I have a good idea for the new year, instead of refusing, shrugging and closing your ears, listen to the word of the Lord. We can not be perfect but we can try to do what God asks of us.

Zechariah 7:8-11
Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying,
“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.

Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’
“But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=zechariah7:8-11&version=NKJV

Everyone talks about it, but nobody can do a thing to change it. The weather is God's and if He wants the ice to melt, it will. How arrogant we humans are to try to take credit or blame for changes in the climate.

Psalm 147:15-18
He sends out His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 147:15-18 (NKJV)

Comfort and joy! An ancient prophesy, which came true when Christ was born, and is true today. "The Mighty One, will save;" " He will quiet you with His love."

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Bible Gateway link: Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

It is very hard work sometimes choosing every second to try to be a better person. It is so easy just to give in and be that rotten person we all suspect is our real self. We need encouragement. Here is some.

Psalm 145:8-9

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 145:8-9

No worries, He was, is, and will be everything you need. That is a promise!

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Bible Gateway link: Revelation 1:8

Do you happen to be stumbling around in the stress of preparing for Christmas? Here's a prayer for you.

Jude 1:24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep 
you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory 
with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Bible Gateway link: Jude 1:24-25 (NKJV)

Overcoming ego, overcoming bitterness, overcoming heart sickness, these are possible because of the love of God. We can overcome the world if we believe.

1 John 5:3-5
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Bible Gateway link: 1 John 5:3-5

This from a reliable eye witness with back up. Believe it.

1 John 1:5
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
Bible Gateway link: 1 John 1:5 (NKJV)

How is your day looking? What if today were the day? Are you ready?

2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Bible Gateway link: 2 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)

Feeling crazy? Black Friday, Cyber Monday, when to put up the tree? Here's some advice from Peter:

1 Peter 4:8-10
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Bible Gateway link: 1 Peter 4:8-10 (NKJV)

I'm thankful for being called "out of darkness into His marvelous light.;"

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Bible Gateway link: 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

Ever feel completely powerless watching someone make terrible decisions and suffering the consequences? What can we do, right? It is out of our hands. The power of prayer IS effective. We can doubt ourselves but don't doubt God.

James 5:19-20
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Bible Gateway link: James 5:19-20

Does this sound familiar? I often hear God's words, but do not do them. When I do, though, life is so much easier and more rewarding.

Ezekiel 33:31-32
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.
Bible Gateway link: Ezekiel 33:31-32

It is not just history! In my Bible reading this morning, these ancient prophetic verses seem relevant today.

Ezekiel 32:22-23
“Assyria is there, and all her company,
With their graves all around her,

Reuters

All of them slain, fallen by the sword.
Her graves are set in the recesses of the Pit,
And her company is all around her grave,
All of them slain, fallen by the sword,
Who caused terror in the land of the living.
Bible Gateway link: Ezekiel 32:22-23 (NKJV)

Being satisfied with the basics, the important things; the things that warm the heart. This is what it means to be blessed by God. The only response is gratitude.

Psalm 128:1-4


Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine 
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots 
around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed 
who fears the Lord.
Bible Gateway Link: Psalm 128:1-4

The rewards are priceless! Have a little faith. With diligence, faith brings peace to you and order to your priorities.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Bible Gateway link: Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

Do you suffer from jealousy, or covet someone else's stuff? Do you gossip about or judge someone in or outside your circle. I do, and when I do, I feel horrible. That is because God has written His laws on my heart. I know better. I'm trying.

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Bible Gateway link: Hebrews 8:10

Feeling demoralized? This is probably why:

Ezekiel 11:21

But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
Bible Gateway link: Ezekiel 11:21

Are you really bad at asking for directions? I always hated asking for any kind of help. Now I'm getting pretty good at it. This Psalm explains everything.

Psalm 121:1-8
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 121:1-8

I've had a long, sad day, but here I am studying the bible. It is such a solace.

Psalm 119:162
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 119:162 NKJV

Sometimes all we need is a simple prayer to say. Bless those mourning for Rebecca, may she rest in peace.

Psalm 119:132-133
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 119:132-133 (NKJV)

I guess I should work as hard on godliness as I do on fitness. What a concept!

1 Timothy 4:8-9
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
Bible Gateway link: 1 Timothy 4:8-9 (NKJV)

I was headed for disaster but I did not die. Now I read the Bible and get to recount to you the deeds of the Lord.

Psalm 118:17-18
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has disciplined me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 118:17-18

It is so easy to be fooled: the internet, news, facebook, music, twitter, our devices in general! It only takes a few minutes a day to get back to the core of life. If you want satisfaction instead of craziness let yourself be filled.

Colossians 2:8-10

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Nobody wants to suffer. But look, humans suffer because that is what humans do. I am honored to be granted belief. I am grateful that my suffering has meaning.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Bible Gateway link: Philippians 1:29 (ESV)

I love it when a good prophesy comes true. The light came one night in Bethlehem. Even now his glory is seen upon us.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Bible Gateway link: Isaiah 60:1-3

I fit into every one of the categories below. I lived in darkness. I could not bear what the wrath of God brought me. When I asked for His help to stop behaving badly, He gave me light. I want to shine for Him.

Ephesians 5:5-8

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous that is, an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore do not become partners with them;
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Bible Gateway link: Ephesians 5:5-8 (ESV)

I gave a couple of talks in Richmond, Virginia this week, about how God had saved my life. These verses explain what God is up to. Always.

Isaiah 55:10-11
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,

Changing Seasons, Richmond, Speakers Series

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Bible Gateway link: Isaiah 55:10-11 (NKJV)

Do you have trouble with this? Just pretend it is true, act as if you believe it. You will be amazed. Watch yourself become a better person without even trying.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)

I am great at stumbling around in darkness. It is only when I trip and break my toe that I remember. All I have to do is trust God and rely on His son. Then my way is clear, I am flooded with light.

Isaiah 50:10
“Who among you fears the Lord?
Who obeys the voice of His Servant?
Who walks in darkness
And has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord
And rely upon his God.

Tired of hearing nothing but bad news in a world that seems to get worse and worse? Here's something to cheer us up.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? 
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Bible Gateway Link: Isaiah 40:28-31(NKJV)

Are you willing? You are never going to be good enough to deserve salvation. It is a gift. Take it.

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
Bible Gateway link: 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NKJV)

This is what it means to make a life and death decision. I chose life, I chose to repent and let God save me. If you are suffering, you too can choose to live, and without regret.

2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Bible Gateway link: 2 Corinthians 7:10

Feeling hard pressed and perplexed? I'm perplexed all the time. But I have Jesus and that means there is hope.

2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Bible Gateway link: 2 Corinthians 4:8 (NKJV)

I tell you what, I need a counselor at all times. I've discovered I really don't know what is good for me. Please God, help me run my life. I would be so lost without you.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Bible Gateway link: Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Now this is encouraging. Happy Labor Day!

1 Corinthians 15:58
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.
Bible Gateway link: 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

When I was a kid, the greatest of the three was translated "charity." I never understood it until my Mom told me it meant love. I now understand why the word charity is so apt: love in action. That is how my Mom loves me. That is how I love God.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Bible Gateway link: 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

Do you remember being "in love?" There is nothing quite so intense, unless it is God's love for His people. Or Jesus' love for His followers, His church, every last one of us.

Song of Solomon 4:9-10

You have ravished my heart,
My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart
With one look of your eyes,
With one link of your necklace.
How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!
Bible Gateway link: Song of Solomon 4:9-10

This is the story of my life. I never think to sharpen the dull edge, I just muscle through. I have learned some things, though never the easy way. Thanks to you, O God!

Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the ax is dull,
And one does not sharpen the edge,
Then he must use more strength;
But wisdom brings success.
Bible Gateway link: Ecclesiastes 10:10

And we think what we do is so important! Have a little respect. As wise King Solomon said: "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity". Ecclesiastes 1:2b

Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
Bible Gateway link: Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NKJV)

Ever feel powerless? You are! In the book of Job, God makes it clear to all, that He is God, the creator of the universe. Listen up global warmers! We can believe that He knows what He's doing, or live in anxiety over things which we have no control.

Job 38:25-30
“Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water,
Or a path for the thunderbolt,
To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one,
A wilderness in which there is no man;
To satisfy the desolate waste,
And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?
Has the rain a father?

Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
From whose womb comes the ice?
And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?
The waters harden like stone,
And the surface of the deep is frozen.
Bible Gateway link: Job 38:25-30

Are you uneasy when people start talking about the second coming, or even the first? So religious, so out there, right? Thank God it IS out there. Something to hope for.

Psalm 96:11-13
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, 
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Bible Gateway Link: Psalm 96:11-13 (ESV)

If you are lonely and afraid, here is the answer, and it comes with built in patience and comfort.

Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning,

that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Bible Gateway link: Romans 15:4

He was so lost and depressed, Satan had literally tortured Job. I'm a little lost too, but then Job's prescient words are exactly what I need. Job's and ..."my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth." The Bible is a miracle I can hold in my hands, I'm really never lost.

Job 19:23-25
“Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!
That they were engraved on a rock
With an iron pen and lead, forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Bible Gateway link: Job 19:23-25 (NKJV)

Fish tales! All creatures know the truth, but human creatures sometimes forget who is in charge. As Job points out, God holds every life is in His hand.

Job 12:7-12
“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;

And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
In whose hand is the life of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?
Does not the ear test words
And the mouth taste its food?
Wisdom is with aged men,
And with length of days, understanding.

Bible Gateway link: Job 12:7-12 (NKJV)

There was a time when I thought talk of the devil was silliness. Until I found him going to and fro. He caught me unawares but God rescued me. Now when Satan is walking back and forth, I resist him and he flees from me. See James 4:7

Job 1:6-7
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” 
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Bible Gateway link: Job 1:6-7 (NKJV)