Gladness Beyond Your Companions – Psalm 45 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

Don’t you wish you could be as happy and carefree as the sea otter in this picture? God seems to have given these playful creatures an energy and happiness above their fellow creatures. You don’t normally associate happiness with a bear, elk, tiger or walrus, do you?

So it is with us. Some people just seem to be happier. Could it be that people who love righteousness might generally be happier than those who don’t? The Psalmist indicates that the righteous person is favored with gladness from God.

In this fallen world, it is amazing that happiness exists at all. Natural disasters, wars, strife, accidents, and so many other events in our lives seem designed to rob us of any happiness at all. The pursuit of happiness seems a fruitless exercise, sadness a certain curse. Is there any hope?

God has “anointed you with the oil of gladness,” says the Psalmist. Deep happiness, gladness, joy, comes from God. God is the one who can turn back the fallenness and give us hope. This is something that we cannot do on our own.

Consider the life of Jesus. Jesus broke though the fallenness of this world with his healings, teachings and miracles, and most important, his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit continues the work of redemption today in the lives of believers. Seek the living God today and ask Jesus for the joy and happiness that comes from forgiveness of your sins. With the help of the Holy Spirit you can “love righteousness” too.

Dear Lord, Save me from this fallen world. Help me to find true happiness, no matter what comes my way. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 45 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

Will Rogers and “All I know”

This is one of Will Rogers’ most famous quotes, and it’s probably just as true today as in 1930.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

As the Deer Pants – Psalm 42 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

There is perhaps no more beautiful expression of a desire to seek God than “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Once the image is in your mind, you can never forget it. Musicians have crafted it into their melodies (see Sons of Korah below) so we can sing it in the congregation or hum it to ourselves.

Yet the Psalmist, just like all of us, struggles with the question “Where is your God?” We pour out our hearts with tears as doubts creep in and our desire to seek God grows chill. What can I do?

I can remember happier days. Days when my heart was on fire, days when worship excited my soul. Those memories of God’s blessings can help carry us through the times of doubt, but why do we have to go through the valleys? Perhaps, because during time in the valley, my faith can grow even stronger. As my soul begins to thirst after better days I can “pant for streams of water.” I can be drawn toward Christ, the living water (John 4:10).

Dear Lord, Let me thirst for you. Let the dry times increase my desire for you, not diminish it. Let me remember past blessings and praise you for all you have done for me. Let me drink of the living water. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 42 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or  Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

EXTRA!

Below is an extra treat! The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 42 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.

Psalm 42a – Rain Album

Trust in the Lord – Psalm 37 KJV 2 Minute Devotional

We’ve had some close calls financially, but there has always been food on the table for our family. My wife can stretch the food budget, a friend gave us some grocery money, a neighbor brought us a meal, another neighbor shared garden vegetables with us are some of the ways God has provided for us in the past.

This is a short verse, but it carries lots of meaning. The Lord asks two things of us: trust Him and do good. In return he allows us to dwell in the land and promises we shall be fed. Mr. Squirrel seems to be quite satisfied in the picture, doesn’t he?

Dear Lord, help me to trust in you, and to do good from a grateful heart. Thank you for your gracious provision, Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 37 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes KJV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

Will Rogers on “Who Needs to Pay a Debt?”

Will RogersI don’t know much about banking, bailouts and loans, but when I read that a country is repaying a loan to the U.S. it does seem mighty strange. It was strange in Will Rogers’ day too. We had loaned vast sums of money to European countries after WWI for rebuilding, and we never saw most of it again.

We’re still giving away money – taxpayer money. We learned that money went to bail out foreign banks recently by the billions. Will we ever see any of it again? Will it produce jobs here in the U.S.? Will it help the U.S. get out of debt?

Will Rogers was a guy that believed in common sense. We can only hope (and vote) for some common sense to return back to Washington.

Wait a minute! Did I just put “common sense” and “Washington” in the same sentence? Folks, we’ve got a lot of work to do!

Image Information: Will Rogers was a frequent flyer. When he discovered that air transportation was the fastest way to get places he was constantly in the air. He started in open cockpit airplanes and became a part of the birth of commercial aviation.

The image was taken directly from pictures at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.

Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

Will Rogers

The Number of the Stars – Psalm 147 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

Every day, in so many ways, God displays His wonders and power. They are all about us, in nature, in relationships, in events, protection, blessings, etc.

The wonders of nature are always stunning, if we take a moment to ponder them. From atomic structure to distant stars, as pictured in this beautiful NASA photograph. We can touch, smell, see, taste and hear these wonders of God. All our senses can be used to observe and delight in God’s glory.

Scientists spend entire careers examining just one tiny facet of creation. Collecting all the brilliant scientific minds in the world doesn’t even begin to answer all the questions, or explain natural phenomena. Like a drop in the ocean, compared to the vastness of creation.

Yet as insignificant as we may be, “He heals the brokenhearted” according to the Psalmist in this quote. He binds up our wounds. The great creator cares about His people. He even cares about me.

Jesus stepped across His created stars, He entered the realm of time, to become one of us. To feel the joys and suffering of life on earth, he truly understands our needs. As creator, he can truly bind our wounds.

We can only respond with the Psalmist: “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 147 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or  Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

Will Rogers on “Appreciate What We Have Here”

When I was young, I was a Navy brat. My father was a career military man and we lived in a number of different places, including abroad. We also travelled across Europe, following his ship from port to port.

I’ve seen the beautiful cathedrals, Roman ruins and great works of art. I’ve also observed the cultures, but there’s something truly special about being an American.

As usual, Will has a great point to make with the accompanying quote. If we truly understand the greatness of our country by not only seeing our national parks, Washington, D.C., etc.,  but also understanding the uniqueness of our form of government and the freedoms we have, it will help us put things in better perspective when we travel abroad. Not that we should be filled with an arrogant pride, but rather that we should be filled with thanksgiving for the blessings God has given us.

Will was a true cowboy. He loved roping and herding cattle, but I don’t think he ever worked a steer as large as “Big Jim” in this image.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

My soul longs for you – Psalm 143 NASB 2 Minute Devotional

Years ago, when our oldest daughter was a toddler, she had experienced some seizures. She had a scan done which produced an X-ray type of output and the doctor saw what appeared to be a growth on her brain. We immediately scheduled an appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon.

The Psalmist always seems to be able to describe my emotions, as he says “my spirit is overwhelmed within me.” For the days leading up to the next appointment I could think of nothing else, except my precious daughter’s condition. God had done so many wonderful things in my life, but now this.

As we waited for the neurosurgeon, his assistant took the X-ray and made some basic observations. Our daughter was playing with an emory board.

When the neurosurgeon came in a short time later, he looked at our daughter as she played, and then told us that there was nothing wrong with her! The “growth” was an artifact of the scanner. The burden was lifted off our backs. The relief was profound.

As I ponder the way in which the Lord has guided us though life, and the lessons of each trial, I hope that it has taught me to long even more for Him. The barren landscape in the image is a parched land that longs for water as I should long for the Lord.

Dear Lord, help me to long for you and quench my thirst with your word, that I may follow you more closely.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 143 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NASB iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or  Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

Give Thanks! – Psalm 109 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

I love this picture! Mr. Beaver seems to be talking directly to me, reminding me to “give thanks to the Lord.” Actually, I do need reminding, because I often forget to give thanks.

As in many Psalms, the Psalmist speaks of “the needy one” and of God’s protection and salvation. Normally I think of the “needy one” as some desperately poor person – someone else.

It turns out that that “needy one” is actually me! I need God’s protection. I need God’s salvation, through Jesus. I also need to give thanks with my mouth. I need to give thanks with God’s people in worship.

Dear Lord, bring to my mind often, the need to give you thanks – for your protection, for your salvation through Jesus, for all the blessings you have brought my way. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 109 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes ESV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

Will Rogers says: “Nations are Like Women”

Rogers understands nationalistic pride, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We should be proud of our country. The problem comes when such pride is bent on the destruction of other countries. Germany under Hitler would be a good example.

Even today, there are problems. The leader of Iran says that Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth. Are these idle threats, as Iran seeks nuclear capability?

How would you respond if your neighbor told everyone they were going to threaten your “baby?” Would you ignore the threat, or prepare an effective response?

Image Information: The image of Rogers is from his 1921 silent film Guile of Women. Rogers plays a Swede named Yal who travels with a friend to America to seek his fortune. After misfortunes in love and business, his girlfriend finally arrives from Sweden.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

Will Rogers on “Nothing but Interest & Taxes”

Will RogersI suppose you could say that interest in taxes is on everybody’s mind these days. These topics dominate the political talk shows and dinner parties, and for good reason. Nobody knows what in the world the lame ducks are going to do about taxes.

Businesses don’t know what their tax liability is going to be next year, so they scale back. The fat cats are cutting back on charitable giving and trips to Las Vegas in case the tax bill is higher next year. The thin cats are even cutting back expenses. With the “death tax” in limbo some folks can’t even plan their own funeral.

Everybody is cutting back it seems, except the boneheads in Congress. They’ve had two years of stimulus and wild spending while normal people are tightening their belts and getting laid off. Now Congress wants to raise the tax rates to pay for it all.

Old man interest is right around the corner and will strike with a vengeance. If Will Rogers’ quote was true in 1931, it is even more so today. “Nothing ever happens in our country but interest and taxes.”

Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

Will Rogers

Will Rogers on “Democrats and the Denounce Bounce”

Will RogersThose poor Democrats, along with the mainstream media, just can’t seem to denounce anything these days without making a mess of it. It looks like they haven’t changed since Will Rogers published this quote in 1930!

Whoever is advising them, doesn’t know the difference between gasoline and water when it comes to putting out a fire. The more Democrats try to denounce former presidents, governors, talk show hosts, and tea party movements, the stronger they get.

Trying to denounce “right-wing” rhetoric for the actions of a homicidal maniac is about as low as it gets, especially considering the inflammatory speech often used by members of their own party.

The lack of credibility is showing up at the ballot box, in newspaper circulation and in nationwide polls. Let them go ahead and keep denouncing. As Will Rogers said: “They are where they are today by picking on the wrong things.”

Image Information: This is an image of Will Rogers (behind the wheel) and his wife Betty in a Model A Ford.

The image was taken directly from pictures at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.

Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

Will Rogers

Will Rogers on “Putters & Pool Halls”

Will RogersFrom this quote, do you get the feeling that Will Rogers wasn’t too keen on the game of golf? I think it was too slow of a game for Will.

As you look at the pictures in the Will Rogers blog posts, you will notice that Will is always active. In the picture on the left, he is busy giving a speech. You’ll find other pictures of Will playing polo, riding horses, flying in airplanes, spinning a lasso, making a movie or playing with his kids.

“Why stand on your feet for hours watching somebody else putt” when you could be having fun doing something else?

The image was taken directly from photographs at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum archive. I apologize for the quality of the image, but this is exactly what the 1920s photo looked like when I scanned it. In the hundreds of images contained in this iPhone application, I wanted to share as many different Will Rogers photos as possible from as wide a variety of times and situations – movies, cowboy, vaudeville, with famous people, and family scenes.

Will Rogers is a man worth remembering, and quoting. His wit, humor and insight into life will amaze and astonish you. His life will inspire you. Watch for new blog posts from my Will Rogers quotes collection.

I hope you have enjoyed this quote from Will Rogers and the accompanying image taken from the Will Rogers iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that might enjoy a bit of wisdom from Will Rogers.

Will Rogers

Where is Your God? – Psalm 42 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

In the midst of a difficult trial or physical sickness, I ask the question, along with the Psalmist: “Where is my God.” Unbelievers love to press that same question since they know that God doesn’t exist in this physical realm, in the sense that we don’t see him with our eyes or hear him with our physical ears. Is God my rock, massive, solid, everlasting, as in the image, or is He more like a cloud or vapor, intangible, fleeting, untouchable?

The financial crisis passed, grief has subsided, the body heals, or I learn to deal with the condition, a job decision is finally made clear. As I look back, I can see God’s guiding hand was there all the time, but I don’t have that clarity looking forward. It turns out that God sees our future as we see out past. His purpose will be accomplished in His time, in His way, for His glory.

If I could just have eyes of hope that can trust God with this trial and my future. The Psalmist says we should yet praise Him! As we Praise God it can help us get through the tough time because praise encourages us to trust God.

Dear Lord, Help me to put my hope in you. I will praise you because you are my Savior and my God, and I know you will not forget me. Amen.

Below is a special musical treat for you. The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 42 to music. Check out the sample and pick up your copy at the iTunes store.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 42 and the accompanying image taken from the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or  Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.

EXTRA!

The Sons of Korah have put Psalm 42 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.

Psalm 42b – Rain Album