He [God] Stretched Out The Heavens

It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens;

Isaiah 45:12

Have you ever pondered the vastness of the Universe? If so, perhaps this will put things in perspective: Traveling at light speed, 186,000 miles per second, it would take one hundred-thousand years to make the journey from one end of our Milky Way Galaxy to the other. And ours is but one of billions of galaxies we currently know of.   

I love studying astronomy and learning about space, so I watch relevant shows whenever possible. While watching a ‘Science Channel’ special titled, ‘Deep Space Marvels: Destiny’, one specific scene caught my attention. A ‘special-effect’ Universe appeared before actor and host, Sam Neill. Sam appeared to cross an ethereal threshold, transitioning from Earth to deep space. As he progressed through the field of stars and galaxies, Neill manipulated the cosmos. Stars and galaxies were strewn about in the wake of each motion.    

A verse from Scripture came to mind; My own hands stretched out the heavens. At that moment, Neill reached for a cluster of galaxies. With a flick of his wrist, Sam cast them in all direction, emulating that very verse! God’s creative powers were being imitated! Here was a picture of how it all happened, “In the beginning!’  

†

Men have disputed the origins of Creation since the beginning of time. Evolutionists maintain our existence is a coincidence; a result of the ‘Big Bang’ billions of years ago. Scripture says [God] created the heavens and earth, and nothing exists without Him. There are deep feelings on both sides of this argument.

Faith in our Creator is a funny thing. It isn’t worth a nickel until it’s put to the test, and then it requires placement of trust in Someone intangible and beyond our understanding. We must believe, and accept, that Someone infinitely superior, wiser, capable, and so incomprehensibly GREATER than we are, is responsible for our existence. This is an assault on pride and self-sufficiency, and is a point of contention for those who cannot abide owing their existence to Someone they cannot see, explain, or control.

While God’s handiwork is on display for all to see, sadly, there are many people who ignore and deny His immutable presence.  

Prayer

“I bless You, Lord God, Creator of the Universe! Amen!”

Be Prepared

Be prepared in season and out of season … to discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Of the one hundred twenty-one merit badges young men can earn in the Boy Scouts, Lincoln had amassed ninety-five total badges. Each badge had increased his experience, knowledge, and skill in a specific discipline, spanning a broad spectrum from American business to woodworking. Lincoln needed only one more mandatory badge to meet the twelve-of-fifteen badge requirement necessary to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Today’s review for his Citizenship in the World merit badge would complete that objective.
However, unlike prior reviews, where he’d studied and restudied the relevant material, Lincoln hadn’t spent much time preparing for this badge. He’d been pressed for time and had assumed he would be alright with a cursory examination of the issues. Finding he was unprepared, he approached his counselor, “I’m sorry, Mr. Barns. I’ve been so busy that I didn’t take time to review the subject matter on international law,” he admitted. “Can I please reschedule this review?”
“Alright, Lincoln, we’ll reschedule for next week,” Mr. Barns agreed. Then he added, “And when you come next week, do as our motto says: Be Prepared.”
Following a week of intense study, Lincoln passed his review, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. At the badge presentation, Mr. Barns spoke of the rescheduling, and the importance of being prepared, “Because you never know what life might bring.”

†

Like Lincoln, many of us put off preparing for upcoming events, relying on present knowledge to carry us through, sighting busyness as the reason for our lapse in judgment. The truth is … we will make time for those things which are important to us. Un-preparedness, conscious or otherwise, will cause us to fail the testing of such knowledge.
Paul’s charge to Timothy was that he be prepared for every eventuality in order that he might be able to discharge all the duties of his ministry.
Put in perspective: our failure to prepare may not only have us asking for a redo, we could very well miss an opportunity to minister to someone else.

Prayer

“Lord, show me what I need to focus on today to be ready for what comes my way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Notes

I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

Sitting down at his computer, Randy immediately saw the note taped to his monitor. Handwritten on a piece of plain white paper was the acronym S.H.M.I.L.Y.
He smiled as he pulled it from the screen, folded the tape over the back, and placed it in his drawer alongside a mounting storehouse of affectionate compositions from his wife.
Randy and Shauna were forever leaving notes for each other. Neither left the house without leaving the other a note. Most notes revealed their whereabouts and when they would return. Many times they were terms of endearment, a reminder of their commitment and love for one another. S.H.M.I.L.Y. was one-such expression.
As Randy began his day’s work, he thought about how to respond to Shauna’s note. Settling on the one thing he knew would bring a smile to her face, he slipped away to the field behind the house and picked a bouquet of wildflowers an hour before she returned home from work. Arranging them in her favorite vase, he pulled this morning’s note from his drawer, and added a two so it read: “S.H.M.I.L.Y. 2,” and placed the vase on the kitchen counter and then returned to work.
They’d both meant every word: See How Much I Love You!

†

Notes are a simple yet wonderful way to communicate with each other. Leaving them to be discovered in strategic locations can be a personal and inspirational way of declaring, “I care.”
Taking time to pen our thoughts or feelings establishes our commitment to the one for which the note is intended.
God devoted a tremendous amount of work and time writing notes to us and has left them in strategic places for us to find.
His note to us in Jeremiah 31 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Scripture is full of His wonder-filled and personal declarations.
In His note to us in John 17:24, at the climax of His earthly mission, Jesus prayed for us to be with Him and to see His glory. Translation: “See How Much I Love You!”

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your love that sustains me. Help me love with a love that is selfless. May I bring affirmation to each individual You place in my life today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

*Dedicated to James and Myrtle Dobson

The Beginning of Healing

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1

Sitting at the bar—well, slouching would have been a more accurate description—Gil realized he’d done it again. He was half drunk and couldn't tell you how or why it had happened. He’d stopped here with the intention of having one drink then going home.
Must be my sixth or seventh, he thought, looking at the amber liquid in his glass.
It had been two years since he’d had anything to drink. The last episode had seen him waking up in a holding cell, surrounded by a dozen other men. He’d served six days in the county lockup for his involvement in a bar fight and under the direction of the court, attended a few AA meetings.
I’m not a drunk, he’d thought at his first meeting. I only drink once in a great while. How dare they associate me with a group like this! These people are mostly bums; some of them are even homeless! This had been his egotistical attitude. Gil had lost his job as a result of his nefarious behavior and had sworn it would never happen again. So much for never. If I get arrested again, Belle’s gonna come unglued! Then, another thought came unbidden. I can’t possibly be a drunk, can I? Maybe I need help.

†

Addiction is found in all walks of life—teachers, lawyers, preachers, engineers, public employees, sports writers, evangelists, steel workers, nuns, PTO moms. The list knows no boundaries.
As future citizens of heaven, we are to be disciplined. Constant obsession removes that ability. When we give in to cravings, it dishonors God and harms our witness.
Addictions come in many forms. (Fill in the blank) If you can’t stop _____ when you want, if you find yourself in trouble each time you ____, if your family life, relationships, or job suffer when you ____, or if you can’t control your behavior when you ____, you have a problem. Facing the truth and asking for help is the beginning of healing.

Prayer

“I submit my life and actions to Your care in this moment, Lord. Renew my life and set me free. I’m good at hiding, Lord, so cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

By Invitation Only

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Luke 14:15

She had not always been a popular woman. But today they were begging for an invitation to tonight’s party. Reporters lined the sidewalks by the gate, waiting for her to appear and bless them with an invitation. They stood for hours, waiting.
When the owner of the estate made her appearance, it was brief.
She smiled and read a short, prewritten statement: “As none of you responded to my prior invitations, I have invited a select group to dine with me tonight. My guests will be arriving momentarily. Please be considerate and allow them to pass. Once again, this banquet is by invitation only. Please do not attempt to gain entrance or you will be arrested, and I will press charges against you.” With that, she returned to the house.
Ten minutes later, limousines from every escort company in the city began pulling up to the gate. They provided proof of invitation and then drove to the large portico and presented their guests to the hostess.
To the paparazzi’s amazement, the guests appeared to be beggars and homeless people. The hostess had them chauffeured from their cardboard homes as though they were royalty!

†

In the blink of an eye, all invitations to the feast in the kingdom will be sealed and no more will be issued. The King will determine that the banquet should begin, and there will be no admittance to those who do not have a personal invitation.
Until then, God continues to issue an open invitation to any and all who would receive Him. Because of the blood of Jesus we have the right to RSVP, which is to tell the Host whether or not we plan to attend.
Those who respond will partake of all the goodness of the kingdom. They will be seated in a position of prominence at the King’s table.
And just like those in today’s story, there will be many who will be turned away, never having accepted God’s Son. Admittance to heaven is by invitation only. Have you sent your RSVP?

Prayer

“I gratefully accept Your invitation today, Lord. Thank You for sending Your Son to escort me to the dinner party. Amen.”

Nothing Is Something

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens.
Isaiah 40:26

Jill’s father turned his head toward her and quietly whispered, “It’s close to bedtime, kiddo. Five more minutes then we gotta land this spacecraft, and you gotta hit the books.” Jill’s passion for lying under the night sky had been passed on to her by her father. He saw relevance in his and his daughter’s stargazing.
His own father had not seen things that way. “Get in this house and get your homework done now!” he would scold. It seemed he couldn’t understand his son’s fascination. He said the same thing every time. “There’s more to life than watchin’ stars, boy. Go do somethin’ worthwhile!”
“Well, Dad,” he whispered into the night, “as far as I’m concerned, watching stars is doing something.” He wished his father could have understood his interest. “And as long as Jill has a love for the heavens, I’m going to encourage her.”
A few minutes later, Jill squealed with delight. A huge green blaze had just arced from one side of the sky to the other! “Oh, Daddy, that’s the brightest shooting star ever! I’m glad we saw it together!” She couldn’t see his smile but could hear him say, “Me too, honey! Me too. Maybe someday you’ll get a closer look from space. You just keep lookin’ up.”

†

Doing things that to some appear senseless or serve no relevant purpose does not necessarily equate to doing nothing.
Not all of us are called to become astronauts, yet many of them had their interest piqued by watching the night sky. The stars are beautiful, and seeing a falling star fascinates each of us. You don’t have to aspire to be launched into space to enjoy the stars.
Just because we don’t see the value of something does not negate it. With an eternal perspective, seemingly meaningless things can have vast significance.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see the value in things that don’t necessarily interest me. Help me encourage others to seek the things that bring them joy in Your kingdom. Amen.”

The Knife

Fathers, do not exasperate your children.
Ephesians 6:4

At fifteen, Allen had been trying to get his father’s attention for as long as he could remember. All he’d wanted was to play catch, a video game, maybe go fishing or something. He just wanted to do anything with his dad, but his dad was always too busy.
On an impulse, Allen took one of his dad’s special knives from his favorite collection and sold it to a kid at school. He couldn’t tell you why he’d done it; all he knew was that he was angry at his dad.
His silent cry for attention went unchecked for several weeks until one day his dad asked, “Do you know where my knife is, Allen?”
“You mean the fancy hand-carved handled one in the case?” Allen baited his dad, a look of defiance on his face.
His father bristled at his insolence. “Where is it, Allen?” he demanded.
Allen continued the farce. “Yeah, I remember seeing it somewhere; now, where was that?”
“What’d you do with the knife, Allen?” his dad barked in response to Allen’s attitude. He concluded with a consequence-inferred declaration, “You tell me right now or so help me … ”
“I sold it! Okay?” Allen screamed, red faced, tears streaming down his cheeks. “So what? What’re you gonna do to me?”

†

Allen wanted what was rightfully his: love and attention from his father. And though his actions were misguided, he contrived to get his father’s attention any way he could.
When we fail to give our children our time and attention, they go elsewhere to assuage their hunger for these inherent natural urges. Many substitute drugs, alcohol, sex, and gang life—almost anything for the love they crave.
In the busyness of our society, our children quite literally are fending for themselves. We shop them out to the closest family member or friend to give ourselves time to fit one more thing into our already over-stuffed schedules, only to find them disconnected, pregnant, and in trouble with the law.
Make no mistake: there is no replacement for our time. Our children need not suffer exasperation. Give of yourself to those who matter most.

Prayer

“Lord, help me provide the love my kids need—in time and affection, in connectivity and bonding. In Jesus’ strength and Name, amen.”