King David once said, “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil,” (Psalm 101.3-4).

I am confronted with a variety of "worthless" opportunities almost every day... conversations guaranteed to go nowhere, business opportunities sounding 'too good to be true,' so-called friends who want to 'invest' my money or waste my time, relationships I instinctively know will lead to sin, most political discussions, almost every television show, a provocative trail of web links and click-bait, one more Oreo cookie, and a whole host of other distractions. 

Some of these relationships and activities seem harmless enough... at first. But experience tells me many are homes for creepy things that will “fasten their grip on me.” I must exercise wisdom and avoid them at all costs.

I love the mystery of the “inconceivable” nature of God. He is “the Rock of our salvation,” (Psalm 95.1). He is both irresistible and immovable. Within Himself is contained the power of the unanswerable. He imagined and caused to happen many “inconceivable events” like the Creation of the world from nothingness, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Incarnation of the God-Man Jesus, and the Resurrection of the crucified Christ. None of these events are plausible, fully imaginable, or humanly possible. However, “the things that are impossible with people are possible with God” (Luke 18.27).

Are you “reluctant” to step into a leadership role? If so, you’re not alone; but if you are called to lead, then lead and lead well. Ask God to bestow His “favor”  upon you and “confirm the work of [your] hands.” When He does, you will know you’re on the right leadership track.

Crashing through the steady roar of yesterday’s voices comes another one, “an unfamiliar voice,” a voice almost unrecognizable by its nearly unbelievable claim…

“I heard an unfamiliar voice say, ‘I took the burdens off your backs; I let you put down your loads of bricks.’”

Psalm 81.5c (CJB), 6 (TEV)

Psalm 78 tells of abundant provision from the hand of God:

“Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat,” (vv23-25).

God’s provision is as much a matter of faith as it is a matter of fact. I have never unwillingly missed a meal. It would be safe to say that God commanded “the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens” and “rained down manna” for me to eat each and every day of my entire life. He has literally sent my loved ones and me “all the food they could eat” just like the Bible promised. So why do I still worry about God’s provision?

This podcast is an overview of week 33 in the Word Traveler Bible reading plan and covers the following chapters in the Old and New Testaments: Psalms 77 – 104; 2nd Corinthians 12 – 13; Galatians 1 – 3. 

It is not always easy to tell the truth. Truth-telling can be “painful” and hazardous to one’s sense of well-being. But still, it’s the truth. If you cave and say something different than truth, avoid telling important elements of the truth, or find creative ways to ‘spin’ the truth, you’ve “betrayed” those who are depending on your integrity.

“If I had said, ‘I will speak thus;’

Psalm 73.15-17

Psalm 71.9, 18-19a “The Message”

“But don’t turn me out to pasture when I’m old or put me on the shelf when I can’t pull my weight.”

When we think about our own mortality, most of us become just a little apprehensive. We have no problem going to heaven sooner than later. we just don’t want to go there before we finish what we’ve been placed on earth to do.

I want my life to count. I hope for significance and to leave this world a better place than I found it.

Like the earth, I look good (smooth, beautiful, etc.) from a distance. Up close, you are sure to discover bumpy spots, areas difficult to navigate, some dangerous places, and maybe even features that may cause you to wonder, “What was God thinking?”

“You visit the earth...

Psalm 65.9-10 

“I will awaken the dawn,” (Psalm 57.8). I love those words. Nothing compares to morning. It’s the best time of the day. There’s no one (except God) to talk to. It’s quiet and peaceful and the ideal time to refresh your soul. 

Perhaps I can “awaken the dawn” throughout the day. Whenever it ‘dawns’ on me to do so, I may talk to Jesus.