It was New Year’s Day almost 100 years ago and it was the Rose Bowl Game with Georgia Tech  playing against the University of California. During the first half of the game California’s Roy  Riegles recovered a fumble and got turned around and ran the wrong way for 65 yards. One of  his teammates ran after him and caught him just before he scored a safety for Georgia Tech.  California couldn’t move the ball and had to punt near the goal line, and Georgia blocked it and  scored the safety. When they went into the locker room for halftime, the California coach didn’t  say a word. That’s not how halftimes work. Usually there is a great deal that is said. The  timekeeper came in with a three-minute warning for starting the second half. Roy had been  sitting in a corner with a blanket over his head. The simply said “The same team that started the  first half will start the second half. The players all started out…except for Riegles. The coach  came over to him, and the big football player’s cheeks were wet with tears. He said “Roy, didn’t  you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second half.” Riegels said  “Coach, I’ve ruined you I’ve ruined the University of California, I’ve ruined myself.” The coach  put his hand on his shoulder and said “Roy, get up and go only back out; the game is only half  over.” You’ve made mistakes and I’ve made mistakes. And people will remember them. But 
God reminds us that life doesn’t have to end with a mistake. We can be forgiven and God wants  us to forget was lies behind us, repent when we need to, ask for forgiveness and get back into the  game. The God of the Bible is the God of the second chance…as well as the third and fourth and  even more. No matter where you have been, what you have done or how many people have seen  you mess up…your game is not over. God is not through with you. God has not given up on you.  Don’t you give up on God. Get back out there and get in the game of life again. You don’t have  any idea what good God has for you still. Here’s our Bible verse for today…  
Proverbs 24:16 NLT The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster  is enough to overthrow the wicked.  
Remember I'm praying for you,  
PJ  

I remember a wonderful story that a couple shared with me. They are gone now but they told  how they wanted to get married and they had committed their lives to this Jesus of the Bible and  were in love and ready to live their lives together until death separated them. The problem was  that they were set to get married and the groom was in the army and for some reason was not  able to get leave for the marriage ceremony. The crazy thing was that he had a twin brother who  was stationed with him and they came up with a plan that only crazy young guys would consider.  On the wedding day, they would trade places. They would switch uniforms and my friends  would go to the wedding, and the twin would take the brother’s place and fulfill the duty that his  brother was scheduled to do. And they pulled it off! I’ve thought about that story for years and it  always makes me think of what this Jesus of the Bible did for us. He died on the cross…but that  was my cross and every person’s cross. He literally switched places with us. Because of our sin,  we are all separated from God. No matter how good we have been or think we have been…none  of us can claim to being free from ever having sinned. Even our deaths wouldn’t be enough and  so for us to be brought back to God, Jesus took the place of every man, woman and child. And  he could do it because the Bible claims that he was indeed God who joined us here on this earth 
as one of us and because he had no sin he died as payment for us. The apostle Peter wrote that it  was the upright one taking the place of sinners. And because of that act, our sins can be forgiven  if we simply come and ask and give ourselves to his love. If you ever doubt the love of God for  
you, remember the cross…the godly dying for the ungodly. The perfect sacrificing for the  hopelessly broken. Forgiveness is paid for…but it will never be forced on any human. We have  been given the precious but dangerous gift of freedom to choose our own destiny. Each person,  in their journey has the opportunity to receive forgiveness…every sin ever committed wiped  away. And the tragedy of the human drama is that most will simply say “No thanks”.  Remember this offer is a limited time deal…it expires for you when you expire. Don’t miss the  greatest gift you could ever receive…forgiveness…grace from God that makes you sinless in his  sight. And you didn’t do a thing to earn it…it is a gift from God so that no human could ever  boast of having it. Don’t pass it up…and don’t let those around you miss this deal of a  lifetime…eternal life paid for by someone who loves you more than anyone ever would or could.  Here’s our Bible verse for today…  
 1 Peter 3:18 BBE Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the  place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh,  but given life in the Spirit; 
Remember I'm praying for you,  
PJ  

I had a coach when I was in high school who was only about 8 years older than me. He was a  great teacher in the classroom but also in sports. And one of the things that this 23 year old  stressed as important was we young men having good character. I was 15 when I first came  under his influence and I still remember how important he let us know that was. And later in life  I discovered that the Bible says that our character is important to us as followers of this Jesus of  the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Rome that we ought to rejoice  when we run into problems and trials in our life. And the reason is that they help us to develop  endurance. And that is important because endurance is a part of character development. And  character makes our faith stronger. But the price of character development is not to focus on  how we feel, but on how we think. And the Bible calls us to think and then act like Jesus did. In  Philippians 2 Paul writes that Jesus gave up his divine privileges and instead came to earth as  one of us and took the humble position of a slave. He humbled himself in obedience to God and 
died a criminal’s death on a cross. Character is costly. Thinking critically and thinking godly is  hard. But God uses all that to change us. So, remember that the hard times in your life are in  fact opportunities for your faith to be tested and in turn to grow. So hard times are…well, they  are hard! But in those times God has not abandoned you but instead is refining you and  conforming you to the image of this Jesus, the Son of God. So many years ago, our coach knew  that for us to be the best that we could be started not in competition with others, but with the  development of our minds and hearts. Let God do that for you and the result of your journey on  this planet will be that you will see God make you the best you, you could be here and now…and  forever with him in eternity. Hard? You bet, or else everybody would be doing it! Worth it? Oh  yeah! Here’s our Bible verse for today…  
Romans 5:3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that  they help us develop endurance. (4) And endurance develops strength of character, and  character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (5) And this hope will not lead to  disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit  to fill our hearts with his love.  
Remember I'm praying for you,  
PJ  

I bet you’ve been hurt sometime in your life. It might have been spiritually or emotionally or  maybe even physically. The pain may have been recent or even a long time ago, but it was real.  Some people might say that you just need to forget it and get on with your life. But can you?  No, not really. So, what do you do? First, pray, asking God to help you release your heavy  burdens and hurtful memories to him. Tell God that you are ready to let go of anger and  bitterness. Next, ask him to help you to not focus on your past but on the present and the future  that God has for you. And then ask God to help you to forgive those who have hurt you. While  we cannot erase the memory of pain that someone else has brought to our lives, we have a choice  to become bitter or better. There are many folks who find satisfaction in being bitter and  replaying the hurting that others have done. But if we want to live the life that God wants for us,  that is life to the fullest, he will help us get better. God knows the tears that you have shed and  we are reminded in the Bible that God collects all our tears (Psalm 56:8) and he makes the  promise that one day he will wipe every tear from your eyes in a place where there is no more  death or sorrow or crying or pain. That all those things will be gone forever (Revelation 21:4). 
Never forget that God knows your pain and will help you on your journey. Don’t grow  bitter…get better. Here’s our Bible verse for today…  
Psalms 34:18 NLT The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are  crushed.  
Remember I'm praying for you,  
PJ  

I finally got my chance to go to the beach and to go body boarding in the ocean. Our whole  family was together at the beach, and I had been waiting for this since last Fall. I kept telling  everyone that I was hoping to get to the beach even in the cold just to be able to ride the waves.  We got out in the ocean on the first day and my wetsuit was working great and I was ready to  have a whole week of fun! I did my first run, and it was awesome! And then a second and then a  third. I was so excited at the thought that I had today and then five more days beside. I took a  few tumbles but wasn’t discouraged, it is all part of the game. And then there was a wave that  didn’t look unusual, but I got caught up in it and it turned and twisted and I still held on to my  board with that right hand…and then I felt it. It jerked my shoulder and arm back with a quick  crashing of water and all I felt was pain. It wasn’t horrible, but I walked out on the beach and  moved my arm around and the pain seemed tolerable…so I went back out! The first wave  caught me and it was then that I knew I was hurt. So I walked up to my towel and watched our  gang dance in the waves. I tried it again for two more days, but I realized after just one run that  it wasn’t going to work. And so I spent the rest of the vacation sitting and watching other family  members play. Was I disappointed? You bet! Did I pray? Sure did. But I was still injured. I had 
waited the better part of a year…for this week, and now this. I don’t know why it  happened…not counting my lower skill level. Disappointment is a tough thing to deal with.  And all of us have been there and will be there again. I don’t know why it happened, but I  realized that this was a great time to trust God. The Bible tells us that God’s thoughts are not  your thoughts, and neither are his ways our ways. And as the heavens are higher than the earth,  so are his ways higher than my ways. I sure wanted to be out there with my kids and grandkids,  but I was reminded that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are  called according to his purpose. Disappointed…you bet. But thankful that I got to be with my  family at a beautiful beach and share those days with them. And maybe some day God will show  my why he wanted me on the beach in chair that week instead of in the water. But even if he  doesn’t, I will trust his judgement because I know of his love and kindness for me. So, when  disappointment comes your way…slow down and listen to see if you might hear the voice of  God in your heart and his loving touch on your spirit. Here’s our Bible verse for today…  
Remember I'm praying for you,  
PJ  

In Mark, chapter 6, there is recorded Jesus feeding 5,000 men plus women and children with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish. An awesome miracle. But when the big day is over, Jesus insists that his disciples get in their boat and head back across the Sea of Galilee. It turns night and the disciples are fighting winds and waves and are stuck in the middle of the lake. At about 3:00 in the morning Jesus saw that they were struggling and walked on the water to them and intended to go past them. They are frightened but he spoke to them and got into the boat and the lake was immediately calm. Great story, but I've always wondered why Jesus was intending to walk past them? They were in trouble and Jesus was going to pass them by. But someone pointed out three things about this account. First, he was walking on the sea...in Job it says that God alone walks on the waves of the sea. But he was going to pass them by. To "pass by" was the language used when God revealed his glory to Moses in Exodus. And the guys, well, they were all terrified, but Jesus says "Take courage, it is I. The Greek says it as "Take courage, I Am. That is the name that God gives himself in Exodus when Moses asks who he is called. And so when we look at this he has done a great miracle in feeding the crowds, but here he walks only where God walks. And he passes by as only God passes by. And he speaks the name that 
only God bears. In the midst of the storm, Jesus reveals to them his glory, his true identity. How about you? Are you in a storm? And if you are struggling against things that you can't conquer yourself and you feel like you are going under the waves of life...take a deep breath and look closer. It is in the storm that he will show you his glory. He will tell you that he is the great I Am. That means that there is no storm too great for the God who created evrything and has ultimate control of all that is surrounding you. Whatever it is that you are fighting right now this Jesus is telling you "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." In what you are dealing with now, he is about to reveal to you his glory and power and most of all his incredible love for you. Here's our Bible verse for today..... 
Mark 6:49-51 but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost (50) for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." (51) Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

Satan means "adversary" in Hebrew. He is a created being who challenges God and believers and seeks to lead and keep people from the God of the Bible. He is there tempting people to sin. He accuses people of sin before God. He is a deceiver and called the Father of lies. He twists the truth in order to promote doubt about the goodness and love of God. He steals what he can from lives and even brings death. But there is one thing that is never mentioned in connection with Satan, the Devil. And it is joy. Joy is never mentioned in any way in connection with Satan in the Bible. In the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament Nehemiah tells people "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus reminded us what Satan does to the hearts and lives and dreams of the people of the earth when he said "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you might have life and have it to the fullest." Without God, you can never really experience life to the fullest...joy. So remember that God's enemy is your enemy too. He isn't all powerful, all knowing and everywhere. But if you take your focus off the God of the Bible Satan will do all that is possible to lure you away from God and with that away from real joy. Keep your eye on the ball...well, on God. Because that's where life and life to the fullest will be found. And that is the place where joy lives. And one of the results of you being close to God is to experience true and lasting joy. Choose that! Here is our Bible verse for today....... 
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

I did the funeral of an old friend the other day. I was with the family and we planned the service and then we did the service and had a wonderful reception. There was lots of hugging and tears and face to face talks. When it was all over I went home and tried to get refocused when I got a text. One of the folks who I love and we had hugged and cried together over the loss of this special one messaged me and said "I wasn't feeling well and on a whim I took a covid test...and I'm positive. My heart just broke for this person and then I thought...I've been right there with you and I've been as exposed about as much as I can be. I told my family and they asked me to just kind of lay low and stay away from folks and after 72 hours I can take a test to see if I've got it too. The thing is...I already know that I have the disease. Oh...not covid! I've had that 3 times! The disease that I have, I don't have to be tested for. I have the deadliest disease ever...called sin. The Bible says that everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. I still struggle with that disease, but I've got the cure. It is Jesus. The Bible says that God in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. When Jesus died on the cross he started making sinners right in his sight when they chose to believe in Him. That disease can't have its way with me anymore because I have made the decision to believe and follow and most of all love this Jesus of the Bible. Everybody has the disease and it will kill you...forever. But Jesus is the cure and you are saved forever through him. That covid stuff...well, actually I will find out in a few hours whether or not it is there. And if I don't have it, they will make me quit goofing off and get back to work! But for sin...I have my best friend ever who took care of that for me. And he will do it for you too! Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Romans 3:23-24 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (24) Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

There is an old question that came out of a college campus ministry years ago that said "If you died tonight and faced God and he asked "Why should I let you in to my heaven?", what would you say? I heard a pastor named Alistair Begg talking about that one time and he said "If your answer starts with 'Because I...' you got it wrong." The greatest misunderstanding about the God of the Bible is that we think God is asking us to contribute to our salvation. When we tell God "Well I..." then the best we can offer is that we are saying that we are saved by faith and the works that we do. One of the things I need to do and you also is to "preach" the cross to ourselves. It is all about him, not about us. In the book of Ephesians in the Bible we are told that God saves us by his grace when you choose to believe what he says. We can't take credit for anything because this is a gift that comes from God to us. Salvation, getting into heave, is not a reward for good things you do or have done. It is the work of Christ on our behalf on the cross. So to answer that question... Why should I let you into my heaven?, might best simply be because the man on that middle cross said I could come. He has done it all, just say "yes" to him because it is all about Jesus and what he has done. It is a gift that is waiting for each one of us. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (9) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (10) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 
Remember I'm praying for you,

There is an old question that came out of a college campus ministry years ago that said "If you died tonight and faced God and he asked "Why should I let you in to my heaven?", what would you say? I heard a pastor named Alistair Begg talking about that one time and he said "If your answer starts with 'Because I...' you got it wrong." The greatest misunderstanding about the God of the Bible is that we think God is asking us to contribute to our salvation. When we tell God "Well I..." then the best we can offer is that we are saying that we are saved by faith and the works that we do. One of the things I need to do and you also is to "preach" the cross to ourselves. It is all about him, not about us. In the book of Ephesians in the Bible we are told that God saves us by his grace when you choose to believe what he says. We can't take credit for anything because this is a gift that comes from God to us. Salvation, getting into heave, is not a reward for good things you do or have done. It is the work of Christ on our behalf on the cross. So to answer that question... Why should I let you into my heaven?, might best simply be because the man on that middle cross said I could come. He has done it all, just say "yes" to him because it is all about Jesus and what he has done. It is a gift that is waiting for each one of us. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (9) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (10) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

There is an unsolved mystery from nearly 100 years ago that took place in New York. A forty-five year old New York judge spent the evening at dinner with friends and then left in a cab and was never seen or heard from again. Because he was a judge, the FBI suspected kidnapping or some kind of retribution from the Mafia. Neither investigation led anywhere. The only clue that they had came from his wife who came back to their apartment that night he disappeared and on the kitchen table there was a check made out to her for a large amount of money. And attached to it was a note in her husband's handwriting and it said, “I am very, very tired. Love, Jim". And they asked if this was a comment made at the end of a really hard day or was he saying that he was tired and he just gave up? The case hit a dead end and the thought was that he had taken the taxi to some destination and took his own life. That the weariness in his life was 
more than his soul could take. I bet all of us hit the wall at one time or another and are just feeling overcome by the weariness that life can bring. Our God knows that in a world broken by sin it can easily happen. The good news is that God has already given you and me an invitation to come and find rest in him. Jesus said "Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. And his promise is that in him, you and I can find rest for our souls. Life can be hard and confusing...but this Jesus of the Bible knows the burdens that you carry this day. He knows when you are beat and discouraged and feel like you carry the weight of the world. And his invitation is to come to him...had he will give you rest. And it will include rest for the deepest part of your being...rest for your soul. So when the weariness comes, and it will, stop and let this Jesus know you are tired and let him bring you the rest you need to continue your journey with him through your time on this earth. And the good news is that same comfort and companionship will continue on into heaven itself. So go get some rest...in the hands of the only one who can truly give it to you. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Matthew 11:28-29 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

I heard a guy say "If you have not received this Jesus of the Bible as your Lord and Savior, this earth and life you live is the closest as you will ever be to Heaven. And if you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this earth and life you live is the closest as you will ever be to Hell." The life we live here and the choices we make are determining what eternity will be like for all of us. People have to be reminded that God doesn't send people to Hell. A person has to choose to go there. This whole gospel thing, Good News, is just a rescue operation for any of humanity who want to have eternity with the God who created them and every good and beautiful and worthwhile thing we have ever known. And all those things disappear out of the presence of God. This life is good...but it can be really hard. It can be really unfair. It can be heartbreaking and even disappointing. And the truth is that this world will be the best thing that so many who have journeyed with us on the earth will ever experience. But for those who accept God's gracious offer of life and forgiveness and closeness to the creator...this will be the least happy, attractive, positive place they will ever experience. All God wants is your heart. Let him have that and then taste the sweetness of forgiveness and love that never fails. And join us in heaven. And no matter how good your journey here on this planet is, the best will be yet to come. Here's our Bible verses for today... 
1 Corinthians 2:9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

We have been reading through the Bible this year and on my second pass I read again about Moses leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. Early on in their journey the thousands of people had run out of water and Moses asked God what he should do. God told him to take the staff he always had and strike a certain rock and water would gush out. He did and God made the water pour out for the people. But then something happens almost 40 years later. They are in a similar situation and the thousands of people are angry at Moses because they don't have water out in this wilderness. So Moses faithfully comes to God and God answers and says go to this particular rock, but speak to it. I don't know what Moses was thinking, maybe he was tired, frustrated or even uncertain. Instead of doing what God had told him to do, speak to the rock, he fell back on what worked some 40 years ago and bangs on the rock with his staff. As a result, God tells Moses that after all the work he has done, he will not get to go into the Promised Land with the rest of the people. He will stand at the border but because of his disregard of God's command...he will never step foot in that land. A lot of times we will hold on to things that worked in the past and maybe because we saw God working through them. But God is not asking us to hold on to old habits or past successes. He is asking us to listen to him today and hear with our ears and receive his words to our hearts and then do what he told us to do. It isn't easy. Moses was a great man of God...but he did what his head told him was the right thing to do instead of holding on to the Word of God. Rejoice when you see God lead or answer prayer or solve a problem. But remember he isn't giving you a "magic formula" that you get to invoke when times get tough. He wants us to depend on him. Keep listening to God, first through his Word. And then follow his lead. We don't know everything or how everything comes together. God does. Listen to what he says and be willing to go and do 
things that are not like the old or the comfortable or the learned habits. Remember always that...Heavenly Father Knows Best! Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 
Remember I'm praying for you,

I was with a group last night that is going through Paul Little's book "Know Why You Believe”. It has been a great journey for me and last night we were all sharing about the topic of suffering. There are many reasons for suffering. Some of it is because of our own sin, some because of our foolishness and some just from living in a broken, fallen world. I shared a verse that I learned and have been reminded of for many years now. It is 1 Peter 2:21. It says "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps..." Sometimes we suffer as a result of doing good. We follow in Jesus' steps, the one who never sinned and yet he suffered so we could be set free from our sin. It was a plan to save us. The Bible says that he went to the cross for us so that we could be saved and have that eternal life with God. And now, if you choose to follow this Jesus of the Bible, you need to be prepared to suffer too. So when any suffering comes our goal is to face it like Jesus did.....to follow in his steps. God is asking you today to follow the one who suffered innocently for you and me and he did it with patience, calm and confidence that God is in control of the future. Suffering will come...this is not heaven, this is not home. But your willingness to suffer not only honors God, but your faithfulness in those hard and hurtful times becomes a road sign to others that there is something more to this journey of life than to just exist, but to live with purpose and to know the one who makes life worth living. Don't give up, don't give in. Look for the footsteps and get to know your Bible well enough that you can ask the question “What would Jesus do? And then go do it. It will be worth it. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps... 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

In Mark chapter 10 the account has Jesus on his way to Jerusalem and he is passing through the city of Jericho. There are all kinds of people following Jesus that day. And as he is coming down the road into town, there is a guy who is blind called Bartimaeus sitting beside the road and he hears people calling out Jesus' name. He begins to shout "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He is yelling so much the people are yelling at him to be quiet! But Jesus heard him, called for him and Bartimaeus jumped up and threw off his cloak...and made his way to Jesus. Jesus asked what he wanted him to do and Bartimaeus said "Let me see again." And Jesus said "Go, your faith has healed you...and he could see." It was his faith that allowed the healing and one of the ways he demonstrated his faith was what he did with his cloak. He threw it off. It might have been all he had. He needed it to keep warm, it was used as his bedroll and as he sat beside the road, he would lay it out in front of him for people to drop coins that he would use to live off of. When he threw aside his cloak that day, he discarded his ultimate safety net. He could do that because he was certain that after meeting Jesus, he wouldn't need it anymore. It was the tool that made his darkness tolerable. Like blind Bartimaeus, we can't receive a new life while we hold fast to the old one. What God wants from us is faith that allows 
us to drop the tools that make our darkness tolerable and to be healed so that we can see and in some special way be able to see the face of God. Whatever you are clutching to make your life bearable, God is giving you and me the opportunity to come from darkness to light. And to let go of whatever it is that makes the darkness bearable. Bartimaeus did and his eyes were opened and he followed Jesus down the road before him. You and I can do that today...whatever it is...trust him enough to let it go. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Mark 10:50-52 Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus. (51) "What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus asked. "Rabboni," said the blind man, "let me see again." 
(52) "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

There is a story that Jesus told of two men who came to pray at the Temple one day. One was a religious leader, one of the Pharisees. The other guy was a tax collector who people hated because he was working for the enemy and cheating his own people. In the story, Jesus says that the Pharisee stood over by himself and was praying out loud and was thanking God he wasn't bad like other people were...cheaters, sinners, adulterers and made a point of saying that he wasn't anything like that tax collector. Heck, this guy fasted and even tithed! The tax collector stood off away from the Pharisee and he didn't even look up to heaven as he prayed. He beat his chest as a sign of real sorrow and simply said "God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." And then Jesus says that the sinner tax collector went home that day justified before God. But the Pharisee didn't. The crazy thing was that the Pharisee's list was real. He did all those things and they were things you should do. The problem was that he came to God standing on all the good things he had done. He came with a list and presented it to God. The tax collector came with nothing. He had nothing he could bring and show God what he had done. He came to God with nothing. He was justified that day not on the strength of his record...how good he was or how good he was trying. He came on the strength of God's mercy. When we come to God, if your hands are full of stuff that you have done...he can't give you anything. But if you come broken and humble enough to bring only empty hands, then you can let God fill them for you. So, should we try to be good, obedient, and do the right things? You bet. But when you come before God, our best efforts are not even close to what we need to be justified by God. Do good...but come to God with empty hands and hungry hearts and let him take the pain and the failures and the sin...and place righteousness and forgiveness in your hands and your heart today. You can't receive anything from God if you've already got them full of you. Let them go in humility and let God lift you up today. Here's our Bible verse today....... 
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

A man stopped to watch a Little League baseball game. He asked one of the youngsters what the score was. "We're losing 18-0," was the answer. "Well," said the man. "I must say you don't look discouraged." "Discouraged?" the boy said puzzled. "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't come to bat yet." I love that story because it reminds me of how often we are struggling in life and feel like we are just stuck or even going backwards. But the reality is that in any situation, God has the last word. If you are a follower of this Jesus of the Bible, God wants you to keep your focus on him and not on the things that have become burdens or even failures to your life. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah when he said "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God." And God promises that no matter where you are in life he is there to strengthen you and help you. In our lives we will find times when we just don't know what to do next. Our go to verse is always Mark 10:27. Jesus said "With people, it is impossible, not so with God. With God all things are possible." When life gets tough, remember that if you let him, God is going to step in as your pinch hitter. And he swings for the fences. No matter how difficult, how desperate or how devastating life seems...before you give up, give God a chance to bat. Don't forget that he is life's MVP! Don't give up...give it up to God. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 
Remember I'm praying for you,

I love a place that I have had the privilege to hike through several times. It isn't a forest or a quaint village...it is an ash and rock covered landscape. It is a volcano on the island of Maui called Haleakala. In one part hardly any vegetation is present, but there is a uniquely beautiful plant called the silversword. It is called the "flower of patience". I got to see one in full bloom and several that had just bloomed and were covered in fading flowers. I thought they were hauntingly gorgeous and looked closely and then just walked by. What I didn't know was that the silversword will grow in this desolate area for 20 to 50 years and then bloom with up to hundreds of flower heads. And it will only do it once in its lifetime. They say that it will stay beautiful for seven days, scattering seeds and then will die. I regret that I didn't realize what I was looking at and the gift of being able to see the "flower of patience" in its fullness after so many years. I have thought about that and then wondered how many times I have looked and seen the goodness of God and his gifts and love and beauty...and nodded my head and walked on by. The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. It was and is precious that I am allowed to see and experience him and his creation. And maybe the lesson is to not take what God has given you and me and assume that it will always be like that. And that you can walk on by and then some other time come back and enjoy that time, that event or that person again. God has created everything beautiful for its own time. Ask God today to open your eyes to the beauty of the creation all around you and to the one who has brought it into being. Don't take anything today for granted, but receive it with thanksgiving to the God who will bring it to you today as the original "flower of patience". Here's our Bible verse for today... 
James 1:17-18 Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. (18) He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth. 
Remember I'm praying for you, PJ

The story goes that President Wilson once received a call in the middle of the night from a civil servant who informed him that one of his appointees had just died. The caller said, "While I'm sure we are all saddened by this news, I would like to know if I can take his place." There was a pause at the other end of the line before the president replied, "It's all right with me, if it's all right with the undertaker." The man was anxious to take the officials place in the government, but I doubt that he had any desire to take his place in the casket. I got to thinking about that story and how in our journey with God here on earth, we embrace any and all blessings that pass through the hands of God to us. But when there are hard times...not so much. Job was a man who loved God and God blessed him. But Satan wanted to use Job as a demonstration that Job 
loved God only for the good things that he had received. He told God that it wasn't love, it was pure economics. You get good stuff, you think God is good and worthy of your love and adoration. You get trials and hardships, you drop that love and adoration stuff. God allowed Job to be tested by Satan. And in doing so, Job got hurt, emotionally, physically and spiritually. His wife, looking at what had happened to her husband, told him to just give up and die. That it wasn't worth it. And Job said something remarkable. He said "Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?" I know that we live in a broken world and that sin is the cause of so much pain and suffering. But I don't know why it happens to people that just seem to be walking the walk and talking the talk of God and then they end up in the hurt locker. Suffering is not necessarily a punishment or a sign of God's displeasure.....but it is a part of the human journey. And faith is not merely about receiving blessings but it is about holding on to our trust in God even when life hurts and we don't know why. The promise of God is that he is with us in all of this, good and bad and that in those dark and hard times, when we keep our faith and focus on God we demonstrate a profound trust in his sovereignty and purpose for our lives. It isn't easy to trust when we are hurt and grieve. If it was, everybody would do it. But only those who have a faith immersed in the personal experience of God's love will be able to do this. And in doing it you honor the God of all creation. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Job 2:9-10 Then Job's wife said to him, "Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!" (10) "You speak as a foolish woman speaks," he told her. "Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

You know the old story, the guy was walking along the lonely beach and he spies an old fashioned lantern. He knows the drill and he begins to rub it and sure enough a genie appears. He looks at the guy and says "You now have three wishes. What is your first wish?" The guy is just beside himself. “Ok, first, I wish I was rich!" The genie nods his head and says "Ok Rich...what's your next wish?" A lot of folks end up like "Rich". You got the name, but you've got nothing in the bank. A lot of folks will grab hold of the title "Christian" but in heart and practice, they are not followers of this Jesus of the Bible. And like that guy with the literal genie...they've got nothing in their spiritual bank. And like the old saying, there are folks who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Yeah, I know that no one is perfect, even those born-again followers of Jesus. But the difference is that they understand their spiritual lostness and have come to the only one who can cure that with his grace, his forgiveness given freely to all who will ask and then follow. Jesus said that not everyone who calls him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, only those who do the will of his Father who is in heaven. God's invitation is to everyone who wants it, can have his forgiveness and love. But it is never forced on anyone. And we have just one lifetime to receive it. So make sure that you don't just carry around a name and end up finding out that you have nothing in that spiritual bank account. It's not hard to receive and anyone can have it. Just ask...and then just follow. You do that and you won't just be "Rich"...you will be really rich forever. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will 
say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' (23) And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

Years ago a young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him. When outside, the boy's mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn't take a handful of suckers when offered. The boy replied, “Because his hand is much bigger than mine!" As a kid, how often did you say "I just want to do it myself!" And then the older we get the more we find out there are things we cannot handle, accomplish or even dream of. The God of the Bible reminds us that he is on our side and he can do so much more than we can do, ask or even imagine. And he can make it happen. And a lot of times he will use you as his conduit for making it happen. God promises that he has a good future for you and he is the God for whom nothing is impossible. So as you go through this day, think about the deep dreams of your heart. And then remember that the God who loves you so much is able to do so much more than you can even imagine. Keep your heart close to him, because his hand is so much bigger than yours. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, (21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

Years ago a young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him. When outside, the boy's mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn't take a handful of suckers when offered. The boy replied, “Because his hand is much bigger than mine!" As a kid, how often did you say "I just want to do it myself!" And then the older we get the more we find out there are things we cannot handle, accomplish or even dream of. The God of the Bible reminds us that he is on our side and he can do so much more than we can do, ask or even imagine. And he can make it happen. And a lot of times he will use you as his conduit for making it happen. God promises that he has a good future for you and he is the God for whom nothing is impossible. So as you go through this day, think about the deep dreams of your heart. And then remember that the God who loves you so much is able to do so much more than you can even imagine. Keep your heart close to him, because his hand is so much bigger than yours. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, (21) to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

A co-worker asked a friend why he got donuts if he is trying to diet. He said, "Well, I came around the corner where the donut shop was. I told God, if He wanted me to buy some donuts to have a parking spot in the front. On the eighth time around, there it was!" We often say that we want what God wants...and yet we do what we want to do. The Apostle Paul wrote about that first hand. In Romans 7 he said that he knew what the right thing to do was...but he ofen found himself doing the wrong thing. All of us struggle like that if we want to want God's will for our lives. But there is always that other voice telling us that if we just give in a bit or just ignore God...things will be better for us. The voice is that of the Devil. And Jesus said that the Devil came to steal, kill and destroy. That's his purpose. But God's purpose for you is to give you and me life.......and life to the fullest. So don't be afraid to seek God in prayer and through the reading of the Bible as to what his will is for us. But when we get the answer, we have the choice to submit...or like our friend, keep "circling the donut shop" until we get the answer we want. It isn't easy. If it was, everybody would be doing it. But it is the way to honor God and to experience his ultimate best for our lives. Here's our Bible verse for today....... 
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

A Sunday school teacher was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” the man asked. After a moment's pause, one youngster said, “Maybe it's because they don't know you." How would people know that you are a Christian, a follower of this Jesus of the Bible? It would start with your affirmation that you trust him as God who became flesh, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. Also people could see your patience and joy and peace that come from God's Holy Spirit. But Jesus said there was one way that the world would know that you are a follower of him. And that is the love that we have for one another. The Apostle John reminded all who seek to be followers of this Jesus that we need to continue to love one another, because love comes from God. And anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love, does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-8). So love is the key...it always is. God's love for us, our love for God and our love for each other. And that's the reason people can call you a Christian. Here's our Bible verse for today... 
John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ

The story is told about a barber who had just committed his life to the Jesus of the Bible in an old-fashioned revival meeting. The next morning at work he wanted to share his new faith and witness to those who didn't have a relationship with God. A customer came in, and the barber began to shave him. He was trying to muster up the right words to say. Finally as he stood with his razor poised over the man's throat he asked, “Are you prepared to meet God?" I love the guy's enthusiasm and commitment...but presentation might be just a bit off. God wants us to let folks know about the hope that we now have in us. Christ in your life changes everything. And without Him the Bible say that people can't be with him in heaven. And sometimes we excitedly share with people, with a “knife” at their throats. You can't force, scare or trick someone into a love relationship with God. But when you come to Christ, you have a story to tell. It is the story of you...and this Jesus of the Bible. So be prepared to tell your story and why you believe. And be willing to share it with enthusiasm and energy and excitement. But be careful that you don't put "the knife" to their throat, either intentionally or by accident. Know your story and be willing to let folks hear it. And always treat people with gentleness and respect. And you just might see them hear you and see you and choose to become a part of God's family too. Be prepared and be gentle and respectful. God can handle the rest... Here's our Bible verse for today... 
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and 
respect... 
Remember I'm praying for you, 
PJ