Month: September 2017

In the 60’s, American singer-songwriter Barry McGuire released a song called “Eve of Destruction.” This song spoke to what McGuire felt were signs that the end of the world was near. We were on the “eve of destruction,” a time when wars, violence, natural disasters, and the like were pointing to the end of this world as we know it. Decades have passed since that song was written and the end has not come, but there are still signs that we are living in end times.

It is so easy to get caught up in looking at what is going on the world. Terrorism is rampant throughout the world. Countries are at odds with each other with the threat of war, and even nuclear war, becoming more and more real. Hate and violence threaten to tear our nation apart. And earthquakes and other natural disasters are occurring with more frequency and with more devastation than ever before. We are in the midst of the storm, and it can be downright frightening when we focus our attention on the storm.

Instead of looking at the storm, we should be focusing our attention on the One who calms the storm. Rather than keeping our eyes on the storm, our eyes should be on Jesus. In Matthew 14:28-31, seeing Jesus walk on water, Peter says, “Lord, if that is You, command me to walk on the water.” Jesus does so and Peter steps out of the boat, his eyes on Jesus and not on the wind that had been tossing the boat around. He begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. But, as soon as he takes his eyes off of Jesus and focuses back on the wind, he begins to sink.

The conditions in the world today point to end times. But, as believers, we need to keep our focus on Jesus rather than on the world around us. He controls the storms, and it is through Him we can find peace. And, rather than concerning ourselves with looking for the signs that the end is near and He is returning, we need to make sure not only that we are ready, but also that we are doing our part to make sure that others are, too.

Have you ever bought an item that needed to be put together and then decided not to follow the instructions that were provided with it? Maybe you figured you could figure it all out without those instructions. After all, what could be so difficult about it? I am the first to admit that I have done this on more than one occasion and the result has always been the same. Halfway through putting the item together, I discover something has gone wrong. The item is not looking the way it’s supposed to, or I discover a part that I forgot to install, and I have to take the thing apart and start all over. Frustrating!

I have come to learn that instructions are given to us for a reason. When we follow instructions, things are far more likely to turn out the way we want them to. We are far less likely to end up frustrated or having to spend time correcting our mistakes. This is true not just for things we assemble, but for life as well. God has given us instructions to follow. Those instructions are His Word. In His Word, we find all that we need to live the best life we can live, the life that God intends for us to live. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). His Word shows us the way in which we should walk.

God created us and He knows what is best for us. He promises to direct our paths when we trust in Him, in His ways, and in His instructions, rather than trying to do things our own way,  (Proverbs 3:5-6). When we follow His instructions, His Word, we will find that things in life will go much easier for us. Scripture says, “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble (Psalm 119:165, NLT).” That is a truth that we can count on!

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Today was a difficult day as we had to make a decision to put our dog, Blue, down. We are sad and there is a Golden Retriever sized hole in our hearts. He was a good dog and truly a member of our family.

I believe that God created dogs as a visible sign of His unconditional love for us as well as His faithfulness. Dogs love us unconditionally and are faithful to the end.

Dogs also teach us a little bit about what it means to truly worship. Whether we were gone five minutes, several hours, or days, Blue was always happy to see us. He loved to be with us and often followed me around the house. We should reflect that kind of happiness and desire to be in God’s presence and to worship Him.