“Take heart. I believe God will do exactly what He told me.” Acts 27:25 MSG.

God doesn’t always speak the word you want, but He will speak the word you need.

My thoughts and comments today are, “in God we trust.”

In uncertain times and events, you need people in your life whose words you can trust explicitly; if you do, you are fortunate. There are times you will need others with broader life-experience, with Godly wisdom, lovingly honest, and truly considerate. Everyone needs friends who will be honest with them, even when truth is uncomfortable. Value that kind of friendship; be that kind of friend. In life, I have found you usually get what you give.

God will always tell you the truth, even if you would rather not hear it. The Apostle Paul was prisoner on a ship bound for Rome, to be charged before Caesar. Read Acts 27:6-44 NIV. In a savage storm, the crew and their human cargo, “[after] many days . . finally gave up hope of being saved.” They did everything experienced sailors knew to do – strengthened the hull with ropes, dropped an anchor, lightened the ship’s cargo – but to no avail.

In a desperate situation, Paul did not lose hope. The weather was adverse; their ship and skills were overwhelmed; their future safety was doubtful. The demoralizing forecast from others was clear, but Paul waited for a clear word from God. God sent an angel to Paul with a promise, “Not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed . . God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me . . Take heart. I believe God will do exactly what He told me.” Vs. 22-26 NIV/MSG.

That is more than belief; that is strong and settled conviction. Paul reasoned with the Christ-followers in Rome, “Some . .  were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean that God will break His promises? Though everyone else in the world is a liar, let God be true.” Romans 3:3-4 NLT. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33 NIV. Paul knew his relationship with God was secure and God’s character was sure, so God could be trusted to be truthful. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV.

While others’ forecast their fears, God foresees the conclusion accurately. When life gets stormy you need time to hear from God. God doesn’t always speak the word you want, but He will always speak the word you need. God may not promise to save your ship, but He will do what He says. Don’t try to put words in God’s mouth; listen to God, then believe what He tells you. “My Word . . will accomplish all I want and prosper where I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 NLT.

The Bible says, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel . . in which it was impossible for God to lie . . which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . “ Read Hebrews 6:17-19 NKJV. You can trust God; He always tells the truth.

My prayer for you today is that you will trust God even when you don’t understand.

“A word out of your mouth . . can accomplish nearly anything – or destroy it.” James 3:5 MSG.

You possess the power to bless or curse; you can do either but you cannot do both.

My thoughts and comments today are about “words.”

Words have a longer life span and far greater importance than you may realize. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 NKJV. James gave good advice when he wrote, “Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” James 1:19. I always thought that a strange pairing of words, until I observed how anger fuels how you hear and what you say before you realize the havoc and hurt your words can cause. Choose words well; use words wisely.

You possess the power to bless or curse; you can do either, but you cannot do both. Choose words wisely. James wrote, “No one can tame the tongue . . sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out in curses against those who have been made in the image of God. So blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth – this is not right!” James 3:10.

Every time you use words positively you enhance their power; used improperly, you devalue their meaning. Sometimes slang and definitely profanity or vulgarity devalue the importance and strength of everything else you say. Their destructive power touches the one who speaks them and those who hear them – long after their sounds fall silent. That is true of the words you hear and read, as well as the words you speak. See Matthew 15:18 NLT. You live in a vulgar culture, increasingly profane. Civility and propriety are discounted as unimportant. Promises are defaulted; truth is compromised. Be decidedly different from the culture surrounding you.

Words have power. They strengthen or harm friendships, inspire or dishearten, encourage or discourage. Words of affirmation empower dreams in the heart. Words of doubt and disbelief predict fear and failure. All words have power; the more important you view person speaking them, the deeper and more lasting their effect on you. Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63. Let that be your objective as well. There is unimagined authority within your spoken words. John writes of those who “overcame the devil by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11.

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Cook, taught me appreciation for words in a book about the origin of words. My Dad taught me the practical integrity of words, “A man is only as good as his word. Don’t say something you don’t mean.” The words of my Mom and Dad influence my life long after they were spoken; words can endure beyond lifetimes. The Bible taught me the enduring quality of Godly words, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

Life taught me the double-edged potential in words, “A gentle answer turns away wrath; but a grievous word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1-2 NIV. Make every word count; weigh them carefully; share them gently. Here’s how God says this should work, “God wants you to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love – like Christ in everything . . watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.”  Ephesians 4:15/29 MSG. Each word can be a gift from God through you. My prayer is as David’s, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14. See Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 NIV.

My prayer for you today is that your heart will be pure and your words pleasing.

“Diotrephes, who loves to be first.” 3 John 9 NIV.

Longing to be important opposes your learning to be significant.

My thoughts and comments today are about “significance.”

When our first grandchild was a preschooler, she tried to unravel the mystery, “Who is the boss of me?” She asked my wife, Gayle, “Nana, if Mommy is my boss, is Daddy her boss?” From there she worked her way to the assumption of Nana being her Dad’s boss, and my being Nana’s boss. After momentary reflection and a bit puzzled, she finally asked, “Who’s Poppa’s boss?” I think her real concern was about how and when she would get to be “boss.” From early years, we have a driven need to be first. People often confuse their inherent desire to excel with a need to exceed.

John warned of the attitude of “Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence . . who likes to put himself first.” 3 John 9 NKJV/ESV. Longing to be important opposes your learning to be significant. Let others give you promotion and prominence as recognition for contribution. Jesus addressed the spiritual and moral etiquette of this, teaching His disciples that when one comes to a dinner, take a “lower seat” until and unless invited to a place of prominence by another. See Proverbs 25:6-7 NIV/Matthew 23:5-6 NKJV.

The disciples were rightly concerned with greatness, but they misunderstood the path and process. “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV. To our world, Jesus’ Kingdom seems upside down but actually is right-side-up. Jesus asked the clarifying question, “Who is greater, he that sits, being served, or he that serves? But I am among you as one who serves. He that is first is he who serves!” Luke 22:24-27. Being first to serve requires patience and trust in God’s times and ways.

It is common to want to be first. People push others aside in order to be first. If being first is an obsession that compels you, your desire has become misdirected. Being first can become a compulsion that causes you to expect advantages that would not have been yours, mistreat and disregard others, excuse compromises to get ahead, and eventually become more concerned about appearance than accomplishment. Bettering yourself might increase your importance; bettering the lives of others multiplies and extends your significance.

Self-importance is momentary; significance can be lasting. My friend, Kenny, taught me a practical exercise to counteract self-importance. “Take a bucket of water. Stick your finger into the water and pull it out; then notice how long you leave a hole!” In the broader scheme of life, no one is as singularly important as we would hope to be. Significance comes from contribution not competition.

It’s simple; to be first, you put others before yourself. Be recognized for having a heart and hands employed in serving others. “Don’t push your way to the front . . put yourself aside and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourself the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself.” Philippians 2:3-5. MSG.

My prayer for you this day is that you will be first to serve and bless others.

“We say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper . .’” Hebrews 13:6 NIV.

To be real, your confidence must have a strong foundation in the Word of God.

My thoughts and comments today are about “confidence.”

Life is better when you live with confidence. That doesn’t mean that everything will always be well or that everything goes as you expect. Confidence rests on a broader context than the moment at hand. Most people try to live in the immediate, which is ever changing. Therefore, they are ever changing also – changing moods, vacillating feelings, shifting plans, strained relationships, lessened expectations, and wavering confidence. “Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” See Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV. Everything in your life is better with confidence.

Better that your reliance is upon what is eternal, unchanging, and enduring. “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 NKJV. God wants you to live confidently – secure in God, strong in His Word, settled in your salvation, and safe in your faith. Confidence has to be about something more than the moment. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV.

The context for enduring confidence is a real faith in truth that endures; such truth is found in God alone. Paul concluded, “Therefore, we do not lose heart . . For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” Read 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 NKJV. Take your focus off anything that is “but for a moment,” and rest on what both precedes and succeeds every moment – the character of God, the Word of God, and the grace and goodness of God. Read Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV.

Real confidence begins with right living. “We are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” Hebrews 13:18 NKJV. Confidence rests secure on truth that is eternal not with facts of the moment, with what God says rather than what is happening presently. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV. To be real, confidence must have an unchanging foundation, the Word of God. “God has said . . so we say with confidence . .” Confidence strengthens by the truth of God’s words to your heart.

“The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Confidence is a strong affirmation, a clear choice, and an obvious conclusion. You won’t worry about what anyone can do to you when confident of what God has done and will do for you. Read Psalm 118:8 NKJV. What concerns you today? What worries you about tomorrow? Solomon wrote, “Keep [these] words always in your heart . . Wherever you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you.” Proverbs 6:21-23 NLT.

My prayer for you today is that your confidence rests securely on God and His Word.

“Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV.

Christ is duly exalted in your life when you seek to excel in all you do.

My thoughts and comments today are about “excelling.”

Today’s popular culture espouses an egocentric philosophy that, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” The intention itself is not wrong. You were created with an inner sense of destiny to achieve and succeed, but your reason for doing so and the means of accomplishing that may unknowingly misdirect your course in life. People may buy into a wrong philosophy without considering the price paid, compromises made, or the disregard of loss to others.

But the spirit of Kingdom culture is higher and purer. The character and currency of every Kingdom accomplishment are these: clear objectives, right focus, pure motives, sure directions, and best efforts. Paul often used athletic analogies to describe aspects of our spiritual journey. See 2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes on the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly . .” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV.

Let nothing or no one distract you from your singular goal of winning the eternal prize. Read Philippians 3:10-14 NKJV. Mediocrity is not an option. You will truly excel when your perspiration exceeds your inspiration to do so. In Paul’s analogy, he contrasts the casual contestant with the serious competitor who has trained diligently and prepared to give their best effort to compete successfully.  Paul also contrasts those who will train, sacrifice, and expend every effort merely for a temporal achievement and reward, unlike those whose training regimen and personal sacrifice are with the sole purpose of achieving Christ’s reward, eternal and incomparable. “I have fought a good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV.

Christ is duly exalted in your life when you seek to excel in all you do. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV. Listen to Paul’s prayer, “I pray, that your love may abound more and more and extend to its fullest development . . so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and best, and distinguishing the moral differences].” Philippians 1:9-10 AMP. Life deserves your best because God deserves your best – because on the cross, He gave you His best. Half efforts are unworthy.

An application of Paul’s words – “Run in such a way as to get the prize” – could be this simple; what you do in your pursuit of God’s service should be done with every intention to succeed, sparing no effort to fully achieve God’s will for your life. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 NIV. My Dad’s reminder to me was, “Allen, good enough is not good enough.” Your best effort and the Spirit’s empowering and blessing are always good enough.

My prayer for you today is that you will expect God’s best and give Him yours.