Andy Bonikowsky's Blog

​Does the Lord care about names? Ask Abram, Sarai, Jacob, Simon, and even Paul. What importance does God give to His own Name?
Do you think He is interested in yours? Considering the plans He has for it, I think so!

​One of the hardest things we will ever do is remain still when everything inside us is screaming to move. When we’re hit with jolting news, our minds race for solutions, as if everything depends on us.
But God calls us to control our thoughts—to steady them instead of letting them run wild, to stop and think, to be still, and know.
Our peace depends on it.

Everybody’s world shakes sooner or later. If you’ve lived long enough, you can likely recall a moment when yours did—and exactly where you were when it happened.
The sons of Korah offer wisdom for these life-altering moments. Whether we follow their guidance or not will determine whether we are refined like gold or descend into despair.

​When trouble hits, what is my first response? It may be hard to control that first thought, but it is entirely possible to determine what the second one will be.
It is then and there that the road to victory or defeat begins.
The first and last words of Psalm 46:1 are key to understanding how I should proceed as a believer. The last one describes the context: TROUBLE; the first one gives the response: GOD
When I am smacked with a problem, how have I chosen to respond? If this decision is not made in advance, my flesh will take the lead every time. 
How important it is to fix our eyes on God, who is our refuge against the external enemy as well as our strength for the internal struggle.

​People are used to singers who toot their horns and promote themselves. That’s what many do. Billions of dollars exchange hands as musicians showcase their talent. However, when someone starts singing the praises of another, there is a different response—heads turn and ears perk up.
Even in a secular society, if an individual exalts the Lord, there will be some positive reaction. We may not always notice it, but it will be there. All around us, unseen, are people whose hearts quietly yearn for God. They are often hidden from sight behind a veil of self-sufficiency and modern attire, but sometimes a Christian’s praise is just what can draw them out of hiding.
Do not despise the power of praise.
Keep praising the Lord and be assured that it is a powerful testimony.

If you have never been in a nasty, slimy pit, you may have a hard time relating to someone who worships God for getting him out of one. You might think they are exaggerating a bit or just asking for attention. 
It is important for those of us who were fortunate and prevented by grace from growing up in a godless home to respect and appreciate the deep gratitude of others. Were it not for the Lord’s kindness, we, too, would be wearing those scars or fighting ugly memories of the past.
The Psalmist’s song is an invitation to praise the Lord for the amazing grace that protected us from or brought us out of the hideous hole of sin.

Everybody knows how to wait. We have waited hundreds or thousands of times. But who enjoys it? We do not like it because waiting encroaches on our schedules and expectations and because we live with the innate sense that our plans are more important than anyone else’s. Perhaps this is one reason God takes His time to answer our prayers. He wants us to learn a lesson that dates back to the Garden of Eden: His will is the one that matters and the only one that will ultimately make us happy.David learned to be a good waiter, patiently waiting until God answered in His way and time. We can learn some practical advice from his first verse in Psalm 40.​

Before sin entered the human heart, man's only authority was his Creator. It never occurred to him that there was another source of counsel. His thinking was in sync with God's desires, and disagreement simply did not exist. Doing God's will was his pure and continual joy.However, when that pristine relationship went sour, other people became sources of authority and counsel. David's first word (v.1) was to turn away from evil and human guidance, and then he focused on the true source of excellent living—the Word! For us who were created by God for His glory, eternal prosperity comes through delighting in His Word and doing His will.​

Most of us do not like negative rules, and yet that is how God gave many of the important ones. Adam and Eve had one clear DO NOT; half of the Ten Commandments start with, “Thou shalt not”; the Book of Psalms begins with a triple advice not to go a certain way. Our Maker, who knows us well, considers this an effective way to communicate His will; therefore, we should probably move aside our natural aversions and pay attention!
So begins this fantastic Book of the Psalms.