This past Friday, we celebrated the life and passing of Joyce Haffner. Joyce was the wife of my cousin Ed Haffner. One of our fond memories is Ed and Joyce bringing my parents with them to Cleveland, TN for the college graduation of Christian and Stephanie. Here is a picture of Christian with Ed and Joyce from that graduation event in 2003. Christian joined me in officiating the memorial service.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 34:23,24 NLT

These verses are ones that became an anchor and source of encouragement when I was a pastor and our church was involved in a major relocation effort.

When you journey in life, just like a walk in the wilderness, it is good to have a guide. It is good to have someone who knows the way and is there to look out for you.

When I read the Lord directs the steps of the godly, I like to think of the guide who says, “this way” or “no not that direction over here.” 

It is also good to know that the Lord is pleased with us as we submit our lives to Him and trust in Him. I’m not sure how many really have that sense of confidence. The default seems to rely too much on our own merit, even though we believe and proclaim the grace of God. The psalmist declares of the “godly” – “the Lord delights in every detail of their lives.”

I had the opportunity on Friday to lead the memorial service for Joyce Haffner, a cousin of mine. Joyce and her husband Ed attended my church and I have memories of them throughout my life. Joyce was a good mom and an even better grandmother. I think of Joyce when I read of the Lord, “delighting in every detail of our lives.” She was that way with her grandchildren.

One of her grandson’s is a surgeon. As he shared his memories of his grandmother he began by saying, “this is the first talk I have given that I didn’t have grandmother listen to and give me feedback.” He went on and told how he even shared a very technical medical speech that he had prepared. When he finished, grandmother looked at him and sad, “that was very nice!” He said, “I know she had no clue what I was talking about.” But that is delighting in every detail of a person’s life.

Psalm 37:24 is the verse that encourages us all. “Tough they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” As a parent I can recall, holding my child’s hand when they were small and having them stumble. But because I had their hand, they did not fall. It can be reassuring to know that the Lord is not only with us, but that He is “holding our hand” as we journey through life.

The challenge is to cooperate. Just like a small child will at times refuse the parents desire to provide safety and security, we can have an “I-don’t-need-help” attitude. Trusting in the Lord, recognizing our need of His help is not a sign of weakness, it is a demonstration of wisdom.

Let’s be those who are wise and demonstrate child-like trust and connection to the Lord. As we do we are assured of His smile and we can be safe by His side.

Prayer for today….. Lord thank You for being our guide; for taking delight in us. Help us to surrender and relax in Your care knowing that when we journey with You, we never have to live in fear.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.” Psalm 37:1 NLT

The first part of Psalm 37 directs our focus on what we can and should in living our lives in the midst of wronging and wickedness. Psalm 37:1 and Psalm 37:7 form brackets around the verses in between. “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong” (v. 1) “Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” (v. 7)

In David’s day, like ours it can seem that all that is opposed to God and His principles are “winning.” It is easy to focus on all that is wrong and that we would like to see “go away” or change. The other temptation is to play be their rules. But this psalm calls us to a different standard a higher focus.

The intervening verses tell us how to “take care of business.” In other words, instead of anxiety over that which we can’t change, we must focus on what we can do. Scripture is clear that the wicked are temporary, the godly are eternal.

Here are the commands, here is what we are to focus on….

• “Trust in the Lord and do good….” (v. 3)
• “Delight yourself in the Lord.” (v. 4)
• “Commit everything you do to the Lord.” (v. 5)
• “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.” (v. 6)

Those priorities by themselves speak volumes. They show us how we bring focus to our lives, even when it seems like evil prevails and wickedness wins.

However, this psalm gives us the anticipated outcome the benefit, of focusing our lives and attitudes aright.

When we trust in the Lord, we have confidence in the Lord’s protection and provision, “you will live safely in the land and prosper.”

When we delight in the Lord we align our hearts with His the promise is, “…He will give you your heart’s desires.”

When we commit everything we do to the Lord and trust Him we are given the assurance, “…He will help you.”

When we focus on the Lord’s presence and wait patiently for Him to act we have the confidence, “He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” (v. 6)

This psalm emphasizes that the wicked “will not last.” In response to their arrogance and schemes and confidence, “…the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.” (Psalm 37:13 NLT)

There is certainly a time and place to take a stand. To speak out. But our focus is not be to on that which is wrong, but a commitment to that which is “right.” Trusting in the Lord, committing our lives to Him, seeking His presence, waiting on the Lord, making Him our delight.

I am reminded how those who are trained to detect counterfeit money, don’t focus on the fakes, but on the real. I believe there is a good application. When our hearts and minds are focused on the Lord and what pleases Him, we will be better prepared to see the “fakes” and be used by Him in a world headed toward destruction.

Prayer for today….. Lord, help us to follow Your plan for our life. May our lives be lived in Your presence committed fully to Your ways and purposes for our lives in this world.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”  Psalm 22:7,8 NLT

Our sovereign God, not only reveals His plans of redemption but provides amazing details of actual events related to the Messiah’s life and His redemptive work.

We are familiar with the prophecies fulfilled at Christ’s birth. “A virgin shall be with child…” Bethlehem foretold as the place of His birth; Nazareth as His home town; the flight to Egypt. “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 

Even more vivid are the details that relate to Christ’s death on the cross. These are not found in the words of the Old Testament prophets, but in the psalms, written by the one whose distant and heaven-sent “son” would fulfill at the end of His life.

Luke records the actual event with these words, “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” (Luke 23:35 NIV)

We read in the gospels, “And they divided up His garments by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34 NIV) David spoke thousands of years earlier, “They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.” (Psalm 22:18 NLT)

Matthew records Jesus’ cry from the cross, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT) David spoke of the event as well, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Psalm 22:1 NLT)

David spoke of the intensity of Jesus’ suffering, “My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth….I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat.” (Psalm 22:14-15,17 NLT)

When David wrote these words, he was not speaking with the coming Messiah in mind. He was uttering prophetic words of the Messiah’s suffering without realizing. The words that he wrote, were word that described how he felt and what he experienced. We don’t have historic record of why David wrote what he did, or what he had in mind when he wrote these words. (Perhaps we can find out in heaven!)

We can believe that the Holy Spirit was the source of David’s inspiration, even as he wrote words that he, himself did not understand.

But just as Christ and His life reflected back on the history of Israel, so we find words that reflect back on the life and words of David. He was to be known after all as “The Son of David.”

My “take-a-way” thoughts are these. I am reminded that prophetic words come to pass in God’s way and in God’s timing. It may take thousands of years, but they do occur. What is an eternity for us is not with God. The scriptures that foretold of Christ’s birth and death were fulfilled and the ones that speak of His return will be fulfilled.

The other lesson, is that Christ came to identify with us in our struggles and in our weaknesses. The writer of Hebrews declares, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 NIV) We see the promised work of the Holy Spirit, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26 NIV)

The psalms provide great words of comfort and they reveal a God who cares for us and knows the beginning from the end. That should compel greater trust and confidence in our walk of faith.

Prayer for today…. Lord we pray for greater grace to trust You more. We recognize Your greatness and stand in awe of who You are and Your ways.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.” Proverbs 10:2 NLT

It is interesting how Solomon the richest person in ancient history provides many lessons about money and priorities. The more one has, the more one understands that having more isn’t the answer. That doesn’t mean it is more “godly” to be poor than rich or that having money automatically makes a person suspect of a corrupt moral nature.

That is why it is the “love” of money that is decried by scripture. That is why Solomon speaks of “tainted” or ill-gotten wealth. When we achieve at the expense of others or our gain is someone else’s loss, that is a problem.

I recall the adage that guides a balanced perspective. “Use money, love people; don’t Use people and love money.” Selfishly “using” people to gain wealth is what Solomon would say is “tainted wealth” and has no lasting value. It may, like sin, provide satisfaction for a “season” but in the long run that which is highly valued by people, is found to be of no eternal worth.

The other challenge that Solomon challenges is in the blessing that we seek. Do we seek the blessings that comes being “rich” in what the Lord provides or just what money provides. Once again we are reminded that Jesus said, “it is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24)

Solomon put it this way, “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT)

Do we seek the Lord’s blessing as our source of satisfaction? The Lord’s blessing speaks of His favor. It reminds us the richness of friendship and the value of family unity.

The 2007 movie, “The Bucket List” finds two men facing a terminal illness. A blue-collar mechanic (played by Morgan Freeman) and a billionaire (played by Jack Nicholson). At the end of the movie after the two were together for their joint adventures, we find a stark contrast. The billionaire is seen alone fixing a frozen dinner and the blue-collar mechanic is pictured at a dinner table full of family, laughter and love.

We don’t have to choose financial security and means over family, but we do need to choose that which we will value above the other. Especially if seeking “blessing” through financial gain results in sacrificing family and and our integrity and the blessing the Lord alone can provide.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for the practical guidance we receive from Your Word. Help us to always seek Your blessing that makes us truly rich. 

Today after a chiropractor appointed, I made it to the fitness center for a workout. I has been a long hiatus and my waist line is showing it. I was almost beginning to feel the same way about my devotional blogs. Last week I was in Washington D.C. for some meetings with elected officials and administration personnel and struggled with my focus and schedule. But I have developed my list of verses to serve as the subject of my thoughts, so…. “I’m back!” 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.”  Psalm 19:13 NLT

“Will the Lord forgive me for what I am about to do?” The question set me back on my heels as a pastor. Fortunately the anticipated act was not one of violence or a great crime, but nonetheless the question was a challenging one to hear and respond to.

In the past few days our attention has been riveted on horrific scenes from Las Vegas. If the death toll and number injured had occurred from an intense battle between two armies it would have been shocking. But to consider this the act of a lone gun man, one without obvious motivation, the shock and bewilderment is magnified an hundred fold.

As I read Psalm 19, these words above caught my attention. We often speak of sins of “omission” and sins of “commission.” We don’t speak of sins of “premeditation.” Are there times that we know that our action is “sin” yet go ahead? Sadly that can be the case. It seemed to be something that David could related to and was aware of the struggle.

Our wills, our desires, our lusts can provide great motivation and create great pain and poor choices. When we yield to natural inclinations instead of relying supernatural strength the end result is guilt and facing the we have committed a “great” sin.

David knew that to be the case when he took a night time stroll on his balcony and saw a “bathing Bathsheba.” We see something else in David’s plea. Giving in, can result in us being “taken over.” What we think we have control over, we find has instead control over us.

The insight this verse gives into David’s heart is revealing not just from the point of the potential for failure, but it provides the key to victory. We must find our strength in that which the Lord alone can provide. We must realize that freedom can be fragile, so we must contend to keep it. We need to learn that maintaining innocence is the best option in the long run.

Some acts the lead to sin are ones that we “discover.” Some may take place when we are “seized” by a temptation. However, the most insidious and dangerous are those that we plan, ponder and wrestle with in our hearts and minds.

It is good that the later are the more rare ones. But the Lord is able to “keep us strong” and be our lifeline as we cry out to Him.

Prayer for today…. Lord may the meditation of our hearts and the words of our mouth and the focus of our thoughts and the actions we take be pleasing to You.

We made an early morning trip to Englewood to my mom’s house to meet some people to help us deal with my mom’s belongings. There is still much to just throw away and the challenge of selling enough for a price to at least recoup our “clean out” expenses.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.” Psalm 6:8 NLT

The process of healthy respiration is often described as, “in with the good, out with the bad.” It describes the process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. I thought of that when Christian was describing my respiratory failure during my health crisis four years ago.

He wrote how the West Nile Virus had impacted my muscles and neurological function to the point that my lungs were not able to expel the “bad.” As a result, I was being poisoned by my own body and its inability to sufficiently exhale carbon dioxide.

I thought of that as I read this verse. David with an emphatic declaration after a time of intense sorrow, turmoil and weeping says basically, “evil, go away from me!” Whether evil is personified in individuals or impacts our lives by what is around us or what influences us, it takes a deliberate action to deal with it.

Consider the last part of the verse. David refers to the Lord hearing his weeping. The previous verse is intense, “I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.” (Psalm 6,7 NLT)

This is sorrow, grief and weeping that is physically draining. Have you every been there? Evil impacts our lives. When we let it in, when it comes against us, it can wear us down. This biggest problem is when we become our own “worst enemy.” When those we allow into our lives, or the influences that come into our lives dampen our spiritual sensitivity and vitality. We are convicted, but it takes more than a recognition of the impact on our lives.

It can be easy to tolerate or to accommodate “evil” without meaning to or even recognizing it. It comes subtly, it may be becasue something is occasionally a part of our life or a periodic compromise.

Evil, in whatever form it takes, must be confronted. The verse begins with the emphatic words, “Go, away!” We have to get to the point where we say, “enough is enough.” For some, like those escaping addiction, it means new “friends.” My wife likes to use the saying there is a need for a, “new playpen and new playmates.” 

When the “evil” is not just around us, but “in us” the challenge can be ever greater. We have to recognize that a change is needed that we just can’t will ourselves into a better position. We need some “outside” help. That may be a friend, but it will require the Lord’s intervention.

David says, “Go away…because the Lord has heard my weeping.” It is one thing to cry tears of sorrow or grief and another to turn our hearts to the Lord for His strength and help to “take a stand.”

When we expel the evil, it provides a greater capacity for the “good.” Let’s allow the Lord to fill our hearts and minds full of His goodness.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You are more willing to help, than often we are to trust You to help. Grant us the strength to deal swiftly with that which is in our lives that hinders our relationship with You. We may not always recognize it as “evil” but we need to call for for what it is, for how it is impacting our lives.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5

With the passing of my mother, there has been a lot of old pictures and family history that has reminded us of the past. It is part of the process and always provides a sense of perspective and gratitude about the past and that which is “old.”

However, that which is “new” holds a far different interest. We can think of a “fresh” start. We can think of something different that what has been known or experienced. We can think of that which has been known or experienced, becoming completely different.

When we look at the verses of the Bible that hold the promise or contain the description of that which is “new” it provides a sense of anticipation and confidence in the future the Lord has in store for His people. This is most evident in the Book of Revelation.

John begins with the promise to overcomers of a “new name” and a prediction of a “new Jerusalem.” We read of a “new song” and a “new heaven and a new earth.” Then we come to the final chapters and we read the grand declaration, “I am making everything new.”

There are some reasons for the need of that which is “new.” It may because the purpose of something has been fulfilled. It may be due to something being damaged or destroyed. It may be for the need of just something better than what I have or am experiencing.

We see Christ’s forgiveness results in a “new life.” Scripture calls us to put on, a “new a man” created after the image of God. We read of being a “new creature.” The old is passed away and all things become new.

The culmination of God’s plan of redemption is seen in a “new name.” A new identity that comes from Christ. We see a new home as heaven and earth that have experienced God’s judgment is made new. Peter declared that, according to the Lord’s promise we look for a new heaven and a new earth the home of the righteous.

The promise of that which is “new” gives hope and anticipation. That which is, is not what will always be. There is coming a day when troubles cease, pain is erased, sorrow is no more.

We can experience the Lord’s newness now as we anticipate that which is to come. When we pray, “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” we are reminded that heaven is about that which is new and renewed. So, let’s embrace the call of being people of hope and good news.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank you for bringing newness to our lives. We anticipate that day when “all things” are made new in our heavenly home.

Yesterday was a full day with a trip to Englewood to follow up on business at my mother’s house. A lot to deal with and important decisions to make. Thank you for your prayers for insight, favor and wisdom.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “To the one who conquers….”  Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21

The churches of Revelation all had their unique qualities and challenges. But with each one there is a promise or a reward that is mentioned for the one who, “conquers.”

The good news from the Resurrected Christ is that there is not just a warning or word of correction, but a promise or a reward to every person who is a “conqueror” or “overcomer.” Regardless of whether first love has been lost, or a church is lukewarm and everything good and bad in between there is a message of hope. We don’t need to diminish the bad or rest in that which is good. It is not how we view ourselves that matters, but how Christ views our life.

To the Church at Sardis we read, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead….” (Revelation 3:1 ESV) We read about the Church in Laodecia, “…you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17 ESV)

The key toward alignment of our lives with Christ’s is found in the repeated statement, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:13 ESV) I recall my high school German class. The instructor would, speak the instructions in German that said, “listen and respond.”

That is Christ’s desire for our life. To listen and to respond. His observations and instructions matter. They make the difference between victory and defeat. Christ’s desire is for all to be “overcomers.”

The promise and the reward is appropriate to each church and significant to their future.

To the Church at Ephesus the promise to the one who overcomes a loss of first love is, “I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7 ESV)

To Smyrna, the one who overcomes suffering and persecution, “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11 ESV)

To Pergamum, those who overcome false teaching and ungodly behavior, “I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the onule who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 ESV)

To Thyatira, those who overcome seductive and sinful behavior, “I will give authority over the nations…”  (Revelation 2:26 ESV)

To Sardis, those who overcome spiritual lethargy,  ^“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5 ESV)

To Philadelphia, those who keep the Lord’s Word and endure patiently, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name…” (Revelation 3:12 ESV)

To Laodicea, those who repent and open the door, “I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:22 ESV)

As read read those, we can see that the Lord has a great future and destiny for those who conquer through Him. Let’s listen, let’s respond, let’s overcome, let’s look forward to that which the Lord alone can provide.

Prayer for today….. Lord grant us ears to hear and hearts ready to respond. Let us do so in light of what your promise is as we overcome through You.