On Wings Of Eagles

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Monday, April 30, 2018

Worry


Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There are struggles in life that can become emotional strongholds – things that hold you hostage and keep you from wholeheartedly serving and trusting God and experiencing the abundant life He has promised. One of the most damaging strongholds is worry. It is available for every age and is an obstacle to moving forward. When it is a stronghold in your life, it is a way of life.
We worry about so many things – what do people think about us, do we look fit, are we healthy, and do we have enough money. If you are prone to worry, there is no limit to the possibilities to worry about.

People cope with worrying in a number of ways – some drink to dismiss it, others shop for a distraction, some take naps or go to bed early to avoid it. None of these remedies work because the panic still sets in.
 In Matthew 6:25, 31-34, Jesus stated three times, “Do not worry!” The Greek word used for “worry” is the concept of being strangled or choked. It leaves you frustrated when you ought to be free and if you are His disciple, then you should stop it.

Worrying is a sin because it is doubt in the power and goodness of God. Some people don’t like to call worrying a sin – they are just “concerned” about something. How do you distinguish concern from worry? Legitimate concern is when you are in control of your thoughts and feelings and illegitimate worry is when the matter controls your thoughts, actions and emotions.

Jesus said, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26) The reason we worry is that we are focusing on the wrong authority. If our Father feeds birds that have no soul, how much more will He take care of us since we are worth even more to Him?  Remember His promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you as the first antidote to worry.

Dear Lord, we thank You once again that You are in control. Help us to not fall into the trap of worrying about the things about us, help us to instead put our full trust in You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Monkeys, bananas and giving up


Proverbs 1:8 (ESV)
Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
    and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Two college "business" professors, wrote about an experiment conducted with a group of monkeys. It's a story of failure.

Four monkeys were in a room that had a tall pole in the center and suspended from the top was a bunch of bananas. The monkeys were hungry and one started climbing the pole...but just as he reached out to grab a banana, he was doused with ice cold water. Squealing, he scampered down the pole and gave up this attempt to feed himself. Each monkey made the same attempt with the same drenching with cold water. After several attempts they all gave up.

Then researchers removed one monkey and replaced it with a new monkey. As the newcomer began to climb the pole...the other three grabbed him and pulled him back to the ground. Each time he tried, he was pulled back.

The researchers replaced the original monkeys one by one and each time a new monkey was brought in he was dragged down by the others before he could reach the bananas. In time the room was filled with monkeys who had never received a cold shower...but none of them would climb the pole...but none of them knew why!

Have you ever attempted some action...but were discouraged by others who told you how it would not work. However, if you asked them why something will not work, none of them could tell you why. Ever had that experience? And eventually you, too, gave up without giving it a try?

There's an old Chinese proverb: "Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it!" WHO do you listen to for your advice in life and living? We need to take our lead from God and pursue the things HE has for us and not get off track by those around us.

Dear Lord, help us not to get discouraged by those around us. Help us to keep the course and accomplish what is before us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Ambition


Proverbs 16:2  (ESV)
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.

As Christians, is it possible to be ambitious in our work and still have our self-worth and identity firmly rooted in Jesus Christ?

The world tells us that ambition is essential to accumulating wealth, fame, and glory for ourselves. The meta-narrative of work today is that it is the primary means by which we make a name for ourselves in this life and prove to the world that we are important, valuable, and worthy.

Of course, this is nothing new. Since the Fall, human beings have been using work to make a name for themselves, rather than to glorify God and serve others. Take the Babylonians as an example. In Genesis 11 we read the account of these ancient entrepreneurs discovering the incredible technical innovation of brick-making. With the invention of the brick-making process, the Babylonians could build better homes, roads, and cities—all wonderful things; but driven by pride, the Babylonians’ ambition wasn’t to glorify God through their work.

Their ambition was to make a name for themselves. They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth”. And if there was ever a question as to whether or not our motives matter to the Lord, the rest of the passage provides the answer. “The Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city”.

Creating a tower, a new business, a piece of art, or a piece of music is not inherently bad. Our cultural creations can and do reveal God’s character and love and serve others. But when we create something out of a motivation to make a name for ourselves, we are attempting to rob God of the glory that is rightfully His.

While Scripture makes clear that creating to make a name for ourselves constitutes improper ambition, the Bible makes equally clear that ambition can indeed be God-honoring, so long as it flows out of a response to the work Christ did on our behalf on the cross.

Dear Lord, we pray that our ambition and goal would be to serve You and bring honor to Your name in all that we do. Help us to do our very best as we walk this life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Friday, April 27, 2018

Patience


 Psalm 27:7-8 (ESV)
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

You and I do not like to wait! I read about an irate woman upset because she was asked to wait six minutes for her French fries to cook. The audacity! She determined this injustice was personal and verbally abused the young attendant for her incompetence and bigotry before the entire establishment. Berating the innocent worker did not cause her fries to cook faster. She simply chose to wait poorly.

Unfortunately I have personal examples of making the same choice. I have been annoyed with slow moving lines, irritated in traffic, and accusatory of those who do not seem to understand the importance of my needs being met before theirs. I, too, have behaved badly toward others when asked to wait.

Lately my patience has been tested as I wait to hear test results. I try to trust God and His sovereignty to work in my life according to His perfect timing. Unfortunately my record in this area can also be found wanting. I have questioned God’s faithfulness, sulking, crying and losing hope that He cares for me. Does God really love me as much as He loves those around me who are not waiting on Him to move? Maybe He is not going to do what He promised? How long must I call out to Him and there be no answer? This waiting causes me to wonder if God is still speaking, skeptical of whether He is ever going to act.

When our waiting causes us to question like this, we are in good company. Hannah finds herself waiting on God to act in her life; and there is no guarantee He will respond to her waiting with what she desires. Instead, Hannah waits in uncertainty and even disgrace; ridiculed and tormented by her rival. However, we see her refrain from going ballistic and faltering in her faith. Instead, Hannah chooses to wait well.

In the heart of her distress, Hannah does what you and I should learn to do. Hannah clings to the Father. When we are asked to wait, instead of losing our patience or abandoning our reliance on God, we should cling to Him.

Dear Lord, help us to cling to You through all of life’s challenges. Help our patience be strong so that we can be a testimony for You in everything. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Jesus is there


Mark 16:12 (ESV)
After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

I think it's interesting to note those to whom Jesus chose to appear after His resurrection. We don't read about Him appearing to Caiaphas or Caesar.

Now if it had been me, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pilate: "Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can't keep a good man down, can you?" Or I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who, for the most part, orchestrated the crucifixion.
But it is interesting how Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey. We don't know who they were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.

The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared in another form to them as they went into the country. In other words, He was going incognito. They didn't know that it was Jesus.

The last sight they had of the Lord was His beaten and bloodied body. Surely they wanted to get that image out of their minds.
There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It's a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don't realize it, Jesus is walking with us.

Isaiah 43:2 promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

Maybe when you are in church, you feel close to God. But wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there too. When you are going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.

Dear Lord, thank You that no matter the circumstance we can know that You are there. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

God’s sense of humor


Job 8:21 (ESV)
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
    and your lips with shouting.

How can we his creatures think things are funny unless the whole idea came from God in the first place?

You have to love God’s sense of humor.  Think about God’s creation. Surely he made creatures such as the otter, dolphin, and penguin, just because they delighted Him so much. Or consider what we find in Scripture itself (keeping in mind that Scripture was inspired by God). Job 39:13-18 (a very serious book) describes the life of a stork in pretty funny terms. Verse 17 says, "For God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense." I hope I'm never described that way!

Proverbs is a funny book at times. If you read it aloud to a group, it's difficult not to laugh. Proverbs 11:22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." Doesn't that give you delight on the days you feel more piggish than beautiful? You wonder if Solomon had just fought with one of his many wives when he said, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife" (21:9). However, my favorite proverb is 22:13, "The sluggard says, 'There is a lion outside!'" That sounds like as good excuse as any to me on days when I feel lazy. I don't recommend trying it with your though. And there's the night person's favorite verse, "If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse" (27:14). When I was in High school and volunteered at a camp for the summer I had a camper who quoted this to me, reminding me that not everyone wakes up cheery.

But I think Hebrews 11:12 is the funniest verse in the Bible: "Therefore there was born even of [Abraham], and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars in heaven …"

Of course God's humor is never cruel the way humans twist it to be at times. In fact, God is entirely pure and untainted, thus so is his humor. Such a God inspired the author of Proverbs to write, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (15:13), or seen from the opposite point of view in verse 30, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Aren't you glad?

Dear Lord, we thank You for the humor You show. Help us to take the time to laugh and see the joy in life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

We are his workmanship


Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

When God thinks about you, he sees a masterpiece. The great thing about a masterpiece is that it’s one of a kind. There is no other work like it and it’s very special to the person who created it. In the same way, to God, you matter. Your life is important and you’ve been created to do something special for God.

It’s easy to begin to compare yourself to what you see online and all around you. You can see what your friends and coworkers are doing, how they look, what they wear and what they do and feel like you don’t measure up. However, the true measure of worth is what God says about you. When you begin to see yourself the way Jesus sees you, you realize that you matter. You’ve been uniquely designed and your life is important.

Dear Lord, thank You for making us who we are.  Help us to not look at others and compare ourselves with them. Thank You that we are perfect in your eyes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Lessons from Diamond


John 13:34-35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

As I am dealing with some unknown health issues I have done a lot of thinking.  One of the things that came across my mind was how I miss Diamond.  Diamond was our pound puppy that we had to have put down in August due to her failing health and strength. As I thought about her today I thought about some of the lessons I learned from her about love.

If Diamond were to teach you about love  and life in general here is what she would say:
1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride with family.
3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
4. Take naps.
5. Stretch before rising.
5. Run, romp, and play daily.
6. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
7. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
8. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
9. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
10. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
11. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
12. Be loyal.
13. Never pretend to be something you're not.
14. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
15. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

As a good friend of mine always reminds me, “Love is the answer.”  Take the time today to share the love that God has put in your heart.

Dear Lord, we thank You for all that You do for us, especially for loving us. Help us to share that love today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

The Bible our compass


Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

During World War II, small compasses saved the lives of 27 sailors 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Waldemar Semenov, a retired merchant seaman, was serving as a junior engineer aboard the SS Alcoa Guide when a German submarine surfaced and opened fire on the ship. The ship was hit, caught fire, and began to sink. Semenov and his crew lowered compass-equipped lifeboats into the water and used the compasses to guide them toward the shipping lanes closer to shore. After three days, the men were rescued.

The psalmist reminded God’s people that His Word was a trustworthy “compass.” He likened it to a lamp. In that day, the flickering light cast by an olive oil lamp was only bright enough to show a traveler his next step. To the psalmist, God’s Word was such a lamp, providing enough light to illuminate the path for those pursuing God. When the psalmist was wandering in the dark on a chaotic path of life, he believed that God, through the guidance of His Word, would provide direction.

When we lose our bearings in life, we can trust our God who gives His trustworthy Word as our compass, using it to lead us into deeper fellowship with Him.

Dear Lord, it is difficult to navigate life. At times we drift, but we will trust in You. Lead us and guide us by the faithfulness and reliability of Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

The weather


Hosea 6:3 (ESV)
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
    his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
    as the spring rains that water the earth.”

One of my hobbies is to follow the weather. I have one of those personal weather stations and like to follow the temperatures, wind speed and rain.  Today as I thought about weather it got me to thinking

Wherever you live, rain is a big deal.  If we have little rain or a lot of rain within the year, the weather makes a huge impact on us.  The weather conditions command our daily attention as we graph and chart the amount of rain. We have entire television stations dedicated to the weather around the world. When a natural weather disaster hits, all other news stops to report the extent of the damage. We pay a lot of attention to the weather as we depend on this information to plan our day.

There is nothing wrong with following the weather patterns, but Hosea is stating that as surely as we acknowledge the sun and rain coming, we need to acknowledge the coming of the Lord. Jesus rebuked the people for acknowledging the signs of the weather but not acknowledging the signs of the Lord. In Luke 12:54-56, Jesus said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?"


Are we sensitive to His ways? Are we in tune with His will? Do we study His Word daily for direction and guidance in our day as much as we tune into the weather? Could Jesus rebuke us today for the same things? Even though the rain seems to be later than expected some years, we do get rain. We might think that Jesus is late in His coming too. But surely He will come. If we are not acknowledging Him, He may not acknowledge us. And even if Jesus doesn't come here during our life time, it is inevitable that we will go to Him some day.

Who do you worship? Who do you serve? Just by examining your need to know the weather in comparison to your need to know the Lord should shed some light on what your priorities are. When we acknowledge the Lord in everything, we are able to interpret His signs because we become sensitive to His ways over our own. We give so much attention to the weather but Jesus truly is the ultimate Weather Man, whether we acknowledge Him or not.

Dear Lord, we thank You for all that You do for us. Help us to always take the time to acknowledge You for all the things You do for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Friday, April 20, 2018

COMPLETING THE PROJECT MAKES THE HARD WORK WORTH IT


Romans 8:18 (ESV)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Today I am sharing the 10th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

Projects require a lot of patience. As a weekend woodworker who also has a family to love, a yard to mow, bills to pay, and other home duties, my projects often take months to complete. Most of the time I go to the shop, I begin by cleaning up so I have room to work.
Looking at a plan, you can see where you’re going and what the project will look like when it’s done. In fact, an anticipation for the project’s completion keeps you going in spite of mistakes and delays.
In the spiritual life, the plan is in the Bible and our prototype is Jesus.

       He is what we strive to become—and His return for us is THE “blessed hope” that urges us to keep going.

       We need to keep the end in mind. When the project is completed, it will all be worth it.

Like woodworking, the spiritual life is a skill and an art, not a science. The longer you do it, the better you get.

Dear Lord, help us to work on the skill of our spiritual life. Help us to become the people You have for us to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

NOTHING REVEALS CHARACTER LIKE STRESS.


1 Timothy 3:6,10 (ESV)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Today I am sharing the 9th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

Wood has personality. But it’s often hidden until you cut it, bend it, or stress it. Many times I’ve made cuts on the band saw or table saw and the wood instantly cupped, curled, split, or warped. I never would have known it until I cut it.

I’ve discovered that people can look really good, stable, and godly until life offers its challenges.

       Short tempers, worry, panic, and bitter spirits reveal that the surface we show isn’t what’s in our hearts.

       When stress reveals the flaws in your character, see these incidents as God’s way of graciously showing you who you really are—so that you see your need to obey a God who can fashion you into a masterpiece.

Also, in the same way we have to let green wood cure for a good year (or it will warp when you use it), young leaders need time to mature. There is no kiln that hurries up leader preparation.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would allow You to fashion us into what You have for us to be.  Help us to not rush the process of maturing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

STAYING SAFE REQUIRES A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF WHAT CAN HURT YOU.


Ephesians 6:11, 13 (ESV)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Today I am sharing the 8th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

One day at a woodworking store I shook hands with a man who had no thumb. It felt really strange. When I asked him about it, he had two words: “Table saw.” A chill ran through my body.

I’m happy to say I still have all ten digits and both of my eyeballs. That’s because after a couple of close calls I have a healthy respect for what can hurt me.

       I plan my work and I don’t make cuts if I’m not sure I can’t make them safely. More than once before making a cut, I’ve turned off the saw and said, “Nope. It’s just not worth the risk.”

       I wear safety glasses.

       I usually pray for safety each time I begin working in the shop.
Are you aware of what can hurt you spiritually?

       When you’re in temptation, you need to walk away, knowing the sin is just not worth it (Galatians 6:7-8).

       Remember that you have an enemy and you are in a war. Satan wants to destroy your life and your witness. “Be on the alert,” Peter urges us. “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

       The Lord has provided “the full armor of God” for us to put on each day (Ephesians 6:11, 13).

Dear Lord, help us to be aware of the evil one and how he wants to harm us. Thank You that with Your power we can defeat him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

ANTICIPATING IMPERFECT CONDITIONS FREES YOU TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE


Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV)
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.
Today I am sharing the 7th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

I’ve installed built-in cabinets in our kitchen. Much to my disappointment, I’ve discovered that “the perfectly square corner” doesn’t exist. The framers got it close—and you can’t tell by eye—but nothing is perfect. When I began to allow for that, my work wasn’t as frustrating. And you know what? The results were just fine.
Very little in life is square.

       If you don’t allow for imperfections in your family, in your friends, and in your job, you’ll drive yourself nuts with “how it ought to be.”
       The sooner we quit looking for this life to be the perfect place (according to our own standard), the sooner we free ourselves to enjoy life and to extend grace and forgiveness to others.

After all, we accept our own imperfections, don’t we? What’s more, God accepts us as we are in Christ. We should extend that same grace to others.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the Grace You have showed toward us. Help us do the same to those around us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Monday, April 16, 2018

IT’S ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A STANDARD BY WHICH TO MEASURE.



Leviticus 19:35-36 (ESV)
35 “You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. 36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Today I am sharing the 6th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

An inch is an inch, and it will always be an inch. I’m not sure where the original ruler is, but all tape measures today are based on that standard. In fact, they are all perfect to the degree that they reflect the original. An inch measures the same in Florida as it does in Alaska.

We refer to the books of the Bible as the “canon.”
       It’s a word from the Hebrew term, qaneh, which means a “reed” used as a standard of measure (Ezekiel 42:16).
       The early Christian church referred to books of the Bible as canonical.

The Word of God is our standard. It is our measuring tape that says an inch is an inch. And it makes it clear when we do and don’t measure up to God’s standard (Romans 3:23).

Frequently I have to check the measuring tape on my table saw to make sure it is dead-on accurate. Why? Because repeated cuts with an inaccurate measure will eventually yield a project that’s way off. The same is true of our lives.

The Word of God is perfect—and so are our copies of the Bible to the degree that they reflect the original manuscripts. When we measure our lives and decisions based on the unchanging standard of truth, our lives head in the right direction. But even a slight deviation can lead us down the wrong path.

Dear Lord, thank You for the Bible that we can use to measure our life. Help us to stay in our Word so that we can measure our life in a way that is pleasing to You. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Sunday, April 15, 2018

MISTAKES ALWAYS TEACH YOU, AND THEY RARELY RUIN THE PIECE


Psalm 37:24 (ESV)
Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the Lord upholds his hand.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Today I am sharing the 5th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

“Measure twice and cut once,” the old saying goes. I have a friend who likes to joke, “I cut it three times and it’s still too short!” Mistakes cost time and money. They can also change your language in the workshop.

But mistakes are only wasted if you don’t learn from them. This principle is true in life as well. Some of the best lessons have come through failure.

I have a friend who says “Experience is an excellent substitute teacher to instruction ignored.”

I know every flaw in every project I’ve made. My wife always reminds me that I am the only one that knows. If I choose to, I can focus in on those blemishes and miss the fact that the finished product is still a functional and attractive piece of furniture. Imperfections up close don’t keep the piece from being effectively used or from looking beautiful.

We are flawed individuals. Yet God still powerfully uses us in spite of our imperfections. What’s more, He thinks we’re beautiful because when He sees us He sees the holiness of His Son, Jesus.

Dear Lord, we thank You that You can take our imperfections and use them. Help us to not dwell on the mistakes we make but instead learn from them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

FOLLOWING A PLAN GETS YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO GO WITH GREATER SUCCESS.


1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.
Over a span of 10 days I am going to share 10 ways I’ve discovered that woodworking goes along with our spiritual life. Today I am sharing the 4th way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

Some woodworkers like to wing it. No plans—just turn on the saw and let her rip. That’s great if your goal is sawdust.

But for me, I’ve found it’s best to follow a plan. If it’s a custom piece, my wife will draw the plan. At other times, I’ll follow a plan I’ve bought, borrowed or seen on YouTube.  When I fail to follow a plan, it doesn’t turn out as well, it takes longer, it costs more, I waste wood, and I make more mistakes. If you’re on a budget, trial and error isn’t the ideal way to do woodworking.

The plan for the spiritual life is laid out in the Bible. When we wing it, follow no plan, we usually end up with sawdust to show for our lives. God’s will for your life is clearly laid out in Scripture. It’s best to stick with the plan.

Dear Lord, thank You that You have laid out the plan You have for us in Your Word. Help to study daily so that we will know what we should do along the way. IN the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Friday, April 13, 2018

YOU CAN DO A LOT MORE THAN YOU THINK WITH THE LITTLE YOU HAVE.


Matthew 14:17-19 (ESV)
17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Over a span of 10 days I am going to share 10 ways I’ve discovered that woodworking goes along with our spiritual life. Today I am sharing the 3rd way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

My subscriptions to Woodworking magazines  sometimes frustrate me when I read these professionals with what seems like everything I don’t have. (Including lots of time.) Every woodworker has his or her eye on the next tool.

But I’ve discovered that with patience and ingenuity, you can do a whole lot with a good table saw and a router. There is almost always more than one way to do something.

Jesus’ point when He multiplied the fish and loaves—and when He sent out the disciples with nothing for their journey—was to teach them that He provides for their lack (Matt. 14:17-19; Luke 9:3).

The spiritual life is full of lack (that’s on purpose). You will always have less than it seems you need. But you can do a lot with a little if you take it to Jesus and trust Him to multiply it.

Dear Lord, help us to not worry about the lack of things we have but instead use what You have given us. Help us be creative with what we have. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

GOOD TOOLS SAVE YOU TIME AND GIVE YOU BETTER RESULTS.


Isaiah 44:12  (ESV)
The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours  woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone.

Over a span of 10 days I am going to share 10 ways I’ve discovered that woodworking goes along with our spiritual life. Today I am sharing the 2nd way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

I began building things out of wood with my dad. I used mostly hand tools and then one Christmas my wife got me a tablesaw. (What do you know? I can cut a straight board!) Good tools save you time, keep you accurate, and make the experience more fun. For the workshop, I recommend beginning with a good table saw, a router, and an orbital sander (there’s no end to this list, by the way, there is always one more tool that you will need).

In the same way, you need good tools in the spiritual life. Good Bible study tools are a worthy investment that will help you understand the Bible better and pave the way for proper application. As far as priority, I recommend:

       A good study Bible. Be sure you study a translation, not a paraphrase. Some great examples are the New American Standard Version, the New Living Translation, the English Standard Version (the Kindle Version is currently free), and the New International Version (the 1984 edition).

       An exhaustive concordance. This tool allows you to look up and study any word in the Bible. These days, it’s easy to use a good computer program like Accordance (Mac) or Logos (PC), because these allow more complex searches. If you want a physical concordance, I recommend the NASB Exhaustive Concordance or NIV Exhaustive Concordance.

       A good atlas. One of the reasons I’m so passionate about Bible lands is that it has given me more understanding of Scripture than even Greek or Hebrew. I have listed my recommended atlases in another post.
There is no greater investment in your spiritual life and understanding of the Bible.

Dear Lord, help us to use the tools around us to study Your Word. Help us to understand what we study and apply it to our life. I the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT CROSS GRAIN, SO STAY SHARP.


Ecclesiastes 10:10  (ESV)
 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
    he must use more strength,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.

Over the years I have spent hours and hours  woodworking, During that time I’ve come to realize how much woodworking relates to our walk with God. I’m not alone..

Over a span of 10 days I am going to share 10 ways I’ve discovered that woodworking goes along with our spiritual life. Today I am sharing the 1st way I’ve discovered that woodworking affirms the spiritual life.

Cutting wood in the same direction as its grain grows is easy and makes clean cuts. But cutting cross grain is tough. You need a sharp blade, or it’s messy.

In a culture that’s cross grain to Christianity, we have to stay sharp in order to stay effective. I love the metaphor Solomon gives:
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. —Ecclesiastes 10:10

Taking time to sharpen your “tools” in the spiritual life makes work more efficient. That includes your daily relationship with God, and it may even include additional training in areas of theology, apologetics, or Bible knowledge.

Dear Lord, help us to take the time to keep our tools sharp so that our spiritual life is more efficient. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.