Normally, I’m not confused by what I read in my Bible. Once in a while, something puzzles me, turning me to my biblical commentaries, which produce one of three results–clarity, conviction, or further confusion! I’m tenacious enough to want to find satisfying answers to what bugs me. Sometimes I walk away, think about something else, returning later to the conundrum. Maybe what’s blocking my mind will move aside, letting in some daylight. Maybe.

It’s here in James 4 that the cloud stubbornly hangs around. Mishmosh reigns in my mind. What am I referring to? You can find it in James 4: 7–‘Submit yourselves therefore to God.’ I get what James says. No problem there. It’s the application that snags me. Not about bowing my knee to God. Or that He’s Lord and I’m not. And that I should obey Him. Follow the Leader.

So what’s rubbing me the wrong way? Buffaloed? Stuck in my craw? It’s this–what does submitting to God look like? Images from years ago flash through my pea brain. Those times when Christians had to dress alike, as if 3-D printed. I could spot some from a certain group a mile away. They stuck out like a sore thumb. Is that what submitting means? The only sartorial advice the Bible gives has nothing to do with Gucci, Pucci, or even country chic, whatever that is. Rather, we’re to put on Christ. Look more like Him. His character becomes our role model. Much more about what’s inside than what’s outside.

Also, submitting to God is not being lockstepped into some rigid formula for spirituality. Others’ ideas are fine, but beware of the overconfident religious bullies, who know exactly what brings you closer to God, especially at a price, with money sent their way. I remember a few years back (!!), while in Bible college, that a well-known guest speaker rattled off exactly how to deal with youth conflicts. He was Mr. High and Mighty. Never got off his high horse. Oozed arrogance. Had all the answers. He’d left any scent of humility at his home airport. I was not impressed and never forgot.

But, rather than avoiding the issue, what does it mean to submit to the Lord? We’re told to, so we’d better pay attention. Here are my thoughts. Take them for what they’re worth. Not much, right? Thanks! Here goes, anyway. Read James chapter 4. None of it is hard to fathom. It talks about resisting Satan and sin. That’s tough all in itself. So, don’t toy with what we know is wrong. Or play footsie with tantalizing misdeeds. Get the rot out of our hearts. It’s vital to confess our sins and ask for God’s help. Shun devilish temptations and ungodly habits. I know, it’s easier said than done. But resist already.

Get tough with yourself. And mean it, asking for God’s help and forgiveness. When we fall by the wayside, look to Jesus, whose hands are there to help us get right back up. Stop languishing in some sin’s muck and mire. God has much better for us.

I love the promise found in James 4: 8–‘Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.’ See what I mean about Jesus standing with us? To help? Never to toss salt onto our self-inflicted wounds. God invites us to get close to Him, talking with Jesus about all that’s on our hearts and minds. Ask Him what He thinks, while we take permanent residence in the neighborhood of God’s Word, your Bible. Lots of good clues will come your way on how to submit to your Lord. Check it out.

I don’t have a formula, but I do know that the Lord loves it when our hearts cry out to Him in search of intimacy–wanting us to be clean as a whistle and close-knit with Jesus. Who would ever want to turn their back on Him who cherishes us so very much? Who would?

Lord Jesus, thank you for making a place in your heart and life for me. Amen.

I was born and raised in the shadows of New York City, whose mayors were often in the local news. After all, running the largest and most influential city in the United States requires exceptional leadership. Some were amazing, others not quite so. The one who sticks out in my mind was a brash and extroverted mayor, Ed Koch. Often, he walked the neighborhoods of the City asking his constituents this loaded question–‘How’m I doin’?’ And he got all kinds of responses. Some good, some typically New York snarky. But he asked. And he was told. In the Big Apple way!

In Colossians 3, St. Paul paints a word picture of what new life in Jesus looks like. If we say we’re Christians, then how are we to live? How should I look? Of course, like Jesus. But in what ways? And, with Mayor Koch, I ask myself that question–‘How’m I doin’?’ Honestly, hopefully, I’m not receiving a failing grade from my Lord. But maybe a high D minus. Most likely, by the skin of my teeth.

It’s in Colossians 3: 12-17 that the look of the Christian is laid out for us. Spend time there this week. Let me warn you that it’s rough sledding if you think you’re just hunky-dory in your walk with Jesus. You may be. I hope so. But maybe you should ask yourself: ‘How’m I doin’?’ Better yet, ask the Lord that same question. Dare we?

As I look over that list of Christian character traits, I wonder why God puts up with me. That business of kindness and compassionate hearts. Patience with others. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven me. Showing love and meaning it from the bottom of my heart. I’m looking in the mirror, so to speak, asking myself–‘How’m I doin’?’

Oy Vey. Not so great. I’ve a long way to go. Like I’m still in Discipleship 101, standing immovable at the starting gate long after the starter gun has gone off, and even stuck in Spiritual Kindergarten when I should be teaching post-doctoral seminary students. Just me? Honestly now. Really?

How about getting serious about life in Jesus? To be His child. Resembling Jesus’ family more than you-know-whos. So, let’s get off the dime and get going. He’ll help us. I know He will. Ready? Or not?

Lord Jesus, help me to grow more like you day by day. All for your sake. Amen.

Want to avoid seeing a counselor? You’d like to be happy and well-adjusted? Not pay through the nose for forty minutes of listening and teensy-weensy nuggets of advice? Then why not read Philippians 4: 4-7 for help from on high? It’s not what I say, but what God says.

Such a huge request on my part, huh? To read four verses? Actually, it’s not only my idea. A Christian counselor friend told me that if anyone who trusts in Jesus would practice what’s in these four verses, he’d have to post a ‘Closed. Out of Business’ sign. He knew, however, that he had job security as almost no one applies these words of St. Paul. Do you? Don’t bother asking me. I’ll be the first to own up to the fact that I need to do what these verses tell me to do almost more than anyone else.

Have you read them yet? If not, do so now. My, I’m getting bossy in my old age. But do it anyway! See what I mean? About being happy if we follow God’s advice? Of course, you do. It’s that business about rejoicing, being reasonable with others, cutting out anxieties, adding in prayer and thankfulness, trusting God, and what He promises. That’s great medicine for what ails us.

But why is that such an uphill battle? For me. And you? After all, doing the above– ‘…will guard your hearts and your minds…’ (Phil. 4:7). But there’s the rub–doing what I know to do, exercising follow-through.

But wait a cotton-pickin’ minute! I’ve left out something. It’s the critical element that makes the Bible’s good advice work. Verse one says this–‘Rejoice in the Lord always…’ And at the end of verse seven–‘..will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ So, basically, all this self-help goodness is like much hot air without putting it together with our Lord Jesus Christ. He’s the glue that cements it in place.

Being in Jesus puts the icing on the cake. Tops off everything. Life moves, though in jagged fashion, from good to better, and then eventually to the best of all. That’s not pie-in-the-sky, though, in a way, it is. It will be heavenly when the Lord passes the pie at His great banquet in the sweet by and by. It all comes together there and then.

Then, why so happy? Simply put, it’s because we know the Lord Jesus. That He’s in our lives and we’re His. Period. Kaput. Over and never out. Our Lord will not leave us. At no time will we lose His love. The worst day you’ll ever have in this life is the worst day you’ll ever have. Now that should put a smile on your face. Which is exactly why we’re so happy!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us the best life ever. Amen.

It’s too easy for me to beat myself over the head thinking about all the things I’ve said and done, which, collectively, haven’t received God’s Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for spiritual excellence. Not by a long stretch. Hard to remember why I went downstairs to get something just now, yet I can instantly recollect some nasty kid’s prank I participated in multiple decades ago as if it were earlier today. Such a smarty-pants!

Sadly, I’m not alone, for many are just as sensitive about their foibles as I am. Others couldn’t care less how God views their actions and motives. But I do. And that’s not a bad trait. It forces me to inch closer to God for His help and understanding, never letting me wander too far from Jesus.

So, how should we deal with our moral and spiritual failures? Therapy sessions? Group confessionals? Write them on a piece of paper and toss them in the fire? There’s some help there. But listen to what St. Paul writes in Colossians 2–‘And you, who were dead in your trespasses…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing them to the cross’ (vs. 13-14).

Do you hear what St. Paul says? Sin deadens us. Kills us. ‘Dead in your trespasses.’ But there’s hope. Where? In the cross of Jesus Christ, God brings us new life by trusting in the crucified Christ. Jesus gave Himself for us. His death cancels our own. Any records of what we owed were erased, paid in full, with all negative balances wiped clean. Gone and forgotten. The Lord forgives all our sins.

Did you speed-read a very important word in that last sentence? If so, read it again. ‘All’. All our sins forgiven. Now that’s no excuse to get wild, having no regard for our actions or words. To let them rip with abandon, caring not if we trample all over God’s best for us. Giving the heave-ho to the Bible, while wallowing in the muck and mire of sin. No. If you’re really a child of God, a godly life is what you most want. So, be careful, vigilant, and on your guard to follow the Lord’s ways and what He says. But when we stray, as we all will, then know who to come to to make things right again.

But what about some really shameful things from my past? What about them? Don’t you wonder about your own? That’s when we need to reread those verses from Colossians 2. Those words about ‘all our trespasses’. ‘All’ our sin, ‘all’ our selfishness, ‘all’ our self-centeredness and greed. Forgiven and forgotten…by God. ‘All’ still means ‘all’.

Does God mean it? What do you think? Chew on that this week. I will.

Lord Jesus, thank you for dealing with all of my sins on the cross, once for all. And all for your sake, always. Amen.

I don’t like to quote other writers in my devotionals. I prefer to produce my own work. Not piggybacking on someone else’s insights or ideas. Except for today. And apart from God’s Word.

I’m still captivated by what God says in Isaiah 43: 4–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ Reminding myself of what God says helps when I’m feeling, rightfully or wrongfully, somewhat down in the dumps.

If I look back too long at how miserable I’ve been, at the sins that have easily rolled off my back, aimed directly at others, plus how unworthy I am of God’s sentiments in Isaiah 43, it can bring on the blues. And gets worse, not hanging on to what God promised– His love and forgiveness. Either He means it, or He doesn’t.

For it’s a matter of the will to believe in God and His promises. Don’t rely on your feelings. They roam all over the place. At least mine do. Believing is saying ‘yes’ to Jesus. I believe Him. And trust Him. In God we trust.

Especially when you don’t feel like it. Not to worry. Your feelings will catch up with your beliefs. Won’t always stay so conflicted. The fog will lift, the air will clear, and you’ll see who holds your hand. Never to let go. Right? It’s Jesus who’s been there all along. Feel it or not. There He is.

Now I want to go beyond how wonderful God feels about His own, as in you and me. To stop focusing on me, I, and myself. Just for a moment. Okay? Are you with me? Then keep reading.

I’d like to turn the tables a bit, do what doesn’t come naturally, and try to please God for a change. Instead of always soaking in His love and counting all those blessings He gives, what about what makes His day? How can I put a smile on His face? That’s where that outside quote comes in. It’s from a sermon entitled ‘The Weight of Glory’ given by the English scholar and author C. S. Lewis. It was during World War II that he addressed the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford, England. It’s a masterful message during difficult times.

Lewis writes this–‘I read in a periodical the other day that the fundamental thing is how we think of God. By God Himself, it is not! How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important. Indeed, how we think of Him is of no importance except insofar as it is related to how He thinks about us…To please God…to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son…’ Might want to read that again. Here’s the phrase that grabs my attention–‘To please God…the divine happiness…’

God’s delight. His pleasure. Doing for Him. At His beck and call. For His sake. Knowing how the Lord feels about His own children, how can we not do for Him all that He wants of us? That’s not asking too much, is it? Especially when we know how precious and honored and loved we truly are by God Almighty.

Let my life be more for Jesus. I’ll let Him know how much I love Him. That I’m eager to be His follower, though full of imperfections. Isn’t it time to think less about me and more about Him? Especially with the events of this holy week and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection tomorrow? Let’s be…for Him!

Lord Jesus, may my life radiate love for you. Amen.

If I had a dime for every time someone says that the God of the Old Testament is a big old meanie while Jesus in the New Testament is totally different, I’d be rolling in the dough. Possibly you’ve heard such claims, too? Or did you say it yourself? If so, it’s not true. Not at all. No if’s, ands, or but’s about it.

Yes, the Lord Almighty is deeply hurt when His created beings, made in His image, reject Him. Refuse His love and care. Snub their noses His way. Want nothing more to do with Him. Curse His name like it’s no big deal, coupled with belittling what He wants us to know, in the Bible, as prejudiced and unsafe old wives’ tales and myths. And He’s just supposed to sit there in heaven and take it all? Would you? Not me. The whole shootin’ shebang would have been wiped off the face of the earth a long time ago if it were up to me.

He has every right to be upset. And if someone, and there are way too many, wants nothing to do with the Lord for all eternity, then He’ll honor their request, much to their regret.

But even still, His love shines brighter and brighter. And I’m looking in the heart of the Old Testament. In the book of Isaiah. Shouldn’t I be mired there in God’s judgment? Where He gets up on the wrong side of the bed? Grouchy and touchy? That’s the Old Testament deity? I’ve actually read God’s first testament. The Old one, that is. And many times. As in every year. Which is why I get my dander up at those who have no idea what they’re talking about, that God is a colossal meanie all the way from Genesis to Malachi.

Take a good, substantial look at Isaiah 43: 4. Memorize it. Count on it. Hold it front and center in your heart and mind. Here it is–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ (Is. 43:4). Mull over those thoughts for a while. Good medicine for the soul, don’t you think? Spiritual antibiotics that quash the infectious wrong views some hold of our Lord in the Old Testament.

For I need those ‘and’/’and’ promises–of being precious, ‘and’ respected, ‘and’ loved. All by God! The Lord’s affection toward us keeps building. A crescendo of tenderness, warmth, and intimacy. When you imagine that God is out to get you, that He really doesn’t like you very much, then repeat those ‘and’/’and’ promises spoken in Isaiah 43. From the Old Testament, dare I say?

We’re precious to God. Worth a king’s ransom. He’d give His eyeteeth for us. How? That’s all about His Son Jesus and His dying on the cross. His life for ours. Once for all. For all who believe. For those who make a commitment to be His own, even as fallible as we are. All of this is God’s gift to you and me. Forget about earning any of it. Like we could? No way. It’s His gift.

And He respects us. Can you imagine? Makes me blush when I think of how undeserving I am. No doubt about it–I’m not worth God’s respect. But He gives it anyway. Why? What does He want in return? Nothing. Okay, maybe some thanks. Some praise and appreciation. To be His. And mean it. His respect is another gift. Such a meanie God! You think?

And now for the icing on the cake–God loves you and me. He’s crazy about us. His own children. Are you as uncomfortable with His loving you as I am about His loving me? I know myself. I’ve hurt others while being hurt as well. Sometimes I’ve turned my back on my Lord without hesitation. My love for God can do a nasty disappearing act, quicker than Houdini in his prime, and without much thought on my part. Will God’s love dematerialize and do a vanishing act?

You know. That’s why He makes these big ‘and’/’and’ promises, so you can trust what God says. Roll them around in your mind this week. When Satan challenges you, casting your sin smack dab in your face, then throw these ‘and’/’and’ promises right back at him and see him slink away.

I’m precious. And respected. And loved by God Almighty. And all this is front and center in God’s Word. Found where? Right again. In the Old Testament!

Thank you, Father, for all your promises to me. In Jesus’ name. And for His sake. Amen.

We were absolutely over-the-top excited about our visit to the ancient city of Petra in modern-day Jordan. A dream come true! We’d seen pictures of the entrance to this long-abandoned city, what’s called the Treasury building, but we couldn’t believe our eyes at how huge the rest of the metropolis truly was.

We’d been told to pack lots of water. And we did. But we soon discovered that our supply was woefully inadequate. Near the end of our tour, we were parched dry like cardboard. Uncomfortable and grumpy. Isaiah 41:17 resonates–‘When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.’

What saved us that day in Petra? Certainly, it was our Lord, through a German restaurant nestled on the outskirts of Petra, that served us a lovely lunch, along with what seemed like gallons of ice-cold bottled water at each table. Needed every drop. We drank and drank, trying to slake the thirst that grabbed our throats. And eventually it did, thank the Lord, and once again, our German restaurant hosts! Danke!

We may have been Petra-fried that day, but the Lord promises that when we’re poor and needy, when we’ve run out of steam, feel weak and desperate, He has refreshment for us. Hear what’s next in Isaiah 41–‘I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry lands springs of water’ (vs. 18).

God promises–‘I will…I will…’ Is He able to fulfill them? To our specifications? Yes and no. Try not to get ahead of God. His outcomes may not be exactly what we expect. They may seem quite the opposite of all we need and prayed for. But all things being equal, which often they’re not, keep looking up to your Lord. Pour out your heart to Him. No matter what, trust Jesus. Refuse to be knocked off His track. Eyes riveted on your Lord, staying close by Him with all your questions and doubts. Never let go of His hand.

You know that God is more than able. So get behind Him. Be a follower. Let Him lead. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer–‘…thy will be done.’ You may not need physical water or food at this moment. But spiritual nourishment? We’re all in need of that. Me big time!

A high Bible diet is prescribed by Dr. Jesus. The fiber of faith from His Word. Extra proteins from His promises. Ready to feast? To quench your thirst and hunger for God? Dive in. Eat up. Gulp down deeply. No limits or fattening calories to worry about. Not with the Bible, God’s sustaining Word!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for fulfilling all your promises, in your time and in your way. Also, for your sake. Amen.

As soon as I began serving the Lord at my last church, I started a weekly prayer group. In the beginning, only a few came, but in time it grew to about twenty folk, some from other churches who wanted to be with fellow believers who prayed. One or two would record all our prayer requests and periodically report back on their outcomes. Very exciting and encouraging. God was answering the cries of our hearts. He really was!

However, one day I asked the group to focus only on praising the Lord. Well, things got a tad dicey. I told them not to ask for anything for themselves or anyone else. Seemed like I had stolen their most precious possession! A notable sigh was heard. What were we to pray about? Just sit in silence, contemplating who knows what? No. Focus on thanking God. Praising our Lord. All our prayers are about Him today. And for Him. All of them? Yes, that’s right. Have I lost my mind? No comments, please!

But my instructions remained. Get off yourself, even off others in need, and look up. Only gaze upward. So, how did we do? Follow their pastor’s lead? Are you kidding? After about two feeble praises, we got the show on the road, asking for this and begging for that! Oh well, you can tell what sway I had on that dear church family! Hate to admit it, but I got right behind them asking, seeking, and knocking, putting the bite on the Lord for this, that, and the other almost from the get-go.

Looking at Psalm 147, you can’t miss something that sticks out like a sore thumb. Especially to those of us primarily focused on ourselves. Doesn’t matter what translation you’re using, this psalm begins and ends with ‘Praise the Lord! (which in the Hebrew language is ‘Hallelujah’). In addition, three words are repeated throughout this psalm– ‘He’, ‘His’, and ‘Him’.

Check it out. Add them up. Those three words are painted all over this psalm. Which reminds me of our triune God– Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, three persons. Now don’t ask me to explain the unexplainable. I can’t. No one can, this side of heaven. But then and there, we’ll know. No ifs, ands, or buts about ‘He’, ‘His’, and ‘Him’–‘For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…’ (1 Cor. 13: 12).

This week, spend some time in Psalm 147. Note those three prevalent pronouns–‘He’, ‘His’, and ‘Him’. Try as best you can to focus on thanking and praising your God. And don’t worry if you stumble along a bit, not doing such a great job. Even well-meaning pastors flub up! After all, the Lord loves to hear from us with all that’s on our hearts. Shy away from legalism and formality and repeating certain religious-sounding patterns over and over again. Or fearing you won’t use the right words.

Be yourself for a change. And let Jesus know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, how much you love Him…and appreciate Him. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Lord Jesus, I love you and trust you. Thousands of praises and thanks to you from my heart to your ears. Amen.

In many ways, I had a happy childhood. My parents weren’t high on drugs or booze; they loved each other and provided well for my brother, sister, and me. Our neighborhood had lots of kids to play with. And I did. No major arguments or disputes with parents hating or suing each other. None that I knew of.

Most neighbors were Jewish, as was true of my elementary school. I was the token Christian, even though I knew little about what it meant to be such, except that I wasn’t Jewish. Seventy+ years later, I’m still in contact with some of those ‘kids’ from the South Mountain Elementary School neighborhood of Millburn, New Jersey. And I’m still Johnny to those dear friends!

We played all sorts of outdoor games. Whiffle ball. ‘Not It’. Leap frog. Hide and seek. Stickball on the street pavement outside our homes, where we’d yell ‘car, car, c…a…r’ for oncoming traffic. And then that game, which I thoroughly despised. Dreaded playing every time. Tried to get out of it if I could. And rarely did. What was it? Pin down!

You know the game? Have to pin someone down on the ground, on all fours, making them say ‘Uncle’, with whoever stayed immobilized and trapped losing the game. I lost every time. And so-called neighbor kids must have sensed that I was in panic mode, pinned down and restrained, for they wouldn’t let me up, no matter how many times I yelled ‘Uncle’! Bunch of meanies! I take it all back about that idyllic childhood stuff!

In Psalm 143, King David pleads with the Lord to get him out of a tight spot, where he finds himself confined, weak, and just plain powerless. Like how I felt playing ‘pin down’ except on a much grander scale–‘For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!’ (Ps. 143: 11). It’s that Hebrew word ‘trouble’ that reminds me of ‘pin down’. It means hedged in. Unable to get up and walk. Stuck. Helpless. Possibly how I felt as a two-year-old with paralytic polio? You think so? I do.

When we feel up against the wall with some insurmountable troubles, do what King David does–‘Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness’ (Ps.143: 1). Plead with your God. Lay it all out before Him. At His feet, knowing how good and loving He is.

Like He doesn’t know all about it, anyway? Catches Him offguard? Shocked and speechless? Not quite. Not at all. So, why bother? That’s easy. Because He loves the relationship He has with us. Our Lord cherishes our closeness. That we hang on His every word. Believe Him as if our life depends upon it. And it does. So, like any other relationship, talk it out. Even better, hold nothing back. Know how much God cares.

Then see what your Lord does. Wait on Him, and for once (talking to myself), mean it. Relax, already. When the Lord says to cast our burdens on Him, then, by all means, do it. And stop trying to fish them back. That’s hard for me too. You’re probably much more patient. Or are you?

Isn’t it time to trust Jesus? Why wait a second longer? Any old time will do. How about right now?

Lord Jesus, hold my hand as I lean in closer to you. Thank you. Amen.

When we rented a 15th-century manor house in England for two months, we attended different churches and cathedrals most Sundays. We loved the small and very friendly Baptist Church near our home in Droitwich Spa. But it was at the Cathedral in Worcester where the air was filled with what we hadn’t expected. Incense permeated everything. Like a fragrant London fog settling in. I’m not sure how many censers were being waved around the cathedral nave, issuing smoke with a lovely aroma, for this was high Anglican worship. And we’re lowly Protestants. But not so low that we couldn’t love this awe-inspiring and stirring worship service.

Hardly unbiblical. I mean that business about incense. Those of us who are more comfortable with simple, unadorned worship must be careful not to judge other believers for how they worship the Lord. All the ornate frufru comes with deep meaning. Read about the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, where worship is filled with symbolism from the outside in, with sounds and smells that strike some of us as rather unfamiliar.

Reading Psalm 141, I come across this–‘O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!’ (Ps. 141:1-2). Incense and of raising hands, too. We low church folk are much too refined for that! But there it is in the Bible. So, be comfortable worshipping your God. Don’t hold back and let the likes of me inhibit you one bit.

For our prayers are like incense to God–rising up to Him, sweet-smelling and all. Their smoke goes everywhere in the heavens above, occupying God’s full attention. And there’s more about incense and our prayers. From that marvelously mysterious last book in the Bible, Revelation–‘And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lord, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints’ (Rev. 5: 8).

Nothing stops the rising smoke of incense. Its pungent aromas permeate the heavens, like our prayers, which come to our God, offered by the hands of His heavenly servants. Our pleas are held dear and doted upon, treasured in golden bowls, symbolizing how precious our heart’s desires are to our Lord.

If so, here’s a thought. Why don’t we pray more? Give back to God what He treasures from His own? To simply please our Lord? Costs us nothing. Only a few moments of our ‘precious time’. Again, why not pray more?

This week, let’s do just that and fill our hearts with the joy of knowing how much Jesus loves to hear from us. And, by all means, spend time with Him, telling Him everything that’s on your heart and mind. He knows, and so loves to hear it all from our lips to His ears. That’s some of what that frufru is all about.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me. Amen.