Garbage Tampering

January 10

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have

set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life,

so that you and your children may live.

Deuteronomy 30:19–20

He carried the garbage to the curb as he had for the last two years, leaving the

bags the prescribed three feet from the road. It seemed innocent enough, yet

today it felt deceitful. You see, he’d been putting his trash out with the neigh-

bor’s, allowing her garbage man to pick it up.

It hadn’t seemed like such a big deal. After all, he gave his neighbor money

once in a while to help her out and ease his conscience. But today, as he carried

the bags to the curb, he was overcome with a startling conviction that this was

wrong.

Admitting his actions had been a form of stealing, he carried the bags

back to his trash bin, went into the house, and called the refuse company to

admit his deception, asking forgiveness and offering to pay restitution if they

required it.

h

We spend our days making choices that affect our lives not just for the imme-

diate future, but by setting patterns. When we set wrong patterns, we hinder

God’s ability to bless us. We dismiss these little issues without much thought

because we’ve ingrained these patterns in our lives to the extent that we cat-

egorize our sins—a form of desensitization. “Nope, can’t do that; that one will

bring lots of grief !” “That’s not so bad as long as no one finds out; it won’t really

matter.”

Today’s text reveals that God sees everything we do, knows every thought

we embrace, and we alone are subject to His blessings or curses. We live our

lives asking for and expecting God’s blessings but are frustrated and can’t

understand why life is an uphill battle most days. Could it be because we don’t

recognize or admit that the little things we’re hiding stand in His way? It is

God’s desire to bless us.

Prayer

“Father God, giver of blessings and curses, help me to live a

life worthy of blessing. I don’t do well on my own. Reveal to

me anything that would bring death. Help me remove them

from my life and draw nearer to you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Precious Insults*

January 9

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you … because of

me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

Matthew 5:11–12

The prisoner lay in a huddled ball in the corner of the damp, dark cell. It

smelled of urine and vomit from not being cleaned in weeks, if not months.

They had just thrown him head first into the cell. Unable to brace himself

because of the beating he’d just received, he landed on his face, reinjuring the

broken nose he’d suffered two weeks ago in another similar beating.

Le Chen whispered, “Yesu, you are stronger than Mogui (1) and all who tor-

ment Le Chen. I thank you that you think Le Chen is worthy of suffering

for Your name.” 

Chen had been a prisoner for three months now. He’d been

charged with subverting Chinese law by worshiping in his home and possess-

ing part of Shengjing (2). 

It was unlawful to worship outside the Chinese govern-

ment’s ‘Three-Self Church’ in Honshu Province, or anywhere in China, for that

matter, or to possess a Bible in part or whole.

Being tormented for their faith was nothing new to Chen or his family.

The Le family counted it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ.

h

Many Christians will never suffer the pain and persecution portrayed in today’s

scenario. Many, however, do or will.

If given the circumstances of Chen, how would we fair? Would we count it

a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ, or would we complain about the

conditions?

The secret is in how we relate our lives to the suffering of Christ. Have we

died unto ourselves in Christ? Or is that just a fashionable statement?

Jesus wants us to relate to him in such a way that our desire is to look just

like him in every way.

Eternal perspective is about bringing the kingdom of Christ to the here

and now so it can be seen by those in need. It’s about understanding that our

suffering is not to be considered a high cost in light of eternity.

Prayer

“Yesu, I ask for strength and courage to stand up in your name.

Tell me when and where to speak, for I am not ashamed of

the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s in Your Name I pray, amen.”

*1 Chinese for Satan

   2 Chinese for Bible

 Pay Attention

January 8

If only you had paid attention to my commands.

Isaiah 48:18

As Wendy put her foot on the ice, Bridgette cautioned her, “I wouldn’t go out

on the ice yet, Wendy. It hasn’t been cold long enough to be safe.”

“Oh, you’re just a wuss!” Wendy said and stepped completely onto the

pond.

“There’s no ice in the center of the pond, Wendy!” Bridgette stressed. “It’s

not as thick as you think! Don’t be foolish, please!” she begged.

“Aw, come on, it’s safe enough right here!” she chided and jumped up and

down to make her point.

In the next instant, they heard a loud crack. Fear and panic replaced

Wendy’s bravado as she disappeared through the ice! She came up flailing and

screaming, “Help!”

As Wendy floundered, Bridgette ran to the farmhouse. She was met by her

father who’d heard her screams and come to investigate. Bridgette’s explana-

tion came spilling out in a terror-filled voice. Grasping the situation, he turned

and ran to the barn, grabbed a rope and sprinted for the pond. Hollering to

Wendy to keep treading water, he hurriedly tied the rope to the dock, secured

it to his waist, and crawled out onto the ice. As he neared his frantic daughter,

the ice gave way. Swimming the remaining distance, he grabbed Wendy, then

using the rope, slowly pulled them back to solid ground. Once she was safe, he

verbalized his displeasure, “Now you know why I told you to stay off the ice

until I said it was okay. Next time, pay attention.”

h

It is my belief that God would like us to pay attention. But being the self-

sufficient people we are, we set out on our own when His instructions don’t

lead in the direction we’re headed. We foolishly tell ourselves, “It won’t happen

to me, I’ll be fine!” only to find out too late that it happens to us all at one time

or another.

God is not a domineering Father who doesn’t want us to enjoy life. On the

contrary, His commands have a purpose meant to protect us from ourselves and

others. But free will being what it is, keeps God from enforcing our obedience.

Prayer

“Lord, Help me understand that Your commands

are meant for my own good and not the demands

of a high-handed Father. Amen.”

 The Devil We Know

January 7

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.

Psalm 118:5

Doug and Cheryl had never been in this part of town. They ran a homeless

shelter on the north side but had felt led to the east side tonight. It was an

especially cold evening, and they’d come here to pass out blankets and coats.

Passing among the men and women huddled around fire barrels, they

shared words of encouragement, speaking of God’s love and how He wanted

to make a difference in their lives.

“Lady,” one man responded in anger, “if God loves everybody so much,

then why are there so many homeless people? God doesn’t give a rip about us!”

He turned his back on Cheryl and walked away.

“Please, sir,” she pleaded. “He does care. He sent us here to help you.”

He turned back momentarily, and in a trembling voice and with bitterness

in his eyes, he said, “Lady, I don’t want your charity! And I don’t want God’s

either!”

Doug tried to follow, hoping to reason with the man, but was cut off by

one of the man’s friends. “He’s been here a long time, mister,” the man said.

“He’s bitter about the past. You mean well, and we appreciate your kindness,

but his memories outweigh your gift.”

Taking a blanket for himself, he said, “Give him time to see how others

respond. Maybe someday he’ll figure out that God didn’t put him here.”

h

Sometimes we prefer the devil we know to the deliverance we don’t under-

stand. Fear of the unknown can keep us from investigating our inner selves

and keep us from finding out there is strength within that would fight to see

ourselves set free.

One of the hardest lessons regarding free will is that God is no more to

blame for our poor choices than He is responsible for the decisions we get

right. He can only suggest. Then we are free to do as we please.

There is no forcing hope on someone who resents his or her circumstances

yet refuses to change. Only when we give God permission to care can we over-

come the devil we know.

Prayer

“Lord, sometimes I feel untrusting and alone. Help me see

these chains of bondage for what they are: lies to keep me

bound. Deliver me from Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Our Daily Bread

January 6

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

The Ryersons were in for the evening. So upon hearing the doorbell, Christian

asked his daughters if one of them was expecting a caller. “No, Dad,” they

answered in unison.

Rising from his chair, he answered the door, surprised to find three young

children pressed against a diminutive woman, trying to hide within the folds

of her skirt. They peeked at him with shy smiles. “Excuse me, sir,” the woman

began. “I saw the light in your windows. My car has broken down, and I would

like to use your phone if I could to call for assistance.” She appeared to struggle

with her own shyness but remained resolute about getting this matter resolved.

“Come in, please,” Christian said, waving his hand for them to enter.

“There’s a fire in the hearth if the kids would like to warm themselves,” he

added, winking at the children, who looked hopefully up at their mother.

“Yes. Go ahead,” she responded. “But behave yourselves, do you

understand?”

“Okay, Mommy!” they hollered over their shoulders, running for the

warmth emanating from the den.

Christian ventured, “Perhaps I can take a look at your car while you and

the children remain here? I might just be able to repair it.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to put you out,” said the woman quickly.

“It’s no problem.” He assured her, grabbing his coat. “Which way down

the lane and how far is it?”

h

God sends our daily bread as we need it in myriad forms.

Are we ready, like Christian, to be used to meet a need at an unexpected,

and possibly at an inconvenient time in the name of kindness and compassion?

Or more aptly defined, in the name of the Lord?

The Lord’s Prayer is not an empty petition to be recited by memory with

no thought of its depth or meaning. How better to show the love of the Father

than by the giving of ourselves rather than our possessions?

It’s far easier to offer our phone than our services. And being used as a

blessing is not a requirement. But if this were your wife and children, would

you not pray they find their daily bread?

Prayer

“May You find me willing to be used as someone’s

daily bread today, Lord. Amen.”