THE URGENCY OF PRAYER

THE URGENCY OF PRAYER

At the dedication of the temple, THE LORD spoke the following words to King Solomon. They are so significant for our time and circumstances.

II Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Let us pray fervently for our country and for every nation.

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

INVESTING IN OTHERS

INVESTING IN OTHERS

On this side of eternity, we have no way of knowing the profound impact of our selfless gifts to others.

Geraldine Brooks won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction as the result of her novel, “March.”  Her love for books had been nurtured by a woman named Althea Glasby, who was a friend of her grandfather.  Geraldine’s grandfather had casually mentioned to Miss Glasby that his little granddaughter loved to read.  From that day forward, parcels arrived for Geraldine on her birthday and at Christmas time.  Each parcel contained an expensively bound, lavishly illustrated edition of a book that had been carefully selected for Geraldine.  Inscribed in the front cover of each, in flowing script, were these words, “To Geraldine, with love from Althea Glasby.”

Geraldine Brooks never met Althea Glasby and she really had no idea what inspired this woman to start sending her the books.  But this is what Geraldine had to say, “I have no idea why this woman spent so much time and thought on a child she didn’t know.  Whatever the reason, I wish I could thank her in person.  I wish I could tell her how those books shored up a love for the written word that grew over time into a career and a calling.  I would like to give her one of the books I’ve written in a hardback first edition.  The signature wouldn’t be as fine and fluid as hers, but in my own pedestrian scrawl I would say thank you for the gifts that helped to lead me to a life in books.”

What an awesome tribute to an unknown benefactor!

With your permission, I would like to share a related personal story.  There are two people who served as generous movers-and-shakers in the formation of my ability to write.  The first is my high school English teacher, Judy Paglia, who encouraged and honed my writing craft.  Hers was a very gentle and creative voice that offered early inspiration to achieve.  The second was one of my Yale history professors, Toby Symington.  He critiqued submitted papers in great detail and even offered to spend one-on-one time to tutor and polish my writing craft.  I took him up on his extraordinary offer, and he spent many hours with me, one-on-one.

Thank you, Mrs. Paglia.  Thank you, Professor Symington.  Your personal investments resonate in time and eternity. 

My friend, who will you assist or mentor with your God-given gift?

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

WE MAY NEVER KNOW

WE MAY NEVER KNOW

Joe Edwards was a young man in his twenties working as a salesman for a St. Louis piano company.  They sold pianos all over the state by advertising in small town newspapers.  When they received sufficient replies, they would load their trucks, drive into the area and sell their pianos.

Every time they advertised in Southeast Missouri, the company received a postcard which said “Please bring me a new piano for my granddaughter.  It must be red mahogany.  I can pay $10 a month with my egg money.”  

Of course, the company could not sell a new piano for just $10 a month.  No finance company would carry a contract with payments that small, so they ignored her postcards.

One day, Joe happened to be in that area and out of curiosity decided to look up the old lady.  He found pretty much what he had expected.  The old lady lived in a one-room sharecropper cabin in the middle of a cotton field.  The cabin had a dirt floor and there were chickens in the house.  Obviously, the old lady would not qualify to purchase anything on credit with no car, no phone and no real job – nothing but a roof over her head, and not a very good one at that.  The grandchild she was raising was a ten-year-old barefoot girl, wearing a dress that had been made from a feed sack.

Joe explained to the old lady that he could not sell a new piano for $10 a month and told her that she should stop responding to their ads.  He drove away heartsick.  His advice had no effect at all.  The old lady still sent the same post card every now and then – always requesting a new red mahogany piano and swearing she would never miss a $10 payment.  It was so sad.

A few years later, Joe owned the piano company.  When he advertised in that area, the postcards started coming to him.  For months, he ignored them.  One day when Joe was in the area when something occurred to him.  He had a red mahogany piano on his truck.  Despite knowing that he was about to make a terrible business decision, he delivered the piano to the old lady and told her he would carry the contract himself at $10 a month with no interest for 52 payments.  He took the new piano in the house and placed it where he thought the worn roof would be least likely to deposit rain on it.  And he admonished the old lady and the little girl to try to keep the chickens off of it.  Joe left, feeling sure he had just thrown away a brand new piano.

But the payments did come in – all 52 as agreed – with coins taped to a 3×5 card in an envelope.  It was incredible!

As time passed, Joe forgot about it.  Twenty years later, he was in Memphis on business.  After dining at the Holiday Inn, he passed by a lounge where he heard the most beautiful piano music.  There a lovely young woman was playing a beautiful grand piano.

Being a pianist of some ability himself, he was stunned by her virtuosity, and sat at a nearby table to listen and watch.  She smiled at Joe, asked for song requests, and later took a break at his table.

“Aren’t you the man who sold my grandma a piano long ago?”

It didn’t ring a bell right away, so Joe asked her to explain.

She started to tell him, but suddenly Joe remembered.  She was the little barefoot girl in the feed sack dress!  She said her name was Elise and told Joe how she had learned to play the piano.  Since her grandmother couldn’t afford lessons, she learned to play by listening to the radio and duplicating what she heard on the piano.  Later she started playing in church, and then in school, where she won many awards and a music scholarship.  

The seeds that we sow potentially hold monumental harvests.  We just don’t know.  The Winans recorded an apropos song:

We give ourselves for Your cause,

We dedicate our lives to reach the lost

And though we don’t know

All whose lives we’ve touched with love.

For we may never know all the people we have touched,

For we never know all of the lives that we have reached,

But we know YOU know for our record you do keep

And when the end does finally begin

We shall receive a great reward for what we’ve done.

We’ll receive a great reward for what we’ve done.

My friend, be encouraged to continue.  Only Heaven knows the impact of your journey.

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

POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF JESUS CHRIST

POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF JESUS CHRIST

During the forty-day frame following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there were numerous occasions when He appeared dramatically to His disciples, manifesting tangible confirmation that He was indeed alive and had triumphed totally over Satan, sin, death, hell and the grave.

On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, to Mary (the mother of James), to Joanna “and other women that were with them.” (Mark 16:9 – Matthew 28:9 – Luke 24:10) They were commissioned to share the good news with the eleven surviving disciples post haste.

Hearing this amazing news, Peter raced excitedly to the sepulcher to confirm the fact that Jesus was not there.  Later, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to Peter and Cleopas, who did not immediately recognize Him.  Jesus expounded the scriptures to them, explaining how the Son of God must have suffered to enter into His glory.  Dr. Luke outlined their personal encounter with The Risen Christ and here’s how it ended:

Luke 24:28-35 (NKJV)
28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

That same Sunday evening, Jesus appeared to ten of His disciples.  Judas was now deceased; Thomas was absent from the gathering.

John 20:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again to His disciples, Thomas being present.

John 20:26-28 (NKJV)
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

While seven of His disciples were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus appeared and performed a miracle of abundance.  Obeying Christ’s directive, they caught 153 large fish and dined sumptuously with The Master.  According to John’s writings, “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” (John 21:14)  On various occasions, Jesus displayed key characteristics of His post-resurrection body (which believers will possess at His second coming), simply by dining with them and also by appearing miraculously and vanishing before their eyes. (I Corinthians 15:50-55)

The Apostle Paul records an occasion when Jesus was seen by “five hundred brethren at once,” validating the fact that His appearances were not limited to the inner circle of disciples, but also occurred quite publicly. (I Corinthians 15:6)  Furthermore, Paul recounts Christ’s private appearances to James, his brother, and also to himself while traveling on the road to Damascus, “as one born out of due time.” (I Corinthians 15:7-8 – Acts 9:1-5)

Furthermore, Jesus appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee.  And “when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16-17)  Thereafter they received the apostolic authority to evangelize the entire world, which is known to us today as THE GREAT COMMISSION:

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In Dr. Luke’s prologue to The Acts of the Apostles, he documents Christ’s final appearance, impartation and instruction to His disciples:

Acts 1:1-9 (NKJV)
1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!

Whenever I reflect on the life and legacy of JESUS CHRIST, I stand in absolute awe of Him.  It is my earnest prayer that we believers will walk daily in the love, grace, mercy, humility, authority and power of our Risen Savior.  And may we endeavor to live in the actualization of His righteousness and with the expectation of His imminent return. (Acts 1:10-11 - Titus 2:11-13)

Believer, stride forward confidently in life – fully aware that you are armed with His Resurrection Power.

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

RESURRECTION POWER

RESURRECTION POWER

In our sacred celebrations on Sunday, Christians across the globe will rejoice in the TRIUMPHANT RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.  The story of the resurrection is well known to every believer; therefore, I will not delineate its details.  However, I will offer a limited exploration of the implications of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Sometimes I wonder if we adequately apprehend the lessons of THE CROSS and THE RESURRECTION. For example, here is what GOD says about the spiritual status of repentant sinners:

Hebrews 10:16-17 (KJV)
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 AND THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.

Although the institutional church actively TEACHES grace, sometimes our PRACTICE is diametrically opposite.  Notwithstanding this tendency, the all “wise GOD” is infinitely more intelligent than we. (Jude 1:25 – I Timothy 1:17)  In His divine economy, “GOD has chosen the FOOLISH THINGS of the world to put to shame the wise, and GOD has chosen THE WEAK THINGS of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27, NKJV) This is the underlying theological truth in Paul’s self-reflective testimony: “When I am WEAK, then I am STRONG.” (II Corinthians 12:10)  To wit, the issue should never be WHAT and HOW we have been in our past, but WHO we are and WHOSE we are in our present and in our future.

How I love the irony of God for His ways are radically different from ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Case in point: SPIRITUAL STRENGTH is perennially perfected in the cauldron of HUMAN WEAKNESS.  The result?  Believers TRIUMPH and actually become POWER TOOLS in the HANDS OF GOD, with the recognition that “we have this treasure [His Holy Spirit] in EARTHEN VESSELS [frail, fallible, finite vessels] that the excellence of the power may be of GOD and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4:7)  As such, whatever we manage to achieve in life or accomplish in the Kingdom of God is never about us; it’s all about HIM.

Out of this simple recognition rises the divine revelation that RESURRECTION POWER is our heritage and our inheritance.  Indeed, WE will get up because HE got up!  Always remember that the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, who is “the firstfruits of them that slept,” is a clear indicator that WE will one day be raised by HIM. (I Corinthians 15:20 – I Corinthians 15:50-52)

The day-to-day significance and application of this RESURRECTION POWER is equally important.  It means that fallen folks can be fully delivered from the penalty, power and practice of sin.  It also means that no one has the right to retain or recall what CHRIST has remitted on Calvary.  It is considerably easier to forgive others (or ourselves) when we walk in the awareness that we are forgiven daily by Him.  Our spiritual lives are initiated, empowered and sustained by HIM. “Because I live, “declares Jesus, “you will live also.” (John 14:19)

RESURRECTION POWER is our heritage and our inheritance.

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

THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part I)

THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST (Part I)

The passion of Jesus Christ is dramatically manifested via His betrayal, isolation, rejection, judgment, humiliation, chastisement, satanic attacks and death by crucifixion. Today, we celebrate MAUNDY THURSDAY [pronounced MAWN-dee], which is also known as HOLY THURSDAY or COVENANT THURSDAY.

The term, “MAUNDY,” is derived from a middle English word (maunde) and a Latin word (mandatum). As such, it focuses on the MANDATE of Jesus Christ for all disciples 1) to commemorate His death and suffering by partaking of the sacramental elements of bread and wine, and 2) to wash one another’s feet as an act of brotherhood and humility.

Although many Christians do not regard MAUNDY THURSDAY to as significant as GOOD FRIDAY or RESURRECTION DAY, it is my view that the occurrences of this day were profoundly extraordinary and mission critical to the growth, development and continuation of Christianity.

Three foundational reasons undergird my personal perspective on MAUNDY THURSDAY. Firstly, JESUS shared one of His most important Kingdom parables, THE PARABLE OF THE TRUE VINE that day, and also made a solemn promise to send THE HOLY SPIRIT to teach, direct, empower and comfort believers in His absence. (John 15:1-11 –John 16:7-15) Secondly, JESUS INSTITUTED THE LORD’S SUPPER as the ongoing commemoration of His grace and vicarious atonement. Thirdly, JESUS PREVAILED OVER SATAN IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. (Matthew 26:36-46 – Mark 14:32-42 – Luke 22:39-46 – John 18:1)

Because Christ’s victory in the Garden of Gethsemane is inextricably connected to Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden, it is our primary focus for today. Indeed, our human history of perennial struggle with Satan and sin can be accurately summarized via the comparison of TWO ADAMS and TWO GARDENS. The Apostle Paul wrote, “THE FIRST MAN ADAM became a living being,” and “THE LAST ADAM became a life-giving spirit.” (I Corinthians 15:45) The original (first) Adam was created in the image and likeness of God. Nevertheless, he had been endowed with FREE WILL and, therefore, made a deliberate choice in Eden to disobey the Creator’s commands. (Genesis, chapters 2 and 3)

Just as THE FIRST ADAM fell from grace, THE SECOND ADAM (JESUS CHRIST) became the very embodiment of grace. (John 1:14) He alone had sufficient love and power to secure full REDEMPTION and complete RECONCILIATION (AT-ONE-MENT) with THE FATHER.

It is my contention that Christ’s victory over the power, practice and penalty of sin did not occur ONLY at Calvary. Rather, it transpired initially in agonizing moments of KNEELING SURRENDER IN GETHSEMANE. It should be noted that Jesus Christ was completely isolated from any and all human support, that is, His trusted companions (His disciples) had fallen fast asleep. Yet He won the victory, OUR VICTORY, for all time and eternity.

Please prayerfully consider the following passage:

Matthew 26:36-43 (NKJV)
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

Dr. Luke, the physician-disciple, records the physical results of that monumental, life-or-death struggle, of Jesus. “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) So great was His spiritual, emotional and physical agony that Jesus experienced a medical condition known as HEMATIDROSIS (also called HEMATOHIDROSIS). In this extreme physical state, multiple blood vessels surrounding the sweat glands constrict under intense pressure, then dilate to the point of rupture, blending freely with ample sweat that secretes from the skin. As previously highlighted in Dr. Luke’s description, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)

Nevertheless, as Jesus Christ subdued His own flesh and fear, He cried out to the Father, “NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS, BE DONE,” thus sustaining absolute victory over Satan and sin. (Luke 22:42) And He gained this victory long before the spikes penetrated His hands and feet or the sword pierced His side. It is that existential moment of TOTAL SURRENDER AT GETHSEMANE that is the pivotal point of our vicarious victory. It is this moment that enables Jesus to affirm with absolute certainty, “I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33) So shall we! The result of Christ's overcoming courage is a joyous and marvelous testimony that becomes the present-day legacy of every WINNER-BELIEVER: “Now thanks be to GOD who always LEADS US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST.” (II Corinthians 2:14)

The final scene of the final act will produce the glorious declaration that WE WIN! Amen? IN CHRIST…WE WIN!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

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

JESUS CHRIST, OUR PLENIPOTENTIARY

JESUS CHRIST, OUR PLENIPOTENTIARY

According to Dictionary.com, a PLENIPOTENTIARY is one who is “invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.”  This term accurately characterizes both the mission and message of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST.

In order to reverse our fore-parents’ willful violation of our originally created covenant and intimate fellowship with God, Jesus Christ was born (humbly) into a fallen world system, existing as very God and very man.  That is, He was human enough to connect with us – but He was God enough to correct us and consummate our victorious destiny.

How so?  By living a life of sinless perfection and by dying vicariously on the cross, He satisfied the righteous demands of God and He paved the pathway for our complete at-one-ment with The Father.

Words cannot adequately convey our eternal gratitude for His willingness to submit to the unjust judgments of men and the incomprehensible agonies of the cross.

During this Holy Week (and beyond), we joyously celebrate the life and legacy of our Lord.  He died for me.  He literally went to hell in my name so that I could go to Heaven in His name.  And He died for you.  He literally went to hell in your name so that you could go to Heaven in His name.

Ephesians 4:7-10
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What can I say, other than this?

Jesus, I’ll never forget what You’ve done for me…
Jesus, I’ll never forget how You set me free…
Jesus, I’ll never forget how You brought me out…
Jesus, I’ll never forget…no never!

Thank you, JESUS!

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

THE BRIDGE KEEPER

THE BRIDGE KEEPER

There once was a remote bridge spanning a wide river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river parallel to the banks, allowing ships to pass through freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times every day, a train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing the train to cross safely.

A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river, diligently operating the controls to turn the bridge and lock it in place whenever a train needed to cross. One evening, as the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day, he peered through the dim twilight and caught sight of the approaching train lights. He stepped to the controls and waited until the train was within the prescribed distance in order to turn the bridge. To his horror, as he turned the bridge into position, he discovered that the electronic locking control would not work. If the bridge was not securely positioned, it would wobble back and forth, causing the train to jump its track and go crashing into the river.

His mind raced as the switchman pictured the large number of people that would be aboard the speeding passenger train. So he hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a manual lever switch he could use to lock the bridge in place. It would be necessary for the switchman to hold the lever firmly while the train crossed. Now he could hear the rumble of the train, so he took hold of the lever, leaning backwards to fully apply his weight to it and lock the bridge. He kept applying pressure to keep the mechanism locked in place. Many lives depended on this one man’s strength.

Just then, coming toward him across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. “Daddy, where are you?” His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for his father. His first impulse was to cry out to his child, “Run! Run!” But the train was much too close and his son’s tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The switchman almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety. But he realized he could not get back to the lever in time. Either the people on the train would die, or his beloved son must die. He agonized for seconds – which seemed like minutes – over such an awesome decision.

The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was ever aware of the tiny broken body that had been thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing switchman, clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had safely passed. They did not see him walking home, more slowly than he had ever walked, to tell his wife about their son’s brutal and tragic death.

If we could somehow begin to comprehend the overwhelming emotions in the switchman’s heart, we would gain a tiny inkling of understanding of the feelings of our HEAVENLY FATHER when He sacrificed HIS SON (and how THE SON felt when He sacrificed HIS LIFE) to literally BRIDGE THE GAP between each one of us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that The Father caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son died in our place? And here is the ultimate question for us to ponder: How would THE FATHER feel if we speed along through life without giving a second thought to what was accomplished so sacrificially for us through HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST?

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

GREATER LOVE...

GREATER LOVE…

Father Maximillian Kolbe, a Polish priest, died in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz during World War II.  His life story is one of inspiring sacrifice.  When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Father Kolbe knew the friary would be seized, so he sent most of his fellow priests back to their homes.  With the aid of the few who remained, he provided shelter for more than 3,000 refugees, two-thirds of whom were Jews.  Eventually, he was imprisoned and released, but was not at all deterred.  He continued to provide shelter for refugees until May of 1941 when the Nazis closed the friary and sent Kolbe and his remaining priests to Auschwitz.

At Auschwitz, Kolbe continued his exemplary spirit of sacrificial giving.  The prisoners were slowly and systematically starved, so when food appeared everyone struggled to get their portion.  Father Kolbe made a practice of standing aside until others had been fed, which often resulted in nothing being left for him.  When he did receive a portion, he freely shared it with others.

But Father Kolbe’s love reached its greatest heights in July of 1941.  In order to discourage escape attempts, the camp had a rule that ten men would be killed for every person that escaped.  After a man from Kolbe’s bunker escaped, those remaining were led out to face Commander Karl Fritsch.  Ten were selected to be placed in the starvation bunker.  Franciszek Gajowniczek was one of them, and he broke down in tears.  “My poor wife!  My poor children!  What will they do?”

Observing this, Father Kolbe stepped forward courageously and stood before the commandant.  “What does this Polish pig want?” he inquired with a snarl.

“I am a Catholic priest.  Let me take his place.  I am old.  He has a wife and children.”  A hush fell over the entire camp.

Father Kolbe pointed to Franciszek and again made his request.  “I am a Catholic priest from Poland.  I would like to take his place, because he has a wife and children.”

The commandant was absolutely astounded.  He stood silent for a minute, then agreed to Father Kolbe’s request.  Franciszek was returned to the ranks as Father Kolbe took his place.  Ten condemned men were led to Building 13 and left without food and water until they starved to death.  

After four weeks, four were still alive and Father Kolbe was one of them.  Because the Nazis needed the chamber for more victims those four were put to death by lethal injection.  Father Kolbe died on August 14, 1941, at the age of 47 years, having given his life that another man might live.  Franciszek survived the war and lived to the age of 95.  He never forgot Father Kolbe or failed to tell others of his incomprehensible and heroic love.

Father Kolbe followed the supreme example set by Jesus Christ.  Just as Christ loved and laid down His life for our salvation, Father Kolbe cared enough to offer his life for a brother.  Simply amazing!

In the memorable words of our Lord and Savior, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

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

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

If life seems to send along lemons, don’t panic or despair.  Make lemonade.

Two identical twins were alike in nearly every way.  However, one was a extremely positive optimist who saw only the bright side of life.  The other was a rather negative pessimist, who zoomed in on the downside of every situation.

Both parents were very worried about their boys’ attitudinal extremes, so they sought the advice of a doctor.  His suggested plan of action was rather strange, but quite clever.  

“On their next birthday,” he suggested, “give the pessimistic child a shiny new bike, but give the optimistic child a pile of manure.”

It seemed to be an extreme course of action since the parents had always treated their boys equally.  Reluctantly, they decided to follow the doctor’s advice.  When the twins’ birthday rolled around, they gave the pessimist the most expensive, top-of-the-line racing bike they could find.  And when he received the bike, his first words were, “I’ll probably crash and break my leg.”

To the optimistic child they gave a beautifully wrapped, gigantic box of manure.  He opened it, looked puzzled for a moment or so, then ran outside screaming, “You can’t fool me!  Where there’s this much manure, there’s gotta’ be a pony around here somewhere!”

Life feels much better when we make up our minds to look for the best.

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

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

MISSED OPPORTUNITY

The British missionary, Charles T. Studd, penned these lines of poetry:

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

This poem reminds me of a song that my mother, Mary Watts Bass, loved to sing.  It is entitled “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last.” 

Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
Remember only what you do for Christ will last,

Only what you do for Him will be counted at the end;
Only what you do for Christ will last.

No matter where we go, what we achieve, or how much we receive, everything is vain and empty in the absence of fulfilling our mission of service in the Kingdom of God.  Therefore, we must maintain maximum alertness and diligence so as not to miss our God-given opportunity to share the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ.

The May 2001 edition of “National Geographic” recounts the story of Marco Polo’s family.  Marco is one of the most famous explorers in history, but most people do not know that he inherited the travel bug from his father.  In 1260, when Marco was just six-years-old, his father and uncle traveled to Mongolia, part of modern day China.  

After they arrived, the Mongolian emperor expressed interest in knowing more about Christianity. He asked the Polo brothers to take a letter to the Pope petitioning 100 wise men to spread the gospel to his Asian subjects.

After three years the brothers arrived home; two years later they set out on their return trek.  Instead of the requested group of 100 wise men, only two friars accompanied them.  This was all the church felt they could spare.  Even those two didn’t make it to Mongolia.  They turned back home shortly after the journey started.

What a tragedy!  What a missed opportunity!  Imagine if the Kublai’s request had been fulfilled. The whole history of China might have been radically changed.

We must come to grips with the brevity of this life and the enormity of our mission to impact fallen humanity with the Living Word of God. (Psalm 90:12 – Matthew 28:19-20 – Acts 1:8) 

Someone within your personal sphere of influence needs to hear about Christ.  Don’t delay; don’t be afraid.  Tell them…

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

LET'S BE WILLING TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR

LET’S BE WILLING TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Possibly the greatest of human character traits is the virtue of honesty.  Indeed, honesty is the first cousin of integrity (wholeness) since our ability to objectively evaluate ourselves is an open portal to personal healing.  It is important to note that divine favor resides at the intersection of honesty and humility.

It is always easier to point fingers at the faults of others.  In truth, we all have clay feet.  Which means that each of us has a ledger of faults, failures, foibles and fiascoes for which we must account to ourselves, and ultimately be judged by our Creator.

The Word of God clearly instructs us on this matter, in the words of the Apostle Paul and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, respectively:

--Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

--And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

Those powerful words remind me of a biographical account I read in James McPherson’s “Drawn with the Sword.” (Oxford University Press, 1996)  It summarized the life of James Hammond, who was a famous plantation owner, a slaver, a congressman and a governor, but was also the epitome of self-deception.

It is a well-documented historical fact that Mr. Hammond blatantly abused his power in order to satisfy his sexual perversions.  In 1839, he purchased an 18-year-old slave named Sally, making her his concubine and fathering many children by her.  Then when Sally’s daughter turned twelve, he also made her his concubine and fathered children by her.

Not content with sexual escapades with his slaves, he also sexually abused his sister’s four daughters.

Eventually, Hammond’s evil ways caught up with him and his brother-in-law threatened to publicly reveal the sexual assaults on his daughters if he did not resign from political office.  Hammond’s wife left him, and most of his livestock died as a result of disease epidemics.

Nevertheless, James Hammond was unbelievably blind to the error of his ways.  Here is what he wrote in his diary.  “It crushes me to see everything of mine so blasted around me.  My Negroes, cattle, mules, hogs, everything around me seems to labor under some ill-fated malediction.  Great God, what have I done? Never was a man so cursed!”

Astonishing, isn’t it?  However, Mr. Hammond’s story might in some ways be similar to our own.  While it is effortless and easy to microscope the sins and shortcomings of others, it is a challenging thing to visualize our own errors.  Prayerfully consider that personal possibility.

The scriptures admonish every man to carefully “examine himself” and to “examine his own work.” (I Corinthians 11:28 – Galatians 6:4)  To wit, we must not “judge” others. (Matthew 7:1)  Rather, we must be ready and willing to look into the mirror of God’s Word and evaluate ourselves – from God’s point of view.

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

CONSCIENCE

CONSCIENCE

Conscience is like a sundial.  When the sun shines upon a sundial, it points us to the right time.  In the same way, our consciences point us in the right direction in life.  However, it’s important to remember that the sundial works only when the sun is shining upon it.  When moonlight shines on the dial, it points to the wrong time.  When a torch shines on the sundial, it points to the wrong time.  In these instances, the sundial is completely unreliable.

In the same manner, our consciences are sometimes unreliable because the ‘light’ shining upon them is not the voice of God, but the voices of our cultures, families, friends, or even Satan.  In these instances, we could feel a false sense of guilt over things that should not make us feel guilty, or we might feel no guilt at all over actions or attitudes that are entirely incorrect.  The key for the Christian is to have a conscience that is continually illuminated by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 9:1 – I Timothy 3:9)

Point to Ponder:

I must always ask myself, “Would CHRIST approve if He was here?” 

In truth, HE IS.

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

HE AIN'T HEAVY...

HE AIN’T HEAVY…

My friend, if you’re IN it, you are equipped to handle it.

In 2002, The Taipei Times reported the heroic story of a Chinese mother.  In 1972, her two-year-old boy, Hu Jen-chuan, fell from a table and went into a coma.  Six days later, he awakened from his coma but was unable to talk or move independently.  As any caring parent would have been, his mother was terrible distressed.  Her sorrow was greatly multiplied by the fact that she could not afford professional medical care for her son.

Instead, she has cared for Hu Jen-chuan herself, demonstrating the unfathomable depth of mother-love.  Because he was unable to move, Hu Jen-chuan was liable to get terrible bed-sores.  So for the past thirty years, his mother has done the unbelievable.  Rather than always leave her son in his bed, she has carried him around on her back.

When this news story was written, mother Liu Kuei-lan was 65 years old and weighed 40 kilograms (88 pounds).  Her son, by then a grown man, weighed 82 kilograms (180 pounds).  On many occasions Liu has fallen and fractured bones while carrying her son.  Yet she continued to carry him.  When asked how she could do it, her reply was simply this: “He ain’t heavy; he’s my son.”  That is a phenomenal level of courage and inner strength!

We are assured in The Word that God will not allow us to personally experience more than we able to bear. (I Corinthians 10:13)  Undoubtedly, our capacity to endure is immeasurably strengthened by His presence. (Philippians 4:13)  So instead of succumbing to doubt or defeat, we resolve to reassess and refocus our problem, our pressure, or our pain – and to “count it all joy” – knowing that Jehovah-Shammah is there. (James 1:2-4 – Ezekiel 48:35)

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

NEVER GIVE UP!

NEVER GIVE UP!

In any arena of life, perseverance is paramount.  Consider the life experiences of Sylvester Stallone.  Although he did not win his recent Oscar bid for the movie, “Creed,” his story is fascinating and inspiring.  Of course, there were stumbles along the way, as is the case with all of us.

Stallone shot to fame in the movie “Rocky,” which produced a series of sequels that were box office bonanzas.  Although most people consider Sly Stallone’s semi-slurred speech and snarling look to be an acting affect, both were the result of a facial nerve that was severed during his birth.  Stallone grew up in New York’s gritty Hell’s Kitchen and spent his early years bouncing between foster families.  He was an outcast at school due to his facial deformities, and was sent to a high school for troubled kids.  There he was voted “most likely to end up in the electric chair.”

Stallone attended college, but eventually turned his attention to acting.  He didn’t meet with much success, so he worked at a local deli throughout most of his twenties.  Before “Rocky” made him a star, he was so poor that he sold his wife’s jewelry and his beloved dog for $25.  He wound up living in a bus shelter.

Stallone’s break came after he went to a boxing match in which an unknown underdog, Chuck Wepner, managed to get through 15 rounds with the world champion, Muhammed Ali.  Stallone was so excited about it that, within three days, he wrote the first draft of “Rocky.”  When he tried selling it to various studios, there was no immediate interest.  But one studio saw the script as a great vehicle for a big star, like Robert Redford or Burt Reynolds, and offered to buy it.  Stallone refused to sell, unless he was given the title role.  That studio kept offering more, on the condition that Stallone would not act in the movie.  Each time Stallone refused, even when $325,000 was on the table, the highest amount that had ever been offered for a movie script.  

Despite having just $106 in the bank, Stallone refused to give up or give in.  “I knew that if I took the money I’d regret it for the rest of my life,” said Stallone.  “And the story was all about taking that golden shot when you finally get it.”

The studio eventually gave in and bought the script for just $35,000, with Stallone working as a screen writer (without a fee) and cast in the lead role for very low wages.  Although the movie had been reduced to low budget production, “Rocky” became a massive silver screen hit and won the Oscar for best picture.  Stallone became a perennial movie star and the rest is history.

My friend, it’s always too soon to give up – because it’s never too late to fulfill your dream.  Encourage yourself. (I Samuel 30:6)

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

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS (Part II)

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS (Part II)

We are stronger and better together than we are apart.  As Solomon suggested, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)  In other words, the combined effect of any group working together cohesively is considerably greater than the sum of its individual parts.  In that sense, one plus one actually equals three.

Scientists use the term, “SYMBIOSIS,” to describe this phenomenon.  Dictionary.com defines “symbiosis” as “any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship between two persons, groups, etc.”  Whenever this occurs, the unified parties have developed a SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP.

There are two primary categories of symbiosis.  According to Study.com, OBLIGATE SYMBIOSIS is when two organisms enter into a symbiotic relationship because they cannot survive without each other.  FACULTATIVE SYMBIOSIS is when the they live together by choice.  Both have practical applications within our natural and spiritual families.

FACULTATIVE SYMBIOSIS mirrors MAN’S FREE WILL, i.e. the foundational fact that an INFINITE GOD has afforded FINITE HUMANITY the ability to “choose…whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)  Since we are not robots or automatons, we are granted the capacity to choose the quantity and quality of our relationships with our Creator and His creations.

There are four types of symbiosis: MUTUALISM, COMMENSALISM, PARASITISM and COMPETITION.  Numerous practical lessons can be gleaned here; let’s focus on a few.  Please note that the first two types of symbiosis have positive impact; the latter two have negative effects.

PARASITISM involves one organism living off another, often causing disease or death.  COMPETITION involves a rivalry for resources or a struggle for supremacy, often resulting in the diminishing or death of one of the organisms.

THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH is often victimized by overt and covert acts of COMPETITION and PARASITISM.  In a word, “the Kingdom of God suffers violence.” (Matthew 11:12)  Here’s the thing.  VIOLENCE FROM WITHIN is potentially more damaging and detrimental that VIOLENCE FROM WITHOUT.  To understand this fact, simply contrast the woodpecker with the termite.  While woodpeckers can be extremely annoying, their overall impact is relatively miniscule in comparison with that which can be wrought (silently and surreptitiously) by an infestation of termites.  Outside versus inside…think about it.

This is why the motives and methods of all men must meet divine scrutiny.  The Word of God serves both as our guide and our judge.  Remember: The purpose of all we pursue as the community of faith must be to GLORIFY GOD and to build the KINGDOM OF GOD.  That is why we must live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, because the carnal mind (the natural mind) is actually the enemy of God. (Galatians 5:25 – Romans 8:7) 

Whenever the people of God determine to fully embrace KINGDOM PRINCIPLES, we exemplify both MUTUALISM and COMMENSALISM.  

MUTUALISM occurs when each participating party benefits by interaction with the others.  There are no ulterior motives, hidden agendas, or downsides in the relationships.  POLLINATION is a natural example of this.  Bees and birds harvest nectar from plants and (at the same time) they transport pollen that fertilizes other plants.  All benefit!

COMMENSALISM occurs when two or more organisms live in harmony with each other without damaging any of the participants.  It is a peaceful coexistence.  For example, the clownfish resides in the deadly tentacles of the sea anemone.  Thus, the clownfish is protected from its predators with no harm or inconvenience to the sea anemone. 

In the biblical book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul paints a clear picture of God’s will regarding the SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS that must and shall exist within the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Bottom-line: Instead of competing with each other, or instead of using each other to achieve self-serving or carnal objectives, let’s make up our minds to rise to a higher dimension of faith, mutuality, unity and love.  Let’s strive to develop SPIRITUAL SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS that edify and empower one another as we effectively establish the KINGDOM OF GOD.

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

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS (Part I)

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS (Part I)

We are significantly stronger together than we are apart.  In other words, the combined effect of two individuals or groups working in tandem is always greater than the sum of the individual parts.  In that sense, one plus one actually equals three.

In science, this phenomenon of ‘unity’ is commonly called “SYMBIOSIS.” [pronounced sim-bee-OH-sis]  According to Dictionary.com, “symbiosis” is “any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship between two persons, groups, etc.”  When this occurs, the unified participants have a common cause and a symbiotic relationship.

It is important to note the two main categories of symbiosis.  According to Study.com, OBLIGATE SYMBIOSIS is when two organisms are in in a symbiotic relationship because they cannot survive without each other.  FACULTATIVE SYMBIOSIS is when the they live together by choice.  Both of these have definite application to our natural and spiritual families.

Consider this.  We do not choose our natural parents or our siblings.  Time and circumstance bring together one man and one woman who procreate and produce a physical being.  On a scientific level, one might argue that you and I are merely the random result of just one of 250 million sperm cells released during sexual intercourse, swimming along and (against all odds) ultimately succeeding in impregnating one female egg.  On a spiritual level, we are assured that the Creator had a more definitive role in the result.

But the bottom-line is that we had no choice in who our parents or our siblings would be.  This is a form of “obligate symbiosis,” since we are constrained (initially and positionally) to find the means to survive and thrive in the family situations to which we were born.

HOWEVER, later on we live out our lives largely through “facultative symbiosis,” which means that ultimately we choose how we will relate, interact and live (with or without) the family of our nativity.  Indeed, this is true, both naturally and spiritually speaking.

Let’s be real.  Most of us are personally aware of a dysfunctional family, perhaps even our own.  In the case of a dysfunctional family member, somewhere along the line, a conscious choice is made to live either inside or outside of the family womb.  This is not to suggest that such a person is solely responsible for this unhealthy state of affairs.  There may have been mitigating family factors of rejection, unfairness, or a host of other issues, that produced the personal perception of pain and the end result of emotional detachment.

On a spiritual level, some people feel disconnected from their church families and are thereby unable to sustain relationships that are characterized by peace, harmony, joy, mutual support and love.  Nevertheless, it is mission critical to the building of the Kingdom of God and to our spiritual well-being that believers strive to become bona fide brothers and sisters.

“I Need You to Survive,” written by David Frazier and made popular by Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin, has powerful lyrics that describe our spiritual connectedness and interdependence as spiritual siblings.

I need you, you need me,

We’re all a part of God’s body;

Stand with me, agree with me,

We’re all a part of God’s body;

It is His will that every need by supplied,

You are important to me,

I need you to survive.

I pray for you, you pray for me,

I love you, I need you to survive;

I won’t harm you with words from my mouth,

I love you, I need you to survive

There is no doubt that THE FATHER wants His children to sustain symbiotic relationships.  Beyond any shadow of doubt, we really do need each other.  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

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