Daily Reflections on Zeph. 3:17 (Did You Know God Sings Over YOU?)

Praise and worship are a significant part of our expression to God. Music and song are important to us. Moses, Deborah, David, Mary among others broke out into songs of praise to God for His miraculous intervention or action in their lives. Jehoshaphat defeated a whole army with nothing more than dancing, singing, timbrels all pointed at praise to God (2 Chronicles 20).

Hebrews tells us to continually offer up the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Psalm 22 states that God is enthroned on the praises of His people. There is just something about singing praise to God that draws us close to Him, that stirs our heart toward Him. We talk about feeling His presence in worship. Expressing our praise to God through singing can often make us more aware of His presence than simply reading or praying.

But did you know that God sings over us? Did you know that His delight in us causes Him to break in song? Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

It's only natural for a parent to sing over their child. I remember when my first born was just a baby. She used to have a "sleepy song", a song she would sing to herself when she was tired. Whenever she would be fussing, startled or upset, I simply would cuddle her and hum her "sleepy song" to her. She would always calm down. At bedtime, she used to have Teddy Ruxpin doll that sang lullaby songs to her at night that helped her go to sleep. Many restless nights, I found myself rocking her while singing those songs to her. She would inevitably relax and fall off to sleep.

Sleeptime wasn't the only time I sang to my daughter. Throughout her life growing up, I sang all sorts of songs to her. Of course there was always "Happy Birthday." But I sang songs as we played or drove in the car. I often would make up funny songs just to hear her laugh or get a reaction.

God is with you throughout each day from the time you arise until, well, until the time you arise the next day. He knows what you're facing good and bad. He knows your stresses, your joys, your successes, your failures, your delights, your dislikes, your challenges, your moods, your temptations, your passions. He delights in you. He quiets your fears with His love. He rejoices over you with singing.

The next time you're facing that impossible challenge or feeling really depressed, nervous, anxious, defeated or afraid, remember this verse and imagine God taking you into His loving arms humming a soothing melody. The next time you have that great success or wonderful joy, picture God in full smile singing a song of rejoicing with you. And don't forget, God knows the words to "Happy Birthday," in fact He inspired them. When you sit before your cake on your next birthday, listen closely, because God is singing to you.

God, it's unimaginable to think that you take such delight in me that you'd sing over me. Of all the things and people in the universe, you would pay that close attention to me. I love to sing to you, but it rarely crosses my mind that you love to sing to me. I long to hear your voice in song and I will continue to praise you.

Daily Reflections on Dan. 2:20-22 (Relief in Anxious Times)

There has been a lot of unrest over the last couple months leading up to and since the general election. Democrats control both the house and senate. Barak Obama is our new president elect. The stock market continues to take a beating. Bankruptcies are pending for businesses and individuals alike. Big businesses and mortgage companies are still begging for bailouts. The big three US automakers are in real trouble. Foreclosures are at an all time high. The unemployment rate is at it highest in over 25 years.

A lot of people are feeling the heat (and it isn't coming from their furnace, heating oil is too high). Store retailers are predicting one of the worst Christmas seasons in recent history. A friend of mine recently had to close his business because revenue was down and banks aren't lending.

With all the turmoil going on in our country and even the world, many are dealing with various forms of anxiety. They are worried about the economy, their's in particular. They are distress about their 401K or health insurance or investments. They are anxious about a new president who may or may not be to their liking.

Daniel went through some major changes in his life. There was an extreme regime change in his country. It was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel was carried off into captivity. He was ripped away from his home and family and forced to serve the new king. Instead of going to pieces and worrying himself to death, Daniel took care of himself physically and spiritually staying close to God. In Daniel 2:20-22, he says, "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them." He recognized that God was in control.

Daniel didn't have a collapse. He didn't lie awake at night. He didn't get depressed or have an anxiety attack. He continued to serve God no matter how bleak the circumstances seem to be. Daniel was close to losing his life. Yet, because of his faithfulness and trust in God, he was spared his life.

God, I don't what's going to happen to our country and our economy. We are in uneasy times. I'm counting on you to see me through. I want to focus on the things Daniel focused on, taking care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually. I'm keeping my eyes on you and I'm trusting you. Allow me to point others to you during these unsettling days.

Daily Reflections on Ezek. 37:1-14 (I Thought It Was Dead)

As a kid with a big imagination, I loved the story of the valley of dry bones found in Ezekiel 37. I could picture this valley covered with dry bones everywhere. An arm here. A leg there. A disconnected hand. Then all of the sudden, the bones begin to rattle as the bump together in an attempt to find their missing counter parts. Before long skeleltons would be forming, some looking for a leg or an arm. Others would be looking for their head like C3P0 in episode 2 of "Stars Wars." Dogs would be chasing the dancing bones, while half formed skeletons would be trying to get away. (I said I had a big imagination.) The next thing you know these separated dry bones were coming to life again.

Normally, I was not into horror movies or skeletons. Even scenes from "Pirates of the Carribean" kind of freak me out. But for some reason, this story fascinated me and still does to this day. Modern day special effects artists would do wonders depicting this scene.

Although I think Ezekiel tends to be one of those books left to those into prophesy and end times, I think that there's a much deeper meaning to this odd story than meets the eye. It really captures the theme of the entire Bible in these few short verses. There's nothing deader in our minds than a bunch of old dry bones. No chance for life. Yet, God speaks to these dead, dry bones through Ezekiel and they begin to come to life.

That's the whole message of the Bible. Things that where dead by our standards can be revived by the power of God. It is certainly true of our spiritual life and our relationship with God. He can take the deadest of lives and revive them. And if that's true about our spiritual life, what about other areas of our life? If God can raise the dead spiritually and physically, what about a dead marriage or a dead career or dead finances or a dead relationship? If all God did was to tell Ezekiel to prophesy or deliver His message to a bunch of dry bones and they came to life, why can't He do that to these other areas of life?

What seems dead in your life right now? What seems hopeless? Maybe all it needs is God's breath blown into it or God's word spoken into it to be revived. Remember God spoke creation into existence. He has the power to give life. How about putting it into God's hand?

God, you are totally amazing. You speak and life happens. You blow your breath and things come to life. Speak into my life. Blow your breath upon me. Revive the dead areas of my life. Renew me.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 27:23-27 (Managing Finances in Tough Economic Times)

It's been called the worst economic times since the depression. Since I didn't live in the depression I'd have say that it's the worst economic times that I've experienced since the Jimmy Carter days. Back then we faced double digit inflation, interest rates reached as high as 21%, gas prices had quadrupled through the decade. Things were spiraling out of control. It was an uneasy time for America.

But today's financial crisis is something that I've never experienced before. The idea of a total economic meltdown has many really worried. Poor fiscal practices at all levels have no doubt led us to where we are today nationally and internationally. Even if you had saved diligently and thought you invested wisely for your future, you are still not safe. Many 401k's or retirement accounts are taking huge hits. I like the cartoon that recently appeared in the New Yorker magazine of stock broker on the phone telling his client he needed to diversify mattress.

Solomon gives some wise advice in Proverbs 27 regarding financial security. He talks about knowing the conditions of your flocks and herds. Now most of us don't measure our wealth by our livestock these days. But there is something to be said about keeping a close eye on our assets and investments and being aware of the condition of our overall finances.

As I read these words I was just reflecting on the condition of my own finances and got out a pen and paper. To be honest, it was a little depressing. My wife and I had used up all of our reserves to invest in the church plant we are currently serving. So this last year has been especially hard. Our youngest daughter was suspected of having lymphoma. Our part of the bill was over $5,000. Our oldest daughter totaled one of our cars. The payoff on the loan was over $1,500. Within the span of six weeks I lost engines in 2 vehicles and along with other repairs and car rentals the cost was over $13,000. We made an investment to start a new business to cover some these costs of over $6,000. In just the last twelve months we have had unexpected expenses totalling over $27,000. Ouch! And that doesn't include my wife's 401k that has lost nearly 40% of it's value over the same time period.

Depressing? Absolutely. Defeated? Absolutely not. Now more than ever Solomon's sound words make sense. By considering the condition of our finances we can make wise financial and budgeting decisions about our present and our future. Despite $4 a gallon gas and crashing stock markets, through careful financial planning we've been able to increase our offerings to our church by 20% and still knock off over $5,000 of our unexpected debt.

God, Solomon was right when he said that riches don't endure forever. It's really important in the stewardship of life and resources to pay attention. I don't need a lot of luxuries. I just need the basics. Even in a tanking economy living by your wise advice both personally and financially makes a lot of sense. I know that the only way we've been able to make it is by trusting you to supply and giving us the wisdom to manage our finances. Thanks, Lord.

Daily Reflections on Titus 2:1-8 (Relationships Are Hard)

Relationships are hard these days, especially with all the role confusion. The Equal Rights Movement has pushed us deeper into a selfish mentality. Every one demands "their" rights. It's about me, what I want, what I deserve.

Paul, in his instruction to Titus, has a different take on what makes for healthy relationship and a sound society. He list some characteristics that need to be apparent among the mature figures of our communities and families and churches. He says that mature men or older men should be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in their faith, love and endurance. Grouchy, demanding, irreverent, selfish behavior is not appropriate. Mature men should be models for other men to follow. The should set the standard for younger men to mimic.

Too often older men think that as head of their home, everyone else should bow to their every wish and whim and serve their every need. They bark out orders, make demands that everyone else should follow. But that's not the image that Paul paints here. Respect is not gained through demand. Respect is gained through a servant mentality and appropriate behavior. Respect is gained when I demonstrate a consistency of faith, love and endurance; when my life matches our image of wholesomeness, grace and strength. Wives respect husbands who serve them and their families and others with a genuine love that comes from an inner strength and confidence.

Society tells wives today to demand equal status from their relationships. But equal status isn't gained through demands and selfishness. It's gained through servanthood. Once again, a serving heart will gain higher status in the eyes of their husbands than a demanding or argumentative one. To make a relationship work, both persons must relinquish their rights and seek the best interest of the other. Paying attention to family needs and serving those needs is the key to a healthy marital relationship, by both husband and wife.

Paul says that the responsibility of modeling and passing these concepts on is that of mature men and women. That means older men and women have to work harder at displaying these characteristics in their own lives and marriages and relationships. Older men ought to practice temperate behavior that gains the respect of younger men. Older women should demonstrate a graceful reverence that gets the attention and admiration of younger ladies.

But Paul doesn't stop there. He makes a point of older men and women assuming the role of instructor to their younger counterparts. It can't be in a demanding sort of way. The instruction should be in mentoring role. Wouldn't it be great if within our churches and neighborhoods and communities we would see mature men, women, couples who demonstrated these characteristics in their lives, taking younger men, women, couples under their wings to encourage, teach, mentor, and love them?

God, I still have a lot to learn about being the kind of husband that honors my wife and family. I still need a mentor in my life. But, Lord, help me find a younger man that I can pass on what I've learned. Fill me with your grace, strength, insights, patience, understanding and desire. Help me to model these characteristics to others.

Daily Reflections on Ps 90 and 91 (Is Anything Secure Anymore?)

Not doubt these are troubling times. Wars continue to plague us. Economic disaster appears imminent. Jobs are insecure. The housing market is tanking. Credit is hard to come by. The uncertainty of a presidential election. Medicare is in trouble. Social Security is headed for bankruptcy. The stock market is on life support. Banks are failing. Foreclosures are at an all time high. Global warming is threating our environment. Natural disasters are wreaking havoc everywhere. There's general unrest throughout the world. Terrorism remains a real threat.

It's no wonder many have a sense of anxiety. We are crying out for peace and security and things to be calm again in our lives. The basis of our anxiety is our perception of the circumstances which surround us. Things appear out of control which creates the feelings of insecurity and uncertainty.

When we base our feelings on the circumstances around us, we place ourselves in risky hands. As long as things go smooth, we're fine. But when things get a little out of kilter, the nervousness and anxiety begins to creep in and ultimately takes over.

The psalmist suggests that if we want to feel secure no matter the circumstances that arise around us, we should put our trust in God. The Bible uses terms like "refuge" and "fortress" to describe God's protection and solace. It's turning complete control over to Him of all aspects of our lives. Since we live in a society that promotes individualism and personal achievement, surrendering that complete control is a huge challenge for most of us. We're are good at saying it, just not good at doing it.

Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High sounds really cool, actually doing it is another story. We are so used to trusting in ourselves or the government or our employer or our wealth that it's hard to let go. Unfortunately all those things falter and eventually pass. Our skill and ability and health fades. Governments eventually fall. Wealth slips away. Employers shut their doors. But God remains steadfast.

Read these psalms again. Capture the essence of God's secure eternal nature and His readiness to cover us with His protective presence. Reflect on His power and awesome love. Choose then where you want to dwell, in the turmoil and pressure of the world or in the shelter of His presence.

God, I live most of my life wrestling with things over which I have no power. I often find myself in internal tension and worrying about things I can't change or impact. I struggle needlessly with the world and the things of this world resting in my own ability, ingenuity or strength. I'm worn out. My blood pressure is too high. It's sometimes hard to sleep. Cover me with your wings. I want to dwell in you. Teach me to number my days aright.

Daily Reflections on 1 Tim. 6:7-19 (Money, Money, Money)

Money makes the world go round. If that's the case the world must be coming to a halt or even might be spinning backward. Government bail outs, foreclosures, bank failures, stock devaluation has the world economy in a precarious position. All I know is that my wife's 401k has plummeted nearly 40% in the last year. There's now less in the fund than what we've put into it. The value of my house has also dropped significantly in the past year. The interest on my saving accounts has virtually dropped to nothing. I'm thinking about transferring my investments to my mattress.

Economies are cyclical, or so I'm told. Markets fluctuate and occasionally self correct. But the truth is that nothing financial is certain in life. If we place all our focus and energy into getting and making money or material things, we may be investing in things that are fleeting or worse. Paul tells Timothy that the love of of money is the root of all evil. Let's be honest, much of the financial crisis that we're facing today has to do with major lending companies greed. The executives love of money has led to a major disaster worldwide.

Paul challenges us as followers of Christ to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness instead of money. He said to take hold of eternal life. He says those with wealth shouldn't put their hope in it. It's uncertain. That's been apparent recently. Putting your hope in God is a much more secure place. Riches are found in doing good deeds. By doing so, we lay up treasures in heaven.

I can tell you from personal experience that financial investment don't always pay lasting dividends. Sometimes you take a huge loss, even on things that appear to be safe. The only investments that you can count on being lasting and always paying dividends are the investments you make in the Kingdom of God. God's stock never crashes. His bank never fails. His rewards out pay any here on earth.

God, I want to be rich. Not in financial terms but in Kingdom terms. I'm laying up my treasures in heaven. Help me be wise in my earthly investment, but I'm placing my hope in you. I want to be rich in good deeds.

Daily Reflections on 2 Thes. 1:4-12 (Getting Vengeance)

Vengeance is mine says the Lord. I keep reminding myself of that promise. Last night I learned of the tragic murder of two of my friends and former church members. I confess my heart aches deeply today and my anger is brewing under the surface. Everything within me is crying out, "It's wrong. It's wrong, Lord." I find myself longing to be at the sides of family members. I want to get involved in the investigation. I want their killers hunted down. I want God to do something.

In my frustration, God brought me some comfort in today's reading from 2 Thessalonians. In the most severest of trials, faith is of the utmost importance. It's our steadfastness of faith that makes a difference and draws us to the presence of God. In these verses, Paul reassures us that God is just and will pay back those who cause us, His faithful, trouble. He also promises to give us relief from our trouble. In the end, God will punish those who don't know Him or obey His standards. He will bring on them everlasting destruction and ban them from His presence.

But for those of us who are faithful and remain in Him and trust Him, God promises to be glorified in us. We experience His majestic power. God will right things in the end. Evil will be punished. His faithful rewarded. I have no question in my mind of the eternal fate of my friends. Today they are in the very presence of God. I look forward to embracing them again because of Jesus.

Yet, my heart still aches for my loss, for the family of my friends and my former congregation. So what little comfort I'm able to bring to them, I'll offer it. Like Paul, my constant prayers will be for them; that not only that God brings them comfort but through them God will fulfill an even greater purpose because of their faith.

God, I need your comfort and reassurance today. I know the family of my friends need your comfort and reassurance today. I'm asking that you bring your punishment upon those who did this evil. Show your mighty power. Remove any vengeful spirit in me and the family. Pour out your grace on us.

Daily Reflections on Col. 3:18-4:6 (A Key to Healthy Relationships)

We have encouraged our church to read through the Bible in a year and have prepared little booklets for them to help them keep track of their progress and record their thoughts and insights. In fact, part of the purpose of this devotional blog is help them them with their reading. This morning my wife came in early and woke me telling me that I needed to be sure do today's reading because it tells me to love my wife. I haven't called her at work yet to tell her that it also tells her to submit to her husband, a part that she obviously omitted to mention.

Actually, this text goes on to talk about several relationships such as parent/child and slave/master (employee/employer). In his discussion on these relationships, Paul talks about whatever we do, work at with all our heart as working for the Lord. He goes on to say that it is actually the Lord Christ we are serving. The context would imply that employees/slaves should work with a sincere and reverent heart toward the Lord in doing their job.

Yet, in the total context of this passage there appears to be more here in intent. A few verses later when he is talking about dealing with non-Christians, he says to let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt. He is talking about how we treat one another. Submitting, loving, obeying, not embittering, working, providing, speaking are attitudinal issue. It's not about self. It's about others. Relationships thrive and are healthiest when there is mutual trust and respect. But that has to start with me. I have to have a sincere, caring, respectful heart toward others including my wife, my kids, my parents, my boss, my employees, my neighbors, my co-workers, even strangers.

Bottom line is that I should treat others as if I was treating, serving Christ. That mean wives submit to/serve their husbands like they are serving Christ. Husbands are to love their wives like they are loving Christ. Children are to obey their parents like they were obeying Christ. Parents are to raise their children as they would Christ. Employees are to work for their bosses like they are working for Christ. Bosses should supervise their employees like they were supervising Christ. Sounds weird and almost awkward, yet that's what in fact we are doing.

God, help me remember to love and serve my wife and children and parents like I would you.

Daily Reflections on Phil. 4:8 (Winning the Battle Over Temptation)

My mind is the battlefield of sin. When we’re focused on the things of the Spirit, we’ll do what the Spirit wants. We’re new creations; the old self is gone. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you knew that you shouldn’t be involved in and an alarm kind of goes off in your head? That alarm goes off in you because it’s not right, because it’s not your nature anymore. Your nature is now love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control.

The real battle is not the moment of temptation itself. Some think temptation comes at us and in that moment we’re going to decide whether we sin or not. That’s not where the battle is. The real battle is the mind, when we’re entertaining thoughts. When Satan puts that thought into our mind, we have a choice of what to do with that thought. We can reject it OR mull it over and over and over. The moment we start entertaining those thoughts, we’re sunk.

Satan’s not worried about time. He doesn’t toss out the temptation at the same time he gives you the thought. He’ll just toss the thought your way. He may do it several times. Then we have the choice of whether or not we’re going to entertain it. The moment we decide to think about it, Satan has us. He’s going to let it stew a little and let that thought grow. And then at the opportune moment, he’ll present the opportunity to us and we take it hook, line and sinker.

The choice was made the moment you decided to entertain the thought. You were done the moment you told the Holy Spirit to back off because you wanted to think about this one. That’s when the battle is being fought. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that that battle is being fought on a daily basis. We make decisions all day long.

I’m not saying that just because you have an evil thought you’re going to sin. But that’s how Satan works, by simply tossing thoughts your way. The more we entertain those thoughts, that’s when we’re sunk.

If we’re in a daily spiritual battle then we can’t put our mind into neutral. We must be ready to face those decisions. The mindset we come to things with is the mindset we’re going to perceive things through. If we think it’s going to be a great day, if we’re chipper, then our body language tells it all. And the same is true on how we deal with sin. We have to get our mind ready. This is a daily battle so get ready; prepare your mind in Christ. Set your mind on spiritual things.

Remember, the battle is in your mind, not at the moment of temptation. So if we’re focusing on these things mentioned in Philippians 4:8, then we’re able to resist sin, resist temptation when the opportunity presents itself. It’s amazing how many people tell me that they can watch all sorts of stuff or be around all sorts of stuff and it not have to worry about sinning themselves. And I can guarantee them that if they start entertaining those thoughts, it’s only a matter of time before they fall.

God, I don’t want to live a defeated spiritual life. I want a joy-filled, abundant life of victory in you. I know that I can’t overcome temptation and sin on my own power. I need your Spirit at work in me, empowering me. Thanks for forgiving my sin through Jesus and giving me the full measure of your Holy Spirit when I accepted you as Lord and Savior.

Daily Reflections on Isa. 65:17-25 (Better Days Ahead)

The 2008 presidential election is about a month away. Media pundits have decried this to be the most important election of our time period. The hopes of many are that things will drastically improve in our economy, in our world situation, in stability of life. Yet, the truth is that nothing is going to change that drastically immediately following the election. Political changes may bring some minor changes, but honestly no one imagined how the world would change after 9/11 in the first year after George Bush's election. Elected officials had little impact. The tragedy of events would have happened whether Gore or Bush would have won.

The world we live in is a fallen world full of pain and tragedy and hardship. No matter the political changes, we will still face the same issues. No one has the power over hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. No one can take away the tragedy of a fatal accident or illness. The cruelness of people will go on. Unnecessary words will still flow from lips, probably our own.

The world we live in is a mess and always will be. And that's what makes the promise of heaven even richer. Reading Isaiah 65 is a lot like reading Revelation 21. We get the picture of what heaven will be like. There will be no more weeping; no infant deaths; fullness of life; incredible dwelling places that won't wear out or need repair; no meaningless toil; no misfortune; peace on all sides; no separation from family; no temptations.

Heaven has a lot to be desired. But the best benefit of all is being in the presence of God Himself and seeing His full glory. It will be a time of rejoicing and delight. But the only way to enjoy what God has prepared for us is to surrender our life to Him, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life and living in Him. You cannot say, "I'll take the salvation thing," and then continue to live your life ignoring God. Reading through Isaiah, it's apparent that God will simply turn His back on those who turn their back on Him.

God, I'm putting my hope in you not politicians or governments. I'm looking forward to the rejoicing and delight of heaven. I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus and placing my trust into your hands.

Daily Reflections on Isa. 61:1-2, 10 (Release Feels So Good)

Jesus strolled into his hometown synagogue with His building prominence. He had been making quite a name for Himself throughout the region with His teaching. He was asked to speak out of courtesy or perhaps curiosity. After all, He was the son of a carpenter turned rabbi. He asked for the scrolls from Isaiah and began to read from chapter 61, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD." Then He told the crowd listening, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus' proclamation about this Himself and this passage tells us that this chapter is prophecy about promise of God's Messiah. Not only did Jesus make this assertion, the religious leaders and others in the synagogue believed this passage was about God's Deliverer as well. They were so incensed by Jesus' claim to be the Messiah that they wanted to throw Him off a cliff.

If everyone in Jesus' day understood this passage to be about God's promise to deliver His people, then it only makes sense for us to interpret these verses in light of God's promise. Look again at the words Isaiah uses; bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. They are promises regarding the victory Jesus brings to our spiritual state.

The message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection is good news to us who are struggling in our own humanity. He brings hope for those who have no hope. He releases us from the burden and captivity of our sinful nature. The favorable year of the Lord is a reference to the Year of Jubilee when all debts were forgiven and things restored to the original owners. The favorable year of the Lord is symbolic of God's forgiveness of all our debts, sins, or as the KJV Bible says, trespasses.

If this passage is about the deliverance God brings through Jesus, then the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness referred to in verse 10 is a direct parallel to Galatians 3:27 which says, "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." When I accept Christ and are baptized into Him, God puts on us the garment of salvation or the robe of His righteousness. That means that when God looks at us, He no longer sees our guilty, sinful lives; He sees Jesus. No wonder God remembers our sin no more.

God, thanks for doing for me what I can't do for myself. I'm trapped in my own sinful, corrupt, human nature. There's no way out except for you. Thanks for healing my spirit. Thanks for opening the locks to the fetters that hold me down, that enslave me. Thanks for your wonderful forgiveness. Thanks for the renewal and restoration.

Daily Reflections for Isa. 57:14-21 (From Mourning to Praise)

As the leaves begin to turn and fall enters the scene, lining up a put gets a little more challenging. The greens are still manicured as usual, but the wear and tear of of all the ball marks, traffic, new hole placements begin to take their toll. On top of that, the leaves don't stay on the trees and come floating down onto the once smooth verdant surface. And with the falling leaves often come various other debris like twigs and acorns. It makes putting a little more difficult.

I have often thought about bringing a leaf blower with me to the golf course in the fall, but that means I would have to take the chain saw out of my bag that I normally use to get rid of inappropriately placed branches and trees. The little things on the green that cause your ball to hop, change directions or even stop are an irritation at best. They can cause your score to go up and in fact make it difficult to get the ball in the cup. The only chance you have of making the put is if you remove the obstacles.

That's exactly what God does for us through Jesus Christ. He removes the obstacles that lead to Him and lasting relationship with Him. God really isn't into punishing they way many people think. Yes, God will and does punish us for our sin. He has to because He is just. But God's desire is to restore, to renew, to create.

According to Isaiah 57, those who are contrite of heart and return in complete dependence upon Him, God will revive their hearts, forget His anger toward them, heal them, guide them, comfort them, create an inner joy for them, renew their hope, bring inner peace to their life. If we show an inkling to come back to Him, God makes it possible. And when we do come to Him in full surrender, He embraces us with His fullness, love, mercy, grace and riches.

God, I don't want to be like the wicked who can't find peace. I want to experience your renewal and refreshment and peace in my life. Remove the obstacles that keep me from you. Prepare the path that leads to you. Look deep into my heart and see my contrition. Remove my curses. Show me your face. Heal my heart. Turn my mourning into praise.

Daily Reflections on Eph. 4:17-32 (Sensuality, Selfishness and Sense)

Barak Obama's recent comment of putting lipstick on a pig reminded me of the statement Jesus made about casting pearls before swine. The implication that Jesus was making was that pigs have no appreciation of something so valuable. Their only concern is is it eatable. They are only interested in satisfying their basic instinct.

The point Paul makes in Ephesians 4 is similar. He tells followers of Christ not to live like unbelievers anymore. There is a stark difference between the world's way of thinking and God's way of thinking. And as a child of God, my thinking should resemble that of my heavenly Father. The world's way of thinking is similar to that of the swine described by Jesus, who cannot value the things of God and are only interested in pursuing their own basic desires.

It seems that the world has three basic desires; self, sex and cents. That's cents as in money not as in common sense. All of life is centered on those three things. Nothing seems to stand in their way. Morality has simply become what feels right to me in order to get what I really want.

God calls us to a higher standard than that of the world. Since we've been made new in Christ and have God's Holy Spirit living in us as followers of Christ, the natural desires of our old life have to be put away. Even though we still live in a world that has lost all sensitivity, we must allow God to transform our minds and practices by immersing ourselves in Him. As a human being, my fleshly nature wants to take over. As a new creation in Christ, God's Spirit is forging me. The battleground is my heart, mind and attitude.

Putting off the old self with all its desires and tendencies is a daily challenge that I can never accomplish on my own. The only way that will happen is for me to give in to the Spirit. I must live my life in submission to, under complete control of the Holy Spirit. That's what it means to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

God, I struggle daily with my old self. Just when I think I'm getting a handle on it, my old self presses through. I need your Spirit to seize me. I need to immerse myself in your Word and thoughts. The corruption of the world tries to desensitize me to your values and truths. Renew my thinking daily, Lord. Draw me to your presence. Allow me to taste of your righteousness and holiness.

Daily Reflections on Isa. 43:18019; Eph. 3:14-21 (I Can't Change)

"That's just who I am. I've always been this way." "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." These are among the phrases I've heard throughout my years of ministry regarding why people can't change. I could give you an endless list of excuses and rationale many people use for staying in the same destructive pattern of behavior. Any objective observer sees through facade.

Yet many of us are so shaped by our past or are so haunted by our past that it makes it hard for us to enjoy or even to live in the opportunities of the present and future. I love this passage from Isaiah 43:18-19. God tells us to forget the former things and not to dwell on the things of our past. He says that He is going to do a new thing. He tells us that He is making a way in the desert and refreshing streams in the wasteland.

Living in the mistakes, circumstances, oppression of our past can make us feel like we're in a desert. We feel trapped and worthless. It saps our dreams and leads us to depression, anxiety, guilt and probably a myriad of other emotions and mindsets. It's really hard for us to imagine how God could do anything significant in our lives or how our lives could be anything different.

If anyone understood the imprisoning power of past life, it had to be the Apostle Paul. He like many of the Bible heroes had his fair share of skeletons in the closet. There were plenty of dark moments that Paul would have just as soon faded away into oblivion. I'm sure the echoes of cries and screams of persons and family members he put to death haunted him each night as he placed his head on the pillow. As he closed his eyes he could see the faces of desperate mom's, wives, children of the men he ordered to die.

Yet, Paul found relief, hope, direction, refreshment in Christ. Perhaps that is one of factors that drove him to share the message of the Good News of God through Jesus. In Ephesians 3:14-21 he shares a prayer of restoration and relief and hope for others. He prays for us to find that inner strength that comes through the Spirit of God. He prays that we would discover the incredible depth, width, breadth of God's refreshing, forgiving, redeeming, restoring, empowering love. The kind of love that truly transforms us.

For those who say, "I could never change," or "I could never amount to much," or my situation is hopeless," Paul proclaims, "Now to Him is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."

God, you said that if anyone be in Christ Jesus he or she is a new creation, that the old is gone, that we have been made new. But it's hard for me to escape my past. It's filled with disappointment, devastation, blunders, pain that keep me chained and burdened. It's hard for me to see anything but that. I want to see your new thing. Give me a glimpse. Work your change in me. Free me the old things of my past that hold me down and prevent me from enjoying life with you.

Daily Reflections on Isa. 4:2-6 (Personal Devastation, Disaster, and Restoration)

Facing disaster is demoralizing. Last night a friend and former co-laborer in Christ shared with me the devastating news with me that he had a form of bone cancer. My heart sank. I saw the deep grief in his eyes and felt his emotional pain as we embraced to pray. Most people, at some point in their life, will face a disaster of their own. It may not be cancer, but it most certainly will be just as demoralizing. It could be anything from a broken relationship to a lost job to the death or ill health of a loved one to a rebellious family member. It could be a natural disaster like Katrina or a tornado. It could be a financial collapse or a foreclosure. No matter the personal disaster, our joy of life and hope are drained from us in those moments.

Let's be honest, those are bitter days that none of us want to face. Nobody looks forward to personal devastation. Yet, in those moments of utter darkness, when we wonder if God really cares, there comes a glimmer of light in the distance. God certainly is aware of our plight and deeply cares. It's in our deepest hour of grief we discover God is there. And it's in those moments the promise of Isaiah 4 becomes so rich.

Isaiah writes about the impending disaster that is coming upon Jerusalem and Judah for their sinful practices. He talks about the destruction and personal pain all will feel when God brings judgment upon them. The devastation will be all encompassing. No one will be spared because of their behavior. And just when all seems lost, God will throw them a life preserver, a branch of the Lord. Isaiah talks about the cleansing and restoration that will occur. He talks about how the presence of God will be seen and felt.

The prophecy appears to be a picture of Christ's redeeming, restoring sacrifice. It's a view into what God will do for us who are hopelessly lost and facing personal eternal disaster. In our moment of greatest distress, God extends to us a branch to pull us from our quicksand through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

Some of the disasters we face in life, okay, many of the disasters we face in life are because of our own action, attitudes or behavior. We fail to heed God's instruction and warnings and thus end up in the pit of despair. We feel depressed and defeated with no way out. But still He doesn't abandon us. He's still there holding out a branch.

He is willing to rescue us from even the deepest, darkest hole. But we have to seize the branch. Just like Peter had to take the hand of Jesus when he was sinking in the sea of doubt during a life threating storm, we have to reach out to grab the hope of God.

I'm not sure we can really appreciate fully the hope and goodness of God and His presence until we've wallowed in the depths of despair and darkness. It's not until we are able to clear ourselves from the muck by taking the hand of Christ that we experience the true joy of life in Him. Only after a disaster, when God brings restoration to us, do we fully appreciate His grace and redemption and security and nature.

God, sometimes it seems that I go from one disaster to the next. The shoe keeps dropping and it lands on my head. I can't seem to escape. I know, Lord, that some of the devastation is brought on by my own actions, attitudes, and behavior. God give me the wisdom and ability to see the branch you're extending to me. I need you. Restore me. Refresh me. Surround me with your goodness and grace and presence. I long for the light. Help me watch out for the pits and traps that lead to darkness and disaster.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 22:26-27 (Getting into a Financial Mess is Easier than Getting Out)

These are depressing times. The economy is slowing down. Unemployment rates are going up. Gas prices are through the roof. The stock market is volatile. Foreclosures are at an all time high. Home values are plummeting. Banks are failing. And today, two of the biggest backers of home mortgages, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, were just seized by the government. Can things get any worse?

Perhaps, things wouldn't be so perilous financially for people today had we listened to the simple advice of Solomon in Proverbs 22. A lot of people today are in a quandary financially because of the failure to heed Solomon's practical instruction. Banks have failed and gone into receivership due to their less than prudent actions regarding lending practices.

In verses 26 and 27 of this chapter, Solomon states that we shouldn't pledge a debt that we don't have means to pay or else we'll lose our bed, or in more modern terms, our house. In other words, if we can't afford something, don't buy it. Don't borrow money you have no way of paying back.

In the past few years, the sub prime mortgage offers enticed a lot of people into purchasing homes they couldn't really afford. Most people reasoned that they could get into a nicer home at a lower payment and then refinance later. That lower payment looked awfully good. But most didn't consider the exploding balloon payment that got there sooner than they expected. When the housing values begin to fall, many found themselves owing more on their house than what their house was worth. And just like Solomon said, "if you lack the means, your very bed will be snatched from under you."

As the amount of foreclosures have risen, the value of homes have been driven even lower. That has put more people into upside down situations and into financial peril. Banks and lending companies, eager to make a profit through seductive offers, are now suffering the consequences of their own greed. Many of them are now over extended and experiencing huge losses.

But this type of mentality isn't limited to mortgage lenders. Credit card debt has long since taken the lead in heaping debt on the average consumer. Many of us buy things or charge things that we have no ability to repay. Now add growing interest and the debt becomes unmanageable. And with new bankruptcy laws taking affect, getting clear of our debt is even harder.

If only we could get a grasp on the wisdom of Solomon in this simple financial matter. Don't borrow beyond your means to pay back. I don't care how good your are at manipulating your cash flow, it will catch up to you and you will always be scrambling. Financial struggles bring on tension. Tension often leads to disagreements. Disagreements sometimes kill relationships. (Did I mention that financial issues are listed as the number one cause of divorce?)

God, please help me live within my means. Credit offers, easy payment plans, makes things seem so enticing. I confess, I have an "I want" syndrome. Give me the wisdom and the discipline to use sound financial and budgeting principles. I don't want to put my family in distress and I don't want to take away from giving to your Kingdom.

Daily Reflections on 2 Cor. 4:5-10 (I'm Not That Capable)

In the mind of many followers of Christ, the responsibility of sharing the Good News or discipling the nations is really not for them and should be left to the professionals. Yet a quick study of the New Testament proves that although Paul and the other Apostles were key figures in proclaiming the Word, the church grew exponentially because the average persons were sharing their new found faith with their neighbors, coworkers, family members and so on.

Alan Hirsch has said a study of the New Testament brings one to the conclusion that every Christian is a church planter and every church a church planting church. By that he means that every believer should naturally be sowing the message of Christ into their community of relationships. In time, as that community of relationships becomes followers of Christ, it inevitably becomes a "church" that "meets in the house of" the original follower, just like the church that met in the house of Aquila and Priscilla. That church then becomes a church planting church because the individual members of that "newly formed church/biblical community" all have relationships other than those of that newly formed church. The cycle should then continue to repeat itself.

However, the average church goer doesn't feel qualified to share their faith or to extend Christ to their community of relationships. Most feel intimidated to even bring up the subject of their faith in Christ. Yet, it's obvious here in chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians that Paul says that's when the gospel is the most powerful. Sharing our faith or the Good News isn't about selling ourselves or our eloquence. He says it's simply a process of allowing the light that God shined into our darkened heart to illuminate His glory to others.

Paul likens us to jars of clay that contain an incredible treasure. Sure we're not worthy to encase such a valuable commodity. That's what is so powerful. Our inadequacies only allow God to shine all the more for more people to see His glory. If people see us, then God and His message of victory gets lost. But if people experience the love of God through us and see the transformation God has made in our life, they will be drawn to the life changing power of God for their own lives. So what if we take a few shots or a little abuse for our faith once in a while, as long as God is seen and glorified?

God, I confess I feel pretty inadequate as a messenger of your Good News. I'm so inconsistent in my own life. How can I ever be effective in proclaiming your truth? I'm an old clay pot for sure. In fact, I probably have plenty of cracks. I'm just a nobody with no talent and no special skills. I'm definitely not a people magnet nor am I eloquent in speech. All I can do is let people know that I care because Jesus cares. So God, I'm making myself available to you. You're gonna have to shine through me because I'm pretty dim myself. Thanks for bringing light to my life. Let me be a reflection of your light to someone else.

Daily Reflections on Job 31:1-12 (A Covenant with Your Eyes)

A couple is sitting at an outdoor cafe. An attractive young lady walks by, but he never glances her way and never loses eye contact with his wife. The announcer states, "Give that man a Klondike Bar." In another scene a different couple is sitting at an outdoor cafe. As an attractive young lady, the man zeros in on her. As she passes, he takes out his new shiny surface cell phone and watches her reflection. He receives a text message from the girl he is sitting at the cafe with that says, "U r a pig!"

One of the toughest temptations a man faces from the time he reaches puberty is his visual attraction to the opposite sex. It doesn't take much for most men to be visually stimulated. The stimulation is a natural response that God wired into men. Yet, the visual stimulation by itself isn't the problem. It's what one does with about the stimulation.

Prostitution has often been called the world's oldest profession. Seductive dress or attire has always seemed to be a part of that trade. Although I'm sure prostitution is still very active worldwide, the pornography industry has no doubt surpassed it in participation. The internet has made viewing pornography easy for anyone to access while still maintaining a sense of privacy. In fact it's hard to avoid it on the internet. Various spam and personal filters have help, but doesn't make you immune.

My guess is that many men, who claim to be followers of Christ, struggle with the temptation to view porn. My guess is that there are many Christian men who actually have an addiction to porn. They may never visit a prostitute or have an affair with a coworker or neighbor. But they regularly are drawn to porn sites.

I think we men would do well to do as Job did, make a covenant with our eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. Job said he wouldn't let his heart be led with his eyes and that he wouldn't let his hands be defiled. He said he wouldn't allow another woman to entice his heart or go lurking as his neighbor's door. Why? Because Job knew the consequences for his own relationship with his wife. He knew that it would lead to disaster and destruction. He confessed that someone else would no doubt end up eating his food and sleeping in his bed.

Even though we might think that viewing porn doesn't hurt anyone and no one is else is watching us, we're wrong. First of all, God is watching and we will hold us accountable. Second, it does impact our relationship with our wife whether she finds out or not. Third, continued viewing will destroy you. Job says it is a fire that burns to destruction.

Guys, we need a covenant with our eyes. If you're married, you already made a covenant with your wife. If you're not married, you have an obligation to your future wife. Besides, if you get hooked on porn before you meet that future wife, it will affect your future relation.

God, just like every other guy I struggle with visual stimulation. Remind me of my covenant to my wife. Help me to keep my covenant with my eyes.

Daily Reflections on 2 Cor. 2:12-17 (Did You Smell That?)

There are certain aromas that just grab you and entice you. There's nothing like the smell of someone grilling out. One whiff and our mouths are salivating. We are magnetically drawn to the wafts of that steak sizzling over the charcoal. Wow that smells good. Have you the seen the Taco Bell commercial where the girl puts a burrito in her purse to attract men. Or how about the one where the less than attractive young lady rubs a cashew behind her ears and on her neck and then walks down the street with men following her. Certain scents are powerful.

While some aromas draw us, there are others that repulse us. Rotten eggs, sour milk, skunks or decaying trash certainly can do a number on any olfactory receptor. Instead of being drawn to that scent we cover our nose and look for a way of escape. "That stinks," are words that immediately pour from our lips.

Americans go to great deal of trouble to keep ourselves from emanating repulsive or offensive odors. We shower and bath with perfumed enhanced shampoos, soaps and body washes. We slap on the antiperspirant or deodorant. Then for added effort we apply the perfume, cologne, or aftershave. We put on clothing that has been washed in some sort of fresh scent laundry detergent. One last touch, we brush our teeth and gargle for that minty fresh feel and to ensure that our friends, family and coworkers are blown away by our bad breath.

The Apostle Paul talks about a different aroma in 2 Corinthians that we give off as followers of Christ. According to Paul, the aroma of Christ has a powerful affect on both those who are being saved and those who are perishing. He says to some it is the smell of death. To others it is the fragrance of life.

I have to ask myself the question, when people encounter me, what do they smell. Do they draw in the fragrance of the knowledge and presence of Christ? Or do they smell my humanity, my selfishness, my apathy, my piety, my legalism, my dogmatism, my sectarianism? Unfortunately, I have to answer that question with a qualified, "depends." It depends on the day, my mood, my circumstance. I'm sure that some days people are drawn to the aroma of Christ upon me. And I'm also sure that other days people say to themselves, "He stinks."

Allowing Christ to constantly flow through my pores is a daily challenge. I'm still growing in that area. Too much of me seeps through. Somehow, I don't think I'm alone. My encounter with other believers gives me a sense of why many who are perishing are repulsed by Christianity and/or churches. The odor isn't the fragrance of Christ or the fragrance of life.

God, I'm so inconsistent. Sometimes I really smell. I need to be showered in your cleansing presence. I need you to apply the fresh scent of your spirit upon me and in me. I don't want to look like one of those white washed tombs that may look good on the outside but smells like rotting flesh on the inside. I want people who encounter me to be drawn to the scent of your glory and hope and promise and love. I want to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ throughout my world.

Daily Reflections on Job 23:1-7 (How Did He Do It?)

I'm impressed. After losing his family, his house, his business, his income, his status, his life savings, the respect of the community and also his wife, his health, and his friends Job still says that he is hanging onto his faithfulness and integrity before God. Wow. I get kicked around by a few life circumstances that don't compare in intensity to anything Job experienced and I'm a mess.

Here Job is sitting in an ash heap, covered from head to toe with nasty boils just trying to find relief from his physical misery and he is maintaining his passion for God. Me? I'd be throwing a temper tantrum at best. After all he'd been through and yet his so called friends are hammering Job telling him what a lowlife he really is and that he deserves his plight. I'm afraid I'd lose my integrity at that point. Somebody else would be feeling pain.

Job admits to the bitterness of his plight yet still believes that eventually God will bring him relief. He still trusts God and believes in His justness. He won't give up or give in to his circumstances even though he doesn't understand why he has to suffer so much before God intervenes. It's no wonder that God said to the Devil, "consider my servant Job," in the opening chapters of this book. Job is a standout guy with great love for God and great faith.

I wish I were Job. Not that I'm inviting calamity on or in my life. I don't seem to have to invite it. It just shows up on a regular basis. I wish I had Job's faith and steadfastness. I wish I could endure the hammering by friends and associates, church members and pagans, even family with the integrity of Job. I have God's Holy Spirit in me and I get depressed when someone questions my teaching or motives or actions.

How did Job do it? How did he hang in there through it all? Why didn't he just walk away? Why didn't he just tell everyone where to get off? I think it's because his faith in who God was was greater than his understanding of the circumstances he faced. He really trusted God to ultimately make things right, to rescue him, to redeem him, to restore him. Not just because he was a righteous person and innocent of all accusations being thrown at him. It was because he knew in his heart the character of God.

God, I can't say that I've ever experienced all the Job did in such a short order. I can say that I have experienced many of the things and emotions Job did over the last few years. It's painful and depressing and hard to keep going at times. I guess I need a shot of Job's endurance and faith. I get really tired at times and feel all alone. It's a rough place to be. I'm trusting you to rescue me and redeem me and restore me. Not because I deserve it or have earned it, but because you are a great God of grace and mercy. In fact, I could use a shot of assurance today because I'm sitting here in the ash heap scraping off a few personal, spiritual and emotional boils.

Daily Reflections on 2 Cor. 1:3-11 (Comfort in Our Struggles)

Struggles are a part of life. We all endure them from time to time. Some struggles are obviously more severe than others. I love the promise in this passage in 2 Corinthians. Paul, who had more than his share of struggles, praises God for being the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He proclaims that God comforts in all our troubles with His own personal comfort. In other words, God is always there personally bringing us comfort.

But God also has a purpose behind His comfort. He comforts us personally so that we can comfort others with the same comfort we have received from God. God is concerned deeply about each and everyone of our needs no matter how great or small. Jesus said that God has the very hairs on our head numbered. If God knows when a sparrow falls, why wouldn't He be involved in our lives. God is always there and willing to extend His comfort. But sometimes I'm not paying attention to God's comfort.

If God is so concerned about the issues and needs of all us, as a follow of Christ, then I should be my concern too. God expects me to bring comfort to others who are struggling. The comfort that God brings to us in our time of suffering gives us the ability, knowledge, insights into bringing comfort to others, especially those who suffer from a similar plight as ours. Having been through the ups and downs, ins and outs, trenches of spiritual, emotional, physical, relational warfare, we can lend a hand to others that brings true understanding, encouragement and comfort to them.

God is able to use all of our experiences in life, even the painful disasters to minister to someone else. He never lets those experiences go to waste. What I've found is that I receive even greater healing when I extend myself to others to comfort them in their time of personal struggle. I have a greater assurance of God's presence in my own life. If I were to sit around and wallow in my own grief and struggles, the comfort that God brings to me is of little value or help. I only grow deeper in my depression and pain. But when I take even the smallest amount of comfort I've received and pass it on to someone else, my comfort gets multiplied and I have greater strength to endure.

God, I can't say that I'm thankful for my struggles and pain in life. But I am thankful for your constant presence and comfort. It'd be easy for me to just sit in my corner and pout and cry and whine. To be honest, Lord, I'd really prefer to do that, but I know that only pushes me deeper into my own suffering and makes life even darker. Help me to pass on to others what I have received. Help me be a comfort to others.

Daily Reflections on Job 19:1-7, 14-22 (Friends; a Blessing or a Curse)

Are friends' advice a blessing or a curse? I suppose it could be both, depending upon your friends. One thing for sure is that advice from friends or acquaintances can vary widely. Some advice is sound while other advice is probably questionable. But sometimes a friends' advice can only complicate matters.

Reading through Job the last few days reminded me how important good friends are to managing life. After Job experienced all his tragedy, his closest buddies really weren't much of a help to him. His wife tells Job to curse God and die. His closest friends tell him basically that if he weren't such a sinner, he wouldn't be suffering so much. They tell him he should either repent from his evil ways or face the punishment.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what caused Job the most pain, the loss of his wealth, health and family or the abuse he took from his friends. Losing all that Job lost was certainly devastating and painful. But the accusations of his friends left Job completely alone. Instead of bringing comfort to Job, they brought even deeper pain.

As I read through these chapters I get a sense that Job wasn't really looking for answers to his plight. All he really wanted was comfort and assurance that somebody cared. He would have probably been content if those who were closest to him would simply sit in the ash heap with him and cry with him. Of the hundred plus funerals that I've performed through the years, I've never yet found the magic words to make the pain or feeling of loss go away. I've never been able to satisfactorily been able to answer the question, "why?" I've given away lots of hugs, held lots of hands, wiped plenty of tears and shed some myself, but I've never found the magic bullet that makes everything alright.

All the advice in the world doesn't mean as much as a friend who will come along side of you and sit with you in the ash heap. You ultimately have to make your own decisions, take your own steps, call your own play. Listening, empathizing, caring means a lot, especially if you're the one struggling. I just need to know that there is someone in my corner.

God, I know that you are always in my corner no matter how dark it appears. But it really helps, Lord, to have some flesh and bone there with me too. I just need someone to encourage me, comfort me, cry with me, agonize with me, listen to me. I don't always need advice and I definitely don't need someone telling me, "I told you so." Lord, help me to be that person to others. Help me know when to confront and when to comfort. Help know when to offer a hand and when to give a nudge. Give me your wisdom and your heart and your spirit.

Daily Reflections on 1 Cor. 14:18-25 (Understanding)

Recently in the news was the tragic story of the bus crash that killed several on its way to a Vietnamese religious celebration in Carthage, MO. Every year thousands of Vietnamese from across the country make the trek to the small Ozarks town of Carthage to celebrate Marian Days. Carthage is home to the largest Vietnamese Catholic Seminary in the US. The town of twelve thousand residents swells to a population of sixty to seventy thousand people for that first full week in August.

I pastored in Carthage for nearly thirteen years. The seminary was located directly across from our church. The roads leading to our church were always closed that week, including Sunday. Every year we took our girls and walked through the gathering. We would pick a food tent and experience the cuisine and the culture. The menus were in Vietnamese. The waiters and waitresses and crowd spoke Vietnamese. The music was Vietnamese. As Caucasian Americans, we were definitely a minority on the grounds. One of the first years we went, my oldest daughter remarked, "Dad, this doesn't feel like Carthage." It was always a surprise what we got to eat and drink.

In this passage in Corinthians, Paul gives some sound advice to the Corinthian church regarding speaking in tongues. Paul isn't anti speaking tongues, however he notes that if some unbeliever comes into their midst and everyone is speaking in tongues, they are going to be freaked out, thinking everyone is out of their minds. The likelihood of those people coming to Christ is going to be slim to none. He goes on to say, if there isn't any interpretation to the tongue being spoken, keep it to yourself.

On the other hand, Paul encourages prophesy. Prophesy in biblical terms isn't telling the future. It's sharing a message from God. Sometimes a prophesy comes with a warning, as often seen in the Old Testament. But the heart of prophesy is about speaking God's truth. Paul says that he would rather speak 5 intelligible words that teach people about God than 10,000 words in a tongue. Why? Because Paul is more concerned about people coming to Christ, learning about Christ, growing in Christ than about some personal experience.

It's amazing to me how many believers today want to experience something that makes them feel something special. They want some ecstatic experience or to be wowed or something that makes THEM feel alive in Christ. Although those experiences are great for us, what about those outside of Christ? What about those struggling in sin or confusion or loneliness or with direction for life? What about the people with real life questions?

People need to hear instruction to grow. They especially need to hear God's Good News if they are outside of Christ. The ecstatic experience only adds to the confusion of people seeking answers. It's like walking through a strange culture where you don't understand anyone and can't read the menus. The food or drink may not satisfy your need or nurture your soul.

God, as a believer it would be easy for me to just focus on soaking you in and experiencing more of you on a daily/weekly basis. Yet, God you called us to be your light, your messengers, your ambassadors to a world who needs to hear your message of hope and victory in Jesus. Help me, Lord, to speak your word clearly to those surrounding me, especially my neighbors, friends, acquaintances who need to hear your Good News.

Daily Reflections on Ps. 33:12-22 (Voting for Hope)

It's a famous passage, one that has been claimed by many US citizens for generations. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." It seems that every four years at the time of the presidential election, the awareness of this verse is raised by religious leaders. It's used often times to gain support for certain candidates and to repel support for others. As it gets closer to November, the rhetoric will get louder.

The promise was originally directed at Israel. It was part of their promise. God promised certain provisions and protections if the Israelites would remain faithful to God. The second part of this verse is generally not quoted. It says, "the people he chose for his inheritance." Obviously the reference is to the nation of Israel not the US. So to claim this promise as a US citizen is actually a stretch.

However the principle of this promise is applicable to God's people. If you look at nation as a people group, the interpretation changes slightly. It concerns me that today many people put more faith in the government than they do the Lord. They rely on the government to provide everything thing for them, to form the safety net for them, to solve all their problems. Alan Hirsch, in his book, The Forgotten Ways, notes that the rise of the nation-state as the mediator of protection and provision has led to the secularization of culture in the Western world. In other words, the church in the West has been taken from the center of the culture and increasingly pushed to the margins by the reliance on government to provide for all one's personal needs. Thus the church loses it's influence and God is lessened in our daily life.

The psalmist goes on to say the size and strength of a king's army can't save him. A soldier's strength or weaponry can't save him. He also says the the eyes of the Lord are on those who place their hope and faith in Him. I learned a long time ago that if you put your hope in people or governments get ready to be let down. The last few years many followers of Christ placed their hope in Republican candidates for national office only to be disappointed by the results.

The answer isn't placing our hope in a political candidate be it Republican or Democrat. The answer is placing our hope in the Lord, waiting in hope for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Our hearts will rejoice when we place our full trust in God. The government will never show you love or even make you feel loved. But when we allow God to receive our full focus of trust, we will experience His presence of genuine love.

God, forget the government or people, I'm placing my trust in you.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 21: 9, 21 (Dealing with a Quarrelsome Wife)

The last few days my wife and I took our oldest daughter to college. She is in her fourth year of college working on a dual degree. This year she moved into an apartment. The tough part for mom is that she's about 6 hours away from home. So in two short days we had to scrub down the apartment and set up everything to her satisfaction (Mom's more than my daughter's).

As we worked, dear old dad, begin to take a lot of unnecessary ribbing. They picked on my hair, my shirt, my physique and my mannerisms. They were having a lot of laughs and fun at my expense. As a father of two girls, I'm used to being the odd man out and I'm also used to being the object of jest. But sometimes as a man you just have to stand up for yourself.

As the good natured harassment continued, by day three I enjoined joke fest. Being the quick wit that I am, I got off a few volleys of my own. All in pure defense, mind you. As we sat down for a very late lunch, I was factiously commenting on how abused I was a husband. My wife was quick on the response. Then my daughter laughingly said, "You guys are really mean to each other." Although our humor was meant in fun, it did have a cynical nature to it.

Solomon has been said to be the wisest man ever to have lived. Some have to question that wisdom since he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. If anyone had an insight on wives however, you'd have to say it was Solomon. I figure he must have had his rounds with all those women in his household too. (It's been three against one for me the last 18 years. I can't imagine 1000 to one.)

It must have been one of those days when Solomon wrote Proverbs 21. Twice in the middle of his discourse in this chapter he inserts comments about a wife. First in verse 9 he says that it is better to live on the corner of a roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Then later in verse 19 he says that it is better to live in the desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Let's face it guys, when your wife is in a quarrelsome or ill-tempered mood, you are in real trouble. I just go ahead and tell the dog to move over because I know before the nights over I'm going to be in his house. The corner of a roof may be a precarious place to be but according to Solomon it's a more desirable place to be in those moments.

Men, we generally have two choices under those circumstances. One, run and duck for cover. Two, stand and fight. Neither end up with the best results. There is a third option but it is toughest road to take. 1 Peter 3 tells husbands to live with your wife in an understanding way. Let's be honest, no man on the planet understands women. We just don't get it.

But Peter said it's about attitude not knowledge. He said "understanding way." More often than not when a wife is on a terror, something has caused the negative response. Our job as husbands is to demonstrate loving concern in those moments. The furor may continue for a while, but an understanding approach will before long quell the storm. It takes a big heart, lots of patiences, strong arms, a steady equilibrium and a loving determination.

My wife's onslaught the last couple of days had more to do with separation from my daughter than my own idiosyncrasies. From the time we left her apartment, tears flowed freely for several miles. At that moment, she didn't need me making defensive jabs. She just needed me.

God, after all these years, I'm still working at being a good husband. I need your wisdom and strength. Help me be the kind of husband, lover, mate, friend to my wife I need to be that allows our marriage to grow deeper and richer.

Daily Reflections on Ezra 7:1-10, 27-28 (How About a Hand, God?)

I had shared a message one Sunday about the direction of our church. At the close of the message I asked the congregation to pray for God's hand to be on us. I received an extended note by one of our young ladies chastising me for not asking us to seek God's face instead. She was insistent that asking for the hand of God was "unspiritual." I wrote her back and agreed that we should seek the face of God. But I also noted that as we read through the Old Testament that it was the hand of God that caused things to happen.

Several times in today's passage, Ezra notes that he was able to secure what was needed to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem because the hand of God was on him. Verse 6 says that the king granted Ezra everything he asked for because "the hand of the Lord his God was on him." Verse 9 says that Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in a timely fashion because "the good hand of his God was on him." Verse 28 says that Ezra received favor from the king and the king's advisers and all the king's powerful officials because, in Ezra's own words, "the hand of the Lord my God was on me."

I need the hand of the Lord on me. I need to have the same attitude as the Apostle Paul who said, "When I am weak, then I am strong." The problem is that too many times I put my own hand on me or rather try to accomplish something by my own power, resources, smarts, energy, insights, ideas, or abilities. Sometimes things work out all right and sometimes they end in major disaster. When it comes to doing life and relationships and pursuing the things of the kingdom of God, I'd much rather do things with the hand of God on me.

Deferring to the hand of God isn't a weakness, it's actually wise. In Ezra's case, he was blessed beyond imagination. Everything he could have hoped for and more happened. Ezra could have tried to do some political maneuvering to get what he wanted, but no doubt he would have had to comprise something to get what he wanted. By trusting in God and allowing Him (His Hand) to go to work for him, Ezra saw not only a victory, but overwhelming favor in everyone's eyes.

God, help me keep my hands out of your business. I want your hand at work in my life, in the life the church you allow me to pastor. Forgive me when I get in your way. I want people to see you hand working in my behalf so that they can glorify you and come to know you. I just want to be your vessel, your humble servant. Place your hand upon me.

Daily Reflections of Ps. 28 (Crying for Mercy)

When I was a kid we used to play variations of a game we used to call mercy. In one version we would interlock fingers and then invert our hands so palms would be up. It was at that point the game of punishing one another would begin. When one of the contestants couldn't stand the pain anymore, they would cry out, "Mercy." The game would end and the inflicter of the greater pain would declare victory.

The game of mercy isn't just a children's game. It becomes more sophisticated as we grow to adulthood. We no longer interlock fingers and go at it and the pain that's inflicted tends to be more mental and emotional rather than physical. The other problem is that when we cry out for mercy, more often than not, the game doesn't end. In fact, many times the game only intensifies.

It's apparent that David faced his share of pressure and pain from people. He was the youngest of several brothers, which means he probably he experienced typical sibling abuse or at least heckling. We know that King Saul was jealous of him and tried to take David's life on several occasions. We know that he had plenty of enemies from surrounding kingdoms. We also know that his own kids caused him plenty of trouble. It's no wonder David cried out for mercy.

Pain and pressure doesn't always just come from other people. Sometimes it's self inflicted and sometimes in comes from the circumstances of life. It really doesn't matter where it comes from, all of us reach a point in life in which we find ourselves overwhelmed, frustrated, broken. It's at those points we find ourselves crying out for it to stop. We cry for mercy.

Instead of whining, David found that giving praise to God in the midst of turmoil brought him strength and comfort. He acknowledges that God is the rock, the strength he needs. He isn't relying on people or his wealth or his talents or his ingenuity or even the priests. David goes straight to the source of power.

God, you really are my strength and my shield. I trust in you because I'm incompetent and know that you alone can supply the help I really need. God, when I see you at work in my life, I have a sense of a deep inner relief. Surround me with your grace and power and give me the guidance I need to make the right decisions and steps.

Daily Reflections on 1 Cor. 2:1-5 (Intimidation)

"I'm not very good at talking about my faith," or "I can't talk about my faith 'cause I don't know very much." Whenever I hear someone tell me that I'm always reminded of Moses at the burning bush. When God called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was quick to explain how he was slow of speech. When it comes to making excuses for not being able to share their faith, some people can get real descriptive.

I love this passage from 1 Corinthians that Apostle Paul writes about how he came and shared the Gospel message with the people of Corinth. He tells them that he didn't come to them with eloquent speech or superior wisdom. He simply shared his testimony. He says he came to them in weakness and fear and "with much trembling." Sounds like most of us. He goes on to say he didn't use wise and persuasive words, he just relied on the Holy Spirit. He wasn't interested in drawing people to him, but to God.

I confess that it can be intimidating to share your faith in some circles. Paul obviously felt that way sometimes. Yet, Paul quickly learned that it wasn't about putting on a show or saying the perfect words or convincing people by your sharp wit and insight and clever speech. To be honest, I've never led anyone to Christ through some elaborate formula of words or my super intelligence or powerful arguments. Most of the time, people simply want to know why I came to Christ.

Jesus said that one of the reasons He gave us the Holy Spirit was to give us the words to say when we needed them. He told His disciple that they would be His witnesses. What does a witness do? A witness simply tells what they know, what they've seen or experienced. That's all Jesus really asks us to do. There are no magical words or fancy presentations. God doesn't call us to "wow" people. All he wants us to do is share what we know and rest in the Spirit.

God, I don't want people to be impressed with me. I want people to experience you. Give me the courage to simply share you and what you've done in my life with others outside of Christ.

Daily Reflections on 2 Chr. 26-28 (Getting Your Butt Kicked)

Reading through 2 Chronicles, I noticed an ongoing phrase pattern that was curious to me. If you know anything about Old Testament history, you know the Kingdom of Israel split in two after the reign of King Solomon. The northern tribes were known as Israel and the southern kingdom was known as Judah. And you also know that there were some good kings and some bad kings.What made the kings good or bad was determined by how they followed God. The bad kings worshiped the false gods of the neighboring nations. The good kings worshiped God.

That's all simple to understand. Reject God and God rejects you. Embrace God and God embraces. After all that was part of the covenant God made with Israelites coming out of Egypt. Some kings rejected God and some kings embraced God and some tried to do both with mixed reviews, mostly not good.

The phrase that caught my eye was, "He sought the Lord or did what was right in the eyes of the Lord...so he became very powerful." In other words, those that pursued God, led their peoples to pursue God, got rid of the foreign gods and idols became successful and powerful leaders among the nations. They conquered nations and held off foreign invaders. They became wealthy and prosperous as a nation, and thus the king became wealthy.

On the other hand, the text says that kings who shut God out and worshiped the idols and fad gods of their day, got their butts kicked. They became subject to neighboring kingdoms, lost their wealth, their lives, their families, their self respect. Their kingdoms were in constant turmoil. They even became a laughing stock to the surrounding peoples. Anyone could come in and walk over them.

The moral of the story is also simple. Even though we, as followers of Christ, don't live under the conditions and promises of the Old Testament Covenant, the principle still remains. As Jesus said, you can't serve two masters. He also said you're either for me or against me. Although Jesus, never promised that everything would be rosy in your life once you gave your life to Him, He did say that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He said that He'd be with always and that He would send a (paraclete) comforter in the Holy Spirit. He promises ultimate victory and an abundant life.

Are you getting your butt kicked by Satan or the world or life itself? There might be a reason. How's your pursuit of Jesus going? How committed are you to delving into His Word for guidance and direction and insight? How tuned into the Holy Spirit are you? How often are you hanging out with other believers who really seeking to grow in Christ and serve Christ? What's your lifestyle looking like? God is more than willingly to allow us to suffer the consequences of our own choices. He doesn't have to punish us. All He has to do is simply remove His hand and/or influence from our life.

God, it seems like every time I'm getting my butt kicked it has to do with me going off in my own direction. I find myself in those moments being drawn back to you. You are my strength. When I humble myself before you, I begin to sense your power come alive in my life. Thanks for your steadfastness in my life. Thanks for your forgiveness. Thanks for the victory you give me through your Son, Jesus.

Daily Reflections on Rom. 8:22-39 (The Cavalry to the Rescue)

The scene was a common one in the old western movies. A settler family would be surrounded by warring Indians or banditos. Just as things looked lost, over the hill would come the cavalry with trumpet blowing and flag flying. The evil doers would turn tale and run and the day would be saved.

God is on my side. Okay that wasn't too revolutionary but sometimes it's still hard to really grasp. God is doing everything in His power to help me be all that I can be. Cooperation on my part is the key. In Romans 7 Paul talks about not being able to do the good that he wants to do. He calls himself a wretch and then cries out in victory for what Jesus has done for him and us.

Moving onto chapter 8, Paul talks about the power of the Holy Spirit in his life that allows him and us be delivered from our ongoing sin problem. I don't have to sin anymore if I allow the Holy Spirit complete control in my life. That is really good news.

As he continues in the final verses of Romans 8, Paul tells us how we can be more than conquers. It's a great continuation of his thoughts. He begins to explain how the Spirit works. Everyone one us are weak. It's in our weakness that the Holy Spirit swoops in a saves the day, as long as we are focused on His working within us. As long as we're trying to handle things on our own, God is more than willing to let us flounder. It's when we really tune into Him that the Spirit is unleashed in us.

Chapter 7 ought to tell us that Paul knew exactly how we feel sometimes. He explains how the Spirit goes to bat for us in groans too deep for words when we don’t know how to pray. And when the Holy Spirit takes that deep prayer before God, God steps in to bring all things to bear in our behalf. He conforms us more and more into the likeness of Christ. God is so for us that nothing can separate us from Him.

God, it’s good to know your cavalry is always there to save the day. More often than not, I’m the cause of my own distress. I want to do the right things but without your help I always seem to fall short. I want to be more than a conqueror, but without your power in my life I find myself being the conquered. Thanks for your Holy Spirit in my life.

Daily Reflections on Rom. 8:1-2, 9-17 (Is It True?)

One of the most liberating verses in all of the New Testament has to be Romans 8:1 which says that that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Woohoo!!! That's a relief. No condemnation, talk about Good News. And to think I owe it all simply to my faith in what God has done for me through Jesus. Thank You God.

It's true that God is not about condemnation, but about reconciliation and restoration. To many, it's a surprise to their image of God. Yes, God is still just and that's the miracle of the cross and resurrection of Christ. But God is about giving life, abundant life, empowered life, not condemnation. Verse two of Romans 8 is verification of that truth. Through Jesus, the text says, the law of the Spirit of life has us free from the law of sin and death. More good news. God has not only freed me from my fate of eternal death, eternal separation from God, but He has also freed me from myself, my sinning nature.

It's true!!! I don't ever have to sin again. Will I? Probably, but you don't have to if you allow the Spirit of God, which He place inside you, to have complete control. Paul tells us in these verses that since I have the Holy Spirit living in me, I don't have to be controlled by my old nature anymore. Sure my physical body will eventually die, but my spirit is alive to God in Christ. And here's the kicker, if Christ is in me, if I've submitted myself to Him, God gives life to my human body through the Holy Spirit. In other words, I don't have to sin anymore.

I don't have to listen to the cravings of my sinful nature. I don't have to give in to their wants and desires. I can let the Spirit of God put to death those "misdeeds of the body" as Paul puts it. The news just keeps on getting better. And because of that same Spirit within me, I don't have to be a slave to my old nature anymore. I am a child of God.

It really comes down to a matter of choice. I hear people tell me all the time, "I can't help myself" or "I can't stop myself." To which I normally respond, "You're right. You're doomed." They always look at me like, "What?" I just confirm again, "Yep, You're right, you can't stop or help yourself, so you're doomed." At that point I normally get the "thanks a lot" look. After letting them squirm a little, I share with them this promise in Romans. You can't, but the Spirit God places within you can. I can choose to fight my sin or misdeeds on my own, or I can sic the Spirit of God on them by submitting to Him.

And to top off the promises God makes to us in these verses, God goes on to say that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus if we surrender our lives to Him. Yes, it's all true. Not only does God save me from spiritual death for eternity, He gives me life and freedom NOW. And I have the promise of inheriting His riches forever. Somebody ought to spread this word.

God, thanks for the double relief; relief from my fate and punishment and relief from my ongoing sin problem. Help me to choose life through your Spirit. I'm tired of screwing up and trying to get out of things on my own. I need you. I want to grow in allowing your Spirit to control my life, my thoughts, my actions.

Daily Reflections on Rom. 4:1-8 (God's Accounting Method)

The place came apart with laughter! I was conducting the wedding of young couple a few years out of high school. She was a sweet young lady with plenty of personality. He, on the other hand, was the strong silent type, not particularly expressive. Rehearsal had gone well. We walked through all the elements of the ceremony, but instead of going through the vows I just basically explained them.

The day of the wedding arrived. Everyone did and everything went just as rehearsed. Before reciting the vows, I typically give a wedding charge to the couple of what God expects from both of them. After completing my challenge to them I immediately went into the vows. I turned to the groom and asked the traditional questions, "Do you promise to take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love...?" The groom stood their stoically as usual and then simply responded in a monotone, almost expressionless voice, "I reckon." The place exploded.

God's reckoning of righteousness to Abraham was a little different. Genesis 15 and Romans 4 say that Abraham believed God and reckoned that to him as righteousness. Reckoned, in this sense, is an accreditation to Abraham's account. Because of Abe's faith, which was demonstrated by his action, God reckoned or credited or considered Abe as righteous. He applied the righteousness of Christ to Abraham even though Christ hadn't yet come and died.

Paul's point in this passage is that one can't earn righteousness. If you earned it, righteousness would have been owed you as a result of your effort, just like you work for wages. Paul says if you worked for it, you couldn't be reckoned or credited with righteousness. So obviously we have a choice; we can either stand before God based upon our own works of godliness or we can stand before God trusting Him. I can apply to heaven based upon my own righteousness. Or I can apply for heaven on the basis of Christ's righteousness. What's it gonna be? Since my righteousness is as filthy rags compared to Christ's righteousness, I think I'll take the latter.

God, I can be a pretty good guy sometimes, but that's the problem, sometimes. It's the other times that bother me. I think I'll take your reckoning process. I'm trusting in you. I'm acting in faith. I'm believing in you and surrendering to you just like Abraham.

Daily Reflections on Rom. 3:10-26 (Now That's a HUGE Relief )

Wow! The third chapter of the book of Romans is packed with incredible stuff and memorable verses. Many of the basic concepts of our relationship with God are found in this chapter alone. We could spend hours here exploring these principles and chewing on their implications.

Verse 10 is a great declarative statement about our status as human beings. I doubt that there's a single person on the planet who would argue with this quote from the Psalms. There's no one righteous, not even one. Hasn't been. Is not. Will not. It's pretty simple. There is no one who does good all the time.

Verse 20 tells us that no one can be declared righteous by God by their observation of the law. Paul says that it is through the law of God we become aware of our sin. That, in fact, it is the main purpose of the law. God knew that none of us could keep it perfectly. He gave us the law to teach US that. He lists some of His standards for righteous living and none of us could keep them. I become conscious of my own sin, when I see what God expects. That's really Good News, because I can admit that I'm a screw up and need help.

Verse 21tells more of the Good News. Instead of attaining that perfect righteousness on my own by keeping God's standards for living perfectly, God grants a new righteousness opportunity that comes through Jesus Christ. Forget trying to keep the law by my own will. That's impossible. And verse 22 claims that anyone who has faith in what God has done for us through Jesus can attain this new righteousness. Now when Paul says anyone, he means anyone regardless of our past, our present, our nationality, our reputation, our talents, our gifts, our looks, our background, our experiences, and yes even our sins.

Verse 23 is another one of those declarative statements about our condition as human beings. Once again as I read these words my mind says, "Whew! That's a relief to know. It really takes the pressure off. I can stop pretending, stop trying to be something that I know that I'm not." And once again, verse 24 shouldn't be separated from verse 23. Paul quickly assures us that we can be made right with God because of God's efforts, not ours. It's called grace and it's freely given by God.

Verses 25 and 26 explain how God makes all this possible. It's the heart of our salvation and a meaningful and lasting relationship with God. God presented Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for all of us, both past and present. So anyone who trusts God today or trusted God in the past receives this gift of righteousness from God which allows us to have an eternal and intimate relationship with Him. In other words, it allows me to hang out with my main man, the creator of the universe, God. It means we won't get crushed like a bug or be separated from Him ever. Now that's really Good News!

God, there is tons of powerful stuff in these verses. Ferreting out all the implications would be overwhelming and impossible to do in such a short time.You're amazing. In one fell swoop you solve both my sin problem and my guilt problem. And to think, all I have to do is simply trust in you, put my faith in you. Unbelievable! No wonder they call it grace.