We have SO many distractions that can cause us to lose our way. Have we forgotten to guard our own souls? When was the last time you even thought about it? Giving in is not the answer, it’s faith.

Hebrews 10:39 - 

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Are you tired of people letting you down? I was too. In a moment of Grace, I realized God never lets me down, and He never changes. That is something I can absolutely trust for eternity. (Also another convergence of New and Old Testament: the writer of Hebrews is quoting Psalm 102:25-28 link below.)

Hebrews 1:10-12 - 

And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Bible Gateway Link: Hebrews 1:10-12 (ESV)

Bible Gateway link: Psalm 102: 25-28 (ESV)

What if we stopped foolish controversies? We might have more time to do what is important: getting closer to God and studying the map for life He provides in the Holy Bible.

Titus 3:9-11 - But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Bible Gateway link: Titus 3:9-11 (ESV)

If this promise were given to you by the only being in the universe you could absolutely trust, wouldn’t you go with it? What if it didn’t happen for 70 years? Most of us would give up, or be dead anyway. But He promises He will hear us, so pray anyway, with all your heart. His time is different from ours.

Jeremiah 29:11-13-

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Bible Gateway link: Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)

Looking for truth? Here’s some. In context, God is very angry here, He is about to ransack a bunch of nations because they are not listening to Him. He is going to put them under the control of a bad leader for 70 years. Before he does, though, He reminds us what is true. Something we all need to hear in any age.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 -

“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord .

Bible Gateway link: Jeremiah 23:23-24 (ESV)

There seems to be the angry God of the Old Testament and the nicer God of the New Testament. This has nothing to do with God, who never changes. It has to do with Jesus, who brought us into peace with God by sacrificing once for all.

Jeremiah 19:3-5

You shall say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind—
-Bible Gateway link: Jeremiah 19:3-5 (ESV)

This becomes clearer and clearer to me. The only thing that really matters is what I learn every day from the Holy Bible. If I were to lose everything else, I’d still be okay.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Bible Gateway link

I was born this time of year and I tend to consider my life with all its mistakes and joys. I never wanted children and I never had any. Life is too short for regrets, but as I get older I do think occasionally, ‘who will take care of me?’ Then I run into a verse like this, and know with certain faith that God will take care of me.

“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break

Photo by Helen Hume Onufer

forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 54:1 -

Bible Gateway link: Isaiah 54:1 (ESV)

Ever notice that the sit-coms of our current culture cast the dumb husband/father figure as the butt of most of the jokes? This verse is simple. Men, love your wife as yourself. Women, respect your husband. Marriage is hard enough. Try a little respect, it may get easier.

Ephesians 5:31-33 -

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Bible Gateway link: Ephesians 5:31-33 (ESV)

This is a great check for me to see if I’m making progress. It is also a concise instruction on how to make that progress possible. It’s a verse worth putting on your ‘do today’ list.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Bible Gateway link: Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV

I have had it! All the noise in my life, the news channels, the angry words, the lies and half-truths, the false posts, the politicians wrangling with each other, it wears me out. But wait! Wait on the Lord!

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; 

Photo by Virginia Hume Onufer

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 (ESV)

I loved Cokie Roberts. I worked with her at ABC news. I admired her knowledge and wisdom, but I admired more a certain spirit she had. This verse captures it, she lived by the Spirit and she kept in step with it. She was not conceited, provocative or envious. She was kind.

Galatians 5:25-26 - 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Bible Gateway link: Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV)

Sometimes you just have to give over to full-throated praise. I was saved, I wake up every morning amazed and grateful.

Psalm 59:16 -

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

 Bible Gateway link: Psalm 59:16 (ESV)

Can I really stop seeking approval from my fellow humans? Yes. I may fail at times but I give it my best shot. Being a servant of Christ is better.

Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Bible Gateway link: Galatians 1:10

I had no tolerance for emotional pain. I would do ANYTHING to mask it. Little did I know that submitting to that pain was the way through. It is also the way through to God.

Psalm 51:17

UPI.com

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

 - Bible Gateway link: Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

I loved my work, I was comfortable being miserable most of the time. I retired early and now I work in God’s vineyard. I love that more, but it is not always comfortable. It definitely is something to rejoice.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

 - Bible Gateway link: Ecclesiastes 3:22 (ESV)

I learned this when I was down with back pain for nearly a year. The pain took my breath away but God showed me He was far more powerful than my pain.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - 

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Bible Gateway link: 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV

When my life gets complicated and chaotic, this is the verse for me. If I’m close enough to God to let Him run my life, things fall into place as they were meant to be.

1 Corinthians 14:33a - 

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 

Bible Gateway link: 1 Corinthians 14:33a

This is how it worked for me. My addiction seemed to be in complete control of me. I was helpless, but a moment of grace saved me. God was my way of escape and He hasn’t let me down since.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Bible Gateway link: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV

This is what happened in my marriage, we saved each other.

1 Corinthians 7:16 

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Bible Gateway link: 1 Corinthians 7:16 ESV

“My body is a temple.” It’s a laugh line most of the time. But think how we abuse our bodies. If your body is God’s and not your own, and he knows your secrets, don’t you think it would be worthwhile to be a little more careful how you treat yourself?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Biblegateway link: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

I’m not in the business of giving politicians advice, but it seems to me we need some level ground. Politicians and all the rest of us should at least aspire to walk in integrity. Also, It couldn't hurt to bless the Lord more often.

Psalm 26:11-12 -

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary 

  redeem me, and be gracious to me. 

My foot stands on level ground; 

  in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

 Bible Gateway link: Psalm 26:11-12

Many years ago in my alcoholic distress, I would take the Holy Bible to the rose garden at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I didn’t understand much of it, but the Psalms seemed a life line to me. It was the beginning of my gratitude for the Bible.

Psalm 25:16-18 -

Turn to me and be gracious to me, 

  for I am lonely and afflicted. 

The troubles of my heart are enlarged; 

  bring me out of my distresses. 

Consider my affliction and my trouble, 

  and forgive all my sins.

Bible Gateway link: Psalm 25:16 (ESV)

Let’s define some neighborhoods. How about Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol? How about a bigger circle including the State Department, the Pentagon all the other departments and the various agencies? Now let’s include the Maryland, Virginia and Washington surrounds and all the government workers, lobbyists, journalists and taxpayers? So how about it? Let’s follow Christ’s instructions and stop this madness.

Romans 13:8-9 -

Owe no one anything, except to love each other,

for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 Bible Gateway Link: Roman’s 13:8-9 ESV

Whenever I hate myself for being who I am, I remember this verse. He created me just the way He needed me to be. Who am I to second guess God?

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?

Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

Romans 9:20-21

At a time when our country seems so broken, we would all do well to listen to God, who mercifully and CLEARLY tells us what we need to do.

2 Chronicles 7:14 -

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 Bible Gateway link: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

If you feel you just don’t know how to pray, here’s a good one from King David. You can use it over and over again.

King David Holy Card

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

Link: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Wow. This is harsh! It could, however, explain the ugliness in our political culture right now. Generally speaking, we’d all be better off to acknowledge God. You don’t have far to look for evidence of his omnipresence.

Romans 1:28-31

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

 - Bible Gateway link: Romans 1:28-31 (ESV)

This is why I read the Bible. I am like that tree, but only because I meditate on His Word. It is changing my life from chaff to fruit.

Psalm 1: 1-4 

Blessed is the man 

  who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 

nor stands in the way of sinners, 

  nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 

but his delight is in the law of the Lord, 

  and on his law he meditates day and night. 

He is like a tree 

  planted by streams of water 

that yields its fruit in its season, 

  and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers. 

The wicked are not so, 

  but are like chaff 

that the wind drives away.

Bible Gateway Link: Psalm 1:1-4

When I’m fooled into thinking I’m doing a great job running my own life, everything inevitably goes to Hell. Then I remember King Solomon's prayer, and ask God to incline my heart to him.

1 Kings 8:57-58

The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.

 - Bible Gateway link: 1 Kings 8:57-58 (ESV)

In some circles it is very uncool to talk about your faith. In some circles you can talk about “spirituality,” but mention Jesus and walls go up. I run in both these circles, but my years of Bible study embolden me to talk about Jesus. You might be surprised how many people are hungry to listen.

John 18:25 

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

- Bible Gateway Link John 18:25 ESV

It’s true, I could do nothing. Now my job in life is to bear fruit. His words abide in me.

John 15:5-7

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 

If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Bible Gateway link: John 15:5-7 ESV

Have you noticed that nothing good ever happens at 3am? The more light there is the clearer things are.

John 12:46

 Jesus: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

 Bible Gateway Link: John 12:46 ESV

Are you a skeptic? So was I, but when I hit bottom, he heard me, he saved me from myself. So why wouldn’t I call on him as long as I live?

Psalm 116:1-2

  I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 

  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

 - Bible Gateway link: Psalm 116:1-2 ESV

I look at the evidence of a loving God in my life, how His presence there has grown and how I have flourished. Amazing Grace! “I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.”

John 9:32-33

Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

 - Bible Gateway John 9:32-33 ESV

As a retired journalist I’ve watched many politicians over the years. I can’t think of very many who were not afraid of bad news.

Psalm 112:6-7

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

 - Bible Gateway link: Psalm 112:6-7 (ESV)

I love to work, but salvation is not a salary, it is a gift, and the proper response to a gift is thank you.

John 6:28-29

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 - Bible Gateway link: John 6:28-29 -ESV

She was heartbroken! Then God gave this long barren woman the son she prayed for. She then gave God her son Samuel, who would go on to change the world. Heartbreak, sacrifice, fulfillment, God at work.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

 - Bible Gateway link: Samuel 1:11 ESV

Are you a manipulator? Ah, aren’t we all? Don’t be surprised to see God use our human weaknesses to get us where he needs us to be. Ruth ended up married to Boaz, their offspring was King David’s grandfather Obed. Jesus, of course, is the “Son of David,” born in Bethlehem as was Boaz.

Stained glass window: Naomi and Boaz
Temple Emanuel, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ruth 3:3-4

(Naomi speaking to Ruth of Boaz:) 

Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”

 - Bible Gateway link: Ruth 3:3-4 ESV

“Born again Christian” in our current culture is often looked down upon by the educated, haughty elite. In a personal storm, I was born again. Everything changed for the better. Don’t look down, look up!

John 3:3-5

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

 - Bible Gateway link: John 3:3-5 ESV

It wasn’t this easy for me, I fought like a lion with my intellectual superiority and secular self-reliance. Once I got out of my own way, it was simple. I just did what he said in red letters. His way is better.

John 1:43

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

 - Bible Gateway Link: John 1:43 ESV

I was on my knees, desperate for the pain to end. I received Him and became a child of God.

John 1:12 
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

 - Bible Gateway link: John 1:12 ESV

It seems so daunting, and so contradictory, but I keep studying the Bible. Gradually, lovingly He is opening my mind. The Old Testament is God’s gift, persevere.

Luke 24:45

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

 - Bible Gateway link: Luke 24:45 ESV