FEBRUARY 2023:

2/1/2023 Square Peg, Round Hole 1
For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:4 NIV

Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Almost every child grew up with some version of a small wooden bench with geometrical shapes cut in the top — a circle, square, triangle, and others. There were also wooden pegs in shapes that matched the openings cut in the top of the bench. The child’s task was to match each peg with the correct opening — and pound the peg through with a small wooden mallet. The learning lesson came when the child discovered that a square peg wouldn’t fit in a round hole.

Christians often feel like a square peg in a round hole while journeying through their life on earth. Something doesn’t fit; something doesn’t feel right. We look around at some realities on earth — war, poverty, discord, greed — and it doesn’t look like God. If you feel that way, you are not alone. The apostle Paul groaned and felt burdened with the same feeling. He longed to be clothed with the pure garments of heaven, casting aside the soil and stain of sin on earth.
When you have that “something’s not right here” feeling, remind yourself that you are a citizen of heaven, that this world is not your home. If contentment were here, heaven would not be heaven. Samuel Rutherford

COMMENTS: Trying to force the wrong block in the wrong hole is what children naturally try to do and usually will not listen to directions and may give up for a while but will eventually listen to direction and example and start putting the blocks into the box thru the hole that has the same shape as the block.

Ecc. 3:11 reminds us that God has a plan for us far better than what we come up with and try to force to succeed without listening or seeking God’s help along the way. The most we may do is pray God bless and help without asking what He wills or wants first. One problem is His answer may not come in a 5 minute time frame or written on tablets of stone. Yet usually in our hearts we sense when going a wrong direction or acting without waiting for His direction. Too often I have not been successful in this area and have regretted not waiting. Yet usually I realize I could have waited and would have been better doing preparation work for answer first. That makes no sense unless look back and sort out sequence of events and how God did unfold way he gave guidance and I didn’t notice or listen. However, He is a God of renewed beginnings!!

II Cor 5:4 reminds us the we are in temporary bodies and homes here on earth so we need to plan and work towards eternal goals, which must include learning and following God’s plan. That is not always straight forward or easy or clear. I can usually sense in my conscience when I am off path in my attitudes or in choices and, of course, not every decision is life changing. However, the habits we establish in making decisions even on little things can influence the way we make big decisions, just like putting blocks in the box helps children learn how to solve problems.

I pray I don’t get in a hurry and run ahead of God, but follow Him, especially in dealing with others.

2/2/2023 Words from the Wise: David 2
12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him and had departed from Saul.13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.15 Therefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.1 Samuel 18:12-16

When was the last time you saw a young superstar, political leader, celebrity, or youthful VIP who was truly wise? There are a few of them, but most hotshots don’t have the maturity to handle early fame. That’s why so many NFL players get into trouble, and why so many rock superstars die young. Even Susan Boyle — no spring chicken — struggled with renown after becoming an overnight sensation on Britain’s Got Talent. She told the Today Show that sudden fame is “a lot like a giant demolition ball.”

But God can give wisdom to both young and old, both famous and obscure. When the shepherd-boy David suddenly became famous after defeating Goliath, he behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. None of us knows when we’ll be noticed by the crowds; but all of us are noticed by someone each day. If we learn God’s wisdom in obscurity, we’ll be able to practice it whatever comes. How can you behave a little more wisely today? If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees. Vance Havner

COMMENTS: This devotion not only cause me to reflect on the weaknesses and temptations that led Saul and David to sin and consequences but also Solomon and so many other characters in scripture, including the entire nation of Israel. Even the wisest and most obedient of men have fallen prey to temptations

Solomon’s example is especially unsettling because God gave him wisdom unequalled along with a close relationship with Him, yet he yielded to sin and its consequences and even today we are not entirely certain if he repented and received God’s forgiveness and salvation. In contrast Scripture tells us those who received much from God have more expected by Him. So where does that leave us who have received so many blessing from Him, including free access to scripture and history of so many generations as well as our contemporaries who have both obeyed and disobeyed God. We have such a wealth of wisdom from God Himself in Scripture and countless examples to guide us, so God expects much from us too.

For me it is even more important than ever to be faithful, be the example others can follow but am finding that goal is just as difficult to achieve as it was as a youth and I’m still infinitely short of Christ’s example. The good news is GRACE!!! We can expect to be closer to Christ’s example each day but we should expect to be perfectly Christlike even thought God will see us that way thru the eyes of GRACE. However, my failings may cause someone to stumble and that causes me the most grief, which means that has become a focus of my prayers as well as praying He will influence those I pray for to accept His help and strength to flee temptation and sinful behavior and choices too. In other words, to obey God’s lead in regard both to temptation as well as service and testimony.

I believe God is most of all a relational God, who never expected us to live life alone or without Him, so every step and every choice, needs to include Him. Those that did that have always succeeded.

2/3/2023 FORGIVING OURSELVES 3

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. “-(1 John 1:9)

The murderer was condemned to life in prison. Then one day something amazing happened. The guard came and opened the jail cell. “You are free to go. Someone else is taking your place,” said the guard. “How can this be? I am still guilty!” said the prisoner. “Your debt has been paid. You are free to leave,” said the guard once more. The prisoner decided not to leave. “I cannot allow another to pay my debt,” said the prisoner. Because of his pride he chose to remain in bondage.

Imagine the guilt Peter must have felt when he denied the Son of God three times by saying he never knew him. Imagine what he must have felt the moment he reunited with Him after the resurrection.

The hardest person to forgive sometimes is ourselves. It is especially hard for high achievers to forgive themselves. We think we are above such failure. However, the Bible says we all sin and it is impossible to remedy that sin by ourselves.

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives?” (1 John 1:8,10). The question is not whether we will sin; the question is what we will do when we do sin.

There is only one thing for us to do. Go to the cross. Jesus paid for that sin by dying on the cross. Picture yourself writing your sin on a white piece of paper, then pinning it to the cross. Now, leave it there. The cross is for sinners. When Jesus looks at you, He no longer sees your sin. He cannot see the sin because He can only see the cross.

When you come to Jesus with your sin, there is nothing more you can do besides confessing and renouncing your sin. Sometimes it may require restitution with others. However, once you confess your sin and ask forgiveness, it is no longer on the ledger of debts. Why not choose to walk free. The cell has been opened

COMMENTS: God’s Grace centered on his mercy and forgiveness for our sins based on sacrifice He paid on the cross. It is beyond us to understand how Christ can be one with the Father and pray to Him and be in heaven as well as die on the cross, but that is part of the mystery of God being Omnipresent….but have to settle for taking this as truth based on scripture and take that truth on faith until, in heaven, we can understand mystery better. Even though looking back we can see times of hardship, we can see even more evidence of God’s mercy and protection even from our own foolishness and sinfulness especially if we can see how God spared us from the looming dangers from our own foolish actions. Yet we complain if God allows us to taste just a little bit of the consequences of our actions – likely in order to help us understand the dangers to motivate us to rely and obey Him more. Today is our daughter, Debbie’s, birthday. As reflect what a blessing she has been and is to us from beginning. She was born on my sister’s birthday, which is significant because she could be the daughter my sister couldn’t have, so Shirley could be a spiritual mother to Debbie too. Shirley’s influence continues in all our lives, but especially Debbie’s. We have seen so many of Shirley’s positive attributes in Debbie, especially her ability to show compassion and empathy to others – especially those in need. How God has opened the door for Debbie to minister to workers as well as elderly at Grove Manor and now Golden Living convalescent homes is remarkable. It is also significant Debbie was also born on day my dad, Lorrin McDaniel, retired, such a blessed to him and my mother since retired and became grandparents in one day.

2/4/2023 The Sun Also Rises 4

“The sun also rises, and the sun goes down … The wind whirls about continually … There is nothing new under the sun.24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto more than I?26 For God giveth to a man what is good in His sight: wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 1:5-6, 9 ; 2:24-26

Start to finish, it took Ernest Hemingway eight weeks to compose the draft of his novel about a group of decadent expatriates in Spain. He originally titled his book Fiesta, then changed it to The Lost Generation, a phrase coined by Gertrude Stein about those unhinged by World War I. But the title that stuck was from Ecclesiastes: The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway began his book by quoting this passage about the transient nature of the cycles of life. His point was that day after day the sun rises over succeeding generations of lost humans who seek to be brave in the approaching darkness.

Ecclesiastes is a warning that if we reject God and live as if everything were “under the sun,” we’re a lost generation whose fiestas merely distract us from the futility of life. But when we develop God’s vision for our lives — His plan and purpose — everything changes. Our daily mood and morale soars. We can say, “The Son also rises, with healing in His wings.” And because He lives, we live also.

Our only boast, our only confidence, our only hope must be in Christ.
R. Kent Hughes

COMMENTS: I think Ecc2:24-26 is more significant given the background and history of Solomon. God gave him great wisdom, which is where these verses came from. However, his relationship with God and great wisdom did not insulate him from the dangers and temptations that came from opportunities from the great wealth God gave him. Even though he would likely have been much better off and stayed truer to God if did not have great wealth, God gave him the responsibilities and accountability that coming with being entrusted with wealth. If Solomon would have been a better steward of that wealth and used it to evangelize the world, it could have made an eternal difference in history. Even though God knew what Solomon would do, He still gave Solomon the choices, as He does us.

Think about the opportunities God gives us and resulting path when make poor choices and path when we make good choices. I have done both so can testify of how positive the results will long term be when we make wise choices. The most significant good choices I’ve made: Choice of accepting Christ early when 10 yrs old and commitment to be faithful and date and marry a Christian girl and let God lead me to her. God lead me to Arlene thru a mutual Christian friend, Katie Campbell, who was a secretary at work at Joy and knew Arlene from Pleasantville Free Methodist Family Camp. That choice resulting in a blessed marriage over past nearly 46 years and two children (Debbie and Donny) that have been such a blessing to us. Our prayer and dream is we will enjoy them and their families in heaven someday. We can see the influence of our parents, grandparents, pastors and so many others that influenced us and decisions we made. I believe their prayers continue in heaven and still have an influence here so we are adding our prayers to theirs. That means so much more than gaining wealth or things…

2/5/2023 Doing All for Eternity 5

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
John 15:16

16 And He spoke a parable unto them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have no room to store my fruits?’18 And he said, ‘This will I do. I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I store all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thine ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’20 But God said unto him, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” LUKE 12:16-21

In the October 8, 2012, issue of Forbes business magazine, the annual list of billionaires appeared. Prominent attention was given to those billionaires who have made significant charitable contributions toward education, medical research, poverty, and other critical human needs. One billionaire was profiled in a separate article because of his commitment to supporting evangelical Christian causes. Speaking of his business success, he said, “So I have learned to say, ‘Look, this is yours, God. It’s all yours. I’m going to give it to you.'”

All good works are good, but not all good works will last forever. The ultimate joy in life comes when we invest in things that will bear fruit both now and for eternity. That means investing in spreading the Word of God so that the souls of men can live with God forever. Meeting human needs now often provides an open door for the Gospel. Feeding body and soul provides the ultimate satisfaction, physically and spiritually.

Consider your own work and good works — and keep the eternal perspective clearly in focus.

We do all for eternity. Thomas Brooks

COMMENTS: Planning and saving for the future and future needs is wise and not sinful. The extremes, which have consequences, is on one side not planning and saving at all and spending our resources foolishly, like the prodigal. The other extreme is identified in Luke 12, which is hoarding selfishly without charity to family and others as well as giving back to God. This also goes for our relationships.

This morning on Haven Today Gary Chapman discussed the “5 love languages” – time, acts of kindness, gifts, words of affirmation, and touch. Long term love is a choice that will result in feelings more than a feeling that will result in love. Our choice of spouse is a fundamental choice that requires time and work to develop-nourish-sustain. Marriages that last require attention to the “love languages” of each as well as making wise choices. This holds true with large and small choices we make all the time that creates either a positive or negative path. Our relationship with God also requires a choice but His involvement in subsequent choices we make makes all the difference between wise and foolish choices we either are blessed by or suffer from.

Tithing has been a frequent devotional topic so far this year. As we see money and time and even life as owned by God and on loan to us, it helps us hold on to them with open hands and become more charitable with others with them. God has reminded us many times in scripture and life examples that the more we share and give, the more we receive and are blessed. Returned blessings may not necessarily be the money or time we gave but what is returned will ultimately be more valuable and lasting. Love, eternal life, friendships, relationship with others and especially with God is priceless and eternal.

2/6/2023 Ripple Effect 6

For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12

7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9 And let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.10 As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith. GAL.6:7-10

The next time you slice a tomato for a salad or sandwich, pay particular attention to the tiny seeds. There are scores, if not hundreds, of seeds in a single tomato. And the tomato you are slicing is only one of dozens that came from a single tomato plant — which grew from a single tomato seed. It’s a perfect example of the ripple effect so prevalent in the kingdom of God.

It can be discouraging when we compare our individual abilities to the needs in the world. Yet the same multiplier effect that causes one tomato seed to produce thousands more is at work in our individual lives. Only heaven will reveal the impact of your gifts and good works. Paul told the Corinthians that their gifts to the suffering Jerusalem church would not only meet those Christians’ needs, but would “[abound] through many thanksgivings to God.” That is, a single gift will bring praise to God in multiple ways we can never anticipate.

As you invest your time, talent, and treasure for the glory of God, do so with anticipation. One day you will learn how God used you as a blessing to others — a ripple effect throughout eternity.

Sow holiness and reap happiness. George Swinnock

COMMENTS: I keep being reminded of Ray Boltz song “Thank You”, which tells of one who died and Jesus showed the impact of leading an 8 yr old to Christ in Sunday School and giving to a missionary resulting in countless being led to Christ. Christ then tells him to look around at the multitude affected by him, that 8 yr old, and that missionary over time when Christ says “Great is your reward”! I think our reward in heaven will be a wonderful place to spend eternity in a perfect body but I think what will be more precious is the family, others affected by His Grace, but most of all being near the God who loves us dearly and having a perfect relationship with Him. These will be the greatest reward. We may not know of the fruits of our acts of obedience while on earth but the great part is we don’t need to because we are not responsible for that portion, only the obedience by sharing and living the grace given to us. Gal 6:7-10 encourages us to keep up the labor of sowing the Gospel so the harvest will be great but also warns we will reap what we sow – either evil or good. The example shows not only the magnitude of the blessing or reward for sowing obedience but also the magnitude of consequence of sowing sin.

As hard as we try, we will continue to sow sin, but that is where God’s Grace and forgiveness continues after salvation to weed the sin and nourish and till our acts of obedience. I am becoming more and more convinced that even though God hates sin and grieves when we sin, He not only loves us but also likes us. Look at the example of the prodigal to be convinced of that. That helps when we are discouraged or are treated poorly because we want to be liked by others. Yet this parable also tells us the prodigal needed to go home before he could receive his father’s forgiveness and healing. By sharing the Gospel we are encouraging others to go home too!!

2/7/2023 Holding On 7

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him,7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, following the tradition of men according to the rudiments of the world, and not in accordance with Christ.9 For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power,11 and in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.12 Ye are buried with Him in baptism, wherein ye also are risen with Him through the faith wrought by the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.13 And you, being dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us. He took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;15 and having despoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat or drink, or in respect to a holy day or the new moon or the Sabbath days,17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward by feigned humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, being vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,19 and not holding to the Head, from whom all the body, having nourishment ministered and knit together by joints and bands, increaseth with the increase from God.20 Therefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to its ordinances21 (“Touch not, taste not, handle not,”22 which all are to perish with the using), according to the commandments and doctrines of men?23 These things have indeed a show of wisdom in willworship and humility and neglecting of the body, but are not in any honor against the satisfying of the flesh, COLOSSIANS. 2:6-23

Did you know there’s a connection between thunderstorms and the quality of the food you eat? High winds have a positive effect on many plants, stimulating their roots to grow deeper so as to anchor the plant more firmly in the soil. And when roots grow deeper, they find fresh reserves of minerals that are taken up by the plant and deposited in the fruit. And it’s minerals that provide nutrition. A stressed plant offers the sweetest fruit — in due time.

And the same is true with us. When God allows winds of adversity to blow against us, we are forced to extend the roots of our faith deeper into the soil of God’s promises and provision, just to hang on through the storm. But when the storm passes, we have newfound faith, strength, maturity, and humility as a result of learning to hold on to God. That’s why God doesn’t remove every storm so that we learn to depend on the grace of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). But we have to give the process time.

If you are in a storm right now, dig deep into God and hold on. The sweet fruit of peace and joy will soon appear.

Patience is the ballast of the soul that will keep it from rolling and tumbling in the greatest storms.
Ezekiel Hopkins

COMMENTS: Trials and hardships usually are either the consequence of poor choices/paths or from circumstances beyond our control. Some of the choices were made long ago with consequences talking a long time to show up. Others come very quickly. Yet Romans 8:28 reminds us that if we go to God and focus for help and yield to what He wants us to do, good will come from experience and we will be stronger as above devotion reflects. Yet anger and further destructive behavior may also result causing even more hardship to us or those who are close to us. I also believe as we grow closer to God, we realize just how righteous and perfect He is and how far short of that we are and live not matter how good we are. If we see someone with a weakness that is not ours, we are prone to judge and lack understanding why he struggles with that while ignoring our own weaknesses and struggles. To take God’s perspective should help us both understand our neighbor’s struggle as well and look for ways to help him as well and seek help for our own struggles. That is what Christian community was designed by God to be.

King Solomon has such amazing wisdom, as of which we see some in Ecclesiastes. David Jeremiah, on his radio program, is sharing from Ecc. The time and season verse noted above reminds us that hardships and persecution can seem eternal at the time and unbearable, but that will only be true if we keep God out of the journey thru it and not accept His Grace and forgiveness. With Him, we have the promise we will not bear what we can’t endure and will not last. But also we will be victorious afterwards and will live with Him in heaven forever. Why God allows us to endure hardships, especially those not of our doing, is a mystery. Yet thru scripture we learn every generation struggled with that mystery even among faithful believers without understanding. However, those who learned to simply trust Christ and follow His direction and lead were able to gain the strength to walk thru their hardships wisely with confidence they will win and be with Christ forever. That is our same promise and God continues to keep his promises.

2/8/2023 Seasons of Life 8

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

6 When they therefore had come together, they asked of Him, saying, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”7 And He said unto them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power.8 But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”9 And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,11 who also said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven.” ACTS 2:6-11

Moses was a busy man for the first season of his life. But for the second season, he had to flee for his life to Midian where he worked as a shepherd for 40 years. Moses could have been excused for believing that his usefulness to God was over. It had been four decades since he had heard from the Lord. Then, at age 80, God called Moses back into service for another 40 years. Moses’ life is an example of the biblical principle that the seasons of life pass according to God’s perfect timetable.

In the Bible, the word “season” refers to the passage of time (Genesis 1:14) and the agricultural cycle-planting, harvesting, and resting (Leviticus 26:4). Though the ancients knew nothing of the revolution of the earth around the sun and the tilt of the earth’s axis that cause seasons, they knew that seasons were always coming and going. And they knew they could be neither slowed down nor speeded up. They knew that seasons were in the hand of God.
Our life has its seasons just as the earth does. As God gave Moses a time of rest between times of service, so He orders the seasons of our lives as well.
The man who lives in God is never out of season.Vance Havner “TURNING POINT”–dev 2/7/13

COMMENTS: Today’s verse in Psalms and example of Moses reminds us that God guides us thru life if we follow Him, even though may see some dead ends or times of desperation. For Moses to go thru 40 dormant years before being called for another 40 years shows we can’t predict what God has for us, but must know it is what we are designed for and best for us, so why fight or resist it? Yet we do because God’s path is so opposite what we likely want or are inclined to go. When the disciples saw Jesus going into heaven, they had no idea the path their lives would take or what it meant to be have the Holy Spirit, but that was ok because faith is walking the path, not necessarily seeing what is around the next corner. Headlights show us the path at night just far enough to stay on the road and stop for obstructions. That is sufficient….

Today’s David Jeremiah continued to share from Ecclesiastes to have balance in life – not to be absorbed in gaining success or riches to sacrifice of family and friends and fellowship with God nor to abandon life and consume yourself in idleness or becoming a “flower child”. He shared how Richard Nixon become so obsessed with success and power he was not able to enjoy the office of president or be satisfied with it and looked at others as his enemies. He became his own enemy. Solomon stated not to be enslaved with pursuit of power and riches nor to consume your own flesh by withdrawal.

Our relationship with Christ has a wonderful way of bringing balance into our lives. He gives us daily direction but also his perspective, which is so foreign to our way of thinking or inclination. We are so prone to turn into a ditch or go a dead end path when He is the GPS that will guide us to our destination if we simply listen and obey. I have said before, God is a relational God who wants to have a relationship with us even more than how desperately we need to have that relationship with Him. Yet, why do we resist Him so passionately? It is a puzzle but know satan is really good at fooling us into doing that but scripture is full of examples and our own experiences support that we are not alone in the paradox. However, we have enough examples to prove to us God’s way is best and the only way to eternal life and happiness both here and eternally.

2/9/2023 Words from the Wise: Jesus 9
53 And it came to pass that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence.54 And when He had come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished and said, “From whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works?55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary and his brethren James and Joseph, and Simon and Judas?56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? From whence then hath this man all these things?”57 And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said unto them, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country and in his own house.”58 And He did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. MATTHEW 13:53-58

Cy Young won more baseball games than anyone in major league history, a record unlikely to be broken — 511 wins over twenty-two years. But who knows? Records are made to be broken. Many people thought Solomon’s place as “the wisest man in the world” could never be bested. Then Jesus came.

In childhood, Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” As a preacher, His messages invoked the response, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this?” Isaiah said of Him, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding”; and Paul said, “In (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Our Lord is able to guide us. His words are dependable; His direction unfailing; His advice irrefutable; His counsel trustworthy. As Jesus said, wise people build their lives on the rock of obedience to His commands (Matthew 7:24).

His wisdom will never be equaled, and His Word cannot be broken.

Jesus is still teaching us through the Bible and through His Holy Spirit in our hearts. Jesus was, and is, and always will be the wisest rabbi, the wisest teacher.
Karyn Henley

COMMENTS: Our scriptures share how amazed people were at Jesus’ wisdom. He had just shared the parables of the weeds, mustard seed and yeast, the hidden treasure and pearl and then started teaching in his home town of Nazareth, but was not accepted there. Yet the people there were amazed with His wisdom but would not accept it. As parents we get frustrated when our children ignore or even accept but don’t follow our wisdom. Solomon was the wisest man before Jesus but didn’t ultimately follow his own wisdom.

We have access to Solomon’s wisdom and also to the one who gave him wisdom, Christ. Yet Jesus offers to teach and guide us directly one-on-one yet we still resist. I relate to that tendency to resist but have learned over the years how vital it is to seek out His council and follow it. I am enjoying the fruits of those times I have followed it but still regret those times I didn’t. The Good News of the Gospel is God is still in the business of GRACE and providing mercy and forgiveness and a new start for any who will ask and receive His Mercy. We are seeing evidence our children are recognizing and accepting the wisdom we share with them and an openness to tap into God’s GRACE and Wisdom directly but are praying they and their spouses will fully embrace Christ as their source and strength and guide. Debbie and Joe are struggling with Joey especially as he starts to spread his independent wings and Hunter as he still is trying to find his way. Our prayers continue for them especially as well as Lily as she continues to blossom.

2/10/2023 Psalm 12:3 10
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.

A co-worker thought he knew everything there was to know about God. If people expressed their beliefs, the man would criticize and analyze them, telling them what he felt was wrong with their way of thinking. He bragged of all the things he had read, of the people he had met, and the numbers he had let to Christ. His religion was worn as a badge to impress others. However, when things got hard the man, he found that he was ill-equipped to deal with the pressures.

Our faith in Christ is not to be a source of bragging and pride; but a source of comfort and service. Being Christian doesn’t make us better than other people, just better off. We are blessed by the gift of God’s love, and we should receive it with humility and grace.

Prayer: Creator God, You have made me in Your image, and I sometimes forget how thankful I should be. All that I am, and all that I can be, is a gift from You, and nothing that I have done on my own. Forgive my foolish pride. Amen

COMMENTS: Psalm 12 is identified as a Psalm of David as a plea for help. David noted that the godly have gone and those left lie and flatter vainly. Psalm 12 goes on to identify the weak as being oppressed but will be protected by God. His people will be protected by Him forever. The wicked will strut feely for a time only.

David enduring being a fugitive from King Saul for a number of years and was not able to find refuge except in mountain caves without evidence of a future except for promise of Samuel’s anointing of him as king and hope that God would keep His promise. Yet because David remained true and faithful during those years of being a fugitive, God honored him as “a man after His own heart” and protected him throughout his life victorious over his enemies to become king of Israel and beloved by his people and to start the family line to the Messiah.

Psalms continues to be such a blessing to me, encouraging in times of fear and difficulty but also putting words to praise and worship when I am not able to find them on my own.

This scripture speaks to me in more than one way.

1. We can never think we have God’s ways or revelation figured out or think we have wisdom or bragging rights. God will continue to surprise me and you by giving us insights and direction we don’t have a clue. That means we are equally lacking and in need and short of God’s wisdom and perfection. As we grow in our faith God does expect us to become more like Him but that does not mean we will be perfect this side of the grave. The reason is God is infinitely more perfect than we are but doesn’t mean we can’t make dramatic or continual improvement towards perfection while on earth.
2. Persecution and injustice is part of being on earth. God is not promising we will be treated fairly or have prosperity. There are countless examples in scripture and don’t have to look very far around us to see contemporary examples. Wise choices do lead to good results but sometimes evil or poor choices of others affect how well our wise choices bear good fruit. Yet God’s promises and examples from scripture as well as throughout the centuries should encourage us in our faith that hardships are not permanent and God is faithful to guide and protect us to be victorious beginning on other side if not on this side. We see countless examples of God’s guiding presence given to those before us providing needed hope and even joy but certainly peace as they enduring the journey thru dark and difficult times. That gives me hope and a sense of purpose in the meantime and pray it does you too. Investing in eternity vs. today is vision God wants us to see and follow.

2/11/2013 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love 11

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry.6 Because of these, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience,7 in which ye also once walked, when ye lived in them.8 But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Do not lie one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds,10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him,11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all.12 Therefore, holy and beloved, as the elect of God, put on hearts of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering,13 forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:5-15

Have you noticed how many “wars” are raging around us? I’m not talking just about military conflicts. We have a way of branding everything a war. There’s a war on coal, a war on drugs, and a war on poverty. Companies get into bidding wars, neighbors get into wars of words, and Microsoft and Apple are duking it out in tablet wars. Not to be outdone, churches sometimes engage in worship wars.

Some wars are worth fighting, and some are unavoidable. But what we most need is peace — peace in our world, in our homes, in our churches, and peace in our hearts. One day the Prince of Peace will come, and “of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). God will ultimately balance the scales of right and wrong. Until then, we can experience peace with God and the peace of God. Today fix your thoughts on Him. Turn your eyes to His promises. Place your circumstances in His hands. Claim His wonderful, wonderful peace, sweet peace, the gift of His love.
Peace, peace, sweet peace, wonderful gift from above.
Peter P. Bilhorn, hymnist

COMMENTS: Today’s scriptures started with direction to turn from sin but then to put on love and mercy and compassion. Unrestrained sin brings on consequences, not the least is God’s judgment. Yet scripture is then quick to remind us we are not to judge those who have weaknesses we don’t have but our own weaknesses should give us compassion towards others as they struggle with theirs. However, scripture does not expect us to overcome our sinfulness on our own. Success in overcoming our sinful nature requires God’s help thru a daily relationship He offers us. The other ingredient is being a part of a support group within the Christian community to help us and keep us accountable. God designed us to be in community and relationship with each other but also with Him. We are not strong enough to change our behavior on our own nor are expected to do so, but God wants us to make positive choices and to be accountable to those who can encourage and guide us. I believe one of the ways He outfoxes satan, who attacks us at our weakness which are difference for each of us, is to encourage us to be in Christian community which makes us so much stronger. By being in communion with Christ as well as in Christian community, we can be strong enough to resist and even overcome temptation. By trying to do it on our own, satan knows he is much stronger than us, but we don’t realize just how vulnerable we are in that environment.

I hope this encourages you both in realizing where we can find victory over struggles and temptations but also to realize everyone have the same struggles but not always with same temptations. God also gives us memory, which allows us to look back and see progress we’ve made but also in realizing how much He has been involved in helping us thru life’s struggles and hardships.

2/12/2023 Riches or Relationships? 12
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

9 And He said unto them, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.10 For Moses said, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ and, ‘Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.’11 But ye say that if a man shall say to his father or mother, ‘It is Corban’ (that is to say, a gift of whatsoever thou mightest have profited from me), he shall be freed;12 and ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother,13 thus making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered. And many like things do ye.” MARK 7:9-13

Mark explained a Jewish practice called “Corban” (Hebrew for “offering”) in his Gospel for his Gentile readers. Tradition (not Scripture) allowed for a Jew to dedicate (offer) money or possessions to God in a vow, even money that should have been used to support his parents. Jesus soundly criticized such a practice as a violation of the fifth of the Ten Commandments: “Honor your father and your mother” (Mark 7:9-13; Exodus 20:12).

In other words, Jews who engaged in the practice of Corban were putting money above people, riches above relationships. All it takes is a reading of King Solomon’s words about the value of relationships to see which is more important. It is the people in our lives who provide help with our labor, a hand-up when we fall, warmth and companionship when we are lonely, and defense against attacks (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12). And when it comes to the relationships in our family, Paul said we are worse than a pagan if we put selfishness over their care (1 Timothy 5:8).
There is nothing wrong with riches, but they need to remain in their place — second to our relationships with others. “No amount of riches can atone for poverty of character.” Unknown

COMMENTS: David Jeremiah, in this morning’s radio program, reflect on Solomon’s observations on riches and affect on those that have them: Always want more, tend to spend more, more want to steal them, more to worry about, more to lose, and more to leave behind when die. Solomon reflects on relationships with others and especially with God is more precious and lasting than pursuit of money and possessions and power.

Likewise, Solomon also says to not make vows or bargains with God, like promising to do something if He gets you thru a current crisis. He said is better to ask and trust and not vow especially if not ready to keep your vow. Can bring God’s judgment if vow and break your vow when there was no need to vow and put yourself at risk. God wants to bless and help us and doesn’t need for us to bargain with Him.

Having relationships with our family and taking care of our parents is not only expected of us by God but helps build the love and relationship that is needed for our health and survival. God always has our best interest at heart when asks of us, especially when it is something we really don’t want to or find easy to do.

The Ten Commandments, even though old testament law, are designed to bless us and help us avoid life’s dangers and hardships. Even though Christ brought an age of Grace, the Ten Commandments and Old Testament law still give God’s standard and His guide to living the life God intended us to live. The Ten Commandments are a guide to blessing and a good life, not force us into a boring life without fun. Being in relationship with God and obeying his commandments and direction is not a boring life but a life filled with happiness and joy and love. People spend fortunes pursuing happiness without ever being satisfied when God offers the type of happiness that does satisfy freely when we draw close to Him.

I have known that since my childhood and have had good examples and role models around me my entire life, but am still just in the early stages of figuring that out and practicing that. However, I think even the most seasoned Christian will take that same perspective since compared with Christ the best of us is infinitely short of His mark.

2/13/2023 Acts of God 13
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. JAMES 1:16-17

“Act of God” is a legal term that appears in contracts. It refers to events that are beyond human control such as natural disasters, illnesses, and other events. In other words, when bad things happen, God gets blamed. Even when God is not blamed for causing a disaster, He is blamed for not preventing it.

What’s missing in this discussion is a biblical understanding of God’s economy and the nature of a fallen world system. Bad things happen because of sin — a curse extended even to planet earth (Genesis 2:17-19). The whole world is laboring under the burden of sin, longing to be set free (Romans 8:19-22). God is not sitting idly by watching bad things happen. Rather, He allows sin to run its course as part of His demonstration of the need for repentance. God’s righteousness stands in stark contrast to the darkness in a fallen world (Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 1:19-20).

When you experience difficulties, resist the temptation to blame God. Instead, depend on the “acts of God” that Scripture verifies — His deliverance and compassion for those who trust in Him.

Jesus treats wars and natural disasters not as agenda items in a discussion of the mysterious ways of God, but as incentives to repentance. D. A. Carson

COMMENTS: This morning’s devotion is a common theme this month in David Jeremiah’s morning radio broadcasts. Focus is on Solomon’s words of wisdom in Ecclesiastes. I, as many bible students, haven’t been sure if Solomon returned to God after backsliding. David said Solomon married pagan women even though God told him not to, which became his weakness that pulled him away from God. Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was not immune from falling into sin from satan’s temptations.

Solomon shares that great wealth and success or poverty and failure all leave us empty if we are not in relationship with God and following his direction. Today’s scripture in James reminds us that God is in control and not only has created but owns all we have and has our best interest in mind. Faith involves trusting both good and bad circumstances as being in His control and trust results to Him. That means seeking his guidance and direction and following that, not the directions our minds and hearts may lead us. Solomon tells us to leave God out of our lives will result in empty and poor conclusions no matter how good they started. Conversely, if we put and keep God on our life journey and obey Him, conclusion will be good no matter how poor the start or journey may be or seem. God called David, even with all his sinful choices, a man after God’s own heart. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, shows us that we cannot make it without Him either. Yet God may not fully shield us from suffering for a time for our foolish/sinful choices. But the good news is God will forgive and heal us if we ask and allow ourselves to let Him in. Scripture is clear God forgave David because he asked. Scripture isn’t as clear with Solomon but gives us clues Solomon asked and was forgiven too.

2/14/2023 Promise Keeping 14
when you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it … Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; make firm your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned. Behold, the Judge standeth before the door!10 My brethren, take the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering affliction and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy who endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord, how the Lord is full of pity and of tender mercy.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, nor by any other oath; but let your “Yea” be yea, and your “Nay” be nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. JAMES 5:7-12

The third of the Ten Commandments — “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7) — has been wrongly interpreted to mean using God’s name in a curse or profane statement (although that is certainly to be avoided). Originally, it referred to making a vow or promise with God as your witness that you would keep your word. If you failed to keep your promise, you were guilty of using His name in vain. You had involved God in your deceit or unfaithfulness, and God is not to be “used” by His people for their convenience in such a way.

King Solomon wrote an extended paragraph about the danger of making vows and promises to God and, by extension, to others with God as our witness (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). The apostle James, following his half-brother, Jesus of Nazareth, went further: Don’t make vows at all. Just let your “Yes” mean yes and your “No” mean no (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). Instead of making a promise in God’s name, we should let our character serve as a guaranty for our word.
If you say “Yes” or “No” today, follow through appropriately. Better not to promise than to promise and not pay. “We must never promise ourselves any more than God has promised us.” Matthew Henry

COMMENTS: This devotion tells us to not to make bargains with God unless will follow thru. If ask God to heal your child if you start going to church, you need to be ready to go to church. Better to plead with God without bargaining and not follow thru than to bargain and not follow thru. God will hold us accountable for keeping our promises, even our promises to Him. David Jeremiah, this morning, shared it is good to strive to get a good income and success in our vocation and do our job as well as we can. However, he shared Solomon shared our sense of worth does not come from wealth or from success in employment but from God. The paradox is if we put money or our jobs first we will never be fulfilled with or do our best with them. However, if we put God first and do not let our jobs take time and energy that needs to be reserved for family and Him, God will help us so will be able to do better at our jobs and in family and in finances. God will enable us to do more with 90% if tithe than could with 100% without tithe. I have found that to be true. God will bless our jobs if do not let it take from family and church/devotion time with more results than if we gave every moment of day to our jobs. Someone said none on their death bed will regret not putting more time into their jobs, but most regret not spending more time with their families and in devotion and service to Christ.

Today is St. Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine would secretly marry couples in a time when the king outlawed marriage. As I reflect over the nearly 35 years of marriage, how God guided Katie Campbell to be match maker, how God even guiding Arlene and I to let Him be involved in our lives and direct our choices; I see how God was involved in amazing ways. He has also shown me that my mind and will is what enabled me to sustain/strengthen love for a lifetime for Arlene.

2/15/2023 The Gift of Enjoyment 15
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter; for he that is higher than the highest regardeth, and there are higher than they.9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field.10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This is also vanity.11 When goods increase, they are increased who eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, except the beholding of them with their eyes?12 The sleep of the laboring man is sweet whether he eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely: riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.14 But those riches perish by evil travail; and when he begetteth a son, there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor which he may carry away in his hand.16 And this also is a sore evil: that in all ways as he came, so shall he go. And what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.18 Behold that which I have seen: It is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him; for it is his portion.19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given power to eat thereof and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labor, this is the gift of God.20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life, because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. Ecc.5:8-20

Everyone knows that hearses aren’t equipped with luggage racks or trailers, meaning, of course, “You can’t take it with you.” That well-known phrase comes from the pen of the world’s richest man in his day, Solomon. While many agree with Solomon that we can’t take our wealth with us, they ignore Solomon’s other lesson about money: there is no guarantee that it will satisfy even in life.

Solomon’s wealth certainly didn’t satisfy him. He concluded that not only was wealth itself a gift from God, the ability to enjoy it was a gift as well. Just having money is no guarantee of happiness. If it were, all rich people would be happy and all poor people would be miserable. But not only do we read of some wealthy people living unhappy lives, we also read of people with modest means being happy and content. The blessing of God — peace, joy, contentment, and happiness — is not tied to money. Rather, it comes as a gift to those who trust in Him.
Regardless of your material condition, let your joy and happiness today be found in God rather than in material things. “The things that we love tell us what we are.” Thomas Aquinas

COMMENTS: Solomon continues sharing his wisdom on money. He shares in above scripture that wealth will not last and the love of money is never satisfied – gaining wealth always wants more, draws more people wanting to consume it, brings worry for fear of losing it – wealth hoarded brings harm to owner. He continues it is better to be satisfied with each day’s work and gain so if God gives us gain from it, we can be satisfied and have rest without wanting more.

David Jeremiah, in this morning’s program, discussed Ecclesiastes 7, which gives some more nuggets of wisdom. He goes on to say that we do not grow spiritually during comfortable – prosperous times but during hardships. He says that it is better to receive mourning than joy, wise rebuke than praise of fools. Wisdom is a better shelter than money in the bank and wisdom preserves the life of its owner. If we reflect

I encourage you to read Chapter 7 and reflect on its words. Solomon even says the day of our death is better than the day of our birth. What he means is a life well lived with Christ as our guide is a certainty of an eternity with Him in heaven and confidence of a life’s work continuing in the lives of those impacted by that life. A new born doesn’t know what lies ahead and no one knows if he will live well with Christ at his life’s helm or if will choose a life of rebellion and sin without Christ with judgment awaiting him at the end of life.

Even Solomon yielded to temptation and sinned by building pagan altars and worshipping false gods due to influence of his many pagan wives. How could Solomon, wisest man ever who had a close relationship with God, who knew better, turn away from God? We have some hope he came to his senses and turned back to God towards end of his life but damage those dark wasted years did is a tragedy to him and those who could have been blessed by them. If that can happen to Solomon, what hope have we? None except by making it a daily decision to be close to Christ thru prayer, devotion, and service and avoiding exposure to temptation diligently. We require a daily relationship with Christ to survive and He desires that daily relationship with us. Solomon’s wisdom tells us that relationship will make us more efficient at work, at home with our families, at church, in community, in our finances – in other words everywhere. Investing time daily with Him and giving back our tithe will be rewarded with a sense of hope/worth/happiness and a more productive work day. Good news is each morning is a fresh beginning if fail the day before. God’s Grace takes that into account and gives us a fresh beginning each morning.

2/16/2023 Words from the Wise: Daniel 16

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled and his sleep departed from him.2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.3 And the king said unto them, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.”4 Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriac, “O king, live for ever! Tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The thing is gone from me. If ye will not make known unto me the dream with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.6 But if ye show the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and the interpretation thereof.”7 They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.”8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time is changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.”10 The Chaldeans answered before the king and said, “There is not a man upon the earth who can show the king’s matter. Therefore there is no king, lord, or ruler who asked such things of any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain, and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon.15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so hasty?” Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.16 Then Daniel went in and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions,18 that they would desire mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.20 Daniel answered and said, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.21 And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings and setteth up kings. He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.22 He revealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.23 I thank Thee and praise Thee, O Thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee; for Thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.”24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus unto him: “Destroy not the wise men of Babylon. Bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.”25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, “I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known unto the king the interpretation.”26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?”27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said, “The secret which the king hath demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot show unto the king.28 But there is a God in heaven who revealeth secrets, and maketh known to King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter; and He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than anyone living, but for their sakes who shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.31 “Thou, O king, sawest; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.32 This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,33 his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.34 Thou sawest until a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.35 Then were the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them. And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.36 “This is the dream, and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it the strength of the iron, inasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken.43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.45 Inasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter. And the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure.”46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet incense unto him.47 The king answered unto Daniel and said, “In truth it is, that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.”48 Then the king made Daniel a great man and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. Daniel 2:1-49

Check out these book titles: Blind Spots: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things … Why Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money … Everyday Survival: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things … Why Smart People Can Be So Stupid … Why Smart Companies Do Dumb Things … Why Smart People Make Dumb Choices …. I guess there are so many books with similar titles because we identify with the subject. We like to think we’re smart, but sometimes we all do and say dumb things.

Skip the aforementioned books and spend time instead in the Book of Daniel, and discover one of the wisest men of Scripture. His insights are as fresh today as when first penned. His understanding of the times is more relevant than ever.

Daniel trusted God for wisdom and always gave God the credit. As we study God’s Word — including oft-neglected books like Daniel — we’ll grow in wisdom, be less likely to do foolish things, and God will be increasingly glorified in our lives. “Daniel gave all the glory to God; he took none of it for himself. There is no limit to what God will do for the believer who will let God have all the glory.” Warren W. Wiersbe

COMMENTS: I know scripture tells us Solomon is the wisest man who lived (other than Christ) and his words in Ecc. , and Proverbs, keep giving us great revelation. However, I consider Daniel the most faithful man that ever lived and consider revelations God gave him and council he gave 4 kings evidence his wisdom and walk with God were unequalled. I would have to say if I needed council and had Solomon and Daniel as resources to choose from, I would choose Daniel first because his wisdom led him to remain faithful to God his entire life. Today’s scripture from Daniel reflects his wisdom to pray and see God’s input along with his friends before attempting to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel’s wisdom and discernment reflect a relationship with God unequalled in old testament times, especially since he sustained that relationship unbroken his entire life, which was likely about 90 years. I have used Daniel’s example to guide me and remind me how important it is to sustain a close relationship with God. With me, as with him, work is required both to battle temptations to become lazy in devotion (which I’ve done countless times) and to become bashful or even ashamed of that relationship when in conversation with others. Daniel was not ashamed even when meant his life, as story of Daniel and lion’s den show us. Why wasn’t he with his 3 friends in the fiery furnace earlier was not because he was not faithful but because he wasn’t there at the time. I’m glad we have an eternity in heaven – we will be able to take sufficient time to take council under Solomon and ask those unanswered questions. However, I think I will need twice that time with Daniel and with Joseph and maybe with David too… Yet the most amazing blessing will be that we not only will be able to worship our Savior without the distractions our bodies and satan torment us with, but Christ will be able to give each of us His undivided attention at the same time and we will be able to talk with and ask him questions for as long as we want.

2/17/2023 God’s Refreshing Comfort 17

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Picture, if you will, a line of people. These people are from different backgrounds and families. Only one thing unites them and that is the fact that all are incredibly thirsty. Each of them longs for a cup of cold water. Now, imagine the first in this great line being given a case of ice cold water. With great anticipation they grab a bottle and begin to quench their overpowering thirst. The dryness and pain that came with the thirst is quickly forgotten as they embrace the refreshing liquid. After enjoying the comforts of the water, the person is then refreshed and ready to pass on this wonderful gift. With great joy, they precede to hand a bottle of water to the next thirsty soul – and the refreshment continues.

This may seem like an odd story, but it sheds light on our place in sharing God’s comfort. All of us have endured suffering. Like these people, we ache for refreshment from the pains of life. After a time of wondering when it will end, God pours out His refreshing comfort on our life and we become encouraged. The danger is to stop at this point and miss the secondary blessing. Rather than selfishly holding on to God’s comfort, we should share it with those who are still thirsting for relief. As God comforts us in our suffering we are put in the perfect place to comfort others – and the refreshment continues.

Life Lesson: God is the source of all blessings, comfort and mercy. When we are a source of blessings or comfort or mercy, we are becoming more and more like Christ.

Dear God,
Thank You for the amazing comfort that I find in You. Because of Your love, I have peace with God and forgiveness for all my sins. Because of Jesus, I am free from the penalty of sin and no matter what happens on this earth, I will be healed and loved for all eternity. Father, help me to remember these things and to pass them on to those who are thirsting for Your refreshing comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say, Pastor David McGee

COMMENTS: These verses remind us both of the Good News of the Gospel and Great Commission to share that Good News. I think the parable of the prodigal gives a clear picture of our life history and condition and his father gives us a clear picture of God’s patience and mercy. However, it also tells us God lets us suffer from poor decisions and waits for us to come back to him with a repentant heart. However, he also stays where we left him so we know where to go to return to him.

Since each of us has strayed, none of us have the right to judge another. Yet because we all have strayed, we are responsible to share the way back to God. How and when and where and with whom we share that good news is where a relationship with God is essential. Yet I all too often miss opportunities a lot more than try to create opportunities ahead of God. My family, like most, has a few prodigals who rebelled against God and strayed into a sinful lifestyle. Over the years a few have repented and come back into fellowship with God and family but some still haven’t.

Scripture and devotion above also give us reassurance that God is still in control and has the best interest of us and them in mind as his plan unfolds, whether it is walking with us through tribulation from our own poor decisions or from circumstances beyond our control. Like the prodigal, they have a background to guide them back when willing to follow it. Our prayer is they will repent sooner rather than later but also that God will continue to be merciful during the journey both down a wrong path as well as journey back to right path. I pray this may help your journey as well as ours and be ready to share when opportunities present themselves.

2/18/2023 A Mind That Loves God 18
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”26 He said unto him, “What is written in the law? How readest thou?”27 And he answering said, “‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.’”28 And He said unto him, “Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:25-28

In his book, Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God, John Piper wrote, “The main reason God has given us minds is that we might seek out and find all the reasons that exist for treasuring Him in all things and above all things. He created the world so that through it and above it we might treasure Him. … Thinking is a God-given means to that end.” ¹

The Bible constantly refers to keeping our minds sound and sharp for Christ, of having the mind of Christ, of being transformed by the renewing of our minds, and of having our thoughts stayed on God and fixed on Jesus. Evil thoughts grow in our minds like weeds, but we can cultivate wholesome thoughts with Bible meditation and judicious reading. Choose a healthy diet for your mind. Replace evil thoughts with memorized Scripture. True Christianity is never anti-intellectual; and growing Christians don’t idle their minds in neutral. Love the Lord your God with all your mind.
“Loving God with the mind means that our thinking is wholly engaged to do all it can to awaken and express the heartfelt fullness of treasuring God above all things.” John Piper “

COMMENTS: David Jeremiah’s radio program continues Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes 7. He tells us a good name is better than perfume, but also the day we die is better than day are born, a sad face is good for the heart, a wise man’s rebuke is better than the praise of fools, hard times are better than times of health and prosperity. Why would he say such a thing when everyone wants to avoid pain and seek happiness, even Solomon? However, we seldom seek and rely on God during good times but desperately will do so in desperate times. Seeking God and His council and help and spending time in relationship with Him is the goal and our purpose so anything in our lives that leads us to Him is a good thing – no matter how painful it may be. Even Solomon needed to learn that and even he was led away from God when exposed to pagan women and wealth and acquiring all the things his heart desired.

In today’s devotion, above, a temple scholar asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Christ gave him the answer recorded in Luke 10:27. This is our goal and desire but cannot be sustained without maintaining a close relationship with Christ, which requires discipline and work. That is more a submission of our will than a response to an emotion of love. A continuous choice of our will to seek and maintain relationship with Him.

It is amazing in every generation thru history God gives us the ability to choose Him and follow a wise path or to reject Him and follow a foolish path. Yet He follows us down either path and but is ready to take our hand and walk with us down the good path or follow near us ready to take our hand or pick us up when we fall going down wrong path. All too often we don’t let Him catch us or pick us up when fall. Yet even though this is repeated in every generation, He doesn’t grow weary or impatient with each of us even though we repeat the mistakes and sins of others in our generation and those in previous generations. He is only a prayer away from forgiving us and giving us a fresh start and bible is His way of telling us about experiences (both foolish and wise) of those before us.

Last night at our community Lenten services at the Kennerdell Church of God the pastor shared her journey of faith and encouraged us to use the 40 days of lent to reflect on our journey of faith to encourage us. She also encouraged us to write it down so could be an encouragement to family and?? I plan on doing so and think writing it down may help me reflect as well.

2/19/2023 A Word from the Wise 19 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. Ecc.7:5

 The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they have done abominable works; there is none that doeth good.

2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God.3 They have all turned aside; they are all together become filthy. There is none that doeth good; no, not one.4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and call not upon the Lord?5 There were they in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous. PSALM 14:1-5

Perhaps the greatest example in history of a person failing to heed the “rebuke of the wise” happened nearly 2,000 years ago. While Pontius Pilate was examining Jesus of Nazareth, his wife came to him and warned him not to condemn Jesus (Matthew 27:19). Pilate ignored his wife’s warning. Instead of heeding the words of the wise, he listened to the song (words) of a foolish, angry crowd.

King Solomon had more to say about hearing and heeding wise rebukes than any other biblical writer. Maybe he remembered the lesson of his father, David, who received the rebuke of Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12). The Book of Proverbs contains many reasons for humbly accepting sound rebukes: They are the way to life (6:23), honor (13:18), the company of the wise (15:31), and understanding (15:32). Indeed, they are like an “ornament of fine gold” (25:12). The person who rejects rebukes experiences just the opposite.
If you are fortunate enough to receive a word of warning from a wise friend, open your heart to what God may want you to do or learn.
“I had rather that true and faithful teachers should rebuke and condemn me, and reprove my ways, than those hypocrites should flatter me and applaud me as a saint.” Martin Luther

COMMENTS: It is very hard for a parent or grandparent when a child or grandchild makes poor decisions that they know can and likely will bring lifelong consequences, especially when they will not listen to wise council. When we are young we think we have a lifetime to settle down and are not ready for the life our parents have or life they want us to prepare for. Yet most lifelong criminals make decisions as a youth that start them down the path they may not know how to change from. Drugs and alcohol have terrible ways of creating a destructive path user is not aware of and cannot change without a great deal of help and determination. Christ is the wonderful hope we have of redemption and a new beginning. Even though the pit some are in seems a great deal deeper than others and destructive choices seem much worse for some than others, sin puts us all in deep destructive pits we cannot climb out of on our own. For that reason Christ’s redemptive sacrifice is equally needed by all and equally offered to all. That puts us all, no matter what we’ve done or how long we’ve done it, at the same level but with same opportunity for redemption and restoration. That is the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL. Yet refusing that redemption or the advice of wise council is like ignoring the horn of the oncoming train or signs of a cliff ahead. God gives us those who give us wise council, especially in the WORD. If we ignore those signs long enough, judgment will give us an eternity to regret our decisions. We, as grandparents, anguish for those we dearly love that decisions they make not have that consequence. Yet we can only make those decisions for ourselves and must rely on prayer, God’s mercy, and our willingness to encourage be sufficient.

If you are reading this, please pray about your life and those you influence and seek God’s council and direction thru prayer and devotion and scripture and seek out those who give wise council. It is never too late to change this side of the grave.

Personal reflections of Don McDaniel

As I reflect over my life of nearly 72+ years, as the Kennerdell Church of God pastor asked us to do Sunday evening, I see many choices I regret and many I am amazed how wise they were. I see some decisions that I would like to change, mostly investment and purchase decisions that cost many thousands of dollars over the years. Yet God still gave us sufficient financial resources to recover and live comfortably, so those decisions have not had permanent consequences. Yet I can see in hindsight those decisions were made without waiting for wise council from scripture or God thru prayer or seeking and listening to wise council. They were made mostly out of my own wants at worst and my own foolish logic at best.

However, the ones that did and continue to have permanent consequences I did seek such council and am amazed how wise and good those decisions were:

The most important decision I made was at age 10. The influence my parents and many in our church had made it a “no brainer” to accept Christ at a fall revival at our home church, the Clintonville United Methodist Church, we still are members of and attend. I can remember my parents giving me a King James rainbow bible a couple of years before and trying to read it but not understanding much of it. After that revival I can remember opening it and starting to read it and running downstairs and telling my parents I am beginning to understand its words. I can still see the tears in my mother’s eyes and the smile on my father’s face when I said that. That decision started me down a path of future wise decisions that has spared me so many of the hardships I see those around me suffering.

Making a career choice was much harder but I gravitated to engineering because I was better at math than sports and enjoyed math and science more than history or English. However, I have to say as I get older I find history much more fascinating and math less interesting. The choice of mechanical engineering, Grove City college as a training school, and Joy Mining Machining as a place to work my career were all a result of my inclination to stay close to home and find a place where I felt God wanted me to be and witness by example mostly. I have to say I was a very shy child and young adult reinforced by a small frame size and feelings of inferiority. Even though those attributes would seem by most to be handicaps, they served to keep me close to Christ and seek His Love and acceptance and follow His council more than I otherwise would have done. I fear if I would have been a larger stronger youth, I would have more likely made some very foolish and dangerous decisions I possibly would have regretted from then on. There were many times during my career at Joy I faced problems I couldn’t solve and sought God for direction for another career path. I can remember thinking and seeking God’s call into a full time ministry and the more I prayed then same answer kept coming back “IF YOU CAN’T WITNESS FOR ME OR SERVE ME WHERE YOU NOW ARE, WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WILL DO BETTER IN FULL TIME MINISTRY? SERVE WHERE YOU ARE AND WE’LL DISCUSS OTHER OPTIONS LATER.” Every time what came out of those prayers and reflections was that God wanted to bring me to the point of being willing and surrendered to full time ministry before He would say serve me where you are for now. That has been the answer that kept me at Joy and at same church and community all my life. However, I have to admit, I was not that comfortable leaving anyway and God was merciful enough to allow me to serve him in my childhood community and home. I do believe if God would have wanted another direction, He would not have allowed me to be content.

That choice allowed me to cross path with a dear Christian, Katy Hetzler (now Katy Campbell), a secretary for the department I worked. God put in on her heart to introduce me to Arlene even though Katy had never married. She planned the meeting with Arlene but didn’t have courage to tell me so I ended up not being at place they thought I’d be. God must have laughed. Two years passed before God nudged Katy enough to actually approach me and set up a meeting at Bonanza in Franklin that we met. Yet both Arlene and I both had the conviction to only date Christians and to seek God’s input first. The wisdom of that conviction and way God brought us together is something I still marvel in after 2 years of dating and nearly 45 years of marriage.

In our case, God even used our fears and insecurities to keep us faithful to Him and make it easier to trust Him even though it meant us both waiting a number of years wondering if God would show us the right person.

My thoughts have changed over the years. I used to think God only has one person for each of us and will not be compatible with any other. I still believe God will lead us to His best choice if we let him, but scripture and experiences of others have convinced me that God can make even poor choices in mates we’ve made that best choice if we let Him be a part of our marriages and guide us. However, I realize that conviction needs to be made by both parties and if one spouse will not listen or allow God in their lives, hardships and pain will be the path for both in that marriage.

However, life and scripture has shown me that even poor decisions can and will be used by God for his purpose (Romans 8:28) and keeping Him involved in life’s decisions is essential especially when we are inclined to continue to make poor decisions.

As I reflect, I see such blessings we are enjoying from God both as a result of good choices but also His mercies in shielding us from consequences of poor choices over the years. Having 2 children that have grown into wise discerning adults. Grandchildren we can be near and influence. Actually being able to retire and enjoy health and the freedom to travel and enjoy more time together as a couple and with our families are all priceless blessings kings couldn’t buy.

Yet I am convinced God does put us on this earth to enjoy life but more importantly to fellowship with Him and serve him. I know God does not want us to enjoy our retirement years without doing His work, so we are continuing to be open to His leading. Recently God gave Arlene the opportunity to drive the CEF bus to bring Victory kids from school to our church’s after school Kids Club. He has also wanted me to help thru games and possibly other ways. Terri Renfrew, from CEF, has such a gift of presenting stories and gospel in such a fun and powerful way. Bible School has been such a blessing in leading so many kids to Christ, not the least has been our own step-grandson, Hunter.

Yet I realize just how feeble and mediocre my witness and example and things I’ve done have been over the years and, yet, God has used those things and results I know will continue to make impact for HIM and for HIS GLORY, which is way it should be and way He intends.

Serving and following Christ is the best choice I have made and have to make every morning. That is a choice I have never regretted but one so easy to slip from or get distracted from or get lazy in making. For that reason, I have to admit I have to keep on my guard to keep in fellowship with Him so I don’t stray or, more realistically, I don’t stray far before He brings me back. As I look back, I see many times I’ve strayed but am so grateful wasn’t far or very long.

I hope this reflection has helped someone who has read it. Please don’t think I’m an example you can’t follow, but an example to encourage you to seek and follow the One who can be trusted and will only bring you Joy and the best things in life. I see the Billy Graham’s or the David Jeremiahs (great evangelists or preachers) or the Wayne Rapp’s (missionary to Kenya) or others that have lead large Sunday school classes or lead many to Christ at their jobs. My most effective witness has been by example and, yes, have had a few opportunities to pray with or talk to others about my faith. However, I think my life is like most: work hard with integrity and say words of encouragement to others and share the reason for my hope when asked or maybe plant a seed with a “praying for you” or “God loves you” now and again, and leaving it to God to water and grow those seeds. Maybe that is the way God intends but at least He has promised to use our half hearted / imperfect efforts for His purpose. That has certainly been my experience and trust yours as well. God Bless and keep looking up, your help is on the way from THE WAY!!

2/20/2023 The Unusual Path to Maturity 20

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing, I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficent for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I glory rather in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in privations, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 COR. 12-7-10

A man who heard someone refer to a “pair of docks” had to be corrected — the discussion was not about two identical places to tie up boats. But a paradox does involve two ideas that seem to be contradictory when contained in the same sentence. And the Bible is filled with them: We receive by giving, we become great by becoming small, we live by dying, and more.

One particularly unsettling paradox is that we learn more from adversity than from prosperity. A person who wants to grow deep and wise in spiritual things puts himself in the position of welcoming trouble into his life. The contradiction is that prosperity provides peace and calm — surely we can focus on spiritual growth better in such an environment. But the essence of spiritual growth is growing in faith, learning to walk by faith instead of by sight. And we do that best when things are hard. If Jesus “learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8), it is likely that we will, too.
Don’t create or look for adversity. But when it comes, embrace it as an opportunity to deepen your walk with Christ.
There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering.
D. A. Carson

COMMENTS: Today’s scripture reading tells us of Paul’s thorn. We are not told what it was but that Paul asked it be removed but God decided not to. However, Paul learned to accept it and lessons it taught him. In today’s radio lesson, David Jeremiah continues to speak from Ecc. 7. He said that good times are a way of giving us rest and refreshment and enjoyment but uninterrupted will tend to make us soft and weak in our faith. Times of hardship are what exercise us and make us strong. It seems some people have more than their share of hardships. Hardships from their own poor decisions are understandable and can go on for very long times. However, hardships that just come along on their own can be just as painful and long lasting.

Christ has promised we will not be asked to bear what we cannot carry, with His help. We also have the promise that He will walk with us and before us and behind us so we will not be alone. Since we can’t see Him with our eyes or hear Him with our ears or touch Him, it is difficult to understand or maintain confidence in. But our faith, His Word, and past experience of ourselves and others tells us His abiding presence is true and more sure than if we could see and hear and touch Him.

My experience has been I can feel His presence and discern His guidance along the way, but all too often I have to take on faith He is there without feeling Him near and simply walk in the direction I believe He wants me to. Having a wife and co-workers and friends to confide in helps a great deal. Scripture and prayer are the most common ways I get confirmation from God but am sure nice when circumstances start giving confirmation of a right path and get the peace in my own heart that am on a right path. I am like most, I like daily confirmation but like most I have seldom gotten it as often as liked but has been often enough.

Satan’s mischief is to discourage or distract us on that path by other situations or from other people or from illness or simply being tired. Maybe that is why God has made our days such that every morning is a fresh beginning and every night is a time of rest.

2/21/2023 Confident Dependence 21
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. PHIL. 4:13

Part of every parent’s task is finding the balance between letting a young child struggle to accomplish a task — tying a shoe, unscrewing a jar lid, putting together a new toy — versus stepping in to do the task for the child. Children learn there are some things that simply cannot be done by themselves.

It is God’s design that we learn to be totally dependent on His power in us. Unlike children, who eventually grow up to accomplish life’s tasks on their own, Christians remain dependent on God for all their lives. But wait — don’t we make our way through the day on our own? So what is it that we are so dependent on God for? Christ likeness. There is nothing in our human ability that allows us to bear the fruit of Christ likeness. That fruit — the character of Christ outlined in part by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 — can only be borne in us by the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is a fine-line balance between confidence and dependence. When we realize that our confidence is in Christ alone, confidence and dependence become one and the same. Confess your confident dependence on Him today.
The Christian should resemble a fruit tree, not a Christmas tree! John R. W. Stott

COMMENTS: John 15:5 tells us to stay connected to Christ so can bear the fruit of being Christ like. Philippians 4:13 tells us we can accomplish much if abide with Christ. Galatians 5:23-23 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Being Christ like is the goal of every Christian but is not just difficult but impossible and satan will do anything to keep us from walking to that goal.

On “Have Today”, Charles Morris interviewed a church planter who struggled with a poor diet that has learned how easy it was to seek comfort from food than from Christ but then learned that when he was able to change his lifestyle, pride became the substitute and still was not becoming Christ like. The above scriptures remind us the only way to become Christ like is to abide with Christ. The hymn “Abide with me” was written by a man on his deathbed. The words show the power and comfort from being close to Christ especially on our last day but also during every day. Why is it so hard to sustain a close relationship with Christ? We can say it is because can’t see His face to see or hear His joy or disappointed. We have to depend on our discipline to prayer and devotion and scripture to be His voice and face. We have to keep relationship with other Christians to make us accountable and provide needed reinforcement. We can’t ignore the ways satan discourages and distracts us because he knows how important maintaining a close relationship with Christ is to be like Him and bear fruit for Him.

I’ve learned to seek help daily at work because He is the “Great Designer” because of too many mistakes and disappointments. I learned to seek His help in my relationship with my wife and children because He is the “Great Father and Husband of His Church”. I learned to seek His help when sick and discouraged because He is the “Great Physician and Counselor”

2/22/2023 The Skill of Living 22
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16

Doth not wisdom cry out, and understanding put forth her voice?2 She standeth at the top of high places, by the wayside where the paths meet.3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors:4 “Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man.5 O ye simple, understand wisdom; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.6 Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be of right things;7 for my mouth shall speak truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.10 Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;11 for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:1-11

When we marvel at the work of an artisan or craftsman … when we are amazed at the performance of an athlete … when we are astounded at the performance of a musician … in every case we applaud their skill. Talent is involved, but skill is the result of talent refined through years of practice.

In the Old Testament, such performers would have been described as wise, not skillful. That is because the Hebrew word for wisdom — hokmah — is actually the word for skill. We think of wisdom as being intangible, a hard-to-define quality that is mysteriously attained. In fact, wisdom is simply skill — the kind of skill needed to make the high priest’s garments (Exodus 28:3), the fabrics for the tabernacle (Exodus 35:35), an idol (Isaiah 40:19), or to pilot a ship (Ezekiel 27:8). So what kind of skill does the Book of Proverbs talk about more than 100 times? Wisdom is the skill of living life from God’s perspective, a skill that is acquired by humility and reverence before Him (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).
The more we fear (reverence) the Lord, the more skillful at life we become.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and they that lack the beginning have neither middle nor end. John Bunyan

COMMENTS: David Jeremiah continues to share Solomon’s wisdom as revealed in both Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. He has continued to equate wisdom with how well life is lived from the relationship we have with God. He continues to remind us that a wise life is one that continues to seek and obey God’s direction with a humble heart. David shared an insight that “a humble life is not one that thinks less of itself but one that thinks of itself less”. He shared the example of how well Stephen was able to be so focused on Christ as his near companion and comforter that he was able to seek God’s mercy for his executioners in midst of being stoned. That reaction is not humanly possible but is possible if we live in close relationship with Christ.

I think the above thoughts are a different approach to wisdom – is a developed skill humbly acquired by living a life from God’s perspective out of a reverence for Him. I’ve spoke several times about how God is very much a relational God who enjoyed and seeks a relationship with each of us. It is amazing He wants to and enjoys a relationship with us and can have an intimate relationship with each of us at the same time. However, it is also true we are each designed for such a relationship and essential to our well being. Wisdom is living in relationship with our Creator and Savior. Living wisely comes out of being influenced by God, guided by Him thru council in our conscience, His Word, other Christian people, and thru God speaking to us in our hearts and minds while in prayer. I have never heard God’s voice with my ears but have felt His presence in my soul and direction would come to my mind and heart that would be confirmed in His Word and Christian friends. Memory and past experience only reinforces this as we start journey of life with Christ in our lives, but is a mystery until is experienced.

2/23/2023 Words from the Wise: Agur 23

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal:2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.4 Who hath ascended up into heaven or hath descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if thou canst tell?5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.6 Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee and thou be found a liar.7 Two things have I required of Thee; deny me them not before I die:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me only food sufficient for me,9 lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, “Who is the Lord?”— or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Proverbs 30:1-9

Who was Agur son of Jakeh? His name means “Hireling,” and he’s not a biblical VIP. He’s a minor character in Scripture who once scribbled some advice to two people named Ithiel and Ucal. Was Agur a king or a peasant? A Jew or a Gentile? Revered or persecuted? We don’t know, but we do know he was highly respected for his wise thinking. Agur’s wisdom rivaled that of Solomon, and his friendly advice was included in the Book of Proverbs as the thirtieth chapter.

Here in verses 8-9, Agur gave us one of the wisest and most unusual prayers of the Bible. He asked God to keep him from both extreme poverty and extreme wealth. The safest life for the soul, he reasoned, was one of moderation and contentment.
Agur didn’t have total obscurity (he’s a biblical author) nor total fame (we know little of him). He didn’t want total poverty or total wealth. His wisdom was in a balanced life, a contented heart, and a well-adjusted attitude. He’s a man to emulate, and his prayer is a petition to echo.
I wonder how many financial advisors pray Agur’s prayer … ? It just seems so un-American to pray like this. Steven James

COMMENTS: Agur’s wisdom is introduced in today’s scripture by acknowledgement that he is entirely ignorant of God or His ways but asked for that knowledge and that he be shielded from false information. We don’t know if Solomon interacted with Agur but have to believe if Solomon was as wise as we’re told, he would gravitate to other men of God with wisdom to share. We also would hope Solomon shared Agur’s recognition of man’s ignorance and need for God’s direction. Age has a way of helping us realize just how short sighted and ignorant we all are, and me especially, of God’s ways, His will, His love, and His wisdom. Likewise, my inclinations and thoughts are so far short of His insights and thoughts it is like a good father teaching his young son and his son doesn’t have a clue. David Jeremiah’s focus on Ecclesiastes and now Proverbs and Psalms share a wealth of wisdom and insights I hadn’t noticed or considered in past bible studies. Yet the wisdom of Ecclesiastes is profound and still only a snapshot of wisdom that is part of God’s character. It makes me even more want to expose myself and absorb what wisdom scripture offers and see God more earnestly. I hope it does you as well but we all need to realize no matter how much wisdom we absorb from scripture or even from God directly, we still are like Agur and sense we simply still don’t have a clue. However, that is OK and believe in saying this God is saying “NOW YOU GET THE IDEA, I don’t expect you to but do expect you to seek me and I’ll show you as much as you need today”….

For Agur to ask for just enough provision to avoid temptation to steal but not enough to be absorbed in greed is great wisdom we need to capture. That is an insight I intend to reinforce in my convictions and behavior going forward.

2/24/23 Lamentations Says to Worship Our God of Hope 24

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!”-Lamentations 3:24 (emphasis added).

Lamentations was written by Jeremiah. As he sat down and looked over the smoldering ruins of his beloved Jerusalem, his voice rose to the wail of sorrow, a lament. That is why the book is called Lamentations, which was a funeral dirge over the City of God. Inspired by the Spirit of God, this serves as a message of encouragement that the next time things crash and burn in your life and your whole world is falling apart-family, health, finances, emotions–look to God as the God of hope! The theme of Lamentations and this middle chapter agree: “Great is Your faithfulness, almighty God!” The Lord taught Jeremiah that no matter how the world was falling apart, personally or nationally, he could still hope in God. And that is why we can find living hope for the end of days! For an even clearer picture, let’s go back to where we started in Lamentations. Meet Jeremiah. With his life in shambles–his friends all dead, and the smoke and stench of destruction all around everything he had ever held dear–Jeremiah wrote the poem that explains the pathway of hope. The Pathway of Hope: Have you ever felt that life was too painful to even go on? Jeremiah did, and without the benefits and blessings we have in this church age. He persevered with living hope in the midst of that pain. In Lamentations 3, we can see the pains God uses, manages, allows, and, most of all, handles for us. Note how Jeremiah trusted and endured through the pain of these stresses.

• Broken physical health: He has aged my flesh and my skin, and broken my bones (v. 4).
• Deep emotional strain: He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and woe (v. 5).
• Periods of dark depression: He has set me in dark places like the dead of long ago (v. 6).
• Desperation and the burden of being trapped: He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy (v. 7).
• Feeling out of touch and distant from God: Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer (v. 8).
• Frustration and confusion: He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked (v. 9).
• Anxiety and sadness: You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity (v. 17).
• Physical weakness and hopelessness: And I said, “My strength and my hope have perished from the Lord” (v. 18).
• Bitter affliction and aimlessness: Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall (v. 19).

If Jeremiah were to stop with verse 19, we might feel discouraged as we face our own trials. But his list of woes actually crescendo until it broke forth into overflowing hope in verses 21-26. After praising God for His daily compassions and great faithfulness, Jeremiah testified: The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord (vv. 25-26, emphasis added). What a God we serve! Just as He offers hope in Lamentations, allow Him to be what you need to make it through life on a hopeless earth. As we speed toward the end of days, God offers living hope to each of His children. Let Him weave your weaknesses, like fragile fibers, in with the countless strands of His promises. Let Him stretch and twist you into waiting hope. And then, when troubles increase, let Him bring you a fresh portion of His hope and goodness as you wait enduringly with hope in Christ.

COMMENTS: I’ve rattled on enough so giving you a Sabbath break and think it sufficient to let the words of this devotion speak to you directly without me. I trust these words will give you hope and encouragement in your times of sorrow or grief or despair. I’ll be praying that is so.

2/25/2023 Content or Contentious? 25
 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8 And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.9 But those who would be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil; and while some have coveted after it, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11t.

Some people are contentious and others are content. Some strive and struggle to get more and more; others find joy in what they have, and most of all in Whom they serve.

William Henry Channing, a nineteenth-century clergyman, summed up his philosophy of life like this: “To live content with small means; to see elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common — this is my symphony.”
When we’re walking with God and finding our sufficiency in Christ, contentment is the melody of the soul. All of life is a symphony. We may not have the latest sound system in our living room, but we have a choir of songbirds in the nearby park — and they sing for free!
As the Bible says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Contentment … is the soul’s enjoyment of that peace that passes all understanding.
Arthur Pink

COMMENTS: Today’s devotion has a similar theme to this morning’s turning point radio study. To be content with what we have and enjoy it while showing appreciation to God for it is perspective we are told to have. In today’s radio program David Jeremiah shared from Ecc. 9:1-9, David shares Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon near the end of his long life, which gives us clues he repented and turned from sinful life he had lived. In this chapter Solomon shares that death is inevitable so need to: enjoy life, enjoy each other by fellowship during meal time, enjoy every day as from God, and enjoy your wife. David Jeremiah indicated Solomon is regretting not being faithful to his wife during his early wife when wrote “Song of Solomon” and married many pagan women during years between these two books. How much more a blessing would his life have been and good he could have done if he would have been a Daniel and true to God his entire life. God’s mercy was available to him so he ended well, but what damage could have been avoided if he would have followed his own wisdom all his life. Solomon had opportunity and time and resource, which made temptation all too strong and irresistible for him. Yet when he began to consider temptation and thought one sin wouldn’t hurt, it opened the door for more and more. Allowing his heart to be turned from God may have not been that noticeable or painful at first but path doesn’t not show the destination going to. It takes God to wake us up and point us back to a better path, but that path is still our choice to make or ignore.

Satan always offers things that seem more attractive than God’s gifts but time always proves satan to be a liar and cheat and God to be faithful with options that are always best. He loves us, satan doesn’t; he has our best interests at heart, satan only has his interests at heart and wants the opposite God wants and, in an attempt to hurt Him, does all he can to destroy us. It amazes me, after all the countless generations and history available to us, we still haven’t figured that out and still make the same foolish mistakes past generations did.

2/26/2023 God Is God 26

Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6b

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. MATTHEW 23:11-12

When you think of an immovable object, what comes to mind? Perhaps the massive Rock of Gibraltar on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, or the Empire State Building in New York City? How about the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco? Some things have the ability to resist human effort; they are completely immovable by us.

If created things are immovable, how about the Creator, God Himself? The Bible says that God resists the proud. For a prideful person to attempt to change or move God is as futile as a baby trying to move a building. There is great liberty found in the awareness that God is God and we are not, that God’s ways are perfect and that He is unmoved by the prideful or disagreeable protests of man. While God is unmoved by pride, He is moved by humility. To the humble, God gives grace — as He did to the apostle Paul who cried out three times concerning his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
If you are inclined to pridefully protest against God’s decisions in your life, you will find Him unmoved. But humility in the face of His decisions and actions will result in the grace to let Him be God in your situation. “God assists the humble but resists the proud.” John Blanchard

COMMENTS: Today’s devotional shares how important it is to recognize power and sovereignty of God but that He does have our best interest at heart all all the time. Matt.23 tells us in order to be great to become a humble servant and to be a blessing to others instead of trying to make a name for yourself. David Jeremiah, in today’s radio program, continued on Ecc. 9 sharing that death is inevitable so need to enjoy life – enjoy each meal as a feast, enjoy each day and your surroundings (especially God’s creation), enjoy and appreciate your wife, do your daily work as an offering unto God. Solomon regretted not being faithful to his first wife and only have one wife and realized later he had given up much more than he gained. We can do well to learn from his wisdom but also from his mistakes and sins. That is why this book is in the bible.

Solomon keeps reminding us how brief life is and how unfair people and circumstances can be. Yet he keeps coming back to emphasis of enjoying all life’s experiences and keep God close to guide and be a part of each day. The hope we also share is death is not the end of life and the God who faithfully guides and helps us along life’s journey is the same God who has promised to have an eternal body and home waiting for us with Him after we die. I have experienced the last days my father, mother, sister, and aunt lived. They were all very strong in their faith and finished life with a joy in their heart and a smile in their eyes even when hurting and weak in body. That hope lifted my mother for the 5 years she lived after my father passed when we thought she would die of grief when lost him. That hope caused my aunt to respond when she learned her weak heart would only last another few days by saying “I can’t wait” and then when saw us and our son Donny said, “I’m so glad I was able to get to know and love you”. THAT IS FINISHING WELL AND WANT TO DO SAME!!

2/27/2023 Loving Life 27

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

For all this I considered in my heart, even that I might declare all this: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before him.2 All things come alike to all: there is one event that happeneth to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that doth not sacrifice: As is the good, so is the sinner, and he that taketh an oath, as he that feareth an oath.3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun: that there is one event that happeneth unto all. Yea, also the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live; and after that they go to the dead.4 For him that is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.5 For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.6 Also their love and their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.8 Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head lack no ointment.9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which He hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labor which thou hast done under the sun.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest. ECC. 9:1-10

Have you ever been around someone who totally enjoys life? A person who sees each day as an opportunity to live life fully for God and enjoy the blessings of that day? Knowing a person like that is an inspiration because they understand that every moment of our lives is a gift from God.

Such should be the way the Christian regards life and death. We tend to view heaven as being better than life on earth, and it certainly will be in many ways. Yet Scripture also suggests that life on earth should be fruitful and enjoyable. There is great good to be accomplished on earth, leading to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that we are maximizing our calling from God in Christ. We view death not as an escape from life, but a portal through which we enter the consummating reality for which we have been saved — experiencing what it means to be in the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
Take a fresh measure of how much you love the life God has given you. Jesus said He came to make it abundant (John 10:10b), and we should experience it just that way.
Too many Christians envy the sinners their pleasure and the saints their joy because they don’t have either one. Martin Luther

COMMENTS: Today’s devotion continues David Jeremiah’s perspective on Ecc. 9. Basically he is sharing how important it is to enjoy life and all the material blessings and people that are part of our lives. He also tells us to do our life’s work as unto God as a way of serving Him and ministering to those that work puts us in contact with. In his radio program he spoke from Proverbs also. He refers to rulers that let their egos bloat and dictate foolishly. Then there is the ruler that lacks leadership ability and lets subordinates do his job. Then there is the ruler who parties and enjoys privileges of his position without taking on any of its responsibilities. We all long for a supervisor or boss or ruler who manages with great wisdom and fairness and compassion. However, when our boss makes mistakes or is unfair, we are quick to criticize or speak mean gossip about him.

Solomon says to offer council in gentleness with a cool spirit and support in the way that will honor God. Doing that is easy with those we like and with bosses that generally do what we like and support and only rarely miss the mark in our eyes. However, when differences are more common and severe, in our eyes, sustaining a positive attitude and actions becomes more difficult and we convince ourselves to be more aggressive and emotional. During my career I have strived to be the example and conduct myself as Solomon councils. However, I’ve been known to lose my temper and act rashly. Some may think those times to be very mild and justified but I see them as missing the mark and not being the ambassador of Christ I am called to be. My experience is that when I lose my temper, results are not very productive, I loose credibility and results I wanted. However, I’ve found when I pray first – allowing God’s discernment and influence, I respond more deliberately, more logically, and calmly with results that are much more positive.

2/28/2023 Life Is Not Fair! 28
I returned and saw under the sun that — the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11

 Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. HEB. 12:1-2

Where do children learn to say, “That’s not fair!” Probably where they learn almost everything — from adults. And we, and those children who imitate us, are usually right. Life is definitely not fair.

But, as the song says, “That’s life!” It’s impossible to explain or justify the unfair things that happen in life. Bad things happen to good people and bad people seem to get a pass; deserving people get overlooked and undeserving people get rewarded. It was that kind of inconsistency that caused King Solomon to declare that all of life is vanity. In today’s vernacular it would sound more like, “It’s fruitless to try to figure this out. Life is filled with unpredictable variables.” Instead, from our New Testament perspective, we know to put our trust in God, live with humility, pursue wisdom, and enjoy the blessings of God when they arrive. And leave the secret things to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29).
The Judge of all the earth will one day “do right” (Genesis 18:25). Until that day, we rest in what He causes and allows. “Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts. “ F.F. Bosworth

COMMENTS: Our scripture reading from Hebrews reminds us to run the race of life with all we have focused on goal and partner we have, Christ. We are also reminded of the witness of those before us and experience they share. Solomon has been reminding us to see God’s wisdom and let it guide our life and decisions. James 1:5-6 tells us, like Solomon, to seek wisdom from God by asking Him. God promises will hear and grant our request generously if we believe and trust in Him. Solomon asked for wisdom and God granted him wisdom above all others and served him and us well. Solomon’s humanity showed up when yielded to temptations his wealth and power offered him, which turned him to sin against God for much of his life before turning back and repenting, as Ecclesiates implies in Solomon’s later years. Wisdom is something we can recognized in those who demonstrate it. However, to put a definition to it or a formula for learning it is illusive. We can imitate those wiser and more knowledgeable than us without being able to match their wisdom in making decisions. The wonderful thing God gives us in scripture is lots of examples to follow and not to follow but also a direct link to the One who has granted wisdom to those before us and continues to offer that same wisdom to us. Can we become Solomons? Well, maybe if we had the responsibility and authority of a king – we need to plead for God to give our president and congress a hunger to seek God’s wisdom too. But God can and will grant us each sufficient wisdom for each day if we seek and ask for that wisdom. I have tried to do that all my working career and have seen God give me wisdom and have seen times when I didn’t hear that wisdom and acted on my own. Why? Well, lets face it when in urgent times we sometimes can’t seen to wait or forget to pray first. God has a way of only helping us one day at a time and really doesn’t like for us do our work or live our day without letting Him be at our side. You seek, God is a relational God who deeply desires to have a daily walk and talk with us. When we get distracted and miss our opportunity to fellowship with Him, we put ourselves at risk of sinning and making foolish choices. All too often I have found when I do that, I can’t seem to accomplish as much or more time and effort is needed. He is really telling us you don’t have enough time and wisdom to get thru the day without Him. I am still learning that and even struggle to remember and practice that even retired, so has to be a human weakness. Writing this journal helps me stay focus on morning devotions and prayer. This practice also helps me start day in fellowship with Christ keeping my hand in His during day. It is harder to consistently do that in the work place but is critical to do that. Satan is ready to trap us if we don’t.