A Language of Faith

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois.
2Timothy 1:5

Grandma Doris never liked hearing the words shut up. She said they hurt her ears and her heart. So when Grandma Doris was around, you said, “hush” or “be quiet.” If she heard anything else, you were in for a major scolding!
Grandma Doris emigrated from England in 1904 at the tender age of seven. She brought with her all her worldly possessions and an already deep faith in Jesus Christ. She married Grandpa Earnest, a preacher, and together they passed on the inherent traits of a pioneer: press ahead in kindness and never look back in regret. The legacy passed on by Grandma Doris was given to her by her father and his father before him. In the lineage of both Grandma Doris and Grandpa Earnest there is a history of profound faith in Jesus Christ. For at least six generations before and the two since, there have been preachers and lay leaders serving God, great men and women of faith.
Grandma Doris’s death left a hole in people’s hearts but not their faith. That heritage lives on and is testament to what was important to Grandma Doris: loving Jesus and using words to edify and not impair the lives of those we meet.

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It seems like such a simple thing, teaching children the value of using kinder language rather than harmful words. But it’s in the simple things that we discover our true character.
How we treat others, such as which words we use, speaks volumes of who we are and what we believe. Harsh language says we are not concerned about how we gain the results we are seeking.
Paul wrote to Timothy in regard to testifying with power. He said to testify in love and self-discipline, letting God do the convicting.
Too many times our society uses words with shock value to make a point. Paul tells us that kind words, full of grace, will accomplish the task. We are to testify of Jesus’ love and do it in a language of faith passed on from generation to generation.

Prayer

“Lead me to speak kindly in faith, Lord. May I always testify to Your love with words of grace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

I’m Christ’s Alone

For in Him we move and live and have our being.
Acts 17:28

Many of the songs he’d written were inspired by the trials he’d faced. This song had become his mission statement, so to speak.
Jon had tested the waters of life. But there hadn’t been much wisdom in Jon’s selection process. He’d just headed out with the belief that he was entitled to have some fun. When confronted about his cavalier lifestyle, Jon smugly answered, “If it was good enough for Solomon, then it’s good enough for me!” So Jon set out to pleasure himself for the purpose of gaining self-awareness, an experiment of sorts, he called it. After years of the more sordid things of life, he’d gotten tired of the casual life. Redirecting his efforts, Jon pursued a more spiritual awakening, using mind-altering chemicals to assist in gaining nirvana.
One evening while high on crystal meth, Jon sideswiped an abandoned vehicle along the side of the road. His vehicle had rolled twice and come to rest in the ditch. Suffering life-threatening injuries, Jon had somehow survived.
Over the next ten weeks, he labored in the rehabilitation ward at the OSU Medical Center. Layer by layer, God peeled away Jon’s rebellion. One of his rehab nurses spoke to Jon about how blessed he was to have survived. She spoke about the hope she had found in Jesus Christ. The week before Jon left Dodd Hall, he gave his life to Christ, writing the words that would later become the song “I’m Christ’s Alone.”

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Many of us have traveled through life taking our own little detours from God’s designated path, recklessly experimenting with dangerous things, so we could experience life on our own terms. Most, if not all of us found nothing but emptiness.
Luke, in today’s text, sums up Paul’s words to the Romans about the freedom to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul told them that God gives all men life, breath, and everything else, so that they might seek and find His Son. Like Jon, God is always willing to meet us at our point of surrender. Unlike Jon, we needn’t take life’s detours.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I’m tired of running. Lead me into a life better lived through Your Spirit. In Your Name I pray, amen.”

Soldiers of Love

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
Isaiah 66:13

J.J. had juvenile diabetes. His father pricked his little, four-and-a-half-year-old finger to see if he needed an insulin injection, a process that was repeated four times each day. J.J.’s mom was in charge of making sure he ate the right foods at the right times.
Blindsided two years ago by the diagnosis, Aaron and Megan had managed to make the necessary adjustments, ensuring their son would lead as normal a life as possible.
A professional musician, Aaron was on the road much of the time. Home for a few days, he loved spending time with the kids.
In a recent interview, he’d been asked how Megan managed the home with him on the road so much. “I head home if there’s a crisis,” he’d said wryly. “But meeting J.J.’s everyday needs falls to Megan. She’s a real trooper! Up at seven every morning, she tests J.J.’s blood sugar and fixes breakfast accordingly. She balances the demands of J.J.’s daily routine while Kaylie, our three-month-old, vies for her attention. Megan never gets a day off and never complains.” He summed up his thoughts. “Moms are soldiers of love. They’re the ones who handle the continuously changing needs.” He added, “Dads are the warriors; we kill the giants. But moms? Moms are forever! When our kids get sick or fall and skin their knees, there’s only one person they want. And it’s not me! I respect my wife. I could never do what she does.”

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Mothers are a special breed. They faithfully go the extra mile without thought of compensation. If you tried to reward them, they would be offended.
Men may be the spiritual leaders of the household, but mothers are the glue that bonds the family together. It is said, “A father will go to war for his children; a mother will die.”
Jesus compared a mother’s love to His own. There is no greater compliment than to be compared to the Savior of the world. And the epitome of His love is revealed in the touch of a mother. They truly are soldiers of love.

Prayer

“Thank You, Lord, for mothers, for their compassion, tenderness, self-sacrifice, and thank You for creating them to love like Jesus. Amen.”

Intellect or Wisdom?

A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
Proverbs 28:11

J.D. Artweller had amassed a fortune. His holdings included three of the high-rise structures visible along Chicago’s skyline, one of which housed the eighty-second floor, corner office he was sitting in. He held partnership in two banks and owned the local ALS team. Nobody really knew the true extent to which he was involved.
“Martha!” Artweller hollered at his receptionist. “Is Flanerty here yet?” … ”Time is money,” he grumbled to himself.
“Yes, Mr. Artweller,” Martha answered.
“Then send him in!” came his clipped command.
She smiled across her desk at J.D.’s 2:30 appointment, hoping to alleviate any tension her boss’s crassness might be causing.
J.D. didn’t seem to care about people other than what they could do to increase his holdings. Embarrassed for the man, she said apologetically, “You may go in now, Mr. Flanerty.”
She needn’t have been worried. John Flanerty wasn’t fazed by Artweller’s demeanor. He’d had dealings with J.D. in the past. He knew him to be a very lonely man beneath the rough-barked exterior, and had determined when he’d first met J.D. to show him unconditional kindness by treating him in such a way that it would be in keeping with the nature of Jesus. Perhaps those seeds would sprout and choke out the bitterness entangling his heart.

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For reasons unknown to most of us, there are people who have been wounded so deeply that they have turned to the god of wealth for their validation. They hold the misconception that accumulated riches equates to great wisdom. But there is a distinct difference between great wisdom and intellectual and financial cunning. And those who are discerning know the difference, they see right through the J.D.s of the world.
Matthew 6:24 says, “You cannot serve both God and money.” This world and everything in it is God’s. When we greedily hoard stuff or money we set our hearts against God. To be rich and wise in our own eyes is to be lost. Not just in thought or position, but in spirit. There are no riches worth such cost.

Prayer

“Help me to not be possessive of what You’ve given me, Lord. Guide my heart to distribute Your wealth where it will do the most good. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Truth About Death

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1John 4:10 KJV

Attending her third family funeral in as many months, Kendra was angry…This isn’t fair! A loving God would never do this! her mind screamed.

The recent deaths had caused Kendra to doubt the existence of God; because if there was, He wouldn’t keep killing the people she loved! And since there was no God, she rejected any notion of salvation through Jesus Christ as well. Friends had told her she was being too analytical, and needed to accept certain things by faith. They’d told her that this side of Heaven there was no such thing as complete understanding. But she wanted proof!  

The pastor began the eulogy, “On this side of death we are faced with the greatest decision we will ever make.” Searching the eyes of each mourner, his glance settled on Kendra. “The Bible tells us that our spirit will live forever after our mortal death. If you’re not sure what lies ahead, I challenge you to listen to this message of hope in Jesus Christ. You see, what happens the moment following our last breath on earth will be determined by what we believe. Because following that breath we will be in the presence of a loving, and holy God. At that moment we will have complete understanding.”

It was as if God had spoken audibly to Kendra. Her anger, and her façade, melted away as tears streamed down her cheeks.   

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Kendra’s anger over her loss is understandable. However, her analytical assumption about why God allows death is wrong.   

Death was never God’s intention. Adam’s disobedience brought that sentence upon humanity. But because of God’s great love for us, provision was made so that we would not live forever in our sin. He sent His Son to die in our place in order that we might not suffer our deserved fate: eternal separation from God due to our sin.

Jesus came to die…to bring peace between God and man. Only His shed blood makes us righteous before a holy God. But that blood must be applied before our last breath. If you have not claimed the blood of Jesus, I invite you to do that now.

Prayer

“Come in to my life today, Lord Jesus… Amen.”

Proven Character

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3, 4

Cody was a C- and D student in his freshman and sophomore years of high school. The university he was applying to required a 2.8 GPA for enrollment. His cumulative 2.4 wasn’t going to get him in. But someone had watched Cody change over the past two years, and he believed in him. He wrote a letter to the dean of admissions, enlightening him with regard to Cody’s accomplishments and his 3.24 GPA in his final two years of school. He asked that the university take into consideration this change of behavior when determining whether this young man should be given an opportunity to prove himself at their institution.
To their credit, they allowed Cody to enroll at their branch campus, promising that a 2.8 GPA in his first year of studies would make him eligible for transfer to the main campus the following semester. To his credit, Cody carried a 3.1 GPA that first year and was allowed to transfer. He graduated with a 3.45 GPA, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a minor in criminal law.

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Cody is reminiscent of those who for one reason or another have applied themselves in their latter years. Sadly, many who make these positive changes are never reaffirmed.
But unlike our peers, God doesn’t see us as unfit because we made poor choices in our early years. He is pleased that the changes take place. Cody was fortunate that someone saw the change taking place in him and believed it to be genuine.
God also wants to champion our cause, to stand up for us in the face of opposition. Abba Father wants us to know that He sees us. He knows the truth and urges us to persevere by overcoming hopelessness. He wants us to know and feel the satisfaction of positive change in our lives. He whispers, “It is possible to build character at any point during your life.” We need only choose to believe and follow His lead.

Prayer

“Lord, please raise up advocates for those who are genuinely trying to make a better life. Bind those who would stand against them and restore hope to the hearts of Your people. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Miles of Preparation

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

As he read the e-mail, he could actually picture the tears running down his daughter’s face. In her freshman year at college, she was struggling with separation anxiety. So was her daddy. Separated by two hundred miles, it felt like ten thousand.
That first year marked the beginning of new levels of growth for the family. Visits by both student and parents alike marked their progress. After a couple years of saying good-bye, they didn’t hang on to each other quite so long, and the heartache was a little less intense. As the four years passed, there was measurable growth. There were struggles and disappointments: Daddy would undergo bypass surgery, and his daughter would begin to lean on the other man in her life. Her boyfriend of four years would become her fiancé. They would graduate with their bachelor’s degrees, return home, and as planned over the past two years, get married. Then new levels of growth would bring new pain.

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There is pain attached to most meaningful growth. In childbirth, both mother and child experience trauma. But that trauma gives way to joy and delight. As children grow, they begin to assert their individuality. Falling, they get back up, sometimes crying in pain and needing comfort, sometimes stubbornly moving forward without much thought to the fall.
As God’s creation, we have an inherent need to seek and learn and grow. God’s good work prepares us for the future. Though our parents provide much of the knowledge we seek, experience is the teacher we learn from the most, because hands-on learning imprints itself deeper in our mind.
As we ourselves have grown, we must allow our children to go it alone, gaining their own experience, trusting in today’s text that God began this good work in their hearts. He alone can draw them into a relationship that will guide them as they grow. His preparation brings a certain amount of pain. With that pain comes growth.

Prayer

“I don’t really like pain, Abba. But I trust You. Walk me through the pain. Continue this good work in me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”