New Each Day

For his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22, 23

“So what’s your New Year’s resolution?” Regan asked.
“I’m not making one,” Willie answered. “The last two resolutions I made, I had no intention of keeping. Why should I set goals I don’t plan to keep?”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Regan said in challenge.
“Why’s it so important that I decide to do something positive for myself on New Year’s Eve?” Willie countered. “I mean, I can make constructive changes to my life any day of the year. So why does it have to be right now, today?” he said with emphasis.
“Well … ” Regan paused, pondering the truth in Willie’s comment. It dawned on her that she might be doing something out of a misguided purpose. Whether he knew it or had just stumbled upon it by accident, there was validity in what Willie said. She finally answered, “Well, I guess I make a commitment each New Year’s Eve because it’s what I've always done.” Struck by a deeper thought, she pondered aloud, “Does that make it wrong?”
“No, I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong,” Willie responded; pausing a moment, he added, “But I've seen so many people set goals with good intentions, and when they didn't follow through, they wound up discouraged with a sense of defeat. I just think there’s more to why we make lifestyle changes than when we decide to make them.”

†

Willie makes a valid point; when is not as important as why we do things. I’m not advocating that people stop making New Year’s resolutions. If you purposefully commit to your goals, you can certainly attain life-changing experiences. The truth is that if we desire, we can commit to those experiences any day of the year. We need not wait until December 31 to change the way we live.
God wants us to understand that we can bring before Him anything, anytime. As His Word says, His compassions—His ability to forgive and offer us a fresh start—are new each day.

Prayer

“Father of forgiveness and life, help me live more for You in this next year than I did in the past. And if I fail one day, lift me up and help me make a new start. Amen.”

Watchman

This is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a watchman and have him report what he sees.”
Isaiah 21:6

As he began the first fold in the flag, the SWAT commander reflected on his friend’s life. Words like duty and honor immediately came to mind—never taken lightly, rarely spoken of, silently understood. The man being laid to rest was a husband, father, brother, son, and friend. He was a fifteen-year veteran who had laid down his life during the performance of his duties; a veteran whose thoughts were unlike the average civilian’s. Upon entering any structure, business, or residence, he noted every door and surveillance camera. He formulated plans for every scenario. He determined how he would respond if someone entered with criminal intent, because he was always thinking about the safety of others.
Drawn from his thoughts by the twenty-one-gun salute, the commander was intensely aware that he would rather have been anywhere but here. But, doing what he would always do under difficult circumstances, he put aside his emotion, and performed his duties. He had come here today to honor and pay tribute to a fallen comrade; nothing would deter him. Then he’d get back on the wall; entrusted with the freedom of others.

†

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” His revelation to his disciples was about duty and honor in love. It was about loving others in a way that places their welfare ahead of our own, suffering temporarily, so that they might be safe.
Jesus was the perfect example. He suffered death on a cross so that we might be saved. The battleground was Gethsemane. Bent by anguish beyond our comprehension, wishing to be anywhere but there at that moment, He submitted to the Father’s will. In that garden, Jesus showed us how to choose to defend the innocent over personal comfort. He rose up from praying and hung on the cross of Calvary—a wall no other could ever stand upon; offering a freedom no one else can provide.

Prayer

“Jesus, my Savior, thank You for choosing to die so that I might live. I ask Your protection over those who do as you did, to stand on the wall so that others might live. Amen.”

Think Like Ants

Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise!
Proverbs 6:6

Carrie was drawn to the way Solomon dealt with laziness by encouraging people to watch ants at work—not just their laboring, but how they orchestrated events by breaking them into smaller tasks.
Since New Mexico winters didn't drive all its insects into hibernation, Carrie decided to conduct her own experiment. Knowing the location of several anthills, Carrie took a sugar doughnut, lawn chair, and her camera equipment and set out for the woods.
Arriving at her destination, Carrie set the doughnut several feet from one particular anthill and then withdrew several more feet and set up her camera and tripod. Less than two minutes elapsed before the ants discovered the doughnut. Amazing! she thought, mesmerized by the fact that they were drawn to it so quickly. There must be thousands of them!
One by one, the ants climbed onto the doughnut, broke off a piece larger than their own body, and transported it back to the colony within the hill. In the span of two hours, the doughnut was gone! Not a single morsel of the sugary treat was left.
Returning home, Carrie took the digitally time-stamped pictures and arranged a PowerPoint slideshow for her laptop. She now had the perfect object lesson for next week’s study!

†

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the big picture. We lack the ability to see it in doable pieces. And many times, because of its overwhelming nature, we procrastinate and put off doing the work at all.
We don’t readily equate this action as being lazy; instead, we rationalize it as being over our head or out of our league and fail to consider ways in which we might approach it successfully. What a trap our fearful unwillingness to make mistakes becomes!
It is in the delay that doubt speaks to our heart. If by breaking the project down into smaller parts we could see the possibilities, we might not be so quick to delay.
Solomon says, “Think like ants!” Break events into smaller, easier-to-complete tasks. Then don’t delay; get busy!

Prayer

“Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the things that vie for my time, Lord. Help me learn to be like the ant, humbly enlisting help and eating the doughnut a piece at a time. Amen.”

Before We Called

Before they call, I will answer.
Isaiah 65:24

“Sir,” the voice on the other end of the phone said, “we need some of your son’s blood. It is the rarest of all types; with it, we can save the lives of millions of people.”
Was this some kind of sick joke? How could they possibly know that?
His son had been born just this morning and hadn't yet been named. Three months premature, weighing less than three pounds, his survival was still in question.
How could someone possibly know what his blood type is? Or for that matter, how could they know it had curative properties? And even if they did know, how could they ask such a question?!
“Sir, we need your decision now. If we don’t give the children a serum from the antibodies your son’s blood has, many of them will die. We need your son’s blood.”
This can’t be happening! His mind was numb. His wife had died in childbirth, and now they were asking him to put his infant son’s life in jeopardy by allowing them to remove much of the blood from his little body.
“Sir?” He dropped the receiver and returned to the hospital nursery. He looked at his tiny son in the basinet and wondered, What am I supposed to do?

†

When God faced this situation, He never hesitated.
And before we called, God sent a baby, the symbol of the purest thing on earth. In an infant, there is no fault. Without a sacrifice pure enough to meet the demand of justice, we would be damned for eternity.
God sent a man who has the wisdom and strength to lead us through the murkiest waters and lift us from the greatest depths of despondency. God is a force Who will fight our battles with a love so fierce that He left His throne to live in our world.
God sent a Savior, the only One eligible to stand in our place, to take every punishment, every lash, every torment and be defiled because He could not stand that we would spend eternity without Him!
Before we called, God sent the answer.

Prayer

“Father of love, thank You for the life-giving blood of Jesus! May we never fail to understand, as much as humanly possible, what that sacrifice cost You. Amen.”

There Is Always Jesus!

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name … will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26

As Doris sat in on the Bible study of her daughter’s home group, she frequently interrupted. “When are my children coming to get me?” Her daughter, Laura, would simply take her hand and say, “Mom, I’m right here. I’m your daughter, Laura.” This had become commonplace due to Doris’s battle with Alzheimer’s. But on this night, an important lesson was taught by the one afflicted by this disease.
Part way through the study, Doris opened the Bible in her lap, turned to a specific text, and in a quiet, unassuming voice, asked, “May I read from God’s Word? I believe it is relevant to your discussion.”
Echoed by everyone else, the leader said, “By all means, Doris, please share what God has shown you.”
In a strong voice, Doris read and then went on to explain the verse. “Our Jesus hides Himself in our heart at our conception. And when all other things fail or are lost to our mind, He surfaces, reigning supreme. There is always Jesus!”
Tears mingled with amens filled the room as a picture of Doris being cradled in the arms of her Savior emerged. She may not remember her name or her family, but she would never forget her Jesus!

†

Heart-wrenching to observe, Alzheimer’s patients lose their own identity and the memory of those whom they have nurtured and loved. Such a cruel disease. And yet, God has not abandoned them.
To date, no one is able to sufficiently explain how or why memory loss becomes more than wondering where we left our car keys. This, for the most part, turns into role reversal; the parent, who for so long nurtured the child, now needs care. Babysitting takes on new meaning as they revert to a childlike existence. Yet, if we listen through the confusion, God assures us that all is not lost!
In one Spirit-filled moment, God shows us that when all else seems lost, there is always Jesus!

Prayer

“Lord of life, though we may not understand Your ways and though we tire from the care giving, assure us today that when all else is lost, there is always Jesus! Amen.”

Angry Blessings

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10

Walking through the mall, the kids were passing out gospel literature, inviting everyone they encountered to join them for worship. Many took a moment to look at the material they had received, saying thank you. Some were noncommittal, and a few just snatched it from the youth, proceeding on, locked in their private worlds.
Then one man made a scene. After receiving the leaflet, he’d continued for a few strides when the message of the material hit him. Turning on his heel and hollering in a loud voice, he returned to the young man who’d given him the tract. He was clearly trying to make a scene. “Take this mindless propaganda back! I couldn’t care less about your church and its services! You have no right to pass this religious junk out in a public place! Why, I’m gonna get security and have you thrown outta here!” With that, he spun around, looking anxiously for someone in authority.
The young man was undaunted. He’d heard this type of social speak before. “Don’t infringe on my rights. There’s supposed to be separation of church and state!”
You scream about your rights being violated, the young man thought, but you don’t seem to have any problem trying to violate mine, he thought.

†

We can be sincere and be sincerely wrong. Screaming the loudest doesn’t automatically make someone right. As our Constitution dictates, living in a free world society gives us inherent rights. We may not agree with other people’s choices, but we cannot attack them because we don’t agree with them or share their ideologies.
We can, however, hold up and hold tight to our rights as children of God. Our God-given rights are immutable; no one can argue them away. They are ours to stand on for eternity. So when people holler or scream that we have offended them because of our beliefs, we have a right to stand our ground against intolerance.

Prayer

“Thank You, Lord, for rights that cannot be taken away. Help me make a difference in this world for You. Don’t let me be beaten down or discouraged by a world that chooses to deny Your existence. Help me exhibit Your love and mercy. In Jesus Name, amen.”

Divine Appointments

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.
Psalm 121:7, 8

Two days following her initial ordeal in the trauma unit, her husband related the events that had led to her survival. In her hospital room, recovering from extensive, life-threatening injuries, she heard for the first time how critical things had been. She had been out with a group of friends on the way to a dinner party. Weather conditions were not the best, but they decided not to reschedule. On their way to the restaurant they had chosen, they were involved in a horrific crash. As it turned out, God was present in the details. The vehicle directly behind them was occupied by two nurses who began immediate first aid. In the vehicle following the truck that had collided with them was an EMT from a nearby fire station. He immediately called for a squad response. The home they wrecked in front of was owned by a pilot from the Life Flight rescue team. His phone call prompted the response of the last chopper allowed out that night. The rest of the teams were grounded due to the storm. Tears fell from their eyes as they felt God’s embrace.

†

God had arranged appointments in such a conspicuous way that this story lent itself to the witness of His involvement in each of our lives. Admittedly, not everyone has seen God move in such a miraculous way as this couple. But as the text says, God is always there, always watching us; and we may never know how often He moved mountains to keep us from harm. But you can be certain He has. These are not grand gestures on the part of God to sway our allegiance. They are acts of love toward His children. He expresses the same passion we do when we show our kids affection and love. There is nothing we wouldn’t do to save our kids from death. He feels the same way.

Prayer

“I can’t fathom the depth of Your love, Abba. My heart longs to know that I really do mean that much to You. Speak the truth of Your love to me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Unresolved Pain

A quick-tempered man does foolish things.
Proverbs 14:17

In the blink of an eye, he’d grabbed Liam and slammed him up against the wall. Spittle flew from his mouth with each word. “You apologize right now … or so help me God … ” His rage was so intense that he failed to hear his wife’s first two pleas to stop. “Brandon! Stop! You’re hurting him! Please! Stop!” Heather pulled at his arms, trying to get him to release the death grip he had on their sixteen-year-old son.
Her words finally registered, and Brandon was instantly gripped by a paralyzing fear. It had happened again! He’d lost control! And this time it had been with his son.
He released his grip. “Liam,” he began, wanting to explain he hadn’t meant for this to happen. He tried to say he was sorry, but the words wouldn’t come. Sorry didn’t begin to undo what he’d done or relieve the avalanche of shame he was experiencing.
The fear in his son’s eyes told him all he needed to know. Liam was terrified! Brandon covered his face with his hands and began sobbing. He didn’t see Heather tenderly embrace Liam or hear her explain that his father hadn’t meant to hurt him.
This had gone too far. He had just violently attacked his son, and it needed to end right now!
Unbeknownst to Heather, Brandon had lost several thousand dollars through recent gambling. His deception had created unbearable stress, which in turn had begun to cause sudden fits of rage. He begged their forgiveness and vowed to take steps to get help.

†

Anger, rage, fury—each word tries, yet does not completely capture the violent eruption that occurs when unresolved pain causes us to lose all perspective and constraint.
Driven by these unresolved issues, we vent our pain on those who we believe will forgive us. Behind it all lay deceptiveness and irrational thoughts. Without question, these are hidden issues awaiting resolution.
When we mistakenly try to resolve the issues on our own, it usually ends up like today’s scenario. If you have anger issues, seek professional help and hold nothing back. Unresolved anger begins with our first secret.

Prayer

“Keep me from foolishness that leads to rashness, Lord. Help peace to reign in my heart and over my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen."

When the Master Speaks

To call people … to the obedience that comes from faith.
Romans 1:5

Steve and Becky love their dog, Dakota. Steve is the disciplinarian; Becky is the softie. Steve demands Dakota’s obedience; Becky spoils and dotes on him.
One day, Becky called Steve at work to tell him that Dakota refused to get into the bathtub for his weekly bath. He refused to move from his comfy pillow bed. Steve told Becky, “Put the dog on the phone.”
“What?” Becky said incredulously.
“Put the dog on the phone,” Steve reiterated. “I want to talk to him.”
So Becky took the wireless phone to where Dakota was defiantly lounging, and holding his floppy ear out of the way, she held the receiver close enough for the dog to listen.
Steve gave one simple command, “Dakota, go get in the tub now!” And with that, he rose from his bed and went straight to the bathroom. He hopped into the tub and waited for Becky to bathe him.
Astonished, Becky asked, “How did you do that?”
“Simple,” Steve answered. “Dakota knows who his master is. He knows I mean him no harm and would not tell him to do something unless it was important. When he heard me speak, he knew he could either obey and things would go well, or he could disobey, where there would be a consequence. He remembers the rewards he has received for his obedience and the consequences he’s paid for disobeying. He simply made an informed choice.”

†

What a perfect example of unquestioning obedience! Steve, in his authority, asked Dakota for obedience. Dakota, wanting to please his master, chose to obey—a perfect metaphor of what God wants for His children.
But generally we are not as quick to respond. We demand explanations for why we should obey. We question God’s motives instead of immediately submitting to His request.
Only through faith can we come to a place in our relationship with God where we trust Him enough to respond immediately, regardless of His command. And only through experience will we discover that He will never harm us or ask us to do anything without a divine purpose.

Prayer

“Show me the way to unquestioning obedience, Lord. Help me put my trust where it needs to be—in You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Where Are We Leading?

An example, that you should follow …
1 Peter 2:21

As early as age three, Erica could be found trying to pull Daddy’s tools from his work belt as it hung from a wall peg in the mudroom. She piled detergent boxes like steps to reach her goal. And several times she attained that goal only to be scolded for playing with Daddy’s tools.
So Erica was beside herself with delight when on her fifth birthday she received her very own tool belt! Daddy explained to her that, like his own tools, her tools could be used to work on and repair broken things. Wanting to know the application of each tool, she asked Daddy to show her. As he removed each tool from his belt, Erica took its equivalent and did her best to imitate his actions. For weeks she went around the house fixing things.
One evening as Daddy was reading the paper, he noticed Erica playing with her hammer. He watched as she intentionally struck her thumb and hollered, “Stupid hammer!” then turned to seek her Daddy’s approval.
What an eye-opener! She had apparently observed him earlier that day when he had done what she had just mimicked. With startling clarity, he understood the implications of his actions on his little girl. In that moment, he determined to be the best example he could.

†

Every step we take is an invitation for someone to follow. And living an upright life is not always easy. But we are responsible for the impact our actions have on those who watch us. And make no mistake—someone is always watching.
Many of us live as if there are no consequences for our actions. We think that because God has not judged us swiftly, His judgment is not coming. If we are insensitive to the truth that no act, good or evil, will go unnoticed or unpunished, the fallout of an unrighteous life can have disastrous consequences, on us and those who look to us for guidance.
Jesus left us an example to follow, one that requires commitment and discipline, one that shows others the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Prayer

“Help me remain aware of my influence on others. May my life lead people to You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Carved by the Master

Your works are wonderful.
Psalm 139:14

Bob Birney had plied his trade for more than a few decades, turning out works of art unparalleled by his peers. Such was his gift that his works were sought by other woodcarvers from around the globe.
The tools of his trade were intricate and razor sharp. He knew how to use each one. As he made each cut, removing what didn't belong, a masterpiece began to emerge.
On this occasion, he was carving the bark of a cottonwood tree. It was the perfect media for small carvings. Two and a half inches thick, its heavily lined structure required great imagination and steady hands to reveal the beauty hidden within. Bob was equal to the task. As he carved, he whispered to himself, “This piece does not fit. It must give way,” and, “You cannot hide. I have seen you for what you are.”
Some found his manor a bit quirky; others understood. The master was at work. He could see things others could not. He was revealing hidden splendor.
As Bob proceeded, the distinct outline of a cabin with steep, sloping roof began to take shape. Over the next several hours, the cabin took on life. Windows carved in relief with shutters to each side were so realistic you could imagine the firelight flickering inside. The stone chimney broke through the rough exterior of the bark at just the right height with smoke curling up as on a cold winter’s day.
Yes, Bob had a gift. In his experienced hands, wood came to life.

†

I marvel at the intricacy of such delicate work. It is sharing God’s gift with the world.
The One Who created us knows why He did so. In His hands, we become purposed. He alone sees the masterpiece hidden within, waiting to be revealed. And only by His hands can what He sees be revealed. He alone knows how to remove the things that mar the true beauty of what is hidden inside. Yet, He can only do this if we yield our lives to Him. And in the yielding, the Master Carver can create in us the likeness of His Son.

Prayer

“Lord, reveal in me the best I have to offer. Cut away anything that stands as a deterrent to that purpose. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

What’s Algegra?

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her.
Proverbs 3:18

Matt raised his hand and asked, “What’s algegra? I heard my sister talkin’ ‘bout it last night, an’ she said she hates it! Is it like spinach or somethin’?”
Ms. Dennis pursed her lips tightly until her laughter was under control. “I believe your sister was speaking of algebra, Matt,” she enunciated. “It is a form of mathematics,” she said, writing the word on the blackboard so they could see the correct spelling.
Taking advantage of this teachable moment, she explained that algebra is the use of numbers in sets. She made the lesson comprehensive to first graders, finishing with, “And yes, Matt, some people hate it as much as spinach. But math, like spinach, is good for you, even if it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
Arriving home, Matt told his sister, “You need to do your algegra.” (He hadn’t taken notes.) “I hate spinach. But Ms. Dennis said I should eat my spinach, and you should do your algegra ‘cause it’s good for us,” he concluded.
Looking at him through squinted eyes, she asked, “What in the world are you talking about?”
“I heard you say last night you hate algegra,” he said innocently. “So I asked Ms. Dennis ‘bout it.”
Amused by her little brother, she ruffled his hair and said, “Okay, you eat the spinach; I’ll do the algegra.”

†

God wants to reveal to us the intricacies of life. As babies we have beginner-level comprehension. As we mature, we are able to assimilate more complicated matters. The more mature, the deeper our understanding.
Nowhere in Scripture is retirement mentioned. The reasoning behind our self-imposed work stoppage is flawed; it creates a stop-learning mentality.
No, I am not suggesting you never retire. But …
Knowledge is the accumulation of experience. Wisdom is the ability to apply that knowledge. When we cease to learn, our brains begin to deteriorate for lack of stimuli.
God’s desire is that we embrace learning until the day we die. And although to some it’s like eating spinach, we should always strive to learn. Because, in Matt’s words, “It’s good for us.”

Prayer

“Lord, may I never stop learning the things You have set before me. Stimulate my mind to be sharp and sensible. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”