🧐How Long 🥰

Love is the only thing there’s just too little of. No, not just for some but for everyone. 

Four times David says “how long” 

Psalms 13:1 (KJV) How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

Psalms 13:2 (KJV) How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

How Long, what a question to ask God. Is David distressed here? He must be because we read before of David talking about “TRUST” “SINGING” "PRISING" Now we read of David asking “How long” God is not a Glenie in a bottle that gives 3 wishes. I can trust God even when I don’t understand. I may not have said it out loud, it may not be recorded in a book but I have thought about it for sure. The very first time I can remember was when my Dad was in the Hospital. I was driving to see him and I saw a raggedy man who looked like he was living on the street. I remember thinking and saying why, Lord is my dad in the hospital and this man is here doing nothing but robbing society? I was young in my Christian faith and I loved my Dad and this man I didn’t know and had no love at all for. Jesus came into this world to save all those I love, and those I don’t. What if God had thought that WAY about me? 

Romans 2:11 (KJV) For there is no respect of persons with God.

God wants all to be saved, those we love and those we don’t even know. God teaches us to love our enemies, our neighbors, those who despitefully use us. I’m so glad that God loves me that he gave His only Son to die for me. “For whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.” God loves all no matter what position, rank, age, color, rich or poor. It makes no difference for we all came into this world the same way, with nothing and naked and we leave the same way. So “how long” before we love one another? How long before our loved ones hear the words from our mouths “I Love You?”

In 1965  Jackie Deshannon recorded  the song “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and it became a Top Ten hit, peaking at #7 on the US Hot 100 list. Here are some of the lyrics.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. No, not just for some, but for everyone.”

These words still stand true today in 2026. I have never heard anyone say “I’m just tired of hearing the phrase I Love You.” No, that is a Phrase that is not said enough. 

1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

God didn’t forget David because He loved him too much. 

Neither did God hide His face from David because God loved him too much to do that.

Neither will God forget you and I or will God hide His Face from you and I. Why? Because no matter what others think of you; no matter what you think of yourself; no matter what you have done God loves each and everyone of us. We have that in writing!

⏳Foundation vs Frame⌛️

 What shine is not always gold

Psalms 11:1 (KJV) In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

David said that he put his trust in the Lord; not in man, not in the greatest of men but in The Lord. Where do I put my trust? Do I trust the Lord in my daily activities? With my finances? 

Psalms 11:3 (KJV) If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Can I? Do I sing? 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

David said where his trust was placed. The enemy eats away at the foundation of our trust. If the enemy can get me to look at the storm then he can weaken my trust. Where is my security? The song says “I dare not trust the sweetest frame” The foundation supports the home. Everything afterwards depends on its foundation. If my foundation is not built on the blood of Jesus Christ; a sure foundation. Then it matters not the frame. In other words it matters not what one has in this life. For things in this life are only a frame and when this life is done that’s it. Wealth beyond comparison, you have worked so hard to be there. Oh but on what foundation was it built? “I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name.”

The arrows come to wound, weaken, to destroy.

Psalms 11:2 (KJV) For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

Destroy the heart, the life line is stopped. Destroy the foundation and the rest falls apart.

😦 Where Are You?🫪

Life's challenges can make you feel lost, but sometimes that's exactly what you need to rediscover who you truly are.

The question is asked “why standest thou afar off? 

Psalms 10:1 (KJV) Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

Does our Heavenly Father stand at times far off? Then this draws up the thought: does Our Heavenly Father not care? There was a time in my childhood when I was being bullied. Every day on the way home from school when I was 12 a young boy would bully me. One afternoon after getting home I told my dad about it. I was hoping dad would be there as I came home and put a stop to this bully. The words out of my dad’s mouth were not what I wanted to hear. He said “tomorrow if he starts bullying you stand up to him.” Then he said “if you don’t I will whip you when you get home.” Now for those who never got or don't know what a whipping is let me explain. It was an art that my parents used years ago and let me say my dad was good at it. It was a way of punishment not abuse where a strap or a switch (flexible twig or branch from a tree or shrub.) This strap or switch was used in a rapid motion hitting your buttock. It was a way of unforgettable punishment that would tell your brain don't let this happen again. I couldn’t afford not to do something. The odds were against me. I had a 50/50 chance with the bully or a 100% loss with my dad. I took my odds with the bully. My dad was there standing out of my sight watching my every move. Now there have been times in my life  that God seemed far off and I have asked myself does God not care? If my dad cared I can for sure know that my Heavenly Father cares. That’s what the Bible teaches Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

God may at times feel a million miles away but His Word teaches His child differently. Our Bible is God’s road map to our life. Therefore we must know what it teaches. The Psalmist is praying while looking at the wick. The wicked may look and appear to be doing well and they may very well be at this time. Oh, but the day is coming when we will be with our Heavenly Father in an unbelievable place that at this time can not be explained to us. Our Heavenly Father just wants us to trust Him at all times. He knows best for His children. 

Psalms 10:1 (KJV) Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

Psalms 10:2 (KJV) The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

🌄One Of Those Days🤩

 People come in and out of your life for a purpose. Either you need them to change your life or you are the one that will change theirs. 

There have been many that have come in and out of my life. The first that comes to mind is a young man I met in the military. His name was Thomas Burns he was a Sergeant and we became the best of friends. We spent a lot of time together. The day came when he was to be shipped to another base back in the States. A base in Arkansas. I remember the day he came and told me. I said where? He said a base outside of Little Rock. I said my best friend is stationed there, look him up. His name is Richard Ford. He did and he and Richard became good friends. When I came back they sent me to Oklahoma. I was discharged before Richard and Thomas. On my way home I stopped by and spent a little time with both of them. When I left there I never saw Thomas again. I tried later in life to find him with no success. One day not long ago I decided to look at the obituaries and am sad to say I found him. Why did I write that? Sometimes people come into your life for a very short time. While they are there they leave a big print in your heart. There was a young man that went to our high school I did not know his name. He had a big round pin with a white background with a big black question mark that stood out. I was a cool senior that year. I was in the lunchroom with some of my cool friends. When one of them asked me to go ask what that question mark stood for.  I did and that young man said “I’m glad you asked me that question.” Then in the middle of that cafeteria he began to tell me about Jesus Christ. My friends were all laughing at me and I left that young man and identified him as a religious nut. Now many years later I still remember that day. That young man made an impact in my life but he never knew it. We read of a man in the book of Acts chapter 8 that was reading from the book of Isaiah. 

Acts 8:30 (KJV) And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? Then the man turned to Philip and said Acts 8:31 (KJV) And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Philip sat down and told him about Jesus. Then as they came  to some water the man asked Philip 

Acts 8:36 (KJV) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Baptized? What hinders me? It is good that we understand Philip’s answer. Acts 8:37 (KJV) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 8:38 (KJV) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 8:39 (KJV) And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

This man saw Philip one time in his life, but that man never forgot that day with a man named Philip. Have you ever had one of those days?

🌳Freerider⛷️

  You are capable of incredible things, even when the path feels difficult. 

Have you ever heard of a young man named Jacob Smith? If you were to google Jacob Smith you would come up with a host of Jacob Smith. Jacob Smith QB at Reagan high school in Pfafftown North Carolina. He finished his  high school career with 4384 passing yards, 39 touchdown passes, and 81 carries for 405 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns. 3x team captain.

Although that is impressive, it's not this Jacob Smith that caught my eye. It’s funny I would say eye? You’ll understand in a moment. This Jacob Smith is also athletic and his sport is in the snow, he is a skier. He is a freerider skier. What’s that? It is skiing through the trees. What makes Jacob so different is that he is blind. Blind! How does he ski through trees? His brother gets him to the top where all the skiers are about to start. His dad studies the terrain and does the seeing for him talking to him by 2-way radio. When his dad says turn right Jacob doesn’t hesitate he turns right. Jacob was asked do you trust your dad? To which he said completely. On competition day, there were 41 freeriders skied and Jacob finished 19th out of the 41. Jacob isn’t about the trophy he’s about the freedom and being able to finish.  The Apostle Paul was about finishing too. 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Paul didn’t say he came in first place, he just said that he had “finished my course.” Paul didn’t say he was the best Missionary that ever lived nor did he say he was number one in his walk with God. No but he did say that he had  “have fought a good fight.” Do you know how many times you find the word “trophy” in the bible? If you said 0 times you would be correct. Yet there is coming a day of rewards 1 Corinthians 3:14 (KJV) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

What are we looking for as we live as one of God Children? Fame? Recondition? For everyone to know our name? Or are we willing to just trust our Heavenly Father?  Jacob Smith skis around trees without being able to see. He does it very well because he listens to his fathers voice. We as God children step out every day blind to who our Heavenly Father has for us to help, speak a kind word to, give a pat on the back for a job well done, talk to them about His Son.  Therefore we must listen to our Heaven Father. Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Don’t let the noise of this world drown out the voice of the Lord. 

🏃‍♂️‍➡️The Best Route To Take🥇

 The middle of the road means compromise you are neither left nor right,

In 2012 there was a ballpark franks commercial. Three men were grilling ballpark franks in the backyard. When one mentioned a baseball title that was won back in 1935 and his friend questioned him by saying are you sure. His response was “I’m 99.9% sure.” To which the other friend said “so you don’t know.” Then his friend said “I’m 99.999% sure.” To which his friend said “if you don’t know you don't know.” 

In John chapter 7 and verse 40 some believe Christ to be a  prophet. Then in verse 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

So nobody knew. Then in verse 42  

John 7:42 (KJV) Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

Some said one thing and some said something else then others said the scriptures say. We have a bunch that is confused and all thinking they are right. Why do I say that? Because of Verse 43 reads So there was a division among the people because of him. (Jesus) So what did the scriptures say? If we turn to the first book of the New Testament which is Matthew and read verse 1-17 we see that Jesus came from the seed of David. Then if we read the first verse in Matthew chapter 2 that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. That is what the scriptures say. If we get our advice from others then we too will not know. We need to know what the scriptures teach. In the scriptures we will find and know the truth. Ask someone if they know where they will go after this life is done. Most will say heaven. Ask how they know that and most will say I have been a good person and I wouldn’t doubt that. The only problem is you won’t find that in the scriptures. But what you will find is this  

Romans 3:12 (KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

None that do good is what the scriptures teach. If we could do good enough to merit Heaven then why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? For what purpose? If we don’t need Jesus to  go to heaven. Oh but we do! John chapter 3 and verse 16 reads  For God so loved the world, (We are in the world and that put us in God's love)

that he gave his only begotten Son,  (To those God loved He gave Jesus Christ His Son) that whosoever believeth in him (That anybody in this world that believed on Jesus Christ God's son)

should not perish, but have  life. (Should not lose life but have a life that is eternal without end)

Or as John 10 and verse 10 teaches I am come (Jesus) that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This is abundant life, eternal life that is why Jesus came. What a gift. Before we believe what others say, find out for yourself what the scriptures say. I think 🤔 that would be the best route.

👂Hear My 🙏

“Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to be.” AW Tozer 

In Psalm 143 the Psalmist David writes “Hear my prayer” Who do you want to hear your prayer David? Who are you addressing? David says “O Lord” What do you want the Lord to hear? “My supplications.” David says hear my request and in your faithfulness, God answer me. I have to stop here and ask myself when I pray do I ask the Lord to  “Hear my prayer?” Or do I just start praying? Do I ask when I pray, “O Lord give ear to my request?” Or do I just start naming my request off? Wow I think I can learn something about how to pray, when I approach God my Heaven Father. When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray. The first thing Jesus said when He began talking to His Father. Matthew 6:9 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Did David think that his Heavenly Father wouldn’t hear? I don’t think so, but David showed respect by realizing who he was speaking with. Why did David say “in thy faithfulness?” Could it be that God had answered many times before? I think so. Now watch and learn from David and how he prayed. In verse 3 David asked for help against his enemies. STOP! And ask yourself do I have any enemies that are hindering my walk with God? The answer would be yes. Sometimes one of our greatest enemies is ourselves. Let me ask, have we ever had any disbelief? Any doubt? Any trust issues? That’s what David was praying wasn’t it? Psalms 143:3 (KJV) For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. My enemy has pursued me and has ground my life into dirt. My enemy has also caused me to live in dark places. That is what the enemy of disbelief will do. That is what the enemy of doubt will do. Jesus said this in John 7:38 (KJV) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Have you ever prayed like David and said Lord help me with my disbelief and my doubt. To overcome these enemies you need to ask for help.  

Mark 9:23 (KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 9:24 (KJV) And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

It’s never wrong to ask our Heavenly Father to help us with our unbelief, our doubt. What about our Salvation? Believing is not feelings. Feeling good is wonderful but being right doesn’t always carry feelings. In the book of Exodus God’s people had prayed for God to deliver them out of Egypt’s bondage. It looked like God wasn’t going to deliver them. Then God said kill a lamb but the blood of that lamb on the doorpost of your homes. Why?

Exodus 12:12 (KJV) For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

That might not mean a whole lot if you weren’t the first born. I can envision that night. My two brothers over there playing, not a worry in the world. Now me on the other hand not so. I would be making sure everything was in order. Why? Because I’m the first born and if it wasn’t done right; well it would be me who would be dead. My brothers, well they may have said, “we sure hate it dad that you got it wrong. We sure will miss Wayne!” You see when it involves you, you are a little more interested. Lord, I believe help me with my enemy of unbelief. Be right, take the time to ask for help.