The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.

When you have car problems, the answers are in the owner’s manual, right? Everything is there: how to change a tire, battery maintenance, oil changes, weather issues, repairs, everything. The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for life. Consider Proverbs: That is so much good advice! I read all of that this morning in the firstContinue reading “The Bible is the OWNER’S MANUAL for Life. Proverbs 1-4.”

Athletic Gifts and Fitness Come From God. 2 Samuel 22:8-18, 30-40.

Pictured: Marshall Wales, NCAA Division 1 playoffs, spring of 2023. Sam Houston vs. Oregon State. God is the first and greatest athlete. Don’t think so? What weight can He not lift? What speed can He not travel? What target will He fail to hit? Surely the best-known athlete in the Bible is David. And DavidContinue reading “Athletic Gifts and Fitness Come From God. 2 Samuel 22:8-18, 30-40.”

He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.

God hears. No matter what day, no matter what is going on. No matter what you have done—God hears. Take your complaints, your hurt, your fear, and broken heart to God. He hears you. He loves you. He will deliver you. When David was upset and afraid, he wrote Psalm 55. “But I call toContinue reading “He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.”

Horoscopes, Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers. 1 Samuel 28:11-20.

These things seem like harmless fun. But there’s a reason the Bible forbids them. The answers they provide can be convincing because your enemy (1) knows you and (2) has some knowledge of the future. With that combination, a psychic or a fortune teller can be so persuasive. But these people get their “answers” fromContinue reading “Horoscopes, Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers. 1 Samuel 28:11-20.”

RESCUE. Psalm 18.

Pictured: Guard House for lifeguards on Miami Beach. Once in Maine, my father and I were standing on a pier talking to someone. My six-year-old brother Dennis was swimming in the lake. He was trying to get into an inner tube. But when he swam up to it, another boy was in it. Dennis seemedContinue reading “RESCUE. Psalm 18.”

The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.

Long before he was king, David wrote psalms (poetry and songs) reflecting on the years he spent as a fugitive, hunted by King Saul. David is a rich example of godly manhood–he makes mistakes, of course. But the man is unusually well-adjusted. He is courageous but sensitive, bold but vulnerable, strong but compassionate. This warriorContinue reading “The Prayers of King David. Various Psalms.”

DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.

When I was a child in Sunday school, I always wondered what went wrong? We would read about Adam and Eve, the way they walked with God in the garden. But in a few generations, people were so evil, God chose to flood the earth and start over. Then Noah and his three sons andContinue reading “DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.”

How Would You Identify a Good Spouse? Genesis 24:15-21.

In Genesis 24, Abraham is getting old, and sends his servant to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac. How will the servant know whom to choose? Maybe a beauty contest? How about a talent show? How does a man find a wife for another man? I won’t even buy shoes online for myself forContinue reading “How Would You Identify a Good Spouse? Genesis 24:15-21.”

Your Future Spouse. Proverbs 31:30.

Marriage is hard. Really. Before we wed, my girlfriend was my best friend. We actually were prayer partners before we dated. Then we dated for seven years (marriage being out of the question due to age and circumstances). We prayed on every date—every time we got together, we began with prayer, asking God to blessContinue reading “Your Future Spouse. Proverbs 31:30.”

Why Do We Suffer? Is There A Purpose to Suffering?

Picture of a “terra cotta wall sconce,” that is–an earthen vessel or a clay pot for holding (and releasing) light. I can think of four reasons for suffering: 1. We live in a broken world. Every day we endure hassles caused by the Fall: illness, parasites, hurricanes, etc. 2. We have an enemy—we are attackedContinue reading “Why Do We Suffer? Is There A Purpose to Suffering?”