Each And Every Day

And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”  1 Samuel 7:3

When I got married, I was convinced in every word that was said in our wedding vows.  To love and cherish.  To have and to hold.  In sicknesses and in health.  Until death do us part.  All that stuff was about Loretta and me.  We didn’t get there overnight.  We had ups and downs, and times where family and my own silliness pulled us apart.  But we always ended back up together.  She stood above all as the best thing that ever happened to me.  I couldn’t say that back when I was going through it with her.  But now, it is crystal clear.  She is worth every fight, argument, disappointment, and tear that we went through to get to today.  And the funny thing is our love grows every day.  This is who we are, and we are committed to making our love for each other better.

When we have a relationship with God, we are bound to a relationship that will continue to grow and have value.  We always think of our relationship with God as at times ‘hot and cold.’  The people of Israel were in their ‘cold’ stretch, but this one lasted for twenty years!  Ouch!  Samuel’s words were to help the Israelites understand that those things that divided them from God were within their control (FYI – Ashtoreths were idols representing the Canaanites goddess Ashtoreth – see https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/ashtoreth/ for more details).  Shortly after following Samuel’s instruction, God defeats the Philistines when they attempted to attack Israel.  When reading the chapter, it should serve as a reminder of our commitment to God.  If we are too proud or focused on things that detract from Him or His will for our lives, we are destined to be in the cold stretch like Israel.  However if we remove those obstacles that could separate us from Him, we will have our great and awesome defender who will move mountains and protect us from harm.  We must ask ourselves, “Why is this so easy to understand and yet so hard to attain?”  The commitments that we have in our lives range from ‘what shirt to where’ to ‘do I want to be saved.’  How difficult the commitment is to God boils down to one thing: Who are you committed to?  Are you committed to the Lord, or are you committed to yourself?  Only you can answer that question, and it is only you who can make the decision.  Any great relationship has struggles.  Whether it gets repetitive or we see something more exciting or new, we can get distracted.  But if we focus on what matters to God, we will always find His faithfulness reassuring and His wisdom filled with something new.

God is constant.  Yes, there will be times where we do not make sense of what He wants from us, and we may stray away.  But whether it be for a day, a month, or even years, He is always there.  Waiting.  Loving. Saying to you as Jesus said to disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”  (Matthew 16:24b)  Let us remove those things that inhibit our connectivity to our one true God.  What obstacles inhibit your connection with God?  How will you focus on what God wants above what you want?  My prayer is we recognize our relationship with God, and commit to growing our love for Him each and every day.

Opening Up Our Heart

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3

There is a saying that vulnerability is the last thing I want you to see and the first thing I look for in you.  Here is an example.  When watching a news or press conference or news report, they always move to the center figure of the story.  At some point during the discussion, the person starts to break down in tears.  At that moment, the cameras focus intensely on them, and you can hear the rapid clicks of the cameras reacting to that moment.  We often see that when a person is retiring from something they have done or a relationship they have had for a number of years.  They talk about how much they loved what they did.  These are the things that bring us closer to the person. It speaks of truth, sincerity, and passion.  Many of us love God openly and unabashedly.  Yet at times in this world, some feel to say it or maybe even display it is showing weakness.  However if we cannot be open and vulnerable enough to show this very act, how can we truly love God and others?

Vulnerability to God means to open up your heart to Him as well as others.  The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 speak to the very core of why love must be at the center of all we do.  He was speaking of having spiritual gifts and abilities and how they are rendered meaningless without love.  God’s love for us brings us peace, joy, and comfort.  Furthermore, it can also bring us trials, failures, and challenges to grow spiritually.  Our perception of love tends to be the former, and thus, to show it makes us seem weak and vulnerable.  However if we know the latter is also love, we realize that it is also strength and conviction.  Despite our flaws, God shows us love in both ways.  While loving a flawless God is easy, loving flawed people is very difficult, and leaves us vulnerable to being disappointed and hurt.  However if God is to love us in spite of all of our faults and our mission is to follow His example, we realize we must do the same.

As God loves us, we must love others.  Jesus said, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:20-21)  Furthermore as to the greatest Commandment, “Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)  If we treasure our love for God and others the most, we will have the greatest rewards in Heaven, and that is what matters above all.  How can you be more vulnerable in showing your heart for God?  What steps can you take toward loving others as God loves you?  My prayer is that we show greater resolve for opening up our heart to God and others.   Amen.

God Will Take Care Of You

But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham,  I have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not turned away from you.’ Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.  Isaiah 41:8-10

As I start my devotions for the New Year, I realized something that many of you may have already acknowledged.  2015 was a hard year!  I know that I had my challenges, but when I recall a lot of the pain and suffering many of you have had to endure, my troubles seem to pale in comparison. Some people I know have even begun to question where God fits in their lives or even if He exists.  When you hear the conversation circle around that fact, you know things have been tough.  We all get knocked down at some point, and yes, the life we live can at times be discouraging.  But today, I want to follow along the verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:11; to encourage you and build you up by assuring that God is still God, and He is with you.

God is with you each and every step of the way.  The challenges and suffering you may have faced last year will not last, and the uncertainty and fear you may be dealing with shall not endure. God knows exactly where you are, and wants you to know He has not forgotten you.  David wrote in Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” These are words of encouragement whether in good times or bad.  For those of you who may be in a time of prosperity, let this be a time to pause and reflect on the blessings God has given you, and for you to ask what you are doing for God.  Deuteronomy 8:11 says, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.”

The New Year is a time to reset and look ahead at what God has in store for you.  We have been saved through Christ so that we will one day live with Him in Heaven. Thus while we may have uncertainty in our lives, we can be assured that God is always with us. What can you do to focus more on God’s promises and less on your current situation?  How can you in live by 2 Corinthians 5:7 where you walk by faith and not by sight?  My prayer for you today is no matter where you are and what you are going through; keep the words of an old gospel hymnal in your mind and heart;

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

Through every day,

O’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you!

Amen.

Protection, Blessings, and Love

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.  Psalm 5:11-12

The other day, my family found that our first house had a major fire.  We were incredibly saddened to learn of it, and we prayed that everyone who currently lived in the house was safe.  Then as I thought more about it, I realized that I would never see my old home again.  The memories that our family built there would be all that remained.  But on the other side of it, I realized God had blessed us allowing our family to move to our new home and change our lives.  Even if we were still in that house, I believe we would have been alright, but I did not want to be unappreciative of the fact that God has loved, blessed, and protected our family.  We are so humbled that He has done so.

All of us as Christians are so incredibly blessed as children of God. We could complain about many things going on in our lives.  We might feel our boss is being tough on us or our children do not want to talk to us anymore.  Some of you might have the struggle of dealing with the loss of a loved one, and others wish they could lose the loved one they have (smile).  Many face difficult decisions about what job to choose.  Even some are struggling to decide whether or not to stay in an abusive relationship with a spouse.  No matter where you are in your life, know there is a God who is with you each and every step of the way.  He loves you, and blesses you infinitely.  He is always there looking out and protecting you from harm.  In placing our trust in Him, there are barriers moved that we would never see, and He sets in motion plans for us days, weeks, and months in advance so that each move we make is in line with His perfect plan for our lives.

When we give praise to our God, we have nothing to fear!  God said through the prophet Isaiah, “I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)  God is always looking out for us.  Our goal is to rely on Him, give of ourselves to Him, and give thanks to Him for He is indeed worthy of our praises.  What should you be thankful of today?  What small issue can you give to Him in exchange for praising Him for the position He has given you?  My prayer is that we praise God for His protection, blessings, and love.  Amen!

Always and Forever

Lord, give me your unfailing love,
    the salvation that you promised me.
Then I can answer those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
    for your regulations are my only hope.
I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.  Psalm 119:41-48

Sometimes, life is just tiring!  This past week, our family has been dealing with the failing health of my father in law, and at times, you are weary from the experience.  There are the emotions of sadness, anguish, frustration, and disappointment.  You just want to give up.  However, there comes a point where you realize it is not really about you.  It’s giving thanks to someone who has given you so much.  I understand that now seeing my wife who continually cares for him and loves him.  Seeing her inspires me to push on being there for her.  The twilight of his life has thus become an inspiration for both of us going forward.  Each day, we love each other a little more, and we care for others a little better.  More importantly, we grow closer to God through the experience knowing that He knows exactly where we are and is with us always.

The struggles life puts us through should remind us of God’s unfailing love for us.  The 119^th Psalm of David is long but reassuring of how the relationship between  God and us should always be.  It’s speaks of His unfailing love and our love for Him through our commitments to Him.  In today’s verses, they are tidbits that highlight what we gain in this relationship.  Words include unfailing love, promised, trust, truth, instruction, forever, freedom, devoted, and delight.  These are words of reassurance, and should serve as our inspiration when heavily inundated with the troubles and sorrows in the world.  Some of us might feel like we have not heard from God in a while.  For others, it might be a situation that is hanging over their head.  Maybe you are saddened like our family over the possible loss of someone, or perhaps you might not have ever gotten over the loss of a loved one.  No matter where you are today, know that God is with you.  You may not see, hear, or feel Him, but as today’s verses point out, His love is unfailing.  It never leaves.  It is always the same.  It is always enough, and He is always with you.

It is so reassuring to know we have a God who never fails!  There is a song a group of us sang to our wives at our respective weddings called ‘Always and Forever.’  It talked about us sharing our love for each other today, tomorrow, and forever.  We as Christians may fall out of line with or lose sight of God, but we can always call on Him.  And He will be there for us.  Where do you need reassurance from God today?  How will you move forward knowing He is with you always?  My prayer is that no matter what is going on, we remember God is with us, always and forever.  Amen.

Make Better Choices

So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:14-15

My five year old granddaughter is something else!  The other day, she had a moment with my daughter asking why she did not come to her birthday party.  My daughter explained that she had practice the same day, and she could not miss it or else she would be fined.  In her special way, my granddaughter responds, “Well, you made a choice, and you need to make better choices.”  It’s obvious that she is destined to be a leader one day, and has already figured out where people are on the ‘Accountability ladder.’  As funny as the story is, it reminded me of the choices we must make as Christians each and every day.  When we are rushed for time, do we skip our morning prayer to do other things?  Are we missing Sunday service because of son’s soccer practice or daughter’s cheer tournament?

We must choose to serve God wholeheartedly, and continue to make Him the priority in our lives.  Reading the 24^th chapter of Joshua gives clarity to the conflict we face between serving our God and other ‘Gods.’  After all God had done to bring the Israelites out from Egypt, they got to a point where they have turned to their sinful ways, and Joshua made a bold statement to them in today’s verses.  Like all great leaders, he ends his address asking for Israel’s commitment saying, “I choose to serve God.  Who’s coming with me?”  Now we tend to think of Gods as spirits and entities that live above the earth, but there are other ‘Gods’ that we serve and do not really notice.  For example, I have the NFL ‘God’ that might ask me to watch the game instead of an event serving others in need or spending time with family.  The ‘Cosmopolitan’ God obsesses over how you look above where you are spiritually, and the adventurous ‘Thrill Seeking’ God would have us look for greater adventures above a spending time with a God who loves you.  Moderate doses of all these can be fun and in some ways healthy.  However, we must be careful not to let these supersede our relationship with a God who is always there for us.  He is a God of abundance giving us more than what we will ever need, and all we need to do is to choose to serve Him decision by decision.

A choice for God is both simple and yet difficult.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6b)  Choosing to serve Him is a simple one, but this decision requires life changes.  Many of them will challenge our ways of thinking and how we do things.  Let us renew ourselves to putting God at the top of our lives for He alone is worthy.  What false Gods are taking away from you serving God?  What must you reprioritize to put God first in your life?  My prayer is that we are able to as my granddaughter put make better choices.  Amen.

Selfless Fulfillment

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  Philippians 2:3-4

This year, my department did some volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.  It was a lot of lifting, hammering, and performing of laborious work, and after each day, you felt physically spent.  Not a typical day for someone who works in a call center.  However, there was something else that I felt after it was all was done; fulfilled.  It was not because of what I or the team of us had accomplished.  Rather, it was what we were doing in service to someone else.  In this case, it is another family.  What could be better than that?  The spirit within me was awakening, and yes, I felt humbled because I had an opportunity to spend a day out of work giving freely to someone where many do not have such liberties.

Giving of ourselves to God and to others is what we must do as Christians.  It is easy to see ourselves as focused on others.  However when we are caught up in our own lives, do we turn a blind eye to a person in need in lieu of our own ‘stuff?’  Reading Philippians 2, you get an idea of Paul’s heart for new followers of Christ becoming selfless, and he speaks of Christ’s example.  In verses 6-7, he says:

Though (Christ) was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.

He describes one of Christ’s many perfect selfless acts, which is what the life of Jesus should represent to us.  He could have just stayed in Heaven as God, but He chose to serve others as a sacrifice for all sins.  For this, we cannot ignore our own obligation to serve others.  It is woven into us, and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

There is a reason for the saying ‘It is better to give than receive.’  While a worldly view obsesses over the ‘me’ or ‘selfie,’ we know of the righteous path taught by Jesus Christ, the master himself.  After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus said, “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)  So the next time you feel down or depressed, do not fall into the trap of self-doubt and isolation.  Instead, find a way to give to another as Christ has given to us.  How will you respond when conflicted with the needs of you and another?  How can you challenge yourself to give more of yourself to others?  My prayer is that we selflessly give more of ourselves knowing in the end we will find the fulfillment that only a Christ centered life can give.  Amen.

Seriously?

One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!  Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.  Matthew 16:1-3

My eleven year old daughter really makes me laugh at how she tries to get out of the obvious. This phenomenon is not unfamiliar to any of you who have parented a child. The other day, an ice cream bar that I had been saving suddenly was missing. I asked my wife if she had eaten it, and she said no. Being that there are only three of us in the house, the finger naturally goes to my daughter. We asked if she had eaten the ice cream, and she said emphatically, “No!” My wife and I look at each other, and say, “Seriously?” While we had to hold her accountable and reinforce the importance of telling the truth, we continue to laugh about how ‘creative’ she was in trying to explain for the unexplainable.

This brings me to how we as believers encounter people who choose not to believe in Christ. We must without hesitation be able to confirm both His existence and truths. We encounter those who choose not to believe even though the signs are right there in front of them. The verses today refer to such a instance where the elite and knowledgeable sects of the Jewish faith questioned Jesus’ authority . . . dare I say again. This was after Jesus had (get this) fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21) and then another 4,000 with seven loaves and a few small fish (Matthew 15:32-39)! So in reading Jesus’ response, we get the impression of ‘what the heck does He have to do to convince these people?!?!?’ Seriously? Rather than appeasing them, Jesus, the master that He is, tells them of the sign of Jonah, which referred to His own resurrection. This would be proof beyond all doubt of Jesus’ divinity. We are often presented with things where people will question the existence of the true living God. We must answer with a sound mind and heart not focusing on what we do not know (i.e. why a tragedy occurs). Instead, we must focus on what we do know (His grace, His word, the transformative changes in our lives). Only then are we able to be advocates for Him.

Our personal relationship with Christ answers all doubts of His existence. While nonbelievers may come up with evidence of His nonexistence, we know beyond question how real He is. Our mission is not to convince others of His existence. Ours is to be knowledgeable of it and present the evidence to them for their spirit within cannot deny it. Where do you doubt Christ’s existence and how will you address it? How will you without hesitation tell of Jesus’ existence in your life? My prayer is that we confirm our truths so when questioned of Christ’s existence, we simply say to ourselves, “Seriously?” Amen.

Split Decisions

 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  James 1:5-8

As much as I love the Lord and follow Him, there are times that I struggle with the latter.  It is not because I do not want to follow God.  Instead, I feel torn between the love I have for my fellow man and the love I have for God.  It explains why I really struggle with condemnation.  Sure, we all must be accountable for our sins and grow to be better advocates for God.  But there are people who I love dearly, and God has said that they are living in sin.  That’s a tough pill to swallow!  Thus, my world feels like it is unstable.  These are the times I realize my spiritual growth is a continual work in progress.

The word of God is meant to be a spiritual guide.  We all have situations where we are either unsure of what to do or how to respond on a spiritual matter.  The words of James thus seem to be words of condemnation for those in that divided world.  In fact, lots of the Book of James seems like it (ex. Faith is dead without good works – James 2:26b).  However, these are words of guidance and clarity.  If we look at these verses through that lens, one receives God’s wisdom in reading it, and thus is not in the ‘should not expect to receive anything from the Lord’ camp.  The words are welcome to the troubled and torn because they give direction.  We must look at the word of God, and pray that we find guidance in it and have both the courage and conviction to follow it.

Following God is not meant to be easy as Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13)  But do not be discouraged by your past and current struggles for after telling Peter he would deny Him, Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1-2)  It is ok to struggle with things God says to us.  The key is to keep walking toward Him.  Never give up.  Never lose faith.  What is your struggle with God today?  How will you continue to rely on God when split between God and the world?  My prayer is that we continually challenge ourselves to rely on God when facing split decisions.  Amen.

Giving All of Us

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”  So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.  1 Samuel 7:3-4

Do I serve God with my head or heart?  This is a constant in my mind because there are times that the head and heart are not on the same page.  For example when dealing with my own sin, it would appear that the head (i.e. reading God’s scripture and taking it to ‘heart’) should win the day.  Yet when dealing with others in their brokenness of their own sins, having a heart and being compassionate is the right thing to do.  I have found that I best serve God with my head as the guiding force but my heart as the driving force.  You see, we cannot serve God just one way or the other.  He wants every bit of us to serve Him.  Only then will we be able to have a growing Christian walk.

Serving God must be done fully and completely.  I was fascinated with the story of Samuel in doing this devotion not only for the verses above but also the build up to this moment.  Samuel was called on directly by God to serve, but first, the stage had to be set for God’s truth to be revealed through Samuel.  God allowed Israel to be defeated by the Philistines and lose the Ark of Covenant of the Lord in that battle.  If you do not understand the significance of this, imagine doing the thing that you do better than anything else, and on your best day, you still were not as good as someone else.  Pretty devastating!  However, God was just prepping the stage by later causing all kinds of grief and suffering for the Philistines while Samuel was being elevated to his leadership role.  Thus when Samuel spoke to Israel asking for them to give everything to God; hearts, turning away from false idols, and obeying God alone, they were ready to listen to everything he had to say, and the Israelites gave everything to God.  As such, the Philistines would attack yet again, but this time they were defeated as God was with the now faithful Israelites.

In our lives, we will have situations that may not go our way.  These are opportunities to pause and reflect on whether we are fully vested in the God we serve; mind, heart, and soul.  If we are, we know He is setting the stage for our future triumph as He is faithful and without fail.  Do not focus on those things you do not control or enemies who have seemingly incredible odds stacked in their favor.  Focus on being completely vested in an awesome and amazing God.  Are there parts of you that are not completely vested in what God wants for your life?  How can you respond to situations with both heart and mind toward God?  My prayer is that we are giving all of us to God today.  Amen. 

Tougher Love

You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  Matthew 5:38-39

(This is Pt 3 of 8 – Turning the Tide – Representing God to a World that Misrepresents Him)

The other day, I was upset because someone decided to go into my container of soup.  I looked for my  lunch, and half of my soup was gone! Then, something hit me.  What if that person was starving?  What if they had no money, resources, or anyone else to turn to, and because they were too embarrassed to ask, they simply thought, “Here’s some soup.  There’s plenty there and I only need some of it.”  I know what many of you are thinking.  That person stole from you.  They have  committed a crime, and they must be held accountable!  I get that, and have very sternly dealt with my daughter over this very same issue (Ok, so it was ice cream with her . . . not soup :) ).  However in my daughter’s case, my wife and I know she is well fed and taken care of.  I don’t know the situation of the so called ‘soup bandit,’ and unless you really know that person, neither do you.  So rather than look for justice, maybe it is best to look toward being compassionate.  In a world that seeks the right of each wrongdoing, how can we as Christians show them another path?

Showing others compassion is a true form of tough love.  In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He spoke very clearly about the world’s view on wrongdoing in verse 38 of today’s verses.  Furthermore, He challenges all of us to do what we typically would not do in the very next verse; walk away.  The lesson He is trying to teach is not simply about letting someone slap you around.  Keep in mind Jesus was not someone who would sit idle and just take punishment.  He challenged the existing authority, and as such, no one could ever say He took to being slapped around.  He is saying that we are to be compassionate about the plight of others.  The world at times will say we are too nice.  However, we should respond both passionately and without hesitation that it takes greater strength to be compassionate to the one who wronged you than to write them off for what they had done.

Being compassionate is much harder than any of us would give it credit.  Disagree?  Ask if you would love the world so much that you would give your only son for their sins (John 3:16).  What Jesus is trying to say in today’s verses is don’t take the easy way out.  Get messy.  Ask yourself why that person would wrong you, and if you have a chance to talk with them, ask them why.  Then, show God’s love in your heart and be compassionate toward them.  Show the world that someone cares even when they themselves might not feel worthy of it.  Is there someone who could use compassion in their life?  Can you show God’s grace to someone who knows nothing but His wrath in the world?  My prayer is that we realize showing compassion is not easy, and to do so requires more than just tough love.  It’s tougher love.  Amen.

How We're Living

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Romans 8:13-16

(This is Pt 2 of 8 – Turning the Tide – Representing God to a World that Misrepresents Him)

Why do they call the Bible the ‘Living’ word of God?  Many of us know that while the actual Bible printed is not living, the words come to life through our study and application of it.  Through us, the Bible comes ‘alive.’  It's what   Yet, people will still doubt the validity of it and how present it is for the very reason it is living; us.  Many of us who have become newly born again Christians are surrounded by people that will mock and criticize us for our choice.  Opinions will range from the ‘he will turn back to his old self by next week’ to the ‘how could God see anything in her’ commentary.  What if this world does not believe that you have changed?  What if their goal is to pull you from the path that God has set forth before you?

The answer to this problem is to simply walk with God one day at a time.  Yes, there are many who have made a dramatic change where they have left a life filled with sin and become a passionate and fierce defender of the faith.  But if you were like me, then there were some things that you jumped right on and others that you failed at miserably.  It is those very failures where the world will remind you of the old person you were.  However, you are not that person!  God wants us to acknowledge the person we are becoming as born again through Christ.  Yes, we will fail at times, and often it will occur over the same sinful behavior numerous times.  But anything worthwhile is never easy, right?  It requires strength and determination, but most of all we need a helping hand; the hand of Jesus Christ.  There is a reason Paul said to the Philippians that indeed he could do everything through Christ (Philippians 4:13).  Just as today’s verses reaffirm, if we are led by the Spirit of God, we are indeed His children; inseparable and beyond any doubt.  Through Jesus Christ and with a sprinkle of patience, we are indeed able to show the world how He alone is the single greatest agent for true positive and transformative change. 

God knows us.  He knows our thoughts, our spirits, and our hearts.  There is no need to mind what the world says.  Trust in God and His word for if you follow Him, the whispers of the person you were will go away, and the naysayers will soon gravitate to the person God is making you.  How can you trust in God to help you be the person He wants you to be?  How can you focus less on your past sins and more on God’s future for your life?  My prayer is that we today and beyond to show the world how we are 'living.’  Amen.

Who We Are

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Lately I feel convicted to talk about something that very few of us our comfortable with.  As a follower of Christ, I found that we struggle to fit into a politically correct society.  We feel like it is taboo to mention that we are Christian while other groups are able to speak openly and freely about their lifestyle and promote their agenda.  Now before there is a debate on morality, I am a firm believer in both the diversity and inclusion of all people regardless of their sex, color, religion, or creed. Whatever you might feel, that is what I believe.  My point however focuses on what it should have always been; us as Christians.

Our mission as Christians is to represent the light of God in a way that honors Him. We are often characterized by the things we oppose.  However, we as a people do not oppose anyone’s choice.  As today’s verses point out, what we will say is we serve our God first and foremost.  No other.  Will there be causes that we passionately dispute?  Of course!  Yet all because my wife and I don’t always agree with how best to discipline our child does not mean we love each other or our daughter any less.  We are a people filled with hope, compassion, and love willing to give to all whether they believe or not.  We are not perfect, but we strive tirelessly to be better representatives of Jesus Christ, who indeed was perfect.  That is who we are, and it’s time we let the world know as much.

Over the next few weeks, my devotions will be centered on the idea of how we as followers of Christ can turn the tide against a world that sees us only for what we do not represent.  So let’s speak openly and honest.  We can be at times some combination of judgmental, hypocritical, exclusive, and devoid of love.  But this does not define us.  These are, like all sin, flaws that display our imperfections just like anyone else.  However, we strive to do better, and we have hope that we will continually grow and be better representatives of God.  It does not make us better than anyone else, but it states like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unequivocally who we serve.  How will you respond when others question what you are for?  What will you do to better represent God in the discussion?  My prayer is when world begins to tear you down, we stand and say who we really are.  Amen.

Change We Can Believe In

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.  Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.  James 1:14-18

Someone once told me that the only thing in life that you could consistently count on is that it is ever changing.  Since being born again over a decade ago, there has been a lot that has changed for me.  It’s really amazing when it’s something you have never done before.  You gain a strength that you never had, and before you know it, you’ve changed for the better.  That is what this lent season was for me.  God showed me that He would be with me always, and I learned to call on Him when I felt weak.  Thus, I could stay true to His will for my life.  He proven that while He is the same God as He has always been, my relationship is ever changing for the better.

The best rewards are found in our ever changing relationship with God.  Many people have stated that God changes for an ever evolving society.  They most commonly refer to beliefs on slavery and the gay community as examples.  This is simply not true.  God’s word is true, and He is never changing.  What does change is our understanding of His will for our own lives.  Through His grace, we learn to forgive others, and through His love, we learn that love never fails.  Through His wisdom, we make better choices, and by trusting in Him, we find true purpose for our lives.  Through reading His word and growing through His Holy Spirit, we are the ones who change as our understanding is both deeper and greater.

We are all changed through Jesus Christ.  John 1:12:13 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”  That moment is only the beginning, and we continually evolve into the wonderful children of God that He loves so much.  What is God challenging you to change today?  What changes can strengthen your relationship with God?  My prayer is we embrace God’s ability to change us for the better for this is as a famous campaign slogan said, “Change we can believe in.”  Amen.

Perfect Balance

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  Ephesians 5:22-27

My wife and I are a team.  We love each other, and I have to say that it is the closest relationship we have to ours with God.  We fight and argue.  She says I complain too much, and she’s probably right.  I will tell her to take more time out for herself, and she will try to remember that.  At the end of the day, we are a perfect balance for each other.  The reason is we do not focus on who is in control.  We focus on fulfilling our role as husband and wife.  The better we do so, the more love we feel for each other.

God’s word gives a perfect outline for how a healthy relationship should work.  Many couples struggle with the concept of who should be in charge.  For example, there is a saying that behind every good man is a good woman.  With the woman’s rights movement, the saying seemed to change to beside every good man is a good woman.  We hear conversations of guys being ‘whipped’ and women being abused.  It can be both depressing and frustrating.  Today’s verses are direct reminders that each role must fulfill their obligation to the relationship as Jesus Christ did on earth.  A godly woman would gladly submit to their husband who is loving of them as Jesus loved the church.  A godly man would gladly love their wife who gives into them first.  The verses in the proper context are about balance and not control.  You cannot have a great relationship without both submitting to and love for each other.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ gives us the best example of how to have long lasting and loving relationships.  Jesus was both submitting to God’s will and loving of all God’s people.  While society focuses on who is in control, we must look to love God as He loves us; unconditionally.  It is only then our relationships can be both fulfilling and satisfying for as Jesus said to Samaritan woman, “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” (John 4:13a)  Is your relationship balanced?  How can you focus more on your commitment to the relationship?  My prayer is that we are willing to both love and submit in order for our relationships to have the perfect balance.  Amen.

The Spirit Within Us

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

This was a tough week personally as a member of my team unexpectedly passed away.  This was the first time I experienced the loss of someone who I saw nearly every day.  I asked for God’s wisdom as to why this person had to go when she did.  The thing that came to mind was that God sends angels among us, and many times, we do not know it until they have left us.  It became apparent that she had done her work among us because she had touched the lives of so many within our group that the spirit of her life was ingrained in us already.  It reminded me of the time when Jesus had spent all of His time with the disciples, and although He had conquered death, His spirit through the disciples would allow for the Gospel to spread throughout the world.

We should aspire to touch as many lives as possible displaying the spirit of Christ within us.  Today’s verses refer to the great responsibility we have as Christians (aka The Great Commission).  However, I want to focus on the moment.  The disciples had just witnessed the greatest miracle of all, the resurrection of Christ, and they anxiously waited for their next command from Him.  Jesus did not take the moment to celebrate with them or boast of His prediction coming true.  He simply stated His role as authority figure and for them to carry on His work until time for His return.  He laid the foundation for the early church, and once the message had gotten to others, the building of the church had begun.

We have greater influence on the spreading of the Gospel than we realize.  My friend’s life was filled with moments where she reached out to others and inspired them to live better.  More importantly, a bit of her spirit lives in each team member because above all, she was a child of God, and the team both responded to and loved her because of it.  Will your life to inspire others to become followers of Christ?  How can you better influence those near you through Christ?  My prayer is that we live our lives each day exemplifying the spirit of Christ within us.  Amen.

Road Warriors

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

"Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

"Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  John 18:33-36

I love watching team sports. One team, the home team, has familiarity with their stadium, and their fans follow and cheer them on trying to inspire them to win the game.  The other team, the road team, has to deal with the discomfort of playing in an unfamiliar environment where the home team fans yell and scream hoping to distract them in their quest to win.  Experience has proven that the best teams always seem to win at home, and more importantly, they have an innate ability to go on the road and win consistently. They at times change the dynamics of the other team’s home environment with their presence and to some degree play the game as if it is their home.  Those teams sometimes earn the nickname ‘Road Warriors’ because they seem to play as well on the road as they do at home.

As servants of God, we are all called to be ‘Road Warriors.’  We know that while we were born of this world, this is not our home. We are challenged to live our lives as if we are in God’s house; our true home.  Jesus in his discussion with Pilate underlines a point that we are always to remember; the kingdom of God is not here on Earth.  We are personal representatives of Christ, and we are to be examples of that humbly but unashamedly.  It is not our concern whether others are uncomfortable because we say grace at meals or pray for others in our workplace.  As faithful servants, we must show our love for Christ freely and without fear.  After all, our home is as Jesus says, “From another place.”

Giving our life to Christ is the most fulfilling choice we can make.  While there may be times we struggle with sin or love some things of the world, our goal is to show God’s light so as to win others over.  That’s understanding where our home truly is. How can you joyfully represent Jesus Christ to others?  What situations can you be bolder in sharing your faith?  My prayer is that we remember to represent God as members of His team and become ‘Road Warriors.’  Amen.

Simply Out of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

There is a project that I took on at work this year.  It focuses on helping others see their potential, and the reason I chose to take it on will not result in my getting praise or a promotion, and my passion for pursuing it is not for an expected reward at its completion.   Rather, it is the sincere hope that it makes a difference in the lives of others, and my drive comes from the love I have for my team and organization.  For that reason, the project deserves my best effort and dedication toward its success.

Our love for Christ must be the driving factor for our actions.  Many people believe in faith by works.  They believe that by doing things as written in scripture, they will receive an upper hand in Heaven.  Others take the approach of being saved by confessing of Jesus Christ as Lord by mouth, and then continue their life as if nothing has changed.  Both beliefs are flawed.  While there is some truth in both statements, neither indicates a true relationship with Christ.  I think of my wife and how wonderful she has been to me for all of these years.  My love for her grows continually, and as such, it motivates me to be a better husband to her.  In a similar way, a true love for Christ motivates us to act.  Thus, works are not a driving force toward salvation.  Instead, it is the byproduct of our growing relationship.  Furthermore, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is something that cannot be an idle moment that just passes us by.  It is a transformative event that like any growing relationship motivates us to change making the relationship better.

To love Jesus is to commit to Him fully and unconditionally.  Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.  My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)  This is at times challenging, but all growth, spiritual and otherwise, is.  We strive toward having a wonderfully unyielding relationship with Him.  That is what love for Christ is all about.  How do you measure your love for Christ?  What more can you do to reflect His love?  My prayer is that we grow for Christ simply out of love.  Amen.

Just Smile

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.  Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  Hebrews 10:32-35

People know that I love to smile.  I smile at those who I know well and care deeply about.  I smile at those who would call me an enemy because I want them to know the God I represent.  I smile because there is a joy inside knowing that I am saved from a sinful past that once told me grace was out of my reach.  I smile knowing I am God’s child.  Some people would accuse me of smiling too much.  My response is they focus on how they see the world too much and not the potential God sees in them.  This does not mean I do not have fears and struggles in my life.  What it does mean is that I believe with confidence Jesus came into the world, died for our sins, and rose to prove beyond any doubt He is Lord.

We must reflect the light of Christ even in our most trying circumstances.  Jesus says that we are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)  There are some days that we feel down, and others where the world punches us in the gut trying to take away the certainty we have in Christ.  But through Jesus Christ, we were given the precious gift of eternal life.  For that alone, we have a light within us that can endure any hardship or pain.  We must share that light without reservations, and no matter what the world may throw at us, it cannot put out His light that shine brightly within us.

With God, there is always reason to have joy in our heart.  While we may feel short term sadness over circumstances or be left with situations that concern us, we must never forget the suffering our Lord endured for us.  Knowing this, there is nothing we cannot overcome.  Where does your confidence lie?  How can you exhibit the light of God in times of struggle?  My prayer is that when the clouds of darkness head our way, we look at them, and confidently, just smile.  Amen.

Taking Ownership

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13

My family decided to take a short trip to Chick-fil-a the other day.  I admired how dedicated their staff was to making the experience a memorable one.  All of them were cheery, and they treated us like . . . well . . . family.  Yet, they are paid no different from other fast food employees, and while they are a Christian owned business, there are other faith based businesses that do not go the extra mile like they do.  So what’s the difference?  Maybe, they believe in something bigger than themselves.  They choose to take ownership for their customer’s experience.  That is far more memorable than the spicy chicken sandwich or the free drink refills.

We as Christians have to own our faith.  Today’s verses are not just about how much Jesus loves us.  It is also a challenge to us as followers of Christ.  We are to be people of deep faith that willfully depend on what God teaches when we are under attack.  We are not to be painted into corners by those who either focus exclusively on God’s law or disregard God altogether. Instead, we are to live with an understanding of the greatest commandment; to love God with all of our heart and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:36-40).  Owning our faith means there are times we will not be popular and take stances others will not believe, but if we show God’s love through it all, we will be victorious for God's truth always wins in the end.

Believing in God is something bigger than us.  Jesus paid for our salvation in blood.  For that, we can choose to act like a hired hand and expect that He owes us something more, or we can go all out living for Him to make the world aware of His love, mercy, and wisdom.  Which would you choose?  How can you and I be more of an owner of our faith?  My prayer is that we truly take ownership of being faithful servants of God.  Amen.