The Eyes of the Lord

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Proverbs 15:3

I really know this is true, because of God's omniscience (He knows all), He must see and hear everything, too. It is not just the bottom line that He sees, such as in the intentions of our hearts or our motivations. He sees and hears details. He sees and hears what is intentionally left unsaid, and the facial expression that accompanies that. He knows when we try, and it goes unknown and unseen. He hears our quiet dry tears about the heartaches over awkward and strained miscommunications, and missed golden opportunities. His eyes are everywhere; He sees when we fake it, and when we barely get through, and when we make something out of nothing. He sees us unconsciously litter and leave messes behind. He also sees us pick up after others and clean up messes that aren't ours. He sees our compassion and our arrogance. He knows when we are trying to help and when we are really just trying to cover our own tracks. He sees and hears it all. None of it alarms Him or surprises Him. He knows, and cares, and watches because He wants to be glorified by the good, and protect us from the evil. He is our loving Father God, and The Judge. He is the Maker and Sustainer of all things. Everything is subject to Him.

Rich or Poor

"Rich and poor have this in common, the Lord is maker of them all" Proverbs 22:2

I recently was invited to an event in a rather wealthy gated neighborhood. Dawn needed to go to another family event so I represented us. Since Dawn drove our better car, I drove my father-in-law's work van since my other car is unreliable. After an inordinate and overly scrutinizing gatekeeper interview, I then wove my way back through some rather prestigious homes until I finally found my destination. I was significantly early so decided to park up the street to return some texts and calls. Since the event was being held on a cul-de-sac, I parked half a block away so as not to take up too much parking with my oversized vehicle. As I turned my wheels into the curb I spotted the cutest white poodle with pink ribbons, positioned in the picture window of the house I was parked in front of.

Marvelous Deeds

"Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:18-19

Today, I am in a double Amen mood! Today, I am indeed praising God for His marvelous deeds. I am praying right now that everyone will be as filled full of hope and joy as I am. All because I am seeing progress and momentum building in the Grace Harbor family and facility.

You Better Check Yourself before you Wreck Yourself

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" II Corinthians 13:5

I recently attended several days of meetings in Florida to represent my company at a convention with thousands of people. During this time, I would meet several high management level business associates for my work. My boss rarely sends me on such business trips, so I felt it was important to make a good first impression on behalf of my company. Due to the 3 hour time change between California and Florida, it was a little hard the first night to go to sleep at a reasonable time, so because of that, I found myself oversleeping on the next morning, suddenly jumping out of bed and having to rush around my hotel room getting ready for the breakfast gathering of the executives. I hurriedly dug through my suitcase, threw on my business attire, then had to frantically search for all my additional preparatory items, and amazingly got ready in 10 minutes… All the while, I had the opportunity to pass by a large full length mirror in my bathroom and glance to see if everything was looking “presentable”, but time ran short, and now in retrospect I realize that I failed to make one last pass by that mirror…. (Some of you can already imagine what I am about to tell you, right?)

The Vine and the Branch

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5-6

I use to work for a cellular phone company and it was an amazing experience. It was the most intense, stressful but most rewarding job that I have ever had outside of my ministry.

Tomorrow

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1

Today is always the day. The moment is always now. We should be careful about our “great big plans” for the future. I do not even know what today will bring. Twenty-four hours from now everything could be totally different. These kinds of sayings should be on our lips often to remind us of how little control we have over what can happen so fast in our lives.

A Final Opportunity

This devotional written by Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries:

"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" Luke 23:43

Talk about being in the right place at the right time. The thief on the cross got in under the wire, so to speak.

Weighed And Found Wanting

"Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found." Daniel 5:27

Nebuchadnezzar's son, Belshazzar was not the same kind of man as his father. Although he did not finish well, for a season Nebuchadnezzar had basked in the favor of God's blessing and then succumbed to his own pride and arrogance. Belshazzar was never humble, even though he knew his own father's plight. He worshiped gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone. He drank wine with his concubines poured into the temple goblets.

The Legacy of Stan Spaulding - A Shining Example of a Real Christian Man

Last Saturday, we remembered and celebrated the long (98 years) rich life of our most Senior Elder and Brother in Christ, Stan Spaulding. I have no doubt that the very first thing Stan heard after he was transformed "in the twinkling of an eye" was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saying "Well done, my Good and Faithful Servant!" Now enter into your glorious eternal reward I prepared for you before the beginning of the world” (followed by being reunited with his beloved Fran and the applause of Heaven).

Year End Closing Thoughts: Reflections on 2011

Our Daily Devotional today comes to us from Heather Gent:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5

With 2012 rapidly approaching, I find myself torn between somewhat dreamy reflections over the year that is now ending and expectant contemplations regarding the year that is to come. I've heard a number of people express immeasurable gratitude over the current year's end, but I'm not so sure I'm among the many ecstatic future goers. I'm happy to be starting a new year and chapter in life, but I'm not in some zealous hurry to jump across the line into 2012. I guess 2011 just hasn't been so bad that I'm in a mad dash to leave it all behind. On the other hand, it has had moments that were so painful I didn't think I could cope unless God Himself would come down and scoop me up - in person. I may even have asked Him once if I could light a bush on fire and pretend it was Him. My pain and inner pyromaniac aside, however, 2011 was actually a blessed year, one that contained more good than bad, greater love than pain, and increased hope and trust in God. I'm okay that it's coming to a close, but I guess I'm thankful for what it brought, so these are my closing thoughts...