Scripture for Today: John 8:31-32 “…Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

This poor cat looks traumatized! And because he is a cat, he is not only stuck but embarrassed about it! There is panic in his eyes as he realizes that pretended indifference will not save him! He can act as if he meant to be there in this ridiculous position, but no one would be fooled. Perhaps he believed a lie in overestimating his own prowess. But clearly he needs someone to climb up there and free him.

Today’s verse describes how the truth will set one free. Jesus is speaking to Jews who were incensed that He would refer to them as “enslaved.” But in fact, lies and falsehoods do enslave those who believe them to the author of lies, Satan. Jesus names him as the “father of lies” having no truth in him. (verse 45) In contrast, Jesus calls Himself, the Truth. (John 14.6) And He calls His Word, “truth.” (John 17:17) His truth sets us free from deception. The truth sets us free to know our Creator, to love Him and to serve Him.

It is increasingly difficult to distinguish truth today. The veneer of authenticity is so convincing. The packaging of the lie is deceptive. But I know the One who is Truth. It is not a concept. It is a Person. The more I know Him, the less likely I am to be deceived by the father of lies. The more I read the truth of His Word, the more I can distinguish what does not come from Him. And the best part of recognizing truth is that it brings me closer to Him!

Lord, free me by Your truth to love You more!

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

The name, “Whistling Kite,” brings to my mind a children’s kite that somehow whistles through the air when navigating wind currents. But in fact, it is the name of a sandy-colored raptor or bird of prey that lives in Australia. And, you guessed it, he makes a distinctive whistling sound as he flies. But what really impressed me was his ability to snatch his food and consume it in mid-flight! We would call that, “eating on the run.” But in bird-speak that is called, “eating on the wing!”

Today’s verse describes the best way to be nourished by God’s Word, and that is to handle it correctly. It takes time and it takes work to study the deeper truths of God’s Word. There is no shortcut to our spiritual growth. God’s Word nourishes our souls, like milk to the newborn, or meat to the more mature. Correctly handling it takes time, taking note of context, cross references, commentaries and more! God approves of our diligent study to know Him better!

The more I take time to study and think on God’s Word, the more I get a personal glimpse of the Author! What other book has the Author there with me as I read, opening the eyes of my heart? What other book corrects, convicts, challenges and comforts me exactly as needed? The more time I give His Word, the more He speaks to me. Our relationship deepens with each reading. Why would I ever want to “eat on the run?”

Lord, help me make Your Word a priority today.

Scripture for Today: John 6:33 “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

It certainly looks like bread! But recently, a popular international sandwich-making chain was told something surprising. The tax break on this American bread being “essential” would no longer be applied. The sugar content of their bread was so elevated that Ireland would no longer considered it as bread or as being essential! Their product was now grouped with pastries and other baked sugary goods and no longer enjoyed tax exemption.

Today’s verse describes a bread that is from God and its origin is heaven. This is a bread with nothing added that is not essential! It is a bread that is exactly what every human being needs as it gives life. Jesus identifies Himself as this bread, calling Himself the “bread of life.” (verse 35) Jesus Christ is essential to true life. Without Him, there is an inexplicable hunger for something more. Without Him, there is an empty gnawing feeling despite pleasant circumstances. But in Him, there is everything we need to feel abundantly filled with all that is essential. Whoever comes to Him has his hunger satisfied. (verse 35)

He is my life. There is nothing I can add to my life to make it more satisfying. I have tried and none of this earth’s goodies do it! In fact, it is when I get distracted by all this world has to offer that I start to feel hunger pangs again. But they are immediately quelled when I seek Him out. He fills up my heart as it was made for Him. He satisfies my restless searching spirit with Himself. I can be calm and content in knowing and loving the Giver of Life!

Thank you Lord, that You satisfy my hunger.

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What a bizarre premise to this 1890 fictional work of Oscar Wilde!  The Picture of Dorian Gray relates the story of Dorian who wishes that his painted image would age instead of himself.  That way he could follow his hedonistic world view and spend his life chasing pleasure.  With every selfish act his image got older and uglier but he himself remained ageless!  And as you can imagine, the story does not end well!

This story reminded me of today’s verse.  Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away.  We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up!  Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside.  What is seen in the mirror is only temporary but the renewal that is taking place on the inside is eternal. (verse 18)

Life is so often filled with hardship and struggle.  Like Paul I may feel that I am “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean I give in to despair.  I may feel crushed by the weight of my trials but I have hope.  I do not want to lose heart because God is using every negative in my life to create a lasting and eternal beauty on the inside.  Within I am becoming more mature as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance.  I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.

Thank you Lord for this hope!  Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.

Scripture for Today:  Matt. 18:21-22  “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

I have never thrown a boomerang so I would be the last choice to participate in the many competitions that exist.  When thrown in a certain way the boomerang is designed to return to the person who threw it.  It is made to spin on an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight and so return to the point of origin.  Who has not seen the boomerang used in a cartoon, hitting the unsuspecting on the back of the head!

In today’s verse, Peter asks the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother.  I am sure that when Peter suggested seven times he felt he was being very generous.  But the Lord’s answer was surprising; seventy times seven.  It is not that we are to count at all.  The idea is that we forgive our brother every time he asks.  Like that boomerang, there are those in our lives who keep coming back for forgiveness.  Perhaps it is a family member.  Maybe it is someone in the church.  It could even be that they are asking forgiveness for the same exact offense every time!

How exasperating to have to forgive someone over and over again.  And yet, this is what the Lord does for me.  Like a boomerang, I keep coming back to Him for forgiveness and very often for the same failing.  I am so glad He does not count.  I am so thankful that He promises to forgive me every time I come to Him (I John1:9)

Lord, help me not to count but show that same forgiveness to others!