Set Free

The author of Ecclesiastes is thought to be Solomon. He reflects on the experiences of life. His philosophy of conflicting thoughts on materialism, pleasures of life, and our duty to God. Ecclesiastes deals with the feeling of emptiness even when people have everything.

Solomon, the son of David became king at a very young age. God gave him wisdom, a discerning heart, and great wealth. He ruled under a time of peace and the economy flourished. Solomon was a great intellectual; known all through the world during his time for great wisdom. Unfortunately, he married many wives from other nations and they led him astray. He began to follow other gods and his kingdom began to tear apart.

As we read in Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, life to Solomon is repetition and is tiresome. It was as if he had nothing to live far, nothing more to accomplish. He’s recording his own folly, shame, and his disappointment. He’s learned a hard lesson that wealth and the things of this world do not benefit the soul, judgment, or eternity.

I once heard a story about some people who were doing some studies of whales. They came across one whale that was hung up in a net and dying. After hours of work, they were able to set the whale free. The whale put on a display as he was free and gained speed in the water; doing some of those “Sea World” whale jumps with an expression of joy and thankfulness for those that set him free.

We too get mired in nets that trap us in life and we need help being set free. Let us be reminded before we pray today that God is sovereign, majestic and all-powerful. Nothing is too difficult for Him; He is bigger than any problem we could bring to Him.

This day with God, we know that Jesus sets us free and we can leap for joy at God’s amazing grace. 

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This Day with God Devotional.

Good Things Happen to Good People

At the second feast as recorded in Esther 7-8, Esther request that her life be spared and the life of her people be spared. Esther’s open identification with her people emphasized to the king that it was people close to her that would be destroyed. She approached the king with reverence and didn’t expect too much but the king set in action a series of events that went beyond her wildest dreams.

Haman was someone that had an evil plan against the Jewish people and only cared for his own self- interest. He was impaled on the pole that was meant for Mordecai (Esther 7:10). The king gave Esther the estate of Haman and his evil plan was overruled. A new decree was written to benefit the Jews. There was joy and celebration wherever the edict was read and placed into law throughout the provinces.

Mordecai had been a part of saving the king from assassination and we learn that he was appointed over Haman’s estate. Every successful person is surrounded by people that contribute to their success. As you go throughout this day, recognize those people who help you along the way. Pray for your spouse, your parents, and your children. Pray for those that helped you come to Christ. Pray for those that have brought peace in war-torn parts of the world. Pray that God would use you to work for His glory.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God.

Excellent Leaders See Potential and Greatness in all People

Reading in Esther 3, Haman was honored by the king and his servants but Mordecai would not kneel down before Haman. Tensions grew between them because Mordecai was Jewish and his conscious would not allow him to give that much honor to Haman. For a Jew, bowing down and giving honor was reserved for God. It was against the law of God to give reverence to someone like Haman who worshiped idols.

Haman was full of pride and not only wanted to take out his anger against Mordecai but to all Jews by destroying them. Human plotted revenge and convinced the king that the Jewish people had customs that were different from those of all other people; not willing to obey the king’s laws and therefore not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them (V. 8). He even offered great sums of money to help carry out his plot.

We get a picture of the lack of leadership from king Xerxes; his character and values were lacking and his kingdom needed the money since history records that the empire was impoverished at this time. The king readily accepted Haman’s proposal to carry out his diabolical plot. The king saw that the life of certain people was unimportant and that the life of his own people was more important than others.

Our basic values should respect people with customs that are different than our own because all people are very valuable to God. He knows everyone by name and sees the potential and greatness in all people. God sees each of us as a work in progress with value and is loved so much that He sent His Son to die for us. He encourages each of us to become much more than we can ever imagine.

This day with God will be amazing because if tempted to judge, we are reminded of the cross and that that everyone has tremendous value in His eyes. Let us pray that we see all people in our world as God sees them.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at

This Day with God Devotional

Happy Birthday America

Have a Happy 4^th of July. For America’s Birthday, I’ve included some amazing sites across this land along with a poem about them at this link: http://wp.me/p1cY3A-do

God Loves Us

God knows all about us and sees value in each of us. He takes active concern in our life and mercifully prearranged a gift of love through His Son. What an example to follow and this love in action gives inspiration as we follow this pathway to passion with grace.

This day with God will be amazing because we will be made aware that He loves us beyond measure. This love will enter our hearts and then be returned unconditionally to others. Here’s a powerful video that mixes a message from John Piper along with a great song: How He Loves Us – David Crowder (Matt Chandler & John Piper). I hope it makes you aware how much He loves you and sets the tone for a wonderful Sunday. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at

This Day with God Devotional

The Results of Unity

In Psalm 133-134, unity is described like oil that is poured over the head because its influence spreads. God wants unity but Satan works to make sure it doesn’t exist. In verse 3 of Psalm 133, unity is described as dew. Where rainfall is not plentiful, dew can provide the moisture needed. It makes up the difference little by little but persistently and cumulatively produces the moisture that rain would otherwise provide. It also softens the ground similar to softening a heart to receive the good seed of the Word.

 Photo Credit – vionnaswatching.wordpress.com

Unity has the same effect on Christianity. Its influence spreads over the body with attitudes of kindness, love, goodness, and faithfulness. The members of the body receive what is needed for growth and yield. I remember just getting out of college and moving to Waco Texas. I began attending a Singles Sunday school class and Bible study; meeting many friends during that time who I continue to stay in touch with. Also, there were several marriages that occurred from that group since it was a great place to meet Christians from the opposite sex.  

Christians that stand together become strong enough to cause the enemy to have second thoughts. If you try to break one stick, it’s easy but three or four sticks together are hard to break. The same principle works in suspension bridges as one strand of wire is easy to break but many stranded together form a cable that is strong enough to support a bridge.

In this reading, the psalmist desires that people work together to glorify the Lord. As a community of faith bloggers, it’s neat to see us all working together to provide food for the soul. When someone comes to me with questions about life and about God, one of you may be a better fit than me to help that person understand. I can always give them the link to your blog to help them understand. It’s good to know I don’t have to do it alone and there is a team working together to bring others to Christ.

For growing in unity, there is an on-line devotional being used to keep me on track. I invite you to join the journey or check in from time to time. You can like or follow at any of the links below and be notified of new posts:

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This Day with God Devotional

The Model Fatherhood

Happy Father’s Day!

The picture above was taken Christmas morning 1967. That's my Dad setting up the race track Santa gave me and that's me wearing my new football jersey.  My sister Tracy is on the right side of the picture holding her new baby doll.

The message today at the church I attend is from Rev. Brandon Frenzel. There is a Pastor’s Podcast at this link: Father’s Day Message. Below is the outline of the message.

Our Father in Heaven:

I. Is relational

Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. - Exodus 29:45

II. Can be trusted

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deut. 31:6

III. Is giving; does not withhold

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:32

IV. Loves extravagantly

The Lord your God is with you,

     The Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

     In His love He will no longer rebuke you

     But will rejoice over you with singing. - Zeph. 3:17

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord you God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. - Deut. 1:30-31