Love for Special Needs Kids

But Jesus said, Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.  And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.  (Matthew 19:14-15)

  Nineteen years ago my grandson was born.  Everything seemed fine at first.  It wasn't long before my daughter sensed something amiss.  Jonathan couldn't grasp things like normal children.  He couldn't chew food in the normal way.  Worst of all he wasn't talking.  Numerous tests were taken, and a genetic defect discovered.  It was unlikely he would grow normally like other children.  

  What a shock to his parents when they realized that they'd never hear him say "daddy" or "mommy."  How would he be treated by children his age?  Educational officials wanted to label him as retarded.  He was rejected by the local school district and had to attend a special school miles from home.

  Jesus has a special love for children with special needs.  He invited children to come to him.  The invitation included the handicapped, the rejected, the lonely, the crippled, the blind, and especially the outcasts.  He touched the eyes of the blind and they could see.  He lifted up the lame and they walked.  Think of the power of a godly touch.

   You can give someone a godly touch today.  Make a list of people in need and send an encouraging note or  dial their phone number and reach out to them with a godly touch.

Thought for the Day: God is busy touching the lives of those with special needs.  

Fatherless

His sons-in-law thought he was ridiculing them.  (Genesis 19:14)


   Facing tragedy is one of the greatest challenges any human being has to endure.  Some people respond favorably and rise above the tragedy, while others succumb and fall into bitter resentment.  When Jesus died his disciples cowered behind closed doors.  The two men on the Emmaus road walked home confused.  Peter wept.  Judas hanged himself.  Thomas doubted.  The disciples walked with Jesus for three years, ate and slept with him nightly, and had the advantage of personal instruction from the master.  Still they faltered in their faith.  It wasn't until after the Day of Pentecost that they understood all that Jesus had told them.

   Have you ever had to face the loss of a father?  My father passed into eternity at the young age of forty-nine.  I remember being devastated, confused, fearful of the future.  Perhaps you have faced a similar situation just as tragic.  How can you deal with a fatherless situation?  I know from experience that without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ it would be most difficult if not impossible to achieve the assurance and security that is needed.  Jesus is the one person who is able to take you in his arms and provide the comfort and love so sorely missed.  Won't you turn to him?

Thought for the Day: Walk every day with your family as though it were your last.

Fall Foliage

Yet God has made everything beautiful in its own time.  He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.  (Eccl. 3:11 NLT)


   This verse indicates that God has placed his eternal beauty within us, and it is our responsibility to let others see that beauty in our appearance and actions.  I am assured in Philippians 1:6 that God will complete his work in us through Jesus Christ.

   The writer of James advises, "If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." (James 3:13 NLT)


   Just as the fall foliage reveals the beauty of God's creative work in nature, so also should my life show forth the inward beauty of God's grace through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Thought for the Day: God has planted within us a greater beauty that nature -- his Son Jesus Christ.

Faith Choices

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve....as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15 NLT)


   You are running for your life when you suddenly come to a crossroads!  Decision time -- which path will you choose?  You can't follow both.  One offers a clear way, while the other appears to have twists and turns.  Will you take the easy way, or the one that appears twisted?

   Saul faced a faith choice on his way to Damascus.  A blinding light struck him down, and a voice said, "Saul, Saul!  Why are you persecuting me?"  "Who are you, Lord?"  The voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting."  Wow!  Paul was faced with a life changing decision.

   You and I face similar daily decisions.  We may be tempted to call in sick at work or to make an excuse for missing the weekly prayer meeting.  To worship God with a pure conscience we must strive to make "faith choices."

Make a list of various tasks facing you today.  Now, decide what kind of faith choices you can make to accomplish them.

Thought for the Day: Faith choices should take into consideration what God wants you to do.  
 

Failure is Inevitable

For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.  (Psalm 103:14 NLT)


   Failure is commonplace in the Scriptures. Who has not read of the failure of our forefathers Adam and Eve, Abraham, Lot, Noah, Moses, Saul, David, Solomon and a host of others?  Failure is inevitable!  We all fail at one time or another.  No one is left out.

   How does God look upon failure?  Did he discard David when he sinned with Bathsheba?  Was Moses rejected when he disobeyed and struck the rock?  Were the disciples set aside when they failed to watch and pray?  Was Thomas banned when he doubted?  Where would we be today if the Lord had not restored Peter, or forgiven Saul for his persecution and murdering of Christians?

   We all fail, but that failure can be turned  into victory by trusting Christ to forgive the sin and establish our relationship with him.  The most important thing to remember is God understands and forgives.


Thought for the Day: Failure in eyes of God is merely a stepping stone to a successful future.

Living Water

Jesus replied, If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.  (John 4:10 NLT)


   Food and water are the two basic needs of life.  Man can exist for many days without food, but only a short time without water.

   A number of humanitarian organizations are working worldwide to provide clean water systems for people in desperate need.  In many locations, the same water is used for sanitarian purposes, washing clothes, bathing and drinking.  Clean water projects teach the people how to take the undrinkable water and make it drinkable.

   Life giving water is also needed to establish a relationship with God.  Jesus offered this life saving water to a woman at the well outside Sychar.  After some debate, the Samaritan woman accepted the life saving water that Jesus offered and went into town to bear witness of her new found faith.

   Souls are longing for thirst quenching water.  You and I have in our hands that life giving water -- the word of God.  We can either hoard it for ourselves, or we can share it with others.  Will you be willing to hand out a cup of that everlasting water to someone you meet today?  

Thought for the Day: God has provided through Jesus Christ the water that can purify the soul and make it clean.

   

Enduring the Shame

Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  (Hebrews 2:2)


   The bystanders gaped as Jesus faced the shame of sin.  Not his mind you, but yours and mine.  The shame of the cross must have been a humiliating experience.  His mother before him looking on his nakedness made it even worse.  They hung him between two thieves, and a murderer was set free on his account.  What a shameful experience!

   How was Jesus able to disregard such disgrace?  The answer to this question may be the source God wants to use to help you assuage your fears.  The only way we can endure our shame is to focus where Jesus focused:  "because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame"  (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus focused on the prize set before him.  You and I are the prizes that Jesus died for.  He purchased our redemption; therefore, all who believe in him are legally his.

   As redemptive prizes we can now sing, "Now I belong to Jesus and Jesus belongs to me."  What a heavenly chorale those words make!  Why not sing it along with me as the day unfolds?

Thoughts for the Day: Shame is the consequence for yielding to temptation.

 

 

God, do you love me?

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  (John 15:9)


   Have you even questioned God's love?  Maybe you have lost a loved one, a close friend, at wife or husband, and your heart cries out, "God, where is your love?"  or "Where were you when I needed you?"

   We all ask those questions from time to time.  Be assured that God is not taken by surprise when those types of feelings are expressed.  He is used to the "why" questions.  Job asked them over and over for thirty chapters, and then in chapters 38 to 41 God answers Job.  Job is forced to "put his hand over his mouth in silence."

   Everyone needs the assurance that God loves them.  If you are tempted to ask, "Do you love me?" remember that God's love never fails. (1 Cor. 13:8)

Thought for the Day: There is never a single instant when God doesn't love us.

Distracted

But Martha was distracted with much serving.  (Luke 10:40)


   We see an interesting contrast between the two sisters, Mary and Martha, during Jesus' visit to their home.  Mary's focus was upon the person of the Lord while Martha was scurrying about preparing a meal.   When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary's lack of help Jesus said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are concerned with doing, but Mary has chosen the more important task of being." (Luke 10:41-42).  


   We face daily choices involving devotion or service.  Spending time with the Lord enhances my relationship with Him and allows time to pause and listen.  Just as Martha needed to learn to focus upon Jesus, so believers today need to learn that service is an extension of devotion to Christ.

Thought for the Day: Worship involves body, soul, and mind focusing solely ;upon God as Savior.

Dissatisfied

   Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the yes of man ever satisfied.  (Philippians 4:10-20)


   Have you ever noticed while driving in the country how cows and horses stretch their necks to get the grass just beyond their reach?  What is wrong with the clover or rye that is out in the middle of the field?  Nothing!  They are just following the old adage that "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence."  Mankind is just as guilty of following this old adage as the animals.  If we see a neighbor with a Cadillac, we want a Mercedes Benz.  If they have a three bedroom house, we want one with four bedrooms.  Man is never completely satisfied with his lot in life.

   It is my observation that the same practice applies in the spiritual realm.  I remember years ago when we received a pin for perfect attendance in Sunday school.  We tended to measure our level of spirituality by the number of pins we could collect.  In church circles today we have a tendency to measure spiritual growth by the number on our membership roll.  If a neighboring church has a large choir and shiny robes we want a larger and fancier choir.  Why do we think God is impressed with bigness?  God never asked us to become large or fancy.  He is more interested in humility than pride.

   How can man ever be satisfied?  There's only one way and that's through faith in the finished work of God's son, Jesus Christ.  That's why he came to pay the price for our redemption.

Thought for the Day: God is satisfied with his Son, Jesus Christ -- we should be too.  



 

 

Moving Frenzy

In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine.  He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab.  (Ruth 1:1 NLT)


   Pack up, we're moving!  Eighteen times in the last fifty-nine years my wife has heard those words.  Each time decisions had to be made.  What do we pack?  What do we leave behind?  Moving is always a frenzy and is just as difficult today as it was in the days of Ruth and Naomi.

   Naomi along with her husband, Elimelech and their two sons left Bethlehem in Judah because of a famine and moved to Moab.  What a difficult decision to leave your place of birth, and move to a foreign land where they worshiped gods of wood and stone.

   When you move, something must be sacrificed and left behind.  What must you abandon in order to worship the one true God?  False beliefs, and practices of the past?  A relationship that doesn't honor God? Possessions that are weighing you down?  Leaving your comfort zone?  Many other things could be mentioned.

   Worshiping God requires sacrifice.  God honored Ruth's commitment and gave her a place in the lineage of Jesus.  (Matthew 1:5)

Thought for the Day: Consider what God is calling you to leave behind today.  Like Ruth, follow your heart and obey God.  

Dirty Hands

Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet before they go in the tabernacle to appear before the Lord and before they approach the altar to burn offerings to the Lord.  (Exodus 30:19)


      I heard my mother say, "Robert go wash your hands before you come to the table."  Does this ring a bell with any of you?

     I have heard friends say to me, "I can't go to church with you until I clean up my life."  What a feeble excuse! Once a person I was witnessing to said, "God can't save me because I've been too bad and done too many sinful things."  Such individuals don't realize they are prime candidates for the grace of God.  If truth be told, you can't do anything to clean up your act.  God never excepts human efforts for salvation.  We must come to God first, acknowledge out utter helplessness, and allow him to do the cleansing. (Titus 3:5)

   What thought pattern, habit, or activity is causing you to feel you are too dirty to enter God's presence?  Using a pencil make a list of several habits, thoughts, or actions that you know will no meet God's approval.  Ask God for his forgiveness for each one and erase them from your list.  God cleanses through the precious blood of his son, Jesus Christ.

Thought for the Day: God's ability to cleanse is always available to meet your needs.

Developing a Plan

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.  (Proverbs 16:9)


   A future date to remember.  A savings goal,  A vacation trip.  A reservation request.  A sightseeing guide.  A brochure.  An anniversary celebration.  A walk on the beach.

    What similarities exist between all these fragment statements?  Answer: They represent a need for a plan.  Everyone needs to develop plans.

   We need a household plan.  I don't know where I'd be without a monthly budget.  I save a lot of time and money by following a designated plan.

   Businesses need to develop short and long range plans.  Calculations for future growth must be followed by plans for meeting the goal.  Inventory increases and additional machinery must be carefully calculated.  The need for a greater labor force and cash flow must be foreseen.  Most business will not survive without careful planning.

   Planning is vital in the work of the ministry.  Churches develop annual budgets based upon past performances and projected future growth.  The need for additional parking or people space must be taken into consideration.

   God is a super planner.  In eternity past, he devised a plan to rescue fallen humanity.  He sent his son to earth as a babe in a manger to execute his plan.  Man's redemption was purchased by sacrificing his perfect son on the cross of Calvary.  My advice is -- be a planner, but let God determine your steps.

Thought for the Day: God's plan of redemption can be followed from Genesis to Revelation.

Desirable to God

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  (Mark 2:17 NASV)


   When I was a young boy, we had several wren bird houses.  I loved to watch the little birds make their nest in the springtime.  The song birds would sing and chirp a lovely tune.  I threw out bread crumbs and seeds for them.  I hated it when the big old blackbirds and starlings came to steal their food.  I yelled and chased them away, but they'd always come back.

   This incident reminds me of the people who followed Jesus.  Not all of them were interested in his message.  In fact, the larger percentage only wanted a free meal or healing.  Not once did Jesus turn anyone away.

   These passages teach me that I should consider all people as desirable to God.  No one should be left out.  No one ignored.  No person too poor or too rich.  He is willing and able to save to the uttermost all who come to him by faith.  Including you!

Thought for the Day: The undesirable become desirable when they meet Jesus Christ.

Standing your Ground

But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid.  Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you...the Lord himself will fight for you.  You won't have to lift a finger in your defense.  Exo. 14:13-14


   A growling dog with teeth barred is charging.  What should you do?  Your mind says, stand still, but your emotions tell you to get away.  Standing your ground in the face of threatening circumstances may be the hardest thing you're ever called upon to do.

   The children of Israel faced such a situation when they came to the Red Sea.  The ground was shaking with the rumble of the many Egyptian chariots closing in upon them.  They turned in terror to Moses and he said, "Do not fear!  Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord..."  I'm sure they thought, Are you serious, Moses?  We're about to be overtaken and you want us to stand here and do nothing.


   What would you have thought?  How would you have responded?  The growling dog is getting closer.  Can't wait much longer.  It is now or never.

   When you face threatening situations are you willing to stand still and trust the Lord?  When the pay check doesn't come.  When you child is sick.  When you are misunderstand and falsely accused.  When life isn't fair do you reach out by faith and trust the Lord to come to your defense?

   The Psalmist said, "But you, O Lord, are a shield to me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high."  (Psalm 3:3)  Stand fast and trust the one who is already fighting for you.

Thought for the Day: God is the best offensive and defensive player on the team of life.  

What is your Legacy?

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.  Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"  (Revelation 14:13 NLT)


   I glanced over at Emma sitting in her special chair, seeing her ready smile, listening to her quick wit and thought, now there's an example of a life lived fully for the Lord.


   At age 99, Emma spends each Tuesday at Child Evangelism's discipleship center grading Bible correspondence lessons from children around the world.  If you are downcast, discouraged, or feeling blue, talk to Emma.  She has a radiant smile and lively spirit that will make your frown disappear.  Her humorous stories (at 99 she has plenty) will keep you in stitches with laughter.  Emma's presence brings a much needed radiance into our world of sadness and gloom.  I have no doubt that her good deeds will follow her from here to eternity.

   Old Testament believers like Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and Daniel left us legacies of faith and obedience.  Their labors for Jehovah still inspire people today to give their lives in service to the King of Kings.

   The testimony that you live today will follow you even after you leave this earthly life.  Will it inspire others, or will it cause those who hear it to turn away from following the Savior?  We have only one life to live -- live it in obedience to the Lord and "your good deeds will follow you even after death."  (Revelation 14:13)

Thought for the Day: Good deeds of kindness are an extension of the love of God.

Deadly Weapon

I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle..."  Psalm 39:1 NASV


   One of the most potent members of the human body is the tongue.  James warns us by saying, "But no one can tame the tongue.  It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8 NLT).

   We use bits to control horses and tiny rudders to turn ships, but we can't seem to muzzle the tongue.  The tongue can ruin a person's reputation, destroy family relationships, break up marriages, and turn away friends.  If left alone, it will eventually destroy the body to which it belongs.

   A good general rule for all of us to follow is to think carefully before speaking.  We should preview our words before saying them.  Are they caustic or gentle?  Will they build up or tear down?  We need to develop the art of listening, and offer encouraging words to the person in need.

Thought for the Day: God created the tongue to bring glory to His name.

 

A Dead Dog Like Me

Mephibosheth fell to the ground before the King.  "Should the king show such kindness to a dead dog like me?"  He exclaimed.  (2 Samuel 9:8)


   The term dead dog is an expression of deep self-abasement.  Goliath asks David, "Am I a Dog? (1 Samuel 17:43) and David describes himself as a "dead dog." (1 Samuel 24:14)  By doing so he is suggesting that King Saul needn't pay so much attention to him.

   A disobedient son, an adulterous wife, a rebellious people group.  God's mercy extends to all types of people.  No person is so good that he doesn't need mercy, and no one is so bad that God's mercy can't reach him.

   God shows his mercy to you by seeking you out and drawing you into his arms of love.  He provides for you, his child.  Are you prepared to extend mercy to someone within your sphere of influence today?  Is there someone whom you can reach with the love of Christ?   Perhaps someone who wronged you needs forgiveness.  Search your heart, find that someone who needs a good does of God's mercy -- and extend it to them.

Thought for the Day: God's mercy is available to all who seek him, and even to those who aren't seeking him.

 

Dancing with the Stars

I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.  You will again be happy and dance merrily with tambourines.  They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.  The young women will dance for joy, and the men -- old and young -- will join in the celebration.  I, the Lord, have spoken!  (Jer. 31:4,l1,13)


   Israel shall return!  Once again dancing and singing will be heard in the land.  No ballroom dancing here.  This dancing is a spiritual celebration -- peace is come to Jerusalem.

   Jesus' death and resurrection guarantees the believer's future destiny in heaven where sickness, death, tears, and sorrow will be vanquished.  In that day he will present us to his Father perfect and complete.

   Whatever your plight today, stay focused on Jesus and gain God's eternal perspective.  Join in the celebration and get ready to dance with the stars.

Thought for the Day: God enjoys music, singing, and dancing.  He has his own heavenly choir.

Crisis Praying

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.  (Colossians 4:2 NLT)


   During the Korean War I was stationed at Mare Island Naval shipyard in Vallejo, California.  I found it sad but interesting to listen to the "old salts", as we called them, telling stories about crisis praying.  What do we mean by crisis praying?

   Crisis praying takes place when life and limb are in extreme danger.  If you've watched the movie, Run Silent, Run Deep, you know the submariners were under heavy depth charge attack by the Japanese Navy.  You could see men with heads bowed, lips moving, fingers crossed, and dead silent.  They were in a crisis praying mode.

   The Apostle Paul reveals his heart for prayer in each of his Epistles.  To the Thessalonians he says, "Do not stop praying" (1 Thess. 5:17)  The disciples were told by Jesus to "watch and pray that you fall not into temptation." .

   Are you watching and praying?  Make every day a day of prayer and you will avoid the crisis praying mode.  

Thought for the Day: God is a crisis solver, but desires continual communication with you.  

The Awesomeness of God's Creation

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. (Genesis 1:31)


   We often stand and sing "I Stand in Awe of You" and other hymns of worship.

   Recently I spent some time on Mount Titlus near Lucerne, Switzerland; the beauty of the snow covered peaks was breathtaking.  I stood in silence and wondered at the scene before me.  No words were adequate to describe the awesomeness of the event.

   Do you stand in awe of God's creative power?  Do you thank him that you are wonderfully complex (Psalm 139:14) and made in his image?  As an act of worship, list six evidences of God's creative excellence that you see every day.  This should prompt you to say, "What an awesome God!"

Thought for the Day: God's creation is unsurpassed in beauty and excellence.

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.  A time to cry and a time to laugh.  A time to grieve and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4 NLT).


   Twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Solomon refers to time.  Most of use are enslaved to time.  We jump out of bed in the morning to the buzzing of an alarm clock.  After a quick breakfast we race to work in order to get there in time to punch the time clock.  Once there, we take our break and eat lunch according to the companies' set time.  Then we depart when the whistle blows at the designated time.  Doesn't it seem like "time" is our master.

   God is not regulated by time.  He is beyond time -- timeless.  Prior to the account in Genesis there was no time.  Time is related to man, not God.  When we arrive in eternity there will once again be no time.  Time will cease to exist once man is off this earth.

   Aren't you glad that God is not enslaved by time?  I am so glad that He is the master of time and not mastered by time.  What a joy it is to serve a timeless Savior!

Thought for the Day: The time will come when there will be not time -- just the Savior.

Life Isn't Fair

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.  (Hebrews 11:17)


   When trials and tests come into our lives we are tempted to say, Life just isn't fair!  This statement should not come as a surprise because to tell you the truth --- Life isn't fair.  You aren't going to find fairness while living in a broken world.  The sin of disobedience by our forefathers in the Garden of Eden threw the entire world into a state of unfairness and brokenness.

   God told Abraham to get packed and move, but he didn't tell him where -- Abraham moved.  Then God made promises to him, but didn't tell him when -- he patiently waited.  This was followed by an impossible situation of bearing a son at 99 years of age and God didn't tell him how.  Finally, after Isaac is born God told Abraham to sacrifice (kill) him and didn't tell him Why.  In every situation Abraham obeyed God without question.

   As true believers are we willing to follow God's leadership even when we don't know where, when, how, or why?

   

My Favorite Father

The Angel said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary.  For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.  (Matthew 1:20-21 NLT)


   There are several reasons why I have to admire Joseph, Mary's fiance.  He did not get all bent out of shape when he learned that his young bride-to-be was pregnant.  He simply decided to break the engagement quietly.  When the Angel appeared to him and explained the situation he graciously accepted the news and went ahead with the marriage.  I find it noteworthy the the Angel told Joseph that he was the one to name the newborn baby, Jesus.

    I also have to admire the way he trained the boy, Jesus in his carpenter shop.  The writer to Hebrews says,
So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)
I have no doubt that Jesus suffered splinters, black and blue fingers, and cuts from the work that he did in his father's shop.

   It is through the hardships of life that we learn the true meaning of faith and trust.

Cozy by the Fire

The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.  (Luke 22:55 NLT)


   Peter always seemed to say the wrong thing and be at the wrong place.  On the mountaintop he wanted to build three tabernacles -- one each for Jesus, Moses,  and Elijah.  God spoke and put a stop to that idea.  God said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased, listen to him (Matthew 17:5).  In the courtyard by the fire, Peter denied knowing Jesus -- even with a curse.

   I can remember times when I reacted much like Peter.  Speaking and acting impetuously.  Sometimes harsh words flowed from my lips -- hurtful words, bitter accusations, falsehoods, and openly rebellious words.

   Jesus modeled the example he wants you and me to follow.  He showed love and compassion to a woman caught in the act of adultery.  After the Pharisees had left, Jesus straightened up and said, "Woman, where are your accusers?  Did no one accuse you?"  She said, "No one, Lord."  And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either.  Go.  From now on sin no more" (John 8:10-11).

   This speaks volumes to me.  How I need to allow the love of Christ to control my words and actions

   Paul tells us to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."  Don't get too cozy by the fire, danger lurks there!  Just ask Peter.

Thought for the Day: We are the only Bible that some people will ever see.

Cost of Discipleship

If you want to be my disciple you must hate everyone else by comparison -- your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, even your own life.  Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)


   Today's Bible reading is emphasizing two distinct principles.  The first principle requires each of us to count the cost of discipleship.  No man enters into a business partnership without first sitting down, devising a plan, and counting the cost.  Such factors as product desirability, market needs, work force and labor costs, salesmanship, etc.  In the spiritual life, God wants you and me to first count the cost and see if we are willing to give every area of our lives to him.  Are we willing to leave all and follow him?  The disciples gave up their lucrative fishing careers.  Matthew gave up his tax collecting job, and Paul, his heritage and position as a Pharisee.  What are you willing to give up in order to follow Jesus?

   The second principle that I believe is embedded in the words of Luke 14:26 is that of being willing.  God is looking for willingness on the part of his followers.  Sometimes this is called availability.  Just be willing.  We can't hang onto the world and cling to Jesus at the same time.  Something has to go.  Are you willing to give up all your personal ambitions, your possessions, your friends and family in order to be Jesus' disciple?

   Moses counted the cost and ended up leading an entire nation.  Joshua counted the cost and led the Israelites into the promise land.  David counted the cost and slew the giant.  Elijah counted the cost and defeated the prophets of Baal.

   Have you counted the cost of discipleship?

Thought for the Day: The cost of discipleship is no more than was asked of Jesus.

Cosmetic Makeovers

Your adornment must not be merely external -- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  (1 Peter 3:3-4 ASV)


   The old adage: "beauty is only skin deep" certainly isn't part of the marketing strategy of the cosmetic industry today.  Television advertising promotes beauty as the pinnacle of success using gorgeous women with shiny swishing hair, smooth silk like skin, seductive eye shadow and colorful lip patterns.

   This reminds me of a problem facing wives during the time of the Apostle Peter.  They tried to win their husbands to Christ by using the cosmetic approach.  They plaited their hair, wore designer clothes, and obtained fancy makeovers, but apparently husbands were not impressed.  Christ was not honored.

   Peter said, not so fast ladies, don't be concerned about the outward beauty, instead work on the inside and let the beauty residing in the heart shine forth.  Fancy hairstyles won't win your husbands over.  Expensive gold jewelry won't turn them to Christ.  Nagging? -- forget it.  That will only turn them further away from the Lord.

   Peter's instructions to them were: "clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle spirit, which is precious to God.  Let the love of Christ flowing through your spirit win them over.  Be gentle, kind, obedient, understanding, patient, and loving."  These are the qualities that God uses to bring lost souls to himself.

   Are you living with an unsaved mate?  What are you doing to win him or her to Christ?  Are you obedient, gentle, loving, patient, and kind?  This is the successful formula for winning lost souls to Christ.  Worldly fashions will fail.

Thought for the Day: God's adornments are the result of the Spirit's gentle work within.

Consistency

So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.  (Galatians 6:9 NET)


   One of the believer's greatest struggles in his daily walk is consistency.  To be consistent one must set a course and refuse to deviate from it.

   Although Jesus modeled consistency, his disciples often failed to show it in their lives.  Peter was a prime example of inconsistency.  On one occasion he made the statement I will never deny you and then turned around and denied the Lord three times.  How do we fare in this area of our lives?

   We can learn a lot about inconsistency by studying the lives of Old Testament patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon.  On the other hand Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, and Esther lived consistent lives.
One of the best ways to live consistent lives is to make sure you keep the promises that you make.

Thought for the Day: God is consistent in keeping his promises.

Compulsory Offerings

They must then bring a guilt offering to the priest, who will present it before the Lord.  This offering must be a ram with no physical defects or the animal's equivalent value in silver.  The priest will then make atonement for them before the Lord, and they will be forgiven.  (Leviticus 6:6-7 NLT)


   My wife makes a savory dish called Sweet and Sour meatballs.  It is a combination of meatballs, pineapple chunks, and Sweet and Sour Sauce served over rice.

   The Israelites received instructions for sweet-savor offerings and non sweet-savor offerings.  The two non-sweet savor offerings were required when sin had broken their fellowship with God.  The guilt offering paved the way for restoration from the sins of touching an unclean object, making a foolish vow, cheating or fraud, while the trespass offering caused sins of injury to God and others to be forgiven.

   What do a dented fender, cracked windshield, and a white spot in your favorite pair of dark pants have in common?  (Hint: they have nothing to do with your spouse!)  Give up?  All three act as reminders of less than favorable experiences:  the yellow pole in Wal-Mart's parking lot that ran into your car, the rock the truck slung at your windshield, and the Clorox that splashed unto your pants.

   God has given each of us unpleasant memories to remind us of our sinfulness.  None of them are a sweet fragrance to God because sin is never sweet to him.  Sin requires repentance, forgiveness, and restitution.  In response to confession God says, "He has removed our sin as far from us as the east is from the west."  (Psalm 103:12 NASV)

   Have you given God a non sweet-savor offering lately?  God is always ready to listen to our complaints, forgive us for our sins, and restore the joy of salvation in our souls.

Thought for the Day: Non sweet-savor offerings are a mandatory requirement for sin.
   

Compelled to Share Christ

Seeing the people, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 ASV)


   Have you ever struggled to turn a conversation to spiritual things?

   Years ago I was engaged in door-to-door evangelism.  It was my worst nightmare.  I was so afraid of rejection.  When someone opened the door and said, "What do you want," I shook in my boots. I told the Lord,  "I'm not cut out for this."  He replied, "I will be with you."

   Do you feel compelled to share Christ?  What can you do?  Here are a few suggestions:  Hold a dinner for six in your home.  Invite unsaved neighbors and friends.  Let them see Christ in you.  Start a Good News club in your neighborhood or school.  Find some gospel tracts and put them in each bill paying envelope.  When you eat out leave a nice tip inside a gospel tract.  Volunteer your time in a local thrift shop for the poor.  Help with Meals on Wheels at a local senior citizens center.  Visit a nursing home for the aged.  A big smile and encouraging words will go a long way to make their day brighter.

   Now is the time for compelling boldness.  Step out by faith.  The key is to be on the lookout for opportunities of service in your local community.  It's not so much how much you do -- just do something.

Thought for the Day: God's promise to be with you is still valid for today.

Will it be today, Lord?

Therefore Jesus said, For a little while longer I am with you.  Then I go to Him who sent me.  (John 7:33)


   Are we there yet?  How I dreaded hearing those words from my kids as we drove along the highway leading to Niagara Falls.  How do you explain time and distance to a child?  My normal response was, "It's only a little farther."  The normal cliches don't work well with children.  They might satisfy for a few minutes, and then I would hear it again, "How much longer?  When will we get there?"

   I"m sure Jesus had the same problem with his disciples.  Near the end of his earthly stay he said, "For a little longer I am with you, then I go to see him who sent me.  You will seek me, and will not find me, and where I am, you cannot come."  (John 7:33-34 NASV)  Jesus said he'd be gone for awhile but would return.  What do ;you suppose the disciples were thinking?  Wondering?  Were they confused, skeptical, doubting, discomfited, or in denial?

   How many times in my life have I been in denial?  Denying the existence of a given truth doesn't make it less true.  Denial only prolongs the agony of facing up to the truth.  Jesus said, "I am going away, but I will return." Do I really believe that promise, or am I living in a state of denial?  If I truly believe, then I will be living in anticipation of his return.  Every day when I wake up the question will be on my lips, "Will it be today, Lord?"

   Are you patiently waiting for the Lord?  Jesus said, "Occupy till I come."  We need to be busy serving him while we are waiting.

Thought for the Day: There has never been a time when God did not fulfill his promises.

Comforting Others

All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  (2 Corinthians 1:3)


   The older we get the more comforts we desire.  We used to enjoy camping, sleeping in a tent, roughing it in the   wilderness, but now we want a motel with elevators, a king size bed, a TV, and a free, hot continental breakfast.  Oh. where has the pioneer spirit gone?

   In the Scriptures, God presents a different perspective on comfort.  He isn't concerned with plush surroundings and creature comforts.  His comfort is in the spiritual realm rather than the physical.  James 1:23 says, "Count it all joy, my brethren, (when) you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

   Human comfort comes with a hug, holding of hands, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness.  God never promises to removed all difficulties, pain, and suffering, but he does promise to stand with us in our hours of trial.

   As you embrace Him -- He embraces you.  What a wonderful mutual promise.  Have you felt his loving arms around you?  Worship him by thanking him for his divine comfort.

Thought for the Day: Jesus is the God of all comfort and stands beside you in times of trial.

 

 

Come and See

Then John's two disciples turned and followed Jesus.  Jesus looked around and saw them following.  "What do you want?" he asked them.  (John 1:37-38)


   When I spend time in devotions, I need to answer the same question Jesus asked Andrew and John, "What are you seeking?"

   Am I coming to him seeking material or spiritual blessings?  What is my greatest need today?  Is it greater knowledge, fellowship, understanding, assurance, or forgiveness?

   What did the disciples who followed Jesus want from him?  What were they seeking?  Jesus obviously wanted to know what was on their hearts.  That's why he asked the question, "What do you want?"  (John 1:38 NLT)

   The disciples asked, "Where are you staying?"  A time may come when we'll really need you and want to know how to get in touch with you.  Do you have a 911 emergency ;number?  Are you available 24/7, or do we need to take a number and wait in line?

   Jesus responded by saying, "Come and see."  The invitation is given for John and Andrew to become partakers of his life's work.  The same invitation comes to you and me today to join his team of harvest workers.  Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."  (Matthew 9:37,38 NLT)

   What are you seeking?  Is it to be a harvest workers?  Are you willing to give up the luxuries of this life to follow the Savior?  Will you give Jesus your time, energy, and abilities to meet the needs of the worldwide harvest?  Jesus says, "Come and see."

Thought for the Day: Workers are needed to sow the seed and harvest the souls.

Colorful Signs

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds.  It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and all the earth.  Genesis 9:13


   Children delight in rainbows.  The arch of colors filtering through the clouds bring exclamations of joy.

   As we approached the town of Frisco on the way home from our vacation in Colorado, the boys in the back seat shouted, "Dad pull over and look at that beautiful rainbow."  Sure enough, there was the arch of a colorful rainbow.  We could see both ends of the arch, and I recalled what my mother used to tell me as a child.  "Bob, there's a pot of gold at one end of the rainbow." I surely would love to have that pot of gold, and there was the end of the rainbow sitting right on top of the Pizza Hut restaurant.  To my boys the pot of gold was a Pepperoni and Cheese pizza.  "Let's go get that pot of gold," they shouted.

   Sometimes we see God's promises reflected in other ways.  When I was in Bible school we were down to our last can of baby Lima beans, the only thing in the house to eat.  God provided the next meal by putting a five dollar bill in my mailbox.  On another occasion I made a stupid subtraction mistake in my checkbook, but found that God had put a $500 dollar check from the government in my account a month early.  Recently we were preparing for a mission trip to Cameroon and God supplied the needed funds through various means.  One person walked up to me after church and handed me three one hundred dollar bills.  Another person offered $500 for a baby sweater that my wife had knitted.  God is not restricted in the way he works to supply our needs.

   What rainbows do you see?  Where do you witness God's faithfulness to you?  Look for it in the small needs met just at the right time.  List five ways God has provided for you unexpectedly.

Thought for the Day: God uses lots of rainbows to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our lives.

Clothed with Beauty

And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  (Matthew 6:28-29 NASV)


 As I was taking my morning stroll around the lake, I paused to observe the colorful ducks and lily pads along the shore.  I thought to myself, God sure does love to clothe our world in beauty.  The contrast between green, brown, grays and the stark white of the lily pad flowers was striking.

   My walk took on a new dimension as I began to take a closer look at the creative beauty around me.  The stately pines, the colorful Red Maples, and the Orange Sweet Gums all reflected the glory of our creator God.  I thought, how can I help others to see this beauty?  A still small voice seemed to say plant a flower garden.  Immediately plans began to form in my mind.  I decided to plant colorful flowers around the house, and put a small sign in front saying, "God created all things beautiful -- enjoy."  Neighbors walking by pause to take in the beauty that only God could create.  To Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen!

   You, too, see God's creation every day.  Do you relish the glory and beauty of all that you see?  Do you praise God for his majesty and creative powers?  

Thought for the Day: Let's take time to observe God's beauty all around us.

Clinging to Life

Jesus said to her, Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.' (John 20:17)


   The morning sun is peeking over the horizon with a beautiful orange glow.  As I look out the dining room window, I see a few leaves still clinging to the trees fluttering gently in the breeze.   Most of the fall foliage has fallen, but a few leaves are desperately clinging to life.  Soon the trees will be bare as winter lays its claim upon them, and dormancy takes over.  Six months will lapse before we see newness of life again.  In the meantime, they stand like sentinels to remind us that life remains within.

   The women came to the tomb on the first day of the week clinging to hope.  Hope that somehow a miracle would take place.  When they arrived and found the tomb empty, it seemed that their hope vanished.  He was gone!  As Mary Magdalene lingered at the empty tomb, two angels appeared and questioned her, "Woman, why are you crying?"  "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."  (John 20:13 NIV)  Her hope was at a low point until she turned and saw Jesus.  She thought maybe he was the gardener, but when he spoke her name, "Mary," she realized that Jesus truly was alive.  Immediately she fell at his feet and wrapped her arms around his legs.  At that point, she wanted to cling to him forever but Jesus said to her, "Don't cling to me."

   As believers, we tend to cling to the word of God as if it is our personal treasure.  The Bible was meant to be shared with others.  Others need the treasure that lies within its pages.  Jesus told Mary to go tell the disciples that he was alive and coming to meet with them.  When Mary obeyed and ran to the disciples with the good news, her hope was put into action.

   As true believers, we have a living hope that needs to be seen by the rest of the world.  Paul says, "How will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  How will they believe in him whom they have not heard?  And how will they hear without a preacher." (Romans 10:14 ASV)  You and I are the preachers that God wants to send with the good news.  We need to stop clinging and start preaching.

Thought for the Day: God gave his word for the entire world to hear and read.

 

 


   

I'm Just Sayin

So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:5 NLT)


   It was almost daybreak, but the people were already up complaining at the tent door of Moses.  As he emerged, they closed in upon him crying," We have no water, (God gave them water out of a rock),no food,(He gave them manna) no shade, (He provided a cloud), and we're tired of moving all the time.  Day after day all Moses heard was gripping and bellyaching about something.  The poor guy was worn to a frazzle.

   Does any of the above sound familiar?  Are we any different than the children of Israel in the wilderness?  We complain about the weather (it's too hot or it's too cold), the government (they aren't working for us -- only looking our for themselves), the taxes, privacy, and freedom (what's left of it).

   The Apostle Paul gave us his "two cents worth" about this subject.  In Philippians 2:14 -15 Paul says, in everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you... let your lives shine brightly before them.

   Moses said, "...yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us."  (Exodus 16:8b NLT)

     Have you complained lately?  Sure!  We are all guilty at one time or another.  Just remember that any complaint you make is really against the LORD.    I'M JUST SAYIN!


Thought for the Day: God would have to have an enormous books if all the complaints are recorded in heaven.

A Broken Record

After Ehud's death, the Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord's sight.  Judges 4:1


   The history of the book of Judges reads like a broken record.  God raises up an individual to act as Judge over Israel.  Her enemies are subdued and the oppression ceases, but as soon as the Judge dies, Israel returns to her evil ways.

   Do you see any difference between the way the Israelites behaved and our present generation?  During a crises we make great promises -- only to break them and return to status quo as soon as things turn to normal.

   We elect promising candidates to public office with great hopes of changing the political climate in Washington D.C. -- only to find out that everything is business as usual once the election is over.  Promises are made -- promises broken.  Hopes are dashed.  Elected officials ignore the wishes of the people who got them where they are, and instead, they succumb to the wishes of special interest groups.  Will things ever change?  Is there any hope?

   Israel was guilty of living a lifestyle that wanted favor from God without responsibility.  That is the way many of us want to live our lives.  We want all the blessings that God can give, but aren't willing to make the changes necessary to warrant those blessings.

   Blessings come to those who are willing to live in obedience to His will.

Thought for the Day: God's blessings are available to those who walk by faith.  

Getting our Attention

And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see the great sight, why the bush is not burnt. (Exo. 3:3)


   Amazing!  Moses said to himself, Why isn't the bush burning up?  I must go over to see this.  When the Lord saw that he had caught Moses' attention, He called to him from the bush.  (Exodus 3:3-4)

   What would it take for the Lord to get your attention?  Would an unexplainable event do it?  Would it take a miracle?  Would something spectacular suffice?

   In the case of Moses, it took "all of the above."  Moses was sauntering along with his flock of sheep when all of a sudden he saw a bush burst into flame.  This wasn't just a small flicker, but a flame reaching upwards like a sword.  He stood mesmerized by the sight.  As he stared at this amazing sight, the thought came to him, why is the bush burning, yet not being burned up?  Where are the ashes, he thought.  Why isn't it turning black and disintegrating?  Once the surprise and shock wore off he said to himself, I've got to go over and check this out.  That was just what God was waiting to hear.  He used this miracle to get Moses' attention and it worked.  

   What has God used to get your attention?  It may not be as spectacular as a burning bush, but just as effective.  God uses those actions and circumstances that he knows will cause us to stop and listen.

   Whatever means God uses to get your attention -- turn aside like Moses and listen for his voice.  It may take the stillness of a desert, or the seclusion of a room or closet, but learn to be still and quiet because he speaks in a still small voice.

Thought for the Day: God doesn't always shout -- sometimes it is just a whisper.

Fear versus Faith

As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them.  The people began to panic, and they cried out to the LORD for help.  (Exo. 14:10)


   When my boys were young we loved to go camping at Big Spring State Park in Missouri.  In the evening we sat around our campfire watching the flickering flames and listened to the chirping of crickets, the hooting of owls, and the yapping of coyotes.  Sounds at night always seem closer than they really are, and noises in the forest are especially scary.  Ghostlike shadows make the hair on the back of one's neck rise and often a certain level of fear emerges.  Darkness has a way of doing this to a person.

   That's what happened to Israel when they left Egypt for the promised land.  Pharaoh allowed them to go, but then God changed Pharaoh's mind.  God purposely entrapped Israel between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army.  Why did God do that?  He tells us why in Exodus 14:3-4:

   I have planned this so I will receive glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies.  After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.  (Exodus 14:4 NLT)


   The purpose of God's glory is to show that God is God.  Our trials and tribulations are intended to bring God glory.  Each difficulty we face gives us an opportunity to show the watching world that God is greater than any adversity we encounters.

   Has God boxed you into a corner?  Are trials overwhelming you?  Does the future seem uncertain?  Are you fearful?  Listen to Jesus saying:

    "...fear not for I am with you.  I will never leave you.  I will never forsake you."  (Heb. 13:5). 


Thought for the Day: Walk with God where no fear can abound.

Music Stirs the Heart

But you, O heaven, rejoice over her (Babylon) fate.  And you also rejoice, O holy people of God and apostles and prophets!  For at last God has judged her (Babylon) on your behalf.  Never again will the sound of music be heard there -- no more harps, songs, flutes, or trumpets.  (Revelation 18:20 & 22)


   Music is a powerful medium.  A few notes can swell your chest with pride and bring you to your feet.  Tunes such as the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America bring me to my feet along with shed tears.

   Some musical rhythms cause me to tap my feet and clap my hands to the beat.  Other songs bring back nostalgic memories of the good old days and the simple lifestyle of yesteryear.

   I have two sons who own and operate a contemporary Christian music business.  My oldest son was a "first chair" trumpet player on his high school band, and my other son loves to play the steel guitar.  Together they read young people with the lyrics of the gospel in a musical format.

   Music played a large part in the lives of Old Testament people groups.  They used musical instruments to call people to assembly, to worship, to arms, and for entertainment.  The Psalms served as Israel's hymnal and singers gathered to chant and sing songs of praise and adoration.

   When David was a young lad he was called upon to play his harp when Kind Saul was tormented by a spirit sent from god. (1 Samuel 16:23)  After David killed the giant Goliath and saved Israel's army from defeat, women came out from all the towns and danced for joy using tambourines and cymbals. (1 Samuel 18:6)

   Music played a major role in the formation and protection of our country.  Who can forget the"fife and drum" of the Revolutionary War,

 or the tune Yankee Doodle Dandy and the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the Civil War.  Other tunes such as Over There and It's a Long Way to Tipperary were sung during World War I, and the white Cliffs of Dover in World War 2.  The Korean war brought to popularity the soundtrack of MASH.  Rock and Roll soundtracks became popular during the Vietnam War, and the troops top forty included such songs as Five Hundred Miles and Leaving on a Jet Plane.  


   Needless to say, music has infiltrated every fabric of American life.  It is the engine that drives business, pleasure, and worship.

Thought for the Day: God is an expert musician and can play all instruments with perfection.

Clogged Fuel Line

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  Hebrews 12:1 NLT


   I thought to myself, it's time to mow the lawn again.  Out came the self-propelled Lawn Boy mower.  I checked the gas, oil, and spark plug.  All was in readiness.  I held the safety lever and pulled the starter cord.  NOTHING!  I primed it a few more times and pulled again. NOTHING.  Again and again I tried until my arm about fell off -- all to no avail.  Something had clogged up the carburetor.

   This incident reminds me of my spiritual life.  Like my lawn mower, my spiritual life gets clogged with dirt from the cares of this world.  The little sins that go unconfessed keep me from functioning spiritually. Outwardly I appear calm, but within, a raging fire is burning.  The joy of the Lord is blocked and no matter how much effort I put forth, my faith engine shuts down.  Nothing is so discouraging as a spiritual engine that won't function.

   What will it take for your spiritual engine to run smoothly?  Do you need a complete overhaul or just a little tune-up?  Rest assured that God is able to meet your needs whatever they may be.

Thought for the Day: God has a special price for a complete overhaul or tune-up.  it's called confession.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Why then, have you disobeyed my command?  Since you have done this, I will no longer drive out the people living in your land.   (Judges 2:2-3)


   Various schools have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward drugs and guns.  This is a policy of punishing any infractions of a rule established by the school, regardless of accidental mistakes, ignorance, or extenuating circumstances.  In addition to schools, zero tolerance policies are in force in businesses and sports.

   Shootings on college campuses, drive-by shootings in neighborhoods, rampages by disgruntled employees, drug cartels, gangs in major cities, and domestic violence reveal that nothing much has changed since the 1999 Columbine massacre.  It seems we are living in the days of the Judges where it says, "...everyone did what was right in his own eyes."  (Judges 21:25)  


   Turning to the Scriptures, we find that God operated a zero tolerance policy with the children of Israel.  As Sovereign, God establishes the rules by which people are to live.  They are recorded in our rule book, the Bible.  Israel had access to these rules, yet chose to disobey and God's zero tolerance policy was put into motion.

   How does God operate during this present generation?  Is his zero tolerance policy still in effect today?  Will He punish those who break the rules?  Some, who see God only as a God of love say, "No!"  Others who believe God is also a God of wrath say, "Yes!"  How do we determine who is right and who is wrong?


    The Apostle Paul said to the Ephesians: Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him. (Ephesians 5:6 NLT)


    What do you think?


Thought for the Day: God's zero tolerance policy is applied equally to all.  

All is Forgiven

Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight.  Psalm32:1


   Ernest Hemingway, a classic author, tells the story of a Spanish father and son who no longer speak to each other.  The father decides to reconcile with his son who has run away to Madrid.  The remorseful father takes out the following ad in the El Liberal newspaper.  "PACO MEET ME AT HOTEL.  MONTANA NOON TUESDAY ALL IS FORGIVEN PAPA."

   At noon on Tuesday, the father goes to the square where he finds eight hundred young men named Paco waiting for the forgiveness of their fathers.  Paco is a very common name in Spain. (Taken from After Thoughts, First Baptist of Orlando, Pastor Uth).

   Wow!  Eight hundred young men yearning for forgiveness from their fathers?  What could have been said to cause such disruption of relationships?  I am sure that both parties spoke hurtful words to each other.  I can hear the father saying, You never do anything right!  You'll never amount to anything!  You're so stupid!  And I can hear the son responding, You don't understand!  Get off my back!.  I hate you!.  Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words have a tremendous power to hurt.

   Have you ever been hurt by words spoken in haste or an unkindly manner?  Yes, we all have at some point in time.  Countless children and adults are carrying around more hurt than God ever intended.  Isn't it time that we all learn how to forgive one another?

   No matter what we have done, through Jesus, All is Forgiven.  


Thought for the Day: True forgiveness can be found only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Good and Bad Choices

But the people answered Joshua, saying, "No, we are determined to serve the LORD!" Joshua 24:21 NLT


   From the moment you roll out of bed in the morning, you're face with decisions -- some big, some small.  First, you must decide what clothes to wear.  Then comes the decision of what to eat.  These are small decisions compared to what you will face the rest of the day.  Most decisions are short term choices, but occasionally we are faced with long term ones.

   Many years ago I came to a crossroads in my life and faced a long term decision.  It seemed as if I were looking into a crystal ball and could see my whole life unfolding before me.  One road would lead me down a broad road full of twists and turns that ultimately led to a cliff with an abyss below.  The other road was straight and narrow and though I could see potholes and obstacles along the way -- a brilliant light shone at the end.  My decision to take the straight and narrow road changed my life completely.

   Not all decisions I have made turned out to be good ones.  Like the time I was confronted by the custom officials at the airport in Lima, Peru.  As they examined my luggage they found a projector that I was carrying to use with the missionary children.  They accused me of failing to declare it and pay the duty.  In their minds they thought I was trying to smuggle it into the country to sell it for a huge profit.  I could not convince them otherwise and the projector was confiscated.  My failure to declare it was a bad decision.

   Joshua, the newly appointed leader of Israel, had choices to make too.  He forced the children of Israel to make a decision whether to put their faith in local gods or in the living God.

   We make the same choices.  Every day we must decide whom we will trust and serve.  To follow the Lord Jesus Christ is a good decision, but to follow the urges of the flesh is a bad decision.  Bad decisions lead to dismal failure and repercussions that affect both you and your family.  Good decisions bring joy to the soul and a feeling of accomplishment.  The choice is yours!


Thought for the Day: God will never counsel you to make a bad decision.  

Miserable Failures

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the ordinances, and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "all the words which the LORD hath said will we do.?
(Exodus 24:3 KJV)


   The children of Israel had the best of intentions with their promise of obedience.  Someone has said, "Hell is paved with good intentions."

   We are no different than the people of Israel.  We make all kinds of promises beginning on New Year's Eve only to break all of them by February 1st.  We went on a diet and joined the local gym.  Cigarettes were tossed and vulgar language cast aside, meditations were faithfully kept, and prayers uttered.  Man, we were on a roll!  Then one by one, they all disappeared.  What happened?  Why couldn't we sustain the momentum?  Why the procrastination?  Why did we fail?

   The Bible tells us that we fail because we are failures.  We fall because we posses a fallen sinful nature.  We have good intentions to do what is right, but something always interferes.  That something is our sinful flesh.  While the heart has been redeemed, the flesh has not.  A war is going on within us.  The Bible calls it -- the flesh against the spirit.  (Galatians 5:16)

   That's the bad news.  The good news is that God knows our weaknesses.  The Bible says, "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."  (Psalm 103:14)

   The worst part of all this is that we are broken and can't begin to fix ourselves.  No amount of righteous works can solve our problem.  There is no self solution.  Self cannot redeem itself.  How then are we going to solve our dilemma?  How can we make the changes necessary to get on the right side of God?

   Are you seeking a change in your life?  Are you still struggling through the energy of the flesh to please God and miserably failing?  You may as well admit that you can't please God through self-effort.  Do you want to know the solution?

   Release control of your out-of-control life into the outstretched hands of Jesus on the cross.  Give up your self-efforts and resolve to allow Christ to change you permanently from the inside-out

   Thought for the Day:  God is in the life changing business.  

Clay Jars

But we have this treasure in clay jars, to show that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.  (2 Corinthians 4:7)


   I stood transfixed as the potter took a lump of clay and began fashioning a vessel.  His moistened fingers glided up and down as the clay began taking shape.  The potter worked and worked, but the object would not conform to his desires.  With a quick movement of his hand, he flattened the object and it was again just a lump of clay.  An apparent mar had appeared that would render the object unusable for future tasks.  Patiently he worked the clay until he was satisfied with its pliability and began again.

   In Paul's day cheaply made clay jars leaked, chipped, cracked, and appeared unattractive.  Nevertheless their functionality proved their worth.  These pots held everything from food to fuel and could be seen in open windows, near cooking fires, and in marketplaces.  How amazing that a perfect God would choose to put his treasure -- the message of the gospel -- in fragile, ordinary, unattractive clay jars!


   In order for God to fill these clay jars, they must first be emptied of everything pertaining to self and the world.  God works through the weak, the imperfect, and the powerless to show that this "extraordinary power belongs to him and does not come from us."  My flaws, cracks, and imperfections allow the all-sufficient grace of God to leak out.

   I continued to watch as the potter coated the clay jar with glaze and put it into the fiery furnace.  Under extreme heat and pressure the ordinary looking clay jar underwent a transformation.  When taken from the oven, an object of beauty emerged.

Thought for the Day:  An empty clay jar waits to be filled.

Life is Full of Choices

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serves:...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  (Joshua 24:15)


   Life is a series of choices and consequences.  Step in front of a car, and you will face the consequences of that choice.  If you choose bitterness because of something someone said or did, you will suffer the by-product of bitterness -- a dried up soul.

   Consider for a moment some of the could haves of Joseph's life.  Joseph could have been bitter for what his brothers did to him -- and with good reason.  He could have shaken his fist at God for the injustice of prison.  He could have been angry with God for not answering his prayers the way he wanted.  But in each case he chose to do something else.  He gave god the glory for bringing good out of bad.

   Joshua was faced with a choice either to follow God and lead the people into the promised land, or to stand aside and let someone else do it.  He was God's chosen leader to take the place of Moses, and he chose to fulfill his commissions.

   Life is a matter of choices, not chances.  The choices we all face today may be similar to those of Joseph.  Bitterness or forgiveness.  Self-promotion or seeking God's kingdom.  Self-pity over the past or putting the past behind you.  Let's practice making faith choices instead of selfish ones.  Chances are good you won't find yourself standing before the world's most powerful leader.  But then again, you will ultimately stand before God and answer to him.

Thought for the Day: Faith choices should be our daily goal.    

Chew Your Food

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Psalm34:8


   Have you ever watched the Biggest Loser program on TV?  I have to admire the effort and determination the contestants put into losing weight.  The latest winner when interviewed on the Today program said that she had to make the decision to change from the "inside out" in order to stay with the program.  Taking time to thoroughly chew your food is one of the ways to get the most out of the ingredients.

   I find that reading the Bible requires a lot of chewing in order to assimilate the truth contained therein.  A casual, hurried glance does not do it for me.  I need time to roll the truth around in my mind in order to digest it.. Sometimes I write out particular verses to memorize, or put on the refrigerator for easy reference.

   The prophet Jeremiah seemed to agree when he said, Your words were found and I did eat them, and your words became for me the joy and delight of my heart.  (Jeremiah 15:16 NASV).


   Do you take time to allow God's word to get into your heart?  By doing so you are drawn closer to him.

Thought for the Day: Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sing against you.  

 

Making a Mess of Things

So that night they got him (Lot) drunk, and the older daughter went in and sleep with her father.  He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.  (Genesis 19:33)

   Have you watched the series of movies about Beethoven, the beloved dog of the Newton family?  Beethoven, the loveable St. Bernard made a mess of the Newton household.  His drooling, disaster prone antics left everyone laughing, except the father, Mr. Newton.  Beethoven's disasters were never done intentionally.  They just happened.

   The messes we make in our lives aren't necessarily deliverate or intentional either.  They often happen because of bad decisions and wrong judgments.  I am thankful that God understands when I mess up, and willingly forgives me when I confess my wrong to him.  I worship a God of second chances who is willing to give me a new beginning.  Like beloved Beethoven -- even though he mressed up big time -- he always found a way to save the day. 

Thought for the Day: God is in the mess-up cleaning business.  



  

A Couple Hypocrites

There was also a man named Ananias who with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.  He brought part of the money to the apostles, but he claimed it was the full amount.  His wife agreed to this deception.  (Acts 5:1-2).

   God is intimately familiar with who we are as David said, for he himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. (Psalm 103;14).  Why then do we foolishly pretend to be someone we are not?  Why do we try so hard to convince others that we are spiritual when we know in our hearts that we miss the mark?  The Bible calls it hyprocrisy!

   Ananias and Sapphira were guilty of being hypocrites.  They saw Barnabas being praised and elevated for his generous gift of money to the church, and saw it as a way for them to gain spiritual status.  So they contrived a scheme to sell a piece of land and give all the money to the church, but held back part of the price for themselves.  This was their way of crashing the party. Their deceit, however, did not work because the crashers were exposed.  Then Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?  No getting around it, their deception has been discovered and they are about to pay the price for their sin.  The Bible says, And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.  (Acts 5:3).  The crashers were removed from the assembly and their names stricken from the roll.

   How many times have I been guilty of hypocrisy?  When I point my finger of judgment at a brother or sister in Christ, am I not being a hypocrite?  When I sit in judgment upon our fallen society, but partake of its pleasures, am I not being a hypocrite?

   Are you pretending to be someone you are not?  Beware of hypocrisy!   It is deceptive and insidious.  Satan loves pretense -- guard against it.  Make every effort to be real. 

Thought for the Day: God loves a real person; not a pretender.  
  
 

When we just don't get it

   We serve a big unfathomable God who simply is.  He always has been.  He always will be.  He operates outside the confines of space and time and everything that helps us keep things in order in our mind.  He is beyond our wildest imaginations.  He will not fit within the confines of our minds.  In Isaiah 55:9, He actually tells us that, "...just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

   But what if that's not enough?  What if we desperately want to gain a deeper understanding of our God and His ways?  What if the desire of our heart is simply to know Him more?  What does Jeremiah 33:3 say that we should do? 

   "Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here."

   Take a moment and talk to our great God.  Ask him about thethings you do not understand.  His word says that he will be faithful to reveal them to you!

(Devotion taken from the After Thoughts of First Baptist of Orlando).

Worry Solves Nothing

So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.  Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? (Matthew 6:25 NLT).

   The definition of worry is: "to feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems."

   Unless you are a newborn baby we pretty much all have plenty to worry about.  Parents worry about their children who are surrounded by the temptations of drink, drugs, and worse.  How will they pay for college?  Our children worry about their parents, about their failing health and their ability to care for themselves and make ends meet.  Younger children and teens worry about school, their grades, friendships, boyfriends and girlfriends.

   In additon we carry our past around with all our failures, our mistakes, our guilt, sin and shame, dragging us down to the point of despair.  God made us and we all worry, so on that basis He must have wanted us to worry, right?  So why does He say "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life"?  Is He kidding?  Does He not know about or understand our troubles?

   Fortunately for us, He does understand and wants us to know He's already taken care of our needs - all of them, so don't even begin to worry.  If we will let Him, if we will seek Him and put our trust in Him, He will be there when we need Him; always (Matt. 11:28).  We only have to ask.

   What area in your life are you worrying about that you need to lean on God for today?  Ask Him today to open your heart and help you to trust Him more.  

Thought for the day: Take your worries to the Lord and let Him handle all of them.  

Canine Loyalty

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  (1 Samuel 18:3)

   Loyalty is fast becoming a vanishing virtue.  People in Montgomery, Pennsylvania , where I grew up, treated each other with respect and dignity.  Neighbors talked to one another over the backyard fence, and when a need arose everyone pitched in to help.  Loyalty was once something we could count on, but nowadays it has given way to self-interest.  Everywhere you look loyalty seems to be dying.  People aren't loyal to their spouses, companies aren't loyal to their employees, and employees aren't loyal to their companies.  What are the roots of loyalty?  My first lessons about loyalty came from Captain Midnight. 

   Captain Midnight was the name we gave to our full blooded Cocker Spaniel.  He had a beautiful black coat of curly hair, and a family friendly disposition.  Our family dog showed his loyalty and devotion to my mom and dad on two separate occasions.

   When my mother got sick and had to be confined to her bedroom, Captain Midnight laid down beside her bed and refused to move or be moved.  The second occasion took place when my father and I went fishing.  We got caught in a thunder storm down by the river.  Dad slipped on the muddy bank and reached up to grab a tree limb for support and dislocated his shoulder.  We walked several miles, he in great pain before reaching home.  When the doctor arrived he found Captain Midnight on guard at my father's side.  Both of these incidents instilled within me a desire to show loyalty to friends and family. 

   Recently a friend came to me and said, "Bob, I want to thank you for sticking with me when I was going through some tough stuff.  Your loyalty meant a lot to me."  Can you imagine how his statement encouraged me and bolstered my confidence? 

   Loyalty may be a disappearing virtue, but don't despair, there are still a few of us who are holding on tight to this principle.  You too have a loyal friend, one that sticks closer than a brother -- Jesus Christ. 

Thought for the Day: Loyalty is virtue worth pursuing. 

  

  

  

  

Bread of Life

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst."  (John 6:35 NASV)

   During the Exodus the children of Israel grumbled to Moses, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:2-3 NASV).

   Moses prayed and God provided bread called manna.

   In the gospel of John we find thousands of people following Jesus and listening to his teaching.  When it was late in the day, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?"  Hearing this, Andrew brought a lad with five barley loeaves and two small fish to Jesus.  Jesus prayed and his Heavenly Father multiplied the food to feed them all, plus twelve baskets of leftovers.  (John 6:5-13).

   These two Scriptural accounts teach me two things: (1) That God is the supplier of all my needs, and (2) that physical bread alone is not enough to sustain my life. 

   My stomach puts forth hunger pains saying, feed me, but my soul cries out for spiritual nourishment.  Where can I go to get the spiritual food needed to sustain me?  It can be found only through the Word of God.  Unless I daily search the Scriptures, my soul will shrivel and die.  

   Where do you go for nourishment -- to the refrigerator or the Word of God? 

Thought for the Day: God is the manufacturer; we are the distributors.  

  

Boyhood Memories

They shall eagerly utter the memory of your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of your righteousness.  (Psalm 148:7 ASV)

   As I think of boyhood, I wonder what Jesus did when he was a boy growing up in the small village of Nazareth.  Did he play with wood blocks? (His father was a carpenter).  Did he write or draw pictures in the sand? (He did at the age of 32 -- John 8:6).  Did he walk around the village and play with the children his age?  (He walked a lot with his disciples.).

   I have to think that Jesus' boyhood wasn't much different than mine.  I had chores to do and he had to sweep up the shavings in his father's carpenter shop.  On numerous occasions I had to wash the dishes and dry them with a towel, and Jesus took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples.  I had to attend school to learn how to read and write, and as a boy Jesus was in the Synagogue talking to the teachers.  I got into trouble at times, and the Bible says, "Even though he was God's Son, he learned obedience fromthe things he suffered.."  (Hebrews 5:8 NLT).

   In his humanity, Jesus was tempted in all points the same as I am, yet without sin (Hebrews 2:18).  He is perfect in his divinity, and totally human as far as his humanity is concerned.  He possessed a human nature, but not a sinful nature.  I don't believe he did anything as a boy that brought and taint upon his relationship with his Heavenly Father.  That's why I want to be more like Jesus. 

Thought for the Day: It is well-pleasing to God to remember our boyhood days, as I'm sure Jesus did.



  

The Blowing Wind

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  (Acts 2:2)

   I've traveled back and forth across the U.S. and can hardly remember a place where the wind didn't blow.  The wind coming off Lake Michigan roars like an angry lion.  The winds crossing Kansas threatened to blow me backwards.  Along the eastern seaboard mighty winds blow rain and snow like steel pellets.  I've been in Florida and have seen the giant ocean waves roll in on the wind.  The same is true of the Pacific.  And what about the desert winds that blow sand like a solid wall?  It seems the whole earth is crisscrossed by the winds. 

   It was the wind that blew the locusts into Egypt to eat the vegetation during the ten plagues.  Wind blew Paul's ship off course, and it crashed on the rocks.  Wind brought quail to the children of Israel in the wilderness.  And wind brought rain clouds in answer to Elijah's prayer.

   When the time came for the promise of the Holy Spirit's coming, the wind was spoken of as the instrument of deliversance.  We can't control the wind any more than we can the movement of the Holy Spirit in a person's life.  He speaks to us in a still small voice.  We listen as he teaches us, guides us, and instructs us in God's word.  He is a silent help that comes alongside to show us the way to God.

   Paul says, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kidness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control".  (Galatians 5:22 NLT). 

   Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to control your life, your actions, your speech, your conduct?  How I need to surrender control of my life to Him each day!

Thought for the Day: God is looking for spirit-filled believers.

God is Near

For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?  (Daut. 4:7 NLT).

   How near is your god?  Do you daily sense his presence? 

   We are instructed in the book of James to draw close to God, and God will draw close to you...(4:8 NLT).

   In Deuteronomy, Chapter four, Moses is about to remind the people of Israel why they should never lose sight of God's nearness. 

   "But watch out!" Moses says, "be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you.  Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live!  And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren."  (Deut. 4:9 NLT).

   Israel was constantly surrounded by visual reminders of God's nearness:  the provision of quail and manna during their wilderness travels, his presence in the Holy of Holies, the pillar of cloud and fire, the Ten Commandments written on tablets of stone, and the collapse of the walls of Jericho.

   God repeatedly demonstrated his nearness both through anger and grace.  He revealed his anger when they worshipped the golden calf and at the same time exercised grace by not destroying the entire camp. 

   We don't have the external reminders today as Israel did -- but God is near.  In fact, we are blessed with a greater nearness than Israel because the Bible says, "don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body."  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT).

   The disciples learned through personal experience about the "nearness of God."  Out on the lake in the midst of a violent storm they cried out, "Lord save us!"  Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the waves -- all were safe. 

   When cares and trials overwhelm you look inward and call upon the Lord because he is near, even in your heart.  You don't have to shout -- a whisper will do.  He is listening and waiting for your call.  His 911 line is always open, and you won't be put on hold. 

Thought for the Day: God has an innumerable number of lines open to take your call.  

  

Dad Can Fix It

Then Jesus asked the man, what do you want me to do?  Lord, he pleaded, I want to see!  And Jesus said, all right you can see!  Your faith has healed you.  Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God.  And all who saw it praised God, too.  (Luke 18:41-42 NLT).

   When I was young, I loved to make things:  slingshots, pea shooters, bows and arrows, and scooters.  One day, my younger brother, Sterling, was playing with my scotter.  I found him sitting on the sidewalk with tears running down his cheeks.  What's the matter?  I asked.  I broke your scotter, he replied.  I could see that he was scared because I had warned him not to mess with it.  After he stopped crying I said, don't worry, dad can fix it!  I wasn't worried because I knew that my father could fix anything.

   Our heavenly father is an expert at fixing the messes that we make of our lives.  There is nothing that is impossible for God.  When we believe in God and trust Him to fix it, He will not let us down.  God has provided the ultimate fix through his son, Jesus Christ.  When we place our faith in Jesus we are adopted into God's family and can forever say, my father can fix it. 

Thought for the Day: Our heavenly father is iin the "fix it" business.