Spurgeon on “True Humility and God’s Glory” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

I’m proud to be humble pretty much summarizes my belief that I can grow spiritually through my own efforts. Because I say it, means it is so.

Spurgeon’s quote helps me realize that all that I do, and all that I am is because of God, not me. Not that I am a bystander, but because God has given me abilities and gifts, plus God directs the outcome for His glory. This is true humility, giving God credit for everything.

For a clear picture of true humility, I think of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2. The king had asked his wise men to interpret a dream. This wouldn’t have been a problem, except King Nebuchadnezzar wouldn’t tell them what the dream was, or perhaps he didn’t remember. If the dream couldn’t be interpreted by the wise men (including Daniel) of Babylon, the king would put them all to death.

Daniel and his friends prayed for God’s help, and in this passage, God reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel, along with the interpretation in a “night vision.” Daniel’s first response was a psalm of praise, found in verses 20-23.

Daniel’s meeting with King Nebuchadnezzar must be one of the most dramatic moments in all of history. When asked if he could tell the dream and its interpretation, Daniel acknowledged that no person could do such a thing, except “…there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” Daniel even goes on to say that “…this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have…” This is true humility before God and man.

The beautiful flower in the picture points to the glory of it’s Creator. When we look at it, we know it didn’t create itself, and the flower contains no power in itself, except what was given to it by God. May we always direct others to our great savior and creator.

Dear Lord, Help me to acknowledge you first and always, in all that I am, and in all that I do. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes 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 How to Finance Weapons Development

Will RogersHow is it that in 1929 Will Rogers could see through all the fancy rhetoric to the reality of what they called “disarmament” in those days, and today we are doing the same thing, but with different names? We call it SALT and START, but it’s all the same. I guess it gives the diplomats and politicians something to do so they can feel good about doing their part to bring about world peace.

Meanwhile, the rest of us wonder why it is that the U.S. is the only signer of the treaty that actually abides by the terms, while the others don’t seem to have any problem violating the terms or lying to us about compliance.

We make a big deal about destroying stockpiles of obsolete weapons, but everybody knows that the new weapons can kill more people more better.

Today, while our politicians and diplomats are feeling good about this great achievement, we have insane lunatics acquiring nuclear weapon capability, openly threatening to blow up their adversaries. Are they signing treaties to disarm? Of course not!

The best analogy I can come up with is two cowboys with guns pointed at each other and fingers on the trigger. They are both mad at each other, but the cowboy dressed in white has the advantage – he is a diplomat! He says: “I know you are mad, but just to show you I am a compassionate and understanding fellow, I’m going to put my weapon down first, and trust you to do the same.” Let’s just hope his negotiations don’t get holes blown in them.

Image Information: In this image, Will Rogers is shown standing in front of an airplane. Rogers was a huge proponent of aviation and flying was his main mode of transportation, even from the days of open cockpit aircraft. If you follow his Daily Telegram datelines, you will find him routinely flying from coast to coast, and everywhere in between.

The image was taken directly from movie stills 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

Navy Psalm 39:12 ESV on “Hear My Prayer”

Everyday Act of Valor

Until I started looking through the Navy archives, I didn’t realize that burials at sea are routinely done to honor shipmates’ final requests. This image is unique in that a son has the opportunity to honor his own father, as he carries on a proud military tradition. You can see both pain and pride in this sailor’s face.

You may not be able to see it at the bottom of the picture, but the sailor is holding a flag. It is a symbol of the sacrifice and love of country, presented to the family. Passing this heritage from father to son is an act of valor, made up of simple, every day prayers and actions.

Psalm 39:12 came to mind as I thought about this moment in the sailors life. We are sojourner’s moving though life, walking with our God. We pray for peace during the tough times, but have cause to smile as we ponder God’s grace and mercy toward us.

Dear Lord, Hear my prayer, and give ear to my cry. Hold not your peace at my tears! I need your mercy and forgiveness every day so that I may smile again. Amen.

Entire Quote & Image Information

Psalm 39:12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!”

Image info: PACIFIC OCEAN (June 9, 2009) Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Noel Myers holds a photo of his father, Edmond McKinley Myers Jr., and a flag moments after a burial at sea ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Commanding Officer Capt. K.J. Norton presented the Flag to Myers. Ronald Reagan is underway on a routine deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oliver Cole/Released)

iPhone App

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 39 and the accompanying image taken from the Navy 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.

Wait for the Lord – Psalm 27 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

When I went to vote, I had to stand in line. I don’t like to wait, I’m pretty impatient. I did get to visit with friends, but I would rather have been on my way.

There’s no better picture of patience than the penguin. Male penguins sit atop their nest for weeks in order to protect their eggs. They can’t move or the eggs will freeze, so they sit patiently, through storm and bitter cold.

Waiting for the Lord is tough, but Psalm 27 admonishes us to take courage. God’s timetable is not our own and with patience He begins to align our timetable with His. We might think it is too late, but God is right on time with the answer.

Dear Lord, help me to be patient, let my heart take courage as I trust in you, even through storm and bitter cold. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 27 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.

Help Me, O Lord – Psalm 109 ESV 2 Minute Devotional

Earlier this year, we were in a financial crunch. We cut back all we could, but the cash had run out. It’s a situation that weighs on you. As the Psalmist says: “…my heart is stricken within me.”

A friend of mine and I regularly go on walks, and I shared some of our needs. He returned later that afternoon and gave me a cash gift. It wasn’t a huge gift, but it was enough for groceries. We made it through that time, with God’s help, and are doing better now.

When we are needy, we feel small, just like the bird in the picture. But just like the bird in the picture, tiny and insignificant, we are still God’s creation – we are still His child.

Dear Lord, when I am poor and needy, when my heart is stricken within me, save me according to your steadfast love. Help me turn to Christ for my salvation. 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.

Spurgeon on “Light Without Darkness” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

This world is stained with sin. We can’t get away from it, no matter how hard we try, or how far we go. It manifests itself personally in our lives, and in nature.

In our personal lives and relationships, we see pride, envy, lust, hatefulness, and all sorts of sin that manifests itself in our lives each day. We might be able to overcome some sins through the sheer force of will, but sin itself is so deeply embedded in our being that it can never be overcome completely.

In nature we see imperfections and decay everywhere. Our own bodies wear out after a period of time, even though the average lifespan has increased in recent years. Natural phenomena such as tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and many other events indicate that this earth is unstable. Pain and suffering are all around us.

But Spurgeon (and the Bible) talk of beauty and perfection that doesn’t exist on this earth. In a place called heaven we will find it.

When Jesus came to this earth, he showed us that He could reverse the effects of sin in this world. Jesus healed many people reversing the effect of disease in their bodies. He controlled the weather by calming a storm, and he controlled evil spirits by casting them out of the people they tormented. He also preached the gospel, which by faith, can cleanse sin from our lives.

Dear Lord, Only with your grace can we reverse the effect of sin in our life. Only by faith can we prepare for heaven, where sin shall be no more, and we will see your “glory without cloud.” Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes 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 “Patient Benefits”

Will RogersWill has it right again. Unfortunately, it seems that legislation put the patients in the hearse in the first place. That produces a crisis, which produces more legislation to fix the problem. “Never let a crisis go to waste” says one political advisor.

Perhaps we need to roll back legislation that will cause a crisis in the first place. Oh, but that would take political courage, that would take a statesman, not a politician! Perhaps voters will see the difference.

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

Will Rogers on “The Rich get Richer”

Will RogersWill Rogers was a champion of the downtrodden and unfortunate who suffered in the aftermath of economic downturns and hardships. He tirelessly raised money for the Red Cross to help those who had been affected by natural disasters, especially farmers who suffered during the “dust bowl.”

In spite of his fame, Will Rogers was loved as a man of the people. Ironically, Rogers was friends with some of the richest and most influential men in the world, including Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller. He often praised them for their achievements and generosity. Here’s an example quote: “Hurrah for Mr. Rockefeller, 96 years old today, one of the very few men that knew how to give money away so that every dollar does good. That’s more than our government can do. It’s more than anybody can do.”

I think Will Rogers had little patience with wealthy politicians of the day who bloviate about their concern for the farmer, while proposing programs that do little to help. Here’s a Will Rogers classic quote: “Farmers are learning that the relief they get from the sky beats what they get from Washington.”

Perhaps this explains Rogers’ quote. People who get rich at the expense of their fellow man or show no concern for the well-being of others were pretty low in Rogers’ estimation.

Will Rogers knew what it was like to be poor, and he also achieved a level of financial success. Through it all, Rogers lived a humble life of generosity which should inspire us all.

Image Information: Once Will Rogers discovered he could get places faster by flying, he was constantly in the air. From open cockpit through the dawn of commercial aviation he flew coast-to-coast and everywhere in between.

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: “To Inflate or Not to Inflate”

Will RogersWill RogersHow come we’re in such an economic mess with a “sea of [government] economists” and a Treasury Secretary who runs the IRS, but can’t get his own taxes right? These guys just stimulated the economy into oblivion, and now are printing money and raising taxes to make up the difference. Every market that comes to their attention, they have managed to throw into chaos – oil, health care, auto, private aircraft, travel, airline, and the list goes on. It’s like pulling legs off a crawdad! Each missing leg slows it down, until finally it can’t move at all.

Now, Will Rogers was a man of common sense, and I think most of us regular people are as well. We know that you can’t continually spend more than you make and have a stable economy. We know that you shouldn’t overburden industry with regulations that are ineffective and useless. We know that you can’t overtax people and expect economic growth.

And by the way, don’t try to push the class envy, “tax the rich” argument. Can you argue that their money does more good taken by the government in taxes, or spent in the economy? Let them spend! Let them spend extravagantly if they want. That money goes directly into jobs, services and possessions that benefit the economy. Or perhaps you argue that it is better that a bloated government “invest” that money in bureaucrats and bailouts.

So here’s the message to the ivory tower economists, arrogant administration officials and elitist legislators: “Keep your fingers out of my grits [oatmeal for northerners], or you’ll get a fork in the back of your hand!” I think they felt a “poke” in the last election, but they seem to keep coming back for more.

It gets personal when they mess with MY grits. Mess with my job, mess with my salary, mess with my company, mess with my industry, or touch my junk, and suffer the consequences in the next election.

What can we do? For now, just laugh at them, keep spirits up, hope they don’t do much more damage, and vote them out in the next election. Meanwhile, watch your grits!

Image Information: The picture is a movie still from the 1935 Will Rogers movie The County Chairman. Will plays Jim Hackler, a local party-boss in a Wyoming county, who has to decide to do what’s right and lose the election, or what’s wrong and win.

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 “Unpredictable Voters”

Will RogersPolitical consultants get paid big bucks to discern the “mind of the voter.” Sometimes it seems that there isn’t much to be found in the “mind of the voter” so the consultants drop back to trying to determine the “feelings” of the voter.

Feelings can be a tricky thing to predict. One single gaffe, or a wrong gesture, or a funny grimace can change the outcome of an election. The main stream media has manipulation of feelings down to a science. If they don’t like a candidate (read conservative), there is a flood of awkward pictures and quotes. In recent years we have found they are not beneath making up stories to make a politician look bad.

In this quote, Will Rogers indicates that voters are unpredictable, and furthermore, a voter would rather vote against a politician rather than for one. Fortunately, since voters can’t vote against “all of ’em” as Will Rogers says, somebody has to win.

The last election was filled with entertainment value. The main stream media was so obviously biased that it was actually humorous. Liberal politicians had no idea what the voters were going to do, and in the end the only post-election party was the tea party.

Image Info: Wiley Post walks along the pontoon of his aircraft during the fateful Alaska trip in August of 1935. Within a few days, Wiley Post and his passenger Will Rogers would die when the plane crashed on take-off near Point Barrow, Alaska.

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 Lord is my shepherd – Psalm 23 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

One of the most famous passages of literature is Psalm 23. It truly captures our soul’s desire, that we would be led by the Great Shepherd to the quiet waters.

This verse can certainly be applied to many areas of life. Our brave combat soldiers might take “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” quite literally. Financial struggles might not be a matter of life and death, but they can weigh heavily upon us. This Psalm brings hope to all believers in all circumstances.

I thought the image of the sheep looked like it might be speaking to us. Modern day sheep need their shepherd, just like in the days of David the king.

I thank the Lord that even when I am prone to wander, he brings me back to the flock, and cares for me, and comforts me.

This image is a screenshot of the Psalm Daily Quotes NIV iPhone app, and it allows you to scroll through the rest of the verse.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 67 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.

Spurgeon on “Daily Strength” ~ 2 Minute Devotional

When I was working on my masters degree at the University of Illinois I built instrumentation for their Aeronomy program. We made rocket payloads that would gather data from the upper atmosphere which would allow us to look at the nature of energetic particles that stream down the earth’s magnetic fields.

I love science and I remember the thrill of looking at data from a rocket launch. Before my eyes was a glimpse of a tiny piece of God’s creation in motion. Scientists would puzzle over the interpretation of the data and debate its meaning.

In Spurgeon’s wonderful way, he describes God’s control and care of the heavenly bodies. Men of science spend a lifetime trying to explain how the sun operates. Each new scientific discovery brings more questions, yet God cares for it all, and places each planet in its place.

Not only does God care for the planets and their vast scale of operation, he also cares for each of us individually. The God who “feeds the burning furnace of the sun” has power enough to supply us with the daily strength we need!

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

Justice for the Poor – Psalm 140 NASB 2 Minute Devotional

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? I think all of us have at some time or another. Actually, movie plots are filled with these types of stories. The protagonist is cast out of society unjustly and has to fight against the odds to prove their innocence.

The Psalms are filled with passages that echo the theme of justice for the poor and relief for the afflicted. The Psalmist suggests thanksgiving from the righteous.

What the movies typically show is the person fighting their way back under their own strength. Believers can trust in God’s strength for relief and justice.

In 1 Thes 5:18 Paul gives us some remarkable advice. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” If we want to know God’s will, it is to give Him thanks for our circumstances.

Dear Lord, help me to give you thanks in all circumstances, when I’m poor and afflicted, when I’m going about my daily tasks, for everything, at all times. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 140 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.

I’m Ready to Go. – Psalm 116 NIV 2 Minute Devotional

My grandmother was well into her 90s when we gathered around her. It would be the last time I would see her in this life. She looked up at me, smiling, her blue eyes twinkling, and said: “I’m ready to go.” I’ll never forget that moment.

My uncle told me that the short time she had been in the nursing facility she had been a blessing and encouragement to everyone there, staff and patients. Her confident faith and cheerful attitude were an inspiration to all.

My grandmother had served the Lord all her life. As the Psalmist says in this passage, she had walked “before the Lord in the land of the living,” she had known suffering and affliction in her life, she had fulfilled her vows “to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” She knew the love of her savior, Jesus, and shared that love with her family, friends and all she came into contact with.

The image shows a beautiful, peaceful sunset. May the Lord help me to grow in my faith so that as my life comes to a close, as my sun sets, I will be ready to go, like my grandmother; with confidence and faith.

Dear Lord, It’s never too late to turn to you as savior. Help us to know your love and grow in faith to the end of our days. When we are called home, let us be ready to confidently say, “I’m ready to go.”

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” I love you grandma.

I hope you have been blessed by Psalm 116 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 116 to music. Listen to a sample below and purchase your own copy at the iTunes store by clicking on the button.

Psalm 116b – Rain Album