Honor

Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Honoring our mother and father is something beyond giving them a special day once a year. We honor our mother and father by becoming the best person we can be, thus giving them honor in who we have become. Trust Jesus. Walk with Him. Be transformed into His image by His power and for His glory.

One Perfect Hack

A variety of sources offer us hacks to make life easier and better. The reliability of these hacks are in question, however. Also depending upon our specific situation, the hacks may not be useful or effective. One hack has proven faultless time after time. When facing struggles or problems, go to God. He has never failed.

In Isaiah 41:10 God says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Whenever troubles arise, we have a place and person to go to for certain help. God promises to strengthen, help, and uphold His children.

Doing Good

Sometimes, even when I think I am trying to do something good, the results are confusing. Maybe some selfish motives entered the process. Perhaps I didn’t fully understand the situation. It is only when I am led by God and empowered by His Spirit that I can honestly say that the good that I wanted to do was truly accomplished. His leading provides the standard for good, and His Spirit provides the ability to do good.

Psalm 19:8-9 says, “the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.” Whenever we struggle with doing the good things, we can remember that doing good makes our hearts rejoice, brightens our outlook, and reveals truth.

Waters Cover the Sea

Today, we spent some time on the shore of Lake Michigan. As far as we could see, we could only see water. I don’t know how much water is in this lake, but I do know that it’s a lot of water, and this is just one of the Great Lakes.

Habbakuk 2:14 says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Whether we choose to acknowledge this truth or not, God has covered the whole earth with the knowledge of His glory. It can be seen in the birds in flight, the waves on the seas, the crash of lightning and thunder, the power of a mighty waterfall, and the precious cry of a newly born baby. In the end, we will all bow to the knowledge of His glory.

Arrayed in Glory

At this time every year, the city of Holland, Michigan has what they call the Tulip Time Festival. Tulips are everywhere, adorning the streets, shops, and fields. I am not really a flower guy, but I admit the site is pretty spectacular. Some people try to match the glory of tulips in bloom by applying makeup, buying fancy clothing, and wearing jewelry. Like the tulips, their glory is temporary and misguided.

In Matthew 6:28-29 Jesus says, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” We can be anxious about so many things? Most of these things we can little about. However, if we trust God, instead of being anxious, He will do something more beautiful than we can imagine. The glory that God creates in us is eternal and exceeds the glory available in this world.