Have You Checked YouTube?

 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:15-19 ESV).

 

Remembering my age it will not come as a surprise that consulting YouTube for insight or instruction is not my first thought. Recently, I was replacing the navigational card in our SUV. My first thought was that the instructions included with the new memory card should be sufficient. However, that was not correct, especially since most of it was unillustrated for the model I was replacing. My first thought was to ask Kyle for some help. He asked, “Have you checked with YouTube yet?” Well, duh… no, not yet. He pulled it up on his phone and we watched a short video and we were set. It took less than five minutes for the entire process.

 

As children, we learn to ask for help if there’s something we aren’t sure about. We raise a hand in the classroom; we bring questions to adults who might have answers for us. We want to learn things, so we ask for help, information, and advice as we need it. For many of us, this tends to change as we grow older. We start believing that being independent and figuring things out on our own is most important. We become less inclined to ask for help or advice because we don’t want to seem weak.

 

Oftentimes our own experience or expertise may be enough. And not all advice is good advice, as many of us learn along the way. But our verse from Proverbs today gives a helpful reminder that it is foolish to become wise in our own eyes, to believe that we always know what’s best, or to assume that our way is always right. Asking for advice or for help does not make us weak. It expands our ability to discern complicated situations. Often someone who is wiser or more experienced can see or understand the situation better than we can. And sometimes God puts people in our lives specifically for that reason. Real wisdom is quick to recognize when the help of others is essential. Commit yourself to wise counsel.

 

Sticks and Stones

 

The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. (Proverbs 12:5-7 ESV).

 

I’ve often thought that the old saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a bit ambitious. Harsh words, name-calling, and insults certainly do hurt, especially when they come from people we thought we could trust. It never feels good to be insulted, even by a stranger. So our instinct is often to stand up for ourselves and to push back on an insult. People shouldn’t treat us that way, we think—and in most cases they probably shouldn’t.

 

I was taught this lesson of wisdom early in my ministry. While still a student at Texas A&M I was invited to preach the Sunday morning service for Reid’s Prairie Baptist Church. It was a small rural church about midway between College Station and Navasota. After the service I stationed myself at the exit to greet the folks and wish them a blessed week. It was a lovely experience, though somewhat surprising. The chairman of the deacons was near the end of the line of people filing out and he announced to me that they had a good week and my “stipend” for the day of service was left in the back seat of our car. He said, “The harvest has been very good this week, so we put two bags of vegetables in your car.” I thanked him graciously. The older lady who was last to file out was a very serous looking woman in her nineties. She had other words for me. She said, “Preacher, that was a good talk, but when you preach, you need to use the Bible.” I was a bit confused since I read several passages from a modern translation during the sermon. I lifted my copy of Good News for Modern Man and said, “I did read from the Bible.” She said, “That’s not the Bible. The King James Version was good enough for Paul, young man. I suggest you read from that!” Even though that was a bit hurtful, I learned that her intent was good, even though misguided. I ended up continuing to preach there for nearly a year and found her to be a wonderful, tender-hearted lady.

 

Our reading today points us in the direction of wisdom. It is always wise not to react with annoyance and overlook an insult. Of course, it is important that inappropriate and hurtful behavior is properly addressed. But this does not mean that the way to react is to fire back with the same kind of behavior. Remember Jesus, whom the prophets foretold would be “despised and rejected… Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem” (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus was able to overlook hundreds—maybe even thousands—of insults, jeers, and rejections because he knew who he was, what he was called to do, and how much the Father loved him. Wisdom calls us to do the same.

 

Hindsight is 20/20

 

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:8-12 ESV).

 

John Carter is correct in the cartoon attached here. Concerning our foresight, we often are completely blind. Many of us have had moments when we have looked back on a past decision and wondered, “How did I ever think that was a good idea?” Yet at the time, that decision or choice probably seemed right to us. There’s a reason why people say, “Hindsight is 20/20.” This means you can often see a situation more clearly (as with 20/20 vision) after it has passed, and you have had time to learn from some of the choices you have made. Our own ability to see clearly in the present moment is limited. And what appears to be the right decision or right thinking in the moment can sometimes do more harm than good.

 

Jesus warned his disciples that following him would not be easy or even look like a good idea at times. He spoke about the costs of being his disciple, but he also promised that his way leads to life. He said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

 

In other words, there can be many ways that appear to be right (even religiously) and seem more attractive than the way of Jesus, but they will bring misery and destruction in the end. All of us, if we are honest, can admit to those times when we didn’t make the “right” decision. Let me encourage you. First, don’t live in the past. Learn from it. Don’t repeat it if it was destructive. If it is guilt or shame you are feeling, that doesn’t come from our Father in heaven. He has forgiven us. Accept that forgiveness and move forward. Second, take advantage of wise counsel for the future. There are no unique failures. They are all common to mankind. Use the Scripture and wise counsel of those who have traveled a bit further than you to help find the path that leads to life. This is wisdom at work in your life.

 

The Air Conditioning of the Soul

 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 ESV).

 

Our reading today simply declares that laughter is “good medicine.” I often say that laughter is the air conditioning of the soul. However, there are those times when laughter is very difficult. Earlier in the book of wisdom Solomon writes: “Even in laughter the heart may ache” (Proverbs 14:13). This is that experience when you put on the semblance of happiness for others. At social events you might even genuinely have a good time, but later, when you’re alone again, the grief and tears can all come flooding back. That is not what Solomon means by “a joyful heart.”

 

We can learn from the example set by Jesus. He wept on his way to the tomb of a dear friend (cf. John 11:35). He was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow as he prepared to die for us (cf. Matthew 26:38). Jesus’ acquaintance with grief gave him insight and empathy for others who were grieving. God is able to use us too in our times of brokenness to show others the love and care of Jesus.

 

The joyful heart is achieved when we recognize that there is always hope yet to be revealed in our lives. The joyful heart is found when we are able to laugh at ourselves in a way that leads us to recognize God is still shaping and changing us to be fit for our eternal home. The joyful heart is one that has been filled with the wisdom of God so we may discern the temporary nature of our present circumstance.

 

James Stovall said it well: Laughter is good medicine for the soul. Our world is desperately in need of more medicine. Perhaps you are one of those in need of that medicine. I have found it in reflection over my own personal experience. I am often forced to laugh heartily at myself. Times when I have miserably failed and times when I have gloriously succeeded all contribute to my laughter. In fact, most of the time I just shake my head and marvel at how God has made up for my lack of perspective. I’m sure I have been the source of much laughter to Him as He wonders at my stubborn resistance to His good purpose.

 

A Tranquil Heart

 

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (Proverbs 14:30 ESV).

 

Just downstream from the cabin Mary and I stayed in while in Pigeon Forge several years ago was a drop in the stream that created a beautiful pool of water. I’ve attached a picture of the spot. In those calmer, deeper waters, I found a few fish that were willing to bite the fly that I presented while fishing. It was both exhilarating and calming at the same time. Thinking of that summer morning brought me to today’s reading. It’s interesting that peace is contrasted with envy in this proverb. We usually think of peace as the opposite of war, strife, disunity, or conflict.

 

Solomon uses an interesting word when he talks about “the tranquil heart.” It is a reference to a quiet heart. What he is saying here is that this person's heart is strong and quiet. Their inner life is like the clear, mirror-like, state of the water in the early morning on a lake, like the pool at the drop-off in this stream. This person's peace and calm is not disturbed by things that happen around it.

 

Envy destroys that peace. “Envy” means being deeply resentful toward someone because they have something that you dearly want. Maybe it’s wealth, a fine car, good looks, popularity, power, or some other advantage or privilege that you don’t have. Envy drives people to obsess over their great longing, sometimes even to the point of harming the person who has what they want, or destroying what the person has so that they can’t have it. A person who is consumed with envy has no peace in their heart. Their inner turmoil can affect their health and well-being so much that, as the proverb says, it “rots the bones.”

 

James tells us, “Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit.” (James 3:16-17). Full life is found in Jesus alone. Trust Him to always work for your good and give you everything you need. Then you will have a tranquil heart.

 

Wisdom Resting in You

 

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. (Proverbs 14:33-35 ESV).

 

Yesterday I began a series to look into the meaning of Wisdom. Today, I’ve chosen our reading to help us understand how wisdom comes to rest in the hearts of people who are desire to imitate Jesus. It was easy to go to this reading because of my current health issues. I’ve recently been going through various diagnostic tests trying to determine why I seem to be out of breath and so easily fatigued. The team of doctors are now looking more closely at my heart. They have ordered a more definitive test that will examine it much more closely. The culprit they are looking for is iron deposits in the tissue of the heart from my hemochromatosis. That will be important in treating the symptoms I’m experiencing physically; however, more importantly is whether wisdom is resting in my heart. This will bring truth, grace, and goodness into my life.

 

The wonderful reality of faith in Jesus Christ is that this has already taken place. Wisdom has come to live and reign in every believer’s heart through the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul asked the Corinthians, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit lives within us, and it’s the Spirit who reveals all truth and wisdom to us, because his primary task is to help us live like Jesus. What a privilege!

 

However, we cannot take that for granted. Our reading today also notes that Wisdom lets herself be known “even among fools.” In other words, Wisdom wants to be known by everyone. Jesus’ desire too is that every heart should know him, that all people should know his saving grace and his compassion. The difference between the fool and the wise is in the submissive attitude we take to the leadership of the Spirit in our lives. It is our intentional desire in following Jesus that separated us from the foolish. Commit yourself to Wisdom. It is resting in your heart!

 

Uggggh!

 

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. (Proverbs 15:1-4 ESV).

 

Well, the title today has a double meaning. First, it signals my feelings of frustration; and second, it gives a clue to the reason for the frustration. “Ugg” is the brand name of a shoe which Mary wanted me to order for her online. She received a gift card to a very well-known department store for Christmas and since the nearest location is in Dallas, we decided to order online. Getting to the site was easy enough, however, completing an order was next to impossible. After several attempts, being locked out in creating an account, and being practically ignored on the “chat line” I decided I needed a live person who speaks English to make the order. I did find a phone number and calling it I actually got to a very nice person who could take my order. With minimal frustration (most people talk a lot faster than I listen) the order is now on its way.

 

That reminded me of our reading today. I was looking for the direction to go with Morning Devotionals and it seemed like a perfect topic for our time. Wisdom in our relationships is essential. One of the most destructive behaviors in our relationships is acting negatively in our “anger.” Just think about a time when someone made you angry. May­be, they cut you off in traffic. Perhaps they made a rude comment on social media. Or maybe someone made you feel stupid, and you were embarrassed in front of your peers. In any of these situations, it’s easy to fire back a defensive response. But if we act out in anger, we will only make the situation worse. Our sinful nature wants to get back at the person who has offended us, but that is not the wise approach.

 

Our reading today points us to the way of Jesus, who told his disciples, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). This is one of the few times Jesus listed attributes of himself. He is gentle and humble in heart. As Jesus also showed, there is a place for anger in situations where God is being mocked or injustice is being allowed (cf. Mark 11:15-17), but those moments are few and far between. And as Paul reminds us, “In your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26; Psalm 4:4). That’s the way Jesus operates. The next time someone makes you angry or frustrated, respond with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Take a breath and remember Uggs are not worth Ugggghs!

One Last Word

 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Ephesians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

As we come to the close of our look into Ephesians describing our journey, I have chosen today’s reading. We may certainly describe our world as one that has felt upside down for a while. It seems it has become easier to get grumpy and less patient with others. Feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness have marked people’s behaviors, and when we read the news, we shake our heads wondering.

 

The words of Paul in Ephesians 4 strike a chord with us. He knew and experienced the same kinds of behaviors in the early church. His words challenge us to live fully into who God has called us to be. God has given us every gift through Jesus so that we can walk in a manner worthy of our calling. As Paul instructs us in this chapter to be tenderhearted, forgiving, and kind, he emphasizes that we must keep on living this way.

 

Kindness and compassion go hand in hand. We are called to be aware of others around us and how we might encourage and help. Think of all the good we can do if we simply imagine, “How can I add value to someone else’s life today?” It’s about relationships, and our relationship with God is the most important one in life.

 

As we imitate Christ, we learn that kindness is not optional for believers. It is a call to obedience. When we live fully in kindness to one another, we are saying thank-you to God. Determine to exercise your strength through gentleness. Francis de Sales said it so well: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength.” That is a last word worth remembering and practicing!

 

Spending Your Time

 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but ube filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV).

 

Our reading today gives us a moment to think about using our time well. There are certainly lots of books, articles, podcasts, and videos that have been produced to share the latest and greatest tips on how best to use the time we have in our lives. Some of the ideas are great for building relationships, caring for others, getting an education, working efficiently, and even planning for retirement. As we grow older, many of us realize that we have wasted some time along the way, and we may have regrets about that. While we cannot gain back the hours we have spent, we can seek to change how we live. We can make the most of the time ahead of us. The Apostle Paul is telling us that the way we spend our time with God and with others matters.

 

As I have found myself unable to do as much as I once could, I have also discovered that doesn’t excuse idleness. Please do not hear me say that I don’t take naps and rest more than I did in the past. I do. Health issues have developed that sitting still has become a regular routine much more than in years past. However, let me also say that is not idleness. Idleness is when we simply don’t live intentionally. I like the cartoon I saw recently. The characters exchange quips: “We only live once,” and the comeback line says, “We only die once; we live every day.” What matters is how we live every day.

 

There is wisdom in that practice. Usually, I rely on what I am producing by the things I spend my time doing. Sometimes the result is simply a rejuvenating of the body; at other times, it is the creation of something new. The real key is being purposeful.

Paul urges us, “Don’t waste the time that you have.” Aim to live with no regrets. Live fully with the life you have been given in Christ.

 

Praise the Lord

 

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He ogives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 113 ESV).

 

Yesterday I encouraged you to find your “sanctuary” (what I usually call “cathedral”). When I work with people who are experiencing difficult times and challenging circumstances, I often like to give them words of encouragement in the form of a challenge. For example, I’ll invite them to begin each morning with a cathedral moment where they find something to praise God about. This is precisely what the psalmist of our reading today is doing. This psalm was often sung just before people took up the first cup of wine at the Passover meal. They were remembering the goodness and faithfulness of God to the people of Israel.

 

Saying “Praise the Lord” (Hebrew: “Hallelujah”) is also the perfect way for us to start the day, remembering the goodness and faithfulness of God. It helps to set the tone for the day, and it puts our attitude in the right place. It also reminds us that God is bigger than our circumstances and that no one else is like the Lord our God.

 

We can also sing God’s praises before going to sleep at the end of the day. When we praise someone, it means we know something significant about that person and what they have done. The more we experience the fullness of God in our lives, the easier our praise of God will be.

 

As we practice, morning and evening, to praise God’s name, we are reminded that we have a heavenly Father and a friend who is always with us and provides everything we need. This is the path to strength and peace during our challenges.

 

Sanctuary

 

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just las you were taught, abounding min thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:1-7 ESV).

 

Winter has decided to show itself this year. The artic cold air that has gripped our country for the last week has been one for the record books in many places. Our son, Aaron, who is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., recently sent us some pictures of the campus. The one I’ve attached to today’s devotional is the cathedral on the university campus. Dedicated in 1893, Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart is a century younger than Georgetown University itself. It is a haven of tranquility and repose, acting as the spiritual heart of the Georgetown community. In this sacred space, generations of students, faculty, staff and alumni have attended services, exchanged sacred vows at weddings, were baptized into the faith or simply stole a quiet moment to recenter their lives. It truly is a beautiful building.

 

Seeing this picture, I am reminded of a book I was given many years ago. The title is The Practice of the Presence of God. It is brief, though full of wisdom. The author, Brother Lawrence, was a friar in France, in the 17^th Century. He shares how he came to realize that wherever he was, it was a good place to connect with God. Because of God’s presence, even places where Lawrence had felt empty and worthless became rich with a sense of belonging. His place in the monastery where he lived was the kitchen. There he learned to cook meals, do dishes, and run errands with God. What seemed a lowly position to others became a retreat and a haven of relationship with God. The kitchen became Lawrence’s sanctuary, where he worshiped in spirit and in truth. Where is your sanctuary? Finding it will make your journey so much easier!

 

Apprenticeship

 

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7 ESV).

 

An old saying about mentoring and apprenticeships goes something like this: “I do, you watch; I do, you help; You do, I help; You do, I watch.” Perhaps you were one of the fortunate folks who took a woodworking class in High School. As strange as it may sound, I was not. I did not begin my “apprenticeship” in woodworking until later. The same was true for my career training. I did not begin any formal study or mentoring in ministry until I was in college. I was very fortunate to have three wonderful men who allowed me learn from them. That old saying was true for me. I watched and learned, then I practiced while they watched and corrected if necessary. Through the years I have used this methodology of discipleship many times.

 

Jesus trained his disciples, and they passed along to others what they learned from him. An apprentice commits to learning from a master and then becomes experienced and able to teach others. In our reading today, Paul urges Timothy to remember his training and to pass it along to reliable people who can teach others. By his grace, God wants to be in relationship with us in Christ, to fill us with his Holy Spirit, and to show us how to live fully so that we share all this with others. God wants us to be his apprentices.

 

A powerful image in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis illustrates this well. This unusual book is written from the perspective of a demon (or devil) who is attempting to explain God’s great plan for humankind: “One must face the fact that all the talk about [God’s] love for men, and His service being perfect freedom, is not (as one would gladly believe) mere propaganda, but an appalling truth. [God] really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself—creatures whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own … because their wills freely conform to His.” How is your apprenticeship going?

 

You Never Know

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13 ESV).

 

Dr. Seuss is credited with the wonderful quote: “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” That has proven to be true over and over in my experience. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, and the things I’ve experienced over the last seven decades were often commonplace. They were good, but nothing that I thought could never be duplicated. Something as simple as a brilliant sunset on a cool summer’s evening is certainly nothing “special.” Or, is it? After all, no two sunsets are ever the same.

 

I do the same thing with extraordinary experiences sometimes. I have a mount of a largemouth bass in our family room. We were living in Huntsville, Texas, in the late 1970’s and I wanted to run out to a farm where I had permission to fish so that I could catch a few fish for some friends who were coming over. It was a cool December and my thought was that I could get out there, catch four or small bass, and be home in plenty of time to filet them and grill them for dinner. For some reason the fish were not biting at all. No matter what I tried my “honey-hole” was not working. Just as I was about to run out of time I casted across the mouth of the spring that fed the pond and a few exciting minutes later I landed and 8½ pound monster bass. With hybrids and warm water lakes so common today, that’s not a very big bass, but then, it was huge. I got home and was immediately asked if I caught anything. I said, “Just this one…” and lifted the bass out of the cooler. I was going to filet it and cook it, though they talked me out of it so that I could take it to the taxidermist to preserve it. Of course, I am very glad I did. As it turns out, that was the biggest Texas bass I’ve ever caught. As wonderful as that experience was, I don’t really dwell on it very often. I almost take it for granted.

 

I wonder if we do something similar with the incredible experiences we have with God. For example, Paul points out some wonderful gifts from God in the blessing we read here today, and I wonder if we hear those words about joy and peace and then just tuck that thought away thinking that is commonplace. It is not! God has gifted us with the ability to experience hope and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is miraculous and undeserved. Take some time today to cherish the things of God in your life. His presence is our greatest treasure!

Rooted and Grounded

 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 ESV).

 

I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to the giant redwoods of California. As you can see from the picture, they dwarf an automobile as it travels through the roads of these forests. Redwoods, particularly coast redwoods, or Sequoia Sempervirens, are the tallest trees on the planet. They can reach heights of nearly 400 feet, which is roughly equivalent to a 37-story skyscraper—so high that, when standing at the bottom of a redwood, you can't see the top, even on a clear day. These trees can grow to be so tall because they're ancient and because they're well adapted to their temperate, foggy climate. A typical redwood lives for 500 to 700 years, although some have been documented at more than 2,000 years old, meaning that some of the coast redwoods living today were alive during the time of the Roman Empire. Not only that, but coast redwoods have been on the planet for more than 240 million years. That means they've been around since the time of dinosaurs, or maybe even earlier. However, the real secret to their longevity lies in the fact that their roots spread out intertwining with the surrounding trees. They depend on each other for their stability and strength in the face of storms.

 

This is the image the Apostle Paul calls on when he writes that he wants us to be “rooted and grounded” in the presence of God. First, we draw strength from the actual presence of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; but second, we also draw strength from other believers that we joined with in the pursuit of His purpose and will. A community of faith is essential to accomplish this principle. From our community we are both strengthened in our knowledge and encouraged in our journey.

 

I know there are times when it is impossible to be physically present with fellow believers, however with modern technology we still can be connected to them. Take advantage of every means of staying connected to the Lord through Scripture and to other believers through conversation. It will make an enormous difference in your life.

 

The Fullness of the Presence of God

 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV).

 

Kyle and I were having a conversation not long ago discussing the new series he will be team-teaching at our church. The title is “The Wilderness.” It will focus on the presence of God with the Israelites during their journey from the slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. It sounds very exciting. We continued talking about methods of study and preparation and ended going way back to some of his memories of me preparing for Sundays. Those were the “old days” (pre-internet and computers) when I would gather all my commentaries and other written resources on our breakfast room table and begin to read and take notes on my legal-size notepad forming the bones of the sermon.

 

I must confess that I don’t miss the arduous task of research without the convenience of a computer and virtually every reference at my fingertips. And, while I still use the original language references often enough to keep my familiarity with Greek and Hebrew fresh, I don’t miss the bound volumes of lexicons and dictionaries. Of course, the Morning Devotionals are a bit different than sermons. They’re much shorter and more personally based. However, one thing is identical. I always pray that the words I write will result in those who read or hear them will be “rooted and grounded” in the love of God so that you will be “filled with the presence of God.”

 

It is that position… being aware of the presence of God … that will bring fullness of the peace of God to your mind and heart. I’m going to be exploring that for a few more days as we continue in Ephesians, but today I hope you will recognize more than ever that the presence of God is both real and complete. He is within your heart and mind. He will enlighten and strengthen you in your journey. He will provide light in the darkness of the future. Trust in Him!

 

Being at Home

 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

 

I’m returning to a reading we have had recently today so we may look at another key truth encouraging us in our journey. I’ve centered my focus around a specific word that the apostle uses in the middle of this passage. He writes that his prayer has been for them to be “strengthened with power… so that Christ may dwell in their hearts” (v. 16). The word translated “dwell” conveys the meaning of “being at home”. The picture I’ve attached is one of my childhood homes in Galveston, Texas. The two-story blue and gray building was a grocery/meat market on the first floor and a two-bedroom residence on the second floor. It was built well to have survived several hurricanes through the years. But, the quality of the construction did not make it a “home.” That came from the feeling of security and peace I experienced there. I always knew that my Dad would be there; and, if I was with him I was always safe and loved.

 

In Ephesians the apostle Paul is asking us to imagine going deeper than the polite relationship we may tend to have with Jesus. Christ wants us to live fully. He wants us to be able to settle in and feel at home in our relationship with him. He wants us to know how much he loves and cares for us—and that will change how we live out our faith each day. He wants us to be grounded in the truth of his love so that we are not afraid to access all the power and strength he has for us.

 

No matter what our circumstances are, Christ is always offering all of himself for us. Today is a good day to stretch our faith and our imagination to find all the dimensions of the relationship Christ is offering. That will ease your journey!

 

The Incline of Our Journey

 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV).

 

Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the park as well as in the state of Tennessee. Its height alone makes for some stunning views, but with the observation tower on top, you can see forever. The mountain is located right on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, so you actually have to park in North Carolina to get there, but the peak itself is in Tennessee. It’s not a long hike up to the dome, but it is steep. You will not be disappointed by the effort.

 

There are times when we might be tempted to believe that our life journey feels difficult and steeply inclined. We might even be tempted to give up on it. But what if we just need a new perspective and realize we should try it again? Jesus wants us to know how much he cares for us, and he wants to offer us something that is far more than we can imagine. When we begin to understand how much he loves us and wants us in relationship with him, our perspective changes. We realize that life with him is not just a Sunday or church experience but an everyday adventure that takes us to new places in our faith. We begin to trust differently, to listen and discern differently, and ultimately to experience a new way to live each day. We begin to experience the fullness of God in our journey of faith.

 

From the parking area leading to Clingman’s Dome, you cannot see the vista that is offered from its vantage point. Once you begin the hike, most of the view is still hidden. However, reaching the top and gazing into the mountains in a magnificent 360-degree view is breathtaking. The first time Mary and I walked to the summit, we had our boys with us. Kyle was old enough to walk it, but David was just a toddler (Aaron hadn’t been born yet). It was a chore to get us to the top! But then, we saw the view! That is the picture of a life walking with Jesus. Don’t give up!

 

Made Alive

 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-6 ESV).

 

On September 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla crashed into the Texas coast virtually on top of Galveston. It turned out to be one of the biggest storms in size in hurricane history and caused damage from Port Arthur to Brownsville – the entire 600 mile length of the Texas Gulf Coast. Torrential rains and high winds were felt in Austin and beyond. When it came ashore, Carla had winds of 170 mph. But it was the storm surge and high waves that caused much of the damage, flooding homes and businesses from Port Arthur all the way to Corpus Christi.

 

I recall that week well. We stayed on the island since we lived above our neighborhood grocery store. I was only twelve years old at the time. After the storm passed, the Weather Service reported that most of the injuries from the hurricane were caused by snake bites from the thousands carried in by the flood waters. Thousands of water moccasins were washed from southeast Texas swamps and bayous and ended up piling up on streets and in yards. My Dad and I were a part of the civil patrols riding in the back of trucks with our rifles killing the snakes. Riding through what was a thriving, vibrant neighborhood in those days indelibly stamped the image of the natural destruction on my mind. The picture I’ve attached is just a few blocks from where we lived. Today, you would not recognize the area except for the hospital in the background. It is “alive” with the growth of the decades.

 

In thinking about our reading today, I am reminded me of God’s great promises for us. Even before we felt the breath of new life, when we were still separated from God because of our sin, Jesus, through his love for us, gave us the hope of becoming fully alive. His sacrifice for us gives us the challenge of becoming fully alive in him. This is the promise of making all things new in Christ. Claim that in your life today!

 

But, What Do I Do?

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-20 ESV).

 

There’s a wonderful little children’s book by Andrea Doss, Good Night, Sleep Tight, that helps parents teach their children how to pray before bedtime (cover picture attached). It is illustrated quite wonderfully and has some great insights for young children. Continuing our look into Ephesians I thought this picture would help encourage you to understand and practice the things we “can do”.

 

I’m always a little amazed at how little we know about grace. That has been shown in a very common question from people whenever I introduce the topic of grace as an answer to their crisis. The retort is always, “But, what do I need to do?” Thankfully the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that the first step in our solution is to “bow our knees before the Father” (v. 14). Let me very quickly say that he is not talking about the physical posture of prayer.

 

While it is perfectly acceptable to kneel when we pray, we know that Jesus’ example of prayer was much more than that. Picture an Olympic diver, in position and ready to dive. They are standing in the posture that directly reflects their mindset. I think Paul is telling us something similar here in Ephesians. Our mindset matters. It matters especially in our attitude of prayer. When we submit our heart and our will to God in faith, we begin to understand our position in Christ. We know we have gone from death to life and are now seated with Christ in heavenly places (cf. Ephesians 2:6). This means we can walk in a way of life that pleases God. Like a child, we train our minds to settle on an absolute trust in the goodness and grace of God. Whatever you are facing today, trust that He will bring good from it into your life. Begin to do that and you will find your solution in Him.

  

The Prize Inside

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus pon behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, show the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:1-6 ESV).

 

It’s okay to admit that you have at least once taken a box of Cracker Jacks and emptied it looking for the prize inside before taking a bite of the contents. Cracker Jack started its "prize in every box" promotion February 19, 1912. German immigrant F.W. Rueckheim first invented the now-ubiquitous ballpark treat in the late 19th century. It was initially sold at his small candy and popcorn shop. The caramel-coated popcorn made its official debut at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. For over two hundred years this otherwise ordinary snack has been a choice of young and old. This has become such a part of our experience in large part because of the “the surprise toy inside.” We all love prizes!

 

The apostle Paul is introducing us to something like that in Ephesians. We are invited to open a mystery package and peer inside to discover what God is sharing with us. There is more for us to know, and the wonder and mystery being offered to all people points to a new season in the great story of God’s love for the world. God’s plan includes everyone. God’s inheritance is for all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.

 

In this letter from the Apostle Paul, we discover that we are adopted, chosen, and called to serve shoulder to shoulder with all other followers of Jesus. We discover what it means to be saved by grace, and we are no longer strangers to God’s plan. As the days go forward in Morning Devotionals, I hope we can discover the joy of becoming fully alive in Christ. This is the abundant life that Jesus came to afford to each of us. I hope that will encourage and strengthen you in your journey!

  

New Beginnings - Pt. 10

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:1-5 ESV).

 

For the last few days, we have looked at God’s work of renewing his people and all of creation. We have seen how sin introduced struggles and pains into the human experience, and how God in grace gives new life to all who trust in Christ’s finished work of salvation. We have briefly mapped out the New Beginnings that God has provided through Christ. My prayer is that you have been encouraged and motivated in your journey. Today as I close this series, I want to show the final step and what the finish line looks like.

 

Thinking about what I might write for this devotional I began to think about “finish lines.” I remembered one experience watching my granddaughter, Faith, run one of her cross-country races in high school. We tried to attend them all, though that was not always possible. The picture I have attached is just one of those races where she was close to the finish line. As you may be aware, these races are difficult by design. Not only are they a bit longer than other track events, but they are mapped out across varied terrain. You can see the determination on her face to finish. What is not pictured in this photo is the joy and satisfaction when she crossed the finish line.

 

In the closing chapters of the Scripture, God gives us a glimpse of our finish line in life. All things are made new. God’s new creation is better because of what we won’t experience anymore: death, mourning, crying, pain, deception, shame. Even the threat of the sea, the source of much evil in the Revelation visions (cf. Revelation 13), is no more. Eternity is better too because of what we will experience. The new creation is a place full of life and energy: heaven is pictured as a city that is not “up there” but “coming down” here. Most important, God is there. For all who follow Jesus and trust in him, nothing could possibly be better. We don’t simply long for a reunion with loved ones or for an eternal vacation, but for the opportunity to live forever in the presence of our Creator and Redeemer. God is making all things new. And in Christ we can be included in that process. And no matter how difficult the terrain, or arduous the race, we will all finish! 

 

New Beginnings - Pt. 9

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized pinto Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:1-5 ESV).

 

Having lived in three states and been active in ministry in all three I have been able to see some of the differences in traditions kept at the funeral of a loved one. Even in Texas, there have been different protocols followed as required by the church or cemetery where the deceased was being buried. One cemetery required that the grave be opened (dug) and closed (filled in) by hand. However, the most difficult of these traditions was in Tennessee. The tradition there was that the family stay at the graveside while the grave was closed. Most of the time it was done mechanically, and the time spent watching the grave be filled was relatively brief.

 

No matter the protocols or traditions, when we are standing at the grave of a loved one, we feel the weight of death. Conversations fall silent. Hopes and dreams meet up against the hard reality of mortality. Death separates. Anyone who has lost a close friend or family member has felt the weight of this separation. Death leaves an aching hole, an empty space wherever that loved one used to be. But through the gospel, even something as terrible as death can speak a word of hope. The death of Jesus separates us from the power of sin in our lives.

 

And the death of a believer separates that person from the struggle with sin and brokenness in this life. Nor does death have the final word. In God’s redemptive plan, resurrection follows death. Believers will live with Christ. What’s more, all who believe in Jesus do not need to wait for physical death to begin living the new life in Christ. The power of sin is broken in our lives, and like Jesus, we begin to live for God. By God’s grace, the weight of sin and death give way to the new life in Christ, giving hope even over the grave. This is the ultimate New Beginning!