Awl-Pierced Ear

“He who loves his life will lose it,

and he who hates his life in this world

will keep it for eternal life. If anyone

serves Me, let him follow Me, and

where I am, there My servant will

be also. If anyone serves Me,

him My father will honor.”

    John 12:25-26 (NKJV)

The idea of servant-hood to central to the Bible and Jesus is the ultimate example: “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom to many” (Mark 10:45, NKJV). And our Lord calls those who believe in Him not only to serve Him but to be His servant.  These are related but different concepts and both are necessary to be a true Christ-follower.

I can easily fall into the trap of busy-ness, filling up my schedule with all kinds of activities that I may consider “worthy”  service.  But what profit is there if my efforts are not consistent with God’s will and done for His honor?  I don't want my works to be just wood, hay and stubble (1 Corinth. 3:12).  So I need to be make sure I'm building on the right foundation (Christ) and serving where and how He wants me to. Service that advances God's kingdom rather than shallow activity with little or no eternal value.

Moreover, my busy-ness is worthless if the attitude of my heart is wrong. I need to have humility and be willing to do what I feel the Lord is calling me to do rather than what will please me and my pride.  Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), so I need to surrender to His plan not further my own agenda. And I must remember that God gets all the glory, not me.

The mark of a bond-servant in the OT was an awl-pierced ear to show absolute, voluntary commitment to his or her master; although that is not a physical sign for us, our lives should demonstrate that kind of complete loyalty and devoted service to our Lord.  Not clock-watching or Sunday-only Christians, but truly following Christ.  Willing to defer to others; to give sacrificially of our time, talent and resources; to be obedient and not count the cost of serving in our Lord’s name according to His plan and purpose. Belonging to Him in such a way that we walk with meekness yet boldness, as salt and light in this world without compromise.

Thursday Devotional - A Christmas Focus

James is still struggling with asthma and had a terrible virus this past week. He apparently shared it with Sarah, too, so now she is down with it. They were to be in a Christmas program Monday night, but as much as they wanted to be in it (and I wanted to see them in it), I knew it wasn’t best for everyone involved. Sarah’s teacher even called to see just how sick Sarah was, because she had a special part she had learned!

As frustrating as it is to miss out on activities and let people down, Lord willing, there will be many more years of Christmas programs. Plus, often we get too busy with Christmas programs, parties, gifts and activities, that we forget the whole reason for the season! I think it would most honor God if we took more time to quietly reflect on His gift, praise Him for it and share it with others.

Although the kids missed several programs, classes, activities and parties this week, we did get extra time together to sing Christmas hymns around the piano, dance to Christmas music, read the Bible together unrushed, read Christmas books focused on God’s gift, and pray for the people that sent us Christmas cards.

As I continue in this Christmas season, I pray God would help Psalm 57:7-11 to be true in my life:

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Will you pray with me that our hearts would be steadfastly focused on Him, honoring Him, praising Him and exalting Him this Christmas season? God is loving, faithful, and glorious! What better Christmas focus?!

Alice

Unbelievable!!!

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.  1 Samuel 17:48-50

They say in broadcasting that the great call of the announcer becomes part of the actual event, and when a truly historic event happens, the great call becomes as iconic as the moment itself.  Yesterday, I had an opportunity to appreciate one such moment.

Ever since I was a child, I have been a fan of boxing.  The big fights were always on television.  Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Ken Norton were the great fighters back then.  It felt like I was watching one of them every month, and they were so good, it was a marvel to see any one of them.  As I got older, I had the chance to watch this kid named Mike Tyson.  His nickname was ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet.’  Now that probably sounds a bit braggadocios, but trust me.  This name was well deserved.  At the prime of his career, not only did he win but rarely if ever did his fights last more than two or three rounds.  Keep in mind fights typically go twelve rounds!

He was undefeated when he went into a fight against a man named James ‘Buster’ Douglass.  Most experts gave Douglass very little chance to win.  In fact, Douglass had one of the worst odds ever put on for a prize fight; 42 to 1 or just over a 2% chance.  And then, there I was watching what people call the greatest upset in history as Buster Douglass knocked out Mike Tyson.  Years later as I listened to the announcer on a rebroadcast of the event, I found myself feeling nervous chills as if I were watching this for the first time, and the moment began to play like a symphony in my ears:

“Oh!  Nice upper cut!  By Buster Douglass!  Look at this!!!  He’s knocked Mike Tyson down!!!  For the first time … in his career!!!  Mike Tyson … hits the canvas!!!  He’s in big trouble!!!  He may not be able to recover!!!  It’s up to 7 … and 8!!!  He’s not gonna make it!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Unbelievable!!!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZ08eWV4ME)

This brought me to the story of David and Goliath.  We all know what happened, and we harken to the story when facing insurmountable odds.  However, we fail to understand the true gravity of the situation because we don’t have the context of how great a feat it was. 

We must have true context to appreciate the amazing things God can do in our lives.  Imagine Goliath was that ‘baddest man on the planet.’  Undefeated.  Unmatched.  When you fight him, it’s in, and out in record time.  All nations feared him, and here he came with his entourage to conquer Israel.  He boasts, “Choose one man to come down here and fight me!” (1 Samuel 17:8b)  Israel, went in thinking they have no shot in this battle (worse than even 42 to 1 odds).  The Bible says, “When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.” (1 Samuel 17:11)  And then, this young kid named David, comes in not thinking of who Goliath was but instead focusing on who God was.  He said, “I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!  The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:36-37a)  Note David focused on who he represented (the armies of the living God) and who ultimately would give him victory, which was God himself.

Then the fight ensued.  David did not try to be something he was not.  In fact, as you read the story he was given armor from King Saul himself.  But knowing that he could not adjust to wearing it, he took the armor off, and went in with 5 stones (see 1 Samuel 17:38-40).  Thus, we learned he fought relying on the abilities God gave him and not what others had given him.  The rest as today’s verses show was history, but to truly appreciate it, you need to have the context.  You can imagine the reaction as David fired the stone, and struck the Philistine.  Then with stunned and excited disbelief, the Israelites watched as Goliath fell to the ground, and they began to jump for joy praising God realizing what David had done; the greatest upset in history!

The story of David & Goliath is meant to inspire us.  It is to remind us that we need not look at the odds nor focus on the shear monumental task we face.  We are to as David did remember who we serve, which is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present God.  Furthermore, we are to remember who he made us to be in battle.  This is not to say we do not grow spiritually to better arm ourselves for battle.  But we are to trust God gave us all we need when the battle occurs.  So, let us go into battle remembering we are God’s army and we will win no matter what the odds are.  What battle scares you today?  How can knowing who you are and whose you are strengthen you for victory?  My prayer is that we trust in God for our inevitable victory where you can hear others say like the announcer, “Unbelievable!”  Amen!

How is your leader?

Proverbs 4:10-11

Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.

Many through our organization have been facing a lot of changes right now.  Sometimes change can lead to fear for some.  During this time, I want to simply remind you to not lose sight of who your ultimate leader is.  As you are leaving the support wing in the Ann Arbor office, the white board says:

Time to Lead!

How will you lead our customers to success?

Think Big

Make it simple

Move fast

With Christ as our ultimate leader, remember that his plan is to lead you to success.  He certainly has big plans for your life.  We need to not overcomplicate them but rather keep it simple and move fast when he says to move.

We have been instructed with wisdom and are being guided along a straight path.  Today, make sure to trust your leadership and follow their lead.