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This time of year we talk a lot about thankfulness. We’re thankful for our families, our homes, our friends, our jobs…the list goes on and on.

It’s easy to be thankful when things are going well, but what about when life throws us a curve? When your child struggles for life, you hold a pink slip in your hand, or your home lies in ashes, the last thing you feel like saying is “Thank You.”

Yet, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” How is this even possible?

The answer lies in looking closer at the wording of the verse. Notice Paul doesn’t say to give thanks “about” all circumstances nor does he say to be thankful “for” every situation. No, He says we are to give thanks “in” all circumstances.

It would be ridiculous to be thankful for a spouse walking out, a loved one dying, or when disaster strikes, but we can be thankful in the midst of these situations.

Why? Psalm 118:1 holds the answer. It says, “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

No matter what our circumstance God is still good. He can still be depended on. He will never leave us nor forsake us. More importantly, His love never ends, it “endures forever.”

Today, you may not feel to thankful “for” your circumstances, but you can be thankful “in” them, because these two facts will never change – God is good and His love endures forever. Lean on Him and He will carry you through.

God bless and have a great day!

Recently I got up in the middle of the night and stumbled to the bathroom. Along the way I got a painful reminder of the folly of walking through a dark room without turning on the light. Stubbing your toe is a very unpleasant way to wake up!

Many times in life I’ve felt like I was stumbling through the darkness, unsure of my next step, not certain which way to turn. This world can be a dark and scary place at times, with many pitfalls and obstacles in your way. It is so easy to make a wrong turn or stumble down the wrong path.

Thankfully, God has provided us some illumination for our journey. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” We do not have to stumble through life, groping in the dark. In the pages of God’s Word we will find all the light we need.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If we will prayerfully search the Scriptures daily we will never lose our way.

Remember, however, a closed Bible doesn’t provide any light at all, just like a flashlight that isn’t turned on is useless. It is foolish to try to go through life without opening God’s Word. Without it’s light on your path, you’ll just end up stubbing your toe – or worse.

Today, don’t wander in the dark any longer. Open your Bible. Turn on the Light!

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!

When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t see very well out of my left eye. My eyelids were partially stuck together and my vision was blurred due to some sticky, off-white discharge. My cold is getting better, but now I’ve got conjunctivitis. Not a great way to start my day!

Often we have trouble seeing the beauty of God’s Law, because our spiritual vision is blurred by preconceived notions, inaccurate things we’ve been taught, or our misunderstanding of God’s character.

With these things obscuring our vision, the Law becomes a burden, a set of arbitrary rules by an overbearing deity. We see it as restricting our freedom and inhibiting our right to choose.

However, the truth of the matter is the Law is just the opposite:

• God’s Law is not a burden, but a guide given by our loving Heavenly Father to keep us on the right path towards a life of abundance and joy.
• The Law does not restrict our freedom. Instead, when we, by God’s power, keep its statutes, we will find freedom from enslavement to sin and guilt and new vistas of service for God and our fellowmen.
• Rather than arbitrary rules, the Law is a perfect representation of God’s character and an expression of His love for us, His children.

Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to see clearly until I treat my conjunctivitis. In the same way, you will never be able to see the beauty of the Law clearly without God’s help. This is why He counsels you “to buy…salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” Revelation 3:18 NIV.

This morning, open your Bible to Exodus 20 and take another look at God’s Law. Don’t let the opinions of men or the things you’ve been taught obscure your vision. Instead let your prayer be, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18.

Do this today, because God promises, “whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25

Have a wonderful day and God bless!

I’m home today with a sore throat, headache, and body aches. It’s not much fun, but at least I work with great people, like Amy Wood, who willingly agreed to cover my shift, so I could recover. Thanks, Amy!

But why did I get sick? Is God out to get me, to punish me for my poor choices? Of course not! This illness is to a result of my poor choices, not punishment for them. I sometimes eat too much sugar and don’t get enough rest, plus I sometimes forget to wear my mask at work. At some point I was exposed to a virus and now I’m dealing with the consequences.

There is another reason I am sick today. I live in a sick world!

Long ago, at the very beginning, our ancestors made a choice. With a garden full of trees to choose from, they had to go and pick from the one tree they’d been told to stay away from. Today we live with the results of that one, seemingly inconsequential, act. All the heartache, sickness, death, and despair we deal with on a daily basis are the direct result of that one poor choice and all the poor choices we’ve made since.

But I’ve got good news! Although God had every right to abandon us to the results of our poor choices, He chose a different way. When we rejected Him He accepted us. When we gave Him only hate, He gave us only love, sending his Son to pay the price for our sin, “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Without God we would have no hope, but with Him we have no reason for despair. Someday soon sickness will end, fires will go out, disaster will be no more, “and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Isaiah 51:1. “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37.

Until then you may have a rough road to walk, but remember, you do not walk it alone,”for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6. So, walk on, my friend! A better day is on it’s way!

“It’s to me like an apocalypse, that God’s on vacation and He’s not taking care of us.”

This was how one of the victims of the California fires described how she felt standing over the ruins of her home. One can certainly understand her desperation. As over 100,000 acres continue to burn, thousands of homes are destroyed, and the body count continues to rise, I’m sure there are many who feel the same way, “that God’s on vacation.”

But what is the truth? Does God go on vacation? Where is He when disaster strikes, when loved ones die, when sorrow and fear grips your heart? Where is He when the earth moves, the winds roar, or fire destroys? Is He asleep? Is He deaf to the cries of His children? Does he “not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38 NIV)

The truth is, when disaster strikes God is right where He’s always been – by your side. He is the Friend “who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). He is your “refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) And He promises to be “with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

You may never understand why things happen, why disaster strikes or fires rage, but you can be sure of this – your God will be with you through it all, even through the flames.

God is not deaf. He does not sleep, never takes a vacation, and never leaves your side. He promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2).

No matter where you go, no matter what you face today, “the Lord your God goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

Put your trust in Him. Even through the flames He walks with you. Put your hand in His and let Him lead you safely Home.

God bless and have an awesome day!

A couple months ago I built a large covered porch on the front of my house. The actual framing of the porch didn’t take all that long, but preparing the foundation took several days.

We had to dig deep into the earth, below the frost-line, so the footings would not be moved by temperature changes. When we finally poured the foundation, the footings had to be thick and strong, so they could safely bear the weight of the porch.

It was a lot of work, but I think the porch actually turned out to be more solid than the rest of the house!

In building anything, whether a porch or a skyscraper, the foundation is the key. The same is true of our spiritual lives. We must be sure to not build upon the shifting sands of the opinions of man, but “on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.“ (Ephesians 2:20 NIV).

Do not take my opinion or anyone else’s. Study for yourself, because our only safety is in following the example of the people of Berea who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11).

Each day we must dig into the Word of God, striving to get to know it’s Author, Jesus Christ. He is the Chief Cornerstone on whom we must build our lives, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).

2 Peter 2:6 says, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Do you want to build a life that matters, that stands securely in any storm. Then build on the Cornerstone today and you will never go wrong!

God bless and have a great day!

One of the most moving scenes in the movie Hacksaw Ridge is when Private Doss, alone on the bomb-riddled escarpment, with artillery raining down all around, calls out in desperation to God, “What is it you want of me?”

The only answer he receives is a faint call in the distance, “Medic!” Doss stares into the maelstrom and says to God, “Alright.” Then he stands up and runs back into hell, looking for just one more wounded soldier to save.

We live in a world at war. Our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV. All around us lie the wounded and discouraged, the hurt and dying, victims of his relentless campaign to destroy all that is good on this earth and to bring misery and heartache upon all its inhabitants.

On this day we have set aside to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our country, let us determine to join their ranks, to give our lives in service to our fellowmen.

Putting on the full armor of God and armed with the sword of the spirit let us wage war “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12.

Like Doss, we fight not to take life, but to save it. Our weapons are not bullets or bombs, but love and compassion. We seek to soothe the wounded soul and heal the broken heart, to care for widows and orphans, and to lead all we can to the One who alone can save.

This morning, as we hear the cry of “Medic!” echoing across the battlefield of this world, let us answer the call. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1.

Today, do not run from the battle, but run back into the storm. Search across the broken battlefield of life for another wounded soul to save. Cleanse their wounds, lift them up, and lead them home. Then, like Desmond Doss, lift your eyes toward heaven and pray again, “One more, Lord. Give me just one more!”

Ross McGinnis, a 19 year-old soldier in the United States Army in Iraq, watched with horror as a grenade flew past him and down into the hatch of the armored vehicle he was riding in. He shouted a warning and then, without hesitation, threw himself on the grenade. His heroic action saved the lives of his four comrades and earned him the eternal gratitude of their families and his nation. In 2008 he was posthumously honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his selfless act.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Everyday the men and women of our armed forces willing sacrifice time with their families, the comforts of home, and their own hopes and dreams, to protect you and me. Some, like Ross McGinnis, even give their lives in service to their country and out of love for their comrades-in-arms.

One day is not enough to adequately honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women of our armed services, but on this Veteran’s Day we want to say a heartfelt “Thank You!” to them for all they have done. Words cannot express our gratitude.

Today, as we honor Ross McGinnis and the many others who have served and still serve, let us determine in our hearts to follow their example, willingly making any sacrifice that our nation may continue to be a beacon of hope to the world and a refuge to her “tired..poor…huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Let us determine to work tirelessly to assure their sacrifice has not been in vain and that Lady Liberty may continue to lift her “lamp beside the golden door.”

We love to talk of God’s “still, small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12 NKJV). We’re comfortable with the thought of His “gentle whisper.” (NLT). But what about when He roars like thunder, when His voice shakes the heavens? Do we tremble in fear or shout with joy? The difference lies in how well we know Him.

If we have never spent time with Him, never sought Him with all our heart, we will see only His power and not His love. We will focus on His judgement and not His mercy. We will hear the thunder, but miss the gentle breeze.

However, once we’ve spent time with Him, sitting at His feet, reading His Word, talking to Him in prayer, then we will know Him as He really is. He is our Heavenly Father, who wants only the best for us.

Then we will delight at the sound of His voice, whether it be heard in the breeze or in the tempest. We He speaks we will not fear, but run to Him with open arms. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, His voice will be to us “glorious in the thunder.” Job 37:5. We will delight in His whisper and dance with joy when He shouts!

Someday soon “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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). On that day, what will be your response?

Will you flee in terror, calling to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne” (Revelation 6:16)? Or will you shout with joy, “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us…We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9)?

The choice is up to you. Fear or joy. Terror or rejoicing. “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:15. Do not run away. Kneel down. Give Him your heart. Give Him your life. Then listen! He speaks! Glory in the thunder!

God bless and Happy Sabbath!

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How would you live today, if you knew there was no tomorrow?

It’s a legitimate question, especially in light of yesterday’s events in Thousand Oaks. Those poor people woke filled with hopes and dreams, not realizing yesterday was all they’d have. Our hearts break for their families and we shake our heads at the senselessness violence that ended their lives. At the same time, however, we realize that none of us can be confident of tomorrow. Each day may be our last.

This is a depressing thought, but it need not be. In a way it is freeing. It gives us the permission to live each day to the fullest, not worrying about tomorrow, but taking delight in the present. Instead of being distracted by trivial things, it refocuses us on what really matters.

At the same time, this realization does not give us license to act like fools, to “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Why waste the last day of your life being stupid? Instead, realizing each day is precious, we must “be careful, then, how [we] live – not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15 NIV.

God promises to be with us everyday, but He makes no promises about how many days we’ll have. Realizing that, we must make the most of today and “not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:24.

Everyday we must “Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously.” (v. 23). We must “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Isaiah 1:17.

Until tomorrow all you have is today. Enjoy every moment and make every moment count, because this is the day the Lord has made – rejoice and be glad in it!