Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  Now is the time when various people and organizations put out their Top Ten lists for the past year. I’m not up on current culture, so I don’t pay much attention to what the best movies, songs, or trends of 2025 were.   It’s a good time to think about everything God has done for us in the past year. We can be like the psalmist who said, “It is good to praise the  Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…..For you make me glad by your deeds,  Lord ; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works,  Lord , how profound your thoughts!” (Psalm 92:1-5).   Spend some time in reflection and make your own Top Ten list of things God has done for you in the past year. Think about the prayers He answered, everything He gave you, all He helped you do, all the times you experienced His forgiveness and mercy, and the big and little ways He made himself known to you. ...

  When I was little, the last week before Christmas was an exciting time. Lights were up on houses, music was in the air, and there was a general feeling of goodwill. I was joyfully and expectantly waiting for Christmas to come.     Fast forward to the adult me who hates to wait for anything. I still enjoy all the preparations, activities, and get-togethers that are part of the season and I try to get myself spiritually ready for Christmas, but I no longer have that sense of wonder and joyful expectation that I had as a child.     We’re reminded at this time of year to wait well. We are waiting for that day when we will see Jesus face-to-face, when all our sorrows and infirmities will be gone and we will be completely renewed for all eternity. That glorious hope should make us feel like a kid waiting for Christmas and not someone getting ready to have a tooth pulled (apologies to my dental friends). Paul writes, “ Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eager...

  I’ve known a few firefighters over the years. Much of their time on duty is spent together with their comrades in the firehouse, but when a call comes, it’s time to go out and do whatever needs to be done. It may be a fire to put out, an accident to clear, or a medical emergency.   We are called as Christians to lives of service. We can’t just stay in our comfortable environment with other believers. When the call comes, we need to be ready to serve. There are many fires to fight in society today. There are many people in need of help. There are countless others who need to hear the Gospel. Not every fire can be put out in time, not every life can be saved, but we carry on because our service is measured by faithfulness and not by success.   When a call comes into the firehouse, there isn’t a discussion of whether the people who need help belong to a particular group or deserve assistance. Everyone receives care. In the same manner, Christians are called to serv...

  We had wine and a few different cheeses before our Thanksgiving dinner. It’s interesting that we age certain foods so that they reach their best potential, while many foods spoil after a relatively short period of time.   We are meant to age like a fine wine or cheese, and not spoil like last week’s milk. How do we bring this about? We create the proper conditions.   Wine and cheese are made under the guidance of someone experienced in the process. They have often devoted their whole lives to the work and many come from families who have been doing it for generations. They are trusted to know what is best. God knows everything about us. We can trust Him to guide us along the best path when we place our lives in His hands.   Wine and cheese are kept under strict temperature regulation. It’s true for us as well. We should never lose our cool. When we allow ourselves to remain angry over things that have happened to us, we run the risk of developing bitter...

  I enjoy watching sports on TV. I’m heartened when I hear athletes, when they are congratulated on their accomplishments, begin by giving thanks and praise to God. They are a witness to us as to how we should be living our lives.   Ten lepers came to Jesus asking to be healed. He told them to go to the priests. They were healed while they were on their way. One of them immediately came back to thank Jesus. When Jesus saw the man who returned, He said, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”(Luke 17:17-18). Jesus said to the man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).   Luke doesn’t say anything about the nine lepers who didn’t return. We assume they saw the priest, were pronounced cured, and then went off to celebrate. They were probably even grateful to Jesus for their healing but they didn’t make giving thanks a priority for them.   Jesus wasn’t p...