Out of His Mind

Out of His Mind

Scripture Reading: Mark 3:7-21

When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him home with them. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.           (Mark 3:20-21 NLT)

What caused the family of Jesus and his fellow neighbors from Nazareth and Capernaum to react to Jesus’ teaching the way they did? Why did they doubt his Messianic claims? Was it simply a case of misunderstanding, fear of repercussions, community pressures, inability to grasp the idea of divinity, jealous, or were their eyes blinded by the evil one?

     They watched him grow up and couldn’t help but notice that he was different from the other Jewish boys. Everyone knew of his miraculous conception and birth. They no doubt heard of Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt to avoid Herod’s madness. They saw him at work in his father’s carpenter shop. He may even have made an item of furniture for their homes.

     Was it too much for them to believe that he was the Messiah when they saw him baptized by John the Baptist, and the dove descending from heaven, and the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved son, and I am fully pleased with him?” (Mt. 3:17) They falsely concluded that Jesus must be out of his mind (Mt. 3:21).

     It wasn’t that Jesus was out of His mind, but rather that he was out of their minds. How could they possibly understand Jesus’ mission when they only understood things from a human level? The unregenerate human mind is not capable of knowing the things of a divine nature. The Apostle Paul makes this very clear in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.” (NLT)

     Don’t be surprised when God’s unfolding plan in your life causes people to think you are crazy. It happened to my wife and me when we decided to take our first mission trip overseas. Our grandson (bless his little heart) said to his mom, “Aren’t grandpa and grandma getting too old to be doing this?” (Matt. Was eleven and we were in our seventies) A few of our friends at church doubted our sanity too. When God opens a door of opportunity, and his call comes to go forward, we need to be ready and willing to respond.

     Has anyone ever thought you were out of your mind for stepping out by faith to join God in a mission adventure? There will always be doubters even among fellow believers.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be willing to follow you regardless of what people think.

Our Security Blanket

Our Security Blanket

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-7

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” (2 Sam. 22:1 NLT)

How many of you remember Linus van Pelt who appeared in the comic strip Peanuts? He was always pictured with his security blanket and sucking his thumb. In the earlier strips Linus’s security blanket was viewed as an emotional attachment and depriving him of it caused physical distress. Lucy and Snoopy tried different tricks to rid Linus of his security blanket, but all of them failed.

     When my children were small they had their share of security blankets. It may have been a stuffed animal that they couldn’t go to bed without, or a favorite toy. My handicapped grandson, Jonathan, won’t go anywhere without a toy truck or a book in his hand. We laugh when we see these youngsters carrying their security symbols and say isn’t that cute? But, as adults, we too cling to our security blankets, and that’s not funny or cute.

     The security blankets that we tend to hang on to are relationships, job titles, status symbols, fancy houses, country club memberships, expensive cars, charms and even tattoos. Whatever our security blankets may be, the truth is that none of these things offer permanent security. They can be broken, stolen, lost, or ruined, and subject to failure.

     The only place we can find permanent security is and through the Lord Jesus Christ. As our Savior, Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:19b)  He has also promised “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5)  I love the way the Apostle Paul put it in Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the Love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT)

     How about you? Have you claimed Jesus Christ as your security blanket? Do you turn to him in time of distress and need? Do you continue to trust him even in the midst of dire circumstances? He is right there beside you. Take courage and put your complete faith in him.

     David said, “As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises are true. He is the shield for all who look to him for protection.” (2 Samuel 22:31 NLT)

     Build your future on the rock. Depend on him. He will not disappoint you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for always being by my side when I need you. 

Nobody's Perfect

Nobody’s Perfect

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:1-22

“The LORD is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He has not punished us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” (Psalm 103:9-10 NLT)

During my tenure as teacher of fifth and sixth grade boys and girls I found that some would get very distraught when they saw a red mark on their papers. I remember telling them “nobody’s perfect” that’s why they put erasers on pencils. I remember one day a student raised his hand and said, “Mr. D (that’s how they addressed me) why do you keep saying “nobody’s perfect?” His question gave me the opportunity to explain the problem of sin and its consequences. I further explained that only Jesus, who possessed a human nature apart from a sin nature is perfect.

     I think of all the great Old Testament patriarchs and can’t find one who was perfect. Abraham was called the friend of God, but he committed the sin of lying on two different occasions. Moses was God’s chosen deliverer, but he failed to enter the promise land because of a temper tantrum. By striking the rock instead of speaking to it as God directed, he impugned the character of God and forfeited his chance of entering the land that God promised. David, a man after God’s own heart committed murder. Samuel, a great prophet, failed to raise his sons in a godly manner. Elijah ran from Jezebel out of fear and doubt. Isaiah admitted that he was a man of unclean lips. Jacob was a schemer and deceiver. We could give example after example of godly individuals who were righteous, but not perfect.

     The New Testament is not without imperfect people. Matthew, one of Jesus’ early disciples was a tax collector and cheated his people. Peter, a spokesman for the twelve disciples, denied he knew the Lord and cursed his name. Judas, the one who kept the bag of money was a thief and betrayer of the Lord. Paul received a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from committing the sin of pride. Thomas was a doubter. The chief priests, scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees hated Jesus and plotted to kill him because he said he was God.

     All those who had received Jesus Christ as Savior are not perfect, but have been declared righteous. The Apostle Paul states it best in Romans 1:17; “The righteous shall live by faith.” Even though we are not perfect we do have a heavenly Father who is perfect. He understands our weakness; he knows we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)

     Are you striving for perfection? Even though we won’t reach a perfect state until we enter heaven’s gates, we can make every effort to live godly lives and practice righteousness.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know I am not perfect, but you are willing to forgive my sins when I confess them to you. Help me to live a godly life before others in this imperfect world. 

Never Give Up

Never Give Up

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-14

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:13,14 NASB)

Taking a stand for Christ can have serious repercussions. For the first century saints it meant martyrdom in the arena by devouring lions, or being burned at the stake, or tortured on a rack. In our post-modern society taking a stand can lead to loss of employment, rejection by our families or community, and even imprisonment.

     A search of the Scripture reveals that many Old and New Testament people suffered because of their faith. Joseph was falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison. Because of jealousy, King Saul sought David’s life. John the Baptist told the truth and was beheaded. Paul was beaten with forty lashes save one and stoned. Stephen preached the truth about the resurrection of Christ and was stoned to death. Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross because of his claims as the Son of God.

     It is never easy to maintain your faith when adversity strikes. Loss of job, foreclosure of your home, severed relationships, departure of loved ones; rejection by friends and family all take their toll. It takes faith and a never give up attitude to stay the course.

     I have two sons who have suffered physically, emotionally, and financially through loss of employment and broken family relationships. The younger of my two sons lost two wives due to illness within two years. It was a devastating blow that threw him into the pit of despair. He spent seven years in bitterness before joining a “Celebrate Recovery” group and finding his way back to God. I am proud to say that my sons never completely gave up on God, and today are busy serving their Savior, Jesus Christ.

     I watched my father as we lived through the “Great Depression” years, and he never gave in to feelings of self-pity. Most of the manufacturing in our small Pennsylvania town went “belly-up,” but that didn’t deter my dad from maintaining our home and keeping food on the table. As a young boy I hunted for soda and milk bottles to turn in for the two cents deposit. Those were difficult years, but my dad never gave up. I often hear my sons say, “a Delaney never quits or gives up.”

     Are you going through some tough times? I encourage you to hold fast to your faith and make the determination that no matter what happens you will never give up. Even in the darkest of night there is always a light at the end of the tunnel for those who trust in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me be an encourager to those who are teetering on the brink of despair. 

Monuments

Monuments to Honor Greatness

Scripture Reading: Genesis 11:1-9

“Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies—a monument to our greatness! (Gen 11:4a NLT)

Monuments have been erected for a variety of reasons. Cities have been planned and built around monuments such as Washington D.C., New Delhi, and Brasilia.

     In Old Testament times as the people migrated eastward they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. They said, “let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the heavens—a monument to our greatness!” (Gen 11:4a)

     Ever since that time man has continued to build monuments to his own greatness. These structures are built to reflect a culture or civilization (Pyramids in Egypt, Parthenon in Greece, Acropolis in Athens, Coliseum in Italy); for political implications (Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, Column of Trajan in Italy); to honor the war dead (Normandy and Omaha beaches, Iwo Jima at Okinawa); to represent liberty and freedom (Statue of Liberty in New York, Arc de Triomphe in Paris); or for famous individuals (Washington monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, Lord Nelson and Benjamin Franklin statues in London).

     These are just a few in number compared to other parts of the world, but all of them seek to show forth man’s achievements apart from God. A few have been built for religious reasons such as Cristo-Rei (Christ the King) in Almada, Portugal, Christo Redemptor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia.  

     God was not pleased when he came down to view man’s efforts at mass independent living. I can just see him scowling and laughing at man’s puny tower. I can just imagine him saying to his son, Jesus Christ, “Look at that tower! Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever seen?” If the people are so intent upon establishing their own little kingdom let’s give them different languages so they’ll be forced to scatter abroad over the whole earth. As a result the people scattered like a stampede of cattle on the open plain during a thunderstorm. No one knew what the other was saying, and the juggernaut came to an abrupt end.

     It’s easy to follow in the steps of the people of Babel and try to build a personal monument to ourselves through self-effort. Every day we are faced with opportunities to choose man’s way or God’s way.

     Everyone leaves behind a legacy. Will your legacy be one of personal achievement or one that reflects the faithfulness of God and a lifetime of service to him?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to establish a legacy of faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Modeling Kindness

Modeling Kindness

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12 NLT)

Modeling the act of kindness took place when Jesus got up at the “last supper,” took off his tunic, girded himself with a towel and with a basin of water began to wash the disciples’ feet. Can you picture in your mind the look on the disciples’ faces? Nothing had prepared them for this event. They were too busy arguing who would sit at the right hand of Jesus in his kingdom to do menial labor. Peter was so dumbfounded that he asked, “Lord, why are you going to wash my feet?” (Jn. 13:6 NLT) Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now why I am doing it; someday you will.” (v.7) Jesus modeled servitude that calls upon us to show humility and kindness to others.

     My mother was a person who loved to show kindness. I still remember her taking food to sick neighbors, feeding the homeless hobos who came to our door, watching children while their parents worked, and serving on committees of local charities. She modeled for us children what acts of kindness meant even though she laid no claim to being a Christian. We kids learned from watching our mother’s heart how God blesses those who are willing to give a helping hand to others in need.

     I found special joy during my early retirement years in helping mow the lawns of other elderly people who were either widows or incapacitated and couldn’t do it themselves. The Holy Spirit of God gives every believer service gifts and I have found that he has given me the gift of helps. What a joy it is to serve others!

     When I think of women in the Bible who modeled kindness, the first person that comes to mind is Ruth, the Moabite. She made the choice to stay with Naomi, and help her on her return to Judah. She gathered grain in the fields at harvest to provide food for the family. Another person that comes to mind is Tabitha. Luke speaks of her in Acts 9:36 by saying, “She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.”

     What are some ways you and I can model kindness? Here are just a few: leave a large tip at a restaurant, plow or shovel snow for a neighbor, make a dinner for a needy family, leave grocery gift cards in someone’s mailbox, or take cookies to a nursing home. What spiritual gift has the Holy Spirit given to you? Is it helps, hospitality, giving, teaching, or loving? Whatever it is, use it to glorify God, and to bless the lives of others.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me model a servitude attitude that is willing to reach out to meet the needs of others. 

Making a Point

Making a Point

Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:1-35

He passed in front of Moses and said, “I am the Lord, I am the Lord, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Ex 34:6 NLT)

What do you do when you want to make a point? Raise your voice? Stomp your feet? Point or shake your finger? Wave a stick? Flap your arms? Shout? People use a variety of methods to make sure they have your undivided attention.

     What does God do when he wants to make a point? He repeats himself, “I am the Lord, I am the Lord.” I have no doubt that God got Moses’ attention. How do I know this? Because verse 8 says, “Moses immediately fell to the ground and worshipped.” You don’t fall down in worship without focusing your entire being upon God.

     When God spoke to Moses he revealed several of his attributes, namely: mercy, grace, longsuffering, unfailing love, and faithfulness. How do we grow in our understanding of God? The same way Moses did—by listening to what God reveals to us about his character in the Scriptures. Each time you read the Bible make sure your listening ears are turned on.

     I definitely remember how my father and mother got my attention. My father was not one to repeat himself like God did. Oh no! He gave instructions or commands once and I was expected to listen and obey. It didn’t take me long to learn that my father was short on patience and long-suffering was not one of his outstanding character traits. My mother on-the-other hand would call out my name, Robert, come here or do this or that. Whenever I heard the name Robert being shouted, I knew that trouble was coming.

     One time I was sitting on the steps playing with my pea shooter. A man selling fish came around the corner in his truck, and I accidentally hit him in the face with a pea from my shooter. I was so scared that I ran and climbed under the front porch to hide. Outraged he proceeded to read the riot act to my mother. After he left, I heard my mother’s loud voice shout, Robert. I knew from that sound that punishment was coming.

     Turning to the New Testament we find that Jesus used the same principle when making a point. Many times he would say, “Truly, truly or verily, verily I say unto you.” When you see those words stop and pay attention to what follows. He is about to reveal some special truth about himself.

     Make sure when “making a point” to do so with humility and grace.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you have a unique way of making a point. Every time you do, I learn something new about your character. 

It's a God Thing

It’s a God Thing

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 7:1-26

“The Lord did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the Lord loves you, and because he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors.” (Dt 7:7-8 NLT)

Have you ever found yourself unable to explain a sudden turn-of-events? The only words that came to your mind were, “It’s a God thing!” Sometimes we are overwhelmed with obstacles that hem us in from every side and all we can do is trust the Lord and pray. That happened to me on more than one occasion. I remember one time driving down the street when a boy walking his bike darted right out in front of me. I don’t know to this day how I avoided hitting him. All I could say once my heart stopping pounding was ,”Thank you Jesus.” It was a God thing!

      I can think of many occasions when Israel was faced with overwhelming odds. When they left Egypt, God took them to the Red Sea. Boxed in with the sea in front and Pharaoh bearing down upon them, they cried out to God, and he opened the sea before them and they crossed over on dry ground. All they could say was—It’s a God thing!

     During the period of the Judges, the Midianites decided to attack Israel. The Midianite army covered the floor of the valley near Moreh like a swarm of locusts, and their camels like grains of sand on the seashore. There were too many to count. Gideon took his army of three hundred men, divided them into three groups and stationed them around the enemy. When they shouted and blew the ram’s horn and broke the clay jars, with the torches inside, the Midianite army became so confused that they killed each other. All they could say was—It’s a God thing!

     Can you remember a time when you were boxed in with nowhere to turn? Maybe it was a near fatal accident, but everyone was spared, or a bad report from the doctor that turned out to be false, or a diagnosis of cancerous tumor, but six weeks later found that it had disappeared. What do you do when emergencies arise? Your only course of action is to turn everything over to God. He gave you an amazing victory and all you could say was—It’s a God thing!

     Isaiah says, “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (55:8-9 NLT)

     Every time you experience, a God thing, you are saying I take no credit for this victory. All the glory goes to God because the victory belongs to him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, your thoughts and ways dwarf anything that I or anyone can think I am so thankful  that you are still in the business of doing—the God thing.

House Builders

House Builders

Scripture Reading: Psalm 127:1-6

“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless.” (Ps 127:1 NLT)

Solomon, the author of Psalm 127, qualified as a house builder. He was the general contractor for the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. His father, King David, gathered all the materials and delivered them to the site location, but his son saw to the construction. The temple was one of the most magnificent structures of ancient times. Its splendor stood as a masterpiece to the glory of God.

     My wife and I had the pleasure of building two houses in our lifetime. One was built in Hermann, Missouri and the other on Fruitland Mesa outside Crawford, Colorado. The first house had a full basement while the other only had a four foot crawl space. Both houses contained concrete foundations reinforced with steel rods to protect them from extreme winters, soaking rains, earthquakes, and tornadoes. A house built upon sinking sands and liquid clay will not withstand the storms of life.

     The same principle holds true in the Christian life. Unless our faith is based upon the solid rock—Christ Jesus—the storms of life will batter the walls until they collapse. Once a solid foundation is established upon the word of God, it is time to add on the superstructure. This step takes time. Each board is carefully chosen and nailed into place. God tells us in his word that new believers need to pursue the milk (rudimentary elements) of the word in order to ensure proper growth. This is attained through consistent Bible study and prayer.

     After the framework is completed and the roof installed, it is time to work on the finishing and refinement on the inside. We had the basic structure of our first house under roof in ten days, but the inside finishing work took several months to complete. The same is true in the Christian life. God has a lot of finishing work to do before we reach maturity. Seeking and obeying God’s will is part of the finishing or maturing process. It is not about insisting on my will, but rather obeying God’s will. All of us will be more productive and more satisfied if we allow God to be the general contractor and take our place as a carpenter (gofer) on his crew.

     What are your plans for today? What about tomorrow, next year, or five years from today? Let God be the builder of your plans for today and the future. Ask God to continue the process of sanctification that will allow the beauty of the work on the inside be reflected on the outside of your house. Follow the principle laid down in Proverbs 16:9;

“We can make our plans, but God determines our steps.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, your know my heart and the amount of refinement I need to be like Christ.

Hitting the Mute Button

Hitting the Mute Button

Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1-14

“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”         (Ps. 27:14 NLT)

Life is jam-packed with busyness. People rushing out of subways, trains, street cars, buses, and hotels to get somewhere ahead of everyone else is maddening. The rush hour traffic in large cities like New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles and San Francisco is enough to try any man’s patience.

     One time while visiting Buckingham Palace in London waiting for the “changing of the guard,” my wife and I were literally shoved aside so that another couple could get their noses up to the iron fence. We also found that you take your life in your hands when riding up and down the escalators to and from the subway (the tube). People were running up the steps and you’d better stay or the right side or get run over. Everyone was in a hurry!

     The same thing held true in biblical times. Lot couldn’t wait to get away from Abraham for the green pastures of Sodom. David was in a hurry to get away from King Saul who sought his life. Elijah ran as fast as he could to get away from Jezebel. The Israelites hurried to get across the Red Sea before the Egyptian army caught up with them. Moses acted too hastily in striking the rock instead of waiting upon the Lord.

     Do you remember the movie, “Jingle all the Way?” Howard was racing to get to his son’s karate exhibition when he got stuck in traffic. He looked and saw the right side open and decided to take it. He thought he had outsmarted everyone except that it was an illegal move and a motorcycle cop pulled him over and gave him a ticket. As a result, he missed his son’s karate exhibition.

     Everyone today seems to have their plate so full of activities and busyness that they don’t have time to relax. Allowing ourselves to get caught up in this speed and noise driven culture hinders our ability and desire to spend time with the Lord. What can we do to offset this busyness?   Slow down and take time to listen to God.  Hit the mute button on your remote, close your eyes, and reflect on the grace and goodness of the Lord.

     Two million people walked silently around Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day they made seven trips. Don’t you wonder what went through their minds on those silent trips? They had plenty of time to contemplate, pray, and meditate on God. I, too, have found that my day goes smoother when I take time to start my day with Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to push the mute button and take time to get together with you.

Hide-and-Seek

Hide-and-Seek

Scripture Reading: Genesis 16:1-15

Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”             (Gen. 16:13 NLT)

As a boy I remember playing the game Hide-and-Seek. Usually a tree was chosen as the home base and one person was chosen to be what we called the “It”. He or she would stand by the tree and count to twenty while the rest of the players ran away to hide. The person who was chosen as the “It” would turn around and try to find the hidden foes. Once found they would race back to home base to see who could get there first. The last player to be found would then become the new “It.”

     I also remember playing the game of Peek-a-Boo with my little ones. When I held my hands over my eyes my little one wasn’t supposed to be able to see me. I would magically disappear and by removing my hands and saying peek-a-boo reappear again. Sometimes I would sneak a peek through my fingers to see their reaction. They would usually laugh and put a hand over their eyes to mimic the game.

     As adults we sometimes react to God like infants playing the game of Peek a Boo. We convince ourselves that if we hide from him, he won’t be able to see our actions.

     Adam and Eve attempted to play hide-and-seek with God in the Garden of Eden. After they sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, they hid amongst the bushes thinking God wouldn’t see or find them. Their attempt at playing the hide-and-seek game with God failed—they were caught.

     Cain tried the same thing when he murdered his brother Abel. When God asked Cain where his brother was, Cain lied and said, “I don’t know. Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?” (Gen. 4:9) The God who sees all said, “His blood cries out to me from the ground!” (v.10) Cain was unsuccessful in hiding his sin from God.

     Hagar tried to play the hide and seek game by running away and hiding in the wilderness. God was the “It” in that game and easily discovered her whereabouts.

     Isn’t it about time we stop playing Peek-a-Boo and Hide-and-Seek games with God? There’s nothing we can hide from him. God blesses open and transparent lives. Don’t be afraid to tell Jesus what’s bugging you. Share with him your deepest fears and concerns. Confess to him your shortcomings. You might as well tell him because he aready sees and knows.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are an all-seeing God, and there’s nothing I can hide from you. You know my most secret thoughts. Help me to be open and honest with you. 

Good Intentions Fail

Good Intentions Fail

Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:1-18

So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” (Ex. 24:3 NKJ)

The children of Israel had the best of intentions with their promise of obedience, but when Moses was up in the mountain receiving the instructions for the building of the tabernacle, the people’s good intentions gave way to the worship of a golden calf. They said to Aaron, “Come make us gods that shall go before us, for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” (Ex. 32:1 NKJ)  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 them by February 1^st. We began our diet and exercise program with great enthusiasm; the cigarettes were tossed away, the vulgar language cast aside, the meditations faithfully kept, and daily prayers uttered. Man, we were on a roll! Then one by one, they all disappeared. What happened? Why couldn’t we maintain the momentum? What caused the procrastination? Why did we fail?

     I believe our failure is due to the fact that even though we have good intentions, we still possess the old sinful nature. We mean to follow through with our promises to God and ourselves, but something always interferes. That something is our sinful flesh. After praying to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus confronted Peter, James, and John with a startling truth. He came and found them asleep and said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:40 NKJ). The problem is that while the heart has been redeemed, the flesh has not. A war is going on with us between the spirit and the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)o

     That’s the bad news. The good news is that God knows all about our weaknesses. The Bible says, “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 NKJ). The worst case scenario is that we can’t begin to fix ourselves. No amount of righteous works can solve our problems. 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?  

     If you want to turn failure into victory, then release control of your out-of-control life into the outstretched hands of Jesus. Give up your self-efforts and allow Christ to change you from the inside out. Placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ will initialize the change.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to cast aside my self-effort, and give control of my life over to you.  

God's Smiling on You

God’s Smiling on You

Scripture Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Nu 6:24-26 NLT)

In order to develop a good self-esteem children need repeated affirmation from parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors. A lack of validation can lead to self-doubt and feelings of inferiority and insecurity. A continual barrage of negative comments can cause them to lose their spiritual moorings and turn them away from worshipping God.

     My wife and I raised four boys and a girl and were ill-prepared for parenthood. The early years were difficult ones. Low wages (pastor’s salary), poor living conditions (three room house), lack of time to spend with the family (too busy meeting needs of church members), and feelings of inadequacy led to dysfunction within the family. Then, during their teen years everything seemed to fall apart. I didn’t have a clue how to deal with the problems that were present with the sixties generation. The drug culture, anti-government sentiments, rebellion to authority, and refusal to abide by our standards left me disillusioned and bewildered. If it were not for the grace of God, I doubt if we would have made it through those years. We took refuge in the fact that we had faith that God was smiling down on us.  What I learned from those experiences was that God always takes the initiative. He was faithful to us even if we weren’t faithful to him.

     Moses faced similar difficulties as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness. He was faced with constant complaints, anti-Moses protests, rebellion, and mutiny. On one occasion the people were ready to stone him. Moses’ faith was tested to the limit, just like mine was, and he responded in a similar manner by crying out to God for help. How did God respond? He answered his prayers by directing him to water to answer their complaint, “we are dying of thirst.” He sent them “manna” when they were demanding food. When they complained that they were tired of the manna, he sent them meat in the form of quail. Through all the complaints and threats on Moses’ leadership God continued to smile down on them.

     In case you are thinking, that’s Old Testament stuff, let me remind you that God is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” as recorded in Hebrews 13:5. God’s heart has never changed and he is still smiling on his people today.

     Think about it! Right where you are right—whether at your work place, in your car driving home or walking through the super-market— God is smiling on you? What should be your response? Reflect upon his love and care and then smile back.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may my smile be as loving as the one I receive from you. 

Getting Serious with God

Getting Serious with God

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 7:1-17

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “if you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtareth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines. (1 Sam. 7:3 NLT)

How many of us at one time or another has said, “Tomorrow I am going to _________.” You can fill in the blank with such statements as: lose weight, begin a daily exercise program, fix that ___, spend more time with the Lord, go over and visit my friend in the nursing home, get out of debt, talk to my neighbor about Christ, or any number of other good intention promises.

     Tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes and no steps are taken to fulfill any of the promises we made to ourselves and the Lord. This type of behavior begs the questions: “Are we really serious about making these changes or keeping our promises?”

     Samuel confronted the Israelites with the same questions, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtareth.” For twenty years the people of Israel had abandoned God, and “during that time, all Israel mourned because it seemed that the Lord had abandoned them” (7:2b).They turned to other gods and refused to follow God’s laws. Samuel didn’t waste words—he cut right to the core of their dilemma. If you want to receive help from the Lord, then, will God rescue you from the Philistines.

     There was a time in my Christian walk when I thought that I could handle everything in my own strength. I took over as pilot and wouldn’t let go of the wheel. Everything seemed to go smooth for a spell, but then everything began to unravel. I didn’t know how to deal with the drug culture of that day. Nothing in my past life prepared me for the discovery that several of my children were participating in drugs. How do I deal with this issue? What do I say to turn them away from the influences around them? I cried out to the Lord, but no answers came. I felt all alone and unable to deal with the magnitude of the problems. It seemed as if the Lord was saying, “You wanted to go it alone without me, and here are the results.” For the first time in my life I came to realize that my control was not working, and I needed to ask forgiveness, and give control of my life over to the Lord.

     What would it mean for you to get serious about your relationship with God? It might mean removing an idol, or keeping some of the promises you’ve made to the Lord, It might mean changing an attitude, or being willing to give over control of your life to the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I give complete control of my life over to you. You be the pilot.

Getting our Attention

Getting Our Attention

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-12

When the Lord saw that he had caught Moses’ attention, God called to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” God told him. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” (Ex 3:4-5 NLT)

Moses was sauntering along with his flock of sheep when he saw a strange sight. A bush was engulfed in flames. Not just any ordinary flames, but a column of flame shooting up like a sword. As he moved closer, Moses said to himself, “Amazing! The bush is burning but it’s not burning up. How can you have fire without smoke or ashes?” Talk about getting your attention! This phenomenal sight certainly caught Moses’ attention. Suddenly, he heard a voice calling him out of the flames, “Moses! Moses!” “Who could that be and how did he know my name?,” Moses thought. He was ordered to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Finally, the voice said, “I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” What a wake-up call! No wonder the voice knew his name, it was the Holy God of his ancestors who was talking to him.

     What would it take for God to get your attention? Would an unexplainable event like what Moses experienced do it? Would it take a miracle? 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. Sometimes he may use drastic health issues, catastrophic storms of nature, business losses, family conflicts, wars and rumors of wars, and even death. God is not limited to a specific means, but in his sovereignty fits the attention getting devices to our specific needs. In all cases he has a specific purpose in mind and a message for us.

     God used a book and a pamphlet to get my attention. The book was entitled “If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat,” by John Ortberg, and the pamphlet was from Wycliffe Associates called “Involved.”  The book taught my wife and I how to find God’s will, face our fears, manage failure, and risk our faith. It was a challenge for us to get out of our comfort zone. God used the pamphlet to point us to Peru as a place of service.

     This is exactly what happened to Moses. He was safely seated in the boat watching a flock of sheep when God called to him from a burning bush. What did God want? He wanted Moses to get out of the boat and follow him. It was time for Moses to get out of his comfort zone, and become the deliverer of the enslaved people of God in Egypt.

     Whatever means God uses to get your attention—turn aside, like Moses, and listen for his still small voice.

Prayer: Dear Lord, how thankful I am that you called my wife and I as a team to serve you.

Fear vs Faith

Fear versus Faith

Scripture Reading: Exodus 14-1-31

“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.” (Exodus 14:10 NLT)

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 feelings of fear emerge. Darkness has a way of doing this to a person.

     That’s what happened to Israel when they left Egypt for the Promised Land. God led the people by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. Pharaoh allowed them to go, but then God changed Pharaoh’s mind (Ex. 14:4 NASB). The people stood facing the Red Sea and looked back and saw the Egyptian army pursuing them. They were literally trapped. Great fear gripped their hearts. What were they to do? Why did God allow this to happen? The answer is given in Ex. 14:4. “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.” (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 encounter.

     On several occasions Peter allowed emotional fear to overwhelm his faith; once when he saw Jesus walking on the water (Mt 14:30), and again while standing by the courtyard fire at the trial of Jesus (Mt. 26:74-75). It is important to note that Jesus never gave up on Peter. When Jesus arose from the grave following his death and burial, he immediately sought out Peter and restored him back into fellowship.  

     Fear is one of the tactics that Satan uses to keep us in bondage. Living in constant fear stymies our spiritual growth, and leaves us vulnerable to other destructive attacks.

How do we live free of fear?  First, we need to recognize that God is sovereign and in control of every situation.  Second, He reveals himself to us in ways we least expect. Third, he gives us a great promise, “…fear not for I am with you. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. (Heb. 13:5).  

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to remember that you are greater than any fear. 

Disruptive Moments

Disruptive Moments

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

“Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”                         (2 Cor. 12:10 NLT)

Have you ever experienced a disruptive moment?

     Disruptive moments are those times when unwelcome events occur in our lives that usually involve pain, inconvenience, failure, set-backs, or humiliation. These difficulties pop up unexpectedly and find us totally unprepared. I would liken them to pot holes or bumps in the road of life. Sometimes they are short in duration while at other times they linger endlessly.

     I experienced a disruptive moment while on a mission trip to Peru in 2008. I was bending over to get into a tiny taxi and bumped my left ear on the door frame smashing my hearing aid. To some this may seem like a small bump, but to me it was devastating. Not only did I ruin a $2,000 hearing aid, but now I could only hear out of one side of my head. Would I be able to teach the children and hear their responses? Other bumps in the road appeared when each of our team members got a twenty-four hour sickness with flu like symptoms. How were we going to handle these disruptive moments? Those of us that were not sick met together for prayer. We also searched the Scripture and decided to claim the verse in 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We determined to trust the Lord in spite of the bumps in the road.

     The Apostle Paul experienced a lot of disruptive moments in his life. He was beaten and left for dead, shipwrecked on his way to Rome, bitten by a poisonous viper and survived, put in chains and cast into prison, suffered a thorn in the flesh, endured hunger and hardships, and numerous other failures, disappointments, humiliations, and set-backs. How did he manage to keep going?

     He did the same thing that we did when we were hit by disruptive moments. He prayed and trusted the promises of God, especially the promise the Lord gave him in 2 Corinthians 12:9;

      “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

     Why does God allow us to experience these disruptive moments? What could be his purpose? I can think of at least two reasons: (1) to cause us to turn to him in total dependence and faith, (2) to allow us to experience the power of God in the midst of our weakness. When bumps in the road appear in your life allow God’s grace to overshadow you and bring you peace.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know disruptive moments will come, help me to fully trust in you.

Dad Can Fix It

Dad Can Fix It

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:35-43

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.” (Lk 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 scooter. I found him sitting on the sidewalk with tears running down his cheeks. “What the matter?” I asked. “I broke your scooter,” 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.

     The same statement could be made about our heavenly Father. God’s son, Jesus Christ was a great fixer upper. He fixed a woman who had a threatening issue of blood disease. One touch of his garment and she was healed. He fixed the loaves and fishes through prayer and over five thousand people ate until they were filled. He fixed his friend Lazarus when he raised him from the dead.

     I remember the first time that I took my grandson fishing. He didn’t know how to bait the hook or cast the line into the water. I gave him a few lessons and after a little practice he managed to make a pretty good cast. I walked off a few yards to sit down and watch. It wasn’t long before I heard his pleading little voice saying, “Grandpa, my line is all tangled up, can you fix it?” Needless to say, I spent a lot of time untangling lines that day.

     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. Jesus is our supernatural fixer-upper. He voluntarily went to the cross and fixed our sin problem by giving his life for us. When we occasionally sin, we can go to the Lord in prayer and confession and say to Him, “Father, I sinned, can you fix it?”

     Regardless of where our troubles come in this life, whether from a broken relationship, a failed assignment, or a discouraging report from a doctor, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that our Father in heaven can fix it.

     After all, he’s in the “fix it business”.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are the one that is able to fix all my problems. Help me to remember to take them to you by faith.

Celebrate

Celebration

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 6:12-19

“Then it  happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of her window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” (2 Sam. 6:16 NASB)

The people in Yaounde, Cameroon celebrate the Lord with gusto. When I first attended one of their worship services I was amazed at the sheer joy they showed in their singing. It seemed impossible for them to stand perfectly still and sing. They clapped, shouted, twirled around, and swayed to the music. It was not done in a disorderly manner, nor was it disrespectful to the Lord. It reminded me of David’s experience when the ark of the Lord was brought back to Jerusalem. The Cameroonians did not show any inhibitions or negative emotions. To them celebrate really means celebrate. We see the same kind of enthusiasm in many of our African American churches today.

     For other people, praise and worship are internal processes with little or no show of emotion. Songs are sung while standing or sitting without any body movement. They clap to certain songs and some will sing with uplifted hands, but not everyone partakes in the same manner. They are just as joyful, but worship in a silent manner. That may not be the way it is in all Caucasian churches, but it is what I have experienced in the churches I’ve attended over the past fifty years.

     King David definitely fell into the first group. He showed his joy and praise by leaping and dancing before the Lord. He wasn’t deterred by the criticism of others. All that mattered to him was raising his voice and lifting up his heart to God. David didn’t mind making a fool of himself as long as God was being glorified. Michal didn’t like what she saw and held him in contempt. God was pleased and accepted David’s actions, but punished Michal by withholding children from her for the rest of her life. She paid a bitter price for her hatred and despite.

     I thoroughly enjoyed worshipping with the African people in Cameroon. It is impossible to stand like a statue when all around you people are clapping and singing so joyfully to the Lord. You could see in their faces and body movements how much they loved the Lord and desired to celebrate him.

     What kind of worshiper are you? Do you stand like a statue and sing with your lips barely moving, or do you vocalize with great joy and enthusiasm? It is not my place to pass judgment on what your method of worship might be, but I do believe that God wants us to celebrate and glorify him in our worship. If our worship does not have the Lord as the sole object of affection and devotion, then it is not really worship.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to worship you with joy knowing that you are worthy of my praise. 

Carried on Eagle's Wings

Carried on Eagle’s Wings

Scripture Reading: Exodus 19:1-6

“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle’s wings.” (Exodus 19:4 NLT)

People worldwide are seeking assurance and security in the marketplace, at home, at work, and even in the church. Businesses are downsizing or closing up shop, friends and families are divided, and churches are ill-equipped or unwilling to meet their needs. People everywhere are crying out for help, but none is to be found.

     Moses faced challenges of epic proportions in his leadership role as Israel’s deliverer. The people were despondent and teetered on the brink of mutiny. I’m sure Moses thought to himself on more than one occasion “how can I hold this multitude together. They are like a flock of frightened sheep scattering in all directions.” Lack of security will do that to a person. It is easy to lose ones sense of direction. What was Moses to do?

     At that precise moment, God stepped in and spoke to Moses and the people. He reminded them (we’re so prone to forget) that it was by His almighty power that they were delivered from slavery in Egypt. I love the phrase where God said, “I brought you to myself and carried you on eagles’ wings.” Isn’t that great?

     If you are a believer, it is because God sought you out and chose you to be one of his children. Paul clearly tells us in Romans 3:11-12, “No one is seeking God, all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one.” (NLT) Those words certainly applied to Israel.

     I remember a time when I was in need of God’s eagle wings. I was fishing high in the mountains of Colorado miles away from any medical facility. I felt tightness in the upper chest area. I was scared and frightened. No one was there to help me. I thought for sure that I was going to have a heart attack and die. Due to the altitude I could only take a couple steps before stopping to catch my breath. I called out to God for help. Slowly, I made my way back to the car where my wife was waiting for me. We ended our vacation and drove back to Missouri. Three days after arriving home I was in the operating room of Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri having quadruple bypass surgery. I definitely believe that I was carried home on God’s eagle wings.

     It is not by accident that God chose the eagle as his symbol of deliverance, and it is not surprising that seventeen countries have chosen the eagle as their coat of arms symbol. I doubt if I would be here today, if it were not for the protection of God’s eagle’s wings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I can’t thank and praise you enough for providing eagle’s wings for me.

Brokenness

Brokenness

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-19

“The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 NLT)

The world places no value on broken things. People who are broken are often discarded by our society like shards of glass. We live in a culture that idolizes youth, beauty, outward appearances, and self-reliance. If a fetus in the womb has a defect—abort it. When people get old and unable to care for themselves we hide them in forgotten old folk’s homes. It’s like the old adage: “out of sight is out of mind.”

     What is brokenness? Tony Evans in his book “Free at Last” says, “Brokenness is the work of God by which he strips us of our pride and self-sufficiency so that the beauty of the life of Christ will shine through.” (p. 170, para. 1)

     Mr. Evans goes on to say, “true brokenness is God striking a blow to the flesh in such a graphic way that we have no strength left to fix ourselves” (p. 170, par. 4). This is a great definition because our unredeemed self-life (flesh) is never able to please God. The flesh is at war with the Spirit, and no common meeting ground exists between the two. That’s why the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh, for the flesh sets its desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for they are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Gal. 5:16-17 NASB)

     Once we come to realize that God alone is all we need for daily living, we are on our way to true brokenness. Self-sufficiency is so engrained in our self-life that even after salvation it clings to us and prevents the life of Christ from shining through.

     A few years ago I searched and found my sister (who I hadn’t seen for over twenty-five years) in a nursing home in Panama City, Florida. She is now ninety-one years old. At first, neither one of us recognized each other. I was saddened to see her sitting in a wheel chair and all alone. I asked her, “Do your children come to see you?” She answered, “No, they never come around.” How terrible to be broken and cast aside!

     Can God see the beauty of brokenness in your life? Are you daily crucifying the flesh and walking in the Spirit? What are some ways you can reach out to the broken-hearted? Do you know of someone who could benefit from an encouraging word?

Prayer: Dear Lord, There are over a hundred seniors living around me in this over fifty-five mobile home community. Help me to be a friend and reach out to them with encouraging words.

Is God in Everything?

Is God in Everything?

“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.”  (Ephesians 4:5,6 NLT)

            Have you ever come to a point in your life when you could say without hesitation and absolute conviction – GOD IS IN CONTROL?

            It was in July 1989 that I was lying in a hospital bed in Columbia, Missouri facing quadruple by-pass surgery the next morning.  I didn’t even know if I’d see the morning light, but I was confident that the Lord was in complete control.  I remember praying that the Lord’s will be done, but I dearly would like to go on telling others about Jesus.  The Lord heard my prayer and now 22 years later I’m still serving him teaching children about Jesus, writing devotional articles to challenge and encourage others, and supporting those who have answered the call to ministry.

            Is God in every area of your life? 

            Paul encourages the Thessalonians by saying, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (5:18 NASB)   If God is not in everything, how can we honestly give thanks for every circumstance, struggle, and trial of life. 

            King David believed that God was in everything for he said, “For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.”  (Psalm 34:7 NLT)  It is obvious from the context that David experienced this on a personal level.  How many times was he protected from his enemies while running from King Saul in the wilderness?  David knew that God was in control.

            Does this mean that we are encircled by the presence of God?  Yes!  Even in times of testing and trial?  Yes!  When we face financial or family difficulties?  Yes!  God is in everything – even the things we don’t like and that give us pain and distress. 

            Nothing – absolutely nothing ever takes God by surprise.  Everything that takes place in our lives whether it be good or bad is allowed by God for a purpose.  The purpose may be for instruction in righteousness, or it may be for disciplinary reasons, but it is always profitable, and the ultimate aim and purpose is to glorify the Father.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

            When we face situations and difficult circumstances that are out of our control, let us remember that God is in everything and has all things under his control.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, since you are in control of all things, help me accept whatever circumstance comes my way today.