SHARPEN YOUR AXE!

SHARPEN YOUR AXE!

In pursuit of dreams and goals, so 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 the body, mind 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 farther.  The archaeologist grew impatient and then angry.  But no matter how much he cajoled the tribesmen, they would not move.  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 responded, “We were 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 of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  Keeping your heart simply means tending to it with consistency, caution 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 work 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 ONE’S AXE.  In today’s world people are more driven than ever, but are also 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 purpose and destiny?   My friend, take time for YOU.  Sharpen your axe!

This devotional is especially targeted to those who always serve the needs and wants of others.  Remember: 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!

AWESOME HEALING POWER

AWESOME HEALING POWER

Have you ever wondered whether your condition is beyond the scope of 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 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.  Eventually 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 far 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 kills anyone who ever has 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 more surgery was needed, 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 few days.  He returned twelve 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 for 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 rightly calls 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, revealed a powerful 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.  And know this: 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!

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, launched 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.  My friend, never forget that today’s crisis has a finite shelf life.  You will outlast and overcome because you serve an infinite, mighty and loving God.

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 dead 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 release) 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!

AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE THERE IS HOPE

AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE THERE IS HOPE

Check yourself out.  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 fully 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 very 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 responded 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.”

In that moment, Robinson recommitted his life to Christ.

My friend, no matter what has transpired in and around your life, JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, THE LORD, IS THERE; and HE is absolutely capable of healing ALL 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!

THE WOUNDED HEALER

THE WOUNDED HEALER

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Although there are days and dilemmas that cause it to appear that way, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the One who walks alongside, is always with you.  It is the encouraging affirmation of Jesus Christ, Himself.  “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.” (Matthew 28:20)

Oh how He loves you and me!  Never forget that it was Jesus Christ’s eternal and unconditional LOVE that nailed Him to the cross, not the sharpened spikes of any Roman executioner.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV)

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.   

Jesus died in our place.  He suffered, bled and died vicariously – for our sins.  He is the wounded healer.  And His wounds have become our forever help, health and healing.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Now it our time and opportunity to return His divine favor by becoming HEALING SEEDS, sown graciously (by Him) into the lives of others.  Here is the naked truth about us.  We are broken vessels.  We have been shaped in sin and marred by iniquity.  However, we are still in the Potter’s hands.  (Psalm 51:5 and Jeremiah 18:1-6)

It has been said that scarred hands heal best.  That’s me.  That’s you.  WE are deputized wounded healers, appointed and anointed by THE WOUNDED HEALER to serve the Kingdom of God and win lost souls who will (in turn) walk in their divine purpose and destiny and draw more fallen souls unto Him. 

Bottom-line: You are a spiritual reproduction of “Christ in you, [who is] the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)  So…wounded healer…who have you touched?  Who will you touch…TODAY?

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

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

Special thanks are extended to Moses Thavheni for sharing the following inspirational article:

David was bringing food to his brothers at the battlefront when he saw Goliath.  He wasn’t thinking of becoming a hero, he just seized an opportunity that other soldiers only dream about.

Opportunities often catch us by surprise, and if we’re not alert and ready, we’ll miss out on them.  What others discovered in David that day had existed inside him all along!

FYI, YOU already possess the talents necessary to lead and to be victorious.  It is your COURAGE and CONVICTION that will establish you as a mover-and shaker in this life.  The people we revere the most demonstrate great courage – courage on the battlefield or in the boardroom, courage to defend the defenseless, courage to attempt what no one else deems possible.

Often people look in the face of opportunity and say, ‘But I don’t have the money.’  Friends, don’t worry; capital tends to follow courage.  The WHAT must always precede the HOW.  So don’t be intimidated by the numbers because GOD is not moved by opinions, spreadsheets or market conditions.  GOD is moved by FAITH.

So never allow HOW to intimidate you.  HOW is challenging for one reason and one reason only – because it provides overflowing OPPORTUNITY.  If the pathway to success were well lit and easily attainable, it would be completely crowded.  If HOW wasn’t a significant challenge for us to engage, someone else would already have figured it out.  But YOU can do all things through the power and guidance of GOD.

All progress begins with one question: “WHAT needs to be done?”  Some creative person is always asking that question. Why not YOU?  In Proverbs 8:12, the sage King Solomon penned these words: “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.”

The future belongs to those who have the courage to ask that question and the faith to hang in until they discover the answer.  When obstacles look too big and opposition seems too strong, stand with faith on this scripture passage:

II Kings 6:15-16 (KJV)

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an HOST compassed the city both with horses and chariots.  And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master!  HOW shall we do?  And he answered, FEAR NOT: FOR THEY THAT BE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THEY THAT BE WITH THEM.

In this scripture, “they” represents Almighty God and the heavenly host.  In other words, “if GOD be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  In closing, I have a key question for every believer: 

WILL YOU BE THE ONE?

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

TAKE CARE WHAT YOU HEAR

TAKE CARE WHAT YOU HEAR

As a young child, I passed through Morgan Avenue on my way to the Bass residence located on Schoonmaker Avenue in our hometown of Monessen, Pennsylvania.  The late Mr. James Wade, Sr. was standing on his porch, and he offered some intriguing advice which at the time seemed somewhat arbitrary.  “Wayne,” he admonished, “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.”  Although I did not understand his meaning at that point in life, now it makes much more sense.

Dr. Isaac Clark, my seminary adviser and an accomplished professor who taught two important subjects, “Homiletics” and “Communications,” insisted that more opportunities are won by effective communication (or lost by inaccurate communication) than anyone could possibly know.  He often warned us of the inherent dangers that live in the land of “MIS-communication.”

It reminds me of an important battle in European history, between England and France.  On the evening of June 18, 1815, an anxious man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing out to sea.  Finally he found what he had been looking for – a ship sending a signal with the use of lantern lights.  As the young man strained to see the message, all of England held its breath, waiting for news of the outcome of a decisive battle between their military leader, the Duke of Wellington, and the French dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.  Having ruled most of Europe, Bonaparte saw England as a threat, and now the decisive Battle of Waterloo was coming to an end.

That man stood in the Winchester Cathedral tower, waiting to convey news that would determine England’s future.  As heavy fog rolled in, the signal arrived.  It just barely made it through, but how he wished it hadn’t, for the signal read: “WELLINGTON DEFEATED.”

This bad news was communicated quickly across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness.  But then there was an unexpected reversal.  The fog lifted, and the message was sent again, this time in full: “WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY!”  There was great joy in that nation for Wellington had won!

Likewise, on Good Friday, the apparent message was simply this: “CHRIST DEFEATED.” But three days later, disciples discovered that the message had not been received in its totality.  The resurrection reversed every initial impression and confidently declared the full gospel: “CHRIST DEFEATED THE ENEMY!”

Therefore, just like two Israelite stalwarts of faith, Joshua and Caleb, we must steadfastly refuse to give an audience to ‘The Majority Report’ published by doubters, detractors and deceivers. After all, YOU and GOD actually (and always) constitute THE SPIRITUAL MAJORITY, appearances notwithstanding. (Numbers 13:27-33)

Although conditions might SEEM to be carrying you into fire or submerged in water, here is what the Lord declares about you. “When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; and through the rivers, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU. When you walk through the fire, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Winner-believer, HEAR HIS VOICE and give credence to none other. (John 10:27)

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

WHO IS SIGNIFICANT?

WHO IS SIGNIFICANT?

For most of my professional life, I have operated in dual functions, primarily as a clergyman, but also as a sales representative/manager.  Both arenas have imparted priceless lessons about who and what is of real importance in this journey called life. 

One of my early success-points in sales was the discovery that the janitorial staff of any facility knows more about who’s who and what’s what than almost anyone else.  There’s a broad smile on my face as I reflect on the mission-critical data (and commensurate income) that I derived over decades from interactions with  those INDIVIDUALS WHO MANNED THE MOP.  While many colleagues counted them as insignificant, I greeted them warmly, or brought morning coffee, or remembered them at Christmas time.  In turn, they supplied me with names of key corporate players and invaluable information about their willingness to see sales reps, along with helpful tidbits about their personalities and daily schedules.  Bottom-line: They worked everywhere in the building and knew everyone.

EVERY PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

Consider this.  During her second month of teaching, a nursing professor gave a pop quiz.  The last question totally stumped most students.  It read, “What is the first name of the woman who cleans our classroom?”

Her students had seen the cleaning lady numerous times.  She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how might any of them know her name?  After the class had ended, one student asked if the last quiz question would count toward their grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor.  “In your nursing career you will meet many people.  All are significant. They deserve your greatest attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”

Her students never forgot that important lesson.   All of them made it a point to meet the woman who they had hardly noticed; and they learned her name, Dorothy.

EVERY PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

Sir Michael Costa was a great orchestra conductor of the 19th Century.  It is said that one day he was conducting a rehearsal in which his orchestra was joined by a great choir.  Midway through the practice session, the piccolo player stopped playing.  It seemed innocent enough.  After all, who would miss the tiny piccolo amidst the great mass of loud voices and blazing instruments?  Nevertheless, Sir Michael suddenly stopped the entire orchestra and choir.  “Stop!  Stop!  Where’s the piccolo?  What happened to the piccolo?”

EVERY PERSON HAS SIGNIFICANCE.

We may sometimes feel like that piccolo player – that we don’t have very much to offer.  We may be tempted to believe that if we were to stop our small ministry, or our personal words of encouragement, or whatever ‘tiny thing’ we bring to the table, that nothing would be impacted, and no one would notice.  However, THE GREAT CONDUCTOR is intimately aware of the part we play, and His orchestral masterpiece would somehow be incomplete without our seemingly small part.

My friend, stay the course.  YOU are significant to GOD…and YOU are significant to US.

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

THINK, BELIEVE, DARE, DREAM

THINK, BELIEVE, DREAM, DARE

I thank GOD every day for dreamers and visionaries.  According to The Holy Writ, “Where there is no VISION, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)  Indeed, these God-given ‘human gifts’ manage to consistently mobilize the energy and enthusiasm that keeps us LIVING, i.e. moving ahead, regardless of conditions or circumstances.

So, relative to YOUR time and productivity on the planet, here is a strategic question you should ask and answer honestly: WHO or WHAT would you allow to confuse, confiscate, discourage, or drown your dream?

How I love the story of the eight-year-old boy who was approached by an elderly gentleman in front of a wishing well.  The young lad looked up into the older man’s eyes, and asked: “I understand you’re a very wise man.  I’d like to know the secret of life.”

The old man looked down at the youngster, considered carefully for a moment and then replied.

“I’ve thought a lot in my lifetime, and life’s secret can be summed up in four words:

The first is THINK.  Think about the values you wish to live your life by.

The second is BELIEVE.  Believe in yourself based on the thinking you’ve done about the values you’re going to live your life by.

The third is DREAM.  Dream about the things that can be, based on your belief in yourself and the values you’re going to live by.

The last is DARE.  Dare to make your dreams become reality, based on your belief in yourself and your values.”

And with that, Walter E. Disney whispered to the little boy, “Think, Believe, Dream and Dare.”

My friend, it is never too early (or too late) to DREAM…

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

SINCERITY - SOFTNESS - STRENGTH

SINCERITY - SOFTNESS - STRENGTH

Our handwritten letters often end them with the phrase, “Sincerely yours.”  Have you ever wondered why?  This practice has its origins in ancient Rome.  Using melted beeswax, Roman sculptors frequently concealed cracks in what appeared to be flawless marble statues.  However, when the wax dried and crumbled, angry purchasers returned to seek compensation.  Thereafter, reputable sculptors guaranteed their work as “sine sera,” which means “without wax.”  The phrase “Sincerely yours” derives from this. 

Likewise, we Christians are called to be people of sincerity and integrity, whose words embody truth.  Sincerity shall always be the cornerstone of character for God’s children.

Contrary to what is recently prevalent in political discourse, our words need never be blustery, boisterous, or boastful.  Most of the time, less is more; and, true strength is prevalent in surprising and unexpected places.

Although we are accustomed to thinking of strength as the opposite of gentleness, such is not always the case.  During World War I, British fighter pilots made the amazing discovery that layers of soft silk provided protection against low velocity shrapnel,  which was far more effective than steel.  So, they wound silk around their heads, wearing it inside their helmets.  Scientists still aren’t sure what gives silk such strength.  But in certain situations, soft and tender silk proves to be much stronger than tempered steel.

JESUS CHRIST reveals that the same holds true for human character.  While some showcase harsh and impenetrable exteriors, the Savior requires something completely different.  In fact, our openness and gentleness become magnetic currents that transport others to the cross of Calvary, where they become gracious recipients of His divine love.

My friend, how SINCERE, SOFT and STRONG are you?

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

THE GOSPEL OF SILENCE

THE GOSPEL OF SILENCE

An extraordinary author by the name of Chaim Potok (one of my favorites) writes extensively about the life experiences of Hasidic Jews.  He penned numerous novels that I have greatly enjoyed over the years: “In The Beginning,” “The Book of Lights,” “Davita’s Harp,” “My Name is Asher Lev,” “The Promise,” and my all-time favorite, “The Chosen.”

In Potok’s book, “The Chosen” he spins the story of Danny Saunders, the eldest son of a strict Hasidic  Rabbi.  For many years, Danny’s brilliant yet very human father, never spoke one word to his son, except when teaching him out of the Torah and Talmud.

On the surface, this total silence appears to be a terrible act of cruelty, but eventually the mystery is revealed.  Rabbi Saunders explains that God has blessed him with a remarkable son, a child with a mind as rare and precious as a priceless jewel.  When Danny was just four years old, his father saw him reading a book and became frightened.  The book described the suffering of a poor Jew, yet Danny appeared to thoroughly enjoy it!

In Rabbi Saunders’ view, “There was no soul in my 4-year-old Daniel, there was only a mind.”  The Rabbi cried out to God, “What have you done to me?  A mind like this I need for a son?  A heart I need for a son, a soul I need for a son…compassion, righteousness, strength to suffer and carry pain!”

Thereafter Rabbi Saunders followed an ancient Hasidic tradition and brought his boy up with a bare minimum of words ever passed between them.  The result, from the Rabbi’s point of view? “In the silence between us, Danny began to hear the world crying.”

If this story sounds vaguely familiar, it is due to this fact: Every mature Christian has experienced painfully lonely moments when GOD appears to be silent, entirely absent from our current circumstances.  Somehow prayer seems hollow and ineffective when GOD is MIA, i.e. missing in action.  Frantically, we ask ourselves, “Does Heaven even HEAR us?  Oh GOD…are you there?”  At such times, we enter into careful soul-searching, an honest self-examination to ascertain our culpability in ‘the divine absence.’  But quite often, no transgression is discoverable that clearly tells us ‘WHY’ God has gone on sabbatical.  We feel isolated.  We feel desperate and fearful that He might not soon return to us.

But the promises of God are steadfast and sure. (Hebrews 6:19)  What did Jesus Christ say?  “Lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

But God’s teaching methodology is visibly reflected and resounded throughout His creation.  Those seasons of silence are much like the moment when the soaring eagle drops its eaglet into the upper atmosphere, trusting that there is sufficient knowledge and strength for the young offspring to soar on its own.  Those seasons of silence are much like the moment when I removed training wheels from the bicycles of Wayne II, or Mike and Kim – giving them one hopeful push while trusting that I had been a skillful tutor and they had been attentive learners. 

Rabbi Saunders always loved his son.  The mature eagle is always nearby.  The watchful parent never leaves the scene.  But mission-critical lessons of TRUST and FAITH reside in their apparent silence and distance.

LIKEWISE, MY FRIEND, GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU. 

LESSON LEARNED.

Sometimes, He is merely allowing space for your spiritual, ethical and emotional development, i.e. the priceless opportunity to be experientially conformed to the image of Christ.  So, let’s not stress about present-day circumstances.  For we will soon see that there is purpose in the pressure.  And there is destiny in what only ‘looks like’ distance.

Look around you, my friend.  JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE. (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!

SAVIOR OF SOLDIER CRABS

SAVIOR OF SOLDIER CRABS

The message of gospel truth is present throughout creation to all who open their senses and sensibility to discern the voice of God.  In my travels, I once came across some of God’s simple-but-fascinating creatures, the SOLDIER CRABS.  They caught my attention because their behavior depicts a picture of mankind’s need for divine intervention and grace.

Although they are somewhat elusive, soldier crabs can occasionally be found on the sandy shore at low tide. Their appearance is quite different from crabs we typically see.  They have a sky-blue dome about the size of a nickel.  Attached to this dome are long, spindly, cream-colored legs, which they use to lift themselves up on the sand.

The unusual name of soldier crabs comes from their tendency to march around in large groups.  They emerge from holes in the sand seeking food; and because of their close formations and blue shells, they look like a marching army.

When I drew closer to observe, I noticed a most distinctive characteristic in their behavior.  Soldier crabs have an amazing ability to burrow down quickly into the sand.  Sensing my presence, they vanished in mere seconds, leaving nothing behind but tiny mounds of sand.  Each time I tried to get close, they dug and hid again.  More than likely, I was too big and overwhelming; and, from their perspective, possibly a predator.  

It occurred to me that the only way I could get close to those soldier crabs would be if I had the ability to transform myself into one of them.  Of course, I don’t have the capability of doing that.  But isn’t this a marvelous image of what Almighty God has graciously done for US?  We were just like soldier crabs.  Our fallen nature caused us to feel too small and too sinful to commune with the transcendent and Holy God. 

So THE ALL-WISE GOD did not approach us clothed in His majestic splendor.  Instead, He condescended to our level and appeared to us in a form that looked like us and communicated like us.  And miracle of miracles, through our close encounter with HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, we became “the righteousness of God” – with the call and capacity to “come boldly to the throne of grace…to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (II Corinthians 5:21 – Hebrews 4:16) 

God did not overwhelm us; rather, He joined us so we could be reborn and reunited with Him.  In other words, the Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.  What a good, gracious, merciful, loving and mighty God we serve!  

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

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK! (Part IV)

To briefly recap yesterday’s devotional, my original reading of Zechariah 4:1-4 led me to believe that ZECHARIAH’S VISION WAS INCOMPLETE!  Zechariah’s vision was as follows: God had shown him a DIVINE LAMP that was designed to produce LIGHT and FIRE, but noticeably ABSENT FROM THE VISION WAS ONE ESSENTIAL THING, FUEL.  Not one drop of OIL was mentioned in the vision, not one!  However, MY INABILITY TO ‘SEE’ THE OIL is in no way a reflection on GOD’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE OIL.  The reason why Zechariah’s vision SEEMED SO INCOMPLETE TO ME is only due to my failure to discern WHAT GOD WAS UP TO BEHIND THE SCENES! 

The reason why the vision seemed so INCOMPLETE is the mere fact that my sensory perceptions dominated my understanding.  And OUR GOD is never confined to what we humans can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. In fact, GOD is never limited by any PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.  The truth of the matter is this: OUR GOD IS A FUTURE SPECIALIST!  It would seem, just as was the case with Lot’s wife, that you and I are typically fixated and focused on OUR REARVIEW MIRROR. (Genesis 19:26 and Luke 17:32) To wit, fundamentally we are TODAY SPECIALISTS, whereas our GOD is a FUTURE SPECIALIST!

THE OMNISCIENT ONE, who knows the ending from the beginning, is A FUTURE SPECIALIST.  He has KNOWN US and CHOSEN US, long before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4 and Jeremiah 1:5) And He has already walked out our LIFE’S STEPS.  “The STEPS of a good man are ORDERED BY THE LORD.” (Psalm 37:23) HE IS INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH WHATEVER LIES AHEAD FOR US.

QUESTION: What does God DO to bring us into ALIGNMENT WITH HIS PERFECT WILL, i.e. to actualize His “hope and future” for us? (Jeremiah 29:11) ANSWER: GOD shows us a VISION of our future.  Much like Zechariah (and much like me), all of us can only “see through a mirror, DIMLY.”  We only “KNOW IN PART.” (I Corinthians 13:12) So whenever we seek to comprehend GOD’S VISION, we are limited by OUR KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS and OUR THOUGHTS OF WHAT LOGICALLY SHOULD BE.  GOD imparts DETAILED VISION, which reflects hope for all our tomorrows, but we only ‘SEE’ an EMPTY BOWL, without OIL.  We only ‘see’ EMPTY LAMPS, with NO OIL.  And our frail human spirits motivate us to question GOD: “WHERE is the OIL?”

But let’s take a closer look at the VISION that GOD imparted to Zechariah.  How I love this part!  Along with the LAMPSTAND made of solid gold, along with the BOWL, along with the SEVEN PIPES and the SEVEN LAMPS, OUR GOD included something else, something vital, something that was mission critical to the MANIFESTATION of divine blessing.  Alongside everything else in Zechariah’s vision, GOD HAD DIVINELY POSITIONED TWO OLIVE TREES!  These twin olive trees had been POSITIONED BY GOD, one on either side of THE BOWL that only ‘SEEMED’ to have NO OIL.

Now hear this!  TREES DON’T JUST SHOW UP OR SPRING UP, AND CERTAINLY NOT OVERNIGHT!  TREES ARE PURPOSEFULLY PLANTED!  Bottom-line: LONG BEFORE this PROPHETIC VISION was imparted, OUR ALL WISE AND SOVEREIGN GOD had ALREADY PLANTED AND POSITIONED OLIVE TREES which would become THE SOURCE OF THE OIL that would flow through the pipes, and fill the bowl, that would supply the lamp, that would SHINE THE LIGHT!  WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!  GOD IS BIGGER, much bigger, THAN YOU THINK!

Therefore, stop doubting, fretting, worrying and complaining about your present circumstances. Although your PRESENT May ‘APPEAR’ TO BE EMPTY…GOD HAS ALREADY SUPPLIED YOUR LIFE’S OIL!  He has already destined FAVOR and designed BLESSING – in, over, around and throughout your existential journey called LIFE!  I don’t care what your situation LOOKS LIKE!  WINNER-BELIVER, YOU are the head, not the tail.  YOU are a lender, not a borrower.  YOU are above, and not beneath.  YOU are blessed in the city.  YOU are blessed in the field.  YOU are blessed when you go out.  YOU are blessed when you come in.  Your body is blessed.  Your basket is blessed.  Your storehouse is blessed.  And GOD says, “I WILL COMMAND THE BLESSING ON YOU!” (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

One of my favorite hymns offers this sound advice: “TAKE YOUR BURDEN TO THE LORD, AND LEAVE IT THERE!”  My favorite line goes like this: “IF YOU TRUST AND NEVER DOUBT, HE WILL SURELY BRING YOU OUT.  Take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there!”  my friend, GOD’S GOT YOU…so DON’T you dare WORRY.  for OUR GOD IS BIGGER THAN YOU THINK!

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