38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"39 He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. - John 1:38-39 "Come and you will see..." I'm the type of pe...

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 Full of Grace and truth... this is one of my favoriate descriptions of Jesus. Something I so long for in my life. Most of the time, I swing to the one side or the other in a skewed way. Full of harsh truth and delivering ...

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. My favorite description of Jesus is that he was "full of grace and truth." Why is it so difficult for me to deliver truth and lack so much grace. Foot in mouth tends to be one of my biggest diseases. Lord, I beg you to fill me with your Holy Spirit and cause the words...

As I was desperate to hear from Him this morning this is what he said: Proverbs 18:11-13 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.12 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. Lately I have b...

DistressedThe past few days I have been distressed. Distressed by the magnitude of God's love for me Distressed by my complacency Distressed by His patience Distressed by the magnitude of my sin. Distressed by His Overwhelming Grace Distressed by my fickle and wandering heart. Distressed by His Unconditional Love in spite of me...So what does he want? Hosea 5:15 ~ ...

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 An inheritance... Something given to me that I didn't earn and I don't deserve. Strange to think that the Lord might want me to go somewhere that I don't know where I'm going in order to receive it. Why doe...

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.Proverbs 16:23-24 September 2009... I found myself in a situation where I needed to confront someone in the moment. It was a time where I was deeply angry... and in the midst of my confrontation, I was loud...

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.Hebrews 6:11-12 As if the word "sluggish" was highlighted in my bible, it jumped off the page when I read this the other morning. Lately this is how I have b...

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life,but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:1-4 Lord, give me a soft answer in the times my flesh fee...

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:2-3 Sarcasm... sometimes it just really gets the attention of those who enjoy to dish it out a bit... or a lot like myself. Paul is asking a very simple and sarcastic quest...

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,yet for your sake he became poor,so that you by his poverty might become rich.2 Corinthians 8:9 So simple... yet why do I have such a hard time living this out. Giving when it hurts... when it really cost me something is so hard for me. My rights, my pride, my recognition, my hard work, my time, my m...

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord,and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?Jeremiah 23:29 As I study and prepare for leading the sheep entrusted to my care, its very tempting to think to myself, 'this is what I need to say' or 'that is what I need to do'. In the midst of these thoughts, I drift away from the simple, basic yet POWERFUL truth that God's Wo...

"For does not my house stand so with God?For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all thingsand secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?2 Samuel 23:5 Exactly 1 year ago, the Lord used this verse to speak clearly to me about a ministry situation that I was wrestling through. Through some "intense fellowship" with my wife, the L...

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:23-24 This morning I woke up from a dream where I was reminded a situation of over 10 years ago that reallysparked some anger in me. It was an old wound that was all but forgotten, but the dre...

Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, "I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name."2 Samuel 12:26-28 When I came across t...

So the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin,and he shall be forgiven Leviticus 4:26 And the priest shall make atonement for him ,and he shall be forgivenLeviticus 4:31 So the priest shall make atonement for him,for the sin which he has committed,and he shall be forgivenLeviticus 4:35 Again in Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 5:10, Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 6:7... W...

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting,and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.Exodus 40:34 What an amazing thing to be there and see the Glory of the Lord fill the tabernacle. All the work and preparation for God's presence has been completed and God shows up. I can't help but think how that scene must have felt for Moses and the people. I try to think honest...

Often times I become impatient with my kids. Phrases like, "how many times to I have to tell you..." are very common around our house. Being patient with my kids is frequently something that I pray for. Then I read this verse: The Lord said to Moses, "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tab...

When Moses was receiving the instructions for building the tabernacle they were very detailed as to the measurements, layout, materials etc. Envious of Moses, I was wishing that the Lord would give me such clear direction in my life. Then I read this verse: Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.Exodu...

A couple weeks ago something happened to Val and I that was significantly difficult. We were put into a situation where we needed to make a decision about something that seemed impossible. After I came home from work and we discussed things, the weight of our discussion was upon me like a heavy blanket that I couldn't deal with. It was so heavy that I couldn't wait until t...

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it,because it had been well built.Luke 6:47-48 When I think of digging deep, I am quick to think of studying the orig...

2 Chronicles 2:6-7 6 But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? 7 So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who...

I am out of town on a business trip visiting our largest client. Yesterday a meeting was scheduled on my behalf with the new CEO. I have never met him as is typical with large corporate companies. One of my relationships here felt it necessary for me to pitch a revolutionary business model to the CEO that we have been developing for the last 8 months. Its a meeting I could...

Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him,for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters.But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.1 Samuel 30:6 There are times in my life that I find myself distressed when alone. But the HARDEST times are when I am in a group of people who are distressed, an...

But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?" And David said, "As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.1 Samuel 26:9-10 Revenge... Vindication... Something my flesh so desperately desires. But the hardest is when my moti...

David was running from Saul, staying undercover and out of sight was top of mind. Saul was on a killing spree and killed 85 priests along with women children because one of the priests gave David some bread and a spear. Hiding in caves, hiding in the forest, David was on the run. Then he gets some news: Now they told David, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against K...

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Tie them around your neck. when you lie down, they will watch over you;and when you awake, they will talk with you. Proverbs 6:20-22 When I think about the commandments of the Lord, I usually start to focus on me and where I don't measure up. I think about the things that I should be doing......

1 Samuel 17: 37And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!" How many times have I read the story of David and the Goliath... many. And this time the Lord in his grace impressed on me how David had been practicing hi...

I don't think that I normally struggle with patience... but I do. When I am serving or giving of some sort, I often find myself being impatient when it comes to wanting to see the fruit from my effort. The times that I don't see any fruit, or if I see evil in return, I really lose heart and feel that God must not be in it.. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-154 And we urge you, brothe...

Today was just an off day. When I went to bed last night, I knew that today was going to be stressful. I was rushed this morning (aka slept past my alarm a bit) and only had a few minutes of Prayer and Proverbs before I headed out. I was met with some challenges that I have seen coming for a while, but today they came to a head. Stress Anxiety gripped me as I fought to st...

I woke up this morning expecting to hear from the Lord. I have someone in my life that I am certain I am commanded to love and I needed the Lord to speak to me about this person. Then I read the following: Colossians 1:21-2221 zAnd you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, adoing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled bin his body of flesh by his death,cin order to ...

"To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."Proverbs 21:3 I desire to be pleasing to the Lord. I desire to be useful to Him! That desire comes from HIS work of salvation in me. He is the author and perfecter of my faith (Heb 12:2). I know I can never pay him back the debt that he covered for me. I just want to show him my love and thank...

Intense fellowship. I guess that is the politically correct way to describe an interaction with my wife that involved my impatience and anger. I know that my relationship with the Lord is intimately linked to my relationship with Val. I am unable to come to the Lord in prayer without being at peace with Val (1 Peter 3:7). The Lord used this verse in a powerful way to rebuk...

"The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips."Proverbs 16:23 Today I set out for a big day. A 2nd meeting with a very significant customer for our family business. Someone who's size could triple our sales. As I knew I would be heading into corporate politics needing to persuade a multitude of people why our services are good for t...

"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."Psalm 127:2-3 "Lord, cause me to fully understand and embrace this passage. I cannot build something unless you build it through me. Starting work earlier and staying ...

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."Deuteronomy 6:7 You shall teach them diligently... What a calling. I have so much growing to do. As I reflect on my life, I wonder, If someone followed me when I sit in my house, when I walk by the wa...

"And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him."Luke 22:43 How cool would it be to have an angel appear and strengthen me! Knowing that I was totally doing the Lords work, submitting to the Lords will and in desperate need of the Lord's strength. I have read this passage many times. Jesus, in the garden, pouring his heart out 3 times as we witness the ...

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."Luke 22:31-32 To think that Satan continues to accuse me and demand to sift me like wheat... what a scary thought. To think that the Holy Spirit intercedes for me and prays f...

"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap."Luke 21:34 This life seems to carry a constant stream of things that can weigh me down and allow me to lose perspective. When I heard this verse from the Lord, what struck me was the 'cares of this life.' How ofte...

"But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.'"Luke 20:14 There are many things that the Lord struck me with this verse, but the overwhelming principal here that I am guilty of is 'so that the inheritance may be mine.' Every blessing of my life is inherited from the Lord. Where I live and g...

"He answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out'"Luke 19:40 The praise of God cannot be stopped. All of creation sings your praise, and you still desire praise from us. In every moment of every day there is opportunity to praise you. "Father, you turn the Kings heart like streams of water in your hand, you uphold the universe by the word of...

"But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel."Psalms 106:13 How is it that I can forget the works of the Lord? When my circumstances seem pretty good, and when I think all the doors are open and I can handle it, then I move without waiting for His counsel. Just this week my mind was consumed with an idea that I could do. It was something that I thoug...

"Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes,for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."Proverbs 3:25-26 Do not be afraid... The most frequent command that Jesus gave his disciples. Why? What does that say about us as the creatures... that we are a fearful being. And even though the answer is so simple ...

"And he cried out 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent.But he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him."Luke 18:38-40a There are so many times that I feel distant from the Lord. Times where I feel like I am on the side of the road a...

"Who Satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."Psalm 103:5 Often times I look to be satisfied with the good of my circumstances. I arrange my schedule, spend money, save money, engage with people, disengage with people all with a focus to orchestrate desirable circumstances... why? To provide comfort and security for myself. Often times, I ev...