Plant A Tree

“As Napoleon met in conference with his generals, he began discussing the problem of moving his armies across Europe during the summer heat. He proposed planting shade trees along the roads of the continent. His ministers said, “Why, that will take thirty years!” To that, Napoleon replied, “Then begin immediately. We don’t have a moment to waste.” Men and women of vision know that their dreams may not become reality overnight, but they are willing to begin the process that will ultimately culminate in success” (preaching.com).

The principle of being willing to begin the process is a vital part of any successful endeavor. An ancient Chinese proverb puts it this way: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." It is so true! Let’s apply this idea to the struggle that all of us face in overcoming a persistent sin in our lives. Viewed as a whole, the battle can seem unwinnable. We seek to overcome the sin but, often, the defeats are more numerous than the victories. In such cases, some find it easier to not even make the effort any more. “What’s the use? I’m not going to succeed anyway?”

Perhaps part of the problem is being overly-focused on comparing victories and defeats in our battle against sin. Of course, we should have some sense of the overall progress of the battle. But if that is our only metric, then it can be easy to get distracted and discouraged. A better course of action would be to start each day with a commitment to take that first step. When presented with an opportunity to commit that sin that gives us so much trouble, we say “no” that first time without thinking about the other times we may have to do it again. After taking that first step, then we lean on that victory to help us say “no” the next time. The battle is won by being successful in many smaller skirmishes. Take that first step before thinking about all the others that will need to follow. Plant a tree and the shade will eventually come.

God loves you!

Mike

Rise And Shine!

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch” (Psalm 5:1-3). Prayer is a great way to start our day. Connecting with God before the needs of the day ahead fill our minds helps us to focus on what’s important. Notice what David includes in his morning prayer.

First, David reflects on God’s character. “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit” (Psalm 5:4-6).

Second, David seeks God’s guidance. “But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, at Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; make Your way straight before me” (Psalm 5:7-8).

Third, David appeals for God’s intervention (5.9-10). “There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Hold them guilty, O God; by their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, for they are rebellious against You” (Psalm 5:9-10).

Fourth, David acknowledges God’s blessings. “But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield” (5:11-12).

How we start the day often sets the tone for what follows. Perhaps David’s prayer can spark some ideas for you as you talk with God in the morning.

God loves you!

Mike

How Did I End Up Here?

“Apollo, a 13-year-old Shih Tzu, went missing in Florida and was found over 1,000 miles away in Long Island, New York. A Florida family says they were overjoyed to be reunited with their dog, who had been missing for more than two months — but were shocked to learn that he had turned up more than 1,000 miles away in New York. Speaking with FOX 35 Orlando and WKMG, the Josey family of Marion County, Fla., shared that their 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Apollo, had disappeared from their home after he made his way out through a gate in April this year. "We definitely kept the faith, held out hope," Vera Josey told FOX of the pet's disappearance. "We still got his dog food, we still got his toys, we've still got all his stuff. So we knew Apollo was gonna come home. It was just a matter of when”” (people.com; June 29, 2026). I’m sure that Apollo didn’t plan on being gone for two months and traveling for over 1000 miles when he snuck out a gate near his home. But that’s what happened anyway. If the little dog could talk, imagine the stories he would have to tell.

This story is a great illustration of how sin works. Most don’t plan to end up a thousand miles away from God when all they wanted was to just have a little stroll outside the gate. But one sin led to another - and another - until, suddenly, they found themselves in a place they never thought they’d be. A famous quote puts it this way: "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." I suppose the prodigal son understood this when he found himself in a distant country with empty pockets and hungry enough to eat pig food (Luke 15:11-16). Don’t mess with sin! Even a little bit can lead to much bigger problems. Thankfully, God waits to welcome us when we return home (Luke 15:20).

God loves you!

Mike

Big And Little Things

“Leslie Weatherhead recalled a woman who received a letter from a soldier she did not know. His name was Murray, and he wrote from the battlefield. Murray wrote that he had once been in her Sunday School class, and she had spoken about Christ as a hero for the boys. He mentioned the date when this woman’s words had altered his whole life’s perspective.

“She had kept a diary, so she turned to see her entry for the date Murray had mentioned. She learned that she had come home that particular Sunday discouraged, and thought about giving up teaching. The entry read: “Had an awful time. The boys were so restless. I am not cut out for this kind of thing. I had to take two classes together. No one listened, except, at the end, a boy from the other class called Murray seemed to be taking it in. He grew very quiet and subdued, but I expect he was just tired of playing” (Edward Chinn, All Saints Church, Philadelphia, PA).

This story reminds me of how the Lord can do much with very little. In John 6, a large crowd had gathered and Jesus tested Philip by asking him to find a way to feed them (6:5-6). The task appeared to be insurmountable (6:7). Andrew points out a lad with a sack lunch but doesn’t believe that will make any difference (6:8-9). There’s no way to feed a crowd of 5000 men, not counting the women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish, right? By the time Jesus was done, everyone had eaten their fill and there were twelve baskets of leftovers (6:11-13)!

Who knows what the Lord might do with our seemingly feeble efforts and meager resources? Something as simple as a cup of cold water can make a big difference (Matthew 10:42). Sure, aim for big things, but never forget to do the “little” things along the way. Your “sack lunch” may become a feast for others who desperately need it.

God loves you!

Mike

When Words Become Weapons

“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.” (Psalm 4:1-3). Many of the psalms are written as an appeal to God for help in a difficult situation in life. This psalm of David is no exception. The threat here seems to be more verbal than physical. David’s opponents were slandering him. What can be done when words become weapons used against you?

First, “Tremble, and do not sin…” (4:4a). This part of the psalm is quoted by Paul in Ephesians 4:26 as he encourages Christians not to let their anger get out of control. David is reminding himself not to give into the temptation to lash out at his slanderers. Revenge is best left to God.

Second, “...meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still” (4:4b). Don’t lose sleep over the worthless words of the wicked. Instead, think deeply on the good words of God and others who support you. Those words provide calm instead of agitation.

Third, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness…” (4:5a). Continue to focus on honoring and serving God instead of being distracted by the words and actions of others. 

And fourth, “...and trust in the LORD.” (4:5b). Never forget to trust God. Placing your trust in anyone or anything else, like the approval of others, is doomed to failure.

Remembering these things will help to give you peace in face of the slander and reproach of others. When words become weapons, you don’t have to respond in kind. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety” (4:8).  Now, get some sleep!

God loves you!

Mike 

Everyone's Against Me!

“O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God”” (Psalm 3:1-2).

It’s easy during the difficult times in life to think that everyone is against you. The words quoted above from Psalm 3 are attributed to King David during a tough stretch in his own life. His son Absalom was leading a rebellious effort to take over the throne and appeared to be succeeding at it. The mighty warrior king David, who had defeated a physical giant, was now on the run from a “giant” of another kind. It looked like everyone was siding with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12-13). As David and his followers fled Jerusalem, the mocking words of Shimei must have stung more than the stones he was throwing: “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow!” (2 Samuel 16:7-8).

What can you do when everything and everyone seems to be against you? Here’s what David did. First, he remembered Who God is in his life. “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3). Second, he remembered what God had done in his life. “I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about” (Psalm 3:4-6). Third, he trusted God to continue to take care of him. “Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people!” (Psalm 3:7-8).

David’s faith in God is what carried him through a dark time in his life. As we face our own difficulties, I pray that we can learn from his example.

God loves you!

Mike

Ants And Elephants

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!”” (Psalm 2:1-3).

These words, written by the Psalmist long ago, have a familiar ring to them, don’t they? In many ways, it seems our current world is likewise bent on self-destruction. Much of that upheaval is fueled by a rebellion against God and His standards for the world He created. Unbelievers, encouraged by the immoral and anti-God sentiment in the world around them, are emboldened in their rebellion. It’s easy for a believer to get discouraged and maybe even to have doubts about God’s ability to handle such a situation. Is God rattled by those who defy Him? Is He wringing His hands in desperation? Not a bit. Notice how the psalm continues:

“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain”” (Psalm 2:4-6). This isn’t nervous laughter. It is the laughter of One Who responds from a position of overwhelming power and authority. It really is humorous when you think about it. Imagine, if you will, an ant shaking its fist at an elephant and you have a tiny example of the gulf between the defiant plots of humanity against God.

A better plan would be to submit before God and His King. “Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (Psalm 2:10-12). Opposing God is a losing proposition.

God loves you!

Mike