"Non-renewable Resources"

According to Wikipedia, a non-renewable resource is a resource which cannot be produced, grown, generated, or used on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much faster than nature can create them. Fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear power (uranium) are examples. The nature of these resources has made them valuable as well as a subject of much debate and research. However, there is another non-renewable resource that is more valuable than any other. It is, of course, time. Here’s what the Apostle Paul had to say:

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB).

So, how do you keep from wasting your time? What do you do to “redeem the time”? There are some who would simply say multitasking is the answer. However, doing several things at once is a trick we play on ourselves, thinking we're getting more done. In reality, our productivity goes down by as much as 40%. We don't actually multitask. We switch-task, rapidly shifting from one thing to another, interrupting ourselves unproductively, and losing time in the process. You might think you're different, that you've done it so much you've become good at it. But you'd be wrong. Research shows that heavy multitaskers are less competent at doing several things at once than light multitaskers. In other words, in contrast to almost everything else in your life, the more you multitask, the worse you are at it. Practice, in this case, works against you. So, again the question remains: How do you redeem the time? Let me make some suggestions.

 First, unload everything that is holding you back. These are the unnecessary and unproductive things in your life like worrying about things you cannot control or chasing the things that will never produce peace or joy.

 Second, make a commitment to invest yourself in your family. This is the essence of real love. Even when we have difficult members of our family remember love is a decision and not a feeling.

 Third, concentrate your time and energy on your relationship with God. Most of us spend the majority of our day “working.” That may mean you are involved with your career whether inside or outside the home, or it could mean that you have other tasks that must be accomplished like chores around the house. Don’t allow the day to slip by without using a portion of it to deepen your relationship with God. I read someone who suggested that we ought to “tithe our day. That’s the principle at work here.

Redeeming the time is not just working harder, but it is giving God our schedule and operating in faith each moment. Your time is non-renewable. Spend it wisely!

"Alice in Wonderland"

Jesus said, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:25-27 NASB).

It’s so amazing how God can use anything to speak to us if we’ll just listen! I was going through some of the Little Golden Books we have saved for Faith and Logan and found another book, Alice in Wonderland. I started to leaf through the pages and found the part of the story of her second encounter with the anxious white rabbit who has dropped his gloves and his fan and is quite frantic. Here is a portion of the story:

Alice guessed in a moment that it was looking for the fan and the pair of white kid gloves, and she very good-naturedly began hunting about for them, but they were nowhere to be seen — everything seemed to have changed since her swim in the pool, and the great hall, with the glass table and the little door, had vanished completely.

Have you noticed how much like the white rabbit we are at times in our lives? We reach that point when we believe that many things in our lives seem to have vanished completely. It may be your career, your friends, or your ability to participate in activities as you once did. They are simply gone! Some days I feel like that. It can be difficult not to look back and mourn. But at some point, we must turn and face forward and get on with it.

It is so easy to become overcome with what I have heard called “white rabbit anxiety” and spiral to the worst case scenario about the future. That’s where we can learn a great lesson from Alice. You see, she views her life as an adventure. And, even after numerous setbacks, she keeps on going. I know Alice is an imaginary character, and her life was scripted by the author. But, isn’t our life “scripted” by our creator? Weren’t we given certain gifts and abilities that He knew we would still be able to use after our tumble down our rabbit hole?

It’s always a challenge to view our lives as an adventure, however I am learning that even in the most difficult situations I can look to God and marvel at what He will do next.
You see, I believe in miracles. I’ve seen them happen so many times. We have a vast advantage over Alice. Oh, one other thing, for those of us who believe, our stories are never going to end. And we are guaranteed a happy ending! So look into the future and KNOW it’s going to be just fine! After all, God takes care of the little birds. We are much more loved than they are!

"Grillin' and Chillin'"

Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.'” (Genesis 45:16-18 NASB).

Some of you have heard me use the phrase “grillin’ and chillin’.” It’s a phrase that I often use to update my status when I am sitting on the patio and relaxing while I cook on the grill. There’s something mystical about that time. I’m usually alone reading and watching the grill at the same time, although there are times when I just sit there and reflect on my surroundings. Sometimes various birds will fly to the feeder and I marvel at the beauty and carefree nature as they eat. They are completely provided for.

Just the other night I put on a couple of thick steaks to grill before Mary got home. There's really no better meal to me than a couple of ribeye steaks. These were especially good. They had a lot of marbling and a surrounding layer of fat on the edges. That’s where the real flavor comes from. Now, please, don't write me and lecture me on the ill effects of the fat on the meat. I know that lean is better for you; I just don’t think it tastes as good! And, I do have an illustration here.

In our reading today we are looking into the life of Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, and over the next few decades he suffered numerous trials. Because of his God-given talent of interpreting dreams, he rises to prominence in Egypt and in today's verse, Pharaoh promises Joseph and his family the "fat of the land". Isn't that a wonderful turn of events? There may have been a time, when Joseph was separated from his family and when his family was suffering from the famine, when Joseph and his family felt like life would never be complete again. They might have wondered if God's blessings had dried up around them. Yet, in an instant, they are awarded the "fat of the land". The "fat" is the best part you know! Just like that, God worked all things for good!

Whether in your spiritual life or in the circumstances of your life, are you in a drought right now? If you look at your life, does it appear that things will never change; like they will never be any better? You may think God's blessing have dried up in your life. You may feel that no one cares. You may question your future. You need to know that God is still in control. In an instant He can change the situations in your life for good. Even as you read this, God is arranging all this to become a blessing in your life. He is working things out so that He can receive the glory. That’s what our heavenly Father does for His children! God can and will give you the "fat of the land", in His time. And, remember, the fat is the best part! So, do a little grillin’ and chillin’ in your spiritual life too!

"Another MRI Story"

I can’t pass this one up! The lesson is both funny and so practical. I went to the imaging center for an MRI Monday morning. By the way… thanks for all the prayers. I’ll keep everyone posted. Here’s the story. I walked in and registered; took my britches off and put one of those disgusting gowns on; waited in a common waiting room, freezing; and finally made it back to the imaging room. The tech instructed me to put ear plugs in and lie down on the table. OK… I looked at him and said, “I’m a little claustrophobic.” I was actually being braver about it than I intended. I’m a lot claustrophobic! He said, “No problem. It’ll only take about twelve minutes. Would you like a wash cloth to put over your eyes?” I really hope you’re laughing as much as I was then! A wash cloth! Are you kidding me? I want some drugs… do NOT put me in that coffin head first! Oh well, drugs were not an option; neither was a change in positioning. So, in I went. I determined that if I just kept my eyes closed and prayed… fervently now has a new meaning for me… I could make it. And, I did.

And I learned a great lesson. God doesn’t use “wash cloths” to take care of our fears. Here’s His promise:

Jesus said, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:26-27 NASB).

It took the disciples a little while to “get it.” In fact, it wouldn’t be until the Holy Spirit came on them at Pentecost that they would understand the really answer to fear! Now, I’m not minimizing our phobias. Believe me… I know how they can affect us. What I am saying is that god doesn’t offer us meaningless solutions. He doesn’t offer a wash cloth over our eyes! He offers us His presence in the Holy Spirit. He lives within us with all of His power and might at our beck and call! That’s what He gives us!

That means when the real fears, like death and darkness encroach, we can turn to Him and know we have already been given the victory. Let the devil give it his best shot. It is no match for my heavenly Father. Jesus has already won that victory on my behalf! These temporary challenges are no more than that – temporary! That which is eternal is secured by the blood of Jesus shed on my behalf nearly 2,000 years ago! Whatever fear you are facing today, please turn to the One who calms the storms of life with just the whisper of His voice. He won’t let you down.

"MRI"

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. (2 Corinthians 13: 5-9 NASV).

A “MRI,” the abbreviation for “Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” is one of the most definitive tests for looking at the physical body internally. MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, transmitted electronically, printed or copied to a CD. Monday morning, for some of you as you are reading this devotional, I will have one done to determine what the next course of action will be to treat a deterioration in my spine that has been causing me some difficulty over the last few months.

This won’t be the first one for me, though it is the first time they have been looking for problems in my spine. I am confident that whatever the results, the Lord will use it to benefit both me and others. However, I did begin thinking a bit about the whole concept of testing the “inside” of my body. In our reading today the apostle urges the Corinthians to “test” themselves to see if they were in the faith. That seems like an odd thing to say at first glance. However, when I think about it, it makes very good sense to do an intensive, detailed check-up from time to time.

It is so easy to drift through life and develop habits and patterns that are not in themselves bad. They just aren’t good. The phrase “in the faith” is better translated “true to the faith.” Sometimes it is so easy to proclaim our faith with our words and deny it with our actions. These physical check-ups cost a little time and a little more inconvenience, but if the beginnings of a dangerous illness are discovered, the cost is well worth it. All of us ought to be able to agree something is very wrong with the world. The Christian is supposed to have the answer to the moral plague sweeping the nations. But something is very wrong with the average Christian church. There is supposed to be love, but there is envying, strife and division. There is supposed to be holiness, but there is instead often downright ungodliness. There is supposed to be power, but there is largely only weakness and spiritual sickness. We are supposed to have revival, but on the whole we have still not seen any great awakening. Could it be that we have slowly become unfaithful? Well, I’m nearly out of space for today, so here’s the challenge for you and I in this day when we need to do a spiritual MRI: on a scale of 0 to 10, 0 being not at all and 10 being perfect, where would you rate your spiritual health? I don’t expect there’ll be very many 10’s. If there are, do a “hand-check.” That is, if there aren’t nail prints, probably not a ten! However, if it is a five or less, let’s commit ourselves to a renewed process of growth and healing in the area that needs improvement. Maybe it will be in your devotional life, your prayer life, perhaps its in your service to others; it could be in your attitudes. The Holy Spirit will guide you to the specific area. Just go through the “test.” If you need help with a plan of action email me. Let’s be true to our faith!

"Think on These Things"

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NASV).

I found an old clipping dated July, 1987. It quoted the interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance as given by Red Skelton on January 14, 1969! It originally appeared on the Red Skelton Hour and was reproduced on that date in the Know County Chamber of Commerce newsletter in Vincennes, Indiana, which was Red’s hometown. I know some of you will not know Red Skelton. He was one of the great entertainers of what seems to be a lost era. He said:

“I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he walked over. Mr. Laswell was his name… he said, ‘I have been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it to you and try to explain to you the meaning of each word:

I – me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge – dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance – my love and my devotion.
To the Flag – our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts freedom.
Of the United – that means we have all come together.
States – individual communities have united into 48 great states [remember the date]. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united with a common purpose, and that’s love of country.
Of America.
And to the Republic – a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it is from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands.
One nation – a country united. [Stay with me to the end]
Indivisible - incapable of being divided.
With liberty – which is freedom and the right of power to live one’s own life without threats or fear or some sort of retaliation.
And justice – The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all – which means it is as much your country as it is mine.’”

Red Skelton went on to say, “Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance – under God. Would it not be a pity if someone said, ‘That’s a prayer and that would be eliminated from school.’”

I hope no one reading this will truly believe that we are not a country in trouble! Our only hope is to Think on These Things! To continue to walk away from God as if it had no consequence is the height of arrogance and stupidity! Join me in calling as many people back to under God!

"The End Is the Beginning"

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. (Philippians 3:1 NASV)

There are two things I want you to note as I write today’s devotional. First, note the change in translation. I am beginning to use the New American Standard Version. It is a bit more literal translation than the NIV, though a little harder to understand at times. I hope it will encourage you to compare with your favorite version. The second thing of note is I am hopping around a bit in Philippians. Yesterday I ended with some encouraging words to focus on the real joy of life. That began to prod me to look at the theme of “rejoicing” in this letter. The apostle mentions it in virtually every chapter. And so it ought to be a theme of our lives. The strange thing is that we often wait until much later in life to realize the real source of joy. So, I would like to list a few things that will help you discover the end is the beginning!

 First, understand who you are now. Make sure you understand the difference between changeable and unchangeable features. Never accept the values other people place on your appearance, ability, parentage, or environment. God is only concerned with our inward beauty. That is eternal!

 Second, be alive to possibilities and work to make them realities. There are so many wonderful examples of this principle. Believe me, I know it is easier to quit than to persevere. But, perseverance will win the day!

 Third, expand your knowledge of the great thinkers of both former days and our day. Do not fall into the trap of modern media saturation. Entertainment is great, but reading for the sake of knowledge is a good thing too!

 Fourth, have a home to enjoy, to live in, and to be in. Make your corner of the world personal. Drop your anchor. We are pilgrims on a journey through this life, but make where you are yours! I really wish you could see my “study.” It is filled with things that remind me of my journey. There are mementos that recall for me my friends and the times I have spent with them. There are photos that recall my children at various ages and stages. Here I am home for a time.

 Fifth, involve yourself in a church where you can meaningfully worship and minister. There are lots of choices. Make one! There really is no substitute for worshipping with others who are like-minded.

 Last, evaluate and develop good friendships. Commit yourself to faithfulness, loyalty, and availability to those intimate members of your circle of friends.

Give ‘em a try! Don’t wait until you get “old enough” to know better! Rejoice!

"God's Plan for Us"

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV).

I know today’s reading is specifically a prophecy and promise to Israel. But the promise also has a dual application to us as individuals and as nations today. Do you remember the story of the ugly duckling? A mother hen had six beautiful golden yellow chicks and one ugly gray one. The ugly one was picked on by all the other chicks, rejected, made fun of, and made to feel terrible because he was so different. You can imagine how he felt. Some time later when all the chicks were grown, along came a flock of beautiful swans. How the ugly duckling adored them and lo and behold, he looked into the water and saw his own reflection and came to the profound realization that he wasn't an ugly duckling but a beautiful swan! His life was forever changed.

Did you ever feel like you were an "ugly duckling" misfit? Many of us have. Many still do. I've known beautiful people who felt and believed they were ugly. All of us have suffered from some kind of rejection. We may have been told that we lack some talent or ability. It may be that you have been ridiculed for a disability of some kind. Regardless of the situation sometimes we come to believe the negative comments made toward us. When we allow others to define us as “ugly” and believe it, it can be devastating to our self-image and behavior and how well we do in life. When parents or peers repeatedly tell us we are ugly, clumsy, stupid or whatever, and we believe what they say and define ourselves that way, we tend to act accordingly because we always act consistently with what we believe deep down no matter what we may profess.

I know it is easier said than done, but there is only one way to truly define ourselves, and that is how God sees us. And when we see ourselves this way, our life can be forever changed too! Certainly God sees our woundedness, our brokenness, our sins, and our failures, but he separates our person from our actions and sees beyond these. He sees us as his creation and loves us with an everlasting love. He sees the person in us that he envisions us to be . . . our potential and what, with his help, we can become.

As Michelangelo said, "I saw the angel in the marble and chiseled until I set it free." That's how God sees you and me. He looks beyond the rugged exterior and sees the "angel" within each of us. As God said to the ancient Israelites, he also says to you and me: "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." Turn to that plan today!

"So, You Want a Day Off?"

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians 3:12-16 NIV).

I read an amusing answer to the question in the title for today’s Morning Devotional. Someone recounted the days in the year as an answer as follows:

There are 365 days in a year available to work. In these days of the year there are 52 weeks, of which you have two days off. That leaves 261 days available to work. You spend 16 hours away from work using up another 170 more days leaving only 91 days available. You get 30 minutes for “coffee breaks” each day and that amounts to 23 more days leaving only 68 days to work. You get a one hour lunch break each day using up another 46 days leaving only 22 days to work. You normally spend 2 days on sick leave leaving 20 days. There are 5 holidays each year, so now you are down to 15 days left to work. You get 14 days vacation each year which leaves 1 day to work. And, now you want that one too! Are you crazy!

I hope you got a little giggle at that one. We all know the math doesn’t work! If it does, I sure feel tired for having worked just one day a year! I think many of us feel as over-worked in our Christian life as we do in our secular life. Paul has some advice in our reading today for all of us as he urges us to “press on.” Let me list them as I see them practically:

 Once a week, commit yourself to do something you don’t want to do. It’s good for your discipline and good for you character. Never trade your character for a moment of fleeting happiness. Real joy comes through the discipline of life.
 Pay attention to the little things. In the end they become the big things. The smile you share with those around you even when you don’t feel like smiling can be one of those things.
 Give yourself something that will outlast yourself. Invest in something eternal. For me this is one of the reasons I’m the twins assistant soccer coach. Regardless of how tough it might be with schedules and such, it may become something they never forget. And, it could be my only chance to do it.
 Force yourself to ask the question, “What’s in me for it?” Resist asking yourself, “What’s in it for me?”
 Resist believing that the best things in life are things.

None of us can take a day off from following Christ. Press on t the mark of His high calling!

"Wake Up!"

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. (Philippians 1:3-7 NIV).

Someone has said, “The man who has forgotten to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.” While I firmly believe that and see that truth clearly in the beginning of this letter the Apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi, I also know how difficult it can be to be thankful. Sometimes it is so much easier to “fall asleep” in life. You know how it goes. Some things are so difficult that it is simply easier not to face them. After all, won’t they go away if we ignore them? Well, of course they won’t! But how do we maintain a level of gratitude like Paul in the midst of circumstances that challenge the very core of our mind? As we start to look through this letter over the next few days, here are a few suggestions to apply to help you awaken your gratitude in life.

1. First, be thankful for your friends. Paul certainly was thankful for his friends. When he received Christian expressions of friendship and support, he saw it as coming directly from God. He was absolutely right. Our friends are a gift from God. I guess as I have gotten older this has become clearer for me. I have had friends through my life who genuinely stood with me both in “the partnership of the gospel” and sharing in “God’s grace.” Those are the two things Paul mentions. They are the embodiment of real friendship. That’s what separates acquaintances from friends.

2. Second, like Paul, be thankful for the promise of victory. What God had begun in them Paul was certain He would finish! This certainty was based in the character and nature of God. You know, when things seem to unravel, I am bolstered by the absolute certainty that God will finish this good work in me! That’s good reason to be thankful!

3. Third, be thankful for growth in love. Paul saw a growth of their affection toward him. While he was imprisoned they saw to his needs even when it meant sacrifice on their part. It was rooted in their growing love for the apostle. Think about the people in your life you call friends. Is your love for them growing? Are you willing to sacrifice for them? Will you help carry their burden? Be that kind of friend and you will attract those kinds of friends!

There’s so much we can learn from this little letter. I am excited about studying it again. My prayer for you is that you will begin with me at this point of being grateful in your life. Let’s all wake up! I think we will find a loving, gracious God making provision for us each day. I know that sounds easier than it really is, but I am confident we can do it together!

"A Day of Peace"

According to Resolution 55/282 the UN General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Peace in 1981, “devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” In 2001, the Assembly decided that, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace would be observed on September 21st each year as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities throughout the day. Now, with that news I’m feeling very confident, aren’t you?

I do hope you know that I am writing that last statement tongue-in-cheek! There are many however who would not be so amused at such a statement. For example, R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of the University of Hawaii, has published a “World Peace Clock” which he has set at 8:15 PM, meaning that we are “well into the evening of the realization of world peace which will be achieved by the freedom of democracy.” His determination has been documented with pages of statistics indicating that when the world reaches a point where all nations are democratic in nature and government, war will cease to exist.

Well, I’m quickly running out of space in today’s devotional. Let me get to the heart of the matter. World peace is coming. There will be a time when war will cease on the earth. There will be a time when death itself will no longer loom over the world as a dark specter of the unknown. Fear and hopelessness will no longer have any place in our lives. All of this and much, much more will be the rule of the world. However, it will not be as a result of a resolution adopted by a body of national representatives; nor will it be ushered in by a governmental philosophy. It will be brought to pass by the sovereign Lord of the universe! When Jesus rules, there will be peace! This is the message of John:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4 NIV).

Nothing short of the rule of God will bring peace to our world! And nothing short of the Second coming of Christ will accomplish that! As far as I can tell that hasn’t happened yet (again tongue-in-cheek), however, we do not need to wait for that day to have personal peace. Jesus has already accomplished the means for that to exist in our lives. Accept His gift of grace in your life today! Make it a real Day of Peace!

"One is Enough"

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 22:30-31 NIV).

You have read me on numerous times make mention of the importance of each one doing what God as called them to do. There simply is no substitute for the effective work of an individual. All through history since the beginning of time whenever God has a job to do, he has always chosen and started with a single individual. Think of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Mary, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul. They were just one when they were called and given their calling. There are others, more contemporary to our day.

I read a story shared by Robert C. Stone how in 1872, Dwight L. Moody attended an early morning meeting in a “hay mow” (the place they store hay) in Ireland. At the meeting he heard a man quietly say, “The world has yet to see what God can do with, and for, and through, and in, the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to God's will.” Years later, Moody was seated high up in Charles Spurgeon's tabernacle in London, and Spurgeon used those same words in his message. Moody bowed his head and prayed, “By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be that man.” Moody was greatly used of God to win multiplied thousands to Christ and founded the world-famous Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, a school that has trained many thousands for Christian service around the world.

E M. Bounds said, "Men are looking for better methods. God is looking for better men [and women]." God will use every single person who makes him/herself available for Him to use, and he is still looking for dedicated people to stand in the gap today. Will you, too, in the words of D. L. Moody, say, "By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be that man/woman?" I’m glad that God has chosen to use individuals as his preferred method to carry his message of grace to the world. It gives me the chance to be a part of it!

You may be thinking that you don’t have the talent or opportunity that any of these great men and women of faith had. The gap is too great for you to fill. Don’t look at the size of the gap; look at the size of the God who is calling you to fill it. One is enough! After all, God just looks for one at a time! Will you be that one today? Perhaps it will be a cheerful smile to someone who is down; perhaps it will be a kind word to someone who is discouraged; or perhaps it will mean explaining the way God has forgiven you to someone one who desperately needs hope. Whatever you are given to do today, be the one!

"Dealing with the Hurts"

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV).

I was able to get to my grandchildren’s soccer game today to watch them win! It was pretty exciting stuff for someone who loves both them and the game as much as I do. There were high fives and lots of celebration after the game. During the game there were some tense moments. One came when one of the other team’s players got hit with a hard kicked ball in the face. We were all very concerned, though it turned out that she was OK, at the moment it looked pretty bad.

As I drove back to work after the game I began to think about that experience. You know, some things are pretty much guaranteed in this life: you're going to have to pay taxes, you're going to die, and you're going to get hurt. At some point in your life someone is going to say something or do something that hurts you. It may be purposefully or coincidentally, but it will hurt. The true secret to the Christian life is learning to deal with the hurts.

I heard a story of two sisters who were angry with each other for over 30 years. They wouldn’t talk to one another; in fact, they wouldn't even share the same space with each other. Living in the same house, they had painted a line down the middle of the house! Ridiculous as it sounds, we do that all of the time. When someone hurts us, we paint an invisible line around that hurt. And in time, if we don't take care of it, that invisible line of hurt becomes a wall of bitterness.

Bitterness robs us of so much: pleasure, health, joy, blessings, and much more. A heart that is bitter has a void; where bitterness lives, peace and love escape. Just like the little girl in the soccer game, when we get hurt physically, we immediately try to cure it by going to the people we know can make it better. The referee blew the whistle, play stopped, and her mom and dad came running to her on the field. That’s how it should be. Soon she was ready to continue playing as if nothing had happened! That’s what we should do when we are hurt in our emotional lives as well. Stop for a moment and look for your heavenly Father. He’s not far away. Go to Him and soon you’ll find the strength to keep playing!

Unfortunately, many people leave their hurts open, or try to cover them by fake smiles, by finding artificial means to treat it, or cure it. The emotional wounds remain there, get worse, untreated and even become infectious. A single emotional hurt left unattended can depress a person completely. If you have any old emotional wound somewhere hidden, deal with it now. Do not hide it. Take it to Jesus. He has proven He is willing to bear all of your hurts by His death on the cross. He won’t let you down!

"Get Your Shiny Back"

Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. (Exodus 40:33-38 NIV).

There’s something very attractive about shiny finishes. Haven’t you noticed how good you feel when you get your car washed and that new car shiny look stands out at the local market parking lot? We can see it even more in nature. A day full of bright sunshine is always more cheerful and uplifting than a dark dreary day. However, it is most noticeable when speaking of the presence of God.

Our reading today records for us the moment when the glory (paraphrase “shiny”) of God entered a human dwelling. The tabernacle became the sacred resting place for the Ark of the Covenant and it was on the Ark that God’s glory rested. This served as a clear symbol of God’s presence among his people, his covenant faithfulness to them as they wandered in the wilderness. It was also a beacon for their own faithfulness, a reminder that the God who was with them was also watching them and calling them to obedience. Eventually the tabernacle was replaced with the temple and the presence of God remained among his people.

We could go forward in history a 1000 years or so and see the people of God in disarray and under Roman domination. The Ark has been lost and the people are wondering where God is. Then, in the fullness of time, the glory of God entered a human dwelling again. This time it was through the incarnation of God himself. Jesus, fully God and fully man, was born in Bethlehem. He came to point people to his Father and to finally reconcile man to God. His time on earth was short and after about thirty years the glory of God in the Son made flesh ascended into Heaven.

We then go forward a mere forty days and the glory of God entered human dwelling again. Pentecost was that moment when the Holy Spirit of God fell on the disciples of Jesus. From Ark to Son of God to children of God, God has continued to place his glory among men. Today it is we, the people of God, who are filled with the glory of God. It is we who are to shine for one another the presence and promise of God. It is we who must go among the nations, shining God’s glory to those who have never heard his good news, calling them to repentance. You are the dwelling place of God! I wonder though, is your life like my truck? Does it need a good wash and wax? Get your shiny back and renew your commitment to be the best temple you can be!

"The Origin of Guilt and Shame"

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:16-21 NIV).

Today I want to handle a very important issue: The Origin of Guilt and Shame. I meet many Christians who don’t understand the root of guilt and shame. So, let me be quick to state that guilt does not come from God. The devil often uses guilt to keep us from doing the will of God and growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let me be quick to say that there is a difference between guilt and conviction. God does speak to us concerning our need to turn to Him for forgiveness, but His tools are not shame and guilt.

The definition of guilt has to do with remorse for having done something wrong. Furthermore, guilt is being responsible for an offense. A Christian’s sins have been paid for on the Cross. One of the very definitions of guilt is "guilty conduct; sin". The sin debt of a Christian was heavy, but every bad offense we have ever committed has been covered over by the grace of Jesus Christ. We still sin, but Jesus doesn't get back on the Cross. His death was sufficient for all our sins. The Bible says there is "no condemnation" for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Please don’t misunderstand, you may feel sorry for your sins and ask God for forgiveness. That’s what we call repentance, but God’s motivating factor in obedience is love, not guilt. God guides His children to obey Him with a loving hand. Many times we suffer the consequences of our sins. God will lead us to follow Him exclusively, but He will do it with love, not with guilt.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to bring condemnation. He came to bring salvation to all who would believe in Him. Thank God today that there is no guilt for the person who knows and loves Jesus Christ. Don’t let the devil keep you in your past any longer. Turn all of your life, past, present and future over to the One who loves you so much that He gave Himself for you! Turn your life over to Jesus!

"God and Golf" (Part 5)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Today we are continuing to use the analogy of playing the game of golf and living the Christian life. The fourth thing we must master is the right follow-through. One of the biggest problems most golfers face is keeping their eyes on the ball. That’s a rule in almost every sport. It’s a vital part of the right follow-through. It is also very true in our Christian lives. The writer of Hebrews said: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The word “fix” is also translated “looking” in other translations. It is a present active indicative participle, which means that we are to have a constant, ongoing attitude of watching Jesus. Now, that’s the right follow-through!

Have you noticed how many current writers and philosophers are so pessimistic about the future? One author I read recently predicted that we only have five years left to exist as the human race! He may be partially correct; though I’m quite sure he does not see the future as I do. He is only partially correct in that it may be anytime that Jesus comes again and sets all things right. The Scripture clearly describes the future of the human race and tells us exactly where we are headed, but it is far from annihilation.

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, came the first time for the express purpose of making the atonement for our sins and freeing us from the clutches of death. It is through Him that we may find complete and total forgiveness and restoration. It is such a miraculous thing to be able to go to sleep at night and know that everything wrong we have ever done is forgiven and that God will never hold us to account. Because Jesus has taken all of that on Himself we are released from it.

That’s only half of the story though. Not only did Jesus die on the cross, He was raised from the dead and is alive today! He is coming back to rule forever a redeemed world! Disease will be erased. Death will be abolished. War will be non-existent. Nature will be transformed. Life will be perfect in every way! The kingdom IS coming; the Scripture is replete with that truth. That why we must keep our eyes on Jesus! That’s what allows us to know where we’re going; to see what’s happening in light of the truth; and to possess this great hope. Can you join me in keeping your eyes “on the ball”? The right follow-through is essential!

"God and Golf" (Part 4)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Today we are continuing to use the analogy of playing the game of golf and living the Christian life. The third thing we must master is the right swing. I have read and been instructed that the right swing in golf is from the inside out. I have been told on more than one occasion that I need to get the club in side the line of flight. Some might argue with that in the world of professional golf, however, I know it is true in our lives. We have to hit from the inside out!

The writer of our reading for this series said: let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Other translations use the word “endurance” instead of perseverance in this verse. Either is instructive. Most of us are concerned with keeping our bodies in good physical shape. We want to be able to keep on going full speed ahead. No one enjoys being less than their physical best. Yet we seem to more easily ignore letting our spiritual well being decline. The result of that condition is we swing from the outside in, rather than the inside out. The power of our lives flows from within our spirit as the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. When we fail to rely on that power we cannot long endure. Spiritual illness overtakes us.

So many people have reached the pinnacle of success in their professional lives and yet feel unfulfilled and restless. I’ve met people who have everything they have ever dreamed of possessing in the physical world and are dissatisfied with life. It rings empty and hollow for them. They have become like Solomon, a man who “had it all” – wives, concubines, wealth, the biggest army and navy, the greatest kingdom of his time, the most power – yet after possessing it all, said, “It is all vanity.” He said it was like a bubble that had burst. It just doesn’t last. It won’t endure.

The Scripture teaches us that the world and all of its attraction will pass away (cf. 1 John 2:16-17). It is temporary. Only the man who does the will of God is going to abide. That man is the one who relies on the Spirit of God within him. Without that you can never find the total fulfillment and total peace god intended for you. You’re swinging from the outside in and that puts you in the deep woods with a horrible slice or hook! I hated it when I played golf. I hate it even more when I live life! Don’t you? Join me in correcting your “swing.”

"Golf and God" (Part 3)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Following our analogy of playing the game of golf and living the Christian life, the second thing we must master is the right grip. There are different kinds of grips in golf. I favor the interlocking grip, though I must confess I am not an expert by any means. I do know that all the material I have read indicates you must practice a proper, consistent grip if you ever want to strike the ball well. That brings me to the question today for all of us. What kind of grip do you have in your Christian life? The writer urges us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles us. He’s talking about a proper grip!

Some years ago I had lunch with one of the most prominent men in East Texas. In fact, he is one of the wealthiest men in Texas, listed in “the top 100.” He told me of one of his account executives who had an alcohol problem. He just couldn’t seem to overcome his addiction. He said this man came to him and said, “I wish to God that I could start life over again. I’d sure take a different road. But I’m so gripped by my habit that I can’t quit. I guess I’ll just go to hell.” My answer to that man is the same as for any of us who can’t seem to overcome our challenges. Any of us can find the right path if we simply get the right grip. That grip is in our complete faith and trust in Jesus!

When the writer of this letter speaks of “the sin that entangles” he’s talking about all of those little habits and patterns of life that become immense burdens in our lives. We live our lives in that past failure and don’t recognize that the completed work of Christ on the cross sets us free from all of that. It breaks the bondage of sin over our lives. The grace of God delivers us from those “entanglements.”

I’m sure this is not new to you. You have heard me say or read of me that past failures and future fears must not rob us of present joy. The weapons of our enemy are in our past failures. How often have we failed to forgive ourselves when our heavenly Father has already done so? How often have we been paralyzed by the unknown nature of the future when our heavenly Father has already secured it for us? Jesus is the right grip. Lay hold of Him and don’t turn loose! He won’t let go of you!

"God and Golf" (Part 2)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

Following our analogy of playing the game of golf and living the Christian life, the first thing we must master is the right stance. The proper stance in golf is as varied as golfers. There is an open stance where the golfer will turn himself more toward his target, thus getting a quicker turn on the ball and more accuracy. There is a closed stance where the golfer turns more away from the target, again hoping to get a quicker turn on the ball for greater accuracy. There’s a straight stance, a stooped stance, and perhaps a dozen more we may describe, all of them designed to help the individual golfer achieve greater accuracy. One thing is for sure, the golfer must have the right stance for his body to be as accurate as possible!

That’s where we must begin in our Christian lives. We must have a stance. The writer urges us to throw off everything that hinders us. The word recalls the athlete competing in a race. The runner needs to get rid of every extra ounce of weight in preparation to run. It was not uncommon for the runner to race with no more than a loin cloth. The fewer the clothes the runner wore the less the weight, and therefore resulting in more speed.

There are many things that could be weights as we run through our lives. Perhaps the greatest of these is apathy. There are many problems facing our world today. We have problems with poverty, racial injustice, crime, and violence. And, though we must not ignore the problems of this world hoping they will simply go away on their own, the root of all these problems is in the many empty solutions people try over and over with no success for their hurts and disappointments. They need someone to demonstrate by their lives a stance firmly rooted in a full commitment to Christ! That’s the right stance!

That will look a little different with each of us because we are all created with unique gifts and talents. The end result will be the same. We will begin to run the race set before us with less weight. It’s not about doing good things. It is about doing a God thing! That can only be done if you are consciously operating at your peak. That starts with a firm stance in Christ. How’s your stance?

"God and Golf" (Part 1)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV).

I am more than ever convinced that our world is in such a state of change in our world today that most of the stabilizers we have come to know and trust are being shaken, if not destroyed. These days are full of challenge for which only a clear understanding of the Scripture will be enough to carry us through. Today’s reading is such a passage. G. Campbell Morgan, one of the premier expositor’s of the Scripture wrote of this passage:

“There is an irresistible charm about this passage. The suggestion that lie within its compass appeals to us. The mystery of the cloud of witnesses; the strenuous reality of the description of the present experience of the saints under the figure of a race; and finally, the lonely splendor of the Lord of faith. It seems a ruthless thing to dissect and analyze a passage so full of beauty as this.”

And I won’t do that in the coming days. However, I do want to lay a plan before you of four simple truths that will change your life. I’ve chosen the illustration of golf to help. Thus the title of the series: God and Golf! Did you know that golf is the greatest participatory sport in the world today? There are more than ten million amateur golfers in the US alone. We have over ten thousand golf courses, and over $ 2.5 billion dollars invested in them. Over $200 million was spent on golf clubs alone last year; and my favorite statistic is golfers lose $50 million worth of balls every year! It is both the most enjoyable game and the most frustrating for me. However, there are some fundamentals of the game that must be observed to be successful that are strikingly similar to the Christian life. We’ll consider each in turn over the next four days. They are: You must have the right stance; you must have the right grip; you must have the right swing; and, you need to have the right follow-through.

Before we do that please draw your attention to the writer’s first words: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. I’m not sure who these witnesses are for sure, however I have a notion they are some of three groups of beings. There are the angelic beings who look over the threshold of heaven and marvel at both the capacity for good and evil of our actions. There are also those who have gone before us numbered as the faithful who look on encouraging us to run well. And, perhaps most importantly there are those who are around us today who look on and wonder both how we can do such good and such evil in the name of God. If we are ever to be successful in our lives, we must do much more good than evil! Will you commit yourself to developing the four principles of success in your life today? Let’s run the race to win! Let’s play the game to win!

"Remembering 9/11"

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4 NIV).

September 11, 2001 is known the world over for one of the greatest tragedies our nation has ever suffered. The mantra has been “Never Forget.” That was our promise. And, in many ways we have kept that promise. Even though it's been nine years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and United Flight 93, our nation was forever changed on that fateful day. So today I want us to remember 9/11. Even those numbers have become shorthand for an infinite number of emotions: the shock and disbelief of watching the terrorist attack on live TV, the horror of watching the twin towers collapse upon themselves, the national grief as the number of confirmed casualties grew to over 2,800, and the growing realization that we are no longer beyond the reach of terrorist attacks. But perhaps, most of all, they note that we will never, ever be the same.

Some of those changes have been very good, while others have been difficult at best. One of those difficulties is how it has changed our focus and perspective on the real source of security and peace. We have become a people constantly looking over our shoulders. I would not advocate any less vigilance or protective measures for the safety of our nation. We must be secure. In fact, I would say that we still have some improvement to be made in that area, but that takes me away from the concentration of today’s reading. While some are seeking to remember 9/11 with more fear mongering, I am convinced that it is our responsibility as Christians to point people to the truth. Fear, hatred, and pain are tools of the enemy. Our only refuge, real refuge, from our enemy is in “the shelter of His wings.”

I received an email today from the founder of a Christian writer’s association I joined some months ago in Middle Tennessee. In it she wrote, “I have recently made the decision to denounce anything to do with the religion, churches, ministries and denominations of Christianity. I no longer have any desire to be associated with anything Christian-related or defined.” This was her response to some of the things being done under the guise of the church. The problem is that neither those things nor her response is correct. Neither will bring peace and hope to people in desperate need of both. Only the message of Christ can do that! That’s the message that calls all men to real freedom from fear. That’s the message that calls us to be overcomers. Since Jesus has overcome death and holds the keys to life itself, where else would we turn at such a time? Please remember those who have given so much both on this day nine years ago and since to protect us. But, do not fail to remember the One who gave His life to guarantee our eternal life! He is our strong tower!

"A Better Country" (Part 4)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

We have looked at both the “where” and the “who” of heaven; today we will look at the third of these three important questions: “What will it be like in heaven?” Without getting into scenery or architecture, let’s pretend we are like Joshua or Caleb and “spy out the land” a bit.

All of us have a different idea about what the “perfect” home would look like. For me it would be a large place on at least a thousand acres of perfect hunting and fishing land. The lake would be stocked with nothing but twenty pound black bass that never refuse to bite and your line never breaks. The woods would be full of deer with 20” racks and at least eighteen points that walk our in easy bow range and stand perfectly still for the easy shot. Of course there would be trophy class turkeys everywhere, dove and quail that fill the sky, and everyday would be the perfect day to hunt or fish! There would be more. All my family would be in their homes within easy walking distance. That would be perfect for me!

Maybe it will be like that. No one can know for sure. However, these things we do know from the Scripture. First, its ruler is God. That’s what Jesus alludes to in the model prayer as he says, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come your will be done.” You see, in heaven God’s will and purpose will be perfectly done. Nothing will be left undone. He will rule in perfect peace and harmony among all. Second, its domain is endless. Even as the galaxy seems endless, heaven will be. It is infinite, without measure. And, third, it’s inhabited by real people. There will be real creatures ruled by a real God. These are the things we encourage one another with. Here’s what Jesus instructed john to write:

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13 NIV).

That’s a better country! I’m on my way. Will you join me on this little stroll?

"A Better Country" (Part 3)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

Today we look at the second of three important questions: “Who will be in heaven?” That’s pretty important if we want to be certain we will get there! The writer gives us four quick little statements in our reading to help us at this point.

First, they are those who have exercised faith. They all died in faith. They lived to the very end of their lives trusting God to do what he promised to do. That’s faith. Second, they are those who believed God’s promises. Jesus said, “You believe in God, believe also in me” (cf. John 14:1-6). It is those people who simply believe that there ARE many rooms in the Father’s house, and Jesus is preparing one for them individually and personally. Third, they are those who confess there pilgrim status. The writer uses the words “aliens” and “strangers.” He is saying they were exiles on this earth. They understand that they are seeking a country of their own and this is not it. I know we emphasize the confession of our sin, but this is different. This is that confession of who we are at the very heart of being. We confess, we proclaim, we declare, we speak the words that this is not our country! Our citizenship is not of this world. Our citizenship is of heaven! Fourth, they are those who earnestly seek this better country. This one is the hardest to understand and practice. The writer uses the participle “looking.” It means to diligently search. It’s so easy to take God’s gift for granted. We ease through our lives as if today didn’t matter as much as tomorrow. Nothing could be further from the truth. Knowing that we are aliens and strangers in this land ought to prompt us to a sense of urgency.

I have discovered more of that sense of urgency as I have aged a bit. In fact, that is at the root of giving so much of my time and energy to the development of Grace Restoration Ministries to be more than an afterthought of ministry. For several years my focus and attention has been divided, and it still is to some degree by necessity. I’ve had to make a living, so I have divided my attention between ministry and “secular” jobs. There is nothing wrong with any honorable work. However, that’s not what God has called me to do. It is a good thing for me, but not a God thing. This came into bold focus last spring and I have been pouring my energy into getting to the place where ministry through Grace Restoration is all that I do. Your gifts and support through prayer and resources are helping to make that a reality. However, the key is that I earnestly seek it. What are you earnestly seeking in your life? It may not be a vocational ministry, but are you confessing your pilgrim status to others? If you are focused on that better country, you won’t need to say much until asked. People will notice it and ask! I hope you are on the same pilgrimage I am. If not, turn to Christ today!

"A Better Country" (Part 2)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

We have begun to look at our Better Country. As I wrote yesterday in Morning Devotionals (www.gracerestoration.org) the key in understanding our promise of heaven is in looking BACK toward Jesus who is the fulfillment of God’s promise. That’s the basis for our hope today. And, that’s what allows us to walk through this life as a journey, knowing that it ends in victory! Today, however, I want to look at the first of three important questions. The first is “Where is heaven?”

There have been some who have asserted that it is really just a place in another dimension that coexists with earth. That is to say that everything that is material has more porous space within the molecule than that which we call substance. For example, they would say that the desk your computer may be sitting on now as you read this devotional is not wood so much as it is the atoms that make up the wood. The molecules as they are blended and bonded together form a dynamic relationship as matter becoming substance. Then, within the space of that bonding there is “air.” Thus there is as much air in the desk as substance. Well, maybe so. That is certainly a possibility well beyond my understanding. Perhaps heaven does coexist with what we experience as physical matter.

I do know this from Scripture: there are two basic concepts. First, heaven is a place “beyond” earth; it is beyond this existence that we know as earth. That’s clear from our reading. They weren’t thinking of a place they could return to; they were thinking of a place yet to arrive at! The writer says they didn’t get there in their lifetime. It does not exist on what we know as “earth.” I was born in Galveston, Texas. I know where it is; I know how to get there. I’ve even been back a time or two and seen the places where I have lived. But that’s not my home. That’s not my country. My home and country is heaven. That’s where I’m bound! I can’t tell you exactly where it is except to that it is where Jesus has already gone and is coming to take me there!

Second, the Scripture says it is the dwelling place of God. There are many metaphors for heaven in the Scripture. The writers used many symbols to describe what heaven is like. Rather than speculate as to the meaning of all these, let me synthesize them into a short description. It is where God resides, rules, and oversees perfectly. It is a place of family, protection, safety, joy, rest, and fellowship with all those I have loved and will come to love. You know, I don’t know if heaven is out there, over there, up there, or around here; I do know if you are a Christian this is NOT our country! Our country is where He is! And, we are making our way to Him! Be encouraged with these words! We are on our way home!

"A Better Country" (Part 1)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is also known as the “Roll Call of the Faithful” as the writer lists many of the great men and women of faith from the Old Testament. He talks about Abel, Enoch, Noah, and then Abraham before he makes this bold statement in our reading today. He calls them “aliens and strangers,” people without a country of their own. Then he writes: they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.

Hebrews is a book about better things. The writer mentions Christ having a better name; being a better high priest; believers having a better hope; and, how believers have a better resurrection because of Jesus’ resurrection. Believers also have a better covenant than the nation of Israel because it is a fulfilled covenant. It has all the promises, all the laws fulfilled in Jesus. We have a better and more enduring substance because we no longer look through the focus of unfulfilled prophecy; rather, we look back at fulfilled prophecy. It is only natural that the writer would get to this “better country.” This is the reference Jesus made to His disciples:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3 NIV).

All of these faithful, Abel, Noah, Sarah and Abraham, they all died not having the fulfillment of the promise of God to hold on to. They died as strangers and exiles. They were on their way to a better place while on their journey, but they had never known of it, nor seen it. That’s the difference in our being able to look back at Jesus. That better country belonged to them by their faith, just as it belongs to us. But we are at an advantage. Jesus has already gone where we will be going. In fact, He has promised to take us there personally!

In the coming days we’ll look at this Better Country more closely. Today I want you to really meditate on this great fulfilled promise. It is the source and root of our hope. The more I struggle along the path of this life, the more I can rest in the knowledge that it is VERY temporary. I am not at home here. My home is being prepared for me in a better country!

"What Did I Do Wrong?"

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13 NIV).

The context of today’s reading is in an expression of gratitude from the Apostle Paul. The church in Philippi had responded to his need by sending him much needed support. As he begins to thank them he also shares with them a key principle of the contented life.

Let me go back a few days though. Saturday was the first soccer game for my grandchildren, Faith and Logan. I am their assistant coach along with Kyle, who is the head coach. It is a great privilege to be able to participate in their lives through this channel of activity. We have had a couple of practices and naturally wondered how we would do in a competitive situation. Of course, they do not keep score at this age level, but still we wanted our team to do their best and compete well. The game was pretty evenly matched at first with the score being 2-2. Then things broke open for the other team and they scored two very quick goals. Logan being very competitive exhibited some “frustration.” Kyle pulled him out of the game immediately to talk with him. Though the right thing to do, it certainly didn’t help Logan feel any better! He was pouting a bit and sitting on the ice chest when I went to sit next to him. He looked at me and I said, “It will be OK.” His response was very telling. He said with a sob, “I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

Here’s the principle. Logan had done nothing wrong in his play, in fact, it was outstanding. It was his attitude that caused him to lose his contentment. So it is with us in our lives. Paul is thankful for the Philippians gifts and concern, but he had experienced both having a lot and having a little; being hungry and well fed. He had known every circumstance, both bad and good. Yet, in both he had found the secret to contentment. It’s not what we are “doing” that makes the difference. Sometimes we can do everything just right and still come short. The key is in what God does with us that makes the difference.

I had a few more words of encouragement with Logan and the “Grandpa magic” seemed to work. He was ready to go back in at the next substitution and played goal keeper for the first time incredibly. He stopped everything! The next time you don’t understand why some things don’t go right, please sit down for a moment with your Heavenly Father and listen to him! The real secret of contentment is in the power of our Father!

"Standing on a Promise' (Part 3)

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36 NLT).

Today let’s look at how we can claim the promises of God in our lives. Before I get too deep into that however, we need to look at the “when” of claiming the promises of God. Just a few things to note:

 We can claim a promise when it applies to us. There are those promises in Scripture that deal directly with Israel. They simply don’t apply to us. I have found that there have been some who have taken these promises out of context and then wondered why God didn’t grant them. Well, the simple answer is that they didn’t belong to us in the first place.
 We can claim a promise when the context is not violated. That goes with what I just said a bit. However, it takes it even a step further.
 We can claim a promise when God is glorified. God doesn’t work in a vacuum. He works in our lives so that others will be blessed.
 We can claim a promise when the Holy Spirit is a witness to our spirit.

Now, here’s the “how”:

Be patient as God works out all the details for your best in the circumstance. I know that’s the hardest part. We all want what we want now! When I’m working at my part-time job I often eat at one particular fast food restaurant. The meal I order is always the same. It’s filling and inexpensive, even though it may not be nutritionally very good for me. They have come to expect me to order the same thing and because I often have odd “lunch” breaks, they notice when I first walk in and begin to prepare it for me. They try very hard not to make me wait. I have told them numerous times that they can take the “fast” out of their fast food for me. I’m in no hurry. Wouldn’t it be great if we could practice that with everything in our lives? God wants us to do that. It is the way we claim our promises!

Be obedient in other areas of your life while you wait. Ouch… another hard one! It is often hard for me to be obedient when God seems to have failed to come through. What I need to understand is the timing of God is often vastly different than mine. The call to be obedient is always the same though. This obedience is not a legalistic carrot on a stick. It is the response of my deep and abiding love to God who has already given me the greatest gift imaginable. More gifts will be forthcoming. Just keep walking the path!

And, last, have faith. This one is pretty easy to understand. James talks about it clearly in his letter. Ask knowing that God will give. Go ahead stand on the promises!

"Standing on a Promise" (Part 2)

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36 NLT).

It occurred to me that you may be wondering why God makes promises? It is a very valid question. He certainly was not forced to do so. It is only by his grace that we have any hope at all. However, not only do we have hope, we have a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this is rooted in four specific truths about God:

1. First, God loves us and wants the best for us. The whole premise of the book of Hebrews is how much God loves us. He loves us enough to send only the preeminent Son! And, if we needed further proof, Jesus gives that to us as well. Everything he did in his earthly ministry points to the deep and profound love God has for us.

2. Second, God has assumed full responsibility for our needs. Paul’s wrote, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). It is not as if God has abandoned us to our own devices in this world. He has taken responsibility for us like the perfect Father that he is!

3. Third, God demonstrates his character through the offering and granting of promises. It’s one thing to hear it from the prophets and people of faith who have gone before us; it is quite another thing to see and experience it for ourselves on a personal level. I’m always a little amazed when I wake to another day. Don’t misunderstand. I am not being morbid or discouraged at the prospect of life at all. I do my best to insure that I get another day! However, knowing that death has gripped this world, I am convinced that it is only through the grace of God that I get another day! And every one of those days are filled with his promises.

4. Fourth, God is glorified through his promises. When Israel was in bondage to Egypt, he had long before promised to deliver them. And, when the time was just right, he delivered them in a spectacular way!

Tomorrow we’ll look at the steps in claiming the promises. Today, stand on them. Find the one you need today and stand!

"Standing on a Promise" (Part 1)

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36 NLT).

The last little series dealt with the dangers of neglecting the great gift God ha given us. When we are indifferent about the grace of God we simply miss everything He intends for us to have and be in our lives! Today I want to look at some of these things we miss. The writer in our reading today simply says we should not throw away the promises of God. As I’ve grown older I’ve come to realize the importance of a promise.

There was one promise I made when Kyle was young that I failed to keep. It concerned the repair of a little red fire truck that had been damaged accidentally. We laugh about it today, though at the time it wasn’t very funny! I had promised to repair it. Days turned to weeks; weeks turned to months; and, months to years without the fire truck being repaired. Oh, I finally repaired it. However, by the time it was done the only one of my sons who could fit in it was Aaron. Oh, did I mention there is nearly ten years difference in the ages? And, of course, there were other promises not kept. Those failures have become significant lessons for me. Fortunately the boys haven’t too hard on me for any of them!

Here’re the important lessons from those experiences. First, don’t make promises you cannot or will not keep. ‘Nuff said about that. Second, God doesn’t make those mistakes. He never makes a promise he won’t keep; and they are always on time! There are thousands of promises in the Scripture. Here are just a few for you to think about in the coming days:

 God’s presence— “I will never leave you” (Hebrews 13:5)
 God’s protection—”I am your shield” (Genesis 15:1)
 God’s provision—”I will help you” (Isaiah 41:10)
 God’s rest—”Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)
 God’s goodness— “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11)
 God’s faithfulness—”All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28)

We’ll look more at the what, why, when, and to whom later. Today, determine to hold on to His promises!

"The Danger of Indifference" (Part 3)

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV).

Today we come to one of the most difficult verses in the Scripture. Some have interpreted this passage to reference those who do not accept Christ’s work on their behalf. This would lead them to the belief that the punishment is hell, or an eternity separated from God. While there is certainly a reference to both sin and punishment; the thing to be escaped is not hell. There is no evidence that the writer is thinking about such an ultimate reality. Rather he is thinking about the immediate judgment of God on indifferent believers. It is upon those who have refused or opposed salvation, but those who have neglected it.

The key in understanding this verse is in the meaning of the word “ignore.” It is variously translated in other versions as “neglect.” It means to be carelss, to not give attention to. It is the same word Paul uses in admonishing young Timothy to not “neglect the gift” that God had given him for his ministry.

So the question for us is what are we doing about the gift of salvation that God has given to us? Some might answer that they are just enjoying it. And, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the benefits of the grace of God at work in our lives. But we should be reminded that the Scripture urges us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” We must be giving our most earnest attention to this Word of God, Jesus. It must not be neglected. We must pray and listen. We must submit to the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

That falls off our lips easily, doesn’t it? Please be assured that I intimately understand how difficult it is to walk the walk! For years I have preached and taught that outward circumstances should not determine inward happiness. The struggles this year have been many for us. And while there have been moments when I wondered if it really was worth it, my settled conviction is that when I compare my struggles with the great gift that God has provided in His Final Word, His only begotten Son, it has been a cakewalk for me! That hasn’t made my struggles any less. However, it has made my burdens lighter. And, you know, as I have learned clearly, trusting in Him will never leave you disappointed! Indifference, or neglect, will not allow that to take place in your life! It really is SO great a salvation! Let that be your only focus!