Blessings

May God be gracious to us, and bless us, and make His face shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.

Maybe today all you need to do is read these verses a couple of times. Perhaps it’s a prayer over your day, the circumstance you’re facing, or medical news that has impacted you or your family.

God’s grace can cover anything you are going through or past experiences that still race through your mind, settling down in your hearts.  To pray for a blessing holds no boundaries in the way God can bless you.  Being “Blessed” for me can include mountain top and valley experiences as long as you believe and trust it all comes from Him.  In these moments, knowing His ways are higher than our own will help you receive any blessing, no matter the size.

As I was writing this morning, I sat on our back deck with once again beautiful weather.  The sun is currently shining down, providing warmth and comfort as I listen to the sounds of nature. My body can feel HIs blessing.

You already know the perfect song for this!

Blessings and Obstacles

 

Today’s Reading: Psalms 66

God has many blessings for us and is ready to pour these upon you, when you and He are in alignment. 

When you’re about to embark on a breakthrough, God is preparing you and strengthening you. But as the breakthrough is about to happen the enemy sees the future of you and wants to shake you. 

An example would be right before the storm happens, the world gets calm. The thunder rolls. The lightning strikes and then the rain comes down. The rain comes down in sheets. Once the rain has finished and the thunder and lightning roll away, the coolness of the after storm comes in. The freshness of the day begins. All of the dust and the debris from before the storm is washed away. 

Now you can go into the next day or “after storm”  with refreshment and clean and clarity. 

The enemy tries to hinder you and frighten you before the storm comes so that you can hide and be fearful of the after storm. But God, send angels and encouragement before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm.

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.66.1-12.ESV

In this psalms passage  David is given joy for his after the storm. David is showing Israel that before the storm Israel was frightened. David gives the people a memory of before the storm and the after storm. He shows them the good deeds of God. 

Sometimes when we are in the midst of change and the midst of hurt and in the midst of despair we can forget that God is ready for us on the other side. There may be obstacles that come your way, but these obstacles are only there to hinder you from your blessings that are on the other side of the obstacle.

May God continue to give us these angels and the words of peace and understanding and Solace in the before the storm, during the storm so that we can see the blessings of the after the storm.

Pessimists, Optimists, And The Faithful

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us ~ AW Tozer

The pessimist believes God is against them. He’s punishing us.  The world is unraveling. Tomorrow will look no better than today. Since everything is destined to fall apart, why even try?

The optimist looks at failure and insists, “God is using this to teach me.” They search for silver linings, hoping to turn setbacks into springboards. There’s some wisdom in that, but it often leaves God out of the story. Instead of God’s plan, life is about what happens to me, leading to the mantra: “Anything is possible if I just try harder.”  Scripture offers a better way.  In Philippians 4, Paul provides a solution that transcends both extremes.

The faithful see God differently. They trust His plan and His methods.  It’s not about winning or losing, it is about God Himself. Learning to distinguish between what they want and what God wants, leads to living for His glory. Paul said it plainly: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). His confidence wasn’t in outcomes, it was in God alone.  How about you?

If you find yourself asking “Can God?”, or “Will God?” You may be stuck in either pessimism or optimism. Shifting to faith requires a different response to life’s circumstances.  Simply consider, “He is. He always was. and always will be enough.”

God’s Word Over Everything

Today’s reading is Philippians 3.

In these verses Paul tells us he has a reason to boast based on his upbringing and status, but that he has counted it as a loss for the sake of Christ in Philippians 3:4-7. He later says that righteous does not come from him or the law but through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9).

Later he expands to say…

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians 3:17-19

Today we see many churches and pastors bowing down to what culture says is ok and acceptable, rather than what the Word of God says. We see Satan twisting things so that churches and people think what’s good is bad and what’s bad is good. He tricks people into thinking truth and following God’s Word is not love, but hate. When Paul says “their god is their belly” in Philippians 3:19, he means they are only worried about satisfying the hunger of their worldly desires. They either don’t take time to worry about if it’s ok by God or they disguise what is wrong as love and call what is love hate.

So, let us be on the lookout. Whether we part of a non-denomination church or a denomination that has been around hundreds or years or whether the local church you are a part of has 40 people or 4,000 or whether it’s pastor has been there 4 weeks or 40 years….we must ask ourselves..

  1. Is this church and its leaders teaching us to follow what the Word of God truly says?
  2. Is this church and its leaders actually living out what they are teaching or is their walk different than their talk?

Let us pray that under mounting pressure to change and adapt to keep up with the times, we do not change and deviate from God’s Word and that we have the wisdom to recognize whenever we or our church and its leaders are tempted to do so.

For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

Humility

Philippians 2

A modest or low view of one’s own importance according to Webster.

I know, I know. We all already know what humility is.  What it looks like.  How it is defined.  But how often do we sit and think about the Bible’s meaning of humility?  I don’t disagree with Google…..”A key virtue marked by an absence of pride and self-centeredness, emphasizing love and placing God and others before oneself”.

In Philippians, Paul breaks down humility very simply.  Verses 3 & 4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Paul makes it so easy to read, but is it that easy to carry out in everyday life?  Are we all able to find humility in our everyday lives or do we very often get lost in our own self-interests and desires?

I love how life works.  Just this morning before I sat down to spend time on this chapter in Philippians, I was listening to a podcast.  The host is an avid pool player and his guest is currently the #1 pool player in the world.  The host explained how he casually played against his guest a couple of years ago and lost several times, expectedly.  But the host wasn’t mad or upset that he lost, even though he finds himself as a very good pool player.  No, instead he told the guest how humbling it made him feel.  The host knows he can beat the average pool hall player but also recognizes that the guest is an elite pro.  This pro spends way more time practicing and playing pool and there is a reason he is #1 and the host understands and accepts this.

This is just a microcosm example of everyday humility and certainly not exactly the type of humility Paul is referring to in Philippians.  Paul’s humility is that of Jesus.  One that describes not considering equality with God to be attainable, but instead being a simple servant made in human likeness.  By just humbling yourself for who and what God made you.

When I think of being humble, I think of exactly where I am sitting or standing in that very moment.  I am currently sitting in my office in my house in front of my computer.  I am humbled by everything I have in my life.  An amazing God-fearing wife, 2 amazing little girls, a roof over our heads, all the family and friends that I love and care about and that love and care about me.

But every night I put my head on my pillow, periodically throughout the day and especially church on Sundays, I am reminded of the humility through Jesus.  Verse 5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”.  This is not true for me 100% of the time, and thank God that’s ok.  But it is a great memento that it should be a lot closer to 100% than 0%.  A recent sermon in the last month has stuck with me in absolutely everything I do that Right or Wrong(especially wrong), I need to be more like Jesus in every which way.  If it were easy everyone would do it!  Well, none of us can be 100% like Jesus, but maybe we can at least try more, 100% of the time.

God’s Provision for Us

“Praise awaits You, our God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to You all people will come.” (Psalm 65:1–2)

Psalm 65 begins with worship and ends with abundance. David reminds us that God is not only the one who forgives our sins but also the one who sustains the earth and fills our lives with good things. Every harvest, every raindrop, every answered prayer is evidence of His care.

When life feels chaotic, we can remember that God stills the roaring seas (v.7). The same power that governs the oceans governs our circumstances. And when we worry about provision, we can rest in the God who crowns the year with bounty and fills the valleys with grain (vv.11–13).

This psalm calls us to pause and recognize God’s hand in both the extraordinary and the ordinary. He is not just the God of the temple in Zion but also the God of the fields, the seasons, and the daily bread on our tables. Gratitude transforms our perspective and deepens our trust.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for hearing my prayers and forgiving my sins. Help me to see Your hand in the everyday blessings around me and to trust You in the moments that feel uncertain. Just as You water the earth and bring it to life, water my soul with Your presence so that I may bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.

 

Empty nest, full hearts.

After significant preparation, over a nine-day timespan, my wife and I traveled thousands of miles, taking multiple flights to bring our two sons to college in two different states – far away from home. We are now officially empty nesters.

This all comes with a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts, and this is my attempt to take off the mask that I’ve been wearing through it all, and after returning to a quiet and empty home.

We have the satisfaction that we have reached a long-anticipated milestone. It was God’s plan and will for them to eventually leave the home to venture out and grow in wisdom and knowledge. For an eagle to soar, it must first leave the nest and learn to fly!

Along with the satisfaction comes gratitude as we reflect on our time as parents of babies, then young boys, and now men. We are grateful for these and more:  That we all know Christ and call him our Lord and Savior. We are thankful for our marriage, that we enjoy and love each other, and that we have each other through the ups and downs of this adventure. We are also especially grateful for the love and support given by friends and family who have checked in asking how things are going. I got choked up each time my wife would read a text from a friend – these are real friends, God bless each of you!

Our gratitude also results in joy for our sons, who were eager and ready for college. This time is many years in the making, and one year ago, we thought there was no way our youngest would be ready to go to college in a year. We were wrong: God answered our prayers for our son to grow, mature, and thrive academically and socially during his senior year of high school.

As reality sets in, there is no shortage of pain and sorrow. As with all of the beauty, there is also a sense of loss. There are empty bedrooms and artifacts left behind, the sports equipment that will likely never be used again, the high school yearbooks, and the boyish things that once meant so much are now symbolic of change. It is also painful that most of our sons’ grandparents are not healthy enough to fully embrace this next step with our family. Finally, one of the most impactful – daily meals as a family – typically the highlight of our day, will now be few and far between.

At the same time, there is a new sense of freedom. We see our sons maturing into men, craving and embracing their independence while also learning to accept the responsibility that comes with their choices. And for my wife and me, though our hearts feel heavy with the sense of loss, we are beginning to embrace what it means to have a calendar no longer defined by high school schedules – start and finish times, exams, breaks, sports, and ceremonies. We booked some travel for a few weeks from now, knowing it will be bittersweet but also a step into this next season of life together.

We know we are not supposed to worry. We are also human, and we are prone to ask lots of questions and wonder if we did the right things along the way: Did we teach them well? Were we the best parents we could be? Do we need to apologize for anything? What if he is unhappy at his chosen university? How will we make the best financial decisions in these expensive years?

Writing this has helped me peel back the mask and recognize the beauty of God’s plan and love for us, even in the silence of an empty home. And as I sat with these thoughts, here is the scripture that inspired this post. I read this as a prayer for us and other families going through similar and other difficult situations.

Dear Preston, Dear Peyton, Dear Amy,

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Homesick?

Have you ever had the feeling of “homesickness“? Maybe it’s an extended vacation that lasted too many days, a stay at a relative’s or friend’s house that seemed to last too long, a hotel stay that was longer than expected, or a temporary living situation. These moments can make you long for a place where you can be independent, carefree, and close to the things that help you to feel comfortable.

Psalm 61 shares David crying out to God when he is feeling far from home. Honestly, in my head and heart, it’s amazing to think of our earthly home and how temporary it really is. Yes, there is a value, but Heaven is priceless compared to anything here.

I can say no matter where I am physically, I long for a Heavenly home. The place where we will be one day, together with joy, praise, and a perfect love that we long for on Earth, while feeling homesick.

Feeling a little homesick? Read Psalm 61

Heavenly Father,

We ask You to help us feel the comfort we long for while in our temporary home. You are our protector and refuge who keeps us safe throughout. The feeling of “homesickness” for Heaven reflects our innate longing for our true home with God. Help us believe in our unbelief.

Our belief in Heaven positively affects the way we live every day. 

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer!
2 In despair and far from home
I call to you!

Take me to a safe refuge,
3 for you are my protector,
my strong defense against my enemies.

Hold Tight, BRB ( Be Right Back)

Today’s Reading : Psalms 60

As with many of my posts, I attempt to see the biblical text in a way that it is relatable and can give insight into God’s plan in my life. Today’s text is Psalms 60.  

“O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger. You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah 

That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! 

God has spoken in his holiness: “With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭60‬:‭1‬-‭10‬, ‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

With this particular text, I see God, as our father and us in our infancy. As a dad, I have many memories of my children from infancy up until their current ages. One of the most vivid images that I can see in my mind that can relate to this story is : Feeding time for the infant.

Most of the time when you have an infant, you know their schedules and you’re able to anticipate their needs easily. Feeding. Napping. Changing. Activities. 

One of the most intense and emotional provoking is when the infant is suddenly hungry and you have to prepare their food. You  have an infant that is screaming and crying for food. You have to put them down in a safe place. Then you have to get the bottle ready and warmed. Then you return to give the infant their food and sustenance.  This is what I call, “Hold tight, BRB (Be Right Back).”  You momentarily, leave the infant in a safe place and then get the things that they are needing and then you return. 

As the adult, you understand what you’re doing.  The infant feels abandoned. They understand that the person who is taking care of them, left them and they are in a vulnerable spot. They’re hopeless and they’re helpless.  They cannot fully comprehend the situation.  They are scared and just want to be held and comforted.  

This is what I believe David is trying to convey in this psalm.   He is scared and feels the presence of God removed from him.  He feels isolated and vulnerable.   But in the latter portion of the psalm, God reassures David that he will be taken care of, he has brought sustenance and comfort to him.  

As a father, I have seen that as the children grow older the true nature of the father continues to grow as well. When the children are in infancy, the main things that you have to think about are : protection, nourishment, engagement, comfort, and growth. As the children grow,  these core values of parenting do not  vanish or diminish.  They morph and evolve into other elements. I’m 43 and my mom and dad still asked me the same questions when I talked to them: How  are you doing? Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well? Are you taking care of yourself? No matter how old you get your parents are still making sure that they are taking care of the core values. 

In the same way as we continue to grow and mature in God, God will always continue to have those same core values for us as well. Sometimes we may not feel his presence immediately, but he is always taking care of us. Sometimes it is a case of “Hold tight, BRB“ 

This week and in the following weeks,  as we continue to listen to God’s wisdom and feel his presence, sometimes we may feel that we are in the midst of the valley of despair, but we have to understand that he is working and will be there to strengthen us and comfort us in the time of need. 

Be blessed

Psalm 59 Is Not For Me… Or Is It?

I read and re-read Psalm 59 for today’s reading and finally decided that it is not for me. Sure, it’s a great picture of David and a beautiful story about God protecting him. King Saul is hunting him down. Could there be anything more terrifying than the most powerful man in the land wanting you dead? With armies, a secret service, and his best men, there really was no chance of survival.

I don’t have that. Nobody is hunting me down and my life isn’t in danger. Good thing too, because the next thing David declares in Psalm 59 is his innocence. Verse 3 captures it. He cries out to God to save him, reminding God that he has done nothing wrong, that he has no transgressions. In other words: This isn’t punishment, I don’t deserve this. Come and help me.

But, here is the real problem.  I can’t claim that. I know what I’ve done and still do. Sometimes I feel like God would never choose me like this.

This is why Psalm 59 is not for me.  Me and David, we are nothing alike.  Aside from David’s innocence, there is one other important marker for me.  David was anointed.  God actually told him that he would be king of Israel.  Of course God is going to protect his anointed.  But me?  What value do I have to God?

That is enough for me.  There is no reason to keep reading Psalm 59.  Its not for me.  

The Holy Spirit, however, has other plans.  That’s when He reminds me of Jesus.

I am reminded that Jesus declares my innocence.  Romans 8:1 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Thats what his death on the cross accomplished.  His suffering is the payment for my sins.  His death is the ultimate cost and his resurrection is the innocence.  Through his sacrifice, I too can call upon him and say “for no transgression of mine, for no fault of my own.”

But, as I write those words, I feel a weight of bricks stacked upon me.  Why would he do such a thing?  How could that even be true?

God says “because I know the plans that I have for you.  Plans to prosper and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.  Remember, this promise was given to the exiles in Babylon.  They felt abandoned by God, but he had other plans.

Uh, wait.  That starts to sound like anointing, like God has chosen me just like he chose David.  It’s a little too ironic that God anointed David king, but Saul sat on the throne (1 Samuel 16).  Its a little too coincidental that David lived as a fugitive, on the run, even though God promised him something he couldn’t even imagine.  I wonder, “what if that’s what Jesus is doing for me?  What if my suffering, my wilderness experience and my shortcomings are part of his plan?”

The difference between David and myself is belief.  It pains me to say it but the opposite of belief is denial.  If I am not ready to face my denial, I have to consider ignorance.  Maybe I just don’t have a firm grip on this anointing.  The Bible gives clear answers.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV) And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee – you know, when I actually slow down and listen, its true.  I feel His spirit in my heart.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – no matter what ive done, God will, God does choose me.  I am chosen!

Turns out, maybe Psalm 59 is for me.  Like David, my life and circumstances, the loneliness, the heartache and the struggles create doubt that, left unchecked, become denial.