WHY WORRY? GOD'S GOT A PLAN!

WHY WORRY? GOD’S GOT A PLAN!

 In one of my favorite movies, “300: Rise of an Empire,” the completely outmanned army of Sparta’s King Leonidas held off the overwhelming force of a multitude of Persian troops led by King Xerxes.  His strategy was to fight them one at a time as they came through an extremely narrow mountain pass.  

 Commenting on that historic military strategy, the world-famous clergyman, C.H. Spurgeon, wrote, “Suppose Leonidas and his handful of men had gone out into the wide-open plain and attacked the Persian army--they would have died at once, even though they might have fought like lions.”  Spurgeon continued by concluding that Christians stand in the narrow pass called today.  If they choose to battle every difficulty at once, they’re sure to suffer defeat.  But if they trust God and take their troubles one by one, they will find that their strength (His strength) is more than sufficient. 

 I love the way Mary C. Crowley frames this truth in her book, Be Somebody:  “Every evening I turn worries over to God,” she writes.  “He’s going to be up all night anyway!”

 It has been said that worry is just like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere at all.  Why worry when you can trust?  After all, Sovereign God is in control.

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

STALENESS 'AIN'T' GOOD FOR MARRIAGE

STALENESS ‘AIN’T’ GOOD FOR MARRIAGE

 In “Homemade,” Grady Nutt describes the importance of keeping things fresh in marital relationships.  “Openness is essentially the willingness to grow, a distaste for ruts, eagerly standing on tip-toe for a better view of what tomorrow brings.  A man once bought a new radio, brought it home, placed it on the refrigerator, plugged it in, turned it to WSM in Nashville (home of the Grand Ole Opry), and then pulled all the knobs off!  He had already tuned in to all he ever wanted or expected to hear.  Some marriages are ‘rutted’ like that – rather dreary because either or both partners have yielded to the tyranny of the inevitable, concluding that what has been will be.  Stay open to newness. Stay open to change.”

 My friend, marriage is not for the lazy or faint-hearted.  No matter who is involved, it takes diligent effort to sustain the initial fire of that mission-critical life relationship.  Anyone who says the opposite is being less than candid, perhaps less than truthful.  What will YOU do (today) to keep things fresh, to make things better, not worse, in your covenant relationship?  Ask God about it.  Think.  Act.  Today!

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

SORT, SIFT, FOCUS!

SORT, SIFT, FOCUS!

 A personal daily mantra I’ve adopted over the years is, “Sort, Sift, Focus!”  Sort through the tasks; sift out the excess; focus on the target assignment.  It’s the recognition that there are one-hundred-and-one things that I can do with my daily allotment of time, but far fewer things (perhaps one thing) that I should do.  This perspective must be seen through a Kingdom lens to grasp the Kingdom mentality.  It is my conviction that the Creator has deposited unique and productive gifts within each of us.  This is the divine signature of our Sovereign Craftsman.   To wit, Heaven’s intent was never for us to become ‘jacks-or-jills’ of all trades, but to identify and master our particular life purpose.  Whenever we slow and still ourselves, we are more apt to discern The Master Architect’s plan.

 Henry Ford wrote, “A weakness of all human beings is trying to do too many things at once.  That scatters effort and destroys direction.  It makes for haste, and haste makes waste.  So we do things all the wrong ways possible before we come to the right one.  Then we think it is the best way because it works, and it was the only way left that we could see.  Every now and then I wake up in the morning headed toward that finality, with a dozen things I want to do.  And I know I can’t do them all at once.” When asked what he would do about that, Ford replied, “I go out and trot around the house.  While I’m running off the excess energy that wants to do too much, my mind clears and I see what can and should be done.”

 Prayer, Scripture and Meditation are the only reliable factors in the “Sort, Sift, Focus” process.  They enable us to follow our Creator’s all-wise mandate: “Be still…and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)  In truth, any barriers or errors are merely restraints and reminders of our pressing need to do so.

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

A JUST WAR?

A JUST WAR?

 We are eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of Christ’s end-time prophecy issued in The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), that the last days would be characterized by “wars and rumors of wars.”  Mortal conflict reflects the sordid history of our collective rebellion against God and man’s inhumanity to man.  Our collective costs, in terms of both human and economic capital, are staggering indeed.

 A group of academics and historians compiled the following information: Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years of peace!  During this period there have been 14,351 wars (large and small) in which 3.64 billion people have been killed.  The value of the property destroyed and money spent is equal to a golden belt around the world 97 miles wide and 33 feet thick.  Since 650 B.C., there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which have not ended in war.  The remainder were the beginning or ending of the economic collapse of the nations involved. 

 In the 13^th century, St. Thomas Aquinas penned the “just war” theology that attempts to reconcile three things: that taking human life is wrong, that nations have a duty to defend their citizens and justice, and that protecting life and moral values sometimes requires force.

 The modern-day definition of a just war has evolved to include the following: The war must be for a just cause.  It must be lawfully declared by a lawful authority.  The intention behind the war must be good.  All other ways of resolving the problem should have been tried first.  There is a reasonable chance of success.  The means used must be in proportion to the ends that the war seeks to achieve.

 Using these criteria, are the wars we typically wage or support just?  Think.  You decide.

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

BE THE DIFFERENCE YOU'RE EXPECTING

BE THE DIFFERENCE YOU’RE EXPECTING

 If you’re concerned or determined to make things different in your world, be the difference.  All too often, we find ourselves emotionally confined in paralyzing spaces of passive condemnation of the challenging situations we feel powerless to adjust or change.

 For example, Kitty Genovese was a young woman who was murdered in a New York residential section while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows.  During the course of that 30-minute assault, not one of them telephoned the police.  Follow-up investigations revealed some rather surprising facts about these people.  The interviews revealed that they were not totally indifferent people as so many suspected.  The main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take the initiative to get help.

 My friends, get involved.  Be the difference.

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

RESOLVE ISSUES EXPEDITIOUSLY

RESOLVE ISSUES EXPEDITIOUSLY

 Procrastination is not only the thief of time, it tends to nullify both progress and peace.  In Marabel Morgan’s book, “Homemade,” she addresses the importance of tending to smaller matters before they become expansive and problematic: 

 Don Shula, coach of the Miami Dolphins, was talking to a reporter about a player’s mistake in practice.  He said, “We never let an error go unchallenged.  Uncorrected errors multiply.”  Then the reporter said, “Isn’t there benefit in overlooking one small flaw?”  Shula responded, “What is a small flaw?”  I think about that all day long.  What is a small flaw?  I see that with my children.  I’ve let a lot of things slide by because I was too tired.  I didn’t want another confrontation.  But uncorrected errors do multiply.  You’ve got to face them some day.  You might as well face them on the spot.  If I could do it over again with my children, I’d face the errors on the spot.  It’s easier on them and on you.  That works in relationships with anyone.  If there’s something under the surface, something you sense, you might as well just bring it right out.  Face it right then.  Success lies in the details.  Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.  Autograph your life work with excellence.”

 Too much elapsed time following transgressions often tends to multiply their impact.  The Word of God issues a related pronouncement, which simply says “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Proverbs 27:6)  This simply means that a true friend speaks truth at all times – lovingly, compassionately, but consistently – to become that proactive partner that King Solomon had in mind when he wrote, “iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17)  My friends, in every relationship, beware, be fair…and be there.

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

OUR UNITY IMMUNITY

OUR UNITY IMMUNITY

 Meteorologists have concluded that snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at the impact and beauty produced when they stick together.  And whenever we humans decide to band together as one, we are far more beautiful, powerful, impactful and spiritual that we could possibly imagine or accomplish on our own.  We gain IMMUNITY to the powerful effects of doubt, despair and deficits when we embrace the uplifting and liberating grace called UNITY.

 In one clever “Peanuts” cartoon episode by Charles Schultz, Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn’t.  “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus. 

 “These five fingers,” says Lucy.  “Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”

 “Which channel do you want?” asks Linus meekly.  Turning away, he looks at his own fingers and remarks, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”

 My friends, let’s get emotionally, ethically, energetically and eternally organized – just like that.  Indeed, no family ever has to be perfect; it just has to be united.  It’s an awesome truth that is applicable and transformational for any group, any place, any time.

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

YOUR PRAISE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

YOUR PRAISE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

 One of my favorite scripture verses is Psalm 22:3, a powerful declaration of the character, power and presence of God: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”  The mere fact that the Holy Writ decrees that Almighty God enters our life-situations enthroned in praise is a clear indicator that men, women and children must always praise Him.  GOD SHOWS UP IN OUR PRAISE!

 If you cannot wrap your brain around that fact, just consider this.  The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria didn’t know what to do.  Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack and enemy soldiers were spotted on the heights above the little town on the Austrian border.  A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender.  It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. 

 The pastor rose and said, “Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed us.  As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands.  We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us.” 

 The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang.  The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town.  Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left.

 Who knows what your praise can and will accomplish?  Unleash it with faith and a Spirit-force that will literally terrify the enemy of your soul.  After all, demons tremble at the sound of His name!

 Click on the link below for an awesome experience of praise and worship.  It will surely bless and inspire your soul – as you enter into the manifest presence of our Lord!

 https://www.facebook.com/MaverickCityMusic/videos/467015864763845/

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

WATCH YOUR WORDS!

WATCH YOUR WORDS!

 Growing up, we had a rather childish saying about slander: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me!”  Life would be wonderful indeed if that saying was the whole truth.  In fact, our words are extremely powerful.  Thus, they can cause unnecessary and incessant pain when deployed in a cavalier, unthinking, or uncompassionate manner.

 I read a fascinating article from the February 1992 issue of “American Demographics,” that highlighted the potential impact of words on various audiences.  While humorous, it reveals serious lessons on this human issue of communication:

 Communicating with a target market means more than tossing out catchy slogans.  A few companies learned this the hard way when they tried to translate their catchy English slogans directly into Spanish.  Braniff beckoned its passengers to “Fly in Leather,” and Eastern Airlines proclaimed that “We Earn Our Wings Daily.”  Both of these now-defunct airlines were terribly mistaken.  A Spanish speaker would think Braniff was asking its riders to “Fly Naked,” and a Spanish translation of the Eastern slogan evoked a final destination in heaven, following death.  A few additional classic marketing blunders: General Motors discovered too late that “Nova” sounds like “Doesn't go” in Spanish.  Coors encouraged its English-speaking customers to “Turn It Loose,” but the phrase in Spanish meant “Suffer from Diarrhea.”  Budweiser’s “King of Beers” becomes “Queen of Beers” in Spanish because the Spanish word for beer, “cerveza,” has a feminine ending.  And when Frank Perdue said, “It Takes a Tough Man to Make a Tender Chicken,” Spanish speakers heard “It Takes a Sexually Stimulated Man to Make a Chicken Affectionate.”  Wow!  In the words of Arsenio Hall: “Things that make you say, hmmm!”

 Lesson learned.  We must be keenly aware of the impact of whatever we intend to say.

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

SNEAKY SIN

SNEAKY SIN

 Gary Richmond, a former zoo keeper, related the following factual story about raccoons.  “These innocent looking animals experience major glandular changes at about 24 months.  Frequently, this causes them to attack their owners.  Since a 30-pound raccoon is physically equal to a 100-pound dog, I felt compelled to mention this coming crucial change to a young friend of mine who had taken a racoon home as a pet.  She listened politely as I explained the imminent danger.  I’ll never forget her answer.  “It will be different for me.”  She smiled as she added, “Bandit would never hurt me.  He just wouldn’t!”  Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult raccoon attacked her for no apparent reason.  Bandit was soon released into the wild.

 My friend, there is an important related truth about sin.  It frequently arrives at the door of our lives dressed in adorable guise.  And as we naively play around with it, how easy it is to say, “It will be different for me.”  However, it never is, and the results are quite predictable.  Sin is sneaky; beware.

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

INTEGRITY

INTEGRITY

 It is said that integrity is what one does in the dark, distant from the glaring light of witnesses.  In short, integrity involves scores of ethical decisions, large or small, along life’s journey.  But Solomon contends that it is actually “the little foxes that spoil the vines.” (Song of Solomon 2:15) This means that our so-called ‘mini-transgressions’ can gradually result in massive erosions in conscience, judgment and behavior.

 Consider this.  While popular theories held that the Titanic was the victim of a huge gash caused by an iceberg, an international team of divers and scientists used sound waves to probe the sunken wreckage buried in mud under two-and-a-half miles of ocean water.  They discovered that the damage footprint was surprisingly small in size.  Instead of one large gash, they found six relatively narrow slits across the six watertight ship chambers.  It would seem that the small damage, invisible to most, is not only capable of sinking a world-class ocean liner, but also able to destroy our character and reputation.

 My friends, we must not allow satanic deception to shipwreck our lives and abort our destinies.  The archenemy of our souls wants us to view what Heaven classifies as “sin” as small and harmless stuff.  So we must maintain laser sharp focus on the Word, always embracing the admonition of our Savior, which simply insists, “Watch…and pray.” (Matthew 26:41)  By so doing, we will nurture and sustain integrity.

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

THE EASE OF DISCIPLINE

THE EASE OF DISCIPLINE

 In life, there’s a tendency to seek the path of least resistance.  It’s rather familiar to most of us.  In contrast to customary human habits, world-class athletes achieve excellence in the wake of daily, difficult, rigorous, yet rewarding, discipline. 

 I have a vivid childhood memory of entering the neighborhood convenience store on Schoonmaker Avenue owned by Mr. Popadopoulis.  In my strange blend of jest and seriousness, I inquired of the aged proprietor: “Do you have any samples today?”  His response imparted a valuable life lesson.  “Nothing for nothing!” Mr. Pop opined with characteristic gruffness.  I definitely knew better, and feeling relieved that Mama and Daddy had not observed my ‘madness,’ I made a hasty retreat.

 Today, I realize that discipline is a learned and priceless commodity.  One manifestation of discipline for true believers is honest and objective self-evaluation.  John Newton, the composer of “Amazing Grace,” frames it this way: “When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on other people.  But when they are not right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others.”  The discipline of truth is an integral part of a genuine faith covenant.  While we must avoid becoming paralyzed by harsh or excessive introspection, we must be ready, willing and able to objectively ‘see’ ourselves.  It is our indispensable spiritual discipline.

 In his book, “The Road Less Traveled,” M. Scott Peck relates his youthful encounter with discipline: “I spent much of my ninth summer on a bicycle.  One mile from our house the road went down a steep hill and turned sharply at the bottom.  Coasting down the hill one morning, I felt my gathering speed to be extremely ecstatic.  To give up this ecstasy by applying brakes seemed to be an absurd self-punishment.  So I resolved to simultaneously retain my speed and negotiate the corner.  My ecstasy ended seconds later when I was propelled a dozen feet off the road into the woods.  I was badly scratched and bleeding, and the front wheel of my bike was twisted beyond use from its impact against a tree.  I had been unwilling to suffer the pain of giving up ecstatic speed in the interest of maintaining balance around the corner.  However, I learned that the loss of balance is ultimately more painful than the giving up required to maintain balance.  It is a lesson I have continually relearned.  As we negotiate the curves and corners of our lives, we must continually give up parts of ourselves.”

 Discipline doesn’t necessarily feel familiar or comfortable, but it results in a healthy life perspective that yields consistent progress and eventual ease.

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

ANXIETY NEVER HELPS

ANXIETY NEVER HELPS

 The vast majority of our human anxiety moments are unnecessary; all are non-productive.  One study suggests that the average person’s anxiety is based 40% on things that will never happen, 30% on things about the past that cannot be changed, 12% on the unsubstantiated criticisms of others, 10% on health issues (which only makes things worse), and 8% on real problems that must be faced.

 Consider the sage admonition of Jesus Christ, recorded in Matthew 6:26-27, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”  The Apostle Paul heartily agrees.  He writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

 It has well been said that the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. 

 So why worry, winner-believer?  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)  While growing up, this scripture was permanently mounted on the dining room wall so it is an integral part of our family heritage.

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

WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE A NOBODY

WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE A NOBODY

 There could be moments in life when your self-perceptions are at an all-time low.  However, appearances can certainly be deceiving.  Although it’s a lengthy story, consider the case of one man whose actions brought about national condemnation and ostracism.

 As a student of history, I love the story of U.S. Senator Edmund G. Ross of Kansas.  Historians could casually label him as ‘Mr. Nobody’ since no national law bears his name.  Not a single list of Senate greats would reference his service.  Yet when Ross entered the Senate in 1866, he was considered a rising star who was destined to surpass his colleagues, but he tossed it all away by one courageous act of conscience.

 Here’s what happened.  In the aftermath of the Civil War, conflict seriously divided our government.  President Andrew Johnson was determined to follow Lincoln’s policy of reconciliation toward the South.  However, Congress wanted to rule the defeated Confederate states with an iron fist.

 Shortly after Senator Ross was seated, the Senate introduced impeachment proceedings against the hated President.  Thirty-six votes were needed and everyone concluded that the thirty-sixth would come from Edmund Ross.  But to the surprise of many, Ross declared that the president “deserved as fair a trial as any accused man has ever had on earth.”  As a result, Ross received an avalanche of anti-Johnson telegrams from every section of the country.

 The fateful day of the vote arrived and courtroom galleries were packed.  Only the vote of Senator Ross was needed to impeach the President.  The Chief Justice asked in a trembling voice, “Senator Ross, how vote you?  Is the respondent Andrew Johnson guilty as charged?”  Ross later revealed his thoughts at that moment: “I looked into my open grave.  Friendships, position, fortune, and everything that makes life desirable were about to be swept away by the breath of my mouth, perhaps forever.”  Then, his answer came, unhesitating and unmistakable: “Not guilty!”  With that, the trial was over and the response was quite predictable.

 Officials from Kansas wired Ross to say: “Kansas repudiates you as she does all perjurers and skunks!”  His political career was in ruins.  Extreme ostracism, and even physical attack awaited his family on their return home.  One gloomy day Ross turned to his faithful wife and said, “Millions cursing me today will bless me tomorrow...though no one but God can know the struggle it has cost me.”  It was a prophetic declaration.  Twenty years later Congress and the Supreme Court verified the wisdom of his position by changing the federal laws related to impeachment.

 Ross was appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico, and he was thereafter awarded a special pension by Congress.  The national press and people eventually honored his courage which saved our nation from crisis and division. 

 My friend, your current courageous convictions just might cost a great deal – the loss of fortune, or fame, or friendship – but they will surely be affirmed in time by righteous people and honored in eternity by Almighty God.

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