Peace in the Face of Mortality

 

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV).

 

I am often reminded of my mortality. Those reminders come from physical degeneration as well as the glaring truth in aging. Mary and I often talk about various topics surrounding our mortality. When you have lived over three-quarters of a century, facing the inevitability of death is not difficult. This is magnified with the news of our peers who have died. Death is much closer for us than not. That is an inescapable truth. The real question for us is whether we are at peace when we reflect on our own mortality.

 

Though our life with Christ will never end, we know that our journey on this earth is not going to last forever. One day we will stand in our Creator’s presence. In our reading today (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8) the apostle Paul reflects on this important moment of his life. His thoughts about the end of his life on earth are filled with stirring emotion and striking imagery. He is honest with us in his sadness, just as he is strong in his Christian hope.

 

As Paul reflects on his years as an apostle of Christ, he uses language from the sports world. Paul says he has successfully finished the race and has observed all the rules—the teachings of Christ. He has kept the faith; and, now he is ready to accept his award—the crown of righteousness.

 

Throughout his ministry Paul has trusted in his Savior. He is doing the same now as he nears the end of his life on earth and looks forward to a new adventure in God’s ­presence. Only by God’s grace can we be faithful, credited with Jesus’ righteousness and crowned to live in his presence forever. Rest in that grace extended to you by your heavenly Father. Death no longer holds any power over us!

 

The Sovereignty of God Brings Peace

 

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; the burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:8-11 ESV).

 

In moments of uncertainty and chaos, finding peace in the assurance of God’s sovereignty is a source of strength and comfort. Whatever our life circumstances may be, God is in control, guiding our paths and working out his perfect plans.

 

Our reading today provides one of the many bases in Scripture for being able to trust God in times of difficulty. We are reminded to be still and to acknowledge that the Lord is God. His authority transcends all challenges. He is exalted above every situation. And in this we can find peace.

 

I have experienced the calming presence of God’s sovereignty even in the midst of brokenness, addictions, and sorrow in my own family. In times of turmoil or when facing the unknown, trusting in God’s ultimate control brings a deep sense of peace. Knowing that his purposes prevail and his promises endure gives hope and reassurance.

 

Drawing peace from God’s sovereignty means surrendering our worries, fears, and desires into his capable hands. In faith we can rest in the truth that God works all things together for our good (cf. Romans 8:28). It is the ultimate encouragement to trust that God has got it!

 

As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let’s anchor our hearts in God’s sovereignty. May his peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

 

Peace that Guards Our Heart

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV).

 

The Wisdom of Solomon tells us to guard our hearts: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23 ESV). I have two cardiologists who help me manage my cardiovascular disease. There are all kinds of medications I take along with staying physically active and keeping my weight under control to “guard” my physical heart. However, those practices do not take care of my spiritual heart. The Apostle Paul tells us in our reading today that it is the peace of God that guards our spiritual heart.  

 

Philippians is sometimes called one of Paul’s “prison letters.” That’s because Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, probably in Rome (cf. Philippians 1:12-14). While the details of Paul’s imprisonment are scant, it probably was similar to what we would call “house arrest” today (cf. Acts 28:16-31). Despite being bound with chains, Paul was able to share the gospel during his two-year imprisonment in Rome.

 

Even though Paul enjoyed some freedom while living under house arrest, he was carefully guarded by a Roman soldier. Paul was probably chained to whoever was responsible for guarding him. That’s helpful to know, because when Paul writes about the peace of God that “guards” our hearts, he uses a word that was common in military jargon. Paul may have been chained to a soldier, but he was also connected to a much higher authority. Paul belonged to God and was protected by the peace of God.

 

God gives his people that same peace to today. That’s why so many believers feel protected and at ease in situations that would otherwise make them feel worried and discouraged. If you are feeling anxious and afraid today seek the peace of Jesus (cf. John 14:27). He cares for you and wants you to have peace. He wants your heart ot be guarded carefully!

 

Peace

 

[Jesus said] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” (John 14:27-29 ESV).

 

“Shalom!” When Mary and I first visited Israel many years ago, “shalom” was one of the first words we came to use. "Shalom" is a Hebrew word that primarily means peace, but it also commonly serves as a greeting, like "hello" or "goodbye". Beyond simple greetings, however, "shalom" encapsulates a deeper sense of wholeness, well-being, and completeness. It can refer to peace between individuals, groups, or nations, as well as to the personal well-being and prosperity of an individual.

 

For most people that peace requires a place as much as a change in circumstance. Some prefer the warm sandy beaches with the sea breeze blowing in gently from the ocean and the sound of the ever ebb and flow of the waves. Others, like myself, prefer the mountains with the majestic views of the peaks and valleys on the horizon and cooler air wafting in on a slight breeze. However you best experience “peace” there is only one constant source of such emotion.

 

So, today we’ll begin to consider real “shalom.” While “peace” often refers to an absence of conflict, shalom suggests the presence of goodness, flourishing, right relationships, and all things being as God created them to be. Shalom points to all things living in line with their character so that they can fully achieve God’s intentions for them. Living in right relationship is essential for human flourishing—right relationship with God, with others, with self, and with God’s creation. That’s what God intended. Yet because of human sin and rebellion, those relations are twisted and spoiled. Poverty and all its limitations are the result of relationships gone wrong. Even so, God’s great work of love is to free us and his creation from the bondage of sin and to restore shalom.

 

Jesus is the only complete solution. He is at the heart of God’s work of love. Begin with your complete commitment to Him today!

 

Faith When You Don't See

 

[Jesus said] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:31-40 ESV).

 

There are many of these “optical illusions” of Jesus that have been developed through the years. The one I’ve pictured here is a creation of Oakwood Hill Creations. I hope it was not too much of a puzzle for you to see the name of “Jesus,” though some folks look at it and can’t see anything but some blocks of wood glued to a larger block. They see nothing meaningful in this block of wood. Others look at it, and their faces brighten as they “get it.” The little pieces are arranged in such a way that they spell “JESUS.” But you can see the name only if you look at the block a certain way. It reminds me that Jesus can be with us even when we don’t see him.

 

There are many times when it is difficult to see Jesus. It is particularly important to rely on our faith during challenging periods rather than only in easy times. This is certainly what Jesus meant with the parable in our reading today. Often, we see people in need and deny them help for various reasons. Jesus is saying that giving help to the needy is not dependent on their worthiness, but our faith. Afte all, are any of us worthy?

 

I hope you are willing to look in such a way that you can see Jesus when someone asks for help. He is there!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 10

 

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10:32-24 ESV).

 

Clingmans Dome (picture attached) is now known as Kuwohi. Kuwohi, is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee people and is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Kuwohi is visible from the Qualla Boundary. At 6,643 feet above sea level, Kuwohi is Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) rises higher. The Dome is a popular Park destination. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. I have made that hike a few times when I was much younger. It is also a part of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses Kuwohi, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.

 

Perhaps the most memorable hike was when Kyle and David were very young. In fact, Aaron had not been born as yet. Kyle had an accident and fractured his ankle and thus had a cast. David was in a stroller. We hadn’t made it very far up the inclined trailway when it became apparent that Kyle needed to ride in the stroller and I needed to carry David. Pushing the stroller and carrying David made for a very challenging hike. I kept my eyes fixed ahead and trudged up the trail, arriving somewhat winded, but very pleased! I was reminded how similar that practice is in our life journey. There are those times when the path is steep and the burden is heavy. Keeping our eyes on the destination gives us strength to finish well.

 

Our reading today shows how this was true for Jesus as well. Though Jesus meandered through Galilee and Judea during his ministry, he had one final, unshakable destination in mind, and it was deadly. When he told his disciples he was going to Jerusalem, they were astonished. They knew only too well the ugly jealousy and hatred that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They feared for his life, not to mention their own. Though he had told them about this before, Jesus’ disciples hadn’t grasped the purpose of his mission. He was going to fulfill the Scriptures’ promise of a suffering servant, who would take the sins of fallen humanity on his shoulders (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). He went to Jerusalem to die on a cross there—in order to give us new life and eternal hope. Thank God that he didn’t quit! Keep your eyes on that destination, especially when the way is hard!

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 9

 

Then Job answered and said: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be zin the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength— who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?— he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number. Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Job 9:1-12 ESV).

 

With today’s attachment I have moved away from my beloved Smoky Mountains to Yellowstone National Park. Some years ago Mary and I, along with Mark and Susie Mincey, visited Yellowstone. In fact, we were able to stay in the area for a week taking our time to see as much of it as possible. One evening at sunset I looked to the west from the patio of the cabin where we were staying and was awestruck by the colors of the sky with the mountains in the foreground. The picture does not do it justice. There were many other sights that were inspiring. From the eruption of Old Faithful to the herds of Bison roaming across the valleys near the Lamar River, I was reminded of the creative genius and power of our God.

 

That thought brought me to a better understanding of how destructive is can be to forget who God is in favor of thinking we are somehow comparable. This is the pride that Proverbs warns “goes . . . before a fall.” In our reading today, Job finally comes to the same conclusion. Pride is a vision problem that we all struggle with. In our pride, we fail to see our true place in God’s scheme of things. The Bible condemns pride as the very cause of humanity’s rebellion and its deadly consequences. Forgetting that we are creatures, we reject God’s design for our lives. Thinking that we are superior, we nurture contempt for others.

 

Humility is the antidote to pride. True humility means clearly seeing our place in relation to God and the world he has made; it means treating God as God, and treating ourselves and others as his beloved creatures. That’s how God wants us to walk with him—treating everyone with due dignity and grace. Take that walk with me!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 8

 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV).

 

Springtime in the Smokies can swell the rivers with water from runoffs originating higher in the mountains. This picture was taken in along the Chattahoochee River on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky National Park. I was walking along the edge trying to get a picture of a bull elk I had seen making his way ahead of me. I had seen him cross the river ahead and thought I could get to a clear spot quick enough. Obviously, that didn’t happen; and fortunately, my brain engaged and kept me from trying to cross. Wading through moving water can be dangerous.

 

Some “rushing rivers” can’t be avoided though. In our reading from Isaiah, God assures his people of his presence and protection. When the challenges and crises of life stand in their way like a rushing river, says the Lord, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Using the imagery of surging waters and raging fire, God promises that his people will not be overwhelmed. Later in this chapter, God recounts how he kept Israel safe from the deep waters and the army of Pharaoh when they crossed the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 14). God also promises to protect his people from the surging destruction of their own sins. He promises to blot those sins out and to remember them no more.

 

God, who created us and knows our weaknesses, promises to love us and protect us from dangers both outside and within our own hearts. We see God’s faithfulness to his people and, above all, in his Son, Jesus, who fulfills all of God’s promises.

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 7

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV).

 

Continuing in our “Take a Walk with Me” series brings me to one of the most beloved psalms of the Scripture. It has been read at innumerous gravesites as a means of comfort for those who are experiencing one of the darkest and most difficult times of their lives. When David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (v. 4), he certainly had this kind of experience in mind. However, God comforts us in many other experiences as well as grief. I’ve chosen a story that is humorous now, though frightening at the time.

 

The picture I’ve attached was taken in Cades Cove, Tennessee. It is not unusual to see black bears as they move freely through this “wild” area. This bear had decided to climb a tree just off the road that loops its way around the cove. Of course, I had to attempt to get a photo. My camera is not equipped with special lenses. This “close-up” is taken from the base of the tree. Even though Mary cautioned me not to get out of the car, I had to get closer for the picture. There were some others who had done the same, so, I reasoned I was relatively safe. After taking several shots, this pose filled the screen and I snapped it. Proudly thinking how well I had done, I noticed the bear had decided to come down from the tree. Perhaps it was annoyed at the attention it was receiving from the crowd that had gathered, or maybe it simply wanted to go to another place. I couldn’t back up quickly enough! Making it back to the car, Mary simply said, “I tried to warn you.” Well, she did… I suppose there are times when God protects us even when we are not very smart!

 

In Psalm 23, God promises to protect his people in the many challenging, difficult circumstances of life. Chief among the promises here is the assurance of God’s presence. God promises to walk with us through green pastures and along babbling brooks when life’s pathways are clear and smooth. God also promises to be with us through thorny stretches, and even through “the darkest valley,” where we may face “the shadow of death,” as some translations put it. Those are paths that we tremble even to think about. He promises, “I am with you.” This means that wherever we walk, and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we are never alone.

 

Psalm 23 doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy or even safe. But with the promise of God’s enduring presence in our lives, we can walk boldly with him as we seek to serve him wherever we are.

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 6

 

The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord. (Genesis 13:14-18 ESV).

 

Some of the most beautiful sights I have seen in the Smokies were almost accidentally captured with a short walk on a path leading away from one of the many overlooks along the road. Today’s picture was taken at such a spot. Mary and I were riding through the Roaring Fork Motor Trail when the attached picture was taken off the parking area. We had climbed nearly to the halfway point of the motor trail, seeing an overlook space available, I pulled in to just look. Walking around the area I saw a footpath leading up to a higher vantage point. It was not far, so I climbed up and reached the end to be rewarded with this magnificent view. It seemed as if the mountains stretched on forever!

 

Our reading today is the end of the story that begins with how God had brought Abram (whom he later renamed Abraham) and his household on a long journey from Harran (in present-day Turkey) to the land of Canaan (present-day Israel). God had made promises, and Abraham had trusted God, taking him at his word (Genesis 12:1-7). As we can see in today’s reading, God promised to give Abraham all of the land that he could see around him in Canaan. And God said, “Go, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” God promised to bless Abraham and his descendants there, and Abraham settled in that land and worshiped the Lord.

 

God might not call us to journey on foot, but he does call each of us to follow him in faith and faithfulness. At the end of our journey we will receive all the creation God has prepared for us. There will not be an end to it. It is eternal, without limits. I’m always a bit amazed that I spend so much of my journey looking down at my steps that I miss the vista ahead. Never doubt that through Jesus, God keeps his promises to us. Heaven is ahead!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 5

 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:6-7 ESV).

 

The picture today is from the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs in front of the cabin where Mary and I enjoy staying when we are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was taken in the fall of the year, and the colors were incredible. So was the fly fishing! I love to fish, especially when I’ve got the chance to catch some rainbows in the mountains. It has required that I “persevere.” In fact, I’ve done a lot more fishing than catching though. These beautiful fish are wary. I’ve finally figured out the right pattern of fly and the approach and have caught a few nice fish here. So far, they’ve all gone back to the river to allow others the pleasure of fishing for them.

 

I am reminded of the need for perseverance in our journey by this memory. The story of Noah illustrates this truth. Noah’s journey isn’t about fishing a trout stream, but about building an ark. And if you’ve ever built anything, you know that it involves many steps in a process. Gathering materials, measuring, cutting, fitting, shaping, joining, finishing. Piece by piece, the ark took shape. God had commanded Noah to build an enormous lifeboat on dry land. It took Noah years to complete what seemed an impossible, ludicrous project. Imagine the courage, resolve, and sheer stamina it took to work on the ark day after day as his neighbors mocked him.

 

God chose Noah not for his perseverance but for his faith. When he received God’s command, Noah didn’t hesitate. Though he may have had doubts, he acted in faith, step by step, until the ark was ready. Our reading today commends Noah for his active faith. In the face of what seemed ridiculous and impossible, Noah walked with God. We may not finish every task we try to accomplish for God’s kingdom, but if we step out in faith in obedience to God, we walk with the Lord in his strength. Sometimes we even catch a few fish!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt 4

 

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:21-24 ESV).

 

The Appalachian Trail, often referred to as the A.T., is an iconic long-distance hiking trail which runs for approximately 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain, Georgia and Mount Katahdin, Maine in the American East. There are few hiking trails in the world that are more iconic, and the Appalachian Trail thru hike - completing the entire route in one season - is attempted by around 3000 people each year, though the number who hike a small part each year runs well into the millions. I am one of those who have hiked “a small part” of it! The picture I’ve attached is the trailhead at the southern end of the A.T. in Georgia. If you are able to be in the trail-thru hike it is only a bit over 2,000 miles to the end from here!

 

I find it difficult to imagine walking a long-distance trail like this one. I am told that it can give you a feeling of timelessness. Although the landscape changes, the day-to-day rhythm remains the same: walk, eat, sleep; repeat. The life of Enoch, an early descendant of Adam and Eve, also has a sense of timelessness about it. He lived for 365 years and did not die! Yet Enoch’s lifespan was short for his family. Enoch’s father, Jared, lived to the age of 962. At age 65, Enoch had a son named Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old!

 

The four short verses about Enoch’s life don’t tell us much, but we do learn one crucial fact about him: “Enoch walked faithfully with God.” In his long life of stepping through each day, Enoch walked in a way that pleased God. In fact, God was so pleased with Enoch’s faithful walk that he spared Enoch from the curse of death.

 

Certainly there is mystery in this story. Yet there is no mystery about how to please God. God calls us to walk faithfully with him, trusting him, honoring him, and serving him. God will probably not take us away as he did with Enoch, but we have the comfort of knowing that Jesus, who conquered sin and death for us, has promised never to leave or forsake us when our own lives end. Perfection is not the goal. Commit to a faithful walk!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 3

 

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cis crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, hand whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. (Genesis 4:8-16 ESV).

 

A few years ago, Mary and I spent some time with David and his family in the lower range of the Appalachians. David and I, along with Maggie, Lucy, and Harris decided to go on a short hike to see the longest suspension bridge in the country. It happened to be a short drive from the cabin where we were staying. It required a short hike along the Appalachian Trail to get there. As we walked along, the kids noticed a white rectangle painted on one of the trees. Of course, their curiosity kicked in and they asked why anyone would paint on the tree. I suppose they thought someone had vandalized the tree. I explained these markers were called “blazes.” They were put there to help navigate your way and stay on the trail. If you see the white blazes, you know you’re still on the path.

 

Unfortunately, some people step off the trail and get lost in the woods. For a hiker, that can be a dangerous sort of “missing the mark.” In our reading today, Cain turns away from walking with God and is lost. It is a graphic story showing the depths of human sin as Cain attacks and kills his brother Abel because he feels slighted and resentful. The brokenness caused by sin blooms fully in this first murder in human history.

 

When God confronts Cain with his hideous deed, Cain isn’t sorry. He is concerned only about his own fate. He is terrified that others will follow his example and kill him. Though God graciously marks Cain to protect him from violence, Cain remains lost as a wanderer and a fugitive. In the Bible the Hebrew word for “sin” (hatta’t) literally means “missing the mark.” In our alienation from God and from others, we miss the mark. We are all lost. But Jesus finds us and sets us on the right path, the way of following him and loving others. He has clearly marked the way with His footprints through His life and the Scripture. As we continue to walk along this journey, make sure you are on the path marked by Jesus.

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 2

 

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:8-10 ESV).  

 

Go back with me to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the attached picture today. It was a cool April afternoon some years ago as I walked along an easy trail leading to the John Oliver Cabin. The dogwoods and wildflowers were blooming while I took my time enjoying the beauty surrounding me. I particularly noticed the wild daisies that seemed to blanket the fields beside the path. Sadly, some of the flowers’ stems had broken, perhaps as a result of others who strayed from the trail for pictures. Seeing the drooping flowers, I was reminded of our reading today and the first walking scene of the Scripture.

 

Adam and Eve must have enjoyed walking with God “in the cool of the day” in their garden home. But in today’s story, they were deeply anxious. Earlier in the day, they had disobeyed God, doing the one thing God had told them not to do. God had created Adam and Eve to live in fellowship with himself, with each other, and in harmony with the earth and its creatures. In their disobedience, however, they tried to hide from God, and, as the story continues, we see their alienation from each other and from the rest of God’s good creation.

 

When he comes to walk with them, God finds Adam and Eve cowering in shame. God explains the consequences of their sin. But in his judgment on the serpent, we glimpse God’s promise to redeem fallen humanity back to fellowship with himself, with each other, and with his world. This was accomplished in the sacrifice of Jesus accomplishing our atonement.

 

I wonder if you are living with needless shame and guilt. Take a walk with me and remember that no matter how broken you feel, Jesus’ death and resurrection saves you from that in order to reunite you with your heavenly Father that you may be in His presence continuously. Come enjoy Him with me!

 

Take a Walk with Me

 

[Moses said] “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-6 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve chosen to begin a short series of devotionals for the next few days was taken at sunset in Cades Cove. For those of you who may not be familiar with this beautiful place, it is nestled in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which stretches through border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Whenever Mary and I are able to travel there we are amazed by the majesty of God’s creation. We’ve been making that trip for over fifty years at various times of the year. When we were younger it would not have been unusual to stop and take a short walk along one of the easy trails through the mountains. They are called “quiet walkways.” Views like this photo are common along the trails. I hope these devotionals will give you some views into the heart and mind of God so that you may be encouraged… Come, Take a Walk with Me!

 

In our reading today, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel, specifically urging them to be obedient to God's commands. He reminds them of God's blessings and guidance during their 40 years in the wilderness and emphasizes the importance of remembering and not forgetting God's goodness. Moses uses this as a basis for cautioning them against pride and forgetting God when they enter the Promised Land.

 

Walking was the most common way for people to go from place to place in the days of the Old Testament. It’s no surprise, then, that walking is mentioned more than 200 times in the Bible. Whether people took short strolls or long journeys, they moved forward one step at a time. In the Bible, the Hebrew word for “walk” (halak) can also refer to following God and living for him in his world. God’s people had been walking in the wilderness for 40 years. And now, preparing to enter the land that God had promised them, they were reminded to walk in the ways of the Lord and to honor God in all they would do. And God promised to bless them abundantly.

 

That is our promise as well. Wherever we “walk” today, on short strolls or a long journey, each step should remind us to walk in God’s ways and to honor him. Make that your commitment as we take our little walk together!

 

The Difference Between the Who and the What

 

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48 ESV).

 

Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” These words of Jesus can surprise and even shock us. And who, exactly, are our enemies? The answer is found in understanding the difference between “who” and “what”. In the book of Psalms, David spoke often of his enemies. David’s enemies wanted him physically dead. They wanted to destroy his kingdom—which was intended to represent the kingdom of God. Those enemies were people who opposed the rule of God in the world.

 

If we follow Christ today, we might not encounter people who want us physically dead, but we certainly can encounter people who would celebrate the end of the church and the end of the Christian faith. We might also think of politicians as enemies if they are working to replace some of our nation’s laws with measures that are openly against God’s Word. While we know that our citizenship is in heaven, we still live as residents of an earthly nation. Further, people who want to destroy our country may also be considered our enemies.

 

The apostle Paul says, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). He does not say, “Hate who is evil,” but what is evil. This means that while we may hate laws and policies and actions that are evil, we are still called to love people who promote and do such things. And we are not to slander or curse them but to pray for them.

 

Be careful in the difference between the “who” and the “what”. Defend the faith without attacking the faithless!

 

Happy Birthday, Mary!

 

I will bless the Lord pat all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:1-8 ESV).

 

As we continue looking at the meaning of being a part of the kingdom of God as believers, today has a dual meaning. As you might guess from the title of today’s Morning Devotional, it is Mary’s birthday today. As has been my custom since first beginning to write these daily thoughts of encouragement and inspiration from the Scripture some thirty years ago, I want to honor Mary and incorporate the wisdom of God’s word for our lives. Let’s begin with a wish for the greatest of blessings on this day to Mary… Happy Birthday, Sugar!

 

Let’s also concentrate on the last verse of our reading today: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (v. 8). There are so many experiences in our fifty-six years together that I might be able to share that would affirm the truth of this verse. The Lord has been so good to us. It is a marvel to me that God would have blessed me with such an incredible partner to walk through this journey with. While there have been some parts of the journey that have challenged me to the breaking point, each time as I have come to recognize the complete trustworthiness of our God. I have found Him to be more than enough. That trust has provided more than mere refuge from the storms; it has also “worked together for good” (cf. Romans 8:28).

 

Perhaps a story from the beginning will illustrate this best. You may recognize the location of the picture I’ve chosen for today. It is the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was taken in the fall last year. Both Mary and I look a bit older than we did the first time we traveled to the Smokies. After all, that was well over fifty years ago! That first trip was taken with Mary’s family. We were engaged at the time. I was concerned that her North Carolina grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins would not approve of this young Italian boy she had given her heart to. And, I had no idea of the depth of love and acceptance that they would extend to me.

 

My first view of the Smoky Mountains should have provided a clue as to what the Lord was about to do in my life. As we traveled the highway through Memphis toward the mountains, every rise on the horizon brought me to think, “Is that the mountains?” After all, never having traveled further than College Station from Galveston, I had no idea what a mountain looked like. Of course, I had seen a few photos, but in 1968, photography was not nearly as good as it is today. No photograph could do justice to the magnificent of God’s creation of that beloved place. Somewhere east of Nashville we crested a hill and the mountains seemed to just appear, dwarfing the horizon. I was so taken by the majesty of that sight I had to pull off the highway and stop to just look. Mary simply said, “Those are the mountains.” Remember… “O, taste and see that the Lord is good!” That was the beginning of the great gifts God would give to me with her beside me. In these five decades our family has increased. Our children have married, beginning their own journeys. Our grandchildren have been added to the family tree. Each of them displaying the goodness of our God.

 

There are those times when I drift away from the truth that this is just the beginning of the goodness of our Lord. There is so much more to come! Then I can come full circle to the truth that the greatest gift of all, the gift of grace through Jesus’ sacrificial atoning work in my life make all of this possible. That all began with meeting Mary at the A&W in College Station, Texas, over half a century ago!

 

Happy Birthday, Mary! We have just begun to see the greatness of our God… eternity will hold so much more!

 

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

 

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8 ESV).

 

Whenever I am asked about living a life that exemplifies a Kingdom citizen, I usually go to the prophet Micah. In our reading today he tells us three things that describe the actions of a child of God. It was never enough for the prophet to speak out for the Lord against the unjust practices of his day. He also conveyed the desire of God. God is not concerned about what the practice of religion except when it accurately represents who we are at the core of our hearts.

 

The core of his writings comes from how he pictured people asking how they might please God with offerings to pay for their sins: “What is it that God wants from us? How much must we sacrifice before God will be happy with us?” (v. 6). The answer is simple and yet profoundly life-changing: If you practice injustice, it doesn’t matter how much you sacrifice to God. The Lord calls us to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with him. Then we may bring our offerings and find favor with God.

 

In his day there were those who used weighted scales in their sales. His message is simple: Stop your price gouging! End the practice of driving people into poverty so that you can buy them as servants and slaves. Practice justice. And even more than that—love mercy. Give freely to your poor neighbor rather than scheming up ways to make them your slaves. Find ways to relieve poverty rather than profiting from it. There will never be a time when God is pleased with profiting unjustly, especially when it involves negatively impacting the poor and needy. Listen to Jesus:

 

[Jesus said] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46 ESV).

 

Act justly… love mercy… walk humbly! That is what we are called to be in the Kingdom of God!

 

The Justice of the Kingdom

 

Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food. But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” (1 Kings 21:1-15 ESV).

 

Today’s reading is a bit longer than usual, however, the story is important to read in its entirety. When God gave Israel the land he had promised them, each clan received a tract of land as their inheritance. God also made clear that this inheritance was to remain in each family throughout the generations. When times were hard, some families in debt had to sell their land, but in those cases the sale was never meant to be permanent. (cf. Leviticus 25; Joshua 13-21.) However, King Ahab of Israel was wicked and did not want to live in line with God’s way. Near the king’s palace was a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth. Ahab offered to buy the land from Naboth, but Naboth refused to sell because God had said the land should remain in the family to whom it was given. That made Ahab angry, so, with the help of his wife, Jezebel, he came up with a plan. They plotted to have Naboth put to death by having him accused of cursing both God and the king. Ahab then stole the dead man’s land.

 

As the king of Israel, Ahab was responsible to be a representative of God, the true King. But this abuse of justice was intolerable, and Ahab and Jezebel would pay a heavy price. (cf. 1 Kings 21:17-29; 2 Kings 9:30-37.)

 

It is not difficult to see the injustice of this story. Perhaps we are angered by such an account of Ahab and Jezebel’s actions, yet we often discount these stories as being ancient in history and of no application to our day. However, are things really that different when the weak are preyed upon for the benefit of the powerful? Being members of the kingdom of God through Christ calls for our outrage when we see injustice today. Take care in how you live. Be just as He is just!

 

The Importance of Thinker

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1-10 ESV).

 

Being born again to live in the kingdom of God calls for a dramatic shift in our thought patterns. God comes to us and says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (v. 2). But we may wonder, “If we ignore earthly things that need to be taken care of, won’t our lives just become more chaotic? Is God really telling us to quit focusing on the day-to-day matters all around us?” Setting our minds “on things above” has to do with leaving our old sinful lives behind so that we can put on the new life we are called to live in Christ.

 

This means that we change the way we think. So often we come to believe that it is our behavior that needs to be changed. And, often it does. However, the only effective means to change what we do it to change how we think. As I have often pointed out to others, thinker determines feeler, and then, feeler determines doer. When we think correctly, we feel good about doing differently.

 

Instead of living in “immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed,” we are called to show “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” and more. We are to live as the people of God’s kingdom. This means we regularly spend time with God, reading and studying the Bible, praying, worshiping, enjoying fellowship with other believers, learning from Christian thinkers and artists, and more. In this way our earthly lives become increasingly focused on the greater purposes and good that God has in store for us while we live for him in this world. If, however, we spend each day immersed in our old, selfish ways and in the false promises of the world, we will find ourselves drifting away from the full life God wants for us. Set your minds on things above!