09 December 2008 Devotion for Today “A Song in Your Heart” Luke 1:46-56

In this passage Mary utters forth a beautiful song of praise. She begins by saying, “my soul magnifies the Lord.” What is it to magnify the Lord? We hear words like this and mouth them and scarcely know what they mean. The word magnify, coming from the Greek language- Megalunei- means to make great- to declare greatness, to extol or exalt greatly. In secular usage it means to focus upon. When you focus on something, the lenses in your eye concentrates solely upon the object that it wants to see, blocking out everything else and concentrates strictly upon it to bring it into greater view and clarity. Mary does this not only in this song of praise, but also in her life. She was a godly, pure young woman of Nazareth but in light of all that God was doing in her life Mary brings God into greater focus- perhaps greater focus than she had ever done in her entire life. We do that when unusual things happen to us- but more often than not it is not an everyday occurrence. Why? Because we get caught up in life focusing instead upon our own needs and our own problems and our own wants and our own desires where God gets pushed to the periphery instead of at the center. Mary realized she could not do that in light of what had happened in her life, and as a result, her heart bursts forth into praise with these words: “My soul magnifies the Lord!”

Mary’s heart gives the fullest expression possible to what God is doing in her life, and she serves as a marvelous example of how we can do this too. Praise is an offering of expression back to God. Deep within the heart of all of us is the desire to praise the Lord. It is born within us- innate and latent just dying for a chance to get out. But most of us seldom if ever come into contact with it because of our focus- not on what God is doing or who God is, but what is going on around us. But deep down within us, there is a song.

About ten years ago, my parents and my family were enjoying an outdoor fire one summer evening. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows as the fire crackled before us. My brother put a large, gnarly log on the flames. As the flames licked around the log, we began to hear a high-pitched squeal or whistle emerging from the log. The longer the log burned, the higher the pitch of the tune became until, under pressure, the log snapped with a loud pop- forceful enough to blow a few embers out of the fire. My dad commenting on the experience, said that deep within that log was a chamber or pocket of air that had been trapped in it for decades. The pressure grew as the fire heated up the air, which came forth from a tiny crack leading to the outside. The pressure got so much that finally the log exploded.

We enjoyed listening to this interesting fact, I reflect now on the fact that all of us have a song down deep within us. That song is a song of praise- like what Mary had. Have you heard that song? Do you have a song in your heart today? What is the song of your life? Does it magnify the Lord?

Have a blessed day!

01 December 2008 Devotion for Today “A Way Where There is No Way” I Corinthians 10:13

01 December 2008 Devotion for Today “A Way Where There is No Way” I Corinthians 10:13

This morning I was spending some time in the sanctuary at our church just praising the Lord for His goodness and provision in my life, and for how He has blessed me so much over the years- especially in recent weeks. I’ll not take the time in sharing just what He has done, only how He did it. As my eyes came up from prayer I glanced at a sign over the doorway which serves as the rear-entrance to our place of worship. That sign is an EXIT sign. That exit sign has been there for years- if not decades. It is a simple sign placed there to comply with the rules of the fire marshal. It has been there so long it makes me wonder if it is only a monument to the obvious. Everybody knows that there is an entrance leading out that way, why must there be an Exit sign. Of course, the answer to that thought immediately struck me- Because not everybody has been in this building as long as you have- what if it were their first time, would they know that were a way out if there were any trouble? The obvious answer to that question is no.

This is where the next implication of the sign really spoke to my heart. My mind was then drawn to a verse I had known since the time I was a child, where God has promised in His Word in I Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

A firefighter once told the story of being trapped in a burning building while trying to rescue a child. As the black smoke choked and blinded him, he found the child, still breathing, and hoisted him into his arms. However, he became disoriented and cornered by the flames which soon surrounded him. The doorway from which he entered the room was now impassible. The flames licked up through the floorboards, threatening to collapse as did the ceiling above him. There was no way out. Using the depleting oxygen in his mask, he breathed a prayer, “Lord God, you promised to make a way of escape whenever I am in a time of trial. I do not ask for myself, but for this child in my arms. If I don’t make it, at least, God- do it for him!” At that moment, a crash was heard behind the fireman. The wall behind him had collapsed, falling away from him and the boy, revealing a yet un-touched hallway leading to an exterior window above a porch roof. The fireman held on to the child and made his way to the window and knocked it through with his fire ax. To the amazement of everyone outside, as well as to himself, the fireman emerged with the child unscathed from the flames. Within seconds after scampering down from the roof, the window from which he emerged exploded into flame.

When asked to account for this act of heroism, the fireman refused to take credit, only to give glory and praise to God who alone could have provided this exit. He said, “God made me a way where there was no way!”

Perhaps you are going through a fire or a storm yourself. Perhaps you feel cornered by Satan and trapped by the enemy. You may feel overwhelmed and resigned to doom. If you are, please remember the promise that God has made- that He will provide a way of escape. He will open up that secret door that you never knew about. He may yet make a way where there is no way. He is God. He can certainly do it. And when He does it, remember to offer Him the praise for it.

Have a blessed day!

07 October 2008 Devotion for Today “The Snooze Button” Romans 13:11-14

I think one of the most dangerous features ever to be installed on an alarm clock is what we call the “Snooze Button.” They are just too conveniently poised for disaster. One morning, several years ago now, we had one of those digital alarm clocks next to our bed. It was also a clock-radio complete with a large “Snooze Button” affixed at the top of the device. Snooze buttons are nice if you do not have to get up and be to work at a certain hour in the morning, and if you have the leisure or the luxury of not having to jump out of bed and rush off somewhere. The snooze button has a psychological effect upon the user, making the slumberer think that he always has just five minutes more to lay in the bed before it goes off again. Many of these devices have intermittent timing. Some will repeatedly go off every 3-5 minutes, but not all of them do this as I discovered. One Sunday morning, a few days after the purchase of our new clock, I awoke to the sound of the alarm which was timed to go off at 5:00AM It is almost obligatory that I awaken at this time on Sundays, because there is much that needs to be done prior to the morning worship service at the church where I serve as pastor. As part of my normal Sunday morning routine I will pray for a while, go over my message, put the finishing touches on a Sunday School lesson, put the finishing touches on my evening Bible study so I get to take a nap on Sunday afternoon, etc. That Sunday morning, the snooze button did not sound again until about 8:00AM! Thankfully it was time enough for me to get ready, but it was not time enough to go over all the things I needed to do. It nearly struck panic within me because it put a lot more stress in my life than it was designed to take away.

There is another snooze button of sorts going on all the time of magnormous proportions. The clock has been sounding, but America keeps groggily rolling over and switching it off. We have been living beyond our means, indulging in sin, and pretty much living for ourselves for many, many years. Each time we are living beyond God’s standards, or beyond our means- an alarm sounds. Rather than address it, however, we would pretend that we don’t have to deal with it right then, but can slumber a few minutes more. The latest financial crisis is just such an example. Some government leaders have been concerned about how Americans have been led to believe we can all live beyond our means in houses we cannot afford. An alarm goes off within our hearts, yet we convince ourselves that if others who have less income than we can afford a bigger home than us, then why not sign on the dotted line? We hit the snooze button believe we will wake up long before it is necessary for us to do so. Now here we are, caught unprepared- all because of the snooze button installed within our hearts.

The Apostle Paul warned us about hitting the snooze button long before it was invented:

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14)

This is no time to be living for ourselves, Paul tells us. Its time to get up- its time to wake up because all of the signs are pointing to our Lord’s return. Are we going to be ready, or are we going to be caught still in bed? With every hit of the snooze button, we delude ourselves into thinking we still have time to do what God wants us to do. We don’t- the time is upon us even now. It is time to get dressed- putting on the armor of light. It takes time to put on the character of Jesus Christ, so winging it at the last moment or skimming by will never do. We need time to get ready if we are to do so properly.

So next time you are tempted to hit the snooze button that’s the time to get up and do the will of God in your life. Do this and you will have satisfaction that you accomplished something, and that you will be ready for when Jesus Christ returns.

Have a blessed day!

28 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Unity Over Non-essentials” Ephesians 4:1-4; 13

28 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Unity Over Non-essentials” Ephesians 4:1-4; 13

One ideal of our faith in Christ is that the Spirit of God put the life of God in the soul of every person who trusts in Jesus Christ and unites that person with every other believer in the same eternal realm. In the Kingdom of Christ, all barriers come down. There are no distinctions among us. In His body there are no walls, no classes, no races, no gender, no suits, no blue-collar men- there are no distinctions of any kind.

Practically, however, reality is often tragically different. That’s why Paul tells us in our text in Ephesians 4:1-4 “Be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace… There is one body and one Lord, one faith one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all in all.” The church is to manifest that ones “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (v.13).

Now, understand that Unity is not everybody doing the same thing or thinking the same way. Unity is not the same thing as union-Union has an affiliation with others but no common bond that makes them one in heart. Unity is not Uniformity-which has everyone looking and thinking alike. Unity is not even Unanimity-which is complete agreement across the board. Unity, however, refers to a oneness of heart, a similarity of purpose, and an agreement on major points of doctrine. In a church there is the bond of a family, yet room for variety. The devil tries to disrupt unity. You can take two tom cats, tie their tails together and throw them over a clothesline. You will have union, but I can guarantee you will not have unity. Few doctrines are more important than this doctrine of unity. Because the church is under constant attack, we need to be good students of the subject. Because we are fellow members of the body, we need to apply ourselves to mutual harmony. And because disease can diminish the effectiveness of the body, we must maintain habits of health and a consistent program of exercise in harmony with God’s building program.

A collegue of Martin Luther, Philip Melancthon once said: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” Where we as the church have had differences is usually not over essentials, but non-essentials. What are essentials and what are non-essentials? I realize that one person’s essentials could mean another persons non-essentials.

Many churches have problems because they make non-essentials into essentials. There are certain people who insist on having their own way, whether it is the pastor, the deacons, the WMU, Sunday School teachers, the choir or certain members of the church. You would be surprised but doctrine is usually not the thing that causes disunity in most situations. The things that have caused disunity in most congregations that I have been aware of have been over silly things like the color of the carpet, the length of the curtains or whether or not we should put a coke machine in the fellowship hall. This actually happened in the first church where I served. You may laugh but if it were not so tragic it would be funny.

I wonder what Jesus thinks of us and the silly, non-essential things that we squabble about? I doubt that He would be laughing. There are times when church discipline ought to be exercised when there are members of the body who live in immorality or are not being consistent or obedient to Scripture. Even then we ought to strive to seek peace and speak the truth in love instead of demonstrating that we want what we want.

If there is a concern that you have, ask yourself first, “is this what I want, or is it what God wants? Is this essential to the cause of Christ, or is it a non-essential? Will this stand that I take stand for eternity, or will it be forgotten about a year from now?” Only you and God can judge these matters, and may He give you all the help you need to discern them.

Have a blessed day!

27 August 2008 Devotion for Today Quid Pro Quo Zechariah 1:1-4

My study of Latin is very rudimentary. I asked someone one time what does the term Status Quo mean? He said, "Its Latin for the 'mess that we are in.'" There's another Latin phrase I am curious about: Quid Pro Quo. Quid Pro Quo has been carried over as a legal term in English which basically means a mutually agreeable contract in which both parties are satisfied on the basis: You do something for me and I will do something for you. Many agreements exist like this, especially in real estate where the terms are specified on this basis.

While Gods love is unconditional, as well as His grace, it may be said that there are a few quid pro quo agreements concerning Gods relationship with man. The prophet Zechariah identified at least one in the outset of his prophesy. Zechariah was a second-generation Jewish exile living in Babylon when God called him. He was also a third-generation prophet- the grandson (or son) mentioned also in he Book of Nehemiah who had returned with the exiles to minister to them after the Temple was reconstructed in the last decade of the 4th century before Christ. Zechariah's name means The Lord Remembers, and indeed Zechariah lives up to his name; remembering the Word of the Lord and what it said to their fathers and grandfathers generations: if you obey Me and do My commandments, I will bless you and do something for you.

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came ?to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, "The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. " Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Return to Me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.But they did not hear nor heed Me, says the Lord. Zechariah 1:1-4

This passage shows us that God is ever willing to be in agreement with us; even when we are not agreeable. Ever mindful in Zechariah's prophecy was the utter destruction reigned down upon the country because of their disobedience. It would be the ultimate tragedy to have learned nothing from the experience of exile for which they had suffered so long. Zechariah needed to remind them of this, for a new generation was now growing up in the newly restored homeland- a generation that did not have the memory of the former Temple destruction, captivity, or deprivation. With every new generation, God must announce His message to those who have little memory of how He has worked in the past.


What is God doing now that you will want remembered by your children or grandchildren? Can you see where Gods Quid Pro Quo is in effect?

26 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Happy Birthday, John” Matthew 3:17

Today is my oldest son’s birthday, and I am therefore dedicating this devotional to him. His name is John. Its hard to believe that here he is now, a grown man in college when my mind goes back so easily to when I saw him delivered in that hospital room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania nineteen years ago today. He had no idea the life of excitement and joy and struggle he would experience up to now. I recall how he squealed with delight as his first steps moved unsteadily across our kitchen floor. He made room early in his heart for others as he saw the arrival of his brother and then his sister. He endured our uprooting him from one house to another, and then from one school into another. The day he asked Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior thrilled my heart, as well as the day I baptized him. His role as a “preacher’s kid” was not always an easy one. He would have to endure a lot for my sake, and bear patiently hurtful things done and said to him by people who did not like me. He never complained when he saw other children of the church receive things we as his parents could not afford. I recall how I trembled for him the day I left him in that second grade classroom where he not only knew a soul, but couldn’t even speak their language. There were also many visits to hospital emergency rooms and at least one ambulance ride, but we’ll not speak of those. He went at every interest with unusual intensity. Through the years, John managed to channel the energy of so much of that intensity into a passion and love for music. Although not initially thrilled with his choice of instruments, I will never forget the look on his face as he stood mouth wide-open at the new drum set we bought for his twelfth birthday. He learned to drive and learned to work, learned to lead, and learned to do so many things so well and so much better than his parents. John set his pursuit of music through his middle and high school years, and has determined to study music education as a percussionist in college. A parent could not be more proud of what John with the Lord’s help has accomplished in these years, with a brighter future than I could have ever hoped for myself when I was his age.

I believe with all my heart that this has become possible because Robin and I dedicated John to the Lord when he was six months old. We have not been perfect parents, but we were thankful that we made a commitment to the knowledge that John is not just our child, he is God’s child and knows more about what he needs and what he will do than his earthly mom and dad. To this day I marvel at the ambivalence, if not stupidity of parents who let their kids do what they want and then wonder why they can’t deal with them as they get older, or will provide them alcohol and other harmful things under the pretext that “its better they do this at home than not know where they are.” Or even worse, “I’ll let my children decide when their older what faith choices to make.” Those valuable lessons are so often thrown away by parents. We have not always been the parents we should have been, but we knew that to give John to the Lord meant that we had to enforce discipline when our hearts wanted to play with him and let him off easy when he got into trouble. This meant saying no when all the other kids were getting what they wanted. This meant standing back and watching him learn the hard way when we would want so much to jump in and rescue him from his mistakes. Because of this, no two parents could be so happy than for the gifts God has given us in all three of our children. We echo the love and the emotion expressed from heaven the day our Father watched His Son begin His earthly ministry by saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17. I am also glad for the fact that we never neglected to tell our children how much we loved them and are proud of them, and will always be there for them- in their failures as well as in their successes.

As a parent of young children you might be dreading some of the drudgery and unpleasantness and stress of taking care of them, but they will not be this way for long. You will be amazed at how quickly the time goes by, so focus upon the joy they are giving you. How well I remember the temptation of how much easier it would be to take our children back to their preschool years than to endure them as teenagers until the reality struck- the day John received his high school diploma- that they will not always be part of our lives as they are now.

May God help you and give you the grace as you train up your children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord. It will not be easy, but then nothing worthwhile will ever be. The lessons you instill into them now will come back to you when you are old.

Have a blessed day, and happy birthday, John!

21 August 2008 Devotion for Today “A Good Launch” 2 Timothy 2:1-2

The other morning I set out on a short cruise on the “Visitation”- my sailboat currently tied up on the Newbegun Creek here in Weeksville, NC. I hoisted the sails and did a number of other tasks before launching from the pier. In the time it took to hoist the sails and those other tasks, the wind shifted dramatically, blowing the boat into the pier and toward the shoreline. Thankfully I was able to throw a line onto the pier piling just in time to pull the boat back in. I would have to lower the sails and use my little trolling motor to push me out into the middle of the creek before I could hoist the sails again because I was headed straight into the wind. Thankfully this scheme worked very well- perhaps a little two well. Since I was alone when I did this, I had no one to hold the rudder stable while I hoisted and adjusted the sails. A stiff breeze caught me in mid-reach and propelled us this time toward the opposite shoreline, where the boat grounded on a small submerged log with such force it nearly threw me from the deck. I grabbed onto the mast for fear of falling overboard into the snake-infested creek. I scrambled back down into the cockpit and corrected the steering. The Visitation broke free from the log and glided beautifully into the mouth of the creek and out into the middle of the Pasquotank River. My launch was a little rough, but a launch nevertheless. I cruised around the creek for a couple of hours, meeting my friend in his boat near to the Camden shore, and then headed back to up the Newbegun again. I arrived at the pier with no difficulty whatever- grateful for the relaxing day of sailing and for the new experiences under my belt. Some would say I am still a novice sailor, because when it comes to sailing there is no greater teacher than experience. I have taken two courses at the local community college and have read many books on the subject. But while they teach the basics it is pretty much up to me to build on the lessons I have learned, and then practice constantly. To learn I must to get out into the boat, and have to push off from the pier and somehow overcome my fear of what will happen out on the water. There is no other way to learn. Without this kind of experience, you get rusty, and you may as well sell your boat because you lose the confidence to go back out into the water again.

Yesterday we took our oldest son to college, four hours away from our home. You might say that we launched him into the adult world, which is a far more frightening experience than sailing could ever be. For nineteen years he’s lived in our home, and we taught him and provided for him as best we could. But the only way to know if those lessons were worth anything is to allow him to go out into deeper waters without our supervision and hope and pray that he makes the right choices and decisions which will glorify God. It was hard not to choke on the tears as we left John in his dorm room that day. He seemed anxious to see us go, but only as one anxious for the chance to launch his boat away from the shore. There comes a time when we all must let go of the line which keeps us tied to the pier, and let the winds of the Spirit blow us where they will. We must have the faith God gives us and the courage and confidence in Him to do this, as Paul tells Timothy “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2)

Many children have experienced “failure to launch” because of their fear (or the fear of their parents) in letting go of the line. However, a good launch begins with the knowledge that we are not just letting go of the line. We are letting go of our line and holding onto another which is held on by the sure strength of our God. So give yourself a good launch today as you push from the shore of worldly security to where fair winds are blowing.

Have a blessed day!

19 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Who is the Head?” Ephesians 5:23

The other morning I was awakened by a terrible leg cramp. Sometimes I know when they are coming and I can prepare myself by jumping out of bed to walk it off. This one hit with absolutely no warning and hurt so bad it not only took away my circulation but my breath as well. The pain was excruciating As I tried to stand on the floor and put my full weight on it, it was so limp that it buckled underneath me. If I had not caught myself I would have surely fallen. It nearly did a ‘faceplant’ in the middle of the floor. Now I know the Bible teaches that “All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.” I knew there had to be a sermon in this somewhere. At that point I was struck by the realization that you don’t fully appreciate the members of your body until they are either missing or not functional. The rest of my body joined with my leg and together we writhed on the floor in agony.

And in our text today the Apostle Paul discusses what happens when we encounter the spiritual equivalent of getting a Charlie horse in the body of Christ, and uses the human body as an analogy of the Church which is Christ’s body here on earth. Each one of you is an important part You each have a special job to do, a unique function to perform. And as I have already demonstrated, as members of the body, when one of you hurts, we all hurt with you. That’s just the way God made us- but even better, when one of you has something exciting or awesome to happen, we all share in that joy.

Each one of you is an important part- and the reason this is true is because Jesus Christ is the head. It almost goes without saying, but without the head, you won’t have much of a body. If you have ever witnessed a chicken being decapitated, it is not a pretty site. Everybody knows that its dead- everybody except for the chicken that is. He’s running around, bleeding in all directions, trying desperately to find direction, but after a while it flops over dead. And my friends that’s exactly the picture of what happens to us when we don’t have our head firmly attached to us- and when we do not understand our roles and proper places in the body. And the head of our body is Jesus Christ. Paul demonstrates this in Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church.” Christ is our head, and as our head is the nerve center which makes decisions and reacts to all the messages each member of the body is sending it, so is Christ the head of the church.. and as Ephesians also says He loved her and gave Himself up for her.” The whole reason why we exist is because of Christ. He alone deserves to be our head because of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the one who holds all of us together in a singularity of purpose and that is to glorify and worship Him.

Often cramps, or conflicts happen in the home when we do not acknowledge who the head of the home is. If Jesus Christ is the head of our home, then we should not have any problem understanding who is “wearing the pants in the family.”

May God give you a good and blessed day today, and if you ever experience a cramp, you may have to first fall to your knees before it gets better.

18 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Christmas in August” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Last evening our church had its annual Christmas in August program where we collect and donate school supplies to needy students in our community. During the service last night I told my congregation this story:

A few days before Christmas three men in Florida decided to go sailing while their wives went Christmas shopping. While the men went out sailing a terrible storm arose and they had great difficulty keeping the boat under control and as they maneuvered their way back to land, their boat got grounded on a submerged mud flat, and they had to jump overboard and they had to push with all their might trying to get the boat into deeper water. And as they did, the wind was blowing terribly, the waves were rushing up upon them, and they were soaking wet and knee deep in mud. And one of the guys look at his brothers in law and said, “You know, this is bad, but it sure beats going Christmas shopping!”

I realize that some of us guys would rather take a beating than to have to go Christmas shopping. In my family we have this inside old joke among us because the most of the guys let their wives do all the Christmas shopping, even for our own mothers, and also let them do the wrapping of the presents. So when we unwrap our gifts, I’ll say to my brother in law, Dennis, or my brother, Chuck- “hey, thanks for my presents! And they say, “You’re welcome! What did I get you?” We get a good laugh about that.

Have you ever received a gift from someone with the impression that the gift was given more out of duty than desire? And if they really had a choice, they wouldn’t have given you anything at all? Have you ever given a gift with that attitude? That’s not giving a gift, it’s paying a bill. When you give with that attitude, people can tell.

Instead, the Bible teaches us to give out of love. Paul said, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

It’s a simple as this: if your gift isn’t motivated by love, it doesn’t matter what the gift costs, it is worthless. The wise men’s gifts to Jesus were special, not because they were valuable, but because they were given with a heart full of love for Jesus.

Dr. Chuck Swindoll says, “Have you ever thought about giving something away every day of the year leading up to Christmas? These daily gifts could be called our “Christmas projects,” one per day, every day till Christmas. Just think of the fun of being able to say “Merry Christmas” in July! Here are a few suggestions:Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a long overdue love note. Hug someone tightly and whisper, “I love you so.” Forgive an enemy. Be gentle and patient with an angry person.

Gladden the heart of a child. Find the time to keep a promise. Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. Release a grudge. Listen. Speak kindly to a stranger. Enter into another’s sorrow. Smile.Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.Take a walk with a friend. Lessen your demands on others. Play some beautiful music during the evening meal. Apologize if you were wrong. Turn off the television (or the computer) and talk. Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine). Do the dishes for the family. Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. Encourage an older person. Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. Offer to baby-sit for a weary mother. Let’s make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

This is not just Christmas the whole year through, its how Jesus taught us to live, isn’t it?

Giving out of love, not obligation, is one of the greatest blessings we can receive.

Have a blessed day!

14 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Doing Good!” Romans 3:10-12

One of the most popular responses you hear these days to the greeting question, “How are you doing?” is, “Doing good!” I heard it just yesterday, and in fact I may have even said it myself. Perhaps the reasons that “doing good” is a popular response because: 1) few have the time to think about what to say to someone who isn’t doing good, 2) it makes us glad for people when things are going well in their lives, and 3) the brief statement implies that the person who made it has been shown favor, particularly God-as in another statement that I loathe; “somebody up there likes me!” Don’t get me wrong, I am glad for people who say to me, “doing good.”

But what if God confronted us with the same greeting statement. How would we respond to Him? How many of us would be able to say before Him, “Doing good!” The obvious answer to that question is, in light of the Scripture we just read, none of us. “There is none righteous, no, not one; The is none who understands,; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12. Because of our sin and transgression of God’s righteousness and holiness as demonstrated in the Law, there are none of us that can answer in the affirmative. However, because God eternal, at least He has the time to hear from us an honest answer. Not only that, but only God has the concern and the solution for the answer we give Him. Even though His Law condemns us, His grace has provided us an opportunity to overcome this problem.

When we take Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior, confess our sinfulness before Him and place our lives under obedience and service to Him, the righteousness of Christ is applied over us and then only can we say: “Doing good!” Its not we who are doing good, but the righteousness of Christ and His shed blood over us gives us that opportunity. Because of that, when someone now asks us how we are doing, we can respond and say, “Doing good” and it will really mean something.

Have a blessed day!

13 August 2008 Devotion for Today “The End of a Thing” Ecclesiastes 7:8

The end of a thing is better than its beginning;

The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Eccl 7:8)

If you have been watching the Olympics this week, no doubt you have seen many competitors start off well. The other day I was watching one of the gymnastic events. I can’t recall the competitors or whose country they came from, only I do remember how determined they were as they each began their event; waiting those agonizing seconds before they began their event. Each face looked determined that they should win the gold. There were a couple of false starts, but more were good starts. However, what mattered the most was not how the competitor began, or how well they performed along the way, but whether or not the competitor landed on both feet. The spectacular finish is what drew the most applause, not the beginning. True, its always good if you can get a good start. A misstep at the beginning will stay in your mind and cause you to lose confidence until you keep making errors. Yet how often did I see the contestant recover from a mistake and end up winning a medal?

Life is so much like that. Too often we judge people by how much potential they seem to have at the beginning of their lives- good looks, a fine mind, athletic abilities, etc.

How often have I seen those whom God has given so much throw so much away. So many youth feel such pressure to succeed that they often do not even try to get into the race because they feel outclassed and overshadowed by those with greater talents. This is sad because how often have I seen others with average talent, looks, and abilities find their way to the end of their lives in greatness and with tremendous achievement. How often have I seen those with limited opportunities rise above that which stifles them to succeed when others say they will never amount to anything in life. Even then, the only true gauge of how well one has done in life is to hear their Master say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord!”

Get the best start you can, but live in such a way to end well.

Have a blessed day!

06 August 2008 Devotion for Today Insights from Ecclesiates 7:1

06 August 2008 Devotion for Today Insights from Ecclesiates 7:1

The story is told of this guy in Long Beach, California who went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady with him. She waited in the car while he went in to pick up the chicken. Inadvertently, the manager of the store handed the guy the box in which he had placed the financial proceeds of the day instead of the box of chicken. You see, he was going to make a deposit and had camouflaged it by putting the money in a fried chicken box. The guy took his box, went back to his car, and the two of them drove away. When they got to the park and opened the box, they discovered they had a box full of money. Now that was a very vulnerable moment for the average individual. However, realize the mistake, he got back in his car and returned to the place and gave the money back to the manager. Well, the manager was elated! He was so pleased that he told the young man, “Stick around, I want to call the newspaper and have them take your picture. You’re the most honest guy in town.”

“Oh, no, don’t do that!” the guy said.

“Why not?” asked the manager.

“Well,” he said, “You see, I’m married, and the woman I’m with is not my wife!”

I’ve been mediating lately over Ecclesiastes 7. It was written by “The Preacher” or more likely by Solomon three thousand, five hundred years ago, but it exudes the wisdom of God that we all need to hear and to apply today. For the next several days I would like to share some of these golden nuggets of wisdom with you from this chapter in God’s Word.

The Preacher begins by saying, “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” (verse 1).

A good name is a good reputation. We value this today probably more than ever. We’ve been told for so long that we are getting “ripped off” that people are believing it. They want people they know they can trust. A mechanic makes his living from a good name. He can be the most skillful mechanic in the world but if he is dishonest or crooked in his dealings, charges more than he should or doesn’t do the work he charged you for, word will get around and eventually go out of business. The same is true for other service-related businesses and industries. But this is also true of the Christian and his or her testimony to the world with whom he or she relates. If he acts in good faith, people may not say much about it. But if he is overcome by dishonesty then the whole world will find out about it eventually. Keeping a good name is better- and more costly than precious ointment. In Biblical times ointment was made from rare, even exotic plants that were grown in the desert. Frankincense and myrrh were substances presented to the baby Christ child. Ointment of aloes was used to anoint the feet of Jesus. It was used for medicine, fragrances, and for the embalming of the dead. Ointments were costly because of the rarity of the plants from which they were extracted as well as the tedious processes by which they were made. These ointments were highly prized and sought-after.

So is the honesty and the good name of a person who reflects the character of Christ in all he says and does. Someone once said that “honesty is worth more than the best marketing firm you will ever find.” He was right. We live in a time where a man’s word and a handshake don’t mean anything anymore. But we can change this by the standard of honesty and integrity we strive to model in this as we represent Christ to a world who has all but lost hope. May the good name we have grow more precious to us and to others.

Have a blessed day!

05 August 2008 Devotion for Today “A Dog with Two Tails” Acts 2:41-42

05 August 2008 Devotion for Today “A Dog with Two Tails” Acts 2:41-42

Its been over five years now that the chairman of the pastor search committee at the church where I now serve said to me, “Preacher, you look as happy as a dog with two tails!” He noted my response when I found out that the church called me here unanimously, but I never have forgotten his very appropriate, if not peculiar, way of describing my feelings at that moment. But I was happy! It didn’t take me long to pick up on the dialect, the inflection of the language, as well as the words and phrases unique to this part of North Carolina. Actor Andy Griffith is a resident of our region, so you can imagine how rich our heritage and language is here. But one phrase I have never cared for is the expression, “joining church.” “When I was eleven years old when I joined church.” Frankly, this expression scares me, and here is why: It first of all doesn’t say anything about a person’s personal commitment to Jesus Christ- only that they might have walked an aisle, filled out a membership card. It expresses nothing of a prior conversion experience which includes heartfelt repentance, faith in Christ to save you and a commitment to follow Him in obedience. “Joining church” just doesn’t communicate this idea at all.

I remember we had a preacher in a church I was in one time- this was back in the 1970s and he said, “We’re going to sing all fifteen stanzas of Just As I Am until somebody comes down that aisle!” Finally somebody got up and went and it made me wonder if this guy did it just so we could all go home! Thank the Lord he did or we might still be there! That doesn’t tell us that they gladly received the Word. Then got baptized because they wanted to please mama or daddy- or that they did it for some other reason other than the fact that they got truly saved through a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Not these three thousand souls who were added to the church in Acts 2. They gladly received Peter’s word- they weren’t coaxed into it, forced into it, cajoled into it, tricked or manipulated into it- they personally asked Christ to come into their hearts- all three thousand of them- and were excited about the new life they would now experience because of what Christ did for them.

This experience of commitment doesn’t just wagged with one tail, but two:

“And fear, it says in verse 43 came upon every soul.”

That idea does not mean terror, but an awe of who Jesus Christ is. Their hearts were moved, emotionally the thought of what sins had done to them caused them to weep, but they wept out of gratitude and appreciation of what Jesus had done for them- saving them from their sins. If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raise Him from the dead, you will be saved. A church member is first of all a saved church member who has a steadfast commitment to the Lord who has never lost the wonder or awe of what Christ has done for him. In fact, that awe grows richer and fuller as the steadfastness grows deeper.

May the meaning you derive from being a member of your church grow to the extent of your steadfastness and awe of Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day!

04 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Church Membership” Acts 2:38-41

There’s a true story of a young minister in Oklahoma who went to this little, though long-standing, church in hopes of really reviving the ministry of it. He had stars in his eyes and great hopes for the future. He thought he could turn it around. And he gave it his best effort and his best shot week after week, to no avail. Finally, he had one last idea, and it seemed to work. He announced in the local newspaper on Saturday that the church had died, and on Sunday afternoon there would be a funeral service at the church building itself, and all who wished could attend. For the first time in his years there the place was packed. In fact, people were standing outside on tiptoes looking through the window to see this most unusual funeral service for a church. To their shock, because most of them got there twenty or thirty minutes early to get a seat, there was a casket down front. And it was smothered with flowers. The minister told the people as soon as the eulogy was finished they could pass by and view the remains of the dearly beloved that they were putting to rest that day. They could hardly wait until he finished the eulogy. He slowly opened the casket, pushed the flowers aside, and people walked by, filed by, one by one, to look in and leave sheepishly, feeling guilty as they walked out the door, because inside the casket the pastor had placed a large mirror. As they walked by, they saw the church that had died.
I’ve seen that in the life-cycle of many a church. It happens all too often. But that won’t happen when we understand what does it mean to be a church member- a member of the body of Christ. To help us understand this, we must go back to the very inception of the church in the second chapter of Acts when the Holy Spirit came upon the church and gave it life. This is the fulfillment of the comforter that Jesus promised His disciples as He prepared to ascend to His Father. And as Peter finished preaching in the Temple that day they asked him, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter challenged them in verse 38 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Then in verse 41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” Can you imagine what would happen if suddenly three thousand people came forward to be saved and then added to the roles of this church? It would be tremendous. But the most tremendous part about it is the fact that a church member is one who is saved. Notice it says, they gladly received his word- the original language means to accept gladly, to receive happily, you might go as far as to say enthusiastically. Now there is a difference between receiving or accepting something and accepting something gladly. In fact I don’t even like that word accept, because it give the idea “Well, I didn’t have any choice but to believe it- I don’t really like it- but oh well.” You’d be surprised at the people who come to Christ that way. They do it because mama is dying and want to please her, or because they want to get their spouse off their backs and so forth. If you’ll forgive this illustration- I don’t want to sound crude, but its as accurate as anything I can think of. There are some who have the attitude that they accept Christ like they would accept a colonoscopy: a necessary evil that you put it off as long as possible and hope you never have to think about it again! “Glad that’s over with, praise God.” It’s a response that some make after years of loved ones “cramming it down their throats” maybe if I swallow it, they won’t bother me any more about it.”
No, it says they gladly received the Word. There was no more need to convince these people of what they needed to do. The Holy Spirit created a willingness not just to accept what they were saying, but inwardly desired it. It brought them tremendous joy. I mean it was as though they couldn’t wait to get it. Have you gladly received the word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If you have, try to live today as though it means something to you.

Have a blessed day!

24 July 2008 Devotion for Today “God Doesn’t Love Me” I John 3:1-3

24 July 2008 Devotion for Today “God Doesn’t Love Me” I John 3:1-3

Martin Luther was once asked, “Do you love God?” To which Luther very candidly said, “Love God? Sometimes I hate Him!” Luther didn’t really hate God, but he was honestly reflecting on his feelings that there are times when it is easy to entertain these feelings when God doesn’t do what we want Him to do. And when we are not doing what He wants us to do, He may also act disappointed, or even angry with us. But He will never hate us. Again we are dealing with “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say.

There are times, if we would honestly admit, that we feel like saying: “God doesn’t love me.” I must admit I have felt like that at times. Yet I also know that this attitude reflects a profuse lack of faith and knowledge of God’s love for the entire world. Because if I really believed this, I must be biblically illiterate or I am not reading my Bible nor am I in very close contact with Him in prayer. I also realize that it is not that God doesn’t love me, its just that He has not taken much notice of my feeble and ridiculous plans.

My attitude “God doesn’t love me” flies full in the face of many Scripture passages dealing with God’s love, but none more so than in I John 3:1-3:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God’ and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” I John 3:1-3

God’s love is distinguished from all other forms of love we know about in this life, as well as what we read in Scripture. It comes from Agape- an unconditional, self-sacrificing love that places us in the center of God’s concern and care; so much so that God calls us His children. There is no one who should love you like your parents love you, and there is no one on earth you should love like your children. If that is true, how much more should God love us? The world, John says, does not have this affection or care for us because it doesn’t relate to God the way we His children do. This love is also growing, and while we do not know right now what form it is going to take, ultimately we know that God’s love is cast in the same image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Our image, as well as our love, will reflect itself in Him just as He is. The image of Christ’s love for us purifies us as we think of it and dwell on it instead of negative thoughts like, “God doesn’t love me.”

Its true, the world doesn’t love us. Our enemies do not love us, and to be certain Satan doesn’t love us. He will try to get us to think that God doesn’t care for us, either. But Satan is never to be trusted, because he was the same one who whispered the essence of “God doesn’t love you” into the ears of Adam and Eve. He will do the same to us if we allow him the opportunity. Sometimes we don’t feel God’s love because we are not close enough to Him to experience it. But He is always been where He is now.

May you experience the joy of the love of God today as you walk more closely with Him.

23 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Can’t!” Philippians 4:13

23 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Can’t!” Philippians 4:13

A young boy was driving a big hay wagon down the road and it turned over right in front of a farmer’s house. The farmer came out and saw the young boy crying and said, “Son, don’t worry about this, we can fix it. Right now dinner’s ready. Why don’t you come in and eat with us and then I’ll help you put the hay back on the rack.”

The boy said, “No, I can’t. My father is going to be very angry with me.”

The farmer said, “Now don’t argue, just come in and have some lunch and you’ll feel better.”

The boy said, “I’m just afraid my father is going to be very angry with me.”

The farmer and the young boy went inside and had dinner. Afterwards, as they walked outside to the hayrack, the farmer said, “Well, don’t you feel better now?”

The boy said, “Yes but I just know that my father will be very angry with me.”

The farmer said, “Nonsense. Where is your father anyway?”

The boy said, “He’s under that pile of hay!”

We’ve been looking at worries and the Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say. Many times we keep God under a pile of hay by saying this insufferable word to His ears: “I can’t.” Similarities are, “I don’t think I can make it,” or “I just can’t do it, etc.”

“I can’t” is the devil’s word. It abdicates responsibility and fosters weakness. It is the father of all the lame excuses and keeps the Christian in a strong-hold of fear. He is also a cold-blooded killer. Here is what I mean. Just now you might be trying to recover from a serious illness or an operation. The pain is unbearable and the nurse says you must get up and walk down the hall. You would rather lay in your bed but you must get up. You want to say, “I can’t!” There is no sympathy for you at this moment, because if you do not get up and walk, you will stiffen up, and your lungs will fill with fluid and you will likely contract pneumonia. The words, “I can’t” might even kill you. You have to replace “I can’t” with “I must!”

You may have resolved recently to give up smoking and you are doing fine until this morning the overwhelming urge to light up has overtaken you. You are extremely nervous, grouchy, and irritable. Your hands shake as you reach into your purse for just one cigarette. Surely one will not hurt me, you think. Then you hear of someone who is dying in the hospital, his lungs are rattling, filling up with fluid, strangling because for fifty years he smoked at least a pack a day. He tried several times to quit but now he is paying the price for saying “I Can’t!”

Perhaps you are trying to lose weight and you step on the scale this morning only to be discouraged by the needle going in the wrong direction. You have been eating little else but lettuce, and your stomach is gnawing at you. You want to say, “I can’t!” But then you hear of a good friend of yours who recently died of a heart attack, or another who had his leg removed due to the symptoms of acute diabetes. “I Can’t” wants to murder you as well, but you must not allow him to do this. You must replace “I Can’t” with “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Last year I felt overwhelmed with a huge assignment in a doctoral level class I am taking at Liberty University. I did not understand the assignment very well, and felt lost as I struggled to wade through a mountain of books on a subject I had very little interest or knowledge about. I kept putting the assignment- writing a research paper in excess of fifty pages- off until there was the deadline staring back at me. I wanted to say, “I Can’t!” But thankfully, the words of Paul “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” began to drown out “I Can’t.” I did the assignment, and to my utter amazement, I received an A for the course. That inspired confidence to register for two more courses, which I also received the same grade. Now I am half-way through my course work, where two other times I attempted this and quit because I let circumstances tell me “I can’t!”

Don’t let the devil make you say, “I can’t!” It’s a dirty word to God and is offensive to Him. He has also empowered you with His strength to say “I can.” Today, think of a project that you have been putting off and say, “I can!” Don’t rely on willpower alone to help you stick to your diet. Instead, say “I can do all things through Christ,” and you will. Face the thing that you disdain the most and say, “I can, I will!” and you will conquer it for Christ’s sake.

Have a blessed day!

22 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Don’t Know How I’m Going to Get By” Philippians 4:11-12, 19

22 July 2008 Devotion for Today “I Don’t Know How I’m Going to Get By” Philippians 4:11-12, 19

A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and taken quickly in for coronary surgery. The operation went well and, as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy who was waiting by his bed."Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," said the nun, gently patting his hand."We do need to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?" "No, sorry, I don't have any insurance," the man whispered hoarsely. "Can you pay in cash?" persisted the nun."I'm afraid I cannot, Sister.""Well, do you have any close relatives?" the nun essayed."Just my sister in New Mexico," he volunteered. "But she's a humble spinster nun." "Oh, I must correct you, Mr. Smith. Nuns are not spinsters;' they are married to God.""Wonderful," said Smith. "In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law!"

It’s a fact of life that we all worry, right? We know that we shouldn’t; we know that it’s wrong; but we do it anyway. Everyone has heard about the effects of worry: it causes ulcers, high blood pressure, heart problems, it drains your energy. We know these facts, but we worry in spite of them. Many people think that worry is the result of the fast-paced, high-pressure lives we lead today, but the truth is that worry is not a 20th century phenomenon. It has been a problem for centuries.The Psalms tell us worry only leads to harm (Psalm 37:8), Proverbs tells us that “worry makes a heart heavy” (Proverbs 12:25).

Yesterday I began this series of devotionals entitled “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say.” Today I want to deal with 2. “I don’t know how I’m going to get by” I believe that this is ultimately the consummate form of blasphemy because if you honestly believe that you cannot be a Christian or you are not walking very closely with the Lord. At the very least if you believe this you are not reading your Bible, because the Word of God is replete with statements like Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Jesus also said, “Therefore, do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:31-32).

Other promises of God’s provision and God’s providence continually remind us that He will help us and enable us to fulfill what He has placed us on earth to do. You may not know how you are going to get by- but this is where faith comes in. It may require you to take your eyes off of your resources- or lack of them- and concentrate where God is providing and sustaining you.

There are all kinds of objections, of course. Do Christians have to file bankruptcy? Yes, I’ve known a few who have. Are there Christians who are starving to death, or going without? There probably are. Has God failed them, because they are going without? First of all, we do not know their circumstances. I have also known some Christians to live beyond their means and continue to spend money well beyond their income. They can hardly blame God for not “getting by.” There may be Christians who are suffering persecution or caught up, as some are in Darfur in the Sudan, in ethnic cleansing and genocide. The fact is, there have martyrs for two thousand years, and yet God has used them for His purpose to further the message of the Gospel, as Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Even you do not know how you will get by, be content in the knowledge that God knows what you need. He may not help you make your payment for your Lexus, but He will make sure you do not starve. You may have to tighten your belt, and do without some things you thought were necessities. I gave up drinking Starbucks coffee when it cost more for a gallon of gas than it did for a cup of daily espresso fix.

May the Lord help you see how He is providing for your every need today.

Have a blessed day!

21 July 2008 Devotion for Today “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say” Philippians 2:13

21 July 2008 Devotion for Today “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say” Philippians 2:13

You may remember the late George Carlin and Seven Words you can never say on Television? Carlin was most noted for his vulgarities and offensive humor which got him into trouble with the law many times. He was not only known for his public blasphemies, but also for his outspoken atheism. Once he said he really tried to believe in God, but could not get past the behaviors of those who said they believed in God who lived inconsistent and hypocritical lives. That won’t let Carlin off the hook, and I’m sure that he is doing a lot of explaining right now, but there might be a smattering of truth in what he said when it comes to the idea of faithlessness. We might abhor the vulgarities Carlin used to project. But just as offensive to God are the things we as Christians say and we don’t even realize that we are at the least impugning the good will and nature of God and at our worst we spout blasphemy in the face of God. Faithlessness, which is the epitome of worry, begins with our vocabulary, which are actually thoughts conceived by the devil in our minds. How do we do we blaspheme God in this? Well let me offer you Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say, and today I will deal with phrase number One:

1. “It will never work!” I hate that one- and God hates it too. If there is anything I cannot stand is somebody standing over my shoulder and saying that, so why should we say it under our breath when God tells us to do something? First of all, you don’t know what will work until you try. You say, “Well, I tried that once, and it didn’t work!.” Well, what you just earned yourself is experience on how not to do it the next time. But that doesn’t mean the problem is with God. Usually the problem is between you and the chair you are sitting in. OK- it might not work, but how are you going to learn if you don’t at least try it and see for yourself. What’s more, if God said it will work, or if you trust Him to let it work it will. What if Noah had said when God told him to build the ark, “It will never work?” Chances are, I would not be writing this devotional right now. What if Moses had said “It will never work!” when God told him to hold his staff out over the Red Sea? What if Jesus had not had the water pots filled at the wedding feast of Cana because He thought, “This isn’t going to work?” Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

May I say to you, that many people who will say to you, “It will never work are usually too lazy to try or too faithless to let God do something or to trust God to do what He says He will do. So if God or someone else offers you a plan and you say, “It will never work” what you saying is, “I would rather worry about this problem than to do something constructive about it.”

Take this dirty phrase “It will never work” out of your vocabulary, and focus on the God who never ceases to work on your behalf to bless you and to give you what you need. Tomorrow I will continue with this series, “Seven Phrases a Christian Should Never Say.”

Have a blessed day!

09 July 2008 Devotion for Today

09 July 2008 Devotion for Today

“The Purifier” Malachi 3:1-4

Would you believe once again I was met with something getting into my garbage can this morning? In fact the mess was even worse than yesterday’s even though I was certain I had secured the cans with lids firmly battened down tight. Some larger animal- I presume a dog-or something with the intelligence to knock the can over to get at the goodies inside. Of course, family members hurriedly rushed off to work and to school and had no time to do anything but to call the situation to my attention. Remembering my devotional from yesterday, I did not grumble so much today. Instead I secured two large plastic bags and set to work. In fact I was able to hum a tune of praise to the Lord while doing so. The job finished, I returned to the house to clean up. The smell of the residue on my hands was sickening, however. I must have washed several times to rid the smell of garbage off my hands. I have a busy day today, and I must look (and smell) presentable. O why won’t this smell come off. Finally I resorted to pouring some cologne on my hands. Only then did I discover that I had mistaken my wife’s bottle of cologne for mine. I consoled myself into thinking that perhaps the sweet female perfume would cover over the putrid stench to the same degree as to neutralize both odors. It did not. I only hope that the perfumey-garbagy smell will subside in time for my monthly minister’s fellowship luncheon later in the morning!

Malachi’s words were quite apropos this morning in chapter 3 as the prophet describes the purifying influence of the presence and Words of the Lord: "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the Lord of hosts. ² "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness. ⁴ "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the Lord, As in the days of old, As in former years.”

In this passage the prophet tells of the Messenger of the Covenant, who is the prophecy of the coming Messiah. Among many things His role will be to purify the hearts and minds of Israel and make them clean and pure as a refiner’s fire and as a launderer’s soap. Not many have observed a refiner’s fire, but many know the smell and feel of launderer’s soap- particularly homemade lye soap which was quite common in my West Virginia homeland until recent generations made the factory made varieties more popular. I was talking to my grandmother the other day about lye soap. Her aunt-the one who raised her- used to make it. My grandmother would assist her in the making of it. It was a curious compound of boiled ashes, beef or pork tallow or bacon grease, and water. Its texture was quite coarse to the skin- no conditioners or moisturizers in those days! The soap was clumped together in bricks and left to dry. True, the soap was not pleasant to use- but she said nothing made you feel cleaner afterward. She also said people did not bathe as often in the old days as people do now. I suppose that is how effective the lye soap was back then. Yet the soap that the Lord will use will wash us clean from the inside. As Wesley’s hymn says, “His blood will make the foulest clean.” Have a blessed day!

(from May 3, 2004)

08 July 2008 Devotion for Today “Jesus in the Storm” Matthew 14:22-33

The other night we had a particularly bad thunderstorm- the kind that sends lightening flashing all around, gusting high winds, with peals of thunder that nearly knock you out of the bed. I especially fear tornados, and this being a very strong tornado season I leaped out of bed and looked out of the window to gaze at the sky. Your imagination can run wild with you, especially late at night in a storm. After a horrific flash of lightening I thought I had seen a funnel cloud silhouetted against the grey backdrop of a thundercloud. Before I could say anything about it, my nearly grown children were up and coming into the room like they did when they were small children. “We just wanted to see if you were all right,” one of them said. I chuckled at the remark. But there is something about a storm that causes people who are close to want to be together. If not, they should. No one should have to go through a storm alone.

Jesus’ disciples were all in the same boat the day a terrible storm hit the sea of Galilee. They were out in the middle of it. Even the most seasoned sailors among them, Peter, James, and John, were terrified. If they were not terrified of the waves and the wind, they were terrified by a lone figure walking out on the tumultuous seas toward them. They did not recognize that it was Jesus approaching. They cried out, “It is a ghost!”

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

There is something about someone you love coming to you in the midst of your storm to tell you they are there. They really do not have to say much- just their reassuring presence or the touch of their arm is all it takes to maybe not to calm the seas, but at least to calm the nerves.

Perhaps there is a storm brewing right now in your life. The weather forecaster could not have predicted it, yet still it is there and it threatens to overwhelm you. A funnel cloud of depression swoops down to suck out every trickle of vitality left in you. When you go through the storm, all looks dark until you look out on the horizon. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, an unrecognizable figure appears as you say, “God, where are you when I need you?!” In your prayers that figure comes into clearer focus. It is Jesus- right there, right now, reaching out His hand for you.

Peter knew that hand was real when he stepped out onto the waves and walked toward his Master who had called out for him. However, when Peter lost his focus and started looking at the waves, he began to sink crying out, “Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-30. We criticize Peter for his lack of faith, but he showed more courage and faith than the others by getting out of the boat and walking on the waves. Still, it is easy in the flesh to doubt the presence of the Lord because we are so easily moved by the things around us we forget Jesus is there, reaching out to us the entire time in the storm. It is not that Jesus has not reached out to us- we do not reach out to Him.

Do you feel like you are sinking beneath the waves today? Reach out to Jesus and take hold of His hand.

Have a blessed day!

07 July 2008 Devotion for Today “America a Great Nation?” I Timothy 2:1-4

This week was Independence Day, the 232^nd anniversary of the founding of our country. Isn’t America a great place to live? While it’s not a perfect place (like Heaven will be!), it’s a lot better than most other nations in the world today. America is a crazy place. Here’s what somebody wrote … “Only In America”:• Only in America can pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.• Only in America are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.• Only in America do drug stores make the sick walk all the way in the back to get their prescriptions … while healthy people can buy suntan lotion up front.• Only in America do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.• Only in America do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway, and fill our garages with junk.• Only in America do we use answering machines to screen calls, and have call waiting, so we won’t miss a call from someone we didn’t want to talk to in the first place.• Only in America do we buy hotdogs in packages of 10, and buns in packages of 8.• Only in America do we have Braille on drive up ATM machines.

Yes, America can be a crazy place to live in at times, but it can also be a great place to live in if we will remember why God placed us on the planet.
The Apostle Paul gives us three things we can do to keep America great.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.: (I Timothy 2:1-4)

Paul says we need to do three things: pray, live lives of godliness and reverence, and to witness and tell others of what Jesus Christ has done for us. This is a formula for not only keeping America great, but for keeping any other nation great. You may also be a great person by following the formula down to yourself.

Our freedoms came at a tremendous cost to everyone who had a hand in securing it and keeping us free; from our Founding Fathers right down to the lowliest soldier on the streets of Baghdad. The very least we can do is to pray, live lives that God wants us to lead, and to share our faith with others. God expects us to use the freedoms He has given us to take the Gospel message into the whole world “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

God bless America- America Bless God!

02 June 2008 Devotion for Today “Footprints” Job 23:10-11

02 June 2008 Devotion for Today “Footprints” Job 23:10-11

My daughter came home from school earlier this year with a homework assignment-actually it was a project- that she had to do. She said “I have to determine my carbon footprint.” I said, “well I hope you wiped your feet before you came in the house!” “No, silly! Not that kind of footprint,” she said, “its all about how much stuff you use, how much you consume, and how much you throw away!- they call it our carbon footprint.” She then gave me a “wikipedia” definition of the carbon footprint: “A carbon footprint measures of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide” I must admit that I had never heard of a carbon footprint before, and of course the idea is to try to make the least amount of a carbon footprint as possible. I remember being taught about pollution. I recall thirty years ago those long lines at the gas pump when a gallon of regular gas cost 75 cents. I remember catalytic converters being installed on cars for the first time. We had “pop tops” on soda cans and you would find them in the street, in parking lots, in the gutters- everywhere. We were just getting into recycling back then (I would ride my bike and scour the neighborhood for aluminum cans, and turn them in for a little spending money). But the carbon footprint? That’s a totally different idea from how I was raised. We were taught to make a big impact on the world wherever our big feet landed. My generation drove the popular SUVs and are paying the price for them now.

My oldest son graduates from high school next week. I must admit that the future does not look too bright for his generation- at least in terms of perpetuating the lifestyle that we have grown accustomed to- walking in our footprints where we have always walked. He is going to have to face challenges that were much tougher to face than the ones I had. But then again- every generation has its own set of challenges. They have their own set of footprints to leave. Some may fail in the attempt, but they usually succeed in accomplishing some breakthrough that makes life better off for all of us.

Anyone who has walked through deep snow recognizes that it’s easier to walk along snow that’s been packed down than through a snow drift. I can recall the tales of older guys who were in Vietnam tell me about how their point men would make their patrols safe from enemy landmines and booby-traps as they walked precisely in their footsteps. They would usually come back safely to camp whenever they walked where their point men walked. In spite of the size of the footprints that we are want to leave, it is better to walk not just where others have walked, but to walk where our Savior has walked.
Job tells us in the Scripture passage But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” (Job 23:10-11) Job knew, in spite of all of his suffering, that his footprints were not as important as the footprints of the Lord ahead of him. Unlike our own, Christ’s footprints aren’t always easy to see, are they? We can’t see them from a distance. We have to be right there with Jesus or they fade away. And when you’re walking that closely with someone, you’re usually communicating with them aren’t you? And we know that we are always safe when we are walking down the hard roads when we are walking in the footsteps of Christ.

As I leave you today, I share with you this poem that one is aft to find in nearly every gift shop in America:

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed that he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, the other to the Lord.When the last of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the Footprints in the sand.He noticed that many times along the path there was only one set of footprints. He recalled that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.He questioned, “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. Then why during the most troublesome times in my life When I needed you most, would you leave me?”The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you.During your times of trials and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” (Anonymous).

Are you following your carbon footprint, or your Jesus footprint?

Have a blessed day!