Valleys and Peaks

 

You may remember the TV show, “Hee Haw” and on one of the shows, Doc Campbell is confronted by a patient who says he broke his arm in two places. Doc replies, “Well then, stay out of them places!” Sometimes, that is precisely the right approach to overcoming temptation. Other times, however, temptation seems to come looking for you.

Jesus, for example, was on a spiritual retreat! He had just been baptized by John in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit then directed him into the wilderness where he would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting. You would think that a person on such a spiritual retreat would be impervious to temptation. Yet, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was tempted at three different times and in three different ways!

We should not be surprised, then, if temptation locates us and knocks at the door. We might even answer, but we should not let temptation in. We should remember who we are - children of God. We have a family name to honor and respect. We wouldn’t want God’s name sullied or disrespected. We should remember God’s word to us. This is found in the Bible. Reading the Bible every day helps us to remember God’s will for us. We should remember that we don’t really need what temptation offers us. Whatever it is, we have something better. Moreover, if we yield to the temptation, we are going to feel bad afterwards. Finally, we should remember that God will not allow us to be tempted above and beyond our ability to resist it. The stronger the temptation, the more powerful is God’s trust and belief in us. We can resist and overcome! – Timothy Merrill

[Psalm 23:4] “Yea, 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.” At the heart of Psalm 23 is this phrase with which we can all identify, either literally or spiritually. Many people have drawn and still draw comfort from this simple and plain message.

Some have driven through valleys; some have walked through valleys; and some have lived in valleys. Most of us have gone through times in life that could be described as valleys when the days seem dark, our friends seem few, and temptations seem to increase as we seek ways to comfort ourselves. As we think of the characteristics of a literal valley, let’s see them in light of the feelings and emotions we experience in the “down” times.

* In a valley, it can be very cold. Because of the blocking out of the sun’s rays by mountains and trees, valleys can be very cold places to be. Emotionally, in our time of discouragement, we may be cut off from the warmth of friendship and companionship. In such a time, the presence of God needs to be remembered (Hebrews 13:5). * In a valley, it is very difficult to stay focused on the big picture. As one enters a valley, our vision of the distance and far-off places is obscured. The dominant view is that of the valley. If we are not careful, we will think that all that is important and all that is going on in our life is that which troubles us. It is in such a time that we remember that there is a longer, upward way that goes through valleys, but leads to the father. * In a valley, fog is common. Temperature and moisture conditions can change quickly, and fog can roll in within minutes. The road and objects surrounding it can be obscured, leaving a traveler fearful and confused. Confusion is a byproduct of discouragement and fear. It is in such a time that the light of the Word of God must be used and trusted (Psalm 119:105).

Life is made up of peaks and valleys. A peak awaits us on the other side of a valley. It is the depth of a valley, and our reaction to it, that often make us appreciate the height of the peak. Don’t get stuck in a valley. Hold to God’s hand, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

Love All Around

 

One morning Emma woke up with a start. Her husband Jim asked he what the matter was, she told him, “I just had a dream that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’s Day. What do you think it means?” Jim replied, “You’ll know tonight.” That evening Jim came home from work with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, Emma opened it, only to find a book entitled, “The Meaning of Dreams”.

Before me is a tattered book with torn edges and a torn cover. It’s not an old book but a well-worn one. It has been dropped numerous times, stepped on – once or twice, cried on and sweated over. Some of the pages have been repaired with invisible tape after being torn by accident.

It’s obvious the words of the book have been labored over. Some of them are underlined, some are highlighted in yellow, while others are contained in brackets of various configurations. To the side of some of the words are scribbled stars, question marks and, by some, exclamation points. Yet in spite of its dilapidated appearance, the book remains precious. I unashamedly carry it and would open it in the presence of the vilest as well as the nobility. It is the focal point of my library and, as far as I’m concerned, it should be that of every other library on earth. It contains not only the answers to every question man has ever asked but also answers to some he hasn’t thought to ask.

This book is my companion during my journeys of everyday life and along paths I must walk alone. It’s my staff which sometimes supports a tired spirit and a battered faith. It’s my counselor and source of counseling to others because it is the final rule by which all is measured to be true or false, wise or foolish.

You see, this book is close to my heart because it is the only thing on this earth that can tell me of a Savior’s love. It’s God’s one and only communication to modern man. It’s the living and life-giving Word of God – My Bible.

Valentine’s Day is coming up on Saturday. Millions of people will be expressing their love for someone. They will send gift cards, boxes of chocolates, red roses, balloons and much more. Perhaps the couple will go out for a romantic, candlelight dinner. School children might make Valentine’s cards in their classrooms using construction paper and paste. Have you ever heard these professions of love? • I love you more than a dog loves his bone. • I love you more than the Cookie Monster loves cookies. • I love you more than a turkey hates Thanksgiving. • I love you more than a flower loves its bloom. • I love you more than Romeo loves Juliet. • I love you more than a rhino loves his horn. • I love you more than Baskin loves Robbins. • I love you more than waffles love ice cream. • I love you more than you will ever know. • I love you more than I love myself. • I love you more than words can say. • I love you more than a cat loves catnip.

God loves us, as you well know. But God did not send a box of chocolates. God did not give us gift cards or balloons. God did not give us red roses, but thorns, and the color red was involved. The Bible says (and I am paraphrasing) that the “proof of God’s amazing love is that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The cross of Christ is an amazing profession of love. In fact, Jesus said that “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus gave his life for us.

When you see a cross, remember that - much more than a red rose, candy cane or box of chocolates - it is the supreme symbol of love.

Making Choices

 

The story is told about a man who had his wife take the wheel of their motor home while he went to the back for a nap. He awoke to see his wife getting something out of the refrigerator while the motor home was still moving. “Who’s driving!?” he exclaimed. “Oh, don’t worry. I put it on autopilot,” she replied just as they crashed. What’s worse is when we put our life in cruise control and step away from the driver’s seat. We’re accountable for every action and word. We cannot blame others or circumstances for our choices.

One of the greatest abilities God has given humanity is the power of choice. Every day a person makes hundreds of choices, both small and large. There are small choices like what clothes we will wear to work, to bigger choices like where we are going to actually work. Let’s face it – a look at a person’s life reveals a summary of the choices that they have made. Plain and simple, you and I are the product of choices we have been making our entire life, both good and bad. I’ve never run into a person who has never made a bad decision in their life. Everyone has some particular choice that they regret, either from something they said or something they wished they hadn’t done. So, it almost goes without saying that every person on the planet could use a great deal of help when it comes to the decision-making process.

Usually when a person has a big decision to make, they will meditate on it, roll it over and over in their mind, weighing the positive and negative consequences of the potential outcome. A wise person will usually talk it over with various friends and family members to get a good sense of feedback to help him make the right call. To make better choices, those things are absolutely necessary and should not be overlooked.

[James 1:5-8] The main step in the process of good decision making is usually overlooked by the majority of the populace. That step is asking god for help, and for the wisdom to make the best possible choice. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways.”

The message is easy to comprehend; if you want wisdom to make better choices in life, confidently ask God for that wisdom. Admit that you have a need; admit to God that you need help and then talk to our Almighty Heavenly Father about what you need. The Word of God says that He will give that wisdom to those who ask for it, but we first have to ask! The road to better decision making is paved in prayer to God who wants us to choose and serve and live for Him. Now that’s a good decision!

(Deuteronomy 30:19-20) “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice…” How often do I wish that I could turn back the clock, not to live longer but to make better choices. Things I struggle with today are a result of poor choices I made yesterday. But I did choose to obey the gospel. All my sins were erased, but the choices were not finished. How I have wished that when I came up out of the water of baptism, my second birth, God had made me a robot incapable of making poor choices. But God has set life and death, blessings and curses before me, before you, and He allows us to make our choices every day, every hour, every minute; to follow Him or go our own way. Choose.

Bait and Switch

 

Back when gas prices began to be so outrageously high, the news media spent a lot of time on stories relating to the issue. One story I remember listening to was that customers in some locations were being tricked into purchasing gas at one price, only to find when they swiped their credit/debit card a higher price was being charged. This was because the price on the marquee was the “cash” price, but the price went up when the person used a card to pay. This type of trick is called “bait and switch,” where one offers a great looking product, but when the customer is locked into the purchase, a lesser product is substituted without the customers knowledge. Another is offering a product at a great price only to find out, when trying to purchase said product, “We just sold the last one, but for just a few dollars more we have a comparable product, and frankly the one on sale wasn’t all that good anyway.” The seller probably never had any of the advertised products to begin with. The old bait and switch is performed by lots of different people in lots of unusual ways.

As I recall that news segment about the price of gas, I started thinking that Satan is like that, isn’t he? He runs the old “bait and switch” on us all the time. He promises us something grand to disobey God, but then when we get what we desired it turns out to be worthless! Or worse, spiritually destructive! In what ways does he do this to us?

Satan baits us with riches, but what we really get is covetousness and all kinds of evil. As we know, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, but covetousness (love and desire for money and possessions) can cause us to refrain from a close walk with Jesus (1 Timothy 6:10). Remember the Bible’s account of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)? He was eager to know about eternal life, but when Jesus showed him that his covetousness was holding him back, he went away dejected because he loved his worldly possessions. We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Satan wants us to pay attention to physical goods, to the detriment of our souls. He baits us with material wealth, only to switch it with destruction. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Like Jesus, who turned over the tables of the money changers in the physical temple, we must be willing to turn over the tables of covetousness in our spirits!

Satan baits us with physical pleasure, but what we really get is disease, heartache, and judgment to come. Bathsheba was beautiful to David, and he desired to have her (2 Samuel 11:2-4), but it was not right in God’s eyes. Misery began heaping upon misery, as David had Bathsheba’s husband killed on the battlefield and took her as his wife. Because of this act that displeased God (2 Samuel 11:26-27), Davids house would be troubled continually (2 Samuel 12:1-14). Paul wrote that the body is not for sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:13), so we should flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18). It is God’s will that we abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Satan presents us with opportunities for sexual sin. But after the bait and switch, what we really get are headaches as we hide and lie and reap the consequences of our actions.

He baits us with power, but what we really get is slavery. How vivid is the retelling of Jesus Christ being tempted by Satan! Indeed, Satan boasted to offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if only He would bow down and worship him (Matthew 8:8-10). The bait and switch, of course, is that Satan didn’t possess the kingdoms of the world to give to Jesus. When we obey Satan, we become his slave (Romans 6:16). Satan’s methods may seem to make us powerful in this world, but in the end, we reap only destruction. Don’t find yourself caught on Satan’s hook. Jesus is the true Word of God – no bait and switch here!

Searching for Spirituality

 

How desperate was the love of God? Consider this story from South America. There were two warring tribes in the Andes. One nation lived in the lowlands and the other high in the mountains. The mountain people invaded the lowlanders one day, and as part of their plundering of the people, they kidnapped a baby of one of the lowlander families and took the infant with them back up into the mountains. The valley tribe didn’t know how to climb the mountains. The mountains were unknown to them. They didn’t know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn’t know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain. Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home. The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail, and then another. After several days of trial, however, they had little to show for their efforts, and feared that, were they to continue, they’d lose their bearings and never find a way out. Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below. As they were packing their gear for the descent, they were startled to see someone approaching them on the trail. It was the baby’s mother! They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they themselves - experienced warriors, and men - hadn’t figured out how to climb. How had this woman reached heights they had not been able to reach? And then they were further astonished when they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be? Their leader said, “We couldn’t climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn’t do it?” She shrugged her shoulders and said, “It wasn’t your baby.”

The power of love! When you love someone, there’s almost nothing you won’t do for the one you love. We are the children of God. We were lost, but God found a way to find us., “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son …” - Timothy Merrill

[Galatians 5:22-23] Spirituality is a highly sought after quality and has been throughout the ages. In the ancient city of Ephesus, sacred prostitutes served daily in the temple of Diana because it was thought sexual union brought closer union with the gods. Mothers have thrown their babies into the crocodile-infested Ganges River in their search for greater spirituality. In Jesus’ own day, Jews washed meticulously, dressed ridiculously, and wouldn’t eat an egg that had been laid on the Sabbath, in their quest for greater spirituality.

What is spirituality? W.E. Vine writes, regarding spirituality and the spiritual man: “Things that have their origin in God, and which, therefore, are in harmony with His character…the spiritual man walks by the Spirit… and manifests the fruit of the Spirit in his life.” It is that quality of life that results from a right relationship with God. It is evidenced by such spiritual things as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The essence of spirituality is reflected in Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi. He prayed that they would approve the things that are excellent, and that they would be sincere and without offence until Christ came (Philippians 1:10). That should be everyone’s goal. Spiritual men (and women) must have eternal values - following the divine standard. They must live a distinctive life. Our search for spirituality will not be complete until we learn the will of God and make it our own. We must become serious Bible students. The Bible, understood and applied, makes for spiritual men and women. Spirituality may be a difficult concept to define, but a spiritual person is easily recognizable. God can and is willing to rescue you.

Remembering God All Year

 

The first few days, even weeks, of January are sort of shocking. Most of us can’t believe another year has flown by. In some ways, January is an exciting month because it is a transitional month — a month of beginnings. In fact, the name of this month has associations with this very concept of beginnings, doorways, openings, gateways, and transitions. There’s little doubt that the name derives from the Roman god Janus, who is usually depicted as having two faces - one looking to the past and one to the future - the god of beginnings, opportunities, and transitions on the Roman calendar.

This is a perfect moment to consider which direction we’re going as we face the year unfolding before us. The question for us as we enter the year 2026 is whether we will look forward through the eyes of faith, or backward toward what once was. And the Bible can help us, particularly, with Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter 3, the apostle writes: “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (vv. 13-14).

So, will we look backward or look forward? It’s not always a dreadful thing to look back on the past. In fact, in the Bible we are given constant reminders to “…forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Looking back and remembering. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, took a stone after Israel scored a stunning victory over the Philistines, and named it Eben-Ezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Looking back and remembering. Looking backward, setting up a few stones, remembering the goodness of God, and counting your blessings is a good thing - an exercise worth doing.

But looking backward can also be dangerous and destructive. Will we pine and mope over missed opportunities, or will we face forward with the eyes of faith to see what God might have in store for us? Let’s have a forward face filled with faith as we enter this new year! - Timothy Merrill O God of new beginnings, open my eyes to see your glory. Amen.

[Romans 5:6-8] Thankfulness is an attitude of heart and mind that expresses itself in speech and action. Most of us have experienced ingratitude from another sometime in our life, and such an experience is less than satisfying. I often wonder how God feels at His creation’s ingratitude. How many have felt God’s sunshine, breathed God’s air, been blessed with God’s rain, and yet never stopped to think of or thank the creator of all such things? Many, I’m sure, never gave a thought to God, though they are here by God’s grace and live by God’s favor. What ingrates we humans can be.

Even more, think about the greatest gift God has conferred upon man – the gift of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Yet many go through life, day after day without ever acknowledging this great gift. When we were undeserving – when we were yet enemies of God – the Father, in infinite love, gave His Son to die on our behalf. God’s lovely and innocent Son paid the debt we owed, took upon Himself the penalty we deserved, and accepted punishment for transgressions we have committed. And this beneficent sacrifice was motivated by great, matchless, unbounded, and unearned love from God toward us: “For God so loved the world (you and me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Not just at this time of the year, but in ever season of life – we should be always thankful, always grateful, always appreciative, to our great God. The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I pray God’s blessings on you and yours in 2026.

New Year Resolutions

 

It’s a new year already, and while we may be amazed at the fleeting nature of 2025, most of us, once again, are making new year resolutions. My list looks terribly familiar. In fact, it is similar to the list I made last year. It’s a new year, so why not look at things in a new way?

What if I tossed out every resolution and started over? Perhaps I should start each day with something new and different. I could write one thing each day for which I am grateful. Tomorrow, perhaps the goal will be to notice the natural world around me, like the trees dancing in the wind or the muted hues of the winter sun. Each new day offers something new.

The possibilities are endless. You could sort through a box of photographs. You might intentionally notice you’re breathing and feel the restorative power of a deep breath. You might pray for a friend. You could work a crossword puzzle. It is possible to do one new thing every day. At the very least, you can make the attempt - and that counts.

Perhaps you could keep a journal of each day’s new thing. But a list of resolutions? I tend to repeat the same ones. Starting every day with something new, however, is an intriguing idea and for that I am grateful. And there’s not much more importance in life than gratitude. —Melanie Silva

[Hebrews 11:6] Our highest aim in life should be that of “pleasing god.” How do we do this? “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Faith is more than intellectual consent that God exists. It is truly believing in God, trusting Him fully and then obeying His commands. Note both words “faith” and “believe” occur in the passage, one being a noun and the other a verb. What does “faith” do? How does “believing” act? FAITH is a lifestyle. “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). Both Enoch and Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24; 6”9). A way of life for them. FAITH obeys God. It is impossible to claim to have a saving faith without carefully obeying God. A FAITH that does not obey is no faith at all. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). FAITH makes right decisions, even choosing suffering over treasures. “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” (Hebrews 11:24-25). Finally, our FAITH will be counted as righteousness (Romans 4:22). How wonderful it is to please God by living and walking in FAITH!

Wouldn’t this old world be better if folks we met would say, “I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way? Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, if each handclasp, warm and true, carried with it this assurance, “I know something good about you?” Wouldn’t life be lots happier, if the good that’s in us all were the only thing about us that folks bothered to recall? Wouldn’t it be nice to practice that fine way of thinking, too; You know something good about me; I know something good about you?

God of us all, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, keep us mindful that no matter where our year takes us, you are with us. For the gift of life and new beginnings, we offer our thanks! Amen.

May you and God become a glorious mix in 2026 on the Road To Forever together.