The Great Weaver

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:1-16 ESV). How many times have you gotten envelopes that had big letters on the outside saying something like “You are guaranteed to win 10 million dollars?” Of course, in little tiny print, it says, “if your lucky numbers are the ones chosen at random from the 17 billion others.” And if you’ve ripped the envelope open before you’ve read the small print, you’ll realize that the main purpose of this letter is not to inform you that you’re really rich, but to try to get you to buy magazines or some other product that you probably don’t want. Have you noticed that the only time the world tells us we’re something special, is when they’re trying to sell us something? Are you somebody special? It would seem a godly humility to say, “Oh no, I’m just an ordinary person. Nothing special about me.” However, that’s not the teaching of Scripture. David’s song of praise today clearly says, “I am wonderful!” Has that shepherd boy turned king become arrogant? No, because David doesn’t say, “I’m wonderful because of what I have done!” He says, “I’m wonderful because God does really good work.” In the first six verses, David talks of how intimately God knows us. We say we “know” someone if we can put their name together with their face But that’s not the kind of knowledge God has of you and me. He knows everything about us. He knows our habits. He knows and understands our thoughts. I don’t even always understand my own thoughts. Not only does God know us better than you know ourselves; He is always with us. This is the impact of verses seven through twelve. David reflects on the facts that God knows him intimately and that God is always with him. Then he moves into a reflection based on the fact that God has created him. And David is quick to say, he thinks God has done a fantastic job! The world says, “You are simply a by-product of a natural reproductive process.” But the Bible says, “You are wonderful!” This is true because you were handmade by a Master Craftsman. Science can explain where babies come from, but it can’t explain why every birth feels like a miracle. It can’t explain why the wonder of it takes our breath away. Maybe you think, “OK, I’m wonderful in the sense that all humans, all of God’s creatures, are wonderful. But that still doesn’t prove there’s anything unique about me. I still just ‘a regular person.’” But David’s not done. As we go on, I’m going to suggest some alternate translations. Poetry can be difficult to understand, and it’s even harder to translate, and there can be several ideas about what is the best way to translate it. One possible translation of verse fourteen is, “I am distinguished by your wondrous works.” Or more simply, you’re wonderful because you reflect your Creator in a way that is absolutely unique. When God hand-crafted you, he didn’t just say, OK, let’s make another one, this time with brown hair, or with blue eyes. You are one of a kind! David likens God’s work to that of a weaver. He picks the exact color and thickness of every strand, then He carefully puts them together to create a unique and beautiful creation. When your mother told you “They broke the mold when they made you,” she was partly right! There is no “mold.” There is only hand-crafting. And, that is by the Great Weaver! You’re wonderful because a Master Craftsman created you. You’re wonderful because you uniquely reflect the character of the one who created you. You are wonderful because your life has a purpose. It’s okay to say, “I’m wonderful” – not out of pride in yourself, but because you were created by a Master Craftsman, because you uniquely reflect the character of God and because your life has a purpose. Celebrate today that wonderful work!

You Are My Sunshine

Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord. (James 5:13-14 NLV). Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, then every three, then every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatric specialist regretfully had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away-" As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart!" "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away..." The next, day, the very next day, the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love! There are still miracles today. What miracle do you need? Begin by singing His praises and see what marvelous thing He has waiting for you!

Ten Ways to a Happy Day

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 ESV). After reading this morning’s Scripture, it occurred to me that we have so much to be happy about. Yet, for many our practical experience is one of frustration and unhappiness. The following ten suggestions may be of help to you in applying the principles of experiencing happiness each day. 1. Today, I will not strike back. If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will not respond in a like manner. 2. Today, I will ask God to bless my “enemy”. If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger. 3. Today, I will be careful about what I say. I will carefully choose and guard my words so that I will be certain that I do not spread gossip. 4. Today, I will go the extra mile. I will find ways to help share the burden of another person. 5. Today, I will forgive. I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way. 6. Today, I will do something nice for someone, but I will do it secretly. I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another. 7. Today, I will treat others the way I want to be treated. I will practice the golden rule: "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me.” 8. Today, I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged. My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life. I will use those resources for their good. 9. Today, I will nurture my body. I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body. 10. Today, I will grow spiritually. I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place, at some point during this day, and listen to God's voice!

Anger or Anguish?

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (James 1:19-26 ESV). Will Rogers was known for his laughter, but he also knew how to weep. One day he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims and people with broken backs and other extreme physical handicaps. Of course, Rogers had everybody laughing, even patients in really bad condition; but then he suddenly left the platform and went to the rest room. Milton Berry followed him to give him a towel; and when he opened the door, he saw Will Rogers leaning against the wall, sobbing like a child. He closed the door, and in a few minutes, Rogers appeared back on the platform, as jovial as before. It has been said that if you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions:  What makes him laugh?  What makes him angry?  What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character that are especially appropriate for Christian leaders. I hear people saying, “We need angry leaders today!” or “The time has come to practice militant Christianity!” Perhaps, but James reminds us that “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” What we need today is not anger, but anguish, the kind of anguish that Moses displayed when he broke the two tablets of the law and then climbed the mountain to intercede for his people, or that Jesus displayed when He cleansed the temple and then wept over the city. The difference between anger and anguish is a broken heart. It’s easy to get angry, especially at somebody else’s sins; but it’s not easy to look at sin, our own included, and weep over it. I have found that it is very easy for me to laugh and, of course, it is altogether too easy to get angry. However, the greatest challenge for me is to learn the true humility of anguish. It was a tragic mistake. On July 3, 1988, the navy cruiser USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian airliner with 290 aboard. All were lost. The ship's captain mistakenly thought they were under attack by an F-14 Iranian fighter. Public opinion polls showed that most Americans opposed paying compensation to the victims' families. The cruel treatment of American hostages in Iran was still fresh in many minds. But President Reagan approved compensation. Asked by reporters if such payment would send the wrong signal, he replied, "I don't ever find compassion a bad precedent." To many people, the principle of revenge is so much simpler to practice. Yet compassion is Christ's way -- a deep caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the whole person. It reveals the heart of God for sinful people -- for you and for me. Abraham Lincoln said, “I am sorry for the man who can't feel the whip when it is laid on the other man's back.” What makes you weep today?

Two Stories

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1 ESV). World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese Zeroes was speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors. And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. His exploits were anything but praiseworthy. He was however, notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good! In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddy did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob that he could not pass on to his beloved son--a good name and a good example. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Scar-face Al Capone. He would try to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to leave his son. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay. I know what you're thinking. What do these two stories have to do with one another? Well, you see, Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son. Make your commitment to conduct yourself with honesty and integrity throughout this day.

How to Face Your Past

It always affects me the same. It’s the phone call that begins: “Donnie…” I suppose its because I know only people from my very distant past call my by that name! So many things come flooding back into my mind from those very early days. Isn’t a weird feeling to reflect back over your life? It’s like looking through a photo album. There are thousands of emotions and feelings caught up in each picture. Some are joyous and delightful. Yet, some pictures drag us back to a time of turmoil. Sometimes the turmoil may never have been resolved. Yet, dealing with out past effectively is one of the most important things we can learn to insure our happiness in the present. People have learned to deal with their past in several ways. Some simply ignore it. This is the individual who lives only for today without thought of yesterday and inevitably commits those same mistakes that brought them to where they are now. Others attempt to rewrite the past. They take their verbal pen in hand and create a whole new life that has little or no basis in truth. Still others merely live in the past. They are permanently attached to the “good, old days.” They’ve never moved on. The best way to deal with the past is to learn from it. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the Roman Church: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 ESV). There are four steps that I think may be of help to you in learning from your past. 1. First, begin with prayer. It does seem like a strange place to begin as you review the past, but it will keep you properly focused. Starting with who God is keeps us from going off the path. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35 ESV). 2. Second, reflect and give thanks. As you look back over your life, there may be plenty of things to mar the view. Bad decisions, failed opportunities and personal brokenness may litter the landscape. This is the primary reason that you take God with you when you look back. 3. Third, discover and confess your sin. Here’s the part where many of us get into trouble. After we have looked back, we forget to ask the question, “Now what?” This can be the greatest question you can ask yourself. You may have stumbled and tumbled all over the place, but what will prevent you from being victimized by your past is the questions: “Now what?” and “What am I going to do now?” What does God want us to do with it? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV). 4. Fourth, commit yourself to a new direction in the future. In 1886 Daniel B. Tower, director of the music department at Chicago Bible Institute, was leading the music for evangelist D. L. Moody’s series of meetings in Brockton, MA. A young man rose to give a testimony and said, “I am not quite sure – but I am going to trust, and I’m going to obey.” From this quote came the hymn we know as “Trust and Obey”. Trust and obedience work hand-in-hand. Trust without obedience is empty bragging. Obedience without trust is legalism. I trust God with the things that have gone on before in my life. I trust Him to forgive and remove those things as far as the east is from the west. I trust when the Father said that the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for my sins so that I could become part of His family. Then I may obey. Are you ready to face your past today? You can!

A Home Run

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21 ESV). He was born in 1934 at Mobile, Alabama. No one could have ever dreamed that he would grow up and become a household name to anyone who followed the game of baseball. Henry Louis Aaron, known to all as Hank Aaron, was among the first blacks to play a full career in the major leagues. He began in 1954 and retired in 1976. However, the most memorable moment came on April 23, 1974, when he broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. His legendary mark of 755 career home runs still stands today. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He had done what most believed to be impossible! It is amazing what impossible things have been accomplished to those who merely believed. That is the background of our Scripture this morning. Jesus had been teaching for sometime and the disciples had become concerned about feeding so many people if He continued. Jesus replied without hesitation, “Feed them.” Their response was to exclaim how impossible that task would be. Almost as a joke, Andrew brings a little boy’s lunch to Jesus. From those five biscuits and two little fish, in the hands of Jesus, five thousand people were fully fed and satisfied! There are two important lessons for us in this story. First, nothing is impossible in the hands of Jesus. Regardless of the challenges we face today, if we trust ourselves to Him, we will find a way. It may come from the most unexpected of places, or in the most unbelievable of means, but He will provide a way. Second, even the smallest of resources is enough in Jesus’ hands. No talent or resource is so small as to be inadequate in His hands. The key is in our faith. If you know something of chemistry, you know that if you mix hydrogen and oxygen, the well-known components of water, you get no reaction -- and no water! But if you add a small amount of platinum to this stable mixture, things began to happen very rapidly. The hydrogen and oxygen unite and a chemical change occurs which produces H2O. Just as platinum is needed as a catalyst to achieve the desired result, so faith must be present in our walk with the Lord if we are to experience progress in our relationship with Him. We have to rely wholly upon the wisdom and integrity of God's written Word and be confident that He can and will do the things He has promised. Furthermore, we must abandon any reservations that might hinder our Christian growth if we want the kind of transformation that true faith can bring. This vital ingredient must be introduced to give meaning to our Bible reading, our prayers, and our church attendance. If we follow this formula, we will see the difference Christ can make in our lives. Then we'll fully understand the "chemistry" of spiritual change. Philip Yancey defines faith as: "Believing in advance in something that will only seem logical when seen in reverse." Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will always be able to see farther. Hit a home run today with your faith!

God's Divine Plan

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:22-26 ESV). I am often asked what God’s divine plan for life might be? The answer is not as complicated as we might at first think. We must love God and others. One of the principle truths of Scripture is our responsibility to love one another. At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all that attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child." Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shay's father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the rightfielder understood what the pitcher's intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him circled the bases towards home. As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home!" Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a "grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."

Frogs and Life

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (James 3:1-12 ESV). It is always easy to speak. However, speaking wisely is often a more difficult task. The art of encouragement is one which all of us ought to develop and use. The following little story illustrates the truth in this passage from James. A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. First, there is the power of life and death in our tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. When you’re gathered with friends, family, or coworkers today don’t fall into the trap of discouraging conversation. Be positive and encouraging. Watch the power of your words change the climate of your surroundings.

Living Water

And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:4-14 ESV). The human body needs about three quarts of water a day to operate efficiently. It helps break up and soften food. The blood, which is 90 percent water carries nutrients to the cells. As a cooling agent, water regulates our temperature through perspiration. And without its lubricating properties, our joints and muscles would grind and creak like unused parts of some old rusty machinery. The human spirit needs spiritual water. David McCasland tells about a woman whose car was stalled at an intersection. The hood was up, and she flagged McCasland down to help. "I can’t get it started," she said. "But if you jiggle the wire on the battery, I think it will work." McCasland grabbed the positive battery cable and it came off in his hand. Definitely the cable was too loose. "The terminal needs to be tightened up," he told her. "I can fix it if you have some tools." "My HUSBAND says to just jiggle the wire," she replied. "It always works. Why don’t you just try that?" McCasland paused for a moment, wondering why her husband didn’t ride around town with her so he would be available when the wire needed jiggling. Finally he said, "Ma’am, if I jiggle the wire, you’re going to need someone else to do it every time you shut the engine off. If you’ll give me two minutes and a wrench, we can solve the problem and you can forget about it." Reluctantly, she fumbled under the front seat and then extended a crescent wrench through the window of the old car. As he tightened the battery terminal, it occurred to McCasland how many times he had tried, in his own life, to get a "quick fix" from God. "I have this problem, Lord, and if You’ll just jiggle the wire, things will be OK. I’m in a hurry, so let’s just get me going again the quickest way possible." God doesn’t want to jiggle our wires, but to reconnect us. If you haven’t made a conscious decision to follow God, you don’t know him. You don’t start with it and lose it - you have to gain it first. The answer to our inner thirst is a complete surrender to God. Today, pray for God to reconnect you to Him. Like the woman at the well, call out to Him for that living water today! It will be the best decision of your life!

Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 5

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-24 ESV). While we must acknowledge God’s grace and remember that we have been cleansed from sin, there is a third truth necessary for us to know the fullness of God’s healing from His forgiveness. With the change of our condition comes a change in our position. We must recognize that we have not only been cleansed of sin, but we have been clothed with righteousness. Certainly, this is the impact of the parable we have started with this morning. You’ve surely heard people say before "clothes make the person." In the spiritual life, this is very true. What covers us is what makes us who we are. The Bible states that "God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." When Christ took away my sin, He put His righteousness on me in return. It’s what we call "imputation." The sin of Adam was imputed to the whole world. The sins of the world were imputed to Christ. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to those who have placed their faith in Him. It is a credit that is given. Even though I have sinned and still sin, I am "dressed to the nines" in righteousness. So, when the Devil begins to accuse me of being less than perfect, I can say to him, "I may not be what I should be, I am not what I will be, but by the grace of God, I am not what I was." I have been clothed with righteousness because of Jesus Christ. Paul asks in Romans 8: "If God is for us, who can be against us? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? Who is he that condemns? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" It isn’t a "what" that hinders the Christian life, it’s a "who." Satan is against us, bringing a charge against the elect, condemning us and attempting to separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. Perhaps some of you are feeling his attack. You have been driving around with rearview mirrors so big that you can’t see out the front windshield. Guilt is overwhelming you. The Devil is prosecuting you in a court of false accusation. Our verdict has already been pronounced in the court of grace and the Devil has nothing on us. So, when you hear the voice of accusation, remember that we have been chosen by grace, cleansed of sin and clothed with righteousness. And so, we may rejoice with the Scriptures that says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 4

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV). Yesterday we saw that the first step to achieving healing through forgiveness was to acknowledge that we have been chosen by grace. The second thing I am reminded of is that we have been cleansed of sin. In the passage from Zechariah, which we read a few days ago, Joshua stood before the Lord with filthy clothes that represented sin. We need to get the full impact of the picture here. The word "filthy" literally means "excrement." Joshua’s sin was like dung in the presence of God. Notice that the Lord didn’t let Joshua off the hook by diminishing his sin. And, when the Devil accuses us, our defense is not to explain away sin because all sin is a nasty, stinking mess before a holy and pure God. Even when Jesus, the righteous Branch came, He didn’t just wink at our sin. He didn’t ignore it or pretend that it wasn’t as bad as it was. Jesus dealt with our ugly sin by dying an ugly death. At the cross, our sin wasn’t excused. But it WAS erased. Baptism, no matter which form you may practice, is a beautiful picture of the cleansing of God’s grace. As the candidate completes the baptismal act, with water flowing off him, it pictures the washing of the soul by the grace of God. No wonder the scripture teaches us that God’s forgiveness is so complete that our sin is separated from us “as far as the east is from the west.” I know you’ve heard it said before of this verse, but it bears repeating for emphasis. While the distance from the north to the south may be measure, since both have a beginning point, the distance “from east to west” has no such measurement. God takes our sin forever away from us. Under the old covenant people were forced to sacrifice animals for their forgiveness of sin. However, it left them feeling guilty because the sacrifice was always incomplete. When Christ came, he took away sins once and for all. We are encouraged to draw near to the presence of God, not under accusation, but with the full assurance of faith that our hearts have been cleansed from a guilty conscience. The great hymn of faith says it so well: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Oh! Precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus! So, when the Devil begins His assault, sing those words with confidence. You have been cleansed of your sin.

Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 3

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! (Psalm 84:8-12 ESV). For the last few mornings we have been looking at the healing that comes from forgiveness. In order to experience the healing of God’s forgiveness, the first thing we ought to recognize is that we have been chosen by grace. Just as the Lord had chosen Israel and had rescued her from the Egyptians, the Caananites, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, and the Samaritans like a stick is snatched from a campfire, so He has rescued us. Israel had done nothing to earn God’s favor. Their salvation was an act of His mysterious grace. So is ours. We live in a world of performance. In 1988, the Houston School District nominated bus driver Lillie Baltrip for a safe-driving award. As she was driving a busload of her colleagues to the awards ceremony, she turned a corner too sharply and flipped the bus over sending herself and sixteen others to the hospital. Now, do you think she still got the award? No! Even though she was accident-free for a whole year, she ended up with a poor performance. Most airlines will give you a free seat, but only if you earn the advantage miles. Universities will give out diplomas this month, not because they’re loving institutions, but because the students have earned them. The Boy Scouts of America aren’t in the habit of handing out honorary Eagle Scout badges. Our world is perpetuated by performance. Acceptance, acknowledgment and applause are earned through achievement. Satan uses that same mentality to accuse the Christian. He tries to convince us that God will only award those who perform well. Heaven is reserved only for the upper-level saints. And so, when we remember some past sin or present failure, we feel condemned by our own lack of performance. But the Scriptures say something completely different. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." In other words, salvation is a free gift of God, not trophy that we can earn because we do well in life. In 2 Timothy 2:9, Paul reminds us that God has saved us, not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace. In Titus 3:5, we learn again that we have been saved, not because of any righteous things we have done, but because of the mercy of God. God didn’t chose any of us because of our accomplishments, our manners, our net worth, our intelligence, loving attitude or good looks. Rather, He chose us out of His grace. That is, we were destined for God’s righteous judgment but God chose to rescue us from His wrath. Every Christian is a burning stick snatched away by the righteous Branch. Mark Twain once wrote that heaven must be based on grace because if it were based on loyal performance, we’d be rejected, only our dogs would get in. So, when the Devil begins to accuse, remind him and remind yourself that you are a sinner. But just as your performance didn’t gain you a seat in heaven, neither can your failure cause you to lose what God has given by His wonderful grace.

Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 2

I have many hobbies taken up over the years. One of those is woodworking. There are many projects that I have finished and proudly displayed in our home. One of those is an antique finished cabinet made for Mary’s collection of TY Beanie Babies. Those who have seen it often lavish compliments on the workmanship and design. And, I am very grateful for their kind remarks. However, having built it myself, I know where all the flaws are located. Especially that one little corner that had to be puttied and filled to make up for the mistake of cutting the wood just a little short! Even when people marvel at this “masterpiece” I can’t help but remember the flawed corner. I think there is an important analogy here: Many people have mistakes in their lives that continue to come to the forefront of their mind. All of us have past stains or blemishes that remind us that we’re imperfect people. But, like two rough-cuts that seem to nullify an otherwise great job, past sin, even though confessed and forgiven, can haunt the Christian and overshadow an otherwise joyful and abundant life in Jesus Christ. It is one of Satan’s most common weapons. Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:7-11 ESV). Yesterday we saw in Zechariah, chapter 3, a very tender and encouraging passage. It looked at the very real strategy of the Devil to bring up "old business" in our lives and God’s immediate defense on our behalf. Today, I hope that we can learn how to reflect on the past, but not dwell there. In today’s verses, Satan is the "accuser of the brethren." That’s why he’s called "the Devil." The title means "one who accuses or opposes." His chief work in the life of the Christian is to remind us of past failure. He strives to overwhelm us with memories of sin. He puts us on the witness stand and then submits records and evidence to intimidate us. And, when the devil reminds us of that thing we did two years ago, or that habit that we’re still hoping to overcome or those bad decisions we made before we knew Jesus Chris. When the finger of opposition is put in our face, our spiritual momentum wanes. All kinds of feelings well up within us. We experience guilt, that painful sense that we’re unclean and unforgiven. Next come questions of doubt. Does God really love me? Is the cross big enough for my sin? Then comes fear. Maybe I’m not saved. God must be really angry with me. I’ve lost my salvation. Finally comes hopelessness, a discouraging sense of defeat. You and I know that, just like the Samaritan opposition of Zechariah’s day halted the building of God’s spiritual house in Jerusalem, so Satanic opposition can halt the building and growth of spiritual people today. Then, like today, the Lord comes to our defense. The Devil’s courtroom is not fair because he never presents all of the facts. His evidence is always weighted for the prosecution. Our defense rests in God’s grace in choosing to adopt us into His family, extending all the privileges and rights of true heirs to His Kingdom. We are fully forgiven and nothing can change that truth. In the next three days we’ll look in depth at some practical truths to use in answering the accusations of the devil. They are first, we have been chosen by grace; second, we have been cleansed of sin; and, third, we have been clothed with righteousness. Today, rest in His unchanging grace and tell the devil to take a hike!

Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 1

The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. However, it is very easy to quickly step over the dark ugliness of the cross as we recall this great victory. Without Jesus’ atoning death there could be no celebration. There is a healing we find in forgiveness. Today’s scripture begins taking us on a journey to discover that healing. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by. And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” (Zechariah 3 ESV). When Jesus encountered people in desperate need, he often linked healing with forgiveness – the woman taken in adultery, the man lowered on a pallet by friends, the woman with a jar of ointment, the man born blind. None of them came with a confession of sin. All came because of their raw need for help. All had been marginalized, if not outcast and stigmatized, because of their "impurity." Jesus responded to their isolation first, engaging them as humans who were neither better nor worse than others. Ann Lamott’s intriguing novel, Crooked Little Heart, is a contemporary story of repentance. In it, 13-year-old Rosie has been cheating on close line calls to win crucial tennis matches. Rosie’s shame grows, as she is unable to stop herself. She even hurts herself in a physical attempt to get her mother’s attention, but she is trapped by her compulsion to win. There is an ominous man, an outcast named Luther (!) who comes to every tournament, watching her, but she knows he will not tell. To simplify the story unmercifully, Luther finally invites Rosie beyond her self-absorbed guilt with his own confession: "I did what you did." "What do you mean?" "I cheated." As her secret becomes visible to both of them, Rosie calls herself a cheater. "No," Luther says, "you cheated." Then he tells her that other people cheat, too. By doing that, he invites her into the company of flawed humans. He also gives her a way to claim her identity as one that can make different choices, who can tell the truth. He makes room for her repentance to begin. Rosie begins to change. The sportsmanship committee reprimands her, but they allow her to continue playing. In the final game, she over-compensates; not calling points out because she wants to avoid the appearance of cheating. Then she finds the courage to call a long shot correctly and Luther stands up to leave. "Aren’t you going to stay and watch Rosie win?" her mother asks. "I already have," he says and disappears from the rest of the story. Whatever your sin today, “the Branch” has already come and made it possible for you to be free from guilt. Just agree with God today about your need for His forgiveness. He promises to forgive you of every failure. With Him there is no rejection! It is all of His grace!

Three Checkpoints - Pt 3

The past days we have been looking at the checkpoints of life. We saw the first two were to do justice and to love kindness. Today we see that we are also to walk humbly. Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church at Colossae: Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV). Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself one way or the other at all. It was John Riskin who said, “I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion. But really great men have a feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them.” Andrew Murray said, “The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility.” There is perhaps no other checkpoint more difficult to travel through. I find in my own life that it is often easier to think about justice and kindness than humility. The very act of being just and showing kindness toward others is a tool in the hands of our enemy to tempt us toward pride and arrogance. The bane of many pastors are those people who do something for the church and then have their feelings hurt when they have not been recognized or thanked sufficiently enough. Real humility does not expect or demand recognition. The following true story illustrates this truth so well. One Sunday morning after having preached a message about grace and forgiveness I found an envelope on my desk in the study. It was plain, though I noticed it had more than just paper in it. I really thought it might have been some little gift for me made by one of the preschoolers in our extended session. What a surprise when I opened it and found a diamond ring with a note attached. It was obviously from a woman and the gist of the note explained that the ring was a tenth year anniversary gift and the only jewelry that she wore other than her wedding band. She wanted to give it to the church so that it could be sold and the proceeds applied to a building project we had going on at the time. And, it was unsigned! The story is long and somewhat complicated. In the end, however, this simple gift challenged everyone to pay off existing debt and build a wonderful Activities Center for use in the community! Though I later learned who the donor was, I could never break her confidence and publicly recognize her gift. I am confident she will be recognized someday by our Lord in heaven! That’s what happens when we practice humility. M. R. De Haan has said, “Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God that we have.” How’s your humility?

Checkpoints in Life

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:17-32 ESV). Yesterday we began to look at the three checkpoints of life. The first of those was to do justice. Today we see that the second is to practice kindness. Alexander Maclaren said, “Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it.” Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait on line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. “I know,” said Mamie, ‘but the machine won’t ask me about my arthritis.” I wonder how many people just like Mamie Adams are in our circle of acquaintance and travel each day. Someone once said that we ought to be kind to everyone we meet since we may be entertaining angels unaware. I found the following recently. Perhaps it will serve as a reminder and encouragement to you as much as it did me. Just for Today ...Smile at a stranger ...Listen to someone's heart ...Drop a coin where a child can find it ...Learn something new, then teach it to someone ...Tell someone you're thinking of them ...Hug a loved one ...Don't hold a grudge ...Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" ...Look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are ...Look beyond the face of a person into their heart ...Make a promise, and keep it ...Call someone, for no other reason than to just say "hi" ...Show kindness to an animal ...Stand up for what you believe in ...Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind ...Use all your senses to their fullest … Just for Today!

Faith or Fear? (Pt 1)

In the book ¬Hell’s Best Kept Secret, by Ray Comfort, there is a true but tragic story. It seems a woman was once walking along a riverbank with her child. Suddenly the child slipped into the river. The mother screamed in terror. She couldn’t swim, and besides, she was in the latter stages of pregnancy. Finally, somebody heard her screaming and rushed down to the riverbank. The utter tragedy was when they stepped into those murky waters to retrieve that now dead child, they found that the water was only waist deep! That mother could have easily saved her child but didn’t because of a lack of knowledge. In today’s Scripture we will see the same kind of reaction from fear and Jesus’ encouragement to face life with faith. One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25 ESV). There are at least two important principles of truth to be gained from this passage. First, the disciples did not deny the reality of the danger they faced. Luke said it was a “fierce storm” and “they were in real danger.” It is important to recognize that mere whistling in the dark will not keep us safe from harm. Satan’s efforts to harm us are very real, however, so is the promise of God. There are so many times in the Bible when our Lord has promised to be with us that we hardly may number them! And, that brings us to the second principle: the disciples did not recognize the power of Jesus. They had no faith in either who He was or what He could do. They were in real danger, but they were not going to drown! It is the knowledge of who He is and what He can do that is the basis of our faith response to the attacks of Satan designed to rob us of our joy in life. We’ll see that vividly illustrated tomorrow as we continue this passage in Luke. Jesus’ casting out the demons from the man in Gerasenes is such a clear example of who He is and what He can do. Today, however, rest in the knowledge that He can calm the storms in your life. The preacher once said, “A wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an advertisement. It announces that some very juicy and delicious fruit is to be had for the picking. There are scarecrows in all the best gardens. If I am wise, I too shall treat the scarecrow as though it were an invitation. Every giant in the way which makes me feel like a grasshopper is only a scarecrow beckoning me to God’s richest blessings.” He concluded, “Faith is a bird which loves to perch on scarecrows.” Come with me the garden of God’s rich blessings! Whatever you are facing today, as real as it may be, deliver your future into the hands of the One who can speak and “even the wind and the waves obey”!

A True Story of Courage and Grace

So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. And he said to them, “I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the LORD has spoken. And the LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. And the LORD will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:1-8 ESV). The following story comes from David L. Kuzminski. It is a wonderful example of both courage and love: Walking down a path through some woods in Georgia in 1977, I saw a water puddle ahead on the path. I angled my direction to go around it on the part of the path that wasn't covered by water and mud. As I reached the puddle, I was suddenly attacked! Yet I did nothing for the attack was so unpredictable and from a source so totally unexpected. I was startled as well as unhurt; despite having been struck four or five times already. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Instead of attacking more, he hovered in the air on graceful butterfly wings in front of me. Had I been hurt I wouldn't have found it amusing, but I was unhurt, it was funny, and I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly! Having stopped laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He rammed me in the chest with his head and body, striking me over and over again with all his might, still to no avail. For a second time, I retreated a step while my attacker relented in his attack. Yet again, I tried moving forward. My attacker charged me again. I was rammed in the chest over and over again. I wasn't sure what to do, other than to retreat a third time. After all, it's just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. This time, though, I stepped back several paces to look the situation over. My attacker moved back as well to land on the ground. That's when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments earlier. He had a mate and she was dying. She was beside the puddle where he landed. Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her. I could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it upon himself to attack me for his mate's sake, even though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough to step on her. Now I knew why and what he was fighting for. There was really only one option left for me. I carefully made my way around the puddle to the other side of the path, though it was only inches wide and extremely muddy. His courage in attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate's safety justified it. I couldn't do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the puddle. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed. I left them in peace for those last few moments, cleaning the mud from my boots when I later reached my car. Like this courageous butterfly, the children of Israel were facing what they considered to be “giants” as Moses gave them the wonderful promise in our Scripture reading today. There are “giants” that all of us face in our lives also. The message of Jesus’ competed work on the Cross is that we need fear no enemy. We, too, need not fear, He will not forsake us in our reaching and taking possession of the Promised Land. It only requires that we face the challenges with faith in the love of our heavenly Father and courage to go forward.