Spiritually Fit

Train yourselves to be godly.
1 Timothy 4:7

“C’mon, B.J., let’s go!” Max’s less-than-enthusiastic wife was lagging a bit this morning. Just being awake at 6:00 a.m. was a sacrifice in her book! “I know it’s rough getting up so early, but it’s the only opportunity we have. Now, c’mon.”
They headed out into the cool morning air, stretched, and then jogged the mile to the health club. Once there, they stretched again, loosening up tight muscles from their run, and then began their respective workouts.
Fifteen minutes later, B.J. looked toward her husband and said with a sly smile, “You know, Max, I love how I feel when we get home; I just hate the work. I don’t so much mind the workout once I get started; I just don’t look forward to it.”
“I know,” Max responded. “But the reward has been huge. Look at you. You look great! And I’ve increased my bench press to 270 pounds in just three months. I feel stronger now than I did when I was twenty!”
They completed their workouts, jogged home, showered, and then headed for work.

†

Physical training can be unpleasant. Yet the rewards are tremendous. Exercising our body gives us strength we can draw upon each day.
Just as work in the gym may not be fondly anticipated, our daily mental preparation can be a challenge. Knowing what to do in response to the problems that arise requires educating ourselves ahead of time. Gaining additional wisdom should always be our goal.
Even more crucial is our spiritual fitness! It must be determinedly attended to; otherwise, we have little or no effect in the kingdom. Paul said he worked harder than everyone else so that he, by God’s grace, might do the work Christ called him to (1 Corinthians 15:10). His instruction in his first letter to Timothy was straightforward: it requires training to be godly! Paul’s words were also penned for us.
We are chosen and appointed to do good works (John 15:16). Only as a result of constant spiritual training can we expect to have the strength to perform the work as opportunities present themselves.

Prayer

“Lord, help me stay well established in Your Word. On days when I am lax, remind me of the training required to do good works. Pump me up spiritually! Amen.”

This article is dedicated to all the men and women of our Armed Forces who are fighting on foreign soil so their families, friends, loved ones, and total strangers will never have to face this enemy at home. May we never forget their sacrifices. 

Lone Survivor

The story of those who gave their all

Rarely have I had time stand still and fly by at the same time. Yet that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, January 19^th, 2015, as I sat in a packed theater and watched ‘Lone Survivor’, Universal Films’ tribute to Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell’s harrowing survival, Luttrell’s three fallen teammates, and the sixteen fallen Special Ops forces of Operation Red Wings who gave their all on June 28, 2005, in eastern Afghanistan.

But this was not just another movie theater filled by a mixture of strangers from the surrounding communities attending the latest Hollywood box-office hit. This was the private viewing for the family of Army Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, and invited guests. I felt it a privilege to be in attendance.

I looked around the theater, observing Shamus’ family and friends, wondering what they were feeling, contemplating how seeing this movie would affect them.

As I watched the movie I was torn between sorrow and pride. For as horrific as the scenes were I felt a connection to its storyline.

This movie made known to the world that Army Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare was a member of the 160^th Night Stalker team that flew the MH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down while attempting the extrication of four members of Seal Team 10 on that fateful day.

Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell, lived to tell the story of how those men sacrificed their lives on the battlefield in an attempt to save him and his fellow SEALs. And although the movie’s focus was on the four SEAL’s fight on the mountain that day it paid no less tribute to the sixteen men who knowingly entered hostile enemy airspace without defending cover from the Blackhawk gunships that normally accompanied and protected them against enemy fire. They chose to rush to the aid of their brothers in harm’s way because that’s who they were, and what they did.

As the movie ended tribute was paid to the fallen as photos of each man, along with some family pictures, filled the screen. As Shamus’ photos appeared on screen a palpable reaction filled the theater.

As the credits rolled there was complete silence, no one knew just how to react to what they had just witnessed. And then, as people began to stir, a smattering of applause turned into a standing ovation out of respect to the Goares.

It is my hope and prayer that each person in attendance will find closure and understanding. Most of all I hope healing and pride for Shamus’ act of selfless heroism will find its way into the heart of those who through his sacrifice lost someone they dearly loved.

We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid. We can, however, pay tribute to their sacrifice by never forgetting.

Being Busy For Jesus!

and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
1 Corinthians 3:13

Tom and Galinda were exhausted. Misguidedly, they believed that laboring for the Lord was meant to be that way. “After all,” Tom was fond of saying, “the Bible says, ‘each will be rewarded according to his labor’ so the more we labor, the bigger the reward!” And with that mindset they went about being busy for Jesus! They had a plan and disciplined themselves to stick to it. Their satisfaction at the end of each day began to wane but they pushed on, knowing things would get better if they just stuck to their plan. After all, Jesus expected them to stay busy … didn’t He?
After ten years of non-stop being busy for Jesus, they felt more like underappreciated and underpaid employees than servants of the King. Serving had gone from a labor of love to hard labor. They couldn’t remember the last time they’d actually enjoyed what they were doing. To the best of their recollection it had been years. And weren’t they supposed to be compensated for their labor? Hadn’t God promise them an exciting life of service with reward? This certainly wasn’t rewarding! They had even forgone having children so they could commit more time to God’s work!
Disgruntled and disillusioned, they resigned as committee heads of every group they were involved in, and left the church.

†

God’s people are designed to serve Him with zeal and passion. Yet sadly, many equate busyness to quality of service. Spurred on by this mentality they set to work, not understanding that what they’re doing is not what God wants.
Failing to ask God what’s important to Him will lead to spiritual frustration and a sense of overwhelming disappointment. Many Christians live in perpetual turmoil, never understanding they are laboring in vain, and their works will be consumed by fire. They themselves will be saved, but their work will be consumed.
Being busy for Jesus isn’t God’s idea of service. If we make time each morning to ask for instruction we will remove a lot of stress from our lives, and our works will stand the fiery test.

Prayer

“Good morning, Lord. I want to do what You want me to do today. What would You have me do? Amen.”

The Chrysalis

Behold, I make all things new.
Revelation 21:5 (kjv)

Sitting alone in the woods, contemplating her life, Bryanna wondered how she could have slipped so far from the life she’d envisioned for herself as a child. Only now did she understand the destruction she’d caused and realize her inability to atone for her mistakes. “Lord, if You’re really here, now would be a good time to show Yourself,” she said aloud, thinking there was about a one in a billion chance of Him showing up.
But to her utter amazement, He appeared in the next moment. As she surveyed her surroundings, Bryanna noticed something hanging from the small limb of a nearby bush. Moving closer, she realized with wonder that she was looking at a chrysalis. A caterpillar had woven its cocoon recently, and had begun the metamorphosis to its current state. Now, a butterfly was fighting to emerge from its protection to begin a new life.
She knelt and watched as the struggle culminated with the butterfly’s emergence. It hung from its transitory dwelling, drying its wings in the brilliant sunlight. Then it flew away. As she watched it light on flower after flower, she heard God whisper, “You too can begin a new life, Bryanna. It will require a bit of struggle, but the change can be as dramatic as this insect’s you just witnessed. Would you trust Me to make things new?”

†

How sweet is the knowledge that God makes things new each time we bring our pitfalls to His throne, laying them before Him, asking forgiveness! And how many times have we, like Bryanna, made a mess of things, only to seek God’s intervention? It is beyond human comprehension how God can forgive the vile things we have done and then forget them. But He does, and He will. And the life we are able to live following repentance is a life unmarred by past sin.
Today’s text speaks of God’s loving mercy. It is powerful enough to recreate our lives, making us brand new. But only if we accept His Son as our Savior and come asking forgiveness. If we do this, He promises we will be changed!

Prayer

“Lord, change me from who I am today. Transform my life and make me new. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Bitter Rivals

A brother offended is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bared gates of a citadel.
Proverbs 18:19

Bruce and Mitch were always trying to outdo each other. In childhood the twins had competed with and against each other in everything. But their high school years saw an unhealthy change take place. Each competition became more intense. Their motives shifted noticeably. They became driven by a passion to not only be the best, but to inflict emotional injury, making the other look bad in the process.
Mitch and Kara had been dating for several months, becoming high school sweethearts. Then Bruce stole her away. He dated her for less than a week and dumped her. It was evident he’d only done it to see if he could; it didn’t matter that Mitch was devastated and Kara was humiliated.
Mitch never forgot. He vowed he would never finish second to Bruce again. As the years passed, their sibling rivalry turned into a ‘king of the hill’ showdown; any semblance of decency was thrown out the window. Each set out to purposely sabotage anything the other became involved in. Eventually nobody wanted anything to do with either of them—in business or personally. In the end, they lived sheltered lives behind gated homes, rarely venturing out so as not to give the other a target.

†

Competition is meant to teach us to excel in life. It is part of our training in learning how to humbly win and graciously lose. Winning teaches us to succeed; losing teaches us to be compassionate—both teach us to be tolerant with wisdom that is more understanding.
Once we learn how to properly do both, we are meant to put this knowledge to use in beneficial ways. Sibling rivalry is supposed to be where we safely learn to navigate both.
Unfortunately, there are those whose only goal in life is to rise to the top with a total disregard for others.
God gives us certain strengths so that we might assist others in their struggles, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a simple backyard ball game or a position with the biggest firm in the country.

Prayer

“Help me put competition in the right perspective, Lord. Teach me to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Amen.”

The Picture On The Box

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord …
Jeremiah 29:11

Brad and Sharon loved jigsaw puzzles. However, this one was going to be a challenge. Brad had purchased what he thought was a wonderful acquisition. He’d picked up a five-thousand piece puzzle at a yard sale. The $1 dollar catch was that there was no box; only the puzzle in a cellophane bag.
He smiled as he handed his wife the puzzle. Seeing the bag, Sharon asked, “Where’s the box?” The look on Brad’s face told her all she needed to know. “I can’t believe you bought a puzzle without the box! You know how crucial the picture is to figuring out which piece goes where. How do you propose we assemble this puzzle without it?”
Brad, having prepared for her reaction on the way home, argued, “I’ve already got that all figured out,” he said proudly. “We’ll lay the pieces out, face up, set the border by the straight edges, then assemble pieces with the same colors, and so on; we’ll figure it out. C’mon. It’ll be fun!”
Shaking her head in mock annoyance, Sharon answered with a disclaimer, “Only if you promise me you won’t buy any more puzzles without the box.”

†

In the natural, we view our lives in terms of a jigsaw puzzle; we see innumerable events that have no apparent connection, and the sum of all the parts is still undefined. Yet, we hope that someday it will portray a beautiful and complete picture.
And as in today’s story, we sometimes blindly proceed, doing the best we can in view of what we have to work with, sorting through the pieces, trying to find the ones that fit. Sometimes they fall easily into place; other times, due to a lack of spiritual perspective, we jam mismatched pieces together in our attempt to make them fit.
Don’t become discouraged. Instead, relax in the knowledge that God sees us with Spiritual eyes. He knows what the picture on the box is supposed to look like.
If we yield the pieces of our lives to His care, He can, and promises to take each one and make them interlock perfectly.

Prayer

“Take the pieces of my life, Lord, and make them into something beautiful. Amen.”

I Want Mercy!

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7

“I’ll never forgive them!” Jim screamed as he flew out of the pastor’s office. His anger left no room for reasonable thought.
He had begun having nightmares since being mugged three weeks ago and couldn’t seem to get a grip on his emotions. He’d tried sleeping pills, even tried drinking himself to sleep once; neither had the desired effect. Strained to the point of emotional bankruptcy, Jim decided to speak with his pastor and try discussing his problems.
But that had been a joke! The pastor had listened and then told Jim he should try to forgive these men. He had told Jim that forgiving them would set him free from the memories of that night. He hadn’t said one word about them asking Jim for forgiveness. Jim was indignant. How dare he tell me I need to forgive them!
His wife continued to pray, but Jim just became increasingly bitter. Eventually it consumed his life; he became morose and died from heart complications several years later.

†

Forgiving those who have hurt us is not about giving up revenge and getting even; it is about setting ourselves free from the burden of resentment and bitterness. It is about mercy and unmerited favor; it is about grace.
What others do is between them and God.
When Christ hung on Calvary’s cross, it was an act of mercy and unmerited favor for us. He didn’t have to go. He chose to out of a love so deep that he would rather be humiliated, tortured, and die a pain-filled death rather than live without us in eternity!
We can choose to hang on to the burden of acts committed against us. But at what cost do we give up our rights and give it to Jesus? If we want mercy but struggle to give it ourselves, God can’t provide it. That is a spiritual law. Remember, we reap what we sow. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord Almighty.” He meant it, so leave it up to Him.

Prayer

“Merciful Father, forgive me for my pride and arrogance. Touch my heart with a desire to forgive. Show me how to forgive others who have hurt me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”