February 12
The Coupled Express of Life
What is faith? … it is impossible to please God without faith.
Hebrews 11:1a, 6b (NLT)
As someone who wants to please God, I cannot get around this simple fact: it takes faith.
Hebrews 11 reminds us of the great heroes of the Bible: Noah, Abraham, Moses, and so many more. Because of their faith, God was able to use their lives in powerful ways. I want to see that power and effectiveness in my life too—don't you? It takes faith.
Have you ever seen the Four Spiritual Laws—the Gospel tract that explains the Good News of Jesus? Near the end it shows a diagram of a train with three cars—an engine, a coal car, and a caboose. The cars are labeled FACT, FAITH, and FEELING. The engine (FACT) represents God’s powerful word, His truth designed to motivate and pull us in the right direction. It is our FAITH in God, the second car, which stokes that life-engine, while the FEELING, the caboose, just happens to be along for the ride.
The point I get from that simple sketch is that our emotional experiences, both good and bad, should never drive our souls. Instead, we need that coal wagon, that faith in God to connect the truth of God’s word with the reality of our life situation. Without it, we will never reach that station called Significance. In fact, we won't go much of anywhere.
So let’s start connecting those cars. Let’s hook ‘em up and watch how God moves our lives!
Lord, increase our faith. Amen.

February 11
Those Big Decisions
Be silent and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
My oldest son finishes high school this year. Right now, he is grappling with the question, “What do I do with my life?” It is a common question, is it not? And not just for college bound students. Some may see the way ahead clearly, but I sense many do not.
For any of us facing a big decision—or really, any decision—I say this: Get so close to God you can hear Him breathe. Really. Find God. Cling to Him. And listen. Capture His words and take them to heart. Do this and you will discover and walk His path—His unique way for you.
Are you at a crossroads in life? Talk to God. Spend time with Him in His word … and listen!
Speak to my heart Lord and have Your way with me. Amen.

February 10
Take the High Ground
The Pharisees were indignant. “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” they asked his disciples. When he heard this, Jesus replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices.’ For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.
Matthew 8:11-13 (NLT)
Judging and being judged: it quickly turns into a two-way street. It is just too easy to judge those who judge us. Am I right?
I was reminded of this just last week. My wife has a friend who, along with her husband, no longer attends church. “Why?” my wife asked. “Too many hypocrites,” came the reply. After explaining the difficult situation, she was placed in, the woman added, “and when they found out my brother was a homosexual, you should have seen the cold stares we got!”
This story saddened both of us. As Christians, are we not to be like Christ—the ultimate judge—who didn’t cast judgment on the one hand, and who forgave so many of us on the other? The Bible says, “All have sinned.” So, who are we to judge?
Jesus handled the situation perfectly. He took the spiritual high ground and turned an ugly scene into a teachable moment—for disciple and Pharisee alike. Instead of cowering, He stood His ground and corrected the error.
So, let’s not judge, and let’s not allow imperfect brothers and sisters to keep us from knowing and worshipping our perfect God. Let's be like Jesus and take the high ground.
Father, help us to forgive … and live! In Christ’s name, Amen.

February 9
Preserved for Glory
Your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)

I have no greater comfort in this life than to know God watches over me. This is not because I am a great person. It is because He is a great God! And He does this for all His people.
Jesus says to us all, “Come, follow Me!” And when we respond to that call, He gently touches our lives, hold us secure, and never lets us go (John 10:28). When this reality sinks in, we will not fear what others say, what they do, or what they think. We are hidden with Christ in God! He blesses us in a way the world will never understand. We are in His hands—not theirs.
With all that said, there may be little glory for us here on earth, but the glory we will share with Him will make our trials on earth seem like a blip. Someday, life will be so good, so open; memories of this life will fade.
He is hiding us now for a reason. Someday, He will draw us out and reveal us to a new world where seemingly numberless crowds will cheer. Someday, we will not be hidden; we will be set free to revel in Him.
Today, His hand is upon us, sheltering us for that future day. Rejoice! We have much to celebrate.
Lord, thank You for hiding me, for protecting me, for preserving me for Your glory. Praise Your holy name! Amen.

February 8
Catch the Eye of God
This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Isaiah 66:26 (NIV)
Ever wonder what catches God’s eye? Ever wonder why some of the most unlikely people seem to have the powerful hand of God on their lives?
If we want to have more evidence of God working in our lives, and I think a lot of us do, we should pay attention to Isaiah. He clues us in on three qualities God esteems.
First, we need humility. This is a willingness to go the extra mile, to do the dirty little job beneath everyone else, to serve where others recoil. It’s thinking more of others and less of ourselves and it pleases God greatly. Jesus exemplified humility. We need to be more like Jesus. Second, we need to be genuinely sorry for our wrongs, make amends and begin anew. True contrition is not living in guilt; it is confessing our shortcomings, picking ourselves up and pressing on with the work He has given us. Paul understood this. He encourages us to forget the past and ... press on (Philippians 3:13)!
Finally, if we are to catch God’s eye we need an awesome respect for His word. The saying “God said it; I believe it; that settles it” should be taken to heart. God spoke to Isaiah and used him in a great way. He can do the same with our lives.
God speaks, but are we listening?
Lord, make me the person You want me to be. Let me please You greatly. Amen.

February 7
Renewing My Attitude
Love is patient, love is kind … it is not easily angered....
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)
… there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.
Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)
… and if I … have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
The other day, I caught myself. My Christian walk and witness were being challenged, and frankly, I was failing the test.
My son and his friends were everywhere, doing everything they could to disturb my day, or so it seemed. They sang and played as loud as they could; they barged into my study without knocking; they interrupted an important phone call. And on it went. They made messes they didn’t clean up; they put their feet on the walls and they dragged dirt into the house. All this on one of my busiest days.
I nearly blew a gasket, and then I remembered 1 Corinthians 13, and the words struck me hard: “Love is patient, love is kind … it is not easily angered.” At that moment, I realized if I am to be the person God wants me to be, I must have this love. Without it … I am nothing. After a few soul-searching moments I changed my attitude toward these children. The kids weren't the issue ... my heart was the issue here.
So where is your heart today? Is it full of God’s love?
Lord, renew our hearts and minds with an attitude of love. Amen.

February 6

Prepare to Party!

… as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5 (NIV)

We just don’t get it, do we? We fail to understand just how much God loves us, how much He cares, and how He longs to dote on us.

We are so focused on our tiny concerns we have lost the big picture: as believers in Christ, we will spend eternity with God. Even now, He is preparing a place for us so great, we can’t even imagine it. The problem is, and this is the real issue: we don’t even try!

Let’s come to understand this great truth: God is crazy about us. The Scripture says, “For God SO loved the world” … He found a way to rescue us. And now, I think He looks for any excuse to bless us—here certainly, but in eternity, most definitely. So understand this: life is short, it can be hard, but all of heaven cheers us on to our finish line.

Let’s live for Christ … and get ready to party!

Lord, open our eyes to Your grace, and prepare our hearts for celebration. Amen.