Daily Reflections on Ps. 119:105-112 (A Little Light Here, Please)

Last night after our life group/bible study group ended, some of our folks decided they were going to walk the mile trail around my subdivision. They started out the door and quickly returned with an earnest request. "Can we have a flashlight?" Our group ended after 9pm and darkness had fallen across the terrain. They needed a little light to see the path. Nobody wanted to come back with a broken ankle or a skinned knee.

The psalmist says that God's Word is light to our path. He gives it to us to keep us from stumbling and falling. What's interesting is that the psalmist also acknowledges that he/she had crashed and burned in the past. He/she even confessed the tendency to take their own life into their hands and recognized the constant temptation to stray from the path.

What strikes me is the wisdom of the psalmist here to recognize God's Word is key to facing life. When I've really messed up, God's Word is there to guide me out. When I'm about to take a plunge off of a cliff, God's Word is there to hold me back. When I'm about to take a misstep, God's Word is there to enlighten me. When I'm about to fall to a temptation, God's Word is there to warn me.

Not only does God's Word act as a preventive measure, it also leads us down a safe and secure path. As long as we follow God's teachings and instruction, we can anticipate healthier relationships, more stable finances, greater joy and less heartache. I'm not saying everything in life we'll be clear sailing. I'm saying that following God's Word is the best path to take in life for the greatest assurance of a beneficial life.

God, thanks for lighting my path with your Word. I need your direction, your teaching, your instruction. I need the warnings and the heads up in life. I thirst for your truth. Reveal to me what I need to know to pursue a life of holiness.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 17:3-5 (What Is Eternal Life?)

What is eternal life? Jesus answered that question very simply in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. John 17 gives us a picture of what Jesus was praying the night before He went to the cross. Jesus' longest, most intense prayer, that brought sweat drops as of blood, was more than just about His suffering. As you read through these verses, you quickly discover that Jesus was praying as much about His disciples, and me and you as He was Himself.

Jesus' passion was about reconciliation of Himself with God, His disciples with God and one another, and all of mankind with God and one another. Jesus couldn't wait to get back to heaven to join His father. But the whole purpose of His coming to was to bring along as many as He could through their faith and belief in Him.

Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God as the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom God sent. Knowing God and knowing Jesus is eternal life. Now when Jesus says that, He doesn't mean just knowing about God. He said "knowing God." The implication of the original word in the New Testament is more about having a deep personal relationship than a general understanding or passing acquaintance. So what was Jesus talking about.

To understand what "knowing God" means, you simply have to look at how Jesus knew God. He describes their relationship as a oneness. Later in the passage He prays that His disciples be "one" as He and the Father are "one." Jesus' oneness with God was such that He drew His power from God, His essence from God, His essential sustenance from God. God was the point and direction of His life. Jesus said that all He had was God's. Everything about His life and being was God's.

That kind of oneness is eternal life. That's what it means to truly "know God." It's not about having a ticket to heaven. It's about a deep abiding relationship with God, where everything about my life and being is focused on Him. We're not talking about living in a monastery. Jesus did just the opposite. He lived among people. He interfaced with the world. In fact, he shied away from hanging out with the religious aristocracy of His day. He chose to spend time in prayer, the Holy Scriptures, at the local synagogues, with every day, common people, and with people who were far away from God by lifestyle. His life was almost exclusively about giving and serving others.

If eternal life is knowing God and knowing Jesus on a deep personal level that permeates every aspect of my life, what is eternal death? Death is a word that simply means separation. In this case separation from God and Jesus for eternity. Jesus wants us to experience eternal life, not eternal death. Life period, or the abundant life as Jesus talks about, is only found in God. God teams with life. Separated from Him there is no life. Not real life anyway. We may have existence, but we're not living.

As long as I'm not pursuing that deep personal relationship with God and Jesus, I'm actually pursuing death or at least the things that lead to death. I'd rather focus on life, eternal life. I want to know God and Jesus. I mean really know them. And it's in knowing them that my relationship with others are enhanced and deepened.

God, thanks for making it possible to really know you. Thanks for removing the barrier that existed between us because of my sin. I need your power in my life. I need your direction in my life, to focus my life, become the essence of my life. I don't want to hold anything back from you. Become my total sustenance. Allow me to experience the fullness of eternal life with you here and now.

Daily Reflections on 2 Sam. 12:1-25 (Finger Pointing)

Finger pointing can be a nasty game. It's normally thought of in negative terms. Typically, finger pointing involves confrontation; sometimes intense and sometimes playful. The "he did it, she did it" game starts in childhood, but continues throughout adulthood. We're all good at pointing the finger at someone else. The tough part comes when the finger is rightfully pointed at us.

David had that painfully embarrassing experience. The prophet Nathan comes to David with a tale about a rich man who steals a poor man's ewe lamb. David issues a death sentence to this despicable character only to hear the words, "You are that man." Oops! Maybe I was a bit hasty in my sentencing. Let's look at the case a little more closely.

Fortunately for David, his sin with Bathsheba didn't cost him his life. God showed him mercy. Although, according to the law, David was guilty of both murder and adultery, both capital offenses. Yet God gave him a reprieve. David didn't escape punishment, however. God said that sword would not depart from his house, his wives would be publicly violated by someone close to him and the child he conceived in his adultery with Bathsheba would die.

All three of the consequences came to pass in David's life. The new born baby died within a week. His own children preyed upon each other, physically, emotionally and even sexually. His favorite son, usurped his authority, set up tents and publicly humiliated David's wives.

What's really interesting is that God took David's deepest, most atrocious sin and turned it into a blessing. Weird, huh! David should have been condemned to death for his adultery alone. Yet, God blessed the union with Bathsheba with a son, Solomon. Solomon became David's successor as king. The text says that God loved Solomon and sent word through Nathan to name him Jedidiah, which means "loved by the Lord." The most ironic aspect of this whole story is that ultimately, God sent Jesus into the world through Solomon's line.

God is capable of taking our hugest mistake, deepest, darkest sin and use it to bring a blessing to someone else. David's ardent remorse and repentance was the key. David still suffered the consequences of his sinful behavior that caused him continual pain. But God majors in taking train wrecks in our lives to allow us to be reminded of His grace and honoring His followers.

God, thanks for your grace, your forgiveness, your mercy. A lot of times, fingers could have been, should have been pointed at me for my guilt. But, Lord, you've taken my deepest failures and used them to your glory. I cry out like the Apostle Paul to you for deliverance from myself, my sin, my faux pas, my ignorance, my undisciplined life and rejoice in your hand at work to release me from condemnation.

Daily Reflections on Ps. 119:1-16 (A Word To All Graduates)

My baby was graduated from high school this week. It won't be long before she heads off to college three hours away. Yesterday she was just a little tike taking off her own training wheels. And now, there she was marching down the aisle in her gold cap and gown. They didn't play the typical, "Pomp and Circumstance." But she did get her diploma and now the next phase begins.

I'm not sure on whom it will be harder, mom and dad or daughter. There will be some loneliness for both I'm sure. My daughter hasn't spent a whole lot of time away from family on her own. Leaving her at college by herself is going to be a challenge for all of us. But the little birds must leave the nest, stretch their wings and fly on their own. It's all part of life.

I remember my high school graduation all those many years ago. I dashed off the football field, turned in my cap and gown and bolted for my car. I beat my parents home where they had planned a little reception in my honor. Two weeks later, I hopped a plane and flew 1,200 miles back to Illinois where I had lived most of my Jr. High and High School days. I was assured a job there so I could pay for school.

I was on my own. I never lived at home again. In fact, my parents moved later that year to new city. I didn't know where they where living until Thanksgiving. It was a weird feeling sitting on that plane before we left the terminal. I knew that I was out of the nest. Decisions were all mine from now on. No longer were my parents in charge of my life. I had longed for this opportunity, but now that it had arrived, well let's just say my stomach turned over.

The opening words of the psalmist in Psalm 119 have been of valuable guidance for me, especially in my early years of life on my own. It helped me with my decisions. I offer it as sound advice to all graduating seniors on their way to college or career. Verse 9 really stands out, "How can a young person keep their way pure? By living according to your word." Within the pages of God's Word is instruction on how to do life to gain the maximum enjoyment, fulfillment and the least heartache. My train wrecks through the years have been when I ignored God's teaching.

God, I'm not a young man any more, but I find I still need the teaching of your Word to guide my life. Thanks for giving us your Word from which to learn, grow, and really live.

Daily Reflections on John 12:1-8 (Lavishing Extravagance)

The fragrance filled the room. The sweet and rich scent tantalized each nostril. An entire jar of expensive perfume was used to anoint the feet of Jesus. She used her long hair as a towel. As she caressed His feet, the conversation started. Why did she waste the whole jar on His feet. Some thought that the jar of perfume should have been sold and the money used to help the poor. Efficiency and efficacy were more important in some minds. Let's be practical.

The adorning of Jesus is thought to be an extravagant when resources are poured out to Him is ways thought to be impractical. But interestingly, Jesus had a different opinion. He praised Mary's action here in John. He made note that the poor would always be with them. He also noted that He would soon be gone. Her action was an acceptable tribute to Him. Soon He would be headed to the cross and the grave.

I've thought a lot about Mary's reaction and Jesus' response. I confess, I've always leaned to the practical side of things. Ministry has always taken priority over extravagance. I struggle with elaborate buildings and furnishings that serve no particular purpose except for aesthetics. I know the importance of nice looking and functional facilities. However, I can't help but think how much ministry could be done for 3 or 6 or 12 million in buildings and furnishing.

When we remodeled a Wal-Mart building for our facility in 2000, I was proud that we saved about 3-5 million versus building a brand new building. Yet that year as I sat in an ancient open air coliseum in Israel, I couldn't help but note that is was built so that one could whisper on stage and be heard anywhere in the 10,000 plus seat arena. We just spent $25,000 plus on a sound system for 1,000 seat auditorium and we were still having trouble balancing the sound. Why couldn't my architect do that?

The question in my own mind is how often do I really bestow extravagance on Jesus? Ministry needs never go away. If I focus all my giving to just needs, do I lose real motivation. Should I be focusing a portion of my effort just on using my resources express my love and appreciation to Jesus? If I don't take time give of myself, my resources on just Him alone, what happens to my spirit?

God, I want to lavish you with my gifts, my love, my being.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 10:24-30 (Secure in the Hand of God)

Ever play the game where one person holds a pebble or marble or M&M in their open palm while the other person tries to snatch before the first person closes their hand? It's a fun game to play, especially if the reward of the snatch is a chocolate morsel. Grasping the prize depends on the skill and dexterity of the players. A quick snatcher has a better than fifty fifty chance of winning the contest. Which means an artful protector can retain the item a greater percentage of the time.

With the game, the protector tempts the snatcher by placing the hand open with palm up. It gives the snatcher an opportunity to steal the item. In other words, the protector places the prize at risk in almost a taunting manor.

In John 10, Jesus paints the picture of God holding his sheep, his people, the saved in His hand. But instead of holding them out so that they could be snatched by Satan or someone or something else, God clenches us firm in His mighty hand. Nothing or no one can rip them from His grip.

That's reassuring to know that God doesn't play games with us or put us at risk. He's not in some cosmic game of snatch with the devil. God isn't fickle. He is steadfast. What's under His protection or in His possession can't be torn away, stolen away, pulled away, maneuvered away or even gambled away.

Jesus said whoever places their life into His hands has eternal life. Putting your life into His hands is a lot more secure than taking your life into your own hands or placing them into someone else's hands. In this day of great uncertainty, the securest place you could be is in the hands of God. Sorry Allstate, you may have good hands, but I'd rather be in God's.

God, I love being in your hand instead of my own or the governments or my financial adviser or anyone else's. I know I have the tendency to want to peel back your fingers and experience life without you in my life. But you know, Lord, it doesn't take me long to come back into the security of your palm. It's so reassuring to know that you don't put my life at risk.

Daily Reflection on 1 Sam. 17 (Family Arguments)

I always loved the story of David and Goliath. I've loved it first because little DAVID (namesake for me) took down the giant. Oh yeah. David the giant killer. My chest always pumped up as a kid, okay is still does. When you're short in stature you have to get excited when the little guy, the underdog comes out on top.

But there is a lot here in this story that often goes over looked. As I was reading through this passage I couldn't help focus on the family dynamics going on here in 1Sam. 17. Three of David's older brothers are serving in King Saul's army defending Israel. Jesse, David's dad, sends David up to the front with some supplies, or should I say a care package from home. When David gets there he hears the Daily Goliath Show mocking Israel and God.

David maybe young but he sure is idealist. Oh wait, don't those usually go together. He is appalled by the giant's palaver. David starts asking questions of the professional soldiers as to why they put up with that offense. Now the interesting thing is that David's oldest brother starts to verbally attack his youngest brother. He accuses David of all sorts of negative things. To which David responds, "Now what have I done? Can't I even speak?" And then he split from his brothers to go to talk with someone else.

Older more experienced siblings often don't have a lot of patience with their younger brothers. They're sometimes seen as immature, obnoxious pests trying to horn in on the action. The younger siblings are often looked at as if they have no business messing in the older siblings' world. The younger are not seen as credible and more of a meddling irritant.

As a new church, I've experienced that mentality from the older, more established churches in our area. Suspicion, disdain, apathy for our work as a new sister church has been more the order of the day. Some pastors and churches actually opposed us, spread negative rumors about us, even preached against us from their pulpits. Instead of welcoming us, encouraging us, supporting us, they actually worked against us. Our community is three fourths unchurched and growing more that way every day. The irreverence for God continues to grow, yet instead of welcoming us, they negate us.

To be honest, I have kind of felt like David. What did I do? I'm just interested in seeing the lost come to Christ. But it's been like I've done something majorly egregious to offend all Christendom. My older brothers have seen me as an irritating interference.

But that sibling abuse didn't stop David and ultimately he went out and faced Goliath with nothing but five small stones and his sling. God was with David and as we all know he slew Goliath. What would have happened if David's brothers would have embraced him, encouraged him, helped him, stood with him? Both David and his brothers would have benefited. As it turned out, David was victorious and became a hero. His brothers, looked stupid and virtually disappeared from spiritual relevance.

Brothers should stand with brothers. Sisters should stand with sisters. Instead of taking pot shots at one another verbally, we should rally around each other in love and support and encouragement. Too many battles have been fought within the family over silly or trivial issues while the enemy of God mocks His people. The Goliath of paganism rages and rails against the Kingdom of God while God's people fuss among themselves. Sibling rivalry or sibling jealousy is unproductive and damaging to everyone.

God, you said we should love each other and that the world would know we are your followers by our love for one another. Help me truly love my brothers so that the world won't look at the church with disdain, disgust or even hatred, but see it as open, humble, caring, supportive and the way to true life.

Daily Reflections on John 7:37-39 (I Could Go for a Cold One)

There's nothing a like a cool drink on a hot summer's day. A chilled Powerade, Gatorade, Vitamin Water or good ole Adam's ale (H2O) really hits the spot. I love to grab an ice cold Pepsi and chug it. I love the sting in my throat as that river of refreshment is going down. Man, that tastes good. And since I just got done with my exercise routine, I could go for one right now.

Thirst creates an almost desperate longing to be quenched. There is a dryness in our throat that draws the rest of our body's attention and focus. We press on but that longing to be quenched presses us. It slows us down. It distracts us. It inhibits our productivity. Until we get something to drink, our mind and body is preoccupied. That simple thirst begins to affect us physically, mentally and emotionally.

In John 7 Jesus talks about people being thirsty for something more than just a drink of water. It's natural for people who are parched to reach for their favorite liquid beverage to quench that thirst. But Jesus offers something that is more refreshing, something that goes deeper into our being.

Let's face it, life can be tough. It can be a lot of fun, but everybody faces difficult issues at sometime in their life. They become personally parched. People try a lot of stuff to quench their inner thirst. Sex, power, partying, careers, boyfriends, girlfriends, marriage, kids, riches, material stuff, music, video games, sports, porn are substitutes that give brief highs or satisfaction but don't quench that deep thirst.

Jesus said that those who take a drink of Him will be satisfied. Whoever believes in Him will have streams of living water flowing from within. Quenched. A river of living water flowing to the parts of my being that quenches the thirst of my life, my purpose, my meaning, my direction, my future, my hope. Downing an ice cold Pepsi may taste great going down, but it really doesn't quench my thirst. In fact, it sometimes makes me even thirstier. Substitutes may taste great going down, but they can also create other problems too. Not only have they not met my thirst, they have created a greater thirst.

Until our deeper thirst is met, many or most will be distracted in life. Oh sure, we may press on and try to ignore the thirst, but it's still there. Until we take the drink of Jesus, that thirst will remain.

As the Psalmist said God, I long for you as a deer longs for a brook. I need you to quench my thirst; nothing else can. Your spirit that wells up with me is so refreshing. I need it most when life is the most draining. Without the river of life flowing from within, I would no doubt perish. My life withers when I'm not drinking from you. Don't just fill my cup, Lord. Fill me. Quench my deepest thirst.

Daily Reflections of Prov. 15:4 (The Tongue Can Be Awesome)

Long before Greek playwright, Euripides, wrote, "the tongue is mightier than the blade," in 406BC and Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, "the pen is mightier than the sword," in 1839, King Solomon wrote these words in Proverbs 15:4 about the tongue. "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Simple words but wise words. When Solomon writes about the tongue he captures more than just the articulation of words. He includes our hearts, our motives, our intentions and our attitudes. Obviously, a tongue isn't deceitful by its on volition. It doesn't have ulterior motives. It doesn't scheme or craft words on its own. The tongue is only a tool of the brain to express thoughts, ideas, messages, love, comfort, disdain, etc.

I hear people talk about having a potty mouth or a nasty tongue as if it's something affixed to their body of which they have no control. "It just goes off on its own sometimes. I never know what it's going to do or say." My response, "Really?" The tongue only expresses what's happening inside us. It reveals a lot about us. Just like the eyes are the windows to our souls, our tongues are trumpets of our character.

Deceitful tongues reveal a deceitful person who is primarily only concerned about themselves. Their purpose is to take advantage or to intentionally hurt someone. A tongue that brings healing reveals a person of compassion. Their purpose is selfless and adds hope and comfort to others.

I've met a lot of tongues in my day. It doesn't take long just listen to find out about a person. I've met critical tongues, analytical tongues, angry tongues, hurt tongues, arrogant tongues, bashful tongues, loud tongues, funny tongues, defensive tongues, harsh tongues, pleasant tongues, stinging tongues, lying tongues, honest tongues, insightful tongues, lecturing tongues, vile tongues, soothing tongues, and yes, deceitful tongues and healing tongues.

The sad thing is that those tongues at some point in my life could have been mine. In fact, they could have been mine throughout the course of a single day. So what does that say about me? What does your tongue say about you? A close examination of our tongue, reveals a great deal about what's going in our own heart and mind. If our tongue is expressing a lot of negativity, anger, hurt, piety, or self-righteousness, then we need to take a close look at ourselves. I want people to see my tongue as the tree of life that brings refreshment and healing and hope and encouragement.

God, I realize my tongue brings forth blessings and curses. I don't want to be seen a negative, hurtful or harmful tongue. I don't want to use my tongue to give lashings. I want to be seen as a fountain of refreshment that allows others to drink of your river of life. Fill me. Indwell me. Capture me so that from my lips will flow the fruit of your encouragement and good news.

Daily Reflections on 1 Sam. 5:1-12 (A Pain in the Rear)

It was called, "The Great Pestilence," "Black Death" or the "Black Plague." Thousands of people lost their lives to this deadly disease in middle ages, especially the mid fourteenth century throughout Europe. Today we call it the Bubonic Plague. Many proposed reasons for the disease, it was discovered to be carried by flea-bearing rats.

Although this disease was thought to have entered human history about 1340 AD, one read of today's passage and you get the idea that God introduced it to the Philistines long before that. The Philistines had stolen the Ark of the Covenant from Israel and set it in their temple of Dagon. The Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. On its Mercy Seat God dwelt. So by capturing the Ark, the Philistines thought they'd bring the power of God back with them.

But things didn't work out quite like the Philistines thought. It's almost a humorous story. First of all, their idol, Dagon fell over and was destroyed when they set the Ark of the Covenant next to it. Then, the Philistines started experiencing some physical ailments. Not just any ailments. God struck them with tumors. Now the Septuagint, the greek version of the Old Testament, says they developed "tumors of the groin." The Darby Translation uses the word hemorrhoids. Oh man, and no Preparation H!

But if you read the description of sores and disease and mention of rats both in chapters five and six, you'll realize that something more was going on. The Philistines realized that this was all coming by the hand of God. Furthermore, as an appeasement to God the priests of Dagon had them make golden idols of these tumors (or hemorrhoids) and rats, one for each Philistine king/city, and send them back on an unmanned cart to Israel. The account sounds very similar to what Europe experienced in the fourteenth century.

Why would God punish the Philistines this way? If you study God's pattern of punishment or disciplinary action in the Old Testament, you'll discover that God always shows His power is greater than the power of the gods of the people He is punishing. The plagues of Egypt, for example, all were directed at particular gods or sacred beliefs of the Egyptians. Not only did the Philistines discovered that defying God by stealing the Ark of the Covenant and oppressing His people became a pain in the rear, literally, they experienced great suffering and many perished because of their actions.

Defying God never pays off, even for those who don't claim to be followers of Christ or believe in God. God doesn't have to prove Himself to anyone. He doesn't always have to send punishment our way. All He really has to do is simply remove His hand and leave us to our own devices, or should I say vices. Self destruction, pain and suffering are sure to follow. But when God chooses to send a punishment for defying Him, it will be evident. Be assured, God will not be mocked.

God, you are so awesome. There is none like you. You are so powerful and wise. Thanks for being my protection, my hope, my salvation. Thanks for guiding me and keeping me from destroying myself. Thanks for your Word and the Holy Spirit. Thanks for Jesus and the promise of eternal life.

Daily Reflections on Ruth 2:1-18 (Whatever Happened to Work Ethic and Character?)

Whatever happened to character and work ethic? Having talked with several HR directors and small business owners, finding people with character and a strong work ethic is a rare commodity these days. People show up for work late or not at all just because they don't feel like coming in or being there on time. Furthermore, they don't even call. Putting in a hard days work is becoming a thing of the past. Giving our best has given way to giving the minimum effort required.

Of course I'm speaking in generalities, not everyone is that way. But a trend is developing in our society. In our couch potato society, mediocrity seems to be the norm. There's a tendency to just get by. Complacency is becoming acceptable. Perhaps a natural result of a self absorbed culture.

That's what makes the story of Ruth is so amazing. Instead of being self absorbed, she is others centered. After her husband died at a young age, Ruth chooses to serve her mother-in-law instead of fending for herself. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, is also a widow and has no means of support. Both of her sons have died and now she is left with virtually nothing. Recognizing her daughter-in-laws are in a similar plight, but young enough to remarry, Naomi tries to send them back to their families.

But Ruth takes no thought of herself, only of her mother-in-law and dedicates her life to helping her survive. She goes back with Naomi to her husband's homeland. And since women in those days had no opportunity to earn a living other than through prostitution, slavery or begging, Naomi and Ruth had nothing but tough days ahead of them. But instead of doing any of those, Ruth headed for the fields to glean the leftovers from the local farmers' harvesting effort. She worked her tale off gathering grain each day so that she and Naomi would have something to eat.

Her efforts paid off. She impressed the eye of Boaz (who turned out to be her kinsmen redeemer) and his workers. They commented on her work ethic, determination and spirit. As they watched her work without complaint, they were moved to help her anyway they could. Her loyalty to Naomi became well known. Her selflessness and tireless spirit appreciated and admired. Her warmth and caring spirit made her attractive.

God rewarded Ruth, a non-Jew, for her faithfulness. Her character stood out to God, and she became the great grandmother of King David and the great, great grandmother of King Solomon. And if you trace the kingly line of David, you will realize, that it was through that line that Jesus was born.

What would have happened in history if Ruth would have called in sick or not shown up in the fields of Boaz. What would have happened if she would have decided to take the easy road and just go home to her parents? What would have happened if she would have taken the "just get by" mentality? Would David had been born? Would he have become king? Would Joseph and Mary been born? Would the redemption of the world happened?

Ruth wasn't anyone important. In fact, she wasn't even a Jew. Yet through her and her acts of faithfulness, redemption of mankind became possible. Our daily efforts do make a difference. Not giving our best day to day could effect more than we think. Character, work ethic, selflessness, a servant's heart can change the world. It's not about the size of the task or the position we hold. It's the attitude and spirit with which we do things that matter.

God, it's hard to see from our perspective what difference our attitude, character, work ethic makes in the big picture of life. It's so easy to slack off and to give minimum effort to things that we don't really see as important. Yet, God, even the little things we do seem to make a difference. The patterns we develop impacts others more than we think. Give me a spirit like Ruth's. I want to make a difference in the lives of others.

Daily Reflections on Judges 13:2-21 (How Do I Know When God Is Speaking to Me?)

How do you know when God is talking to you? Do you hear a voice? Do you have a dream? Does he send you a text message? Do you get some eerie feeling? Does he show up as an angel in your life? Even then would you believe Him?

Samson's mother had such an experience. She was minding her own business when an angel of the Lord appeared to her as a man. He announced that she, although sterile, would have a child. He also gave her some specific instruction on what to eat or drink and what not to eat or drink. She wasn't sure who he was but suspected he was an angel of the Lord.

Surprised by the encounter she goes home and tells her husband. But Manoah wasn't sure if it was a message from the Lord or not. He prays for confirmation. He wanted to hear the message again, this time for himself. God grants Manoah's request and sends the angel back to his wife with a confirmation message. This time, when the angel shows up she rushes to get her husband.

When Manoah heard the message for himself and the instruction he still doesn't realize that the man is actually an angel from the Lord. He offers a sacrifice to the Lord for the good news of a coming child. But to their amazement, the angel ascends to heaven in the flame. And suddenly they realize, they've been talking to the angel of the Lord.

Now I've never had that experience where an angel ascends to heaven in the flame of a burnt offering. I've cooked a lot of steaks on a grill but no angel. So how do I know when God has given me a message? If Manoah and his wife, didn't know when God sent a personal messenger until the flame experience, how do I know when God is speaking to me?

For a lot of people, determining when God is directing their life is just as puzzling. Because of the mystery, some people look for some miraculous sign or some personal sign. Others look for various evidences or voices from others to confirm their own aspirations. Some figure God would never speak to them so they don't even bother listening for the Lord or simply ignore any message.

The good news is that God today has given us His spirit to live within us. For everyone who becomes a follower of Christ, God indwells them. The spirit within us speaks to our heart and mind, makes clear God's truths in His Word, guides our steps. Although Manoah wasn't privileged to have the indwelling presence of God's spirit within him, he knew to seek the Lord's guidance and confirmation. The key to understanding God's direction is to seek Him. God's spirit within us will confirm his instruction through God's Word, through God's messengers, spiritual teachers/preachers, and through intense prayer.

God, what a joy to know that you are interested in our personal lives. What a joy to know you want to communicate with us. It's so easy to get so busy that we ignore you or that we are so eager to fulfill our own wants and dreams that we create our own message from you. Help me Lord to seek you daily and earnestly and to seize your plan, even if it doesn't make sense to me.