stretches us with those difficult decisions, and if we rely upon Him, He will give us power, love and a sound mind. When we fear, instead of trusting in the Lord, we question each decision, worrying about all aspects that might go wrong. FDR was correct in his assessment that we should be afraid of fear, yet our only true fear should be the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom!

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10

Monday, November 29: Contentment

Living in the United States, we often feel as though this country is the most blessed nation, as fewer people live below the poverty line. Statistics reveal that worldwide, 80% of people exist on less than $10 per day, with the poverty line being $1.25 per day. It is heartbreaking to think about people who cannot afford the basic needs of clothing and food. God has promised to provide both of those commodities for His children, but He also reminds us to be content in whatever station in life He places us.


6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:6


With Madison Avenue executives leading the way to entice us all to desire more gadgets, expensive automobiles, designer clothing and stylish accoutrement, it is easy to fall into the trappings of world philosophy. Yet God gave us the tenth commandment for a reason, not to covet the possessions or lives of others. “Keeping up with the Joneses” might involve a larger mansion or Mr. Jones’ trophy wife, but God encourages us to trust Him as our Provider. That trust will give us contentment, as our Lord never makes mistakes. Our station in life does not come from hard work, random luck or guesswork by God, as He has a purpose and a plan in each of our lives.


10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13


Socrates said, “Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.” When our goals are merely of a financial nature, we are missing the greater importance of a personal relationship with our Creator.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -- Greek philosopher Epicurus

Jesus traveled the length and width of Israel with one tunic, yet we fill whatever space we dwell in with possessions. If we move into a much larger home, it is only a matter of time before we fill that space with more possessions. God takes care of the needs of His children, yet our Savior was homeless during the time of His ministry. God also desires for us to be content in regard to marital status. Paul found that he was able to serve the Lord better as a single man, yet he also realized that it was just as right to be married for those called to be married. Sadly, many churches treat singles differently than they treat married couples or families. Along those lines, neither Jesus nor Paul would have gained acceptance in many churches!


7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9

What is better, to want what you have or to have what you want? Our desires as Christians should be for closer walks with God rather than for bigger, better and more possessions. Money is not the root of all evil, as many misquote, but instead, the root of all evil is the love of money. Certainly, we all fight that battle and carry that love, at least to a certain degree. We do not need to take vows of poverty, but neither should we desire more than we have. Be content wherever God has you, single, married, rich or poor. If He has chosen you to serve Him, you already have been given a gift greater than winning the lottery!


Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

Sunday, November 28: Peace and quiet

Sometimes, we all need a little peace and quiet. Often, home is the place where we find those much sought after commodities. Yet there also are times when home becomes a place with too much extraneous input, whether it is the difficulty of turning off the television, the constant ringing of the telephone or the continuous presence of needy people. Before complaining, realize that at times, we are the needy ones in the lives of our friends. That being said, man cannot supply our needs; only God can. God can and does use people to pass on His blessings, but He is the author and finisher of our faith.


Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4


One of the secrets to that peace and quiet is prayer. Peace has been described as the absence of external disturbances while quiet is as the absence of internal disturbances. When believers in the Lord have hearts of prayer, instead of worrying about the battles raging, believers will hand the battles over to God. As David reminded King Saul and the Israelites in preparation of facing the giant, Goliath, the battle is the Lord’s. Because Jesus is the Commander in Chief of the Lord’s army, we are mere foot soldiers. As foot soldiers, we are not required to make life and death decisions, but instead, our only choice is whether or not to follow the Lord. He doesn’t push us into battle or sit on a hillside watching us fight. Instead, He leads us into battle, protects us in the battle and leads us home in victory.


In addition to describing how we can achieve God’s gift of peace and quiet, Paul gives us a better understanding of the necessary types of prayer that will lead us there. First, Paul mentions supplication, which comes from the Greek word deesis, meaning a wanting or a need. We all should comprehend what it is like to have needs, and the greatest need is for salvation. Through supplication, the Lord desires for us to pray for the needs of others, understanding that only God can supply the missing needs. Secondly, Paul talks of “prayers,” the Greek word proseuche. We are reminded of what prayer entails by James, the brother of Jesus:


Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16


As believers, we should pray fervently for our friends, for our families, for our neighbors and even for our enemies. According to James, our prayers can bring healing, and that healing may be physical, spiritual or both. Thirdly, we see that another aspect of our prayer life should be as intercessors. The Greek word for intercessory is the word enteuxis, which comes from a root meaning “to draw in closely or intimately.” Technically, it is a term for approaching a king, and we know that when Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the tabernacle was split, giving each believer access into the throne room of God.


Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16


Though God is the Creator of all, He does not desire for us to approach Him as the Cowardly Lion approached the Wizard of Oz, nervously shaking and holding his tail. Instead, we are to come boldly to His throne, because He is a God of grace. Through grace, He has released us from the immense debt owed due to our sin. While Jesus offers intercessory prayer to the Father on our behalves (Hebrews 7:25), we are called to perform the same role for the lost! Reflecting upon our own lives, each of us should be able to remember what it was like before we had the knowledge of grace. If surrounded by broken lives and broken people, we should have the understanding of the one step to mend the broken hearts and minds. Finally, Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy to be thankful for all men. It is easy to be thankful for people we think of as blessings, yet we are to be thankful for enemies, dishonest politicians and even the people who push our buttons, too. For God uses all things, positive and negative, to complete His work in us!

When a believer has an active prayer life, faith increases. Answered prayer reveals the Lord’s intimate hand of guidance, as it reminds us that He is listening! When we learn to trust in His hand, we no longer waste precious time and energy in worry. Walking in that trust, we will find peace and quiet. Though we can have that peace and quiet in the noisiest situations, sometimes it is nice to get away to a place where birds are chirping, wind is blowing and raindrops are falling. It is then when it is easiest to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Yet, even in the midst of turmoil, God can give us the peace that passes understanding. Though peace during turmoil might not make sense, it is certainly more of a miracle, pointing directly to God’s hand!


Do you want peace and quiet? Pray!


rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:4


that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Saturday, November 27: Friendship

Friendship helps to make life special. Friends know your past, hope for your future and accept you just the way you are in the present. While God chooses our families, we choose our friends (hopefully with God’s help). Categorically, there are friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for a lifetime, and certainly, the numbers in each of those categories diminish from former to latter.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” – C.S. Lewis

That sameness of thought, interest or personality can draw us near. Yet to have a good friend, you must be a good friend, and that takes time, effort and most importantly, heart. As time marches on, we all have friends who we would love to see more often, though regardless how much time passes in between visits, nothing changes. That love remains just as strong. No obstacle, including time or distance, could keep that friend away if a need presented itself.


One of the Bible’s first examples of friendship is between Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, whom King Saul looked upon as his chief rival. Even though King Saul sought to murder David, the love and friendship between David and Jonathan increased.


Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
1 Samuel 18:1


That phrase reveals much, for love of self happens easily for prideful people. To treat another as well as we treat ourselves is quite a gift. Obviously, Jonathan loved his father in a different way than he loved his friend, David. Though Jonathan refused to betray David, he still chose to die on the battlefield in support of his misguided father. In the same manner, many of our family relationships remain close, as “blood is thicker than water.” On the other hand, sibling rivalry can be intense. Look at the lives of Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac, to see the intensity regardless of brotherly love. Friends do not need to fight over parental love or standing.


A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17


Yet our greatest example of friendship comes from Jesus. His life, deeds and words all exhibited the truest test of friendship.


13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:13-15


We are the friends of God. Additionally, we are His children, as well. Yet the words of our Lord remind us that to be willing to die for a friend involves more love than dying for a family member. When Jesus died for us, we were not His friends, but strangers to Him. Still, He loved us that much.

Everyone seems to be on the go almost non-stop. To take the time to be a true friend involves dying to self, putting off perceived needs for the benefit of others. Sometimes we build walls, not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break those walls down. Is there someone around you who wants and needs your encouragement? It could be as easy as a phone call or email, or as difficult as a cross-country journey, but God desires for us to reach out to the people He has brought into our lives. Reflect on the impact that friends have made in your life! If you want to know how to reach someone else, think of what others could do, or have done, to reach you! But as Christmas approaches, the time of year with the most suicides due to loneliness, make the time to reach out to someone, and be the kind of friend to someone else that Jesus is to you!


7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:7-8

Friday, November 26: Black Friday

Today officially begins the Christmas shopping season, as many retailers open as early as 5 a.m. to the bargain-hunting, American public. The name “Black Friday” originated in Philadelphia, where the foot and vehicle traffic increased to seemingly-epic proportions. Additionally, with debt defined as being in the red and profit defined as being in the black, the day begins the most profitable time for retailers throughout the year. Many retailers on the internet and in malls offer incredible specials on “Black Friday,” though in limited supply. For many, the day begins a reminder of the Thanksgiving meal with leftovers, whether turkey sandwiches or turkey soup. After a meal commemorating our thankfulness to God, who blessed us with abundance, we now rush into a month-long process of buying gifts in over-abundance.


Yet we often lose sight of the most important gift being celebrated. When God sent His Son to earth to live as a man, He offered the only One who could endure this life without sin. When Jesus died, His precious blood was sufficient to cover the sins of all of humanity -- past, present and future. Instead of buying Chia pets and Snuggies for our friends and loved ones, we should tell them boldly about the Son of God. What better time to do that than in the season commemorating His birth! Even though scholars believe that Jesus was most likely born early in the fall, on one of the Jewish feast days, December 25 is the day our culture has set aside to celebrate His birth. Sadly, most Americans have become a part of the “Happy Holidays” generation, choosing to remove Christ from Christmas!


So for all the bargain-hunters, we can share the greatest gift, which ironically, is free. Salvation does not cost any of us a cent, yet it did not come cheaply, costing Jesus His life. As Christians, it is important to look for opportunities to share the gospel, when the Holy Spirit opens the door. When we push the door open, rarely do we find people willing to listen. But when they ask the questions, most people are receptive to our answers. “Why do you always have a smile on your face?” “You have a glow on your face; is there someone special in your life?” At the least, we can respond to their greeting of “Happy Holidays” with “Merry Christmas!”

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6


30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:30-33

Thursday, November 25: Gratefulness

When the Pilgrims were strangers in a strange land, much challenge and hardship greeted them upon every boundary. Yet they had come to this new land in order to worship in spirit and in truth. Though the hardships were great, the prior challenge of limited worship in their native country was greater, making almost any condition acceptable. No matter what obstacle seemed to appear in front of the Pilgrims, they remained steadfast in their trust of the Lord. In 1621, God had blessed their efforts, in farming and building, with perfect weather, and in that autumn, Governor William Bradford called for a public day of Thanksgiving. With the help of the local Indians and the Lord’s hand with the weather, the corn crop never had been so bountiful, and for the first time, it looked as though there would be enough food to get them through winter. Bradford also invited Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag tribe. Yet when that first day of Thanksgiving dawned, Massasoit arrived with 90 Indians, which threatened to deplete the abundant winter supplies. Yet rather than panic, the Pilgrims continued to trust in their Provider. Jehovah-jireh (the Lord who provides) had also provided for the guests, as the Indians arrived with five deer and a dozen fat, wild turkeys. Additionally, the Indian women assisted in preparation of the banquet, teaching the settlers much about the foods in the new land.


Since that time, Thanksgiving has become a national holiday and part of our nation’s heritage, though in many households, gratefulness to the Lord who provides is not part of the celebration. First-century Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart,” yet we often ignore the bountiful blessings supplied by our Father like greedy children at Christmas, casting aside the new bicycle to see what other packages have our names upon them. There is nothing that grieves a parent more than an ungrateful child, and apparently, our Father knows that grief better than any.


16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17


Paul reminds us with the simply-stated verse above of many concepts that we tend to forget in our hearts. Our Father is incapable of giving bad gifts to His children, even if His children are ungrateful. “Rejoice always” and “in everything give thanks” should resonate in the hearts of all believers every day, not just on Thanksgiving, for we have a God who cares for us, always.


6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

Having been beaten with rods for casting the evil spirit of divination from a slave girl, Paul and Silas were imprisoned at Philippi and placed in stocks (Acts 16). At midnight, they were praying and singing hymns to God when a miraculous earthquake released them from bondage, along with all of the other prisoners. In those times, a jailer was responsible for the prisoners so completely, that if one escaped, the jailer had to serve the prisoner’s sentence. If all prisoners escaped, that jailer would be destined for life in prison, serving each sentence. Yet Paul ensured that no prisoner left the jail, though there were no locks to bind them. Instead, he taught the jailer about the love of Jesus, bringing that man to the saving knowledge of our Lord. How often do we complain in our limited hardship, unaware of the miracles God is performing in our lives, as well as in the lives of others? Instead of showering Him with praise and thanksgiving, we exhibit the blackness of ungrateful hearts.


And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
John 1:16


Our Lord does not shower us with partial blessings. Instead, we are granted the fullness of His love, the forgiveness of sin and the abundance of life in Him, through Him and with Him! On this Thanksgiving Day, rejoice, for we serve a God who loves us abundantly.


20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21


He loves us more than we need and certainly, more than we deserve. Take time to notice the blessings and reflect upon the many ways He takes care of us. Most importantly, remember that even what appears to be a challenge or difficulty is a perfect blessing, for in those hardships, God draws us closer to Him. Let His love resonate in your soul this day, and every day! Happy Thanksgiving!

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

Wednesday, November 24: Connecting the dots

People who are immersed in details rarely can see the bigger perspective of what is taking place around them, as “you can’t see the forest through the trees.” Paraphrasing that thought, there are too many trees for us to grasp the size or usage of the forest. In the same manner, when we are focused on a problem, it is often difficult to see the solution. Correcting mistakes first involves awareness of making mistakes! Usually, it is about connecting the dots.


Another old adage says that history repeats itself, and with nothing new on the planet, we seem to cycle through age-old problems and concerns. Harry S Truman said, “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” With awareness of how others have solved problems, our passage can be simplified.


As Christians, we have a guidebook for life. In the Bible, God gives us rules of how to manage our lives. He began by giving us 10 Commandments, with the first half covering our relationship with Him and the second half covering our relationships with others. Additionally there are 603 others laws teaching us about life. Even without belief in God, His laws and commandments are for our benefit. Yet more important than the laws is what should occur when the laws are broken, as we all have the propensity to be rule breakers. Disobedience creates our difficulties and when looking for the solution, we can clear the field of vision by looking above the trees.


For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Solutions to real problems do not involve critical thinking, as the world believes. Instead, those solutions come from God. He has promised us as His followers that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised that He will make all things work together to those who love Him, and to those who are the called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). Only God can take our bad decisions and use them for our good as well as His glory! He has promised that He will not allow any temptation into our lives that we are not strong enough to escape from with His help (1 Corinthians 10:13). He has promised that if we confess our sins to Him that He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He has promised that when we finish the race on this broken earth that we will spend eternity with Him!


How bad can any situation be as a Christian? To find the solution to any problem, all we have to do is connect the dots!


9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13

Tuesday, November 23: Blessed are the flexible…

Trees certainly are resilient. Even in areas where tornadoes, hurricanes and other windstorms are prevalent, there still are many large and aged trees. Not surprisingly, God knew what He was doing when He created trees, with thicker branches near the trunk and thinner branches near the top. Trees are well-balanced, and even the material they are made out of is more flexible than we imagine. Think of a palm tree on an island during a hurricane. Rarely do the trunks snap regardless of wind, though the palms can bend almost to the ground! An old proverb reminds us that, “Trees that don’t bend with the wind won’t last the storm.”


This principle can be applied just as easily to Christians. Many pastors have preached on the concept, “Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken.” Brokenness is necessary when we are seeking the Lord, for it involves letting go of our pride. Pride is what keeps us from accepting Jesus into our hearts, for instead of following His plan in our lives, without that required humbleness, we still desire to control our own lives and destinies. Though after that brokenness occurs and we give our lives to Him, God desires for us to flexible, like trees in the wind.


1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3


Notice in the psalm above that all seasons in the tree’s life are not fruit-producing. Yet even when not producing fruit, the tree shall prosper, regardless of the occasional storms. Some trees have been subject to so many windstorms that instead of standing upright, their growth is in the leeward direction, a natural protection against the wind. In the same manner, God protects us by helping us to grow in different directions. Those differences help us to minister to different people. Some Christians in their rigidity draw sweeping generalizations that we all need to follow God in the same manner. That would be like Paul judging that everyone else must have a Damascus Road experience. Yet the Lord draws each of us to Him in a very unique and personal way. Whether we find that brokenness through addiction, another religion, a failed marriage, the death of a loved one or simply, the realization that we have been created by a God who loves us, the path to God begins when humbleness enters the picture.

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:12-15


God cannot change, as it is against His nature. His plan for our salvation has been in place since before the foundation of the world, yet He allows us freedom of choice. With that choice, each of us must decide whether to follow self or God, and as believers, even when our choices are erroneous, God leads us back to the path He has planned for us. Our Lord is resolute, but not rigid, and with that perspective, we need to bend. Without that flexibility, our trunks will snap in the storm. Though He cannot change, we have to change, and need to! Are there storms in your life? Know that God never puts you anywhere to harm you, though He might use the wind to help you grow in a protective direction!

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8

Monday, November 22: The attraction of sin

Back in the days when warfare had more to do with hand-to-hand combat and bows and arrows than missiles and nuclear bombs, there was a priority placed upon physical strength and dexterity. Men took pride in their ability to defend their families and their land. Consequently, they spent time developing those skills. At that time, when an archer aimed at the center of the target, if he was slightly off, the spotter would yell to him, “khatatha!” The Aramaic word actually meant “missing the mark,” and it was a reminder to the archer to concentrate harder while attempting again to hit the bull’s-eye. In Greek, this word is hamartia, which is the same word used for sin in the New Testament. When we sin, we miss the standard that God has set for us. That standard is perfection.


Sin is any action that goes against the commandments the Lord has given us. In addition to the 10 Commandments, there are 603 other laws in the Old Testament. Why is sin such a draw for us all? Adam and Eve set the stage by disobeying the Lord, and suffered spiritual death for that sin. Because we are descendants of that initial couple, we also are born with sin nature. Sin is more natural to us than perfection. We can see that a toddler lies without us teaching the difference between truth and lie. The same toddler knows selfishness without our prodding, with one of his first words being, “Mine.” Yet, the true draw of sin is its associated pleasure.


Some people erroneously think of God as a killjoy, not wanting us to experience the pleasure of sin. On the contrary, God’s laws are all meant to protect us from the sins that hurt us. At the same time, Satan has taken all that is God’s, and all God created, and tries to imitate God. Yet Satan’s copies are nothing like God’s originals. For example, God created sex as a blessing for married couples. Yet more important than that blessing is the example it is meant to be of the intimacy that He desires with us. We are the brides of Christ, and our Lord yearns for us to have an intimate relationship with Him, with nothing to compare that relationship to. Instead, Satan has convinced the world that the pleasure of sex should be shared with anyone and everyone. Along the same lines, our relationship with God can carry us to the mountaintop. Yet Satan convinces the world to depart the mundane experience of life by enhancing that with drugs and alcohol. Yet under the influence of either, we no longer are communicating with the Lord who created us but with the prince of the power of the air, who has been given dominion over the earth for a time. God gave us His laws and commandments to demonstrate His love for us!


3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:3-5


Sadly, even as believers we continue to miss the mark of perfection, yet God reminds us sweetly to keep aiming at perfection. Additionally, He continues to cleanse us, anytime we ask:


If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Paul reminds us in Romans 7:15 that we continue to do what we hate, and the best part of that remark is that by hating sin, we demonstrate that at least a part of our hearts have grown to reflect the heart of the Lord. If you are struggling with sin, confess that sin to the Lord, that He may cleanse you from your unrighteousness. Keep in mind that God only wants the best for us all, and His commandments will lead us to that place. Do you really love Him? Keep aiming those arrows for the bull’s-eye!


For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Galatians 5:17

Sunday, November 21: Addiction

According to reports, over 9 million Americans need treatment for drug addiction. Worldwide, the number of drug addicts is astounding. At the same time, there are an estimated 12 million alcoholics in the United States. Many term alcoholism as a disease, and certainly there are people who seem to have more of a propensity to fall into addiction when they take a drink. Yet the true addiction of the world is to sin.

“All sin tends to be addictive, and the terminal part of addiction is what is called damnation.” W.H. Auden

It all began with Adam and Eve disregarding the words of God, led by the silver-tongued serpent, confounding them with his misleading speech. Yet even that first sin pointed to the same aspects of our sinful behavior discussed in 1 John.


16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:16-17


Eve’s flesh desired to savor the taste of the delicious fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Her eyes noticed the beauty of the fruit. Yet Eve had another motive.


2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:2-5


Pridefully, Eve desired to be like God! When we approach sin, Satan lies to us about God’s instructions, as well as His punishments associated with our sinful behavior. “It’s not as big of a deal as you think it is,” Satan reminds us, though in truth, our sinful behavior creates spiritual death and separation from God. Without repentance, we are destined for eternal damnation, just as Auden highlighted as the terminal point of addiction. Sadly, we are addicted to sin, and have no chance at conquering the addictions of our lives without the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He reminds us, convinces us, and convicts us that what we are doing is not what God requires of us.


Addiction is the biggest liar. When involved in our sins, we lie to cover our tracks with family and friends. At the same time, we lie to ourselves, trying to convince ourselves that the addiction is controllable. Lastly, we lie to God! “If you help me out of this jam, I will never do that again.” George Carlin said, “Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.” Without God, we cannot get the monkey off our back! All of us as Christians still fall prey to Satan’s plots, tripping us up with sin. When people we love are struggling with sin it breaks our hearts, for we can look back and see similar struggles in our own lives. Without total surrender to God, we are destined for failure. But if you call on the name of Jesus, you will be saved!

The response of Jesus to the woman caught in the act of adultery reminds us of how God views our sin if we repent:


10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11


Our Lord desires for us to depart from the sin. That involves leaving our sinful past behind. Certainly, we all continue to struggle, but God desires for our sin to break our own hearts in the same manner that it breaks His heart. When we desire to please Him above all else, He will carry us through all difficulties. That being said, anyone struggling with the addiction of sin or the sin of addiction needs to turn it over to God. He is not there to condemn, but to love and forgive to those willing to bring it to Him.


Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
John 5:14

Saturday, November 20: The King of glory

What a challenge it can be to live in a broken world, where the name of Jesus is used more often as a curse than in praise! Walking on the narrow way that leads to salvation can sometimes be a lonely road, as there are not many along the same path. Each of us has experienced what it is like to be in the minority in some facet. That might be based on race, gender, political belief or religious belief. Regardless, the imposed exile of being a minority can choke the breath from an otherwise acceptable condition.


As Christians, we have been called by God to be strangers in a strange land for the time being. Yet in our future, we will not only be in the majority, but there will be no minority! When Jesus returns to earth to rule and reign from the throne of David for 1,000 years, there will be no person remaining on the planet without a relationship with our Savior.

1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Psalm 24


With the poetic use of personification apparent in verse seven, it is easy to picture the gates lifting up their heads. Though we might envision a gate on a horizontal hinge, this gate is vertically-hinged, like a portcullis. In Medieval times, the portcullis kept enemies from entering a city, yet after the return of Jesus, there will be no need for gates or walls. Instead, all enemies will have been vanquished. That eastern gate of Jerusalem has remained sealed since 1541, when the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I accomplished that task to ensure that the Messiah could not enter. Additionally, Muslims placed graves in the area outside the gate in the Kidron Valley, as the Old Testament teaches that a Jewish Rabbi must not be defiled by touching a grave. Isn’t it ironic that a man sealed a gate to stop a Messiah he did not believe in? How could a grave or stone wall accomplish the feat that hell and death could not?


Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. 2 And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut. 3 As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.”
Ezekiel 44:1-3

Though it might be challenging to feel alone in the crowd of this world, we rest in the hope of what will come. Imagine that day, surrounded by all believers in man’s history, surrounded by the heavenly host of angels, all singing praises to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who will enter Jerusalem for the Millennial reign! With a choir of millions of voicing blending together sweetly, it will be glorious! Even those without beautiful singing voices on this earth will join in (they must have glorified voices as there are no tears in heaven)! No longer strangers in a strange land, each of us will find the destiny God has desired for us.


Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
Isaiah 26:2

Friday, November 19: Think about it…

Some people are naturally inquisitive, treating each step through life as a learning experience, while others seem to react anew in every situation, as if all they retain is water! Those who act before thinking are most dangerous with a loaded gun, especially with their ready, fire, aim philosophy of life. Certainly, there are times when our actions must be more of a reflex than a pondering thought followed by action, yet even that reflex comes from thought in training.


As Christians, God desires for us to spend time reading His Word, but more importantly, He desires for us to spend more time thinking about what we read. When those thoughts become actions, they have traveled full circuit. “Food for thought” takes priority over “food for flesh,” with the defining difference being between eating to live and living to eat. Most of us seem to be slaves to our stomachs, rarely missing meals. If we placed the same priority on not missing the daily bread of God’s Word, our spiritual condition would be as healthy as our physical condition!


King Solomon, gifted with wisdom, shared some of that with us in Proverbs. One of his sayings was:


A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 27:7


The tastiest morsel can push a full man to Pepto-Bismol, while a starving man is never a gourmet. Yet every bit of the Bible is sweet, tasty and filling to a Christian. Reading the Bible never will leave a believer unsatisfied, as after eating the meat of God’s Word, another nugget or morsel can be like a dessert of honeycomb.


14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the service of man,
That he may bring forth food from the earth,
15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man,
Oil to make his face shine,
And bread which strengthens man’s heart.
Psalm 104:14-15

God teaches us about the need for spiritual sustenance with the correlation of that physical nourishment, which He also supplies for us. Though we all have favorite meals and favorite restaurants, we should always look forward to each meal of God’s Word. If the world’s greatest chef brought a gourmet meal to the table, would you ignore it? That’s what happens when we forget to read the Bible daily! Now there’s some food for thought!


4 He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
5 Sustain me with cakes of raisins,
Refresh me with apples,
For I am lovesick.
Song of Solomon 2:4-5

Thursday, November 18: By faith

As believers, we have been given the example of those who have gone before us. Throughout the Bible, we can read about other men and women of faith. Some of them lived in a time before Jesus came to earth as a man, while others were chosen by God as the foundation of the church. Additionally, there have been many faithful followers of the Lord in the years after the completion of the Bible. Regardless of the eras of those Christians, faith is a common denominator.


1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1-3


One of the men of faith who made the greatest impact on my life was Rusty Foster. Rusty spread the gospel for 60+ years, flying his plane over villages in other countries, and dropping translations of the Bible. A couple years after becoming a Christian, the Lord gave me the blessing of preaching to the homeless at a rescue mission in the desert. One night, I exited the mission praising God for what He had allowed me to do and turned right to go to my car. Rusty was immediately behind me, but when I got to the car, he was gone. When I turned right, Rusty had turned left, as he saw an inebriated homeless man on the ground. Rusty sat down and began sharing the gospel with him in Spanish. Rather than resting on his laurels, Rusty always looked for God to open doors of ministry. When his wife died, Rusty became even busier, preaching numerous sermons each week in retirement homes. Certainly, when Rusty died, he joined the “Hall of Saints” spoken of in Hebrews 11.


Many men and women of God are mentioned in the list, each with an action highlighted with a description of how they accomplished their mighty feat, “by faith.” Here is an example:


By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Hebrews 11:7

Without faith, we all are lost. Without faith, we are capable of no good work. Without faith, we cannot even stand!


Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
2 Corinthians 1:24


God has given us examples in the lives before us and the lives around us of what it means to walk in faith. Additionally, we are the examples for our friends and families! When reading the Bible, we should be encouraged in how those who lived before us finished the race, with God’s merciful hand guiding the way. Just as He carried those believers to their rest in Him, He also will lead us! How can we continue with difficulties all around us? By faith!


knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Galatians 2:16


9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:9-12

Wednesday, November 17: Teach us to pray!

Of all the gifts God has given to us, prayer is one of the most important as well as the least utilized. During the ministry of Jesus, we can see the emphasis that He placed on prayer, spending many nights crying out to His Father. Certainly, His disciples must have seen a direct correlation between the prayer life of Jesus and the power of His ministry, for they asked for help on how to pray. We do not see any similar requests from the disciples in the New Testament regarding other aspects of the Christian walk. For example, do any of the disciples ever ask Jesus to “teach us to teach,” “teach us to heal,” “teach us to perform miracles,” or “teach us to cast out demons?”


Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
Luke 11:1-4


Without constant communication with God, we can lose sight of what He wants us to accomplish for Him. We must understand that the battlefield is changing all around us as we speak. For those who have soldiered in war, or more commonly, for those who have seen a movie involving war, we can picture the hurried communications between underlings and the generals in charge. If a general gave a command based on the situation at hand and the young lieutenant turned off the two-way radio immediately after receiving the order, what would happen if the situation on the battlefield altered? Days later, should the lieutenant continue following the same order, or should he check in for new orders?


Prayer is only one side of the communication chain, involving our words and thoughts addressed to God. Yet to keep the lines of communication open, we must be able to hear God’s instructions, too. His instructions come by reading His Word, as the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring to remembrance all He has taught us (John 14:26). Sometimes, God can speak to our hearts, but if His words do not involve Scripture, be careful that you are not listening to your own heart or listening to the enemy. Satan is willing and able to pull verses out of context to trick us. Yet Jesus demonstrated to us how to fight that battle:


Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11


As Christians, we are soldiers in God’s army. Similar to any army, there is a chain of command, and the instructions for battle come from the commander-in-chief. Outside of the walls of Jericho, Joshua was confronted by an Old Testament appearance of Jesus, and there we learn one of His many titles:


13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.”
Joshua 5:13-14

In prayer, we should lift up our fellow soldiers in the battle for this world between God and God’s enemy, who has been given dominion here for a time. In that ongoing prayer, we should ask for instructions of where and how He desires to use us as soldiers. We should ask for His strength, support and leadership, and most importantly, for His guidance. When we speak to God, we get much off our chests, but without hearing from Him, any battle we fight is misguided. Search the Scriptures daily to hear what communication God has for you! Without both aspects of that communication, prayer and Bible study, we are cut off from the Commander of the Lord’s army! Additionally, keep praying for your fellow soldiers. Your battles might be different, but you are a part of the same war, facing the same enemy!


17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:17-20


1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4