The Seasons of Life

July 2

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For the Bowman family, July 2, 2011, wasn’t what you could call a normal day. As Jeff related the day’s schedule, I found myself reflecting on how the cycle of life is repeated.

“We’re having a party for Dad and Mom’s sixty-fifth wedding anniversary today!” Jeff proudly announced.

“Wow! That’s awesome!” I said. “That’s a huge testament to their devotion and commitment!” I understood the kind of devotion and commitment it took for a marriage to last that long; my parents had just celebrated their sixty-third in June.

“My daughters, Brenda and Danielle, won’t be there for the party though,” he said, a little disappointed. “But that’s okay. They both have something equally as important going on.”

He continued, “Brenda, our oldest, is at her sister-in-law’s wedding. She made the cake!”

Well,” I said, “hopefully her sister-in-law will make it to sixty-five too!”

With sadness in his voice, Jeff shared, “Our youngest, Danielle, is at her father-in-law, Jim’s funeral.”

I had known Jim. He’d been diagnosed with liver cancer just eight months ago. He was only sixty-two. “Yeah, that was sad. He’ll really be missed. It sounds like a day of reflection.”

“Yep…makes a man think,” Jeff said.

†

In the time between our birth and physical death we will see and experience things that will bring us joy, sorrow, and every emotion in between. There will be challenges beyond what we think we are equal to, and only a strong faith in God will see us through the storms of hardship and loss we are sure to face.

Solomon, in today’s text, assures us that although we feel like it, we are not unique; we will all experience sorrow and death, weeping and mourning. But there will also be fulfillment and jubilation in the living.

In the end it’s all about family and relationships…love and sacrifice. God wants us to know that when we have a day like this, we can face it with confidence and hope for the future; a future in which we can walk hand in hand with Him…through any season.

Prayer

“Thank You, Father, for giving me life, for walking with me daily, and for giving me the promise of all my tomorrows being spent with You. Amen.”

 Tirelessly Before God’s Throne

July 1

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…

1Timothy 2:1

As he cast his bait toward the bank, Jimmy asked, “So, when did you become a Christian?”

“Nineteen Seventy-Six…” Hank said, his smile hinting that there was more to the story. “…at my Dad’s funeral.”

“Really?” Jimmy said, surprised.

“Yep.” There was a fondness in Hank’s voice. He smiled as he shared the story of his dad’s enduring hope for his son’s salvation. “Dad got saved six years before he died. He witnessed to me almost every day, Jimmy. But I didn’t listen.” The later statement held no guilt or shame; Hank was simply stating the truth.

“Right before he died, Dad asked his pastor to preach the Gospel message at his funeral instead of a traditional service.” Hank paused as he made a cast, then said, “My brother and I gave our lives to Jesus that day.”

“That’s awesome!” Jimmy said.

“Yea, it is,” Hank agreed. “That’s the day all Dad’s efforts were rewarded. I think he’d be pleased.”

As they made their next cast, Hank chuckled and added, “I’m not what I should be, Jimmy…but I’m a lot better than what I was!”

†

Many of us, in an effort to satisfy selfish desire, go our own way. And were it not for the tireless intercession of faithful parents, we might never find salvation in Jesus Christ.

Thankfully many, like Hank, have parents who understand the importance of interceding for their children. And they, like Hank’s dad, would never think of giving up on their children, constantly lifting them before God’s throne, asking that He bring about the changes necessary to realize their salvation.

Isaiah 55:10 and 11 says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…”

If you have a child or loved one who resists your witness of Jesus’ love and sacrifice, don’t give up. Continue living out God’s love and come tirelessly before His throne.

Prayer

“I bring before You those I love, Lord, resolved to never give up on them, knowing that You won’t either. Thank You for Your great love that pursues us. Amen.”

 The Arms Dealer

June 30

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…

Ephesians 6:12

The two Generals met at the middle of the battlefield to discuss the terms of a peace treaty. Unbeknownst to them, an arms dealer lay hidden in the bushes, rifle at hand, ready to make sure peace did not prevail.

As the Generals were about to shake hands the arms dealer took aim at an unsuspecting infantryman and squeezed the trigger. Assuming the other side had fired the shot, the man standing next to him opened fire on the opposition. The battlefield erupted in gunfire, both sides believing the other had violated the cease fire agreement. They had no way of knowing they had been used as pawns in a chess match. Sneaking away under the cover of gunfire and foliage, the arms dealer retreated to safety.

The war would last four years and claim the lives of more than ten thousand men and women. During that time the arms dealer sold more than three hundred thousand weapons to both sides, making millions. His plan had worked perfectly: get the soldiers to fight amongst themselves for as long as he could. He couldn’t have cared less about casualties, or the lives of countless families that were destroyed. All he cared about was making money…any way he could.

†

By means of deception, Satan gets us to fight amongst ourselves, carrying out his schemes of destruction. Instead of waging war against the unseen manipulator, we are lured into fighting an opponent who appears to be our antagonist, never realizing we’ve become tools in the hands of a cunning and vicious enemy, an enemy who wants to sow discord in our families, at our workplace, and especially in the Church. He will manipulate anyone, in any situation, to achieve his goal of chaos and destruction.

Paul tells us that by recognizing this ploy as an attack from the enemy, and refusing to take part, we can demolish the devil’s schemes.

Next time, before lashing out, look for the ‘arms dealer’, then take up the Sword of Truth, the Word of God, and engage the real enemy.

Prayer

“Show me when the enemy is scheming against me, Holy Spirit. And help me recognize the ‘arms dealers’ Satan sends my way so I can take appropriate action. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

  Call It Like It Is

June 29

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…

Ecclesiastes 9:10

The tag was applied just as the boy slid into second base…“You’re out!” came the umpire’s call.

In the bleachers, the sliding boy’s parents audibly rejected the call. They were sure their son was safe. “We want a replay!” came their ardent cry.

This being the Little League World Series, the game was being broadcast live and cameras had been watching. Wanting to make sure the call had been correct, play was halted as the footage was reviewed. The tape showed the sliding boy’s foot more than three inches from the bag as the shortstop’s glove made contact with his leg.

But the parents refused to give up, “That was too close to call. He should have been given the benefit of the doubt!” they hollered. Cleary they didn’t want their son to be penalized for coming up short; they refused to accept the call despite the overwhelming evidence against them.

†

Very close does not equate to good enough. When we fall short of the mark that’s just what it is. Yet, we have coddled a societal mindset that believes to tell a child they’ve fallen short is the equivalent of calling them a failure.

This “Don’t call my child a loser” ideology has fostered a world system where no one is permitted to excel. Hence, we are telling our children it’s impossible to fail by not calling them out when evidence dictates we should. In doing so, we thwart their will to achieve.

By facing the truth that he had fallen short, the slider would, by nature, strive to do better the next time. When we rob him of this lesson we tell him there is no reason to try for better results. Therefore, his efforts will not be rewarded above a certain level. It’s just too painful to let him experience the sting that could spur him to greatness.

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, says striving is what we are meant to do. Don’t cheat your children out of their natural will to achieve. Call it like it is.

Prayer

“Lord, help me teach my children to try harder when they fall short of the mark instead of shielding them from temporary disappointment. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Sixth Sense

June 28

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

John 16:13

Carla was conducting an experiment in sensory awareness. She had blindfolded Jeff, her test subject, and given him the following instructions: “Using your hearing and sense of smell, I would like you to locate four volunteers I have stationed randomly about this room. You may have as long as you need, but you must not move from your current position.” With that, Carla activated a stopwatch.

Being blindfolded was a decided disadvantage, but it wasn’t as completely debilitating as Jeff had anticipated. By focusing his remaining senses on the task at hand he began to detect subtle clues.

Listening intently, he discovered a dead zone in the computer noise when turning his head back and forth. The soft hum changed ever-so-slightly when his head was in a certain position; there was someone very close on his right. Jeff pointed, revealing the first person’s location! Carla was surprised, when a minute later, Jeff pointed directly at one of the two women in the test-group! He’d detected the soft scent of her perfume as it drifted to him from his left.

Jeff’s heightened sense of awareness was noticeable as he methodically worked the room with his mind. In less than six minutes he had accounted for every participant’s position in the room. It was as if he possessed a sixth sense!

†

There is a power within every born-again believer greater and more discerning than our five natural-born senses...God’s Holy Spirit! He is the inherent power and understanding of God, born into us, through faith, the moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

In today’s text, Jesus speaks of our being guided by His omniscient understanding. I believe this is the supernatural connection we were meant to have, and operate in, prior to the fall in the Garden.

When Adam sinned, God’s Master-plan was deferred, not defeated. God will one day make things right. Until then, we can re-activate our sixth sense by a conscious commitment to Christ, allowing ourselves to be led by power through understanding in mutual relationship.

Prayer

“I offer You the five senses You created me with, Lord. Through faith I claim the awareness I was meant to have so we can be of one mind. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 What’s-His-Name?!

June 27

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10

Seth and Rachel were enjoying the day at the County Fair. They had talked to many old friends and acquaintances. This last encounter, however, left them scouring their memories. As they walked away from the semi-awkward conversation, Rachel voiced her embarrassment, “Okay, what is her name?!”

Seth was helpless to assist. He couldn’t remember the woman’s name either! “You know, Rach, we haven’t seen her in over a year and a half. All I remember was that she used to attend Bible study and Sunday Services not long before we moved. Past that, I can’t remember anything about her.”

“I guess we tend to forget names after not seeing someone for awhile; Out of sight, out of mind,” Rachel said in mock defense, frustrated with her inability to dredge the woman’s name from her memory.

“Not always.” Seth countered. “We’ve seen a lot of people today that we haven’t seen in years, and we didn’t have any trouble remembering their names. We just didn’t know her as well.”

Feeling a bit remised, Rachel said, “You’re right. I guess we should have made more of an effort to get to know her.”

†

Developing relationships requires ongoing commitment. To expect to know and remember every nuance and character trait of a passing acquaintance is unrealistic. Only through prolonged exposure to persons do we learn the deep, intimate things that make them who they are. And, if for some reason the relationship is broken, we immediately begin to lose bits and pieces of them; like losing the well-defined memory of a loved-one after they’ve died—their face is still there, but the sharpness of their image has blurred.

Our relationship with Jesus is the same. If we turn away from Him, His Image begins to blur….stay away long enough and we forget the most critical parts of His nature: Salvation; unconditional love; forgiveness; no condemnation; direction …the list is quite extensive. The longer we remain apart, the greater the chance of forgetting His Name…and why He came.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me to always remain in close relationship with You. When I run, block my path. When I stray, draw me back. When I forget, send Your Holy Spirit to remind me. Amen”

 Where Are All The Heathens?!

June 26

He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner’.

Luke 19:7

Rich and Laura had taken Laura’s visiting sister, Carlene, with them for a cookout at a friend’s lakefront home. On the way they made a couple stops to introduce Carlene to some friends who couldn’t make the event. All stops made, they headed for the cookout, where they introduced Carlene to the rest of their friends. The evening was friendly and informal. Everyone, including Carlene, had a wonderful time, and the evening broke up around 11:30.

Although no mention had been made, all of Rich and Laura’s friends were Christians. Knowing Carlene was agnostic, they had prayed for her over the past several years, asking God to reveal Himself to her.

The three all said their goodnights and headed home. Once in the car conversation centered on how great the night was, and what a good time they’d each had. Carlene asked a few pointed questions, setting the stage in preparation of putting to words the one question that had been nagging her all night. “So, Laura, where were all the heathens? I didn’t see a single one tonight.”

Laura, not missing a beat, speaking with mock solemnity, replied, “Why, Carlen, that’s why we brought you!”

†

Only family can get away with such shrouded humor! Laura would have bristled to hear anyone else make that statement to her sister.

But what of Carlene’s question? Where are all the heathens? Once saved, we tend to forget where and what we were when Jesus Christ reached into our hearts and set us free. Although He did it for us, His hope is that it wouldn’t end there.

Like those judging Zacchaeus, some Christians travel in orbits that encircle Jesus Christ but are somehow appalled to consider rubbing shoulders with ‘real sinners’.

Jesus spent time in sinner’s homes because He had good reason—they needed cleansed of their sin. We needed cleansed!

Having received such a gift, how can we not share it with those who really need His message of love, grace, and forgiveness: heathens.

Prayer

“Show me a sinner, like me, Lord, who You want me to share my life with. Then give me strength and the right words to speak, through Your Holy Spirit, that will lead them to You. Amen.”