Delight in and Reflect on!

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Psalm 1:1-2

Meditate= To reflect on; contemplate.

I want to have the blessing of God on my life! I know that in order to have that I must watch that I walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the scorners seat. But, I must meditate on the law of the Lord.

The Word of God should saturate me, day and night. It should be my focus, my desire. The Word is the greatest piece of literature ever written. It is the most beautiful of love letters. The Bible is the collected writings of inspired men of God… for me.

What do I delight in and reflect on?

God knew me!

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee” Jeremiah 1:5a

God called me!

“Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee” Jeremiah 1:5b

God loves me!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

God saved me!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

God is coming back for me!

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.” John 14:3

“In His law doth he meditate day and night”

The Lord is MY Shepherd

One of the most familiar passages in the Bible is Psalm 23. It has been quoted in many different scenarios. Chances are you have heard it at a funeral or in a time of great trial. It is a comforting passage, reminding you that God is in control and He will take care of you. Truly this is a beautiful jewel of scripture nestled within the pages of the psalms. However, as much as can be had from this passage, there is so much to glean from just the first 5 words.

“The Lord is my shepherd”

Here the psalmist gives us passage into his heart. He shows us that the Lord is “my” shepherd. How easily would it have been to say that the Lord was the Great Shepherd or the Shepherd of the world, but instead the psalmist makes is personal. The Lord is “my” shepherd. It was personal!

David knew much about shepherding. It would be safe to say that he had become quite the expert. When we first find David in 1 Samuel 16 he is keeping the sheep. He had spent many an hour upon the hillsides of Bethlehem watching over sheep. I believe that we could assume that David knew the responsibility of a shepherd. So when he says that the Lord was his shepherd, he understood what it meant.

I would like to submit to you a few characteristics of a good shepherd, My Shepherd:

1. My Shepherd is Present

He is there! Right along my side in the mountains and the valleys of life, I will find Him. In the darkest of night and the brightest of day, He is there. He has promised me that He will never leave me nor forsake me! Over and over I have found this to be true, whether I am in the midst of heartache or happiness, my Shepherd is with me. He is constantly abiding!

2. My Shepherd is Providing

I am so thankful for this. Just as the sheep had to be provided for, I am in need of provision. Through every day my Shepherd leads me to the best streams and the best pastures. He knows exactly what I need and when I need it. Though I may not see it, the Shepherd knows what is best. He is constantly providing.

3. My Shepherd is Protective

Sheep are pretty helpless. They are not exactly fierce, fighting creatures. If you notice that God never asked man “Would you like to be called a sheep or maybe…. a tiger.” It wasn’t an option. we are just dumb sheep. The significance here is that we need protection. David had practiced on lions and bears before he ever got to Goliath. Shepherds were expert marksman because they were constantly protecting their sheep from harm. You matter to your shepherd! It’s not bad to just graze around and lie in the pasture when you know He is watching out for you!

4. My Shepherd is Personal

The relationship that a shepherd and his flock share is very unique. In Bible times is was common for shepherds to bring their flocks closer to the city and place them with other sheep in a type of “Sheep parking lot”. Yes I made that up. Nonetheless, there was a large space were shepherds would bring their sheep. When the morning would come the sheep would have a special call that his sheep had learned. They would seperate from the rest of the sheep and follow the shepherd. It was personal! He knew them and they knew Him. It was personal

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” John 10:3-4

The beautiful truth is when David was telling us that the Lord was his Shepherd. He knew that a shepherd was present, providing, protecting, and personal to his sheep. David’s Shepherd and our Shepherd is the same! He is constantly abiding! He is always providing! He is looking out for you and He knows you! We have a great shepherd! He is My Shepherd!

“Not about us, all about Him”

The Low Man Wins

I love football!

If you have spent any time around football you have heard the phrase “The low man wins”. While this is only a four word phrase, it is extremely profound. Coaches will tell their players that the one who can gain the most leverage on his opponent will be the most successful. If your pads are lower than those of your opponent’s, you will determine what happens in any given play.

Have you ever thought of life as a football game? Probably not… so humor me! I have felt at times that life is a fire breathing, bone crunching lineman bearing down on me with the intent of just mowing me down.

Today was one of those days… I felt as though I had been run over. Have you ever been there? Maybe you are a bit fatigued, a bit discouraged, or you’re just on edge. It is on those days that I have to pay special attention to my attitude.

I arrived on a work site this morning and immediately a customer that I had spent HOURS with yesterday came to me with a problem. They were frustrated then because of an issue they had brought on themself and I had spent more time than normal trying to help them out. In their frustration this morning they made a comment toward me that went something like “If….. had just been done ….., this would have never been a problem.” They were in essence blaming me for their mistake.

Whether it was the weather outside, sleeping on the wrong side of the bed, or forgetting to eat my wheaties, this just rubbed me the wrong way. Instantly I was in a poor mood and had a tough time keeping my mouth closed. I’m thinking… If YOU had done what you were supposed to…. this wouldn’t have been a problem.

I don’t know about you but I have a strong sense of self-preservation, meaning I tend to look out for myself. Now I know that isn’t the best attitude to carry around and it is one I am continually having to watch out for. It tends to lead to selfishness, worry, pride, anger, being easily offended, or just plain grumpiness. In those moments, I watch out for everyone as I subconsciously tend to feel they are “out to get me”. I can be way too quick to defend my rights in my mind.

After dealing with the customer and fixing their problem, with a forced smile, I decided I need to get my mind right and so I got out of the way for a bit and opened my Bible with no particular direction and found myself in Matthew 23. As I read my path took me down to verse 12 and to be honest I got no further. Wouldn’t you know that God knew exactly what I needed. My eyes fell on these words:

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

In other words, the low man wins!

As I thought of this, I reread the verse before.

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

How true, the greatest ever made Himself low. He humbled Himself, for us. Our savior:

“…made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

It was not the religous leaders that plotted against Him, the crowd that mocked Him, the soldiers that beat Him to a bloody pulp, or the rulers who washed their hands of Him that showed strength.

It was He who was “led as a sheep to the slaughter” that “opened not His mouth” that showed strength! He was the low man.

When one thinks of the low man, may he not think of him as weak, for there is strength in lowness.

The low man in football is in the strongest position. The same is true in life, The low man is greatest. I determined to not think of my rights or how someone is infringing on them. Christ didn’t. I can’t think of my desires for Christ never thought of His own. You were His desire. I must not be self-preserving for in preserving myself I am preferring myself . I am giving myself a place that is not mine to have.

When life is bearing down on you and situations and people are at your throat, take the low road. The low man wins!

“Not about us, All about Him”

The Secret of Contentment

Ok, so maybe it’s only a secret to some people! But, if you do know the secret to contentment maybe you need a refresher. Some of us live like we have forgotten!

The word contentment means “assenting to or willing to accept circumstances”.

I don’t know about you, but, there are some times in my life when I find it difficult to accept circumstances. Whether it be bills that are stacking up, a relationship that is strained, or a desire to have something that I can’t, circumstances can be a bit overwhelming.

I was reading while I was in one of these “funky” moods the other day and ran across a verse dealing with contentment. I began to study it out a bit and came up with a three piece plan to defeat discontentment. I hope it can be a blessing to you!

In my moments of discontentment, I have determined I will:

1. Remember God’s provison

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.“
(1 Timothy 6:6-8)

Paul makes it pretty simple for us here. Godliness with contentment is great gain! We tend to be possessive as people. We would all say, if we are honest, that we like to have nice things! Who doesn’t? But we are reminded, We came into this world with nothing and we shall return to the earth the same way. It has been said, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer”. What possessions we gain will eventually fade away, they are not necessary for survival. So what do we need to survive? The answer is basic, Raiments to shield us from the elements of life and Food to sustain us from hunger. We are given both! Most of us don’t have to worry about where the next meal is coming from, I doubt that anyone that is reading this is dying from starvation! (If you are, may I suggest that you sell your computer for whatever you can get and go get some Chick-Fil-A) Thus, any of us should fit inside the mold for contentment. Should I be content? Do you have food and clothing? If yes, then there ya go, your answer is YES!

2. Recognize God’s presence

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“
(Hebrews 13:5)

Play along with me if you will. If, by some unfortunate series of events, it were the case that we only had the two things we mentioned earlier, food and raiment, we would still have the presence of God. He has promised us that He will not leave us! If you are going through the darkest trial of your life, He is there! If you are struggling and don’t think you can make it another day, He is there. If you are in sin and are miserable, He is there! He tells us, “I will NEVER leave thee”. In the greek language that this verse was written, the word “never” means…. Wait for it…. NEVER!!!

He is there! He is with you! He loves you with a love that is unending! He will never leave you, or forsake you! You can take that promise to the bank!

3. Rejoice in God’s plan

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
(Philippians 4:11)

I can’t help but think that Paul had been in some pretty dirty, discouraging, and depressing places. He was a man familiar with pain. Whether it was a shipwreck, snake bite, or stoning, he had seen his share of hardships. But, this same man says to us that through all of this he has learned “In whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content.” Wow! He got it!

I understand people hurt. Honestly, I am blown away by the amount of pain that some people have endured. But, we serve a God that has a plan. In the midst of those times, it is easy to wonder, Why me? Why is this happening? Or, Why is this happening to someone that I love? Whether it is your pain or the pain of another, you wish that you could put an end to it!

In these times of turmoil, I have found a passage that I cling to. It was written by the prophet Jeremiah “to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon”. These people were removed from their homes and taken away from all they knew. They were now living in a foreign land under the rule of a heathen king. They could relate to pain.

Jeremiah wrote to them:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

God always has an expected end. He has a plan! In your trial call out to Him, seek Him, search for Him with all your heart!

In your times of discontentment, I challenge you to remember God’s provision, recognize His presence, and rejoice in His plan. This is truly the secret to contentment!

In Christ,

“Not about us, All about Him”

I am Poor and Needy

The more I grow and mature in my faith, it seems that I can simply see clearer how poor and needy I really am! I really can relate to the psalmist when he says:

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 40:17





What does it mean to be poor and needy? Simply put, you are at the mercy of another. But this verse says that when I am poor and needy.... "He thinks upon me".

Today, I made a list of a few of the things which I so desperately need and His answer to my needs.

1. I am a sinner in need of a savior.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

2. I am one who is weak in need of strength
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1

3. I am one who is wandering in need of direction
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6

4. I am one who is burdened in need of a burden bearer
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22

5. I am one who has questions in need of answers
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

I may be poor and needy but, in my weakness, He is strong. In my need, He is near.


I am so thankful for His promise:
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

"Not about us, All about Him!"

Guest Post: Watch out for the Catch Phrases

This is a guest post by my friend Nathan Stonestreet.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Proverbs 28:26

Let’s test your consumer IQ. I’m going to say a catch phrase, you say the company. Ready? Go!!

‘Just Do It’

‘I bet you can’t eat just one’

‘Raising the bar’

‘We love to see you smile’

‘Where amazing happens’

( That’s a newer one, but, in honor of NBA all star weekend, I had to throw it in there! Oh, and yes it’s a newer catch phrase for the NBA)

Chances are you got a couple of these right. Unless you live under a rock (or are over 50 years old ) you’ve heard at least a couple of these before.

(You can Google the catch phrases you didn’t get later:-)

Well, if you're still reading and you're not on Google, there is a popular catch phrase that has taken the world by storm. Even the Christian world loves this one - ‘Listen to your Heart’. It sounds so sweet right? Chances are if you are into romantic movies or read romantic novels you hear that a lot. (I can’t say that I personally am, after all there’s a reason I’m a part of the group consumed SINGLES!) There was even a popular song that came out a few years ago called ‘Listen to your Heart’ (if the tune is coming to your mind, that wasn’t the point of me saying that) . But what’s the big deal about listening to your heart? Even God says to love Him with all your heart right? So the heart can’t be too bad right? WRONG!

Proverbs 28:26 says if you listen to your heart you’re a fool. In Jeremiah 17 God’s people were away from Him. Jeremiah goes to the witness stand and gives the verdict –guilty! Yikes! That one hurt, but he goes a step further and tells them why. What had taken these people from God loving to God leaving? It was simple – they trusted in themselves (their heart), in verse 9 God tells them your heart is deceitful above all things. I can see Jeremiah shaking his head as he wrote chapter 17 asking himself ‘why would they listen to their heart’? I don’t care how spiritual you think you are, we are all just a decision or two away from spiritual ruin. It’s so easy to listen to your heart unintentionally, but when we do we are headed on the path to spiritual ruin. But there is hope! We don’t have to do it. Before we make decisions (especially a big one) we better remember to make sure we aren’t making it based on heart. Here’s a few questions you might want to ask yourself to see if your heart is leading the way.

1. Is there a Biblical Principle to back up what I’m doing? Psalms 119: 105

2. Will I regret this later? (Check out Lot’s life, the end result Genesis 19)

3. Would I want younger Christians seeing me do this? II Timothy 2:2

4. Will this affect the cause of Christ in a positive way? –Philippians 3:8

5. Can I do this in the name of Jesus? – Colossians 3:17

6. Is the Holy Spirit TRULY leading me to do this? – John 16:13

I was visiting a new lady in our church this afternoon. She was literally weeping telling me about all these struggles she’s having because of decisions she has made (Particularly with a relationship that she is trying to get out of). She said she would do anything to take back some of those decisions. She said she thought she was making the right decision with this man just a few short years ago. She THOUGHT she was right. Her heart told her one thing, but as she is experiencing now the results of ‘ listening to her heart’. It may feel good at the time, but the pain of listening to your heart is going to hit you like a ton of bricks down the road!

Want to go from God loving to God leaving? Just listen to that great catch phrase ‘Listen to your Heart’.

"Not about us, All about Him"

Wake up!

I have a confession to make. I am not a morning person! I can stay awake all night, but, I don't enjoy getting out of bed in the morning. Whether it is the pure comfort of my bed, the perfect contour of my pillow, or just plain laziness, I struggle to get up!

God has a great way of teaching us lessons and decided to help me with this in college. My Junior year at West Coast, I was in a room with 4 guys of like faith. Translation= we saw the value in sleep more than breakfast! Then God put another believer in our midst. He however was not learned in the ways of the snooze button and thought it best to jump off the bed above me, turn on lights and hum. All of these travesties occurred in the wee hours of dawn (5:30 A.M.). I had been blessed with an early rising, cheerful, and sometimes LOUD roommate! My first class in the morning was at 7:30 and my routine had been patterned to perfection... Wake up at 6:40 and hit the snooze for 5 more minutes, crawl out of bed at 6:45 and run to the showers, pull out the ironing board at 7, put away the board at 7:05, shove a bagel or pop-tart in my mouth, straighten my bed as to avoid little yellow slips of paper fondly referred to as demerits, do my room/dorm chore and sprint to class! This fit my plan perfectly! My roommate had other plans! Now I will not lie to you and tell you that I began to wake up early with him, I didn't! But, I did learn the value of getting up early. I never saw Hector rushing to class, frantically looking for a sock, or going to class looking disheveled. He knew to wake up!


I was reading Paul's letter to the Romans today and this is what I saw in chapter 13:


¹¹And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

¹²The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

In these verses we see 3 commands!


1. Awake out of sleep: (Wake Up!)
2. Cast off the works of darkness (Get out of your bed clothes)
3. Put on the armour of light. (Get dressed in the right clothes)

"It is high time to awake out of sleep!".

Why did Paul say high time as opposed to saying, It is time? High time brings a sense of urgency, literally what Paul is saying is, it is critical time!

It was critical for this reason, Christ's coming or our passing is closer today than it has been at any time before!

Paul says: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand" In the greek the phrase "is at hand" is Perfect active indicative meaning "has drawn nigh." This is a vivid picture of a day-break.

It is too easy to sleep our lives away, literally and spiritually! It is easy to love the darkness of temporal pleasure. We then attempt to wake up but we are running around with the bed clothes on, the works of darkness! We must cast away those garments and put on the armor of light!

There is a work to do! Men and women are dying! Souls are in the balance! Lives are hurting and looking for something, anything, to help the pain! We hold the answer!

I think Paul says well in 1 Corinthians 6:19:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

You are a vessel for the Masters use! You are an instrument of God!

Wake up! Cast off! Put on!

"Not about us, All about Him!"