SHARING TIME IS MISSION-CRITICAL

SHARING TIME IS MISSION-CRITICAL

While we busily maintain our careers, our ministries and a host of miscellaneous commitments, it is of paramount importance to keep the main thing as the main thing.  That is, we must and shall invest quality time in our families – on a very consistent basis.

Once there was a businessman who worked extremely long hours.  He arrived home one evening and found his 7-year-old son waiting for him in the doorway.

“Daddy?” the son greeted his father with both surprise and expectation.

“Yes?” replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make in an hour?”

“Well son, I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” the father replied.

“Please Daddy, please tell me.  How much do you make in an hour?” pleaded the little boy.

“If I tell you, you must promise you won’t tell anyone else.”

“I promise!” shouted the little boy excitedly.

“Alright then,” said his father.  “I make $100 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied.  He looked a little sad, then said “Daddy, may I borrow $20 please?”

His father grew furious immediately.  “If the only reason you want to know how much money I make is so you can borrow some, then you can go straight to bed!”

The little boy burst into tears and slowly made his way to his room.  After fifteen minutes or so, the father calmed down and walked into his son’s room.  “I’m sorry for being so hard on you, son.  If you tell me what you want the $20 for – and if it’s a worthwhile thing – I’ll think about giving it to you.”

The little boy raced across the room to his piggy bank and quickly counted out its contents – exactly $80. 

“You have $80, son, well that’s a lot of money.  Surely that’s enough for what you want to buy,” concluded the father.

“With the $20 you have, it will be,” the little boy replied.  “I want to buy one hour of your time!”

Hmmm.  Stop for a moment.  Think.  Who really needs your time and attention today?  Please don’t wait until it’s too late to share the most important of all assets: YOU.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE THERE IS HOPE

AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE THERE IS HOPE

You are still alive and breathing, aren’t you?  That means you are an unquestionable recipient of the wondrous grace, mercy and favor of God.  Do you need tangible evidence?  Is bona fide proof required in order for you to wrap your head around the reality that God’s love is now extended toward you?

Well, consider the true story of Robert Robinson, an English clergyman who lived in the 18th century.  Not only was he a gifted pastor and preacher, he was also an extraordinary poet and hymn writer.  However, after many years in the pastorate his faith began to drift.  He left the ministry and wound up in France, indulging himself in the depths of sin.

One night he was riding in a carriage with a Parisian socialite who had recently been converted to Christianity.  She was interested in his opinion on some poetry she was reading: “Come thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise.”

Looking up from her reading, the French socialite noticed Robinson was sobbing.

“What do I think of it?” he asked in a broken voice.  “I wrote it.  But now I’ve drifted far away from Him and can’t find my way back.”

“But don’t you see?” the woman said gently, “The way back is written right here in the third line of your poem: Streams of mercy never ceasing.  Those streams are flowing, even here in Paris tonight.”

That night Robinson recommitted his life to Christ.

No matter what has transpired in your life, Jehovah-Shammah, THE LORD, is there; and HE will heal ALL of your DIS--EASES.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

A SMILE FOR YOUR DAY!

A SMILE FOR YOUR DAY!

There’s a story told about a professor of biology who was an atheist.  Every year he began his lectures on evolution by asking if any of the students were religious.  When they identified themselves, he boasted that by the end of his course they would all know that evolution was the truth and would become atheists.  Over the years many a student lost their faith during his course.

One day our atheist professor was walking through the forest, marveling at the wonderful world evolution has given us.  His wondering was interrupted by a loud growl.  He turned to see a large, hungry, cranky grizzly bear charging towards him.  The professor began to run, but it was no use.  The bear was just too fast.  The professor tripped and next thing he knew the grizzly was standing above him, one foot on his chest, with his paw ready to strike.  With terror in his eyes, the atheist professor realized that he was about to have a first-hand experience with ‘survival of the fittest.’

At that point he cried out “God help me!”

Time stopped!  The bear froze.  The forest was silent.  A bright light shone down upon the atheist and a voice boomed from the heavens, “You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don’t exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident.  Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?  Am I to now count you as a believer?”

The atheist professor looked up into the light, “It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now…but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?”

“Very well,” the voice said.

The light went out and the sounds of the forest resumed.  And then the bear brought both of his paws together, bowed his head and whispered: “Dear Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful.”

According to King Solomon, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)  So smile…and enjoy your day! 

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

OUR GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

OUR gratitude attitude

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the USA.  As a former history teacher and permanent history buff, I thought it fitting to reprise the history of this important day in the American culture.

The event that we commonly call ‘The First Thanksgiving’ was celebrated by the Pilgrims following their first American harvest in the year 1621.  According to one of the attendees, Edward Winslow, this feast lasted three full days, and was attended by 53 Pilgrims and 91 Native Americans.

The Pilgrims had departed from Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620, seeking civil and religious liberty in what they deemed to be ‘The New World.’   Obviously, the land was already occupied by Native Americans.

For two months, 102 passengers on The Mayflower braved the harsh elements of the northern Atlantic Ocean.  Arriving in late November at the place they named Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, the Pilgrims signed “The Mayflower Compact” (America’s first document of civil government) and disembarked the ship in early December.

After a prayer service, the Pilgrims began building hasty shelters.  However, they were grossly unprepared for the starvation and sickness that would beset them during the harsh New England winter.  As a result, nearly half of their numbers died before the advent of spring.  Nevertheless, persevering in prayer, and assisted by very helpful Native Americans, they reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

The grateful Pilgrims declared a three-day feast, starting on December 13, 1621, to give thanks to God and to celebrate with their native friends.  Technically speaking, this was not the first Thanksgiving in America, since Thanksgiving Services were held in Virginia as early as 1607, but it was America’s first Thanksgiving Festival.

Pilgrim Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims’ inaugural Thanksgiving with these words: “Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men fowling [bird hunting] so that we might rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.  These four killed in one day as much fowl as served the company almost a week.  Many of the Indians [came] amongst us, including their King Massasoit and ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to us.  Although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God we are far from want.”

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, the fledgling American nation celebrated its first official Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution.  And the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become a regular day for the giving of thanks.

My friends, that is THE HISTORY of Thanksgiving Day.  What is YOUR STORY for giving thanks to our God?

Roy Campanella had an amazing story of thanksgiving. 

He was one of the first African-Americans to play in baseball’s major leagues.  In his storied athletic career, Roy won the Brooklyn Dodgers’ “Most Valuable Player Award” numerous times, and in 1955 made a very significant contribution toward his team’s victory in the World Series.

However, in January of 1958, his career was tragically cut short when a car crash left him a quadriplegic.  After he was injured, Roy spent a lot of time in The Institute of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation in New York.  One day he paused to read an inspirational inscription in the entryway.  For someone who had been blessed with phenomenal athletic gifts, but was now a quadriplegic, these words resonated deeply:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey…

I asked for health that I might do great things.

I was given infirmity that might do better things…

I asked for riches that I might be happy,

I was given poverty that I might be wise…

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of others.

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God…

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.

I was given life that I might enjoy all things…

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed!

Let us all be sincerely appreciative to Almighty God on this Thanksgiving Day – and every day – for the abundant bounty, benefits and blessings rendered daily toward us.  Our gratitude ATTITUDE is not predicated on our present circumstances, or on our station in life, or on what we have accumulated, or on what we have achieved.  It is merely the heartfelt recognition that “every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Wherever you are in this life, however you are in this life, please take advantage of this golden opportunity to praise and worship HIM.  In the wise words of the Apostle Paul, “In everything GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

FORGET ABOUT IT!

FORGET ABOUT IT!

An abandoned orphan boy wanted nothing more in the world than to belong to a family.  At age eight, his opportunity came.  A family wanted to adopt him!  Introductions were made, papers were signed, and soon he arrived at his new home.  The young lad took along all his hope and possessions, the old worn out clothes he was wearing and one single toy.  

His new parents were delighted to have him and desperately wanted him to feel like part of the family.  A special celebration dinner was held.  He was given his own room and introduced to other kids on their street.  They discarded his old clothes and bought him beautiful new ones.  Also they bought him a bike and a variety of toys.  Pretty soon he began to feel just like the other children in the neighborhood, very well loved and part of a great family.  

However, one thing was rather curious.  The young boy’s old shoes, ones with big holes in them, were not tossed out with the rest of his old clothes.  His new father placed them prominently on the living room mantel and it wasn’t long before his newly adopted son found out why.  Every time he did something wrong his father would go and get those shoes and say “Look at all we’ve done for you.  We took you in when you had nothing.  Now look at how you have behaved!”

Unfortunately, too many of us have the tendency to do the same thing in our relationships.  All too often, we dredge up the past and throw it back in someone’s face, never letting them forget how much they are indebted to us.  True love and genuine acceptance will make us throw out the old shoes, absolutely refusing to exhume the body of someone’s past (or reminders of our generosity toward them) in order to hold it over their head.

Think.  What life experiences did you have to let go (or should you let go) so true love can prevail?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

PROBLEMS WILL CEASE - YOU WILL CONTINUE

PROBLEMs WILL cease – YOU WILL continue

An old gospel song contains simple but powerful lyrics: “I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always.”  Although its grammar might be incorrect, its theological message is right on target.  Be encouraged, my friend, for there is a definite ending point for your current challenges.

Widely recognized as the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest rises 29,035 feet (8,850 meters) above sea level.  In the early 1920’s, the famed mountain climber, George Mallory, led a number of attempts to scale Mount Everest.  In his third and final attempt (1924), Mallory died climbing the mountain.  Before that fatal attempt, he announced “I can’t see myself coming down defeated.”

Mallory was an extraordinary climber, and nothing would force him to give up. His body was found in 1999, well preserved by the snow and ice, 27,000 feet up the mountain, just 2,000 feet from the peak.  Give up he did not.  His body was found face down on the rocky slope, head toward the summit.  His arms were extended high over his head.  His toes were pointed into the mountain; his fingers dug into the rock, refusing to let go even as he drew his last breath.

Those who maintained Mallory’s base camp farther down the mountain soon returned to England and a banquet was held in Mallory’s honor.  A huge picture of Mount Everest stood behind the head table.  When the leader of the group stood to be applauded, with tears streaming down his face, he turned and gazed defiantly at the picture.  “I speak to you, Mount Everest, in the name of all brave men living, dead and unborn.  Mount Everest, you defeated us once; you defeated us twice; you defeated us three times.  But Mount Everest, we shall someday defeat you.  you cannot get any bigger; but we can.”

In 1953 two climbers, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Norgay, reached the top of Mount Everest.  Never forget, today’s crisis has a finite shelf life.  You will both outlast and overcome because you serve an infinite God.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WE WIN!

WE WIN!

As the mass producer of lies and deception, it is Satan’s mission to magnify situations that cause us to feel like we are losing.  Truth is, he knows that it’s all one big lie.  And, if we can keep our heads during challenging moments and rely solely on what GOD says, we will also know that our ultimate result will be diametrically opposite to any satanic suggestions.

Bernard, a seminary student, was playing basketball with some friends.  They were using the court at a nearby school, where a friendly old janitor would wait patiently until they finished their game before locking up.  One day Bernard noticed the janitor reading the Bible.  Coming closer, he discovered the old janitor was reading the Book of Revelation.

Bernard was surprised since he thought Revelation to be a difficult book to interpret, even for highly trained Bible students.  “Do you understand what you are reading?” queried Bernard.

“Oh yes, I understand it,” the janitor replied.

Bernard was really intrigued.  Here was a book that baffled scholars, a book that seemed to be source of every conspiracy theory known to humanity, and this old janitor with little formal education claimed to understand it!

“You say you understand the Book of Revelation?!?  What do you think it means?” asked Bernard.

The old man looked up at him and very quietly said, “It means that JESUS is gonna win!”

We have read the last chapter of the book.  It clearly states one simple fact: WE WIN!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HONORING MY BELOVED WIFE

honoring my beloved wife

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELINDA!  Today, I celebrate and honor my wonderful wife, Belinda McClendon Bass, as she commences her sixth decade of life.  Indeed, she is an extraordinary woman with a huge heart of love and kindness for all people. 

Thank you, Belinda, for your stellar character.  Unquestionably, Christlikeness is your daily aspiration.  You are a true worshipper, a consistent prayer warrior and a dedicated disciple, always in search of the heart of God.  I love how you love God.

Thank you, Belinda, for your immeasurable courage, exemplified by your openness and willingness to embrace brand new experiences and fresh possibilities.  I love how you love life.

Thank you, Belinda, for your genuine concern, care, compassion and commitment for our family.  You attend (sacrificially) to all of our needs with unbounded energy, enthusiasm and effectiveness.  You are a phenomenal wife, an exceptional mother and an awesome grandmother.  I love how you love us.

Thank you, Belinda, for the rarest of your gifts, the priceless treasure of unconditional love.  For me, your husband, you are the epitome of grace, that is, you embody the matchless gift of being and sharing much more than I ever deserve.  I love how you love me.

THE WORD describes you far better than I ever could…:

Proverbs 31:25-31

²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Happy 60^th Birthday Belinda!  As cliché as it might sound, you are the wind beneath my wings.  May GOD richly endow you with long life, abundant health, absolute happiness, ever-present peace and overflowing joy as you serve His Kingdom.  Be highly favored, my dear and darling wife, and be continually blessed!

AWESOME HEALING POWER

AWESOME HEALING POWER

Have you ever wondered whether your condition is beyond the scope of full recovery and healing?  Faced with an impossible situation, the Lord presented an important truth and a challenge to the faith of Jeremiah, the prophet.  This is the Word of the Lord: “Behold, I am THE LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)  Amen!  There is nothing – absolutely nothing – that is too difficult for THE ONE “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

An amazing story about the miraculous healing power of God was first reported in an issue of “Time Magazine” on April 10, 1995.

Elisabeth Jernigan is the beloved daughter of Betsy and Lennie Jernigan of North Carolina, USA.  When she was just months old Elisabeth’s parents noticed her right eyelid weaken, then drooping as the pupil become fixed.  Her grandfather, a Harvard University trained surgeon, was worried and advised her parents to take Elisabeth to an ophthalmologist.  The ophthalmologist referred them to a pediatrician and the pediatrician to a neurologist.  Elisabeth was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Exploratory surgery removed part of the tumor from the nerve that controls the right eye, but it was too dangerous to remove it all.  The pathology report came back with the worst news of all.  Elisabeth had an extremely rare malignant meningioma which typically killed everyone who had ever had it.  The prognosis was for continued growth of the tumor, eventual paralysis and certain death.

Elisabeth’s parents started praying; their friends prayed; their church prayed.  They prayed that Elisabeth might be healed, but also for the ability to accept her death if healing was not God’s will.  Elisabeth’s surgeon grandfather didn’t have the faith to pray for healing, but he did pray for wisdom in selecting doctors, and the ability to get through the inevitable suffering.

Elisabeth’s condition deteriorated as expected.  Fluid began accumulating on her brain, with the doctors repeatedly relieving it with a large needle.  Elisabeth grew lethargic and nauseated.  It was agreed that there would be further surgery, to insert shunts that would drain the fluid.

The evening before her surgery, the family gathered as their minister anointed Elisabeth with oil and prayed for her healing.  That same night, the doctor had to remove so much thick, infected fluid from her brain that he postponed the operation for a couple of days.  He returned 12 hours later and was completely baffled to find there was virtually no more fluid.

During the surgery, the doctor decided to make a last ditch effort to remove the rest of her tumor.  Removing the section of nerve that the cancer had invaded would leave Elisabeth blind in her right eye but would give her a slim hope of survival.  However, when the surgeon went into Elisabeth’s brain, he could not find the lesion.  He removed the nerve section as planned, but when the pathology tests came back it reported that there were no cancer cells.  Regular cat scans since then have revealed no evidence of a tumor.

Doctors describe what happened to Elisabeth as a “spontaneous resolution.”  Elisabeth’s family call it a “miracle.”  In June, 1995, Elisabeth turned 13.  Elisabeth’s father Lennie, said “In the years ahead, if you happen to see a young girl walking down the street with her right eye permanently closed, please don’t think that some tragedy has befallen her and extend your sympathy.  Instead have cheerful thoughts, knowing that the Holy Spirit dwells in her, and our God is powerful, benevolent and magnificent.”

What a mighty God we serve!

Jeremiah, the prophet, discovered the key to divine intervention.  It is quite simple.  Since God actually inhabits the praises of His people, heartfelt worship brings His supernatural presence – and targets His awesome power – on any of our natural conditions or circumstances. (Psalm 22:3)  Why not try the Jeremiah strategy?  Instead of blaming God for his troubles, Jeremiah worshipped Him: “Ah, LORD GOD!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  There is nothing too hard for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

Our faith is both manifested and measured during the elapsed time between our call and God’s answer.  So wait on Him.  Worship Him.  Trust Him.  God does answer prayer.

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

TAKING TIME FOR YOU

TAKING TIME FOR YOU

In pursuit of dreams and goals, many have the tendency to move too fast.  The unfortunate by-products of this helter-skelter existence are bad decisions, knee-jerk reactions, high anxiety and even poor health.  It is mission critical to regularly reserve quality time to relax, meditate, pray, think and restore essential BALANCE in body, soul and spirit.

A noted archaeologist once hired Inca tribesmen to lead him to a site deep in the Andes Mountains.  After some time, the tribesmen stopped and insisted they would go no further.  The archaeologist grew impatient and then angry.  But no matter how much he cajoled the tribesmen, they would not move forward.  Then, all of a sudden, the tribesmen changed their attitude.  They picked up their gear and set off once more.  When the bewildered archaeologist asked why they had stopped and refused to move for so long, the tribesmen answered, “We had been moving too fast and had to wait for our souls to catch up.”

Although this sounds a bit superstitious, it contains a kernel of truth.  Moving too fast is not only detrimental to the BODY, it is potentially damaging to the SOUL.  King Solomon wrote, “Keep your HEART [your SOUL, your MIND] with all diligence, for out it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV)  Keeping your heart simply means tending to it with consistency and care.  Remember this: Failure to take occasional ‘ME TIME’ could cause you to miss out on seeing ‘the big picture.’

It reminds me of the story of a young man who approached the foreman of a logging crew to ask for a job.  “That depends,” replied the foreman.  “Let’s see you fell this tree.”

The young man stepped forward, and skillfully felled a great tree.  Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, “You can start on Monday!”

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by — and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, “You can pick up your pay check on the way out today.”

Startled, the young man replied, “I thought you paid on Friday.”

“Normally we do,” said the foreman.  “But we’re letting you go because you’ve fallen behind.  Our daily felling charts show that you dropped from first place on Monday to last place today.”

“But I’m a hard worker,” the young man objected.  “I arrive first, leave last, and even work through coffee breaks!”

Sensing the young man’s integrity, the foreman thought for a minute and then asked, “Have you been sharpening your axe?”

The young man replied, “No sir, I’ve been working too hard to take time for that!”

Our lives are just like that.  It is easy to get so busy that there is too little time left to SHARPEN THE AXE.  In today’s world everyone is more driven than ever, but all too often we are less productive and less happy than ever.  Why is that?  Could it be that we have forgotten to take time to attend to the CORE ISSUES that define us and ultimately lead us to our destiny?  Take time for YOU.  Sharpen your axe!

This devotional is especially targeted to those who always serve the needs and wants of others.  You serve better when you are at YOUR BEST!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!