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God’s Power

Today’s Reading: Psalm 114

Do you remember the following quote?

Ricky Bobby: “Dear tiny Jesus, in your golden-fleece diapers, with your tiny, little, fat, balled-up fists pawing at the air…”

Carley (Wife): “Hey, um, you know, sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don’t always have to call him, ‘baby.’ It’s a bit odd and off-putting to pray to a baby.”

Ricky Bobby: “Well, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown-up Jesus or teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus, or whoever you want.”

Ricky Bobby (later): “Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars that I have accrued over this past season.”

This scene in the movie Talladega Nights reminds me of how some people might think of Jesus around Christmas as we celebrate His birth. The baby born in the manger under a very humble beginning. 

When I first read Psalm 114, I reflected on God’s extraordinary power and our need to fear Him.  Powerful. 

The most vivid and poetic part of the Psalm describes how nature itself reacted to the presence of God leading His people:

  • The Sea Fled and Jordan Turned Back: This is a reference to the parting of the Red Sea (at the start of the journey) and the stopping of the Jordan River (at the end, when entering the Promised Land). The poetic imagery suggests the waters fled in terror or respect at God’s command.

  • Mountains Skipped Like Rams: This likely alludes to the earthquake at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law, underscoring God’s awesome power and majesty.

  • The Rhetorical Question: The Psalmist dramatically asks the elements, “What ails you, O sea, that you flee?… O mountains, that you skip like rams?” (v. 5-6). This heightens the suspense, making the final answer more impactful.

  • The Answer: The God of Jacob: The answer is given in the concluding verses: the earth must “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (v. 7). Nature bows because of the manifest, all-powerful presence of the Creator who is acting specifically for His covenant people.

Our Lord is no longer in a manger.  He is the one that, when you believe, He will meet all needs. Our Lord is powerful, mighty, and can do anything He chooses at any time. Does it mean He will solve all our Earthly problems as we desire? No. He will solve our Eternity problem, which will mean so much more. I pray you have received Him for Eternity. 

Blessings this Christmas!

Long-suffering Understood

Today’s Reading: Titus 3 

“Be the most generous person that you know“.  – S. Doran 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Be Ready for Every Good Work

3 Remind them to be … to be ready for every good work,… 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, … 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people….14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. – Titus 3: 1;4-5;8;14

Longsuffering is the part of the fruit of the Spirit that puzzles me for quite some time.  When I was younger,  I always thought it had a negative connotation.  As I grow and mature, the word that I have seen take on the whole meaning.  In other bible versions, longsuffering is referred to as patience.  I wondered “Why would a loving Father would allow longsuffering?”  

But I’ve had a revelation this week. It’s not longsuffering that is the fruit but what does it produce?

It goes back to the relationship. Your relationship with God and the Spirit will create how you will see longsuffering.  What is a relationship that you have with God and Spirit?

There are two examples of how longsuffering can be used by God with you.   You can use the long suffering for the better or you can begrudge the suffering.  

As an example, you can use longsuffering and be miserable. For instance, if you had a divorce, a death of a loved one, or a breakdown in your entire life; you could see these as ways of God punishing you and allowing devastation to rule. You can become so absorbed in the actions and not allow the relationship that God has with you to grow and to allow you to see past that point of despair.

I have witnessed the most amazing testament that is the full example of  how long suffering produces a generous heart and abilities to do good in spite of everything.  

A close and great friend of mine experienced longsuffering that has created one of the most generous hearts that I know.  He has allowed it to produce good works for others.  This friend had one of the most amazing days of his life, juxtaposed with one of the most tragic days of his life. He had just proposed to his fiancé and they were excited about the new life that they were about to embark.  They got engaged and three days later they were celebrating their engagement with a trip. On this trip, his new fiancé had a tragic accident that almost left her completely paralyzed. She fell off his back and landed 15 feet below on the ground on her back and crushed part of her spine.  This changed the trajectory of their life.

She had to do extensive surgeries and excessive therapy to recoup. This created a piece of longsuffering for my friend. He felt despair… loneliness… heartache… and overall pain. He could allow this to consume him and be isolated and upset with the world. But he decided to see this as an opportunity to live life to the fullest and to cherish each and every moment with his family, friends, and those he cares about. He then transformed this longsuffering into becoming a generous person. He took this inner gut punch and was able to relate to others who were going through something similar.

Because of the longsuffering, he has created joy and peace and connection with so many individuals who are not able to see that silver lighting. He shared with me that “Whenever I  see somebody who is in the situation, I  actually internalize their hurt and if I can help to eliminate some of that, ‘punch in the stomach hurt’ he knows he’s done some good for that individual.”

It takes a strong person to be able to see how God can use them in other people’s lives. In Titus, we are shown to do good work and continue to do these good work all the time. When I see these good work, I attempt to be generous and be more generous than I can ever imagine. 

As my friend, S. Doran, at the beginning of the passage, states “be the most generous person that you can be.”

You are not trying to outdo anybody except for yourself.

Let’s see if we are able to get more than we can even expect ourselves to do.

Be blessed and be generous.

 

Grace Isn’t Just Comfort

Titus 2

“Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:15

What exactly is Paul telling Titus to “proclaim?”  Everything that he has just written.  It’s both the practical instructions for living, and the Gospel that empowers and motivates our behavior.  My natural tendencies, however, are to modify my behavior through discipline and lounge in the comfort of grace. While I work to keep them separate, Paul shows us that theology and practice are never separated. So, when he tells Titus to ‘proclaim these things’ in verse 15, he means both the practical instructions for living AND the gospel that empowers them.Titus 2 is not about behavior modification; it’s rooted in the reality of Christ’s redemption and the transforming power of grace.

Do you feel the motivating power of God’s grace, or does it just make you comfortable?
Grace is more than a comforting idea; grace is the manifested reality of Jesus Christ entering human history.

  • Grace saves us
  • Grace teaches us
  • Grace transforms us

Paul roots every command that follows in this truth: what we do flows from what Christ has done.  I love the way Timothy Keller says it.  He writes, “grace does not merely forgive, it changes us.  It is not opposed to effort, but to earning.”

Because of Christ’s redeeming work, we are now His people, purified, treasured, and eager for good works (Titus 2:14). Our obedience is not the cause of His acceptance, but the result of His transforming grace.

As much as I’d like to lounge in the comfort of God’s grace, Paul won’t allow it.  He couples practical instruction with it, that is powered by grace.

  • Grace calls us to renounce ungodliness
  • Grace enables us to turn from worldly passions
  • Grace helps us live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives
  • Grace points us toward Christ’s return
  • Grace gives us confidence to walk as a purified people as His possession
  • Grace compels us to do good works

This is not self-improvement. It is Spirit-empowered formation, through grace. We live differently because we are different.  We are redeemed and renewed in Christ.

The Only Bible..

Today’s reading is Titus 1.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus after leaving him in charge of the church in Crete. Chapter one is a prescription for church leaders or overseers called elders which in the original Greek was presbuteros. Here are some of his qualifications for an elder in Titus 1:7-9.

7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

While many may read this chapter and never aspire to be an elder, we can all learn something from it. Although we will fall short and make mistakes because we are human, we all should aspire to be more Christ-like and live in a manner that reflects Him and His glory. As we read Titus 1 and these verses, we can see these attributes in Him and thus they are all attributes we should aspire to have. We should have a healthy reverence or fear of God and do our best to live like Him which is the way He wants us to. The life he lived and modeled is the standard we should aim to achieve.

When our actions reflect Him, some may not only be appointed to church leaders and at a minimum will please Him, but we will also draw others to Him. Famous podcaster Joe Rogan has recently been outspoken about exploring church and the truth that Jesus was the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised on the 3rd. Joe has been quoted as saying, ”Christians that go (to my church) are the nicest people you will ever meet. They are really kind.” While being nice does not save you or cause you to achieve eternal life (Romans 3:23) and only faith in Jesus does (Romans 6:23, John 3:16), our actions as a Christ-follower can trigger a curiosity and  “what’s different about them” questions in non-believers resulting in them exploring who Jesus is. They may want to get to know Him which may ultimately lead them to being saved.

Some of us may have heard the quote, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.” Earlier this week I attended an event for the North Central Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes (https://www.ncilfca.org/). This event featured many coaches and also high school and college student-athletes discussing their faith and how they can glorify God through sports and how it’s impacting others they play with and against. One of the high school athletes referenced a similar quote that impacted him which also hit me hard. He said was following…”You may be the only Bible someone reads.”

My encouragement for each one of us reading Titus 1 today would be to read it and the above Titus 1:7-9 and reflect on the attributes we believe we need to grow in. While we may never be called to be an elder, aiming towards and living in a way that reflect these attributes will be pleasing to God and may lead others to want to learn more about who He is which could also result in them finding eternal life in Heaven through belief in Him.

Praise the Lord….Then Praise Him Again

Psalm 113

I can’t put a number on how many times the family and I go to church on Sundays and am either reminded by the pastor or simply sitting in my seat reminding myself how it isn’t just on Sundays for an hour or so that I should be talking with Him and praising Him.  We all know the correct answer…..it’s ALL THE TIME.  All the time, whenever we have a second, put the phone down and tell Him, Thank You! I Love You.  I Have Nothing Without You in my Heart.  That is what Psalm 113 describes.

Verses 1-3: Praise the Lord at all times, from everywhere

Verses 4-6: God is above everything, yet still cares about us

Verses 7-9: God lifts people up and gives hope to the hopeless

This Psalm is pure worship.  It reminds us that we cannot even begin to comprehend how amazing He truly is. He should be admired for His greatness and worshipped for His compassion as well.  To continue to worship Him at times when we don’t NEED something is so important, not just when we have a request following shortly after.  I am absolutely guilty when it comes to taking those many moments throughout the whole day and not once thinking about using those moments to give Him at least a little praise.  Sure, I spare some time in the morning before the day starts, then again at night when my head hits the pillow, but I am truly missing out on all those opportunities.

So many times, my mom calls me at whatever point in the day.  She asks me what I am doing.  Without thinking, I tell her I’m busy.  Half of the time, I am probably not.  I am either driving to the next stop or sitting in front of my computer working on something that can be put on hold for 5 minutes.

What if God called me on my cell phone?!  Think about this….what if God started calling you on your cell phone tomorrow??  What if he called you a few times a day, even during a work meeting, just to check in.  I don’t know what the reason could possibly be that we don’t answer that call every time. Can you even grasp at the idea to have the opportunity to hear his voice and get a chance to have a few words with Him just once?!

Psalm 113, God deserves nonstop praise at all times, from everywhere, because He is both incredibly powerful and incredibly caring and beyond anything we can comprehend.

The Fear of the Lord…

Psalm 111

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Psalm 111:10

Wisdom doesn’t begin with age, education, or experience. According to Scripture, it begins with something far deeper: a right posture toward God. When the psalmist says, “the fear of the Lord,” he’s not talking about terror or shrinking back. He is describing a reverent awe—an awareness of God’s holiness, power, and authority that shapes how we live. It is the recognition that God is God… and we are not.

This kind of fear anchors us. It pulls our hearts into alignment with God’s truth and steadies our steps when the world feels unstable. When we stand in awe of who God is, we begin to see life differently. Decisions become clearer. Temptations lose some of their appeal. Priorities shift. Wisdom grows not because we suddenly know all the answers, but because we trust the One who does.

True wisdom is lived, not merely learned. Psalm 111:10 reminds us that “all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” Wisdom is revealed in obedience—in choosing God’s ways, even when they are countercultural, inconvenient, or costly. The more we walk with Him, the more we recognize His faithfulness, and the deeper our reverence becomes.

Today, ask God to renew within you a holy awe for who He is. Let His greatness humble you, His goodness draw you near, and His Word guide your steps. Wisdom begins where self-confidence ends and God-confidence begins.

May your reverence lead you into clarity, strength, and a life firmly rooted in Him.

Even when life feels out of control…

My family and I recently spent several days with my father who is suffering from dementia. His condition brings many hardships, including memory loss, lapses in judgment, confusion, physical instability, and even some erratic behaviors and emotions. We are also in the midst of selling his home as he and my mother are both in separate living quarters with the need for increased care.

On the other hand, the core of who my dad is has not changed – he possesses an unshakeable positive attitude, he is extremely grateful for all that he has, and he remains a committed Christ-follower.

As we age, life becomes seemingly more uncertain on a daily basis, but one thing remains: Jesus on the throne as ruler, savior, and King of All Kings.

 The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)

Knowing that my dad’s future is in Heaven changes everything. We didn’t want to move him out of his home, however each “home” is temporary until we get to Heaven. His road here on Earth will likely become more difficult, yet just like his unshakeable positive attitude, his faith is also unshakeable, and his future home is secured.

The same goes for the rest of us if we choose to follow Jesus. Is your future home secured?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

What is your Confidence in?

Psalm 108

The psalms were written as songs that should be meditated on. As I read and reread this psalm, the first line keeps coming back to me. David opens the psalm with, “My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!” (NLT). As I meditate and fill my mind with this scripture, I keep coming back to one word: confidence. David did not find his confidence or his steadfastness in himself or his own abilities, his confidence was in God. From that confidence in God and His character, David could rightly sing with all his heart.

We can have confidence that God is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be tomorrow. God is steady, a firm foundation your feet can stand upon. David goes on to mention a few attributes of God’s character that we can be steadfast on. First, David praises God for His mercy. David uses the Hebrew word Hesed. This word means a little more than just our common English understanding of mercy. This word has the meaning of God’s loyal, unfailing love for His people. David uses hyperbole to try and describe this love as higher than the heavens (v. 4). God has a loyal love for His people, even when He disciplines. Not only does God have a loyal love, but He is faithful and true (v. 4). God is a man of His word. He does not pull back on His promises. He has fulfilled all his past promises and will fulfill all his future promises. 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” Lastly, we see a final attribute of God being His holiness. God is holy, set apart, and righteous (v. 7).

You can be confident in these attributes of God because He doesn’t change. He is a good, caring God. David was confident in these truths, so he left vengeance up to the Lord. David trusted in the Lord to be a just God as he stated, “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes” (Ps. 108:13).

What do you need to trust the Lord with? Maybe you are switching jobs and need to trust God will make the decision clear. Maybe you are being tempted that God really isn’t real, and you need to come back to what you know is true about God. Maybe you have a decision to make and are trusting in your own abilities instead of finding your confidence in God. He is a trustworthy God. Find confidence in what you know about Him.

Advent Season

For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.

After an amazing Thanksgiving, there may not be many people physically hungry left.  The various types of food served during this holiday season, in homes and at parties, can leave us physically full.

But what about your soul?

Yes, our world can temporarily leave us physically full, especially during this Holiday Season, which offers a wide range of food and drink.  There are unlimited deals available everywhere you look, including on the phone, which the average person touches an average of 144 to 205 times a day. This season, there will be an unlimited amount of entertainment and business that can consume all your hours of the day if you let them.

Yet with all these things available to use from last week through the next month or so, we need to remember out of everything what will truly satisfy any of our desires.  It is our Lord.  Jesus is the one true source of all we really need to satisfy any desire.  What appears and may even fill a momentary earthly desire is nothing compared to the good that Jesus promised eternally.

Praying for this season of searching and longing for all the things to be filled with the joy and fulfillment that the Lord has for us all!    ~  Blessings 

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Luke 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Remember Me

Today’s Reading: Psalms 106

One of the quotes that I  heard this past Thanksgiving was “ We give thanks for the things that we remember”.

Memories are not just for us, but for our past selves , our present selves, and our future selves. 

When we share the things of our past through stories and anecdotes we create a picture of the past. For me, some of the most profound memories that I have are from stories that were given to me by my family and ancestors.  I never met either one of my grandfathers, but I saw their lives through the stories.  The stories and the legacy that we give from our memories will shape our future memories in others. 

In this passage, Psalms 106,  we are called to give thanks for the memories of the past and then continue to share these memories to help the future.  God is asking us to REMEMBER all the things that he has done and cherish them. 

“Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance. 

Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. 

Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; 

they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 

But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 

They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 

Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. 

Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. 

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.”

‭‭

Psalm‬ ‭106‬:‭4‬-‭7‬, ‭13‬, ‭21‬, ‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God is merciful and generous.  His time span is infinite to ours.  A millennium to us is a blink in time for Him. God allows us to remember Him through His Spirit and through his relationship with us. 

We remember him through our stories that have been given to us over the generations. 

We remember the love that He gives us.

 We remember through the miracles that have been performed. 

We remember because of His goodness to us.

 Let’s pray that we will not forget his goodness to us. Let us not forget to share his love with others.

 

Be Blessed