Be Ye Thankful

Be Ye 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.”

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.

The Whisper of God

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

1 Kings 19:11-13

Real news, fake news, controversial news, shocking and unsettling news, it’s all around us these days.  If you pay close attention to all the goings on you will find yourself saying, “What? What? What did I miss?” in an effort to keep up.  But there is also good news and surprising news flying about just as fast.  And should I mention the endless activities that one must squeeze in as well; extracurricular activities for the children, dinner with a spouse or friends, trips to the store, to the movies or to the latest concert.  Alas! Don’t forget about the daily chores, cooking, cleaning, organizing, car repairs, and home improvement projects; the list is endless.  To encounter God amid all this chaos, one must try to shut out the noise.

Elijah climbs to the top of the mountain to be in the presence of God.  He makes the effort to leave the noise, the clutter and the daily demands of life behind to find meaningful time with his creator.  Elijah does not find God in the wind, in the earthquake, or in the fire.  Instead Elijah encounters God’s presence in a gentle whisper, and covering his face, he goes out to meet God at the mouth of the cave.

Friend, God desires an intimate relationship with you.  He is not an item to be ticked off one’s daily to-do list, but rather, a Father who wants to spend time with his children.  His word says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8).”  Where are you trying to find the presence of God?  Are you trying to find his presence in the latest mega-church televangelist of the moment, in the big thunderous crusades taking place in your hometown or in the weekly fiery sermons from your local church?  The truth is intimacy with God, does not come from a one-time shattering event or experience, it comes from walking with him, moment to moment; it comes from meditating on his word constantly and learning to distinguish his voice from the rest of the noise.   It comes from walking in obedience, holiness and trust, and seeking him out, knowing that he too is seeking you out.  May you hear his gentle whisper today, as you set yourself apart for him.

Almighty God, amidst the chaos and confusion of this modern life, you are the Good News!  Teach me to distinguish your gentle whisper in the quietness of my heart.  Give me the will to walk worthy of you, and to disconnect from daily distractions so that I may sit at your feet.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

The Burden Bearer

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 55:22

Life is filled with concerns; some small and some big.  God cares about them all.   It can be tempting to try and tackle these concerns on your own, and there are those who have tried, but you will always come up short.  God, who cares for the birds of the air, that neither sow, or reap or stow in barns (Matthew 6: 25-26), cares even more about you.  God cares so deeply about you that he has even numbered the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30).  That’s how important you are to him.  He alone, is the burden lifter, the worry destroyer, and the care bearer.

The Psalmist says therefore, “Cast your cares on the LORD….”  In other words, whatever you are up against in life, “hurl it, or throw it all on the LORD.”  Your mind will battle for control, and will tell you to deal with it yourself.  However, the only way God can deal with your situation is for you to relinquish it completely to him.  Do your part, and let the LORD do his part.  It is only when there is no earthly interference, that your Father will send heavenly influence on your situation.

In the Bible, we find others who dealt with their concerns big and small by hurling it all on the LORD.  When Moses and the Children of Israel came face to face with a great body of water and had no place to run, and were completely at the enemy’s mercy, they looked up to heaven, and God parted the waters, making a way for them, where there seemed to be no way.  If you have reached the end of your rope, and feel like there is no way out, look up to the LORD that’s where your help will come from (Psalm 121:1).

In another case, we encounter Elijah in the desert, fleeing for his life, discouraged and defeated because Jezebel was out to kill him (I Kings 19).  But even there in the driest of places, God found him, nourished and nurtured him, and set him back on his feet.  At the point of complete surrender, when Elijah could do nothing more and just wanted to die, God took over.  Elijah cried out to heaven and help arrived just when he needed it.

Beloved, whether you feel like you are drowning under a mountain of concerns or you are exhausted, and dried out from anxiety, fear and stress, cast your burdens on the LORD and let him refresh you.  The Psalmist states, the LORD will sustain you, (keep you going, nurture you, nourish you) because he will never let the righteous be shaken.  The LORD is your burden bearer, so take your hands off the concerns you are carrying, so he can enter your life and do only what he is able to do.

LORD, in the words of the songwriter, Kelly Willard, I pray, “I cast all my cares upon you; I lay all of my burdens down at your feet.  And any time, I don’t know just what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you.”  Thank you for sustaining me.  I know you will never let me be shaken.  Amen.

It is Easy

 This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4

It is very easy to love the LORD when things are going smoothly.  It is extremely easy to praise his name when your job is going well and you are being recognized, appreciated and promoted.  It is easy to testify to God’s favor when your marriage is strong and your womb is fruitful.  It takes no effort to raise your hands up in the air in worship when your children are excelling in school, choosing the right friends and getting good grades.  It is easy to trust Him and call him a "good Father", when your family ties are strong, and you all get along, and cheer one another on.

But what happens dear friend, when the doctor says, “You have cancer, Alzheimer’s or muscular dystrophy?”   What happens when your spouse cheats on you, abuses you or walks out on you or worse still, comes down with a terminal illness?  What do you do when you are barren and feel condemned to childlessness?  Tell me, how do you cope when your children turn to drugs, make the wrong choices or resort to truancy?  What do you do, when your family system is dysfunctional, when siblings resort to competition and jealousy, secrecy and gossip, anger and unforgiveness and you feel like an orphan?

The writer of the first letter of John reminds us, our faith in Jesus Christ is the victory that overcomes the world (I John 5:4).  Yes, it is easy to trust him when the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.   It is much more difficult to keep smiling and trusting when the skies turn grey, the thunder rumbles and the rain begins to fall.  It is much harder to call him a "good Father", when we cannot see Him, or hear Him; when your desperate voice sends an echo into a seemingly empty and silent chamber.  But take heart brethren, true faith holds through all the varied seasons of one’s life.  True faith is the anchor that holds despite the storm.  True faith does not depend on circumstance but on the knowledge of the character of a loving God.  This victorious faith is founded on the covenant that God established with those who fear him. True faith holds steady no matter what, because God has declared, "They will be my people, and I will be their God (Jeremiah 32:38)."

So, whatever, you are going through today, whether the skies are clear or grey, let faith in Jesus triumph over those circumstances.  Like Paul and Silas (Acts 16: 25-26), use the chains that bind you to make robust music declaring God’s goodness, mercy, love and majesty.  Let faith drive out doubt and fear and know that whatever you lack, God will supply if you ask by faith, believing His name.  May this triumphant faith, be your portion not only today, but every day of your life.

Dear Father, thank you for reminding me that you are always there for your children.  Give me the strength to trust you, not just when you are near, but also when it seems you are far away.  Remind me that your presence is always with me.  Cultivate in me, a faith that is victorious; a faith that triumphs over every circumstance of my earthly life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Uniquely YOU!

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:37

David, could have stumbled clumsily onto that battlefield wearing Saul’s oversized tunic, but he chose not to do so, and that decision probably saved his life.  Saul was the expert fighter.  He had experience in war and had every right to instruct David, before David stepped into one of the biggest battles of his life.  And even though, to the naked eye, David seemed like an inexperienced young boy who should be home taking care of his father’s sheep, he also had a secret weapon, faith in God.  Faith that must have grown stronger and stronger every time he called upon God to give him victory over the lions and the bears that threatened his father’s sheep.  David knew in his heart, that the same God would be with him in his battle against Goliath.  He says in I Samuel 17:37: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”  And so, David stepped confidently into that battlefield and moved towards Goliath with nothing more than a stone and a prayer of faith, trusting, not in his own strength and skill, but in the strength of the Almighty God to help him win that battle .  Today, we remember him as the best stone thrower there ever was.

The world is filled with Saul’s who want you to wear one tunic or another.  If it doesn’t fit, don't put it on.  Remove it.  God wants to use you just as you are.  You don’t have to compete with the talented neighbor, or the expert friend.   There’s nothing wrong with them; and there is nothing wrong with you either.  You can’t be them; but you can be the best uniquely gifted you. The same God who has given you victory in the past, is ready and willing to give you victory in the present and in the future.  To the naked eye, you may look inexperienced, naïve, or unprepared, but if you have faith in God, and trust in your heart, you too can take down the Goliath’s that dare taunt you today.  You too can step confidently into the battlefield and slay your giants with faith in your heart, and trust built as you’ve walked in relationship with God.  It's his mission.  You are merely a vessel.

David’s brothers and the army of Israel must have thought, David was doomed.  They were wrong.  Doubtless, there are those who will doubt you, but God says, “Put your trust in me, not in man, or systems or processes, but in my ability to triumph over every situation that threatens you and let me prove the doubters wrong again.”  This same God who gave you victory in the past, wants to give you victory even now.  Take off that clumsy tunic, and be you, just you; uniquely designed, and gifted you.  Then get ready through preparation and prayer, and go forth into battle knowing that your raw, unabashed faith in God, is more than enough for the situations that frighten and challenge you.

Dear Father, give me that simple childlike faith, that trusts you to help me handle any situation that threatens me.  You are my Solid Rock, all other ground is sinking sand.  I relinquish control; I surrender reliance on self.  Take over and lead me.  Amen.

Welcome the Stranger

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

As a little girl, whenever I visited my grandparents in the village in Kenya, I was amazed to see how generous they were.  They did not just feed their own large family that lived in the homestead.  But whenever, a stranger went by the house in the daytime and the family was having lunch, my grandmother would invite them in for a meal or for a glass of water.  On more than one occasion the stranger took up the offer.  It was a wonderful thing to see a total stranger joining the family for a meal and conversation and before they left to continue on their journey, a firm friendship was formed.  My grandparents were not rich people, but they never lacked food or friends either.  Their home was always brimming with both.   I would like to believe, that God rewarded their generosity by meeting their every need according to his riches in Christ Jesus.

These are fear-filled and troubling times.  Many people are looking for answers and for direction.  For the believer, that compass is always the word of God.  The days are not as innocent as they once were, and one must exercise caution, but God’s word is clear, welcome the stranger (Deut. 10:19; Heb. 13:1; Romans 12:13).  God instructs the children of Israel saying, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:34).”

Abraham and Sarah welcomed the three visitors by the Oak of Mamre.  After showering the visitors with hospitality, they received good news, that even in their old age, God was going to bless them with a child and Abraham would become father of a great nation (Genesis 18: 1-19).  The widow of Zarephath, welcomed Elijah.  She used her last supply of flour and oil to make him a meal.  She did this with the full knowledge that she and her son were going to die of hunger.  She too, received good news as a consequence of her generosity, Elijah announced to her that her jar of flour would never run out and her jug of oil would never run dry.

As Christians, we do not give to get.  We give because Christ has given us so much.  We give because Christ's love compels us.  We give because we have nothing of our own, only that which Christ has given us.  Today, God wants us to welcome the stranger with love, kindness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, shelter, food, clothing and so much more.  The world is afraid, and is screaming, “Keep the stranger out!”  Jesus says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).  Know this, that whatsoever, we do for the stranger, good or bad, we do unto Jesus himself.  There are two choices here.  One is easy and the other is tough, which one will you pick?

Dear Father, the closed fist cannot receive your blessing. Thank you for showing me, by your death on the cross, what it means to give it all away.  Now guide me by the power of your spirit to the stranger who needs your blessing and then give me the courage to obey you.  Amen.

Light Defeats the Darkness

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Isaiah 5:20

Beloved, do you hear it?  Can you sense it?  Tick-tock-tick-tock, time is running out and it’s time to pick a side or you’ll be swept by the tide.  I know this sounds dramatic, but it’s true.  We are living in a time of great confusion.  Where truth has become a lie, and lies have become truth.  Imagine you are driving down the highway, and you miss an exit, next you find yourself driving down unpaved roads, uncertain of where you are and wondering how to get back to where you were.  Do you know that feeling?  I thought so.  You see, this turn of events in our world didn’t just happen in an instant, it began a long time ago.  It happened gradually, and incrementally, when humanity decided it was time to take our eyes off the map, and just cruise along on one unfamiliar road, and then another.  Maybe it was the voices on the radio, or the incessant chatter of the passenger in the next seat, or perhaps it was the scenery.  Whatever the distraction, we have lost our way, and there is only one way back, we need the map.

Isaiah warns that judgment is coming upon those who call evil good and good evil; for those who exchange darkness for light and light for darkness; for those who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.  Do you find yourself wondering about the goings on of the world today?  Do you see humankind slapping labels where they don’t belong?  Have you noticed how many people peddle evil for good and good for prude?  Have you found yourself wondering, “Did I miss something?”  Well, wonder no more, it’s all in the map.  2 Timothy 3: 1-5 (KJV) reminds us that: “This know also, that in the last day’s perilous times shall come.  For men, shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn, away.

Isaiah also prophesies hope for the people of God.  As darkness begins to cover the earth, the Lord will rise upon his people and his glory will appear over them.  Nations will be drawn to their light, and kings to the brightness of their dawn (Isaiah 60: 2-3).  This was true for Zion and is also true for you today.  Believer, stay the course; keep your eyes on the map; turn away from evil.  His word alone is a lamp for your feet, a light for your path (Psalm 119:105).  Don’t go by the news on the radio, in many cases it’s no news at all; don’t go by anyone’s opinion either, that’s the incessant chatter; and don’t fall for the scenery, the crowds, the marches, the boisterous noisemakers, instead go directly to the map, the trusted and trustworthy, unchanging word of the Living God, who was, who is and who is to come.  In quietness of trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15b).  As darkness covers the earth, God himself will rise among his people and his glory will become evident to the whole earth.  Hallelujah!

 Almighty God, what an incredible gift it is to know that you care for me.  That I am not only redeemed, but I am your child and your friend.  Thank you for inviting me to participate in your story.  May the light of your presence guide and guard my life as I walk in the shadow of your truth.  Amen.

Guard Your Heart

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4: 23

This week’s Bible verse addresses matters of the heart. Solomon says, “above all else, guard your heart, because it is the well spring of life.” In scripture, the word “heart” occurs over 1000 times, so we know it has an important role in our well-being.  We know that when the heart stops beating, we die.  But what happens when the heart is infected by sin?  Scripture treats the heart as the core of one’s humanity.  It is central to our moral, emotional, intellectual and spiritual substance.  Even the prophet Jeremiah notes, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked (not just wicked, but desperately so). Who really knows how bad it is (NLT: Jeremiah 17:9)?

Cain’s murderous thoughts began in his heart and resulted in his murdering his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8).  David’s adulterous thoughts began in his heart.  He saw with his eyes, and that gave birth to desire in his heart.  Desire gave birth to adultery (2 Samuel 11: 4) and adultery ultimately gave birth to the murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:16).  Sin often enters through the eyes, but percolates in the heart before it is acted upon.

Friend, what are you looking at?  What books, movies, magazines, text messages are you looking at and forwarding to others?  Are you struggling with a besetting sin and wondering how you got there and why it is so difficult to kick the habit?  Trace your steps back to what you allowed your eyes to dwell on.  The Psalmist declares, “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.  I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them (NLT: Psalm 101:3).”  God calls us to be holy, even as he is holy (1 Peter 1:16).  We can only do this by inviting the Holy Spirit to come in and guard our heart.  Everything we do, good and bad flows from the heart.  That’s a sobering thought.  With the proliferation of pornography and indecency in our world today, it is important to be on guard and to shield our eyes, hearts and minds from filth, because once filth enters the eyes, it’s a slippery downhill slope.

Dear Lord, you are a holy God who will not inhabit a filthy vessel.  Stand guard at my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Give me heavenly wisdom that will help me reject that which does not glorify you.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Can These Bones Live?

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?  I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you know.”

Ezekiel 37:3

As Ezekiel stood seeing in a vision, a valley of dry bones; bones that the Bible describes as “very, very dry and scattered abroad” he must have wondered whether any hope was possible.  To the naked eye, it appeared that the bones were brittle and completely devoid of life.  There was no way, a reasonable person could imagine that these bones would ever come to life.  Therefore, when God questioned him, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  Ezekiel could only answer by saying, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”  Ezekiel knew in his heart, that no human being could ever bring about change.

Beloved, have you ever looked at a desperate situation and thought, it’s never going to change?  Has your human mind ever told you, “This is hopeless!”  You are not the first to think in this way and you will not be the last.  As the house of Israel experienced captivity in Babylon, they too felt hopeless.  They wondered, “How can we sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:4).  Many of them were dead in sin and yet God intended to raise them to holiness and restore them to the land of their fathers, and he eventually did in his time.

I don’t know what you are going through today.  Maybe you are on the verge of giving up and letting go.  Perhaps your grief and your tears have blinded you and silenced your voice and your joy.  Maybe sin has overtaken you, and you feel as though you can no longer sing the Lord’s song in a “foreign land.”  Or maybe an illness has reached its crescendo as it ravages your body.  Instead, of looking at what God can do, you may have reached the end of your own strength and decided you can do no more.  Today, God asks you the same question about your situation, “Child, can these bones live?”  How will you answer?

To the captives in Babylon the LORD said, “Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors (Ezekiel 20:42).  God makes the same promise to you today.  No matter what a reasonable person may think, God is on your side and his promises for you stand true.  He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,”…”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  May his peace lead you back home into the embrace of his hope and his joy. 

Eternal God, there’s not a friend like you.  You are the one who sticks closer than a brother; the one that will never forsake me.  Lead me back into your embrace and let me dwell in your hope and peace.  I know that through you, these dry bones will live again.  Amen.

His Name is Wonderful!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

In Hebrew, the word “Wonderful” means SURPRISE!   Dear friend, our God is a God of surprises.  Just when we think we’ve got him figured out, he tells us “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).  God is constantly looking for ways to surprise us, and like a loving parent who hides treats in Easter eggs waiting for the children’s faces to light up when they are discovered, God hides his surprises in his Word, waiting for us to discover them as we search earnestly for his truths.

The enemy wants us off-track and so he keeps us “busy.”  We find ourselves overstretched and unfulfilled with too many commitments and such little time for rest in God’s presence and God’s Word.  We whittle away seconds, minutes and then hours on the phone, on the TV, on our iPads, iPods, social media and all the other shiny gadgets “that we just cannot live without.”  The principalities and powers of the world also get on band-wagon with trying to keep the glory of God’s Word under wraps (Isaiah 5:20.)

This conspiracy to veil or supplant the Truth will not prevail.  Our God whose name is “Wonderful” has a hidden surprise in store in his final act.  He will penetrate this darkness and shine his light, revealing his Truth to his Church.  Like the loving parent, who guides his child as close to the hidden Easter egg as he/she can, God continues to guide us gently to himself and to his Word by his Holy Spirit so that we too might discover the hidden treasures therein.

Beloved, there will be nothing in your basket, unless you show up for the hunt (Jeremiah 29:13).  You will not find the deepest, richest Truths just by showing up to church on Sunday morning.  You must carve out time to ask, and allow him to direct you into the inner layers of his divine wisdom.  But now is the time (2 Corinthians 6:2), the invitations have gone out, the party is on, the search is underway (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28) and the curtain call is coming.   Join the throngs and allow this Wonderful God, this SURPRISING Savior, to guide you into his abundance and his Truth.  He alone can give you the ending that you didn’t see coming by his mercy and his grace.  Hallelujah!

Wonderful God, let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love for me.  Let your presence arch over my life in the daytime and let your Truth grow in me at night.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  In Jesus’ precious name I pray.  Amen.

Alpha and Omega

“It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

Revelations 21:6

Happy New Year!  2016 is gone and 2017 is here.  Praise the name of the Lord, God Almighty, who allowed us to cross over.  Last night, many excited people stayed up to celebrate the New Year.  They did so with food, with alcohol, with pulsating lights and with loud, throbbing music. In some cases, they did so with superstitious rituals and practices.  In Times Square, New York, many gathered to see the crystal ball fall to signal the start of 2017.  But if you go by this morning, they are sweeping up the broken crystals and the confetti and putting all the pieces in huge trash bags even as they look forward to next year.  All that excitement though intense, was just temporary.  The pulsating energy from the masses of humanity has morphed into hangovers, extreme exhaustion and trash.  That’s all that’s left as many ponder what a new administration will bring to America and to the world; as many ponder what a New Year will bring to their lives.

God, the Holy One of Israel is seated high on his throne enshrined by his holy angels.  His word is true and it is trustworthy.  He is the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End.  His work is finished.  It has been established through the completed work of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  So, 2017 should elicit excitement in every believer.  The Light has come and it is getting closer and brighter.  The return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is one year closer.  Our Glorious God, our Beautiful Savior and our Excellent King is even now establishing a New Heaven and a New Earth through Jesus Christ; a New Earth where there will no longer be any weeping, dying or mourning.  He will purify this New Heaven and New Earth and purge it of all evil.  There will no longer be any broken crystals or trash or wondering what the future might bring because he has already established the future.

Instead, God Himself will dwell among his people.  He will be in relationship with those who seek after him.   He will be their God and they will be his people.  We do not need to fear any horses or chariots that may be bearing down on us.  We do not need to be afraid of dark beasts and other creatures looming in the shadows.  He has parted the waters through his Son, Jesus Christ and we can safely cross over to 2017 with full confidence that in him, we will find the peace we need (Psalm 46:1-3).  So, let 2017 be a year of worship, of witness and of harvest as you prepare the way for the soon Returning King.  Tell all your friends and family, “The Light is here!” and whoever is thirsty can come to Him for water from the spring of life.   Let them know that they too can inherit God’s blessing and peace for 2017 and for all eternity.

May the New Year bring you renewed vitality as you abide in Him and He in you.  He was, He is and He is to come.  Amen.

The Prince of Peace

He will be called . . . The Prince of Peace”

Isaiah 9:6

For many people December is a month of great joy but also of great anxiety and stress.  What with all the buying, wrapping, planning, cooking, entertaining, impatient lines and clerks at the stores, lack of parking, shoving crowds, financial strain and for some depression and loneliness.  And yet, December is just a microcosm of our modern lives which come laden with all manner of complexity and strain.  There is a great need for peace in our world, not just any peace, but God’s Peace.

God could have called Jesus any number of names, but one of the top four names he gives him is, "The Prince of Peace."  The Bible goes on to mention the word peace more than 400 times; sufficient references to cover each day of the year and each situation in our harried lives and then some.  Jesus did not just come to bring peace; he is our peace.

On the night Jesus was born there were many similarities to the hustle and bustle of our lives, but also one stark contrast.  The huge and weary crowds, returning to their homes for the official census, filled the roads and the inns. The shepherds were busy keeping watch over their flocks by night; the wise men were busy following the star, but in that humble stable, a new-born child lay in a manger.  It was a silent night; it was a holy; it was a peaceful night.  The Prince of Peace had come to live among humankind and his presence changed everything.  His presence caused the wise men to bring him their best gifts.  It even sent the shepherds back to their flocks, “glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen.

Many of us may be in the same situation today.  Perhaps like the shepherds and the wise men, you find yourself going about your life, worrying and fretting about all manner of things.  Maybe you are wondering what the New Year will bring to your life, your church, your marriage or your family or your nation.  Worry is a tough foe, but peace is a big deal to God that he would send us The Prince of Peace.  Christmas should remind us of the prophetic nature of his coming.  Jesus will come again (Revelations 22: 12-13) to bring us all the peace we crave; both internal and international peace, and of his kingdom the Bible says, there will be no end.

So this Christmas, as we attend to everything else, let us not forget to make room for The Prince of Peace.  The gift that he gives is internal and eternal.  It cannot be wrapped in a gift box or bought on Amazon.com.  It cannot be exchanged, re-gifted or returned.  It is that inner peace that surpasses all understanding.  It is the peace that cuts through the clutter of our modern lives and reminds us that we are loved just as we are;  It is the gift that can only be received with a genuinely grateful and desiring heart and it is the one gift that is a "must have" this Christmas season.

I don't know how many gifts you hope to receive this year, but I pray and  hope you will recognize and accept The Prince of Peace.  You don't have to give him anything back in return.  The Prince of Peace offers you his peace; so that you might be free from worry and the uncertainty of a life lived apart from him.  Will you accept him today?

Heavenly Father, giver of all peace, visit those whose lives are falling apart; visit those who are struggling with depression and loneliness; visit those who suffer from cancer and other debilitating illnesses, visit those who have lost loved ones this year; visit those who have been displaced from their homelands by war; visit those who wait anxiously for your return; visit those who long for your presence and peace; and please visit those who are ready to welcome you into their lives today.  We praise you and glorify you for what you have done in our lives and for what you will continue to do in the days ahead.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Everlasting Father

“He will be called . . . Everlasting Father”

Isaiah 9:6

I loved my father.  He was a good, kind and loving man, and an especially doting father.  As a young child, I felt safe and secure around him, like he would always be there for me.  Until one day in 1999 the phone rang and my childhood fantasy came to a screeching halt.  He was gone. Suddenly and unexpectedly, he was gone and without as much as a good-bye.  My father had died.  He was a wonderful father, but he was not an “everlasting father.”

The term “everlasting Father” literally means “the Father of Eternity” or the eternal father; or the forever father.  Through this name God describes the purpose of the messiah’s coming into the world.  He would be a father forever, one who would never leave nor forsake his children.

This passage of scripture reminds us once again during this advent season that our Father is there for us through all the twists and turns of this human life.  That no matter what we are facing in this turbulent world, he is there for us encouraging us to cast all our cares on him for he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Our Father is there for us not just in this life, but also in the life to come, promising eternal life to all who would believe in him (John 3:16).  His love for his children is steadfast and it is everlasting.

The singer and songwriter, Chris Tomlin, reflects on the everlasting Father’s character through his song “Good, Good Father” by Housefires singing thus:

You're a good, good father, It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you, It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

If Christmas preparations have left you feeling "left out" and insignificant, realize that our everlasting Father’s nature is good and he is here with you.  You can depend on him to be there for you whether here on earth or beyond the grave, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Counting on his presence is not a fantasy, but a reality because God himself has said, he will be called “the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).”

 Father, someone is hurting today as they approach Christmas without the physical presence of their earthly father, I pray that they would find comfort in you as their everlasting Father and cling to your steadfast love.  Someone else is hurting because of the failures of their earthly father, Lord bring healing to their hearts and remind them that you are the Father to the fatherless. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mighty God

He will be called Mighty God, ....

Isaiah 9:6

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had several conversations with believers who shared that they have been experiencing intense persecution lately.  One young woman talked of feeling marginalized and silenced by colleagues at her place of work.  Another has been isolated by family members because of her faith.  Perhaps you can relate to these or other similar situations.  The truth is none of these circumstances should come as any surprise to those who trust in God and choose to practice his Word.  Speaking to his disciples in Matthew 24:9 Jesus said, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”  Again in 1 Peter 4:12-14, and 16 believers are reminded, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”  Persecution is part and parcel of the believer’s heritage in Jesus Christ.   

In these mean times it is important for us Christians to remember Isaiah’s prophesy concerning the child to be born.  He will not just be called a Wonderful Counselor, but also "Mighty God".  "Mighty God" means that this child will come as a powerful, undefeatable warrior, clothed with God’s strength and authority to conquer the kingdom of the enemy and to establish the Kingdom of God.  So no matter how weak and defeated one may feel in these mean times, Christians can gather strength by focusing on the character of this "Mighty God", who will come with the arsenal of heaven to put Satan in his place.

Christmas time reminds us to wait in expectation for Jesus’ return, and just as the people in Isaiah’s time were facing extreme darkness and looking for a political leader to free them from Roman oppression, today believers can look with anticipation for our Savior’s return because he will free his people from spiritual oppression and will dwell with them forevermore.  The writer in Hebrews 10:37 assures us he is coming, and will not delay.  I believe that we have not seen anything yet.  What we call persecution today is just the tip of the ice-berg. God is using these times to strengthen believers for what lies ahead, the “big leagues.”  Of this James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

If you are facing persecution of any kind today take heart because this word is for you.  First, remember, you are not alone in this trial.  Secondly, This Mighty God is your refuge and fortress, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).  Trust in him because he will do what he says he will do for you.

 Mighty God, in our weakness, you are strong.  Remind us again, as we contemplate the meaning of Christmas, that though you came as a little child, you came to us with all the power of heaven and conquered every spiritual battle that we have ever endured, are enduring or will ever endure.  Give us grace and strength to rejoice and be glad for the battle is already won.  Amen.

Wonderful Counselor

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

What’s in a name?  Some will argue, absolutely everything.  Names are very important to us human beings; and names are very revealing too.  Some of us name our children after those we love; others after those we admire or after those we honor.  There are believers, for instance, who will name their children after biblical characters because of certain attributes in those biblical figures.  Names reveal something unique about the bearer of the name.  Names may also reveal the parents’ hopes and aspirations for the child.  In Isaiah 9:6, God gives his son the name “Wonderful Counselor”.  This is especially significant because the Almighty God himself does the naming and the first name he assigns is “Wonderful Counselor”.

These are confusing times.  We live in a world ridden with ambiguities and contradictions, a world that has blurred lines.  Of this world Isaiah says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20).”  In times like this we need a counselor.  Not just any counselor, for I believe we have entered that time that Timothy describes thus, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3)”.  In times like these, we need a wonderful counselor who is not merely concerned about political correctness but rather one that will provide clarity and direction for life regardless of the consequences.

This is the kind of counselor that Isaiah prophesied about.  A counselor that is filled with God’s wonder, one that is capable of leading humanity into all truth (John 16:13).  As we prepare to celebrate Christmas yet again we have competing counselors urging us to want more, spend more, and indulge more in order to make this season wonderful.  The Wonderful Counselor is here to remind us that the season is already wonderful, not because of the things we will get on Christmas Day but because Jesus has already given us the most wonderful gift of all, eternal life. This counselor is here to remind us that the same God who brought such a wondrous story from a humble manger, is able to bring wondrous outcomes from the humble situations of our lives.  He is able to transform us from ordinary humans into heavenly beings.

Today we can seek his counsel concerning all the confusing messages and questions of our time, and we can trust his counsel knowing that his wisdom is both “wonder-full” and infinite.  

Dear Father, your name is above every other name.  We invite your presence to lead us and guide us through the Christmas season.  Remind us of the wonder you have accorded us that we might be called, Children of the Most High God.   Give us the wisdom to be humble listeners in this noisy time of the year; and show us how to honor you with our decisions we make about Christmas. Amen.

Go Sell Everything You Have

Jesus looked at him and loved him.  “One thing you lack,” he said, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”

Mark 10:21

Christmas is almost here, and with it the impulse to buy, buy, buy.  Wherever you look, there are Black Friday deals, Cyber deals, electronic deals and all kinds of deals vying for our attention.  And then there are the strident voices on the airwaves inviting us to “Shop till you drop.”  The invitation is extended to us as the most natural conclusion to our annual Thanksgiving tradition of getting together, feasting at heavily laden food tables and being thankful for what we have.  The implication seems to be, “Be thankful, but shopping is what you are supposed to do before Christmas gets here, so everything will be perfect.” 

In Mark 10, we encounter a man, who by all standards is a man of stature and greatness in society.  He had obviously gone through life shopping to his heart’s content and seemed to have everything he ever wanted but in great humility he comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus tells him, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21)”.  In other words, give all your worldly possessions to the poor and then come, follow me.  But who does that?  We are all guilty of wanting more, buying more, and desiring more than we need.  The danger of our times is that the constant invitation to self-indulgence can cause us to become mindless consumers.  We can find ourselves imitating culture without any critical thought.  As Christmas draws near, I’d like to share a story I came across recently that might help refocus the way we prepare for Christmas.

There was a diamond expert who happened to be sitting on a plane next to a woman with a huge diamond on her finger.  The man eventually introduced himself to her saying, “I couldn’t help but notice your beautiful diamond.  I am an expert in precious stones.  Please tell me about that stone.  She said to him, “This is the famous Klopman diamond…one of the largest in the world, but there is a curse that comes with it.  The man asked, “What is the curse?”  “It’s Mr. Klopman,” she answered.

The true curse of any possession is its ability to steal our hearts and souls.  The rich young ruler was a good man in all respects.  He had kept the commandments since he was a boy, but he was greedy, he went away sad, because he had great wealth (Mark 10:22) and didn’t want to part with it, and this was the curse.  As you contemplate Christmas this year, what’s your curse?  You too may be a good person in all respects but does the thought of being counter cultural make you sad or uneasy?  Are you holding on too tightly to traditions and things that are a curse and therefore stand between you and eternal life?  Are you able or willing to give these up and do something different?  What will you do to ensure Christmas is as perfect as God intended?  What will you do to ensure that Jesus has his rightful place in your heart?  Remember that even now, his gaze is still on you, loving you.

The writer of the gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19).”  Now, how will you respond to that impulse to buy more?

Dear Father, thank you for loving me and sending your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me.  Thank you also for the blessed Holy Spirit who leads me and guides me into your truth.  Help me to live my life purposefully and to value what you value.  Give me the courage to be counter cultural when necessary.  This Christmas, I welcome you into my heart and my home.  Take your rightfuI place in my life and keep me at the center of your will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I Choose You!

Greetings! You are highly favored.  The Lord is with you.

Luke 1:28

It is a wonderful honor to be chosen to carry out a sacred task; but it can also be a troubling thing when you feel ill-equipped for the task.   Mary was troubled when the angel of the Lord appeared to her announcing that God had chosen to pull off a major miracle through her.  After all she was only a teenager with no life experience.  She wasn’t even married!  The Bible records, she was greatly troubled at the angel’s words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel reassures her with these words, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”

You may not be accustomed to angels appearing before you, but you are accustomed to hearing God calling you to carry out his miracles to our world.   And perhaps like Mary, you have been afraid.  You have worried that you are not holy enough, experienced enough, mature enough and all the other one hundred excuses you’ve hidden behind in the past.  You are not alone; others have gone to the “land of excuses” before you.  Remember Moses (Exodus 4:10), and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5) and Elijah (Elijah 19:1-14) among many others?  They all felt ill-equipped for the task, but God “chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).”  He does it every time.

He chose Abraham and Sarah despite their advanced ages (Genesis 18:10); he chose Samuel despite his youthfulness (1 Samuel 3: 1-15); he chose Hannah though she was barren (1 Samuel 1-2:11); he chose Rahab even though she was a prostitute (Joshua 2: 1-21); he chose David even though he had committed adultery (Acts 13:22); and today he chooses you no matter what you have done or not done; no matter your age, talent or experience.  He chooses you to pull off his great miracle in this age even though you are weak and flawed; inexperienced and ill-equipped.  And his word has as much power for you today, as it did when he spoke to Mary.  God’s word says, “Do not be afraid, you are highly favored.  The Lord is with you.”

May you find the strength to choose him as you give the same response that Mary gave by faith, “May it be to me as you have said (Luke 1:38).”

Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible with you.  Today, I choose you.  Work in my life with your power; equip me for the task ahead and fill me with your presence so that I can be an effective ambassador for Christ.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

God is Our Fortress

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:7

Wednesday, November 9, 2016, found many Americans and many other people across the world in one of these states:  Shocked, shattered, stunned, devastated, horrified, crushed, brokenhearted, saddened, defeated, depressed, fearful, angry, incredulous, speechless; excited, jubilant, triumphant, celebratory, happy, on cloud nine, pumped, thrilled, or elated. After pulling off a stunning victory against Hillary R. Clinton, Donald J. Trump was slated to become the 45th President of the United States of America. The news reverberated across the world like an earthquake bringing a multitude of reactions from various groups and certainly from you, and me. Since then, fear has gripped many minority groups across these United States and extremist groups appear to have become emboldened.  But do not be swayed by the noise of the multitudes, and do not get sucked in by what you hear on the airwaves because the God of Abraham, the God Isaac and the God of Jacob; the God we call our LORD God Almighty, sits enthroned in the heavenly places looking low upon the earth, seeing all, knowing all, unperturbed and speaking to you through his unchanging word (Deuteronomy 20:1).

Believer, it is easy for all of us to forget that it doesn’t matter who won this election or any other election, past, present or future, because God is still the one in control.  Our trust cannot be in chariots or horses, but rather in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7). It is he who establishes governing authorities and commands we submit to them (Romans 13:1). This same God who speaks from heaven is the Lord, your Savior; the one who promises to watch your going out and your coming in (Psalm 121:8); the one who says he will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b). Trust in him, hope in him and be confident in him for he is your helper; so, do not fear; what can man do to you (Hebrews 13:6)?  Amid this deep confusion that threatens to overwhelm, he alone remains the steadfast anchor in the storm. The psalmist reminds you, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.  When they breathe their last, they return to the earth and all their plans die with them (Psalm 146: 3-4).  Instead put your confidence in the God who knows the future.

So, put away anger, fear, discouragement and sadness; wipe away those tears and confront your disappointment with faith.  Place your hope for your nation and for your family in God. Praise your God and Savior even now (Psalm 42:11).  Like the psalmist, praise the LORD as long as you live; sing praises to him even with your dying breath (Psalm 146: 1-2) and pray for governments (1 Timothy 2:2) for it is the will of God.

And remember this, there is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12). Beware of those who boast about the future; for no one knows what tomorrow may bring, but we know who holds tomorrow and therefore we can confidently say (Psalm 46): 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
    He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shield with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.  

May his peace engulf you now and forevermore, and may he come down from heaven and heal our land and our world. Amen!

Patience in the Dungeon

… but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Waiting is not easy.  For little children waiting is excruciating.  For teenagers, waiting is a minor annoyance and inconvenience.  For many adults, waiting produces impatience and anxiety.  We all want what we want as soon as possible.  Some of us want it immediately!  For the believer, waiting produces discipline and character, but no one likes to wait, and no one wants to wait in the dungeon.  The dungeon is damp and dark; it reeks of hopelessness and despair.  God however, wants us all to learn to wait; he wants us to have patience in the dungeon.  Are you in a difficult situation?  Have you prayed for release?  Has God asked you to wait?  Then be patient and do exactly that, WAIT!

In prison, Joseph learned patience (Genesis 39: 20-21).  The Lord’s presence was with him in that dungeon and God caused the prison wardens to show him kindness and favor.  Job, learned patience in the ash heap of his sickness (Job 2:9-10).  Even one, as intimate as his wife, could not persuade him to turn his back on God.  In the end, God gave him favor rewarding him with everything he had lost, and then some (Job 42: 10-11).  Abraham, learned patience in his tent in the desert.  After waiting a lifetime to become a father, God granted him his wish in the desert (Genesis18: 2-14).  Despite their advanced ages, God granted Abraham and Sarah his wife, a son.  David learned patience while he waited in the back of a cave (1Samuel 24: 1-22).  David had the opportunity to kill Saul who was pursuing him, but he did not do so.  He would not touch the Lord’s anointed (Vs. 10).  God granted him favor and a renewed relationship with Saul.  Jesus, waited patiently in a borrowed tomb.  Even though he was God and he had the power to free himself immediately, he did not do so, so that prophecy might be fulfilled and we might be reconciled to God the Father.

Friend, you don’t get to choose where you will wait.  You may have to wait in a hospital, in a dead-end job, in a court room, in a loveless marriage, in solitude, in financial limbo, in single-hood and in any other dungeon you find yourself in.  And I cannot say how your situation will turn out, but I know what will happen to you when you wait.  Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that: “…but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  No matter where you wait, God will give you the strength to soar over those things and situations that pull others under.  So be patient and wait for him.

Dear Loving God, help me to remember that every trial that comes my way has already been known to you in advance. I know that you are with me. Teach me to be patient in affliction and to remember you are always in control, no matter what. Help me by your grace and mercy to be patient and to persevere in all circumstances, yes even in this dungeon.  I love you, Father! Amen

Are You Prepared?

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Who knew that three small oranges could turn out to be so valuable?  You see, on April 15th, 1912 the Titanic sank.  Those who built it had boasted that this ship was unsinkable.  The passengers who boarded it, believed what they heard.  As the ship began to sink that fateful day, a young woman found a place on a lifeboat that was about to be lowered into the North Atlantic.  Suddenly she remembered she needed something and begged to be allowed to return to her stateroom.  She was granted three minutes, and then the lifeboat would leave without her.

She raced across the tilting deck, through the gambling room where all the money had rolled to one side.  Once inside her room, she pushed aside her diamond rings; she ignored her expensive bracelets and necklaces and reached for three small oranges.  What mattered to her thirty minutes earlier had become worthless!  Death had boarded the Titanic that fateful day, turning all values upside down.  The young lady knew that her survival on that lifeboat depended on those three oranges.

Today you and I live in one of the richest and most powerful countries on earth.  There are those who swear that this country is indestructible; perhaps as unsinkable as the Titanic.  These are the ones who trust in their own workmanship.  And for the time being, we feel lucky to live here, just like those lucky people who managed to get tickets to board the Titanic.  To a large degree, despite the waves, we are sailing along smoothly and life is relatively wonderful.  Society has given us cues for success; a good education; a high paying job; promotions and titles; a corner office; a car and a large house and so forth.  These are the things we treasure today.  But dear friend what if a Titanic-sized tragedy visited our shores?  What would you depend on then?

Writing about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul summarizes the most important thus: “Faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  God wants us to be prepared for our descent into the lifeboat.  When our ship begins to tilt, (and may even now be tilting) we’ll need the right items in our survival bags.  When the time comes to disembark, will you be prepared or will you be laden down with all the perishable treasures of this world?  What does your life say about your values and about your readiness to disembark? 

Faith, hope and love; three small oranges are all you will need for the journey.  Choose wisely, so you are not left behind when the lifeboat leaves this sinking ship for safe harbor in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is all you need.

Heavenly Father, you are not willing that anyone should perish.  Help me to align my values to your values.  Remind me of the things that matter to you, so that I will not be swayed by the attractions of this world.  Help me remember each day, that I am an alien in this world so I will not get comfortable with the status quo and the values of this life.  Today, I choose faith in you; hope in your resurrection and love for you and for my fellow brothers and sisters.   In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.