Over…?

May 31

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 6:7

Kurt and Stevie had been close friends for years. They had whiled away many summers exploring the neighborhood, trying not to get into too much mischief, but for ten year old army brats there was nothing more fun or worthy of their time than emulating their fathers.

“That’s a ten four, Sergeant,” Stevie spoke into his walkie talkie. “You bring your troops around from behind the enemy’s position on the south side, and we’ll move in that direction from here; Over…?”

“Moving now, Lieutenant,” Kurt responded. “We’ll hold at our next outpost until you let me know when you’re in position; Over…?”

“That’s affirmative, Sergeant,” came the reply, followed by, “Stay sharp, Malloy. When we make the final approach we’ll have them surrounded. Do your men understand their orders? Over…?”

In a voice that informed his commanding officer that he understood, Kurt answered, “I’ve given the order, Sir. They know what to do. Over…!”

“Then wait for my next transmission, Sergeant,” Stevie instructed.

†

Walkie Talkies are sold in pairs because two-way communication is imperative when making plans and explaining strategies; especially where ten year olds are concerned. Stevie needed Kurt to respond to his directives in order to make their battle plan work. By interacting, giving the other equal time to respond by saying, “Over…?”, these two friends were able to surround and gain victory over the enemy.

Our prayer life should resemble Kurt and Stevie’s cooperation in communication. Sadly, most of us rarely take a breath when we pray. We burst into the throne room, spit out a list of demands and leave, never waiting to see if there’s anything God would say to us in the moment. Then, for the rest of the day, we walk around unsure of whether we’re on the right track.

There are times in prayer that we need to tell God how we’re feeling, or ask for something. Scripture supports both. But prayer is meant to be an open line of communication between two parties. The next time you enter in to your prayer closet why not give this a try; “Hello, God. Is there anything You’d like to say to me? Over…?”

Prayer

“Good morning, Lord, it’s me. Over…?”

 Servant or Slave?

May 30

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:

2Corinthians 6:4

Sitting in a local diner, the three friends were discussing the challenges of serving God. Having shared with each other some of their current battles, Chris shared how tired he had become spiritually; wishing God would remove some of the burden.

Cody asked, “Do you know the difference between a slave and a servant?”

Growing up in the 1960s, Chris had learned to equate slavery with oppression. This is easy, Chris thought as he answered, “A slave does things because he’s forced to; a servant gives of himself freely.”

He’d never heard Cody’s definition, “A servant does things expecting payment. A slave expects nothing for their work.”

Chris chewed on that as Cody continued…

“At five o’clock, a servant goes home to his family…” he said, “…a slave isn’t finished until his master says he’s done.”

As the truth of that statement penetrated Chris’s heart he had to admit he’d been expecting something for his service. While praying, “Use me, Lord,” he’d had expectations of what that looked like in his own mind; he was expecting to receive compensation for his efforts, not a hard time.

†

In the span of one minute, God had used Cody to show Chris the true nature of a slave…and his heart where service was concerned.

But, if owning another human being, for any reason, is wrong, then how is being God’s slave good?

In Romans 6:16, Paul tells us that we are slaves. In today’s text, reading through verse ten, Paul’s description of service sounds more like the definition of slavery. It’s riddled with hardship and pain, yet speaks to what lengths a bond servant will go for his Master.

So, what’s the difference?

Satan enslaves, hoping only to destroy!

God, in His great love, offers us and opportunity to serve in His Kingdom. He does not make us slaves.

Given the choice, whose slave would you rather be?

Prayer

“Lord, I don’t want to be Your servant, always expecting a return for my service. Shift my heart so that I might become a slave who desires only to bring You glory, regardless of any pain or trial I might perceive as unfair and unwarranted. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Trusting God for the Results

May 29

…but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1Corinthians 3:6, 7

The story goes… There was a man walking on the beach at dawn. He noticed a young boy repeatedly bend over, pick something up, and throw it into the surf.

As the man drew near he recognized the object of the boy’s attention. Somewhat agitated, he approached the boy, “What are you doing, young man?” he demanded.

The boy gave him a cursory nod, and said, “I’m picking up starfish and returning them to the sea, Sir. If they are still lying on the beach when the sun comes up they will die. They need my help.”

“But young man,” he said, taking hold of the boy’s shoulder, “The beaches are littered with starfish, and this beach alone goes on for miles! Why do you bother? You can’t possibly hope to make a measurable difference in the lives of all those starfish.”

The boy bent down as the sun crested the horizon. He picked up another starfish and, in one gentle and well-practiced motion, tossed it into the surf as he answered the man, “Maybe not. But I sure made a difference in that one’s life.”

†

There is a great temptation to equate success with volume. Had the young man in today’s story seen things that way he would have spent more time considering his actions than doing the right thing, and many more starfish would have died.

The greatest historical event of all time began with one man calling twelve other men, teaching them how to serve and make disciples. That single action has resulted in the salvation of untold numbers of souls. Will everyone be saved? No. Sadly, many will choose not to accept God’s offer. Thankfully, God doesn’t think like the man in today’s story.

Taking action and trusting God for the results, putting one foot in front of the other without proof that what we’re doing is making a difference, is called faith. We are called to serve…it’s up to God to make what we do grow.

Prayer

“Lord, help me walk by faith, listening for Your call, ready to take action in order to meet a need. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 There is a Hell

May 28

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator

Romans 1:25

For years Randy witnessed to his father during their long-distance phone conversations, telling him if he refused to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior he would spend eternity in Hell, separated from God. But his father vehemently asserted that there was no Hell to be saved from.

When his father became ill Randy moved back home to care for him. Over the next ten months, while Randy ministered to his father’s physical needs, he continued ministering to his spiritual needs, reading scripture and telling him of God’s great love for him. He even took him to church on Sundays when he was well enough to leave the house. At the end of each day Randy would ask, “Is there anything keeping you from asking Jesus into your heart, Dad?”

His father’s response was always the same, “Yes, lots of things.” Yet Randy never gave up. Then one Sunday, during the altar call following a particularly powerful sermon on our immortal spirit, Randy watched in awe and thanksgiving as his father raised his hand to receive Jesus into his heart! 

After the service, Randy’s father confided to him that his persistence had caused him to rethink his beliefs, “I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God, and I don’t want to spend eternity apart from Him.”

†

Doubt is one of satan’s favorite weapons. He tells us there is no Hell and the world loves it because it removes the consideration of consequences and accountability. Sadly, even some professing Christian pastors say, “A loving God would not send billions of people to a horrible hell!” 

But as sure as there is a Heaven, there is a Hell.

We can argue all we want and it won’t change that truth, or prevent people from going to Hell. God’s holiness demands we be righteous to enter His presence. Only faith in Jesus Christ, where we are cleansed by His blood, has the power to save. Anything else is a lie.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, forgive me for ever doubting Your word. I accept Your sacrifice for my sin and look forward with anticipation to spending eternity with You in Heaven. Amen.”

 Pass it On

May 27

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Bill took his time as he showed his grandson, Nelson, how to position the crippler for the closet door header in the wall they were building. “Leave three and a half inches at the top of each crippler, Nelson. That will allow us to insert the header,” he explained.

“You know everything about building houses Gramps!” Nelson said in admiration. “Did you figure it out all by yourself?” he asked.

Bill smiled at the nine year old’s question. “No, Buddy,” he admitted. “My dad started my construction education when I was about your age. As a matter of fact, he gave me that very hammer you’re using.” With a note of ceremony in his voice, Bill said, “And now I’m giving it to you.”

Looking at the hammer with a sense of reverence, Nelson said, “Wow! Thanks, Gramps! I promise to take good care of it!”

“Let me give you one bit of advice, Nelson,” he said. “Never tire of learning and always remember there are different ways to do almost every task. Those who love carpentry have invested time in learning the trade. Learn all you can from them. Then use what you’ve learned to create works of art, and look to pass it on to future generations.”

†

Solomon, in today’s text, assures us that mankind is repetitive in nature; nothing we do is being done for the first time. Although individual accomplishments might differ from generation to generation, the underlying knowledge of the why and how of the world has been understood for centuries. Hence, what we do today has been done before.

This is not to dismiss or minimize our efforts. On the contrary, we should strive to fine tune those things that we’ve been doing for millennia.

Legendary UCLA Basketball coach, John Wooden, said, “You’ll never know anything you didn’t learn from someone else.” Our goal should be to devote ourselves to learning whatever God has equipped us for so we can do the best job possible, and then we will be in a position to pass on what we have learned.

Prayer

“Everything I can do is because of You, Lord. Give me opportunity to pass along all You have taught me to future generations. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Best Sinner in Hell

May 26

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2:10

The judge’s glance shifted from the defendant to the file in his hands. These kinds of cases always caused inner conflict; compassion verses the wisdom of required justice. He’d read the file in his chambers before entering the courtroom. 

The defendant needed to get home to see his dying mother. She’d had only hours to live. He’d borrowed a friend’s car but had no money for gas so he’d pumped twenty dollars worth of gas at a local station and left without paying. He’d broken the law hoping the judge would understand.

“Son,” the judge said. “What you did was wrong and I cannot allow it to go unpunished. I know why you did it, but your reasoning is in error. You broke the law and no matter how justified the violation might seem to you, you must be held accountable. Therefore, you will serve six months Community Control Sanction; you must pay restitution to the filling station owner, and you will serve two hundred hours of community service at his place of business. Case closed,” he said with finality.

†

There is a real danger in rationalizing sin we deem as ‘SMALL’ or ‘INSIGNIFICANT’, by telling ourselves they are of no consequence. We believe that those sins should not meet the ineligibility terms God has set in place. And in that arrogant mindset we sentence ourselves to Hell. The fallacy of our own goodness, as well as the defendant’s reasoning in today’s story, is worthless.

Today’s text says if we have committed one sin we are guilty in God’s eyes. The first part of Romans 6:23 says the penalty for that sin is eternal death. But in the second part of verse 23 God provides the pardon for our sin through Jesus Christ!

We can lay claim to our own goodness; to which God will say, “You will be one of the best sinners in Hell,”or, we can lay claim to the perfect goodness of Jesus Christ and spend eternity with our Creator.

Prayer

“I choose to not be one of the best sinners in Hell, Lord. Please, forgive the sin in my life. Thank You, Jesus, for taking that judgment in my place. Amen.”

 Into The Wind

May 25

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Several different models of planes sat on the launch deck of the USS Nimitz awaiting their turn to take off. There were A-10A Thunderbolts (Warthogs), F-14A Tomcats, and F/A-18A Hornets waiting for their turn at the catapult. Each had their mission orders and was ready to complete their sortie; they had trained for moments such as this.

Having received the order to launch operation, ‘No Fly’, Admiral Houser watched as the Helmsman carried out his order to turn the Nimitz into the wind and bring her to thirty-five knots.

Within minutes the floating runway’s wind detector signaled the first part of the maneuver had been completed. A mere one minute later ‘launch speed’ had been achieved and war planes began leaving the ship. In all, some fifty planes took flight on their way to accomplish their dangerous missions as the flight deck hummed with activity. Not one aircraft failed to take to the air for lack of sufficient headwind.

Some six hours later, having successfully completed their mission, a victorious group of fighter pilots returned to the deck of the USS Nimitz.

†

All major airports have multiple runways laid out in differing geographical directions so that the wind can be taken advantage of. Even small-craft airports with grass runways have windsocks to show wind direction. Why? Because a headwind makes it easier to launch an airplane into the sky. This same principle can work in our lives as well.

By facing the hardships in life instead of turning from them in frustration and defeat we can use each event to rise above the challenge it presents. Is it easy? No…facing adversity never is. Is it worth the effort? Yes…the view from above gives us better perspective and a brighter outlook. Is this always possible? Yes…but it’s a choice we must make with each ordeal that comes our way.

If you run with the wind you’ll never leave the ground. Want a lift? Turn around, into life's headwinds.

Prayer

“Lord, give me the strength to face my problems head-on. Teach me to use each trial to rise above the natural tendency to whine, quit, or admit defeat. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”