The Glory of God’s Creation

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Don Merritt

God’s creation of the universe around us and the world in which we live is truly an awesome thing to behold.  The universe is unimaginably huge, full of stars, galaxies and wonders.  Our world, the earth, is amazing in every way, the seas, the mountains, vegetation, wildlife and even our own bodies and how they work: Amazing!

Perhaps the most amazing thing of all… or maybe I should say what makes the Creation so very awesome, is the fact that in it we see God’s glory.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

To look upon the universe that has been created, is to look upon the very power, qualities, and nature of God, not in some sort of mystical sense; the creation itself is surely not God, but in the sense that God has demonstrated His essence in the creation.  No wonder the power of the sea is so breath-taking!  No wonder we gaze at great mountains with awe, and at pastures and fields with wonder!  In each of these, God has shown us something of Himself, just as He has in plant and animal life.

The only rational question is this: How can anyone look at these things and deny Him?

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Living in the Presence of God

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Don Merritt

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1–4

There are moments in life when the noise of the world feels overwhelming. Responsibilities press in. News unsettles us. Personal struggles cloud our vision. In such seasons, Paul’s words to the Colossians speak with gentle but steady clarity: Seek the things that are above.

Paul does not say this as an escape from reality, but as a reorientation of it. Because we have been raised with Christ, our lives now have a different center. Our identity is no longer anchored in circumstances, achievements, or failures. It is anchored in Christ Himself. And Christ is not distant. He is seated at the right hand of God — reigning, present, interceding.

To “seek the things that are above” is not to withdraw from earthly responsibilities. Rather, it is to live them out from the reality of God’s presence. It means remembering that every ordinary moment — work, conversation, prayer, service — unfolds before the face of God.

Paul goes even deeper: “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This is one of the most tender and profound truths in all of Scripture. Our life is hidden. Safe. Secure. Held.

In a world that constantly demands visibility and validation, God offers something better — security in His presence. Our truest life is not exposed to the shifting winds of opinion or success. It is hidden with Christ. Hidden does not mean absent. It means protected, enveloped, sustained.

Sometimes we may not feel God’s presence. Trials can obscure our awareness, yet this passage reminds us that our union with Christ is an objective reality. Whether we sense it or not, we are held within the very life of God. Christ is not merely an example to follow; He is our life.

Notice how Paul describes Jesus: “Christ who is your life.” Not merely a part of your life, not simply an influence; He is your life. The presence of God is not an occasional visitation — it is the very atmosphere of the believer’s existence.

This transforms how we face hardship. When anxiety rises, we remember our life is hidden in Him. When temptation pulls us downward, we lift our eyes to where Christ is. When discouragement whispers that we are alone, we recall that we dwell in the presence of the risen Lord.

There is hope anchored in the future: “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” The hidden life will one day be revealed. What is now unseen will become radiant. The presence we trust by faith will be experienced in fullness.

Until that day, we practice His presence; we set our minds on things above. We return our attention to Christ throughout the day. We remind ourselves that our true life is not found in what fades, but in the One who reigns.

Today, whatever you are carrying, pause and remember: You are not navigating this world alone. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Lift your eyes, seek Him, rest in His nearness.

He is your life.

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Walking in Integrity

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 28 reminds us that integrity shapes the quality of our lives. “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (v.1). When we live with hidden sin, fear follows us. Yet when we walk honestly before God, we gain a quiet, steady courage.

The chapter also teaches that character is more valuable than wealth. “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse” (v.6). Success in God’s eyes is not measured by possessions, but by integrity.

One of the most hopeful promises appears in verse 13: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” God invites us to come honestly before Him. Confession is not defeat—it is the doorway to mercy and restoration.

Proverbs 28 calls us to live boldly, walk uprightly, confess quickly, and trust God fully. When we choose integrity, we choose peace.

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Abiding in His Love

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Don Merritt

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

There is something deeply comforting about the image Jesus gives us in John 15:5. He does not describe us as workers striving in a field, or soldiers fighting in a battle. He calls us branches—connected, supported, and sustained by a living vine.

A branch does not struggle to produce fruit by sheer effort. It simply remains attached. Its life flows from the vine. In the same way, our strength, wisdom, peace, and purpose flow from Christ. Apart from Him, we wither under the weight of self-reliance. But in Him, we flourish.

At the heart of this connection is God’s love.

The vine does not ration its life to the branches, but freely gives; so, it is with God. His love is not earned by our productivity, nor withdrawn when we feel weak. It is constant, nourishing, and faithful. Even when we feel fruitless, His love still flows toward us, inviting us to remain.

To “abide” means to stay, to dwell, to make our home in Him. It is not about striving harder but about trusting deeper. When we rest in God’s love—when we remember that we are already held, already known, already cherished—fruit becomes a natural outgrowth of relationship rather than obligation.

Love produces love, grace produces gratitude. Connection produces fruit.

Today, if you feel tired or discouraged, hear Jesus’ gentle invitation: Stay with Me. Let My love sustain you. You were never meant to grow on your own.

Lord, thank You for being the true Vine. Forgive me for the times I try to live apart from You. Help me to abide in Your love and trust that Your life is flowing through me. Bear fruit in my life that reflects Your goodness and grace. Amen.

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The Gift of Honest Companionship

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 27 reminds us that real love doesn’t flatter; it strengthens. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” True friends and family members care enough to speak truth, even when it stings. Their honesty protects us from self‑deception and guides us back toward wisdom. Loving correction is one of God’s greatest gifts through the people He places in our lives.

“Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.” Proverbs 27 honors the value of those who show up—those who stand with us in ordinary days and difficult seasons. Family is a blessing, but so are the friends who become like family through steady presence, shared burdens, and mutual encouragement.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Relationships rooted in God’s wisdom refine us. They challenge us to grow, to think, to repent, to hope. Friends and family who love the Lord help us become more like Christ simply by walking faithfully beside us.

Our text also celebrates the joy of companionship: “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” God designed us to flourish in community. The warmth of shared wisdom, laughter, prayer, and encouragement is part of His daily grace.

God invites you to cherish the people He has placed in your life. Who sharpens you? Who speaks truth with love? Who stands near when life is heavy? And just as importantly, who needs you to be that presence today?

Lord, thank You for the friends and family who strengthen my walk with You. Help me be a source of truth, encouragement, and steady love in their lives. Shape my relationships by Your wisdom and make them places where Your grace is seen. Amen.

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Lesson 6: Walk in the Light

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Don Merritt

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13:11-14

 These verses are the summation for this entire section (12:1-13:14) and serve to bring the message into sharp focus. Remember that Paul has been teaching about our response to God’s grace, giving us a clear picture of what our daily lives should look like. Here he sums it all up with a metaphor: Light.

And do this, understanding the present time (13:11) is the transition, referring back to the prior section discussing love in action. It is time to wake up, for the day is coming when the Lord Jesus will return. Notice the urgency in what Paul is talking about here; time’s a wasting! It may seem funny to us all these centuries later to read this urgency, but it is important for us to always bear in mind the fact that Jesus is coming. His literal return could be at any time, or it could be in 10,000 years, and no one knows for sure either way. Yet He came for every single recipient of this letter a long time ago. He came for all of those who have ever read this letter in the centuries that have followed, and He will come for us soon enough, thus Paul’s urgency applies to each of us: Wake up!

Paul’s metaphor of living in the light of day is clear enough; we are to behave in a respectable manner, not as people do in the wee hours when nobody is looking. In verse 13, he mentions several behaviors, and I think they are obvious, so I will only comment on two of them; dissention and jealousy.

I try not to miss opportunities to make a plea for Christian unity, and this is certainly such an opportunity. Must we continue fighting among ourselves, arguing over every little doctrinal difference of opinion? Must we be jealous about the name on the sign in front of the building? Is all of that really so essential?

I don’t believe that it is, do you?

Maybe I’m just a fool, but I think that the times we are living in today are much too serious to indulge ourselves in this sort of thing. Our calling is to build the Body of Christ, so let’s get to building instead of tearing it apart. Let’s clothe ourselves in Christ and answer our calling instead of glorifying ourselves in endless arguments.

Incidentally, this is a transitional thought that leads us into the next section, verses 14:1-15:13 which discuss our liberty to hold different opinions. With that said, we have come to the end of our brief study from Romans. I hope that these six lessons have been helpful and give each of us something to think about as we move forward with Christ, and that this will bring all of us closer to our Lord in the proves.

I’d like to mention that I am working on another short study that will discuss the meaning and purpose of being born again, and I think it will be an interesting one. I’ll give more information about it in the days to come; in the meantime, thanks for reading this far, and I’ll see you all next time.

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Photo of the Week: May 27, 2026

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don Merritt
MV614 016-LR
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The Wisdom Continues

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 26

The proverbs in chapter 26 can feel sharp—almost abrasive at points. They expose folly, warn against laziness, confront deceit, and unmask the destructive power of the tongue. Yet beneath these vivid contrasts lies a quiet, steady truth: God’s love is the moral gravity that keeps life from spinning into chaos. Every warning in this chapter is ultimately an expression of His care.

1. God’s Love Reveals the Nature of Folly (vv. 1–12)

The opening verses describe the fool with almost painful clarity. He resists correction, repeats destructive patterns, and refuses wisdom. At first glance, these verses seem harsh. But look deeper: God names folly because He loves us too much to let us drift into it.

His love is not sentimental; it is protective. It exposes what will harm us. It calls us away from self-deception. It invites humility, the doorway to grace.

Even the strong statement in verse 12—about the danger of being “wise in one’s own eyes”—is a mercy. Pride blinds us to our need for God. Love unmasks the illusion so we can return to Him.

2. God’s Love Calls Us Out of Laziness (vv. 13–16)

The sluggard’s excuses are almost humorous—“There’s a lion in the road!”—but the consequences are not. Laziness slowly erodes purpose, joy, and fruitfulness.

Yet the point is not condemnation. The point is invitation.

God’s love calls us into meaningful, Spirit-empowered labor, the kind that reflects His own creative, sustaining work. He does not shame the weary; He awakens the stagnant. He stirs desire. He restores strength. He teaches us to live with intention rather than drift.

3. God’s Love Exposes the Destructive Power of the Tongue (vv. 17–28)

The final section confronts gossip, quarrels, deceit, and hidden malice. Words can wound deeply, and Proverbs 26 does not minimize that reality. But again, the warnings are rooted in love.

God cares about the integrity of relationships. He cares about the health of communities. He cares about the purity of our hearts.

When He warns against stirring up strife or disguising hatred with smooth speech, He is protecting us from the relational fractures that steal peace and joy. His love is a refining fire that purifies our speech so it becomes life-giving rather than destructive.

4. The Thread of Love Running Through the Chapter

Though Proverbs 26 never mentions the word “love,” the entire chapter is shaped by it. God’s love is:

  • Corrective — steering us away from paths that destroy
  • Formative — shaping character that reflects His wisdom
  • Protective — guarding our hearts and relationships
  • Redemptive — calling us out of folly into life

Every contrast between wisdom and foolishness is an invitation to return to the God who loves us enough to speak truth plainly.

5. A Closing Reflection

Proverbs 26 reminds us that God’s love is not merely comforting; it is transforming. It meets us in our folly, our excuses, our careless words, and our hidden motives—not to condemn, but to heal.

His love is the steady center. His wisdom is the path back home. His correction is a form of grace. His truth is an expression of His heart.

To walk in wisdom is to walk in the warmth of His love, learning to reflect His character in every word, every choice, every relationship.

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Lesson 5: Love

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don Merritt

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

In this short passage, Paul is nothing short of profound; deep in fact. Yet it is so simple that we might just fly past it and not notice how profound it is; a second-grade child can easily understand it, and it requires a mature adult to miss it− that is how simple it is.

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

If we think of love as a mere emotion or feeling, maybe we can miss this, but godly love is not an emotion, it is a commitment to put the interests of other people ahead of our own, and love in action puts the interests of everyone ahead of our own. If we actually do this, then we will not do anything to offend or hurt them, and if we love God then we will not do anything to hurt or offend God. We will not do this because somebody told us that we must, we will do this because we want to.

In short, this is the transformation that Paul spoke of in 12:1-2; this is love in action from 12:9-16.

There are times when I grow weary of people telling me that the Bible never tells us how we should accomplish the Christian life; yes, dear reader, I grow weary of such remarks.

Put your love into action!

“But how do I do that?”

Love your neighbor as yourself.

“But that is too hard.”

No, it isn’t too hard! Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength.”

“But how do I do that?”

Make a decision that you love God and then commit to stick with it and trust the Holy Spirit to give you the strength you need.

“But that’s too hard.”

Dear Lord, open our ears that we might hear, open our eyes that we might see, open our hearts that we might believe so that we might become like little children and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Wisdom and Humility

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Don Merritt

Proverbs 25:1-27

Hezekiah was one of the best kings Judah had (2 Kings 18:5,6). 1 Kings 4:32 says that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs. Since there are not 3,000 in the book of Proverbs, Hezekiah’s scribes (under his direction and by inspiration of God- since their work is included in the Old Testament that the Jews and Jesus accepted) copied the many good sayings found in chapters 25-29. This forms one of several appendixes to this book; other appendixes: 24:23-34; 30: 1-33; 31: 1-31. Hezekiah lived around 270 years after the death of Solomon; the prophet Isaiah was a contemporary of Hezekiah (I1 Kings 19: 1-2), and he likely headed the project. If so, we can see why the material would be included in the Scriptures.

This section of Proverbs gathers a series of sayings that revolve around one central theme: wisdom knows its place. It understands the difference between God’s glory and human limits, between honor and self-promotion, between patience and impulsiveness, between restraint and excess. Each proverb becomes a facet of a single jewel—humility shaped by reverence.

Verses 2–3 set the tone. God’s glory is to conceal, ours is to search. The point isn’t that God hides truth maliciously, but that His wisdom is infinitely higher than ours. Kings—and by extension, all leaders—must search diligently because their understanding is limited. The wise person recognizes this gap and approaches life with humility, curiosity, and dependence on God.

Verses 4–7 warn against self-exaltation. Just as impurities must be removed from silver, pride must be removed from the heart. The one who pushes himself forward will be humbled; the one who waits will be honored—Jesus echoes this principle centuries later. Wisdom refuses to grasp for status.

Verses 8–15 turn to speech. Don’t rush into conflict, don’t betray confidences; don’t exaggerate your case. Words can wound like a sword or refresh like snow in harvest. A gentle tongue can break bones; wisdom speaks with restraint, truth, and timing.

Verses 16–17 use vivid imagery to warn against excess—even in good things. Honey is sweet, but too much makes you sick. Friendship is precious, but overstepping boundaries strains it—wisdom knows when to stop.

Verses 18–23 contrast destructive and constructive speech. False testimony is a weapon, trusting unreliable people is like chewing with a broken tooth; but a timely word, a patient spirit, and quiet perseverance can soften even hardened hearts.

Verses 24–27 close with warnings about contentiousness, secrecy, and self-glory. Living with constant strife drains the soul. Whispered words can inflame conflict. And seeking your own glory is like overeating honey—sweet at first, sickening in the end.

Taken together, these proverbs call us to a life marked by humility, patience, disciplined speech, and self-control. They remind us that wisdom is not loud or demanding; it is steady, quiet, and deeply rooted in the fear of the Lord. It seeks God’s glory, not its own, it builds peace rather than contention. It knows when to speak and when to be silent, and it trusts that honor comes not from grasping, but from walking faithfully before God.

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