We put locks on everything – on our homes, cars, bicycle chains, briefcases, luggage, diaries, freezers, paper towel dispensers, mailboxes, etc., etc.  Security systems are utilized to protect many of our precious possessions from harm or theft.  Even with some of the most advanced technology, somehow villains and thieves still seem to find a way to bypass our protective measures and do…

Traditionally it is believed that Solomon penned the book of Ecclesiastes in his later years, after learning life’s lessons (which gave him a special insight into the inspired words that God gave to him).  The wise man began the last chapter with these words, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…” (12:1). Young people…

Can you believe that this year is half gone as of today?  Where did it go?  New Year’s Eve was just a couple weeks ago!  Wasn’t it?  How can July be here already? As you reflect back over the last six months, think about a few questions: What have you done for God in the last 181 days? How many days (of…

Christians are instructed and encouraged in Scripture to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) and that we “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).  In Luke 11, Jesus used the present tense verb eight times in just two verses to emphasize the continuous nature needed in our prayers.  Notice how the present tense makes these verses come alive with…

This is the philosophy by which many people live today.  They want the attention.  They want people to notice them.  And, especially when they do something good, they want everyone to see it.  Jesus talked unfavorably about those who would do “charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them,” those who would pray to “be seen by men” and those who…

Flipping channels found a female comedian that joked, “I had a pregnancy scare a few weeks ago.  No, not scared that I might be pregnant, but scared because I didn’t know who the father might be.  My mother got excited that she was going to be a grandmother.  Of course, I told her, ‘You can be excited until Tuesday afternoon, but then…

A search for the phrases “the Lord knows,” “God knows,” “Father knows” and “He knows” returns about 25 such occurrences in our Bibles.  Meditate on this summary of what God knows: “The Lord knows the way of the righteous” (Psa. 1:6). “The Lord knows the thoughts of man” (Psa. 94:11). “He knows our frame…that we are dust” (Psa. 103:14). “He knows what…

God used the word “Selah” over 70 times in the book of Psalms.  The exact meaning is a topic of discussion, but it seems to indicate a place for a pause, perhaps (as some have suggested) for the reader (and singer) to meditate on what was just said.  “Selah” is not found in Psalm 19:14, but with the idea of a pause…