What Would You Do?

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

The ABC television channel has a program called “What Would You Do?” hosted by John Quinone’s.  Using hidden cameras, the producers of the program try to capture the behavior of ordinary citizens who are confronted by complex situations that require them to take action or mind their own business.  It is easy to become an armchair spectator who is shocked by those who choose to do nothing when a situation calls for action.  But what would you do if the hidden camera was turned on you?

Take an imaginary trip with me and consider this same question, “What would you do?”  Many of us wake up each morning with a clear sense of what each day holds.  Today is no different because we are going to be “busy.”  We are going to be busy at work, at home, getting children ready for school and busy with whatever else life throws at us.  But what would you do if in the midst of your “busy” day, you suddenly heard the sound of the trumpet and saw Jesus descending from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16) with his gaze fixed on you?  Think about it; would you be ready to go?  It sounds like a fairy tale doesn’t it?  It’s not a fairy tale, it’s the truth of God’s word.

Even though many pulpits have become silent about this topic, Jesus will come back in the same way, he went up to heaven (Acts 1:11).  In the meantime, we will face reality, complex dilemma’s and divine appointments that will require us to either take action or mind our own business.  We are not unsuspecting participants on a carefully crafted television show, but rather extraordinary beings (God’s handiwork), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  In addition, we have the Holy Spirit, to help us and guide us into God's truth.  So perhaps you will come across someone in need; or you will notice an unjust situation at the office; or you will hear about a heartbreaking situation in your hometown or in some other part of the world.  When these things happen in the middle of your “busy” day, what will you do?

Matthew writes, that one day “The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” So make today count.  Discard the “busy” and instead choose to be focused.  Slow down, listen, acknowledge, affirm, reflect, pray and be available.  Don’t miss the opportunity to serve Jesus with skin on, and should he come today, you can joyfully and confidently say, “I did it all for you.”

Loving and Gracious God, I give myself to you today.  Use me however you will.  Open my eyes that I may see what you see, my ears that I may hear what you hear, my heart, that it might break where yours breaks.  Move my feet where you want me to go and use my hands to heal, not to hurt.  Fill me afresh with your Spirit and let me spread grace and hope in your Holy name.  And when you come, may you find me faithful, Oh Lord.  Amen.

Choose Your Gate

Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7: 13-14

Life is about decisions, and decisions have consequences.  Abraham decided to go upstream by obeying God.  He left his home and a comfortable, familiar existence to go to a new and unfamiliar land, that God would show him, and God blessed him (Genesis 12:4).  Moses decided to obey God, even though he was not very confident about his abilities to lead the children of Israel (Exodus 3).  Jesus made the ultimate decision when he came to earth in the form of man, doing God’s bidding even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).  These and many others chose the narrow gate that leads to life.

But then there’s Judas, who floated downstream when he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).  How about the rich young ruler who went away sad, when Jesus asked him to sell everything and give it to the poor and then follow Jesus (Matthew 19:21-22).  Then think about Lot’s wife who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).  These characters and others who chose the wide path, floated downstream never to be heard of again.

Floating upstream is hard and painful work.  Floating upstream takes strength of character, commitment, heart and trust.  I watched the American women’s rowing team at the Rio Olympics recently and noticed these qualities in the women.  They chose a rhythm and a path and they stuck to it; trusting in the rhythm and in each other.  I saw how much strength they exerted into each stroke and I saw the sweat pour down their faces and backs.  They did not allow the early lead team to distract them, nor did they allow the cheering of the crowds to influence them, they had one thing in mind, to stay the course and row for the gold medal.  Their eyes and hearts were fixed on the prize and eventually they won the race!

Life is about choices.  Which gate are you choosing?  Broad is the gate that is filled with complacency, accommodation, opposition, and withdrawal from the responsibilities of our Christian faith. God’s word encourages you, me, all of us to choose the narrow gate.  The narrow gate is difficult and requires reliance and trust in the Holy Spirit.  It requires walking by faith.  His word exhorts us to run this race with our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and not to be swayed by the massive crowds floating downstream carried by the influence of this secular world.  We already know what happens to those who float downstream, so choose the narrow gate; choose the difficult gate that runs counter to this secular current.  Choose the gate that takes effort and perseverance while fixing your eyes on the prize.  Do not be deterred or distracted by those who succeed in their wicked ways (Psalm 37:7).  Whatever decisions you have to make this day, choose life because God in Christ has already chosen you and he says, if you remain in him as he remains in you, you've already won the race (John 15:4).

Loving and Gracious God, thank you for showing me the way of life through the choices you made.  Give me the strength to choose the narrow gate, to swim against the current of this secular world and to remember that you are always with me by the power of your Holy Spirit who lives in me.  I commit to you my choices today, may they bring glory and honor to you alone.  Thank you for choosing me.  In Jesus’ Holy name I pray, Amen!

The Promise Keeper

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

One afternoon two little girls were playing in the sand, when one said to the other, “I have 50 cents.”  The second girl responded skeptically, “I don’t think you do.”  The first girl clutched her fist tightly saying insisting, “I certainly do.”  So the second girl, challenged her, “Open up your fist, let me see your fifty cents.”  The first girl opened her fist slowly, while the other girl peered at her palm.  Suddenly she squealed, “I knew it, you only have 25 cents!”  Without missing a beat, the first girl replied, “You only see 25 cents, but I have 50 cents.  You see when my dad left for work this morning, he promised that upon his return he would give me another 25 cents and my daddy does not lie.”

The Bible is filled with the promises of God.  There are more than 3573 promises in all.  That’s at least 10 promises for each day of the year.  God’s promises are able to permeate every sphere of our lives.  In fact, they are ours through Jesus Christ.  You and I may not always experience the wealth and the depth of these promises because of our inability to comprehend such a deep mercy and love but they are available for each one of us by faith.  Sometimes we just have to wait while God perfects our character so that we are able to receive these promises with the right attitude.  Like the little girl in the story, waiting solidifies our trust in God, our Father, who is not a man that he should lie.

You may be struggling right now or you may be anxious and uncertain.  Whatever your situation, God has specific promises for you, most of all that through him, you may have abundant life (John 10:10).   The nay-sayers and the haters may challenge your belief and trust in God; the enemy may cloud your mind with doubt; those close to you may be skeptical about your faith, but you just hold on tightly to his promises for you in Christ Jesus for they are “Yes and Amen.” God will do just as he has promised.  In the meantime, walk by faith and not by sight because your God is a promise keeping God.

Father in heaven,  I thank you that you are a God who fulfills all your promises.  Today I choose to walk by faith, believing that your promises for me are already accomplished in Jesus Christ, my Savior.  As I walk in faith, make me an encourager of those whose faith is weak, so that they too may walk in your promises.  Amen!

Stewarding His Strength

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 8:26-27

I had been grieving for two weeks.  On this particular afternoon, I sat alone in a prayer room at my home church, hot tears coursing down my cheeks.  I was in anguish, exhausted and in shock.  The man I was planning to marry had just drowned in a swimming pool, and the news was too difficult for me to digest.  I felt completely alone in my pain even though I was an active and well-connected member of a megachurch.  Words could not contain my grief, instead, I groaned, the searing torment of my emotions gushing from deep inside me.

Suddenly, someone placed a hand on my right shoulder and gave me a reassuring pat.  I turned my tear-stained face towards the person expecting to see my senior pastor, and wondering why I did not hear the door open behind me when he came in.  There was no one there.  I was still alone, and yet the air had shifted in that room, someone was there!  I would bet my life on it.

Instead of fear, I felt strangely peaceful as a deep warmth began to spread from my shoulder (yes, the right one) to my heart.  I entered a deep calm and my mood shifted to a holy and quiet surrender to the gentle presence in that prayer room.  I cannot explain it, but I had an immediate sense that Jesus’ presence was in the room with me to reassure me that I was not alone and that he would be with me every step of the way in my grieving.  I knew that he was there to remind me of the hope that we have in him, through his resurrection.

I share my story to let you know, that the Holy Spirit is real, Jesus is real, our God is real.  This may be an extremely challenging time in your life, but it is also an opportune time for Jesus to help you.  In one of the darkest moments of my life he interceded for me and he can do the same for you.  If you’ve come to the end of yourself, let him take over and steer you where he wants you go.  Let go of the crutches, abandon the prayer formulas, abandon the plans and just be open and real about your situation then leave the rest to him.  You can’t, by your own power, change your situation, but you can open the door and allow God’s life-changing power to come in and change it for you through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Seek his face diligently and you will find him.

God of all comfort, I praise you today for who you are.  Your word says, you give strength to the weary.  Here I am broken and exhausted. Take over my life Lord, and lend me your strength.  Heal me of my weakness by the power of your Holy Spirit.  Empty me of myself, and fill me afresh with your Spirit.  I surrender my striving.  Have your own way in me and lead me in your good and perfect will.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen!

Be Thankful!

"Where Are the Other Nine?"

Luke 17:17

On a recent mission trip to Kenya, I marveled as little children danced excitedly because I had given them some free pencils; on another trip teenage girls screamed with joy because of a financial gift that allowed them to stay in school and receive an education; and in yet another situation old ladies broke into a traditional dance because they had received gifts of sugar and flour.  All these people who live with so little were quick to express deep and unbridled gratitude for the gifts they received.

Gratitude is such a beautiful and rich emotion and yet it doesn’t come easily to us.  We are more likely to complain about what we don’t have, and what’s not working.  But think about all the good and perfect gifts that God has already given to us.  Think about life, health, family, friends, all the basic necessities we need to survive, the abundance of the earth and the priceless relationship we have with our Savior Jesus Christ through the forgiveness of our sins, as well as the freedom to worship our God.  The list of blessings for which we should give thanks is endless.  Certainly, we may experience momentary hardships from time to time, and we may even experience devastating and prolonged challenges, but overall, when we begin to count our blessings in him and through him, we will discover that they far surpass the negative situations we encounter in life.

In the story about the healing of the ten lepers, Luke reports that only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus.  When this happened, Jesus expressed amazement that only one had returned to thank him.  “Were not all ten cleansed?” he asked.  “Where are the other nine?”  Jesus’ question is rhetorical, and emphasizes the fact that many of us often forget to say, “thank you” for the God-given gifts we receive.  Jesus also noted that the only one who returned to give thanks was a Samaritan, a race despised by the Jewish people.  Isn’t it interesting, that often it is those who have the least in life that seem the most grateful?   Jesus’ response to the one who came back clearly shows that he wants and waits for us to express gratitude.  He waits expectantly for us to return to him with a spirit of gratitude and when we forget to do so, he wonders where we are spiritually even as he wondered about the other nine lepers.

For believers, cultivating thankfulness is a direct command from God (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 105:1; Psalm 118: 1-18; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3: 15-17; Philippians 4:6).  A spirit of gratitude honors God and strengthens our faith.  It also strengthens our relationship with other people.  So today ask yourself, how often do I express gratitude to God and to other people?  Is God wondering where you are?  Do your acquaintances know how grateful you are for them?  Meister Eckert, a German theologian once said, “If the only prayer you said was, “Thank you” that would be enough.”

You may be facing tall mountains and deep valleys today, be thankful anyway, Jesus is right there with you.

Generous Father, you have promised to withhold no good thing from those who trust in you.  Thank you for your generosity poured out upon me and for all the gifts you have given to me, especially for the gifts of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Thank you for sustaining me through the power of your Spirit and protecting me through the years.  Thank you for meeting all my needs and for guiding my steps through your holy word.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Help me to wake up each day, grateful for what you mean to me.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Watch and Pray!

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation...”

Matthew 26: 40

There are many frightening and disheartening things happening in our world today.  It is easy to get distracted.  Jesus instructed his disciples to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation. It is tempting to spend time chatting idly about what is going on politically; it is tempting to chit-chat about the critical social and financial issues affecting our nation; it is tempting to spend all our time pursuing those pleasures and activities that distract our minds from the frightening realities around us, but Jesus says, “watch and pray.”

Jesus found it necessary to go before the Father daily to pray.  Even though he was fully divine, he was also fully human and therefore faced temptations common to humanity.  Jesus prayed because he had a mission to fulfill, and he was going to achieve this mission in partnership with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed early, to demonstrate to us how we ought to be in times like this, not distracted or frightened, but focused.  Jesus prayed to demonstrate to us that we can do no good thing on this earth, apart from him (John 15:5).

Jesus calls us to watch (to be observant, to note) the things that are going on around us.  These happenings tell us what season we are in. Just as it is possible to tell that summer is near when one sees a fig tree put out its leaves (Matthew 24:32), it is possible to tell the urgent nature of our current times; it is possible to tell that it is time to look to the hills from whence our only true and lasting help comes (Psalm 121: 1-2).  Jesus calls us to watch him and to turn our eyes to him in times like this, and as Helen H. Lemmel (1992) discovered in the hymn “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.   

Jesus also calls us to pray, (to talk to him, reflect in his presence, listen to him and worship him).  Prayer strengthens us and aligns our will to his good and perfect will for us.  Prayer reminds us that we are not alone in these happenings, because we have a loving Father who is our rock and our refuge, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). 

Today, Jesus invites you again to watch and pray.  He invites you to turn your gaze upon him, no matter what else is going on in your life or in your world. Jesus invites you to discern the times and not to be frightened or distracted, but focused only on him.  Jesus reminds you to shelter in him, your ever present help in trouble.  So start your day off right, watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation.

Loving God, thank you for reminding me that I am secure in your care.  Give me the discipline to watch and pray while it is called today.  Show me your good and perfect will for my life today and help me to be focused only what you require me to do for the sake of your kingdom and for your glory.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Are You Plugged In?

“I am the vine. You are the branches.  If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit.  You can’t do anything without me.” 

John 15:5

Have you noticed that without power food in your fridge goes bad?  Have you experienced the discomfort of a warm summer night when your air conditioner is not working?  Have you ever stubbed your little toe while trying to navigate a dark room because there was no power?  Without power things within us and around us can go downhill pretty fast, especially in this modern technologically driven age.  While training in Chaplaincy at a local hospital, I noticed that there was an alternate power source that kicked in when the main power source went down.  Hospital administrators understood that the lives of the patients depended on this steady source of energy supply, and that without it many patients would die or contract dangerous bacteria that could eventually kill them.

To live victorious Christian lives we must be plugged into the power source. Jesus is our power source.  Jesus reminds us that he is the vine and we are the branches and in order to be fruitful we must remain connected to him.  The branches can only be heathy and strong, as they receive life giving sap from the vine.  Apart from the vine, they become brittle and eventually break off and die.  Bearing spiritual fruit is not about us working hard through our own efforts, it is about God working his good works through us.  The moment we unplug from the power source and act as though it is about us, Christian passion fizzles out or goes bad, and we may even become resentful concerning the demands being placed on us and then we are only fit to be cut down and thrown away.

From experience, I know when I am unplugged from the power source.  I find it hard to pray and I feel unmotivated to engage in spiritual activities or I attend to them as mere tasks to be ticked off my long list of “to do’s”.  When this happens, I check my connection by going back to the place where I first received Jesus; where Jesus loved me just as I was and he reminds me again of his love for me and of his desire to be in relationship with me and I am renewed and restored.  When we are disconnected from the power source, we fumble, we stumble and we struggle or we become completely lethargic in spiritual things.  There are many things in life vying for our attention.  If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times, “I am so busy.”   These obligations can, from time to time, create a circuit overload that disrupts our power source. 

Jesus says to you today, “I am the vine. You are the branches.  If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit.  You can’t do anything without me.”  Are you exhausted?  Are you frazzled?  Does life seem overwhelming to you right now?  Check your power source. God wants you to be plugged in to him because when you are plugged in, there may be an occasional jolt or surge, but being connected to the power supply helps to take care of the overload and your spiritual system will keep humming along and bearing fruit just as God intended.  God wants you to put first things, first.  Remember Mary and Martha?  Martha was frazzled by all the things that needed to be done, but Mary chose to sit at the savior’s feet.  Jesus says to Martha, “Martha, Martha,”...”you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42).”  Choose to be Mary; make time to sit at the savior’s feet so that you might be renewed and restored, for only that which you do for Christ will last.

Loving God, your word says that we are your “workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which you prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10)” Give us a deeper appreciation for what this means, and help us to remain plugged in to you, as we do your work here on earth.  Remind us again through the power of your Holy Spirit that our goal in life should be to please you, for we must one day appear before the judgment seat, to give an account of the things done while in this body (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why me Lord, Why?

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9a

Have you ever been so burdened by life’s hardships that you’ve wondered, “Why me?”  Have you ever gone through such a painful experience it’s left you feeling orphaned and alone?  Have you encountered such deep loss you’re wondering how you are going to make it, or what the purpose of the suffering might be because it seems so useless?  Well you’re not alone.

The Bible is filled with characters who reached varied levels of desperation during the course of their spiritual journeys.  Consider Moses, who returned from meeting with God at the top of the mountain only to find that he had lost his congregation to the worship of the golden idols (Exodus 32).  What about Elijah who was so depressed and desperate when Jezebel came after him that he told God he wanted to die (1 Kings 19).  Think about Job and all the losses he suffered, not to mention the friends who burdened him with faulty theology in the midst of his suffering, and the wife who urged him to commit suicide (Job 2:9).  Or imagine how the psalmist must have been feeling when he lamented about his situation (Psalm 22).  Now think about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42).  You are definitely not alone in this.

I came across a true story of a young woman named Brenda who received an invitation to go mountain climbing with friends.  Even though she was deathly afraid, she took up the challenge, put on her gear and went climbing.  Half way up the face of the mountain, her safety rope snapped knocking her contact lens out of her eye.  There she hung suspended midway with several hundred feet of mountain above her and several hundred below her.  Brenda looked for her lens on the ledge of the rock where she had stopped for a breather but could not find it.  She was desperate and upset as she continued her blurry ascent to the top of the mountain. Along the way she prayed that God would help her find the lens.  She hoped it was stuck to her clothes. 

When Brenda arrived at the top of the mountain, a friend looked all over her clothes but there was no lens to be found.  Tired and upset, Brenda looked out across the wide range of mountains thinking of the Bible verse that says, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”  Brenda thought to herself, “Lord, you can see across all these mountains.  You know where every stone, every leaf, and every piece of sand is placed.  You know where my contact lens is.  Please help me.”

As Brenda’s party descended down the trail, they came across another party of climbers.  As they passed each other, someone from the other party shouted, “Hey!  Did any of you lose a contact lens?”  As startling as that question was, what happened to the lens was more startling.  The climber reported that he had seen an ant slowly moving across the face of the rock carrying the lens.

Later, upon hearing this incredible story, Brenda’s father, a cartoonist drew a picture of an ant carrying a contact lens with the caption under the picture that read, “Lord, I don’t know why you want me to carry this thing.  I can’t eat it and it’s awfully heavy.  But if this is what you want me to do, I will carry it for you.”

Perhaps you are feeling like that ant today.  God may be asking you to do something right now that feels like a heavy load.  It may feel like it is weighing you down.  You may not be able to see any good in it.  Carry it any way and trust that God who sees all and knows all is up to something good.

Loving Father, I cast my cares upon you.  Remind me each day that your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.  Give me grace to carry this load with a spirit of obedience and with the kind of faith that reminds me, you are up to something good.  Amen!

God Still Speaks!

He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 11:15

One of the most common questions I hear Christians asking is this, “How will I know when God is speaking to me?”  This is a logical question.  We live in a very noisy world and it can be difficult to identify God’s voice in the midst of the cacophony of noises.  Turn on some Christian radio or television stations and you will probably hear about, and see some of the strange practices that are taking place among Christians.  There are those who chase after modern day 'prophets' hoping that they will receive revelation from these shepherds about what God is saying to them.  Other spiritual teachers promote manmade rituals and formulas that they claim will guarantee clear communication from God.  A word of caution here, you will find what you are looking for.  Or to quote my pastor who teaches it a little more poetically, “Those who follow sheep, get poo-poo on their feet.”  Instead follow the Shepherd.  He talks to his sheep all the time concerning his redemptive purpose and his sheep know his voice.

The Bible is filled with examples of God speaking to ordinary people at different times, revealing his will to them.  We know he spoke to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; He spoke to Abraham, Moses and Joshua among many others on a number of occasions in the Old Testament.  Hebrews 1:1 indicates that after the fall, God spoke to his people through the prophets in the Old Testament, and has now spoken to New Testament believers through his Son, Jesus Christ. God is a God who still speaks to his people through the Holy Spirit and he is capable of doing so in any way he chooses.  If we listen diligently to his Word, we too will soon discover that God’s voice is entwined all through scripture.

In Matthew 11:15, Jesus strongly admonishes a generation, where many had lost the art of listening to God and lacked spiritual understanding, to pay attention to what God was saying.  There is urgency in the admonition, “He who has ears, let him hear.” This same urgent admonition is relevant to our generation.  Sadly, many are distracted by all the sheep noises around them, while others have lost the art of listening.  In the meantime, because of his love for us, God is urging us to listen to his Word.  He is urging us to seek his wisdom in dealing with the indigestible chaos of our world.

Today, we have the privilege of seeking him afresh and hearing him speak even through this devotional.  How can we hear God speak?   We can hear God speak when we spend time reading his Word.  It becomes a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).  We can hear him speak when we pray under the guidance of his Spirit.  His Spirit helps us distinguish his promptings (Ephesians 6:18).  We can hear him speak when we worship him.  Worship makes God bigger than anything we might face; worship ushers believers into his glorious presence (Exodus 25:22).  And we can hear him speak when we deliberately seek to rest quietly in his presence; it is then that it becomes easier to distinguish his still small voice in the quietness of our hearts.  Without God’s voice, we are left confused and disempowered.  But the more we learn to detect God’s voice, we are emboldened and courageous because we are reminded he is in control.

What's going on in your life today?  What' on your schedule and what voices are invading your space?  Whom are you listening to?  No matter how rushed or how busy you feel right now, take time to read his Word, pray, worship him and be still before him.  Can you hear him now?

Loving God, thank you for your Word through which you speak to me, and to all believers.  Remind us of the urgency of the present time in our lives, and give us wisdom to redeem this time through the work you have entrusted to us.  Remind us again, that we are in the world but not of the world.  Continue to guide us through the presence and power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Time to Take Back

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

Matthew 11:12

Recently, I watched an online video showing a shocking kidnap attempt of a 13 year old girl from a local dollar store.  When the girl’s mother realized what was happening, she jumped into action to save her daughter.  As the mother and kidnapper engaged in a tug-of-war over the young girl, the kidnapper would not let go, but neither would the mother.  She hang tightly to her daughter’s leg with a vicelike grip as the man in the video continued to drag the two women towards the exit.   Eventually, the mother’s determination to save her daughter, along with her screams for help, paid off.   She scared the man out of the store where he was soon arrested by an off-duty cop.

The   writer of the gospel of Matthew says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.  For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.”  The writer is talking about the transition from prophecy to the work of the Messiah which John preached.  John was now saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  John’s message of humility and repentance angered the religious leaders of the day who thought of themselves as the most important asset to God.  Despite their violent rejection of John’s message and the witness of the Scriptures, John responded with equal “violence”; that is with meekness, with courage and with determination, to the point of losing his head when Herodias’ daughter asked for John the Baptist’s head to be brought to her on a platter so she could give it to her mother.  We know who won the battle here.  Today the message of Jesus Christ continues to be preached around the world, because John the Baptist and the other disciples stood their ground in Jesus’ name.  Satan lost, God won.

The kingdom of heaven continues to suffer violence from those who scoff at the idea of an Omnipotent God.  It suffers violence from those who do not want to obey God but instead want to maintain their positions in this life.  Perhaps you are experiencing such opposition even now in your place of work, from your family or even from your friends.  It is easy to feel discouraged and give up.  It is easy to want to throw in the towel.  But friend, don’t do it!   Like the woman in the dollar store, it is time to maintain a vicelike grip on the promises of God.  Like the disciples before us it is time to take God at his word (Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 41:10).  It is time to stand firm in Jesus’ name and to retrieve what the enemy has taken from you.  Take back your position in Jesus (Romans 8:37); Take back your capability (Philippians 4:13); take back your possessions (Philippians 4:19); take back your peace (Isaiah 26:3); take back your inheritance in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s time to let the enemy know, you will put up a fight and you intend to win in accordance with the promises of God through his Son, Jesus Christ (Revelations 12:11).

The woman in the video store was determined to save her child, and she did.  John the Baptist was determined to remain faithful to the Messiah and his determination paid off.  How much more tenacious should we be; we, for whom Jesus died?  Today ask God to show you areas of your life where you have relinquished ownership to the enemy, then ask God for the courage to fight and take back what is yours in him.

Faithful God, you are my rock and refuge, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore, I will not fear though the earth be removed and the mountain be carried into the midst of the sea.  Give me courage to follow you, no matter what comes my way.  Lead me by your Holy Spirit into the green pastures that you have prepared for me.  Through Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen.

Who is your Daddy?

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows is God in his holy habitation.

Psalm 68:5

June 19th, 2016 marks Father’s Day in America, and many will celebrate their dads with a special card, a festive meal, with gifts, with hugs and with special family outings.  These will be the lucky ones.  For others, Father’s Day brings painful remembrances of a cavernous vacuum in their lives left by a father or husband who deserted the family, or by a father or husband who died.  Honoring our fathers and mothers is the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12).   It is also the commandment that promises a long life to the children of Israel, but also to us.  But dads, however great and loving they may be, are fallible. 

There’s one dad, one Father, who is different.  He is infallible.  He is the Father we can all unite to celebrate today and every day.  He is the Creator of the universe.  He brought everything into existence through his will and power (Genesis 1:1-31).  He is the life giver; all life was created by and is dependent on him (Genesis 2:7).  He is Spirit; distinct from all creation (Exodus 20:4).  He is Omnipresent; present in all places and at all times (Hebrews 13:5f).  He is Omniscient; he knows all things (Zechariah 4:10) including knowledge about your future (Daniel 2:28).  He is Omnipotent; capable of doing all things.  He is Sovereign; he reigns over all creation and all that occurs in it (Matthew 10:29).  He is incomprehensible; he cannot be fully known (Philippians 4:7).  He is the Eternal God who has no beginning and no end (Genesis 1:1).  He is Self-Existent; He has life within himself and is not dependent on any other (Exodus 3:14).  He is immutable (Genesis 8:22), perfect (Romans 12:2), incomparable (Exodus 15:11), and good (Nahum 1:7).  This Father is Holy and separate from all else, especially from evil (Psalm 22:3).  He is righteous and just (Matthew 6:33) and he is judge over all creation (Romans 1:32).  He is the Father of grace, mercy and love; he gives us what we need rather than what we deserve (Jonah 3:10-4:2).

Some call him Elohim; the Creator, Mighty and Strong (Genesis 17:7), others call him El Shaddai, our God Almighty (Genesis 49:24), still others call him Adonai, our Lord (Genesis 15:2). Then there are those who call him Jehovah, our LORD (Deuteronomy 6:4).  He is the one who provides for us (Genesis 22:14), the one who heals our diseases (Exodus 15:26), our banner who leads us to victory (Exodus 17:25), the one who sanctifies us and makes us Holy (Leviticus 20:8).  He is our peace (Judges 6:24), and also our good Shepherd, the one who walks besides us tending to our needs and protecting us from harm (Psalm 23:1).

Today, just call him Father, because he is able to meet you exactly where you are.  He is the one who sits in his Holy habitation, and yet is near you providing all that you need whether it be sustenance, protection or comfort.  He is the Father who remembers and preserves those who are fatherless.  He is the Father who comforts the widows pursuing justice on their behalf.  He is the Father who has power to still any storm you may be facing.  So put your trust in Him and praise him for what he means to you, for what he has done for you and for what he promises to do for you.  He says, he will preserve the fatherless, and garner the trust of the widows (Psalm 68:5).  He is the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last (Revelations 22:13); unmoved, unchanged and never undone; he reigns to bring peace and to fill that cavernous vacuum in your heart with his presence.  Today, you and I can celebrate Father’s Day, because we belong to him.  We can celebrate Father’s Day, because he has promised that we who believe in Him, will one day reign with him, in his Holy habitation where we will live forever and forever in his Holy presence.  This Father will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  He is your daddy and you can rest and rejoice in Him.

Loving Father, thank you for loving me and calling me to yourself.  Thank you for forgiving my sin through your son Jesus Christ.  Thank you for giving me new life through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.  And thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to be my guide on my journey towards you.  Receive honor, glory and majesty on this Father’s Day, because there is none like you.  I love you and worship you.  Amen.

Sin's Allure

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.

Psalm 12: 1-2

Have you ever observed the way a fly gets trapped in a spider’s web?  Often the fly lands gently and smoothly on the silky surface of the web.  The problem begins when the fly tries to take off.   Only then does it realize that its legs are stuck.  As the fly struggles to free itself the more entangled it gets.  There’s no Hollywood ending here, eventually the fly becomes the spider’s meal. 

The seduction of sin is like a spider’s web.  It seems harmless at first; it may even appear attractive until we land in it and then it begins to wrap its sticky, suffocating, and life draining tentacles around us until we are completely devoid of the life-giving breath of the Spirit of God.  We become a people who have a form of godliness, but deny its power over our lives (2 Timothy 3:5).  Like the fly, we become victims; victims to Satan’s deceitfulness.  No one is immune.  Jesus is the only one who was fully human yet sinless.

The psalmist cries out to God concerning an environment that is toxic and devoid of God’s Spirit.  It teems with religious behavior, flattery and deception.  It is an environment where people have just enough religion to “pass” but each one harbors idols in their hearts.  True faithfulness is no more and it appears that those who are loyal to God have vanished from the human race.

The psalmist might as well have been crying out about our world.  There are strong similarities here about the human race.  It is easy to be discouraged and to wonder whether there is anyone faithful left.  Perhaps you have found yourself crying out like him lately.  You’ve cried out as you’ve looked at your family, your office, your church, your neighborhood and your world.  Maybe like the prophet Isaiah you’ve proclaimed your woes over an environment that calls evil good and good evil, an environment that puts darkness for light and light for darkness, or has exchanged bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (para. Isaiah 5:20).  Maybe you've been distressed over an environment that appears to have fallen captive to Satan's deception.

God’s word is a source of comfort to the psalmist in his time of turmoil, “the Lord himself promises protection declaring he will keep the needy safe (Ps.12:5-7).” The psalmist reminds the needy to groan to God in their distress.  God always answers the prayer of the oppressed.  Whatever the case may be for you today, be encouraged in the Lord, his arm is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1).

So today, groan before God in your distress before God.  He will answer you and keep you safe.  Take comfort in the fact that no matter how cunning he becomes, Satan will eventually be defeated; Only God will endure victoriously and forever over every principality and power that tries to ensnare the children of God.  And may God’s word comfort you today.

Heavenly Father, intervene where wickedness abounds, expose the works of the enemy in the lives of your people.  Begin with me, and grant me peace so that I may live to serve you without distraction.  Protect me from the cunningness of the enemy and let your word be a lamp unto my feet.  You have overcome Satan.  You have overcome the world. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

God's Battle

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

1 Samuel 17:47

In 1927 the Great Mississippi Flood occurred bringing with it destruction, desolation despair, and heartbreakingly, even death.  The Mississippi River broke out of its levee system in 145 places flooding 27,000 square miles and killing 246 people in seven states. Just think about the emotional and psychological impact on the people who witnessed the devastation.  At the time the Army Corp of Engineers was charged with building a better levee system that would withstand any future floods.  The flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in United States history until Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Perhaps you can remember what that was like.  It was shocking in every sense of the word.  More than 80 years later, American engineers are still trying to find the perfect levee that will withstand such devastating force.

Life, as we know it today seems like a constant struggle to conquer faltering levees that fail to protect us against all kinds of floods.  We are constantly confronted with financial, social, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual levees that crumble around us leaving us vulnerable to the menacing floods of our time.  It seems as though the more we shore up, the stronger the currents get.  Many people are anxious, confused and helpless as they constantly chase after a perfect solution to the problems they face.  Could it be that there is nothing we can do to protect ourselves?  Could it be that there are no perfect solutions; that perhaps there are things only an Almighty God can solve? In spite of our best efforts to stem life’s many tides, havoc rules our world and the foundations of our lives continue to tremble and quake increasing our uncertainty concerning the future. 

The Psalmist experienced similar struggles and after much wrestling realizes, sometimes the best thing we can do is to be still in him and know that he is God.  The psalmist realizes that the notion that we are in control of our lives is a mere illusion.  God is the one in control; he always has been, and he always will be.  Our efforts to conquer these floods cannot be done without his guidance and help.  His voice alone can calm any raging storm and it is in the stillness that we are able to recognize this truth.  Moses stood still and saw God part the waters; Daniel stood still and saw God shut the mouth of the lions; Mary became still and saw the power of God come to fulfilment through her and David stood still and slew Goliath.  These heroes of our faith demonstrated to us that sometimes we just need to be still and hide in God, our refuge and strength, because he alone has the power to calm the storms that threaten to overwhelm us. 

Perhaps you are facing your very own faltering levees, you have cried and struggled and prayed and sighed and cried again and you are wondering whether there is anything you can do to stem the tide.  You are not alone and you are not defeated.  Things may look bleak right now but have faith, God is at work behind the scenes.  Speaking to his disciples in John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  The disciples were about to face challenging times, but Jesus gave them assurance that they were not alone and neither are you.  Continue to walk by faith and not by sight and wait on Him.  Today you have two choices:  to continue struggling and fighting as you’ve always done to find the perfect solution to your problem, or to surrender the burden wholly to him and be still because the battle belongs to him.  Choose him.

Dear God, forgive us for times we trusted in our own strength.  Help us to put our trust in you, wholly and completely.  Teach us to be still so that we may hear you, despite the raging floods.  Today we ask that you would comfort those who are overwhelmed by the storms of life.  AMEN.

That Name!

“I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands”

 1 Samuel 17:45-46

“What’s in a name?”  Juliet asks in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”  The implication here is that names don’t matter but this is not entirely true.  There is one name that matters for you and me today, and every day.  And that name is, Jesus.  His is the name that is above every other name.  It is the first and the last.  It was, it is and always will be.

Someone has written a song regarding this name which says:

His name is higher than any other; His name is Jesus, His name is Lord
His name is Wonderful; His name is Counselor
His name is Prince of Peace; The mighty God
His name is higher than any other; His name is Jesus, His name is Lord.

The songwriter obviously understands that there is power in Jesus’ name.  It is the kind of power that causes demons to shudder (James 2:19), it is the name that causes every knee to bow (Romans 14:11), sinners are cleansed through his name (John 3:16), the dead are raised to life through his name (Matthew 9:18-26).  When we cannot utter anything else, we can just say, “Jesus!”  His name represents all that he is to us, all that he has done for us and all that he has promised to do for us.

When life begins to unravel whom do you turn to first?  Your mother, your father, your friends, your pastor, your doctor?  There is nothing wrong with these options, we are social beings, but first and foremost God wants us to confront our challenges, fears, shame, rejection, guilt and sense of inadequacy in no other name but in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior.  If we get the order right, we will discover the power in that name!

David was just a youth and yet he knew that there was power in the name of God and so despite what he saw with his own two eyes; that physically he was no match for Goliath, he was able to use his faith in that name to challenge Goliath.  This bold move gave him victory over the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17:47).

Elijah was just an ordinary man with no stated ancestry as many of the other prophets and personalities of the Bible and yet he tapped into God’s name, challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah on Mt. Carmel, and won (1 Kings 18: 36-37).

Moses lacked confidence in his speaking and leadership abilities and did not believe he could lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.  God promised that his name and his presence would be with him, and Elijah believed, rose up to the challenge, and succeeded in the task that God had set before him (Exodus 3: 11-14).

There is power in the name of Jesus and our faith in his name can accomplish great and mighty deeds.  If demons can appreciate and acknowledge this power, how much more should we do so as children of God?  When God calls us to himself he is saying, “All that is mine is yours, and all that is yours is mine.”  So what’s on your mind today?  What issues and complexities are you dealing with?  Jesus says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)”.  That’s a promise, and we know that God is not a man that he should lie. 

Today, spend time in his presence worshipping him, call upon that name, the name of Jesus.  Enjoy his presence and wait for him.

Jesus, your name is holy.  Your name is glorious.  Your name is everlasting.  You alone are worthy.  You alone are majestic.  You alone are good.  We surrender all to you today; our joys, our cares, our failures our challenges, our very lives.  in that Holy and Precious name of Jesus!  Amen.

Trust in a Time of Doubt

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” 

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

In the winter of 2010, I began to feel God leading me to embrace the role of mentoring young girls and women for the Kingdom of God.  Although I felt a clear leading from God, I did not have any idea as to where I should begin.  I confess, I am still figuring this out.  After taking several tentative steps in the direction of God’s leading, I began to experience a series of extraordinary events and circumstances that can only be called, God-ordained.  After a while, these occurrences became so pronounced that I had no doubt that God was illuminating my path one step at a time.

In one of these instances, I ran into someone I had only met once before, and in response to his inquiry about what I was up to, I shared what God had placed upon my heart, and right there, he gave me his business card, and said, “I am in.”  I had not even extended an invitation to him yet, and I wasn’t even thinking of doing so at that stage of my emerging journey, but apparently God had done so in the span of time it took to narrate my story.  Immediately, I understood Proverbs 3: 5-6, and what it means to “lean not on our own understanding.”  This positive response to my vision did not make sense, and yet, it seemed like a confirmation that this dream was going to be God’s doing and not mine.  Since then, God has interrupted my painstakingly thought out processes over and over again to let me know, he’s in control.  I am learning to surrender to His leading.

The writer of the book of Proverbs exhorts us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart.”  Why the heart?  Jeremiah gives us an answer, “It is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9a).  And therefore to surrender the heart is to let go of all our crutches.  It is to be completely vulnerable.  You see it is tempting to trust in one’s position, title, history, experience, knowledge, skills, possessions, qualifications, connections and strategies among other things, and yet where do all these come from, if not from the hand of God?  The path of trust is not an easy one, it is lonely, it is hard and it is filled with self-doubt and the discouraging voices of others, even discouragement from other believers.  But just because your vision takes a different path from someone else’s, does not mean it is wrong, or that God is absent.  It simply means that God has mapped out a unique path for you.

The path of trust runs counter to all the modern three-step, ten-step or twelve-step “process books” that give us a clear path from A-Z.  Walking in trust, means being willing to be ridiculed and abandoned for not following society’s well-defined paths to success.  It sometimes means being willing to take the jagged and winding path, and by doing so, learning precious lessons that only God can teach.  It means being willing to completely surrender the reins to your heavenly Father, and trusting him to guide you one step at a time into the unknown.  It means being open to making mistakes and by doing so, gaining valuable spiritual knowledge and experience.

Are you facing a situation that has left you lonely and afraid?  Trust him!  Is it hard to keep going when you cannot see round the bend?  Trust him!  Today the Lord reminds you through Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.”  As difficult and as impossible as your situation might seem right now, seek to acknowledge Him in all your ways and he will direct your path.  God alone sees into the future, and if we focus our eyes on him, he will lead us there.  Few of us have the discipline required to “let go and let God.”  I know I struggle with relinquishing control and perhaps you do too, but the admonition in Proverbs is to hand over the reins to God and trust that even in moments of uncertainty and vulnerability, he whose thoughts and ways are higher than ours could ever be, is directing our paths with the goal of achieving his divine design for our lives. Gradually, as you walk in trust, you will begin to see patterns that point to the fact that God is at work in your situation.”

May you experience his leading today as you trust him and follow him down uncommon pathways. 

Father, I trust you.  I know you will guide and protect me as I obey your will.  Teach me to decrease, so that you might increase in me.  I want more of you and less of me, so that glory may go only to you.  May your holy spirit guide me along the path.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

As the World Trembles

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

In 1834 Edward Mote wrote these words, “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand all other ground is sinking sand.”  182 years later I find myself responding with a resounding, “Amen!”  These words are as true today, as they were back then.  The foundations of our world are changing at an ever increasing pace, and these changes are only going to speed up.  The foundations are trembling in every sphere, politically, socially, financially and spiritually.  When the earth beneath our feet begins to tremble, what should the righteous do?

Perhaps you are even now, at this moment, wondering how you will make your current situation work?  The people you relied upon have let you down; the beliefs you once held are being challenged; the things that gave you pleasure before have lost their attraction and the hopes, dreams and plans that seemed so certain and achievable just a little while ago, have frayed at the edges and are beginning to unravel right before your eyes.  When your world begins to shake, what should you do?

First recognize that God is the immovable fortress on which you stand.  It is he that does the keeping.  You can do nothing to protect yourself apart from him.  He is the jealous and valiant protector whose eyes are always on the righteous.  He is the God of whom the Psalmist says, ‘He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber (121:3).  There’s a certainty and definite quality to what God will do when your world trembles, God will keep you in perfect peace.  That’s his promise to you today.

Secondly reach out for God’s hand.  When my son was learning how to roller-skate he kept falling to the ground because he could not maintain his balance on the slippery floor.  I noticed though, that every time the teacher took his hand, my son was able to remain upright.  His teacher’s firm hand helped him adjust his balance as he leaned on his teacher to steady himself.  Reaching for God’s hand means walking constantly in obedience; it means abiding in the Word and leaning on him to regain balance when the trembling sets in.  Obedience attracts God’s protection.  Put your hand in his hand and let him guide you over the shaky waters.

Lastly, rest in him.  God will keep you in perfect peace when you trust in him.  He will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is steadfast; when you have determined in advance that you have no other option, but him.  As the foundations of this earthly life tremble and as our earth begins to quake, trust in Him and in his Holy Word.  He is the Prince of Peace.  He is your peace.  He alone causes your anchor to hold in spite of the storm that may be raging within you or around you. 

As the world trembles, what should the righteous do?  Recognize, reach and rest.  It will get worse, before it gets better but because of his great love, he has given those who trust in him a heads up.  Heaven and earth (everything) will pass away, only his words will remain (Matthew 24:35).  Edward Mote was right.  “On Christ, the solid Rock, we stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Gracious Father, you have called me to walk by faith and not by sight.  Help me to let go of the crutches of this physical life, so that I can be free to take your hand.  Lead me and guide me through my current circumstances.  I surrender every anxiety to you knowing that you love me and care for me, and no matter what comes my way, I will trust in you.  Amen.

It's Mother's Day!

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

(Matthew 7:11)

It’s Mother’s Day!  A day to celebrate our mothers, and all those women who bring meaning into our lives.  We take a moment to celebrate mom’s sacrificial love, her tenderness, her guidance and her willingness to always put us first. Many will honor their mom today with a special card, a hug, flowers, chocolate, perfume, a special gesture such as breakfast in bed, or with that once in a lifetime memento.  Take a moment to thank the Father who gave you such an incredible gift in your mother.  You didn’t even ask, but He gave you one of the best mothers anyway.  That's just who He is.

But wait, there are others for whom this day will be bittersweet.  It’s a different kind of Mother’s Day, a Mother’s Day without mom.  For some, the grief journey may have brought you to a place of acceptance and rest in God, but for others it may still be a painful day for you.  You may feel alone, empty, angry at God, you might even still be actively grieving…but celebrate mom anyway.  Yes, through your tears celebrate her.  Remembering is a part of healing.  So celebrate the essence of who she was; celebrate the memories, the laughter, the hugs and all the significant moments in-between.  Celebrate the privilege of calling her mom.  It was a privilege, right?  Then tell your Father about her, what you miss the most..., honor her.

Then there are those for whom the name ‘mom’ triggers deep sadness; it triggers a sense of failure and rejection, a profound and utter sense of feeling unwanted and unloved.  Mom may have chosen alcohol, drugs, or prostitution and life on the street, even herself over you.  And while her choices reveal that life is complicated and that we live in a fallen world; and while those choices are tragic, they do not determine your worth to the One who loves you the most; the One who thinks you are the most incredible human being in the world; the One who declares you are beautifully and wonderfully made.  He is the loving Father who today reminds you that He gives good gifts to those who ask him. So tell Him what you need.

I am reminded lastly, of a final group; the ones who suffer deeply and quietly.  You have longed for a baby for many years, but your arms are still empty.  Or perhaps you held your baby briefly, but your baby died.  Mother’s Day brings up a torrent of emotions for you.  Your heavenly Father says, “Be still, and rest in me.  I will get you through this day.  I am here.  I am the One who makes not just this day, but every day worth living.  Ask for what you need and do not get tired of asking.  Seek me and you will find peace.  Knock and watch me open the floodgates of heaven’s blessings on your behalf.”

So wherever this day finds you, whether in celebration or lament, take a moment to thank your heavenly Father for His faithfulness.  Take a moment to thank Him for meeting you where you are; asking, seeking or knocking.  He means what He says.  He gives good gifts to those who ask.

Loving and Gracious God, thank you for those who perform the sacred role of mother.  Thank you for my mother, I am deeply grateful for her today and every day.   Thank you for mothers across the world.  We commit them to you today with the understanding that it is a tougher world in which to raise children.  So give them your Holy Word, your wisdom, your strength, your tenderness and your love.  Draw close to those mothers and children who need your forgiving and comforting embrace today.  Hold them in your everlasting arms and give them your peace.  Amen.

Looking for Jesus

"Everyone is looking for you!"

(Mark 1:37)

Can you believe 2016 is already a quarter of the way through?  How are those resolutions and intentions going for you?  What was that goal again?  Many of us look for things every day, but we quickly give up, only to go in search of something else.  Consider how casual it has become to go from one relationship to another; how easily our children and grandchildren talk of “breaking up” friendships and then beginning another.  They are searching for something; we are searching too, for beauty, health, rest, longevity?  Everyone is constantly searching for something.

You see, it does not matter what we call them: resolutions, solutions or intentions.  The larger question is “Why?”  Why are we in this constant search and pursuit?  Nothing is wrong with exercising more regularly, eating healthier meals, or connecting with family and friends more frequently.  In fact, these are commendable goals.  But what exactly are we looking for?  What are we trying to fill?  If it were just things we needed, we would all have had our fill by now, and yet year after year we keep going back for more. Could it be that we are looking for something more, and that true contentment will only come when we find it?

Bishop Augustine (354-430) may have given us a great clue about this.  In his spiritual autobiography, Confessions, the Bishop writes: “Lord, you have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.” (Confessions 1.1.1.)  Human hearts are constantly seeking, “restless,” until we find “rest” in God.  We were created to seek after God and all our seeking is a symptom of a much greater hunger.

 Almost a millennium later, Blaise Pascal (1623-62) said: “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?  This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and unchangeable object; in other words, by God himself.” (Pensees 10.148). We humans have an “empty”-ness inside which most try to “fill with everything around,” but only God will exactly fit.

The crowds in Mark were pursuing things too.  They had experienced Jesus’ dynamic ministry.  They had heard his unique teaching, seen him heal the sick and cast out demons and they wanted more of it, but they recognized something else.  I believe that they realized that though there were other teachers and healers, what they really craved, was Jesus’ life-changing presence, which is why Mark says, “Everyone is looking for you!”  They are looking for him because they know, that once they find him, they will have found all they really need because Jesus is enough.  To know him, not just know about him (knowledge can be found in the library), but truly know him, causes the things of this world to “grow strangely dim.”  It brings true contentment.

Today, as you read this ask yourself, “What am I looking for in life?” Are you just seeking good grades in school?  Or is your ambition to get up every day, go to work and pay your rent?  Or maybe it is to enjoy retirement by filling your day with one activity or another.  This very minute, what are you looking for?  Are you discontented with your life? Is there a longing for something more, something new?

The worldly things you are searching for are not bad, but are they enough or does your hunger just grow deeper?  The crowds that were looking for Jesus may have come looking for some of these worldly comforts too.  They needed the food, the healing, the teachings but I believe they also realized that true contentment can only be found in Christ.  The rest of the world scoffs at the notion that true satisfaction can be found in a person, but what about you?  What do you think and what will you do?  “Jesus is the Answer” is not just a tagline or cliché, it is the simple, yet profound truth that many have already found and I hope you will too.  When the Son of Man comes in his glory, may we all be looking for him.

Loving God, we thank you for every good and perfect gift sent from heaven above.  Today, we ask for more of you, nothing else, just more of you.  Draw us closer into your presence by the power of your Spirit and remind us that godliness with contentment is great gain.  And may you find us looking for you, hungry and thirsty for you, when you come in your glory.

Give us a King!

"Give us a king to lead us..."

(1 Samuel 8: 6a)

Throughout history, we human beings have pursued leaders who looked the part, and gave us the hope that they could deliver our ideal social environment.  Each culture, generation and group has had it's own criteria for choosing a particular leader.  But we only have to read the Book of Judges to get a reality check.  We are dealing with humans here and humans are flawed.  Jesus is the only leader who did everything right.

Some leaders, though clearly flawed, have carried out their leadership responsibilities with distinction while others have been bitterly disappointing.  Today our nation cries out for a leader, just as Israel did.  At the time, Israel was dissatisfied with the way things were; they longed for something different.  It's no different today, many are crying out for something new, because they are dissatisfied with the status quo.  While many seek change because of their rage at the way things are, believers must be sober minded, humble and prayerful. 

When the Israelites cried out for a leader in 1 Samuel 8, they wanted none other than Saul, who to them must have seemed like a tough and seasoned warrior.  They would not listen to the counsel of Samuel, the prophet.  In the end, God relented and granted them "their" king.  No sooner had Saul taken leadership than they realized their terrible error as he began to flout God's rules.  We find them repenting of their choice of Saul in 1 Samuel 12:19. 

The children of Israel made a terrible mistake by leaving God out of their decision making process.  They looked on the outside and hoped that their choice of leader would carry the necessary anointing, but the Bible teaches us that God looks on the inside and then equips the leader to lead (1 Samuel 16:7). The elections of Saul and David as King, are good examples of the difference between the human and divine perspectives.  One looked kingly, but wasn't suitable to lead, the other looked like a mere youth, but turned out to be God's chosen.

I believe that we are living in critical days when the decisions we make as believers will matter more then ever.  The choices we make will have lasting repercussions on our children and our grandchildren.  God has called the Church for such a time as this in the history of our nation.  His word reminds us, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Our loving Father wants us to humbly seek his face today, not just about a future leader for our nation, but about every important decision we will face today.  Only he is able to deliver what we really need, for he alone is Sovereign.  As the children of Israel discovered, we can trust in his judgment; we can trust in his care.

Our Father in Heaven, you are Sovereign over the affairs of humanity.  You know all and you see all.  Today, we pray for a leader to lead us.  Today we surrender every important decision in our lives to you. Align our wills to your will so that we might choose wisely and carefully.  We thank you for our nation and ask that you will help us to be good stewards of all the blessings you have bestowed upon us.  In Jesus' name we pray.   Amen.

Put Out Into the Deep

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let the nets down for a catch."

(Luke 5: 4)

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds by the lake of Gennesaret, Simon and his fellow fishermen were doing what felt familiar to them, they were fishing.  The events of the crucifixion and resurrection had certainly left them in a state of shock.  So much had happened in such a short time, they probably needed a moment to catch their breaths.  They had gone fishing as they had done when they first met Jesus, and they were expecting the same old catch; perhaps they were expecting to go back to life as usual.  What the disciples forgot is that an encounter with Jesus changes everything.  Their lives were routine until Jesus entered the picture.  On this occasion, Jesus commanded them to do something peculiar, Jesus told them to put their nets into the deep water (Luke 5:4).  Jesus told them to fish where they had never fished before.

From a human perspective, I can only imagine how Simon and his friends felt after hearing Jesus' unusual command...perhaps apprehension, doubt, or fear.  There is nothing comforting about deep water.  It is dark, mysterious and frightening.  I bet these fishermen had all kinds of reasons bubbling in their minds as to why this might not be a good idea.  After all, this new idea of deep water fishing was contrary to what the other fishermen on the shores were doing so why should they take the risk of being different?  But wait a minute, ...this was Jesus!  They had spent three years with him and knew that he was no ordinary being.  They had seen him feed the hungry, heal the sick, and bring the dead to life.  They could definitely trust him.   Perhaps for this reason, Simon put his faith in Jesus saying, "...at thy word, I will let down the net (vs.5b)"  Simon did not require justification for such an unusual command, all he needed was Jesus' word.

There are times in our lives when God speaks telling us to launch into the deep. This call may frighten some of us and cause us to focus on our deficiencies, rather than on God's sufficiency.  Going into the deep takes a special kind of courage.  It takes faith in the one who guides.  I believe God calls believers into the deep not so much because of ability as the world does, but because of our availability and willingness to follow him wherever he leads.  But willingness to follow does not just happen by osmosis, but through a close relationship.  As we walk with Jesus daily, and as he equips us for the task, we learn to trust him more and more.

Perhaps this is a season when God has been speaking to you about launching into the deep but you are afraid of failure, you are afraid about what others might say and you are uncertain about following him into the unknown. Maybe you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the call and don't know what to do.  Or it could be that the little inner voice within you is telling you, "Just continue with life as usual, it's less complicated."  Life as usual may be less complicated but it yields a thin harvest.  Whatever your case remember this, an encounter with Jesus changes everything.  You and I were born for more.  He put us here on this earth for a greater purpose.  God put us here to fish in the deep because that's where the biggest haul of fish can be found.  Simon discovered that obedience led to the greatest catch they had ever had.  "Simon and his friends, beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship that they should come and help them (vs.7a). Obedience to God leads to abundant living in him.

Following God by faith can be a frightening prospect even for mature believers.  Like a toddler learning to walk we may even fall a few times but in time we learn to hear his voice providing assurance that his presence will never leave us. We learn to trust that even if we fall, he will be there to catch us.  And as we grow in faith and trust, we can grow in confidence as we follow him into the deep and do his bidding in new and exciting ways.  In the end, it's not really about doing, as it is about growing in grace, growing in trust and growing in relationship with him. I pray that today you will find the courage you need through the power of the Holy Spirit to follow him into the deep.

Father, I honor you with all that I am and all that I have. Give me the grace to obey your word with simple childlike faith and to remember that my encounter with you has changed everything.  Show me your way and give me courage to follow you into the deep.  In Jesus' name, Amen.