“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

————————–

When I was a kid, there was a black-and-white TV show that captured my imagination. It opened with those iconic words: “Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… Superman!” What a thrilling idea. Who wouldn’t want to believe that someone—some hero—was out there, ready to swoop in and save us from danger, even from ourselves? A champion who stood for “truth, justice, and the American way.”

But of course, Superman was just a fictional creation—a product of childhood dreams and storytelling. As powerful as he seemed, he lived only in the world of imagination.

And yet, this morning, I was reminded that there is a real Savior. A true “super man”—God Himself. Not a myth, not a comic book fantasy, but a living, loving God who stepped into our broken world to rescue us from sin, from pride, from our own self-destructive choices.

Jesus came—not just to inspire, but to redeem. His name is Emmanuel, “God with us.” He came because He wants us, desires us, even longs for us. Not with judgment, but with mercy. He reaches out to rescue us from the ruin of rebellion and to fill our hearts with His presence, His peace, and His power.

Now that is a hero worth believing in.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to save us—not with cape and fiction, but with truth and sacrifice. You didn’t just watch from above; You stepped into our world and bore our burdens. Forgive me for the times I’ve looked to lesser saviors. Help me to trust in You, the true Redeemer, who delights in us and rejoices over us with love. Fill my heart today with the peace of knowing You are near. Amen.

John 14:5,6  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

————————————-

It’s not uncommon to hear criticism of the Christian faith because of what many see as its exclusivity. Jesus’ words in John 14:6—“No one comes to the Father except through me”—can feel sharp to a world that longs for open doors and many paths. People ask, “What about all the other sincere and devout religions?” Some go further, labeling Christianity as intolerant, even unkind.

But when I read the words of Jesus, I don’t hear exclusion—I hear invitation.

The cross was not a gate with a lock. It was an open door, held wide by the outstretched arms of a Savior who gave His life for everyone. Jesus didn’t offer Himself to a chosen few. He came for the broken, the seeking, the outcast, the sinner—for all. Regardless of race, culture, wealth, or background, all are welcome to come.

Yes, the path is narrow. But it’s not narrow because God is cruel—it’s narrow because it runs straight through the heart of a man who bore the weight of the world’s sin. That’s not an exclusion. That’s love.

God’s desire is not that anyone would perish, but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). His longing is for every heart to find rest, forgiveness, and belonging in Him. That is the justice of heaven—not getting what we deserve but being offered what we never could have earned: grace.

So today, if your heart feels far from God, know this—He made a way. And that way is open to you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for making a way—for opening Your arms wide on the cross so that I, and anyone who calls on You, can come to the Father. Help me to see Your love not as a barrier, but as a bridge of grace. Soften my heart to Your truth and deepen my compassion for others who are still searching. May I reflect Your kindness and extend the same welcome You have given me. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Luke 16:10-13 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

As a follower of Christ, I believe in stewardship. It is a call to care for what God has entrusted to me, including my time, resources, and the needs of others.

This calling doesn’t come from government mandates or activist slogans. It doesn’t arise from the expectations of others. It comes from a deeper place: the quiet voice of God within me, directing my steps.

If I have a heart for the unborn, I can support ministries that protect and value life.

If I care for the hungry, I can serve at a food pantry or share what I have.

If I see someone broken down along the road, I can stop and offer help.

If my neighbor can’t mow her lawn, I can start the mower and serve in love.

I don’t need a sign, a platform, or a program to love my neighbor. I need a heart tuned to God’s prompting. I serve not because culture demands it, but because God expects it. His Spirit leads me to act in quiet, faithful ways that reflect His love. It’s not about what others define as justice or charity. It’s about obedience to God.

Lord, give me a heart that listens for Your voice and hands ready to do what You ask. Let me serve because You call me—not because the world expects it. Amen.

#JustLarry

Matthew 25:28-30  “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “I am wealthy beyond measure.  I have more than 20 bucks in my wallet.  I can go to Costco and not feel guilty buying a four-pack of new tee shirts. God has blessed me with all I really need.  I worked quite a few jobs in my career, each one provided the means to support my family and my church.  Wealth is not evil.  Having more than my neighbor is not sinful. I give God all the credit for supplying my needs.  I could not have reached the place I am without God in my life. What was supplied to me and mine are blessings. 

What I have an issue with are those who tell me I must have exploited someone to get where I am.  I have an issue with someone telling me, “You did not earn that” or that I must be a terrible person to live in the manner to which I have become accustomed. Listen carefully, “I did not steal, oppress, misappropriate or subjugate anyone.” I simply used the talents God provided and produced more for my maker. What is justice?  Holding me accountable for my actions and not the actions of others. Today I will live in justice of God.  Today I will give God the praise for his love and my daily bread.

———————–

The justice of God is insulted when there is an abuse of power. When those who govern refuse to be governed, it is simply corruption.  A culture built on the image of God, a society that prints its money with “in God we trust”, a country based on equality must not wink at corruption.  If our country is to survive, a renewal of vision is required. It cannot be a vision of blame and no accountability. If our culture is to be shaped and formed by God, it must imitate the living God in “Love’s righteousness and hates wickedness Psalm 45:7.  To renew again a vision of a society that “is not partial, and takes no bribes” requires personal accountability and justice. Justice is an act of homage and worship to a living God. And this starts with me.

#JustLarry

—————————

Webster was right when he said, “Justice, sir, is the great interest of people on earth.”  Without justice, there is no hope or expectation of continuance for our culture. A just society must first acknowledge a moral law higher than itself: a supreme lawgiver to whom even the most powerful are held into account. America’s founders writing the Declaration of Independence, in the very first sentence acknowledged the existence and dependence upon something greater than themselves.  Our nation is founded on a supreme, objective basis of justice and righteousness. Justice is not a whim of whoever is in political power at any given election cycle.  Justice is based upon the supreme lawgiver. To substitute man-made morality or even personal political ethics as a new standard is just folly. God’s perfect justice is established by His unchangeable nature. To set any other ultimate measurement stick of justice is foolishness.

#JustLarry

Matthew 5:38-42 these words of Jesus “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

——————————

Retaliation is an attitude that seems to permeate our culture. When we feel put upon, or canceled, we quickly fall into response mode.  We want to react to wreaking vengeance upon the offender.  In the name of justice a simple sarcastic comment slips out of our lips or runs through our minds. Occasionally even the most devout Christian has visions of justice due.  We want people to get exactly what they deserve.

God tells us we are not to seek revenge but submit these feelings to God and respond His way.  Jesus challenges His people to choose a different behavior when we are confronted with anger and want revengeful justice.

Nevertheless, I must resist and convert my feelings of anger into attitudes of positive action.

Today, we must resist the feelings of revengeful justice and instead, pour out our more loving, Christ like attitude of forgiveness and love which is a better path.

#JustLarry

32kimbo@gmail.com

1 Peter 5:5-7 “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

——————————————–

In my walk with Jesus, I have met two types of Christians: the proud who think themselves humble, and the humble who fear they are proud. There should be another type. Those who forget themselves and leave their lives up to the will and want of Jesus.  This third type refuses to waste any effort in making themselves good and allows God to do a good work in them.

The truly humble person does not expect to find virtue in himself, and when he finds no merit, he is not disappointed. He knows that any good deed he may do is the result of God working within him.  This low ideal becomes an unconscious way of life. He has given up all the struggle. He allows himself to give up living up to others expectations.  They can relax and count upon the Holy Spirit to fulfill the moral law within them.  To this third group is a reward of justice while the other two groups face it.

Lord, it is very difficult to “put on humility” in a culture that idolizes self-promotion and individuality. I invite You to do a work in me, Lord, molding my life to be a useful instrument in Your hands.

#JustLarry

Ecclesiastes 3:17  “I said to myself, ‘God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.’”

————————-

One young student at the top of her lungs and with a finger pointed toward the nose of a fellow student shouted, “You can’t judge me”.  After a moment of reflection and thought, the accused simply said, “then don’t judge me for judging you!” 

We all judge.  I judge by looking at a sliced pie to determine whether one piece is bigger than the next and then judge again which would be better for me at that moment.  The judgment would be for the waistline or the taste buds. All judgment is personal.  The reality of judgment is the consequence of our action is also judged. God is the ultimate judge.  His judgment will always be perfect.  As Christians, we should stand up against injustice and love others with our words and actions. We can have peace knowing that God will prevail, and evil will be dealt with. And until that time, I will take the small piece.

#JustLarry

Psalm 33:20,21 “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him, our hearts rejoice,    for we trust in his holy name.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

As a Boy Scout in my early youth, our Scout Master was an Army Drill-Sargent from Fort Ord.  Fort Ord at the time was one of the assigned bases for basic training. Not wanting to be less than the best, our Scout Master fitted our whole troop of young boys with Army surplus military packs, pup tents, and even auxiliary boot covers called spats. He taught us how to march in cadence like his squad back on base. Our hikes became a march. Our hikes became walks with purpose.

One of the commands that could be given is “Mark Time, March”.  It means to march in time without moving forward. Feet moving up and down with no progress forward. It was a command to stop progress while remaining diligent for the next command.  To “mark time” today has changed it to “doing nothing or wasting time or no progress and doing nothing important.”

For me when I read, “wait” here in Psalms, it is not doing nothing, but more a preparation for the next command. It is stop to be able to start.  It is a command to stop forward momentum and simply rejoice.  Progress sometimes limits our joy. Let my heart rejoice in trust in the God who calls us to wait. Perhaps joy comes from seeing God’s progress in me and that takes a moment of reflection.

Every Christian has times when they think there is no forward progress.  Remember that God can and will use these times to instill a new perspective on joy.

What shall we call Him?  Jesus waiting in joy.

————————

# Just Larry