​Highway 101 hugs the California coastline from Los Angeles to San Francisco. I know because my newlywed bride and I traveled on it during our honeymoon in 1974.
 
Jo Ann and I could have trimmed substantial hours off our trip to honeymoon bliss in San Francisco if we would have driven Interstate 5. I am so happy we chose 101. Interstate 5 is boredom at its best…a gridlocked, crazy-crowded, concrete corridor of nothing but boring sameness.
 
Scenic Highway 101 is anything but boring. Winding and weaving its way through some of the most breathtakingly beautiful shoreline scenery in America, if not the world, something new and exciting awaits around each bend of the road.        
 
Skillfully navigating bends in the road, Jo Ann’s and my vision was opened to surreal vistas of spectacular scenescapes. Sunlight skipping and dancing on the Pacific Ocean waves, playful seals frolicking on the rocky shoals, straight down drop-offs that took your breath away, Jonathan-Livingston seagulls soaring freely above, salty ocean breeze passing through the car…wow! A never-to-be-forgotten ride with my beautiful bride.
 
Approaching each bend in the road we did not know what was around it. But we knew it would be good. Whoever planned Highway 101 knew what they were doing. Talk about bang for the buck!
 
At first the bends in the road raised my anxiety, especially when we seemed to be hanging on to the side of cliffs overlooking a jagged, rocky beach below.
 
Truth being told, I prefer to know and see where I am going. A bend in the road blocks the view of the rest of the road and the end I am anticipating. After a bend or two, realizing the bend was not the end, I turned into a bend freak! So much for my bend-phobia. Bring on the bends. I could not wait to see what lay just around the bend.   
 
A bend in the road is not the end of the road.
 
Paul reminds us that God causes, works with and through all things (including bends in our faith road) for good in the lives of those who love Him and desire to fulfill His purpose.
 
Romans 8:26 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
 
Bends are not necessarily bad things. Even if you believe a bend in the road is not good, God can work it for your good, if you let Him. A bend in the road can be part of God’s will for your life if you trust Him.
 
Having walked by faith in Christ for forty-nine years, I have experienced significant bends in my spiritual journey. Bends in the road that caught me by surprise, turned my plans upside down, and left me wondering what was next. With God’s help, I worked hard to not let the bends break me. A bend was not the end for Steve.
 
I trusted God that the bends in the road could and would lead me to be more Christlike and fulfill the dreams God had given me.
 
I do not want to minimize bends in the road. Road bends in the journey of life can be intimidating and challenging when facing one. But I believe God made the faith road…. bends, curves, twists and turns included. There are many blessings just around the bends you and I encounter. 
 
Without question, the richest, incredibly exciting and satisfying, most enduring blessings God has brought to my life showed up on the other side of a bend in the road.
           
 Turning Bends In The Road Into Blessings
 

• God is in the bends of life. Ups, down, whatever comes around, God is with us.
• Bends are not ends. Bends are a means to an end on the road of abundant and eternal life. 
• A bend in the road can be the beginning of something awesome in life.
• A road bend can lead to an ending we could have never imagined.
• A bend in the road is an opportunity to walk by faith, not by sight. 
• God can use a bend in the road to mend something in my life that needs mended.
• A bend in the road can be a friend along your life journey.
• A bend-less journey is a boring journey. Interstate 5 or Highway 101? We choose which one we plug in to our GPS.     
• Trust God. Be wise. Bends in the road are not sent to suspend our journey but to bless our journey.  
• A bend in the road can send you down the road to God’s blessing in ways you never imagined.

 
Think with me for just a moment.  What might you miss if you do not keep moving forward by faith just because you cannot see around the bend in the road? What blessing might you forfeit if you turn back when you come to a road bend?
           
If you have come to a bend in the road, it is not the end of the road.
 
Just because you cannot see around the corner right now, does not mean your journey is over. God is waiting for you around the corner, paving the way for you to experience and enjoy His good, acceptable and perfect will for your life.
 
Your bend in the road can be a blessing if you believe God is just around the bend!
Embrace and enjoy the bend!
 
“When God did awesome things we did not expect, God came down and the mountains quaked at His presence. For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him.”                                                                                                                  Isaiah 64:3-4
 
A Word For Your Week: Bends in the road are opportunities for God to show us something new.    

​“My gosh, I cannot believe this is happening.” Many people are feeling this way these days.
 
Are you surprised at negative things that are happening in our society and world?
 
Let’s list some negatives. Abortion. Homosexual perversion. Same sex marriage. Unemployment. Home invasions. Family slayings. Terrorist attacks. Unprecedented debt loads and deficits. Corporate and personal greed. Political corruption. Government intrusion and overreach.  Discrimination. Wealth redistribution. Moral scandals.
 
Worldwide pandemic. Catastrophic natural disasters. Disrespect for lawful authority. Cancel culture. Intolerance. Division. Disunity.  Hostility. Violence. Lack of self-control. Unconstitutional legislation aimed at curbing free speech and the right to bear arms.
 
 Anti-Christian attitudes. Scathing attacks on Christian values. Public maligning and mockery of all things innocent, pure, holy, and decent.  
 
I believe America has lost her spiritual bearing. Our moral compass is broken.
           
The people of the United States have blown huge holes in our moral cover. Evil runs rampant, unrestrained. Unrighteousness is not only tolerated but is becoming the order of the day. Clearly, most of our people have lost their way, hurtling blindly toward the hellish abyss of a Christ-less culture. A day of reckoning is coming.
           
Personally, I am appalled, angered and deeply saddened, but not surprised, by what is transpiring in my country. I am mourning that we have turned our backs on God.
I have to keep my faith focused and guard my personal peace daily.
 
The truth is Christians should not be surprised about what is happening. God’s Word says it will happen.
 
Peter, writing in a day when Christians suffered persecution from the hands of an evil, unbelieving, anti-Christian society wrote to God’s divinely loved ones “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” I Peter 4:12
 
Fellow Christians, the “fiery trial” you are experiencing is “no strange thing” if you name the name of Christ. Matter of fact, the world’s opposition to your faith should be familiar to you by now. It is a daily occurrence if you are a believer who does not have his/her head buried in the sand.  
 
So, what were Christians to do? The exhortation is clear: “Do not be surprised” and “keep on rejoicing”.  Rejoice? Are you serious Peter? Do you have a loose screw or two brother? Has persecution’s heat melted your mind?
 
Not at all. Peter had a sound mind in Christ. He understood the times in which he lived. He knew trials would test our faith. Peter qualifies his statement in verse 12 with a further explanation in verses 13-16.
 
“But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name, let Him glorify God.”
 
Wow! Talk about big-picture perspective. Hey believer…. do not be surprised at what is happening. Rejoice instead. Why?
 
You are blessed, yes blessed, not cursed, when as a Christian you share in the sufferings of Christ. Do not be surprised when the world attacks you, your faith and your values. The world persecuted Christ, so they will persecute you who bear His name. Do not be ashamed of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Stand firm in your faith. Glorify God amid the societal shaking going on.
 
Peter is saying that when the time when all this anti-Christian persecution is fulfilled (and only God knows the exact time), Jesus will return for His holy bride the church. Jesus is coming back! He said He would. While we wait for Jesus to appear, the Lord expects His followers to not be surprised by the suffering and persecution that is setting the stage for His glorious return.   
 
What does this word mean for you and me? I believe it helps steady us when we read or hear the latest breaking news which I encourage you to turn out and turn off!  
 
I do not rejoice in what is happening. I do rejoice in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is running the real show.  
 
Things will proceed from bad to worse before the return of Christ. Please read Matthew 24, II Timothy 3:1-14 and Jude 10-25. If you think things cannot get any worse, think again! All of this is setting the stage for the glorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Do not be surprised. What we are experiencing is predictable.
 
Take heart fellow Christian. Rejoice. Do not be surprised by the fiery trial upon us. Stay prayed up. Confess the Word. Walk in God’s wisdom. Hold your head up high in Christ. Stand up boldly for Him. Persevere. Endure. Guard your peace. Share your faith. Encourage others to look to the Lord during these tumultuous and troublesome times.     
 
I would not be surprised if Jesus, in all His glory, accompanied by the heavenly host, splits the eastern sky soon and catches us away to heaven!
 
I am ready…. how about you and your loved ones?
 
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
 
“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God…For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
                                                                                                            II Timothy 2:8, 12
 
“You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
                                                                                                                        James 3:8
 
A Word For Your Week: Do not be surprised by things that should not surprise you.

​Everyone has expectations.
What you and I expect effects what we experience. Our hopes, dreams, what we anticipate, and look forward to is important.
Today I want to address our expectations of God.
If you are a professing Christian, do you expect God’s best? Honestly, do you expect, hope for, look forward to God’s best for your life?
Three months ago, while I was waiting on the Lord the Holy Spirit whispered to my spirit “Steve, expect God’s best”.  
“Expect God’s best” was significant and timely for me. I was seriously pondering what might happen in the future. Wondering where in the world our mixed-up world was heading and how it would impact me and my loved ones.
The Lord answered my questioning with “Expect God’s best!”
Satan hates the thought of expecting God’s best. The devil knows God’s love is the best of the best.  The evil one’s hatred is the worst of the worst. His strategy is for you and me to expect the worst in life, especially from God.
The world system, that rejects the Kingdom of God, always expects the worst, never the best.  In addition to our soul’s arch enemy and the world, our fallen. sinful nature tends to lean to the worst rather than the best. You and I know we do this at times.
It is too easy and spiritually/emotionally deadly for you and me to think the worse rather than God’s best.
Sound hopeless? Not at all.
I believe expecting God’s best is a choice. A choice followed by discipline to keep choosing to believe God’s best for my life every single day.
How do we know God has His best in mind for us? Romans 8:31-32 is one passage that says so.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us.? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up or us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
I can expect God’s best because He is for me. Nobody can come against me and succeed. A pastor commented “If God is for me, everybody else might as well be!” Amen to that.
God loves me and is for me. He demonstrated that love by sending His own Son, His only Son, Jesus, from heaven to die on a cross to save me from my sins.
God the Father did not withhold His only Son, His best, back from you and me.
When we see Jesus hanging on the Cross and rising from the dead the message is clear from God: this is how much I love you. I gave up my very best or you!
Then verse 32 tells us if God did not hold back Jesus from us, certainly He will “freely give us all things.” All things…. whatever I need to successfully fulfill God’s will for my life.
Because God gave the greater, greatest gift of His Son, I can rest assured He will supply the lesser gifts I need. He loves me that much. Therefore, I can indeed expect His best from Him!  
In verses 33-39 Paul lays out all the worst stuff that can come against you and me. Paul was convinced, completely persuaded that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Christ’s followers overwhelmingly conquer life because Jesus loves us.
How can you and I not expect God’s best when He has done all of this for us?
Life lesson for me: Expect God’ best no matter what circumstances confront me. Up, down or all around, trust God for His best. God never gives us less than His best. Less than best is not in His character. He calls me to walk by faith in Christ, believing and expecting to receive God’s best!
His love is the best thing I can expect from Him every day. I do not need much more than that!
The best way to know God’s best for your life is to study the Bible.
God’s best is for you today!
I challenge you to confess with your mouth every day “Lord, I expect your best!”.
Experience a great day because you are expecting God’s best!
“My soul waits in in silence for God only, for my hope, expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5
A Word For Your Week: Expect God’s best then rest in Him.

​Moments.
Recently I have written about enjoying the day and enjoying the journey.
Today I will discuss enjoying the moment.
Life journeys are made up of days. Days are about hours and minutes. You and I pay close attention to our time pieces whether it is an old-fashioned clock, Apple Watch or digital time displayed on our I-phones.
Tick tock, tick tock. Hours and minutes tick off. As time marches relentlessly on, what about the moments during the hours and minutes?
A month or so ago, while I was enjoying downtime in our family room with Jo Ann and our dog Daisy, the Lord said to me as clear as the day “Steve, I want you to enjoy the moments of life. This moment.”
Moments matter.
Steve, enjoy the moment. That word has challenged me. Encouraged me to not let moments that matter pass by.
I believe Jesus enjoyed the moments in His life and wants us to enjoy our moments too.
In John 10:1-1 we read the parable of the Good Shepherd. In verse ten, Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly.”
Satan, the devil, is the thief who would steal, kill and destroy God’s sheep. I believe one of his many dastardly strategies is to steal moments. Minimize the moments God gives us.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would have us to savor moments. Abundant life in Christ is about enjoying life’s moments. Life that is abundant recognizes and rejoices in the wonderful moments that make up our life.
Moments like sunrises. Sunsets. Sand between toes on the beach. Significant achievements. Hugs. Revelations from the Lord. Encouraging words. A child’s giggles. Time with friends. Hiking in a forest. A Cardinal’s melodic song. Springtime. Sitting on a mountain top. A warm, furry puppy curled up on your lap.  A baby’s birth. Naps. Favorite foods. Fireplace fires on a cold, wintry night. A warm comforter on the bed. Chocolate! Coffee for you caffeine addicts!
Why don’t you take a moment right now to list some or your cherished moments? You will be surprised how many good moments you can come up with.
Making Moments Matter

• Live in the moment you are loving in.
• Mentally disconnect from other moments, whether past, present or future.
• Be aware of moment busters. Anxiety, worry, fear, disappointment and depression mess up moments.
• Do not let people or things distract you from the moments God gives you.
• Thank God for the moments you get to enjoy. Relive moments that matter and give God glory for them!
• Share moments you have enjoyed with someone who needs encouraged in their life.

 What can cause you to miss the moment? What do you need to do to enjoy your moments?
In the past I have missed the joy of moments that God sent to bless me. Thinking backwards or forward robs us of the current moment. Moments have purpose. A fifteen-minute restful nap is a moment that refreshes and renews. I am currently making a conscious, disciplined effort to enjoy the moment. Maybe take a few more naps too!
I do not want to waste any moments anymore.
Maximize moments by enjoying them.
Enjoying the moment is about focus. Lack of focus obscures the joy of the moment. Soak up the here and now of the moment you are in. If we choose to not enjoy the moment, we might miss the blessings God intended for us that moment.
Store memorable moments in your mind’s memory banks.
When you are older, you will be glad you filed good, heart-warming happy memories in your mental hard-drive. Elderly folks may not remember what they ate for breakfast, but it is remarkable how well they recall memories of moments from the distant past.
My friend, as life moves on, do not miss the moments the Lord gives you to enjoy.
Lord, help us to keep in the moment.
A Word For Your Week: Enjoy the moments of life before they slip away.

​Do you enjoy your Christian life? I mean, really enjoy the journey of faith you are on with the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
I pose this question because too often we Christian’s gripe, grumble, complain and appear unhappy with our life in Christ. Ever been there? Most likely you have like I have. Before we proceed, maybe we should fall on our faces and humbly repent!
 
God wants us to enjoy our life journey.
 
According to Psalm 37:23 our life journey consists of steps that are sovereignly ordered, established by God Himself. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in the way he takes. “Psalm 37:23
 
Almighty God lays out the path for each of us…. step after step after step.  He planned the days of our lives (steps too!) before there were any (Psalm 139:1-16). Our Heavenly Father is happy with the steps He establishes for His children.
 
Therefore, you and I should delight, take joy in, and be happy about each day and each step.
 
That is right…. every step. Honestly, I like some steps better than others, and so do you. But, if I believe, and I do, that God orders my steps and He is pleased with them, then I should be pleased too with the journey He has appointed for me. 
 
Jesus enjoyed His journey.
 
How do we know? Because the Word of God says so. Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. His mission was to reveal the Father to us and restore our relationship with Him. Psalm 40:8 is a prophetic word concerning the attitude of the Lord Jesus.” I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
 
The Lord delighted to do God’s will. Through faith and obedience, He stepped out God’s plan for Him.
 
In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Jesus enjoyed while He endured. What a powerful truth! Jesus endured the cruel torture of the Cross because His heart and eyes were set on the joy of the journey, resulting in a destination of providing salvation for you and me.
 
Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring some difficult steps that I might enjoy salvation.  
           
 I will ask you again. Are you enjoying your journey?
           
Many of us are infected with Destination Disease. We focus on the end of the journey instead of the journey itself.
 
“Are we there yet?” is not only the cry of antsy children in the back seat on vacation. Too often we are obsessed with the goal, the finish line that we neglect to enjoy the process along the way. We say things like “When I get that promotion”, When I get married”, When I have this much money”, When I fund my retirement account”, and on and on and on.
 
Destination disease can create frustration, disrupt peace and try to steal joy from our hearts.   
 
Maybe we should enjoy the days (one at a time!) God blesses us with as we work toward the desires of our heart that God has given us.
 
Start Enjoying Your Journey
 
·      Stop complaining about your lot in life. Embrace life. Thank God for your life. Laugh more. Life is a lot more fun with a smile on our face.
·      Notice the little blessings along the way. There are lots of them if you will look for them.
·      Dump Destination Disease. Look forward to the journey as much as the end of the journey.
·      Trust God to turn not so good steps around into a delightful journey.
·      Discipline yourself to take steps, not leaps, in life. Step by step is the way God set it up for you and me.
·      Flee from people who dislike their journey. Ran from them as fast as you can so you do not catch what they have!
 
You and I choose to enjoy our journey or not.
 
Enjoying the journey is much better than not enjoying it. Trust me, I have figured that one out after much trial and error over too many years.  My life is more stable, peaceful and joyful because I have learned (and am still learning!) to enjoy my journey in Christ.
 
Begin your day by rejoicing in the day the Lord has made. Look forward with joy to the path He has laid out for you to follow. Step out your daily journey with joy. Jesus is excited about your day…. and you should be too.
 
Enjoy your day as part of the journey God has set before you as you head toward heaven.  
 
“This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
 
A Word For Your Week: Enjoy your journey with Jesus.

​When you awaken from a night’s slumber do you declare “Good morning Lord!” or “Good lord, its morning.”
Are you excited about the possibilities of a new day and ready to leap out of the sack, or would you rather pull the covers back over your head and stay in bed for the day?
How you and I look at the new dawning day is a matter of attitude. How we view the new day influences how our day will go. As we think, so life goes.
Enjoying the day is a decision, not an emotion. You and I may not feel good for some reason. But we can still enjoy the day in spite of our emotional state.
The Psalmist figured out how to get each day off to a good start. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Rejoicing in the day the Lord has made is a choice…an attitude I choose to have whether others choose to do so nor not. 
This is what David said to help us start our days well too.  
The Lord made today. “This is the day the Lord has made.” Each day is a gracious gift from God. His holy handprint is on today. The new day isn’t made by men. It is handcrafted by Almighty God Himself. Sent from heavenly places for you and me to enjoy.  
Because the Lord made today, I will rejoice in it. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  “Let us” means you and me. I, Steve Roll, will rejoice (not might or think about it later!) and be glad. I will be happy about the new day. I will give heartfelt thanks to God for another sunrise. I will praise Him for another opportunity to live for Him, to love and serve the people in my life.
I made it safely through the night. So, let’s go God and see what you have in store for me today!
Enjoying Every Day

• Let go of yesterday. It is history. Done. Release it. Reach happily for today.
• With the dawn of each new day, look for the potential and opportunity it holds.  
• Expect God to do good things in your life today. Rev up your expecter!
• No matter what your circumstances, you can choose to enjoy the day. Do not allow stress, pressure, tension, challenges, obstacles, setbacks or negative people to rob you of a good day in the Lord.
• Discipline yourself to greet the new day with rejoicing that you are alive and ready to live life to the fullest in Jesus’ name.
• Remind yourself throughout the day you will enjoy your day.
• Whether others enjoy their day or not, you can enjoy yours. Yes you can!

The future is forward. Forward movement is established by enjoying today. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day…….
I encourage you to do this every morning.
After you shake off the bedhead, wipe the cobwebs from your eyes and before you step on the floor, confess with your mouth “This is the day the Lord has made; I, (your name) will rejoice and be glad in it.” Tell the Lord you are excited about the new day, raring to go and ready to see what today holds.
Hop out of bed, carefully of course. Then confidently declare “Watch out world. I expect to have a great day. Here I come in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.”
A bonus idea. In addition to declaring you will rejoice in the new day, why not ask the Lord “Who can I serve in your name today?” Serving others always makes for a good day!
I have done this for a number of years. This attitude has transformed the way I look at the new day. What a difference it has made on my outlook.  
Three thoughts before I wrap this up.

1. The morning is the most difficult time for people who are depressed. If you struggle with depression, intentionally attack the depression with a positive declaration to enjoy your day. Rejoicing and praising God for a new day will kick despair to the emotional curb.
2.  Maybe yesterday was not the best of days. Some days are like that. Guess what? Today is a new day. Receive, rejoice and enjoy today. Put yesterday in the rearview mirror or your life. 
3.  Practice what I shared for three weeks. That’s right. Each day for twenty one days.  Believe me you will have a whole new perspective on getting up in the morning and starting your day!

Choose to enjoy your day. You, and people you live with, will be glad you did!
A Word For Your Week: Embrace and enjoy every day the Lord gives you.

​I am an old-timer who still uses a Day-Timer as my calendar.
I feel extremely comfortable and secure writing out my daily, weekly, and monthly schedule by hand in my personal calendar. Old-fashioned? Indeed, and proud of it!  And guess what?  Steve Roll is ready if the internet crashes.
My pen and paper will save my bacon while techy, electronic calendar people panic because their schedules vanish to some cloud in a high-tech galaxy far, far away.
In January, as I began thinking and praying about what will fill the pages of my Daytimer for the next three hundred and sixty-five days, the Lord spoke to my heart. The Holy Spirit quietly whispered to me “Live a day at a time in 2021.”
A day at a time. Not a few days, a week or weeks, a month or months, or a year. One single day at a time Steve.
What a fresh word of revelation for 2021, especially after 2020.  I needed to hear that. I tend to get ahead of today. Maybe you do too. You and I seem to be wired to drive life’s train way down the tracks when our Father in heaven would beckon us to back up the train to live for today.
GOD IS A TODAY GOD.
Have you ever thought about that? God’s love for you and me is all about today. This day. The one we are living. Right now. He loves us a day at a time.
Of course, the Almighty knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. His domain is an endless eternity where time is non-existent, and yet, according to Psalm 139:16, God knows about every day you and I will live, even before we live them.
 “Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”
If for some reason as you read this, you don’t feel extremely special, valuable, of immense worth and importance, and uniquely significant, then think again. God saw you before you were and has laid out your days before you ever had a Day-Timer or I-phone. How awesome you and I are, and what an awesome God we serve!
I believe God would have us focus on each day of the “days” laid out for us in His eternal plan.
Jesus addressed the issue of today in Matthew 6:25-34. Four times He commands His followers to “not be anxious” (worry) about life. Instead, have faith that God will always be faithful to provide the basics of life that we need.
His faithfulness is revealed one day at a time. Daily provision is God’s promise. All the days of our life, one day at a time, God takes care of His kids!
Verse 34 speaks volumes to me about my attitude. After exhorting His listeners to put God’s righteousness and kingdom first (assuring them God would provide all they would ever need) He says “Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I get that part where each day has enough trouble of its own!
I am sure you do too. Jesus says don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles because today, the one you are living at this time, has enough trouble of its own. That is why the Lord teaches us to live for today. Look to God to help you deal with today’s troubles.
A day at a time is the way God set it up. Thank God for that. He knows one day of trouble is all about this guy can handle!
Sometimes I think I am spiritually thick-headed. Slowly but surely, I am figuring this out after sixty-eight years of loving that I experience less stress and possess greater potential for success when I focus my faith on today, not tomorrow and tomorrows.
2021 is made up of one day at a time. That’s the way our Creator set it up. Today, a day at a time, is what God has ordained for us to live for His glory and the good of mankind.
A day at a time looks something like this.

• Love the Lord with all of your heart, mind soul and strength. Put God first in everything.
• Be single-minded, unwavering and unashamed of your faith in Christ.
• Share the Good News with those who are seeking the Savior.
• Work hard at your job. Be the best employer or employee in your organization.
• Let your loved ones know every day that you love them. Extend them affection and attention.
• Serve those who God puts in your path who cannot serve you back.
• Life your life to the fullest today. Do not hold anything back for any reason.
• Thank God for today when you awake in the morning and retire for the night.

Today matters. It is the only day you and I have. We may think we have tomorrow. But until tomorrow arrives and becomes the next today, we only have today!
Enjoy the moments of each day.
Maybe you should consider living 2021 a day at a time. Embrace. Experience. Enjoy each day that comes as a gracious gift from a good God.  
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
A Word For Your Week: Live today like it is the only day you have.

​Humans love to boast.
 
To boast means to brag, congratulate oneself, show off, crow about, toot our own horn, pat ourselves on the back, strut, flaunt, let others know how awesome we are.
 
Who doesn’t like to boast about their accomplishments, conquests, victories and success? When you win, you brag, right? When you lose, not so much!
 
Boasting can be good if we boast about the right things. But most of the time our boasting is misdirected.
 
Our subject for this devotional is boasting. More precisely, what to boast about and what not to boast about. Our culture is confused when it comes to boasting. Many arrogant, narcissistic, self-promoting folks boast about things that should not be boasted about.    
 
My friends, God has a timeless and timely word for us that we desperately need to heed today regarding boasting.
  
The prophet Jeremiah gives us clear biblical guidance concerning proper boasting.
 
“Thus says the Lord, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth: for I delight in these things, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24
 
“Thus says the Lord” means Almighty God has something serious to say and we better pay attention to it. Our Creator and Redeemer is THE EXPERT on human affairs. He knows what He is talking about in every dilemma man finds himself.  
 
Inspired by the Spirit of God, Jeremiah spells it out clearly. Man is not (“Let not”) to boast in his wisdom, his power or his wealth. Mankind, including you and me, is not to boast in who he is, what he has and what he can do.
 
Truth be told, man’s wisdom, might and money will never bring peace to men’s hearts and the world they live in. No matter how smart you think you are, how much money you have in the bank, or what power position you hold, boasting about you is boasting in vain.
 
Boasting in humanity, regardless of how many tout themselves as supposed “authorities” and “experts”, is short-lived and never ends well.   
 
You and I are to boast in the Lord.
 
The creature is to give glory to His Creator, not himself. We are to boast in who the Lord is and what He does. The key to proper boasting lies in understanding and knowing God. When you read the op-eds (opinion editorials) in the secular press and listen to the babbling bobbleheads in the media, they all contain a glaring omission: The Lord and His Word on matters is conspicuously left out.
 
The Lord Himself is the answer to our world’s woes. How do I know? The Word says so. You and I are to boast in the Lord’s loving-kindness, justice and righteousness.
 
“Loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness” come from Him. This is what our weary, lost world needs most. These three virtues answer the cry of human hearts everywhere.  I love this holy trio of godly virtues, don’t you? 
 
Jeremiah tells us that God delights (takes pleasure) in these things. You and I should delight in what the Lord delights in. We are to take pleasure in His lovingkindness, justice and righteousness. Just as He does.
 
In my heart of hearts I long to delight in lovingkindness, justice and righteousness as my Lord and Savior does.  
 
In this historic hour in human history, all of us must sincerely humble ourselves before the Lord. We do not need what man can do. The evidence of man’s expertise is readily and sadly evident. You and I must search for and receive by faith what only Almighty God can do to save our souls, families, nation and world.  
 
If you want to feel safe and secure today, turn off the tube and tune into God’s Word. Unplug media. Get the information and inspiration you need from the Bible, not the anti-Christ, anti-biblical words of the world. It does make a difference what you feed your spirit with.  
 
Beloved, fellow Christian do not fear what man is doing. Beware of bragging about what man brags about. Reverence Almighty God. Stand in awe of Him and His holiness.  Humble yourself. Choose to do His good, acceptable and perfect will. (See Romans 12:1-2).  
 
It is a biblical fact: people who boast in anyone or anything but the Lord will end up toast in the long run!
 
Who are your boasting in? Yourself, other people, or the Lord?
 
Make it a personal priority to boast in the Lord in 2021.
 
“But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord, for not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”                             II Corinthians 10:17
 
“Some boast in chariots, and some boast in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.”                                                                             Psalm 20:7
 
A Word For Your Week: Make your boast in the Lord and what He boasts about.

​Quietness. Confidence. Strength.
           
I vote for all three of the above in my Christian life. How about you?
 
Isaiah 30:15 states “In quietness and confidence will be your strength.”
 
Christians everywhere desire to be strong. You and I should be strong in the Lord. But how do we do that? Are there keys to experiencing Christ’s strength in our daily lives?
 
I believe there are. Two of these keys appear in our verse for this week.
 
The Lord gave me this devotional while I was happily perched on a jagged rock in the woods overlooking a scenic lake near my home. I go often to this secluded place to hide out and be alone with the Lord.
 
In this natural setting the only distractions are cool breezes, warm sunshine, singing cardinals, an occasional, furry tailed squirrel crossing the trail, majestic hawks soaring overhead, frolicking fish jumping in the blue-green water and flocks of geese honking their way to their next destination. The setting is so wonderfully quiet that all I can hear is my heartbeat. I love it!
 
Why do I go to this off the beaten path place? I need quietness in my life. This refuge of near deafening silence restores my soul.
 
Have you noticed how busy and loud life is? Life screams at us at every turn, drowning out quiet times and silent moments that restore our soul and renew our strength.
 
Think about it. When was the last time you had a computer free, I-phone less, text message, Twitter free moment or two? How long has it been since you sat silently, that’s right silently, quietly and listened for God’s voice?
 
Isaiah tells us that IN quietness and confidence is our strength. Our strength comes from times of quietness before the Lord where our confidence is renewed in Him. James 4:8 invites us to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  Life has a way of wearing us down and burning us out.
 
 You and I need to draw near to hear the still, quiet voice of God. The Holy Spirit speaks and is heard best when we are not distracted by other voices.
 
Too often many of us experience weakness in our Christian life because we do not quiet ourselves before the Lord and wait on Him to renew our confidence and strength.
 
It is way too easy to excuse ourselves from the discipline of waiting on the Lord in quietness and confidence. Our enemy Satan loves it when we run and gun, scurry and hurry down the road of life, neglecting times of stillness and quietness before God where our souls are restored. The devil delights in you and me running on empty, hanging in there, merely surviving, hoping to get through another day. That is not the abundant life the Lord Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).
 
You and I rob our souls of restoration, renewal and revival when we refuse to be still before the Lord. 
 
I want to suggest to you that if you do not have quiet times with the Lord, you will not be a confident Christian and you will lack strength for the day’s battle.
 
Here are some simple, time-proven ideas for being quiet before the Lord.
 

• Set aside regular time to get alone with the Lord.
• Retreat to a place with minimal distraction. A secret hideout.
• Take your Bible, a pen and paper.
• Turn off all technology. No cell phones, I-pads, e-mails or Tweets! You need to hear from God more than you need to hear from friends on Facebook or Twitter.
• Pray and ask the Lord to help you clear your mind from stuff! You know what I mean!
• Don’t talk. That’s right. Be quiet. Listen. Listen, listen, listen. You might be surprised at what you might hear if you discipline yourself to listen.
• Sit, walk, and enjoy sweet fellowship with the Lord in a setting that soothes your soul, renews your mind and strengthens your spirit.

 
I met with someone recently who is burned out. Life is not fun right now. They said that they have trouble being still. I told them that trouble always follows those who do not take time to be still before the Lord.
 
Burnout or strength. The choice is ours. 
 
Strength comes from quietness and confidence in the Lord.  
           
 “Be still (quiet) and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
 
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet (still) waters; He restores my soul.”                                                                                        Psalm 23:2-3a
 
A Word For Your Week: Be quiet in Christ to be strong.