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It’s Easter Weekend, the holiest holiday of the year. Yesterday we remembered Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, willing laying down His life for us, purchasing with His blood our salvation. Tomorrow we will celebrate His resurrection and the promise it offers that, “he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25).

Obviously Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday give us ample reason to celebrate, but what about today? What does this Sabbath, this “day in-between”, tell us about God and His love for us?

There are many lessons to be learned from this “day in-between”, but one which stands out to me this morning is this – God never changes.

At the beginning of time, “…on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it…” (Genesis 2:2, 3)

Thousands of years later, with the triumphant cry, “It is finished!”, Jesus declared victory over the enemy. His work of redemption complete, the way cleared for the re-creation of the earth and its inhabitants, God again rested on the seventh day “from all his work which he had made.”

By resting in the tomb over the Sabbath hours, Jesus forever sanctified the seventh day Sabbath as a memorial of both creation and redemption, “because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Genesis 2:3)

Man may “think to change times and laws…” (Daniel 7:25), to change the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first, but God declares, “I change not…” (Malachi 3:6). “He is the Rock, his work is perfect…” (Deuteronomy 32:4) and “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it…” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

The Sabbath was, is, and will always be a memorial of God’s creative and re-creative power
and throughout eternity, “from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 66:23).

This unchanging character of God gives us reassurance we can just trust Him in all things, that His word is true and His promises are sure. This gives us hope for tomorrow and peace for today.

This Easter Sabbath, this “day in-between”, put aside your troubles and your cares and rest in the arms of the One who gave His life for you. Trust in the God who changeth not and know that, no matter what comes your way, His promises are true and He will be “with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20).

God bless and Happy Sabbath!

Tuesday I spent part of the day with wires hooked up to my chest, sweating on a treadmill. I was getting the stress echo done which had been aborted 2 weeks ago when they found a small pericardial effusion.

Thankfully, things went well this time. My exercise tolerance was better than expected and there were no significant arrhythmias. Most importantly, the echo came back normal. Even the pericardial effusion was no longer visible. I am cleared to exercise without restrictions.

What I do with this good news is up to me. I can choose to continue my sedentary ways of the last few months, potentially setting myself up for future health problems down the road, or I can get off my butt and hit the road, paving the way for a healthier tomorrow. The choice is up to me.

Life is all about choices. To stay or to go. To follow the crowd or take a stand. To meekly submit or resist with every fiber of our being. To stay in bed or go to church. To drink or not to drink. The list goes on and on.

Some choices are seemingly small, like choosing between chocolate cake or an apple for dessert. However, even these small choices can have long term consequences, setting up patterns of behavior resulting in long-term success or failure.

And our choices do not just affect us. None of us live in a vacuum. The choices we make, even the small ones, can affect others for years to come in profound ways we may never fully realize. Remember Eve in the Garden? Even thousands of years later we’re still dealing with the consequences of that choice.

You may say, “Well, it’s my life isn’t it? I should be able to choose whatever I want!” True, but do so with the knowledge even your small choices can have big consequences for those around you.

This Sabbath morning, as you face another day of choices, remember the promise of James 1:5 that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Claim this promise for yourself and then go boldly forward into your day, trusting whatever choices you may face, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it…’ ” (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV)

God bless, have a great day, and, whatever else you do, make sure to make the most important choice of all – Choose God!

This week was a lot like a rollercoaster, with lots of ups and downs, highs and lows:

• Ana started the week feeling really sick, got better midweek, but now her symptoms are coming back.
• A friend had a beautiful baby girl, while another friend said a last goodbye to the wonderful mother who had given her life.
• One of our son’s got the job he’d been hoping for, but a couple days later our daughter’s beloved cat passed away.
• I got a big bill in the mail, but then received an unexpected bonus at work which more than covered the cost.

This is what life is like – highs and lows, ups and downs, sadness and joy, loss and gain, hope and despair. Sometimes we’re standing on a mountain peak and then, before we can enjoy the view, we’re plunged into the darkest valley.

Solomon put it well, when he said, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. Life is constantly changing, often leaving us reeling from its twists and turns, ups and downs.

In spite of life’s uncertainties, there is one thing we can always count on – God loves us! That will never change, no matter what circumstances come our way. His love is everlasting, never failing, and is higher than the highest high and deeper than the lowest low. And no matter what comes your way today, God promises, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5.

This morning, whether you are standing on a mountain peak or walking through the valley of despair, reach out your hand to the One who is always there. Lean into HIs arms, trust in His power, and know this – no matter how high the highs or how deep the lows, you are never alone!

I went in for a stress echocardiogram Tuesday. I’ve had some shortness of breath when walking the last few months, so my cardiologist recommended I get this test done.

About ½ way through the preliminary echo, the tech stopped and left the room. “Uh-oh,” I thought, “That’s not good.” Finally the tech returned and told me what she’d found.

Turns out I have a pericardial effusion, fluid around the heart. If there is enough fluid present it can interfere with the heart’s function, causing chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Treatment can range from taking NSAIDS, getting stuck with a needle in the heart lining to draw off the fluid, or open heart surgery. As you can imagine I was a little anxious, while I awaited the results.

Thankfully, there is only a small amount of fluid present. Turns out it had been present on a previous echo done in 2012 and was unchanged. No further treatment is need for now.

Facing the prospect of having a needle stuck in your heart lining tends to make you think. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Just as we take care of our physical hearts by eating properly, avoiding use of harmful substances and getting regular exercise, so we must also care for our spiritual hearts if we are to enjoy to full, abundant life Jesus wants us to enjoy (see John 10:10).

If we allow the cares of this world to press in upon us and if we make poor choices which clog the lines of communication with our Heavenly Father, like cholesterol clogs our arteries, our hearts will be unable to fully respond to God’s still small voice.

Like the fluid pressing on the heart in a pericardial effusion, preventing the heart from fully expanding, so we will be unable fully “understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3:18.

What we need is a drastic solution, a heart transplant. If you let Him, God promises in Ezekiel 36:26. to “take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart”, a heart which beats only for Him.

This Sabbath, if your heart hurts from the trials and disappointments of life, if you are worn out from trying to make it on your own, then it’s time to give let the Great Physician get to work. Let him give you a new heart today and experience for the first time what it means to be fully alive, fully His. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

God bless and Happy Sabbath!

I had a wonderful surprise this last Wednesday. I was working outside, enjoying the warmer temperatures, as winter slowly gives up her grasp on our valley, when a car turned into our driveway. I didn’t recognize it at first, but when a handsome young man unfolded his lanky frame from behind the wheel, I was thrilled! It was our son, Alex, driving his wife’s little car!

I’d known Alex was coming to help with our house remodel, but hadn’t expected him until next week. It was wonderful having him home early and we were glad to get a head start on some of our projects. Unfortunately, the visit was short and Ana and I had to work most of it, so we didn’t get to spend much time with him before he headed back home.

Thankfully, Alex has promised to return Sunday, so we can get the projects done we’ve started. It will be nice to get those things done, but what we’re really look forward to is just having him with us for a few days.

Jesus said in John 14:2, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Our Elder Brother has been busy remodeling heaven, getting mansions ready for you and I. He’s been gone a long time, but He promised, “ I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (v. 3)

We “know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13), but we are warned to “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Luke 21:34.

If I had known Alex was coming Wednesday, I would have been better prepared. I would have had his room ready, extra food in the fridge, and supplies for the work he was going to do gathered together. I’ll be better prepared tomorrow.

We know Jesus is coming back. We don’t know when, but, when we look at the world around us, especially tragic events like occurred in New Zealand this week, we know it must be soon. It’s time to prepare.

Now is the time to accept Jesus as our Savior, to open our hearts to His love, and to reach out to others with the Good News of His return. Now is the time to dive into His Word, to fortify our hearts and minds with His promises, to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13.

There is no time for delay, no time to waste in pursuit of things that waste away. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Are you ready?

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!

We’re in Walla Walla for a family get-together this weekend. Once a year the Bannisters, Alex’s in-laws, host a reunion of family and friends they call the Blew Crew. We were supposed to come last year, but I ended up in the hospital with a kidney stone. Thankfully, this year is starting out a lot better!

Getting together with family and friends is something we all look forward to. Worshipping together, sharing food, laughter, and games, refreshes our batteries and draws us closer to each other. Family reunions are the best!

Unfortunately, even the best reunions come to an end. At some point we always have to say goodbye. After having so much fun together it’s hard to tear ourselves away and return to the responsibilities and challenges of the “real world”. It would be so nice if the time with those we love would never end.

But there is a day coming, my friends, when goodbye’s will be a thing of the past. Never again will there be tearful farewells or lingering tears. Never again will reunions end, children leave, or loved ones die.

On that day “the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT).

“Forever” sounds awfully good doesn’t it? It can be yours, just for the asking. Invite Jesus into your heart today. Accept Him as your Savior right now. Accept His death on the cross as payment for your sins and experience for the first time “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding….” (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

If you will take this simple step today, then for the rest of your life goodbyes will not be so hard, farewells will not be so bitter, death will not seem so final. “So long” will change to “see you later”. Despair will turn to hope and “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10 KJV).

A better day is on its way! Someday soon goodbyes will be no more. On that day we will leave this old world behind and step together into God’s eternal “hello”. That’s one family reunion which will never end! See you there!

After over 2 weeks of feeling lousy, I think I’m finally turning the corner. It’s a good thing too, because I’m really tired of laying around. Not doing anything is not something I do very well.

The one good thing that came out of all this, though, is I had lots of time to read and think. Extra time in God’s word is never a bad thing, even if it comes accompanied by a sinus headache.

One of the greatest challenges I have struggled with is understanding what God wanted me to do with my life. I have so many interests, it’s hard to know where He wants me to focus my efforts.

As I was thinking about this in the last week, I read John 10:10 again. I’ve read this text many times before, but this time I realized it held the answer to my question, “What does God want me to do?

The last half of John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV). This is what God wants for us. Jesus came, not just to give us life, but to give it to us “to the full.”

God wants us to have an amazing life, filled with abundance, “a rich and satisfying life”, as the New Living Translation puts it. He doesn’t want us to settle for a humdrum existence, meekly plodding through life, afraid to take a chance, to really live. No, Paul says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

In the book “Education”, p. 267, the author says, “…each should aim just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for him to reach.” God wants us to dream big, to stretch our limits and realize with Him there are no limits.

Believe me, we can’t outdream God, because He says, “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Liberia’s first woman president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, wrote, ““The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” I think God would agree. I think this is why Jesus came to this earth, so we could live life to the full.

So, what does this mean, to live life to the full? Is it a constant quest for the next big thrill, the selfish pursuit of our own desires and wants at the expense of others? Of course not!

In this, as in all areas, we must follow the example of Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians 2:6, 7).

A truly abundant, satisfying life is not found in selfish pursuit of fame, money, power, or any of the myriad other things we humans spend so much time chasing after. It is only in service to others we will find true meaning and fulfillment. As Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Which brings me back to the question I asked at the beginning, “What does God want me to do with my life?” If Jesus came that I might have life and have it to the full and if we are called to be imitators of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), then His calling is our calling. God wants us to help others find life and help them have it to full.

For each of us the practical outworking of this calling will be different. “Education, p. 267, says, “The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our capabilities…”

For me personally, my calling is tri-fold. I am called to help people learn how to live healthy, satisfying lives, through proper nutrition, exercise, etc. I am also called to create beauty with art and design, and to use words, both written or spoken, to encourage others, fight injustice, and offer hope for a better tomorrow, not just now, but forever.

Others may be called to care for the sick, while some bring beauty into the world through art and music. Still another builds homes, providing shelter for those without, while others are called to share the Good News in distant lands. The possibilities are endless!

In whatever form our calling is individually manifested, for each of us the basic call remains the same – to help others not just live, but live to the full and to help them see the greatest fulfillment of this life is found in relationship with Jesus Christ.

This Sabbath God is calling you to not just live, but live to the full, enjoying every moment and spending yourself, your time, your energy, your funds, in loving service to others. How you will do this is between you and God. I can promise you this, however. If you will accept God’s call, you’re going to have an amazing life, a full life beyond your wildest dreams.

So, what’s holding you back? Give Jesus your heart and get ready to live, to really live a life worth living, a life lived to the full!

Today’s the first day in over a week I’ve felt somewhat like myself. Whatever this bug is, it knocked me for a loop. I haven’t even felt up to writing the last 4 days. Thankfully today I’m feeling much better, praise the Lord.

Sickness is quite often our body’s way of telling us something is out of balance and this illness was kind of a wake-up call for me. I realized I need to make some changes if I’m going to lessen the chances of this happening again in the future.

In my case, I think it was a combination of lack of exercise, too much sugar, and too much stress. Thankfully the exercise and diet issues are things I can fix relatively easily. The stress is another matter, however. I realized I need to make better use of my time, even eliminating some things, so I am not so stressed.

With that in mind, I’m working on decreasing all the irons I have in the fire, making better choices on what I spend my time on. This is going to include some adjustments in how often I post on social media and my blog.

I love writing on EncouragingWordsForToday.com and I hope what I write is making a difference for someone, but writing the longer daily posts just take too much out of my already busy schedule.

My plan is to post much shorter posts 1-3 times per week, rather than daily. I’ll still drop in short posts here-and-there, when I come across something I think might brighten your day, but I’ll save the more in depth posts for Saturday morning.

In the long run I think this will be better, because I won’t feel so rushed and can hopefully then do a better job. It will also give me more time to work on important things, like my duties at church and keeping my wife happy by finishing this house remodel.

I get such a blessing from the posts each of you make daily and I hope my efforts have brought a little encouragement into your lives too. Even if I’m not writing as often, know you each are daily in my thoughts and prayers.

Springtime is a time of change. For me it’s time to start putting some of those changes into action. So until next Saturday, “Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace.” and may “the God of love and peace…be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

God bless and have a great week!

I’m sick of being sick!

This is my 4th day feeling lousy. Went home early from work Friday, thinking I just had a 24 hour bug, but 3 days later I feel even worse. Headache, congestion, sore throat. I’m ready for this to be over!

All of us face setbacks or sickness at one point or another in our lives. It’s usually our own fault, due to not getting enough rest or eating the wrong things, but not always. Sometimes it’s just a result of living in this sinful, old world.

Either way, we must never let setbacks, whether to our health or in life in general, cause us to lose faith in God’s mercy and goodness. Rather we must, like David, declare, “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” (Psalm 73:26 NLT).

God “forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” (Psalm 103:3). The problem is, healing sometimes takes time and when your in the midst of it, it seems to take forever.

The hardest command in all of Scripture is to “Wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14) God does everything in His time and His way, but His timing is always perfect and His way is always best.

So, this morning, whether you feel like a truck ran you over or are on top of the world, have faith in God. In good times or bad, He is right by your side. Trust in the Lord, no matter what, because “those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31).

Right now you may feel like your grounded, but trust in God and someday soon you’re going to soar!

God bless and have wonderful, healthy, day!