Come join us in our upstairs television/game room. We’re happy to welcome you. Using your imagination, that is. Against one wall is a wooden quilt stand holding two lovely afghans that my mother knitted for me decades ago. She loved making afghans for her family. I cherish mine. On cold winter nights, you can find me wrapped up in one, cozy as can be, enjoying a British TV show, snug as a bug in a rug in my mother’s afghan, keeping me most comfy.

All this reminds me of what I read in Psalm 27. Here’s its first verse–‘The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ Light brings warmth. Salvation finds a safe harbor from hell’s gale-force winds. Fears? If we would grab hold of our Lord and not let go, then fear has as much a place in my life as a nasty, painful root canal.

However, I’ve wondered about Psalm 27’s last verse–‘Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord’ (v. 14). It’s that word ‘wait’ that puzzles me. I know. I’m an impatient type. If I can make whatever happen right now, I will. To ‘wait for’ sounds like being lazy. Hanging out, waiting for someone else to do whatever. Passive and lagging behind. Lackadaisical. Not willing to lift a finger or two. Well, you get the point, and it’s not on the top of my head!

When I delved deeper into the Old Testament Hebrew language, looking for the meaning of the word ‘wait’, a most helpful insight came my way. To ‘wait’ means to wrap yourself up in God. To bundle and swaddle yourself in all that you know about the Lord. To cloak yourself with what you remember about Jesus and His godly character. Clothed in what’s garnered from God’s Word, the Bible.

Another nuance of the Hebrew word ‘wait’ involves twisting cords to create a strong and supple rope. This process includes tying and weaving fibers together for durability and strength. Can you see where this is leading? For the closer we get to our Lord, folding His words into our hearts and minds, the tougher we’ll be in a tough world. We get stronger and more resilient for Jesus, especially when everything around us calls out to us to reject God and the Bible.

When cold, contrary, and ungodly winds blast and blow their way through the front door of your life, wrap yourself up in the Lord. In His afghan, so to speak. Snuggle up much closer. Weave yourself into His warf and woof. You’ll need Jesus’ brawn and toughness. I know I certainly do. Agreed?

Lord Jesus, for giving me such love and hope, thank you. Amen.

As a financial planner, I encountered only a few people who were seriously in debt. When I say serious, I mean it. One, in particular, had a six-figure credit card balance. As in owing over 100 grand on multiple cards, all at 22+ percent interest. Makes me fidgety just mentioning it. That would have kept me up all night, every night, worrying about all that was hanging over my head. But not that bloke. Not a care in the world, as far as I could tell.

It always amused me when he spoke about some recent extravagant purchase way beyond his means, how he’d relish answering my question about paying for this unnecessary item. He’d say, ‘Put it on the credit card!’ And he did. Over and over again. And then, even more for good measure, with debt oozing out of every pore of his net worth. No good measure there. I’d just shake my head, leaving in amazement at the gall of modern folk.

But honestly, we’re all debtors. Sin makes us such. We pray about it in the Lord’s Prayer, where God the Father forgives our debts in the same way as we forgive others (always makes me cringe with that thought). Every time I snub my nose at God and His ways, I’m adding to my debt balance. Does that weigh heavily on my mind? Or am I more like that unreformed credit card addict?

You know, don’t you, that Jesus paid the balance due on our tab. In full. Zeros out our liabilities. That’s the cross and His death as God’s plan of forgiveness for those who bow down to Him and ask His help. Wouldn’t be my plan. I’d wait for every last dime to be repaid. But I’m not God. His way is much better. Costs more,as in the death of His onlySon, but the end result, salvation, is beyond wonderful!

As I seek insight from the Psalms, I come across a verse in Psalm 22 that resonates deeply. The words, though spoken in derision, say, “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” (v. 8). Because I enjoy exploring the Old Testament’s Hebrew language, I’m particularly interested in the word “trust.” At its root, it signifies the act of rolling something off onto something else—essentially, to rescue or to free oneself from troubles. That the stronger will help the weaker when called upon for support.

The challenge for you and me is to roll our fears and doubts squarely off our shoulders onto Jesus’ strapping and sturdy ones. For ‘I am weak, but He is strong’ says the old hymn. To slip off of your shoulders onto His presumes having a relationship with the Lord. That you’ve asked Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior. That you believe that He can do for you what no one else can or will. That you’re His, knowing that He’ll stand by you through thick and thin.

He wants it all on His shoulders for He deserves all the credit.

For life and love freely given, we thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

You knew that I was going to write ‘feed your face’, didn’t you? Fooled you! But, to be honest, I’d been doing too much face-feeding. This became crystal clear when the nurse in my doctor’s office blurted out my digital number. Had I won? Only if I were bowling! Otherwise, not the best reading I’ve ever had. In between office visits, I cut out snacks at night. Most, at least. Consistently. Eat better and eat less. Forget the pretzels and ice cream. Again, mostly. Mainly. While you’re at it, forget all the fun in life!

The result? Yes, a better reading on that cattle scale! The nurse made no comment, but I drew her attention to my feat with fewer pounds on my feet! She made nary a comment, this sober-looking Nurse Party-Pooper. However, she may have known what was coming. As in the holidays, which would be right around the corner. My know-it-all nurse knew it all, after all! Pounds back and a few extra for good measure. Maybe not so good? Diet time arrives again? Maybe. Maybe not.

Let me recommend that you not go on a low-calorie diet when it comes to your Bible. As in slimming down, reading a measly couple of verses or two daily, weekly, weather-permitting, with nothing better to do. Even worse, none at all.

Dig in. Fatten up on God’s Word. Eat away like there’s no tomorrow. Pig out, so to speak. No restrictions. Oh, maybe not becoming obsessive, as in reading all the time. Night and day. Without stop. That’s not what I mean. You know that.

In Luke 8, Jesus tells about how a tiny lamp on a table illuminates a small Israeli home. I own one of those itsy-bitsy lamps, which was gifted to me by a dear friend who participated in an archaeological dig in Israel. This lamp holds only a minimal amount of oil along with a short wick, providing light for a few hours at night. However, it was sufficient for the average household.

Jesus says that His followers are to be like that lamp. Don’t have to be big shots. Fame is not required. Just who you are–‘this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!’. Burning bright for Jesus with a passion to live for God, while helping others, especially to see and know our Lord.

Here’s more good advice about a diet full of God’s Word–‘Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away’ (Luke 8:18). Sobering words about being careful with what we listen to, what fills our minds. Are we focusing on godly things? Spending time hearing God’s wisdom, you-know-where? Jesus says we’re to ‘take care’… ‘to hear’…’ to take away’ (use it or lose it). Our Lord pulls no punches.

For it takes commitment to study your Bible, being systematic and organized. A holy habit. Feed on it as if you’re starving for spiritual nourishment. Quickly, you’ll notice that the more you absorb God’s Word, that you’ll crave to learn even more—to know Him and to follow Him. A never-ending hunger in this life. To sit at His table every day. And to feast away!

Well, it’s time to let our light shine. But only if we have oil in our lamps with a wick to light. Only if we have something to share. Only if we’re serious about feeding on our Bibles. Only then. Up for it? Worth giving it a try? Let’s see what happens!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for feeding me so generously from your Word, the Bible. Amen.

It’s been many years now that I’ve prayed for specific people and certain situations. For the most part, I hang in there, keeping at it. I don’t like giving up. Walking away when I could still make a difference. And prayer does just that. Speaking with Jesus, coupled with faith, even an itsy-bitsy amount, can move mountains, as our Lord says (Matthew 17: 20).

There’s something about giving in that rubs me the wrong way. I think this stems from my mother, who was determined and relentless in her efforts to help me walk again after polio made it a significant challenge. For five years, she provided me with physical therapy in the small bathroom of our home. She never gave up, and as a result, most people were unaware that I had suffered from crippling polio. Eventually, I learned to walk perfectly well, and I still do, although one leg is noticeably thinner than the other due to atrophy over the years.

Her determination to see her two-year-old baby boy restored may be in my DNA, as we say today. Whatever, I hate giving up or giving in. But often I wonder if I’m boring the Lord with the same old, same old prayers day after day, night after night, to the point of His distraction. I don’t think I’m trying to wear Him down. Or put His back up against the wall, telling Him I’ll not let go, not stop bending His ear, until He cries ‘uncle’ and answers my prayers with a resounding ‘YES’! Cave in or else? Hardly.

But how do I know that the Lord doesn’t feel that way? Crack open your Bible to Isaiah 62, which speaks of Jerusalem and its watchmen, who are in place, on high alert, in this ancient, always troubled city. Here are the verses I’m looking at–‘On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth’ (Isaiah 62: 6-7).

I admit that my prayers are not primarily about Jerusalem, but the emphasis in these verses is on persistence. About coming to the Lord with whatever is on your mind and heart. And keep at it. At Him. Don’t let up. After all, Jesus told a similar story in Luke 18 about a wronged widow who wears down a reluctant judge until he gives in and helps her. Jesus says that’s how we’re to pray. Constant. Unflappable. Immovable.

In other words, don’t let up. Keep praying. But remember who you’re talking with. On the other line, it’s God. The Lord Almighty. Not a wicked, nasty, godless, careless judge but your good God, our loving Lord. We have His ear. And heart.

I want to clarify that it’s not the act of prayer itself that I believe in, but rather in God, who has the power and the will to hear and answer my prayers. He is the one who truly matters—the one I believe in and trust. It’s not about uttering magical phrases, performing incantations to unknown deities, or relying on luck. My faith is in the God of the Bible: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the Lord of All.

Encouraged by God’s Word, we should “…give Him no rest…” Is that good enough for you? Time to pray? Don’t let up. Ever.

Lord, thank you for always being there for me. In Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen.

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.