GOOD MORNING, LORD!

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

GOOD MORNING, LORD!

Ps 5:1-3

5 To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, [Nehiloth is a flute] A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

          Morning seems best for my devotional meditations. Often, I rise before anyone else so that I may be alone with my thoughts and my God without interruption. David seemed to prefer the mornings as well. In the scripture above, we may see an awakening prayer.

          The word “meditation,” in verse one is the word hagiyg which means “to murmur or to complain.” Grumblers, like me, may take courage knowing that God considers what we are considering. Those deep, perhaps disappointing, thoughts are intercepted by a listening God. The fretful unfinished projects of yesterday and the daunting challenges of today we may bring to a considerate God.

          David moves on to the word “cry” in verse two. This word is the Hebrew word sheva’ and is basically a “haloo.” Moving from murmuring thoughts, David now directly addresses God with a hello! Formal communication is initiated, and a response is earnestly expected. Hello, Lord!

          In verse three the two words “my prayer” are not present and are italicized in your Bible. The entire meaning is wrapped up in the word “direct” which is the word ‘arak which means “to set things in order.” Now we see the list appear. On this list are written all the things that challenge and trouble me. I now have God’s attention! He is aware of my emotions, and I have engaged Him in direct communication. Now I offer Him my list of complaints and requests.

          In verse two David, the king, acknowledges God as King of Kings. He says, “thou art my king and my God.” Authority and Majesty are wrapped in worship. He rules the affairs of my life, and His power is a comfort to my weakness.

          Finally, in verse three, David “looks up” expectantly. He has groaned while God listened. He formally addressed the Lord with a hello and given a detailed list of complaints. He has acknowledged God as King and God and now he looks up expectantly. It’s time to begin the day knowing that God now knows what is troubling me. Throughout the day I will be watching for God’s intervention.

             A quote from Benjamin Franklin seems appropriate here: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?”

Dear Lord, acquaint yourself with my pains and my problems. Provide both ointment and remedies. I acknowledge your authority and majesty. As I lay my list before you, I can look up expectantly for answers. All day long I will watch for your intervention. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

TRAPPED BY LOVING HANDS!

 

Monday, October 19, 2026

TRAPPED BY LOVING HANDS!

Ps 139:5

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

          Please read all 24 verses of Psalm 139. Warren Wiersbe reminds us that [1] God knows us intimately – we cannot deceive Him. [2] God is with us constantly – we cannot escape Him. [3] God made us wonderfully – we cannot ignore Him. [4] God Judges us righteously – we cannot dispute Him.

          The word “beset” in verse 5 means “to press; to press upon; to compress. Yes, there is pressure but only so that we do not escape. God knows this pressure is protection from further damage. I’ve often felt trapped like a bird in the loving hands of God but later I learn that I had been kept from danger because He restricted and rejected my plans. With roadblocks in front of me and behind me, God gently places his hand over me to keep me covered.

          The universe contains no hiding place from God. We may view this in one of two ways. We may struggle against an all knowing and all-seeing God or we may surrender to his superior knowledge and will. That’s pretty much our option. Struggle or surrender.

          When we surrender the pressure decreases and we feel less trapped and more protected. We soon realize that we are being held by the hands of a God who can defend, comfort, guide, and sustain us. The sooner we surrender the sooner our trap becomes a refuge.

Ps 139:17-18

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Dear Lord, hold me tightly today because, in my ignorance and anxiety, I may try to escape and hurt myself. AMEN

 

YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

 

Saturday, October 17, 2026

YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

          Simon Peter had a strong, even fierce, independent spirit. He was absolutely certain that he was strong enough to remain faithful to Jesus even during extreme trial. Satan had determined to test that resolve. That Jesus knew of this is proof enough that Satan had requested permission for it.

          The Greek word for “sift” is siniazo which refers to the once common household sieve. Homemakers used sieves to sift lumps from flour and farmers would use sieves to remove husks from grain. The imagery indicates that within Simon Peter was a blend of good and bad.

          Before Peter could be used greatly, he would have to have the bad removed from the good. Satan received permission to sort out that unruly spirit. We are like Simon Peter in many ways.

          Our unruly spirit must come under the control of God’s Holy Spirit. Strong and self-assured brashness needs to be tamed but not destroyed. It is often a painful process, but the result is a strong servant that God can use.

          Do you sense within yourself a strong independent spirit? Do you sometimes question the authority of God? If so, you may be headed for a sifting!

Heb 12:11

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Dear Lord, I do sense a strong, even stubborn, spirit in me. Please be gentle as you tame me. Let me yield to you early and avoid discipline. Make me usable. AMEN

 

DEVELOP STABILITY!

 

Friday, October 16, 2026

DEVELOP STABILITY!

James 1:8

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

          James was never shy about confronting one’s errors. His straightforward nature left nothing to question. He was a bit blunt. Twice he confronts those he called “double-minded.” The one Greek word which requires two English words to translate is dipsuchos and it literally means “two-spirited; inconstant.”

          We all know people like this. Perhaps we are even one of them! The two-spirited person can’t decide at times whether he or she is following God or not. Their minds are divided between the flesh and the spirit. They are drawn in two directions at the same time. They torture others because they are tortured themselves.

          Jacob called his sons together as he was nearing death and gave them a patriarchal blessing which was also prophetic. Of Reuben he said that he was “unstable as water” and that because of this he would not excel. (See Genesis 49:3 & 4) Reuben’s inconstancy was driven by his lust but that is not the only driving force that divides.

          Check yourself! Are you consistent in your spirit, your values, and your relationships? Perhaps it is time to make up your mind.

Job 17:9

9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Dear Lord, I long to be fully surrendered to your will and your thoughts. Make me single minded by your Spirit. AMEN

 

I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU!

 

Thursday, October 15, 2026

I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU!

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

          As parents of adult children, we must learn to deliver them into the capable hands of God. I am as guilty as any of trying to buffer them from every harm and hurt.

          This is my prayer not only for my adult children and grandchildren but for you as well. “He knows you and your situation. I can't see far enough to guide you, I am too blind, so I will try to give that task to Him. I can't sustain you, I am too poor, so I have brought your debts to Him. I am too weak to protect you, so I have dispatched His angels to guard you. I have no balm to soothe your wounds, so I have appealed to the great physician. I love you, but I have asked for His perfect love. May you be blessed today.”

          We can’t fully understand the drama that is unseen when we pray! It is not weakness to pray,  it is strength! It is our greatest treasure, our most renewable and inexhaustible resource. It never fails to bring God’s best. The answer may sometimes disappoint us, but only because we can’t know what God knows and see what God sees. All His ways are benevolent. He is not capricious but purposeful. Trust Him today!

Dan 10:11-12

11 And he [the angel] said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Dear Father, hear the prayers of your children today. Protect them from danger. Fight their battles for them and win. Give them their daily bread. Lead them in a plain path for Thy name’s sake. AMEN

 

WHAT IS BLASPHEMY?

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

WHAT IS BLASPHEMY?

1 Tim 1:19-20

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

          The dictionary definition of blasphemy is “the act or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things.” The Greek is blasphemeo which literally means “to vilify; to speak impiously.” Ah, but neither definition seems to satisfy us today because it is not a word we normally use – although blasphemy is all around us.

          Dr. Albert Barnes comments: “The truth thus taught is, that people make shipwreck of their faith by not keeping a good conscience. They love sin. They follow the leadings of passion. They choose to indulge in carnal propensities.”

          “Delivering one unto Satan” seems to be an apostolic prerogative. However, we also may deliver someone unto Satan through simple fatigue of ministry! We can, because of their rejection, simply abandon our efforts of evangelism and good counsel. Their rejection and stubbornness have worn us out and we simply allow them to go their own way.

          Sin – often referred to today as “bad choices” – incurs its own punishment. Sin is destructive. Sin’s wage is death. No apostolic curse is needed. All one must do is to allow the sinner to continue in his own way. He will destroy himself soon enough.

Hos 7:13-14

13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart …

Dear Lord, let me exhaust myself in ministry even to those who blaspheme. Thank you for always standing ready to hear our cry of repentance. AMEN

 

WHEN DUTIES OVERWHELM

 

Monday, October 12, 2026

WHEN DUTIES OVERWHELM

Matt 14:14

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Several times Jesus asked His disciples to partner with him in relieving suffering. Once He told them to give the multitude something to eat. Yet another time He asked them to pray that laborers would be provided. What can we do when our sympathies overwhelm our resources?

Five times in the New Testament it is recorded that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” Matthew mentions three occasions and Mark points out two. The Greek word that requires an English phrase to translate is the word splagchnizomai and means “to have the bowels yearn” or to feel sympathy or pity. Certainly, we have all felt that knot in our belly that is somehow connected to strong emotions!

Jesus was able to see a person’s need and pain. It is amazing that he was not constantly weeping! He saw the multitude without direction or care. He saw the sick in need of healing. He saw the unpaid debt that needed to be forgiven and the leper that needed to be cleansed. He noticed it all and his “bowels” turned over and over in sympathy.

There was never a situation that Jesus did not respond to with prayer no matter how large or small the problem. When he missed the fellowship of the Father and the comfort of Heaven he prayed. When he was hungry and tired, he prayed. If he was tempted, he prayed. When criticized he prayed. When hanging on the cross he prayed. There was never an emergency that would not yield to prayer.

Dear Lord, I run to you this morning with a long list of needs and concerns. I am doing what you did when overwhelmed. Lord, please meet the needs of my friends today. AMEN

 

HE’S ALL I NEED!

 

Sunday, October 11, 2026

[a classic]

HE’S ALL I NEED!

Isa 41:10-16

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

 

In these verses God promises…

1. His PRESENCE for the lonely!

One translation says: “Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.” Anxiety is the companion of the lonely. When we are abandoned, we long for a companion either to challenge our opinions or to confirm them. Jesus promised to be that constantly abiding friend we need.

 

2. His POWER for the helpless!

 

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (v.10) He is our strength when we are weak – help when we are out of resources – and support when we fail and fall.

 

3. His PROTECTION for the vulnerable!

 

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable in this world. Those who would abuse them should pay close attention to what the Bible has to say about God’s love of widows and orphans!

 

Ps 68:5

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

 

4. His PURPOSE for those who feel useless!

 

I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. (v.15)

 

Dear Lord, thank you for being all that I need today. I bring to you my long list of deficiencies and you give to me your long list of supplies. AMEN

 

ANGER IS UNSUSTAINABLE!

 

Saturday, October 10, 2026

ANGER IS UNSUSTAINABLE!

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

            Anger is both fire and fuel. Given enough time and one will exhaust the other. Unless more fuel is added, anger will subside over time, and a calmer period will return. As an example, remember that the nation that bombed our base at Pearl Harbor and brought about the wrath of nuclear anger now sells us our cars!

          Husbands and wives do not stay together just because they are compatible but because they are stubbornly persistent in their relationship. Things get hot and then cool down. The real danger is that there will be unresolved damage caused by the anger.

          Be a ready listener! Be swift to hear. I suppose the greatest friends to anger are the closed mind and the open mouth. Both are dangerous and together they are furious.

          Be slow to speak! Not everything that forms in the mind should tumble out of the mouth. Consider how many arguments have been avoided by silence.

          The Amplified New Testament says of verse 20:  For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God.  Ephesians 4:26 urges us to “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

Dear God, place an angel at my mouth and another to watch over my mind. AMEN

 

CLOSER AND CLOSER!

 

Friday, October 9, 2026

 

CLOSER AND CLOSER!

 

2 Tim 3:1-5

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

          The word “perilous” in verse one is the Greek word chalepos which means “reducing the strength of; furious; fierce.” The picture of the world draining the strength of believers is all around us. Daniel 7:25 talks about “wearing out the saints of the most high.” Do you feel it? I certainly do.

 

          If we can see the signs of Christ’s soon return, then certainly Satan can too, and he has doubled his efforts to deceive and to destroy. Revelation 12:12 says that Satan has great wrath because he knows he has but a short time. We are living in perilous times. There is a spiritual conspiracy to reduce the strength of Christians and churches.

 

          Because Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), he can move from the crime centers of the world to the churches! Seduced by the prospect of larger crowds and bigger offerings, churches have adopted the programs and methodology of the world. The glitz of marketing is now the primary method of building a congregation. The modern gospel promises a peaceful and prosperous life, a comfortable death, and a heavenly hereafter. The true gospel promises “tribulation” and a narrow way! (John 16:33)

 

Billy Graham, nearing the end of his life, saw an increase in easy believe-ism and churches that expect little from their followers. In an interview he said this: “Christ makes a difference in the lives of those who not only claim his name but obey his Word. If there is no change in a person's life, he or she must question whether or not they possess the salvation that the gospel proclaims. Many who go to church have not had a life-changing transformation in Christ. Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world—not to win them, but to be like them. This is very dangerous, and the Bible gives account to the tragic result.”

 

1 Cor 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

Heb 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Dear Lord, open the eyes of believers blinded by the glitz of satanic conspiracy. Help us to be sober and steadfast as we see the approach of your coming. AMEN