MY OWN UNDERSTANDING!

 

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

MY OWN UNDERSTANDING!

Prov 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

          Written by a wise father to his sons, Proverbs is a wealth of pithy advice written in short, stand-alone truths that need little or no corroborating support. Monolithic in their courage, these bits of advice warn of failure if they are not heeded and promise success if they are followed. The reason is that the wise father had tested each of them personally. We see this in his book called Ecclesiastes. In it he gives us his personal evaluation of all of life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God [yaw-ray, to revere] and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl 12:13

          Our own understanding is faulty because we may not have all the facts, or those facts have been fed to us by someone who wants us to believe and react in a way that would benefit them or their agenda.

          The only reliable source of truth is the Lord. We must learn to consistently and confidently trust Him. We must question even our own opinions and yield them to the truth. In everything we do, we must acknowledge the Lord. In following Him we will ensure clear guidance on our path.

 

2 Cor 10:4-5

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Dear Lord, keep me from wrong thinking as well as wrongdoing for one leads to the other. Help me to trust you and to follow you. AMEN

 

MERCY AND PEACE!

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

 

MERCY AND PEACE!

 

Ps 85:10

10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

 

          We need mercy. There is something lacking in us and God, who has a limitless store, is both able and willing to provide relief. Mercy grows out of compassion and is manifested in real benefit. Such was the actions of the “good” Samaritan.

 

Luke 10:33-35

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

"Wherever the words mercy and peace are found together they occur in that order, except in Gal 6:16. Mercy is the act of God, peace is the resulting experience in the heart of man. Grace describes God's attitude toward the lawbreaker and the rebel; mercy is His attitude toward those who are in distress."

 

From Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 340, 341.

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

 

2 John 3

3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

 

Dear Lord, many who read these words today will need your mercy. Give them both mercy and peace. AMEN

 

THE GOD OF HOPE!

 

Monday, September 28, 2026

 

THE GOD OF HOPE!

 

Rom 15:13

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

          Paul, writing to the Romans, offers multiple views of God. In Romans 15:5, He is the God of patience and consolation. The patience is His and the consolation is ours! Here the word “consolation” is paraklesis and is the same word that is translated “comforter” when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The word is made more powerful by the use of a definite article making it “THE consolation.” Consolation is in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

          He is the God of peace in Romans 15:33 and the word “peace” is eirene and indicates both quietness and prosperity. It also is preceded by a definite article which makes it “THE peace.” Peace, both quietness and prosperity, is in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

          In our text this morning, He is the God of hope. Here hope is elpis (el-pece’) and means both expectation and confidence. Once again it is forcefully preceded by a definite article. The hope that we have in eternity is an expectant hope. It is like an “expectant” mother large with child. She is confident of delivery but uncertain of the date! Many signs, both visible and known only to her, assure her that her hope is well founded.

 

Dear Father, all around we see signs and evidence of your soon coming. Inside us also there is a confidence that our hope is well founded. Thank you Lord, that our hope, our peace and our consolation is firmly grounded in your person. AMEN

 

OUR FAITH IS ON DISPLAY!

 

Saturday, September 26, 2026

 

OUR FAITH IS ON DISPLAY!

 

1 Thess 1:8

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

 

Matt 24:12

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

          It is a poorly kept secret that we preachers have a God-given sense regarding your spiritual condition. We can sense whether your faith is growing or just growing cold. It makes us somewhat unpopular at casual gatherings where people would prefer to be themselves instead of who they want their preacher to think they are.

 

          As our relationship with God grows stronger and closer there are telltale signs that can’t be hidden. Moses, when he went up into the mountain to receive the ten commandments, returned to the people with a face that glowed. It frightened them and he was forced to wear a veil to mask the glory. (Exodus 34)

 

          Peter and John represented and reflected Jesus as they ministered in the book of Acts. Some things could not be hidden! They knew they had been with Jesus! (Acts 4:13)

 

          The Psalmist did not trust his own heart but asked God to investigate and reveal any wickedness He found.

 

Ps 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Dear Lord, let my faith be of the kind that would not cause me shame if it were revealed openly. AMEN

 

THEN LOOK UP!

 

Friday, September 25, 2026

 

THEN LOOK UP!

 

Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

          Jesus had just told the disciples that their magnificent Temple would one day fall. They couldn’t believe it – indeed couldn’t imagine it. They asked when would these things be and, as they thought, the end of the world. Jesus answered by describing what I believe to be our current condition.

 

          The word “distress” in verse 25 is sunoche and means anxiety. The global anti-anxiety drug market is projected to grow from about USD 11.9 billion in 2024 to USD 16.95 billion by 2034, at a growth of 3.6%, driven by rising prevalence of anxiety disorders. The word “perplexity” is aporia and means “a state of quandary.” Certainly, our time sees enough of both.

 

          Jesus then gives His disciples and us some good advice. When you see these things BEGIN to come to pass then look up! I think our souls are overwhelmed with anxiety when we fail to look up. It is a matter of focus! We can’t stop the brightness of the sun from hurting our eyes, but we don’t have to stare at it!

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Dear Lord, the world offers me no peace. Thank you for the peace that passes understanding. AMEN

 

THE COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE!

 

Thursday, September 24, 2026

 

THE COMFORT OF HIS PRESENCE!

 

Ps 35:22

O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 

Acts 17:25-28

…he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being…

 

The most difficult times for me are those times when God seems far away. Oh, I know with my mind that He is everywhere and that He is near, even in my heart, but there are times when I need Him so badly to be within reach. I need to sense His presence, and I need to hear his voice. Like a child who pillows his head on his mother’s breast I need to feel His breath on my cheek. Many are the times when my soul cries out to God; for the comfort of His presence.

 

Many are the songs that have been written and sung about our human longing for the divine. “Abide with me” is one and “Nearer my God to Thee” is another. These songs remind us of the great gulf that sin has now fixed between us and our God. Yet our very soul was made for the same fellowship with Him that Adam enjoyed in the cool of the evening.

 

Job deeply felt the absence of God although God was every moment observing his calamity. It may seem cruel to us, but God had set in motion a test for Job that would put Satan to open shame. Job was required to remain faithful to an absentee God. So, it seems often with us. We feel that we must walk the trail of tears alone, yet God is there and He will arrive just in time.

 

Ps 56:3

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 

Dear Lord, I know with my head that Thou art there, but my spirit needs Thee now. Be not far from me. AMEN

 

NO MORE TEARS!

 

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

 

NO MORE TEARS!

 

Rev 21:4

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

          Perhaps you remember the old commercial for Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. It showed a mother shampooing baby’s hair with lather all over. The happy baby helped to reinforce the selling point of “No More Tears!”

 

          Heaven, the eternal state of the redeemed, will have no more tears! My first thought this morning was “But this is how I worship!” In the presence of the Holy, some folks shout but I just cry.

 

          I weep for my unworthiness. I weep for my ignorance and stubbornness. I sob at His love and generosity toward me. As for me, I just cry. I can’t help myself.

 

          I can only conclude that, in Heaven, the former things will have passed away. My unworthiness will be replaced by guaranteed acceptance. My ignorance will be replaced by full knowledge of the Holy. My stubbornness will have been both subdued and surrendered. My tears will be wiped away by God Himself.

 

Ps 30:4-5

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

O Lord, even now I can’t help but weep at the thought of it all. Take thy gentle hand and brush away my tears and replace them with joy. AMEN

 

AVOIDING A BREAKDOWN!

 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

 

AVOIDING A BREAKDOWN!

 

1 Kings 19:4

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

 

If we study Elijah the movie instead of Elijah the snapshot, we see a pattern of physical, emotional, and spiritual danger.

 

          The winding road from Cherith, where he was fed by ravens, to Zarephath, where a widow shared her last meal, ended under a Juniper tree where he was fed by angels. The Bible says that meal lasted him for forty days!

 

          Most of us don’t have the constitution or character of Elijah. Even Elisha, his successor, noticed it and wanted a double portion. But even superheroes have chinks in their armor.

 

          It is either a break or a breakdown for most of us! Improper nutrition, insufficient rest, and the pressure of constant challenges can break us down. We see ourselves small and the problems large. We are wounded so we snap at our friends and helpers. We need a break – or we are headed for a breakdown.

 

          Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is to rest. If stress can challenge one like Elijah or the Apostle Paul, it surely can wear us down. Run to Jesus and let him give you rest.

 

2 Cor 1:8

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

 

Dear Lord, help us to pay attention to ourselves and to be aware of the signs of fatigue. Let us run to you for rest and refreshment. AMEN

 

HE COMFORTS THE BROKENHEARTED

 

Monday, September 21, 2026

 

HE COMFORTS THE BROKENHEARTED

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

 

Psalm 147:3  He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

 

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”

 

          We never know just when a broken heart will capture us. It may come suddenly and violently by a horrific tragedy. If so, it will bring along with it panic and confusion. Sometimes a broken heart will come softly but always unwelcome. It may be a memory or a when we observe the suffering of a loved one. I have personally encountered both.

 

          The Bible assures us that we never suffer alone. He comforts our mourning and comes alongside us in companionship. He promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is near.

 

Lord, many heartaches come quietly like an unwelcome teardrop. Please comfort all those who are suffering heartbreak today. AMEN

 

THE SINNER’S TEARS!

 

Sunday, September 20, 2026

 

THE SINNER’S TEARS!

 

Luke 7:37-38

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

 

            The woman is only described by Luke as “a sinner.” Her sins are not named but we get the impression that she was what we might call a “street walker” with quite a reputation. Her tears, her humble attitude, and her expensive gift all spoke of a changed heart. We are not told when or how this woman came to repentance. Perhaps it was when Jesus gave the invitation to the weary to “come unto me … and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

          When our sins become so heavy that we can no longer carry them, we must find a place to lay them down. When our rebellion is found to be more painful than returning to divine authority, we will return. When the grief for what we have done far outweighs the pleasure we had sought, we will cry.

 

          During times of revival, I have seen many at the altar of prayer weeping and sobbing. As their pastor, I am both glad and sad to see these tears. I am glad because I know that God welcomes the humble and resists the stubborn. (1 Peter 5:5) I am sad because I know the pain these are going through. I have been there many times myself.

 

          Michael Trimble, a British professor at the Institute of Neurology in London, tells us, humans are the only creatures who cry for emotional reasons. I have no reason to challenge his research. Humans cry while other animals don’t. It makes one wonder just what it is that God placed inside of man that makes him different. I think it is our capacity for knowing and responding to God.

 

O Hope Of Every Contrite Heart

 

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

 

Dear Lord, how I remember, in my struggles against your will, the day I could not sustain my rebellion. I surrendered and you took me in. O the tears that fell in that precious hour – that hour when you smiled upon me in forgiveness. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

LIKE SHEEP

 

Saturday, September 19, 2026

 

LIKE SHEEP

Isa 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

Matt 9:36

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

 

          The phrase “like sheep” is found five times in the Old Testament. Matthew records the musings of Jesus after the woman at the well returns with her people. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, and that sight broke Christ’s heart.

 

          We are so far removed from a culture that is agriculturally based that we now have a Bible that is often misunderstood. Not because the Bible has become irrelevant, but because as readers we are not diligent.

 

          Sheep need herders to thrive. They wander from blade of grass to blade of grass until they are lost. They do not set out to become lost. They simply set out to satisfy desires. Vagabond humans are no less susceptible to becoming lost for the same reasons.

 

          Jesus saw the Samaritans having two problems of the lost. First, he said they “fainted.” The Greek ekluo simply means to relax, but you and I understand fainting to mean something else as well. To faint means to sit down in weariness. Next, Jesus sees them as “scattered abroad.” The Greek rhipto means to suddenly be dispersed. The idea is that some predator or some tormentor has caused the herd to lose its cohesiveness. They no longer are a group. They are single units. They are prey. This touched the Good Shepherd’s heart and squeezed from it compassion.

 

Jer 50:6

6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.

 

Lord, as a shepherd, I well understand the grief that comes from seeing a scattered and fainting flock. As a sheep, I also understand the unrest that exists until you gather us into your fold. Thank you for seeking and finding me. AMEN