"Oh, Yes, He Cares"

On Jesus' instructions, the disciples had sent the crowd away and had set out to go over to the other side of the lake into the country of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1). At some point in the journey, Jesus, being tired after ministering, fell asleep, head on a pillow, in the back of the boat. Everything seemed fine as they left out but then the narrative tells us that after a while, "there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full" (Mark 4:37, KJV). The word translated "storm" could also have been translated "squall", which Webster defines as "a sudden violent wind often with rain or snow." Despite some of the disciples being seasoned fishermen, they seemed overwhelmed by what had overtaken them. So much so that Mark wrote, "and they awake him (Jesus), and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (v. 38).

The disciples' words reflect the feelings of some of us when we are overtaken by life's storms and circumstances. When it seems that the phrase "God doesn't give us more than we can bear" seem more of a cruel joke than it is our reality. "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" rings true from the depths of our soul as we face our respective challenges. However, let us not lose heart because Jesus did not sleep through the disciples' despair, but "he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (v.39). Those of us who profess Jesus as Lord should be encouraged that he responds to the cries of the sincere, and not only does he respond, but he has all power and authority to rebuke every adverse wind in our lives and speak peace to our troubled hearts and minds.

Though they woke Jesus in a moment of despair, the disciples recognized that he was the only one that could do something about the situation. Once he had calmed the storm, he looked at them and asked, "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (v.40). Our part is to do as Peter reminds us, "(Casting) all your care upon him, for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7, KJV). He will take care of the rest.

As you face the squalls in your life, how do you respond? What would he say to you? I trust and pray that whenever we find ourselves asking if God really cares, we can sing triumphantly with the hymn writer:

"Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares / His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary / I know my Saviour cares."

Experiencing Joy

Most of us have at least one person we enjoy being around. Whether we see them every day or only occasionally, the times we anticipate seeing them in person can be absolutely delightful. Our desire for relatedness, stoked by our desire to know and be known, influences the connections we make with others and often times give birth to these meaningful relationships. Maybe even now you're sitting across from, or thinking about, such a person, and if you are, you're probably smiling as well. I know; I've been there.

I thought of this as I reflected on what David was likely feeling when he wrote of God, "In thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11, KJV). Though Peter used this Psalm in reference to Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection (see Acts 2:25-28, KJV), for those of us who know the feeling we can agree with the Psalmist that there's a "fulness of joy" that we experience whenever we are in the presence of the Lord. This is especially so during times of individual or corporate worship. The word 'joy' in the text could also have been translated 'exceeding gladness'. Not just mere gladness, but exceeding gladness - a state of being characterized by emotions such as tears and/or laughter. Being in God's presence is our ultimate place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of our day to day living. It is the place where we can take our doubts, our fears, our anxieties, and our burdens, and leave with not only His peace, but also His joy.

Though all humanity is in His presence, God invites the believer into a more personal realm of intimacy and it is this realm that I believe David was talking about. The beauty in all this is that we can enter into it from anywhere. Being stuck in traffic, being in a lineup, sitting at our desks, it really doesn't matter. There is no need for the child of God to walk around joyless. Just thinking about Him, who He is, what He had done for us, and the hope we have in Him through Christ Jesus, should provoke unspeakable joy (2 Peter 1:8, KJV). If we are able to get to that point in our thoughts, can you imagine what it would be like to enter more intimately into His presence?

Some might argue that things and circumstances kill our joy at times; however, as Oswald Chambers reminds us, "Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not." In other words, no matter the circumstances, we can have joy (see James 1:2-4). I struggle with that at time until I remember being in His presence makes all the difference.

"In thy presence is fulness of joy." Have you experienced that with Him lately?

"Wilt Thou Be made Whole?"

Jesus' encounter with the man at the pool of Bethesda, as recorded in John 5: 1-9, is a fascinating story. Here was a man afflicted with infirmities for thirty-eight years, whose excuse for his prolonged condition was that "I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me" (v. 7). I have often wondered where was his family? His friends? Did he not have anyone who cared enough about him to get him to the edge of the pool so that when the angel troubled the water, he would be among the first to step in? That aside, I have always been intrigued by verse 5: "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"
It seems to me that Jesus' question spoke to the man's will, his desire. Had he become so comfortable in his condition that healing would have been nice but it was no longer a pressing need for him? I think of some people, Christians included, who seem to relish the role of victims, constantly rehashing and reliving all the negatives that have happened to them. They themselves will admit that such a state is stressful and make them unhappy, yet no matter how many people have tried to help them move along in their lives, they are stuck. Like the man at the pool, their total identity is now wrapped up in their condition; it defines them.
Yet how liberating it is when Jesus comes on the scene. It is not His will to leave us in our present state but He comes asking the question: "Will thou be made whole?" I find it interesting that Jesus did not ask him if he wanted to be healed. That would only address his current infirmities, but by asking him if he wanted to be made whole, I believe that Jesus was not only speaking of his physical infirmities but to the total man. He was asking, "Do you want to be healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically?"
The Healer is asking the same question of us today. I do not know what condition has been holding you hostage, but whatever it is, rest assured that Jesus can set you free. John tells us, "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked." He can do the same for you. He's just that kind of God.

"Hast Thou Considered My Servant Job?"

Satan was probably minding his own business. As a matter of fact, when asked by the LORD "Whence comest thou?" he replied, "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it" (Job 1:7, KJV). But the LORD did not stop there. His next question to Satan was one that Christians everywhere are probably familiar with: "Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (v.8).

The events following this interaction are acutely detailed in the Old Testament book of Job. Some believe this to be the oldest book in the Bible; God allowing man a glimpse into the unfolding of the drama behind evil and suffering, especially in the lives of some of His people. A glimpse that not only shows Him initiating events but in His sovereignty, allowing Satan limited room to orchestrate those events. The question, "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" is profound. Job, whom God described as "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil," was doing His best to serve the LORD. Yet, God not only saw it fit to bring him to Satan's attention but to remove His hedge of protection from around him (vv. 12; 2:6) for him to be afflicted with seemingly incomprehensible and unjustifiable suffering.

Interestingly, in his second discussion with Satan regarding Job, the LORD not only asked the same question but added "and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause?" (2:3). For standing firm, Job was "rewarded" with more affliction. With God's permission, Satan "smote [him] with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown" (2:7). Despite the challenge from his wife to "curse God and die" - a somewhat understandable cry of bitter disappointment with God - the writer tells us, "In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (v. 10).

What does all of this have to do with us, especially those who are serving the LORD faithfully? Good question! What if He brought you to Satan's attention? Could you be Job? What if He has already brought you to Satan's attention? The trials and tribulations you are going through testifying to God's temporary removal of His protective hedge. Can you be Job in the midst of your afflictions? Three observations from the narrative that should help us on our journey: 1) The LORD was always in control of the situation. Satan could do nothing without His permission; 2) Satan was limited by the LORD in what He could do to Job; 3) Job's faith in God and God's faith in Job were both vindicated and God gave him double for his trouble.

"Hast thou considered my servant Job?" Replace Job's name with yours. Could God trust you to remain faithful the way He trusted Job?

Taking Authority

Paul and his companions were on their way to prayer when they were constantly interrupted by "a certain damsel [slave girl] possessed with a spirit of divination" (Acts 16:16, KJV). According to the narrative, "The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days" (vv. 17-18a). Now, one day would probably not have been a bad thing. Two days, probably tolerable. But "many days" saying the same thing over and over would be aggravating, especially when one was trying to go about one's legitimate business. Therefore, it was not surprising that the time came when "Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, 'Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!' And it was gone, just like that" (v. 18b, The Message).

In this passage of text, we often marvel at the immediacy of the effect of the apostle's words. However, let us take notice of something equally significant. Paul did not address the girl but rather the spirit that was at work in her. It was clear that she had no control over what she was doing and as such it would have been pointless to rebuke her for her actions. By walking in the authority that is in the name of Jesus, Paul was able to not only speak to the spirit but to command it to come out of her. Because at the name of Jesus everything in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth must bow (Philippians 2:10), the spirit had no other choice but to obey.

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on how we approach our obstacles/problems. By habit we "take our burdens to the Lord" by telling Him about them and trusting Him to work them out. However, Jesus also said, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith" (Mark 11:22-23, KJV). From what I can tell, "say to this mountain" means speaking to the problem. In other words, it is one thing to tell God about the problems, but it is another thing to tell our problems about God!

 Just maybe we need to take our faith to the next level and start speaking to oppressive spirits and situations. As long as we are in the will of God, we have the assurance that if we do not doubt, we can have whatsoever we say. Instead of "fighting" with people and situations, let us combine faith with action. Start speaking to those "mountains" and watch the move of God unfold as said "mountains" do as we command. All in the name of Jesus.

"I Thank God for You"

I have been blessed to have people in my life, past and present, who in their own unique ways have added, and continue to add, measures of richness to my life that has blessed me tremendously. When I think of these people I do so in ways that often make me smile, and at times, with mixed emotions. Some of the lessons learnt over the years have been invaluable, and in the hustle and bustle of everyday living they have served me well in many different ways.

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on a couple of Paul's salutations to his friends. To the Philippians he writes, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (1:3, 4), and to Philemon, "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers" (1:4). Friends that cross our paths through divine appointments are priceless. Whether for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, these are the people who usually see us at our best and often times at our worse. They are always thinking of us and even without always knowing what is going on at any given moment, they are often holding us up in prayer. Our greatest joy is their greatest delight, and when we are bruised and wounded by life's events, we can count on them to be there in our hours of need.

Someone once said, "A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope." There is a lot of truth in that statement, and I believe this was some of what the Apostle experienced with those he addressed, prayed for, loved, and encouraged. People who bring out the best of who we are and who are delightful to be around for all the right reasons. Do you have proven friends like that? Today is as good a time as any to send them a note to say "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ... making mention of you always in my prayers." And while you're at it, make sure to really thank God for them.

When Fear Overcomes Faith

When Jesus said to Peter "Come" and he immediately jumped over the side of the boat and started walking on water (Matthew 14:25-29), I have often wondered what was going through his mind. Lest we forget, the sea at the time was not calm for the boat he and the other disciples were in was "in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary" (v.24, KJV). Conditions were of such that Peter could not see Jesus clearly, but despite the howling winds he had no problem hearing His voice and in his mind that was good enough for him. Have you ever been there?

If we could have spoken to Peter afterward, I think he would have said he got out of the boat because the safest place to be in a storm is wherever Jesus is. Very few would argue with that. However, let us not not forget that before Peter got to where Jesus was, he almost didn't make it. We are told that "when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (vv.29-30). Isn't that like so many of us? Wanting so much to be where Jesus is but often overtaken by the circumstances around us. Like the boisterous wind, the situations we often face leave us feeling shaken and afraid. Many times we do not feel His presence neither can we "see" Him, yet it is comforting to know that in the wee hours of the morning, the darkest part of the night, He not only knows where we are but we can hear His reassuring voice bidding us to "Come" towards Him. 

For Peter, and many of us, fear sometimes overtake faith. It is in those moments that our knees buckle and we start to falter. Some people say Peter took his eyes off Jesus but the text does not support that. Despite his steadfastness in obeying the voice of his Lord, again like some of us who have tried to do the same, he fell victim to his humanness; he became afraid. That fear interrupted his walk but not his focus, for "beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord, save me." Who do you call when your walk becomes interrupted by fear and personal failure?

There was no hesitation in Jesus' response to Peter's cry. Matthew tells us, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him" (v.31a). Immediately. Yes, He also did rebuke him for his lack of faith but His immediate response should be comforting to believers everywhere. Despite ourselves and our failures, and regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, Christ's love for us never wavers. As soon as Peter began to sink, he called out and to Jesus and was saved. Let that be our example for when we feel we can't go much further, for it is when we come to the end of ourselves that we will find Him to be more than enough.

Making Things Right

During my formative years attending Sunday School, I liked the biblical character Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Here was a short, rich publican, a sinner, who had to climb up into a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He passed through his town. I do not know what exactly provoked his curiosity; maybe it was just the chance to be above the crowd to see this man who had created quite the stir. Regardless of the reason, Zacchaeus did not realize that his encounter with the Son of God would change his life from that day forward. Isn't that just like Jesus? Any genuine encounter with Him and a person cannot remain the same.

On this particular day as Zacchaeus perched in the tree, Luke tells us that Jesus, having arrived at the place, looked up and said unto him, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully" (vv. 5-6, KJV). What intrigued me is what followed: "Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold" (V.8). That latter half of the verse speaks to restitution - the act of restoring to a previous state. It is a tragedy of our times that the Church has lost this practice. It is not unusual for brethren to hurt or offend each other, sometimes unknowingly, but the ball and chain tied to our feet and retarding our spiritual progress is our inability to go and make things right with a brother or sister.

It is instructive that Jesus coupled restitution and reconciliation as a crucial part of genuine worship: "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:22, 23). Maybe somewhere within, Zacchaeus knew that there was no way he could have meaningful fellowship with Christ without first making things right with his fellow men.

There is something in that for all of us. Is there someone you need to make things right with? Sure there may be many reasons why you may not want to do it, but bear in mind that it is your relationship with the Lord that is at stake. Interestingly, Jesus did not say the person had to offend us, but rather if we remembered that he or she have something against us. In other words, the onus is on you and me to make the first move. That can be very difficult but we do not get a vote. Our Lord and Saviour set down the standard. May God give us the grace to step out in faith, and reach out to that someone, so we can be free to worship in spirit, and just as importantly, in truth. According to Jesus, the Father seeketh such to worship Him (John 4:23).

Never Out of His Sight

In healthy attachment relationships between a child and a caregiver, the caregiver watches over the child, providing for, helping, directing, setting appropriate limits when necessary, and providing comfort and empathy when the child is upset. As children get older and assume more independence, some parents and caregivers still hover. Not in extremes that stifle positive growth and development, but with prudent care for their children's overall well-being.

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on the words of the Psalmist, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee" (Psalm 139:7-12, KJV). In other words, there is nowhere that I can go that you cannot see me; that your eyes are not hovering over me. For some, this is a frightening thought! Does it mean that God sees us when we are not at our best? When we are making decisions that are inconsistent with His will? When our defeats are more than our victories, and our valley experiences surpass our mountaintop moments? Yes, He sees it all.

However, God's intent is not that of an intimidating authoritarian father; one who is ready to punish our every misstep or force His way upon us. Instead, He watches over us, more times than not soliciting our cooperation to accomplish His will and purposes in and for our lives. As the Ultimate Parent, His heart is grieved at some of our choices. The times we insist on having our own way, He stands ready to pick up the pieces when we hit the proverbial brick-wall He is there to walk with us through life's challenging moments. We have no need to fear because His presence, along with His rod and staff, provide much needed comfort.

 Above all else, His abiding presence enables us to bask in continued fellowship with Him. No matter where we are, we can talk to, relate with, meditate on, call upon, praise, worship, and glorify Him. I am never out of His sight, I am never out of His care. Neither are you. I would not want it any other way. Would you?

The God of All Comfort

There are very few of us that have not been hit with at least one of life's tragedies. Whether the loss of something or someone we hold dear, or dealing with an event we never expected to happen, it is the kind of thing that leaves us scrambling for answers. Deep within we feel inexplicable pain and would welcome a shoulder to lean on, and if necessary, to cry on.

The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us of one of the many attributes of Christ. He writes, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities..." (4:15, KJV), and it is a great source of comfort to know that regardless of what we are going through, our Lord and Saviour can and do fully identify with our feelings. In Biblical Greek the word translated "infirmities" actually means "feebleness of body or mind", and therefore it is not just our physical infirmities that touches Him, but also the mental, emotional, and psychological things we have to deal with.

The good news is not just that He can identify with our feelings, but that He is also able to provide comfort (relief) from those stresses. Paul writes to the Corinthians, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation" (2 Cor. 1:3-4a). Note the word "all"; it means the ability to comfort is not limited to any specific set of circumstances but transcends all circumstances. Again, the word translated "tribulation" actually means, among other things, "pressure, trouble". The God of all comfort is able to comfort us in all our troubles, in all the situations that pressure our bodies and minds.

It is no wonder that we are encouraged to cast our cares / burdens upon Him; we are assured that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). I believe that caring extends to every area of our lives, and so during the times when we need Him most, He is always there with open arms of comfort. Even when it doesn't seem like it, He is there. As we face and deal with our individual circumstances, may we find peace of mind and heart in that care, and relief from life's stresses when we find ourselves in our valleys of life's experiences.

Addition by Subtraction

We know the story well. Five thousand men, beside women and children, all hungry and seated on the grass. There were no shops anywhere in the desert place and even if there were, there was not enough money to feed such a multitude (John 6:7). All they had by way of food was the lunch of a little boy - five loaves and two fishes, but as the disciple Andrew pointed out, "What are they among so many?" (v. 9, KJV). They looked at the food, looked at the crowd, and then all eyes turned to Jesus.

John tells us, "And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would" (v. 11). If we read that verse too quickly, we will miss some important truths. First, Jesus took into His hands that which was not enough. Second, He gave thanks. Third, He distributed to the disciples who would serve the crowd. Though the narrative does not provide any details of their reaction, I believe the disciples were awed by this miracle of addition by subtraction. With every piece of bread that was broken and every piece of fish that was served, there was more to replace them.

As I reflected on Jesus' actions in this story, I thought about our inability to experience this kind of miracle in our lives, especially in our finances. For some of us, when we look at our monthly commitments compared to our salary, Andrew's question comes readily to mind. It just isn't enough. However, look at what Jesus did with what was not enough. Before He distributed it to the disciples, He gave thanks. The more I reflected, It occurred to me that in our technological age when our salaries are directly deposited into accounts, we no longer receive physical pay stubs, and we do our payments electronically, it is easy to ignore this important principle. Instead, we try to juggle what we have against our obligations and for most of us, what we have is never enough.

It could very well be that our miracle of addition by subtraction will only be realized when we begin to follow Jesus' lead. Next pay day, get up early, mentally take your pay in your hand and give thanks. There really is nothing too hard for the LORD. He can cause what is not enough to do more than is needed with some left over. We give Him the little, He gives us the overflow. Matthew concludes the narrative, "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full" (14:20). See, He did it before and He can do it again. He is just that kind of God.

No Other Day Like Today

When we woke up this morning, for most of us in the familiarity of our homes, doing the same chores, doing the same commute, basically following the same routine, it is easy to lose sight of an important fact - today is a day like none other. In today's case it is Friday but it is not a Friday we have seen before nor will we ever see it again. Every twenty-four hours God graciously gives us a clean “sheet of paper” on which to write, and it is up to us what and how we choose to write. For sure, on some days there will different aggravations and temptations but in the final analysis, we alone determine our responses to the situations we face.

Reaching for that first cup of hot beverage, listening to the news, checking our email, making that first phone call, or whatever else we do, all have their place. However, the greatest way to start any day is with the right attitude. In Psalm 118:24 David wrote, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." From the moment we shake ourselves from our slumber and realize that we have been blessed to see another day, clothed in our right minds, there should be an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. When we stop and consider that many who went to bed last night did not make it through the night, we realize just how gracious God has been to us. We did not wake up because of anything we did or because we are that special, but all because of His mercy. The prophet Jeremiah declared, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (3:22-23, KJV).

As you go about your business today, it is my prayer that amidst the hustle and bustle of your day there will be a quiet place within from which will flow a steady stream of praise. The heart that is full of praise will not be easily distracted by much else. The added bonus is that the peace of God will stand guard over our hearts and minds thus making it a bit easier to deal with challenging situations (Phil. 4:6-7).

Today is the day which the LORD hath made; rejoice and be glad in it. If you are able to do that then at the end of the day, God willing, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you were able to "write" on the "sheet of paper" called “today”. Why not give it a try?

Their Word & God’s Word: Do They Line Up?

It seems everywhere we turn these days, some individual or organization is disseminating information. We do not have to look too far to find the latest on how to dress, how to live, where to eat, where to go, and what to do. On the screen and in print, we get 'advice' on relationship, parental, familial, and marital issues. Our senses are so inundated with information that we risk becoming desensitized to what is truth and what is propaganda. The voices we hear and the opinions we read have become, to a large degree, the sources of authority. This is where believers have to be careful.

Not much of what we hear or read take God's perspective in mind. Ours is a secular society and with that comes the humanist effort - the promotion of and the reliance on self. Biblical advice and instructions are ridiculed and instead of ordering our lives and dealing with situations based on God’s principles, many find themselves embracing principles and concepts, touted by popular "experts," that run contrary to His Word.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (2:8, KJV). Those words written almost 2,000 years ago are very appropriate for our times. As children of God we need to take a step back and assess the things coming at us. Before embracing something as truth and before incorporating it into our lives, we need to see how it measures up against the Word of God. It does not matter if we saw it on so-and-so's talk show or heard it from popular psychologist and expert on all things, Dr. John Doe. If it conflicts with the Word of God, it is misinformation and should be rejected.

 Our standard is not the latest fad promoted as being cool or even familiar ones that have become a part of our culture. This is not to say that all we see and hear are bad. There is very good information available that can help us in different ways but we must examine them carefully. And let us not forget the greatest source of information available, God's Word. In it He has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). It is no wonder the Psalmist declares, “By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path” (Psalm 119:105, The Message). In other words, they showed him the way. As you look for the right ways to deal with your situations, have you consulted it lately?

Longing After God

When David decided to write what we know as Psalm 42, I believe in his mind was a picture of a tired and thirsty deer. Hunted for meat and sport, the speed of the deer was crucial to his survival. As a speedy animal, its moments of thirst are characterized by a panting, a longing, a condition that is only satisfied when it finds and drinks from the object of its search - the waterbrook.

As the Psalmist reflected upon the longing in his soul, he realized it was no different than that of the thirsty and panting deer. He writes, "As the [deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (vv. 1-2). In context, David was banished to the land of Jordan away from the the courts of the temple, and as such was deprived from serving in and receiving the comforts of being in it. In exile, his soul longed for God and the joys of going into His courts with praise. This is not unlike the longing we feel when we are separated from those we love; the longing to experience the joy and comfort of being in their presence. As long as we are in that state, nothing else really matters.

It is one thing to love God but something different to long after Him. There are times when God places us in situations where our soul cries out for after Him. As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry writes, "If God, by [H]is grace, has wrought in us sincere and earnest desires towards [H]im, we may take comfort from these when we want those ravishing delights we have sometimes had in God, because lamenting after God is as sure an evidence that we love [H]im as rejoicing in God." The soul cannot truly lament after that which it does not love. David knew the joys of being in the presence of his God, and when he no longer had that his soul was restless; he could not be satisfied. Like the thirsty deer, he longed for the refreshing restoration that came with drinking from the fountain of living water.

In our world of mixed-up priorities, what is it that your soul longs for? If not for God and the things of God, could it be that your priorities are misplaced?

Calling "Home"

The phone rings and it is the dreaded automated response: "If you're calling for ABC, Press 1; for DEF, press 2" and so it goes. Another unsuccessful attempt, and depending on the number of times experienced, maybe a bit of frustration. As if by conspiracy, more times than not this happens when we really need to talk to a real person. However, as businesses engage in cost reductions and life demands more from us as individuals, automated response systems have become a part of our culture. Putting the phone down I wondered, somewhat amusingly, "What if God had an automated response system?" With angelic music in the background, maybe we would hear something like - "God is busy at the moment, but to leave a request, press 1; for thanksgiving, press 2; to complain, press 3", and so on. Then again, how many of us would simply hang up?

It can be frustrating trying to urgently reach someone by phone and not being able to do so . At certain times of the year, international circuits are busy, connections may be bad, lines may be down, yet how incredibly comforting it is to know that when we try to 'connect' with our Heavenly Father, we do not have to worry about those limitations.

In his conversation with God, David said, "I will call upon you, for you will answer me" (Psalm 17:6a, ESV). There was no doubt in his mind that his "connection" was clear both ways, him to God and God to him, and we too can have the same assurance. God Himself declared, "Call to me and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3), and even better, through Isaiah, "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear" (65:24). These attributes of God did not disappear with the Old Testament believers for God is unchanging in nature. Of Jesus, God in the flesh, it is said He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and so we too can rest in the comfort of His assurances. It is no wonder John writes, "And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14, KJV).

God has made available to us an instantaneous connection to Him that is always on - 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. It does not go down in leap years either! If our calls are not going through, we need to check our side of things for possible obstructions. Are we properly 'plugged' in to Him? Any 'wires' crossed? Once things are in order, one thing we know for sure - no automated responses, no voice mail.

"I will call upon you, for you will answer me." What comfort!

Easy to Say, Harder to Do

We have all heard it from our parents, grandparents, teachers, and other authoritative figures. Those admonishing words of the 'golden rule': "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Yet there are times when I wonder if somewhere along the line we heard, "Do unto others before they do unto you."

Some cynically refer to the world we live in as a dog-eat-dog world; it is every man for himself. We do what we do to get ahead regardless of who gets hurt, bruised, broken, or whatever else in the process. Yet the Christian is called to a higher standard of living. Though we live in the world, on matters of morality, ethics, and principle, we are expected to rise above the mediocrity of societal standards and demonstrate a life made different by our relationship with God. We are expected to be mindful of the way we treat each others, always bearing in mind that we are representing not just ourselves, but the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of course, that is easier said that done. Nevertheless it is something we are called to do. Jesus taught, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16, Amplified). That 'light' is the way we live our lives including the way we treat others. Jesus affirms, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35, KJV). Every believer is called to this responsibility and the power of Christ has made it possible for us to succeed (John 15:5)

How are you treating those around you? If they treated you the way you are treating them, would you see Jesus in their actions?

"If the Lord is With Us, Why...?"

Under the oppression of the Midianites, the people of Israel, God's people, were reduced to starvation. According to the narrative, "Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, [raiders] from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare" (Judges 6:3-6, NLT). It was as if God had abandoned them.

It is no wonder then that when the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon with the message, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” that Gideon, fully aware of Israel's state, replied, "Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, 'The Lord brought us up out of Egypt'? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites” (vv. 12, 13). Gideon's question could just as easily have been "Sir, where is God in all this mess?" For some of us, as we look around at our lives and circumstances, we have asked or we are asking that very same question.

Yet despite Gideon's protestations, it was not the Lord who had abandoned Israel but Israel who had abandoned Him. The writer tells us, "The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years" (v. 1). In other words, God's people were reaping the consequences of their disobedience which ultimately led to their sins (see vv. 7-10). Unfortunately, instead of repenting of their idolatrous ways and turning back to God, they blamed Him for their state of affairs. They expected His protection and blessings to flow despite their waywardness. They neglected to accept any responsibility for the situation in which they found themselves.

What does that have to do with us? As it was with them, so it is with us at times. When bad things happen to God's people, it is not always the devil's fault and it is not necessarily that God has "abandoned" us. In fact, His promise to Israel to never to leave nor forsake them is one that we too can claim (see Hebrews 13:5). However, if we consistently refuse to walk in His ways, we are likely to experience His displeasure. Like a loving father, He does not allow us to get away with rebellion but "disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child" (Hebrews 12:16). Yes, we do have a part to play and we do reap the benefits of our obedience as well as the consequences of our disobedience.

 Have you found yourself in a tight spot or two lately? How is your obedience to the Word of God?

Avoiding Distractions

Do you remember the last time you tried to stay focused on a task and was constantly distracted by something happening around you? For some of us, it has happened so many times that it has become our normal. Sometimes we become so distracted that we end up not doing what we wanted or started to do. We have the best of intentions but we veer off course. We are drawn away from what is important by other things that get our attention.

I thought about the power of distraction as I reflected on the words of the great British politician Sir. Winston Churchill, "You'll never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks." Sir Winston has been dead since 1965 but those words continue to ring true. If we are going to complete whatever task or mission we started, we must learn to effectively deal with what is happening around us. We must develop the habit of staying focused, of keeping our eyes fixed on our goal despite the "noise." The noise could be anything. Emails that come in when we are in the midst of something important, people trying to get our attention for whatever reasons, something someone said about us, unfinished chores, and the list goes on. For each person, they are different but they are all the same. Distractions that, if we are not careful, will cause us to fall short of what we want to accomplish.

As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. Satan is very aware of that and he challenges the child of God in the same way. As we try to live our lives as God intended, Satan throws all kinds of distractions along our way. Some may seem to our advantage and may prove hard to resist. However, it is worth remembering that Satan gives us nothing for free. At the end of the day, his plan is for us to fail. Regardless of what he whispers, ultimately he comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy. If the believer is not spiritually disciplined and in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit, he or she will become Satan's victim; another notch on his belt.

 It is no wonder the apostle Paul writes, "I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us" (Philippians 3:14, The Message). That message to the church in Philippi is still relevant for us today. Keep focused on the goal; avoid the distractions. Through the power of the resurrected Christ we can experience victory; we can get to our God-ordained destination. How are you doing in that area?

Only An Instrument

It is interesting how when some people go out and do things in the name of the Lord, they end up bragging about it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in reporting victories on the battlefield, but one of the worse things the child of God could do is to draw glory from God unto themselves. We note the response of the seventy disciples when they returned from their commission. Luke reports, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (10:17). As Bible Commentator Matthew Henry noted, “They give Christ the glory of this: It is through thy name.” They recognized that nothing they did was possible, but through Christ.

Back when I was a graduate student, during a class on 'Spiritual Leadership,' the professor used a practical example to make what I thought was a very profound point. In the hand of a world class surgeon, a scalpel is simply a surgical instrument. Regardless of the number of surgeries the surgeon would perform with that scalpel, at the end of each one the now sterilized instrument goes back among the other instruments until the next time it is needed. No matter how life saving a particular surgery was, or the accolades that came with a successful outcome, the scalpel does not take a bow, it does not get mentioned. Like the scalpel in the hand of the surgeon, so is the Christian in the hand of God; an instrument that is used to carry out God’s purposes. We do not come out for an applause, we do not take a bow.

I quite like how Jesus brought the seventy back to what was really important. After expanding their ministry capabilities, He continued, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (10:20). The theology in this statement is too great to cover in this space, but suffice it to say that Jesus deflected any intent they had of feeling special or better than everybody else. If we are to rejoice it is not as instruments being used, but rather because by God’s grace we have a place in God's kingdom.

As we fulfill our respective calling, may we be mindful of the words of John, the Revelator: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). He gets ALL the attention and ALL the glory; we simply go back to work when called upon. How are you doing in that area?

Not For Stuff

If God were to take away every thing that you hold dear - your health, your family, your finances, all your earthly possessions - would you still praise Him? Instinctively most of us would be tempted to respond with a tentative "yes", tentative because so far we haven't been placed in that position. However, in a culture where good health and material possessions are perceived as things to which Christians are entitled, and the basis on which we testify that "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good", would we still think He is good if He allowed the enemy to take it all away?

Satan, the one who accuses us before our God day and night (Revelation 12:10), doesn't think so. Consider this conversation between him and God: "Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' 'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied. 'Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.' The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.' Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD" (Job 1:8-12, NIV). Those familiar with the story know the tragedies that came upon Job, one of the richest men of his day, as a result. He lost ten children, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, all but a few of his servants, and he himself was covered with sores all over his body. Lest we forget, God Himself said of him, "There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." If anyone deserved good health and material blessings, it was Job.

If we are honest with ourselves, facing the same set of circumstances, most of us would have abandoned God. We need look no further at how we react when something does not go the way we planned, or something bad happens unexpectedly. The reaction of Job's wife mirrors the human frailties, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (2:9). Unlike us reading his story, Job was not aware of Satan's accusation, or of the confidence God had in the fact that his worship of Him was not the result of the stuff He had blessed him with. But as the last messenger told him of the death of his sons and daughters, we read, "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (1:20-22).

In the midst of circumstances we cannot begin to imagine, Job knew enough of God to know that He was still to be praised, He was still to be worshipped. It is one thing to praise God for all He has done in our lives, but it is something else to praise and worship Him because of who He is. The next time you offer up praise, consider what is it based on. Are you praising Him because regardless of what is going on in your life He is worthy to be praised, or are you praising Him because He has blessed you with stuff?

Following Jesus

It is difficult for Christians in western countries to really appreciate the level of self-denial required of true disciples of Christ. We live in societies where emphasis is on the self and individual rights, a message so ingrained in our psyche that though we sing "All to Jesus I Surrender," some of us really have no intention of surrendering control of our lives, and all that pertains to us, to Him. We admire those who take charge of their lives, make the decisive decisions that needs to be made, and who are successful because of their efforts.

Yet in the kingdom of God things work in the opposite way. Jesus told His disciples, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" (Matthew 16:24-26, The Message). In other words, the me-first principles that work in our society have no place in God's scheme of things because once we accept Jesus as Lord, our lives are no longer our own (1 Corinthians 6:19); we are subject to a different set of principles. In commenting on this portion of text, Bible Commentator Adam Clarke noted the principles of the Christian life Jesus put forth: 1) Having a sincere desire to belong to Him; 2) A renouncing of self-dependence and selfish pursuits; 3) To embrace conditions (troubles and difficulties) God has appointed for us to meet in walking the Christian road; and 4) To imitate Christ and do and suffer all in His Spirit.

No one could accuse Jesus of sugarcoating the cost of discipleship, but the disciples were not to be denied; they stood their ground. It was the same conviction with which Paul wrote, "Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant--dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ--God's righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself" (Philippians 3:8-10).

As it was with the first century believers, so it is with us today. We are called to surrender our lives, our goals, our aspirations and all that we hold dear, for the cause of Christ. He has to lead and He has to be in control for our union with Him to be effective. So, you really want to follow Jesus? How much of you, and everything to do with you, do you still control?

Take Off the Limits

The night before Jesus stepped into his boat, Simon Peter, along with the men in his fishing cooperative, had spent an unsuccessful night fishing. The nets that had trawled the bottom of the lake had felt heavy when they were lifted, but when checked they contained everything else but fish. It was not the first time and it would not be the last. On this morning the nets were cleaned, washed, and if needed, repaired. The men would have been tired and exhausted. There was no catch to sell that day so it was a chance for them to rest, regroup, and perhaps go back out later.

However, what they had in mind had to wait because according to the narrative, Jesus asked to use Peter's boat from which He would teach the people that had gathered to hear "the word of God" (Luke 5:1-3). "Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" (v.4). In the natural, there were at least two things wrong with those instructions. First, Peter's immediate protest was valid, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing" (v.5a). The unasked question being, "Why should we go back out there?" Secondly, experienced fishermen knew that the best time for a catch was in the late evening and early morning hours. It was in these cool hours that fish cruised in the shallow water looking for food on or near the surface. Jesus' instructions ran counter to that.

Amidst Peter's logical objection, and what may have been going through his mind at the time, was a realization of who was speaking to him. He continued, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" (v.5b). In verses 6-11, we have the rest of the story that resulted. An important observation is that by letting down one net, instead of “the nets” as instructed, Peter placed limits on his miracle. What does all of this have to do with us? Often times when we look at our circumstances, our minds, based on our previous experiences, tell us what is possible and what is not. At this stage, it is easy to object to an instruction from God because it does not line up with our experiences. Yet we are reminded that His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts. In other words, His ways of doing things can be and often is much different from anything we could imagine.

 In the same way that Peter righted himself and took Jesus at His word, we can do the same thing too. For it is not the way we see, feel, or think that is important; it is what He says and our obedience to His instructions that is. We, however, can take it one step further and take off the limits we put on God. When He moves, there is not enough room to hold the blessing (see Ephesians 3:20). Just ask Peter.

Lessons From Feet Washing

Peter could not believe his eyes. There was Jesus, towel around his waist, pouring water into a basin and moving from disciple to disciple, washing each one's feet. Then it was his turn. Stooping before him, waiting for him to offer his feet for washing was the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Son of God.

The words from his lips betrayed his bewilderment. John tells us, "Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" (John 13:6, KJV). Without addressing Peter's state of mind, "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" (v.7), but the disciple was having none of that. "Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet" (v.8a). Who could blame him? What was happening was a travesty of enormous proportions because the duty of feet washing was that of the house slave! He who was God in the flesh, His Lord, wanted to wash his feet? Wanted to do the work of a slave? No way! Not happening! The stubborn fisherman seemed prepared to hold his ground. Then Jesus spoke and answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (v. 8b). Maybe Jesus had looked directly into Peter's eyes; maybe there was a pregnant pause as His words pierced the disciple's resistance. In surrender, Peter saith unto him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" (v.9).

The narrative continues, "So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (vv. 12-15). There are at least two important truths we can glean from this object lesson. First, Jesus demonstrated to the disciples that the act of washing each other's feet, of them all doing the work of a slave, was a demonstration of humility and deference to each other. For sure, if He, their Lord and Master, could set the example by doing it to them, they could and should do it to each other. Secondly, but no less important, was a demonstration of what it meant to trust Him when they did not know or could not explain what He was doing or why He was doing it.

We are being asked by Him to do the same things. To follow His example of service and humility for the cause of the kingdom of God. To trust Him when we cannot see Him; when we cannot feel Him; when we do not know why He leads us where He does; when we do not have any answers. Why? Because He can be trusted; He knows what He is doing.

By Accident or On Assignment?

She was a young Jewish girl and a slave in the household of a Syrian solider. Like many other females in the Bible, we do not know her name. Yet the only recorded words she spoke live on almost 3,000 years later. The writer of the book of Kings tells us, "And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:3, KJV).

Verses 4-15 record the story of Naaman and his healing from the dreaded disease. However, central to the story are the young girl’s words. Because she had the courage to mention the God of Israel and his servant the prophet in a household in what to her was a foreign land, her witness set in motion the chain of events behind this narrative. So what is the big deal? Consider this. She was captured from Israel, taken to Syria, and was made a servant in the house of Naaman (v. 2). She was far away from her home, isolated from her family and from the worship of her God. If anyone had an excuse to abandon the God of Israel, she did! Seen from the human perspective, He had not protected her from the Syrian raiders and He had not kept her out of a life of slavery! She had more than enough reasons to complain, yet despite her circumstances not being the best, she had not abandoned her faith in the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isacc. On the contrary, she was looking for opportunities to spread His message and light in the place where she had been taken. The flame of her faith was still burning and she was not afraid to declare that faith to the people around her.

Contrast her attitude with that of those who use their situation in life as an excuse for not being able to be faithful to God, and not being able to be a witness for Him. Struggling through sicknesses, financial distress, family crisis, being the only Christian at home or in the workplace, and whatever else, some ask, "Why should I keep faith in God when He has not been all that helpful to me?” Because some of us do not trust God when we find ourselves in difficult places, we often feel He has abandoned us; we find it difficult to stay true to our faith. However, in an environment that was hostile to her race, country, and faith, the young girl remained faithful.

 Pastor Tim Chester was right when he said, "Notice that the girl didn’t have to heal Naaman herself, or even pray for him to be healed; all she had to do was point him in the right direction. . . . Her role was really a very small role, but it was a vital one nonetheless. Without Elisha, Naaman could not have been healed, but without the young girl, Naaman would never have gone to Elisha to ask for healing." That is powerful stuff! I believe God’s people are everywhere with a message of hope for a world that is lost. In their search for answers, people need someone to tell them about Jesus. Why are you where you are? Are you there by accident or is it possible that you are there on assignment?

"In the Beginning God..."

In the first week of yet another year, I am reminded of the first four words from the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God," and it occurred to me that there is no greater way to start the year than by getting God involved at the very beginning of it. If we look back over the past twelve months on how we did when we tried to manage things on our own, some of us would see our pathways littered with mistakes, disappointments, failures, hurts, among other things. For others, it has been a difficult year in other areas as it seems we have been tossed to and fro by life’s contrary winds. Nothing up to now seems to make any sense.

Yet there is something comforting about having God by our side. This does not guarantee that we will not experience challenges because living in a fallen world is a challenge within itself; however, God assured the nation of Israel, "O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isaiah 43:1-3a, KJV). Because we serve Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we can trust Him that the same promise He made to Israel can be applied to our lives. It is important to note the use of the word "when" because it affirms that we will go through some challenging times. However, if we engage God at the beginning we have His word that He will be with us in and through every situation.

The importance of engaging God is brought out the Psalmist who reminds us, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1). This principle can be applied in and to every area of our lives. Unless the Lord builds our homes, our relationships, our marriages, our businesses, our careers, our futures, we labor in vain who try to build them ourselves. Because everything is under God's control, we are ultimately dependent on Him for our success. With that in mind, it makes sense that as we deliberate our plans for the New Year, the most important decision we can make is to engage God.

Moses also understood how important this was. Leading the nation of Israel in the exodus from Egypt, he was not prepared to go anywhere unless God was with them - "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence" (Exodus 33:15). It is my prayer that we will adopt the same attitude as we navigate our respective journeys, "Lord if you are not going to be with me in this thing I want/have to do, do not let me do it." Doing anything without Him is never, ever a good idea.

"In the beginning God." Engage Him.

 God's very best to you and yours for a blessed and successful 2013.