We could learn from dogs!

1 John 3:18.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

In this verse I find the use of the word "children" very interesting. How true since we often act like children in our lives. We seek to love amomgst a sea of words, yet our actions often contradict the very words that escape our tongues.

Imagine a world where people really applied this verse! A world where people actually did love and not only talked about it. How different would life be? How would politicians behave if they took this verse to heart.

When I read this verse again, I think it must have been written for dogs! Think about it, they live by this verse! They can't talk to you, but by their actions they express love even when their owner doesn't.

We could learn from dogs!

Troubled times...

Psalm 59:16
I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Are we living in times of trouble? Every time I turn on the 10 o'clock news it sure seems so. Last week a dazed and confused woman was arrested after hacking her 1 and 3 year old to death. But I'm sure when this was written it was no different.

Millennium after millennium humanity has succumbed to the numbness of every day struggle which can often bring us trouble, daze and confusion. In today's verse, the psalmist allows God to cut through the fog of our daily war and boldly declares victory in God's name.

Most people (including myself) will want to say "yeah but you don't understand what I'm going through" - this is why it is important to read through the Psalms. David who wrote most of the Psalms went through more trouble than any of us. Through it all, he never lost faith in God.

Today, no matter how much trouble we find ourselves in, we need to understand the utter simplicity of God's grace. His grace is not dependent on complex rules and rituals. It is not dependent on traditions or religion. It is a source of power freely available to those who simply plug in.

So today as you contemplate your troubles, slide in a CD of worship music and sing a song to the Lord. Let him minister you with his Word and soon you will feel His strength overcome your troubled times.