Years ago, a friend gave us an old clock. It’s a Seth Thomas mantlepiece, 8-day windup. When was it made? Well, at least 150 years ago. How do we know? No date is listed on the timepiece. But we’ve learned that after Seth Thomas died, the locals revamped their town’s name from Plymouth Hollow to Thomaston, in the clockmaker’s honor. Our clock has printed inside its cherrywood case that it was made by ‘Seth Thomas, Plymouth Hollow, Conn’. Well, smarty-pants, my clock was crafted sometime before 1875, when the town name was changed. I’m old, but our clock is much older!

Opening the cabinet, you’ll find two lead weights that require manual winding at least once every 8 days. But I never let it get that close to the bottom. After a few days, I scrounge around for the winding key to boost our clock’s weights. Up they go, producing more gravity-power to run this timely piece of furniture, which still has reverse artwork on its glass frontispiece with gold leaf as trim, in addition to an early patriotic seal of the United States in its glass center, picturing a horse galloping off to who knows where!

Obviously, my wife and I cherish our old clock. Why do I mention this old timekeeper? What’s the point? It reminds me of my Bible and prayer, as both keep my spiritual life running like clockwork. Both need constant attention and care, even more often than an 8-day windup.

My Bible–‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work’ (2 Timothy 3: 16). Keep the Word of God’s teaching taut, tense, tightly drawn and snug within as its weights carry all the pressures of this life and the promises of the next. Don’t let it run down and out. Wind it up. Read, already!

Prayer–‘…pray without ceasing…’ (1 Thessalonians 5: 17). Simply put– pray always, in all circumstances, in season and out, whether you feel like it or not. Pour out your heart to God. Hold… back… nothing! Masks removed. Be as open as you can be with your best friend ever. Don’t slack off when the weights of life come crashing down. Tighten those prayers. Don’t babble on, but keep winding everything around the love of your Lord Jesus. He knows all about it. and can handle whatever much better. That I do know.

These are a couple of thoughts as I wind my old Seth Thomas tick-tock this Saturday morning. Now it’s time to clock in and get busy with my Bible and prayer. Will you join me?

Thank you, Jesus, for my relationship with you. Amen.

I’m ashamed to admit how often I put myself down. Not always out loud, but in the cramped privacy of my own mind. Insults and dreadful conclusions. As in how horribly I’ve written these devotions. Churches and fellow believers I’ve let down. Being a rotten husband, parent, and grandparent. Why not be more sensitive and use your two ears more than that one big mouth? See what I mean?

I’m sure that some of you can identify. No? Only the downtrodden may apply for membership in this club. But, no doubt, you’ll get rejected!

Take a gander at 1 Samuel 15 in the Old Testament. It’s a story about ancient Israel’s King Saul, near the end of his disappointing reign. The Prophet Samuel is laying out the bad news for Saul. God is moving on to someone who will faithfully follow Him instead of the mess Saul has made of things.

Samuel asks Saul a question that hits me squarely between the eyes–‘…Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you head over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission…’ (1 Samuel 15: 17-18). Instead of Saul accepting the role and responsibility given to him by the Lord, he looks down on himself, not trusting God first and foremost or even obeying Him. But no, welcome to Saul’s pity party. Poor, little old victim-playing Saul. Whatever.

I need to remember that Jesus has made me an adopted child of God by dying on the cross. He endows me with spiritual gifts that help grow the Kingdom of God. He prays for me (Romans 8: 34 and Hebrews 7: 25), and so does God the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 26-27). Jesus is my Good Shepherd (John 10: 11), caring for me in His flock. He’s even my Great Physician (Mark 2: 17), healing me, slowly but somewhat(!) surely, of selfishness and self-centeredness. And He’s prepared a home for me with Him in Heaven (John 14: 1-3).

Guess what? Not just for me! For you too, when you trust in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. So, stop looking down. Look up. Head held high. Move on for Jesus and for others. I’m starting to get up, and I have an extra helping hand, too. Want it? Come on, grab hold. That’s more like it!

Thank you, Jesus, for lifting me higher and higher until I reach the highest of all with you forever. Amen.

While vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey, we’ve encountered hurricanes. Once a storm was moving offshore as we literally blew into town. A close call. Another time, we were ready to head off of this barrier island just as the gully washer veered off course, heading directly to where we were planning to flee to! It’s a good thing we stayed put. Once, while stopped at a red light, the wind was so fierce that even with my foot pushed as hard as I could onto the brake pedal, our Honda van kept moving through the traffic light into the cross street. Is this safe?

But where do you go when life’s vicious winds hit, as we seek some shelter in the time of storm? When you have to run for your life. Read Psalm 60, where you’ll discover what King David does–‘O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger’ (Ps. 60: 1-3). What gives? Someone sounds a tad bent out of shape, don’t you think?

Basically, the King complains to God that the Almighty has rejected His people, who ironically are the same blokes who turn their collective backs on God. David doesn’t try to hide his feelings. Hardly. Is that a hint? Not to play phony-baloney nicey-nice with your God when you’re seething under the collar?

But, by all means, don’t get stuck in the muck and mire of blaming and griping the One who least deserves it. Read on with King David. Psalm 60: 4-5–‘You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!’

In battle, look for the flag or banner of your own troops. Likewise, hang tough with like-minded believers and a church where the truths of biblical Christianity are held high and revered. Don’t be fooled into joining enemy lines. Flee all such. Get back to where you belong.

As Christians, we know that Jesus is our banner. He’s the One we can safely flee to, where help can be found. Jesus’ nourishment and encouragement are exactly what we need.

St. Paul writes this–‘No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it’ (1 Cor. 10: 13). God provides the escape route, leading us to the protected and secure place. We see the banner of His Son Jesus waving high in the sky. Will we follow Him? Stay ever closer to His side? Trust Him no matter what?

Whatever trouble dogs you today, look around patiently for indications of the Lord’s direction and presence. A friendly ‘banner’. Something good from an unexpected source. A flag that lets you know that you’re not alone. That the Special One is right there with you. Who? You know! The Resurrected Jesus whom we celebrate on Easter.

So, thank Him for standing pat, feet planted solidly in His love, never leaving you in the lurch.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being so good to me. I love you. Amen.

Over the years, I’ve encountered a few Bible teachers who seem to know all the details of Jesus’ second coming—the how, the when, and the where—often with an overconfidence that makes me uncomfortable. Like the Bible teacher I listened to on the radio as a young believer. I loved his teaching and couldn’t wait for his 8 o’clock show to air.

Decades later, he led a movement that captured everyone’s attention, predicting the day of Jesus’ second coming and even guaranteeing it. Disappointment must have mushroomed when those who sold all their possessions awaited a promised appearing act that just didn’t happen.

The lesson? Be more tentative, a smidgeon iffy, penciling in personal biblical speculation and guesstimates. Don’t be cocksure about something that’s in God’s view and not in ours–“He (Jesus) said to them (the Apostles), ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority'” (Acts 1: 7).

Now, don’t get me wrong. When it comes to trusting Jesus to save us, forgive our sins, and stand with us no matter what, I can check the box that says ‘all of the above’ for those and other core beliefs of our Christian faith. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

In 1 Samuel 14, we encounter King Saul’s son Jonathan wanting to scope out the enemy Philistine army’s position and strength. He takes his assistant with him and tells him this–‘It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few’ (1 Sam. 14: 6).

‘It may be…’ Jonathan doesn’t know what God will do. He’s uncertain about the outcome. But he never wavers, knowing that God can defeat the enemy with only a few soldiers or many. ‘It may be…’

Moving on to 1 Samuel 24, David and some men discover King Saul in a cave. Fast asleep, Saul becomes a juicy target. David’s archenemy can now be eliminated. Here’s how David’s men summarize this situation–“Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'” (1Sam. 24: 4).

An answer to prayer? God’s will, for sure? What’s David’s take on this golden opportunity? Will he do away with the Lord’s anointed, King Saul? Seize this moment? Listen–‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed’ (v.6).

Hmm. That gives me pause. We must be careful about concluding some specifics of God’s will. Of course, make plans. Look ahead. Be responsible. Don’t be lazy and forget to do your homework. Burn the midnight oil. Seize the day.

But use that Dixon Ticonderoga #2 you-know-what, knowing that God’s revealed will is found in your Bible. He tells us everything that we need to know. So be a tad tentative with specifics that He hasn’t told us about. Pencil them in. Know what you know and let the rest be in God’s hands. I’m an amateur with this as much as the next. But I’m trying. Who said, ‘very’!?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the Bible, your guide for my life. Amen.

How can anyone choose the most extraordinary chapter in the Bible? Certainly, I can’t. But reading Romans 5, you’ll wonder if this might be it. Every time I delve a little deeper, I’m blown away by its truths. Can I be so bold as to ask you to read Romans 5 this week? Why not? You won’t be sorry.

That first verse is jaw dropping–‘Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 5: 1). It sounds like a peace treaty has been signed after a lengthy and brutal war. Well, it has.

Our war, involving multiple armaments of sin, has brought enmity and division into our relationships with God. Yet, peace comes, not from anything done by you or me, but from God Himself by the shedding of His only Son’s blood on the cross. Our part? To believe, to trust, to toss our life His way, into His hands. Too hard to do? Try it.

Verses six and eight bring us to the mountaintop–‘For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Rom. 5: 6, 8).

Our good and gracious Lord shows such love for us who were His enemies. When we could care less about Him and His ways, still He paid the ultimate price to free us from all our sin, making us His own forever, clean as a whistle. Think about that for a moment. Unbelievable? Too good to be true? Am I selling ‘Father John’s Miracle Elixer of Life’ snake oil? No. Believe Romans chapter 5. It’s true!

Now we find ourselves on the ‘friends and family’ plan with God. Check this out–‘For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation’ (Rom. 5: 10-11). Keeps getting better. God’s gifts roll out with an increasing acceleration. However, we’ve earned none of them. They’re all from His generous and loving heart.

Romans 5–an extraordinary chapter in the Bible? Certainly is, and I’ve only covered a smidgeon. Treasure it in your Bible. Blow the dust away and dig in. Spend more time in its pages, where you’ll discover that Jesus has become even closer than any best friend ever. Doesn’t get much better than that. Agreed? Enjoy!

Lord God, thank you for your Word. May I treasure it in my heart and mind. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

A few years ago, our hoped for bumper crop of tulips failed–spotty, few and far between, even though we planted tons of bulbs for an amazing display that only sparsley showed up. It was disappointing and frustrating, especially for my wife, the chief gardener in this household.

We noticed that some small birds (you can tell I’m quite the ornithologist!) keep getting into our paltry patch of tulips. Back and forth they go. All day long. We can see them as long as there’s daylight. What’s up? You guessed it. A nest is being built. Tiny twigs, placed precisely and carefully, make an amazing home for what comes in a few weeks.

When the eggs hatch, there they are–four wee ones with feathers, beaks, and all. The mother bird keeps super active carting food for her hungry tykes. Worms and all get lowered into gaping, famished beaks and gullets. Let me tell you, she’s at work providing for her own all day long and maybe at night as well.

This reminds me of some Bible verses. Psalm 57: 1–‘Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.’ Isaiah 34: 15–‘There the owl nests and lays and gathers her young in her shadow…’ And Matthew 23: 37–‘…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…’

Watching new life, all provided for by our Lord, right in our own backyard, we couldn’t help but praise God for His caring for us as well–in all ways and at all times. He feeds us in many ways, especially in worship while digging deeper into our Bibles.

I’ll thank the Lord Jesus this week for watching over me, providing for me, and loving me. Not just me. Will you join me? I would love to have others under His wings, in His nest, and backyard.

Lord Jesus, for all you do for me, thank you. Amen.

My Nana used to say that her doctor had read only one more book than she had. Not sure what her point was. I don’t remember her ever reading a book or owning one. Doesn’t say much for her doctor, does it? Nana was kind of an odd duck in other ways, as well. But I loved her. After all, she was the only grandparent that I knew.

Recently, I had one of those body scans that require you to be tubed in this gargantuan machine that moves back and forth, sketching out all kinds of potential problems in your body. Claustrophobia, an unwelcome guest, accompanies me inside this casket of sorts. Uncomfortable placing my arms over my head for almost an hour. Pain and suffering for what? Had this doctor read one more book than me?

Before getting into this wonder box, waiting an hour for some fancy goop to travel my innards, I was reading ‘Les Miserables’ by Victor Hugo. It was my fourth time relishing this 1400+ page, 165-year-old classic masterpiece. Next to the Bible, my favorite tome.

When led into the torture chamber by the doctor-technician, he asks me what I’m reading. He’d never heard of it. And what was it about? Clueless about ‘Les Miz’? Not only the book, the musical play, or even the movie? Could this be my Nana’s doctor of ill-reading? And, can he scrutinize and make sense of my scan results? Seems he did. So he said, and so I hoped.

How about God? Is He aware of us? Does He have even a smidgeon of an idea about what we go through down here on planet Earth? Listen to Psalm 56: 8–‘You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?’

What? Yes, His book. Think about this verse. It’s saying that anything in our lives, even our tossing and turning in bed at night with all kinds of dark fears and anxieties, is cared for by God. Even our tears He cherishes. As if kept in a bottle. And recorded in a book He writes and keeps.

That tells me that our Lord really loves us. He cares so much, more than just putting our pictures on a refrigerator magnet. He has His eyes on us. He keeps tabs on everything. He minds the store. With our Lord, there’s no ‘Going Out of Business’ sale. Nary a sign that says ‘Weather Permitting’ or ‘Closed From Noon to One’. We’re never out of His tender, loving care. Never.

This tells me that I can relax and trust Him. Will I? Will you? With everything? Leaving nothing out? Really?

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much. Amen.

Over the years, I’ve been called different names, some not so complimentary. As a kid, I added a few extra pounds around the old tum-tum. Hence, some neighbor boys nicknamed me ‘hunker’. I’d earned that moniker but never shined to it. A family member called me ‘punk. Thanks!

In a church going through a ferocious civil war, a new staff member called me, the senior pastor, a ‘primadonna’ at an elder’s meeting that ended poorly, to say the least. Thanks again! Earned? I’m not sure. But he thought so.

To his credit, years later, this former colleague phoned me to apologize and ask for forgiveness. He has endured much the same treatment and realizes the severity of his betrayal. A tad reluctantly, I did forgive him, noting his courage and humility in contacting me.

One name I’ve never been called is ‘fool’. At least not to my face. That I know of. Reading Psalms 53, we encounter that term. The ‘fool’. In what sense? Financially? Acquiring debt that can never be paid back? Living an immoral, reckless lifestyle? All such would be foolish, but there’s a different slant here. The fool disregards God, shuns Him and His ways, thinking that he can squeak into some decent afterlife, if there even is one, by being a ‘good’ person. All by his own steam.

Psalm 53: 1–“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” The fool denies God’s existence. Probably posits some kind of natural evolution that produces all that there is by chance and fate. More karma than Christ. More bizarre explanations than the truth of the Bible. Foolish to discount the Lord and think that man is the focus of everything when God is life’s hinge.

Nothing remains outside His hands. The fool thinks so, but the fact is that they’re wrong. No outsmarting God or His Word. No avoiding His claims on all of life. Foolish to think otherwise.

I’m glad the word ‘fool’ doesn’t apply to me, at least not in the Psalm 53 way. For I believe in Jesus and depend upon Him, trying as best I can (often not very well) to live for Him and follow His ways. But don’t look to me as an example to live by. You shouldn’t and hopefully don’t.

You know where to focus. Right. On God. The Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Quite the heavenly dream team! Partnership forever. It would be foolish to look anywhere else, wouldn’t it?

Lord Jesus, you are my all in all forever. Amen.

Why does God require so much of me? As if He’s always there with His hand out. Wanting this or that. Any ‘fun’ things get nixed. If I don’t want to do something, I’m afraid that’s exactly what He wants me to do. Know what I mean, or have you rightfully concluded that I’m as wacky as can be?

What does God want? Let’s see what Psalm 50: 14-15 has to say–‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’ Such helpful simplicity is often overlooked, at least by me.

Stop trying to placate an angry God, appease Him, pay Him off with some tithe tidbits, or perform hair-brained religious rituals, garner as many brownie points as possible, and tip the scales in your favor. Sounds familiar? Be honest. I’m trying to be.

Basically, these words from the Psalms unveil hope for God’s people. Not some new commandment or Sears’ catalogue of endless rules. No. But giving thanks is the main course on today’s menu. Saying ‘thank you’ to our Lord God. Showing appreciation for all He’s done for us. Especially for putting up with me (and you?!).

And that business about ‘vows’ in Psalm 50 has to do with following through with what we know is right, with what pleases the Lord. From a grateful and willing heart that recognizes what Jesus has done and still does for us. Being men and women of our word. Say it, do it. If you don’t mean it, don’t open your trap. Eager to bless our Lord Jesus, to bring joy to His heart. Not a have-to, but a want-to. You know, don’t you?

Forget trying to bargain with God. That’s a colossal waste of His and your time. Be upfront and transparent. Leave room to confess failures, disappointments, and sin. I have a supersized storeroom crammed full with lots of this stuff I’d rather not talk about, except with my Lord, especially with Him. Remember that He loves to forgive and forget. Oh, to be like Him!

Bring any troubles you’re saddled with directly to Jesus, pronto. He promises to help–‘…I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me’ (Ps. 50: 15). How and when? I’ve no idea. That’s God’s business, which, to be honest, is none of mine. Thank God He’s in charge.

My part is to go with that flow. To trust that my Lord will honor His Word. When He does (and even before for a change), let gratitude and thanks flow from our hearts and mouths to His ears and heart. Why is it so hard to say ‘thank you’ to God? I don’t know why. Maybe you do. Regardless, let’s start doing more of just that this week. You think? Thanksgiving every day, all year long? Such a sacrifice?

Thank you, Jesus, for welcoming me into your family forever. Amen.

My poor Aunt Bertha couldn’t give up an addiction that possibly led to her demise. Drugs? No. Heavy drinker? No. Chain smoker? No. High roller gambler? No. Then what? Pickles! Pickles? Yes, those sodium-filled munchy and crunchy delectables.

She saw her doctor for high blood pressure. He identified that her sodium level was off the charts. She owned up to its cause: pickles! Big, juicy, salty yummies. And lots of them. Day in and day out, without fail.

After too many visits for the same issue, with no improvement noted, her doctor concluded that she wouldn’t knock the habit. She said she’d stopped buying pickles but admitted paying a neighbor to purchase and deliver them to her, like a smuggler with stolen property. Failing to heed the medico’s advice, her doctor fired her. ‘Get a different one. I have others who actually benefit from my expertise and follow my directions! You’re fired!’

It makes me wonder if Jesus might get fed up with me, my lackadaisical attitude toward obeying Him, my frivolous actions when seriousness is required (can you imagine?!), thumbing my nose at Him (not actually but in effect), so that He thinks it’s time to toss me aside. Give me the old heave-ho. I’ve given Him ample reasons to do just that. I’m fired?

Will He? Now, let me make it clear that if I’m trying to get away with being heaven-bound while living like the devil, confessing on Sunday morning while being like Satan the rest of the week, then I really have lots to worry about, being in a nasty, spiritually toxic pickle, indeed.

Thankfully, that’s not me. I love Jesus. I want to be more like Him, obedient to the core, knowing that some rotten apples still need to be removed from my barrel—and always will in this life.

So, will He boot me out of His family? Read 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-15,17–‘For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with them those who have fallen asleep…For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord…(we) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.’ And from Jesus directly–‘…whoever comes to me I will never cast out’ (John 6: 37).

Hear that? God gives us His word. That when we’re in Christ, there’s no getting fired. Period. But make sure you’re one of His own and staying close by His side. Don’t fool yourself. Be the genuine article. The real McCoy in God’s family. Then you’ll find yourself safe as safe can ever be and all fired up for Jesus!

Dear Jesus, for being my Savior and Lord, I thank you. Amen.