Running With Jesus

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…

Romans 12:1

Rebecca had come to ‘The Awakening Conference’ to give the Lord everything, every burden, every care, every want and desire, and replace them with the joy life had slowly and methodically robbed her of. With that one goal in mind, she meditated.

She had no idea how long she’d been meditating when, in the blink of an eye, she was standing hand-in-hand with Jesus! She felt the need to ask, “What do You want me to do, Lord?”

With the tenderness of a father with his daughter, Jesus took Rebecca by the hand and began running at a lady-like pace. Smiling at her look of astonishment Jesus responded, “Have you not come to recapture My joy? That requires no work. Rather, My joy is founded in My love for you!” He laughed, “What could bring more joy than to run with me as you used to?” His love washed over her, and in that moment Rebecca realized her surroundings; so beautiful she could hardly take it in!

In the physical world the worship music changed to an upbeat tempo. Rebecca’s face flashed with mischief, and with one quick stride behind her, she hollered, “Let’s race!” Feeling the wind in her face, Rebecca raced with Jesus through fields of lush grass and beautiful wildflowers. As you would surmise, He let her win…showing her that His greatest joy was in seeing her shed every inhibition to achieve this goal.

†

Although of great benefit, this isn't something reserved for weekend conferences. Rebecca experienced her run with Jesus because she was willing to throw off everything that stood between her and the joy she had experienced before life had stripped it away piece by piece. Seeking Jesus can be done in the privacy of your home, or anywhere you can get quiet before the Lord.

Today’s text urges us to be honest, to lay everything on the table when we approach the throne of grace. But the choice is ours. Jesus will not force us to share and shed our burdens.

But be honest with yourself, wouldn't you like to see what it feels like to run with Jesus?

Prayer

“Help me lay it all down, Lord, everything that stands between You and me. Amen.”

Properly Motivated

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Psalm 139:23

Arriving at the airport, Don swiped his card at the kiosk, got his boarding pass, and headed for a seat, intending to wait peacefully until he boarded the plane.

“Excuse me?” the attendant summoned him. “I’m afraid you’ll have to check your bag,” she said, pointing at his carry-on. “The plane you’re flying on is too small for carry-ons.”

Frustrated, he placed the bag on the scales.

“That’ll be twenty-five dollars.”

“What?! Why should I have to pay for a carry-on because the plane’s too small?” he argued.

“I’m sorry, sir. Those are the rules.”

He wanted to say Your rules stink! but remembered he was wearing his organization’s tee shirt, their insignia embroidered on the pocket. Keep your cool he told himself, not wanting to give the well-known organization a bad name. Reaching in his wallet, he paid the fee and had a seat.

Fifteen minutes later his name was called over the intercom. When he got to the counter an apologetic attendant said, “I’m sorry, sir, but you’ve been bumped from the flight.” Before he could respond in frustration she continued, “But we have these two three hundred dollar vouchers to make up for the inconvenience.”

Returning to his seat, he thanked God for the off-handed blessing. However, his troubles weren’t over because when he arrived home, following an unexpected detour, including an extra plane-change in Philadelphia, his bag had not made the trip! Once again, he battled for composure. In that moment, he heard God say, “I am pleased you held your tongue each time. But…you should not need a logo on a shirt to remind you to act in a godly manner.” OUCH! Feeling fairly chastised he gave the clerk his address so his bag could be delivered to his home when it eventually arrived.

†

David, in today’s text, knew he wasn’t capable of an honest assessment of himself, so he asked God to do the searching. We too, need God’s assistance in rooting out improper motivation.

Many of us do the right thing for the wrong reason. Although it’s a start, we need to examine our motives for living a godly and obedient life, because why we do something is as important as doing it.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be properly motivated in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Unfailing Love Shares Everything

“Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:8

He’d been to many Contemporary Christian concerts, but this was one he would not soon forget. Not because these were two of his favorite artists, but because by the end of the evening he would view unfailing love in a different light.

Sitting behind two women, the man was curious when he saw them signing. Shortly, he established that only one was deaf, and wondered about the implications: Why would you come to a concert if you can’t hear the music?

Looking closer he smiled; they appeared to be a thirty-something “Mom” with her teenage daughter; one was sharing the other’s experience and joy. It didn't matter that she couldn’t hear; just sharing the event was enough.

As the night progressed, one would tap the other on the arm and a series of signs and gestures would rapidly occur, followed by nods and smiles. Several times he thought of interrupting their conversation to tell them how it blessed him that one of them would endure the frustration of not being able to hear the music in order to build memories with the other, but he refrained.

What he would never forget was the look of joy on their faces, one saying “Thanks for sharing this with me!” The other assuring, “What brings you joy matters to me!”

Watching this display, he realized; unfailing love shares everything.

†

One woman’s deafness didn't mean she couldn’t feel the music, but would that have been enough to entice her to attend the event alone? Sensual experience aside, she probably could have found something more meaningful to her to do with her time. But because of her love for the other, she was at that concert.

Unfailing love transcends all boundaries. It is selfless in origin and nature, looking past and moving beyond perceived barriers. It places others ahead of itself without limitation.

We have a Savior Who taught us to love in such a way. His Name is Jesus, and everything we do matters to Him.

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, for setting the example of what unfailing love looks like. Teach us to love others in such a way that they might experience the depth of that kind of love. Amen.”

In All Things

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…

Romans 8:28

Angel had already been frustrated before she’d locked the keys in her car last night. The fact that it had been raining only served to exacerbate the situation. Her day had begun in what could have been seen as a foreboding way when seemingly random accidents occurred at the poultry plant she managed. It had ended with the spilling of a tub of waste-material creating a large mess on the service floor.

And now, while getting ready to go out for the evening, she’d unconsciously hit the door lock while exiting the vehicle. Why was everything going wrong? By the time John had gotten the car unlocked it was too late to go. And in the mean time, the car had used a quarter tank of gas. She’d gone to bed totally discouraged.

This morning, however, shed a different light on last night’s misfortune. John decided to check the fluid levels on the car before Angel left for work this morning. What he found made them both grateful for last night’s adversity. For when John checked the brake system’s master-cylinder he found it empty of fluid. Had Angel driven the car the night before her brakes would have failed. On rain-soaked roads brake failure could have led to a horrific crash.

†

World and Christian views usually differ in light of such a frustrating day. To the World this series of events appears as a string of unfortunate mishaps that ended in a coincidence, but is that accurate? Not if you believe God is in control of our lives. Christians believe that God orchestrates many circumstances that lead to us being spared something terrible or harder to deal with. Sometimes though, it’s hard to remember God may be looking out for us when the whole day seems like a disaster. Not all inconveniences are interventions on God’s part; sometimes we just have a bad day.

With today’s text in mind, we might just want to step back and say, “Thank You Jesus, for caring enough to save me from something worse.”

Prayer

“Give me faith to believe You would set events in motion that would avert danger in my life, Lord Jesus. Amen.”

Rise Up!

Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’

Acts 22:21

There was passion in Pastor Joab’s voice as he spoke, “America is a godly Nation, founded on Christian principles.”

I was struck by the fact that this small-statured man had come, or more accurately had been sent by God from Uganda to act as our encourager to, “Rise up against the work the enemy is doing to turn things upside down in this great nation!”

Leafing through the Bible, Joab said, “I return to the opening scripture from 2Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need…’ In other words…God is anxious to provide power to every follower of Jesus who will stand in faith, those who believe He will empower you, to use you to fight against the darkness that invades your country.”

I was struck by the truth that this Ugandan pastor was working on the mission field. We were those in desperate need of the truth! The U.S.! That realization had a profound impact.

Twenty minutes later, Pastor Joab concluded his message, “Jeremiah 2, verses nine through twelve speak of a nation trading the Glory of God for worthless idols. America must rise up against the blind allegiance of those who worship idols, and bring back the Glory of God!”

†

We, you and I, followers of Jesus Christ, have this Glory within. We have the privilege and responsibility, regardless of current or future persecution, to release that Glory among the people of this great Nation.

One man can turn the hearts of an entire generation back to God if their heart is turned toward God and His purposes and direction. God is calling His people, those who are called by His Name!

Paul, in today’s text, was sent among the Gentiles to carry the ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew translation of Gentile is Pagan. Don’t you find it ironic that God would send Paul, a new believer from a pagan country, to encourage a nation founded on Christian principles to rise up?

It is time to take a stand, and turn the tide of what the enemy is trying to force on America?

Prayer

“Give me the courage to rise up and battle the darkness, Lord Jesus. Use me to turn the tide in the battle for America. Amen.”

At Their Point Of Need

Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.

Luke 19:5

As the pastor pulled into the church parking lot he glanced across the street and quickly did a double take. He couldn’t help but grin and shake his head as he looked at the young man sitting in his yard, surrounded by what appeared to be more than one hundred empty beer cans, scattered indiscriminately. What made it amusing was that the man was sitting there in his underwear with a beer in his hand.

Chuckling, the pastor shut his car door and walked toward the young man, “Morning,” he said, initiating what he hoped would be an enlightening conversation. “I’m the pastor at the church across the street. Name’s Dennis. You okay?”

“Yep.”

“You cold?”

“Nope,” the man responded. “A little drunk maybe, but not cold.”

The pastor dropped to the ground beside him, “Is there anything I can do for you, …?” he asked, fishing for a name.

“Eric. Name’s Eric.”

“So what’s goin’ on, Eric?”

“Marriage problems…” he offered.

“Feel like talking about it?”

And thus began a dialogue that has seen Eric rededicate his life to the Lord, and begin attending Dennis’ church.

†

We are to meet people at their point of need, not expect them to deliver themselves from the conditions that have them bound. Unfortunately, many of us would have taken one look at Eric and called the sheriff, missing any opportunity to discover the reason for his public intoxication, and forfeiting any chance to offer him hope. Eric needed Jesus that morning, not judgment. Fortunately, Jesus showed up in the person of Pastor Dennis.

Jesus, as in today’s text, never shunned the sordid, unpleasant, or unseemly. He invited Himself into their lives in the hope they would listen to His message, and make changes. Matthew 7:1 says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

We need to show people the love of Jesus Christ, not judgment. There may be circumstances that are too dangerous to approach someone, but within reason, using wisdom and discernment, we can help the Erics of the world overcome their bondage by meeting them at their point of need and offering them hope in the form of God's healing hand.

Prayer

“Show me what to do if and when I find myself with this type of opportunity, Lord Jesus. Help me help those who need You instead of judgment. Amen.”

Embracing Our Ignorance

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 19:20

It had been a week since George’s near-fatal heart attack when Jean announced, “It’s really nice outside Honey. I think I’ll go mow.”

“Awww, that’s really nice of you.” George replied, genuinely appreciative of his wife’s offer. He was also keenly aware that she’d never driven the riding mower. So, deciding to offer some advice, he began, “Let me give you some advice about the mower…”

“I can handle it,” Jean insisted.

“But you need to…”

“But nothing!” she quipped, effectively cutting him off. “Don’t worry about me. If I can’t handle a simple task like mowing the lawn there’s something terribly wrong,” she declared, and headed for the garage. A few minutes later Jean appeared riding the mower, wearing a triumphant smile. Shaking his head, George watched her go.

Two laps into her ‘simple task’, she noticed their next-door neighbor watching her from the edge of the yard. Let him watch she thought. He’s probably amazed that I know what I’m doing! But as she drew closer, the look on his face caused Jean an inexplicable doubt.

As she approached the spot where he was standing, he calmly waved to her to stop.

Jean pulled up, and shut the mower off.

“I don’t want to overstep my bounds or burst your bubble,” he began, “but the mower works better if you put the mower deck down, and engage the blades.”

†

Jean’s actions illustrate how our hearts can be in the right place and we can still be wide of the mark. Good intentions are not enough to ensure success.

God, through Solomon, urges us to listen when wisdom speaks. Our general response to His instruction is that we don’t readily admit to ignorance; it grates on our pride to admit we are not omniscient.

Regardless of the reason for our refusal to admit we don't know it all, the consequences of rejecting wise advice or instruction can, at the very least, leave us embarrassed and facing unnecessary challenges. At worst, our arrogance will find us paying a high price for our attitude of pride.

God leaves us this choice: Listen and learn, or suffer the consequences.    

Prayer

“Lord, I want a heart that doesn't shun advice and instruction. Help me listen with the intent to learn and become wiser. Amen.”

What Do You Think About?

For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

The potter took the lump of clay and plopped it down in the center of the turntable. As he moved his foot the wheel began to turn slowly and gradually built momentum. Unhurriedly, he worked the malleable mud with skillful hands, compressing it into a symmetrical ball that could be molded to his imagination.

When the consistency and form were just right he gently squeezed and pulled upward and outward, opening the clay, stretching it to make a hollow in the center, all the time conscious of the image in his mind.

He wet his hands once again and reached deeper into what was now a small urn. Gently, pulling with both hands, one inside, one outside, he raised the walls until they formed a beautifully slender vase over a foot tall. He moved his foot faster, increasing the rotation of the wheel. He next used a fluting tool to carve recesses and decorative lines in the vase, pressing the tool against the vase while supporting it with equal pressure from inside.

A smile crept over his face as he took stock of his work, for he was looking at the exact representation of the image he’d formed in his mind. All that was left was to fire the piece, transforming it into the priceless heirloom he envisioned it to be.

†

The word ‘imagination’ in the Greek means ‘A forming of.' The potter first had to imagine and visualize what he wanted to create. He had to see it in his mind’s eye before he could create it in the physical.

In Luke 6:45 Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

Our mind is the force that brings things from the spiritual into the physical. What we think about matters because, as today’s text says, our thoughts occupy they recesses of our heart and will be expressed in physical actions.

Prayer

“The truth is that I don’t always consider whether my thoughts are pleasing to You, Lord. Help me to be mindful of what occupies my imagination. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

From The Outside

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Stan and Jennifer had been married thirty-seven years, today. In the span of those three-plus decades resided the memories of events that could have ended what was now a wonderful and endearing romance.

Many times Jennifer would have been justified in leaving. As a matter of fact, many of her closest friends, and even some of her family, had suggested she do just that.

But Jen, as Stan was fond of calling her, never considered it an option. She’d meant and intended to keep the vows she’d taken at the wedding altar.

Stan, honest about his lack of commitment in the early years, gave her credit for “hanging in there when it didn't make a lot of sense.” He readily admitted to his reckless and wild ways. “Jen taught me a lot about love and forgiveness. Truth is…” he paused, reflection showing on his face, “I’da left me a long time ago, but Jen…she could see somethin’ I couldn’t.” Here, he chocked up, “She’s as much the reason as God that I’m standin’ here today. Had she left I’m not sure I would have cared enough to change.”

Watching them, as they lovingly held hands, it was easy to see what Jennifer saw was worth fighting for. Her commitment had given her vision, vision with perspective and hope.

†

In The Shack, William Paul Young writes, grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside.

It’s easy for those on the outside to judge and ridicule, even going so far as to encourage separation and divorce because they wouldn't tolerate such glaring and unjust behavior!

With a godly perspective we, like Jen, can see something worth fighting for.

Grace is unmerited favor…given to someone who does not deserve it…given when we rarely feel like giving it. We must, as Paul exhorts, hate the evil part, giving it to God, and cling to what is good!

Grace and commitment are hard work.

God set us an example of grace and commitment. His Name is Jesus.

“Prayer”

Thank You for Jesus, Father. Help me to always extend grace instead of withholding it, and help me remain committed when it would be easier to cut and run. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Taking Safety Measures

 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men… 

Proverbs 2:12 

 These would be the most unique wind chimes the craftsman had ever constructed. He had decided to make teardrop clappers to give them character; it would also make the copper tubes resonate a higher quality of sound than was typical.
 Positioning the block of hardwood in the lathe, he snugged the handle one last time and rotated the wood by hand. It spun true so he turned the machine on. With the wood spinning at 8,000 rpm, he took a roughing chisel and began rounding off the edges.
Realizing he wasn’t wearing his face shield, the craftsman shut off the lathe and walked to the tool rack to get it. The shield was not in its place. His search of the basement was unsuccessful. Not wanting to wait, he decided to proceed without it. Snugging the block once more he turned the machine back on. Suddenly, the three pound block of wood became a projectile. It was hurled from the spinning lathe, striking him squarely in the mouth. The force of the blow split his lip to his nose, while severing three teeth at the jaw line.
 Cosmetic surgery would be required to repair the badly damaged lip, and the dental work would take three months to complete, requiring extractions and bone grafts to rebuild the jaw prior to replacing the missing teeth with bridges. 

 † 

Many of us foolishly tell ourselves that accidents only happen to other people, and ask God “Why me?” when calamity knocks on our door. The truth is bad things happen to all of us. While optimism is a good thing, denial will eventually cause us pain. Although there is no guarantee, had the craftsman taken time to locate and use the face shield, serious injury might have been avoided.
In this same way spiritual injuries can occur because we fail to take measures that could prevent them. Asking for additional help is not an admittance of weakness. It is a sign of wisdom.
God wants to provide us with the needed protection but it’s up to us to ask for and use it in our lives.

 Prayer 

“Lord, I don’t always make wise choices. Please give me the wisdom to turn to You for help prior to the calamities of life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Burden of Friendship

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Now in their eighties, Jane and Dorothy had been best friends since early childhood. During that time both had faced challenges. As close friends, they had shared each other’s burdens through the storms of life.

Recently diagnosed with liver failure as a result of an aggressive case of diabetes that had already left her blind, Dorothy was in need of Jane’s assistance once again. The inability to keep food down had taken its toll on her already fragile body. The overwhelming nausea and increasing weakness only exacerbated the situation. Today was an especially rough day.

“Oh, Jane…” Dorothy wept. “I don’t think I can take this any more...”

As true friends do, Jane attempted to encourage Dorothy, “I know, Hon, just hang in there. We’ll get through this.”

Weary of it all, Dorothy said, “Do you think I’m going to die, Jane?”

Jane adamantly asked, “Do you want to?!”

The straight-forward question elicited a revelation…Dorothy wasn’t ready to see Jesus face to face just yet. “No…!” she responded emphatically.

“Then fight for life until the Lord takes you home!” Jane urged her friend.

†

Close relationships are rare because true friendships venture to places acquaintances know nothing about. It’s been said that true friendship begins when you are willing to share your secret joys and intimacies as well as your obvious sorrows. Lifelong friendships are a gift from God.

The burden of friendship is a matter of will because to love selflessly, places equal importance on a friend’s needs while we ourselves are facing hardship. True friendship is not inherent, otherwise God, through Paul in today's text, would have no need to instruct us.

As today’s text illustrates, carrying each other’s burdens is our Christian responsibility. It blesses God when we place a premium on the needs of others. Amazingly, when we carry each other’s burdens we find that we ourselves are the recipient of God’s blessings. This is the nature of reciprocity; give and it will be given unto you (Luke 6:38).

Prayer

“Father, help me to be mindful of those around me who need my help. Give me discernment so I can minister Your love where it is needed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

A Season of Harvest

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:37

Ben paused to listen as the October winds rustled the corn stalks, thinking, I love this time of year!

His tooth-revealing smile, hidden behind a camouflage mask, testified to the depth of fulfillment he was experiencing. The explorer inside was being unleashed! The explosion of color! Clear, crisp air, and such fiery sunsets! It’s hard to imagine anything more beautiful than this river valley!

Ben always felt closer to God when he ventured into the woods. Here he could see God’s handiwork. He could almost hear God pronounce, “You were meant to have dominion over this. Take good care of it; this is practice for your future home.” He was moved by the variety of wildlife and brilliant foliage.

Ben had been a bowhunter for over thirty years. In the sphere of three decades he’d spent thousands of hours in the woods; here he was aware of a godly connection he rarely sensed anywhere else.

Ben considered himself a good steward of nature. He hunted because he enjoyed it, yet he also knew that maintaining the animal population was necessary because of the limited carrying capacity of the surrounding countryside. Even more treasured than being entrusted with this responsibility was the sense of God’s looming presence as he sat silently, watching this wonder-filled world within a world unfold before him.

†

Consider this parallel to the seasons of our lives: winter...God cleanses us through understanding; spring…He brings renewal; summer…God propagates and grows the planted seed; fall...our mature fruit is revealed for the purpose of sharing!

There is significance in each. But fall is when the sickle is put to the crop.

As we look about, we see those who have not yet named the Name of Jesus. They may be in the fall of their lives, not because of age, but because their time to decide is running out.

God says to each of us, “Take time out of your schedule to experience the Spirit of this season. Then go to the harvest fields!”

Prayer

“Cleanse my life, Lord, renew a right spirit in me, propagate the seeds You have planted, and mature the fruit in my life that I might be prepared for the harvest. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I’ll Never!

Children, obey your parents in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1

“I hate you!” Benny screamed at his dad. “When I have kids, I’ll never treat ’em like this!” And with that, he slammed his door.
Geneva looked at her husband and impishly said, “Sounds like the boy I met in high school. Whatever happened to him?” she teased, hoping to ease her husband’s frustration at having his son stomp off in rebellion.
“For two cents … ” He decided not to finish a statement he knew he didn't mean. “Yeah, I was an awful lot like him, wasn’t I?” He reminisced. “I even remember saying the exact same thing to my dad.” Then it hit him. “Am I just like my dad?” he asked.
“Well, I happen to love your father—” she began.
“You weren't his son.” He parried.
“No, but he’s a good man, Paul. And you could do much worse than to emulate your father. As a matter of fact, you are very much like him: kind, compassionate, loving, tender, thoughtful, and considerate. Those are wonderful attributes, and I hope Benny inherits every one of them,” she said with conviction.
Paul knew she meant every word. “I guess those traits got lost in the discipline. Yes, Dad is a good man. I guess Benny is just like me; I never liked the word no either,” he lightheartedly said.

†

Our parents love us. And because they do, they seek to keep us from harm. Rules serve a necessary purpose. That we don’t like them remains irrelevant to the fact we need them.
Sometimes the rules can be imposing. And in the midst of that imposition, we can get out of sorts, forgetting that although everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).
Most, if not all, of us have made the claim, “I’ll never treat my kids like this!” And with few exceptions, we've treated them exactly that way: with love and concern for their well-being. To do otherwise would be to fail them. So when you find yourself facing an obstinate child, consider this: you were once just like them; then try to smile as you enforce the rules.

Prayer

“Father of grace, teach me to be the parent I need to be. Guide my actions and help me to not exasperate my children. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

This Isn't Right!

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Melodee watched as the two grandfathers carried the tiny casket to the graveside. One though consumed her, Babies aren't supposed to die! This isn't right…!

Nothing about Hope’s short life had been right. She wasn’t meant to be born three months premature; her tiny little heart wasn’t supposed to be on the right side of her underdeveloped chest; and she surely wasn’t supposed to live for seven months only to be taken away!

Melodee was lost in thought for most of the eulogy. But then a change in the pastor’s voice inflection drew her back to the moment. “Hope has preceded us in death. But she is not here,” he proclaimed. “This little body was only temporary housing. And although it’s difficult, we rejoice in her physical death, because today,” the pastor roared, startling everyone, “Hope is dancing with Jesus!” he shouted, pumping his fist in a victorious gesture. And uncharacteristically, the people joined the celebration!

Melodee anguished, I know what he’s saying is the truth, Lord. But right now that’s not much comfort! Not for me…not for Roger…especially not for Seth and Shirley! This isn't right!

God’s response was soft, and full of love, “Hope is home, Melodee. Her spiritual body is perfect! You will approve. And the pastor is correct. She is rejoicing with My Son even as we speak!”

†

On any given day we hear the news of parents who have lost a child to premature and sudden death. Upon hearing the news, many people send a quick prayer Heaven-ward, letting their momentary sadness be known. Yet, until death knocks on our door with such tragic reality, we cannot and will not understand how ‘un-right’ it is.

The premature physical death of an infant, no matter how you try to spin it, isn't right. It was never meant to happen, and only the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ can make it sufferable.

Prayer

“Father of hope, extend the touch of Your Holy Spirit to those who have experienced this grief and heartache first hand. Hold them close and help them heal. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Fathomless

Now this is eternal life; that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3

Given the assignment of researching celestial bodies for her ‘Science in Religion’ class, Connie decided to browse NASA’s website. Scrolling through the photo gallery, she clicked on Hubble Telescope’s ‘Ultra Deep Field’ image. As the picture appeared on her computer screen, she stared in amazement.

Contemplating the fact that this photo contained only a minute percentage of the entire universe, the vastness of it all had a profound effect on her. It’s hard to fathom the God Who created all this!

As she began counting galaxies she was struck with a deeper, more profound truth, He can create all this, number each star in hundreds of billions of galaxies, and yet He knows me intimately; even the number of hairs on my head! A tear trickled down her cheek unhindered. Who am I, Lord?

Immediately, something her mom used to say came to mind, “He’s a big God, Honey, but He’s quite fond of you ya know! He sent Jesus to prove it!”

I finally get it, Mom.

†

Displaying more than 10,000 galaxies, the Ultra Deep Field Observation required 400 earth orbits to complete. In order to capture the incredible image, Hubble’s Wide-Field Advanced Camera for Surveys snapped two frames per orbit, for a total of 800 exposures.

Considering the width of sky reflected in the UDFO is as narrow as a pencil in comparison to the whole sky, it leaves 12.7 million times more area of the universe un-photographed; the implications are astonishing. They are also remarkably significant, because men are not without conscience. Even those who profess to be atheistic know in their soul that they deny the truth. Why else would they rail against Someone they professed non-existent?

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” We cannot look on such magnificence and deny our Creator.

Prayer

“Lord, how beautiful and magnificent the heavens are. And yet knowing You consider me Your greatest creation, I am humbled. Thank You for such fathomless love. Amen.”

God Created

Let us make man in our image…and let him rule…over all the earth…

Genesis 1:26

“Dad? How come they don’t like us talkin’ ’bout God in school…’specially in science class?” Bobby asked, genuinely bewildered.

The subject elicited strong feelings in Jack, How do I explain to my eight year old son that men think too highly of themselves and don’t like being told what to do?

He decided to try a more indirect route, “Well, Bobby, schools have what is called a curriculum…” Jack cut himself off, realizing he was about to give his son a world-view response. He sighed, “The truth is, Buddy, there are some people who don’t believe in God because His existence makes them uncomfortable.” Bobby’s nose scrunched as Jack continued, “There are a lot of people who don’t accept that God created the universe and everything in it because they can’t explain how He did it. The inability to explain creation scares them, so some people feel a need to come up with their own version of how it all began.”

Bobby’s face reflected the revelation he was having, “Is that what my teacher calls the ‘Big Bang’ and ‘Revolution’?!”

Jack grinned, “Evolution, Bobby, and you’re exactly right. The ‘Big Bang’ is Science’s version of how the universe materialized, evolution is their belief in how mankind came into existence, and both are why they don’t like anyone talking about God.”

†

The theory of Evolution combined with the ‘Big Bang’ is one of the world’s leading substitutes for God. It wraps their rejection of a Creator up in a nice little bow, alleging everything suddenly came from nothing in a tremendous, exponential cosmic explosion; and from that, over billions of years, the universe and humanity evolved.

But God, not chance, is responsible for creation: Isaiah 48:13 says, “My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens…”

God, in today’s text, created Adam ‘of age’, capable of immediately ruling over the earth. Think about that…and have faith in a God Who spread out the heavens with His left hand behind His back.

Prayer

“Almighty God, Creator of everything, I accept by faith that You created the heavens, the earth, and me. Give me the wisdom and courage to testify to Your creative truths. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Danger of Drifting

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Hebrews 2:1

Larry and his son, Danny, were spending the weekend Walleye fishing on Lake Erie. Danny’s 29 ft. ‘Shamrock 270 Open’ would handle 6-8 ft. waves, allowing them to fish when everyone else had to head back to the marina.

Fifty minutes out of Port Clinton, Larry got a hit. The fish was strong…taking line like the reel had no drag. “Slow us down a little Danny,” Larry suggested, not wanting to add stress on the line. As Danny throttled down Larry began reeling. The fight was on!

While Larry battled the fish Danny decided to cast off the other side of the boat, looking for his own bite. Neither gave any thought to allowing the boat to drift, they’d done it many times to land a fish.

Twenty-five adrenaline-filled minutes latter, Danny netted his dad’s twenty-nine inch, seventeen pound, trophy, “Niiiiice!”

In the habit of marking their catches for future reference, Larry pulled up their position on his GPS. “Crap!” His one word exclamation alerted Danny that something was wrong. Turing the instrument so Danny could see the screen, Larry said, “We've drifted into Canada.” The line of demarcation was clearly south of their position. “We’ll have to take a picture and release her right here.”

“I suppose,” Danny said, disappointed that they would have to throw the magnificent fish back because neither of them had obtained a Canadian fishing license.

†

Like the boat, we too can drift into unintended territory if we fail to pay attention. Without an anchor to hold us securely, we will find ourselves dealing with unpleasant consequences.

Biblical wisdom encourages us to give our full attention to the things that matter most, not just float through life, drifting along like an un-anchored boat.

A cavalier approach to life and the gospel will cause us to reap unintended consequences, and we may never fulfill our purpose without constantly seeking God’s direction for our life.

God offers us the chance to become anchored to Jesus, and then pay careful attention to what we hear and do so we do not drift away.

Prayer

“Lord, help me remain rightly focused on Jesus, trusting that He is the Anchor that will hold me where I need to be. 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.”

Legacy of Lies

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

Matthew 10:28

Standing in the receiving line at the funeral home, Lori’s family was coming to grips with her suicide. As heartrending as it was unexpected, the void left by her decision brought more questions than answers.

Believing she had been an utter disappointment as well as a burden, Lori had become a casualty of spiritual warfare. At fifty-four, she had fought a valiant fight, warring against the demons of addiction. It was a battle that had lasted most of her adult life.

In a perpetual state of mind that lent itself to chaos, feelings of failure and inadequacy fueled her guilt and remorse, telling her she would always be a disappointment to people, especially those who loved her most. So Lori made a decision to end the incessant cycle of failure, believing her physical absence would bring less pain in the long run, and Satan succeeded in preventing another child of God from fulfilling her earthly purpose.

†

Suicide brings an un-spoken legacy of lies that condemn the person to spiritual death. But Scripture says nothing that would lead me to believe Lori, or anyone else who has given their heart to Christ prior to their death, lost her salvation because of her actions.

Suicide reveals a perceived hopelessness where the victim believes they are beyond help…even God’s. It is a state of mind that is driven to self-impose judgment to atone for their inadequacy. We cannot comprehend the emotional fragility in their final days of life.

In God’s eyes, salvation is based on one act alone…our response to Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:14 says that Jesus brought salvation ‘forever’ to those who have accepted Him as Savior; not until we commit some contrived irreconcilable sin.

I find enough mercy and grace throughout scripture to offer this hope: Though there will be unanswerable questions as a result of suicide, we can take solace in the knowledge that we will see them in Heaven as long as we have accepted Jesus into our own heart.

Prayer

“Lord, be with those who have felt the pain of losing someone to suicide. Speak Your truth to them, and hold them while they grieve. In Jesus’

Name, amen.”

The OODA Loop

Therefore, prepare your minds for action…

1 Peter 1:13

With the brakes failing, Austin jumped from the Gator. With one hand he tried to keep the vehicle from running over the embankment, with the other he reached for one of three children in the bed of the recreational vehicle.

Austin’s Uncle Jeff saw what was happening and immediately took action. Running to catch the vehicle, he grabbed the tailgate and planted his feet to slow its downhill momentum. But in spite of their efforts the Gator slipped over the edge, plummeting eight feet into the shallow creek below.

Now wedged between the vehicle and the creek bank, Jeff hung on to keep it from flipping over. When the Gator came to rest, Jeff lifted the two remaining children to safety. They were shaken but uninjured. Austin was coping with the effects of shock and adrenaline but, he too, was unharmed. Jeff had cuts and bruises on both legs, and pulled muscles in one shoulder.

Ultimately, their quick action had spared the children serious injury…or worse.

†

It took less than ten seconds for this event to unfold. In that time only Austin and Jeff were able to respond. Military experts call the phenomenon, ‘OODA loop’: Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.

Our OODA loop is affected by previous experience. If we have been exposed to similar events in the past, regardless of how long ago, it shortens our OODA loop. Jeff had accidentally driven the family car over that very hill at the age of twelve. So he observed, oriented, made his decision, and acted quickly because of a shorter OODA loop.

We each have a spiritual OODA loop as well, and the enemy does his best to exploit it. Responding appropriately, in a timely manner, has everything to do with our past experiences. If we have no spiritual history our spiritual brakes will fail, and we will find ourselves plunging over the edge. But we can avoid, or at least minimize the damage by doing as Peter suggests in today’s text. We can prepare our minds ahead of time, and shorten our spiritual OODA loop. The choice is ours. Prepare now, or pay later.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to prepare for any eventuality so I can respond instantly, with the correct action, when difficult circumstances arise. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

All Things

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

“I've never seen anything like it,” Trooper Everson, a seasoned veteran from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said as he related the events of Gabe's crash to his family.

“I thought it was only the driver involved when I rolled up on the wreck. I remember being thankful for that, as any passengers would have been killed as well. That's when I heard a soft cry for help behind me. I turned, and saw an arm waving just above the high grass in the middle of the field. Someone had evidently been ejected from the vehicle,” he said, nodding toward Gabe.

They could see he was replaying it in his mind, “When I got to the spot, a nurse was working on your son, said she'd just happened upon the wreck. Business-like she says, 'We need a chopper and a medic, now.'

“As I grabbed my remote mic, this medic shows up out of nowhere, said he heard about the wreck on his radio. As he knelt, the nurse gave him Gabe's vitals, and she stood. I watched for a moment as the medic attended Gabe. When I turned to thank the nurse and get her name for the report, she was gone! There was nowhere she could have gone that fast...but that's what she was...gone!

“Then, Akron Hospital says they can't send a chopper because of the high winds, and we'd have to transport by ground. All of a sudden, this voice comes over the mic, 'Just hang on, I'll be there in fifteen minutes!' said he was a Columbus Life-Flight pilot.

“Twelve minutes later that chopper landed, and the medic and I loaded Gabe. Turns out the pilot was a Vietnam chopper-jockey, said he'd flown in a lot worse circumstances than this! Said when he heard the call come over the radio a sense of urgency came over him, said he knew your son's life hung in the balance.

“No, I've never seen anything like what I witnessed today...ever!”

†

There are times and circumstances in life that we have no explanation for, we simply must accept them as supernatural intervention, or coincidence.

Whether we believe that “all things are possible with God” is determined by our belief of Who God is.

Gabe's experience, though extreme, is not unique. I have personally been the recipient of, and spoken to countless others who have experienced God's conspicuous handling of desperate situations.

You either believe what today's text says about God, or you chalk Gabe's situation up to coincidence. Both conclusions require faith; one based in a Loving Creator, the other in a universe full of random acts that have no meaning.

Prayer

“Father God, help me to truly believe that 'all things' means that nothing is impossible for You. Amen.”

Awkward Moments

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Luke 6:41

When Keith noticed the large piece of plastic lying in the office parking lot he’d decided to leave it lay and see how long it took before the responsible party decided to clean up after themselves.

That had been almost a month ago, and still it lay wedged against one of the bumper blocks in the parking space. Faded from exposure to sunlight, the refuse had become a constant irritant. The fact that no one had bothered to do anything about the litter became a point of contention. There was no way he was going to pick it up…and it appeared nobody else was either.

In a moment of frustration he accosted the responsible party, “You park in the same place every morning. You notice that piece of plastic wedged in the bumper block?”

The man’s response served to frustrate him even more, “Yeah. Thought about picking it up but it’s filthy…don’t wanna get that crap on my clothes.”

The grievance was out before wisdom could stop it, “It’s your trash!”

The man slowly turned to look at Keith. “No…it’s not. Take a closer look.”

Stunned, Keith walked over, bent down and picked up the weathered plastic, and was instantly sorry for his accusation. What he thought was this man’s litter was, in fact, his own. It was the wrapping from his new printer! How had it managed to get outside?

†

If we would spend more time policing our own actions instead of scrutinizing what others are doing we would be doing ourselves a great favor instead of the injustice we do by keeping track of other’s supposed shortcomings.

Had the pastor been willing to pick up the piece of plastic when he’d first noticed it he could have saved himself weeks of unnecessary frustration, and a very awkward and embarrassing moment.

Taking the opportunity to help someone instead of criticizing them might just save us an awkward moment; something we should keep in mind the next time we are tempted to judge.

Prayer

“Father, help me overlook the actions of others and focus on sweeping my own side of the street. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Sound of Freedom

But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge…

Matthew 27:14

Lieutenant Colonel, Ian ‘Krank’ Taggart, is a jet jockey. Having flown thousands of missions during ‘Operation Desert Storm’, the War in Iraq, and the current war in Afghanistan, he has earned the right to speak about the cost of war.

“The price of freedom isn't free, and the sound of freedom isn't quiet,” Taggart said in an interview for a recent television documentary. He clarified his statements, “Millions of men and women have sacrificed their time, careers, and many their lives, in the fight to preserve freedom around the world.”

The picture cut from Taggart to show clips of jets flying over burned-out vehicles along stretches of highway in Iraq. The image switched to one of wounded soldiers being carried off the battlefield on a stretcher. The next clip was of several flag-draped caskets being carried onto transport planes; soldiers who had given their all were going home. It was impossible to look at these images without feeling the weight of their sacrifice.

Then the image of Lieutenant Colonel Taggart was once again front and center, his F-22 Raptor directly behind him. Pointing at the aircraft, he said, “If you've ever heard one of these get airborne you might imagine how loud the skies above the battlefield can be.” With a look that matched the tone of his voice, he said, “No, the price of freedom isn't free, and the sound of freedom isn't quiet.”

†

Many have paid a high price for us to live a life free from the tyranny of dictators and would-be conquerors. The price of war is great and we should never take that for granted.

But, the most important war in history was fought in silence; the outcome of which provided a freedom otherwise unattainable. When accused of the crime of heresy, Jesus uttered not a word. He could have called legions of angels to destroy His accusers, but remained silent; that silence cost Him His life…and purchased eternal freedom for all who will receive it.

Though the war for freedom on earth may continue, we can rest in the knowledge that our eternal freedom is no longer in jeopardy. Jesus ended that war with one loving act of silent surrender.

Prayer

“Thank You, Jesus, for dying in silence so I can be eternally free. I accept that sacrifice now and ask You to come into my heart and make me whole. Amen.”

Headed Home

…we will come to them and make our home with them.

John 14:23

On the way home from a family wedding in North Carolina, Jamie had taken a more scenic route, wanting to take in the lush mountain vistas.

This was the Blue Ridge chain of the Appalachians, and more beautiful country was hard to come by. However, the narrow roads were torn up from the rough winter the area had experienced. Suddenly, a huge pothole loomed in his lane. With on-coming traffic, Jamie wasn’t able to avoid it. The impact almost ripped the steering wheel from his grasp, and the ensuing ‘THUD’ caused the tire to blow out.

Remembering his spare was buried under all their suitcases and a couple pieces of furniture Celeste’s sister had sent home with them he grumbled, “Just great! Thirty-seven hundred feet up a mountain and no gas station for miles.”

As Jamie was contemplating the most direct route to the spare tire a large wrecker came around the bend. It slowed, and pulled up beside them, “Can I give you a hand?” the bearded driver asked with a knowing smile.

As it turned out, the wrecker was from a fleet of full-service trucks; the driver even had the exact tire Jamie needed! Half an hour later, new tire mounted and balanced, they were back on the road.

†

Every path in life has potholes and challenges, and Satan does his best to make sure we don’t have a clear view of the road ahead. And just like Jamie, we get blind-sided every now and then.

While in the midst of the struggle we can lose sight of the truth: this is not our home, and everything we suffer now is only temporal.

Having made that point, the fact remains that temporal suffering is miserable, and we can find ourselves taking detours that make the journey home more painful and lengthy.

Jesus, in today’s text, reminds us to hang on to His promise that one day soon our suffering will end, and we will be home! Until that time comes He will continue to send help during trying times…just like He did for Jamie.

Prayer

“When I’m in the midst of struggles and pain remind me that I’m not home yet, Lord, and give me the strength to hang on until I get there. Amen.”

Redeemed

It was not with perishable things … that you were redeemed.
1 Peter 1:18

Sally had been attending services for about two months when the pastor and an elder dropped by to visit her husband, Bob. They brought him an information packet that included a CD of the most recent sermon. Following an extended visit, they said good-bye, and invited for Bob to come check them out.
“Vietnam left deep scars on too many good men and women,” the elder remarked, alluding to Bob’s comments about taking part in the fighting and his struggles with God since then.
The following Sunday, Sally showed up alone. The pastor asked, “Do you think Bob will come?”
“I don’t know. Maybe someday. But not today,” she said with deep sadness.
“Don’t give up,” the pastor encouraged.
Halfway through praise and worship, Bob walked through the door. And that very day, he gave his life to Christ!
There was a church picnic that afternoon right across the street from Bob and Sally’s home. Midway through the picnic, Bob appeared from the house and approached the pastor. “I wasn’t going to come today,” he began. “As a matter of fact, I turned around three times. But I wanted to see if you were as good in person as you were on the CD,” he said sheepishly. Growing serious, he reached in his pocket and stretched his closed hand toward the pastor. “I want you to have this. I was going to use it. But I don’t need it anymore.” And with that, he dropped a nine-millimeter bullet with his name written on it into the pastor’s hand.
Since that day, Bob has grown to know the One Who saved him with His redeeming power.

†

Nothing of intrinsic value could have redeemed us. The price sin required was Jesus’ blood.
Some believe they've done too much, committed too heinous a crime to be of any use to God. But no matter where we've been or what we've done, Jesus’ blood is sufficient to cover that sin.
God wants us to know our worthiness has nothing to do with salvation through His Son. He just calls us to come and be redeemed.

Prayer

“Lord, I feel unworthy. But Your Word says if I accept Your Son, You will redeem me anyway. Forgive me, Lord. I want to be redeemed. Amen.”

Enough to Send His Son

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son … for our sins.
1 John 4:10

“What makes you so sure?” Jenna’s question about God loving us apart from our performance was valid. She wanted to know why God didn't require good behavior a prerequisite to salvation.
“God told us through His Word, Jenna,” Shari explained, opening her Bible and reading, ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us.’”
Shari searched for the right words. “Jenna, we could never measure up to God’s standards. His holiness requires perfection, and we aren't perfect. Scripture says, ‘All have sinned.’ That means we needed a perfect sacrifice to save us. That was God’s Son. God’s love is so fierce that He would rather send Jesus to die in our place than allow us to spend eternity apart from Him.” Shari felt it was time to ask Jenna to make a decision. “Would you like to know such love?”
“You know,” Jenna began, “I've watched you and Walt, and I see something.” She paused. “You have such a peace, even when things aren't going so great. I’d really like to know that peace in my life.”
Shari silently asked for the right words. “Jenna, God wants you to know that peace too. All you need to do is accept His Son into your heart. You can’t earn salvation; it’s a free gift given at a high price.” Seeing tears begin to form in Jenna’s eyes, she pressed on. “Just ask Jesus to take over from today on. Tell Him you know you’re a sinner in need of His sacrifice.”
Jenna bowed her head, and Jesus became her Lord and Savior.

†

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love or approval. He showed us His love on the cross of Calvary.
He does require a humble heart, a heart turned to Him, a heart willing to accept His great love and not one trying to earn it.
It costs us nothing. It cost Him everything because He cared enough to send His Son.

Prayer

“Father God, I lift my life to You in this moment and commit it to You. Wash my sins white as snow with Your Son’s blood. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Distant Shores

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Proverbs 4:1

Marion had been sailing since he was old enough to hold the tiller steady. In fact, when he graduated High School, his parents helped him purchase a twenty-two foot single-mast sailboat, instead of a car. He’d spent every spare moment sailing the clipper or shining its brass. Each trip was an adventure, an exploration into nautical navigation’s boundless classroom. There was something spiritually liberating about sailing on the open sea, and Marion discovered a deeper yearning for adventure that until now had laid dormant.

His father had aroused his interest, “Nothing like it, Son…you and the sea! She’ll treat you right if you listen to her! But she’ll kill you quick if you ignore her warnings! Remember…in order to reach the other shoreline, you have to lose sight of the one you set sail from. Don’t be afraid; trust your compass and your skill as a sailor and navigator. Never forget that God is in control, and you’ll be just fine.”

Marion smiled nostalgically as the old clipper rounded the outer marker. He had listened to his father’s counsel, and today he was passing that wisdom on to his eight year-old son. “Hold her steady, Nicholas. Just get a feel for the pull on the tiller.”

†

Because Marion’s father had nurtured his love and fascination for the sea, as well as his trust in Jesus Christ to navigate the circumstances of his life, Marion had not only become a proficient sailor, he had learned to completely rely on God.

As fathers, we can do no greater service for our children than to nurture an adventurous spirit, and an adventurous spirit in the Lord. God is not a Father Who wants us to stay tied at anchor, bored with the tedium of life. He wants us to set sail for distant shores, and to remember that in order to reach the unseen goal we must lose sight of the comfortable shoreline we are standing on.

Prayer

“Give me the strength and courage to set sail for distant shorelines You want me to stand on, Lord. And help me to not look back in anxious fear. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Dime

“…see that you also excel in this grace of giving…God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9:7

Kelly and Barb had been going to Grove Nazarene for almost a year when they decided it was time to get on board financially. Actually, it was more Barb’s idea than Kelly’s. Still not completely sold on tithing, Kelly reluctantly wrote a check for ten percent of their week’s income, and stuck it in his shirt pocket.

During church he weighed the merits of giving away their hard-earned income to a church that, as far as he could see, didn't really need his money. The silent debate raged even as the ushers began receiving the offering.

With the basket just two rows away, Kelly noticed his three-year-old daughter reaching for something on the floor. Being a conscientious father, Kelly had scanned the carpet and chairs for anything a small child might find and stick in their mouth when the usher had seated them. Having found nothing earlier, Kelly was surprised, when holding a dime at arm’s length, she asked, “Can I put this in the basket, Daddy?”

Perceptive enough to recognizing the significance of the mysteriously-appearing dime—ten cents being ten percent of one dollar…God’s mandate for tithing—Kelly couldn’t get the check out of his pocket and into the basket fast enough!

In the subsequent weeks and months, God showed Kelly that his faithfulness in tithing would be met with God’s faithfulness in meeting every financial need.

†

God will not pry from our hands what is rightfully His…ten percent or otherwise. He will, however, provide object lessons for our benefit such as having Paul share the eager generosity of the Macedonian’s with the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 8:1-7) in the hope they might follow the Macedonian’s lead. He provided a similar lesson for Kelly using his daughter and a dime.

God considers us sensitive enough to understand these lessons, leaving the response to us. He’s looking for those who would advance His Kingdom; not simply out of obedience, but out of a glad heart that finds joy in seeing His Kingdom prosper.

“Teach me to hold on loosely to the things You have given me, Father. Create in me a heart that cheerfully invests in the Kingdom of Your Christ. Amen.”

Shift Your Focus

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...

Hebrews 12:1, 2

As the service started, Laura noticed the young man in a motorized wheelchair. She watched as he pressed a button on his control stick. The chair portion of his mobility unit lifted, extending up and back, giving him the ability to use the limited function of his arms and hands to push himself to a sitting position so he didn't have to remain slumped in his seat. He then lowered the chair back down, and began to sing.

Oh, Lord…Laura thought, I have nothing to complain about! If he can come in here and sing with that smile on his face then I can do the same! and with that, Laura joined in the chorus of Chris Tomlin’s ‘Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone’.

The message that day was about shifting our focus off our problems, where Satan wants it, and looking to the One Who has the ability to lift us above every trial, struggle and sorrow we will ever face, to a place of peace and security in the midst of the struggle.

God spoke to Laura, “I know of your pain and problems. I promise that one day soon your struggles will end. Until then, look to Me. If you do, I will set you free.”

†

In Tomlin’s rendition of Amazing Grace, he sings, ‘My chains are gone; I've been set free…’ The power of such truth comes from knowing that no matter what happens to us in this world, and bad things do happen to us all, we can find rest and freedom in Christ Jesus to weather every storm.

This is not to say we do not feel pain, and our problems aren't real…they are ours and we must walk through them. But we don’t have to focus on them.

The secret is in what we spend our time looking at. If we focus on the problem the problem is what we will see, feel, and live. Conversely, if we set our eyes on Jesus, we will find peace and confidence that breaks the chains of emotional and spiritual captivity.

Prayer

“Give me the strength to keep my eyes and mind focused on You, Lord Jesus. Just for today, help me remain fixed on You, and Your power to break my chains! Amen.”  

He Records Each Tear

Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Going through Helen’s belongings was proving to be as difficult as Ken figured it would be. Having experienced the pain of loss before, he’d put it off for the first six months following his wife’s death. Today he hoped that sorting through things might bring some comfort and chase away his melancholy.

As Ken opened the ornate jewelry box, his eyes fell on the small vial with the purple ribbon tied around the neck. His tears began anew. “I forgot about this, Lenny…” he silently whispered. Holding the little glass container at eye level, he read the small tag he himself had attached to the vial, “He knows your pain and has recorded every tear. He misses nothing and comforts your soul.” His crying intensified until he was sobbing.

Twenty years ago, they’d lost their oldest daughter, Laura, to cancer. At a time when he and Helen needed comfort and the assurance that God was aware of their pain, a friend had given them a plaque with Psalm 56:8 written over the picture of a scroll with God’s hand holding a quill.

This was a special vial. For in it was their daughter’s tears, tears Ken had wiped from Laura’s eyes and placed in this vial during her battle. He’d given the vial to Helen as a reminder that God was keeping track of her heartache, one tear at a time.

Reminded of how they’d weathered that storm, Ken found renewed hope for the future.

†

In the midst of our deepest pain we have more questions than answers. And sometimes God feels far away, distant and aloof. But through each trial we face He offers comfort, sometimes through a verse of scripture, sometimes through a kind word from a friend, always in a way He hopes we’ll recognize as personal.

Does it end the pain? Not entirely. But He offers us healing, and promises to make it bearable if we’ll give Him our burden.

Thanks to David, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God not only knows about our heartache, but catches and records every tear…because that’s what a loving Father does.

Prayer

“In this dark night of my soul, Lord, catch and record each tear I cry. Give me hope for the future. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Awaken the Dawn

I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord…for great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 57:8, 9, 10

Sitting in the pre-dawn woods, Eric and Corey anticipated the morning’s hunt…and the display they were about to witness.

As the sun began its ascent in the southeastern sky mute colors began to trace their way across the horizon. First to appear was a deep purple, barely noticeable through the trees. With just enough clouds in the sky to receive the tints and hues of a Mid Western sunrise, the hunting partners watched the day begin. The parade of color was captivating. Each passing moment brought subtle, almost imperceptible changes. Shades of pastel light began appearing as if they were being painted on a canvas: cobalt blue, lavender, pink; all mingled to create a celestial pallet. Moments later, burnt umbra began spreading tendrils of brightening luminescence north and south, inching higher in the sky.

Finally, as the golden sphere of the sun peeked above the hills, the lighter blue of daylight began to bring definition and detail to the woods. Shadows were chased into hiding. Animals that had been moving under the cover of darkness were now visible.

Corey and Eric began surveying their surroundings, grinning at each other with a knowing smile. They’d shared enough sunrises to know what the other was thinking: What a way to spend the morning!

†

There are few things that rival the magnificence of a sunrise when viewed from nature’s vantage point. Witnessing such splendor from introduction to finale is God’s visual utterance of Paul’s verbal declaration: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen… Romans 1:20

Sadly, many of us regard the freshest part of the day as but the beginning of another struggle; we can no longer see the beauty of God’s “Good Morning!” Numb to His greeting, we lose the ability to be moved and lifted by such a display, above our struggles, giving us a better position from which to gain perspective for today.

If you’ve missed today’s sunrise do your soul a favor…get up early enough to bear witness to Tomorrow’s.

Prayer

“Lord, teach me to see things as You see them. Open the eyes of my heart and bring a fresh perspective to my day. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”