Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oh, how I love it when my wife makes chocolate chip cookies. There is nothing like the taste of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Fortunately, she usually bakes a supply that lasts a couple weeks. Unfortunately, there still is a limit to these morsels of goodness.

Psalm 31:19 says, “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind.” God’s goodness is abundant toward those who trust Him. He stores His goodness up to be ready for us when we depend on Him and He activates His goodness when we take refuge in Him. His goodness is available to us in an unlimited supply.

Job Application

If you’ve ever applied for a job, certain things are expected. You may fill out an application or prepare a resume. You words will be designed to demonstrate that you are qualified for the position. Then you may be called for an interview, where, again, your words will be carefully constructed to confirm that you are qualified.

Isaiah 6:8 says, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.'” God’s qualification process is entirely different. He calls everyone of us, without respect to our qualifications, because we would never be able to qualify. When God calls you, how will you respond? Every day, He calls us to Himself, and wants us to do something or say something. A popular worship song says, “It’s not time to be silent. Don’t you dare hide your light!” Today, is the day for us to respond to God’s call and say, “Here I am! Send me.”

Trust Versus Fear

Suppose you are driving down a rural highway through the mountains. You are enjoying the views and not paying much attention to your speed. Then, you see a police car. Your automatic reaction is to look at your speedometer and slow down, no matter at what speed you are currently driving. Why is that? It is because, when we are doing something wrong, we naturally fear getting caught and punished. However, when we are doing the right things, this fear is not within us. Righteousness leads to trust and vice versa. When we are walking in a trusting relationship with God, fear is removed.

Psalm 112:6-8 says, “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” The phrases “fear not” and “do not be afraid” are spoken by God hundreds of times in God’s Word. He promises to protect us and keep us. He has all authority and power. What then shall we fear? If we are walking in righteousness, trusting God, He removes all fear and replaces it with peace.

Sowing, Watering, and Reaping

The farmer will not reap a bountiful crop if he doesn’t first plant seed, and then water and care for the crops as they grow. We generally do not reap the benefits of friendship until we practice being friendly. We can not expect to receive love until we give love. If we are not sowing the seeds of goodness, kindness, and mercy, we will not receive these gifts.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” God’s Word will always accomplish the purpose for which it is given to us. Therefore, it is so important that we know His Word so that God can accomplish His purpose in and through us. Through His Word, He will sew the seeds of mercy, love, and grace in our lives, and we will reap the rewards.

From Dark to Light

I have a particularly difficult time moving from a dark environment to a light one. It takes time for my eyes to adjust so that I can once again see well. In fact, when I simply go outside from inside a store or restaurant, I always sneeze, three times. The great thing about the light is that it completely destroys the darkness, allowing us to see well. Darkness has no power where there is light. Light heals us of the infirmities of darkness.

Malachi 4:2 says, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” Jesus is called the Light of the World. As such, His righteousness dispels gloom, oppression, and injustice. His light brings healing of all brokenness, causing us to leap for joy.