Kinsman Warriors

So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Zechariah 4:14

Mitch and Lee frequently communicated during the day; mostly by text messaging.

Lee was Mitch’s nephew. He was also a seasoned cop.

Each morning Mitch lifted Lee to the Lord, asking that God give Lee wisdom and strength, with the accompaniment of supernatural protection so he could protect the citizens of his community. “Thank You, Almighty God, for always being conspicuous in Lee’s life. And for always speaking to him in ways he understands. Help him make the right decisions today. Show him things he needs to see, and give him discernment beyond his own. Infuse him with Your strength so that he can protect those You have placed in his care,” Mitch prayed.

As he carried out the duties of his vocation each day, Lee was aware that God would show him the things he needed to see, and speak to him about the things he needed to know. He knew that apart from God, there was no way he could make a real difference. “Thank You, Lord, for those who faithfully pray for me. Thank You for always watching my six. Help me see what’s really happening on the streets today. Surround me with Your warring angels, and use me to make this city a safer place.”

†

When in uniform, we immediately know that Lee is a warrior. But to look at Mitch no one would suspect that he serves God in the same capacity, because he fights his battles inconspicuously.

In today’s passage, the two olive trees represent Zerubbabel and Joshua, one a prince the other a priest; both endued with the gifts and graces of God's Holy Spirit. Although contemporaries, they were of different vocations. But both were mighty men of God.

The same holds true of Mitch and Lee. Both men were created for battle. And so were you. Like Zerubbabel and Joshua, you were created to serve the Lord of all the earth. And whether you do so in the sight of others, or quietly behind the scenes, you are no less integral, no more valuable. You are kinsman warriors.  

Prayer

“Almighty God, fill me with Your strength and the fearlessness of a warrior. Watch over me as I engage the enemy on Your behalf. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Beetle Boots and Levis

If anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ … do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear.”
Matthew 24:23

It was two days and counting; summer vacation was over. “You never get us the original!” Elliott said with the frustration of a fifteen-year-old. “Everybody else in school will have genuine Levis and Beetle Boots. Not some lame knockoffs like these!”
“Honey,” his mother began, “we can’t afford the originals. Those boots and jeans are three times as much as these, and they don’t fit our budget. This is the best we can do.” Had Elliott been thinking about anything but himself, he would have been able to see the hurt in his mother’s eyes. But he wasn’t, and he didn’t. All he could see were cheap imitations that would elicit ridicule from his peers at school. They’d take one look at these off-brand jeans and low-heeled boots with the zipper on the side instead of in the back, and they’d say what they always said, “Whutsamatter, Bennett? Mommy still dressing you?” Kids could be cruel, and these lessons seemed unfair.
With that thought in his head, Elliott headed for his room. I’ve gotta figure a way to get what I want or everyone’ll think I’m uncool! And with that, he slammed his bedroom door on the world.

†

There is a knockoff for everything; someone has counterfeited the original and is looking to profit from it. And in most cases it’s not life threatening.
However, there is one counterfeit that we must not buy, and regardless of the cost, we must purchase the original!
Satan has staked his claim to the throne of God and comes deceiving those who would listen to his sales pitch. His minions tell us we’re uncool and won’t be accepted unless we buy what they’re selling.
Jesus, knowing sin is tempting in the early stages because it feels good, warns us so we will be on guard, because there are always consequences. To make the wrong choice in this case will be eternally fatal.
Jesus is the original; there is no other way to salvation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see past all the bells and whistles when Satan comes to deceive. Help me discern the lies and seek the truth. In Jesus’ Name, amen."

The Egg Minister

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.
2 Corinthians 9:7

The two-story Cape Cod blended well into the surrounding countryside. And the 6.2 acres of land it sat on was sufficient to allow the boys room to grow. Paul and Rebecca had purchased this little piece of country for the expressed purpose of raising their three boys outside the lights of the city.
Paul had built two outbuildings, a kennel for the dogs, and a workshop for himself. One day, Rebecca   asked Paul to add a chicken coup to the side of the dog kennel. Standing on the porch, Rebecca smiled as she fondly remembered that day two years ago when God had called her into the ministry. Not just any ministry, mind you; He’d called her into the egg ministry. Paul had thought it a strange request but had built it nonetheless, saying, “Chickens you want, chickens you get.”
Rebecca hadn’t immediately explained her plans, mostly because she wasn’t quite sure what those plans were exactly. All she knew for sure was that God had given her a desire to own a few laying hens. It seemed a reasonable desire; they would enjoy fresh eggs, and the boys would learn about raising chickens.
As the hens began to lay, Rebecca discovered they had more eggs than they could use. With this unexpected bounty, Rebecca realized she could bless a few of the neighboring families. And so it began, a ministry that now saw Rebecca giving dozens of eggs to family and friends.

†

Such simple projects generate a tremendous impact. Giving of our lives is the most personal service we can offer. To give money is good; we are all supposed to assist in financing the kingdom of God.
But when we give something for which we have labored, it tells others we have taken time to share our lives.
Not all of us are called to move to the country and raise chickens. But we do each have the ability to step outside ourselves, seeking new and unique ways to serve. Ministry begins when God plants a desire in our heart. It’s up to us to make it grow.

Prayer

“I want to be about Your business, Lord. Show me where I might be of service. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Walking It Out

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Romans 10:15

Sandra and Ginny had been friends for almost ten years. In that time, they had shared their lives. The most important thing they shared was a deep love for Jesus, and for over nine years, they had committed to deepening that relationship.
Two years into their friendship, God led them to begin prayer-walking their neighborhood, rising in the predawn hours to walk and lift their neighbors and their needs to God.
They watched in wonder as God brought neighbors into their lives with critical timing: someone facing a tremendous struggle or the loss of a family member. They were able to witness God’s love and spend time with each one in prayer. They simply followed God’s lead.
They had been prayer-walking for three years when they felt God asking them to assemble the neighborhood so He could weave their lives together. So they set to work planning the first block night Sharp Road would ever experience. They dropped off invitations to every family, asking them to bring one covered dish, lawn chairs, and an appetite. That inaugural evening had been a remarkable success!
Five years later, they still gather monthly at a home determined the prior month. Volunteers are never in short supply, and the fellowship is sweet.
Sandra and Ginny count it a privilege to be part of the movement of God that has seen seven people, to date, accept Jesus as their Savior.

†

Paul’s prayer at the beginning of chapter ten is that the Israelites might be saved. He makes the case that anyone believing on the name of Jesus will be saved. Then he sets about challenging their conviction and commitment to Christ. “And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard?” He’s asking them to go tell others about Jesus.
Knowing Jesus is only the beginning for those who are saved. Telling others about the freedom and joy we have in Christ should be, like Paul, the desire of our heart.
Walking it out means taking each opportunity God provides to share His Son.

Prayer

“Lord, lead me to those who have never heard of You. Guide my feet to who needs to hear about You next. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Three Whys

No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

“Okay, Mr. Know-It-All,” Marvin challenged. “What makes you so sure you have the right answers? I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but what makes your beliefs right and mine wrong?” The heat was evident in his tone.
“Marvin,” Chris began softly. “I don’t have all the answers, and you are right sometimes. But when it comes to those three questions, there is truth, and there are lies. I believe each of us is faced with a choice: believe and follow Jesus or reject Him and spend eternity in hell.”
“Yeah, I got that!” There was no give in Marvin. “Your belief says that God is where I came from, God is why I’m here, and God wants me to know where I’m going!” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “So,” Marvin goaded, “God is the answer to everything!”
“Marvin, just because you choose not to believe in God doesn’t make Him nonexistent. The proof is all around you.” Chris had a thought. “Take gravity, for instance,” he baited. “You can say you don’t believe in it. Yet, if you were to put your belief to the test from the top of a ten-story building, your belief wouldn’t keep you from dying.”
“No one’s stupid enough to do something that ignorant when the proof is so apparent,” Marvin interjected.
“Right!” Chris said. “Seeing makes it easy to believe. But faith believes without undisputable proof,” Chris finished.
“Well, until I have proof of God’s existence, I’m not buyin’ it!” The conversation died an uncomfortable death.

†

God created us for a relationship with Him. His desire is that we choose to spend eternity with Him.
And the world hates Him for it. They can’t abide His conditions that we accept the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary’s cross as the propitiation for our sinful living, asking His forgiveness, and turning from sin.
They revile and reject God’s one-way atonement, demanding, “How can a benevolent Father make such a demand?”
And to that there’s only one answer: Jesus died to present us faultless before God.
Whether we choose to believe Him or not has no relevance to the truth.

Prayer

“Lord, use me to help others see the truth in You. Amen.”

Enemy-Occupied Territory

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 4:4

Jennifer and Karen were having the age-old discussion. “How can a loving God let bad things happen to good people?”
“In war after war, innocent men, women, and children die senseless deaths. And for what?” Karen demanded. “Are you going to tell me that it’s God’s judgment for a nation’s disobedience?!”
“Karen, no matter what I say, it probably won’t change your belief of God turning a blind eye to injustice. I understand your frustration and at one time shared your misconceptions about how God can say He loves us yet stand by and let people suffer. How do you rationalize cancer or AIDS?” The softness in Jennifer’s voice did little to diffuse Karen’s anger. When her husband died of leukemia, Karen blamed God for not answering her prayers. She’d turned away from God and hadn’t returned since Randy’s death.
“Karen, you mentioned wars and how innocent people die needless deaths. The truth is we were born into war. And we live in enemy-occupied territory. This is not the earth God created. That all changed when Adam ate the forbidden fruit. And until Jesus comes to judge the Earth, and all those in it, we will live under the enemy’s occupation.”

†

It is inconceivable—apart from faith in God’s redemptive nature—that evil reigns on Earth. Yet, Adam had a choice: say no to temptation and retain dominion or eat the fruit and usher in a season of mankind possessing knowledge we were never meant to have. When that happened, sin, in the form of illness, lustful desire, and myriad forms of idolatry entered the heart of man, and death was required so we would not live forever in our sin.
Those who believe there should be no evil among us are living under a veil of deception. The enemy manipulates the hearts of those who will listen to his sordid lies.
Bad things do happen to good and bad alike. In this world, God does not promise we will not endure hardship and loss, but that while in enemy-occupied territory, He will provide shelter.

Prayer

“Lord, we pray for the removal of the veil from the minds of those who blame You for the evil in this world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Never Grow Weary

Do not become weary … for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Charles and Lucille had been married twenty-eight years. “Lord, you promised Charles would come to You if I was diligent in prayer. I have been praying faithfully all these years. Please show me that my prayers are making a difference. Just a morsel, Lord!” she implored.
That night, Lucille had a dream. In the dream she saw a lamb. God spoke to her, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked again; the lamb had become a sheep. God said again, “Pay attention. Look!” She looked once more to see that the sheep had become dirty and was peeking around the corner, poking its head in and out. God then said, “This is Charles at the door, wanting to come in. Continue to pray!”
Two weeks later, Charles gave Lucille an unexpected gift. Lucille opened the package to find a praise and worship CD; she was elated! “Thank You, Lord!” she said, grateful for another morsel.
Lucille listened to the CD repeatedly, gaining inspiration in the knowledge God was changing Charles’s heart. One evening, she walked into the house to find Charles not only listening to the CD but also singing along! “Oh, Lord! Thank You!” she whispered.
Three weeks later, Charles began attending church with Lucille; within six weeks, Charles gave his life to Christ!

†

Lucille’s perseverance in prayer is a lesson for us all. Many, if not all of us, have unsaved family members. Though they may not respond to our direct influence, we can affect change by lifting them to the throne consistently, praying for the veil to be lifted and God’s light to penetrate the darkness.
Today’s text encourages us to not give up in our weariness. God hears our prayers and responds by drawing them unto Himself.
Twenty-eight years is a considerable amount of time to pray without evidence of an answer. Yet it pales in comparison to eternity and eternal separation from Christ. We must not grow weary; it is not hopeless.
Do you want a harvest? Persevere in prayer!

Prayer

“Lord, hear my prayer. Draw all those in my family who don’t know You to Your side. Help me to never give up on them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Last Supper at Breakfast

When evening came Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve.
Matthew 26:20

While eating breakfast, Rachel noticed the painting of The Last Supper and asked, “Do you know what that painting means, Uncle Ed?”
“No,” he responded.
His response caused her to ask, “Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Savior?”
“I don’t know how,” was his strained response.
Continuing to pursue this line of questioning, Rachel asked, “Do you know Who Jesus is?”
“No, not really,” he admitted. “Did you ever attend church?” she asked.
“No,” he began. “I can’t read, you know, and I was afraid the preacher would call on me for answers. So I stayed home … ” He trailed off; a note of shame in his voice.
Where do I start, Lord? she thought. I can’t ask him if he wants a Savior he doesn’t know.
“At the beginning,” God replied. So for an hour, Rachel related biblical events: Creation, the flood and Noah, Moses, the exodus to the promised land, concluding with Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. When she finished, Ed said, “Come with me.” He led her to the bedroom where he brought out a book of Bible stories. It contained the very stories she’d just shared!
Taking God’s cue, Rachel asked; “Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart?” she said.
“Oh, yes, yes, yes!” he responded.

†

Ed is now with his Savior. Rachel’s sensitivity enabled her to present the invitation.
We should never assume that people know Jesus, even if they have religious material around the house. Had Rachel accepted the painting as proof of Ed’s salvation, he could have spent eternity in hell.
The truth is there are many unsuspecting people on their way to hell; many because we assume they’ve heard about Jesus, so we don’t go out of our way to ask them, “Do you know Who Jesus is?”
We may be required to give explanation of the events from Creation through the resurrection; people should understand the decision they’re making. And this may require doing some things we’re not comfortable with. In light of the alternative, we must put aside our discomfort and never assume they know the truth.

Prayer

“Make me sensitive to those who don’t know You, Lord. Help me help them to know Who You are. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Cryin’ Saints

And he who searches our hearts … intercedes for the saints.
Romans 8:27

It would be thirty years before the boy would understand what he’d witnessed that night.
It was the church’s weekly prayer meeting, and elders, spiritual leaders, and many members of the congregation, as well as the senior and associate pastors, were present in the Fireside Chapel.
The young boy didn’t want to be there. But he was the associate pastor’s son, and when Dad went to church, he went to church.
As he sat in one of the comfy chairs in the back of the chapel, he watched and listened. For over an hour they prayed. The boy was beginning to fidget. Then he heard crying from the altar; he wasn’t sure what to make of that. He’d never heard anyone cry when they prayed. And this wasn’t just normal crying either. Whoever it was, they were sobbing!
Curious, he stood on his chair to take a look. His curiosity was rewarded as he discovered it was the senior pastor.
On the way home, the boy questioned his father. “Why was Reverend Wilber cryin’, Dad?”
His father paused and then tried his best to explain how the Holy Spirit moves on the hearts of His saints when they’re in desperate prayer. “When that happens, the emotion can sometimes be overwhelming. And sometimes people even cry,” his father had said.
The young boy looked through the darkness at his father and asked in complete innocence, “So Reverend Wilber is a cryin’ saint?”

†

The Holy Spirit intercedes for His saints when they don’t know what to pray. And we are His saints.
I’ve known many who believe the term saint is reserved for those who have gone before us in death or for those whose contribution to the faith has raised them to a loftier salvation than our own. But plainly, saints are people who have separated themselves from the world and consecrated themselves to the worship and service of God.
Many of us have needed God’s urgent intervention and were at a loss for words. A “cryin’ saint” is someone given over to the Holy Spirit’s examination, asking Him to take the need before the throne of God when we can’t.

Prayer

“When I can’t pray, Lord, please take over and speak to the Father on my behalf. Amen.”

Knowing The Shepherd Makes All the Difference

The LORD is my shepherd…

Psalm 23:1

The story goes that there was a famous actor whose incredible speaking voice commanded attention and held listeners in awe. Besides his acting career, he was much sought-after to record commercials, movie trailers, and the like.

On one occasion at a large party he entertained the crowd by reciting famous sonnets and poetry. During a pause he was approached by a man dressed more like a peasant than one who should be attending such festivities.

“I wonder if I could impose upon you to recite the 23^rd Psalm?” he humbly asked.

Something the actor discerned in the man caused him to respond, “On the condition that you also recite it.”

The man agreed and the actor took the stage once again. His inflection was flawless as he recited the familiar psalm, his resonant voice built excitement throughout the room, and he finished to a standing ovation. After a moment he raised his hand to quiet the crowd as the older man took the stage. The crowd looked on in disdain; what could this unkempt character have to offer? Unphased by their cold reception, the man stood confidently and, in a worn-out, raspy voice, interpreted the 23^rd Psalm. When he finished there was no clapping, no standing ovation…only weeping throughout the room.

Asked what the difference had been between the two recitals, the actor replied, “I know the 23^rd Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.”

†

We can have extensive information, data, and facts about something and not ‘know’ a thing about it. Without understanding, we have no idea how to interpret the information we have, or put it to use. Throughout scripture God invites us to gain wisdom, which is the ability to understand and use the knowledge we posses; because knowledge, in and of itself, is useless until put into context.

As we’ve seen, knowing the 23^rd Psalm does not equate to knowing The Shepherd. The difference is not only life-changing, but eternal, and knowing the Shepherd makes all the difference in navigating our daily lives.

If you do not know Him, I invite you to come today, and experience the goodness, mercy, and love of the Shepherd.

Prayer

“Father God, I thank You for always guiding and protecting me as I walk this earth. Lead me in the path You’ve set before me this day. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Understanding Comfort

Comfort … with the comfort we ourselves have received.
2 Corinthians 1:4

Danny was a commercial construction contractor. His firm built low-rise structures in and around the downtown area. He and his wife, Susan, their three children, Ammie, Ben, and Chris, lived in the suburbs.
This morning, Danny was running a bit late, but that was okay because it was Saturday, and he would be the only one at the jobsite anyway. He and Susan had stayed up late to watch It’s a Wonderful Life last night, Susan giggling at George and Mary’s whirlwind romance, teasing Danny and saying, “If you treated me the way George treats Mary, we’d never have a bad day.” Susan would remember, with heart-wrenching clarity, her comment in the days to come.
As Danny jumped in his truck, Susan waved good-bye through the side door. Neither of them saw Chris playing behind his father’s truck, and in one horrifying moment, Danny put the truck in reverse and backed out of the garage, running over his five-year-old son, killing him instantly.
In the weeks that followed, they were surrounded by friends and family who tried to comfort them. But no comfort could be found. Danny couldn’t sleep; Susan blamed herself and Danny for the loss of her son.
The blame would shift from themselves to God and back over the next two years. Their faith would ultimately hold them together, and grief counseling would bring a measure of healing. But not before the enemy had his way for awhile.

†

What do we do when tragedy of this magnitude invades our lives? It seems so unfair, and the anger over a life taken long before its time runs deep. “How could a loving God allow something like this to happen?”
We say, “Bad things happen to good people.” And this is true but woefully inadequate for these situations.
The truth is bad things do happen, and sometimes they happen to us instead of somebody else. And we need the understanding comfort only God and those who have lost a child can bring. If you are bearing this grief, reach out. If you have lived through this nightmare, comfort those whose pain is still raw.

Prayer

“My life is Yours, Lord. But today that doesn’t help. Show me how to grieve this unspeakable loss. Bring healing to my broken heart. Amen.”

Will You?

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
James 2:16

Quinn had lost his job and hadn’t been able to find suitable employment in over four months. They had used Charlotte’s most recent paycheck to keep the electric and gas on, but their mortgage, as well as a signature loan, was two months delinquent. The slumping economy and Quinn’s disability had only added to their struggle. This morning found them pouring out their hearts to God, asking for divine intervention.
Around noon, Charlotte received a call from a couple in their congregation. They felt God leading them to share some food with them. “How much room do you have in your freezer?” came the question.
An hour later, the credit union called. Quinn assumed they were notifying him of collection proceedings and prayed for strength to deal with this situation. However, when he got on the line, the account manager said, “Mr. R, an anonymous provider has stopped by our office this morning and paid your mortgage accounts current. They have asked we not divulge their identity, but that we inform you so you can best use the finances you have available.” Quinn was numb with wonder as he hung up the phone. It took a full minute before he was able to relate the nature of the call to Charlotte.

†

At a time when society trusts their 401(k) or stock portfolio to provide for tomorrow, God is asking us to trust Him and not yield to the temptation to lean on ourselves for the future.
Giving God permission to reposition His money through us is not an easy thing to do. It requires faith that He truly is a debtor to no man.
Today’s text is clear; we are not to stand idly by and give lip service to situations that demand attention. Giving out of our abundance requires an act of will. Will you?

Prayer

“Lord, help me to bare the essence of Your love. Help me hang on loosely to the things You have given me. May I never see a brother in need and fail to do everything I can to meet it. In Jesus’ Name, amen. “

What Do You See?

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

Watching the night sky, they were enjoying one of their favorite pastimes: stargazing. Tonight the whole family was there. The kids were lying in the middle of the hood of the car, Mom and Dad on the sides, all of them bundled in blankets, their heads cushioned by pillows. They were looking for meteors. Terry loved the stars. He always felt close to God when surveying the wonders of the universe. Tonight and tomorrow night, August 11 and 12, were the peak nights to observe the Purseid meteor shower.
They had driven up on Coe Hill in the wee hours of the morning, their hearts building with anticipation and excitement to witness hundreds of brilliant green and white vapor trails streaking across the sky as the little pieces of dust lit up the atmosphere!
It began around 4:00 a.m. with just a few at a time and then built to what seemed like hundreds coming in from every direction! They were privileged to see one of the most awesome displays of fireworks God had ever provided! All for the meager price of a couple hours of sleep. It was a night they would cherish and speak of often.

†

How is it that some people look at the sky and see God while others see only stars?
As Terry lay there, he was reminded of the Apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969 as Neil Armstrong spoke those immortal words: “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” Many people aren’t aware of what Buzz Aldrin was doing; he was taking communion and reading Scripture, but was unable to broadcast it because of a legal battle NASA was in at the time.
The world touted man’s accomplishment; Aldrin silently proclaimed the power of God.

Prayer

“Father of the heavens, I am awed by Your mighty power. I don’t know the names of all the people in my town, yet You know my name and the name of every star. How immeasurable is Your glory! Thank You for Creation! Amen.”

It’s the Filling That Matters

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
Proverbs 26:23

Five feet nine inches tall, long auburn hair, and deep green eyes, she was stunning! Clark almost tripped as he turned to get a second look at the woman he’d just walked past. “Wow! I’d love to get to know her,” he said, nudging his buddy, Brad.
“No, you wouldn’t,” came Brad’s unexpected reply. “She’s a snob, Clark,” he said.
“Aw, you’re just jealous,” he quipped.
“Let me tell you a true story, Clark,” Brad said and proceeded. “Everywhere this woman goes, she commands attention. Everyone who sees her jockeys to meet her and to be seen with her. Yet few ever get the chance. Those who do usually regret ever wasting time trying.” Looking to see if he was making any impression, he continued. “My father was present on one occasion when a young man about her age approached her at a dinner party. He shyly asked her to have a drink with him in the restaurant bar. Dad said the woman briefly looked at him and with disdain in her voice, said, ‘It would be a tremendous waste of my time, and I would die before I would be seen with the likes of you.’ And with that, she turned her attention back to her sycophant admirers. Clark, I’m telling you, she’s as vile on the inside as she is beautiful on the outside.”

†

Created in God’s image, there are, regrettably, times we don’t resemble Him in the slightest. Our exterior may be bright and shiny, but our soul can be riddled with poison, leaching out into our surroundings, polluting everything it touches.
It isn’t enough to look the part of a Christian. We must share similarities with our Creator. And the similarities must penetrate deeper than the surface of our existence. God, unlike us, is concerned with the heart. He barely slows down to see how we look on the outside.
What people see when they meet us is important, because Who we represent can be seen in our attitude. But the shell is not as important as the filling.

Prayer

“Make me beautiful on the inside, Lord. And help me look past other’s shell to find the goodness within. Amen.”

Broken

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit …
Psalm 51:17

The Sunday service had begun as it did each week with the worship team leading the congregation in praise and worship. Nothing unusual there, the people’s praises inviting God into the atmosphere.
Then God showed up, and it was personal.
Conrad loved singing and praising God. Suddenly, in the midst of worship, he felt an enveloping presence, a fullness he’d never experienced before. From deep inside his being he heard a voice speak.
Jerking his head up and looking around to see who was watching, Conrad was momentarily stunned. Seeing no one looking his way, he closed his eyes once more. As he did, he realized the voice had come from inside. And the moment that realization hit him, he heard it again. “Broken. You must come broken.”
To say Conrad was startled was a gross understatement! God had never spoken to him like this! Regaining his thoughts, he whispered, “What do You mean, broken?”
“You are holding on to burdens that are not yours. But unless you are broken, I cannot take them.” The Holy Spirit continued, “I want all of you. Even the deeply hidden things, Conrad. You must be broken to be made whole.”
Conrad hesitated only a moment. “Take my heart, Lord. Make me whole.”

†

Completely broken in spirit, yielded to God at the purest level, requires our desires to take a back seat to God’s will. Scary, but it’s actually where we are the safest.
Satan says otherwise. He whispers, “It’s too great a risk; you will be humiliated.”
Satan is a liar. Complete submission to God can be intimidating; voluntary vulnerability is not natural. But it is where pride yields to God’s Sovereignty in such a way that He can heal the deepest, darkest wounds of our heart.
God wants to take our broken pieces and fit them together in such a way as to make us whole. He wants to set us free of the bondage of secret sin. To risk our heart this way is to leave ourselves bare before the Lord. But the benefits are worth any possible risk.
Our Savior is gentle and loving. He does not humiliate His children. He’s asking us today, “Will you come broken in spirit?”

Prayer

“I sacrifice my broken spirit, Lord. Make me whole. Amen.”

Sticks and Stones

Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
1 Samuel 1:7

Laura wiped at her tears as she walked up the drive; she didn’t want Dick to see she’d been crying. “I hate mean people!” she vehemently cursed under her breath, not noticing or caring as the bus faded into the distance.
Thoughts from today’s trip whirled through her head. Why does this always happen? Why are people so mean? And why can’t people just leave me alone? She would never get used to the stares and the names. I never hurt any of them, and still they call me hurtful names, staring at me as if I’m some kind of monster! The tears began anew.
At seventeen, Laura had been in an explosion involving a gas grill. It had left her with burns over thirty percent of her body. The right side of her face had required extensive cosmetic surgery, leaving disfigurement that could not be hidden. She was still receiving monthly treatments to stretch ongoing skin grafts.
Laura hated visits to the city. Because no matter how much she prayed, she always saw that look and heard those comments.
Why couldn’t people see past the scars? “Why couldn’t You have just let me die in that explosion?” she challenged God for the hundredth time.

†

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Most of us have used this comeback as a form of protection for lack of a better defense. The idiom is a lie; name-calling hurts.
And for good reason. It undermines our personal confidence while telling us we are defective and unacceptable; it wounds a heart longing to be loved.
Hannah was so affected by name-calling that she wept until she couldn’t eat! But God heard Hannah’s cry. And he hears ours too. Like Hannah, we too might endure ridicule we do not deserve, but, in the end, our sorrow will turn to joy. There is no guarantee that our situation will soon change, as there is no shortage of mean-spirited people. But God hears our cry. And in time He will take away our pain.

Prayer

“Lord, help me bring healing instead of pain. Guard my tongue and words. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Connect the Dots

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

“Come look at my zebra, Mom!” Will called.
“Let me see,” Sheena said. “That’s great, honey!” she added, impressed with the precision with which he had completed the connect-the-dots drawing.
“Thanks!” said the nine-year-old, the pride of accomplishment evident in his demeanor. “An’ look at this! The stripes look like four scrunched letter Zs!” he remarked, tracing each letter to emphasize his point.
What a vivid imagination, Sheena thought, wondering if she would have noticed it herself. “You know, Will, your Uncle Ralph loved connect the dots. And now he’s an architectural engineer.” Realizing Will needed a simple definition to make the connection from one to the other, she added, “An engineer uses scientific knowledge and principles of how things work to construct buildings, bridges, and other structures.”
“I could draw a bridge, Mom!” Will said enthusiastically and began immediately to draw a basic, one-dimensional blueprint with ruler and pencil. Five minutes later, he held aloft the drafting job he had carefully completed. In truth, it bore a striking resemblance to the intended subject matter, quite impressive for a nine-year-old. Who knew? Perhaps her son might just follow in her brother’s footsteps.

†

Connect-the-dot drawings do not provide entertainment alone. They teach the basics in perceptual thinking. As a child, I eagerly guided my pencil from one dot to the next, connecting each corresponding number to the next, revealing the secret of the numbers. These simple drawings taught me the concept of visualization and gave me the ability to understand how critical a sequence of events and following directions are.
God’s Word is similar in nature. His written account of history provides a starting point for our spiritual education and leads us through the steps of maturation from infancy, where we are taught His precepts, to maturity in Christ and how we are to conduct ourselves in His service. Each lesson has its own built-in navigation system; as we complete one lesson in life, God’s light illuminates our path to the next.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your version of connect the dots. Lead me as I trace my way through each lesson. Help me visualize the path You have laid out for me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”