Fear No Evil

 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4

 

I’ve always found comfort, picturing the Savior as a shepherd with a small lamb flung over His shoulders walking up a hill.  The simple truth of knowing that He is there as my protector, my guide and my provider puts at ease the pressures of dealing with everyday problems in life.  Think about that for a moment.  A sheep has very limited defenses against the wolves, bears and lions of the wilderness.  They are slow and lack any true abilities to fend off an attack in the open wilderness.  The shepherd was their protector, and King David (author of the 23rd Psalm) had great experience as such.  With a watchful eye, he would fend off the invasion of any enemy on the prowl, ready to strike at any time in a possessive, loving manner.

What is your reaction when the path in life goes through a valley?  Perhaps the death of a loved one, a lost job, a divorce or fighting an addiction has cast a shadow over your horizon.  It is easy to fall prey to the evil one when we are in the valley’s of our own life, and yes there are valley’s even though you are walking in God’s path of righteousness.  We need only to look at the life of Job as an example of a man that was following God’s path of righteousness to every detail.  Yet, he became the center of a battle between God and Satan, good and evil.   Did Job ever fear the evil that encroached upon his life?  He lost his children, his wealth and his health to the very edge of dying, yet never lost hope or faith that God was with him.

Life will have valleys.  You need to be resound in your faith and strong in your walk with the Lord to know that He will never leave you.  “Satan is alive and well on planet earth” was a book from the 1970’s written by Hal Lindsay, which clearly outlines the battle of God and Satan over the lives of mankind.  Satan is not a fable, he is very real and very jealous.  He wants control over the lives of man in order to spite our Lord, and in order to overthrow God’s will of righteousness, love and mercy.  It is a battle as old as time and will continue right up until the end of days.  You will face temptations, trials, disappointments and strife in your life all at the hands of the devil himself. 

The Lord reminds us countless times throughout the Old and New Testament that He will not leave our side.  We are mighty warriors of the one and only God of the Universe and we will overcome the evil one in life and in death.  Lean upon God’s righteousness and the Holy Spirit for strength in times of weakness.  David writes of the “rod and the staff”, we likewise find comfort in our Lord’s rod and staff.  The rod of the shepherd was used to keep the sheep in line and to hook them if they were to wander off.  The staff of the shepherd was used as a club to defend against the enemies of the wild.  The Lord has provided tools for you as well, we have the Holy Spirit within each of us as a rod to keep us in line when the temptations arise.  The Lord has provided His Word as a mighty sword to fend off any enemy.  The more you are in it, the stronger you become to use it in times of need.  Here are just a few scriptures to give you confidence in knowing that the Lord is with you always, even in the valley’s of life.

Psalm 18:2	The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 18:32	It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Psalm 27:1	The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 121:1-2	I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Isaiah 40:29	He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength
Isaiah 41:10	Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness
Philippians 4:13	I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
2 Corinth. 12:9	And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

Let these verses bring you comfort when you are struggling to find your way in the valleys of despair.  The Lord is our fortress and our comforter, in Him you can find peace.

Pay to Ceasar

 “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” – Mark 12:42-44

What I have noticed in life is that the more we have the harder it is to give it away.  There was a time in my career when I would scrape and dig just to find a few quarters or a dollar to put enough gas in the car to get home.  It was at those times, though, I was certain to put a tithe in the offering plate on Sunday morning’s.  This tithe was often times quite small, but fully represented my heart in giving back to God what He had given to me.  As we draw toward the tax day in the U.S., I look at the unjust economic system and cringe as I realize that, even in retirement, my Government is demanding nearly 3X what my God requests from me.  Where should my loyalty rest?

 I have been truly blessed in my life, not by any of my doing.  Certainly, my fingers may have been on the keyboard, and my mind has been at work to shape and mold successful business structures, and models that have helped the companies I have worked for flourish.  But all of that comes from the Lord.  He alone has given me the wisdom, passion, gifts, and strengths to achieve what my employer had asked me to accomplish.  I was able to deliver on projects at work only because the Lord gave me the strength and knowledge at the right time to provide guidance and leadership as necessary.  If it were not for His love for me and His desire to see me move forward in my career, I dare say I would still be digging for quarters in the back seat of my '73 Buick Lesabre.  My philosophy is simple: everything I have is from the Lord – money, material possessions, health, family, love, talents, skills, knowledge, and passions.  For how could I have created a brain cell or a muscle or a tongue or eyes in order to do the things I have done since birth. 

Do not get me wrong, I am certainly aware that my life is an amalgamation of experiences, learnings, wisdom acquired through trial and error, and many mistakes along the way.  Just like you and every other one of the 8 billion people on this planet, I learned that a stove is hot, either by touching it or by listening to my parents.  I’m saying that before that, from the very moment of birth, my brain was already functioning to the point of capability to take in these new experiences.  At birth, only minutes old, you have already learned to breathe, cry, speak audible tones, hear, move your muscles, suckle, and sleep.  Who taught you to do these things?  Where did that knowledge come from?  Your brain started to create knowledge long before you actually began experiencing life. 

There is no denial that something greater than I created myself.  By acknowledging this simple fact, we must then come to realize that this greater force is still working within your mind and soul to survive and succeed in this world.  Nothing you have is without His doing, for at the core of your capability to achieve anything in life is His design, creation, and execution.  You are a result of His creative process, and therefore, He is responsible for all that you have obtained.  Humble yourself to realize that though you are extremely knowledgeable, wise, and capable in this life, only because He designed you to be.

What are you giving back to Him who created you?  Malachi 3:10 we read, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”   Why do we find it so hard to follow this simple guidance from the Lord?  A tithe is 10%.  This means 10% of your time should be focused on expanding God’s Kingdom, 10% of your talent should be given back to serving those in need, and 10% of your treasure.  We pay taxes to our Government because it is legal, but we shouldn’t tithe for the same reason.  We should be tithing because it is our way to demonstrate our faith, love, and thanksgiving for the Lord’s provision in our life.  You may not have a church family to tithe to.  If this is the case, then tithe to a local charity, food bank, shelter, or ministry.  Give back to God what He has given to you, and trust in His promise to bless you.  As my Pastor has said multiple times, “I would much rather have 90% of my income with God’s blessings, than 100% without.”  Seems pretty logical to me.

Who Are You?

 "Jesus said, I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."  Mark 14:62

"I AM"

God said these words to Moses in Exodus 3:14, "And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”  God established His identity to the Israelites at that time.  They would forever know that "I AM" means the sovereign Lord, Yahweh, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  No mortal could make such a statement, a claim of divinity, as to declare equality with the Father.  

Yet, in Mark, as well as Matthew 18:20, 28:20, and John 8:58, Jesus claims this very thing.  It ends up being the final straw that condemns him to the cross.  Standing before the High Priest, Caiaphas, with Pharisees and Sadducees all around, they point-blank asked him, and in his response set his fate.  Their claims of blasphemy resounded through the halls that night, and without haste, they moved to have him judged by Pontius Pilate.

Pundits will say Jesus never claimed to be God.  This argument is empty, though, because they don't take the time to study the completeness of the scriptures.  Jesus made claims throughout his ministry that were relevant to the audience at that time.  These Jewish leaders knew without a doubt that Jesus was claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.  In their understanding, this meant he was claiming to be equal to God the Father, and have the authority of God the Father.  Yet, they knew him as a humble man, from a small fishing village in the north, Nazareth, and the son of Mary and Joseph.  They could not in their simple minds, piece together the fullness of God's plan of redemption through this humble man.  They had seen him turn over the tables, argue pointedly with the Pharisees on the temple mount, and call them all hypocrites in the public square.  They despised him in his ministry for accomplishing miracle after miracle to the point that their authority had been challenged.  

When Jesus claimed I AM, they had one of three thoughts.  1) He was truly who he claimed, and they had been accused justly, therefor he was a threat to their authority, or 2) He was a deceiver, a con man, and therefore a threat to the children of God, or 3) He was crazy, insane, and needed to be removed.  Because of his wisdom of scriptures and his previous preaching in the temple, they knew he wasn't insane.  We all know they pressed in to have him crucified, claiming option 2 as their reason.  There must have been some concern amongst them, though that option 1 was a real possibility.  They had witnessed his miracles, they had witnessed his parables, they had witnessed his preaching, they had taught him in the synagogues as a young man, and were astounded by his wisdom.  They had respected his faith right up to the point that he started accusing them of unrighteousness.

I feel many of us are the Pharisees of today.  We believe we know the heart of God and what God would say in any situation, based on our understanding of the scriptures.  But, do we really?  There is only one authority over heaven and earth, and we are not it.  Jesus claimed to be the great I AM.  When he returns, he will judge the righteous and unrighteous.  Until then, we are to live by his words of truth and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Condemnation is the Lord's; we are here to serve and love.  Let us not fall into the trap of the Pharisees by allowing our perception of right/wrong and righteousness to become a judgment over our neighbor.

The Value of Life

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  - Psalm 139:13-14

I'm typing this on a 2020 MacBook Pro.  There were over 15 million made that year.  Mine was made just like everyone else's (for the most part, some have Intel, some have Apple M1 CPU) but the data and the use of my MacBook is unique to me.  There is not one other 2020 MacBook Pro in the world that is exact to mine.  But, they all operate the same way.  Data comes in through the keyboard, mouse, wi-fi router, internet, or USB device and goes out to the display, printer, wi-fi router, internet, or even television.  There is input and output.  The CPU does the calculating, the SDD stores the data, the RAM is for temporary memory storage,  and the rest is the electronics to make it all work.  If we can comprehend the uniqueness of our own personal computer, phone, or tablet, then it is no different when it comes to the human being.

We are all made up of atoms, molecules, cells, and DNA.  The uniqueness in every person is encoded within this DNA from the very start, the very point of conception.  We are a uniquely created identity with flaws, shortcomings, aptitude, possibilities, and longing for discovery.  So, what separates you from another sitting in the chair next to you or across the restaurant?  Your life experiences have brought you to this point, and theirs have brought them to their point.  You may have been raised together, but your experiences are different.  You may have been raised in different cities, states, countries, and cultures, to which you would have a very different life experience.  The internal workings though are exactly the same.  You have a unique DNA, a code that defines you.  It is the design criteria for everything about you.

We know that the brain is made up of cells, and neural pathways (called synapses).  It is in constant active state, even when your sleeping.  As long as blood is flowing to the brain, it is moving data around.  In today's world it is like the "cloud".  It stores data, it computes, it provides answers, it holds onto the entirety of your memories, it is the instructor for your bodily functions - breathing, blinking, feeling, heart beating, digesting, excreting, walking, talking, hearing, seeing, and so on and so on.  It is the mastermind behind how it all works.  But, is your brain different than the person across the room from you?  It functions in many of the same ways as it needs to operate the complexities of the physical body, but the thoughts, the memories, the emotions, the experiences that are stored in your brain are 100% unique to you only.

So, why would Richard Dawkins then compare the human fetus to nothing greater than a pig?  His quote in 2013, "With respect to those meanings of "human" that are relevant to the morality of abortion, any fetus is less human than an adult pig." There is the atheistic view of the wonder of humanity. In the eyes of evolutionary atheists, we are all nothing more than evolved cells over billions of years and that the human evolved into a more intelligent being than other animals. The standard belief on value of life comes only from the subjective goodness that one can contribute to the greater good, not from the moral fiber which makes you - you.

From a religious perspective, we believe that God created mankind. We believe that God is in the creation of every new zygote at the point of conception, as stated in the scriptures - Psalm 139, "I formed you in your mother's womb." God created Adam, and God created Eve, to rule over the other creations in Genesis 1:26. You are a uniquely created being by the Creator of the universe. You have over 30 Trillion cells at any one time in the makeup of your body. Each of these cells serves a purpose, not randomly, not because of evolution, not because of coincidence, but because of your DNA and the unique purpose the Creator gave them. You have value because you were created for a purpose. Your value is not determined by your financial statement, your success at work, your parenting skills, the grades on your test, the results of that last project, or whether other people love you. Your value is determined by God alone, and because He is your creator, His love for you is eternal. You are here for a purpose to impact those around you for the kingdom. This life is just an infinitesimally small drop of water in the huge ocean of eternity. Lift your head up and realize that you are on track to meeting Jesus face to face one day and hear those words, "Well done."

Finish Strong

 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.  And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” – Acts 4:11-12

Do you not know?
What was the point of it all?
When you started, did you know where the finish line was?’
How will you ever achieve all you strive for if you don’t know what it is?

There is a Supreme Being, God Almighty, who reigns over mankind.  He created man from dust, gave life to the world in which we live.  Do you not believe that these things happened?

Is the Bible nothing more than a fantasy for you, or is it a factual recording of our human history?  If we are not capable of realizing the truth that exudes from the pages, and claim them as an interesting compilation of stories, then how can we claim that the Almighty even exists at all?  Can you believe in the Creator and yet claim that He has mislead billions of people?  What a ludicrous thought this is.

If indeed you claim to believe in and follow the One called Jesus Christ, than is it not bestowed upon you to study, learn and fully embrace His teachings?  Are we content in claiming our Christianity, simply to avoid Hell, yet not be concerned with living out the truth that is so blatantly provided through His Word.  He died for you to live, not to exist, and to live with conviction, love and purpose.  It is upon you to spread His love, not to simply accept and be done.

The God, we claim to serve, has created the world and all that is in it.  He has provided for your every need, and continues to work on your behalf in the unseen and unknown days that lie ahead.  Our excuses are compiled in a manner to justify our lack of interest in actually recognizing His plan.  We are enamored and enticed by the world around us to pursue our personal interests and have consistently chosen to put God on hold.  Yet, we feel fully justified in claiming our right of passage into eternity.  Just stop and think about it for a moment.  Are you truly committed to God, or are you using Him?

Make a stand Christian.  Take up your armor and fight for the freedom that He died to provide for you.  For life in Christ is truly freedom, and is the only freedom you will ever have.  The freedom discussed in the media and tabloids is still subjective to the world’s perception and understanding.  Pursue God and re-discover the path that He has laid out for you.  The finish line is not far off in the distance, but we must finish strong.

Life's Purpose from Birth

 “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord" – Psalm 27:14

As the oxygen fills her lungs for the first time outside of her mother’s womb, her eyes separate, and the brightness of the room dilates her pupils.  The coolness of the air and the uncertainty of her new surroundings stimulate her senses, and the only reaction her mind can create is one of helplessness and crying.  As the surgical blade cuts through the umbilical cord, the newborn little girl is brought to her mother’s bosom and comforted.  Wrapped in swaddling clothes, her ear presses to her mother’s flesh and hears the all too familiar sound of her heartbeat.  A calmness comes over her body, and she instinctively curls into a fetal position, drawing her tiny legs up to her chest and bringing her fingers to her lips.

For 40 weeks, this baby and this mother have been inseparable.  The blood of the mother has flowed through the baby, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and growth hormones.  The baby’s body has been formed and shaped by the hand of the Almighty Creator of the Universe (Psalm 139:13), and a purpose-built spirit was placed inside this beautiful child.  For nine months, the mother has loved this child, sung songs, prayed, and wept over this life and the amazing things her little girl would one day accomplish.  Their hearts beat as one during the development, as the images were displayed through months 6, 7, and 8, leading right up to the moment of delivery.  They had a relationship before birth that no other could ever replicate, and one that would be tried from every angle throughout her upbringing.

The mother’s heart is designed with patience, love, and strength all wrapped up in one.  Patience for the birth, the years of growth & maturity, and the rebellion that is sure to come.  Love for the unlovable moments, the unconditional expression of emotion, and the foundation for the development of a new personality.  Strength for the emotional rollercoaster that will ensue throughout this child’s life, and the ability to stand firm on the principles and values that make up a woman of character in today’s world.

The baby’s heart is designed with patience, curiosity, and courage to take on the adventures that lie ahead.  Patience for the unfolding of life, the ever-challenging desire to do more, to excel and succeed in life, and for those around her that will break her heart countless times as she grows.  Curiosity for the wisdom, knowledge, and mistakes that will be made as she develops into a woman of character, always striving to reach that next rung on the ladder of life.  Courage to stand strong in the face of adversity, to take on the challenges in life, and to overcome the obstacles that will mark her pathway in finding her purpose, while living the life God has so wisely directed for her.

From the moment we are born, we are faced with the challenge of patiently waiting for the next great thing.  God has created you for unbelievable opportunities in life, and oftentimes it is difficult to slow down and wait for these opportunities to evolve.  Many times, we charge forward following our own plans rather than waiting for His guidance, because we lack patience.  It’s good to remind yourself when you are feeling impatient that God created you in your mother’s womb to do great things,ves but it will require that you let Him lead you to that place.  It is my fear that the majority of us have a hard time discovering God’s purpose in our life, because we are too far blinded by our own ambition and drive.  There is nothing you can dream up for your purpose in life that will exceed the plans He has destined you for.  I suggest that you take a step back, slow down, and simply ask Him where you should go next, and what He would have you do.  Then be patient and listen, even if it takes a lifetime for Him to reveal it to you.

Becoming a Champion - Go Blue

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"   1 John 5:4-5

There is a sign that hangs in the University of Michigan locker room which reads - "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions".  This came to fruition in 2024 for the UofM Football team, and then again last night for the 2026 UofM Basketball team.  This team started the season with one target in mind - the National Championship.  The team was built by recruiting the right talent from around the league through the portal to achieve that target.  But there was one very key contributor who came straight out of high school.  A young man named Trey McKenney, an 18-year-old basketball phenom from Orchard Lake Saint Mary's in Michigan.  He wasn't a starter in any game this year, but came off the bench, and although he had incredible talent was humble enough to accept his role on the team.  Trey had a wonderful freshman season with the Wolverines, averaging 10 pts per game, and led the team in 3 pointers.  He contributed in all 40 games and was instrumental in several through his strong defense, shooting skill, and quickness.  Although he had schools all over the country trying to get him to come and play for them, he chose Michigan, and before he ever stepped foot on the hardwood with the large block "M" he declared they were going to win the National Championship.  On paper, Trey McKenney is a great athlete, but he's so much more.

You see, his Grandfather was a Pastor in Flint, and Trey came to know the Lord early in his life.  He is a young man of strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.  In an interview following the game, he was quoted as saying, "It's amazing to be on this platform. I give all the glory to God for why I'm here.  He's given me this journey to follow on, and I'm really grateful and blessed for it."  He is not alone either; several other coaches and players on this Championship team, including Dusty May, Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Nimari Burnett, all very public with their faith after the game as well.  God is recognized on the biggest stage by incredible athletes every day, but it is so heart-warming to see a team with such amazing talent giving credit back to their Savior in front of the bright lights.

Being a champion in life, though, has nothing to do with bright lights, basketball, football, or any other sport for that matter.  Being a champion in life has to do with overcoming the temptations and sinful nature of this world.  This is only done through faith in Jesus Christ.  For you see, this life is temporary, a simple drop in an ocean of eternity.  The game plan for this life then is to stay focused and intent on living for Jesus Christ, engaging with the Holy Spirit daily to walk through each day.  We are going to fall behind at times, and even lose a battle now and then, but the game is not over until He says it is.  There is no shot clock or time-outs.  We spend each breath either lifting Him up and living for Him, or living for the world.  There is no other option.  It's very black and white.  

Based on the casual observation, we are definitely in the fourth quarter of the game.  We have the ability to become Eternal Champions by remaining strong in our faith and focus.  Sure, there will be some with a last-minute Hail Mary pass (the QB throws a long pass as time expires to try and win the game), but did you know that, on average, less than 5% of Hail Mary passes are successful in the NFL?  With no insight into the remaining time, a Hail Mary is even less likely to be successful when we are talking about our eternal destination.  Stepping into a relationship with Jesus Christ today and then living out the remainder of your life as an overcomer in this world has a much higher probability.  

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines on their 2026 National Championship, and congratulations to all of you reading this on your pending Eternal Championship.