Scripture for Today: Mark 9:7 “Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!'”

This Echo Dot speaker is connected to the voice-activated personal assistant, Alexa.  It can perform a number of tasks including: weather and news reports, music, alarms and timers, shopping lists and to-do lists,, reminders from the calendar, access to Wikipedia and more.  Other skills are constantly being added.  But all requests start with a trigger word or wake-up word.  It can be Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer.  However, it can be disconcerting that in the default mode, Echo is always listening for the wake-up word to be spoken.

Today’s verse describes in part the scene when Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John.  The Jesus they thought they knew was transformed, wearing dazzling white and speaking to Moses and Elijah. Rather than shocking Peter into respectful silence and an attitude of listening, this miracle loosened Peter’s tongue.  In his excitement and fear, he made some suggestions to Jesus.  Just before things returned to normal, God’s voice told them to “Listen to Him.”

This command to Peter is just as much for me today.  I need to simply listen to Him.  There are so many distractions in my life, even good ones. that pull my attention away from hearing what He wants to say.  His message can be heard through good preaching, through devotionals and through wonderful Christian articles.  But He wants to talk to me personally with that morsel of truth that needs to be applied to my life today!  He wants to impress on me the truth needed for this moment.  I cannot discern His voice unless I am quiet and actively listening.

Wake me up, Lord, to listen to You.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:33-34  “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”

Today is a day of new beginnings.  This day gives one the opportunity to start over.  The New Year is full of potential for good things to happen.  It is like a present waiting to be opened.  What will it hold?

For some, it is with a sigh of relief to see the old year come to a close.  After going through huge difficulties, a New Year brings hope that things can only get better.  For others, a New Year is approached with trepidation, questions and what ifs.  But for believers, though the future is unknown, we can know the One who controls that future.

Often, the New Year is a moment to re-evaluate one’s life and decide on some changes.  It is the moment to make resolutions.  New resolve is somehow found concerning exercise, diet, or some other kind of discipline.  For me, I cannot think of a better resolution than to be more diligent to know and follow His Word.

In today’s verse, this is also the desire the psalmist.  Not only does he want to know and follow what God wants, but he wants to be wholly committed with all of his heart.  This is my deepest desire as well, although so often I am distracted with other priorities.  It is also my desire for any one near and dear to me.  Blessing comes with carrying out this resolution!

Happy New Year, Lord.  May I know You, obey You and love You more in this new year!

Scripture for Today: Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

It is amazing how the eye can be fooled.  This desert mirage looks as if there is water in the distance reflecting the landscape.  I can imagine the weary traveler hurrying his steps in thirsty anticipation.  What a disappointment to finally arrive and find nothing!  The light passes from colder to warmer air, bending the rays and mirroring the sky above.  The result is what looks to be a pool of water on the pavement.  The word “mirage” comes from Latin and means “to look at” or “to wonder at.”  We get our word”mirror” from this same root.  This makes sense as the reflected image is not real.

Today’s verse reminded me of a mirage when I read the words, “empty deception.”  Like a shimmering pool of water in the distance, the world’s philosophies promise much but deliver nothing.  When we base our thinking on what the world says is truth, we are deceived.  This verse says we can even be bound and captive to a system of thinking.  We are to be careful and see to it that we are not fooled.

My days make no sense to me without the Author and Source of life.  He calls Himself “Light.”  This Light is not the distorted rays that fool the eye.  He calls Himself, “Living Water,” and He does not disappoint me.  He quenches my thirst.  He calls Himself, “Truth,” and His truth is absolute and never-changing!

Thank you, Lord, that You are no mirage of wishful thinking!