Month: September 2020

I Still Hate to Edit!

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Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

I love to write (usually) but oh how I hate to edit (Always!) Writing fulfills a basic longing to try communicating with others things that are precious to me. Editing on the other hand simply reminds me detail by painful detail how I have fallen short. Maybe when God created us He feels a bit the same way. Do you remember how back in the garden of Eden God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” and then He formed and breathed life into Adam? At the end of the day He stepped back and maybe even smiled and said, “It was good!”

But soon after God began writing the story of Adam’s life, Adam and Eve sinned. From that very moment God’s editing work began. How it must have pained the heart of God to see His perfect children darkened by selfishness, rebellion and pride. But thankfully God does not hate editing like I do. In fact the greatest expression of His love came on the day of His harshest edit yet. That happened on a hill called Calvary where on the cross Jesus erased all the crimes of my previous chapters and then wrote in His blood the new and amazing story of His grace! Oh how thankful I am that Jesus is not only the author of my faith; but He is also the finisher (editor). He rewrites the final chapter of every one of our lives when we put our faith in Him and then turns out a masterpiece that will never need editing again!

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The Lord is My Editor

The Lord is my editor – He checks every word

He calls me to follow ‘cause I’m seen not just heard

He leads me through valleys with shadows and strife

And comforts my fears with His promise of life

He makes me a banquet though my enemy knows

Then He fills up my cup till His grace overflows

When I look back behind me I see mercy and care

In His every correction He gave hope I could share

Then he left me a note,

“Why not stay at my home

When you come to my city

And your writing’s all done?”

The Lord is My Editor by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved

Our Heavenly 911

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The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them… Psalm 37:39-40a

Calling God our helper has gotten a bad name as some have misinterpreted this as if it meant treating God like an assistant or employee. But the Hebrew word used here for help means to surround, protect and come to the aid of someone in trouble. God is not working for us, but instead He is like the ambulance driver or fire fighter who is equipped and waiting to answer our cry for help. So today if you look out your window and see trouble on your street and the news on television is filled with videos of riots remember that God’s help is available whenever we ask. The writer of Hebrews puts this into practical terms by saying;

Keep free from the love of money and be content with what you have. for He has said; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

What is really at the bottom of a lot of the unrest and anger we are witnessing is money. Liberals and conservatives both act as if people would be content if they just had a little more. Conservatives complain the government has taken too much and liberals act as if people need to be given more. Whatever happened to; “All we need is love!”? So no matter what side of the political aisle we stand on, today’s reading counsels us to take a deep breath and step back from the conflict and remember that the love of money is like a boss who can never be satisfied. If we become slaves to him we will lose our spiritual freedom and the only one happy with that is Satan. But if we turn to Jesus for help; He promises us contentment that no government can tax away and no thief can steal. He has promised to never leave or forsake us and the Greek word used here for never means – NEVER! He never hides out in the middle of a crisis or walks away when we mess up. He is our ever present help in the time of trouble(Psalm 46:1). He is heaven’s 911 operator and when we dial the phone of prayer; Jesus answers. He is always listening. All we need to do is cry out in faith and we will hear His calm and steady voice saying; “This is 911. What is your emergency today?

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The Lord My Light

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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV

Did you ever stop to think of God’s light in our life at different times of the day? There is the light of dawn when He awakens us with excitement for the new day ahead. He shines brightly at noon so we can see every detail clearly of the work He has given us to do.

He shines softly revealing all the spectrum of His beautiful plan as our sun sets.

And yet there is even another light when darkness has fallen and that is the eternal and unchanging faithful light of the stars he has made. At all times and every season Jesus remains the light of our life and salvation!