Written by Bill Grandi on September 3rd, 2026
“I’ve come to the end of my rope. I just don’t know what to do.” Been there. Said that! 🙁 Actually, that, or a thought like it, is pretty common among Christ-followers. We want to KNOW but the way is fuzzy and the results are even murkier.
In Proverbs 3 are two verses that are on almost everyone’s “verses to memorize” list. Verses 5-6 to be exact: “Trust in the Lord will all your heart; do no depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (NLT)
THE ADMONITIONS:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Easy to say; hard to do. Take a moment and read Mt. 21:21-22. Trust/faith is exactly what Jesus was speaking about.
- “Do not depend on your own understanding.” “But, I know best!” Or so we think. I get in deep trouble thinking my way is the best way.
- “Seek his will in all you do.” Jesus said, “Not my will but Yours be done.” Submission to His Father’s will was asked. Jesus didn’t consider any other option. Whatever happens. Whatever turns up. “Not my will but Yours be done.”
THE RESULT?
“And he will show you which path to take.” The fork in the road is in front of me. I can choose to lean on my wisdom and my way or I can choose to seek His wisdom and way to follow.
“Lord, remind me that Your way is better. Remind me what David wrote: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need…He leads me beside peaceful streams.’ (Ps.23:1-2 NLT). Show me your path and lead me straight into Your arms.”
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, Faith/Trust, Following God's Path, God's Word, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on September 2nd, 2026
Sometimes hearing God’s voice and knowing what to do is an effort in futility for me. Then there are those times when if it had been a hammer I would have had a pretty strong headache. It is, of course, those latter times I long for. Every child of God does. As I was reading Proverbs 2 this morning, verses 2-4 seemed to jump out at me. I don’t know how legit it is, nor how cheesy it may sound to you, but here is what I saw:
TUNE IN (v. 2). To hear God’s voice I need to be on His wavelength, not my own. I need to dial in, instead of wandering all over the place. My heart and mind can be somewhat scattered from time to time. “Focus Bill,” is what I tell myself sometimes.
CRY OUT (v. 3) The verse says, “Cry out for insight and ask for understanding.” Constantly the psalmist talked about crying out to God. Don’t take reading the Word for granted. Ask for help to understand and apply.
SEARCH ON (v.4) The treasures of God’s Word will never be mined completely-by me, you, or anyone else. “Search for them as you would for silver” is how the verse states it. Searching never stops. Learning never ends. The search is never over.
“Father, speak to me through Your Word. Help me to tune in to hear Your voice alone; to cry out for understanding; and to never quit mining the depths of Your Word.”
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, God's Word, Hearing God's Voice, Inspiration, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on September 1st, 2026
Is it September already? WOW! Around these parts we are still having the “middle of summer heat and humidity.” All week it is to hit the 90s. I don’t mind. Sure beats that flying white stuff.
Psalm 37 has always been a favorite chapter of mine. It contains by “life verse”: “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and he will help you.” (v. 5 NLT)
But just the structure of verses 1-7 stands out to me:
- “Don’t worry about the wicked.” (v. 1)
- “Trust in the Lord and do good.” (v.3)
- “Take delight in the Lord.” (v.4)
- “Commit everything you do.” (v.5a)
- “Trust Him, and he will help you.” (v.5b)
- “Be still in the presence of the Lord.” (v.7a)
- “Don’t worry about evil people.” (v.7b)
Each beginning is filled with wisdom and like so man truths and passages, the wisdom is there, but it takes a lifetime to master/practice.
“Lord, help me to put into practice the simple truths found at the beginning and contained within each verse.”
Is there any one of those verses that stands out to you?
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, God's Word, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on August 31st, 2026
There was an interesting story in today’s Our Daily Bread:
The Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer became famous for his talent at age 20. The art critics of his day called him ‘the greatest mind that ever expressed itself in line.’ As his fame spread, influential people tried to hire him with promises of luxury and ease…In what experts consider to be his best self-portrait, Durer mingled his physical characteristics with what he thought Jesus might have looked like. He painted himself with long wavy hair, a beard, and eyes that seemed to convey a sense of purpose. While many assumed this was the artist’s prideful opinion of himself, others who knew him believed Durer wanted to live a life that would allow people to see Jesus in him. (edited for length) (August 31)
Two things stood out to me:
- There will always be people who misunderstand or misstate our motives. Let them be. They don’t know our motives. Besides, we won’t/can’t please everyone.
- (And most importantly) I should be reflecting Jesus in every way. Of course, I can’t do that physically. Neither could Durer. But his intent is easy to see. May the reflection of Jesus be so evident in me that all people see is Jesus not me.
John’s words apply here: “He must become greater and greater; I must become less and less.” (Jn. 3:30 NLT)
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Tags: Christian Living, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflecting Jesus, Reflection
Written by Bill Grandi on August 27th, 2026
In the book Running to Win by Erwin Lutzer (with contributions from D.L.Moody), a quote by Moody is included:
It is as natural for man to feel after God as it is for ivy to feel after support. Hunger and thirst drive him to seek for food, and there is a hunger of the soul that needs satisfying too…What man needs is to be directed aright in his worship.” (p.247)
In his devotional part, Pastor Lutzer says:
Most people don’t abandon God, they refashion Him according to their liking.
I think what Pastor Lutzer says is spot on. It sure is true in our culture today! Every time we want to do our own thing, go our own way, act differently, adopt lifestyles contrary to God’s Word, we change God to our liking. We choose a God who fits our scenario. Here’s just one: “There are many ways to God. All religions are right.” Really? So to believe that one must dissent or discard the very clear teaching of Jesus in John 14:6 where He says, “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life and no one can come to the Father except through me.” (NLT) That false god (belief) doesn’t stand a chance, at least to the truth of Scripture.
As someone has said, “There is only ONE God and you ain’t Him.” This is especially true as we seek to make “our own way” the right way. Which God do you serve? The one you or the culture have devised or the One True God the Scriptures speak so clearly about? My choice is unquestionable. I will take my stand on the Rock. “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (even though they may be off-key).” (NLT) {additional words mine. 🙂 }
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Worship
Written by Bill Grandi on August 26th, 2026
“I’m so sore I can hardly stand it.”
Have you ever used that phrase or one like it? “I’m so stuffed I can’t eat another bite.” Unless, of course, there is ice cream anywhere in the vicinity. 🙂 “I’m so tired I can sleep for days.” You’re going to give old Rip Van Winkle a run for his money.
The beginning statement does apply to me. After not being allowed to ride my bike for at least 3 weeks due to hand surgery, I was able to get out yesterday for a 10 mile ride. I had planned for 12-13 but cut it short due to it being the first time out, plus I got a text about a crisis at home. So I hurriedly finished my ride and instead of a cool down where I use a roller to relax my muscles and to get out lactic acid, I rushed home. Bad move. I didn’t eat right away. Double bad move. One thigh cramp last night told me it could be a long night. So I spent a good 15 minutes with some CBD balm and a massage gun. And surprisingly, I slept. But, oh this morning! I think every muscle involved in cycling hurts. Legs, arms, shoulders, neck, hands. 10 miles turned out to be just enough. I hate to even think about how it would be if I had gone for more.
But this brought to mind where I have failed to exercise my faith. Prayer? I’m in a hurry. Read the Word? Mind is elsewhere. The closeness of God? Distant. Journal? I have stuff to do! Then God gets my attention and WHAM! Then I have to take it step-by-step getting back. An ache here. Repentance there. A tight muscle here.
Take a moment, please, and read Psalm 25:4-7. (I could print it here but it will benefit you more to open your Bible and check it out). It was part of my morning reading. In fact, read all of chapter 25-slowly, prayerfully, and listening to what the Father has to say.
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Tags: Christian Living, God, God's Word, Opinion, Quiet Time, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on August 24th, 2026
First, a big shout out to my youngest daughter, Janna, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. It was especially a sad one since Mike, her husband, passed away last Wednesday night. Please say a prayer for her.
He was 7 years old when he and his parents heard the word everyone dreads: The “C” word. How do you explain that to a 7 year old? Not even the parents can understand it, let alone a 7 year old. But Keaton fought. He endured 8 years of various treatments/surgeries/remission/return. He loved life and laughing. He fought a good fight. His faith was amazingly strong and transparent for a teenager. He recovered well enough to play for his high school baseball team last Spring. But it would be his last. This brave, young man lost his earthly battle on Thursday, August 20th at 8:30 pm. His mom called to tell me. Earthly battle lost; heavenly reward gained.
His name was Jim. He and I rode hundreds of miles together on bicycles. Our friendship goes back to the 80s when he and his family began attending the church I pastored. We talked. We laughed. His family came and stayed with us when we lived in Castalia/Sandusky and they went to Cedar Point. But our world changed when he began describing symptoms he was experiencing I told him what I suspected and asked him to get checked because I wasn’t ready to lose a friend. It came back with the dreaded “C” word. He went through surgeries, chemo, different types of treatment, even visiting one of the most renowned cancer hospitals in Texas. After 15 years their verdict was we can’t do anymore for you. A little over two years ago, I was 5 minutes from his house when his wife called to tell me Jim had just passed. 5 minutes! He was the first of my dearest and closest friends on this planet lost to the “C” word.
One day I was talking to the mother of a young man who was real close to Keaton and was taking cancer’s return hard. The mother invited Keaton and His mom, Jessica, to church so she could meet me. She mentioned my name and Jessica said, “Oh, I know him. He was my dad’s best friend.”
Jessica’s dad, Jim, was Jessica’s son, Keaton’s, grandfather! WOW! I didn’t see that coming. It still blows me away. It never ceases to amaze me how God pulls things off. Who would have thunk it? That kind of stuff only happens in books or Hallmark movies. Right?
Today grandpa Jim and grandson Keaton are reunited. Jim is showing Keaton all the glories of heaven as they explore heaven together. But most of all, Keaton gets to see Jesus in all His radiance and splendor. While I miss Jim and I miss Keaton, I have to ask myself, “What could be better than that?” The answer that comes back to me is “N.O.T.H.I.N.G!”
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Tags: Death, God's Plan, Heaven, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Written by Bill Grandi on August 20th, 2026
{Understand: the Sermon on the Mount is chock full of superior and riveting teaching by the Master Teacher. What I’m about to suggest in no way exhausts Jesus’ words. I leave you with 4 (although there are more) highlights from Matthew 7:
#1. 7:1-5. Judging. These verses are often used by people who want to live life their way. When their sin is pointed out and/or condemned, “You have no right to judge me” is the go-to saying from their mouth. Inherent in this verse is “I have the right to judge because you sin greatly. Your sin is worse than mine.” Let’s face it: we see someone else’s sin much graver than our penchant for gossip. Self-righteousness stinks.
#2. 7:7-8. The proper rendering of this verse is how the NLT does it: “Keep on asking…seeking…knocking.” You have to notice the “keep on.” It is continual (Linear action in the Greek), not a one-off.
#3. 7:15. Keep the eyes sharp, radar constant and antenna alert. Things taught is often Satan’s way of infiltrating our lives and the church. If he can convince us of an untruth being the truth, or the opposite (truth being a lie), he can win the battle against us.
And that begs…
#4. 7:20. Be careful who you listen to and who you follow. There will be many who will claim to be Christ-followers, but are not.
Wrap up: Be discerning. Be wise. What you hear or read, always check with the Word. Reject lies and falsehood. If it’s too good to be true it probably is. Write off shysters and hucksters who make claims based on their own truth. Build on the Rock not sand.
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, Discernment, God's Word, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on August 19th, 2026
Please understand something right from the get-go: the Sermon on the Mount is chock full of superior and riveting teaching by the Master Teacher. What I am going to highlight and focus on this morning will in no way suggest this is exhaustive. I’d like to highlight 3 passages from Matthew 6:
- 6:1-4. I would suggest this passage be summarized as such: do things for others, not for public notoriety or acclaim. If you give, give privately or anonymously. If you do, do it privately or anonymously. Avoid publicity if at all possible. When Jo and I were seniors in college I was serving as a youth pastor. One of the young ladies in the youth group came from a very poor family. She had no money for her senior pictures. Jo and I gave it anonymously and nothing gave me greater joy than to see her smile and tell me what someone did for her. It was worth it.
- 6:24. Don’t be a slave to money. Keep it all in perspective. Pursuing the almighty dollar will only bring heartache and personal turmoil. Besides, there is an emptiness which cannot be filled by all the money in the world. Rockefeller was correct when asked how much it took to make him happy. “Just a little bit more.”
- 6:33. The answer to the previous mentioned verse. Seek Him first. That may mean a lesser version of something. That may mean a “no.” But at the same time, trusting Him to provide makes my life richer and fuller.
Tomorrow (Lord willing) some thoughts from Matthew 7.
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, God's Word, Humility, Jesus, Kindness, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look
Written by Bill Grandi on August 18th, 2026
Just a short thought today, one to hopefully make you think.
I’m on my second read through the NT in 2026. My morning reading consists of reading 2 chapters of Psalms every day; the book of Proverbs every other month; and a chapter in the NT each day. As I read Matthew 5 this morning, it, of course, is full of the words of Jesus. The Beatitudes. Salt and Light. Teaching about the Law. But each time I read it, I’m struck by the “You have heard…” and the “But I say to you…” statements. Jesus is contrasting the strict legalistic approach of the religious teachers versus the broader “grace” approach that He takes. Jesus was trying to show that following His Father was more than living a set of laws narrowly interpreted as rules to keep. Living for His Father was much more than that! It also involved the heart and the intent. “You have heard it said, ‘Do not murder.’ ” “But I say to you…” (Mt. 5:21-22)
Sin is not just action carried out in the public eye. Be careful of what is found in your heart.
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Tags: Bible/Scripture, Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Opinion, Quiet Time, Reflection, Scripture look
