I sat in Antigua, Guatemala at the end of our trip with Filter of Hope and came across this in the psalms—The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

This beautiful country belongs to the Lord. We fly home tomorrow to Colorado, which also belongs to the Lord. Every person I meet here and along the way belongs to the Lord.

All I claim to own belongs to the Lord. All the richest in our world possess and gaze upon with pride actually belongs to the Lord, as well as the pennies grasped by the poorest beggar. I may forget, but that doesn’t change the truth. I am not my own.

In reality I am a steward, an important position as I care for the good things the Lord placed under my watch. This goes for the earth and the world around me, as well as those people within my orbit. I hope to help them flourish, enjoy good health, strong relationships, and move closer to the Lord.

This past week stewardship consisted of converting contaminated water to clean. But it also involved opening eyes in fresh ways to the founder of all things.

Because a good steward always points to the owner.

Psalm 24 in reading the Bible in 2023

Ever been shocked at good fortune? Like a check in the mail or a promotion out of the blue? Joseph got promoted like no one else.

One morning waking up a slave in a dungeon, and by nightfall ruling as the most powerful person in Egypt (after Pharaoh). Even then Joseph had to borrow a bedroom. As if a forgotten prisoner in a supermax prison is released, jetted to the White House and granted sweeping emergency powers over the land.

A stunning rise to power.

Who stood behind this reversal of fortune? The Lord, of course. The psalmist wrote: The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord; He turns it wherever he wishes (Proverbs 21:1).

In this case the Lord turned Pharaoh’s heart toward Joseph, and in turn blessed Joseph’s family and generations to follow. All the way down to you and me.

Don’t give up. You and I may feel stuck in a pit. But God works beyond our view, to rescue and to provide.

Hang in and keep the faith.

Genesis 41 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Juskteez Vu

I underestimate the worth of clean drinking water. At my tap, water free of disease-causing bacteria waits for my cup. I’ve lived my entire life with no concern for the water I drink.

Not the case for much of the world. Many people drink dirty water every day. Children suffer from diarrhea, endure constant stomach aches and die from bad water. Older people deal with intestinal ailments and shortened lives. This water crisis exists outside my view, and so I miss the scope of suffering.

Today I’m with a group in Guatemala confronting dirty water. We’re working with Filter of Hope, an organization that believes:

No one should have to live without clean drinking water.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to know Christ personally.

Thirsty, Jesus encountered a women at a well. He asked her for a drink of water, then went on to say, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

People everywhere deserve clean water to drink and living water leading to eternal life. In working with Filter of Hope we attempt to provide both.

Please join me in praying for these efforts to bring both fresh water and eternal life to thirsty people around the world.

Sometimes the world feels crazy to me. I think, am I the only one seeing this?

David felt alone as the crush engulfed him. Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.

More than just lonely, David felt trapped—on every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted.

You and I can feel trapped, thinking the world holds no place for people of faith, for those who put ultimate stock in the Lord and His ways.

Perhaps David’s comfort should be our own. The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace…You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.

The Lord’s scriptures bring hope and peace, while the Lord’s presence covers those who hold to Him. The faithful may be hard to find at times, but as of today, not all have vanished.

Keep the faith.

Psalm 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Anna Schroeder