LOVE'S EVIDENCE

LOVE’S EVIDENCE

I could not state the truth about love more succinctly or eloquently than God’s Word:

I Corinthians 13:1-13 (The Message)

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always ‘me first,’
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies.  Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.  We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.  But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.  When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant.  When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.  We don’t yet see things clearly.  We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.  But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!  We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!  But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.  And the best of the three is love.

If we were standing in the Divine Courtroom (where one day all shall be), would there be sufficient evidence in our lives to convict us of LOVE?  Let us prayerfully consider our attitudes and actions.  Daily, let us endeavor to walk in love…for God is love.

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

WHAT DID YOU DO ALL DAY?

WHAT DID YOU DO ALL DAY?

This story is dedicated to the vast multitudes of women who work incredibly hard –  inside and outside the home – those whom we men (all too often) fail to truly value and consistently appreciate.

John came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and candy wrappers strewn all around the front garden.

The door of his wife Valerie’s car was open, as was the front door to the house, and there was no sign of the dog.  Proceeding into the hall, John found an even bigger mess.  A lamp had been knocked over, and the rug was piled up against one wall.  In the family room, the television was loudly blaring The Cartoon Channel although no one was watching, and the room was loaded with toys and various items of clothing.

Dishes filled the sink in the kitchen, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the refrigerator door was open wide, dog food was strewn on the floor, broken glass lay under the table and a small pile of sand was blocking the back door.

John quickly raced upstairs, navigating through more toys and clothes, desperately searching for his wife.  He was worried she might be ill, collapsed on the floor, or that some other serious thing had occurred.

This worried husband was met by a tiny trickle of water winding its way out of the bathroom door.  As he peered inside, he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn out over the floor.  Rolls of toilet paper lay in wet heaps and blue toothpaste was smeared all over the mirror and sink.

Rushing to the bedroom, he found Valerie curled up comfortably in bed, wearing her pajamas and casually reading a popular novel.  She looked up at him, smiled lazily, and asked how his day had been.

John gazed down at Valerie, quite bewildered, as he inquired firmly, “What happened here today?”

Valerie just grinned and responded, “John, you know how you come home from work every day and ask me sarcastically, ‘What in the world did I do all day long?’”

“Yes,” was John’s startled and sheepish reply.

Valerie answered, “Well, today I just didn’t do it!”

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

SOUL-THIRST

SOUL-THIRST

Perhaps the most familiar of Christ’s teachings were presented during the Sermon on the Mount, which contain The Beatitudes.  One such saying that is especially significant describes the blessings that are part and parcel of a heart that is dedicated to a perpetual search for the things of God.  “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) 

Kingdom Principle Number One: In order to nurture and sustain our Christ-Connection, we must develop a persistent thirst for His presence.  David seems to be the biblical poster child for soul-thirst.  Despite personal issues and recurring challenges, he longed fervently for the presence and power of the Lord.  “As the hart (the deer) pants after the water brook, so pants my soul after You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)  David’s statement of desire for the things of God should be understood in light of the fact that the human soul is comprised of five distinct functions: mind, will, intellect, imagination and emotions.  Put simply, every aspect of David’s soul was fully engaged in establishing authentic fellowship and spiritual union with God.

Kingdom Principle Number Two: God summons believers to daily fellowship; the response is on us.  David prayed to God: “When You said, seek my face; my heart said unto You: Your face, Lord, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)  We have the same spiritual choice, and the potential benefits are enormous.  For in his presence, we find “forgiveness” (II Chronicles 7:14), “strength” (I Chronicles 16:11), “water” and “seed” (Isaiah 44:3), “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11) and “all things” (Matthew 6:33).

Kingdom Principle Number Three: When dry places appear during our walk with God, our thirst for Him is purified, intensified and actualized.  To wit, in David’s desert-place of tragedy and testing, he cried out with soul-force (spiritual passion) to the Father: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Your power and Your glory, so as I have seen You in the sanctuary.  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.” (Psalm 63:1-3)  Implicit in David’s words are key truths: 1) He did not always sense (feel) the manifest presence of God; 2) He had constant awareness of his absolute dependence upon God; 3) He acknowledged the sanctuary (the house and people of God) as necessary conduits to the power and glory of God, and 4) He resolved to praise God (despite sensory perceptions and feelings), based solely upon an enduring faith.

Kingdom Principle Number Four: That which we have soul-thirst for is that which we consistently seek.

Point to Ponder: ‘What are you thirsty for these days?’  Pause one moment to reflect and think deeply.  Have you fallen head-over-heels for the affirmation of family and friends (or) for possible fortune and fame (or) for the acquisition of power and privilege (or) for a tawdry and temporary romantic relationship (or) for any other fleeting form of pleasure (or) for ________?  [Fill-in-the-blank with the ‘flavor’ you most ‘savor’].  

I firmly believe that we are living in what the Bible classifies as “The Last Days.”  Christ will return soon to gather His people and judge this world.  In light of this, let’s resolve to seek Him…as never before. (Deuteronomy 4:29 and II Peter 3:10-12)

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

THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION

THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION

It’s a Wednesday night and you are at church when someone runs in from the parking lot yelling, “Turn on a radio, turn on a radio!”  And while the church listens to a tiny radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made: “Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from a ‘mystery’ flu.” Within days an epidemic sweeps through the country.  People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working…from California to Arizona to Florida to Massachusetts.  The mass population is quickly infected.

And then, all of a sudden, the news comes out.  The code has been broken.  A cure has been found.  A vaccine can be made but, it’s going to take the blood of somebody who has not yet been infected.  And so, through every channel of emergency broadcasting, people are asked to do one simple thing: “Go to the nearest hospital so we can get a sample of your blood.”

Sure enough, when you and your family arrive, there is a long line.  Nurses and doctors are pricking fingers, taking blood and putting labels on vials.  When they take your blood they say, “Wait here in the parking lot and we’ll let you know when you are dismissed to go home.”  You stand around, scared, wondering if this is really the end of the world.

Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital yelling to the top of his lungs.  He’s shouting a name and waving a clipboard.  What?  He yells it again!  And your son tugs on your jacket and says, “Daddy, that’s me!”  Before you know it, they have grabbed up your boy.  Wait a minute!  Hold on!  And they say, “It’s okay, his blood seems clean and pure, but we want to make sure he doesn’t have the disease.  We think he is just the right type.” Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another, some are even laughing.  It’s the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and a doctor walks up to you and says, “Thank you, sir. Your son’s blood is just what we need.  It’s clean, it’s pure, and we can make a vaccine and save our world.”

As this tremendous news spreads across the globe, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying.  Then a gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and asks, “May we see you for moment?  We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need you to sign a consent form.”  You start to sign, but then you notice that the number of pints of blood needed has been left blank.  

“How many pints?” you ask.  And that is when the doctor's smile fades and he says, “We had no idea it would be a little child.  I'm sorry sir, we need it all!”

“But, but…that’s my son!”

“We are talking about saving the whole world, sir.  Please sign.  We need it all!”

“But can't you give him a transfusion?”

“If we had clean blood we would.  Could you sign?  Would you just sign?”

In numb silence and tears, you sign the document.

Then they say, “Would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?”  Could you walk back to that hospital room where your child anxiously waits, sitting on a gurney?  “Daddy?  Mommy?  What's going on?”  Could you take his hands and say, “Son, your mommy and I love you, and we would never let anything happen to you that did not have to be.  Do you understand that?”  The doctor comes back in and says, “I’m sorry, we’ve GOT to get started.  People all over the world are dying!” Could you abandon your son to save everyone else?  Could you walk out while he’s crying out: “Mommy?  Daddy?  Why?  Why have you forsaken me?” 

For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) 

What a great, good, gracious, merciful, marvelous and loving 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!

STOP WATERING WEEDS

STOP WATERING WEEDS

Today’s devotional is based on a Facebook posting by my daughter, Kimberly Marcelle Bass.  Upon reading it, I was immediately illuminated with the insight that too much of our time and energy is expended interacting with people, things and situations that do not edify us.  Instead of nurturing the ‘flowers’ that have been divinely planted in our lives, our attention is somehow drawn (irrationally) to those persistent and negative ‘weeds’ that seek to choke us and paralyze our progress.

Interestingly enough, there are at least 172 varieties of weeds that constitute an ongoing challenge for American farmers and crops.  There are numerous weed identifiers, i.e. the descriptive characteristics of troublesome weeds.  Farmers rely on such information to maximize their harvests.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had strategic weed identifiers (in life) to alert us to the presence of human weeds and their decidedly negative agendas?  In fact, we do.  Personal prayer, Word study and ears attentively tuned in to the Holy Spirit are awesome and accurate weed identifiers, which are designed to safeguard our lives and our future.  We must use them!

Kingdom Principle Number One: Try to see people and life through the lens of love. (I Corinthians 13:1-7)  This proactive and positive approach yields inner peace and sanity.  Also, it diminishes hypersensitivity, i.e. our tendency to feel degraded or offended by the attitudes and actions of others.

Kingdom Principle Number Two: Avoid fellowship with people who do not honor you or celebrate your successes.  Haters are malicious weeds.  If allowed emotional access, they deplete optimism and drain energy.

Kingdom Principle Number Three: Don’t try to contest or disprove negative opinions.  It is a supreme waste of time and a misappropriation of energy.  Those who are true friends need no explanations; those who are not will likely never be convinced by whatever you say.

Kingdom Principle Number Four: Eat the fish and throw away the bones.  While at times it seems impossible, you can survive and even thrive in work environments that are loaded with outright enemies or frenemies (friendly enemies).  However, feelings of offense or pride could motivate us to disregard or discard their contributions, even those that might benefit us.  Please don’t drink the Kool-Aid of Pride!  Allow yourself to be blessed by your enemies whenever GOD orchestrates and allows it to be so.  Eat the fish and throw away the bones!

Kingdom Principle Number Five: Jesus Christ is our supreme arbiter and final judge.  He instructs His Church to let the “wheat and tares” (false wheat or weeds) “grow together until the harvest.” (Matthew 13:30)  Remember that the foregoing admonition of Christ is primarily intended for the corporate church, not for individual believers. In our personal lives, we must be extremely careful to establish clear and effective boundaries between ourselves and that which could potentially destroy us and our Kingdom assignment.  Decide today to stop watering and cultivating any weeds that creep into your garden.  The Creator has seeded a multiplicity of flowers in and around your life…infinite varieties with indescribable beauty.  My friend, Focus on the Flowers; pay attention to them; nurture and water them; and, be highly favored and bountifully blessed by them.

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

GET OVER YOURSELF!

GET OVER YOURSELF!

The fastest and most effective way to escape from feelings of personal rejection, pain, doubt, despair, or depression is to get up (right now), get moving (right now) and resolve (today and every day) to focus time, energy and resources on the needs of others.  Whether you know it or not, GOD wants to use YOU!  So why are you sitting there, passively waiting for some random event to occur?  Whenever you move in the power of GOD...YOU become His proactive, productive and powerful agent for miracles!

My sister, my brother, cancel your pity party!  Haven’t you noticed by now that no one shows up but you?  Be faithful and fruitful in the KINGDOM OF GOD and (as a direct result) be eternally blessed.  Amen? 

Amen!  Amen!  Amen!

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

THE TROUBLE TREE

THE TROUBLE TREE

Paresh, an Indian carpenter, was hired to restore an antique farmhouse.  He had just finished a very trying and difficult first day on the new project.  A flat tire on his truck caused him to be an hour late for work; his electric saw broke down during a critically important task; and his ancient pickup truck refused to start at the end of the workday.  During the drive home (courtesy of a co-worker), Paresh said not one word.  He just sat, shrouded in a pensive cloud of silence.

Upon arriving home, Paresh invited the co-worker to meet his family, as was the custom of his people.  But as they walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.  When opening the door to his home, Paresh had undergone an amazing transformation.  His tanned face was wreathed in smiles as he warmly hugged his two children and gave his wife a gentle kiss.

After a cup of tea, Paresh walked his co-worker to the car.  They passed the tree where Paresh had stopped earlier, and his co-worker’s curiosity got the best of him.  He asked why he had paused there before.

“Oh, that's my trouble tree,” Paresh responded quickly.  “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don’t belong in our house with my wife and children.  So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home.  Then in the morning I pick them up again.  Funny thing is,” Paresh smiled winningly, “when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging the night before.”

Think about it.  Sometimes, all it takes is one night’s rest to gain fresh perspective.  For your information, I too have a “Trouble Tree.”  It’s called PRAYER.

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

THE CRACKED POT

THE CRACKED POT

If you think you have no value because of personal imperfections, prayerfully consider this:

There were two pots that served one woman’s need to provide water for her family.  One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.  So at the end of the daily return walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.  For two years this went on, with the woman bringing home only one-and-a-half pots of water.  Of course, the perfect pot was quite proud of its accomplishments.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfections, and quite miserable that it could only accomplish half of what it had been designed to do.

After two years of what it perceived as total failure, the imperfect pot spoke to its master by the stream.  “I am really ashamed of myself,” that pot admitted sadly, “because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your home.”  The old woman simply smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?  That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.  For two years I have been able to gather those beautiful flowers to decorate our dinner table.  Without you being just the way you are, we would not have all that wonderful beauty to grace our home.”

Indeed, every one of us has unique flaws.  Perhaps it’s the cracks and flaws we have that make our lives together so interesting and rewarding.  Lesson learned: Look for the good in every person.  To all of my ‘crackpot friends,’ please remember to discover and appreciate the flowers on your side of the pathway.

Should you require biblical confirmation for the foregoing parable, tune in to Paul:

II Corinthians 12:7-10

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

While I’m not promoting our human shortcomings, it is absolutely uncanny and awesome how God somehow uses our weaknesses to enhance His Kingdom and extend His glory.  I am gratified that God chooses “the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27)  Perhaps, that is why God is able to use someone fallible as ME; and possibly, that is why He can utilize someone who is exactly like YOU.

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

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part II)

Yesterday’s tale of the innocent baby who demonstrated unconditional acceptance of the homeless man challenges both the quantity and quality of our love.  Jesus Christ expressed it best, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)  It is far easier to say ‘I love you’ than to truly exemplify the highest of Christian virtues.  Many people proclaim (with apparent ease), “I love everybody!”  But saying and doing are decidedly different; there must be evidence.

During my elementary school years, science class explored what is commonly called the ‘Litmus Test.’  This simple test determines whether a substance is acid or alkaline.  If the pH (potential of hydrogen in the substance) is acid, the litmus paper turns red in color when exposed to the substance.  If the pH is alkaline, the litmus paper turns blue.  Acids taste sour.  For example, lemon juice is an acidic substance.  Alkaline substances taste bitter.  For example, ammonia is alkaline.

Today, we will take a ‘Spiritual Litmus Test’ to determine if our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or strangers are somewhat extreme (sour or bitter) in one direction are another.

Spiritual Litmus Test #1

Do I look for (and expect) the worst in others?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

·         A tendency to keep mental records of things others say or do that ‘get on my nerves.’

·         A tendency to speak more negatively, rather than positively.

·         A tendency to think or say “I told you s/he would do that!  I told you so!”

·         A tendency to believe others are always being deceptive or lying.

Biblical Solutions: 

I Corinthians 13:5b says love “…thinks no evil.”  Verse 6 says love “rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.”

Spiritual Litmus Test #2

Do I have a low tolerance for other people who exhibit attitudes or behaviors that are different from mine?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

·         A tendency to prejudge people by appearance, color, culture, or socio-economic standing, i.e. to become prejudiced against others simply because they are unfamiliar or different.

·         A tendency to be strongly opinionated, i.e. having a ‘know-it-all’ attitude about most things.

·         A tendency to feel that only ‘me and mine’ know how to get things done in ‘the right way.’

Biblical Solutions:

I Corinthians 13:4b says love “…vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.”  Verse 5 says love “does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own…”

Spiritual Litmus Test #3

Do I have the ability to forgive or the tendency to hold on to troublesome issues for extended periods?

Signs of this type of behavior include…

·         A tendency to hold grudges, i.e. to keep issues alive and active until they change the way I communicate or interact with others.

·         A tendency to have a negative attitude that eventually results in critical comments and harsh treatment of others.

·         A tendency to display childish behaviors, i.e. verbal outbursts or temper tantrums.

Biblical Solutions:

I Corinthians 13:4a says love “suffers long, and is kind.”  Verse 5b says love “…is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.”  Verse 7 says love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

The negative behavioral signs (outlined above) identify sour and bitter personality traits that will not pass the Spiritual Litmus Test.  FYI, there will be no sour or bitter people in Heaven!  Should you find that these characteristics actually mirror your attitudes or actions, here are some divine prescriptions from The Master, True Love Personified, JESUS CHRIST:  [1] The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31); [2] “Judge not…condemn not…” (Luke 6:37); [3] “…love one another…” (John 13:34-35); [4] “…forgive men their trespasses [and] your heavenly father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14); [5] “…forgive…I say not unto you until seven times: but until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21)  In other words, forgiveness is virtually unlimited!

Let us strive steadfastly to walk in UNCONDITIONAL LOVE – because GOD IS LOVE, and HE must be fully alive and dynamically radiating from deep within. (I John 4:7-8)  And that’s LOVE!

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

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part I)

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (Part I)

Allow me to share a story I read some time ago.  It is a compelling tale told by a young wife and mother, concerning something completely extraordinary, incomprehensible and priceless: the unconditional love of a young baby.  It will challenge both the quantity and quality of our love!

We were the only family with children in the restaurant.  I sat Eric in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking.  Suddenly, Eric squealed with glee and shouted, “HI!”  He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray.  His eyes were wide open with excitement and his mouth displayed a huge toothless grin.  He wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and was totally surprised to see the source of Eric’s joy.  It was an old man whose pants were baggy, his zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes.  His shirt was filthy and his hair looked unwashed and uncombed.  His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose had so many varicose veins that it looked like a road map.  We were too far from him to catch a whiff…but I was totally sure that he smelled very bad!  He was just sitting there, hands waving and flapping like Jell-O, completely holding the attention of my beautiful baby!

“Hey there baby…hi there big boy!  I see ya’ buster,” the man called out ever so gently to Eric.  My husband and I exchanged looks and whispered, “What should we do?”  Our adorable baby boy, Eric, continued to laugh and answer this disheveled man, “Hi!  Hi!  Hi!”  We were completely flabbergasted.  Everyone in the restaurant seemed to notice and glanced over at us sympathetically, then looking with disgust at ‘that man.’  Their eyes seemed to say, ‘That old geezer has some nerve, creating a public nuisance with such a handsome baby!’  As our meal came, the man kept calling to Eric across the room, “Do you know patty cake?  Do you know peek-a-boo?  Look at that smart boy…he knows peek-a-boo!”

Nobody thought any of this was cute.  He was obviously drunk and dirty.  My husband and I felt shaken and embarrassed.  We ate in silence, except for Eric, who was now running through his repertoire of the things-he-could-do to gain more admiration and attention from this skid-row bum, who in turn reciprocated with his annoying comments.  We hurried through our meal so we could head for the door.  My husband went to pay the check and asked me to meet him in the parking lot.

The old ragged man sat positioned between me and the door.  “Lord,” I thought, “if you can just let me get out of here before he speaks to Eric or me.”  As I drew closer to the door…closer to the man…I turned my back, trying to side-step him and, by all means, avoid any body odor or air he might be exhaling.  As I did this, Eric suddenly leaped over my arm, reaching out with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position.  Before I could stop him, Eric had propelled himself from my arms, right into the man’s arms.

Immediately, this very old smelly man and my young beautiful baby consummated their growing love relationship.  In an act of total trust, love and submission, Eric laid his tiny head upon the man’s shoulders. The aged homeless man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears rolling down his face.  His time worn hands, that looked to be loaded with grime and pain, gently (so gently) cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked my baby’s back.

Watching this union, I felt sure that no two human beings had every loved so deeply in such a time frame.  I stood there…paralyzed and awestruck.  The old man rocked and cradled Eric in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine.  He said in a firm, sober and commanding voice, “You take care of this special baby.”  Somehow, I managed to squeeze “I will” from my constricted throat, which at the moment felt full of stones.  Then he pried Eric from his chest, unwillingly, longingly, as though he was in actual pain.

I happily received my baby as the man whispered, “God bless you, Ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.”  I said nothing more and raced toward the car, holding Eric close to me.  My husband wondered why I was holding on to Eric so tightly, crying and mumbling, “My God, my God, forgive me.”  For I had just witnessed Christ’s love, shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin and made no judgments, a child who saw a living and loving soul, and a mother who had only seen unwashed and raggedy clothes.  I was a Christian who was totally blind, holding a baby who could clearly see.  And I felt as if God, Himself, was asking – “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” – because HE had shared HIS SON for all time and eternity.  That homeless old man and my son reminded me, unwittingly, that “To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.” (Matthew 18:3)  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!

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part V)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part V)

When twelve disciples were dispatched by Jesus from one shoreline to another, Peter had no way of knowing that before night’s end he would literally go where no man had gone before.  As twelve ‘boat-boys’ huddled haplessly in desperate fear, deadly winds, deep waters and devastating waves dashed against their vessel and threatened to sink and destroy.  Peter had no clue that in mere moments HE WOULD BE WALKING OUTSIDE THE BOAT…first confronting, then conquering crazy circumstances, literally striding along on top of terrifying waves!  Isn’t it just like GOD to transform our times of anxiety and anguish into opportunities to demonstrate that HIS POWER IS ON DISPLAY IN US?  What an awesome God!  I say it quite often: God is always up to something behind the scenes! 

Let’s revisit a pertinent portion of the scriptural passage which is the foundation for this devotional series: “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a spirit,’ and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter came down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” (Matthew 14:25-32)

Some are prone to criticize Peter for failure to sustain that miraculous water-walk.  My response to his critics is simply this: ‘Who among us can testify personally to having walked on water, like Peter?’  To be candid, most of us (myself included) would never have requested to exit that boat in the first place – especially in light of the horrifying sea experiences those disciples had been navigating, all in complete darkness!  A careful reading of this passage informs us that the storm was not abated until AFTER Jesus and Peter entered the boat together.  Think about it.  Peter had such great faith that he volunteered to head out INTO THE STORM, just to be in close proximity with JESUS!  Wow!  Skeptics suggest that Peter was only able to do this because JESUS WAS THERE.  My response to every shore-hugging-skeptic comes in the form of two key questions: (1) When you and I are HESITANT or REFUSE to launch out into the deep and fulfill our purpose and destiny, ISN’T GOD ALWAYS THERE?  (2) And any time we garner sufficient faith to move ahead and launch out (despite momentary setbacks), ISN’T GOD ALWAYS THERE?  We call Him JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH because “THE LORD IS [ALWAYS] THERE!” (Ezekiel 48:35)

Nevertheless, all of us would have gazed LONG AND HARD at the water BEFORE we got out of that boat, and most of us would have logically refused to disembark.  In other words, we have the tendency to become psychologically and spiritually frozen – trapped in the paralysis of analysis – STUCK IN PLACE for days or decades.  Might I make a suggestion to ALL, myself included?  What we really need is A NEW ATTITUDE! Please don’t judge me for highlighting a secular song, but years ago I listened to Patti LaBelle singing about “A New Attitude.”  The lyrics went something like this: “I’m feeling good from my head to my shoes.  I know where I’m going, and I know what to do.  I’ve tidied up my point of view.  I’ve got a new attitude!”  Finishing with her uniquely stylish flair, Pattie crooned “OO-OO-OO-OO…I’VE GOT A NEW ATTITUDE!”

Sisters and brothers, I dare US to STEP OUT OF OUR BOAT at the command of OUR LORD!  If we should somehow falter along the way, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE for a rapid rescue; we only need to CALL HIS NAME!  The Word reveals that when Jesus and Peter finally came into the boat, THE WIND CEASED.  I dare US to invite JESUS on-board our vessel.  Prevailing conditions will instantaneously change!  In the realization of His demonstrated power over their storm, twelve disciples gathered around to worship the Son of the Living God.  And with JESUS on board, they sailed forward with strength, security, sensibility, stability and success!  

This scripture passage ends with a simple status report: “And when they were gone over, they came unto the land of GENNESARET.”  The name, “Gennesaret,” literally means “a garden of riches.”  Jesus knew the character and content of the place He had dispatched them to, but He also knew that their faith would be enhanced by encountering difficult challenges along the way.  GENNESARET was simply a divine appointment awaiting fulfillment.  Indeed, WHEREVER GOD GUIDES, GOD PROVIDES.  Therefore, if JESUS ever sends you anywhere…JUST GO…because HE HAS GREAT EXPECTATIONS THERE for your service and success.  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.” (Jeremiah 29:11)  My friend, that is precisely how you are fully equipped to handle any frustrating circumstances!

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

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

Since Spirit-filled believers are endowed by OUR SOURCE with deeper understanding of situational times and seasons, we never need worry or stress about OUR RESOURCES.  OUR TIMES AND SEASONS are faithfully committed to (and controlled by) the LOVING AND SUSTAINING HANDS OF GOD.  So even while life-circumstances might ‘appear’ to be dead or dying, the all-wise God has preordained ultimate victory and success.  According to Jude, HE is “the only wise God” and HE is to be accorded “glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.” (Jude 1:25) ONLY GOD knows the end from the beginning, and for that reason alone, we confidently commit TOTAL TRUST IN HIM.  

Kingdom Principle Number Six: APPEARANCES NOTWITHSTANDING, THE ALL-WISE GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL!  Daniel gave an insightful praise report on the wisdom and power of God.  “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: HE REVEALS THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS: He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

This scripture passage suggests that any believer who operates out of reverential fear of God becomes a blessed benefactor of SECRET KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.  The Psalmist David penned two closely related revelations concerning this.  First, he wrote “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of WISDOM.” (Psalm 111:10) And then, David revealed the direct result of such a reverential fear: “The SECRET OF THE LORD is with them that FEAR HIM; and HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT.” (Psalm 25:14) As believers, we have a covenant relationship with God.  Never forget: GOD is a PROMISE KEEPER!  Every day, we walk hand-in-hand with THE ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE (who has already ordered and walked out our steps), so why should we worry?  Think about it.

This brings to mind our granddaughter, Sydney, who at the approximate age of five was fully capable of navigating stairs alone, but whenever Sydney was near me, she would always reach for my hand.  It was her way of feeling safe and secure – since she apparently believed that her ‘Pop-Pop’ would never let her fall.  Isn’t this an instructive lesson for we believers who should invest total trust and confidence in the hands of ‘ABBA-FATHER’ to guide our way through any and all challenging circumstances?  If we would only stop to reflect on the power of God, we would realize that when anxiety surfaces, we embrace it for no good reason at all.  The seemingly major issues we encounter are minor matters to the Creator of Heaven and earth!  Too often, we doubt whether God will bring all His promises to pass.  Our human perspective: The clock seems so fast, and our progress seems so slow.  One insight from yesterday’s devotional bears repeating: “Stop fuming, fretting and fussing about what TIME it is because GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON!”

That is why the twelve disciples should never have surrendered to doubt and fear.  The ‘place’ they occupied and the ‘problem’ they experienced were directly connected to the ‘command’ of Christ – and therefore subject to the intervention and power of The Living Lord.  When TROUBLE showed up – JESUS showed up!  

Kingdom Principle Number Seven: GOD IS OUR PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. (Psalm 46:1) Let’s look briefly at our scripture text again.  “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night JESUS went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.” (Matthew 14:24-27)

Kingdom Principle Number Eight: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, DON’T DOUBT HIM.  Our Lord really knows how to make a grand entrance, doesn’t He?  Jesus is not only a WATER-WALKER; JESUS IS A WAVE-WALKER!  Be assured that there are NO tempestuous waves…NO life-circumstances…that are too hard or too heavy for Christ to conquer.  Take a mental snapshot of the disciples’ stormy night at sea.  The drama and noise of that night were literally off-the-chain!  Howling winds…tempestuous waves…fearful disciples crying out…loud and noisy beyond belief.  But the Lord of Heaven and earth strolled by (atop the wave-caps) and whispered a Word of now-faith to those fearful boys in the boat: “BE OF GOOD CHEER…IT IS I…BE NOT AFRAID.”  

Sisters and brothers, I have noticed something similar in my own life.  Whenever my ‘boat’ tacks perilously close to troubled waters, somehow over the background noise of my personal storm, I tune in to His calming voice whispering soothingly to my spirit: ‘Don’t worry…don’t be afraid.’  In the words of one gospel hymnist, whenever JESUS SPEAKS, “the sound of HIS VOICE is so sweet that the birds hush their singing!”   In tempestuous times like these…He still walks with me…and He talks with me…and He tells me I am His own!  David said it even better: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3)  Amen!  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!