Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Day of Rejoicing"

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Last week, pedestrians Tyrone Hamilton and Alisha Bailey were hit by a truck. They had just finished eating a sandwich at SUBWAY® and were waiting for a bus, when a red truck jumped the curb and slammed into them.

As of this writing, Tyrone is recovering from some minor bruises, bumps, and scrapes; Alisha remains in critical condition. The man who was driving the truck is in jail charged with assault, possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a revoked license, and careless driving.

This news story from last week seemed to be nothing more than a passing tragedy, the kind of item that is reported and forgotten. The story might have stayed that way if I hadn’t read something Tyrone said. He told reporters, "I thank God every day that he gave me another chance. I want to start living my life right and doing what I'm supposed to do. Because who knows what could have happened to me."

That’s pretty good thinking for a 19-year-old high school student.

In truth, today God has given each of us another chance. Now that doesn’t mean we are in control of what is going to happen to us. As Tyrone’s story proves, we’re not in charge of the events which swirl around us. We can sail through the day without any speed bumps or complications, or we might find ourselves in the back of an ambulance. We may be the recipients of countless smiles and continuous good will, or we can be struck by a truck driven by a person under the influence of drugs.

Although nobody knows what today is going to bring, Christians can join with the Psalmist and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” As children adopted into God’s family of faith, we can be sure that no matter what happens, no matter what comes, Jesus our Savior is with us.

If there are problems, we know the risen and ever-living Christ will help us through those troubles. If there are overwhelming tragedies that leave us helpless, He will be there offering His limitless strength. If we need to talk, He will listen. With the knowledge that the crucified and risen Christ is by our side, we can, like Tyrone, start living our lives right and do what we’re supposed to.

Dear reader, be sure: Christ, not circumstance, is in control of this day. The Savior, not unanticipated situations, are in charge of the day the Lord has made. That knowledge allows us to rejoice and be glad.

[nChrist]

Dear reader, be sure: Christ, not circumstance, is in control of this day. The Savior, not unanticipated situations, are in charge of the day the Lord has made. That knowledge allows us to rejoice and be glad.

I was just thinking about the huge amount of confusion by people in this short life, and this would include many Christians.

Some get the idea that Christians are supposed to be healthy, wealthy, and suffer very few trials in this short life. GOD does not promise us anything like this in the Holy Bible. In fact, the Holy Bible promises us the opposite for this short life. The lives, trials, difficulties, times of poverty, imprisonments, beatings, and eventual martyrdom of the Apostles should serve as an example for us. They didn't expect a life of ease and riches in this short time on earth. "Riches" in the Holy Bible are generally characterized in two different ways:  1) In a negative way when associated with worldly and material things that are temporary in this short life; 2) In a positive way when associated with Spiritual Riches in CHRIST that are for all Eternity.

Christians throughout the history of mankind have suffered in many ways - simply because JESUS CHRIST was their LORD and SAVIOUR. However, they realized that this world was not their home, and the temporary trials in this short life are nothing in comparison to the JOY of Eternity with JESUS CHRIST. Many died in sharing the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST and the Cross or in refusing to reject their faith in JESUS CHRIST. Countless Christians through the centuries have been persecuted, beaten, tortured, imprisoned, stoned to death, beheaded, crucified, or killed in other ways for the same reasons. Countless more will give their lives for the cause of CHRIST before HIS SECOND COMING. These sacrifices won't be a matter of duty, rather one of love and testimony for CHRIST. The perspective is REALITY for all Christians about our real CITIZENSHIP that awaits us and going HOME. This world is NOT our HOME. Our TRUST is in JESUS CHRIST, and we await the PROMISES of GOD that WILL be fulfilled MOST PERFECTLY.

Our fulfillment and happiness in this short life is directly related to yielding to the Perfect Will of GOD that HE has for each of us. The ultimate is having JESUS CHRIST as the central focus and HEAD over our lives. That is HIS rightful position that should already be HIS. As Christians, we should know that we are continually in HIS Presence, and the HOLY SPIRIT lives in our hearts. We should naturally know what's expected of us by the KING OF KINGS - OUR CREATOR - OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. We should also have a natural Love for HIM Who died on the Cross for us and in our place. We should also know that HE has a natural right for Respect, Obedience, Praise, and Worship.

In short, it should give us Great JOY to know that we belong to HIM as Eternal Possessions. We deserve NOTHING, but HE has given us everything. ALL good things come from HIM, so our THANKS and PRAISE for all HE has provided should also be a natural right due HIM. We shouldn't take anything for granted, rather give Thanks in everything.

"A Day of Rejoicing"

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

YES - every day belongs to HIM. Our days should be full of Thanks, Rejoicing, and anxiously awaiting HIS Appearance. Our Thanks and Praise to HIM will be for Eternity!

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!

[Soldier4Christ]

AMEN!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bless the Beasts and Not The Children"

And he (Jesus) said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs. Mark 7:27-28

Once upon a time not so very long ago, there was a lady whose dog was Trouble. No, the dog didn’t get in trouble; the dog’s name was Trouble. This lady loved her dog named Trouble very much. In fact, this very rich lady loved her dog Trouble more than she loved some of her own family members. That’s why when this very rich lady died, she made sure her puppy named Trouble would be taken care of.

The very rich lady, whose will didn’t give anything to a few of her grandchildren, left twelve million dollars to her puppy. It can only be assumed that Leona Helmsley’s dog, Trouble, will live happily ever after.

Legal experts say that while twelve million dollars is a lot of money to give to a dog, it isn’t unusual for people to provide a trust to make sure their beloved pets aren’t shipped off to some uncaring and unappreciative relative, or even worse, to some place that might expedite puppy’s departure from this veil of tears. We love our pets. We want to make sure they’re going to be all right.

On the other hand, as Jesus said, “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

That was Jesus’ way of saying people ought to have their priorities right. The individual who can think of no need, no cause, no person, who has a greater need than her dog, has lost sight of that which is really important. A person who feeds his pets and starves his children is not putting first things first. Understand, I’m not saying Leona shouldn’t have taken care of her dog; it’s right that she did. I am suggesting with more than twelve million dollars at her disposal, Leona might have been able to stretch her cash and provide for her pooch AND a lot of people. She needed a readjustment of her priorities.

Thankfully, Jesus never needed to be reminded of that which was of prime importance. He came into this world dedicated to the purpose of giving His life, so that all who believe on Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Because Jesus had His priorities in proper order, He turned down the devil who offered Him untold wealth and power, and He said “no” to the crowd that offered Him a crown. Because Jesus had the right priorities, He didn’t defend His innocence at His unfair trials. Because Jesus kept the right priority, He chose to die rather than getting down from His cross. Jesus had the right priority, and because He did, death and devil were defeated, the shackles of sin were broken, and we have been saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Real Sacrifice"

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” John 4:21, 23a

Almost 20 centuries ago, Jesus had that conversation with a Samaritan woman near Mount Gerizim, the holy place for those disenfranchised Jews. As the Savior called the woman from darkness to the light of faith, He spoke of how it is not necessary to worship God on a mountain or in a temple. Jesus was reiterating what King David had said in Psalm 51: “(Lord) you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

It may surprise you to know there are still a few hundred Samaritans left in the world. Many continue to live near their old and traditional mountain of sacrifice. They still sacrifice sheep to atone for their sins. Surprised? If you are, you should know the Samaritans are not alone.

Last week, Reuters news service told how the officials at Nepal’s nationally run airline sacrificed two goats to the Hindu god of the sky, Akash Bhairab. It seems one of their Boeing 757s was having some problems with the electronics, and in Nepal it is customary to sacrifice goats and buffaloes to appease the Hindu deity who might be responsible for the difficulty.

The story shared that the plane is now fixed and has resumed its international flights to cities in Asia.

It is not my duty in these devotions to put down the customs of other faiths. They are sincere in their beliefs, and although they are misguided, the Holy Spirit can set them right when they see the Savior. That’s why I’m glad of the opportunity to share the truths of Scripture. Jesus knew, David knew, all believers know that God cannot be made of wood, metal, or stone. The one true God does not delight in the shed blood of countless animals or the self-imposed physical suffering of a poor soul who wishes to do penance and pay for His sins.

The Triune Lord who lives within the hearts of those who are saved cannot be confined to any temple made with hands, no matter how magnificent that structure might be. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, the substituting Savior of the world has shed His blood as the ultimate sacrifice, so we might be forgiven of our transgressions. Jesus gave His life so the world might be redeemed, and all who acknowledge Him as their Lord may live with Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness. Now, rather than making sacrifices to an angry God, we can thank and praise, serve and obey Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Right From The Beginning"

Click here to listen to an audio version of today's devotion.

The intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Genesis 8:21b

A thirtieth anniversary should be cause to celebrate. It ought to be, but it isn’t.

It’s been 30 years since the last case of smallpox was reported in Somalia. I remember how everyone in the political and scientific communities rejoiced, as for the first time in history, a terrible and often deadly disease had been swept from the face of the earth. This is why I was shocked last week when Forbes Magazine announced the United States Food and Drug Administration had approved the licensing of a new smallpox vaccine.

I wondered, “Why make a vaccine for a disease that no longer exists?” I found a two-word answer: biological terrorism.

It seems some very special and highly guarded labs throughout the world kept some samples of the smallpox virus. While there doesn’t seem to be much worry about the disease escaping into the general population by accident, authorities are concerned that someone –a terrorist, a person wishing to make a name for himself, a madman–might try to break into one of those labs, steal the virus, and reintroduce smallpox into a culture or a country. What I found out was a depressing revelation.

You know, after the Genesis flood, the Lord promised never to destroy the world that watery way again. He made that promise because of who He is, not because He thought Noah and his crew were so perfect and pure. God had no such delusions. That’s why, immediately after making His no-more-universal-flood promise, the Lord added, “the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.”

With that statement, God shows that He knows us better than we know ourselves. God knows our hearts and minds are dark and filled with all manner of evil, up to, and including the reintroduction of smallpox upon an unprepared population.

Amazingly, God decided to do something about our dark hearts. In a gracious act, which is unique in the pages of history, the Lord sent His Son into this world to seek and save the lost. If our hearts are evil from our youth, Jesus’ heart was perfect from His birth. Because His perfect life was motivated by perfect love, Jesus willingly did all that was necessary to save us from ourselves, as well as our triumvirate of enemies: sin, death and devil. With a pure heart, Jesus allowed Himself to be burdened with our sins, and die the death that we deserved.

Now, because He has risen from the dead we know our salvation has been won and we are forgiven and free to live a life without fear–even if that fear is caused by a madman with a vial of smallpox virus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Trust His Heart"

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

How many times do we get impatient, expecting the Lord to operate in our time frame? Or how often do we wish He would follow a certain pattern that we think is best for us? But, oh, no, He doesn’t.

We ask, and He promises in due time. We beg, but He keeps silent. We get tired and desperate. We feel that everything is out of our control, but He stays strong, loving and sovereign.

We could ask Noah about that. Building and waiting on God for 100 years surely taught him patience and trust.

What would have happened if Noah had enough after 50 years of building an ark when no one had even seen a drop of rain? Annoying people surrounded him. They made fun of him and mocked his God, who apparently had not given any more signs.

What if Noah had said, “I’ve had enough of this! If You don’t bring rain in the next few days and let me prove these mocking sinners are wrong, I am going to quit!”

God would still bring His plan to pass in due time, because He is sovereign.

I am sure Noah had many moments of doubt, but, after all that, he understood this one very precious thing about God: if you don’t understand His hands, you should trust His heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Big God Shines Through"

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

On the way home from church, the little girl confessed that the pastor's sermon had given her some questions. "What kind of questions?" mom asked. "Well, Pastor said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?" The mother replied, "Yes, God IS pretty big." "And," the little girl continued, "the pastor said that God lives in us. Is that true, too?" Again, the mother agreed. "Well," concluded the little girl, "if God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?"

That little girl has hit the nail upon the head. In this world, nothing is bigger than the Lord. Those who know Him and His great love--the people who have Him in their heart--let Him shine through in everything they do. They are proud to show off the Lord who has given them so much. Sadly, people don't always see God making much of a difference in the lives of Jesus' followers. That's why the question for our listeners has to be, "When people look at you, do they see our really big God shining through?" If they don't, it's time to let Jesus shine.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Changing World"

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Not so long ago, I read a newspaper editorial. It said, "The world is too big for us. Too much going on, too many crimes, too much violence and excitement. . .It's an incessant strain to keep pace -- and still, you lose ground. Science empties its discoveries on you so fast that you stagger beneath them in hopeless bewilderment..... Everything is high pressure. Human nature can't endure much more!" Are you surprised if I tell you that the article was published in The Atlantic Journal on June 16, 1833--more than 160 years ago?

What I'm trying to say is that people don't change. Technology may make the world more advanced, but people remain the same from one year to another. Our hopes, our dreams, our sins, and our worries are always the same. Oh, there's one other thing that's the same. That's our Lord. His love for us and His presence by our side are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. In this "high pressure" world, it's a pretty big comfort to know He's around.

[Soldier4Christ]

"No More Anger"

The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. Luke 18:13-14a

Counterproductive. That’s a good word. Counterproductive. If you asked me to define the word counterproductive, I would say it is doing or saying something that is contrary to what you are trying to accomplish. If you asked me to use the word counterproductive in a sentence, I would say, “Last week, when Stanley Burt used a bulldozer to repeatedly ram the police station in Troy, New Hampshire, it was counterproductive to getting the law to respect him and his driving ability.”

That paragraph, of course, calls for an explanation. Stanley Burt had just spent 12 months in jail for being a habitual motor vehicle offender. With no less than 20 driving offenses on his record, Stanley felt he was being harassed. Wishing to prove he is a good driver, Stanley stole a bulldozer and used it to repeatedly ram and take out the front of the police station.

The only injury sustained in the incident was to Stanley’s driving reputation. His bulldozer battery has left him charged with criminal mischief, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, as well as some probation, and driving violations. Stanley’s actions were counterproductive.

And so are the actions of many people in Scripture. When Adam and Eve tried to pass the blame for eating the forbidden fruit, that was counterproductive. When David had Bathsheba’s husband killed so his adultery might not be discovered, that was counterproductive. When Judas denied knowing anything about Jesus’ betrayal, that lie was counterproductive to his salvation. Every one of those actions was counterproductive to the Holy Spirit reaching a sinful heart and bringing it to repentance and forgiveness.

That’s the point Jesus was trying to make when He talked about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee’s proud prayer was counterproductive to his relying on the Lord. On the other hand, the Publican’s “Lord be merciful to me a sinner” ended up with him going home forgiven.

No matter how sincere, how sacrificing, how earnest are our actions, everything we humans try to do to save ourselves is counterproductive. This is why we need Jesus. He has, through His life, suffering and death done all that is necessary for us to be forgiven and saved. Christ’s cross brings an end to our Christian counter productivity.

This means depending completely on Jesus we are free to live thankful lives of Christ-sharing productivity.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Redeemed"

You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19a

Some of my readers, if they’re old enough, may remember something called cash. Although cash could be stamped pieces of metal, it usually was paper imprinted in green ink with pictures of past presidents. People sometimes used cash when they went to a store. They would give some cash to a person who put it in a cash register and, in return, gave them groceries, clothing and almost anything. I have even heard about people placing cash into church collection plates. It’s a story I have not been able to verify.

Eventually cash was replaced by checks. Checks were bumped aside by plastic debit cards and plastic charge cards. With the coming of plastic, cash became a thing of the past. With a quick swipe of his plastic card, an individual could purchase almost anything he wanted.

Almost anything.

You see, there were a number of places, places like jails, where cash and checks were still the preferred means of exchange. If a person was arrested for a crime and an amount was set for his release, he could ask someone with cash to come to the jail and bail him out. Today that has changed. Major Pat Tighe of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has brought an ATM into his police station. Now, if someone wants to bail himself out of jail, he can simply swipe his credit card.

That’s progress. I imagine pretty soon they’ll put ATMs right in the squad cars and a guilty citizen will be able to skip going to jail altogether. Can’t you hear the conversation? “What’s that, officer? I was traveling 30 miles over the speed limit? A fine of $180 dollars? That’s OK, do you take American Express?”

When I first read that story last week, I remembered the price the Savior paid to release me from sin, death and Satan. Luther put it well when he wrote, “Jesus has redeemed me a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil. Not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.”

In truth, no plastic, no amount of cash, no debit card could free us from the eternal damnation our disobedience deserved. All the money in the world would not have been enough to procure our freedom. Only the sacrifice of the Savior, only upon Calvary’s cross could our release be procured. Only with Jesus’ substitution could we be freed from the fate that once awaited us. Jesus’ sacrifice to pay our debts –that’s something to think about today when you use your plastic, or even your cash to buy something.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Candy From A Baby"

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them. . . Matthew 19:13a (KJV)

The actor W.C. Fields didn’t like children. On the set of his movie, It's a Gift, Fields actually spiked Baby LeRoy's juice with alcohol and made him very sick. When Fields was asked how he liked children, depending on the day, he is supposed to have replied, “Fried”, “par-boiled” or “well done.”

That quality, along with many others, probably wouldn’t endear the politically incorrect actor to today’s movie-going audiences. Of course, there are some who say W.C. Fields was just putting on a false front for the purposes of publicity.

The same excuse can’t be said of the Michigan man who stole the summer savings of nine-year-old Milan Grundahl.

Last week, at a Mount Pleasant Wal-Mart, Milan dropped a plastic bag, which held $150.00. It was money that he had designated to buy birthday presents for his brother and sister. It only took a few moments for Milan to realize what he had done. It only took a few moments more for him to run back to the parking lot to find his birthday-gift money.

Young Mr. Grundahl didn’t find his cash.

Security cameras recorded the actions of a man who saw the boy lose his money; they show how that man snatched up the cash and took it to his car. The cameras even show the man sitting in his car counting his ill-gotten gains while the boy desperately combed the area for what he had lost.

Now, I’m certainly not going to say this story is the worst thing an adult can do to a child. It’s not. Even so, it’s a far cry from the actions of the Savior who picked children up in His arms and blessed them. That little picture of the Savior’s mercy is one that is precious to us all.

It is precious to us all because Jesus love, as well as His precious life was graciously given to children of all ages. It is a precious picture of the Savior, because, in truth, each of us has been picked up by Jesus’ nail-pierced hands. Each of us has been blessed by the crucified and risen Lord. Each of us has been blessed by the Savior who gives and doesn’t take.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Care Casting"

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. . .” John 3: 16a

How far are you willing to go to protect your children and grandchildren? How much are you willing to spend to make sure they are safe?

When Pam and I brought our three children home from the hospital, we brought them home. Now, when a family drives their baby home for the first time, they have to purchase a government-approved car seat. It’s a price most proud parents are glad to pay. When Pam and I taught our children to ride a bike, we put them on a bike, ran by their side until they got the basics, and then we turned them loose. Now, along with the bike, parents have to purchase their children a helmet, elbow pads, and kneepads. Gloves are an option. Most parents who have seen the statistics on children’s bicycle accidents are ready to pick up the tab on those items, as well.

How far are you willing to go to protect your children and grandchildren? The nation’s foremost football helmet maker, Riddell, thinks the sky is the limit when it comes to the price of parental protection. Starting this week, according to an article by TIME, Riddell is trying to sell $1,000 football helmets to high school sports programs.

Understand, these are very special helmets. These helmets have the ability to keep track of the location and severity of any impact sustained on the football field. After a game, the helmets are plugged into a computer and they will download pertinent information—information which will help coaches and parents figure out when a child has had taken enough punishment.

How much are you willing to pay to protect your children? The helmets will cost $1,000 each.

Does $1,000 sound like a pretty high price? Maybe. But that price is inconsequential to the price our heavenly Father was willing to pay to keep us safe. So that our sins might be forgiven; so we might be kept spiritually safe for all of eternity, the Father sent His Son into this world to offer up His life as a ransom for us all. That is what John said in one of the most familiar verses in all of Scripture. “God so loved the world (that) He gave His only Son.”

To keep us safe, the Father allowed His Son to be betrayed and beaten, tortured and unfairly tried. So we might be kept safe from sin, Satan and death, Jesus died on Calvary’s cross. How much was our Father willing to pay? Look at the cross where Jesus willingly gave His life so our lives might be spared.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jesus Is Alive"

Rodney Stark, social sciences professor at Baylor University, says that during the plagues that repeatedly hit the ancient Roman Empire, Romans would throw people out into the street at the first symptoms of disease. They knew the disease was dangerous, and they were afraid of dying. But the Christians were different. They stayed and nursed the sick–something you could do only if you thought, so what if I die? I have eternal life.

You will die; other people you know will die, but Jesus Christ lives. Those who die with faith in Jesus Christ will live. For Christians, death is not final.

John 20:24-31 is about how Jesus Christ appeared to a man who doubted His resurrection. That man’s name was Thomas.

Thomas, struggling to believe without seeing, touched Jesus’ body and is brought to faith, a spiritual understanding that does not rely on physical proof.

John is not the only book of the Bible God uses to reveal this. Read Romans 8:11... “And if the Spirit of [God] who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

God wants you to have the same faith He gave Thomas. Faith believes what God says in the Bible. Faith believes what is spiritual from God and does not need physical things to prove it.

Jesus physically died. Jesus physically returned to life. Jesus is alive!

Here are ten reasons to believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead:

1. A public execution assured His death.
2. A high official secured the gravesite.
3. In spite of guards, the grave was found empty.
4. Many people claim to have seen Him alive.
5. His apostles were dramatically changed.
6. Witnesses were willing to die for their claims.
7. Jewish believers changed their day of worship.
8. Although it was unexpected, it was clearly predicted.
9. It was a fitting climax to a miraculous life.
10. It fits the experience of those who trust Him.

Jesus is alive means my death is not final.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God's Way"

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26

Thomas Edison had a unique way of finding the right engineers for his company. He'd give the applicants a light bulb and ask, "How much water will it hold?" The men usually split into two groups. The first group used gauges to measure all the angels of the bulb and then made their calculations. The second group filled the bulb with water and poured the contents into a measuring cup. Engineers who took measurements were thanked and sent packing. Those who took the second way were hired.

This is my round about way of asking if are you making life harder than it has to be. That's what the first group of engineers did. They are just like the people I see who are continuously trying to get their lives straightened out all by themselves. There is another way, a simpler way. That is to trust in the Lord Jesus for guidance and assistance. He makes life simpler as we realize we don't have to do everything ourselves. In other words, if you've got a problem. . .try God's way.