The Blessing

On September 29, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

Deuteronomy 28: 2

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God.

I want to tell you about my friend Brad today and, in so doing, I think you will see how the blessing works.

Brad is a dedicated Christian. He is also a carpenter. Three years ago, he worked with a buddy on a project. When the project was complete, there was some tile left over. His friend gave the remaining tile to Brad. It has sat there in his shed for three years. Brad is working on a new project right now. They have laid a beautiful tile in the bathroom. It is a big pattern. Interestingly the central part of the pattern turned out to be the same size as the center of the drain. Therefore, they could lay the square right in the center part of the drain. It’s beautiful. Unfortunately, when they began to tile the niches in the shower the tile pattern was just too big, so didn’t work. Brad began to think about the tile he had in his barn that had been sitting there taking up space for three years. He took some to the job site and surprisingly, amazingly, it ended up being the same color as the detail on the large tile. Wow! How does that happen? Brad and his partners had no idea the center part of the pattern would fit the drain and not even an inkling that something in his barn would add a touch of finesse. That’s the blessing at work.

I’ve written many times about partnering with Christ in your projects and in your work. Brad’s experience shows how the blessing will touch all that you do and make things better than we could have ever done intentionally. Our job is to dedicate ourselves to the Lord and to prayer. We need to spend time before the Lord and with Him. I believe this opens the channels through which the blessing flows.

God wants to bless us. All you have to do is read the twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy to see that. God is effusive in his declaration of desire to bless us. The really great news is that we needn’t work so hard when Yahweh is in the mix. Father God knew when Brad put that tile in the barn that it was going to come in handy for this current project. God knew when Brad and his partners chose the new tile that it was going to match the tile Brad already had. I would go so far as to say that Father probably nudged them to choose that tile. That is how life works in the blessing.

Your part is to pray and spend time with the Lord. His is to bless all the work of your hand. We can never accomplish, by the sweat of our brow, what the Lord can do in the blink of an eye. Our time is much better served when we have Him as our priority and prioritize time with Him. When we do our apportioned part and allow Him to do His, things flow with grace and matters work out in outstanding and remarkable ways.

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Binding

On September 15, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 11: 29

[F]or the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

You’ve gotta get excited about this today! God has made you irrevocable promises. Irrevocable means that the subject cannot be recalled or undone. It is unalterable. That means that not even God can revoke or recall the gifts He has made or call back the calling He has sent. Once done, it is done for all time. God is bound by His own words and cannot change His mind. That is what God intended, that He be bound. He has made His word irrevocable so that you might have confidence and assurance. If He ever said it, then it is there always. Therefore, we can have faith in every word Yahweh has ever spoken.

Any promise you find in the Bible, even if it is an Old Testament promise, is yours because God cannot take it back. Any promise He has ever made to you personally is also still active and you can rely on it. It does not matter if that promise is twenty or thirty years old. God is just as bound by that word today as He was the day He made it. So don’t give up on your hope.

Furthermore, go digging around the Bible for His promises. When you find one that covers your situation, you can hold it up to Him expecting Him to fulfill it for you. All you have to do is ask Him. He has already made the promise and is standing by to fulfill everyone He has ever made. He is just waiting for you to bring it to Him to be filled.

Don’t miss out on the last part of the verse though which says that His calling is irrevocable as well. God has called every single person to Him. That is the calling that is on every life, and every single person has a place in the body of Christ.

There are some of you who have a specific call on your life who have begun to wonder if it will ever come to pass. God has spoken to you but you have given up on the call on your life. Maybe life got busy and the calling slipped to the back for awhile. And yet it is still in the back of your mind pestering you, trying to break out.

You have a reason to hope. His name is Jesus and by his resurrection you have a new life and a new hope. The calling of God is alive and every bit as available to you now as the day you first heard it. Don’t give up on the calling of God because God did not and cannot call it back. Be encouraged for His word never dies and it has within itself the power to bring itself to pass.

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The “One” Sin

On September 8, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 5: 20            TPT

So then, the law was introduced into God’s plan to bring the reality of human sinfulness out of hiding. And yet, wherever sin increased, there was more than enough of God’s grace to triumph all the more!

I hear comments, as I know you do, about how the world, and even our own cities, are falling into greater and greater sin. Some speculate that God is not as active because sin has become greater, or more prevalent. One day when I heard someone speaking in these terms it made me wonder what sin we are engaged in these days that is causing the breakdown of societies. What sin has, seemingly, caused God to vacate our towns and cities? There is really nothing new under the sun. You can read the Bible and see that. The Israelites created idols while God was leading them to the Promised Land. Are we worshipping idols? What is it that is going on today that is any different than in previous times? What is the sin which is destroying us?

As I pondered this question, I sought the one with all the answers, and do you know what, He answered me. He showed me the one great sin which is our problem and on the other hand that conventional sin isn’t really the issue. Where sin has increased, God’s grace has increased more. No matter how great a sin problem we have, if we understand today’s scripture then we know that God’s grace expands to even greater volumes. So, there is a sin problem, but then again there isn’t because God’s grace is greater than any sin committed by man.

So, what is the problem? The way the Lord said this to me was, “There really is only one sin, one great sin and though this is not what people refer to when they speak of the increase in sin, it actually is the root problem from which all other sin is derived.” Does this surprise you? Are you anxious to know what the “One” sin is? I was. The problem we have, the one which is destroying the fabric of society is the sin of attrition. Spiritual Attrition is the slow wearing down of our Christian faith, but it is more than that. The core issue is that fewer and fewer of us seek God. The Lord showed me that the real problem is separation from Him. He has grace for the sin, but He does not have a remedy for people who choose not to partner with Him.

The great sin of the world is separation from God! And you can quote me. If you think about it, that is the same problem God constantly addressed in the Old Testament. The people kept turning away from Him. Once they took their eyes off Him, then they fell into all sorts of sins, even to serving foreign Gods. When Israel sought God, they flourished. When they fell away from Him, they suffered lack and hardship. Their sin grew too but sin isn’t the problem. When a people serve God, when they spend time in His presence, they have no desire for the “sins” that we often sculpt into lists. Unbelief and abstinence from prayer and seeking are the problems that undermine society. God can deal with sin when people believe in Him but when the nation turns its face from God, there is no one to pray, no one to intercede. Who heals the land of a nation that does not believe in nor seek God?

Even as Christians, we are forced into some important questions, questions that I had to face in this conversation with God. In what ways or in what areas am I separated from God? Is there a part of my life which I keep separate from Him? Do I go to work every day without Him or even thoughts of Him? Where is He on Monday? Tuesday? Am I seeking Him in all aspects of my life, or have I divorced Him from part of my life? We probably all have little spaces in our lives where we have yet to intertwine with the Lord Jesus. If we, have little separations, little areas where a vacuum exists, then who shall lead the uninitiated.

Here, world, is the real problem. We have separated ourselves from God and not only is this the one truly big sin, but it is also hell. To the degree we do not involve Yahweh in our lives, we are living in sin and experiencing hell. God would give you encouragement though, because now that we know what the actual problem is, we can individually and collectively take measures to correct it. Ya wanna talk about hell? Or pontificate about sin? They both exist right outside our front door. The good news is that we also have the power to free the world from both. Seek the Lord, your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul – then teach others to do the same. This is how we save the earth!

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Labor Day

On September 1, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

 

Hebrews 4: 11       (KJV)

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall according to the same example of unbelief.

One must read the passage in context to receive the full import of its meaning, but I will offer a summary. This verse has to do with entering into God’s rest. The author of Hebrews suggests this is how we should invest our labor.

Some people heard the good news and embraced it with faith and hope while others heard the same message but were without faith. The word spoken to them availed them not because they did not mix their faith with God’s word. Therefore, our labor is to be spent becoming people of faith; people who mix faith with the Word of God. Whether blue collar or white, our labor is the same. Whether one is pouring concrete in the summer heat or reading a legal brief, the laborer is to mix thought and emotion with truth. We are to labor to put our hearts and minds in agreement with the Word of God so that all will be well with us and so that our “work” will become fruit.

No matter what you do, use your labor and energy to become a person of greater faith and belief. That is the true labor, and, in this labor, we find rest.

Have a happy Labor Day!

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I Hope, Hope You Do Too

On August 25, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 1: 3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

This new life that was wrought for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus is a new beginning with new hope; and it is a living hope, one that does not fade, pass away or expire. It is new everyday just as your life is renewed every day. God caused you to be born again so that you could have a new life full of hope and joy. The resurrection has purchased for you not only a new lease on life but a new life altogether.

And where you did not have hope, you now can. His abundant mercy has caused us to be reborn. Now in that new life, you can have new hope. Even if you were born again years ago, you still have new hope. Just laying your hands on this scripture gives you reason to revitalize old dreams and build new ones. There is no hopelessness in Christ Jesus.

I have often thought about evangelism and what it is that makes being a Christian so wonderful. When I do, I think that having hope is one of the truly great things about being a Christian. No matter how dire a situation, we always have hope because we have a loving Lord who lives to make intercession for us; to give us life and a hope. Those without Christ must live a pretty traumatic life. But you don’t have to. In all things, he is able. And he is willing.

There is no situation of life that should keep you from hope. You have a living hope through Christ Jesus. The resurrection has brought you into new life. This kind of life that Jesus purchased for you has revitalized, new hope in its wings each morning.

Our hope and faith are in you dear Lord.

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By My Measure

On August 18, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 6: 38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

I ran across this quote recently, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Anne Frank. In case you do not remember her story, I made her name a link. The quote captured my attention on its own merit, but it is even more captivating in light of Frank’s experience.

The question became, for me, what motivated her remark? It sounds like an admonition that all should be givers. Perhaps it is even an accusation that we are not. The quote certainly made me question myself. I also found myself wondering if different cultures are more giving than others. I know lots of folks who are very generous, as it has been quite evident as I raise money for the MS Foundation. Yet, when I look in the broader context of our country it seems we hold tightly to our resources.

I wonder if fear of loss or fear of poverty lies in the back of our minds and has gripped our souls. You can imagine that those who lived through the Great Depression would certainly have reason to squirrel away their money. I had an uncle about whom the family lovingly joked that he had the first dime he ever made. Tight? Yes! I don’t know anything about his philanthropy; he may have given away lots for all I know, but he certainly didn’t spend much, dying with years of savings. Was that because of fear?

This quote by Anne Frank is encouraging, but it is also haunting. Bankers will tell you that Americans don’t save as much as previous generations. Pastors will tell you that fewer and fewer people tithe. One article I read said that the U.S. is still one of the most generous nations. At the same time, we see our charitable and religious donations shrinking.

I have always been proud of this country’s willingness to give. I remember as a child, perhaps in eighth grade, figuring out that our prosperity is tied to our generosity.  That is exactly what today’s verse says.  I still believe that to be true both at a personal level and as a country. Still, I wonder if I am doing my best. Am I actually charitable? Would others say that I am? While I was wonderfully blessed by all the folks that helped me raise money for MS, and by a super terrific group of sponsors who gave directly to the bike team, I was also surprised by people who wouldn’t cough up ten dollars to help. Our bike team saw amazing gifts of charity. I remember one woman who emptied out her bag of every single coin so that she could give us something. She left us feeling incredibly blessed even though it totaled less than three dollars. Then there were the folks who wouldn’t give us a dollar but would spend $12 on their coffee. There were people whom I had just met who overwhelmed me by donating $100, friends who gave even more than that but then the guy with whom I spent thousands of dollars who wouldn’t give me a dime for MS.

Are we stingy? Are we generous? Are we afraid of going broke or do we spend more and more on ourselves and pleasures? I don’t have any of the answers so, invite your comments and thoughts. Have you seen a trend? Do you find Anne Frank’s comment haunting as I did? Let me know what you think.

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Be at Ease

On August 11, 2025   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 4: 6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Last week we had a look at James 5, as a result you know what a prayer of supplication is. It is earnest, humble prayer. And we know that the earnest, humble prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much. Jesus told us in John 16: 23 that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ name, the Father will give us. Knowing that, we can now be anxious for nothing and move into thanksgiving knowing that our prayers and petitions will not be ignored by God.

Isn’t it interesting how the Bible works together like that? But it is not a coincidence. The Father had a perfect plan. He put that plan into action and it all works together so that our every need is met. Therefore, we don’t have to worry about anything. We are to enter his gates with thanksgiving in our hearts. We can do that because we have done as the Word has taught us. We have humbled ourselves before the throne of God which Jesus bought us 24 hour access to. We have asked the Lord for his graces and mercies in the name of His precious son. There is, therefore, nothing left but for us to praise Him and worship Him.

Even in the midst of trials and adverse circumstances, you can still praise Him because you know the outcome. The evidence of our eyes is not the final word on the subject. His graciousness and power speak louder and speak last. So be anxious for nothing. Pray, let your petitions be known to God. Humble yourself. Then enter into praise.

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